Modular laser aiming system

• US 5,033,219 A
• Filed: 02/06/1990
• Issued: 07/23/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emerging Technologies Trust (CACI International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Emerging Technologies Trust (CACI International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Johnson, Acie J., Prentice, Glenn W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US07/476,623
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 42/103, 42/101, 362/259, 362/289, 33/246, 33/248
• US Class Current: 42/115
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/35 for illuminating the target , e.g. flash lights
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"

Abstract

The modular aiming device comprises an elongated laser module operatively linked to a rechargeable power pack module. Rigid, quick-release clamps permit the hunter to mount the device alternatively upon an existing dove-tail scope mount or upon a pre-mounted optical telescope sight. A plurality of adjustable, padded scope rings may be employed to axially engage telescope sights of different diameters. A laser emitter diode is anchored within a tubular sleeve axially, adjustably disposed within the rigid laser housing. The laser sleeve comprises an asymmetrically planned, tubular, internally threaded shaft. Screw-driven, spring-biased, angular wedges associated with the sleeve cooperate with resilient flat springs to provide precision elevation and windage adjustments. Thumbscrew adjustments functioning as worm gears drive the wedges to tilt the laser sleeve horizontally and vertically relative to the laser housing. Each thumbscrew is biased by a tension spring which generates an audible click in response to fractional turning of the adjustment thumbscrew.

Claims

1. A light aiming system for a firearm, said system comprising:

rigid, generally tubular housing means adapted to be fitted to said firearm for mounting said system;

light means for selectively outputting a beam of substantially coherent light from said housing means toward a desired target at which said firearm is to be aimed;

sleeve means for securing said light means, said sleeve means generally concentrically disposed within said housing means and comprising a first inclined plane and a second inclined plane;

adjustment means for properly sighting-in said system to facilitate accurate aiming of said firearm, said adjustment means comprising;

first wedge means slidably mounted between said sleeve means and said housing means in contact with said first inclined plane for pivoting said sleeve means in response to axial displacements thereof;

means for selectively axially displacing said first wedge means to pivot said sleeve means and effectuate elevation adjustments to said system;

second wedge means radially spaced apart from said first wedge means and slidably mounted between said sleeve means and said housing means and in contact with said second inclined plane for pivoting said sleeve means in response to axial displacement of said second wedge means; and

,

means for selectively axially displacing said second wedge means independently of said first wedge means to pivot said sleeve means and effectuate windage adjustments to said system.

2. The light aiming system as defined in claim 1 wherein said system comprises elevation spring means for contacting and biasing said sleeve means toward said first wedge means and windage spring means for contacting and biasing said sleeve means toward said second wedge means.

3. The light aiming system as defined in claim 2 wherein said housing means comprises a plurality of radially spaced apart, internally defined longitudinally extending follower slots, and said sleeve means comprises tab means for registering within preselected ones of said slots.

4. The light aiming system as defined in claim 3 further comprising rigid stop means for securing said tabs within said follower slots to fasten said sleeve means within said housing means.

5. The light aiming system as defined in claim 2 including manually rotatable thumbscrew means for axially displacing said first and second wedge means to effectuate elevation and windage adjustments respectively.

6. The light aiming system as defined in claim 5 further comprising lock means associated with said first and second thumbscrew means for securely retaining each of said wedge means in a desired position.

7. The light aiming system as defined in claim 6 wherein said system comprises generally tubular power pack means adapted to be fitted to said firearm in spaced apart relation from said housing means for powering said laser aiming system.

8. The light aiming system as defined in claim 2 further comprising resilient dampening means disposed within said housing means for shock proofing said sleeve means and thus said light means.

9. The light aiming system as defined in claim 2 further comprising clamp means for semi-permanently mounting said system to said firearm.

10. The light aiming system as defined in claim 9 wherein said clamp means further comprises a pair of adjustable rings adapted to mount said system upon an optical rifle scope.

11. The light aiming system as defined in claim 10 wherein said system comprises generally tubular power pack means adapted to be fitted to said firearm in spaced apart relation from said housing means for powering said laser aiming system.

12. A laser aiming system for firearms adapted to be integrated with conventional telescopic sights which are designed to be coupled to conventional rifle scope base plates and which comprise optical windage and elevation adjustments, said laser aiming unit comprising:

a power module for powering said aiming system comprising a voltage source disposed within a rigid, protective enclosure;

a laser module comprising rigid, tubular housing means having a base, rigid, tubular sleeve means generally concentrically disposed within said housing means, and laser means disposed within said sleeve means for outputting a laser beam in response to activation by said power module;

mounting means for semi-permanently coupling said power module and said laser module to said telescopic sight on opposite sides of the sight'"'"'s windage and elevation adjustments; and

,

means for properly sighting-in said system to facilitate accurate targeting of said firearm concurrently with proper use of said scope, said last mentioned means comprising;

first wedge means slidably mounted between said sleeve means and said housing means for pivoting said sleeve means in response to axial displacement thereof;

means for selectively axially displacing said first wedge means to pivot said sleeve means and effectuate elevation adjustments to said system;

second wedge means radially spaced apart from said first wedge means and slidably mounted between said sleeve means and said housing means for pivoting said sleeve means in response to axial displacement thereof; and

,

means for selectively axially displacing said second wedge means independently of said first wedge means to pivot said sleeve means and effectuate windage adjustments to said system.

13. The laser aiming system as defined in claim 12 wherein said sleeve means comprises a first inclined plane adapted to be contacted by said first wedge means and a second inclined plane adapted to be contacted by said second wedge means.

14. The laser aiming system as defined in claim 13 wherein said housing means comprises a plurality of radially spaced apart, internally defined longitudinally extending follower slots, and said sleeve means comprises tab means for registering within preselected ones of said slots.

15. The laser aiming system as defined in claim 14 wherein said system comprises elevation spring means for contacting and biasing said sleeve means toward said first wedge means and windage spring means for contacting and biasing said sleeve means toward said second wedge means.

16. The laser aiming system as defined in claim 15 further comprising manually rotatable thumbscrew means for axially displacing said first and second wedge means to effectuate elevation and windage adjustments respectively.

17. The laser aiming system as defined in claim 16 further comprising lock means associated with said first and second thumbscrew means for securely retaining each of said wedge means in a desired position.

18. The laser aiming system as defined in claim 15 further comprising clamp means for semi-permanently mounting said system to said firearm, said clamp means comprising a pair of adjustable rings adapted to capture said scope.

19. The laser aiming system as defined in claim 15 wherein said power module and said laser module are detachably linked toward by a flexible power cable whereby said power module may be quickly and conveniently replaced or removed for recharging without dismounting said laser module.

20. The laser aiming system as defined in claim 12 further comprising rigid stop means for engaging said tabs to secure said sleeve means within said housing means.

21. The laser aiming system as defined in claim 20 further comprising resilient dampening means disposed within said housing means for shock proofing said sleeve means and thus said laser means.