Abstract: An optical sighting device includes an electronic controller that is responsive to changes in an optical magnification of the sighting device to resize at least a portion of a reticle produced by an electronic display or other means proximate a focal plane of the sighting device. In some embodiments, the reticle is located proximate a rear focal plane of the sighting device and may be scaled by the electronic controller in concert with changes in optical magnification to simulate a front focal plane reticle. A functional pattern of the reticle may also be automatically changed at different magnification settings to provide different types of reticles, such as CQB and sniper reticles, in a single optical device.

Abstract: A battery compartment for a reflex sight is accessed via a pivoting lid that can be unlatched, opened, and closed by hand without tools and without removing the sight from its weapon. A button carried by the lid actuates a switch within the sight for changing a setting of the sight. Also disclosed is a reflex sight having mounting structures for accessories, such as an impact guard, a rain hood, or a rear iron sight for example. Positioning mechanisms for an LED or other aiming point display device of an aiming sight are also disclosed.

Abstract: A locking turret knob includes an adjustment member, a first member, and a second member. The adjustment member is adjustably positionable about an axis of rotation. The first member is disposed in proximity to the adjustment member and has at least one engagement member. The second member is disposed in proximity to the adjustment member and has at least one engagement surface. The adjustment member is adjustably positionable about the axis of rotation when each engagement member does not engage an engagement surface. The adjustment member is locked in a selected position about the axis of rotation when at least one engagement member engages an engagement surface. The adjustment member can be coupled to an adjuster of an optical enhancement device, such as a telescopic sight, a telescope or a microscope.

Abstract: A combination optical aiming device comprises a non-magnifying sight that includes an optic and a magnifying sight that includes an eyepiece and an objective. To reduce the vertical distance between viewing positions for the sights, the optic and the eye lens are truncated in order to position the optic predominately outside of a projection of a perimeter of the eye lens, the projection being parallel to the optical axis of the objective.

Abstract: A system for aiming a projectile weapon includes a telescopic sight for use with a second sighting device, such as a reflex sight or other non-magnifying sight. The telescopic sight has an eye point spaced apart rearwardly from its eyepiece and positioned at a vertical plane containing a line of initial trajectory of the weapon to which the aiming system is mounted so that a line parallel to the line of initial trajectory does not intersect the eyepiece. The location of the eye point facilitates concurrent use of a second sighting device at a normal mounting height and viewable past the eyepiece, thereby allowing the viewer to change views between the telescopic sight and the second sighting device with little eye movement and essentially no head movement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept are directed to a rangefinder that can be aligned to a fixed sight on a shooting device so that a range can be accurately taken that corresponds to a fixed sight that is used to align the shooting device to a target. Other embodiments of this concept provide methods of aligning the rangefinder to the fixed sight of the shooting device.

Abstract: A dial for adjusting an adjustable portion of a device includes an actuator that moves substantially transverse to an axis of rotation to unlock the dial for rotation. When the actuator is released, the dial automatically locks in place.

Abstract: A compact adjustment knob for an optical, mechanical, or electronic device includes a spindle supported on the device for rotation about an axis to control a setting of the device, and a releasable automatically locking lock mechanism supported on the spindle for rotation therewith. The lock mechanism includes at least one manually depressible button accessible on an outer surface of the adjustment knob and connected to an actuator shaft that extends inwardly through a drive hole in an outer side wall of the spindle so that a force manually applied to the button is transmitted by the actuator shaft to drive the lock mechanism and rotate the spindle. The lock mechanism may include a lock sleeve that is biased to a normally locked position and driven along the axis by the actuator shaft when the button is depressed.

Abstract: A locking adjustment device for changing an adjustable setting of a device such as a riflescope locks in a baseline position to provide expedient feedback regarding an adjustment position of the adjustable setting. The device includes a guideway extending around an axis and a knob mountable over the guideway for rotation about the axis. The guideway includes a notch and a curved slide surface sized to slidably receive a guide tab carried by the knob. The guide tab is biased so as to urge at least a portion of the guide tab into the notch when the knob is rotated to a locked position, thereby preventing inadvertent rotation of the knob from the locked position. A button carried by the knob is depressible to urge the guide tab out of the notch and thereby allow the knob to be manually rotated away from the locked position.

Abstract: A system for aiming a projectile weapon includes a telescopic sight for use with a second sighting device, such as a reflex sight or other non-magnifying sight. The telescopic sight has an eye point spaced apart rearwardly from its eyepiece and positioned at a vertical plane containing a line of initial trajectory of the weapon to which the aiming system is mounted so that a line parallel to the line of initial trajectory does not intersect the eyepiece. The location of the eye point facilitates concurrent use of a second sighting device at a normal mounting height and viewable past the eyepiece, thereby allowing the viewer to change views between the telescopic sight and the second sighting device with little eye movement and essentially no head movement.

Abstract: An adjustment device having a rotatable knob for changing an adjustable setting of an aiming device, such as a riflescope. The knob includes a removable indicator ring slidable onto the knob and bearing a scale to provide visual feedback to a shooter regarding an adjustment position of the adjustable setting. The knob further carries a releasable latch that may extend radially outward relative to the knob to retain the indicator ring on the knob when the latch is in the latched position. When the shooter desires to remove and replace the indicator ring, such as in response to a change in shooting conditions, the latch may be released to an unlatched position to allow the indicator ring to be moved off of the knob. The shooter may thereafter insert a replacement indicator ring on the knob.

Abstract: A reticle of a projectile-weapon aiming system such as a riflescope includes first and second series of secondary aiming marks spaced apart below a primary aiming point, the first and second series providing holdover aiming points for regularly incrementing target distances for respective subsonic and supersonic .300 AAC Blackout ammunition, or other differing types of ammunition, without requiring adjustment of the optics or settings of the aiming system.

Abstract: A method for shooting a projectile weapon involves determining the inclination of a line of sight from a vantage point to a target and a line-of-sight range to the target, then predicting a trajectory parameter at the line-of-sight range, for a preselected projectile. Using the trajectory parameter, an equivalent horizontal range may then be determined, wherein the equivalent horizontal range is the range at which the trajectory parameter would be expected to occur if the projectile were shot from the vantage point toward a theoretical target located in a horizontal plane intersecting the vantage point. The equivalent horizontal range may be utilized to compensate for ballistic drop when shooting the projectile weapon. The method may be embodied in a handheld laser rangefinder including a memory for storing ballistic data. Systems for automatic hold over adjustment in a weapon aiming device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for shooting a projectile weapon involves determining the inclination of a line of sight from a vantage point to a target and a line-of-sight range to the target, then predicting a trajectory parameter at the line-of-sight range, for a preselected projectile. Using the trajectory parameter, an equivalent horizontal range may then be determined, wherein the equivalent horizontal range is the range at which the trajectory parameter would be expected to occur if the projectile were shot from the vantage point toward a theoretical target located in a horizontal plane intersecting the vantage point. The equivalent horizontal range may be utilized to compensate for ballistic drop when shooting the projectile weapon. The method may be embodied in a handheld laser rangefinder including a memory for storing ballistic data. Systems for automatic hold over adjustment in a weapon aiming device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reticle of a projectile-weapon aiming system such as a riflescope includes first and second series of secondary aiming marks spaced apart below a primary aiming point, the first and second series providing holdover aiming points for regularly incrementing target distances for respective subsonic and supersonic .300 AAC Blackout ammunition, or other differing types of ammunition, without requiring adjustment of the optics or settings of the aiming system.

Abstract: A rotatable adjustment knob has a knob body mountable to an optical or electronic device for rotation about an axis extending outwardly from the device. The knob body has an opening into a battery compartment sized to receive a battery. A lid is pivotably attached to the knob body for movement between a closed position in which the lid covers the opening, and an open position in which the lid is pivoted away from the opening to provide access to the battery compartment. The lid remains attached to the knob body while in both the open and closed positions for rotation with the knob body about the axis. A resilient seal confronts the knob body and the lid while the lid is in the closed position to thereby seal the opening and the battery compartment. A latch releasably retains the lid in the closed position.