Adapter device for attaching an additional device and mounting rings of an adapter device

Abstract

Adapter device (1) for attaching an accessory device (2), in particular a night vision device or a thermal imaging device, to an eyepiece section (27) or an objective section (28) of a telescope (3), in particular a riflescope, with a first fastening ring (4) which has a first fastening section (5) for fastening the adapter device (1) to the telescope (3) and which is provided for receiving on an outer circumference (6) of the eyepiece section (27) or the objective section (28) of the telescope (3), and with a second fastening section (7), in particular a thread (8), for fastening the adapter device (1) to the accessory device (2), wherein the adapter device (1) is designed to be divisible and comprises a second fastening ring (9) which has the second fastening section (7), and wherein the first and the second fastening rings (4, 9) can be detachably connected to each other by means of a quick-release fastener (10), characterized by that the quick-release fastener (10) on one of the two fastening rings (4, 9) comprises at least one arrangement (11) of lugs (12) distributed in the direction of rotation, which interact with receptacles (13) distributed in the direction of rotation on the other of the two fastening rings (4, 9), and that the noses (12) and the receptacles (13) are designed as clamping wedges (14) and connect the two fastening rings (4, 9) to each other in an axial direction in a force-fit manner.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an adapter device for attaching an additional device to a telescope, in particular a riflescope. The adapter device includes a first fastening ring, which has a first fastening portion for attaching the adapter device to the eyepiece portion or objective portion of the telescope and which is intended for reception on an outer circumference of the telescope. Furthermore, the adapter device has a second fastening portion, in particular a thread, for attaching the adapter device to the additional device.

[0002] Telescopes are used, for example, for nature observation. In the form of riflescopes, they can also be used with measuring instruments and firearms to precisely aim them at a distant target. To expand the range of applications of the telescopes, it is possible to attach additional devices directly to the telescope. Examples of additional devices include night vision devices or thermal imaging devices, which enable improved visibility in the dark for both observation and hunting.

[0003] For example, DE 202 00 866 U1 discloses attaching a night vision device directly to the weapon using a special mounting adapter. The device is attached to the weapon independently of the riflescope. Due to tolerances, this can lead to incorrect positioning of the device relative to the riflescope, resulting in aiming errors.

[0004] In order to improve the alignment of an additional device with respect to a telescope, it has also become known to attach additional devices directly to the telescope using adapter devices. Such adapter devices comprise an adapter sleeve which can be fixed with its first end to the outer diameter of the telescope, in particular an eyepiece section or objective section of the telescope, and which has a receptacle for the additional device at its second end. The receptacle can be matched to a manufacturer-specific mounting section of the additional device, such that the adapter device can only be used with additional devices from this manufacturer. Furthermore, adapter devices have become known from various manufacturers in which the adapter sleeve has a thread as a receptacle for the additional device.These adapter sleeves must be screwed onto the additional device and can then be attached to the rifle scope using a quick-release device.

[0005] US Pat. No. 6,089,761 A discloses a bayonet device for connecting a lens to a camera. The camera bayonet mount is designed to be connectable to various lens bayonet mounts. The document does not describe how the two parts of the bayonet mount are centered relative to each other or how the connection is secured to ensure the lens is securely attached to the camera.

[0006] DE 101 21 439 A1 also discloses a bayonet lock for connecting a lens to a camera. To center the two parts of the bayonet lock, two diametrically opposed spring elements are provided, which simultaneously allow locking projections to engage in corresponding locking grooves. This prevents decentering even when the two parts of the bayonet lock are released. The spring elements are designed, in particular, as leaf springs and can also act in an axial direction to secure the connection of the bayonet lock.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to propose a further improved adapter device for attaching an additional device to an eyepiece section or objective section of a telescope.

[0008] The problem is solved by an adapter device and a first and a second fastening ring with the features of the independent patent claims.

[0009] An adapter device for attaching an additional device, in particular a night vision device or a thermal imaging device, to a telescope, in particular a riflescope, comprises a first fastening ring, which has a first fastening portion for attaching the adapter device to the telescope and which is intended for reception on an outer circumference of the eyepiece portion or objective portion of the telescope. The adapter device further comprises a second fastening portion, in particular a thread, for attaching the adapter device to the additional device.

[0010] The adapter device is designed to be separable and includes a second fastening ring, which has the second fastening section. The first and second fastening rings are releasably connectable to one another by means of a quick-release fastener.

[0011] Protection is also claimed for a first fastening ring of an adapter device having a first fastening portion for fastening the adapter device to an eyepiece portion or objective portion of a telescope, wherein the fastening ring is provided for reception on an outer circumference of the eyepiece portion or objective portion of the telescope. For detachable connection to a second fastening ring of the adapter device, the fastening ring includes a locking portion having parts of a quick-release fastener.

[0012] Likewise, protection is claimed for a second fastening ring of an adapter device having a second fastening portion, in particular a thread, for fastening the adapter device to an additional device. The second fastening ring includes a locking portion having parts of a quick-release fastener for releasably connecting to a first fastening ring of the adapter device.

[0013] The fact that the adapter device is now designed in two parts offers several advantages. Firstly, due to the two-part design, the first fastening ring, which is designed as an adapter sleeve, can remain on the telescope and does not have to be removed along with the additional device. Instead, the additional device can be easily removed from the telescope and the first fastening ring using the quick-release fastener. The second fastening ring can also remain on the additional device and does not have to be removed to remove the additional device. This makes handling the adapter device easier.

[0014] Furthermore, the detachable design of the adapter not only allows for quick installation and removal of an accessory, but also for quick replacement of accessories, as the second mounting ring can remain attached. The second mounting ring is compact and therefore does not interfere with the attachment. To use multiple accessories interchangeably, simply add several second mounting rings.

[0015] In addition, the detachable design of the adapter with its quick-release fastener allows for positioning of the accessory relative to the optical axis of the telescope with high repeatability. The first mounting ring only needs to be precisely positioned once on the eyepiece or objective section of the telescope. With prior-art adapter sleeves, however, tolerances in both the adapter sleeve and the telescope could lead to positioning deviations regarding the optical axis of the accessory and the riflescope.

[0016] According to the invention, the quick-release fastener comprises at least one arrangement of lugs distributed in the circumferential direction on one of the two fastening rings, which interact with receptacles distributed in the circumferential direction on the other of the two fastening rings. The lugs engage in the receptacles and form-fit the two fastening rings in the axial direction. The quick-release fastener is preferably designed as a plug-in twist-lock fastener.

[0017] The quick-release fastener can also comprise a further arrangement on one of the two fastening rings, for example, two arrangements of lugs distributed in the circumferential direction for connection to an alternative fastening ring. Using the further arrangement of lugs, one of the two fastening rings can be connected to other fastening rings of different diameters.

[0018] It is particularly advantageous if the receptacles are arranged on the first fastening ring and the lugs are arranged on the second fastening ring. However, a reverse arrangement is also conceivable.

[0019] The second mounting ring, which is provided for attaching the adapter device to the additional device, comprises, as part of the quick-release fastener, at least one arrangement of lugs distributed in the circumferential direction, which are designed to interact with the receptacles of the first mounting ring. The arrangement of the lugs on the second mounting ring has the advantage that they cannot be damaged during daily use of the riflescope, since the second mounting ring does not remain attached to the scope.

[0020] It is also advantageous if the first mounting ring, which is intended for mounting on an outer circumference of the telescope, has receptacles for lugs of the second mounting ring arranged at one of its front ends as parts of the quick-release fastener, distributed in the circumferential direction. The receptacles are preferably arranged distributed along the inner circumference of the first mounting ring. This prevents damage to the receptacles during handling of the riflescope, even if the first mounting ring remains on the telescope.

[0021] According to the invention, the lugs and the receptacles are designed as clamping wedges and connect the two fastening rings to each other in a force-locking manner in the axial direction. This makes the connection between the two fastening rings recoil-proof. The force-locking connection is preferably provided in addition to the positive connection by the plug-in rotary connection.

[0022] It is also advantageous if the lugs and the receptacles each have first centering surfaces for centering the two fastening rings relative to one another. The two fastening rings, and thus the additional device and the telescope, can thus be connected to one another with repeatable accuracy and in the correct position, even after multiple mountings. This ensures the exact alignment of the optical axis of the additional device with the optical axis of the telescope. In the second fastening ring, the lugs each have first centering surfaces for centering the second fastening ring on the first fastening ring. Likewise, in the first fastening ring, the receptacles each have first centering surfaces for centering the first fastening ring on the second fastening ring.

[0023] It is also advantageous if the first fastening section can be secured to the eyepiece section or objective section of the telescope by means of a clamp lock. The clamp lock can, for example, be designed as a quick-release lock, which can be opened quickly by turning a lever, for example. However, the clamp lock can also be designed as a screw-type clamp lock. The clamp lock can also contain a collet, which is used to adjust the diameter. The first fastening section can, for example, be fastened to the telescope using a union nut and the collet. Since the first fastening ring can remain on the telescope due to the divisible design of the adapter device, the screw-type clamp lock can additionally support the repeatable installation of the additional device, even during many installation processes.

[0024] It is also particularly advantageous if the first mounting section has a centering device for centering the first mounting ring on the eyepiece section or objective section of the telescope. This ensures the precise alignment of the optical axis of the accessory with the optical axis of the telescope.

[0025] The centering device preferably has three second centering surfaces arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the fastening section. In the case of the first fastening ring, it is correspondingly advantageous if the first fastening section has a centering device with preferably three second centering surfaces arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the fastening section for centering the first fastening ring on the eyepiece section or objective section of the telescope. Thus, only the centering surfaces need to be manufactured with high precision in order to achieve exact alignment of the first fastening ring with respect to the telescope. The first fastening section can thus advantageously also be designed as a tension lock without impairing the centering of the first fastening ring on the eyepiece section or objective section of the telescope.

[0026] It is also advantageous if the diameter of the second centering surfaces corresponds to an outer diameter of the eyepiece section or objective section of the telescope intended for attachment. Preferably, the second centering surfaces and the outer diameter are zero-dimensioned relative to one another or have a clearance fit with a maximum clearance of 5 / 100 mm. This allows the centering of the first mounting ring on the telescope to be carried out even more precisely.

[0027] With the second fastening ring, it is further advantageous if the second fastening section is provided with a thread and has a leg that is elastically flexible relative to the closure section and can be pressed against the threaded section of the additional device. The second fastening ring can thus be securely clamped onto a threaded section of the additional device and thus precisely fixed in the desired angular position. This prevents unintentional detachment of the fastening ring from the additional device. Likewise, twisting of the second fastening ring, which could lead to incorrect images, is avoided.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the second fastening section has a reduced wall thickness over a portion of its circumference, with the portion with the reduced wall thickness forming the elastically flexible leg. By reducing the wall thickness, the leg can be deformed more easily relative to the closure section, so that the elastically flexible leg can be formed integrally on the second fastening ring.

[0029] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the elastically flexible leg is at least partially separated from the closure portion by a transverse slot extending in the axial direction of the fastening ring and a longitudinal slot extending in the radial direction of the fastening ring. The elastically flexible leg is thus exposed and can thus also be deformed more easily than the closure portion.

[0030] It is also advantageous if the elastically flexible leg can be pressed against the threaded section of the accessory using a clamping screw. This allows the second fastening ring to be fixed particularly securely and securely to the threaded section of the accessory.

[0031] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. They show: Fig. 1 an adapter device with an additional device and a telescope in a schematic overview, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a second fastening ring according to a first embodiment, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a second fastening ring according to a second embodiment with an additional device, Fig. 4 a perspective view of a first fastening ring, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a force-locking connection between the first and the second fastening ring, Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a centering device for centering the first fastening ring, Fig. 7 a perspective view of a second fastening ring according to a third embodiment, Fig. 8 a perspective view of a second fastening ring according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. 9 a perspective view of a second fastening ring according to a fifth embodiment, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a first fastening ring according to a second embodiment, which is designed to cooperate with the second fastening ring of the Fig. 9 is trained.

[0032] In the following description of the exemplary embodiments, identical features or features that are at least comparable in their design and / or mode of operation are provided with the same reference numerals. Furthermore, these features are only explained in detail when they are first mentioned, while the following exemplary embodiments only address the differences from the previously described exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, for reasons of clarity, often only one or a few of several identical components or features are labeled.

[0033] Fig. Figure 1 shows an adapter device 1 for attaching an additional device 2 to a telescope 3. The telescope 3 can, for example, be a riflescope for a weapon, but can also be designed as an observation telescope. The adapter device 1 enables the quick and easy connection of the additional device 2 to the telescope 3.

[0034] The adapter device 1 is designed to be separable and includes a first fastening ring 4, which can be fixed on an outer circumference 6 of the telescope 3. The first fastening ring 4 includes a first fastening section 5, which can be fastened to the telescope 3 by means of a clamping lock 17. The clamping lock 17 is designed as a quick-action clamp and can be opened and closed with a lever 16, as symbolized by the arrow and the dot-dash second position of the lever 16. Alternatively, the clamping lock 17 could also be designed as a screw clamping lock 17, such as Fig. 4. The first fastening ring 4 is constructed similarly to the known adapter sleeves of the prior art.

[0035] In contrast to known adapter devices 1, the present adapter device 1 has a second fastening ring 9, which includes a second fastening section 7, by means of which it is connected to the additional device 2. The second fastening section 7 can, for example, be designed as a thread 8 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) or to a special, manufacturer-specific fastening device 33 (see Fig. 3) an additional device.

[0036] The first and second fastening rings 4, 9 can be detachably connected to one another by means of a quick-release fastener 10. The first fastening ring 4 and the second fastening ring 9 each have parts of the quick-release fastener 10. To mount or dismount the additional device 2, it is therefore only necessary to loosen or fasten the quick-release fastener 10. The first fastening ring 4 no longer needs to be detached from the telescope 3, but can also be left firmly on the telescope 3. The adapter device 1 and thus also the additional device 2 are thus permanently correctly aligned with the telescope 3 once the first fastening ring 4 has been correctly positioned on the telescope 3. In order to position the first fastening ring 4 as precisely as possible on the telescope 3, the first fastening ring 4 preferably includes a centering device 18 (see Fig. 6).

[0037] The second fastening ring 9 can also remain attached to the additional device 2 thanks to its divisible design, but can also be quickly and easily removed and connected to other additional devices 2. In addition, the divisible design of the adapter device 1 also offers the advantage that various second fastening rings 9 with differently designed second fastening sections 7 can be used for different additional devices 2, even from different manufacturers. This makes changing the additional device 2 particularly quick and convenient. For example, a night vision device can be quickly replaced with a thermal imaging device when used for hunting.

[0038] The divisible adapter device 1 with the quick-release fastener 10 thus automatically and repeatedly positions the additional device and the telescope 3 precisely relative to each other.

[0039] According to the present illustration, the adapter device 1 and the additional device 2 are attached to an objective section 28 of the telescope 3. However, it is also possible to attach the additional device to an eyepiece section 27 of the telescope 3. The eyepiece section 27 and the objective section 28 differ only in diameter; otherwise, the first fastening ring 4 can also be attached to the first fastening section 5 on the eyepiece section 27 in the same manner as previously described.

[0040] Fig. Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a second fastening ring 9, which is intended for attachment to an additional device 2. The second fastening section 7 is designed here in the form of a thread 8, but could also, as in Fig. 1 described, may be designed differently. An arrangement 11 of lugs 12 is arranged on a closure section 26 of the fastening rings 4, 9 as parts of the quick-release fastener 10. In the present example, a total of five lugs 12 are arranged on the second fastening ring 9, which are evenly distributed over an outer circumference 6 of the second fastening ring 9. The lugs 12 are designed to cooperate with corresponding receptacles 13 of the first fastening ring 4, which in Fig. 4. For this purpose, the lugs 12 each include at least one contact surface 21 which, in the assembled state of the adapter device 1, engages a complementary contact surface 21 of the receptacle 13 (see Fig. 4) is present.

[0041] Furthermore, in the present example, the lugs 12 each have a first centering surface 15, by means of which the second fastening ring 9 can be centered on the first fastening ring 4. For this purpose, the first centering surfaces 15 of the lugs 12 interact with the first centering surfaces 15 of the receptacles 13 (see Fig. 4). The first centering surfaces 15 of the lugs 12 therefore have a common first centering diameter ZD1. Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable to provide a separate centering section on the fastening rings 4, 9.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a second fastening ring 9. In contrast to the fastening ring 9 of Fig. 2, the present second fastening ring 9 has a further arrangement 11 of lugs 12 distributed in the circumferential direction. The lugs 12 are designed analogously to the lugs 12 of the first arrangement 11, but are matched to a smaller first fastening ring 4. The common second centering diameter ZD2 of the further arrangement 11 of lugs 12 is therefore smaller than the centering diameter ZD1 of the first arrangement 1. The second fastening ring 9 can therefore also be used with first fastening rings 4 of different sizes. The second fastening ring 9 of the Fig. 3 can therefore also be referred to as a duo connector. For example, telescopes 3 with outer diameters of 56 mm and 62 mm are common, which in turn determine the size of the first mounting rings 4.

[0043] In Fig. For better understanding, Figure 3 also shows a fastening device 33 of an additional device 2, to which the second fastening ring 9 can be fastened by means of its fastening section 7. The fastening device 33 of the additional device 2 comprises a threaded section 29, which interacts with the thread 8 of the second fastening ring 9. Alternatively, the fastening device 33 of the additional device could also be designed in a different, manufacturer-specific manner.

[0044] Fig. 4 shows a first fastening ring 4 in perspective view, which is similar to Fig. 1, is designed in the manner of an adapter sleeve. It has a first fastening section 5, which is interrupted in the circumferential direction by a tension lock 17 and separated by a slot 25 from a closure section 26 of the fastening ring 4, which connects the parts of the quick-release fastener 10 (see Fig. 1). The fastening section 5 is thus elastically deformable and can be fastened to the telescope 3 by means of the tension lock 17. The tension lock 17 is particularly advantageously designed here as a screw tension lock 17 and has a plurality of through-holes 23 arranged next to one another. Screws (not shown here) can be received in the through-holes 23, by means of which the tension lock 17 can be tightened. This design is advantageous over a simple tension lock 17 with a lever 16, since a uniform tension force can be achieved across the entire width B of the first fastening section 5. This likewise contributes to the exact positioning of the first fastening ring 4 on the telescope 3.

[0045] The closure section 26 carries the receptacles 13, which are designed to interact with the lugs 12 of the second fastening ring 9 and are arranged on the front end 22 of the fastening ring 4 facing away from the fastening section 5. For inserting the lugs 12, the first fastening ring 4 has a plurality of insertion grooves 20. The inner diameter of the fastening ring 4 in the region of the insertion grooves 20 is somewhat larger, for example by 0.5 mm larger than the centering diameter ZD1 or possibly also ZD2 of the lugs 12, which facilitates the insertion of the lugs 12. After the lugs 12 have been inserted into the insertion grooves 20 in the axial direction, the lugs 12 can be brought into the region of the receptacles 13 by means of a short rotary movement. The two fastening rings 4, 6 are then positively connected to one another by means of the receptacles 13 and the lugs 12.

[0046] The receptacles 13 each contain a contact surface 21 which engages with a corresponding contact surface 21 of the second fastening ring 9 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). The contact surfaces 21 are not arranged directly on the front end 22 of the first fastening ring 4, but rather point inward in the axial direction and are thus arranged in a protected manner.

[0047] Furthermore, the receptacles 13 each have a first centering surface 15, which is designed to interact with a first centering surface 15 of a nose 12 of the second fastening ring 9. In the area of ​​the centering surfaces 15, the inner diameter of the fastening ring 4 is therefore only slightly larger than the centering diameter ZD1, ZD2 of the noses 12, so that only a small amount of play of a few 1 / 100 mm exists. For the inner diameter of the fastening ring 4 in the area of ​​the centering surfaces 15 and the centering diameters ZD1, ZD2, the standard fits for centering can be used.

[0048] In order to ensure the most accurate centering of the holders 13 and the fastening section 5 (see Fig. 6), the entire first fastening ring 4 is preferably manufactured in a single clamping operation in the production machine. The same applies to the second fastening ring 9. Tolerances that would otherwise arise from reclamping during machining can thus be avoided. The fastening section 5, 7 and the closure section 26 are thus precisely positioned relative to each other on each of the two fastening rings 4, 9.

[0049] It is advantageous if the two fastening rings 4, 9 are connected to each other in a force-locking manner in addition to the described form-fitting connection. This is Fig. 5 shown. Fig. Figure 5 shows a fragmentary, schematic detailed view of a receptacle 13 of a first fastening ring 4. For reasons of clarity, only the nose 12 of the second fastening ring 9 is shown. The contact surfaces 21 of the receptacle 13 and the nose 12 are inclined relative to the radial direction of the fastening ring 4, 9 and are thus designed as clamping wedges 14. The force-locking connection allows a recoil-resistant connection to be established between the two fastening rings 4, 9.

[0050] Fig. 6 further shows a schematic representation of a centering device 18 for centering the first fastening ring 4 on the telescope 3. Shown is a plan view of the rear end face 22, which corresponds to the closure section 26 (see Fig. 4) is turned away.

[0051] The centering device 18 in the present case includes three second centering surfaces 19 arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. One of the centering surfaces 19 is arranged directly in the region of the tension lock 17 and interrupted by the latter. The second centering surfaces 19 are formed only over a partial region of the inner circumference 24 of the first fastening ring 4. Outside the second centering surfaces 19, the inner circumference 24 is set back from the centering surfaces 19 and therefore, in the assembled state, has no contact with the telescope 3 received in the fastening ring 4. In the present case, the inner circumference 24 is formed with a larger diameter in the regions outside the second centering surfaces 19; however, other shaped environments, for example with a continuous course from the set-back regions to the second centering surfaces 19, are also possible.This creates a three-point mount for the telescope 3, which, particularly in conjunction with the tension lock 17, allows much more precise centering than a completely circumferential mount 13. Furthermore, the recessed areas of the inner circumference 24 reduce the wall thickness of the fastening ring 4 in the area of ​​the first fastening section 5, which makes it easier to tighten the tension lock 17.

[0052] To achieve the most precise positioning of the telescope 3 relative to the adapter device 1, the outer diameter DA of the telescope 3 in the area of ​​the eyepiece section 27 or the objective section 28 and the inner diameter DI of the second centering surfaces 19 have a very small fit to one another. According to a preferred embodiment, these can even be manufactured to a zero dimension, i.e., the inner diameter DI of the second centering surfaces 19 corresponds exactly to the outer diameter DA of the telescope 3, apart from unavoidable manufacturing tolerances.

[0053] To enable comfortable clamping of the telescope 3 into the first fastening ring 4 despite the tight fit, a center point MP1, which is assigned to the second centering surface 19 in the area of ​​the tension lock 17, is slightly offset radially outwards from the center point MP2 of the two additional centering surfaces 19 shown in the image below. The offset can, for example, be in the range of 0.5-1 mm. The inner circumference 24 of the first fastening ring 4 is therefore not circular, but is slightly expanded like a rounded quadrilateral. This facilitates the insertion of the telescope 3 into the first fastening ring 4. Only by tightening the tension lock 17 is the interrupted centering surface 19 shown in the image above finally brought into contact with the telescope 3. The telescope 3 is now aligned with high precision with respect to the additional device 2 by means of the adapter device 1.The axis of the telescope 3 and the axis of the attachment 4 are precisely aligned. The first mounting ring 4 can therefore also be referred to as a precision adapter.

[0054] In contrast, the fastening sections 5 of known adapter sleeves of the prior art have an inner diameter DI that is significantly larger than the outer diameter DA of the intended telescope 3 in order to enable the telescope 3 to be comfortably accommodated in the fastening section 5. When the tension locks 17 are tightened, a comparatively uncontrolled deformation of the fastening section 5 occurs until the telescope 3 is clamped in the inner diameter DI of the adapter sleeve. If the tension lock 17 lies on the upper side of the telescope 3 in the usual way, the telescope 3 is pressed against the lower wall of the inner diameter DI of the adapter sleeve during clamping. However, this means that in the fully assembled state, the axis of the telescope 3 is inevitably below the axis of the additional device 4. The telescope 3 is therefore no longer held centrally in the fastening section 5.This results in axial deviations between the optical axis of the additional device 2 and that of the telescope 3. When using such an adapter sleeve to mount an attachment to a rifle scope, this inevitably also leads to a shift in the point of impact of the weapon. For the same reason, a rotation of the attachment about its longitudinal axis also inevitably leads to a shift in the point of impact of the weapon. Therefore, with adapter sleeves of the prior art, it is necessary to mark the angular alignment of the attachment relative to the rifle scope in order to prevent unintentional rotation and consequent shifts in the point of impact. All of these problems can be avoided due to the congruent alignment of the axis of the telescope 3 and that of the additional device 2 when using an adapter device 1 according to the present invention.

[0055] The Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 further show two designs of a second fastening ring 9, which enable a particularly good and angularly accurate fixation of the fastening ring 9 to the fastening device 33 of the additional device 2 and prevent an unintentional loosening of the second fastening ring 9, for example due to vibrations during firing.

[0056] Fig. Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a fastening ring 9, which is particularly suitable for comparatively small diameters in the range of 30-40 mm. The fastening ring 9 has an elastically flexible leg 30 in the region of the second fastening section 7. The second fastening section 7 also includes a thread 8, which is connected to a threaded section 29 or a fastening device 33 of an additional device 2 (see Fig. 3) can be pressed against. The elastically flexible leg 30 is at least partially separated from the closure portion 26 by a transverse slot 31 extending in the axial direction of the fastening ring 9 and a longitudinal slot 32 extending in the radial direction of the fastening ring 9.

[0057] In the present exemplary embodiment, the transverse slot 31 continues in the circumferential direction of the fastening ring 9 (extension 34) and is so deep that it coincides with the longitudinal slot 32. The extension 34 extends over a partial area of ​​the circumference TU of the fastening ring 9, for example 70°, and reduces the wall thickness d of the second fastening section 7 in this area. The leg 30 or a partial segment of the thread 8 is thereby exposed and, due to the smaller wall thickness d, can be elastically deformed relative to the remaining fastening section 7 and relative to the closure section 26. Once the additional device 2 is aligned with the telescope 3, the elastically flexible leg 30 can be pressed firmly against the thread flanks of the threaded section 29 of the additional device 2 by means of a radial grub screw (not shown) and a radially arranged threaded bore 35.The second fastening ring 9 is thus secured against twisting.

[0058] Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of a second fastening ring 9 with an elastically flexible leg 30. The elastically flexible leg 30 is also separated from the remaining fastening section 7 by a transverse slot 31 extending in the axial direction and a longitudinal slot 32 extending in the radial direction of the fastening ring 9. Furthermore, here too, the wall thickness d of the second fastening section 7 is reduced over a partial area of ​​the circumference TU of, for example, 70°, so that the exposed leg 30 can be deformed more easily than the remaining fastening section 7.

[0059] After the second fastening ring 9, together with the additional device if necessary, is correctly aligned with respect to the telescope 3, a clamping screw (not shown) can be inserted through the through-hole 23 and the leg 30 can be pressed onto the threaded section 29 of the additional device 2 by means of the clamping screw.

[0060] Fig. Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a second fastening ring 9 according to a fifth embodiment. In contrast to the illustrations of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the second fastening ring 9 shown here does not have an arrangement 11 of lugs 12, but rather has receptacles 13 distributed in the circumferential direction for lugs 12 of the first fastening ring 4. The associated first fastening ring 4 is in Fig. 10. The arrangement of the lugs 12 and receptacles 13 is thus exactly the opposite of that shown in the previous figures. The mounting ring 4, 9, which supports the arrangement 11 of lugs 12, has a slightly smaller outer diameter overall than the mounting ring 4, 9, which supports the receptacle 13. Such a design can therefore be advantageous, for example, when space is limited on the telescope 3.

[0061] The functioning of the recesses 13, the contact surfaces 21, the first centring surfaces 15 and the insertion grooves 20 on the closure section 26 corresponds to those of the first fastening ring 4 of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, so it will not be described in more detail here. Furthermore, the second fastening ring 9 of the Fig. 9 as well as those in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 described second fastening rings 9 by means of a second fastening section 7 to a fastening device 33 of the additional device 2. The fastening device 33 is usually designed manufacturer-specifically and usually comprises a threaded section 29 (see Fig. 3). Likewise, the fastening device 33 can also comprise a cylindrical fastening device 33 or another fastening device 33. The second fastening section 7 can be designed in various ways and adapted to the respective fastening device 33 of the additional device 2.

[0062] Fig. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a first fastening ring 4 according to a second embodiment, which is designed to cooperate with the second fastening ring 9 of the Fig. 9. As already described, the first fastening ring 4 of the present illustration differs from the illustration of the Fig. 4 does not have any receptacles 13 on one of its front ends 22, but instead an arrangement 11 of lugs 12. The functioning of the lugs 12, the first centering surfaces 15 and the contact surfaces 21 corresponds to that of the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and 4 already described, the function of a second fastening ring 9 with arrangements 11 of lugs 12 and is therefore not described in detail here. As already explained, the arrangement 11 of the lugs 12 on the closure section 26 of the first fastening ring 4 can be advantageous if the available space on the telescope 3 is limited. Fig. The embodiment of a first fastening ring 4 shown in Fig. 10 is therefore particularly advantageous when the first fastening ring 4 is to be fixed to an eyepiece section 27 of a telescope 3.

[0063] The fastening ring 4 shown here has a first fastening section 5, which also includes a tension lock 17. Deviating from the illustration of the Fig. 4, however, the clamping closure 17 is not designed as a screw clamping closure, but rather includes a collet 36. The collet 36 is, in the usual way, cylindrical on its interior and conical on its outer surfaces and has a plurality of slots 25 in the axial direction. The collet 36 is therefore also deformable or adjustable in diameter, so that the first fastening ring 4 shown here can be mounted on telescopes 3 with different outer diameters or outer circumferences 6. Such a design of the clamping closure 10 is therefore also particularly advantageous when the first fastening ring 4 is to be fixed to an eyepiece section 27 of a telescope 3, since eyepiece sections 27 with very many different diameters exist.

[0064] To mount the first mounting ring 4 on the telescope 3, the collet 36 is placed on the outer circumference 6 of the telescope 3, and the first mounting ring 4 is pushed over the collet 36. Using a union nut 37, the first mounting ring 4 can then be secured to the telescope 3 with the collet 36.

[0065] If the telescope 3, as shown here, has one end with a diameter slightly larger than the actual outer circumference 6, it is advantageous to design the collet 36 in two parts so that its two halves can be placed radially on the outer circumference 6 of the telescope 3 and do not have to be pushed on in the axial direction. The second fastening section 5 has a thread 8 for securing the union nut 37.

[0066] Furthermore, deviating from the Fig. 10, the first fastening ring 4 can of course also have a further arrangement 11 of lugs 12 in order to be able to connect to an alternative second fastening ring 9 with a different diameter. The functioning of the lugs 12, the contact surfaces 21 and the first centering surfaces 15 on the closure section 26 corresponds to that of the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and four already described.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the patent claims are possible, as is any combination of the described features, even if they are illustrated and described in different parts of the description or the claims or in different embodiments, provided that no contradiction arises with the teaching of the independent claims. List of reference symbols 1 adapter device 2 additional devices 3 telescope 4 first fastening ring 5 first fastening section 6 Outer circumference of the telescope 7 second fastening section 8 threads 9 second mounting ring 10 quick release 11 Arrangement of noses 12 Nose 13 recordings 14 clamping wedge 15 first centering surfaces 16 levers 17 tension lock 18 Centering device 19 second centering surfaces 20 insertion groove 21 contact surface 22 front end 23 through holes 24 Inner circumference of the first fastening ring 25 slot 26 Closure section 27 Eyepiece section 28 Lens section 29 Threaded section 30 legs 31 cross slot 32 Longitudinal slot 33 Fastening device 34 Extension 35 threaded hole 36 collet 37 union nut DI inner diameter of the second centering surfaces DA Outer diameter of the telescope MP1 first center point MP2 second center point ZD1 first centering diameter ZD2 second centering diameter B Width d wall thickness TU sub-area of ​​the scope

Claims

[1] Adapter device (1) for attaching an additional device (2), in particular a night vision device or a thermal imaging device, to an eyepiece section (27) or an objective section (28) of a telescope (3), in particular a telescopic sight, with a first fastening ring (4) which has a first fastening section (5) for fastening the adapter device (1) to the telescope (3) and which is provided for receiving on an outer circumference (6) of the eyepiece section (27) or the objective section (28) of the telescope (3), and with a second fastening section (7), in particular a thread (8), for fastening the adapter device (1) to the additional device (2), wherein the adapter device (1) is designed to be divisible and comprises a second fastening ring (9) which has the second fastening section (7), and wherein the first and the second fastening ring (4, 9) can be detachably connected to one another by means of a quick-release fastener (10), characterized by , that the quick-release fastener (10) on one of the two fastening rings (4, 9) comprises at least one arrangement (11) of lugs (12) distributed in the circumferential direction, which cooperate with receptacles (13) distributed in the circumferential direction on the other of the two fastening rings (4, 9), and that the lugs (12) and the receptacles (13) are designed as clamping wedges (14) and connect the two fastening rings (4, 9) to one another in a force-fitting manner in the axial direction. [2] Adapter device (1) according to the previous claim, characterized bythat the quick-release fastener (10) on one of the two fastening rings (4, 9) comprises two arrangements (11) of noses (12) distributed in the circumferential direction, which interact with receptacles (13) distributed in the circumferential direction on the other of the two fastening rings (4, 9). [3] Adapter device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lugs (12) and the receptacles (13) each have first centering surfaces (15) for centering the two fastening rings (4, 9) relative to one another. [4] Adapter device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first fastening section (5) can be fixed to the eyepiece section (27) or objective section (28) of the telescope (3) by means of a clamping lock (17). [5] Adapter device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first fastening section (5) has a centering device (18) for centering the first fastening ring (4) on the eyepiece section (27) or objective section (28) of the telescope (3). [6] Adapter device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the centering device (18) has three second centering surfaces (19) arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the fastening section (5). [7] Adapter device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat an inner diameter (DI) of the second centering surfaces (19) corresponds to an outer diameter (DA) of the eyepiece section (27) or objective section (28) of the telescope (3) provided for fastening, wherein preferably the inner diameter (DI) of the second centering surfaces (19) and the outer diameter (DA) of the eyepiece section (27) or objective section (28) of the telescope (3) have a zero dimension to one another or have a clearance fit with a clearance of maximum 5 / 100 mm. [8] First fastening ring (4) of an adapter device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, having a first fastening section (5) for fastening the adapter device (1) to an eyepiece section (27) or objective section (28) of a telescope (3), wherein the fastening ring (4) is provided for receiving on an outer circumference (6) of the eyepiece section (27) or objective section (28) of the telescope (3), wherein the fastening ring (4) includes a closure portion (26) having parts of a quick-release fastener (10) for detachable connection to a second fastening ring (9) of the adapter device (1), characterized by , that the first fastening ring (4) comprises at one of its front ends (22) at least one arrangement (11), preferably at least two arrangements (11) of noses (12) distributed in the circumferential direction, which are designed to cooperate with receptacles (13) of the second fastening ring (9), or that the first fastening ring (4) has, at one of its front ends (22), receptacles (13) arranged distributed in the circumferential direction for lugs (12) of the second fastening ring (9), and that the lugs (12) or the receptacles (13) of the first fastening ring (4) are designed as clamping wedges (14) and connect the two fastening rings (4, 9) to one another in a force-fitting manner in the axial direction. [9] First fastening ring (4) according to the previous claim, characterized by that the receptacles (13) or the lugs (12) each have first centering surfaces (15) for centering the first fastening ring (4) on the second fastening ring (9). [10] First fastening ring (4) according to one of claims 8-9, characterized by that the first fastening section (5) can be fixed to the eyepiece section (27) or objective section (28) of the telescope (3) by means of a clamping lock (17). [11] First fastening ring (4) according to one of claims 8-10, characterized bythat the first fastening section (5) has a centering device (18) with preferably three second centering surfaces (19) arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction of the fastening section (5) for centering the first fastening ring (4) on the eyepiece section (27) or the objective section (28) of the telescope (3). [12] Second fastening ring (9) of an adapter device (1) according to one of claims 1-7, with a second fastening section (7), in particular a thread (8), for fastening the adapter device (1) to a fastening device (33), in particular a threaded section (29), of an additional device (2), wherein the second fastening ring (9) includes a closure section (26) which has parts of a quick-release fastener (10) for detachable connection to a first fastening ring (4) of the adapter device (1) characterized by , that the second fastening ring (9) has receptacles (13) for lugs (12) of the first fastening ring (4) which are distributed in the circumferential direction, or that the second fastening ring (9) comprises at least one arrangement (11) of lugs (12) which are distributed in the circumferential direction and which are designed to cooperate with receptacles (13) of the first fastening ring (4), and that the lugs (12) or the receptacles (13) of the second fastening ring (9) are designed as clamping wedges (14) and connect the two fastening rings (4, 9) to one another in a force-fitting manner in the axial direction. [13] Second fastening ring (9) according to the previous claim, characterized by that the lugs (12) or the receptacles (13) each have first centering surfaces (15) for centering the second fastening ring (9) on the first fastening ring (4). [14] Second fastening ring (9) according to one of claims 12-13, characterized bythat the second fastening section (7) is provided with a thread (8) and has a leg (30) which is elastically flexible relative to the closure section (26) and which can be pressed against the threaded section (29) of the additional device (2). [15] Second fastening ring (9) according to the previous claim, characterized by that the second fastening section (7) has a reduced wall thickness (d) over a partial area (TU) of its circumference, wherein the partial area with the reduced wall thickness (d) forms the elastically flexible leg (30). [16] Second fastening ring (9) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by that the elastically flexible leg (30) is at least partially separated from the closure section (26) by a transverse slot (31) running in the axial direction of the fastening ring (9) and a longitudinal slot (32) running in the radial direction of the fastening ring (9). [17] Second fastening ring (9) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by that the elastically flexible leg (30) can be pressed against the threaded section (29) of the additional device (2) by means of a clamping screw (33).

Images