Abstract:
A method and apparatus providing for the enhancement of the brightness of a fiber optic sight. Whereby the fiber optic sight is enhanced by way of any number of lenses used to focus ambient light onto the fiber optic cable.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The application relates to a method and apparatus for improving the luminosity of a fiber optic sight, particularly through the use of a magnifying lens. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior Art 
       [0002]    Shooters often utilize luminous sights to help aim their weapons, particularly at night or in environments with compromised levels of light. Tritium or fiber optic sights are especially common amongst handgun users. Fiber optics sights work by gathering ambient light and transmitting it out the ends of the fiber. With varying environments, however, the quality and availability of ambient light can be so lacking as to render fiber optic sights ineffective or even useless. By increasing the amount of ambient light that flows into the length of the fiber, one can increase the amount of light emitted by the ends of the fiber. Fiber optic sights do not have limited lifetimes or require specific power sources. Tritium sights operate by utilizing the light released by the radioactive decay of the element tritium, a controlled substance in the United States. As a controlled substance, usage of tritium in products necessitates certain legal precautions, particularly with regard to acquisition, production, and disposal, which users of fiber optic sights need not observe. The potential volatility and the nature of its status as a controlled substance make tritium a less favorable form of optical illumination than fiber optic sights. 
         [0003]    Because fiber optic sights require an abundance of ambient light flowing into said sights in order to be useful, fiber optic sights tend to be ineffective in environments with limited or compromised availability of ambient light. Focusing currently available ambient light onto fiber optic cables used for sighting mechanisms can improve the illumination provided by such fiber optic sights. 
         [0004]    There exists a need for a method to increase the amount of ambient light that is directed at the length of an optical fiber such that the ends of said optical fiber may increase in luminosity. 
       Objects and Advantages 
       [0005]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of this invention are:
       (a) To allow for the possible increase in the amount of ambient light entering the fiber optic cable;   (b) To allow for the possible increase in luminosity of the fiber optic sights;   (c) To allow for the possible increase in effectiveness of the fiber optic sights;   (d) To allow for the possible increase in the accuracy of the shooter.       
 
         [0010]    Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the embodiments and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. 
         [0012]    In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus allowing for the increase of luminosity of a fiber optic sight through the manipulation of light through a number of lenses. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the sighting mechanism according to certain embodiments of the prior art wherein no fiber optic is present, referred to in certain embodiments as an iron sight. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the sighting mechanism according to certain embodiments of the prior art wherein a tritium rod is present, referred to in certain embodiments as a tritium sight. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the sighting mechanism according to certain embodiments of the present invention wherein an opening for light to pass through is situated above the fiber optic. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an expanded view of the sighting mechanism according to certain embodiments of the present invention wherein one magnifying lens is situated above the fiber optic. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the sighting mechanism according to certain embodiments of the present invention wherein one magnifying lens is situated above the fiber optic. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the sighting mechanism according to certain embodiments of the present invention wherein a plurality of lenses is used on a plurality of sides of the fiber optic. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the preferred embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings are incorporated as a part hereof. 
         [0020]    It is to be noted however, that the appended drawings illustrate only a typical embodiment of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1 - 4 ,  6   
       [0021]    With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the light intensified fiber optic is herein described. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , according to certain embodiments of the prior art, iron sights  10  are used to indicate to the shooter an estimated trajectory for the weapon&#39;s discharge. Iron sights  10  often are positioned atop the weapon in such a way that, as a shooter aims the weapon and looks down the iron sights  10 , iron sights  10  will line up with the target (not shown). Iron sights  10  generally do not provide any illumination, and if they do, such illumination is only cursory for the purpose of distinguishing the iron sights  10  from the weapon itself. 
         [0022]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , according to certain embodiments of the prior art, tritium rod  17  lies within housing  10 . The combination of a plurality of tritium rods  17  and housings  10 , combine to form a plurality of tritium sights  31 . Tritium sights  31  are, according to certain embodiments of the prior art, positioned atop the weapon in such a way that, as the shooter aims the weapon and looks down the tritium sights  31 , tritium sights  31  line up with the target (not shown), such that tritium sights  31  are used to indicate to the shooter an estimated trajectory for the weapon&#39;s discharge. 
         [0023]    As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , according to certain embodiments of the present invention, fiber optic rod  12  lies within housing  11 , and opening  13  is configured such that opening  13  allows for light to enter optic rod  12 . Opening  13  allows for an increased amount of light to enter optic rod  12  because, as can be seen in  FIG. 3 , optic rod  12  has more light available to it. According to certain embodiments, configuration of opening  13  around or about optic rod  12  shall provide for more light to be concentrated on optic rod  12  than should optic rod  12  be completely encased in housing  11 . 
         [0024]    As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , according to certain embodiments of the present invention, fiber optic rod  12  lies within housing  11 , and lens  14  is configured such that lens  14  allows for light to enter optic rod  12  and, according to certain embodiments, enhances or increases the amount of light entering optic rod  12 . The enhancing or increasing of the amount of light entering fiber optic rod  12  makes fiber optic rod  12  brighter. According to certain embodiments, the configuration of lens  14  shall provide for more light to be concentrated on optic rod  12  than should only opening  13  be configured around or about optic rod  12 . 
         [0025]    As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , according to certain embodiments of the present invention, fiber optic rod  12  lies within housing  11 , and a plurality of lenses  14  are configured such that the plurality of lenses  14  allow for light to enter optic rod  12  and, according to certain embodiments, enhance or increase the amount of light entering fiber optic rod  12 . According to certain embodiments, the configuration of a plurality of lenses  14  around optic rod  12  shall provide for more light to be concentrated on optic rod  12  than should only one lens  14  be configured around optic rod  12 . 
         [0026]    The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art. 
         [0027]    The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 
       OPERATION 
     FIGS.  1 - 4 ,  6   
       [0028]    As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , according to certain embodiments of the prior art, iron sights  10  are used to indicate to the shooter an estimated trajectory for the weapon&#39;s discharge. Iron sights  10  often are positioned atop the weapon in such a way that, as a shooter aims the weapon and looks down the iron sights  10 , iron sights  10  will line up with the target (not shown). Iron sights  10  generally do not provide any illumination, and if they do, such illumination is only cursory for the purpose of distinguishing the iron sights  10  from the weapon itself. The shooter will line up the iron sights  10  with the target (not shown) to aim the weapon. 
         [0029]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , according to certain embodiments of the prior art, tritium rod  17  lies within housing  10 . The combination of a plurality of tritium rods  17  and housings  10 , combine to form a plurality of tritium sights  31 . Tritium sights  31  are, according to certain embodiments of the prior art, positioned atop the weapon in such a way that, as the shooter aims the weapon and looks down the tritium sights  31 , tritium sights  31  line up with the target (not shown), such that tritium sights  31  are used to indicate to the shooter an estimated trajectory for the weapon&#39;s discharge. As the tritium gas within tritium rods  17  undergoes radioactive decay, it emits glowing light from tritium rods  17  such that tritium sights  31  provide extra illumination. Because tritium sights  31  provide illumination, the shooter can aim the weapon even in limited or compromised light environments. 
         [0030]    As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , according to certain embodiments of the present invention, fiber optic rod  12  lies within housing  11 , and opening  13  is configured such that opening  13  allows for light to enter optic rod  12 . Opening  13  allows for an increased amount of light to enter optic rod  12  because, as can be seen in 
         [0031]      FIG. 3 , optic rod  12  has more light available to it. According to certain embodiments, configuration of opening  13  around or about optic rod  12  shall provide for more light to be concentrated on optic rod  12  than should optic rod  12  be completely encased in housing  11 . As an increased amount of light enters optic rod  12 , optic rod  12  becomes brighter. The combination of a plurality of optic rods  12  and a plurality of housings  11  combine to form a plurality of fiber optic sights  15 . Fiber optic sights  15  are, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, positioned atop the weapon in such a way that, as the shooter aims the weapon and looks down fiber optic sights  15 , fiber optic sights  15  line up with the target (not shown), such that fiber optic sights  15  are used to indicate to the shooter an estimated trajectory for the weapon&#39;s discharge. As fiber optic sights  15  provide illumination, the shooter can aim the weapon even in limited or compromised light environments. 
         [0032]    As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , according to certain embodiments of the present invention, fiber optic rod  12  lies within housing  11 , and lens  14  is configured such that lens  14  allows for light to enter optic rod  12  and, according to certain embodiments, enhances or increases the amount of light entering optic rod  12 . The enhancing or increasing of the amount of light entering fiber optic rod  12  makes fiber optic rod  12  brighter. According to certain embodiments, the configuration of lens  14  shall provide for more light to be concentrated on optic rod  12  than should only opening  13  be configured around or about optic rod  12 . The combination of a plurality of fiber optic rods  12  and a plurality of housings  11  combine to form a plurality of fiber optic sights  15 . Fiber optic sights  15  are, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, positioned atop the weapon in such a way that, as the shooter aims the weapon and looks down fiber optic sights  15 , fiber optic sights  15  line up with the target (not shown), such that fiber optic sights  15  are used to indicate to the shooter an estimated trajectory for the weapon&#39;s discharge. As fiber optic sights  15  provide illumination, the shooter can aim the weapon even in limited or compromised light environments. 
         [0033]    As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , according to certain embodiments of the present invention, fiber optic rod  12  lies within housing  11 , and a plurality of lenses  14  are configured such that the plurality of lenses  14  allow for light to enter optic rod  12  and, according to certain embodiments, enhance or increase the amount of light entering fiber optic rod  12 . According to certain embodiments, the configuration of a plurality of lenses  14  around optic rod  12  shall provide for more light to be concentrated on optic rod  12  than should only one lens  14  be configured around optic rod  12 . The combination of a plurality of fiber optic rods  12  and a plurality of housings  11  combine to form a plurality of fiber optic sights  15 . Fiber optic sights  15  are, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, positioned atop the weapon in such a way that, as the shooter aims the weapon and looks down fiber optic sights  15 , fiber optic sights  15  line up with the target (not shown), such that fiber optic sights  15  are used to indicate to the shooter an estimated trajectory for the weapon&#39;s discharge. As fiber optic sights  15  provide illumination, the shooter can aim the weapon even in limited or compromised light environments. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0034]    Thus, the reader will see that the method and apparatus provides for a possible increase in the brightness or luminosity of the fiber optic sights. While the above description contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limitations of the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Many other variations and embodiments are possible. 
         [0035]    Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.