Patent ID: 6807742
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: F41G

Abstract:
A sighting device for day and night use for viewing a scene or object along a sighting axis, comprising:reticle structure means for providing a reticle pattern for use in aiming said sighting device; a first source of light being a means for receiving ambient light; a second source of light being a source of electrically powered artificial light; control means for selectively controlling the magnitude of illumination from said second source of light by varying the magnitude of electrical energy utilized; said first source of light comprising light collector means including a fiber optic light collector defined by a first optical fiber having a preselected length and adapted to receive light directed inwardly into said first optical fiber over said preselected length to provide a determinable level of illumination to said reticle structure means for providing a desired level of brightness for said reticle pattern for a desired contrast with the level of illumination of the image or object being viewed; a fiber optic line operatively connected with said fiber optic light collector and having a light emitting end; said fiber optic light collector providing illumination to said light emitting end through said fiber optic line; fiber optic means connected with said second source of light for providing illumination to said light emitting end through said fiber optic line; and beam-splitting means comprising a dichroic mirror operative for reflecting wavelengths of light over a first range and for transmitting wavelengths over a second range; said dichroic mirror having a central axis generally located in line with the sighting axis whereby the scene or object is viewed through said dichroic mirror; said reticle structure receiving illumination from said light emitting end within said first range of wavelengths and projecting said reticle pattern onto said dichroic mirror to produce a reflected image of said reticle pattern superimposed on the image or object being viewed.