Riflescope with recessed bottom surface for reduced mounting height

Abstract

A riflescope includes an objective optic assembly with a bottom surface that defines a scoop. Upon mounting the riflescope, the scoop receives a portion of a firearm. The scoop eliminates interference between the objective optic assembly and the firearm and allows a centerline of the riflescope to be placed in closer proximity to a centerline of the firearm.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
   
   
       28 - 31 . (canceled) 
   
   
       32 . A riflescope adapted to be mounted on a firearm, the riflescope comprising a tubular housing supporting on opposite ends an objective optic assembly and an eyepiece optic assembly, wherein the objective optic assembly includes a bottom recess adapted to permit the firearm to at least partially nest within the bottom recess. 
   
   
       33 . A riflescope according to  claim 32  wherein a centerline of the riflescope is enabled to be mounted is closer proximity to the firearm than possible without the bottom recess. 
   
   
       34 . A riflescope according to  claim 33  wherein a 56-mm objective optic assembly having a bottom recess may be mounted on a firearm at a centerline height corresponding to a centerline height of a conventional 40-mm object optic assembly without a bottom recess. 
   
   
       35 . A riflescope according to  claim 32  wherein the riflescope is mounted on the firearm with a gap between the firearm and objective optic assembly. 
   
   
       36 . A riflescope according to  claim 32  wherein the objective optic assembly comprises a lens assembly selected from the group consisting of: a singlet lens, a doublet lens. 
   
   
       37 . A riflescope according to  claim 32  wherein the bottom recess is formed in a concave shape. 
   
   
       38 . A riflescope according to  claim 37  wherein the tubular housing is formed with a concave recess corresponding to the bottom recess of the objective optic assembly. 
   
   
       39 . A riflescope according to  claim 32  wherein the bottom recess is formed in a shape selected from the group consisting of: triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, or arcuate. 
   
   
       40 . A riflescope according to  claim 32  wherein an image produced by the riflescope is substantially circular. 
   
   
       41 . A riflescope according to  claim 32  wherein the objective optic assembly includes
 at least one lens,   an objective housing supporting the lens,   a detachable front end member coupled to the objective housing forming a hermetic seal therebetween.   
   
   
       42 . A method of making a riflescope having a larger-diameter objective optic with reduced distance between a centerline of the riflescope and a centerline of a firearm, comprising the steps of
 forming the objective optic assembly with a bottom recess;   positioning the riflescope onto the firearm such that the firearm partially nests into the bottom recess.   
   
   
       43 . A method according to  claim 42  wherein the step of forming the objective optic assembly with a bottom recess comprises
 forming an objective optic of the objective optic assembly out of glass and grinding the glass objective optic into a desired shape for the bottom recess.   
   
   
       44 . A method according to  claim 42  wherein the step of forming the objective optic with a bottom recess comprises
 forming the objective optic out of plastic that is molded into a desired shape for the bottom recess.   
   
   
       45 . A method according to  claim 42  wherein the step of forming the objective optic with a bottom recess comprises
 forming the objective optic as a doublet lens and forming the bottom recess in both lenses of the doublet lens.   
   
   
       46 . A method according to  claim 42  further comprising forming an objective housing with a concave bottom portion corresponding to the bottom recess of the objective optic. 
   
   
       47 . A method according to  claim 46  further comprising forming the objective housing by machining material into a desired shape. 
   
   
       48 . A method according to  claim 46  further comprising forming the objective housing from a cylindrical workpiece pressed or fitted into a conforming shape.