US5283427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Night sight for a missile launcher comprising an image intensifier tube, a reticle, and an objective lens
Assignee: ITT Inc
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Filing: 1992-09-09
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Granted: 1994-02-01
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Expires: 2012-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A night sight for a missile launcher has an objective lens with a field of view of at least 22 degrees. The output image of the objective lens is intensified by a variable gain light intensifier tube and the output of the intensifier is viewed through an eyepiece. A reticle pattern etched on a glass substrate and filled with titanium dioxide is illuminated by adjustable brightness LED's positioned at points on the periphery of the substrate. The reticle is disposed between the light intensifier and the eyepiece and substantially duplicates the function of reticles used in daysights.
Inventors
- 👤 Earle N. Phillips
- 👤 Mark A. Bryant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A night sight for a missile launcher comprising: (a) an objective lens having a field view of at least 22 degrees; (b) a light intensifier tube positioned with respect to said objective lens to receive as input the output image of said objective lens; (c) an eyepiece for viewing the output of said light intensifier tube; (d) a reticle for enabling a missile from said missile launcher to be directed at a lead angle, relative a selected moving target of up to at least 22 degrees so as to meet said selected moving target along the shortest trajectory, and (e) illumination means electrically coupled to said light intensifier tube, for selectively illuminating said reticle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A night sight for a missile launcher comprising: (a) an objective lens having a field view of at least 22 degrees; (b) a light intensifier tube positioned with respect to said objective lens to receive as input the output image of said objective lens; (c) an eyepiece for viewing the output of said light intensifier tube; (d) a reticle for enabling a missile from said missile launcher to be directed at a lead angle, relative a selected moving target of up to at least 22 degrees so as to meet said selected moving target along the shortest trajectory, and (e) illumination means electrically coupled to said light intensifier tube, for selectively illuminating said reticle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said light intensifier tube is coupled to a gain adjustment means for manually controlling the gain of the output of said light intensifier tube, and said illuminated means is coupled to a manual brightness adjustment for adjusting the brightness of said reticle, thereby enabling the independent adjustment of said intensifier and said illumination means for different environmental illumination conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said reticle includes a lens having front, back and peripheral surfaces, said front surface being etched with a reticle pattern, said reticle pattern illuminable by light from said illuminating means entering at least one point on said peripheral surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 3, wherein said reticle lens is glass and generally disk-shaped with said front and said back surfaces polished, said peripheral surface being ground, said light entering said lens at least one indentation in said peripheral surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said back surface of said reticle lens is coated with an anti-reflective coating, said anti-reflective coated surface pointing in the direction of said eyepiece, said peripheral surface of said lens, exclusive of said at least one inclentation, having a reflective coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said illumination means includes at least one LED positioned in proximity to said at least one indentation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 6, wherein said etched reticle pattern is at least partially filled with a light reflective material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 7, further including (f) means for removably mounting said scope to a missile launching tube; (g) an eye shield to protect a gunner's eye from missile ejecta on launching.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 8, further including a lens cover for said objective lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said reticle lens is optical annealed crown glass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 8, wherein said eye shield is a polycarbonate member affixed to a flexible neoprene mount affixed to said sight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said reflective material is titanium dioxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 7, further including a reticle holder having a central aperture, a lip disposed around said aperture defining a recess for receiving and holding said reticle lens, and a pair of channels radiating from said aperture for receiving and holding a pair of said LED's in proximity to a pair of said indentations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 13, further including a light shield ring having an adhesive on one side, said ring overlapping said reticle lens and adhesively affixing to said lens and said holder, retaining said reticle lens in said recess, said ring preventing light from said LED's from radiating directly towards said eyepiece.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 14, further including a printed circuit board generally in the shape of a ring segment for electrically connecting said light intensifier tube to said pair of LED's and for retaining said reticle lens in said holder by inserting into a retainer rim projecting from a surface of said holder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said indentation is flat.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said indentation is curved.
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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) | 1997-01-31 | 1997-08-02 | 1998-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-31 | 2001-08-02 | 2002-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-31 | 2005-08-02 | 2006-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |