IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,449,234
Granted Patent B2
US 12,449,234 · App. 18/214,299 · Granted Oct 21, 2025

Illuminated sighting system

Inventor: Bradley R. Smith (Timnath, CO)
Assignee: HiViz Group, Inc.
F41G1/345F41G1/14F41G1/44
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,449,234
App. No.
18/214,299
Granted
Oct 21, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An illuminated sighting system for a firearm sight, including a first light conductive member having a first light conductive member viewing end that emits a first amount of emitted light which provides a first viewable aiming indicium that indicates alignment of a firearm with a target; a second light conductive member viewing end that emits a second amount of emitted light which provides a second viewable aiming indicium that indicates misalignment of the firearm with the target; wherein the second light conductive member viewing end disposes about the first light conductive member viewing end; and a lens operably coupled to the first and second light conductive member viewing ends.

Claims (63)

1. A method of making an illuminated sighting system for a firearm, comprising:

providing a first light conductive member having a first light conductive member first end which provides a first light conductive member viewing end;

said first light conductive member configured to (i) receive light from one or more light sources, and (ii) transmit at least a portion of said light internally toward said first light conductive member viewing end for emission as a first amount of emitted light which provides a first viewable aiming indicium that indicates alignment of said firearm with a target;

disposing a second light conductive member viewing end of a second light conductive member about said first light conductive member viewing end, said second light conductive member having a second light conductive member first end which provides said second light conductive member viewing end;

said second light conductive member configured to (i) receive light from one or more light sources, and (ii) transmit at least a portion of said light internally toward said second light conductive member viewing end for emission as a second amount of emitted light which provides a second viewable aiming indicium that indicates misalignment of said firearm with said target; and

operably coupling a lens to said first and second light conductive member viewing ends;

wherein said lens disposes in axially spaced-apart relation to said first and second light conductive member viewing ends.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein only one or the other of said first and second viewable aiming indicia is visible to an aiming eye of a shooter of said firearm at any one time.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said second light conductive member viewing end comprises an annular area.

4. The method of claim 3 , said second light conductive member viewing end having a constant radial portion between second light conductive member viewing end inner and outer surfaces about said first light conductive member viewing end.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first and second viewable aiming indicia are visible in an illumination field.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein only one or the other of said first and second viewable aiming indicia is visible in said illumination field at any one time.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein said first and second viewable aiming indicia comprise different colors of light.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said one or more light sources from which said first light conductive member and/or said second light conductive member receives light comprise ambient light.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said one or more light sources from which said first light conductive member and/or said second light conductive member receives light comprise a light emitting element.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said light emitting element is selected from the group consisting of: light emitting diodes, luminescent paints, chemiluminescent elements, electroluminescent conductors, radioluminescent elements, and combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising only one said light emitting element which provides light to said first and second light conductive members.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein said light emitting element comprises a first light emitting element which provides light to said first light conductive member, and a second light emitting element which provides light to said second light conductive member.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said lens is configured and positioned relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view having the same perimeter as the perimeter of said first light conductive member viewing end.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein when a sight axis which passes axially through the center of said lens and the center of said first light conductive member viewing end is aligned with a shooter's line of sight, said lens is configured and positioned relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view having a boundary which aligns with the perimeter of said first conductive member viewing end.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein said lens magnifies said first light conductive member viewing end by at least 2×.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distance between said lens and said first light conductive member viewing end is at least 10× the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end.

17. The method of claim 4 , wherein said radial portion has a radial portion length which is not less than the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end.

18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a housing configured to house said first and second light conductive members, and said lens;

wherein said housing comprises a housing length which permits said firearm with said illuminated sighting system fixed thereto to be disposed within a holster without mechanically interfering therewith.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein said illuminated sighting system provides a rear sight for said firearm.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the focal point of said lens disposes between said lens and said first and second light conductive member viewing ends.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distance between said lens and said first and second light conductive member viewing ends is greater than the focal length of said lens.

22. A method of making an illuminated sighting system for a firearm, comprising:

a first light conductive member having a first light conductive member first end which provides a first light conductive member viewing end;

said first light conductive member configured to (i) receive light from one or more light sources, and (ii) transmit at least a portion of said light internally toward said first light conductive member viewing end for emission as a first amount of emitted light which provides a first viewable aiming indicium that indicates alignment of said firearm with a target;

a second light conductive member having a second light conductive member first end which provides a second light conductive member viewing end;

said second light conductive member configured to (i) receive light from one or more light sources, and (ii) transmit at least a portion of said light internally toward said second light conductive member viewing end for emission as a second amount of emitted light which provides a second viewable aiming indicium that indicates misalignment of said firearm with said target;

wherein said second light conductive member viewing end disposes about said first light conductive member viewing end; and

a lens operably coupled to said first and second light conductive member viewing ends;

wherein said lens comprises a plane surface which faces toward said first and second light conductive member viewing ends; and

wherein said lens disposes in axially spaced-apart relation to said first and second light conductive member viewing ends.

23. A method of making an illuminated sighting system for a firearm, comprising:

a first light conductive member having a first light conductive member first end which provides a first light conductive member viewing end;

said first light conductive member configured to (i) receive light from one or more light sources, and (ii) transmit at least a portion of said light internally toward said first light conductive member viewing end for emission as a first amount of emitted light which provides a first viewable aiming indicium that indicates alignment of said firearm with a target;

a second light conductive member having a second light conductive member first end which provides a second light conductive member viewing end;

said second light conductive member configured to (i) receive light from one or more light sources, and (ii) transmit at least a portion of said light internally toward said second light conductive member viewing end for emission as a second amount of emitted light which provides a second viewable aiming indicium that indicates misalignment of said firearm with said target;

wherein said second light conductive member viewing end disposes about said first light conductive member viewing end;

wherein said first and second light conductive member viewing ends are coplanar; and

a lens operably coupled to said first and second light conductive member viewing ends;

wherein said lens disposes in axially spaced-apart relation to said first and second light conductive member viewing ends.

24. A method of making an illuminated sighting system for a firearm, comprising:

a first light conductive member having a first light conductive member first end which provides a first light conductive member viewing end;

said first light conductive member configured to (i) receive light from one or more light sources, and (ii) transmit at least a portion of said light internally toward said first light conductive member viewing end for emission as a first amount of emitted light which provides a first viewable aiming indicium that indicates alignment of said firearm with a target;

a second light conductive member having a second light conductive member first end which provides a second light conductive member viewing end;

said second light conductive member configured to (i) receive light from one or more light sources, and (ii) transmit at least a portion of said light internally toward said second light conductive member viewing end for emission as a second amount of emitted light which provides a second viewable aiming indicium that indicates misalignment of said firearm with said target;

wherein said second light conductive member viewing end disposes about said first light conductive member viewing end; and

a lens operably coupled to said first and second light conductive member viewing ends;

wherein said one or more light sources from which said first light conductive member and/or said second light conductive member receives light comprises a light emitting element; and

wherein said light emitting element disposes along a first light conductive member axial length and/or a second light conductive member axial length.

25. A method of making an illuminated sighting system for a firearm, comprising:

a first light conductive member having a first light conductive member first end which provides a first light conductive member viewing end;

said first light conductive member configured to (i) receive light from one or more light sources, and (ii) transmit at least a portion of said light internally toward said first light conductive member viewing end for emission as a first amount of emitted light which provides a first viewable aiming indicium that indicates alignment of said firearm with a target;

wherein a first light conductive member length includes a coiled portion;

a second light conductive member having a second light conductive member first end which provides a second light conductive member viewing end;

said second light conductive member configured to (i) receive light from one or more light sources, and (ii) transmit at least a portion of said light internally toward said second light conductive member viewing end for emission as a second amount of emitted light which provides a second viewable aiming indicium that indicates misalignment of said firearm with said target;

wherein said second light conductive member viewing end disposes about said first light conductive member viewing end; and

a lens operably coupled to said first and second light conductive member viewing ends.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2025
From: HIVIZ, LLC
To: HIVIZ GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 072259/0738 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2023
From: SMITH, BRADLEY R.
To: HIVIZ, LLC
Reel/Frame 064062/0383 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240426573A1 · Dec 26, 2024
References Cited (134)
US 815090A · Hukill · 1906 [cited by applicant]
US 898531A · Tufts · 1908 [cited by applicant]
US 1292211A · Young · 1919 [cited by applicant]
US 1346303A · Trevor et al. · 1920 [cited by applicant]
US 1363553A · Barringer · 1920 [cited by applicant]
US 1818381A · Caruth · 1931 [cited by applicant]
US 2706335A · Munsey · 1955 [cited by applicant]
US 2970380A · Hill · 1961 [cited by applicant]
US 3098303A · Plisk · 1963 [cited by applicant]
US 3121163A · Rickert · 1964 [cited by applicant]
US 3192632A · Stavenhagen · 1965 [cited by applicant]
US 3362074A · Luebkeman et al. · 1968 [cited by applicant]
US 3641676A · Knutsen et al. · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3645635A · Steck · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3678590A · Hayward · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3698092A · Rosenhan · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3700339A · Steck, III · 1972 [cited by applicant]
US 3813790A · Kaltmann · 1974 [cited by applicant]
US 3886667A · Rueb · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3905708A · Steck, III · 1975 [cited by applicant]
US 3949482A · Ross · 1976 [cited by applicant]
US 4070763A · Carts, Jr. · 1978 [cited by applicant]
US 4136963A · Budden et al. · 1979 [cited by applicant]
US 4495705A · Kowalski et al. · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4536965A · Tildeblad · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4574335A · Frimer · 1986 [cited by applicant]
US 4745686A · Willis · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4745698A · Schwulst · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 4806007A · Bindon · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 4877324A · Hauri et al. · 1989 [cited by applicant]
US 5065519A · Bindon · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5279061A · Betz et al. · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5359800A · Fisher · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5440458A · Volk · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5500911A · Roff · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5548493A · Young · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5560113A · Simo et al. · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5638604A · Lorocco · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 5735070A · Vasquez et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5752761A · Pietruczynik et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5822872A · Waki · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5850700A · Capson et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 5862618A · Brown · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5878503A · Howe et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5926963A · Knight · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5930906A · Howe et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 5956854A · Lorocco · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6005024A · Anders et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 6014830A · Brown et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6035539A · Hollenbach et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6058615A · Uhlmann et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6058616A · Bubits · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6122833A · Lorocco · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6216351B1 · Flubacher et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6216352B1 · Lorocco · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6233836B1 · Uhlmann · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6245433B1 · Nakamura et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6345470B1 · Slaght et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6358855B1 · Ramachandran et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6360471B1 · Stein · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6360472B1 · Lorocco · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6375864B1 · Phillips et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6385855B1 · Tymianski · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6421946B1 · LoRocco · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6446377B1 · Hollenbah et al. · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 6571482B1 · Tymianski · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6596074B2 · Pomeroy · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6604315B1 · Smith et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6678987B2 · Howe · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6684551B2 · Howe · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 7238301B2 · Huang et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7338877B1 · Meyer et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7451566B1 · Price · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7562486B2 · LoRocco · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7627976B1 · Olson · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7908783B2 · Howe et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8245433B1 · Smith · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US D679359S · Adock, Jr. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8425063B2 · Buckingham et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8438775B2 · Howe et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8635800B2 · Glimpse et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8635801B2 · Glimpse et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US D700268S · Hormberg · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8925237B2 · Howe et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 8997393B2 · Bar Yona · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9869525B1 · Howe et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10088274B2 · Howe et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10180306B2 · Ben Zion et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10578401B2 · Ben Zion et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10753707B2 · Howe et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10760877B2 · Howe et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10837737B1 · Wright · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 11268787B1 · Bernkrant et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 12007201B2 · Howe et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20060123687A1 · Howe et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 20070107292A1 · Bar-Yona · 2007 [cited by examiner]
US 20080184609A1 · Schulst · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090013581A1 · LoRocco · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100064581A1 · Johnson · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110107650A1 · Howe et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110314721A1 · Lamb · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120151817A1 · Howe et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120186129A1 · Sne et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120198750A1 · Mansfield · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20130255129A1 · Curry · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140096430A1 · Kruse · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150153136A1 · Howe · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20180045487A1 · Abo · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20180053575A1 · Karchon et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180231350A1 · Howe · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20210108886A1 · Howe · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210389083A1 · Patrick, IV · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20220113116A1 · Rohrer · 2022 [cited by applicant]
AT 507403 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
CH 667150 · 1988 [cited by applicant]
EP 0254675 · 1988 [cited by applicant]
EP 3660442B1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
GB 1532090 · 1978 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2006111813 · 2006 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2010034458 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2011067291 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2019209535 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
U.S. Appl. No. 61/459,749, filed Dec. 17, 2010. [cited by applicant]
U.S. Appl. No. 16/147,307, Office Action mailed Sep. 17, 2019. [cited by applicant]
ARO-TEK Ltd. Tri-Lite Day/Night Sight, Catalog, 1997, 3 total pages. [cited by applicant]
MB-MICROTEC. Tactical Lynx, on-line catalog, www.mbmicrotec.com, originally downloaded May 31, 2011, 3 total pages. [cited by applicant]
Personal Defense World. Truglo Introduces The new Brite-Site TFX Handgun Sight. Website, http://www.personaldefenseworld.com, originally downloaded Apr. 22, 2015, 5 pages total. [cited by applicant]
Truglo. TFX™ Tritium/Fiber-Optic Day/Night Sights. Website, http://www.truglo.com, originally downloaded Mar. 20, 2015, 1 page. [cited by applicant]
Truglo. Fat⋅Bead™. Website, https://www.truglo.com/fat-bead/, originally downloaded Jul. 19, 2023, 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
Truglo. Tru⋅Bead™ universal shotgun sights. Website, https://www.truglo.com/tru-bead-universal-shotgun-sights/, originally downloaded Jul. 19, 2023, 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/US23/25821, International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority dated Apr. 3, 2024, 12 pages. [cited by applicant]
PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/US19/26809, International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority dated Oct. 3, 2019, 17 pages. [cited by applicant]
optics planet.com. SIG Sauer X-RAY1 Enhanced Day Sight Set, No. 6. Website, https://www.opticsplanet.com/sig-sauer-x-ray1-enhanced-day-sight-set.html, originally downloaded Jun. 29, 2022, 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
Meprolight. This backup plan is always in sight. Overview. Website, https://www.meprolight.com/product-ft-bullseye/, originally downloaded Nov. 16, 2021, 2 pages. [cited by applicant]