AN INTEGRATED SIGHT SYSTEM FOR FIREARMS

Abstract: An integrated firearm sighting system, preferably for handheld firearms that include several sights including a sighting means in the form of at least two fixed sights and a further, external sight preferably in the form of a telescope sight which is either permanently fixed to or releasably fastened to the firearm. The external sight (1) is permanently fixed to or releasably fixed to the firearm (2) between the fixed sights (3, 4) and centrally of the sighting line (6) of the customary fixed sights, i.e. at such a small sight above the firearm (2) that the external sight (1) will form a sighting tunnel for the fixed sight (3, 4) and the external sight (1).

Description: AN INTEGRATED SIGHT SYSTEM FOR FIREARMS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an integrated sight system for hand-held firearms that includes several sighting devices that having a common sighting line which includes sighting means in the form of at least two fixed weapon-mounted sights, and a further, externally located sighting device, preferably in the form of a telescope sight which is either fitted permanently to the weapon or removably attached thereto. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various different solutions intended to improve the accuracy of firearms, so that a bullet or projectile fired therefrom will strike the point on which the marksman aims, are known to the art. Commercially available firearms of the kind concerned will normally have only fixed sights and means for attaching to the weapon a so-called red-dot sight, i.e. a small telescope sight that has no magnification and which includes a red- light emitting diode, i.e. the "dot", as a sighting point. These externally located sights, or external sights, are removably attached to the firearm on a level above the fixed sights, by means of attachments which are so elevated as to form beneath the "red-dot sight" a sighting tunnel through which the fixed sights can be seen and used to aim the weapon in the event of a malfunction of the "red dot sight". These attachment means are secured by different types of clamps which are seated firmly on one side of the weapon in a manner to provide room for a sighting tunnel above the centre of the weapon. This manner of attachment results in a clumsy weapon that has a high superstructure, and also a weapon which is sensitive to knocks and impacts. The weapon also lacks adaptability and the external sights must be disconnected from the weapon when transporting said weapon for instance, and then fitted to the weapon when the weapon shall be used. Furthermore, when aiming the weapon it is necessary to use two mutually different sighting means which extend to mutually different heights above the barrel of the weapon, meaning that the sights will align on different heights at different distances. This is unsatisfactory when a marksman using a functional "red-dot sight" on a weapon obtains two different sighting lines when aiming the weapon, i.e. one sighting line from the external sight to the target and one sighting line from the fixed sights. These sighting points differ at different distances. The sighting lines coincide with the target only when the sights are in alignment with the target, i.e. when the sights are adjusted to coincide with the trajectory of the bullet or missile at a given range or distance. Conseguently, when firing at a shorter distance while using the external sight, it is necessary to aim above the target in order to hit the centre of the target. Conversely, when firing over a longer range it is necessary to aim beneath the target, in order to hit the target. It is very difficult to learn how to compensate for these deviations, particularly in stressed situations. Which is a serious problem. Swedish Published Specification 368 457 teaches an example of a high telescope sight mounting for attachment to a firearm. Other, similar arrangements are described in US A 3,292,264, US A 5,111,587, DE Al 25 43 315 and WO 95/07444. None of these prior publications teaches a solution that successfully solves the aforesaid problem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT The aim of the present invention is to avoid the aforesaid disadvantages and drawbacks associated with firearms which, in addition to customary fixed sights, are eguipped with an additional sight that is either permanently fixed to the weapon or removably fitted thereto. The aforesaid problems are solved in accordance with the invention by fitting said external sight either permanently or removably to the firearm at a position between the customary fixed sights and centrally of the customary sighting line of said fixed sights, i.e. at a height above the firearm which is so small that the external sight will form a sighting tunnel for both the fixed sights and the external sight. There is obtained in accordance with the inventive concept a sighting system which is operationally reliable, easily integrated with the firearm, cheaper than earlier known systems, can be readily aligned, i.e. the sights can be readily adjusted to coincide with the trajectory of a bullet or missile fired from a given range or distance, and the firearm need only be brought into alignment with the target once without reguiring any compensation whatsoever when using an external sight. The difference between the sighting line and the trajectory of the bullet is a minimum, i.e. the point of impact on the target will be the same regardless of the distance therefrom. Another advantage afforded by the invention is that the customary fixed sights can be seen through the telescope sight should the "red-point" light- emitting diode or like indicator in the external sight malfunction. Firearms equipped with an inventive sighting system are ideal for use by police and military forces. They can be quickly aligned with a target and fired, by virtue of being able to find the red point or indicator in the external sight quickly. The firearm can also be readily aligned with the target in the dark or at dusk, due to the fact that the indicator/the light-emitting diode/the "red point" shines. They can also be mounted cheaply and will have the minimum effect on the weapon and its sighting system, therewith enabling the sighting system to be applied on all types of firearm. Furthermore, the firearm can be aligned with a target without needing to fire the firearm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic illustration that shows in side view how an external sight 1 is mounted on a hand-held firearm 2 in accordance with known techniques. Figure 2 is a schematic side view of an external sight 1 mounted on a firearm 2 in accordance with the invention. Figure 3 illustrates schematically how the sights are seen by a marksman through the external telescope sight. Figure 4 illustrates the upper part of a firearm having an attachment shoulder, an attachment ring or clamp, and a telescope sight seen from the rear. Figure 5 is a side view of the upper part of a firearm having fixed sights, an attachment ring or clamp, and a telescope sight. Figure 6 is a rear-side view of one shoulder embodiment. Figure 7 shows the shoulder of Figure β from above. Figure 8 is a side view of the shoulder shown in Figures 7 and 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing how an external sight 1 is mounted on a firearm 2 in accordance with known techniques. The firearm 2 includes two fixed sights 3, 4 comprising a sight 3 which is proximal to the marksman, and a bead sight or foresight 4 which is located closer to the muzzle 5 of the barrel of said firearm 2. The so-called external sight 1 is mounted between the sights 3, 4 such as to be elevated to a higher level than said fixed sights and to a relatively high level above the upper surface of the firearm, e.g. to a distance of between 2 to 5 cm above said surface. As shown in Figure 1, the sighting line between the sight 3 and the bead 4 and the sighting line 7 obtained with the external sight 1 intersect each other and it is therefore necessary to look at both sights and make appropriate adjustment in order for the trajectory 8 of the bullet and the sighting and aligning lines 6, 7 to coincide with one another and also with the bullet trajectory 8 at the target. Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing an external sight 1 mounted on a firearm 2 in accordance with the invention. The sighting line 7 of the external sight and the sighting line 6 of the firearm 2 coincide when the marksman sees the two fixed sights 3, 4 and the sighting point 9 in the external sight 1, said sighting point 9 being formed by a light- emitting diode/"red dot", for instance. As will be seen from the Figure, these sighting lines coincide. It will also be seen that the difference between the sighting lines 7, 8 and the bullet trajectory 8 is a minimum. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration that shows how the sights are seen by the marksman through the external telescopic sight. The fixed sights 3, 4 and the sighting point/"red dot" 9 of the telescope sight are seen close together in the centre of said external sight, and the point of impact will therefore be essentially the same irrespective of the distance to the target. Figure 4 illustrates schematically the upper part of the firearm 2 as seen in the longitudinal direction of the barrel, and shows the firearm to be equipped with a fastener shoulder 10, a fastener ring 11 (not in its mounted state) and a telescope sight 1. The fastener ring is generally annular in shape and comprises two mutually co-acting parts 12, 13 which are intended to receive the external sight 1. The upper ends of these co-acting parts 12, 13 are threaded to receive an adjusting screw 14 which connects said parts 12, 13 together. The other end of respective parts 12, 13 have a claw-like shape so as to be able to grip around and co-act with the outer, bevelled surfaces of the shoulder 10 and are provided with threads for an adjusting screw (not shown) for making necessary adjustments when fitting said ends around the shoulder 10. Figure 5 is a side view of the firearm 2 and shows the barrel nozzle 5, the fixed sight 3, the bead sight 4, attachment shoulders 10 secured to the firearm 1 by welding, adhesive bonding or like processes, the fastener ring 11 which connects the telescope sight 1 to the firearm 2, and an imaginary sighting line 6 in the assembled state of these devices . Figure 6 illustrates one embodiment of a shoulder as seen in the longitudinal direction of the firearm and shows the shoulder to have bevelled side surfaces and planar top and bottom sides, said shoulder being assumed to be mounted on the firearm. The shoulder is fixed permanently to the firearm between the customary sights by means of TIG-welding, adhesive bonding or like means, for instance. Figure 7 illustrates the shoulder of Figure 6 from above and shows the shoulder to include a centrally located groove 15 which extends transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the telescope sight and which is intended for co-action therewith. Figure 8 shows the grooved shoulder of Figure 7 from one side . It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the aforedescribed and illustrated embodiment thereof and that modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the inventive concept.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An integrated firearm sighting system, preferably for hand-held firearms that include several sights including a sighting means in the form of at least two fixed sights and a further, external sight preferably in the form of a telescope sight which is either permanently fixed to or releasably fastened to said firearm, characterised in that the external sight (1) is permanently fixed to or releasably fixed to the firearm (2) between said fixed sights (3, 4) and centrally of the sighting line (6) of the customary fixed sights, i.e. at such a small sight above the firearm (2) that the external sight (1) will form a sighting tunnel for the fixed sights (3, 4) and the external sight (1) . 2. An integrated firearm sighting system, preferably for a hand-held firearm that includes several sights in accordance with Claim 1, characterised in that the external sight (1) is comprised of a telescope sight having a target alignment point (9) in the form of a light spot or a cross or the like illuminated, for instance, by one or more light-emitting diodes . 3. An integrated firearm sighting system, preferably for a hand-held weapon that includes several sights in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the external sight (1) is mounted permanently on the firearm (2) . 4. An integrated firearm sighting system, preferably for a hand-held firearm that includes several sights in accordance with Claim 1, characterised in that the external sight (1) is fitted to the firearm (2) with the aid of one or more low- height fastener shoulders (10) which are fixed permanently to the firearm (2) by means of TIG-welding, adhesive bonding or some like process, wherein said shoulder or shoulders (10) co-acts/co-act to hold one or more attachment rings (11) which, in turn, holds/hold directly the external sight (1) .

Inventors: KARLSSON CHRISTER, KARLSSON, CHRISTER
Applicants: KARLSSON CHRISTER, KARLSSON, CHRISTER
Application year: 1998
Main classification: F41G1
IPC codes: F41G1