U.S. patent application number 09/756536 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-30 for supplementary appliance for telescopic sights.
Invention is credited to Ruh, Rudiger.
Application Number | 20010017730 09/756536 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26003774 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010017730 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruh, Rudiger |
August 30, 2001 |
Supplementary appliance for telescopic sights
Abstract
The invention proposes a supplementary appliance (3) in order to
produce an illuminated reticle (5) for telescopic sights (1), which
can be fitted as required to different telescopic sights (1), to be
precise to their objective end (2), and allows the user to aim at
his target reliably even in twilight or moonlight. An inner ring
(12) is mounted such that it can be adjusted centrally in an
annular cage (9) which can be pushed onto the objective side (2) of
a telescopic sight (1), and the light from a point light source
(19) is directed onto a lens (20) which is held on the center axis
of the inner ring (12). The diameter of the light beam which
emerges from the light source is limited by optical means (21, 29)
at the object-side focal point of the lens (20), and the light
beams which leave the lens (20) are directed onto the aiming point
(7) in the reticle (5) or crosswires (6) of the telescopic sight
(1). This new, external illuminated reticle produces a small, sharp
light spot directly in the reticle (5) or at the aiming point (7)
of the crosswires (6) in a telescopic sight (1) so that there is no
need to estimate or average the aiming point (7). No calibration
firing is required; the light spot is made to coincide with the
aiming point (7) in the reticle (5) by using adjustment or
adjusting screws (11, 34) to adjust the position of the inner ring
(12) in the cage (9).
Inventors: |
Ruh, Rudiger; (Munstertal,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Horst M. Kasper
13 Forest Drive
Warren
NJ
07059
US
|
Family ID: |
26003774 |
Appl. No.: |
09/756536 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/428 ;
359/399; 359/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 27/34 20130101;
G02B 23/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/428 ;
359/399; 359/424 |
International
Class: |
G02B 023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 8, 2000 |
DE |
100 00 561.6 |
Claims
1. Supplementary appliance for producing an illuminated reticle for
telescopic sights, characterized in that an inner ring (12) is
mounted such that it can be adjusted centrally in an annular cage
(9) which can be pushed onto the objective side (2) of a telescopic
sight (1), and the light from a point light source (19) is directed
onto a lens (20) which is held on the center axis of the inner ring
(12), with the diameter of the light beam which emerges from the
light source being limited by optical means (21, 29) at the
object-side focal point of the lens (20), and with the light beams
which leave the lens (20) being directed onto the aiming point (7)
in the reticle (5) or crosswires (6) of the telescopic sight
(1).
2. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the light source (19) is a preferably red light-emitting
diode.
3. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the optical means which limits the diameter of the light beam
which emerges from the light source (19) is an optical fiber (21)
which projects from the light source and projects as far as the
object-side focal point of the lens (20).
4. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the optical means which limits the diameter of the light beam
which emerges from the light source (19) is an aperture (29) which
is arranged at the object-side focal point of the lens (20).
5. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the lens (20) is a convergent or collimator lens, and the
light beams (26) which originate from the focal point of the lens
(20) and arrive at the lens (20) as divergent beams leave it as
parallel light beams (28).
6. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the lens (20) is a convergent lens whose image-side focal
point is located at the aiming point (7) of the reticle (5) of the
telescopic sight (1).
7. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the diameter of the divergent light beam (26) which arrives at
the lens (20) is limited by an aperture (27) arranged in front of
the lens (20).
8. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that a bush (13) is held on the center axis of the inner ring (12)
by one or more thin struts (14, 14', 14") which originate from the
inner circumference of the inner ring (12), in that, at its end
facing away from the objective of the telescopic sight (1), this
bush (13) has a recess (16) for accommodating the light source (19)
and, at its other end, has a recess (17) for accommodating the lens
(20), with the two recesses (16, 17) being connected to one another
by a central passage (18).
9. Supplementary appliance according to claim 8, characterized in
that an aperture (29) is arranged in the bush (13), at the
object-side focal point of the lens (20).
10. Supplementary appliance according to claim 9, characterized in
that the opening of the aperture (29) has a diameter of
approximately 9 .mu.m.
11. Supplementary appliance according to claim 8, characterized in
that an optical fiber (21) projects from the light source (19) into
the passage (18) in the bush (13), as far as the object-side focal
point of the lens (20).
12. Supplementary appliance according to claim 8, characterized in
that the optical fiber (21) has an outlet opening with a diameter
of approximately 9 .mu.m.
13. Supplementary appliance according to claim 8, characterized in
that the overall length (1) of the bush (13) is equal to the sum of
the focal length (f) of the lens (20) plus the length (a) of the
optical fiber (21) plus the depths (b, c) of the two respective
recesses (16, 17) for accommodating the light source (19) and the
lens (20).
14. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the light source (19) is fitted to the side of the cage (9),
and its light is carried by an optical fiber (glass fiber) to the
object-side focal point of the lens (20) which is held by struts
(14, 14', 14") which originate from the inner circumference of the
inner ring (12).
15. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that struts (14, 14', 14") which originate from the inner
circumference of the inner ring (12) end in a sleeve (15) which is
located on the center axis of the inner ring (12) and in which the
lens (20) is held.
16. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the lens (20) is held by three struts (14) which originate
from the inner circumference of the inner ring (12) and end in a
sleeve (15) and are held separated from one another by an angle of
90.degree. or 180.degree..
17. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the lens (20) is held by three struts (14', 14") which
originate from the inner circumference of the inner ring (12) and
end in a sleeve (15) and are held separated from one another by an
angle of 120.degree..
18. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the lens (20) is held by a single strut (14) which originates
from the inner circumference of the inner ring (12) and ends in a
sleeve (15) at the center of the inner ring (12).
19. Supplementary appliance according to claim 8, characterized in
that the electrical supply lines for the light source (19) are
carried out through one of the struts (14, 14").
20. Supplementary appliance according to claim 19, characterized in
that one of the struts (14") is designed to be thicker and has a
longitudinal groove (25) for accommodating the electrical supply
lines for the light source (19).
21. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the inner ring (12) is mounted in the cage (9) by means of
leaf springs (10) which are supported on the inner circumference of
the cage (9) and on the outer circumference of the inner ring (12),
and its position can be adjusted by means of adjustment screws (11)
which pass through the wall of the cage (9).
22. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the inner ring (12) is mounted in the cage (9) by means of
helical springs (10') which are supported at one end on a step (32)
in the inner wall of the cage (9) and at the other end in holes
(33) which are provided for this purpose in the inner ring (12),
and in that the inner ring (12) can be tilted by means of adjusting
screws (34) which can be adjusted in the holes (33) from the
outside.
23. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that the cage (9) has a clamping apparatus (23) by means of which
it can be fixed firmly on the objective side (2) of the telescopic
sight (1).
24. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that a switch (22) in the form of a toggle switch (36), a rotary
switch (37) or a push-button switch is arranged on the side of the
cage (9), in order to switch the light source (19) on and off.
25. Supplementary appliance according to claim 1, characterized in
that a combined switch (22) for switching the light source (19) on
and off and for varying its light intensity is arranged on the side
of the cage (9).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a supplementary appliance for
producing an illuminated reticle for telescopic sights.
[0002] Illuminated reticles which are integrated in telescopic
sights are known. They are, of course, linked to a specific
telescopic sight, that is to say they cannot be used variably, and,
together with the telescopic sight, they are relatively
expensive.
[0003] Hunters have a need for a low-cost supplementary appliance
for producing an illuminated reticle in low-light telescopic
sights, for hunting in twilight and when the moon is full, when
even a low-light telescopic sight no longer allows accurate aiming
at a dark target.
[0004] A supplementary appliance which, when required, can be
pushed onto the ocular area, facing the person firing the weapon,
of a telescopic sight is proposed on page 38, right-hand column of
Issue No. 9, December 1999 of the journal "Der Jger in
Baden-Wurttemberg" [The hunter in Baden-Wurttemberg]. The light
from a light-emitting diode is emitted as a point source in the
direction of the reticle in a supporting element which leads from
underneath to the center of the reticle. The crosswires in the
reticle have three bars which point from the outer edge to the
aiming line, that is to say to the center point or aiming point of
the crosswires. If these bars are provided with a fluorescent
coating, then they start to glow under the influence of the light
emitted from the light-emitting diode. According to one variant,
only the upper region of the aiming post glows and, like the bars
which have been mentioned, this ends at a distance from the center
point or aiming point of the crosswires, that is to say it also
only points toward it. The light source can be switched on and off
by means of a rotary switch on the appliance, and the light flux
can also be regulated appropriately by the telescopic sight
type.
[0005] However, this appliance still has a number of
disadvantages.
[0006] Since the appliance is pushed onto the ocular area of the
telescopic sight, facing the person firing the weapon, the distance
to the eye is reduced in a corresponding manner, while the risk of
the recoil causing injuries to the eye is increased at the same
time.
[0007] It is suitable only for telescopic sights whose reticle is
equipped with the fluorescent bars, which is not true of all
sights.
[0008] The light from the light-emitting diode shines from the rear
into the telescopic sight and illuminates the reticle completely,
so that this results in insufficient contrast for the eye of the
person firing the weapon.
[0009] The actual aiming point in the crosswires is not illuminated
and, in fact, this must be averaged, that is to say estimated, on
the basis of the fluorescent bars.
[0010] Recently, illuminated reticles have appeared for daytime,
but in this case the light spot which is produced must be brighter.
A stronger light source, that is to say, for example, a more
powerful light-emitting diode, a large-diameter optical fiber and a
lens with an appropriately adapted focal length are then
required.
[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a low-cost
supplementary appliance for telescopic sights for hunting in
twilight and in moonlight, which does not change the distance to
the eye and which produces a light point which is as sharp as
possible as accurately as possible at the aiming point in the
reticle, and thus also offers good contrast to the eye of the
person firing the weapon. It is intended to be possible to use the
appliance as required with different telescopic sights, and it must
be possible to fit it to the telescopic sight, and remove it again,
with a few, simple actions.
[0012] This is achieved according to the invention in that an inner
ring is mounted such that it can be adjusted centrally in an
annular cage which can be pushed onto the objective side of a
telescopic sight, and the light from a point light source is
directed onto a lens which is held on the center axis of the inner
ring, with the diameter of the light beam which emerges from the
light source being limited by optical means at the object-side
focal point of the lens, and with the light beams which leave the
lens being directed onto the aiming point in the reticle or
crosswires of the telescopic sight.
[0013] Since, as an external illuminated reticle, the supplementary
appliance is pushed onto the objective end of the telescopic sight,
the distance to the eye does not change when it is used. The lens
results in a small, sharp light spot being produced in the reticle,
to be precise directly at the aiming point, whose size and
intensity are equivalent to that of a conventional illuminated
reticle integrated in the telescopic sight, and which thus allows
the person firing the weapon to aim even in twilight or when the
moon is full. Since the appliance can be fitted to the telescopic
sight, and can be removed again, as required, it can also be used
together with a number of different telescopic sights. It can be
fitted as a supplementary device to all telescopic sights on the
market, irrespective of their magnification or objective
diameter.
[0014] It is preferable for the light source to be a red
light-emitting diode, and the optical means which limits the
diameter of the light beam which originates from the light source
may be an optical fiber which projects from this light source and
projects as far as the object-side focal point of the lens, or may
be an aperture which is arranged at the object-side focal point of
the lens. The outlet opening on the optical fiber or the aperture
opening is thus imaged as a sharp, tightly limited light spot in
the reticle of the telescopic sight.
[0015] The lens is preferably a convergent or collimator lens, and
the light beams which originate from its focal point and arrive at
it as divergent beams leave it as parallel light beams. The
supplementary appliance can thus be used on telescopic sights with
different distances between the outlet pupil of the appliance and
the crosswires, and with different magnifications. It is thus not
linked to appliances from a specific manufacturer or of a specific
type.
[0016] If the lens is a convergent lens whose image-side focal
point is located at the aiming point in the reticle or crosswires
of the telescopic sight, the appliance is optimally suitable for
use on telescopic sights with a specific focal length, and the
image of the light spot is then particularly sharp and tightly
limited.
[0017] Since the diameter of the divergent light beam arriving at
the lens is once again limited by a further aperture arranged in
front of the lens, this avoids disturbing reflections at the edge
of the lens.
[0018] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a
bush is held on the center axis of the inner ring by one or more
thin struts which originate from the inner circumference of the
inner ring; at its end facing away from the objective of the
telescopic sight, this bush has a recess for accommodating the
light source and, at its other end, has a recess for accommodating
the lens, with the two recesses being connected to one another by a
central passage.
[0019] Within the bush, an aperture which has an opening with a
desired diameter of approximately 9 .mu.m is then arranged at the
object-side focal point of the lens.
[0020] If the light beams are limited by an optical fiber which
projects from the light source, then this optical fiber projects
into the passage in the bush, as far as the object-side focal point
of the lens. Its outlet opening is intended to have a preferred
diameter of approximately 9 .mu.m. The overall length of the bush
is then equal to the sum of the focal length f of the lens plus the
length a of the optical fiber plus the depths b, c of the two
respective recesses for accommodating the light source and the
lens.
[0021] According to another embodiment of the invention, the light
source is fitted to the side of the cage, and its light is carried
by an optical fiber (glass fiber) to the object-side focal point of
the lens which is held by struts which originate from the inner
circumference of the inner ring.
[0022] The struts which originate from the inner circumference of
the inner ring can end in a sleeve which is located on the center
axis of the inner ring and in which the lens is held or into which
the bush is pushed.
[0023] According to one embodiment, the lens or the bush is held by
three struts which originate from the inner circumference of the
inner ring and are held separated from one another by an angle of
90.degree. or 180.degree..
[0024] According to another embodiment, the lens or the bush is
held by three struts which originate from the inner circumference
of the inner ring and are held separated from one another by an
angle of 120.degree..
[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the lens or
the bush is held by a single strut which originates from the inner
circumference of the inner ring and ends in a sleeve on its center
axis. This results in the light throughput being further
improved.
[0026] The electrical supply lines for the light source are
preferably carried out through one of the struts. To this end, one
of the struts can be designed to be thicker and may have a
longitudinal groove for accommodating the electrical supply lines
for the light source.
[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inner ring
is mounted in the cage by means of leaf springs which are supported
on the inner circumference of the cage and on the outer
circumference of the inner ring, and its position can be adjusted
by means of adjustment screws which pass through the wall of the
cage.
[0028] According to another embodiment of the invention, the inner
ring is mounted in the cage by means of helical springs which are
supported at one end on a step in the inner wall of the cage and at
the other end in holes which are provided for this purpose in the
inner ring, and the inner ring can be tilted by means of adjusting
screws which can be adjusted in the holes from the outside.
[0029] There is thus no need for any calibration firing when using
the supplementary appliance according to the invention, and the
light spot just needs to be made to coincide with the reticle,
which can easily be done by adjusting the inner ring by means of
the adjustment screws or adjusting screws.
[0030] The cage has a clamping apparatus by means of which it can
be fixed firmly, such that it cannot slide, on the objective side
of the telescopic sight by means of a manually operated screw,
therefore without the assistance of any tools, and can be loosened
again in order to remove the telescopic sight.
[0031] The light source can be switched on and off by means of a
switch arranged on the side of the cage; this may be, for example,
a toggle switch, a rotary switch or a push-button switch.
[0032] It is particularly advantageous if a combined switch is
arranged on the side of the cage, which not only allows the light
source to be switched on and off but also allows its light
intensity to be varied as required.
[0033] The invention will be described in more detail in the
following text using the attached drawing by way of example, in
which:
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a telescopic sight and, separately from it, a
supplementary appliance according to the invention,
[0035] FIG. 2 shows the reticle which can be seen through the
ocular of a telescopic sight,
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
supplementary appliance according to the invention, from a first
viewing angle,
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the supplementary
appliance as shown in FIG. 3, from a second viewing angle,
[0038] FIG. 5 shows the front view of the supplementary appliance
as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
[0039] FIG. 6 shows, schematically, a longitudinal section through
the objective end of a telescopic sight with a first embodiment of
the supplementary appliance fitted,
[0040] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged longitudinal section through the
bush, which is held in the center of the supplementary appliance,
as shown in FIG. 6,
[0041] FIG. 8 shows the front view of a variant of the inner ring
of a supplementary appliance according to the invention,
[0042] FIG. 9 shows a section through the inner ring, along the
section line IX-IX in FIG. 8,
[0043] FIG. 10 shows the front view of a further variant of the
inner ring of a supplementary appliance according to the
invention,
[0044] FIG. 11 shows, schematically, the beam path between a
light-emitting diode and a convergent lens as an essential
component of one embodiment of the invention,
[0045] FIG. 12 shows, schematically, the beam path between the
light-emitting diode and the convergent lens of another embodiment
of the invention,
[0046] FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal section through an arrangement
which implements the embodiment as shown in FIG. 12,
[0047] FIG. 14 shows a schematic longitudinal section, as shown in
FIG. 6, through another embodiment of the supplementary appliance
according to the invention,
[0048] FIG. 15 shows the view of the supplementary appliance as
shown in FIG. 14, in the direction of the arrow P in FIG. 14,
[0049] FIG. 16 uses a schematic longitudinal section through the
supplementary appliance according to the invention to show a
variant of the operating switch for the appliance electronics,
and
[0050] FIG. 17 shows the view of the supplementary appliance as
shown in FIG. 16, in the direction of the arrow R in FIG. 16.
[0051] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a telescopic sight 1 onto whose
objective end 2 a supplementary appliance 3 according to the
invention can be fitted, and can be removed again, as required.
FIG. 2 shows the reticle 5, which can be seen through the ocular 4
of the telescopic sight 1, with the crosswires 6, which can be
etched, in a known manner in the form of thin lines, into a glass
plate, and the aiming point 7 in the center of the crosswires 6.
The crosswires 6 and the reticle 5 are normally located in the
object-side focal plane of the ocular 4 or in the image focal plane
of the objective. Bars 8, which originate from the edge and end
considerably before the aiming point 7, are provided on three of
the lines of the crosswires 6 pointing toward the aiming point
7.
[0052] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show perspective views of a first
embodiment of the supplementary appliance 3 from two different
viewing angles and as a front view. This comprises an annular cage
9 in which an inner ring 12 is mounted (see also FIG. 6), supported
by springs 10 and whose position can be adjusted by means of
adjustment screws 11. In this embodiment, the springs 10 are in the
form of leaf springs. An elongated bush 13, extending in the axial
direction, is held in the center of the inner ring 12 by means of
three struts 14 which originate from the inner circumference of the
inner ring 12 and are at angles of 90.degree. or 180.degree. to one
another, for which purpose these struts are in the form of sleeves
at their ends that meet one another. The bush 13 is inserted in
this sleeve 15. As can be seen from FIG. 6, and even more clearly
from FIG. 7, the bush 13 has a concentric recess 16, 17 at both its
front end and at its rear end, which recesses are connected to one
another through a central passage 18. A preferably red
light-emitting diode 19 is inserted into the recess 16 at that end
of the bush 13 which points forward from the supplementary
appliance 3, while a microlens 20 is fitted into the recess 17 at
the other, inner end, and is preferably a convergent lens. An
optical fiber 21 which is no thicker than a hair projects from the
light-emitting diode 19 into the passage 18 as far as the
object-side focal point of the convergent lens 20.
[0053] According to one proposal of the invention, this convergent
lens 20 focuses the beam of light from the light-emitting diode 19,
which originates at the end of the optical fiber 21 and which
arrives at it through the passage 18, onto its image-side focal
point, where it produces a very small, sharp point of light, which
then comes to rest at the aiming point 7 of the reticle 5 of a
telescopic sight 1 equipped with this supplementary appliance, and
thus illuminates this aiming point 7 exactly. However, according to
this proposal, the position of the point of light at the aiming
point 7 of the reticle 5 is achieved in an ideal manner only if the
image-side focal point of the convergent lens 20 lies in the
object-side focal plane of the ocular 4 of the telescopic sight 1,
in which the reticle 5 is normally also located. This means that
such a supplementary appliance can be used optimally only in
conjunction with telescopic sights 1 with a specific focal length,
and its usefulness is thus limited.
[0054] In order actually to make the supplementary appliance usable
universally, that is to say in conjunction with different
telescopic sights 1, including those with different focal lengths,
then, according to a further proposal of the invention, the light
beams which originate from the light-emitting diode 19 and, as
described, are focused by the optical fiber 21 at the object-side
focal point of the convergent lens 20 are not focused by the
convergent lens 20, but are collimated or made parallel. This means
that the light-emitting diode 19 and the optical fiber 21 together
form an approximately point light source at the object-side focal
point of the convergent lens 20, and the divergent light beams,
which arrive at the convergent lens 20, leave the convergent lens
20 (or collimator lens 20) as parallel light beams. These then
arrive at the reticle 5 of the telescopic sight 1. The light spot
which can be produced in this way at the aiming point 7 in the
reticle 5 is still small and sharp enough to illuminate this aiming
point 7 accurately and, particularly in terms of its extent,
remains constant irrespective of the distance between the reticle 5
and the convergent lens 20. The supplementary appliance can thus be
used universally even on telescopic sights 1 having different focal
lengths. Alternatively, the collimation of the light beams for this
purpose can also be achieved by optical means other than a
convergent or collimator lens.
[0055] FIG. 11 shows, schematically, the beam path from the
light-emitting diode 19, via the optical fiber 21 and through the
convergent or collimator lens 20. The optical fiber 21 which
projects from the light-emitting diode 19 extends, as mentioned, as
far as the object-side focal point of the convergent or collimator
lens 20, and thus limits the diameter of the light beam emerging
from this lens, that is to say it acts like an aperture to produce
a light spot which is approximately in the form of a point. To this
end, the optical fiber 21 has a diameter which is approximately 9
.mu.m. The divergent beam 26 which originates from the optical
fiber 21 and is directed at the convergent or collimator lens 20 is
advantageously once again limited by a further aperture 27
immediately before it arrives at this lens 20. The light beams
which pass through the aperture 27 and through the convergent lens
20 leave the latter as a tightly limited light beam composed of
parallel light beam elements 28. The aperture 27 prevents
disturbing reflections on the edge of the convergent lens 20.
[0056] In one specific embodiment, it is possible to use, for
example, a microconvergent lens 20 having a diameter of 3 mm and a
focal length of f=12-15 mm; the optical fiber 21 has a diameter of
approximately 9 .mu.m, but a diameter of 30 .mu.m to 70 .mu.m may
also still be acceptable. This projects from the light-emitting
diode 19 into the passage 18 as far as the object-side focal point
of the convergent lens 20. The overall length 1 of the bush 13 then
becomes the sum of the focal length f plus the length a of the
optical fiber 21 plus the depth b and c of the two respective
recesses 16, 17 which accommodate the light-emitting diode 19 and
the microconvergent lens 20 (see FIG. 7). In this example, the
external diameter of the bush 13 is 4 mm, and the diameter of the
passage 18 is 1 mm.
[0057] Handling of the very fine optical fiber 21, with the desired
diameter of approximately 9 to 10 .mu.m and a length of
approximately 10 mm, is very difficult during production of the
supplementary appliance. As an alternative, it is therefore
proposed that the optical fiber 21 be replaced by a further
aperture 29 arranged at the object-side focal point of the
convergent lens 20, in order to limit the divergent beam
originating from the light-emitting diode 19 in the way which is
schematically illustrated for the beam path between the
light-emitting diode 19 and the convergent or collimator lens 20 in
FIG. 12; the light spot is in this case produced by the image of
the aperture opening in the reticle 5. The aperture 29 thus
achieves the same effect as that with the optical fiber 21 in FIG.
11.
[0058] FIG. 13 uses a section view to show one possible practical
embodiment of such an arrangement within the bush 13 (see FIG. 7).
The illustration shows the bush 13 with the recesses 16, 17, which
are connected by the concentric passage 18, at its two ends. The
light-emitting diode 19 is arranged centrally in the recess 16, the
convergent or collimator lens 20 is inserted into the recess 17 and
is seated on a step 30 at the junction between the recess 17 and
the passage 18. This step 30 at the same time carries out the
function of the aperture 27 in front of the convergent lens 20. The
aperture 29 is fitted into a step 31 at the junction between the
recess 16 and the passage 18. The aperture 29 preferably has a
diameter of 9 to 10 .mu.m, and the material may be
platinum-iridium.
[0059] The electrical connections of the light-emitting diode 19
are carried out at the side; this can preferably be done within one
of the struts 14, for example the central strut 14", for which
purpose this strut, as shown, is designed to be somewhat thicker
than the two other struts 14, and can be provided with a groove 25
(in this context, see FIGS. 8 and 9) for accommodating the
electrical supply lines. The light-emitting diode 19 can be
switched on and off by means of a switch 22 fitted on the outside
of the cage 9, at the side, and this switch 22 also preferably
allows its light intensity to be varied as required.
[0060] In the first embodiment of the supplementary appliance
described above, the inner ring 12 is mounted by means of leaf
springs 10 which are supported at the side on the housing wall of
the cage 9, and which can be moved horizontally for adjustment by
means of adjustment screws 11 provided on the sides of the cage.
FIG. 14 shows an alternative solution for the mounting and
adjustment of the inner ring 12 in the cage 9. FIG. 15 shows the
view in the direction of the arrow P in FIG. 14. According to this
proposal, the inner ring 12 cannot be moved in a horizontal plane,
but is mounted such that it can be tilted in a tumbling manner. For
this purpose, a number of helical springs 10', preferably three,
are supported on a step 32 in the inner wall of the cage 9 and in
holes 33, which are provided for this purpose in the inner ring 12
and are arranged spaced apart uniformly on the circumference of the
inner ring 12. The inner ring 12 can be tilted by means of
adjusting screws 34, preferably socket-headed screws, which can be
adjusted from the outside in a thread within the holes 33, until
the light spot produced according to the invention is located
accurately at the aiming point 7 of a reticle 5.
[0061] The electronics for the illuminated reticle are accommodated
in a projection 35 which protrudes at the side of the cage 2 and,
as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, can be operated by means of a toggle
switch 36 or, according to a variant shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, by
means of a rotary switch 37. Operation by means of a slide switch
or by means of push-button switches can likewise be provided.
[0062] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show embodiments of the supplementary
appliance in which the way in which the bush 13 is held is varied.
While in the first embodiment described above, the struts 14 which
originate from the inner circumference of the inner ring 12 and
extend as far as the sleeve 15 which accommodates the bush 13 in
the center are at angles of 90.degree. and 180.degree. to one
another, the struts 14', 14" in the inner ring 12' shown in FIG. 8
are each arranged with uniform angular separations of 120.degree..
In this case as well, the strut 14" which is vertical in FIG. 8 is
designed to be somewhat thicker than the two other struts. This
strut has a longitudinal groove 25 (see also FIG. 9) in which the
electrical connecting lines of the light-emitting diode can be
carried out.
[0063] According to FIG. 10, only one strut 14 extends as far as
the center of the inner ring 12, where it ends in the sleeve 15
which accommodates the bush 13. The advantage of this embodiment is
that light throughput is better, while the embodiments with three
struts 14 are more robust and are more resistant to impact.
[0064] A further variation option, which is not shown, for the
supplementary appliance consists in that the light-emitting diode
19 can be arranged at the side on the annular cage 9 of the
appliance, and its light is guided into the passage 18 in the bush
13 and to the microlens 20 using an optical fiber (glass fiber)
which can in turn be laid within that strut 14 which is designed to
be thicker, or in the longitudinal groove 25 in the thicker strut
14".
[0065] As can best be seen in FIGS. 6, 14 and 16, the described
supplementary appliance 3 is pushed onto the objective end 2 of the
telescopic sight 1 when required and can be fixed firmly, such that
it cannot slide, by means of a clamping apparatus 23 which is known
per se, is provided on the cage 9 and is guided there in a slot 24
(see FIGS. 3 and 4), using a screw on the circumferential surface
of the telescopic sight 1. The inner ring 12, which is supported by
springs 10 or 10', is adjusted by means of the adjustment screws 11
or the adjusting screws 34, such that the small light spot which is
produced by the microconvergent lens 20 when the light-emitting
diode 19 is switched on is located in the reticle 5 or at the
aiming point 7 of the crosswires in the telescopic sight 1. A
small, sharp light spot is thus produced in the reticle 5, to be
precise directly at the aiming point 7, whose size and intensity
are equivalent to that in conventional telescopic sights which are
available on the market with integrated illuminated reticles, and
which allow the hunter to aim at his target even in twilight or in
moonlight; there is thus no need to estimate or average the
position of the aiming point 7. There is no light scatter to reduce
the contrast. In this case, no calibration firing is required for
adjustment, and the light point just needs to be made to coincide
with the aiming point 7 in the reticle 5, which is simple to do
using the adjustment or adjusting screws 11 or 34. The light point
is switched on and off by means of a switch 22 (toggle switch or
rotary switch 36, 37) fitted at the side, and its light intensity
can also preferably be varied.
[0066] Since this supplementary appliance is fitted to the
objective end 2 of the telescopic sight 1, the distance between the
eye and the ocular 4 remains unchanged. The struts 14 which hold
the bush 13 do not have any disturbing effect on the user's eye by
interrupting the light. The appliance can be fitted to the
telescopic sight, and can be removed again, when required with a
few, simple actions and without the assistance of any tool. This
supplementary appliance can be fitted as a supplementary device to
all telescopic sights on the market, irrespective of their
magnification and objective diameter. In comparison to an
illuminated reticle which is integrated in the telescopic sight, it
has the particular advantage that it can optionally be used on
different telescopic sights.
* * * * *