Zoom scope with continuous main body

Abstract

A scope for a firearm can be used for a gun sight. The scope comprises a main tube that contains imaging optics therein. In certain embodiments, the main tube comprises a single continuous tubular body extending uninterrupted from a widened proximal end portion through a narrow medial portion to a widened distal end portion. An objective is disposed in the widened distal end portion of the tubular body and an ocular is disposed in the widened proximal end portion of the continuous tubular body. A zoom selector ring is located about a circumference of the narrow medial portion of the continuous tubular body. The zoom selector ring can be used to provide optical zoom. In one arrangement, the zoom selector ring includes a plurality of segments arranged circumferentially about the circumference of the narrow medial portion. A flexible erector assembly that includes erector optics may be included in the main tube. This flexible erector assembly may flex to adjust windage and elevation.

1 . A scope for mounting on a firearm to provide a sight, said scope comprising: 
 an objective and an ocular; and    a main tube comprising a single continuous tubular body extending uninterrupted from a proximal end portion through a medial portion to a distal end portion of said main tube,    wherein said objective is disposed in said distal end portion of said tubular body and said ocular is disposed in said proximal end portion of said continuous tubular body.    
     
     
         2 . The scope of  claim 1 , wherein said proximal end portion and said distal end portion are wider than said medial portion.  
     
     
         3 . The scope of  claim 1 , further comprising a zoom selector ring disposed about a circumference of said medial portion of said single continuous tubular body.  
     
     
         4 . The scope of  claim 3 , wherein said main tube has a slot for receiving a protuberance extending from said zoom selector ring to couple said zoom selector ring to an erector assembly in said main tube, said protuberance and said zoom selector ring movable with respect to said slot.  
     
     
         5 . The scope of  claim 3 , wherein said zoom selector ring is bifurcated.  
     
     
         6 . The scope of  claim 5 , wherein said zoom selector ring comprises a pair of segments, each segment extending about 180° around said medial portion of said continuous tubular body.  
     
     
         7 . The scope of  claim 3 , wherein said zoom selector ring comprises a plurality of segments arranged circumferentially about said medial portion of said continuous tubular body.  
     
     
         8 . A scope for mounting on a firearm to provide a sight, said scope comprising: 
 an objective and an ocular;    erecting optics between said objective and said ocular;    a main tube comprising a continuous unitary tubular body extending from a widened objective end through a narrow medial portion to a widened eyepiece end; and    a zoom selector disposed about a circumference of said main tube.    
     
     
         9 . The scope of  claim 8 , wherein said zoom selector comprises a plurality of segments securely fastened together to form a closed path about said tubular body.  
     
     
         10 . The scope of  claim 8 , wherein said zoom selector has a central region through which a portion of said continuous unitary tubular body passes.  
     
     
         11 . The scope of  claim 10 , wherein said objective end, said eyepiece end, and said central region of said zoom selector each have a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area of said objective end and said eyepiece end being larger than the cross-sectional area of said opening central region of said zoom selector.  
     
     
         12 . The scope of  claim 8 , further comprising erecting optics comprising at least one lens wherein said zoom selector is coupled to the erecting optics so as to control movement of said at least one of lens to provide zoom.  
     
     
         13 . The scope of  claim 12 , wherein said zoom selector is mechanically coupled to the erecting optics such that manipulation of said zoom selector causes movement of said at least one lens to provide zoom.  
     
     
         14 . The scope of  claim 13 , wherein said main tube includes a slot therein through which said zoom selector is mechanically coupled to a support structure that supports said erecting optics.  
     
     
         15 . The scope of  claim 12 , wherein said zoom selector is magnetically coupled to the erecting optics such that manipulation of said zoom selector causes movement of said at least one of lens to provide zoom.  
     
     
         16 . The scope of  claim 8 , further comprising a positioning system connected to the erecting optics.  
     
     
         17 . The scope of  claim 16 , wherein said zoom selector is interposed between said positioning system and one of said objective end and said ocular.  
     
     
         18 . A zoom selector ring for a scope with zoom to enable a user to adjust the zoom of said scope by manipulating optics supported on a support structure in said scope, said zoom selector ring comprising: 
 a plurality of segments configured to be combined to form a closed path having a central circular open region;    textured surfaces on outward surfaces of said plurality of segments to provide tactile control for rotating said zoom selector ring about an axis through said central open region; and    a coupling element attached to at least one of said plurality of segments for coupling to said support structure for said optics in said zoom scope such that manipulation of said zoom selector ring causes movement of said optics to adjust the zoom of said scope.    
     
     
         19 . The scope of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of segments comprise interlinking ridges and slots for combining said plurality of segments.  
     
     
         20 . The scope of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one fastener to secure said plurality of segments together.  
     
     
         21 . The scope of  18 , wherein said plurality of segments have holes configured to receive fasteners to secure said plurality of segments together.  
     
     
         22 . The scope of  claim 18 , wherein said coupling element comprises a magnet.  
     
     
         23 . The scope of  claim 18 , wherein said coupling element comprises a protuberance extending from an inner surface of said at least one of said plurality of segments.  
     
     
         24 . A method of manufacturing a scope for a firearm, said method comprising: 
 providing an elongate tubular body, said tubular body having a circular cross-section with a circumference;    providing an optics assembly in said elongate tubular body;    providing a plurality of segments with curved inner surfaces for forming a zoom selector ring;    combining said plurality of segments together in a closed position such that said curved inner surfaces fit about said circumference of said tubular body and at least one of said segments is coupled to said optics assembly for providing zoom adjustment; and    securing said plurality of segments together in said closed position.    
     
     
         25 . A scope for a firearm, said scope comprising: 
 a main tubular body having a circular cross-section with a circumference;    an optical train disposed within said main body, said optical train comprising a plurality of lenses;    a zoom selector ring comprising a plurality of sections that combine together to form a closed path having an open inner region with a circular cross-section;    means for securing said plurality of sections of the zoom selector ring together such that each section of said zoom selector ring extends about a portion of said circumference of said main tubular body; and    means for coupling said zoom selector ring to one or more of said lenses such that rotation of said selector ring causes movement of said one or more lenses.