Patent Publication Number: US-8984796-B2

Title: Lockable adjustment mechanism

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §121 U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 12/684,585, filed Jan. 8, 2010, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/144,662, filed Jan. 14, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to scopes and lockable adjustment mechanisms for scopes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Rifle scopes are typically equipped with at least one adjustment mechanism such that a shooter can accommodate for various conditions that can cause the point of impact of a fired bullet to vary compared to an originally set aiming mark, such as the ballistic properties of a bullet, environmental conditions (altitude, humidity, wind, etc.), and the distance to the target. Adjustment mechanisms may provide movement of the reticle on the image that is created by the objective system (e.g., first focal plane) or the objective and the erector system (e.g., second focal plane). Knowing or estimating the environmental conditions and other factors influencing the point of impact, the shooter can adjust the reticle position so that the expected point of impact will be at the aiming mark again. 
     SUMMARY 
     A scope adjustment mechanism may include a turret cap assembly, configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The turret cap may include a first cylindrical region adjacent a second cylindrical region, the first cylindrical region having a first interior side with a first inner diameter, the second cylindrical region having a second interior side with a second inner diameter. The first inner diameter may be less than the second inner diameter, which together forms an interior lateral surface adjacent the second cylindrical region and an exterior lateral surface facing away from the second cylindrical region. The first and second inner diameters may be orthogonal to the axis of rotation. A ring residing on the second interior side of the cap may include a plurality of evenly spaced apart teeth residing circumferentially around the ring. The adjustment mechanism may also include a saddle assembly configured to couple with the turret cap assembly. The saddle assembly may have a saddle base defining a base annulus concentric with the axis of rotation. A transportation element may reside within the base annulus and may be configured to receive a bolt. The transportation element may also include a plunger mount adjacent the saddle base defining a plunger annulus concentric with the axis of rotation. A plunger element may reside in the plunger annulus and in mechanical communication with the transportation element. A click element may be mechanically fixed to the saddle base and be configured to engage the teeth of the ring. A quick spanner assembly may include a bolt configured to be received by the transportation element, a cam lock comprising an eccentric cam hinged to the bolt, and a pressure plate residing between the bolt and the cam lock. The eccentric cam may contact the pressure plate when locked. The interior lateral surface of the turret cap assembly may reside on the transportation element, removably coupling the turret cap assembly to the saddle assembly and contacting the click element with the ring. 
     A scope may include a tube, an objective system, an ocular system, and an erector system. The erector system may include an adjustment mechanism connected to the tube such that the adjustment mechanism provides movement of a reticle on an image that is created by the objective system, the adjustment mechanism comprising a saddle mechanism, a turret cap mechanism, and a quick release mechanism. The quick release mechanism may include a threaded bolt, a lever, and a pressure plate, the pressure plate residing between the threaded bolt and the lever, which may be hingedly attached to the bolt. The pressure plate may be adjacent to the turret cap mechanism and apply pressure to the turret cap mechanism when the quick release mechanism is in the locked position. The quick release mechanism may be connected to the saddle mechanism. The quick release mechanism may further include a cam lock with an eccentric cam and an axle that cam lock the turret cap assembly such that when the cam lock is in a locked position and the turret cap is rotated, a transportation piece that is part of the saddle mechanism affects the position of a reticle. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of one embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure showing the constituent components. 
         FIG. 2  is an unexploded view of an example embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 1  showing the turret cap assembly mounted onto the saddle assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of example dimensions of the click element. 
         FIG. 4  is an example partially exploded view of the adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure showing unexploded views of the turret cap assembly, the saddle assembly, and the quick spanner assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is an example side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the adjustable mechanism of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of an example embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure configured for multiple revolutions. 
         FIG. 7  is an example side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure configured for multiple revolutions. 
         FIG. 8  is an example side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 7  taken along A-A. 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of the embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure configured for multiple revolutions shown without the turret cap assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is an example side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure with a two-stage turret cap assembly. 
         FIG. 11  is an example side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of the present disclosure with longitudinally depressed turret cap assembly. 
         FIG. 12  is an example side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 11  showing the turret cap assembly longitudinally raised. 
         FIG. 13A  is an example side-cross sectional view of a scope with an embodiment of the adjustment mechanism consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13B  is an exploded view of the scope of  FIG. 13A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     At a high level, this disclosure describes a scope and scope adjustment mechanism. The scope may include a tube, an objective system, an ocular system, and an erector system wherein the erector system may further include an adjustment mechanism system rotatably connected to the tube such that the adjustment mechanism system provides movement of a reticle on an image that is created by the objective system, and wherein the adjustment mechanism system may include a saddle mechanism, a turret cap mechanism, and a quick release (or spanner) mechanism. The quick release mechanism may include a threaded bolt, a pin, a lever, and a pressure plate. In other words, the quick release mechanism may include a cam-lock with an eccentric cam and an axle that together cam lock the turret cap assembly such that when the cam lock is in a locked position and the turret cap is rotated, a transportation piece housed within the saddle assembly rotates to affect the position of a reticle or aiming mark. The quick release mechanism may be connected to the saddle mechanism. In addition, the quick release mechanism can be unlocked by an article acting as a lever, for example, a coin or the rim of a cartridge. Generally, the pressure plate is adjacent to the turret cap mechanism and applies pressure to the turret cap mechanism when the quick release mechanism is in the locked position. 
     The adjustment mechanism of the scope can further include a tactile and/or audible click mechanism wherein the tactile and/or audible click mechanism can include a first and a second plurality of click values corresponding to a predetermined shift in a position of a reticle of the scope; and wherein the first plurality of click values has a different tactile response and/or audible response than the second plurality of click values. Having at least a first and second click value may provide for high precision adjustments for short, medium, and long-range targets without the need to keep count of a large number of clicks. A third plurality of click values is also possible, which may add further convenience for precision adjustments at longer ranges (or shorter ranges, depending on the configuration). The click mechanism can further include a click ring having a first plurality of detents and a second plurality of detents, with the first and second pluralities of detents corresponding to different tactile responses and/or audible responses, and a click element that engages said detents. As an example, the click ring may have 120 total detents, made up of a combination of the first and second plurality of detents; as another example, the click ring may similarly have 240 detents. The detents can be grooves, ridges, or teeth. The scope can include two click rings wherein the first plurality of detents are on a different click ring from the second plurality of detents. Alternatively, the first and second plurality of detents can be on a single ring. For example, the first plurality of detents may reside above or below the second plurality of detents similar to the two-ring embodiment. As a further example, the first plurality of detents may be inline with the second plurality of detents, the first plurality possibly having a different form or structure from the second plurality of detents (for example, the first plurality of detents may be deeper grooves than the second plurality of detents). 
     The turret mechanism may house the click ring or click rings. The turret mechanism may include a turret housing, which may be generally cylindrical in shape and open on each end. One end of the turret may have a smaller diameter opening than the other end. The click rings may be arranged within the housing in the space defined by the inside of the turret, and may be concentric with the cylindrical axis of the turret. The scope can further include two click elements wherein each click element engages a different set of detents. The click element can comprise a detent ball or generally wedge-shaped element designed to engage the detents. The generally wedge-shaped element can be an accurately precision-ground element. In another embodiment, a single click element can engage the detents. The click element may be in a fixed position, the click element may be spring loaded, or some combination of fixed and spring loaded. For example, the click element that engages the first plurality of detents may be fixed and the click element that engages the second plurality of detents may be spring loaded. Alternatively, both click elements may be spring loaded. For example, if the groove depths of the first and second plurality of detents are substantially the same, the click element engaging the first plurality of detents may be spring loaded at a tension different from the click element engaging the second plurality of detents. The recitation of combinations of detent and click element structures is meant for merely illustrative purposes, and is in no way meant to limit the possible structures or structural combinations. 
     In addition, the turret cap mechanism of the scope can be removable and replaceable by a second turret cap mechanism. The turret cap mechanism can have a different click value from the second turret cap mechanism. The quick release mechanism provides a mechanical connection between the turret cap and the saddle mechanism such that upon removal of the turret cap mechanism, the internal seals of the scope would not be compromised. As a further embodiment, the turret cap mechanism can be removed without tools. A scope turret mechanism that can be removed may include a turret cap designed to engage a quick release mechanism such that when engaged, rotation of the turret cap will result in a shift in position of a scope reticle is further described herein. As described above, the quick release mechanism can comprise a threaded bolt, a pin, a lever, and a pressure plate. In one embodiment, the turret mechanism can further include a click ring. In another embodiment, the turret mechanism can further include at least two click rings. The turret cap can have a rim to contact the pressure plate of the quick release mechanism. The pressure plate is generally part of or connected to the threaded bolt. In another embodiment, the scope turret mechanism can comprise a click element designed to engage a click ring of a scope. In a further embodiment, at least one of the click rings can be a bullet drop compensation click ring. The detent spacing may be chosen to create a corresponding movement of the reticle. In a further embodiment, the quick release mechanism comprises a manually manipulable component. This kind of adjustment mechanism described herein is mainly used in, but not limited to, opto-mechanical instruments such as rifle scopes. 
     A rifle scope may include a main tube, the housing that holds the optical system, which again may include an objective system, an ocular (or eyepiece) system, and an erector system. The erector system might be a system with fixed magnification or a system with variable magnification (zoom). A reticle is placed either at the front end (first focal plane or objective focal plane) or/and at the back end (second focal plane or ocular focal plane) of the erector system. This reticle is the aiming mark for the user such that, when the rifle scope is properly adjusted to the rifle, the point of impact should be at the aiming point given by the reticle. 
     Because of the ballistic properties of the bullet; environmental conditions such as altitude, humidity, wind, etc.; and the distance to the target, the point of impact can vary compared to the originally set aiming mark. To allow the shooter to accommodate for these changing conditions, the scope is equipped with at least one (usually two) adjustment mechanisms. Each adjustment mechanism may be mounted to the main tube, usually one horizontally and another one vertically, so that the center axes of the two adjustment mechanisms make an angle of approximately 90°. The adjustment mechanisms are connected to the erector system. When the adjustment mechanisms are used, they provide a movement of the reticle on the image that is created by the objective system (first focal plane) or the objective and the erector system (second focal plane). Knowing or estimating the environmental conditions and other factors influencing the point of impact, the shooter can adjust the reticle position so that the expected point of impact will be at the aiming mark again. 
     The foregoing examples and example advantages may not be present in every configuration or for every technique. While generally described as a scope, some or all of these aspects may be further included in respective systems, components or other devices for configuring, implementing, or otherwise resulting in a suitable system or device. The details of these and other aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. But other features, objects, and advantages of the preferred embodiment will be apparent from the description and drawings. Functions and embodiments described before can work alone or combined in any suitable way. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the adjustment mechanism  100 , which may include three subassemblies: the saddle assembly  140 , the turret cap assembly  120 , and the quick spanner assembly  180 . 
     As an example, the saddle assembly  140  may be mounted to the main tube of a rifle scope. It holds a transportation piece  144  into which a plunger  150  is attached (e.g., screwed). The bottom of the plunger  150  has two plane parallel surfaces which are led through a slot in the lower saddle part  152 . This design ensures that the plunger  150  can move in or out of the saddle assembly  140  when the transportation piece  144  is rotated. The upper saddle part  142  holds spring-loaded click elements  146 ,  148  that engage the click rings  126 ,  128 , respectively, in the turret cap assembly  120  to create the tactile and audible clicks. The lower and the upper saddle parts  142  and  152  are held together by screws, a cover “closes” the upper saddle part  142  on top. O-rings inside and around the saddle assembly  140  ensure that once this assembly is mounted to the scope&#39;s main tube, the scope is sealed and thus the inside of the scope is protected against dust and humidity. On either the saddle assembly  140  or the main tube, an index mark is positioned in a way that the user can “read” to which position the respective turret cap assembly  120  is set. 
     In embodiments, the click elements could be part of the turret cap assembly  120  and could engage click rings that are part of the saddle assembly  140 .  FIG. 3  is an illustration of example dimensions of the click element. 
     The turret cap assembly  120  is the part of the adjustment mechanism  100  that is normally handled by the user to move the reticle on the image in either the first or the second focal plane and thus influences the point of impact. In one embodiment, the turret cap assembly  120  may include the turret cap  122  and one or more click rings (e.g.,  126 ,  128 ) that are held in the inside of the turret cap  122 . The inside diameter of the click ring(s) has a certain amount of teeth  130 ,  132 . The amount of teeth depends on the particular click value, scope&#39;s focal length, used thread pitch of the saddle assembly&#39;s  140  transportation piece  144  and plunger  150 , etc. The click ring  126  is assembled into the inside diameter of the turret cap  122  and positioned and held in place by one or more pins and/or screws. If there is more than one click ring, they are assembled on top of each other and positioned to each other by one or more pins and/or screws. A scale  124  with marks, numbers, etc. may be located on the outside diameter of the turret cap  122 ; to provide reference to the “clicks” of the click rings. 
     The quick spanner assembly  180  connects the turret cap assembly  120  with the saddle assembly  140  which allows the transportation piece  144  to follow when the turret cap assembly  120  is rotated. Thus, the saddle assembly&#39;s plunger  150  moves in or out of the saddle assembly  140 . The quick spanner assembly  180  may include a threaded bolt  186 , a pin  185 , a lever  182 , and a pressure plate  184 . On the top of the threaded bolt  186  is a hole whose axis is perpendicular to the threaded bolts&#39; main axis. One end of the lever  182  may be cylindrical in shape  183 . Other shapes, such as oval, diamond, wedge-shaped, or other shapes, as appropriate, that can apply pressure contact are contemplated. Through this cylinder is a hole, the axis of which is eccentric to the cylinder axis. The pressure plate  184  has a slot through which the top of the threaded bolt  186  is placed. In another example, the pressure plate  184  may be part of the threaded bolt  186 . The lever  182  is placed on the top part of the threaded bolt  186  so that the holes of the threaded bolt  186  and the lever  182  line up. 
     The turret cap assembly  120  is mounted to the saddle assembly  140  such that it almost completely covers the saddle assembly  140 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . A first inside diameter in the turret cap  122  attaches to the outside diameter of the saddle assembly&#39;s transportation piece  144  shown in  FIG. 5 . The turret cap  122  may fit onto the saddle assembly  140  by a friction fit or some other secure and removable way. A rim  134  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) on top of the turret cap&#39;s inside diameter places the turret cap assembly  120  on the transportation piece  144 . The click element  146 ,  148  in the saddle assembly  140  engage the turret cap assembly&#39;s  120  click rings&#39;  126 ,  128  teeth  130 ,  132 , respectively, which creates the tactile/audible clicks when the turret cap assembly is rotated. It is to be understood that a turret cap assembly with a click ring with a first number of detents or teeth may be interchanged with another turret cap assembly with a click ring with a second number. The turret cap assemblies may be structured such that the number of detents or teeth on the rings contained therein would not affect the coupling of the turret cap assembly  120  to the saddle assembly  140 . For example, the turret cap assemblies may have the same configuration, except for the number of detents or teeth on the click ring. The click ring may be removable and replaced with a second click ring with a different number of detents or teeth (as long as the second click ring is mechanically compatible with the structure of both the turret cap assembly and the saddle assembly). 
     The pin  185  is inserted through the holes, becoming an axle for the lever  182 . The hole in the lever  182  is sized in a way that the pin  185  must be pressed through, whereas the hole in the threaded bolt  186  is larger in diameter than the pin  185 . This allows the pin  185  to be held in place by the press fit diameters, yet permits the lever  182  to be rotated around the axle. When the turret cap assembly  120  is placed on the saddle assembly  140 , the threaded bolt  186  of the quick spanner assembly  180  is screwed into a thread on top of the saddle assembly&#39;s transportation piece  144 . The quick spanner assembly&#39;s pressure plate  184  comes to sit on top of the turret cap assembly&#39;s rim  134  (shown in  FIG. 5 , which again is sitting on top of the saddle assembly&#39;s transportation piece  144 ). The quick spanner assembly&#39;s bolt  186  is screwed so far in that in order to move the lever  182  into the spanned position a certain force has to be applied. When the lever  182  is rotated into the spanned position, the bolt  186  is “pulled up” in the thread and, thus, force in the thread is created. The frictional force created between turret cap  122  and transportation piece  144  may establish the mechanical connection there between and allow rotating the transportation piece  144  via the turret cap  122 . The deeper the bolt is screwed into the transportation piece  144 , the more force that is applied to the thread, and vice versa. This means that the tension of the quick spanner assembly mechanism  180  can be adjusted when spanning the mechanism. 
     With the quick spanner assembly  180  in spanned position, the forces created between the bolt&#39;s  186  and transportation piece&#39;s  144  thread, the turret cap assembly&#39;s ring (e.g.,  126 ), the pressure plate  184 , and the lever  182 , it is provided that when the turret cap assembly  120  is rotated by the user, the transportation piece  144  follows this movement and, thus, the plunger  150  moves in or out (depending on rotation direction) of the saddle assembly  140 . 
     The adjustment mechanism  100  may move the aiming mark (reticle) on the image created in the first or second focal plane in order to influence the point of impact. To accomplish this, the front end of the erector system is pressed against the bottom of the saddle assembly&#39;s plunger  150  by one or more springs. The back of the erector system is connected to the main tube in a ball joint, allowing pivoting of the erector system when the adjustment mechanisms&#39; turret cap assembly  120  is rotated. The front end and/or the back end of the erector system may hold an aiming mark (reticle) in the rifle scope&#39;s first or second focal plane, depending on the designated use of the scope and the user&#39;s preferred configuration. Rotating the turret cap assembly  120  results in a movement of the reticle relative to the image. 
     During the adjustment process, the turret cap assembly  120  is rotated by a certain amount of increments, further referred to as “clicks” or “click adjustment.” Depending on the total adjustment range and/or the graduation of the click adjustment (travel per click), many different versions of the adjustments with either one or multiple rotations of the turret cap can be put into realization. One click adjustment would be referred to as “1 cm/100 m,” which means that every click changes the point of impact by 1 cm when the target is at a distance of 100 m. Some other click adjustments could be, for example, ¼ MOA or ¼ inches at 100 yards. 
     The turret cap assembly  120  is connected to a female transportation piece (in the saddle assembly  140 ), which transfers the turret cap assembly&#39;s rotational movement into a linear movement (along the axis) of the plunger  150 . A certain amount of rotational movement (clicks) results in the respective change or correction of the point of impact. The adjustment value can be determined (or set) using the scale that is on the outside diameter (usually, but not necessarily, engraved) on the turret cap  122 . 
     To achieve the adjustment in certain click values, the turret cap  122  holds one or more click rings  126 ,  128 . Each click ring  126 ,  128  have a certain amount of teeth  130 ,  132 , respectively, depending on the desired click value. The turret cap assembly  120  can be switched by the user, providing the user with several different turret cap assemblies and a choice of click values. 
     Two different click values may be achieved in one adjustment mechanism by using a second click ring  128  in the same turret cap with a teeth  132  graduation differing from the first click ring  126 . Using different spring configurations for the two click mechanisms  146 ,  148  results in a differing tactile feel and/or differing “click sound” when an adjustment is made and thus can, for example, make counting of higher click numbers easier. A single click ring may also be used, with two sets of detents, each set having a different gradation from the other. A single click element may also be used with a single spring configuration. The click elements may be one piece or may be more than one, depending on the configuration. The click element may be any chosen structure, structures, or mechanisms that engage the detents or teeth. 
     In one embodiment, to achieve the differing tactile feels of the click mechanisms, different click elements with differing spring pressures may be assigned to the click rings. Shown by example in  FIG. 5 , the click elements  146 ,  148  are aligned on top of each other allowing an exact alignment of the two click adjustments. One or more springs  156 ,  158  with defined spring pressure press the click element into the teeth of each click ring  126 ,  128 , respectively. In another embodiment, a single click element may span two or more click rings and may have a continuous engagement face or a divided engagement face that engages the detents of the click rings. 
     The use of two click rings at the same time allows for combinations of primary click adjustment and secondary click adjustment. For example, one click of the secondary click adjustment can equal a certain amount of clicks of the primary click adjustment, thus making counting of higher click amounts easier. Another example could be that the primary click adjustment equals a certain shift in point of impact (for example 0.1 mil per click) and the secondary clicks refer to different distance adjustment for a certain ammunition type. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the scale  124  on the outside diameter of the turret cap  122  matches the click adjustment of primary and/or secondary click adjustments. The design of the scale  124  can be made to show whatever the user prefers. An example could be that the scale  124  shows low lines and some higher lines, where the low lines refer to every click of the primary click adjustment and the higher lines refer to every click of the secondary click adjustment. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional schematic of the adjustment mechanism.  FIG. 5  illustrates a stop pin  160  projecting out of the top of the saddle assembly  140  and another stop pin  136  projecting out of the bottom of the turret cap assembly  120  to provide (a) a defined “zero stop” at the one end of the adjustment range and (b) a defined stop at the end of the adjustment range, while only one revolution of the adjustment mechanism  100  is used. 
     The quick spanner  180  shown in  FIG. 1  allows the user to set/reset or switch the turret cap assembly  120  without the use of any special tools by mechanically coupling to the saddle assembly  140  and allowing for the application of a force that secures the turret cap assembly  120  to the saddle assembly  140  by a mechanical lever  182  readily accessible to the user. Situations that make it desirable to open the quick spanner  180  could arise when sighting in the rifle, adjusting the adjustment mechanism  100  due to changed environmental conditions, switching the rifle scope from one rifle to another, or accommodating changes in point of impact due to use of special auxiliary equipment (for example, suppressors). 
     When the quick spanner assembly  180  is assembled to the adjustment mechanism  100  the quick spanner  180  will usually be in its unlocked position, with its lever  182  pointing up (as shown in  FIG. 2 . The quick spanner&#39;s threaded bolt  186  is screwed through a hole in the turret cap assembly  120  into the upper inside thread of the transportation piece  144  of the saddle assembly  140 . The quick spanner assembly&#39;s pressure plate  184  comes to sit on a rim  134  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the turret cap  122  which, again, is sitting on top of the transportation piece  144 . The quick spanner  180  is screwed far enough into the transportation piece  144  that its lever  182  touches the pressure plate  184  in the unlocked position. To lock the quick spanner  180 , the lever  182  is pushed down into the locked position (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). Because the end of the lever  182  holding the axle is eccentric to the axle, the threaded bolt  186  is pulled up in the transportation piece&#39;s  144  thread and the pressure plate  184  is pressing the turret cap assembly  120  against the transportation piece  144 . The tension of the quick spanner  180  can be influenced by unlocking it, screwing the bolt  186  in or out more (depending on if higher or lower tension is to be used), and locking it again. In another embodiment, the pressure of the plate  184  could be controlled by a spring mechanism which provides a preset pressure for locking the pressure plate  184 . 
     To unlock the quick spanner  180 , a simple device such as a coin, key or bottom rim of a cartridge, may be used. The device is used as a lever by pushing one end of it underneath the quick spanner&#39;s lever  182  and pressing the other end down so the quick spanner&#39;s lever  182  lifts up. Because the end of the quick spanner&#39;s lever  182  has a cylindrical shape  183  which is eccentric to its axle, the force is taken off the pressure plate and, thus, the force is taken out of the threads and the quick spanner assembly  180  is unlocked. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the lever  182  of the quick spanner assembly  180  in the “locked” position.  FIG. 5  also shows the spring loaded click elements  146 ,  148  engaging the detents in the click rings  126 ,  128 , respectively. The threaded bolt  186  of the quick spanner assembly  180  connects to the transportation piece  144 , which, when the lever is locked, moves the plunger in or out of the saddle, thereby effecting the position of the aiming mark. When the quick spanner is unlocked, the turret cap assembly  120  can be rotated without the transportation piece  144  following, the plunger  150  will not move in/out of the saddle assembly  140 . Thus, the aiming mark (reticle) will not change its position on the image. 
     To remove the turret cap assembly  120  from the saddle assembly  140 , the threaded bolt  186  may be unscrewed and the quick spanner assembly  180  removed. Upon replacing the turret cap assembly  120  onto the saddle assembly  140 , the quick spanner assembly  180  would thus be reconnected. 
     In some uses, the adjustments sought make it desirable to have more than one revolution of the turret. This could be, for example, to achieve a higher elevation range in order to be able to shoot at further distances. Another example could be that the click adjustment has to be very fine and since the amount of clicks per revolution is mechanically limited by the size of the teeth, in order to achieve the desired elevation range, more than one revolution of the turret is desirable. A combination of these two examples may be possible. 
     One complication of having more than one revolution of the turret cap assembly  120  is that the user not only has to know at which rotational position the turret cap assembly  120  is at a given time, but also in which revolution the mechanism is. 
       FIGS. 6-8  illustrate an embodiment of the adjustment mechanism  200  for multiple revolutions.  FIG. 6  shows an adjustment mechanism  200  with two revolutions set to the second revolution. In the adjustment mechanism  200  of  FIG. 6 , an indicator  258  shows the revolution stage of the turret cap assembly  220  is added to the adjustment mechanism  200 , where the adjustment mechanism  200  works as described above. The revolution indicator  258  protrudes out of the saddle assembly  240  and is not only visible to the user, but also tactile. Thus, in bad light conditions or under stress, the user can “feel” to which revolution the adjustment mechanism is set, which can mitigate misreading the position of the adjustment mechanism. The revolution indicator  258  can also serve as the index mark for the turret cap assembly&#39;s scales  224 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , for the two-revolution version of the adjustment mechanism, there are two scales  224  on the turret cap  222 , located on top of each other. The revolution indicator  258  being flush with the outside diameter of the saddle assembly  240  would indicate “first revolution” and, thus, the lower scale would indicate the turret cap  222  position; the revolution indicator  258  protruding out of the outside diameter of the saddle assembly  240  would indicate “second revolution,” and, thus, the upper scale would indicate the turret cap  222  position. 
       FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional schematic of the embodiment of the adjustment mechanism  200  configured for multiple revolutions; and  FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 7  taken along A-A. 
     For the adjustment mechanisms with multiple revolutions, the saddle assembly  240  is not equipped with a stop pin. The revolution indicator  258  replaces it and serves this purpose, as well. 
     The revolution indicator  258  may include a rocker element  260  with a pin  270  functioning as its axle, a vertically oriented transmission bolt  262  with an angled surface at its bottom, and a horizontally oriented indicator bolt  264  with an angled surface at its back side which is touching the bottom surface of the transmission bolt  262 . A lock ring  254  holds the indicator bolt  264  in the saddle assembly  240 , and a spring constantly pushes the indicator bolt inward against the transmission bolt. 
       FIG. 9  shows the adjustment mechanism without the turret cap assembly, showing the rocker element  260  on top of the saddle assembly  240  and indicator bolt  258  protruding out of the outside diameter of the saddle assembly  240 . 
     The main functionality of the adjustment mechanism resembles the previously described versions, but with only one revolution. One difference is that, in this embodiment, multiple revolutions are possible. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the rocker element  260  has at least two straight “arms” and an additional arm with a radius that is eccentric to the rocker element&#39;s axle. When the turret cap assembly  220  is rotated to the beginning of the first revolution (into direction of the “zero stop”), the stop pin protruding out of the bottom of the turret cap  222  “hits” the back side of the rocker element&#39;s  260  arm. The flat side of the rounded arm hits the bottom of the saddle assembly cover and, thus, the rocker element  260  can&#39;t “flip over,” creating the “zero stop.” When the turret cap assembly  220  is rotated into the opposite direction by a whole revolution, the turret cap assembly&#39;s stop pin touches the rocker element&#39;s arm on the “inside.” Since the radiused arm is not preventing movement in this direction, the rocker element  260  is “flipped over” around its axle. Because the radius of the additional arm is eccentric to the rocker element&#39;s axle, the transmission bolt  262  is pressed downward, and due to the angled surfaces of both the transmission bolt  262  and the indicator bolt  264 , the indicator bolt  264  is pushed out of the saddle assembly  240 . The user can now see and feel the indicator bolt  258  protruding out of the saddle assembly  240 , indicating that the adjustment mechanism  200  is now in the second revolution. When the turret cap assembly  220  is rotated the whole second revolution, the turret cap assembly&#39;s stop pin will again touch the back side of the other rocker element&#39;s arm. Because the rocker element&#39;s radiused arm is already pushing the transmission bolt  262  down into the saddle assembly  240 , it can&#39;t flip the rocker element  260  over another time, creating the “adjustment range maximum stop.” When rotating the turret cap assembly  220  back into the first revolution, the rocker element  260  flips back over again. The indicator bolt  258  is pushed back in again by the spring and pushes the transmission bolt  262  upward against the radiused arm of the rocker element  260 . The indicator bolt is now flush with the outside diameter of the saddle assembly  240  again, indicating that the adjustment mechanism  200  is in the first revolution. 
     The rocker element  260  and the turret cap  222  are shaped in a way that the rocker element  260  can only “flip over” when the turret cap assembly&#39;s stop pin is engaging the “inside” of one of the rocker element&#39;s arms. For this, the rocker element has a corner between its arms (shown in  FIG. 9 ) and the bottom of the turret cap  222  has a slot at its bottom (shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). The rocker element&#39;s corner would hit the bottom surface of the turret cap  222 , preventing it from flipping over without the turret cap assembly&#39;s stop pin  268  engaging it. When the stop pin  268  is engaging the rocker element, the corner would travel through the slot, allowing it to flip over. This design prevents a wrong indication of the actual revolution setting. 
     Other possible embodiments would be to allow for three or even more revolutions by changing the shape of the rocker element  260  in a manner that provides the use of more than two arms. In this case, each revolution setting would result in a different position of the indicator bolt, protruding to various lengths or even being further inside the saddle assembly so that the user can feel/see a “hole” on the outside diameter of the saddle assembly  240  as an indication of the actual revolution setting of the adjustment mechanism. 
     It may be desirable to protect against inadvertent rotation of the turret cap assembly  220  and, thus, inadvertent movement of the aiming mark. 
       FIG. 10  is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustment mechanism  300  of the present disclosure with a two-stage turret cap assembly. The turret cap assembly  320  of this embodiment consists mainly of two separate components: a lower turret cap assembly  321 , which contains the click rings  326 ,  328  inside, the scales on the outside diameter, and an upper turret cap assembly  322 , which may be touched by the user to make the necessary adjustments.  FIG. 10  shows that click element  348  can be spring loaded with a spring  358 . The lower turret cap assembly  321  has several pins  323  protruding out of the top surface, arranged in a circle and spaced at equal angles. The upper turret cap assembly  322  has multiple holes  325  at the bottom surface, arranged in a circle matching the diameter of the circle in which the pins  323  in the lower turret cap assembly  321  are arranged. The angle spacing of the holes is arranged in a way that the angle spacing of the pins in the lower turret cap assembly  321  is an even multiple of the angle spacing of the holes in the upper turret cap assembly  322 . The holes  325  have countersinks. The amount of holes and size of the countersinks is arranged in a way that the countersinks are slightly overlapping each other. The upper turret cap assembly  322  is sitting on top of the lower turret cap assembly  321  and is pressed upward against a lock ring that prevents it from coming off completely. 
     In idle mode, the lower turret cap assembly  321  may not follow the rotational movement of the upper turret cap assembly  322  when it is (inadvertently) rotated (e.g., if it is bumped or nudged), and, consequently, no inadvertent aiming mark movement would occur. The lower turret cap assembly  321  could still be rotated intentionally, though, resulting in a change of the aiming mark position. When the upper turret cap assembly  322  is pressed down against the spring, the pins  323  protruding out of the top of the lower turret cap assembly  321  will engage the countersinks of the upper turret cap assembly&#39;s holes  325  and, thus, self-center the holes to the pins  323 ; the pins  323  will then slide into the holes themselves. While keeping the upper turret cap assembly  322  pressed down and at the same time rotating it, the lower turret cap assembly  321  will follow this rotational movement, which will change the aiming mark&#39;s position on the image. 
     When the upper turret cap assembly  322  is released again, the spring pin  323  pushes it upward and the pins  323  disengage the holes  325 . The upper turret cap assembly  322  rotates free without any other components following the rotational movement. 
     The construction of this embodiment can also be turned upside down, with the spring pushing the upper part downward in idle position. In this configuration, either pins or holes may be in the lock ring holding the upper turret cap assembly  322  on the lower turret cap assembly  321 , and their counterpart may be in the upper turret cap assembly  322 . When the lower turret cap assembly  321  follows the rotational movement of the upper turret cap assembly  322  (and, thus, doing an adjustment of the aiming mark position), the upper turret cap assembly  322  may be pulled upward against the spring. 
       FIG. 11  is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustment mechanism  400  of the present disclosure with longitudinally depressed turret cap assembly. In this configuration, the saddle assembly  440  can have a fixed or non-spring-loaded click element  446  and a spring-loaded click element  448 . The turret cap assembly  420  can have a click ring  426  and be movable rotatably and longitudinally (pulled in or out) in relationship to the saddle assembly  440  as described above. In such an embodiment, the fixed click element  446  could engage the click ring  426  when the turret cap assembly  420  is in the down or “locked” position, thus preventing or minimizing the ability of the turret cap dial  422  to rotate in relation to the saddle assembly  440 . In this configuration, when the turret cap assembly  420  is raised or in the up or “unlocked” position, the spring-loaded click element  446  could engage the click ring  426 . 
     One example of this configuration is illustrated in  FIGS. 11-12  with a single click ring  426  connected to a dial  422  that is part of the turret cap assembly  420  in the down or “locked” position and engaging the fixed or “non-spring-loaded” click element  446 . Further, as seen in  FIG. 11 , in this embodiment, even if the dial  422  were to rotate, it would not cause any or a substantial movement of the reticle because the dial  422  is not engaging the portion of the turret cap mechanism that is engaged by the spanner mechanism  480  (made up of lever  482 , eccentric cam  484 , and threaded bolt  486 ). 
       FIG. 12  is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 11  showing the turret cap assembly longitudinally raised. The dial  422  with a single click ring is in the up or “unlocked” position and engaging the moving or “spring-loaded” click element  448 . The dial  422  is also engaging the portion of the turret cap mechanism that is engaged by the spanner mechanism  480  as illustrated by pin  430 . 
     Alternatively, the fixed click element  446  could engage the click ring  426  when the turret cap mechanism and/or the dial is in the up position and the spring-loaded click element  448  could engage the click ring  426  when the turret cap mechanism and/or dial  422  was in the down position. As a further embodiment, the turret cap assembly and/or the dial  422  could be spring-loaded relative to each other and/or the saddle assembly  440  such that spring loading encourages the turret cap mechanism and/or dial to be in either the up or down position. It can be understood that the click ring or rings  426  may be part of the saddle assembly  440  and the click element or elements may be part of the turret cap or dial assembly. Another embodiment may be that the dial also contains MTC (“more tactile click”) ring elements that contain a smaller number of click-teeth. 
     Alternatively, a single click ring could comprise major and minor click detents to provide a more tactile click. Another method of locking the turret could be to use a pin or other form of locking mechanism to engage the moving “spring-loaded” click element, thus preventing the dial&#39;s click ring from being able to overcome the engagement pressure. 
     The previously described mechanisms are protected from dirt, etc. by o-rings, as illustrated in  FIG. 10  (e.g., o-ring  310 ). The rifle scope can be environmentally sealed as soon as the saddle assembly, independent of the used embodiment, is assembled to the main tube. 
       FIG. 13A  is a side cross-sectional schematic of a scope  1300  consistent with the present invention.  FIG. 13A  illustrates scope  1300  with tube  1301 , scope adjustment mechanism  100 , erector system  1350 , and objective system  1375 . The erector system  1350  may further include an adjustment mechanism system  100  rotatably connected to the tube  1301  such that the adjustment mechanism system  100  provides movement of a reticle on an image that is created by the objective system  1375 . 
       FIG. 13B  is an exploded view of the scope of  FIG. 13A . The erector system  1350  may be a system with fixed magnification or a system with variable magnification (zoom). A reticle  1352  is placed either at the front end (first focal plane or objective focal plane) and/or at the back end (second focal plane or ocular focal plane) of the erector system  1350 . This reticle  1352  is the aiming mark for the user such that, when the rifle scope  1300  is properly adjusted to a rifle, the point of impact should be at the aiming point given by the reticle  1352 . 
     The figures and accompanying description illustrate example techniques, components, and configurations. This disclosure contemplates using or implementing any suitable method for performing, producing, configuring, or utilizing these and other components. It will be understood that the figures are for illustration purposes only and that the described or similar embodiments may be performed at any appropriate time, including concurrently, individually, or in combination. In addition, many of the features or tasks involving components in these embodiments may take place relatively simultaneously and/or in different configurations than as shown. In short, although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain the disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, and such changes, substitutions, and alterations may be included within the scope of the disclosure and the claims.