ADAPTER DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A FIXTURE TO A TARGET TUBE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an adapter device for attaching an attachment to a rifle scope.

[0002] A riflescope is a long-range optical device that can be mounted as a primary optic, for example, on a firearm. Such a riflescope serves to optically magnify objects viewed through it at a distance. For this purpose, the riflescope has a tube with an objective lens on the object side and an eyepiece on the user's or eye's side. Between the objective lens and the eyepiece, an optical channel is formed in which, for example, several optical, particularly optically magnifying, elements, such as lenses and / or prisms, are arranged. A reticle, i.e., a target marker, is typically also located in the optical channel.

[0003] To enable reliable aiming in limited or poor lighting conditions, so-called add-on devices, such as night vision devices or thermal imaging devices, are used. These are positioned in front of the riflescope lens. With such an add-on device, the riflescope is aimed at an image created by the add-on device. In other words, the reticle is aligned with an image. This makes it necessary for such an add-on device to be positioned as flush as possible with the riflescope. This means that the optical axes or channels of the riflescope and the add-on device should be aligned with each other as closely as possible.

[0004] Typically, the attachment and the riflescope or lens do not touch each other. This is because the attachment has a comparatively high weight, for example, between 300 g (grams) and 800 g, and is subjected to considerable stress due to the recoil when the firearm is fired. In particular, a consistent, firm fixation of the attachment is desired so that no offset occurs between the optical axes after firing.

[0005] The attachment can be mounted in front of the rifle scope, for example, using a mounting rail. The mounting rail is attached to the firearm.

[0006] Equally conceivable, for example, is the use of adapter devices as mounting adapters, which serve as a mechanical interface between the riflescope and the attachment. For example, adapter devices designed as clamping rings with a quick-release fastener or quick-release mechanism are possible, which can be clamped to one end of the riflescope's objective tube and to the other end of the attachment. The attachment is thus indirectly attached to the riflescope via the adapter device and is thus supported by the riflescope.

[0007] WO 99 / 27318 A1 describes a device for converting an optical device for nighttime use. The device comprises a housing, a clamping mechanism coupled to the housing and adapted to clampingly engage one end of the optical device, and an image intensification instrument disposed within the housing and configured such that, when the housing is coupled to the optical device by the clamping mechanism, light is transmitted through the optical device into the image intensification instrument.

[0008] DE 20 2020 005 036 U1 discloses a quick-mount adapter for the repeatable, reproducible mounting of add-on and front attachments to riflescopes. The quick-mount adapter has a tubular body-like geometry consisting of at least two corresponding elements that are connected by pivoting inward by means of engaging and form-fitting geometries and / or connecting elements that adhere to the elements and / or adjustably correspond to the elements.

[0009] From DE 20 2019 106 729 U1 an optoelectronic device for use as a monocular and as an attachment for optical devices is known, in which a control unit automatically triggers a switch between two display modes when a sensor element provides feedback that the optoelectronic device is no longer connected to an optical device.

[0010] The invention is based on the object of providing a particularly suitable adapter for attaching an optical attachment to a riflescope. In particular, it should enable the attachment to be mounted or attached to the center of the riflescope (optical axis) with the greatest possible repeatability.

[0011] The object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0012] The adapter device according to the invention is intended for attaching an attachment to a telescopic sight, and is suitable and configured for this purpose. The telescopic sight is preferably a telescopic sight attached or mounted to a firearm, in particular a hand-held firearm, such as a hunting rifle. The attachment or attachment is designed, for example, as a thermal imaging or night vision device.

[0013] The adapter device has a clamping ring that is or can be attached to the riflescope, wherein the clamping ring has a holding contour for releasable positive and / or non-positive fastening, locking, latching or locking with a counter contour that is or can be arranged on the attachment.

[0014] The conjunction "and / or" is to be understood here and in the following in such a way that the features linked by this conjunction can be formed both together and as alternatives to one another.

[0015] A "positive connection" or "positive connection" between at least two interconnected parts is understood here and below to mean, in particular, that the interconnected parts are held together in at least one direction by a direct interlocking of the contours of the parts themselves or by an indirect interlocking via an additional connecting part. The "blocking" of mutual movement in this direction is therefore due to the shape.

[0016] A "positive connection" or "positive connection" between at least two interconnected parts is understood here and below to mean, in particular, that the interconnected parts are prevented from sliding against each other due to a frictional force acting between them. If a "connecting force" causing this frictional force (this means the force that presses the parts against each other, for example, a screw force or the force of gravity itself) is absent, the positive connection cannot be maintained and can therefore be released.

[0017] The adapter device thus enables a non-destructive and repeatable attachment of the attachment to the riflescope. In particular, it allows the optical axes of the riflescope and the attachment to be reproducibly aligned with as little offset as possible. In other words, the adapter device enables a repeatable, precise alignment of the field of view of the attachment with the center of the field of view of the riflescope, ensuring an optimal observation position at all times. This makes it a particularly suitable adapter device.

[0018] The retaining contour and counter-contour can be designed, for example, as a threaded connection, a bayonet connection, or a blade lock, without limiting the generality of the design. The key requirement is that a non-destructively detachable, positive and / or force-locking joint can be realized.

[0019] "Axial" or an "axial direction" is understood here and below to mean, in particular, a direction parallel (coaxial) to the optical axis or along a longitudinal direction of the riflescope, i.e., perpendicular to the end faces of the approximately cylindrical tube. Accordingly, "radial" or a "radial direction" is understood here and below to mean, in particular, a direction oriented perpendicular (transverse) to the optical axis of the riflescope along a radius of the riflescope or tube. "Tangential" or a "tangential direction" is understood here and below to mean, in particular, a direction along the circumference of the riflescope or tube (circumferential direction, azimuthal direction), i.e., a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the radial direction.

[0020] The adapter device can, for example, be designed as a special mounting adapter whose holding contour is adapted to a predetermined mating contour of the attachment. In one embodiment according to the invention, however, the adapter device has a retaining ring that can be attached to the attachment and is provided with the mating contour. The retaining ring can be manufactured for a wide variety of attachments. The retaining ring is adapted to a respective locking type of the attachment. For example, the retaining ring has a thread diameter that matches a fastening thread of the attachment. This makes it possible to retrofit the attachment for attachment to the clamping ring using the retaining ring; the retaining ring thus acts as an adapter ring for the adapter device.In particular, it is thus possible to mount the attachment on a wide variety of rifle scopes without changing or replacing the retaining ring, and re-zeroing is not necessary.

[0021] In a conceivable refinement, the clamping ring comprises two ring halves or half-shells that can be clamped against each other like a clamp. The ring halves encompass the objective-side tube end of the riflescope, which, when clamped or mounted, is clamped tangentially and radially by the clamping ring in a form-fitting and friction-locking manner. This enables the clamping ring to be easily and non-destructively removed from the riflescope.

[0022] In one conceivable embodiment, the ring halves can be clamped against each other, for example, using two approximately diametrically opposed fastening screws. For example, the ring halves each have two diametrically opposed flange areas with a (threaded) hole, with the flange areas of the ring halves being arranged in alignment one above the other. This allows for a simple and effort-reduced clamp attachment to the riflescope.

[0023] The clamping ring is thus mounted to the rifle scope using two fastening screws via a surface pressure between the ring halves. This also allows for easy adaptation of the clamping ring to rifle scopes with different (tube) diameters. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the ring halves or the surface pressure have a clamping or contact surface with an axial width of less than 20 mm (millimeters), in particular less than 17 mm, preferably approximately 15 mm. In other words, for example, only a clamping surface with a width of 15 mm is required. This means that combined weapons such as a drilling or an over-and-under shotgun with an attachment can also be used.

[0024] According to the invention, the retaining contour of the clamping ring and the mating contour of the retaining ring are designed as a threaded connection. For example, the retaining contour is designed as an external thread and the mating contour as a corresponding internal thread.

[0025] Preferably, the retaining contour and the counter-contour are designed such that they can be joined together by a rotational movement, in particular by means of a 45° rotational movement, of the counter-contour or the retaining ring. For this purpose, the retaining contour and the counter-contour are designed as interrupted round threads in the embodiment according to the invention. A fine centering feature is suitably provided, for example, on the clamping ring, which acts as a fitting diameter to absorb a surface in the thread play, so that the flatness of the contours and the fine centering feature ensures a repeat accuracy of, for example, ± 0.05 mm.

[0026] In a useful development, the adapter device has an adjustable locking element, for example, an actuatable locking pin, which blocks relative movement of the contours. The locking pin is arranged, for example, on the clamping ring and / or on the retaining ring. With the inventive design of the contours as interrupted round threads, the locking pin engages, for example, in a space formed by the interruptions. This ensures a consistently constant position (rotation) when attaching the attachment to the clamping ring. For example, the retaining ring has a locking pin that is unlocked by pressing a lever.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment, not according to the invention, the retaining contour and the counter-contour are designed in the manner of a bayonet connection. In one conceivable embodiment, the retaining contour is designed as two upstanding pins, which are directed radially inward at diametrically opposite points on the clamping ring, and the counter-contour is designed as two radial oblique grooves. This results in a particularly short design of the adapter device.

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a riflescope in perspective view with an adapter device with a holding ring and with a clamping ring, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 show perspective views of an adapter device in a second embodiment, Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the adapter device according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 5, Fig. 6 show perspective views of a third embodiment of the adapter device not according to the invention.

[0029] Corresponding parts and sizes are always provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0030] The Fig. 1 shows a riflescope 2 with an adapter device 4 for attaching an attachment 6 ( Fig. 6). The adapter device 4 has a clamping ring 8 attached to the objective side of the riflescope 2, which can be mechanically coupled to a separate retaining ring 10. For this purpose, the clamping ring 8 has a retaining contour 12 and the retaining ring 10 has a corresponding counter-contour 14 ( Fig. 2 ) on.

[0031] In the embodiment of the Fig. 1 the contours 12, 14 are designed as threads, so that the mechanical coupling between the adapter parts 8, 10 is realized in particular as a positive and / or non-positive threaded connection.

[0032] The clamping ring 8 has two ring halves 16, 18 that can be clamped against each other like a clamp. The ring half 18 is designed as a single piece, i.e., monolithic, with the holding contour 12. The ring halves 16, 18 encompass the objective-side tube end of the riflescope 2, which, in the clamped or mounted state, is clamped tangentially and radially by the clamping ring 8 in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. The ring halves 16, 18 are connected by means of two diametrically opposed fastening screws 15 ( Fig. 5 ) against each other. The ring halves 16, 18 each have two diametrically opposed flange areas 20 with a (threaded) bore.

[0033] The ring halves 16, 18 or the surface pressure of the clamping ring 8 have a clamping or contact surface with an axial width of less than 20 mm, in particular less than 17 mm, preferably about 15 mm.

[0034] The retaining contour 12 is preferably designed as an external thread of the clamping ring 8, and the counter-contour 14 as a corresponding internal thread of the retaining ring 10. The contours or threads 12, 14 are preferably designed such that they can be joined to one another via a rotational movement, in particular by means of a 45° rotational movement, of the counter-contour 12 or the retaining ring 10. For this purpose, the contours 12, 14 are designed as interrupted round threads. A fine centering feature 22 is suitably provided on the clamping ring 8, which, as a fitting diameter, absorbs a surface in the thread play, so that the flatness of the contours and the fine centering feature ensures a repeat accuracy of, for example, ± 0.05 mm.

[0035] The following is based on the Figures 2 to 4A second embodiment of the adapter device 4 is explained in more detail. In this embodiment, the adapter device 4 is designed in particular as a mounting adapter that has a retaining ring 10 adapted to a specific attachment. The retaining ring 10 is provided with an internal thread 24, which can be screwed into a corresponding external thread of the attachment.

[0036] The adapter device 4 of the Figures 2 to 4 further comprises an adjustable locking element 26, by means of which the fastening or locking, i.e., the rotational position of the adapter parts 8, 10 in the assembly position, can be determined. In this embodiment, the locking element 26 is designed as a spring pressure piece which is integrated into the retaining ring 10.

[0037] The Figures 5 and 6show a third embodiment of the adapter device 4, not according to the invention. In this embodiment, the counter contour 14' is designed as part of the attachment 6. The mechanical coupling or joining connection of the adapter device 4 is designed in the manner of a bayonet connection. For this purpose, the clamping ring 8 has two pins projecting radially inward on the inner circumference as a holding contour 12', wherein the counter contour 14' is designed as two radial oblique grooves of the attachment 6.

[0038] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In particular, all individual features described in connection with the exemplary embodiments can also be combined with one another in other ways without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In any case, the subject matter of the invention is defined by the appended claims. List of reference symbols

[0039] 2 Riflescope 4 Adapter device 6 Attachment 8 Clamping ring 10 Retaining ring 12, 12' Retaining contour 14, 14' Counter contour 15 Fastening screws 16 Ring half 18 Ring half 20 Flange area 22 Fine centering 24 Internal thread 26 Locking element

Claims

1. Adapter device (4) for fastening an attachment apparatus (6) to a telescopic sight (2), having a clamping ring (8) which is fastenable to the telescopic sight (2), and a holding ring (10) which is fastenable to the attachment apparatus (6), - wherein the clamping ring (8) has a holding contour (12) for releasably fastening in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner to a mating contour (14) disposed on the holding ring (10), and - the holding contour (12) and the mating contour (14) are embodied as a threaded connection with an interrupted round thread.

2. Adapter device (4) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the clamping ring (8) has two ring halves (16, 18) which are able to be mutually braced in the manner of clamping pieces.

3. Adapter device (4) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the ring halves (16, 18) are able to be mutually braced by means of two diametrically opposite fastening screws (15).

4. Adapter device (4) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the ring halves (16, 18) have a clamping face, having an axial width of less than 20 mm, in particular of approximately 15 mm, for mounting on the telescopic sight (2).

5. Adapter device (4) according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the holding contour (12) is embodied as an external thread, and the mating contour (14) is embodied as a corresponding internal thread.

6. Adapter device (4) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding ring (10) and / or the clamping ring (8) have / has an adjustable locking element (26).