U.S. patent application number 13/199468 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-29 for rubber armored rifle scope with integrated external laser sight.
Invention is credited to Carsen Cheng.
Application Number | 20110314720 13/199468 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45351169 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20110314720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheng; Carsen |
December 29, 2011 |
Rubber armored rifle scope with integrated external laser sight
Abstract
A laser sighting device includes a sighting scope, an objective
lens, an ocular assembly, a laser locator, an illumination unit,
and an operation switch, which is provided on the sighting scope to
operate the telescopic sighting device at least between a laser
mode and an illumination mode, wherein in the laser mode, the laser
locator is arranged to generate a laser beam toward a target from
an exterior of the sighting scope, wherein in the illumination
mode, the illumination unit is arranged to generate illumination
toward the objective lens from within the sighting scope so that a
user is able to observe an illumination pointer through the ocular
lens irrespective of whether the laser locator is activated.
Inventors: |
Cheng; Carsen; (City of
Industry, CA) |
Family ID: |
45351169 |
Appl. No.: |
13/199468 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12686352 |
Jan 12, 2010 |
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13199468 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/117 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 1/35 20130101; F41G
11/003 20130101; F41G 1/345 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/117 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/00 20060101
F41G001/00; F41G 1/38 20060101 F41G001/38 |
Claims
1. A laser sighting device, comprising: a sighting scope defining a
bell portion, a body portion and an eyepiece portion, wherein said
sighting scope has a receiving cavity formed along said bell
portion, said body portion and said eyepiece portion; an objective
lens mounted at said bell portion of said sighting scope for
focusing light at a focal point in said body portion of said
sighting scope; an ocular assembly comprises an ocular lens
provided at said eyepiece portion of said sighting scope for
magnifying said light from said focal point; to a laser locator
which is mounted at said body portion of said sighting scope, and
comprises a laser emitter arranged to generate a laser beam toward
a target; an illumination unit coupled with said ocular assembly
and is arranged to selectively provide illumination toward said
ocular assembly; and an operation switch provided on said sighting
scope to operate said laser sighting device at least between a
laser mode and an illumination mode, wherein in said laser mode,
said laser locator is arranged to generate a laser beam toward a
target from an exterior of said sighting scope, wherein in said
illumination mode, said illumination unit is arranged to generate
illumination toward said objective lens from within said sighting
scope so that a user is able to observe an illumination pointer
through said ocular lens irrespective of whether said laser locator
is activated.
2. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said
laser locator further comprises an emitter housing mounted on top
of said body portion of said sighting scope, wherein said laser
emitter is received in said emitter housing for selectively
generating a laser beam in front of said laser sighting device, so
that said emitter housing is arranged to protect said laser emitter
and mount said laser emitter on top of said sighting scope.
3. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 2, wherein said
illumination unit comprises an illumination housing mounted at a
bottom portion of said body portion of said sighting scope, and a
LED mounted in said illumination housing, wherein said LED is
arranged to generate illumination toward said objective lens for
illustrating an illumination dot on said ocular lens so as to
assist said user to locate said target when said user sees through
said ocular lens.
4. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 3, wherein said
illumination to unit further comprises an elevation adjustment knob
operatively provided on a top surface of said body portion of said
sighting scope and is connected with said LED for controlling an
elevation of said illumination dot as seen through said ocular
lens, wherein said elevation adjustment knob is capable of being
rotated to adjust said elevation of said illumination dot.
5. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 4, wherein said
illumination unit further comprises an windage adjustment knob
operatively provided on a side surface of said body portion of said
sighting scope and is connected with said LED for controlling an
windage movement of said illumination dot as seen through said
ocular lens, wherein said elevation adjustment knob is capable of
being rotated to adjust said windage of said illumination dot.
6. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 4, wherein said
illumination unit further comprises a plurality of protective caps
removably coupled to said elevation adjustment knob and said
windage adjustment knob respectively for normally protecting said
elevation adjustment knob and said windage adjustment knob from
exposing to ambient environment.
7. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 5, wherein said
illumination unit further comprises a plurality of protective caps
removably coupled to said elevation adjustment knob and said
windage adjustment knob respectively for normally protecting said
elevation adjustment knob and said windage adjustment knob from
exposing to ambient environment.
8. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 6, wherein said
operation switch is provided on a side surface of said body portion
of said sighting scope and is arranged to switch said laser
sighting device to operate between said laser mode and said
illumination mode, wherein said operation switch comprises a
rheostat knob rotatably mounted on said body portion of said
sighting scope in such a manner that said rheostat knob is capable
of rotating between eight predetermined positions.
9. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 7, wherein said
operation switch is provided on a side surface of said body portion
of said sighting scope and is arranged to switch said laser
sighting device to operate between said laser mode and said
illumination mode, wherein said operation switch comprises a
rheostat knob rotatably mounted on said body portion of said
sighting scope in such a manner that said rheostat knob is capable
of rotating between eight predetermined positions.
10. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 8, wherein said
at said first position of said rheostat knob, said rheostat knob is
set to turn both said laser emitter and said LED off, wherein at
said second position of said rheostat knob, said rheostat knob is
set to turn on said laser emitter only, wherein at said third
position of said rheostat knob, said rheostat knob is set to turn
on said LED only with maximum brightness, wherein at said fourth
position through said seventh position of said rheostat knob, said
rheostat knob is set to turn on said LED only with differing
brightness, said fourth position being the brightest among said
fourth through seventh positions, while said seventh position being
the darkest among said fourth through seventh positions, wherein at
said eighth position, both of said laser emitter and said LED are
turned on.
11. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 9, wherein said
at said first position of said rheostat knob, said rheostat knob is
set to turn both said laser emitter and said LED off, wherein at
said second position of said rheostat knob, said rheostat knob is
set to turn on said laser emitter only, wherein at said third
position of said rheostat knob, said rheostat knob is set to turn
on said LED only with maximum brightness, wherein at said fourth
position through said seventh position of said rheostat knob, said
rheostat knob is set to turn on said LED only with differing
brightness, said fourth position being the brightest among said
fourth through seventh positions, while said seventh position being
the darkest among said fourth through seventh positions, wherein at
said eighth position, both of said laser emitter and said LED are
turned on.
12. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 10, wherein said
laser dot and said illumination dot generated by said laser emitter
and said LED respectively have different colors.
13. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 11, wherein said
laser dot and said illumination dot generated by said laser emitter
and said LED respectively have different colors.
14. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 12, wherein said
illumination unit further comprises a reflective coating formed on
an outer side of said objective lens, wherein said reflective
coating is arranged to allow light from passing from inside said
sighting scope to an exterior thereof.
15. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 13, wherein said
illumination unit further comprises a reflective coating formed on
an outer side of said objective lens, wherein said reflective
coating is arranged to allow light from passing from inside said
sighting scope to an exterior thereof.
16. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 14, further
comprising a mounting arrangement provided at a bottom portion of
said body portion of said sighting scope for mounting onto a
firearm, wherein said mounting arrangement comprises a mounting
rail extended along a bottom portion of said body portion of said
sighting scope, wherein said mounting rail is arranged to mount
onto a predetermined firearm.
17. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 15, further
comprising a mounting arrangement provided at a bottom portion of
said body portion of said sighting scope for mounting onto a
firearm, wherein said mounting arrangement comprises a mounting
rail extended along a bottom portion of said body portion of said
sighting scope, wherein said mounting rail is arranged to mount
onto a predetermined firearm.
18. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 13, further
comprising a cap apparatus which comprises a plurality of
protection covers and a plurality of cover links extended between
said protection covers, wherein said cap apparatus is made of
flexible materials and is shaped and size to allow said protection
covers to mount on said front and said rear side of said sighting
scope for normally protecting said ocular assembly and said
objective lens respectively.
19. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 15, further
comprising a cap apparatus which comprises a plurality of
protection covers and a plurality of cover links extended between
said protection covers, wherein said cap apparatus is made of
flexible materials and is shaped and size to allow said protection
covers to mount on said front and said rear side of said sighting
scope for normally protecting said ocular assembly and said
objective lens respectively.
20. The laser sighting device, as recited in claim 17, further
comprising a cap apparatus which comprises a plurality of
protection covers and a plurality of cover links extended between
said protection covers, wherein said cap apparatus is made of
flexible materials and is shaped and size to allow said protection
covers to mount on said front and said rear side of said sighting
scope for normally protecting said ocular assembly and said
objective lens respectively.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a Continuation-In-Part application of a
non-provisional application having an application Ser. No.
12/686,352, filed Jan. 12, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates to sighting devices for firearms and
more particularly to laser-assisted sights coupled with optical
telescopes.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Arts
[0005] Laser sights and optical telescopes serve to improve the
shooting accuracy of firearms. Telescopes have been developed to
mount on a firearm to provide a shooter with better aim. To further
enhance the experience in shooting a firearm, some mounted
telescopes can be coupled with a laser sight to provide a shooter
with an additional point of aim increase or enhance the accuracy of
a shot.
[0006] In general, a laser sight is mounted onto a telescope as a
separate detachable component of a scope. These types of laser
sight attachments function independently of the telescope,
requiring separate and additional batteries to power the laser and
separate switches to turn the laser on and off.
[0007] Other scopes in the prior art may have the laser sight
attached to the telescope. In this type of scope, the laser
sighting component of the scope functions completely independently
of the telescope requiring different and additional batteries for
the laser component of the scope.
[0008] Due to the independent nature of laser sights that are
detachable or permanently affixed to a telescope, aiming and
shooting a firearm with these existing laser enhanced scopes is
cumbersome with respect to the location of the laser, the
detachable parts, and additional batteries adding to the bulk of
the scope.
[0009] Accordingly, a need to improve the shooter experience with
less cumbersome and bulky scopes exists. There is the need to
streamline and make convenient the use of, including the control of
the functions of a laser sight and optical scope.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0010] The invention is advantageous in that it provides a laser
sight and an optical telescope as a single unit, wherein the laser
sight assembly is attached to the optical telescope as a
non-removable component of the scope.
[0011] Another advantage of the invention is provide a laser
sighting apparatus, wherein the telescope portion of the device may
include a reticle. Illumination of the laser and the reticle of the
telescope may be powered by a single power source or battery and
controlled by a single controller. The controller may be, for
example, a rheostat knob. The rheostat knob may also control the
simultaneous illumination of the laser and the reticle, the
illumination of the laser only, and the illumination of the reticle
only. The rheostat knob may also illuminate the reticle with five
levels of brightness.
[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the power source or
battery of the device may be contained or housed within a
controller, for example, a rheostat knob. This power source or
battery provides the power to illuminate both the laser and the
reticle of the scope.
[0013] There is disclosed an apparatus/device for laser sighting,
the apparatus comprising a laser and a scope comprising a reticle,
the laser and scope coupled together forming a single integrated
unit, wherein the laser and the reticle are powered by a single
power source, and illumination of said laser and said reticle are
controlled by a single controller, according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0014] There is further disclosed a mountable optical scope with
external laser sighting according to an embodiment of the present
invention in which, the optical scope with external laser sighting
comprises a laser integrally coupled with the scope as a single
unit, the laser being non-removable from the unit within an
integrally connected laser housing. The scope with laser sighting
according to the embodiment, further comprises a power source
located next to the laser housing and electrically configured for
powering the laser; a reticle located within the scope and
illuminated by the power source, said reticle having at least two
levels of brightness; and a single controller configured to control
both the powering of the laser and illumination of the reticle,
wherein the power source is housed within the controller.
[0015] There is also disclosed an apparatus for laser sighting
according to an embodiment of the present invention in which, the
apparatus comprises a laser coupled with a scope as a single unit,
wherein the laser is a non-removable component of the unit,
integrated to the side of the scope and powered by a power source,
wherein the scope contains a reticle that is capable of
illumination by the power source, said reticle having at least two
levels of brightness.
[0016] Additional advantages and features of the invention will
become apparent from the description which follows, and may be
realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations
particular point out in the appended claims.
[0017] According to the present invention, the foregoing and other
objects and advantages are attained by providing a laser sighting
device, comprising:
[0018] a sighting scope defining a bell portion, a body portion and
an eyepiece portion, wherein the sighting scope has a receiving
cavity formed along the bell portion, the body portion and the
eyepiece portion;
[0019] an objective lens mounted at the bell portion of the
sighting scope for focusing light at a focal point in the body
portion of the sighting scope;
[0020] an ocular assembly comprises an ocular lens provided at the
eyepiece portion of the sighting scope for magnifying the light
from the focal point;
[0021] a laser locator which is mounted at the body portion of the
sighting scope, and comprises a laser emitter arranged to generate
a laser beam toward a target;
[0022] an illumination unit coupled with the ocular assembly and is
arranged to selectively provide illumination toward the ocular
assembly; and
[0023] an operation switch provided on the sighting scope to
operate the telescopic sighting device at least between a laser
mode and an illumination mode, wherein in the laser mode, the laser
locator is arranged to generate a laser beam toward a target from
an exterior of the sighting scope, wherein in the illumination
mode, the illumination unit is arranged to generate illumination
toward the objective lens from within the sighting scope so that a
user is able to observe an illumination pointer through the ocular
lens irrespective of whether the laser locator is activated.
[0024] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent
from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
[0025] These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a top, left perspective view of a laser sighting
device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a bottom, right perspective view of the laser
sighting device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the laser sighting device of
FIG. 1, according to embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the laser sighting device of
FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the laser sighting device of
FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the laser sighting device of
FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a front view of the laser sighting device of FIG.
1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 9 is another left side view of a laser sighting device
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a front view of a laser sighting device according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional side view along the I-I line of
FIG. 10 of a laser sighting device according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional top view along the II-II line
of FIG. 9 of a laser sighting device according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional perspective view of the
rheostat knob of the laser sighting device according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a laser sighting device
accordingly to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a laser sighting device
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the laser
sighting device according to the above second preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 17 is a sectional side view of the laser sighting
device according to the above second preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0043] FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B are schematic diagrams of the laser
sighting device according to the above second preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0044] The description above and below and the drawings of the
present document focus on one or more currently preferred
embodiments of the present invention and also describe some
exemplary optional features and/or alternative embodiments. The
description and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and
not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize
variations, modifications, and alternatives. Such variations,
modifications, and alternatives are also within the scope of the
present invention. Section titles are terse and are for convenience
only.
[0045] FIG. 1 is a top, left side perspective view of a laser
sighting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. Generally, the device 110 comprises a laser sighting
assembly and an ocular sighting assembly, wherein the laser
sighting assembly and the ocular sighting assembly serve as a
single unit, the laser sighting assembly a non-removable component
of the device.
[0046] In an embodiment of the invention, the ocular sighting
assembly of the device may be a telescope. The telescope component
of the device, may include an eyepiece portion 130 and an objective
lens portion 140. The eyepiece portion 130 may comprise of ocular
lens assemblies as known in the art and a reticle 76 coupled with a
light-emitting diode (LED) 74, as shown in the cross-sectional view
of FIG. 12. In an embodiment of the invention, the reticle 76 of
the eyepiece portion 130 may be illuminated using LED 74. The
objective lens portion 140 of an exemplary embodiment of the
invention may comprise of a lens cap 1, objective lenses 9, 11, and
other parts of an objective lens portion of a telescope as known in
the art.
[0047] In an embodiment of the invention, a controller controls the
illumination of the reticle. The controller may be, for example, a
rheostat knob 58 terminating with a rubber coated cap 69. In one
embodiment, the rheostat knob 58 is marked with a series of numbers
200, numbers "0" through "5" located next to the rubber coated cap
69 as shown in FIG. 10. The numbers represent different settings
for the illumination of the reticle. The "0" setting provides no
illumination to the reticle. The "1", "2", "3", "4" and "5"
settings represent different levels of illumination or the reticle.
For example, the "1" setting provides the lowest level of
brightness to the reticle whereas the "5" setting provides the
brightest.
[0048] FIG. 5 and FIG. 12 show the top view and top cross-sectional
view of the laser sighting assembly attached to the telescope
component according to embodiments of the invention. The laser
sighting assembly may be positioned such that the laser diode
module 53 emits a beam substantially along the same optical axis of
the telescope, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0049] In an embodiment of the invention, the controller that
controls the illumination of the reticle 76 also controls the
illumination of the laser 53. In one embodiment, for example, a
rheostat knob 58 controls both the reticle 76 illumination and the
laser 53 illumination. In another embodiment, the rheostat knob 58
may control the on/off function of the laser, allowing the laser to
be turned off while the reticle illumination is turned on, or
alternatively, allowing the laser to be turned on while the reticle
illumination is turned off. Additionally, the rheostat knob 58, may
also control the simultaneous illumination of both the laser and
the reticle. In one embodiment of the invention, the rheostat knob
58 provides setting "L" for laser illumination only and setting "B"
to illuminate both the laser and the reticle. The rheostat knob 58
may, for example, be located on the left side of laser housing 54
on the left side of the scope as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 12.
[0050] In an embodiment of the invention, a single energy source
provides the power to illuminate both the laser and the reticle. In
another embodiment, the controller controls the illumination of the
laser and the reticle, and houses the energy source for the
illumination. In one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 13, for
example, the rheostat knob 58, may house a battery 64 for
illuminating both the laser 53 and the reticle 76. In this
embodiment of the invention, a battery 64 coupled with an
electronic circuit assembly comprising electrode printed circuit
boards (PCBs) 59, switch PCB 63, and surface mounted technology
(SMT) components 115, or other electronic circuitry known in the
art, allow power to be provided to the laser 53 and the reticle 76
from a single source. As shown, connection to the LED 120 and
connection to the laser 125 is provided. Batteries housed in the
rheostat knob may be removable.
[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates the laser sighting assembly with a
mounting unit 111. In an embodiment of the invention, the mounting
unit 111 is attached to the laser sighting device 110 and provides
the means to mount the device onto a firearm. The mounting unit 111
may comprise of a release lever 42 that allows the shooter to mount
and lock, or unlock and release the device from a firearm.
[0052] In an embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting device
110 is mounted onto a firearm by loosening the locking nut 51 while
the release lever 42 is in the closed position pointing towards the
eyepiece 130, as shown in FIG. 3 and the bottom view of FIG. 4. The
locking nut 51 may be loosened by turning the nut counterclockwise.
To mount the device, turn the release lever 42 in the open position
by pointing the release lever 42 towards the objective lens. The
set screw 49 may be loosened to fit the mounting unit 111 to the
rail of a firearm. The laser sighting device 110 may be seated on
top of the firearm's rail with the objective lens portion 140
pointing towards the muzzle of the firearm. When the preferred
position of the laser sighting device is attained, the release
lever 42 is positioned towards the eyepiece portion 130 in the
closed position as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. To release the laser
sighting device 110 from the firearm, open the quick release lever
42 and pivot the device 110 in the direction of the locking nut
51.
[0053] In an embodiment of the invention, once the laser sighting
device 110 is properly mounted, an image of a target can be viewed
and obtained through the ocular lens 80. The focus control 73 can
be used and adjusted to obtain a clear image of a target through
the eyepiece 130.
[0054] In an embodiment of the invention, the telescope component
of the laser sighting device 110 may be zeroed using the windage
adjuster screw 18 encompassed by the rubber turret cap 17 and
elevation controller 29 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In one
embodiment, elevation is controlled with the Bullet Drop
Compensator 29 (BDC) located on top of the turret housing 131 as
shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 11. In one embodiment,
twisting the elevation control 29 counter-clockwise moves the
reticle 76 crosshairs up, and twisting the elevation control 29
clockwise moves the reticle 76 crosshairs down. In one embodiment
of the invention, for example, the BDC 29 is marked with numbers
"1", "2", "3", "4" and "5" as illustrated in FIG. 9. Each number
may represent increments of one hundred yards. In one embodiment,
the shooting distance of the firearm may be adjusted by setting the
BDC 29 to the number corresponding to the distances of one hundred
to five hundred yards, in one hundred yard increments.
[0055] In another embodiment of the invention, the windage
controller 18 is located on the right side of the laser sighting
device as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the
windage controller 18, as illustrated in FIG. 8 is an open
target-style turret allowing ease of access at anytime. In one
embodiment, twisting the windage controller 18 counter-clockwise
will move the reticle 76 crosshairs to the right, and twisting the
windage controller 18 clockwise will move the crosshairs to the
left.
[0056] In another embodiment of the invention, a bore sighting
device can be used to zero the laser sighting device.
[0057] In an embodiment of the invention, the laser 53 emitted from
the laser sighting assembly may also be adjusted for windage and
elevation with separate controllers. In one embodiment, the laser
elevation controller 141 controls the elevation of the laser, as
shown in FIG. 5. For example, twisting the laser elevation
controller 141 counter-clockwise moves the laser up, and twisting
the laser elevation control 141 clockwise moves the laser down.
Additionally, twisting the laser windage controller 142
counter-clockwise moves the laser to the left, and twisting the
laser windage controller 142 clockwise moves the laser to the
right, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 12.
[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 14, a detailed exploded view of the
device 110 is described in which individual components of the
exploded sections are discussed, according to an embodiment of the
present invention. As mentioned, the device may comprise a
telescope structure having an objective lens portion 140 and an
eyepiece portion 130. As shown, the objective lens portion 140 is
exploded to show the lens cap 1, protection glass 2, glass frame 3,
and pin 4 for connecting the glass frame to the lens cap, and
allowing the lens cap 1 to pivot open upwards. There is further an
objective lens frame 7 having a locking ring for the lens frame 5
and a locking ring for the lens 6, a ring seal 8 and objective
lenses 9 and 11 having an internal ring for separating lens 10. A
ring seal 12 further engages with the objective lens 11 and housed
within body 14 having plate spring 13. This objective lens portion
140 is housed within a rubber 15 coating structure, further
connected to the turret housing 131.
[0059] On the right side of the turret housing 131 in FIG. 14, is
integrated the adjustment controls for the telescope sight which
includes the horizontal/windage controller 18 for the reticle
crosshairs. As shown, a turret cap 16 terminates at the right with
a rubber turret cap 17. The windage adjuster screw 18 is connected
with the base 24 through ring seal 19, locking screw 20,
anti-tightening screw 21, positioning spring 22 and stop pin 23. On
the vertical of the turret housing 131, is integrated the elevation
(up/down) adjustment of the telescope sight of the device,
comprising a bullet drop compensator 29 encompassed within a rubber
turret cap 27 with turret cap 26, terminating with rubber turret
cap 25. Housed within the bullet drop compensator 29 is elevation
adjuster screw 33, scale place 32, adjustment handle 31, stop pin
30, spring 28, locking ring 34, adjuster nut 35 and base 36 with
positioning pin 37 and spring 38.
[0060] At the bottom of the device 110 is the mounting unit 111
comprising connection block 39 attached to plate 43 and mount boby
46 with screws 40, 41, pin 44, spring 45 and screws 47, 48, further
connected to quick release lever 42, and adjuster plate 50 having
set screw 49 and locking nut 51. Loosening set screw 49 and locking
nut 51 allows for adjustment in attaching the device to a rail of a
firearm.
[0061] FIG. 14 further shows the detailed exploded view of the
integrated laser sighting assembly of the device. The assembly
comprises laser housing 54 encompassing laser diode module 53 and
adjuster plate spring 52, having locking screw 55 for the laser
elevation controller 141, and locking screw 56 for the windage
controller 142, seal 57 against Rheostat knob 58, adjacent to
encompassing ring of rubber 60 adjacent to rubber cap 69. Within
the Rheostat knob 58 are the electronic components including
electrode PCB 59, positioning spring plate 61, screw 62, switch PCB
63, battery 64, anode gasket 65, washer 66, battery cover spring 67
with battery cover 68. The laser housing 54 is attached to the
turret housing 131 as a single unit, with screws 70 fastened
through laser housing 54. Laser windage controller 142 as shown in
FIG. 12, further adjusts laser windage whereas elevation may be
controlled by the separate laser elevation controller 141 as shown
in FIG. 5
[0062] As further illustrated in FIG. 14, the exploded section of
the eyepiece portion 130 and internal magnification tube with lens
tube components are described. The eyepiece portion 130 extending
from the rear of the turret housing 131 comprises a magnification
ring 71, screw 72, rubber magnification ring 73 housing blue
light-emitting diodes 74, reticle 76, stop screw 75, eyepiece tube
77 housed within rubber tube 78 further encompassing locking ring
for ocular lens 79, ocular lenses 80, 82 separated by internal ring
for separating lens 81, ring seals 83, 84, ocular lens frame 85,
rubber ring 86 adjacent to glass frame 87 with protection glass 88.
The glass frame 87 connected to lens cap 89 through a pin allowing
for the lens cap 89 to pivot open upwards. Internal to the
described eyepiece portion 130 is front joint 90, locking ring for
lens 91, lens 92, separating ring 93 and washer 94, 107,
magnification tube 95, lens frame 96 with sleeve 97 for engaging
with screw 98. The structure further comprising lenses 99, 108,
locking rings for lens 100, 102, lens frame 101, lens tube 103
adjacent to the rubber joint ring 104, locking ring 105 and lamp
holder 106.
[0063] In one embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting
assembly may sight a target by projecting a laser dot onto the
target. In this manner, it may be unnecessary to use the telescope
component of the laser sighting device to sight the target. For
example, a shooter using a rifle mounted with the device could
sight a target using the laser portion of the device without
shouldering the rifle.
[0064] In another embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting
device may be used as two sighting devices in one unit, telescope
sighting and laser sighting.
[0065] In one embodiment, the telescope portion and the laser can
be set to separate points of aim. In this embodiment, the laser
sighting device can be set to two separate points of aim, each at
separate or differing distances. For example, the telescope
component can be adjusted to a point of aim that matches the
bullet's point of impact at one hundred yards. Concurrently, the
laser's point of aim can be adjusted to match the bullet point of
impact at twenty-five yards. This provides two separate sources of
sighting in one unit.
[0066] In another embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting
assembly has adjustment controls that are independent of the
telescope adjustment controls. In this embodiment, the laser and
telescope can be set to separate points of aim. This allows two
separate points of aim for two separate distances. For example, the
telescope can be adjusted such that its point of aim matches the
bullet point of impact at one hundred yards. At the same time, the
laser sight point of aim can be adjusted to match the bullet point
of impact at twenty-five yards. In this regard, there would be two
sources of sighting combined in one unit.
[0067] Additionally, in another embodiment of the invention,
because the laser physically projects a laser dot onto a target,
laser and eye alignment is unnecessary. For example, it would be
unnecessary for a shooter to shoulder the rifle in a traditional
manner in order to obtain a desired shot placement. In an
embodiment of the invention, the shooter can achieve the desired
shot placement by holding the firearm in any manner as long as the
laser dot is pointed on a target at a known distance.
[0068] In another embodiment, the laser and the telescope reticle
points of aim could be adjusted to the same bullet point of impact.
For example, both the laser and telescope reticle can be adjusted
to match the bullet point of impact at one hundred yards. This
positions the laser dot and the telescope reticle to aligned
together with a target. The laser dot acts as additional shot
placement verification as well as aiding shot placement in low
light conditions.
[0069] Throughout the description and drawings, example embodiments
are given with reference to specific configurations. It will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present
invention can be embodied in other specific forms. Those of
ordinary skill in the art would be able to practice such other
embodiments without undue experimentation. The scope of the present
invention, for the purpose of the present patent document, is not
limited merely to the specific example embodiments or alternatives
of the foregoing description.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 15 to FIG. 17, and FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B
of the drawings, a laser sighting device according to a second
preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in
which the laser sighting device comprises a sighting scope 10', an
objective lens 20', an ocular assembly 30', a laser locator 40', an
illumination unit 50', and an operation switch 60'.
[0071] The sighting scope 10' defines a bell portion 11', a body
portion 12' and an eyepiece portion 13', wherein the sighting scope
10' has a receiving cavity 14' formed along the bell portion 11',
the body portion 12' and the eyepiece portion 13'.
[0072] The objective lens 20' is mounted at the bell portion 11' of
the sighting scope 10' for focusing light at a focal point in the
body portion 12' of the sighting scope 10'. The ocular assembly 30'
comprises an ocular lens 31' provided at the eyepiece portion 13'
of the sighting scope 10' for magnifying the light from the focal
point.
[0073] The laser locator 40' is mounted at the body portion 12' of
the sighting scope 10', and comprises a laser emitter 41' arranged
to generate a laser beam toward a target. The illumination unit 50'
is coupled with the ocular assembly 30' and is arranged to
selectively provide illumination toward the ocular assembly
30'.
[0074] The operation switch 60' is provided on the sighting scope
10' to operate the laser sighting device at least between a laser
mode and an illumination mode, wherein in the laser mode, the laser
locator 40' is arranged to generate a laser beam toward a target
from an exterior of the sighting scope 10', wherein in the
illumination mode, the illumination unit is arranged to generate
illumination toward the ocular assembly 30' from within the
sighting scope 10' so that a user is able to observe an
illumination pointer through the ocular lens 30' irrespective of
whether the laser locator 40' is activated.
[0075] According to the second preferred embodiment, the sighting
scope 10' is substantially circular in cross sectional shape in
which a diameter of the bell portion 11', the body portion 12' and
the eyepiece portion 13' are substantially the same.
[0076] The objective lens 20' is mounted in the bell portion 11' of
the sighting scope 10' and is arranged to transmit and focus light
from an exterior of the sighting scope 10' to the ocular assembly
30'. Note that it is the first optical element which modifies light
coming from an exterior of the sighting scope 10'. Note that the
laser sighting device of the present invention is designed to have
a compact size so that the present invention can be fitted onto
firearms or guns of smaller sizes.
[0077] The ocular lens 31' of the ocular assembly 30' is provided
at the eyepiece portion 13' of the sighting scope 10' for
magnifying the image captured by the objective lens 20'. As such,
the shooter is able to telescopically observe the target at a
distance and perform shooting from a position which is far away
from where the target is positioned. The ocular assembly 30'
preferably comprises a plurality of ocular lens 31' spacedly
mounted in the eyepiece portion 13' for optimally magnifying the
image captured by the objective lens 20'.
[0078] The laser locator 40' further comprises an emitter housing
42' mounted on top of the body portion 12' of the sighting scope
10', wherein the laser emitter 41' is received in the emitter
housing 42' for selectively generating a laser beam in front of the
laser sighting device. Thus, the emitter housing 42' serves to
protect the laser emitter 41' and mount it on top of the sighting
scope 10'
[0079] On the other hand, the illumination unit 50' comprises an
illumination housing 51' mounted at a bottom portion of the body
portion 12' of the sighting scope 10', and a LED 52' mounted in the
illumination housing 51', wherein the LED is arranged to generate
illumination toward the objective lens 20' for illustrating an
illumination dot 80' on the ocular lens 31' so as to assist the
user to locate the target when he or she is seeing through the
ocular lens 31'.
[0080] The illumination unit 50' further comprises an elevation
adjustment knob 53' operatively provided on a top surface of the
body portion 12' of the sighting scope 10' and is connected with
the LED 52' for controlling an elevation of the illumination dot
80' as seen through the ocular lens 30'. The elevation adjustment
knob 53' can be rotated to adjust the elevation of the illumination
dot 80' so that the user can be able to observe that the firearm or
the gun is aiming correctly at the target.
[0081] Moreover, the illumination unit 50' further comprises an
windage adjustment knob 54' operatively provided on a side surface
of the body portion 12' of the sighting scope 10' and is connected
with the LED 52' for controlling an windage movement (i.e. left and
right displacement) of the illumination dot 80' as seen through the
ocular lens 30'. Thus, the elevation adjustment knob 53' can be
rotated to adjust the windage of the illumination dot 80' so that
the user can be able to observe that the firearm or the gun is
aiming correctly at the target.
[0082] In order to protect the elevation adjustment knob 53' and
the windage adjustment knob 54', the illumination unit 50' further
comprises a plurality of protective caps 55' removably coupled to
the elevation adjustment knob 53' and the windage adjustment knob
54' respectively for normally protecting the elevation adjustment
knob 53' and the windage adjustment knob 54' from exposing to
ambient environment, while allowing the user to remove the
corresponding protective cap 55' for adjusting the elevation
adjustment knob 53' and/or the windage adjustment knob 54'.
[0083] The operation switch 60' is provided on a side surface of
the body portion 12' of the sighting scope 10' and is arranged to
switch the laser sighting device to operate between the laser mode
and the illumination mode. More specifically, the operation switch
60' comprises a rheostat knob rotatably mounted on the body portion
12' of the sighting scope 10' in such a manner that the rheostat
knob is capable of rotating between eight positions.
[0084] At the first position, the rheostat knob is set to turn both
the laser emitter 41' and the LED 52' off. At the second position,
the rheostat knob is set to turn on the laser emitter 41' only
(FIG. 18A). At the third position, the rheostat knob is set to turn
on the LED 52' only with maximum brightness. At the fourth position
through the seventh position, the rheostat knob is set to turn on
the LED 52' only with differing brightness, the fourth position
being the brightest among these four positions, while the seventh
position being the darkest among these four positions. At the
eighth position, both the laser emitter 41' and the LED 52' are
turned on for assisting the user in aiming a predetermined target
(FIG. 18B).
[0085] Note also that the laser dot 90' and the illumination dot
80' generated by the laser emitter 41' and the LED 52' have
different colors so that they can readily be identified by the
user.
[0086] It is worth mentioning that the illumination unit 50'
further comprises a reflective coating 56' formed on an outer side
of the objective lens 20', wherein the reflective coating 56' is
arranged to allow light from passing from inside the sighting scope
10' to an exterior thereof. Thus, when the illumination unit 50' is
turned on, the LED dot will only appear on the objective lens 20'
as seen from the ocular assembly 30', and it cannot be seen from
any other viewing angle, such as from outside the sighting scope
10'. This is not the same as for the laser dot 90', because it is
originated from outside the sighting scope 10'. Thus, anyone,
including the user, may observe the laser dot 90' when the laser
beam hits on a target.
[0087] Furthermore, the laser sighting device further comprises a
mounting arrangement 70' provided at a bottom portion of the body
portion 12' of the sighting scope 10' for mounting onto a firearm.
More specifically, the mounting arrangement 70' comprises a
mounting rail 71' extended along a bottom portion of the body
portion 12' of the sighting scope 10', wherein the mounting rail
71' is arranged to mount onto a predetermined firearm, such as a
gun, for allowing the user to utilize the laser sighting device
when aiming a predetermined target.
[0088] Furthermore, the laser sighting device further comprises a
cap apparatus 100' which comprises a plurality of protection covers
101' and a plurality of cover links 102' extended between the
protection covers 101', wherein the cap apparatus 100' is made of
flexible materials and is shaped and size to allow the protection
covers to mount on the front and the rear side of the sighting
scope for normally protecting the ocular assembly 30' and the
objective lens 20' respectively.
[0089] One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment
of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described
above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
[0090] It will thus be seen that the objects of the present
invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It
embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of
illustrating the functional and structural principles of the
present invention and is subject to change without departure from
such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all
modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *