Optical sight with side focus adjustment

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. A side focus assembly is positioned along the tubular body. The side focus assembly is used to vary the position of optics within the scope to adjust the overall focus of the scope.

1 . A scope comprising: 
 a plurality of lenses;    a scope body of standard 1 inch dimension holding the plurality of lenses and defining a central scope axis; and    a side-mounted focus assembly disposed to one side of the scope body so as to be offset laterally with respect to the central axis and wherein the focus assembly translates user actuation into translational movement of at least one of the lenses so as to adjust focus of the scope.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . The scope of  claim 1 , wherein the side-mounted focus assembly comprises an actuator that rotates with respect to the scope body.  
   
   
       4 . The scope of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator is configured for hand manipulation.  
   
   
       5 . The scope of  claim 3 , further comprising an engagement structure which defines an operating portion which is offset from a rotational axis of the actuator.  
   
   
       6 . The scope of  claim 5 , wherein the engagement structure comprises an engagement pin.  
   
   
       7 . The scope of  claim 5 , wherein the engagement structure is offset from the rotational axis of the actuator.  
   
   
       8 . The scope of  claim 5 , further comprising a focus lens holder securing at least one of the plurality of lenses.  
   
   
       9 . The scope of  claim 8 , wherein the operating portion of the engagement structure is resiliently engaged with the focus lens holder so as to maintain engagement with the holder throughout transverse movement of the holder.  
   
   
       10 . The scope of  claim 9 , further comprising a spring disposed to resiliently engage the engagement structure with the focus lens holder.  
   
   
       11 . The scope of  claim 9 , wherein transverse movement comprises both vertical and horizontal movement.  
   
   
       12 . The scope of  claim 9 , further comprising a coupling through which the engagement structure passes, the coupling being attached to the focus lens holder such that longitudinal movement of the engagement structure causes longitudinal movement of the focus lens holder.  
   
   
       13 . The scope of  claim 12 , wherein the coupling comprises plastic.  
   
   
       14 . The scope of  claim 12 , wherein the engagement structure is movable within the coupling in directions orthogonal to the central scope axis.  
   
   
       15 . The scope of  claim 12 , wherein the coupling defines an elongated opening.  
   
   
       16 . The scope of  claim 1 , further comprising a distally arranged objective lens assembly and a proximally arranged ocular lens assembly, and wherein the focus assembly is arranged intermediate the objective and ocular lens assemblies.  
   
   
       17 . The scope of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the objective and ocular lens assemblies are of different dimension than the standard 1 inch dimension.  
   
   
       18 .- 30 . (canceled)  
   
   
       31 . The scope of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a flexible erector tube in said scope body between said objective lens assembly and said ocular lens assembly, said flexible erector tube having distal and proximal ends; and    at least positioning member passing through an opening in said scope body, said positioning member having a position wherein said positioning member applies pressure from a first side of said scope body thereby inducing flexure of said flexible erector tube, wherein said flexible erector tube is biased toward said positioning member and away from a second opposite side of said scope body opposite said opening in said scope body.    
   
   
       32 . The scope of  claim 31 , wherein said at least one positioning member comprises a windage screw disposed in said scope body for adjusting windage.  
   
   
       33 . The scope of  claim 31 , wherein said at least one positioning member comprises an elevation screw disposed in said scope body for adjusting elevation.  
   
   
       34 . The scope of  claim 31 , wherein said flexible erector tube has sidewalls that include slots therein to provide flexure of said flexible erector tube.  
   
   
       35 . The scope of  claim 34 , wherein said sidewalls of said flexible erector tube comprise metal.