Method of Manufacturing a Rifle Scope Having a Longitudinal Base Plate

Abstract

A method of making a rifle scope that utilizes a mounting assembly that includes a longitudinal base plate and a mating, closure housing piece. Separate optical assemblies are attached to the base plate to form an optical train of optical assemblies, extending longitudinally along the base plate, to form an image magnifying assembly. Also, at least some of the optical assemblies include a support and an optical element and an adjustment feature permitting adjustment of position of the optical element relative to the base plate. In the method, at least one of the adjustment features is used to adjust position of one of the optical elements, relative to the base plate, and wherein the optical element is then permanently fixed in place. Finally, the mating, closure housing piece is attached to the longitudinal base plate and the closure housing piece is fastened to the base, thereby forming a rifle scope.

1 . A method of making a rifle scope, comprising:
 (a) providing a mounting assembly that includes a longitudinal base plate and a mating, closure housing piece;   (b) attaching separate optical assemblies to said base plate to form an optical train of optical assemblies, extending longitudinally along said base plate, to form an image magnifying assembly;   (c) wherein at least some of said optical assemblies include a support and an optical element and an adjustment feature permitting adjustment of position of said optical element relative to said base plate and at least one of said adjustment features is used to adjust position of one of said optical elements, relative to said base plate and therefore other optical elements of said optical train, and wherein said optical element is then permanently fixed in place; and   (d) mating said mating, closure housing piece to said longitudinal base plate and fastening said closure housing piece to said longitudinal base, thereby forming a rifle scope.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical element is permanently fixed in place by being glued into place. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said optical assemblies include an objective lens and an intermediate focus lens that is held by an intermediate focus lens holder, that is supported by a support, that is attached to said longitudinal base plate to the rear of said objective lens. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said intermediate focus lens is adjustable in longitudinal position, relative to said support and thereby to said longitudinal base plate and is adjusted in longitudinal position and then fixed permanently into place. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said intermediate focus lens holder has threaded sides and said intermediate focus lens support defines threads on its interior surface that holds said intermediate focus lens, and wherein said intermediate focus lens is adjustable in longitudinal position by being rotated and thereby moving along said threads, forward or rearward. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein after adjusting said position of said intermediate focus lens, it is fixed by adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of said optical assemblies is an ocular assembly that includes an ocular lens and a support for said ocular lens, and wherein said ocular lens is longitudinally moveable relative to said support, and wherein said ocular lens is adjusted in position longitudinally, and then fixed permanently in place. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said ocular lens is adjusted to provide a −¾ diopter viewing plane to a user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said longitudinal base plate is formed to have at least one indentation adapted to retain at least one of said optical assemblies. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one indentation is machined into said longitudinal base plate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein optical assemblies and optical elements are mounted so as to withstand the force of rifle recoil. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said longitudinal base plate has fastener holes defined into its top surface, to accept fasteners and thereby help support optical assemblies. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said longitudinal base plate has a rifle mounting fixture on its bottom surface, to facilitate attachment to a rifle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mating, closure housing piece is a first cover, and wherein a second cover is provided and used to cover said optical train. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said optical assemblies include an objective lens sub-assembly and an intermediate focus lens sub-assembly, and wherein said objective lens sub-assembly is coupled to said intermediate focus lens sub-assembly by a spacer plate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said base plate has an indentation adapted to receive said spacer plate, thereby bracing said spacer plate against the force of rifle recoil. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of said optical assemblies is a zoom assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said zoom assembly is held in place by a holder that is attached to said base plate and that defines a circular opening. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said optical assemblies include adjustment elements to permit longitudinal position adjustment after said attaching of said optical assemblies on said base plate. 
     
     
         20 . A rifle scope, comprising:
 (a) a longitudinal base plate;   (b) optical assemblies each including a support element and at least one optical element, attached to said longitudinal base plate to form an optical train of optical elements, extending longitudinally along said longitudinal base plate, to form an image magnifying assembly;   (c) wherein at least some of said optical assemblies an adjustment feature that permitted adjustment of longitudinal position of said optical element relative to said base plate and but wherein said optical elements are now permanently fixed in place, rendering said adjustment feature no longer useable; and   (d) a closure housing piece fastened to said longitudinal base.