Patent Publication Number: US-2016223287-A1

Title: Interchangeable Ballistic Data Apparatus

Description:
REFERENCE CITED 
     5,546,691; 3,826,012; 7,325,353; 3,990,155; 8,584,944; 6,196,455; 4,248,496; 8,500,016; EP 18 04017; DE 3,622,901 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present teachings relate generally to a device that attaches to a firearm, and, more particularly, to a device that holds a ballistic data chart containing information related to the projectile being fired from the firearm. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A firearm user, attempting to hit a distant target, encounters many factors in the field that affect the firearm&#39;s aim point. One factor is the projectile&#39;s change in trajectory as it travels over a given distance. The rate of the projectile&#39;s changing trajectory depends, in part, on the type of firearm and ammunition used. There exists a need for a device that allows a firearm user to store data related to the trajectory of a given firearm&#39;s ammunition in a manner that permits the firearm user to access that data in the field. 
     It is common for a firearm user to carry other equipment when shooting, so an opportunity to lessen the amount of equipment can be of utmost importance. Thus, there also exists a need for a device that allows trajectory data to be stored in a manner that allows it to be attached to the firearm, eliminating the need to add separate equipment. 
     Many firearm users own multiple firearms and utilize multiple types of ammunition with each firearm, depending on the target&#39;s size, range, and nature. Accordingly there exists a need for a device that allows a firearm user to change the trajectory data stored in the device to suit the type of firearm that the device is attached to and the type of ammunition being used. 
     Other known ballistic data charts currently being used by shooters include a device that attaches to the firearm and utilizes a cylindrical casing to hold the trajectory data. This device allows a shooter to calculate the change in trajectory for a single type of ammunition, see for example, U.S. Pat. 5,546,691. However, this known device is flawed in that it does not permit the shooter to change the ballistic data to accommodate different types of ammunition that the shooter may choose to use with a single firearm. The known device is also flawed in that it does not permit the shooter to use it with another firearm having a different type of ammunition. 
     A need remains for a device that holds a ballistic data chart in a manner so that it is easily viewable in the field. A need remains for a device that permits the shooter to remove the ballistic data chart and replaced it with another ballistic data chart to accommodate different types of ammunition shot from a single firearm or a different firearm. A need remains for a device that permits the shooter to remove the ballistic data chart holder from one firearm and place it on another firearm. The present device was developed to satisfy this previously unmet need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device that holds a ballistic data chart while being attached to a firearm. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the device permits the shooter to view the ballistic data chart while it remains in the holder. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the device permits the removal and replacement of a ballistic data chart from the holder to accommodate data that relates to different types of ammunition being fired from a single firearm. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the device may be removed from one firearm and attached onto another firearm. 
     The described device thus effectively holds the ballistic data chart so that it can be read by the shooter in the field, while maintaining the ability to change the ballistic data chart to accommodate different ammunition shot from a single firearm and detach the device from one firearm so that it can be attached to a different firearm. 
     A further advantage of the present device will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein the present device is shown and described in only the preferred embodiment of the device, simply by way of illustration of the device&#39;s best mode for carrying out its objectives. As will be realized, the device is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the device. Accordingly, the drawing and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of the device of the present embodiments that has been unfolded, disassembled, and detached form the firearm. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the assembled device of the present embodiment that has been unfolded and detached from the firearm. 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the assembled device of the present embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the device of the present embodiments folded and attached to the firearm. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the device of the present embodiment folded and attached to the firearm and secured using a lanyard. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the device of the present embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top elevation view of the device in its present embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present teachings relate to a device that can be used by someone operating a firearm, the shooter, to hold a ballistic data chart containing information about trajectory of the projectile being fired from the firearm to which it is attached. The holder can be attached to the firearm&#39;s sling but the present teachings can find alternative places to mount the holder onto the firearm. 
     The device, without the assistance of any other device, is capable of displaying information to the shooter easily in the field to refresh the shooter&#39;s recollection of the ballistic data prior to his calculation of the projectile&#39;s change in trajectory between the firearm and the target. The device allows the shooter to customize the ballistic data to correspond to the ammunition being fired from the firearm. 
       FIGS. 1-7  illustrate a ballistic data holder  10  in accordance with the present embodiment.  FIGS. 1-3  are drawn so that the holder  10  is unfolded as it appears when detached from the firearm.  FIGS. 4-7  are drawn so that the older  10  is folded around a ring attached to a rifle, such as those commonly used to secure a sling to a rifle. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the ballistic data holder  10  comprises a single piece of leather  46  cut in the shape of a partial circle extending down from a neck with an approximate length of twice the diameter of the partial circle which includes a hole punch  18  approximately midway along the neck of the leather piece  46  slightly right of center and a second hole punch  20  approximately midway along the neck of the leather piece  46  slightly left of center and a leather lanyard  15  with one end  16  inserted through hole punch  20  and one end  14  inserted through hole punch  18  and a vertically cut slit  30  located near the top of the neck of the leather piece  46  slightly to the right of center and a vertically cut slit  32  located near the top of the leather piece  46  to the left of center and in line horizontally with vertical slit  30 . 
     The ballistic data holder  10  comprises a second piece of leather  12  cut into a shape of a barbell and a hole punch  22  in approximately the upper right hand corner of the leather piece  12  a hole punch  24  in approximately the lower right hand corner of the leather piece  12  a hole punch  26  in approximately the upper left hand corner of the leather piece  12  and a hole punch  28  in approximately the lower left hand corner of the leather piece  28 . The vertically cut slits  30  and  32  of the first leather piece  46  should be large enough for the larger portion of the second leather piece  12  to pass through them and approximately the same width as the middle portion of the second leather piece  12 . 
     During manufacture, as best shown in  FIG. 2 , the left portion of the second leather piece  12  is inserted into and through the vertical slit  32  from the back of the first leather piece  46  so that the narrow portion of the second leather piece  12  rests in the vertical slit  32 . The left portion of the second leather piece  12  the right portion of the second leather piece  12  is inserted into and through the vertical slit  30  from the back of the first leather piece  46  so that the narrow portion of the second leather piece  12  rests in the vertical slit  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the ballistic data holder  10  comprises a third piece of leather  44  cut in the shape of a partial circle with a hole  34  which enables the firearm user to view the ballistic data chart  40  through a clear plastic piece  42  cut into the same shape as the third piece of leather  44 . 
     During manufacture, as best shown in  FIG. 3 , the third leather piece  44  and the clear piece of plastic  42  is attached to the back of the first leather piece  46  by punching multiple holes  38  through the third leather piece  44  through the clear plastic piece  42  and through the first leather piece  46  along the circular edge of the partial circle but without punching holes in the neck portion of the first leather piece  46 . The clear plastic piece  42  is placed between the first leather piece  46  and the third leather piece  44  and a piece of leather lanyard  36  is then threaded through the holes  38  and thus securing the first leather piece  46  the clear plastic piece  42  and the third leather piece  44  together. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the ballistic data holder is attached to the firearm by inserting the upper portion of the first leather piece  46  and the attached second leather piece  12  through a ring attached to the firearm, such as a those commonly used to secure a rifle&#39;s sling, and folded down behind the lower neck portion of the first leather piece  46  allowing one end of the lanyard  14  to be inserted through the hole punch  24  and the other end of the lanyard  16  to be inserted through the hole punch  28  so that the portion of the second leather piece  12  appearing on the right of the first leather piece  46  is folded onto the front of the first leather piece  46  and the portion of the second leather piece  12  appearing on the left of the first leather piece  46  is folded onto the front of the first leather piece  46   
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , one end of the lanyard  14  is then inserted into hole punch  26  and one end of the lanyard  16  is inserted into hole punch  22 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the ballistic data chart  40  is inserted down through the opening left by the process of attaching the first leather piece  46  the clear plastic piece  42  and the third leather piece  44  using the leather lanyard  36 . The ballistic data chart  40  after being inserted is visible through the hole  34  and the clear plastic piece  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the opening  48  is left along the neck of the first leather piece  46  allowing the ballistic data chart to be inserted between the first leather piece  46  and the clear plastic piece  42 .