Provided is a multi-use laser rangefinder usable in either of hand-held and weapon-mounted modes. It includes a compact laser rangefinder (LRF) removably mountable to a weapon system and an optical aiming unit separate from a weapon system optical sighting device. The compact optical aiming unit has a point of aim viewable therethrough and is removably attachable to the rangefinder. The LRF has a point of aim adjustable to a point of aim of the weapon system when mounted and to the point of aim of the optical aiming unit when LRF is demounted and the optical aiming unit is attached to the LRF.
Provided is a weapon aiming system including a riflescope and a laser rangefinder (LRF). The riflescope has at least one turret for adjusting the position of an internal reticle aimpoint. At least one encoder senses a relative position change of the turret and/or reticle. The LRF includes at least one pair of Risley prisms operable to adjustably position a LRF aimpoint to coincide with the aimpoint of the riflescope reticle. A motor is associated with each Risley prism. The system is configured such that adjusting the aimpoint of the riflescope reticle causes the encoder to send a position change signal to a controller programmed to, in response, direct the motor to reposition the prisms so that the LRF aimpoint continues to coincide with the reticle aimpoint.
LIGHTFORCE USA, INC., D/B/A/ NIGHTFORCE OPTICS, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Minor, Grant
Wisdom, Kris
Bradley, Levi
Abstract
Provided herein is technology relating to telescopic optics and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods for moving a lens in a variable power optical device zoom system.
G02B 7/10 - Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification by relative axial movement of several lenses, e.g. of varifocal objective lens
F41G 1/38 - Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance; Supports or mountings therefor
G02B 23/00 - Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
An optical projection system (12) for a weapon system aiming scope (10) having at least objective and ocular lenses (24, 26) defining an optical path through which a target image (30) is observed. The projection system (12) includes a primary beamsplitter (62) positioned in the optical path, a secondary beamsplitter (64) positioned adjacent the primary beamsplitter (62) and off the optical path, a micro-display (60) that provides a data image (38, 88) containing targeting information (100, 101, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112), and an illumination source (52). The illumination source (52) generates light directed through the secondary beamsplitter (64) to illuminate and reflect off the micro-display (60) so as to define a reflected data image (88), and the secondary beamsplitter (64) directs the reflected data image (88) into the primary beamsplitter (62). The primary beamsplitter (62) combines the data image (88) with an optical target image (30) in the optical path so as to convey targeting information (100, 101, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 1112) to a shooter or spotter viewing the optical target image (30).
G02B 23/10 - Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices involving prisms or mirrors reflecting into the field of view additional indications, e.g. from collimator
F41G 1/38 - Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance; Supports or mountings therefor
F41G 1/34 - Night sights, e.g. luminescent combined with light source, e.g. spot light
F41G 3/06 - Aiming or laying means with rangefinder
F41G 3/08 - Aiming or laying means with means for compensating for speed, direction, temperature, pressure, or humidity of the atmosphere
G02B 27/14 - Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only
An optical aiming scope mount (10) includes a base (12) configured to attach to a weapon system. At least two longitudinally spaced apart scope mounting rings (14, 16) are on the base. A first chamber (34) is formed in a portion of the base (12). A plurality of electrical connectors (38) on the base (12) are operatively joined by a circuit (46) at least partially located in the first chamber (34) to provide a power/data distribution bus.
Provided herein is technology relating to telescopic optics and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods for moving a lens in a variable power optical device zoom system. The technology provides multiple followers per lens cell to move a lens with minimal or no reticle jump and finds use in, e.g., rifle scopes and other sensitive optic systems and devices.
G02B 7/10 - Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification by relative axial movement of several lenses, e.g. of varifocal objective lens
F41G 1/38 - Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance; Supports or mountings therefor
G02B 23/00 - Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
Provided is an illuminated reticle assembly for an optical aiming device. The assembly includes a reticle plate has a first surface on which a physical reticle pattern is applied. A laser light source is configured to project a beam of laser light into the reticle plate at a first angle and toward an inner side of a second surface at an angle of incidence that directs a reflected beam of laser light toward at least a selected portion of the physical reticle pattern. The reflected laser light illuminates the at least selected portion of the physical reticle pattern.
G02B 23/00 - Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
F41G 1/34 - Night sights, e.g. luminescent combined with light source, e.g. spot light
F21V 5/04 - Refractors for light sources of lens shape
F21V 14/08 - Controlling the distribution of the light emitted by adjustment of elements by movement of screens
G02B 27/34 - Fiducial marks or measuring scales within the optical system illuminated
Provided is an illuminated dot reticle for use in a rifle scope having an optical path defined through axially spaced-apart objective and ocular lenses and method manufacturing a reticle disc assembly. A reticle disc has a first surface facing the objective lens and a second surface facing the ocular lens. A first reticle pattern, including a central aiming point, is applied to one of the reticle disc surfaces. An optical fiber has a proximal end portion and a distal end, with a light source configured to deliver light to the proximal end portion of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is secured to one of the reticle plate surfaces such that the distal end is positioned to transmit light from the light source toward the ocular lens in the optical path, providing an illuminated dot at the central aiming point.
Provided is a self-leveling mount for attaching a sighting scope, having a longitudinal optical axis, to a firearm, having a longitudinal barrel axis. The mount includes a body attachable to a firearm, a pair of scope attachment rings axially spaced apart relative to the body so that at least a portion of the body is situated between the attachment rings, and a vertically movable contact plate on the base between the rings. The plate presents an upper surface that is horizontally perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of a firearm barrel and scope held by the attachment rings. The contact plate makes adjustable alignment contact with a bottom surface of the scope held by the attachment rings to properly orient the scope relative to the firearm.
An improved reticle piece for use in an optical sight, placed at either the first or second focal plane, and an associated method of manufacturing. The reticle piece includes a first portion having a front face, a second portion having a back face disposed opposite the front face, a housing, a reticle pattern on the second portion, and a moveable leveling indicator. The housing includes a spacing element that forms a cavity extending between the first and second portions, the cavity having a perimeter that defines a viewable area of the reticle piece. The moveable leveling indicator is within the cavity and capable of moving along at least a portion of the perimeter of the cavity, possibly moving along the entire perimeter of the cavity.
Described is a locking stop mechanism for a riflescope that includes at least one rotatable reticle adjustment dial mounted on a scope body. It includes a stop member on the adjustment dial at a preselected position and a lock member on the scope body. The lock member is positioned to engage the stop member upon rotation of the adjustment dial to a preselected setting. The lock member is configured to prevent rotation of the adjustment dial in either direction when engaged with the stop member while allowing free rotation in at least one direction when the lock member is manually displaced and when the stop member is not engaged with the lock member at the preselected setting.
A telescopic sight (10) for a firearm includes a main housing (12), an objective lens assembly (22) for creating an image of a distant object, an ocular lens assembly (30) presenting the image to a viewer, and an optical element assembly (40) between the objective lens assembly (22) and the ocular lens assembly (30). The optical element assembly (40) includes a reticle piece (46) containing a reticle viewable by a user when the user views the image presented by the ocular lens assembly (30). A first adjuster (70, 74) is operatively coupled with the objective lens assembly (22) for removing parallax between the image and the reticle. A second adjuster (72, 76) is operatively coupled with the optical element assembly (40) for removing parallax between the image and the reticle.
A reticle piece for use in an optical sight includes a generally cylinder-shaped body having a front face and a back face opposed therefrom. The reticle piece includes a reticle pattern and a level indicating device positioned between the front face and the back face of the body. The level indicating device includes a moveable leveling indicator.
Described is a locking stop mechanism for a riflescope that includes at least one rotatable reticle adjustment dial mounted on a scope body. It includes a stop member on the adjustment dial at a preselected position and a lock member on the scope body. The lock member is positioned to engage the stop member upon rotation of the adjustment dial to a preselected setting. The lock member is configured to prevent rotation of the adjustment dial in either direction when engaged with the stop member while allowing free rotation in at least one direction when the lock member is manually displaced and when the stop member is not engaged with the lock member at the preselected setting.
A riflescope high speed, coarse and fine adjustment assembly that includes a riflescope with an erector tube located inside a scope body. Formed on the scope body is a mounting surface with a lead screw slot located adjacent to the proximal end of the erector tube. Located over the mounting surface is an adjustment plate with a perpendicularly aligned post member located thereon. Located inside the post member is a threaded lead screw with threaded head that connects to the post member and a lower non-threaded neck that extends into a slot formed on the mounting surface. The adjustment plate is affixed along its front edge while the plate's opposite rear section is detached and free to move up or down. Disposed over the adjustment plate is a cover plate with a fine adjustment lever that selectively rises and lowers the rear edge of the cover plate. Attached to the cover plate is a detent plate. Attached over the detent plate is a coarse adjustment dial. During use, the coarse adjustment dial is rotated for the target distance and then the fine adjustment lever is rotated which causes the adjustment plate to finely adjust the length of the lead screw.
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