Abstract:
A telescopic scope and ring mounts incorporating a novel feature for locking the ring mounts to the scope to prevent canting and scope drift for secure and easy mounting on a gun.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the design and construction of a novel, scope and corresponding ring mounts for the improved accuracy and stability of scopes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Scopes, particularly those used for hunting, are well known in the prior art. Scopes are generally mounted to rifles or similar weapons and are used to assist hunters in aiming at desired targets. The prior art traditionally discloses the use of an externally smooth, cylindrical scope that is mounted to a rifle through the use of scope rings, which are traditionally smooth and cylindrical as well. However, there are several disadvantages attributable to using a scope and mounting device that are cylindrical. 
         [0003]    For example, a traditional smooth and cylindrical scope with a cylindrical mounting device is very difficult to align perfectly straight up and down so that the scope&#39;s reticle is not canted. When a scope&#39;s reticle is canted, the accuracy of the reticle&#39;s aim will be off thus causing a hunter to miss or merely wound a desired target. Typically, a canted reticle is caused by human error that occurs when a user must precisely align the scope with a separate mounting device before securing the scope to a rifle or similar weapon. A scope formed with indentations and a corresponding scope ring with a projecting key that mates with the scope&#39;s indentations, or vis versa, ensures that the scope&#39;s reticle will always align accurately. The reticle will always align accurately because the indentations formed on the scope, as opposed to being formed on a separate mount that is later affixed to the scope as known in the prior art, and the projecting key on the scope ring act as a guide for aligning the scope and ring; thereby eliminating the step where most errors in alignment and accuracy occur (i.e. when a user attempts to align a scope with a separate mounting device). Additionally, a non-cylindrical scope, preferably a scope formed with octagonal sides and a corresponding octagonal mount will also act as a guide for aligning the scope and mount. The octagonal scope can also be used in connection with the indentation and key features described above to further assist the user with aligning the scope correctly. 
         [0004]    Another disadvantage of traditional smooth, cylindrical scopes with cylindrical mounting devices is what is commonly referred to as “scope creep.” Scope creep occurs when the scope shifts in the mounting device as a result of the recoil force that occurs when a rifle or similar weapon is fired. Scope creep causes the scope&#39;s reticle to misalign, which compromises the scope&#39;s accuracy and performance. Scope creep may occur even in cases where the scope and separate mounting device were initially aligned perfectly by the user. In some instances, scope creep may also pose a danger to the user by causing the scope to shear off from the mounting device. A scope formed with a plurality of indentations on the top and/or bottom of the front and/or back of the stock, which mate with the projecting key on the corresponding scope ring will solve this problem because it will secure the scope and ring and prevent it from shifting due to recoil when a weapon is discharged. 
         [0005]    Clearly there is a need for a scope formed with indentations and a corresponding scope ring with a projecting key to ensure that the scope&#39;s reticle is accurately aligned and not canted and to further prevent scope creep and the problems associated with recoil when a rifle is fired. There is also a need for scopes formed of various non-cylindrical shapes, preferably octagonal, and corresponding mounts to further address the disadvantages associated with the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The inventive structure presents a number of advantages over the prior art. First, the invention is simple to form. The scope is formed with a plurality of indentations on the top and/or bottom of the front and/or back portion of the scope. The inventive structure further comprises at least two corresponding scope rings. The back scope ring, front scope ring, or both further comprises a projecting key that mates with the plurality of indentations on the scope stock. The indentations and corresponding key may be any shape, preferably circles or crosses. 
         [0007]    Additionally, forming the stocks and corresponding mounts in various shapes, preferably the octagonal stock is advantageous because the scope&#39;s wall thickness will be very similar to traditional, cylindrical scopes and there will not be added weight from material. It is well known that additional weight during recoil becomes inertia (i.e. resistance to change), which means that when a rifle is fired the more weight in the scope the greater the strain on the mount and the securing hardware and the more force exerted against the grip of the scope rings on the scope tube. The additional weight has several other disadvantages, such as causing the scope&#39;s reticle to misalign upon recoil, causing damage to the scope&#39;s innards due to shifting caused by the recoil force, and causing the scope to shear off the mount and injure the user. The additional weight also makes the rifle heavier for a user to lift and carry. 
         [0008]    The plurality or indentations and corresponding key as well as the octagonal shape is also advantageous because it ensures that the scope is aligned perfectly straight up and down so that the reticle is not canted. In the preferred embodiment, the indentations or the point of the octagonal shape will be formed in the dead center of the scope. Thus, when the shooter connects the point on the scope with the corresponding rings the reticle will align perfectly each time. 
         [0009]    Another advantage of the inventive structure is that because the octagonal rings match the shape of the octagonal stock a better surface engagement results in the inventive structure than with traditional cylindrical scopes and rings. Further, the plurality of indentations around the entire stock or on the upper and/or lower portion of the stock will accept the retaining detail on the back and/or front scope rings and prevent the scope from moving in either direction thereby eliminating problems associated with scope creep. The plurality of indentations is further advantageous because the indentations allow the shooter to adjust for eye relief. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a view of the scope and corresponding scope rings according to the embodiments described herein. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a view of the scope and corresponding scope rings according to the embodiments described herein. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view of the octagonal scope and corresponding octagonal scope rings according to the embodiments described herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Shown in  FIG. 1  is a scope ( 1 ) and its corresponding front ring ( 2 ) and back ring ( 3 ). The scope may be formed of octagonal or cylindrical tube stock and is formed with anindentation or indentations ( 4 ) as shown in  FIG. 1 . The indentations may be any shape but preferably circular or in the shape of crosses to aid in restricting movement in all axis. The indentations ( 4 ) mate with a corresponding scope ring ( 2 ) or ( 3 ), which has a complementary projecting key ( 5 ) located on its inner surface, as shown in  FIG. 2 , in the same shape as the plurality of indentations ( 4 ) for purposes of mating the key with the indentation. The indentations may be formed on any combination of the upper and lower portion of the front or back portion of the scope stock. The projecting key may be formed on the front ( 2 ) or back ( 3 ) scope ring or both of the corresponding scope rings, and located on either the top half of either ring or the bottom half of either ring or both halves. Furthermore, the indentations may be formed on the inside of the scope rings ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) with the corresponding key formed on the scope ring. 
         [0014]    Also Shown in  FIG. 1  is an octagonal scope ( 1 ) and its corresponding octagonal front ring ( 2 ) and back ring ( 3 ). In the preferred embodiment, the octagonal front ring ( 2 ) mates with corresponding octagonal sides of the scope ( 1 ). The octagonal back ring ( 3 ) mates with the corresponding octagonal sides of the scope ( 1 ) and further mates with the plurality of grooves ( 4 ) on the scope ( 1 ). The octagonal back ring ( 3 ) also comprises retaining detail ( 5 ), as shown in  FIG. 2 , which assists in mating with the plurality of grooves ( 4 ) on the scope ( 1 ) and prevents scope creep. The plurality of grooves ( 4 ) on the scope ( 1 ) also allows the shooter to adjust for eye relief while still providing the advantages against scope creep. It should be understood that the use of octagonal scope tube stock with corresponding octagonal scope rings is an alternative embodiment of the invention to reduce canting of the scope when mounted on a rifle. 
         [0015]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , shown is another preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention. In this embodiment, the plurality of grooves ( 4 ) on the scope ( 1 ) is only on the bottom of the scope ( 1 ) and a pin ( 6 ) is used to prevent the scope from moving in the mounting device and causing scope creep.