Abstract:
A gaseous illuminated pin sight, including a mounting bracket, at least one sight pin securing to the mounting bracket, each sight pin having an inclined or straight urface to provide clearance between adjacent sight pins, each sight pin capable of being secured to the mounting bracket at its base end when adjusted, the opposite and outer end of each sight pin incorporating a capsule of illuminating gas, and the capsule of illuminating gas being secured or embedded to either the straight or inclined outer end of each sight pin.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of a prior application having U.S. Ser. No. 09/587,819, filed on Jun. 6, 2000, and which parent application derives from the provisional patent application upon the same invention, having U.S. Ser. No. 60/138,529, filed on Jun. 10, 1999. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to an illuminated sight, for use with an archery bow, and more specifically pertains to the use of a gaseous illuminated sight which adapts the gas generated sight for use upon sight pins, to provide a focal or pin point type of illumination for focusing of the sight and the bow for usage under darkened conditions, whether while hunting, or when participating in target practice.  
           [0003]    Various types of fiber optic pins, for use with a sight, whether it be for an archery bow, rifle, or shotgun, have long been available in the art. Such type pins can be seen in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,861, entitled “Sight Pin and Holder for Archery Bow.” In addition, a prior patent to the assignee of the invention disclosed herein, U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,801, discloses a fiber optic pin sight for a bow. Related types of developments can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,526, also upon a bow pin sight, that utilizes fiber optic material as the sighting medium. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,081, discloses an aiming device for use on an archery bow, that also utilizes the fiber optic concept. There are a variety of other fiber optic types of means for use for sighting purposes, and which utilize various style of connectors for supporting the fiber optic in its application and usage, upon the sight, such as shown in the prior U.S. Pat. No. Re. 31,515. There are also very early U.S. patents that disclose the application of fiber optics, even in conjunction with lights, mirrors, and for use with the transmission of light. Such can be seen in the early U.S. Pat. No. 2,195,526, upon an illuminated mirror.  
           [0004]    Other patents utilizing fiber optics, for use in combination with a light source, can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,838, upon a spot lighting device. The use of fiber optics for a gun sight, can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,678,590. The sighting apparatus of the Spencer U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,127, shows the use of fiber optics in a sighting device. And, the sighting device utilizes a light source for its illumination. A sight illuminator is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,203. Another sighting device, using fiber optic or day glow plastics, or phosphorescent paints, is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,763, entitled “Aiming/Sighting Device.” An illuminated sight is shown in the early U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,324, that also utilizes a light source, and fiber optics for transmission of the light. Sighting apparatus, with light emitting diodes at their tips, and illuminated from a battery source, can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,071. Another fiber optic pin sight is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,572, entitled “Lighted Sight Pin for Archery Bows.” A further illuminated bow sight is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,983. A further fiber optic bow sight, entitled “Sight for Archery Bow,” is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,394. U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,124, shows a further type of illuminated archery pin sight. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,765, shows an illuminated sight having a light collector serving a fiber optic. Another archer bow sight utilizing fiber optics is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,068.  
           [0005]    A patent using fiber optics as a light generating source, and for application for archery bow sight purposes, can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,861. Of more recent origin, at least with respect to sights employed with archery bows, whether it be for target practice, hunting, or even for use as a hunting sight with a firearms, is an illuminated pin produced by a company entitled Hesco, Inc., of LaGrange, Ga., and identified as MEMPROLIGHT. This particular sight utilizes at the tip of the sight a very small quantity of tritium in gaseous form, usually 20 millicuries or less, and which are encapsulated within a supporting tiny vessel, and then further encapsulated within a metal casing, that only provides a small pin type apertures therethrough, for the generation and display of a light source. Apparently, radioactive tritium gas generates its own light source due to its radioactivity, and this particular sight, produced by this company, uses the bead of encapsulated gas as the tip and sighting portion of the sight as employed in combination with an archery bow.  
           [0006]    The current invention contemplates the combination of a small tube of tritium gas, that may be oriented in conjunction with the tip of a pin type sight, and which transmits its generated light out of the tip end of the tube, to provide a focal point for sighting when used in combination with a bow, or other firearm.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    This invention principally relates to the use of an illuminating type of gas for optical purposes in the fabrication of preferably a bow sight, or perhaps any sight used in combination with a hunting or target practice instrument, such as a shotgun, rifle, archery bow, wherein the pin sight is fabricated to furnish a glow at the sight tip generated from a gaseous generated illuminated pin point display for use for focusing for sighting purposes.  
           [0008]    This invention contemplates the formation of a sight, which may be used either individually within a pin sight, or within a combination of a series of pin sights, and which may be adjustable in their mounting, as well known in the art. But each sight incorporates a fine tube of illuminated gas, at the tip of its supporting pin sight(s) to provide for focusing of the weapon during either hunting or target practice, even under low lighting conditions. The sight will provide a glow, from the gaseous material, that facilitates the sighting of the instrument, particularly when being used and employed in such low light conditions. Thus, this invention includes a holder for the pin sights, not too unlike that as known in the art, and provides modifications to supporting structure for emplacement of the various gaseous illuminated components that facilitate the sighting of these devices.  
           [0009]    Generally, the pin sights of this invention are fabricated incorporating a supply of radio active means, such as tritium, in gaseous form, which may be contained within a tube or vessel, and which has a very small area that can be exposed to the back end of the pin sight, in order to form the sight, and to facilitate its sighting, even under low or even no light conditions. Thus, such radioactive gas is known to provide self-illumination, because of its activity, and this generation of light, when exposed at the back edge of a pin sight, transmits such light for focusing at its tip, to facilitate its use for sighting purposes, particularly when employed and used upon an archery bow. It is just as likely, though, that the concept of this invention could be used in combination with other forms of sights, that may be employed upon firearms, rifles, shotguns, or other means requiring precision sighting.  
           [0010]    Hence, the principal object of this invention is to provide the use of a radioactive gas in combination with the tip end of a pin sight, to furnish a fine light for illuminating the tip of the sight, when employed within a sight to allow for its usage for aiming purposes, even when subjected to low light or night time conditions.  
           [0011]    Another object of this invention is to provide a holder, such as a modified type of pin sight, for supporting a component of the gaseous illuminated structure, which mounts at the tip end of the sight, with such radioactive gas generating its own illumination for providing a focal tip for sighting purposes, even under very low light conditions.  
           [0012]    Still another object of this invention is to provide a mount, in the form of modified types of pin sights, for use in combination with a sight holder, and which may be integrally formed therewith, and to which a capsule or tube of radioactive gas, such as tritium, may be located for the provision of an illumination source for lighting of the sight tips, and allowing for their usage within a bow or other instrument sight.  
           [0013]    Still another object of this invention is to provide for a pin sight with a minuscule segment of a capsule of radioactive gas, that may be mounted into the canted tip of the sight to facilitate its focusing upon as a pin point type of light, for use for aiming of the bow or other instrument during usage.  
           [0014]    Still another object of this invention is to provide for a gaseous illuminated capsule or tube of radioactive gas, that may be mounted onto the end of the tip of a pin sight, and therein furnish a concentrated point of light that could be used for sighting purposes during employment of the instrument for hunting or practice.  
           [0015]    These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the summary of this invention, and upon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment, in view of the drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    In referring to the drawings:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a back view of a pin sight, holding multiple pins, and showing the gaseous illuminated capsule or tube embedded in the canted or slanted ends of the pin sight, for use for sighting purposes;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a back view of the pin sight of this invention, showing a variety of pin sights having the capsule or tube of gaseous illuminated material mounted onto the tip ends of the pin sight to provide for focusing of its accompanying instrument during hunting or target practice;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a back view of a pin sight and mount disclosing the combined usage of one of the gaseous illuminated pin sights when connected and adjusted into a sight for use for target sighting purposes;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4A provides a back view of one of the pin sights as shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4B is an end or tip view of the pin sight of FIG. 4A;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4C is an opposite end view of the pin sight of FIG. 4A;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4D is a top view of the pin sight of FIG. 4A;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5A provides a rear view of one of the gaseous illuminated pin sights as shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5B is a top view thereof;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5C is a back end view thereof;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5D is a bottom view thereof;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5E is a tip end view thereof;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6A is a back view of one of the standard pin sights of this invention, as shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6B is a base end view thereof, showing its threaded apertures;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6C is a tip end view thereof;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 shows a screw for mounting of the various pin sights onto the sight bracket;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 discloses a washer used in conjunction with the screw for tightening the pin sights onto the sight bracket;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9A is a side view of the sight bracket, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9B is a bottom view thereof; and  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 9C is a back view of the sight bracket of FIG. 9A. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0037]    In referring to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 3, the various styles of gaseous illuminated fiber optic sights can be noted. For example, in FIG. 1, the pin sight  1  is fabricated containing a series, in this instance four, pin sights  2 , each of which has a canted or slanted end  3 , and which have embedded therein a minuscule tube or vial  4  of the tritium gas, as summarized herein. Since the tip ends of the sight are arranged upon an incline, as can be noted at  3 , and a short length of the vial or tube of the gas is embedded therein, or adhered to its surface, and the capsule of gas can be seen, by the user of the sight, which provides a point of light that aids in the sighting of the weapon or instrument being used, as previously explained. The base or back end of each pin sight, as at  5 , mounts within the sight bracket  6  by means of a series of mounting screws  7 , that secure into the threaded aperture provided in the back end of each of the pin sights.  
         [0038]    The alternative form of gaseous illuminated pin sight is shown in FIG. 2. In this instance, the structure of the mounting bracket  6 , in addition to the sight pins  8 , are of related structure and similar of purpose, except that the front tip of the pin sights are disposed on a straight edge, as at  9 . Then, the capsule or tubular segment  10  of the tritium gas are simply adhered, as by adhesive, or otherwise, to that straight surface of the sight pin, as can be noted. Thus, when the hunter or archer sights through use of the pin sights, he/she will see the back end of the capsule, which appears to be a point of light, to help with the focus of the shooting instrument when taking aim upon a quarry or target. Once again, the sight pins  8  are held by the various screws  11  to the mounting bracket of the sight. Furthermore, each of the pin sights, in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 1, has a slight incline, as at  12 , along at least one of its surfaces, leading up to the narrower portion  13 , of each of the pins, in order to provide for adequate clearance between the pin sights, and for use for facilitating and enhancing the sighting upon a designated target. As will be subsequently described in this application, the screws  11  may be loosened, and the pins may be adjusted, heightwise, in order to compensate for distances, of the target from the shooter, so as to assure that once a target has been focused in his sight, the sportsman will know that the pin sight has compensated for the extra distance, to assure greater accuracy in a shot.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 3 shows a further variation upon the gaseous illuminated pin sight of this invention. As can be seen, the mounting bracket  6  once again holds a series of sight pins, but in this particular instance, one of the sight pins  2  may be similarly related to the type of sight pin as previously described in FIG. 1, or perhaps even FIG. 2, while the remaining pins  14  as can be seen, are standard type of sight pins as normally used by the sportsman, upon a sight, which simply furnishes an integral tip, as at  15 , for use for sighting purposes. And, as can be noted, the various screws  16  are used for securing the pins to the mounting bracket  6 , once they have been adjusted for distances.  
         [0040]    The specific configuration for the style of sight pin, as shown at  2  in FIG. 1, can be seen in FIGS. 4A through 4D. As noted, each of the pins have a long slender stem portion as at  17 , which flare outwardly integrally into the base segment  18 , and the reason for the flaring, in this particular instance, as above and below the stem portion  17 , is to furnish clearance between the pins, when mounted into the sight bracket, as previously reviewed. In other words, if all of the pins were mated flush together, this may cause aberrations in the sighting, by the sportsman, when attempting to focus upon a particular point of light, whereas, leaving a certain of space between the same, compensates and eliminates that type of problem. Furthermore, the specific spacing provided between the pins also have been predetermined to provide for a graduation in the use of the sight, distance wise, when focusing upon a particular target. For example, the bottom pin as shown in FIG. 1, may have been predetermined to compensate for the gravity drop of the arrow, of an archery bow, when shot, when the distance gauged between the sportsman, and the target, may be, for example, 80 yards. This may be maximum distance for usage of the bow when hunting a target at that distance. The second from the bottom pin, when used for sighting upon it, may compensate for elevation if the target is gauged to be at approximately 60 yards from the sportsman. Likewise, the third from the bottom pin may provide for compensation for elevation, if the target is approximately 40 yards, and the top pin may provide almost a direct shot, with little need for elevation compensation, if the target is at distance of approximately 20 to 30 yards. In other words, as each of the pins are used, from the bottom to the top, the distance to the target shortens, requiring a lesser need for elevation of the bow, when sighting, before release of a shot towards the target.  
         [0041]    As can further be seen in FIG. 4A, the front tip of the sight pin is arranged upon a slant, as at  19 , with the angle, as at  20 , being approximately at that as shown in FIG. 4D. Embedded in the surface of the incline is the capsule or tubular segment  21  of the illuminating tritium gaseous material, which radiates light, inherently, even under darkened conditions, to facilitate sighting, by the sportsman, even under these type of low light conditions. As is well known, the hunter may frequently enter the field, for the hunt, in the early morning hours, when it is still dark, and the first shot, when the shooting hours commence, may very well be under low light or even no light conditions. Thus, this type of a sight, with its illuminating gas tip, greatly aids the hunters sighting ability.  
         [0042]    The transition between the sight stem  17 , and the base portion  18 , as along its flared portion  22 , can be seen in FIG. 4B. In addition, the approximately length of the tubular segment of the illuminating gas can also be viewed at  21 . In addition, the threaded aperture  23  at the back end of the base portion  18 , and for reception of the various fastening screw  7 ,  11 , or  16 , can be noted in FIG. 4C.  
         [0043]    In the preferred embodiment, and simply to provide, by way of example, the physical characteristics of the tritium capsule, it is constructed as a glass vial, or other material, holding the sealed tritium gas, and has dimensions of approximately 2.5 mm in length, 0.7 mm in width, and 0.9 mm in depth, as embedded. Furthermore, the pins  2  or  8 , for forming these various sights for holding of the capsule of tritium gas, may be made of a hardened polymer, such as polypropylene, or any related rigid polymer. These are just examples of materials, and sizes, and obviously, they may vary depending upon the characteristics needed for the sight pin, employed for the various types of sporting events involved.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 5A through 5D disclose in little further detail the specific construction of the type of sight pin  8 , as previously reviewed in the FIG. 2 description. As can be seen in FIG. 5C, the back end of the base portion of the pin sight  8  has a threaded aperture  24 , and its depth can further be seen in FIG. 5B, at  25 . One of the mounting screws  26  for holding each sight pin as adjusted, can be noted in FIG. 7. And, a washer  27  is shown in FIG. 8, and is applied to the screw  26 , as it is tightened against the back side of the mounting bracket  6 , for holding a sight pin in place.  
         [0045]    The standard type of integral sight pin, as previously reviewed at  14  in FIG. 3, can be noted in FIGS. 6A through 6C.  
         [0046]    The mounting bracket  6  for the pin sight can be seen in FIGS. 9A through 9C. As fabricated, it includes a height of rigid metal or polymer plate, and which includes a lengthy slot, as at  28  substantially along its height. At approximately half way of the depth of the slot  28 , it is formed with a shoulder  29 , and it is against this shoulder that the back end of the base  5 , of each of the configured sight pins as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, engage and mount, when rigidly fastened by one of the screws  26  (see FIG. 7) when secured, after adjustment for elevation, to the mounting bracket  6 , when the sight is prepared for usage.  
         [0047]    The remaining apertures, as at  30 , are provided for securement of the mounting bracket  6  to the type of support arm that extends from the archery bow, as known in the art, and usually this will include the two apertures  30  provided interiorly of the bracket, as noted. The two outer apertures  31  are useful for mounting, for example, a U-shaped or otherwise configured sight guard, of the type that surrounds externally of the various sight pins, to protect them from being impacted against, as when the bow is rested upon the ground, or when it encounters any limbs or brush, as during usage. It simply guards the adjusted pins, which may be finely adjusted for elevation, against impact, which might otherwise dislodge them from their setting.  
         [0048]    Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the subject matter of this invention. Such variations, if within the scope of this invention, are intended to be encompassed by the claims appended to this application. The description of the preferred embodiment, in view of the drawings, is set forth for illustrative purposes only.