FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a sight image combiner for use in conjunction with a firearm and, more particularly, to a firearm sight adaptor configured for creating a secondary distorted image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In close quarter battle situations and other urban warfare scenarios there is a need to provide the user with the ability to see and fire from a safe position, for example set to approximately 90° to the side, around corner, and substantially out of direct path of the firing line. There are numerous cited and otherwise known embodiments of aiming devices used for the basic concept of aiming and shooting around a corner. These previously known aiming devices use mirrors, and/ or prisms to provide a user a view of the scene. These aiming devices can be used from one aspect or from one side of the firearm or host. It is noted that the devices known in the art provide undistorted view only from any side thus limiting the FOV of the side viewer given the fact that the device known in the art are used in conjunction with an existing sight. In certain close encounters, such as with a terror group, there is a need to see a larger Field Of View (FOV) while maintaining a large eye relief. For example, a crawling enemy approaching the user beyond the FOV of such aiming device. The prior art devices are unable to provide the user with a panoramic view of the scene sufficient to warn him from such an approaching threat. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panoramic sight system. The panoramic sight system includes: a housing configured to affix to a host; an image combiner assembly mounted within the housing, the image combiner assembly comprises a front face, a side face, a rear face, and a semi reflective diagonal surface, such that the image combiner assembly provides at least two optical paths including: one first optical path passing through the front face and the rear face via the semi reflective diagonal surface; and one second optical path passing through the front face and the side face via the semi reflective diagonal surface, wherein the semi reflective diagonal surface comprises at least one curved portion configured to fold a distorted perspective image of a scene coming from the front face, onto the side face.

These, additional, and/or other aspects and/or advantages of the present invention are: set forth in the detailed description which follows; possibly inferable from the detailed description; and/or learnable by practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understood from the detailed description of embodiments thereof made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 show a firearm mounted with a viewer assembly, according to some embodiments of the invention;

Figure 2 an image combiner assembly in a schematic view, according to some embodiments of the invention; and

Figure 3 shows one aspect of the present invention according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Figure 1 shows an image combiner assembly 100 in position on a firearm 10. Image combiner assembly 100 includes a side viewer 130 that can be viewed by an observer, for soldier holding firearm 10 approximately 90° to the side. A user of firearm 10 can also see a target in a scene through a rear viewer 120.

Image combiner assembly 100 may be attached to a mounting bracket which secures to firearm 10, for example with a screw mechanism. Alternatively, any one of a variety of securing mechanisms may be contemplated, including for example, a spring-loaded clamp. An optical sight 20 is also attached to firearm 10 via a mounting bracket so that image combiner assembly 100 and optical sight 20 share a common optical axis. Additionally, image combiner assembly 100 and optical sight 20 may be positioned at a specified distance d from each other.

Images from the scene received by a optical sight 20 along optical axis 20A are received by frontal face 110 and are split into a primary image that passes through to the user through rear viewer 120; and a secondary image that passes through to side observer through side viewer 130 The secondary image has a perspective distortion as will be explained below so that its field of view (FOV) is higher than the FOV of the primary image. In addition to images from the scene passing via sight 20, other parts of the scene not passing via sight 20 such as via optical axis 130A and the like.

Image combiner assembly 100 may be mounted on a variety of firearms 10, and in conjunction with a variety of firearm aiming optical sights 20. Specifically, it may be rotates along an axis parallel to the optical axis 20A. Examples of some aiming sights 20 include those that comprise red dot sights possibly including lenses, and electronic aiming sights, laser sights, and night vision sight.

Image combiner assembly 100 has at least three faces, including: a front face 110, a side face 130, and a rear face 120, such that image combiner assembly 100 provides at least two optical paths including: one first optical path passing through front face 110 and rear face 120; and one second optical path passing through front face 110 and side face 130, wherein image combiner assembly 100 comprises at least one curved surface section in the semi reflective diagonal surface configured to fold a distorted perspective image of a scene coming from front face 110, onto side face 130.

Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of image combiner 200. The image combiner 200 may include a beam combiner 210 comprising a partially curved diagonal internal semi reflective surface 230.

A portion of light rays 240 coming from the scene light through the optical sight (not shown here) pass directly through surface 230 as light rays 250 and are viewable via the rear face of the beam combiner assembly 100. Rays 290 representing a larger field of view are folded by surface 230 as rays 260, viewed by a viewer from the side face of beam combiner 200. As a result, side viewing through beam combiner 200 enables larger field of view, compared to the rear viewing (by viewer 300). In its intended usage mode, image combiner assembly 100 is used as a panoramic sight system configured for reflecting the perspective of the aim that is in line with its host device and the scene wherein the user is at 90° to one side of the host device. Accordingly, the panoramic sight system may be used to accurately aim and shoot the host device from a position around a corner or behind an obstacle without being exposed to danger, or heat. The panoramic sight system may be positioned on and substantially parallel to the barrel. Such an implementation may permit the user to effectively aim the firearm without blocking the user peripheral vision and without compromising situational awareness.

The panoramic sight system of the present invention provides the user a larger FOV view of the scene while maintaining large eye relief. This larger view is advantageous for example in close quarter tactical encounters, where threats at large angle to the user line of sight may endanger the user safety or life. These threats may include a crawling enemy person, a side threat to the fire fighter, and the like. Advantageously, a first panoramic sight system embodiment of the present invention includes an image combiner operable to see, aim and shoot around corners from one side of the host with no moving parts; means for maintaining said image combiner in proper position and connected to the host, wherein said image combiner internal (and diagonal) surface comprises at least one curved surface section and thus enables the user to view a distorted perspective of the scene at 90° from the side. The host may be a firearm, a delivery device such as anti-armor rocket launcher, a fire hose and the like.

The sight system of the present invention comprises an image combiner with a substantially diagonal surface having at least some curved portions. The image combiner internal surface provides two main functions: A) It provides a perspective of the scene to the user situated at 90° to the side of the host device. B) It provides a distorted view of the scene to the user situated at 90° to the side of the host device, for example for enhancing the FOV of the scene.

Accordingly, the attached panoramic sight system may be used by the user positioned behind the host device and viewing the scene and the host aim through the second image combiner path. Accordingly the user may aim/ shoot the host device without the need to detach the panoramic sight system from the host device. In other embodiments, the panoramic sight system may comprise an adjustable shutter which at its closed position may substantially block the light penetration and thus increase the contrast to the scene when viewed by the user at 90° to the host device.

The distorted perspective view of the scene is pre-determined according to the specific application and properties of the host device. In certain preferred aspects, the image combiner provides panoramic perspective of the scene.

The image combiner internal surface is preferably convex towards the side face and its shape may be spherical, conic, general axi-symmetric and anamorphic surface. EXAMPLE

Considering a panoramic sight system comprising an image combiner with flat internal surface and dimensions of 45 X 45 X 60mm. accordingly, the image combiner dictate a FOV is 7.5 X 10 deg. for a viewer located 300 mm to the side of the host device. This eye relief is typical to certain combat scenario using a panoramic sight system.

Without sticking to any specific theory, the above explanation is based on a known assumption that the FOV of sight may be analyzed by reversing the optical model of a scene, sight, eye such that a portion of the retina becomes a source of structured light (e.g., a light emitting grid) and the target region becomes the image plane.

For illustration only we consider an image combiner in accordance with the present invention having an internal surface described as a conic convex surface having R = 230 and k = 1.0.

In another embodiment, there is provided a side display 270 coupled to a side of beam combiner 210 defining a distance d that may be set to a minimum value. Images and light coming from display 270 preferably via lens array 275 are partially folded by surface 230 as rays 282 towards human rear viewer 300 and partially pass through surface 230 as rays 284 to a human side viewer.

Figure 3 shows for illustration only an image of a 2.5 X 2.5 mm light emitting grid located on the retina projected to a scene plane located 10m from the panoramic sight system. When viewing the scene from a panoramic sight system comprising an image combiner with flat surface, the grid image shown in Figure 3A dimensions of 1.6 X 2.4 m which corresponds to the above estimated FOV.

However, when projecting the same grid from the retina onto an image combiner of the present invention, comprising a suitable curved surface, the image seen in Figure 3A becomes distorted and its size is drastically increases to 2.2 X 6.0 m which corresponds with FOV of 14 X 33 deg., which is a factor of 3 larger than the viewed FOV of Figure 3A. Accordingly, the image combiner of the present invention provides wide FOV which at least minimizes the chance of life threat to the user of the host device during certain combat scenarios.

The internal surface 230 may be a continuous curved surface. In other aspects the internal surface 230 may comprise a circumferential surface section and one or more discrete surface sections. Surface 230 and each surface section may have a flat, parabolic, conic, generally aspheric or anamorphic shape operable to provide the desired distorted perspective view of the scene. For example the central surface section may be flat to provide the center FOV portion free of distortion while the circumferential surface section may be conical to provide a panoramic distortion.

In preferred embodiments, the image combiner components may be fabricated from polymer selected from a group consisting of: Polycarbonate, PMMA, etc. In certain aspects, the image combiner may be fabricated through injection molding process.

Typically, the diagonal image combiner surface is coated by a certain coatings operable for reflecting roughly half of the light in the visible spectral range from the scene to the user. In such case, the surface passes roughly half of the visible portion of the light from the scene to the viewer.

In certain aspects the image combiner orientation in respect to the host device may be adjusted so as to compensate for parameters selected from a group comprising firearm misalignment, bullet ballistic trajectory, bullet characteristics.

According to its attached position on the host device, the panoramic sight system of the present invention may be used in various scenarios, including but not limited to: behind a corner or obstacle, below or above a closed door, and while hiding in a channel.

The wide FOV provided by the present invention may be advantageous in various scenarios. For example, in close quarter tactical encounters, threats located at large angle to the user line of sight may endanger the user safety or life. These threats may include a crawling enemy person, a side positioned sniper aiming at the user, a burglar waiting to fetch the firearm from the user, a side threat to the fire fighter such as falling burning beam, and the like. In certain aspects, the panoramic sight system of the present invention is attached to a host device comprising an aim aligned with the host device main axis. The panoramic sight system is operated by the method comprising: Receiving light from a scene through the image combiner input facet; Viewing the scene from the side of the host device and selecting a target; Aiming at the target from the side of the host device such that the aim of the host device is substantially centered on the target; and Taking action of the host device.

According to some embodiments, the housing can be rotatably affixed to the host (such as firearm) so that it may rotate along the first optical path. This way, the side face can be viewed from any direction as the housing rotates along the first optical path and the appropriate viewing angle can be adjusted.

In certain aspects, the panoramic sight system is attached on a fire hose sprinkler and is used to extinguish fires when the fireman is forced to operate behind a corner or an obstacle. For example, the fireman may utilize the panoramic sight system while breaking a door within a burning home and viewing the scene or operating the sprinkler while positioned perpendicular to the entrance path. Accordingly, the user may evaluate the room situation or aim the water jet accurately to the selected fire sources, while minimizing exposure to hot air/ burning particles, smoke, debris or thermal radiation.

In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of phrases like "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "some embodiments", do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment. Reference in the specification to "some embodiments", "an embodiment", "one embodiment", or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions.

It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

The principles and uses of the teachings of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description, figures, and examples.

It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construe a limitation to an application of the invention.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above.

It is to be understood that the terms "including", "comprising", "consisting", and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps, or integers.

If the specification or claims refer to "an additional" element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element.

It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic "may", "might", "can", or "could" be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks.

The term "method" may refer to manners, means, techniques, and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques, and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques, and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

The descriptions, examples, methods, and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting, but rather as illustrative only.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.

The present invention may be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

Any publications, including patents, patent applications and articles, referenced or mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in the description of some embodiments of the invention shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention.