Abstract:
A method of lighting a target includes directing light through an ocular end of a firearm scope having a reticle to project the reticle on a target distanced from the firearm scope.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    This invention relates to firearms. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving usability of a firearm having a scope in low-light and dark conditions. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Firearms are conventionally known that include a scope for assisting a user in viewing and shooting a target. The conventional scope includes a reticle and magnification lenses such that a user looking through the ocular end of the scope will see a magnified target, with cross-hairs or some similar pattern superimposed thereon. Assuming the scope is aligned properly relative to the gun barrel, the reticle pattern will identify to the user where the target will be impacted upon pulling the trigger. 
         [0005]    Conventional firearms and scoping systems are not without drawbacks, however. For example, such systems are generally of limited use in low-light and dark conditions. Some attempts have been made to remedy this deficiency. For example, some inventors have tried to pipe a small amount of light into a scope such that the reticle is illuminated. The reticle will then appear to a user peering down the scope to be illuminated, instead of black, as a black reticle may be more difficult to view on the magnified target in low- or no-light situations. Other scopes have sought to incorporate light-collecting aspects, such as night-vision. However such scopes have failed because they are impractical, too expensive to make, or can only be used in low-light. 
         [0006]    Another drawback of conventional scopes is that they are only usable by peering down them. They are otherwise of no assistance in firing. Thus, targeting a rifle or shotgun being shot “from the hip” is in no way aided by a conventional scope. Some approaches to this problem have been to provide laser pointers on scopes. Thus, the laser pointer, if aligned properly, will project a dot onto the target, at the position at which the target will be struck upon firing the firearm. One main drawback to such a configuration, though, is that the target is not readily perceivable in low light conditions, beyond the dot formed by the laser. Thus, in low light, there is a possibility of shooting the wrong target, because conventional apparatus do not provide sufficient target illumination. 
         [0007]    Thus, there is a need in the art for a firearm with scope system that is readily usable in low- or no-light conditions, can be accurately and readily aimed without the need to look down the scope, and/or can sufficiently illuminate a target. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    This disclosure remedies the foregoing needs in the art by providing an improved firearm and scope apparatus that is useful in low- and no-light conditions, but that also illuminates a target, allowing for target identification. 
         [0009]    In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of lighting a target including directing light through an ocular end of a firearm scope having a reticle to project the reticle at a distance from the firearm scope. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for lighting a target including a firearm scope and a light source. The firearm scope has a reticle and an ocular end. The light source is arranged to emit light into the ocular end of the scope, while occluding the ocular end of the scope. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the light is of sufficient intensity to project from the scope a distance to illuminate a target. 
         [0012]    These and other aspects, features, and benefits of the invention will be appreciated further with reference to the following detailed description of the invention and accompanying figures, in which preferred embodiment are described and illustrated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional firearm. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a firearm with an accompanying apparatus for lighting a target according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an in-use perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in respective aligned and non-aligned positions. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 5A  ad  5 B are, respectively, a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a mount according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Preferred embodiments of the invention now will be described with reference to the Figures. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional firearm  2 . The firearm  2  generally includes a barrel  4 , a stock  6 , and a trigger  8 . Also illustrated is a scope  10  mounted on the barrel  4 . The scope preferably has a conventional form including a lens assembly and a reticle (not shown). As is conventionally known, a user looks through the ocular end  12  of the scope  10  to see a target therethrough. In some applications the target is magnified by the lens assembly. The reticle, which may take any form, such as crosshairs, will also be visible through the scope. Although the firearm  2  of  FIG. 1  is a long-barreled firearm such as a rifle or shotgun, the gun is not limited to such applications. Any firearm upon which a scope of any size or configuration can be affixed will work with the invention. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows the firearm  2  of  FIG. 1  with an attached illumination assembly  20 . The illumination assembly  20  generally includes a light source  22 , a power source  24 , and a mount  40 . The light source may be an LED source, a halogen source or any other known source that emits light. Preferably, the emitted light is coherent light having a minimum of  135  lumens and more preferably of more than about  200  lumens. 
         [0022]    The light source  22  is situated proximate the ocular end  12  of the scope  10  and aligned with the scope  10  such that the emitted light is directed into the scope. The light is of sufficient intensity that it will pass through the scope and project out the opposite end, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The light projecting from the scope will illuminate any target  30  in its path. Moreover, because the reticle is disposed in the scope  10 , the pattern of the reticle, such as crosshairs also will be projected onto the target, as also illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0023]    The power source  24  is provided to power the light source. A preferred power source is a battery, which may be disposable or rechargeable although any conventional power source with sufficient power may be used. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the power source may be tethered to the light source via a power supply cord  26 , but it could alternatively be integral with the light source. In the illustrated embodiment, the power source  24  includes a housing  28  that is mounted to the stock of the weapon. One or more batteries (not shown) are contained within the housing  28 . In some embodiments the batteries may be accessible through a door or panel of the housing, while in others the user may not be provided with ready access to the inside of the housing. The housing may have a port or receptacle for recharging, as is generally known in the art. 
         [0024]    The housing  28  may be removably mounted to the stock, or it may be fixed to the stock. In a simple embodiment, hook-and-loop fasteners applied to the housing  28  and the stock  6  may be used to retain the housing  28  on the stock. Other fasteners also may be used such as screws, adhesives, mating recesses and protrusions. Such attachment means will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0025]    In yet another embodiment, the power supply may be disposed in the stock. For example, the stock may define a cavity within which the power supply may be disposed. The stock may then be removable to facilitate retrieval, and thus charging and/or replacement, of the power source. Alternatively, the stock may have a port or receptacle with sufficient wiring to allow charging of the power supply by inserting a tethered charge supply into the stock. In this embodiment, the stock may also have an outlet port in which a cord such as power supply cord  26  is received to transmit power from the power supply to the light source. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show the interface between the light source  22 , mount  40 , and scope  10  in more detail. The mount  40  has generally cylindrical first and second receptacles  42 ,  44 . The first receptacle  42  is sized to receive and retain therein the light source  22 , proximate an end from which light is emitted. The second receptacle is sized to receive and be affixed to the scope  10  proximate the ocular end  16 . As will be appreciated, the first and second receptacles  42 ,  44  are generally cylindrical because the outer profile of each of the light source  22  and the scope  10  are cylindrical. The receptacles are sized to accommodate these components, so to the extent that the light source  22  and the scope  10  have different outer profiles, the receptacles  42 ,  44 , may take a different shape. Moreover, to the extent that the mount can take a shape different from the light source  22  and/or the scope  10  and still be attached to such component, it need not have the same shape. 
         [0027]    In a simple embodiment, the mount  40  retains the light source  22  in the first receptacle  42  and is secured to the scope  10  proximate the ocular end  16  via the second receptacle  44 . Set screws or the like may be provided to aid in securing the respective components. In the position illustrated in  FIG. 4A , which is an “aligned” or “in-use” position, the mount  40  is arranged such that an axis of the light source is substantially coaxial with an axis of the scope. Thus, the light is directed into and through the scope, substantially along the axis of the scope. 
         [0028]    When in place, the light source substantially occludes the ocular end of the scope, such that only light from the light source is entering the scope, and substantially all of the light from the light source is entering the scope. The scope can thus not be used in a conventional manner in this embodiment, as there is no way for a user to look into the ocular end of the scope. However, the rewards of the scope still can be reaped by the user, because, as noted above, light from the light source travels through the scope and is of sufficient power to illuminate a target and project the reticle on that target, the user will still know where he is aiming. Assuming proper alignment of the scope relative to the barrel of the firearm, the projected reticle is an accurate representation of where the target will be impacted upon firing the firearm. 
         [0029]    Because it may be desirable in many applications to have the possibility to use the scope for its conventional purpose, i.e., for a user to look down the scope, the mount according to this illustrated embodiment allows the first and second receptacles  42 ,  44  to move relative to each other.  FIG. 4B  shows the mount in an “open” or “unaligned” position where the ocular end of the scope is unoccluded, thereby allowing a user to use the scope in the conventional manner. Although the light source in this open position will no longer be directed down the scope, it still may be used to illuminate the target, as the light is preferably unobstructed in the open position. 
         [0030]    One embodiment of the mount  40  is shown in  FIG. 5A , and in exploded view in  FIG. 5B . The two receptacles  42 ,  44  have generally cylindrical inner surfaces, as noted above. The second receptacle  44 , which is designed for mounting to the scope, has a C-shape configuration with protrusions  48   a,    48   b  extending substantially radially from a sidewall of the receptacle  44 . A screw  50 , such as a thumb screw, is threadable through each of the protrusions to move the protrusions relative to each other. As will be appreciated, when the protrusions move relatively closer, the inner, cylindrical surface of the receptacle  44  will get smaller. This allows the receptacle  44  to clamp on the outer surface of the scope  10 , to hold the receptacle on the scope  10 . The illustrated embodiment also includes a sleeve  52 , which fits inside the receptacle  42  to contact the scope  10 . The sleeve  52  may be included to account for any dimensional variations, owing to different tolerance differences resulting in manufacturing the scope, especially across manufacturers. The sleeve  52  also may be preferable when a user desires that the clamp not directly contact the scope, i.e., for fear of damaging the scope. The sleeve  52  preferably is made of a non-marring material, such as a polymer. The receptacles may be of a lightweight metal, such as aluminum, or could also be made of some other metal, a polymer, or something else entirely. 
         [0031]    The first receptacle  42  is substantially cylindrical and its inner surface is sized to receive the light source  22  therein. The illustrated first receptacle  42  has a flange  54  that circumscribes the opening on the side of the first receptacle spaced from the second receptacle. The flange  54  cooperates with the light source to retain the light source in the second receptacle. To this end, the light source may have a mating, annular indentation that will receive the flange. Alternatively, the flange may be sized sufficiently small that the light source may be inserted into the first receptacle through the end opposite the end having the flange and the flange will prevent the light source from passing completely through the receptacle. A set screw may be used in combination with the flange in this embodiment, to prevent rotation of the light source in the receptacle. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the flange  54  may be provided on the side of the first receptacle  42  proximate the second receptacle  44 . The flange  54  has a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the leading or “light emitting” end of the light source, such that when the light source is inserted into the first receptacle through the opening of the first receptacle opposite the second receptacle, the leading end will contact the flange. This contact will prevent the flange from further advancement of the light source into the second receptacle. once seated against the flange, the light source is secured in the first flange using a set screw, clamp or the like. 
         [0033]    Rotational blocks  56   a,    56   b  also are provided on the outside surface of the receptacles  42 ,  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, mating rails  46   a,    46   b  are provided on the blocks and the receptacles, and screws are used to fix each of the blocks to its respective receptacle. The two blocks (and thus the receptacles) are connected by a fulcrum screw  58 . A spring  60  also is provided about the fulcrum screw  58 , to bias the rotational blocks  56   a,    56   b  toward each other. The fulcrum screw allows the rotational blocks  56   a,    56   b  to rotate relative to each other, about the axis of the fulcrum screw. Accordingly, when the first receptacle  42  is fixed to the scope, the second receptacle  44 , and thus the light source, can be placed at any rotational position about the fulcrum screw, including co-axial with the first receptacle  42 , as in the aligned position described above. Although the blocks and receptacles are provided with mating rails, they could alternatively be fixed to each other. That is, rotational block  56   a  could be fixed to receptacle  44  and/or rotational block  56   b  could be fixed to receptacle  42 . The illustrated rails are symmetrical, i.e., they will allow the receptacle and associated block be registered at two positions, 180-degrees apart, so by fixing the block and the receptacle, some alignment flexibility may be lost. Moreover, although the blocks and receptacles are fastened using different techniques, i.e., a thumb screw mounts block  56   a  and two flat head screws mount block  56   a,  in  FIG. 6  both blocks are mounted using a pair of flat head screws. The invention is not limited by any attachment methodology. 
         [0034]    In the illustrated embodiment, the rotational blocks  56   a,    56   b  are provided with a notch  62  and a protrusion  64 , respectively, which cooperate to align the receptacles  42 ,  44  in two positions, at 180-degree rotational intervals. These positions are show in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  as the aligned ad non-aligned positions. 
         [0035]    Although a specific embodiment of the mount is illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , variations to that mount will be readily appreciated to those having ordinary skill in the art, upon enlightenment by this disclosure. For example, the same clamping mechanism and/or the sleeve used in the second receptacle could also be used in the first receptacle. Other clamping and/or retention mechanisms could be used in either or both of the receptacles. Moreover, the notch  62  and protrusion  64  may not be provided at all in some embodiments, while in still others they could be formed to provide additional alignment positions. In another embodiment, the first and second receptacles may be fixed in the aligned position, or may be integrated into a single piece. In such an application the light source would always be in the aligned position when the mount is affixed to the scope, and the unaligned position would be achieved by removing the mount. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment of the invention, the first receptacle may mount to the gun instead of the scope. In such an embodiment the first receptacle may have a completely different shape, designed to instead clamp onto or otherwise releasably secure to the gun. In such an embodiment, the second receptacle would still be attached to the first receptacle, to selectively align the light source with the scope. 
         [0037]    As will be appreciated, the invention is particularly useful for using a firearm in low- and no-light conditions, including at night. Whereas most scopes would be rendered unusable in darkness, the invention may be embodied as a simple accessory to make use of the scope. The high-powered light projects from the scope to illuminate the target while projecting the reticle from the scope onto the target. Although a user cannot look through the scope when the light source is aligned therewith, there is no need to, as the projected cross-hairs or other reticle pattern will be readily discernible on the target, and accurate. Thus, the user gets the benefit of the scope, but without the necessity to look through it. The user also therefore need not fire the gun from a customary firing position, such as from the shoulder for a rifle, to accurately aim. Applications of the invention include night-hunting, for example, for wild boar or raccoons. Other uses may include law enforcement or military. Whereas law enforcement officers and soldiers are generally required to carry a flashlight separate from their firearm to identify perpetrators before firing, the present invention provides a single solution that allows for illumination and aiming. Moreover, as noted above, an officer need not have the gun in the proper firing position for reliable aiming. 
         [0038]    While the invention has been described in connection with several presently preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention which accordingly is intended to be defined solely by the appended claims.