Video scope assembly

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to equipment for facilitating viewing, observing, aiming at, and shooting at targeted objects with a firearm. More specifically, the present invention concerns a video scope assembly for mounting on a firearm for imaging, displaying, and recording a user's view when the user is aiming and/or shooting the firearm at a target in a line of sight.

[0003] 2. Discussion of Prior Art

[0004] Firearms, including rifles, shotguns, handguns, etc., are typically aimed and/or shot at a target disposed in the user's line of sight. These firearms typically include a stock, hardware (e.g., a trigger, a firing mechanism, a safety, etc.), and a barrel. Some firearms may additionally include a scope for magnifying the target disposed in the user's line of sight.

[0005] Video cameras are used to record images and events as they happen in real time for later viewing. These video cameras typically include a lens, a display, a recorder, and a power source.

[0006] It is desirable to view, display, and record in real time the target disposed in the user's line of sight as well as the area surrounding, but including, the user's line of sight. For example, for training, recreation and/or entertainment purposes, it is desirable to record in real time the user's line of sight while aiming and/or shooting at a target disposed therein for later viewing by the user, a trainer, or others. Although not prior art, certain aspects relating to a video scope are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,355 issued to the inventor of the current application, Frederick A. Day, and therefore is submitted with the IDS for the examiner's convenience.

[0007] Known prior art video scopes include various video camera components in combination with one or more firearm components to provide real time recording of the user's line of sight. These prior art video scopes are problematic and have several limitations. For example, prior art video scopes are not readily and easily mounted onto typical, commercially available firearms without the need for significant reconfiguring of the existing firearm components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides an improved video scope assembly that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior art video scopes set forth above. The inventive video scope assembly provides a compact unitarily housed assembly that is readily and easily mounted onto most commercially available firearms without requiring substantial reconfiguring of the existing components.

[0009] The video scope assembly of the present invention broadly includes a housing operable to mount on a firearm, a lens assembly associated with the housing and including at least one lens operable to capture an image of the area surrounding and including the line of sight, a display associated with the housing and communicating with the lens assembly and operable to display the image captured by said at least one lens, and a recorder associated with the housing and communicating with the lens assembly and operable to record the image captured by said at least one lens.

[0010] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a video scope assembly constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and shown mounted on a firearm;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view the video scope assembly shown with the firearm;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the video scope assembly shown with the firearm;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a video scope assembly constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention and shown in combination with a firearm having a scope (portions thereof illustrated in phantom);

[0016]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a video scope assembly constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in combination with a firearm having a scope;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the video scope assembly illustrated in FIG. 5 and shown in combination with the firearm;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a representative illustration of a view captured by the video scope assembly illustrated in FIG. 5 as seen on the display screen;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a video scope assembly constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in combination with a firearm;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a firearm having a video scope assembly integrally formed therein and constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

[0021]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the firearm illustrated in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>3</b> illustrate a video scope assembly <b>10</b> constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and configured for mounting on a firearm F. The firearm F includes a stock S_T, hardware H, and a barrel B. The illustrated firearm F is a rifle, however, the principles of the present invention are applicable to any suitable firearm including rifles, shotguns, handguns, etc. The video scope assembly <b>10</b> broadly includes a housing <b>12</b>, a lens assembly <b>14</b>, a display <b>16</b>, and a recorder <b>18</b>.

[0023] The housing <b>12</b> includes an exterior wall that defines an internal electronics-housing chamber disposed between opposing open end sections. The open end sections of the housing <b>12</b> are configured so that when the housing <b>12</b> is mounted on the firearm F, the open end sections are generally axially aligned with the barrel B with one of the ends, the stock-end, adjacent the butt of the firearm F, and the opposing end, the barrel-end, adjacent the barrel B. The housing <b>12</b> is configured to house the lens assembly <b>14</b>, the display <b>16</b> and the recorder <b>18</b> so that the entire video scope assembly <b>10</b> can be easily and removably coupled to most commercially available firearms. Particularly, the housing <b>12</b> is coupled to the firearm F by a base assembly including a base <b>20</b>, clamp plates <b>22</b>, and fasteners (not shown). The base <b>20</b> is configured to mount on the rear portion of the barrel B generally above the hardware H without interfering therewith. The base <b>20</b> is formed of two complimentary halves that fit around the barrel B and are joined by the clamp plates <b>22</b>. An opening <b>24</b> is formed in one of the halves of the base <b>20</b> to allow sufficient clearance for operation of the hardware H (e.g., ejection of a spent cartridge). The base <b>20</b> includes a lipped top surface having grooves transversely aligned relative to the barrel B and operable to receive ridges formed in the bottom of the housing <b>12</b> that mirror the contour of the grooves. The clamp plates <b>22</b> fit over the lip in the top surface of the base <b>20</b> and over a similar lip formed in the bottom surface of the housing <b>12</b>. The clamp plates <b>22</b> each include an aperture therein operable to receive a corresponding fastener (e.g., a bolt for each pair of opposing clamp plates <b>22</b> and a pair of corresponding nuts), for securing the clamp plates <b>22</b> in place to couple the housing <b>12</b> to the firearm F. The ridges in the housing <b>12</b> and the clamp plates <b>22</b> are configured so that they also function (without the base <b>20</b>) to couple the housing <b>12</b> to a firearm already equipped with a scope mount (e.g., a Steneg-Weaver type base). The housing could be coupled to the firearm using various alternative methods, for example, the housing could include integrally formed rings operable to secure the housing to a base. It is important however, that the coupling mechanism provides for removably attaching the housing to a wide variety of commercially available firearms.

[0024] The lens assembly <b>14</b> is housed within the housing <b>12</b> so that a portion thereof extends out of the open barrel-end of the housing <b>12</b>. In one manner known in the art, the lens assembly <b>14</b> includes an optical imaging and processing system comprising a lens group <b>26</b>, a filter (not shown), and a converter (not shown). The lens group <b>26</b> is preferably a zoom lens including a fixed lens, a variable power lens, and a focusing lens, with the variable power and focusing lenses being moved by lens driving mechanisms (e.g., stepping motors) as is well known in the art. In this regard, a zoom switch <b>28</b> is included for selectively controlling the lens group <b>26</b> (e.g., between various degrees of wide angle and telephoto magnification). The zoom switch <b>28</b> is located on the stock S_Tand communicates with the lens group <b>26</b>. The zoom switch <b>28</b> preferably communicates through free space transmission (e.g., a remote control type switch) with the lens group <b>26</b>; however, the switch could utilize any suitable method of communication with the lens group and can be located in any suitable location accessible by the user (e.g., on the housing itself). The optical imaging system preferably is a conventional system that provides optical correction and adjustment of objects characterized by visible light radiation; however the imaging system could utilize infrared or thermal radiation characterizations of the object. The imaging system preferably includes reticle capabilities (e.g., cross hairs superimposed on a portion of the image) for facilitating the use of the video scope as a traditional variable power scope. The imaging system could be variously configured and additionally include a wide variety of options known in the art, such as auto focusing.

[0025] Once an optical image is created, the converter converts it to an electrical representation. The converter could utilize any suitable conversion system that generates an appropriate output signal (e.g., charge-coupled device, raster/scan type device, etc.); however, the output signal generated preferably includes both luminance and color components. The converter is communicatively coupled (e.g., fiber optically, coaxially, free space transmission, etc.) to the display <b>16</b>.

[0026] The display <b>16</b> is a conventional video display system that regenerates an optical image from the electrical representation thereof. The regenerated image is observed on either a firearm sight—an eyepiece-type viewfinder <b>30</b>—or a video display screen <b>32</b>. The viewfinder <b>30</b> is pivotally mounted to the housing <b>12</b> so that a portion thereof extends out of the open stock-end of the housing <b>12</b>. The screen <b>32</b> is preferably a color liquid crystal display and is pivotally mounted on one side of the exterior wall of the housing <b>12</b>. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the screen <b>32</b> pivots between an open position, wherein the screen <b>32</b> is visible by the user while aiming and/or shooting the firearm F at a target in the line of sight, and a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the screen <b>32</b> is adjacent the exterior wall of the housing <b>12</b>. The display <b>16</b> could be variously configured and additionally include a wide variety of options known in the art.

[0027] The converter and the display <b>16</b> are communicatively coupled to the recorder <b>18</b>. The converter outputs the electrical representation of the object to the recorder <b>18</b> for recording onto a recording media <b>34</b>. The recorder <b>18</b> also is operable to communicate the recorded imagery to the display <b>16</b> for playback viewing thereof. The recorder <b>18</b> is housed in, and forms a portion of, the exterior wall of the housing <b>12</b> on the side opposite the screen <b>32</b>. The recorder <b>18</b> includes a loading cover <b>36</b> slidably mounted to the housing <b>12</b> that slides open to allow loading and removal of the recording media <b>34</b>. Included on the top surface of the housing <b>12</b> is a load/eject switch <b>38</b>, communicating with the recorder <b>18</b> to selectively control sliding of the loading cover <b>36</b>. Included in the exterior wall of the housing <b>12</b> adjacent the recorder <b>18</b> is a panel of playback control buttons <b>40</b> including various buttons that control the operation of playback of the recorded imagery. The recorder <b>18</b> is a conventional video tape recorder recording unit and the recording media <b>34</b> is an 8-mm tape; however, any suitable recording unit and media could be utilized.

[0028] Removably housed in the exterior wall of the housing <b>12</b> adjacent the recorder <b>18</b> is a power source <b>42</b> in power communication with the lens assembly <b>14</b>, the display <b>16</b>, and the recorder <b>18</b>. The power source <b>42</b> is a conventional rechargeable battery having suitable power and size requirements to power the video scope assembly <b>10</b>. However, the power source could be any suitable device and include various options known in the art, such as an adapter to enable an AC power source in combination with a battery pack for powering the assembly and recharging the batter pack. An On/Off switch <b>44</b> is included for selectively controlling power to the video scope assembly <b>10</b>. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the On/Off switch <b>44</b> is located on the stock S_Twith internal wiring (not shown) connecting the switch <b>44</b> with the power source <b>42</b>; however, if it is undesirable to reconfigure the stock for accepting the switch, the switch can be located in any suitable location accessible by the user (e.g., on the housing itself).

[0029] The lens assembly <b>14</b>, the display <b>16</b>, and the recorder <b>18</b> are components common to many commercially available video cameras and therefore it is with the ambit of the present invention to utilize any alternative configurations and options in the art for these components that are suitable for the video scope assembly. For example, an audio recording unit such as a microphone system could be utilized. In addition, prior art configurations and options for variable power scopes could also be utilized in the video scope assembly without exceeding the ambit of the present invention. As previously discussed, the video scope assembly <b>10</b> is a self-contained unit housing all of the components thereof and easily and removably mounts to the firearm F in a manner similar to that used for mounting conventional scopes. However, it is with the ambit of the present invention to utilize an existing scope to capture the image of the target in the line of sight for recording thereof. It is also within the ambit of the present invention to utilize alternative methods of mounting the video scope assembly components that do not employ a unitary housing but still require minimal, relatively easy reconfiguration of conventional firearms.

[0030] In this regard, FIG. 4 illustrates a video scope assembly <b>100</b> constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention and configured for mounting on a firearm F. The firearm F illustrated in FIG. 4 is similar to the firearm illustrated in FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>3</b> and includes a stock S_T, hardware H, and a barrel B. However, the firearm F illustrated in FIG. 4 further includes a scope S_C. The illustrated scope S_Cis a conventional variable power scope including objective, collective, erector, zoom, and ocular lens arrangements and having a reticle assembly; however, the scope could be any type of conventional scope. The video scope assembly <b>100</b> broadly includes a recorder <b>102</b> and a converter <b>104</b>.

[0031] The recorder <b>102</b> is housed in the butt of the stock S_T. The stock S_Tcan either be reconfigured to accept the recorder <b>102</b> or a new butt section housing the recorder <b>102</b> can be interchanged for the existing butt section. The recorder <b>102</b> is similar to the recorder <b>18</b> of the video scope assembly <b>10</b>, and therefore will not be further described in detail. The recorder <b>102</b>; however, is not connected to a dedicated display and therefore must either be linked to a display for playback viewing or the recording media must be inserted into a separate device for playback viewing.

[0032] The recorder <b>102</b> is communicatively coupled (e.g., fiber optically, coaxially, etc.) to the converter <b>104</b> by an external cable <b>106</b>. The converter <b>104</b> is housed in a connector operable to communicatively couple the converter <b>104</b> to the scope S_C. The converter <b>104</b> is similar to the converter of the video scope assembly <b>10</b> discussed above and converts the image captured by the scope S_Cinto an electronic representation and outputs the representation to the recorder <b>102</b>.

[0033] The video scope assembly <b>100</b> includes a power source <b>108</b> (similar to the previously discussed power source <b>42</b>) removably housed within the butt section of the stock S_Tand in power communication with the recorder <b>102</b> and the converter <b>104</b>. The butt section includes an end wall <b>110</b> that pivots relative to the butt section to allow access to the power source <b>108</b> for loading and removal thereof.

[0034] It is within the ambit of the present invention to utilize multiple lenses housed in spaced apart locations, for example, in order to capture two images while still maintaining the traditional image viewed through a conventional scope. Such an arrangement, for example, could provide a view of a magnified target in the line of sight through the scope and an image of the area surrounding the line of sight viewed through a separate display. These images could be superimposed for recording and later viewing. In this regard, FIGS. <b>5</b>-<b>7</b> illustrate a video scope assembly <b>200</b> constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention and configured for mounting on a firearm F. The firearm F illustrated in FIG. 5 is similar to the firearm illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes a scope S_Cin addition to a stock S_T, hardware H, and a barrel B. The video scope assembly <b>200</b> broadly includes a lens assembly <b>202</b>, a display <b>204</b>, a recorder <b>206</b>, and a converter <b>208</b>.

[0035] The video scope assembly <b>200</b> is similar to the video scope assembly <b>100</b> previously described; however, the assembly <b>200</b> additionally includes the lens assembly <b>202</b> and the display <b>204</b>. The lens assembly <b>202</b> and the display <b>204</b> are unitarily housed in a camera device mounted adjacent the front end of the stock S_T, in general alignment with, and just below the barrel B. The lens assembly <b>202</b> is operable to capture an image surrounding, but including, the line of sight as viewed through the scope S_C. The lens assembly <b>202</b> operates in a manner similar to the lens assembly <b>14</b> previously discussed, and preferably includes auto focusing capabilities; however, the lens assembly <b>202</b> could be configured in any suitable manner.

[0036] The display <b>204</b> includes a screen that pivots into and out of a viewing position as illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein the screen is visible by the user while aiming and or shooting the firearm F. The display <b>204</b> is a simplified version of the display <b>16</b> described above, and does not include the eyepiece viewfinder. The display is communicatively coupled to the scope S_Cand the lens assembly <b>202</b> in order to provide a view <b>210</b> of the magnified target in the line of sight superimposed on the image of the surrounding area. A representative illustration of the view <b>210</b> is shown in FIG. 7. The recorder <b>206</b> is communicatively coupled to the lens assembly <b>202</b>, the display <b>204</b>, and the converter <b>208</b> so that this view can be recorded for later playback viewing.

[0037] The various components of the video scope assembly of the present invention, and the relationships thereof, could be variously designed, configured, utilized, etc., to accommodate a wide variety of uses in many different applications. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates a video scope assembly <b>300</b> constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention and configured for mounting on a firearm F, wherein the firearm F is a shotgun. The video scope assembly <b>300</b> includes a lens assembly <b>302</b>, a display <b>304</b>, and a recorder <b>306</b>. The assembly <b>300</b> can be used to record images of the area surrounding the line of sight for later playback viewing. Additionally the assembly <b>300</b> can be used as a shotgun scope. The display <b>304</b> pivots into a viewing position (shown in solid lines on FIG. 8) wherein the user can view the image displayed thereon while the user is aiming the firearm F. The user can zoom the lens assembly <b>302</b>, by using a switch <b>308</b>, to magnify a target captured thereby.

[0038] It is within the ambit of the present invention to incorporate the various components of the video scope assembly into the original manufacture of a firearm rather than add them to or reconfigure an existing firearm. In this regard, FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a firearm <b>400</b> constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention and configured for aiming and/or shooting a target in a line of sight. The firearm <b>400</b> broadly includes a uni-body <b>402</b>, a barrel <b>404</b> coupled to the uni-body <b>402</b>, and a video scope assembly <b>406</b> integrally formed in the uni-body <b>402</b>.

[0039] The uni-body <b>402</b> includes a firearm butt, integrally formed therein and having a pivotally coupled access panel <b>408</b>, and conventional firearm hardware <b>410</b> (e.g., a firing mechanism, a trigger, etc.) housed within the uni-body <b>402</b>. The uni-body <b>402</b> is preferably formed of a durable, weatherproof material such as molded plastic, but could be formed of any material suitable to support the integral construction of the uni-body.

[0040] The video scope assembly <b>406</b> is similar to the video scope assembly <b>10</b> previously detailed and includes substantially similar components. However, the video scope assembly <b>406</b> is integrally formed in the uni-body <b>402</b>. The removable components (not shown), including a recording media and a power source, are housed in the firearm butt and accessible through the access panel <b>408</b>. The integral, uni-body configuration provides for a durable, weatherproof construction, for example, there are no external wires, the components are less susceptible to being bumped off or out of alignment, etc., and therefore the video scope assembly <b>406</b> reduces the need for periodic procedures normally associated with prior art scopes such as re-sighting. The various components of the firearm <b>400</b>, including the video scope assembly <b>406</b>, could be variously designed, configured, and utilized so long as the firearm retains its integral, uni-body configuration.

[0041] The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0042] The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.