Abstract:
A novel, adjustable locking windage and elevation knob assembly for the improved accuracy of scopes wherein an adjustment turn knob may be raised from its locked position to rotate freely for desired windage or elevation adjustments and thereafter be pushed back down into a locked position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to the design and construction of a novel, adjustable locking windage and elevation knob assembly for the improved accuracy of scopes.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Scopes, particularly those used for hunting, are well known in the prior art. Scopes are generally used to assist hunters in aiming at desired targets. However, because gravity and wind play a role in the trajectory of a bullet by causing the bullet to drop and/or drift to one side of the intended target, hunters have to make adjustments to the scope to account for these effects. Moreover, as the effect of gravity and wind drift on a bullet&#39;s trajectory will vary depending upon the distance to the target, multiple adjustments may be necessary at a shooting range or in the field to account for these variances.  
         [0003]     To address the above and other related scope adjustment and performance issues, the prior art has developed to include various adjustment knob assemblies. Most commonly, the scope adjustments are implemented in one of two ways. One such way is accomplished by utilizing an adjustment knob assembly that is manually rotated to make the desired adjustments using a screwdriver or similar device. The adjustment knob is covered by a weather resistant dust cap that is usually screwed over the adjustment knob assembly. Problems with these types of assemblies include the time and inconvenience of having to remove the dust cap and the necessity of utilizing a small screwdriver or similar device to effectuate adjustments. During the time it takes to implement these steps, a hunting target may have moved or, in the case of timed shooting competitions, valuable shooting time has elapsed. The second most common way utilizes an adjustment knob assembly that may rotate freely thereby allowing the user to make adjustments quickly. This type of adjustment assembly is generally reserved for scopes used on competition firearms where the firearm is not used in the hunting field but is maintained in a hard case and removed to a shooting bench or platform for competition fire. However, the drawback to this adjustment assembly is that the assembly may be easily knocked out of position and is not designed for field use where a sturdy and weather resistant adjustment assembly is a necessity.  
         [0004]     The use of a push pull knob assembly is disclosed in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,095 B2 Combined Illuminated Reticle and Focus Knob disclosing the use of a push pull turn knob to activate an LED located in the sidewall of a reticle by engaging and disengaging a battery in the turn knob. The turn knob is further used to focus the scope by rotation of the turn knob. While this invention allows hunters to make quick adjustments using a single knob, it does not contemplate a locking device that would keep the knob in either the pushed or pulled position, or from rotating and in fact, does not address the problem solved by the instant invention. The cited art knob may be knocked out of position easily; thus causing the illuminated reticle to turn off or the scope to become unfocused at an inopportune time, such as when attempting to shoot a target.  
         [0005]     Clearly there is a need for an adjustable locking knob assembly that allows for quick and easy adjustment of a scope and further prevents the adjustment knob assembly from moving once the desired position is set.  
       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 adjustment knob assembly may be attached to a scope or other sighting mechanism and may be adapted to conventional adjustment mechanisms through integral or aftermarket manufacture. In the preferred embodiment, a rubber washer and/or any other weather resistant material and/or sealant is placed between the turret and the adjustment knob assembly creating a weather resistant seal to prevent environmental elements from causing damage to the interior of the scope.  
         [0007]     In the preferred embodiment, a turn knob is placed over the adjustment knob assembly. Within the turn knob is a knurl knob and a lock down nut, or a similar locking mechanism. The knurl knob fits above the lock down nut. In the preferred embodiment, the knurl knob has a hollow groove in the side of the knurl knob, which is capable of receiving a pin. Once the turn knob is in place, a pin is inserted through the turn knob and into the hollow groove in the knurl knob, which allows the turn knob to pull and push the knurl knob without the two pieces disengaging. When the turn knob is pushed down, the turn knob engages the annular grooves on the lock down nut preventing the knurl knob and turn knob from rotating or making any undesired adjustments. When the turn knob is pulled up, the turn knob is disengaged from the lock down nut and the knurl knob and turn knob may rotate freely to make desired adjustments until pushed back down, locking the knurl knob and turn knob into position.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a view of the adjustment knob assembly according to the embodiments described herein.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the turn knob according to the embodiments described herein.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a cross view of the lock down nut according to the embodiments described herein.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2C  is a transparent view of the adjustment knob assembly according to the embodiments described herein.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are cross views of the lock down nut according to the embodiments described herein.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 4A and 4C  are cross views of the knurl knob according to the embodiments described herein.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the knurl knob according to the embodiments described herein. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     Shown in  FIG. 1  is the adjustment knob assembly ( 1 ) attached to the turret ( 2 ) of a scope ( 3 ). A rubber washer ( 4 ) is placed between the turret ( 2 ) and the adjustment knob assembly ( 1 ) to create a weatherproof seal between the turret ( 2 ) and the adjustment knob assembly ( 1 ).  
         [0016]     A knurl knob ( 6 ) is placed above the lock down nut ( 5 ). The knurl knob ( 6 ) has a hollow groove ( 7 ) on its side for receiving a pin ( 8 ). A turn knob ( 9 ) is placed over the knurl knob ( 6 ) and lock down nut ( 5 ) to form the adjustment knob assembly ( 1 ), as shown in the transparent view of  FIG. 2C .  
         [0017]     Once the turn knob ( 9 ) is placed over the knurl knob ( 6 ) and the lock down nut ( 5 ), a pin ( 8 ) is placed through the turn knob ( 9 ) and is received by the hollow groove ( 7 ) on the side of the knurl knob ( 6 ), which prevents the knurl knob ( 6 ) and turn knob ( 9 ) from disengaging during the push-pull movement.  
         [0018]     When the turn knob ( 9 ) is pushed down over the lock down nut ( 5 ), the annular grooves ( 11 ) on the lock down nut, as shown in  FIG. 2B , prevent the turn knob ( 9 ) from moving forward or backward, thus locking the knurl knob ( 6 ) and turn knob ( 9 ) in place. When the turn knob ( 9 ) is pulled up, the turn knob ( 9 ) is disengaged from the lock down nut, and the turn knob ( 9 ) and knurl knob ( 6 ) may freely rotate to make the necessary adjustments for windage and elevation. Once the desired adjustment has been made, the user simply pushes the turn knob ( 9 ) down over the lock down nut ( 5 ) causing the turn knob ( 9 ) to engage the lock down nut ( 5 ) and prevent any further rotation of the turn knob assembly ( 1 ).  
         [0019]     Shown in  FIG. 2A  is a side view of the turn knob ( 9 ) showing a hole ( 10 ) in the side of the turn knob ( 9 ), which receives the pin ( 8 ) after the turn knob ( 9 ) is placed over the knurl knob ( 6 ) and the lock down nut ( 5 ) in order to prevent the knurl knob ( 6 ) and turn knob ( 9 ) from disengaging during the push-pull movement. The turn knob ( 9 ), lock down nut ( 5 ) and knurl knob ( 6 ) form the adjustment knob assembly ( 1 ) as shown in the transparent view of  FIG. 2C .  
         [0020]     The lock down nut ( 5 ), as shown more closely in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , has annular grooves ( 11 ) on the outside, which lock the knurl knob ( 6 ) and turn knob ( 9 ) in place to prevent the turn knob ( 9 ) from moving forward or backward when the turn knob ( 9 ) is pushed down over the lock down nut ( 5 ).  
         [0021]     The knurl knob ( 6 ), as shown more closely in  FIGS. 4A, 4B  and  4 C, has annular grooves ( 12 ) for mating with the inside of the turn knob ( 9 ) and a hollow groove ( 7 ) for receiving a pin ( 8 ) placed through the turn knob ( 9 ) once the turn knob has been placed over the knurl knob ( 6 ) and lock down nut ( 5 ) to prevent the knurl knob ( 6 ) and turn knob ( 9 ) from disengaging during the push-pull movement.