Optical Sight Turret System

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/664,107, filed on Jun. 25, 2024, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This disclosure relates generally in the field of turrets of viewing optics.

Viewing optics such as commercially available firearm optical sights are often equipped with turrets that have particular structural operating functions. For example, elevation turrets and windage turrets of firearm optical sights are often provided having adjustment-locking mechanisms and stopping mechanisms. And, although certain viewing optics include turrets with replaceable outer manually operable turret caps that allow for customization of informational markings located on the outer surface(s) of such turret caps, the actual structural operating functions of the turrets are not modifiable or interchangeable post production.

Overcoming such a shortcoming is desired.

The disclosure provides a system comprising (1) one or more optical sights; and (2) one or more adjustment turret cassettes removably attachable to each of the one or more optical sights in a manner effective to provide each of the one or more optical sights with one or more adjustment turret operating functions.

A system, comprising (1) one or more optical sights, wherein each of the one or more optical sights has one or more adjustment turret interfaces; and (2) one or more adjustment turret cassettes removably attachable to each of the one or more adjustment turret interfaces providing one or more turret assemblies for the one or more optical sights; wherein each of the one or more adjustment turret cassettes provides the one or more optical sights with one or more turret assembly operating functions.

A method, comprising modifying a turret configuration for at least one optical sight of a system, the system including (1) one or more optical sights; and (2) a plurality of adjustment turret cassettes; wherein each of the one or more optical sights has one or more adjustment turret interfaces; and wherein each of the plurality of adjustment turret cassettes has an operational design removably attachable to each of the one or more adjustment turret interfaces in a manner effective to manipulate each of the one or more adjustment turret interfaces according to the operational design of the adjustment turret cassette; by replacing one or more first adjustment turret cassettes of the plurality of adjustment turret cassettes that are operably attached to the at least one optical sight with one or more second adjustment turret cassettes of the plurality of adjustment turret cassettes.

The term “at least one”, “one or more”, and “one or a plurality” mean one thing or more than one thing with no limit on the exact number; these three terms may be used interchangeably within this disclosure. For example, at least one device means one or more devices or one device and a plurality of devices.

The term “about” means that a value of a given quantity is within ±20% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±15% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±10% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±7.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±2.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±1% of the stated value.

The term “substantially” or “essentially” means that a value of a given quantity is within ±10% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±7.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±2.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±1% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±0.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±0.1% of the stated value.

The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference is now made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and particular language will be used to describe the same. It is understood that no limitation of the scope of the claimed subject matter is intended by way of the disclosure.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances, the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in some circumstances, an event or capacity can be expected, while in other circumstances, the event or capacity cannot occur. This distinction is captured by the terms “may” and “may be.”

In regard to the use of a term in this disclosure in the singular and/or plural, persons of ordinary skill in the art can translate such term(s) from the singular to the plural and/or from the plural to the singular in accordance with the context of the disclosure. The inclusion of “(s)” after an element or a step indicates that one or more than one of such element or step is present with the understanding that each thereof is an independent aspect of the disclosure.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or the like. The use of the term “assembly” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of an assembly are all necessarily configured in a common package.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. Herein, the term “optical sight” may be used interchangeably with the terms “scope,” “scope sight,” “optical platform,” “sight system,” “telescopic sight,” “optical aiming device,” and “viewing optic.” Herein, a person using a turret system of this disclosure may be referred to as a “user,” “operator” or “shooter.”

Regarding one or more visual marks that may be provided as part of a turret assembly of this disclosure, the term “mark” is used herein to define one or more indicia of one or more shapes or configurations including, but not necessarily limited to dots, straight lines, closed circles, open circles, closed rings, open rings, triangles, stars, chevrons, bullseyes, diamonds, X-shape marks, “T” shape marks, curved lines, crosses, letters, numbers, arc shapes, solid shapes including irregular shapes, and combinations thereof. Herein, the term “dot” need not necessarily be provided in a circular or substantially circular form.

Herein, “MIL” or “MRAD” is a shortening of the term milliradian and “MILs” and “MRADs” is a shortening of milliradians. A milliradian is an angular measurement wherein a milliradian is a thousandth of a radian. There are 6,283 radians in a circle, which equates to 6283.0 milliradians in a circle. As understood by the skilled artisan, milliradians are used in the adjustment of firearm sights by adjusting the angle of a sight compared to the barrel of a corresponding firearm. For purposes of this disclosure, “milliradian,” “MIL” and “MRAD” can be used interchangeably.

Herein, “MOA” refers to Minutes of Angle, which is an angular measurement wherein one minute of angle is equal to 1/60 of a degree. As understood by the skilled artisan, the term “subtension” refers to the amount of a target that is covered by some part of a reticle of an optical sight. Subtension may be measured in length at a specific distance (inches at a distance in yards) or as an angular measurement in MRAD or MOA.

As understood by the skilled artisan in projectile launching devices, an “elevation turret” is an adjustment turret typically located on an upper part of an optical sight configured to adjust vertical alignment of a reticle of the optical sight to adjust the point of impact for bullet drop and a “windage turret” is an adjustment turret typically located on a side of an optical sight configured to adjust horizontal alignment of a reticle of the optical sight to adjust the point of impact for wind. As also understood by the skilled artisan, elevation adjustments and windage adjustments are typically measured in MRAD or MOA measurements.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, a “projectile launching device” may include, but is not necessarily limited to a firearm, a bow, and a crossbow. Herein, the term “firearm” may include, but is not limited to a pistol, a semiautomatic firearm, e.g., a semiautomatic rifle, a bolt action firearm, e.g., a bolt action rifle, a shotgun, a revolver, a shoulder fired bazooka, a shoulder fired rocket launcher, an air rifle, and a paintball gun. As understood by a person skilled in the art of firearms and/or firearm shooting (a “skilled artisan”), a particular firearm may be provided in different barrel lengths. Non-limiting examples of pistols are provided in United States Patent Number U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,889, titled “Automatic Pistol with Counteracting Spring Control Mechanism,” issued on Sep. 10, 1985; and United States Patent Number U.S. D918,328 S, titled “Handgun,” issued on May 4, 2021, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Non-limiting examples of semiautomatic rifles are provided in United States Patent Number U.S. Pat. No. 9,777,975 B2, titled “Semiautomatic Firearm,” issued on Oct. 3, 2017; and United States Patent Number U.S. Pat. No. 7,775,150 B2, titled “Law Enforcement Carbine with One Piece Receiver,” issued on Aug. 17, 2010, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Non-limiting examples of a bolt action firearm are provided in United States Patent Number U.S. Pat. No. 8,925,234 B1, titled “Bolt Action Rifle with Safety Latching Mechanism,” issued on Jan. 6, 2015; and United States Patent Number U.S. Pat. No. 8,397,416 B2, titled “Multi-Caliber Bolt-Action Rifle and Components,” issued on Mar. 19, 2013; each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In regard to use with rifles, an optical sight configured to mount to a rifle may also be referred to as a riflescope. In regard to use with pistols, an optical sight configured to mount to a pistol may also be referred to as a pistol scope. An optical sight may include a first focal plane optical sight, a second focal plane optical sight, or a dual focal plane optical sight. Non-limiting examples of firearm optical sights are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,007, titled “Optical Gun Sight,” issued on Feb. 21, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 7,676,137 B2, titled “Optical Sight,” issued on Mar. 9, 2019; U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,451, titled “Aiming Telescope,” issued on Mar. 18, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 11,473,873 B2, titled “Viewing Optic with Round Counter System,” issued on Oct. 18, 2022; U.S. Pat. No. 9,970,735 B2, titled “Telescopic Sight,” issued on May 15, 2018, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Herein, the term “firearm load” refers to a unit of ammunition that includes a cartridge case, primer, powder and bullet. The term “bullet drop” refers to the curved trajectory traversed by a moving projectile, e.g., a bullet, as it falls from its initial trajectory while traveling a distance, i.e., “target range” or “target distance,” from a projectile launching device to a target. As understood by the skilled artisan, bullet drop is caused by the influence of gravity on a moving projectile or bullet. Therefore, to hit a target at long range, it is necessary to elevate the barrel of a firearm and the aiming point to compensate for bullet drop. The term “full value wind” refers to wind blowing perpendicular left to right or right to left in relation to a reticle and user thereof, e.g., a cross wind. Using a clock system, full value winds travel “9 to 3” and “3 to 9” in relation to a reticle of an optical sight and user thereof. As also understood by the skilled artisan, the term “full value” in reference to wind means that the force of the wind has a full effect on the flight of a bullet compared to a “half value wind” or “no value wind.” As further understood by the skilled artisan, generally, the greater the velocity of wind the greater its force.

Herein, “environmental contaminants” may include but are not limited to liquids, moisture, vapor, gases, reactive chemicals, and debris. Non-limiting examples of debris may include materials such as dirt, dust, sand, powdery substances, metal shavings, wood shavings, fine particulate matter, and combinations thereof.

In firearm shooting and other projectile targeting activities, it is understood that distances in meters may be converted to yards and vice versa. A non-limiting sampling of conversions for various distances in meters and yards are provided in Tables 1 and 2 below.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system and method for modifying turret functionality for one or more optical sights of the system. Examples of turret functionality may include, but is not limited to tactical functions, locking turret functions, turret stop functions, turret zero stop functions, turret rotation, turret rotational position indication, turret linear positional indication, and turret revolution count indication.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system and method for modifying turret functionality and/or turret operational design for one or more optical sights of the system. Turret operational designs may include capped and exposed turret operational designs.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights and one or more adjustment turret cassettes removably attachable to adjustment turret interfaces of the one or more optical sights. Each of the one or more adjustment turret cassettes includes one or more components that operate in a manner effective to provide one or more turret functions for an optical sight to which the adjustment turret cassette is operably attached.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights wherein turret functionality and/or turret operation of the one or more optical sights is modifiable as desired or as may otherwise be required for one or more optical sight uses.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more firearm optical sights wherein turret functionality and/or turret operational design for one or more of the firearm optical sights of the system may be modified as desired.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights wherein the functionality and/or operation and/or operational design of the turrets of the one or more optical sights may be customized on a user per user basis. In an embodiment, the system may include a plurality of interchangeable turret cassettes of varying functionality and/or operational design that may be operably attached to one or more optical sights as desired. As an example, for a firearm optical sight, one or more turret cassettes may operably attached to the firearm optical sight according to a particular firearm caliber and/or firearm load.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights, wherein the one or more optical sights have common turret interfaces for receiving interchangeable turret cassettes of varying functionality and/or operation. The interchangeable turret cassettes of the system may include one or more elevation turret cassettes and/or one or more windage turret cassettes. Users may modify turret functionality and/or turret operation for an optical sight of the system via the interchangeability of the turret cassettes of the system. In an embodiment, the common turret interfaces include one or more common mounting surfaces and each of the one or more interchangeable turret cassettes include one or more common mating surfaces removably mateable with the one or more mounting surfaces. In an embodiment, the one or more common mounting surfaces and one or more common mating surfaces are configured to provide angular indexing between a turret interface and a turret cassette operably attached thereto.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights and one or more adjustment turret cassettes, wherein each of the one or more optical sights has at least one adjustment turret interface that is configured for use with each of the one or more adjustment turret cassettes of the system. In an embodiment, each individual adjustment turret cassette provides one or more turret functions for an optical sight via a desired mode of operation whereby when a particular adjustment turret cassette is operably attached to an adjustment turret interface thereby forming a turret assembly of an optical sight, then the turret assembly is configured to provide the optical sight with one or more particular turret functions. Interchangeability of adjustment turret cassettes allows users to customize turret assemblies for one or more particular optical sights according to user preferences as to desired turret functionality.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights, each of the one or more optical sights having at least one adjustment turret interface configured to receive in operable attachment an adjustment turret cassette from amongst a plurality of adjustment turret cassettes of the system in a manner effective to provide a plurality of turret assemblies for each of the one or more optical sights. Each individual adjustment turret cassette is removably attachable to one or more adjustment turret interfaces of the system and each individual adjustment turret cassette is configured to manipulate an adjustment turret interface to which it is attached according to the design configuration and functionality of the adjustment turret cassette.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights, each of the one or more optical sights having at least one adjustment turret interface, each adjustment turret interface having a one or more mounting surfaces configured to receive in operable attachment an adjustment turret cassette from amongst a plurality of adjustment turret cassettes of the system in a manner effective to provide a plurality of turret assemblies for each of the one or more optical sights. Each adjustment turret cassette of the system includes one or more mating surfaces removably matable to the one or more mounting surfaces of the at least one adjustment turret interface of each of the one or more optical sights.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a turret system including at least one or a plurality of adjustment turret cassettes, at least one optical sight having at least one adjustment turret interface configured to receive in operable attachment an adjustment turret cassette of the system, wherein each individual adjustment turret cassette is removably and operably attachable to a rotatable member of the at least one adjustment turret interface. When operably attached to a rotatable member of an adjustment turret interface, an adjustment turret cassette of the system is configured to manipulate the adjustment turret interface according to one or more operating functions of the adjustment turret cassette.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights, each of the one or more optical sights having at least one adjustment turret interface defining a rotational axis, wherein the at least one adjustment turret interface is configured to receive in operable attachment a removable adjustment turret cassette selected from a plurality of removable adjustment turret cassettes of the system. Suitably, each individual adjustment turret cassette may be removably attached to one or more mounting surfaces of the at least one adjustment turret interface, wherein the one or more mounting surfaces of the at least one adjustment turret interface are configured to rotate about the rotational axis and be directed linearly along the rotational axis during operation. Each individual adjustment turret cassette of the turret system, when operably attached to an adjustment turret interface, is configured to manipulate the adjustment turret interface according to the one or more operating functions of the adjustment turret cassette.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights, each of the one or more optical sights having at least one adjustment turret interface configured to receive in operable attachment thereto one or more adjustment turret cassettes providing one or more operable turret assemblies for the one or more optical sights, wherein each individual adjustment turret cassette is removably attachable to the at least one adjustment turret interface of an optical sight. When operably attached with an adjustment turret interface, each individual adjustment turret cassette of the system is configured to manipulate the adjustment turret interface according to the one or more operating functions of the adjustment turret cassette. In an embodiment, each individual adjustment turret cassette of the system may include an outer surface comprising angular measurement information. In an embodiment, the system may include one or more turret caps removably attachable to each of the one or more adjustment turret cassettes, one or more of the one or more turret caps including angular measurement information including one or more angular measurement marks for use with the angular measurement information of one or more adjustment turret cassettes. In an embodiment, one or more optical sights of the system may include one or more informational marks for use with the at least one adjustment turret interface and/or for use with one or more of the adjustment turret cassettes.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights. In an embodiment, one or more of the one or more optical sights may include an elevation turret interface that is configured to receive in operable attachment thereto a removable elevation adjustment cassette selected from one or more elevation adjustment cassettes of the system. In an embodiment, one or more of the one or more optical sights may include a windage turret interface that is configured to receive in operable attachment thereto a removable windage adjustment cassette selected from one or more windage adjustment cassettes of the system. In an embodiment, an elevation turret interface and a windage turret interface of an optical sight may each define a rotational axis perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the other.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a turret system including one or more optical sights, each of the one or more optical sights having at least one adjustment turret interface defining a rotational axis wherein the at least one adjustment turret interface of each of the one or more optical sights is configured to receive in operable attachment thereto a plurality of adjustment turret cassettes of the turret system. In an embodiment, the at least one adjustment turret interface may include (1) a first end including one or more members configured to be attached to an optical sight in a fixed position during operation of the at least one adjustment turret interface and (2) a second end comprising one or more members rotatable about the rotational axis, wherein each individual adjustment turret cassette is removably matable to at least part of the second end of the at least one adjustment turret interface.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a turret system including one or more optical sights, each of the one or more optical sights having at least one adjustment turret interface configured to receive in operable attachment thereto at least one or a plurality of adjustment turret cassettes providing at least one or a plurality of turret assemblies for each of the one or more optical sights, whereby a user may customize the turret assemblies of each of the one or more optical sights of the turret system according to the one or more operating functions of each adjustment turret cassette of the turret system.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights, each optical sight having one or more adjustment turret interfaces that are configured to receive one or more interchangeable adjustment turret cassettes, wherein each individual adjustment turret cassette is configured to provide an optical sight with one or more particular adjustment turret operating functions when attached to an adjustment turret interface of an optical sight, which allows a user to make use of varying adjustment turret operating functions when a selected adjustment turret cassette is operably attached to an adjustment turret interface of an optical sight. A system of this disclosure may also include one or more future adjustment turret cassettes to accommodate one or more future developments in optical sight, firearm and firearm load technology.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including at least one optical sight comprising an elevation turret interface and a windage turret interface. The system also includes at least one or more adjustment turret cassettes configured as one or more elevation adjustment turret cassettes removably attachable to the elevation turret interface and one or more adjustment turret cassettes configured as one or more windage adjustment turret cassettes removably attachable to the windage turret interface. Each of the one or more adjustment turret cassettes includes one or more components that operate in a manner effective to provide one or more elevation turret functions and/or windage turret functions for the at least one optical sight.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights, each of the one or more optical sights comprising an elevation turret interface and a windage turret interface. The system also includes at least one or more adjustment turret cassettes configured as one or more elevation adjustment turret cassettes removably attachable to the elevation turret interface of each of the one or more optical sights and one or more adjustment turret cassettes configured as one or more windage adjustment turret cassettes removably attachable to the windage turret interface of each of the one or more optical sights. Each of the one or more adjustment turret cassettes includes one or more components that operate in a manner effective to provide one or more elevation turret functions and/or windage turret functions for each of the one or more optical sights.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including a plurality of optical sights, each optical sight comprising an elevation turret interface and a windage turret interface. The system also includes at least one or more adjustment turret cassettes configured as one or more elevation adjustment turret cassettes removably attachable to the elevation turret interface of each optical sight and one or more adjustment turret cassettes configured as one or more windage adjustment turret cassettes removably attachable to the windage turret interface of each optical sight. Each of the one or more adjustment turret cassettes includes one or more components that operate in a manner effective to provide one or more elevation turret functions and/or windage turret functions for each of the plurality of optical sights.

In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a system including one or more optical sights, wherein the one or more optical sights have common turret interfaces for receiving interchangeable turret cassettes of varying functionality and/or operation. In an embodiment, the common turret interfaces include one or more common contact surfaces and each of the one or more interchangeable turret cassettes include one or more common contact surfaces for mating with the one or more contact surfaces of each of the turret interfaces of the system.

With reference to, in an embodiment an optical sight turret system(or “system”) of this disclosure may include at least a first optical sighthaving at least a first adjustment turret interface(or “turret interface”) and one or more adjustment turret cassettes(or “cassettes”), wherein each individual cassetteis removably attachable to the turret interfaceand configured to manipulate the turret interfaceaccording to one or more operating functions of the cassettethat is operably attached to the turret interface. As shown in, in an embodiment a systemmay also include one or more manually operable adjustment turret caps(or “turret caps”) configured for use with one or more of the one or more cassettesas described herein. In an embodiment, a turret interfaceof this disclosure may be configured as an assembly of parts of an optical sightconfigured for disassembly as desired.