Abstract:
A range finder includes a cylindrical housing having a front end and a rear end and range finder circuitry located within the housing for calculating distance. A lens is located at the front end of the housing and a display is located at the rear end of the housing for displaying distances calculated by the range finder circuitry.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/455,181 filed May 29, 2009 and titled “Range Finder for Weapons”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/327,123, filed Jan. 6, 2006 and titled “Device Mount for a Firearm”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,574,824. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/455,181 is also a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/106,828, filed Apr. 15, 2005 and titled “Range Finder”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,643,132, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/018,960, filed Dec. 21, 2004 and titled “Range Finder”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,321. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,321 is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/641,169, filed Aug. 14, 2003 and titled “Range Finder”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,331, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/090,333, filed Mar. 4, 2002 and titled “Range Finder”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,531. 
         [0002]    This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/455,174, filed May 29, 2009 and titled “Camera with Weather Cover”, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/804,548 filed Mar. 18, 2004 and titled “Camera Lens and Display”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,619,676. U.S. Pat. No. 7,619,676 is continuation of application Ser. No. 10/179,603 filed Jun. 25, 2002, titled “Video Camera Recorder”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,006,144, which is a division of application Ser. No. 09/264,587 filed Mar. 8, 1999, titled “Game Hunting Video Camera”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,556,245. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Range finders can be a useful tool when hunting for game. A ranger finder conveys the distance to an object (game target). This information is helpful to a hunter because it allows a hunter to determine if the target is beyond the range of a firearm or bow. Knowing the distance to a target also aids the hunter in the placement of the sight of the firearm or bow. For example, if the target is a great distance from a firearm, a hunter can raise the sight of the firearm over the target a select distance to compensate for the trajectory of a projectile (bullet) fired from the firearm. The distance found by the range finder can aid the hunter in determining how much the sight should be raised over the target. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A range finder includes a cylindrical housing having a front end and a rear end and range finder circuitry located within the housing for calculating distance. A lens is located at the front end of the housing and a display is located at the rear end of the housing for displaying distances calculated by the range finder circuitry. 
         [0005]    An apparatus includes a cylindrical rangefinder including a front end and a back end. A lens is mounted at the front end of the housing, a display is mounted at the back end of the housing, and a range finder circuit is located within the housing between the lens and the display. A button for operating the rangefinder is located on the rangefinder and a port for connecting the rangefinder to another device is located on the rangefinder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  is a side view of a mounting system of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of a mounting system of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of a mount of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  is a back view of the mount of  FIG. 2A  illustrating a mounting rail of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2C  is a top view of the mount of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of a scope mount with a locking rod mechanism. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of a scope mount engaging a mount of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of a scope mount with a thumb screw locking mechanism. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a mount of  FIG. 2A  attaching a camera to a scope. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a mount of  FIG. 2A  attaching a camera to a rifle. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a rangefinder of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of a mounting rail of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of the mounting rail of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a rangefinder being attached to a scope of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the rangefinder of  FIG. 6  attached to a tripod. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is another flow diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a front view of a mount of one embodiment of the present invention mounted to a barrel of a firearm. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a rangefinder of another embodiment of the present invention mounted to a firearm. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the rangefinder of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a rear view of the rangefinder coupled to a firearm of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view the rangefinder coupled to a firearm of  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
       [0028]    In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof. 
         [0030]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a mount that allows for the attachment of a device such as a video camera, rangefinder or the like, to a weapon. In particular, in one embodiment, the mount allows the device to be mounted to a scope of a weapon in a manner that does not hamper the operation of the scope (i.e. the elevation and/or windage adjustment knob for example) or other operations of the weapon. In another embodiment, a mounting rail adapted to mount a device to a firearm. In yet another embodiment, a rangefinder having a remote port and attaching treads that can be attached to the mount is provided. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 1A , a mounting system  100  of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The mounting system  100  in this embodiment includes a scope  110  that is mounted on a weapon, which is a rifle  108  in this example, and a scope mount  102 . The electronic device is a rangefinder  104  in this example that can be operated remotely with a remote control pad  106 . In the example of  FIG. 1A , the rangefinder  104  is mounted over the scope  110  from a perspective of the hunter. Referring to  FIG. 1B , an example of another embodiment in which the rangefinder  104  is mounted on the side of the scope  110  from the perspective of the hunter. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of a mount  200  of one embodiment of the present invention. The mount is used in embodiments of the present invention to mount a device to the weapon. The mount  200  includes a side plate  205  and a support plate  207  that generally makes the shape of an L. In particular, the support plate  207  extends from a first end of the side plate  205  at generally a right angle. The support plate  207  includes an engaging surface  206  to support a device and a stabilizing nub  204  designed to fit into a cavity of a device to provide stability and prevent the rotation of the device when mounted to the mount  200 . The support plate  207  also includes a mounting aperture  208 . The mounting aperture  208  is designed to allow a thumb screw (or any type of attaching device) to engage the device so that the device can be selectively coupled to the engaging surface  206  of the mount  200 . The side plate  205  includes a mounting rail (or rail mount)  202  that is located near a second end of the side plate  205  that is opposite the first end of the side plate  205 . As illustrated, the mounting rail  202  extends from the side plate  205  in a direction that is opposite the direction the support plate  207  extends from the side plate  205 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates a back view of the mount  200  and in particular the mounting rail  202 .  FIG. 2C  illustrates a top view of the mount  200  and in particular the stabilizing pin  204  and the mounting aperture  208 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a side view of a scope  110  with a quick mount scope mount  300  attached thereto. Also illustrated is the adjustment knob  304  of the scope  300  which adjusts the elevation and/or windage of the scope. It is important that the mount  200  and the device using the mount not interfere with the operations of the scope such as the operation of the adjustment knob  304 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates a mount  200  coupled to the scope  110  via the scope mount  300 . In particular, the scope mount  300  engages the mounting rail  202  of mount  200 . In this embodiment, the scope mount  300  locks the mount onto the scope via a locking mechanism having a locking rod  305  that is rotated into a locking position. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3C , a scope mount  310  of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The scope mount  310  includes a threaded thumb screw  312  with a triangle shaped head. The triangle shaped head allows for the applying of a twisting pressure to selectively lock and unlock the scope mount  312  to the scope  110  without the use of a screwdriver. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a front view of the mount  200  attaching a video camera  400  to a scope  110  of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As illustrated, a bottom side of camera  400  is positioned to abut the engaging surface  206  of the mount  200 . The thumb screw mounting aperture  208  allows a triangular shaped head thumb screw  306  to be threaded into internal threads  404  of the camera  400  to secure the camera to the mount  200 . Moreover, a hand strap  402  of the camera  400  can be wrapped around the mount as illustrated to further secure the camera to the mount  200 .  FIG. 4  further illustrates how the mounting rail  202  of the mount  200  is engaged with the scope mount  410 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the mounting system  500  on a rifle  108 . As illustrated, the mount  20  allows for the camera to be mounted away from the elevation adjustment knob  309  of the scope  110 . Moreover, as illustrated the eyepiece  503  of camera  400  is approximately at the same height as the eyepiece  505  of the scope  110  in relation to the hunter. That is, the eyepiece  503  of the camera  400  is basically at eye level with the aiming mechanism of the firearm. Accordingly, the hunter&#39;s movement to look between the scope and the view finder on the camera is minimal to avoid disruption of the hunt. This also applies to other devices such as a rangefinder with a display that is positioned relatively at eye level with the scope as illustrated in  FIG. 1B . Also illustrated in  FIG. 5  is a remote control pad  502  that is designed to control the camera  400 . 
         [0035]    An example of a rangefinder  600  of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Rangefinder  600  includes attaching threads  604  adapted to engage the threads of a thumb screw. Accordingly, the rangefinder can be attached to the mounting plate  200  similar to the camera  400  of  FIG. 4 . This embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 1B . The rangefinder  600  also includes display  610 , a power button  605 , a mode switch button  607 , a battery cover  603  and a remote control port  602  that allows for the remote operation of the rangefinder  600 . Buttons  605 ,  607  and remote control port  602  can be located on a side or a back of range finder  600 . See  FIGS. 4 and 10  of related U.S. Pat. No. 6,556,245 showing buttons and a port on a back of an electronic device, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Moreover, the bottom surface of the rangefinder  600  further includes  606  attaching apertures  606 . The attaching apertures  606  are used to mount a mounting rail to the rangefinder  600 . The bottom surface of the rangefinder  600  further includes a stabilizing recess  608  that is designed to receive a stabilizing nub such as the stabilizing nub  204  on mount  200 . In this embodiment, the battery cover  603  and the remote control port  602  are positioned on a left side of the rangefinder  600  so that when the rangefinder  600  is mounted to a mount  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the battery compartment and the port  602  are assessable. In another embodiment, where the mount  200  is mounted to the other side of the scope  110 , the battery cover  603  and the remote control port  602  are positioned on a right side of the rangefinder  600  to allow access to the battery chamber and the port  602  when mounted to the mount  200  in this embodiment. In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the placement of the power button  605  and mode switch button  607  on a rear side of the rangefinder  600  allows for the ease of operation of the rangefinder  600  while the firearm is shouldered in a shooting position. 
         [0036]    An example of a mounting rail  700  of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The mounting rail  700  of this embodiment includes rail apertures  704  that are adapted to be aligned with the attaching apertures of the rangefinder  606  of other device. Screws or other attachment means are used to secure the rangefinder  606  to the mounting rail  700  through the rail apertures  704  and the associated attaching apertures  606 . Further illustrated is a stabilizing recess  703 . This stabilizing recess is also designed to receive a stabilizing nub such as the stabilizing nub  204  on mount  200 . The rail apertures  704 , stabilizing nub as well as a rail thumb screw aperture  702  are positioned between a first edge  075  and a second edge  707  of the mounting rail  700 . Moreover as illustrated, a first rail  701  is positioned along the first edge  705  and a second rail  703  is positioned along a second edge  707  of the mounting rail  700 . 
         [0037]    An illustration of a rangefinder attached to a scope  110  using the mounting rail  700  and a scope mount  706  is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . As illustrated in this embodiment, the mounting rail  700  is directly coupled to the scope mount  706 . In other embodiments, the mounting rail  700  is coupled to a mount  200  that is coupled to the scope mount  706 . In these embodiments, the mount rail thumb screw aperture  702  is used to connect the mounting rail  700  and rangefinder  600  to the mount  200  via a thumb screw. The attaching threads  604  of the rangefinder  600  can also be used to mount the rangefinder  600  to a tripod  900  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . As also illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the rangefinder  600  can be remotely operated by a remote control pad  902  that is in communication with the remote control port  602 . 
         [0038]    One method of using a rangefinder  600  and a mount rail (or mounting rail)  700  of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . As illustrated, the method begins by attaching a mounting rail  700  to the rangefinder  600  ( 1102 ). In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 8  the attachment is at the bottom of the rangefinder. This illustration however, is shown by way of example and not by limitation. Accordingly, the location of the attachment of the mounting rail  700  is not limited to the bottom of the rangefinder. It is then determined if a mount  200  is already on the scope ( 1004 ). If a mount  200  is not on the scope ( 1004 ), the mounting rail  700  is directly attached to a scope mount  706  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . If a mount  200  is already on the scope ( 1004 ), the rangefinder  600  is attached to the mount  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 1B . 
         [0039]    As discussed above, the mount  200  can be used by a plurality of devices. One method of using the mount with devices in one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . As illustrated, a rail mount  202  on the mount  200  is first attached to at least one scope mount  304  ( 1101 ). This is illustrated in  FIG. 3B . The device is then attached to the mount ( 1104 ). In one embodiment, the visual operation of the device is positioned by the mount to be at eye level with an aiming mechanism of the firearm which is in this embodiment, an eye piece of the scope. For example, as discussed above, with a video camera device  400  (of  FIG. 5 ), the eyepiece  503  of the camera  400  is positioned approximately at eye level with the eyepiece  505  of the scope  110  and with the rangefinder example the display on the range finder is positioned approximately at eye level with the eyepiece of the scope ( FIG. 1B ). 
         [0040]    Although, the above examples of the embodiments of the present invention illustrate a device being coupled to a scope of a firearm, other embodiments attach the device directly to a barrel of a firearm. For example, please refer to  FIG. 12 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , a mount  200  is coupled directly to a barrel  1200  of a firearm via scope mount  410 . That is, in this embodiment, the scope mount  410  is directly coupled to the barrel  1200  and not a scope. Also illustrated in  FIG. 12  is the aiming mechanism  1210  of the firearm which is, in this embodiment, approximately at eye level with the operating device of the video camera  400 . Accordingly, the above embodiments of the present invention are not limited to being mounted to a scope. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , a rangefinder  1300  of another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As illustrated, the range finder  1300  includes a main housing  1302  and a power supply housing  1304 . The main housing  1302  encases signal lens  1310 A through which a radar signal is passed and received. Also illustrated in  FIG. 13 , is an operation panel  1306  that is used to operate the range finder  1300 . The range finder  1300  can also be operated by a remote unit  1305 . In particular, the remote unit  1305  is adapted to be attached to a firearm in such a manner that it allows easy manipulation of the range finder  1300 . This feature is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The range finder  1300  in this embodiment is adapted to be mounted to a scope  1309  that is in turn mounted to firearm  1311 . Moreover, in this embodiment the range finder  1300  is mounted to the scope  1309  with mounting brackets  1308 A and  1308 B. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 14  a cross-sectional top view of the range finder  1300  is illustrated. As illustrated, the main housing  1302  includes a first section  1450  and a second section  1454 . The first and second sections  1450  and  1454  are connected by a plurality of attaching screws. In other embodiments, other attaching means are used and this invention is not limited to the use of attaching screws. As illustrated, an inter attachment section  1452  abuts the first section  1450 . The inter attachment section  1450  is adapted to hold a first and second signal lens  1310 A and  1310 B. Although, this embodiment uses two signal lenses  1310 A and  1310 B, it will be understood in the art that other signal focusing method and other projection methods could be used and that this invention is not limited to two signal lenses  1310 A and  1310 B. Also illustrated are signal generation circuit  1430 , signal receiving circuit  1432 , a process circuit  1434  and a control circuit  1435  that make up part of a range finding circuit. The signal generation circuit  1430  is adapted to generate a signal that is projected out of the signal end  1460  of the range finder  1300 . The signal receiving circuit  1432  is adapted to receive signals reflected off of an object and reflected back through the signal end  1460  of the range finder  1300 . The process circuit  1434  is adapted to process the received signals to determine the distance to the object the signal was reflected off of. The control circuit  1435  is adapted to control and synchronize the signal generation circuit  1430 , the signal receiving circuit  1432  and the process circuit  1434  based on operating signals provided by a user. In one embodiment, a signal propagation time measuring method is used to determine the distance to an object. In other embodiments, a light-section method or a binocular sterosis method or other similar methods are used. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to a specific type of method of determining distances to an object. 
         [0043]    Further illustrated in  FIG. 14 , is the power supply housing  1404  in the second section  1454  of the range finder  1300 . In this embodiment, the power supply  1414  is a battery that is received in a cavity of the power supply housing  1404 . The power supply  1414  is retained in the power supply housing  1404  with a threaded cap  1412 . In this embodiment, the display  1416  is coupled to the display end  1462  of the range finder  1300 . The display  1416  is adapted to display indicia that represents the distance to an object when the range finder  1300  is activated. In one embodiment the display is an LCD. A display circuit  1418  is used to process signals from the processing circuit  1434  and to direct the display  1416  to display the distance. The control circuit  1425  is controlled by operating switches  1420 ,  1422  and  1424  on the operating panel  1406  and alternately through the jack  1426  which is selectively coupled to the remote unit  1305 . The control switches may include an on/off switch  1424 , an activation switch  1420 , a brightness control switch  1422  and the like. In one embodiment, the switches are activation buttons  1420 ,  1422  and  1424 . As illustrated, the operating switches  1420 ,  1422  and  1424  are connected to control the control circuit  1425 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 15  illustrates a rear view of the range finder  1300  coupled to a firearm  1311 . As illustrated, the range finder  1300  includes the display  1416  which is located on the display end  1462 . In one embodiment, the display  1416  is encased in the display end  1462  of range finder  1300 . In another embodiment, the display  1416  extends from the display end  1462  of the range finder  1300 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 16 , is another perspective of the range finder  1300  of the present invention.  FIG. 16 , illustrates the path of the beam or signal and the line of sight provided by the scope  109 . In this embodiment, the mounting brackets  1600 A and  1600 B of the range finder  1300  are integrated with the mounting brackets  1605 A and  1605 B that mount the scope  1309  to the firearm  1311 . Mounting brackets  1605 A and  1605 B can be referred to as the receiver of the scope. Accordingly, in some embodiments of the present invention, the mounting mechanism of the scope is used to mount the range finder  1300  to the scope  1309 . Further in some embodiments of the present invention where the range finder  1300  is directly mounted to a scope mount, a scope  1309  need not be present. This embodiment is especially useful for individuals who have eye problems or disabilities that do not allow them to use a scope  1039 . Further in this embodiment, when the scope  1309  is not attached, the user can simply use the iron sights on the firearm to aim through the scope ring of the scope mounting brackets  1605 A,  1605 B. 
         [0046]    While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.