Abstract:
A peep sight which enables viewing above and below an intended target includes a body which develops a frame for defining a shaped aperture and a peripheral groove for receiving a bowstring, for mounting the peep sight to the bowstring. The shaped aperture forms a single, vertically elongated sight window which provides a large sight picture to facilitate viewing of the target, especially in low light situations, and which is free of internal structures. In use, the peep sight allows an archer to immediately focus on the sighting pins of the bow, and then on the target, without obstruction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to a device useful for aligning archery equipment with desired targets, and more particularly, to an alignment device of the type generally referred to as a “peep sight”.  
         [0002]     A great number of devices have been developed for use with various different types of archery equipment in an effort to improve the accuracy of the process for aligning the arrow which is to be released from the bow with an intended target, i.e., aiming of the archery equipment. The subject matter of the present invention is primarily directed to one such type of aiming device, which is commonly referred to as a “peep sight”, which have long been used with many types of weapons that require alignment with an object or a target.  
         [0003]     For use in archery, peep sights are conventionally associated with the bowstring of the archery equipment, and are used to establish an orientation for the bow relative to the intended target. Orientation of the bow can include variations in pan, tilt, and even roll of the bow as the bow is being aimed at the intended target. In use, as the bowstring is drawn back, together with a knocked arrow, the archer looks through the peep sight, while viewing the intended target, and the bow is moved to an orientation (primarily, panned to the left and right, and tilted up and down) which is considered appropriate for release of the arrow.  
         [0004]     The configuration of the peep sight can have a marked effect on the accuracy which can be achieved, often irrespective of the amount of practice with a particular peep sight design, and the effectiveness of the various peep sight designs which have been proposed to date can vary widely. However, it has in practice been found that irrespective of the peep sight design which is employed, the results achieved are the most limited when operating in low light conditions, for example, at dawn, at dusk and in inclement weather.  
         [0005]     To accommodate the limitations of low light conditions, both round and shaped peep sights have been proposed. This has included peep sights that operate passively, for example, by varying the configuration of the aperture which is developed by the peep sight, and peep sights that operate more actively, for example, by providing some form of background coloration or lighting. However, in practice, such attempts have generally been found to be less than satisfactory when used under actual, low light conditions.  
         [0006]     For example, while smaller diameter apertures have generally been considered to increase accuracy, the smaller diameter aperture of a peep sight generally tends to decrease the ability to view a target. Moreover, the use of a smaller, cylindrically shaped aperture tends to enhance the adverse effects of diffracted light on such peep sights.  
         [0007]     Also, because the peep sight is only a few inches from one&#39;s eye during use, the tendency is to focus on the frame of the peep sight, then to the sighting pins associated with the bow, and finally to the target. For this reason, attempts have been made to enhance the performance of a peep sight in low light conditions by providing the bow with lighted or fluorescent sighting pins, as well as peep sights that are themselves provided with coloration, or which are lighted, in an effort to enhance their operation in low light conditions. By intensifying the light around the aperture of the peep sight, such devices can be of assistance to the archer. However, such devices present the corresponding disadvantage that the eye is then made to focus on the lighted or fluorescent peep sight and/or sighting pins, and not on the target.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It has been found that when used in low ambient light conditions, the drawback to conventional peep sights is that when an archer draws on a target, the archer is at best able to view a limited portion of the target, for example, only the body of the intended target. In accordance with the present invention, this drawback is overcome by enabling the archer to also see above and below the intended target. This not only provides a full view of the target, but also enhances depth perception.  
         [0009]     This is accomplished by providing a peep sight which is generally comprised of a body which develops a frame for defining a shaped aperture and which includes a peripheral groove for receiving a bowstring, for mounting the peep sight to the bowstring. The shaped aperture which is developed by the frame forms a single, vertically elongated sight window. The elongated shape of the frame also facilitates mounting of the peep sight to a conventional, multi-stranded bowstring.  
         [0010]     It has surprisingly been found that, contrary to the general belief that a peep sight which provides a larger sight picture, although easier to sight through, would lack precision, the relatively large, elongated shape of the peep sight of the present invention makes the viewing of a target much easier, especially in low light situations. Moreover, the thin frame and the large viewing area of the peep sight of the present invention allows the eye of the archer to gather more light, yielding a better view of the intended target, particularly in low light conditions.  
         [0011]     In use, the peep sight of the present invention allows an archer to immediately focus on the sighting pins of the bow, and then on the target, without any obstruction. The shape of the peep sight of the present invention allows the archer to more easily center the sighting pins, by moving to the left or to the right, while the selected anchoring point controls elevation. As a result, and contrary to expectations, the relatively large peep sight of the present invention has been found to be more accurate in use. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view showing the peep sight of the present invention mounted to a conventional bowstring.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the peep sight shown in  FIG. 1 , separate from the bowstring.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the peep sight shown in  FIG. 2 , separate from the bowstring and taken along the line  3 - 3  shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the peep sight shown in  FIG. 1 , separate from the bowstring and taken along the line  4 - 4  shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating a peep sight which has been mounted to the bowstring of a compound bow, and its manner of use.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating the manner in which the bow is aimed using the peep sight.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 6  which further illustrates the manner in which the bow is aimed relative to an intended target.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view showing an alternative embodiment of the peep sight of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a peep sight  1  which is produced in accordance with the present invention, mounted to a bowstring  2  associated with desired archery equipment. The bowstring  2  is, itself, entirely conventional in configuration, and is provided only for purposes of illustration. The bowstring  2  can be mated with any of a variety of different types of archery equipment, as will be discussed more fully below.  
         [0021]     The peep sight  1  shown in  FIG. 1  generally takes the form of a solid body  3  which develops a frame  4  for defining an aperture  5  which extends through the body  3 . The aperture  5  is elongated in height, relative to the width of the aperture  5 , and is preferably elliptical in shape, as illustrated. Edges  6  of the frame  4  adjacent to the aperture  5  are preferably beveled, as shown, to help gather light and to allow more light to enter the aperture  5 , facilitating use of the peep sight  1  during low light conditions.  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the periphery  7  of the body  3  includes a groove  8  for receiving the bowstring  2 , for mounting the peep sight  1  to the bowstring  2 . The groove  8  is developed between opposing faces  9  of the frame  4 . The faces  9  of the frame  4  are preferably identical in configuration so that the peep sight  1  is made fully reversible, for use irrespective of which face  9  of the peep sight  1  is caused to face the archer.  
         [0023]     The peep sight  1  can be made from any of a variety of different materials. Metals are presently considered preferred, for purposes of both strength and rigidity, with aluminum being particularly preferred for ease of machining. The peep sight  1  can be machined from a selected material, or molded from such materials, as desired. Plastics can also be used, for purposes of reducing manufacturing costs, but are presently considered to be less desirable because the relatively large size of the aperture  5  can tend to limit the strength and rigidity of the manufactured unit. Metal inserts can be incorporated into a plastic component, for example, as part of an injection molding process, to increase the strength and rigidity of the resulting unit. However, it is important to avoid the potential for plastic portions of the resulting unit to break off from the metal inserts, particularly during release of the bowstring  2 , which can produce significant flexing and stress in the structure of the peep sight  1 .  
         [0024]     The groove  8  is preferably formed in a unitary frame  4 , as part of the machining or molding process which is used. As an alternative, the peep sight can be manufactured from separate components, for example, a pair of opposing faces which are separated by a reduced center portion for forming the groove  8 . The groove  8  is preferably provided with a rounded inner surface  10  so the groove  8  can better conform to and engage the bowstring  2  which is to be received within the groove  8 .  
         [0025]     The dimensions for the various features of the peep sight  1  can be varied to suit any of a number of different uses and lighting conditions. However, as examples, the following dimensions are presently considered preferred.  
         [0026]     The overall height of the peep sight  1 , extending between the top and bottom tips  11 ,  12  of the frame  4 , is preferably in a range of from 0.375 inches to 1.5 inches. A height less than 0.375 inches would tend to develop too small of an aperture  5 . A height greater than 1.5 inches would tend to compromise use of the peep sight  1 , as will be discussed more fully below.  
         [0027]     The overall width of the peep sight  1 , extending between the outermost edges  13  of the frame  4 , is preferably from 0.1875 inches to 0.75 inches. A width less than 0.1875 inches would again tend to develop too small of an aperture  5 . A width greater than 0.75 inches would tend to place too much pressure on the bowstring  2 , particularly where separated to receive the peep sight  1 , leading to the possibility that the peep sight  1  could then pop out of the bowstring  2 , even during normal use.  
         [0028]     The frame  4  preferably has a thickness of from 0.125 inches to 0.5 inches. A thickness less than 0.125 inches could not effectively receive the width of the bowstrings which are presently manufactured, although smaller thicknesses could be used to accept bowstrings of a reduced size which might come to be developed in the future. A thickness larger than 0.5 inches would tend to result in a frame  4  which would apply too much mass on the bowstring  2 , in turn slowing the speed of an arrow released from the bowstring  2 . The selected frame width will define the overall size of the aperture  5 , which will further tend to vary relative to the overall height and width of the frame  4 , within the previously described ranges.  
         [0029]     The beveled edges  6  preferably fully surround the aperture  5 , extending transversely from the aperture  5  and along the width of the frame  4 . The beveled edges  6  preferably extend into the frame  4  for a distance of from 10% to 25% of the width of the frame  4 . An extension of less than 10% would tend to present a visible edge along the aperture  5 , leading to the potential for light to reflect off the resulting edge, and potentially compromising the aiming process. An extension of more than 25% is unnecessary, and could potentially compromise the structural integrity of the frame  4 .  
         [0030]     The peep sight  1  can be installed on many different types of archery equipment, including bows having long or short draw lengths, as well as compound bows and recurve bows. Unlike conventional peep sights, having sighting apertures which tend to get progressively smaller as the bowstring is drawn back, the elongated, vertical sight window developed through the aperture  5  of the peep sight  1  of the present invention will continue to provide a large viewing area. The resulting viewing area is sufficiently large to even allow for some twisting of the peep sight  1  on the bowstring  2 , due to variations in tension on a bowstring as it is drawn, eliminating the need for an alignment of the peep sight  1  using an ancillary device such as a tether or retention tubing, which can in turn slow down the speed achieved by the arrow upon release of the bowstring  2 .  
         [0031]     The peep sight  1  is mounted to the bowstring  2 , for example, a conventional, multi-stranded bowstring, by separating the several strands of the bowstring  2 , followed by placement of the frame  4  of the peep sight  1  between the separated strands. The strands of the bowstring are then received within the groove  8 , surrounding the frame  4  and engaging the groove  8 . The groove  8  in the frame  4  will in many cases be sufficiently deep and wide to accommodate a variety of different size bowstrings, and the increased surface area of the elongated frame  4  of the peep sight  1  will in many applications establish sufficient contact with the bowstring  2  to securely retain the peep sight  1  to the bowstring  2 . If desired, serving knots  14  (see  FIG. 1 ) can be tied above and below the peep sight  1  to even more securely mount the peep sight  1  to the bowstring  2 .  
         [0032]     FIGS.  5  to  7  illustrate use of the peep sight  1  to aim an associated bow  15  at an intended target. The peep sight  1  is mounted to the bowstring  2  of the illustrated compound bow  15  as previously described. To be noted is that while a compound bow  15  has been selected for purposes of illustration in  FIG. 5 , the operations to be described will apply equally to other types of bows, and archery equipment, and potentially to other types of apparatus requiring some aiming function, as well.  
         [0033]     First, steps are taken to knock an arrow  16  to the bowstring  2 . Then, the bowstring  2  is drawn back, relative to the bow  15 , preferably using a cheek, the nose and/or the mouth to establish an anchor point. In this way, as the bowstring  2  is drawn back, there is a significant increase in accuracy and successive shots will be more consistent.  
         [0034]     When the bowstring  2  has been fully drawn back, the archer aligns the peep sight  1  which is mounted to the bowstring  2  with a sight  17  which is mounted to the riser  18  of the bow  15 . Alignment between the eye  19  of the archer, the sight  17  and an intended target is achieved by panning and tilting the bow  15 , from the riser  18 .  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the dashed line  20  represents the center line of the available field of view, and the points  21 ,  22  show the top and the bottom of the available field of view. One of a series of sight pins  23  associated with the sight  17 , which in the illustrated embodiment constitutes the aiming device associated with the bow  15 , as previously described, is then aligned with the center line  20 , between the top sighting point  22  and the bottom sighting point  23 , as desired, to aim the bow  15  and the knocked arrow  16 . In this way, and referring to  FIG. 7 , the archer is able to use the center line  20  which is established by the centering points  21 ,  22 , relative to the sight pin  23 , to both horizontally and vertically align the bow  15 , and the knocked arrow  16 , relative to the intended target  24 .  
         [0036]     The peep sight  1  replaces the relatively small field of view of prior peep sights with a significantly larger field of view, making it significantly easier to acquire a target when aiming, particularly in low light conditions. Due to the vertically elongated shape of the peep sight  1 , aiming points are developed for both vertical and horizontal alignment of the bow  15 , providing for precise aiming despite the significantly larger sight picture which is made available. Moreover, the aiming points are centered, allowing the archer to look straight through the bowstring  2 , for better accuracy, and eliminating the problems associated with peep sights which are mounted to the left or to the right of the bowstring.  
         [0037]     Further, this is accomplished while leaving the sight picture free of internal structures or other markers. Such structures tend to block portions of the view to the target, and tend to force the eye to focus on the obstruction before focusing on the sight pin and the target, taking more time for alignment and making such alignment less accurate. Such structures also tend to distort and blur the aiming point, which will then be close to the eye, blocking and distorting the field of view.  
         [0038]     When the peep sight  1 , the sight pin  23  (i.e., the “aiming point”) and the intended target  24  are all in alignment, which determines where the arrow  16  is to be aimed, the arrow  16  is released by letting go of the bowstring  2 , which can be done either using the fingers or using a mechanical release. The peep sight  1  will allow the archer to easily see the intended target  24 , permitting a more consistent and faster placement of the sight pins  23  on the intended target  24 , even in low light conditions. The need to search for the sight pins  23 , which is commonly encountered with other peep sights, particularly in low light conditions, is effectively eliminated.  
         [0039]     It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims which are to follow.  
         [0040]     For example, the overall configuration of the peep sight, and its manufacture, can be varied as previously described. The size and angle of the beveled edges  6  surrounding the aperture  5  can also be varied to provide for increased, or decreased light diffraction.  
         [0041]     Although the peep sight  1  has previously been described for use without any associated alignment aids, which is presently considered preferred, the peep sight of the present invention can also be used with an otherwise conventional tethering device, if desired. In such case, the peep sight would be further provided with a post for accepting the tethering device, to align the peep sight in otherwise known fashion. As an alternative, the tethering device can be built into the peep sight. As a further alternative, a hole can be drilled into the top of the frame, if desired, to accept a thread or some other material for use in alignment of the peep sight.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , yet another alternative would be to provide a peep sight  25  having an elliptical outer periphery  26  and a shaped inner aperture  27 . The aperture  27  includes a generally circular center section  28  and vertically opposing, rectangular sections  29  located above and below the center section  28 . By mounting the peep sight  25  vertically on the bowstring  2 , as previously described, the center section  28  develops a circular, central aperture which, combined with the vertically disposed rectangular sections  29 , permits the alignment of a bow as previously described, while allowing the peep sight  25  to gather sufficient light to accommodate low light conditions.