ILLUMINATED SIGHTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR

Be it known that I, John Thompson, residing at 1426 Spring Valley Lane, Stone Mountain, GA 30087, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful improvements in an ILLUMINATED SIGHTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR of which the following is a specification.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present Patent Cooperation Treaty Application is related to, and hereby claims priority to, and the full benefit of, United States Provisional Application entitled "Illuminated Sighting Apparatus and System", having assigned serial number 60/810,351, filed on behalf of John Thompson on June 2, 2006, incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of armaments, and, more particularly, to an illuminated sighting apparatus and system, and method therefor.

BACKGROUND

Weapons, particularly guns, may include one or more sight, such as a post, for aiming and targeting. Often times, when trying

to locate a target and take proper aim, the user may misalign the sight (s) when concentrating on the target located some distance ahead. As such, proper alignment, and, thus, proper targeting, can be adversely effected. Furthermore, even when able to concentrate on both the target and the sight (s), the user may encounter difficulty in obtaining proper alignment of the weapon due to smoke, dust, rain, low light, bright lights, glare, or the like, that may make focusing one the sight (s) difficult or impossible.

Thus, it is readily apparent that what is needed is an illuminated sighting apparatus and system, and a method therefor, that improves the visibility of the sighting apparatus of a weapon, whereby proper alignment of the weapon with the target is facilitated, especially in adverse conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such an apparatus and system, and a method therefor, by providing an illuminated sighting apparatus including a sighting member, wherein a preferably lighted portion of the illuminated sighting member facilitates focus by a user. The illuminated sighting member preferably comprises a first lighted portion disposed at a proximal portion of a weapon and a second lighted portion disposed at a distal portion of the weapon, whereby proper direction and proper elevation of a shot may be quickly- ascertained via the relative positions of the first lighted portion

with respect to the second lighted portion, and via the relative positions of both the first and the second lighted portion with respect to the target. Alternatively, only one of the first and second lighted portions may be provided.

The illuminated sighting apparatus preferably further includes a power circuit to provide power to the illumination sources, preferably including a control device, such as a switch, whereby the user may preferably actuate the switch when illumination of the lighted portions is desired or required for aiming. The power circuit and/or the control device may preferably be advantageously- located in a stock, a butt, a grip, a forend, or the like, of the weapon, where each may preferably be seamlessly integrated into the weapon. The power circuit preferably comprises a source of electrical power, and preferably includes at least one battery, preferably a rechargeable battery, whereby a user may preferably insert, remove, and/or replace one or more battery, or battery pack, to provide power to the illuminated sighting apparatus. Alternatively, the battery may not be removable, but may be recharged via a plug or other connection to a power source.

The control device preferably comprises a switch, such as a push-button switch, a pressure switch, a toggle switch, or the like, whereby activation of the switch preferably activates at least one of the first lighted portion and the second lighted portion. Preferably, the first and/or second lighted portions remain activated only when a user presses or depresses the switch, whereby electric power may be conserved, and whereby the

illuminated sighting apparatus may preferably not disclose a user's presence, position, or the like, and may preferably not adversely impact a user's night vision, or the like.

Each illuminated portion preferably comprises a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or other lamp, and may optionally include light directing means, such as a wave-guide, a fiber optic member, a reflector, a lens, combinations thereof, or the like. Thus, light may preferably be generated and advantageously directed such that a user may perceive such light and aim the weapon thereby. Each illuminated portion is preferably- configured to reduce the visibility thereof at locations other than directly behind the weapon, or another location where a user may be positioned, whereby a user's position is preferably not disclosed via activation of any illuminated portion. For example, an LED may preferably be carried by the illuminated sighting member formed as a post projecting generally vertically from a top of a barrel of the weapon proximate a distal end thereof. The LED may preferably be carried such that light emits from the LED and projects in a rearward direction, whereby a user may perceive the emitted light but the light is not visible at the target.

Alternatively, an LED may preferably be carried in a concealed location, such at within a stock, a butt, a grip, a forend, a sight, or the like, such that it is in optical communication with a light conduit, whereby light emitted into a first portion of the light conduit is directed to a second portion of the light conduit, where it may preferably be perceived by the user. Such an light

conduit may take the form of an optical fiber, a light pipe, or the like, whereby a pin-point of light may be visible at the second portion, or may alternatively take the form of a glowing member, which may have a desired shape and size, whereby an elongated illuminated portion may be provided.

Preferably, the first sighting member is formed differently from the second sighting member, whereby an illuminated portion of one or more of the sighting members may preferably be perceived in conjunction with the other sighting member to indicate proper alignment. For example, the illuminated portion of the first sighting member is preferably formed as a planar member that glows upon activation of an LED in optical communication therewith. As such, activation of the switch preferably causes the illuminated portion of the first sighting member to glow, thereby creating an illuminated or glowing post extending generally vertically from a distal portion of the weapon. -The second sighting member is preferably formed as a screen with a central aperture, whereby the first sighting member is visible through the aperture only when proper alignment, or near proper alignment, is achieved. Thus, by orienting the weapon such that the illuminated portion of the first sighting member is visible through the aperture of the second sighting member, and such that the first sighting member is aimed at the target, the user may preferably achieve proper alignment of the weapon with the target.

Preferably, various characteristics of the light source may be varied and/or adjusted to accommodate the needs or preferences of

the user. For example, the color, intensity, focus, illumination pattern, orientation, or the like of one or more illuminated portion may be adjusted, whereby proper alignment of the weapon may be facilitated via different colors of the first and second illuminated portions. Additionally and/or alternatively, the color and intensity of the light source may preferably be adjusted according to prevalent environmental conditions, such as use of an amber color and/or low intensity during night-time or other low- light conditions.

According to another aspect, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need by- providing a sighting method including the steps of providing a gun having at least one sight, selectively illuminating the sight, and using the illuminated sight to aim the weapon, whereby proper alignment of the weapon with the target is achieved via alignment of the illuminated portion of the first sight with the target and/or a second sight. Preferably, the step of using the illuminated sight comprises aligning an illuminated portion of a first sight with a second sight, which may likewise be illuminated.

Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that light sources provided on the sight or sights allow a user to better focus on the target.

Another advantage of the invention is that one or more light source provided on one or more sight allows a user to properly focus on the sight (s).

These and other advantages of the present invention will

become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description referring thereto, in which like reference numerals throughout the various Figures designate like structures, and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a plan view of components of an illuminated sighting apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a plan view of an illuminated sighting member of the illuminated sighting apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates a plan view of another illuminated sighting member of the illuminated sighting apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 illustrates a plan view of components of a power circuit and a control circuit of the present invention;

Fig. 5 illustrates a plan view of a weapon including the illuminated sighting apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 6 illustrates a detail plan view of a weapon including the illuminated sighting apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 7 illustrates a rear view of the weapon including the illuminated sighting apparatus in use; and

Fig. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a power and control circuit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present Patent Cooperation Treaty Application is related to, and hereby claims priority to, and the full benefit of, United States Provisional Application entitled "Illuminated Sighting Apparatus and System", having assigned serial number 60/810,351, filed on behalf of John Thompson on June 2, 2006, incorporated herein by reference.

In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

In that form of the preferred embodiment of. the present invention chosen for illustration, Figs. 1-8 show illuminated sighting apparatus 100, preferably including first illumination member 105, second illumination member 110, support frame 120, power circuit 150, and control device 160. Illuminated sighting apparatus 100 is preferably included in weapon 200, which preferably includes barrel 205 and forend 210.

More specifically, first illumination member 105 preferably

includes light source 125, such as an LED, incandescent lamp, phosphorescent lamp, neon lamp, fluorescent lamp, or the like to provide a light upon selective activation. Light source 125 may be disposed on an exterior of weapon 200, such as on sight 206 attached to barrel 205, or may preferably be disposed on an interior of weapon 200, such as within a cavity of forend 210, such cavity being defined by clamshell halves 210a and 210b thereof. When light source 125 is preferably disposed within forend 210, light source 125 is preferably disposed in optical communication with light conduit 126, whereby light emitted by light source 125 upon selective activation may preferably travel into and be guided by light conduit 126 such that such light may preferably be observed by a user, and may preferably not be observed at a target location. Preferably, light conduit 126 comprises a polymeric member that leaks light, such that light emitted by light source 125 preferably causes an external surface of light conduit 126 to glow. Thus, light conduit 126, preferably formed as a generally planar member, appears as a vertical post extending generally vertically, and generally perpendicular to barrel 205. Sight 206 preferably shields light conduit 126 from view at positions other than a user's position, thereby preventing activation of light source 125 from disclosing the user's position, and preferably further protecting light conduit 126 from damage.

Second illumination member 110 preferably includes light source 130, also preferably formed as an LED, and light conduit 131

disposed in optical communication therewith, whereby selective activation of light source 130 preferably causes light to enter a first portion, travel through, and exit a second portion of light conduit 131. Preferably, light conduit 131 is formed as a bifurcated fiber optic cable comprising arms 131a and 131b, whereby light entering a first end of the fiber optic cable exits a respective end of each of arms 131a and 131b. Thus, light source 130 may preferably be disposed within forend 210 or within sight 113 and light may be emitted at terminal ends of arms 131a and 131b disposed in respective arms 111 and 112 of sight 113. Each of arms 112 and 113 is preferably spaced from a central axis of weapon 200 such that light conduit 126 or light source 125 is preferably visible therebetween when properly aligned, as seen best in Fig. 7. Alternatively, light source 130 may be formed as one or more LEDs, or other suitable illumination means, disposed directly on sight 113.

Preferably, each of light source 125 and 130 is powered by- power circuit 150, and each is preferably controlled by control device 160 to allow selective activation thereof, whereby a user may selectively activate illuminated apparatus 100 to preserve electrical power, to reduce the risk of detection, and/or to preserve night vision. Power circuit 150 preferably includes power source 155, such as one or more battery, connected to one or more of light source 125 and 130 through control device 160, preferably formed as a push-button switch. Power source 155 is preferably

carried by frame 120 to secure power source 155 to weapon 200 and to prevent breakage thereof or damage to wires 153. Frame 120 preferably further carries and retains control device 160 in a preferred position whereby control device 160 may be activated from an exterior of weapon 200. Frame 120 is further preferably adapted to engage and be retained by forend 210, preferably between clamshell halves 210a and 210b. When frame 120 is so retained within forend 210, control device 160 is preferably accessible at an exterior of forend 210, such as through an aperture or a flexible portion thereof, such as a membrane. As such, a user may preferably activate control device 160, such as by depressing a button, directly or through an intermediary member, whereby control device preferably allows electricity to flow from power source 155 to one or more of light source 125 and 130.

Control device 160 preferably further includes one or more controls, such as in the form of a switch, a knob, or the like, whereby characteristics of at least one of light source 125 and 130 may preferably be controlled. For example, control device 160 may preferably include a knob that controls an intensity of illumination of light source 125 and/or 130, such as by varying a voltage or current supplied thereto. Additionally, a switch or other control may preferably be used to select a desired color emitted by light source 125 and/or 130.

Furthermore, a timer or other controller, such as a fader, a blinker, or the like, may be included to allow the user to

selectively activate the light sources whereby the timer or other controller preferably maintains activation of the light sources for a predetermined amount of time before deactivating the light sources. Thus, the user may preferably allow the controller to maintain activation of the light sources for an increment of time while the user aims and fires the weapon to avoid requiring the user to maintain actuation of the control device since, whereby the user may preferably relax and focus on aiming. If proper aiming of firing is not accomplished during the predetermined period, the user need only actuate control device 160 again, thereby activating the light sources for a second period of time. As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, the controller, and other portions of control device 160, may preferably be formed as solid state electronics, as analog circuit components, or as combinations thereof to facilitate the above-described functions thereof .

When assembled, as shown in Fig. 5, illuminated sighting apparatus 100 is preferably housed completely within weapon 200 such that no components thereof are exposed to damage. Specifically, power circuit 150 and control device 160 are preferably housed within forend 210, light source 125 and light conduit 126 are preferably housed within sight 206, and light source 130 and light conduit 131 are preferably housed within sight 113. As such, from an exterior, weapon 200, including illuminated sighting apparatus 100, has the appearance of any other weapon 200. Furthermore, a user of weapon 200 may simply activate control

device 160 to activate light sources 125 and 130, thereby causing light to be emitted from light conduits 126 and 131, whereby the user may preferably aim weapon 200 via alignment of light conduit 126 between arms 131a and 131b of light conduit 131, as seen best in Fig. 7.

It will be understood that although the invention has been described as being implemented in a rifle or other weapon having a forend, the illuminated sighting apparatus of the present invention may alternatively be implemented in other styles of weapons, or in other portions of such weapons, such as in a grip, in a butt, otherwise integrally formed therewith, or may be disposed in a special housing attached thereto. Additionally, various circuit elements, such as variable resistors, capacitors, or the like may preferably be included to allow beneficial performance of the power circuit, whereby an appropriate voltage and current may preferably be applied to light sources connected thereto. Furthermore, the means for selectively illuminating the sighting members may preferably take alternative forms to the push-button switch described. For example, the trigger of the gun or a button on the grip may be employed to selectively control activation of the illuminated sighting members.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the

steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.