ADJUSTABLE COVER FOR USE WITH FIBER OPTIC BAND MOUNTED ATOP AN ADVANCED COMBAT OPTICAL GUNSIGHT IN ORDER TO ADJUST INTENSITY OF ILLUMINATED RETICLE

Abstract

An attachable and length adjustable cover for use with a fiber optic light receptor band associated with an optical gunsight for varying an amount of light which is permitted to enter the fiber optic of the rifle scope and be communicated to the associated reticle display. A body overlays the fiber optic band and includes a plurality of telescopically adjustable sections which overlays at least a corresponding portion of the optic band and which is movable in at least one direction to vary an exposed portion of the band which is available for collecting ambient light.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 61/530,453 filed Sep. 2, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention teaches an attachable and length adjustable cover for use with a fiber optic light receptor band associated with an advanced combat optical (ACOG) gunsight and which modulates an amount of light which is permitted to enter the fiber optic of the rifle scope and be communicated to the associated reticle display.

2. Background of the Relevant Art

The prior art is well documented with weapon mounted optical accessories such as including what is known as an advanced combat optical gunsight (ACOG) which exhibits an overhead exposed optical fiber light collecting band. One known type of fiber optic band is produced by Trijicon as part of its ACOG gunsight and operates to adjust the brightness level and contrast of the internal reticle corresponding to available light conditions. This is described in fair detail below with reference to FIGS. 1-3 of the Prior Art.

Given further the exceptional light gathering characteristics of such optical fiber collecting bands, they have a tendency of providing too much light to the interior reticle display (this defined as the visible crosshairs of fine lines or fibers in the eyepiece of the sight), in particular during instances of brighter nighttime conditions, including such as a full moon, the result being whiteout conditions being created within the reticle display. One attempt to address this problem has been to place a piece of tape, such as a black electrical tape, over the optical band and in order to reveal only a portion which is guessed to correspond to that necessary for providing adequate light gathering functionality. Shortcomings associated with this include both the inconvenience of having to carry an additional item around, the necessity of trial and error in determining how much tape to use and where to place it, as well as the tendency of the tape to fall off after any prolonged use.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses a number of variations of attachable and length adjustable covers for use with a fiber optic light receptor band associated with an optical gunsight, for varying an amount of light which is permitted to enter the fiber optic of the rifle scope and be communicated to the associated reticle display. The cover includes a body overlaying the fiber optic band.

In one variant, the body includes any plurality of telescoping sections which overlays a corresponding portion of the optic band and which is movable in at least one direction to vary an exposed portion of the band which is available for collecting ambient light. The telescoping sections can include any of opaque or selectively light transmitting composition. As is further depicted, each of the telescoping portions exhibits, in cross section, an arcuate configuration closely dimensioned to overlay the fiber optic band.

A grasping tab can extend from an outermost end of an end-extendable shade portion and facilitates a desired degree of shade covering over the fiber optic band. Other features include an elongated and one piece clip on design containing the plurality of telescoping shade portions, the body including at least one of side and end positioned tabs for facilitating engagement to corresponding locations on the gunsight. The clip further exhibits inner engagement tabs biasing against outer corresponding edges of upper ears of the gunsight and between which is seated the fiber optic band.

In a further variant, a thin filament skirt integrally extends from the body and is adapted to being sandwiched underneath an adjustor knob cap associated with the optical gunsight. In another variant, an arcuate contoured covering shield exhibits an end rotatable thumb screw supported within the body and being selectively actuated to reveal varying amounts of the underside located fiber optic band.

Additional variants include an LED element built into a location associated with the body for assisting in illuminating the fiber optic band, with a power component being in communication with the LED element. The power component is adapted to securing to a side location of the optical gunsight, a cable or line communicating the power component to the LED element.

In a further variant associated with a reverse situation of not enough available ambient light for communicating to the interior reticle, a portable power supply can further be provided and which includes a battery activated by the user triggering an on/off button, this in order to illuminate the LED for providing any desired degree of artificial light input to the fiber optic band. The power supplying component can be integrally formed with an extending side location of the body such that it optionally may, but need not, be separately secured to the proximate side surface of the optical gunsight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a Prior Art view in perspective of one example of an ACOG gunsight exhibiting an optical fiber band;

FIG. 2 is a further operational view also according to the Prior Art and illustrating the ACOG gunsight mounted to a top rail of a firearm;

FIG. 3 is a still further enlarged perspective according to the Prior Art and better illustrating the fiber optic light collecting band extending across a top surface of the ACOG gunsight;

FIG. 4 is an exploded illustration of a length adjustable cover for mounting over the fiber optic band according to one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective illustrating the cover in a collapsed position corresponding to a maximum light intensity gathering condition of the fiber optic band;

FIG. 6 is a frontal view of the cover in FIG. 5 and better depicting the overlapping relationship established by the telescopically collapsed cover portions;

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate a series of side, top, front and rear views of an adjustable cover according to a still further variant and which can be clip attached to the gunsight in overlaying fashion relative to the fiber optical band;

FIG. 8A is an illustration of a variant of cover for use with a fiber optic light receptor band in a substantially extended covering configuration and further depicting additional retaining means in the form an integrally extending skirt of such as a thin filament material for engaging underneath the adjuster knob cap;

FIG. 8B is a succeeding view to FIG. 8A and depicting the telescoping window configuration associated with the cover in a substantially retracted and fiber optic band revealing position;

FIG. 9A is an illustration of a further cover variant and illustrating an end rotating thumb screw which rotates a contoured and lengthwise extending shield so as to reveal varying degrees of the fiber optic band;

FIG. 9B is a sectional perspective of the thumb screw and covering shield separated from the covering housing to better depict its configuration;

FIG. 9C a representative top view schematic of the thumb screw and shield in FIG. 9B in a substantially covered position within the overlaying covering housing;

FIG. 10 is a further variant of the cover with collapsible subset portions and further depicting a built in LED element for assisting in illuminating the fiber optic band in cooperation with a power component adapted for securing to a side location of the ACOG gunsight; and

FIG. 11 is a modified variant to that depicted in FIG. 10 and further illustrating the power supplying component integrally formed with an extending side location of the covering housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As previously described, the present invention discloses a variety of attachable and length adjustable cover designs for use with a fiber optic light receptor band associated with an advanced combat optical (ACOG) gunsight, such replacing the prior art technique of applying an adhesive (black) tape such as an electrical tape over part or all of the fiber optic band and in order to modulate an amount of light which is permitted to enter the fiber optic of the rifle scope and be communicated to the associated reticle display. Such use of prior art tape has been found to be unworkable in most environments as the performance of the tape degrades, requiring constant replacement. Conversely, leaving the tape in place for an extended period of time will result in unwanted adhesive residue remaining over the fiber optic band following eventual removal of the tape.

With reference now to each of FIGS. 1-3, a series of Prior Art views are depicted of an ACOG gunsight 2 exhibiting an overhead exposed optical fiber light collecting band 4. As best shown in FIG. 1, a lower rail supporting portion 6 of the gunsight 2 includes a width adjustable track or channel, via turn screws, and which facilitates mounting of the gunsight 2 to such as a top extending rail 8 (see FIG. 2) of a firearm (further including but not limited to such as an M4 carbine, M16/AR15 rifle or other suitable projectile type weapon for which a gunsight can be advantageously employed. As further evident from the enlarged perspective in FIG. 3, the fiber optic light collecting band 4 extends in lengthwise fashion along a generally top surface of ACOG gunsight 2 and is generally sandwiched between a pair of elongated and side-by-side upwardly extending ears or tabs 10 and 12.

Without providing an overly detailed explanation of the existing technology and features associated with the ACOG gunsight, such as are known in the art, these include exterior windage and elevation adjustments for a fixed magnified scope (such as on the order of 4×-6× magnification) and which utilizes the fiber optical band for collecting ambient light. The fluorescent fiber optical gathering system causes an internally located reticle to glow (such as brightly during the day and less brightly in the evening or nighttime). A glow in the dark element such as tritium is also incorporated into the gunsight 2 such as in order to illuminate the aiming triangle, dot, or crosshairs in low or no ambient light conditions and in order to provide more effective sighting in such conditions.

As is further known, the optical fiber band 4 are well known for use as fiberscopes for imaging applications and typically exhibit a generally parabolic shape collector for tracking and concentrating ambient (sun) light to its inner core for transmission to the sight reticle. The reticle is further defined as a net of fine lines or fibers located within the eyepiece of the sighting device and which are illuminated to a degree corresponding to the amount of light collected and transmitted from the fiber optic band 4.

The prior art tape previously referenced above is a conditional response to such as daylight conditions in which a light gathering capability of a fiber optic band overly stimulates the sight reticle to glow to a blinding (whiteout) degree in which effective sighting is compromised as a result of the light bleeding beyond the reticles. In such conditions, the desire to partially cover some or all of the fiber optic band 4 is desirable in order to reduce the amount of light delivered to the reticle display and so that it glows within an acceptable and optimal range for comfortable sight visualization by the user.

Given the above, and proceeding to FIG. 4, illustrated is an exploded illustration of a length adjustable shade or cover (also termed as a fiber optic light adjuster or FLA), this including a selected plurality of individually telescoping portions 14, 16 and 18 for mounting over the fiber optic band 4 according to one non-limiting embodiment. The concept behind the adjustable shade/cover is to replace the impractical tape coverings in the prior art and to provide an integrated and easily operable/adjustable device for varying an exposed portion of the fiber optic band 4 in response to varying ambient light conditions.

While not limited to any specific material, one non-limiting variant envisions each of the shade sections 14-18 exhibiting a generally opaque composition, this enabling a degree of ambient light reaching the fiber band 4 to be effectively modulated dependent upon the various positions established by the overlapping sections. Beyond the volume of light being interrupted by the individual shade sections when extended over the fiber optic band 4, it is further appreciated that a given degree of overlapping coverage established between specified subsections, this further given their individual opaque (partially translucent) consistency and which may further allow any subset volume of ambient light to be collected. As a result, fine tuning or modulation of the light collected and directed to the interior sight reticle is established by a degree of overlapping contact between the shade sections, and as a potentially independent or interdependent variable to a portion of the fiber optic band either covered or uncovered by the extension/retraction of the shade sections.

FIG. 5 further depicts a partial perspective of the cover in a collapsed position, this corresponding to a maximum light intensity gathering condition of the fiber optic band 4, with FIG. 6 depicting a corresponding frontal view of the overlapping relationship established by the telescopically collapsed cover portions 14, 16 and 18. It is understood that the telescoping covering portions 14-18 typically will exhibit, as depicted in cross section, any polygonal or arcuate (such as a pseudo parabolic) configuration and such that, upon being affixed in a desired fashion such as upon the upper ears 10 and 12 of the sight, closely dimension to an overlay the fiber optic band 4.

Additional features incorporated into the FLA adjustable shade include any suitable interconnecting relationship (not shown) established between the respective sections 14-18, these facilitating extension/retraction without the incidence of separation. Further, the construction of the shade can be such that a largest base component, e.g. that depicted at 14, can be anchored, clipped or otherwise affixed to the top surface of the sight (including its spaced ears 10 and 12) proximate an end location of the fiber optic band 4 and so that the remaining telescoping sections 16 and 18 can be extensible therefrom in order to cover any portion of the band 4.

Alternatively, an outer fixed and elongated frame (not illustrated in this variant) can be provided in perimeter surrounding fashion around the fiber optic band 4 and which guides or seats the individual shade components 14-18 in their various incrementally adjustable positions. It is also understood that additional features, such as a grasping tab 20 extending from an outermost end of an end-extendable shade portion 18 can facilitate a desired degree of shade covering over the fiber optic band 4, and that maintaining a desired incremental adjusted position can be further enhanced by the incorporation of any suitable ratchet or frictionally enhanced engagement between the opposing surfaces of the individual portions 14-18.

Referring further to FIGS. 7A-7D, illustrated are a series of side, top, front and rear views of an adjustable cover according to a still further variant and which can be clip attached to the gunsight 2 in overlaying fashion relative to the fiber optical band 4. The side view of FIG. 7A illustrates an elongated and one piece clip on design in which a main extending body 22 includes integrally and arcuately extending/opposing side tabs 24, and along with an end 26 positioned tab facilitate engagement to corresponding locations on the spaced ears 10 and 12 of the gunsight.

The downward looking view of FIG. 7B further depicts a plurality of shade portions 28-36 (these also shown in phantom in FIG. 7A) which are supported within an inner frame configuration associated with the top surface of the elongated clip (see further perimeter defining frame 38 associated with the main body 22). The shade portions 28-36, as previously described, can include any type of material, such as not limited to a polymeric composition exhibiting a measured degree of opaqueness or translucency, and in which the portions are telescopically extended or retracted to achieve a desired degree of exposure of the fiber optic band 4.

As further shown, selected shade portion 28 can function as a base component anchored (see pin 40) at an end of the interior frame defined opening of the clip body 22, and relative to which the remaining shade components 30-36 are selectively expanded/retracted in order to define a range of overlapping optic band coverage. Finally, FIGS. 7C and 7D illustrate end views of the attachable clip body 22, these further including inner engagement tabs 42 (see FIG. 7D) which bias against outer corresponding edges of the upper ears 10 and 12 associated with the fiber optic band 4.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, an illustration is generally shown at 44 of a further variant of a cover and attachable housing according to another version for use with a fiber optic light receptor band. An elongated housing 46 exhibits an elongated inner perimeter 48 which exhibits an elongated slot within which are seated a plurality individual (e.g. telescopic) shield portions 50, 52, 54, et seq. which, when fully extended as shown by directional arrow 56, substantially covers the opening.

As described in earlier variants, any combination of flex tabs (see as exemplary shown at 58 and 60) can be defined along (or integrally extend from) the undersides and forward end of the covering housing in order to snap-engage in place over the existing ACOG gunsight 2 in a fashion such that it secures to the upper extending ears 10 and 12. Additional retaining features include depiction of an integrally extending skirt, such as shown by a thin filament material 62. As again shown in FIG. 1, the ACOG 2 includes an adjustor knob cap 64 which can be temporarily removed and, upon overlaying the skirt 20 upon the exposed underside threads, threadably reattached in order to engage the filament skirt 62, thereby providing a secondary holding feature in the event that the tabs 58 and 60 become disengaged from either the side extending ears 10 and 12 or forward rim location of the ACOG 2. Referring further to FIG. 8B, which is a succeeding view to FIG. 8A, a non-limiting and exemplary depiction is shown of a substantially retracted telescoping window configuration, see arrow 66 in comparison to arrow 56 in FIG. 8a, and with the cover in a substantially retracted and fiber optic band revealing position.

Proceeding to FIG. 9A, an illustration is generally shown at 68 of a further cover variant and illustrating an end rotating thumb screw 70 which rotates a contoured and lengthwise extending shield depicting a contoured edge profile which reveals varying degrees of the fiber optic band, this further being depicted by both solid 72 and phantom 74 pattern lines revealing varying amounts of the underside fiber optic band (again at 4 incorporated into ACOG 2 as shown in each of FIGS. 1-3). FIG. 9B is a sectional perspective of the thumb screw 70 and contoured covering shield, again referencing its contoured and revealing edge profile 72, and in which the one piece rotatable component is separated from the covering housing to better depict its configuration and to highlight its ability to selectively reveal a desired surface area of the optic band 4 depending upon the rotational adjustment of the screw 70, and as an alternative to the overlapping telescopic arrangement previously described.

As understood, the shield 72 is rotationally supported around the band and relative to the supporting structure of the outer ACOG housing (see as further shown at 76 in FIG. 9A) in such a fashion as to permit the thumb screw and shield to be rotated a limited rotational distance to enable a varying amount of exposure of the upper perimeter opening according to the desires of the user. FIG. 9C is a representative top view schematic is shown at 78 of the thumb screw and shield in FIG. 9B in a substantially covered position (as depicted by covering profile edge 80) within the overlaying covering housing;

FIG. 10 is a further variant, generally at 82, of a fiber optic band cover, again with collapsible subset portions (this also contemplating a rotating thumbscrew 81 and contoured shield 83 similar to that as shown in FIG. 9B) and further depicting a built in LED element 84 for assisting in illuminating the fiber optic band 4, this in cooperation with a power component 86 adapted for securing to a side location of the ACOG gunsight 2, such as through the application of an adhesive or other mechanical fasteners. A cable or line is shown at 88 for communicating the power component 86 to the LED element 84. A power supply, such as a portable Lithium ion or other suitable battery shown in phantom at 90, is activated upon the user triggering an on/off button 92, and in order to illuminate the LED 84 for providing any desired degree of artificial light input to the fiber optic band 4.

Finally, FIG. 11 is a modified variant, at 94 to that depicted in FIG. 10 and further illustrating a redesigned power supplying component 96 which is integrally formed with an extending side location of the covering housing such that it optionally may, but need not, be separately secured to the proximate side surface of the ACOG 2. As depicted in phantom, a pair of batteries 98 and 100 are arranged within the redesigned power supplying component 96 and which are activated by an on/off button, switch or other trigger, see at 92.

Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An attachable and length adjustable cover for use with a fiber optic light receptor band associated with an optical gunsight for varying an amount of light which is permitted to enter the fiber optic of the rifle scope and be communicated to the associated reticle display, comprising:

said cover comprising a body overlaying the fiber optic band, said body having at least one section which overlays the optic band and which is movable in at least one direction to vary an exposed portion of the band which is available for collecting ambient light.

2. The cover as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of individual and telescoping shade portions.

3. The cover as described in claim 2, said telescoping portions each further comprising at least one of an opaque or selectively light transmitting composition.

4. The cover as described in 2, each of said telescoping portions exhibiting, in cross section, an arcuate configuration closely dimensioned to overlay the fiber optic band.

5. The cover as described in claim 2, further comprising a grasping tab extending from an outermost end of an end-extendable shade portion and facilitating a desired degree of shade covering over the fiber optic band.

6. The cover as described in claim 2, further comprising an elongated and one piece clip on design containing said plurality of telescoping shade portions, said body including at least one of side and end positioned tabs for facilitating engagement to corresponding locations on the gunsight.

7. The cover as described in claim 6, said clip further comprising inner engagement tabs biasing against outer corresponding edges of upper ears of the gunsight and between which is seated the fiber optic band.

8. The cover as described in claim 1, further comprising a thin filament skirt integrally extending from said body and which is adapted to being sandwiched underneath an adjustor knob cap associated with the optical gunsight.

9. The cover as described in claim 1, further comprising an arcuate contoured covering shield with end rotatable thumb screw supported within said body and being selectively actuated to reveal varying amounts of the underside located fiber optic band.

10. The cover as described in claim 1, further comprising an LED element built into a location associated with said body for assisting in illuminating the fiber optic band, a power component in communication with the LED element.

11. The cover as described in claim 10, said power component adapted to securing to a side location of the optical gunsight, a cable or line communicating the power component to the LED element.

12. The cover as described in claim 10, further comprising a power supply including a battery activated upon a user triggering an on/off button in order to illuminate the LED for providing any desired degree of artificial light input to the fiber optic band.

13. The cover as described in claim 10, said power supplying component being integrally formed with an extending side location of the body such that it optionally may, but need not, be separately secured to the proximate side surface of the optical gunsight.

14. An attachable and length adjustable cover for use with a fiber optic light receptor band associated with an optical gunsight for varying an amount of light which is permitted to enter the fiber optic of the rifle scope and be communicated to the associated reticle display, comprising:

said cover comprising a body overlaying the fiber optic band, said body having a plurality of individual and telescoping shade portions which overlay the optic band and which are inter-movable in at least one direction to vary an exposed portion of the band available for collecting ambient light; and

an elongated and one piece clip on design containing said plurality of telescoping shade portions, said body including at least one of side and end positioned tabs for facilitating engagement to corresponding locations on the gunsight.

15. The cover as described in claim 14, said telescoping portions each further comprising at least one of an opaque or selectively light transmitting composition.

16. The cover as described in 14, each of said telescoping portions exhibiting, in cross section, an arcuate configuration closely dimensioned to overlay the fiber optic band.

17. The cover as described in claim 14, further comprising a grasping tab extending from an outermost end of an end-extendable shade portion and facilitating a desired degree of shade covering over the fiber optic band.

18. An attachable and length adjustable cover for use with a fiber optic light receptor band associated with an optical gunsight for varying an amount of light which is permitted to enter the fiber optic of the rifle scope and be communicated to the associated reticle display, comprising:

said cover comprising a body overlaying the fiber optic band, said body having at least one section which overlays the optic band and which is movable in at least one direction to vary an exposed portion of the band which is available for collecting ambient light; and

a thin filament skirt integrally extending from said body and which is adapted to being sandwiched underneath an adjustor knob cap associated with the optical gunsight

19. The cover as described in claim 18, further comprising an arcuate contoured covering shield with end rotatable thumb screw supported within said body and being selectively actuated to reveal varying amounts of the underside located fiber optic band.

20. The cover as described in claim 18, further comprising an LED element built into a location associated with said body for assisting in illuminating the fiber optic band, a power component in communication with the LED element.