IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,797,873
Granted Patent B2
US 7,797,873 · App. 11/515,039 · Granted Sep 21, 2010

Sighting system for a fire arm

Assignee: FN Herstal S.A.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,797,873
App. No.
11/515,039
Granted
Sep 21, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

Improved sighting system for a fire arm, characterised in that it comprises a single indicator light ( 6 ); a sighting device ( 7 ) providing an alignment opening ( 8 ) with a longitudinal reference plane (XoX′) which is parallel or mainly parallel to the axis (Y-Y′) of the barrel ( 4 ) and which is aligned with the indicator light ( 6 ); an inclinometer to measure the elevation angle (A) of the fire arm ( 1 ); a ballistic calculator ( 9 ) connected to the indicator light ( 6 ) and to the inclinometer, making it possible to calculate the desired angle of inclination of the fire arm ( 1 ) as a function of the distance of the target ( 18 ) and to control the indicator light ( 6 ) so as to signal at what moment the measured elevation angle (A) corresponds to the calculated elevation angle.

Claims (20)

1. Sighting system for a fire arm having a barrel, comprising a single indicator light ( 6 ); a sighting device ( 7 ) providing an alignment opening ( 8 ) with a longitudinal reference plane (XoX′) which is parallel or mainly parallel to the axis (Y-Y′) of the barrel ( 4 ), and which is aligned with the indicator light ( 6 ); an inclinometer for obtaining a measured elevation angle (A) of the fire arm ( 1 ); a ballistic calculator ( 9 ) connected to the indicator light ( 6 ) and to the inclinometer, arranged for calculation of a calculated elevation angle of the fire arm ( 1 ) as a function of the distance of the target ( 18 ) and to control the indicator light ( 6 ) so as to signal at what moment the measured elevation angle (A) corresponds to the calculated elevation angle.

2. Sighting system according to claim 1 , including a range finder ( 10 ) connected to the ballistic calculator ( 9 ) and arranged to measure the distance of the target ( 18 ).

3. Sighting system according to claim 2 , wherein the ballistic calculator ( 7 ) is arranged to register the initial elevation angle of the fire arm ( 1 ) at the time of the range finding, such that when calculating the calculated elevation angle, the inclined position of the target ( 18 ) in relation to the shooter ( 17 ) is taken into account.

4. Sighting system according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator light ( 6 ) comprises at least one light spot which emits a light signal with a colour, as long as the measured elevation angle (A) does not correspond to the calculated elevation angle, and which emits a different colour, as soon as the measured elevation angle (A) corresponds to the calculated elevation angle.

5. Sighting system according to claim 4 , wherein the indicator light ( 6 ) comprises a single light spot in line with the longitudinal reference plane (XoX') of the alignment opening ( 8 ).

6. Sighting system according to claim 4 , wherein the indicator light ( 6 ) comprises two light spots ( 19 ), laterally spaced on either side of the sighting device ( 7 ).

7. Sighting system according to claim 1 , wherein the signal of the indicator light ( 6 ) is a signal that blinks as long as the measured elevation angle (A) is inferior to the calculated elevation angle, whereas the signal is a continuous signal as soon as the measured elevation angle (A) reaches the calculated elevation angle or exceeds said calculated elevation angle value.

8. Sighting system according to claim 7 , wherein the blinking becomes faster and faster as soon as the measured elevation angle (A) approaches the calculated elevation angle.

9. Sighting system according to claim 1 , wherein the sighting device ( 7 ) provides a vertical alignment opening ( 8 ).

10. Sighting system according to claim 9 , wherein the sighting device ( 7 ) comprises two walls ( 14 ) that are parallel or mainly parallel to the axis (Y-Y′) of the barrel ( 4 ) of the fire arm ( 1 ).

11. Sighting system according to claim 10 , wherein the height of the walls ( 14 ) diminishes towards a front far end ( 15 ) of the fire arm ( 1 ).

12. Sighting system according to claim 10 , wherein the indicator light ( 6 ) is situated between the two walls ( 14 ).

13. Sighting system according to claim 9 , wherein the sighting device ( 7 ) is formed of a raised frame ( 20 ) forming an angle (B) with the axis (Y-Y′) of the barrel ( 4 ) of the fire arm ( 1 ).

14. Sighting system according to claim 1 , wherein the sighting device ( 7 ) is hinged.

15. Sighting system according to claim 1 , wherein the sighting device and indicator light are mounted on the fire arm at a distance from the eye of the shooter ( 17 ) when the latter is in a firing position.

16. Sighting system according to claim 1 , wherein the length in the longitudinal sense of the fire arm ( 1 ) of the sighting device ( 7 ) and the light indicator ( 6 ) as a whole amounts to 10 cm or less.

17. Sighting system according to claim 1 , including a second inclinometer connected to the ballistic calculator ( 9 ) arranged to measure the lateral inclination of the longitudinal reference plane of the sighting device ( 7 ) in relation to the horizontal, and wherein the ballistic calculator ( 9 ) is arranged to calculate the correction of the elevation angle of the arm ( 1 ) as a function of said measured lateral inclination angle.

18. Sighting system according to claim 1 , wherein the ballistic calculator ( 9 ) is connected to the firing mechanism of the fire arm ( 1 ) so as to start firing as soon as the fire arm ( 1 ) has reached the right firing position calculated by the ballistic calculator ( 9 ).

19. Sighting system according to claim 18 , wherein the connection of the ballistic calculator ( 9 ) to the firing mechanism of the fire arm ( 1 ) is interrupted when the trigger of the fire arm ( 1 ) is not activated.

20. Sighting system according to claim 1 , wherein the sighting system is arranged so that the sighting system can be dismounted from the fire arm ( 1 ).

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 4, 2006
From: GERING, ARMAND; MACALUSO, TONY; JOANNES, RENE
To: FN HERSTAL S.A.
Reel/Frame 018352/0644 →
Priority Claims (1)
BE 2005/0436 · Sep 12, 2005 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070056203A1 · Mar 15, 2007