U.S. patent application number 17/154766 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-22 for weapon aiming accessory.
The applicant listed for this patent is Crimson Trace Corporation. Invention is credited to Ryan Donahue, Curtis Smith, James Tayon.
Application Number | 20210223000 17/154766 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005412988 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210223000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Donahue; Ryan ; et
al. |
July 22, 2021 |
WEAPON AIMING ACCESSORY
Abstract
A weapon aiming accessory system, associated components, and
associated methods. A secondary aiming accessory can be selectively
used in conjunction with a primary aiming accessory to provide
magnification of a target. The secondary aiming accessory is
movable between stowed and operational positions. The secondary
aiming accessory can include one or more aiming points that can be
calibrated with respect to a calibrated aiming point of the primary
aiming accessory.
Inventors: |
Donahue; Ryan; (Columbia,
MO) ; Smith; Curtis; (Columbia, MO) ; Tayon;
James; (Moberly, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Crimson Trace Corporation |
Columbia |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005412988 |
Appl. No.: |
17/154766 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62963722 |
Jan 21, 2020 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 1/473 20130101;
F41G 1/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/473 20060101
F41G001/473; F41G 1/14 20060101 F41G001/14 |
Claims
1. A weapon aiming system for use by a user, the system comprising:
a primary aiming accessory comprising a primary sight defining at
least one primary aiming point, the primary sight configured to
permit the user to view a target through the primary sight to
position the primary aiming point in registration with the target
along an aiming axis for aiming the weapon at the target; a
secondary aiming accessory comprising a secondary sight, the
secondary sight being movably mounted with respect to the primary
sight to permit movement of the secondary sight between a stowed
position and an operational position, the secondary sight when in
the stowed position being located to permit the user to view the
target through the primary sight along the aiming axis without
looking through the secondary sight, the secondary sight when in
the operational position being located to permit the user to view
the target through the secondary sight and the primary sight along
the aiming axis extending through the primary and secondary sights,
the secondary sight including a magnifying lens through which the
aiming axis extends in the operational position for magnifying the
target as viewed through the secondary sight, the secondary sight
including at least one secondary aiming point movable with respect
to the primary sight when the secondary sight is in the operational
position.
2. A weapon aiming system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
primary sight comprises a reflector sight.
3. A weapon aiming system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
primary sight comprises a lens off which a light source is
reflected to generate the primary aiming point.
4. A weapon aiming system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
secondary aiming accessory includes retaining structure configured
to maintain the secondary sight in at least one of the stowed
position or the operational position.
5. A weapon aiming system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the
retaining structure is configured to hold the secondary sight in
the stowed position and in the operational position.
6. A weapon aiming system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the
retaining structure comprises a detent.
7. A weapon aiming system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at
least one secondary aiming point comprises multiple secondary
aiming points including at least a first secondary aiming point and
a second secondary aiming point, the second secondary aiming point
being located below the first secondary aiming point.
8. A weapon aiming system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the
multiple secondary aiming points comprises a third secondary aiming
point, the third secondary aiming point being located below the
second secondary aiming point.
9. A weapon aiming system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
secondary aiming point is movable with respect to the primary sight
for windage and elevation adjustment.
10. A weapon aiming system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
secondary sight includes at least one adjustment actuator operable
to move the at least one secondary aiming point with respect to the
at least one primary aiming point when the secondary sight is in
the operational position.
11. A weapon aiming system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
primary and secondary aiming accessories are connected to the
weapon.
12. A weapon aiming system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
secondary sight is pivotable about a pivot axis for moving the
secondary sight between the stowed and operational positions.
13. A method of aiming a weapon, the method comprising: connecting
a secondary sight to a weapon, viewing a primary sight on the
weapon through a magnifying lens of the secondary sight, moving an
aiming point of the secondary sight to calibrate the aiming point
with respect to a primary aiming point of the primary sight by
viewing the primary aiming point through the magnifying lens of the
secondary sight, selectively moving the secondary sight between a
stowed position and an operational position, when the secondary
sight is in the stowed position, looking through the primary sight
to aim the weapon at a first target by locating the target in
registration with the primary aiming point along an aiming axis,
and when the secondary sight is in the operational position,
looking through the primary sight by looking through the secondary
sight thereby viewing a second target to aim the weapon at the
second target.
14. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein selectively moving
the secondary sight between the stowed and operational positions
comprises pivoting the secondary sight laterally with respect to
the aiming axis about a pivot axis.
15. A method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising
maintaining the secondary sight in the operational position using a
detent.
16. A method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising, before
moving the aiming point of the secondary sight to calibrate the
aiming point of the secondary sight, moving the primary aiming
point of the primary sight to calibrate the primary aiming point
with respect to the weapon.
17. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein moving the aiming
point of the secondary sight to calibrate the aiming point of the
secondary sight with respect to the primary aiming point comprises
aligning the aiming point of the secondary sight in registration
with the primary aiming point along the aiming axis.
18. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein looking through the
primary sight by looking through the secondary sight thereby
viewing the second target to aim the weapon at the second target
comprises aiming at the second target using the aiming point of the
secondary sight.
19. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the aiming point of
the secondary sight is a first aiming point of the secondary sight,
and wherein looking through the primary sight by looking through
the secondary sight thereby viewing the second target to aim the
weapon at the second target comprises using a second secondary
aiming point of the secondary sight.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/963,722, filed Jan. 21, 2020, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to weapon
accessories, and more particularly to weapon aiming
accessories.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Some types of aiming accessories, such as "red dot" sights,
provide no or minimal magnification of objects viewed through the
aiming accessories. Such aiming accessories are helpful for
close-range circumstances.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, a weapon aiming system for use by a user
comprises a primary aiming accessory and a secondary aiming
accessory. The primary aiming accessory comprises a primary sight
defining at least one primary aiming point. The primary sight is
configured to permit the user to view a target through the primary
sight to position the primary aiming point in registration with the
target along an aiming axis for aiming the weapon at the target.
The secondary aiming accessory comprises a secondary sight. The
secondary sight is movably mounted with respect to the primary
sight to permit movement of the secondary sight between a stowed
position and an operational position. The secondary sight when in
the stowed position is located to permit the user to view the
target through the primary sight along the aiming axis without
looking through the secondary sight. The secondary sight when in
the operational position is located to permit the user to view the
target through the secondary sight and the primary sight along the
aiming axis extending through the primary and secondary sights. The
secondary sight includes a magnifying lens through which the aiming
axis extends in the operational position for magnifying the target
as viewed through the secondary sight. The secondary sight includes
at least one secondary aiming point movable with respect to the
primary sight when the secondary sight is in the operational
position.
[0005] In another aspect, a method of aiming a weapon comprises
connecting a secondary sight to a weapon, and viewing a primary
sight on the weapon through a magnifying lens of the secondary
sight. The method further includes moving an aiming point of the
secondary sight to calibrate the aiming point with respect to a
primary aiming point of the primary sight by viewing the primary
aiming point through the magnifying lens of the secondary sight.
The secondary sight is selectively moved between a stowed position
and an operational position. When the secondary sight is in the
stowed position, the user looks through the primary sight to aim
the weapon at a first target by locating the target in registration
with the primary aiming point along an aiming axis. When the
secondary sight is in the operational position, the user looks
through the primary sight by looking through the secondary sight
thereby viewing a second target to aim the weapon at the second
target.
[0006] Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be
in part apparent and in part pointed out herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a weapon including
a first aiming accessory and a second aiming accessory;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the first and
second aiming accessories looking down an aiming axis of the
firearm with the first aiming accessory in an operational position;
and
[0009] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the aiming
accessory pivoted to a stowed position.
[0010] Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts
throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, a weapon aiming accessory of the
present disclosure is indicated generally by 10. The weapon aiming
accessory 10 comprises an optical magnifier configured to assist a
user in aiming a weapon 12 (e.g., firearm). The optical magnifier
10 may be referred to as a first aiming accessory and may be used
on a weapon in conjunction with a second aiming accessory 14. For
example, the second aiming accessory 14 may be a primary aiming
accessory, and the optical magnifier 10 may be a secondary aiming
accessory usable with the primary aiming accessory. The primary
aiming accessory 14 may comprise any suitable type of weapon sight,
such as a scope, a fiber optic sight, a red dot sight, battle
sight, holographic sight, etc. The primary aiming accessory 14 may
or may not be configured to magnify an intended target at which the
sight and weapon are aimed. The primary aiming accessory 14
includes aiming structure (e.g., reticle, post, notch, ring,
crosshairs, etc.) defining one or more aiming points 16 of the
primary aiming accessory. In the illustrated embodiment, the
primary aiming accessory 14 is a "red dot" sight (broadly,
reflector or reflex sight) having a base 14A connected (e.g.,
clamped) to the weapon and a sight 14B including a dot 16 defining
the aiming point. As those skilled in the art understand, the
reflector sight 14 provides the aiming structure (e.g., red dot,
dot of other color, or other aiming structure) by generating light
(e.g., with an LED) and reflecting the light off a lens 15 toward
an eye of the user. The user looks through the lens 15 to see the
intended target and sees the aiming structure while looking through
the lens. Other types of primary aiming accessories (e.g., other
types of reflector sights) can be used without departing form the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0012] The secondary aiming accessory 10 includes a base 20 and a
sight 22 pivotably connected to the base. The base 20 includes a
clamp 24 (broadly "weapon connector") configured to clamp to a
weapon 12 (e.g., to a rail of a firearm). In other embodiments,
other numbers (e.g., more than one clamp) of weapon connectors may
be used and/or other types of weapon connectors may be used. Pivot
hubs of the base 20 and sight 22 are pivotably connected by a
fastener or pin 30 defining a pivot axis PA. The sight 22 is
pivotable about the pivot axis PA with respect to the base 20 (and
with respect to the firearm 12) to move the sight between an
operational position (FIGS. 1, 2) and a stowed position (FIG.
3).
[0013] Although the secondary aiming accessory 10 and primary
aiming accessory 14 are shown as separate accessories (e.g.,
separately connectable to and disconnectable from the weapon 12) it
will be understood that components of the accessories may be shared
or common components. For example, the bases of the primary and
secondary aiming accessories may be shared (e.g., parts of the same
base) and/or the accessories may be mounted to the weapon by the
same weapon connector(s).
[0014] The pivot connection structure (e.g., pivot hubs and/or
fastener/pin) can include retaining structure (e.g., detent(s))
configured to retain the sight in the stowed and/or operational
positions. For example, a spring-biased ball 32 may be provided in
the base 20 to protrude upwardly for reception in recesses for
retaining the sight 22 in the stowed and operational
configurations. In the operational configuration, the ball 32 is
biased upward into a first recess (in FIG. 1, hidden on the bottom
of the pivot hub of the sight 22). To move the sight 22 to the
stowed position, the user applies force to the sight in a direction
tending to pivot the sight about the pivot axis PA toward the
stowed position, which causes the ball 32 to temporarily deflect
downward against the spring bias, to ride along the pivot hub of
the sight as the sight is pivoted, and to resiliently enter the
recess 34 when the sight reaches the stowed position, to hold the
sight in that position. The sight is movable back to the
operational position in a similar but opposite fashion. The
retaining structure can be broadly referred to as a retainer for
retaining the sight in the stowed and/or operational positions.
[0015] In other embodiments, the sight 22 can be moved between the
operational and stowed positions in ways other than pivoting (e.g.,
sliding).
[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the sight 22 includes a
housing 36 and a magnifier 38 (e.g., one or more lenses) carried by
the housing. In the operational position, the magnifier 38 is
located in register with the primary sight 14 such that the primary
sight is viewable through and/or beyond the magnifier while the
user is aiming the weapon. The magnifier 38 provides the user with
a magnified view of the intended target for more precise aiming
and/or for aiming at longer distances from the target. In instances
where the primary sight 14 already provides magnification, the
magnifier 38 further magnifies the intended target because the user
is viewing the target through the primary sight and through the
magnifier. In instances where the primary sight 14 does not provide
magnification, the magnifier 38 provides the only magnification of
the intended target. The magnifier may be fixed power (e.g.,
3.times.) or may be variable power (e.g., 3.times. to 9.times.).
For example, the variable power magnification could be changed by
rotating a ring 40 on the housing 36 to move one or more lenses
inside the housing. The magnifier 38 may be omitted without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0017] The sight 22 includes a reticle 42 defining at least one
aiming point for use when the optical magnifier 38 is in the
operational position. The reticle could comprise a grid or pattern
(e.g., including one or more: dots, circles, crosshairs,
non-crossing lines, other indicators, and/or a combination thereof)
viewable by a user while looking through the optical magnifier to
aim the weapon at an intended target. The user fires the weapon
when a selected aiming point of the one or more aiming points is in
a desired position with respect to the intended target as viewed
through the sight 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the reticle 42
includes a crosshairs defining a first aiming point 44A and two
dots defining respective second and third aiming points 44B,
44C.
[0018] The secondary aiming accessory 10 includes first and second
adjustment actuators 50, 52 (broadly, "at least one adjuster")
configured to move at least one aiming point 44A-44C of the sight
(e.g., move with respect to the magnifier 38, housing 36, and/or
base 20). The adjustment actuators 50, 52 can be used to adjust an
aiming point 44A-44C for elevation and windage to calibrate an aim
of the sight with the aim of the firearm 12 while the sight 22 is
in the operational position. In the illustrated embodiment, the
adjustment actuators 50, 52 comprise rotatable knobs. Rotation of
the actuator 50 in one direction raises the aiming points 44A-44C,
and rotation of the actuator in an opposite direction lowers the
aiming points. Rotation of the actuator 52 moves the aiming points
44A-44C to the left, and rotation of the actuator in the opposite
direction moves the aiming points to the right. For example,
rotation of the actuators 50, 52 can move support structure on
which the aiming points 44A-44C are mounted or otherwise
connected.
[0019] In a method of calibrating an aiming point 44A-44C of the
secondary aiming accessory 10, the user mounts the secondary aiming
accessory on a chosen weapon having a primary aiming accessory 14
(e.g., already having the primary aiming accessory 14 mounted
thereon, or the primary aiming accessory being mounted thereon
after mounting the secondary aiming accessory). The aiming point 16
of the primary aiming accessory is calibrated for aim with respect
to the weapon when the user views a target down a sight axis SA
passing through the aiming point 16 (e.g., so a projectile fired by
the weapon is on target at a certain distance from the weapon).
After the aiming point 16 is calibrated, with the sight 22 of the
secondary aiming accessory 10 in the operational position, the user
looks through the sight 22 to view the primary aiming accessory 14
down the sight axis SA. Using the adjustment actuators 50, 52, the
user can move an aiming point 44A of the secondary aiming accessory
to be in register (e.g., aligned on the sight axis SA) with the
calibrated aiming point 16 of the primary aiming accessory 14. When
the aiming point 44A of the secondary aiming accessory 10 is in
register with the calibrated aiming point 16 of the primary aiming
accessory 14 as viewed down the sight or aiming axis SA, the aiming
point 44A of the secondary aiming accessory is calibrated.
[0020] In some embodiments, as in the illustrated example, the
reticle 42 of the secondary aiming accessory 10 can define multiple
aiming points. For example, the secondary aiming accessory may
include a bullet-drop-compensation (BDC), MIL, or MOA reticle. The
aiming points 44A-44C can have a defined relationship (e.g.,
vertical spacing) such that based on predetermined characteristics
(e.g., distance from an intended target, characteristics of the
weapon, and/or characteristics of ammunition being used) a user
knows which of the aiming points to use in different circumstances.
Desirably, the aiming points 44A-44C of the secondary aiming
accessory are movable conjointly responsive to the adjustment
actuators 50, 52. Accordingly, by calibrating a first aiming point
44A of the secondary aiming accessory, the user has calibrated the
other aiming points 44B, 44C (e.g., second, third, fourth, fifth,
etc.) of the secondary aiming accessory 10 based on the
predetermined characteristics.
[0021] After the primary and secondary aiming accessories 14, 10
have been connected to the weapon and calibrated, the secondary
aiming accessory can be used when desired to provide additional
magnification of the intended target and/or to provide additional
aiming points for aiming the weapon. The user can aim at a target
using any of the aiming points of the secondary aiming accessory
(e.g., by looking through the sight 22 to see the desired aiming
point in register with the target downrange). When the user does
not desire to use the secondary aiming accessory, it can be moved
(e.g., pivoted) to its stowed position. For example, when the user
anticipates close-range targets, the user may prefer to use only
the primary aiming accessory. When the user desires to use the
secondary aiming accessory, it can be moved (e.g., pivoted) to its
operational position to permit the user to view a target
therethrough, as described above. Desirably, one or both of the
pivot hubs (e.g., via the retaining structure) of the base 20 and
sight 22 define the location of the sight 22 in the operational
position such that the location of the sight 22 is consistent, so
the aiming points of the sight 22 do not need to be recalibrated
each time the sight is moved back to the operational position.
[0022] It will be apparent that modifications and variations are
possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined
in the appended claims.
[0023] As various changes could be made in the above constructions
and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description and
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *