Patent Grant
11852442
The present invention relates to aiming devices, and more particularly to reflex aiming devices having a macro alignment reticle or other reticle alignment aids.
The popularity and use of firearms for hunting, target shooting, and other dynamic shooting sports, has increased over the past several decades. The fast-paced, competitive nature of shooting and the desire by hunters to have well-placed, ethical shots, have led to the development and commercialization of a variety of aiming devices. These devices include fiber optic sights, illuminated scope reticles and reflex sights, to name a few.
Reflex sights typically are used with firearms in a variety of shooting sports and hunting activities where quick target acquisition is favorable. Such sights superimpose a bright illuminated dot against a center of a lens or window in a protective frame. The firearm is aimed by placing the superimposed dot on a target as viewed through the window. Due to the centering of the dot in the window, and in particular, at a central focal point on the window, the window and superimposed dot are both usually centered on the target.
Reflex sights have recently become more popular on handguns. Handguns are smaller than long guns, such as rifles, and thus smaller sights are favored. In many present handgun reflex sights, the superimposed dot typically is generated by a small light emitting diode disposed at the focal point the lens, which is selectively reflective to the wavelength of the illumination. The focal point of most reflex sight lenses is usually located at the geometric center of the lens. These sight lenses also are rather small, sometimes less than one square inch in area.
An issue with many reflex sights, in particular smaller ones, such as those used on handguns, is that the superimposed dot is only visible when the sight and lens are at a particular orientation relative to a use in a user's field of view. For newer users, achieving this alignment can be difficult to do, particularly if the user is attempting to quickly align the sight on a target. For example, when a user raises a firearm from a lowered position or ready position to an aiming position, their goal is to quickly and consistently acquire or view the superimposed dot on the lens, then move that dot over a target. Due to the orientation of the firearm and sight, in some cases, the user might not be able to see the dot on the lens, which can be frustrating. As a more particular example, a user might raise a firearm, with a reflex sight mounted thereon, upward to what they perceive as a proper aiming position. Due to the gun, and thus the sight, being angled too far forward, backward, or too far to a side, the user cannot physically see the dot on the lens—even though the dot is still being projected by the diode on the lens. The lens is simply at the wrong angle for the user to actually see or view the dot in this misaligned configuration of the firearm and sight.
When this misalignment occurs, the user must first understand that the dot is there (not that the sight is malfunctioning), second, realign the sight so that the dot becomes visible to them on the lens, and third, align the dot with the target and engage the firearm to accurately fire a shot. However, newer users and some experienced users with poor eyesight may not perceive which direction is the proper one to move toward and gain visibility of the apparently hidden dot. Accordingly, the user might pan the gun left/right and up/down several times until they figure out how to gain visibility of the dot on the lens. This can be frustrating and time consuming, particularly in competition. It also can create a dangerous situation if the user moves the gun barrel in an unsafe direction while trying to find the dot on the lens. Again, this can in some cases make target alignment and acquisition more difficult and time consuming.
Accordingly, there remains room for improvement in the field of aiming devices, particularly with regard to reflex sights to improve the aiming dot perception and enhance target acquisition.
An aiming device is provided in the form of a reflex sight having a primary dot as well as secondary alignment dots that are hidden from view when the primary dot is properly aligned in a normal field of view, but that become exposed to provide visual, instructive feedback when the sight is misaligned so a user can properly align the primary dot, for example, with a target.
In one embodiment, the aiming device or sight can include a body and a frame joined with the body. The frame can house an optical element configured to reflect and/or display to a viewer one or more of a dot, mark, indicia, sight element, reticle pattern, arrow element, illuminated element and/or direction pointer (all of which are referred to as a “dot” herein) in a projection region, and/or superimposed relative to the optical element in some cases.
In another embodiment, there can be several dots in a dot pattern (which includes two or more dots) in the projection region and/or displayed via the optical element. For example, there can be a primary dot, which itself is configured to be aligned with a target to thereby align a weapon with the target to fire on the target and engage the target. There also or alternatively can be at least one secondary alignment dot which itself is not aligned with the target, but instead is used to provide instruction to a user to move, angle or otherwise reorient the aiming device so the user can better view or attain visibility of the primary dot in a field of view, such that the user can then align the primary dot with the target to engage it.
In still another embodiment, the aiming device can project a primary dot and at least one secondary alignment dot distal from the primary dot simultaneously in a projection region that overlaps the optical element. The projection region can extend beyond the optical element so when the aiming device is in an aligned mode, the primary dot is visible within a field of view of the user, but the secondary alignment dot is not visible.
In yet another embodiment, when the aiming device is in a misaligned mode, the secondary alignment dot is visible to the user, but the primary dot is not. The secondary alignment dot can provide instruction to the user to realign the aiming device relative to the field of view of the user so that the aiming device transitions to the aligned mode.
In even another embodiment, the secondary alignment dot can be in the form of arrow or pointer element pointing in a direction of movement of a muzzle of a weapon to which the aiming device is attached. When a user moves the muzzle in the direction pointed to by the arrow element in the misaligned mode, the primary dot becomes visible or more visible to the user. The user can then acquire or better acquire a view of that primary dot and align it with a target to thereby align the weapon with the target and engage the target.
In a further embodiment, the sight can be configured so that the primary dot is displayed on the optical element, which can be constructed from and/or include glass, polymer, crystal or other light transmissive or reflective materials or coatings.
In still a further embodiment, an illumination device can project the primary dot and a plurality of secondary alignments dot distal from the primary dot simultaneously in the projection region that overlaps the optical element. The projection region can extend beyond the edges of the optical element such that when the aiming device is in an aligned mode, the primary dot is visible in a field of view of the user, but the secondary alignment dots are not visible to the user within the field of view of the user. Thus, the user can be assured that the primary dot is properly aligned in their field of view so they can aim the aiming device and associated weapon via the primary dot.
In yet a further embodiment, the primary dot can include a primary viewing axis or optical axis that projects rearward from the optical element when the primary dot is visible in the field of view. The primary viewing axis or optical axis can be generally aligned with a first viewing axis of the user in the field of view when the aiming device is in the aligned mode, such that the primary dot is visible to the user within the field of view of the user. The secondary alignment dots are not visible to the user when the aiming device is in the aligned mode, because the at least one secondary alignment do is distal from the primary viewing axis such that the secondary alignment dots are out of the field of view in the aligned mode.
In even a further embodiment, the optical element can include an upper edge, a lower edge a left edge and a right edge. The secondary alignment dot can include an upper alignment dot projected beyond the upper edge, a lower alignment dot projected beyond the lower edge, a left alignment dot projected beyond the left edge, and a right alignment dot projected beyond the right edge.
In another further embodiment, the secondary alignment dots can be in the form of arrow elements. Each of the arrow elements can point away from the primary dot.
In still another further embodiment, the primary dot can be of a different wavelength or color than the secondary alignment dots. A user can thus distinguish between the primary dot and the secondary alignment dot so as to not inadvertently aim the aiming device using the secondary alignment dots aligned with a target.
In yet another, further embodiment, where there are multiple secondary alignment dots arranged around the outside perimeter of the projection region, certain secondary alignment dots may be displayed, while others are not, when the aiming device is in the misaligned mode. For example, a lower alignment dot can be visible to the user, but the upper alignment dot is not visible to the user within the field of view, or vice versa, when the aiming device is in the misaligned mode. As another example, the right alignment dot can be visible to the user, but the left alignment dot is not visible to the user within the field of view, or vice versa, when the aiming device is in the particular misaligned mode.
In another embodiment, a method of operating an aiming device is provided. The method can include projecting a primary dot and at least one secondary alignment dot distal from the primary dot simultaneously in a projection region that overlaps an optical element having at least one edge, the projection region extending beyond the edge of the optical element; and making the primary dot visible to a user within a field of view of the user, but the at least one secondary alignment dot is not visible to the user within the field of view of the user, when the aiming device is in an aligned mode.
In still another embodiment, the method can include making the at least one secondary alignment dot visible to the user within the field of view of the user, but the primary dot not visible within the field of view of the user, when the aiming device is in a misaligned mode. The visible secondary alignment dot can provide instruction to the user to align or realign (which terms are used interchangeably herein) the aiming device relative to the field of view of the user.
In another embodiment, the optical element can be housed in a frame such that the dot can be viewed by a user along a first viewing axis. One or more secondary alignment dots can be located on the frame or a body of the sight, at a location distal from the optical element and the dot. The secondary alignment dots can be in the form of illuminated elements, such as lights that are visible on an exterior of the frame and/or the body.
In a further embodiment, the illuminated elements forming the secondary alignment dots can be in the form of a lights, such as a light emitting diodes, or some other type of light. The illuminated elements can include a cover or lens having an arrow, pointer or other indicia, which can be of a color different from a color of the primary dot so as to let a user know when they are viewing the secondary alignment dots to assist in alignment rather than an actual primary dot for aiming.
In still a further embodiment, the secondary alignment dots, in the form of illuminated elements, can be located on portions of the sight that is distal from the rear of the sight, for example, on a side, top, front or bottom of the sight body and/or frame. In this location, the secondary alignment dots can be obscured and generally not visible when a user is viewing the rear of the sight, and/or the first viewing axis to view the dot, or the user is aligned with the optical axis to view the dot in an aligned mode. On the other hand, when the aiming device is in a misaligned mode, one or more secondary alignment dots are visible to the user, but the primary dot is not. The one or more secondary alignment dots can provide instruction to the user to realign the aiming device relative to the field of view of the user so that the aiming device transitions to the aligned mode, with the primary dot visible to the user.
In even another embodiment, the secondary alignment dot can be in the form of an illuminated element with an arrow or pointer element pointing in a direction of movement of a muzzle of a weapon to which the aiming device is attached. When a user moves the muzzle in the direction pointed to by the arrow element in the misaligned mode, the primary dot becomes visible or more visible to the user. The user can then acquire or better acquire a view of that primary dot along an optical axis and align it with a target to thereby align the weapon with the target and engage the target.
In yet a further embodiment, the secondary alignment dots can be situated relative to the frame and/or body such that they are individually visible from one or more second viewing axes or alignment axes that are each offset or different from the first viewing axis and optical axis of the optical element. Thus, a user viewing the primary dot along the first viewing axis or along the optical axis will not view the primary dot and secondary alignment dots simultaneously. The user viewing along the first viewing axis, generally parallel to the optical axis or within a range of angles offset relative to the same, will not be able to view the second viewing axis and will not see the secondary alignment dots.
In even a further embodiment, the first viewing axis or optical axis is offset from the one or more second viewing axes by a predetermined angle. The primary dot is visible to the user viewing along a first viewing axis when the sight is in a first orientation relative to the user in an aligned mode, while the one or more second viewing axis and an associated secondary alignment dot is visible to the user when the sight is in a second orientation relative to the user in a misaligned mode. For example, when the sight is in an orientation such that the rear of the sight is viewable by the user, the first viewing axis, which can be aligned generally with the optical axis, also is viewable, but the second viewing axis is not. Thus, the primary dot is viewable but the secondary alignment dot is not. When the sight is in an orientation such that the left or right side of the sight is viewable by the user, the second viewing axis is viewable but the first viewing axis, aligned somewhat with the optical axis, is not. Thus, the secondary alignment dot is visible but the primary dot is not viewable or only slightly visible in the user's field of view.
In another, further embodiment, the secondary alignment dot can be inset in a recess defined by at least one of the body and the frame. The recess can be configured with a recess longitudinal axis or bore axis that is angled relative to the first viewing axis and/or the optical axis. When the secondary alignment dot is in the form of or includes an illuminated element, when illuminated, that element is not visible to the user when the user is viewing the primary dot in the user's field of view when the aiming device is in an aligned mode.
The current embodiments of the aiming device provide benefits in shooting sports and hunting that previously have been unachievable. For example, where the aiming device or sight includes secondary alignment dots that are normally hidden, those dots do not impair or interfere with aiming of the primary dot or alignment of the same with a target. However, when the primary dot is insufficiently visible or not visible in a user's field of view, the secondary alignment dots become visible to provide visual instruction or direction to the user so that the user can reorient, move or realign the aiming device and the weapon to which it is attached to again acquire a satisfactory or full view of the primary dot, which the user can then align with a target to engage the same. The aiming device can provide rapid and efficient visual feedback to a user to help align the primary dot. This can save time in aiming the device and an associate weapon. It also can prevent frustration when the user is unfamiliar or unpracticed with the aiming device, helping them to quickly move and acquire visibility of the primary dot in their field of view.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings.
Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.
A current embodiment of the aiming system, also referred to as a sight herein is illustrated in
Returning to the sight 10 mounted on the firearm in
The sight 10 can include a body 20 that functions as a housing for electronics, an illumination device 30 and a power source 39, such as a battery, capacitor or other electricity storing or generating element. The body 20 includes an upwardly extending protective frame 40 joined with the body and optionally forming a portion thereof. Although shown as an open top protective frame, that frame can be in form of a closed top frame. An optical element 50, optionally in the form of a non-magnifying lens can be mounted in a generally upright position in the protective frame, thereby providing a viewing window for a target T in a field of view. Light, illumination and/or a holographic image is emitted from an illumination device 30, which in some cases can be include one or more miniature light emitting diodes (LED) 31 positioned at a focal point rearward of optical element 50 and within the body 20.
The illumination device 30 can be operable to selectively display or reflect one or more dots as explained below on or from the optical element that are selectively visible to a user within a field of view of the user, depending on whether the aiming device is in an aligned mode or a misaligned mode. In this regard, the light from the illumination device 30 optionally can be reflected rearward toward the user's eye by a dichroic reflection layer or coating of the optical element, which can be a lens 50, as collimated light, so that the user perceives the reflected light as the below described dots as the dots are superimposed on the field of view at infinite distance and in a projection region or plane PP.
The illumination device 30 as mentioned above can include a miniature LED 31. The illumination device 30 also can include or otherwise be configured to project dots having different shapes and/or colors that can be viewed and/or visible within a field of view FOV of a user. As described below, the dots can include a primary dot 70 and one or more secondary alignment dots 40 as shown in
The lens or plate can again be constructed to project dots of different colors or wavelengths. For example, the lens can be separated into two different lens areas 33 and 35. These lens areas can be configured to transmit light of different wavelengths. For example, the lens area 38 can transmit light of a first wavelength, while the second lens area 33 can transmit light of a second wavelength, which is different from the first wavelength. Thus, the illumination device projects the light of the first and second wavelengths to the optical element 50 which in turn reflects that light and displays those wavelengths to a user within a field of view of the user in the form of the respective primary dot and secondary alignment dots. Of course, in other applications, other various lenses can be utilized to transmit light of a variety of different wavelengths to produce a variety of different colored dots.
As used herein, the term dot can refer to any dot, mark, image, indicia, direction indicator, pointer, arrow element, illumination device, illumination element light and/or reticle pattern reflected or otherwise displayed by or on the aiming device. The term dot also can refer to holographic images that are used to sight the aiming device on a target, whether or not disposed or displayed on the optical element, or in front of it or behind it. In the embodiment illustrated, the primary dot 70 can be in the form of a circular dot, but can alternatively can be in the form of a cross, a chevron, a triangle or any other reticle shape. Each of the secondary alignment dots as illustrated can be in the form of arrow elements, that is, elements, images, indicia, markings, lights or illumination elements that form a point or a triangular element, or other shapes depending on the application. Alternatively, the secondary alignment dots can be in the form of circular, round, polygonal shapes or lines, depending on the application.
Optionally, each of the secondary alignment dots, when in the form of the illustrated arrow elements can point radially away from the primary dot. In other applications, they can simply point generally away from the primary dot. The tips of the arrow elements can point in a direction that corresponds to a direction in which a user should move a muzzle 99 of the firearm to gain a better view of the primary dot 70 reflected from the optical element 50, and thus use that primary dot to align the aiming device and thus the weapon with a target T as shown in
Returning to the concept of different wavelengths optionally used for the different dots, in one embodiment, the primary dot 70 can be of a first color, for example red, while the secondary alignment dots 40 can be a second color, for example green. With these different colors, a user typically will not confuse the primary dot 70, which is used to align with a target T, with the secondary alignment dots 40, which in contrast are used to assist the user in acquiring an initial or better view of the primary dot in the user's field of view FOV. Generally, the primary dot 70 can be reflected from the optical element 50 and displayed within a first wavelength range. The one or more secondary alignment dots 40 can be reflected from the optical element 50 and displayed within a second wavelength range, different from the first wavelength range. Optional wavelength ranges for the first wavelength range and the second wavelength range can include the following wavelength ranges associated with the noted colors of the spectrum: 380 nm to 450 nm (violet); 450 nm to 485 nm (blue); 485 nm to 500 nm (cyan); 500 nm to 565 nm (green); 565 nm to 590 nm (yellow); 590 nm to 625 nm (orange); or 625 nm to 740 nm (red).
The illumination device 30 as mentioned above can include the miniature LED 31 which can be powered by a power source 39. The power source can be a battery, a capacitor or some other type of energy for electricity generating device. Optionally, the illumination device 30 can be powerless, without a dedicated onboard power source, such that the respective dots are generated by transmitting ambient light from light pipes, fiber optics and/or other reflective or transmissive elements that convert ambient or environmental light to project such dots. As illustrated, however, the power source 39 can be disposed in a battery compartment 39C defined by the body 20. The power source 39 can be a button cell battery that powers electronics 38 that drive the illumination device 30. The battery can be accessed via a threaded lid that covers a threaded opening to the compartment located in body 20 between optical element 50 and the illumination device 30. The lid can be recessed below the illumination device 30 to provide a clear optical path for illumination generated by it to reach lens 50. A small slot or notch can be provided in a top of lid to assist in grasping it with a user's fingernail for toolless opening, or with the rim of a cartridge, a coin or tool. When closed, the lid can be sealed to body 20 via an O-ring (not shown) that is compressed between lid and a tapered surface bordering the opening to the compartment 39C.
With reference to
With reference to
As shown in
As shown in
The optical element 50 rearward and forward facing surface areas as illustrated can have different radii and optional reflective coatings on a shallower rear surface. Optionally, the optical element 50 can be in the form of a Mangin mirror, having a negative meniscus lens with the reflective surface on the rear side of the glass forming a curved mirror that reflects light without spherical aberration. Of course, other types of optical elements, suitable for reflex type sights to assist in displaying, superimposing or otherwise imaging light or a holographic image on the optical element or in the sight can be utilized.
As mentioned above, the optical element 50 can include multiple edges. For example, optical element 50 can include an upper edge 51, side edges 53 and 54 and a lower edge 52. The upper edge 51 as mentioned above optionally is not concealed by any part of the protective frame or the sight directly above that upper edge, so that upper edge is exposed to the environment and unconcealed by any part of the protective frame directly above the upper edge. In some applications, this upper edge can be covered and concealed. The optical element lower edge 52 can be disposed adjacent the base 63. The first edge 54 can be disposed adjacent the first of upright arm and the second edge can be disposed adjacent the second upright arm 62.
As mentioned above and shown in
With reference to
The illumination device 30 as shown projects light to produce the primary dot and the secondary alignment dots in the projection region by light passing through the lens 34, in particular, the primary dot aperture 37 and the secondary alignment dot apertures 32. The light is transmitted through these apertures and again projects in or on the projection region PP. In the aligned mode, the light corresponding to the primary dot 70 intersects the optical element 50 and is reflected by that lens, along a primary viewing axis PVA shown in
In this aligned mode, shown in
As also shown in
With further reference to
It is to be noted however, that even though the user cannot perceive the secondary alignment dots 40, these dots are still being simultaneously projected by the illumination device with the primary dot 70 in the projection region that overlaps the optical element 50. Again, because the projection region PP is larger than the optical element from the perspective of the user in the illustrated field of view, the portion of the projection region including the secondary alignment dots 40 lay, unperceivably to a user, beyond the edges of the optical element 50. In addition, the secondary alignment dots 40 lay beyond the corresponding edges of the outline 50′ of the optical element in the projection region PP. Thus, the secondary alignment dots are not visible to the user within the field of view of the user from that particular perspective in the aligned mode.
As noted above, the aiming device 10 is operable in the aligned mode, as well as a misaligned mode. In the misaligned mode, the aiming device can provide visual feedback to the user via one or more of the secondary alignment dots to assist the user in reorienting, moving or angling the aiming device to attain a better view of the primary dot 70 within the user's field of view FOV. In general, at least one of the secondary alignment dots 40 is visible to the user within the field of view of the user in the misaligned mode. The primary dot typically is not visible when the field of view of the user in this misaligned mode or is barely visible. Some exemplary misaligned modes of the device are illustrated in
With reference to
In the misaligned mode as illustrated in
A second exemplary misaligned mode is shown in
On a high level, the aiming device 10 herein can be used in a method of operation. In general, the method can include: projecting a primary dot and at least one secondary alignment dot distal from the primary dot simultaneously in a projection region that overlaps an optical element having at least one edge, the projection region extending beyond the edge of the optical element; and making the primary dot visible to a user within a field of view of the user, but the at least one secondary alignment dot not visible to the user within the field of view of the user, when the aiming device is in an aligned mode.
Optionally, the method can include making the at least one secondary alignment dot visible to the user within the field of view of the user, but the primary dot not visible within the field of view of the user, when the aiming device is in a misaligned mode, so as to provide instruction, via the visible at least one secondary alignment dot, to the user to realign the aiming device relative to the field of view of the user. Further optionally, the method can include continuing to project the primary dot, and the at least one secondary alignment dot, which includes a upper secondary alignment dot, a lower secondary alignment dot, a left secondary alignment dot and a right secondary alignment dot, simultaneously in the projection region in both the aligned mode and the misaligned mode. Each of the upper secondary alignment dot, the lower secondary alignment dot, the left secondary alignment dot and the right secondary alignment dot are located beyond the at least one edge of the optical element and out of the field of view of the user such that they are not displayed on or reflected to the user, or perceived by the user, in the aligned mode.
As an example of the method, with reference to
As another example of the method, with reference to
Depending on the orientation of the muzzle 99 relative to the rear of the weapon 98, a variety of different ones of the secondary alignment dots can be displayed on the optical element. The display of these different dots can again inform the user with visual feedback via those dots as to the direction to move the aiming device and gain a better view of the primary dot 70.
A first alternative embodiment of the aiming device is shown in
The secondary alignment dots 140 of this embodiment, however, can take a different form from that of the current embodiment. For example, the secondary alignment dots 140 can be disposed distal from the optical element 150 and positioned, for example, in portions of the frame about the optical element 150. The secondary alignment dots also can be illuminated separately from the primary dot by other elements or components. As shown in
The secondary alignment dots 140 can project and can be visible along respective second viewing axes 2VA, which are offset from the optical axis OA, longitudinal axis LA, and the user viewing axis UVA, as those axes are described above. Being offset from the foregoing axes, the second viewing axes 2VA can be positioned and oriented to assist a user U in reconfiguring the aiming device from a misaligned mode to an aligned mode as described above, wherein in the aligned mode, the user can adequately view the primary dot 170 displayed on the optical element 150 within the user's field of view FOV and along a user's viewing axis, generally along the optical axis OA or close to it. In that aligned mode, as described above, a user can use the primary dot to satisfactorily engage a target with the weapon to which the aiming device 110 is attached.
An exemplary construction of a secondary alignment dot 142 and optional features is illustrated in
The secondary alignment dot 142 can optionally be an illumination device, and can project light along, or otherwise be visible along, a second viewing axis 2VA. The secondary alignment dot 142 can include a lens or a cover 145. This lens or cover can be a particular color, such as red or green, or of the wavelengths mentioned above. Optionally this lens can be of a color that is a different wavelength than that of the primary dot 170 so as to avoid confusion between the secondary alignment dot and the primary dot as described in the embodiment above. The secondary alignment dot 142 can include or comprise an illumination element 146 which can project illumination toward the lens or cover 145. Alternatively, the illumination element 146 can project a certain colored illumination therefrom, without the lens or cover 145 being present. The illumination device 146 can be in the form of a miniature LED. The illumination device 146 can be connected to the power source 139 as described in the current embodiment above via an electrical wire 148 that extends through the arm. In other cases, the illumination device 146 can be inductively coupled or otherwise in electrical communication with the power source 139.
Optionally, the illumination element 146 can be replaced by and/or supplemented with a fiber optic or light pipe 147 which can project light on the lens or cover (which are used interchangeably herein), or otherwise project illumination along the second viewing axis 2VA without a lens or cover disposed there over. In such a case, the fiber optic can be of a particular color, and can further optionally be of a different color than the primary dot.
As shown in
The second viewing axis 2VA associated with each of the illustrated secondary alignment dots 141, 142 can be offset relative to the primary viewing axis PVA or optical axis OA. For example, each of the second viewing axes 2VA can be angularly offset relative to the first viewing axis PVA and optical axis OA as shown in the top view of the aiming device 110 in
Further, in some applications, the respective secondary alignment dots 140 can be offset at different angles relative to the first viewing axis or optical axis. In addition, where some of the secondary alignment dots and their associated structures are disposed above, below and/or beyond corners of the optical element 150, the associated secondary viewing axes of those dots and their respective bore axes can be offset in different planes other than that shown in
Optionally, the secondary alignment dots 141 and 142 cannot be viewed simultaneously. The secondary alignment dots will visible to a user in a user's field of view FOV only when the eyes of the user U, shown in
Methods of using the aiming device 110 of the first alternative embodiment are shown generally in
The view of the user U toward the rear of the aiming device 110 in the aligned mode is shown in
A second alternative embodiment of the aiming device is shown in
To convert from the misaligned mode in
The following additional statements are provided, the numbering of which is not to be construed as designating levels of importance.
Statement 1. An aiming device comprising: a body having a front, a rear and opposing sides, the rear configured to face toward a user during use of the aiming device, the body including a frame; an illumination device housed in the body; an optical element joined with the body such that the frame extends at least partially around the optical element; and a secondary alignment dot located distal from the optical element, the secondary alignment dot joined with the frame, wherein the illumination device is operable to display a primary dot relative to the optical element that is visible to a user along a first viewing axis projecting from the rear of the body, wherein the primary dot is visible to the user within a field of view of the user along the first viewing axis, but the secondary alignment dot is not visible to the user, within the field of view of the user, when the aiming device is in an aligned mode, wherein the secondary alignment dot is visible to the user within the field of view of the user, when the aiming device is in a misaligned mode, so as to provide instruction to the user to realign the aiming device relative to the field of view of the user.
Statement 2: The aiming device of Statement 1, wherein the secondary alignment dot includes an illumination element that emits a first illumination therefrom, the first illumination being in a first visible wavelength range, wherein the primary dot is displayed on the optical element in a second visible wavelength range different from the first visible wavelength range.
Statement 3: The aiming device of Statement 2, wherein the secondary alignment dot is disposed in a recess and/or bore defined in at least one of the body and the frame, wherein the illumination element is disposed in the recess, below an exterior surface of the at least one of the body and the frame, whereby the user cannot see the illumination element when the user is viewing along a line parallel to the exterior surface, and/or viewing the primary dot.
Statement 4: The aiming device of claim Statement 1, wherein the recess is a bore that includes a bore longitudinal axis, wherein the bore longitudinal axis is offset at an angle between 5° and 85° inclusive, relative to an optical axis of the optical element, when viewed from a top view of the aiming device.
Statement 5: The aiming device of Statement 4, wherein the bore extends at least 1 mm below the exterior surface, wherein the secondary alignment dot is adjacent at least one of a right side and a left side of the body, on a respective first and second upright side of the frame.
Statement 6: The aiming device of Statement 1, wherein the primary dot is not visible to the user when the user is viewing the secondary alignment dot along the second viewing axis in the misaligned mode, wherein the primary dot is obscured by at least one of the body and the frame when the user is viewing the secondary alignment dot along the second viewing axis.
Statement 7: The aiming device of Statement 1, wherein the secondary alignment dot is a first secondary alignment dot and comprising a second secondary alignment dot distal from the first secondary alignment dot, wherein the first secondary alignment dot is not simultaneously viewable with the second secondary alignment dot.
Statement 8: The aiming device of Statement 7, wherein the first secondary alignment dot is viewable along a left second viewing axis, wherein the second secondary alignment dot is viewable along a right second viewing axis, wherein the left second viewing axis and write second viewing axis are each offset at equal angles from the first viewing axis.
Statement 9: An aiming device comprising: a body including a frame; an illumination device housed in the body; an optical element joined with the frame; a secondary alignment dot located distal from the optical element, wherein the illumination device is operable to display a primary dot on the optical element such that the dot is visible to a user along an optical axis from a rear of the body, wherein the secondary alignment dot is operable to emit illumination along a second viewing axis that is offset from the optical axis, wherein the primary dot is visible to the user but the secondary alignment dot is not visible to the user with the aiming device is in an aligned mode, wherein the secondary alignment dot is visible to the user but the primary dot is not visible to the user when the aiming device is in a misaligned mode.
Statement 10: The aiming device of Statement 9, wherein the optical element is a lens, wherein the primary dot is at least one of a circular shaped dot, a pattern, a reticle and a sight indicia, wherein the secondary alignment dot includes an LED that projects illumination toward another lens disposed in a recess or bore defined by an upright portion of the frame is disposed to at least one of a left side and a right side of the optical element.
Statement 11: The aiming device of Statement 10, wherein the recess or bore is an elongated bore having a bore longitudinal axis, wherein the bore longitudinal axis is angularly offset relative to an optical axis of the optical element, wherein the second viewing axis is angularly offset from the optical axis.
Statement 12: An aiming device comprising: a body including a frame; an optical element joined with the body, the optical element having selectively displayed thereon a primary dot that is visible to a user along a first viewing axis in an aligned mode; and a secondary alignment dot located distal from the optical element and not displayed thereon, the very alignment dot visible along a second viewing axis that is offset from the first viewing axis in a misaligned mode, in which the primary dot is not visible to the user along the first viewing axis, the secondary alignment dot providing instruction to a user regain or attain visibility of the primary dot.
Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s).
In addition, when a component, part or layer is referred to as being “joined with,” “on,” “engaged with,” “adhered to,” “secured to,” or “coupled to” another component, part or layer, it may be directly joined with, on, engaged with, adhered to, secured to, or coupled to the other component, part or layer, or any number of intervening components, parts or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly joined with,” “directly on,” “directly engaged with,” “directly adhered to,” “directly secured to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between components, layers and parts should be interpreted in a like manner, such as “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent” and similar words. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17579057 | Jan 2022 | US |
| Child | 18073738 | US | |
| Parent | 16780262 | Feb 2020 | US |
| Child | 17579057 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16749153 | Jan 2020 | US |
| Child | 16780262 | US |
