RIFLE SCOPE TURRET WITH SPIRAL CAM MECHANISM

• US 20130276345A1
• Filed: 04/18/2012
• Published: 10/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sheltered Wings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sheltered Wings Incorporated
• Inventors: Hamilton, Samuel J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,919,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/119
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/38 Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance telescopic sights in general G02B; Supports or mountings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/14 Viewfinders for photographic apparatus G03B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/16 Housings; Caps; Mountings; Supports, e.g. with counterweight
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/023 permitting adjustment

Abstract

Rifle scope turrets with spiral cam mechanisms include a scope body, a movable optical element defining an optical axis enclosed by the scope body, and a turret having a screw operably connected to the optical element for adjusting the optical axis in response to rotation of the screw. The turret has a spiral cam mechanism engaged thereto. The turret defines first and second stop surfaces positioned for engagement by the spiral cam to limit rotation of the turret. The first stop surface defines a zero position of the screw and the movable optical element. The second stop surface defines a maximum point of displacement of the screw and the moveable optical element. The stop surfaces may be defined by a spiral cam groove in the indexing portion of the turret. The groove may overlap itself at least partially. The turret may be an elevation turret or a windage turret.

Claims

1. A rifle scope comprising:

a scope body;

a movable optical element defining an optical axis connected to the scope body;

a turret having a screw defining a screw axis and operably connected to the optical element for adjusting the optical axis in response to rotation of the screw;

a stop element connected to the screw;

the stop element defining a guide surface wrapping about the screw axis and terminating at first and second ends;

a cam follower element connected to the body and operable to engage the guide surface, and to engage the first and second ends, the engagement of the first and second ends defining the rotational limits of the turret; and

wherein the first stop surface and the second stop surface are at different radial distances from the screw axis.

2. The rifle scope of claim 1 wherein the guide surface is defined by a channel.

3. The rifle scope of claim 2 wherein the stop element has a planar surface perpendicular to the screw axis, and the channel is defined in the planar surface.

4. The rifle scope of claim 1 wherein the guide surface includes a plurality of concentric arcs each centered on the screw axis and substantially encompassing the axis, the guide surface including a transition segment connecting one end of a first one of the arcs to an end of a second one of the arcs, such that a stepped spiral is effectively formed.

5. A rifle scope with spiral cam mechanism comprising:

a scope body;

a movable optical element defining an optical axis connected to the scope body;

a turret having a screw operably connected to the optical element for adjusting the optical axis in response to rotation of the screw;

the spiral cam mechanism having a stop element engaged thereto;

the spiral cam mechanism defining a first stop surface positioned for engagement by the turret stop element to limit rotation of the turret, such that the position at which the stop element engages the first stop surface defines a zero position of the screw and the movable optical element;

the turret defining a second stop surface positioned for engagement by the turret stop element to limit rotation of the turret, such that the position at which the stop element engages the second stop surface defines a maximum point of displacement of the screw and the moveable optical element;

wherein the first stop surface and second stop surface are connected by a channel;

wherein the channel overlaps itself at least partially;

the turret having an indexing portion frictionally engaged with the stop surfaces.

6. The rifle scope of claim 5:

wherein the indexing portion of the turret comprises a rotating element;

wherein the stop surfaces are recessed portions of the turret;

wherein rotation of the indexing portion in a first direction causes the stop surfaces to move in the first direction;

wherein responsive to the stop element encountering the first stop surface, further rotation of the indexing portion in the first direction is prevented.

7. The rifle scope of claim 6:

wherein rotation of the indexing portion in a second direction causes the stop surfaces to move in the second direction;

wherein responsive to the stop element encountering the second stop surface, further rotation of the indexing portion in the second direction is prevented.

8. The rifle scope of claim 5 wherein the stop element is a cam pin.

9. The rifle scope of claim 8 further comprising an elevation indicator connected to the cam pin, wherein the elevation indicator moves outwards from the turret each time the turret undergoes a full revolution between the first stop surface and the second stop surface.

10. A rifle scope with spiral cam turret mechanism:

a scope body;

a movable optical element defining an optical axis connected to the scope body;

an elevation turret having a screw operably connected to the optical element for adjusting the optical axis in response to rotation of the screw;

the turret having a knob operably connected to the screw to adjust the position of the screw;

the turret having an indexing portion engaged to the knob;

the turret having a stop element;

the indexing portion of the turret defining a first stop surface positioned for engagement by the turret stop element to limit rotation of the turret, such that the position at which the stop element engages the first stop surface defines a first limiting position of the screw and the movable optical element;

the indexing portion of the turret defining a second stop surface positioned for engagement by the turret stop element to limit rotation of the turret, such that the position at which the stop element engages the second stop surface defines a second limiting position of the screw and the moveable optical element.

11. The rifle scope of claim 10:

wherein the indexing portion of the turret comprises a rotating element;

wherein the turret base comprises a fixed element;

wherein the stop surfaces are defined by a groove in the indexing portion of the turret;

wherein rotation of the indexing portion in a first direction causes the stop surfaces to move in the first direction; and

wherein responsive to the stop element encountering the first stop surface, further rotation of the indexing portion in the first direction is prevented.

12. The rifle scope of claim 11:

wherein rotation of the indexing portion in a second direction causes the stop surfaces to move in the second direction;

wherein responsive to the stop element encountering the second stop surface, further rotation of the indexing portion in the second direction is prevented.

13. The rifle scope of claim 11:

wherein the indexing portion of the turret comprises a clicker;

wherein the turret comprises a toothed surface; and

wherein the clicker engages with the toothed surface to produce a click stop indexing action.

14. The rifle scope of claim 13, further comprising indicia on the outer knob, wherein each indicium corresponds to a click stop position.

15. The rifle scope of claim 11, wherein the groove overlaps itself at least partially.

16. The rifle scope of claim 11, wherein the groove comprises multiple circular arc segments concentric on a central axis, wherein the circular arc segments are joined by angular transition segments.

17. The rifle scope of claim 16, wherein the stop element is a cam pin received by the groove.

18. The rifle scope of claim 17, further comprising an elevation indicator connected to the cam pin, wherein the elevation indicator moves outwards from the turret each time the cam pin passes through an angular transition segment.

19. The rifle scope of claim 10, wherein the turret is an elevation turret.

20. The rifle scope of claim 10, wherein the turret is a windage turret.