Firearms – Muzzle making – attaching or repair
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-24
2001-04-17
Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)
Firearms
Muzzle making, attaching or repair
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216381
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices and techniques for accurately positioning the sight of a firearm, and more particularly deals with in-bore laser devices and methods of using such devices to improve the positioning accuracy of a firearm's sight.
Use of sights for aiming firearms, such as rifles and pistols, is well known. Ideally, when a firearm's scope is properly adjusted, the projectile shot from the firearm will strike the target at a known position identified through visual alignment with a feature of the scope, such as the intersection of scope cross-hairs. Understandably then, those with skill in the art desire efficient techniques for accurately positioning a firearm's sight.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,631 (“'631 patent”) issued to Kendall discloses an array of prior techniques for use in aligning firearm sights. For example, the '631 patent discloses a technique in which a series of rounds are shot at a target, each followed by comparison between the anticipated target spot as viewed through the sight and the corresponding actual striking location for the given round. The comparisons were used to refine the position of the firearm sight. Presumably, this “trial and error” approach is time consuming, and wastes ammunition.
The '631 patent also discloses a group of laser-based techniques for aligning a firearm sight, and in particular, focuses on U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,669 (“'669 patent”) issued to Rustick et al. The '631 patent identifies a problem with the '699 patent approach, and proposes a solution therefor. Specifically, one of the main problems associated with the '699 patent was that the laser beam emitted from the laser module would likely fail to clear the bore of the rifle, unless suitable laser alignment was provided.
In response, the '631 patent proposed using set screws to facilitate laser module alignment. Specifically, the '631 patent disclosed a housing including a threadedly engaged inner sleeve, which contains a laser module and a battery. Four set screws penetrate the housing to facilitate movement of the laser module, presumably into a properly aligned position. Additionally, the '631 patent discloses the use of a springbased switch mechanism to operate the laser module. Specifically, when the '631 device is inserted into a firearm and the firearm's bolt is engaged, the force of the bolt closes the switch mechanism to activate the laser module.
Though the '631 patent asserts to have overcome certain shortcomings of the prior art, it too has limitations. For example, using four set screws to align the laser module is a cumbersome and time consuming task. Each time the user makes an adjustment, one set screw is tightened, and an opposing set screw must be loosened to permit free motion for the laser module. Moreover, with each adjustment of the laser module, the user has to evaluate its effectiveness in planning the next adjustment. The process is inherently complex, as it involves coordinated adjustments along multiple axes of motion for the laser module.
Another problem affiliated with the '631 patent resides in the switch mechanism. Pressing the switch
8
at that back of the '631 device energizes the laser module. This can be carried out when the device is loaded into a firearm, as desired, due to the force of the firearm's engaged bolt. Similarly, the laser module can be activated when the '631 device is out of the firearm, as pressing switch
8
energizes the laser module regardless of whether the device is or is not located within the firearm. Thus, a user can prematurely drain the device's battery by inadvertently closing switch
8
by, for example, putting the device in a coat pocket. Switch
8
poses yet another problem, namely, that it incorporates movable components subject to eventual inoperability due to normal wear and tear.
There therefore was a need for an improved laser device for use in adjusting a firearm's sight, and a method for aligning a laser module that overcome the limitations of prior devices and techniques.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a device facilitating adjustment of a sight of a firearm by providing a visible mark on a target when the device is placed within a chamber of the firearm. The device may include: a laser module energizeable within the chamber to produce the mark at a position along a laser axis; a power supply situated within the chamber to energize the laser module when an electrically conductive flowpath is completed with the laser module; and an electrical circuit including a conductive part of the firearm through which electrical current flows to complete the flowpath.
In this manner, inadvertent operation of the device is averted, as part of the conductive flowpath for energizing the laser module is a portion of the firearm. To further this end, a non-conductive cover or a carrier with an appropriately situated non-conductive region may be used to prevent unintentional operation when the device is outside the firearm.
Similarly, a method is disclosed which prevents unintentional operation of the device. The method involves positioning the laser module within a chamber of a firearm; and adjusting the firearm to complete an electrical circuit between a power supply and the laser module, wherein part of the firearm conducts current in between the power supply and the laser module.
The device may also include a housing having an internal cavity, which restricts the laser module's range of motion to rotation of the module about a laser axis, and a sweeping motion of the module defining a locus of points along the laser axis which comprises a single plane. The range of motion restriction on the laser module facilitates a more simplified alignment process for the laser module, whether it be used to calibrate a gun sight or not.
The method of aligning a laser module having a laser axis involves: providing a housing including an internal cavity; inserting the laser module into the internal cavity, which restricts the laser module's range of motion to rotation of the module about the laser axis, and a sweeping motion of the module defining a locus of points along the laser axis which comprises a single plane; supporting the housing containing the laser module; energizing the laser module to produce a mark on a target; holding the housing in place while rotating the laser module about the laser axis until the mark strikes an axis on the target that is coplanar with the single plane; and moving the laser module until the mark strikes a desired position.
The and other objects, advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention and reference is made therefor, to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3782832 (1974-01-01), Hacskaylo
patent: 4481561 (1984-11-01), Lanning
patent: 4530162 (1985-07-01), Forrest et al.
patent: 4761907 (1988-08-01), De Bernardini
patent: 4825258 (1989-04-01), Whitson
patent: 4830617 (1989-05-01), Hancox et al.
patent: 4879814 (1989-11-01), Wallace et al.
patent: 5001836 (1991-03-01), Cameron et al.
patent: 5241458 (1993-08-01), Abbas
patent: 5351429 (1994-10-01), Ford
patent: 5365669 (1994-11-01), Rustick et al.
patent: 5432598 (1995-07-01), Szatkowski
patent: 5446535 (1995-08-01), Williams
patent: 5454168 (1995-10-01), Langner
patent: 5488795 (1996-02-01), Sweat
patent: 5531040 (1996-07-01), Moore
patent: 5685106 (1997-11-01), Shoham
patent: 5787631 (1998-08-01), Kendall
patent: 5909951 (1999-06-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 6068484 (2000-05-01), O'Loug
Carone Michael J.
Chambers Troy
Quarles & Brady Stareich Lang, LLP
LandOfFree
Laser device for use in adjusting a firearm's sight and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Laser device for use in adjusting a firearm's sight and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Laser device for use in adjusting a firearm's sight and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2547283