Abstract:
An optical sighting system for use with a targeting device. The optical sighting system includes a structural member, a first sighting member, and a second sighting member. The first sighting member is connected to the structural member. The second sighting member is configured for optical alignment with the first sighting member to thereby orient the targeting device. The second sighting member has a weighted element that orients the second sighting member substantially independently of the structural member.

Description:
This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/233,206, entitled “Bow Sight”, filed on Aug. 12, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a bow mounted sight, and, more particularly, to bow mounted sight that assists the hunter in orienting the bow for more accurate shooting. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Hunters have used archery equipment, and, more particularly, a bow and arrow for thousands of years. Hunters are required to take into account the distance to the target, the effect of crosswinds, the mass of the arrow, and the velocity at which the arrow is being fired to accurately hit the target. Often, the hunter must make estimates for these factors and adjust their aim accordingly. 
     To assist the archer in hitting the intended target, bow mounted sights have been developed for assisting in the targeting of the game or target. One method utilized is a series of sighting pins mounted on the bow for aiming the arrow at the target, with the archer selecting the pin to account for the distance to the target. The archer can sight-in the bow for the specific distance to the target by adjusting the pins of the sight and firing the arrow at a target to verify that the arrow hits the intended target at that distance for that particular sighting pin. 
     The targeting methods typically require the alignment of two points. For example, an archer can utilize the same anchor point, such as a selected point on the archer&#39;s cheek, and the archer&#39;s eye and one sight point is used to keep the arrow on target. However, it is sometimes difficult to get exactly the same anchor point and a common solution to this is to mount a peep sight on the bow string. A peep sight is generally a small device with a hole in the center of it and the strands of the bow string are separated with the peep sight being inserted therebetween. The archer looks through the peep sight and aligns the selected pin on the target for sighting purposes. 
     What is needed in the art is a sighting system that helps the archer align the bow and is quick to be brought on target. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to an optical sighting system for use with a targeting device, such as a bow. 
     The invention in one form is an optical sighting system for use with a targeting device. The optical sighting system includes a structural member, a first sighting member, and a second sighting member. The first sighting member is connected to the structural member. The second sighting member is configured for optical alignment with the first sighting member to thereby orient the targeting device. The second sighting member has a weighted element that orients the second sighting member substantially independently of the structural member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an archer utilizing a bow with an embodiment of a bow sighting system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective, partial cross-section of the bow sight of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross-section across the tube of the optical system illustrating a reticle of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the pivoting ring of the sighting system of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial side view of one end of the sighting system of  FIGS. 1-4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another end of the sighting system of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one embodiment of the invention and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a targeting system  10  that includes a bow  12  having a bow sight system  14 . Bow sight system  14  includes a mounting system  16  and an optical sight  18 . Optical sight  18  is connected to bow  12  by way of mounting system  16 . Mounting system  16  allows for the pivoting of sight  18  relative to bow  12 . Bow  12  is utilized by an archer with bow sighting system  14  being used to align the bow vertically as well as on target for accurate release of the arrow. 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIGS. 2-6 , there is shown bow sighting system  14  and, more particularly, sight  18  with mounting system  16  attached thereto. Mounting system  16  includes attachment device  20 , pivoting connection  22 , and range adjustment  24 . Attachment device  20  may have holes therein so that it can be attached to bow  12  by way of threaded fasteners or other connective devices. Pivoting connection  22  allows for sight  18  to be pivoted relative to bow  12 . Range adjustment  24  may be in the form of a knob that is utilized to turn a threaded portion so that sight  18  is pivoted about pivoting connection  22 . 
     Sight  18  includes a tube  26 , a lighting system  28 , optical glass  30 , reticle  32 , a pivoting assembly  34 , an optical glass  36 , and a lens  38 . Tube  26  may be an optical tube such as one used for rifle hunting scopes or the like and may have further optics therein to provide for magnification. Tube  26  may be hermetically sealed and contain a gas that reduces the likelihood of moisture condensation therein. Optical glass  30  may be provided to protect reticle  32  and optical glass  30  may have some optical focusing and/or magnification properties. Reticle  32  is further illustrated in  FIG. 3  as having one embodiment of a pattern. The pattern has two upper vertical lines and a gap at the center, where the horizontal lines and the lower vertical line would have met. The positioning of these lines is one representation of the lines that can be used for the alignment of optical sight  18 . The present invention uses reticle  32  in coordination with parts of pivoting assembly  34  to assist the archer in the alignment of bow  12 . Optical glass  36  and lens  38  provide transmission of the light therethrough so that the archer can see pivoting assembly  34  and its alignment relative to reticle  32 . 
     Lighting system  28  includes a red light emitting diode (LED)  40 , a white LED  42 , a power source  44 , and a switch  46 . Red LED  40  is utilized to provide a spectrum of light for reflection off of a portion of pivoting assembly  34  to help differentiate it from the illumination of reticle  32 . Reticle  32  has lines thereon that redirect some of the white light from white LED  42  so that the archer sees the line thereon being white, which is in contrast to the red illumination directed to pivoting assembly  34 . Power source  44  may include batteries that are wired by way of switch  46  to provide power to LEDs  40  and  42 , providing light within tube  26  so that pivoting assembly  34  can coact with reticle  32  to provide aligning information to the archer. Although it is not illustrated, it is also contemplated that the illumination level can be adjusted for each of LEDs  40  and  42 . 
     Pivoting assembly  34  includes pivot points  48  which allow pivoting of pivoting assembly  34  about axis  50 . Pivoting assembly  34  further includes a weighted ring  52 , a plumb bob  54 , a suspension line  56 , and a weight  58 . Ring  52  has pivot points  48  extending therefrom on opposite sides thereof. Pivoting points  48  interface with tube  18  to provide for the movement of ring  52  about axis  50 . While pivot points  48  are described as extending from ring  52 , they can, of course, extend from tube  18  and interact with bearing surfaces within ring  52 . Weight  58  biases ring  52  so that it aligns with the gravitational field to orient ring  52  so that ring  52  is substantially vertical during use. Plumb bob  54  is a weighted element that is suspected by suspension line  56  from ring  52 . Plumb bob  54  can move in at least one plane as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . When the archer aligns bow  12  utilizing bow sight system  14 , the archer sees plumb bob  54 , as well as suspension line  56 . The archer aligns bow  12  so that suspension line  56  appears between the two upper vertical lines of reticle  32  and plumb bob  54  appears to be positioned in the space provided at the center of reticle  32 . This alignment assists the archer in keeping bow  12  in a substantially vertical position, which can also be thought of as a repetitive alignment feature of the present invention. Angular positioning of bow  12 , for example, a declination angle from a tree stand where the archer has aligned the arrow to take a downward path, causes ring  52  to pivot about axis  50  so that pendulum-like structure plumb bob  54  remains aligned about axis  50  to keep the sight system accurately aligned by the archer. 
     Targeting system  10  has been illustrated with bow  12 ; however, other targeting systems, such as a cross bow or laser, etc. can be utilized where vertical alignment of an axis of the targeting system, as well as compensation for angular positioning, is a desirable feature, such as is provided by the present invention. 
     While ring  52  has been described herein, other constructs of ring  52  are also contemplated, including non-ring structures or asymmetrical ring structures that preclude the need of adding a weight  58 , with the asymmetric nature being such that there is more mass at the bottom of ring  52  than at the top. It is also anticipated that biasing elements, such as springs, can be utilized relative to ring  52 . The biasing of ring  52  could be different in one direction of an angular positioning versus another direction of angular positioning. Additionally, suspension line  56  may have some stiffness or damping features so that plumb bob  54  does not oscillate unnecessarily. It is also contemplated that suspension line  56  and plumb bob  54  may be the same or different colors to assist in the alignment of suspension line  56  and plumb bob  54  relative to the lines of reticle  32 . The contrasting color and illumination of plumb bob  54  relative to the illumination in reticle  32  add to the intuitive alignment and ease of use of bow sight system  14  for the archer. The present invention advantageously is not only easy to use but also allows for a minimal amount of instruction. It is lightweight and can be used in low light conditions. 
     During use, as bow  12  is elevated or declinated, ring  52  responds to compensate for the inclination and declination, while plumb bob  54  provides for the proper alignment with reticle  32  for both vertical alignment of bow  12  and targeting alignment. If ring  52  were not present, then elevation or declination would cause plumb bob  54  to deviate from its alignment with axis  50 . 
     While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.