A GUN SIGHTING AID

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a gun sighting aid (10) including a body (12) configured to be mounted relative a substantially central longitudinal axis (14) of a barrel (16) of a gun (18) to be sighted, mounting means in the form of a fitting member (20) for allowing the body (12) to be displaced relative the longitudinal axis (14) of the gun barrel (16), a camera mounting means in the form of a camera mounting member (22) for allowing a camera (24) to be mounted on the body (12) to allow the camera (24) to be displaced coaxially relative the central longitudinal axis (14) of the gun barrel (16) and a data transmitting means in the form of a data transmitter (26) for transmitting data captured by the camera (24) to a remote display device (28).

Claims

1. A gun sighting aid including: a body which is configured to be mounted relative a substantially central longitudinal axis of a barrel of a gun to be sighted wherein the body is sized and configured to be received co-axially and complementally within the barrel at a muzzle end region thereof; a mounting means for allowing the body to be displaced relative the longitudinal axis of the gun barrel; a camera mounting means for allowing a camera to be mounted on the body to allow the camera to be displaced coaxially relative the central longitudinal axis of the gun barrel; and a data transmitting means for transmitting data captured by the camera to a remote display device.

2.-5. (canceled)

6. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes a fitting member which is sized and configured to provide an interference fit between the body and the muzzle end region or breach of the gun.

7. (canceled)

8. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 6 wherein the fitting member is in the form of an O-ring.

9. (canceled)

10. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 6 wherein the fitting member is in the form of a bush for allowing improved contact distribution between the body and the muzzle end region or breach of the gun so as to reduce errors as a result of bending of the body during operation.

11. (canceled)

12. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 6 wherein a pair of fitting members are provided towards opposing end regions of the body, wherein the pair of fitting members are spaced apart a distance which corresponds to a bore diameter of the gun.

13. (canceled)

14. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 12 wherein the pair of fitting members are spaced apart in the region of three times the bore diameter.

15. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 6 wherein a free end region of the body is tapered to facilitate co-axial mounting of the fitting members thereon.

16. (canceled)

17. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes an expansion arrangement which includes a longitudinally segmented tube arranged to receive the body therethrough.

18. (canceled)

19. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 17 wherein a pair of retaining O-rings are arranged toward opposing end regions of the segmented tube for keeping segments thereof together and substantially around the body.

20. A gun sighting aid as claimed in any one or more of the claim 17 wherein the expansion arrangement further includes a pair of conical collars which are arranged between the segmented tube and the body towards opposing end regions thereof, such that their smaller outer diameter portions face each other.

21. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 20 wherein a screw threaded collar is provided on one side of the body for pushing one of the pair of conical collars towards the other, thereby forcing the segmented tube to be pushed substantially radially away from the body and to expand into the breach of the gun barrel.

22. (canceled)

23. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the camera mounting means is in the form of a camera mounting member which includes a tubular member which receives the camera, the data transmitting means and the energising means therein.

24.-25. (canceled)

26. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 23 wherein a pivoting means is provided for allowing a user to pivot the tubular member and the camera in the operative mounted condition wherein the gun sighting aid is mounted within the gun barrel.

27.-28. (canceled)

29. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the data transmitter is configured to transmit image data via a suitable data carrier which electrically interconnects the camera and the remote display device.

30.-32. (canceled)

33. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the remote display device includes digital cross-hairs which are superimposed on an image displayed by the remote display.

34. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 33 wherein the digital cross-hairs are displaceable relative the image and the display.

35. (canceled)

36. A gun sighting aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein an alerting means is provided for alerting a user to the gun sighting aid when it is in the operative mounted condition to prevent a user from firing the gun with the sighting aid mounted on the gun barrel.

37.-43. (canceled)

44. A method of sighting a gun, which method includes: mounting a gun sighting aid as hereinbefore described within a barrel of a gun; transmitting data captured by a camera of the gun sighting aid to a remote display device; aligning digital cross-hairs on a display of the display device with a reference point in the form of a target or object thus defining a pre-rotation position of the crosshairs; rotating the camera 180 degrees relative the barrel of the gun about a central longitudinal axis of the gun barrel while ensuring the gun remains steady during rotation of the camera; noting a difference in position of the cross-hairs relative reference point on the display as a result of rotating the camera thus defining a post-rotation position of the cross-hairs; and displacing the cross-hairs relative the display from the post-rotation position to a point on the display approximately midway between the pre- and post-rotation positions to locate an intersection point between the central longitudinal axis of the gun barrel and a target.

45. A gun sighting aid including: a body which is configured to be mounted relative a substantially central longitudinal axis of a barrel of a gun to be sighted, wherein the cylindrical member is in the form of a sleeve which is sized to receive coaxially and overlay an outer portion of the muzzle end region; a mounting means for allowing the body to be displaced relative the longitudinal axis of the gun barrel; a camera mounting means for allowing a camera to be mounted on the body to allow the camera to be displaced coaxially relative the central longitudinal axis of the gun barrel; and a data transmitting means for transmitting data captured by the camera to a remote display device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] A gun sighting aid in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] In the drawings:

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic showing a first embodiment of a gun sighting aid for use with smaller calibre guns, in accordance with the invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic showing an exploded assembly view of the gun sighting aid shown in FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional schematic showing a portion of the gun sighting aid having an alternative feature;

[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic showing the first embodiment of a gun sighting aid mounted within a barrel of a gun;

[0039] FIG. 5 is a schematic showing a display device which is used with the first embodiment of the gun sighting aid;

[0040] FIG. 6 is a schematic showing a second embodiment of a gun sighting aid for use with larger calibre guns, in accordance with the invention;

[0041] FIG. 7 is a schematic showing an exploded assembly view of the gun sighting aid shown in FIG. 5;

[0042] FIG. 8 is a sectioned view of the second embodiment of the gun sighting aid mounted on a larger calibre gun;

[0043] FIG. 9 is a schematic showing a display device which is used with the second embodiment of the gun sighting aid;

[0044] FIG. 10 is a schematic showing a third embodiment of a gun sighting aid, in accordance with the invention;

[0045] FIG. 11 is a schematic showing an exploded assembly view of the gun sighting aid shown in FIG. 10;

[0046] FIG. 12 is a three-dimensional schematic showing a portion of the gun sighting aid shown in FIG. 10;

[0047] FIG. 13 is a three-dimensional schematic showing a fourth embodiment of a gun sighting aid in accordance with the invention; and

[0048] FIG. 14 is a three-dimensional schematic showing an exploded assembly view of the gun sighting aid shown in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] In a first embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a gun sighting aid in accordance with the invention. In particular, the gun sighting aid 10 includes a body 12 which is configured to be mounted relative a substantially central longitudinal axis 14 of a barrel 16 of a gun 18 to be sighted, a mounting means in the form of a fitting member 20 for allowing the body 12 to be displaced relative the longitudinal axis 14 of the gun barrel 16, a camera mounting means in the form of a camera mounting member 22 for allowing a camera 24 to be mounted on the body 12 to allow the camera 24 to be displaced coaxially relative the central longitudinal axis 14 of the gun barrel 16 and a data transmitting means in the form of a data transmitter 26 for transmitting data captured by the camera 24 to a remote display device 28.

[0050] The body 12 is in the form of a generally cylindrical member 30. The cylindrical member 30 is sized to be received coaxially a muzzle end region 32 of the gun barrel 16. The cylindrical member 30 is sized and configured to be received co-axially and complementally within the gun barrel 16 at the muzzle end region 32 thereof.

[0051] The fitting member 20 is sized and configured to provide an interference fit between the body 12 and the muzzle end region 32 of the gun barrel 16. The fitting member 20 is in the form of an O-ring 34, which is formed from a suitable resiliently deformable material, typically being manufactured from rubber. A pair 36 of O-rings 34 are provided towards opposing end regions of the body 12. The pair 36 of O-rings 34 are spaced apart a distance of three times the bore diameter of the gun 18. As an alternative, and as shown in FIG. 3, the fitting member 20 is in the form of a pair of bushes 35, typically being manufactured from Teflon, for allowing improved contact distribution between the cylindrical member 30 and the muzzle end region 32 of the gun barrel 16 so as to reduce errors as a result of bending of the cylindrical member 30 during operation. Also shown in FIG. 3, a free end region 37 of the cylindrical member 30 is tapered to facilitate co-axial mounting of the bushes 35 thereon.

[0052] The data transmitter 26 transmits image data via a suitable electromagnetic frequency range, preferably radio waves. The radio waves are transmitted on a frequency range described by Wi-Fi.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 5, the remote display device 28 forms part of a smart phone 38. The remote display device 28 includes a remote data receiver (not shown) for remotely receiving the image data transmitted by the data transmitter 26 and a data converter (not shown) for converting the image data into an image to be displayed on a display 40. The remote display device 28 further includes digital cross-hairs 42 which are superimposed on the display 40. The digital cross-hairs 42 are displaceable relative the image displayed on the display 40. The remote display device 28 yet further includes a manipulator in the form of a plurality of buttons 44 for manipulating the position of the cross-hairs 42 relative the display 40, which buttons 44, when pressed, changes the position of the cross-hairs 42 relative the display 40.

[0054] An alerting means in the form of a protuberance 46 is provided for alerting a user to the gun sighting aid 10 when it is in the operative mounted condition to prevent a user from firing a gun 18 with the sighting aid 10 mounted within the barrel 16 of the gun 18. The protuberance 46 is sized, shaped and configured to protrude substantially radially outward from the body 12 and into the view of a user when attempting to fire the gun 18. The protuberance 46 is brightly coloured to further assist in alerting the user.

[0055] An energising means in the form of a battery 48 is provided for electrically energising the camera 24 and data transmitter 26. The battery 48 is in electrical communication with the camera 24 and data transmitter 26.

[0056] A housing 50 is provided for housing the data transmitter 26 and the battery 48 therein. The housing 50 is defined in the body 12 towards a middle portion thereof.

[0057] The camera 24 includes an adjustment collar (not shown) for adjusting the focus of the camera 24.

[0058] A lens assembly 52 is provided for directing light towards a light sensor (not shown) of the camera 24. The lens assembly 52 includes a lens holder 52.1 and lens 52.2 mounted fast therein. A lens protecting member (not shown) is provided for protecting the lens 52.2 when not in use. The lens protecting member (not shown) is in the form of a cap (not shown) which is sized to fit snugly over a free end region 53 of the lens assembly 52.

[0059] A lens connecting member 76 is provided for interconnecting the camera 24 and the lens assembly 52. The lens connecting member 76 is in the form of an engaging formation or collar-like extension 78 which is sized to engage complementally the housing 50. The lens connecting member 76 is formed integrally with and extends from the lens holder 52.1.

[0060] For the purposes of clarity, further embodiments incorporating like parts have been labelled with like numerals where possible.

[0061] In a second embodiment of the gun sighting aid as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, reference numeral 110 refers generally to a further gun sighting aid in accordance with the invention.

[0062] In this embodiment, the body 112 is in the form of a cylindrical member 130 which is sized to be received coaxially the breach 154 of the barrel 116 of the gun 118.

[0063] The mounting means is in the form of an expansion arrangement 156, which includes a longitudinally segmented tube 158 arranged to receive the cylindrical member 130 therethrough. A pair of retaining O-rings 160 are arranged toward opposing end regions of the segmented tube 158 for keeping the segments 158.1, 158.2 and 158.3 of the tube 158 together and substantially around the cylindrical member 130. A pair of conical collars 162 are arranged between the segmented tube 158 and the cylindrical member 130 towards opposing end regions thereof, such that their smaller outer diameter portions 163 face each other. A screw threaded collar 164 is provided on one side of the cylindrical member 130 for pushing one of the pair of conical collars 162 towards the other thereby forcing the segmented tube 158 to be pushed substantially radially away from the cylindrical member 130 and to expand into the breach 154 of the gun barrel 116. A biasing means in the form of a spring 166 is provided to bias the pair of conical collars 162 away from each other toward an inoperative condition wherein the gun sighting aid 110 is loose inside the breach 154 of the gun barrel 116.

[0064] The camera mounting member 122 is in the form of a tubular member 168 which receives the camera (not shown), a data transmitter (not shown) and the battery (not shown) therein. The tubular member 168 is sized and shaped to be received by the cylindrical member 130. A pair of camera mount O-rings 170 are arranged towards opposing end regions of the tubular member 168 for providing an interference fit between the tubular member 168 and the cylindrical member 130. A pivoting means in the form of an extension 172 is provided for allowing a user to pivot the tubular member 168 and the camera (not shown) in the operative mounted condition wherein the gun sighting aid 110 is mounted within the breach 154 of the gun barrel 116. The extension 172 extends beyond the screw-threaded collar 164, free of the expansion arrangement 156 to permit user access to the extension 172.

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 9, the remote display device 128 is in the form of a tablet 174.

[0066] The gun sighting aid 110 is typically used for sighting large calibre guns which are typically used on larger artillery which include tanks, howitzers and cannons.

[0067] In a third embodiment of the gun sighting aid as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, reference numeral 210 refers generally to a further gun sighting aid in accordance with the invention.

[0068] In this embodiment, the housing 250 is longer in length and smaller in size than housing 50. In particular, the housing 250 has a diameter in the range of 15 mm to 35 mm, typically being 25 mm. The housing 250 is in the form of a conventional electrical conduit. The housing 250 includes a charging port (not shown), typically in the form of a USB charging port, arranged in electrical communication with the battery 248, which port is configured to allow a user (not shown) to charge the battery 248 using any suitable conventional power source (not shown) without the need to dismantle the device 210 to remove the battery 248 from the housing 250. The inventor believes this embodiment of the invention to be advantageous in that a smaller housing 250 manufactured from conventional electrical conduit significantly reduces overall manufacturing costs of the gun sighting aid 210.

[0069] In a fourth embodiment of the gun sighting aid as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, reference numeral 310 refers generally to a further gun sighting aid in accordance with the invention.

[0070] In this embodiment, a lens connecting member 376 is provided for interconnecting the camera 324 and the lens assembly 352. The lens connecting member 376 includes a threaded engaging formation (not shown) which is shaped so as to allow complementary engagement with the lens assembly 352. The lens connecting member 376 further includes a receiving zone (not shown) located opposite the threaded engaging formation (not shown) for receiving the camera 324 therein, the camera 324 typically being secured therein via an adhesive such as epoxy (not shown).

[0071] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of sighting a gun, which method includes mounting a gun sighting aid as hereinbefore described within a barrel of a gun, transmitting data captured by a camera of the gun sighting aid to a remote display device, aligning digital cross-hairs on a display of the display device with a reference point in the form of a target or object thus defining a pre-rotation position of the cross-hairs, rotating the camera 180 degrees relative the barrel of the gun about a central longitudinal axis of the gun barrel while ensuring the gun remains steady during rotation of the camera, noting a difference in position of the cross-hairs relative reference point on the display as a result of rotating the camera thus defining a post-rotation position of the cross-hairs, and displacing the cross-hairs relative the display from the post-rotation position to a point on the display approximately midway between the pre- and post-rotation positions to locate and/or identify an intersection point between the central longitudinal axis of the gun barrel and a target.

[0072] In use, in order to locate an intersection point (not shown) of the central longitudinal axis 14 of the gun barrel 16 and a target (not shown), in a first step a user (not shown) would typically power up the camera 24 and the data transmitter 26 housed within the housing 50 of the gun sighting aid 10 and insert the aid 10, via the body 12, into the gun barrel 18 towards the muzzle end region 32 thereof in respect of a gun sighting aid 10, 210 and 310 and a breach end region 154 in respect of a gun sighting aid 110.

[0073] In step 2, as a result of the data transmitter 26 transmitting the camera image to the display 40, the user (not shown) is able to view the camera image and align the digital cross-hairs 42 superimposed on the display 40 with a reference point (not shown). The reference point is typically in the form of a target or object (not shown), typically having horizontal and/or vertical edges or markings for ease of reference. It is to be appreciated that the camera image displayed on the display 40, typically due to manufacturing errors, does not necessarily align perfectly with the gun barrel axis 14, that is, a central pixel of the camera image does not correlate with the intersection point (not shown).

[0074] In step 3, once the cross-hairs 42 are aligned with the reference point (not shown), the user (not shown) rotates the camera 24 180 degrees relative the housing 50 and body 12 via the camera mounting means 22.

[0075] It is to be appreciated that the fitting members 20 thereof in respect of a gun sighting aid 10, 210 and 310 and the an expansion arrangement 156 in respect of a gun sighting aid 110, being in complementary interference fit engagement with the gun barrel 16, serve to align the sighting aid 10, 110, 210 or 310, respectively and rotational axis of the camera mounting means 22 substantially with the central longitudinal axis 14 of the gun barrel 16 so as to cause the camera 24 to be rotatable about the gun barrel axis 14.

[0076] As a result of misalignment between the camera 24 and the gun barrel axis 14, rotation of the camera 22 by 180 degrees causes the digital cross hairs 42 to be spaced apart from its pre-rotation position on the display 40 relative the reference point (not shown). Due to the fact that the camera 24 rotates about the gun barrel axis 14, the distance between the pre- and post-rotation positions of the cross hairs 42 corresponds to a diameter of a virtual circle having its centre which is co-axial with the gun barrel axis 14 and is therefore aligned with the intersection point (not shown).

[0077] In step 4, the user (not shown) then displaces the cross-hairs 42 relative the display 40, typically using the control buttons 44 provided, from the post-rotation position to a point on the display 40 which is approximately midway between the pre- and post-rotation positions of the cross-hairs 42. The new position of the cross-hairs 42 substantially corresponds and aligns with the gun barrel axis 14.

[0078] However, whilst steps 2 to 4 are automatable using software, human error in estimating the point midway between the pre- and post-rotation positions of the cross-hairs 42 results in slight misalignments between the cross-hairs 42 and the intersection point (not shown). In order to reduce such misalignments, the steps 2 to 4 are typically carried out iteratively until a desired degree of accuracy is achieved.

[0079] The inventor believes the current invention to be advantageous in that it provides a quick and easy method to assist a user to sight a gun without the need to fire the gun at a shooting range which therefore saves money when the projectile to be fired is costly as is the case with large calibre guns. The inventor further believes that the current invention calibrates out various factors including gun jump and recoil.

[0080] It is, of course, to be appreciated that the gun sighting aid in accordance with the invention is not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and which may be varied as desired.