U.S. patent application number 14/863304 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-23 for grip aiming device for weapons.
The applicant listed for this patent is Aaron Moore, Larry E. Moore. Invention is credited to Aaron Moore, Larry E. Moore.
Application Number | 20170082399 14/863304 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58277027 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170082399 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moore; Larry E. ; et
al. |
March 23, 2017 |
GRIP AIMING DEVICE FOR WEAPONS
Abstract
A gun sighting device includes a grip and is mounted to the side
of the gun. The grip has a compressible touch pad that is
positioned such that a user's fingers are adjacent to, or on, the
compressible touch pad when the user's hand is in the natural
position of supporting the gun. The compressible touch pad can be
compressed by the user's fingers to activate a light source while
the user is holding the gun in the firing position, and without the
user having to move his/her hand from supporting the gun or from
the gun trigger.
Inventors: |
Moore; Larry E.;
(Cottonwood, AZ) ; Moore; Aaron; (Cottonwood,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Moore; Larry E.
Moore; Aaron |
Cottonwood
Cottonwood |
AZ
AZ |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58277027 |
Appl. No.: |
14/863304 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 23/16 20130101;
F41G 1/36 20130101; F41G 1/35 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/35 20060101
F41G001/35; F41G 1/36 20060101 F41G001/36 |
Claims
1. A sighting device for mounting on a gun, the gun having a barrel
with a longitudinal axis, a bore, and a trigger; the sighting
device including a light source and a power source connectable to
the light source, the light source having a first mode in which it
emits light and a second mode in which it does not emit light, the
sighting device further including a grip affixed to the gun and
positioned on the side of the gun, the sighting device including
one or more circuits wherein each circuit when completed switches
the light source from the second mode to the first mode.
2. The sighting device of claim 1 wherein the grip has a
compressible touch pad wherein a user completes the one or more
circuits by sufficiently compressing the compressible touch
pad.
3. The sighting device of claim 2 wherein the compressible touch
pad is between 1'' and 6'' in length.
4. The sighting device of claim 2 wherein the compression touch pad
comprises an outer surface that is convex, flexible and
plastic.
5. The sighting device of claim 2 wherein the light source is
activated when sufficient pressure is applied to the compressible
touch pad and is deactivated when the pressure is removed.
6. The sighting device of claim 2 wherein the light source is
activated when sufficient pressure is applied to the compressible
touch pad twice to turn the light source on, and deactivated when
sufficient pressure is again applied to the compressible touch pad
to turn the light source off.
7. The sighting device of claim 2 wherein the compressible touch
pad has an outer side having an interior surface with at least one
electrical contact, and a bottom, inner surface with at least one
circuit trace wherein the at least one contact touches the at least
one circuit trace to complete a circuit when the compressible touch
pad is sufficiently compressed.
8. The sighting device of claim 1 wherein the light source further
includes a housing with a plurality of apertures and a set screw
threadingly received in each aperture, each of the set screws for
adjusting the position of the light source.
9. The sighting device of claim 1 wherein there is a flexible
sleeve surrounding the light source.
10. The sighting device of claim 1 wherein the power source is one
or more batteries.
11. The sighting device of claim 1 wherein the power source is
spaced apart from the light source.
12. The sighting device of claim 1 wherein the sighting device
includes a mount for attaching to a picatinny rail of a gun.
13. The sighting device of claim 12 wherein the mount includes a
first leg configured to fit onto a first side of the picatinny rail
and a second leg opposite the first leg, the second leg configured
to fit onto a second side of the picatinny rail.
14. The sighting device of claim 13 that further includes a
fastener to draw the first leg and second leg closer together in
order to tighten the mount onto the picatinny rail.
15. The sighting device of claim 14 wherein the fastener extends
from the first leg to the second leg, the fastener being tightened
to move the first leg and second leg closer together, and being
loosened so the first leg and second leg move farther apart.
16. The sighting device of claim 1 that has two circuits wherein
each circuit can independently activate the light source.
17. The sighting device of claim 7 wherein the interior surface of
the outer side has two electrical contacts, and the bottom, inner
surface has two circuit traces.
18. The sighting device of claim 1 wherein the sighting device
includes a first canister and a second canister, wherein the first
canister includes the light source, and the second canister
includes the power source.
19. The sighting device of claim 1 wherein the light source pulses
when it emits light.
20. The sighting device of claim 1 wherein a single beam of light
from the light source passes through a diffraction lens which
splits the single beam into three or more beams of light defining
an area in the center of the three or more beams of light.
21. The sighting device of claim 20 wherein the diffraction lens
splits the single beam into three or more beams of light defining
an area in the center of the three or more beams of light, and a
separate beam of light in the center of the area.
22. The sighting device of claim 1 wherein the light source emits
light when activated and the light moves downward vertically as it
moves farther from the light source.
23. The sighting device of claim 1 wherein the light source is
selected from one of the group consisting of: a visible laser
module; and an infra-red laser module.
24. A gun including: a muzzle, a bore, a trigger, and a sighting
device attached to the gun, the sighting device including a light
source and a power source connectable to the light source, the
light source having a first mode in which it emits light and a
second mode in which it does not emit light, the sighting device
further including a grip on the side of the gun, the light source
including one or more switches for switching the light source from
the second mode to the first mode.
25. The gun of claim 24 that is a rifle, semiautomatic rifle, or a
machine pistol.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a light-emitting sighting
device that can be mounted on a gun and has a switch that can be
compressed to activate or deactivate the sighting device while the
user is supporting and aiming the gun. The disclosures of U.S. Pat.
No. 8,127,485 to Moore et al., U.S. application Ser. No. 12/160,213
to Moore et al., and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/030523A to
Moore, which are not inconsistent with the disclosure herein, are
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known to utilize a light beam, such as a laser beam,
as a sighting aid for guns. If mounted properly on a gun, the laser
projects a beam of laser light in a direction generally parallel to
the gun's bore. When the light beam and bore are properly aligned,
the bullet (or other projectile) will strike, or strike very close
to, the location of the light beam projected on a target.
[0003] Such devices are not particularly suitable for ease of use
with a rifle, particularly a semi-automatic rifle with an assault
design (e.g., an AR-15). The user cannot easily activate the laser
while supporting the rifle, and must move one hand to initiate a
switch that activates the laser and then return the hand either
(depending on which hand is used) to a position to support the
rifle, or to the trigger.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention is a sighting device (sometimes referred to
herein as a "device"), and a gun including the sighting device. The
sighting device includes a light source and a switch to activate or
deactivate the light source without a user having to move a hand
(1) from a position in which the gun is being supported, or (2)
from the trigger. The sighting device preferably includes a laser
as the light source, a power source connectable to the laser, and a
mount for mounting the device to a gun. In one embodiment, the
sighting device is attached to a picatinny rail on the side of the
side of the gun, and includes a compressible touch pad on which the
user's fingers naturally rest when supporting the gun. The touch
pad preferably includes one or more internal contacts that can each
complete a separate circuit for activating the light source. The
user can complete the one or more circuits by compressing (or
squeezing) the compressible touch pad with sufficient force so at
least one of the contacts touches a circuit trace to complete a
circuit, which causes power to flow to the light source, while the
user is still supporting the gun.
[0005] Each switch could instead be a momentary or other type of
switch(es) adjacent the fingers of a user's hand when in the
natural position of supporting the gun, rather than a touch pad.
Once the light source is activated, one or more light beams are
projected. If multiple beams are projected, they preferably define
an area between them.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a sighting
device according to the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a side, perspective view of the housing of the
sighting device of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows a side, perspective view of the grip of the
sighting device of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 shows a side, perspective view of the sighting device
of FIG. 1 with the housing connected to the grip.
[0010] FIG. 5 shows another side, perspective view of the sighting
device of FIG. 4.
[0011] FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the sighting device of FIG.
4.
[0012] FIG. 7 shows a bottom, perspective view of the touch pad of
the grip of the sighting device of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 7A shows the inside top surface of the touch pad of
FIG. 7.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a front, perspective view of the device of FIG.
4.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a side view of a gun with the device of FIG. 4
mounted thereon.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side, perspective view of the gun of FIG.
9.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a frontal, side perspective view of the gun of
FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Turning now to the drawings where the purpose is to describe
a preferred embodiment of the invention and not to limit same,
FIGS. 1-8 show a preferred embodiment of a sighting device 10
according to the invention. Device 10 can be any structure that
includes a light source and one or more power sources connectable
to the light source, and a grip portion with a compressible touch
pad with one or more contacts wherein the fingers of the hand with
which the user supports the gun are adjacent to or touching the
touch pad while that hand is in the natural position of supporting
the gun. Alternatively, one or more switches may on the device and
adjacent the user's fingers on the hand supporting the gun.
[0019] Preferably, device 10 is configured to be mounted on a gun
11, and most preferably on a picatinny rail 9 of the gun 11 (shown
in FIGS. 9-11). Picatinny rail 9 is known in the art and is used to
connect accessories to guns. As shown, picatinny rail 9 is on a
side of the gun 11. A device according to the invention is suitable
for use on a rifle, semi-automatic rifle (such as an AR-15) fully
automatic rifle, shotgun, machine pistol, or other gun in which a
user supports the gun with one hand and pulls the trigger with the
other.
[0020] Device 10 could also be mounted to or formed on a gun in any
other suitable fashion that allows one or more light beams from
light source 14 of device 10 to be accurately projected along the
longitudinal axis of the gun barrel 7, or along the longitudinal
axis of light source 14, and wherein a structure to activate the
light source is adjacent to, or touching the fingers of, the user's
hand used to support the gun.
[0021] Device 10 includes a housing 12 that retains a light source
14 (which is preferably a laser), and optionally a diffraction lens
(not shown). Housing 12 includes a first leg 12A and a second leg
12B, that are used to grip a picatinny rail, such as rail 9 shown
in FIGS. 9-11. First leg 12A has a top portion 13A and an opening
13B that receives one side of picatinny rail 9, and second leg 12B
has a top portion 15A and an opening 15B that receives the opposite
side of picatinny rail 9. A fastener 28 is positioned between first
leg 12A and second leg 12B. Fastener 28 is received through opening
30 in first leg 12B and opening 32 in second leg 12A. A bolt 34 is
threaded onto the end of fastener 28 extending past opening 32 and
may be tightened to move legs 12A and 12B closer together in order
to tighten them against picatinny rail 9. Bolt 34 can be loosened
to remove device 10 from picatinny rail 9.
[0022] Housing 12 is preferably made of injection molded plastic,
but could be made of any suitable material, such as another metal
(for example, MIM carbon steel or extruded aluminum). Housing 12
has a first end 62, a second end 64, and includes a cavity 65 that
retains canister 50.
[0023] Second end 64 of housing 12 has a closure 12D with an
opening 12C to permit light to be emitted from light source 14, and
an opening (not shown) through which cap 24 presses and is threaded
into end 56 of canister 54.
[0024] Light source 14 has a first end 14A through which light can
be emitted, a second end 14B that is connectable to power source 22
by circuit board 40, and a body 14C. Light source 14 is preferably
a visible-light laser module, but could be any light source,
including a light emitting diode ("LED") flashlight (as used herein
"flashlight" means any source of visible light other than a laser)
or an infra-red light source (such as an infra-red LED or infra-red
laser). In the embodiment shown light source 14 is a red-light, 650
nanometer or 635 nanometer, 3.3 mm diode, visible laser, and the
laser module has an overall length of about 14 mm and a diameter of
about 4.5 mm. Any suitable laser module or other light source may
be used, however.
[0025] An opening 16 in housing 12 retains a set screw 18 that can
be used to adjust the position of light source 14 in the vertical
direction when mounted on picatinny rail 9 as shown in FIGS. 9-11.
Another opening (not shown) is on the bottom surface 20 of housing
12 and retains another set screw 18, which can be used to adjust
the position of light source 14 side to side when mounted on
picatinny rail 9.
[0026] A diffraction lens (not shown), if used, may be formed as
part of light source 14 or positioned outside of the lens
(positioned at first end 14A) of light source 14 so that a beam of
light exiting light source 14 is diffracted into multiple beams to
generate a pattern of individual light beams that define an area
between them, and one preferred diffraction lens is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 8,127,485. The area defined by the individual light
beams can be of any suitable shape or size. It is most preferable
that the area defined by the multiple light beams is circular, but
it could also be triangular, oval, rectangular, hexagonal,
octagonal or of any suitable shape. Alternatively, multiple beams
(if utilized) can be created in other ways. A light source
according to the invention may also generate a single light beam
and not include a diffraction lens, or may have a lens to diffract
the light into a cross or any other suitable shape or pattern.
[0027] In one preferred embodiment there are at least three light
beams defining an area between them, and most preferably eight
beams of light defining an area between them, even though any
number of light beams of three or more can be utilized. The light
source may also create one or more other light beams inside the
area, and in one embodiment creates a single light beam in the
center of the area formed by the multiple beams.
[0028] If used, the diffraction lens, or other method of generating
multiple light beams, may direct the one or more light beams
straight along the axis of gun barrel 7, or drop vertically over
distance to match the vertical drop of a bullet fired from the
gun.
[0029] Device 10 as shown further includes: (1) an integrated
circuit board 40, (2) a canister 50 having a first cavity 52, a
second cavity 54, a first end 56, a second end 58, and a dividing
wall 60 that separates cavities 52 and 54, (3) an insulating sleeve
21, and (4) a cushion sleeve 61.
[0030] The purpose of canister 50 is to retain light source 14 and
power source 22. Any suitable structure or structures may be used
for this purpose. Canister 50 is preferably made of aluminum or
other conductive material so as to complete the connectivity
required for the proper functioning of the circuit board 40, when
circuit board 40 is positioned against end 58 of canister 50 when
device 10 is fully assembled.
[0031] First cavity 52 retains cushion sleeve 61 and light source
14, wherein cushion sleeve 61 fits over body 14C. Cushion sleeve 61
helps to maintain light source 14 in proper alignment when gun 11
is fired or otherwise jarred or bumped.
[0032] Power source 22 is retained within insulating sleeve 21
inside of second cavity 54. Power source 22 is preferably three
silver oxide 1.5V coin batteries connectable to light source 14 via
circuit board 40. Removable cap 24 is threadingly received in and
covers end 56 of second cavity 54. A depression 24A is formed in
cap 24 in order to receive spring 26. Cap 24 can be removed to
access and replace power source 22. A screw 72 is received in an
opening in the bottom of housing 12 and is threadingly received in
an opening (not shown) in the bottom of canister 50 to assist in
retaining canister 50 in cavity 65 of housing 12.
[0033] Integrated circuit board 40 is configured to be received and
mounted on second end 58 of canister 50. Board 40 is preferably
plastic and includes circuitry (not shown). The function of circuit
board 40 is to electrically connect the power source 22 to the
light source 14 and any suitable structure or device can be used
for this purpose. Circuit board 40 is designed for negative
switching wherein power is generated from the negative side of
power source 22 and to the light source 14. In the preferred
embodiment of device 10, the integrated circuit on circuit board 40
allows for continuous or intermittent delivery of power to light
source 14. Board 40 includes an integrated circuit (not shown) and
two through holes 74 through which screws 76, pass and are retained
in openings 60 in canister 50.
[0034] In this embodiment, a spring (not shown) is connected to the
back of light source 14 in any suitable manner, and is then
connected to board 40, preferably by soldering. The spring acts as
the negative contact for light source 14 to board 40 and also
allows light source 14 to move freely back and forth axially and in
all directions. In this manner, light source 14 can freely be
adjusted by set screws 18.
[0035] Device 10 also includes a grip 100 that attaches to housing
12 by screws 76 passing through openings 122 in circuit board
support member 123. Grip 100 includes a first leg 112A and a second
leg 112B, that slide onto a picatinny rail, such as rail 9 shown in
FIGS. 9-11. First leg 112A has a top portion 113A and an opening
113B that receives one side of picatinny rail 9, and second leg
112B has a top portion 115A and an opening 115B that receives the
opposite side of picatinny rail 9.
[0036] Grip 100 also has a first end 102, a second end 104, a
bottom slot 120 for receiving touch pad 130, and openings 122. When
assembled, touch pad 130 is received in slot 120, rear cover 140 is
positioned against end 104 of grip 100 and screws 150 are received
through openings 142 in rear cover 140, and threadingly received in
openings 122. In this manner rear cover 140 secures and protects
the inner cavity of touch pad 130.
[0037] Grip 100 further includes an extension 139 that has a stop
139A, which a user can use to properly position his/her hand on
device 10, and a cavity 123 with an outer lip 123A. When device 10
is assembled, lip 123A is retained in end 62 of housing 12 against
abutment 62A.
[0038] Touch pad 130 has an extension 132 that contacts the bottom
of circuit board 40 and is preferably soldered thereto to make an
electrical connection between the circuitry in touch pad 130 and
the circuitry on circuit board 40. As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 7A,
touch pad 130 has a curved, flexible outer side 134 (which is
preferably a flexible plastic) and a flat inner side 136. In this
embodiment, two electrical contacts 134A and 134B are attached to
the inner surface of outer side 134, as best seen in FIG. 7. The
inner surface of inner side 136 has two circuit traces 136A and
136B. When flexible, compressible outer side 134 is sufficiently
compressed by a user, contact 134A touches circuit trace 136A to
complete a circuit and/or contact 134B touches circuit trace 136B
to complete a circuit. When either or both circuits are completed,
power flows from power source 22 through circuit board 40 to light
source 14, turning the light source 14 on such that it emits light.
Power may be connected to light source 14 either as long as the
outer side 134 is sufficiently compressed to complete at least one
circuit, or light source 14 can turn on when outer side 134 is
sufficiently compressed to complete at least one circuit twice
quickly (preferably 3 seconds or less, 2.5 seconds or less, 2
seconds or less, or 1.5 seconds or less), and light source 14 then
stays on until outer side 134 is sufficiently compressed a
subsequent time in order to disconnect power from light source
14.
[0039] Having thus described some embodiments of the invention,
other variations and embodiments that do not depart from the spirit
of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
The scope of the present invention is thus not limited to any
particular embodiment, but is instead set forth in the appended
claims and the legal equivalents thereof. Unless expressly stated
in the written description or claims, the steps of any method
recited in the claims may be performed in any order capable of
yielding the desired result.
* * * * *