A reflex sight is used on a firearm to sight the barrel. The reflex sight is an optic with a partially reflecting window with an illuminated projection, such as a dot or cross-hairs or reticle or the like. Thus, a user can look through the window and see the target with the illuminated projection superimposed thereon. The sight utilizes the optical principle that the illuminated projection at the focus of the window, or lens or curved mirror thereof, will appear as if it is in front of the sight at infinity, or a predetermined focal distance to which a minimal parallax is achieved, such as 75 m-100 m focal distance for combat applications for a better compromise for parallax control. The window includes a lens or curved mirror which allows the illuminated projection to be reflected while allowing the user to see the target. The illuminated projection can be projected with a light emitting diode (LED) or diode. Such sights often have adjustments to manipulate the diode and the window with respect to one another to provide boresight alignment or correction. The window, or lens or curved mirror thereof, and the diode are designed to provide a desired optical performance, and moving one with respect to the other can introduce parallax errors. While certain changes to the window or mirror geometry and additional elements can compensate for the performance losses due to intentionally moving the diode out of alignment, optical performance cannot be restored.
Some sights use an inner and outer tube design that is able to maintain the diode-to-mirror relationship, but creates a “tube-effect” for the user. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,326. In addition, such tube-in-tube designs are typically not used for “mini” reflect sights, such as small-arms, because the tube-effect is amplified when combined with a small field of view.
Features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein:
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.
As used herein, “adjacent” refers to the proximity of two structures or elements. Particularly, elements that are identified as being “adjacent” may be either abutting or connected. Such elements may also be near or close to each other without necessarily contacting each other. The exact degree of proximity may in some cases depend on the specific context.
An initial overview of technology embodiments is provided below and then specific technology embodiments are described in further detail later. This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding the technology more quickly but is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the technology nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Disclosed herein is a reflex sight. The reflex sight can be mounted on a weapon. In one aspect, the weapon can be a firearm, such as a rifle or handgun. Thus, the reflex sight can be sized for small arms, such as those carriable by a person. As another example, the reflex sight can be sized for larger arms, such as vehicle mounted weapons. In another aspect, the weapon can be an archery bow or cross-bow. In another aspect, the reflex sight can be sized and shaped for other sporting optics, such as scopes, spotting scopes, and the like.
The reflex sight has a diode and mirror to be mounted on a single and/or common frame, wherein the reflex sight allows for bore sighting without affecting the relationship of the diode to the mirror. The single frame allows for very accurate mechanical alignment and location. Maintaining the optical relationship of the diode to the mirror ensures the best optical performance, and greatly reduces the potential for parallax errors. The reflex sight allows for independent bore sight elevation and azimuth adjustment without moving the diode off the optical axis with respect to the mirror. By moving the diode and mirror together, the optical performance is not compromised due to bore sight adjustments, and part count can also be reduced.
The sight has pivot mechanics that are integral to the frame for accurate location of the pivot position to the mirror and the diode. The pivot mechanics can be either direct or indirect drive as the pivot mechanics are essentially decoupled. The design of the frame can be lengthened or shortened to accommodate different optical designs, and bore sight mechanics can be used to displace the assembly to affect the point of impact. In addition, the geometry of the frame allows the sight to be either a sealed closed type reflex sight, or an open type reflex sight, with minimal impact to increase the user's field of view. An open reflex design allows a shroud to be modified, reducing weight, cost and the mechanical aperture, to shorten the “tube effect” Furthermore, the single and/or common frame allows the diode and the mirror to be mounted accurately with respect to one another, and to remain accurately mounted. The diode and the mirror can be initially aligned and mounted to the single frame from datum or through active alignment.
The reflex sight 10 can also have a shroud 18 coupled to, disposed on, or carried by the base 14. The shroud 18 and the base 14 can form and define a housing 22 when joined together. The shroud 18 can be coupled to (e.g., fastened with fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, adhesive, or others)) to the base 14 extending though a bottom of the base 14 and into the shroud 18. A gasket 23 or other type of seal can be disposed between the base 14 and the shroud 18 to seal the base and the shroud, or the housing. The shroud 18 can have open opposite ends closed by windows or lenses, such as a front or leading window or lens 24, and a rear or trailing window or lens 28 (
The base 14 can comprise a spindle bore 44 formed therein. The spindle bore 44 can be formed in a protrusion 46 extending from the base 14. In addition, the base 14 can have a recess 48 formed therein and facing the shroud 18. Furthermore, a channel 49 can be formed in the base 14 to receive the gasket 23. Similarly, a channel can be formed the shroud 18 to receive the gasket 23.
In one aspect, the base 14 can be formed of metal, and can be formed by machining. Similarly, the shroud 18 can be formed of metal, and can be formed by machining. In another aspect, the shroud 18 can be formed of plastic, and can be formed by injection molding or other manufacturing process.
The mirror 54 can be a partially reflective window or lens. The mirror 54 can be a mostly clear curved glass reflector. The mirror 54 can be formed by a pair of windows, lenses or optics joined together with a curved or angled interface, or both. Thus, the mirror 54 can be substantially transparent or clear so that a field of view or target is viewable therethrough, while reflecting (indicated by dashed line 70) a reticle 60 (
The LED 58 can be carried by a post 74 or other structural component or member extending from the frame 50. The post 74 can be oriented at an angle or incline with respect to the mirror 54, or can have an angled or inclined surface, so that the LED 58 is directed towards or faces the mirror 54. In addition, the LED 58 can be mounted on a PCB 78, which in turn is mounted on the post 74 and/or the frame 50. In one aspect, the LED 58 and/or the PCB 78 is adhered to the post 74. As indicated above, the LED 58 and the mirror 54 can be initially aligned and mounted to the single frame 50 from datum or through active alignment, as described in greater detail below. In one aspect, the mirror 54 can be adjusted in the arch 62 until the reticle from the LED 58 is properly aligned 54 on the mirror, and then secured with adhesive or set screws. In another aspect, the PCB 78 can be adjusted on the post 74 until the reticle from the LED 58 is properly aligned on the mirror 54, and then secured with adhesive. In another aspect, both the mirror 54 and the PCB 78 can be adjusted until proper alignment is achieved.
Referring again to
An upper end of the vertical shaft 86 of the spindle 82 is received in the yoke 52 of the frame 50. In addition, the spindle 82 comprises a horizontal axle 90 extending between the vertical shaft 86 and the frame 50. The horizontal axle 90 extends through the yoke 52 and the upper end of the vertical shaft 86, such as through a horizontal bore extending through the yoke 52 and the vertical shaft 86. The frame 50 is vertically pivotal on the horizontal axle 90 to adjust for elevation. Another o-ring or annular bearing can be disposed on top of the vertical shaft 86, and between the vertical shaft 86 and the yoke 52 of the frame 50.
The spindle 82 can be disposed at one end, such as the trailing end, of the frame 50 and the reflex sight 10. Thus, the leading end of the frame 50 can be moved or adjusted. The yoke 52 can be positioned underneath the mirror 54 and the arch 62 thereof. Thus, the spindle 82 can be located underneath the mirror 54, at the tailing end of the frame 50. Adjustment mechanisms, as described in greater detail hereafter, can be disposed at the leading end of the frame. Locating the spindle 82 and the adjustment mechanisms at opposite ends of the frame 50 allows for the greatest adjustment with the least amount of movement.
Referring again to
As indicated above, the reflex sight 10 can have an elevation adjustment knob 36 carried by the housing 22 and the shroud 18. The knob 36 can have a threaded axle 114 extending therethrough and threadably engaging the wedge 98. Thus, turning the elevation adjustment knob 36 can extend and retract the wedge 98, lowering and raising the leading edge of the frame 50, and raising and lowering the reticle and the reflex sight 10.
Referring again to
Referring again to
Referring again to
As indicated above, the reflex sight 10 can have an azimuth adjustment knob 40 carried by the housing 22 and the shroud 18. The knob 40 can have a threaded axle 134 (
In one aspect, the vertical bore 122 can intersect the inclined surface 94 of the frame 50. Locating the vertical bore 122 to intersect the inclined surface 94 can help create a compact design of the reflex sight 10, particularly for small arms. Referring again to
In one aspect, the frame 50 can be formed of metal, and can be formed by machining. In another aspect, the frame 50 can be formed by casting or molding.
Referring again to
In another aspect, the frame 50, the mirror 54 and the LED 58 can be exposed above the base 14, defining an open sight, represented by
A method for manufacturing the reflex sight comprises: securing a mirror 54 to a frame 50, such as in the arch 62; positioning an LED 58 opposing the mirror 54, such as on the post 74; activating the LED 58 to direct a beam from the LED towards the mirror 54; aligning the beam from the LED 58 with respect to the mirror 54, while the LED 58 is activated and the reticle is projected on the mirror 54; and fixing the LED 58 and/or the mirror 54 to the frame 50 while aligned. In addition, the method can further comprise inserting the LED 58, and associated PCB 78, through a slot 156 in the frame 50 prior to positioning; and capping the slot 156 with a cap 160.
While the foregoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
Although the disclosure may not expressly disclose that some embodiments or features described herein may be combined with other embodiments or features described herein, this disclosure should be read to describe any such combinations that would be practicable by one of ordinary skill in the art. The user of “or” in this disclosure should be understood to mean non-exclusive or, i.e., “and/or,” unless otherwise indicated herein.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples. In the preceding description, numerous specific details were provided, such as examples of various configurations to provide a thorough understanding of examples of the described technology. It will be recognized, however, that the technology may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, devices, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the technology.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or operations, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features and operations described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the described technology.
This is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/753,309, filed Apr. 2, 2020, entitled “Open Frame Reflex Pivot Mechanics”, which is the national phase filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/CA2017/051197, filed Oct. 6, 2017, and entitled, “Open Frame Reflex Pivot Mechanics”, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
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Entry |
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Extended European Search Report dated Mar. 22, 2021, in EP Application No. 17928067.2 filed Oct. 6, 2017, 7 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20220178653 A1 | Jun 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16753309 | US | |
Child | 17505459 | US |