Quick Aim Reticle for Bullet Drop Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for hunting and shooting competitions require time-consuming calculations to compensate for bullet drop due to gravity, which can result in missed opportunities and slower completion times, especially when using laser range finders or traditional reticle markings.
Innovation Solution
A rifle scope assembly with a reticle lens that displays marked horizontal and vertical lines allowing users to quickly determine the necessary elevation angle to compensate for bullet drop, enabling rapid aiming and shooting without needing to remove the eye from the scope, using indicia and marks that correspond to specific cartridge types and target heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional reticle markings or elevation knobs are used to compensate for bullet drop, then the system provides basic aiming capability, but the user must perform time-consuming calculations to translate target range to elevation angle
Solution Approach 1:
The reticle is pre-marked with horizontal lines at specific angular intervals that correspond to predetermined bullet drop compensation angles. These markings are prepared in advance during manufacturing, eliminating the need for the user to perform calculations during the shooting process. The user simply needs to identify the target range and align the appropriate reticle line with the target.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical calculation process (using elevation knobs and manual computations) with an optical measurement system. The reticle markings provide direct visual indicators that substitute for complex mathematical calculations, allowing the user to determine the correct elevation angle through visual alignment rather than arithmetic operations.
2Measurement precision
If a laser range finder is used to determine target distance, then the system provides accurate range measurement, but the user loses time reading the range finder and adjusting the elevation knob accordingly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the range finding function with the aiming function by integrating the reticle markings directly into the scope. The horizontal lines are positioned and labeled to correspond with specific ranges, merging the information display functions into a single unified interface that eliminates the need to switch between range finder and scope adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The reticle markings serve as an intermediary element that translates range information into elevation guidance. Instead of directly adjusting the elevation knob based on range finder readings, the user uses the reticle lines as an intermediate reference that automatically provides the correct elevation angle for the measured range.
3Ease of operation
If uniform angular reticle markings are used, then the system provides a simple visual interface, but the user still requires calculation to translate target range to the correct elevation angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the reticle markings from uniform angular intervals to non-uniform intervals that are specifically calibrated for bullet drop compensation. The horizontal lines are positioned at angular distances that correspond to the ballistic trajectory requirements, changing the parameter distribution to match the physical phenomenon being compensated for.
Solution Approach 2:
The reticle markings are designed to be self-interpreting, where the labels and positions of the horizontal lines directly indicate the correct elevation angle for specific ranges. The system serves itself by providing all necessary calculation information directly on the reticle, eliminating the need for external calculation aids or complex user computations.
Data Source
AI summary
A rifle and rifle scope assembly, including a rifle and a rifle scope housing, attached to the rifle, the housing defining an eyepiece. An optical train is supported in the housing and includes a reticle lens. The reticle is arranged so that when a user looks through the eyepiece, the reticle lens presents a display having a set of vertical bars of different heights, wherein the height of each vertical bar corresponds to the vertical space on the reticle of a target of a known height and at a first known range. Further, a numeral adjacent to each vertical bar, provides the height in units of length, of a target that will appear as being the same height as the vertical bar, when viewed through the scope, if the target is at the known distance.