MEMORY INDICIA SYSTEM FOR AN OPTICAL RIFLE SCOPE AND A METHOD FOR FORMING AN INDIVIDUAL ALIGNMENT RANGE IN AN OPTICAL SCOPE
The memory indicia system allows to make a distinctive alignment range on an optical scope of a firearm. The system comprises a basic indicia indicator, which is to be attached to the alignment turret of an optical scope, and one or more additional indicia components to be attached on the basic indicia indicator. Both the basic indicia indicator and additional indicia component have at least a range value indicating the alignment distance, an alignment mark, and a cartridge code as indication of the type of cartridge used. The basic indicia indicator and the additional indicia component are film-like components the one side of which has a film adhesive covered by a removable protective film. The components are attached to the rim of the optical scope's alignment turret after the firearm has been aligned. The memory indicia system also comprises a separate cartridge item indicator to be attached to a cartridge box.
The object of the invention is a memory indicia system for forming an individual alignment range in an optical scope. The object of the invention is also a method of forming an individual alignment range in an optical scope, wherein there is an alignment turret and a fixed point in relation to which the position of the alignment turret can be determined.
The distance of a bullet shot with a firearm in normal conditions is curved down-ward due to the influence of gravity on bullets. The curve of the bullet's distance depends, in practice, on the speed, weight, and shape, etc., of the shot bullet as well as whether the firearm is shot upward or downward. The most common optical scopes for firearms are adjusted such that the center of the point of aim of the optical scope and the points of impact of the shot bullet are in the same place on the target at a given distance. Usually optical scopes have their own alignments both in the horizontal and vertical directions from which the optical scope is aligned with the center of the bullets' points of impact. If the firearm is shot at a distance different from that to which it is being aimed at the moment, then the marksman must aim at the target upward or downward to ensure the impact is at the desired point. Estimating the magnitude to which the point of aim should be raised or lowered is difficult even though the distance has been measured or estimated correctly. It is specifically the difference between the distance of the bullet and the point of aim that determines the magnitude to which the point of aim is raised or lowered. If the shooter is not familiar with this difference or fails to consider it, then the shot bullet may miss the target completely. The possible magnitude ratio, which enlarges the target when looking through the optical scope, may make the estimation of the extent to which the point of aim should be raised or lowered more difficult.
If cartridges, which have a different distance to which the firearm and optical scope were previously aligned, are shot with the same firearm then the firearm's optical scope must be aligned again whereby the previous alignment disappears.
Alignment is done in the ordinary way by shooting test shots in the desired distance after which the optical scope is adjusted to the proper position from the alignment turrets according to instructions. If the alignment is not made according to the cartridge to be shot, then it is possible that the bullet will completely miss the desired target.
If the firearm has not been used for a long time, it is difficult to remember to which cartridge the firearm has last been aligned. Essentially, the cartridge to which the firearm has been originally aligned should subsequently be used. Many shooters reload the cartridges they use themselves and there may be many different types for the same firearm.
There are optical scopes on the market that have a compensating control to adjust the distance of the bullet. Many of the controls are fixed and the alignment values are averages for given calibers, and therefore they cannot be precisely adjusted for the distance of the cartridge being used. EP1769213 presents an optical scope that has a memory ring(s) onto which the previous alignment can be saved. The memory ring usually works reliably for only one distance, cartridge, and barrel at a time, and it can only be used for scopes designed exclusively for it. This type of memory ring cannot be used with ordinary scopes, which have not been designed for use with this memory ring.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,137 describes a distance compensating device, which includes an indicia carrying strip upon which fixed indicator marks have been made, whereby the shooter is unable to easily change the indicator marks or their location to suit his own the firearm, scope, or cartridge. Every firearm and cartridge combination possesses its own individual ballistic distance for which reason the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,137 is not practical. It can only be used in a certain type of firearm, the ballistic speed and distance of which has been calculated beforehand. Because the afore-mentioned information is distinct and firearm-specific, it cannot be generalized that the said information would suit other firearms and scopes well.
The aim of the present invention is to introduce a memory indicia system for an ordinary optical scope with which a firearm and optical scope can be easily and reliably realigned to several previously aligned distances and types of cartridges without having to perform new alignment shots.
The afore-mentioned problems can be eliminated and the previously defined goals can be achieved using a memory indicator system and method characterized in what is presented in the independent claims. Some preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
The object of the invention is a memory indicator system with which the shooter of a firearm can easily form an individual alignment range in an optical scope attached to a firearm. The memory indicia system comprises a basic indicia indicator attached to the alignment turret of the optical scope and one or more additional indicia components attached on top of the basic indicia indicator. Both the basic indicia indicator and the additional indicia components have at least a range value, which indicates the alignment distance, and an alignment mark. The range value describes the numerical value of the firearm's alignment distance, i.e. the distance from the muzzle of the barrel to the target. The alignment mark is a mark which is placed at the point of a fixed or drawn mark on the saddle of the scope, when the firearm is being aligned. Using the alignment mark, the alignment turret can be precisely restored back to the point defined beforehand.
In one preferred embodiment of the memory indicia system, according to the invention, the basic indicia indicator and additional indicia components further have a cartridge code, descriptive of the cartridge used in alignment. As is known, different types of cartridges can have a different distance and therefore aligning them to the same distance requires that different settings be made to the scope.
In a second preferred embodiment of the memory indicia system, according to the invention, the range value, alignment mark and cartridge code appear as graphic notations distinct from the background of the basic indicia indicator. The said graphic notations are rectangular, square, triangular or circular or a combination of these in shape. The said graphic notations may also comprise numbers and/or letters.
In a third preferred embodiment of the memory indicia system, according to the invention, the basic indicia indicator and additional indicia components are film-like components, on the one surface of which is a film adhesive covered with removable protective film. Therefore, the basic indicia indicator and the additional indicia components are ready to be attached after the protective film has been removed.
In a fourth preferred embodiment of the memory indicia system, according to the invention, the basic indicia indicator and additional indicia components are layered in the rim or on top of the alignment turrets on the optical scope. Preferably, the basic indicia indicator and additional indicia components are made of a transparent material. This transparency allows all of the notations to be identified even if the basic indicia and additional indicia either completely or partially cover each other.
In a fifth preferred embodiment of the memory indicia system, according to the invention, there is also a separate cartridge item indicator that has the same cartridge code as on the basic indicia indicator and additional indicia components, which can be attached to the cartridge box. Thanks to the cartridge item indicator, the user of the firearm knows what cartridges have been used to align the firearm.
In the method according to the invention, a distinct alignment range is created on the optical scope. To create the range, the scope should have a rotating alignment turret and the saddle should have a fixed point, the relation to which the position of the rim of the alignment turret can be determined. The method involves first choosing the first distance to which the firearm is to be aligned. The alignment distance can be, for example, 100 meters. The firearm is aligned to the chosen distance according to the instructions of the scope's manufacturer, i.e. the scope's reticle is moved to the center of the bullets' point of impact. Alignment usually requires the elevation of the scope's reticle, which is done by turning the height alignment turret. When the firearm is aligned at the chosen distance, the basic indicia indicator, which has at least the range value indicating the alignment distance and the alignment mark, is attached to the alignment turret on the optical scope. The basic indicia indicator is attached in place such that the alignment mark on it is positioned at the fixed point on the optical scope. At least one other desired distance to be aligned is subsequently chosen and the firearm is aligned at the chosen distance in the previously described way. After alignment, the additional indicia component, which has at least the range value indicating the alignment distance and the alignment mark, is attached to the alignment turret on the optical scope. It is attached such that the alignment mark of the additional indicia component is positioned at the fixed point on the optical scope. If the shooter wishes to align the firearm to other alignment distances, then the phase described above is repeated for each distance. After the alignments have been made, the scope has a distinct alignment range with which the shooter can quickly align the scope to the desired distance aligned beforehand. Preferably, basic indicia indicator and additional indicia components, which also have a cartridge code describing the cartridge used in alignment, are used in the method. Thanks to the cartridge code, the user of the firearm knows immediately what cartridges have been used to align the firearm and knows how to choose the correct cartridges for shooting.
In a preferred embodiment of the memory indicia system, according to the invention, the basic indicia indicator and additional indicia components are layered in the rim or on top of the alignment turrets on the optical scope. Preferably, the basic indicia indicator and additional indicia components are film-like components which are attached in place with the film adhesive on them.
One of the most important advantages of the invention is that a distinct distance memory alignment is possible to use with the most common optical scopes on the market without needing special tools, calculations or methods. The memory indicia indicator can be adjusted to function on the firearm and cartridge in question at the desired distance. The memory indicia indicator also makes it possible to align other suitable types of cartridges for the firearm at the same time, whereupon using another cartridge type tested beforehand does not require realignment of the optical scope; rather, the alignment can be restored to the value tested beforehand if so desired.
The following are detailed descriptions of the invention with reference to the attached illustrations, wherein
The memory indicia indicator according to the invention comprises a basic indicia indicator 2 and/or one or more additional indicia components 3, 4. The indicia are attached on top of or in the rim of the alignment turrets 5 of an optical scope, such as a rifle scope 1, to be attached to a firearm. Rifle scopes are as such a well-known type of optical scope, which have two alignment turrets for aligning the scope. The alignment turret on top of the rifle scope is used to move the scope's sighting point in a horizontal direction and the alignment turret on the side of the scope is used to move the scope's sighting point in a vertical direction. The optical scope illustrated in
The film-like component of the basic indicia indicator 2 can be in the shape of a circle, rectangle, square, parallelogram, or a combination of these. The base material for the basic indicia indicator can be either completely transparent or non-transparent or it may constitute of transparent and non-transparent portions. The outer dimensions of the basic indicia indicator are a little smaller than the length and height of the rim of the alignment turret on the optical scope. The range value 8 and the cartridge code 9 indicating the used cartridge, possibly comprising letters, numbers, symbols or a combination of these, are indicated on the basic indicia indicator clearly differentiated from the base material. The markings in question may be indicated in different colors whereby they are easy to distinguish from each other.
When the firearm is aligned to the distance and cartridge indicated by the distance 8 and cartridge code 9 on the basic indicia indicator 2, according to the instructions of the manufacturer of the optical scope, the basic indicia indicator 2 is attached on top of the alignment turret of the optical scope. The basic indicia indicator 2 is positioned on the rim of the alignment turret 5 such that the alignment symbol 11 is at the point of the fixed mark 6 located on the optical scope's saddle 1. Usually the saddle of the optical scope already has a fixed mark, which helps in determining the rotating position of the alignment turrets. If the optical scope does not include a fixed mark such as this, it can be made with a marker, for example. The basic indicia indicator 2 is attached on top of the alignment turrets 5 with glue. The other side of the basic indicia indicator already has a transparent film adhesive on it for attaching the basic indicia indicator. The film adhesive is covered with a removable protective film, which is removed just before attaching the basic indicia indicator. The glue on the film adhesive is soft and sticker-like, which allows the basic indicia indicator 2 to be attached and detached many different times.
After the attachment of the basic indicia indicator, alignment can be performed for another desired distance. The memory indicia system according to the invention comprises a number of additional indicia components 3, 4 whereon the distance, cartridge code and alignment symbol are indicated with graphic symbols as with the basic indicia. When the firearm and optical scope have been aligned by adjusting the alignment turrets to the distance indicated by the additional indicia, the additional indicia component is attached onto the alignment turret on top of the basic indicia indicator 2 or directly on the surface of the elevating alignment turret 5. The alignment symbol 11 of the additional indicia component is placed at the point of the fixed mark 6 on the optical scope's saddle 1. The material of the additional indicia components 3, 4 is transparent enabling the previous alignment values under the additional indicia to be read even though the additional indicia may cover the basic indicia partially or completely. The additional indicia components may be of equal size and/or shape as the basic indicia indicator 2, or their size and/or shape may deviate from the basic indicia indicator. The additional indicia components 3, 4 are attached on top of the basic indicia indicator 2 or the alignment turret 5 of the optical scope using the film adhesive on the other surface of the additional indicia component. The additional indicia components are thus film-like components like the basic indicia indicator with a film adhesive covered with a removable protective film ready on one side. The features of the adhesive correspond to those of the adhesive on the basic indicia indicator. Alignment of the firearm can continue as described above for other desired distances as needed. The memory indicia system according to the invention comprises additional indicia components whereon the range values and cartridge codes are already indicated for several different alignment distances and types of cartridges.
The firearm's alignment can be restored to the distances on the memory indicia indicator tested beforehand at a later time. The alignment is restored to a certain distance by adjusting the optical scope's 1 alignment turrets such that the alignment mark 11 in the indicia corresponding to the distance 8 and the cartridge symbol 9 moves to the point of the fixed mark 6 on the optical scope's saddle 1. The symbol indicating the adjustment direction 13 assists in remembering the direction of rotation of the alignment turret. The additional indicia may be located in a different order because they are transparent and therefore can be seen although they are one upon the other in different layers. When the basic indicia indicator and additional indicia components have been put in place, they form a distinctive alignment range in the optical scope. The alignment range facilitates in restoring the alignment of the firearm and cartridge to previously aligned distances at a later time.
The memory indicia system according to the invention also comprises a cartridge item indicator 7 which is to be attached to the cartridge box 10. The cartridge item indicator is a film-like component the one surface of which has a film adhesive covered with a removable protective film. The other side of the cartridge item indicator has graphic symbols on it, which facilitate the identification of the cartridges in the cartridge box. These graphic symbols comprise at least a cartridge code 9, which is thus the same code as the cartridge code used in the basic indicia indicator 2 and additional indicia components 3, 4. The cartridge item indicator may also contain additional information, in the form of text 12, about the cartridges in the cartridge box. Preferably, the cartridge item indicator in made of paper whereupon the shooter can write additional notes on the one side of its surface.
When the firearm is aligned, the protective film on the film adhesive is removed and the cartridge item indicator 7 is attached on the cartridge box 10 such that the markings 9, 12 on the cartridge item indicator are visible. The markings 9 on the cartridge box are the same symbols and colors as on the basic indicia indicator 2 and the additional indicia components 3, 4. In this way, the shooter is able to easily find the cartridge box that contains the cartridges used in alignment.
The memory indicia indicator according to the invention is used as follows, for example: The firearm and optical scope are aligned to a 100-meter distance, for example. When the alignment has been successfully made to the distance in question, the basic indicia indicator 2 is attached to the rim of the optical scope's horizontal and vertical alignment turrets 5. The basic indicia indicator 2 has the number 100 on it, which denotes the range value 8, and the letter X denoting the cartridge code 9. The basic indicia indicator 2 is positioned such that the alignment symbol 11 on it corresponding to each range value 8 and cartridge code 9 is placed at the point of the fixed mark 6 on the optical scope's saddle 1. The basic indicia indicator 2 is attached in place on the alignment turret 5 with sticker-like adhesive. The basic indicia indicator attached in place indicates to the shooter that when the alignment symbol of the basic indicia is at the point of the fixed mark 6, then the firearm is aligned at a range of 100 m when using cartridges, the code of which is X.
Next an alignment will be made for a distance of 200 m, for example, using the same cartridges, the code of which is X. When the alignment has been made for the 200-m distance in question by adjusting the optical scope's 1 elevating alignment turret 5, additional indicia component 3, which indicates the letter X as the cartridge code 9 and the number 200 as the range value 8, is put in place. The additional indicia component is glued on the basic indicia indicator 2 such that the alignment symbol 11 on it, which corresponds to the range value of 200 and the cartridge code of X, is placed at the point of the fixed mark 6 on the optical scope's saddle 1. The additional indicia are attached to its component with the soft, sticker-like adhesive on the one side of the additional indicia component. The firearm can be aligned to several distances desired by the user in a corresponding way, and an additional indicia component is attached to the alignment turret for each distance. The shooter's desired number of additional indicia components can be placed on the alignment turret.
When the shooter wants to restore the firearm's alignment to the desired distance and type of cartridge, e.g. 100 m for cartridge type X, the optical scope's horizontal or vertical alignment turret 5 is turned such that the alignment symbol corresponding to cartridge code X and range value 100 is moved to the point of the fixed mark 6 on the optical scope's saddle 1. When adjusting the optical scope's vertical alignment turret 5, the shooter must know the direction in which to adjust it. Determining the direction of adjustment is easy from the range and cartridge indications on the memory indicia indicator 2 as well as the symbol 13 indicating the direction of adjustment. When alignments have been carefully made and the memory indicia indicator properly placed, the alignment can be restored back to the previously tested ranges indicated by the memory indicia indicator. The memory indicia indicator according to the invention also works when a cartridge with a different distance in used in the firearm.
The cartridge code 9 on the memory indicia indicator can be used to determine for which type of cartridge the symbol in question is intended. A cartridge type, the code 9 of which is indicated with the letter X, is used on the basic indicia indicator and the additional indicia components illustrated in
If changing the cartridge type also requires a vertical change in the alignment of the optical scope, then a corresponding memory indicium can be placed correspondingly in the vertical alignment turret. When the firearm has been aligned in the way described above, the cartridge item indicator 7, which has the same cartridge code 9 comprising letters, symbols and/or colors or their combination, is attached to the cartridge box or case. This ensures that the shooter is able to remember that the cartridge type in question has been used in alignment. The basic indicia indicator and the additional indicia components may have other symbols. These include, for example, wind correction adjustment scales, which can be made the same way as the distance indications described above.
Some preferred embodiments of the memory indicia system according to the invention have been described above. The invention is not exclusively limited to the described solutions; but the inventive idea can be applied in numerous ways within the scope defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A memory indicia system for making a distinctive alignment range on an optical scope, which memory indicia system comprises a basic indicia indicator to be attached to the alignment turret of an optical scope and one or more additional indicia components to be attached on the basic indicia indicator, which basic indicia indicator and additional indicia components comprise at least a range value indicating the alignment distance and an alignment mark.
2. A memory indicia system according to claim 1, wherein the basic indicia indicator and additional indicia components further comprise a cartridge code as indication of the cartridge used in alignment.
3. A memory indicia system according to claim 2, wherein the range value, alignment mark and cartridge code are graphic symbols that are differentiated from the background of the basic indicia indicator.
4. A memory indicia system according to claim 3, wherein said graphic symbols are in the form of parallelograms, squares, triangles, circles or a combination of these shapes.
5. A memory indicia system according to claim 3, wherein the said graphic symbols constitute numbers and/or letters.
6. A memory indicia system according to claim 1, wherein the basic indicia and the additional indicia are film-like components the one surface of which has a film adhesive covered by a removable protective film.
7. A memory indicia system according to claim 1, wherein the basic indicia and additional indicia may be layered on the rim or on top of the alignment turret on the optical scope.
8. A memory indicia system according to claim 1, wherein the basic indicia indicator and additional indicia component are made of transparent material.
9. A memory indicia system according to claim 2, which further comprises a cartridge item indicator, which has the same cartridge code as the basic indicia indicator and/or the additional indicia components, to be attached onto a separate cartridge box.
10. A memory indicia system according to claim 9, wherein the cartridge item indicator is a film-like component, the one surface of which has a film adhesive covered with a removable protective film.
11. A method for making a distinctive alignment range in an optical scope having an alignment turret and fixed mark, in which method
- a first distance is chosen to which the shooter wishes to align the firearm and the firearm is aligned to the chosen distance,
- a basic indicia indicator comprising at least a range value that indicates the alignment distance and an alignment mark, is attached to the alignment turret of an optical scope such that the alignment mark of the basic indicia indicator is placed at the fixed point of the optical scope,
- at least one other distance is chosen to which the shooter wishes to align the firearm and the firearm is aligned to the chosen distance,
- an additional indicia component comprising at least a range value that indicates the alignment distance and an alignment mark, is attached to the alignment turret of an optical scope such that the alignment mark of the additional indicia component is placed at the fixed point of the optical scope.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein basic indicia and additional indicia are used that have a cartridge code as indication of the type of cartridge used in alignment.
13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the basic indicia and additional indicia are layered in the rim or on top of the alignment turret of the optical scope.
14. A method according to claim 11 wherein the basic indicia and additional indicia are film-like components, which are attached in place with the film adhesive on them.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 7, 2008
Publication Date: Mar 12, 2009
Inventor: Harri PILTONEN (Oulunsalo)
Application Number: 12/168,173
