ROTATABLE DRIVE DEVICE FOR SCOPE TURRET OR OTHER OPTIC TURRET

Abstract

Various embodiments described herein may include a turret including a rotatable drive device having a length arranged along an axis that is 1) non-coincident with an axis of rotation of a spindle or a knob, the non-coincident axis 2) spaced apart from the axis of rotation; the rotatable drive device rotatable from a first position to a second position, and arranged to: in the first position, cause the spindle and the knob to rotate together as a unit, and in the second position, disengage the knob from the spindle to allow the knob to rotate relative to the spindle. In various embodiments, the knob or other second rotatable part exposes the rear end of the rotatable drive device or a lever or other user interface coupled to the rear end. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of the present disclosure relates generally to rotating adjustment mechanisms, and in particular, to a clamp assembly (e.g., a toolless clamp assembly) usable in a knob assembly for actuating an optical or electrical element of an optical device or sighting device, such as a riflescope, a telescope, or other aimed optical device.

BACKGROUND

Sighting devices such as riflescopes have long been used in conjunction with ranged devices, such as rifles, handguns, crossbows, and air guns, to allow a shooter to accurately aim at a selected target. Because bullet and arrow trajectory, wind conditions, and distance to the target can vary depending upon shooting conditions, quality sighting devices typically provide compensation for variations in these conditions by allowing a shooter to make incremental adjustments to the optical characteristics or the aiming of the sighting device relative to the ranged device surface (e.g., weapon surface) on which it is mounted. These adjustments are known as elevation and windage adjustments, and are typically accomplished by lateral movement of an adjusting member, such as a reticle located within the riflescope, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,058,391 of Leupold, or movement of one or more lenses within a housing of the riflescope, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,297,389 and 4,408,842 of Gibson, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,827,723 of Zaderey et al.

The shooter typically makes such adjustments using rotatable adjustment knobs to actuate the adjustable member of the sighting device. Rotatable knobs may also be used to adjust other features of riflescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, or other suitable optical devices, such as parallax, focus, illumination brightness, or other suitable features. Although the rotatable knobs are described in relation to use with sighting devices, rotatable knobs may be used to adjust an adjustable portion of other devices, and may include volume control knobs, channel selection knobs, radio station selection knobs, and other suitable knobs.

The '636 patent (U.S. Pat. No. 11,255,636) describes the use of a set screw 186 (FIG. 2 of the '636 patent) that can be tightened using a tool, such as a hex-key, so that knob 174 (FIG. 2 of the '636 patent) and spindle 116 (FIG. 2 of the '636 patent) rotate together as a unit about axis 124, or loosened using the tool so that knob 174 can be rotated (about the axis 124) relative to spindle 116.

BRIEF DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION

The accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification and, together with the description, explain the advantages and principles of the presently disclosed technology.

FIG. 1A illustrates an exploded isometric view of a knob assembly including a toolless clamp assembly, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exploded isometric view of the toolless clamp assembly of the knob assembly of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate isometric views of the knob assembly of FIG. 1A, with the lever in the closed position and the open position, respectively.

FIG. 3A illustrates an isometric view of an adjustment assembly including a spindle assembly and the toolless clamp assembly of FIGS. 1A-B, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3B illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of the adjustment assembly of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the adjustment assembly of FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate an isometric view, a side view, and a front view, respectively, of a sighting device (e.g., a riflescope) having the adjustment assembly FIGS. 3A-C mounted thereon.

FIGS. 4D, 4E, and 4F illustrate isometric, side and front views of the sighting device of FIGS. 4A-C, in which the lever is shown in the open position.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate another clamp assembly used in a knob assembly having additional user interface assemblies, according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate different isometric views of the clamp assembly of FIGS. 5A-B, with the lever in the open position

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an isometric view and a cross-sectional view showing unlocking of the lever of FIGS. 5A-B.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate isometric views of a sighting device (e.g., a riflescope) using the knob assembly of FIGS. 5A-B, in which the lever is in the closed and open positions, respectively.

FIGS. 7C and 7D illustrate side and front views, respectively, of the sighting device of FIGS. 7A-B, in which the lever is in the open position.

FIG. 7E illustrates a side view of the sighting device of FIGS. 7A-B, in which the lever is in the closed position.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate isometric and cross-sectional views, respectively, of another toolless clamp assembly, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 8C illustrates a side view showing an end of the cylindrical clamping wedge 831 of the toolless clamp assembly of FIGS. 8A-B.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate isometric and cross-sectional views, respectively, of another toolless clamp assembly, according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate isometric and top views, respectively, of another toolless clamp assembly, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 10C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the toolless clamp assembly of FIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate, respectively, an isometric view and a side view of another toolless clamp assembly, according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate isometric views of a knob assembly, in which a lever is shown in the closed and open positions, respectively.

FIGS. 13A-B illustrates an isometric view of a knob assembly that includes another locking mechanism, in which the knob assembly is in the closed and open positions, respectively, according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 14A-B illustrates a locking assembly of the knob assembly of FIGS. 13A-B, in which the locking mechanism is in the engaged and disengaged, respectively.

FIG. 15A illustrates a rear isometric view of a sighting device (e.g., a riflescope) having the knob assembly of FIGS. 13A-B mounted thereon, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 15B illustrates how a user may operate the locking mechanism of the sighting device of FIG. 15A.

FIGS. 15C and 15D illustrates rear and front isometric views, respectively, of the sighting device of FIG. 15A with the lever in the open position.

FIG. 16 illustrates an isometric view of a calibration device (e.g., a tension adjustment assembly) and a knob assembly, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 17A illustrates a bottom view of the calibration device and the knob assembly of FIG. 16.

FIG. 17B illustrates a bottom view of the calibration device and the knob assembly in which a spindle is omitted.

FIG. 18 illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of the calibration device and the knob assembly of FIGS. 13A-B in which the lever is omitted.

BRIEF DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

Overview

One advantage of the arrangement described with reference to FIG. 2 of the '636 patent is that, although the set screw 186 may be removable from its threaded bore 184, there is no requirement to remove it during normal operation (e.g., the set screw 186 is retained/captured by the threaded bore 184 during normal operation). Accordingly, there is little risk for an operator to lose the set screw 186 in the field-so long as the operator has the tool in the field, the operator may make adjustments in the field.

Unlike the arrangement described by the '636 patent, in which there is no requirement to remove parts to disengage the knob 174 from the spindle 116, some known toolless knob assemblies for sighting devices may still require an operator to separate at least one part from a riflescope assembly, in order to toollessly disengage a rotatable knob from a spindle assembly. This requirement for removal/disassembly introduces a risk of the operator losing that separable part, and being unable to make adjustments in the field. This requirement for removal/disassembly also creates a risk that the operator may have difficulty re-attaching the part to the riflescope due to, say poor lighting conditions or bad weather in the field. What is needed is a toolless arrangement for toollessly disengaging a rotatable knob from a spindle assembly, without a requirement for separating any parts from the rest of the sighting device (e.g., without requiring separation of any parts from a turret assembly of the sighting device).

Various embodiments include a rotatable drive device (e.g., a drive screw) including a first length (e.g., a threaded length) and a second length (e.g., a non-threaded length such as a head and/or shank) for toollessly disengaging a rotatable knob from a spindle assembly, without a requirement for separating any parts from the rest of the sighting device (e.g., without requiring separation of any parts from a turret assembly of the sighting device). In some embodiments, the rotatable drive device may be arranged along an axis that is offset relative to an axis of rotation of the rotatable knob or spindle. For example, the axis of rotation of the rotatable knob or spindle may be an axis perpendicular with an optical axis of a scope or other optical device, and the rotatable drive device may be arranged along another axis that is offset from the axis of rotation of the knob or spindle (e.g., does not intersect the axis of rotation of the knob or spindle). The offset axis may be parallel with the optical axis of the scope or other optical device or perpendicular with the optical axis in various embodiments.

In various embodiments described herein, a rotatable drive device offset from the axis of rotation of the knob or spindle may be used in combination with one or more additional features/devices, such as:

• • A lever or other user interface coupled to, say, a rear of the rotatable drive device to toollessly rotate the rotatable drive device;
  • An adjustment device coupled to, say, a front of the rotatable drive device. The adjustment device may cause the knob to engage or disengage the spindle based on rotation of the rotatable drive device. In various illustrated embodiments herein, the adjustment device may include one or more clamps, and the movement of the adjustment device may be linear movement based on the rotation of the rotatable drive device, but any other adjustment device now known or later developed may be used in combination with the rotatable drive device to disengage/engage the knob from the spindle. In some embodiments, the rotatable drive device may operate as an adjustment device and/or an adjustment device may be integrally formed with the rotatable drive device.
  • A locking mechanism to fix a position of the user interface (e.g., the lever or other user interface) and/or rotatable drive device to prevent inadvertent engagement/disengagement of the knob to the spindle; or
  • A calibration device to provide a tension adjustment to calibrate a threshold rotation of the rotatable drive device (say, a factory calibration or field re-calibration) needed to engage or disengage the knob from the spindle. In various embodiments the calibration device includes an additional rotational drive device to calibrate the threshold rotation of the rotational drive device (e.g., via tension adjustment), but other examples any other calibration device now known or later developed may be used with the rotatable drive device.

Various embodiments that utilize one or more of these additional features/devices in combination with the rotatable drive device are briefly described in the paragraphs that follow, in this overview section. Other additional features/devices may be claimed herein and/or described in other parts of this disclosure, however.

In some embodiments, the rotatable drive device may be toollessly rotatable using a lever attached to a back of the rotatable drive device (e.g., to a head of a drive screw). The lever may be rotatable along a plane that is non-coincident with the axis of rotation of the knob or the spindle (e.g., also offset).

A lever may not be required in other embodiments. Any other user interface (e.g., a rotatable user interface) now known or later developed may be coupled to a back (or some other part) of the rotatable drive device to allow a user to rotate the rotatable drive device (e.g., attached to a head of a drive screw). This user interface may be exposed by the knob or other rotatable part (e.g., an external user interface of the turret). In other embodiments, in may be possible or practical to integrally form any user interface (e.g., the lever or other user interface) with the rotatable drive device. In yet other embodiments, a tool may interface with a back end or other part of the rotatable drive device to allow a user to disengage the knob from a spindle assembly, without a requirement for separating any parts from the rest of the sighting device (e.g., without requiring separation of any parts from a turret assembly of the sighting device).

Some embodiments may include a locking mechanism to fix a position of the lever or other user interface to prevent inadvertent rotation of the rotatable drive device. The locking mechanism may be a spring-loaded part, such as a spring-loaded latch, pin, detent, or the like (or combinations thereof) that is selectably locatable in a latch recess or other locking recess defined by the knob (e.g., on an exterior of the knob). In some embodiments, an additional user interface (such as a button or other depressible device) may be provided to operate the locking mechanism.

Various embodiments described herein may utilize one or more clamps (e.g., one or more wedge clamps) in combination with the rotatable drive device to apply a clamping force to cause the spindle and knob to rotate together. Other embodiments may use some other adjustment device(s) to 1) interface with a threaded part of the rotatable drive device (or an end of the rotatable device), and 2) engage or disengage the knob from the spindle at a threshold rotation of the rotatable drive device.

Various embodiments may utilize an additional rotatable drive device to the adjustment device(s). In some embodiments, the additional rotatable drive device may be arranged along an axis that does not intersect the axis of rotation of the knob or spindle (e.g., also may be offset). In some embodiments, calibration may be performed during manufacture of the knob assembly and/or the turret by using a tool to rotate the additional rotatable drive device. In embodiments in which the knob assembly includes one or more clamps, the additional rotatable drive device may be operably coupled to an additional clamp, which may provide fine adjustment of the clamping force of the other clamp(s) in the engaged or disengage position of the knob (with respect to the spindle).

Rotatable Drive Device

FIG. 1A illustrates an exploded isometric view of a knob assembly 100 including a knob 30 (e.g., a turret knob) and a toolless clamp assembly, which includes a clamping wedge 21, a rotatable drive device 15 (e.g., drive screw 15) and a lever 10. FIG. 1B illustrates an exploded isometric view of the toolless clamp assembly of the knob assembly 100 of FIG. 1A. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate isometric views of the knob assembly 100 of FIG. 1A, with the lever 10 in the closed position and the open position, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 1B, an underside of the knob 30 defines a pocket 31 to receive the clamping wedge 21. The clamping wedge 21 includes an opening 22 to mate with a rotatable drive interface of a length of the rotatable drive device 15.

The rotatable drive interface of the length of the rotatable drive device 15 may be arranged to provide linear movement of the clamping wedge 21 within the pocket 31. In this embodiment, the rotatable drive interface is a threaded interface (the rotatable drive device 15 is a threaded drive screw to mate with the threaded opening); however, other embodiments may use any rotatable drive interface now known, or later developed. Also, in this embodiment the length of the rotatable drive device 15 defines the rotatable drive interface, but in other examples it may be possible and practical to locate the rotatable drive interface entirely on an end face of a rotatable drive device 15.

A second opposite end of the rotatable drive device 15 may have a lever 10 coupled thereto. The lever 10 may be permanently (press fit, adhesive, or the like) or non-permanently (e.g., using a splined interface) fixed to the second end of the rotatable drive device 15. In this embodiment, the coupling interface includes a socket to mate with an end of the rotatable drive device 15, but in other embodiments any coupling interface now known or later developed may be used to fixably couple or releasingly couple the lever 10 to the rotatable drive device.

In this embodiment, the lever 10 is arc-shaped. However, in other embodiments a lever may have any other shape, such as but not limited to a linear shape.

FIG. 3A illustrates an isometric view of an adjustment assembly 300 including a spindle assembly and the toolless clamp assembly of FIGS. 1A-B, according to various embodiments. The spindle assembly may be any spindle assembly now known or later developed. For instance, the spindle assembly may include a spindle 40 and plunger 41, which may be similar, respectively, to any spindle shown in FIG. 7 of the '636 patent and the plunger shown in FIG. 2 of the '636 patent. FIG. 3B illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of the adjustment assembly 300 of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the adjustment assembly 300 of FIG. 3A.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, actuation of the lever 10 creates corresponding rotational movement 25 (e.g., equal rotational movement) of the rotatable drive device 15. This rotational movement 25 of the rotatable drive device 15 provides a corresponding linear movement 26 of the clamping wedge 21, which is along an axis that is parallel with (and also coaxial with, in this embodiment) an axis of the rotatable drive device 15.

When the lever 10 is in a closed position, (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2A), a clamping force 27 is provided based on contact between the clamping wedge 21 and the spindle 40. This clamping force 27 causes the knob assembly 100 (FIG. 1A) and the spindle assembly to rotate together as a unit. Conversely, when the lever 10 is in an open position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2B), the clamping force 27 is not provided. As a result, rotation of the knob 30 does not produce rotation of the spindle 40.

For the user to zero an optic including the adjustment assembly 300, the user may toollessly actuate the lever 10 a predefined amount (e.g., ninety degrees upwards in the illustrated embodiment). In this fully open condition, the turret knob 30 may be decoupled from the spindle 40, and is free to rotate independent of spindle 40 (similar to how a knob rotates relative to a spindle as described in the '636 patent), thereby, allowing the user to set the position of the knob 30 to the zero position after having set the adjustment mechanism of a sighting device to the desired aim setting. The user then toollessly restores the lever 10 to the closed position to couple the knob 30 to the spindle 40, allowing the user to operate the knob 30 in the normal fashion for making aiming adjustments (based on the knob 30 and the spindle 40 rotating together as a unit, similar to how the knob and spindle of the '636 patent rotate together as a unit).

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate an isometric view, a side view, and a front view, respectively, of a sighting device 400 (e.g., a riflescope) having the adjustment assembly 300FIGS. 3A-C mounted thereon. FIGS. 4D, 4E, and 4F illustrate isometric, side and front views of the sighting device of FIGS. 4A-C, in which the lever is shown in the open position.

When the knob assembly 100 (FIG. 1B) is placed on a spindle of a sighting device and the lever 10 in the fully closed/locked position, the spindle is clamped between the clamping wedge 21 and the internal diameter of the knob 30 such that the knob 30 is coupled with the spindle and they share any rotational movement. In this condition, the user rotates the knob 30 to directly make the desired aiming adjustments to an optic (not shown).

In the illustrated toolless clamp assembly, the lever is fully rotated at ninety degrees. Also, the toolless clamp assembly is arranged to begin to disengage the knob from the spindle at a threshold rotation that is less than ninety degrees, e.g., at 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, or the like. At ninety degrees, the lever 10 is fully rotated and the knob is fully disengaged from the spindle. In other embodiments, the lever may be fully rotated at some other value, such as forty five degrees or one hundred and eighty degrees. Also, in various embodiments the threshold rotation in which the toolless clamp assembly begins to disengage the knob from the spindle may be the full rotation value or any value less than the full rotation value.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate another clamp assembly used in a knob assembly 500 having additional user interface assemblies. In this example, the clamp assembly may be similar to the previously illustrated toolless clamp assembly, except that its lever 510 (which may be similar in any respect to lever 10) may define an opening 551 to receive a part of a locking mechanism 550.

The locking mechanism 550 (e.g., a spring-loaded pin, detent, or the like) may positively lock the lever 510 in the closed position to prevent inadvertent opening of the lever 510. In this arrangement, to toollessly disengage the knob 530 (which may be similar in any respect to the knob 30) from a spindle, the user must first actuate the locking mechanism 550 using (in this embodiment) items a user would commonly be carrying while needing to perform a re-zero of the optic such as a cartridge or tip of a projectile (e.g., a bullet). In other embodiments, a locking mechanism 550 may be digit-actuated (e.g., finger-actuated or thumb-actuated). This locking mechanism 550, or any other locking mechanism 550 now known or later developed, may be used in combination with any lever described herein.

In this example, the knob 530 defines the opening 551 to receive a depressible button 511. A locking device (e.g., the depressible button 511 and the locking components operatively coupled thereto) may be similar in any respect to any locking device described in the '636 patent (e.g., to any depressible button, and the locking components operatively coupled to any depressible button 11, described in the '636 patent).

FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate different isometric views of the clamp assembly of FIGS. 5A-B, with the lever 510 in the open position. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an isometric view and a cross-sectional view showing unlocking of the lever 510 of FIGS. 5A-D. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate isometric views of a sighting device (e.g., a riflescope) using the knob assembly 500 of FIGS. 5A-B in which the lever is in the closed and open positions, respectively. FIGS. 7C and 7D illustrate side and front views, respectively, of the sighting device of FIGS. 7A-B, in which the lever is in the open position. FIG. 7E illustrates a side view of the sighting device of FIGS. 7A-B, in which the lever is in the closed position.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate isometric and cross-sectional views, respectively, of another toolless clamp assembly, according to various embodiments. FIG. 8C illustrates a side view showing an end of the cylindrical clamping wedge 831 of the toolless clamp assembly of FIGS. 8A-B.

In this knob assembly 800, a clamping wedge 831 has a cylindrical shape that moves linearly in a guide hole in the knob 830. The axis of the guide hole is parallel to, but offset from, the axis of a rotatable drive device 815. The axis of engagement of the clamping wedge 831 to the rotatable drive device 815 is eccentric to the body of the clamping wedge 831. This prevents the clamping wedge 831 from rotating within the guide hole and causes the rotational movement of the rotatable drive device 815 to translate the clamping wedge 831 linearly along the guide hole responsive to operation of the lever 810.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate isometric and cross-sectional views, respectively, of another toolless clamp assembly, according to various embodiments. In this knob assembly 900, rotatable drive device 915 threads into the knob 930, or a fixed nut opposite of the clamping wedge in other embodiments. Rotational movement of the rotatable drive device 915 causes the rotatable drive device 915 to translate linearly along its axis of rotation. The rotatable drive device 915 projects through a clearance hole in a clamping wedge 931. One end of the clamping wedge 931 remains in contact with a flange of the rotatable drive device 915, being biased by a spring 933. As the rotatable drive device 915 translates linearly into its threaded interface, the clamping wedge 931 is, thereby, moved in contact with a spindle to provide a clamping force between the clamping wedge 931 and the knob 930.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate isometric and top views, respectively, of another toolless clamp assembly, according to various embodiments. FIG. 10C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the toolless clamp assembly of FIGS. 10A and 10B.

In this knob assembly 1000, the toolless clamp assembly includes more than one clamping wedge, including a first clamping wedge 1031 translated linearly along the axis of rotation of the drive screw via a threaded connection, and a second clamping wedge 1032 translated linearly in the opposing direction by contact with the flange of the rotatable drive device 1015. As the two clamping wedges 1031 and 1032 are driven towards each other, they apply a three-point clamping force on the spindle with each clamping wedge 1031 and 1032 forming one point of contact and the internal diameter of the knob forming the third point of contact with the spindle.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate, respectively, an isometric view and a side view of another toolless clamp assembly, according to various embodiments. In this embodiment, a cylindrically shaped wedge clamp is recessed to provide a keyway 1118 or other channel. A pin 1119 (or other projection), which may be part of an interior of a knob (or coupled to the interior of the knob), may be slidingly received in the keyway 1118 or other channel. The keyway 1118 and the pin 1119 may constrain motion of the cylindrically shaped wedge clamp to linear motion along an axis. Rotation may be prevented, therefore, in this embodiment the axis of the rotatable drive device need not be offset from the axis of the cylindrically shaped wedge clamp (i.e. the axes may be coaxial).

In this example, a projection defined by or coupled to an interior of a knob is located in a recess defined by the cylindrically shaped wedge clamp. In other examples, a projection may be defined by or coupled to a cylindrically shaped wedge clamp, and the projection may be movable in a channel defined by an interior of the knob.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate isometric views of a knob assembly, in which a lever 1210 is shown in the closed and open positions, respectively. In this embodiment, a lever 1210 (e.g., a top-mounted linear-shaped lever) may be coupled to any rotational drive device described herein, similar to how the lever 10 (FIG. 1A) may be coupled to its rotational drive device. In various embodiments, any structure that allows a user to rotate any rotatable drive device described herein may be used in place of any lever described herein (e.g., any toollessly actuatable user interface device now known, or later developed, or any other structure now known or later developed, to allow a user to rotate the rotatable drive device using their hands, an object such as a projectile (e.g., a bullet), or a tool.

In the embodiments described above, the rotatable drive device is toollessly rotatable using a lever. However, in other embodiments, some other user interface may be provided to toollessly rotate the rotatable drive device. In other embodiments, instead of providing a lever or other toolless user interface, a rotatable drive device may include a tool interface (e.g., a hex socket or some other socket) to rotate the rotatable drive device using a tool.

In the embodiments described above, a rotatable drive device arranged along an axis that is 1) non-coincident with an axis of rotation of a spindle or a knob, and 2) spaced apart from the axis of rotation, is operably coupled to an adjustment device (e.g., one or more clamps) that engages or disengages the knob from the spindle based on rotation of the rotational drive device. In other embodiments, it may be possible and practical to engage or disengage the knob from the spindle using part of the rotatable drive device (e.g., using an adjustment device integrally formed on the rotatable drive device and/or some other part of the rotatable drive device).

In the embodiments described above, the adjustment device engages or disengages the knob from the spindle using a clamping action. In other embodiments, it may be possible and practical to engage or disengage the knob from the spindle using any other type of action.

The various embodiments described above are with respect to typical turret parts-a spindle and a knob. However, in other examples the rotatable drive device features may be applied to other turrets, now known or later developed, that may include any other first rotatable part to adjust an optical or electronic element of a scope and any second rotatable part to engage or disengage the first rotatable part.

Latch Assembly for Rotatable Drive Device

FIGS. 13A-B illustrates an isometric view of a knob assembly 1300 having additional user interface assemblies, in which the knob assembly 1300 is in the closed and open positions, respectively, according to various embodiments. Similar to the knob assembly 500 illustrated in FIGS. 5A-B, the lever 1310 may defining an opening 1351 to receive part of a locking mechanism 1350. The lever 1310, or any other part of the knob assembly 1300, may be similar in any respect to any other lever described herein.

The locking mechanism 1350 (e.g., a latch assembly or some other locking device) may positively lock the lever 1310 in the closed position to prevent inadvertent opening of the lever 1310. In this arrangement, to toollessly disengage the knob 1330 from a spindle, the user must first actuate the locking mechanism 1350 by depressing the locking mechanism 1350 using their hand (e.g., a finger or thumb) and/or an item a user would commonly be carrying to perform a re-zero of the optic such as a cartridge or tip of a bullet. An exposed part of the locking mechanism may include a textured surface (such as the knurled surface in the illustration, or any other texture) to aid with finger/thumb actuation, and/or a recess arranged to receive part of the commonly carried item (e.g., a recess having a shape corresponding to a cartridge or tip of a bullet). This locking mechanism 1350, or any other locking mechanism now known or later developed, may be used in combination with any knob assembly and/or lever described herein.

In this example, the knob 1330 defines the opening 1351 to receive a depressible button 1350. A locking device (e.g., the depressible button 1350 and the locking components operatively coupled thereto) may be similar in any respect to any locking device described in the '636 patent (e.g., to any depressible button, and the locking components operatively coupled to any depressible button 11, described in the '636 patent).

In this embodiment, the locking mechanism is a latching assembly including a latch locatable in the latch recess 1355 (FIG. 13B). In other embodiments, any catch (now known or later developed) may be used to lock the lever 1310 or other device to rotate any rotatable drive device described herein.

FIGS. 14A-B illustrates a locking assembly of the knob assembly 1300 of FIGS. 13A-B, in which the locking mechanism 1350 is in the engaged and disengaged, respectively. The locking mechanism 1350 includes a body having an actuation surface on one side and a latch 1355 on the other surface. In this example, the actuation surface and the latch 1355 are integrally formed with the body, but in other examples either of these parts may be coupled to the body (e.g., fixably attached to the body).

The latch 1355 may be urged into the latch recess 1355 by a spring 1360. The spring 1360 may be at least partially collapsed in one position of the latch 1356, and less collapsed (e.g., uncollapsed in one example) than the other position of the latch 1356. In this embodiment, the latch 1356 is located in the latch recess 1355 and the depressible button may protrude somewhat from the knob.

When the spring 1360 is more collapsed, the latch 1356 is no longer located in the latch recess 1355. This is illustrated in FIG. 14B, the depressible button may be substantially flush with the knob.

In this example, the body pivots around a pivot point 1361. The body may be coupled to the pivot using any known fastener that allows the body to pivot around the pivot point 1361.

FIG. 15A illustrates a rear isometric view of a sighting device 1500 (e.g., a riflescope) having the knob assembly 1300 of FIGS. 13A-B mounted thereon, according to various embodiments.

When the knob assembly 1300 (FIG. 13A) is placed on a spindle of a sighting device and the lever 1310 in the fully closed/locked position, the knob and a spindle may share any rotational movement. In this condition, the user rotates the knob to directly make the desired aiming adjustments to an optic (not shown).

In the illustrated embodiment, the lever is fully rotated at ninety degrees. Also, the toolless clamp assembly is arranged to begin to disengage the knob from the spindle at a threshold rotation that is less than ninety degrees, e.g., at 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, or the like. At ninety degrees, the lever is fully rotated and the knob is fully disengaged from the spindle. In other embodiments, the lever may be fully rotated at some other value, such as forty five degrees or one hundred and eighty degrees. Also, in various embodiments, the threshold rotation in which the knob disengages from the spindle may be the full rotation value or any value less than the full rotation value.

FIG. 15B illustrates how a user may operate the locking mechanism of the sighting device 1500 of FIG. 15A. The user may first depress the actuation surface 1350 in a direction indicated by the arrow 1550. This unlocks the lever 1310. The user may then rotate the lever 1310 as indicated by the arrow 1510. FIGS. 15C and 15D illustrates rear and front isometric views, respectively, of the sighting device 1500 of FIG. 15A with the lever 1310 in the open position.

Calibration Device for Rotatable Drive Device

FIG. 16 illustrates an isometric view of a calibration device 1675 (e.g., a tension adjustment assembly) and a knob assembly 1600, according to various embodiments. The knob assembly 1600 may be similar in any respect to any knob assembly described herein, such as the knob assembly 1300 (FIGS. 13A-B).

The calibration device 1675 includes an additional rotatable drive device 1665 and an additional adjustment device 1671 (e.g., clamp). The additional rotatable drive device 1665 may move the additional adjustment device 1671 along a linear path similar to how rotatable drive device 1615 translates linear movement of its adjustment device 1621, but with less linear movement for a given amount of rotational movement (of its driving device).

In some examples, the additional rotatable drive device 1665 may have different threading (e.g., finer threading) than the other rotatable drive device 1615, which may produce the different amount of linear movement for the same amount of rotational movement (of its driving device). This may allow a more fine adjustment of a force (e.g., a clamping force) applied by the additional adjustment device 1671 to the spindle.

The fine adjustment provided by the calibration device 1675 may be used to calibrate operation of the other rotatable drive device 1615. For example, if the rotatable drive device 1615 causes the knob to disengage the spindle at a rotational threshold that is smaller than a target rotational threshold, the calibration device 1675 may be operated to increase tension to cause the knob to disengage the spindle at the target rotational threshold. Similarly, if the lever will not close completely, that may indicate too much tension, in which case the calibration device 1675 may be operated to finely reduce the tension.

FIG. 17A illustrates a bottom view of the calibration device 1675 and the knob assembly 1600 of FIG. 16. FIG. 17B illustrates a bottom view of the calibration device 1675 and the knob assembly 1600 in which the spindle is omitted. The arrows 1677 (FIG. 17A) denote three points of tension applied to the spindle by the knob, based on the positions of the adjustment device 1621 and the additional adjustment 1671.

Referring again to FIG. 16, a recess to receive a tool may be located on an end of the additional rotatable drive device 1665. The lever may provide another function—to operate as a cover for this recess, when closed. The lever is opened to access this recess, as illustrated.

In some embodiments, the tension adjustment may be a manufacturing step performed with a tool to correct for a range of tolerances of various components of the turret. However, it may be possible for an operator to tune the tension (e.g., re-calibrate) after manufacturing, if desired. In other examples, it may be possible to provide toolless adjustment features for the additional rotational drive device 1665, of course.

FIG. 18 illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of the calibration device 1675 and the knob assembly 1600 in which the lever is omitted. In this illustration, it can be seen that the additional rotatable drive device 1665 is a tension adjustment screw with flats 1880 on a non-threaded part of the tension adjustment screw. In this example, the flats 1880 are located on a head of the tension adjustment screw, but it may be possible to provide flats on another non-threaded part of the tension adjustment screw (e.g., the shank).

A leaf spring 1885 may be provided to act against the flats 1880 providing tactile feedback to the user (e.g., a detent feel) when rotated, so that the user knows how many units of rotational movement is being made (e.g., a user may count the clicks and follow trouble shooting instructions). The leaf spring 1885 is also arranged to prevent unintentional rotation after tension is set.

EXAMPLES

The illustrated embodiments describe some examples within the scope of the disclosure of the present application. However, other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may include any one of the following examples.

Example 1 is a turret including 1) a spindle or other first rotatable part to adjust an optical or electronic element of an aiming device or other optical device, and 2) a knob or other second rotatable part to rotate the spindle or other first rotatable part, the turret comprising: a rotatable drive device having a rear end, a front end, and a length, the length arranged along an axis that is 1) non-coincident with an axis of rotation of the spindle or other first rotatable part, or of the knob or other second rotatable part, the non-coincident axis 2) spaced apart from the axis of rotation; the rotatable drive device rotatable from a first position to a second position, and arranged to: in the first position, cause the spindle or other first rotatable part and the knob or other second rotatable part to rotate together as a unit, and in the second position, disengage the knob or other second rotatable part from the spindle or other first rotatable part to allow the knob or other second rotatable part to rotate relative to the spindle or other first rotatable part. The turret may be any turret of an optical device (e.g., an elevation turret, a windage turret, etc.) of a ranged device, or any other optical device.

In various embodiments, the knob or other second rotatable part exposes the rear end of the rotatable drive device or a lever or other user interface coupled to the rear end. The rear end of the rotatable drive device or the lever or other user interface may be part of an external part of the turret.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of example 1 (or any other example herein), further comprising one or more additional devices operably coupled to the rotatable drive device, the one or more additional devices comprising a lever or other user interface, an adjustment device, a locking mechanism, or a calibration device; the lever or other user interface for toollessly rotating the rotatable drive device; the adjustment device to engage or disengage the knob or other second rotatable part from the spindle or other first rotatable part in response to alternating between the first and second positions of the rotatable drive device; the locking mechanism to fix a position of the lever or other user interface, or the rotatable drive device, to prevent inadvertent engagement or disengagement of the knob or other second rotatable part from the spindle or other first rotatable part; or the calibration device to calibrate a threshold rotation of the rotatable drive device needed to engage or disengage the knob or other second rotatable part from the spindle or other first rotatable part.

Example 3 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-2 (or any other example herein), wherein the lever or other user interface is coupled to the rear end, or a rear part of the length of the rotatable drive device.

Example 4 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-3 (or any other example herein), wherein the lever or other user interface is rotatable along a plane, wherein the axis of rotation of the spindle or other first rotatable part, or of the knob or other second rotatable part, is non-coincident with said plane.

Example 5 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-4 (or any other example herein), wherein the length includes a rear part and a front part, the rear part of the length closer to the rear end than the front end, and the front part closer to the front end than the rear end; wherein the front part of the length comprises a threaded section and the rear part of the length comprises a non-threaded section.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-5 (or any other example herein), wherein the rear part is integrally formed with the front part.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-6 (or any other example herein), wherein the rotatable drive device comprises a drive screw and the rear part of the length includes a head or shank.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-7 (or any other example herein), wherein the axis of rotation is perpendicular with respect to an optical axis of the aiming device or other optical device, and the non-coincident axis is not perpendicular with respect to the optical axis.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-8 (or any other example herein), wherein the non-coincident axis is parallel with respect to the axis of rotation.

Example 10 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-9 (or any other example herein), wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring-activated latch or other member to engage or disengage a latch recess or other recess based on a position of a button or other user interface.

Example 11 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-10 (or any other example herein), wherein the calibration device comprises an additional rotatable drive device.

Example 12 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-11 (or any other example herein), wherein the additional rotatable drive device is arranged along an additional axis that is 1) non-coincident with the axis of rotation, the additional non-coincident axis 2) spaced apart from the axis of rotation.

Example 13 is a sighting device including the turret of any of examples 1-12 (or any other example herein).

Example 14 is a ranged device scope including the turret of any of examples 1-13.

Example 15 is a firearm, crossbow, or air gun including the ranged device scope of any of examples 1-14.

Example 16 is an apparatus including 1) a spindle or other first rotatable part to adjust an optical or electronic element of an aiming device or other optical device and 2) a knob or other second rotatable part to rotate the spindle or other first rotatable part, the apparatus comprising: a rotatable drive device having a rear end, a front end, and a length, the length arranged along an axis that is 1) non-coincident with an axis of rotation of the spindle or other first rotatable part, or of the knob or other second rotatable part, the non-coincident axis 2) spaced apart from the axis of rotation; and an adjustment device operably coupled to the rotatable drive device; the rotatable drive device to translate the adjustment device linearly along a guide hole responsive to rotation of the rotatable drive device from a first position to a second position; the adjustment device to: in a first position in the guide hole, cause the spindle or other first rotatable part and the knob or other second rotatable part to rotate together as a unit, and in a second different position in the guide hole, disengage the knob or other second rotatable part from the spindle or other first rotatable part to allow the knob or other second rotatable part to rotate relative to the spindle or other first rotatable part.

Example 17 includes the subject matter of example 16 (or any other example herein), wherein the adjustment device is threadingly coupled to the rotatable drive device.

Example 18 includes the subject matter of any of examples 16-17 (or any other example herein), wherein the adjustment device includes a threaded opening to receive the part of the length of the rotatable drive device.

Example 19 includes the subject matter of any of examples 16-18, further comprising a flange on the rotatable drive device, and wherein the apparatus further comprises: a spring around the length of the rotatable drive device, wherein the adjustment device is captured between the flange and an end of the spring.

Example 20 includes the subject matter of any of examples 16-19, wherein the adjustment device comprises at least one clamp.

Example 21 includes the subject matter of any of examples 16-20, wherein the spindle or other first rotatable part is clampable between the adjustment device and a part of the interior of the knob or other second rotatable part.

Example 22 includes the subject matter of any of examples 16-21, a lever or other user interface coupled to the rear end or a rear part of the length, the lever or other user interface to toollessly rotate the rotatable drive device; and a locking mechanism located in a hole defined by the lever or other user interface, wherein the locking mechanism retains the lever or other user interface in a closed position.

Example 23 includes the subject matter of any of examples 16-22, wherein the locking device comprises a spring-loaded catch.

Example 24 includes the subject matter of any of examples 16-23, wherein the locking device is actuatable using a tip of a projectile or other improvised tool.

Example 25 includes the subject matter of any of examples 16-24, wherein the lever comprises an arc-shaped lever.

It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A turret including 1) a spindle or other first rotatable part to adjust an optical or electronic element of an aiming device or other optical device, and 2) a knob or other second rotatable part to rotate the spindle or other first rotatable part, the turret comprising: a rotatable drive device having a rear end, a front end, and a length, the length arranged along an axis that is 1) non-coincident with an axis of rotation of the spindle or other first rotatable part, or of the knob or other second rotatable part, the non-coincident axis 2) spaced apart from the axis of rotation;the rotatable drive device rotatable from a first position to a second position, and arranged to: in the first position, cause the spindle or other first rotatable part and the knob or other second rotatable part to rotate together as a unit, andin the second position, disengage the knob or other second rotatable part from the spindle or other first rotatable part to allow the knob or other second rotatable part to rotate relative to the spindle or other first rotatable part.

2. The turret of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional devices operably coupled to the rotatable drive device, the one or more additional devices comprising a lever or other user interface, an adjustment device, a locking mechanism, or a calibration device; the lever or other user interface for toollessly rotating the rotatable drive device;the adjustment device to engage or disengage the knob or other second rotatable part from the spindle or other first rotatable part in response to alternating between the first and second positions of the rotatable drive device;the locking mechanism to fix a position of the lever or other user interface, or the rotatable drive device, to prevent inadvertent engagement or disengagement of the knob or other second rotatable part from the spindle or other first rotatable part; orthe calibration device to calibrate a threshold rotation of the rotatable drive device needed to engage or disengage the knob or other second rotatable part from the spindle or other first rotatable part.

3. The turret of claim 2, wherein the lever or other user interface is coupled to the rear end, or a rear part of the length of the rotatable drive device.

4. The turret of claim 2, wherein the lever or other user interface is rotatable along a plane, wherein the axis of rotation of the spindle or other first rotatable part, or of the knob or other second rotatable part, is non-coincident with said plane.

5. The turret of claim 1, wherein the length includes a rear part and a front part, the rear part of the length closer to the rear end than the front end, and the front part closer to the front end than the rear end; wherein the front part of the length comprises a threaded section and the rear part of the length comprises a non-threaded section.

6. The turret of claim 5, wherein the rear part is integrally formed with the front part.

7. The turret of claim 6, wherein the rotatable drive device comprises a drive screw and the rear part of the length includes a head or shank.

8. The turret of claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation is perpendicular with respect to an optical axis of the aiming device or other optical device, and the non-coincident axis is not perpendicular with respect to the optical axis.

9. The turret of claim 8, wherein the non-coincident axis is parallel with respect to the axis of rotation.

10. The turret of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring-activated latch or other member to engage or disengage a latch recess or other recess based on a position of a button or other user interface.

11. The turret of claim 2, wherein the calibration device comprises an additional rotatable drive device.

12. The turret of claim 11, wherein the additional rotatable drive device is arranged along an additional axis that is 1) non-coincident with the axis of rotation, the additional non-coincident axis 2) spaced apart from the axis of rotation.

13. A sighting device including the turret of claim 1.

14. A firearm, crossbow, air gun, or other ranged device including the turret of claim 1.

15. The turret of claim 1, wherein the knob or other second rotatable part exposes the rear end of the rotatable drive device or a lever coupled to the rear end, the rear end of the rotatable drive device or the lever comprising an external part of the turret.

16. An apparatus including 1) a spindle or other first rotatable part to adjust an optical or electronic element of an aiming device or other optical device and 2) a knob or other second rotatable part to rotate the spindle or other first rotatable part, the apparatus comprising: a rotatable drive device having a rear end, a front end, and a length, the length arranged along an axis that is 1) non-coincident with an axis of rotation of the spindle or other first rotatable part, or of the knob or other second rotatable part, the non-coincident axis 2) spaced apart from the axis of rotation; andan adjustment device operably coupled to the rotatable drive device;the rotatable drive device to translate the adjustment device linearly along a guide hole responsive to rotation of the rotatable drive device from a first position to a second position;the adjustment device to: in a first position in the guide hole, cause the spindle or other first rotatable part and the knob or other second rotatable part to rotate together as a unit, andin a second different position in the guide hole, disengage the knob or other second rotatable part from the spindle or other first rotatable part to allow the knob or other second rotatable part to rotate relative to the spindle or other first rotatable part.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the adjustment device is threadingly coupled to the rotatable drive device.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the adjustment device includes a threaded opening to receive part of the length of the rotatable drive device.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a flange on the rotatable drive device, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a spring around part of the length of the rotatable drive device, wherein the adjustment device is captured between the flange and an end of the spring.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the adjustment device comprises at least one clamp.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the spindle or other first rotatable part is clampable between the adjustment device and part of the interior of the knob or other second rotatable part.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a lever or other user interface coupled to the rear end or a rear part of the length, the lever or other user interface to toollessly rotate the rotatable drive device; anda locking mechanism located in a hole defined by the lever or other user interface, wherein the locking mechanism retains the lever or other user interface in a closed position.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the locking device comprises a spring-loaded catch.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the locking device is actuatable using a tip of a projectile or other improvised tool.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the lever comprises an arc-shaped lever.