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  Variable beam boresight deviceUSPTO Application #: 20080020355Title: Variable beam boresight device Abstract: A structure for visibly boresighting an invisible MILES-type laser beam emitted by a small arms transmitter to sights of a weapon intermittently projects a visible light beam that is parallel to the beam emitted by the MILES-type laser. Adjusting the visible beam to impinge on that portion of a target in the sights of the weapon also boresights the MILES-type laser to the weapon's sights. (end of abstract)
Agent: Welsh & Katz, Ltd - Chicago, IL, US Inventor: C. Gil Young USPTO Applicaton #: 20080020355 - Class: 434 21 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080020355. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD [0001]The invention pertains to combat simulation systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to structure and methods of boresighting an infrared laser to sights of a weapon. BACKGROUND [0002]In known MILES-type combat simulation systems involving individual combatants, MILES-type small arms transmitters (SAT) are affixed to combatants' rifles, for example, or other similar small arms for purposes of the simulation. The MILES-type lasers emit an infrared beam which is intentionally not visible to the human eye. While this configuration is desirable for simulation purposes, it does present problems for boresighting the beam to the sights of the weapon. Various solutions had been implemented to solve this problem. [0003]In a known implementation, a fixture can be used for purposes of boresighting the MILES beam to the sights of the weapon. While effective, the use of fixtures is costly, at times inconvenient, especially during times when the combatants are in the field preparing to or conducting a simulation, require logistics support, and have limited accuracy. [0004]There continues to be a need for small arms transmitters which conveniently incorporate an intermittently usable visible laser beam for boresighting purposes. Preferably the source of the visible laser beam could be incorporated into the SAT without a need for substantial or expensive changes thereto. It is also necessary and preferable that the resultant multimode transmitter be easily adjustable for boresighting purposes and robust so as to retain boresight adjustment during firing exercises as well as during rough handling of the weapon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a small arms transmitter in accordance with the invention mounted on the barrel of a weapon; [0006]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating optical characteristics of the small arms transmitter of FIG. 1; [0007]FIG. 3 is a view, partially in section, illustrating additional aspects of the small arms transmitter of FIG. 1; and [0008]FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the small arms transmitter of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0009]While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. [0010]In a disclosed embodiment, a visible laser beam, co-aligned with a MILES-type laser beam, is built into a small arms transmitter (SAT) so that a user can effectively see where the MILES-type beam is incident. The visible laser can be a laser diode emitting in the red region of the visible spectrum. Other-color laser diodes may be used instead of red, but red laser diodes are adequately visible for this application. [0011]The user aims his/her weapon, using his/her normal sights, at a point on an easily-visible stationary target sufficiently distant so that the parallax introduced by the fact that the laser beams are not laterally co-located with the gun sight axis, is not significant. At 100 meters the parallax error is a few tenths of an mrad, which is smaller than the error in most boresighting operations. [0012]One of the common retro-reflective, self-adhesive tapes can be attached to the target to enhance the visible-laser visibility. The SAT is then adjusted until the visible laser beam strikes the same point. The MILES laser beam, emitted by the SAT, which was previously co-aligned with the visible laser beam, is therefore boresighted to the weapon's sights. [0013]In another aspect of the invention, the two laser diodes, along with their collimating lenses, are mounted in a SAT optics sub-assembly. At the time of manufacture the sub assembly frame is mounted on a precision fixture that simulates the angular orientation of the sub assembly when mounted in the SAT, with respect to the weapon-barrel angular orientation. The MILES laser diode is positioned so that the beam characteristics and angular direction are correct, and then cemented in place. The visible-laser diode is similarly positioned and adjusted so that its beam is collinear with the MILES laser beam. It is then also cemented in place. At this point in the procedure the two laser beams are aligned permanently parallel to one another and therefore boresighted to each other. [0014]In yet another aspect of the invention, the optics sub-assembly is next installed into the SAT. In a disclosed embodiment, the sub-assembly is attached to the frame of the SAT by a ball joint, which will allow rotation in the two orthogonal directions while not allowing translation. [0015]The sub assembly can be rotated about two orthogonal axes perpendicular to the optical axis of the MILES laser beam by two adjustment screws. In this way the two co-aligned laser beams are angularly moved with respect to the barrel of the weapon for boresighting to the angular orientation of the barrel. [0016]In known SATs the boresight angular adjustment range is about +/-8 mrad, which has proven adequate. Collimating lenses having a focal length on the order of 15 mm can be included. Hence, the overall length of the SAT optics sub-assembly can be about 20 mm. A +/-8 mrad adjustment range translates into about 6 mils of translation at the location of manually operable adjustment screws. [0017]The adjustment screws can have TEFLON plastic or other low-friction elements either on the end of the screw or on a pad that the screw contacts. Another approach is to include a flexible joint in each linkage between the adjustment screws and the laser assembly. Something of this nature is preferred because of the slight motion of the SAT optics sub-assembly transverse to one screw symmetry axis when the orthogonal screw is adjusted. The fine-thread adjustment screws can be configured to work against stiff springs to eliminate backlash, and to retain the boresight adjustment during blank firing and rough handling of the gun. Linear adjustments could be used as an alternate. [0018]A protective window can be incorporated in the SAT. It provides an environmental seal because the SAT optics sub-assembly will move during the boresight adjustment. [0019]In yet another aspect of the invention, it would be desirable if the beams for the MILES laser and the visible, boresighting laser passed through common SAT optics. For example and without limitation, a beam splitter could be used to fold the visible beam into coincidence with the MILES beam. Both beams could then be directed through a common collimating lens prior to exiting the SAT transmitter. The beams can be adjusted by laterally displacing the collimating lens using a simple two dimensional positioning device. [0020]FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram view of a small arms transmitter 12 in accordance with the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the SAT 12 can be coupled to the barrel of a weapon B, for example the barrel of a rifle, by a removable mounting bracket 16. Those of skill in the art will understand that a variety of mounting brackets could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Variable beam boresight device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Variable beam boresight device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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