Toolless Zeroing Mechanism for Optical Scopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scopes face issues with zeroing and locking mechanisms, as adjustment knobs can be inadvertently misaligned due to being always adjustable, and current solutions require tools or are prone to loss or damage.
Innovation Solution
A toolless rezero system and zero locking system that includes an adjustment dial, scale ring, and locking ring, allowing users to rezero and lock the optical device without tools by manually moving and aligning indicia elements with a reference element, and locking the reticle in place using a locking cover button and wheelbase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If adjustment knobs are always rotatable to allow continuous adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inadvertent rotation and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic locking mechanism where the locking ring can transition between locked and unlocked states. When unlocked, the adjustment knob is rotatable for ease of adjustment; when locked, the knob is secured to prevent inadvertent rotation. This dynamic state change allows the system to adapt between the two opposing requirements of ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If threaded locking rings are used to secure the zero position, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to tool requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring is designed with a knurled outer surface that can be directly gripped and rotated by the user's fingers. The ring engages with threaded features on the adjustment knob, allowing the user to lock or unlock the zero position without requiring any external tools. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for screwdrivers or other tools while maintaining secure locking capability.
3Ease of operation
If removable zero caps are used for rezeroing, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to loss or damage of the cap
Solution Approach 1:
The zero cap is permanently integrated with the locking ring, forming a single unified component. When the locking ring is rotated to lock or unlock the adjustment knob, the zero cap rotates with it. This merging eliminates the risk of the zero cap being lost or damaged separately, while still allowing the user to easily rezero by rotating the combined structure to realign the zero mark with the reference indicator.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes a toolless rezero system and/or a zero locking system. The rezero system can operate in a first mode in which a scale ring is non-rotatable relative to an axis. The ring can be manually moved to a second mode, where the ring is rotatable relative to the axis, so alphanumeric characters and bars can be moved about the axis to align a preselected zero element with a reference element and rezero the device. The zero locking system can include a locking cover button that is manually movable to automatically operate a locking ring in a first mode in which it rotatably couples the dial with an adjusting pin to move a reticle, and in a second mode in which it couples the adjustment dial to an immovable wheelbase so the dial is non-rotatable, and the reticle is locked in position. Related methods are provided.