Patent Application
20200088495
In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an optic sight, such as a red dot sight. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a red dot sight with an integral lens assembly.
Conventional dot sights are formed from three separate pieces, including two separate lenses and a body. The two lenses are formed, bonded together, and cut to shape. Then, the bonded lenses are inserted into the body and glue or epoxy is applied to secure the bonded lenses to the body.
This multi-step process is time consuming and it is difficult to produce efficiently because each step requires a high level of precision. Moreover, a greater number of separate pieces leads to additional opportunities for breakage and failure of the dot sight. This is particularly important for a dot sight attached to handguns, which put the dot sight through more rigorous conditions compared to other firearms such as long rifles. For example, dot sights coupled to handguns must endure higher recoil velocities, repetitive impacts, and increased environmental exposure compared to dot sights attached to long rifles.
Furthermore, conventional dot sights are formed from a body that is metal, with the metal surrounding the lens. The metal body obstructs a user's view, limiting the line of sight and the field of view of the user.
The art recognizes the need for a durable dot sight that may be produced efficiently, and with minimal materials. The art further recognizes the need for a dot sight that does not obstruct a user's view.
In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a dot sight. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a dot sight comprising:
(i) an integral lens assembly including a lens and a rim, the lens having a first surface and an opposing second surface;
(ii) a base coupled to the lens assembly, the base having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface;
(iii) a light emitter coupled to the base, the light emitter configured to emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens; and the lens is in a position in which the first surface and the opposing second surface extend substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the base. In one embodiment, the lens is in a fixed, vertical position.
In another embodiment, the disclosure also provides a process for forming a dot sight. In one embodiment, the process comprises:
(i) injection molding a polymeric material to form an integral lens assembly including a lens and a rim, the lens having a first surface and an opposing second surface;
(ii) providing a base having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface;
(iii) coupling the lens assembly to the base such that the lens is in a fixed vertical position, with the first surface and the opposing second surface extending perpendicular to the top surface of the base; and
(iv) coupling a light emitter to the base, the light emitter configured to emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens.
The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
In this description, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments,” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer. Alternatively, intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.
Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another element, component, region, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, or section, without departing from the disclosure.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90° or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
All patents, patent applications, and non-patent literature references are incorporated herein in their entireties.
The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate, and thus may include values outside of the range, unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges include all values from and including the lower and the upper values, in increments of one unit, provided that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if a compositional, physical or other property, such as, for example, molecular weight, viscosity, etc., is from 100 to 1,000, it is intended that all individual values, such as 100, 101, 102, etc., and sub ranges, such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc., are expressly enumerated. For ranges containing values which are less than one or containing fractional numbers greater than one (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1, as appropriate. For ranges containing single digit numbers less than ten (e.g., 1 to 5), one unit is typically considered to be 0.1. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated, are to be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure.
The term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A and/or B” herein is intended to include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B (alone). Likewise, the term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B, and/or C” is intended to encompass each of the following embodiments: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).
The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having” and their derivatives, are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step or procedure, whether or not the same is specifically disclosed. In order to avoid any doubt, all compositions claimed through use of the term “comprising” may include any additional additive, adjuvant, or compound, whether polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary. In contrast, the term “consisting essentially of” excludes from the scope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step, or procedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability. The term “consisting of” excludes any component, step, or procedure not specifically delineated or listed. The term “or,” unless stated otherwise, refers to the listed members individually, as well as in any combination. Use of the singular includes use of the plural and vice versa.
The term “composite” refers to a component formed from more than one distinct piece (or part), which upon assembly are combined.
The term “integral” refers to a component formed from one, and only one, piece of rigid material, such as an inj ection-molded piece.
A “target” is a person, an animal, or a place selected as the aim of a projectile. Non-limiting examples of suitable animal targets include game animals such as deer, ducks, turkey, and pheasant.
In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a dot sight. In one embodiment, the dot sight comprises: (i) an integral lens assembly including a lens and a rim, the lens having a first surface and an opposing second surface; (ii) a base coupled to the lens assembly, the base having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; (iii) a light emitter coupled to the base, the light emitter configured to emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens; and the lens is in a position in which the first surface and the opposing second surface extend substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the base. In one embodiment, the lens is in a fixed position. In another embodiment, the lens is in a vertical position. In yet another embodiment, the lens is in a fixed, vertical position.
(i) Integral Lens Assembly
The dot sight includes an integral lens assembly including a lens and a rim. An “integral lens assembly” is a component formed from one, and only one, piece of material. In other words, the lens and the rim are formed from a single piece of material. In one embodiment, the lens and the rim are formed from a single piece of rigid material.
In an embodiment, the integral lens assembly is injection molded. The lens and the rim are simultaneously formed in a single mold. A molten material is injected into the mold and solidified to form the integral lens assembly. A non-limiting example of a suitable material to form the integral lens assembly is a polymeric material.
The integral lens assembly excludes composite lens assemblies in which the lens and the rim are formed independently as two or more distinct pieces, and then assembled to form a composite lens assembly.
A “lens” is a transparent component having two opposing surfaces, wherein at least one of the surfaces is curved to concentrate or disperse light rays.
A user may view a target through the lens 14. In other words, a user looking through the lens 14 (through the first surface 18 and the second surface 20) may view a target with at least as much clarity as when the user looks at the target without looking through the lens 14.
The lens 14 has a thickness, TL, that is the distance between the first surface 18 and the second surface 20. In an embodiment, the lens 14 has a thickness, TL, that is from 1 millimeter (mm), or 2 mm, or 3 mm, or 4 mm to 5 mm, or 10 mm, or 15 mm, or 20 mm, or 30 mm, or 40 mm.
The integral lens assembly 12 includes a rim 16. A “rim” is a component that surrounds, or partially surrounds, the lens.
The rim 16 has two opposing surfaces, including a front surface 30 and a rear surface 32, as shown in
The rim 16 has a thickness, TR, that is the shortest distance between the front surface 30 and the rear surface 32. The thickness, TR, of the rim 16 is greater than the thickness, TL, of the lens 14. In other words, there is a distance between the first surface 18 of the lens 14 and the front surface 30 of the rim 16 and/or there is a distance between the second surface 20 of the lens 14 and the rear surface 32 of the rim 16.
In an embodiment, the rim 16 has a thickness, TR, that is from 2 mm, or 3 mm, or 4 mm, or 5 mm to 6 mm, or 10 mm, or 15 mm, or 20 mm, or 30 mm, or 40 mm, or 50 mm, with the proviso that the thickness, TR, of the rim 16 is greater than the thickness, TL, of the lens 14.
In an embodiment, the rim 16 includes a support member 28, as shown in
It is understood that the lens 14 and rim 16, including the rim legs 22a, 22b and the support members 28a, 28b each are part of the integral lens assembly 12 and are therefore a single component formed from the same material.
The integral lens assembly 12 is transparent, including the lens 14 and the rim 16. A user may view a target through the lens 14 and the rim 16. In other words, a user looking through the lens 14 (through the first surface 18 and the second surface 20) and/or the rim 16 (through the rear surface 32 and the front surface 30) may view a target with at least as much clarity as when the user looks at the target without looking through the lens 14 and/or the rim 16.
The integral lens assembly 12 with a transparent lens 14 and transparent rim 16 advantageously does not obstruct a user's view of a target.
The integral lens assembly 12 with a lens 14 and a rim 16 that are simultaneously formed in a single mold and do not require assembly advantageously (i) requires fewer materials to form; (ii) requires less time to form; and (iii) has less weight (i.e., is lighter), than conventional dot sights with composite lens assemblies formed from two or more distinct components that must be assembled together. Lighter dot sights are advantageous because a heavy dot sight can negatively influence the recoil of a firearm, which is unsafe for users.
The integral lens assembly, lens, and rim may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.
(ii) Base
The dot sight includes a base. A “base” is a structure capable of being coupled to an article, such as a firearm.
The base 26 has a shape. Non-limiting examples of suitable shapes include cube, cuboid, triangular prism, and wedge.
The base 26 may be formed from the same material as the integral lens assembly 12, or a different material than the integral lens assembly 12. Non-limiting examples of materials to form the base 26 include polymeric materials, metals, and combinations thereof
The base 26 is coupled to the integral lens assembly 12. In an embodiment, the base 26 is directly coupled to the integral lens assembly 12. Non-limiting examples of suitable coupling mechanisms include screws, dovetail joints, channels, epoxy, glue, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the base 26 is directly coupled to the integral lens assembly 12 with glue, epoxy, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the base 26 is glued to the integral lens assembly 12.
In an embodiment, each rim leg 22a, 22b and/or each rim support member 28a, 28b is directly coupled to the base 26.
In an embodiment, the base 26 is sized to be positioned between each rim leg 22a, 22b and/or each rim support member 28a, 28b, and the bottom edge 24 of the lens 14.
While
In one embodiment, the base 26 coupled to the integral lens assembly 12 positions the lens 14 in a fixed vertical position in which the first surface 18 of the lens 14 and the opposing second surface 20 of the lens 14 extend perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the top surface 34 of the base 26, as shown in
A “fixed vertical position” is a static vertical spatial orientation of the lens surfaces with respect to the base. In other words, the position of each lens surface 18, 20 relative to the top surface 34 of the base 26 does not change. Thus, the dot sight 10 excludes lens assemblies that are attached to a base via a hinge that enables a user to move the lens along a hinge axis, such that the lens surfaces may be parallel, or substantially parallel, to the top surface of the base.
The dot sight 10 with a lens 14 that is an a fixed vertical position in which the first surface 18 of the lens 14 and the opposing second surface 20 of the lens 14 extend perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the top surface 34 of the base 26 is more structurally secure than a comparative dot sight 10 with hinges and rotatable components. Increased structural security is particularly advantageous when the dot sight 10 (and, in particular, the base 26) is coupled to a handgun, which puts the dot sight through more rigorous conditions compared to long rifles. For example, dot sights 10 coupled to handguns must endure higher recoil velocities, repetitive impacts, and increased environmental exposure compared to dot sights attached to long rifles.
Moreover, the dot sight 10 with a lens 14 that is an a fixed vertical position in which the first surface 18 of the lens 14 and the opposing second surface 20 of the lens 14 extend perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the top surface 34 of the base 26 advantageously maintains the alignment of the lens 14 with respect to the light emitter, which increases the accuracy of targeting and sighting.
In an embodiment, the base 26 is coupled to an article. A non-limiting example of a suitable article is a firearm. Non-limiting examples of suitable firearms include handguns, long rifles, shot guns, pellet guns, and BB guns.
Not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the dot sight 10 having an integral lens assembly 12 requires less maintenance than conventional dot sights with composite lens assemblies formed from two or more distinct components because the dot sight 10 is void of couplings (e.g., glue) between the lens and rim that may fail with time, exposure to the elements, and/or repeated use.
The base may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.
(iii) Light Emitter
The dot sight includes a light emitter. A “light emitter” is a component configured to emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens.
When a light, such as a red light, is emitted from the light emitter, a pattern 38 is displayed on the second surface 20 of the lens 14. A non-limiting example of a suitable pattern 38 is a dot, as shown in
Non-limiting examples of suitable light emitters include laser diodes and light emitting diodes (LEDs).
In an embodiment, the light emitter is coupled to the base. In another embodiment, the light emitter is coupled to the article.
The light emitter may or may not be positioned within a housing. The housing may be coupled to the base or the article.
The light emitter is electronically coupled to a power source, such as a battery.
In an embodiment, the light emitter is configured to emit a red light that forms a dot pattern on the lens.
The light emitter may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.
Not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the dot sight 10 having an integral lens assembly 12 requires less maintenance than conventional dot sights with composite lens assemblies formed from two or more distinct components because the dot sight 10 is void of couplings (e.g., glue) between the lens and rim that may fail with time, exposure to the elements, and/or repeated use. Moreover, the integral lens assembly 12 with a lens 14 and a rim 16 that are simultaneously formed in a single mold and do not require assembly advantageously (i) requires fewer materials to form; (ii) requires less time to form; and (iii) has less weight (i.e., is lighter), than conventional dot sights with composite lens assemblies formed from two or more distinct components that must be assembled together. Furthermore, the integral lens assembly 12 with a transparent lens 14 and transparent rim 16 advantageously does not obstruct a user's view of a target, thereby increasing the accuracy of a user's targeting and sighting.
Thus, the dot sight 10 with an integral lens assembly 12 (i) is easier to produce; (ii) is less expensive to produce; (iii) exhibits improved durability; (iv) requires less maintenance; (v) enables a larger and unobstructed frame of view to users; and (vi) is lighter for a user to carry compared to conventional dot sights with composite lens assemblies.
While the disclosure is directed to a dot sight in which the integral lens assembly 12 and the base 26 are separate pieces, it is understood that the integral lens assembly 12 and the base 26 may also be formed from a single piece of material.
The dot sight may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.
The disclosure also provides a process for forming a dot sight. The process includes: (i) injection molding a polymeric material to form an integral lens assembly including a lens and a rim, the lens having a first surface and an opposing second surface; (ii) providing a base having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; (iii) coupling the lens assembly to the base such that the lens is in a fixed vertical position, with the first surface and the opposing second surface extending perpendicular to the top surface of the base; and (iv) coupling a light emitter to the base, the light emitter configured to emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens.
In an embodiment, the process further includes (v) coupling the base to an article.
The dot sight, integral lens assembly, base, and light emitter may be any respective dot sight, integral lens assembly, base, and light emitter disclosed herein.
(i) Injection Molding
The process includes the step of injection molding a polymeric material to form an integral lens assembly including a lens and a rim, the lens having a first surface and an opposing second surface.
The polymeric material is injected into a mold while the polymeric material is in a molten state. In other words, the polymeric material is heated to a temperature equal to or greater than the melting point of the polymeric material, and is then injected into the mold. After injection, the polymeric material is cooled to room temperature (about 23-25° C.), to solidify the polymeric material and form the integral lens assembly.
Non-limiting examples of suitable polymeric materials include acrylic polymers (such as polymethlamethacrylate), butyrate polymers (such as cellulose acetate butyrate), polycarbonate, glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the injection molding includes (i) heating the polymeric material to a temperature equal to or greater than the melting point of the polymeric material to form a molten polymeric material; (ii) injecting the molten polymeric material into a single mold; (iii) cooling the molten polymeric material to room temperature; and (iv) forming an integral lens assembly. The lens and the rim of the integral lens assembly are formed simultaneously in the single mold.
The integral lens assembly is transparent. Thus, the lens and the rim of the integral lens assembly are transparent. In an embodiment, the process includes forming a transparent integral lens assembly.
The integral lens assembly may be any integral lens assembly disclosed herein.
The injection molding step may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.
(ii) Providing a Base
The process includes the step of providing a base having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface.
The base may be any base disclosed herein.
In an embodiment, the process includes providing a base having a cuboid shape.
The base is capable of being coupled to an article, such as a firearm.
The providing a base step may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.
(iii) Coupling the Integral Lens Assembly to the Base
The process includes the step of coupling the lens assembly to the base such that the lens is in a fixed vertical position, with the first surface and the opposing second surface extending perpendicular to the top surface of the base.
Non-limiting examples of suitable coupling mechanisms include screws, dovetail joints, channels, epoxy, glue, and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the process includes directly coupling the integral lens assembly to the base such that the lens is in a fixed vertical position, with the first surface and the opposing second surface extending perpendicular to the top surface of the base.
In an embodiment, the coupling the integral lens assembly to the base includes gluing the integral lens assembly to the base.
The coupling the integral lens assembly to the base step may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.
(iv) Coupling a Light Emitter to the Base
The process includes the step of coupling a light emitter to the base, the light emitter configured to emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens.
The light emitter may be any light emitter disclosed herein.
Non-limiting examples of suitable coupling mechanisms include screws, channels, epoxy, glue, and combinations thereof
In an embodiment, the light emitter is positioned within a housing. The housing is coupled to the base. When the light emitter is positioned within a housing, it is understood that the light emitter and the housing are configured to enable the light emitter to emit a light (such as a red light) that forms a pattern (such as a dot) on the lens.
The coupling a light emitter to the base step may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.
(v) Coupling the Base to an Article
In an embodiment, the process includes the step of coupling the base to an article.
The article may be any article disclosed herein, such as a handgun.
In an embodiment, the process includes the step of coupling the base to a handgun.
Non-limiting examples of suitable coupling mechanisms include screws, channels, clamps, and combinations thereof.
The coupling the base to an article step may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.
Not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the process disclosed herein for forming a dot sight, in which the integral lens assembly with a lens and a rim are simultaneously formed in a single mold and do not require assembly advantageously (i) requires fewer materials to form; (ii) requires less time to form; and (iii) has less weight (i.e., is lighter), than conventional dot sights formed using composite lens assemblies formed from two or more distinct components that must be assembled together. Furthermore, the integral lens assembly with a transparent lens and a transparent rim advantageously does not obstruct a user's view of a target, thereby increasing the accuracy of a user's targeting and sighting.
The process for forming a dot sight may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.
The disclosure also provides a dot sight formed from the process disclosed herein. The dot sight may be any dot sight disclosed herein.
It is specifically intended that the disclosure not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.
This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/732,805 filed Sep. 18, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62732805 | Sep 2018 | US |
