Abstract:
A sight configured to properly align a weapon in the left and right direction and in the vertical direction with respect to a target without the need to separately range the target. In particular, once the shooter aligns indicia on the site with structure on the target the weapon is properly aligned and ready firing. Knowledge of the distance between the shooter and the target is not necessary to adjust for projectile drop. Related method of use and manufacture are also provided.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure provides a sight for a projectile weapon and related methods of use and manufacture. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Sights are commonly used to align projectile type weapons with targets. Typically the orientation of the weapon in a vertical plane (e.g., elevation) is adjusted based at least in part on the distance between the shooter and the target. When a target is further from the weapon, the projectile takes longer to travel to the target due in part to the greater distance of travel and the slowing of the velocity of the projectile. This results in greater projectile drop (e.g., bullet drop, arrow drop). To account for projectile drop traditionally the shooter estimates the distance to the target and adjust the angle of the weapon accordingly. The angle of the weapon in a vertical plane relative to a horizontal reference is typically adjusted by aligning indicia in a sight that most closely corresponds to the estimated distance between the shooter and the target. Alternatively, the position of the indicia relative to the weapon is adjusted based on the estimated range to the target. However the range is accounted for, the end result is that weapon is orientated at a higher angle (raised) when the target is further away as compared to when the target is closer. 
         [0003]    The step of ranging a target takes time and can introduce error due to the inaccuracy in estimating the range especially on a moving target. Also the step of aligning the indicia that most closely corresponds to the estimated distance or alternatively adjusting the position of the indicia based on the range can introduce additional error and take additional time. The disadvantages of traditional sighting system are most noticeable in situations where it is advantageous for the shooter to fire relatively quickly (e.g., spot and stalk hunting) and/or where the target is in motion. There is a need in the art for improved sights to take into account these real world shooting challenges. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present disclosure provides a sight that properly aligns a weapon in the left and right (windage) and in the vertical direction (elevation) without the need to separately range the target. Once the shooter visually aligns indicia on the site with structure on the target (e.g., vitals of an animal) the shooter is ready to fire as both windage and elevation have been simultaneously taken into consideration. 
         [0005]    It should be appreciated that although the disclosed technology will be described further herein as having been integrated into an archery sight, the principles of the invention can be applied on any number of weapon site (cross-bow, rife, paint ball gun, etc.). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective of sight according to the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a component of the sight of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the component of  FIG. 2  aligned with an elk at a first distance; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the component of  FIG. 2  aligned with an elk at a second distance; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the component of  FIG. 2  partially superimposed over a component configured for a weapon having a faster projectile speed; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the component of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the component of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the component of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the component of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the component of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a front view of an sight window with several indicia arranged therein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The invention is described and shown herein as being integrated into a bow site. However, as discussed above, the technology can be integrated into a number of different weapon systems and components of weapons systems (magnified scopes for firearms, bows sights, cross-bows scopes, paintball gun sights, etc.). 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a first embodiment of a sight according to the present disclosure is shown. In the depicted embodiment, the sight  10  includes a support arm assembly  12 , protective sight body  14 , and an insert  16 . The support arm assembly  12  is configured to secure the protective sight body  14  to the bow and allow for precise positioning of the protective sight body  14  relative to the bow. 
         [0019]    In the depicted embodiment, the support arm assembly  12  includes a brace  80  that bolts to the bow, a pivot arm  82  that is connected to the brace  80  configured to raises and lowers the protective sight body  14 . In the depicted embodiment, the pivot arm allows for infinite adjustment in the vertical direction of the protective sight body  14  within a set range (the length of the pivot arm). A bar  84  is connected between the sight body and the pivot arm  82 . The bar  84  allows for infinite left to right adjustment of the position of the sight body relative to the pivot arm within a range limited by the length of the bar  84 . It should be appreciated that many alternative support arm configurations are possible. 
         [0020]    In the depicted embodiment, the insert  16 , which is configured to be removably received within the protective body  14 , includes indicia thereon that are used for visually aligning the bow with the target. In the depicted embodiment, the insert  16  snaps into the sight body  14  and self-aligns with the sight body. In the depicted embodiment, the insert  16  includes boss  130 ,  132  (i.e., protrusions located around the exterior of the insert) that snap into locating aperture/recesses  134  in the in the sight body  14 . The configuration allows the insert to be removable and replaceable. It should be appreciated that many alternative configurations of the insert are possible. For example, in some alternative embodiments the insert may be integrally formed with the protective body and configured to be directly connected to the support arm assembly. 
         [0021]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 2-4 , in the depicted embodiment, the insert  16  includes horizontally spaced apart indicia within a sight window  18  arranged such when horizontally opposed indicia are centered around a target (e.g., the vitals of an elk  136 ) of a known size (e.g., 12 inches) the sight simultaneously adjust both for windage and elevation. To align the bow with the target, the shooter raises and lowers the bow until the horizontally opposed indicia visually bracket the vitals. In the depicted embodiment, the horizontally opposed indicia include an effective portion (i.e., portions that are for sighting) that tapers downwardly forming a V-shape. Therefore, when the target is further away from the shooter the shooter raises the bow to bracket the vitals as the vitals will appear smaller to the shooter; whereas when the target is closer to the shooter the shooter lowers the bow to bracket the vitals as the vitals will appear smaller to the shooter. In the depicted embodiment, the shooter simply focuses on bracketing the vitals. As discussed above, many alternative embodiments are possible including embodiments wherein the shooter&#39;s objective is not to align indicia around the periphery of the vitals of an animal. 
         [0022]    The above described method of use is illustrated further in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In particular,  FIG. 3  illustrates proper alignment of the bow relative to an elk using the sight  10  when the elk is relatively close to the shooter.  FIG. 4  illustrates proper alignment of the bow relative to the elk using the sight  10  when the elk is relatively farther from the shooter. In  FIG. 4 , the bow is raised relative to its position in  FIG. 3 . As is illustrated, the sight  10  is configured such that centering the target (e.g., vitals of an elk) between the horizontally opposed indicia simultaneously adjust for both windage and elevation without any requiring further adjustment to the sight. The shooter does not need to be aware of his or hers distance to the target to make an accurate shot using the sight  10  However, as will be discussed below, the sight  10  can also be configured to provide the user information regarding his or hers range to the target. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the figure depicts horizontally spaced apart indicia as being a left outer edge portion  20  of rib  22  and a right outer edge portion  24  of rib  26 . The vitals are shown bracketed by the left outer edge portion  20  and right outer edge portion  24 .  FIG. 4  depicts horizontally spaced apart indicia as being a left outer edge portion  28  of rib  22  and a right outer edge portion  30  of rib  26 . The vitals are shown bracketed by the left outer edge portion  20  and right outer edge portion  24 . In the depicted embodiment, each rib  22 ,  26  provides at least two sets of horizontally opposed indicia at any one height. In the depicted embodiment, the gap between the inner edges  140 ,  142  of the ribs  22 ,  26  corresponds to the typical size of the vitals of a whitetail deer (e.g., 8 inches) whereas the gap between outer edges  144 ,  146  of the ribs correspond to the typical size of the vitals of an elk (e.g., 12 inches). It should be appreciated that many other configurations are also possible including, for example, embodiments having more or less indicia at any particular Y location that correspond to various target sizes. 
         [0024]    In the depicted embodiment, the ribs  22  and  26  have curved front profiles. The curvature of the ribs is dependent on the arrow speed of the bow. For bow configuration with a relatively slow arrow speeds (e.g., heavy arrows, short draw lengths, and light poundage), the curvature is mild whereas for bow setups with high arrow speeds (e.g., lighter arrows, longer draw lengths, heavy poundage), the curvature is more prominent.  FIG. 5  is a front view of the ribs  22 ,  26  partially superimposed over a pair of ribs  48 ,  50  that are configured for a bow with a faster arrow speed. In the depicted embodiment, rib  22 ,  26  includes marks  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  that correspond to common archery yardages units (20 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards, 50 yards, and 60 yards). Rib  48 ,  50  includes marks  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70  that correspond to the same common archery yardages units (20 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards, 50 yards, and 60 yards). These marks enable the shooter to also use the sight in accordance with the standard shooting method, which includes first ranging the target and then selecting an aiming point to align with the target based on the ranged distance. This feature can be used when the target is not of the expected size (e.g., shooting small game with the sight having ribs configured for elk and deer hunting) However, it should be appreciated that the shooter could also shoot without first ranging the target and the marks are then helpful to the shooter for estimating range (e.g., the sight  10  enables the shooter to make a quick determination of whether the shot is out of his or hers reliable shooting distance without using a separate range finder and without taking the bow out of alignment with the target). It should be appreciated that the yardage markings can take a number of forms. For example, they can be apertures  150  in the ribs ( FIG. 6 ), they can be illuminated dots  152  ( FIG. 6 ) (e.g., fiberoptic, iridium, LED etc.), they can be notches  154  ( FIG. 7 ), they can be marks  156  that extend generally perpendicular to the ribs ( FIG. 5 ), or any number of other configurations. 
         [0025]    In the depicted embodiment, the yardage marks are more relatively compressed in the vertical direction (y-direction) on the ribs  48 ,  50  than they are on ribs  22 ,  26 . The curvature of the profile of the left and right ribs is correlated to an anticipated projectile velocity associated with the sight. The distance between the indicia in the horizontal direction is correlated to the range (distance been the shooter and the target). The location of the indicia in the vertical direction is correlated to the arrow speed. It should be appreciated that the actual location of the indicia (e.g., profiles of the curves) can be determined either empirically or via known equations that correlate arrow drop with arrow speed. In some embodiment, of the present disclosure a different insert is provide for every increment in arrow speed (e.g., ever foot per second, every five feet per second, etc.). 
         [0026]    It should be appreciated that in the depicted embodiment, the ribs  22 ,  26  are continuous, and therefore, provide an infinite number of horizontally spaced apart indicia. Also, in the depicted embodiment, the spaced apart ribs  22 ,  26  define an unobstructed viewing space therebetween. It should be appreciate that many alternative configurations are also possible. For example, in alternative embodiment, a vertical center reference may also be provided. 
         [0027]    In the depicted embodiment, the sight window  18  includes a border  34  that is defined by a periphery body portion of the insert  16 . The periphery body portion of the insert can, in some embodiments, function as a sight window frame  72 . In the depicted embodiment, the sight window frame  72  including at least a top portion  74  and a bottom portion  76 , wherein the first rib  22  extend from the bottom portion  76  of the sight window frame  72  to the top portion  74  of the sight window frame  72  and the second rib  26  extends from the bottom portion  76  of the sight window frame to the top portion  74  of the sight window frame  72 . It should be appreciated that many alternative embodiment are possible. For example, in some alternative embodiment the sight window  32  is borderless. In such embodiments the sight window  18  can be the space that the shooter looks through to align the bow with the target (e.g., the picture defined only by the edges of a peep sight). It should be appreciated that the space that is the sight window can be open or closed (e.g., glass, clear plastic). 
         [0028]    As discussed above, the horizontally spaced indicia can be provided as part of left and right ribs  22 ,  26 . It should be appreciated that many other forms are also possible. The sight could include a few as two pairs of horizontally spaced apart indicia. Referring to  FIG. 11 , the sight could include a first indicia  36  located at a Y1 location and at a X1 location in the sight window; a second indicia  38  located at the Y1 location and a X2 location in the sight window; a third indicia  40  located at a Y2 location and a X3 location in the sight window; and a fourth indicia  42  located at the Y2 location and a X4 location in the sight window. As illustrated, the Y1 location is above the Y2 location and the distance between the X1 location and the X2 location is greater than the distance between the X3 location and X4 location. In addition, the midpoint  44  between the X1 location and the X2 location is vertically aligned with a midpoint  46  between the X3 location and the X4 location. As described above, the sight window is the space that the shooter look though to align the indicia with the target. It should be appreciated that the first, second, third and fourth indicia  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  can be provided on the above described first and second ribs  22 ,  26 . It also should be appreciated that the indicia can be provided in the sight window many other forms, some of which will be described below. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the indicia are provided on the distal ends of pins. In the depicted embodiment, the pins  90  are adjustable both in vertically and/or horizontally so that the distal ends of the pins can be positioned appropriately in the sight window to match the arrow speed of the bow. In the depicted embodiment, the pins  90  are supported on the protective sight body  14 . In the depicted embodiment, a first indicia  92  is provided at a distal end of a first pin  94 ; a second indicia  100  is provided at a distal end of a second pin  102 ; a third indicia  104  is provided at a distal end of a third pin  106 ; and fourth indicia  96  is provided on a distal end of a fourth pin  98 . As discussed above, the first, second, third and fourth pins  94 ,  98 ,  102 ,  106  extend inwardly from a periphery portion of the sight window and are adjustable. The pins are shown horizontally oriented, but it should be appreciated that the pins could extend inwardly into the sight window from many other directions (e.g., they pins could be curved, strait with a bend, or extend for the bottom upwardly or inwardly from an angle). Many other pin related configurations are possible. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the indicia could alternatively be fiber optic sections of material  110 ,  112  supported on a number of pins  114  or otherwise supported. In the depicted embodiment, the flexibility of the fiber material would enable it to curve as need to match the arrow speed. The profile of the curve could be adjusted by moving the distal ends of the pins in the X-Y plane. It should be appreciated that many other configurations are also possible. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , an embodiment wherein the indicia are provided on a transparent material located within the sight window  18  is illustrated. In the depicted embodiment, the indicia  120  can be etched or printed onto a ridged transparent material  122 . Alternatively the transparent material could be a flexible transparent material. In an embodiment wherein the transparent material is flexible, the transparent material can be a sticker with printed indicia thereon that is configured to be adhered to a ridged transparent material (tempered glass or clear plastic material) that provides support for the flexible material positioned within the sight window. 
         [0032]    The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing an archery sight. The method can include the step of providing a plurality of indicia arrangements provided in a sight window that are configured to simultaneously adjust for windage and elevation, wherein each indicia arrangement corresponds to a known arrow speed. The particular indicia arrangements could, for example, be designed to correspond to arrow speeds in five feet per second increments or even specific to single feet per second increments. The method could also include the step of manufacturing a protective sight body. The protective sight body could be configured to receive removable inserts, wherein the indicia arrangements are provided on the inserts. 
         [0033]    Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative examples set forth herein. 
         [0034]    As discussed above, the present disclosure is described in the context of archery. However, the present disclosure has broader application. The term bow herein refers to an archery bow, but it should be appreciated that an archery bow is only one type of weapon system of which the disclosed technology can be adapted for use. The claims below cover sights for a variety of weapons systems. Likewise the term arrow/arrow speed refers to the speed of an arrow for archer and the speed of the arrow, however it should be appreciated that this is illustrative of any projectile and projectile speed (e.g., bullet speed, bolt speed, paint ball speed, etc.).