Grenade launcher sighting assembly

• US 6,568,118 B1
• Filed: 01/22/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp.
• Original Assignee: James W. Teetzel
• Inventors: Teetzel, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): JOHNSON, STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US09/767,581
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 421/05, 421/35, 421/36, 421/38, 421/30, 421/31, 421/46, 421/48, 421/00, 421/14, 89/411.7
• US Class Current: 42/105
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/36 with infrared light source
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/48 for firing grenades from rifles
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/06 with rangefinder rangefinders per se G01C

Abstract

A grenade launcher sighting assembly. A sighting apparatus for a grenade launcher having a barrel with a centerline is provided. The sighting apparatus has a mounting module that is alignable mountable to the barrel of the grenade launcher, wherein said mounting module is adapted to be attached to the barrel of the grenade launcher such that mounting module is consistently aligned with the centerline of the barrel. An adjustable range gradient is also provided. The adjustable range gradient is pivotally attached to said mounting module, wherein said range gradient has selectable a plurality of selectable positions, such that each selectable position has a yardage value and such that each selectable position corresponds to a particular trajectory wherein said grenade launcher will launch a grenade a distance that corresponds to the yardage value of selected position of said range gradient.

Claims

1. A sighting apparatus for a grenade launcher having a barrel with a centerline, said apparatus comprising:

a mounting module that is alignable mountable to the barrel of the grenade launcher, wherein said mounting module is adapted to be attached to the barrel of the grenade launcher such that mounting module is consistently aligned with the centerline of the barrel;

an adjustable illuminated range gradient pivotally attached to said mounting module;

an illumination switch wherein said range gradient has a day and night illumination setting and wherein said range gradient has selectable a plurality of selectable positions, such that each selectable position has a yardage value and such that each selectable position corresponds to a particular trajectory wherein said grenade launcher will launch a grenade a distance that corresponds to the yardage value of selected position of said range gradient.

2. The sighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a laser sight that is releasable mounted to said mounting module.

3. The sighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a reflex sight that is releasable mounted to said mounting module.

4. The sighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising adjustable iron sights.

5. The sighting apparatus of claim 4 wherein said iron sights have a foldable position adjacent to said mounting module such that a low profile is maintained when said iron sights are in the foldable position.

6. The sighting apparatus of claim 5 wherein said iron sights have a forward sight post arm having an elevation adjustment and a rear sight post arm having a windage adjustment.

7. The sighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an illuminated anti-cant indicator which indicates, via a flashing light, when said grenade launcher is properly positioned.

8. The sighting apparatus of claim 1 further an ambidextrous pressure pad switch adapted to activate devices having a plug port.

9. The sighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a battery compartment sealable via a tethered battery cover.

10. The sighting apparatus of claim 9 further comprising an o-ring seal such that said sighting apparatus can be used underwater and under harsh environmental conditions.

11. The sighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a Picatinny rail having a centerline and meeting 19-13 mil std specifications.

12. The sighting apparatus of claim 11 wherein one of said plurality of selectable positions of said adjustable range gradient places the centerline of said Picatinny rail in substantial alignment with the centerline of said grenade launcher such that when said grenade launcher is mounted on a rifle, a laser sight mounted on said Picatinny rail of said sighting apparatus can also be used as a sight for said rifle as well as a sight for said grenade launcher.

13. The sighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting module further comprises a spring loaded locking mechanism such that said mounting module can be mounted to the barrel of said grenade launcher by hand.

14. The sighting apparatus of claim 13 wherein the barrel of said grenade launcher has a plurality of ribs and wherein said mounting module further comprises a shoulder dimensioned to mate with one of the ribs of said grenade launcher such that said mounting module is prevented from creeping along the barrel of said grenade launcher during use.

15. The sighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a L-bracket releasable mountable to said sighting apparatus and having at least one Picatinny rail meeting 19-13 mul std specifications such that at least one electronic sight is mountable thereon.