Rangefinder for targeting device and method of aligning rangefinder to targeting device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present concept are directed to a rangefinder that can be aligned to a fixed sight on a shooting device so that a range can be accurately taken that corresponds to a fixed sight that is used to align the shooting device to a target. Other embodiments of this concept provide methods of aligning the rangefinder to the fixed sight of the shooting device.

1 . A rangefinder for determining a distance between a targeting device and a target, the targeting device including a sighting mechanism for aligning the targeting device to the target, the rangefinder device comprising:
 a housing;   a mounting apparatus attached to the housing and including a connector by which the rangefinder can be adjusted relative to the targeting device in a manner that is separate from aligning the sighting mechanism of the targeting device to the target; and   an alignment mechanism on the rangefinder and configured to align the rangefinder to the targeting device, the alignment mechanism including a visible laser configured to illuminate the target, and the visible laser controllable by an operator to be turned on and turned off.   
     
     
         2 . The rangefinder of  claim 1 , further comprising an activation mechanism configured to activate the rangefinder. 
     
     
         3 . The rangefinder of  claim 2 , wherein the activation mechanism includes a pressure pad activator coupled to the housing through a cable. 
     
     
         4 . The rangefinder of  claim 1 , further comprising an inclinometer configured to measure an elevation angle of the rangefinder. 
     
     
         5 . The rangefinder of  claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a universal ball joint. 
     
     
         6 . The rangefinder of  claim 5 , wherein the connector further includes a locking mechanism to lock the ball joint in a desired alignment position. 
     
     
         7 . A rangefinder for determining a distance between a targeting device and a target, the rangefinder device comprising:
 a housing;   a mounting apparatus fixedly attached to the housing and including an adjustable rangefinder support structured to allow the rangefinder to be adjusted relative to the targeting device and set in a fixed position once adjusted; and   an alignment mechanism including a beam transmitter configured to align the rangefinder device to a fixed sight of the targeting device and illuminate the target that is separate from a sight alignment system of the fixed sight of the targeting device.   
     
     
         8 . The rangefinder of  claim 7 , further comprising a pressure pad activator coupled to the housing through a cable, the pressure pad activator configured to activate the rangefinder in response to applied pressure from a shooter. 
     
     
         9 . The rangefinder of  claim 7  in which the adjustable rangefinder support comprises a ball joint. 
     
     
         10 . The rangefinder of  claim 7  in which the beam transmitter is structured to generate a visible laser beam. 
     
     
         11 . The rangefinder of  claim 7  in which the beam transmitter is structured to generate a non-visible beam, and in which the target includes a material selected to generate a visible response in response to being receiving the non-visible beam. 
     
     
         12 . The rangefinder of  claim 7  in which the alignment mechanism is structured to be turned off while the rangefinder is still operational. 
     
     
         13 . The rangefinder of  claim 7  in which the alignment mechanism is removable from the rangefinder. 
     
     
         14 . A method of aligning a rangefinder coupled to a targeting device, the method comprising:
 measuring a distance from the rangefinder to a target;   aligning the targeting device to the target;   activating a visible alignment mechanism of the rangefinder to illuminate a visible image on the target; and   aligning the rangefinder to center the visible image on the sighted target by adjusting the position of the rangefinder relative to the targeting device in a process that is separate from aligning the targeting device to the target.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the visible alignment mechanism is a laser. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 attaching the visible alignment mechanism to the rangefinder; and   calibrating the visible alignment mechanism to the rangefinder.   
     
     
         17 . A method of aligning a rangefinder mounted to a targeting device, the method comprising:
 measuring a distance from the rangefinder to a target;   aligning a fixed sight of the targeting device to the target;   viewing the target through a peep tube integrated with the rangefinder; and   aligning the rangefinder to center the peep tube target view with the sighted target by adjusting the position of the rangefinder relative to the targeting device in a process that is separate from aligning the fixed sight of the targeting device to the target.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  in which adjusting the position of the rangefinder relative to the targeting device comprises manipulating an adjustment mechanism to alter a field of view seen through the peep tube. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising re-aligning the rangefinder to the sighted target after manipulating the adjustment mechanism.