Sighting system and method of using thereof

Abstract

A sighting system and method of using thereof, comprising: front 24 and rear sights 18, wherein center points of each opening D and E of each sight 24 and 18 are aligned on a line 61 parallel to a longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 of a firearm. Surfaces of the front 24 and rear sight 18 facing a viewer 2 may have optional radially located marks, which are not illuminated by artificial light. The method of using the sighting system, comprising: providing a target and a barrel of a firearm; providing front and rear sights having first surfaces facing a viewer and oppositely directed second surfaces; and aiming the firearm at the target by aligning the points "D" and "E" of the front and rear openings of the front and rear sight, respectively, at the center T' of the target T.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to sighting devices for targeting and more specifically to sighting devices mounted on a weapon to improve the accuracy of hitting a target.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] There is a need for a sighting device that may be used to assist aiming a firearm at a target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is a sighting system for mounting on a barrel of a firearm, comprising: front and rear sights having front and rear casings, wherein a first surface of each of the front and rear casings face a viewer and wherein a second surface of each of the front and rear casings faces away from the viewer, wherein each of the casings encloses an opening, wherein center points of the front opening D and the rear opening E lie on a first line, wherein the first line extends from a point F on a surface G of an at least one eye K of the viewer to the center point D of the front opening of the front sight to a point B that is a proximal end of the first line, with respect to a target, wherein the point B defines an end of a second line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrel and extends from the point B to a point A that is a proximal end of the longitudinal axis of the barrel of the firearm, with respect to the target, wherein a segment of the first line that extends from a point F on the surface G of the at least one eye K of the viewer to the center E of the rear sight of the firearm has a length from about 1/3 to about 2/3 of a length of the first line;

[0006] A second aspect of the present invention is a method of using a sighting system mounted on a barrel of a firearm, comprising: providing front and rear sights having front and rear casings, wherein a first surface of each of the front and rear casings face a viewer and wherein a second surface of each of the front and rear casings faces away from the viewer, wherein each of the casings encloses an opening, wherein center points of the front opening D and the rear opening E lie on a first line, wherein the first line extends from a point F on a surface G of an at least one eye K of the viewer to the center point D of the front opening of the front sight to a point B that is a proximal end of the first line, with respect to a target, wherein the point B defines an end of a second line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrel and extends from the point B to a point A that is a proximal end of the longitudinal axis of the barrel of the firearm, with respect to a target, wherein a segment of the first line that extends from a point F on the surface G of the at least one eye K of the viewer to the center E of the rear sight of the firearm has a length from about 1/3 to about 2/3 of the length of the first line, and aiming the firearm at the target by aligning the points "D" and "E" of the front and rear openings of the front and rear sight, respectively, at the center T' of the target T, wherein aligning the points "D" and "E" of the front and rear openings of the front and rear sights, respectively, include having the viewer superimpose the points D and E of the front and rear openings of the front and the rear sights over the center T' of the target T;

[0007] A third aspect of the present invention is a sighting system for mounting on a barrel of a firearm, comprising: front and rear sights having front and rear casings, wherein a first surface of each of the front and rear casings face a viewer and wherein a second surface of each of the front and rear casings faces away from the viewer, wherein each of the casings encloses an opening, wherein center points of the front opening D and the rear opening E lie on a first line that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel of the firearm, wherein a proximal end of the first line with respect to a target lies on a second line, wherein the second line is defined by the proximal end of the first line and a proximal end of the longitudinal axis of the barrel, with respect to a target, wherein a proximal end of a segment of the first line, with respect to the target, that extends from the center point D to the center point E of the front and rear sights is from about 0.1 inch to about 4 inches from the proximal end of the first line, such that when the target has a longest dimension less than or equal to 36 inches, an area of an image of the target, as viewed through the front and rear sights, along the first line, does not exceed a total area of the front sight, and wherein both the front and the rear sights are operably coupled to a track or railing, and wherein the track or railing is operably coupled to a first surface of the barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a longitudinal cross section of a sighting system, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2A depicts a front cross sectional view of a rear sight of the sighting system, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2B depicts a front cross sectional view of a front sight of the sighting system, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2C depicts a front cross sectional view of the sighting mount system of the firearm, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 depicts the sighting system, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a method for using the sighting system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a longitudinal cross section of a firearm 25, comprising: a sighting system 26; a barrel 14; a bore 63; a receiver 12 and a stock 13. The firearm 25 may be a large arms weapon, such as, for example, a rifle, or a rocket launcher. The sighting system 26 may comprise a rear sight 18, a front sight 24, and a sight supporting system 9, wherein the rear sight 18 and the front sight 24 may be operably coupled to the sight supporting system 9. In some embodiments, the barrel 14 may be from about 22 inches to about 29 inches long, as measured from a point A to a point C along a longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25.

[0016] The rear sight 18 comprises: a rear casing 50, a rear opening 16, a rear stem 15, a rear upper shim 27 and a rear lower shim 19. The front sight 24 comprises: a front casing 20, a front opening 17, a front stem 29, a front upper shim 97 and a front lower shim 119. In some embodiments, the rear opening 16 may have a longest dimension from about 0.016 in. to about 0.75 in. Alternatively the rear opening 16 may have a longest dimension from about 1 inch to about 3 inches. In some embodiments, the front opening 17 of the front sight 24 may have a longest dimension from about 0.016 in. to about 0.75 in. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the front opening 17 of the front sight 24 may have a longest dimension from about 1 inch to about 3 inches. In some embodiments, the rear opening 16 of the rear sight 18 may be smaller in it's longest dimension than the front opening 17 of the front sight 24. The rear opening 16 of rear sight 18 and the front opening 17 of the front sight 24 may be any shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, triangular or rhomboid.

[0017] In some embodiments, a straight line length from the center "D" of the opening 17 of the front sight 24 to a point B on the line 61 may be equal to a length of a segment 23 of the line 61. In some embodiments, the point B may be a proximal end of the line 61 with respect to the target T, wherein a line 68 extending from point B to a point A located on a longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25 may be perpendicular to the surface I of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25. In some embodiments, the point A may be a proximal end of the longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25, with respect to the target T. In some embodiments, a length of the line 68, when the points B and A lie on the line 68 and the line 68 forms a right angle with the longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25, and when the points B and A may be proximal ends of the line 61 and the longitudinal axis 52, respectively, may be preferably from about 0.1 inches to about 3 inches, more preferably from about 0.1 inches to about 2 inches and most preferably from about 0.1 inches to about 1 inch.

[0018] In some embodiments, a length of the segment 22 may be a straight line distance from the center "D" of the opening 17 of the front sight 24 to a center E of the rear sight 18, along the line 61, wherein the length of the segment 22 may be preferably from about 3 to about 7 inches, more preferably from about 3 to about 5 inches and most preferably from about 3 to about 4 inches.

[0019] In some embodiments, a segment 21 of the line 61 may extend from a point F on a surface "G" of an at least one eye "K" of a viewer 2 to the center E of the rear sight 18 of the firearm 25 on the line 61. As such, the point F is at a proximal end of the line 61 in relation to the at least one eye K of the viewer 2. Hereinafter, "proximal" means physically located near a point of reference, such as the target T. In some embodiments, the point F may be a starting point of the segment 21 of the line 61. In some embodiments, when the barrel 14 is 22 inches long, as measured as a straight line distance between points A and C of the longitudinal axis 52, the segment 21 may be from about 0 to about 18.9 inches, preferably from about 0 to about 9 inches and most preferably from about 0 to about 6.0 inches. In some embodiments, the at least one eye "K" of the viewer 2 may be both eyes of the viewer 2. Alternatively, when the barrel 14 is 29 inches long, as measured as a straight line distance between points A and C of the longitudinal axis 52, the segment 21 may be from about 0 to about 25.9 inches, preferably from about 0 to about 12 inches and most preferably from about 0 to about 8 inches.

[0020] In some embodiments, a straight line distance from a point "J" on an underside surface "M" of a chin "L" of the viewer 2 may be separated from a point H located on a surface I of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25, wherein the points J and H lie on a line 29, and wherein separation may be equal to a length of a line 29, extending from the point "J" on the surface M of the chin L, to the point "H," on the surface I of the barrel 14. The length of the line 29, when the line 29 between the points H and I forms a right angle with the surface I of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25 may be preferably from about 0 to about 3 inches, preferably from about 0 to 2 inches and most preferably from about 0 to 1.5 inches.

[0021] FIG. 2A depicts a front cross sectional view of the rear sight 18 of the sighting system 26, showing an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the rear sight 18 comprises a casing 50, having a first surface 55 facing the viewer 2. The first surface 55 may have at least two marks 38 radially located on the surface 55 of the casing 50 of the rear sight 18. In some embodiments, the at least two marks 38 may be radially located on the surface 55 facing the viewer at 90.degree. increments, wherein 360.degree. spans a full circle around a point E of an opening 16 of the rear sight 18. Hereinafter, "radially" means moving or directed along a radius. In some embodiments, the at least two marks 38 on the first surface 55 may be oppositely located along a plane that may be either orthogonal or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rear sight 18. In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least two marks 38 may be imprinted on the first surface 55 of the casing 50, facing the viewer 2. In some embodiments, the first surfaces 55 and 85 of the front and rear sights, 24 and 18, respectively, of the sighting system 26 do not include a source of artificial light. In some embodiments, a method 40 of use of the sighting system 26, as depicted in FIG. 4 and described herein, may include a step 50 of aiming the firearm 25 at a target T by aligning the points "D" and "E" of the openings 17 and 16, of the front sight 24 and rear sight 18, respectively, at the center T' of the target T, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, and described herein, wherein aligning the points "D" and "E" of the openings 17 and 16, of the front sight 24 and rear sight 18, respectively, may include having the viewer 2 superimpose the points D and E of the openings 17 and 16 of the front sight 24 and the rear sight 18 over the center T' of the target T. It has been found that aligning the points "D" and "E" of the openings 17 and 16, of the front sight 24 and rear sight 18, respectively, wherein the viewer 2 may superimpose the points D and E of the openings 17 and 16 of the front sight 24 and the rear sight 18 over the center T' of the target T may result in an accuracy of hitting the target with a projectile such as a round or shot pellets from about 75 to 90 percent, based on number of firings of the firearm 25. In some embodiments, the line 61 may be parallel with the longitudinal axis 52 of the firearm 25 and may extend from points B, D, E and G. In some embodiments, the points D and E may be centers of the openings 17 and 16, as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B and described herein.

[0022] In some embodiments, a viewer 2 may use the marks 78 on the front sight 24 and the marks 38 on the rear sight 18 to aid the viewer 2 in determining the respective center points D and E of the respective front and rear sights 24 and 18. In these embodiments, a viewer 2 may be taught to estimate the center points D and E for any pair of two marks 78 or 38 that may be oppositely located on the front surfaces 55 and 85 of the sights 24 and 18, respectively, by locating the center point D or E at a point that may be equidistant between the pair of marks 78 or 38. Alternatively, the viewer 2 may be taught to estimate the center points D and E for any four marks placed radially at 90.degree. increments on the front surfaces 55 and 85 of the sights 24 and 18, respectively, by locating the center points D or E where lines between oppositely placed marks 78 and 38 may intersect.

[0023] The combination of the casing 50, the stem 15 and the upper shim 27 may be directly and physically coupled by welding if they are made of metal, or by molding if they are made of synthetic material such as plastic. Alternatively, the casing 50, the stem 15 and the upper shim 27 may be physically separate able, as individual pieces that are not physically coupled, i.e., because they have not been welded, glued or molded together. The combination of the casing 50, the stem 15 and the upper shim 27 may be directly and physically coupled to the sight mount 9 by drawing the upper shim 27 in the direction of the arrow 67 and the lower shim 19 in a direction opposite the direction of the arrow 67, resulting in drawing the upper and lower shims 27 and 19 together, thereby tightening the shims 27 and 19 against the sight mount 9, as depicted in FIG. 2A, and described herein.

[0024] The casings 50 and 20 of the rear sight 18 and the front sight 24, respectively, may be made of any solid material having an index of refraction that is not the same as the index of refraction of air, such as carbon steel, brass, alloys of iron, chromium, nickel, zinc, cadmium, or aluminum or plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) copolymer polypropylene, high-density crosslink polyethylene, polycarbonate. The casing 50 may have a first surface 55 facing a viewer 2 and a second surface 70 facing oppositely away from the viewer 2. The casing 50 and 20 may have opening 16 and 17, wherein the opening 17 of the front sight 24 may extend from the first surface 85 of the casing 20 to the second surface 73' of the casing 20 of the front sight 24, and the opening of the rear sight 18 may extend from the first surface 55 of the casing 50 to the second surface 70 of the casing 50 of the rear sight 18. The openings 16 and 17 may be made of a transparent material such as glass or polycarbonate. Alternatively, the openings 16 and 17 may be an opening in the casing 50. In some embodiments, a first aspect of the present invention is a sighting system 26 for mounting on a barrel 14 of the firearm 25, comprising: front and rear sights 24 and 18 having front and rear casings 20 and 50, wherein a first surface 55 and 85 of each of the front and rear casings 20 and 50 face a viewer 2 and wherein a second surface 73' and 70 of each of the front and rear casings 20 and 50 faces away from the viewer 2, wherein each of the casings 20 and 50 encloses an opening 17 and 16, wherein center points of the front opening D and the rear opening E lie on a first line 61, wherein the first line 61 extends from a point F on a surface G of an at least one eye K of the viewer 2 to the center point D of the front opening 17 of the front sight 24 to a point B that is a proximal end of the first line 61, with respect to a target T, wherein the point B defines an end of a second line 68 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 and extends from the point B to a point A that is a proximal end of the longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25, with respect to the target T, wherein a segment 21 of the first line 61 that extends from a point F on the surface G of the at least one eye K of the viewer 2 to the center E of the rear sight 18 of the firearm 25 has a length from about 1/3 to about 2/3 of a length of the first line 61. In some embodiments, the casings 50 and 20 may form solid rings around the openings 16 and 17. Alternatively, the solid shapes of the casings 50 and 20 may be any solid geometric shape such as a taurus or a rhombus or may be any shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, triangular or rhomboid. Hereinafter "encloses" or "to enclose" means to surround on all sides; to close in.

[0025] The casing 50 may be seated in and directly and physically coupled to a stem portion 15 of the rear sight 18. The stem portion 15 may be seated in and directly and physically coupled to a surface 57 of an upper bracket 27 of the rear sight 18, and a second surface of the upper bracket 27 may be directly and physically coupled to a surface 58 of the rack or railing 9 of the sighting mechanism 26 of the firearm 25. In some embodiments, the rear sight 18 includes at least two bores 1, having openings 6, located adjacent to each side of a longitudinal axis 37 of the rear sight 18, extending from a surface A to a surface B of the casing 50 of the rear sight 18 in a direction of an arrow 7. In some embodiments, the rear sight 18 includes at least two bores 51, having openings 53; the at least two bores 51 being located adjacent to each side of the longitudinal axis 37 of the rear sight 18. The at least two bores 51 may extend from the surface B of the casing 50 to the openings 60, of an at least two walls 4 of the rear sight 18, wherein the at least two walls 4 may be located adjacent to each side of the longitudinal axis 37 of the rear sight 18. In some embodiments, the rear sight 18 includes at least two walls 54, having openings 56; the at least two walls 54 being located adjacent to each side of the longitudinal axis 37 of the rear sight 18. The at least two walls 54 may extend from the surface 57 to the surface 58 of the upper bracket 24 of the rear sight 18. In some embodiments, the rear sight 18 includes at least two walls 62, having openings 64; the at least two walls 62 being located adjacent to each side of the longitudinal axis 37 of the rear sight 18. The at least two walls 62 may extend from a surface 59 to a surface 66 of the lower bracket 19. In some embodiments, the rear sight 18 comprises at least two bolts 3, having heads 5, wherein the heads 5 may be wider in diameter than the openings 60, and wherein the bolts 3 have been inserted between the at least two walls, 4, 54, and 62, such that fastening the bolts 3 with nuts 2 may result in operably coupling the rear sight 18 to the track or railing 65. Alternatively, the walls 4, 54 and/or 62 and the bolts 3 may be appropriately threaded, such that the bolt 3 may be screwed or tightened into the at least two walls 4, 54 and/or 62, resulting in operably coupling the rear sight 18 to the track or railing 65. In some embodiments, a diameter of the at least two bores 1 and 51 may be greater than the diameter of the heads 5 of the bolts 3, such that the heads 5 of the bolts 3 may become recessed below the surface B of the casing 50 of the rear sight 18 when the bolts 3 and the heads 5 of the bolts 3 pass through the openings 6 and 53 of the bores 1 and 51 in the direction of the arrow 7.

[0026] FIG. 2B depicts a front cross sectional view of the front sight 24 of the sighting system 26, showing an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the front sight 24 comprises an casing 70, having a first surface 85 facing a viewer. The first surface 85 may have at least two marks 78 radially and oppositely located on the surface 85 of the casing 70 of the front sight 24. In some embodiments, the at least two marks 78 may be radially and oppositely located on the surface 85 facing the viewer at 90.degree. increments, wherein 360.degree. spans a full circle around a center E of an opening 86 of the front sight 24. In some embodiments, the at least two marks 78 on the first surface 85 may be radially and oppositely located along a plane that may be either orthogonal or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the front sight 24. The casing 70 may be seated in and directly and physically coupled to a stem portion 95 of the front sight 24. The stem portion 95 may be seated in and directly and physically coupled to a surface 77 of an upper bracket 97 of the front sight 24, and a second surface of the upper bracket 97 may be directly and physically coupled to a surface 89 of the rack or railing 119 of the sighting mechanism 26 of the firearm 25. In some embodiments, the front sight 24 includes at least two bores 71, having openings 76, located adjacent to each side of a longitudinal axis 87 of the front sight 24, extending from a surface C to a surface D of the casing 70 of the front sight 24 in a direction of an arrow 77. In some embodiments, the front sight 24 includes at least two bores 81, having openings 73; the at least two bores 81 being located adjacent to each side of the longitudinal axis 87 of the front sight 24. The at least two bores 81 may extend from the surface D of the casing 20 to the openings 90, of an at least two walls 74 of the front sight 24, wherein the at least two walls 74 may be located adjacent to each side of the longitudinal axis 87 of the front sight 24. In some embodiments, the front sight 24 includes at least two walls 94, having openings 96; the at least two walls 94 being located adjacent to each side of the longitudinal axis 87 of the front sight 24. The at least two walls 94 may extend from the surface 77 to the surface 98 of the upper bracket 97 of the front sight 24. In some embodiments, the front sight 24 includes at least two walls 102, having openings 104; the at least two walls 102 being located adjacent to each side of the longitudinal axis 87 of the front sight 24. The at least two walls 102 may extend from a surface 89 to a surface 106 of the lower bracket 119. In some embodiments, the front sight 24 comprises at least two bolts 93, having heads 95, wherein the heads 95 may be wider in diameter than the openings 90, and wherein the bolts 93 have been inserted between the at least two walls, 74, 94, and 102, such that fastening the bolts 93 with nuts 112 may result in operably coupling the front sight 24 to the track or railing 65. Alternatively, the at least two walls 74, 94 and/or 102 and the bolts 93 may be appropriately threaded, such that the bolts 93 may be screwed or tightened into the at least two walls 74, 94 and/or 102, resulting in operably coupling the rear sight 18 to the track or rail 65. In some embodiments, a diameter of the at least two bores 71 and 81 may be greater than the diameter of the heads 95 of the bolts 93, such that the heads 95 of the bolts 93 may become recessed below the surface D of the casing 70 of the front sight 24 when the bolts 93 and the heads 95 of the bolts 93 pass through the openings 76 and 73 of the bores 71 and 81 in the direction of the arrow 77. Such operable coupling, i.e., linking and physically attaching the shims 97 and 119 or 27 and 19 for the front and rear shims 24 and 18, respectively, may be for the purpose of changing the length of segments 21, 22 or 23 of the line 61, as in FIG. 1, herein, that govern the distances between the at least one eye K of the viewer 2 (which may be both eyes of the viewer 2) and the point E of the rear sight 18, the point D of the front sight 24, and the point B of the line 61.

[0027] The front sight 24 and the rear sight 18 may be supported by a sighting support system 9, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, wherein supporting means providing a track or rail 65 of the sighting support system 9 to which the front and rear sights 24 and 18 may be operably coupled. Hereinafter, objects "operably coupled to" or "to operably couple" objects means linking or physically attaching the front and rear sights 24 and 18 to the sighting support system 9 by tightening the bolts 3 and 93, resulting in operably coupling the front upper and lower shims 29 and 119 or the rear upper and lower shims 27 and 19 and the front sight 24 and the rear sight 18 respectively, such that the front and rear sights 24 and 18 may either only change position in unison with the sight supporting system 9, or if the link or physical attachment between the front upper and lower shims 29 and 119 or the rear upper and lower shims 27 and 19 is loosened or released, a location one or both of the operably coupled front and rear sights 24 and 18 may be changed relative to the sighting support system 9. The sighting support system 9 may comprise a track or rail 65, and a stanchion 8. The sights 18 and 24, the track or rail 65, and the stanchion 8 of the sighting support system 9 may be made of carbon steel, aluminum or alloys of steel containing nominally about 0.12% by weight carbon, 12.5% by weight chromium, 0.4% by weight molybdenum and 0.13% by weight other, where other includes sulfur and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the sights 18 and 24, the track or rail 65, and the stanchion 8 may be made of plastic, such as polycarbonate, Ultem or, Noryl molded plastic from GE, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) copolymer polypropylene, or high-density crosslink polyethylene. Alternatively, the sights 18 and 24, the track or rail 65, and the stanchion 8 may be made of synthetic material, such as polyurethane foam, laminated fiberglass with foam core, and solid fiberglass laminated casings. The barrel 14 may be made of steel or various alloys of steel such as, for example, 416R Crucible Stainless Steel, having nominally about 0.12% by weight carbon, 12.5% by weight chromium, 0.4% by weight molybdenum and from about 0.0% to about 0.13% by weight other, where other includes sulfur and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the barrel 14 may be made of chrom moly material grade having nominally from about 0.05% to about 0.25% by weight carbon, from about 0.3% to about 0.8% by weight manganese, from about 4.0% to about 10.0% chromium, and from about 0.44% to about 1.13% by weight molybdenum. In some embodiments, the chrom moly material grade may have nominally from about 0.06% to about 0.1% Niobium (formerly named Columbium), from about 0.03% to about 0.07% nitrogen, from about 0.0% to about 0.04% by weight aluminum and from about 0.18% to about 0.25% by weight vanadium. The exterior of the barrel can be finished in a range from rough turned to a polished finish. The receiver 12 and the stock 13 may be any appropriate receiver and stock for a large or small arms weapon. The stock 13 may be made of wood, such as cherry, oak or mahogany, or synthetic material, such as polyurethane foam, laminated fiberglass with foam core, and solid fiberglass laminated stocks.

[0028] FIG. 2C depicts the front cross sectional view of the sighting mount system 9 of the firearm 25, comprising a track or rail 65 and a stanchion 8. The track or rail 65 may be operably coupled to the stanchion 8 and the stanchion 8 may be operably coupled to the barrel 14 of the firearm 25 by tightening the set screw 70 such that tightening the set screw 70 secures the track or rail 65 into the stanchion 8 and the barrel 14 in a direction of an arrow 87.

EXAMPLE 1

[0029] In this example, firearm 25 has a barrel 14, having a 22 inch length, from the points A to C along the longitudinal axis 52, as in FIG. 1. Segments 23, and 21 of the line 61 may be 0.1 and 12 inches to 18.9 inches, respectively, wherein the centers E and D may preferably be separated by from about 3 to 7 inches, more preferably from about 3 to 5 inches and most preferably from about 3 to 4 inches, wherein the points B and A lie on the line 68 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 52 and the points A and B are the proximal points of the longitudinal axis 52 and the line 61, respectively, with respect to the target T. The point J of the surface M of its chin L of the viewer 2 lies on the line 29 that is defined by points J and H and is perpendicular to the surface I of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25, and is from about 0.1 inch to about 3 inches from the point H. Viewer 2 may aim at a target by aligning the center E of the rear sight 18 and the center D of the front sight 24 of the sighting system 26 of the firearm 25 at an intersection of the line 75 connecting the marks 78 and the line 35 connecting the marks 38. When the target has a diameter of 36 inches and is 22 yards away in a straight line from the proximal points B and A of the line 61 and the longitudinal axis 52 of the firearm 25, respectively, with respect to the target T, the target T may fill an area equal to an area of the front opening 17, i.e., an area equal to quadrants A, B, C, and D, as in FIG. 3. When the barrel 14 may have a 29 inch length, from the points A to C along the longitudinal axis 52, as in FIG. 1, segments 23 and 21 may be 0.1 inch and from about 12 inches to 25.9 inches, respectively, wherein the centers E and D may preferably be separated by from about 3 to 7 inches, more preferably from about 3 to 5 inches and most preferably from about 3 to 4 inches, wherein the points B and A lie on the line 68 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 52 and the points A and B are the proximal points of the longitudinal axis 52 and the line 61, respectively, with respect to the target T.

EXAMPLE 2

[0030] In this example, In this example, firearm 25 has a barrel 14, having a 22 inch length, from the points A to C along the longitudinal axis 52, as in FIG. 1. Segments 23, and 21 of the line 61 may be 0.1 and 12 inches to 18.9 inches, respectively, wherein the centers E and D may preferably be separated by from about 3 to 7 inches, more preferably from about 3 to 5 inches and most preferably from about 3 to 4 inches, wherein the points B and A lie on the line 68 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 52 and the points A and B are the proximal points of the longitudinal axis 52 and the line 61, respectively, with respect to the target T. The point J of the surface M of its chin L of the viewer 2 lies on the line 29 that is defined by points J and H and is perpendicular to the surface I of the FIG. 3 depicts a sighting system: comprising: front 24 and rear sights 18, wherein each of the front 24 and rear sights 18 has openings 17 and 16, respectively, as in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, wherein center points of each opening D and E of each sight 24 and 18 are aligned on a line 61 parallel to a longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25, wherein a first surface 85 and 55 of each of the front 24 and rear sight 18 facing a viewer 2 has optional radially located marks, 78 and 38, wherein a proximal end B of the first line 61 with respect to a target T lies on the second line 68, wherein the second line 68 is defined by the proximal end B of the first line 61 and a proximal end A of the longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14, with respect to the target T, wherein the proximal end B of the first line 61, with respect to the target T, that extends from the center point D to the center point E of each of the front 24 and rear sights 18 is from about 0.1 inch to about 18.9 inches from the proximal end B of the first line 61, when the longitudinal length of the barrel from proximal end A to distal end C along the longitudinal cross section 52 is 22 inches, or from about 0.1 inch to about 25.9 inches from the proximal end B of the first line 61, when the longitudinal length of the barrel from proximal end A to distal end C along the longitudinal cross section 52 is 29 inches, such that when the target T has a diameter of at least 36 inches, an area of an image of the target, as viewed through the front 24 and rear 18 sights, along the first line, does not exceed a total area of the front sight, and wherein both the front 24 and rear sights 18 are operably coupled to a railing 65, and wherein the railing 65 is operably coupled to a first surface I of the barrel 14.

[0031] FIG. 4 depicts a method 40 for using the sighting system 26 of a firearm 25 of the present invention, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, and described herein, comprising: a step 44, providing front and rear sights, 24 and 18, having first surfaces, 85 and 55, that may face a viewer 2 and oppositely directed second surfaces, 73' and 70, that may face away from the viewer 2; and a step 50, aiming the firearm 25 at a target T by aligning the points "D" and "E" of the openings 17 and 16, of the front sight 24 and rear sight 18, respectively, at the center T' of the target T, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, and described herein, wherein aligning the points "D" and "E" of the openings 17 and 16, of the front sight 24 and rear sight 18, respectively, may include having the viewer 2 superimpose the points D and E of the openings 17 and 16 of the front sight 24 and the rear sight 18 over the center T' of the target T. It has been found that aligning the points "D" and "E" of the openings 17 and 16, of the front sight 24 and rear sight 18, respectively, wherein the viewer 2 may superimpose the points D and E of the openings 17 and 16 of the front sight 24 and the rear sight 18 over the center T' of the target T may result in an accuracy of hitting the target with a projectile such as a round or shot pellets from about 75 to 90 percent, based on number of firings of the firearm 25. In some embodiments, the line 61 may be parallel with the longitudinal axis 52 of the firearm 25 and may extend from points B, D, E and G. In some embodiments, the points D and E may be centers of the openings 17 and 16, as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B and described herein.

[0032] In some embodiments of the step 44, the first line 61 and the longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25 have proximal ends, B and A, with respect to the target T, such that each proximal end, B and A may be equidistant to the target T, i.e, that lines 100 and 105, as in FIG. 1 may be equidistant, because the proximal ends B and A of the first line 61 and the longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 define a second line 68 that may be orthogonal to the line 61 and the longitudinal axis 52 and because the first line 61 and the longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 of the firearm 25 may be parallel.

[0033] In some embodiments of the step 44, a first segment 23 of the first line 61 may extend from about 0.1 inches to about 3 inches from the proximal end B of the first line 61 to the center point D of the front opening 17 of the front sight 24, and a second segment 22 of the first line 61 may extend from about 0.1 inches to about 4 inches from the center point D to a center point E of the rear opening 16 of the rear sight 18. In some embodiments, the second segment 22 of the first line 61 may extend from about 0.1 to about 18.9 inches when the longitudinal length of the barrel from proximal end A to distal end C along the longitudinal axis 52 is 22 inches, or from about 0.1 inch to about 25.9 inches, when the longitudinal length of the barrel 14 from proximal end A to distal end C along the longitudinal axis 52 is 29 inches.

[0034] In some embodiments of the step 44, the first surfaces 85 and 55 of the front and rear sights, 24 and 18, may face a viewer 2 and may have optional radially located marks, 78 and 38. In some embodiments, the second line 68 may extend from about 0.1 inch to about 3 inches from the proximal end B of the first line 61 to the proximal end A of the longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14.

EXAMPLE 3

[0035] Lengths of lines 100 and 105 in yards from the proximal ends B and A of the first line 61 and of the longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 to a center T' of the target T is equal to a product of the longest dimension of the target T, in inches, and 0.6, when the longest dimension in inches of the target T, as viewed by the viewer 2 through the front and rear sights, 18 and 24 is equal to a longest dimension, in inches, of the front opening 17 of the front sight 24. When the lengths of lines 100 and 105 from the proximal ends B and A of the first line 61 and of the longitudinal axis 52 of the barrel 14 to a center T' of the target T was 22 yards, the longest dimension of the target T was 36 inches, the longest dimension of the target T in the front opening 17, as viewed by the viewer 2 through the front and rear sights, 18 and 24 was 36 inches.

[0036] The description of the embodiments of the present invention is given above for the understanding of the present invention. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is capable of various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions as will now become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the following claims cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A sighting system for mounting on a barrel of a firearm, comprising: front and rear sights having front and rear casings, wherein a first surface of each of the front and rear casings face a viewer and wherein a second surface of each of the front and rear casings faces away from the viewer, wherein each of the casings encloses an opening, wherein center points of the front opening D and the rear opening E lie on a first line, wherein the first line extends from a point F on a surface G of an at least one eye K of the viewer to the center point D of the front opening of the front sight to a point B that is a proximal end of the first line, with respect to a target, wherein the point B defines an end of a second line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrel and extends from the point B to a point A that is a proximal end of the longitudinal axis of the barrel of the firearm, with respect to the target, wherein a segment of the first line that extends from a point F on the surface G of the at least one eye K of the viewer to the center E of the rear sight of the firearm has a length from about 1/3 to about 2/3 of a length of the first line.

2. The sighting system of claim 1, wherein the first surfaces of each of the front and rear sights do not include a source of artificial light.

3. The sighting system of claim 1, wherein the front and rear sights are made from materials selected from the group consisting of carbon steel, brass, alloys of iron, chromium, nickel, zinc, cadmium, or aluminum or plastic.

4. The sighting system of claim 3, wherein the plastic is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) copolymer polypropylene, high-density crosslink polyethylene, polycarbonate.

5. The sighting system of claim 1, wherein the front and rear sights are operably coupled to a track or rail.

6. The sighting system of claim 1, wherein longest dimensions of the front and rear sights are equivalent.

7. The sighting system of claim 6, wherein the longest dimension of the opening of the front and rear sights are from about one inch to about three inches.

8. The sighting system of claim 1, wherein a longest dimension of the opening of the rear sight is less than a longest dimension of the front sight.

9. The sighting system of claim 8, wherein the longest dimension of the opening of the rear sight is from about 0.016 in. to about 0.75 in.

10. The sighting system of claim 1, wherein, when dimensions of the front and rear openings are equal, and a length between the centers D and E of the openings of the front and rear sights is from about 3 in. to about 7 in.

11. The sighting system of claim 1, wherein radially located marks on the front surfaces of the front and rear sights are spaced at 90.degree. increments.

12. A method of using a sighting system mounted on a barrel of a firearm, comprising: providing front and rear sights having front and rear casings, wherein a first surface of each of the front and rear casings face a viewer and wherein a second surface of each of the front and rear casings faces away from the viewer, wherein each of the casings encloses an opening, wherein center points of the front opening D and the rear opening E lie on a first line, wherein the first line extends from a point F on a surface G of an at least one eye K of the viewer to the center point D of the front opening of the front sight to a point B that is a proximal end of the first line, with respect to a target, wherein the point B defines an end of a second line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrel and extends from the point B to a point A that is a proximal end of the longitudinal axis of the barrel of the firearm, with respect to a target, wherein a segment of the first line that extends from a point F on the surface G of the at least one eye K of the viewer to the center E of the rear sight of the firearm has a length from about 1/3 to about 2/3 of the length of the first line, and aiming the firearm at the target by aligning the points "D" and "E" of the front and rear openings of the front and rear sight, respectively, at the center T' of the target T, wherein aligning the points "D" and "E" of the front and rear openings of the front and rear sights, respectively, include having the viewer superimpose the points D and E of the front and rear openings of the front and the rear sights over the center T' of the target T.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a longest dimension of the target is from about two inches to about 100 inches when the target is from about one to about thirty yards from the viewer.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein longest dimensions of the front and rear openings of the front and rear sights are equal.

15. The sighting system of claim 14, wherein a longest dimension of the front and rear openings of the front and rear sights are from about one inch to about three inches.

16. The sighting system of claim 12, wherein a longest dimension of the opening of the rear sight is less than a longest dimension of the front sight.

17. The sighting system of claim 16, wherein a longest dimension of the rear sight is from about 0.016 in. to about 0.75 in.

18. The sighting system of claim 12, wherein a segment of the first that extends from the center point D to the center point E of the openings of the front and rear sights is from about 4 inch to about 7 inches from the proximal point B of the first line, with respect to the target.

19. A sighting system for mounting on a barrel of a firearm, comprising: front and rear sights having front and rear casings, wherein a first surface of each of the front and rear casings face a viewer and wherein a second surface of each of the front and rear casings faces away from the viewer, wherein each of the casings encloses an opening, wherein center points of the front opening D and the rear opening E lie on a first line that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the barrel of the firearm, wherein a proximal end of the first line with respect to a target lies on a second line, wherein the second line is defined by the proximal end of the first line and a proximal end of the longitudinal axis of the barrel, with respect to a target, wherein a proximal end of a segment of the first line, with respect to the target, that extends from the center point D to the center point E of the front and rear sights is from about 0.1 inch to about 4 inches from the proximal end of the first line, such that when the target has a longest dimension less than or equal to 36 inches, an area of an image of the target, as viewed through the front and rear sights, along the first line, does not exceed a total area of the front sight, and wherein both the front and the rear sights are operably coupled to a track or railing, and wherein the track or railing is operably coupled to a first surface of the barrel.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first surfaces of each of the front and rear sights of the sighting system do not include a source of artificial light.