Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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VIEWING OPTIC WITH GRIP TEXTURE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to and is a non-provisional application of
U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/992,586 filed March 20, 2020, which is
incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0001] The disclosure relates to viewing optics, and more particularly to a
gun sight. In one
embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having at least one
textured area.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Over the years, viewing optics have been developed to permit the user
of small arms such
as rifles, muskets, revolvers, shotguns, machine guns, and pistols, to align
the weapon accurately
relative to a target such that a projectile fired from the weapon may hit the
target reliably. Such
viewing optics, or sighting device or gun sights, may be seen as falling into
two broad groups,
namely, "active" and "passive" sights.
[0003] Active sights typically illuminate a target with some form of radiation
and rely on a
reflection of the radiation from the target to ensure correct alignment of the
weapon with the target.
An example of an active sight is commonly referred to as a laser sight. A
laser sight generates a
beam of laser light that is projected onto the target field such that the
light beam actually
illuminates the point of impact at a certain range. Such sights are highly
effective in certain
conditions, but suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, depending
on the conditions,
the target may be able to see the light beam or its reflection, and when there
are multiple weapons
illuminating the same target it may become difficult for each user to know
which reflection is
associated with which firearm.
[0004] Passive sights typically rely on ambient illumination of the target and
include the familiar
open sights or "iron sights" comprising a front sight (e.g., a disport sight
such as a blade or tang
disposed at the front end of the barrel of a weapon) and a rear sight (e.g., a
complementary notch,
groove, or circular aperture disposed at the rear end of the receiver or slide
of the weapon). Passive
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sights also include telescopic sights that use a reticle, such as a set of
adjustable crosshairs disposed
inside the optics of a magnifying or non-magnifying telescope.
[0005] One type of passive sight, commonly referred to as a reflex sight, uses
a refractive or
reflective optical system to generate a collimated beam of light that is
projected toward the user to
create an illuminated reticle. The resulting plane wave seen by the user
appears as a small,
approximately circular disc of light that is focused at infinity. In a
standard open reflex sight, this
illuminated reticle is projected such that it is superimposed over a field of
view observed through
the sight. This allows the user to see the target field through the sight as
well as the illuminated
reticle (e.g., an illuminated red dot) in one eye simultaneously. This gives
the user a theoretically
parallax-free image of the reticle, superimposed over the field of view
through the sight.
Exemplary reflex sights include mini red dot sights (MRDSs).
[0006] Another type of passive gun sight that is particularly advantageous in
close combat and
similar situations is often referred to as an "occluded eye gun sight" (OEG).
A common form of
an OEG is essentially a closed reflex sight, in which the field of view
through the sight is occluded
such that the user sees the illuminated dot of the reflex sight superimposed
over a blank background
instead of an open field of view through the sight. When using such an OEG,
the user's dominant
eye is blocked or occluded by the OEG such that it does not see the target and
instead sees only
the illuminated dot.
[0007] Regardless of the type of sighting device, a shooter/user will often
mount the sighting
device to a pistol, particularly to the slide of the pistol. On a pistol, the
slide moves backward to
feed rounds into the chamber and eject the shells after firing. In certain
scenarios, a user might
choose to manipulate the pistol slide using the sighting device. In many
situations, the sighting
device is much easier to grab and manipulate in comparison to certain sections
of the slide.
Actuating the slide by utilizing the sighting device provides a much larger
and protruding object
to hold, which takes less dexterity by the user and could be considered gross
motor movements.
In a worst-case scenario, the user can still manipulate the slide by using the
sighting device if one
of his or her hands becomes incapacitated.
[0008] Thus, there exists a need for sighting devices that can be manipulated
by the user in an
effective and efficient manner.
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SUMMARY
[0009] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a viewing optic. In
accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure, the viewing optic comprises at least
one side with a texture
on at least a portion of the at least one side.
[0010] In an embodiment, the at least one side with a texture is a front side.
In another
embodiment, the entirety of the front side includes the texture. In another
embodiment, a portion
of the front side includes the texture. In a further embodiment, the viewing
optic further includes
a rear side, left side and right side extending upward from a base.
[0011] In an embodiment, the texture comprises a feature selected from the
group consisting of
pyramids, dimples, lines, grooves, circles, squares, and combinations thereof.
In a further
embodiment, the texture has a height from 0.001 mm to 10 mm. In yet a further
embodiment, the
texture has a depth from 0.001 mm to 10 mm. In another embodiment, the texture
comprises a
plurality of pyramids.
[0012] In an embodiment, the viewing optic is a red dot sight.
[0013] In an embodiment, the disclosure provides a system. In accordance with
embodiments of
the present disclosure, the system comprises a firearm and a viewing optic in
accordance with any
embodiment or combination of embodiments described herein.
[0014] In an embodiment, the disclosure provides a system. In accordance with
embodiments of
the present disclosure, the system comprises a firearm and a viewing optic,
wherein the viewing
optic comprises at least one side with a texture on at least a portion of the
at least one side.
[0015] In an embodiment, the at least one side with texture is a front side.
In a further embodiment,
the entirety of the front side includes the texture. In still another
embodiment, the firearm includes
a slide, and the viewing optic is secured to the slide. In a further
embodiment, the firearm is a
pistol.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed with reference to the
accompanying drawings
and are for illustrative purposes only. The disclosure is not limited in its
application to the details
of construction or the arrangement of the components illustrated in the
drawings. The disclosure
is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in other
various ways. Like
reference numerals are used to indicate like components. In the drawings:
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[0017] FIG. 1 is a representative depiction of a firearm, in particular a
pistol, in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a representative depiction of a firearm, in particular a
pistol, with a sighting device
mounted at the back of the pistol, in accordance with embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 2.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a representative depiction of a sighting device with at least
one textured surface
in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a sighting device with at least
one textured surface in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0022] Before explaining embodiments of the disclosure in detail, it is to be
understood that the
disclosure 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 technology
of this present disclosure is capable of other embodiments or 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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein will now be described more
fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the
disclosure are shown.
The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may, however, be embodied in many
different
forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these
embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete
and will fully
convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0024] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the set of
features and/or capabilities
may be readily adapted within the context of a standalone viewing optic, such
as a weapons sight,
front-mount or rear-mount clip-on weapons sight, and other permutations of
field deployed optical
weapons sights. Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that various combinations
of features and capabilities may be incorporated into add-on modules for
retrofitting existing fixed
or variable viewing optics of any variety.
[0025] The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate, and thus may
include values
outside of the range unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges include all
values from and
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including the lower and the upper values (unless specifically stated
otherwise), in increments of
one unit, provided that there is a separation of at least two units between
any lower value and any
higher value. As an example, if a compositional, physical or other property,
such as, for example,
distance, speed, velocity, etc., is from 10 to 100, it is intended that all
individual values, such as
10, 11, 12, etc., and sub ranges, such as 10 to 44, 55 to 70, 97 to 100, etc.,
are expressly enumerated.
For ranges containing values which are less than one or containing fractional
numbers greater than
one (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01
or 0.1, as appropriate. For
ranges containing single digit numbers less than ten (e.g., 1 to 5), one unit
is typically considered
to be 0.1. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all
possible combinations
of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated,
are to be
considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure. Numerical ranges are
provided within this
disclosure for, among other things, distances from a user of a device to a
target.
[0026] Spatial terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper,"
and the like, may
be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's
relationship to another
element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood
that the spatially relative
terms are intended to encompass different orientations of device in use or
operation in addition to
the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device is turned
over, elements
described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be
orientated "above"
the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass
both an
orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated
90 or at other
orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly.
[0027] As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the
associated listed terms. For example, when used in a phrase such as "A and/or
B," the phrase
"and/or" is intended to include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B
(alone). Likewise, the term
"and/or" as used in a phrase such as "A, B and/or C" is intended to encompass
each of the following
embodiments: A, B and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B;
B and C; A
(alone); B (alone); and C (alone).
[0028] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as
being "on," "connected
to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on,
connected to or coupled to the
other element or layer. Alternatively, intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast,
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when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly
connected to," or "directly
coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or
layers present.
[0029] As used herein, "texture" means a series of impressions and/or elevated
areas, relative to
the average height of a planar surface, such as, for example, a planar surface
of a sighting device.
Planar surfaces of a sighting device that may have a texture include, but are
not limited to, a front
face, a first side, a second side, and a back side of a sighting device. In
one embodiment, a texture
refers to any three-dimensional pattern. A texture may vary and/or incorporate
different patterns.
[0030] As used herein, the terms "user" or "shooter" interchangeably refer to
either the operator
making the shot or an individual observing the shot in collaboration with the
operator making the
shot.
[0031] As used herein, the term "viewing optic" refers to an apparatus or
assembly used by a user,
a shooter or a spotter to select, identify and/or monitor a target. A viewing
optic may rely on visual
observation of the target or, for example, on infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV),
radar, thermal,
microwave, magnetic imaging, radiation including X-ray, gamma ray, isotope and
particle
radiation, night vision, vibrational receptors including ultra-sound, sound
pulse, sonar, seismic
vibration, magnetic resonance, gravitational receptors, broadcast frequencies
including radio
wave, television and cellular receptors, or other image of the target. The
image of the target
presented to a user/shooter/spotter by a viewing optic may be unaltered, or it
may be enhanced, for
example, by magnification, amplification, subtraction, superimposition,
filtration, stabilization,
template matching, or other means. The target selected, identified and/or
monitored by a viewing
optic may be within the line of sight of the shooter or tangential to the
sight of the shooter. In
other embodiments, the shooter's line of sight may be obstructed while the
viewing optic presents
a focused image of the target. The image of the target acquired by the viewing
optic may, for
example, be analog or digital, and shared, stored, archived or transmitted
within a network of one
or more shooters and spotters by, for example, video, physical cable or wire,
IR, radio wave,
cellular connections, laser pulse, optical 802.1 lb or other wireless
transmission using, for example,
protocols such as html. SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, etc., BluetoothTM, Serial, USB
or other suitable
image distribution method. The term "viewing optic" is used interchangeably
with "optic sight."
[0032] As used herein, a "firearm" is a portable gun, being a barreled weapon
that launches one
or more projectiles often driven by the action of an explosive force. As used
herein, the term
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"firearm" includes a handgun, a long gun, a rifle, a shotgun, a carbine,
automatic weapons, semi-
automatic weapons, a machine gun, a sub-machine gun, an automatic rifle and an
assault rifle.
[0033] As used herein, the term "outward scene" refers to a real world scene,
including but not
limited to a target.
[0034] As used herein, the term "zeroing" refers to aligning the point of aim
(what the shooter is
aiming at) and the point of impact (where the bullet fired from the firearm is
actually hitting) at a
specific distance. In one embodiment, zeroing is the process of adjusting a
rifle scope or other
viewing optic to a setting in which accurate allowance has been made for both
windage and
elevation for a specified range.
[0035] In one embodiment, a sighting device may be curable, moldable,
imprintable, etchable,
engravable, or otherwise capable of being imparted with a desired texture
surface. When present,
a texture may comprise a plurality of impressions and/or elevated areas that
may be patterned
and/or may be randomly arranged. The impressions may be in the form of, for
example, lines or
grooves, the depth of which may vary. In one embodiment, the impressions have
a depth of from
about 0.001 mm to about 10 mm, or alternatively from about 0.001 mm to about
0.1 mm, or
alternatively from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or alternatively from about 0.1
mm to about 0.5
mm, as measured from the average height of the planar surface on which the
texture is applied.
The texture may be visible without visual aids such as a magnifying glass or
microscope set at
10X or 100X magnification setting.
[0036] In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an assembly that includes
a sight body, optical
element, and a textured surface on the sight body. In one embodiment, the
textured surface is
located on at least a portion of the front side of the sight body. In another
embodiment, the
disclosure relates to an assembly that includes a sight body with a right
side, left side, front side,
rear side and top side, an optical element and a textured surface on the front
side of the sight body.
In still a further embodiment, the textured surface is located on at least two
sides of the sight body.
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary firearm 100 to which a viewing optic
may be secured. In
the embodiment shown, the exemplary firearm 100 is a pistol. As shown in FIG.
1, the firearm
100 has a frame 10, which in the embodiment shown is a polymer frame, which
forms a grasping
portion with a backstrap 12 and a magazine well 28 into which projectiles are
loaded. Further
shown are the trigger guard 36 and trigger with trigger safety 38 and takedown
lever 35. The slide
20 is at the upper part of the frame 10 with the frame rail 15. The slide 20
moves backward to
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feed cartridges or rounds into the chamber and eject the shells or casings
after firing the firearm
100. Projectile cartridges are loaded into the chamber and ejected through the
muzzle 29. The
extractor 22 removes the casing of previously fired cartridges, and they are
expelled from the
firearm at the ejection port 25. Also show are the firearm's 100 iron sight
composed of the front
sight 30 and rear sight 32.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary viewing optic or sighting device 200
mounted at the back
of the firearm 100. FIG. 3 shows a portion of FIG. 2 in further detail. As
shown in FIGS. 2 and
3, the sighting device 200 is secured to the slide 20 of the firearm 100 at
the rear end of the slide
23. In particularly, the sighting device 200 is secured to the slide 20 such
that it moves with the
slide 23. In certain scenarios, a user might choose to manipulate the slide 20
using the sighting
device 200 due to its convenient placement and size. If a user manipulates the
slide 20 using the
sighting device 200, the common surface to do so is the almost vertical front
side 210. The hard,
broad surface is easily findable even in low lighting conditions and allows
hands, objects or
auxiliary items to contact the surface and move the slide 20 backwards. The
front side 210 is also
larger than the other surfaces of the sighting device 200 and even portions of
the slide 20 itself.
As a result, actuating the slide 20 using the sighting device 200 takes less
dexterity by the user and
could be considered gross motor movements. In a worst-case scenario, the user
can still
manipulate the slide by using the sighting device if one of their hands
becomes incapacitated.
[0039] FIGS. 4 and 5 are representative depictions of a sighting device 200,
which in the
embodiment shown is a MRDS. The sighting device 200 has a base portion 205.
The front side
210, a rear side (not shown), and left and right sides 208 extend generally
upwardly from the base
portion 205. The top side 209 extends between the upper edges of each of the
front side 210, rear
side, and left and right sides 208. Together, the front side 210, rear side,
left and right sides 208,
and top side 209 contain the illumination system and other components that
make the sighting
device functional. An optical element (not shown), such as a lens, may be
contained in the front
side 210. In some embodiments, a rear transparent cover (not shown), such as
glass, may be
contained in the rear side. When only the optical element in the front side
210 is present, the
MRDS is an "open" MRDS. When a rear transparent cover is present as well, the
MRDS is a
"closed" MRDS. The base 205 also includes an attachment means (such as a
mounting screw) and
various adjustment devices (such as adjustment screws), which are not shown in
the Figures for
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clarity. Similarly, a battery would also be secured in the sighting device 200
and protected by a
battery cap, though the battery and battery cap are not shown for clarity.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one of the left and right sides
208, and in some
embodiments both the left and right sides 208, include a control 220 for
controlling one or more
properties of the sighting device, such as brightness. While the control 220
shown is a depressible
button arranged partially on the left side 208 and partly on the base 205, in
further embodiments,
the control 220 may be any type of adjustment means or combination of
adjustment means, such
as, for example, depressible buttons, toggles, knobs, slides, etc. The control
may also be arranged
differently on the left and/or right sides 208, base 205, or other portion of
the sighting device 200.
Further, the control may include any number of such adjustment means,
including but not limited
to a single control, or more than two controls. Similarly, one or more of the
controls may be
configured to adjust a property of the viewing optic other than brightness,
and the controls may be
configured to control different properties.
[0041] With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the front side 210 includes a
texture 215 along at
least a portion of its surface. More particularly, in the embodiment shown the
front side 210
includes a texture 215 over a majority, or preferably all, of its surface. The
texture 215 helps keep
the sighting device 200 in its position and prevent slipping. The texture 215
also provides tactile
feedback to a user that the correct surface is being grasped and assists a
user in maintaining grip
on the sighting device 200.
[0042] In the specific embodiment shown, the texture 215 is a plurality of
pyramid-like structures
which have peaks that extend a distance away from the plane of the front side
210 and troughs
between the pyramids which extend deeper than the plane of the front side 210.
In further
embodiments, the texture 215 may have a different geometry or configuration,
including, but not
limited to, dimples, lines, grooves, circles, squares or any feature or
combination of these and other
features that would provide a tactile sensation to a user and help keep the
sighting device 200 in
position.
[0043] While in the embodiment shown the texture 215 is provided only on the
front side 210 of
the sighting device 200, and more specifically on the entirety of the front
side 210, it will be
appreciated that in further embodiments, only a portion or multiple portions
of the front side 210
may include a texture and/or one or more additional sides (e.g., rear side,
left and/or right side 208,
and top side 209) may include a texture on all or one or more portions. In an
embodiment, the
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sighting device 200 includes a texture 215 on at least a portion of the front
side 210, rear side, left
and/or right side 208, and/or top side 209. In an embodiment, the sighting
device 200 includes at
least two sides with a texture. In an embodiment, the sighting device 200
includes at least three
sides with a texture. In an embodiment, the sighting device 200 includes at
least four sides with a
texture. In such embodiments, the textures of the different sides may be the
same or different. In
an embodiment, the sighting device 200 includes at least two sides with the
same texture on at
least a portion of the at least two sides.
[0044] In one embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210 and
rear side with texture.
In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210 and a
left side 208 with
texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210
and a right side 208
with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side
210 and a top side
209 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front
side 210, a rear side
and left side 208 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device
includes a front side
210, a rear side, and a right side 208 with texture. In another embodiment,
the sighting device
includes a front side 210, a rear side and top side 209 with texture. In
another embodiment, the
sighting device includes a front side 210, left and right sides 208, a rear
side and top side 209 with
texture.
[0045] In still another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side
210 and left and right
sides 208 with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device include a
front side 210, a left
side 208 and a rear side with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting
device includes a front
side 210, a left side 208 and a top side 209 with texture. In another
embodiment, the sighting
device includes a front side 210, a left side 208, a rear side, and a top side
209 with texture.
[0046] In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, a
right side 208 and
a rear side with texture. In another embodiment, the sighting device includes
a front side 210, a
right side 208, and a top side 209 with texture. In another embodiment, the
sighting device includes
a front side 210, a right side 208, a rear side and a top side 209 with
texture
[0047] In another embodiment, the sighting device includes a front side 210, a
rear side and a top
side 209 with texture.
[0048] In a non-limiting example, to function as a texture 215, as the term is
used herein, it is
beneficial for the texture 215 to extend a certain distance away from the
front side 210 and/or
extend a certain distance into the front side 210. For purposes of discussion,
the distance a texture
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extends outward from a surface is referred to as "height" and the distance a
texture extends into a
surface is referred to as "depth." In an embodiment, the texture has a height
from about 0.001 mm
to about 10 mm, or alternatively from about 0.001 mm to about 0.1 mm, or
alternatively from
about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or alternatively from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5
mm, as measured
from the average height of the planar surface on which the texture is applied.
In an embodiment,
the texture has a height from about 0.001 mm, or 0.01 mm, or 0.1 mm to about
0.5 mm, or 1 mm,
or 5 mm, or 10 mm. In an embodiment, the texture has a depth from about 0.001
mm to about 10
mm, or alternatively from about 0.001 mm to about 0.1 mm, or alternatively
from about 0.1 mm
to about 1 mm, or alternatively from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, as measured
from the average
height of the planar surface on which the texture is applied. In an
embodiment, the texture has a
depth from about 0.001 mm, or 0.01 mm, or 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm, or 1 mm, or
5 mm, or 10
MM.
[0049] In an embodiment, the texture 215 is applied to the front side 210 and
any other side using
injection molding, metal casted part, machining or any other method suitable
in the art.
[0050] Although the mounting system is described with reference to a MRDS, a
variety of other
viewing optics may be provided with a texture on at least a portion of a front
side, as describe
herein. In some embodiments, the sighting device is an "active" sight. In some
embodiments, the
sighting device is a "passive" sight. In some embodiments, the sighting device
includes but is not
limited to a laser sight, an open sight, an iron sight, a reflex sight, and a
red dot sight. In one
embodiment, the sighting device is a red dot sight. In a particular
embodiment, the sighting device
is a MRDS. In an embodiment, the MRDS is an open MRDS. In another embodiment,
the MRDS
is a closed MRDS.
[0051] While various embodiments of the sighting device have been described in
detail, it should be
apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which
fall within the true spirit
and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is
to be realized that the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the disclosed technology,
to include variations
in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly
and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent
relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to
be encompassed by
the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative
only of the principles
of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will
readily occur to those
skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation
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shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and
equivalents may be resorted
to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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