Variable power telescopic sight

• US 5,930,934 A
• Filed: 06/13/1996
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy Dale Fisher, Timothy Grant Oakley
• Original Assignee: Timothy Dale Fisher, Timothy Grant Oakley
• Inventors: Oakley, Timothy Grant, Fisher, Timothy Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US08/661,785
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 42/100, 42/101, 33/245, 33/246, 359/421
• 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 7/10 by relative axial movement of several lenses, e.g. of varifocal objective lens

Abstract

A variable magnification telescopic rifle sighting means includes an externally-located zoom adjusting ring rotatable about sighting means axis and modified to provide a digitally-activated zooming feature, permitting an essentially instantaneous switching over the range of magnification settings. The switching means includes an annular recess on the periphery of the magnification adjusting ring suited to receive on end of a flexible cable. The cable length is adapted to extend and be coupled to a grippable means that can slide longitudinally upon manipulation within a slotted bracket mounted on the rifle stock. A second protective collar embraces the modified magnification ring and has an aperture for control cable translation. The movement of the grippable means through its line of travel via the cable effects a concurrent shifting of the zoom adjustment ring setting.

Claims

1. In a variable magnification power-type telescopic rifle, having a barrel-shaped sighting means fixedly and longitudinally mounted upon a rifle barrel, and including a rear proximal lens focusing means provided therein, whereby there is provided a digitally-activated, scope magnification-adjustment means permitting an essentially instantaneous switching from a manually-set range of magnification settings up to the a maximum magnification value for the sighting means, comprising:

(a) a first annular-shaped ring rotatable about the barrel of said sighting means and having a circular inner periphery, the ring being adapted to function as the scope magnification adjustment means;

(b) an integral annular first collar projecting proximally from the annular periphery of the first annular shaped ring and being provided with one peripherally-located first transverse bore hole in its proximal planar surface adapted to receive and retain one free end of a bias spring means;

the collar forming an annular channel of sufficient depth and width to receive and secure one end of a flexible cable, which cable is anchored at its one longitudinal end at a fixed point within the annular channel;

(c) a toroidal spring coiled about the barrel of said sighting means comprising the bias spring means having its distal first longitudinal end anchored in the first transverse bore hole so as to normally bias said ring to rotate to one extreme position of its spiral travel path and retain such position;

(d) a second annular-shaped collar disposed about and pinned to the barrel of said sighting means and diametrically-sized to make peripheral contact with the proximal surface of the first collar, as well to overlap the annular, and also of sufficient axial length to define a cylindrical chamber provided with an inwardly flanged, annular-shaped bottom wall, which chamber is adapted to receive the toroidal spring and have its bottom wall also to receive and retain fixedly the other longitudinal end of said spring; and

(e) a manually-grippable means that is adapted to slide longitudinally upon digital manipulation being located within a slotted retaining bracket mounted on the stock of the rifle; and

,

(f) said flexible cable being of sufficient length to extend from its one longitudinal end pinned in the annular channel to the other longitudinal end pinned to said grippable means, whereby the digital manipulation of the grippable means effects a gradual shifting of the first annular ring against the normal rotational bias of the torroidal spring, serves to cause the first annular ring to rotate to another position of its spiral travel path, and then to retain such intermediate position until the grippable shifting means is again activated to otherwise rotate the ring and effect a shifting of the ring across the range of its scope magnification.

2. The improved zoom adjustment means of claim 1 in which the toroidal spring retaining chamber is provided with a bottom wall transverse bore hole located to receive and retain the other longitudinal end of the toroidal spring.

3. The improved zoom adjustment means of claim 1 in which the annular channel provided in the arcuate periphery of the first collar is centrally located.

4. The improved zoom adjustment means of claim 1 in which the shank of the flexible cable at its one longitudinal end passes through a longitudinally aligned formed nipple mounted upon the periphery of the second annular-shaped collar.