Target acquisition improvements using patterned dichroic coatings

Abstract

A target spotting device incorporating target acquisition improvements using patterned dichroic coatings wherein a color is assigned to an individual Bullet Drop Compensation reticle and/or other reticle elements to improve the observer's rate of target acquisition is disclosed. These dichroic patterns coatings can also be used individually or with etch and fill, chrome, anti-reflective chrome or holographic reticle elements. Patterned dichroics coatings can be incorporated into both 1st or 2nd focal plane reticle locations.

Claims

1. An improved reticle element for riflescopes and other target spotting devices comprising: a reticle element including a patterned dichroic; wherein said reticle element is a bullet drop compensation reticle element having two or more individual bullet drop compensation markings; wherein the said patterned dichroic is on a wafer and each individual bullet drop compensation marking of said reticle element and/or each reticle element is a different color; and, wherein said patterned dichroic includes varying shades and combinations to improve target visibility in variable lighting conditions.

2. The improved reticle element of claim 1 wherein said patterned dichroic is incorporated with etch and fill, chrome, antireflective chrome or holographic reticle elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment Bullet Drop Compensation rifle scope reticle element using patterned dichroic coatings; and,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment wafer having multiple Bullet Drop Compensation rifle scope reticle elements using patterned dichroic coatings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(4) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by using patterned dichroics (2) coated on a wafer (6) a color is applied to each individual BDC (4) of a reticle element (1) to improve the observer's rate of target acquisition in the preferred embodiment. These dichroic patterns coatings (2) can be used individually or with etch and fill, chrome (3), anti-reflective chrome or holographic reticle elements (5). Patterned dichroics coatings (2) can be incorporated into both 1st or 2nd focal plane reticle locations.

(5) Dichroic coatings can also be used to augment the observer's ability to locate targets by offering better contrast to a typical background in riflescopes, spotting scopes and binoculars. In these cases, a patterned dichroic coating (2) can also be used singularly or incorporated with etch and fill, chrome (3), antireflective chrome or holographic reticle elements (5). As with riflescopes discussed above, multiple dichroic patterns (2) can also be used in other target spotting devices.

(6) Since certain changes may be made in the above described reticle element device using patterned dichroic coatings in riflescopes and other spotting devices to improve target acquisition without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the description thereof or shown in the accompanying figures shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.