Patent Application
20210262757
The present application relates generally to a sight mechanism having multiple aiming elements (e.g., dots) superimposed over a field of view.
A dot sight, commonly referred to as a red dot sight, is a general classification for sights that provide aiming elements in the form of an illuminated red dot. A typical design uses a laser or light-emitting diode (LED) at the focus of collimating optics, which generates an illuminated reticle that stays in alignment with an attached projectile device regardless of eye position.
Numerous aspects, embodiments, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
A common type of dot sight is a reflector sight or reflex sight. In some embodiments, a reflex sight is an optical device that allows the user to look through a partially reflecting glass element and see an illuminated projection of a reticle or aiming point. The illuminated reticle can be superimposed on the field of view. Reflex sights operate on the optical principle that anything at the focus of a lens or curved mirror (e.g., where the illuminated reticle is projected) will appear to be superimposed over a target within the field of view at infinity. Reflex sights typically rely on some type of reflector (e.g., a beam splitter or half silvered curved mirror) to allow the viewer to see the illuminated reticle and the field of view simultaneously. Typically, the illuminated reticle (e.g., a red dot) is only visible when looking through the sight and therefore not projected toward the target as with laser sights.
Reflex sights and other dot sights are known in the art and have many potential advantages for example reflex sights can provide rapid acquisition of targets, reduce aiming errors due to parallax, and typically do not project visible indicators to the target. However, previous dot sights can also have disadvantages. For example, other dot sights typically provide only a single aiming element (e.g., dot). Therefore, a given configuration might result in inaccuracy when a distance to the target changes. Such is especially problematic for lower velocity projectile devices such as bows, crossbows, shotguns, or some handguns.
To remedy these and other shortcomings, the inventor proposes a multi-dot sight having multiple dots or aiming elements rather than a single dot or aiming element. The multiple aiming elements can be aligned vertically and vertical spacing between the dots can be configured as a function of a projectile trajectory. Such can effectively retain the benefits of conventional dot sights while at the same time expanding the capabilities of conventional dot sights, namely, by providing to a user the ability to select and use one of the multiple dots based on target range without potential time-consuming reconfiguration. As another potential benefit, the disclosed dot sight can be easily mounted on a wide variety of different projectile devices. In some embodiments, vertical spacing between the dots can be a function of projectile device type. For example, a first aiming element (or group of aiming elements) can be associated with a pistol, a second aiming element (or group) that is some distance below the first aiming element(s) can be associated with a bow and so forth. Techniques detailed herein are described in connection with a reflex sight as a representative example, but can be applicable to other types of dot sights such as e.g., holographic sights or prism sights.
Various aspects or features of this disclosure are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In this specification, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of this disclosure. It should be understood, however, that certain aspects of disclosure may be practiced without these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate describing the subject disclosure.
Referring now to the drawing, with reference initially to
Sight device 100 can further include picatinny rail groove 112 and mounting bolt 114. Such can facilitate easy mounting and unmounting of sight device on a wide variety of different projectile devices. Sight device 100 can further include a projection element, which is not shown here, but is further detailed in connection with
Turning now to
Sight device 200 can further include various adjustment elements 206 that are further detailed in connection with
With reference now to
In some embodiments, a first dot 1101 can be determined to represent an aiming point of a target at a first distance from sight device 100, 200. A second dot 1102 can be determined to represent an aiming point of a target at a second distance from sight device 100, 200 that differs from the first distance. In some embodiments, first dot 1101 can be representative of an aiming point for one projectile device whereas second dot 1102 can be representative of an aiming point for a different projectile device. For example, when the two projectile devices have different projectile velocity configurations.
Spacing 3021-3024 represent various vertical spacing distances between adjacent pairs of the multiple dots 110. In some embodiments, spacing 302 can be a function of a trajectory determined for a projectile. In other words, dot 1101 can represent an aiming point when the target is at 10 yards, 1102 can represent an aiming point when the target is at 20 yards, 1103 can represent an aiming point when the target is at 30 yards, and so on. As can be seen, spacing 302 increases in that case due to the parabolic trajectory of a projectile such that spacing 3024 is greater than spacing 3021.
In other embodiments, spacing 302 might instead reflect different projectile devices, which might potentially be color coded as detailed below. In still other embodiments, a combination of the two can exist. For example, dots 1101-1102 can represent targets at various distances for a first projectile device, while other dots 110 might represent targets at various distances for a second projectile device.
As illustrated, projection element 204 can project illuminated reticle 108 onto viewing element 102. One or more adjustment element(s) 206 can be employed to modify or update the way projection element 204 projects illuminated reticle 108. Various examples and further detail are provided with reference to
Turning now to
Dot number adjustment element 406 can be configured to increase or decrease a number of the multiple dots 110 projected onto the viewing element. Zeroing adjustment element 408 can be employed to configure the aiming elements such as during a first-time use for a particular projectile device or in response to a change to the projectile device.
Vertical adjustment element 410 and horizontal adjustment element 412 can be configured to change a location at which the illuminated reticle is projected onto the viewing element. Vertical adjustments elements 410 can be substantially similar to zeroing adjustment element 408 that can be used or adjusted based on projectile velocity, elevation or the like. Horizontal adjustment element 412 can updated, for example, in response to wind or the like.
Sight device 100, 200 can further include spacing adjustment element 414. Spacing adjustment element 414 can be configured to increase or decrease the respective spacing distance(s) 302. For example, consider a first projectile device having a first set of defined characteristics (e.g., muzzle velocity, etc.) and a second projectile device having a second set of defined characteristics (e.g., draw weight, etc.). Spacing distance 302 is likely to be different for the first projectile device relative to the second projectile device. Thus, respective spacing distances 302 can increased or decreased in accordance with the different defined characteristics between the two projectile devices.
Referring now to
For example, sight devices 500, 600 can include projection element 204 that can project illuminated reticle 108 onto a viewing element. In this case, projection element 204 is situated on the side. Illuminated reticle 108 can comprise multiple dots 110 that are aligned vertically, as shown. Sight devices 500, 600 can further comprise tubular housing 502 as well as battery housing 208. Sight devices 500, 600 can further include various adjustment elements 206, which can be inclusive of vertical adjustment element 410 and horizontal adjustment element 412. Mounting base 504 can include picatinny rail groove 112.
With specific reference to
While a particular feature of the subject innovation may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “including,” “has,” “contains,” variants thereof, and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word without precluding any additional or other elements.
Moreover, the words “example” or “exemplary” are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the words “example” or “exemplary” is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
