Weapon Sight Light Emission System

Abstract

A light emission assembly for a weapon sight, and methods of making and using such a light emission assembly, whereby the light emission assembly includes a light conductive member having a light conductive member length disposed between light conductive member first and second ends; a chamber disposed inside of the light conductive member proximate the light conductive member second end, whereby the chamber can be configured to contain a light emitting element; and a light conductive protrusion axially coupled to the light conductive member proximate the light conductive member first end, whereby the light conductive protrusion terminates in a viewing end, the viewing end cross-sectional area lesser than a light conductive member first end cross-sectional area.

1 . A light emission assembly for a weapon sight, comprising:
 a light conductive member having a light conductive member length disposed between light conductive member first and second ends;   a chamber disposed inside of said light conductive member proximate said light conductive member second end;
 wherein said chamber is configured to contain a light emitting element; and 
   a light conductive protrusion axially coupled to said light conductive member proximate said light conductive member first end;
 wherein said light conductive protrusion terminates in a viewing end, said viewing end cross-sectional area lesser than a light conductive member first end cross-sectional area. 
   
     
     
         2 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light conductive member is configured to:
 receive a first amount of light from a light source external to said light conductive member; and   transmit at least a portion of said first amount of light internally toward said light conductive member first end.   
     
     
         3 . The light emission assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said light conductive member is further configured to:
 transmit at least a portion of said first amount of light internally toward said viewing end;   wherein at least a portion of said first amount of light is emitted as a first amount of emitted light from said viewing end to provide a viewable aiming indicium.   
     
     
         4 . The light emission assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said first amount of emitted light falls within a spectrum selected from the group consisting of: a visible spectrum, an ultraviolet spectrum, an infrared spectrum, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more dopants contained within said light conductive member;
 wherein said dopants fluoresce in response to said first amount of light transmitted internally within said light conductive member.   
     
     
         6 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a light conductive member internal surface of said light conductive member provides one or more chamber walls which define said chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said chamber comprises a chamber length disposed between:
 a chamber open end proximate said light conductive member second end; and   a chamber closed end distal from said light conductive member second end.   
     
     
         8 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said chamber is provided by a bore longitudinally disposed within said light conductive member. 
     
     
         9 . The light emission assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said bore longitudinally extends a distance within said light conductive member from said light conductive member second end. 
     
     
         10 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said chamber disposes in coaxial relation to said light conductive member. 
     
     
         11 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said chamber concentrically disposes within said light conductive member. 
     
     
         12 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light conductive member and said chamber are cylindrically-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising said light emitting element contained within said chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light emitting element emits a second amount of light. 
     
     
         15 . The light emission assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said light conductive member is configured to:
 receive said second amount of light emitted from said light emitting element; and   transmit at least a portion of said second amount of light internally toward said light conductive member first end.   
     
     
         16 . The light emission assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said light conductive member is further configured to:
 transmit at least a portion of said second amount of light internally toward said viewing end;   wherein at least a portion of said second amount of light is emitted as a second amount of emitted light from said viewing end to provide said viewable aiming indicium.   
     
     
         17 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light emitting element is discrete from said light conductive member. 
     
     
         18 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light emitting element is selected from the group consisting of: light emitting diodes, luminescent paint, chemiluminescent elements, electroluminescent conductors, radioluminescent elements, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light emitting element comprises a radioluminescent element. 
     
     
         20 . The light emission assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said radioluminescent element comprises:
 a radionuclide which emits beta radiation; and   a dopant which fluoresces in response to said beta radiation.   
     
     
         21 . The light emission assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said radionuclide comprises an amount of tritium. 
     
     
         22 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light emitting element comprises a gaseous tritium light source. 
     
     
         23 . The light emission assembly of  claim 22 , wherein said gaseous tritium light source comprises a discrete sealed glass form which is internally coated with a phosphor and filled with tritium gas. 
     
     
         24 . The light emission assembly of  claim 22 , wherein said gaseous tritium light source consists of a discrete sealed glass form which is internally coated with a phosphor and filled with tritium gas. 
     
     
         25 . The light emission assembly of  claim 23 , wherein said discrete sealed glass form is sleeveless or void of a protective sleeve. 
     
     
         26 . The light emission assembly of  claim 25 , wherein upon disposition within said chamber, a portion of said light conductive member which provides one or more chamber walls which define said chamber additionally provides said protective sleeve. 
     
     
         27 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first layer disposed about said light emitting element. 
     
     
         28 . The light emission assembly of  claim 27 , wherein said first layer disposes between said light emitting element and a light conductive member internal surface. 
     
     
         29 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second layer disposed about said light emitting element. 
     
     
         30 . The light emission assembly of  claim 29 , wherein said second layer disposes about said light conductive member. 
     
     
         31 . The light emission assembly of  claim 29 , wherein said second layer disposes about a light conductive member external surface of said light conductive member. 
     
     
         32 . The light emission assembly of  claim 29 , wherein said second layer comprises a reflective material. 
     
     
         33 . The light emission assembly of  claim 32 , wherein said reflective material comprises a white pigment. 
     
     
         34 . The light emission assembly of  claim 32 , wherein said reflective material inwardly reflects a second amount of light emitted from said light emitting element. 
     
     
         35 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an end seal configured to engage with said chamber open end to seal said chamber. 
     
     
         36 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an end seal engaged with said chamber open end to seal said chamber. 
     
     
         37 . The light emission assembly of  claim 35 , wherein said end seal comprises a reflective material. 
     
     
         38 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light conductive protrusion is formed from a material similar to or the same as the material which forms the light conductive member. 
     
     
         39 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light conductive protrusion and said light conductive member are formed as a one-piece construct. 
     
     
         40 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light conductive protrusion and said light conductive member are integrally formed. 
     
     
         41 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a viewing end diameter of said viewing end is lesser than a light conductive member first end diameter of said light conductive member first end. 
     
     
         42 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a viewing end circumference of said viewing end is lesser than a light conductive member first end circumference of said light conductive member first end. 
     
     
         43 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light conductive protrusion and said light conductive member are coupled via a transitional portion having a longitudinally arcuate transitional portion external surface. 
     
     
         44 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said light emission assembly is configured for disposition within a base. 
     
     
         45 . The light emission assembly of  claim 44 , wherein said base comprises a base interior space defined by a base internal surface of said base; and
 wherein said base interior space is configured to contain said light emission assembly.   
     
     
         46 . The light emission assembly of  claim 45 , wherein said base internal surface further defines a base open end which communicates with said base interior space. 
     
     
         47 . The light emission assembly of  claim 46 , wherein upon disposition of said light emission assembly within said base interior space, said viewing end disposes proximate said base open end. 
     
     
         48 . The light emission assembly of  claim 45 , wherein said base further comprises at least one aperture element which defines an aperture element opening communicating between said base interior space and a base external surface of said base. 
     
     
         49 . The light emission assembly of  claim 48 , wherein upon disposition of said light emission assembly within said base interior space, a first amount of light from a light source external to said light conductive member is capable of traveling through said aperture element opening for incidence upon said light conductive member and internal light transmission toward said viewing end. 
     
     
         50 . The light emission assembly of  claim 45 , wherein upon disposition of said light emission assembly within said base interior space, an annular space is created between said base internal surface and a light conductive protrusion external surface of said light conductive protrusion. 
     
     
         51 . The light emission assembly of  claim 50 , further comprising an annular fastener configured for receipt within said annular space to secure said light emission assembly within said base interior space. 
     
     
         52 . The light emission assembly of  claim 51 , wherein said annular fastener comprises an annular fastener opening communicating between annular fastener first and second ends; and
 wherein upon securement of said light emission assembly within said base interior space, the entirety of said annular fastener opening is filled by the light conductive protrusion.   
     
     
         53 . The light emission assembly of  claim 44 , further comprising said base in which said light emission assembly is disposed. 
     
     
         54 . The light emission assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a lens axially coupled to said light conductive protrusion. 
     
     
         55 . The light emission assembly of  claim 54 , wherein said lens and said light conductive protrusion are formed as a one-piece construct. 
     
     
         56 . The light emission assembly of  claim 54 , wherein said lens and said light conductive protrusion are integrally formed. 
     
     
         57 . The light emission assembly of  claim 54 , wherein said lens is formed from a material similar to or the same as the material which forms said light conductive protrusion. 
     
     
         58 . The light emission assembly of  claim 54 , wherein said lens, said light conductive protrusion, and said light conductive member are formed as a one-piece construct. 
     
     
         59 . The light emission assembly of  claim 54 , wherein said lens, said light conductive protrusion, and said light conductive member are integrally formed. 
     
     
         60 . The light emission assembly of  claim 54 , wherein said lens is formed from a material similar to or the same as the material which forms the light conductive protrusion and said light conductive member. 
     
     
         61 . The light emission assembly of  claim 54 , wherein said lens comprises a convex lens surface. 
     
     
         62 . The light emission assembly of  claim 54 , further comprising a texture element coupled to a convex lens surface of said lens. 
     
     
         63 . A light emission assembly for a weapon sight, comprising:
 a light conductive member having a light conductive member length disposed between light conductive member first and second ends;   a chamber disposed inside of said light conductive member proximate said light conductive member second end;   wherein said chamber is configured to contain a light emitting element.   
     
     
         64 . The light emission assembly of  claim 63 , wherein said light conductive member is configured to:
 receive a first amount of light from a light source external to said light conductive member; and   transmit at least a portion of said first amount of light internally toward said light conductive member first end.   
     
     
         65 . The light emission assembly of  claim 64 , wherein said light conductive member is further configured to:
 transmit at least a portion of said first amount of light internally toward said viewing end;   wherein at least a portion of said first amount of light is emitted as a first amount of emitted light from said viewing end to provide a viewable aiming indicium.   
     
     
         66 . The light emission assembly of  claim 63 , wherein said light emitting element emits a second amount of light. 
     
     
         67 . The light emission assembly of  claim 66 , wherein said light conductive member is configured to:
 receive said second amount of light emitted from said light emitting element; and   transmit at least a portion of said second amount of light internally toward said light conductive member first end.   
     
     
         68 . The light emission assembly of  claim 67 , wherein said light conductive member is further configured to:
 transmit at least a portion of said second amount of light internally toward said viewing end;   wherein at least a portion of said second amount of light is emitted as a second amount of emitted light from said viewing end to provide said viewable aiming indicium.   
     
     
         69 . The light emission assembly of  claim 63 , wherein said light emitting element is discrete from said light conductive member. 
     
     
         70 . The light emission assembly of  claim 63 , wherein said light emitting element comprises a radioluminescent element. 
     
     
         71 . The light emission assembly of  claim 63 , wherein said light emitting element comprises a gaseous tritium light source. 
     
     
         72 . The light emission assembly of  claim 71 , wherein said gaseous tritium light source comprises a discrete sealed glass form which is internally coated with a phosphor and filled with tritium gas. 
     
     
         73 . The light emission assembly of  claim 71 , wherein said gaseous tritium light source consists of a discrete sealed glass form which is internally coated with a phosphor and filled with tritium gas. 
     
     
         74 . The light emission assembly of  claim 72 , wherein said discrete sealed glass form is sleeveless or void of a protective sleeve. 
     
     
         75 . The light emission assembly of  claim 74 , wherein upon disposition within said chamber, a portion of said light conductive member which provides one or more chamber walls which define said chamber additionally provides said protective sleeve. 
     
     
         76 . The light emission assembly of  claim 63 , further comprising a first layer disposed about said light emitting element. 
     
     
         77 . The light emission assembly of  claim 76 , wherein said first layer disposes between said light emitting element and a light conductive member internal surface. 
     
     
         78 . The light emission assembly of  claim 63 , further comprising a second layer disposed about said light emitting element. 
     
     
         79 . The light emission assembly of  claim 78 , wherein said second layer disposes about said light conductive member. 
     
     
         80 . The light emission assembly of  claim 78 , wherein said second layer disposes about a light conductive member external surface of said light conductive member. 
     
     
         81 . The light emission assembly of  claim 78 , wherein said second layer comprises a reflective material. 
     
     
         82 . The light emission assembly of  claim 81 , wherein said reflective material comprises a white pigment. 
     
     
         83 . The light emission assembly of  claim 81 , wherein said reflective material inwardly reflects a second amount of light emitted from said light emitting element. 
     
     
         84 . The light emission assembly of  claim 63 , further comprising a lens axially coupled to said light conductive member. 
     
     
         85 . The light emission assembly of  claim 84 , wherein said lens and said light conductive member are formed as a one-piece construct. 
     
     
         86 . The light emission assembly of  claim 84 , wherein said lens and said light conductive member are integrally formed. 
     
     
         87 . The light emission assembly of  claim 84 , wherein said lens is formed from a material similar to or the same as the material which forms said light conductive member. 
     
     
         88 . The light emission assembly of  claim 84 , wherein said lens comprises a convex lens surface. 
     
     
         89 . The light emission assembly of  claim 84 , further comprising a texture element coupled to a convex lens surface of said lens. 
     
     
         90 . A method of making a light emission assembly for a weapon sight, comprising:
 forming a light conductive member by injection molding, said light conductive member comprising:
 a light conductive member length disposed between light conductive member first and second ends; and 
 a chamber disposed inside of said light conductive member proximate said light conductive member second end; 
 wherein said chamber is configured to contain a light emitting element; and 
   axially coupling a light conductive protrusion to said light conductive member proximate said light conductive member first end;
 wherein said light conductive protrusion terminates in a viewing end, said viewing end cross-sectional area lesser than a light conductive member first end cross-sectional area. 
   
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 90 , further comprising forming said light conductive member and said light conductive protrusion as a one-piece construct. 
     
     
         92 . A method of making a light emission assembly for a weapon sight, comprising:
 forming a light conductive member by injection molding, said light conductive member comprising:
 a light conductive member length disposed between light conductive member first and second ends; and 
 a chamber disposed inside of said light conductive member proximate said light conductive member second end; 
 wherein said chamber is configured to contain a light emitting element. 
   
     
     
         93 . A light emission assembly for a weapon sight, comprising:
 a light conductive member having a light conductive member length disposed between light conductive member first and second ends;   a chamber disposed inside of said light conductive member proximate said light conductive member second end; and   a light conductive protrusion axially coupled to said light conductive member proximate said light conductive member first end, said light conductive protrusion terminating in a viewing end.   
     
     
         94 . The light emission assembly of  claim 93 , wherein said light conductive member is configured to:
 receive a first amount of light from a light source external to said light conductive member; and   transmit at least a portion of said first amount of light internally toward said light conductive member first end.   
     
     
         95 . The light emission assembly of  claim 94 , wherein said light conductive member is further configured to:
 transmit at least a portion of said first amount of light internally toward said viewing end;   wherein at least a portion of said first amount of light is emitted as a first amount of emitted light from said viewing end to provide a viewable aiming indicium.   
     
     
         96 . The light emission assembly of  claim 93 , further comprising one or more dopants contained within said light conductive member;
 wherein said dopants fluoresce in response to said first amount of light transmitted internally within said light conductive member.   
     
     
         97 . The light emission assembly of  claim 93 , wherein said light emitting element emits a second amount of light. 
     
     
         98 . The light emission assembly of  claim 97 , wherein said light conductive member is configured to:
 receive said second amount of light emitted from said light emitting element; and   transmit at least a portion of said second amount of light internally toward said light conductive member first end.   
     
     
         99 . The light emission assembly of  claim 98 , wherein said light conductive member is further configured to:
 transmit at least a portion of said second amount of light internally toward said viewing end;   wherein at least a portion of said second amount of light is emitted as a second amount of emitted light from said viewing end to provide said viewable aiming indicium.   
     
     
         100 . The light emission assembly of  claim 93 , wherein said light emitting element comprises a gaseous tritium light source. 
     
     
         101 . The light emission assembly of  claim 93 , further comprising a second layer disposed about said light emitting element. 
     
     
         102 . The light emission assembly of  claim 101 , wherein said second layer disposes about said light conductive member. 
     
     
         103 . The light emission assembly of  claim 101 , wherein said second layer comprises a reflective material. 
     
     
         104 . The light emission assembly of  claim 93 , further comprising an end seal configured to engage with said chamber open end to seal said chamber. 
     
     
         105 . The light emission assembly of  claim 104 , wherein said end seal comprises a reflective material. 
     
     
         106 . The light emission assembly of  claim 93 , wherein said light conductive protrusion and said light conductive member are formed as a one-piece construct. 
     
     
         107 . The light emission assembly of  claim 93 , wherein said light emission assembly is configured for disposition within a base. 
     
     
         108 . The light emission assembly of  claim 107 , wherein said base comprises a base interior space defined by a base internal surface of said base; and
 wherein said base interior space is configured to contain said light emission assembly.   
     
     
         109 . The light emission assembly of  claim 108 , wherein upon disposition of said light emission assembly within said base interior space, an annular space is created between said base internal surface and a light conductive protrusion external surface of said light conductive protrusion. 
     
     
         110 . The light emission assembly of  claim 109 , further comprising an annular fastener configured for receipt within said annular space to secure said light emission assembly within said base interior space. 
     
     
         111 . The light emission assembly of  claim 93 , further comprising a lens axially coupled to said light conductive protrusion. 
     
     
         112 . The light emission assembly of  claim 111 , wherein said lens, said light conductive protrusion, and said light conductive member are formed as a one-piece construct. 
     
     
         113 . The light emission assembly of  claim 111 , further comprising a texture element coupled to a convex lens surface of said lens.