US3166848A

US3166848A - Sighting mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3166848A
Application number: US62942A
Authority: US
Inventors: Petzsch Lothar
Original assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
Current assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie AG
Priority date: 1959-10-17
Filing date: 1960-10-17
Publication date: 1965-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 1982-01-26
Also published as: DE1129870B; CH381121A; GB964497A; BE596087A

Description

Jn venfor: Lvtluzr PetzscL United States Patent 4 Qlaims. (ill. 33-47) The present invention relates to a sighting mechanism, for example for use with rocket launchers, which dilfers from the known socket, hinged and pendulum sights mainly in that it is mounted on the barrel of the weapon such as to be capable of rotation through 180 on either side of its zero line.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the sighting device consists of a sighting tube which is mounted on the barrel of the weapon such as to be detachable and capable of rotation through 180 on either side of its longitudinal or zero axis, with its longitudinal or zero axis aligned parallel with the centre line of the barrel of the weapon and with a backsight at one and a front sight at the other end.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the invention the sight tube is furnished with a diopter forming the backsight and a perforated front sight. Further, this perforated front sight of the invention is provided with a rib extending vertically along the diameter across the sight of the sighting tube and furnished with a number of perforations arranged one above the other and corresponding to certain angles of elevation.

In addition the sighting device of the invention is so designed that it can be used as handle or carrier of the weapon so that a special handle for this purpose can be dispensed with.

It is an advantage of the invention that it provides for a stout sighting device which makes for improved security of aim when the weapon is held at an angle and which results in easier and better sighting than heretofore. The design and arrangement of the diopter and perforated front sight gives a sighting device of short and compact construction, since there is no distance between the diopter and the backsight. The diopter provides better shading of the eye which permits better focussing and hence a reduction of the distance between the diopter and the perforated front sight. It is no longer required, as heretofore, to align three different pointsthe diopter, backsight and front sight-with the target; only two points, the diopter and perforated front sight, are involved. The position of the pupil of the eye relative to the diopter does not affect the line of sight since this is determined and centred by the diopter and the perforated front sight. This makes it much easier to approach the target. The large front angle of the sighting tube allows the target to be seen rapidly. The design of the perforated front sight in accordance with the invention does away with separate mechanisms for the adjustment and elevation of the weapon. Since the sighting tube can be rotated by hand in both directions through 180 about its longitudinal or zero axis, it is possible to change over the at the ready position from the right to the left and vice versa without re-positioning or turning over the sight or like movement, which is of great importance for example in houseato-house fighting. Since now only the sighting tube, and no longer the whole weapon, has to be aligned horizontally, the weapon is provided with greater freedom when firing laterally across a slope, which may be of vital importance.

Another advantage is the fact that the sighting device consists of a small number of rugged and simple components which in addition are of small weight. This 3,166,848 Patented Jan. 26, 1965 simplifies manufacture. In addition the device is comparatively cheap, and the weight of the weapon is reduced. Assembly, dismantling and maintenance are simple. The device is largely resistant against entry of dirt.

An embodiment of the invention is shown on the drawing in which FIG. 1 shows the sighting device and the adjoining part of the weapon diagrammatically, partly in section and partly in an outside view,

FIG. 2 shows an end view of the sighting device according to FIG. 1 viewed in the direction of arrow A, and

FIG. 3 shows an end view of the sighting device viewed in the direction of arrow B.

The barrel 1 of the weapon is furnished with two brackets 2, 3 supporting the sighting device 4 which can rotate in the said brackets about its longitudinal or zero axis 5. This longitudinal or zero axis is parallel to the axis 6 of the barrel 1 of the weapon.

The sighting device 4 comprises the sighting tube 7 which, as will be seen from the drawing, is of conical shape and Whose small end, which faces the marksman, is provided with a diopter disc 8 which also serves as the backsight. The hole of the diopter is collinear with the axis 5 of the sighting device. The diopter disc 8 is secured on the end of the sighting tube 7 by a union nut or cap 10.

In front of the larger end of the sighting tube 7 there is the perforated front sight, so-called. This takes the form of a ring provided with a rib 12 which extends along a diameter and thus across the whole field of vision. In this rib there are a number of holes 13, three in number in the embodiment as drawn, corresponding to certain angles of elevation of the weapon for various distances of the target. The perforated front sight is so attached to the larger end of the sighting tube 7 by means of the ring 11 as to be detachable.

The device as herein illustrated and described allows accurate aiming at the target in all positions of the sight and of the weapon whatsoever, when the weapon is held on the left or on the right or with the sight in its normal position on top of the weapon. All that is required in each of these positions is to rotate the sighting tube 7 in its supports until the rib 12 of the perforated front sight 11 is vertical, and to sight through that hole 13 of the sight which corresponds to the distance of the target. In any case the adjustment of the long rib 12 to the vertical is easier, more accurate and more rapid than that of the short part forming the conventional backsight to the horizontal.

The sighting tube 7 can also be used as a handle when the weapon is being carried.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiment herein illustrated and described by way of example. Known optical devices, e.g. telescopic sights, can also be provided. Further the sighting tube 7 can be so attached as to be capable of inversion; then the perforated front sight 11 will be supported in a cap-shaped part or like component provided at the larger end of the sighting tube 7 so as to be capable of rotation.

What I claim is:

1. A sighting device particularly for rocket launching weapons having its zero axis parallel to the center axis of the weapon, comprising a sighting tube, a diopter disc with a central hole therein secured on the back end of the tube, a ring with a diametrical rib in which a number of perforations are provided and mounted in the front end of the tube, and means to mount the tube on the weapon rotatable around its zero axis of the tube.

2. A sighting device according to claim 1, in which the means to rotatably mount the tube consists of a pair of brackets secured on the weapon and surrounding the front and rear ends of the tube.

3. A sighting device according to claim 1, in which the rib is provided with three perforations arranged one above the other and corresponding to various angles of elevation. r

4. A sighting device according to claim 1, in which the means to rotatably mount the tube consists of a pair of brackets secured on the weapon and surrounding the front and rear ends of the tube, the brackets of the mounting means arranged in spaced relation so that the tube may be utilized as a carrying handle for the weapon.

10 ISAAC LISANN, Primary Examiner. V

RGBERT B. HULL, ROBERT EVANS, Examiners;

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims

1. A SIGHTING DEVICE PARTICULARLY FOR ROCKET LAUNCHING WEAPONS HAVING ITS ZERO AXIS PARALLEL TO THE CENTER AXIS OF THE WEAPON, COMPRISING A SIGHTING TUBE, A DIOPTER DISC WITH A CENTRAL HOLE THEREIN SECURED ON THE BACK END OF THE TUBE, A RING WITH A DIAMETRICAL RIB IN WHICH A NUMBER OF PERFORATIONS ARE PROVIDED AND MOUNTED IN THE FRONT