Modular sighting assembly and method

摘要

A laser sighting system can be used in combination with a range finder for determining a distance to a target. An onboard ballistics computer processor in the laser sighting system calculates a trajectory and automatically rotates a pointing laser to the proper angle for causing the trajectory path of a fired projectile to intersect with the position of the target. The laser sighting system can also be used in a standalone mode wherein target distance information is input manually by the user.

主权项

1. A laser sighting system, comprising:
a fixed section having a housing and a fastener for providing a rigid connection of the fixed section to a weapon; a laser assembly including one or more lasers, the laser assembly rotatably attached to the fixed section and rotatable about an axis which extends in a direction which is generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of a barrel of the weapon; a processor assembly including a processor and an associated computer readable memory encoded with executable instructions, the processor configured, upon execution of the executable instructions, to receive input representative of a distance to a target and calculate a trajectory angle of the weapon based on the distance to the target whereby the weapon will launch a projectile a distance that corresponds to the distance to the target; a motor mount disposed within the fixed section and including a projecting portion which extends into a complimentary cavity in the laser assembly, wherein the laser assembly is rotatable with respect to the motor mount; a motor received within the motor mount and having a drive shaft coupled to the laser assembly, the motor configured to operate under the control of the processor assembly; the processor configured, upon execution of the executable instructions, to operate the motor to rotate the laser assembly relative to the fixed section such that the barrel of the weapon will be aligned with the trajectory angle when an optical axis of the one or more lasers is aligned with the target; and one or both of a windage adjustment assembly and an elevation adjustment assembly; the windage adjustment assembly including a windage adjustment rod having a first end rotatable by a user and a second end attached to the motor mount, wherein rotation of the windage adjustment rod in a first direction is configured to impart a side-to-side adjustment of an aiming direction of the laser assembly in a first side-to-side direction and rotation of the windage adjustment rod in a second direction is configured to impart a side-to-side adjustment of the aiming direction of the laser assembly in a second side-to-side direction, and further wherein the windage adjustment assembly includes a threaded rod rotatably engaging a threaded opening in the motor mount and a ball and socket joint joining the threaded rod and the windage adjustment rod; and the elevation adjustment assembly including an elevation adjustment rod having a first end rotatable by a user and a second end coupled to the motor mount, wherein rotation of the elevation adjustment in a first direction is configured to impart an upward adjustment of an aiming direction of the laser assembly and rotation of the elevation adjustment in a second direction is configured to impart a downward adjustment of an aiming direction of the laser assembly, the elevation adjustment assembly further including an eccentric cam attached to the elevation adjustment rod and received within an opening in the motor mount, the eccentric cam configured to impart vertical movement of the motor mount responsive to rotation of the elevation adjustment rod.