Firearms – Implements – Sight devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-12
2001-08-07
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3641)
Firearms
Implements
Sight devices
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269581
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Over the years, modern advances in hunting equipment have enhanced the sport, providing hunters with increased success. Among these products, high-powered rifle technology offers long-range targeting capabilities with a more true bullet flight that helps to enhance accuracy. However, even the most modern equipment cannot negate the effect that gravity has on targeting game. In any case, regardless of the equipment used, gravity draws a fired bullet toward the ground as is travels through the air. Depending upon the distance between the hunter and the target coupled with the speed of the bullet and drag forces, the distance that the bullet will drop prior to reaching the target varies. As a result, hunters are forced to estimate the bullet-drop and compensate by aiming slightly above their target. Some rifle scopes help the shooter to calculate this distance by providing special markings on the lens. However, the hunter is still required to calculate the estimated degree of overshoot in his head and is prone to mistakes that could cause him to miss the target. Accordingly, the need has developed for a game targeting system that takes the guess work out of bullet-drop calculations. The development of the present invention fulfills this need.
The present invention relates generally to sighting scopes used to aim rifles and the like, and more specifically to a rifle scope that incorporates the use of range finding laser electronics to detect target distance and automatically compensate for the bullet-drop of ammunition having a known muzzle velocity.
2. Description of the Related Art
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following references were considered related:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,174 issued to James W. Teetzel;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,776 issued to Daniel R. Shepherd;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,421 issued to Daniel R. Shepherd;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,107 issued to Gerald B. Holden;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,137 issued to Fred L. Jennie;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,072 issued to Gary Eldridge;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,546 issued to Rick R. Washer et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,651 issued to Jeremy G. Dunne; and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,168 issued to F. Richard Langner.
While several features exhibited within these references are incorporated into this invention, alone and in combination with other elements, the present invention is sufficiently different so as to make it distinguishable over the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention consists of an otherwise conventional rifle scope that utilizes laser range-finding and microprocessor technology to eliminate the need for the shooter to calculate bullet-drop compensation. The scope includes a laser range finder that calculates the distance between the user and the target that is focused in the cross-hairs. The user simply enters the muzzle velocity, i.e. the bullet speed of his particular ammunition as well as the current altitude using pushbuttons located on the scope assembly. A microprocessor automatically calculates the distance that the bullet traveling at the dialed-in speed will drop while traveling the distance calculated by the laser range finder, taking into consideration reduced drag at higher altitudes and the weight of the bullet. Based upon this calculated value, a second LCD image cross-hair is superimposed in the scope's viewfinder, indicating the proper position at which to aim the rifle in order to achieve a direct hit.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved rifle scope that automatically compensates for bullet-drop.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved rifle scope that incorporates the use of laser range finding technology to determine the distance to the selected target.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved rifle scope that calculates the degree of compensation using data pertaining to the muzzle velocity and grain weight of the ammunition being used as well as the approximate altitude at which the rifle is being fired.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved rifle scope that produces a superimposed cross-hair image in the scope viewfinder that indicates the appropriate aim that compensates for bullet-drop and will ensure a direct hit on the intended target.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved rifle scope wherein the user can manually enter ammunition data pertaining to muzzle velocity and grain weight as well as the altitude for calculation purposes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved rifle scope that can be used in a manner identical to that of conventional rifle scopes if so desired.
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved rifle scope that is lightweight, compact and easy to use.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3464770 (1969-09-01), Schmidt
patent: 4285137 (1981-08-01), Jennie
patent: 4397107 (1983-08-01), Holden
patent: 4403421 (1983-09-01), Shepherd
patent: 4542986 (1985-09-01), Berdanier
patent: 4561204 (1985-12-01), Binion
patent: 4584776 (1986-04-01), Shepherd
patent: 4695161 (1987-09-01), Reed
patent: 4965439 (1990-10-01), Moore
patent: 5001962 (1991-03-01), Schlegel et al.
patent: 5208417 (1993-05-01), Langer et al.
patent: 5375072 (1994-12-01), Cohen
patent: 5454168 (1995-10-01), Langner
patent: 5491546 (1996-02-01), Wascher
patent: 5575072 (1996-11-01), Eldridge
patent: 5652651 (1997-07-01), Dunne
patent: 5669174 (1997-09-01), Teetzel
patent: 5771623 (1998-06-01), Pernstich et al.
patent: 5831718 (1998-11-01), Desai et al.
patent: 5903996 (1999-05-01), Morley
Buckley Denise J.
Gugliotta John D.
Jordan Charles T.
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