Abstract:
Apparatus and method for a firing pin sight system. At least one rearwardly facing sight is located at a rear contact surface of a firing pin of a firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight is viewable to a shooter from the rear of the firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight forms a high contrast surface (in respect the rear surface of the firearm) allowing the shooter to align the at least one rearwardly facing sight point with a target located in front of said firearm. An optical alignment signaling indicia indicates to the shooter when the aim line of the handgun is either off-sight alignment or on-sight alignment.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to sighting devices for firearms, and more particularly, a rear sight located at a firing pin of a firearm. 
     Firearms, including handguns, traditionally employ at least one front sight located above the barrel, on the main body. A rear sight is used to bracket the front sight, while ensuring the sights are aligned within the same plane. Conventional handgun sighting practice stresses that the shooter focus on the front sight, located several millimeters above the barrel axis, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Several problems arise due to such sighting systems, including: the creation of ligature points along the handgun sighting surfaces; increased weight due to such sighting systems; and decreased situational awareness due to optical focus on the front sight. 
     Sighting devices have been known to use tritium light sources and fiber optic segments. Such devices are mounted on the main body of the weapon, and as such suffer from “parallax error” due to the sight being offset from the aim line of the barrel. In addition, such devices add ligature surfaces and weight to the weapon. 
     Other devices utilize bore sighting solutions, allowing laser sighting down the barrel of a weapon. However, such devices are not capable of being used during actual firing of the weapon. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,043 is directed towards a laser aiming system for firearms. However, special ammunition is required during use as well as the incorporation of reflective mirrors and prisms. Such structures would additionally add weight to the system and cause the shooter to focus on a point which is located further than the front sight. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to employ a system which: allows a user to maintain a wide field of vision during target acquisition thereby increasing situational awareness; decreases excess weight to the weapon; and limits the number of external ligature surfaces. Therefore, a need arises for a sighting system addressing the aforementioned problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention solve the need for a sighting system which allows a user to maintain a wide field of vision during target acquisition thereby increasing situational awareness; decreases excess weight to the weapon; and limits the number of external ligature surfaces. According to embodiments of the invention, a firing pin sighting system implements at least one rearwardly facing sight, located at a rear contact surface of a firing pin of a firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight is viewable to a shooter from the rear of a firearm. The at least one rearwardly facing sight forms a high contrast surface (in respect the rear surface of the firearm) allowing the shooter to align the at least one rearwardly facing sight point with a target located in front of the firearm. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one rearwardly facing sight is disposed within a circumposed recessed concavity located at the rear contact surface of the firing pin. The rearwardly facing sight is located at a lower recess surface within the circumposed recess concavity. 
     According to the embodiment, the rearwardly facing sight further defines an optical alignment signaling indicia, indicating to the shooter when the aim line of the firearm is either off-sight alignment or on-sight alignment. The optical alignment signaling indicia defines an alignment ring, wherein the rearwardly facing sight is concentrically circumposed within the alignment ring. When the barrel is off-sight, the alignment ring appears as a crescent, with an arc of the alignment ring concealed by the concentric recess wall. The portion of the arc of the alignment ring concealed by the concentric recess wall corresponds with the direction of deviation. When the muzzle is on-sight, the alignment will appear as a concentric ring around the sight point. The optical alignment signaling indicia allows the shooter to adjust the firearm such that the at least one rearwardly facing sight is aligned with the aim line of the firearm. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a sighting system reducing external ligature surfaces on the external surfaces of a firearm. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a sighting system which reduces the overall weight of a firearm. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to allow a shooter increased situational awareness and increased field of view during target acquisition, sighting, and firing of a firearm. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide at least one rearwardly facing sight located at the firing pin of a firearm. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide an optical alignment signaling indicia allowing a shooter to level the firearm such that the at least one rearwardly facing sight is aligned with the aim line of the firearm. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear view of the prior art showing the rear of a pistol with top sights attached; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of a firing pin sighting system of an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the firing pin sighting system according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of the firing pin sighting system according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic top view of an illustration of the firing pin sighting system according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , showing a cocked hammer, and aiming of a handgun; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a firing pin sighting arrangement according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a firing pin arrangement according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of a firing pin sighting arrangement according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing off-sight alignment; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of a firing pin sighting arrangement according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing on-sight alignment; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of a firing pin sighting system according to an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear view of a firing pin sighting system according to an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of a firing pin sighting system according to an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a rear view of a firing pin sighting system according to the embodiment of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of a firing pin arrangement and insert, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional side view of a firing pin arrangement and insert, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-9 , a firing pin sighting system  10  in accordance with the present invention is shown. The firing pin sighting system  10  is preferably adapted for use with a handgun  11 . In the present example, the handgun  11  has a main body  12 , defining a slide  13  and chassis  14 , a barrel  15 , a hammer  17 , a grip  18 , and a firing pin sighting arrangement  20 . The handgun  11  illustrated in the preferred embodiment illustrates a 1911 style pistol. However, embodiments of the invention may be employed by any suitable type of handgun. 
     A perspective view of the firing pin sighting arrangement  20  is shown in  FIG. 6 . A firing pin sighting arrangement  20  defines a firing pin  21  having a distal tip  22  and rear contact surface  23 , and a high contrast sight  24  disposed within the rear contact surface  23 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the rear contact surface  23  defines a circumposed recessed concavity  25  and a concentric recess wall  26  extending into the firing pin  21  from the rear contact surface  23  towards the distal tip  22 , creating a lower recess surface  27 . The high contrast sight  24  is disposed within the recessed concavity  25 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The high contrast sight  24  of the preferred embodiment circular painted dot of a selected color, such as greed, red yellow, blue, or white, for example. The high contrast sight  24  may also be a number of high contrast light reflective materials such as radioluminous light elements, tritium coated surfaces, phosphorescent material, optically transparent plastic, or fiber-optic plastic, for example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the firing pin  21  is positioned for reception of the hammer  17 . The hammer  17  is pivotably mounted to strike the rear contact surface  23 , causing the distal tip  22  of the firing pin  21  to strike a chambered round  29  when the trigger  42  is pulled, causing a shot to be fired. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the firing pin sighting arrangement  20  is visible to the shooter when the hammer  17  is cocked and ready to fire. According to the present example, front and rear sights (not shown) are removed from the handgun  11  to reduce weight and ligature surfaces while drawing the weapon. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the shooter draws the handgun  11  and uses both eyes stereoscopically to acquire a target  60 . The shooter focuses on the high contrast sight  24 , and such focusing causes the high contrast sight  24  to be optically projected onto the target  60  from the perspective of the shooter. Accordingly, the shooter is allowed to quickly draw, acquire, and aim the handgun without having to align front and rear sights. 
     Target acquisition and sighting require that the shooter align the high contrast sight  24  with the target  60 . The firing pin sighting arrangement  20  is concentrically aligned with the aim line  40  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), thereby allowing the firing pin sighting arrangement  20  to be aligned with the path of the bullet during its travel through the barrel  15 . Accordingly, the firing pin sighting arrangement  20  must also be aligned with the aim line  40  for correct sighting. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-9 , the firing pin sighting arrangement  20  further comprises an optical alignment signaling indicia  30 . The optical alignment indicia  30  of the preferred embodiment further defines an alignment ring  32 . The high contrast sight  24  is concentrically circumposed within the alignment ring  32 . The alignment ring  32  of the preferred embodiment is a circular light reflective surface of white paint. The alignment ring  32  may be other colors such as red, yellow, blue, or green, for example. Additionally, the alignment ring  32  may be a number of high contrast light reflective materials such as radioluminous light elements, tritium coated surfaces, phosphorescent material, optically transparent plastic, or fiber-optic plastic, for example. The optical alignment indicia  30  indicates to the shooter when the handgun is either in off-sight alignment or on-sight alignment. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a rear view of the firing pin arrangement  20 , illustrating off-sight alignment. Off-sight alignment occurs when the main body  12  and barrel  15  of the handgun  11  deviates from the path between the firing pin sighting arrangement  20  and the target with respect to either horizontal or vertical axes. In the present example, the alignment ring  32  provides visible indicia to the shooter of such off-sight alignment. When the barrel  15  is off sight, the alignment ring  32  appears as a crescent, with an arc of the alignment ring concealed by the concentric recess wall  26 . The arc of the alignment ring concealed by the concentric recess wall  26  corresponds with the direction of deviation. For example, if the barrel  15  is aligned to the left of the path between the firing pin sighting arrangement  20  and target, the arc of the alignment ring concealed by the concentric recess wall  26  would appear on the left side of the firing pin sighting arrangement  20 . Conversely, if the barrel  15  aligned above the path of path between the firing pin sighting arrangement  20  and target, the arc of the alignment ring concealed by the concentric recess wall  26  would appear on the upper side of the firing pin sighting arrangement  20 . The size of the arc of the alignment ring concealed by the concentric recess wall  26  appears larger as the angle of deviation of the barrel  15  increases from the target. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  9 , on-sight alignment occurs when the barrel  15  of the handgun is aligned with the aim line  40  of the firing pin sighting arrangement  20  and the target.  FIG. 9  illustrates a rear view of the firing pin arrangement  20 , illustrating on-sight alignment. When the barrel  15  is on-sight, the alignment ring  32  will appear to the shooter as a concentric ring around the high contrast sight  24 . Accordingly, the shooter is able to coordinate the handgun  11  from off-sight to on-sight positioning using the firing pin sighting arrangement  20  without the use of a front sight. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a firing pin sighting system  110  in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. According to the embodiment, a handgun  111  has a main body  112 , defining a barrel  115 , a hammer  117 , a grip  118 , and a firing pin sighting arrangement  120 . The firing pin sighting arrangement  120  defines a firing pin  121  having a high contrast sight  124  located on the rear contact surface  123  of the firing pin  121 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a firing pin sighting system  210  in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. According to the embodiment, a handgun  211  has a main body  212 , defining a slide  213  and chassis  214 , a grip  218 , and a firing pin sighting arrangement  220 . The firing pin sighting arrangement  220  defines a firing pin  221  having a high contrast sight  224  located on the rear contact surface  223  of a firing pin  221 . According to the embodiment, the firing pin plate cover (not shown) of the handgun  211  is removed such that the firing pin  221  is visible to the shooter from the rear of the handgun  211 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12-15 , a firing pin sighting system  310  in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. According to the embodiment, a handgun  311  has a main body  312 , defining a slide  313  and chassis  314 , a hammer  317 , a grip  318 , and a firing pin sighting arrangement  320 . The firing pin sighting arrangement  320  defines a firing pin  321  having a distal tip  322  and rear contact surface  323 , and a high contrast sight  324  disposed within the rear contact surface  323  of the firing pin  321 . The rear contact surface  323  defines a circumposed recessed concavity  325  and a concentric recess wall  326  extending into the firing pin  321  from the rear contact surface  323  towards the distal tip  321 , creating a lower recess surface  327 . A transparent plastic insert  328  is a longitudinally extending light collecting member, disposed within the firing pin  321 . The transparent plastic insert  328  has an insert tip  328   a  and an insert end surface  328   b  extending a distance from the lower recess surface  327  towards the distal tip  322 . The insert end surface  328   b  rests flush with the lower recess surface  327 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     Differing combinations and permutations of the embodiments set forth are contemplated by the current invention. Additionally, all functional equivalents of materials used and means of attachment of elements are contemplated by the current invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred versions and alternate embodiments set forth herein. 
     Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6.