US0082971 73B1

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,297,173 B1 Teetzel et al. (45) Date of Patent: Oct. 30, 2012

(54) MODULAR WEAPON VIDEO DISPLAY 7,810,273 B2 * 10/2010 Koch et al...... 42,111 SYSTEM 2008. O1074.14 A1* 5, 2008 Showalter ...... 396/429 2010, 0154276 A1* 6, 2010 Kim ...... 42.90 (75) Inventors: James W. Teetzel, York, ME (US); FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS Justin D. Harris, Dover, NH (US); WO WO 20060973 1.0 A1 * 9, 2006 Linwood B. Davis, Londonderry, NH (US); Marvin S. Carter, Rochester, NH OTHER PUBLICATIONS (US); Ferdinand N. Ahlberg, Hopkinton, NH (US); Dominic R. English translation of WO 20060973 10 A1 published Sep. 21, 2006.* Goupil, Kittery, ME (US) * cited by examiner (73) Assignee: Wilcox Industries Corp., Newington, NH (US) Primary Examiner — Lin Ye Assistant Examiner — John H Morehead, III (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — McLane, Graf, Raulerson & patent is extended or adjusted under 35 Middleton, Professional Association U.S.C. 154(b) by 882 days. (21) Appl. No.: 11/972,481 (57)57 ABSTRACT An improved modular video display system for a weapon 22) Filed: Jan. 10, 2008 having9. a video displavplay module that can accommodate mul tiple camera inputs. The video display module contains a Related U.S. Application Data Video control panel and human-viewable display screen, (60) Provisional application No. 60/879,777, filed on Jan. which enables the operator to switch between viewing and 10, 2007, provisional application No. 607879.897 controlling a thermal and a left and right rotating cam filedon Jan 1.2007 sy--- s era. The video display module and cameras are powered by a • us power Supply, which is electrically coupled to the weapons (51) Int. Cl. accessory devices, once each device is mounted on the modu F4IGI/00 (2006.01) lar rails. The cameras are connected to the video display F4IG5/06 (2006.01) module and the weapons operator may select either a thermal (52) U.S. Cl 89/4117: 89/41.05:42/11142A115 display using the thermal sight oran image display of the left Oa ------el f : 42/19.42/13 or right using the left and right rotating camera. The control (58) Field of Classification Search 89f41.05 panel enables the operator to personalize the display screen in 89/4117: 42A111 15.119.120 122 141 order to best suit their current situational needs with controls See application file for CO lete search histo s for camera select, reticle style, reticle color, reticle intensity, pp p ry. bore sight keys, black hot/white hot image select, digital (56) References Cited Zoom, and display brightness. In conjunction with the modu lar video display system additional accessory devices may be U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS used. Such as laser sights, spotting scopes, and handgrip units. 7.255,035 B2 * 8/2007 Mowers ...... 89/41.05 7,661,348 B2* 2/2010 Murello ... 17 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets

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US 8,297,173 B1 1. 2 MODULAR WEAPON VIDEO DISPLAY Another advantage of the presently disclosed video display SYSTEM system is its ability to allow the operator to aim at targets while remaining covered and concealed. With the addition of RELATED APPLICATIONS the cameras and display Screens the operator's vision can be improved and enable them to use additional visual guides to This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. aim at a target while maintaining their own safety. S119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Nos. 60/879, Still further advantages and benefits of the prese