Optical imaging device for firearm scope attachment

Abstract

The present optical imaging device comprises an electro-optical recording device, such as a digital still camera, videotape recorder, etc, physically and optically connected to the scope sight of a firearm. The scope may be provided with a half silvered mirror at the eyepiece, which reflects a portion of the image passing through the scope to the axially offset recording device. The user of the firearm and optical system may thus continue to view the image through the scope. Other embodiments provide a small, light weight micro camera fitted to the scope eyepiece, with the camera receiving the image from the eyepiece and providing that image to the user through a rearward viewing screen. A switch may be provided to operate the system upon trigger actuation, or independently of the firearm trigger. The system is particularly valuable in sighting in a weapon or harmlessly capturing an image of an animal.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An optical imaging device for a hand held trigger actuated firearm having a magnifying scope sight with an eyepiece, comprising: 
 electronic optical imaging and recording means communicating with the eyepiece of the scope, and receiving a visual image therefrom;    said electronic optical imaging and recording means further including means aligned concentrically with the eyepiece of the scope for providing the visual image therefrom to a user of the firearm; and    actuation means for automatically operating said electronic optical imaging and recording means when the trigger of the firearm is pulled.    
     
     
         2 . The optical imaging device according to  claim 1 , further including means for removably attaching said electronic optical imaging and recording means to the scope of the firearm.  
     
     
         3 . The optical imaging device according to  claim 1 , wherein said actuation means for said electronic optical imaging and recording means comprises a microswitch disposed behind the trigger of the fireman.  
     
     
         4 . The optical imaging device according to  claim 1 , further including a supplemental electrical switch remotely located from the trigger of the firearm for actuating said electronic optical imaging and recording means independently of actuation of the trigger of the firearm.  
     
     
         5 . The optical imaging device according to  claim 1 , wherein said electronic optical imaging and recording means further comprises: 
 a housing including a scope eyepiece attachment portion for securing concentrically to the eyepiece of the scope, and a camera holder portion radially offset from said scope eyepiece attachment portion;    a rearwardly disposed viewing port formed within said scope eyepiece attachment portion of said housing;    a half silvered mirror disposed within said scope eyepiece attachment portion of said housing and positioned behind the eyepiece of the scope and in front of said viewing port, for transmitting a portion of the light from the scope to said camera holder portion of said housing and further passing a portion of the light therethrough to said viewing port; and    an electronic optical recording device disposed within said camera holder portion of said housing, and optically aligned with said half silvered mirror for receiving and recording an optical image reflected therefrom.    
     
     
         6 . The optical imaging device according to  claim 5 , wherein said electronic optical recording device is selected from the group consisting of digital still cameras and videotape recording devices.  
     
     
         7 . The optical imaging device according to  claim 1 , wherein said electronic optical imaging and recording means further comprises: 
 an electronic optical image receiving device disposed concentrically with the eyepiece of the scope, for receiving an optical image therefrom;    a viewing screen rearwardly disposed with said electronic optical image receiving device, for viewing the optical image passing through the eyepiece of the scope; and    an electronic optical recording device remotely disposed from said electronic optical image receiving device and communicating therewith.    
     
     
         8 . The optical imaging device according to  claim 7 , wherein said electronic optical image receiving device further comprises a micro camera including a rearwardly disposed viewing screen.  
     
     
         9 . The optical imaging device according to  claim 7 , further including means for temporarily and removably securing said electronic optical image receiving device to the scope of the firearm as desired.  
     
     
         10 . A magnifying scope sight for a hand held trigger actuated firearm and an optical imaging device therefor, comprising in combination: 
 a telescopic scope sight including at least an eyepiece;    electronic optical imaging and recording means communicating with said eyepiece of said scope, and receiving a visual image therefrom;    said electronic optical imaging and recording means further including means aligned concentrically with said eyepiece of said scope for providing the visual image therefrom to a user of the firearm; and    actuation means for automatically operating said electronics optical imaging and recording means when the trigger of the firearm is pulled.    
     
     
         11 . The magnifying scope sight and optical imaging device combination according to  claim 10 , further including means for removably attaching said electronic optical imaging and recording means to said scope of the firearm.  
     
     
         12 . The magnifying scope sight and optical imaging device combination according to  claim 10 , wherein said actuation means for said electronic optical imaging and recording means comprises a. microswitch disposed behind the trigger of the firearm.  
     
     
         13 . The magnifying scope sight and optical imaging device combination according to  claim 10 , further including a supplemental electrical switch remotely located from the trigger of the firearm for actuating said electronic optical imaging and recording means independently of actuation of the trigger of the firearm.  
     
     
         14 . The magnifying scope sight and optical imaging device combination according to  claim 10 , wherein said electronic optical imaging and recording means further comprises: 
 a housing including a scope eyepiece attachment portion for securing concentrically to said eyepiece of said scope, and a camera holder portion radially offset from said scope eyepiece attachment portion;    a rearwardly disposed viewing port formed within said scope eyepiece attachment portion of said housing;    a half silvered mirror disposed within said scope eyepiece attachment portion of said housing and positioned behind said eyepiece of said scope and in front of said viewing port, for transmitting a portion of the light from said scope to said camera holder portion of said housing and further passing a portion of the light therethrough to said viewing port; and    an electronic optical recording device disposed within said camera holder portion of said housing, and optically aligned with said half silvered mirror for receiving and recording an optical image reflected therefrom.    
     
     
         15 . The magnifying scope sight and optical imaging device combination according to  claim 14 , wherein said electronic optical recording device is selected from the group consisting of digital still cameras and videotape recording devices.  
     
     
         16 . The magnifying scope sight and optical imaging device combination according to  claim 10 , wherein said electronic optical imaging and recording means further comprises: 
 an electronic optical image receiving device disposed concentrically with said eyepiece of said scope, for receiving an optical image therefrom;    a viewing screen rearwardly disposed with said image receiving device, for viewing the optical image passing through said eyepiece of said scope; and    an electronic optical recording device remotely disposed from said image receiving device and communicating therewith.    
     
     
         17 . The magnifying scope sight and optical imaging device combination according to  claim 16 , wherein said image receiving device further comprises a micro camera including a rearwardly disposed viewing screen.  
     
     
         18 . The magnifying scope sight and optical imaging device combination according to  claim 17 , further including means for temporarily and removably securing said image receiving device to the scope of the firearm as desired.