Optical: systems and elements – Compound lens system – Telescope
Utility Patent
1996-10-31
2001-01-02
Shafer, Ricky D. (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Compound lens system
Telescope
C359S400000, C359S419000, C359S424000, C359S428000, C359S513000, C033S277000, C033S298000
Utility Patent
active
06169628
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to copending U.S. patent. application Ser. No. 08/741,289, entitled “ALIGNMENT ELEMENT FOR MULTIPLE CHANNEL SIGHT AND METHOD”; copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08,741,614, entitled “RETICLE ASSEMBLY FOR OPTICAL SIGHT”; copending U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 08/741,883, entitled “CHANNEL SELECTOR FOR MULTIPLE CHANNEL SIGHT”; copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/741,481, entitled “MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR OPTICAL SIGHT”; copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/741,920, entitled MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR IMAGE INTENSIFIER TUBE IN OPTICAL SIGHT”.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to optical sights, and more particularly to a protective window for an optical sight.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Day
ight sights would typically be used by military and law enforcement personnel to aim weapons used in both day time and night time conditions. Typically, a day
ight sight includes an objective lens, a reticle and an eyepiece in series with parallel day and night channels. A channel selector may be used to alternatively direct an image of a target into the day or night channel.
In a day
ight sight, the objective lens and the eyepiece may be telescopic to provide a magnified image of the target. The day channel generally uses ambient light to generate an image of the target. The image may be projected to the reticle during day time use to be viewed by the user. The night channel generally includes an image intensifier to generate an illuminated image of the target. The illuminated image may be transmitted to the reticle during night time use to be viewed by the user. The reticle may include markings for aiming the weapon.
A problem with day
ight and other types of sights is dust enclosed within the sight. The dust may interfere with the user's view of a scene. This is especially true of telescopic sights that may magnify the dust.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a need has arisen in the art for an improved optical sight. The present invention provides a protective window that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with prior optical sights.
In accordance with the present invention, a sight may comprise an optical component to transmit an image of a scene. A protective window may be disposed proximate to an internal side of the optical component. The protective window may be sealed to the internal side of the optical component to obstruct dirt from contacting the internal side of the optical component.
In one embodiment of the invention, an image intensifier tube may comprise a projecting end to project an intensified image of a scene. A protective window may be disposed between the projecting end of the image intensifier tube and an image plane. The protective window may be sealed to the projecting end to obstruct dirt from contacting the projecting end.
In another embodiment of the invention, a reticle assembly may include a protective window for a reticle. The protective window may be disposed between the reticle and a scene. The protective window may be sealed to the reticle to obstruct dirt from contacting the reticle.
Important technical advantages of the present invention include providing an improved sight. In particular, dirt enclosed within the sight is collected at a plane that is out of focus with a viewing or an image plane. Accordingly, the image of the scene may be viewed and magnified with little or no interference from dirt in the sight.
Still another important technical advantage of the present invention includes providing an improved image intensifier tube. In particular, a protective window may be sealed to a projecting end of the image intensifier tube. The protective window may collect dirt at a plane that is out of focus with the projecting end. Accordingly, the projecting end may be viewed and magnified with little or no interference from dirt that has settled within the sight.
Yet another important technical advantage of the present invention includes providing an improved reticle assembly. In particular, a protective window may be sealed to a reticle. The protective window may collect dirt at a plane that is out of focus with the reticle. Accordingly, the reticle may be viewed and magnified with little or no interference from dirt in the sight.
Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.
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Search Report dated Mar. 11, 1999.
“Fundamentals of Optics,” Francis A. Jenkins, Harvey E. White, Third Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1957; pp. 20-23.
Isbell Wayne E.
Wallace Robert E.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Litton Systems Inc.
Shafer Ricky D.
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