Field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to a reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system, such as
a scope for a rifle.
[0002] It is a goal of the invention to provide a ranging system which assist in aiming
at a target of given size, i.e., a known size which is generally known beforehand,
for a target of certain type such as an animal or objects of certain dimension or
height.
Summary of the invention
[0003] This goal is achieved by a reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system, such as
a scope for a rifle, which comprises a ranging system, the ranging system including
a zero point (or primary aiming point) and at least one target image mark having a
geometric form, said at least one target image mark representing a theoretical target
image corresponding to a theoretical target of given size as seen through the reticle.
[0004] Preferably, the target image may, by its size, represent the given size of the theoretical
target at a predetermined distance. In the advantageous case that multiple target
images are provided, they will represent the size of the theoretical target at respective
different multiple distances.
[0005] One target image may be located centered at the zero point. Instead or in combination,
one or more target images may be placed, at a specific area respectively, on the reticle
below or above the zero point, representing a holdover area. The holdover area as
represented by said target image may further contain an actual hold over point with
regard to a specific type of projectile with predetermined ballistic performance,
for a distance value designated to the target image. Moreover, the actual hold over
point may or may not be indicated or shown in said target image.
[0006] The geometric form of the target image may be a circular form; other forms may be
suitable as well, such as an oval, rectangular or quadratic shape. Furthermore, the
zero point may be marked with a dot or another type of centering symbol.
[0007] The reticle of the invention may further comprise one or more wind calculation marks,
which serve to indicate positions of wind calculations for compensating for different
wind speeds adjacent to corresponding target images. These wind calculation marks
may be represented as dots or other suitable symbols, such as crosses or lines or
ranging fiducials.
[0008] Summarizing, the reticle of the invention includes a ranging system using a predetermined
theoretical target image in circular form and size such as to represent a target,
such as an animal, wherein the target images would represent the size of that target
at different multiple distances. The target images are placed at specific position
on the reticle below or above the zero point of the reticle representing the holdover
area, inside of which is the actual hold over point, which may be indicated for that
target at that designated distance, for a specific projectile with predetermined ballistic
performance. This ranging system eliminates the need for range calculations and scope
adjustments to correlate to that range. Additionally specific wind calculations 54,
55 may be marked and designated for different wind speeds adjacent to the different
target images.
Brief description of the drawings
[0009]
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a riflescope mounted on a rifle in accordance with
one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a Schematic diagram showing optical elements of a riflescope in accordance
with one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a view of a reticle in according with one embodiment as viewed through an
ocular of a riflescope.
FIG. 4 is a view of the reticle of FIG. 3 including reference numerals referred to
in the detailed description for describing the various features of the reticle.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the reticle of FIG. 3 including dimension lines referred
to in the detailed description for describing the various features of the reticle.
Detailed description of the invention
[0010] Fig.1 is a side elevation view of a riflescope 30 mounted to a rifle 31 in accordance
with one embodiment. Fig.2 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of optical
elements 32 of riflescope 30, together with ray trace lines 33 indicating the path
of light from an observed object (not shown) located to the left of the assembly of
optical elements, as the light travels through the optical system along an optical
path. Riflescope 30 includes a tubular housing that supports at opposite ends an objective
or objective lens assembly 34 and an ocular or ocular lens assembly 35 (sometimes
referred as an eyepiece or eyepiece lens assembly). Objective 34 focuses the image
of an observed object at a first (front) focal plane 36 located medially of objective
34 and ocular 35. A power adjustment erector lens assembly 38 interposed between objective
34 and ocular 35 inverts the image and refocusing it at a second (rear) focal plane
37 between erector lens assembly 38 and ocular 35. At least a part of erector lens
assembly is movable in response to rotation of a power selector ring 39 or other power
selector mechanism to adjust the optical power of riflescope 30 within a predetermined
range of magnification. For example, the optical power of riflescope 30 may range
between approximately 6x and 24x magnification, in accordance with some embodiments;
in other embodiments, the optical power of riflescope 30 may be fixed or may be adjustable
in various other magnification ranges.
[0011] A reticle 40 is perfectly positioned or superimposed in a field of view in the optical
path between objective 34 and erector lens assembly 38, at or adjacent first focal
plane 36. Consequently, the angels subtended by aiming marks (described below) of
reticle are the same at any magnification. In a variant embodiment (not shown), this
reticle may be embodied in a transparent reticle disc located at front or rear focal
plane 36, 37 of riflescope 30, in which case the angels subtended by the aiming marks
will vary with magnification settings of riflescope 30.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of reticle 40 as viewed through ocular 35 of
riflescope 30. FIG. 4 is another pictorial view of reticle 40 that includes reference
numbers as explained below, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of reticle 40 that includes
dimension lines for the various aiming marks.
[0013] The reticle 40 includes a number of marks forming a ranging system according to the
invention. The arrangement and selection of aiming marks of reticle 40 are suited
to tactical shooting, in which targets, such as an animal or a hostile target, are
located at close or far range, the optical power range of riflescope 30 is moderate
or low, can be aimed with the one reticle 40 without any adjustment to the sight or
weapon. For example, as described in detail below, marks of reticle 40 provide aiming
marks for a theoretical target image in circular form and size such as to represent
a target, for instance an animal.
[0014] Reticle 40 is preferably formed on a substantially flat disc of optical quality material,
such as glass or plastic, and includes a primary aiming mark 50. As can be seen in
FIGS. 3 and 4, mark 50 is a centrally located dot generally aligned with the optical
center of rifle-scope 30. Mark 50 usually coincides with the zero point of the reticle.
To draw a shooter's eye and help a shooter locate primary aiming point 50, mark 50
is wholly or partly encompassed by an aiming ring 51.
[0015] A pair of primary horizontal sight lines 43 at opposing sides of mark 50 collectively
overlay a horizontal axis 42 that intersects primary aiming point 50. Dimension marks
44 on each of horizontal sight lines 43 provide user horizontal corrections calculated
using mathematics or chart expressed in terms of mrad (milliradian). Vertical sight
line 45 located to the upper left side of the left horizontal sight line 43, Dimension
marks 46 on vertical sight line 45 provide user vertical corrections in terms of mrad.
[0016] One or more marks 53, which may be used as aiming marks, ranging marks, target image
marks or marks for use as holdover areas, are provided at positions below the primary
aiming point 50. The marks 53 are pre-calculated target images corresponding to deferent
distances for a pre-calculated dimension of a target overlay a vertical axis 41 and
trajectory bar 52 that interests primary aiming point 50, spaced apart by progressively
increasing incremental distances. Providing holdover aiming areas for regularly incrementing
target distances based on the parabolic flight. In embodiments not shown, the holdover
point may be indicated or shown in the respective mark 53, for instance at the center
of the circle representing the mark.
[0017] Aiming / ranging marks 53 are spaced apart at distances from the primary aiming point
50. The marks 53 may be preselected and pre-calculated in dimension, to represent
a preselected target image at that particular range. Alternatively or in combination,
the marks 53 may be preselected and calculated to compensate for bullet drop of respective
ammunition at regular incrementing target distances.
[0018] Additional horizontal points aligned to some or all of marks 53 include wind adjustment
dots 54 to compensate deferent wind speeds offset from trajectory bar 52, corresponding
to target incremental distances matching target image / holdover areas / ranging incremental
distances.
[0019] In reticle 40 ranging fiducials may be provided, shown as right side numerals "4",
"5", "6", "7", and "8" providing a visual indication and reminder of target distances
(in unit of hundreds of meters), as indicated in FIG. 5. In reticle 40 ranging fiducials
may be provided, shown as bottom side numerals "7", "14", and "21" providing a visual
indication and reminder of wind speed (in unit of meter per second).
Reference Symbols
[0020]
- 30
- Riflescope.
- 31
- projectile-weapon such as Rifle.
- 32
- Optical elements.
- 33
- Ray trace lines.
- 34
- Objective or objective lens assembly.
- 35
- Ocular or ocular lens assembly.
- 36
- First (front) focal plane.
- 37
- Second (rear) focal plane.
- 38
- Erector lens assembly.
- 39
- Power selection ring.
- 40
- Reticule.
- 41
- Vertical axis.
- 42
- Horizontal axis.
- 43
- Primary horizontal sight lines.
- 44
- Dimension marks.
- 45
- Vertical sight line.
- 46
- Dimension marks.
- 50
- Zero point.
- 51
- Target image / Holdover area / Ranging.
- 52
- Vertical alignment.
- 53
- Target image / Holdover area / Ranging.
- 54
- Wind adjusting marks.
- 55
- Wind speed.
1. A reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system, such as a scope for a rifle, comprising
a ranging system, the ranging system including a zero point (50) and at least one
target image mark (51, 53) having a geometric form, said at least one target image
mark representing a theoretical target image corresponding to a theoretical target
of given size as seen through the reticle.
2. The reticle according to claim 1, wherein the target image (51) represents, by its
size, the given size of the theoretical target at a predetermined distance.
3. The reticle according to claim 1, comprising multiple target images (51, 53), which
each represent the size of the theoretical target at a respective of different multiple
distances.
4. The reticle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one target image (51) is located
centered at the zero point (50).
5. The reticle of any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one target image
(53) which is placed at specific area on the reticle below or above the zero point
(50), representing a holdover area.
6. The reticle of claim 5, wherein the holdover area as represented by said target image
(53) contains an actual hold over point with regard to a specific type of projectile
with predetermined ballistic performance, for a distance value designated to the target
image (53).
7. The reticle of claim 6, wherein the actual hold over point is indicated in said target
image.
8. The reticle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the geometric form of the
target image is a circular form.
9. The reticle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the zero point (50) is marked
with a dot.
10. The reticle of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more wind
calculation marks (54, 55), indicating positions of wind calculations for compensating
for different wind speeds adjacent to corresponding target images (53).