Scope with improved windage/elevation system

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 adjustable in at least one of elevation and windage, said scope comprising: 
 a main tube having a hollow interior region defined by interior sidewall surfaces;    an objective and an ocular disposed in said hollow interior region of said main tube;    a flexible erector tube disposed in said hollow interior region of said main tube between said objective and said ocular, said flexible erector tube having exterior sidewall surfaces, said flexible erector tube for housing erector optics, said flexible erector tube including a movable portion and a fixed portion, said fixed portion secured to said main tube; and    at least one actuator for applying pressure to said movable portion of said flexible erector tube to displace said movable portion with respect to said main tube,    wherein said flexible erector tube is biased toward said at least one actuator without a biasing element between said interior sidewall surfaces of said main tube and said exterior sidewall surfaces of said erector tube.    
   
   
       2 . The scope of  claim 1 , wherein said fixed portion of said flexible erector tube comprises a mounting flange.  
   
   
       3 . The scope of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible erector tube comprises a flexible portion that is less rigid to permit flexure of said flexible erector tube.  
   
   
       4 . The scope of  claim 3 , wherein said flexible portion of said flexible erector tube comprises openings in said flexible erector tube to permit flexure of said flexible erector tube.  
   
   
       5 . The scope of  claim 1 , wherein said movable portion is disposed off-center in said main tube toward said at least one actuator so as to provide said bias.  
   
   
       6 . The scope of  claim 5 , wherein said flexible erector tube is bent such that said movable portion is laterally displaced with respect to said fixed portion.  
   
   
       7 . The scope of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible erector tube is tilted so as to provide said biasing.  
   
   
       8 . The scope of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one actuator comprises a threaded screw.  
   
   
       9 . A method of manufacturing a scope for a firearm, said method comprising: 
 providing a hollow main tube;    inserting a flexible erector tube having first and second end portions that can be flexed with respect to each other in said hollow main tube;    disposing actuators with respect to said flexible erector tube to flex said first end of said flexible erector tube with respect to said second end of said flexible erector tube; and    biasing said first end of said flexible erector tube toward said actuators without using one or more springs between said flexible erector tube and said main tube to provide said bias.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising forming openings in said flexible erector tube to provide said flexure.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising orienting said first end of said flexible erector tube toward said actuators to bias said first end of said flexible erector tube toward said actuators.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said orienting said first end of said flexible erector tube toward said actuator comprises tilting said flexible erector tube with respect to said main tube.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said orienting said first end of said flexible erector tube toward said actuators comprises angling said first end with respect said second end of said flexible erector tube.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein orienting said first end of said flexible erector tube toward said actuators comprises laterally displacing said first end with respect said second end of said flexible erector tube.  
   
   
       15 . A scope for mounting on a firearm to provide a sight, said scope adjustable in at least one of elevation and windage, said scope comprising: 
 a main tube;    an objective;    an ocular, said objective and said ocular disposed in said main tube;    a flexible erector tube disposed in said main tube between said objective and said ocular, said flexible erector tube having distal and proximal ends, said distal end closer to said objective than to said proximal end, said flexible erector tube housing erecting optics; and    at least one threaded screw passing through an opening in said main tube, said threaded screw having a position wherein said threaded screw applies pressure from a first side of said main tube thereby inducing flexure of said flexible erector tube,    wherein said flexible erector tube is biased toward said threaded screw and away from a second opposite side of said main tube opposite said opening in said main tube, said second opposite side of said main tube devoid of springs at said distal end of said flexible erector tube that apply a force against pressure from said threaded screw.    
   
   
       16 . The scope of  claim 15 , wherein said threaded screw comprises a windage screw disposed in said main tube for adjusting windage.  
   
   
       17 . The scope of  claim 16 , wherein said threaded screw comprises an elevation screw disposed in said main tube for adjusting elevation.  
   
   
       18 . The scope of  claim 15 , wherein said flexible erector tube has sidewalls that include slots therein to provide flexure of said flexible erector tube.  
   
   
       19 . The scope of  claim 18 , wherein said sidewalls of said flexible erector tube comprise metal.  
   
   
       20 . A scope for a firearm, said scope adjustable in at least one of elevation and windage, said scope comprising: 
 a main tube;    an objective in a distal portion of said main tube;    an ocular in a proximal portion of said main tube;    a flexible erector tube in said main tube between said objective and said ocular, said flexible erector tube housing erecting optics;    at least one actuator for applying pressure to said flexible erector tube such that said flexible erector tube flexes to adjust at least one of said elevation and windage; and    means for biasing said erector tube against pressure from said actuator without using springs between said flexible erector and said main tube.