Abstract: An articulating accessory mount for mounting a weapon sight accessory to a rail of a weapon includes base portion and an upper portion rotatable relative to the base portion between a use position and a storage position. The articulating mount includes a pivot pin extending through the base portion and the upper portion, the pivot pin being secured to the upper portion for rotation therewith. The articulating mount includes a detent mechanism formed in the base portion and arranged to engage a set of recesses provided in the pivot pin to bias the upper portion in one of the use position or the storage position. A weapon sight system includes a weapon sight supported on an accessory rail, a weapon sight accessory, such as a magnifier, and an articulating accessory mount supporting the accessory on an accessory rail for movement between the use position and the storage position.

Abstract: A holographic weapon sight with a housing that has a viewing end and an opposing target end. The viewing path is defined from the viewing end to the target end. The sight has a light source that projects a light beam along a path. The sight also has a diffractive optical element (DOE) disposed in the path of the light beam, and the DOE reconstructs an image of a reticle. The sight includes a parabolic reflector that reflects the image of the reticle. The parabolic reflector may be disposed in the viewing path such that a user views a target along the viewing path through the parabolic reflector from the viewing end.

Abstract: A holographic weapon sight with a housing that has a viewing end and an opposing target end. The viewing path is defined from the viewing end to the target end. The sight has a light source that projects a light beam along a path. The sight also has a diffractive optical element (DOE) disposed in the path of the light beam, and the DOE reconstructs an image of a reticle. The sight includes a parabolic reflector that reflects the image of the reticle. The parabolic reflector may be disposed in the viewing path such that a user views a target along the viewing path through the parabolic reflector from the viewing end.

Abstract: A compact sight device has a housing with a viewing and a target end. A light source projects a light beam along a path. A holographic optical element (HOE) is disposed in the path of the light beam such that the HOE is illuminated by the light beam at an incidence angle defined with respect to a line perpendicular to the surface of the HOE. The HOE reconstructs an object beam with an image of a reticle, the object beam having an object beam angle measured with respect to the line perpendicular to the surface of the HOE. The incidence angle and the object beam angle are substantially equal. The HOE further reflects a portion of the light beam at a reflection angle substantially equal to the object beam angle such that a user viewing the object beam will also see a reflected image of the light source.

Abstract: A holographic weapon sight has a housing with a viewing end and an opposing target end, a viewing path being defined from the viewing end to the target end. A light source energized by a power source projects a light beam along a path onto a liquid crystal cell module. A power controller in communication with the power source is operable to adjust the brightness of the light beam from the light source. The liquid crystal cell module is operable to rotate and polarize the light beam to further adjust the brightness of the light beam. The light beam from the liquid crystal cell module illuminates a holographic optical element (HOE) that reconstructs an image of a reticle.

Abstract: A hybrid holographic sight generates a reticle or other image for aiming a weapon or an optical device. The hybrid holographic sight includes a light source operable to project a light beam along a path and a holographic optical element (HOE) disposed in the path of the light beam. The HOE reconstructs an image of a reticle and a non-diffraction element reflects the image of the reticle, whereby a user may view a reflection of the reconstructed reticle in the non-diffraction element (NDE).

Abstract: A holographic gun sight has a housing with a viewing end and an opposing target end, a viewing path being defined from the viewing end to the target end. A light source projects a light beam along a path to illuminate a reflection-type holographic optical element (HOE). The HOE reconstructs an object beam with an image of a reticle. The absolute difference between the incidence angle of the light beam on the HOE and the object beam angle is greater than zero and less than or equal to 30 degrees.

Abstract: A holographic weapon sight has a housing with a viewing end and an opposing target end, a viewing path being defined from the viewing end to the target end. A light source energized by a power source projects a light beam along a path onto a liquid crystal cell module. A power controller in communication with the power source is operable to adjust the brightness of the light beam from the light source. The liquid crystal cell module is operable to rotate and polarize the light beam to further adjust the brightness of the light beam. The light beam from the liquid crystal cell module illuminates a holographic optical element (HOE) that reconstructs an image of a reticle.

Abstract: A sight assembly for mounting to a weapon. A holographic optical element and a light source are in a fixed angular configuration with respect to one another, but may be adjusted either together or individually in a horizontal or vertical direction. The sight assembly may have a mirror or lens. An adjustment mechanism is provided where a shaft includes at least two portions wherein the two portions of the shaft of the screw have different pitch directions and/or pitch dimensions allowing for slight adjustment the assembly. The light source may be a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). A temperature sensor may sense a temperature of the VCSEL. A current to the VCSEL may be adjusted based on a change in the temperature such that the output wavelength is approximately the same as a desired wavelength. The assembly may further allow for perceived image distance adjustment using parallax mismatch.

Abstract: A compact sight device has a housing with a viewing and a target end. A light source projects a light beam along a path. A holographic optical element (HOE) is disposed in the path of the light beam such that the HOE is illuminated by the light beam at an incidence angle defined with respect to a line perpendicular to the surface of the HOE. The HOE reconstructs an object beam with an image of a reticle, the object beam having an object beam angle measured with respect to the line perpendicular to the surface of the HOE. The incidence angle and the object beam angle are substantially equal. The HOE further reflects a portion of the light beam at a reflection angle substantially equal to the object beam angle such that a user viewing the object beam will also see a reflected image of the light source.

Abstract: A hybrid holographic sight generates a reticle or other image for aiming a weapon or an optical device. The hybrid holographic sight includes a light source operable to project a light beam along a path and a holographic optical element (HOE) disposed in the path of the light beam. The HOE reconstructs an image of a reticle and a non-diffraction element reflects the image of the reticle, whereby a user may view a reflection of the reconstructed reticle in the non-diffraction element (NDE).

Abstract: A holographic gun sight has a housing with a viewing end and an opposing target end, a viewing path being defined from the viewing end to the target end. A light source projects a light beam along a path to illuminate a reflection-type holographic optical element (HOE). The HOE reconstructs an object beam with an image of a reticle. The absolute difference between the incidence angle of the light beam on the HOE and the object beam angle is greater than zero and less than or equal to 30 degrees.

Abstract: A sight assembly for mounting to a weapon is provided. A holographic optical element and a light source are provided in a fixed angular configuration with respect to one another, but may be adjusted either together or individually in a horizontal or vertical direction. A mirror or lens may also be provided. An adjustment mechanism is provided where a shaft includes at least two portions wherein the two portions of the shaft of the screw have different pitch directions and/or pitch dimensions allowing for slight adjustment of the assembly. The light source is typically a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The wavelength of the VCSEL is controlled by controlling the current it is given. The assembly further allows for perceived image distance adjustment using parallax mismatch. Further, a chassis is provided for holding holographic elements.

Abstract: A compact weapon sight has a housing with a base that is configured to mount to a weapon. The sight may have a holographic optical element (HOE) and a light source. The light source may be a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) diode. The wavelength of the VCSEL may be adjusted by controlling the current drawn by the VCSEL and may include a temperature controller to keep the temperature of the light source at or above a minimum threshold temperature without using a thermoelectric cooler or a wavelength sensor.

Abstract: An adjustable holographic gun sight has a base and a carrier pivotally connected to the base. An adjustment mechanism may be adapted to pivot the carrier with respect to the base. A pair of dropouts connects the carrier to the base and the dropouts allow the carrier to pivot with respect to the base. The dropouts may be mounted to an external portion of the carrier and the base thereby provides for external adjustment of the gun sight.

Abstract: A sight assembly for mounting to a weapon. A holographic optical element and a light source are in a fixed angular configuration with respect to one another, but may be adjusted either together or individually in a horizontal or vertical direction. The sight assembly may have a mirror or lens. An adjustment mechanism is provided where a shaft includes at least two portions wherein the two portions of the shaft of the screw have different pitch directions and/or pitch dimensions allowing for slight adjustment the assembly. The light source may be a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). A temperature sensor may sense a temperature of the VCSEL. A current to the VCSEL may be adjusted based on a change in the temperature such that the output wavelength is approximately the same as a desired wavelength. The assembly may further allow for perceived image distance adjustment using parallax mismatch.

Abstract: A mounting device for mounting an accessory to a rail of a weapon including a base portion, a first side portion configured to engage a first side of a rail of the weapon, and a second side portion configured to engage a second side of the rail. The first side portion has an opening defined therein. A movable clamping member is disposed in the opening in the first side portion so as to be movable between a clamping position where it secures the device to the rail and a retracted position. A clamping lever is pivotally interconnected with the first side portion for movement between an open position and a closed position. A link interconnects the clamping lever and the clamping member such that moving the lever from the open position to the closed position moves the clamping member from the retracted position to the clamping position.