Patent Publication Number: US-7911690-B2

Title: Firearm sighting device for viewing around obstacles

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the general art of fire-arms and sighting devices attached thereto, and more particularly to a sighting device for attachment to a weapon that facilitates viewing, especially viewing around obstacles. 
     Conventional weapon systems for rifles and so forth incorporate particular sighting arrangements that facilitate the targeting of the weapon at a particular object. Typically, the arrangement is that the user holds their weapon in the standard firing position and sights from directly behind and in line with the barrel of the weapon. This then requires that the user place themselves in a position that allows them to sight and discharge the weapon. This requires that the user align the sighting device that is attached to the weapon and their neck, head and eye, so that the object that is targeted is in focus and positioned in the cross-hairs (reticle). As such, the user may have to assume a position that will expose a portion of their body within the line of sight of an opponent and therefore putting themselves in considerable danger. 
     The dangers are indeed magnified in what is known as “urban” operations, and especially urban conflict or urban warfare, the terrain of which is quite different in that engagements are fought at relatively short range and many obstacles such as buildings and other large structures, prohibit clear viewing. 
     Indeed, it is perhaps buildings themselves that pose the biggest threat to safety in combat situations in that it is not possible to see what may be around the corner without first exposing ones self to what may be considerable danger. 
     One such way to overcome this has been to provide a mirror, or other such reflective service attached to either the end of the weapon, such as a rifle, or at the end of a telescopic rod. The problem with these types of devices is that they do not allow for simultaneous viewing and discharge of the weapon around the corner and further that these devices are cumbersome and indeed sometimes quite fragile due to the nature of materials used. 
     Other attempts to overcome the problem of inadvertently exposing the user to unseen dangers has been to provide a telescope so that a user may see a over an obstacle. Such telescopes have been known for some time, in relation to the starting and discharging of a weapon from a bunker. Typically, the viewing section of the telescope is substantially below the trigger mechanism, and the weapon is not supported by the user. An example of such periscopes is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 694,904, and is incorporated here by reference as a mere paper publication. 
     Typically, in such urban combat situations, conventional weapons are merely pointed around a corner so that the user does not expose themselves to the danger, and the weapon is discharged without any sighting of the target at all. 
     More recently, the advent of fibre optics and integrated imaging systems that have the ability to be attached to a weapon, allow the user to remain, for the most part, behind the obstacle in question when viewing around a corner. However, such viewing systems are relatively complex and expensive. They also require, in many instances, a power source so that they may operate, which adds further to the weight of the device. Additionally, various cords are required to connect the power source to the video unit and then back to the user, which results in a cumbersome arrangement. Due to these problems, only a small number of people may ultimately be issued such equipment, which itself poses many problems in terms of redundancy or back-up. 
     Accordingly, despite the significant attempts to overcome the problems as identified, there still remain significant problems in relation to the sighting of a weapon around an obstacle as well as the successful discharge of said weapon. 
     However, we have discovered that it is indeed possible to construct a sighting mechanism that allows the user to remain relatively well hidden behind an obstacle and allow the user to adopt a relatively stable stance or position from which to discharge the weapon with improved accuracy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one form of this invention, although this may not necessarily be the only or indeed the broadest form of this, there is proposed a viewing device that includes a main body, a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, a means adapted for removably securing said body to a sighting device, wherein the first and second reflected surfaces are contained within the body, the first reflective surface adapted to direct an incoming light beam to the second reflective surface, wherein the first and second reflective surfaces are not positioned parallel to one another, and the second reflective surface adapted to direct the reflected light beam at an angle of between 35 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the incoming light beam. 
     In preference, the second reflective surface is positioned to direct the reflected light beam at an angle of between 40 and 55 degrees relative to the incoming light beam. 
     In preference, the second reflective surface is positioned to direct the reflected light beam at an angle of 50 degrees relative to the incoming light beam. 
     In preference, the second reflective surface is positioned at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to the incoming light beam. 
     In preference, the viewing device is removably secured to the rear eye piece of a conventional sighting device. 
     In preference, the viewing device is removably secured to the rear eye piece of a conventional sighting device by a friction fit. 
     In preference, the incoming light beam is directed to a side of the weapon. 
     In preference, the viewing device can be readily rotated about the sighting device, to direct the incoming light beam to either side of the weapon. 
     In preference, the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface are held in an anti-parallel arrangement relative to each other so that their reflective surfaces work in cooperation to redirect an incoming light beam. 
     In preference, the means adapted to removably secure the viewing device to a sighting device is a clip adapted to hold the viewing device with positive engagement to the sighting device. 
     In preference, the reflective surfaces are mirrors. 
     In preference, relay lenses are incorporated into the viewing device to provide eye relief. 
     In preference the viewing device is connected to a mounting member by a pivot means. 
     In preference, the pivot means is offset relative to a longitudinal axis of the sighting device. 
     In preference, the pivot means is integrated into the viewing device and the mounting member 
     In preference, the mounting member is suitably adapted to releasably engage a rear eyepiece of a sighting device. 
     In preference, the engagement is by a friction fit. 
     In preference, the body of the viewing device is constructed from high impact resistant material. 
     In preference, the sighting device is a conventional rifle scope. 
     In preference, an imaging apparatus can be attached to the viewing device. 
     In preference, the imaging apparatus is a fibre optic cable. 
     In preference, the imaging apparatus is a device that generates video images. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       By way of illustration only, an embodiment of the invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a viewing device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the viewing device, 
         FIG. 4  is a plan sectional view through B-B in  FIG. 3 , 
         FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of the viewing device connected to a mounting member in an open position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the viewing device in use when attached to a sighting device on a fire-arm, 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the viewing device in use. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the viewing device in use when attached to a sighting device on a fire-arm. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The viewing device  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  has a body  12  and a mounting member  11  with an opening  14  with a diameter  19  sufficient to match the diameter of the scope or sighting device that the viewing device  10  is to attach to. There is also provided a viewing port  16  for a user to look through. 
     The diameter  19  may also be slightly larger than that of the scope so that the scope will nest within the opening  14  in a cooperative manner. 
     The body  12  has located near the opening  14  a catch means  15  designed to releasably inter-engage with a side the outer surface of the mounting member rim of a sight so as to captively hold the body  12  to the mounting member  11 . The mounting member  11  engaging the eyepiece end of a conventional scope by a frictionally engaging nesting fit with sufficient force so that the mounting member  11  is not inadvertently dislodged from the scope or sighting device. 
     As would be well understood those skilled in this particular out, the viewing device  10  may also be adapted to the removably secured to a standard universal weapons mount such as a Picatinny weapon mount often referred to as a Picatinny rail). This then enables the attachment of any accessory for the weapon that utilizes the appropriate style of clamping device. Typically, universal weapon mounts, such as a Picatinny weapon mount, are attached near to the central midpoint of a weapon in order to provide a standard melting substrate to which various weapon accessories may be selectively attached. 
     The catch  15  has a grip texture  18  to facilitate purchase thereon. The catch  15  also has a portion  20  designed to interlock with an outer recess  23  on periphery of the mounting member  11 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , there is shown a cross-section of the viewing device  10  taken across B-B, showing the interior layout. 
     The mounting member  11  has an aperture  41 , offset from. The aperture  41  is positioned in line with an aperture  43  on the body  12  to receive a pivotal fastening member such as a bolt or other suitable fastener to allow pivoting about axis  45 , which is parallel to  44 . The degree of allowable rotation about the pivot-fastening member is such that the body  12  will not interfere with the ejection port of the rifle and is different for each rifle. 
     There are several other ways that the mounting member  11  and the body  12  can be held in a pivotal relationship without departing from the scope of the invention, as would be known the skilled artisan. 
       FIG. 4  shows a first reflective surface  40  and a second reflective surface  42  in a non-parallel arrangement. Both opening  14  and opening  16  have nested within ocular lenses  46  and  48  respectively. The purpose of the ocular lenses  46  and  48  serves a purpose common to such lenses on fire-arm sighting scopes. It is clear that these lenses may be therefore adjustable to some degree to compensate for the individual user so as to provide the required amount of eye relief to provide accurate viewing. 
     The first reflective surface  40  is located at the first corner  60  of the body  12 . The second reflective surface of  42  is positioned in the second corner  62 . The first reflective surface  40  being positioned at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to plane  66 . 
     The second reflective surface  42 , being positioned in the second corner  62 , is orientated at an angle of greater than 0 degrees relative to plane  66 . 
     The incoming light beam  44  then extends through the opening  14  and subsequently, through the ocular lens  46  until it strikes the first reflective surface  40  and is reflected to the second reflective surface  42  where it is further reflected through the ocular lens  48  positioned within the opening  16  as the outgoing light beam  70 . 
     The angle  72 , which is the angle between the outgoing light beam  70  relative to the incoming light beam  44  is 50 degrees. 
     In the open position, as shown in  FIG. 4   a , the body  12  pivots about the offset pivot point out of the way of the incoming light beam  44 , while the mounting member  11  is retained on the eyepiece end  80  of a conventional scope  82 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the viewing device  10  attached to the rear end  80  of a scope  82 . The scope  82  is attached via a mount  84  positioned on a rifle  86 . 
     The arrangement of the reflective surfaces  40  and  42  within the body  12  of the viewing device  10  as described above, allow for a user  90  to remain substantially hidden behind a corner  92  or other similar obstacle so as to allow the weapon to be discharged around the corner  92 . 
     This arrangement also allows for greater effective control of the weapon  86  than if a single reflective surface positioned at 45 degrees relative to the incoming light beam  44 , as in the present arrangement the butt  88  of the weapon  86  can be more securely held by the user  90  as this allows for a more natural firing position of the weapon  86  relative to the shoulder plane  94  of the user  90 . 
     Additionally, the viewing device  10  provides for a greater scanning range of the target area as, due to the angle of the out going light beam  70 , the user  90  has more room with which to move relative to the corner  92 , than if they where at right angles to the incoming light beam  44 . 
     Furthermore, the viewing device  10  can be readily rotated about the longitudinal axis of the incoming light beam  44  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) so that the user  90  may quickly adapt the viewing device  10  for use whilst they are positioned on the opposite side of the weapon to that shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     Although the invention has been described and shown in what is conceived to be the most practical embodiment it is clear that various modifications may be made in details of design and construction as well as parameters of operation without departing from the scope and ambit of the invention.