Reticle for telescopic gunsight and method for using

• US 7,237,355 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2004
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas D Smith, III
• Original Assignee: Thomas D Smith, III
• Inventors: Smith, Thomas D. III
• Primary Examiner(s): JOHNSON, STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US10/983,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20060005449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 421/22, 421/23
• 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 1/473 for lead-indicating or range-finding, e.g. for use with rifles or shotguns
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/14 Viewfinders for photographic apparatus G03B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/32 Fiducial marks and measuring scales within the optical system

Abstract

A gunsight reticle defines a system of dimensioned indicia spaced at specific separations to improve aiming accuracy of a gun. The indicia may include perpendicularly intersecting center vertical and center horizontal hairlines, and four (or more or less) horizontal range-marker lines disposed at specific angular separations below the horizontal hairline in bisected relationship with the center vertical hairline. Spacing of the range marker lines below the center horizontal hairline is proportional to bullet drop at selected ranges, depending upon ballistic characteristics of bullet used. Relative lengths of said range-marker bars on each side of the central vertical crosshair are proportional to a specific crosswind (say 10 mph) at target range reflected by respective range marker. The method involves employing this reticle to determine distance to target, and using distance thus determined to ascertain a precise aiming point on the reticle. These indicia also have other useful characteristics that allow the shooter to easily mentally calculate corrections for crosswind, moving targets and shooting at targets that are above or below the shooter at a significant angle.

Claims

1. A shooting system, comprising:

a gunsight comprising an elongated tubular structure, the tubular structure comprising;

a forward objective lens element,

a rear lens element, and a reticle aligned upon an optical axis with the forward and rear lens elements constituting a line of sight, the reticle comprising;

orthogonally intersecting center vertical and center horizontal hairlines,

first aiming indicia intersecting the center vertical hairline and disposed below the intersecting center vertical and center horizontal hairlines, and

second aiming indicia intersecting the center vertical hairline and disposed below the first aiming indicia, wherein the intersection of the center vertical and center horizontal hairlines, the first aiming indicia, and the second aiming indicia, are each operable for providing a set of aiming points, respectively, for a first bullet trajectory at a first set of predetermined ranges, respectively, from the gunsight, and for providing the set of aiming points, respectively, for a second bullet trajectory at a second set of predetermined ranges, respectively from the gunsight, and wherein the second aiming indicia is positioned below the intersection of the center vertical and center horizontal hairlines at about 4.5 inches, and the third aiming indicia is positioned below the intersection of the center vertical and center horizontal hairlines at about 7.5 inches, and wherein these spacing dimensions correspond to inches of subtention at 100 yards; and

a decal providing a representation of the reticle for use with the gunsight and matching a one of the first set of predetermined ranges and the second set of predetermined ranges.

2. The shooting system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a third aiming indicia intersecting the center vertical hairline and disposed below the second aiming indicia.

3. The shooting system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a fourth aiming indicia intersecting the center vertical hairline and disposed below the third aiming indicia.

4. A shooting system, comprising:

a gunsight comprising an elongated tubular structure, the tubular structure comprising,

a forward objective lens element,

a rear lens element, and

a reticle aligned upon an optical axis with the forward and rear lens elements constituting a line of sight, the reticle comprising,

orthogonally intersecting center vertical and center horizontal hairlines, first aiming indicia intersecting the center vertical hairline and disposed below the intersecting center vertical and center horizontal hairlines,

second aiming indicia intersecting the center vertical hairline and disposed below the first aiming indicia, wherein the intersection of the center vertical and center horizontal hairlines, the first aiming indicia, and the second aiming indicia, are each operable for providing a set of aiming points, respectively, for a first bullet trajectory at a first set of predetermined ranges, respectively, from the gunsight, and for providing the set of aiming points, respectively, for a second bullet trajectory at a second set of predetermined ranges, respectively from the gunsight, and,

third aiming indicia intersecting the center vertical hairline and disposed below the second aiming indicia, wherein the first, second and third aiming indicia are spaced from the intersection of the center vertical and center horizontal hairlines at about 2.0, 4.8 and 7.5 inches, respectively, and wherein these spacing dimensions correspond to inches of subtention at 100 yards; and

a decal providing a representation of the reticle for use with the gunsight and matching a one of the first set of predetermined ranges and the second set of predetermined ranges.