Forward Sight Illumination with Balanced Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination devices for firearms often obstruct the user's field of vision and are not centrally balanced, favoring one side over the other, which complicates their use in low-light situations.
Innovation Solution
A combined forward back-up sight and illumination apparatus that is centrally balanced and minimally obstructive, featuring a base and sight housing hingedly attached with spring bias and latch, and illumination apparatuses mounted on opposite sides of the base to maintain a clear line of sight and even weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an illumination device is mounted on the side of the firearm towards the front, then the user's hands are kept free to operate the weapon, but the device blocks some of the user's field of vision and favors one side over the other
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination apparatus is integrated with the back-up sight assembly, combining two functions (illumination and sighting) into a single unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets and reduces the overall profile blocking the user's field of vision while maintaining hands-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The back-up sight assembly serves dual purposes: it provides backup sighting capabilities and houses the illumination apparatus. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the number of separate components and minimizing visual obstruction.
2Illumination intensity
If an illumination device is mounted on the side of the firearm, then it can illuminate the target, but it creates an unbalanced weight distribution favoring one side
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination apparatus is positioned asymmetrically within the back-up sight assembly, specifically on the apex portion that contacts the shooter's finger. This asymmetric placement compensates for the natural hand position, balancing the weight distribution across the firearm and preventing favoring of one side.
3Illumination intensity
If a separate illumination device is mounted on the firearm, then the target can be illuminated, but additional parts and accessories increase the blocked field of vision
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination apparatus is integrated into the back-up sight assembly, combining two separate functions (illumination and sighting) into a single unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets and reduces the overall profile blocking the user's field of vision.
Solution Approach 2:
The back-up sight assembly serves dual purposes: it provides backup sighting capabilities and houses the illumination apparatus. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the number of separate components.
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 effective illumination with minimal encumbrance and no net torque on the weapon, allowing for efficient use in low-light conditions without obstructing the user's field of vision, while reducing the number of accessories and parts needed.
Implementation Method 1
the sight housing spring biased into an upward position
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a rail mounted back-up sight with at least one, but preferred two, illumination apparatuses mounted thereon. The back-up sight features a sight housing that is configured to selectively alternate between a stowed and a spring-biased deployed position. Any type of illumination apparatus may be used, but the preferred apparatus is a flashlight, mounted upon wither side of a sight base. Either a front or a rear sight may be utilized as could different types of illumination apparatuses.