Sighting system

Abstract

A sighting assembly is configured for use on a firearm in long-range sighting applications and broadly comprises proximal and distal sights. The sights present various sighting surfaces including at least a pair of complemental surfaces that, when viewed along a sighting direction, are opposed to one another. The distal sight presents a radially outer one of the opposed sighting surfaces and the proximal sight presents a radially inner one of the opposed sighting surfaces. The opposed surfaces cooperatively present at least one aiming window for accurately aligning the sights and viewing a target.

1 . A firearm sighting assembly for facilitating aiming of a firearm at a target by a user, the firearm sighting assembly comprising:
 proximal and distal sights configured for connection to the firearm to sight the target along a sighting direction, with the proximal sight being connectable to the firearm closer to the user along the sighting direction than the distal sight,   said distal sight presenting a generally inward facing distal sighting surface that defines an opening,   said proximal sight presenting a generally outward facing proximal sighting surface,   said proximal sighting surface being spaced within the opening when the target is viewed with the sights, such that the sighting surfaces present corresponding opposed sections when viewed,   said proximal and distal sighting surfaces presenting respective radial dimensions measured relative to the sighting direction,   said proximal sighting surface being radially smaller than the distal sighting surface along the corresponding opposed sections.   
   
   
       2 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections of the sighting surfaces being geometrically symmetrical so as to be uniformly spaced apart.   
   
   
       3 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 2 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections extending at least partly in a horizontal direction to present an upper one of the sections and a lower one of the sections, wherein the opposed sections cooperatively present an aiming window that facilitates vertical aiming of the firearm.   
   
   
       4 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 2 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections of the sighting surfaces being substantially coaxial along the sighting direction.   
   
   
       5 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 2 ,
 said distal and proximal sighting surfaces being geometrically symmetrical.   
   
   
       6 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 5 ,
 said distal and proximal sighting surfaces being substantially circular.   
   
   
       7 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said proximal sighting surface presenting an uppermost margin located along the respective opposed section,   said opposed section defined by the distal sighting surface being spaced above the uppermost margin.   
   
   
       8 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections presenting respective central axes that are substantially aligned along the sighting direction.   
   
   
       9 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 8 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections being spaced above and below the aligned central axes.   
   
   
       10 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said proximal and distal sighting surfaces defining a boundary when the target is viewed with the sights that endlessly surrounds an internal viewing space to present an aiming window for aiming at the target,   said corresponding opposed sections at least partly defining the boundary.   
   
   
       11 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 10 ,
 said aiming window presenting a length and a thickness that is substantially uniform along the length, with the thickness being shorter than the length.   
   
   
       12 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 10 ,
 said aiming window having an axis of symmetry.   
   
   
       13 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 10 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections of the sighting surfaces cooperatively presenting a plurality of aiming windows for aiming at the target.   
   
   
       14 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 13 ,
 at least two of said aiming windows being substantially symmetrical with one another.   
   
   
       15 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said proximal sight presenting a second generally inward facing proximal sighting surface that defines a second opening.   
   
   
       16 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 15 ,
 said distal sight comprising inner and outer elements,   said outer element forming the distal sighting surface,   said inner element being spaced within the outer element.   
   
   
       17 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 16 ,
 said inner element presenting a second generally outward facing distal sighting surface,   said second distal sighting surface being spaced within the second opening when a target is viewed with the sights, such that the second sighting surfaces present corresponding opposite sections when viewed,   said second sighting surfaces presenting respective radial dimensions measured relative to the sighting direction,   said second distal sighting surface being radially smaller than the second proximal sighting surface along the corresponding opposite sections.   
   
   
       18 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 17 ,
 said opposed and opposite sections cooperatively presenting a plurality of aiming windows.   
   
   
       19 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 18 ,
 said plurality of aiming windows comprising at least eight aiming windows.   
   
   
       20 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 19 ,
 said plurality of aiming windows comprising nine aiming windows.   
   
   
       21 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 17 ,
 said corresponding opposite sections of the second sighting surfaces being geometrically symmetrical so as to be uniformly spaced apart.   
   
   
       22 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 21 ,
 said corresponding opposite sections of the second sighting surfaces extending at least partly in a horizontal direction to present an upper one of the sections and a lower one of the sections, wherein the opposite sections cooperatively present an aiming window that facilitates vertical aiming of the firearm.   
   
   
       23 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 21 ,
 said corresponding opposite sections of the second sighting surfaces being substantially coaxial along the sighting direction.   
   
   
       24 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 21 ,
 said second distal and proximal sighting surfaces being geometrically symmetrical.   
   
   
       25 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 24 ,
 said second distal and proximal sighting surfaces being substantially arcuate.   
   
   
       26 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 24 ,
 said second distal and proximal sighting surfaces being polygonal.   
   
   
       27 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 17 ,
 said second distal sighting surface presenting an uppermost margin located along the respective opposite section,   said opposite section defined by the second proximal sighting surface being spaced above the uppermost margin.   
   
   
       28 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 17 ,
 said corresponding opposite sections presenting respective central axes that are substantially aligned along the sighting direction.   
   
   
       29 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 28 ,
 said corresponding opposite sections being spaced above and below the aligned central axes.   
   
   
       30 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 17 ,
 said second proximal and distal sighting surfaces defining a boundary when the target is viewed with the sights that endlessly surrounds an internal viewing space to present an aiming window for aiming at the target,   said corresponding opposite sections at least partly defining the boundary.   
   
   
       31 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 30 ,
 said aiming window presenting a length and a thickness that is substantially uniform along the length, with the thickness being shorter than the length.   
   
   
       32 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 30 ,
 said aiming window having an axis of symmetry.   
   
   
       33 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 30 ,
 said second distal and proximal sighting surfaces cooperatively presenting a plurality of aiming windows for aiming at the target.   
   
   
       34 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 33 , at least two of said plurality of aiming windows being substantially symmetrical with one another. 
   
   
       35 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 17 ,
 said distal sight including cross hairs interconnecting the inner and outer elements.   
   
   
       36 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 17 ,
 said inner element presenting a third generally inward facing distal sighting surface spaced coaxially within the second distal sighting surface,   said third distal sighting surface defining a third opening for aiming at the target.   
   
   
       37 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 36 ,
 said distal and proximal sighting surfaces being geometrically symmetrical.   
   
   
       38 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 37 ,
 said distal and proximal sighting surfaces being substantially circular.   
   
   
       39 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said sights being spaced from one another at a sight radius distance from about 4 inches to about 8 inches.   
   
   
       40 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 39 ,
 said sights being spaced from one another at a sight radius distance of about 5 inches.   
   
   
       41 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said proximal sight further including a spirit level.   
   
   
       42 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said distal sight including cross hairs.   
   
   
       43 . The firearm sighting assembly as claimed in  claim 42 ,
 said proximal sight presenting a second generally inward facing proximal sighting surface that defines a second opening,   said cross hairs extending into the second opening.   
   
   
       44 . A firearm assembly operable by a user to aim at a target, the firearm assembly comprising:
 a firearm including a muzzle end; and   a firearm sighting assembly for facilitating aiming of the firearm at the target,   said firearm sighting assembly including proximal and distal sights connected to the firearm to sight the target along a sighting direction, with the distal sight being spaced closer to the muzzle end than the proximal sight,   said distal sight presenting a generally inward facing distal sighting surface that defines an opening,   said proximal sight presenting a generally outward facing proximal sighting surface,   said proximal sighting surface being spaced within the opening when the target is viewed with the sights, such that the sighting surfaces present corresponding opposed sections when viewed,   said proximal and distal sighting surfaces presenting respective radial dimensions measured relative to the sighting direction,   said proximal sighting surface being radially smaller than the distal sighting surface along the corresponding opposed sections.   
   
   
       45 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 44 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections of the sighting surfaces being geometrically symmetrical so as to be uniformly spaced apart.   
   
   
       46 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 45 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections extending at least partly in a horizontal direction to present an upper one of the sections and a lower one of the sections, wherein the opposed sections cooperatively present an aiming window that facilitates vertical aiming of the firearm.   
   
   
       47 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 45 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections of the sighting surfaces being substantially coaxial along the sighting direction.   
   
   
       48 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 45 ,
 said distal and proximal sighting surfaces being geometrically symmetrical.   
   
   
       49 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 48 ,
 said distal and proximal sighting surfaces being substantially circular.   
   
   
       50 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 44 ,
 said proximal sighting surface presenting an uppermost margin located along the respective opposed section,   said opposed section defined by the distal sighting surface being spaced above the uppermost margin.   
   
   
       51 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 44 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections presenting respective central axes that are substantially aligned along the sighting direction.   
   
   
       52 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 51 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections being spaced above and below the aligned central axes.   
   
   
       53 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 44 ,
 said proximal and distal sighting surfaces defining a boundary when the target is viewed with the sights that endlessly surrounds an internal viewing space to present an aiming window for aiming at the target,   said corresponding opposed sections at least partly defining the boundary.   
   
   
       54 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 53 ,
 said aiming window presenting a length and a thickness that is substantially uniform along the length, with the thickness being shorter than the length.   
   
   
       55 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 53 ,
 said aiming window having an axis of symmetry.   
   
   
       56 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 53 ,
 said corresponding opposed sections of the sighting surfaces cooperatively presenting a plurality of aiming windows for aiming at the target.   
   
   
       57 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 56 ,
 at least two of said aiming windows being substantially symmetrical with one another.   
   
   
       58 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 44 ,
 said proximal sight presenting a second generally inward facing proximal sighting surface that defines a second opening.   
   
   
       59 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 58 ,
 said distal sight comprising inner and outer elements,   said outer element forming the distal sighting surface,   said inner element being spaced within the outer element.   
   
   
       60 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 59 ,
 said inner element presenting a second generally outward facing distal sighting surface,   said second distal sighting surface being spaced within the second opening when a target is viewed with the sights, such that the second sighting surfaces present corresponding opposite sections when viewed,   said second sighting surfaces presenting respective radial dimensions measured relative to the sighting direction,   said second distal sighting surface being radially smaller than the second proximal sighting surface along the corresponding opposite sections.   
   
   
       61 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 60 ,
 said opposed and opposite sections cooperatively presenting a plurality of aiming windows.   
   
   
       62 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 61 ,
 said plurality of aiming windows comprising at least eight aiming windows.   
   
   
       63 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 62 ,
 said plurality of aiming windows comprising nine aiming windows.   
   
   
       64 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 60 ,
 said corresponding opposite sections of the second sighting surfaces being geometrically symmetrical so as to be uniformly spaced apart.   
   
   
       65 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 64 ,
 said corresponding opposite sections of the second sighting surfaces extending at least partly in a horizontal direction to present an upper one of the sections and a lower one of the sections, wherein the opposite sections cooperatively present an aiming window that facilitates vertical aiming of the firearm.   
   
   
       66 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 64 ,
 said corresponding opposite sections of the second sighting surfaces being substantially coaxial along the sighting direction.   
   
   
       67 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 64 ,
 said second distal and proximal sighting surfaces being geometrically symmetrical.   
   
   
       68 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 67 ,
 said second distal and proximal sighting surfaces being substantially arcuate.   
   
   
       69 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 64 ,
 said second distal and proximal sighting surfaces being polygonal.   
   
   
       70 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 60 ,
 said second distal sighting surface presenting an uppermost margin located along the respective opposite section,   said opposite section defined by the second proximal sighting surface being spaced above the uppermost margin.   
   
   
       71 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 60 ,
 said corresponding opposite sections presenting respective central axes that are substantially aligned along the sighting direction.   
   
   
       72 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 71 ,
 said corresponding opposite sections being spaced above and below the aligned central axes.   
   
   
       73 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 60 ,
 said second proximal and distal sighting surfaces defining a boundary when the target is viewed with the sights that endlessly surrounds an internal viewing space to present an aiming window for aiming at the target,   said corresponding opposite sections at least partly defining the boundary.   
   
   
       74 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 73 ,
 said aiming window presenting a length and a thickness that is substantially uniform along the length, with the thickness being shorter than the length.   
   
   
       75 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 73 ,
 said aiming window having an axis of symmetry.   
   
   
       76 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 73 ,
 said second distal and proximal sighting surfaces cooperatively presenting a plurality of aiming windows for aiming at the target.   
   
   
       77 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 76 ,
 at least two of said plurality of aiming windows being substantially symmetrical with one another.   
   
   
       78 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 60 ,
 said distal sight including cross hairs interconnecting the inner and outer elements.   
   
   
       79 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 60 ,
 said inner element presenting a third generally inward facing distal sighting surface spaced coaxially within the second distal sighting surface,   said third distal sighting surface defining a third opening for aiming at the target.   
   
   
       80 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 79 ,
 said distal and proximal sighting surfaces being geometrically symmetrical.   
   
   
       81 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 80 ,
 said distal and proximal sighting surfaces being substantially circular.   
   
   
       82 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 44 ,
 said sights being spaced from one another at a sight radius distance from about 4 inches to about 8 inches.   
   
   
       83 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 82 ,
 said sights being spaced from one another at a sight radius distance of about 5 inches.   
   
   
       84 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 44 ,
 said proximal sight further including a spirit level.   
   
   
       85 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 44 ,
 said distal sight including cross hairs.   
   
   
       86 . The firearm assembly as claimed in  claim 85 ,
 said proximal sight presenting a second generally inward facing proximal sighting surface that defines a second opening,   said cross hairs extending into the second opening.