Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to firearms, and, in particular, to sight assemblies used with firearms.
2. Description of Related Art
It is now common in law enforcement and certain military operations for weapons to be equipped with a laser sighting device, that is, a laser mounted on the weapon that propagates a relatively narrow, intense laser light beam to a target so as to produce a spot on the target essentially where the projectile will intercept the target if the weapon is discharged. This enables the weapon to be aimed precisely by pointing the weapon so that the spot lies on the target at the point where the person using the weapon wants the projectile to strike the target. Such a laser sighting device is disclosed, for example, in Toole et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,091. Laser sights are particularly effective as sighting devices because the lasers do not require users to align an eye with a sighting device, which can limit or obscure the user's view of the targets or their surroundings.
Laser sights have been mounted from conventional accessory mounts, such as Picatinny rails, in the same way that scopes and other accessories have been mounted on firearms. Typically, the laser sight modules include receptors for engaging the accessory mounts on the firearms. For example, dovetail-type receptors have been formed in laser sight modules for engaging Picatinny rails on the firearms. Laser sights have been mounted from different types of accessory mounts on the firearms, including from other types of rails, using mating receptors and have also been mounted on firearms using clamping devices or other forms of attachment for engaging firearm barrels, frames, or other components that are not otherwise intended as accessory mounts.
Often, it is desirable to mount the laser sights so that the sights can be removed and transferred between firearms, generally with as little adjustment as possible. Again, rails, particularly Picatinny-type rails, have been used for this purpose. The rails can be formed integral with the firearm frames or clamped or otherwise attached to the firearm barrels or frames.
Both the accessory mounts presented on firearms and the receptors for engaging them tend to offset the laser sights from the barrels. Alternative adapter structures used for attaching laser sights to firearm components that are not otherwise arranged as mountings also tend to offset the laser sights from firearm barrels. Among the accessory mounts, rail mounts, such as Picatinny rails, offset laser sights by the space occupied by the rails themselves and any attachments for fixing the rails to the firearm barrels or frames. In addition, the receptors used for engaging the rails can take up more space and displace the laser sights farther from firearm barrels. The known laser sights mounted in this way are also exposed to jarring and can encumber the handling or operation of firearms, particularly as the laser sights are mounted at increasing offset from firearm barrels. In addition, known laser sights are only configured to emit a single laser and are not configured to operate multiple lasers using a single control circuit.
Accordingly, the disclosed systems and methods are directed toward overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a sight assembly for a firearm includes a foregrip removably attachable to the firearm, a first light source disposed within the foregrip, and a different second light source disposed within the foregrip. The assembly also includes a power source electrically connected to the first and second light sources, and a control circuit configured to control activation of the first and second light sources.
In such an exemplary embodiment, a position of the first light source is adjustable relative to a position of the second light source. In addition, the assembly further includes an adjustment assembly configured to position the first and second light sources relative to the foregrip, a selection device configured to allow activation of at least one of the first light source and the second light source at a time, and an activation device configured to activate the one of the first light source and the second light source. Activating the one of the first light source and the second light source produces one of a continuous laser beam and a pulsed laser beam.
In such an exemplary embodiment, the first and second light sources include one of a green laser, a red laser, an infra-red laser, an infra-red LED, a white and colored LED, a class 3A laser having an output of less than 5 mW, a search light, a traveling light, and a guide light. In addition, the assembly also includes a locking assembly configured to substantially immobilize the foregrip with respect to the firearm. Moreover, the power source comprises at least one battery and the at least one battery comprises one of a plurality of AA batteries and a DL-123 battery. In addition, the power source is disposed within the foregrip and the control circuit is disposed within the foregrip, the first light source is a laser, and the second light source is an LED.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing a sight assembly for a firearm includes adjustably mounting a first light source and a second light source within a foregrip of the firearm and connecting the first and second light sources to a control circuit configured to activate the first and second light sources in response to a control signal.
In such an exemplary embodiment, the control circuit is configured to direct power to one of the first and second light sources while the other of the first and second light sources is deactivated. The exemplary method further includes mounting a selection device to the foregrip, the selection device being configured to allow activation of at least one of the first light source and the second light source at a time, mounting an activation device to the foregrip, the activation device being configured to activate the one of the first light source and the second light source. Such an embodiment also includes defining a power source compartment within the foregrip, the power source compartment being configured to receive a removable power source. Such an embodiment also includes defining a storage compartment within the foregrip configured to receive a removable sight assembly adjustment tool, and securing an adjustment assembly to the foregrip, the adjustment assembly configured to enable adjustment of the first light source relative to the second light source.
In still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of activating a component of a sight assembly for a firearm includes connecting a foregrip to a mounting rail of the firearm, selecting between a first light source and a second light source disposed substantially within the foregrip, and activating the selected light source.
In such an exemplary embodiment, activating the selected light source includes sending a control signal to the selected light source via a control circuit electrically connected to the first and second light source, and the control signal originates at an activation device mounted to the foregrip. In addition, activating the selected light source includes directing a beam of light in the direction of a target and manipulating an activation device mounted to the foregrip. The activation device is substantially noise-free. Moreover, in such an exemplary embodiment, selecting between the first light source and the second light source includes manipulating a selection device mounted to the foregrip, and the selected light source comprises a warning laser and includes a mechanism configured to assist in removably attaching the foregrip to the firearm wherein the clamping mechanism is reversible and further includes a third light source disposed within the foregrip.
In still another exemplary embodiment, the first light source comprises a laser and the second light source comprises a range finder wherein at least one of the first and second light sources includes a laser having an output of greater than 5 mW. In addition, at least one of the first and second light sources includes a laser having friend or foe data encoding. Such exemplary embodiment activates the one of the first light source and the second light source produces one of a continuous laser beam and a pulsed laser beam. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one battery comprises one of a plurality of AA batteries and a DL-123 battery.
In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, a sight assembly for a firearm includes a foregrip removably attachable to the firearm, and a first light source disposed within the foregrip, a vertical axis of the first light source being collinear with a vertical axis of a firearm barrel when the foregrip is attached to the firearm. Such an embodiment further includes a second light source disposed within the foregrip, a vertical axis of the second light source being collinear with the vertical axis of the firearm barrel when the foregrip is attached to the firearm. In addition, the foregrip is removably attachable to a rail of the firearm and the foregrip is removably attachable beneath the firearm barrel. The first light source includes a laser, and the sight assembly further includes a second light source disposed within the foregrip. In an exemplary embodiment, the second light source is a travelling light and an adjustment tool is disposed within a power source compartment of the foregrip. The assembly further includes a plurality of AA batteries disposed within the power source compartment and a reversible clamping mechanism configured to assist in removably attaching the foregrip to the firearm. In addition, the foregrip is removably attachable to a plurality of different firearm rails.
In such an exemplary embodiment, the foregrip further includes a selection device configured to transition the first light source between a continuous and a pulsed mode of operation. In another embodiment, the foregrip further includes an activation device configured to operate the first light source in one of a momentary mode and a latched mode.
The light sources 14, 16 can comprise, for example, any of a variety of lasers. Typically, the light sources 14, 16 are self-contained and include lenses. The light sources 14, 16 can comprise, for example, any combination of a green laser, a red laser, an infra-red laser, an infra-red laser emitting diode (LED), a white and colored LED, a class 3A laser having an output of less than 5 mW, a search light, a laser having an output of greater than 5 mW, a guide light, a travelling light, a warning laser, a range finder, and a communication laser. The light sources 14, 16 can also comprise a laser capable and/or otherwise having friend or foe data encoding.
The housing 13 of the foregrip 12 can be, for example, substantially fluid-tight such that the light sources 14, 16 can be operable in wet conditions. In an exemplary embodiment, the foregrip 12 may be rated for substantially complete submersion in a liquid for a period of at least thirty minutes. In such an exemplary embodiment, the liquid may comprise, for example, fresh water or salt water. The assembly 10 may also be configured to withstand a substantial level of shock, vibration, and/or other contact typical of rugged use. For example, the assembly 10 may be configured for use in harsh environments such as, for example, jungles, swamps, deserts, rocky terrain, and/or other law enforcement, combat, or self-defense environments. In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly 10 may be configured to successfully pass National Institute of Justice and/or Department of Justice drop tests.
An adjustment assembly 22 can be disposed proximate the light sources 14, 16 and can be configured to position the light sources 14, 16 relative to the foregrip 12. The adjustment assembly 22 can also be configured to position the first light source 14 relative to the second light source 16 and vise versa. In an exemplary embodiment, the adjustment assembly 22 may be configured to position the light sources 14, 16, in unison, relative to the foregrip 12. The adjustment assembly 22 may be useful in adjusting the path of the light beams 19, 21 emitted by the laser sources 14, 16 and exiting the housing 13. To assist in adjusting the beam paths, the adjustment assembly 22 may be configured to manipulate the light sources 14, 16 in any useful direction such as, for example, in the direction of arrows 36, 38, 40, 42 (
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
As shown in
A selection device 24 of the assembly 10 can be mounted to the foregrip 12 such that the device 24 can be actuated by a finger of the user. The selection device 24 can be configured to allow activation of the light sources 14, 16 as desired. For example, the selection device 24 can be a switch configured to be manipulated so as to only allow activation of one of the light sources 14, 16 at a time. Alternatively, the selection device 24 can be a button, rotatable knob, and/or other operator interface configured to select more than one of the light sources 14, 16 for activation at one time. For example, the selection device 24 may be manipulated to select either the first light source 14, the second light source 16, or both of the light sources 14, 16 for activation by the user. The selection device 24 may also have a setting for pulsed activation of the light sources 14, 16 and a different setting for continuous activation of light sources 14, 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the selection device 24 may have a first setting to turn on one of the light sources 14, 16. In such an embodiment, the selection device 24 may also have a second setting for operating the other of the light sources 14, 16 in a continuous mode, a third setting for operating the other of the light sources 14, 16 in a pulsed mode, and a fourth setting in which both light sources 14, 16 are turned off. In such an embodiment, the one of the light sources 14, 16 may be an LED and the other of the light sources 14, 16 may be a laser of the type described above.
An activation device 26 of the assembly 10 can be disposed at a front end of the foregrip 12 to allow activation of the light sources 14, 16 selected for use. The activation device 26 can have a configuration similar to a trigger or a depressible switch. In such an embodiment, the activation device 26 may be configured to energize and/or otherwise activate one or more of the light sources in the mode specified by the selection device 24.
In addition to controlling the light sources 14, 16 in a continuous mode or in a pulsed mode, the activation device 26 may have two or more configurations or settings, enabling the activation and/or operation of the light sources 14, 16 either momentarily when the activation device 26 is in a first setting or continuously when the activation device 26 is in a second setting. In an exemplary embodiment, when the activation device 26 is in the second setting, components of the activation device 26 may be in a latched configuration such that the selected light source 14, 16 may be activated without continuous manipulation of the activation device 26 by the user. In such an exemplary embodiment, the assembly 10 may be operated substantially hands-free by the user in the latched configuration. In addition, in each of the embodiments discussed herein, the activation device 26 may be operated substantially noise-free for stealth applications.
A locking assembly 28 can be disposed proximate the section of the foregrip 12 configured for mounting to the firearm, and can be configured to assist in substantially immobilizing the foregrip 12 during use and/or attachment to the firearm. The locking assembly 28 can be any conventional locking assembly known in the art. The locking assembly 28 may assist in, for example, using the foregrip 12 in combat, law enforcement, self-defense, and/or other rugged environments or applications. The foregrip 12 may also include a clamping mechanism 29 configured to assist in removably attaching the foregrip 12 to a firearm. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking assembly 28 may be a component of the clamping mechanism 29. The clamping mechanism 29 may enable the user to mount and/or otherwise connect the foregrip 12 to any one of a plurality of commercially available mounts based on user preference. As shown in
The assembly 10 further includes a power source 18 electrically connected to the light sources 14, 16. The power source 18 can be any source of power known in the art such as, for example, one or more batteries. In an exemplary embodiment, the power source 18 can comprise a plurality of AA batteries. In an additional exemplary embodiment, the power source 18 can comprise a DL-123. The power source 18 is electrically connected to the first and second light sources 14, 16.
The foregrip 12 can define a power source compartment 32. The power source compartment 32 can be sized and/or otherwise configured to receive the power source 18, and the compartment 32 can be configured such that the power source 18 can be easily removed and/or replaced by the user. The foregrip 12 can also define a storage compartment configured to store and/or otherwise receive a removable sight assembly adjustment tool. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage compartment may be defined by a portion of the housing 13. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the storage compartment may be defined by a lid, cap, and/or other closure device of the power source compartment 32. In such an alternative exemplary embodiment, the sight assembly adjustment tool may be stored within, for example, a cap of the power source compartment 32.
The assembly 10 also includes a control circuit 20 configured to control activation of the first and second light sources 14, 16 in response to a control signal. The control circuit 20 can comprise, for example, a first control circuit associated with the first light source 14 and a second control circuit associated with the second light source 16. The control signal can be sent by the activation device 26 mounted to the foregrip 12.
Other embodiments of the disclosed assembly 10 will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of this specification. For example, additional embodiments of the disclosed assembly 10 may include a shot counter configured to indicate the number of times the firearm has been discharged. Still, other additional embodiments may include a third light source disposed within the foregrip 12. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61013906 | Dec 2007 | US |