Methods for forming sighting optics including forming an optical element having a plurality of transparent rings and sighting optics formed by such methods

Abstract

Sighting optics include a front sight and a rear sight positioned in a spaced-apart relation. The rear sight includes an optical element having a first focal length and a second focal length. The first focal length is selected so that it is about equal to a distance separating the optical element and the front sight and the second focal length is selected so that it is about equal to a target distance. The optical element thus brings into simultaneous focus for a user images of the front sight and the target.

1 . A method for forming sighting optics, the method comprising:
 forming an optical element, comprising:   forming a plurality of concentric, transparent rings protruding from a surface of the optical element;   configuring the optical element to exhibit a first focal length about equal to a distance separating the optical element and a front sight; and   configuring the optical element to exhibit a second focal length greater than the first focal length and about equal to a distance between the optical element and an intended target.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming the optical element further comprises forming the plurality of transparent rings around a transparent central area. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein forming the optical element further comprises forming the transparent central area to exhibit a convex surface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the optical element in a housing, comprising:
 positioning an image side of the optical element in a direction facing an intended position for a user's eye; and   positioning an object side in a direction facing the front site and the intended target.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein forming the optical element further comprises forming the image side of the optical element to comprise a curved image side surface providing at least one of spherical power correction and cylindrical power correction. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein forming the optical element further comprises forming the image side of the optical element to comprise a curved image side surface providing magnification of the front sight and the intended target. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming the optical element further comprises forming a central area surrounded by each transparent ring among the plurality of transparent rings to provide a refractive focusing function. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein forming the optical element further comprises forming the plurality of transparent rings to provide a diffractive focusing function. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming at least one transparent area extending radially between at least two adjacent rings among the plurality of transparent rings. 
     
     
         10 . Sighting optics formed by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A method for forming sighting optics, the method comprising: forming an optical element, comprising:
 forming a central area to provide a refractive focusing function; and   forming a plurality of transparent rings surrounding the central area to provide a diffractive focusing function.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein forming a plurality of transparent rings surrounding the central area comprises:
 sizing and positioning the plurality of transparent rings on the optical element to provide a first focal length about equal to a distance separating the optical element and a front sight; and   sizing and positioning the plurality of transparent rings on the optical element to provide a second focal length greater than the first focal length and about equal to a distance between the optical element and an intended target.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein sizing and positioning the plurality of transparent rings comprises forming each transparent ring of the plurality of transparent rings at a selected diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising forming at least one unoccluded area extending radially between at least two adjacent rings of the plurality of rings. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising positioning the optical element in a housing, comprising:
 orienting an image side of the optical element in a direction facing an intended position for a user's eye; and   orienting an object side in a direction facing a front site and an intended target.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein forming the optical element further comprises forming an image side of the optical element to comprise a curved image side surface providing at least one of spherical power correction, cylindrical power correction, and magnification of the front sight and the intended target. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein forming a central area comprises forming the central area to exhibit a convex surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 positioning the optical element in a housing configured to be mounted to a gun barrel at a selected distance from a front sight; and   sizing and positioning the plurality of transparent rings on the optical element to provide a first focal length about equal to the selected distance between the housing and the front sight.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein forming a plurality of transparent rings comprises forming a plurality of concentric, transparent rings protruding from a surface of the optical element. 
     
     
         20 . Sighting optics formed by the method of  claim 11 .