Locking adjustment dial mechanism for riflescope

Abstract

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.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]This application is a reissue application of U.S. Pat. No. 8,407,927, titled Locking Adjustment Dial Mechanism For Riflescope (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 331,599, filed Dec. 20, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 363,658, titled Riflescope High Speed Adjusting Elevation Assembly, filed Jan. 30, 2009 and claiming priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 063,265, filed on Jan. 31, 2008, and Ser. No. 61 / 144,400, filed on Jan. 13, 2009), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]This invention pertains to riflescopes and more particularly to riflescopes with elevation and / or windage adjustment knobs that can be releasably locked at a preselected “zero” position.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Riflescopes typically include elevation adjustments that enable the shooter to shoot accurately at different target distances by turn...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a mechanism for a riflescope that prevents accidental change to the shooter's original zero point. The mechanism includes stop tabs and locking arms that are mounted on the scope body. During use, the tab and release arms are used to create a zero point for the riflescope. The locking arms disengage from the tab when pressed and allow the elevation and windage dials to rotate freely in either direction beyond the pre-defined zero point. When the dials are rotated back to their original location, the locking arms re-engage the tabs automatically resetting the original zero point, locking both elevation and windage turrets, thus preventing accidental change to the shooters original zero point.

Problems solved by technology

This can create a slow and confusing situation for the shooter because the dial position must be counted and does not reflect the actual scope adjustment setting, thereby slowing engagement time with the target.

If the elevation adjustment has relatively small MOA (or milliradian) click values, the total amount of elevation movement per rotation of the adjustment, is limited.

Once set, this type of stop feature does not allow the adjustment dial to be rotated beyond the preselected “zero” point to a “negative” range.

These lock at every selected adjustment position and do not provide a mechanical stop or non-visual indication when the adjustment dial reaches the “zero” position.

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