alignment mechanism

Abstract

An alignment mechanism is disclosed. The alignment mechanism uses two adjustment plates. A first adjustment plate pivots about a first adjustment axis, and a second adjustment plate is rotatable about a second adjustment axis. The first and second adjustment axes are perpendicular to each other. The first plate has a front portion through which the first adjustment axis passes and a rear portion having a first alignment surface and a tension spring fixed to the rear portion opposite the first alignment surface. The second adjustment plate has a front portion and a rear portion having a second alignment surface and a tension spring fixed between the second alignment surface and the rear portion of the first adjustment plate.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on December 18, 2020, with application number 202080094076.9 (international application number PCT / US2020 / 065944) and titled "Alignment Mechanism".

[0002] Citation of relevant applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 949,778, filed December 18, 2020, and is a non-provisional application of that provisional application, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to an alignment mechanism. In one embodiment, this disclosure relates to an adjustment mechanism for a rangefinder. Background Technology

[0004] A rangefinder helps the shooter determine the distance to a target. Rangefinders can be standalone or mounted on firearms such as rifles. Once mounted, the rangefinder is first fixed to the weapon and then adjusted so that its aiming point aligns with the weapon's aiming point. However, after firing, the weapon's recoil often shifts the aiming point of the mounted rangefinder. The mounted rangefinder must be readjusted after each firing. Similarly, when a rangefinder is mounted, transporting the weapon can cause it to become misaligned. If the mounted rangefinder is not readjusted before firing, it will give inaccurate readings. Readjusting the mounted rangefinder also consumes firing time.

[0005] For the reasons mentioned above, having a rangefinder with a fixed aiming point that does not move during firing or transport is a significant advantage. Therefore, there is a strong need for an alignment mechanism for mounting rangefinders that can address these issues. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one embodiment, this disclosure provides an alignment mechanism. According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the alignment mechanism includes a first adjusting plate pivoting about a first adjusting axis, the first adjusting plate including a front portion and a rear portion, the first adjusting axis passing through the front portion, the rear portion having a first alignment surface and a tension spring fixed to the rear portion opposite to the first alignment surface; and a second adjusting plate rotatable about a second adjusting axis, the second adjusting plate including a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion having a second alignment surface and a tension spring fixed between the second alignment surface and the rear portion of the first adjusting plate, wherein the first adjusting axis is perpendicular to the second adjusting axis.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first adjusting plate is a horizontal adjusting plate and the second adjusting plate is a vertical adjusting plate. In another embodiment, the second adjusting plate includes a pair of legs extending outward away from the front portion. In yet another embodiment, the second adjusting plate is configured to fix the rangefinder chassis. In a further embodiment, the second adjusting plate is connected to the first adjusting plate at a second adjusting axis. In an embodiment, the second adjusting plate rotates relative to the first adjusting plate.

[0008] In another embodiment, this disclosure provides a rangefinder. According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the rangefinder includes a housing; a rangefinder chassis contained within the housing; and an alignment mechanism contained within the housing, wherein the alignment mechanism includes a horizontal adjustment plate pivoting about a horizontal adjustment axis, the horizontal adjustment plate having a front portion and a rear portion through which the first adjustment axis passes, the rear portion having a horizontal alignment surface and a horizontal tension spring fixed between the rear portion and the housing opposite to the horizontal alignment surface, and a vertical adjustment plate rotatable about a vertical adjustment axis, the vertical adjustment plate having a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion having a vertical alignment surface, wherein the vertical tension spring is fixed between the vertical alignment surface and the rear portion of the horizontal adjustment plate, wherein the horizontal adjustment axis is perpendicular to the vertical adjustment axis, and wherein the rangefinder chassis is fixed to the vertical adjustment plate.

[0009] In one embodiment, the vertical adjustment plate rotates relative to the horizontal adjustment plate about the vertical adjustment axis. In a further embodiment, the vertical adjustment plate is fixed to the horizontal adjustment plate at the vertical adjustment axis.

[0010] In one embodiment, the rangefinder further includes a leveling plunger that passes through a first opening in the housing to contact the horizontal alignment surface. In another embodiment, axial movement of the leveling plunger into the housing compresses the horizontal tension spring from a first compressed state to a second compressed state. In a further embodiment, axial movement of the leveling plunger into the housing pivots the leveling plate about the leveling axis from a first position to a second position.

[0011] In one embodiment, the rangefinder further includes a vertical adjustment plunger that passes through a second opening in the housing to contact the vertical alignment surface. In another embodiment, axial movement of the vertical adjustment plunger into the housing compresses the vertical tension spring from a first compressed state to a second compressed state. In a further embodiment, axial movement of the vertical adjustment plunger into the housing rotates the vertical adjustment plate relative to the horizontal adjustment plate about the vertical adjustment axis from a first position to a second position.

[0012] In this embodiment, the horizontal tension spring and the vertical tension spring are in a compressed state within the movement range of the horizontal adjustment plate and the vertical adjustment plate, respectively.

[0013] In one embodiment, the rangefinder is configured to be fixed to a firearm. In another embodiment, the firearm is a rifle. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Embodiments of this disclosure are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. This disclosure is not limited in its application to the construction details or component arrangements shown in the drawings. Other embodiments of this disclosure are possible, or it can be practiced or performed in various other ways. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same parts. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a top left perspective view of the alignment mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of its upper right corner.

[0016] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of its lower right corner.

[0017] Figure 4 According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 1 The alignment mechanism shown is used in conjunction with the rangefinder chassis in the housing. (Top left perspective view)

[0018] Figure 5 This is its right-side perspective view.

[0019] Figure 6 This is its left-side top view.

[0020] Before explaining the embodiments of this disclosure in detail, it should be understood that this disclosure, in its application, is not limited to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or shown in the accompanying drawings. The technology of this disclosure can be implemented or practiced in various ways. Furthermore, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The apparatuses 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 apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0022] Those skilled in the art will understand that this set of features and / or capabilities can be readily adapted to other arrangements of stand-alone weapon sights, front-mounted or rear-mounted clip-on weapon sights, and field-deployed optical weapon sights. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that various combinations of features and capabilities can be incorporated into add-on modules for retrofitting any kind of existing fixed or variable weapon sights.

[0023] It should be understood that when a component or layer is referred to as being "located in," "connected to," or "attached to" another component or layer, it can be directly located in, connected to, or attached to that other component or layer. Alternatively, there may be an intermediate component or layer. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly located in," "directly connected to," or "directly attached to" another component or layer, there is no intermediate component or layer.

[0024] Throughout the text, the same reference numerals denote the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of more than one of the related listed items.

[0025] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, and / or parts are not limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, or part from another element, component, region, or part. Therefore, without departing from this disclosure, the first element, component, region, or part discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, or part.

[0026] For ease of description, this document may use spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “down,” “above,” “up,” etc., to describe the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figures and another element or feature. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientations shown in the figures, spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as “below” or “under” other elements or features would be oriented “above” other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can include both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90° or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein shall be interpreted accordingly.

[0027] The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate and therefore may include values ​​outside of those ranges unless otherwise stated. A numerical range includes all values ​​from and including both the lower and upper limits, in increments of one unit, provided there is an interval of at least two units between any lower and any higher value. For example, if the compositional, physical, or other properties (such as molecular weight, melt index, temperature, etc.) are from 100 to 1000, it is intended to explicitly list all individual values ​​(such as 100, 101, 102, etc.) and subranges (such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc.). For ranges containing values ​​less than 1 or containing fractions greater than 1 (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is considered as 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1, depending on the case. 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 examples of specific use, and all possible combinations of numerical values ​​between the listed minimum and maximum values ​​should be considered as explicitly stated in this disclosure. This disclosure provides numerical ranges of the relative amounts of components in the mixture, as well as ranges of various temperatures and other parameters listed in the method.

[0028] As used herein, the term "firearm" refers to any device that propels an object or projectile in a controlled manner. Firearms include, but are not limited to, pistols, single-chamber pistols, rifles, machine guns, and Gatling guns, including single-shot, semi-automatic, and fully automatic firearms.

[0029] As used herein, the term "observation optics" refers to a device used by a shooter or observer to select, identify, or monitor a target. "Observation optics" may rely on visual observation of the target, or, for example, on infrared (IR) imaging, ultraviolet (UV) imaging, radar imaging, thermal imaging, microwave imaging, or magnetic imaging, radiation including X-rays, gamma rays, isotopic and particle radiation, night vision, vibration receivers including ultrasound, acoustic pulses, sonar, seismic vibrations, magnetic resonance, gravity sensors, broadcast frequencies including radio waves, television and cellular receivers, or other images of the target. The target image presented to the shooter by the "observation optics" device may be unchanged, or it may be enhanced, for example, by magnification, enlargement, subtraction, superposition, filtering, stabilization, template matching, or other means. The target selected, identified, or monitored by the "observation optics" may be within the shooter's line of sight, tangent to the shooter's line of sight, or the shooter's line of sight may be obstructed when the target acquisition device presents a focused image of the target to the shooter. The image of the target acquired by the "observation optical lens" can be, for example, analog or digital, and can be transmitted via, for example, video, physical cable or wire, IR, radio waves, cellular connection, laser pulse, optical, 802.11b, or other wireless transmissions using protocols such as HTML, SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, etc., or Bluetooth. TM Images can be shared, stored, archived, or transmitted within a network of more than one shooter and observer using serial, USB, or other suitable image distribution methods. The term "observation optics" may be used interchangeably with "optical sight."

[0030] As used in this article, the term “external scene” refers to a real-world scene, including but not limited to the target.

[0031] As used herein, the term "shooter" applies to the operator who fires the shot or to an individual who observes the shot in cooperation with the operator who fires the shot.

[0032] In one embodiment, this disclosure relates to an alignment mechanism that allows a user to align a laser with a firearm. In another embodiment, this disclosure relates to an alignment mechanism incorporating horizontal adjustment that allows a user to align a laser with a firearm.

[0033] In one embodiment, this disclosure relates to an alignment mechanism that allows a user to align a laser with a firearm and an observation optics. In another embodiment, this disclosure relates to an alignment mechanism incorporating horizontal adjustment that allows a user to align a laser with a firearm and an observation optics.

[0034] Figure 1-3 An alignment mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The alignment mechanism 100 includes two plates—a horizontal adjustment plate 10 and a vertical adjustment plate 20.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the leveling plate 10 has a generally dovetail shape, with the front portion 11a wider than the rear portion 11b. A leveling shaft 12 is located at the front portion 11a. An opening through the front portion 11a is coaxial with the leveling shaft 12. A bolt 13 passes through the opening to secure the alignment mechanism 100 to the housing, but still allows pivoting movement of the alignment mechanism 100 about the leveling shaft 12.

[0036] The rear portion 11b includes a horizontal alignment surface 15 on one side and a horizontal tension spring 18 on the opposite side. In the particular embodiment shown, the horizontal alignment surface 15 is located on the left side of the rear portion 11b, and the horizontal tension spring 18 is located on the right side of the rear portion 11b. In a further embodiment, the horizontal alignment surface 15 and the horizontal tension spring 18 may be interchanged. The rear portion 11b also includes a block 50 with an opening 51.

[0037] In one embodiment, more than one pin passes through opening 51. In one embodiment, more than one pin passes through opening 51 and connects the leveling plate 10 to the housing, while still allowing the leveling plate to pivot about the leveling axis.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical adjustment plate 20 also has a generally dovetail shape, with the front portion 21a wider than the rear portion 21b. The vertical adjustment shaft 22 is located near the transition from the front portion 21a to the rear portion 21b and is perpendicular to the horizontal adjustment shaft 12. An opening through the vertical adjustment plate 20 is coaxial with the vertical adjustment shaft 22. A pin 24 passes through the opening to allow rotational movement of the vertical adjustment plate 20 relative to the horizontal adjustment plate 10 about the vertical adjustment shaft 22.

[0039] The front portion 21a has an upper surface 30 whose contour matches the geometry of the lower surface of the rangefinder chassis. Two openings 29 through the upper surface 30 allow the rangefinder chassis (not shown) to be secured to the alignment mechanism 100. A pair of legs 26 extend outward from the front portion 21a, generally perpendicular to the vertical adjustment axis 22. Each of the distal ends of these legs 26 has a fixing structure 27 for securing the rangefinder chassis.

[0040] The rear portion 21b includes a vertical alignment surface 25 located at its distal end, wherein a vertical tension spring 28 is fixed between the lower side of the vertical alignment surface 25 and the horizontal adjustment plate 10. (As...) Figure 1-3 As shown, the vertical adjustment plate 20 is tilted relative to the horizontal adjustment plate 10. This is partly due to the specific shape of the rangefinder chassis of the alignment mechanism 100 to be used, for example, regarding Figure 4-6As shown and further described, the angle between the vertical adjustment plate 20 and the horizontal adjustment plate 10 is also affected by the relaxed state of the vertical tension spring 28, which supports the vertical adjustment plate 20, and in particular, the vertical alignment surface 25 is away from the horizontal adjustment plate 10, such that the front portion 21a is tilted toward the horizontal adjustment plate 10.

[0041] Figure 4-6 Show Figure 1-3 The alignment mechanism 100 is used in conjunction with the rangefinder chassis 300 and is contained within the housing 200 to form a rangefinder 400 for use with a firearm. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 200 is configured as multiple components and held together using screws 205. However, in further embodiments, the housing may be configured with more or fewer components and / or held together using different structures or devices. The front of the housing 200 includes a window 201, the size of which is approximately equal to or larger than the front side of the rangefinder chassis 300.

[0042] The housing 200 further includes two openings—a first opening 210 on the side and a second opening 220 on the top. (See also...) Figure 4 As shown, the horizontal adjusting plunger 215 engages with the first opening 210 in the housing 200. The inner end surface of the horizontal adjusting plunger 215 contacts the horizontal alignment surface 15 of the horizontal adjusting plate 10. Similarly, the vertical adjusting plunger 225 engages with the second opening 220 in the housing 200. The inner end surface of the vertical adjusting plunger 225 contacts the vertical alignment surface 25 of the vertical adjusting plate 20.

[0043] like Figure 4-6 As shown, the horizontal adjusting plunger 215 and the vertical adjusting plunger 225 are threaded within the opening, and their axial positions are controlled by simple screw adjustment. In other embodiments, different structures and / or mechanisms may be used to allow adjustment of the plunger's axial position, such as structures that allow adjustment of the plunger without tools.

[0044] To adjust the horizontal alignment of the rangefinder, i.e., to adjust the position of the rangefinder chassis 300, the axial position of the horizontal adjustment plunger 215 is changed. The horizontal adjustment plunger 215 is moved further into the housing 200, causing its inner end surface to push against the horizontal alignment surface 15. As the horizontal adjustment plunger 215 continues to push against the horizontal alignment surface 15, the horizontal tension spring 18 is compressed between the horizontal adjustment plate 10 and the housing 200, and the horizontal adjustment plate 10 pivots about the horizontal adjustment axis 12. In the specific embodiment shown, where the horizontal alignment surface 15 is located to the left of the horizontal adjustment plate 10 and the horizontal tension spring 18 is located to the right of the horizontal adjustment plate 10, increasing the compression of the horizontal tension spring 18 (i.e., moving the horizontal adjustment plunger 215 further into the housing) causes the horizontal adjustment plate 10 to pivot counterclockwise. To adjust the aim in the opposite direction, the horizontal adjustment plunger 215 moves outward, thereby releasing the pressure on the horizontal alignment surface 15 and allowing the horizontal tension spring 18 to relax. Importantly, the horizontal tension spring 18 will never be in a fully relaxed state. To maintain alignment, there will always be a certain amount of compression. In the illustrated embodiment, as the horizontal tension spring 18 is allowed to relax, it pushes the horizontal adjustment plate 10, causing it to pivot clockwise about the horizontal adjustment axis 12. It should be understood that if the positions of the horizontal alignment surface 15 and the horizontal tension spring 18 are reversed, the opposite will occur.

[0045] To adjust the vertical alignment of the rangefinder (i.e., to adjust the position of the rangefinder chassis 300), the axial position of the vertical adjustment plunger 225 is changed. The vertical adjustment plunger 225 is moved further into the housing 200, causing the inner end surface of the vertical adjustment plunger 225 to push against the vertical alignment surface 25. As the vertical adjustment plunger 225 continues to push against the vertical alignment surface 25, the vertical tension spring 28 is compressed between the vertical adjustment plate 20 and the horizontal adjustment plate 10, and the vertical adjustment plate 20 rotates about the vertical adjustment axis 22. In the specific embodiment shown, increasing the compression of the vertical tension spring 28 (i.e., moving the vertical adjustment plunger 225 further into the housing) causes the vertical adjustment plate 20 to rotate, causing the front portion 21a of the vertical adjustment plate 20 to rise from the horizontal adjustment plate 10. To adjust aiming in the opposite direction, the vertical adjustment plunger 225 moves outward, thereby releasing the pressure on the vertical alignment surface 25 and allowing the vertical tension spring 28 to relax. Importantly, the vertical tension spring 28 will never be fully relaxed. There will always be some compression to maintain alignment. In the illustrated embodiment, as the vertical tension spring 28 is allowed to relax, it pushes the lower side of the vertical alignment surface 25, causing the front portion 21a of the vertical adjustment plate 20 to rotate toward the horizontal adjustment plate 10.

[0046] By providing two different adjusting plates 10 and 20, isolating the horizontal adjusting shaft 12 and the vertical adjusting shaft 22, and using the constant tension of springs to fix the alignment point, any movement of the rangefinder chassis 300 and housing 200 due to gun recoil or transport returns to the fixed alignment point. In other words, because the horizontal tension spring 18 and the vertical tension spring 28 are never fully relaxed, there is always a reaction force applied to the adjusting plates 10 and 20. As a result, if the rangefinder chassis 300 moves within the housing, the horizontal tension spring 18 and the vertical tension spring 28 push the adjusting plates 10 and 20 back to their respective horizontal adjusting plungers 215 and vertical adjusting plungers 225 to return the rangefinder chassis 300 to its set position.

[0047] Although the alignment mechanism is described as being used with the rangefinder chassis, it should be understood that other devices can also be used with the alignment mechanism.

[0048] Although various embodiments of the alignment mechanism and rangefinder have been described in detail, it is obvious that modifications and variations are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Regarding the foregoing description, it should be understood that optimal dimensional relationships of the components of the disclosed technology, including variations in size, material, shape, form, function and operation, assembly and use, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those shown in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered merely an illustration of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since many modifications and variations will readily conceive of those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact constructions and operations shown and described, and therefore, all suitable modifications and equivalents are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An alignment mechanism, comprising: A first adjusting plate, which pivots about a first adjusting shaft, the first adjusting plate includes a front part and a rear part, the first adjusting shaft passes through the front part, the rear part has a first alignment surface and a tension spring, the tension spring being fixed to the rear part at the opposite end of the first alignment surface; A second adjusting plate, rotatable about a second adjusting axis, includes a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion having a second alignment surface and a tension spring fixed between the second alignment surface and the rear portion of the first adjusting plate. The first adjustment shaft is perpendicular to the second adjustment shaft.

2. The alignment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The first adjusting plate is a horizontal adjusting plate and the second adjusting plate is a vertical adjusting plate.

3. The alignment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The second adjustment plate includes a pair of legs extending outwards away from the front portion.

4. The alignment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The second adjustment plate is configured to fix the rangefinder chassis.

5. The alignment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The second adjusting plate is connected to the first adjusting plate at the second adjusting shaft.

6. The alignment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The second adjusting plate rotates relative to the first adjusting plate.

7. A rangefinder, comprising: case; The rangefinder chassis is contained within the housing; as well as An alignment mechanism, contained within the housing, wherein the alignment mechanism includes... A horizontal adjustment plate, pivoting about a horizontal adjustment axis, having a front portion and a rear portion, the first adjustment axis passing through the front portion, and the rear portion having a horizontal alignment surface and a horizontal tension spring fixed between the rear portion and the housing opposite to the horizontal alignment surface. A vertical adjustment plate, rotatable about a vertical adjustment axis, has a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion having a vertical alignment surface, wherein a vertical tension spring is fixed between the vertical alignment surface and the rear portion of the horizontal adjustment plate. Wherein, the horizontal adjustment axis is perpendicular to the vertical adjustment axis, and The rangefinder chassis is fixed to the vertical adjustment plate.

8. The rangefinder according to claim 7, wherein, The vertical adjustment plate rotates relative to the horizontal adjustment plate around the vertical adjustment axis.

9. The rangefinder according to claim 7, wherein, The vertical adjustment plate is fixed to the horizontal adjustment plate at the vertical adjustment axis.

10. The rangefinder of claim 7, further comprising a horizontal adjustment plunger that passes through a first opening in the housing to contact the horizontal alignment surface.

11. The rangefinder according to claim 10, wherein, The axial movement of the horizontal adjusting plunger into the housing causes the horizontal tension spring to be compressed from a first compression state to a second compression state.

12. The rangefinder according to claim 10, wherein, The axial movement of the horizontal adjustment plunger into the housing causes the horizontal adjustment plate to pivot from a first position to a second position around the horizontal adjustment axis.

13. The rangefinder of claim 7, further comprising a vertical adjustment plunger that passes through a second opening in the housing to contact the vertical alignment surface.

14. The rangefinder according to claim 13, wherein, The axial movement of the vertical adjusting plunger into the housing causes the vertical tension spring to be compressed from a first compression state to a second compression state.

15. The rangefinder according to claim 13, wherein, The axial movement of the vertical adjustment plunger into the housing causes the vertical adjustment plate to rotate relative to the horizontal adjustment plate around the vertical adjustment axis from a first position to a second position.

16. The rangefinder according to claim 7, wherein, The horizontal tension spring and the vertical tension spring are in a compressed state within the movement range of the horizontal adjustment plate and the vertical adjustment plate, respectively.

17. The rangefinder of claim 7, configured to be fixed to a firearm.

18. The rangefinder according to claim 17, wherein, The firearm in question is a rifle.

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