Abstract:
A telescopic optical sight for aiming a weapon at a target is described. The telescopic optical sight comprises an eyepiece, a first reticule, a second reticule spaced laterally from said first reticule, and at least one object lens. The first and second reticules are between the eyepiece and the object lens, and the second reticule aligns with the first to aim the weapon. The first reticule is the principle focus for the telescopic optical sight.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/433,317 filed Nov. 3, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,900, which is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/093,083 filed Jun. 8, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,251. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a device for enhancing the accuracy of a conventional single reticule telescopic sight. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to telescopic sighting and, more specifically to an improved telescopic sight for the aiming of weapons. 
   Normal optical (telescopic) sights have a single point of reference called a reticule (crosshairs) which the shooter has to align with the target. The problem with this single point of reference is that the shooters eye has to be aligned along the centerline of the weapon while positioning the crosshairs on the target, therefore, the telescopic sight offers no help, and in fact introduces a source of error. In other words, shooters have to learn to keep their heads in the same position each time they aim, which of course is why it is so difficult to hit the target. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect, a telescopic optical sight for aiming a weapon at a target is provided. The telescopic optical sight comprises an eyepiece, a first reticule, a second reticule spaced laterally from said first reticule, and at least one object lens. The first reticule and the second reticule are between the eyepiece and the object lens. The first reticule is the principle focus for the sight and the second reticule aligns with the first to aim the weapon. 
   In another aspect, a weapon sighting device for use within a telescopic optical sight is provided. The device comprises a surface having a discontinuity at the center of the surface. The sighting device is configured to be incorporated into a telescopic optical sight at a position between a reticule and an object lens and wherein the discontinuity is spaced longitudinally from and aligned with a reticule. 
   In still another aspect, a method for aligning a telescopic sight with a target is provided. The telescopic sight includes an eyepiece, an object lens, a first reticule and a second reticule, the first reticule and the second reticule being between the eyepiece and the object lens,. The method comprises aligning a first reticule of the sight with the target and superimposing the second reticule over the first reticule, while the first reticule is in alignment with the target. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view of the invention as an attachment to a normal telescopic sight. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of the invention used internally as a second reticule in a telescopic sight. 
       FIG. 3  shows a number of embodiments of transparent disks. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is essentially a surface with a discontinuity at its center placed some distance from but aligned with a reticule of a telescopic sight. Referring to  FIG. 1  an optical sight item  10  (e.g. a single reticule telescopic sight) is shown. Also shown is a flexible sleeve  12  into which is inserted a disk  14 . Sleeve and disk  14  in combination form an assembly which may be pushed over an eyepiece  16  of sight  10  to form a complete unit. The disk and sleeve assembly, referred to herein as a weapon aiming device, or weapon sighting device, provides a second point of reference, or second reticule, for a sight or aiming device that has only one point of reference or reticule. The single point of reference is sometimes referred to in the art as a principle focus point, and is ordinarily provided as a single reticule within the telescopic sight. In one embodiment, the second reticule is a disk  14  fabricated from a suitably colored transparent material with a hole  18  at a center of disk  14 . 
   In exemplary embodiments, disk  14  is placed between an observers eye (line of sight indicated by the arrow) and a reticule of sight  10 , though by suitably arranging the optics of the sight any arrangement is possible, for example placing the weapon aiming device over a second end  20  of sight  10 . 
   The weapon aiming device may include a circular tinted disk  14  with a hole at its center placed at one of a flexible sleeve  12 . Sleeve  12  enables easy attachment to an optical or similar functioning sight  10 . The tint may be of any color, however it has to be of sufficient intensity and contrast to the coloring of the attached sight system (e.g. sight  10 ) to enable the hole at its center to be visible and superimposed on the reticule of sight  10 . 
   Diameter of hole  18  at the disk center should be optimized for the geometric shape of the symbol of the reticule (e.g. cross hairs). Alternatively, hole  18  could simply be an area of contact with the remaining area of disk  14 , as long as there are sufficient conditions and difference in color between disk  14  and lenses incorporated within sight  10 . In one exemplary embodiment, a diameter of approximately 1 mm is an expected order of magnitude for this hole or contrasting area. 
   The aiming device may include multiple disks  14 , mounted in sleeve  12 , one behind the other, each one being easily removable such that the overall transparency may be altered to better suit ambient light conditions. The multiple disks may incorporate different hole sizes such that removal of one or more may alter a size of the hole presented to a user of the aiming device. The aiming device may also include a number of optically polarized disks arranged such that their relative movement will effect their transparency. The aiming device may also include a disk made from a number of sections such that their relative movement will alter the size of the center hole. 
   The aiming device may also include an electrically active screen (e.g., liquid crystal display) such that its color and center hole can be varied. The hole  18  at the center would not necessarily be a physical hole in the screen, but simply an area of different aspect. 
   The aiming device may form an integral part of an optical or similar functioning sight, rather than as a removable attachment as shown in FIG.  1 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a telescopic sight  50  which incorporates a second reticule, for example, internal disks  52  to improve accuracy of sight  50 . Disks  52  incorporate the same features as disks  14  (shown in FIG.  1 ). Telescopic sight  50  further includes an eyepiece lens  54 . A second reticule (e.g. disks  52 ) is fit into sight  50  between a first reticule  56  and object lenses  58  which are located within collimator  60 . Sight further includes a lens  62  at a forward facing end  64  of sight  50 . Adjustment means  66  are used to ensure a center of disks  52  are aligned with first reticule  56 . 
   Disks  52  may include one or more holes which are positioned such that they provide a second reticule which aligns with elements of first reticule  56  of sight  50 , and hence assist the operator to more accurately align the two. Preferably, the hole  68  at the center of disk  52  is sized and shaped so as to align with the shape of first reticule  56 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a plurality of embodiments for disks  14  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and  52  (shown in FIG.  2 ). A colored transparent disk  70  with a single hole  72  is shown. While hole  72  is shown as a circle, it is contemplated that hole  72  could be any geometric form as long as hole  72  is aligned with first reticule  56  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) to act as a second reticule for better alignment of telescopic sight  50  with a target. In another embodiment, a transparent disk  74  incorporates different aspect or colored concentric circle  76  around a hole  78 . Also a transparent disk  80  incorporates a transparent concentric circle  82  around hole  84 . 
   Preferably, any of the above described disks mounted in sleeve  12  or in sight  50  are configured such that when using a conventional single reticule optical sight, the concentric circles and/or the hole is superimposed upon the reticule. Furthermore, as a means for aligning the disk with the reticule, a reticule could be provided with a number of concentric circles in addition to the usual cross hairs. Therefore, it is easier for a user to accurately align the superimposed circle and the reticule circles so as to be concentric in comparison to the ability of a user to align the superimposed circle formed by the hole in the colored disk with the cross hairs of the optical sight. 
   The aiming device may also be used with an electronic sight which uses a liquid crystal display or a cathode ray tube for forming the reticule. In summary, the system described herein is either a back sight which is a simple add on to an existing telescopic sight or a device mechanically incorporated into such a telescopic sight. The device enables the weapon to be aimed in a similar manner to one utilizing iron forward and rear sights (two points of reference), though of course with much greater accuracy. 
   While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.