Illuminated, Including Fiber Optics Patents (Class 42/132)
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Patent number: 7234265Abstract: An internal red dot sight includes an objective lens formed of a convex lens, a planar eye lens set in a tilt angle relative to the objective lens and facing the concave surface of the objective lens, and a light emitting device set in between the planar eye lens and the objective lens and controlled to emit a point light source onto the eye lens for enabling the eye lens to reflect the point light source and to further produce a virtual point light source on the focal point of the objective lens for viewing by the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Inventors: Li-Der Cheng, Yi-Rong Lee
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Patent number: 7230684Abstract: An apparatus has a rangefinder portion that includes: a radiation generator which emits radiation having a selected wavelength; a radiation detector which detects radiation having the selected wavelength; and an optical portion which includes a non-reciprocal optical part. The optical portion routes radiation emitted by the radiation generator at the selected wavelength through the non-reciprocal optical part and then through an aperture toward a location remote from the apparatus, and also routes radiation received via the aperture at the selected wavelength through the non-reciprocal optical part and then to the radiation detector.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: John R. Staley, III, Frank C. Sulzbach
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Patent number: 7225578Abstract: An aiming sight includes a controller, a power supply, an LED array, and a collimator. The power supply powers the LEDs to turn-on and turn-off, and powers the collimator to rotate. The collimator rotates to different rotational positions while the controller, the power supply, and the LED array remain fixed in place. The LEDs are positioned such that one LED and the collimator are at a constant angle and separated by a constant focal distance for each collimator position. The controller controls the collimator to rotate to a collimator position to generate an aiming dot at an angular position corresponding to the collimator position. The controller turns-on the LED which is at the constant angle and separated from the collimator by the constant focal distance and turns-off the remaining LEDs such that the collimator collimates light from the turned-on LED into the aiming dot at the angular position corresponding to the collimator position.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2005Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: EOTech Acquisition Corp.Inventor: Anthony M. Tai
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Patent number: 7210262Abstract: A weapon sight can be mounted on a weapon. According to a different aspect of the invention, the sight can detect a level of ambient illumination, and takes a selected action if the detected illumination level is below a selected level.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: James Florence, Clay E. Towery
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Patent number: 7145703Abstract: A low profile holographic sight includes a base having a mounting mechanism and a body mounted on the base for housing a laser diode, an associated electronic control and power source, and optical elements including a collimator, a transmission image hologram of the reticle pattern, and a reflective diffraction grating, wherein the optical elements are arranged within the body to direct and fold the laser beam in a substantially generally horizontal path, and is insensitive to drift in laser wavelength. The optical elements superimpose an image of the reticle pattern over the direct view of the target scene in a generally parallel and close relationship with the barrel of a firearm, such as a shotgun or a rifle, upon which the sight is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: EOTech Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Eric J. Sieczka, Anthony M. Tai, Robert H. Fish
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Patent number: 7069685Abstract: A head up display for firearms is provided, wherein a light valve is employed to create variable images in response to user input. The images from the light valve are entrained in an illuminating beam which intersects a diffractive optic. The diffractive optic includes a recorded infinite focal plane which is reconstructed by the illuminating beam, thereby displaying the image from the light valve at an infinite focal plane which is readily viewed be a user looking through the diffractive optic.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: LaserMax, Inc.Inventor: William R. Houde-Walter
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Patent number: 6978569Abstract: A tilt indicator for use on a firearm includes a signal to indicate if the firearm is level or out of level. The signal is located to be viewed by a user via the user's peripheral vision and his secondary concentration so the user can maintain his primary concentration on the target.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Long-Shot Products, Ltd.Inventors: Warren P. Williamson, IV, David C. Yates, Craig B. Berky
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Patent number: 6967775Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2004Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Millett Industries, Inc.Inventor: James A. Millett
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Patent number: 6904688Abstract: A sight protective cover system adapted for a target sight including a protective cover. The protective cover being a body having at least two L-shaped slots. Also, including a mounting section which has a protective cover insert extending outward from the mounting section and away from the target sight, where the protective cover insert is sized to fit inside the body of the protective cover. There are at least two studs extending from the protective cover insert to interact with the at least two L-shaped slots to lock the mounting section and the protective cover together. There is a spring member between the mounting section and the protective cover to provide tension between the at least two studs and the at least two L-shaped slots to aid in locking the mounting section and the protective cover together.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2004Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Inventor: Donald J. Henry
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Patent number: 6898890Abstract: A night-vision optical device of the invention with controlled life expectancy contains a time measuring device built into the housing of the aforementioned device for measuring the accumulated time of active work of the device. In application to a night scope for a firearm, the device also contains a sensor, which is interlocked with activation of the scope and reacts on the shots produced from the firearm in general and separately on those shots produced during active work of the night-vision optics at nighttime. The aforementioned shots of both types are counted and stored in separate memory units. The night-time shots affects the life expectancy of the night-vision optics because of muzzle flashes which cause such devices as an image intensifier to work with an increased light load. The information obtained from the time measuring device and the shot counter makes it possible to timely receive a warning signal about the fact that the night optics or the entire firearm must be replaced.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: American Technologies Network Corp.Inventor: Leonid Gaber
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Patent number: 6868631Abstract: A night vision device to mark the location of a front sight on a rifle or a modern bow includes a casing, a power source and a light emission device adapted to the front sight. Wherein, the casing contains the power source connected to the light emission device, and a light conductor is further provided to the front of the light emission device so to mark the location of the front sight to aim at a selected target by the light emitted from the light emission device during night hours or where poor visual contact presents.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Inventor: Guan-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 6860056Abstract: A gun sight system includes a front sight and a rear sight providing high shot accuracy and immediate target acquisition. Each sight having light-gathering means functions dependently defining a highly visible aiming point. An elongated light-gathering plastic rod retained on a front sight base member includes a triangular viewing surface. An oval-shaped light-gathering plastic rod, retained within a rear sight housing, includes two triangular shaped viewing surfaces disposed in a V-shaped void of the housing. From a user's perspective three lighted triangular shaped viewing ends of the light-gathering means define an aiming point and provide immediate target acquisition. Multi-colored light-gathering means and the creation of hot-spots further improve the present gun sight system.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: North Pass, Ltd.Inventor: Phillip D. Howe
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Publication number: 20040255506Abstract: A night vision device to mark the location of a front sight on a rifle or a modern bow includes a casing, a power source and a light emission device adapted to the front sight. Wherein, the casing contains the power source connected to the light emission device, and a light conductor is further provided to the front of the light emission device so to mark the location of the front sight to aim at a selected target by the light emitted from the light emission device during night hours or where poor visual contact presents.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventor: Guan-Ming Chen
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Publication number: 20040200118Abstract: A night vision device to mark the location of a front sight on a rifle or a modern bow includes a casing, a power source and a light emission device adapted to the front sight. Wherein, the casing contains the power source connected to the light emission device, and a light conductor is further provided to the front of the light emission device so to mark the location of the front sight to aim at a selected target by the light emitted-from the light emission device during night hours or where poor visual contact presents.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventor: Guan-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 6802131Abstract: An illuminated target structure for viewing a scene includes a transparent medium having a transparent-medium peripheral rim and a light-reflective target within a transparent-medium central region. A circumferentially uniform ring illumination source is in contact with the transparent-medium peripheral rim. The ring illumination source projects a substantially uniform illumination into the transparent-medium peripheral rim and thence onto the light-reflective target. The ring illumination source preferably is a modified optical fiber structure having a modified lateral surface in facing relation to the transparent-medium peripheral rim and having a light leakage through the modified lateral surface. An image intensifier may be positioned in facing relation to a transparent-medium front face.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Robert Scholz, Jiangang Xia
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Publication number: 20040047586Abstract: A reflex sighting device for day and night sighting including an ambient light collector assembly and sources of artificial light for providing illumination for a reticle pattern for sighting and with at least one of the sources of artificial light being electrically powered and having a control system for controlling its operation and with separately unique illumination structures and combinations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2002Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Trijicon, Inc.Inventors: Darin W. Schick, Glyn A. J. Bindon
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Publication number: 20040025398Abstract: A gun sight system includes a front sight and a rear sight providing high shot accuracy and immediate target acquisition. Each sight having light-gathering means functions dependently defining a highly visible aiming point. An elongated light-gathering plastic rod retained on a front sight base member includes a triangular viewing surface. An oval-shaped light-gathering plastic rod, retained within a rear sight housing, includes two triangular shaped viewing surfaces disposed in a V-shaped void of the housing. From a user's perspective three lighted triangular shaped viewing ends of the light-gathering means define an aiming point and provide immediate target acquisition. Multi-colored light-gathering means and the creation of hot-spots further improve the present gun sight system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventor: Phillip D. Howe
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Patent number: 6684551Abstract: A gun sight system includes a front sight and a rear sight providing high shot accuracy and immediate target acquisition. Each sight having light-gathering means functions dependently defining a highly visible aiming point. An elongated light-gathering plastic rod retained on a front sight base member includes a triangular viewing surface. An oval-shaped light-gathering plastic rod, retained within a rear sight housing, includes two triangular shaped viewing surfaces disposed in a V-shaped void of the housing. From a user's perspective three lighted triangular shaped viewing ends of the light-gathering means define an aiming point and provide immediate target acquisition. Multi-colored light-gathering means and the creation of hot-spots further improve the present gun sight system.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: North Pass, Ltd.Inventor: Phillip D. Howe
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Patent number: 6678987Abstract: A gun sight system includes a front sight and a rear sight providing high shot accuracy and immediate target acquisition. Each sight having light-gathering means functions dependently defining a highly visible aiming point. An elongated light-gathering plastic rod retained on a front sight base member includes a triangular viewing surface. An oval-shaped light-gathering plastic rod, retained within a rear sight housing, includes two triangular shaped viewing surfaces disposed in a V-shaped void of the housing. From a user's perspective three lighted triangular shaped viewing ends of the light-gathering means define an aiming point and provide immediate target acquisition.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: North Pass, Ltd.Inventor: Phillip D. Howe
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Patent number: 6640482Abstract: A dual powered fiber optic sight for a gun, which can be illuminated either by ambient light or by a light source. The light source is preferably a light-emitting diode (LED). Ambient light and light from the LED are carried by a fiber optic rod and the rod appears as a bright dot on the front sight of the gun. The electronics are enclosed and protected from the environment by a water-proof adhesive. The end of the fiber optic rod may be cut at a 45 degree angle to increase the rod's light-gathering ability.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Inventor: John T. Carlson
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Patent number: 6601308Abstract: An ambient light collecting bow sight having a light collecting filament, wherein the light collecting filament is preferably a scintillating fiber optic filament of sufficient length to enable extensive wrapping or winding of the fiber optic filament around a preferably translucent bow sight. The multiple wrapping or winding of an extensive strand of fiber optic filament provides the filament with more surface area in which to harness ambient light passing through the translucent bow-sight. A portion of the fiber optic filament is attached to a pin or crosshair of the bow sight, thus functioning as a lit targeting pin.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Inventor: Bahram Khoshnood
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Publication number: 20030121196Abstract: A gun sight system includes a front sight and a rear sight providing high shot accuracy and immediate target acquisition. Each sight having light-gathering means functions dependently defining a highly visible aiming point. An elongated light gathering plastic rod retained on a front sight base member includes a triangular viewing surface. An oval-shaped light-gathering plastic rod, retained within a rear sight housing, includes two triangular shaped viewing surfaces disposed in a V-shaped void of the housing. From a user's perspective three lighted triangular shaped viewing ends of the light-gathering means define an aiming point and provide immediate target acquisition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventor: Phillip D. Howe
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Publication number: 20030121197Abstract: A gun sight system includes a front sight and a rear sight providing high shot accuracy and immediate target acquisition. Each sight having light-gathering means functions dependently defining a highly visible aiming point. An elongated light-gathering plastic rod retained on a front sight base member includes a triangular viewing surface. An oval-shaped light-gathering plastic rod, retained within a rear sight housing, includes two triangular shaped viewing surfaces disposed in a V-shaped void of the housing. From a user's perspective three lighted triangular shaped viewing ends of the light-gathering means define an aiming point and provide immediate target acquisition. Multi-colored light-gathering means and the creation of hot-spots further improve the present gun sight system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventor: Phillip D. Howe
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Patent number: 6581317Abstract: A fiber optic pin sight, for use predominantly with an archery bow, or even with other firearms, includes a holder, supporting one or more fiber optic pin sights, and an illumination source at the back of the fiber optic material for use for furnishing an illumination to the fiber optic for its transmission through and for lighting the pin sights to facilitate the targeting when either directing an archery bow or firearm towards a target sight or to a quarry.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Toxonics Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Scott O. Slates
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Patent number: 6571504Abstract: A dual powered fiber optic sight for a gun, which can be illuminated either by ambient light or by a light source. The light source is preferably a light-emitting diode (LED). Ambient light and light from the LED are carried by a fiber optic rod to a target screen and the rod appears as a bright dot on the target screen on the front sight of the gun. An optional rear sight also receives light from the ambient light or from the light source.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Inventor: John T. Carlson
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Patent number: 6516551Abstract: An optical sight for a photocamera viewfinder or for an aiming device of a firearm comprises a combination of a light emitting diode (LED) with a plurality of reticle patterns applied onto the surface of the LED and selectively illuminated by connecting various portions of the reticle patterns to the source of electric power supply. The switching from one reticle pattern to another is carried out electrically without the use of moving parts of the reticles or reticle images. This ensures high accuracy in positioning of reticle elements with regard to each other, e.g., with regard to the front sight center of the partially transparent mirror, and hence, with regard to the ballistic trajectory of the bullet.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: American Technologies Network CorporationInventor: Leonid Gaber
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Publication number: 20030009925Abstract: The apparatus is an adjustable front sighting system for a shotgun. Interchangeable rings, each with a sight point mounted at a different height above the rings, are slipped over the discharge end of a tube attached to the muzzle of a shotgun and clamped in place by a threaded nut. The shotgun's elevation can thus be adjusted by interchanging rings with sight points at differing heights, and windage can be adjusted by rotating any installed ring in an arc to the left or right.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Applicant: Sight Right, Inc.Inventors: Duane L. Schoemaker, Mark A. Bansner, Thomas C. Walser
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Publication number: 20020166278Abstract: A dual powered fiber optic sight for a gun, which can be illuminated either by ambient light or by a light source. The light source is preferably a light-emitting diode (LED). Ambient light and light from the LED are carried by a fiber optic rod and the rod appears as a bright dot on the front sight of the gun. The electronics are enclosed and protected from the environment by a water-proof adhesive. The end of the fiber optic rod may be cut at a 45 degree angle to increase the rod's light-gathering ability.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventor: John T. Carlson
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Publication number: 20020157298Abstract: A dual powered fiber optic sight for a gun, which can be illuminated either by ambient light or by a light source. The light source is preferably a light-emitting diode (LED). Ambient light and light from the LED are carried by a fiber optic rod to a target screen and the rod appears as a bright dot on the target screen on the front sight of the gun. An optional rear sight also receives light from the ambient light or from the light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventor: John T. Carlson
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Patent number: 6446377Abstract: A sighting device comprises a fiber optic element removably mounted on a support bracket which is adapted for attachment to ventilation rib of a gun. The sighting device is primarily for use in low light conditions and can be readily mounted and removed from the gun in immediate response to changing light conditions. In addition, the fiber optic element is removably attached to the support bracket, thereby allowing alternate fiber optic elements to be selectively mounted on the sighting device as desired.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Inventors: Ned J. Hollenbach, Dean N. Williams
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Patent number: 6421946Abstract: An inner sleeve is pressed, when installed on a weapon, between a feature of the weapon such as a rib, rail, or barrel, and an outer sleeve. An aiming indicia is mounted on the outer sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Tru-Glo, Inc.Inventor: Paul M. LoRocco
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Patent number: 6412208Abstract: According to the present invention, an electronic sight assembly for sighting a revolver under various ambient lighting conditions comprises an elongated sight frame having front and rear sights, and means for illuminating the sights according to a measured level of ambient light. A front light guide transmits light from a light source to the front sight, and a pair of rear light guides transmit light from the light source to the rear sight. The sight frame encloses a pair of ambient light guides which transmit ambient light to a photosensitive cell that produces a signal corresponding to the ambient level of light. The light source is then energized according to the ambient level of light.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.Inventors: Richard Mikuta, Craig A. Mariani, Brett Curry, John F. Klebes
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Patent number: 6367189Abstract: A groove is provided on an upper surface of a handgun slide, wherein the groove is enclosed on one end and open at the rear end of the slide. The groove, beginning at a predetermined point along the top and extending rearward to the end of the slide, has a front face and a rear opening. A small cylinder of tritium activated phosphor is installed in the front face of the groove and is longitudinally parallel to the device so that the end of the cylinder is visible to a holder of the device. Additionally, a second small cylinder of tritium activated phosphor is installed just below the rear opening of the groove. The second cylinder is parallel to the bottom of the rear opening so that the length of the cylinder is visible to the holder. Sighting is accomplished by aligning the first cylinder end with the bottom of a target and aligning the second cylinder length with the bottom of the first cylinder end in the standard “six o'clock” sighting position.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Inventor: David Richard Clay
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Patent number: 6360472Abstract: A phosphorescent or light-reflective member is disposed on a holder supporting an elongated light-gathering optical fiber formed of a light-gathering fluorescent plastic material. The sight is adaptable for use on rifles, handguns, bows, and other weapons requiring an aiming indicia. The light-gathering fluorescent optical provides a brilliant dot that is readily identifiable under bright light conditions, and the phosphorescent or light-reflecting member provides a supplemental light source which serves to provide an illuminated dot under low-light or dark conditions. The sight 10 effectively solves the problem of providing electrically-powered light sources for illumination of the aiming indicia under low light or dark conditions, or the requirement to precisely align the fiber or hollow tube with a light source disposed at the distal end of the fiber or tube spaced from the viewing end of the fiber or tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Tru-Glo, Inc.Inventor: Paul M Lorocco
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Patent number: 6336285Abstract: Sighting apparatus for mounting open sights atop a firearm sighting telescope including a longitudinal sighting bar which is mounted on the telescope. The front sight is mounted on the front portion of the bar and the rear sight is mounted on the rear portion of the bar. The front and rear portions of the bar may be longitudinally adjustable to longitudinally adjust the distance between the front and rear open sights. In one embodiment, the front sight is an optical sight.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1997Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Inventor: Allen P. Baumer
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Patent number: 6311405Abstract: A fiber optic pin sight includes a fiber optic pin holder which grips the pin to secure the pin in the sight. The pin holder includes a threaded shaft having a bore through which the pin extends and a nut which is threaded about the shaft. The shaft is sloped outwardly at its back end and includes a slot which extends forwardly from the back end to define a pair of spaced apart flexible legs. When the nut is threaded over the expanded back end of the shaft, the legs are urged together to grip the pin.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1997Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Toxonics Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Scott O. Slates
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Patent number: RE39686Abstract: An ambient light collecting bow sight having a light collecting filament, wherein the light collecting filament is preferably a scintillating fiber optic filament of sufficient length to enable extensive wrapping or winding of the fiber optic filament around a preferably translucent bow sight. The multiple wrapping or winding of an extensive strand of fiber optic filament provides the filament with more surface area in which to harness ambient light passing through the translucent bow-sight. A portion of the fiber optic filament is attached to a pin or crosshair of the bow sight, thus functioning as a lit targeting pin.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Inventor: Bahram Khoshnood