Patent Application
20170082399
The present invention relates to a light-emitting sighting device that can be mounted on a gun and has a switch that can be compressed to activate or deactivate the sighting device while the user is supporting and aiming the gun. The disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 8,127,485 to Moore et al., U.S. application Ser. No. 12/160,213 to Moore et al., and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/030523A to Moore, which are not inconsistent with the disclosure herein, are incorporated by reference.
It is known to utilize a light beam, such as a laser beam, as a sighting aid for guns. If mounted properly on a gun, the laser projects a beam of laser light in a direction generally parallel to the gun's bore. When the light beam and bore are properly aligned, the bullet (or other projectile) will strike, or strike very close to, the location of the light beam projected on a target.
Such devices are not particularly suitable for ease of use with a rifle, particularly a semi-automatic rifle with an assault design (e.g., an AR-15). The user cannot easily activate the laser while supporting the rifle, and must move one hand to initiate a switch that activates the laser and then return the hand either (depending on which hand is used) to a position to support the rifle, or to the trigger.
The invention is a sighting device (sometimes referred to herein as a “device”), and a gun including the sighting device. The sighting device includes a light source and a switch to activate or deactivate the light source without a user having to move a hand (1) from a position in which the gun is being supported, or (2) from the trigger. The sighting device preferably includes a laser as the light source, a power source connectable to the laser, and a mount for mounting the device to a gun. In one embodiment, the sighting device is attached to a picatinny rail on the side of the side of the gun, and includes a compressible touch pad on which the user's fingers naturally rest when supporting the gun. The touch pad preferably includes one or more internal contacts that can each complete a separate circuit for activating the light source. The user can complete the one or more circuits by compressing (or squeezing) the compressible touch pad with sufficient force so at least one of the contacts touches a circuit trace to complete a circuit, which causes power to flow to the light source, while the user is still supporting the gun.
Each switch could instead be a momentary or other type of switch(es) adjacent the fingers of a user's hand when in the natural position of supporting the gun, rather than a touch pad. Once the light source is activated, one or more light beams are projected. If multiple beams are projected, they preferably define an area between them.
Turning now to the drawings where the purpose is to describe a preferred embodiment of the invention and not to limit same,
Preferably, device 10 is configured to be mounted on a gun 11, and most preferably on a picatinny rail 9 of the gun 11 (shown in
Device 10 could also be mounted to or formed on a gun in any other suitable fashion that allows one or more light beams from light source 14 of device 10 to be accurately projected along the longitudinal axis of the gun barrel 7, or along the longitudinal axis of light source 14, and wherein a structure to activate the light source is adjacent to, or touching the fingers of, the user's hand used to support the gun.
Device 10 includes a housing 12 that retains a light source 14 (which is preferably a laser), and optionally a diffraction lens (not shown). Housing 12 includes a first leg 12A and a second leg 12B, that are used to grip a picatinny rail, such as rail 9 shown in
Housing 12 is preferably made of injection molded plastic, but could be made of any suitable material, such as another metal (for example, MIM carbon steel or extruded aluminum). Housing 12 has a first end 62, a second end 64, and includes a cavity 65 that retains canister 50.
Second end 64 of housing 12 has a closure 12D with an opening 12C to permit light to be emitted from light source 14, and an opening (not shown) through which cap 24 presses and is threaded into end 56 of canister 54.
Light source 14 has a first end 14A through which light can be emitted, a second end 14B that is connectable to power source 22 by circuit board 40, and a body 14C. Light source 14 is preferably a visible-light laser module, but could be any light source, including a light emitting diode (“LED”) flashlight (as used herein “flashlight” means any source of visible light other than a laser) or an infra-red light source (such as an infra-red LED or infra-red laser). In the embodiment shown light source 14 is a red-light, 650 nanometer or 635 nanometer, 3.3 mm diode, visible laser, and the laser module has an overall length of about 14 mm and a diameter of about 4.5 mm. Any suitable laser module or other light source may be used, however.
An opening 16 in housing 12 retains a set screw 18 that can be used to adjust the position of light source 14 in the vertical direction when mounted on picatinny rail 9 as shown in
A diffraction lens (not shown), if used, may be formed as part of light source 14 or positioned outside of the lens (positioned at first end 14A) of light source 14 so that a beam of light exiting light source 14 is diffracted into multiple beams to generate a pattern of individual light beams that define an area between them, and one preferred diffraction lens is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,127,485. The area defined by the individual light beams can be of any suitable shape or size. It is most preferable that the area defined by the multiple light beams is circular, but it could also be triangular, oval, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal or of any suitable shape. Alternatively, multiple beams (if utilized) can be created in other ways. A light source according to the invention may also generate a single light beam and not include a diffraction lens, or may have a lens to diffract the light into a cross or any other suitable shape or pattern.
In one preferred embodiment there are at least three light beams defining an area between them, and most preferably eight beams of light defining an area between them, even though any number of light beams of three or more can be utilized. The light source may also create one or more other light beams inside the area, and in one embodiment creates a single light beam in the center of the area formed by the multiple beams.
If used, the diffraction lens, or other method of generating multiple light beams, may direct the one or more light beams straight along the axis of gun barrel 7, or drop vertically over distance to match the vertical drop of a bullet fired from the gun.
Device 10 as shown further includes: (1) an integrated circuit board 40, (2) a canister 50 having a first cavity 52, a second cavity 54, a first end 56, a second end 58, and a dividing wall 60 that separates cavities 52 and 54, (3) an insulating sleeve 21, and (4) a cushion sleeve 61.
The purpose of canister 50 is to retain light source 14 and power source 22. Any suitable structure or structures may be used for this purpose. Canister 50 is preferably made of aluminum or other conductive material so as to complete the connectivity required for the proper functioning of the circuit board 40, when circuit board 40 is positioned against end 58 of canister 50 when device 10 is fully assembled.
First cavity 52 retains cushion sleeve 61 and light source 14, wherein cushion sleeve 61 fits over body 14C. Cushion sleeve 61 helps to maintain light source 14 in proper alignment when gun 11 is fired or otherwise jarred or bumped.
Power source 22 is retained within insulating sleeve 21 inside of second cavity 54. Power source 22 is preferably three silver oxide 1.5V coin batteries connectable to light source 14 via circuit board 40. Removable cap 24 is threadingly received in and covers end 56 of second cavity 54. A depression 24A is formed in cap 24 in order to receive spring 26. Cap 24 can be removed to access and replace power source 22. A screw 72 is received in an opening in the bottom of housing 12 and is threadingly received in an opening (not shown) in the bottom of canister 50 to assist in retaining canister 50 in cavity 65 of housing 12.
Integrated circuit board 40 is configured to be received and mounted on second end 58 of canister 50. Board 40 is preferably plastic and includes circuitry (not shown). The function of circuit board 40 is to electrically connect the power source 22 to the light source 14 and any suitable structure or device can be used for this purpose. Circuit board 40 is designed for negative switching wherein power is generated from the negative side of power source 22 and to the light source 14. In the preferred embodiment of device 10, the integrated circuit on circuit board 40 allows for continuous or intermittent delivery of power to light source 14. Board 40 includes an integrated circuit (not shown) and two through holes 74 through which screws 76, pass and are retained in openings 60 in canister 50.
In this embodiment, a spring (not shown) is connected to the back of light source 14 in any suitable manner, and is then connected to board 40, preferably by soldering. The spring acts as the negative contact for light source 14 to board 40 and also allows light source 14 to move freely back and forth axially and in all directions. In this manner, light source 14 can freely be adjusted by set screws 18.
Device 10 also includes a grip 100 that attaches to housing 12 by screws 76 passing through openings 122 in circuit board support member 123. Grip 100 includes a first leg 112A and a second leg 112B, that slide onto a picatinny rail, such as rail 9 shown in
Grip 100 also has a first end 102, a second end 104, a bottom slot 120 for receiving touch pad 130, and openings 122. When assembled, touch pad 130 is received in slot 120, rear cover 140 is positioned against end 104 of grip 100 and screws 150 are received through openings 142 in rear cover 140, and threadingly received in openings 122. In this manner rear cover 140 secures and protects the inner cavity of touch pad 130.
Grip 100 further includes an extension 139 that has a stop 139A, which a user can use to properly position his/her hand on device 10, and a cavity 123 with an outer lip 123A. When device 10 is assembled, lip 123A is retained in end 62 of housing 12 against abutment 62A.
Touch pad 130 has an extension 132 that contacts the bottom of circuit board 40 and is preferably soldered thereto to make an electrical connection between the circuitry in touch pad 130 and the circuitry on circuit board 40. As best seen in
Having thus described some embodiments of the invention, other variations and embodiments that do not depart from the spirit of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the present invention is thus not limited to any particular embodiment, but is instead set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof. Unless expressly stated in the written description or claims, the steps of any method recited in the claims may be performed in any order capable of yielding the desired result.
