Weapon Sight

Abstract

A weapon sight apparatus includes a housing, a sight mount, an angle modifier, an angle adjusting mechanism, and a weapon mount. The housing includes a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. The sight mount is disposed on the first side of the housing and includes a first end and a second end, the sight mount being pivotally mounted proximate the second end of the sight mount and to couple to a weapon sight. The angle modifier modifies an angle of the housing. The angle adjusting mechanism is coupled to the second end of the sight mount, the angle adjusting mechanism to adjust an angle of the housing in accordance with the angle modified by the angle modifier. The weapon mount, disposed on the second side of the housing, mounts a projectile weapon to the weapon sight apparatus.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

NA

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates in general to a sight, and more particularly, to a weapon sight.

2. Background Art

Explosive-carrying, self-propelled projectiles fired at a target are used on battlefields. These explosive-carrying, self-propelled projectiles are small enough to be carried by a person and fired while held on a user's shoulder. These explosive-carrying, self-propelled projectiles include such weapons as guided missiles, unguided rockets (e.g., shoulder-fired missile), rocket-propelled grenade, bazooka, rocket launcher, grenade launcher, etc.

A number of different sights and the like have been developed to allow a user to aim at a target. Many such solutions include digital components and circuitry as well as other relatively high technology componentry. Special care and handling of these types of sights is often necessary. And, in a battlefield, due to cost and technology it is desirable to maintain the equipment and not treat the equipment as disposable. The use of such equipment in certain theaters of operation poses significant challenges. Additionally, typical weapon sites, such as available on the M72 launcher, are only accurate to 300 meters, with a weapon site of the M32 being good out to 400 meters.

Other solutions, while generally mechanical, tend to be quite large and cumbersome. Additionally, due to the shape of some such solution, the devices may become snagged or caught on straps branches or other structures, and damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is directed to a weapon sight apparatus that is comprised of a housing, a sight mount, an angle modifier, an angle adjusting mechanism, and a weapon mount. The housing includes a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. The sight mount is disposed on the first side of the housing and includes a first end and a second end, the sight mount to couple to a weapon sight. The angle modifier modifies an angle of the housing. The angle adjusting mechanism is coupled to the second end of the sight mount, the angle adjusting mechanism to adjust an angle of the housing in accordance with the angle modified by the angle modifier. The weapon mount, disposed on the second side of the housing, mounts a projectile weapon to the weapon sight apparatus.

In some configurations, the weapon sight apparatus is further comprised of a locking mechanism to lock the projectile weapon to the weapon mount.

In some configurations, the locking mechanism includes a first lobe and a second lobe, the first lobe and the second lobe being rotatably coupled to the housing.

In some configurations, the locking mechanism is proximate to the first end of the housing.

In some configurations, the locking mechanism further comprises a V-shaped ridge.

In some configurations, the locking mechanism further comprises a first locking lever and a second locking lever each pivotally coupled to the housing and pivot about a first pivot point and a second pivot point, respectively, the first pivot point and the second pivot point being proximate to the first end of the housing.

In some configurations, the housing further includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion including the angle adjusting mechanism disposed therein and the second housing portion having the locking mechanism coupled thereto.

In some configurations, the housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion including the angle adjusting mechanism disposed therein and the second housing portion having the locking mechanism coupled thereto.

In some configurations, the weapon sight apparatus further comprises a range indicator to indicate an approximate range of the projectile weapon.

In some configurations, the range indicator is coupled to the angle adjusting mechanism and the sight mount and rotates with the sight mount in accordance with the angle adjusted by the angle adjusting mechanism.

In some configurations, the housing further includes an angle-to-range member providing an indication of correspondence between an angle indicated by the angle modifier and an approximate range of the projectile weapon indicated by the range indicator.

In some configurations, the angle modifier is a circular disc coupled to the angle adjusting mechanism.

In some configurations, the angle modifier includes angle markings to indicate an angle of the sight mount.

In some configurations, the angle markings are in angular mils.

In some configurations, the sight mount includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the sight mount further including a plurality of mounting protrusions disposed on an outer surface of the sight mount, the mounting protrusions to facilitate mounting the weapon sight to the sight mount.

In some configurations, the sight mount includes a plurality of boxed members spaced apart from each other and each including an opening therein.

In some configurations, the projectile weapon is any of a shoulder-fired missile, rocket-propelled grenade, bazooka, rocket launcher, and grenade launcher.

In some configurations, the angle adjusting mechanism includes a worm screw coupled to both the angle modifier and a worm wheel coupled to the sight mount, with rotation of the angle modifier rotating the worm screw and the worm wheel to change the angle of the sight mount.

In some configurations, the sight mount includes at least one of a Picatinny rail and a weaver style base.

In some configurations, an Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) is mounted onto the weapon site apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates an isometric view of an example weapon sight apparatus of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 of the drawings illustrates another isometric view of the weapon sight apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 of the drawings illustrates yet another isometric view of the weapon sight apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 of the drawings illustrates even yet another isometric view of the weapon sight apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 of the drawings illustrates a weapon system including an overhead view of the weapon sight apparatus, shown in FIG. 1, coupled to a projectile weapon and a weapon sight;

FIG. 6 of the drawings illustrates an example system including the weapon sight apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-5 attached to the M72 launcher;

FIG. 7 of the drawings illustrates a side view of the system shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 of the drawings illustrates an isometric view of a closeup of the system shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 of the drawings illustrates another isometric view of the system shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 of the drawings illustrates a front view of the system shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 of the drawings illustrates another side view of the system shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 12 of the drawings illustrates another isometric view of a closeup of the of the system shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

While this disclosure is susceptible of embodiment(s) in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment(s) with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the embodiment(s) illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1-4 showing various isometric views of an example apparatus, such as a weapon sight apparatus 100, that includes a housing 110, a sight mount 120, an angle modifier 130, an angle adjusting mechanism 310, and a weapon mount 125. The housing 110 includes a first end 112, a second end 114, a first side 116, and a second side 118. The housing 110 can be made of steel, aluminum, titanium, an alloy, a high strength plastic, carbon fiber, and/or any another material that the sight mount 120 and a projectile weapon 510 (FIG. 5) can be coupled to. For example, the projectile weapon 510 is any of a shoulder-fired missile, rocket-propelled grenade, bazooka, rocket launcher, grenade launcher (Milkor MGL (M32 style), or any other projectile type weapon that uses a steep trajectory with respect to hitting a target. In at least one embodiment, the housing 110 includes a first housing portion 110a and a second housing portion 110b. The first housing portion 110a includes the angle adjusting mechanism 310 disposed therein and the second housing portion 110b has a locking mechanism 170 coupled thereto. As shown, the first housing portion 110a and the second housing portion 110b are coupled together via bolts, such as a first bolt 137a and a second bolt 137b. In other embodiments, the first housing portion 110a and the second housing portion 110b are coupled together via adhesive bonding, screws, or any other coupling mechanism that couples the first housing portion 110a and the second housing portion 110b together. In at least one embodiment, the first housing portion 110a and the second housing portion 110b can be detached from one another for upkeep and servicing.

The sight mount 120 is disposed on the first side 116 of the housing 110 and includes a first end 122 and a second end 127. The sight mount 120 is disposed proximate the second end 127 of the sight mount 120 and provides a mounting location onto which a weapon sight 520 (FIG. 5) is coupled to the sight mount 120. In at least one embodiment, the an Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) is mounted onto the weapon site apparatus 100. The sight mount 120 includes an inner surface 129 and an outer surface 123. In at least one embodiment, the sight mount 120 further includes a plurality of mounting protrusions 126 disposed on the outer surface 123 of the sight mount 120. These mounting protrusions 126 facilitate mounting the weapon sight 520 to the sight mount 120. In at least one embodiment, these protrusions 126 form a Picatinny rail within a slot formed between the first end 122 and the second end 127 and between the protrusions 126 of the sight mount 120. In other embodiments, the sight mount 120 can include any mount that allows for mounting of the weapon sight 520, such as a weaver style base. In other embodiment, the sight mount 120 can include one type of mount on the top of the sight mount 120 and a different mount on a bottom of the sight mount 120, such as a Picatinny rail on the top of the sight mount 120 and a weaver style base on the bottom of the sight mount 120, or vice versa. In at least one embodiment, the sight mount 120 includes a plurality of boxed members 124a/124b/124c spaced apart from each other and each including an opening 121a, 121b, 121c (e.g., circular opening) therein. The open spaces between the plurality of boxed members 124a/124b/124c within sight mount 120 shown minimizing the material used to create the sight mount 120, which minimizes the weight of the sight mount 120.

The angle modifier 130 modifies an angle of the housing 110. In at least one embodiment, the angle modifier 130 is a circular disc 135 coupled to the angle adjusting mechanism 310. In other embodiments, the angle modifier 130 is other shapes, such as gear shaped, square, a handle, triangular, or any other shape that allows for adjusting the angle adjusting mechanism 310. In at least one embodiment, the angle modifier 130 includes angle markings 132 to indicate an angle of the housing 110, such as in angular mils. In contrast to typical weapon sites discussed above, the weapon sight apparatus 100 utilizing the circular disc 135 design and geometries disclosed that pushes engagement distance to 750+ meters.

The angle adjusting mechanism 310 is coupled to the second end 127 of the sight mount 120. The angle adjusting mechanism 310 adjusts an angle of the housing 110 in accordance with the angle modified by the angle modifier 130. FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the housing 110 as being transparent, the portion of the housing 110 proximate to the first side 116 and the second end 114 of the housing 110, allowing view of the angle adjusting mechanism 310 disposed therein. In at least one embodiment, an example of the angle adjusting mechanism 310 includes a worm screw 312 coupled to both the angle modifier 130 and a worm wheel 314 coupled to the sight mount 120. The angle modifier 130 rotates to rotate the worm screw 312 and the worm wheel 314, which in turn changes the angle of the housing 110.

As shown in FIG. 1, the angle modifier 130 is positioned at an initial angle, e.g., 0 angular mils. Rotating the angle modifier 130 results in the housing 110 being likewise rotated. As shown in FIG. 3, the angle modifier 130 is illustrated after having been rotated arriving back at the 0 angular mils, but with the housing 110 being rotated to a range indicated value of approximately 250. FIGS. 2 and 4 show the housing 110 having been even further rotated by the angle modifier 130, however the approximate angular mils are not shown because of the limitation of the isometric views of these figures.

During use of the weapon sight apparatus 100, the sight mount 120 is pointed toward a target 610 (FIG. 6), while the housing 110 and attached projectile weapon 510 rotate to create an angle/trajectory for the projectile weapon 510 to reach the target 610. Once the target 610 is acquired and a range is measured, the projectile weapon 510 has a specific associated mils value which will be dialed into the weapon sight apparatus 100 via the circular disc 135, with the sight mount 120 being in-line with a line-of-sight arrow 620. FIG. 7 illustrates a rendering of the M72 launcher with the weapon sight apparatus 100 attached. The user's eye is positioned to the rear of the weapon sight apparatus 100, in-line with a line-of-sight shown as arrow 620.

The weapon mount 125 is disposed on the second side 118 of the housing 110, for example on the second housing portion 110b. The weapon mount 125 is used to mount the projectile weapon 510 (FIG. 5) to the weapon sight apparatus 100. In the example shown, the weapon mount 125 includes a V-shaped ridge 220 that extends a length of the housing 110, for example along a bottom 221 of the second housing portion 110b. In at least one embodiment, the V-shaped ridge 220 is a Picatinny rail groove, the dimensions being called out in MIL-STD-1913.

The weapon sight apparatus 100 further includes the locking mechanism 170. The weapon sight apparatus 100 further includes the locking mechanism 170 to lock the projectile weapon 510 to the weapon mount 125 of the weapon sight apparatus 100. In an example, the locking mechanism 170 is disposed proximate to the first end 112 of the housing 110 and proximate to the second side 118 of the housing 110, although the locking mechanism 170 can be disposed at other locations.

In at least one embodiment, the locking mechanism 170 includes a first lobe 171a and a second lobe 171b. The first lobe 171a and the second lobe 171b are rotatably coupled to the housing 110. The first lobe 171a and the second lobe 171b are coupled to and rotate together with the first locking lever 141a and the second locking lever 141b, respectively. In at least one embodiment, a first hand 532 is used to rotate the first locking lever 141a and a second hand 534 is used to rotate the second locking lever 141b.

In at least one embodiment, the locking mechanism 170 includes a first locking lever 141a and a second locking lever 141b. In an example, the first locking lever 141a and the second locking lever 141b are each pivotally coupled to the housing 110 and pivoting about a first pivot point 241a and a second pivot point 241b, respectively. The first pivot point 241a and the second pivot point 241b are disposed proximate to the first end 112 of the housing 110. In other embodiments, the locking mechanism 170 is disposed in other locations than those shown, where convenient for grasping by a user of the weapon sight apparatus 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, with the first locking lever 141a and the second locking lever 141b in the downward position the first lobe 171a and the second lobe 171b are likewise in a downward position. This downward position for the first locking lever 141a and the second locking lever 141b results in rotation of the first lobe 171a and the second lobe 171b to create a friction fit between the projectile weapon 510 and the second housing portion 110b. This friction fit places the weapon sight apparatus 100 into position for use with the projectile weapon 510, such as ready for use on a battlefield. Thus, rotating the first locking lever 141a and the second locking lever 141b not only readies the weapon sight apparatus 100 for use on the battlefield, but also locks the projective weapon 510 onto the weapon sight apparatus 100 via the first lobe 171a and the second lobe 171b rotating into the downward position. FIG. 4 illustrates the first locking lever 141a and the second locking lever 141b in the upward position, with the first lobe 171a and the second lobe 171b likewise being an upward position with the weapon sight apparatus 100 ready to be attached to the projectile weapon 510.

In at least one embodiment, the weapon sight apparatus 100 further includes a range indicator 165 to indicate an approximate range of the projectile weapon 510. The range indicator 165 is coupled to the angle adjusting mechanism 310 and the housing 110 and rotates with the housing 110 in accordance with the angle adjusted by the angle adjusting mechanism 310. The range indicator 165 includes range markings 167 indicating an approximate range (e.g., yards, meters, etc.) of the projectile weapon 510. In an example, the housing 110 further includes an angle-to-range member 150 providing an indication of correspondence between an angle indicated by the angle modifier 130 and an approximate range of the projectile weapon 510 indicated by the range indicator 165.

In at least one embodiment, the weapon sight apparatus 100 further includes a locking mechanism 170 to lock the projectile weapon 510 to the weapon mount 125. For example, the locking mechanism 170 includes a first lobe 171a and a second lobe 171b. The first lobe 171a and the second lobe 171b are coupled to and rotate with the first locking lever 141a and the second locking lever 141b, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, with the first locking lever 141a and the second locking lever 141b in the downward position the first lobe 171a and the second lobe 171b are likewise in a downward position. This downward position for the first locking lever 141a and the second locking lever 141b is the position in which the weapon sight apparatus 100 is ready for use on a battlefield. Thus, rotating the first locking lever 141a and the second locking lever 141b not only readies the weapon sight apparatus 100 for use on the battlefield, but also locks the projective weapon 510 onto the weapon sight apparatus 100 via the first lobe 171a and the second lobe 171b rotating into the downward position. FIG. 4 illustrates the first locking lever 141a and the second locking lever 141b in the upward position, with the first lobe 171a and the second lobe 171b likewise being an upward position with the weapon sight apparatus 100 ready to accept the projectile weapon 510. The weapon sight apparatus 100, utilizing the V-shaped ridge 220 and the first lobe 171a and the second lobe 171b, is compatible with a 1913 picatinny and NATO rails, and compatible with any weapon site that can be mounted on the 1913 picatinny rail.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example system 600 including the weapon sight apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1-5 attached to an M72 launcher 605. As shown, the sight mount 120 is positioned at eye level and trained on the target 610 to create a light of sight, shown as line-of-sight arrow 620 For example, to achieve 750+ meter target acquisition the M72 launcher will be at a steep angle as shown, such as at a 30 degree angle. A benefit of the weapon sight apparatus 100 is that the sight mount 120 holds optic centered on the target 610. This benefit is extended in that once the range of the target 610 is known a mil increment can be dialed in on the circular disc 135 and a red dot of the weapon sight 520 is centered on the target 610. FIGS. 7-12 illustrate various closeup views of the example system 605 shown in FIG. 6.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the disclosure and the disclosure is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A weapon sight apparatus, comprising:

a housing including a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side;

a sight mount disposed on the first side of the housing, the sight mount to couple to a weapon sight;

an angle modifier to modify an angle between the housing and the sight mount;

an angle adjusting mechanism directly coupled to the sight mount, the angle adjusting mechanism to adjust the angle in accordance with the angle modified by the angle modifier, the angle adjusting mechanism including a worm screw directly coupled to both the angle modifier and a worm wheel directly coupled to the sight mount, with rotation of the angle modifier rotating the worm screw and the worm wheel to change the angle between the housing and the sight mount; and

a weapon mount, disposed on the second side of the housing opposite the first side of the housing, to mount a projectile weapon to the weapon sight apparatus.

2. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the projectile weapon to the weapon mount.

3. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism includes a first lobe and a second lobe rotatably coupled to the housing.

4. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism is proximate to the first end of the housing.

5. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a V-shaped ridge.

6. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a first locking lever and a second locking lever each pivotally coupled to the housing and pivot about a first pivot point and a second pivot point, respectively, the first pivot point and the second pivot point being proximate to the first end of the housing.

7. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion including the angle adjusting mechanism disposed therein and the second housing portion having the locking mechanism coupled thereto.

8. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a range indicator to indicate an approximate range of the projectile weapon.

9. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the range indicator is coupled to the angle adjusting mechanism and the sight mount and rotates with the sight mount in accordance with the angle adjusted by the angle adjusting mechanism.

10. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing further includes an angle-to-range member providing an indication of correspondence between an angle indicated by the angle modifier and an approximate range of the projectile weapon indicated by the range indicator.

11. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle modifier is a circular disc coupled to the angle adjusting mechanism.

12. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle modifier includes angle markings to indicate an angle of the sight mount.

13. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the angle markings are in angular mils.

14. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sight mount includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the sight mount further including a plurality of mounting protrusions disposed on an outer surface of the sight mount, the mounting protrusions to facilitate mounting the weapon sight to the sight mount.

15. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sight mount includes a plurality of boxed members spaced apart from each other and each including an opening therein.

16. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projectile weapon is one of a shoulder-fired missile, rocket-propelled grenade, bazooka, rocket launcher, and grenade launcher.

17. (canceled)

18. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sight mount includes one of a Picatinny rail and a weaver style base.

19. The weapon sight apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) is mounted onto the weapon mount.