Fiber Optic Handgun Sight With Stepped Set-Screw Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fiber optic handgun sights face issues with poor fit and adhesion due to heat-based installation, potential for the fiber optic piece to fall out, exposure to threats, reduced visibility due to recessed design, and accumulation of dirt and debris, which compromises visibility and safety.

Innovation Solution

A fiber optic sight system using a set screw to secure the fiber optic piece into a sight housing, employing a proprietary stepped design with a threaded fastener to mechanically retain the fiber rod, ensuring it extends beyond the opening and is visible only from the rear, thus enhancing visibility and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heat is applied to secure the fiber optic in the sight, then the fiber optic is retained in the sight housing, but the handgun finish may be damaged and the user may be burned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber optic retentionVSAvoidburns to finish or skin

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal field (heat-based installation) with a mechanical field (set screw fastening system). The set screw mechanically secures the fiber optic insert through threading engagement with the sight housing, eliminating the need for heat application and thereby preventing burns to the finish or user skin while maintaining reliable fiber optic retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the fiber optic is recessed within the sight housing, then it is protected from exposure, but less light is gathered and visibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from threatVSAvoidsight visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the fiber optic insert beyond the front face of the sight housing in the longitudinal dimension, creating a protruding configuration. This dimensional change allows the fiber optic to gather more ambient light from multiple angles while the set screw provides protective retention, simultaneously improving visibility and maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Illumination intensity

If the fiber optic is exposed at both ends, then visibility is improved, but the fiber optic is visible to potential threats posing a danger to the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesight visibilityVSAvoidexposure to threat

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional configuration by positioning the illuminated fiber optic insert at the rear of the sight housing rather than the front. The set screw secures the insert from the front, allowing the illuminated end to face rearward toward the user. This inversion maintains high visibility for the shooter while the fiber optic remains hidden from potential threats approaching from the front.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If a threaded fastener is used to secure the fiber rod, then the fiber rod is firmly retained without compressive forces, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber rod retentionVSAvoidsight housing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sight housing into functional zones: a threaded bore section for secure fastener engagement, a counterbore section for fiber optic insert retention, and an exposed front section for light gathering. This segmentation allows the threaded fastener system to provide reliable retention without requiring complex overall structure, as each zone performs its specific function efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a crisper view, higher visibility, and improved safety by preventing the fiber optic piece from falling out and reducing exposure to threats, while minimizing dirt and debris accumulation.

Implementation Method 1

Sights used for firearms may implement fiber optic pieces to gather and refract light to present a single or set of illuminated dots to an end user for enhanced target acquisition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

The sights are formed of material that is a transparent plastic with a fluorescent material that receive ambient ultraviolet light from the sides of the 'fiber' and emits visible light from the fluorescing particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS12392580B2Fiber optic handgun sight

Publication Date: 2025.08.19 NEFF MICHAEL ILARI

AI summary

A firearm sight has a body having an attachment facility configured to connect to a pistol having a forward target end and a rear end. The body has a forward end and an opposed rear end associated with the forward and rear ends of the firearm. The body defines a bore with a forward opening and a rear opening. An elongated insert is received in the bore and has a rear end and a forward end. The insert and body have an insertion limiting facility configured to admit insertion of the insert with the rear end of the insert inserted via the forward opening of the bore, and to prevent passage of the insert beyond a limited insertion amount. The insertion limiting facility may include the bore defining a step, a greater bore width forward of the step and lesser bore width rear of the step.