Abstract:
An elevation adjustment sight assembly, comprising a windage carrier, a lift dial, and a lift spring. The windage carrier is specially structured to fit within a housing. The lift dial and the lift spring are specially structured to fit within the windage carrier and are movable in relation to the windage carrier to thereby adjust the height of a sight held by the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to sighting devices for weapons, and more particularly, to folding sights and elevation adjustment sights and to their securing crosslock assemblies. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     A typical folding sight and crosslock unit for the existing AR M4/M16 weapons system comprises a folding sight assembly and a crosslock assembly. The folding sight assembly typically comprises a housing, an aperture, and a windage adjustment knob, wherein such components commonly are held together by accessory parts, such as, e.g., a ball and spring, a press fit pin and retaining ring, and/or a threaded fastener and a rotating fastener seat, thereby making the total number of accessory parts oftentimes in excess of about 9 parts. 
     Additionally, crosslock assemblies, which are oftentimes used to lock the housing of the folding sight assembly in a vertical upright position while the sight is in use, and securely folded down when not in use, typically employ numerous accessory parts. 
     Similarly, the folding sight may have an elevation adjustment sight ability. Accordingly, a typical elevation adjustment sight and crosslock unit comprises an elevation adjustment sight assembly and a crosslock assembly, wherein the elevation adjustment sight allows elevation adjustment sight for sighting and targeting at ranges of, for example, up to about 300, 400, 500 and 600 meters. However, this assembly, which typically includes about 7 to 9 moving parts, is not manageable and is impractical due to the complexity of packaging so many parts. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is a folding sight and crosslock unit and an elevation adjustment sight and crosslock unit that may be assembled with fewer accessory parts than what is currently known. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above-referenced problems and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by a folding sight and crosslock unit comprising a specially developed housing, aperture, crosslock, and base, wherein such specially developed components reduce the number of accessory parts used in conventional folding sight and crosslock assemblies. Additionally, the folding sight and crosslock unit further includes an inventive engagement spring, wherein the engagement spring assists in reducing the number of accessory parts necessary for engagement of the aperture to the housing, wherein such a reduction simplifies manufacture and assembly of the assembly. More particularly, in an exemplary embodiment, the folding sight and crosslock unit eliminates the ball and spring combinations and fasteners, threads, retaining rings or press fit pins typically found in conventionally-known systems, as the engagement spring performs four functions simultaneously, thereby, replacing, e.g., the 6 parts presently existing in a Troy sight, and, e.g., the 5 parts currently found in a Diamondbead U.S.A. sight. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the engagement spring comprises a body that fits into grooves formed on the aperture, and which flexes to allow rotation of the aperture; a retaining hook that secures horizontal motion of the housing by locating in a hole disposed on the housing, and which further secures the windage adjustment knob in place, and which facilitates removal of the windage adjustment knob; a retaining loop that expands around the windage adjustment knob and locks in a groove formed thereon thereby preventing removal of the windage adjustment knob; and a windage adjustment knob lock that locates the windage adjustment knob and prevents rotation of the windage adjustment knob. 
     An additional purpose of the engagement spring is to decrease the number of moving parts in the folding sight and crosslock unit to thereby assist in the formation of an elevation adjustment sight and crosslock assembly for use on, e.g., an AR M4/M16 weapon system. The elevation adjustment sight and crosslock assembly comprises the engagement spring in association with a specially configured aperture, housing, and windage adjustment knob; and, in addition, includes a novel lift spring which operates in association with a specially designed lift dial and windage carrier to reduce the number of accessory parts needed to assemble the elevation adjustment sight and crosslock assembly. The lift spring is configured to lock the lift dial to the windage carrier and to create vertical tension for maintaining elevation adjustment sight, wherein the elevation adjustment sight is created by rotating the lift dial using a cam shaped profile that physically pushes the windage carrier discrete vertical distances to accomplish the required sighted range. This rotation is held in place by the elevation dial lock. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lift spring comprises a body that flexes to retain a vertical position due to rotation of the lift dial; a retaining hook that locks the lift dial to the windage carrier to prevent removal; a retaining loop that expands around the lift dial and locks in a groove formed on the housing to prevent the removal of the lift dial; and a dial lock that secures elevation adjustment sight over a range of distances. 
     The inventive assembly of the present invention further comprises an inventive crosslock assembly which decreases the number of accessory parts needed to assemble the assemblies disclosed herein (from about 6-7 machined aluminum parts to about 4 parts) and which also increases the strength of such assemblies. The crosslock assembly uses a tombstone-shaped profile to minimize the material removed from the base and housing for strength. The round feature of the tombstone, which seats into the housing, partners with the rounded features of the base and housing for assembly. The square surface of the tombstone profile is used in a region of the base and housing where strength is not required. It also has an oval extension that seats in both the vertical and folded pocket positions in the base. These base features are used in place of pins and ball/wedge and ball/spring combinations that are commonly used to perform this same function. The tombstone profile provides longer contact dimensions between the crosslock and the housing, thereby, decreasing rotation and reducing the number of parts necessary to form an optimally functioning assembly. 
     Another purpose of the crosslock assembly is to allow for the creation of a polymer or injection molded sight rather than a machined aluminum product, thereby, decreasing the cost of manufacture. 
     The base has also been specially formed to reduce the number of accessory parts needed for the assemblies. The base comprises specially configured vertical and folded pocket positions that strengthen the interaction between the base and the crosslock, thereby, providing the required strength needed to lock the assembly into position while eliminating the need for traditionally used pins. These pockets distribute the strength of the base, housing and crosslock assemblies. 
     In addition, when the housing is in the full vertical seated position, the tombstone profile of the crosslock projects through the housing and seats into a slot in the base. This creates a dual form of locking all three features together that has before never been maintained. These features are also conducive in replacing machined aluminum parts with plastic molded pieces while maintaining more than sufficient strength. 
     Additionally, the crosslock oval extension comprises a chamfer that seats with chamfers in the base pockets which additionally prevent housing rotation. In the folded position the crosslock chamfers seat with a chamfer on the base allowing the housing to be vertically positioned for sight use. The crosslock rides off the chamfered seat and the spring seats in the deep pocket on the base, locking it into position. The crosslock is depressed and the housing is returned to the folded position when not in use. These features create a self-centering condition that automatically returns the housing to a central location. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from a reading of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    are schematics depicting an exploded view of an exemplary folding sight and crosslock unit comprising an exemplary folding sight assembly and an exemplary crosslock assembly; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are schematics depicting exploded and opposite views of the folding sight assembly in combination with a portion of the crosslock assembly depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are schematics depicting opposite views of the crosslock assembly in combination with a portion of the folding sight assembly depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6 a    is a schematic depicting a profile view of an exemplary housing; 
         FIG. 6 b    is a schematic depicting a profile view of another exemplary housing; 
         FIG. 7 a    is a schematic depicting the folding sight and crosslock unit as depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7 b    is a schematic depicting an exemplary folding sight and crosslock depicting a housing having an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 8 a -8 e    are schematics depicting an exemplary movement of the components of the folding sight and crosslock unit relative to one another; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic depicting an exploded view of another exemplary folding sight and crosslock unit; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic depicting the folding sight and crosslock unit depicted in  FIG. 9 , wherein the housing is in a folded down position; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic depicting the folding sight and crosslock unit depicted in  FIG. 9 , wherein the housing is in a vertical position; 
         FIGS. 12 a -12 c    are schematics depicting the folding sight and crosslock unit of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic depicting an exemplary elevation adjustment sight and crosslock unit comprising an elevation adjustment sight assembly and a crosslock assembly; 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are schematics depicting opposite views of the elevation adjustment sight and crosslock unit depicted in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIGS. 16 a  and 16 b    are schematics depicting an exemplary elevation adjustment sight assembly, wherein  FIG. 16 a    depicts the elevation adjustment sight assembly in a lowered position relative to the crosslock assembly (not shown), and  FIG. 16 b    depicts the elevation adjustment sight assembly in a raised position relative to the crosslock assembly (not shown); and 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic depicting a sectional view of an exemplary windage carrier and the position of the windage carrier in relation to an exemplary lift spring and an exemplary lift dial. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The folding sight and crosslock unit of the present invention comprises a housing, a base, an aperture, and a crosslock, all of which are uniquely formed so that they may be assembled on a firearm, such as, for example, an M4/M14 rifle, in a relatively easy fashion while reducing the need for accessory components, such as ball and springs fasteners, pins, nuts and bolts, and the like, as compared with conventionally formed folding sight and crosslock assemblies. 
     More specifically, the housing has been uniquely configured to receive a specially designed engagement spring which secures the aperture to the housing with the assistance of a minimum number of accessory members. Additionally, the base and the housing have been structured to receive a specially configured crosslock, wherein the crosslock secures the base to the housing in such a manner that the number of accessory members is reduced. Further the configuration of the housing and the base distribute the strength of the base, housing and crosslock. Also, when the housing is in the full vertical seated position, the tombstone profile of the crosslock projects through the housing and seats into a slot in the base. This creates a unique dual form of locking all three features together. These features also allow for the replacement of machined aluminum parts with plastic molded pieces while maintaining more than sufficient strength. 
     An exemplary folding sight and crosslock unit shall be described with reference to the figures, wherein it is to be understood that the figures shall in no way limit the scope of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary folding sight and crosslock unit  10  comprises a folding sight assembly  20  and a crosslock assembly  200 . Folding sight assembly  20  comprises a housing  22 , an aperture  68 , a windage adjustment knob  100 , and an engagement spring  150 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , housing  22  comprises an upper region  24  and a lower region  26 . Upper region  24  comprises a catch plate  28  oppositely situated to a windage adjustment plate  30 . Catch plate  28  has an exterior-oriented side wall  32  oppositely situated to an interior-oriented side wall  34 , wherein interior-oriented side wall  34  has a divot  36  formed therein. 
     Windage adjustment plate  30  comprises an exterior-oriented side wall  42  oppositely situated to an interior-oriented side wall  44 . An opening  38  is formed through exterior-oriented side wall  42 , and an opening  48  is formed through interior-oriented side wall  44  to reveal an intermediate wall  46  disposed between exterior- and interior-oriented side walls  42  and  44 . An opening  50  is formed through intermediate wall  46 , wherein opening  50  is in fluid communication with openings  38  and  48 , and further wherein opening  50  has a smaller diameter than the diameters of either openings  38  and  48 . A groove  55  extends from intermediate wall  46  to interior-oriented wall  44 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , in an exemplary embodiment, lower region  26  comprises a body  53  having a lateral wall  31  oppositely situated to a lateral wall  33 , and a proximal wall  35  oppositely situated to a distal wall  37 . A channel  39  is formed between proximal wall  35  and distal wall  37  in the shape of a tombstone configuration. A hole  45  is formed through lateral walls  31  and  33 , wherein hole  45  leads into channel  39 . A hole  47  is formed through proximal wall  35 , wherein hole  47  is in fluid communication with channel  39 . 
     In another exemplary embodiment, such as is shown in  FIGS. 6 b  and 7 b   , a lower region  28  is substantially identical to lower region  26  except that instead of channel  39 , a channel  40  is formed between proximal and distal walls  35  and  37 . As shown, channel  40  and hole  45  have a substantially oval-shaped configuration. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , housing  22  further comprises a bridge member  52 . Bridge member  52  comprises a side wall  54  oppositely situated to a side wall  56 , and a top side  58  opposite to a bottom side  63 . Top side  58  has a first terminal end oppositely situated from a second terminal end, wherein a groove  64 , which is coterminous with groove  55  of windage adjustment plate  30 , extends from the first terminal end and extends along top side  58  where it bends towards side wall  56  and forms a detent  66  in side wall  56 . 
     Aperture  68  comprises a hollow cylindrical body  70  having a first open end  72  oppositely situated to a second open end  74 , wherein a longitudinal axis Y runs through open ends  72  and  74 . Extending from body  70  is an ocular plate  76  and an ocular plate  78 , wherein each of ocular plates  76  and  78  respectively comprises a top side  80  and  82  oppositely situated to a bottom side  84  and  86 , wherein a respective hole  88  and  90  is formed through top sides  80  and  82  and bottom sides  84  and  86 . A groove  92  is formed along bottom side  84  of ocular plate  76  and a groove  94  is formed along bottom side  86  of ocular plate  78 , wherein grooves  92  and  94  extend parallel with longitudinal axis Y. 
     Windage adjustment knob  100  comprises a protrusion  102  which extends from a proximal terminal end  108  of a shaft  104  to expose a bottom wall  106  of protrusion  102 . Centrally disposed atop a distal terminal end  110  of shaft  104  is a head  112 . Head  112  comprises a substantially disc-shaped body  114  having a plurality of ridges and grooves  116  formed around an outer edge thereof. Body  114  further comprises a front face  118  oppositely situated to a back face  120 , wherein a plurality of grooves  122  are formed on back face  120 . 
     Windage adjustment knob  100  further comprises an annular ring  124  disposed around an exterior wall  126  of shaft  104  towards distal terminal end  110  of shaft  104 . Annular ring  124  comprises a top edge  128  opposite to a bottom edge  130 , wherein top edge  128  is directed towards head  112  and bottom edge  130  is directed towards bottom wall  106  of protrusion  102 . A region  132  of exterior wall  126  of shaft  104  is exposed between top edge  128  and back face  120  of head  112 , wherein region  132  is recessed relative to top edge  128  of annular ring  124 . 
     Engagement spring  150  comprises a longitudinally extending body  152 . At one end of body  152 , body  152  bends approximately 90 degrees to form a retaining hook portion  154 . At an opposite end thereof, body  152  turns to form a retaining loop portion  161 , which has a substantially annular shaped configuration. An apex  159  of retaining loop portion  161  extends approximately 90 degrees from body  152 . Retaining loop portion  161  has an opening  155  centrally formed therethrough. A terminal end of retaining loop portion  161  extends past body  152  and bends approximately 90 degrees therefrom in a direction opposite to body  152  to from a windage adjustment knob lock  163 . 
     When folding sight assembly  20  is assembled, body  152  of engagement spring  150  is engaged with groove  64  of bridge member  52  and retaining hook portion  154  of engagement spring  150  is engaged with detent  66  of bridge member  52 . Additionally, windage adjustment knob  100  is disposed through hollow cylindrical body  70  of aperture  68  such that bottom wall  106  of protrusion  102  abuts catch plate  28  and head  112  of windage adjustment knob  100  extends from exterior-oriented wall  42  of windage adjustment plate  30 . Additionally, windage adjustment knob lock  163  is positioned within one of the grooves from plurality of grooves  122 , and retaining loop portion  161  rests on region  132  of shaft  104  of windage adjustment knob  100 . Ocular plates  76  and  78  of aperture  68  may be adjusted by rotating the plates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, wherein respective grooves  92  and  94  may receive body  152  of engagement spring  150 . 
     An exemplary crosslock assembly shall now be described with reference to the figures. Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Here, crosslock assembly  200  comprises a base  202  and a crosslock  300 . 
     Base  202  comprises a body  204  having a distal wall  206  oppositely situated to a proximal wall  208 , a top side  207  oppositely situated to a bottom side  209 , and an anterior wall  227  oppositely situated to an open-ended posterior wall  229 . A chamber  210  is formed between proximal and distal walls  206  and  208 , top and bottom sides  207  and  209 , and anterior and posterior walls  227  and  229 . Holes  231  and  233  are respectively formed through anterior and posterior walls  227  and  229 . 
     Proximal wall  208  comprises an opening  244  formed through an interior wall  246  and an exterior wall  248  thereof. Distal wall  206  comprises an exterior wall  225  oppositely situated to an interior wall  212 . An opening  214  is formed through exterior wall  225  and extends to a first abutment wall  216  formed between exterior and interior walls  225  and  212  to form a deep pocket within base  202 . In an exemplary embodiment, opening  214  is substantially oval shaped, and is defined by chamfered walls. 
     An indentation is formed within exterior wall  225  to reveal a second abutment wall  218  which is raised relative to first abutment wall  216 , i.e., positioned closer to top side  207  than is first abutment wall  216 , and which is positioned closer to exterior wall  225  than it is to interior wall  212 . Second abutment wall  218  defines a shallow pocket which overlaps and transects the deep pocket. In an exemplary embodiment, the shallow pocket is substantially oval in shape and is defined by chamfered walls. Alternatively, or additionally, an insert  224  (see  FIG. 7 b   ) may be positioned on second abutment wall  218  to replace the function of a chamfered wall. 
     Interior wall  212  comprises a tombstone-shaped channel  232  formed therethrough, wherein chamber  232  is in fluid communication with the deep and shallow pockets, and further wherein first abutment wall  216  forms the lowermost border of chamber  232 , and an interior directed concave shaped wall  223  forms the uppermost border of chamber  232 . A hole  254  is formed through an anterior directed interior side wall  250  which defines in part channel  232  of the shallow pocket. Hole  254  and hole  231  are in fluid communication with one another via a channel (not shown). 
     As best shown in  FIG. 7 a   , crosslock  300  comprises a shaft  302 . Shaft  302  comprises a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical-shaped body  301 , an open-ended proximal side  304  formed on a terminal end of body  301 , and a distal side  306 , which is formed on an oppositely situated terminal end of body  301 . A longitudinally extending chamber is formed through body  301  and extends to and from proximal and distal sides  304  and  306 . A hole  303 , which is in fluid communication with the chamber of shaft  302 , is formed through body  301 . 
     Disposed over hole  303  of shaft  302  is a support member  308 . Although support member  308  is depicted as having a generally U-shaped configuration in  FIG. 7 a    and a generally rectangular-shaped configuration in  FIG. 7 b   , the shape of the support member is not to be limited to the foregoing, but may take on a variety of shapes so long as the support member achieves the purposes of the support member as shall be more specifically described herein. 
     Referring primarily to  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   , support member  308  comprises a body  310  having a top side  312 , a proximal side  314 , a distal side  316 , a lateral side  318 , and a lateral side  320 . A channel  322  is formed between top side  312 , proximal side  314 , distal side  316 , lateral side  318 , and lateral side  320 . An opening  324  is formed through lateral side  318 , wherein opening  324  is aligned with hole  303  of shaft  302  and is in fluid communication with channel  322 . 
     Crosslock  300  further comprises a handle member  326 . Handle member  326  comprises a body having a front side  330  oppositely situated to a back side  332 , wherein back side  332  is disposed on proximal end  304  of shaft  302 . Additionally, a hole  334  is formed through front and back sides  330  and  332  above a midline thereof, wherein hole  334  is aligned with and in fluid communication with channel  322  of shaft  302 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 , when assembled, lower region  26  of housing  22  is positioned within chamber  210  of base  202  such that proximal wall  35  of housing  22  is directed towards proximal wall  208  of base  202 , and distal wall  37  of housing  22  is oriented towards distal wall  206  of base  202 . Shaft  302  of crosslock  300  is disposed through opening  244  of base  202 , through chamber  232  of base  202 , and through channel  39  of housing  22  such that support member  308  is disposed through channel  39  of housing  22 , and such that distal side  316  of support member  308  physically abuts interior wall  246  of proximal wall  208  of base  202 . Distal end  306  of shaft  302  extends through opening  244  on proximal wall  208  of base  202 , while back side  332  of handle member  326  is adjacent to exterior wall  225 . A rod  235  is disposed through holes  231 ,  254 , and  233  respectively formed on base  202  of crosslock assembly  200 . Rod  235  forces crosslock  300  to rotate around its central axis, and prevents downward movement of crosslock  300 . 
       FIGS. 8 a -8 e    depict movement between crosslock assembly  200  and housing  22 . As shown in  FIG. 8 a   , housing  22  is in the folded down position relative to base  202 . As shown in  FIG. 8 b   , crosslock  300  is inserted through the deep pocket such that support member  308  is disposed through and contained within channel  39 . Rod  235  is disposed through holes  231 ,  254 , and  233  and blocks downward movement of shaft  302 . Referring to  FIG. 8 c   , an upward directed force is applied to housing  22  causing housing  22  to pivot approximately 90 degrees relative to base  202  to cause handle member  326  to sit within the shallow pocket. A crosslock spring  336  is inserted through hole  334  and into chamber  311  of shaft  302 , and a pin  338  is inserted through hole  47  of housing  22  and through opening  324  of support member  308  and hole  303  of shaft  302 . Crosslock spring  336  is compressed by pin  338  to provide housing  22  with a limited range of motion relative to base  202 . Referring to  FIG. 8 e   , housing  22  may be manually pushed into a vertical position for sight use. Crosslock  300  rides off of chamfers  226  and crosslock spring  336  seats it in deep pocket  220 , locking it at the vertical position. Rod  235  may then be inserted through holes  231 ,  254 , and  233 . Crosslock  300  may then be depressed and housing  22  may be returned to the folded position. 
     Another exemplary crosslock assembly  401  is depicted in  FIG. 9 , wherein crosslock assembly  401  may be combined with folding sight assembly  200  and/or with elevation adjustment sight assembly  501  as later described herein. Crosslock assembly  401  is essentially identical to crosslock assembly  200  except that instead of housing  22  being manually raised by a user from the folded to the vertical positions, a push button is used to position the housing in a folded and a vertical position. At least two major benefits are achieved by modifying crosslock  300  with a push button function that uses, e.g., a spring loaded shell: (1) the amount of material that is removed from the crosslock is minimized; and (2) the strength of the crosslock is maximized for the production of plastic mold injection sights. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , an exemplary folding sight and crosslock unit  400  comprises a housing  402 , a base  404 , and a crosslock  406 . Housing  402  is essentially identical to housing  22  except that a shell contact groove  408  is formed through proximal wall  35  and a bottom side  412  of body  53  of housing  402 . 
     Crosslock  406  is essentially identical to crosslock  300  except that crosslock  406  further has a non-rotating pushbutton  416  disposed on distal end  306  of shaft  302 . A spring loaded shell  418 , comprising a spring  420  disposed within a shell  422 , is disposed through shell contact groove  408  located on housing  402  where it makes contact with a terminal end of crosslock  406 . 
       FIGS. 12 a -12 c    depict an exemplary movement of folding sight and crosslock unit  400 .  FIG. 12 a    depicts crosslock assembly  401  at a fully seated folded position, wherein spring loaded shell  446  is at full compression (see also  FIG. 10 ).  FIG. 12 b    depicts crosslock assembly  401  when pushbutton  442  is depressed causing spring loaded shell  446  into a vertical position. When pushbutton  442  is released, crosslock assembly  401  is fully seated at a vertical position as shown in  FIG. 12 c    (see also  FIG. 11 ). 
       FIG. 10  shows a decreasing radius that contacts spring loaded shell  446 . When pushbutton  442  is depressed, spring loaded shell  446  extends. At this point, crosslock  406  is in an “unlocked” condition, and housing  402 , due to the force of spring loaded shell  446 , is free to rotate to its vertical position as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     Further disclosed herein is an elevation adjustment sight and crosslock unit which allows for the elevation adjustment sight for sighting and targeting at ranges over various distances. An exemplary elevation adjustment sight and crosslock unit  500  is depicted in  FIGS. 13-15 . Elevation adjustment sight and crosslock unit  500  comprises an elevation adjustment sight assembly  501  and crosslock assembly  200  as described above-herein with reference to folding sight and crosslock unit  10 . Elevation adjustment sight assembly  501  comprises a spring subassembly  502 , a housing  600 , a windage carrier  650 , a lift dial  700 , and a lift spring  800 . 
     Spring assembly  502  comprises aperture  68 , windage adjustment knob  100 , and engagement spring  150 , all as described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Housing  600  comprises a lower region  26  or a lower region  28  as described above with reference to folding sight and crosslock unit  10 , where, again the geometrical configuration of the opening in lower region  26  and  28  is not limited by the drawings provided for herein. Crosslock assembly  200  may be physically engaged with lower region  26  or  28  in substantially the same manner as described with reference to folding sight and crosslock unit  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13-16   b , housing  600  further comprises an upper region  604 . Upper region  604  comprises a frame  606  that is contiguously formed with lower region  26 . Frame  606  further comprises a top side  628  oppositely situated to lower region  26 . Top side  628  has an opening  630  formed therethrough, wherein opening  630  leads into a chamber  632 . Frame  606  further has an anterior side  634  oppositely situated to a posterior side  636 . 
     A windage adjustment plate  638  extends from anterior side  634  of frame  606  and a catch plate  640  extends from posterior side  636  of frame  606  such that a space  642  is created between interior directed walls  644  and  646  of respective plates  638  and  640  and top side  628  of frame  606 . 
     Windage adjustment plate  638  has an opening  648  formed through an exterior directed wall  649  thereof and interior directed wall  644 , while catch plate  640  has an opening  641  formed through an exterior directed wall  643  thereof and interior directed wall  646 . A divot  647  is formed on interior directed wall  644  of windage adjustment plate  638 , and is in fluid communication with opening  648 . Interior directed wall  646  of catch plate  640  has a groove  639  formed therein. 
     Windage carrier  650  comprises a body  652  having a top wall  654  opposite to a bottom wall  656 , an anterior wall  658  oppositely situated to a posterior wall  660 , and a proximal wall  662  oppositely situated to a distal wall  664 . Top wall  654  has a channel  665  formed therein, wherein channel  665  leads into a chamber  661 . A detent  670 , which is coterminously formed with channel  665 , is formed on proximal wall  662  of body  652 , while an opening  663  is formed on distal wall  664  of body  652 . 
     An anterior directed extension member  672 , having a generally annular shaped configuration, is coterminously formed with anterior wall  658 , and a posterior directed extension member  674 , having a generally annular shaped configuration, is coterminously formed with posterior wall  660 . Each of members  672  and  674  has an opening  676  and  678  respectively formed therein, wherein openings  676  and  678  are in fluid communication with the channel formed in body  652 . 
     Windage carrier  650  further comprises a protrusion  680  which extends substantially perpendicularly from bottom wall  656  of body  652 . A hole  682  is formed through protrusion  680 . 
     When properly positioned for use, protrusion  680  is seated within chamber  632  of frame  606 , opening  676  of anterior directed extension member  672  is aligned with opening  648  of windage adjustment plate  638 , opening  678  of posterior directed extension member  674  is aligned with groove  639  of catch plate  640 , and divot  647  of windage adjustment plate  638  is aligned with channel  665  of windage carrier  650 . 
     Additionally, body  152  of engagement spring  150  is disposed within chamber  661 , retaining hook portion  154  of engagement spring  150  is engaged with detent  670  of windage carrier  650 , and retaining hook portion  804  is engaged with opening  663 . Shaft  104  of windage adjustment knob  100  is disposed through hollow cylindrical body  70  of aperture  68  such that bottom wall  106  of protrusion  102  of windage adjustment knob  100  abuts groove  639  of interior directed wall  646  of catch plate  640 , and head  112  of windage adjustment knob  100  extends from exterior-oriented wall  649  of windage adjustment plate  638 . Additionally, windage adjustment knob lock  163  of engagement spring  150  is positioned within one of the grooves from plurality of grooves  122  formed in head  112  of windage adjustment knob  100 , and retaining loop portion  161  rests on region  132  of shaft  104  of windage adjustment knob  100 . Ocular plates  76  and  78  may be adjusted by rotating the plates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, wherein respective grooves  92  and  94  may receive body  152  of engagement spring  150 . 
     Lift dial  700  comprises a shaft  702  having an anterior end  703  oppositely situated to a posterior end  705 , wherein anterior end  703  extends from a cap member  704 . Shaft  702  has a cam  707  formed around an exterior surface thereof. 
     Cap member  704  comprises a collar  706 , a base  708 , and a face  710 . Collar  706  is contiguously formed with anterior end  703  of shaft  702  on one end thereof, and includes a recessed portion  712  formed on an opposite end thereof. Base  708  comprises a bottom side  714  oppositely formed with a top side  716 , wherein bottom side  714  is contiguously formed with recessed portion  712  of collar  706 . Bottom side  714  has a plurality of grooves  718  formed therein. Face  710  is contiguously formed with top side  716  of base  708 . 
     Lift spring  800  comprises a substantially linear body  802 . At a terminal end thereof, body  802  bends substantially perpendicularly to form a retaining hook portion  804 . At an oppositely situated terminal end thereof, a substantially annular-shaped member  806  is contiguously formed with body  802 . An opening  808  is centrally formed through substantially annular-shaped member  806 . 
     When properly assembled for use, shaft  702  of lift dial  700  is inserted through opening  808  of lift spring  800  such that substantially annular-shaped member  806  is engaged with recessed portion  712  of cap member  704  of lift dial  700 , and such that retaining hook portion  804  is disposed through opening  663  and extends into chamber  661  thereby securing retaining hook portion to windage carrier  650 . 
     Elevation adjustment sight and crosslock unit  500  further comprises a spring  810  attached to a ball  812 , wherein ball  812  is received within one of grooves  718  of cap member  704  of lift dial  700 . When lift dial  700  is positioned within housing  600 , ball  812  and spring  810  provide a compressive force which assists in securing elevation adjustment sight assembly  501  over a variety of distances, such as, for example in the 300, 400, 500, and 500 meter range. As lift dial  700  is rotated, body  802  of lift spring  800  flexes to retain vertical position. Retaining hook portion  804  locks lift dial  700  to windage carrier  650  to prevent removal of windage carrier  650  from housing  600 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16 a -16 b    and  FIG. 17 , cam  707  of lift dial  700  contacts protrusion  680  of windage carrier  650 . Posterior end  705  of shaft  702  of lift dial  700  locates through hole  682  of protrusion  628  of windage carrier  650 , thereby preventing windage carrier  650  from being removed from housing  600 . The flex of spring  806  forces the return motion of windage carrier  650  and ensures constant contact with cam  707 . 
     While there is shown and described herein certain specific structures embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.