Illuminated Sighting System

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.

1 . 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 through which a sight axis axially passes;   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 a sight axis with a viewer's line of sight;   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 sight axis with said viewer's line of sight;   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.   
     
     
         2 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , wherein substantially 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 illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , said second light conductive member viewing end disposed entirely about said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         4 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said second light conductive member viewing end entirely radially surrounds said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         5 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said second light conductive member viewing end comprises an annular area. 
     
     
         6 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , said second light conductive member viewing end concentrically disposed about said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         7 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , said second light conductive member viewing end coaxially disposed about said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         8 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 5 , 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. 
     
     
         9 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , said first and second light conductive member viewing ends coplanar. 
     
     
         10 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , said first and second viewable aiming indicia visible in an illumination field. 
     
     
         11 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 10 , wherein said illumination field comprises a circular area of light. 
     
     
         12 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 10 , wherein substantially only one or the other of said first and second viewable aiming indicia is visible in said illumination field at any one time. 
     
     
         13 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 10 , wherein said first and second viewable aiming indicia comprise different colors of light. 
     
     
         14 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 13 , wherein said first viewable aiming indicium comprises green light, and said second viewable aiming indicium comprises red light. 
     
     
         15 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , at least a portion of said second light conductive member disposed about at least a portion of said first light conductive member proximate said first and second light conductive member viewing ends. 
     
     
         16 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 15 , at least a portion of said second light conductive member configured as an annular member comprising an opening which passes axially therethrough, said opening defined by a second light conductive member internal surface. 
     
     
         17 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 16 , at least a portion of said first light conductive member received within said opening to dispose said second light conductive member about said first light conductive member. 
     
     
         18 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said light falls within a spectrum selected from the group consisting of: the visible spectrum, the ultraviolet spectrum, the infrared spectrum, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said light source comprises ambient light. 
     
     
         20 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said light source comprises a light emitting element. 
     
     
         21 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 20 , 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. 
     
     
         22 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 20 , wherein said light emitting element comprises a radioluminescent element. 
     
     
         23 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 20 , wherein said light emitting element comprises a gaseous tritium light source. 
     
     
         24 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 20 , said light emitting element disposed proximate a first light conductive member length and/or a second light conductive member length. 
     
     
         25 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 24 , said light emitting element disposed adjacent to a first light conductive member external surface and/or a second light conductive member external surface. 
     
     
         26 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 24 , said light emitting element disposed adjacent to a first light conductive member internal surface and/or a second light conductive member internal surface. 
     
     
         27 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 26 , further comprising a chamber disposed inside of said first light conductive member and/or said second light conductive member, said chamber configured to contain said light emitting element. 
     
     
         28 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 27 , wherein said first light conductive member internal surface and/or said second light conductive member internal surface provides one or more chamber walls which define said chamber. 
     
     
         29 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 20 , further comprising only one said light emitting element which provides light to said first and second light conductive members. 
     
     
         30 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 20 , 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. 
     
     
         31 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said lens disposes in axially spaced apart relation to said first and second light conductive member viewing ends. 
     
     
         32 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , wherein the center of said lens is axially aligned with the center of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         33 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , wherein said illumination field is filled by substantially only one or the other of said first amount of emitted light or a portion of said second amount of emitted light at any one time. 
     
     
         34 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , wherein said lens comprises a convex surface which faces away from said first and second light conductive member viewing ends. 
     
     
         35 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 34 , wherein said lens comprises a plane surface which faces toward said first and second light conductive member viewing ends. 
     
     
         36 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , said lens 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. 
     
     
         37 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , said lens configured and positioned relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view having the same circumference as the circumference of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         38 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , said lens configured and positioned relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view having the same diameter as the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         39 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , 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 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. 
     
     
         40 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , 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 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 circumference of said first conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         41 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , 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 configured and positioned relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view which comprises said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         42 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , 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 configured and positioned relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view which comprises only said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         43 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , 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 configured and positioned relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view which consists essentially of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         44 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , 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 configured and positioned relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view which consists of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         45 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , wherein the focal point of said lens disposes between said lens and said first and second light conductive member viewing ends. 
     
     
         46 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 45 , 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. 
     
     
         47 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , wherein said lens magnifies said first light conductive member viewing end by at least 2×. 
     
     
         48 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , 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. 
     
     
         49 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , wherein the distance between said lens and said first light conductive member viewing end is at least 20× the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         50 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , wherein the distance between said lens and said first light conductive member viewing end is at least 30× the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         51 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 8 , wherein said radial portion has a radial portion length which is equal to the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         52 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 8 , wherein said radial portion has a radial portion length which is not less than the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         53 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 8 , wherein said radial portion has a radial portion length which is greater than the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         54 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 31 , further comprising a tube disposed between said lens and said first and second light conductive member viewing ends. 
     
     
         55 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 54 , further comprising a housing configured to house said first and second light conductive members, said lens, said tube, and at least one said light-emitting element. 
     
     
         56 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 55 , wherein said tube is integrated with said housing. 
     
     
         57 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 55 , 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. 
     
     
         58 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 57 , wherein a first light conductive member length includes a coiled portion. 
     
     
         59 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said illuminated sighting system provides a rear sight for said firearm. 
     
     
         60 . The illuminated sighting system of  claim 1 , wherein said rear sight is the only sight for said firearm. 
     
     
         61 . 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.   
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein substantially 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. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein said second light conductive member viewing end comprises an annular area. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 61 , said first and second viewable aiming indicia visible in an illumination field. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said illumination field comprises a circular area of light. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein substantially only one or the other of said first and second viewable aiming indicia is visible in said illumination field at any one time. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said first and second viewable aiming indicia comprise different colors of light. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein said first viewable aiming indicium comprises green light, and said second viewable aiming indicium comprises red light. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein said light source comprises ambient light. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein said light source comprises a light emitting element. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , 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. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said light emitting element comprises a radioluminescent element. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said light emitting element comprises a gaseous tritium light source. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising configuring said lens and positioning said lens 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. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising configuring said lens and positioning said lens relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view having the same circumference as the circumference of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising configuring said lens and positioning said lens relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view having the same diameter as the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 61 , 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, further comprising configuring said lens and positioning said lens 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. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 61 , 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, further comprising configuring said lens and positioning said lens relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view having a boundary which aligns with the circumference of said first conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 61 , 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, further comprising configuring said lens and positioning said lens relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view which comprises said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 61 , 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, further comprising configuring said lens and positioning said lens relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view which comprises only said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 61 , 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, further comprising configuring said lens and positioning said lens relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view which consists essentially of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 61 , 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 configured and positioned relative to said first light conductive member viewing end to provide a field of view which consists of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising disposing said lens and said first light conductive member viewing end such that the distance therebetween is at least 10× the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising disposing said lens and said first light conductive member viewing end such that the distance therebetween is at least 15× the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising disposing said lens and said first light conductive member viewing end such that the distance therebetween is at least 20× the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising disposing said lens and said first light conductive member viewing end such that the distance therebetween is at least 25× the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising disposing said lens and said first light conductive member viewing end such that the distance therebetween is at least 30× the diameter of said first light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising disposing a tube between said lens and said first and second light conductive member viewing ends. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 88 , further comprising providing a housing configured to house said first and second light conductive members, said lens, said tube, and at least one said light-emitting element. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein said tube is integrated with said housing. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 89 , 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. 
     
     
         92 . A method of using an illuminated sighting system for a firearm, comprising:
 obtaining said illuminated sighting system 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; and 
   coupling said illuminated sighting system to said firearm.   
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 92 , further comprising aiming said firearm at said target. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93 , further comprising positioning said firearm such that said first viewable aiming indicium is visible to the shooter of said firearm. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 94 , further comprising positioning said firearm such that said second viewable aiming indicium is not visible to said shooter of said firearm. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 94 , further comprising positioning said firearm such that said first viewable aiming indicium is within said shooter's line of sight which extends from their aiming eye along a straight path to said target. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein said firearm and said target are aligned. 
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97 , further comprising firing a projectile from said firearm at said target. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 98 , further comprising hitting said target with said projectile. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 98 , further comprising uncoupling said illuminated sighting system and said firearm. 
     
     
         101 . A gun sighting system, comprising:
 a first sight comprising:
 a tube having opposing tube first and second ends; 
 a light conductive member having a light conductive member first end which provides a light conductive member viewing end disposed proximate said tube second end; 
 a lens disposed proximate said tube first end, said lens in spaced apart relation to said light conductive member first end; and 
   a second sight spaced apart from said first sight;   wherein a sight axis passes axially through said lens, said light conductive member viewing end, and said second sight; and   wherein when said sight axis is aligned with a shooter's line of sight, light emitted from said light conductive member viewing end provides a viewable aiming indicium that indicates alignment thereof.   
     
     
         102 . The gun sighting system of  claim 101 , wherein said sight axis passes axially through the center of said lens and the center of said light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         103 . A gunsight, comprising:
 a tube having opposing tube first and second ends;   a light conductive member having a light conductive member first end which provides a light conductive member viewing end disposed proximate said tube second end;   a monofocal lens disposed proximate said tube first end, said lens in spaced apart relation to said light conductive member first end;   wherein a sight axis passes axially through said lens and said light conductive member viewing end; and   wherein when said sight axis is aligned with a shooter's line of sight, light emitted from said light conductive member viewing end provides a viewable aiming indicium that indicates alignment thereof.   
     
     
         104 . The gunsight of  claim 103 , wherein said sight axis passes axially through the center of said lens and the center of said light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         105 . The gunsight of  claim 103 , wherein said lens comprises only one focal point. 
     
     
         106 . The gunsight of  claim 103 , wherein said lens comprises a convex surface which faces away from said light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         107 . The gunsight of  claim 106 , wherein said lens comprises a plane surface which faces toward said light conductive member viewing end. 
     
     
         108 . The gunsight of  claim 107 , wherein said lens comprises a plano-convex lens. 
     
     
         109 . The gunsight of  claim 103 , wherein the distance between said lens and said light conductive member viewing end is not less than the focal length of said lens.