Bow sight

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.

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's cheek, and the archer'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.

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 toFIG. 1, there is shown a targeting system10that includes a bow12having a bow sight system14. Bow sight system14includes a mounting system16and an optical sight18. Optical sight18is connected to bow12by way of mounting system16. Mounting system16allows for the pivoting of sight18relative to bow12. Bow12is utilized by an archer with bow sighting system14being used to align the bow vertically as well as on target for accurate release of the arrow.

Now, additionally referring toFIGS. 2-6, there is shown bow sighting system14and, more particularly, sight18with mounting system16attached thereto. Mounting system16includes attachment device20, pivoting connection22, and range adjustment24. Attachment device20may have holes therein so that it can be attached to bow12by way of threaded fasteners or other connective devices. Pivoting connection22allows for sight18to be pivoted relative to bow12. Range adjustment24may be in the form of a knob that is utilized to turn a threaded portion so that sight18is pivoted about pivoting connection22.

Sight18includes a tube26, a lighting system28, optical glass30, reticle32, a pivoting assembly34, an optical glass36, and a lens38. Tube26may 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. Tube26may be hermetically sealed and contain a gas that reduces the likelihood of moisture condensation therein. Optical glass30may be provided to protect reticle32and optical glass30may have some optical focusing and/or magnification properties. Reticle32is further illustrated inFIG. 3as 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 sight18. The present invention uses reticle32in coordination with parts of pivoting assembly34to assist the archer in the alignment of bow12. Optical glass36and lens38provide transmission of the light therethrough so that the archer can see pivoting assembly34and its alignment relative to reticle32.

Lighting system28includes a red light emitting diode (LED)40, a white LED42, a power source44, and a switch46. Red LED40is utilized to provide a spectrum of light for reflection off of a portion of pivoting assembly34to help differentiate it from the illumination of reticle32. Reticle32has lines thereon that redirect some of the white light from white LED42so that the archer sees the line thereon being white, which is in contrast to the red illumination directed to pivoting assembly34. Power source44may include batteries that are wired by way of switch46to provide power to LEDs40and42, providing light within tube26so that pivoting assembly34can coact with reticle32to 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 LEDs40and42.

Pivoting assembly34includes pivot points48which allow pivoting of pivoting assembly34about axis50. Pivoting assembly34further includes a weighted ring52, a plumb bob54, a suspension line56, and a weight58. Ring52has pivot points48extending therefrom on opposite sides thereof. Pivoting points48interface with tube18to provide for the movement of ring52about axis50. While pivot points48are described as extending from ring52, they can, of course, extend from tube18and interact with bearing surfaces within ring52. Weight58biases ring52so that it aligns with the gravitational field to orient ring52so that ring52is substantially vertical during use. Plumb bob54is a weighted element that is suspected by suspension line56from ring52. Plumb bob54can move in at least one plane as illustrated inFIG. 4. When the archer aligns bow12utilizing bow sight system14, the archer sees plumb bob54, as well as suspension line56. The archer aligns bow12so that suspension line56appears between the two upper vertical lines of reticle32and plumb bob54appears to be positioned in the space provided at the center of reticle32. This alignment assists the archer in keeping bow12in a substantially vertical position, which can also be thought of as a repetitive alignment feature of the present invention. Angular positioning of bow12, for example, a declination angle from a tree stand where the archer has aligned the arrow to take a downward path, causes ring52to pivot about axis50so that pendulum-like structure plumb bob54remains aligned about axis50to keep the sight system accurately aligned by the archer.

Targeting system10has been illustrated with bow12; 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 ring52has been described herein, other constructs of ring52are also contemplated, including non-ring structures or asymmetrical ring structures that preclude the need of adding a weight58, with the asymmetric nature being such that there is more mass at the bottom of ring52than at the top. It is also anticipated that biasing elements, such as springs, can be utilized relative to ring52. The biasing of ring52could be different in one direction of an angular positioning versus another direction of angular positioning. Additionally, suspension line56may have some stiffness or damping features so that plumb bob54does not oscillate unnecessarily. It is also contemplated that suspension line56and plumb bob54may be the same or different colors to assist in the alignment of suspension line56and plumb bob54relative to the lines of reticle32. The contrasting color and illumination of plumb bob54relative to the illumination in reticle32add to the intuitive alignment and ease of use of bow sight system14for 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 bow12is elevated or declinated, ring52responds to compensate for the inclination and declination, while plumb bob54provides for the proper alignment with reticle32for both vertical alignment of bow12and targeting alignment. If ring52were not present, then elevation or declination would cause plumb bob54to deviate from its alignment with axis50.