WO1997007376A1

WO1997007376A1 - Method of forming and positioning sighting marks and sight arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO1997007376A1
Application number: PCT/FI1996/000441
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leo Lassila
Original assignee: Leo Lassila
Priority date: 1995-08-18
Filing date: 1996-08-15
Publication date: 1997-02-27
Also published as: FI98561C; AU6661196A; FI953893A0; FI98561B

Abstract

A method for forming and positioning sighting marks in a sight arrangement for moving targets is characterized in that the point of sight (P1) of the sighting mark (S1) is positioned to be aligned with an edge of the target (14), advantageously with the trailing edge thereof, and the sighting marks (S1) are positioned by defining for some distances calculatorily or experimentally correct points of sight positioned to be aligned in said way, on the basis of the typical size and shape and presumed velocity of the target and the desired hitting point, and by selecting for the distance range one point of sight (P1) approximating the correct points of sight for the distances of the distance range. In one embodiment the sighting mark (S1) is formed on the basis of the typical size and shape of the target so that the measure thereof may be compared to certain dimensions of the target shown in the sight arrangement for detecting the distance of the target.

Description

METHOD OF FORMING AND POSITIONING SIGHTING MARKS AND SIGHT ARRANGEMENT

The invention is related to forming and positioning sighting marks in a sighting arrangement of a gun, the arrangement being provided for hitting a moving target. The invention is also related to such a sight arrangement.

When shooting a moving target the shooter, to make the hitting possible, must be able to estimate or define both the distance and the the velocity of the target accurately enough. Furthermore, also the barrel of the gun is normally moving and the movment of the barrel affects hitting. Due to these facts, especially when the moving target is shot offhand, it is presumable that even a successful sighting leads to hitting an area of the target which is significantly larger than the area which is possible to hit when the same target is standing still. Moreover, when shooting the moving target, the situation is mostly such that the sighting and shooting must be performed quickly.

In principle the invention may applied to any gun by which a moving target is shot. The gun may be a shotgun, a rifle or other gun where bullets or cartridges are used, a gun where some other type of ammunition is used, a portable as well as a heavy calibre firearm, or any gun or firearm provided for military or non-military purposes. In hunting, such as fowling, a shotgun is normally used for shooting at a moving target, and the sight arrangement of the shotgun is a primary application of the invention. In military use the invention may be applied, for example, for shooting a moving tank with a rocket launcher or shooting the enemy soldiers with a machine gun or an assault rifle. The target may also be a helicopter or an airplane. In hunting it is usual that a shooter simply performs sighting and shooting instinctively and depending on his or her experience more or less correctly, or estimates the distance and velocity of the target and tries to perform the sighting correctly on the basis of his or her knowledge of the qualities of the gun and ammunition. Primarily for hunting or other shotgun shooting different sight arrangements are developed for making easier to hit a moving target, and some of these arrangement are considered in greater detail here below. The sight arrangements developed for military use are normally based on estimating first the distance and velocity of the target and performing then the sighting on the basis of the results of the estimation. Usually the estimation is performed separately and many times by another person who then gives the sighting point or readings to the shooter. Some tables or graphs may be used to assist sighting, and also the sight arrangement may include graphs or other means for measurement of the distance and velocity. For military use also such measurement devices are developed by which the distance and velocity of the target may be measured accurately and then the sighting be based on the accurate measurement results.

As is clear from the foregoing, when shooting at a moving target in a military or non-military application, the problem is the definition of the distance and velocity of the target so that the correct elevation and aiming-off interval may be taken. Furthermore, in most cases another problem is that the sighting and shooting must happen quickly. In the following some known sight arrangements or sighting facilities developed to solve these problems are considered. From DE-A1 3324455 is known a front sight arrangement for a gun, especially for a shotgun, which includes sighting marks, e.g. pins, notches, or apertures in a plate or like structure extending to both sides of the barrel, for hitting targets moving across the shooting direction, and also sighting marks for targets moving in the shooting direction. The sighting marks provided for cross direction are to be used so that the shooter first estimates the distance of the target and then selects the proper sighting mark which during the sighting is aligned with the purposed hitting point. In a preferred embodiment there are three sighting marks on both sides of the barrel for distance ranges of 20, 30, and 40 meters, respectively.

The danish patent DK 67400 presents a front sight plate provided especially for shooting of birds, including apertures shaped to generally resemble birds flying in different directions and positioned in such a way that they give approximately the correct sighting direction for a target flying in certain flying direction, when the target is placed within the corresponding aperture during sighting.

US patent 2519220 presents a front sight arrangement for shooting of birds, primarily, the purpose of the arrangement being especially to assist a novice shooter. The arrangement includes first a measurement fork or like straight in the direction of the barrel of the gun for defining if the target is within the shooting range. In addition to this, the arrangement includes on both sides of the barrel auxiliary beads which are at a certain distance from each other and whose position in relation to the barrel may be changed for taking into account the prevailing wind. A shortcoming of these and some other corresponding known solutions is that they are general-purpose solutions which make the shooting easier and, depending on the situation prevailing, improve hitting to some extent. These solutions are not intended and are not able to make hitting accurate and secure enough. In these solutions the sighting is based on the conventional sighting thought where a bead or a sighting aperture is aligned with the purposed hitting point.

US patent 4112583 presents a front sight arrangement for clay pigeon shooting. It includes a transparent front sight plate which includes as sighting marks for different shooting places and pigeon releasing points the corresponding numbers. The purpose is to make sure the use of the proper elevation and aiming-off interval at each shooting situation. When shooting, the proper number is known on the basis of the shooting place and the pigeon releasing point observed, and this number is aligned with the pigeon to be shooted. The idea of the solution is that there is a separate sighting mark for each known and identified shooting situation. Accordingly, this solution is not useful when the situations are not known beforehand.

The invention is based on a totally new approach in solving the problems met in shooting moving targets. A starting point is that in both hunting and also other shooting the target is usually known. By that means the sighting may be based on the known qualities of the target, the typical size and shape, and the typical or expectable moving velocity. It is to be noted that, for example, the game bird species have there typical flying velocities. The invention is also based on the realization that it is advantageous to abandon the conventional sighting thought where the idea is that the point of sight is aligned with the purposed hitting point. In the invention the sighting mark is formed and positioned so that the point of sight included in the sighting mark must be aligned with a selected edge of the target. This provides first the possibility to use the sighting mark, suitably for the occasion, also to estimate the distance of the target. This is achieved by forming the sighting mark to be also a measure which during the sighting may be compared to the size or dimension of the target or certain part thereof shown in the sight arrangement. When the target has an elongated form in the direction of the movement it is very advantageous to align the point of sight with the trailing edge of the moving target, as is apparent from the examples to be presented here below. This solution which appears illogical to a person accustomed to act in accordance with the conventional sighting thought is characteristic to the first method according to the invention.

Accordingly, the first method of the invention for forming and positioning in a sight arrangement for moving targets, one or more sighting marks, which include a point of sight, wherein the sighting mark is formed and positioned for a distance range, is characterized in that: the point of sight of the sighting mark is positioned to be aligned, in respect to the direction of the movement of the target, with the trailing edge thereof, and the sighting mark is positioned by defining for one or more distances of the distange range a calculatorily or experimentally correct point of sight, and by selecting one point of sight approximating said calculatorily or experimentally correct points of sight. In a preferred embodiment ot the method the sighting mark is formed to have a size or measure which is comparable to the size or certain dimension of the target or a part thereof shown in the sight arrangement for detecting the distance of the target .

The second method of invention for forming and positioning in a sight arrangement for moving targets, one or more sighting marks, which include a point of sight, wherein the sighting mark is formed and positioned for a distance range, is characterized in that: the point sight of the sighting mark is positioned to be aligned with the selected edge thereof; the sighting marks are positioned by defining for one or more distances of the distance range a calculatorily or experimentally correct point of sight, and by selecting one point of sight approximating the calculatorily or experimentally correct points of sight; and the sighting mark is formed to have a size or measure which is comparable to the size or dimension of the target or part thereof shown in the sight arrangement for detecting the distance of the target.

Advantageously the definition of the calculatorily or experimentally correct point of sight includes taking into account one or more of the following parameters: typical size of the target, typical shape of the target, typical or presumed velocity of the target, and the desired hitting point.

In this specification and the claims the term "point of sight" means a certain place in the sighting mark, which place may be literally a point but also some other suitable detail or part in the sighting mark. The point of sight may be, for example, a certain end of a segment of line forming a sighting mark, the tail end of the sighting mark symbolizing a bird, or a short segment of line included in the sighting mark. The point of sight may be especially marked by a spot, printed in bold or in colour, or marked in some other way.

In the solution according to the invention each sighting mark gives both the aiming-off interval and elevation for certain target, for which typical or some other certain velocity is presumed, within certain distance range. The location of the point of sight of the sighting mark may be defined by the calculations based on the known, typical or presumed, parameters of the gun and ammunition. An alternative is to define the points of sight experimentally. Advantageously, the sighting mark provided for detecting the distance of the target has the measure corresponding to the biggest typical dimension of the target . The measure may be the length of a symbol or a segment of line, or a distance between two points or other marks, which may be compared to the size of the target shown in the sight arrangement . The measure of the sighting mark or part thereof may also correspond to certain dimension of a part of the target . It may be thought that in armoured vehicles having different total lengths, there is a clearly distinguishable part the size of which is always approximately the same, and then it is advantageous to measure this part by means of the sighting mark to detect the distance of the target.

The sight arrangement where the invention is embodied includes typically for example three overlapping sighting marks, such as three overlapping segments of line the one end of which is the point of sight and may be distinctively marked. During the sighting the point of sight of the longest sighting mark, for example, is aligned with certain edge of the target, such as the tail end of a bird. If the target shown in the sight arrangement is bigger than the sighting mark this mark is used. If the target shown in the sight arrangement is smaller than the sighting mark it means that the target is farther than within the distance to which the range of this mark extends, and the next sighting mark is taken. In some favourable cases one single sighting mark may be used for as large a distance range that no more sighting marks are needed in the sight arrangement. As is apparent from the example to be presented below, such a case may be mallard hunting when the shooting distance is restricted to be 40 meters at most.

Because the forming and positioning of the sighting marks and the sight arrangement are based in the invention first on the knowledge about the target and the typical or presumable moving velocity thereof, the accuracy and security of hitting the target may be significantly improved. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the distance of the target may be detected during the sighting by means of the sighting marks. When shooting the moving target the biggest mistakes are usually made in the estimation of the distance, and most of such estimation errors may be avoided by means of the invention. Especially advantageous in the hunting of birds, for example, is the first method according to the invention where the point of sight is positioned to be aligned with the trailing edge of the moving target. The correct points of sight for different distances are then laterally much more closer to each other than in the case where the points of sight are positioned to be aligned with certain point in the front part of the bird, as is made in the conventional sighting thought . When the error is small even in the case where a non-correct sighting mark is selected, the security of hitting is of course significantly improved. As the sight arrangement according to the invention has advantageously only a few sighting marks which are close to each other, and as the estimation of the distance and the selection of proper sighting mark may be made during the sighting by means of the sighting marks themselves, the sighting may be performed easily and quickly, which also improves the security of hitting. An advantageous embodiment of the sight arrangement of the invention includes also a quick- grip attachement by which a sight arrangement may be exchanged quickly, for example for another target.

In the following the invention and some embodiments thereof are described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 presents an embodiment of the sight arrangement where the first method according to the invention is applied;

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the use of the sight arrangement of figure 1 when shooting a moving target, figure 2 being a schematic top view and figure 3 a schematic perspective view from the viewpoint of the shooter;

Figure 4 presents scematically a military embodiment of the sight arrangement where the first method according to the invention is applied;

Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 present schematically another embodiments of the sight arrangement where the first method according to the invention is applied;

Figure 9 presents schematically an embodiment of a sight arrangement where the second method according to the invention is applied; and Figure 10, 11, and 12 present schematically further embodiments of the sight arrangement where the first method according to the invention is applied;

In the following the first method according to the invention for forming and positioning sighting marks and a sight arrangement where this method is applied is disclosed with reference to figures 1, 2, and 3. The sight arrangement of figure 1 is provided for shooting mallards by shotgun, and in the following it is first disclosed how the sighting marks are formed and positioned in one exemplary case. In the calculations the following parameter values are used: Typical length of the target: 580 mm

Typical flying velocity: 17 m/s

Shot type: Lead, diam.

3.25 mm Muzzle velocity of the shots: 400 m/s Distance between the eye and front sight: 900 mm

The desired hitting point is in the conventional way the front part of the bird. In the following the table is presented where, for demonstrating the advantage of the method of the invention, the aiming-off interval values of the points of sight placed in the sighting arrangement are presented in millimeters for both the conventional sighting, where the point of sight is to be aligned with the hitting point, and the inventive sighting, where the point of sight is to be aligned with the trailing edge of the target. In table 1 only the most essential values are presented: the shooting distance A, the required elevation K and aiming-off interval E at the shooting distance, the aiming-off interval El in the sight arrangement for conventional sighting, the length of the target shown in the sight arrangement P, the aiming-off interval E2 in the sight arrangement for inventive sighting, and the elevation in the sight arrangement Kl in relation to the zero elevation level. As to the last mentioned parameter the values are presented only for certain distances according to which the sighting marks are formed and positioned.

Table 1

A/m K/m E/m El/mm P/mm E2/mm Kl/mm

10,1 0 0,49 43,9 51,7 95,6

15,1 0 0,77 45,6 34,6 80,2

20,0 0 1,07 48,2 26,1 74,3

26,2 0 1,51 52,0 19,9 71,9

30,2 0 1,80 53,7 17,3 71,0

35,3 -0,1 2,21 56,4 14,8 71,1

40.3 -0,1 2,64 58,9 13,0 71,8 -3,3

45,3 -0,1 3,09 61,5 11,5 73,0

50,2 -0,2 3,57 64,0 10,4 74,4

55,3 -0,2 4,08 66,4 9,4 75,8 -4.4

60,5 -0,3 4,62 68,8 8,6 77,4

65,3 -0,3 5,17 71,2 8,0 79,2

70.3 -0,4 5,75 73,6 7,4 81,0 -5,8

In table 1 the values are calculated for shooting distances from 10 to 70 meters. As may be observed from column El, the aiming-off interval for conventional sighting is increasing continuously with the increasing distance. Instead of that, the column E2 shows that when using the method of the invention for forming and positioning the sighting marks, the aiming-off interval is approximately the same for a large range of distances. How well the method compensates the need to change the aiming-off interval when the distance is changing, it depends of course on the size and velocity of the target and some other parameter values, but in every case the method of invention always affects to reduce the change of the aiming-off interval.

In the above example the sighting marks were positioned, in accordance with the underlinings in table 1, to correspond to the values calculated for the distances 40, 55, and 70 meters. In figure 1 is shown the barrel 1 of the gun, the point of sight 2 for straigt sighting, and the inventive sight arrangement extending to both sides of the barrel. The sight arrangement is described in greater detail later, but an essential part thereof is the transparent plate 7 to which the sighting marks SI, S2, and S3 are formed. The first sighting mark SI is formed and positioned to correspond the values for 40 meters distance. Accordingly, the distance Dl between the line of straigt sighting or center line of the barrel and the point of sight Pl is 71.8 mm. The length of the sighting mark SI is 13.0 mm, which is the length of the typical target shown in the sight. Also the zero elevation level L is marked to the plate 7. The value of elevation Kl is 3.3 mm, but the mark SI is placed at the distance HI = 3.0 mm below the level L, because the mark is used also for shooting to smaller distances than 40 meters. The second sighting mark S2 is formed and positioned to correspond the values for 55 meters distance, so that the distance D2 is 75.8 mm and the length of the mark is 9.4 mm. To approximate the value of Kl, the mark is placed at the distance H2 = 4.5 mm below the level L. The third sighting mark S3 is formed and positioned to correspond the values for 70 meters distance, so that the distance D3 is 81.0 mm and the length of the mark is 7.4 mm. To approximate the value of Kl, the mark is placed at the distance H3 = 6.0 mm below the level L. It is to be noted here that _ the mark L correponding to the zero elevation level is useful in the sighting arrangement when the target flying high above the head is shot and the bullet or shots are flying approximately straight in the sighting direction.

The first sighting mark SI is used when the target flying in cross direction and showing itself in the sight is of a greater or same size than the mark. Then the distance of the target from the sight is, if the target has the typical size, 40 meters or more. If the target shown in the sight is of a smaller size than the sighting mark SI, then the second sighting mark S2, which is to be used for the distance range of 40 to 55 meters, is selected. If the target shown in the sight is of a smaller size than this, too, the sighting mark S3, which is to be used for the distance range of 55 to 70 meters, is used.

Figures 2 and 3 demonstrate the use of the sight arrangement where the first method according to the invention is applied. Figure 2, which is schematic and has not right dimensions, is a top view presenting the barrel 1 of the gun, the sight rail 11 thereon to be used in straight sighting, the eye 10 of the shooter, and at the front end of the barrel the transparent plates 7 and 7 ' of the sight arrangement including the sighting marks on both sides of the barrel . In this example the shooter uses the sighting mark SI in plate 7 when shooting the target 14 which is moving in the direction 15. The shooter aligns the point of sight Pl with the tail of the target 14, as is shown by the sighting line 12. The lines 12 and 13 show that the target 14 visible in the sight is greater than the sighting mark SI, and so this is proper sighting mark. Figure 3 presents the same situation as a schematic perspective view from the viewpoint of the shooter. In figure 3, like in figures 1 and 2, are shown the barrel 1 of the gun, the transparent plates 7 and 7' on both sides of the barrel, and therein respectively the groups of sighting marks from which the shooter uses the mark SI and the point of sight Pl for hitting the target 14. The attachement parts 3 and 4 of the sight arrangement, which are shown very schematically, may be similar to those shown in figure 1.

The front sight arrangement of figure 1 includes transparent plates 7 and 7 ' (partially cut away) respectively on the both sides of barrel. The sight arrangement is holded in place by a holder 3, which is fitted to clamp itself tightly around the barrel and which may be attached by pushing it on the barrel. The holder 3 may be a pipe holder or like part which has a suitable size. Here the holder 3 is a pipe holder which has, e.g. for being attached to a wall, threaded sleeve (not shown) in the body thereof, and a supporting part 4, which may be for example a steel wire or like bended to certain form, is attached to the holder by means of a washer 5 and a butterfly bolt 6. The supporting part 4 and therewith the plates 7 and 7 ' may by that means be quickly attached to or detached from the holder 3, which also makes possible the quick exchange of the sight plates. The holder 3 may be a little more difficult to attach on or detach from the barrel, and it may be holded in place, for example, when the gun is inserted in the bag. The plates 7 and 7' are attached to the supporting part 4 by means of respective parts 8 and 8 ' , and the respective clamping means, like screws, 9 and 9¹. The parts 8 and 8 ' may be formed by flat parts which are pressed against the plate 7 and 7', respectively, and the supporting part 4 and clamped by means of the screws 9 and 9', respectively. Such an attachement makes possible to adjust the lateral position of the plates 7 and 7', for example for setting the position of the sighting marks to correspond to the direction and force of wind. The adjusment of the lateral position of the sighting marks may be needed also for the reason that each shooter is moving the gun in a different way when sighting and shooting at a moving target.

It is clear that the transparent plates and the attachement thereof may be put into practice in various ways. The sight arrangement as a whole may be built on one integral transparent plate extending to both sides of the barrel . In the embodiment of figure 1 the holder 3 is advantageously made of polyethene, for example, and on the other hand the transparent plates 7 and 7' are advantageously made of polycarbonate based material used in optical applications, e.g. in eyeglass lenses. For such materials suitable treatments are achieved for reducing reflections. There is also a large variety of possibilities to make the sighting marks. One very suitable way is to engrave the marks and then stain them by black colour by means of screen printing, for example. In most cases a suitable form of the mark is a relatively thin, e.g. 0.6 mm, segment of line. As to the reflections it is advantageous if the thin mark made by printing, for example, has a curved surface. Another suitable colour for the marks is silver ink. The marks may be formed on the transparent plate also as certain edges, slots, or apertures, which may be distinguished during sighting. A person skilled in the art understands that front sight arrangements, where the methods according to the invention are applied, may be put into practice also in another way than by means of transparent plates. The sight arrangement as a whole may in principle be made as a pattern of suitable material, so that the sighting marks are shown as certain parts or details in the thin- lined pattern. This type of structure, which is formed by parts shown as thin lines to the shooter and which includes the sighting marks in some suitable arrangement, may be made of plastic or metal by pressing or moulding, for example, and it may be formed to be easily attached to the barrel of the gun.

In simple embodiments the sight arrangement is a front sight arrangement, but the methods may be put in practice also in rear sight arrangements where optical accessories are used. Figure 4 presents a sight arrangement provided for shooting tanks by means of a rocket launcher, for example, and in the optics 21 of the sight there may be seen several groups of sighting marks 22 - 26. The marks of the groups 23 and 24 are formed and positioned with the presumption that the velocity of the tank is 60 km/h. Correspondingly, the marks of the groups 25 and 26 are formed and positioned with the presumption that the velocity of the tank is 30 km/h. The group 22 is provided for shooting at a target in place, and by selecting a proper mark therefrom a proper elevation is obtained. The sight arrangement is used in the way which was described above with reference to figures 1, 2, and 3. In the example shown in figure 4 the velocity of the tank 27 is assumed to be 60 km/h, and the proper sighting mark is selected by comparing the length of the sighting marks to the size of tank shown in the sight arrangement. In military use the sight arrangements in accordance with the methods of the invention may also be applied for targets moving in the air, like helicopters or airplanes.

Also many other embodiments where one sight arrangement or sight plate includes several groups of sighting marks are possible. For example, a sight plate may include sighting marks in different colours for different birds, such as mallards and wild ducks.

Figure 5 presents an embodiment of the sight arrangement where the sighting marks SI, S2, and S3 are symbols resembling the target, and the size of the mark may be the smallest size of the target shown in the sight arrangement for which said mark is used. It is to be noted here that the basis of dimensioning the mark and comparing the sizes may be also some other than that stated above which, however, is simple and clear and by that means advantageous. For example, the marks may be formed to be used within a distance range at the extreme ends of which the target shown in the sight is to some extent, e.g. about one third of the size, bigger and, respectively, smaller than the mark. The point of sight Pl, P2, or P3 may be especially marked in bold, as is shown in figure 5, by a spot or colour or in some other way.

In different cases and depending on the need the number of sighting marks may be bigger or smaller than three, as is shown in figure 6 where there are five sighting marks SI, S2, S3, S4, and S5. In shotgun shooting the range of shooting may be restricted to be 40 meters at most. When using the method of invention one sighting mark may then be enough, and it may be like the mark SO of figure 7 including the point of sight PO and the segment of line to be used for measuring. In this case the sighting mark according to the invention may be also a mere point of sight which is positioned according to the inventive method. If only one target is shot and the range of shooting is restricted, no big advantage is gained from measuring the distance of target by means of the sighting mark. In the example of figure 7 there are also some other sighting marks which are positioned for a certain bird and various wind circumstances . If the wind is a following wind with the force 5 m/s, the mark SI and point of sight SI are used. If the wind is against, the point P2 or P3 is used depending on the force of the wind. Figure 8 is a schematic presentation of an optical front sight 31, which is to be placed on the barrel of the gun and in which the method of invention is applied. For instance for shotguns optical front sights for straight sighting are available, and they make the shooting easier because therein the point of size is staying in it ' s place even if the eye of the shooter is not precisely aligned with the sighting rail. Such a front sight may well be put in practice by means of the methods of the invention so that there are several points of sight positioned in the way shown in figure 8, for example. The pairs of points 32, 33 and 35, 34 form the sighting marks according to the invention. The points 32 and 35 are the points of sight, and the distance between the points of the pair is the measure used to detect the distance of the target.

Figure 9 presents an example of the sight arrangement where the second method according to the invention is applied. This kind of sight may be provided for military use, e.g. for firing moving enemy soldiers. When the moving soldier is on his feet it is not advantageous to use the principle of aiming at the trailing edge of the moving target. Because it is important to detect the distance during the sighting and because it is advantageous in the light of the desired hitting area, the points of sight are now positioned to be aligned with the lower edge of the target, i.e. with the feet of the moving soldier. The sighting marks SI, S2, S3, S4, and S5 and the corresponding points of sight Pl, P2, P3, P4, and P5 may be formed and positioned in the way corresponding to that described above in connection with the first method according to the invention. The point of sight is aligned with the feet of the soldier, and if the soldier shown in the sight is bigger or of the same size than the mark, this mark is used. If the soldier shown is smaller than the mark, the next mark is taken, and so on. Also in this case the basis for comparing the sizes may be some other. It is clear that the sighting mark intended to be aligned with target and formed to be of certain size and shape for detecting the distance of the target at the same time during the sighting, or a group of this kind of sighting marks, may be used also in some other way than in the sight arrangements where the methods of the invention are applied and where the point of sight included in the sighting mark is positioned to be aligned with the edge of the target.

Figures 10 (a) and 10 (b) present schematically a further embodiment of the sight arrangement where the invention is applied, figure 10(a) being a sight view and figure 10(b) a front view from the direction of sighting. A light emitting display 41 may be connected to the transparent plate 7 so that the picture 43, including the sighting marks, is formed on the display. The transparent plate 7 is now semi-reflecting and set and attached to the display with some suitable means 42 in such a way that it reflects the picture forming the sighting marks to the eye of the shooter, as is shown by the arrows 44.

Figure 11 shows an embodiment where a grid 51 is provided instead of separate sighting marks. The vertical and horizontal lines of the grid 51 may be marked. Here the vertical lines are marked by numbers 52 and horizontal lines by letters 53. The segment of line between certain intersections may form a sighting mark according to the invention. These intersections may be marked by spots as is shown in the figure. The segment of line between intersections 54 and 55 and respectively between intersections 56 and 57 form a sighting mark. Points 54 and 56 may be points of sight, respectively. The lower edge of the plate 7 is provided with a scale which is to be used to adjust the position of the plate 7 in relation to the supporting means (not shown) .

Figure 12 shows an embodiment which includes sighting marks SI and S2 and therein points of sight Pl and P2, respectively. These marks are similar to those described with reference to figure 1 and are provided for fowling, for instance. Sighting mark SO is provided for shooting targets flying high above the head of the shooter and, accordingly, is positioned at the zero elevation level. This mark is formed by three segments so that all four points corresponding to the end points of the marks SI and S2 may be shown. The markings -8, -4, 0, and +4, indicated by the reference numeral 61, are provided for velocity corrections which may be needed because of wind, for example. The transparent plate 7 is also provided with an auxiliary partial grid pattern 59. This is to be used to assist at clay pigeon shooting. The pattern shown covers only a few shooting situations in clay pigeon shooting, but it could be much more complete and extend close to the barrel of the gun to cover all the shooting situations . The intersections may be especially shown by spots, for example, as is indicated by reference numeral 60.

A similar solution could be made also so that the sighting marks or points of sight are produced by light sources, and the light source or sources and the transparent plate are placed suitably so that the light source directs the marks properly on the transparent plate from which the light forming the marks comes to the eye of the shooter. The transparent plate may also be a transparent liquid crystal display or some other suitable transparent display, on which the sighting marks may be formed directly by means of an electronic control. Although some methods according to the invention and sight arrangements where these methods are applied are described in detail above, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be varied within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for forming and positioning in a sight arrangement for moving targets, one or more sighting marks, which include a point of sight, wherein the sighting mark is formed and positioned for a distance range, characterized in that: the point of sight (Pl) of the sighting mark (SI) is positioned to be aligned, in respect to the direction (15) of the movement of the target (14) , with the trailing edge thereof, and the sighting mark (SI, S2, S3) is positioned by defining for one or more distances of the distance range a calculatorily or experimentally correct point of sight, and by selecting one point of sight (Pl, P2, P3) approximating said calculatorily or experimentally correct points of sight.

2. A method of claim 1, characterized in that the sighting mark (SI, S2, S3) is formed to have a size or measure which is comparable to the size or certain dimension of the target or a part thereof shown in the sight arrangement for detecting the distance of the target.

3. A method for forming and positioning in a sight arrangement for moving targets, one or more sighting marks, which include a point of sight, wherein the sighting mark is formed and positioned for a distance range, characterized in that: the point sight (Pl, P2, P3, P4, P5) of the sighting mark (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) is positioned to be aligned with the selected edge thereof; the sighting marks (SI to S5) (Fig. 9) are positioned by defining for one or more distances of the distance range a calculatorily or experimentally correct point of sight, and by selecting one point of sight (Pl to P5) approximating the calculatorily or experimentally correct points of sight; and the sighting mark (SI to S5) is formed to have a size or measure which is comparable to the size or dimension of the target or part thereof shown in the sight arrangement for detecting the distance of the target.

4. A method of claims 1, 2 or 3 , characterized in that the definition of the calculatorily or experimentally correct point of sight includes taking into account one or more of the following parameters : typical size of the target, typical shape of the target, typical or presumed velocity of the target, and the desired hitting point.

5. A method of claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the sighting mark (SI, S2, S3) (Fig. 5) is formed to resemble the form of the target .

6. A method of claim 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that the sighting mark is formed by a segment of line, bar or like wherein the point of sight is the end thereof corresponding to the edge of the target to be aligned with.

7. A method of claim 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that the sighting mark is formed by two points (32, 33; 34, 35) , one of them (32, 35) being the point of sight and the spacing between them being dimensioned suitable for detecting the distance of the target.

8. A method of claim 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that one or more sighting marks are formed by means of a grid (51, 59) .

9. A method of any preceding claim, characterized in that the point of sight (Pl, P2, P3) (Fig. 5) is especially shown in the sighting mark (SI, S2, S3) by a spot, short segment of line, printing in bold, colour, lighting or other suitable way.

10. A sight arrangement wherein the sighting marks are formed and positioned according to a method of any preceding claim.

11. A sight arrangement of claim 10, characterized in that it includes a plurality of groups of one or more sighting marks (22, 23, 24, 25, 26) , the groups being provided for different targets and/or different velocities of a target.

12. A sight arrangement of claim 10 or 11, characterized in that it includes a plurality of groups of one or more sighting marks (SO, P0; SI, Pl; S2, P2; P3) (Fig. 7), the groups being provided for different wind circumstances.

13. A sight arrangement of claim 10, 11, or 12, characterized in that it includes front sight means (3,

4, 5, 6, 7, 7', 8, 8', 9, 9') to which the sighting marks are formed and positioned.

14. A sight arrangement of claim 13 , characterized in that it includes a transparent plate (7, 7') to which the sighting marks (SI, S2, S3) are formed.

15. A sight arrangement of claim 13, characterized in that it includes a construction made of thin material to which the sighting marks are formed.

16. A sight arrangement of claim 13, characterized in that it includes a display device (41) to which the sighting marks (43) are formed.

17. A sight arrangement of any claim 10 to 16, characterized in that it includes means (3, 4, 5, 6) for quick attachement thereof to and detachement thereof from a gun.

18. A sight arrangement of any claim 10 to 12, characterized in that it includes rear sight means (31) by means of which the sighting marks (32, 33; 34, 35) are formed and positioned.