Method of Manufacturing a Rifle Scope Having a Longitudinal Base Plate
A method of making a rifle scope that utilizes a mounting assembly that includes a longitudinal base plate and a mating, closure housing piece. Separate optical assemblies are attached to the base plate to form an optical train of optical assemblies, extending longitudinally along the base plate, to form an image magnifying assembly. Also, at least some of the optical assemblies include a support and an optical element and an adjustment feature permitting adjustment of position of the optical element relative to the base plate. In the method, at least one of the adjustment features is used to adjust position of one of the optical elements, relative to the base plate, and wherein the optical element is then permanently fixed in place. Finally, the mating, closure housing piece is attached to the longitudinal base plate and the closure housing piece is fastened to the base, thereby forming a rifle scope.
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This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/859,623, filed Aug. 19, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,599,481, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/626,316, filed Nov. 25, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,379,307, which claims priority from provisional application 61/274,698 filed Aug. 20, 2009. This application also claims priority from provisional application 61/295,849 filed Jan. 18, 2010. All three of these applications are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUNDThe principal paradigm of telescopic rifle sight production is production on the lathe. Although this facilitates the centering of the scope components, the resultant scope housing must be round in transverse section. There may be some instances in which a scope that is round in transverse section is not optimal.
One difficulty in assembling a scope is the need to critically adjust the distance between the lenses of the scope, so that the reticle is in focus at every power of magnification. In a standard tube housing scope it may be challenging to make some of these adjustments, because of a lack of space. Also, in a standard tube housing scope there is a shortage of space for some of the inner workings, forcing in some cases the use of thinner walled materials than is desirable.
SUMMARYIn a first separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a method of making a rifle scope that utilizes a mounting assembly that includes a longitudinal base plate and a mating, closure housing piece. Separate optical assemblies are attached to the base plate to form an optical train of optical assemblies, extending longitudinally along the base plate, to form an image magnifying assembly. Also, at least some of the optical assemblies include a support and an optical element and an adjustment feature permitting adjustment of position of the optical element relative to the base plate. In the method, at least one of the adjustment features is used to adjust position of one of the optical elements, relative to the base plate, and wherein the optical element is then permanently fixed in place. Finally, the mating, closure housing piece is attached to the longitudinal base plate and the closure housing piece is fastened to the base plate, thereby forming a rifle scope.
In a second separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a rifle scope that includes a longitudinal base plate and a set of optical assemblies each including a support element and at least one optical element, attached to the longitudinal base plate to form an optical train of optical elements, extending longitudinally along the longitudinal base plate, to form an image magnifying assembly. Also, at least some of the optical assemblies an adjustment feature that permitted adjustment of longitudinal position of the optical element relative to the base plate, the optical elements, however, being now permanently fixed in place, rendering the adjustment feature no longer useable. Finally, a closure housing piece is fastened to the longitudinal base.
Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.
In broad overview, the present invention may take the form of a method of constructing a rifle sighting system 8 (
The method of constructing a rifle sight 8 by attaching a set of pre-built assemblies to a mounting assembly divides the assembly process into smaller and more easily automated tasks. Also, this method permits a design having more space for the zoom assembly, permitting a stronger construction of this assembly that is therefore better able to withstand recoil shock. Finally, designs are permitted that more easily accommodate other internal parts, such as internal portions of actuator assemblies.
In greater detail of mounting assembly 12, a mounting plate 22 is adapted to receive optical assemblies, as will be described below. A rifle mounting fixture 24 supports mounting plate 22 and is adapted to permit the finished scope 8 to be attached to a rifle (not shown). Mounting plate 22 includes many mounting features, such as a set of fastener-receiving holes 26 to permit the mounting of optical assemblies and other elements. Also, a front indentation 28 helps guide the placement of the objective assembly 18 (
At the stage of production shown in
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Assembly 16 includes a pair of lens groups 121, each of which is held in a lens holder 122 that supports a slot-follower 124. Lens groups 121 are supported by two concentric tubes, an inner tube 126 and a cam tube 128, concentric with and supporting inner tube 126. Inner tube 126 defines a straight longitudinal slot(not shown), whereas cam tube 128 defines curved cam-slots 132. Slot-followers 124 each engage with both the straight longitudinal slot and one of slots 132. Accordingly, as cam tube 128 is turned by gear 32, lens groups 121 move forward or backward, but retain their orientations.
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One advantage of the method of the present invention is that assemblies 14, 16, and 18 may be constructed and tested separately, thereby dividing the assembly task into three simpler tasks of sub-assembly construction, which may be automated, and a final assembly that requires only the installation of the three assemblies, and final testing and adjustment. Final test and adjustment is critical, however, so that the reticle will be in focus at every variable magnification level.
Assemblies 14 and 18 include features designed to facilitate the final adjustments. Skilled persons will readily recognize that assembly 14 may be characterized as being made of an objective lens sub-assembly that includes elements 72 and 74, a Petzval lens sub-assembly that includes elements 76, 78, 80, and 82 and the spacer plate shown in
It should be emphasized that although the preferred embodiment shown is a dual mode reflex/telescopic sight 8, that the method of constructing a scope is equally applicable to a single mode telescopic sight, or stated in more familiar terms, a rifle scope. Skilled persons may now appreciate some of the advantages of the present design. Each of the three assemblies 14, 16 and 18 may be assembled and tested prior to final assembly, thereby reducing the critical tasks of final assembly to the installation of these three assemblies into the prepared attachment locations and final adjustments.
In prior art scope assemblies, a difficulty is encountered in attaching a typical round scope to an essentially flat mounting rail. The mounting rings used to solve this problem create their own problems by limiting the areas available for scope controls. A conflict is sometimes encountered between the location of the scope controls and the mounting rings. The present design entirely eliminates this problem, by eliminating the need for mounting rings.
The basic design of the zoom actuator (arm 34, gear 32 and gear 64), may be used for rifle scopes having differing configurations. For example, in an alternative preferred embodiment, the same construction techniques are used to build a scope having a focus adjustment. In this case, however, the arm may turn a noncircular gear, to achieve a nonlinear relationship between arm movement and focus lens movement.
One problem encountered in prior art scope design is that of the lack of transverse space available for the cam tube and the pivot tube (generally analogous to cam tube 128 and inner tube 126 of the present preferred embodiment, but with various permutations, such as the cam tube being nested inside the pivot tube. This lack of space led to cam tube designs with wall thickness of less than a millimeter, leaving the cam tube vulnerable to damage from the slot followers during recoil. The present design does not put a transverse space limitation on cam tube and pivot tube wall thicknesses, making for a more robust design with wall thicknesses of 1 mm or greater. Accordingly with this basic manufacturing scheme, scopes can be made that are able to withstand the recoil of more powerful rifles, such as .50″ caliber rifles.
Moreover, many additional preferred embodiments utilize the interior space made available through the construction techniques of the present method. In one design, electric motors directly move the lens groups in the zoom assembly, thereby creating a greater range of possible zoom ratios.
While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those possessed of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
Claims
1. A method of making a rifle scope, comprising:
- (a) providing a mounting assembly that includes a longitudinal base plate and a mating, closure housing piece;
- (b) attaching separate optical assemblies to said base plate to form an optical train of optical assemblies, extending longitudinally along said base plate, to form an image magnifying assembly;
- (c) wherein at least some of said optical assemblies include a support and an optical element and an adjustment feature permitting adjustment of position of said optical element relative to said base plate and at least one of said adjustment features is used to adjust position of one of said optical elements, relative to said base plate and therefore other optical elements of said optical train, and wherein said optical element is then permanently fixed in place; and
- (d) mating said mating, closure housing piece to said longitudinal base plate and fastening said closure housing piece to said longitudinal base, thereby forming a rifle scope.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one optical element is permanently fixed in place by being glued into place.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said optical assemblies include an objective lens and an intermediate focus lens that is held by an intermediate focus lens holder, that is supported by a support, that is attached to said longitudinal base plate to the rear of said objective lens.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein said intermediate focus lens is adjustable in longitudinal position, relative to said support and thereby to said longitudinal base plate and is adjusted in longitudinal position and then fixed permanently into place.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said intermediate focus lens holder has threaded sides and said intermediate focus lens support defines threads on its interior surface that holds said intermediate focus lens, and wherein said intermediate focus lens is adjustable in longitudinal position by being rotated and thereby moving along said threads, forward or rearward.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein after adjusting said position of said intermediate focus lens, it is fixed by adhesive.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein one of said optical assemblies is an ocular assembly that includes an ocular lens and a support for said ocular lens, and wherein said ocular lens is longitudinally moveable relative to said support, and wherein said ocular lens is adjusted in position longitudinally, and then fixed permanently in place.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said ocular lens is adjusted to provide a −¾ diopter viewing plane to a user.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal base plate is formed to have at least one indentation adapted to retain at least one of said optical assemblies.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said at least one indentation is machined into said longitudinal base plate.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein optical assemblies and optical elements are mounted so as to withstand the force of rifle recoil.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal base plate has fastener holes defined into its top surface, to accept fasteners and thereby help support optical assemblies.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal base plate has a rifle mounting fixture on its bottom surface, to facilitate attachment to a rifle.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein said mating, closure housing piece is a first cover, and wherein a second cover is provided and used to cover said optical train.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein said optical assemblies include an objective lens sub-assembly and an intermediate focus lens sub-assembly, and wherein said objective lens sub-assembly is coupled to said intermediate focus lens sub-assembly by a spacer plate.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said base plate has an indentation adapted to receive said spacer plate, thereby bracing said spacer plate against the force of rifle recoil.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein one of said optical assemblies is a zoom assembly.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said zoom assembly is held in place by a holder that is attached to said base plate and that defines a circular opening.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said optical assemblies include adjustment elements to permit longitudinal position adjustment after said attaching of said optical assemblies on said base plate.
20. A rifle scope, comprising:
- (a) a longitudinal base plate;
- (b) optical assemblies each including a support element and at least one optical element, attached to said longitudinal base plate to form an optical train of optical elements, extending longitudinally along said longitudinal base plate, to form an image magnifying assembly;
- (c) wherein at least some of said optical assemblies an adjustment feature that permitted adjustment of longitudinal position of said optical element relative to said base plate and but wherein said optical elements are now permanently fixed in place, rendering said adjustment feature no longer useable; and
- (d) a closure housing piece fastened to said longitudinal base.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 2, 2013
Publication Date: May 1, 2014
Applicant: KRUGER OPTICAL, INC. (Tiggard, OR)
Inventors: Mark A. Thomas (Sisters, OR), Mitchell Thomas (Sisters, OR)
Application Number: 14/094,259
International Classification: F41G 1/38 (20060101);