Turret for rifle scopes

Abstract

Elevation turrets are used in rifles copes to adjust the point of aim of in the vertical direction. In tactical riflescopes used for precise shooting at long distance, the shooter often adjusts the elevation turret via very small movements or clicks. Each click indicates a fine adjustment step, often MOA or MOA (Minute of Arc). At night or under stressful field conditions, it is difficult for the shooter to see the click markings or remember whether the turret has been turned once or twice. The present invention discloses an elevation turret that features a moving pin. The pin protrudes from the top of the turret if the turret is turned more than once. This can provide tactile feedback to the shooter and help him re-adjust his point of aim in the dark or when wearing gloves.

Claims

1. A turret for use in a riflescope comprising: (A) a main component comprising a perimeter wall that defines a longitudinal axis, the perimeter wall comprising a top end; (B) a dialing component comprising: (a) a circumferential side wall that defines an internal cavity that at least partially receives the main component therein through an opening at a first end of the dialing component, the dialing component being mounted for rotation relative to the main component about the longitudinal axis from a base position for greater than one complete revolution; and (b) an end wall at a second end of the dialing component opposite the first end, the end wall comprising a perimeter, an outer side, an inner side, and a pin hole through the end wall; (C) a pin disposed within the cavity in alignment with the pin hole, the pin moveable through the pin hole along a range of travel extending between a first position and a second position, wherein the pin protrudes externally outward of the outer side of the end wall in at least one of the first position and the second position; and (D) a driver for driving the pin between the first position and the second position; (E) whereby rotating the dialing component to a position past one complete revolution from the base position causes the driver to drive the pin from the first position to the second position; (F) wherein the driver drives the pin along the range of travel from the first position to the second position, or from the second position to the first position through less than a full rotation of the dialing component.

2. The turret of claim 1 wherein the driver drives the pin from the first position in which the pin does not protrude externally of the pin hole to the second position in which the pin protrudes from the pin hole and can provide tactile feedback to an operator that the dialing component has been revolved more than one complete revolution from the base position.

3. The turret of claim 1 comprising an actuator that actuates the driver.

4. The turret of claim 3 wherein the actuator comprises a fixed element that is fixed relative to the main component, wherein the fixed element is disposed to engage the driver as the driver is rotated past the fixed element.

5. The turret of claim 1 wherein the driver comprises a hollow cylinder that accommodates the pin within the cylinder, the cylinder having a cylinder axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein an actuator is configured to cause the cylinder to rotate about the cylinder axis and wherein rotation of the cylinder drives the pin between the first position and the second position.

6. The turret of claim 5 comprising a retainer for retaining the cylinder against an inner surface of the dialing component in a manner that allows rotation of the cylinder about the cylinder axis.

7. The turret of claim 6 wherein the cylinder comprises one or more locking surfaces, at least one of the one or more locking surfaces preventing free rotation of the cylinder when the pin is in the second position.

8. The turret of claim 7 wherein the one or more locking surfaces comprise one or more flattened surfaces on an outside surface of the cylinder, the turret comprising one or more spring members for engaging the one or more flattened surfaces.

9. The turret of claim 5 wherein the cylinder comprises a channel on an inner surface of the cylinder, the channel extending circumferentially and longitudinally, wherein the pin comprises a connector member extending radially outward of the pin into the channel, wherein movement of the connector member along the channel displaces the pin along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

10. The turret of claim 5 wherein the cylinder comprises an opening in a circumferential wall of the cylinder that engages the actuator.

11. The turret of claim 10 wherein the opening extends from an end face of the cylinder.

12. The turret of claim 5 wherein the actuator is disposed relative to the cylinder such that during a first complete revolution of the dialing component from the base position, the actuator engages the cylinder and during a second revolution of the dialing component from the base position, the actuator avoids the cylinder.

13. The turret of claim 1 wherein the driver drives the pin between the first and the second positions through less than 25 degrees of rotation of the dialing component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing aspects and many of the advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the elevation turret according to an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rifle scope showing how the elevation turret will be connected.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the elevation turret.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the elevation turret showing the dialing component and the position of the pin whole.

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of the elevation turret showing the pin protruding from the top of the dialing component (compare with FIG. 3)

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the elevation turret showing the pin protruding from the top of the dialing component (compare with FIG. 4)

(8) FIGS. 7 (a) through (d): show perspective views of the inside of the dialing component. These figures show, in sequence, how turning the dialing component past a specific position causes the thin rod to tip the driver and cause it to turn. This, in turn, will push the pin upward and make it protrude from the top of the dialing component.

(9) FIGS. 8 (a) through (c): show side views and bottom views of the dialing component. These figures show, in sequence, how turning the dialing component past a specific position causes the thin rod to tip the driver and cause it to turn. This, in turn, will push the pin upward and make it protrude from the top of the dialing component.

(10) FIG. 9 is a close-up perspective view of the thin rod, the driver, and the retainer when the first revolution of the dialing component is about to be completed.

(11) FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the thin rod, the driver, and retainer when the first revolution of the dialing component is about to be completed.

(12) FIG. 11 is a partial perspective showing a portion of the inner surfaces where the driver and retainer are to be located.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND REFERENCE NUMERALS

(13) To help the reader understand the invention better, the names of specific components of the invention and their corresponding reference numerals are listed below. 1. Main component 2. Thin rod 3. Ring 4. Dialing component 5. Retainer 6. Driver/cylinder 7. Parabolic channel 8. Opening 9. Locking surface 10. Pin 11. Spike 12. Spring steel 13. Scope 14. Scope mount 15. Elevation component 16. Screw 17. Bolt 18. Turret cotter pin 19. Pin hole 20. Sleeve 21. Slot 22. Gap 23. Recess 24. Screw hole

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(14) In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

(15) With reference to FIG. 2, an elevation turret according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a cylindrical main component (1) that is mounted on the scope (13). The main component (1) is attached to the main body of the scope (13) by means of cotter pins or bolts (17) or other suitable attachment such that it does not rotate relative to the scope. The main component has a longitudinal axis being the axis of the cylinder. A thin rod (2) is attached to the top surface of the main component (1) by any suitable means. In one embodiment, the thin rod (2) may have a threaded end that is received into a threaded hole on the end surface of the main component. The thin rod (2) is positioned such that its length is parallel to the longitudinal axis, i.e., to the axis of the main component (1). The thin rod (2) is disposed off the longitudinal axis and in one particular embodiment is disposed near the periphery of the main component. The thin rod (2) is a fixed element relative to the main component that provides an actuator for a driver as will be described in more detail below.

(16) A second component of the invention is the dialing component (4). It is rotationally mounted on top of the main component (1) and fixed to an elevation component (15) by means of a screw (16). The dialing component may be generally cylindrical having a circumferential side wall, an open end to an internal cavity, and a closed end. In the depiction as shown, the closed end is the top end of the dialing component. The main component is partially received into the internal cavity through the open end. The elevation component (15) is connected to the internal mechanism of the scope (not shown) which adjusts the position of the reticle. Cotter pins 18 may be used for locking the dialing component (4) to the screw (16) so that as the dialing component rotates on the main component, the screw (16) will rotate to adjust the reticle. Therefore, elevation adjustment of the scope (13) is done by the up and down movement of the elevation component (15) according to the degree and the direction of rotation of the dialing component (4). This implies that the dialing component (4) will be elevated upon elevation of the elevation component (15) and will be lowered upon lowering of the elevation component (15). The dialing component may have a base position, being a stop beyond which the dialing component cannot turn further in a given direction. In one embodiment, the base position may be considered to be the lowermost position that the dialing component can be turned in the clockwise direction. From the base position, the dialing component may be able to turn more than one complete turn or rotation of the dialing component, e.g. in the anti-clockwise direction.

(17) With reference to FIG. 3, a ring (3) which has lines, numbers or other suitable indicia marked on it is provided to show the degree of dialing (elevation adjustment). The ring (3) is mounted on the lower portion of the dialing component (4). The base position may be represented by a particular marking or indicia on the ring (3), e.g. by a zero on a number scale. However, the base position differs from the zeroed-in position. The zeroed-in position is the position of the elevation turret at which the scope is known to the shooter to be accurate for a specific range. For example, the zeroed-in position may be half a revolution of the elevation turret from the base position and may represent a range of 100 yards. The parameters of the zeroed-in position will change with various factors, such as wind speed etc.

(18) With reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a pin hole (19) is drilled in the top surface of the dialing component (4). A pin (10) is positioned in alignment with the pin hole (19) such that its top end can move up and protrude from the top surface of the dialing component (4). The pin (10) is attached to the underside of the dialing component (4) via a driver (6) which is itself held in position by the retainer (5). This is shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8. The pin can be driven by the driver from a first position in which the pin does not substantially protrude from the pin hole to a second position in which the pin does protrude above the top surface of the dialing component and therefore can be felt by the user.

(19) The driver (6) is in the form of a hollow cylinder. As shown in the closeup views in FIGS. 9 and 10, a parabolic channel (7), a square shaped opening (8) and locking surfaces (9) are cut in the driver (6). The driver (6) is fitted in the retainer (5) by way of a spring steel (12). The retainer (5) may be secured to the underside top surface of the dialing component (4) by suitable fasteners, such as screws etc. The retainer (5) defines a placement channel for the hollow cylinder (6). The placement channel is between the spring (12) and the inner wall of the dialing component, with the spring 12 urging the cylinder (6) against the wall of the dialing component.

(20) The parabolic channel extends both circumferentially and longitudinally along the inner wall of the cylinder (6). That is, the channel may be considered to extend generally diagonally along the inner wall of the cylinder (6). While the channel (7) is shown as extending all the way through the wall of the cylinder from the inner side to the outer side, this is not a requirement. The pin (10) has a connector member such as a spike (11) perpendicularly protruding from its lower end. The lower end of the pin (10) is positioned inside the driver (6) such that the spike (11) is fitted inside the parabolic channel (7). Therefore, if the driver (6) rotates, the pin (10) will move up and down as the spike traverses the channel (7).

(21) The driver (6) is positioned such that as the dialing component (4) completes a first complete rotation from its base position, the actuator rod (2) will engage the driver (6). That is, the thin rod (2) will enter the opening (8) cut into the driver (6). Upon further rotation of the dialing component (4), the thin rod (2) will make the driver (6) rotate by a predetermined amount before moving out of the opening (8). Rotation of the cylinder (6) causes the spike (11) to traverse the channel which drives the pin (10) from the first position (non-protruding) to the second position (protruding). To prevent the pin (10) and spike (11) from rotating with the cylinder (6), the inner surface of the dialing component (4) may be milled with a sleeve (20) that extends inwards from underneath the top surface of the dialing component (4). The sleeve (20) can be seen in the illustration of FIG. 11 and provides an extension of the pin hole (19). The sleeve (20) includes a vertical slot (21) that receives the spike (11). When assembled, the pin (10) passes through the sleeve (20) and the pin hole (19). The driver cylinder (6) is mounted about the sleeve (20) and can freely rotate on the sleeve (20). Thus, the sleeve (20) is provided in the gap (22) seen in FIG. 9 between the pin (10) and the cylinder (6). The vertical slot in the sleeve accommodates the spike (11) and allows the spike (11) to slide up and down the slot to raise and lower the pin (10) as the spike traverses the cylinder channel (7). The fixed sleeve prevents the pin (10) from rotating with the cylinder (6). FIG. 11 also shows a milled recess 23 that may be provided in the undersurface of the top of the dialing component (4) for accommodating the retainer (5) and driver (6). The retainer may be secured into this recess (23) via screws through screw holes (24).

(22) The rotation sequence of the driver (6) is illustrated in FIGS. 7(a) through (d). FIG. 7(a) shows the dialing component viewed from below and the actuator rod (2). In FIG. 7(a), the dialing component is in the base position in which the cylinder (6) is up against the actuator rod (2). FIG. 8(a) shows a corresponding side view of the dialing component in which the scale markings show a zeroed position and the pin is in the first position and does not protrude above the surface of the dialing component. In FIG. 7(b), the dialing component has been rotated anticlockwise (clockwise in the lower view of FIG. 7) relative to the fixed actuator rod (2) through nearly one full rotation from the base position and is about to engage the driver cylinder (6). In FIG. 7(c), the actuator rod (2) has entered the opening (8) of the cylinder and engage the cylinder wall so that any further rotation of the dialing component will cause the cylinder to rotate. FIG. 8(b) shows the corresponding side view in which it can be seen from the scale markings that the dialing component has gone from the zero position to nearly one full turn. The pin remains in the first position. It can be seen that the opening 8 generally faces to the right as viewed in FIGS. 7(a) through (c). FIG. 7(d) shows the sequence advanced by further turning of the dialing component. It can be seen that the actuator rod (2) has actuated the driver to rotate as evidenced by the opening now facing generally left as viewed in FIG. 7(d). The dialing component has been rotated sufficiently that the actuator rod (2) has moved out of the opening 8 of the cylinder. FIG. 8(c) shows the corresponding side view. The dialing component, having undergone a full rotation, is again reading zero on the scale, but now the pin has been driven to the second position and thus protrudes above the dialing component. This gives tactile and visual feedback to the user that the dialing component has undergone a complete rotation. The user may therefore read the upper scale markings on the dialing component to correctly interpret the turret position and adjustment.

(23) From the above description of FIGS. 7 and 8, it can be seen that the pin is not driven continuously from the first position to the second position as the dialing component rotates, but is only driven through a relatively small arc of rotation as the dialing component completes a full rotation. This may be desirable because it gives a clear indication as to the state of rotation. If the pin were to protrude more gradually as the dialing component rotates, then it may be more difficult to interpret the state of rotation of the dialing component, in particular while wearing gloves or in low light conditions. In one embodiment, the driver may drive the pin between first and second positions through less than approximately 25 degrees of rotation of the dialing component, e.g. approximately 10-20 degrees of rotation. This may be modified by changing the diameter of the cylinder and/or the width of the opening (8).

(24) If the dialing component continues to be rotated for a second complete turn, the driver (6) will be sufficiently elevated to avoid the actuator (2).

(25) As shown in FIG. 10, the driver (6) includes locking surfaces (9) formed in an outer surface of the cylinder. The locking surfaces (9) are flattened areas that are able to engage the spring steel (12). Free (i.e., undriven) rotational movement of the driver (6) is restrained when the locking surfaces (9) arranged on the outer side of the driver (6) contact with the spring steel (12). The spring steel pushes against the flattened area of the locking surface (9) and urges the driver against the wall of the dialing component. Therefore, when the thin rod (2) is disengaged from the driver (6), the driver (6) remains stable in either of the first position or the second position and the pin (1) will be held in its position above or below the top surface of the dialing component (4).

(26) When the dialing component (4) is rotated in reverse direction, the elevation component (15), and hence the dialing component (4) is lowered. If the dialing component (4) has been turned more than two complete rotations, then turning it in reverse direction will not put the driver (6) in contact with the thin rod (2). This is because the opening (8) in the driver (6) passes over the thin rod (2). If one continues to turn the dialing component (4) in the reverse direction, then the opening (8) disposed in the driver (6) will eventually make contact with the thin rod (2). When the contact occurs, the spike (11) is located in the upper portion of the parabolic channel (7). At the same time, the thin rod (2) will move into the opening (8) and will prevent the driver (6) from moving in dialing direction. The driver (6) then rotates around its own axis in reverse direction to the movement of the dialing component (4). As the driver (6) rotates, the spike (11) moves downwards in the parabolic channel (7) and will eventually rest in the bottom portion of the parabolic channel (7). Since the spike (11) is attached to the pin (10), the pin (10) will be lowered such that its tip no longer protrudes from the top surface of the dialing component (4).

(27) While specific reference has been made to an elevation turret, it will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein could equally be deployed as windage turrets if required and all such types of turrets are intended to be encompassed herein.

(28) The foregoing description reveals the general nature of the invention clearly and fully such that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily build and use the invention.

(29) It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that terms of orientation such as top, bottom, front, back, left, right, inner, outer, etc. are used herein with reference to the drawings in order to provide a clear and concise description. Such terms are not intended to limit the examples and embodiments in any manner and the scope of the invention as defined herein will encompass other possible orientations of the components as will be perceived by the person skilled in the art.

(30) It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as opposed to the description given in the specifications.