Abstract:
An aiming sight has a base, two oppositely facing light emitting elements on the base, a pivot upon which the base rotates, a detent that holds the base at selected positions, and a spring, magnet or other structure that presses the sight towards the aimed device upon which the sight is mounted. The sight is selectively rotated so that one of the light emitting elements faces the user for aiming, without removing the sight or the light emitting elements from the aimed device.

Description:
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of the U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/988,482 filed Nov. 16, 2007. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to aiming sights and more particularly to an aiming sight selectable between two light emitting elements. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Modern firearms are inherently very accurate. The ability to shoot accurately depends on accurate pointing or aiming, and often requires rapid acquisition of the target. Known sights commonly have a front sight in the form of a small bead sight near the muzzle or front of the firearm barrel. Such sights can also have a rear sight near the breach or rear of the firearm barrel. 
     Conventional bead sights have several shortcomings. Bead sights are difficult to see in low light conditions and against dark backgrounds. One improvement to front sights relative to the bead sight is the use of a small artificial light source to replace the bead sight. The light source can be electrical or photo chemical. Front sights with artificial light sources are relatively complex and require periodic replacement of the light or power source. 
     Another improvement is the use of a light-gathering tube or rod, generally of a colored plastic material, to replace the bead sight. Such light-gathering rods have a length many times the cross sectional dimension, and thereby have a peripheral surface area much greater than the end area. Light is absorbed through the peripheral surface and emitted through the end of the tube. A front sight with a light-gathering tube is easily seen in low light conditions and against a dark background. 
     Different light-gathering tubes, such as different color light-gathering tubes, are more easily seen in different lighting conditions and against different terrain backgrounds. Changing a sight with one light-gathering tube for another sight with a different light-gathering tube, in the field, in cold weather or in low light conditions is difficult. Changing a sight with one light-gathering tube for another sight with a different light-gathering tube, in the field, in cold weather or in low light conditions can also expose body parts to the firearm muzzle, and is therefore unsafe. Some prior known sights allow the light-gathering tube to be changed without removing the sight from the firearm. Changing a light-gathering tube for a different light-gathering tube, in the field, in cold weather or in low light conditions is still difficult and unsafe. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     An aiming sight includes a base, means for mounting the base on an aimed device, a first light emitting element and a second light emitting element. The base has a first end with a first end wall and a spaced second end with a second end wall. The first light emitting element extends through the first end wall and the second light emitting element extends through the second end wall, so that the first light emitting element is visible when the first end is facing a user and the second light emitting element is visible when the second end is facing a user. The means for mounting includes a pivot and a means for biasing the base towards the aimed device. The base rotatably and slidably mounts on the pivot, and includes a detent for holding the base relative to the aimed device with either the first or second end wall facing the user. A transparent cover over the base between the first and second end walls seals the aiming sight. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Details of this invention are described in connection with the accompanying drawings that bear similar reference numerals in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an aiming sight embodying features of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the aiming sight of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the aiming sight of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a end elevation view of the aiming sight of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the aiming sight of  FIG. 1  with a mounting adapter. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the aiming sight of  FIG. 1  taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the aiming sight of  FIG. 1 , with an alternative means for biasing the base. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the aiming sight of  FIG. 1 , with the alternative means for biasing of  FIG. 7 , taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , an aiming sight  11  embodying features of the present invention includes a base  14 , a means for mounting  15  the base  14  onto an aimed device, a first light emitting element  16 , a second light emitting element  17  and a cover  18 . The base  14  is preferably made of an opaque plastic, and has a first end  20 , a spaced second end  21  and an elongated, rectangular bottom portion  22  extending between the first and second ends  20  and  21 . 
     Describing the specific embodiments herein chosen for illustrating the invention, certain terminology is used which will be recognized as being employed for convenience and having no limiting significance. For example, the terms “front”, “back”, “right”, “left” “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, “upper” and “lower” refer to the illustrated embodiment in its normal position of use. Further, all of the terminology above-defined includes derivatives of the word specifically mentioned and words of similar import. 
     A first end wall  24  projects upwardly from the bottom portion  22  at the first end  20  and a spaced second end wall  25  projects upwardly from the bottom portion  22  at the second end  21 . A first element aperture  27  extends through the first end wall  24  in a fore/aft direction. A second element aperture  28  extends through the second end wall  25  in a fore/aft direction. A pair of spaced side walls  30  project upwardly from opposite side edges of the bottom portion  22 , each extending from the first end wall  24  to the second end wall  25 . A mounting aperture  31  extends through the bottom portion  22  between the first and second end walls  24  and  25  and between the side wall  30 . A detent  33 , in the form of a small fore/aft ridge, protrudes downwardly from each corner of the bottom portion  22 . 
     The means for mounting  15  includes a pivot  35  and a means for biasing  36  the base  14  towards an aimed device. The pivot  35  extends through the mounting aperture  31  in the bottom portion  22  in the base  14 . The base  14  is rotatable around the pivot  35  and slidable along the pivot  35 . The detents  33 , in combination with means for biasing  36 , hold or secure the base  14  at a selected orientation relative to an aimed device. 
     The means for mounting  15  shown includes a pivot  35  in the form of a shoulder bolt  38  and a means for biasing  36  in the form of a spring member  39 . The shoulder bolt  38  has a smooth, cylindrical shoulder portion  41 , a radially outwardly projecting head  42  at one end of the shoulder portion  41  and a threaded portion  43  projecting longitudinally from the other end of the shoulder portion  41 . The head  42  shown has a tool cavity  44  shaped to receive a hex bit or Allen wrench. Other shapes of tool cavity  44  can be used, such as for a straight blade screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver or Torx bit. The spring member  39  includes a ring-shaped center portion  45  and a pair of resilient arms  46 . The center portion  45  fits on the shoulder portion  41  of the shoulder bolt  38 . The arms  46  extend radially outwardly from the center portion  45 , and curve downwardly to contact the bottom portion  22 . Other spring type means for biasing  36  could be used. 
     The threaded portion  43  of the shoulder bolt  38  can be threaded directly into a threaded aperture in an aimed device, or, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the means for mounting  15  can include an adapter  48 . The adapter  48  has an elongated, thin block shape. The adapter  48  has a vertical center aperture  49  sized to receive the threaded portion  43  of the shoulder bolt  38 , a mounting aperture  50  that extends through the adapter  48  between the center aperture  49  and one end of the adapter  48 , and a mounting screw  51  that extends through the mounting aperture  50  to secure the adapter  48  to an aimed device. The adapter  48  facilitates mounting the sight  11  on a great variety of firearms or other aimed devices using existing factory sight holes and moves the sight  11  rearwardly relative to the muzzle of a firearm. 
     The first light emitting element  16  shown is a first light-gathering rod  53  of a first color and the second light emitting element  17  shown is a second light-gathering rod  54  of a second color. By way of example, and not as a limitation, the first and second light emitting elements  16  and  17  can each be a light-gathering rod used in concert with a fluorescent painted fixture, a phosphorescent fixture or a radiating (e.g. tritium) fixture or each can be a fluorescent painted fixture, a phosphorescent fixture or a radiating (e.g. tritium) fixture. By way of example, and not as a limitation, the first and second colors can be red and green, red and yellow, or yellow and blue. 
     The first and second light-gathering rods  53  and  54  each has a first end face  56 , a spaced second end face  57 . The first and second light-gathering rods  53  and  54  are each generally S-shaped with a first straight section  58  extending from the first end face  56 , a first curved section  59  extending from the first straight section  58 , an oppositely curving second curved section  60  extending from the first curved section  59 , and a second straight section  61  extending from the second curved section  60  to the second end face  57 . The second end face  57  slants at about 45 degrees. 
     Each of the side wall  30  of the base  14  has an upwardly opening channel  63  that extends longitudinally along a portion of the side wall  30  to one of the first or second end walls  24  or  25 , and is sized to receive a portion of one of the first or second light-gathering rods  53  or  54 . The first light-gathering rod  53  extends through the first end wall  24  with first end face  56  facing longitudinally outwardly. The first straight section  58  of the first light-gathering rod  53  extends longitudinally inwardly towards the shoulder bolt  38 . The first curved section  59  of the first light-gathering rod  53  curves laterally outwardly and slightly downwardly between the first end wall  24  and the shoulder bolt  38 . The second curved section  60  of the first light-gathering rod  53  curves towards the second end wall  25  and slightly downwardly. The second straight section  61  of the first light-gathering rod  53  fits into one of the channels  63  and extends towards the second end wall  25 . 
     The second light-gathering rod  54  extends through the second end wall  25  with first end face  56  facing longitudinally outwardly. The first straight section  58  of the second light-gathering rod  54  extends longitudinally inwardly towards the shoulder bolt  38 . The first curved section  59  of the second light-gathering rod  54  curves laterally outwardly and slightly downwardly between the second end wall  25  and the shoulder bolt  38 . The second curved section  60  of the second light-gathering rod  54  curves towards the first end wall  24  and slightly downwardly. The second straight section  61  of the second light-gathering rod  54  fits into the other channel  63  and extends towards the first end wall  24 . The first light-gathering rod  53  curves around one side of the pivot  35  and the second light-gathering rod  54  curves around the opposite side of the pivot  35 . 
     The cover  18  is transparent, preferably made of plastic, and is sized and shaped to fit on the base  14  over the first and second light-gathering rods  53  and  54 , the spring member  39 , and the shoulder bolt  38 . The cover  18  extends from the first end wall  24  to the second end wall  25  and from one side wall  30  to the other side wall  30 . A tool aperture  65 , that is smaller than the head  42  of the shoulder bolt  38 , extends through the cover  18  in alignment with the center of head  42  of the shoulder bolt  38 . After the first and second light-gathering rods  53  and  54 , the spring member  39 , and the shoulder bolt  38  are assembled to the base  14 , the cover  18  is attached to the base  14  and sealed around the perimeter. The cover  18  captures the first and second light-gathering rods  53  and  54 , and the shoulder bolt  38 . The cover  18  prevents dust, dirt and moisture infiltration and consequent deposition upon the first and second light-gathering rods  53  and  54 . The tool aperture  65  allows the shoulder bolt  38  to be tightened into the adapter  48  or an aimed device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the combined thickness of the bottom portion  22  of the base  14  and the center portion  45  of the spring member  39  is less than the length of the shoulder portion  41  of the shoulder bolt  38 . When the shoulder bolt  38  is tightened into the adapter  48  or an aimed device, the arms  46  of the spring member  39  bias the base  14  against the adapter  48  or aimed device, and the detents  33  on the base  14  straddle the adapter  48  or aimed device, preventing rotation of the aiming sight  11 . To rotate the aiming sight  11 , the base  14  is pulled away from the adapter  48  or aimed device until the detents  33  clear the adapter  48  or aimed device. The first or second light emitting element  16  or  17  can easily be selected for aiming without removing the aiming sight  11  from the aimed device, in the field, in cold weather and in low light conditions. 
       FIGS. 8 to 11  show the aiming sight  11  embodying features of the present invention with a modified base  67  and a means for mounting  15  having an alternative means for biasing  68 . The base  67  has a first end  70 , a spaced second end  71  and an elongated, rectangular bottom portion  72  extending between the first and second ends  70  and  71 . A first end wall  74  projects upwardly from the bottom portion  72  at the first end  70  and a spaced second end wall  75  projects upwardly from the bottom portion  72  at the second end  71 . A first element aperture  77  extends through the first end wall  74  in a fore/aft direction. A second element aperture  78  extends through the second end wall  75  in a fore/aft direction. 
     A pair of spaced side walls  80  project upwardly from opposite side edges of the bottom portion  72 , each extending from the first end wall  74  to the second end wall  75 . A mounting aperture  81  extends through the bottom portion  72  between the first and second end walls  74  and  75  and between the side walls  80 . A detent  83 , in the form of a small fore/aft ridge, protrudes downwardly along each lateral edge of the bottom portion  72 . 
     A pair of upwardly opening, spaced magnet cavities  86  are relieved into the bottom portion  72  between the side walls  80 , with one magnet cavity  86  being between the first end wall  74  and the mounting aperture  81  and the other magnet cavity  86  being between the second end wall  75  and the mounting aperture  81 . A pair of upwardly opening channel  87  are relieved into the bottom portion  72 . One channel  87  extends from about the mounting aperture  81  to the first end wall  74 , between one of the magnet cavities  86  and one of the side walls  80 . The other channel  87  extends from about the mounting aperture  81  to the second end wall  74 , between the other magnet cavity  86  and the other side wall  80 . The channels  87  are sized and shaped to receive a portion of one of the first or second light-gathering rods  53  or  54 . 
     The means for biasing  68  includes two magnets  89  and a magnet connector  90 . The magnets  89  are each sized to fit into one of the magnet cavities  86  in the bottom portion  72  of the base  67 . The magnet retainer  90  is made of a magnetic material such as steel, and has a center portion  92  and a pair of oppositely extending wings  93 . The center portion  92  is generally round and has a center aperture  94  sized to receive the shoulder portion  41  of the shoulder bolt  38 . The wings  93  each extend upwardly from the center portion  92  and then extend radially outwardly to a flat section  95  that is sized to fit over one of the magnets  89 . The magnet retainer  90  magnetically connects the magnets  89  and increases the biasing force of the means for biasing  68 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the combined thickness of the bottom portion  72  of the base  67  and the center portion  92  of the magnet retainer  90  is less than the length of the shoulder portion  41  of the shoulder bolt  38 . When the shoulder bolt  38  is tightened into the adapter  48  or an aimed device, the magnets  89  bias the base  67  against the adapter  48  or aimed device, and the detents  83  on the base  67  straddle the adapter  48  or aimed device, preventing rotation of the aiming sight  11 . To rotate the aiming sight  11 , the base  67  is pulled away from the adapter  48  or aimed device until the detents  83  clear the adapter  48  or aimed device. The first or second light emitting element  16  or  17  can easily be selected for aiming without removing the aiming sight  11  from the aimed device, in the field, in cold weather and in low light conditions. 
     Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that changes in details of structure may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.