Abstract: A shock attenuation system configured to reduce shock experienced by an optical device coupled to a weapon includes an inner rail support configured to couple to the weapon and at least two outer rail supports substantially parallel to the inner rail support. The at least two outer rail supports are configured to couple to the optical device. The shock attenuation system also includes a first spring feature coupled to a first of the at least two outer rail supports and the inner rail support, and a second spring feature coupled to a second of the at least two outer rail supports and the inner rail support. The shock attenuation system further includes a viscoelastic material coupled to at least one of: the inner rail support, the first outer rail support, the second outer rail support, the first spring feature, or the second spring feature.

Abstract: A system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, having an optical device and a shock attenuator is provided. The optical device is configured to operate with a weapon. The shock attenuator is disposed between the optical device and the weapon. The system includes the shock attenuator that is configured to reduce shock experienced by the optical device during operation of the weapon to less than 250 g's.

Abstract: An optical super-elevation device including an elevation follower mirror that counter-rotates with an opposite angular rate to the weapon elevation rate, thereby maintaining the line of sight to the target during the elevation process. In one example, the optical super-elevation device includes a modular housing having a mounting bracket configured to fixedly mount to at a weapon or azimuth axis of a tripod, an elevation follower mirror rotatably mounted within the housing, and a mirror actuator coupled to the elevation follower mirror and configured to counter-rotate the elevation follower mirror at an angular rate opposite to an elevation rate of the weapon to maintain a line of sight to a target during super-elevation of the weapon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stabilized camera module configured to prevent instable movement of a bobbin caused by outside force, the module including a holder formed at a lateral surface with at least one slit, a bobbin movably coupled to an inside of the holder and having a protruder protruding outside of the holder by penetrating the slit, a lens assembly coupled to an inside of the bobbin and including one or more lenses receiving an optical image of an object, and one or more elastic members formed between the holder and the bobbin to prevent the bobbin from moving to one side of the holder.

Abstract: Described is a locking stop mechanism for a riflescope that includes at least one rotatable reticle adjustment dial mounted on a scope body. It includes a stop member on the adjustment dial at a preselected position and a lock member on the scope body. The lock member is positioned to engage the stop member upon rotation of the adjustment dial to a preselected setting. The lock member is configured to prevent rotation of the adjustment dial in either direction when engaged with the stop member while allowing free rotation in at least one direction when the lock member is manually displaced and when the stop member is not engaged with the lock member at the preselected setting.

Abstract: A telescope comprises a folding reflector comprising a plurality of sections configured to fold at a plurality of substantially parallel hinges, a support structure configured to support at least two of the plurality of sections of the folding reflector and further configured to fold at one of the plurality of substantially parallel hinges, a corrector assembly configured to deploy from a stowed position in which an optical axis of the corrector assembly is substantially parallel to the parallel hinges to a deployed position in which the optical axis is substantially perpendicular to the folding reflector when the folding reflector is deployed. The telescope further comprises a hexapod configured to stow and deploy the corrector assembly.

Abstract: A riflescope high speed, coarse and fine adjustment assembly that includes a riflescope with an erector tube located inside a scope body. Formed on the scope body is a mounting surface with a lead screw slot located adjacent to the proximal end of the erector tube. Located over the mounting surface is an adjustment plate with a perpendicularly aligned post member located thereon. Located inside the post member is a threaded lead screw with threaded head that connects to the post member and a lower non-threaded neck that extends into a slot formed on the mounting surface. The adjustment plate is affixed along its front edge while the plate's opposite rear section is detached and free to move up or down. Disposed over the adjustment plate is a cover plate with a fine adjustment lever that selectively rises and lowers the rear edge of the cover plate. Attached to the cover plate is a detent plate. Attached over the detent plate is a coarse adjustment dial.

Abstract: Rifle scopes with friction reducing elements include a scope body, a movable optical adjustment element connected to the scope body, and a turret rotatably connected to the scope body. The turret includes a contact element contacting the adjustment element at a location of contact. The contact element is rotatable with respect to the turret. The adjustment element at the location of contact differs in hardness from the hardness of a second portion of the adjustment element. The contact element at the location of contact and the adjustment element at the location of contact are of essentially equal hardness.

Abstract: The camera or periscope system may include a taking lens, a beam steering device, a relay device, and an image rotation device. The camera or periscope system can be used to image in situations where the camera is not easily redirected to view a desired object of interest. The camera or periscope system is designed to be fixed to a mounting platform where the taking lens can be configured to point to the desired object of interest.

Abstract: An extendable telescope comprises a main barrel having a compensation lens group thereinside; an auxiliary barrel slidably disposed within the main barrel, the auxiliary barrel having a main lens group thereinside corresponding to the compensation lens group; and an assembling structure disposed on an end of the main barrel, the assembling structure being corresponding to the compensation lens group and the main lens group. Further, an image capturing unit can be assembled on the assembling structure. By the above-mentioned structure, no moment generates on the end of the main barrel and thus the main barrel and the auxiliary barrel carry their straight states to maintain the precision of the focal length.

Abstract: An optical device includes a base, an optical element chip attached to the base, an integrated circuit chip attached onto the back surface of the optical element chip, and a translucent member (window member). A wire is buried within the base, and the wire has an internal terminal portion, an external terminal portion, and a midpoint terminal portion. A pad electrode of the optical element chip is connected to the internal terminal portion through a bump, and a pad electrode of the integrated circuit chip is connected to the midpoint terminal portion through a fine metal wire.

Abstract: An apparatus for the focusing of incident light includes a base assembly that is adapted to support a primary mirror. The primary mirror includes an outside circumference and an inside aperture. An upright member is attached to the base assembly at a first end thereof at a first location that is disposed inside the aperture and at a second location that is disposed outside the primary mirror. The upright member includes a second end that is distally disposed with respect to the first end. The second end is adapted to receive a turret that includes a secondary mirror and is adapted to pivot between two positions. An IMU is attached to the base assembly proximate the primary mirror.

Abstract: An optical sight includes: an outer barrel having opposite ends; ocular and objective lens units mounted respectively to the ends of the outer barrel; a magnification unit disposed tiltably in the outer barrel, and extending between the ocular and objective lens units; an adjustment units mounted on the outer barrel, and operable independently and respectively to adjust position of the magnification unit inside the outer barrel in first and second directions that are perpendicular to each other; a biasing member interposed between the magnification unit and the outer barrel to provide an urging force on the magnification unit to abut against the adjustment units; and a force-adjusting unit disposed to connect the biasing member to the outer barrel, and operable to adjust the urging force exerted by the biasing member on the magnification unit.

Abstract: A focusing device and a telescopic tube module thereof are for use with optical equipment. The focusing device has a base module and a telescopic tube module. The base module has a housing, a shaft, and at least two bearings. The telescopic tube module has a tubular body, a bottom reinforced member, and an upper reinforced member. The bottom reinforced member is a reinforced board. The upper reinforced member includes at least two reinforced strips. The tubular body is slidably disposed in the housing. The shaft supports the bottom reinforced member. The at least two bearings support the upper reinforced member. When the shaft drives the tubular body to move, the stability and the precision of the focusing device are improved, and the durability of the tubular body is improved.

Abstract: A cylindrical body of a Newton reflective telescope includes a first cylindrical body and a second cylindrical body combined together. The first cylindrical body has an eyepiece fixed on an outer surface, and a reflective mirror fixed in its interior. A joint member is connected between the first and the second cylindrical body to enable the first cylindrical body to rotate relative to the second cylindrical body as a pivot in such a way that the first and the second cylindrical body have coincident center axes. Therefore, a person other than a first user can also look in the eyepieces by rotating the first cylindrical body without need for the first user to leave the location of the eyepiece.

Abstract: A periscopic beam director is disclosed. The periscopic beam director can be configured with a hemispheric field of regard, in a volume that minimizes external structure or dome size when mounted on a host vehicle (e.g., airplane or UAV). One embodiment combines a Risley Prism refractive beam steering arrangement with an angled azimuthal mount. By using refraction in combination with reflection for changing the beam direction within an optical unit, a substantially more compact periscopic beam director can be realized.

Abstract: A solar telescope is disclosed that facilitates safe observation of the sun with minimal setup, targeting effort or operator skill. The folded solar telescope of the invention includes a friction stabilized telescope support system that is capable of maintaining a specified telescope orientation. The telescope further includes a targeting system that comprises one or more pointing aids to simplify the process of aligning the telescope with the sun so a solar image is projected onto a viewing surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flip-flop diagonal with variable viewing angles. It comprises a housing body, an eyepiece adapter unit and a reflective mirror unit. The housing body has a cylindrical sleeve for mounting the diagonal to a telescope. The eyepiece adapter unit includes an eyepiece adapter and an eyepiece support frame, the eyepiece adapter is fixed on the eyepiece support frame, the eyepiece support frame is pivotably mounted on the housing body. The reflective mirror unit includes a reflective mirror, a mirror support bracket and rotary shafts, the reflective mirror is mounted in the mirror support bracket, and the mirror support bracket is pivotally mounted on the eyepiece support frame through the rotary shafts. With the flip-flop diagonal according to the present invention, when observing the sky through the refracting astronomical telescope, wherever the target is, the eyepiece can be located in different positions only by changing the angles of the eyepiece adapter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved off-axis optical sighting system for a weapon or the like to provide a means to infinitely vary the size of the dot image seen by the user's eye.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mounting device for a telescope fixed on a firearm by means of a telescope rail connected to the body of the telescope and a mount rail to be engaged into the telescope rail, said telescope rail centrically comprising a multitude of taped boreholes.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for producing a releasable connection of a housing portion with a further housing portion provides projections on one of the housing portions, and for producing a releasable connection by means of a rotational motion of the housing portions relative to one another, the latch projections latchingly engaging in associated latch recesses, where the latching mechanism includes a rotatably mounted ring element including the recesses for receiving the projections. The latching mechanism can be connected by means of further latch recesses and further latch projections to the further housing portion.

Abstract: A support for a telescope includes cavities for holding ballast material for improved stability. The cavities are provided in a fork to which the telescope is mounted, the fork is fixed to a ground-engaging frame for rotation about an axis of the fork. The cavity includes a lowermost conical section having an axis aligned with the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A solar telescope is disclosed that facilitates safe observation of the sun with minimal setup, targeting effort or operator skill. The folded solar telescope of the invention includes a friction stabilized telescope support system that is capable of maintaining a specified telescope orientation. The telescope further includes a targeting system that comprises one or more pointing aids to simplify the process of aligning the telescope with the sun so a solar image is projected onto a viewing surface.

Abstract: A fully automated telescope system is able to be fully operable in both Alt-Az and polar configurations. In either configuration, the telescope aligns itself to the celestial coordinate system following a simplified initialization procedure during which the telescope tube is first pointed north and then pointed towards a user's horizon. A command processor, under application software program control orients the telescope system with respect to the celestial coordinate system given the initial directional inputs. The initial telescope orientation may be further refined by initially inputting a geographical location indicia, or by shooting one or two additional celestial objects. Once the telescope's orientation with respect to the celestial coordinate system is established, the telescope system will automatically move to and track any desired celestial object without further alignment invention by a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sight for a combat vehicle, intended to be mounted in a weapon turret (26) of the vehicle in order to make possible sight lines at elevations between roughly −10° and 90° of a weapon barrel mounted pivotably about a horizontal axis in the weapon turret. The sight comprises a lower standard sight unit (12), which deflects vertical incident light by 90° to an eyepiece (16), and a top mirror (18), located above the standard sight unit (12) and pivotable in synchronism with elevating movements of the barrel, likewise about a horizontal axis. Positioned above the standard sight unit (12) is a deflection prism (20) which has an upper surface (22) which faces the top mirror, is inclined at roughly 45° to the vertical and is designed to reflect incident light at an angle of roughly 45° to the surface and less, but to transmit light which is incident at roughly 90° to the surface (22).

Abstract: A mounting and control system for a sensor module of a driver viewer enhancement system located external of a vehicle. The mounting and control system including a tube for supporting the sensor module and that is interconnected to a sleeve bearing by a ball and socket joint that provides for the limited pivotal adjustment of the module about a horizontal axis. The sleeve bearing is support by a mounting block, which provides for rotational adjustment of the sensor module about a vertical axis. The sleeve bearing has an inner hollow region having rectangular and trapezoidal cross-sectional configurations that extend within two vertical perpendicular planes. The tube is free to pivot within the sleeve bearing in the plane including the trapezoidal cross-section only, thereby providing for elevational adjustment of the sensor module.

Abstract: This invention provides a pair of range binoculars that, when the pupil distance is adjusted, is free from a deviation of the optical axes and undesirable influences on the electronic parts resulting from vibration caused by the adjustment, is capable to show the measured distance in such a way as the user can see it easily without making the system complicated, and secures the brightness of the visual field where the measured distance is displayed. The range binoculars are characterized in that a main case and an attached case contain a pair of left and right observation optical systems and the pupil distance is adjusted by turning only the attached case, and that the main case accommodates laser range-finding means, and measured distance displaying means comprising LCD means for displaying a distance measured by said laser range-finding means and a displaying optical system for projecting the distance displayed by said LCD means on the reticle so that the distance is shown at a rim of the visual field.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a modular viewing scope configured to be attached to a device such as a firearm or camera. The modular viewing scope may include a plurality of modular units wherein one or more of the units are selected from the group consisting of: a body module, an objective module, an eyepiece module, a control module, and a test module. Moreover, each of the modular units may be adapted to be replaced and/or upgraded as desired by a user without requiring removal of the viewing scope from the device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-channel panoramic night vision goggle (PNVG) system having two monocular subassemblies, each having a first channel and a second channel, each channel having an optical axis. A mounting structure, having a right and a left side, and having two angled mounting shoes may be used to mount the monocular subassemblies. The angled mounting shoes permit a single monocular subassembly to be attached to either side of the mounting structure, yet permit an optical axis of one of the first or second channels to be substantially coaxial with a user's optical axis and permits the other of the first and second channels to be at an angle not coaxial or parallel with the user's optical axis. In addition a hot shoe connector enables selective and repeatable attachment of the monocular subassembly to the angled mounting shoe, without the use of solder to complete the electrical contact.

Abstract: A support for a telescope includes cavities for holding ballast material for improved stability. The cavities are provided in a fork to which the telescope is mounted, the fork is fixed to a ground-engaging frame for rotation about an axis of the fork. The cavity includes a lowermost conical section having an axis aligned with the axis of rotation.

Abstract: An ocular comprises two magnifying means (10, 12) each having at least two lenses (22, 24). Said magnifying means (10, 12) are arranged in front of the human eyes. The magnifying means (10, 12) are connected via fastening means (40) with a supporting portion (14) of a frame. Said frame further comprises a holding portion (16) for holding the ocular on the human head. The magnifying means (10, 12) are attached via the fastening means (40) to the supporting means (14).

Abstract: A portable variable power zoom periscope having an upright oriented main tubular member having a reciprocally mounted slide bar attached thereto. A prism housing is secured to the top end of the slide bar. A flashlight holder is detachably secured to an attachment bracket at the top end of the slide bar and it has a flashlight removably mounted therein. The portable variable power zoom periscope has a focusing lens assembly, a zoom lens assembly and a detachable handle. A belt hook is removably secured to the periscope by the removable handle. The handle may have a radio mounted therein.

Abstract: A panoramic telescope of the type having a body 3 to be mounted on a vehicle, a head-piece 9 attached to the body and rotating with respect thereto. A window 11 is provided for observing the external scenery. Inside the head-piece is a mirror 13 for deflecting the incoming beam from the window towards an optical detector.

Abstract: A reflector telescope (10) includes at least one moveable secondary mirror assembly, thereby allowing control over the distance between the primary and secondary mirrors. A preferred telescope tube assembly includes a plurality of frame elements, between which is defined an optical path. An inner end of the telescope tube assembly supports a primary mirror assembly (200). In a preferred version of the reflector telescope, an inner secondary mirror assembly (300) and an outer secondary mirror assembly (400) are carried by the telescope tube assembly. Each secondary mirror assembly includes a secondary mirror and optical equipment such as an eyepiece. The secondary mirror assemblies can be slid along the frame elements of the telescope tube assembly, allowing the distance between the primary and secondary mirrors to be controlled.

Abstract: Telescopes have many accessories including astrophotography devices. A finely threaded accessory ring of conventional diameter is provided on these telescopes with the accessories being screwed thereinto with the constant danger of cross-threading. The present invention is threaded into the accessory ring of the telescope and on to the mating threads of the accessories. Through the use of the adapter of the present invention, the male adapter includes an outwardly projecting locking pin and the female adapter includes a mating, generally L-shaped locking slot to allow slide-on and twist locking and twist and slide-off unlocking. This can be accomplished in one to two seconds versus ten to twelve seconds to install and seven to eight seconds to remove accessories using the conventional thread-on, thread-off method.

Abstract: An eyecup assembly for a submarine periscope blinder assembly includes an annularly-shaped ring having a multiplicity of holes, which are unthreaded, extending therethrough and adapted to receive screws for securing the eyecup assembly to a like multiplicity of holes which are threaded and arranged in a circular pattern around an eyepiece opening in the blinder assembly, the ring defining a central viewing opening. An eyecup lateral shell circumscribes the eyecup chamber and is fixed to the ring and configured to conform generally to an eye area of a viewer's head, and to be interchangeably mounted to the threaded holes to receive either the viewer's left or right eyes by selectively indexing the holes in the ring 180° apart relative to the threaded blinder assembly holes.

Abstract: A panoramic telescope of the type having a body 3 to be mounted on a vehicle, a head-piece 9 attached to the body and rotating with respect thereto. A window 11 is provided for observing the external scenery. Inside the head-piece is a mirror 13 for deflecting the incoming beam from the window towards an optical detector.

Abstract: Headgear apparatus allows a viewer to see objects in a periscopic direction and a normal direction simultaneously. A periscope is mounted to a headpiece that is easily supported by the viewers head. The periscope has movable mirrors and an extending periscope section to allow the viewer to change the angle of the periscopic view relative to a plane containing a normal line of sight and the peripheral distance of the periscopic view, respectively. The apparatus further has a sectional periscope, whereby sections containing the reflective elements of the periscope can be rotated relative to each other and change the periscopic view in the plane of the forward line of sight. The head gear apparatus is adapted to a mask or an underwater mask that allows a viewer to see objects in a periscopic direction and a forward direction in diverse environments such as under water.

Abstract: A periscope includes a housing having two opposing side walls, a rear wall, a front wall, a top end and a bottom end. On the front wall, adjacent the top end, is an upper opening in communication with an interior chamber. An upper light reflecting device is positioned within the interior chamber to reflect light downwardly toward the bottom end of the housing. The housing further includes a lower viewing opening on the rear wall adjacent the bottom end that is likewise in communication with the interior chamber. A second light reflecting device is positioned within the chamber, somewhat facing both the viewing opening and the light reflecting device, for projecting light from the upper light reflecting device toward the viewing opening. An adjustable magnifying assembly is mounted between the upper opening and the upper light reflecting device for magnifying images projected to the viewing opening. The magnifying assembly is horizontally movable within the housing to vary the degree of magnification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to correct and eliminate optical anomalies and geometrical distortions in an intensified imaging system, specifically a night vision system. An image is received from the original objective lens assembly of an unintensified imaging system which, presumably, has been designed to produce images sized in accordance with the image sensor size of its host camera or camcorder. The format matching lens assembly receives the image from the original objective lens system and magnifies it so that it is output onto the entire circular active area of a mechanically inserted image intensifier. Having received an image across its entire circular active area, the image intensifier is able to amplify or intensify the image using the received light without creating any optical distortions. Once intensified without distortion, the image must be still further modified to fit its original format size.

Abstract: The invention comprises a mounting assembly for an image intensifier tube in an optical sight. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a mounting assembly (152) may include a housing (154), a retainer (158) and a locking device (177). The housing (154) may be mounted to an optical bench (60). The retainer (158) may engage an image intensifier tube (150) and be coupled to the housing (154). The image intensifier tube (150) may be rotatable relative to the optical bench (60). The locking device (177) may selectively secure the image intensifier tube (150) relative to the optical bench (60).

Abstract: A viewing device adaptor, hatch insert, and overall mounting system allows viewing device to be releasably mounted through an existing vehicle opening of a vehicle. The viewing device includes a mounted periscope assembly extending from a body of a viewing device, with a collar bearing surface contiguous inbetween. A viewer adaptor releasably and rotatively mounts about the collar bearing surface. A hatch insert releasably mountable within a vehicle hatch opening including an opening for the releasable mounting of the viewer adaptor therewithin. When the viewing device adaptor is coupled about the collar bearing surface, and releasably mounted within the hatch insert that has been releasably mounted within the hatch opening, there results a substantially unobstructed field of view, with the viewing device within the vehicle rotatable from inside the vehicle.

Abstract: In the controlled and stabilized platform (1) comprising a plurality of optical apparatuses, the optical apparatuses (8, 9, 10) are mounted in a casing (7) which is pivotable about a sight axis (12) in a bearing (13) which is pivotable about a bearing axis (14), the casing (7) and the bearing (13) being controlled about their axes (12) and (14) by motors (40) and (38) actuated by detectors measuring variations in the angular position of a stabilized input mirror (11) which reflects radiations going to the optical apparatuses or coming from the latter.

Abstract: The invention comprises a reticle assembly for an optical sight. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a reticle assembly (58) may comprise a housing (302) having a first slot (322) formed along an inside surface (304) by a first set of opposing side walls (318). A cross slide (330) may disposed in the first slot (322). The cross slide (330) may include opposing edges (334) engaging the first set of opposing side walls (318). The cross slide (330) may include a second slot (340) formed by a second set of opposing side walls (346) substantially normal to the first set of opposing side walls (318). A reticle holder (350) may be disposed in the second slot (340). The reticle holder (350) may include opposing edges (358) engaging the second set of opposing side walls (346). The reticle holder (350) may include a viewing aperture (354). A reticle (300) may be coupled to the reticle holder (350) in alignment with the viewing aperture (354).

Abstract: A surveillance device in the form of a fake radio aerial which projects from the roof of a vehicle. There is an upright periscope in the aerial which can rotate through 360.degree.. In the vehicle the light from the periscope is bent through 90.degree. and viewed by a camera all of which fits in the headliner space of the vehicle and so is not visible.

Abstract: A monocular telescope having a constant length includes a lens mounted in a tube and interchangeable eyepieces to vary the magnification. Focusing is performed using a positioning member to move a focusing unit axially in the tube. The rate of focus adjustment is adaptable to the selected magnification due to the provision of a transmission gear having different diameter gear wheels arranged along the positioning member. The transmission gear can be operatively coupled to the interchangeable eyepiece.

Abstract: A switchover mirror system for a periscope has an even number of reflection surfaces for enabling an observer to view a first scene in a first sight direction forward of the observer and an uneven number of reflection surfaces for enabling the observer to view a second scene in a second sight direction rearward of the observer. One of the reflection surfaces is disposed on a member which is pivoted about a pivot axis arranged eccentrically with respect to the member. With a simple construction and a reduced number of movable elements, the image during switchover of the sight direction remains upright and similar fields of view are obtained at the same periscopic elevation as for mirrors which are not switched over.