Device for bore-sighting between a sight and a weapon, associated weapon and bore-sighting method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (20) for bore-sighting between a sight (14) and a weapon (10), the sight (14) being mounted on the weapon (10), the bore-sighting device (20) comprising an optical block (30) suitable for being reversibly assembled on the weapon (10), the optical block (30) comprising: - an emission source (36) capable of emitting an electromagnetic beam along an emission axis (Ae) substantially coincident with the firing axis (At) of the weapon; and - a return member (38) capable of returning the electromagnetic beam at 180°, referred to as the returned electromagnetic beam, along an adjustment axis (Ar) parallel to the emission axis (Ae), the returned electromagnetic beam allowing the bore-sighting of the sight (14) on the weapon (10).

Description

[0001] TITLE: Alignment device between a sight and a firing mechanism, firing mechanism and associated alignment method

[0002] The present invention relates to a sighting device between a sight and a firing mechanism. The invention also relates to a firing mechanism comprising a sight mounted on the firing mechanism and such a sighting device. Finally, the invention also relates to a method of sighting between a sight and such a firing mechanism.

[0003] In the field of firearms shooting, each weapon has its own unique axis of fire (primarily due to minute variations in the weapon's design and assembly). Therefore, whenever a sight (also called a "sighting optic") is mounted on a firearm, the user must adjust the sight's axis of aim to align with the firearm's axis of fire. This operation is called sight alignment.

[0004] In particular, for good aiming, the sight's line of sight should coincide approximately with the firing line of the firearm, or be slightly offset (in a controlled manner) from the firing line, especially if the ballistics of the shot are to be taken into account (for example if the desired firing distance is significant).

[0005] We know from the literature of various techniques for aligning a sight and a firing mechanism.

[0006] One method involves the user firing one or more shots while aiming at a sighting target. By observing the difference between the point of aim and the point(s) actually hit on the sighting target, the user determines the difference between the aiming axis and the firing axis. The user then manually adjusts the sight axis by the measured difference to align the aiming axis with the firing axis. The firearm is thus correctly sighted in.

[0007] A second method involves using a sighting laser. A laser is inserted into the barrel of the firearm and projects a beam of light along the firing axis. A spot of light representing the approximate point of impact on a target is then visible. The user then moves the sight axis to align the observed spot of light with the desired point of impact.

[0008] Although commonly used, these methods have drawbacks.

[0009] Indeed, the first method described requires firing one or more shots, which implies both having ammunition and generating significant noise, which can be problematic depending on the situation. Similarly, the second method described requires emitting a laser beam toward the target. However, such a laser beam is easily detectable by the human eye and compromises the stealth of the firing mechanism. Furthermore, this method is primarily reliable when the user is at close range to the target. In fact, at greater distances, it can become difficult to visualize the laser spot due to its apparent size and intensity.

[0010] Furthermore, in each of the methods described above, the user manually adjusts the viewfinder's aiming axis. This can lead to inaccuracies and a waste of time.

[0011] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to propose a sighting device allowing the aiming axis to be adjusted furtively, precisely and quickly according to the firing axis of a firing device.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a sighting device between a sight and a firing member, the sight being mounted on the firing member and having a sighting axis, the firing member having a firing axis, the sighting device comprising an optical block suitable for being reversibly assembled on the firing member, the optical block comprising: an emission source suitable for emitting at least one electromagnetic beam along an emission axis, the emission axis being substantially coincident with the firing axis; and a reflecting member suitable for reflecting the electromagnetic beam at 180°, called the reflected electromagnetic beam, along an adjustment axis parallel to the emission axis, the reflected electromagnetic beam enabling the sighting to be aligned with the firing member.

[0013] The linkage allows the viewfinder to be adjusted stealthily, without emitting any sound or light outside the linkage.

[0014] Furthermore, the focusing system allows the light spot produced by the reflected light beam to be displayed in the viewfinder, thus enabling automatic focusing. Manual adjustment is also possible.

[0015] The aiming device thus allows for more precise adjustment of the sighting axis according to the firing axis of the firing mechanism.

[0016] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the simbleauting device comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0017] - the firing mechanism comprises a main body and a barrel, the barrel extending along the firing axis between a proximal end connected to the main body and a free distal end, the optical block being configured to be at least partially reversibly inserted into the distal end;

[0018] - the referring element is chosen from a cube corner and an assembly of mirrors;

[0019] - the device further includes a collimation unit arranged between the emission source and the reflecting element so as to collimate the electromagnetic beam from the emission source;

[0020] - the firing mechanism comprises a main body and a barrel, the barrel extending along the firing axis between a proximal end connected to the main body and a free distal end, the distance between the distal end and the return mechanism being between 30 mm and 150 mm;

[0021] - the emission source is a visible and / or infrared emission source.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a firing device comprising a sight mounted on the firing device, the sight having a sighting axis, the firing device having a firing axis, the firing device comprising a staking device as described above, the staking device being reversibly assembled on the firing device, the returned electromagnetic beam being received by the sight so as to staking the sight on the firing device.

[0023] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the firing mechanism comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0024] - the sight includes a computer, the computer being configured to align the sighting axis with the adjustment axis of the returned electromagnetic beam;

[0025] - When aligning the aiming axis with the adjustment axis of the returned electromagnetic beam, the computer is configured to offset the aiming axis relative to the adjustment axis according to the desired firing distance and the associated firing ballistics.

[0026] Finally, the invention also relates to a method of aligning a sight and such a firing device as described above, the sight having a sighting axis, the firing device having a firing axis, the method comprising the following steps:

[0027] - reversible assembly of the simbleautage device on the firing mechanism so that the emission axis of the emission source is substantially coincident with the firing axis;

[0028] - emission of an electromagnetic beam along the emission axis by the emission source;

[0029] - return of an electromagnetic beam at 180°, called returned electromagnetic beam, by the return device along an adjustment axis parallel to the emission axis;

[0030] - reception of the electromagnetic beam returned by the viewfinder; and - adjustment of the viewfinder according to the position of the returned electromagnetic beam, so as to align the aiming axis of the viewfinder with the adjustment axis of the returned electromagnetic beam.

[0031] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0032] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a firing mechanism according to the invention, and

[0033] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a sighting reticle of a sight and a spot representing an adjustment axis, during an operation of aligning the sighting axis of the sight with the firing axis of a firing device.

[0034] A firing mechanism 10 is shown in Figure 1.

[0035] The firing device 10 is for example a firearm such as a rifle, more particularly an assault rifle or a precision rifle in the fields of civilian shooting (sport shooting, hunting) or defense and security.

[0036] In one embodiment, as illustrated by Figure 1, the firing mechanism 10 comprises a main body 12 on which a sight 14 is mounted, and also comprises a barrel 16 extending from the main body 12.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, a sembleautage device 20 is reversibly assembled on the firing mechanism 10.

[0038] The sight 14, also called the sighting device, has an Av sighting axis.

[0039] The sight 14 is used, in a known manner, to allow a user to point the firing mechanism 10 towards a target.

[0040] Sight 14 is, for example, a digital sighting device, such as thermal scopes, with an imaging channel (digital imager) and a digital source for a reticle 22, visible in Figure 2. Alternatively, sight 14 is a mechanical sighting device. Such a mechanical sight includes, for example, a rear and front sight to be aligned with the target and the user's eye.

[0041] The 16-pounder cannon is designed to project ammunition when fired.

[0042] The 16-inch cannon has a muzzle at its end.

[0043] The barrel 16 extends along a firing axis At of the firing mechanism 10, between a proximal end 24 connected to the main body 12 and a free distal end 26. The firing axis At is, therefore, an axis specific to the firing mechanism 10, which is determined by the direction of the barrel 16. The barrel 16 has, for example, a diameter that corresponds to that of the ammunition used. For example, for a 5.56 x 45 mm round, the diameter of the barrel 16 is 5.56 mm, and for a 7.62 x 51 mm round, the diameter of the barrel 16 is 7.62 mm.

[0044] For example, the barrel 16 has a length, measured along the firing axis At between the proximal end 24 and the distal end 26, of between 20 cm and 60 cm. For example, for assault rifles, the barrel has a diameter of 5.56 mm with a typical length between 27 cm and 51 cm.

[0045] The aiming device 20 includes an optical block 30 reversibly mounted on the firing mechanism 10. By "reversibly mounted", it is meant that the optical block 30 can be detached from the firing mechanism 10 at any time, without damaging either the optical block 30 or the firing mechanism 10.

[0046] The optical block 30 is, for example, configured to be at least partially reversibly inserted into the distal end 26 of the barrel 16.

[0047] In the example of Figure 1, the optical block 30 comprises a body 32 and an attachment member 34 of the body 32 to the firing member 10. At least a part of the attachment member 34 is reversibly inserted into the barrel 16 by the distal end 26.

[0048] Advantageously, the attachment member 34 has a transverse dimension, taken perpendicular to the firing axis At, substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the barrel 16. Thus, the attachment member 34 and the barrel 16 cooperate optimally (i.e. their central axes are perfectly aligned) when the attachment member 34 is inserted into the barrel 16.

[0049] The attachment member 34 is for example a rod inserted through the distal end 26 of the barrel 16 and extending into a part of the barrel 16.

[0050] The body 32 extends the attachment member 34 outside the barrel 16. The body 32 is, for example, integral with the attachment member 34.

[0051] The optical block 30 further includes an emission source 36 capable of emitting at least one electromagnetic beam along an emission axis Ae substantially coinciding with the firing axis At, and a redirecting element 38 capable of redirecting the electromagnetic beam at 180°, called the reflected electromagnetic beam, along an adjustment axis Ar parallel to the emission axis Ae. The emission source 36 is, for example, supported by the attachment member 34. For example, the emission source 36 is arranged on the attachment member 34 on the side of the proximal end 24 of the barrel 16. Alternatively, the emission source 36 is arranged on the attachment member 34 on the side of the distal end 26 of the barrel 16. In each of the above cases, the emission source 36 is configured to emit an electromagnetic beam from the distal end 26 outwards from the firing member 10, along the emission axis Ae coinciding with the firing axis At.In a variant, not shown, the optical block 30 is simply reversibly assembled on the firing mechanism 10, for example around the barrel 16, so that the emission source 36 emits an electromagnetic beam along the emission axis Ae coinciding with the firing axis At.

[0052] For example, the optical unit 30 is engaged on the firing mechanism 10 by a mechanical connection (such as a clip-on mechanism or the interplay of complementary geometric shapes). In particular, the mounting bracket 34 is, for example, clamped around the barrel 16 like a clamping jaw. In each of the possible variants, the position of the emission source 36 on the mounting bracket 34 is such that the emission source 36 emits an electromagnetic beam along the emission axis Ae, which coincides with the firing axis At.

[0053] Alternatively, the emission source 16 is housed in the firing mechanism (in the barrel 16 or in the chamber of the firing mechanism upstream of the barrel 16). In this case, the emission source 16 is, for example, an emission source of a setting cartridge.

[0054] The emission source 36 is, for example, a visible and / or infrared emission source. Visible is defined as the wavelength range from 380 nm to 780 nm. Infrared is defined as the wavelength range from 780 nm to 5 mm (780 nm to 3 pm for the near-infrared).

[0055] The emission source 36 is, for example, a laser source, a light-emitting diode, or an active or passive infrared source.

[0056] In the case of a passive infrared emission source 36, an incident luminous flux, external to the reflecting element 38, can be used by reflection, as a secondary source. The reflecting element 38 is, for example, supported by the body 32 of the optical block 30.

[0057] The referring element 38 is for example chosen from a corner of a cube, as illustrated in Figure 1, and an assembly of mirrors.

[0058] In the case of a cube corner, the reflecting member 38 includes, for example, a first interaction surface 40 receiving the electromagnetic beam from the emission source 36 and reflecting it towards a second interaction surface 42 of the reflecting member 38. The second interaction surface 42 receives the beam reflected by the first interaction surface 40, and returns the electromagnetic beam towards the viewfinder 14, parallel to the emission axis Ae, along the adjustment axis Ar. By "mirror assembly", we mean, for example, two mirrors assembled and positioned at 90° to each other.

[0059] For example, the distance between the distal end 26 and the reflector 38 is between 30 mm and 150 mm. The reflector 38 is configured to reflect the electromagnetic beam back to the sight 14. Thus, the reflected electromagnetic beam enables the alignment of the sight 14 with the firing mechanism 10.

[0060] The electromagnetic beam reflected at 180° forms a spot of incidence 48 on the viewfinder 14.

[0061] The return element 38 has a height, taken perpendicular to the firing axis At, of approximately between 50 mm and 150 mm.

[0062] In general, the height of the reflector 38 is such that it allows the electromagnetic beam from the emission source 36 to be reflected back to the sight 14, without being hindered by a potentially protruding part of the firing mechanism 10, located between the distal end 26 of the barrel 16 and the sight 14.

[0063] As mentioned previously, the reflected electromagnetic beam allows for the alignment of the sight 14 with the firing mechanism 10. This alignment can be performed manually or automatically, as will be described in more detail later. Alignment consists of moving the aiming axis Av of the sight 14 so that the aiming axis Av coincides with the adjustment axis Ar of the reflected electromagnetic beam.

[0064] In particular, such a reticle adjustment operation consists of moving the reticle 22 of the sight 14 by a distance E, so that the center of the reticle 22 is aligned with the adjustment axis Ar of the returned electromagnetic beam, as shown in Figure 2.

[0065] In a particular embodiment, the collimation device 20 further includes a collimation unit 50 disposed between the emission source 36 and the reflector 38. The collimation unit 50 is, for example, supported by the body 32 of the optical block 30. The collimation unit 50 collimates the electromagnetic beam from the emission source 36. The collimation unit 50 includes, for example, one or more optics suitable for collimating the electromagnetic beam.

[0066] Advantageously, the collimation unit 50 is configured to collimate to infinity the electromagnetic beam from the emission source 36.

[0067] Such a collimation unit 50 allows the beam to be seen in a well-resolved manner in the case of a firing mechanism with a fixed focus at infinity.

[0068] Alternatively, emission source 36 is an emission source that is already collimated, and collimation unit 50 is then not required.

[0069] In one particular embodiment, the viewfinder 14 includes a computer, not shown. The computer is, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) or a printed circuit board such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or even a microcontroller.

[0070] The computer is configured to automatically align the Av aiming axis of the sight 14 with the Ar adjustment axis of the returned electromagnetic beam, by superimposing the reticle 22 of the sight 14 on the incidence spot 48 from the returned electromagnetic beam on the sight 14.

[0071] For this purpose, the computer includes, for example, an automatic adjustment program for the position of the reticle 22 on the incidence task 48 received by the sight 14.

[0072] In one particular embodiment, the computer includes a memory containing a lookup table in which firing parameters (desired firing distance, ammunition weight and dimensions, barrel type including its length, etc.) are correlated with the predicted ballistics of the shot. Based on the predicted ballistics, the computer is configured, for example, to offset the aiming axis (Av) relative to the adjustment axis (Ar) when aligning the aiming axis (Av) with the adjustment axis (Ar) of the returned electromagnetic beam.

[0073] The necessary gap between the Av aiming axis and the Ar adjustment axis on the sight 14 so that the shot impact is effectively superimposed on the target, is advantageously predetermined and available as stored data in the lookup table.

[0074] Thus, the computer precisely and automatically adjusts the Av aiming axis of the firing mechanism 10 according to the firing conditions.

[0075] A method of aligning the sight 14 and the firing mechanism 10 will now be described in more detail.

[0076] The process includes a first step consisting of reversibly assembling the simbling device 20 onto the firing member 10 so that the emission axis Ae of the emission source 36 is substantially coincident with the firing axis At.

[0077] For example, the attachment member 34 of the optical block 30 is reversibly inserted into the barrel 16 by the distal end 26.

[0078] The emission source 36 is then activated so as to emit an electromagnetic beam along the emission axis Ae. The configuration of the optical block 30 on the firing mechanism 10 is such that the emission axis Ae of the emission source 36 coincides with the firing axis At of the firing mechanism 10.

[0079] The electromagnetic beam is, for example, an electromagnetic beam with a wavelength in the visible and / or infrared range, depending on the nature of the emission source 36. Optionally, the electromagnetic beam enters the collimation unit 50 and exits the collimation unit 50 collimated along the emission axis Ae.

[0080] The electromagnetic beam then strikes the referring member 38 and is reflected 180° by the referring member 38 along the adjustment axis Ar, parallel to the emission axis Ae.

[0081] For example, in the case of a cube corner, the electromagnetic beam strikes the first interaction surface 40 and is reflected towards the second interaction surface 42 of the referring member 38. The second interaction surface 42 receives the beam reflected by the first interaction surface 40, and returns the electromagnetic beam towards the sight 14, parallel to the emission axis Ae, along the adjustment axis Ar.

[0082] Once the electromagnetic beam has been reflected back 180°, it is ready to be received by the viewfinder 14 and then forms the incidence spot 48 on the viewfinder 14.

[0083] A step of adjusting the sight 14 according to the position of the returned electromagnetic beam, so as to align the Av sighting axis of the sight 14 with the Ar adjustment axis of the returned electromagnetic beam, is then carried out.

[0084] In the case of a sight 14 that does not allow automatic adjustment of the Av aiming axis position, a user manually shifts the reticle 22 projected onto the sight 14 so as to align the center of the reticle 22 with the adjustment axis Ar. In other words, the user moves the reticle 22 incrementally until it overlaps with the incidence spot 48 corresponding to the electromagnetic beam reflected onto the sight 14.

[0085] In the case of a digital imager sight 14, the computer can automatically shift the sighting axis Av so as to superimpose the center of the reticle 22 with the incidence spot 48 received on the sight 14 and resulting from the reflected electromagnetic beam.

[0086] In a particular embodiment, the calculator can take into account the ballistics of the shot, for example by querying the lookout table, when adjusting the Av aiming axis. For example, the calculator determines the necessary gap between the Av aiming axis and the Ar adjustment axis to effectively superimpose the expected position of the shot impact with the position of the target.

[0087] Once the alignment has been made between the sight 14 and the firing mechanism 10, the user disassembles the alignment device 20 from the firing mechanism 10. The aiming axis Av of the firing mechanism 10 is then precisely adjusted so that, when the user superimposes the center of the reticle 22 with the target aimed at, the positions of the shot impact and the target are substantially identical.

[0088] Such a 20-digitizing system has many advantages.

[0089] First, the simbleautage device 20 according to the invention allows for a stealthy adjustment of the Av aiming axis in that it emits no sound or light that could be perceived by an individual (apart from the reflector 38). Furthermore, no prior operator training is required.

[0090] It should be noted that the slight offset between the adjustment axis Ar and the firing axis At appears negligible. Furthermore, if this discrepancy needs to be corrected for operational purposes, this can be incorporated into the firing tables.

[0091] The alignment device 20 also offers the possibility of visualizing the incidence point 48 of the returned electromagnetic beam on a sight 14 equipped with a digital imager, and thus performing fully automatic alignment between the sight 14 and the firing mechanism 10, without the user having to manually move the reticle 22. This improves the accuracy of the adjustment and makes it easier for the user.

[0092] In addition, the returned electromagnetic beam being imaged on the digital imager of the sight 14 (incidence spot 48), it is possible to use an infrared emission source to adjust the Av aiming axis with infrared shooting glasses whose only ability to view the target is the infrared channel.

[0093] A person skilled in the art will understand that the described embodiments can be combined with each other provided they are technically compatible.

[0094] Advantageously, the emission source 36 is a passive infrared source that emits an electromagnetic beam in a wavelength band between 8 pm and 12 pm. For example, the emission of the electromagnetic beam occurs through the crystallization of solidified acetate nuclei, generating heat.

[0095] Preferably, the second interaction surface 42 has a size chosen to allow the reflection of the electromagnetic beam reflected by the first interaction surface 40 over a large distance range between the firing axis At and the adjustment axis Ar.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A sighting device (20) between a sight (14) and a firing mechanism (10), the sight (14) being mounted on the firing mechanism (10) and having a sighting axis (Av), the firing mechanism (10) having a firing axis (At), the sighting device (20) comprising an optical block (30) adapted to be reversibly assembled on the firing mechanism (10), the optical block (30) comprising: (a) an emission source (36) capable of emitting at least one electromagnetic beam along an emission axis (Ae), the emission axis (Ae) being substantially coincident with the firing axis (At); and (b) a reflecting member (38) suitable for reflecting the electromagnetic beam 180°, called reflected electromagnetic beam, along an adjustment axis (Ar) parallel to the emission axis (Ae), the reflected electromagnetic beam enabling the alignment of the sight (14) on the firing member (10).

2. A slingshot device (20) according to claim 1, in which the firing member (10) comprises a main body (12) and a barrel (16), the barrel (16) extending along the firing axis (At) between a proximal end (24) connected to the main body (12) and a free distal end (26), the optical block (30) being configured to be at least partially reversibly inserted into the distal end (26).

3. A simbleautage device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the referring member (38) is selected from a cube corner and an assembly of mirrors.

4. Collimating device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device (20) further comprises a collimation unit (50) disposed between the emission source (36) and the referring member (38) so as to collimate the electromagnetic beam from the emission source (36).

5. A firing device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the firing member (10) comprises a main body (12) and a barrel (16), the barrel (16) extending along the firing axis (At) between a proximal end (24) connected to the main body (12) and a free distal end (26), the distance between the distal end (26) and the return member (38) being between 30 mm and 150 mm.

6. A simbleating device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the emission source (36) is a visible and / or infrared emission source.

7. Firing device (10) comprising a sight (14) mounted on the firing device (10), the sight (14) having a sighting axis (Av), the firing device (10) having a firing axis (At), the firing device (10) comprising a staking device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the staking device (20) being reversibly assembled on the firing device (10), the reflected electromagnetic beam being received by the sight (14) so ​​as to effect the staking of the sight (14) on the firing device (10).

8. Firing device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the sight (14) includes a computer, the computer being configured to align the aiming axis (Av) of the sight (14) with the adjustment axis (Ar) of the returned electromagnetic beam.

9. Firing device (10) according to claim 8, wherein, when aligning the aiming axis (Av) with the adjustment axis (Ar) of the returned electromagnetic beam, the computer is configured to offset the aiming axis (Av) relative to the adjustment axis (Ar) according to the desired firing distance and the associated firing ballistics.

10. A method for aligning a sight (14) and a firing member (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, the sight (14) having a sighting axis (Av), the firing member (10) having a firing axis (At), the method comprising the following steps: reversible assembly of the alignment device (20) on the firing member (10) so that the emission axis (Ae) of the emission source (36) is substantially coincident with the firing axis (At); emission of an electromagnetic beam along the emission axis (Ae) by the emission source (36); reflection of an electromagnetic beam at 180°, called the reflected electromagnetic beam, by the reflecting member (38) along an adjustment axis (Ar) parallel to the emission axis (Ae); reception of the reflected electromagnetic beam by the sight (14);and adjusting the sight (14) according to the position of the reflected electromagnetic beam, so as to align the aiming axis (Av) of the sight (14) with the adjustment axis (Ar) of the reflected electromagnetic beam.;

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