Patent Publication Number: US-10760876-B2

Title: Clarity sighting system and evaluation method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/639,421 filed Mar. 6, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of firearms of existing art and more specifically relates to firearm sighting systems. 
     RELATED ART 
     Modern firearms are highly precise machines capable of firing projectiles at range with extreme accuracy. Generally, the difficulty in shooting a firearm to it&#39;s best potential has to do with a shooter&#39;s ability to interface with the firearm, and not the inherent mechanical accuracy of the firearm. One of the primary challenges in shooting a firearm accurately is using the sights to visually align the gun with the projectile&#39;s trajectory. Handguns are one of the most difficult firearms to aim, due to the small size and simplicity of the iron sights. Further difficulty comes when people having myopia or other forms of visual degradation attempt to use iron sights. Shooters with visual problems often cannot see iron sights clearly enough to shoot accurately. Even in cases where corrective lenses are an option, sometimes the interference of those lenses prevents the proper focusing of the front sight, rear sight, and target simultaneously. Some such users are forced to resort to electronic or optical sighting systems, but these are not practical in all applications, particularly handguns. A suitable solution is desired. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,328,993 to Lee Philip Heacock relates to a gun sight. The described gun sight includes a gun sight having a rear sight including at least two apertures which are offset vertically and horizontally to correctly sight the gun relative to two perpendicular axes. A forward sight is also provided which corresponds to the at least first and second apertures of the rear sight. These features also offset vertically and horizontally to aid in fast acquisition and targeting. The user or shooter may learn to accurately fire the weapon and more easily acquire a target with less extensive training. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known firearm sighting systems art, the present disclosure provides a novel improved clarity sighting system and evaluation method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved clarity sighting system and evaluation method. 
     An improved clarity sighting system is disclosed herein. The improved clarity sighting system includes a collection of front and rear firearm sights, and a gauge tool having mock front and rear sights representing each of the genuine front and rear sights. The gauge tool simulates sight pictures formed by the alignment of the mock front and rear sights. Each of the mock-front-sights corresponds to and replicates the size and shape one of the genuine front-sights, and each of the mock-rear-sights corresponds to and replicates the size and shape of one of the genuine rear-sights. In this way, a user may visually determine which combination of each of the plurality of front-sights and each of plurality of rear-sights matches the user&#39;s vision. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of selecting a sight set for a firearm is also disclosed herein. The method of selecting a sight set for a firearm includes providing the above-described improved clarity sighting system, aligning one of the mock-front-sights and one of the mock-rear-sights of the tool to form a sight picture; repeating the alignment with differing combinations of the mock-front-sights and the rear-mock-sights; choosing which of the combinations of one of the mock-front-sights and one of the mock-rear-sights provide the sharpest sight picture; and selecting a set of firearm sights which correspond to the one of the mock-front-sights and the one of the mock-rear-sights chosen. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an improved clarity sighting system and evaluation method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the system with a firearm during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1  with the gauge tool being used to select and install sights on a firearm, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one of the pairs of sights of the system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the sights of the system of  FIG. 1  being installed on a firearm, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for selecting and providing an optimized mechanical sighting system for a shooter, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a firearm sighting system and more particularly to an improved clarity sighting system and evaluation method as used to improve the clarity and effectiveness of acquisition and aiming of firearm sights. 
     Generally, the system is a weapons sighting system that involves a vision evaluation system, by which the result of the evaluation can be used to select a physical sight intended to compensate for near vision acuity loss in the shooter. Results of the evaluation system correspond to a selection of sights having varying dimensions and structural characteristics tailor-fit to the visual needs of the shooter. The system includes an apparatus. The apparatus is a vision assessment tool, wherein the result of the evaluation is correlated to the configuration of several customizable aspects of a physical sight that will be mounted onto a projectile firing device (e.g., firearm, etc.). The physical sights comprise mechanical sights, generally referred to as iron sight, and include a front sight and a rear sight. In one exemplary embodiment, the iron sights are open U-notch sights for a handgun. Alternative sight types may be incorporated, and various materials may be used. A further apparatus provided by the present system is the set of iron sights themselves, which are permanently or impermanently affixed to the firearm, and are selected based upon the results of the vision evaluation tool and process. Some examples from the selection of sights are front and rear sight elements that are up to five times larger (e.g., wider, taller, thicker, etc.) than standard or traditional sights. Also, the system allows for the configuration of sight parameters that include, but are not limited to; (a) the size of the each sight post (b) the relative proportion of the size of the front sight post when compared to the size rear sight posts (c) the relative proportion of the size of the notch in the rear sight and the resulting visual gap between the front sight post and the rear sight notch as created by perspective when viewed for the purpose of aligning the projectile firing device on a target. Sight components are preferably shaped such that only the front facing planes of the front and rear sight are visible to the shooter. The size of each the front sight post and the rear sight posts can be varied to accommodate varying shooter acuity, the distance available between the front sight and the rear sight, and shooter preference. This adjustment is made by physically increasing the size of the front post and rear sight posts as well as the size of the notch in the center of the rear sight posts. The sizes of all elements can be adjusted in order to optimize the sight picture as correlated to near vision acuity of an individual shooter. Once optimized, a permanent sighting system may be selected and used based upon the optimization. The size of the gap between the sides of the front sight post and the interior sides of the rear sight posts when aligned can be varied by widening or narrowing the front sight post and/or widening or narrowing the gap between the rear sight posts to accommodate (a) varying shooter acuity, (b) the distance available between the front sight and the rear sight, and (c) shooter preference. This adjustment is made by physically increasing the size of the front post and rear sight posts as well as the size of the notch in the center of the rear blade. The blur that may be inherent in some eyesight is offset and absorbed/diminished by optimization of the physical size of the sight posts, along with the size of the gap between the front post and the rear blade when observed in alignment by the shooter. In addition, the front post and rear blade of sight are shaped such that only the face of the sight available to the shooter can be seen by the shooter. To this end, each part of the sights may be tapered, and tapered such that they narrow towards the front or muzzle of the weapon. This ensures a crisp sight picture. The opposite side of the sight is tapered away from the shooter such that that no side face of the front or rear blade can be seen by the shooter. This eliminates disadvantageous visual elements and side effects that are not easily discerned with reduced vision acuity and that are not needed for sight alignment. 
     The vision evaluation tool can be a physical device that allows for the comparison of various distances between the sight, size of the sights, relative proportions of the size and configuration of these elements on the visual sight picture. The vision evaluation tool may be an assessment that is conducted or recorded via computer or hard copy material that evaluates near vision capability in order to configure an appropriate match sighting configuration that will optimize the sight picture according to the results of the evaluation. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out in the specification. The evaluation tool now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     The evaluation tool may be a test device including replicas, fixtures, molds, or attachments of various front and rear sights in alignment with each other, enabling individuals to examine the sizes and shapes of each front and rear sight to determine which combination best suits his/her needs and vision. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the evaluation tool includes a mount, and a plurality of sight sets which correspond to actual sight sights which may be selected and fitted to a weapon. The evaluation tool provides users with the opportunity to compare many sight variations to each other without the need to handle a weapon or affix sights to a weapon. 
     In this arrangement, each of the front sight and the rear sight are rotatable in relation to the body, with the body being affixable to a firearm. This arrangement may allow for evaluation purposes such that the shooter may find the best combination in order to affix a more permanent sighting system that best suits shooter to improve accuracy. In alternative embodiments, other types of gauge tools may be used to the same end. For example, one gauge tool may merely be a printed medium on a planar surface such as the side of a box, a pamphlet, an index card, or others. Preferably, representations of each of the front sights and each of the rear sights are printed with precise replication of the size and shape of each of the front sights and each of the rear sights. Additionally, the printed medium may also show various combinations of each of the front sights and each of the rear sights to show prospective sight pictures corresponding to that combination. Yet other gauge tool solutions may be implemented, provided that they enable a user to preview each of the front sights and each of the rear sights, with suitable representation such that a user can determine which combination works best with his or her vision. The exact specifications, materials used, and method of use of the adjustable firearm sighting system may vary upon manufacturing. It should be noted that for the purposes of this specification and the claims, it should be understood that “forward” indicates towards a muzzle of a gun; “rearward” indicates the opposite of “forward”, “inward” indicates towards an interior or center of a firearm sight; and “outward” indicates the opposite of “inward”. 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , various views of a system  100 .  FIG. 1  shows a system  100  during an ‘in-use’ condition  50 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the system  100  may be beneficial for use by a user  40  to select and provide an optimized mechanical sighting system for a shooter. System  100  may include a collection of firearms sights  110  including front-sights  112  and rear-sights  114 . Each of front-sights  112  and rear-sights  114  may be mountable on firearm  10 . According to one embodiment, the system  100  may be arranged as a kit  105 . In particular, the system  100  may further include a set of instructions  107 . The instructions  107  may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the system  100  such that the system  100  can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner. 
       FIG. 2  shows the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. System  100  further comprises gauge tool  120  able to simulate a sighting arrangement on firearm  10 . Gauge tool  120  includes plurality of mock-front-sights  122  and plurality of mock-rear-sights  124 . Each of mock-front-sights  122  corresponds to and replicates the size and shape of at least one of plurality of front-sights  112  belonging to collection of firearm sights  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Likewise, each of mock-rear-sights  124  corresponds to and replicates the size and shape of at least one of plurality of rear-sights  114  belonging to collection of firearm sights  110  ( FIG. 1 ). In this way, user  40  ( FIG. 1 ) is able to visually determine which combination of front-sights  112  and rear-sights  114  matches the user&#39;s vision. Each of mock-front-sights  122  and mock-rear-sights  124  may be selectively positionable and alignable such that user  40  ( FIG. 1 ) may try multiple combinations in order to determine which sight picture suits user  40  ( FIG. 1 ) best. Plurality of front-sights  112  preferably consists of four front-sights, each of the four front-sights  112  being of differing sizes. In the same way, plurality of rear-sights  114  preferably consists of four rear-sights, each of the four rear-sights  114  being of differing sizes. 
     In one embodiment, gauge tool  120  is a planar surface which has visible indicia replicating size and shape of each of plurality of front-sights  112  and each of plurality of rear-sights, such that the user may visually determine which combination of each of plurality of front-sights  112  and each of plurality of rear-sights  114  matches the user&#39;s vision. For example, the planar surface may be the back or a blister pack or other packaging, a poster, a flyer, an index card, or others. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, gauge tool  120  may include elongate body  130 , front-sight-array  132 , rear-sight-array  134 , front-coupling  136 , and rear-coupling  138 . Front-sight-array  132  may include one or more of plurality of mock-front-sights  122 , and rear-sight-array  134  may likewise have one or more of plurality of mock-rear-sights  124 . Front-coupling may rotatably connect front-sight-array  132  to elongate body  130 . Likewise, rear-coupling  138  may rotatably connect rear-sight-array  134  to elongate body  130 . Both front-coupling  136  and rear-coupling  138  may rotate along the same axis, such that each of plurality of mock-front-sights  122  can be selectively aligned to each of plurality of mock-rear-sights  124  by manually rotating at least one of front-sight-array  136  and rear-sight-array  138  relative to elongate body  130 . Accordingly, when aligned, a selection of one of plurality of mock-front-sights  122  and one of plurality of mock-rear-sights  124  in combination will convey a sight-picture to user  40  ( FIG. 1 ) indicating an intended point-of-impact. Front-sight-array  132  comprises exactly four of plurality of mock-front-sights  122 , such that each of the four of mock-front-sights  122  are integrally connected to each other, and each of four of mock-front-sights  122  are oriented perpendicularly to one another. In the same way, rear-sight-array  134  comprises exactly four of plurality of mock-rear-sights  124 , such that each of the four of mock-rear-sights  124  are integrally connected to each other, and each of four of mock-rear-sights  124  are oriented perpendicularly to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, elongate body  130  comprises mock-firearm-frame  139  which simulates the ergonomics of a semi-automatic handgun having a grip and a slide. Front-coupling  136  and rear-coupling  138  rotate along the same axis, such that each of plurality of mock-front-sights  122  can be selectively aligned to each of plurality of mock-rear-sights  124  by manually rotating at least one of the front-sight-array and the rear-sight-array relative to the elongate body. Front-sight-array  132  and rear-sight-array  134  may each comprise detents (not illustrated) configured to retain each one of the plurality of front-mock-sights  122  and each one of the plurality of rear-mock-sights  124  in selective alignment with each other. In an alternative embodiment, elongate body  130  can be removably coupled to a firearm. In yet another embodiment, gauge tool  120  may be digitally generated, and may be displayed via a user interface on a screen. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the collection of sights shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Collection of sights  110  ( FIG. 1 ) may include clarified-sight-set  140  as illustrated. Clarified-sight-set  140  may include clarified-front-sight  150  and clarified-rear-sight  160 . Clarified-front-sight  150  may include front-sight-top-surface  152 , front-sight-left-surface  154 , front-sight-right-surface  156 , front-sight-rear-surface  158 , and front-sight-bottom-surface  159 . Front-sight-top-surface  152  may have a downward-forward taper. Front-sight-left-surface  154  may have an inward-forward taper. Front-sight-right-surface  156  may also have an inward-forward taper. Front-sight-bottom-surface  159  may have no taper. The multi-tapered nature of clarified-front-sight  150  may ensure that the edges of clarified-front-sight  150  do not blur, glare, or otherwise produce an unclear sight picture. 
     Clarified-rear-sight  160  may include u-channel  162  as shown formed by the combination of rear-sight-base  164 , left-ear  166 , and right-ear  168 . Left-ear  166  may include left-ear-top-surface  210 , which has a downward-forward taper; left-ear-left-surface  212 , which has an inward-forward taper; left-ear-rear-surface  214 ; and left-ear-right-surface  216 , which also has an inward-forward taper. Right-ear  168  may include right-ear-top-surface  220 , which has a downward-forward taper; right-ear-left-surface  222 , which has an inward-forward taper; right-ear-rear-surface  224 ; and right-ear-right-surface  226 , which also has an inward-forward taper. The multi-tapered nature of clarified-rear-sight  160  may ensure that the edges of clarified-rear-sight  160  do not blur, glare, or otherwise produce an unclear sight picture. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the clarified sight system  100  of  FIG. 3 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Front-sight-bottom-surface  159  may include a front-fastening-mechanism  170 . Front-fastening-mechanism  170  may be a dovetail, a set-screw, or a machine-screw. Rear-sight-base  164  may further include a rear-fastening-mechanism  180 , which may be a dovetail, a set-screw, or a machine-screw. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for selecting and providing an optimized mechanical sighting system for a shooter  500  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for selecting and providing an optimized mechanical sighting system for a shooter  500  may include one or more components or features of the system  100  as described above. As illustrated, the method for selecting and providing an optimized mechanical sighting system for a shooter  500  may include the steps of: step one  501 , providing a system for selecting firearm sights, the system comprising a collection of firearm sights comprising a plurality of front-sights; and a plurality of rear-sight; a gauge tool able to simulate a sighting arrangement on a firearm, the gauge tool comprising: a plurality of mock-front-sights; a plurality of mock-rear-sights; wherein each of the mock-front-sights corresponds to and replicates size and shape of at least one of the plurality of front-sights belonging to the collection of firearm sights; and wherein each of the mock-rear-sights corresponds to and replicates size and shape of at least one of the plurality of rear-sights belonging to the collection of firearm sights; such that a user may visually determine which combination of each of the plurality of front-sights and each of plurality of rear-sights matches the user&#39;s vision; step two  502 , aligning one of the mock-front-sights and one of the mock-rear-sights of the tool to form a sight picture; step three  503 , repeating the alignment with differing combinations of the mock-front-sights and the rear-mock-sights; step four  504 , choosing which of the combinations of one of the mock-front-sights and one of the mock-rear-sights provide the sharpest sight picture; and step  505 , selecting a set of clarified firearm sights corresponding to the one of the mock-front-sights and the one of the mock-rear-sights chosen. 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for selecting and providing an optimized mechanical sighting system for a shooter, are taught herein. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.