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US006539661B2
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: us 6,539,661 B2
Hope (45) Date of Patent: Apr. 1,2003
(54) OPTICAL IMAGING DEVICE FOR FIREARM SCOPE ATTACHMENT
(76) Inventor: Richard W. Hope, 1508 Kline St., Denham Springs, LA (US) 70726
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 09/757,481
(22) Filed: Jan. 11, 2001
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2002/0002788 Al Jan. 10, 2002
Related U.S. Application Data
(60) Provisional application No. 60/176,026, filed on Jan. 14, 2000.
(51) Int. C I. F41G 1/38
(52) U.S. CI 42/119; 89/41.05; 89/41.17
(58) Field of Search 42/119, 120, 131;
89/41.05, 41.17
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,545,356 A * 12/1970 Nielsen 42/119
3.785.261 A * 1/1974 Ganteaume 95/12
4,290,219 A 9/1981 Boiler et al 354/76
4,370,914 A * 2/1983 Voles 89/41.05
4,835,621 A 5/1989 Black 358/335
5.020.262 A * 6/1991 Pena 42/106
5,054,225 A * 10/1991 Giuffre et al 42/101
D332,457 S 1/1993 Zepp D16/132
5,287,644 A 2/1994 Bolduc 42/106
5,711,104 A 1/1998 Schmitz 42/100
5,887,375 A 3/1999 Watson 42/106
5,932,872 A 8/1999 Price 345/6
5,937,562 A * 8/1999 Brough 42/103
5,938,717 A 8/1999 Dunne et al 340/937
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
GB 2248287 4/1992
* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner—Stephen M. Johnson
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Richard C. Litman
(57) ABSTRACT
The present optical imaging device comprises an electrooptical recording device, such as a digital still camera, videotape recorder, etc, physically and optically connected to the scope sight ol a firearm. The scope may be provided with a hall silvered mirror at the eyepiece, which reflects a portion ol the image passing through the scope to the axially offset recording device. The user ol the firearm and optical system may thus continue to view the image through the scope. Other embodiments provide a small, light weight micro camera fitted to the scope eyepiece, with the camera receiving the image from the eyepiece and providing that image to the user through a rearward viewing screen. A switch may be provided to operate the system upon trigger actuation, or independently ol the firearm trigger. The system is particularly valuable in sighting in a weapon or harmlessly capturing an image ol an animal.
6 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
