EP3485221B1 - Telescopic sight - Google Patents

Description

Subject of the invention

The present invention relates to a riflescope for bell shooting.

State of the art

It is known to use a magnifying scope to improve the accuracy of firearm shots. In the case of conventional sighting system, account is taken of the vertical deflection of the projectile by introducing a slight angle, in the vertical plane, between the axis of the telescopic sight and the axis of the barrel of the weapon. This solution is suitable for shots using rapid ammunition for which the trajectory is tight. Indeed, in this case, the necessary angle remains small, of the order of a few degrees. This angle is generally adjusted by means of a screw and a hinge allowing very fine adjustment (fraction of a degree).

In the case of ammunition fire for which the initial angle of elevation necessary for a given range is high, such as for example for grenade launchers, the modification of angle between the barrel and the telescopic sight is such that the adjustment via an adjusting screw becomes impractical. For angles greater than 5 or 10 °, the adjustment becomes tedious and inadequate under real engagement conditions.

Systems were then developed allowing rapid adjustment, for example by means of a lockable sliding guide replacing the adjustment screw. However, these systems are imprecise. Furthermore, moving the entire telescope also poses mechanical problems, making the system not very robust.

The document WO 2016/097992 describes a telescope for shooting in bell including various mirrors, nevertheless, it does not allow to maintain a simultaneous direct view through the telescope and out of the telescope, which can pose difficulties for the initial aiming, especially for strong magnifications , where the field of vision in the telescope is reduced.

Summary of the invention

• un premier miroir mobile définissant un premier axe optique, l'angle dudit premier miroir mobile étant réglable de façon à renvoyer en utilisation l'image d'une cible à un angle de 90°-α par rapport à l'axe du canon de l'arme, α étant la différence désirée entre l'angle d'élévation et l'angle de vue pour un tir donné;
• une lentille objectif, sur le premier axe optique;
• un second miroir à 45° par rapport au premier axe optique, définissant un second axe optique parallèle à l'axe du canon de l'arme;
• soit une lentille oculaire sur le chemin optique défini par les miroirs projetant l'image de la cible à l'infini, soit des moyens d'enregistrement de l'image projetée par la lentille objectif;
• un troisième miroir à 45° par rapport au second axe optique, définissant un troisième axe optique parallèle au premier axe optique;
• un quatrième miroir renvoyant, en utilisation, le troisième axe optique vers l'oeil du tireur;

le quatrième miroir étant mobile, et son mouvement étant asservi mécaniquement ou électroniquement au mouvement du premier miroir mobile, de façon à maintenir un angle de 90° entre ces deux miroirs, de façon à ce que l'angle de vue au travers de la lunette corresponde à l'angle de vue hors de la lunette.The present invention relates to a rifle scope for firearms for bell shots according to independent claim 1 comprising:

• a first movable mirror defining a first optical axis, the angle of said first movable mirror being adjustable so as to return in use the image of a target at an angle of 90 ° -α relative to the axis of the barrel of the 'weapon, α being the desired difference between the elevation angle and the viewing angle for a given shot;
• an objective lens, on the first optical axis;
• a second mirror at 45 ° relative to the first optical axis, defining a second optical axis parallel to the axis of the barrel of the weapon;
• either an ocular lens on the optical path defined by the mirrors projecting the image of the target to infinity, or means for recording the image projected by the objective lens;
• a third mirror at 45 ° relative to the second optical axis, defining a third optical axis parallel to the first optical axis;
• a fourth mirror returning, in use, the third optical axis towards the eye of the shooter;

the fourth mirror being mobile, and its movement being mechanically or electronically controlled by the movement of the first mobile mirror, so as to maintain an angle of 90 ° between these two mirrors, so that the angle of view through the telescope corresponds to the angle of view outside the telescope.

By bell shot, in the present description, we mean a shot for which the difference between the elevation angle of the target and the elevation angle for the shot is greater than 10 °.

• le quatrième miroir est solidaire du premier miroir mobile ;
• les premier et quatrième miroirs sont deux faces réfléchissantes d'un même prisme ;
• au moins un des miroirs est un miroir semi-transparent, une source de lumière ponctuel ou un réticule étant disposée dans un plan conjugué au plan focal de la lentille oculaire au moyen d'une lentille focalisation, la lentille de focalisation étant située dans le prolongement de l'axe optique à l'amont du au moins un miroir semi-transparent, de façon à apparaître, en utilisation, superposé à l'image de la cible ;
• la position latérale de la source de lumière ponctuelle ou du réticule est réglable latéralement, de façon à permettre une correction de déviation azimutale due à l'effet Magnus et/ou à un angle de dévers différent de zéro ;
• la lunette comprend un inclinomètre mesurant l'angle de dévers de l'arme et un affichage optique adapté à projeter des indications depuis un plan optiquement conjugué avec le plan focal de la lentille oculaire, ledit affichage optique indiquant, en utilisation, lorsque l'angle de dévers présente une valeur prédéterminée ;
• l'angle de dévers prédéterminé est préalablement fixé, non nul, en fonction de la distance de tir et de l'effet Magnus d'une munition particulière, l'angle de dévers corrigeant l'effet Magnus ;
• au moins un des miroirs est un miroir semi-transparent, une source de lumière d'illumination étant située dans le prolongement de l'axe optique à l'aval du au moins un miroir semi-transparent, de façon, en utilisation, à illuminer la cible via le premier miroir mobile, ladite source de lumière étant disposée de façon à obtenir en sortie de la lentille objectif un faisceau d'ondes planes ;
• la lunette comprend un dispositif optique de redressement de l'image ;
• la lunette comprend des moyens de réglages du premier miroir mobile, qui, à une portée de tir fait correspondre un angle d'élévation α ;
• lesdits moyens de réglage du premier miroir mobile comprennent une molette graduée en m, ladite molette réglant la position angulaire du premier miroir mobile ;
• lesdits moyens de réglage du premier miroir mobile comprennent une table balistique et un calculateur connecté à un télémètre, ledit calculateur contrôlant en utilisation un actuateur réglant la position angulaire du miroir mobile en fonction de la portée mesurée et de la balistique de la munition utilisée.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the riflescope of the invention comprises at least one, or an appropriate combination of the following characteristics:

• the fourth mirror is integral with the first movable mirror;
• the first and fourth mirrors are two reflecting faces of the same prism;
• at least one of the mirrors is a semi-transparent mirror, a point light source or a reticle being arranged in a plane conjugate to the focal plane of the ocular lens by means of a focusing lens, the focusing lens being located in the extension from the optical axis upstream of the at least one mirror semi-transparent, so as to appear, in use, superimposed on the image of the target;
• the lateral position of the point light source or the reticle is adjustable laterally, so as to allow an azimuthal deviation correction due to the Magnus effect and / or to a non-zero tilt angle;
• the scope includes an inclinometer measuring the cant angle of the weapon and an optical display adapted to project indications from a plane optically conjugated with the focal plane of the ocular lens, said optical display indicating, in use, when the angle slope has a predetermined value;
• the predetermined cant angle is fixed beforehand, not zero, as a function of the shooting distance and the Magnus effect of a particular munition, the cant angle correcting the Magnus effect;
• at least one of the mirrors is a semi-transparent mirror, an illumination light source being located in the extension of the optical axis downstream of the at least one semi-transparent mirror, so as to be used in illumination the target via the first movable mirror, said light source being arranged so as to obtain at the output of the objective lens a beam of plane waves;
• the telescope comprises an optical device for rectifying the image;
• the telescope comprises means for adjusting the first movable mirror, which corresponds to an elevation angle α at a firing range;
• said means for adjusting the first movable mirror comprise a dial graduated in m, said dial adjusting the angular position of the first movable mirror;
• said means for adjusting the first mobile mirror comprise a ballistic table and a computer connected to a rangefinder, said computer controlling in use an actuator adjusting the angular position of the mobile mirror as a function of the range measured and the ballistics of the ammunition used.

Brief description of the figures

The figure 1 represents the general bell shooting parameters using a sighting system according to the invention.

The figure 2 represents the general bell shooting parameters using another sighting system according to the invention.

The figure 3 represents a telescopic sight not forming part of the invention.

The figures 4 to 6 represent examples of riflescopes according to the invention.

Numerical references of the figures

1.

User

2.

Target

3.

Shooting distance

4.

Axis of view

5.

Armed

6.

Path

7.

Sight

13.

axis of fire

14.

Housing

15.

Front window (transparent)

16.

Rear window (transparent)

30.

reticle light source (red dot)

31.

reticle focusing lens

32.

display screen

60.

first mobile mirror

61.

objective lens

62.

first deflection mirror

63.

eye lens

65.

Illumination light source

66.

Objective lens optical axis

67.

optical axis of the eye lens

68.

second deflection mirror

69.

second mobile mirror

70.

Mobile prism

75.

axis of the moving prism

Detailed description of the invention

The basic idea of the invention is to replace the overall movement of the telescope by the movement of movable mirrors 60 and 69, making it possible to modify the line of sight 4 relative to the axis of the barrel 13 without moving the optical elements of the bezel. All the elements of the scope of the invention can then advantageously be arranged in a fixed box 14, which increases the robustness of the system.

Preferably, the case 14 is sealed by the presence of a front window 15 and a rear window 16. In this way, all of the elements of the bezel, including the mobile elements, are protected from external elements. (humidity, dirt, ...), which makes the device particularly robust in aggressive environments (sand winds, rain, snow, ...)

In a rifle scope according to the figure 3 which do not form part of the invention, the axis of view of the user 1 remains parallel to the axis of the weapon.

The position of the first movable mirror 60 is adjusted via a firing table which, to a firing range corresponds to an elevation angle α. This firing table may for example take the form of a wheel graduated in m, said wheel adjusting the angular position of the first movable mirror 60.

Alternatively, the telescopic sight comprises means for adjusting the first mobile mirror 60 comprising a ballistic table and a computer connected to a rangefinder, said computer controlling an actuator adjusting the angular position of the mobile mirror 60 as a function of the range measured and ballistics of the ammunition used.

According to the invention, the movable mirror 60 returns the line of sight 4 towards an objective lens 61 cooperating with an ocular lens 63 to return an enlarged image of the targeted scene 2 towards the user 1. In order to maintain the gaze of the user 1 along the axis of the barrel, the device advantageously comprises a deflection device such as a mirror 62 or a prism.

Alternatively, in particular for remote guided systems, the ocular lens can be replaced by recording means such as a CCD or CMOS photographic sensor. In this case, the image formed by the objective lens is formed on the sensor and returned by suitable means of communication to a screen, for example in a control room, or to a control console of the remote-controlled weapon system.

The ocular lens 63 can advantageously be a divergent lens defining a so-called Galilean geometry, which has the advantage of producing a straight image of the distant object. This ocular lens can be a simple lens or comprise an achromatic assembly, such as an achromatic doublet or triplet.

In the case of a converging ocular lens, defining a so-called Keplerian geometry, the inverted image can advantageously be rectified by means of a suitable device, such as an additional lens, or a prism rectification device (Porro, Abbe -Koenig, ...).

Advantageously, the scope of the invention comprises a movable red point superimposed on the target during the aiming. This red point is preferably obtained by a quasi-point light source 30 located in the extension of the optical axis of the eyepiece, behind the deflection device. This may then include a semi-transparent mirror 62 or a separator cube formed by two prisms (not shown). The device then has the advantage that the moving red point remains aligned with the target without having to move it. To be seen clearly by the user, the light source 30 is located in a plane conjugate to the focal plane of the eyepiece. This conjugation can for example be obtained by the use of a lens 31.

The light source can either be formed by a point source such as a small LED, it can include a needle hole controlling its size, or even be part of a bright screen 32 of good resolution (LED, OLED, Backlit LCD, ...). In the latter case, other information can be communicated to the user, by superimposing the image on the screen on the image of the target. As will be seen below, this display could for example be used to indicate to the user the angle of superelevation (sometimes incorrectly called according to the English name, cant angle).

The scope of the invention also preferably includes a designation / illumination device illuminating the target or producing a luminous "spot" thereon. This illumination is preferably done by means of light outside the visible wavelengths and seen for example by means of night vision goggles. An example of a non-visible wavelength is the use of near infrared (IR). IR lasers of adequate power are preferably used.

To illuminate / designate the target, an illumination light source 65 of adequate wavelength is arranged in the extension of the optical axis of the objective lens 61, behind the deflection device 62. In this case also, the return device must allow both the return of the image of the target to the eyepiece 63 and the transmission of the illumination beam. This deflection device then also includes a semi-transparent mirror 62 or a separator cube formed by two prisms (not shown). Again the advantage of the device makes it possible to keep this source stationary. This time, the illumination light source 65 is located in the focal plane of the objective lens, or in a plane conjugated therewith.

When it is desired both to designate the target and to superimpose a red dot / reticle, the same semi-transparent mirror can advantageously be used, as shown in FIG. figure 3 .

Finally, when the Magnus effect is to be taken into account, the bright red point and the designation beam can advantageously be moved to correct the azimuthal direction by moving the corresponding light sources laterally in their respective conjugate planes.

It is more comfortable for the user if the user's line of sight remains aligned with the target as shown in the figure 2 . The device according to the invention allowing such an effect is shown in the figure 4 . In this case, a second fixed deflection device 68 is added to the optical path of the telescope, returning the image to a second mobile mirror 69 returning the image of the target to the eye of the user. This second movable mirror 69 is slaved to the first so as to maintain an angle of 90 ° between them, so as to maintain the axis of view of the user towards the target.

Advantageously, the enslavement of the two reflecting surfaces is obtained by the use of a prism 70 rotating around an axis 75. Such a device is shown in Figures 5 and 6 .

Note that in all the cases presented, an elevation of an angle α will be obtained by a rotation of the movable mirror 60 or of the prism 70 by an angle α / 2.

In order to reduce the space occupied by light sources of illumination and / or red dot, it may prove useful to have additional deflection devices, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 , where the deflection mirror 62 has been replaced by mirrors 71, 72 and 73.

Advantageously, the scope of the invention comprises an inclinometer measuring the cant angle of the weapon and an optical display by means of indications projected from a plane optically conjugated with the focal plane of the ocular lens, the optical display indicating when the superelevation angle is zero.

Preferably, depending on the distance from the target, a tilt angle correcting the Magnus effect is determined, the optical display indicating to the user when this tilt angle is reached.

Claims (12)

1. Telescopic sight (7) for a firearm (5) for firing from above, comprising:

   - a first moving mirror (60) defining a first optical axis (66), the angle of said first moving mirror being adjustable so as to return, during use, the image of a target (2) at an angle of 90°- α relative to the axis of the barrel of the weapon, α being the desired elevation angle for a given shot;

   - an objective lens (61), on the first optical axis (66);

   - a second mirror (62) at 45° relative to the first optical axis, defining a second optical axis (67) parallel to the axis of the barrel of the weapon (13);

   - either an ocular lens on the optical path defined by the mirrors projecting the image of the target infinitely, or means for recording the image projected by the objective lens;

   - a third mirror (68) at 45° relative to the second optical axis (67), defining a third optical axis parallel to the first optical axis (66);

   - a fourth mirror (69) returning, during use, the third optical axis toward the eye of the shooter;

   the fourth mirror being movable, and its movement being mechanically or electronically governed by the movement of the first moving mirror, so as to maintain an angle of 90° between these two mirrors, such that the viewing angle through the telescope corresponds to the viewing angle outside the telescope.
2. Telescopic sight according to claim 1, wherein the fourth mirror (69) is secured to the first moving mirror (60).
3. Telescopic sight according to claim 2, wherein the first and fourth mirrors are two reflective faces of a same prism (70).
4. Telescopic sight according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the mirrors is a semi-transparent mirror, a periodic light source or a reticule (30, 32) being positioned in a plane conjugated with the focal plane of the ocular lens (63) by means of a focusing lens (31), the focusing lens being located in the extension of the optical axis upstream from the at least one semitransparent mirror, so as to appear, during use, to be superimposed on the image of the target (2).
5. Telescopic sight according to claim 4, wherein the lateral position of said punctual light source or of the reticule is laterally adjustable, so as to allow a correction of the azimuth deviation due to the Magnus effect and/or an angle of tilt different from zero.
6. Telescopic sight according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an inclinometer measuring the angle of tilt of the weapon and an optical display by means of indications projected from a plane optically conjugated with the focal plane of the ocular lens, said optical display indicating when the angle of tilt has a predetermined value.
7. Telescopic sight according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined angle of tilt is set beforehand, non-nil, as a function of the firing distance and the Magnus effect of a particular ammunition, the angle of tilt correcting the Magnus effect.
8. Telescopic sight according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the mirrors is a semi-transparent mirror (62), an illuminating light source (65) being located in the extension of the optical axis downstream from the at least one semi-transparent mirror (62), so as, during use, to illuminate the target (2) via the first moving mirror (60), said light source (65) being positioned so as to obtain, at the output of the objective lens, a beam of plane waves.
9. Telescopic sight according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an optical device for rectifying the image.
10. Telescopic sight according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means for adjusting the first moving mirror (60), which matches an elevation angle α to a firing range.
11. Telescopic sight according to claim 10, wherein said means for adjusting the first moving mirror comprise a knob graduated by m, said knob adjusting the angular position of the first moving mirror (60).
12. Telescopic sight according to claim 11, wherein said means for adjusting the first moving mirror comprise a ballistic table and a calculator connected to a telemeter, said calculator controlling, during use, an actuator adjusting the angular position of the moving mirror (60) as a function of the measured range and the ballistics of the ammunition used.

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