Diopter adjustment and locking mechanism using left and right threads of same pitch diameter

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking assembly. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a locking assembly with threads. In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a locking assembly having overlapping first and second rotational direction thread forms, and the second rotational direction thread form is opposite the first rotational direction thread form.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 499,837, filed May 3, 2023, and is a non-provisional application of that U.S. Patent Application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to optical devices. In one embodiment, this disclosure relates to an observation optics device used as a rifle scope. In another embodiment, this disclosure relates to a locking mechanism for an adjustable observation optics device that compensates for differences in visual acuity between users. Background Technology

[0003] Existing rifle scopes and other observation optics used for aiming, magnifying, or improving image clarity (such as binoculars, microscopes, magnifying lenses, etc.) all include mechanisms for focusing the observation optics to an optimal focusing position for a particular user. The optimal focusing position of an observation optics depends on the user's visual acuity; therefore, it varies from person to person. Consequently, users of observation optics must calibrate or focus them before using them for a specific purpose (e.g., hunting).

[0004] It is known in the art that once a user has finished focusing, a locking mechanism is required to lock the observation optics in the optimal focus position. By locking the observation optics in the optimal focus position, the user does not need to refocus it every time they use it, because once fixed, the observation optics should remain in the optimal focus position. It is further known in the art that it is desirable to be able to easily focus the observation optics and easily lock it in the optimal focus position.

[0005] However, traditional observation optics adjustment and locking mechanisms are either quick to focus (sometimes called "fast-focusing" observation optics) or easy to lock (sometimes called "lock-in fine-focusing" observation optics), but cannot do both simultaneously. In particular, traditional fast-focusing observation optics cannot efficiently lock the observation optics in the optimal focus position because these optics only resist unwanted focusing adjustments, but cannot completely prevent unwanted focusing adjustments.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a locking mechanism for an observation optics that securely locks the observation optics in the desired position and allows for quick and easy adjustment to the focus position. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In one embodiment, this disclosure provides a diopter adjustment and locking mechanism. In this embodiment, the diopter adjustment and locking mechanism may employ left-hand and right-hand threads of the same pitch diameter.

[0008] In one embodiment, a locking assembly includes: a lens barrel including a first thread, wherein the first thread includes overlapping first rotational direction thread forms and second rotational direction thread forms, and the second rotational direction thread forms are opposite to the first rotational direction thread forms; an eyepiece housing including a second thread having the first rotational direction thread form, wherein the second thread is configured to engage with the first rotational direction thread form of the first thread; and a locking nut including a third thread having the first rotational direction thread form, wherein the third thread is configured to engage with the second rotational direction thread form of the first thread.

[0009] In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a first thread, wherein the first thread includes overlapping first rotational direction thread forms and second rotational direction thread forms, and the second rotational direction thread forms are opposite to the first rotational direction thread forms; a second thread having the first rotational direction thread forms, wherein the second thread is configured to engage with the first rotational direction thread forms of the first thread; and a third thread having the first rotational direction thread forms, and the third thread is configured to engage with the second rotational direction thread forms of the first thread.

[0010] In another embodiment, a locking assembly includes: a lens barrel including a first thread, wherein the first thread includes overlapping first rotational direction thread forms and second rotational direction thread forms, and the second rotational direction thread form is opposite to the first rotational direction thread form; an eyepiece housing including a second thread having the first rotational direction thread form, wherein the second thread is configured to engage with the first rotational direction thread form of the first thread; and a locking nut including a third thread having the first rotational direction thread form, wherein the third thread is configured to engage with the second rotational direction thread form of the first thread, wherein a first pitch diameter of the first rotational direction thread form is substantially the same as a second pitch diameter of the second rotational direction thread form.

[0011] Other embodiments will become apparent when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the detailed description provided herein. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an observation optics according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 2 A mirror barrel having left-hand and right-hand threads formed thereon, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 1 The observation optical device shows Figure 1 The various locking mechanisms are locked together.

[0015] Figure 4 According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 1 The observation optical device shows Figure 1 Unlocking various institutions.

[0016] Figure 5 According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 1 The observation optical device shows Figure 1 All the various institutions were moved together. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The components, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated. However, the apparatus and methods disclosed herein may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0018] Those skilled in the art will understand that these features and / or function sets can be readily adapted to fixed platform scenarios, such as bipods, tripods, and other permutations of fixed platforms. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various features and / or functions described herein can be applied to multiple industries, including shooting, photography, measurement, and other fields requiring stable fixed platforms to hold and observe optics, firearms, sights, cameras, and other such devices.

[0019] definition Throughout the text, the same numbers refer to the same elements. It should be understood that although terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, and / or section from other elements, components, regions, and / or sections. Therefore, without departing from this disclosure, a first element, component, region, or section may also be referred to as a second element, component, region, or section.

[0020] The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate and may therefore include values ​​outside the range unless otherwise specified. A numerical range includes all values ​​from (and including) the lower limit to the upper limit (unless otherwise specifically stated), in increments of one unit, provided that there is at least a two-unit interval between any lower limit and any upper limit. For example, if a component, physical, or other property (e.g., distance, velocity, speed, etc.) is from 10 to 100, it is intended to explicitly list all individual values ​​(e.g., 10, 11, 12, etc.) and subranges (e.g., 10 to 44, 55 to 70, 97 to 100, etc.). For ranges containing values ​​less than 1 or decimals greater than 1 (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1, as appropriate. For ranges containing single digits less than 10 (e.g., 1 to 5), one unit is generally considered to be 0.1. These are merely specific examples, and all combinations of values ​​between the listed minimum and maximum values ​​should be considered as explicitly specified in this disclosure. Numerical ranges are provided in this disclosure, including the distance from the device user to the target.

[0021] For ease of description, this document uses spatial terms such as “below,” “under,” “down,” “above,” and “up” to describe the relationship between an element or feature shown in the figures and other elements or features. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figures, these spatially relative terms are also intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped over, an element described as “below” or “under” other elements or features would be oriented as “above” other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90° or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0022] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of more than one related listed item. For example, when used in phrases such as “A and / or B”, the term “and / or” is intended to include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B (alone). Similarly, the term “and / or” used in phrases such as “A, B and / or C” is intended to cover each of the following embodiments: A, B and C; A, B or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).

[0023] It should be understood that when a component or layer is referred to as "located on another component or layer," "connected to," or "attached to" another component or layer, it can be directly located on, connected to, or attached to another component or layer. Alternatively, intermediate components or layers may exist. Conversely, when a component or layer is referred to as "directly located on another component or layer," "directly connected to," or "directly attached to" another component or layer, there are no intermediate components or layers.

[0024] The terms “user” and “shooter” used in this article are used interchangeably to refer to the operator who fires the shot or the person who observes the shot in cooperation with the operator who fires the shot.

[0025] As used herein, the term "observation optics" refers to a device or component used by a user, shooter, or observer to select, identify, and / or monitor a target. Observation optics may rely on visual observation of the target, or may rely on, for example, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), radar, thermal, microwave, magnetic imaging, radiation (including X-rays, gamma rays, isotopic radiation, and particle radiation), night vision, vibration receivers (including ultrasound, acoustic pulses, sonar, seismic vibrations, and magnetic resonance), gravity receivers, broadcast frequencies (including radio waves), television and cellular receivers, or other images of the target. The target image presented to the user / shooter / observer by the observation optics may remain unchanged or may be enhanced, for example, by magnification, enlargement, subtraction, superposition, filtering, stabilization, template matching, or other means. The target selected, identified, and / or monitored by the observation optics may be within the shooter's line of sight or tangent to the shooter's line of sight. In other embodiments, the shooter's line of sight may be obstructed when the observation optics presents a focused image of the target. Images of a target acquired by an observation optic can be analog or digital and can be shared, stored, archived, or transmitted over a network of more than one shooter and observer, for example via video, physical cable or wire, IR, radio waves, cellular connections, laser pulses, optical, 802.11b, or other wireless transmissions using protocols such as HTML, SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, Bluetooth, serial, USB, or other suitable image distribution methods. The terms "observation optic" and "optical sight" are used interchangeably.

[0026] As used in this article, "firearms" refers to portable firearms, that is, barreled weapons that fire one or more projectiles, usually driven by explosive force. As used in this article, the term "firearms" includes pistols, rifles, shotguns, carbines, automatic weapons, semi-automatic weapons, machine guns, submachine guns, automatic rifles, and assault rifles.

[0027] As used herein, "left-hand thread" or "left-hand thread form" refers to a thread that is turned counterclockwise. Furthermore, a left-hand thread or left-hand thread form is a thread that causes an object rotating on the thread to translate forward in response to clockwise rotation and further backward in response to counterclockwise rotation.

[0028] As used herein, "right-hand thread" or "right-hand thread form" refers to a thread that is turned clockwise. Furthermore, a right-hand thread or right-hand thread form is a thread that causes an object rotating on the thread to translate forward in response to counterclockwise rotation and further backward in response to clockwise rotation.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of an observation optics 100 having the left-hand and right-hand threads disclosed herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the observation optics 100 includes an eyepiece housing 110, a locking nut 120, and a lens barrel 130. The observation optics 100 may also include a magnification adjustment ring 140. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the lens barrel 130 may include a first thread 150 having overlapping left-hand and right-hand threads of the same or substantially the same size. More specifically, the first thread 150 may include threads having the same or substantially the same pitch, flank angle, and / or pitch diameter for both the left-hand and right-hand thread forms. Figure 2 A first thread 150 with overlapping left-hand and right-hand threads is shown more clearly, and will be discussed further below. In some embodiments, the first thread 150 includes a coarse pitch for quick-adjusting the lens housing 110.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment, the eyepiece housing 110 may include a cylindrical housing containing a diopter lens and any other optical components for focusing, magnifying, or otherwise sharpening a line of sight or target image. Furthermore, the eyepiece housing 110 may include a second thread 160 configured to couple with a first thread 150 of the lens barrel 130. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second thread 160 may be unidirectional, such that rotating the eyepiece housing 110 in a first rotational direction causes the eyepiece housing 110 to translate relative to the lens barrel 130 in a first direction. The first rotational direction may be a right-handed or left-handed rotational direction. This allows a user to rotate the eyepiece lens 110, causing the eyepiece housing 110 to translate along the first thread 150 and focus the diopter within the eyepiece housing 110. In some embodiments, the second thread 160 includes a coarse pitch to correspond to and couple with the first thread 150.

[0031] The observation optics 100 may further include a locking nut 120 comprising a third thread 170 configured to couple with a first thread 150 of the lens barrel 130. The third thread 170 includes a thread with a rotational direction opposite to that of the second thread 160. For example, if the second thread 160 is a right-hand thread, the third thread 170 is a left-hand thread, and vice versa. According to an exemplary embodiment, the third thread 170 may be unidirectional, such that rotating the locking nut 120 in a second rotational direction causes the locking nut 120 to translate relative to the lens barrel 130 in the second direction. The second rotational direction may be either a right-hand or left-hand rotational direction, but it is opposite to the first rotational direction. Thus, a user can rotate the locking nut 120 such that it translates along the first thread 150 and engages with the eyepiece housing 110. In some embodiments, the third thread 170 has a coarse pitch to correspond to and couple with the first thread 150.

[0032] For example, if the eyepiece housing 110 translates in the first direction by rotating in a right-hand direction, then when the locking nut 120 rotates in a left-hand direction, the locking nut 120 will translate in the second, opposite direction (and vice versa). In other words, if the second thread 160 is screwed in a clockwise direction, then the third thread 170 is screwed in a counterclockwise direction. Since the first thread 150 includes a bidirectional thread, both the eyepiece housing 110 and the locking nut 2 can rotate on the first thread 150.

[0033] Furthermore, the locking nut 120 is rotatable to engage with the eyepiece housing 110. For example, a user can rotate the eyepiece housing 110 in a first rotational direction to move it to a position where the user can focus on the target image, depending on their vision. Once the eyepiece housing 110 is in place, the user can then rotate the locking nut 120 in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction to engage it with the eyepiece housing 110. In some embodiments, after the locking nut 120 has been rotated to the point of engagement with the eyepiece housing 110, the user can apply a final torque to the eyepiece housing 110 to lock it in place. Because the threads of the eyepiece housing 110 and the locking nut 120 are opposite, once the locking nut 110 engages the eyepiece housing 110, the locking nut 120 locks the eyepiece housing 110 into place. Therefore, locking the eyepiece housing 110 to the focusing position is as easy as rotating the locking nut 120 until it engages with the eyepiece housing 110, thus providing both a secure lock and quick adjustment and locking, which is an improvement over the prior art.

[0034] The lens barrel 130 may include other components to help generate a clear, magnified image of the target. For example, the lens barrel 130 may include a magnification adjustment ring 140 configured to adjust or move a magnifying lens located within the lens barrel 130, the eyepiece housing 110, or both. Although not shown in the figures, the observation optics 100 may also include other components, such as, but not limited to, an elevation adjustment knob, an objective lens, an illumination component, an illumination control button, a battery, a windage adjustment knob, a sliding focus knob, etc.

[0035] Now refer to Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the lens barrel 130 includes a first thread 150, which includes a left-hand thread form 210 and a right-hand thread form 220. In an embodiment, the right-hand thread form 220 and the left-hand thread form 210 formed on the lens barrel 130 may overlap. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the left-hand thread form 210 may have the same thread size as the right-hand thread form 220. In an exemplary embodiment, both the right-hand thread form 220 and the left-hand thread form 210 may have the dimensions shown in Table 1. Table 1

[0036] In other words, the first thread 150 can be machined to have both clockwise and counterclockwise threads. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first thread 150 may not form a full 360° circumference around the lens barrel 130. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the lens barrel 130 may include threaded sections 250 and smooth sections 260. In an embodiment, the threaded sections 250 may include threads formed or machined into the lens barrel 130. Meanwhile, the smooth sections 260 may remain smooth and rounded, without any threads formed thereon. In one embodiment, the lens barrel 130 includes six threaded sections 250 and six smooth sections 260. A first thread 150 may be formed on the lens barrel 130, located between the magnification ring 140 and a first end 270 of the lens barrel 130.

[0037] Because the right-hand thread type 220 and the left-hand thread type 210 overlap, when viewed from a cross-section or side, the right-hand thread type 220 and the left-hand thread type 210 can form an "X" shape, such as... Figure 2 As shown.

[0038] Furthermore, the second thread 160 and the third thread 170 have the same or similar thread dimensions as the first thread 150, so that the second thread 160 and the third thread 170 can engage with the first thread 150. In one exemplary embodiment, both the second thread 160 and the third thread 170 may have the dimensions shown in Table 2: Table 2

[0039] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the engagement and locking of a locking nut 120 and an eyepiece housing 110 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, the eyepiece housing 110 is rotatable in a first rotational (e.g., clockwise) direction 310, and a right-hand thread at a first end of the eyepiece housing 110 allows the eyepiece housing 110 to move toward the magnifying ring 140 in a first direction 320. Simultaneously, the locking nut 120 is rotatable in the first rotational (e.g., clockwise) direction 310, and a left-hand thread of the locking nut 120 allows the locking nut 120 to move away from the magnifying ring 140 in a second direction 340. The locking nut 120 can rotate clockwise on a left-hand thread of a first thread 150, while the eyepiece housing 110 can rotate clockwise on a right-hand thread of the first thread 150. As a result, the locking nut 120 can be moved toward the eyepiece housing 110, thereby engaging the locking nut 120 and the eyepiece housing 110 and locking the eyepiece housing 110 in the desired position determined by the user for focusing and observing the optics 100.

[0040] Figure 4 The unlocking of the locking nut 120 and eyepiece housing 110 according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. As shown, the eyepiece housing 110 can rotate in a second rotational (e.g., counterclockwise) direction 330, and the right-hand thread contained in the first end of the eyepiece housing 110 allows the eyepiece housing 110 to move away from the magnifying ring 140 in a second direction 340. Simultaneously, the locking nut 120 can rotate in the second rotational (e.g., counterclockwise) direction 330, and the left-hand thread of the locking nut 120 allows the locking nut 120 to move towards the magnifying ring 140 in a first direction 320. The locking nut 120 can rotate counterclockwise in the form of a left-hand thread of a first thread 150, while the eyepiece housing 110 can rotate counterclockwise in the form of a right-hand thread of the first thread 150. As a result, the locking nut 120 can move away from the eyepiece housing 110, thereby disengaging the locking nut 120 from the eyepiece housing 110 and unlocking the eyepiece housing 110.

[0041] Figure 5The diagram illustrates the translation of a locking nut 120 and an eyepiece housing 110 together according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, the eyepiece housing 110 can rotate in a first rotational (e.g., clockwise) direction 310, and a right-hand thread at the first end of the eyepiece housing 110 allows the eyepiece housing 110 to move away from the magnifying ring 140 in a second direction. Simultaneously, the locking nut 120 can rotate in the first rotational (e.g., clockwise) direction 310, and a left-hand thread of the locking nut 120 allows the locking nut 120 to move away from the magnifying ring 140 in a second direction 340. The locking nut 120 can rotate clockwise on a left-hand thread of a first thread 150, while the eyepiece housing 110 can rotate counterclockwise on a right-hand thread of the first thread 150. This results in the locking nut 120 and the eyepiece housing 110 moving together away from the magnifying ring 140. Although not shown, when the locking nut 120 is rotated counterclockwise and the eyepiece housing 110 is rotated clockwise, the locking nut 120 and the eyepiece housing 110 can be translated together along the first direction 320 toward the magnifying ring 140.

[0042] The force required to separate the locking nut 120 and the eyepiece housing 110 depends on the material of the locking nut 120. A more pliable material will allow for greater compression on the tapered surfaces of the locking nut 120 and the eyepiece housing 110. This compression increases the static friction between the threaded surfaces of the locking nut 120 and the eyepiece housing 110, requiring a greater torque to separate them. Conversely, a harder material will have the opposite effect, making separation and unlocking easier.

[0043] This disclosure will now be further described in the following paragraphs: 1. A locking component, comprising: A lens barrel includes a first thread, wherein the first thread includes an overlapping first rotational direction thread form and a second rotational direction thread form, and the second rotational direction thread form is opposite to the first rotational direction thread form; An eyepiece housing comprising a second thread having a first rotational direction thread form, wherein the second thread is configured to engage with the first rotational direction thread form of the first thread; and A locking nut comprising a third thread having a first rotational direction thread form, wherein the third thread is configured to engage with a second rotational direction thread form of the first thread.

[0044] 2. The locking assembly according to paragraph 1, wherein the first rotation direction is a left-hand thread.

[0045] 3. The locking assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the second rotation direction is a right-hand thread.

[0046] 4. The locking assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the first rotation direction is a right-hand thread.

[0047] 5. The locking assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the second rotation direction is a left-hand thread.

[0048] 6. The locking assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the eyepiece housing is configured to rotate on the first thread according to the first rotation direction thread form, such that the eyepiece housing translates in the first direction toward the magnifying lens formed on the lens barrel.

[0049] 7. The locking assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the locking nut is configured to rotate on the first thread according to the second rotation direction thread form, causing the locking nut to translate away from the magnifying lens formed on the lens barrel in the second direction.

[0050] 8. The locking assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the locking nut is configured to translate along a second direction while the eyepiece lens translates along a first direction, thereby engaging the locking nut with the eyepiece housing and locking the eyepiece housing to a desired position when engaged with the eyepiece housing.

[0051] 9. The locking assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the locking nut is further configured to translate in a first direction when rotated in opposite directions, thereby disengaging the locking nut from the eyepiece housing and unlocking the eyepiece housing from the desired position.

[0052] 10. The locking assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the first pitch diameter of the first rotational direction thread type is substantially the same as the second pitch diameter of the second rotational direction thread type.

[0053] 11. The locking assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the eyepiece housing further includes a diopter.

[0054] 12. The locking assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the lens barrel includes a threaded section and a smooth section, and wherein the first thread is formed in the threaded section.

[0055] 13. An apparatus comprising: A first thread, wherein the first thread includes an overlapping first rotational direction thread form and a second rotational direction thread form, and the second rotational direction thread form is opposite to the first rotational direction thread form; A second thread having the first rotational direction thread form, wherein the second thread is configured to engage with the first rotational direction thread form of the first thread; and A third thread having the first rotational direction thread form, and the third thread being configured to engage with the second rotational direction thread form of the first thread.

[0056] 14. The device according to paragraph 13, wherein the first rotation direction is a left-hand thread.

[0057] 15. The device according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the second rotation direction is a right-hand thread.

[0058] 16. The device according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the first rotation direction is a right-hand thread.

[0059] 17. The device according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the second rotation direction is a left-hand thread.

[0060] 18. The device according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the first pitch diameter of the first rotational direction thread type is substantially the same as the second pitch diameter of the second rotational direction thread type.

[0061] 19. A locking component, comprising: A lens barrel includes a first thread, wherein the first thread includes an overlapping first rotational direction thread form and a second rotational direction thread form, and the second rotational direction thread form is opposite to the first rotational direction thread form; An eyepiece housing comprising a second thread having a first rotational direction thread form, wherein the second thread is configured to engage with the first rotational direction thread form of the first thread; and A locking nut includes a third thread having a first rotational direction thread form, wherein the third thread is configured to engage with a second rotational direction thread form of the first thread. The first pitch diameter of the first rotational direction thread type is approximately the same as the second pitch diameter of the second rotational direction thread type.

[0062] 20. The locking assembly according to paragraph 19, wherein the eyepiece housing is configured to rotate on the first thread according to a first rotational direction thread form, such that the eyepiece housing translates in a first direction toward a magnifying lens formed on the lens barrel; and wherein the locking nut is configured to rotate on the first thread according to a second rotational direction thread form, such that the locking nut translates in a second direction away from the magnifying lens formed on the lens barrel, while the eyepiece lens translates in the first direction, thereby engaging the locking nut with the eyepiece housing and locking the eyepiece housing to a desired position when engaged with the eyepiece housing.

[0063] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structures, components, devices, and methods described in this invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art should also recognize that various materials and different ways can be used to construct this invention. Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention should not be unduly limited to these specific embodiments. While preferred embodiments have been described and illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that various further modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In fact, the various modifications to the modes of carrying out the invention described, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art or related fields, are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A locking component, comprising: A lens barrel includes a first thread, wherein the first thread includes an overlapping first rotational direction thread form and a second rotational direction thread form, and the second rotational direction thread form is opposite to the first rotational direction thread form; An eyepiece housing comprising a second thread having a first rotational direction thread form, wherein the second thread is configured to engage with the first rotational direction thread form of the first thread; and A locking nut comprising a third thread having a first rotational direction thread form, wherein the third thread is configured to engage with a second rotational direction thread form of the first thread.

2. The locking component according to claim 1, wherein, The first rotation direction is a left-hand thread.

3. The locking component according to claim 2, wherein, The second rotation direction is a right-hand thread.

4. The locking component according to claim 1, wherein, The first rotation direction is a right-hand thread.

5. The locking component according to claim 4, wherein, The second rotation direction is a left-hand thread.

6. The locking component according to claim 1, wherein, The eyepiece housing is configured to rotate on the first thread according to the first rotation direction thread form, so that the eyepiece housing translates in the first direction toward the magnifying lens formed on the lens barrel.

7. The locking component according to claim 1, wherein, The locking nut is configured to rotate on the first thread according to the second rotation direction thread form, causing the locking nut to translate away from the magnifying lens formed on the lens barrel in the second direction.

8. The locking component according to claim 1, wherein, The locking nut is configured to translate along a second direction while the eyepiece lens translates along a first direction, thereby engaging the locking nut with the eyepiece housing and locking the eyepiece housing to a desired position when engaged with the eyepiece housing.

9. The locking component according to claim 1, wherein, The locking nut is further configured to translate along a first direction when rotated in the opposite direction, thereby disengaging the locking nut from the eyepiece housing and unlocking the eyepiece housing from the desired position.

10. The locking component according to claim 1, wherein, The first pitch diameter of the first rotational direction thread type is approximately the same as the second pitch diameter of the second rotational direction thread type.

11. The locking component according to claim 1, wherein, The eyepiece housing also includes a refractive power unit.

12. The locking component according to claim 1, wherein, The lens barrel includes a threaded section and a smooth section, wherein the first thread is formed in the threaded section.

13. An apparatus comprising: A first thread, wherein the first thread includes an overlapping first rotational direction thread form and a second rotational direction thread form, and the second rotational direction thread form is opposite to the first rotational direction thread form; A second thread having the first rotational direction thread form, wherein the second thread is configured to engage with the first rotational direction thread form of the first thread; and A third thread having the first rotational direction thread form, and the third thread being configured to engage with the second rotational direction thread form of the first thread.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein, The first rotation direction is a left-hand thread.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein, The second rotation direction is a right-hand thread.

16. The device according to claim 13, wherein, The first rotation direction is a right-hand thread.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein, The second rotation direction is a left-hand thread.

18. The device according to claim 13, wherein, The first pitch diameter of the first rotational direction thread type is approximately the same as the second pitch diameter of the second rotational direction thread type.

19. A locking component, comprising: A lens barrel includes a first thread, wherein the first thread includes an overlapping first rotational direction thread form and a second rotational direction thread form, and the second rotational direction thread form is opposite to the first rotational direction thread form; An eyepiece housing comprising a second thread having a first rotational direction thread form, wherein the second thread is configured to engage with the first rotational direction thread form of the first thread; and A locking nut includes a third thread having a first rotational direction thread form, wherein the third thread is configured to engage with a second rotational direction thread form of the first thread. The first pitch diameter of the first rotational direction thread type is approximately the same as the second pitch diameter of the second rotational direction thread type.

20. The locking component of claim 19, wherein, The eyepiece housing is configured to rotate on the first thread according to the first rotation direction thread, such that the eyepiece housing translates in the first direction toward the magnifying lens formed on the lens barrel; and The locking nut is configured to rotate on the first thread according to the second rotation direction thread form, such that the locking nut translates away from the magnifying lens formed on the lens barrel in the second direction, while the eyepiece lens translates in the first direction, thereby engaging the locking nut with the eyepiece housing and locking the eyepiece housing to the desired position when engaged with the eyepiece housing.

Images