Abstract:
A corrective lens adapter configured for attaching to a firearm scope that comprises a lens adapted to compensate for presbyopic vision deficiencies of a user, a cylindrical body adapted to receive and support the lens, and a shroud adapted to be placed over a proximate end of the scope. The shroud is formed of a flexible material to be operatively fit over the eye piece of the scope without marring or damaging the scope, and includes a cord for cinching the shroud closed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/891,150 filed Oct. 15, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an adapter for a firearm scope including a corrective lens. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Over the years, modern advances in hunting equipment have enhanced the sport, providing hunters with increased success. Among these products, optical scopes used on high-powered rifles, pistols, and even crossbows offers long-range targeting capabilities with pinpoint accuracy. However, many users of such scopes are afflicted by near vision problems forcing them to wear reading glasses. Such glasses are necessary to properly see through the scope, and view the reticle markings on the lenses. However, when the user looks down range at the object being shot at, the glasses need to be removed. This results in a continuous on again/off again cycle which is not only aggravating, but takes time in which the ideal shot can be missed. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which users requiring the use of reading glasses can be afforded the ability to effectively use a hunting scope, without the disadvantages as described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention in providing a corrective lens adapter configured for attaching to a firearm scope that comprises a lens adapted to compensate for presbyopic vision deficiencies of a user, a cylindrical body adapted to receive and support the lens, and a shroud adapted to be placed over a proximate end of the scope. The shroud is formed of a flexible material to be operatively fit over the eye piece of the scope without marring or damaging the scope, and includes a cord for cinching the shroud closed. The use of the adapter provides presbyopic challenged, hunting scope users the ability to improve their hunting skill, in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the corrective lens adapter  10  for a firearm scope in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric environmental view of a scope  100  of a crossbow fitted with a corrective lens adapter  10  for a firearm scope in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is a section view along a line A-A as shown on  FIG. 1  of the corrective lens adapter  10  for a firearm scope in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  corrective lens adapter 
               22  body 
               24  outer wall 
               26  lens wall 
               28  shoulder 
               32  internal thread 
               36  crimp band 
               37  offset wall 
               42  lens 
               52  ring 
               54  external thread 
               56  slot 
               60  shroud 
               62  hem 
               63  tunnel 
               64  stitching 
               65  hem opening 
               66  shroud opening 
               68  cord 
               72  cord retainer 
               100  scope 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a corrective lens adapter for a firearm scope (herein referred to as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means to fit a corrective lens  42  onto the proximal end of virtually any scope  100  of a crossbow weapon without the use of additional tools in order to compensate for the presbyopic vision deficiencies of the user. While this apparatus  10  was originally conceived to function with the scope  100  of a crossbow, it is understood that a broader use with other scopes  100  can be established without limiting the range of this invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of the apparatus  10  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  has a body  22  comprised preferably of a thermoplastic material formed in an injection molding process. The body  22  is cylindrical with an outer wall  24  upon which is disposed a crimp band  36  for the purpose of retaining a shroud  60 . The crimp band  36  is comprised of a metal, or a rigid thermoplastic material, formed with an annular ring cemented, or otherwise affixed to, the outer wall  24 , an offset wall  37 , and a second concentric annular ring constricting the textile shroud  60 . The crimp band  36  may be formed with a plurality of uniformly spaced indentations, or crimps, for the purpose of creating an interference fit between the outer wall  24  and said crimp band  36  to positively grip and retain the material of the shroud  60 . 
     The shroud  60  is a textile sleeve comprised of any of a variety of synthetic or natural fibers which encircles a distal end of the body  22 . The shroud  60 , as stated earlier, is affixed to the body  22  at one (1) end and is provided with a hem  62  at a second end. The hem  62  is formed at the shroud opening  66  by folding the material of the shroud  60  internally upon itself and affixing the end with stitching  64  as in a sewing process. Disposed in the hem  62 , between the stitching  64  and the fold at the shroud opening  66  is an encircling tunnel  63 , as seen in  FIG. 3 , through which a cord  68  is routed as a loop. A hem opening  65  is disposed in the tunnel  63  for the ingress and egress of the cord  68 . A cord retainer  72  is placed onto the cord  68  at that point where said cord  68  enters and again exits the hem opening  65 . The cord retainer  72  is a device which can maintain the relative positions of any two (2) points along the cord  68  such that said cord  68  can be placed in a constrictive loop. The cord retainer  72  is also provided with a release mechanism which will allow the cord  68  to pass freely so that the constriction can be lessened or removed. Currently, several mechanical devices exist which can serve the function of the cord retainer  72 , and the specification of any one (1) such device will unnecessarily limit the range of the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an isometric environmental view of the apparatus  10 , attached to the scope  100  of a crossbow according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The shroud opening  66  is placed over a proximal end of a user&#39;s scope  100  and positioned such that the distal end of the body  22  comes into contact with said scope  100 . The cord  68  is tightened within the hem  62  of the shroud  60  and the cord retainer  72  is placed at the hem opening  65  so that the constrictive loop of said cord  68  secures the position of the apparatus  10  on the scope  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a section view along line A-A, as shown in  FIG. 1 , of the apparatus  10  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. A lens wall  26  is disposed near the proximal end of the body  22 . The lens wall  26  is a sectional divider with a circular aperture slightly smaller in diameter than the lens  42  so as to form a shoulder  28  against which said lens  42  is to be buttressed. The lens  42  is a ground and polished disc of glass, or translucent plastic, used to correct the presbyopic vision of a user. Due to the variability in the acuity of vision of the number of possible users, it must be understood that the refractive power of the lens  42 , measured in diopter, may be different in different embodiments without limiting the range of the apparatus  10 . 
     An internal thread  32 , preferably of a unified national fine profile, is cut, or formed, on the interior of the outer wall  24  in proximity to the lens wall  26 . The internal thread  32  in this location necessitates that the thickness of the outer wall  24  be greater in this region than in other portions of said outer wall  24  at a more distal location. A ring  52  comprised preferably of a rigid thermoplastic material and having an external thread  54  cut, or formed, on the outside diameter is engaged into the internal thread  32 . Disposed in the distal side of the ring  52  is a plurality of radial slots  56 . The slots  56  can be engaged symmetrically by a tool to rotate the ring  52  and cause a further engagement of the external thread  54  with the internal thread  34  thereby forcing said ring  52  against the lens  42  and securing said lens  42  in position. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 2 . The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the apparatus  10  having the desired refractive capability to adequately correct a user&#39;s vision impairment; disengaging the cord retainer  72  to loosen the cord  68 ; fitting the shroud opening  66  around the proximal end of the scope  100 ; positioning the distal end of the body  22  against the proximal end of the scope  100 ; tightening and cinching the cord  68  about the scope end using the cord retainer  72  so as to secure the apparatus  10  to the scope  100 ; and sighting through the scope to draw a bead on the prey. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.