Firearm Sight Enhancer Sun Shade Blocks Light Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sunlight distortion on open front sights of military and police rifles, such as the M-16, causes misalignment and makes it difficult to maintain zeroing due to changing sun angles and intensities, leading to inaccurate shots throughout the day.
Innovation Solution
A sight enhancer with a sun shade that is selectively securable to the front sight, blocking sunlight and preventing distortion, allowing for easier adjustments and quicker target acquisition by eliminating the impact of sunlight on the sight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an open front sight is used on a rifle, then the sight allows for easy adjustment and quick target acquisition, but the sight becomes distorted by sunlight causing inaccurate aiming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sight enhancer as an intermediary device that attaches to the front sight post. This enhancer includes a sun shade component that blocks sunlight from directly illuminating the front sight post, thereby preventing the harmful sunlight distortion effect while maintaining the open sight configuration for easy adjustment and quick target acquisition.
2Illumination intensity
If a black marker or smoke is applied to the front sight post to reduce sunlight glare, then the visibility is improved, but the solution does not completely eliminate distortion and requires frequent reapplication
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying temporary coatings like black marker or smoke, the patent uses a physical intermediary structure (the sight enhancer with sun shade) that permanently blocks sunlight from reaching the front sight post. This provides reliable and complete elimination of sunlight distortion without requiring frequent reapplication, while still maintaining proper sight visibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sun angle changes throughout the day, then the lighting conditions vary, but the front sight becomes partially invisible causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The sight enhancer acts as a consistent intermediary that blocks sunlight from the front sight post regardless of the sun's angle or intensity changes throughout the day. This ensures that the front sight post remains properly visible and aligned with the target under all lighting conditions, maintaining both sight functionality and aiming precision.
4Illumination intensity
If no sun protection is used on the front sight, then the sight remains fully visible in all conditions, but sunlight causes parts of the sight to disappear creating distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sight enhancer with a sun shade as an intermediary device that selectively blocks sunlight from reaching the front sight post. This intermediary structure prevents the harmful distortion effect of sunlight while maintaining the visibility of the front sight post, effectively resolving the contradiction between full visibility and sunlight 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
The sight enhancer improves accuracy by maintaining a clear view of the front sight, enabling shooters to quickly and accurately acquire targets, even in varying sunlight conditions, thereby enhancing hit rates and survival chances for military and police personnel.
Implementation Method 1
A sight enhancer with a sun shade that is selectively securable to the front sight, blocking sunlight and preventing distortion
Data Source
AI summary
A sight enhancer for an open front sight of a firearm, the sight enhancer having a body wherein the body is selectively securable relative to an open front sight wherein the sight enhancer can be selectively installed and removed from the open front sight to allow for an elevation adjustment of the front sight, the body having a front and a rear wherein the rear faces the rear sight of the firearm, the body further including a sun shade that extends at least partially about a front sight post of the front sight, the sun shade having a top sun shade portion, a first side sun shade portion and a second side sun shade portion that is opposite of the first side shade portion, the sight enhancer further includes one or more securing arrangements for the selective secureability to the open front sight, and a method of using the same.