Holster Power Indicator for Reflex Sight Readiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reflex sights in aiming devices require users to manually check if they are powered on and ready to aim, which can lead to unsafe conditions, especially in competitive shooting environments, and may hinder performance due to potential misalignment of the firearm.
Innovation Solution
An aiming device with a power indicator that visually signals whether the device is on or off without directly viewing the dot, using an illuminated element visible from a different line of viewing than the sight, allowing users to confirm the dot's visibility and functionality without drawing the firearm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually check the dot visibility by drawing and aiming the firearm, then they can confirm the sight is powered on, but this creates unsafe conditions and may hinder performance due to potential misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary power indicator light that mediates between the sight's power state and the user's need for confirmation. Instead of directly viewing the dot (which requires drawing the firearm), the user views the indicator light on the holster, which provides indirect confirmation of power status without exposing the user to unsafe conditions during the draw check process
2Reliability
If users manually check the dot visibility by drawing and aiming the firearm, then they can confirm the sight is powered on, but this requires shifting the holster position which may slow down future draws
Solution Approach 1:
The power indicator light serves as an intermediary that eliminates the need to shift the holster for checking power status. Users can verify the sight is powered on by viewing the indicator on the holster from a distance, avoiding any holster repositioning and the associated time loss that would affect future draw speed
3Ease of operation
If the power indicator is visible on the holster, then users can confirm readiness without drawing, but the indicator may be visible to others in low-light environments creating tactical exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The power indicator implements dynamic visibility by being optically active only when the sight is powered on. In low-light environments where the sight is off, the indicator remains dark and invisible to others, providing tactical concealment. When the sight is powered on, the indicator becomes visible to the user, allowing confirmation of readiness. This dynamic state changes based on the sight's power status, simultaneously providing ease of operation and tactical protection
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
Enables users to confirm the sight's readiness without drawing the firearm, reducing unsafe conditions and improving performance by ensuring the dot is visible and functional when needed, while also providing a way to conceal the indicator in low-light environments for tactical purposes.
Implementation Method 1
The power indicator can be in the form of an illuminated element, such as a light
Data Source
AI summary
An aiming device is provided including a body, an optical element joined with the body that has selectively displayed thereon a dot visible to a user along a first line of viewing, and a power indicator distal from the optical element, where the power indicator emits illumination along a second line of viewing, offset from the first line of viewing. The power indicator can alert the user via the illumination that the dot is or is not displayed on the optical element, without the user needing to directly view the dot along the first line of viewing. The illumination emitted by the power indicator can be of a first visible wavelength range, e.g., blue, and the dot can illuminate in a second visible wavelength range different from the first visible wavelength range, e.g., green or red, so the likelihood of confusing the power indicator with the dot can be reduced.