Reticle with fiber optic illumination

Abstract

The disclosure relates to viewing optics, and in particular, a reticle system for a viewing optic. A reticle system having a fiber optic reticle coupled to a transparent substrate reticle in either the first or second focal plane is disclosed. The reticle system disclosed herein is visible in bright daylight and also has the desired floating features in the field of view, including numbers and other markings.

Claims

1. A viewing optic comprising: a body with a first end and a second end and having a center axis; an objective lens system disposed within the body; an eyepiece lens disposed within the body; an erector lens system disposed within the body; the objective lens system, eyepiece lens, and erector lens system forming an optical system having a first focal plane and a second focal plane; and a reticle system having a transparent substrate with a first side facing the objective lens system and a second side facing the eyepiece lens; wherein a first wire reticle is coupled to the first side of the transparent substrate and a second wire reticle is coupled to the second side of the transparent substrate, and further wherein the first wire reticle and/or the second wire reticle has a fiber optic.

2. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the transparent substrate further includes at least one subtension marking.

3. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the transparent substrate further includes mil dot markings.

4. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the transparent substrate further comprises a complete reticle pattern.

5. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the first wire reticle has a fiber optic and a light collector at a first end of the fiber optic of the first wire reticle.

6. The viewing optic of claim 5, wherein the second wire reticle has a fiber optic.

7. The viewing optic of claim 5, wherein the fiber optic of the first wire reticle includes a second end having an angled cut wherein light from the light collector reflects off of the angled cut.

8. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the reticle system is at the first focal plane.

9. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the first wire reticle has an etched horizontal stadia line with a fiber optic.

10. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the first wire reticle has an etched vertical stadia line with a fiber optic.

11. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the second wire reticle has a fiber optic.

12. The viewing optic of claim 11, wherein the fiber optic of the second wire reticle includes a light collector at a first end.

13. The viewing optic of claim 12, wherein the fiber optic of the second wire reticle includes a second end having an angled cut, wherein light from the light collector reflects off of the angled cut.

14. The viewing optic of claim 11, wherein the second wire reticle has an etched horizontal stadia line with the fiber optic.

15. The viewing optic of claim 11, wherein the second wire reticle has an etched vertical stadia line with the fiber optic.

16. The viewing optic of claim 6, wherein the fiber optic of the second wire reticle includes a light collector at a first end.

17. The viewing optic of claim 16, wherein the fiber optic of the second wire reticle includes a second end having an angled cut, wherein light from the light collector reflects off of the angled cut.

18. The viewing optic of claim 6, wherein the second wire reticle has an etched horizontal stadia line with the fiber optic.

19. The viewing optic of claim 6, wherein the second wire reticle has an etched vertical stadia line with the fiber optic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a viewing optic.

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the viewing optic of FIG. 1 along line 2-2, showing a moveable optical element inside the scope body.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the erector system in the optical element of a viewing optic.

(4) FIG. 4 is a representative schematic of markings that can be depicted on a glass etched reticle.

(5) FIG. 5 is a representative schematic of markings that can be depicted on a glass etched reticle.

(6) FIG. 6 is a representative view as seen through a viewing optic of a glass etched reticle.

(7) FIG. 7A is a representative view as seen through a viewing optic of a wire reticle having a target dot.

(8) FIG. 7B is a detail schematic view of the wire reticle of FIG. 7A taken generally along the line A-A in FIG. 7A.

(9) FIG. 7C is a side schematic view of one embodiment of an optic fiber target dot used with a wire reticle.

(10) FIG. 8 is a view as seen through a viewing optic having a reticle system with a representative wire reticle of FIG. 7A coupled to a representative glass reticle of FIG. 6 in alignment.

(11) FIG. 9 is a view as seen through a viewing optic of a glass etched reticle having subtension lines and lacking stadia lines.

(12) FIG. 10 is a view as seen through a viewing optic of a wire reticle having vertical and horizontal stadia lines and a target dot.

(13) FIG. 11 is a view as seen through a viewing optic having a reticle system with a representative wire reticle of FIG. 10 coupled to a representative glass reticle of FIG. 9 in alignment.

SUMMARY

(14) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a reticle system with a fiber optic reticle coupled to a transparent substrate having a pattern of markings.

(15) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a reticle system with an illuminated wire reticle coupled to a transparent substrate having a pattern of markings.

(16) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a reticle system having a transparent substrate with a pattern of markings overlaid with an illuminated wire reticle.

(17) In one embodiment, the reticle system can be in the first focal plane or the second focal plane.

(18) In one embodiment, the fiber optic reticle is a wire reticle or an electroformed foil reticle. In one embodiment, the fiber optic reticle has a center pattern.

(19) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a reticle system with a fiber optic reticle coupled to a second transparent substrate, wherein the second transparent substrate is cemented over a first transparent substrate having a reticle pattern. In one embodiment, the transparent substrate is a doublet.

(20) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a reticle system with a fiber optic reticle coupled to a first transparent substrate having a reticle pattern, wherein a second transparent substrate is coupled to the first transparent substrate.

(21) In one embodiment, the reticle system has a glass etched reticle and a wire reticle that has fiber optic illumination. In one embodiment, a viewing optic can have two reticle systems, with a first reticle system in the first focal plane and a second reticle system in the second focal plane.

(22) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a reticle system with a fiber optic reticle and a glass reticle, wherein the fiber optic reticle is coupled to a second glass substrate, wherein the second glass substrate is cemented over a first glass substrate having a reticle pattern. In one embodiment, the glass reticle is a doublet.

(23) In one embodiment, the fiber optic reticle is coupled to the objective side of the glass substrate (side facing toward the objective lens assembly). In one embodiment, the fiber optic reticle is coupled to the ocular side of the glass substrate (side facing toward the eyepiece assembly).

(24) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a reticle system with a fiber optic reticle coupled to a first glass substrate having a reticle pattern, wherein a second glass substrate is coupled to the first transparent substrate.

(25) In one embodiment, the fiber optic reticle is coupled to the substrate that has the reticle pattern. In still another embodiment, the fiber optic reticle is coupled to a second substrate that covers a first substrate having a reticle pattern.

(26) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic comprising: a body with a first end and a second end and having a center axis; an objective lens system disposed within the body; an eyepiece lens disposed within the body; an erector lens system disposed within the body; the objective lens system, eyepiece lens, and erector lens system forming an optical system having a first focal plane and a second focal plane, and a reticle system having a fiber optic reticle coupled to a glass etched reticle having at least horizontal and vertical stadia lines. In one embodiment, the reticle system comprises a metal or wire reticle with illumination.

(27) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic comprising: a body with a first end and a second end and having a center axis; an objective lens system disposed within the body; an eyepiece lens disposed within the body; an erector lens system disposed within the body; the objective lens system, eyepiece lens, and erector lens system forming an optical system having a first focal plane and a second focal plane; and a reticle system having a fiber optic reticle with horizontal and vertical stadia lines coupled to a transparent substrate having a reticle pattern, wherein the fiber optic horizontal and vertical stadia lines align with the transparent substrate horizontal and vertical stadia lines.

(28) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic comprising: an objective lens system; an erector system; an eyepiece; a reticle system having a fiber optic reticle including horizontal and stadia lines coupled to a glass reticle having a marking pattern that is void of horizontal and vertical stadia lines; wherein the marking pattern of the glass etched reticle is superimposed on the stadia lines of the wire reticle when the reticles are viewed through the eyepiece.

(29) In one embodiment, the transparent substrate is a glass substrate.

(30) In one embodiment, the fiber optic reticle is coupled to an objective side of the glass etched reticle or transparent substrate.

(31) In one embodiment, the glass etched reticle or transparent substrate further includes at least one subtension marking or mil dot markings.

(32) In one embodiment, the glass etched reticle or transparent substrate further comprises a complete reticle pattern.

(33) In one embodiment, the fiber optic reticle includes at least one stadia line. In another embodiment, the fiber optic reticle includes at least one target dot. In yet another embodiment, the at least one target dot is illuminated by an LED.

(34) In one embodiment, the fiber optic has a first end and a second end, wherein light enters the first end and illuminates the second end.

(35) In yet another embodiment, the fiber optic includes a light collector at the first end. In another embodiment, the second end of the fiber optic reticle includes an angled cut wherein the light reflects off of the angled cut.

(36) In still another embodiment, the fiber optic is aligned with and tracks along a stadia line of the wire reticle.

(37) In one embodiment, the fiber optic reticle has at least one target dot illuminated by an LED, and further wherein the optic fiber has a first end and a second end, the first end including a light collector and the second end including an angled cut wherein the light from the LED passes through the optic fiber and reflects off of the angled cut.

(38) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to viewing optic having a reticle that is visible in bright daylight against bright backgrounds, along with floating features in the field of view, including numbers or dots.

(39) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a reticle with a bright spot at the center that is visible in bright daylight against bright backgrounds, along with floating features in the field of view, such as numbers or dots.

(40) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a reticle that combines the advantages of a glass etched reticle with the advantages of fiber optic illumination.

(41) It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiment, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(42) The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

(43) It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the set of features and/or capabilities may be readily adapted within the context of a standalone weapons sight, front-mount or rear-mount clip-on weapons sight, and other permutations of filed deployed optical weapons sights. Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various combinations of features and capabilities may be incorporated into add-on modules for retrofitting existing fixed or variable weapons sights of any variety.

(44) It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer. Alternatively, intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

(45) Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

(46) It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another element, component, region, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, or section without departing from the disclosure.

(47) Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90° or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

I. Definitions

(48) The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate, and thus may include values outside of the range unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges include all values from and including the lower and the upper values, in increments of one unit, provided that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if a compositional, physical or other property, such as, for example, molecular weight, viscosity, etc., is from 100 to 1,000, it is intended that all individual values, such as 100, 101, 102, etc., and sub ranges, such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200,etc., are expressly enumerated. For ranges containing values which are less than one or containing fractional numbers greater than one (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1, as appropriate. For ranges containing single digit numbers less than ten (e.g., 1 to 5), one unit is typically considered to be 0.1. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated, are to be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure. Numerical ranges are provided within this disclosure for, among other things, distances from a user of a device to a target or from one component of a device to another component of a device.

(49) The term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A and/or B” herein is intended to include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B (alone). Likewise, the term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B, and/or C” is intended to encompass each of the following embodiments: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).

(50) As used herein, a “center pattern” describes any pattern that can be used advantageously for close range shooting. A center pattern may be simply a center dot, broken circle, horseshoe, or any pattern that is considered easy to use as an aiming point for close range shooting. This center pattern needs to be very bright so that it can be seen in bright daylight situations and against the brightest of backgrounds. For this reason, scopes that have been very popular for close range shooting include scopes with a very bright center dot or “center pattern” for an aiming point.

(51) As used herein, a “complete reticle pattern” refers to a reticle pattern having sufficient markings that no further information from additional reticles is needed. In one embodiment, a complete reticle pattern includes horizontal and vertical stadia lines along with one or more additional markings including but not limited to subtension markings, numbers, and symbols.

(52) As used herein, an “erector sleeve” is a protrusion from the erector lens mount which engages a slot in the erector tube and/or cam tube or which serves an analogous purpose. This could be integral to the mount or detachable.

(53) As used herein, an “erector tube” is any structure or device having an opening to receive an erector lens mount.

(54) As used herein, a “firearm” is a portable gun, being a barreled weapon that launches one or more projectiles often driven by the action of an explosive force. As used herein, the term “firearm” includes a handgun, a long gun, a rifle, shotgun, a carbine, automatic weapons, semi-automatic weapons, a machine gun, a sub-machine gun, an automatic rifle, and an assault rifle.

(55) As used herein, the term “viewing optic” refers to an apparatus used by a shooter or a spotter to select, identify or monitor a target. The “viewing optic” may rely on visual observation of the target, or, for example, on infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), radar, thermal, microwave, or magnetic imaging, radiation including X-ray, gamma ray, isotope and particle radiation, night vision, vibrational receptors including ultra-sound, sound pulse, sonar, seismic vibrations, magnetic resonance, gravitational receptors, broadcast frequencies including radio wave, television and cellular receptors, or other image of the target. The image of the target presented to the shooter by the “viewing optic” device may be unaltered, or it may be enhanced, for example, by magnification, amplification, subtraction, superimposition, filtration, stabilization, template matching, or other means. The target selected, identified or monitored by the “viewing optic” may be within the line of sight of the shooter, or tangential to the sight of the shooter, or the shooter's line of sight may be obstructed while the target acquisition device presents a focused image of the target to the shooter. The image of the target acquired by the “viewing optic” may be, for example, analog or digital, and shared, stored, archived, or transmitted within a network of one or more shooters and spotters by, for example, video, physical cable or wire, IR, radio wave, cellular connections, laser pulse, optical, 802.11b or other wireless transmission using, for example, protocols such as html, SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, etc., Bluetooth™, Serial, USB or other suitable image distribution method. The term “viewing optic” is used interchangeably with “optic sight.”

(56) As used herein, the term “outward scene” refers to a real world scene, including but not limited to a target.

(57) As used herein, the term “shooter” applies to either the operator making the shot or an individual observing the shot in collaboration with the operator making the shot.

II. Viewing Optic

(58) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary viewing optic 10, having a scope body 12, objective lens end 40 and ocular end 50. FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the sighting device from FIG. 1 showing the basic components of optical system 14 and moveable optical element 15. As shown in FIG. 2, optical system 14 includes an objective lens system 16, erector system 25, and eyepiece 18. FIG. 2 shows a riflescope having a body 12, but optical system 14 could be used in other types of sighting devices as well. Erector system 25 may be included within a moveable optic element 15. In FIG. 2, moveable optic element 15 also includes a collector 22, as well as first focal plane reticle 55 and second focal plane reticle 57. When in use, adjustment of turret assembly 28 and turret screw 29 causes adjustment of moveable optic element 15.

(59) FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of an optical system 14 in cross-section, illustrating how light rays travel through the optical system 14. Optical system 14 may have additional optical components such as collector 22, and it is well known within the art that certain components, such as objective lens system 16, erector system 25, and eyepiece 18 may themselves have multiple components or lenses. Optical system 14 shown here is drawn as a basic system for illustration of one embodiment of the invention but it should be understood that variations of other optical systems with more or less structural components would be within the scope of the invention as well.

III. Reticle System

(60) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic with a reticle system having a transparent substrate etched with a desired pattern, e.g. crosshairs, and a fiber optic reticle coupled to the transparent substrate. In one embodiment, the reticle system can be in the first focal plane or the second focal plane. In one embodiment, the viewing optic may have a reticle system in both the first focal plane and the second focal plane.

A. Transparent Substrate

(61) In one embodiment, the transparent substrate has a first side facing the objective lens and a second side facing the ocular lens. In one embodiment, the transparent substrate has an objective facing side and an ocular facing side.

(62) In one embodiment, the first side of the transparent substrate has a marking pattern or reticle useful for the user/shooter of the viewing optic. In another embodiment, the second side of the transparent substrate has a marking pattern or reticle useful for the user/shooter of the viewing optic.

(63) In one embodiment, the marking pattern or reticle is on the objective side of the transparent substrate. In yet another embodiment, the marking pattern or reticle is on the ocular side of the transparent substrate. In one embodiment, the marking pattern or reticle is applied by any suitable method including but not limited to etching, engraving, and chromium deposit.

(64) In one embodiment, the transparent substrate is a glass substrate including but not limited to crown glass, e.g. Schott® high transparent crown glass B270 or Schott® bor-crown glass BK7. transparent plastics, and polycarbonate.

(65) In one embodiment, the glass reticle can be etched with any desired pattern including but not limited to numbers, dots and other floating features. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 provide representative examples of the types of markings that can be etched on a glass substrate.

(66) FIG. 6 displays a glass etched reticle 300 having subtension lines 302, numbers 304 and horizontal 306 and vertical 308 stadia lines. Of course, any other suitable markings may also be included in glass etched reticle 300 without departing from the disclosure. For example, marking patterns as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be etched into the glass.

(67) In one embodiment, the transparent substrate has a full and complete reticle pattern. In yet another embodiment, the glass substrate has a full and complete reticle pattern and can function independent of any other markings.

B. Wire Reticle or Electroformed Foil Reticle

(68) In one embodiment, the reticle system has a fiber optic wire reticle. In one embodiment, the reticle system has an electroformed foil reticle. In one embodiment, the fiber optic wire reticle has a full and complete marking pattern that can function independent of any other marking patterns.

(69) In one embodiment, the fiber optic wire reticle can be coupled to the transparent substrate having markings or a reticle pattern. By coupling the wire reticle to the transparent substrate, the markings remain in alignment.

(70) In one embodiment, the fiber optic wire reticle can be coupled to the objective side of the transparent substrate. In another embodiment, the fiber optic wire reticle can be coupled to the ocular side of the transparent substrate. In still another embodiment, a first fiber optic wire reticle can be coupled to the ocular side of the transparent substrate and a second fiber optic wire reticle can be coupled to the objective side of the transparent substrate.

(71) In one embodiment, the first and second fiber optic wire reticles have complete and full marking patterns. In one embodiment, the first fiber optic wire reticle and the second fiber optic wire reticle have marking patterns that are complementary to one another.

(72) In one embodiment, the fiber optic wire reticle can be coupled to the transparent substrate using epoxy, resin, cement, or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, the wire reticle is coupled to a first side of the transparent substrate. In yet another embodiment, the wire reticle is coupled to as second side of the transparent substrate.

(73) In one embodiment, the fiber optic wire reticle can be cemented to the transparent substrate. In one embodiment, the fiber optic wire reticle can be coupled at the edge of the glass reticle, to avoid any material getting on the glass that is within the field of view of the reticle.

(74) FIG. 7A depicts a wire reticle 400 having vertical and horizontal stadia lines 402, 404, and a target dot 406. Wire reticle 400 may include an illuminated target dot 406. As shown in FIG. 7B, illuminated target dot 406 may be illuminated by an optic fiber 408, which may be aligned with and track along one of the stadia lines 402, 404. The optic fiber 408 shown in FIG. 7B is exaggerated to make it visible in the illustration, but in practice, the optic fiber appears to disappear into the wire stadia line 402, 404 and, except for the illuminated target dot 406, is not visible to the user. Although in the embodiment shown, optic fiber 408 is positioned in front of vertical stadia line 404, it may be positioned in front of the horizontal stadia line 402 or any other wire included in wire reticle 400 without departing from the disclosure.

(75) FIG. 7C shows a side view of optic fiber 408 and target dot 406, which appears as a bright dot to the user when an LED 410 is illuminated. LED 410 may be powered by a battery, and may be any suitable color. It may also be possible to provide an LED 410 that can change color, allowing the user to select a preferred color. One end of optic fiber 408 may optionally include a light collector 412, which acts as a funnel of sorts to capture as much light 414 as possible. The other end of optic fiber 408 is cut at a 45 degree angle, which reflects the light passing through the fiber toward the eye of the user. Light 414 is collected by light collector 412, passes through optic fiber 408, and reflects off of target dot 406, before traveling to the eye of the user. The targeting dot 406 visible to the viewer is actually light 414 reflecting off of the 45 degree cut of the end of optic fiber 408. As the light passes through optic fiber 408 and illuminates the end of the optic fiber opposite the light source. Thus, in an alternative embodiment, optic fiber 408 may include a 90° bend at the location of the target dot 406 so that the end of optic fiber 408 opposite the light source points toward the user's eye without having to cut the optic fiber at an angle.

(76) In one embodiment, the optic fiber 408 may include from a 45° to a 90° bend at the location of the target dot 406. In another embodiment, the optic fiber 408 may include from a 60° bend to a 90° bend at the location of the target dot 406.

(77) Although LED 410 is described here to illuminate the target dot 406 in the embodiment shown, any suitable light source may be used, such as a prism, OLED system, other non-LED lamp, or by exposing loops of optic fiber 408 to ambient light that may be collected and transmitted to target dot 406.

(78) In one embodiment, the optic fiber 408 can be situated on the objective side of the wire reticle 400, and both can be situated on the objective face of the transparent substrate or glass substrate.

C. Transparent Substrate With Complete Marking Pattern and Fiber Optic Wire Reticle With Complete Marking Pattern

(79) FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a reticle system having a wire reticle coupled to a transparent substrate that achieves an illuminated reticle with the desired dots, numbers, or other floating features. Both the glass etched reticle 300 and the wire reticle 400 have complete reticle patterns, which are in alignment when viewed through viewing optic 10. The reticle system having a fiber optic reticle (FIG. 7A) coupled to a glass etched reticle (FIG. 6) can be placed in either the first focal plane or the second focal plane. The reticle system disclosed herein allows daylight bright illumination from the fiber optic wire reticle, as well as floating features, such as numbers and dots provided by the glass reticle.

(80) FIG. 8 shows a view through a viewing optic 10 showing a fiber optic wire reticle 400 (FIG. 7A) coupled to glass etched reticle 300 (FIG. 6) in perfect alignment.

(81) In one embodiment, the reticle system can be in the first focal plane or the second focal plane. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having one or more reticle systems as disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a reticle system in the first focal plane and the second focal plane.

(82) In another embodiment, the components of the reticle system can comprise complete and functional markings and complementary to one another. In one embodiment, the glass etched reticle can display a first complete and functional set of markings including horizontal and vertical stadia lines and the fiber optic wire reticle can display a second complete and functional set of markings. In one embodiment, the first and second set of markings is in alignment.

(83) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method of making a reticle system. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method comprising: (a) providing a reticle pattern on a first side of a transparent substrate; (b) coupling a wire reticle with fiber optic illumination to the transparent substrate. In one embodiment, the wire reticle is coupled to the first side of the transparent substrate. In one embodiment the wire reticle is coupled to the transparent substrate at the edges of the transparent substrate.

(84) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method comprising: (a) providing a reticle pattern on an objective side of a transparent substrate; (b) coupling a wire reticle with fiber optic illumination to the transparent substrate. In one embodiment, the reticle pattern includes horizontal and vertical stadia lines.

D. Transparent Substrate with Partial Marking Pattern

(85) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic comprising: an objective lens system; an erector system; an eyepiece; a reticle system having a fiber optic reticle including horizontal and stadia lines coupled to a glass reticle having a marking pattern that is void of horizontal and vertical stadia lines; wherein the marking pattern of the glass etched reticle is superimposed on the stadia lines of the wire reticle when the reticles are viewed through the eyepiece. In one embodiment, the glass etched reticle lacks horizontal and vertical stadia lines.

(86) As an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 9 shows a glass etched reticle 900 having subtension lines 302 and numbers 304, but no stadia lines. On its own, glass etched reticle 900 would be difficult to use. The marking pattern on the transparent substrate is incomplete as it lacks stadia lines.

(87) FIG. 10 shows a wire reticle 400 having vertical and horizontal stadia lines 402, 404, and a target dot 406. In one embodiment, wire reticle 400 may include an illuminated target dot 406.

(88) FIG. 11 shows a view through a viewing optic 10 showing an fiber optic wire reticle 400 (FIG. 10) aligned to glass etched reticle 900 (FIG. 9). The markings on the fiber optic wire reticle complete the markings on the glass etched reticle by providing the stadia lines. Together, the fiber optic wire reticle and the glass etched reticle provide a complete marking pattern.

IV. Transparent Substrate Having Embedded Fiber Optic Illumination

(89) In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a transparent substrate with desired markings of a reticle pattern. In one embodiment, the horizontal and vertical stadia lines are etched wide enough and deep enough to accept a fiber optic. In one embodiment, chrome or similar material can be deposited into the etched structure so that it is reflective.

(90) In one embodiment, a fiber optic is inserted into the etched structure. The fiber optic provides illumination for the reticle/markings in the transparent substrate.

(91) In one embodiment, the fiber optic is approximately 50 microns in diameter. In one embodiment, the fiber optic is from 25 micron to 100 microns in diameter. In yet another embodiment, the fiber optic is from 50 microns to 75 microns in diameter.

(92) In one embodiment, a first end of optic fiber may optionally include a light collector, which acts as a funnel of sorts to capture as much light as possible. The second end of optic fiber is cut at about a 45° angle, which reflects the light passing through the fiber toward the eye of the user. The fiber optic is inserted into the etched structure such that the 45° cut is in the center of the reticle and oriented so that the light traveling down the fiber optic will reflect off of the chrome structure and then back towards the user's eye.

(93) In one embodiment, the etched pattern is made of open grooves, i.e. grooves that are open to the surface of the substrate, e.g. essentially having a trapezoidal or about V-shaped cross section. The open grooves can be engraved in the front or back surface of the transparent substrate. The engraved open grooves define sidewall or lateral groove surfaces that extend from a bottom of the engraved open grooves to the substrate surface at an angle to the substrate surface in which the open grooves are engraved.

(94) In one embodiment, the groove surfaces have a surface roughness that is large enough to scatter light directed onto the reticle perpendicular to the substrate surface when the reticle is illuminated, such that the pattern becomes visible relative to the remaining flat (not engraved) substrate surface by said light scattering at the groove surfaces when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface. In transmission mode the opaque engraved open grooves appear gray, while the remaining or surrounding flat (not engraved) area of the substrate surface is clear and bright and allows to pass an image of the target to the user's eye.

(95) In one embodiment, the grooves are visible in transmission mode by the specific opaqueness of the engraved grooves directly caused by the surface roughness of the groove surfaces. Thus, advantageously it is not necessary to fill the engraved grooves with an intransparent filling material to produce the light scattering of the sighting pattern, e.g. of the crosshairs or the like.

(96) In one embodiment, the engraved open grooves form horizontal and/or vertical lines, e.g. to form crosshairs. Further preferably the grooves have a substantially trapezoidal cross section defined by a bottom and left and right sidewall or lateral groove surfaces. The lateral surfaces of the grooves have a slope angle to the substrate surface in an interval from 40° to 80°, or from 50° to 80°. This provides good visibility of the pattern in transmission and illuminated mode. In one embodiment, the surface roughness of the lateral and bottom surfaces of the engraved open grooves is substantially equal.