Forward mounted gun sight with illumination apparatus

The present invention is a rail mounted back-up sight with at least one, but preferred two, illumination apparatuses mounted thereon. The back-up sight features a sight housing that is configured to selectively alternate between a stowed and a spring-biased deployed position. Any type of illumination apparatus may be used, but the preferred apparatus is a flashlight, mounted upon wither side of a sight base. Either a front or a rear sight may be utilized as could different types of illumination apparatuses.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of firearms and more particularly relates to a forward back-up sight with an illumination apparatus mounted thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The firearm is the weapon of choice in most modern militaries. It is a tool used in many different battle and practice scenarios, including low-light situations. However, in order to effectively use a firearm, one must be able to see a target. To this end, many methods and systems have been developed to mount a light or a targeting device on a firearm in a manner to keep the users hands otherwise free to operate the weapon. These solutions have endeavored to position the light in a manner to illuminate what is in front of the shooter, but must avoid the line of sight. They must also be lightweight and easily operated, adding little encumbrance to the weapon or its use. Most such devices mount off of the side of the weapon, towards the front of the weapon. This position, however block some of the user's field of vision. They also will favor one side over another. Since an added device will necessarily block some of the field of vision, it is preferred to lessen the blocking profile as much as possible. It is also preferred to center the light as much as possible.

The present invention is a back-up sight that incorporates an illumination apparatus in a manner that is unobtrusive to the line of sight and poses little excess weight. The weight is also evenly distributed on the weapon so as to minimize encumbrance.

The present invention represents a departure from the prior art in that the back-up sight of the present invention allows for a common feature of the weapon to be enhanced for a dual purpose. This then lessens parts and other accessories mounted upon the weapon, reducing blocked field of vision, while utilizing standard operating procedures with minimal amendment. Since the device is centrally balanced on the weapon, light and weight are not favored from one side to the other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of illumination devices, this invention provides a combined back-up sight and illumination apparatus. As such, the present invention's general purpose is to provide a new and improved back-up sight that doubles as a mounting platform for a forward mounted illumination apparatus that is relatively easy to use, requires little change in standard operating procedures, has a minimal effect on the encumbrance of the weapon and is effective in light placement.

To accomplish these objectives, the back-up sight comprises a base and sight housing, hingedly attached with the sight housing spring biased into an upward position while a latch holds it down in a stowed position. At least one illumination apparatus is mounted upon a side of the base, with a second ideally mounted upon an opposite side. While the specification and figures do depict the combined apparatus as a front sight, it should be recognized that a rear sight would also be within the purview of the invention, as would the utilization of different types of lights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the front back-up sight is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

With reference toFIGS. 3-6, the back-up sight10comprises a base12and sight housing14hingedly connected together. The sight housing is spring-biased22(FIG. 6) in the deployed position, as shown inFIG. 4. A latch20is also hingedly attached to the base12. In the depicted embodiment, the latch20forms a carapace over base12and is hinged at an edge of the base12opposite the sight housing14. Latch20features two teeth24, on opposite sides, and each tooth24selectively engages one of a set of two notches26,28, each set likewise being on opposite sides of the sight housing14. While stowed,FIG. 5, latch20engages notches26and secures the sight housing14against the spring bias22. Upon release, the spring bias22flips the sight housing14into a deployed position which is generally perpendicular to the body12and the latch20engages notches28,FIG. 4.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, two illumination apparatuses30are on opposite sides of the base, generally perpendicular to the hinges of the latch20and sight housing14and pointing forwards. Those shown are tubular flashlights with a rear switch32. They are shown to be of one piece with, but may be detachable from, the body. It is readily conceivable that any type of illumination apparatus or system may be configured to work with the invention, including a remote switching system allowing for both joint and separate operation. Different light types including incandescent, halogen, LED, laser and other illumination apparatus, and other variances known and later discovered in the art may be used. It is also conceivable that different types of illumination apparatuses may simultaneously be used (i.e. an incandescent light and a laser pointer).

It should be noted inFIGS. 1 and 3that the back-up sight10is mounted in a forward position over the barrel8of the weapon2. The depicted means for attaching the sight10to a firearm2is a conventional rail system, using a weaver or Picatinny-style rail6, a rail interface in the base and a securing bolt4(FIG. 2). Other means known or later developed may be used without departing from the purview of this specification. It is important that the illumination apparatuses30be positioned on the body12in such a manner that they do not interfere with the means for attaching the sight to the firearm2or the operation of the latch20. To this end, as shown in the figures, but more particularlyFIG. 2, the illumination apparatuses30are positioned well below the securing bolt4and the latch. This positioning is, however, a simple matter of design geometry and the positioning of the illumination apparatuses30, the means for attachment, and the latch20in different relative positions is well within the purview of this invention. In the depicted embodiment, the sight10is then balanced over the barrel and provides no net torque on the weapon along the barrel axis. It also directs the light specifically at where the barrel points, regardless of how the weapon is moved. Being small and of lightweight construction (ideally utilizing polymer and/or light metals such as aluminum), very little weight is added and the compact design does not interfere with the line of sight of the user. As shown inFIG. 2, the sight housing14features a sight element18within a sight window16. The depicted sight is a front sight, as may be denoted by sighting element18being a bead or post in the sight window; however, a rear sight, where the sighting element18is a block having an aperture or notch, could also be used. The forward sight is preferred, however, due to its location near the tip of the barrel8because it will then track the line of fire better than a more rearward mounting location.