Patent ID: 12228373

The objects and features of the invention will become more readily understood from the following detailed description and appended claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

FIG.1is an isometric view of an embodiment of rifle scope10of the present invention. A canting turret50extends from the left side of scope10.

FIG.2is a left side view of the embodiment of rifle scope10illustrated inFIG.1. Rifle scope10has a body tube12. An eyepiece assembly20is located on one end of body tube12. An objective bell30is located at the opposite end of body tube12.

Eyepiece assembly20has a diopter adjustment22and a magnification (or power) adjustment24. A turret housing40is located on body tube12. Canting turret50is located on the turret housing40.

FIG.3is a top view of the embodiment of rifle scope10ofFIG.1. As seen inFIG.3, turret housing40is located between eyepiece assembly20and objective bell30. A windage turret42extends from the right side of turret housing40. An elevation turret44extends from the top of turret housing40. A parallax turret46extends from the left side of turret housing40.

Unique to the present invention, canting turret50extends outward from parallax turret46. This has proven extremely convenient for the shooter to access and control. This is significant, as less convenient controls necessarily distract the shooter from maintaining focus on the target. In the embodiment illustrated, canting turret50comprises an activation switch52, an illumination up switch54, and an illumination down switch56. A battery cap58is secured to the end of canting turret50to provide ready access to replace a battery62(shown inFIG.6) which, in place, is electrically connected to a circuit board60.

FIG.4is a right side view of the embodiment of rifle scope10shown inFIGS.1-3.

FIG.5is a top cross-sectional view of the embodiment ofFIGS.1-4. As seen inFIG.5, the interior of rifle scope10comprises a series of lenses. An ocular lens70is located in eyepiece20. An objective lens72is located in objective bell30. A focus lens74is located interior to body tube12. Magnifying lenses76and78are located in an erector assembly75(not shown) which is subject to lateral repositioning by windage adjustment42and to vertical repositioning by elevation adjustment44.

A reticle80is located between ocular lens70and objective lens72. Reticle80has a reticle LED82positioned to illuminate reticle80when power is transmitted to a second electrical connector84which is electrically connected to canting turret50.

As best seen inFIG.3, activation switch52is located on the top of canting turret50. Illumination up switch54is located on the ocular lens70side of canting turret50. Illumination down switch56is located on the objective lens72side of canting turret50.

Circuit board60is located inside canting turret50. A battery power source62is located inside canting turret50and electrically connected to circuit board60. Circuit board60is electrically connected to activation switch52, illumination up switch54, and illumination down switch56. Circuit board60is further electrically connected to reticle LED82and to a level LED92.

A level assembly90is located between ocular lens70and objective lens72. Level assembly90has a level LED92positioned to illuminate level assembly90when power is transmitted to a first electrical connector94which is electrically connected to canting turret50.

FIG.6is a cross-sectional top view of the embodiment of canting turret50illustrated inFIG.5. Illumination up switch54is located on the operator side of canting turret50. Illumination down switch56is located on the rifle muzzle side of canting turret50.

Circuit board60is located inside canting turret50. Battery power source62is located inside canting turret50and electrically connected to circuit board60. Circuit board60is further electrically connected to activation switch52, illumination up switch54, and illumination down switch56. As was seen inFIG.5, circuit board60is electrically connected to reticle LED82and to level LED92by electrical connectors84and94, respectively. Battery cap58may secure battery62in electrical connection to circuit board60by means of a spring or compressible battery pad64.

FIG.7is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of level assembly90of rifle scope10. As seen inFIG.7, level assembly90comprises a level frame96. A level98is mounted in level frame96above level LED92. As seen inFIG.7, level98is positioned directly above level LED92such that when power is transmitted through first electrical connector94, level LED92will illuminate level98.

FIG.8is an isometric exploded view of the embodiment of level assembly90ofFIG.7. In one embodiment, level98is an arched and fluid-filled level that includes a bubble100. Level98may be filled with a colored fluid to provide contrast to the air or gas of bubble100. In one embodiment, the volume, and thus the length of bubble100, is precisely controlled to represent a predetermined angle of arc within level98.

In this embodiment, should the electrical power be lost, the operator can still see the intersection of the lower section of reticle80with bubble100as seen within ocular lens70. As long as they intersect, the rifle is positioned within the predetermined amount of allowable tilt, and the operator need not look external of the scope optics. In another embodiment, reticle80intersects bubble100only within the same predetermined angular amount of cant required to illuminate level LED92.

In one embodiment, the length of bubble100represents two degrees of angle within level98, such that intersection of bubble100with reticle80will indicate cant within a predetermined allowable angle of one degree.

In another embodiment, indicia102are inscribed on level98on either side of bubble100(when level) at a predetermined angle of arc, such that the amount of tilt of scope10(and thus the rifle) is measurable by the bubble's100position relative to indicia102on level98.

In one such embodiment, a pair of indicia102is inscribed on level98and separated by a distance equal to the length of bubble100plus two times the predetermined angular amount of allowable cant, such that bubble100is located between the pair of indicia102when scope10is within the same predetermined angular amount of cant required to illuminate level LED92. In another embodiment, indicia102are located at one degree of angle beyond each end of bubble100when oriented level.

As seen inFIG.8, level frame96has a slot110for receiving level98. A platform112is provided for receiving level LED92. In one embodiment, a backing ring114secures level98inside level frame96.FIG.9is an isometric view of the embodiment of level assembly90ofFIGS.7and8shown as assembled.

FIG.10is a general schematic of an embodiment of circuit board60. Circuit board60is connected to battery power source62. Circuit board60is electrically connected to an accelerometer66, or other movement detecting sensor, and a timer. Circuit board60is connected to activation switch52, illumination up switch54and illumination down switch56.

Circuit board60includes an LED lighting driver68which controls the intensity of the LED brightness in response to signals received from illumination up switch54and illumination down switch56. Circuit board60is thereby electrically connected to level LED92and reticle LED82.

FIG.11is a flow chart representing an embodiment of modes of operation. In the embodiment illustrated, four modes (Modes1,2,3and0) are selectable by the operator by pressing activation switch52. Mode0being the off, or unpowered mode, in which scope10remains functional.

In this same embodiment, five modes (Modes1,2,3,4, and0) are activated automatically by circuit board60. Circuit board60selects a mode based on either 1) the expiration of a first predetermined time period, 2) the expiration of a second predetermined time period, or 3) in response to sensor66detecting movement of scope10prior to the expiration of the second predetermined time period.

Referring to the top of the center column ofFIG.11, a non-powered mode, designated Mode0, is the resting state of scope10. All electrical power is conserved and scope10is “turned off”. Important to the present invention, in a non-powered mode, scope10is functional for shooting and provides an indication of allowable cant that is visible through diopter adjustment22, as seen inFIG.15. This capability prevents the operator from being defenseless or unable to align an accurate long-distance shot in the absence of electrical power.

From Mode0, the operator activates Mode1by pressing activation switch52(seeFIG.11, input box1). This provides power from battery power source62to circuit board60. In Mode1, level LED92is activated. As such, when rifle scope10is not canted or within the predetermined range of allowable cant, level LED92will illuminate level98. In one embodiment, the allowable range of cant is 1°.

Once activated, the operator may cycle through Mode1, Mode2, and Mode3and back to Mode1by momentarily pressing activation switch52. This capability is indicated by input boxes52that are internally numbered as 1, 2, and 3.

From each of Modes1,2, and3, the operator can select Mode0, which is to turn the power to scope10off, by a quick press and release of activation switch52(seeFIG.11, input boxes5). Circuit board60distinguishes the duration of a quick press and release of activation switch52from a momentary pressing of activation switch52, thus allowing activation switch52to perform the two separate functions.

To activate Mode2, the operator presses activation switch52once from Mode1(seeFIG.11, input box2). In Mode2, level LED92is powered when accelerometer66indicates that rifle scope10is level within the predetermined angular tolerance, and reticle LED82is also powered.

To activate Mode3, the operator presses activation switch52once from Mode2. In Mode3, only reticle LED82is powered (seeFIG.11, input box3). From Mode3, the operator presses activation switch52once again to reenter Mode1(seeFIG.11, input box4).

In each of the Modes1,2, and3, the operator can increase or decrease the intensity of the illuminated level LED92or reticle LED82of that mode by pressing illumination up switch54or illumination down switch56, as seen inFIG.3.

In each of the Modes1,2, and3, activation initiates the timer to run for a first predetermined amount of time. In one embodiment, the first predetermined amount of time is 3 minutes. Each detection of movement of rifle scope10by sensor66restarts the timer. In this manner, each of Modes1,2, and3remains activated as long as there is any movement detected by sensor66within the first predetermined period of time.

As shown on the right side ofFIG.11[AUTO NON-MOVEMENT TIME-OUT], in the absence of any detection of movement by sensor66before the expiration of the first predetermined period of time, circuit board60will automatically shift scope10into a fourth mode (Mode4), which is a “sleep” mode. In Mode4, power to level LED92and reticle LED82is terminated, and battery power62is substantially (mostly) conserved.

As shown on the left side ofFIG.11[AUTO MOVEMENT REACTIVATION] when in Mode4, detection of movement by sensor66before the expiration of a second predetermined period of time will cause scope10to revert to the last mode of operation (Modes1,2, or3) and to the illumination settings activated prior to automatically switching to Mode4.

In Mode4, the absence of detection of movement by sensor66before expiration of the second predetermined period of time will cause circuit board60to automatically power off scope10(Mode0). See [AUTO NON-MOVEMENT SHUTDOWN]. When unpowered, no timers are running, no LEDs are powered, and battery power62is fully conserved. No movement of rifle scope10will cause it to power back up. It is then necessary to press activation switch52to cause scope10to power up in Mode1.

It will be understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the precise number and sequence of the modes of operation illustrated herein can be varied without departing from the novelty of the disclosure of the invention.

FIG.12is a front view of the embodiment of rifle scope10illustrated inFIG.1. In this view, looking towards objective bell30, rifle scope10is shown in a level and non-canted position.

FIG.13is a rear view of the embodiment of rifle scope10illustrated inFIG.12. This is the operator's view of rifle scope10. In this view, looking towards eyepiece assembly20, rifle scope10is shown in a level and non-canted position.

As seen in this view, and is conventional for rifle scopes, windage turret42is located on the operator's right side of rifle scope10. Elevation turret44is located on the top of rifle scope10. A parallax turret46is located on the left side of rifle scope10. Unique to the present invention is canting turret50, which extends from parallax turret46.

FIG.14is a rear view of the embodiment of rifle scope10illustrated inFIG.13in which rifle scope10is shown in a non-level, canted position. Accelerometer66on circuit board60detects angle a. Circuit board60determines angle a to be within or in excess of the predetermined allowable cant angle (for example,) 1° and only illuminates level LED92when angle a is within the allowable cant angle.

FIGS.15-20illustrate the operator's view through ocular lens70of eyepiece20in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG.15illustrates a view of reticle80and level98of rifle scope10in a non-powered mode (Mode0). In this mode, reticle LED82and level LED92are not activated for illumination. As seen in this view, although not illuminated, the intersection of reticle80with bubble100indicates a non-canted inclination of rifle scope10.

This is extremely advantageous in that rifle scope10is operative even when its electrical power source is depleted. As long as reticle80intersects bubble100, the rifle is positioned within the predetermined amount of allowable tilt, and the operator need not look external to scope10for that determination. This is achieved by the precise design of the arc length of bubble100to represent the allowed angle of cant, and the positioning of level98is visible within optical lens70in alignment with reticle80.

FIG.16illustrates reticle80and level assembly90of rifle scope10in Mode1. In Mode1, only level LED92is activated for illumination, and level LED92only illuminates when rifle scope10is in a non-canted inclination. As illustrated, level98indicates a non-canted inclination, and level LED92is thus illuminated. In one embodiment, level LED92is colored green to indicate “go”. In one embodiment, the allowable amount of cant is less than one degree.

FIG.17illustrates rifle scope10still in Mode1, as inFIG.16. However, inFIG.17, rifle scope10is excessively canted to the left such that LED92is not illuminated. Reticle80does not intersect bubble100, confirming an excessively canted inclination.

FIG.18illustrates reticle80and level assembly90of rifle scope10in Mode2. In Mode2, level LED92remains active as in activation Mode1. In addition, LED82illuminates reticle80, regardless of the cant angle. This mode is most useful in low light shooting. This condition is associated with dusk and dawn, which are prime hunting hours. As illustrated inFIG.18, rifle scope10is not canted in excess of the allowable limit (e.g., one degree) such that reticle80and level98are both illuminated.

FIG.19illustrates rifle scope10still in activation Mode2, as inFIG.18. However, inFIG.19, rifle scope10is excessively canted to the right such that level LED92is not illuminated. Level98confirms a right canted inclination in that reticle80does not intersect bubble100. LED82continues to illuminate reticle80for low light targeting.

FIG.20illustrates reticle80and level assembly90of rifle scope10in a third activation mode, or Mode3. In Mode3, LED82illuminates reticle80, as in Mode2. However, level LED92is not activated for illumination in Mode3. Lighting of reticle80with reticle LED82is desired for targeting in early morning or early evening when external lighting is reduced. The operator may still rely on level98for inclination.

In one embodiment, LED82is preferably a different color than level LED92. In one embodiment, level LED82is colored red to prevent confusion with level LED92, which is preferably green.

In operation, rifle scope10operates similar to a telescope. As light from the target is received through objective lens72, the image converges at a first focal plane reticle80. At the first focal plane, the image is inverted. The image passes through a picture reversal assembly and reaches a second focal plane in eyepiece assembly20. The magnification of the image is adjusted at the second focal plane. Eyepiece assembly20includes a diopter adjustment22to accommodate the operator's visual acuity, similar to the eyepiece on binoculars.

Reticle80can be located in front (front focal plane reticle) or behind (second focal plane reticle) the focus lens74.

To adjust magnification, the operator turns magnification adjustment24. A magnification lens moves toward objective lens72to increase magnification. The magnification lens moves toward ocular lens70to decrease magnification.

Windage turret42permits horizontal adjustments for wind. Elevation turret44permits vertical adjustments to compensate for the distance of the shoot. Parallax turret46permits focal length correction for long shots, bringing reticle80into focus with the target.

Unique to the present invention, canting turret50extends from parallax turret46to provide a conveniently controllable and reliable indication of proper level, or tilt, of the rifle to which scope10is attached. This indication is provided both mechanically and electrically, and by viewing the level98or green level LED92as seen inside rifle scope10, and thus without interference with sighting of the target. Level98, in combination with reticle80, or indicia102, provides a non-electrically reliant indication of proper level. Illumination of level LED92provides a positive, “no look” indication the rifle is level and within the predetermined limit of cant.

As illustrated, the invention provides a unique solution to the engineering constraints and challenges of providing a rapid identification of any undesirable cant in the rifle position while targeting. The disclosed embodiments provide the advantage of allowing the operator to know if the cant of the rifle is acceptable while keeping full focus on the reticle80-target interface. In addition, the present embodiments allow the operator to determine if the cant of the rifle is acceptable without looking exterior of ocular lens70in the absence of an electrical power source62to scope10.

As will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the sequence of the modes disclosed above may be reordered in any desired sequence without adversely affecting the overall operation of rifle scope10, and without departing from the novelty and spirit of the disclosed invention. For example, the first and third modes could be reversed in order of operation. As another example, the second and third modes may be reversed in order of operation.

As used herein, the term “accelerometer” is intended for construction as meaning an instrument or sensor for measuring inclination and/or movement of the scope.

As used herein, the term “substantially” is intended for construction as meaning “more so than not”.

As used herein, the term “circuit board” is intended for construction as meaning a printed circuit board or microcomputer with sufficient electrical elements and programming to perform the functions disclosed herein.

Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.