Abstract:
An apparatus for sun shielding for telescopic sights and binoculars incorporating a shutter mechanism to both protect the sighting system and to vary the light entering the sighting system.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to sun shielding for telescopic sights and binoculars. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of telescopic sights on weapons is well known and widely practiced. Certain problems are inherent in the use of these sights, however, and these problems have tended to make many hunters and sportsman refrain from using them. Conventional scope shade devices extend outwardly from the scope objective lense assembly, increasing the bulk and weight of the rifle/scope combination. Conventional scope shade devices are often designed to screw into the objective end of the scope assembly however there are a variety of objective diameters and no standard screw pitch between manufacturers, rendering the adaptation of a scope shade to a scope proprietary to each scope. Consequently, a need has been felt for providing a device which allows for convenient shading of sunlight when using a rifle scope so as to improve the optics when used in bright light. Thus, there is a need in the art for a sunshade that can overcome the above-described problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention is to provide an improved sun shade for a telescopic sight, binoculars or other lensed sighting systems. 
     The assembly provides for a more efficient and cheaper design by having less parts and rendering the shade integral to the telescopic sight. 
     A further advantage of this invention is to vary the amount of light entering the aperture of the sight to reduce glare. 
     A further advantage of this invention is that by partially closing the scope shade, a shooter may align a red-dot or electronic sight mounted on the firearm with the bore of the scope or confirm that such alignment exists. 
     Further advantages include lens protection from dust, physical damage and adverse weather conditions, as well as glare reduction and field-of-view adjustments. 
     Other advantages will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a view of the invention incorporated into a riflescope according to an exemplary embodiment described herein; 
         FIG. 1B  is a view of the invention conceptually removed from a riflescope according to an embodiment described herein; 
         FIG. 2A  is a view of the invention incorporated into a binocular according to an exemplary embodiment described herein; 
         FIG. 2B  is a view of the invention conceptually removed from a binocular according to an exemplary embodiment described herein; 
         FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of the scope shade mechanism described herein; 
         FIG. 3B  is an alternative exploded view of the scope shade mechanism described herein; 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective exploded view of the scope shade mechanism described herein; 
         FIGS. 5A-5D  are views of the sunshade showing a cross-section of blade positions; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  are views of the sunshade in operation, depicting various aperature openings. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to various specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described with sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be employed, and that changes may be made without departing from the teachings of the invention. 
       FIG. 1A  depicts a telescopic sight assembly ( 1 ). The telescopic sight has an anterior end ( 2 ) and posterior end ( 3 ) with an ocular lens (not shown) located at the posterior end and an objective lens ( 4 ) located at the anterior end. A sunshade assembly ( 5 ) for reducing glare is integrally and operably connected proximate the anterior end ( 1 ) proximate the lens. A sunshade may also be operably connected to the posterior end ( 3 ) as desired. The same mechanisms and components may be applied, rendering an adjustable sunshade at the posterior end for purposes of lens protection from dust, physical damage and adverse weather conditions, as well as glare reduction and field-of-view adjustments. The shade ( 6 ) is adjustable such that adjusting the shade increases or decreases the aperture of the lens.  FIG. 1B  shows the sunshade assembly removed from the telescopic sight. In practice, the sunshade assembly may be releasably secured to the telescopic sight or manufactured integral with the sight.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  show the sunshade assembly as applied to binoculars ( 20 ). The sunshade assembly ( 5 ) comprises a shutter ring ( 7 ) to which a blade ( 8 ) is attachedly affixed at one end and traverses the shutter ring, as depicted in  FIG. 5   d . In practice, multiple blades ( 8 ) are utilized, as displayed in  FIG. 4 , to adjust the lens aperature.  FIG. 3A  depicts the blades ( 8 ) configured in a partially open position while  FIG. 3B  depicts the blades ( 8 ) in a substantially closed position.  FIGS. 5A-5C  depict the blades in a fully open position ( FIG. 5A ), partially closed position ( FIG. 5B ) and fully closed position ( FIG. 5C ). The shutter ring is fixedly positioned coaxial with the lens and positioned between an external light source, such as sunlight, and the lens. The sunshade further comprises a shutter body ( 10 ) to contain the shutter ring ( 7 ) and blade ( 8 ) as indicated in an exploded view as shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  4 . The shutter body is operably connected proximate the anterior end ( 2 ) proximate the lens and contains the shutter ring ( 7 ) in coaxial relation to the lens. A second end of the blade ( 8 ) is attachedly affixed to the shutter body ( 10 ). The shutter body may further include a separate vane ring ( 9 ) for securing an end of a blade ( 8 ) or the vane ring ( 9 ) may be integral or formed integral to the shutter body. The shutter body ( 10 ) is designed to rotate radially about the longitudal axis of the telescopic sight assembly as indicated in  FIGS. 5A-5C  and  FIGS. 6A-6C . As the shutter body ( 10 ) rotates, it moves the blade body ( 8 ) to a position covering a portion of the lense, as shown in  FIG. 5D . The use of multiple blades affixed between the shutter ring and shutter body, as indicated in  FIGS. 5A-5C  enables one to adjustably reduce the aperture of the lens about its radial center. The assembly may further incorporate an O-ring between the shutter body and sight housing to seal the assembly from contamination and adverse weather conditions. 
     Additional advantages, features and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and embodiments, shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.