US5084780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telescopic sight for day/night viewing
Assignee: ITT Inc
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Filing: 1991-01-18
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Granted: 1992-01-28
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Expires: 2011-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A telescopic sight which can be used for either nighttime or daytime operation and is particularly adaptable for use on weapons ranging from rifles to anti-tank weapons. A first embodiment includes a single objective and two parallel light paths, one for day viewing and one for night viewing. The objective forms the beginning of the night path. Separating mirrors transmit light from the objective along the night path and reflects light from the objective to the day path. The night path includes an image intensifier assembly. A mirror at the end of the night path reflects the light from the image intensifier assembly to a beamsplitter/combiner on the day path. The beamsplitter/combiner transmits the light from the day path and reflects the light from the night path along the same path to an ocular assembly for viewing. A second embodiment of the telescopic sight is similar to the first embodiment but contains two objective lens assemblies for collecting light, one for the night path and one for the day path. Because the sight has two separate objective lens assemblies, separating mirrors are not included. A third embodiment includes a projected aiming reticle and a direct view capability for day viewing which replaces one of the objective lens assemblies. The direct view channel includes a beamsplitter/combiner.
Inventors
- 👤 Earle N. Phillips
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 03:26
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/12; G02B17/00; G02B17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
316 words
A telescopic sight for day and night operations comprising: a first optical assembly for directing an incoming image in the near-infrared spectrum for night operation of the sight along a first optical path; a second optical assembly for directing an incoming image in the visible spectrum for day operation of the sight along a second optical path, wherein said second optical assembly includes a prism for inverting and reverting the incoming image on the second optical path; an image intensifier assembly located in the first optical path for night viewing of the image, said assembly having an input surface positioned adjacent said first optical assembly and an opposed output surface; optical means for day viewing of the image located in the second optical path which is parallel to the first optical path, said optical means having an entrance surface and an exit surface; p1 an ocular lens assembly located on the second optical path for transmitting light received at an input surface thereof from said image intensifier assembly and from said optical means along a common path to a viewer; and transmitting means located in a third optical path for transmitting the light from a location on the first optical path which is adjacent the output surface of said image intensifier assembly to a location on the second optical path which is adjacent the exit surface of said optical means, wherein said transmitting means includes a beamsplitter/combiner positioned in the second optical axis and having a front surface adjacent said exit surface of said optical means and a combining surface, said combining surface being positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the second optical path for receiving the light transmitted from the output surface of said image intensifier assembly and the light transmitted from said exit surface of said optical means and directing the light along the second optical path to said ocular lens assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
316 words
A telescopic sight for day and night operations comprising: a first optical assembly for directing an incoming image in the near-infrared spectrum for night operation of the sight along a first optical path; a second optical assembly for directing an incoming image in the visible spectrum for day operation of the sight along a second optical path, wherein said second optical assembly includes a prism for inverting and reverting the incoming image on the second optical path; an image intensifier assembly located in the first optical path for night viewing of the image, said assembly having an input surface positioned adjacent said first optical assembly and an opposed output surface; optical means for day viewing of the image located in the second optical path which is parallel to the first optical path, said optical means having an entrance surface and an exit surface; p1 an ocular lens assembly located on the second optical path for transmitting light received at an input surface thereof from said image intensifier assembly and from said optical means along a common path to a viewer; and transmitting means located in a third optical path for transmitting the light from a location on the first optical path which is adjacent the output surface of said image intensifier assembly to a location on the second optical path which is adjacent the exit surface of said optical means, wherein said transmitting means includes a beamsplitter/combiner positioned in the second optical axis and having a front surface adjacent said exit surface of said optical means and a combining surface, said combining surface being positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the second optical path for receiving the light transmitted from the output surface of said image intensifier assembly and the light transmitted from said exit surface of said optical means and directing the light along the second optical path to said ocular lens assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The telescopic sight of claim 1 wherein said transmitting means includes a first mirror located in the first optical path and positioned at a predetermined angle thereto, said first mirror receiving the light from said output surface of said image intensifier assembly and reflecting the light in a direction toward the second optical path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The telescopic sight of claim 1 wherein said image intensifier assembly includes an image intensifier device and a relay lens assembly, said relay lens assembly being positioned between said image intensifier device and said transmitting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The telescopic sight of claim 1 wherein said optical means includes an erector lens assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The telescopic sight of claim 1 further comprising a reticle located on the second optical path between said beamsplitter and said ocular lens assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The telescopic sight of claim 1 further comprising a housing surrounding the telescopic sight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The telescopic sight of claim 2 further comprising a filter for protecting the viewer against laser radiation positioned on said front surface of said beamsplitter/combiner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
247 words
A telescopic sight for day and night operations comprising: an objective lens assembly for collecting light from a scene in the near-infrared spectrum and directing the light along a first optical path; an image intensifier assembly for night operations of the sight located adjacent said objective lens assembly in the first optical path for multiplying the light directed from said objective lens assembly and providing a light-intensified output image for night operation of the sight; an optical assembly for collecting light from a scene in the visible spectrum and directing the light along a second optical path for day operation of the sight, wherein the second optical path is arranged substantially parallel to the first optical path, and wherein said optical assembly includes a prism for inverting and reverting the incoming image on the second optical path; optical means for transmitting the light received from said image intensifier assembly for night operation and the light received from said light receiving assembly for day operation of the sight along a common optical path to a viewer; and said optical means including means located adjacent said image intensifier assembly for transmitting the intensified image therefrom to said optical means, wherein said optical means includes a beamsplitter/combiner having a combining surface for transmitting the light received on one of said first and second optical path and for reflecting the light received on the other of said first and second optical paths through a predetermined angle to said common optical path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
247 words
A telescopic sight for day and night operations comprising: an objective lens assembly for collecting light from a scene in the near-infrared spectrum and directing the light along a first optical path; an image intensifier assembly for night operations of the sight located adjacent said objective lens assembly in the first optical path for multiplying the light directed from said objective lens assembly and providing a light-intensified output image for night operation of the sight; an optical assembly for collecting light from a scene in the visible spectrum and directing the light along a second optical path for day operation of the sight, wherein the second optical path is arranged substantially parallel to the first optical path, and wherein said optical assembly includes a prism for inverting and reverting the incoming image on the second optical path; optical means for transmitting the light received from said image intensifier assembly for night operation and the light received from said light receiving assembly for day operation of the sight along a common optical path to a viewer; and said optical means including means located adjacent said image intensifier assembly for transmitting the intensified image therefrom to said optical means, wherein said optical means includes a beamsplitter/combiner having a combining surface for transmitting the light received on one of said first and second optical path and for reflecting the light received on the other of said first and second optical paths through a predetermined angle to said common optical path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The telescopic sight of claim 8 wherein said transmitting means includes a partial reflector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The telescopic sight of claim 8 further comprising an aiming point assembly positioned adjacent said optical means in a plane parallel to said first optical path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The telescopic sight of claim 10 wherein said aiming point assembly includes either one of a light emitting diode or an illuminated pattern, a collimating lens positioned adjacent said light emitting diode for collimating the energy emitted by said light emitting diode and a mirror positioned adjacent said collimating lens for reflecting the collimated energy to said partial reflector.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-27 | 1995-07-29 | 1996-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-27 | 1999-07-29 | 2000-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-27 | 2003-07-29 | 2004-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |