Abstract:
A method of mounting an autonomous electronic device onto a crossbow including the steps of attaching a scope mount ring to a scope on the crossbow; attaching a device mount to the scope mount ring; and securing an autonomous electronic device selected from a video camera and a range finder to the device mount.

Description:
[0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/479,610 filed Jun. 30, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    For game hunters the ability to record the hunt in an efficient manner is desired. Moreover, the ability to attach other devices such as rangefinders and other electronic devices to the weapon in a manner that does not impede the hunt is also desired. For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a mount that can attach a device such an electronic device to a crossbow in an effective and un-intrusive manner. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. The following summaries are provided as way of examples and not by way of limitations. Moreover, the summaries may include more or less elements than are in the claims and are merely provided to give the reader a basic understanding of some of the elements of the present invention. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, a crossbow device mount system is provided. The mount system includes a device mount. The device mount has a support portion and a side portion. The support portion is adapted to be coupled to a device. The side portion is adapted to be coupled to a scope on a crossbow. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, another crossbow device mount system is provided, the mount system includes a device mount and a scope ring. The device mount has a support plate adapted to support a device resting thereon. The support plate has a plurality of apertures passing there through. The support plate further has a side plate. The side plate has a mounting rail extending there from. The scope mount ring is adapted to engage the mounting rail. The scope mount ring is further adapted to be coupled to a scope that is mounted on a crossbow. 
         [0006]    In yet another embodiment, a method of mounting a device on a crossbow is provided. The method includes attaching a device mount to a scope mounted on the crossbow and securing a device to the device mount. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the description of the preferred embodiments and the following figures in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a partial crossbow having a scope mounted thereon and a scope mount ring coupled to the scope to secure a device mount of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of a crossbow including a device mount of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of a crossbow including a device mount of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a back perspective view illustrating a device on a device mount of one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating one method of implementing an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof. 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system of mounting a device to a crossbow that will not hamper the hunt and is easy to accomplish. In embodiments, a device mount is designed to mount to a scope on the crossbow. A device, such as a video camera, range finder, game caller or the like, is attached to the device mount. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a side view of a crossbow  100  with a scope  106  mounted thereon is illustrated. As illustrated, the crossbow  100  includes a main frame  102  and a rail  104 . The scope  106  is mounted to the rail  104  via scope mount rings  108  and  110 . Also illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is a scope mount ring (or scope mount)  204  that is used in at least some embodiments of the present invention to mount a device mount to the scope. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a back perspective view of the crossbow  100  having a device mount  202  mounted to the scope  106  of one embodiment is illustrated. As illustrated, the device mount  202  includes a support portion or plate  206  and a side portion or plate  208 . The support portion  206  has a plurality of mounting apertures  212  passing there through. Also illustrated is a scope mount ring  204  that mounts the device mount  202  to the scope  106 . In particular, the scope mount ring  204  is attached to a mounting rail  210  of the device mount  202  as illustrated.  FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of the device mount  202  coupled to the scope  106 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a back perspective view of the device mount  202  having a device  400  mounted thereon. In this example, the device is a video camera. However, the device may be any type of device. For example the device could be a rangefinder, a game caller or other device used when hunting. Also illustrated in  FIG. 4 , is a threaded attaching device  402  such as a thumb screw  402  that attaches the device  400  to the device mount  202  via a selected mount aperture  212 . In  FIG. 5  a flow diagram  500  illustrating one method of implementing a device mount system to a crossbow  100  is provided. As illustrated, a scope mount  204  is attached to a scope  106  of the crossbow ( 502 ). In one embodiment, this is done by positioning a circular bracket of the scope mount  204  around a body of the scope and tightening the circular bracket. A mounting rail  210  of the device mount  202  is engaged with the scope mount  204  ( 504 ) to mount the device mount  202  to the scope  106 . In, particular the mounting rail  210  of the device mount  204  is received in a receiving track portion of the scope mount  204  (or scope mount ring  204 ) to mount the device mount  204  to the scope  106 . The device  400  to be mounted is placed on a support plate  206  of the device mount ( 506 ). The device  400  is then aligned with one of the mounting apertures  212  in the support plate  206  ( 508 ). Once the threaded bore in the device  400  is aligned with a select mounting aperture  112  ( 508 ), a thumb screw is passed through the mounting aperture and threadably engaged with the threaded bore to mount the device  400  to the device mount  202  ( 510 ). 
         [0019]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.