Rubber Armored Rifle Scope with Integrated External Laser Sight

Abstract

An apparatus for laser sighting comprising a laser and a scope with a reticle, where the laser and scope are coupled together to form a single integrated unit. The laser and the reticle are powered by a single power source and illumination of the laser and reticle is controlled by a single controller, such as a rheostat knob. The rheostat knob provides at least four settings, a first setting turns the laser and the reticle off, a second setting turns the laser on and the reticle off, a third setting turns the laser and the reticle on, and a fourth setting turns the laser off and the reticle on. Additional settings turn the laser off and the reticle on, and the reticle is illuminated to greater degrees of brightness. The integrated laser and scope sighting apparatus is mountable to the rail of an object, such as a weapon.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to sighting devices for firearms and more particularly to laser-assisted sights coupled with optical telescopes.

2. Background

Laser sights and optical telescopes serve to improve the shooting accuracy of firearms. Telescopes have been developed to mount on a firearm to provide a shooter with better aim. To further enhance the experience in shooting a firearm, some mounted telescopes can be coupled with a laser sight to provide a shooter with an additional point of aim increase or enhance the accuracy of a shot.

In general, a laser sight is mounted onto a telescope as a separate detachable component of a scope. These types of laser sight attachments function independently of the telescope, requiring separate and additional batteries to power the laser and separate switches to turn the laser on and off.

Other scopes in the prior art may have the laser sight attached to the telescope. In this type of scope, the laser sighting component of the scope functions completely independently of the telescope requiring different and additional batteries for the laser component of the scope.

Due to the independent nature of laser sights that are detachable or permanently affixed to a telescope, aiming and shooting a firearm with these existing laser enhanced scopes is cumbersome with respect to the location of the laser, the detachable parts, and additional batteries adding to the bulk of the scope.

Accordingly, a need to improve the shooter experience with less cumbersome and bulky scopes exists. There is the need to streamline and make convenient the use of, including the control of the functions of a laser sight and optical scope.

SUMMARY

The device in accordance with an embodiment of this invention integrates a laser sight and an optical telescope as a single unit, wherein the laser sight assembly is attached to the optical telescope as a non-removable component of the scope.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the telescope portion of the device may include a reticle. Illumination of the laser and the reticle of the telescope may be powered by a single power source or battery and controlled by a single controller. The controller may be, for example, a rheostat knob. The rheostat knob may also control the simultaneous illumination of the laser and the reticle, the illumination of the laser only, and the illumination of the reticle only. The rheostat knob may also illuminate the reticle with five levels of brightness.

In another embodiment of the invention, the power source or battery of the device may be contained or housed within a controller, for example, a rheostat knob. This power source or battery provides the power to illuminate both the laser and the reticle of the scope.

There is disclosed an apparatus/device for laser sighting, the apparatus comprising a laser and a scope comprising a reticle, the laser and scope coupled together forming a single integrated unit, wherein the laser and the reticle are powered by a single power source, and illumination of said laser and said reticle are controlled by a single controller, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

There is further disclosed a mountable optical scope with external laser sighting according to an embodiment of the present invention in which, the optical scope with external laser sighting comprises a laser integrally coupled with the scope as a single unit, the laser being non-removable from the unit within an integrally connected laser housing. The scope with laser sighting according to the embodiment, further comprises a power source located next to the laser housing and electrically configured for powering the laser; a reticle located within the scope and illuminated by the power source, said reticle having at least two levels of brightness; and a single controller configured to control both the powering of the laser and illumination of the reticle, wherein the power source is housed within the controller.

There is also disclosed an apparatus for laser sighting according to an embodiment of the present invention in which, the apparatus comprises a laser coupled with a scope as a single unit, wherein the laser is a non-removable component of the unit, integrated to the side of the scope and powered by a power source, wherein the scope contains a reticle that is capable of illumination by the power source, said reticle having at least two levels of brightness.

These and other aspects of the present invention are further made apparent, in the remainder of the present document, to those of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more fully describe embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, but are merely illustrative.

FIG. 1 is a top, left perspective view of a laser sighting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom, right perspective view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1, according to embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the laser sighting device of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is another left side view of a laser sighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a laser sighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional side view along the I-I line of FIG. 10 of a laser sighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional top view along the II-II line of FIG. 9 of a laser sighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional perspective view of the rheostat knob of the laser sighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a laser sighting device accordingly to an embodiment of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 1 lens cap
• 2 protection glass
• 13 glass frame
• 4 pin 2×12
• 5 locking ring for objective lens frame
• 6 locking ring for objective lens
• 7 objective lens frame
• 8 ring seal
• 9 objective lens
• 10 internal ring for separating lens
• 11 objective lens
• 12 ring seal
• 13 plate spring
• 14 body
• 15 rubber
• 16 turret cap
• 17 rubber turret cap
• 18 windage adjuster screw
• 19 ring seal
• 20 locking screw
• 21 anti-tighten screw
• 22 positioning spring
• 23 stop pin
• 24 base
• 25 rubber turret cap
• 26 turret cap
• 27 rubber turret cap
• 28 spring
• 20 bullet drop compensator
• 30 stop pin
• 31 adjustment handle
• 32 scale plate
• 33 elevation adjuster screw
• 34 locking ring
• 35 adjuster nut
• 36 base
• 37 positioning pin
• 38 spring
• 39 connection block
• 40 screw
• 41 screw
• 42 quick release lever
• 43 plate
• 44 pin
• 45 spring
• 46 mount boby
• 47 screw
• 48 screw
• 49 screw
• 50 adjuster plate
• 51 nut
• 52 adjuster plate spring
• 53 laser diode module
• 54 laser housing
• 55 locking screw
• 56 locking screw
• 57 seal
• 58 rheostat knob
• 59 electrode PCB
• 60 rubber
• 61 positioning spring plate
• 62 screw
• 63 switch PCB
• 64 Battery
• 65 anode gasket
• 66 washer
• 67 battery cover spring
• 68 battery cover
• 69 rubber cap
• 70 screw
• 71 magnification ring
• 72 screw
• 73 rubber magnification ring
• 74 blue light-emitting diodes
• 75 stop screw
• 76 reticle
• 77 eyepiece tube
• 78 rubber tube
• 79 locking ring for ocular lens
• 80 ocular lenses
• 81 internal ring for separating lens
• 82 ocular lenses
• 83 ring seal
• 84 ring seal
• 85 ocular lens frame
• 86 rubber ring
• 87 glass frame
• 88 protection glass
• 89 lens cap
• 90 front joint
• 91 locking ring for lens
• 92 lens
• 93 separating ring
• 94 washer
• 95 magnification tube
• 96 lens frame
• 97 sleeve
• 98 screw
• 99 Lens
• 100 locking ring for lens
• 101 lens frame
• 102 locking ring for lens
• 103 lens tube
• 104 rubber joint ring
• 105 locking ring
• 106 lamp holder
• 107 washer
• 108 lens
• 110 device
• 115 SMT components
• 120 connection to the LED
• 125 connection to the laser
• 130 eyepiece portion
• 140 objective lens portion
• 141 laser elevation controller
• 142 laser windage controller
• 200 number series on rheostat knob

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The description above and below and the drawings of the present document focus on one or more currently preferred embodiments of the present invention and also describe some exemplary optional features and/or alternative embodiments. The description and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize variations, modifications, and alternatives. Such variations, modifications, and alternatives are also within the scope of the present invention. Section titles are terse and are for convenience only.

FIG. 1 is a top, left side perspective view of a laser sighting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Generally, the device 110 comprises a laser sighting assembly and an ocular sighting assembly, wherein the laser sighting assembly and the ocular sighting assembly serve as a single unit, the laser sighting assembly a non-removable component of the device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ocular sighting assembly of the device may be a telescope. The telescope component of the device, may include an eyepiece portion 130 and an objective lens portion 140. The eyepiece portion 130 may comprise of ocular lens assemblies as known in the art and a reticle 76 coupled with a light-emitting diode (LED) 74, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12. In an embodiment of the invention, the reticle 76 of the eyepiece portion 130 may be illuminated using LED 74. The objective lens portion 140 of an exemplary embodiment of the invention may comprise of a lens cap 1, objective lenses 9, 11, and other parts of an objective lens portion of a telescope as known in the art.

In an embodiment of the invention, a controller controls the illumination of the reticle. The controller may be, for example, a rheostat knob 58 terminating with a rubber coated cap 69. In one embodiment, the rheostat knob 58 is marked with a series of numbers 200, numbers “0” through “5” located next to the rubber coated cap 69 as shown in FIG. 10. The numbers represent different settings for the illumination of the reticle. The “0” setting provides no illumination to the reticle. The “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” and “5” settings represent different levels of illumination or the reticle. For example, the “1” setting provides the lowest level of brightness to the reticle whereas the “5” setting provides the brightest.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 12 show the top view and top cross-sectional view of the laser sighting assembly attached to the telescope component according to embodiments of the invention. The laser sighting assembly may be positioned such that the laser diode module 53 emits a beam substantially along the same optical axis of the telescope, as shown in FIG. 7.

In an embodiment of the invention, the controller that controls the illumination of the reticle 76 also controls the illumination of the laser 53. In one embodiment, for example, a rheostat knob 58 controls both the reticle 76 illumination and the laser 53 illumination. In another embodiment, the rheostat knob 58 may control the on/off function of the laser, allowing the laser to be turned off while the reticle illumination is turned on, or alternatively, allowing the laser to be turned on while the reticle illumination is turned off. Additionally, the rheostat knob 58, may also control the simultaneous illumination of both the laser and the reticle. In one embodiment of the invention, the rheostat knob 58 provides setting “L” for laser illumination only and setting “B” to illuminate both the laser and the reticle. The rheostat knob 58 may, for example, be located on the left side of laser housing 54 on the left side of the scope as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 12.

In an embodiment of the invention, a single energy source provides the power to illuminate both the laser and the reticle. In another embodiment, the controller controls the illumination of the laser and the reticle, and houses the energy source for the illumination. In one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 13, for example, the rheostat knob 58, may house a battery 64 for illuminating both the laser 53 and the reticle 76. In this embodiment of the invention, a battery 64 coupled with an electronic circuit assembly comprising electrode printed circuit boards (PCBs) 59, switch PCB 63, and surface mounted technology (SMT) components 115, or other electronic circuitry known in the art, allow power to be provided to the laser 53 and the reticle 76 from a single source. As shown, connection to the LED 120 and connection to the laser 125 is provided. Batteries housed in the rheostat knob may be removable.

FIG. 2 illustrates the laser sighting assembly with a mounting unit 111. In an embodiment of the invention, the mounting unit 111 is attached to the laser sighting device 110 and provides the means to mount the device onto a firearm. The mounting unit 111 may comprise of a release lever 42 that allows the shooter to mount and lock, or unlock and release the device from a firearm.

In an embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting device 110 is mounted onto a firearm by loosening the locking nut 51 while the release lever 42 is in the closed position pointing towards the eyepiece 130, as shown in FIG. 3 and the bottom view of FIG. 4. The locking nut 51 may be loosened by turning the nut counterclockwise. To mount the device, turn the release lever 42 in the open position by pointing the release lever 42 towards the objective lens. The set screw 49 may be loosened to fit the mounting unit 111 to the rail of a firearm. The laser sighting device 110 may be seated on top of the firearm's rail with the objective lens portion 140 pointing towards the muzzle of the firearm. When the preferred position of the laser sighting device is attained, the release lever 42 is positioned towards the eyepiece portion 130 in the closed position as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. To release the laser sighting device 110 from the firearm, open the quick release lever 42 and pivot the device 110 in the direction of the locking nut 51.

In an embodiment of the invention, once the laser sighting device 110 is properly mounted, an image of a target can be viewed and obtained through the ocular lens 80. The focus control 73 can be used and adjusted to obtain a clear image of a target through the eyepiece 130.

In an embodiment of the invention, the telescope component of the laser sighting device 110 may be zeroed using the windage adjuster screw 18 encompassed by the rubber turret cap 17 and elevation controller 29 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In one embodiment, elevation is controlled with the Bullet Drop Compensator 29 (BDC) located on top of the turret housing 131 as shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 11. In one embodiment, twisting the elevation control 29 counter-clockwise moves the reticle 76 crosshairs up, and twisting the elevation control 29 clockwise moves the reticle 76 crosshairs down. In one embodiment of the invention, for example, the BDC 29 is marked with numbers “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” and “5” as illustrated in FIG. 9. Each number may represent increments of one hundred yards. In one embodiment, the shooting distance of the firearm may be adjusted by setting the BDC 29 to the number corresponding to the distances of one hundred to five hundred yards, in one hundred yard increments.

In another embodiment of the invention, the windage controller 18 is located on the right side of the laser sighting device as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the windage controller 18, as illustrated in FIG. 8 is an open target-style turret allowing ease of access at anytime. In one embodiment, twisting the windage controller 18 counter-clockwise will move the reticle 76 crosshairs to the right, and twisting the windage controller 18 clockwise will move the crosshairs to the left.

In another embodiment of the invention, a bore sighting device can be used to zero the laser sighting device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the laser 53 emitted from the laser sighting assembly may also be adjusted for windage and elevation with separate controllers. In one embodiment, the laser elevation controller 141 controls the elevation of the laser, as shown in FIG. 5. For example, twisting the laser elevation controller 141 counter-clockwise moves the laser up, and twisting the laser elevation control 141 clockwise moves the laser down. Additionally, twisting the laser windage controller 142 counter-clockwise moves the laser to the left, and twisting the laser windage controller 142 clockwise moves the laser to the right, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, a detailed exploded view of the device 110 is described in which individual components of the exploded sections are discussed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned, the device may comprise a telescope structure having an objective lens portion 140 and an eyepiece portion 130. As shown, the objective lens portion 140 is exploded to show the lens cap 1, protection glass 2, glass frame 3, and pin 4 for connecting the glass frame to the lens cap, and allowing the lens cap 1 to pivot open upwards. There is further an objective lens frame 7 having a locking ring for the lens frame 5 and a locking ring for the lens 6, a ring seal 8 and objective lenses 9 and 11 having an internal ring for separating lens 10. A ring seal 12 further engages with the objective lens 11 and housed within body 14 having plate spring 13. This objective lens portion 140 is housed within a rubber 15 coating structure, further connected to the turret housing 131.

On the right side of the turret housing 131 in FIG. 14, is integrated the adjustment controls for the telescope sight which includes the horizontal/windage controller 18 for the reticle crosshairs. As shown, a turret cap 16 terminates at the right with a rubber turret cap 17. The windage adjuster screw 18 is connected with the base 24 through ring seal 19, locking screw 20, anti-tightening screw 21, positioning spring 22 and stop pin 23. On the vertical of the turret housing 131, is integrated the elevation (up/down) adjustment of the telescope sight of the device, comprising a bullet drop compensator 29 encompassed within a rubber turret cap 27 with turret cap 26, terminating with rubber turret cap 25. Housed within the bullet drop compensator 29 is elevation adjuster screw 33, scale place 32, adjustment handle 31, stop pin 30, spring 28, locking ring 34, adjuster nut 35 and base 36 with positioning pin 37 and spring 38.

At the bottom of the device 110 is the mounting unit 111 comprising connection block 39 attached to plate 43 and mount boby 46 with screws 40, 41, pin 44, spring 45 and screws 47, 48, further connected to quick release lever 42, and adjuster plate 50 having set screw 49 and locking nut 51. Loosening set screw 49 and locking nut 51 allows for adjustment in attaching the device to a rail of a firearm.

FIG. 14, further shows the detailed exploded view of the integrated laser sighting assembly of the device. The assembly comprises laser housing 54 encompassing laser diode module 53 and adjuster plate spring 52, having locking screw 55 for the laser elevation controller 141, and locking screw 56 for the windage controller 142, seal 57 against Rheostat knob 58, adjacent to encompassing ring of rubber 60 adjacent to rubber cap 69. Within the Rheostat knob 58 are the electronic components including electrode PCB 59, positioning spring plate 61, screw 62, switch PCB 63, battery 64, anode gasket 65, washer 66, battery cover spring 67 with battery cover 68. The laser housing 54 is attached to the turret housing 131 as a single unit, with screws 70 fastened through laser housing 54. Laser windage controller 142 as shown in FIG. 12, further adjusts laser windage whereas elevation may be controlled by the separate laser elevation controller 141 as shown in FIG. 5

As further illustrated in FIG. 14, the exploded section of the eyepiece portion 130 and internal magnification tube with lens tube components are described. The eyepiece portion 130 extending from the rear of the turret housing 131 comprises a magnification ring 71, screw 72, rubber magnification ring 73 housing blue light-emitting diodes 74, reticle 76, stop screw 75, eyepiece tube 77 housed within rubber tube 78 further encompassing locking ring for ocular lens 79, ocular lenses 80, 82 separated by internal ring for separating lens 81, ring seals 83, 84, ocular lens frame 85, rubber ring 86 adjacent to glass frame 87 with protection glass 88. The glass frame 87 connected to lens cap 89 through a pin allowing for the lens cap 89 to pivot open upwards. Internal to the described eyepiece portion 130 is front joint 90, locking ring for lens 91, lens 92, separating ring 93 and washer 94, 107, magnification tube 95, lens frame 96 with sleeve 97 for engaging with screw 98. The structure further comprising lenses 99, 108, locking rings for lens 100, 102, lens frame 101, lens tube 103 adjacent to the rubber joint ring 104, locking ring 105 and lamp holder 106.

In one embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting assembly may sight a target by projecting a laser dot onto the target. In this manner, it may be unnecessary to use the telescope component of the laser sighting device to sight the target. For example, a shooter using a rifle mounted with the device could sight a target using the laser portion of the device without shouldering the rifle.

In another embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting device may be used as two sighting devices in one unit, telescope sighting and laser sighting.

In one embodiment, the telescope portion and the laser can be set to separate points of aim. In this embodiment, the laser sighting device can be set to two separate points of aim, each at separate or differing distances. For example, the telescope component can be adjusted to a point of aim that matches the bullet's point of impact at one hundred yards. Concurrently, the laser's point of aim can be adjusted to match the bullet point of impact at twenty-five yards. This provides two separate sources of sighting in one unit.

In another embodiment of the invention, the laser sighting assembly has adjustment controls that are independent of the telescope adjustment controls. In this embodiment, the laser and telescope can be set to separate points of aim. This allows two separate points of aim for two separate distances. For example, the telescope can be adjusted such that its point of aim matches the bullet point of impact at one hundred yards. At the same time, the laser sight point of aim can be adjusted to match the bullet point of impact at twenty-five yards. In this regard, there would be two sources of sighting combined in one unit.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the invention, because the laser physically projects a laser dot onto a target, laser and eye alignment is unnecessary. For example, it would be unnecessary for a shooter to shoulder the rifle in a traditional manner in order to obtain a desired shot placement. In an embodiment of the invention, the shooter can achieve the desired shot placement by holding the firearm in any manner as long as the laser dot is pointed on a target at a known distance.

In another embodiment, the laser and the telescope reticle points of aim could be adjusted to the same bullet point of impact. For example, both the laser and telescope reticle can be adjusted to match the bullet point of impact at one hundred yards. This positions the laser dot and the telescope reticle to aligned together with a target. The laser dot acts as additional shot placement verification as well as aiding shot placement in low light conditions.

Throughout the description and drawings, example embodiments are given with reference to specific configurations. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms. Those of ordinary skill in the art would be able to practice such other embodiments without undue experimentation. The scope of the present invention, for the purpose of the present patent document, is not limited merely to the specific example embodiments or alternatives of the foregoing description.

Claims

1. An apparatus for laser sighting, the apparatus comprising:

a laser and a scope comprising a reticle, the laser and scope coupled together forming a single integrated unit,

wherein the laser and the reticle are powered by a single power source, and illumination of said laser and said reticle are controlled by a single controller.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a housing is attached to a side of the unit and the laser is a non-removable component of the unit enclosed within said housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is a rheostat knob.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rheostat knob provides at least four settings comprising a first setting turns the laser and the reticle off, a second setting turns the laser on and the reticle off, a third setting turns the laser and the reticle on, and a fourth setting turns the laser off and the reticle on.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the rheostat knob comprises at least one additional setting which turns the laser off and the reticle on, and the illumination of the reticle in said additional setting is brighter than in the fourth setting.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is a rheostat knob located at least partially within or on the housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rheostat knob provides at least four settings, comprising a first setting turning the laser and the reticle off, a second setting turning the laser on and the reticle off, a third setting turning the laser and the reticle on, and a fourth setting turning the laser off and the reticle on.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the rheostat knob comprises at least one additional setting which turns the laser off and the reticle on, and the illumination of the reticle in said additional setting is brighter than in the fourth setting.

9. A mountable optical scope with external laser sighting comprising:

a laser integrally coupled with the scope as a single unit, the laser being non-removable from the unit within an integrally connected laser housing;

a power source located next to the laser housing and electrically configured for powering the laser;

a reticle located within the scope and illuminated by the power source, the reticle having at least two levels of brightness; and

a single controller configured to control both the powering of the laser and illumination of the reticle, wherein the power source is housed within the controller.

10. The scope with external laser sighting of claim 9, wherein the controller is a rheostat knob.

11. The scope with external laser sighting of claim 10, wherein the power source is a battery housed within the rheostat knob.

12. The scope with external laser sighting of claim 11, wherein the rheostat knob provides at least four settings, comprising a first setting turning the laser and the reticle off, a second setting turning the laser on and the reticle off, a third setting turning the laser and the reticle on, and a fourth setting turning the laser off and the reticle on.

13. The scope with external laser sighting of claim 12, wherein the rheostat knob comprises at least one

additional setting which turns the laser off and the reticle on, and the illumination of the reticle in said additional setting is brighter than in the fourth setting.

14. An apparatus for laser sighting, the apparatus comprising:

a laser coupled with a scope as a single unit,

wherein the laser is a non-removable component of the unit, integrated to the side of the scope and powered by a power source,

wherein the scope contains a reticle that is capable of illumination by the power source, said reticle having at least two levels of brightness.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the laser and the reticle are controlled by a single controller.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the controller is a rheostat knob which controls at least four settings, comprising a first setting turning the laser and the reticle off, a second setting turning the laser on and the reticle off, a third setting turning the laser and the reticle on, and a fourth setting turning the laser off and the reticle on.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the rheostat knob comprises at least one additional setting which turns the laser off and the reticle on, and the illumination of the reticle in said additional setting is brighter than in the fourth setting.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the power source is a battery.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the laser is housed within a housing and the battery is housed within the rheostat knob.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a mount is attached to an underside of the unit, for attaching the unit to a firearm.