A reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system, such as a scope for a rifle, includes a ranging system using a predetermined theoretical target image (51, 53) in circular form and size such as to represent a target, such as an animal, wherein the target images would represent the size of that target at different multiple distances. The target images are placed at specific position on the reticle below or above the zero point (50) of the reticle representing the holdover area, inside of which is the actual holdover point, which may be indicated for that target at that designated distance, for a specific projectile with predetermined ballistic performance. This ranging system eliminates the need for range calculations and scope adjustments to correlate to that range. Additionally specific wind calculations (54, 55) may be marked and designated for different wind speeds adjacent to the different target images.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system, such as a scope for a rifle.

It is a goal of the invention to provide a ranging system which assist in aiming at a target of given size, i.e., a known size which is generally known beforehand, for a target of certain type such as an animal or objects of certain dimension or height.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This goal is achieved by a reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system, such as a scope for a rifle, which comprises a ranging system, the ranging system including a zero point (or primary aiming point) and at least one target image mark having a geometric form, said at least one target image mark representing a theoretical target image corresponding to a theoretical target of given size as seen through the reticle.

Preferably, the target image may, by its size, represent the given size of the theoretical target at a predetermined distance. In the advantageous case that multiple target images are provided, they will represent the size of the theoretical target at respective different multiple distances.

One target image may be located centered at the zero point. Instead or in combination, one or more target images may be placed, at a specific area respectively, on the reticle below or above the zero point, representing a holdover area. The holdover area as represented by said target image may further contain an actual hold over point with regard to a specific type of projectile with predetermined ballistic performance, for a distance value designated to the target image. Moreover, the actual holdover point may or may not be indicated or shown in said target image.

The geometric form of the target image may be a circular form; other forms may be suitable as well, such as an oval, rectangular or quadratic shape. Furthermore, the zero point may be marked with a dot or another type of centering symbol.

The reticle of the invention may further comprise one or more wind calculation marks, which serve to indicate positions of wind calculations for compensating for different wind speeds adjacent to corresponding target images. These wind calculation marks may be represented as dots or other suitable symbols, such as crosses or lines or ranging fiducials.

Summarizing, the reticle of the invention includes a ranging system using a predetermined theoretical target image in circular form and size such as to represent a target, such as an animal, wherein the target images would represent the size of that target at different multiple distances. The target images are placed at specific position on the reticle below or above the zero point of the reticle representing the holdover area, inside of which is the actual holdover point, which may be indicated for that target at that designated distance, for a specific projectile with predetermined ballistic performance. This ranging system eliminates the need for range calculations and scope adjustments to correlate to that range. Additionally specific wind calculations54,55may be marked and designated for different wind speeds adjacent to the different target images.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a side elevation view of a riflescope30mounted to a rifle31in accordance with one embodiment.FIG. 2is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of optical elements32of riflescope30, together with ray trace lines33indicating the path of light from an observed object (not shown) located to the left of the assembly of optical elements, as the light travels through the optical system along an optical path. Riflescope30includes a tubular housing that supports at opposite ends an objective or objective lens assembly34and an ocular or ocular lens assembly35(sometimes referred as an eyepiece or eyepiece lens assembly). Objective34focuses the image of an observed object at a first (front) focal plane36located medially of objective34and ocular35. A power adjustment erector lens assembly38interposed between objective34and ocular35inverts the image and refocuses it at a second (rear) focal plane37between erector lens assembly38and ocular35. At least a part of erector lens assembly is movable in response to rotation of a power selector ring39or other power selector mechanism to adjust the optical power of riflescope30within a predetermined range of magnification. For example, the optical power of riflescope30may range between approximately6× and24× magnification, in accordance with some embodiments; in other embodiments, the optical power of riflescope30may be fixed or may be adjustable in various other magnification ranges.

A reticle40is perfectly positioned or superimposed in a field of view in the optical path between objective34and erector lens assembly38, at or adjacent first focal plane36. Consequently, the angels subtended by aiming marks (described below) of reticle are the same at any magnification. In a variant embodiment (not shown), this reticle may be embodied in a transparent reticle disc located at front or rear focal plane36,37of riflescope30, in which case the angels subtended by the aiming marks will vary with magnification settings of riflescope30.

FIG. 3is a pictorial representation of reticle40as viewed through ocular35of riflescope30.FIG. 4is another pictorial view of reticle40that includes reference numbers as explained below, andFIG. 5is an enlarged view of reticle40that includes dimension lines for the various aiming marks.

The reticle40includes a number of marks forming a ranging system according to the invention. The arrangement and selection of aiming marks of reticle40are suited to tactical shooting, in which targets, such as an animal or a hostile target, are located at close or far range, the optical power range of riflescope30is moderate or low, can be aimed with the one reticle40without any adjustment to the sight or weapon. For example, as described in detail below, marks of reticle40provide aiming marks for a theoretical target image in circular form and size such as to represent a target, for instance an animal.

Reticle40is preferably formed on a substantially flat disc of optical quality material, such as glass or plastic, and includes a primary aiming mark50. As can be seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, mark50is a centrally located dot generally aligned with the optical center of rifle scope30. Mark50usually coincides with the zero point of the reticle. To draw a shooter's eye and help a shooter locate primary aiming point50, mark50is wholly or partly encompassed by an aiming ring51.

A pair of primary horizontal sight lines43at opposing sides of mark50collectively overlay a horizontal axis42that intersects primary aiming point50. Dimension marks44on each of horizontal sight lines43provide user horizontal corrections calculated using mathematics or chart expressed in terms of mrad (milliradian). Vertical sight line45located to the upper left side of the left horizontal sight line43and dimension marks46on vertical sight line45provide user vertical corrections in terms of mrad.

One or more marks53, which may be used as aiming marks, ranging marks, target image marks or marks for use as holdover areas, are provided at positions below the primary aiming point50. The marks53are pre-calculated target images corresponding to different distances for a pre-calculated dimension of a target overlay a vertical axis41and trajectory bar52that interests primary aiming point50, spaced apart by progressively increasing incremental distances. Providing holdover aiming areas for regularly incrementing target distances based on the parabolic flight. In embodiments not shown, the holdover point may be indicated or shown in the respective mark53, for instance at the center of the circle representing the mark.

Aiming/ranging marks53are spaced apart at distances from the primary aiming point50. The marks53may be preselected and pre-calculated in dimension, to represent a pre-selected target image at that particular range. Alternatively or in combination, the marks53may be preselected and calculated to compensate for bullet drop of respective ammunition at regular incrementing target distances.

Additional horizontal points aligned to some or all of marks53include wind adjustment dots54to compensate for different wind speeds offset from trajectory bar52, corresponding to target incremental distances matching target image/holdover areas/ranging incremental distances.

In reticle40ranging fiducials may be provided, shown as right side numerals “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, and “8” providing a visual indication and reminder of target distances (in unit of hundreds of meters), as indicated inFIG. 5. In reticle40ranging fiducials may be provided, shown as bottom side numerals “7”, “14”, and “21” providing a visual indication and reminder of wind speed (in unit of meter per second).

REFERENCE SYMBOLS