Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to optical scope. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a prismatic optical scope with etched reticule.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Optical scopes and reticules have been widely used to enhance accuracy of firearms. Optical scopes are essentially telescopic sight instruments that use optical refracting lens to magnify the target and improve vision. Reticules (also known as crosshairs), on the other hand, are patterned lines that are used as aiming references. There are numerous different reticule designs that account for windage, bullet rise-fall and range accuracy, among others. Most commonly, reticules are distinguished by their four thick crosshairs that gradually become thinner at the centre. Both optical scopes and reticules allow users to aim and lock targets with greater precision.
[0004] Optical scopes and reticules also include adjustment mechanisms to optimise and realise shooting distance and other environmental factors like cross winds, such that optical position of the target point coincides with actual point of impact of the projectile shot by from the firearm.
[0005] However, existing optical scope and reticule designs are not compatible with all types of firearms, and are incapable of providing a wide range of telescopic sights. Specifically, there are no optical scope and reticule designs that provide required magnification for use in rifles.
[0006] Futher, existing methods to introduce crosshair and markings through wires and engravings on surface of optical substrates such as glass. The most common materials for wire reticules are very fine platinum or tungsten wires which are prone to damage due to pressure and force from the firearm. Since wire reticules are made up of thin and flatten wire, they can break and shift in position during use, and generally have limited durability. Meanwhile, existing glass etching techniques are time-consuming, expensive and risk breaking the substrate upon which the reticules are to be engraved.
[0007] There is, therefore, a need for a device that addresses the aforementioned shortcomings of existing solutions.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are listed herein below.
[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a prismatic optical scope.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a prismatic optical scope with an etched reticule design that is more accurate, durable, versatile, and user-friendly.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a prismatic optical scope that is cheaper to manufacture.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a prismatic optical scope that is simpler in design and has reduced points of failure.
[0013] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a prismatic optical scope that magnifies the target image to about 5x.
[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a prismatic optical scope that provides illumination to the reticule patterns.
[0015] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method to make a prismatic optical scope with an etched reticule.
[0016] The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

SUMMARY
[0017] Aspects of the present disclosure relates generally to optical scope. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a prismatic optical scope with etched reticule.
[0018] In an aspect, a prismatic optical scope may include an optical scope having an objective lens configured to receive light from a target and form an image of the target on an eyepiece through which a user obtains vision of the target, and a prism assembly having one or more prisms configured to magnify the image received from the objective lens and project the magnified image on to the eyepiece. The prismatic optical scope may also include a reticule housing having an optical substrate with a reticule pattern, the reticule housing being configured between the prism assembly and the eyepiece, and the optical substrate being configured such that the reticules patterns may be superimposed on the image projected on the eyepiece so as to aid the user to aim at the target.
[0019] In an embodiment, the optical scope may include one or more turrets configured to provide translation movement to the reticule housing along a first dimension of the optical scope to allow the user to adjust the position of the optical substrate for windage and ballistic drop allowance.
[0020] In an embodiment, the prism assembly projects the image of the target with about 5x magnification.
[0021] In an embodiment, the reticule housing may include a lighting unit mounted to the reticule housing so as to illuminate the reticule patterns in the optical substrate.
[0022] In an embodiment, the lighting unit may be configured to provide lighting through the periphery of the optical substrate such that the light may be refracted and redirected towards the reticule such that the reticule patterns therein may be illuminated.
[0023] In an embodiment, the lighting unit may be a Light Emitting Diode (LED) configured to controllably emit light having set of spectral properties specified by the user, the set of spectral properties of light may include intensity, irradiance, wavelength and luminous exposure of light to be emitted by the LED.
[0024] In an embodiment, the optical substrate may be made of silica fused glass material with the reticule pattern being etched on a surface of the optical substrate with a laser.
[0025] In an embodiment, the reticule pattern may include a crosshair pattern engraving, and a varmint pattern engraving having one or more horizontal marks with distance between each horizontal mark being calibrated based on field of view angle of the optical scope and the magnification provided by the one or more prisms.
[0026] In an aspect, a method for making etched reticule patterns, may include providing a silica fused optical substrate configurable to an optical scope. The method may also include cutting the optical substrate to a desired shape using a diamond turning process. The method may further include determining a reticule pattern based on dimensions of the optical substrate and magnification provided by the optical scope and etching the determined reticule pattern on the optical substrate using a laser.
[0027] In an embodiment, the reticule pattern may include, a crosshair pattern engraving, and a varmint pattern engraving having one or more horizontal marks with distance between each horizontal mark being calibrated based on field of view angle of the optical scope and the magnification provided by the one or more prisms.
[0028] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a prismatic optical scope, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of reticule pattern on the prismatic optical scope, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method for making etched reticules, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0034] Embodiments explained herein relates generally to optical scope. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a prismatic optical scope with etched reticules.
[0035] In an aspect, a prismatic optical scope may include an optical scope having an objective lens configured to receive light from a target and form an image of the target on an eyepiece through which a user obtains vision of the target, and a prism assembly having one or more prisms configured to magnify the image received from the objective lens and project the magnified image on to the eyepiece. The prismatic optical scope may also include a reticule housing having an optical substrate with a reticule pattern, the reticule housing being configured between the prism assembly and the eyepiece, the optical substrate being configured such that the reticules patterns may be superimposed on the image projected on the eyepiece so as to aid the user to aim at the target.
[0036] In an aspect, a method for making etched reticule patterns, may include providing a silica fused optical substrate configurable to an optical scope. The method may also include cutting the optical substrate to a desired shape using a diamond turning process. The method may further include determining a reticule pattern based on dimensions of the optical substrate and magnification provided by the optical scope and etching the determined reticule pattern on the optical substrate using a laser.
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a prismatic optical scope, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the prismatic optical scope 100 may include an objective lens 110, a prism assembly having one or more prisms 120-1 and 120-2 (collectively referred to as prisms 120), and a reticule housing 130 having an optical substrate 135 with a reticule pattern 138. The optical scope 100 may also include one or more turrets 140 configured to the reticule housing 130. Further, the optical scope 100 includes an eyepiece 150.
[0038] In an embodiment, the optical scope 100 may include the objective lens 110 configured to receive light from the target and form the image of the target on the eyepiece 150 through which the user obtains vision of the target. In an embodiment, the objective lens may be including, but not limited to, a transparent refractive lens or a mirror. In an embodiment, the optical scope 100 may also include the prism assembly having one or more prisms 120 configured to magnify the image received from the objective lens 110 and project the magnified image on to the eyepiece 150. In an embodiment, the prisms 120 may have a substantially triangular contour. In the embodiment, the prism assembly projects the image of the target with about 5x magnification. However, it may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the shape, orientation and position of the prisms 120 may be suitably adapted for providing greater or lesser magnification than 5x.
[0039] In an embodiment, the eyepiece 150 may be an optical lens configured to proximately to the focal point of the objective lens. In an embodiment, the eyepiece 150 may be configured proximately to the focal point whereon the image of the target may be magnified and formed by the prisms 120. In an embodiment, the eyepiece 150 may also provide varying fields of view, and differing degrees of eye relief for the user.
[0040] In an embodiment, the optical scope 100 may include the reticule housing 130 having the optical substrate 135 with the reticule pattern 138, the reticule housing 130 being configured between the prism assembly and the eyepiece 150. In an embodiment, the reticule housing 130 may be movable linearly along the length of the optical scope 100. In the embodiment, the optical scope 100 may include one or more turrets 140 mounted to the reticule housing 130 to provide translation movement to said reticule housing 130 along the first dimension of the optical scope 100. In an embodiment, the one or more turrets 140 may include, but not be limited to, a windage turret and a ballistic drop allowance turret. In an embodiment, the one or more turrets 140 may be configured such that the linear translation movement of the reticule housing 130 does not affect its axial or radial position. Further, the reticule housing 130 may be configured to the one or more turrets 140 such that position of the one or more prisms 120 remain unaffected during the translation movement. In the embodiment, the optical substrate 135 may be made of silica fused glass material with the reticule pattern 138 being etched on the surface of the optical substrate 138 with a laser.
[0041] In an embodiment, the optical scope 100 may also include one or more conjugate lenses configured to controllably magnify the image formed by the objective lens 110.
[0042] In the embodiment, the reticule housing 130 may include a lighting unit mounted to the reticule housing 130 so as to illuminate the reticule patterns 138 in the optical substrate 135. In an embodiment, illuminating the reticule patterns 138 may allow users to improve low-light visibility and accuracy of aiming at a target. For example, during night-time situations, the lighting unit may contrastingly illuminate the reticule patterns 138 such that the reticule patterns 138 are clearly visible against a comparatively darker background. In an embodiment, the lighting unit may be mounted on top of the reticule housing 130 such that the number of optimal elements required to illuminate the reticule pattern 138 may be reduced, thereby also reducing the points of failure in the optical scope 100. Further, reduction in number of optical elements may also weight of the optical scope.
[0043] In the embodiment, the lighting unit may be configured to provide lighting through the periphery of the optical substrate 135 such that the light may be refracted and redirected towards the reticule such that the reticule patterns 138 therein are illuminated.
[0044] In the embodiment, the lighting unit may be the Light Emitting Diode (LED) configured to controllably emit light having set of spectral properties specified by the user, the set of spectral properties of light may include intensity, irradiance, wavelength and luminous exposure of light to be emitted by the LED.
[0045] In an embodiment, the prismatic optical scope 100 may be used in optical systems including, but not limited to, telescopes, microscopes, and cameras. The prismatic optical scope 100 may also be used in some rifle scopes, where the optical scopes 100 may help create a clear and accurate image of the target for a shooter.
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of reticule pattern on the prismatic optical scope, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0047] In the embodiment, the reticule pattern 138 may include, a crosshair pattern engraving, and a varmint pattern engraving having one or more horizontal marks with distance between each horizontal mark being calibrated based on field of view angle of the optical scope and the magnification provided by the one or more prisms 120. In an embodiment, the optical substrate 135 may be configured such that the reticules patterns 138 are superimposed on the image projected on the eyepiece 150 so as to aid the user to aim at the target. It may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other markings including, but not limited to, circles points, lines, dots, hash marks, alphanumeric characters, posts, concentric circles/horseshoes, chevrons, graduated markings, or any combination thereof, may be suitably included in the reticule pattern design based on use requirements.
[0048] In an embodiment, the distance between each of the horizontal marks in the reticule pattern 138 may be determined based on field of view value associated with the optical scope 100. In an example where the field of view value is 4.6 degrees and a target object, such as a human, having a Minute of Angle (MOA) range of 1.8 meters with respect to the optical scope 100, the reticule pattern 138 may be etched on the optical substrate 135 based on dimensions provided in Table 1 as given below:
Reticle Size - 22mm, 1 MOA = 0.0797mm
Ranging - 1.8m human
Meter 1.8m (MOA) in mm on Reticle
100 61.8 4.92546
200 30.9 2.46273
300 20.6 1.64182
400 15.4 1.22738
500 12.3 0.98031
600 10.3 0.82091
700 8.8 0.70136
800 7.7 0.61369
Table 1: Comparison of distance with corresponding dimension on the optical substrate and MOA of a target of 1.8 meters
[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method 200 for making etched reticules, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0050] At step 202, the method 200 for making etched reticules includes providing a silica fused optical substrate 135 configurable to an optical scope 100.
[0051] At step 204, the method 200 includes cutting the optical substrate 135 to a desired shape using a diamond turning process.
[0052] At step 206, the method 200 includes determining a reticule pattern 138 based on dimensions of the optical substrate 135 and magnification provided by the optical scope 100.
[0053] At step 208, the method 200 includes etching the determined reticule pattern 138 on the optical substrate 135 using a laser.
[0054] In the embodiment, the reticule pattern 138 may include a crosshair pattern engraving, and a varmint pattern engraving having one or more horizontal marks with distance between each horizontal mark being calibrated based on field of view angle of the optical scope and the magnification provided by the one or more prisms 120.
[0055] The order in which the method 200 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks may be combined or otherwise performed in any order to implement the method 200, or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 200 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure described herein. A person of skill in the art will understand that method 300 may be modified appropriately for implementation in various manners without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.
[0056] The present disclosure, therefore, solves the need for a device that addresses the shortcomings of existing solutions.
[0057] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0058] The present disclosure provides provide a prismatic optical scope.
[0059] The present disclosure provides provide a prismatic optical scope with an etched reticule design that is design that is more accurate, durable, versatile, and user-friendly.
[0060] The present disclosure provides provide a prismatic optical scope that is cheaper to manufacture.
[0061] The present disclosure provides provide a prismatic optical scope that is simpler in design and has reduced points of failure.
[0062] The present disclosure provides provide a prismatic optical scope that magnifies the target image to about 5x.
[0063] The present disclosure provides provide a prismatic optical scope that provides illumination to the reticule patterns.
[0064] The present disclosure provides provide a method to make a prismatic optical scope with an etched reticule.
, Claims:1. A prismatic optical scope (100), comprising:
an optical scope having an objective lens (110) configured to receive light from a target and form an image of the target on an eyepiece (150) through which a user obtains vision of the target: and
a prism assembly having one or more prisms (120) configured to magnify the image received from the objective lens (110) and project the magnified image on to the eyepiece (150); and
a reticule housing (130) having an optical substrate with a reticule pattern (138), the reticule housing (130) being configured between the prism assembly and the eyepiece (150), the optical substrate (135) being configured such that the reticules patterns (138) are superimposed on the image projected on the eyepiece (150) so as to aid the user to aim at the target.

2. The prismatic optical scope (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical scope (100) comprises one or more turrets (140) configured to provide translation movement to the reticule housing (130) along a first dimension of the optical scope (100) to allow the user to adjust position of the optical substrates (135) for windage and ballistic drop allowance.

3. The prismatic optical scope (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prism assembly projects the image of the target with about 5x magnification.

4. The prismatic optical scope (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reticule housing (130) comprises a lighting unit mounted to the reticule housing so as to illuminate the reticule patterns in the optical substrate (135).

5. The prismatic optical scope (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lighting unit is configured to provide lighting through the periphery of the optical substrate (135) such that the light is refracted and redirected towards the reticule such that the reticule patterns (138) therein are illuminated.

6. The prismatic optical scope (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lighting unit is a Light Emitting Diode (LED) configured to controllably emit light having set of spectral properties specified by the user, the set of spectral properties of light comprising intensity, irradiance, wavelength and luminous exposure of light to be emitted by the LED.

7. The prismatic optical scope (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical substrate (135) is made of silica fused glass material with the reticule pattern (138) being etched on a surface of the optical substrate (138) with a laser.

8. The prismatic optical scope (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reticule pattern (138) comprises:
a crosshair pattern engraving; and
a varmint pattern engraving having one or more horizontal marks with distance between each horizontal mark being calibrated based on field of view angle of the optical scope and the magnification provided by the one or more prisms (120).

9. A method (200) for making etched reticule patterns (138), comprising:
providing a silica fused optical substrate (135) configurable to an optical scope (100);
cutting the optical substrate (135) to a desired shape using a diamond turning process;
determining a reticule pattern (138) based on dimensions of the optical substrate (135) and magnification provided by the optical scope (100);
etching the determined reticule pattern (138) on the optical substrate (135) using a laser.

10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the reticule pattern (138) comprises:
a crosshair pattern engraving; and
a varmint pattern engraving having one or more horizontal marks with distance between each horizontal mark being calibrated based on field of view angle of the optical scope and the magnification provided by the one or more prisms (120).