BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention: The present invention relates to a firearm sight rectifier for adjusting and/or rectifying the rear and front sights or the telescopic sight of a firearm.

2. Brief description of the prior art: Laser beam firearm sight rectifiers are presently available on the market. A drawback of these prior art laser beam firearm sight rectifiers is that they are designed for a particular caliber. When a customer owns a plurality of firearms of different caliers, a different laser beam firearm sight rectifier is required for each caliber.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a laser beam firearm sight rectifier comprising a caliber adapter to enable use of that rectifier with firearms of various caliers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION More specifically, in accordance with the present invention as broadly claimed, there is provided a firearm sight rectifier comprising a laser beam generator module, a caliber adapter and a releasable connection. The laser beam generator module comprises an outer casing, and the caliber adapter includes an outer, generally cylindrical surface having a diameter pre-selected in relation to the caliber of the firearm. The releasable connection extends between the caliber adapter and the outer casing of the laser beam generator module.

Accordingly, the releasable connection enables replacement of the caliber adapter to adapt the firearm sight rectifier to various caliers of firearms.

The present invention also relates to a firearm sight rectifier comprising a laser beam generator module and a caliber adapter. The laser beam generator module comprises an outer casing, and the laser beam from the generator module propagates along a first axis. The caliber adapter comprises a sleeve having an outer, generally cylindrical surface with a diameter corresponding substantially to a diameter of a cartridge for the firearm, this generally cylindrical surface defining a second longitudinal, geometrical axis. The sleeve also comprises an inner cavity having a shape in which the outer casing of the laser beam generator module removably and snugly fits with the first and second axes coaxial to each other.

Again, removable insertion of the laser beam generator module in the inner cavity of the sleeve enables replacement of the caliber adapter to adapt the firearm sight rectifier to various caliers of firearms.

In accordance with preferred embodiments: -the outer casing of the laser beam generator module comprises a generally cylindrical outer surface having a first diameter; -the inner cavity is generally cylindrical and coaxial with the outer generally cylindrical surface of the sleeve, and has a second diameter substantially corresponding to the first diameter so that the outer casing snugly fits in the inner cavity; -the caliber adapter has the shape of a cartridge with a cup end and a bullet end; -the inner cavity is open at the cup end of the caliber adapter to enable sliding of the outer casing of the laser beam generator module in the inner cavity through the open end thereof, the inner cavity being closed at the other end; -the caliber adapter has an axial opening extending from the closed end of the inner cavity to the bullet end of the caliber adapter to enable propagation of the laser beam produced by the laser beam generator module;

-the laser beam generator module comprises a laser generator and, at the cup end of the caliber adapter, an axially movable switch member itself actuated by a firepin of the firearm to energize the laser generator; and -the axially movable switch member is normally spring-biased in a first position and is moved axially by the firepin against the spring- biasing force.

Still in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a firearm sight rectifier comprising a laser beam generator module comprising an outer casing, and a caliber adapter comprising an elongated shaft and a support of the laser beam generator module. The elongated shaft has an outer, generally cylindrical surface with a diameter substantially corresponding to an inner diameter of a barrel of the firearm for insertion of this shaft in a free end of the barrel. The support of the laser beam generator module is located at one end of the elongated shaft, and comprises a releasable connection between said one end of the elongated shaft and the outer casing of the laser beam generator module, this releasable connection also comprising a laser beam alignment means.

Again, the releasable connection enables replacement of the caliber adapter to adapt the firearm sight rectifier to various caliers of firearms.

According to preferred embodiments:

-the releasable connection comprises: a chamfered, threaded axial hole in the outer casing of the laser beam generator module; and a chamfered, threaded shaft section at said one end of the elongated shaft; wherein the chamfered, threaded shaft section is screwed in the chamfered, threaded axial hole to releasably connect the outer casing of the laser beam generator module with said one end of the shaft and to align the laser beam on a longitudinal, geometrical axis of the elongated shaft; -the outer casing of the laser beam generator module is generally cylindrical, the support comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve coaxial with the elongated shaft to receive the outer casing of the laser beam generator module, the sleeve has a closed end connected to said one end of the elongated shaft and an open end opposite to said one end, and the releasable connection comprises a removable closure at the open end of the sleeve; -the laser beam generator module comprises a laser generator and, at the end corresponding to the closed end of the sleeve, an axially movable spring-biased switch member, the closed end of the sleeve comprises an inner projection, the removable closure comprises a screw cap with an opening through which a laser beam from the laser generator propagates, whereby, in operation, the screw cap is screwed to apply the inner projection on the axially movable switch member and move this switch member axially against the spring-biasing

force until the laser beam generator is energized through the axially movable generator, and the laser generator is de- energized by sufficiently unscrewing the screw cap; -the closed end of the sleeve comprises a chamfered, threaded axial hole, and said one end of the elongated shaft is chamfered and threaded, wherein the sleeve is removably connected to said one end of the elongated shaft through the chamfered, threaded hole and shaft end; -said one end of the elongated shaft protrudes inside the coaxial sleeve to form the inner projection; and -the other end of the elongated shaft opposite to said one end comprises a spring member or an O-ring to compensate for a slack between the bore of the barrel of the firearm and the elongated shaft.

The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non restrictive description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the appended drawings:

Figure 1 is a side, partially cross sectional view of a laser beam generator module forming part of the firearm sight rectifier according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of an outer casing of the laser beam generator module of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded view of inner components of the laser beam generator module of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of caliber adapter of the firearm sight rectifier according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a side, cross sectional view of a firearm sight rectifier according to the present invention, comprising the laser beam generator module of Figure 1 and a second embodiment of caliber adapter; Figure 6 is a side, partially cross sectional view of a third embodiment of caliber adapter capable of receiving the laser beam generator module of Figure 1 to form a firearm sight rectifier according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a side, cross sectional view of a firearm sight rectifier according to the present invention, comprising the laser beam generator module of Figure 1 and a coaxial shaft for insertion in the free end of the barrel of a firearm;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of an elongated shaft for insertion in the free end of the barrel of a firearm, forming part of the caliber adapters of Figures 5,6 and 7, and comprising a spring member to compensate for a slack between the bore of the barrel of the firearm and the elongated shaft; and Figure 9 is a side elevational view of an elongated shaft for insertion in the free end of the barrel of a firearm, forming part of the caliber adapters of Figures 5,6 and 7, and comprising an O-ring to compensate for a slack between the bore of the barrel of the firearm and the elongated shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the firearm sight rectifier in accordance with the present invention will now be described.

According to these preferred embodiments, the firearm sight rectifier comprises, as illustrated in Figure 1, a basic laser beam generator module 10.

Cylindrical casing Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the laser beam generator module 10 comprises a generally cylindrical casing 11.

Referring now to Figure 2, the casing 11 is hollow and open at both ends thereof. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, casing 11 is made of electrically conducting material such as metal and defines: -a uniform generally cylindrical outer face 12 of constant diameter; -an inner face 13 comprising: -a rear cylindrical inner face section 14 of constant diameter; -a conical chamfer 15 at the rear end 16 of the casing 11 and an adjacent inner threaded section 35; and -a front, frusto-conical inner face section 17 slightly tapering toward the front end 18 of the casing 11 from an inner annular shoulder 19 separating the inner face sections 14 and 17; and -a series of peripheral holes such as 20,21 and 22 proximate the front end 18 of the casing 11 and, finally, an injection hole 23.

In the example illustrated in the appended drawings, a series of four (4) equally spaced apart peripheral holes such as 20-22 and a single injection hole 23 are illustrated. Of course, other numbers and configurations of holes can be contemplated.

Laser generator

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the laser beam generator module 10 comprises a laser generator 24. A laser generator such as 24 is available on the market.

Generally, the laser generator 24 comprises: -a generally cylindrical housing 25 having a geometrical axis 28 and made of electrically conducting material such as metal; -a laser diode 26 axially mounted in the rear portion of the housing 25; -an optical lens 27 axially mounted in the front portion of the housing 25 to concentrate laser emission from the laser diode 26 into a laser beam (not shown); -a printed circuit board 29 supporting all the electronic circuits (not shown) required to supply the laser diode with electric energy and thereby produce laser emission; and -an electrically conducting spring 30 through which the electronic circuits of the printed circuit board 29 are supplied with electric energy from batteries.

Since laser generators such as 24 are available on the market, laser generator 24 will not be further described in the present patent specification.

The laser generator 24 is installed in the generally cylindrical casing 11 using the following procedure: -in a first step, the laser generator is inserted in the casing 11 through the front open end 18 until the rear end 31 of the housing 25 applies to the frusto-conical inner face section 17 in the proximity of the annular shoulder 19 (see Figure 1); -in a second step, the series of holes such as 20-22 are used to position, by means of any suitable tool (not shown) the laser generator 24 and the laser beam produced by this generator 24 in perfect alignment with the longitudinal geometrical axis 32 of the casing 11; and -in a third step, after the laser beam has been positioned in perfect alignment with the axis 32, an epoxy resin (not shown) can be injected through hole 23 in order to lock the housing 25 in position in the generally cylindrical casing 11.

Of course, any glue, solder or other suitable material can be injected through the hole 23 to lock the housing 25 in position in the casing 11.

The tapering shape of the frusto-conical inner face section 17 enables not only adjustment of the direction of the laser beam but also contact between the housing 25 and the casing 11. This electrical contact is required as will be seen in the following description.

Batteries The laser beam generator module 10 further comprises batteries such as 33 for supplying the electronic circuits of the laser generator 24 through the electrically conducting spring 30. As illustrated, each battery 33 is disk-shaped. The batteries 33 are placed in series between the spring 30 and an end screw cap 34.

Screw cap Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the end screw cap 34 comprises: -a conical chamfer 36 to fit on the conical chamfer 15 of the generally cylindrical casing 11; -an outer cylindrical threaded section 37 to be screwed onto the inner threaded section 35 of the casing 11 until the conical chamfer 36 is applied to the conical chamfer 15; -an axial hole 38 comprising: -a front, generally cylindrical axial hole section 39 of smaller diameter;

-a rear, generally cylindrical axial hole section 40 of larger diameter; and -an annular shoulder 41 between the hole sections 39 and 40.

-a contact 42 having: -a flat head 43 of diameter larger than the diameter of the axial hole section 39; and -a threaded shank 44 inserted in the axial hole section 39; -a generally cylindrical sleeve 45 having: -an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the axial hole section 39 to slidably fit in this hole section 39; -an annular rear end flange 46 having an outer diameter sufficiently small to fit in the axial hole section 40 of larger diameter; and -an axial threaded generally cylindrical inner surface 47 to receive the threaded shank 44 of contact 42; -an helical spring 48 to be mounted on the sleeve 45 between the flange 46 and the shoulder 41 in the axial hole section 40 of larger diameter; and -an electrically insulating O-ring 49 to be applied to the inner face of the screw cap 37 around the head 43 of the contact 42.

The screw cap 37 is mounted as follows to result in the assembly of Figure 1: -the helicoidal spring 48 is placed on the sleeve 45 and applied to the annular flange 46 ; -the sleeve 45 is inserted in the axial hole section 40 of larger diameter and then in the axial hole section 39 of smaller diameter with the spring 48 between the annular shoulder 41 and the flange 46; -the threaded shank 44 of the contact 42 is screwed onto the threaded inner surface 47 of the sleeve 45 until the head 43 rests on the end 50 of the sleeve 45 opposite to the flange 46; the contact 42 is then tightened on the sleeve 45; according to an alternative, the shank 44 could be press fit in the sleeve 45; -the O-ring is applied to the batteries; and -the outer cylindrical threaded section 37 of the screw cap 34 is screwed onto the inner threaded section 35 of the casing 11 until the conical chamfer 36 is applied to the conical chamfer 15 and the screw cap 34 is tightened on the generally cylindrical casing 11.

The switch member 55 formed by the sleeve 45 and contact 42 is normally biased in the position shown in Figure 1. In the biased position of Figure 1, the head 43 is electrically insulated from the batteries 33 by an air gap 51.

A pressure on the switch member 55 against the force produced by the spring 48 (see arrow 52 in Figure 1) will slide the switch member 55 axially in the hole 38 until the head 43 is applied to contact 53 of the adjacent battery 33. Electrical contact is then established between the housing 25 of the laser generator 24 and the contact 53 through the casing 11, the screw cap 34, and the switch member 55.

One can see that screw cap 34 can be removed at will to access and replace the batteries 33 every time it is required.

Referring to Figure 4 of the appended drawings, the firearm sight rectifier may comprises a caliber adapter 60 formed of a sleeve 61 having substantially the same specifications as the case of a standard cartridge of given caliber. Adapter 60 can be made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic. More specifically, the outer surface 62 of the sleeve 61 has a diameter corresponding to that of a cartridge of said given caliber. The sleeve 61 has a bullet-shaped front end 63 and an open rear end 64 formed with a cup 65 similar to that of a conventional cartridge. In this manner, the caliber adapter 60 of the firearm sight rectifier will fit in the cartridge chamber of a firearm of the same caliber as would do a standard cartridge.

Just a word to mention that the colour of the caliber adapter can be selected to enable the customer to easily identify the firearm sight rectifier either on the shelves of a store or when the rectifier is with the rest of the customers'munitions.

Finally, the sleeve 61 defines an inner cavity 66 of which the diameter is selected to snugly fit the outer casing 11 of the laser beam generator module 10. The laser beam generator module 10 of Figure 1 is inserted in the inner cavity 66 through the open rear end 64 of the sleeve 61. Of course, the bullet-shaped front end 63 of the sleeve 61 comprises an axial cylindrical opening 68 having a diameter sufficiently large to allow the laser beam produced by the laser generator 24 to propagate without distortion. Experiments have shown that no mechanism for retaining the basic laser beam generator module 10 in the inner cavity 66 is required. However it is within the scope of the present invention to provide such a mechanism, of any suitable design.

The embodiment of Figures 1 and 4 presents an important advantage: for example, if the customer owns ten (10) different rifles each of them having a different caliber, this customer will not need ten (10) different firearm sight rectifiers. This customer will need only one laser beam generator module 10 with ten (10) caliber adapters such as 60 for the ten (10) different caliers, respectively. Obviously, this is more cost effective for a customer having a plurality of rifles of different caliers.

Once the two (2) parts (the laser beam generator module 10 and the caliber adapter 60) are assembled, this assembly is introduced into the cartridge chamber (not shown) of the firearm. When it is released, the firepin (not shown) of the firearm hits the switch member 55 formed by the sleeve 34 and contact 42 to electrically connect the series of batteries 33 to the laser generator 24, and thereby activate this laser generator 24. Then, contact 54 of a first end battery 33 is connected to the laser generator through the spring 30 while contact 53 of the second

end battery 33 is connected to the same laser generator through the switch member 55, the screw cap 34, the casing 11 and the housing 25 to thereby energize the laser generator 24.

As soon as the laser module 24 is activated, the laser diode 26 and the lens 27 produce a laser beam along axis 32, this laser beam propagating without distortion through the axial cylindrical hole 68 of the bullet-shaped front end 63 of the sleeve 61 and, then, through the barrel of the firearm. This laser beam can be used to adjust and/or rectify the rear and front sights or the telescopic sight of the firearm. The laser beam is then projected onto a surface (for example a conventional target) to form a light spot on this surface, and the rear and front sights or the telescopic sight of the firearm is (are) adjusted and/or rectified to home on to this luminous spot. To obtain additional precision, a ballistic chart can of course be used in combination with the luminous spot to adjust and/or rectify the rear and front sights or the telescopic sight of the firearm.

It is further within the scope of the present invention to provide means for facilitating removal of the laser beam generator module 10 from the inner cavity 66 of the sleeve 61 of the caliber adapter 60, in view of facilitating replacement of the caliber adapter.

The preferred embodiment of Figure 5 comprises the laser beam generator module 10 and a caliber adapter 500.

The caliber adapter 500 comprises a shaft 501. The diameter of the shaft 501 is selected to snugly fit in the open free end of the barrel (not shown) of the firearm.

Axially mounted at one end of the shaft 501 is a cylindrical sleeve 502 closed at the end 503 connected to the shaft 501 and open at the other end 504. Also at the end 504, the sleeve 502 presents an outwardly threaded sleeve section 509 with an outward annular shoulder 510 (see Figure 5).

Sleeve 502 defines an internal, generally cylindrical cavity 505.

The internal diameter of the cavity 505 is so adjusted that the basic laser beam generator module 10 snugly fits in the cavity 505.

The bottom of the cavity 505 comprises, in the axis of the shaft 501 a small flat disk-like projection 506. At the other end 504, a screw cap 507 is screwed onto the outwardly threaded sleeve section 509. More specifically, the screw cap 507 comprises a tubular section 511 with an open end 512. The other end of the tubular section 512 is closed by a flat wall 513 having an axial opening 508 therethrough. The tubular section 511 is internally threaded to be screwed onto the outwardly threaded sleeve section 509.

In operation, the screw cap 507 is removed, the laser beam generator module 10 is inserted in the cavity 505 with the switch member 55 facing the projection 506, the screw cap 507 is screwed onto the threaded sleeve section 509. To energize the module 24, the screw cap 507 is screwed until the projection 506 pushes the switch member 55 to apply this switch member 55 to terminal 53 of the adjacent battery 33.

The shaft 501 is then inserted in the free end of the barrel of the firearm.

The laser beam produced by the laser beam generator module 10 and propagating through the opening 508 can then be used to adjust and/or

rectify the rear and front sights or the telescopic sight of the firearm. For that purpose, the laser beam is projected onto a surface (for example a conventional target) to form a light spot on this surface, and the rear and front sights or the telescopic sight of the firearm is (are) adjusted and/or rectified to home on to this luminous spot. To obtain additional precision, a ballistic chart can of course be used in combination with the luminous spot to adjust and/or rectify the rear and front sights or the telescopic sight of the firearm.

After adjustment and/or rectification of the firearm sight (s), the shaft 501 is withdrawn from the barrel of the firearm. To de-energize the laser beam generator module 10, the screw cap 507 is unscrewed until the switch member 55 separates from terminal 33.

In the alternative embodiment 600 of the caliber adapter as shown in Figure 6, the shaft 501 is screwed in the closed end 503 of the generally cylindrical sleeve 502. For that purpose, the closed end 503 is formed with a threaded, chamfered hole 603 in which a threaded, chamfered end 602 of the shaft 501 is screwed. The threaded sections of the hole 603 and shaft end 602 are used to fasten the shaft 501 to the sleeve 502. The function of the chamfered sections of the hole 603 and shaft end 602 is to axially align the shaft 501 with the sleeve 502. The threaded, chamfered end 602 of the shaft 501 comprises an extension 601 protruding in the sleeve 502 to push and/or release the switch member 55. The operation and structure of the embodiment 600 is otherwise the same as the embodiment 500 of caliber adapter as shown in Figure 5.

An advantage of the caliber adapter 600 of Figure 6 is that many shafts 501 can be interchanged to fit in the barrels of firearms of various calibers. In the case of the embodiment of Figure 5, a complete caliber adapter 500 is required for every firearm caliber.

A further preferred embodiment 700 is illustrated in Figure 7.

This preferred embodiment 700 uses the laser beam generator module 10 of Figure 1 in which the screw cap 34 is modifie. In fact, the screw cap 34 is provided with an axial, threaded chamfered hole 701 including a threaded, generally cylindrical hole section 702 and a conical chamfer 703. A shaft 704 comprises an end formed with an axial, generally cylindrical threaded section 705 followed by a conical chamfer 706. The threaded sections 702 and 705 are used to fasten the shaft 704 to the screw cap 34 and module 10. The function of the conical chamfers 703 and 706 is to axially align the shaft 704 with the screw cap 34 and module 10.

In operation, the threaded section 705 is screwed in the threaded hole section 702 until the chamfer 706 is applied to the chamfer 703. During screwing, the threaded section 705 has passed through the electrically insulating O-ring 49 to reach contact 53 of the adjacent battery 33 and thereby energize the laser beam generator module 10.

The shaft 704 is then inserted in the free end of the barrel of the fire arm. The laser beam produced by the laser beam generator module 10 can then be used to adjust and/or rectify the rear and front sights or the telescopic sight of the firearm. For that purpose, the laser beam is projected onto a surface (for example a conventional target) to

form a light spot on this surface, and the rear and front sights or the telescopic sight of the firearm is (are) adjusted and/or rectified to home onto this luminous spot. To obtain additional precision, a ballistic chart can of course be used in combination with the luminous spot to adjust and/or rectify the rear and front sights or the telescopic sight of the firearm.

Again, an advantage of the embodiment 700 of Figure 7 is that many shafts 704 can be interchanged to fit in the barrels of firearms of various calibers.

As shown in Figure 8, a spring member such as 801 can be installed on the free end of the shafts 501 or 704 to compensate for any slack between the bore of the firearm's barrel and shaft 501 or 704.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 9, an O-ring 901, made for example of resilient material, is mounted into an annular groove 902 to compensate for any slack between the bore of the firearm's barrel and shaft 501 or 704.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, these embodiments can be modified at will, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention.