# US 11,906,268 B2 · Tool-less re-zero adjustment knob for aiming devices, and methods of zeroing an aiming device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,268 B2 - Document ID: US11906268B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/650,247 - Filed: 2022-02-07 - Published: 2023-05-04 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2019-02-27 - Assignees: Leupold & Stevens, Inc. - Applicants: Leupold & Stevens, Inc. - Inventors: Kyle Edward Enzinger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906268B2 ## CPC - F41G 1/38: Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance (telescopic sights in general G02B); Supports or mountings therefor {(Means for mounting sighting or aiming devices on firearms F41G11/001)} - F41G: WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING (optical aspects thereof G02B) ## Abstract User-zeroable adjustment knobs for an aiming device include a rotating member that is rotated to change a setting of the aiming device, a dial selectively couplable to the rotating member via a clutch for co-rotation therewith, and a locking mechanism that prevents the dial and rotating member from rotating relative to the aiming device when the locking mechanism is locked. The clutch is disengagable without the use of tools to allow the dial to rotate relative to the rotating member for zeroing the aiming device. The locking mechanism may include a lock release that is accessible from outside of the dial and movable relative to the dial and the rotating member to release the locking mechanism. Methods of zeroing locking adjustment knobs are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In an aiming device, a user-zeroable adjustment knob, comprising: a rotating member rotatable about an axis of rotation to change a setting of the aiming device; a dial selectively couplable to the rotating member via a clutch for co-rotation with the rotating member, the clutch being disengageable to allow the dial to rotate relative to the rotating member for zeroing the adjustment knob without changing the setting; and a locking mechanism that prevents the dial and the rotating member from rotating relative to the aiming device when the locking mechanism is locked, to thereby inhibit inadvertent adjustment of the setting, the locking mechanism including a lock release movable relative to the dial and the rotating member to release the locking mechanism and allow the dial and the rotating member to be co-rotated to adjust the setting. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The aiming device of claim 1, wherein the lock release is accessible from outside of the dial. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The aiming device of claim 1, wherein the lock release is carried by the dial for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The aiming device of claim 3, wherein the lock release includes a button on a side of the dial, the button depressible in a radial direction toward the axis of rotation to release the locking mechanism. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The aiming device of claim 1, wherein the clutch is disengageable by moving at least a portion of the dial axially relative to the rotating member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The aiming device of claim 5, wherein the clutch is disengagable by moving a button of the dial axially relative to the rotating member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The aiming device of claim 1, wherein the clutch includes a spline ring formed on one or both of the dial and the rotating member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The aiming device of claim 1, wherein the clutch includes: a first clutch surface formed on the dial and centered on the axis of rotation; and a second clutch surface formed on the rotating member and centered on the axis of rotation, wherein one of the first and second clutch surfaces comprises a male spline and the other of the first and second clutch surfaces comprises a female spline. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The aiming device of claim 8, wherein the clutch is operable through movement of the dial axially between an engaged position at which the male and female splines are engaged, and a disengaged position at which the male and female splines are disengaged. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The aiming device of claim 1, wherein the clutch includes a first clutch surface engagable to a second clutch surface by positioning a gripper therebetween, the gripper engaging both the first and second clutch surfaces. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The aiming device of claim 10, wherein the clutch is disengaged by moving the gripper axially away from the first clutch surface or the second clutch surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The aiming device of claim 11, wherein the gripper includes a wedge that is moved away from the first clutch surface or the second clutch surface by depressing a button. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The aiming device of claim 1, further comprising a retainer that inhibits the dial from being detached from the rotating member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The aiming device of claim 13, wherein the retainer includes a spring snap ring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The aiming device of claim 13, further comprising a disengagement groove and an engagement groove formed in one of the rotating member and the dial, the disengagement groove axially spaced apart from the engagement groove; and the retainer is carried by the other of the rotating member and the dial for movement along the axis of rotation between the engagement groove and the disengagement groove. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The aiming device of claim 15, wherein the clutch is engaged when the retainer is in the engagement groove, the engagement groove is deeper than the disengagement groove, a slope is formed between the disengagement groove and the engagement groove, and the retainer rides over the slope when the clutch is disengaged. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The aiming device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism further includes a guideway fixed relative to a housing of the aiming device, the guideway cooperating with the lock release to lock and unlock the locking mechanism. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The aiming device of claim 17, wherein the lock release includes a button carried by the dial for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation and a protrusion extending from the button which rides along the guideway as the dial is rotated, the guideway includes a notch into which the protrusion is seated to lock the locking mechanism, and the button is movable in a radial direction to move the protrusion out of the notch and release the locking mechanism. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The aiming device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism locks when the dial is rotated to a zero location of the dial. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The aiming device of claim 19, wherein the locking mechanism does not lock at any rotational position of the dial other than the zero location. ### Claim 21 In an optical device, an adjustment knob, comprising: a rotating member rotatable about an axis of rotation to change a setting of the optical device; a dial selectively couplable to the rotating member via a clutch for co-rotation with the rotating member, the clutch being disengageable to allow the dial to rotate relative to the rotating member without changing the setting; and a locking mechanism that prevents the dial and the rotating member from rotating relative to the optical device when the locking mechanism is locked, to thereby inhibit inadvertent adjustment of the setting, the locking mechanism including a lock release movable relative to the dial and the rotating member to release the locking mechanism and allow the dial and the rotating member to be co-rotated to adjust the setting. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The optical device of claim 21, wherein: when the clutch is disengaged the dial is rotatable relative to the rotating member for zeroing the adjustment knob without changing the setting. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The optical device of claim 21, wherein the lock release is carried by the dial for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The optical device of claim 21, wherein the clutch is disengageable by moving at least a portion of the dial axially relative to the rotating member. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The optical device of claim 21, further comprising a retainer that inhibits the dial from being detached from the rotating member. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The optical device of claim 21, wherein the locking mechanism locks when the dial is rotated to a zero location of the dial, and the locking mechanism does not lock at any rotational position of the dial other than the zero location.