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Abstract

An optical viewing assembly and system for transferring image information from one image modifying device to another image modifying device. The optical viewing assembly includes a first image modifying device connected to a second image modifying device through a quick-release clamping arrangement. The clamping arrangement includes first and second clamping portions integrally formed at opposite ends of a hollow sleeve. Each clamping portion has a split collar that is adapted to receive one of the image modifying devices. Each collar includes a pair of clamping legs that are separated from the sleeve by a slot that extends at least part way around a perimeter of the sleeve to thereby permit movement of the clamping legs toward and away from each other. Movement of the clamping legs toward each other reduces a cross dimension of the split collar to thereby clamp one of the image modifying devices therein. Conversely, movement of the clamping legs away from each other increases a cross dimension of the split collar to thereby release a clamped image modifying device. One of the image modifying devices may be in the form of a scope, while another of the image modifying devices may be in the form of a fiber optic viewer. The fiber optic viewer includes a fiber optic bundle that is divided into first and second fiber optic segments. A forward end of the fiber optic bundle is connected to the ocular end of the scope for transferring an image incident at the first image modifying device to a rearward end of each fiber optic segment. One of the segments may be connected to a digital video camera for recording or transmitting the image, and another of the segments may be connected to an eyepiece for simultaneously viewing the image by a user. Other image modifying devices, such as a night vision monocular, may be connected through a further quick release clamp to the opposite end of the scope for viewing images in low light conditions.

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First Claim