Abstract: A sight for a firearm includes a housing, a tritium light source, a light transmission rod, and a retainer. The housing is configured to be mounted to a firearm. The tritium light source is supported within the housing. The light transmission rod is disposed in a cavity of the housing and positioned adjacent the tritium light source. The light transmission rod is configured to collect and transmit both an ambient light and a light from the tritium light source. The retainer is removably engaged with the housing and fixes the light transmission rod within the cavity. Removal of the retainer provides access for replacement of the light transmission rod.

Abstract: A handgun slide has a slide body extending longitudinally and includes sides extending down from a top surface. A proximal end portion of the slide body defines a recess configured to receive a sight assembly. A sight assembly can be installed in the recess of the slide by placing the sight assembly in the recess, followed by securing the assembly to the slide. In its installed configuration, at least part of the sight assembly's point-of-aim indicator is recessed below the top surface of the slide.

Abstract: A device implementable on a firearm includes a one-piece sight functioning as a rear sight or a front sight when installed on the firearm. The one-piece sight includes a notch and a user-facing side configured with a first surface aligned with the notch and a second surface on two opposite sides of the first surface. The first and second surfaces are sloped at first and second angles, respectively, to reflect an ambient light at different angles.

Abstract: A reflective sight for use with a firearm includes a rear sight; a light source in the rear sight; a front sight; and a reflector in the front sight, wherein the rear sight and the front sight are aligned using light emitted from the light source that is reflected by the reflector toward the rear sight and through a light path aperture to a user.

Abstract: A tritium housing includes a body extending from a first end to a second end to define a hollow extending therebetween. A lens is disposed adjacent and surrounded by the first end of the body and a sleeve is disposed within said hollow and extends from a closed end disposed adjacent the second end of the housing to an open end disposed adjacent the lens. A tritium vial is disposed within the sleeve to produce illumination visible through the lens. The body is comprised of a colored plastic material for magnifying and brightening the tritium illumination during a daylight use of the tritium housing.

Abstract: A tritium housing includes a body extending from a first end to a second end to define a hollow extending therebetween. A lens is disposed adjacent and surrounded by the first end of the body and a sleeve is disposed within said hollow and extends from a closed end disposed adjacent the second end of the housing to an open end disposed adjacent the lens. A tritium vial is disposed within the sleeve to produce illumination visible through the lens. The body is comprised of a colored plastic material for magnifying and brightening the tritium illumination during a daylight use of the tritium housing.

Abstract: A tritium housing includes a body extending from a first end to a second end to define a hollow extending therebetween. A lens is disposed adjacent and surrounded by the first end of the body and a tritium vial is disposed within the hollow to produce illumination visible through the lens. The body is comprised of a colored plastic material for magnifying and brightening the tritium illumination during a daylight use of the tritium housing.

Abstract: An iron sight system for handguns including a notched blade rear iron sight, providing view windows through blade structure predominantly to the left and to the right of a defined notch, and the notched blade rear iron sight combined with a front iron sight providing a view therethrough.

Abstract: A tritium housing includes a body extending from a first end to a second end to define a hollow extending therebetween. A lens is disposed adjacent and surrounded by the first end of the body and a tritium vial is disposed within the hollow to produce illumination visible through the lens. The body is comprised of a colored plastic material for magnifying and brightening the tritium illumination during a daylight use of the tritium housing.

Abstract: The invention encompasses firearm sights configured to eliminate the effect of parallax a shooter would otherwise experience when aiming a firearm at a target. The firearm sight utilizes a rear sight vane and at least one occluder positioned so that the occluder interferes with or substantially blocks a shooter's line of sight for the shooter's non-aiming eye without obstructing the vision of the correct eye with which the shooter should be aiming.

Abstract: Implementations of a rear sight block for AK-type rifles are provided. In some implementations, the rear sight block may be drop-in-compatible with most AK-type rifles and performs several functions (e.g., providing a guide hole for the piston of an AK-type rifles operating system) associated with prior art rear sight blocks found on AK-type rifles. In some implementations, the rear sight block disclosed herein comprises an optic mounting interface having an integral rear sight notch therein, and at least one accessory mounting interface. In some implementations, the optic mounting interface places an optical gun sight secured thereto in line with the iron sights of the host AK-type rifle. In some implementations, the accessory mounting interface may be used to position a flashlight, laser, and/or other firearm accessory on the left (or right) side of the rear sight block.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sighting device containing at least one self-luminous light source and at least one element made of a light-guiding and/or light-collecting material. Preferably, the self-luminous light source is embodied as a tube or ring and this light source is arranged in at least a portion of the length of the tube or ring, or along its entirety, and most preferably uses a tritium gas-containing element.

Abstract: A gun sight system including a housing, comprised of a top housing layer and a bottom housing layer. The housing includes a front end and a rear end configured to adhere to the front and rear of the top surface of a gun slide. A central portion of the housing is configured to be perpendicular to the front top and rear top sections. Within the housing is a front and rear circuit board, including at least one battery mount, at least one switch, and a front LED and a rear LED. The housing has a window to allow light from the LED to shine into a window on a front and rear gun sight. A light pipe within each gun sight allows the light to be seen by the gun's user.

Abstract: A lens for use in a sighting device, the lens including anti-reflective coating on both primary planar sides, and having an uncoated light-accepting portion of a peripheral edge transmitting light shining thereon within the lens to fluoresce a substance within an indentation or a cavity burred into one side of the lens.

Abstract: The invention encompasses firearm sights configured to eliminate the effect of parallax a shooter would otherwise experience when aiming a firearm at a target. The firearm sight utilizes a rear sight vane and at least one occluder positioned so that the occluder interferes with or substantially blocks a shooter's line of sight for the shooter's non-aiming eye without obstructing the vision of the correct eye with which the shooter should be aiming.

Abstract: Handgun front sight 140 has an elongated, rectangular body with a light pipe 21 inserted into the open space between the rear opening 141 and forward opening 142. The base of the front sight is slanted to raise the proximate end relative to the distal end. The rear sight 120 has a body 102 with a circular opening for centering the target. A compass ring 60 fits inside the circular opening. A pair of light pipes 116a, 116b in the body of the rear sight are aligned with 90 and 270 degree points of the compass ring to establish an imaginary line across the diameter. The front light pipe is centered along that imaginary line.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gun sight system that utilizes vernier acuity to provide a single point of sight for aiming that requires little or no visual and mental estimation such that the respective firearm can be quickly, easily and accurately aimed at a still or moving target. The sight system includes a front sight comprising a sighting structure extending substantially orthogonally from the end of the slide that includes a ‘V-shaped’ notch in a distal end. The system additionally includes a rear sight comprising a sighting stud extending substantially orthogonally from a rear of the slide includes a ‘inverted-V-shaped’ tip such that when a user looks longitudinally along the top of the slide, the user can align an apex of the rear sight ‘inverted-V-shaped’ tip with a nadir of the front sight ‘V-shaped’ notch with the target nested within the front sight ‘V-shaped’ notch to accurately aim the firearm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sighting device, containing an elongate light source (11) and an elongate body (15) made from a material which conducts light and/or collects light. The light source (11) and body (15) are disposed coaxially. A user looking into the device in the viewing direction (3) sees at least one luminous mark under all light conditions. In weak or failing ambient light, at least the light source (11) appears as a luminous dot and in strong ambient light, the face of the body (15) directed towards the user radiates collected light. In the transition range between weak and strong ambient light, both the light source (11) and the luminous face of the body (15) are visible to the user.

Abstract: Handgun front sight 140 has an elongated, rectangular body with a light pipe 21 inserted into the open space between the rear opening 141 and forward opening 142. The base of the front sight is slanted to raise the proximate end relative to the distal end. The rear sight 120 has a body 102 with a circular opening for centering the target. A compass ring 60 fits inside the circular opening. A pair of light pipes 116a, 116b in the body of the rear sight are aligned with 90 and 270 degree points of the compass ring to establish an imaginary line across the diameter. The front light pipe is centered along that imaginary line.

Abstract: A sight assembly for a firearm is provided and may include a main body attached to the firearm and a pair of projections defining a first surface opposing a shooter and a second surface formed on an opposite side of the projections than the first surface. The first surface may be formed at an angle relative to a top surface of the firearm such that a bottom portion of the first surface disposed proximate to the top surface of the firearm is farther away from a shooter than a top portion of the first surface. The sight assembly may further include a U-shaped opening disposed between the pair of projections and in communication with a passage defined by the pair of projections, whereby the passage widens along a length of the pair of projections in a direction extending from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: A sighting system for a firearm is provided and may include a rear-sight assembly having a rear surface opposing a shooter, a pair of rear-aiming points, and a U-shaped opening disposed between the pair of rear-aiming points. The rear surface may be formed at an angle relative to a top surface of the firearm such that a bottom portion of the rear surface disposed proximate to the top surface of the firearm is farther away from a shooter than a top portion of the rear surface. The sighting system may also include a front-sight assembly including a housing having a front-aiming point, a brightly colored material surrounding the front-aiming point, and a top coat extending over the brightly colored material and the front-aiming point.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a firing pin sight system. At least one rearwardly facing sight is located at a rear contact surface of a firing pin of a firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight is viewable to a shooter from the rear of the firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight forms a high contrast surface (in respect the rear surface of the firearm) allowing the shooter to align the at least one rearwardly facing sight point with a target located in front of said firearm. An optical alignment signaling indicia indicates to the shooter when the aim line of the handgun is either off-sight alignment or on-sight alignment.

Abstract: An aiming apparatus and associated methods for aiming a device such as a firearm are disclosed herein. In various aspects, the aiming apparatus may include a front sight configured as a post and a rear sight configured to include a notch. An image portion is formed on the front sight and a complementary image portion formed on the rear sight such that the image portion and the complementary image portion present a unitary image to a viewer of the front sight through the notch when the front sight is aligned with the rear sight, in various aspects. Note that this abstract is presented to meet requirements of the USPTO. This abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.

Abstract: A high-visibility gunsight has a body defining a vertical plane and having a vertically elongated rear face. The body extends from a lower base portion to an upper free end portion. A first visibility-enhancing element and a second visibility-enhancing element are connected to the body. The visibility-enhancing elements have different visibility enhancing properties. The visibility-enhancing elements are vertically aligned with each other and centered on the vertical plane. The body has a greater thickness lateral to the vertical plane at the base than at the free end. The invention also includes a rear sight operable to be aligned with the front sight along an aiming axis to form a gunsight system.

Abstract: A sighting system for a firearm is provided and may include a rear-sight assembly having a rear surface opposing a shooter, a pair of rear-aiming points, and a U-shaped opening disposed between the pair of rear-aiming points. The rear surface may be formed at an angle relative to a top surface of the firearm such that a bottom portion of the rear surface disposed proximate to the top surface of the firearm is farther away from a shooter than a top portion of the rear surface. The sighting system may also include a front-sight assembly including a housing having a front-aiming point, a brightly colored material surrounding the front-aiming point, and a top coat extending over the brightly colored material and the front-aiming point.

Abstract: An aiming device for guns, which comprises a transparent plate that shows to the user a critical image when the plate has a predetermined orientation, and shows a deformed image when said plate has any other different orientation. The transparent plate is so mounted in the device and the device is so mounted on the gun, such that the critical image is seen by the user when and only when the axis of the gun barrel is parallel to the line of sight passing through the user's eye and the center of the transparent plate.

Abstract: A high-visibility gunsight has a body defining a vertical plane and having a vertically elongated rear face. The body extends from a lower base portion to an upper free end portion. A first visibility-enhancing element and a second visibility-enhancing element are connected to the body. The visibility-enhancing elements have different visibility enhancing properties. The visibility-enhancing elements are vertically aligned with each other and centered on the vertical plane. The body has a greater thickness lateral to the vertical plane at the base than at the free end. The invention also includes a rear sight operable to be aligned with the front sight along an aiming axis to form a gunsight system.

Abstract: A sight for a firearm including a front sight portion and a rear sight portion. The front sight portion includes a front sight, at least one shim and a front sight and shim pocket whereby at least the elevation of the firearm can be adjusted by changing the shim. The front and rear sight portions are further provided with replaceable colored plastic inserts.

Abstract: An aiming system having a two-tone colored rear sight lens as the primary aiming component. The lens is held in an L-shaped lens frame which also incorporated conventional “iron sights.” The two-tone colored lens has an outside perimeter portion of one color and a central portion of another color. The lens frame can fold or rotate forward from an upright locked position to a locked-down position using a manually activated one-handed operation.

Abstract: An aiming sight has a base, two oppositely facing light emitting elements on the base, a pivot upon which the base rotates, a detent that holds the base at selected positions, and a spring, magnet or other structure that presses the sight towards the aimed device upon which the sight is mounted. The sight is selectively rotated so that one of the light emitting elements faces the user for aiming, without removing the sight or the light emitting elements from the aimed device.

Abstract: A rugged adjustable, optical alignment system is well suited for use in low light environments or at night. A rear sight includes a U-shaped array of, preferably, first second and third substantially cylindrical, transparent, tritium vials arranged such that the elongated cylindrical side surfaces of the vials are exposed to define an array of elongated illuminated segments. The array is preferably in the shape of a “U” having a first horizontally aligned vial positioned below a sight notch with a second vertical vial positioned above and to the left of the notch. A third vertical vial is positioned to the right of the sighting notch, above the first vial. In use, a front blade or front post also containing a tritium insert is aligned within the rear sight's U-shaped array of illuminated segments, thereby providing an intuitive sight picture.

Abstract: A front sight assembly includes a self powered substantially permanent light source such as tritium source carried within a bore defined in a housing, where the housing preferably defines a structure symmetrically aligned along a central plane, where the bore carrying the light source has a central axis that lies within or parallel to the housing's central plane. The sight assembly housing terminates proximally in a proximal surface that faces the user when mounted on a firearm or other instrument. The sight assembly housing's proximal surface further includes a region surrounding or defining a periphery around the light source which is coated with, laminated with or altered to define a region of photo-luminescence that is substantially concentric with the center of the visible portion of light source.

Abstract: New and unique improvements of prior known fiber optic sights for firearms with day and night time capabilities are disclosed that comprise (A) a sight base, (B) a fiber optic rod mounted in said base having an angle cut at the distal end which is positioned on the underside of the rod, and (C) an artificial light insert that is positioned in a cavity in the fiber optic rod. The cavity is sealed with a fiber optic rod plug and epoxied using an optically clear epoxy. The sight provides increased light output, co-located day and night sight views with increased illumination during the day, and uses a low power tritium insert for night time use. At night the sight achieves a transition from a bright ring during the day to a small central dot at night while maintaining the same color light for both.

Abstract: An illuminated sighting device includes a capsule with an integrally formed lens that is adapted to face rearwardly for viewing by a user. An elongate light collector is positioned within the hollow interior of the capsule and is formed such that light can be gathered along its length and transmitted to its ends. One of the light collector ends is located adjacent to the first lens and defines a sight point or dot. An artificial light source is located within the capsule hollow interior and is oriented for projecting radiant energy into the second light collector end so that the sight point is viewable during dark or low light conditions.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is a reticule featuring both rapid close quarters target acquisition and precise distance shooting functionality. The reticule features a broad central aiming ring and four sets of aiming point indicating dots. The lowest set comprises dots of differing dimensions and distances apart. Ranging rings are also provided. An alternate embodiment is also comprises a highlighting ring around the aiming ring. The reticule can be illuminated through known or future discovered means for low-light or night shooting.

Abstract: A sighting device for use with a firearm or bow comprises a fiber optic member having a sight end visible by a user for aiming the firearm or bow at a target. A non-electrical, light-emitting material is disposed over a length of the fiber optic element in order to illuminate the fiber optic element in low light or no ambient light conditions. The non-electrical, light-emitting material may be incorporated into the sighting device in order to provide sufficient surface contact with the fiber optic member to provide adequate illumination as well as illumination of the sighting device itself.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.