Patent Publication Number: US-7905043-B2

Title: Boresight laser aiming system for firearms

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to firearms and ammunition for firearms. More specifically, the present invention relates to a boresight laser aiming system for firearms in which the operable firearm (rifle, pistol, etc.) has an aiming sight passage formed concentrically through its action or firing mechanism and a laser aiming device permanently installed to pass an aiming beam therethrough and through the barrel and a rimfire cartridge having a laser sighting passage formed therein to provide an accurate aiming reference for the marksman. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Various forms of aiming systems and devices have been developed for firearms in the past, from simple open sights to more complex telescopic and electronic aiming devices and systems. The development of the laser has led to additional improvements in aiming devices for firearms due to the coherent light beam emitted by the laser, and its lack of scatter. As a result, various laser aiming devices for firearms have been developed in the past. Most such devices are configured for installation upon the exterior of the firearm, where the laser light aiming path is axially offset from the path of the firearm projectile (bullet) through the barrel of the firearm. Such an externally installed laser aiming device allows the firearm to remain operable, i.e., to remain capable of firing a bullet or projectile. 
     A number of devices have been developed using a different principle of laser aiming in which a laser emitting device is installed concentrically within a container emulating the configuration of a firearm cartridge, with the laser emitting device then being removably installed within the firing chamber of the firearm. The device transmits a laser beam of light concentrically through the barrel of the firearm when activated. The problem with this class of device is that it is not a true firearm aiming device as the firearm is not operable, i.e., it cannot be used to fire a round when such a laser device is installed therein, taking the place of a live cartridge. 
     Thus, a boresight laser aiming system for firearms solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     The boresight laser aiming system for firearms includes a specially configured firearm (rifle, pistol, etc.) having a laser emitting device installed therein. The firearm has a laser light passage formed through the firing action thereof (bolt, hammer, etc. and associated mechanism) concentric with the interior of the barrel. The firearm uses specially configured rimfire cartridges. The cartridges have a shell formed of concentric cylindrical inner and outer walls defining a toroidal explosive containment volume having a light passage formed concentrically therethrough. The bullet used with the cartridge also includes a concentric light passage therethrough. When the above-described cartridge is placed in the firing chamber of the operable firearm, the laser aiming device in the firearm can transmit a laser aiming beam concentrically through the action of the firearm, the live round in the chamber, and down the barrel, thus enabling the marksman to place the light emitted by the laser directly upon the target and to fire the live weapon and round as desired. 
     The firearm may comprise a rifle, semiautomatic pistol, revolver, or other firearm configuration. The laser may be installed coaxially directly behind the firing mechanism or action of the firearm, or may be axially offset and transmit its light through the action and barrel of the weapon by means of one or more reflective mirrors, prisms, or the like. The live cartridge may be configured to be compatible with any practicable laser boresight weapon. The cartridge may include a completely open axial light passage, or the passage may include one or more optically transparent windows in order to prevent the flow of explosive gas through the shell and/or bullet after firing. The laser may transmit optically visible light, or may transmit in the infrared or other light range invisible to the unaided eye. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a right side elevation view of a first embodiment of a boresight laser aiming system for firearms according to the present invention in which the laser aiming device is in coaxial alignment with the rifle bore. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial right side elevation view in partial section of the boresight laser aiming system of the rifle of  FIG. 1 , showing further details thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a right side elevation view of a second embodiment of the boresight laser aiming system for firearms according to the present invention in which the laser aiming device is axially offset from the rifle bore. 
         FIG. 4  is a right side elevation view of an exemplary semiautomatic pistol incorporating the boresight laser aiming system for firearms of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a left side elevation view of an exemplary revolver incorporating the boresight laser aiming system for firearms of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial section view along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional elevation view of an exemplary hollow core rimfire cartridge of a boresight laser aiming system for firearms according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional elevation view of another exemplary hollow core rimfire cartridge of a boresight laser aiming system according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a boresight laser aiming system for firearms in which a laser device is permanently installed within the operable firearm at a location generally behind the action. The action has a sighting passage therethrough aligned coaxially with the bore of the barrel of the firearm. The system includes a specially configured live rimfire cartridge having a sighting passage formed concentrically therethrough, which is aligned with the sighting passage of the firearm in use. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a first embodiment of the present system, comprising a bolt-action rifle  10  incorporating a laser device  12  permanently installed therewith. The laser device  12  is conventional, other than its installation within the operable rifle  10  or other firearm, and may include a source of electrical power (batteries, etc.) therewith. The batteries, recharging port, etc. may be accessed through a removable or openable cap or plug  14  providing access to the laser and battery housing  16  of the firearm. A switch  18  (momentary contact, continuous, etc.) is preferably located at a convenient point on the stock or action of the rifle  10  and connected electrically to the laser device  12  by conventional wiring, enabling the marksman to selectively activate the laser device  12  for aiming. 
     The bolt action  20  is shown in cross section in the more detailed view of  FIG. 2 . The bolt  22  includes a light aiming passage  24  formed concentrically therethrough. The bolt  22  may optionally include an optically transparent window  26  at the forward or chamber end  28  thereof. Such a window  26  serves to prevent blowback of explosive gases through the specially formed hollow cartridge (discussed in detail further below) used with the boresight aiming system when the bolt-action rifle  10  is fired. While instantaneous explosive forces may reach thousands of pounds per square inch (kilograms per square meter) within the rifle chamber when the weapon is fired, the light aiming passage  24  and window  26  of the bolt  22  have cross-sectional areas somewhat less than about one one-hundredth of an inch (0.254 mm), depending upon the caliber of the rifle  10  and other factors. Thus, the explosive force against the window  26  is only on the order of several tens of pounds (kilograms), which is well within the acceptable range for an optically transparent window of suitable material and thickness. 
     The action  20  of the rifle  10  includes a tubular passage  30  behind the bolt  22  to provide for retraction of the bolt when ejecting an expended shell and/or inserting a new round in the chamber, with the laser device  12  being permanently installed in the extension housing  16  disposed concentrically behind the bolt  22 . Thus, the laser device  12  is aligned concentrically with the bolt  22  and its light aiming passage  24 , as well as being aligned concentrically with the chamber  32  and bore  34  of the rifle barrel  36 . 
     The operable rifle  10  and specially formed live cartridge used therewith utilize the rimfire principle, i.e., the firing pin  38  is radially offset from the center of the bolt  22  in order to provide for the concentric light aiming passage  24  formed through the bolt  22 . The remainder of the action  20  is shown generally, with a hammer  40  operating through a slot in the bolt  22  and selectively striking the firing pin  38  when the trigger of the weapon is pulled. Additional conventional components of the bolt-action mechanism  20  have been omitted from the drawings for clarity. 
       FIG. 3  is a general right side elevation view of another operable bolt-action rifle  10   a  incorporating the boresight laser aiming system. The rifle  10   a  incorporates most of the componentry of the rifle  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , including conventional componentry, such as the barrel  36 , bolt-action mechanism, etc. The rifle  10   a  of  FIG. 3  also incorporates essentially the same bolt  22  with its axial light aiming passage  24  disposed concentrically with the chamber and bore of the barrel of the rifle  10   a , as in the case of the rifle  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, the laser device  12  of the rifle  10   a  is axially offset from the alignment of the light aiming passage  24  through the bolt  22  and remainder of the bolt action, as can be seen from the broken line showing of the laser device and battery housing  16   a  in  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the housing  16   a  for the laser device is axially displaced into the handgrip portion of the stock, rather than being installed directly behind the bolt and its action, as in the rifle  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Accordingly, a reflective element  42  (e.g., mirror, prism, etc.) is installed within the rifle stock in line with the initial light transmission path  44   a  from the laser device and the reflected path  44   b , which is aligned concentrically with the light passage  24  through the bolt  22  and remainder of the bolt action. In this manner, the laser device may be installed in any practicable location within the firearm. 
       FIG. 4  of the drawings provides a general right side elevation view of another embodiment of the boresight laser aiming system in which a laser device is installed within a specially configured operable semiautomatic pistol  110 . The pistol  110  may incorporate a conventional firing mechanism action, with the exception being the bolt or slide  122 . Rather than being formed as a solid unit, the bolt or slide of the pistol  110  incorporates a light passage therethrough in the same manner as that shown for the light passage  24  through the rifle bolt  22  of the rifles  10  and  10   a  of  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, rather than placing the laser device  12  in concentric alignment with the light passage of the bolt or slide  122  of the pistol  110  and its conventional chamber and barrel, the laser device  12  is axially offset and installed within the handgrip portion  146  of the operable weapon  110  to provide a compact installation. The handgrip portion  146  of the semiautomatic pistol  110  is conventionally used for the removable installation of a magazine or clip therein to supply ammunition to the weapon, but there is sufficient volume within the handgrip  146  for the inclusion of a small, but bright, laser device  12  therein as well, as shown in broken lines in  FIG. 4 . A switch  118  may be installed at any convenient location upon the pistol  110  to control the laser device  12 . A reflective element  142  (e.g., mirror, prism, etc.) is installed above the handgrip  146  in line with the initial light transmission path  144   a  from the laser device, and with the reflected path  144   b , which is aligned concentrically with the light passage through the bolt or slide  122  and remainder of the action. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  respectively provide a left side elevation view and a top plan view in section for a revolver  210  incorporating the laser aiming system of the present invention. The basic principle of the boresight laser aiming system of the revolver  210  is the same as that of the rifle  10   a  of  FIG. 3  and semiautomatic pistol  110  of  FIG. 4 , i.e., a laser device  12  is located within the handgrip  246  of the pistol  210 , with a reflective element  242  installed to reflect the initial light path or beam  244   a  to a path  244   b  that is concentric with the chamber  232  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) and bore  234  (also shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the barrel  236 . However, rather than a bolt and firing pin acting directly upon the back or base of the cartridge, the revolver  210  utilizes a pivotally mounted hammer  240 , shown most clearly in section in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. The hammer  240  is specially configured to have a bifurcated configuration with laterally opposed elements  240   a  and  240   b  defining a portion of the chamber and barrel bore concentric light passage  244   b  therebetween. At least one of the two hammer elements  240   a ,  240   b  includes a firing pin extending forwardly therefrom, with there preferably being two such firing pins  238   a ,  238   b  extending respectively from the two hammer elements  240   a ,  240   b . This aligns the firing pin(s) with the periphery or rim of the live rimfire cartridge  310  shown in the chamber  232  and in further detail in  FIG. 7  of the drawings in order to allow the aiming light transmitted by the laser  12  to travel along the first light path  244   a , reflect from the mirror or reflective element  242 , and travel along the second light path  244   b  between the hammer elements  240   a ,  240   b , through the light aiming passage  312  of the rimfire cartridge  310  and out the bore  234  of the barrel  236  to facilitate aiming the operable revolver  210 . 
       FIG. 7  provides a sectional elevation view of a pistol type cartridge  310  having a concentrically disposed light aiming passage  312  therethrough, with  FIG. 8  being a sectional elevation view of a necked down, Magnum-type cartridge  410  for use in compatibly configured firearms, generally rifles or more powerful weapons. The cartridge  310  comprises a generally tubular outer shell  314  having a rearward end  316  and opposite forward end  318 . A generally tubular inner shell  320  is disposed concentrically within the outer shell  314 . The inner shell has opposed rearward and forward ends  322  and  324 . The rearward ends  316  and  322  of the outer and inner shells  314  and  320  are closed by a toroidal base  326  having a concentric light aiming passage  328  formed therethrough at its juncture with the rearward end  322  of the inner shell  320  and coaxially aligned therewith, and a periphery or rim  330  joining the rearward end  316  of the outer shell. 
     The outwardly extending flanged rim  330  of the base  326  contains a peripheral rimfire primer charge  332  therein, compatible with the rimfire firing pins provided in the various operable firearm embodiments disclosed herein. The forward ends  318  and  324  of the outer and inner shells are closed by a bullet  334  removably secured thereto, with the bullet  334  having an axial light aiming passage  336  formed completely therethrough and aligned concentrically with the light aiming passage  312  of the inner shell  320  and light aiming passage  328  of the base  326 . The inner shell  320 , base  326 , and bullet  334  define a closed explosive charge container volume  338  having a toroidal cross section, containing the explosive charge or gunpowder  340  conventionally used to produce the explosive power for firing a bullet or projectile from a weapon. 
     It will be seen that the light aiming passage  328  of the base  326 , passage  312  of the inner shell  320 , and passage  336  of the bullet  334  provide a completely open passage extending through the length of the cartridge  310 . While the explosive charge volume  338  within the outer and inner shells  314  and  320  is initially closed, it will be seen that this volume  338  opens immediately once the explosive force has separated the bullet  334  from the two shells  314  and  320 . Accordingly, some of the explosive gases may tend to flow through the central light aiming passage  336  of the bullet  334 . This may be precluded by optionally providing an optically transparent window across the light aiming passage  336  of the bullet  334 , e.g., a rearwardly disposed window  342   a  and/or forwardly disposed window  342   b . The window or windows  342   a  and/or  342   b  are shown in broken lines in  FIG. 7  to indicate their optional installation, which serve essentially the same purpose as the window  26  provided in the forward or chamber end  28  of the bolt  22  of the firearm  10  or  10   a  of  FIGS. 1 through 3 , i.e., to prevent the explosive gases from dissipating their force by flowing back through the light aiming passage(s). 
       FIG. 8  of the drawings provides an elevation view in section of a boresight aiming system live cartridge  410  having a necked down forward portion, i.e., a Magnum configuration for use in compatibly configured firearms. The cartridge  410  of  FIG. 8  is configured essentially like the cartridge  310  of  FIG. 7 , i.e., having an outer shell  414  with rearward and forward ends  416  and  418 , a concentric inner shell  420  having rearward and forward ends  422  and  424  and defining an axial light aiming passage  412  therethrough, a toroidal base end  426  with a light aiming passage  428  therethrough, and a rim  430  enclosing a peripheral or rimfire primer charge  432 , a bullet  434  removably secured in the upper ends of the two shells  414  and  420 , the bullet having an axial light aiming passage  436  therethrough, the closed space defined by the inner and outer shells  414  and  420 , the base  426 , and the bullet  434  defining a closed explosive charge container volume  438  having a toroidal cross section containing the explosive charge or gunpowder  440  conventionally used to produce the explosive power for firing a bullet or projectile from a weapon. The bullet  434  may contain explosive force containing windows similar to the optionally shown windows  342   a ,  342   b  of the cartridge  310  of  FIG. 7 . The primary difference between the two live cartridges  310  and  410  is the much greater interior volume  438  of the cartridge  410  relative to the diameter or caliber of the bullet  434  in order contain a relatively greater quantity of explosive charge to produce higher muzzle velocities and greater impact force from the bullet  434 . 
     In conclusion, the boresight laser aiming system for firearms greatly facilitates the aiming of an operable weapon, particularly in rapid fire situations and at relatively close ranges. The aiming system is primarily intended for use at relatively close ranges, where ballistic effects, windage, etc., do not appreciably change the impact point of a bullet from its idealized straight line trajectory as would be indicated by the straight aiming line produced by a boresight laser device. The aiming system allows a marksman to view the visible dot of light produced by the laser device and manipulate the operable weapon to place the dot directly upon the target, and then fire the same weapon as equipped with the boresight aiming device. The laser device may transmit a light beam visible to the unaided eye, or may alternatively be selected to produce an aiming beam at a frequency invisible to the naked eye, e.g., in the infrared range, whereupon the marksman may use infrared optical viewing means to sight on the target without the target personnel becoming aware of the situation, as would occur using visible aiming light frequencies. Accordingly, the present boresight laser aiming system enables the marksman to aim directly down the bore of the operating weapon and fire that same weapon at the target while using live ammunition with the boresight aiming system. The system may be employed by virtually anyone having need to use a firearm in a variety of situations, but will prove invaluable in law enforcement and military environments, where situations requiring rapid fire response at close quarters often occur. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.