Tool-less re-zero adjustment knob for aiming devices, and methods of zeroing an aiming device

Abstract

User-zeroable adjustment knobs for an aiming device include a rotating member that is rotated to change a setting of the aiming device, a dial selectively couplable to the rotating member via a clutch for co-rotation therewith, and a locking mechanism that prevents the dial and rotating member from rotating relative to the aiming device when the locking mechanism is locked. The clutch is disengageable without the use of tools to allow the dial to rotate relative to the rotating member for zeroing the aiming device. The locking mechanism may include a lock release that is accessible from outside of the dial and movable relative to the dial and the rotating member to release the locking mechanism. Methods of zeroing locking adjustment knobs are also disclosed.

1 . In a sighting device, an adjustment knob having a plurality of modes of operation including a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, wherein the adjustment knob is user-zeroable in the second mode of operation, the adjustment knob comprising:
 a rotating member rotatable about an axis of rotation to drive movement of one or more optical elements of the sighting device;   a dial or dial assembly around the rotating member, the dial or dial assembly to co-rotate with the rotating member, in the first mode of operation;   wherein one of the rotating member and the dial or dial assembly includes a sidewall having one or more engagement features and the other of the rotating member and the dial or the dial assembly includes a surface to grip the one or more engagement features, wherein the sidewall and the gripping surface are aligned in the first mode of operation and non-aligned in the second mode of operation;   the dial or dial assembly to rotate relative to the rotating member for zeroing the adjustment knob, in the second mode of operation; and   a locking mechanism that prevents the rotating member and dial or dial assembly from rotating relative to the sighting device when the locking mechanism is locked, the locking mechanism including a lock release movable relative to the rotating member and the dial or dial assembly to release the locking mechanism and allow the rotating member and the dial or dial assembly to be co-rotated.   
     
     
         2 . The sighting device of  claim 1 , further comprising a clutch, wherein one of the gripping surface or the one or more engagement features is part of the clutch. 
     
     
         3 . The sighting device of  claim 1 , wherein the lock release is accessible from outside of the dial or dial assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The sighting device of  claim 1 , wherein the lock release is carried by the dial for rotation herewith about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         5 . The sighting device of  claim 4 , wherein the lock release includes a user interface on a side of the dial or dial assembly, the user interface to move in a radial direction toward the axis of rotation to release the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The sighting device of  claim 1 , wherein the one of the sidewall and the gripping surface is movable relative to the other of the sidewall and the gripping surface by moving the dial or at least one part of the dial axially relative to the rotating member. 
     
     
         7 . The sighting device of  claim 6 , wherein the one of the sidewall and the gripping surface is movable relative to the other of the sidewall and the gripping surface by moving a user interface of the dial or dial assembly axially relative to the rotating member. 
     
     
         8 . The sighting device of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping surface is part of a spline ring. 
     
     
         9 . The sighting device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more engagement features and the gripping surface are centered on the axis of rotation, wherein one of the one or more engagement features and the gripping surface comprises a male spline and the other of the one or more engagement features and the gripping surface comprises a female spline. 
     
     
         10 . The sighting device of  claim 9 , wherein the sidewall and the gripping surface are selectively non-alignable through movement of the dial or at least one part of the dial assembly axially between an engaged position at which the male and female splines are engaged, and a disengaged position at which the male and female splines are disengaged. 
     
     
         11 . The sighting device of  claim 1 , wherein the dial or dial assembly includes a gripper, wherein one of the sidewall and the gripping surface is part of the gripper and the other surface of the sidewall and the gripping surface is part of the rotating member. 
     
     
         12 . The sighting device of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second surfaces are selectively non-alignable by moving the gripper axially away from a location on the rotating member. 
     
     
         13 . The sighting device of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping surface does not contact the sidewall when non-aligned, wherein the sighting device further comprises a retainer, separate from the one or more engagement features and the gripping surface, the retainer to contact each of the rotating member and the dial or dial assembly, the contact restricting a maximum distance of relative movement of the grip surface away from the one or more engagement features. 
     
     
         14 . The sighting device of  claim 13 , wherein the retainer includes a spring snap ring. 
     
     
         15 . The sighting device of  claim 13 , further comprising a disengagement groove and an engagement groove formed in one of the rotating member and the dial, the disengagement groove axially spaced apart from the engagement groove; and the retainer is carried by the other of the rotating member and the dial for movement along the axis of rotation between the engagement groove and the disengagement groove. 
     
     
         16 . In an optical device, an adjustment knob having a plurality of modes of operation including a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, wherein the adjustment knob is user-zeroable in the second mode of operation, the adjustment knob comprising:
 a rotating member rotatable about an axis of rotation to drive movement of one or more optical elements of the sighting device;   a dial or dial assembly around the rotating member, the dial or dial assembly to co-rotate with the rotating member, in the first mode of operation;   wherein one of the rotating member and the dial or dial assembly includes a sidewall section, the sidewall section including an engagement structure and the other of the rotating member and the dial or the dial assembly includes a surface to grip the engagement structure, wherein the sidewall section and the gripping surface are aligned in the first mode of operation and non-aligned in the second mode of operation;   wherein when the sidewall section and the gripping surface are non-aligned, a bottom or top of the gripping surface is above or below, respectively, a top or a bottom of the sidewall or a top or bottom of the engagement structure;   the dial or dial assembly to rotate relative to the rotating member for zeroing the adjustment knob, in the second mode of operation; and   a locking mechanism that prevents the rotating member and dial or dial assembly from rotating relative to the sighting device when the locking mechanism is locked, the locking mechanism including a lock release movable relative to the rotating member and the dial or dial assembly to release the locking mechanism and allow the rotating member and the dial or dial assembly co-rotate.   
     
     
         17 . The optical device of  claim 16 , further comprising a clutch, wherein one of the gripping surface or the one or more engagement features is part of the clutch. 
     
     
         18 . The optical device of  claim 16 , wherein when the sidewall section and the gripping surface are non-aligned, the gripping surface is non-contacting the engagement structure. 
     
     
         19 . A turret assembly to change an optic device setting, the turret assembly comprising:
 first and second rotatable parts to rotate together as a unit about an axis of rotation to change the optic device setting;   a first user interface actuatable to select a mode of operation of a plurality of different modes of operation, the plurality of different modes of operation including an engaged mode of operation when the first rotatable part is engaged with the second rotatable part to enable co-rotation and a non-engaged mode of operation when the first rotatable part is rotatable relative to the second rotatable part;   the turret assembly further including an engagement lock settable in a plurality of states including:
 a locked state that imparts a restriction on actuation of the first user interface; and 
 an unlocked state that releases the restriction; 
   wherein the engagement lock comprises a second user interface comprising a button or other lock release actuatable to select between the locked and unlocked states.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the engagement lock comprises:
 an opening defined by a surface of the first rotatable part, wherein the button or other lock release is located in the opening; and   a spring or other biasing element to bias the button or other lock release to protrude from the surface in at least one state of the plurality of states.