WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING

Description

F41G covers aiming devices and optical or mechanical sight systems integrated with or mounted on firearms and other weapons. This includes telescopic sights, iron sights, laser aiming modules, holographic sights, and adjustable targeting mechanisms that assist operators in accurate weapon alignment and target acquisition. The classification encompasses both the physical sight structures and their mounting systems on weapons platforms, as well as methods for improving aiming precision. Adjacent classes F41B (firearms) and F41H (protective devices against weapons) are distinguished by their focus on weapon mechanisms and protective equipment respectively, rather than aiming functionality.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass F41G recorded 15,221 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 1,125 in 2013 to 1,334 in 2023 (+19%), peaking at 1,592 applications in 2021. The most active applicants in class F41 are NEXTER SYSTEMS (509 applications), AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT (461 applications) and RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION (409 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings