Abstract:
A sight assembly is adapted for connection to a bow. The sight assembly includes a base sight having a sight opening and forming a pocket along an edge thereof. A pin cartridge is releasably connected to the base sight and is located within the pocket. When installed, the cartridge is adapted for supporting at least one pin at least partially within the sight opening.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure generally relates to sights for use with archery bows and, more particularly, to sights that are adjustable and removable from the bow. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Archery is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. Archers use many types of bows for the sport, which is often a test of skill and precision whether the archer is contending with a still target or hunting prey. There are many different types of bows known, with each type being used for a different purpose. Known bow types are classified according to the shape of the bow, for example, long bows, flat bows, or short bows. Recurve bows have limbs that curve forward and are used typically for sport, while compound bows are designed to reduce the force that an archer must hold by typically using cams or elliptical wheels on the ends of the limbs to optimize the leverage exerted by the archer. A variation on the general bow design is a crossbow, whose limbs are held horizontally instead of vertically. 
     Regardless of the type of bow used, the desire for precision and accuracy when shooting an arrow has given rise to various aiming devices or sights. Some aiming devices use a barrel shaped tube which is connected to the bow and serves to provide the archer with a visual path, in a straight line, representing the path of the arrow. Sights that are more sophisticated include devices which visually represent reference points for the archer. One example of a known archery sight can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,112, which issued on Feb. 19, 2008, and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The patent discloses a third-axis leveling block for a bow sight. This sight is configured to hold an archery sighting device, for example, a scope or a pin sight, and is very effective at adjusting the position of the sight. 
     Even though the example described above and other known examples of sights are effective at aiding the archer while targeting, they are not suited for use in more than one shooting position, after having been adjusted by the archer, without re-adjustment. In other words, the sighting devices and sights known presently in the art may be adjusted for a given set of shooting circumstances, for example, distance, wind, elevation, and so forth, thus requiring a resetting when the conditions change. This changing of the settings before shots tends to reduce the overall precision and accuracy of the archer when moving from a first set of conditions, to a different set of conditions. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure provides, in one aspect, a sight assembly for an archery bow. The sight assembly is adapted for connection to the bow. The sight assembly includes a base sight having a sight opening and forming a pocket along an edge thereof. A pin cartridge is connected to the base sight and is located within the pocket. When installed, the cartridge is adapted for supporting at least one pin at least partially within the sight opening. 
     In another aspect, this disclosure provides a sight for an archery bow. The sight includes a support structure adapted for connection to the bow, a windage block adjustably connected to a distal end of the support structure, and a sight mounting block connected to the windage block. A sight base is connected to the sight mounting block and forms two base portions surrounding a pocket. The sight base further forms a guard portion defining an opening, which is positioned adjacent to the pocket. A cartridge is releasably connected to the sight base and located within the pocket. At least one sighting pin is mounted in the cartridge such that a tip of the at least one pin is disposed within the opening defined in the guard portion. 
     In yet another aspect, this disclosure provides a sight for an archery bow. The sight includes a mount that is releasably connectable to a portion of the archery bow. An elongate portion defined in the mount connects to a sighting assembly. The sighting assembly includes a windage block slideably connected adjacent a distal end of the elongate portion, a sighting support block connected to the windage block, and a sighting base portion connected to the sighting support block. A pocket formed in the sighting base portion accommodates the cartridge. At least one slot formed in the cartridge adjustably supports at least one sighting pin. The cartridge defines a base portion and a body portion, such that the body portion forms the at least one slot. The sighting base portion further defines a guard that surrounds an opening such that a tip of the at least one pin disposed in the cartridge is located within the opening of the guard when the cartridge is connected to the sighting base portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an outline of a compound bow having a sight assembly connected thereto in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an outline of one embodiment of a sight assembly in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross section of a sight having a pin cartridge installed in a pocket thereof in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an outline of a pin cartridge having two pins installed therein in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  are cross sections of a pin cartridge in accordance with the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides a modular sighting device for use with archery bows. The modular sighting device includes a body portion which is rigidly attached to a sight, and one or more sight cartridges. Each sight cartridge is insertable into the body of the sight and may be fully adjusted by the archer to suit any given set of shooting conditions, for example, shot distance, elevation, wind, and so forth. Because of the modular nature of the sight, each cartridge may be set to a specific set of circumstances and retain its setting without the need of readjustment when the archer returns to take the same shot. The cartridges are replaceable within the sight such that any given cartridge may be set to a specific set of circumstances, and remain set in that manner even while the archer is setting up to take a different shot. The archer can simply replace the cartridge with a new one, thus retaining the original settings on the cartridge removed until they are required again. 
     To illustrate a manner of use of a sight in accordance with this disclosure, an outline view of a bow  100  having a sight  200  associated therewith is shown in  FIG. 1 . Further details concerning one example of a mounting arrangement between a sight and a bow can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,112. Returning now to  FIG. 1 , the bow  100  includes a middle portion  102  connected to two arms  104  that are disposed on either side of the middle portion  102 . Two pulleys  106  are connected, one each, on the two distal ends of the arms  104 . A string  108  wraps around the pulleys  106  and extends across the opening between the arms  104 . The compound bow  100  is presented for illustration and should not be construed as limiting of the type of bow that can benefit from the sights described and claimed in this disclosure. 
     The middle portion  102  of the bow  100  forms a grip  110  and a shelf  112  that is located adjacent to the grip  110 . When an archer is using the bow  100 , one arm of the archer holds the grip  110  while the other holds an arrow over the shelf  112 . When taking a shot, the archer retracts the arrow (not shown) against the string  108 , thus extending the string and bending or canting the arms  104 . The mechanical energy stored in the bow  100  in this condition propels the arrow. 
     To assist the archer in aiming the arrow, the sight  200  is located along a line of sight  114  of the archer. The line of sight  114 , which is denoted here as a straight line, is an imaginary line connecting the eye of the archer to the target through the sight  200 . The sight  200 , which is explained in further detail below, generally includes a support structure  202  and a sight structure  204 . The support structure  202  discussed herein is one example of many possible support structures that may be used; further examples of support structures can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,112 discussed above and in Reissued U.S. Pat. RE36266, which issued on Aug. 17, 1999, and is incorporated here in its entirety by reference. 
       FIG. 2  presents an outline view of the sight  200 , which is shown detached from the bow  100  for the sake of clarity. The support structure  202  includes an attachment mechanism or block  206  which connects the sight  200  to the bow  100 . In this embodiment, the attachment block  206  forms a series of openings  208  that accommodate fasteners connecting the attachment block  206  to the middle portion  102  of the bow  100  ( FIG. 1 .) An adjustment knob  210  adjustably and slidably connects the attachment block  206  to an elongate support  212 . The elongate support  212  extends axially away from the bow  100  in a direction along the path of an arrow shot by the bow  100 . On a distal end thereof, the elongate support  212  slideably connects to a windage block  214 . The windage block  214  can move perpendicularly to a major axis of the elongate support  212 . A threaded knob  216  connects the windage block  214  to the elongate support  212 . 
     Movement of the windage block  214  is accomplished by a threaded rod connected to an adjustment knob  218 , the rotation of which causes the windage block  214  to move relative to the elongate support  212 . When the sight  200  is connected to the bow  100 , or another equivalent bow, rotation of the knob  218  moves the windage block  214  in a generally horizontal manner so that the archer is able to compensate for prevailing winds moving across the arrow&#39;s path when taking a shot. 
     The windage block  214  connects to a sight support block  220 . The sight support block  220  connects a body portion  222  of the sight  204  to the windage block  214 . The body portion  222  of the sight  204  forms a base portion  224  connected to a circular guard  226 . The base portion  224  forms a pocket  225  between two projections that are formed along an edge thereof. The guard  226  surrounds an opening  228  that lies along the line of sight  114  ( FIG. 1 ) when the sight  200  is connected to the bow  100 . 
     A pin cartridge  230  is connected the body portion  222  of the sight  204 . The pin cartridge  230  as shown presents three pins  232  within the opening  228 . The pins  232  are used when aiming the arrow, as is known in the art. As is further known in the art, a level  234  may also be located within the opening  228  to aid the archer in appropriately orienting the bow with respect to the horizon. A partial cross section taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2  of the pin cartridge  230  is presented in  FIG. 3 . In this view, all but one of the pins  232  have been removed for the sake of clarity. In the description that follows, like reference numerals are used to denote like elements for the sake of clarity. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , and in conjunction with  FIG. 4 , the cartridge  230  is connected to the body portion  222  of the sight  204  by two fasteners  302 . The cartridge  230  is positioned within the pocket  225 . The fasteners  302  pass through openings  304  that are formed in a flange portion  306  of the cartridge  230 . The fasteners  302  threadably engage a respective one of two threaded openings  308  formed in the base portion  224 . The flange portion  306  of the cartridge  230  surrounds a main body  310  thereof. The main body  310  is generally shaped as a right-hexahedron, and supports the pins  232  in an adjustable fashion within two slots  312  formed through the main body  310 . 
     As the cross-section of  FIG. 3  shows more clearly, each slot  312  forms a first portion  314  and a second portion  316  that are separated by a ledge  318 . The ledge  318  extends peripherally along an inner portion of each slot  312 . The ledge  318  is used to secure the pins  232  to the cartridge  230 . The arrangement shown and described herein is one possible arrangement for adjustably connecting the pins  232  to the cartridge  230 , but other arrangements may be used. 
     In the arrangement as shown in  FIG. 3 , each pin  232  includes a pointer or tip  402  connected to a retainer  404  along either side of the ledge  318 . The tip  402  has an elongate shape and is connected to the retainer  404  with a fastener  406 . When the fastener  406  is tightened, the retainer  404  cooperates with the tip  402  to attach the pin  232  onto a portion of the ledge  318  and secure the pin  232  in a desired position within the slot  312 . The archer can adjust the position of the pin  232  within the slot  312  by loosening, moving, and then tightening the fastener  406 . 
     In a typical sight arrangement, the slots may be formed in a unitary structure which includes the base sight. In other words, a typical sight does not have a removable cartridge  230 . As a result, the position of pins  232  in a typical sight requires readjustment when shooting conditions change. In the embodiments described herein, the archer may advantageously adjust the position of the pins  232  within the cartridge  230 , and when faced with changed conditions or shooting positions, the archer may remove the cartridge  230  from the sight  204  by removing the fasteners  302  and pulling the cartridge out, to replace it with a different cartridge having additional pins  232  associated therewith that can be or have been adjusted to the different conditions. When the archer returns to shooting in the first set of circumstances, the archer may advantageously replace the first cartridge  230  that was previously removed without loss of shot accuracy or the need for readjustment. 
     In one embodiment in accordance with this disclosure, the cartridge  230  is shown to have two slots  312 , with each slot  312  capable of accommodating one or more pins  232 . As can be appreciated, the cartridge  230  or a similar cartridge may have fewer or more than two slots formed therein, each of which can accommodate fewer or more than the three pins  232  shown in  FIG. 2 . Because the pins  232 , or more specifically, the tips of the pins  232 , are used by the archer when sighting a target, it is important for the tips of the pins  232  to lie along the same imaginary line. In other words, having two or more slots formed in the cartridge  230  may require an adjustment to the distance of each of the pins  232  within each slot  312  from the eye of the archer. One possible arrangement for accomplishing this adjustment can be seen in the cross-sections of  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . 
     When the cartridge  230  is installed in the sight  200 , an imaginary line, A, which appears in  FIGS. 5 and 6  as a point, extends vertically with respect to the ground such that the tips of each of the pins  232  that are assembled into the cartridge  230  are substantially aligned. Alignment of the tips of the pins  232  and, of course, the ability to adjust the position of each pin  232 , enables the archer to have visual reference points with respect to height when taking a shot. For example, if a cartridge formed slots extending parallel to each other (not shown), pins inserted into each of the slots could be manufactured with bent portions (not shown) such that their tips would be aligned along line A. In the embodiment presented in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the same type of pin  232  is advantageously used in each of the slots  312 . The tips of the pins  232  are aligned by forming the slots  312  at an angle to each other. 
     Each of the two slots  312  is formed at an angle, a, with respect to a centerline  500  of the cartridge  230 , which can be considered to define a central plane of symmetry across the body portion  310 . An imaginary centerline or axis of symmetry for each of the slots  312 , with both axes denoted generally as  502  and each defining first and second planes of symmetry for their respective slots  312 , intersects the centerline  500  at the angle α. In this embodiment, the angle α is about ten degrees, but other angles may be used. When pins  232  are installed into each of the slots  312 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , the sum of both angles α forms an included angle of about twenty degrees. This included angle may be appropriately selected depending on the width of the cartridge and the distance between the slots  312  such that the tips of the pins  232  are disposed close to the imaginary line A. 
     In an alternate embodiment, a cartridge having three slots may be arranged such that two of the three slots are disposed on either side of a central slot. The central slot might be formed along the centerline of the cartridge while each of the other two outer slots can be arranged along two sides of an included angle around the center line such that pins disposed in each of the three slots may have their pins aligned along the imaginary line A. The embodiments described thus far and other embodiments discussed are described relative to the embodiments and structures presented. Any sight arrangement having a removable cartridge incorporated therewith is contemplated. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.