Dual mode reflex and telescopic sight combination

Description of equivalent WO 2011022541 A2

Docket No.: KR2.017.PC

DUAL MODE REFLEX AND TELESCOPIC SIGHT COMBINATION

BACKGROUND

[001] A reflex or "red dot" sight superimposes a

reticle, such as a simple red dot, on a typically

unmagnified target. The advantage of a reflex sight is that it is theoretically parallax free, can be held at any distance from the eye, and can be used with both eyes open. Accordingly, the shooter may acquire a target without first carefully placing his eye on an eye-piece, closing the non-aiming eye and finding the target in a limited sight field-of-view. This permits a short range shooter to

acquire a target far more rapidly than he could if looking through a telescopic sight.

[002] At longer ranges (e.g. greater than 100 yards) it becomes necessary to use a telescopic sight. Heretofore the problem of installing both a reflex and a telescopic sight on the same gun has not been entirely solved, with

suggested solutions sacrificing at least some optical qualities or user convenience.

[003] From a more technical perspective, a reflex sight collimates the light from a luminous reticle and

superimposes this light onto a view-window. This places the reticle at an infinite range and virtually eliminates the effects of parallax, when viewing a target that is

effectively at an infinite range. Frequently the

collimation is performed by a curved mirror that is placed to the side of the path of the light passing through the view-window. Unfortunately, the need to redirect the

collimated light reflecting from the curved mirror so that 2 Docket No.: KR2.017.PC it is superimposed on the view-window complicates the design and tends to reduce performance.

SUMMARY

[004] In a first separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a combined reflex/telescopic sight that includes a telescopic optical element train and a view window, offset from the optical element train. A transition assembly is positioned to receive light from the optical element train and the view window. The transition assembly has an image display, a collimating lens-set positioned to transmit light to the image display and a luminous reticle. This assembly may be placed in a first mode in which light from the optical train travels through the collimating lens set to the image display and light from the view window is blocked. In a second transition assembly mode light from the optical train is blocked and light from the luminous reticle travels through the collimating lens set and is combined with light from the view window and a resulting combined image appears at the image display. Finally an actuation assembly is adapted to permit a user to switch the transition assembly between the first and second modes.

[005] In a second separate aspect, the present

invention may take the form of a telescopic sight that includes a housing defining a centerline, an image output, an optical train, within the housing, causing a reticle to appear to a user looking through the image output . A

reticle position adjust mechanism has a reticle position actuator that when manipulated by a user causes the reticle β Docket No.: KR2.017.PC to change position relative to the housing centerline.

Finally, a reticle position adjust mechanism lock, having a lock actuator may be placed into either a locked position, in which the reticle position actuator is locked in place or an unlocked position, in which the reticle position actuator may be moved.

[006] In a third separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a method of switching from a reflex sight to a telescopic that makes use of a combined

telescopic and reflex sight. This sight includes a view window, a telescopic optical train, offset from the view window, a collimating lens set and an image display adapted to receive light from the collimating lens set, a luminous reticle and a movable mirror placed in a first position adapted to reflect light from the luminous reticle to the collimating lens set and to block light from the telescopic optical train from entering a light path leading to the image display. The method includes the act of moving the movable mirror from the first position to a second position where it does not reflect light from the luminous reticle but reflects light from the telescopic optical train into a path leading to the image display and blocks light from the view window.

[007] In a fourth separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a method of making a rifle scope that makes use of an element-retaining housing piece and a mating, closure housing piece. Optical assemblies are attached to the element-retaining piece and the mating, closure housing piece is attached to the element-retaining housing piece and the pieces are fastened together. ^ Docket No.: KR2.017.PC

[008] In a fifth separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a rifle scope, comprising a straight wall, defining an interior side and an exterior side and an actuator, with an exterior, manual portion, moved along the exterior side, and an interior portion, which moves along the interior side as the exterior, manual portion is moved along the exterior side.

[009] In a sixth separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a rifle scope having a first

longitudinal housing portion and a second longitudinal housing portion matingly engaged to the first longitudinal housing portion, thereby forming a housing having an

interior surface. A scope optical train is supported by the first housing portion, and includes a zoom assembly having a zoom assembly optical train of lenses. A windage and elevation angle adjustment assembly is adapted to change the position of the zoom assembly optical train of lenses. The housing is arranged about the zoom assembly so that a distance of greater than 5 mm exists between the housing interior surface and the lenses of the zoom assembly

optical train.

[0010] In a seventh separate aspect, the present

invention may take the form of a rifle scope that has a housing having a top and a bottom; an optical train

supported and protected by the housing; and an attachment bracket on the bottom of the housing. An elevation adjust mechanism includes an actuator positioned on the bottom of the housing. Accordingly, the actuator does not obscure the view of a scope user attempting to look over the scope. « Docket No.: KR2.017.PC

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in

referenced drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered

illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual mode sight according to the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2A is a side sectional view of the sight of FIG. 1, in reflex mode.

[0014] FIG. 2B is a side sectional view of the sight of FIG. 1, in telescopic mode.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of the mirror movement assembly of the dual mode sight of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a work piece representing a stage in a preferred method of production according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the work piece of FIG. 5, at a further stage in a preferred method production according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a bottom cut-away view of the work piece of FIG. 5, showing the elevation knob cover open. β Docket No.: KR2.017.PC

[0020] FIG. 8 is a bottom cut-away view of a portion of the work piece of FIG. 7, showing the elevation knob cover closed.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the work piece of FIG. 6, at a further stage in a preferred method production according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the work piece of FIG. 9, at a further stage in a preferred method production according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a top-front perspective view of a dual mode rifle sight, constructed as shown if FIGS. 5-10.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a top-rear perspective view of the rifle sight of FIG. 11.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rifle sight of FIG. 11.

[0026] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a rifle sight according to the present

invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment a dual mode sight 10 includes a reflex portion 12, a

telescopic portion 14 and a lever 16, to switch between the use of these two portion 12 and 14. A zoom slider 18 and slider slot 19 permit a user to change sight 10

magnification and an elevation knob 20 permits the reticle 7 Docket No.: KR2.017.PC position to be changed vertically, to compensate for the anticipated effect of gravity on a fired bullet. A windage knob is hidden from view on the right side of the sight 10 (from the user's perspective), and may be used to change the reticle position horizontally, to compensate for the anticipated effect of wind on a fired bullet. An elevation knob lock 22 can be pushed in to lock the elevation knob in place, to avoid instances in which a piece of vegetation brushes against knob 20 and causes it to move, degrading a previous adjustment. A windage knob lock is hidden from view, on the right side of the sight 10. Also, a reticle illumination button 24 can be pushed in to cause the

illuminated reticle for the reflex sight mode to light up. A side rack 26, permits the attachment of supporting

devices .

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, sight 10 includes an optical train 110, including a telescopic sight

objective lens 112, a Petzval lens 113 (pedestal support not shown) and an erector/cam tube 114. In the reflex sight mode shown in FIG. 2A, however, the light from erector tube 114 is blocked by a moveable mirror 116, which reflects light from red luminous reticle 117 into a collimating lens set 119, with a fixed mirror 118, redirecting the light by 90° between the two lens groupings of lens set 119. A red-reflecting mirror 120, redirects the red reticle light by 90° and combines it with light from view window 124, which passes through mirror 120. Because the light from reticle 117 passes through the collimating lens set 119, it does not need to be collimated by a dish-shaped mirror, as is the case with some prior art configurations. This g Docket No.: KR2.017.PC permits a high quality sight design that is easily

manufactured.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 2A, when the sight 10 of FIG. 1 is placed into telescopic sight mode moveable mirror 116 is moved into the position shown, where it does not block light from erector tube 114, but rather reflects this light through an image display 126. Also, mirror 116 is not in position to reflect the light from reticle 117 into the path that is reflected out of the image display 126.

Collimating lens set 119 serves double duty, collimating light from the reflex reticle in reflex mode and from telescopic optical train 110 in the telescope sight mode. In telescopic sight mode a reticle appears to the viewer, created by a reticle element in the erector tube 114, in traditional configuration.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2A, 2B and 3, in one preferred embodiment dual mode sight 10 has a mirror movement

assembly 130 to switch between reflex mode (FIG. 2A) and telescopic mode (FIG. 2B) . User control lever 16 is rigidly attached to a hidden arm 132, which is hinged to a mirror movement lever 134 at a first hinge 133. Lever 134 is also hinged to a fixed point in sight 10, at a second hinge 136 and includes a slot 138 to allow some freedom of movement for a mirror pin 140.

[0031] Starting at the telescopic sight mode position shown in FIGS. 2B and 3, as lever 16 is moved rearward, hinge point 133 is moved upwardly, causing lever 134 to pivot about hinge 136 until hinge point 133 has risen and slot 138 has fallen, and arm 134 is in the horizontal position shown in FIG. 2A. Note that as lever 134 is moved g Docket No.: KR2.017.PC into the horizontal position, mirror pin 140 must move inwardly in slot 138 for mirror 116 to retain its oblique orientation.

[0032] Zoom slider 18 (FIG. 1) is attached to a slider 142 (FIGS 2A and 2B) via slider slot 19. Slider 142 rotates a pole 144 as it is moved back and forth, which in turn rotates a gear 146, which turns erector/cam tube 114, thereby changing erector lens positioning, by way of the well-known technique of cam followers in cam slots.

[0033] Elevation knob 20 is operatively connected to erector/cam tube 114 and pushes it to a further down

position depending on how far knob 20 is rotated. An

erector tube spring 147 resists this downward adjustment, pushing upwardly against tube 114. Windage adjust mechanism

(not shown) works in the same way, and is also resisted by spring 147. A click ring 148 moves past a clicker post 150, causing a set of click sounds as knob 20 is turned, thereby informing a schooled user of the change in elevation

adjustment .

[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, the elevation knob lock 22, noted above, is described in greater detail here. Lock 22 is actually a post that extends through sight 10, so that it always protrudes from either the left or right side of sight 10, and may always be pushed in from whatever side it is protruding. Lock post 22 defines two indents, an unlock indent 150 and a locking indent 152. When unlock indent 150 is aligned with a lock pin 154, an intermediate ball 156 can retract into indent 150, which is deep enough so that lock pin 154, which is urged into the indent by a spring 158, will not engage with the click ring 148. Locking J Q Docket No.: KR2.017.PC indent 152 is so shallow, however, that ball 156 is pushed into lock pin 154, which engages with click ring 148, thereby locking the elevation knob 20.

[0035] In one preferred embodiment objective lens 112 is 32 mm in diameter, but in an alternative preferred

embodiment it is rectangular and is 40 mm in width. The reflex reticle is a 60 minute of angle (MOA) diameter circle with a 1 MOA dot in the center.

[0036] In another separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a method of constructing a rifle sighting system 208 (FIGS. 11 and 12) that is similar to that shown in FIG. 1-4, also being a dual mode

reflex/telescopic sight, and to which the manufacturing techniques described below could be applied equally as well. In one preferred embodiment construction begins (see FIG. 5-9) with a work piece 210, which in its first form is a mounting assembly 212. Assembly continues with the

attachment of a mode switching and ocular assembly 214

(FIG. 6) , which switches the scope between a reflex sight mode and a telescopic sight (scope) mode and also presents the imagery to a viewer. In addition a zoom assembly 216 (FIG. 9) is attached. Assembly 216 has the function of user actuated variable magnification (that is, "zoom") and also is tilted to introduce an elevation angle for bullet drop correction and a windage angle. Finally an objective lens and Petzval assembly 218 (FIG. 10) is mounted, to accept light for the telescopic portion of the scope and to

refract this light in accordance with the overall optical scheme. Finally, a cover 220 (FIGS. 11 and 12) is placed on the work piece and fastened securely in place, to create a γ γ Docket No.: KR2.017.PC finished sighting system 208. In addition to various

elements described below, FIG. 11 and 12 show a windage knob 221, the operation of which will be familiar to

skilled persons and the action of which is identical with elevation knob 238, which is discussed below. In an

alternative preferred embodiment, two cover pieces are used, to form a sight that has less of a regular shape.

[0037] The method of constructing a rifle sight 208 by attaching a set of pre-built assemblies to a mounting assembly divides the assembly process into smaller and more easily automated tasks. Also, this method permits a design having more space for the zoom assembly, permitting a stronger construction of this assembly that is therefore better able to withstand recoil shock. Finally, designs are permitted that more easily accommodate other internal parts, such as internal portions of actuator assemblies.

[0038] In greater detail of mounting assembly 212, a mounting plate 222 is adapted to receive optical

assemblies, as will be described below. A rifle mounting fixture 224 supports mounting plate 222 and is adapted to permit the finished scope 208 to be attached to a rifle (not shown) . Mounting plate 222 includes many mounting features, such as a set of fastener-receiving holes 226 to permit the mounting of optical assemblies and other

elements. Also, a front indentation 228 helps guide the placement of the objective assembly 218 (FIG. 10) and in use helps absorb the shock of recoil, which over time may damage fasteners. A rear, essentially square through-hole 230 (FIG. 5) , is adapted to host a light emitting diode (LED) based reflex sight reticle 229 (FIG. 13) . A set of J2 Docket No.: KR2.017.PC long threaded apertures 231 (FIG. 5), permit adjustment screws 233 (FIG. 13) to be used to make small changes to the position of the reflex reticle 229.

[0039] At the stage of production shown in FIG. 5, a cam tube-turning gear 232 and an arm 234 that rotates gear 232 are already attached to plate 222. Also, a dual mode

switching-lever 236 is hinged to plate 222. Additionally present is an elevation angle actuator knob 238, which is protected against accidental contact by a knob cover 239

(see also FIGS. 7 and 8) . In turn, cover 239 is retained by a sliding latch 240. In a preferred embodiment, a cam tube base support 242 is part of plate 222, and a cam tube side support 244 is fastened to plate 222. An elevation

adjustment post 248, driven by actuator knob 238, protrudes from an aperture in support 242, and as will be familiar to skilled persons, is used to change the elevation angle of the cam tube assembly 216.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 6, pre-built mode switching and ocular assembly 214 is installed at the rear of mounting assembly 220 using fastener apertures 226. In addition, dual mode switching lever 236 is connected to assembly 214.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 9, in a next step in the

assembly process, a cam tube assembly 216, including a cam tube assembly holder 262, is installed, by bolting holder 262 onto plate 222, using bolts that come up through plate 222 into threaded holes in holder 262. The front portion of assembly 216 rests on cam tube elevation post 246 and cam tube side support 244. The gear 232 meshes with a cam tube assembly gear 266 to turn assembly 216. Base plate 222 defines an opening through which a pin 268 (FIG. 13) J 3 Docket No.: KR2.017.PC extends connecting arm 234 to gear 232. This opening is only required to be large enough to accommodate pin 268, which fits snugly. As a result, scope 208 is sealed tightly against outside elements, which are not afforded an

opportunity for entry by the zoom actuator (collectively arm 234, pin 268 and gear 232) . Spring 270, connecting fixed arm 271 with connected to mirror 290 (FIG. 13), urges mirror 290 to quickly move to its correct position during switching of lever 236 (see discussion of FIG. 13) .

[0042] Referring to FIG. 10, an objective and Petzval lens assembly 218 is fit into recess 228 and attached using apertures 226. An objective lens support 272 hosts a set of objective lenses 274, a lens-protective clear sheet 275, and a Petzval support 276 hosts Petzval lens holder 278 that, defining slots 282, in turn holds Petzval lens 280. Additionally, assembly 218 includes a set of braces 284 which retain the front of cam tube assembly 216, in

cooperation with elevation post 246 and side support 244 or windage post (not shown) .

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the cover 220 is placed over assemblies 214, 216 and 218 and connected to plate 222 by fasteners placed through base plate cover fastening apertures 292 and into apertures (not shown) defined in the bottom of the sides of cover 220. The

housing of sight 208 is formed from the fastened together combination of plate 222 and cover 220. Cover 220 defines a reflex sight window 314 and an image presentation window 316. A reflex reticle brightness adjustment knob 320 is electrically connected to reflex reticle 29. J4 Docket No.: KR2.017.PC

[0044] Referring to FIG. 13, assemblies 214, 216 and 218 cooperate together to provide a dual mode reflex/telescopic sight 208 having a user controlled variable magnification

(also referred to as "zoom"). Lever 236 (FIGS. 9 and 10) is operatively connected to and changes the position of a moveable mirror 290, 290', between a reflex sight mode position 290 and telescopic sight mode position 290'. In reflex sight mode position, light from the light emitting diode (LED) reflex sight reticle 29, housed in square aperture 230, is reflected from mirror 290 and through a first ocular lens 294. The reticle light is then reflected from a fixed mirror 296 and travels through a second ocular lens 298. This light is then reflected from the reflex sight window 314, the back side of which is reflective for the red light of the reflex sight reticle, through image presentation window 316 to the user. Accordingly the

reticle image is superimposed upon the view from window 314. In telescopic sight mode, the moveable mirror 290 is in telescopic sight mode position 290', where it blocks the light from window 314 and reflects the light that has traveled through zoom assembly 216, including a reticle 267, and ocular assembly 214.

[0045] Assembly 216 includes a pair of lens groups 321, each of which is held in a lens holder 322 that supports a slot-follower 324. Lens groups 321 are supported by two concentric tubes, an inner tube 326 and a cam tube 328, concentric with and supporting inner tube 326. Inner tube 326 defines a straight longitudinal slot 330, whereas cam tube 328 defines curved cam-slots 332. Slot-followers 324 each engage with both slot 330 and one of slots 332.

Accordingly, as cam tube 328 is turned by gear 232, lens J 5 Docket No.: KR2.017.PC groups 321 move forward or backward, but retain their orientations .

[0046] Referring to FIG. 14, in an alternative preferred embodiment, cam tube 328 is turned by a gear 140 driven by an electric motor, inside a housing 142, and actuated by a button 144. The electric motor may be supported by a set of springs or resiliently deformable material with housing 330, to protect the motor against recoil shock.

[0047] One advantage of the method of the present

invention is that assemblies 214, 216, and 218 may be constructed and tested separately, thereby dividing the assembly task into three simpler tasks of sub-assembly construction, which may be automated, and a final assembly that requires only the installation of the three

assemblies, and final testing and adjustment. Final test and adjustment is critical, however, so that the reticle will be in focus at every variable magnification level.

[0048] Assemblies 214 and 218 include features designed to facilitate the final adjustments. The Petzval lens holder 278 has a threaded exterior that engages with a threaded interior of support 276, and may be moved forward or rearward by rotation. Slots 282 accept a tool to

facilitate such rotation. Similarly, ocular lens 294 is mounted onto holder 350, which is fastened by threaded fasteners to base 352. During assembly a technician

positions lens 294 by moving holder 350 as he looks through the image presentation window 116 until the telescopic reticle (not shown) appears clearly in focus at -3/4

diopters. After holder 350 is correctly position a number of fasteners, including one from the front that acts as a J g Docket No.: KR2.017.PC hard stop during recoil are utilized to keep holder 350 and lens 294 securely in place.

[0049] It should be emphasized that although the

preferred embodiment shown is a dual mode reflex/telescopic sight 208, that the method of constructing a scope is equally applicable to a single mode telescopic sight, or stated in more familiar terms, a rifle scope. Skilled persons may now appreciate some of the advantages of the present design. Each of the three assemblies 214, 216 and 218 may be assembled and tested prior to final assembly, thereby reducing the critical tasks of final assembly to the installation of these three assemblies into the

prepared attachment locations and final adjustments.

[0050] In prior art scope assemblies, a difficulty is encountered in attaching a typical round scope to an

essentially flat mounting rail. The mounting rings used to solve this problem create their own problems by limiting the areas available for scope controls. A conflict is sometimes encountered between the location of the scope controls and the mounting rings. The present design

entirely eliminates this problem, by eliminating the need for mounting rings.

[0051] The basic design of the zoom actuator (arm 234, gear 232 and gear 266), may be used for rifle scopes having differing configurations. For example, in an alternative preferred embodiment, the same construction techniques are used to build a scope having a focus adjustment. In this case, however, the arm may turn a noncircular gear, to achieve a nonlinear relationship between arm movement and focus lens movement . γ-j Docket No.: KR2.017.PC

[0052] One problem encountered in prior art scope design is that of the lack of transverse space available for the cam tube and the pivot tube (generally analogous to outer tube 306 and inner tube 304 of the present preferred

embodiment, but with various permutations, such as the cam tube being nested inside the pivot tube. This lack of space led to cam tube designs with wall thickness of less than a millimeter, leaving the cam tube vulnerable to damage from the slot followers during recoil. The present design does not put a transverse space limitation on cam tube and pivot tube wall thicknesses, making for a more robust design with wall thicknesses of 1 mm or greater. Accordingly with this basic manufacturing scheme, scopes can be made that are able to withstand the recoil of more powerful rifles, such as .50" caliber rifles.

[0053] Moreover, many additional preferred embodiments utilize the interior space made available through the construction techniques of the present method. In one design, electric motors directly move the lens groups in the zoom assembly, thereby creating a greater range of possible zoom ratios.

[0054] While a number of exemplary aspects and

embodiments have been discussed above, those possessed of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub- combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.