The disclosure relates to a viewing optics. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic containing a load-absorbing/dispersing material. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a miniature red dot sight for a firearm containing a load-absorbing/dispersing material.
Miniature red dot sights (MRDSs) are non-magnifying reflector sights generally used with small firearms such as handguns and pistols. MRDSs use a reflective optical system to project light toward the user to see the target field and the illuminated red dot reticle. MRDSs can be either enclosed, in which all of the optical elements are completely encased by a housing, or open, in which at least a portion of the optical elements are not encased by a housing.
One issue encountered with a MRDS is that the MRDS can be damaged if the firearm to which it is attached is dropped, particularly when the firearm is heavy, like a pistol. The substantial mass of the firearm often causes the red dot optical element to either shift, break, or both. This can adversely affect the shooter's accuracy. As the MRDS is small, there is limited space to include design features to mitigate the issue of damage. Even with larger viewing optics and viewing optics that do not attach to firearms, optical elements can be damaged with the impact of a fall, and it is not always aesthetically practical to include structural elements that mitigate this issue.
For the reasons discussed above, providing a material to absorb and/or disperse the force of an impact on a viewing optic is a big advantage.
In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a viewing optic. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, a viewing optic comprises a base; a housing comprising a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side and a top side, wherein the front side, rear side, left side and right side extending upwardly from the base, and wherein the top side extends between upper edges of the front side, rear side, left side and right side; and a load absorbing/dispersing component on at least a portion of the top side.
In an embodiment, the load absorbing/dispersing component comprises at least one load absorbing/dispersing material. In a further embodiment, the load absorbing/dispersing material is selected from the group consisting of a rubber, a gel, a foam, a plastic, a polymeric material, a non-Newtonian material and combinations thereof. In yet a further embodiment, the top side has a recess and the at least one load absorbing/dispersing component is positioned in the recess. In accordance with another embodiment, the at least one load absorbing/dispersing component is flush with an upper surface of the top side. In another embodiment, the at least one load absorbing/dispersing component extends beyond an upper surface of the top side. In a further embodiment, the load absorbing/dispersing component at least partially covers an upper surface of the top side.
In an embodiment, the viewing optic further comprises at least one control on one of the left side, right side and base. In a further embodiment, |the at least one control is in communication with at least one actuation structure. In yet a further embodiment, the at least one actuation structure passes through the top side. In an embodiment, the at least one load absorbing/dispersing component is in contact with the at least one actuation structure.
In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a firearm. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, a firearm comprises a viewing optic, the viewing optic having a base; a housing having a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side and a top side; and at least one load absorbing/dispersing component on at least a portion of the top side.
In an embodiment, the viewing optic is a miniature red dot sight. In another embodiment, the firearm is a handgun.
In an embodiment, the load absorbing/dispersing material is selected from the group consisting of a rubber, a gel, a foam, a plastic, a polymeric material, a non-Newtonian material and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the top side has a recess and the at least on load absorbing/dispersing material is positioned in the recess. In a further embodiment, the load absorbing/dispersing material at least partially covers the top side. In yet another embodiment, the viewing optic further includes at least one control on one of the left side, right side and base. In a further embodiment, the at least one control is in communication with at least one actuation structure, wherein the at least one actuation structure passes through the top side and the at least one load absorbing/dispersing material is in contact with the at least one actuation structure.
Embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. The disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction or the arrangement of the components illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in other various ways. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components. In the drawings:
Before explaining embodiments of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The technology of this disclosure is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate, and thus may include values outside of the range unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges include all values from and including the lower and the upper values, in increments of one unit, provided that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if a compositional, physical or other property, such as, for example, molecular weight, melt index, temperature, etc., is from 100 to 1,000, it is intended that all individual values, such as 100, 101, 102, etc., and sub ranges, such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc., are expressly enumerated. For ranges containing values which are less than one or containing fractional numbers greater than one (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1, as appropriate. For ranges containing single digit numbers less than ten (e.g., 1 to 5), one unit is typically considered to be 0.1. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated, are to be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure.
Spatial terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be orientated “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90° or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed terms. For example, when used in a phrase such as “A and/or B,” the phrase “and/or” is intended to include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B (alone). Likewise, the term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B and/or C” is intended to encompass each of the following embodiments: A, B and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to or coupled to the other element or layer. Alternatively, intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.
As used herein, a “load absorbing/dispersing material” refers to any material that can absorb a force and/or direct a force in a desired direction. Exemplary load absorbing/dispersing materials include, but are not limited to, rubbers, gels, foams, plastics, polymeric materials, non-Newtonian materials, and combinations of these materials.
As used herein, a “recess” is an aperture, cavity, chamber, groove, notch, slit, slot, opening, ridge, hole, or other such volume void of a first material and into which a second material may be inserted.
In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to assembly that includes a sight body, optical element, and load absorbing/dispersing component. In one embodiment, the load absorbing/dispersing component is one or more load absorbing/dispersing materials located on the top side of the sight body. In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to an assembly that includes a sight body with a right side, left side, front side, rear side and top side, an optical element and a load absorbing/dispersing component located on the top side of the sight body. In a further embodiment, the load absorbing/dispersing component is one or more load absorbing/dispersing materials located on the top side of the sight body. In still a further embodiment, the load absorbing/dispersing component is one or more load absorbing/dispersing materials located on the top side of the sight body positioned in one or more recess on the top side of the sight body.
In the embodiment shown, the viewing optic 100 has a housing 10 and a base 20. The housing 100 has a front side 12, rear side 14, left side 16, right side 18 and top side 32. The front side 12, rear side 14, left side 16, and right side 18 extend generally upwardly from the base 20. The front side 12 and rear side 14 extend between the left side 16 and right side 18. The top side 32 extends between the upper edges of each of the front side 12, rear side 14, left side 16, and right side 18. The resulting housing 10 contains the illumination system and other components that make the viewing optic functional. An optical element 25, in this case a lens, is contained in the front side 10a, and the viewing optic is an “open” MRDS. In further embodiments, a rear transparent cover (not shown), such as glass, may be contained in the rear side 10b, and the viewing optic is a closed MRDS. The base 20 also includes an attachment means (such as a mounting screw) and various adjustment devices (such as adjustment screws), which are not shown in the Figures for clarity. Similarly, a battery would also be secured in the housing 10 and protected by a battery cap, though the battery and battery cap are not shown for clarity.
Turning specifically to the base 20, the base 20 has a front side 22, rear side 24, left side 26, right side 28 and upper surface 33. The left side 16 and right side 18 of the housing appear as legs extending upward from the left side 26 and right side 28 of the base, respectively.
As shown with reference to
In the embodiment shown, each of the controls 50a, 50b is provided as two depressible buttons. In a particular embodiment, one of the two depressible buttons (that is, button 50a or button 50b) is configured to increase the brightness of the viewing optic 100 and the other is configured to decrease the brightness of the viewing optic 100. Moreover, in the particular embodiment shown, both controls 50a, 50b are identical, meaning they control the same property of the viewing optic in the same manner. However, in further embodiments, the controls 50a, 50b may be any type of adjustment means or combination of adjustment means, such as, for example, depressible buttons, toggles, knobs, slides, etc. Further, the control may include any number of such adjustment means, including but not limited to a single control, or more than two controls. Similarly, one or more of the controls 50a, 50b may be configured to adjust a property of the viewing optic other than brightness, and the controls 50a, 50b may be configured to control different properties.
In an embodiment, the controls 50a, 50b comprise a portion of elastomeric material, or rubber-like material. As shown in the Figures, in such an embodiment, the controls 50a, 50b each comprise a portion of a rubber or silicone material contained a recess 52 on a respective side 26, 28 of the base 20. It will be appreciated that the recesses contain the mechanisms which are in electrical communication with the internal mechanisms that control the particular property being adjusted, which in the present embodiment is brightness.
By positioning controls 50a, 50b on both sides 26, 28 of the base 20, right-handed and left-handed users can equally utilize the viewing optic without having to utilize a non-dominant hand. Furthermore, because the controls 50a, 50b as shown in the Figures each include two adjustment means, multiple directions of control or multiple properties may be adjusted with a single control 50a, 50b. This is in direct contrast to providing a single control on a side of the housing. Also, positioning the controls 50a, 50b on the sides 26, 28 of the base 20 ensures that the controls 50a, 50b are not blocked or crowded by other structures, allowing a user to easily access the controls 50a, 50b even while wearing gloves.
Positioning a control 50a, 50b on both sides 26, 28 of the base 20 of the housing 10 also allows a user to make adjustments with the firearm in its holster, which is not always possible with controls positioned on a single side of a viewing optic. For example, if a competition shooter wants to make a brightness adjustment to compensate for some incoming cloud cover, the shooter is not able to remove the firearm from the holster to make this adjustment per the rules of the match, but would still be able to make the adjustment with the viewing optic 100 disclosed herein.
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Although the mounting system is described with reference to a MRDS, a variety of other viewing optics may be provided with controls on a top surface, as describe herein. As used herein, the term “viewing optic” refers to an apparatus used by a shooter or a spotter to select, identify or monitor a target. The “viewing optic” may rely on visual observation of the target, or, for example, on infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), radar, thermal, microwave, or magnetic imaging, radiation including X-ray, gamma ray, isotope and particle radiation, night vision, vibrational receptors including ultra-sound, sound pulse, sonar, seismic vibrations, magnetic resonance, gravitational receptors, broadcast frequencies including radio wave, television and cellular receptors, or other image of the target. The image of the target presented to the shooter by the “viewing optic” device may be unaltered, or it may be enhanced, for example, by magnification, amplification, subtraction, superimposition, filtration, stabilization, template matching, or other means. The target selected, identified or monitored by the “viewing optic” may be within the line of sight of the shooter, or tangential to the sight of the shooter, or the shooter's line of sight may be obstructed while the target acquisition device presents a focused image of the target to the shooter. The image of the target acquired by the “viewing optic” may be, for example, analog or digital, and shared, stored, archived, or transmitted within a network of one or more shooters and spotters by, for example, video, physical cable or wire, IR, radio wave, cellular connections, laser pulse, optical, 802.11b or other wireless transmission using, for example, protocols such as html, SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, etc., Bluetooth™, Serial, USB or other suitable image distribution method. In one embodiment, the viewing optic is a MRDS, and more particularly an open MRDS.
While various embodiments of the MRDS have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the disclosed technology, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application is a non-provisional patent application of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/143,204 filed Jan. 29, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63143204 | Jan 2021 | US |