AIMING DEVICE FOR INDIRECT FIRE GUNS

• US 3,824,699 A
• Filed: 06/19/1972
• Issued: 07/23/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ludwig J. Lenz, Robert Stanley Thompson
• Original Assignee: Ludwig J. Lenz, Robert Stanley Thompson
• Inventors: Lenz, Ludwig J., Thompson, Robert Stanley
• Primary Examiner(s): Prince, Louis R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Phillips, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US05/264,213
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 33/334,366 89/1F,1J,37C,41B,41D,41T,41CE 340/267C 42/7G
• US Class Current: 33/334
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/14 Indirect aiming means

Abstract

In firearms which must be aimed at elevated firing angles in order to provide the fired projectile with an arcuate trajectory capable of hitting a hidden target, the attainment of the proper firing angle is automatically signaled by the return to zero inclination of a gravity sensing electrolytic switch which had been set at an angle corresponding to the degree of rotation required to position a range indicator at the estimated or known range of the target. A second gravity sensing switch may also be utilized to signal the absence of any transverse canting of the firearm when the required firing angle is attained.

Claims

1. An aiming device for guns from which projectiles are fired at elevated firing angles in order to provide an arcuate trajectory capable of effecting a hit on a hidden target comprising, a housing fixed to the gun in parallel relation to the firing axis thereof, a first tilt plate vertically mounted in said housing for rotation about a transverse axis therethrough, a pair of gravity sensing units secured to one side of said first tilt plate and oppositely inclined relative to each other to provide an included angle therebetween, an electrical circuit containing means for producing an audible signal during the interval in which the included angle between said pair of units intersects a line parallel to true ground level, adjusting means rotatably mounted in said housing for selective adjustment to a desired reading, cam means rotatably supported in said housing for converting the rotation of said adjusting means to corresponding rotation of said first tilt plate whereby said units are preset to the angle at which the subsequent return thereof to the horizontal during the elevation of the firearm will sound said audible signal to indicate the attainment of the desired firing angle, a second tilt plate pivotally mounted at right angles to said first tilt plate for fore and aft swinging movement designed to maintain a vertical position during the elevation of the firearm, and at least one gravity sensing unit secured to one side of said second tilt plate in electrical connection with said signal circuit for producing an additional signal in the event the gun is canted relative to the horizontal during the elevation thereof to a firing position.

2. The aiming device defined in claim 1 including means for adjusting the size of said included angle between said sensing units on said first tilt plate to vary the duration of said audible signal upon attainment of the desired firing angle.

3. An aiming device for firearms from which projectiles are fired at elevated firing angles in order to provide an arcuate trajectory capable of effecting a hit on a hidden target, comprising, a gravity sensing switch mounted for rotation about an axis disposed at right angles to the firing axis of the firearm, cam means for rotating said switch to a predetermined tilted position corresponding to the firing angle required of the firearm in order to impart a given range to the projectile, means for pivotally mounting said switch for sWinging movement at right angles to the firing axis of the firearm to maintain said switch in a true vertical position relative to the ground despite any transverse canting of the firearm during the elevation thereof to the required firing angle, and means for providing an audible signal when the firearm has been sufficiently elevated to return said switch to a position of zero tilt thereby informing the operator that the required firing angle has been attained.

4. An aiming device for firearms from which projectiles are fired at elevated firing angles in order to provide an arcuate trajectory capable of effecting a hit on a hidden target, comprising, a first gravity sensing switch mounted for rotation about an axis disposed at right angles to the firing axis of the firearm, cam means for rotating said first switch to a predetermined tilted position corresponding to the firing angle required of the firearm in order to impart a given range to the projectile, a plate pivotally mounted for swinging movement about an axis disposed at right angles to said first switch, a second gravity sensing switch fixedly mounted on said plate at right angles to said first switch, means for providing a first audible signal when the firearm has been sufficiently elevated to return said first switch to a position of zero tilt thereby informing the operator that the required firing angle has been attained, and means responsive to said second switch for providing a second audible signal in the event the firearm is canted relative to the horizontal during the elevation thereof to the required firing angle.