SIGHTING SYSTEM FOR FIREARMS

Abstract

A sighting apparatus for firearms is disclosed. The sighting apparatus for a firearm includes a front sight and a rear sight. The front sight includes a body having a top edge, a left edge and a right edge. An opening is located between the left and right edges of the body, and the opening is also open to the top edge of the body. The front sight includes a first and second projections to provide a point of aim for the front sight, and the point of aim is located in the middle of an imaginary line extended between a point of the first projection and a point of the second projections. The front sight also includes a ring with its center concentric with the point of aim. The front sight can be attached to a firearm at a base of the body. The rear sight includes a body having a set of apertures of various sizes.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to firearms in general, and in particular to a sighting system for firearms.

BACKGROUND

Conventional target sighting systems for firearms commonly include a front sight and a rear sight. Typically, the front sight is located at the muzzle of a firearm, and the rear sight is located closer to the handle of the firearm. In addition, the front sight may include a post and the rear sight may include a notch or an aperture. When aiming a firearm at a target, a shooter can align the post of the front sight in the notch or aperture of the rear sight so that the post tills the gap of the notch or is positioned in the center of the aperture.

The present disclosure provides an improved sighting system for firearms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a sighting apparatus for a firearm includes a front sight and a rear sight. The front sight includes a body having a top edge, a left edge and a right edge. An opening is located between the left and right edges of the body, and the opening is also open to the top edge of the body. The front sight includes a first and second projections to provide a point of aim for the front sight, and the point of aim is located in the middle of an imaginary line extended between a point of the first projection and a point of the second projections. The front sight also includes a ring with its center concentric with the point of aim. The front sight can be attached to a firearm at a base of the body. The rear sight includes a body having a set of apertures of various sizes.

All features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a front sight for firearms, according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2A depicts the front sight from FIG. 1 being used in conjunction with a notch rear sight;

FIG. 2B depicts the front sight from FIG. 1 being used in conjunction with an aperture rear sight;

FIG. 3 depicts a front sight for firearms, according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 4A depicts the front sight from FIG. 3 being used in conjunction with a notch rear sight having tritium lamps;

FIG. 4B depicts the front sight from FIG. 3 being used in conjunction with an aperture rear sight having tritium lamps;

FIG. 5A depicts a front sight for firearms, according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 5B depicts an isometric view of the front sight of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 depicts a rear sight, according to a first embodiment, to be used in conjunction with the front sight of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 depicts a rear sight, according to a second embodiment, to be used in conjunction with the front sight of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Prior art best practice dictates that a shooter must concentrate focus strictly on the front sight. It is well understood that the human eye can only focus on one of the three elements of the iron sighting system at a time, namely, a rear sight, a front sight, or a target. By focusing on the front sight, the shooter can minimize alignment errors between the front and rear sight. Small alignment errors can cause large impact errors by the firearm projectile due to the leverage effect of short sight radius compared to shooting distance. The issue of focus is important because many times when the front sight is in focus, the target is a nearly invisible blur. If the shooter focuses on the target instead of the front sight, the front sight image becomes blurred. Because the prior art front sight relies on its top and edges to define its aiming surfaces, the blurring of its image leads to high risk of error in the very sensitive alignment condition. The blurred front sight has a slightly different point of aim compared to the in focus front sight.

A conventional front sight typically includes a post. The point of aim of a firearm with conventional front sights is either behind the front sight from the point of view of a shooter or in some proximity to the outline of the front sight. Since a conventional front sight having a post usually obscures all or part of a target, the shooter has to guess where the point of aim should be in relation to the outline of the front sight. This is particularly true for a conventional front sight for handguns. A proper alignment of the front and rear sights will completely cover the bottom half of the sight picture. If the front sights are adjusted to allow the point of aim to be located at the top of the front sight, then only half of the target will be visible at best when a shooter is ready to pull the trigger. If the front sights are adjusted for a “6 o'clock hold,” then the point of aim will be located one half target diameter above the top of the front sight. This system is effective for one target size and a limited range of shooting distance. For all other targets and ranges, the shooter has to guess the proper sight picture in order to aim and shoot accurately.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a front sight for firearms, according to a first embodiment. As shown, a front sight 10 includes a body 18 having an opening 12 and a base 15. Opening 12 is located between left edge 14a and right edge 14b of front sight 10. For example, opening 12 can be located in the middle of left edge 14a and right edge 14b. In FIG. 1, opening 12 is shown to have a substantially circular shape, but it is understood by those skilled in the an that opening 12 can be of any geometrical shape, preferably symmetrical between left edge 14a and right edge 14b. Base 15 includes well-known features that facilitate front sight 10 to be mounted on a muzzle of a firearm such as a pistol or rifle. With front sight 10 being mounted on a muzzle of a firearm, opening 12 allows a target to be viewed by a shooter on a continuous basis when the shooter is attempting to aim the firearm at the target.

Front sight 10 also includes a first projection (or pointer) 11a and a second projection (or pointer) 11b located on a top edge 16 of front sight 10. The desired point of aim for front sight 10 is located somewhere between first projection 11a and projection pointer 11b, preferably at the mid point between first projection 11a and projection pointer 11b. Thus, it would be beneficial for a shooter to calibrate a firearm having front sight 10 to have the desired point of aim to located somewhere along an imaginary line connected between first projection 11a and second projection 11b. When aiming at a target, a shooter is able to keep the entire target in sight on a continuous basis while using first projection 11a and second projection 11b to guide him/her to place the target at somewhere along an imaginary line connected between first projection 11a and second projection 11b.

It has long been understood that the eye automatically centers an image to a high degree of accuracy as it does when it centers the image of a front sight in a rear sight aperture. Even though the exact position of the point of aim is primarily determined by the shooter's judgment, the aiming point provided by first projection 11a and second projection 11b can reduce errors from the shooter's judgment.

The length of left edge 14a (or right edge 14b) is approximately 0.3 inches. The width of base 15 is approximately 0.25 inches. When opening 12 has a substantially circular shape, as shown in FIG. 1, the diameter of opening 12 is approximately 0.15 inches. The length of an imaginary line connected between first projection 11a and second projection 11b is approximately 0.05 inches.

With reference now FIG. 2A, there is depicted front sight 10 being used in conjunction with a notch rear sight. As shown, front sight 10 is positioned in the middle of the notch of a notch rear sight 20 for proper aiming alignment. The top edges of aligned front sight 10 and notch rear sight 20 provide a well-defined elevation for the point of aim, and two equal gaps 21 align the front and rear sight elevation for windage. Thus aligned the midpoint of the gap between projections 11a and 11b becomes the point of aim for front sight 10. Front sight 10 allows a target to be in sight on a continuous basis while a shooter is using first projection 11a and second projection 11b as a guide for aiming. In rifle applications, notch rear sight 20 should be mounted well forward so that a shooter's eye can get a good focus on the top of both notch rear sight 20 and front sight 10 to optimize sight alignment.

With reference now to FIG. 2B, there is depicted front sight 10 being used in conjunction with an aperture rear sight. Alignment of front sight 10 and rear sight 25 is achieved by a shooter centering front sight 10 in the rear aperture. Similar to FIG. 2A, front sight 10 allows a target to be in sight on a continuous basis through an aperture rear sight 25 and front sight 10 while a shooter is using first projection 11a and second projection 11b as a guide for aiming.

Front sight 10 demonstrates three distinct advantages over the prior art sighting systems. First, it provides an unambiguous sight picture for acquiring targets at typical shooting distances. Second, it allows a shooter to maintain visibility of a target throughout the sighting and firing process. Third, in the event that the shooter attempts to engage targets at extended range beyond the distance for which the sighting system is regulated, front sight 10 allows the shooter to aim above the intended target implementing what is referred to as holdover while still maintaining vision of the target. With knowledge of the trajectory of the firearm projectile and the range of the target, the shooter can make a mental calculation of how far above the target to aim to make target hits at extended range. This is in stark contrast to the prior art front sights that require guessing where to shoot because the prior art front sight obscures vision of the target.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a front sight for firearms, according to a second embodiment. As shown, a front sight 30 includes a body 38 having an opening 32 and a base 35. Opening 32 is located between left edge 34a and right edge 34b of front sight 30. For example, opening 32 can be located in the middle of left edge 34a and right edge 34b. Opening 32 has an inverted keyhole shape. A first projection 31a and a second projection 31b are located within inverted keyhole shape opening 32. Similar to first projection 11a and second projection 11b of front sight 10 from FIG. 1. the purpose of first projection 31a and second projection 31b is for providing aiming assistance.

The length of left edge 34a (or right edge 34b) is approximately 0.65 inches. The width of base 35 is approximately 0.45 inches. The diameter of the substantially circular portion of inverted keyhole shape opening 32 is approximately 0.25 inches. The length of an imaginary line connected between first projection 31a and second projection 31b is approximately 0.05 inches. The distance from a top edge 36 to the imaginary line connected between first projection 31a and second projection 31b is approximately 0.07 inches.

With reference now to FIG. 4A, there is depicted front sight 30 being used in conjunction with a notch rear sight having tritium lamps. As shown, front sight 30 and notch rear sight 37 include optical fibers and/or tritium lamps 33 for illumination and alignment.

With reference now to FIG. 4B, there is depicted front sight 30 being used in conjunction with an aperture rear sight having tritium lamps. As shown, front sight 30 and an aperture rear sight 39 include optical fibers and/or tritium lamps 43 for illumination and alignment.

The following embodiment allows a shooter to depart from the conventional sighting technique by assisting the shooter to focus his/her vision on a target via aligning two blurry images of front and rear sights of a firearm when aiming at the target in order to achieve accuracy and precision.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B, there are depicted a plan view and isometric view of a front sight for firearms, respectively, according to a third embodiment. As shown, a front sight 50 includes a body 58 having a base 55 and an inverted keyhole shape opening 52. Inverted keyhole shape opening 52 is located between left edge 54a and right edge 54b of front sight 50. For example, inverted keyhole shape opening 52 can be located in the middle of left edge 54a and right edge 54b. A first projection 51a and a second projection 51b are located within inverted keyhole shape opening 52. Tritium lamps 57a, 57b are located adjacent to first and second projections 51a, 51b, respectively, for illumination and alignment.

Similar to first and second projections 31a, 31b of front sight 30 from FIG. 3, the purpose of first and second projections 51a, 51b is to provide aiming assistance. The ends of first and second projections 51a, 51b can be slightly blunted so as to make the ends still visible when they are blurred in a shooter's vision. The shape of first and second projections 51a, 51b should be locally symmetrical about a horizontal line through the tip of the points and a vertical line in the center of the gap between them. The intersection of the two axes of symmetry is the point of aim of front sight 50. The importance of symmetry can be illustrated by first focusing on front sight 50 and then shifting focus to a target. The perceived position of the horizontal line through the points will not move up or down as the image of front sight 50 blurs. Similarly, the vertical line at the midpoint of the gap moves neither left or right. The distance between the points may appear to increase, but the midpoint will not move.

The length of left edge 54a (and right edge 54b) is approximately 0.65 inches. The width of base 55 is approximately 0.45 inches. The diameter of the substantially circular portion of inverted keyhole shape opening 52 is approximately 0.25 inches. The length of an imaginary line connected between first projection 51a and second projection 51b is approximately 0.05 inches. The distance from a top edge 56 to the imaginary line connected between first projection 51a and second projection 51b is approximately 0.07 inches.

In addition, front sight 50 includes a ring 59 that is made of metal or other rigid material. Ring 59 is affixed to front sight 50 with its center concentric with the point of aim. The outside diameter of ring 59 is sized so that it appears in a rear sight as slightly smaller than a rear aperture of the rear sight. Ring 59 assists in the alignment of front and rear sights.

Traditionally, an aperture rear sight with a simple round hole aperture that can vary in size, from 0.040 inch diameter to 0.200 inch diameter, depending on lighting conditions and precision requirements being used in conjunction with the front sight, and in the case of front sight 50, a round hole aperture will work well. It should be noted that to take advantage of ring 59 on front sight 50 as an alignment aid, the rear aperture needs to be fairly large (greater than 0.100 inch diameter) so that ring 59 of front sight 50 appears to be slightly smaller than the rear aperture. Small errors of alignment are very apparent and easily corrected when a ring of light is viewed between ring 59 and the rear aperture.

The following describes a large rear sight aperture that includes an array of smaller holes that utilizes the alignment features of front sight 50 and enhances the focus condition of front sight 50 when a target is in focus.

With reference now to FIG. 6, there is depicted a rear sight to be used in conjunction with front sight 50 from FIG. 5, according to a first embodiment. As shown, a rear sight 60 includes a body 61 having a set of openings. In this embodiment, body 61 includes a primary aperture 62a and a set of smaller secondary apertures 62b-62d, all fitted within a 0.125 inch imaginary circle 63. Imaginary circle 63, which is shown in dotted line, defines the limits of the aperture array and depicts the size and location of a round hole aperture that is replaced by the aperture array.

When viewing a target and front sight 50, the aperture array, which includes primary aperture 62a and secondary apertures 62b-62d, appears as a slightly dimmed round hole aperture of the same size and location as imaginary circle 63. The material between apertures 62a-62d within the aperture array is totally blurred and invisible to a shooter. Aperture 62a is sized and shaped to have an edge close to but not coincident with the center of imaginary circle 63. Ideally, the center of imaginary circle 63 should be 0.005 inch to 0.010 inch inside primary aperture 62a. This condition creates an edge that acts as a diffractive lens in the center of the aperture array contained by imaginary circle 63. With a target in focus, viewing from front sight 50 through primary aperture 62a, a shooter can see enhanced focus of front sight 50 as compared to a round hole aperture the size of imaginary circle 63. Manipulating the position of front sight 50 in rear aperture 60, the image of front sight 50 is much clearer around the edges of primary aperture 62a than it is in the middle of primary aperture 62a. When the aperture array is aligned with front sight 50, the center of the aperture array and the edge of primary aperture 62a proximate to the center of imaginary circle 63 line up with the center of front sight 50. This condition allows for enhanced clarity of front sight 50 while the target is in focus and precise alignment of rear sight 60, front sight 50 and the target.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is depicted a rear sight to be used in conjunction with front sight 50 from FIG. 5, according to a second embodiment. As shown, a rear sight 70 includes a body 71 having a set of openings. In this embodiment, body 71 includes a primary aperture 72a and a set of smaller secondary apertures 72b-72c, all fitted within a 0.125 inch imaginary circle 73.

As has been described, the present invention provides an improved sighting system for firearms. The combination of a front sight with two axis symmetry and ring alignment of the front sight with a rear sight having focus enhancement features, the improved sighting system can be effective at near and extended ranges, allowing focus on the target and accurate shooting.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A sighting apparatus comprising: a front sight includes a body having a top edge, a left edge and a right edge;an opening within said body, wherein said opening is located between said left and right edges of said body, wherein said opening is also open to said top edge of said body;a first projection and a second projection to provide a point of aim for said front sight, wherein said first and second projections are located at said top edge of said body, wherein said first and second projections are formed by said opening and said top edge of said body, wherein said point of aim for said front sight is located in the middle of an imaginary line extended between said first and second projections;a base for attaching said body to a firearm; anda ring affixed to said front sight with its center concentric with said point of aim; anda rear sight includes a body having a plurality of apertures of various sizes.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said opening is located in the middle of said left and right edges of said body.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said opening is in an inverted key shape.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rear sight includes a primary aperture and a plurality of secondary apertures located within an imaginary circle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said primary aperture is located below said plurality of secondary apertures.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said primary aperture is located above said plurality of secondary apertures.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body includes a first tritium lamp located between said first projection and said first edge, and a second tritium lamp located between said second projection and said second edge.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a gap between said first and second projections provides a local two-axis symmetry for making said front sight insensitive to focus for its function as an accurate aligning device, and allows a user to focus on a target instead of said front sight.