Firearms – Implements – Sight devices
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-11
2003-04-01
Johnson, Stephen M. (Department: 3641)
Firearms
Implements
Sight devices
C089S041050, C089S041170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06539661
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to optical imaging devices such as digital still cameras and video recording cameras, and more specifically to such a device or system which is attachable to the scope of a hunting rifle or other weapon to record images viewed through the scope. The present optical system enables a hunter or other person to view the image through the scope by means of a partially silvered mirror which reflects the image to the optical recording device, or through the viewing lens of a television video microcamera affixed to the eyepiece of the scope.
2. Description of the Related Art
Over human history, hunting has evolved from a necessary part of life to an enjoyable hobby or pastime for many people. While very few people need to hunt in order to provide food for themselves or family, many hunters still enjoy the challenge of the hunt and the thrill of taking a game animal.
In many cases, a hunter may not wish to kill the game he or she is hunting, but may only wish to have a record of a successful hunt, i.e., a hunt culminating in an encounter with the hunted animal which could have resulted in the taking of the animal had the hunter so desired. In other cases, it may not be legal to kill a given animal due to its status as an endangered species, certain geographical and/or seasonal limits, previously reached bag or quota limits, etc. Nevertheless, the hunter will still enjoy the thrill of the hunt, only to be frustrated that he or she cannot take the animal being hunted.
Even in those instances where a hunter is attempting to take an animal, it can be difficult in the field to confirm the accurate placement of a given shot. While all hunters make every attempt to make a killing shot the first time, this is not always the case due to movement of the animal and/or hunter, deflection of the bullet due to wind, brush, etc., and/or other factors. A wounded game animal must be tracked down and killed, and often the hunter has difficulty determining the exact placement of the shot in order to determine the likely outcome of such a situation for recovering the wounded animal, i.e., making an educated guess as to how far the animal might travel and its likely reactions to the wound.
Also, in many cases a hunter will be certain that the shot was accurate, only to find that the shot went astray or only wounded the animal. With no means of recording the sight picture through the scope, the hunter can never be absolutely sure of the accuracy of a given shot.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for an optical imaging system or device which captures the image viewed through the scope of a rifle or other hunting firearm or weapon, for later viewing. The present invention provides various embodiments of such a device or system, and enables the hunter to view the image provided at the eyepiece of a firearm scope simultaneously with the recording of that image, either by still or motion video recording means. The optical image may be viewed directly by the hunter by means of a partially silvered mirror at the eyepiece of the scope, allowing the hunter to view the image through the scope while still reflecting that image laterally to a camera, or may alternatively be viewed through the display screen of a microcamera placed at the eyepiece of the scope.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,219 issued on Sept. 22, 1981 to Hans Boller et al., titled “Target Sight Recording Apparatus,” describes a mechanism for attaching an “instant” camera (e. g., Polaroid, tm) to the eyepiece end of a firearm scope. The optical axis of the camera is offset by about 90 degrees to that of the scope, with a partially silvered mirror or the like reflecting about half of the image of the scope to the camera, with the remaining image being visible through the eyepiece of the scope.
Boller et al. further provide a relatively complex system for recording a series of four images on a single sheet of film. The present device does not use photochemical means for recording the images, but rather uses electronic means and thus is not concerned with the recording of multiple images upon a single sheet of photochemically receptive film. Moreover, the Boller et al. device is devoid of any electronic means of operation, and uses a mechanical linkage between the gun trigger and the camera. In contrast, the present device utilizes completely electronic means for connecting the optical recording means with the trigger of the firearm, and moreover provides a supplemental switch for recording the image visible through the scope when actuating the firearm trigger is not desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,621 issued on May 30, 1989 to John W. Black, titled “Gun Mounted Video Camera,” describes a specially constructed structure for holding a video camera, with a firearm scope mounted to the structure through which the video camera is aimed or sighted. The Black device is not at all a firearm; the gun barrel and action of the device are not operable. Moreover, the barrel is axially offset from the central portion of the structure, where the firearm action would normally be located, unlike the concentric arrangement of components in a conventional firearm. In contrast, the present invention provides means for recording the optical image viewed through the firearm scope of an actual firearm (hunting rifle, etc.). It is also noted that Black provides a view for the operator only by means of an axially offset viewfinder for the video camera, rather than allowing the operator to sight through the scope, as in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,644 issued on Feb. 22, 1994 to Bruce L. Bolduc, titled “Camera Rifle Organization,” describes an apparatus using a rifle-like stock with a vertical camera passage formed therein, for removably holding a conventional camera using photochemical film. As in the apparatus of the '621 U.S. Patent to Black discussed above, the Bolduc apparatus (a) does not use an actual firearm, as does the present invention; (b) uses a mechanical camera actuating system, unlike the electrical actuation used in the present invention; and (c) the simulated firearm structure cannot be used as such when the camera apparatus is removed, whereas the present invention attaches removably to a conventional firearm which may be used as such either with the optical imaging system attached or removed from the firearm.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,104 issued on Jan. 27, 1998 to Geoffrey W. Schmitz, titled “Small Arms Visual Aiming System, A Method for Aiming A Firearm, And Headgear For Use Therewith,” describes a system wherein the imaging receiver is attached to and aligned with the firearm axis, as in the present device. However, the visual image is not aligned with the firearm, but is remotely located therefrom in an article of headgear (helmet, etc.) worn by the user of the firearm, unlike the present invention. In this manner, the user of the firearm need not expose his or her head or upper body to align the firearm, but may remain concealed while viewing the image aligned with the firearm. No automatic trigger actuated switch for actuating the video apparatus is provided by Schmitz; the video apparatus must be actuated by a separate switch.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,375 issued on Mar. 30, 1999 to Jerry W. Watson, titled “Camera Mount For Firearms,” describes a structure for mechanically attaching a video camera to the scope of a hand held firearm. However, Watson (a) does not provide any automated means of actuating the video camera when the firearm trigger is pulled; (b) does not align the video camera with the optical axis of the scope to view the image provided by the scope; and (c) does not provide the same image to the user of the apparatus as that provided at the eyepiece of the scope. The present apparatus responds to each of the above problems by aligning the optical recording device with the eyepiece of the scope, and a
Johnson Stephen M.
Litman Richard C.
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