Patent Application
20250109929
This application claims priority to German patent applications DE 10 2023 209 624.2 filed on Sep. 29, 2023, and DE 10 2024 208 887.0 filed on Sep. 17, 2024, the entire content of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.
The disclosure relates to a telescopic sight system having a telescopic sight, in particular a telescopic sight for hunting and/or sports purposes.
Telescopic sights are optical units that enable observation of a target with (generally) enlarged size (to some extent even also reduced size) and usually have a so-called reticle (in simple form and commonly also referred to as “crosshairs”). The reticle normally coincides with the optical axis of the telescopic sight. The reticle serves for aiming, which is to say for sighting the target, and optionally also for estimating the distance to the target. In technical terms, two forms are conventional in this respect, and they differ in the arrangement of the element (“reticle element”) that generates the (optically identifiable) reticle. In one form, the reticle element is arranged in a first (object-side) intermediate image plane (usually between an objective part and an inverting system of the telescopic sight), and in the other form it is arranged in a second (image-side) intermediate image plane (usually between the inverting system—or at its image-side end—and an eyepiece).
In the theoretical basic state, for use a telescopic sight is coupled to a firearm, usually a rifle, in such a way that a so-called sighting line is aligned (at least approximately) parallel to the ideal (i.e., uninfluenced and straight) flight path of the corresponding projectile. Since (ballistic) projectiles under standard conditions have a curved (at least roughly parabolic) flight path, however, telescopic sights are usually adjusted in such a way that the flight path of the projectile intersects the sighting line in each case. Since the telescopic sight is normally mounted above the starting point of the projectile—in the case of a rifle, above the barrel—, there are therefore usually two intersection points of the flight path with the sighting line: one closest to the firearm with an ascending flight path, the other (farther away) with a descending flight path. The latter should as far as possible lie on the range of the shot.
In order to obtain as precise as possible an overlap of the sighting line, that is to say of the reticle with the point of impact, a system of firearm and telescopic sight is “homed in” to a certain range, for hunting purposes usually “zeroed” to a relatively short range of less than or up to 100 meters. In this case—normally with stationary firearms for an as high as possible repetition accuracy—an adjustment mechanism for the telescopic sight is used to make the reticle overlap the point of impact (in particular on a pane). Usually, telescopic sights to this end have a type of spindle drive, which makes it possible to adjust the height of the reticle relative to the image, more specifically to the image that a user can view through the telescopic sight. A second adjustment mechanism for lateral “correction” is often still present. For a modified range while the firearm is being used, as the range increases the reticle can be adjusted “downward”, in order to avoid “holding above the target” by eye or with optical cues in the reticle. The shooter thus readjusts the modified range and continues to aim with the corresponding central marking of the reticle. For this, there is often a so-called ballistics turret, in which the adjustment mechanism is arranged, on the telescopic sight. To some extent, an external part of the adjustment mechanism, which usually has an adjustment ring, must be dismounted for the “setting to zero”.
The mode of operation of the adjustment and thus also of the adjustment mechanism in this case depends on the above-described arrangement of the reticle element. If it is arranged in the first intermediate image plane, it is usually the reticle element itself which is adjusted. If, by contrast, the reticle element is arranged in the second intermediate image plane, generally the inverting system, which is fastened to an associated carrier, is tilted relative to the optical axis of the entire telescopic sight or at least of the objective and/or eyepiece, and this gives the impression that the position of the reticle itself changes. In this case, however, the reticle element usually remains (at least approximately) stationary.
In the case of some telescopic sights, however, there are no adjustment options for a normal user, and therefore the above-described homing in must be carried out for example by a skilled person, who has special tools available. Other telescopic sights, however, have such an external part (often also referred to as quick-action reticle adjustment means), in order to enable easier setting of modified heights, which is to say to further ranges. This quick-action reticle adjustment means is mounted to some extent reversibly on the respective ballistics turret of the telescopic sight. It is thus possible, with the quick-action reticle adjustment means having been mounted, for the shooter to also react “during operation” to a range which is modified in relation to the homing-in.
A disadvantage of such quick-action reticle adjustment means is that—in particular for the reversible mountability—they are usually arranged on the ballistics turret with play. Such play, however, leads to undesired noises, to haptics that are undesirable for the user, and/or also to a reduced degree of sustainability, since in the case of movements caused by recoil, components might be prematurely subjected to mechanical wear (“kicking”).
It is an object of the disclosure to provide an improved telescopic sight system.
This object is achieved by a telescopic sight system for hunting and/or sports purposes, by a method for mounting the telescopic sight system, and by a method for dismounting the telescopic sight system as described herein.
The telescopic sight system according to an aspect of the disclosure has a telescopic sight, which serves in particular for hunting and/or sports purposes. The telescopic sight has a housing and an objective lens assembly arranged in the housing. The telescopic sight also has a reticle element arranged in the housing, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the reticle element relative to an image-which a user of the telescopic sight system can view with (or through) the telescopic sight. The telescopic sight also has at least one adjustment turret, which is arranged on the housing, accommodates the adjustment mechanism, and is accessible for manual and relative adjustment of the reticle element. The telescopic sight system additionally has a setting assembly which can be reversibly coupled to the adjustment turret. This setting assembly in turn has a coupling peg and a peg carrier, in which the coupling peg is adjustably mounted between a fixing position and a release position. The coupling peg and the peg carrier serve for-typically reversible-fixing to the adjustment turret. A receiving shaft for receiving the coupling peg, and a blocking spring are arranged in the adjustment turret. The blocking spring projects laterally by a spring width into the receiving shaft. The coupling peg has, along its longitudinal extent and at an axial spacing from one another, a first annular groove and a second annular groove. A groove bottom of the first annular groove is arranged at a smaller spacing than the spring width from an outer edge of the receiving shaft. The second annular groove is recessed with respect to the first annular groove such that a groove bottom of the second annular groove is arranged at a larger spacing than the spring width or at least at a spacing approximating the spring width from the outer edge of the receiving shaft. In addition, the blocking spring lies in the first annular groove when the coupling peg has been arranged in the fixing position, and lies in the second annular groove when the coupling peg has been arranged in the release position.
The first and the second annular groove are thus configured and intended to receive the blocking spring—at least its part projecting into the receiving shaft—in respective associated positions of the coupling peg. Since the depth of the first annular groove is chosen such that the blocking spring would project further into the receiving shaft than the groove bottom of the first annular groove allows, the blocking spring is kept in a deformed state, in particular curved in the insertion direction. As a result, the blocking spring can form a type of barb against the coupling peg being pulled out, in that the blocking spring comes to bear against an edge (also referred to as “shoulder”) of the first annular groove, at least whenever the coupling peg is moved counter to the insertion direction. If, by contrast, the blocking spring is introduced into the second annular groove, owing to the chosen size of the second annular groove the blocking spring has more clearance for deformation and/or more freedom of movement, with the result that the blocking spring can return to a neutral position by itself or by applying a mounting force. As a result, the barb action of the blocking spring goes away, and the complete coupling peg can be taken back out of the receiving shaft.
“Relative adjustment” of the reticle element with respect to the viewable image is understood here and in the following text in particular to mean that optionally the reticle element itself is offset for example transversely to an optical axis of the telescopic sight (in particular of the objective lens assembly) or else other optical elements within the telescopic sight are adjusted, such that the position of the reticle generated by the reticle element (for example a line marking, a point of light, a crosshair or the like) on (or in) the image that the user can view changes.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the coupling pin has a rotationally symmetrical form. The peg carrier is typically in the form of a sleeve. The coupling peg is expediently mounted on the peg carrier so as to be adjustable with respect to said peg carrier with a slotted link. In particular, the coupling peg can thus be displaced by turning it between the fixing position and the release position. This constitutes a relatively compact and straightforward adjustability.
The receiving shaft is typically formed by a sleeve-like component of the adjustment turret or of the adjustment mechanism. For example, this sleeve-like component forms a toothing, with which a mating piece of the setting assembly can be brought into engagement, in order to allow an adjustment of the reticle element.
According to another exemplary embodiment, the above-described slotted link has at least one slotted-link groove and (in particular in each case) a slotted-link pin slidably received therein. With preference, the (or the respective) slotted-link groove is formed in the peg carrier and the (or the respective) slotted-link pin is fastened in the coupling peg. The slotted-link groove additionally has a release portion, which is aligned parallel or at least virtually parallel to the longitudinal extent (or else axis of rotation or longitudinal axis) of the coupling peg and points with a free end in the insertion direction of the adjustment turret, and a fixing portion, which is at an angle relative to said release portion.
The coupling peg is thus moved along the course of the slotted-link groove, and thus in two directions at an angle to one another, for adjustment between the fixing position and the release position. In particular, the coupling peg is moved away from the fixing portion along the release portion for adjustment into the release position and correspondingly in reverse for adjustment into the fixing position.
The fixing portion is typically aligned with a small gradient with respect to a plane radial to the coupling peg and with a free end pointing away from the insertion direction of the adjustment turret. In particular, the fixing portion of the slotted-link groove is thus inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling peg, with the result that, when the slotted-link pin is being moved in the direction toward the free end of the fixing portion, the coupling peg moves—at least assuming or presupposing that the peg carrier remains stationary with respect to the insertion direction—counter to the insertion direction. The coupling peg is also typically arranged in the fixing position when the slotted-link pin is arranged at the free end of the fixing portion. Optionally, the slotted-link groove at its free end has a slight widening, in particular toward the insertion direction, in which the slotted-link pin can lie in latched-in fashion in the fixing position. This inclined position of the fixing portion, for example of up to 10 degrees with respect to the radial plane of the coupling peg and typically also of the peg carrier, thus causes a type of screwing movement of the coupling peg, as a result of which it can—possibly again—be braced against the blocking spring by way of the groove edge of the first annular groove (in particular the groove edge delimiting the first annular groove in the insertion direction). This compensates for an often-present, tolerance-related play and enables a play-free mounting state.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the blocking spring is a toroidal helical spring. “Toroidal” in this case means that the helical spring forms a closed ring. In particular, the helical spring forms a radially coiled axial spring. The helical spring acts in the axial direction. In particular, an inside diameter of the ring formed by the helical spring is less than the outside diameter of the first annular groove, specifically of the groove bottom of the first annular groove. The difference between the inside diameter of the receiving shaft and the inside diameter of the ring formed by the helical spring thus forms the aforementioned spring width.
In particular, the helical spring is also flattened or “compressed” in the axial direction. As a result, the toroidal helical spring can advantageously be deflected by way of its inner edge with respect to the outer edge and thus in particular act in a comparable way to an annular disk.
In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the blocking spring is an annular disk or a plate spring with a central opening. Optionally, this plate spring or ring disk has tongues protruding inward from an edge region. In this case, the blocking spring also forms a type of diaphragm spring. The above statements about the inside diameter of the toroidal helical spring analogously also relate to the annular disk and/or the plate spring.
Moreover, in an exemplary embodiment the outside diameter of the groove bottom of the second annular groove is less than the inside diameter of the toroidal helical spring, of the annular disk and/or of the plate spring. This advantageously makes it possible for the respective blocking spring, if the coupling peg is arranged in the release position, in the second annular groove to return to the respective rest position or neutral position. If then subsequently the coupling peg—in particular together with the shaft carrier—is taken out of the receiving shaft, the blocking spring in the second annular groove is deflected in the pull-out direction and can thus slide across the groove edges of the first annular groove without being supported against one of the two groove edges in the pull-out direction. In particular, however, when the coupling peg after reaching the release position is taken out of the receiving shaft until the blocking spring lies in the first annular groove again and then is moved in the insertion direction again, the blocking spring would then “press” against the other groove edge, since the blocking spring is deflected in the opposite direction in the meantime. As a result, the actual fixing position can no longer be reached. Rather, the coupling peg must first be taken out of the receiving shaft before renewed mounting into the fixing position is possible.
The peg carrier is typically coupled to a structural element, which encloses the peg carrier and the coupling peg in sleeve-like fashion, of the setting assembly for conjoint rotation. In particular, this structural element is also rotationally conjointly guided on the adjustment turret in a basic position, once the coupling peg has been introduced deep enough into the receiving shaft. The latter can be identified in particular by the fact that the blocking spring snap-fitting into the first annular groove is typically acoustically audible or else can be haptically felt and additionally the setting assembly can no longer be taken off of the adjustment turret (at least not without being subjected to a load beyond that of a routine mounting force). The above-described rotationally conjoint coupling of the peg carrier (at least in the basic position of the aforementioned sleeve-like structural element) is advantageous for the adjustment of the coupling peg into the fixing position—in particular rotating it along the slotted-link groove.
The coupling peg is further typically accessible from an outer side of the setting assembly only with a tool, for example a hexagon key or the like, so that a tool is always necessary for the turning with respect to the peg carrier. For example, the setting assembly to this end has a cover, which covers at least the peg carrier and has an opening, through which the coupling peg is accessible only with the tool, but not by hand.
A mounting sequence for the setting assembly, which overall typically forms the above-described quick-action reticle adjustment means, in particular includes the following steps, which also form a mounting and/or dismounting method that is inventive per se:
Here and in the following text, the conjunction “and/or” is intended to be understood such that the features linked by this conjunction can be formed both together and as alternatives to one another.
The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:
Parts that correspond to one another are always provided with the same reference signs in all of the figures.
In an alternative exemplary embodiment which is not illustrated, the reticle element 7 is arranged between the objective lens assembly 8a and the inverting system 8b. In this case, the adjustment mechanism 12 acts on the reticle element 7 and offsets it relative to the optical axis 9 of the objective lens assembly 8a.
The setting assembly 4 can be reversibly coupled to the telescopic sight 2, specifically to the adjustment mechanism 12.
The setting assembly 4 thus in the intended state of use serves to enable an adjustment of the reticle element 7 with the adjustment mechanism 12, in order for example to compensate for a modified range to the target. The setting assembly 4 has a coupling peg 20 and a peg carrier 22. In addition, the setting assembly 4—in this case only schematically illustrated—has an (in particular sleeve-like) outer ring 24, which is configured for manual adjustment by a user of the telescopic sight 2. This outer ring 24 acts—here indirectly via an (in particular sleeve-like) intermediate piece 25—on a spindle sleeve 26 of the adjustment mechanism 12. The spindle sleeve 26 serves to transmit an adjustment movement to the downstream elements of the adjustment mechanism 12. In addition, the setting assembly 4 has a cover 28, which covers the coupling peg 20 and the peg carrier 22 except for a tool opening 30.
The coupling peg 20 has a rotationally symmetrical form with respect to a longitudinal axis 32 and is surrounded by the peg carrier 22, which has the form of a pot-like sleeve (see
As shown in
The spring width B is chosen such that it is larger than the distance of the groove bottom of the first annular groove 40 from the inner surface of the receiving shaft 50. In the case of the annular blocking spring 46, it thus reduces the inside diameter of the receiving shaft 50 by twice the spring width B.
When the setting assembly 4 is being mounted, it is placed with the coupling peg 20 onto the spindle sleeve 26, such that the coupling peg 20 can be inserted into the receiving shaft 50. The blocking spring 46 is arranged such that it is arranged at the position of the first annular groove 40 of the coupling peg 20, when the latter is aligned in a pre-mounting position with respect to the peg carrier 22. As a result, when the coupling peg 20 is being inserted into the receiving shaft 50 by way of its insertion end 44, it causes the blocking spring 46 to deflect in the insertion direction (which is to say in the direction toward the inside of the adjustment turret 6 and of the housing 8). When the coupling peg 20 reaches a pre-mounting position, in which the peg carrier 22 bears against the spindle sleeve 26, the blocking spring 46 snap-fits into the first annular groove 40. Since the spring width B is larger than the spacing of the groove bottom of the first annular groove 40 from the spindle sleeve 26—in the case of the annular blocking spring 46, the inside diameter thereof is thus smaller than the diameter of the groove bottom of the first annular groove 40—the blocking spring 46 cannot return to its rest position, but stays deflected in the insertion direction and therefore braced against the first annular groove 40 (see
In order to compensate for any remaining play between the setting assembly 4 and the adjustment turret 6, here specifically the spindle sleeve 26, the slotted-link groove 34 is subdivided into two portions, i.e., a fixing portion 60 and a release portion 62 (see
To “secure” the coupling peg 20 in a fixing position (which is to say, when the slotted-link pin 36 is arranged at the free end 64), the free end 64 of the slotted-link groove 34 is recessed toward the spindle sleeve 26 in the manner of a pocket, with the result that a form fit is provided against the coupling peg 20 simply rotating back again. For the turning operation, a tool, in the present exemplary embodiment a hexagon key, is plugged through the tool opening 30 into a correspondingly formed drive of the coupling peg 20. In this case, the tool opening 30 is dimensioned such that manual operation of the coupling peg 20, at least counter to the (frictional) resistance of the blocking spring 46, is not possible.
For dismounting, the coupling peg 20 is turned counterclockwise with respect to the peg carrier 22. As a result, the slotted-link pin 36 enters the release portion 62. Here, the coupling peg 20 can now be displaced further in the insertion direction (that is to say, into the receiving shaft 50) with the hexagon key. In the process, the blocking spring 46 snap-fits into the second annular groove 42. This position is also referred to as release position of the coupling peg 20. The diameter of the groove bottom of the second annular groove 42 is chosen such that the groove bottom has a larger spacing from the spindle sleeve 26 than the spring width B—in the case of the annular blocking spring 46, its inside diameter is thus larger than that of the groove bottom of the second annular groove 42. As a result, the blocking spring 46 in the second annular groove 42 can return to the rest position. The above-described barb action is thus omitted. The setting assembly 4 with the peg carrier 22 and the coupling peg 20 can thus be taken out of the receiving shaft 50 or off of the adjustment turret 6. The blocking spring 46 is deflected in the pull-out direction in the process (see
When the setting assembly 4 is being taken off, the blocking spring 46 furthermore also acts counter to the insertion direction. That is to say, the setting assembly 4 must, after the coupling peg 20 has been drawn out of the release position in the pull-out direction, be taken off of the adjustment turret 6, but at least the coupling peg 20 must be completely removed from the receiving shaft 50.
According to an exemplary embodiment, which is likewise depicted by
The subject matter of the disclosure is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, further embodiments of the disclosure can be derived from the above description by a person skilled in the art. In particular, the individual features of the disclosure that are described with reference to the various exemplary embodiments, and the design variants thereof, can also be combined with one another in a different way.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2023 209 624.2 | Sep 2023 | DE | national |
| 10 2024 208 887.0 | Sep 2024 | DE | national |
