Abstract:
A archery bow sight for facilitating the user&#39;s ability to focus on the target and the aiming pin at the same time without losing focus on either subject. The archery bow sight includes a sight tube for viewing into by the dominant eye of the user. The sight tube is elongate, with a first end for orienting toward a user and a second end being for orienting toward a target. The sight tube comprises a perimeter wall defining a lumen extending between the first and second ends of the sight tube. A light pin assembly is provided for creating a point of light on a light tip in the lumen being viewable through the first end of the sight tube for aligning with a targe. The second end of the lumen of the sight tube is substantially entirely closed against light transmission therethrough for preventing light transmission through the second end of the sight tube.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to aiming sights and more particularly pertains to a new archery bow sight for facilitating the user&#39;s ability to focus on the target and the aiming pin at the same time without losing focus on either subject.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    The use of aiming sights is known in the prior art. Sights have been devised for aiming weapons, such as archery bows, at targets. These known sights have typically required the user of the sight to use only his or her dominant eye to focus on both a near pin (mounted on the sight) and a distant target, and visually align the pin and the targets while keeping these items in focus. The user often finds it difficult to simultaneously clearly focus on the near pin and the distant target in a way that permits an accurate and repeatable alignment of the pin and target. This difficulty can result in the user not noticing that the target has moved until after firing the weapon. The known aiming sights also tend to be complex and relatively expensive.  
           [0005]    The archery bow sight according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of facilitating the user&#39;s ability to focus on the target and the aiming pin at the same time without losing focus on either subject.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of aiming sights now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new archery bow sight construction wherein the same can be utilized for facilitating the user&#39;s ability to focus on the target and the aiming pin at the same time without losing focus on either subject.  
           [0007]    The present invention generally comprises a sight tube for viewing into by the dominant eye of the user. The sight tube is elongate, with a first end for orienting toward a user and a second end being for orienting toward a target. The sight tube comprises a perimeter wall defining a lumen extending between the first and second ends of the sight tube. A light pin assembly is provided for creating a point of light on a light tip in the lumen being viewable through the first end of the sight tube for aligning with a targe. The second end of the lumen of the sight tube is substantially entirely closed against light transmission therethrough for preventing light transmission through the second end of the sight tube.  
           [0008]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
           [0009]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
           [0010]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
           [0011]    The various objects and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new archery bow sight according to the present invention mounted on a fragmentary portion of an archery bow.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a schematic end view of the present invention taken from the first end of the sight tube.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of the sight tube adjacent the second end of the sight tube indicated by line  4 - 4  in FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new archery bow sight embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described.  
         [0018]    As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the archery bow sight  10  of the invention generally comprises a sight tube  12 , a light pin assembly  14 , and a mounting assembly  16 .  
         [0019]    The archery bow sight  10  of the invention is suitable for mounting on an archery bow  2  of the type having a frame  4  for tensioning a bowstring. The frame  2  has a grip portion (not shown) for gripping by the hand of a user of the archery bow, and a mounting hole  8  in the bow (or structure associated with the bow) for receiving a sight mounting shaft for mounting the sight.  
         [0020]    The sight tube of the archery bow sight of the invention is provided for viewing into by the dominant eye of the user of the archery bow during targeting of the bow. The sight tube is generally elongate, and has a first end  18  and a second end  19 . The first end  18  of the sight tube is oriented toward the user and the second end  19  of the sight tube is oriented toward the target during targeting of the bow. The preferred sight tube comprises a perimeter wall  20  that defines a lumen  22  extending between the first  18  and second  19  ends of the sight tube. The interior  24  of the perimeter wall preferably comprises a dark surface for enhancing the contrast between the light pin and the lumen of the sight tube, and ideally, the surface is black. The perimeter wall of the sight tube preferably has an annular cross-section.  
         [0021]    A notch  26  may be formed in the sight tube  12  for providing clearance space for the riser of the frame  4  of the archery bow when the sight tube is mounted on the bow. The notch  26  extends from the first end  18  of the sight tube toward the second end  19  of the sight tube. A pair of notch side edges  28 ,  29  extend longitudinally along the perimeter wall of the sight tube at circumferentially separated locations, and in a substantially parallel relationship. A notch end edge  30  extends between the notch side edges in a substantially parallel orientation to the first end of the sight tube.  
         [0022]    The light pin assembly  14  is provided to create a point of light in the lumen that is viewable through the first end  18  of the sight tube for aligning with the target. The light pin assembly is most suitably mounted on the sight tube.  
         [0023]    The light pin assembly includes a light pin  32  that extends into the lumen of the sight tube. The light pin  32  terminates in a light tip  34  positioned in the lumen of the sight tube, and the light tip radiates light therefrom for providing a distinct point of light in the lumen. The light pin is preferably positioned toward the second end of the sight tube. The light pin has a first portion  36  extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lumen of the sight tube, and a second portion  38  of the light pin extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lumen of the sight tube. The light tip  32  is located on the second portion  38  of the light pin with the light tip being oriented toward the first end  18  of the sight tube for viewing by the user. The light pin  32  may be mounted on the perimeter wall  20  of the sight tube, and the light pin  32  may pass through the perimeter wall of the sight tube from a location outside of the sight tube. The light pin  32  is preferably formed of a light transmitting material (such as, for example, fiber optic material) that is capable of transmitting ambient light from the exterior of the sight tube to the light tip  34  in the lumen  22  of the sight tube. Optionally, an artificial light source (not shown) may be provided in communication with an exterior location of the first portion of the light pin for illuminating the light tip in low ambient light conditions.  
         [0024]    The light pin assembly  14  preferably further includes a securing conduit  40  for securing the light pin on the sight tube. The securing conduit  40  has a passage  42  that extend between the ends of the securing conduit, and the light pin  32  extends through the passage. The securing conduit  40  extends through a pin aperture  44  in the perimeter wall of the sight tube. The pin aperture  44  may be internally threaded, and the securing conduit  40  may have a threaded exterior surface for threadedly mounting the conduit in the pin aperture. The securing conduit, and the light pin mounted therein, may be selectively advanced into and withdrawn from the interior of the lumen of the sight tube for adjusting the position of the light tip to a particular target situation.  
         [0025]    The light pin assembly further includes a locking collar  46  mounted on the securing conduit for securing the securing conduit  40  in position in the pin aperture  44 . The locking collar  46  is threadedly mounted on the securing conduit for permitting the locking collar to be selectively abutted against the exterior of the perimeter wall of the sight tube. Preferably, the pin aperture  44  is centered on the notch  26  for causing the light pin assembly to extend from the side of the sight tube adjacent the bow frame when the sight is mounted on the bow frame. The combination of the threading of the securing conduit  40 , the pin aperture  44 , and the locking collar  46  together permits the parts to be secured so that the securing conduit is resisted against unintentional rotation with respect to the pin aperture, which could affect the position and orientation of the light tip in the lumen, while still permitting purposeful adjustment of the position of the light tip in the lumen.  
         [0026]    The light pin assembly  14  also includes a pin securing collar  48  for securing the position of the light pin in the passage of the securing conduit. The pin securing collar  48  is mounted on one of the ends of the securing conduit. The pin securing collar  48  has a plurality of radially inward extending fingers  50  for frictionally engaging a portion of the light pin  32  to resist longitudinal movement of the light pin with respect to the pin securing collar and the securing conduit. The pin securing collar  48  is threadedly mounted on the securing conduit  40 .  
         [0027]    The mounting assembly  16  of the invention is provided for mounting the sight tube on the frame of the archery bow. The mounting assembly generally includes a mounting ring  52  and a mounting shaft  54 . The mounting ring  52  is provided for embracing a portion of the sight tube  12  between the first  18  and second  19  ends. The mounting ring  52  may have an inner surface  56  for abutting against the exterior of the sight tube, and may have an outer surface  57 .  
         [0028]    A mounting hole  58  extends in a radial direction through the mounting ring between the inner  56  and outer  57  surfaces of the mounting ring. The mounting hole is provided for receiving the mounting shaft  54 . A conical countersink recess  60  may be formed in the mounting hole at the inner surface of the mounting ring for accepting a head portion of the mounting shaft. An interior surface of the mounting hole may also have internal threads formed thereon for engaging threads on the mounting shaft.  
         [0029]    An access hole  62  may be extended through the mounting ring for providing access to the mounting hole through the ring. The access hole is axially aligned with the mounting hole for permitting the mounting shaft (such as, for example, a threaded fastener) to pass through the access hole and into the mounting hole.  
         [0030]    Preferably, the mounting ring has a gap  64  formed therein that is defined by a pair of ends  66 ,  67  on the mounting ring. The gap permits the circumference of the mounting ring to be reduced for selectively gripping the exterior of the sight tube. A tensioning fastener  68  extends between the pair of ends of the mounting ring for adjusting the distance of separation between the pair of ends for adjusting the compression exerted by the mounting ring on the sight tube for securing the ring on the tube. A passage  70 ,  71  extends into each of the ends of the pair of ends  66 ,  67 , and the tensioning fastener  68  extends into each of the passages of the pair of ends. At least one of the passages  70 ,  71  is internally threaded so that rotation of the fastener advances the fastener in the passages for selectively bringing the ends together for constricting the diameter of the ring.  
         [0031]    The mounting shaft  54  is provided for mounting the mounting ring to the frame of the archery bow. The mounting shaft extends through the mounting hole in the mounting ring. A portion of the exterior of the mounting shaft is threaded, and a nut  72  is threaded on the mounting shaft and abutted against the outer surface of the mounting ring. The mounting shaft is preferably a threaded fastener, with a head portion that is located adjacent to the inner surface of the mounting ring, preferably in the countersink recess. A plurality  74  of nuts may be threaded on the mounting shaft for securing the mounting shaft in position on the frame of the archery bow. The sight tube may be selectively pivoted on the mounting shaft with respect to the archery bow frame for adjusting the aiming of the sight tube.  
         [0032]    Significantly, the second end of the lumen of the sight tube is substantially entirely closed against light transmission for preventing light transmission through the second end and into the lumen of the sight tube. Thus, the target cannot be viewed through the lumen of the sight tube, and the user cannot directly align the light tip with the target through the lumen of the sight tube using the dominant eye alone. Preferably, a cap  76  is mounted on the second end of the sight tube for closing the second end of the sight tube. The cap may have a cover wall  78  that is located in the lumen a distance away from the second end toward the first end.  
         [0033]    Optionally, at least two light pin assemblies may be mounted on the sight tube for simultaneously providing multiple light tips as targeting points. A first one of the light pin assemblies may have a longitudinal axis that is oriented at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of a second one of the light pin assemblies. As a further option, a third light pin assembly is mounted on the sight tube, and the third light pin assembly has a longitudinal axis that is oriented at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of one of the first and second light pin assemblies.  
         [0034]    The archery bow sight of the invention is suitable for use by those persons whose dominant eye and dominant hand are located on the same side of the body. Thus, a user should determine which of his or her eyes is dominant and which is sub-dominant prior to use of the sight. One suitable and highly effective method of using the sight of the invention will now be described. The sight tube of the invention is positioned between the user and the target with the first end of the sight tube being directed toward the user and the second end of the sight tube being directed toward the target. The sub-dominant eye of the user is closed, and the dominant eye of the user is focused on the light tip of the light pin in the lumen of the sight tube. This act blocks the view of the target by the dominant eye of the user. The sub-dominant eye of the user is opened such that a view of the target by the sub-dominant eye is superimposed on a view of the light tip by the dominant eye. The view of the light tip by the dominant eye is aligned with the view of the target by the sub-dominant eye.  
         [0035]    In one illustrative embodiment of the invention, the perimeter wall of the sight tube has a length of approximately 7 inches and a diameter of approximately 1.5 inches. The notch in the perimeter wall of the sight tube has a length of approximately 2⅛ inches, and extends into the perimeter wall approximately one half inch measured along a diameter of the lumen of the sight tube. The light pin assembly is located approximately 1⅛ inches from the second end of the sight tube.  
         [0036]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.  
         [0037]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.