Sight system incorporating optical components such as lasers and/or cameras
11262168 ยท 2022-03-01
Inventors
Cpc classification
F41G3/065
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41G1/35
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41G3/165
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41G1/467
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41G1/545
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41J5/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F41G3/06
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41J5/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F41G11/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
The present invention relates to a sight system incorporating offset optical components. One embodiment is a sight system supporting multiple laser beams that are used simultaneously. As such, an assembly having two clamps is provided. Each clamp can hold a laser on opposite sides of a firearm barrel. The lasers can be diametrically opposed on the barrel wherein the lasers are in plane with a projectile axis. The lasers can project at the same time to bracket the location on the target of where the projectile hit impact. In another embodiment, the assembly, again with two clamps, is adapted for use with a bow, wherein the clamps support lasers that are in plane with the projectile axis. In another embodiment, the optical component is one or more cameras, wherein reticles can be displayed on a screen to bracket a target.
Claims
1. A device for use with an object that can project a projectile initially on a projectile axis, said device comprising: a first clamp holding a first optical component, said first optical component having a first optical component optical axis; and a second clamp holding a second optical component, said second optical component having a second optical component optical axis, wherein said first optical component and said second optical component are offset equidistant from the projectile axis, wherein said first optical component optical axis, said second optical component optical axis and said projectile axis lie in a plane, and wherein said first optical component and said second optical component simultaneously are used to bracket a point upon a target that said projectile axis is aimed.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said first optical component is a camera.
3. The device of 1, wherein: said first optical component is a first laser selectably projecting a first laser beam; said second optical component is a second laser selectably projecting a second laser beam; and said first laser beam and said second laser beam bracket said projectile axis as said first laser beam and said second laser beam are simultaneously projected onto the target, said projectile axis being centered between said first laser beam and said second laser beam.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein said first laser beam is divergent from said second laser beam, whereby said first laser beam and said second laser beam do not converge with said projectile axis.
5. A device for use with an item that can project a projectile initially along a projectile axis towards a target, said device comprising: a first clamp for supporting a first laser that can project a first laser beam along a first laser beam axis; a second clamp for supporting a second laser that can project a second laser beam along a second laser beam axis, said first clamp and said second clamp being secured to the item on opposite sides of the projectile axis, wherein the first laser beam and the second laser beam are simultaneously projected onto the target to form a bracket on the target indicating a location on the target where the projectile axis is aimed, the location being centered within the bracket, wherein the projectile axis, the first laser beam axis and the second laser beam axis lie in a single plane.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said first clamp and said second clamp are connected to each other with at least two bolts.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein said first laser beam is divergent from said second laser beam, whereby said first laser beam and said second laser beam do not converge with said projectile axis, wherein said bracket has a bracket spread that increases in proportion with distance from the target.
8. A device for use with an object that can project a projectile initially on a projectile axis, said device having: a structure supporting a first laser and a second laser, said first laser selectably projecting a first laser beam along a first laser beam axis, said second laser selectably projecting a second laser beam along a second laser beam axis, wherein said first laser beam axis, said second laser beam axis and the projectile axis lie in a plane, said projectile axis is centered between said first laser beam axis and said second laser beam axis, yet said first laser beam axis is divergent from said second laser beam axis whereby said first laser beam and said second laser beam do not converge with said projectile axis, wherein said first laser beam and said second laser beam are simultaneously projected onto a target to form a bracket on the target indicating a location on the target where the projectile axis is aimed, and wherein said bracket has a spread that increases in proportion with a distance between said structure and the target.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein said structure comprises a first clamp for said first laser and a second clamp for said second laser.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(42) While the invention will be described in connection with one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
(43) A user 5 can use a firearm 10 with the present invention, as seen in
(44) A preferred embodiment of the device 50 of the present invention is illustrated in
(45) Clamp 60 has a wall 70. The wall 70 has a top 75 with a tab 76. The tab has a threaded hole there through. The wall further has a bottom 80 with a first tab 81 and a second tab 82. The first tab 81 has a threaded hole there through. The second tab 82 has an unthreaded hole there through. The first tab hole and the second tab hole have respective hole axis that are linearly aligned. The wall has an opening 83 between tabs 81 and 82. The wall 70 defines a generally circular interior profile, wherein the size of the interior is adjustable based on the location of tab 81 relative to tab 82. An indentation 85 is provided on the exterior of the wall 70 on one side preferably midway between the top 75 and bottom 80 of the wall. Tab 76 is preferably offset from the center of the top 75 towards the side of the wall containing the indentation 85.
(46) Clamp 90 has a wall 100. The wall 100 has a top 105 with a tab 106. The tab has an unthreaded hole there through. The wall further has a bottom 110 with a first tab 111 and a second tab 112. The first tab 111 and second tab 112 both have an unthreaded hole there through. The first tab hole and the second tab hole have respective hole axis that are linearly aligned. The wall has an opening 113 between tabs 111 and 112. The wall 100 defines a generally circular interior profile, wherein the size of the interior is adjustable based on the location of tab 111 relative to tab 112. An indentation 115 is provided on the exterior of the wall 100 on one side preferably midway between the top 105 and bottom 110 of the wall. Tab 106 is preferably offset from the center of the top 105 towards the side of the wall containing the indentation 115.
(47) Looking specifically at
(48) A laser 130 with a body 131 that can project or shine a beam 132 along a beam axis 133 is provided. A laser 140 with a body 141 that can project or shine a beam 142 along a beam axis 143 is also provided.
(49) Turning the bolts into the respective threaded holes provided a compressive force to hold the lasers 130 and 140 in place with respect to the clamps 60 and 90, and also provides a compressive force of the clamps 60 and 90 onto the barrel 15.
(50) With the lasers 130 and 140 securely held in place within the respective clamps 60 and 90, it is understood that each laser can be tuned so that the respective beam axis 133 and 143 are accurate as intended. This is preferably accomplished internally within the lasers 130 and 140 after they are secured in the device. The beam axis 133 and 143 are planar with the projectile axis 20. Stated another way, a single line can intersect the projectile axis 20, the beam axis 133 and the beam axis 143. The beam axis 133 and beam axis 143 are preferably oriented slightly divergent from each other and from the projectile axis 20 while remaining planar therewith.
(51) Use of the present invention is illustrated in
(52) Further, also due to the laser divergence as illustrated in
(53) In one preferred embodiment, the lasers are separated by two inches initially. At R1=5 yards, the lasers can be separated so that B1=2.54 inches. At a range wherein R2=25 yards, the lasers can be separated so that B2=3.40 inches. As a further example, at a range of 100 yards, the lasers can be separated by a distance of 7.60 inches. It is also appreciated that the distance of separation is the distance between the center of the laser beams. Each dot, on account of degradation, has an increasing diameter at increased distance. If a bloom has a 2.0 inches diameter at 100 yards, the distance between the outer perimeter of the divergent lasers would be 5.6 inches. It is understood that other amounts of divergence are possible without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.
(54) Turning now to
(55) The device 250 has a mount 260 with a sidewall 265 that is secured to the riser 215 in a traditional manner with screws. The mount 260 has a base 270 preferably rigidly secured to the side wall 265. The base 270 has opposed sides 271 and 272, respectively. An upright 273 is at side 271 and an upright 274 is at side 272. Each upright preferably has two holes there through.
(56) A clamp 280 is provided having a wall 290. The wall has a top 295 and a bottom 300. There are two tabs 301 and 302 at the bottom 300. An opening 303 through the wall 290 is between the tabs 301 and 302. The tabs have aligned holes that are spaced to be alignable with holes in the upright 273. In this regard, the clamp 280 can be supported by and fastened to the upright 273 with two threaded bolts.
(57) A clamp 310 is provided having a wall 320. The wall has a top 325 and a bottom 330. There are two tabs 331 and 332 at the bottom 330. An opening 333 through the wall 320 is between the tabs 331 and 332. The tabs have aligned holes that are spaced to be alignable with holes in the upright 274. In this regard, the clamp 310 can be supported by and fastened to the upright 274 with two threaded bolts.
(58) A laser 340 with a body 341 that can project or shine a beam along a beam axis 343 is provided. The laser 340 is securely held with clamp 280.
(59) A laser 350 with a body 351 that can project or shine a beam along a beam axis 353 is provided. The laser 350 is securely held with clamp 310.
(60) The lasers 340 and 350 can be tuned when in place preferably by making internal adjustments once the lasers 340 and 350 are secured to the device. Given the relative short range of bows, the lasers can be selectably tuned to be parallel to each other or slightly divergent.
(61) The beam axis 343 and 353 are planar with the projectile axis 220, wherein the lasers bracket the impact point on the target.
(62) Turning now to
(63) The barrel mount 410 is shown in
(64) A camera 500 is provided. The camera 500 is preferably a digital camera that can capture and send data, and that can preferably operate in visible light or invisible light (example infrared) frequencies. The camera 500 has a focal point 510 and can have an image path 520 to the focal point 510. An optional range finder can be integrated into the camera 500. Camera 500 is preferably a HD camera.
(65) A camera 550 is provided. The camera 550 is preferably a digital camera that can capture and send data, and that can preferably operate in visible light or invisible light (example infrared) frequencies. The camera 550 has a focal point 560 and can have an image path 570 to the focal point 560. Camera 550 is preferably a HD camera.
(66) An integrated display 600 can also be provided. The integrated display 600 has a body 610 containing a processor or CPU. The display 600 further has a display screen 620 that can display reticles 630 and 635 around a target 625. The screen 620 can be a clear reflex screen wherein the reticles 630 and 635 are projected onto the screen and the user can view the reticles in relation to the target.
(67) The barrel mount 410 can be mounted to the barrel 15 of a firearm 10. Camera 500 can be inserted into camera hole 420. Camera 550 can be inserted into camera hole 430. Then, the barrel mount 410 and cameras 500 and 550 are secured in place by inserting mounting screws 471 through holes 470 to compress the mount to the camera body. Screw 502 is adjusted within hole 501 to adjust the horizontal position of the camera 500. Screw 504 is adjusted within hole 503 to adjust the vertical position of the camera 500. Screw 552 is adjusted within hole 551 to adjust the horizontal position of the camera 550. Screw 554 is adjusted within hole 553 to adjust the vertical position of the camera 550. The internal camera 500 and 550 adjustments are made after the cameras are secured to the device. The camera adjustments are made so that the focal points 510 and 560, respectively, are aligned with, but offset from, the barrel axis (also the projectile axis 20). A screw can be used to secure an integrated display 600 to the rail 460 (in embodiment where an integrated display is used). The display 600 can be hard-wired or wirelessly connected to the cameras 500 and 550.
(68) It is appreciated that a non-integrated display 700 such as a hand-held device (phone, etc.) can be used in place of an integrated display 600. The non-integrated display has a body 710 housing a processor or CPU. It further has a display screen 720 that can display representations 725 of the target and reticles 730 and 735. Displays of an integrated display and non-integrated displays can display similar information thereon.
(69) A menu screen is illustrated in
(70) The steps to tune the device are illustrated in
(71) Turning now to
(72) The barrel mount 810 is shown in
(73) A camera 900 is provided. The camera 900 is preferably a digital camera that can capture and send data, and that can preferably operate in visible light or invisible light (example infrared) frequencies. The camera 900 has a focal point 910 and can have an image path 920 to the focal point 910. An optional range finder can be integrated into the camera 900. Camera 900 is preferably a HD camera. Screw 902 is adjusted within hole 901 to adjust the horizontal position of the camera 900. Screw 904 is adjusted within hole 903 to adjust the vertical position of the camera 900. Horizontal and vertical adjustments of the camera are made after the camera is secured within the camera hole 820.
(74) An integrated display 1000 can also be provided. The integrated display 1000 has a body 1010 containing a processor or CPU. The display 1000 further has a display screen 1020 that is clear so that a target 1025 can be viewed in proximity to reticles 1030 and 1035 projected onto the display screen 1020. In this regard, the integrated display can be a reflex display.
(75) The barrel mount 810 can be mounted to the barrel 15 of a firearm 10. Camera 900 can be inserted into camera hole 820. Mounting screws 871 can be inserted through mounting holes 870 to secure the barrel mount 810 to the barrel 15. Then, the camera 900 is inserted into the camera hole 820. Adjusting screws 881 can be selectively moved into or out of holes 880 to clamp the camera 900. Internal adjustments are then made within the camera so that the focal point 910 is vertically aligned with the barrel axis (also the projectile axis 20). A screw can be used to secure an integrated display 1000 to the rail 860 (in embodiment where an integrated display is used). The display 1000 can be hard-wired or wirelessly connected to the camera 900.
(76) It is appreciated that a non-integrated display 1100 such as a hand-held device (phone, etc.) can be used in place of an integrated display 1000. The non-integrated display has a body 1110 housing a processor or CPU. It further has a display screen 1120 that can display representations 1125 of the target and reticles 1130 and 1135. Displays of an integrated display and non-integrated displays can display similar information thereon.
(77) A basic display screen 1120 is illustrated in
(78) A menu screen is illustrated in
(79) It is appreciated that with a single camera, that the left and right reticles move in unison when adjustments are made to the orientation of the camera 900 relative to the barrel mount 810.
(80) The device 800 can be tuned with or without the range finder being activated. The devices 800 is illustrated as being tuned without the range finder in
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(82) Range finder operation is illustrated in
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(84) It is appreciated that the single and dual camera systems are described in relation to a firearm in the illustrated embodiment. Yet, it is appreciated that a firearm is only one type of projectile launching device. Other types of projectile launching devices include bows (compound, cross-bows or otherwise), cannons, compressed air projecting devices or other devices.
(85) Further, while the barrel axis and projectile axis have been used herein, other axis may be similarly used. For example, an arrow projection axis could be used to describe the initial path of a projected arrow.
(86) Still further, while a barrel is illustrated as an example of a suitable base structure, it is appreciated that other device base structures could be alternatively used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. For, example, a mount could be connected to a riser of a bow.
(87) Turning now to
(88) The embodiment of the device 1300 illustrated in
(89) A mount 1330 is provided for connecting the device 1300 to the riser. A clamp 1340 secures a camera 1345 on one side of the frame 1310. A second clamp 1350 secures a second cameral 1355 on the opposite side of the frame 1310. The cameras 1345 and 1355 are sighted-in and operate similar to the cameras described above. The cameras are preferably digital cameras that can capture and send data to a processor and can operate with visible and invisible light (example is infrared).
(90) An integrated display 1360 with a body 1370 and display screen 1380 showing the target 1381 and reticles 1382 and 1383 is provided. The display 1360 operates similar to the integrated displays described above.
(91) A user can project a projectile along the projectile axis that extends through the opening 1320 in the frame 1310. The user can view the screen 1380 from their usage view point behind the bow by looking through the sight window 1216.
(92) Turning now to
(93) A mount 1430 is provided for connecting the device 1400 to the riser. A clamp 1440 secures a camera 1445 on the bottom 1412 of the frame preferably equidistant between the sides 1413 and 1414. The camera 1445 is sighted and operates similar to the single camera device described above. The camera is preferably a digital camera that can capture and send data to a processor and can operate with visible and invisible light (example is infrared).
(94) An integrated display 1460 with a body 1470 and display screen 1480 showing the target 1481 and reticles 1482 and 1483 is provided. The display 1460 operates similar to the single camera integrated display described above.
(95) Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a sight system supporting multiple lasers that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.