Patent Publication Number: US-2013230309-A1

Title: Optical scope couplers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/606,111, which was filed on Mar. 2, 2012 and entitled “Optical Scope Couplers and Camera Holders;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/614,934, which was filed on Mar. 23, 2012 and entitled “Optical Scope Couplers and Camera Holders;” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/727,598, which was filed on Nov. 16, 2012 and entitled “Optical Scope Couplers and Camera Holders.” The complete disclosures of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Cameras may be coupled to optical scopes via optical scope couplers to record images visible through the optical scopes. For example, a camera may be mounted to a telescope or spotting scope. The activity of using a camera to record distant images by coupling it with an optical scope (or optical lens) is referred to as “digiscoping.” 
     Couplers, camera holders, and/or other camera accessories may be used to couple the camera and the optical scope. Examples of couplers and/or camera holders are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,053,794; 4,862,199; 4,844,071; 4,807,594; 4,740,058; 4,723,864; 4,318,395; 4,143,938; 2,765,718; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0197075. The complete disclosures of the above patent applications and patent application publication are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is directed to a camera accessory configured to couple a camera having a camera optical axis to a scope having a scope optical axis. The camera accessory may include a scope-receiving assembly having a first end portion configured to receive a portion of the scope and a second end portion spaced from the first end portion. The camera accessory may additionally include a camera-receiving assembly attached to, or formed with, the second end portion and including a lens mount configured to connect to the lens mounting plate of the camera. The camera accessory may further include a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the portion of the scope to the scope-receiving assembly such that, when the camera is attached to the camera-receiving assembly and when the scope is received by the scope-receiving assembly, the camera optical axis coincides with the scope optical axis. 
     The locking mechanism may include a locking element having at least one wall that forms a portion of a circular aperture. The locking mechanism may additionally include an adjustment element configured to move the locking element between a locking position in which the circular aperture has a first diameter such that the at least one wall fits snugly around at least a substantial portion of a perimeter of the portion of the scope, and an unlocking position in which the circular aperture has a second diameter larger than the first diameter such that the at least one wall is spaced from the at least a substantial portion of a perimeter of the portion of the scope. 
     The present disclosure is also directed to a camera accessory configured to couple a smart phone having a camera with a camera optical axis and a scope having a scope optical axis, the smart phone including top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of sides. The camera accessory may include a scope-receiving assembly having a first end portion configured to receive a portion of the scope and a second end portion spaced from the first end portion. The camera accessory may additionally include a camera-receiving assembly attached to the second end portion and configured to receive the smart phone. The camera-receiving assembly may include a base, and a plurality of retention elements movably attached to the base and configured to contact and support two or more sides of the plurality of sides. The camera accessory may further include a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the portion of the scope to the scope-receiving assembly. 
     The locking mechanism may include a locking element having at least one wall that forms a portion of a circular aperture, and an adjustment element configured to move the locking element between a locking position in which the circular aperture has a first diameter such that the at least one wall fits snugly around at least a substantial portion of a perimeter of the portion of the scope, and an unlocking position in which the circular aperture has a second diameter larger than the first diameter such that the at least one wall is spaced from the at least a substantial portion of a perimeter of the portion of the scope. The camera-receiving assembly and the locking mechanism may be configured such that, when the smart phone having a camera is received by the camera-receiving assembly and the portion of the scope is received by the scope-receiving assembly, the camera optical axis coincides with the scope optical axis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example of an optical scope coupler. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of another example of an optical scope coupler. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of an example of an optical scope coupler of  FIGS. 1-2  shown coupling a scope and a camera. 
         FIGS. 4-5  are isometric views of the optical scope coupler of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of another example of an optical scope coupler of  FIGS. 1-2  shown coupling a scope and a camera. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a further example of an optical scope coupler of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the optical scope coupler of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 9  is a partial sectional view of the optical scope coupler of  FIG. 3  taken along lines  9 - 9  in  FIG. 4 , showing a locking element in an unlocking position. 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the optical scope coupler of  FIG. 3  taken along lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 4 , showing a locking element in the unlocking position of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is the partial sectional view of  FIG. 9 , showing the locking element in a locking position. 
         FIG. 12  is the sectional view of  FIG. 10 , showing the locking element in the locking position of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of another example of a locking element having first and second strips. 
         FIG. 14  is a partial sectional view of the optical scope coupler of  FIG. 3  taken along lines  9 - 9  in  FIG. 4 , showing the locking element of  FIG. 13  and showing an additional strip in dashed lines separated from the rest of the locking element. 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the optical scope coupler of  FIG. 3  taken along lines  9 - 9 , shown without an adjustment element and with an example of a filter. 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of a further example of an optical scope coupler of  FIGS. 1-2  shown coupling a scope and a camera. 
         FIGS. 17-18  are isometric views of the optical scope coupler of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a partial exploded view of the optical scope coupler of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded view of the clamping assembly of the optical scope coupler of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 21  is a sectional view of a clamping assembly of the optical scope coupler of  FIG. 14  taken along lines  21 - 21  in  FIG. 19 , showing the clamping assembly in a fully open position. 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view of the clamping assembly of  FIG. 21  in a fully closed position. 
         FIG. 23  is an isometric view of another example of an optical scope coupler of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       FIG. 1  shows an example of an optical scope coupler  30 , which may include any suitable structure configured to couple an optical scope  500  having a scope optical axis  502  and a camera  504  having a camera optical axis  506  such that, for example, the scope optical axis overlaps or coincides (or generally overlaps or generally coincides) with the scope optical axis. In other words, the camera optical axis and the scope optical axis are aligned or generally aligned. The optical scope coupler may sometimes be referred to as a “camera accessory,” “camera adapter,” or “scope adapter.” 
     Examples of optical scopes  500  include telescopes, spotting scopes, monoculars, binoculars, microscopes, riflescopes, pocketscopes, proctoscopes, endoscopes, etc. Examples of cameras  504  include digital cameras, single lens reflex (SLR) cameras, viewfinder cameras, video or movie cameras, video surveillance cameras, camera phones, smart phones having a camera, etc. In some examples, camera  504  may include any device that includes a charge-coupled device (CCD) or CCD image sensor  507  configured to capture images. Camera  504  may be configured to capture images in the visible and/or non-visible wavelength range(s), such as infrared, millimeter, and/or ultraviolet wavelength ranges. 
     The scope optical axis defines a path along which light propagates through the optical scope, while the camera optical axis defines a path along which light propagates through the camera. The optical axis also may be described as a line along which there is some degree of rotational symmetry in the optical scope or the camera. When the scope and camera optical axes are aligned or coincident, light propagates through the optical scope and through the camera (the image from the scope is transmitted to the film or sensor of the camera). 
     For example, optical scope coupler  30  may include a scope-receiving assembly  32 , a camera-receiving assembly  34 , and a locking assembly  36 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The scope-receiving assembly may include any suitable structure configured to receive, mount, and/or attach to one or more portions of optical scope  500 . For example, scope-receiving assembly  32  may be attached to a portion of the optical scope, such as an eyepiece  508  (or a portion of that eyepiece), via any suitable attachment structure(s). Alternatively, or additionally, scope-receiving assembly  32  may be configured to receive a portion of the optical scope, such as the eyepiece (or a portion of that eyepiece), as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Camera-receiving assembly  34  may include any suitable structure configured to receive, mount, and/or attach to one or more portions of camera  504 . For example, the camera-receiving assembly may be attached to a lens mounting plate  510  of the camera. Alternatively, or additionally, camera-receiving assembly  34  may be configured to receive one or more portions of the camera, such as one or more sides  512  of the camera, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Locking assembly  36  may include any suitable structure configured to secure one or more portions of the optical scope to the scope-receiving assembly and/or one or more portions of the camera to the camera-receiving assembly. For example, the locking assembly may include a first locking mechanism  38  configured to secure one or more portions of the optical scope to the scope-receiving assembly, and a second locking mechanism  40  configured to secure one or more portions of the camera to the camera-receiving assembly, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Although scope-receiving assembly  32  and camera-receiving assembly  34  are shown to either attach to optical scope  500  and camera  504  or receive the optical scope and the camera, other examples of optical scope coupler  30  may include one of the receiving assemblies being attached to the optical scope or camera and the other of the receiving assemblies receiving one or more portions of the optical scope or camera. For example, another example of optical scope coupler may include a scope-receiving assembly  32  that is configured to receive a portion of the optical scope (such as the eyepiece or a portion of the eyepiece) and a camera-receiving assembly  34  that is configured to be attached to camera (such as to the lens mounting plate). Additionally, although locking assembly  36  is shown to include the first and second locking mechanisms, the locking assembly may include only the first locking mechanism or only the second locking mechanism. 
     An example of optical scope coupler  30  is generally indicated at  42  in  FIG. 3 . Unless explicitly stated otherwise, optical scope coupler  42  may include one or more components of one or more other optical scope couplers described in the present disclosure. Optical scope coupler  42  is shown coupling a spotting scope  514  and a SLR camera  516  such that the scope optical axis of the spotting scope coincides with the camera optical axis of the SLR camera. The spotting scope includes a scope base  518 , a first adjustment ring  520 , an eyepiece  522 , and a second adjustment ring  524 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The first adjustment ring may be rotatably connected to the scope base and may allow a user to adjust focus (or zoom/focal length) of the spotting scope. The second adjustment ring may be rotatably connected to the eyepiece (or the scope base) and may allow a user to adjust zoom/focal length (or focus) of the spotting scope. 
     SLR camera  516  may include a lens mounting plate  526 , which may be configured to attach to optical scope coupler  42  (or a lens). The lens mounting plate may include a plurality of recesses and/or a plurality of threads (not shown). Although optical scope coupler  42  is shown in  FIG. 3  to couple spotting scope  514  and SLR camera  516 , the optical scope coupler may alternatively, or additionally, be configured to couple any suitable optical scope and any suitable camera. 
     Optical scope coupler  42  may include a scope-receiving assembly  44 , a camera-receiving assembly  46 , and a locking mechanism  48 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . Scope-receiving assembly  44  may include any suitable structure configured to receive and/or enclose any suitable portion(s) of an optical scope, such as spotting scope  514 . For example, the scope-receiving assembly may include a base structure  50  having a first end portion  52  and a second end portion  54 . The first end portion may include a first opening  56  configured to receive any suitable portion(s) of spotting scope  514 , such as eyepiece  522 . The second end portion may be spaced from the first end portion and may include a second opening  58  that is, for example, co-axial with the first opening. 
     The base structure may have any suitable shape(s). For example, base structure  50  may have a cylindrical (or generally cylindrical) shape. Alternatively, the base structure may be shaped like a sphere, a cone, a prism, a pyramid, and/or suitable combinations of two or more of the above shapes. Additionally, base structure  50  may include any suitable dimension(s). For example, the base structure may include a first length F such that second adjustment ring  524  is fully enclosed when spotting scope  514  is received by the base structure (and such that a locking element of the locking mechanism does not contact the adjustment ring in the locking position, as further discussed below). Alternatively, the base structure may include a second length S shorter than the first length such that second adjustment ring is only partially enclosed or not enclosed, as shown in  FIG. 6 . In other words, at least a portion of second adjustment ring (or the entire second adjustment ring) is external base structure  50  when spotting scope  514  is received in the base structure (and a locking element of the locking mechanism may contact the second adjustment ring in the locking position). 
     In some examples, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , base structure  50  may include at least one hole  60  configured to allow a user to access and/or move second adjustment ring  524  and/or other components of spotting scope  514  external the base structure when the spotting scope is received by the base structure. The hole may be any suitable size(s) and/or shape(s). 
     Camera-receiving assembly  46  may include any suitable structure configured to be attached to SLR camera  516 . The camera-receiving assembly may be attached to or formed with second end portion  54  of scope-receiving assembly  44 . Camera-receiving assembly  46  may, for example, include a lens mount  62  (shown in  FIGS. 4-5 ) configured to connect to lens mounting plate  526  of SLR camera  516 . 
     The lens mount may include any suitable structure configured to attach to the lens mounting plate of the SLR camera. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , lens mount  62  may include a connection ring  64  having a plurality of tabs  66  configured to be received in the lens mounting plate, such as in a plurality of recesses of the lens mounting plate. The plurality of tabs may be sized and spaced to correspond to particular models or brands of SLR cameras. Alternatively, or additionally, connection ring  64  may include a plurality of threads  68 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The plurality of threads may be configured to connect to the lens mounting plate, such as to a plurality of threads of the lens mounting plate. 
     Although lens mount  62  is shown to include connection ring  64  having a plurality of tabs  66  and/or a plurality of threads  68 , the lens mount may include any suitable structure configured to connect or attach to lens mounting plate  526 . For example, lens mount  62  may alternatively, or additionally, include connection ring  64  having a plurality of recesses, slots, apertures, posts, etc. 
     Locking mechanism  48  may include any suitable structure configured to selectively secure one or more portions of the spotting scope to the scope-receiving assembly such that the camera optical axis coincides with the scope optical axis when the optical scope coupler couples the SLR camera and spotting scope. For example, the locking mechanism may include a locking element  70 , a base element  72 , and an adjustment element  74 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     The locking element may include any suitable structure having at least one wall  76  that forms a portion of a circular aperture  78 . For example, locking element  70  may include a ferrule or a first strip  80  having a shape that forms a portion of circular aperture  78 . Base element  72  may support locking element  70  within first opening  56 . The base element may include any suitable structure attached to, or formed with, first end portion  52 . For example, base element  72  may include a base inclined surface  82 . 
     Adjustment element  74  may include any suitable structure configured to move locking element  70  between a locking position L shown in  FIGS. 11-12  in which circular aperture  78  has a first diameter D such that wall  76  fits snugly around at least a substantial portion of a perimeter of the portion of the scope received by the base structure, and an unlocking position U shown in  FIGS. 9-10  in which circular aperture  78  has a second diameter E that is larger than first diameter D such that wall  76  is spaced from the perimeter of the portion of the scope received by the base structure. 
     Depending on the size of the portion of the spotting scope received by the base structure, wall  76  may fit snugly around the entire perimeter (or a portion of that perimeter) in the locking position. Note that the locking element has been exaggerated in  FIG. 12  only to illustrate the change in diameter. In some examples, the locking element may be configured to return to second diameter E when free from, for example, any force from the adjustment element. In other words, the locking element may be biased toward maintaining the second diameter and the adjustment element moves the locking element against that bias to the first diameter. 
     Adjustment element  74  may, for example, include an outer ring  84  that is configured to be movably coupled, such as rotatably coupled, to first end portion  52  of base structure  50 . The outer ring may include structure configured to move the locking element between the locking and unlocking positions via rotation of the outer ring relative to the base structure. For example, outer ring  84  may include a ring inclined surface  86  and a plurality of threads  88  that are configured to engage plurality of threads  90  of first end portion  52 . When the outer ring is rotated to engage more of the threads of the first end portion (toward the first end portion), the locking element may be compressed and moved from the unlocking position to the locking position. In contrast, when the ring is rotated to disengage more of the threads of the first end portion (away from the first end portion), the locking element may be allowed to return to the unlocking position. The locking element may sometimes be described as being compressible by a single adjustment element while keeping the received portion of the spotting scope centered such that the scope optical axis is maintained in alignment with the camera optical axis. 
     In some examples, as shown in  FIG. 13 , locking element  70  may include a first strip  80  and a second strip (or first spacer)  92  configured to nest within first strip  80 , such as within a circular aperture formed by the first strip. In other words, the first strip may form a portion of a first circular aperture  81 , while the second strip may form a portion of a second circular aperture  83  that has a diameter smaller than the first circular aperture when nested within the first circular aperture. When adjustment element  74  moves first strip  80 , the first strip moves the second strip. For example, when adjustment element  74  decreases the diameter of the circular aperture formed by the first strip, the first strip decreases the diameter of the circular aperture formed by the second strip. 
     Second strip  92  may include at least one wall  94 , which, when used with the first strip, may fit snugly around at least a substantial portion of the perimeter of the portion of the scope received within the base structure when moved to the locking position, and is spaced from the perimeter of the portion of the scope received within the base structure when moved to the unlocking position. 
     In some examples, the second strip may include a first groove or channel  96  sized to receive a portion of the first strip to facilitate nesting of the second strip within the circular aperture formed by the first strip. Additionally, or alternatively, the second strip may include a second groove or channel  97  sized to receive a portion of a third strip to facilitate nesting of the third strip within the circular aperture formed by the second strip, as further described below. Although second strip  92  is shown to include first groove  96  and/or second groove  97 , the first strip may include groove(s) and/or other suitable structure(s) and the second strip may include tab(s) and/or other suitable structure(s). For example, second strip may include tab(s) sized to be received within groove(s) of the first strip to facilitate nesting of the second strip within the circular aperture formed by the first strip. 
     In some examples, as shown in  FIG. 14 , locking element  70  may include a first strip  80 , a second strip (or first spacer)  92  configured to nest within first strip  80 , and a third strip (or second spacer)  102  configured to nest within the second strip, such as within a circular aperture formed by the second strip. In other words, the first strip may form a portion of a first circular aperture, the second strip may form a portion of a second circular aperture that has a diameter smaller than the first circular aperture when the second strip is nested within the first circular aperture, and the third strip may form a portion of a third circular aperture  103  that has a diameter smaller than the second circular aperture when the third strip is nested within the second circular aperture. When adjustment element  74  moves first strip  80 , the first strip moves the second strip and the second strip moves the third strip. For example, when adjustment element  74  decreases the diameter of the first circular aperture formed by the first strip, the first strip decreases the diameter of the second circular aperture formed by the second strip, and the second strip decreases the diameter of the third circular aperture formed by the third strip. 
     Third strip  102  may include at least one wall  104 , which, when used with the first and second strips, fits snugly around at least a substantial portion of the perimeter of the portion of the scope received within the base structure when moved to the locking position, and is spaced from the perimeter of the portion of the scope received within the base structure when moved to the unlocking position. 
     In some examples, the third strip may include a third groove or channel  106  sized to receive a portion of the second strip to facilitate nesting of the third strip within the circular aperture formed by the second strip. Additionally, or alternatively, the third strip may include a fourth groove or channel  107  sized to receive a portion of a fourth strip (not shown) to facilitate nesting of the fourth strip within the circular aperture formed by the third strip. Although third strip  102  is shown to include third groove  106  and/or fourth groove  107 , the second strip may include grooves and/or other suitable structure(s) and the third strip may include tab(s) and/or other suitable structure(s). For example, the third strip may include tab(s) sized to be received within groove(s) of the second strip to facilitate nesting of the third strip within the circular aperture formed by the second strip. Although locking element  70  is shown to include up to three strips, the locking element may include four, five, six, seven, or more strips nested within each other to accommodate a variety of optical scopes. 
     The optical scope coupler may include a protective cap  110 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , which may be configured to be received in first opening  56  of base structure  50 . The protective cap may protect the interior components of SLR camera  516  when the optical scope coupler is attached to the SLR camera but not attached to the spotting scope or other optical scope. 
     In some examples, optical scope coupler may include at least one filter  112  and at least one support element  114 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Filter  112  may be any suitable filter configured to protect interior components of the camera from external contaminants and/or modify image(s). For example, filter  112  may include one or more clear filters, skylight filters, ultraviolet filters, polarizing filters, optically coated filters and/or color filters, etc. The filter may, for example, be configured to protect interior components of the camera (such as from external contaminants) when the SLR camera is connected to the camera-receiving structure but the scope is not received by the base structure. The filter may be retained adjacent to second opening  58  via support element  114 . The support element may be in the form of an o-ring or a filter frame. For example, as shown in  FIG. 15 , filter  112  may be received within a first base groove  116  and support element  114  may be received within a second base groove  117 . 
     Although filter  112  and support element  114  are shown to be discrete components, filter  112  may be mounted to, or formed with, support element  114 . Additionally, although filter  112  and support element  114  are shown to be received with the first and second base grooves, the filter and/or support element may be attached to the base structure via any suitable mechanism(s), such as via complementary threaded portions of the second end portion and the support element. 
     In some examples, optical scope coupler  42  may not include any lenses (or is free from one or more lenses). “Lenses” refer to structure(s) that capture light from a subject and bring the light to a focus on film or a detector (such as CCD  507 ). The optical scope coupler may be configured to couple the SLR camera (or any suitable camera) and the spotting scope (or any suitable optical scope) without any lenses. When the optical scope coupler does not include any lenses, that coupler may still include one or more filters  112 , as described above. When the SLR camera includes CCD  507 , the optical scope coupler may be configured to be free from one or more lenses such that the optical scope coupler is configured to couple the spotting scope and the SLR camera without one or more lenses disposed between the eyepiece of the scope and the CCD (may sometimes be referred to as providing for “direct CCD transmission” of the image from the spotting scope to the SLR camera). 
     Alternatively, the optical scope coupler may include one or more lenses (not shown), such as coated and/or specially ground lenses. When the optical scope coupler includes one or more lenses, the optical scope coupler may sometimes be referred to as providing for “lensed transmission” of the image from the spotting scope to the SLR camera. 
     Another example of optical scope coupler  30  is generally indicated at  118  in  FIG. 16 . Unless explicitly stated otherwise, optical scope coupler  118  may include one or more components of one or more other optical scope couplers described in the present disclosure. Optical scope coupler  118  is shown coupling a spotting scope  528  and a smart phone  530  having a camera  532  such that the scope optical axis of the spotting scope coincides with the camera optical axis of camera  532 . 
     The spotting scope includes a scope base  534 , a first adjustment ring  536 , an eyepiece  538 , and a second adjustment ring  540 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . The first adjustment ring may be rotatably connected to the scope base and may allow a user to adjust focus (or zoom/focal length) of the spotting scope. The second adjustment ring may be rotatably connected to the eyepiece (or the scope base) and may allow a user to adjust zoom/focal length (or focus) of the spotting scope. 
     Smart phone  530  may include a top surface  542 , a bottom surface  544 , and a plurality of sides  546 . Although optical scope coupler  118  is shown in  FIG. 16  to couple spotting scope  528  and smart phone  530 , the optical scope coupler may alternatively, or additionally, be configured to couple any suitable optical scope and any suitable camera. 
     Optical scope coupler  118  may include a scope-receiving assembly  120 , a locking mechanism  122 , and a camera-receiving assembly  124 , as shown in  FIGS. 17-18 . Scope-receiving assembly  120  may include any suitable structure configured to receive and/or enclose any suitable portion(s) of an optical scope, such as spotting scope  528 . For example, the scope-receiving assembly may include a base structure  126  having a first end portion  128  and a second end portion  130 . The first end portion may include a first opening  132  configured to receive any suitable portion(s) of spotting scope  528 , such as eyepiece  538 . The second end portion may be spaced from the first end portion and may include a second opening  134  that is, for example, co-axial with the first opening. 
     Locking mechanism  122  may include any suitable structure configured to selectively secure one or more portions of the spotting scope to the scope-receiving assembly such that the camera optical axis coincides with the scope optical axis when the optical scope coupler couples the smart phone camera and the spotting scope. For example, the locking mechanism may include a locking element  136 , a base element  138 , and an adjustment element  140 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
     The locking element may include any suitable structure having at least one wall  142  that forms a portion of a circular aperture  144 . For example, locking element  136  may include a ferrule or a first strip  146  having a shape that forms the portion of circular aperture  144 . Base element  138  may support locking element  136  within first opening  132 . The base element may include any suitable structure attached to, or formed with, first end portion  128 . For example, base element  138  may include a base inclined surface  148 , which may be similar or identical to base inclined surface  82  shown in  FIGS. 8-9  and  11 . 
     Adjustment element  140  may include any suitable structure configured to move locking element  136  between locking and unlocking positions as previously described for adjustment element  74 . The adjustment element may, for example, include an outer ring  150  that is configured to be movably coupled, such as rotatably coupled, to first end portion  128  of base structure  126 . The outer ring may include structure configured to move locking element between the locking and unlocking positions via rotation of the outer ring relative to the base structure. For example, outer ring  150  may include a ring inclined surface  152  and a plurality of threads  154  that are configured to engage plurality of threads  156  of first end portion  128 . In some examples, locking element  136  may include a plurality of strips similar or identical to locking element  70 , such as a first strip and one or more spacers described above and shown in  FIGS. 13-14 . 
     In some examples, optical scope coupler  118  does not include any lenses (or is free from one or more lenses), as discussed above for optical scope coupler  42 . The optical scope coupler may include a protective cap (not shown), similar or identical to protective cap  110  shown in  FIG. 8 , which may be configured to be received by first opening  132  of base structure  126 . In some examples, optical scope coupler  118  may include at least one filter and/or at least one support element (both not shown) similar or identical to filter  112  and support element  114  shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Camera-receiving assembly  124  may include any suitable structure configured to receive and/or attach to smart phone  530 . The camera-receiving assembly may be attached to, or formed with, second end portion  130  of scope-receiving assembly  120 . Camera-receiving assembly  124  may, for example, include a base or base assembly  158  and a plurality of retention elements  160 , as shown in  FIGS. 17-18 . 
     Base assembly  158  may include one or more channels  162  configured to receive one or more of retention elements  160 . For example, the base assembly may include a first channel  164  and a second channel  166  that are configured to movably receive retention elements  160  shown in  FIG. 19  and further described below. Base assembly  158  may sometimes be referred to as a “barrel.” 
     Retention elements  160  may include any suitable structure configured to secure smart phone  530  to base assembly  158  and/or to allow a user to adjust position of the smart phone to align the camera optical axis of the smart phone camera with the scope optical axis of the spotting scope. Additionally, or alternatively, retention elements  160  may be movably attached or movably connected to the base assembly and may be configured to contact and/or support one, two, three, or more sides of the smart phone. For example, retention elements  160  may include a post assembly  168  and a gripping or clamping mechanism  170 , as shown in  FIGS. 17-18 . 
     Post assembly  168  may include a post (or end stop)  172  and a post base (or end stop slide)  174 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . The post may be configured to contact and support one or more sides of the smart phone. In some examples, the post may be contoured to accommodate buttons on the smart phone. In other words, the post may be shaped such that the post does not depress a button of the smart phone when the post contacts and supports the side of the smart phone. Post  172  may be configured to be received in post base  174 , such as via complementary threaded portions of the post and the post base. 
     The post base may be configured to be slidably received in first channel  164  of base assembly  158 . The post base may include a base groove  176  that defines a locking portion  178  on a part of the post base opposed from the post. Post  172  may be configured to move locking portion  178  away from the post (and toward the first channel), such as via rotation of post  172 , which may allow a user to selectively secure the post assembly in a particular position and/or orientation in first channel  164 . 
     In some examples, post base  168  may be configured to be received in first channel  164  in different orientations. For example, post base  168  shown in  FIG. 17  may be configured such that it can be slid out the first channel, rotated 180 degrees (such as along an axis parallel to the axis of the first and/or second openings) and reinstalled in the first channel. This may provide for a different position for post  172  when post  172  is received in an off centered part of the post base. Post assembly  168  may sometimes be referred to as a “first retention element” and post base  168  may be referred to as a “first end portion” of the first retention element. 
     Clamping mechanism  170  may include any suitable structure configured to contact and support two or more sides of smart phone  530 , such as two opposed sides of the smart phone. For example, clamping mechanism  170  may include a first gripper  180 , a second gripper  182 , an outer sleeve  184  having outer sleeve fingers  185 , a bias element (or spring)  186 , a plunger  188 , a wedge or jammer  190 , an inner sleeve  192 , a retainer or pin  194 , and an adjuster  196 , as shown in  FIG. 20 . 
     The first and second grippers may be shaped to retain and/or secure the smart phone to the base assembly. For example, the grippers may be curved and/or inclined to provide a force toward the base assembly. First and second grippers  180  and  182  may be attached to the outer and inner sleeves, respectively, via arms  198  and mounting elements  200 . The arms may include arm end portions  202  configured to be slidably received in second channel  166  of base assembly  158 . The arm end portions also may be shaped to prevent rotation of the grippers about the longitudinal axis of the second channel. Outer sleeve  184  may be configured to be slidably received in second channel  166 . Plunger  188  may include a plunger hole  203  sized to receive pin  194 . Spring  186  may rest on pin  194 . The spring may be configured to urge first gripper toward the second gripper (or from an open position O to a closed position C), as shown in  FIGS. 21-22 . 
     Inner sleeve  192  may include inner sleeve fingers  204 . Those fingers may include barbed end portions  205  configured to attach to the outer sleeve, as shown in  FIGS. 21-22 . Jammer  190  may be configured and/or shaped to be received in the second channel and to prevent clamping mechanism from rotating, such as about a longitudinal axis of the second channel. Adjuster  196  may be configured to move jammer  190  toward or away from fingers  204 . For example, an adjuster end portion  206  and the jammer may include complementary threaded portions. Jammer  190  may be configured to spread fingers  204  when moved toward those fingers by the adjuster, which may cause one or more of fingers  204  to spread fingers  185  of the outer sleeve to contact the second channel and secure the clamping mechanism in a particular position along the second channel. 
     Although clamping mechanism  170  is shown to include a plurality of discrete elements, any combination of two or more of those elements may be formed as single unitary elements. For example, pin  194  may be formed with the plunger, and/or arm  198  of gripper  182  may be formed with the inner sleeve, etc. Additionally, although clamping mechanism  170  is shown to include a spring-biased gripper, the clamping mechanism may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable structure configured to contact and support two or more sides of smart phone  530 . For example, the clamping mechanism may include a screw clamp (not shown) without a spring or bias element. 
     The first and second grippers, arms, and mounting elements may sometimes be collectively referred to as “second and third retention elements.” The outer sleeve, spring, plunger, inner sleeve, and/or pin may sometimes be referred collectively as a “connector assembly” to connect the first and second grippers (or connect the arm end portions of those grippers). The jammer, fingers of the inner sleeve, and the adjuster may sometimes be referred to as a “locking assembly” to prevent sliding of the connector assembly relative to the base assembly. Although camera-receiving assembly  124  is shown to include particular retention elements  160 , any suitable structure configured to contact and/or support two or more sides of the smart phone may alternatively, or additionally, be used, such as structure described in the present disclosure. 
     In use, a user of optical scope coupler  118  may position base structure  126  to partially enclose (or fully enclose) the eyepiece of the spotting scope. The user may install one or more spacers depending on the diameter of the eyepiece. The user may rotate outer ring  150  to move locking element  136  into the locking position in which the wall of the locking element fits snugly around a perimeter (or a portion of the perimeter) of the enclosed eyepiece. The user may rotate or adjust post  172  to unlock the post assembly and slide the post assembly along the first channel to a desired position along that channel. Alternatively, the user may remove post assembly  168  from first channel  164  and reinstall the post assembly in a different orientation. The user may rotate or adjust post to secure the post assembly in the desired position along the first channel. 
     The user may install the smart phone so that one side rests on the post and the grippers support opposed sides that are orthogonal to the side supported by the post. The user may move the first gripper away from the second gripper (and against the urging of the bias element) as the user is installing the smart phone. The user may release the first gripper after installing the phone such that the first and second gripper support the opposed sides. 
     The user may rotate or adjust adjuster  196  of clamping mechanism  170  to move the clamping mechanism along second channel  166  to a desired position along that channel such that the camera optical axis of the smart phone camera is aligned or coincides with the scope optical axis of the spotting scope. If necessary, the user may readjust the post assembly along first channel  164 . When the optical scope coupler is not being used but it is desired to leave the coupler attached to the spotting scope, the user may move the first gripper away from the second gripper (and against the urging of the bias element) and remove the smart phone. The smart phone may be reinstalled following the above described procedure and/or other variations of the procedure. The above procedure may be modified to add, omit, alter, and/or replace one or more steps within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Another example of optical scope coupler  30  is generally indicated at  208  in  FIG. 23 . Unless explicitly stated otherwise, optical scope coupler  208  may include one or more components of one or more other optical scope couplers described in the present disclosure. Optical scope coupler  208  may include a scope-receiving assembly  210  and a camera-receiving assembly  212 . 
     The scope-receiving assembly may include a lens mounting plate  214 . The lens mounting plate may be configured to receive, for example, optical scope coupler  42  shown in  FIGS. 4-7 . For example, lens mounting plate  214  may include a plurality of tabs  216  or a plurality of threads (not shown). Camera-receiving assembly  212  may include structure similar or identical to camera-receiving assembly  124  shown in  FIGS. 17-22 . 
     The disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claim should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
     Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.