Abstract: A direct view optical sighting system. In certain examples the system includes an eyepiece, an objective that directs scene light to the eyepiece, a laser rangefinder, and a laser rangefinder coupling prism that directs a laser transmit beam from the laser rangefinder to the objective and a laser return beam from the objective to the laser rangefinder. Examples of the system further include a display assembly including a reticle prism and a display coupling prism, the reticle prism being positioned along the optical path between the laser rangefinder coupling prism and the display coupling prism and having a hard reticle formed on a surface thereof. The objective can be configured to produce a first focal plane of the optical sighting system coincident with the first surface of the reticle prism. The display coupling prism is configured to direct display light toward the eyepiece.

Abstract: A gun sight clamping system utilizes a resilient device and an over-center cam to attach a gun sight to the rail of a gun. The body of the clamping system is clamped to the rail using a clamping mechanism on one side of the assembly and a resilient device on the other side of the assembly. The resilient device operates in a direction parallel to the clamping direction. A cross bar connects the clamping mechanism to the resilient device and provides a means to squeeze the body of the mount to the rail. As the lever is closed, the cam drives the cross bar, pulling the clamping mechanism against the rail. The resilient device allows the cam to move to an over-center position wherein the unit resists loosening during operation. Once the over-center position is achieved, the spring force of the resilient device holds the cam in the closed position.

Abstract: A direct view optical sighting system. In certain examples the system includes an eyepiece, an objective that directs scene light to the eyepiece, a laser rangefinder, and a laser rangefinder coupling prism that directs a laser transmit beam from the laser rangefinder to the objective and a laser return beam from the objective to the laser rangefinder. Examples of the system further include a display assembly including a reticle prism and a display coupling prism, the reticle prism being positioned along the optical path between the laser rangefinder coupling prism and the display coupling prism and having a hard reticle formed on a surface thereof. The objective can be configured to produce a first focal plane of the optical sighting system coincident with the first surface of the reticle prism. The display coupling prism is configured to direct display light toward the eyepiece.

Abstract: A gun sight clamping system utilizes a resilient device and an over-center cam to attach a gun sight to the rail of a gun. The body of the clamping system is clamped to the rail using a clamping mechanism on one side of the assembly and a resilient device on the other side of the assembly. The resilient device operates in a direction parallel to the clamping direction. A cross bar connects the clamping mechanism to the resilient device and provides a means to squeeze the body of the mount to the rail. As the lever is closed, the cam drives the cross bar, pulling the clamping mechanism against the rail. The resilient device allows the cam to move to an over-center position wherein the unit resists loosening during operation. Once the over-center position is achieved, the spring force of the resilient device holds the cam in the closed position.

Abstract: A magnification zoom sighting system is disclosed. One embodiment includes an objective lens group that produces an image of a distant object at a first focal plane, a zoom lens element that relays the image from the first focal plane to a second focal plane and varies an optical magnification of the image, an ocular lens group for viewing the image at the second focal plane, a magnification adjustment mechanism coupled to the zoom lens element for adjusting an optical magnification setting of the zoom lens element to adjust the optical magnification of the image, and a reticle having magnification indicia, disposed proximate the first focal plane and such that it is configured to be viewable through the ocular lens group in a field of view thereof and superimposed upon the image. The magnification indicia conveys the optical magnification setting of the zoom lens element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relate to an optical sight that includes a first section, and a second section having optics thereon and having spaced first and second portions. One aspect of the method and apparatus involves: adjustably positioning the first portion relative to the first section; and yieldably urging movement of the second portion toward a target position relative to the first section while yieldably resisting movement of the second portion away from the target position, movement of the first portion by the adjusting structure effecting movement of the second portion relative to the first section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relate to an optical sight having a first section, and having a second section that is movable relative to the first section, and that has optics thereon. One aspect involves: preventing movement of the second section away from a first position past a second position; responding to movement of a member relative to the first section from a third position to a fourth position by moving the second section from the first position to the second position; resiliently urging the second section away from the first position and past the second position when the member is on a side of the fourth position remote from the third position; and releasably retaining the member in a position on a side of the fourth position remote from the third position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relate to an optical sight having a first section, and having a second section that is movable relative to the first section, and that has optics thereon. One aspect involves: preventing movement of the second section away from a first position past a second position; responding to movement of a member relative to the first section from a third position to a fourth position by moving the second section from the first position to the second position; resiliently urging the second section away from the first position and past the second position when the member is on a side of the fourth position remote from the third position; and releasably retaining the member in a position on a side of the fourth position remote from the third position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relate to an optical sight that includes a first section, and a second section having optics thereon and having spaced first and second portions. One aspect of the method and apparatus involves: adjustably positioning the first portion relative to the first section; and yieldably urging movement of the second portion toward a target position relative to the first section while yieldably resisting movement of the second portion away from the target position, movement of the first portion by the adjusting structure effecting movement of the second portion relative to the first section.

Abstract: Add/drop functions of light signals in an optical fiber light transmission system are performed using a group of bandpass light filters, wherein each of the group of bandpass light filters is operable to reflect a reflected wavelength band and transmit a transmitted wavelength band. A filter module is positioned to selectively place any of the group of bandpass light filters into a light path of the optical fiber light transmission system. A first add/drop function is accomplished by first positioning a first selected one of the bandpass light filters into the light path using a drive mechanism, directing the input light beam onto the first selected one of the bandpass light filters, performing the first add/drop function on the input light beam relative to a first band light signal in a first wavelength band, and removing the first selected one of the bandpass light filters from the light path using the drive mechanism.