INTENSITY ADAPTING OPTICAL AIMING RETICLE
An intensity adapting optical aiming system that automatically adjusts the intensity of the reticle to adapt to the light condition of the external light. The aiming system may be mounted to a weapon and the external light may be a weapon mounted light. The aiming system may include an illuminateable reticle and a light connector for transmitting light from the external light to the reticle.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/961,392 filed on Oct. 6, 2022, entitled “INTENSITY ADAPTING OPTICAL AIMING RETICLE,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/014,626 filed on Jun. 21, 2018, entitled “INTENSITY ADAPTING OPTICAL AIMING RETICLE,” and issued on Oct. 11, 2022 as U.S. Pat. No. 11,466,960, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/523,016 filed on Jun. 21, 2017, entitled “WEAPON LIGHT INTENSITY ADAPTING OPTICAL AIMING RETICLE,” all contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe invention is related generally to an aiming sight reticle that is illuminated. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to an illuminated sight reticle for a firearm.
BACKGROUNDOptical aiming devices may be employed in to aid in aiming devices that require accurate direction or sighting, including for example, firearms, other projectile weapons, spotting scopes, and the like. Examples of such aiming devices known in the art may employ a sight to assist in the aiming of the device. Known sights may include lenses, reticles or both. A reticle may generally consist of indicia imposed on the user's field of view that assist with aiming and may include cross hairs, dots and the like.
The reticle, and the sight-assisting portion of the reticle in particular, may be illuminated in various colors. The reticle may be self-illuminated or ambient light powered. In known embodiments of such self-illuminated optics, the reticle becomes difficult if not impossible to see when an auxiliary light source, such as a weapon light (flashlight), is turned on, illuminating the target. This makes the sight useless because the aiming point of the reticle disappears as it is washed out by the activated light source. The light source may be held in the off position until needed and activated at the instant when needed, often for the element of surprise. The aiming point of the reticle is, therefore, instantly needed as the light turns on the target is visible and action by use of the sight is needed almost immediately. However, just at the time the sight is needed, known lighted reticles are unusable as described above.
Known aiming devices provide no solution for this problem. Existing reticles may employ a battery powered optic reticle that illuminates the indicia of the reticle. However, with such devices, the brightness remains constant or is manually adjustable and cannot adapt to the fast changing light conditions caused by activating other light sources including for example a weapon mounted light. Other reticles that use ambient light to illuminate the reticle do not compensate for the brightness of the light on the target and leave the aiming point invisible.
Accordingly, there is a long felt need for an improved apparatus for light adjusting aiming aid.
The figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSWhile the present invention is achievable by various forms of embodiment, there is shown in the drawings and described hereinafter several examples of embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments contained herein as will become more fully apparent from the discussion below. It is further understood that the intensity adapting optical aiming reticle apparatus of the present invention may be used more generally in any application where it is desirable to provide aim assistance in rapidly changing lighting conditions and the like.
Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components related to illuminated reticles. Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
The instant disclosure is provided to further explain in an enabling fashion the best modes of making and using various embodiments in accordance with the present invention. The disclosure is further offered to enhance an understanding and appreciation for the invention principles and advantages thereof, rather than to limit in any manner the invention.
It is further understood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.
An optical aiming device, often comprising a reticle, may be used for aiming assistance, by use of an aiming point whether for binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, weaponry, range finders and the like. The optical aiming device may be a reticle or other aiming point that is illuminateable. The reticle, or at least portions or markings of the reticle are illuminated so that the reticle markings, i.e. the aiming point or points, lines, tick marks, cross hairs, aiming pattern and the like are visible. The illumination intensity of the reticle markings may be adjusted so that the brightness of the reticle markings does not over power the intended target in the viewing sight of the aiming device. Typically in low or even no-light conditions the reticle markings are set to a level that makes them visible to a user but not over powering and therefore making the intended target difficult to see or at least distracting. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0083554A1, which is incorporated herein by reference, teaches an optical sight. The optical sight may include an optical element and a reticle displayed on the optical element. In addition, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,653,034 and 6,807,742 teach a “Reflex sighting device for day and night sighting” and a “Reflex sight with multiple power sources for reticle,” respectively. Both of these patents are also incorporated herein by reference.
As illustrated in
When the light source 107 is activated, light emitted by the source is received by the light input end 101, transmitted by the light connector 102 to the light output end 103, and transmitted into the optical aiming device 108 through the reticle ambient light collector 109. The light is channeled through the light connector 102 from the light source 107 to the aiming device 108. This channeled light is received in the aiming device 108 and directed to the reticle 110, which causes the brightness of the reticle 110, to increase. The light from the light source 107 directly illuminates the reticle 110. The brightness or the illumination by the light source is directly proportional to the brightness of the light source 107. Therefore, when the light source 107 is activated, the brightness level of the reticle 110 increases.
The reticle 110 may already be illuminated through its own illumination source or by ambient light, and when the light source 107 is activated, the brightness of the reticle 110 increases. This allows the reticle 110 to brighten sufficiently to remain visible to the user, and not be washed out due to the higher intensity of light produced by the light source 107.
For example, when using the reticle, e.g. aiming point, cross hairs etc., in very low light, in a first light state, the brightness of the reticle 110 is initially low, matching the current lighting conditions; this state is prior to the light source 107 being illuminated. In this first light state, the low level of illumination of the reticle does not interfere with the viewing of the object being targeted or aimed at while viewing the object through the reticle. Once the light source 107 is turned on, the brightness of the reticle increases so that it remains visible and not washed out by the rapid increase in light due to the activation of the light source 107. The brightness or intensity of the reticle 110 adapts automatically, as it has a fast response time, as the light from the light source 107 is used to simultaneously illuminate the intended target as well as the aiming point of the reticle 110.
As shown in
In embodiment of the apparatus, the light connector 102 uses a fiber optic cable, which may be a Plastic Optic Fiber (POF) to transmit light directly from a flashlight (i.e. the light source 107) to the reticle. The light input end 101 in one embodiment may be the end of the fiber optic cable. In one embodiment the end of the fiber optic cable may be pointed directly at the light source 107. In other embodiments the light input end 101 may be generally in the light source path but not directly pointed at the light source 107. The fiber optic cable may be jacketed fiber cable of commercial grade and preferably between 1 and 5 mm in diameter or more preferably around 3 mm in diameter. It is to be understood that any fiber optic cable that carries or transmits light from one end to the other may be employed.
In this exemplary embodiment, the reticle ambient light collector 109 may be on one or more sides of the optical aiming device 108. The light connector 502 may have a light sensor end 501 and a light output end 503. The light sensor end 501 of is positioned to receive light from the light source 107. Light output end 503 has an LED with an independent power source, and is positioned to transmit light to the light collector (109) of optic (108).
When Flashlight 107 is activated, the sensor 501 transmits a signal to the light output 503. Light output 503 transmits light into the reticle ambient light collector 109. In this embodiment, the light sensor end 501 of the light connector 502 is held in place with light sensor mount 504. The mount 504 in this embodiment is mounted to the light source 107. As shown in
In embodiments consistent with
While the present inventions and what is considered presently to be the best modes thereof have been described in a manner that establishes possession thereof by the inventors and that enables those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventions, it will be understood and appreciated that there are many equivalents to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and that myriad modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventions, which are to be limited not by the exemplary embodiments but by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An optical aiming device comprising:
- an illuminateable reticle;
- a control circuit;
- a power source electrically connected to the control circuit;
- a forward-looking light sensor;
- a light source that illuminates the reticle;
- a first electrical conductor extending between the forward-looking light sensor and the control circuit, the first electrical conductor adapted to transmit an electrical signal between the forward-looking light sensor and the control circuit;
- a second electrical conductor extending between the control circuit and the light source, the second electrical conductor adapted to transmit an electrical signal between the control circuit and the light source;
- wherein the forward-looking light sensor detects light conditions at a target and transmits an electrical signal to the control circuit, and the control circuit transmits an electrical signal to the light source that determines at least in part the intensity of the reticle.
2. The optical aiming device of claim 1, wherein the forward-looking light sensor is positioned on a forward-facing surface of the optical aiming device.
3. The optical aiming device of claim 1 further comprising a sensor array, wherein the forward-looking light sensor forms a portion of the sensor array.
4. The optical aiming device of claim 3, wherein the sensor array comprises the forward-looking light sensor and a non-forward-looking light sensor.
5. The optical aiming device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit causes the light source to illuminate in response to the light conditions detected at the target object by the forward-looking light sensor.
6. The optical aiming device of claim 1, wherein the light conditions at the target comprise ambient light conditions at the target.
7. The optical aiming device of claim 1, wherein the light conditions at the target comprise light that has reflected off of the target.
8. The optical aiming device of claim 7 further comprising a second light source.
9. The optical aiming device of claim 8, wherein the second light source directs light toward the target.
10. The optical aiming device of claim 9, wherein the light that has reflected off of the target comprises light from the second light source.
11. The optical aiming device of claim 1, wherein the light conditions at the target comprise ambient light conditions and light that has reflected off of the target.
12. An optical aiming device comprising:
- an optical element;
- an illuminateable reticle displayed on the optical element;
- a control circuit;
- a power source comprising a battery and electrically connected to the control circuit;
- a light sensor disposed proximate the optical element, the light sensor transmitting an electrical signal to the control circuit;
- a light source, the light source illuminating in response to an electrical signal from the control circuit and providing illumination that affects an intensity of the illuminateable reticle;
- wherein the control circuit selectively causes the light source to illuminate in response to light conditions detected at a target by the light sensor.
13. The optical aiming device of claim 12, wherein the light sensor is positioned in a forward-looking orientation.
14. The optical aiming device of claim 12, wherein the light sensor is positioned such that it is directed toward the target.
15. The optical aiming device of claim 12, further comprising a housing that surrounds the optical element at least in part.
16. The optical aiming device of claim 15, wherein the housing comprises an upwardly extending portion, and wherein the light sensor is disposed on a forward facing surface of the upwardly extending portion.
17. The optical aiming device of claim 16, wherein the upwardly extending portion comprises a first post, a second post, an opening, and a cross member over the opening between the posts.
18. The optical aiming device of claim 17, wherein the light sensor is disposed at least partially in a forward-facing surface of the first post.
19. The optical aiming device of claim 18, wherein the light sensor is disposed adjacent a top end of the first post.
20. The optical aiming device of claim 18, wherein the light sensor is disposed adjacent a top end of the first post.
21. A method for illuminating a reticle of an optical aiming device comprising:
- detecting light conditions at a target with a forward-looking light sensor;
- transmitting an electrical signal from the forward looking light sensor to a control circuit along a first electrical conductor;
- the control circuit determining an appropriate intensity of light for the reticle based at least in part on the electrical signal received from the forward-looking light sensor;
- transmitting an electrical signal from the control circuit to a light source based at least in part on the determination of the appropriate intensity of light by the control circuit;
- the light source to illuminate the reticle to the appropriate intensity.
22. The method for illuminating a reticle of claim 21, wherein the light conditions at a target comprise light that has reflected off of the target.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 12, 2023
Publication Date: Feb 8, 2024
Inventor: Christopher Noskowicz (Loveland, CO)
Application Number: 18/379,511