Abstract:
A weapon sighting system for gathering ambient or generated light and projecting a fixed or adjustable ballistic reticule image for targeting. The system includes a partially reflective, zero parallax, optical lens assembly, an illuminating reticule projection component, and an adjustable bracket fixed to the weapon being sighted. The bracket supports the lens assembly at one end and the projection component at an opposing end. The projection component is aligned to project a light image onto the lens assembly to be reflected back into the target sightline. The projection component gathers ambient (or generated) light through polymer acrylic solid materials and/or fiber optics, and directs the light through a fixed or adjustable mask. The movement of the weapon effects a corresponding movement in the angle of reflection through the optics of the sighting system. An adjustable mask allows the projected image to change to accommodate near and distant targets.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/668,272, filed Jul. 5, 2012, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to sighting mechanisms for use in conjunction with archery bows and other subsonic weaponry, such as paintball guns, grenade launchers, and the like, as well as with some higher velocity firearms. The present invention relates more specifically to a sighting system that uses an illuminated ballistic reticule to facilitate the aiming of a ballistic projectile launching device (a bow, a rifle, etc.) at targets over a variety of distances. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A number of devices have been developed to facilitate the aiming of an archery bow or other ballistic weapon at a target positioned over a range of distances from the archer or shooter. The nature of archery, for example, is such that relatively small variations in distance to a target require relatively significant variations in the angle at which the archer holds the bow and aims towards the target. Whereas a distance of one hundred yards may merit little change in the aiming angle for a rifle, such distance variations in archery require a much more significant change in the aiming angle. Sighting devices designed for rifles do not generally translate well into sights suitable for bows. 
     The present invention provides a novel mechanism for illuminating a ballistic reticule that may be projected onto an optical aiming system such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,006,395, issued Aug. 30, 2011, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 7,814,669 issued Oct. 19, 2010, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In place of the direct image fiber optic wave guides disclosed and described in the above cited references, the present invention provides a full reticule configuration that utilizes the gathering of ambient light (or alternately, light from an artificial source) through a polystyrene component and directs this light through a cut out mask projecting it to a partially reflective, zero parallax optical array being utilized within the sighting system. In this manner, the movement of the bow or other device effects a corresponding movement in the angle of reflection through the optics of the sighting system. The structure of the ballistic reticule is such as to accommodate angle movements and twisting movements and to reflect the same within the sighting optics. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention therefore provides a weapon sighting system for gathering ambient or generated light and projecting a fixed or adjustable ballistic reticule image for targeting. The system includes a partially reflective, zero parallax, optical lens assembly, an illuminating reticule projection component, and an adjustable bracket fixed to the weapon being sighted. The bracket supports the lens assembly at one end and the projection component at an opposing end. The projection component is aligned to project a light image onto the lens assembly to be reflected back into the target sightline. The projection component gathers ambient (or generated) light through polymer acrylic solid materials and/or fiber optics, and directs the light through a fixed or adjustable mask. The movement of the weapon effects a corresponding movement in the angle of reflection through the optics of the sighting system. An adjustable mask allows the projected image to change to accommodate near and distant targets. The system therefore provides a sighting mechanism that utilizes an ambient light gathering structure to direct light through a specifically configured ballistic reticule mask (fixed or adjustable) onto the partially reflective, zero parallax surfaces of the optics of the sighting system. The sighting mechanism provides a fixed mask in some embodiments and an adjustable mask in alternate embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention disclosing a sighting system incorporating the polystyrene generated ballistic reticule structure improvement of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the polystyrene ballistic reticule component and reticule mask component of the sighting system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the exploded assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the manner in which the components are assembled into the sighting system. 
         FIG. 4  is a front profile view of the reticule mask component of the system of the present invention showing the cutouts for transmitting light through the mask. 
         FIG. 5  is a front profile view of the view through the sighting system of the present invention showing the manner in which the projected images appear on the partially reflective, zero parallax optics of the sighting system. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the implementation of an alternate embodiment of the ballistic reticule projection assembly for the sighting system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side plan view of the implementation of the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed perspective view of the adjustable ballistic reticule system of the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a second angle detailed perspective view of the adjustable ballistic reticule system of the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 10  is a detailed perspective view of the adjustable component of the alternate embodiment of the sighting system of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 . 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  are elevational plan sight views of the alternate embodiment of the sighting system of the present invention showing the projected image on the sight lens for near target, low velocity ( FIG. 11A ), distant target, low velocity ( FIG. 11B ), and distant target, high velocity ( FIG. 11C ) weapons. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is made first to  FIG. 1  for a description of the overall sighting system incorporating the improved reticule projecting component of the present invention.  FIG. 1  is a side plan view of the preferred embodiment of the sighting system of the present invention. In this view, sighting system  10  is shown to include three basic components; the illuminating reticule structure, the partially reflective optical sighting structure, and a connecting support bracket. This system is positioned generally as shown with a target  12  oriented at a distance opposite the optical components from the archer&#39;s eye  14 . In this manner, the archer may sight through the optical system to the target  12  and then make adjustments in the angle of the ballistic projectile device prior to shooting or firing. 
     The sighting system  10  of the present invention includes sighting ring  18  which positions and holds an array of partially reflective, zero parallax optical lenses  16 . This optical system is connected through a primary bracket  20  to an illuminating reticule holder  22 . Removably positioned within holder  22  is illuminating ballistic reticule  30  which includes polystyrene cylinder  38  and reticule mask cap  32 . Illuminating ballistic reticule  30  is held within holder  22  by way of set screw  40 . Reticule mask cap  32  is held onto polystyrene cylinder  38  with attachment screws  34  in a manner described in more detail below. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  for a detailed description of the structure of the improved reticule projecting component of the present invention. Ballistic reticule projecting component  30  is generally comprised of polystyrene cylinder  38  having a light gathering end designed to extend out from reticule holder  22  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Both the end face and the sides of polystyrene cylinder  38  serve to collect ambient light to project through the reticule projecting component. 
     At an opposite end of polystyrene cylinder  38  is positioned reticule mask cap  32  which comprises a metal cylindrical component open on one end and sized to receive the cylindrical structure of polystyrene component  38 . A flat face of polystyrene component  38  is inserted into the open cylindrical mask cap  32  up to the point where it contacts the internal face of the cap. On the end face of mask cap  32  are configured a number of openings and apertures that both create the image for the ballistic reticule and serve to secure the polystyrene component within the cap. These include apertures to receive attachment screws  34   a  and  34   b  as well as projection apertures  36  described in more detail below. 
     Reference is next made to  FIG. 3  which provides an exploded assembly view of the components of the system of the present invention as they would be assembled onto the bracket structure of a sighting system for a bow (as an example). Primary bracket  20  is again shown to terminate in illuminating reticule holder  22  which, in the preferred embodiment, is a cylindrical holder that receives and retains the illuminating reticule projection component  30 . Reticule projection component  30  is again shown to be made of polystyrene cylinder  38 , reticule mask cap  32 , and a number of attachment screws  34  which extend through apertures in reticule mask cap  32  into tapped holes in polystyrene cylinder  38 . The assembled reticule projecting component  30  slides into the cylindrical structure of holder  22  and is fixed in place using set screw  40 . 
     Reference is next made to  FIG. 4  which is a front profile view of the reticule mask cap  32  of the reticule projecting component  30  of the present invention.  FIG. 4  discloses apertures  42   a  and  42   b  which are positioned to receive attachment screws (not shown) to fix mask cap  32  to the polystyrene cylinder (not shown). In addition to these attachment apertures, a plurality of smaller, fine resolution apertures are cut (such as with a laser or high pressure fluid) through the front wall face of mask cap  32  to provide the mask for the reticule display to be projected onto the optical components of the system of the present invention. In general, these apertures comprise an array of elliptical “cross hairs”  36   a  and an associated set of reference numerals  36   b . The numerals  36   b , of course, appear in reverse in this view in order to project obverse images onto the partially reflective optical components of the system. 
     Reference is finally made to  FIG. 5  which shows the view that the user might see into the optical sighting components of the system of the present invention wherein the reticule has been projected onto the optics by the illuminating reticule mask. In the view of  FIG. 5 , optic cylinder  18  is shown to hold optic lenses  16  which, as indicated above, provide a partially reflecting, zero parallax surface to convey the image to the user to facilitate sighting of the projectile device. As projected onto the optics, the reticule image comprises an obverse projection of the numerals  44   b  positioned adjacent a projection of the array of “cross hairs”  44   a . Additionally positioned within the optical system of the present invention is reference indicator  46  which facilitates a proper angular orientation of the projectile device. 
     In summary, established through the face of the mask cap are the image apertures necessary to create the ballistic reticule image onto the partially reflective, zero parallax optical sighting system. In the preferred embodiment, the reticule is comprised of a plurality of aperture slits (“cross hairs”) of varying width that assist with the range sighting with the system. Adjacent each of the slits is a mirror image (in the profile view of  FIG. 4 ) of a numeral from 2 through 8 to provide the user with a numerical reference for each of the range sighting slits. The image thus presented to the user on the partially reflective surface of the optical sighing system shows the numerical representations as normal images of the numbers associated and positioned next to each of the appropriate sighting slits. 
     Reference is next made to  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7  for a detailed description of an alternate preferred embodiment of the sighting system of the present invention. Sighting system  50  is shown to include similar basic components, namely the illuminating reticule structure  80 , the partially reflective optical sighting structure  60 , and a connecting support bracket  52 . The optical sighting structure  60  is adjustably connected to the bow (or other weapon) by way of adjustable optics bracket  58 . Positioned within partially reflective optical sighting structure  60  is zero parallax optical lens structure  62 . Connecting support bracket  52  is mounted to the bow (in this case) by way of mounting apertures  54 . Extending from the rearward section of connecting support bracket  52  is illuminating reticule structure support bracket  56 . 
     By reference to  FIG. 7 , the alignment and sight paths of the various components of the system  50  are shown in greater detail. Again, optical sighting structure  60  is connected to support bracket  52  by way of adjustable optics bracket  58 . Set screw  64  allows for the gross adjustment of optical sighting structure  60  with respect to connecting support bracket  52  and therefore, with respect to the bow or weapon. In a similar manner, the illuminating reticule structure  80  held by adjustable reticule structure support bracket  56  may be grossly adjusted with respect to connecting support bracket  52  by way of set screw  66 . These gross adjustments with respect to the fixed central connecting support bracket  52  allow the user to properly align and roughly sight the respective components of the sighting system. The user sights along sight line  70  towards target  74 , and not only views target  74  through lens  62 , but also views the reflective image presented by illuminating reticule structure  80  by way of image line  72  being reflected back to the user from lens  62 . In this manner, the user views both the target and the adjustable reticule image created by the illuminating reticule structure  80  (described in more detail below). 
     Reference is next made to  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9  for a detailed description of the alternate preferred embodiment of the illuminating reticule structure of the present invention. In place of the solid polystyrene cylinder with mask, this alternate embodiment provides an adjustable image generating assembly that relies on ambient light (or in a further alternate embodiment, a generated LED light) to provide and project an image onto the partially reflective, zero parallax optical lens assembly of the system. As shown in  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9  this application of the adjustable illuminating component is one that is structured for a bow. The same principles shown in  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9  for the illuminating reticule structure could be implemented in conjunction with other firearms, such as rifles and grenade launchers, wherein the adjustment component (the adjustment knob or the like) would preferably be positioned at right angles to that shown with the bow embodiment of  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 . 
     The basic structure of illuminating ballistic reticule  80  comprises a housing  82  that positions and encloses a number of components and light wave guides, some of which are adjustable, to provide for the projection of a light image towards the partially reflective lens of the sighting system. On the lens facing side of housing  82  is light gathering spool  84  which, in the preferred embodiment, provides a spool onto which a quantity of fiber optic light gathering material may be wound for the purpose of gathering ambient light and directing it into the interior of housing  82  in a manner described in more detail below. The overall structure of the illuminating ballistic reticule  80  is attached to the support bracket  56  (shown in  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 ) by way of bolt holes  83 . 
     Centrally positioned, again on the lens side of the illuminating ballistic reticule  80 , within the face of the housing  82  and surrounded by spool  84  is projection aperture  86 . Within projection aperture  86  are the various components that provide the mask through which the illuminating light forming the ballistic reticule image is generated. These components essentially comprise adjustable cylinder  88  and elongated circular slot  94 . Positioned on the face of adjustable cylinder  88  is a chevron or inverted “V” mask  92  that allows for the passage of light from within cylinder  88  through the mask to form a chevron shaped light image. Matching in size but opposing in orientation is chevron or “V” mask  90  fixed in position through the base face of aperture  86 . The movement of adjustable cylinder  88  within elongated circular slot  94  opens a gap between the opposing points of chevron masks  90  &amp;  92 , a gap that may be adjusted by the user depending upon the distance to the target that is being sighted and the type of weapon that is being used. 
     Shown more completely in  FIG. 9  is fiber optic port  96  which guides the ends of the fiber optic light gathering material wound on spool  84  into the interior of housing  82  where the fiber optic wave guides (at least two fiber optics in the preferred embodiment) terminate behind each of the two sighting chevron masks  90  &amp;  92 . A first fiber optic wave guide terminates behind chevron mask  92  within cylinder  88 . A second fiber optic wave guide terminates behind chevron mask  90 , again through an aperture or channel fixed within the material from which housing  82  is constructed. Additional detail regarding the manner in which these fiber optic wave guide components are positioned is provided below. 
     Cylinder  88  is adjustable vertically within elongated circular slot  94  by means of rotatable adjustment knob  100 . Knob  100  is connected through the wall of housing  82  by way of rotatable cylindrical shaft  98 . The knurled edge  104  of knob  100  allows the user to accurately and incrementally rotate the knob so as to incrementally adjust the separation between chevron masks  90  &amp;  92 . Cylinder  88  represents the exposed face of a right angled movable structure shown in detail in  FIG. 10 . Reference indicator lines  106  may be placed on rotating shaft  98  and referenced against pointer  108  fixed on housing  82  so that the user may establish a pre-set reference for the appropriate adjustment for the variable gap between chevron masks  90  &amp;  92 . 
       FIG. 10  shows in greater detail a perspective view of the internal adjustable component  110  of the system shown from the outside in  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 . In this view, adjustable cylinder  88  incorporating chevron mask  92  on its lens facing face is shown to be part of the overall right angle component  110  that incorporates a second cylindrical section connected at right angles to adjustable cylinder  88 . The upper (right angle) cylindrical portion of internal adjustable component  110  incorporates threads  112  that mate with and interact with internal threads within the aperture  102  positioned in adjustment shaft  98  shown in  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 . A cylindrical channel  114  is drilled through cylinder  88  to provide a conduit for one of the two fiber optic wave guides brought into the enclosure as described above. The wave guide (fiber optic) is positioned through channel  114  to terminate directly behind chevron mask  92  so that the light carried by the wave guide projects through chevron mask  92  towards the partially reflective lens of the overall sighting system. By turning adjustment knob  100  ( FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 ) the adjustable component  110  shown in  FIG. 10  moves vertically within the slot of the image projecting face of the system, thereby adjustably separating the two chevron images projected onto the lens. 
     Reference is finally made to  FIGS. 11A-11C  which provide three variations on the view of the user in conjunction with various distance and weapon velocity settings, all through the partially reflective zero parallax optical lens system of the present invention fixed with the alternate preferred embodiment of the invention. In the views presented, lens assembly holder  60  is shown to surround and fix partially reflective, zero parallax, optical lens assembly  62 . The reflected images  91  &amp;  93  of the illuminating chevron shaped reticules are shown in various positions on the reflective lens  62 . 
     In the first view of  FIG. 11A , a target (represented by the dashed line image  74  shown) that is close to the user would be sighted by way of drawing the chevron shaped projections  91  &amp;  93  together to a point. This thereby presents a typical sighting “X” that the user may position over the target for nearby objects.  FIG. 11B  represents the use of the system in conjunction with a distant target (in archery or with a lower velocity projectile such as a grenade launcher as examples) whereby the target is positioned on the upper chevron aiming point  91 , the user having adjusted the illuminating system for the yardage to the target in the manner described above.  FIG. 11C  represents a further use of the alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention on, for example, the combination of a higher and a lower velocity firearm assembly, whereby elevating the weapon to position the target behind the lower chevron image provides an accurate yardage sighting system for the lower velocity firearm while moving the weapon to position the target behind the upper chevron image (as in  FIG. 11B ) provides an accurate yardage sighting system for the higher velocity firearm. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the system described should be grossly adjusted for the particular weapon it is to be used with and that the appropriate reference lines indicated on the knob adjustment shaft would provide accurate yardage indicators referenced to the specific weapon. Likewise, the user would know to reference either the top or bottom chevron shaped images within the sighting system depending upon the angle of sight appropriate for a target at a given yardage for a particular type of weapon. It will be recognized that the alternate embodiment of the present invention as described has application not only to archery bow sights, but also to lower velocity firearm weapons such as grenade launchers and the like, and to higher velocity firearm weapons such as rifles, as long as the appropriate gross adjustments are made and the appropriate reference lines are provided. 
     Although the present invention has been described in connection with a number of preferred embodiments, and in conjunction primarily with archery sights and the like, those skilled in the art will recognize that minor modifications to the structures of the systems described (primarily with regard to the support brackets and adjustment components) would allow for implementation of the basic concepts of the system of the present invention in conjunction with a wide variety of lower and higher velocity weapons and weapon sights. In addition, the present invention has been described in conjunction with a few specific reticule formats, one adjustable and one fixed. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate reticule formats incorporating different shaped indicators and different types of adjustable separations between indicators, may be utilized with application of the same basic concepts of the invention as described. Each of these alternate embodiments and alternate applications of the system of the present invention are anticipated and are defined to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as characterized by the appended claims.