WO2025226553A1

WO2025226553A1 - Magnification adjustment for telescopic sights

Info

Publication number: WO2025226553A1
Application number: PCT/US2025/025478
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert E SHEETS JR.; Thomas Clauis Barnett
Original assignee: Primary Arms LLC
Current assignee: Primary Arms LLC
Priority date: 2024-04-23
Filing date: 2025-04-18
Publication date: 2025-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-23

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a variable-power telescopic sight comprising one or more magnification controls. The one or more magnification controls are configured to drive a gear train that is environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight in a manner effective to adjust magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

Description

MAGNIFICATION ADJUSTMENT FOR TELESCOPIC SIGHTS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 63/637,578, filed on April 23, 2024, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure

[0003] This disclosure relates generally in the field of telescopic sights for projectile launching devices including firearms.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] A common commercially available linear lens variable-power telescopic sight (also referred to as a variable magnification telescopic sight) includes a main housing for various lenses including, for example, an objective lens assembly, an ocular lens assembly, and an erector lens assembly defining an optical axis of the telescopic sight. Depending on the design of a particular telescopic sight, each of the three lens assemblies may include one or more individual lenses. The objective lens assembly gathers in light from a target and projects the target image as an inverted image. The erector lens assembly corrects the image from the objective lens assembly to an erect image right side up and also further magnifies or reduces the erect image. The ocular lens assembly presents the erect image to a user’s eye for viewing. [0006] An erector lens assembly is part of what is commonly referred to as an erector lens system, which includes an erector tube that is configured to house and guide the lenses (“erector lenses”) of an erector lens assembly. To make adjustments in wind and elevation, the erector tube holding the erector lenses may be configured to pivot at one end and be adjusted horizontally and vertically at the opposite end. To make adjustments in magnification, the position of the erector lenses in relationship to one another are adjusted within the erector tube along the optical axis of the telescopic sight. Typically, each erector lens is mounted in a lens mount configured to slide within the erector tube via a sleeve member that slides along a linear slot in the body of the erector tube, thereby maintaining the orientation of the erector lenses. The erector lens assembly also includes a cam tube disposed around the erector tube that includes a curved or angled slot in the body of the cam tube for communicating with the sleeve member. The cam tube includes a separate helical slot (or “cam slot”) for each lens mount and each lens mount has a slot follower that fits in a corresponding slot of the cam tube. As the cam tube is turned, the lens mounts are directed linearly along a portion of the length of the erector tube according to the configuration of each cam slot, which dictates the amount of magnification and the rate in change of magnification as the cam tube is turned. Objective lens, erector lens and ocular lens operation is described in, for example, United States Patent Number US 9,429,390 B2, titled “Telescopic Sights for Firearms, and Related Methods,” issued on August 30, 2016; and United States Patent Number US 6,449,108 Bl, titled “Synthetic Erector Lens Mount,” issued on September 10, 2002, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0007] To make adjustments to the magnification, a common linear lens variable-power telescopic sight includes a manually turnable annular magnification adjustment ring coaxial with the optical axis of the telescopic sight for controlling continuous magnification adjustment of the telescopic sight by repositioning the erector lenses within the erector tube along the optical axis by rotating the cam tube via the magnification adjustment ring to control the position of the erector lenses. A magnification adjustment ring is sometimes cumbersome to manually adjust because a user often must wrap his/her hand around part of the telescopic sight to best grip and turn the magnification adjustment ring. In addition, some magnification adjustment rings possess undesirable resistance to being manually turned in order to maintain adjustment position against recoil forces. Also, a magnification adjustment ring often requires more angular travel than can be easily performed with a single hand motion.

[0008] Some linear lens variable-power telescopic sights are fitted with a protruding lever or handle to assist in turning the magnification adjustment ring. However, a protruding lever or handle can obscure a user’s view and/or may be awkward to grasp depending on the position of the lever or handle at a given magnification level of the telescopic sight. In addition, a protruding lever or handle may also present a snag hazard. Large protruding handles may also interfere with other components or operation of the device onto which the telescopic sight is mounted.

[0009] More recent linear lens variable-power telescopic sights at the time of this disclosure incorporate low power magnification at or near (lx) magnification, making such telescopic sights suitable for both short and long range use resulting in an increased need for a user to be able to quickly transition between high and low magnification ratios, which compounds the ergonomic difficulties present with known magnification adjustment ring designs.

[0010] To assist in making quick adjustments in magnification, some linear lens variablepower telescopic sights are equipped with a push/pull type slide in place of a magnification adjustment ring that is adjustable linearly along the telescopic sight whereby movement of the slide in either direction acts on a helical camshaft, pinion gear, or pulley to turn one or more elements rotationally linked to the cam tube. A slide can be cumbersome and may require an undesired travel distance to turn the cam tube a desired number of degrees. Also, a slide is not necessarily effectively sealable resulting in an increased likelihood of moisture and/or debris entering the telescopic sight over time. A slide also necessarily covers a large portion of available accessory rail mounting space where the slide is installed, precluding the attachment of additional equipment such as flashlights and/or lasers.

[0011] To assist in making adjustments to the magnification, separate mount members equipped with push/pull slides located along a top rail of a firearm have also been employed to assist in making quick adjustments between high and low magnification ratios on telescopic sights equipped with magnification adjustment rings whereby the push/pull slide acts on a cable pulley type arrangement of the mount for turning a magnification adjustment ring of the telescopic sight as the slide is directed linearly along the top rail of the firearm in either direction. However, such mounts are bulky and are provided as an add-on feature to an existing telescopic sight.

[0012] Another lens variable-power telescopic sight is equipped with a manually turnable handle, gears and a belt for driving a magnification ring of the telescopic sight. In addition to being cumbersome in design, a belt drive system has reduced durability and is prone to mechanical backlash. Another lens variable-power telescopic sight includes bevel gears to turn a cam tube. Bevel gears suffer from lower gear tooth engagement and lower usable ratios than other right-angle mechanical drive options.

[0013] Overcoming the above shortcomings is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0014] The present disclosure provides a variable-power telescopic sight, comprising (1) a magnification control assembly including (a) a housing; and (b) a gear train environmentally sealed within the housing.

[0015] The present disclosure also provides a variable-power telescopic sight, comprising an environmentally sealed magnification control assembly including (1) a gear housing; and (2) one or more magnification controls; wherein the one or more magnification controls are configured to rotate gears of a gear train of the magnification control assembly in a manner effective to rotate a cam tube of an erector tube assembly of the magnification control assembly. [0016] The present disclosure also provides a method comprising adjusting magnification of a variable-power telescopic sight, the variable-power telescopic sight including (1) a cam tube; and (2) an environmentally sealed gear train; wherein when gears of the gear train are rotated then the cam tube is rotated to adjust the magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0017] Figure l is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the telescopic sight of Figure 1.

[0019] Figure 3 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4 is a back perspective partial sectional view of the telescopic sight of Figure 3. [0021] Figure 5 is a perspective view of part of an erector tube assembly of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6 is another perspective view of the erector tube assembly of Figure 5 including an annular ball joint socket attached thereto.

[0023] Figure 7 is side sectional view of the erector tube assembly of Figure 6.

[0024] Figure 8 is perspective view of a cam tube of the erector tube assembly of Figure 6 including a geared magnification ring coupled thereto.

[0025] Figure 9 is a side sectional view of an embodiment of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0026] Figure 10 is another side sectional view of the telescopic sight of Figure 9.

[0027] Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating a geared magnification ring and a worm gear of a telescopic sight of this disclosure in a meshed position.

[0028] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the geared magnification ring and worm gear of Figure 11 and further including an external spur gear mated with the worm gear and meshed with a ring gear dial of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0029] Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a gear housing assembly of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0030] Figure 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gear dial for the gear housing assembly of Figure 13.

[0031] Figure 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gear dial for the gear housing assembly of Figure 13.

[0032] Figure 16 is a perspective of the erector tube assembly of Figure 6 assembled with the gear housing assembly of Figure 13.

[0033] Figure 17 is a side sectional view of part of the gear housing assembly of Figure 13.

[0034] Figure 18 is a perspective view of the gear housing of Figure 13.

[0035] Figure 19 is a perspective cut-away view of part of the gear housing assembly of Figure 13 including a magnification ring meshed with a worm gear. [0036] Figure 20 is a perspective cut-away view of part of the gear housing assembly of Figure 13 including a magnification ring meshed with a worm gear.

[0037] Figure 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gear housing of this disclosure. [0038] Figure 22 is a perspective view of the erector tube assembly of Figure 6 and another embodiment of a gear dial of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0039] Figure 23 is a perspective view of the erector tube assembly of Figure 6 and another embodiment of a gear dial of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0040] Figure 24 is a perspective view of the erector tube assembly of Figure 6 and another embodiment of a gear dial of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0041] Figure 25 is a perspective view of the erector tube assembly of Figure 6 assembled with a gear housing assembly and an embodiment of a gear dial of telescopic sight of this disclosure. [0042] Figure 26 is a perspective view of the erector tube assembly of Figure 6 and another embodiment of a gear dial of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0043] Figure 27 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0044] Figure 28 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0045] Figure 29 is a front perspective view of the telescopic sight of Figure 28 mounted to a firearm.

[0046] Figure 30 is a perspective view of the erector tube assembly of Figure 6 and another embodiment of a magnification control of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0047] Figure 31 is a perspective view of the erector tube assembly of Figure 6 and another embodiment of a magnification control of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0048] Figure 32 is a side elevation view of a firearm and an embodiment of a telescopic sight of this disclosure operably mounted to the firearm.

[0049] Figure 33 is a perspective view of the erector tube assembly of Figure 6 and another embodiment of a magnification control of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0050] Figure 34 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a telescopic sight of this disclosure.

[0051] Figure 35 is a back perspective partial sectional view of the telescopic sight of Figure 34.

[0052] Figure 36 is a back perspective partial sectional view of part of the telescopic sight of Figure 34.

[0053] Figure 37 is a side sectional view of the telescopic sight of Figure 34. [0054] Figure 38 is a perspective view illustrating a geared magnification ring, a worm gear in a meshed position with the magnification ring, external spur gears mated with the worm gear, and a ring gear dial in a meshed position with one of the external spur gears.

[0055] Figure 39 is a perspective cut-away view of part of a gear housing assembly of the telescopic sight of Figure 34 including a magnification ring meshed with a worm gear.

[0056] Figure 40 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gear housing of this disclosure. [0057] Figure 41 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gear housing of this disclosure. [0058] Figure 42 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gear housing of this disclosure. [0059] Figure 43 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gear housing of this disclosure.

DEFINITIONS USED IN THE DISCLOSURE

[0060] The term "at least one", "one or more", and "one or a plurality" mean one thing or more than one thing with no limit on the exact number; these three terms may be used interchangeably within this disclosure. For example, at least one device means one or more devices or one device and a plurality of devices.

[0061] The term "about" means that a value of a given quantity is within ±20% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±15% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±10% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±7.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±2.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±1% of the stated value.

[0062] The term "substantially" or "essentially" means that a value of a given quantity is within ±10% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±7.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±2.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±1% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±0.5% of the stated value. In other embodiments, the value is within ±0.1% of the stated value.

[0063] The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0064] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and/or the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

[0065] As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances, the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in some circumstances, an event or capacity can be expected, while in other circumstances, the event or capacity cannot occur. This distinction is captured by the terms “may” and “may be.”

[0066] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” and/or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” and/or the like. The use of the term “assembly” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of an assembly are all necessarily configured in a common package.

[0067] Herein, the phrase “continuous magnification adjustment” refers to magnification adjustment of a telescopic sight wherein a user of the telescopic sight may change or select any magnification (magnification value) between a minimum and maximum value. Herein, “OEM” refers to Original Equipment Manufacturer. An “OEM product” is a product or component made by an OEM for use in final product of another. Herein, “motorized” means to enable mechanical movement or operation without manual effort.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0068] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference is now made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and particular language will be used to describe the same. It is understood that no limitation of the scope of the claimed subject matter is intended by way of the disclosure.

[0069] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. Herein, a person using a telescopic sight of this disclosure may be referred to as a “user” and/or as a “shooter.” Herein, a “projectile launching device” may include, but is not necessarily limited to a firearm and a crossbow. Herein, a “firearm” may include, but is not limited to a pistol, a semiautomatic firearm, e.g., a semiautomatic rifle, a bolt action firearm, e.g., a bolt action rifle, a shotgun, a revolver, a shoulder fired bazooka, a shoulder fired rocket launcher, an air rifle, and a paintball gun. Herein, the terms “magnification ring” and “zoom adjustment ring” may be used interchangeably with the term “magnification adjustment ring.” Herein, “environmental contaminants” may include but are not limited to liquids, moisture, vapor, gases, reactive chemicals, and debris. Non-limiting examples of debris may include materials such as dirt, dust, sand, powdery substances, metal shavings, wood shavings, fine particulate matter, and combinations thereof.

[0070] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a linear lens variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sight comprising an external manually operable magnification actuator or external magnification adjustment control member (hereafter “magnification control”) that is configured for ease of manual operation and for making rapid adjustments in magnification or power of the telescopic sight.

[0071] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a linear lens variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sight that comprises a cam tube configured to adjust magnification of the telescopic sight, i.e., increase and decrease the magnification of the telescopic sight, wherein the cam tube is driven by one or more geared members of the telescopic sight at a fixed overall gear ratio. The two or more geared members including a gear rotatably linked to the cam tube.

[0072] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a linear lens variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sight comprising a magnification control system including a gear train comprising a manually operable magnification control configured to facilitate magnification adjustment of the telescopic sight via manipulation of the magnification control. In one embodiment, the magnification control may include a turnable member such as a dial defining a rotational axis that is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to an optical axis of the telescopic sight. Suitably, the overall gear ratio of the gear train is effective to minimize the angular travel distance of the magnification control necessary to adjust the magnification of the telescopic sight to a desired magnification setting, thereby reducing the effort and/or complexity of hand movement of a user when adjusting the magnification of the telescopic sight.

[0073] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a linear lens variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sight comprising an externally accessible magnification control, comprising a lever, handle, dial, knob, and/or the like, and combinations thereof, rotatable about a rotational axis divergent, i.e., non-parallel, to an optical axis of the telescopic sight. In an embodiment, the rotatable magnification control acts as a manually operable gear of a gear train that is rotatably linked to a cam tube within the telescopic sight at an overall gear ratio effective for the cam tube to rotate at a rate faster than a rate of rotation of the magnification control augmenting the speed and ease with which the magnification or power of the telescopic sight may be adjusted.

[0074] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a linear lens variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sight comprising a magnification adjustment gear train configured to facilitate magnification adjustment of the telescopic sight via a manually operable magnification control that may be located on a first side of the telescopic sight and removed by a user and either replaced or relocated to an opposite side of the telescopic sight, without violating one or more environmental seal(s), e.g., hermetic seal(s), protecting a worm gear portion of the magnification adjustment gear train and the optical path of the telescopic sight. [0075] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a linear lens variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sight comprising a gear train configured to facilitate magnification adjustment of the telescopic sight via a manual magnification control of the gear train rotatably linked to a cam tube within the telescopic sight. The gear train is positioned between (1) a forward portion of the telescopic sight, e.g., the objective lenses, turrets, body tube/housing of the telescopic sight, and (2) a rear portion of the telescopic sight, e.g., an eyepiece set or eyepiece assembly of the telescopic sight. Locating the gear train between the forward portion and the rear portion of a telescopic sight allows for implementation using design elements and components of variable magnification telescopic sights that are commercially available at the time of this disclosure.

[0076] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a linear lens variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sight comprising an ergonomic magnification control for manually adjusting a cam tube via a worm drive of the telescopic sight.

[0077] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a mechanism for adjusting magnification of a variable power telescopic sight comprising one or more external magnification controls through which the optical axis of the telescopic sight does not pass, wherein the one or more external magnification controls are (1) configured to drive one or more gear stages of a rotating gear train comprising an overall gear ratio and (2) configured to drive a wholly internal geared magnification ring that is coaxial or substantially coaxial with the optical axis of the telescopic sight and rotatably coupled to a cam tube in an erector tube assembly of the telescopic sight for adjusting and setting one or more positions of one or more erector lenses of the telescopic sight to produce a desired magnification of the telescopic sight. In an embodiment, the internal magnification ring may be driven by an orthogonal or substantially orthogonal rotating gear set at a fixed gear ratio. [0078] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a linear lens variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sight comprising an input gear and one or more manually operated gear dials located on one or both ends of the input gear, wherein the input gear and the one or more gear dials have parallel axes of rotation wherein the input gear rotates faster than the one or more gear dials. In an embodiment, the input gear may engage a wheel gear that is coaxial or substantially coaxial with an internal cam tube wherein the wheel gear rotates slower than the input gear, with orthogonal axes of rotation. In an embodiment, the wheel gear may directly turn the cam tube to control the magnification or power of the telescopic sight. In an embodiment, a telescopic sight of this disclosure may include one or more gear sets that are not limited to particular gear ratios but rather may include a plurality of gear ratios, e.g., less than, greater than, or equal to, one (1.0). In another embodiment, a telescopic sight of this disclosure may include one or more gear stages to achieve a particular overall gear ratio. By determining and/or adjusting the gear ratios of the different gear stages of rotationally linked elements an overall gear ratio of the telescopic sight may be set as desired to obtain a preferred angular travel of the manually operated one or more gear dials effective to provide a full range of magnification of the telescopic sight.

[0079] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a durable linear lens variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sight for a firearm comprising a magnification control system wherein the telescopic sight is configured for use in law enforcement operations, military operations, competition activities, recreational activities, hunting activities, and personal defense without loss of functionality.

[0080] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a method for adjusting magnification in a linear lens variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sight that comprises a cam tube whose angular position establishes the magnification of the telescopic sight, wherein the cam tube is driven by one or more geared members of the telescopic sight at a fixed overall gear ratio via an external actuator of the one or more geared members.

[0081] In an embodiment, the disclosure is related to a method for adjusting magnification in a variable power telescopic sight that comprises a multi-stage gear train and a cam tube whose angular position establishes the magnification of the telescopic sight, wherein the multi-stage gear train includes a worm drive gear arrangement configured to turn the cam tube at a fixed overall gear ratio via a manually accessible gear of the multi-stage gear train.

[0082] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a linear lens variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sight (hereafter “telescopic sight 10”) of a non-limiting component geometry is depicted including an assembly comprising (1) a main housing assembly 11, (2) a gear housing assembly 12, (3) an erector tube assembly 13, and (4) an eyepiece assembly 14. As described below, in an embodiment when a telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure is assembled for operation as shown in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 2, then the gear housing assembly 12 and the erector tube assembly 13 are configured as a magnification control assembly of the telescopic sight 10.

[0083] As described below, the main housing assembly 11 includes an objective lens assembly; the erector tube assembly 13 includes an erector lens assembly; and the eyepiece assembly 14 includes ocular lens assembly, which collectively comprise an optical system of optical elements defining an optical axis 500 of the telescopic sight 10. The objective lens assembly of the main housing assembly 11 is configured to create an image of a target object, the erector lens assembly of the erector tube assembly 13 includes a reticle and is configured to correct the image to an erect image right side up and to magnify or reduce the erect image, and the ocular lens assembly of the eyepiece assembly 14 is configured to present the target object image to a user of the telescopic sight 10. A telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure is not limited to a particular magnification range but rather may include an adjustable magnification range as desired, for example, a magnification range from lx up to 80x. Non-limiting examples of magnification ranges of a telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure may include, but are not limited to, (1) lx - 8x; (2) lx - lOx; (3) 3x - 9x; (4) 3x - 18x; (5) 5x - 25x; (6) 2x - 7x; (7) 4x - 12x; and (8) 6x - 24x.

[0084] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in an embodiment a main housing assembly 11 of this disclosure may include a main housing 15 defining a first end 16 of the telescopic sight 10, the main housing 15 having an outer surface 17 and an inner surface 19 wherein the inner surface 19 is configured to hold an objective lens assembly within the main housing 15. As shown, the objective lens assembly may include one or more objective lenses 18 proximate the first end 16 of the telescopic sight 10. As depicted in FIG. 4, in an embodiment the main housing 15 may be configured to house at least part of the erector tube assembly 13 therein including an erector lens assembly as described below.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 3, the main housing assembly 11 may include one or more controls as known in the art of telescopic sights, e.g., one or more turrets, located on an outer surface 17 of the main housing 15. Exemplary controls may include, but are not limited to, an illumination adjustment (see “illumination adjustment turret 20”), a windage adjustment (see “windage adjustment turret 22”) and an elevation adjustment (see “elevation adjustment turret 24”). The main housing 15 may also include a battery compartment 25 having a removable battery cap 26 in which the battery compartment 25 may be provided as part of a control of the telescopic sight 10, e.g., provided as part of the illumination adjustment turret 20 as shown, whereby the battery cap 26 may be threadedly secured to the battery compartment 25 or attached via a tum-and-lock connection as such are known in the art of telescopic sights. In another embodiment, a telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure may include a wholly separate battery compartment located on the telescopic sight 10 apart from the one or more controls.

[0086] With reference to FIG. 4, the eyepiece assembly 14 may include an eyepiece housing 30 defining a second end 31 of the telescopic sight 10. As shown, the eyepiece housing 30 may include an inner surface 32 configured to hold an ocular lens assembly including one or more ocular lenses 35 proximate the second end 31 of the telescopic sight 10. As described below, in an embodiment the inner surface 32 of the eyepiece housing 30 is configured to mate with at least part of the gear housing assembly 12. Optionally, the eyepiece assembly 14 may also include a diopter drum or diopter adjustment as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art of telescopic sights (see diopter assembly 33 in FIG. 37).

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 5 - 8, in an embodiment the erector tube assembly 13 may include an erector tube 40 defining a central axis 501 common to optical axis 500. As shown, the erector tube 40 may include an erector lens assembly housed therein, the erector lens assembly comprising one or more erector lenses adjustably secured to the erector tube 40 whereby the location of each of the one or more erector lenses within the erector tube 40 is adjustable for setting the magnification or power of the telescopic sight 10. In an embodiment, the erector lens assembly may include a first erector lens 41 mounted to a first lens carrier 42 and at least a second erector lens 43 mounted to a second lens carrier 44 within the erector tube 40. As shown, the first lens carrier 42 may include a first cam follower 45 and the second lens carrier 44 includes a second cam follower 46 that are each mated with an elongated linear slot (herein referred to as a “lens carrier path 47”) disposed along the erector tube 40. Suitably, the first and second cam followers 45 and 46 are configured to be directed linearly along the lens carrier path 47 in either direction (see Directional Arrow A in FIG. 7). As such, linear movement of the first erector lens 41 and the second erector lens 43 within the erector tube 40 in either direction corresponds to the linear movement of the first and second cam followers 45 and 46 in either direction. In addition, the configuration of the first lens carrier 42 and the second lens carrier 44 are effective to maintain the orientation of the first erector lens 41 and the second erector lens 43 within the erector tube 40 during operation.

[0088] To facilitate linear movement of the first erector lens 41 and the second erector lens 43 within the erector tube 40 and to set a magnification or power of the telescopic sight 10, the erector tube assembly 13 also includes a rotatable cam tube 50 configured to act on the first and second cam followers 45 and 46 to move the first and second cam followers 45 and 46 linearly along the lens carrier path 47. With further reference to FIGS. 5 - 8, the cam tube 50 is coaxial with the erector tube 40 and configured to receive at least part of the erector tube 40 therein. In this embodiment, the cam tube 50 comprises a first non-linear slot (or “first cam path 51”) for receiving a distal part of the first cam follower 45 that extends through the lens carrier path 47 and at least a second non-linear slot (or “second cam path 52”) for receiving a distal part of the second cam follower 46 that extends through the lens carrier path 47 as shown. In operation, as the cam tube 50 rotates in either direction one or both of the opposing sidewalls of the first cam path 51 (see sidewall 56) contact the first cam follower 45 and one or more both of the opposing sidewalls of the second cam path 52 (see sidewall 57) contact the second cam follower 46 to direct the first and second lens carriers 42 and 44 along the lens carrier path 47 at independent rates and distances according to the non-linear configurations of each of the first and second cam paths 51 and 52. As shown in FIG. 6, when the cam tube 50 is rotated directionally according to Directional Arrow B, the cam tube 50 directs the first cam follower 45 and the second cam follower 46 toward the first end 16 of the telescopic sight 10 (see Directional Arrow C). Likewise, when the cam tube 50 is rotated directionally opposite of Directional Arrow B, the cam tube 50 directs the first cam follower 45 and the second cam follower 46 toward the second end 31 of the telescopic sight 10 (see Directional Arrow D). In the embodiment as shown, full angular travel of the cam tube 50 in either direction is established according to the shortest angular length of any cam path (the first cam path 51 and/or the second cam path 52) and the length of the first and second cam followers 45 and 46. [0089] Referring to FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, in an embodiment the erector tube 40 may include a spherical ball joint 53 configured to facilitate point of aim adjustment of the telescopic sight 10. As shown, the spherical ball joint 53 is held within an annular ball joint socket 54 that is coaxial with the erector tube 40, wherein the ball joint socket 54 is secured within a gear housing 60 of the gear housing assembly 12 via an erector tube retaining ring 61 with an ocular end 40A of the erector tube 40 being located within the eyepiece housing 30. In an embodiment, the ball joint socket 54 may include a concave or cup-like depressed inner surface for receiving the ball joint 53 and promoting rotation of the ball joint 53 therein.

[0090] As shown, the erector tube assembly 13 may further include a ball joint retaining ring 55 configured to secure the spherical ball joint 53 within the ball joint socket 54. The erector tube assembly 13 may also include an erector tube alignment pin 62 disposed within a slotted hole of the annular ball joint socket 54 that is aligned with a center point of the spherical ball joint 53 and interlocks the erector tube 40 with the ball joint socket 54 preventing the erector tube 40 from turning about its central axis 501 in either direction when the cam tube 50 is turned and/or when the point of aim of the telescopic sight 10 is adjusted.

[0091] With particular reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, in an embodiment the gear housing 60 may be held in alignment with the main housing 15 of the main housing assembly 11 via one or more alignment pins 63 mated with one or more pin holes 64 of the gear housing 60 and one or more corresponding pin holes 65 of the main housing 15. Once assembled, the one or more pin holes 64 and 65 are disposed longitudinally defining a central axis 502 parallel with the optical axis 500 of the telescopic sight 10. The gear housing 60 may also be further secured to the main housing 15 via one or more threaded fasteners 66 mated with one or more threaded fastener holes 67 of the gear housing 60 and one or more corresponding threaded fastener holes 68 of the main housing 15. Once assembled, the one or more fastener holes 67 and 68 are disposed longitudinally defining a central axis 503 parallel with the optical axis 500 of the telescopic sight 10. The one or more threaded fasteners 66 may include, but are not limited to, one or more threaded mounting bolts and/or the like. In still another embodiment, the gear housing 60 may be threadedly secured directly to the main housing 15 via corresponding internal and external threads.

[0092] As stated above, in an embodiment the gear housing assembly 12 and the erector tube assembly 13 are configured to act collectively as a magnification control assembly of the telescopic sight 10. As described below, in an embodiment a magnification control assembly of this disclosure may include a gear train configured to act on the cam tube 50 to adjust the erector lens assembly to set the telescopic sight 10 to a desired magnification or power. Suitably, a magnification control assembly of this disclosure may be configured to improve the speed and ease with which the magnification or power of the telescopic sight 10 may be manually adjusted by a user by including a gear train comprising interconnected rotating elements, e.g. gears, in multiple stage gearing wherein at least one of the rotating elements has an axis of rotation coaxial with the optical axis 500 and at least one of the rotating elements has an axis of rotation divergent to the optical axis 500. In addition, a magnification control assembly of this disclosure may be environmentally sealed within the telescopic sight 10, i.e., within the interior of the telescopic sight. As such, in an embodiment a magnification control assembly of this disclosure may define an environmental seal for the interior of a telescopic sight 10 including the gear train and the erector lens assembly. In an embodiment, the interior of a telescopic sight 10 may include a volume contiguous with a path through which light is transmitted in through one or more objective lenses 18 and out through one or more ocular lenses 35. [0093] Referring to FIGS. 4, and 8 - 19, in an embodiment a first gear set of a gear train of a magnification control assembly of this disclosure may comprise an orthogonal gear set including, but not limited to, a worm drive wherein the erector tube assembly 13 part of the magnification control assembly comprises a worm wheel gear 70 (also referred to herein as a “geared magnification ring 70” or “magnification ring 70”) of the worm drive and the gear housing assembly 12 part of the magnification control assembly comprises a worm gear 80 (also referred to herein as a “worm screw 80”) of the worm drive. In this embodiment, the magnification ring 70 is disposed around and coaxial with the cam tube 50 (see rotational axis 504 of the magnification ring 70) and the worm gear 80 is disposed transverse the optical axis 500 whereby a rotational axis 505 of the worm gear 80 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the optical axis 500. In another embodiment, the worm gear 80 may be oriented in a non-perpendicular arrangement relative the optical axis 500 wherein the rotational axis 505 of the worm gear 80 may be disposed up to or about 45.0 degrees from perpendicular with the optical axis 500.

[0094] Once the telescopic sight 10 is assembled, the magnification ring 70 and the worm gear 80 are located within the gear housing 60 wherein part of the magnification ring 70 is continuously located between the worm gear 80 and the cam tube 50 during operation of the magnification control assembly (see FIG. 4). Looking at FIG. 32, in an embodiment when a telescopic sight 10 is operationally mounted to a firearm 6 that is oriented in a firing position as shown, the rotational axis 505 of the worm gear 80 is located at a point between the firearm 6 and the optical axis 500, i.e., when a firearm 6 is oriented in a firing position as shown in FIG. 32 then the rotational axis 505 of the worm gear 80 is located at a point below the optical axis 500. Said another way, when a telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure is operationally mounted to a firearm 6 that is oriented in a firing position, the worm gear 80 is located below the cam tube 50 of the telescopic sight 10. As such, in relation to the optical axis 500 a worm gear 80 of this disclosure may be referred to as an “off-axis worm gear” off-axis from optical axis 500 and set apart from the cam tube 50 a distance, which is a function of the diameter of the cam tube 50 and the gear ratio between the worm gear 80 and the magnification ring 70. In another embodiment, the rotational axis 505 of the worm gear 80 may be located at a different point as may be desired for a particular operation. Without limiting the disclosure, in an embodiment one suitable worm gear 80 may comprise an enveloping worm screw (also known as an “enveloping worm gear”) meshed with a suitable toothed magnification ring 70 provided as an enveloping worm wheel, together forming a double-enveloping worm gear set. [0095] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 11, in an embodiment an inner surface 71 of the magnification ring 70 may include a raised male type cam tube drive tooth 72 (or “drive tooth 72”) configured to key the magnification ring 70 to the cam tube 50 by mating the drive tooth 72 with a female mating surface 73 located on the cam tube 50 in a manner effective to rotatably couple the magnification ring 70 to the cam tube 50 in a manner effective to drive the cam tube 50 clockwise and counter-clockwise about the erector tube 40 as the magnification ring 70 is turned clockwise and counter-clockwise as described below. For purposes of this disclosure, the female mating surface 73 may also be referred to as a “cam tube drive slot 73.” With reference to FIG. 17, in an embodiment the magnification ring 70 may be disposed within pockets of the gear housing 60 in a manner effective to maintain a coaxial position of the magnification ring 70 with the optical axis 500 when the magnification ring 70 is rotated about the optical axis 500. As shown, in an embodiment the magnification ring 70 may rotate upon interior journal surfaces 76 of the gear housing 60 and interior journal surfaces 77 of the ball joint socket 54. The cam tube 50 rotates upon the erector tube 40 independent of the magnification ring 70 except at the mating point between the drive tooth 72 and the female mating surface 73 allowing the cam tube 50 and erector tube 40 to articulate during operation to facilitate point of aim adjustment of the telescopic sight 10. Thus, the central axis 501 of the erector tube 40 may be directed away from a coaxial position with the rotational axis 504 of the magnification ring 70, for example, (1) directed Right/Left upon adjustment of the windage adjustment turret 22 and/or (2) directed Up/Down upon adjustment of the elevation adjustment turret 24 to facilitate aim correction of the telescopic sight 10 without altering the position of the magnification ring 70.

[0096] In an embodiment, a magnification ring 70 may be adhered and/or fastened to a cam tube 50 providing a permanent attachment of the magnification ring 70 with the cam tube 50. As described below, in an embodiment a magnification ring 70 may be rotatably coupled to a cam tube 50 via one or more locking pins. Also, in an embodiment a cam tube 50 may be provided as a toothed cam tube 50 operable as a worm wheel gear for meshing with a worm gear 80.

[0097] Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, in an embodiment the outer perimeter surface of the magnification ring 70 may include a toothed portion 74 (or “teeth 74”) and a non-toothed portion 75 whereby the toothed portion 74 is configured to mesh with the toothed portion 81 (or “teeth 81”) of the worm gear 80. In an embodiment, the toothed portion 74 may cover from or about 10.0 degrees to or about 350.0 degrees of the outer perimeter of the magnification ring 70. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the non-toothed portion 75 of the magnification ring 70 is configured to provide clearance for the worm gear 80 during assembly of the magnification control assembly of the telescopic sight 10 whereby the worm gear 80 may be positioned adjacent the magnification ring 70 without having to mesh the toothed portion 81 of the worm gear 80 with a toothed portion 74 of the magnification ring 70 during assembly. In another embodiment, the toothed portion 74 may cover 360.0 degrees of the outer perimeter of the magnification ring 70 whereby the worm gear 80 may be turned until fully meshed with the magnification ring 70 during assembly of the worm drive.

[0098] In operation, a magnification ring 70 comprising a non-toothed portion 75 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is movable through an angle of rotation less than 360.0 degrees according to the arc length of the toothed portion 74 thereby limiting the angle of rotation of the cam tube 50 in either direction to less than 360.0 degrees - aside from limitations to the angle of rotation that may be established according to the length of the first cam path 51 and/or the second cam path 52. In an embodiment, the first cam path 51 and/or the second cam path 52 may include a length whereby the cam tube 50 has an angle of rotation the same or substantially similar as the arc length of the toothed portion 74 of the magnification ring 70. For purposes of this disclosure a cam tube 50 may include a maximum angle of rotation of or about 350.0 degrees. In an embodiment including an erector tube assembly 13 as shown in FIGS. 5 - 8, the first cam path 51 and/or the second cam path 52 may include a length limiting the cam tube 50 to an angle of rotation up to or about 180.0 degrees.

[0099] During assembly, when a magnification ring 70 is set in an operable position adjacent a worm gear 80 including the non-toothed portion 75 facing the worm gear 80, then an assembler of the telescopic sight 10, or at least an assembler of the magnification control assembly, may rotate the cam tube 50 until the toothed portion 74 of the magnification ring 70 contacts the toothed portion 81 of the worm gear 80 to mesh the toothed portion 74 of the magnification ring 70 with the toothed portion 81. During operation, the worm gear 80 is configured to direct and set the angular position of the magnification ring 70, and thus, direct and set the angular position of the cam tube 50 that is coupled thereto. For purposes of this disclosure, the magnification ring 70 and worm gear 80 collectively form a first gear stage (or “first gear ratio stage” or “worm stage”) of a gear train of the telescopic sight 10. Of further note, a worm stage as described herein is a non-reversible configuration whereby torque on the cam tube 50 cannot easily cause rotation of the worm gear 80. As such, a worm stage configuration is suitably resilient against recoil forces that may be realized during operation of the telescopic sight 10. As stated above, the worm gear 80 is configured to drive the magnification ring 70. In an embodiment, according to an assembled configuration of the worm gear 80 and the magnification ring 70, the worm gear 80 is configured to tangentially drive the magnification ring 70.

[0100] A second gear set of a gear train of a telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure may include one or more external spur gears of a gear dial set rotatably coupled to the worm gear 80 about a common axis of rotation. Referring to FIGS. 11 - 13, in an embodiment spur gears 83 and 84 may be rotatably coupled to the worm gear 80 about a common axis of rotation as desired. In one non-limiting example, a worm gear 80 may include opposing surface features (see female mating surface 82) for receiving spur gear shafts 85 and 86 of the spur gears 83 and 84 therein. In another embodiment, a worm gear 80 may also comprise spur gear teeth to either side of the toothed portion 81 of the worm gear 80. In operation, when torque of either direction is applied to a spur gear 83 and/or spur gear 84 the worm gear 80 will turn accordingly thereby driving the magnification ring 70.

[0101] In an embodiment as shown, the second gear set of this disclosure also includes one or more ring gear dials of a gear dial set configured as the one or more magnification controls (or “one or more actuators”) of the telescopic sight 10 in communication with, e.g., meshed, with the one or more spur gears 83 and 84 to adjust the magnification of the telescopic sight 10. Referring to FIGS. 13 - 16, in an embodiment the one or more ring gear dials may include opposing gear dials 87 and 88 wherein gear dial 87 is configured as a manually operable actuator to turn spur gear 83 and gear dial 88 is configured as a manually operable actuator to turn spur gear 84. In operation, rotation of the gear dials 87 and 88 rotates the spur gears 83 and 84 and the worm gear 80 in a manner effective for the worm gear 80 to act on the erector lens assembly of the erector tube assembly 13 to make adjustments to the magnification or power of the telescopic sight 10.

[0102] In an embodiment as shown, each of the gear dials 87 and 88 includes a circular shape defining a rotational axis 507 that is perpendicular to optical axis 500. As shown, each of the gear dials 87 and 88 has an outer surface (see outer surface 89 in FIG. 14 and outer surface 90 in FIG. 13) and a planar inner surface (see inner surface 91 in FIG. 13 and inner surface 92 in FIG. 15). Each of the gear dials 87 and 88 further includes a ring member including an annular sidewall with a smooth or substantially smooth outer journal surface (see journal surface 93 and journal surface 94) providing a disc type configuration for each of the gear dials 87 and 88 as shown. Common to ring gear configurations, the gear dials 87 and 88 comprise teeth (see teeth 95 and 96) radially disposed for meshing with the teeth 97 and 98 of the opposing spur gears 83 and 84. For purposes of this disclosure, the opposing gear dials 87 and 88 and spur gears 83 and 84 form a second gear stage (or “second gear ratio stage” or “dial stage”) of a gear train of the telescopic sight 10.

[0103] Still referring to FIGS. 13 - 16, in an embodiment the gear housing 60 may include like gear dial sockets 99 and 100 on opposite sides of the gear housing 60 configured to receive the gear dials 87 and 88 therein in a manner effective for each of the gear dials 87 and 88 to be rotated within its corresponding gear dial socket clockwise and counter-clockwise during operation of the telescopic sight 10 according to the overall gear ratio of the telescopic sight 10 (see Directional Arrow E in FIG. 16). In an embodiment, each of the gear dials 87 and 88 may be rotated up to or about 120.0 degrees during operation. In an embodiment as shown, each of the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 may have an annular inner sidewall (see inner journal surface 101 of gear dial socket 100) and each of the gear dials 87 and 88 may have at least one O-ring or other seal member(s) disposed along an annular outer surface of each of the gear dials 87 and 88 providing an environmental seal along the inner sidewalls of the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 without constraining ease of manual rotation of the gear dials 87 and 88 during operation - see O-ring 37 disposed along journal surface 93 of gear dial 87 and O-ring 38 disposed along outer journal surface 94 of gear dial 88.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 13, in an embodiment each of the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 may have a planar seat configured as an abutment surface for corresponding planar inner surfaces 91 and 92 of the gear dials 87 and 88 once the gear dials 87 and 88 are operably installed within their corresponding gear dial sockets 99 and 100 (see planar seat 102 for inner surface 92 of gear dial 88). Each of the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 may also have a cylindrical pivot member extending out from each of the planar seats defining a central axis common to rotational axis 507 of the gear dials 87 and 88 (see pivot member 103 extending out from seat member 102). As shown, each of the gear dials 87 and 88 may have a centrally located through hole (see through hole 104 in FIG. 13 and through hole 105 in FIG. 15) configured to mate with a corresponding pivot member (see through hole 105 mated with pivot member 103 in FIG. 16) in a manner effective for the gear dials 87 and 88 to turn about the rotational axis 507. In an embodiment, each pivot member (see pivot member 103) may also include an annular slot or groove for receiving a retaining member therein in a manner effective to secure each of the gear dials 87 and 88 to the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 during operation - see groove 110 of pivot member 103 configured to receive a retaining member such as an E-Clip 111 and/or the like. Other non-limiting examples of retaining members operable with the groove 110 may include snap retaining rings, spring clips and/or the like. In an embodiment, one or more pivot members 103 may include one or more transverse through holes for receiving one or more removable locking or retentions members there through, e.g., one or more cotter pins and/or the like, one or more threaded fasteners, e.g., bolts, screws and/or the like, effective to secure one or more of the gear dials 87 and 88 to one or more of the gear dial sockets 99 and 100. In another embodiment, one or more pivot members may include internal or external threads for receiving a threaded fastener to secure one or more of the gear dials 87 and 88 to the gear dial sockets 99 and 100. In another embodiment, one or more pivot members may include a deformable feature that may be flared or disfigured after assembly in a manner effective to permanently retain one or more of the gear dials 87 and/or 88 in the gear dial sockets 99 and 100. In another embodiment, one or more pivot members may include an axial hole configured to receive a flexible or deformable fastener to retain one or more of the gear dials 87 and 88 in the gear dial sockets 99 and 100. In another embodiment, one or more pivot members may include a mechanical detent or latch to secure one or more of the gear dials 87 and 88 in the gear dial sockets 99 and 100.

[0105] Still referring to FIG. 13, in an embodiment each of the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 may further include a floor member with like through holes for receiving and holding opposite ends of the worm gear 80 (see floor member 106 and through hole 107 of gear dial socket 100). In an embodiment, the through hole 107 may have an inner perimeter cylindrical surface 108 (or “journal surface 108”) configured to hold a worm journal surface 109A of a first end of the worm gear 80 in a manner effective for the worm gear 80 to rotate therein up to 360.0 degrees or more. Likewise, an opposing through hole may include a journal surface configured to hold a worm journal surface 109B of a second end of the worm gear 80. In an embodiment as shown, the through hole 107 defines a central axis 506 that is (1) coaxial with rotational axis 505 of the worm gear 80 located therein and (2) parallel to the rotational axis 507 of the gear dials 87 and 88, i.e., parallel axes of rotation. As shown, the through hole 107 is located at a point between the pivot member 103 and the inner journal surface 101 effective for positioning the worm gear 80 for meshing of teeth 96 of gear dial 88 with teeth 98 of spur gear 84 and for meshing of teeth 81 of the worm gear 80 with teeth 74 of the magnification ring 70.

[0106] In an embodiment, each of the gear dials 87 and 88 may include an outer surface configured for manual operation, i.e., manual turning of the gear dials 87 and 88 within the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 clockwise and counter-clockwise for making adjustments to the magnification or power of the telescopic sight 10. For purposes of this disclosure, manual operation of each of the gear dials 87 and 88 may be accomplished via a user’s hand(s), finger(s), by way of a hand held tool or instrument, and combinations thereof. [0107] As shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 16, in an embodiment each of the gear dials 87 and 88 may comprise a manually operable control such as a handle (see handle 112 in FIG. 14 and handle 113 in FIG. 13) configured to facilitate manual operation of the gear dials 87 and 88. Handles 112 and 113 of this disclosure may include a length, size and ornamental configuration as may be required for one or more particular operations of the telescopic sight 10 and/or as may be desired by one or more users of a particular telescopic sight 10 according to one or more factors including, but not limited to, ease of use, storability, ornamental design, likelihood of snagging on objects, durability, cost, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment as depicted in FIGS. 13, 14 and 16, the handles 112 and 113 may include a length defined by the diameter of the gear dials 87 and 88 wherein the handles 112 and 113 may extend out from their corresponding pivot members (see pivot member 103) and include distal ends 114 and 115 that terminate at a point equal or about equal to or less than the journal surfaces 93 and 94 of the gear dials 87 and 88. In another embodiment, one or more of the handle 112 and/or the handle 113 may include a length the same or substantially similar as the diameter of the corresponding gear dials 87 and 88 (see FIG. 22). In another embodiment, the distal ends 114 and 115 of the handle 112 and/or the handle 113 may terminate at a point beyond the corresponding journal surfaces 93 and 94 of the gear dials 87 and 88 as shown in the nonlimiting embodiments of FIGS. 23 and 24. In another embodiment, a telescopic sight 10 may include one or more foldable handles - see foldable handle 113 in FIG. 25. In another embodiment, a telescopic sight 10 may include one or more telescoping handles - see telescoping handle 113 in FIG. 26. In addition, in an embodiment each of the gear dials 87 and 88 may include a different handle configuration - see dissimilar handles 112 and 113 in FIG. 27. In another embodiment, the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 may be configured to receive a plurality of gear dials comprising different types of handles. In a non-limiting example, gear dials 87 and 88 as shown in FIG. 27 may be switched whereby gear dial 87 may operate in gear dial socket 100 and gear dial 88 may operate in gear dial socket 99. Likewise, a telescopic sight 10 as shown in FIG. 27 may be configured to use other types of gear dials including, but not limited to, gear dials 88 as shown in FIGS. 23, 25 and 26. Accordingly, in an embodiment a telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure may be provided with a plurality of different gear dials for alternating use as gear dial 87 and/or gear dial 88 as desired.

[0108] With reference to FIG. 23, in an embodiment one or more of handles 112 and 113 may include one or more protrusions 117 and/or one or more indented surfaces 118 configured as contact surfaces for manual operation to facilitate manual turning of one or more of the gear dials 87 and 88. As shown in FIG. 24, in an embodiment one or more of the handles 112 and 113 may include one or more grip improving textured surfaces 119, e.g., knurling and/or the like, configured as contact surfaces for manual operation of the handles 112 and/or 113. In an embodiment, one or more of the handles 112 and 113 may be provided permanently fixed to one or more of the gear dials 87 and 88. In another embodiment, one or more of the gear dials

87 and 88 may be configured to receive a plurality of different types of handles in releasable attachment thereto providing handle interchangeability of a telescopic sight 10.

[0109] Turning to FIG. 28, in an embodiment one or more of the gear dials 87 and 88 may comprise a knob type configuration adjacent the journal surfaces 93 and 94 of the gear dials 87 and/or 88 including one or more protrusions 117 and/or one or more indented surfaces 118 and/or one or more grip improving textured surfaces 119, e.g., knurling and/or the like, configured to facilitate manual turning of the gear dials 87 and 88 - see FIG. 29 illustrating a user 5 turning gear dial 88 with a single finger. A knob type configuration of a gear dial may include a height as desired whereby, in such an embodiment, each of the gear dials 87 and 88 may have an overall height less than, equal to, or greater than the height of one or more turrets of the corresponding telescopic sight 10. Another non-limiting example of a gear dial configuration of this disclosure is depicted in FIG. 3, which includes one or more raised surfaces for manual ease of manual use - see the wing type raised surface 120 on gear dial 88. [0110] Regardless the type and/or configuration of gear dial used as part of the telescopic sight 10, the gear dials 87 and 88 as described above are configured to be manipulated exclusively alongside the optical axis of the telescopic sight 10 whereby manual operation is exclusive to angular travel (see Directional Arrow E in FIG. 16) about a rotational axis 507 perpendicular to optical axis 500. In an embodiment, a magnification control assembly of this disclosure comprising a worm drive may be configured to provide a gear train with an overall gear ratio less than one-to-one (1 : 1). For example, in an embodiment a gear train may have an overall gear ratio of or about two-to-three (2:3) establishing an angular travel of the gear dials 87 and

88 of or about 120.0 degrees to realize a full range of magnification or power of the telescopic sight 10 including 180.0 degrees rotation of the cam tube 50 of the telescopic sight 10, i.e., minimizing hand movement that is required to realize a desired magnification of the telescopic sight 10 thereby providing for rapid manual adjustment of magnification setting.

[OHl] In an embodiment, a magnification control assembly of this disclosure comprising a worm drive may be configured to provide a gear train with an overall gear ratio greater than one-to-one (1 : 1). For example, in an embodiment a gear train may have an overall gear ratio of or about three-to-two (3:2) establishing an angular travel of the gear dials 87 and 88 of or about 270.0 degrees to realize a full range of magnification or power of the telescopic sight 10 including 180.0 degrees rotation of the cam tube 50 of the telescopic sight 10, i.e., increasing hand movement that is required to realize a desired magnification of the telescopic sight 10 thereby providing for more precise or forceful manual adjustment of magnification setting. In an embodiment, it may be desirable to include as part of the telescopic sight 10 an intermediate motor, e.g., a servomotor and/or the like, to act on the gear train. In an embodiment, the overall gear ratio may also be provided in a one-to-one (1 : 1) ratio similar as coaxial magnification adjustment rings of known linear lens variable-power telescopic sights at the time of this disclosure, but with gear dials 87 and 88 as described herein that are oriented in a user friendly ergonomic configuration compared to known coaxial magnification adjustment rings.

[0112] In an embodiment having an overall gear ratio such that the worm gear 80 rotates faster than each of the one or more gear dials 87 and 88, each of the one or more gear dials 87 and 88 rotates slower than the one or more spur gears 83 and 84, and the spur gears 83 and 84 are rotatably coupled to the worm gear 80 in a one-to-one (1 : 1) ratio. The gear ratio between the worm gear 80 and the magnification ring 70 is such that the worm gear 80 rotates slower than the magnification ring 70.

[0113] In other embodiments a telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure may include more or fewer gear stages to achieve a desired overall gear ratio. In one non-limiting embodiment, the gear ratio of the spur gears 83 and 84 to the gear dials 87 and 88 may include a ratio of or about sixteen-to- seventy-two (16:72); the gear ratio of the worm gear 80 to the magnification ring 70 may include a ratio of or about fifteen-to-forty-five (15:45).

[0114] Suitably, a telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure is configured to maintain each of the gears of the gear train in operable alignment defining the rotational axes of the gears, e.g., see rotational axes 504, 505, 507. In particular, a telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure includes a plurality of rotating and stationary journal surfaces configured to collectively maintain each of the gears of the gear train in proper alignment during operation. For example, as stated above a gear housing 60 may include through holes with inner journal surfaces for receiving and holding outer worm journal surfaces 109A and 109B of the worm gear 80 (see journal surface 108 of through hole 107 in FIG. 13). In addition, a magnification ring 70 may include a forward journal surface 121 configured to rotate against an interior journal surfaces 76 of the gear housing 60 and a rear journal surface 122 configured to rotate against an interior journal surface 77 of the ball joint socket 54 (see FIGS. 12, 17 and 19). In an embodiment, the spur gears 83 and 84 may each include outer journal surfaces 123 and 124 of varying diameter as may be desired. For example, in an embodiment the journal surfaces 123 and 124 may be of an outer diameter effective to rotate against inner journal surfaces of through holes of a gear housing (see journal surface 124 in FIG. 19 configured to rotate against journal surface 108). In an embodiment, the journal surfaces 123 and 124 may include a lesser outer diameter configured to rotate against bearings such as bushings or the like of a telescopic sight 10 (see journal surfaces 123 and 124 and bushings 138 and 139 in FIG. 20).

[0115] As stated above, in an embodiment a gear train of this disclosure may be environmentally sealed within the telescopic sight 10, e.g., environmentally sealed within the gear housing 60 via a plurality of seal members as described below in addition to those lens and joint seals commonly found in commercially available telescopic sights at the time of this disclosure for waterproofing and fog-proofing purposes. As previously stated, in an embodiment each of the gear dials 87 and 88 may have an O-ring disposed along journal surface 93 and journal surface 94 of each of the gear dials 87 and 88 providing an environmental seal for the teeth 95 and 96 of the gear dials 87 and 88 (see O-ring 37 in FIG. 13 and O-ring 38 in FIG. 15). Referring to FIG. 18, in an embodiment the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 break out into the interior of the gear housing 60 (see opening 116). In such embodiment the gear dials 87 and 88 are suitably set within the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 in a compact configuration. Also, because the O-rings 37 and 38 are configured to seal the internal part of the gear housing 60 including the gear train as well as the interior of the telescopic sight 10 from environmental contaminants, it is advantageous to maintain each of the gear dials 87 and 88 in an operable mated position within the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 to maintain the environmental seals.

[0116] Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, to further promote an environmental seal for an embodiment of a gear train of this disclosure, the telescopic sight 10 may also include an environmental seal between the magnification ring 70 and the interior journal surfaces 76 of the gear housing 60 (see O-ring 58) and an environmental seal between the magnification ring 70 and the interior journal surfaces 77 of the ball joint socket 54 (see O-ring 59) - see also FIG. 17. In an embodiment, the O-rings 58 and 59 may be configured to environmentally seal at least the erector tube 40 and the erector lens assembly housed therein. In addition, O-rings 58 and 59 may be configured to assist in centering the magnification ring 70 during operation. In an embodiment, the telescopic sight 10 may also include seals between the worm gear 80 and the gear housing 60 configured to environmentally seal at least the erector tube 40 and the erector lens assembly (see O-rings 78 and 79). As an example, O-ring 79 may be configured to provide an environmental seal between the worm gear 80 and the journal surface 108 of through hole 107. In an embodiment, the O-rings 78 and 79 may also be configured to assist in centering the worm gear 80 during operation. In an embodiment, the telescopic sight 10 may also include a seal between the gear housing 60 and the main housing 15 (see O-ring 125) and a seal between the gear housing 60 and the eyepiece housing 30 (see O-ring 126). In an embodiment, O-ring 125 may be configured to environmentally seal the front end of the gear housing 60 and O-ring 126 may be configured to environmentally seal the rear end of the gear housing 60.

[0117] Turning to FIG. 21, in another embodiment the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 may be configured to not break into the interior of the gear housing 60 (see floor 128 in FIG. 21), meaning that in such embodiment there is no opening like opening 116 (see FIG. 18) into the interior of the gear housing 60. In such embodiment, all components and gas purge remain environmentally sealed within the gear housing 60 even in instances where the gear dials 87 and 88 or spur gears 83 and 84 are removed from the gear housing 60. With further reference to FIG. 21, in an embodiment the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 may be set at a depth shallower compared to the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 of the embodiment in FIG. 18, e.g., in an embodiment set at a depth shallower by or about 5.0 mm (0.197 inches) compared to the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 of the embodiment in FIG. 18. Suitably, a gear housing 60 as shown in FIG. 21 is configured for replacement and/or repositioning of the gear dials 87 and 88 and/or the spur gears 83 and 84 as desired or as otherwise may be required. In such an embodiment, the gear housing 60 may also be configured for replacement of different handles as well as the replacement of handles for motor modules as described below. For purposes of this disclosure, a gear housing 60 as depicted in FIG. 21 may be referred to as a “modular configuration” of the gear housing 60. With further reference to FIG. 21, in an embodiment a gear housing 60 may include an auxiliary mounting interface 129A on the upper surface of the gear housing 60 as shown for attachment of supplemental optical sights and/or other accessories.

[0118] A telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure may be constructed of one or more materials known in the art of variable-power or variable magnification telescopic sights. For example, optical elements (or “lenses”) of a telescopic sight 10 may be constructed of materials including, but not limited to, glass, i.e., silicon dioxide, plastic, and combinations thereof and may have one or more particular coatings thereon. Non-optical components of a telescopic sight 10 may be constructed of one or more materials including, but not limited to, one or more metals, one or more polymeric materials, one or more composite materials, and combinations thereof.

[0119] As an alternative to the one or more gear dials 87 and 88 described above, a telescopic sight 10 of this disclosure may include one or more magnification controls as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 30 - 31. With reference to FIG. 30, in an embodiment a magnification control may include at least one handle 200 directly connected to the worm gear 80 and configured to rotatably drive the worm gear 80 clockwise and counter-clockwise via a single gear stage of the worm gear 80 and magnification ring 70. With reference to FIG. 31, in an embodiment a magnification control may include at least one linear rack 210 comprising teeth 211 configured to mesh with teeth of a spur gear in a rack and pinion type configuration for driving the worm gear 80 clockwise and counter-clockwise via a multi-gear stage according to the direction of linear movement (see Directional Arrow F) of the rack 210 - see teeth 211 depicted in FIG. 31 meshing with teeth 98 of spur gear 84. In this embodiment, the rack 210 includes a longitudinal axis 508 parallel to the optical axis 500 configured to ride in a slot or other linear compartment or other surface of the telescopic sight 10.

[0120] In still another embodiment, a telescopic sight 10 may include one or more motorized magnification controls 130 including, but not limited to, an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a belt actuator, a cable actuator, and combinations thereof in communication with the worm gear 80 in a manner effective to drive the worm gear 80 to adjust the magnification or power of the telescopic sight 10. In an embodiment, an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator may each be provided as an environmentally sealed unit for communicating with an environmentally sealed worm gear 80. In an embodiment, an intermediate motor of a motorized magnification control 130 may be manually controlled via one or more manually operable switches (see directional switch 132 in FIG. 33). In an embodiment, an intermediate motor of a motorized magnification control 130 may be controlled via one or more proximity sensors and/or proximity switches. In an embodiment, an intermediate motor of a motorized magnification control 130 may be controlled via one or more push button switches. In an embodiment, an intermediate motor of a motorized magnification control 130 may directly drive the worm gear 80 or direct the worm gear 80 by way of a second reducing gear stage including, but not limited to, a second worm and wheel gear pair, a ring and pinion gear pair, or cone gear pair. In an embodiment, an intermediate motor of a motorized magnification control 130 may include an environmentally sealed intermediate motor of a motorized magnification control 130. In an embodiment, an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and a hydraulic actuator of this disclosure may be environmentally sealed using one or more techniques as known to a skilled artisan, e.g., wiper brushes, seals, gaskets, external shields, specialized enclosures, positive pressure ports, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, a motorized magnification control 130 may be operated remotely via a mechanical linkage, a gear train, one or more throttle cables, a cable/belt and pulley system, a hydraulic pressure line, a pneumatic pressure line, wireless electromagnetic signaling and/or the like, and combinations thereof. [0121] Another embodiment of a telescopic sight 10 of a non-limiting component geometry is provided in FIGS. 34 - 39. As shown, rather than coupling a magnification ring 70 to a cam tube 50 via a drive tooth 72 and a female mating surface 73 as described above, in an embodiment a magnification ring 70 may be rotatably coupled to a cam tube 50 via one or more removable locking pins and/or the like. With particular reference to FIGS. 36 - 38, in an embodiment a non-toothed portion 75 of a magnification ring 70 may include one or more apertures 135 for receiving one or more locking pins 140 there through, the one or more apertures 135 corresponding to one or more slots 137 disposed along the cam tube 50 for receiving the one or more locking pins 140 therein in a manner effective to rotatably couple the magnification ring 70 to the cam tube 50 while also allowing for operable articulation of the cam tube 50 Right/Left and/or Up/Down to facilitate point of aim adjustment of the telescopic sight 10. For example, the one or more slots 137 may be provided having dimensions allowing for spacing or clearance for the one or more locking pins 140 effective for the cam tube 50 and the erector tube 40 to articulate during operation to facilitate point of aim adjustment of the telescopic sight 10. In an embodiment, the one or more apertures 135 may include one or more threaded apertures 135 configured to receive one or more threaded locking pins 140 there through.

[0122] In an embodiment, a telescopic sight 10 as depicted in FIGS. 34 - 39 may include pivot members similar as described above in reference to FIG. 13. With reference to FIG. 40, in an embodiment one or more pivot members of the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 and the gear dials 87 and 88 may comprise a ball-lock pin locking system and/or the like for operably securing the gear dials 87 and 88 in the gear dial sockets 99 and 100. With reference to pivot member 103 of gear dial socket 100, in an embodiment a pivot member 103 may include one or more ball locks 145 wherein the one more ball locks 145 are configured to be biased to mating positions with one or more corresponding holes (not shown) disposed along inner perimeter cylindrical surfaces of the through holes 104 and 105 of the gear dials 87 and 88 effective to operably secure the gear dials 87 and 88 in the gear dial sockets 99 and 100.

[0123] In an embodiment, a gear housing 60 as depicted in FIG. 40 may be configured to include an auxiliary mounting interface 129A similar as shown in FIG. 21. In another embodiment, a gear housing 60 may include a different type of auxiliary mounting interface as desired or as may otherwise be required for one or more operations - see auxiliary mounting interface 129B in FIG. 41, see auxiliary mounting interface 129C in FIG. 42, and see auxiliary mounting interface 129D in FIG. 43. The auxiliary mounting interfaces 129A - 129D as provided are non-limiting examples of auxiliary mounting interfaces that may be included as part of a gear housing 60 and other auxiliary mounting interface configurations are herein contemplated including one or more future auxiliary mounting interfaces not known at the time of this disclosure.

[0124] As stated above, a gear housing 60 of this disclosure may include a modular configuration whereby one or more magnification controls as described herein, and others, may be removed from a telescopic sight 10 and replaced by one of a plurality of magnification controls effective to act on the worm gear 80. For example, in an embodiment a particular type of magnification control may be replaced or swapped out for a like magnification control, e.g., replacing a damaged magnification control. In an embodiment a particular type of magnification control may be replaced or swapped out for a different type of magnification control for aesthetic purposes and/or for one or more functional purposes. As such, in an embodiment a telescopic sight 10 may be provided as a modular telescopic sight system including one or more interchangeable magnification controls (also referred to herein as one or more “modular members”), wherein each of the one or more magnification controls is configured to engage the gear train of the telescopic sight 10. In addition, in an embodiment one or more magnification controls of a telescopic sight 10 such as gear dials 87 and 88 described above may be replaced by one or more other gear dials having a different number of teeth 95 and 96 providing a different second gear ratio stage effective to change the overall gear ratio of the gear train of a telescopic sight 10 and change the angular travel distance of the one or more gear dials.

[0125] In an embodiment, one or more magnification controls and/or a gear housing 60 of a telescopic sight 10 may include one or more position markings providing magnification setting information for the telescopic sight 10. In an embodiment, the one or more position markings may include, but are not limited to, one or more line marks, one or more dots, one or more other insignia, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the one or more position markings may be engraved into and/or molded into and/or painted onto one or more magnification controls such as gear dials 87 and 88. In an embodiment, a position marking may include a zero (0) position marking. In an embodiment, one or more magnification controls and/or a gear housing 60 may include a movable indicator element such as a needle or other elongated pointer configured to operate with one or more position markings, e.g., a needle radially disposed along the perimeter of each gear dial 87 and 88 for operation with one or more position markings disposed along the perimeter of the gear dial sockets 99 and 100 of a gear housing 60.

[0126] In an embodiment, one or more magnification controls and/or a gear housing 60 and/or other part of a telescopic sight 10 may include one or more position indicators comprising one or more indicator lights configured to turn ON, i.e., to illuminate, or turn OFF, to indicate magnification setting information for a telescopic sight 10. In an embodiment, one or more magnification controls and/or a gear housing 60 and/or other part of a telescopic sight 10 may include display circuitry and one or more electronic displays configured to indicate magnification setting information for a telescopic sight 10.

[0127] In an embodiment, one or more magnification controls of a telescopic sight 10 and a gear housing 60 may include a displacement sensor system and/or the like effective to provide magnification setting information for a telescopic sight 10.

[0128] In an embodiment, one or more magnification controls of a telescopic sight 10 may include a rotary encoder and/or the like effective to provide magnification setting information for a telescopic sight 10.

[0129] In an embodiment, one or more magnification controls of a telescopic sight 10 may include a potentiometer and/or the like effective to provide magnification setting information for a telescopic sight 10.

[0130] In an embodiment, one or more magnification controls of a telescopic sight 10 may be detached from a gear housing 60 and/or otherwise removed from an operable position in communication with spur gear 83 and/or spur gear 84, and one or more detents, stop members, latching members, and combinations thereof, may be installed between the one or more magnification controls and the gear housing 60, e.g., installed between the gear dials 87 and 88 and the gear housing 60, to modify a magnification adjustment feature of the telescopic sight 10. Likewise, one or more detents, stop members, latching members, and combinations thereof, may be removed from between the one or more magnification controls and the gear housing 60 to modify a magnification adjustment feature of a telescopic sight 10. In an embodiment, one or more detents, stop members, latching members, and combinations thereof, may be provided as an OEM product of a telescopic sight 10.

[0131] In an embodiment, one or more magnification controls of a telescopic sight 10 may be replaced with one or more automatic magnification adjustment members including, but not limited to, one or more motorized magnification controls 130 as described above, wherein the one or more motorized magnification controls 130 may be operated via one or more computer systems.

[0132] In an embodiment, one or more magnification controls of a telescopic sight 10 may be replaced by one or more members configured to add to a telescopic sight 10 one or more operable features not pertaining to magnification control, including, but not limited to, one or more shot timers, one or more shot counters, an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) indication system, geolocation, one or more data displays, communications including one or more microphones and/or one or more speakers, one or more flashlights, one or more power supplies for a telescopic sight 10, one or more remote control devices for operating a telescopic sight 10 remotely, one or more secondary aiming sight mounting points, and combinations thereof.

[0133] In an embodiment, one or more magnification controls of a telescopic sight 10 including, but not limited to, one or more magnification controls of a telescopic sight 10 may be detached from the telescopic sight 10 and rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise to a desired orientation before reattaching to the assembly, e.g., resetting the orientation of a handle 112 and/or 113.

[0134] As described above, in an embodiment a magnification control may comprise a dial, knob, proximity sensors, proximity switches one or more push button switches, lever, handles including, but not limited to handles 112, 113, 200, and combinations thereof configured to be operably communicated with the worm gear 80. As also described above, the one or more magnification controls of this disclosure may be provided as one or more modular members of a modular system. In an embodiment, one or more modular members such as one or more interchangeable magnification controls of a telescopic sight 10 as described above may be replaced by one or more other modular members of a modular system of this disclosure including, but not limited to, one or more blanking plates and/or the like that are not configured to act on the gear train. Herein, one or more modular members of a telescopic sight system may be referred to as a system of modular members.

[0135] In an embodiment, the one or more magnification controls described above may be releasably operably attached to a gear housing 60 in a repeatable, non-destructive manner. In addition to using a retaining member such as an E-Clip 111 and/or a ball-lock pin locking system as described above, in an embodiment one or more magnification controls of this disclosure such as gear dials 87 and 88 may be releasably operably attached to a gear housing 60 via one or more fasteners, including but not limited to, one or more screws, bolts, thumbscrews, nuts, detents, latches, ball bearings, retaining rings, pins, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, one or more fasteners may attach or otherwise communicate with the one or more magnification controls at one or more points along the one or more magnification controls. Exemplary points of attachment for one or more fasteners along one or more magnification controls may include: (1) at or near a center axis of the one or more magnification controls, e.g., at or near the through holes 104 and 105 of gear dials 87 and 88, (2) at or near a perimeter of the one or more magnification controls, e.g., at or near a perimeter of each of the gear dials 87 and 88, (3) at one or more points between a center axis and a perimeter of the one or more magnification controls, e.g., at one or more points between the through holes 104 and 105 of gear dials 87 and 88 and a perimeter of each of the gear dials 87 and 88, and combinations thereof.

[0136] Suitably, in an embodiment, a gear housing 60 and/or the one or more magnification controls of this disclosure are configured so that the internal geared interfaces and interior of the telescopic sight 10 for a telescopic sight 10 remain environmentally sealed when one or more of the magnification controls are removed from the gear housing 60. Preserving an environmental seal within a telescopic sight 10 allows for the one or more magnification controls to be removed from the telescopic sight 10 without compromising optical function and/or mechanical function of a magnification control assembly of the telescopic sight 10.

[0137] The present disclosure may be described according to one or more of the following Embodiments.

[0138] Embodiment 1. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a magnification control assembly including: a housing; and a gear train environmentally sealed within the housing.

[0139] Embodiment 2. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 1, wherein the gear train includes one or more magnification controls.

[0140] Embodiment 3. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 2, wherein the one or more magnification controls include one or more motorized magnification controls configured to drive the gear train, wherein the one or more motorized magnification controls may include an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a belt actuator, a cable actuator, and combinations thereof.

[0141] Embodiment 4. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 2, wherein the one or more magnification controls include one or more manually operable magnification controls rotatable about an axis of rotation non-parallel to an optical axis of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0142] Embodiment 5. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 4, wherein the gear train has a fixed overall gear ratio establishing an angular travel of the one or more manually operated magnification controls corresponding to a maximum angular travel of a cam tube of the magnification control assembly.

[0143] Embodiment 6. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: an environmentally sealed magnification control assembly including: a gear housing; and one or more magnification controls; wherein the one or more magnification controls are configured to rotate gears of a gear train of the magnification control assembly in a manner effective to rotate a cam tube of an erector tube assembly of the magnification control assembly.

[0144] Embodiment 7. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 6, wherein the magnification control assembly includes a cam tube coaxial with an optical axis of the variablepower telescopic sight and wherein the one or more magnification controls are rotatable about an axis of rotation non-parallel to the optical axis.

[0145] Embodiment 8. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 6, wherein the one or more magnification controls include one or more manually operable magnification controls. [0146] Embodiment 9. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 6, wherein one or more of the gears are rotatable about an axis of rotation non-parallel to an optical axis of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0147] Embodiment 10. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 6, wherein the gear train has a fixed overall gear ratio establishing an angular travel of the one or more manually operated magnification controls.

[0148] Embodiment 11. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 6, wherein the magnification control assembly includes a cam tube and wherein the gear train includes a worm drive including at least one worm gear and at least one worm wheel gear, wherein the at least one worm wheel gear is rotatably coupled to the cam tube.

[0149] Embodiment 12. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 6, wherein the gear train includes a worm drive including at least one worm gear and at least one worm wheel gear tangentially driven by the at least one worm gear, at least a first spur gear rotatably coupled to the at least one worm gear, and at least a first manually operable ring gear dial meshed with the first spur gear.

[0150] Embodiment 13. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 6, wherein the one or more magnification controls include one or more motorized magnification controls configured to drive the gear train, wherein the one or more motorized magnification controls may include an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a belt actuator, a cable actuator, and combinations thereof.

[0151] Embodiment 14. A method, comprising: adjusting magnification of a variable-power telescopic sight, the variable-power telescopic sight including: a cam tube; and an environmentally sealed gear train; wherein when gears of the gear train are rotated then the cam tube is rotated to adjust the magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0152] Embodiment 15. The method of Embodiment 14, where in the adjusting step the gear train includes a worm stage including a worm gear and a worm wheel gear.

[0153] Embodiment 16. The method of Embodiment 14, where in the adjusting step the gear train includes one or more magnification controls configured to rotate the gears in a manner effective to rotate the cam tube, wherein angular travel of the one or more magnification controls to realize a full range of magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight is defined by an overall gear ratio of the gear train.

[0154] Embodiment 17. The method of Embodiment 14, where in the adjusting step the gear train includes one or more magnification controls configured to rotate the gears, wherein the one or more magnification controls are rotatable about an axis of rotation non-parallel to an optical axis of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0155] Embodiment 18. The method of Embodiment 14, where in the adjusting step the gear train includes one or more manually operable magnification controls comprising environmentally sealed gear teeth.

[0156] Embodiment 19. The method of Embodiment 14, where in the adjusting step the gears of the gear train are rotated via one or more environmentally sealed motorized magnification controls in communication with the gear train, wherein the one or more motorized magnification controls may include an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, and combinations thereof.

[0157] Embodiment 20. The method of Embodiment 14, where in the adjusting step the variable-power telescopic sight includes an environmentally sealed interior and a system of modular members, wherein the interior of the variable-power telescopic sight remains environmentally sealed when one or more of the modular members operably attached to the variable-power telescopic sight are replaced by one or more other modular members.

[0158] Embodiment 21. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a magnification control assembly including a housing and a gear train environmentally sealed within the housing; wherein the gear train includes one or more magnification controls configured to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight. [0159] Embodiment 22. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 21 wherein the one or more magnification controls include one or more manually operable magnification controls configured to drive the gear train.

[0160] Embodiment 23. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 21 wherein the one or more magnification controls include one or more motorized magnification controls.

[0161] Embodiment 24. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 23 wherein the one or more motorized magnification controls comprise an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and a hydraulic actuator configured to drive the gear train.

[0162] Embodiment 25. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 22 wherein the one or more manually operated magnification controls are tumable about a rotational axis that is non-parallel to an optical axis of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0163] Embodiment 26. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 25 wherein the gear train has an overall gear ratio of or about two-to-three (2:3) establishing an angular travel of the one or more manually operated magnification controls of or about 120.0 degrees to realize a full range of magnification of the cam tube of the variable-power telescopic sight of or about 180.0 degrees.

[0164] Embodiment 27. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a magnification control assembly; wherein the magnification control assembly includes a gear train environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the gear train includes at least one magnification control configured to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0165] Embodiment 28. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a magnification control assembly including a housing and a gear train environmentally sealed within the housing; wherein the gear train includes at least one tumable magnification control configured to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the at least one tumable magnification control is rotatable about a rotational axis that is non-parallel to an optical axis of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0166] Embodiment 29. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a magnification control assembly including a housing and a gear train environmentally sealed within the housing; wherein the gear train includes a turnable magnification control configured to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the turnable magnification control is rotatable about a rotational axis that is perpendicular to an optical axis of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0167] Embodiment 30. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a cam tube configured to adjust magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; and a gear train of a fixed overall gear ratio, the gear train including: a worm drive configured to act on the cam tube; and a magnification control rotatably linked to the worm drive; wherein the gear train is environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0168] Embodiment 31. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a cam tube configured to adjust magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; and a gear train of a fixed overall gear ratio, the gear train including: a worm drive including a worm gear and a worm wheel gear configured to act on the cam tube; and at least one magnification control rotatably linked to the worm gear; wherein the worm gear and the at least one magnification control have parallel axes of rotation at a ratio greater than one-to-one (1 : 1) such that the worm gear rotates faster than the at least one magnification control; and wherein the gear train is environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0169] Embodiment 32. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a first housing comprising an objective lens assembly; a second housing comprising an ocular lens assembly; and a magnification control assembly comprising: an erector tube assembly including: an erector tube; a cam tube; an erector lens assembly; and a worm wheel gear coupled to the cam tube; and a gear housing assembly, including; a gear housing; a worm gear; and a magnification control rotatably linked to the worm gear; wherein the worm wheel gear and the worm gear are located within the gear housing; and wherein the magnification control assembly is environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0170] Embodiment 33. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a first housing assembly comprising an objective lens assembly; a second housing assembly comprising an ocular lens assembly; and a magnification control assembly including: an erector tube assembly comprising an erector lens assembly; and a gear housing assembly; wherein at least part of the erector tube assembly is housed within the first housing assembly; and wherein the magnification control assembly includes a gear train with a fixed overall gear ratio configured to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the gear train is environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0171] Embodiment 34. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a first housing comprising an objective lens assembly; a second housing comprising an ocular lens assembly; and a magnification control assembly comprising: an erector tube assembly including: an erector tube; a cam tube; an erector lens assembly; and a worm wheel gear coupled to the cam tube; and a gear housing assembly, including; a gear housing; a worm gear; and a magnification control rotatably linked to the worm gear; wherein the worm gear is meshed with the worm wheel gear within the gear housing; wherein the worm gear is rotatable about a rotational axis that is non-parallel to an optical axis of the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the magnification control assembly is environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0172] Embodiment 35. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a first housing comprising an objective lens assembly; a second housing comprising an ocular lens assembly; and a magnification control assembly comprising: an erector tube assembly including: an erector tube; a cam tube; an erector lens assembly; and a worm wheel gear coupled to the cam tube; and a gear housing assembly, including; a gear housing; a worm gear; and at least one magnification control rotatably linked to the worm gear; wherein the worm gear is meshed with the worm wheel gear within the gear housing; wherein the magnification control assembly is environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the magnification control is rotatable an angle of rotation of or about 120.0 degrees to realize 180.0 degrees rotation of the cam tube.

[0173] Embodiment 36. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a main housing assembly including an objective lens assembly; a magnification control assembly including an erector lens assembly; and an eyepiece assembly including an ocular lens assembly; wherein the magnification control assembly is configured to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the magnification control assembly is environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0174] Embodiment 37. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a main housing assembly including an objective lens assembly; a gear housing assembly; an erector tube assembly including an erector lens assembly; and an eyepiece assembly including an ocular lens assembly; wherein the gear housing assembly and the erector tube assembly include a gear train configured to cooperatively adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the gear housing assembly includes a housing and wherein the gear train is environmentally sealed within the housing.

[0175] Embodiment 38. A method, comprising: adjusting a magnification of a variable-power telescopic sight, the variable-power telescopic sight including: a magnification control assembly including a housing and a gear train environmentally sealed within the housing; wherein the gear train includes one or more magnification controls configured to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0176] Embodiment 39. A method, comprising: adjusting a magnification of a variable-power telescopic sight, the variable-power telescopic sight including: a magnification control assembly; wherein the magnification control assembly includes a gear train environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the gear train includes at least one magnification control configured to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0177] Embodiment 40. A method, comprising: adjusting a magnification of a variable-power telescopic sight, the variable-power telescopic sight including: a magnification control assembly including a housing and a gear train environmentally sealed within the housing; wherein the gear train includes at least one turnable magnification control configured to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the at least one tumable magnification control is rotatable about a rotational axis that is non-parallel to an optical axis of the variablepower telescopic sight.

[0178] Embodiment 41. A method, comprising: adjusting a magnification of a variable-power telescopic sight, the variable-power telescopic sight including: a gear train including one or more gear stages with a fixed overall gear ratio; an erector tube; a cam tube; and an erector lens assembly; wherein the gear train includes a worm drive comprising a worm gear and a wheel gear, wherein the wheel gear is rotatably coupled to the cam tube; wherein the gear train includes at least one magnification control rotatably linked to the worm gear and configured to drive the worm drive to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the gear train is environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0179] Embodiment 42. A magnification control assembly for a variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: an erector tube assembly; and a gear housing assembly; wherein the erector tube assembly includes: an erector tube; a cam tube; an erector lens assembly; and a worm wheel gear coupled to the cam tube; wherein the gear housing assembly includes a gear housing and a worm gear meshed with the worm wheel gear within the gear housing; wherein the gear housing assembly includes at least one magnification control configured to drive the worm gear and worm wheel gear to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the worm gear and the worm wheel gear are environmentally sealed within the gear housing.

[0180] Embodiment 43. A magnification control assembly for a variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: an erector tube assembly; and a gear housing assembly; wherein the erector tube assembly includes: an erector tube; a cam tube; an erector lens assembly; and a worm wheel gear coupled to the cam tube; wherein the gear housing assembly includes a gear housing and a worm gear meshed with the worm wheel gear within the gear housing; wherein the gear housing assembly includes at least one manual magnification control configured to drive the worm gear and worm wheel gear to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight, the at least one manual magnification control providing an environmental seal for the gear housing; and wherein the worm gear and the worm wheel gear are environmentally sealed within the gear housing.

[0181] Embodiment 44. A magnification control assembly for a variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: an erector tube assembly, including: an erector tube; a cam tube; an erector lens assembly; and a worm wheel gear coupled to the cam tube; and a gear housing assembly, including; a gear housing; a worm gear; and at least one magnification control providing an environmental seal for the gear housing; wherein the worm gear is meshed with (1) the worm wheel gear and (2) the at least one magnification control within the gear housing; and wherein the at least one magnification control is configured to act on the worm gear to turn the worm wheel gear and the cam tube to adjust magnification ratio of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0182] Embodiment 45. A magnification control assembly for a variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a housing; and a gear train with a fixed overall gear ratio environmentally sealed within the housing; wherein the variable-power telescopic sight comprises an erector tube, a cam tube, and an erector lens assembly; wherein the gear train includes one or more magnification controls; wherein the gear train includes a worm drive including a worm gear meshed with the one or more magnification controls and a worm wheel gear coupled to the cam tube; and wherein the one or more magnification controls are configured to drive the worm drive to turn the cam tube to adjust magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0183] Embodiment 46. A magnification control assembly for a variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a housing; and a gear train with a fixed overall gear ratio environmentally sealed within the housing; wherein the variable-power telescopic sight comprises an erector tube, a cam tube, and an erector lens assembly; wherein the gear train includes one or more manual magnification controls; wherein the gear train includes a worm drive including a double-enveloping worm gear meshed with the one or more manual magnification controls and a worm wheel gear meshed coupled to the cam tube; wherein the one or more manual magnification controls are rotatably secured to the housing and configured to drive the worm gear to turn the cam tube at an overall gear ratio such that the worm gear rotates at a faster rate than the cam tube to adjust magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the one or more manual magnification controls rotate about a rotational axis divergent to an optical axis of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0184] Embodiment 47. A magnification control assembly for a variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a gear train environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight; wherein the variable-power telescopic sight comprises an erector tube, a cam tube, and an erector lens assembly; wherein the gear train includes one or more manually turnable dial gears; wherein the gear train includes a worm drive coupled to the cam tube and meshed with the one or more manually turnable dial gears; wherein the one or more manually turnable dial gears are rotatable about a rotational axis non-parallel to an optical axis of the telescopic sight; and wherein the one or more manually turnable dial gears are configured to act on the worm drive to turn the cam tube to adjust magnification ratio of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0185] Embodiment 48. A magnification control assembly for a variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a gear train including one or more gear stages of a fixed overall gear ratio; and an erector tube assembly comprising an erector tube, a cam tube and an erector lens assembly; wherein the variable-power telescopic sight includes an optical system of optical elements that defines an optical axis of the telescopic sight; wherein the gear train includes a worm drive including a wheel gear coaxial with the optical axis of the telescopic sight and one or more manually operable gears defining a rotational axis divergent to the optical axis of the telescopic sight; wherein the one or more manually operable gears are configured to act on the worm drive to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the telescopic sight; and wherein the gear train is environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0186] Embodiment 49. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a main housing assembly including an objective lens assembly; a magnification control assembly including an erector lens assembly comprising one or more erector lenses; and an eyepiece assembly including an ocular lens assembly; wherein the magnification control assembly is configured to adjust a position of the one or more erector lenses within an erector tube of the erector tube assembly.

[0187] Embodiment 50. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a main housing assembly including an objective lens assembly; a gear housing assembly; an erector tube assembly including an erector lens assembly comprising one or more erector lenses; and an eyepiece assembly including an ocular lens assembly; wherein the gear housing assembly and the erector tube assembly are configured to cooperatively adjust a position of the one or more erector lenses within an erector tube of the erector tube assembly.

[0188] Embodiment 51. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: an objective lens assembly; an ocular lens assembly; a magnification control assembly located between the objective lens assembly and the ocular lens assembly, the magnification control assembly including: an erector lens assembly located within an erector tube; a cam tube; and a gear train configured to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0189] Embodiment 52. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: an objective lens assembly; an ocular lens assembly; a magnification control assembly located between the objective lens assembly and the ocular lens assembly, the magnification control assembly including: an erector lens assembly comprising one or more erector lenses; an erector tube; and a cam tube; and a gear train including one or more gear stages with a fixed overall gear ratio, the gear train including a worm drive and a manually operable gear; wherein the manually operable gear is configured to act on the worm drive to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0190] Embodiment 53. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a main housing assembly including an objective lens assembly; a gear housing assembly; an erector tube assembly comprising an erector tube, a cam tube and an erector lens assembly; and an eyepiece assembly including an ocular lens assembly; wherein the variable-power telescopic sight includes a gear train with a fixed gear ratio, wherein the erector lens assembly includes a first gear of a first gear set of the gear train, wherein the gear housing assembly includes a second gear of the first gear set, and wherein the gear housing assembly includes a second gear set rotatably linked to the cam tube.

[0191] Embodiment 54. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a main housing assembly including an objective lens assembly; a gear housing assembly including a worm gear and a gear dial set rotatably coupled to the worm gear, the gear dial set including at least a first spur gear and at least a first manually operable ring gear dial meshed with the first external spur gear; an erector tube assembly comprising an erector tube, a cam tube, a worm wheel gear rotatably coupled to the cam tube, and an erector lens assembly; and an eyepiece assembly including an ocular lens assembly; wherein the gear housing assembly is configured to act on the erector tube assembly to adjust a magnification of the telescopic sight.

[0192] Embodiment 55. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: an optical system including an objective lens assembly, a erector lens assembly, and an ocular lens assembly, the optical system defining an optical axis of the telescopic sight; and a magnification adjustment assembly including a gear train having a fixed overall gear ratio, the magnification adjustment assembly including one or more manually operable gears and a worm drive; wherein the gear train is configured to adjust a magnification of the optical system.

[0193] Embodiment 56. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: an optical system of optical elements that defines an optical axis of the telescopic sight; and a magnification adjustment assembly including one or more gear stages having a fixed overall gear ratio; wherein the magnification adjustment assembly includes one or more manually operable gears offset from the optical axis; wherein the magnification adjustment assembly includes an erector tube assembly including an erector tube, a cam tube, and an erector lens assembly; wherein the one or more gear stages include a magnification ring gear coaxial with the optical axis and rotatably coupled to the cam tube; and wherein the one or more manually operable gears are configured to drive the magnification ring gear to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight. [0194] Embodiment 57. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: an erector tube assembly including: a cam tube; an erector tube disposed within the cam tube; and an erector lens assembly disposed within the erector tube; and a gear train having a fixed overall gear ratio, the gear train including: a worm drive coupled to the cam tube; and one or more manually operable gears; wherein the one or more manually operable gears are configured to act on the worm drive to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0195] Embodiment 58. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a magnification control assembly including: a gear train including one or more gear stages with a fixed overall gear ratio; an erector tube; a cam tube; and an erector lens assembly; wherein the gear train includes a worm drive comprising a worm gear and a wheel gear, wherein the wheel gear is rotatably coupled to the cam tube; and wherein the gear train includes a manually operable gear rotatably linked to the worm gear and configured to drive the worm drive to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0196] Embodiment 59. A magnification control assembly for a variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a gear train including one or more gear stages with a fixed overall gear ratio; an erector tube; a cam tube; and an erector lens assembly; wherein the gear train includes a worm drive comprising a worm gear and a wheel gear, wherein the wheel gear is rotatably coupled to the cam tube; and wherein the gear train includes a manually operable gear rotatably linked to the worm gear and configured to drive the worm drive to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight. [0197] Embodiment 60. A magnification control assembly for a variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a gear train including one or more gear stages of a fixed overall gear ratio; and an erector tube assembly comprising an erector tube, a cam tube and an erector lens assembly; wherein the variable-power telescopic sight includes an optical system of optical elements that defines an optical axis of the telescopic sight; wherein the gear train includes a worm drive including a wheel gear coaxial with the optical axis of the telescopic sight and one or more manually operable gears defining a rotational axis divergent to the optical axis of the telescopic sight; and wherein the one or more manually operable gears are configured to act on the worm drive to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the telescopic sight.

[0198] Embodiment 61. A method, comprising: adjusting a magnification of a variable-power telescopic sight, the variable-power telescopic sight including: a gear train including one or more gear stages with a fixed overall gear ratio; an erector tube; a cam tube; and an erector lens assembly; wherein the gear train includes a worm drive comprising a worm gear and a wheel gear, wherein the wheel gear is rotatably coupled to the cam tube; and wherein the gear train includes at least one magnification control rotatably linked to the worm gear and configured to drive the worm drive to turn the cam tube to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight; wherein the gear train is environmentally sealed within the variable-power telescopic sight; and wherein the fixed overall gear ratio is selected to establish a desired angular travel of the at least one magnification control for realizing a full range of magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0199] Embodiment 62. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a magnification control assembly including a housing and a gear train environmentally sealed within the housing; wherein the gear train includes a plurality of magnification controls configured to adjust a magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0200] Embodiment 63. A method, comprising: controlling continuous magnification adjustment of a variable-power telescopic sight, the variable-power telescopic sight including: a cam tube; and an environmentally sealed gear train; wherein when gears of the gear train are rotated then the cam tube is rotated to adjust the magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

[0201] Although the present disclosure is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more other embodiments whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.

[0202] Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The embodiment s) described herein are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the invention, which is defined in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: a magnification control assembly including: a housing; and a gear train environmentally sealed within the housing.

2. The variable-power telescopic sight of claim 1, wherein the gear train includes one or more magnification controls.

3. The variable-power telescopic sight of claim 2, wherein the one or more magnification controls include one or more motorized magnification controls configured to drive the gear train, wherein the one or more motorized magnification controls may include an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a belt actuator, a cable actuator, and combinations thereof.

4. The variable-power telescopic sight of claim 2, wherein the one or more magnification controls include one or more manually operable magnification controls rotatable about an axis of rotation non-parallel to an optical axis of the variable-power telescopic sight.

5. The variable-power telescopic sight of claim 4, wherein the gear train has a fixed overall gear ratio establishing an angular travel of the one or more manually operated magnification controls corresponding to a maximum angular travel of a cam tube of the magnification control assembly.

6. A variable-power telescopic sight, comprising: an environmentally sealed magnification control assembly including: a gear housing; and one or more magnification controls; wherein the one or more magnification controls are configured to rotate gears of a gear train of the magnification control assembly in a manner effective to rotate a cam tube of an erector tube assembly of the magnification control assembly.

7. The variable-power telescopic sight of claim 6, wherein the magnification control assembly includes a cam tube coaxial with an optical axis of the variable-power telescopic sight and wherein the one or more magnification controls are rotatable about an axis of rotation nonparallel to the optical axis.

8. The variable-power telescopic sight of claim 6, wherein the one or more magnification controls include one or more manually operable magnification controls.

9. The variable-power telescopic sight of claim 6, wherein one or more of the gears are rotatable about an axis of rotation non-parallel to an optical axis of the variable-power telescopic sight.

10. The variable-power telescopic sight of claim 6, wherein the gear train has a fixed overall gear ratio establishing an angular travel of the one or more manually operated magnification controls.

11. The variable-power telescopic sight of claim 6, wherein the magnification control assembly includes a cam tube and wherein the gear train includes a worm drive including at least one worm gear and at least one worm wheel gear, wherein the at least one worm wheel gear is rotatably coupled to the cam tube.

12. The variable-power telescopic sight of Embodiment 6, wherein the gear train includes a worm drive including at least one worm gear and at least one worm wheel gear tangentially driven by the at least one worm gear, at least a first spur gear rotatably coupled to the at least one worm gear, and at least a first manually operable ring gear dial meshed with the first spur gear.

13. The variable-power telescopic sight of claim 6, wherein the one or more magnification controls include one or more motorized magnification controls configured to drive the gear train, wherein the one or more motorized magnification controls may include an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a belt actuator, a cable actuator, and combinations thereof.

14. A method, comprising: adjusting magnification of a variable-power telescopic sight, the variable-power telescopic sight including: a cam tube; and an environmentally sealed gear train; wherein when gears of the gear train are rotated then the cam tube is rotated to adjust the magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight.

15. The method of claim 14, where in the adjusting step the gear train includes a worm stage including a worm gear and a worm wheel gear.

16. The method of claim 14, where in the adjusting step the gear train includes one or more magnification controls configured to rotate the gears in a manner effective to rotate the cam tube, wherein angular travel of the one or more magnification controls to realize a full range of magnification of the variable-power telescopic sight is defined by an overall gear ratio of the gear train.

17. The method of claim 14, where in the adjusting step the gear train includes one or more magnification controls configured to rotate the gears, wherein the one or more magnification controls are rotatable about an axis of rotation non-parallel to an optical axis of the variablepower telescopic sight.

18. The method of claim 14, where in the adjusting step the gear train includes one or more manually operable magnification controls comprising environmentally sealed gear teeth.

19. The method of claim 14, where in the adjusting step the gears of the gear train are rotated via one or more environmentally sealed motorized magnification controls in communication with the gear train, wherein the one or more motorized magnification controls may include an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, and combinations thereof.

20. The method of claim 14, where in the adjusting step the variable-power telescopic sight includes an environmentally sealed interior and a system of modular members, wherein the interior of the variable-power telescopic sight remains environmentally sealed when one or more of the modular members operably attached to the variable-power telescopic sight are replaced by one or more other modular members.