Range compensating rifle scope

• US 6,269,581 B1
• Filed: 04/12/1999
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scope Solutions LLC, Zero In Technology, LLC
• Original Assignee: John Groh
• Inventors: Groh, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Buckley, Denise J.
• Application Number:
  US09/290,340
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 332/45, 332/46, 421/03, 89/410.6, 89/411.7
• US Class Current: 42/122
• 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: F41G 3/06 with rangefinder rangefinders per se G01C

Abstract

Disclosed is a rifle scope that utilizes laser range-finding and microprocessor technology to eliminate the need for the shooter to calculate bullet-drop compensation. The scope includes a laser range finder that calculates the distance between the user and the target that is focused in the cross-hairs. The user simply enters the muzzle velocity, i.e. the bullet speed of his particular ammunition as well as the current altitude using pushbuttons located on the scope assembly. A microprocessor automatically calculates the distance that the bullet traveling at the dialed-in speed will drop while traveling the distance calculated by the laser range finder, taking into consideration reduced drag at higher altitudes and the weight of the bullet. Based upon this calculated value, a second LCD image cross-hair is superimposed in the scope'"'"'s viewfinder, indicating the proper position at which to aim the rifle in order to achieve a direct hit.

Claims

1. A rifle scope that automatically calculates the requisite degree of bullet-drop compensation for a particular target, said rifle scope comprising:

an optical sighting means for viewing a target area, said sighting means having a housing supporting an eyepiece and at least one optical lense that comprise a field of view when viewed therethrough;

a cross-hair means having a vertical sighting cross-hair perpendicular to a horizontal sighting cross-hair for identifying an intended target, said cross-hair means spanning the interior of said sighting means in linear alignment with said optical lense and superimposed over said field of view;

a vertical cross-hair adjustment knob to allow for fine-tuning the positioning of the vertical sighting cross-hair;

a horizontal cross-hair adjustment knob to allow for fine-tuning the positioning of the horizontal sighting cross-hair;

a laser range finding means mounted in said housing, said range finding means calculating the range distance between said optical sighting means and said target;

a micro-processing means mounted in said housing;

a means for manually inputting data into said micro-processing means; and

a display means for displaying said data, said display means mounted to said housing and visible in an area adjacent to said field of view;

wherein said micro-processing means calculates a bullet drop compensation distance automatically using said data in conjunction with said range distance, said compensation distance displayed in said field of view by a vertical compensation cross-hair.

2. The rifle scope of claim 1, wherein by using said vertical cross-hair adjustment knob and said horizontal cross-hair adjustment knob a user can “

zero”

the scope in order to ensure the accuracy of the scope at close range where the effects of bullet-drop are negligible.

3. The rifle scope of claim 2, further comprising:

an operator interface panel including a selection button, an increase button and a decrease button, said selection button for cycling the scope electronics through several preset programming functions that the operator adjusts using said increase button and said decrease button.

4. The rifle scope of claim 3, wherein said programming functions are displayed on an LCD panel positioned beneath a viewfinder window and viewed by the user through an eyepiece.