IL24453A - A sight for use on hand firearms - Google Patents

Description

24453/2 Λ sight for uso on hand firearms.

Nils ftfi'.ler The present invention relates to a sight for use on firearms,which is intended to be used instead of open sights of the conventional type which are mounted on such weapons, and has for its purpose to simplify the aiming procedure, to facilitate target practising by using a simpler aiming method which is easy to learn, and to increase the percentage of hits when firing at mobile targets in daylight and at all kinds of targets in darkness. The sight according to the invention is intended to be used according to the same principle as open sights, i.e. by finding the aiming-line over the sights, contrary to what is the case with optical sights, where the target is observed through a telescope or another similar optical instrument giving an enlarged image of the target, whereupon _the aiming proper is done with the aid of e.g. crosshairs or other suitable markings on the sight.

The primary characteristic feature of the sight according to the invention, is that it comprises a housing which is adapted to be mounted on a weapon and has an opening directed towards the shot and located in such a way that when aiming the weapon the shot can look into the opening with one eye, and means enclosed in the housing for generating a luminous spot, and a convergent lens means which is mounted in the path of the light beam passing from the generated luminous spot to the opening and adjusted in such a way that the shot can see the luminous spot through the said opening in the same way as if it were : - 2 - located at an infinite distance in front of him, the sight being adapted to be adjusted in such a way in relation to the weapon that the luminous spot seems to lie in a target observed by the shot when the weapon is being aimed at the said target.

The sight according to the invention differs from other sights, both open and optical ones, in that the shot at the aiming of the gun with the aid of the present sight sees a luminous spot with that eye with which the target is observed over open sights of the conventional type, the said spot occu^ pying a position in relation to the target which is desired by the shot, and at the same time the shot can use the same eye or his other eye, which is held closed both when open and when optical sights are used, or use both eyes, in order to observe the whole or a major portion of the target area during the firing. The visual angle is consequently increased in comparison to that obtained when other kinds of sights are used, in particular in those cases when the shot keeps both eyes open, for in those cases the target area is not screened downward by parts of the weapon or by the sight or, towards one -side, by the shot's nose. This makes it easier to aim at a mobile target with the correct pre-setting angle, and also makes it possible to switch the fire quickly to more dangerous targets. The sight according to the invention consequently improves the tactical usefulness of the weapon and makes it easier to distribute the - 3 - fire correctly over the target area. Due to the facility with ' which even untrained shots will discover the luminous spot and measure its postition in relation to the target, the aiming method is considerably simplified and target practising is facilitated to a corresponding degree, for an important part of training marksmen consists in teaching them how to find the aiming-line and how to choose the right spot in relation to the target against which to aim the weapon.

When used in darkness the sight according to the invention has very great advantages in comparison to previous types of sights. Sights for shooting in darkness are either open sights, which are mounted on the weapon specifically for fighting in darkness and consist of lugs or the like with fluorescent spots of varying form and appearance, or of sightsusing the principle of infrared radiation (IR sights). The latter have the disadvantage of being easy to detect through IR reconnaissance, thus revealing the presence of weapons and troops. They are also complicated and expensive and rather difficult to handle and quite cumbersome when used in connection with musketry, and are also very delicate to handle and therefore un- · suitable for field use. The former kinds of sights are impractical in use and have the disadvantage of making it necessary to direct the aiming-line into the target, which has for its result that in darkness the target seems to disappear because of the way in which the eyes function. In order to retain the image or outline of an object in darkness it is necessary to direct the gaze slightly beside the object, and firing at targets in darkness over open sights cannot, therefore, be done with any considerable degree of precision.

Contrary to this, the sight according to the invention, i'.addition to its uncomplicated construction, has the advantage when used as a darkness sight that in the event that the shot aims the weapon with both eyes open and without seeking the aiming-line over the rear sight and the front sight and instead places the luminous spot in a certain relation to the target, he can direct his gaze slightly beside the target and thus retain its image on the retina, at the same time as quick aiming of the weapon is considerably facilitated.

By using the aiming method described above the shot can keep both eyes accommodated for aiming at a distance from the very moment when aim is taken and until the firing begins, whereas when using conventional open sights the weapon has first to be aimed and the eye thereupon accommodated from the target to the rear sight, from the rear sight to the front sight, and finally back to the target. By avoiding this aiming method when using the sight according to the invention, the target itself and the whole target area can be kept under observation throughout the firing, even under rapid fire and irrespective of whether this fire consists of rapid nonauto-matic fire or of bursts of fire from an automatic weapon.

This makes it possible also for untrained shots to adjust the aim quickly.

Another advantage of the sight according to the invention is that it does not require that the eye observing the luminous spot has to be kept exactly on the optical axis. If the eye is moved slightly to the side of this axis, the apparent position of the luminous spot will not, despite this, change in relation to the target, and this spot can therefore be said to be practically parallax-free.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings showing two preferred embodiments of the invention chosen by way of example. In the drawings: Pig. 1 is a longitudinal section of one embodiment of the sight; Pig. 2 is a cross-section on line A-A in Pig. 1 through one of the main portions of the sight; Pig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section on line B-B in Pig. 2; Pig. is a side view of a weapon having a sight according to Pigs . 1 to 3 mounted on it; Pig. 5 shows roughly how the sight is used by a shot and further shows the increased field of vision obtained by using the sight according to the invention; Pig. 6 is a diagrammatic horisontal section of the second embodiment of the sight according to the invention mounted on a weapon; and Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the said embodiment as seen from the rear.

The sight shown in Pig. 1 has a tubular housing which is impenetrable to light and consists of two metal tubes 1 and 2 united by an intermediate portion 3 having an exterior square cross-eection and having a cylindrical bore with internally threaded ends, into which the tubes 1 and 2 are screwed with an external thread on one of their ends. The tube 1, which forms the front portion of the housing (to the left in Pig. l) encloses means for illuminating a very small diaphragm aperture disposed behind the tube 1 in the intermediateportion 3, and the tube 2, which formt the rear portion of the housing, has a convergent lens means screwed onto its outer (rear) end for observing the diaphragm aperture which is visible as a luminous spot in the intermediate portion 3· The illuminating means in the tube 1 comprises a circular body 4 mounted fixedly in the rear end of the tube, said body preferably being of metal and having on its side which faces towards the rear a recess with a spherical or parabolical reflecting surface 5, in the center of which there is provided a lamp-socket 6 holding a miniature bulb 7· Immediately inside the body the tube 1 encloses an automatic mercury switch 8. This consists of a composite Plexiglas body 9 having a completely enclosed angular inner cavity 10 and two wire electrodes 11 and 12 passing tightly through the Plexiglas body 9 from the ends thereof, where they are connected with contacts, and project with their points into the cavity 10. In this cavity there is a drop of mercury 13 , whichcloses the circuit between the electrodes when the sight occupies the position shown in Pig.l but keeps the circuit open in all other positions. In front of the switch 8 there is a dry battery 14 of a standard type mounted in the tube 1 so that one of its end contacts 15 rests a-gainst the electrode end contact of the switch which is located exactly opposite. The battery is kept pressed against the switj-ih by a helical spring 16 and a capsule 17 screwed onto the outer end of the tube 1 .

In the intermediate portion 3 the- diaphragm aperture illuminated by the bulb 7 and the reflector surface 5 is. formed by a diaphragm means which not only determines the size of the aperture but also admits of close adjustment of the position of the aperture in the field of vision. This means consists of two circular plates 18 and 19 of me¾l .having a close fit in the bore of the intermediate portion and being kept pressed against each other by the ends of the two bubes 1 and 2 screwed into the intermediate portion, one from each direction. They may also be mutually screwed together by means of a pair of screws 20. Each plate 18 or 19 has a deep diametrical groove 21 and 22, respectively, cut in that side which faces the other plate, and the plates are arranged in such relation to each other in the bore of the intermediate portion 3 that the grooves 21 and 22 are disposed at right angles to each other. In the opposite side, each plate has a central orifice extending to the respective groove and a bevelled orifice margin, the orifice in the plate 18 to the left in Pigs. 1 and 3 being slightly larger than the orifice in the plate 19. In the groove 21 and 22, respectively, a metal body 23 and 24, respectively, is guided slidingly, a leaf spring 25 being provided on one side wall of the groove in order to keep the body pressed without play against the other side wall. The body 23 and 2 , respectively, serves as a holder for a cylindrical glass body 26 and 27, respectively, which has a close fit in a through bore in the body in the longitudinal direction of the tubular housing. The two glass bodies 26 and 27, the ends of which engage each other at those sides of the plates l8 and 19 which face each other, are intended to provide a path for the light falling from the bulb 7 through the central orifice in the plate 18 and emerging through the central orifice in the plate 19. The ends of the glass bodies which engage each other are coated with a layer which is impenetrable to light (not shown in the drawings)except for a very narrow diametrical slot extending in each glass body at right angles to the groove 21 and 22, respectively, in which its holder is guided. The diaphragm aperture is formed by the intersection of the two slots, and the position of the said aperture in the field of vision can be adjusted by displacing the holders 23 and 24 in their guides. In order to bring about this displacement each holder is provided with an adjustment which is accessible on the outside of the intermediate portion 3 · The said adjustment means is described in the following.

The holder 23 and 24, respectively, has on one end a par-shaped extension 28 into which the end of an adjustment screw 29 is screwed. The said screw 29 passes freely through a lateral opening in the intermediate portion 3 and is rotatably mounted in a disk 31 secured by means of screws 30 on the outside thereof. Against the outer side of the said disk 31 the head 3 of the adjustment screw 29 abuts through a friction washer 33. A helical spring 3^ is mounted around the extension 28 between the end of the metal body 2 and 24, respectively, and the inside of the disk 31 in order to avoid play in the threads. A protective hood 35 Is screwed onto the disk 31 In order to prevent unintentional changes of the angular position of the screw 29.

The convergent lens means screwed onto the outer end (to the right in Pig. l) of the tube 2 consists of a bubular barrel >6 having an internal thread at one end on which the tube 2 is to be screwed and a single convergent lens 37 mounted in the said barrel. The focal distance of the said lens is adjusted in such way that the diaphragm aperture in the intermediate portion 3 i located at least approximately in the focal plane of the lens. As seen through the lens a virtual image of the diaphragm aperture will consequently be located at an infinite distance infront of the shot.

The sight is intended to be mounted on a weapon 38 in . the same way as an ordinary telescopic sight and preferably by using the same kind of fastening means (see Pig. 4).

When aiming with the aid of a sight according to the invention the shot regards the target with his eyes accommodated to the distance to the target. When aiming the weapon at the target the eyes do not have to be re-accommodated to a short distance in order to find the aiming-line to the target, as must be done when using a rear sight and a front sight of the conventional type. The weapon is instead aimed in such a way that the luminous spot generated by the sight is placed in such a relation to the target as is called for by the speed with which the target moves, the strength and direction of the wind, the light conditions, ' the type of ammunition used, and other factors which affect the aim. When the shot is fired the same accommodation is retained and the marksman keeps both eyes open, whereby it is easy for him to take the right aim with the aid of the luminous spot. As a result of the adjustment means described above for the diaphragm aperture, the latter can be adjusted in such way that the weapon is aimed correctly at the target when the shot can see the luminous spot in the desired position in relation to the target; even if the sight has not been given an exactly correct position on the weapon. This is made clear in Pig. , where the target is shown at 39 at a relatively short distance from the shot in order to make the angle between the lines of vision of the eyes clearly visible. Pig. 5 also shows how the shot can use the fall visual angle of his eye when regarding the target area, as oompared to the small visual angle which is obtained for instance in telescopic sights.

The embodiment of the sight shown in Pigs. 6 and 7 differs from the embodiment described above in such a way that the shot can also see the target area with the eye which regards the luminous spot. This embodiment has a housing which consists of a tube 40 arranged so as to be looked through and intended to be mounted on the weapon, an angular tube 41, at one end of which the means generating the luminous spot is located and at the other end of which the convergent lens means is mounted, and an intermediate tube 42 by means of which the end of the tube 4l which houses the convergent lens means is joined to the side of the tube 40 at an area where the said tube has an opening. The tube 40 also encloses a clear glass plate 3 mounted at a 45 degree angle to its axis and to the axis of the intermediate tube 42, and its ends are preferably covered by glass plates 44 and 45. The means generating a luminous spot consists of a bottomed sleeve or socket 46 displaceable in the open end of the tube 41 and carrying in its interior at the bottom a lamp-socket for a bulb 7 and being o'overed in front of the bulb by a diaphragm disk 48 having a very small central orifice 49 which thus forms the luminous spot generated by said means. In the angle of the tube 41 there is provided a mirror 50 deflecting the- light from the orifice 9 towards the convergent lens means which may in this case consist of a single convergent lens 1 mounted at the end of the tube 41. The said lens has a focal distance adjusted in such a way that the diaphragm aperture 49 can be made to lie seemingly in the focal plane of the lens by precision adjustment of the sleeve 46.

A battery (not shown) and a switch 52 feeding current to the bulb 47 are provided in a sleeve 3 which.may be disposed beside the tube 4l in a housing 54 which is common to both of them .

When using the sight according to Pigs. 6 and 7 the shot looks with one eye through the tube 40 and sees not only the target area but also the . diaphragm aperture (the luminous spot) 49 which on account of the convergent lens 51 seems to be located at an "infinite" distance from him, like the target area. In this case the shot may according to discretion .regard the target area also with his other eye or keep this eye closed. In other respects the method of using this embodiment of the sight is the same as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5· The embodiments of the sight described above can be used in various respects without departing from the essential principle of the invention. It would for instance lie within the scope of the invention to dispense with the bulb and instead use daylight, which could be made to illuminate the diaphragm orifice by means of a suitable optical device and thus generate the luminous spot. The advantage of using a bulb lies, however, in the fact that the luminous spot can be given the same brightness under all conditions and make it possible to fire with the same precision in dusk as in broad daylight as long as the target can only be seen.

Claims (1)

1. 4 A device for a a means for mounting said housing on a said housing a rearward opening to be looked into by a shooter when a the and a light unit mounted in said characterised aperture means in said housing to of light emitted by said light unit a sraall spot risible through said and convergen lens means in housing in the path of the light said said gent means being adjusted to make a virtual image of said luminous spot at an infinite as through said A sighting device as in 1 characterised by for adjusting said aperture means in mutually dicular directions in relation to said mounting A sighting device as in claiia 2 in that said aperture in said housing consists of two transparent bodies lying end to each of said bodies having one end coated with a layer impenetrable to except for a narrow diametrical the two slots being disposed at right angles to each other to define an ture at their and holder for each of said said holder means being displaceable in mutually perpendicular directions for adjusting the position of said aperture the luminous spot formed A sighting device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said light unit comprises day light 15 A sighting device as daisied in any claims 1 to 3 characterized in tha said light unit an artificial sighting device as in characterized said light unit a a source of aad an automatic mercury in with said and said source to close said circui said sighting device is in a generally horizonta thereby illuminating said A sighting device as claimed in any of the characterized in said means forming said luminous spot provides an opening of at least substantially circular A sighting device as in any iaed in that said housing eoiaprises first and second aligned tube said light unit being located in said first aligned said rearward opening being said second aligned said aperture being in said tubular and said convergent lens being in said second A sighting device as in any of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that said housing comprises a first tube to be through by a shooter aiding the a angular and sleeve necting one end said second tube to an opening in side of said first said light unit being attached to id second and optical aligned spaced reflecting means A sighting device for a firearm substantially as described with reference to the For the Boss insufficientOCRQuality