U.S. patent application number 11/238209 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for night vision monocular housing and universal system for using same in various applications.
Invention is credited to Michael Remo.
Application Number | 20070068058 11/238209 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37892135 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070068058 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Remo; Michael |
March 29, 2007 |
Night vision monocular housing and universal system for using same
in various applications
Abstract
A night vision monocular housing for containing an assembly of
night vision components within, for releasably attaching the
assembled night vision device to a universal rail having a
plurality of ribs provided on the rail, including at least one
raised portion provided on the surface of the housing, a clamping
apparatus provided on a surface of the raised portion having first
and second parallel protuberant walls defining a channel for snugly
seating the universal rail within, the walls each having an inner
surface and an outer surface thereof, wherein the inner surface of
at least one wall is generally concave providing a mating surface
for seating against an adjacent lateral side of the universal rail,
and a biasing means for releasably attaching the clamping apparatus
to the universal rail. An adapter for a preexisting night vision
monocular device to be releasably attached to a rail surface, and a
universal assembly for releasably mounting a novel night vision
monocular to a particular application and switching the monocular
to other mounted applications more quickly and efficiently, are
also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Remo; Michael; (St.
Petersburg, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael Munk
2610 111th Street
Lubbock
TX
79423
US
|
Family ID: |
37892135 |
Appl. No.: |
11/238209 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 11/003 20130101;
F41G 1/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/122 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/38 20060101
F41G001/38 |
Claims
1. A novel night vision monocular housing for containing an
assembly of night vision components within, for releasably
attaching the assembled night vision device to a universal rail
having a plurality of ribs provided on the rail, comprising: at
least one raised portion provided on the surface of the housing; a
clamping apparatus provided on a surface of the raised portion
having first and second parallel protuberant walls defining a
channel for snugly seating the universal rail within, the walls
each having an inner surface and an outer surface thereof, wherein
the inner surface of at least one wall is generally concave
providing a mating surface for seating against an adjacent lateral
side of the universal rail; and a biasing means for releasably
attaching the clamping apparatus to the universal rail.
2. The night vision device housing of claim 1, wherein the clamping
apparatus further comprises a protuberant member perpendicular to
the walls for seating in between two consecutive rails of a
universal rail.
3. The night vision device housing of claim 1, wherein the
concavity of the inner surface of the at least one wall of the
clamping apparatus is beveled.
4. The night vision device housing of claim 1, wherein both the
first and second walls of the clamping apparatus are generally
concave.
5. The night vision device housing of claim 1, wherein the
concavity of the inner surface of the at least one wall of the
clamping apparatus resembles a dovetail.
6. The night vision device housing of claim 4, wherein the first
wall is non-unitarily constructed with the clamping apparatus and
both first and second walls having axially aligned bores defined
therethrough, the bore of the second wall being threaded, the
biasing means comprising: a thumbscrew provided along the axis of
the bores, whereby rotation of the threaded screw in a
predetermined direction advances the thumbscrew within the threaded
bore of the second wall advancing the first wall towards the second
walls and securely gripping and attaching the clamping apparatus to
the universal rail located between the first and second walls.
7. The night vision device housing of claim 1, wherein at least one
of the first and second walls have a recess defined therethrough,
the biasing means comprising: a slidably advancing section provided
within the recess, the advancing section and inner surface of the
opposite wall having a generally concave contour for tightly
seating against adjacent lateral surfaces of the universal rail;
the slidably advancing section and opposite wall having axial bores
provided therethrough, the bores being axially aligned with one
another, and oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
walls, the bore provided within the advancing section being
threaded; and a rotating axial member provided along the axis,
whereby the axial member rotates to slidably advance the advancing
section out of the recess and towards the adjacent lateral surface
of the universal rail securely affixing the clamping apparatus to
the universal rail.
8. The night vision device housing of claim 1, wherein the biasing
means comprises a lever-actuated eccentric cam, whereby rotation of
the lever locks the cam against the adjacent lateral side of the
universal rail.
9. The night vision device housing of claim 8, wherein the
lever-actuated eccentric cam is in communication with a cam bar
disposed adjacent to the cam, the cam bar hingedly fixed to the
second wall of the clamping apparatus, whereby rotating the lever
operates to bias the cam bar away from the cam securely seating the
cam bar under the adjacent lateral side of the universal rail,
seating the adjacent lateral surface of the universal rail between
the cam bar and the second wall on one side, and tightly seating
the lateral surface of the universal rail adjacent to the first
wall in the concavity of the inner surface of the first wall.
10. The night vision device housing of claim 1, wherein the
universal rail is one of a weapon rail, a rail provided on a head
mount adapter, a rail provided on a helmet mount adapter, and a
rail provided on a dual monocular bracket.
11. The night vision device housing of claim 1, wherein the raised
portion is unitarily constructed with the monocular housing.
12. The night vision device housing of claim 1, wherein the raised
portion is of a non-unitary construction with respect to the
housing and is attached to a preexisting night vision monocular
housing.
13. The night vision device housing of claim 1, further comprising
attachment means for attaching two novel night vision monoculars
together for use as a binocular.
14. The night vision device housing of claim 13, wherein the
attaching means comprises at least one embossment provided on the
surface of the housing, the at least one embossment having an axial
bore defined therethrough, whereby two housings may be coupled to a
hinge apparatus and used as a binocular when the embossments are
pinned to the hinge apparatus through the axial bore.
15. The night vision device housing of claim 1, further comprising
a battery compartment located generally within the raised portion
of the housing.
16. An adapter for a preexisting night vision monocular device to
be releasably attached to a rail surface, the adapter comprising:
an upper surface provided with specific attachment provisions
required to attach to the preexisting monocular mounting provision;
and a lower surface having a channel defined by first and second
parallel frame members projecting from the lower surface of the
adapter and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
channel, the first and second flame members having first and second
inner surfaces, respectively, for engaging first and second lateral
surfaces of the rail, respectively, wherein at least one of the
first and second inner surfaces of the frame member have a groove
defined along their longitudinal axis for accommodating the
respective adjacent lateral surface of the universal rail within;
and a biasing means for releasably gripping the frame members to
the lateral surfaces of the rail attaching the preexisting
monocular to the rail.
17. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the attachment provisions
provided on the upper surface of the adapter comprises: a first and
second wall projecting from the upper surface defining a slot
therebetween, wherein the upper surface of the walls have inwardly
depending flanges, and the inner surfaces of the first and second
walls have grooves provided along their longitudinal axis; and a
male protuberance located perpendicularly within the slot, biased
upwardly from the upper surface of the adapter, wherein the
inwardly depending flanges function to retain a mounting bracket
provided on the surface of the preexisting monocular when the
bracket slidably engages with the grooves in the inner surfaces of
the first and second walls.
18. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the attachment provisions
provided on the upper surface of the adapter comprise at least one
threaded member projecting axially upwards from the upper surface
for engaging at least one corresponding threaded bore provided in a
housing of the preexisting night vision monocular, and a rotating
means for the threaded member provided on an adjacent lateral
surface of the adapter.
19. A universal system for releasably mounting a novel night vision
monocular to a particular application and switching the monocular
to other mounted applications more quickly and efficiently, the
system comprising: a night vision monocular housing having a raised
portion on at least one surface thereof, the raised portion
provided with a clamping apparatus on an end, the apparatus having
gripping walls and a biasing means for clamping lateral surfaces of
a rail; a headgear adapter having a first end for attaching to a
preexisting headgear and a second end having a rail provided
thereon for attaching to the clamping apparatus of the monocular;
and a dual monocular bracket having means for releasably attaching
to a preexisting headgear, and also having a rail provided at both
longitudinal extremities on the underside thereof for attaching to
the clamping apparatus of the monocular at both extremities.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the preexisting headgear is one
of a helmet mount and a head mount.
21. The system of claim 19, further comprising an attachment
apparatus for attaching two novel monoculars together for use as a
binocular.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] I. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to night vision devices. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a night vision
device housing having improved means for mounting to a weapon and
to headgear.
[0003] II. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Night vision devices are a necessity in today's military and
law enforcement applications. Besides allowing movement in low
light conditions and even in complete darkness, attempts have been
made to employ night vision monoculars on weapons, particularly
rifles, in order to more accurately engage targets under these
conditions. These attempts have all included the need for special
mounts, which fasten to the monocular on one end of the mount, and
fasten to the weapon on the other end. The weapon most often has a
picatinny rail employed on its top surface, which the mount
attaches to using various rail grabbing means known in the art.
[0005] Attempts to attach the monocular to the mount have included
using screws to engage threaded bores located within the monocular
housing. This suffers from the obvious need for small screws and
bulky screwdrivers that may not only hinder the operative's
objective, but also may easily be lost and render the night vision
device inoperable in the weapon-mounted application.
[0006] Another attempt has been to provide a rectangular bracket on
the housing of the monocular for engaging with special mounts. The
bracket has flanges, which slide within grooves of the special
mounts and the mount has a biased male protuberance which engages
in a slotted portion of the bracket. This did away with the need
for special tools and screws to mount the device to a weapon mount;
however, it still requires a weapon mount to attach the device to a
universal weapon rail.
[0007] Besides the need for mounting a night vision monocular to a
weapon, they have also been employed on various headgear, i.e.,
helmet mounts and head mounts, for simply moving about in a low
light or no light environment hands free. Even mounting these
devices to different forms of headgear require the use of special
adapters. These adapters attach to the monocular in much the same
way as the weapon mount does. The adapter is fastened to the
headgear using a stud provided on the adapter and a receptacle
provided on the headgear. The other end of the adapter is then
fastened to the monocular using the same means as which attaches
the monocular to the weapon-mounted application as previously
described. Other versions of night vision devices knows as goggles,
which provides a sight picture for both of the operator's eyes, can
be mounted to the same headgear, as night vision goggles also have
a stud provided directly on the housing of the goggle for
interfacing with the receptacle of the headgear. The use of two
monoculars simultaneously as a binocular or google has also
developed the need for a dual monocular bracket which also attaches
to headgear in the same manner as the headgear adapters described
herein.
[0008] These various weapon mounts and dual monocular brackets are
an additional piece of equipment which may be lost or damaged in
the field, hindering or preventing the ability of the operative to
perform their duty, which may also endanger their life in a hostile
environment. These weapon mounts also require two points of
attachment in order to adapt the monocular to its specific task,
requiring the operative to spend more time preparing their night
vision device for the particular application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a night vision monocular housing that solves the problems
associated with the aforementioned prior art.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
night vision monocular housing that mounts directly onto a
universal weapon rail without the need for a special weapon
mount.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
night vision monocular housing with attachment means provided on
the housing that can mount directly onto a universal weapon rail, a
head/helmet mount adapter, and dual monocular bracket,
independently.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a night vision monocular housing that is prepared by the operator
for its particular application more quickly.
[0013] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a night vision monocular housing that has a provision for
quickly assembling two units into a binocular.
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a night
vision monocular housing of improved ergonomic shape by providing a
centrally located battery compartment away from the periphery of
the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings disclosing preferred
embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood,
however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of
illustration only and not as a definition of the limitations of the
invention. Similar reference characters denote similar elements
throughout the figures.
[0016] FIG. 1(a) is a left perspective view of a prior art night
vision monocular housing manufactured by US NightVision designated
USNV-14;
[0017] FIG. 1(b) is perspective view of a prior art weapon mount
used to attach the monocular of FIG. 1(a) to a picatinny weapon
rail;
[0018] FIG. 2(a) is a right perspective view of the monocular
housing encompassing a first embodiment of the present invention
having a thumbscrew clamping apparatus provided thereon;
[0019] FIG. 2(b) is a rear operator's view of the monocular housing
of FIG. 2(a) securely affixed to a universal rail commonly found on
most modern military rifles;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the monocular mounted to a
weapon rail of FIG. 2(b), but now the rail is shown attached to the
upper receiver of an M4 rifle, and the monocular is shown behind an
EOTech optical sight;
[0021] FIG. 4(a) is a right perspective view of the monocular
housing encompassing a second embodiment of the present invention
showing the monocular housing having a lever-actuated camping
apparatus provided thereon;
[0022] FIG. 4(b) is a rear operator's view of the monocular housing
of FIG. 4(a) securely affixed to a universal rail commonly found on
most modern military rifles;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the monocular mounted to a
weapon rail of FIG. 4(b), but now the rail is shown attached to the
upper receiver of an M4 rifle, and the monocular is shown behind an
EOTech optical sight;
[0024] FIG. 6(a) is a right perspective view of the monocular
housing encompassing a third embodiment of the present invention
illustrating the monocular housing having a variant of the
thumbscrew clamping apparatus of FIGS. 2-3;
[0025] FIG. 6(b) is a rear operator's view of the monocular housing
of FIG. 6(a) securely affixed to a universal rail commonly found on
most modern military rifles;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a right side view of the monocular mounted to a
weapon rail of FIG. 6(b), but now the rail is shown attached to the
upper receiver of an M4 rifle, and the monocular is shown behind an
EOTech optical sight;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a mirror view showing the upper and lower
perspective views of a fourth embodiment of the present invention
illustrating a clip-on adapter that easily retrofits an existing
night vision monocular to an embodiment illustrated in the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8
illustrating how it attaches to an existing USNV-14 monocular
showing the clip-on embodiment in phantom;
[0029] FIG. 10(a) is a front view of the monocular of the first
embodiment of FIGS. 2-3 mounted to a headgear adapter to be used in
conjunction with the present invention, for adapting the monocular
to an existing head mount or helmet mount, shown here attached to a
helmet mount;
[0030] FIG. 10(b) is a front view of the monocular of the second
embodiment of FIGS. 4-5 mounted to a headgear adapter to be used in
conjunction with the present invention, for adapting the monocular
to an existing head mount or helmet mount;
[0031] FIG. 10(c) is a front view of the monocular of the third
embodiment of FIGS. 6-7 mounted to a headgear adapter to be used in
conjunction with the present invention, for adapting the monocular
to an existing head mount or helmet mount;
[0032] FIG. 10(d) is a left side view of FIG. 10(a);
[0033] FIG. 11(a) is a front view of a dual monocular bracket
having rail attachments for mounting two monoculars of the present
invention shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13, to an existing head
mount or helmet mount, shown here attached to a helmet mount;
[0034] FIG. 11(b) is a bottom perspective view of the dual
monocular bracket of FIG. 11(a) showing attachment of two
monoculars of the present invention in phantom;
[0035] FIG. 12(a) is a further embodiment of the present invention
depicting a monocular of the embodiment of FIGS. 13, shown having
attachment embossments provided on the surface of the monocular
housing for attaching itself and a second identical monocular to a
hinged apparatus for creating a hand held binocular;
[0036] FIG. 12(b) is an exploded view illustrating the attachment
between the monocular of FIG. 12(a) and the hinged apparatus;
[0037] FIG. 13(a) is a rear operator's view of another embodiment
of a monocular housing of the present invention shown mounted on a
weapon rail with the identical clamping apparatus as depicted in
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-7, but having the power switch and
battery compartment relocated to a centralized location, creating a
more ergonomic design; and
[0038] FIG. 13(b) is a perspective view of the monocular of FIG.
13(a).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] FIG. 1(a) is an example of a prior art night vision
monocular device 100 whose housing is manufactured by US Night
Vision, designated USNV-14. Typical features on this device include
ocular (not shown) and objective 199 lenses, power switch 190,
battery compartment 150, and infrared illuminator spotlight focus
knob 151. Bracket 130 is used for attaching the device to a special
weapon mount 140 and to a headgear mount to adapt the night vision
device to either application. The bracket is divided into two
distinct fixtures 125, 127 defining a slot 135 therebetween
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bracket. The top
edges of the two fixtures 125, 127 of the bracket 135 have flanges
120.
[0040] The weapon mount 140 of the prior art (FIG. 1(b)) has a
clamping apparatus 148 including a channel 141 for providing the
bracket 135 a means for sliding within. The bracket flanges 120 of
the housing 100 slide within grooves 142 on the inner surface of
walls 145, 147 of the weapon mount 140. Flanges 144 provided on the
top inner surface of walls 145, 147 retain the flanges 120 of the
bracket 130 within grooves 142. A biased male protuberance 143 on
the weapon mount 140 engages the slot 135, thereby locking the
device 100 to the weapon mount 140. Release lever 146 retracts the
protuberance 143 and disengages the weapon mount 140 from the
bracket 130. On the opposite end of the weapon mount 140 is a rail
grabber (not shown) used to mount to the universal rail of a weapon
(not shown). This is one example of how a night vision monocular
100 of the prior art has been employed on a weapon rail.
[0041] Turning now in detail to the appended drawings, particularly
FIGS. 2-3, therein illustrated is a first embodiment of a novel
night vision monocular housing 200 embodying the concepts of the
present invention. Monocular housing 200 is primarily cylindrical
and hollow to accept the standard components of a night vision
device, including but not limited to ocular 298 and objective
lenses (not shown) and an image intensifier tube (not shown). The
monocular housing has provided thereon a battery compartment 250
for containing the power source and a power switch 290. Optional
infrared navigation light may have an adjustable focus knob 251
over it making it able to focus infrared light out to varying
distances from the operator. This assists the operator in viewing
under extreme low light or no light conditions, for example,
indoors with no light present, since infrared light is below the
discernible human visible spectrum, but can be seen with night
vision equipment. Additional accessories are a sacrificial lens 270
shown on the end of the objective lens for its protection, a demist
shield (not shown) covering the ocular lens on the other side of
the monocular housing, and a rubber eyepiece 285 for shadowing out
external light from the operator's viewing eye.
[0042] Of particular significance is a raised portion 240 which may
either be an integral part of the monocular housing 200 and
permanently fixed to it, or may be featured as a separate piece
(discussed later) that may be clipped, screwed, or attached by any
other means known in the art to existing housings. Raised portion
240 needs to have a sufficient height in order to raise the
monocular housing high enough off of the universal rail 280 of the
weapon 265 so as to be aligned with the optical sight 275, so that
the sight 275 may be viewed and used in low or no light
environments. A height of 5/8 has worked properly for this sight
and has given the operator proper eye relief. However, especially
if the raised portion 240 is detachable from the housing 200,
raised portions 240 of varying heights may be offered and exchanged
in seconds to maximize the operator's comfort and proper eye relief
when using different sighting systems, rails, and weapons.
[0043] A clamping apparatus known in the industry as a "rail
grabber" 230 for clamping onto various types of rails, is provided
on the base of the raised portion 240 for securely attaching the
housing 200 to the universal rail 280 of the weapon 265. The rail
grabber 230 includes a channel 235 defined by two parallel
protuberant walls 225, 227 for snugly seating a universal rail 280
within. The channel 235 is placed on top of the rail 280 with the
monocular 200 facing in the proper direction. In the present
embodiment, a thumbscrew 210 passing through the channel 235 is
seated between two consecutive ribs 260 of the rail 280. The
generally concave grooves 220 in the walls 225, 227 of the rail
grabber 230 seat around the lateral surfaces 255 of the rail 280
when the housing 200 is placed on top of the rail 280. The contour
of the grooves 220 of the walls 225, 227 compliment the contours of
the lateral surfaces 255 of the rail which create a secure grasping
area when tightened. These grooves 220 may be beveled into the
inner surface and have a dovetail-shaped profile to compliment the
tapered shape of the lateral sides 255 of the rail 280.
[0044] The thumbscrew 210 is provided as a biasing means for
gripping the clamping apparatus 230 to the universal rail 280. A
first wall 225 is provided as a non-unitary member with respect to
the rest of the rail grabber assembly 230. A second wall 227 is
provided as a unitary member and is an integral part of the
assembly 230. The thumbscrew 210 passes through axially aligned
bores provided through both walls 225, 227, with the bore of the
second wall 227 being threaded. Tightening of the thumbscrew 210
advances the first wall 225 towards the second wall 227, which when
mounted on rail 280 results in the secure gripping of the walls
225, 227 upon the lateral surfaces 255 of the rail 280. The
thumbscrew 210 may optionally have a washer (not shown) installed
between it and the first wall 225. The thumbscrew 210 is to be
tightened enough so as to prevent the monocular 200 from shaking
loose from the recoil of the weapon 265 as well as other vibrations
and shock that a weapon 265 may encounter in a hostile
environment.
[0045] FIGS. 4-5 depict a second embodiment of the night vision
monocular housing 300 of the present invention. Similar to the
first embodiment 200, a raised portion 340 is provided on the
surface of the monocular housing 300 having a rail grabber
apparatus 330. Also as in the first embodiment 200, the raised
portion 340 may be provided as a single unitary construction with
the housing 300 or may be provided as an independent piece that may
be attached to a pre-existing housing in any number of ways known
in the art. Pre-existing raised portions 340 of varying heights
would also enable the operator more versatility in the field in
choosing a correct height for proper eye relief.
[0046] The rail grabber 330 of the present embodiment differs
slightly from that of the first embodiment. They share many common
components, such as, a rail grabber clamping apparatus 330, a pair
of adjacently spaced first and second walls 325, 327 on either side
of channel 335, raised portion 340 to provide a clearance height
for properly aligning the device 300 on a weapon rail 380 for use
with an optical sight 375, power switch 390, battery compartment
350, infrared illuminator spotlight focus knob 391, ocular 398 and
objective (not shown) lenses, and sacrificial lens 370. The inner
surface of the first wall 325 in this embodiment has a beveled
dovetail-shape contoured surface 320. A protuberant member 326
which seats between two consecutive ribs 360 of the rail 380 proves
additional stability preventing forward and rearward movement of
the rail grabber 330 on the rail 380 (the thumbscrew in the first
embodiment accomplishes this). Alternatively, the second wall 327
has no beveled inner surface. It simply abuts the adjacent lateral
surface 355 of rail 380 and the clamping biasing force is
accomplished through the use of a biased cam bar 315. A lever 310
provided on the opposite side of an extended surface of the second
wall 327 is in direct communication with a cam 317. After the
monocular 300 is placed on the weapon rail 380, the operator
rotates the lever 310 one hundred eighty degrees which rotates the
cam 317 and locks the monocular 300 to the weapon rail 380. Towards
the end of the lever's stroke (one hundred eighty degrees), the cam
317 comes into communication with cam bar 315 forcing it outwardly
towards the rail 380 which grasps the underside of the adjacent
lateral surface 355 of the rail 380 securely locking the two. The
cam 317 locks the cam bar 315 in this position preventing it from
retracting while the lever 310 is in this position. The inner
surface of second wall 327 together with the cam bar 315 act to
securely grip the rail 380 on that respective side, while the
dovetail beveled inner surface 320 of the first wall 325 act to
grip that respective side to the lateral side 355 of the rail 380.
FIG. 5 shows the lever 310 in a locked position after the operator
has placed the monocular 300 onto the rail 380 and rotated the
lever 310 one hundred eighty degrees.
[0047] FIGS. 6-7 illustrate a third embodiment of the monocular
housing 400 of the present invention. The rail grabber clamping
apparatus 430 in this embodiment illustrates a variation of the
first embodiment. A threaded member, or thumbscrew 410 is shown,
similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2(a). However, here the
threaded bore 428 is provided in an advancing section 429 contained
within a recess in the second wall 427 that moves laterally in and
out of the second wall 427. This section 429 preferably has a
dovetail bevel 420 similar to that discussed in the previous
embodiments for accommodating the later surface 455 of rail 480.
The biasing means functions opposite to that of the first
embodiment in FIGS. 2, that is upon advancement of a rotating axial
member (ie, thumbscrew) 410, the advancing section 429 of the
second wall 427 advances towards the rail 480 seated within the
channel 435 of rail grabber 430. The rail grabber 430 is released
from the rail 480 by turning the thumbscrew 410 in the opposite
direction.
[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a device 500 that
retrofits an existing night vision monocular 100 of the prior art
to a weapon rail according to the present invention. The concept of
utilizing the rail grabber clamping apparatus 530 and raised
portion 540 as a non-unitary piece from the monocular housing 100
depicted in the upper reflection view, has previously been
disclosed in the description of the first and second embodiments,
although may also be used in any of the embodiments herein. The
present embodiment affords the operator the ability to use a rail
grabber clamping apparatus 530 of their choice, i.e.,
lever-actuated, thumbscrew, etc., as well as using a raised portion
540 that suits their height requirement for proper eye relief, all
in one predetermined adapter 500. The attachment means on the upper
surface of the adapter 500 may be provided to suit an existing
monocular 100 according to its own attachment requirements. The
bottom reflection view shows an attachment means known for the
USNV-14 monocular 100 of the prior art.
[0049] For this type of monocular, the upper surface of the device
500 has a channel 541 defined between two adjacent parallel frame
members 545, 547 that project from the upper surface. The inner
surfaces of these frame members 545, 547 preferably have grooves
542 cut along their lengths. The top edges of the clamping
apparatus 548 have flanges 544 formed on them so that the monocular
mounting bracket 130 (FIG. 1(a)) can slide within grooves 542 and
be held within the channel 541 by the flanges 544. The monocular
100 (FIG. 1(a)) is locked in place when a biased male protuberance
543 provided within the channel 541 oriented perpendicularly to the
longitudinal axis of the channel 541 engages with a slot 135 in the
bracket 130 that divides the bracket into two fixtures 125, 127
(see FIGS. 1 and 9).
[0050] The monocular housing of the present invention must also be
adaptable to use on head mounts and helmet mounts as monoculars of
the prior art are. Existing headgear is satisfactory and for
simplicity, there is no need for special headgear to be
manufactured to be used with the present invention. It affords the
operator with various features as illustrated on the helmet mount
in FIGS. 10, including angular adjustment knob 720, a detachable
headgear body 740 and detach button 760 which allows for removal of
the body and avoids wasted time in taking off and reapplying the
entire assembly 700, helmet mounting hooks 750, a rail 730 and rail
adjustment knob 770 for adjusting the distance between the
monocular 200, 300, 400 and the operator's eyes for proper eye
relief, and pivot hinge 780 for flipping the night vision 200, 300,
400 device up and away from the operator's view when not
needed.
[0051] For many makes of night vision monoculars, headgear is
provided and supplied with an adapter similar to the adapter 600 to
be used with the present invention, shown in FIG. 10. This adapter
600 attaches to the headgear (helmet and head mounts) as described
in Kastendieck et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,783, using a stud 610
provided on one end of the adapter and a receptacle provided on the
headgear (750 in FIG. 12(a)). The opposite end of the adapter of
the prior art attaches to the monocular with the required mounting
provision for the specific monocular used, ie, holes for screw
fastening, or a bracket as discussed in the prior art monocular 100
USNV-14 of FIGS. 1 and 9.
[0052] To accommodate the present invention, however, this bracket
600 can be provided with a short picatinny rail 280, 380, 480 in
place of the attachment provisions provided with known headgear
adapters. This would enable the rail grabber clamping apparatus
230, 330, 430, 530 (FIGS. 2(a), 4(a), 6(a), 8) of the present
invention to quickly attach and detach from an otherwise existing
headgear adapter. The headgear adapter 600 to be used in
conjunction with the monocular 200, 300, 400, 4000 (FIGS. 2, 4, 6,
and 11) of the present invention or the clip-on embodiment 500 of
FIG. 8, would have to be manufactured having a different arc angle
for proper eye relief. The headgear adapter of the prior art mounts
closely to the surface of the prior art monocular housing. Due to
the raised portion 240, 340, 440, 540, 4400 on the monocular
housing 200, 300, 400, 500, 4000 of the present invention, the
adapter 600 to be used in conjunction with the present invention
must have its mounting provision 280, 380, 480 higher from the
operator's sight plane than the current location of the mounting
provision of the headgear adapter of the prior art. This is
required to maintain proper sight alignment and eye relief. As
discussed earlier, a raised portion 240, 340, 440, 540, 4400 of 5/8
was found to work well, so contouring the headgear adapter 600 so
that its picatinny rail 280, 380, 480 would attach to the rail
grabber apparatus 230, 330, 430, 530, 4300 of the monocular housing
200, 300, 400, 500, 4000 of the present invention about 5/8 higher
from the operator's sight plane relative to where the adapter of
the prior art would attach to a monocular 100 of the prior art,
would compensate for the raised portion 240, 340, 440, 540,
4400.
[0053] FIGS. 11 illustrate an embodiment compatible with any of the
embodiments discussed herein. It relocates the power switch 490 and
battery compartment 450 (FIGS. 6) from the periphery of the
monocular housing 4000 to closer to the center of mass of the
monocular unit 4000. The power switch 4900 is offset to the side of
raised portion 4400 and a centrally located bore 4500 within the
raised portion 4400 of the monocular 4000 houses the battery
compartment 4500. This eliminates the clumsiness associated with
handling an obtrusively shaped monocular and results in a sleeker
and more ergonomic design. The infrared illuminator has been
omitted for simplicity of the drawing, but may easily be
encompassed in this or any other embodiment.
[0054] Certain mission requirements may call for a night vision
goggle for use with both eyes, known as a PVS-7. These devices use
a single image intensifier tube that displays the same image in
both lenses for both of the operator's eyes to view. Other missions
may require a night vision goggle that provides better depth
perception than these single image tube goggles are able to
provide. Consequently, many military and police helicopter pilots
are issued PVS-14B night vision goggles, which are two single
monoculars (PVS-14's) attached together through the use of a
bracket resulting in a dual image tube goggle, rather than a single
image tube goggle (PVS-7). FIG. 12 illustrate a bracket 800 that
may be used with two monoculars 4000 of the present invention.
Picatinny rails 880 are provided on the lower surface of the
bracket to facilitate mounting of two monoculars 4000 of the
present invention. This bracket 800 is then attached to a headgear
700 of the prior art, again as described in Kastendieck et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,783, using a stud 810 provided on one end of
the bracket 800 and a receptacle 750 provided on the headgear 700.
A bracket of the prior art has stud 810 located on its upper
surface, however with the addition of the rails 880 to the bracket
800 to be used in conjunction with the present invention, it lowers
the overall sight plane of the monoculars and therefore the lever
810 is provided on the lower surface of bracket 800 to compensate
for this. The bracket 800 has features in common with that of the
prior art, such as adjustment knobs 890 so that the operator may
move the monoculars 4000 laterally to adjust for proper eye
relief.
[0055] The monocular of the present invention as well as monoculars
of the prior art have the provision for mounting a magnification
lens over the objective lens for long distance viewing under low
light conditions. If the operator wishes to use the dual monocular
configuration discussed herein as a binocular for quick viewing
without the need for mounting both to headgear or the use of the
dual monocular bracket 800, FIGS. 13 illustrate an embodiment that
most easily accomplishes this. The present embodiment provides for
quick attachment of a hinge apparatus 900 to the periphery of the
monocular housings 4000. In this embodiment, a pair of square
shaped embossments 940 are provided on the surface of each
monocular 4000, the embossments 940 each having a through hole 950
aligned axially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the monocular
4000. The embossments 940 are provided away from the clamping
apparatus 4300 discussed earlier, to avoid clearance problems. A
simple U-shaped hinge apparatus 900 with through holes 960 provided
at both ends of the U are pinned 920 between the embossments 940
holding the hinge apparatus 900 to each respective monocular 4000.
The base of the U-shape preferably compliments the contour of the
monocular surface so as to provide a flush mating surface
preventing rotation at the pinned sections and only permit rotation
at the center hinge 930. To further prevent rotation at the
connection points, the embossments 940 may be made longer and have
two axially aligned through holes 950 for two pin 920 attachments
per monocular 4000, with corresponding through holes 960 provided
in the U-shaped hinge (not shown).
[0056] Another simple apparatus which attaches two monoculars 4000
together to create a hand held binocular, would be a hinged
double-sided picatinny rail 1000 as illustrated in FIGS. 14.
Although this may have size limitations for current production
monoculars, with the progression of technology, the size of
monocular housings and their components are expected to decrease in
size making this apparatus a simple and viable connection
means.
[0057] Other changes and modifications may be made as will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, other types of
"rail grabbers" known in the art to be used to engage with
picatinny rails may be substituted for the specified examples.
Similarly, the upper surface of the adapter embodiment may have
other means for attaching to existing night vision monoculars
provided on its top surface that is specific to the type of
monocular being used, and may also be known in the art. The term
universal rail and picatinny rail were interchanged through the
specification, however other types of rails known in the art, i.e.,
Weaver rail, etc., are also compatible with the spirit if this
invention. The specified embodiments were only intended to be
exemplary and not an exhaustive list of possible embodiments that
may be used that still capture the scope of the invention.
Variations thereof are still encompassed in the scope of the
invention. Therefore it is to be understood that the present
invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but
encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the
following claims.
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