Patent Publication Number: US-6981329-B1

Title: Fiber optic peep sight

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a bowstring mounted archery peep sight, specifically an improved designed peep aperture with a fiber optic cross hair. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Bowstring mounted peep sights enable the archer to sight his or her shot viewing through the peep sight open aperture. It is convenient for the archer to sight his forward sight pin within the center of said aperture opening for a more readily consistent and accurate shot. The method and design of bowstring mounted peep sights generally split the center of the bowstring axis allowing the archer to view through the string verse through the blur of the string without such mounted peep sight. 
   Therefore, early conventional bowstring peep sights where vertically mounted in bowstring axis. This design can be referred in U.S. Pat. No. 3,199,502 (1965) to Opal and U.S. Pat. No. 3,703,771 (1975) to Saunders. These vertical bowstring mounted peep sights became ineffective with today&#39;s newer bows varied draw and axial lengths. 
   Presently the traditional available peep sights are designed to mount on bowstring with varied embodiments, angles and method of attachment to bowstrings to accommodate the more modern traditional compound bowstring draw and axial lengths. These provided a direct improvement from the fore mentioned conventional vertical string mounted peep sights. Traditional bowstring mounted peep sights vary with vertical and horizontal angular string mounting with angular offset peep holes providing improvement for varied draw and axial bow lengths. These varied traditional peeps sights can be referred in U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,733 (1973) to Chesnick, U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,853 (1977) to Fletcher, U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,194 (1978) to Topel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,976 (1994) to Saunders and U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,921 (2000) to Lawrence. As can be seen, the traditional fore mentioned peep sights made improvement over the conventional peep sight problem with bow draw and axial length angles, however still peep sight aperture viewing remained limited to small peep aperture hole for target and large peep aperture hole for hunting. Small peep sight aperture applications remain subject to visual target loss in medium to low light conditions typical outdoors and hunting in wooded terrain, leaving the hunter only to use a larger peep aperture application for better visual clarity and targeting visibility. The problem presented with the larger peep aperture hole application designs is it now remains a contributing factor to loss of arrow accuracy with the archer failing to center forward sight pin in the center of the larger aperture peep sight hole. However, the larger aperture peep providing improvement towards improved visibility during less than desirable light conditions, it remains a counter productive solution having to substitute the accuracy provided of the smaller peep aperture for the visibility provided that of the larger peep aperture design. Peep sight designs have generally remain today for target applications; pin hole size peeps, clarifier peeps, peeps with inserts, small to medium peep hole sizes for target and medium to large peep hole sizes for hunting and 3 D shooting. 
   Thereafter, inventors created several types and designs of peep sights in effort in increase archers shooting accuracy but remained limited to specific peep hole sizes for each general application, that of small peep aperture size for target and large for hunting. With many different type peep sights on the market, some are better for indoor target shooting, others for hunting and 3D outdoors. The type of light available is really the question when deciding on a peep. If used for hunting in dim light situations a larger hole will be needed. For indoor target with good lighting a smaller one will probably be best (usually) the smaller the better for shooting dots or tight arrow groupings. 
   It is now with the larger aperture hunting peep sights a common problem presents itself with the best of archers having there arrow shot groupings falling apart. This is because they are now posed to a greater challenge, the loss of accuracy provided by a small peep with increased difficulty of consistent centering of the forward sight pin in the (center) of the larger aperture peep hole. This problem is obviously seen more prevalent with the larger aperture 3D and hunting larger styled aperture peep sights. Overall, there are few singular peep sight designs and available on the market to accommodate the need of both visibility and accuracy, but not without required changes and or adjustments of peep aperture diameter size. These few peep sights today all have required change of peep aperture size within its embodiment or with added interchangeable attachments. Today various types of adaptable peep sights have seen success within the market and usefulness among both target and hunting archery applications. However creative the designs are today, with peep hole size adaptability for small peep aperture target accuracy and large peep aperture for hunting lighting and vision improvement, each require changing from one to the other by the archer. And still today the larger peep aperture remains to sacrifice the accuracy provided by the smaller peep aperture sight hole most commonly used for target. A most useful improvement from having to change entire peep sight from bowstring having fore mentioned with peep aperture hole size adjustments are SAP Super Peep by Specialty Archery Products and Pick-a-Peep by Fine Line Inc. These two allow peep aperture size changes without removing peep embodiment from bowstring with varied aperture inserts as seen with the SAP Super Peep or slide adjustment within embodiment as seen with Pick-a-Peep. 
   However with this invention, peep aperture size changing or adjustments will not be required. With this invention, Fiber Optic Peep Sight provides the accuracy provided by that of a small peep aperture within a large peep aperture application with its added cross hair optic cross-pieces. This invention provides a visual, centered small index reference window for forward sight pin centering within its large peep aperture providing accuracy that of a smaller peep aperture, visibility of the larger peep aperture with increased accuracy attributed to novelty and method of use. 
   Several others, U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,603 (1992) by Beutler and U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,800 (2001) by also Beutler both vertically mounted, both effected by bow draw and axis length. However does attempt improved lighting within peep aperture, one by external source and the later by adjustable dial for varied lighting through peep aperture. Both above fail to provide unobstructed viewing subject bow draw and axial lengths as well elements subject to freezing in inclement field weather conditions. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,498 (1991) by Scherz provides a disc horizontally mounted with 3 slot providing two varied angular opposing conical surfaces of which provide a wider aperture peep viewing at full draw correcting problems with fore mentioned peep sights. However, application of dividing bowstring among three slots creates obstruction with bowstring in archers visual targeting through peep sight aperture. U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,598 (1994) by Hall provides a horizontally mounted peep sight structure with four slots for mounting in bowstring solving bowstring obstruction with featured adaptability peep aperture hole sizes provided by insert discs into embodiment receiving slot. It is these two prior art fore mentioned patents that demonstrates prior art inventor designs attempting to meet the need of both small and large peep aperture applications into a single piece instrument. 
   This invention does this with added design feature of optical 0.019 inch diameter color optic cross-pieces cross hair thus providing a small like peep index window centered within the large aperture peep sight. The index centering point is viewed in aperture center by the archer as a small see through optical colored pastel window created by the by optic cross-pieces attenuation and proximal blur induced to archer when viewed through at full draw position. Thus, now with this invention a large aperture peep sight overcomes and assists archer by providing a consistent centering reference for forward sight pin aperture centering and target point alignment. Fiber optics are readily available and have been widely use within the sporting industry as can be provided by South Coast Fiber Optics, Inc. 
   And last would be U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,569 (1999) by Wilson. Vertically mounted bowstring peep sight, with transparent plastic ambient light collecting fiber. Unlike the other prior art, Wilson&#39;s invention improvement light collecting fiber ends are utilized against a surface to help contrast the illumination point of forward sight pin against a surface within aperture reference. Problems with this design is the close proximity of archers eye with field of vision subjective to flare or blooming from fiber light collecting ends creating distortion of forward sight pin effecting visual alignment and thus accuracy. Additionally, problems with being vertically mounted as fore mentioned with prior art references. 
   This invention utilizes the optic cross-piece fibers as a side lit application attenuation verse end lit light collecting application. Nevertheless, all bowstring mounted peep sights heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages:
         (a) Peep sight aperture hole is too small and field of vision is obstructed and lost during low lighting condition making it insufficient for archery hunting field conditions.   (b) Peep sight aperture hole is large for hunting application however arrow grouping and accuracy is lost with inconsistent forward sight pin centering within large peep aperture.   (c) Peep sight bowstring mounting and peep aperture hole does not properly align with various archers draw and bow axial lengths at full draw and viewing position.   (d) Adjustable peep sight aperture&#39;s peep size disc, insert or slide needs changing from one application to the other. Mechanical adjustable parts within embodiment are subject to the weather elements snow and ice with possible parts becoming frozen, dislodged, displaced or lost.   (e) Fiber optic light collecting fiber (ends), cause blooming or flare within close visual eye proximity at full draw thus causing difficulty sighting forward sight pin and target alignment.       

   OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages described in prior art of bowstring mount peep sights, objects and advantage of the present invention are:
         (a) To provide a large aperture peep sight permitting maximum targeting field of vision lighting and easy optical forward sight pin centering index system for consistent forward sight pin peep aperture centering.   (b) To provide archer a forward sight pin aperture centered index reference with natural color illumination from side lit optical fiber attenuation.   (c) To provide enhanced singular peep sight system for target, 3-D and hunting.   (d) To provide a singular one piece bowstring mounted peep sight acceptable to all bow draw and axial lengths, a full field of vision of objective target with enhanced optical fibers indexing aperture center for increased large aperture peep sight accuracy.   (e) To provide a peep sight with application to both target and hunting without needed required changing detachments or dial adjustments for peep aperture size adjustments.   (f) To provide light collecting side lit optical fiber cross hair aperture centering system for all archery applications providing consistent forward sighting pin aperture centering and illumination for early morning and late evening hunting hours.   (g) To provide a solid rubber coated peep sight embodiment enhancing peep sight bowstring security with rubberized gripping surface.       

   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention is a generally horizontally mounted bowstring large aperture peep sight comprising side lit optic cross-piece elements, cross hair system centered within large peep sighting aperture opening secured within surrounding embodiment. Optic cross-piece elements, peep sight embodiment centrally located within bowstring axis provides an optical colored small center reference window in middle of large peep aperture for archers reference providing consistent and ease of forward sight pin centering within center of the large aperture style peep sight. 
   The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both its organization and method of operation with further objective and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description and accompanying drawings in inventors preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings is for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a side elevation view of the present invention archery peep sight mounted generally horizontal and canted approximately 30 degrees forward in a multi-strand bowstring illustrated cocked drawn position, shown with tubing and self alignment attachment  FIG. 11  provided for illustration purposes. 
       FIG. 2A  is a side elevation view of the present invention peep sight mounted generally horizontal and canted approximately 30 degrees forward in a multi-strand bowstring illustrated cocked drawn position with archer sighting through the optic peep sight. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are side views of two embodiments of the present invention peep sight showing illustrated slots for insertion into multi-strand bowstring and optic cross-piece elements terminating through embodiment to outer perimeter sides of embodiment. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are pictorial views of two embodiments of the present invention corresponding, respectively, to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , showing details of the optic peep sight preferred and alternate embodiment illustration of slots for insertion into multi-strand bowstring, each optic cross-piece extends through peep sight embodiment, aperture center and terminating outer side of peep sight embodiment equally between bowstring mounting slots, and  FIG. 4C  is a similar view of another embodiment having features of both  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are top views corresponding, respectively, to  FIGS. 3A ,  4 A and  3 B,  4 B of the optic peep sight preferred and alternate illustrating large diameter peep aperture and optic cross-piece elements within embodiment and slots for insertion into multi-strand bowstring, and  FIG. 5C  is a similar view corresponding to  FIG. 4C . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are vertical cross-sectional views, in accordance, respectively, with  FIGS. 5A and 5B , of the optic peep sight embodiments showing shallow frustum-like body having first and second faces. 
       FIG. 7A  is a top cross sectional view showing placement of optic cross-piece elements in relation to embodiment slots for insertion into multi-strand bowstring. 
       FIG. 8A  is a pictorial view illustrating insertion of optic peep sight into multi-strand bowstring. 
       FIG. 9A  is a pictorial view illustrating detail of optic peep sight securely mounted and served within bowstring further illustrating the centered aperture optic cross piece elements centering at bow string vertical axis. 
       FIG. 10A  is a pictorial view from archers sight plane at bowstring full cocked position looking through optic peep sight and objective target without forward sight pins. 
       FIG. 11A  is a pictorial view from archers sight plane at bowstring full cocked position looking through optic peep sight and objective target with forward sight pins. 
       FIG. 12  is a bowstring alignment adapter shown for illustration purposes only used for peep sight rotational alignment. 
       FIG. 13  is a pictorial view of bowstring alignment adapter and rubber tubing served within bowstring for illustration purposes only used for peep sight rotational alignment. 
       FIG. 14  is a pictorial illustration of archers sight plane at full cocked position looking through small to medium aperture style peep sight without objective target and forward sight pins for reference only. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  depict an alternative embodiment that utilizes strand engaging elements other than slots for engaging the strands of the bowstrings. 
       FIG. 17  depicts another alternative embodiment in which the peep sight is comprised of two separable components that may be matably joined to or engaged with one another when cross-piece elements are disposed between the separable components to form a completed peep sight. 
   

   
     
       
         
             
           
             
                 
             
             
               DRAWINGS-Reference Numerals 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
               12 
               fiber optic peep sight 
               14 
               peep sight aperture 
             
             
               16 
               slot 
               18 
               first face surface 
             
             
               20 
               second face surface 
               22 
               optic cross-piece 
             
             
               24 
               tubing 
               26 
               center index reference window 
             
             
               28 
               forward sight pin 
               30 
               target 
             
             
               32 
               slip knot 
               34 
               fiber light collecting end 
             
             
               38 
               adapter 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A preferred embodiment of the present fiber optic peep is illustrated in FIG  1 A though  FIG. 11A . An understanding of the present invention can be readily gained by reference to  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 2A  wherein side elevation views of the optic peep sight  12  mounted generally horizontal and canted 30 degrees in a multi-strand bowstring is shown. In  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 2A  the archer has drawn the bowstring and it can further be seen the line of the bowstring axis, center peep sight aperture  14 , optic cross-pieces  22  intersecting point are the same which can further be seen and illustrated  FIG. 9A . In  FIG. 2A  the archer has drawn the bowstring in the full cocked and release position. In  FIG. 2A  the bowstring is drawn in full user cocked position, positioning optic peep sight  12  upward towards the archer such that it now becomes generally a vertical plane position permitting archer to view through peep sight aperture  14  across optic cross-pieces  22  illustrated in  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 11A . 
   In the preferred embodiment is a forward mounted archery sight having sight pins  28  attached to the bow riser and sighting accomplished by archer viewing through large peep sight aperture  14  centering forward archery sight pin  28  in centered optic cross-pieces  22  small index reference window  26  illustrated in  FIG. 11A . This invention provides archer by means of close proximal blur, small visual index reference window  26  in peep sight aperture  14  center for forward sight pin  28  placement in aperture center aiding archers alignment onto objective point on the target  30  illustrated in  FIG. 10A . 
   The optic peep sight  12  of the preferred embodiment is a disc shaped formed from a medium of plastics such as acrylic, PVC, polypropylene and polyethylene (HOPE, LOPE etc.) Polymers allow casting, dipping, coated, extruded or mold injected with or without LM (luminescent material). Embodiment of the present invention in polymers can be allowed for classical phosphorescent pigment loading for added luminescence as also the aperture overlapping cross-pieces reference  22 . Although the peep sight embodiment can easily be formed from other type materials such as nylon, composite, styrene foam or aluminum, plastics deems most valuable in terms of production and long durability as well rubber coated for increased security within multi-strand bowstring. The optic peep sight  12  embodiment can be made of many different sizes although the preferred embodiment is approximately ⅝″ to 11/16″ diameter having a width approximately 3/16″ to ¼″. The optic peep sight  12  has a peep sight aperture  14  of which may vary in opening diameter about 5/16″ to 7/16″ inch with the larger more desirable for best visibility. The faces top frusto-conical surface  18  and bottom frusto-conical surface  20  ( FIGS. 6A and 6B ), of the optic peep sight  12  are preferably generally parallel have opposing inward recessions with frustum-like body intersecting with one another defining peep sight aperture  14 . As can be further seen in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C the optic cross-pieces  22  intersect forming a cross hair located equally within opposing and opposite paired slots  16  intersecting through the center of peep sight aperture  14 . In this preferred embodiment optic peep sight  12  cross-pieces  22  terminate approximately equally through center of frustum-like body through four provided approximately 0.50 mm to 0.75 mm precision drilled holes located generally midway between first and second faces preferably secured with epoxy adhesive base mixture outside of frustum-like body at each optic cross-piece  22  light collecting end  36 . Optic peep sight  12  optic cross-pieces  22  fiber light collecting ends  34  terminate slightly beyond flush of outer frustum-like body  FIG. 7A . First and second face of frusto-conical recession  18  and  20  are tapered equally approximately between 35 to 45 degrees to equally deflect light and form inside of defined edge of peep sight aperture  14 . Top view  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5B , and  FIG. 5C  of the optic peep sight  12  shows the center location of the peep sight aperture  14  and approximately equal generally vertical uniformed distribution of slots  16  formed in the outer sides of the frustum-like body. These slots are designed to receive strands of the multi-strand bowstring illustrated in preferred  FIG. 8A  and again in preferred  FIG. 9A . For purposes the slots may be of varying widths and depths but should be sufficiently large enough to accept tightly approximately one-fourth of the strands in the multi-strand bowstring. 
   In the preferred and alternate embodiments  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , the slots  16  are formed approximately 0.060 inch in width, which is the approximate width of an equal ¼ width of a multi-strand bowstring. The slots  16  depth approximately 0.065 inch and width approximately 0.060 inch illustrated in preferred and alternate figures extend over entire outer width of frustum-like body penetrating directionally toward center of peep sight aperture  14  opening coplanar to axis of frustum-like embodiment. Another alternate method of slots  16  for mounting optic peep sight  12  into multi-strand bowstring is a combination of both prior preferred and alternate figures and is illustrated in alternate embodiment  FIG. 4C  Alternate method of slots  16   FIG. 4C  allows archer to increased angle of peep aperture viewing of which maybe desired with longbow applications. In the preferred and alternate embodiments, each pair of angled slots are separated approximately 0.250 to 0.300 of an inch apart with the horizontal and vertical optic fiber tubes  22  light collecting ends  36  terminating equally between. The fiber optic peep sight  12  is mounted by inserting it into the multi-strand bowstring at archer&#39;s predetermined position line of sight with archer&#39;s eye when the bowstring is fully drawn at user full cocked release position illustrated  FIG. 2 . At the appropriate position of the bowstring, the strands of the bowstring are divided into equal portion of strands as slots to receive the strands illustrated  FIG. 7 . With the strands of the bowstring inserted into slots  16 , positioned and securely served in place with slip knots  32  the archer can easily sight through bowstring strands and peep sight aperture  14 . Optic peep sight  12  alignment rotation can be aided if necessary with a peep sight bowstring alignment adapter  38  and rubber tubing  24  illustrated in  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 11 . 
   The optic peep sight  12  is designed for ease of manufacture. It may be machined or molded. In the preferred embodiment, the optic peep sight  12  embodiment is formed with compatible plastics, delrin, polymer that would accept LM (luminescent material). Optic peep sight  12  optic cross-pieces  22  are of a fiber substance made with a core of polystyrene surrounded by a clear acrylic cladding. Special fluorescent dyes are preferably added to the core, where they absorb ultraviolet light and emit visible light through its ends and attenuation through its sides. Such as the fibers manufactured by South Coast Fiber Optics, Inc. Other materials can be used for optic cross-pieces  22 , such as glow-in-dark fly line by Teeny Night Line Company and a fluorescent color glow in the dark fishing line. 
   Operation— FIGS. 1 through 11   
   The manner of using the Fiber Optic Peep Sight is similar to that for bowstring mounted peep sights in present use. Namely, securely mounted in bowstring the archer uses the peep sight for eye forward sight pin  28  and target  30  alignment as shown in sequence of operations  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 11  of my patent. Next, as archer is holding at full draw cocked position  FIG. 2  optic cross-pieces  22  are seen through peep sight aperture  14  by archer as transparent fluorescent colored cross hair and an additional color highlighted aperture centered index reference window  26  provided by optic cross-pieces  22  overlapping each other. With user viewing through peep sight aperture  14  and resulting induced proximal blur vision of optic cross-pieces  22  index reference window  26  provides the archer with easy centering of forward sight pin within the large styled peep sight aperture  14 . Through consistent aperture centering of forward pin sight  30  placement, the archer improves arrow groupings and increased overall accuracy. 
   Advantages 
   From the description above, a number of advantages of my fiber optic peep sight become evident:
         (a) A larger viewing peep sight aperture provides maximum target viewing.   (b) A large viewing peep sight aperture provides maximum light for target viewing.   (c) The fiber optic florescent tube cross-pieces provide a small visual aperture center index reference window for optimum forward sight pin and peep aperture centering aiding archers forward pin alignment eliminating the common problem of inconsistent arrow groupings experienced today with large aperture style bowstring mounted peep sights.   (d) The fiber optic florescent tube cross-pieces assists the archer in centering forward sight pin thus from failing to center forward sight pin within peep aperture improving arrow accuracy and grouping.       

   CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
   Accordingly, the reader will see that the large aperture fiber optic peep sight provides the archer over present like large aperture peep sights the accuracy advantage of a small peep hole aperture type without the loss of light and target viewing. Furthermore, the fiber optic peep sight has the additional advantage in that it provides the universal application for both target and hunting with no adjustments, attachments or need for changing over to a suitable peep sight, one for target and another for hunting application. 
   Additional embodiment  FIGS. 3B through 5B  is same as preferred embodiment with exception slots  16  are not offset 30 degrees from coplanar axis of peep embodiment being vertical with bowstring axis. Additional embodiment is less desirable for long bow applications however remains functional for shorter bowstring axial lengths associated with compound bows providing ample viewing angle at full draw cocked position. 
   The peep sight body can be formed in various ways and may be comprised of separable portions, such as is illustrated in  FIG. 17 , which separable components  12 A and  12 B can be assembled with the cross-piece elements  22  to form a completed peep sight assembly. The separable components may be designed to be joined to or to engage with one another, including by way of glues, epoxies, sonic welding, or other joinder devices and means, such as by snap-fit locking to one another, if desired, utilizing any commonly acceptable devices or methods for joining the components together to form the completed assembly. 
   It should also be understood that the method of aligning the archery bow forward sighting pin in the center of the bowstring mounted peep sight aperture, as described and discussed herein, makes use of what is referred to herein as induced proximal blur to the archer, but that other terms, including terms such as near point blur occurrence or similar terms may be utilized or employed to refer to the same or similar occurrences when sightings are performed with the bow and its mounted peep sight at a fully cocked position. 
   In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
   Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 
   It should be understood and appreciated that the foregoing description and discussion has been directed principally towards a preferred embodiment of the invention and that identifications of or references to certain features, dimensions, or materials are not intended to limit the invention to constructions or embodiments that have such features, dimensions, or materials. Such identifications and references are intended to identify and describe certain features, dimensions, or materials whose use has been found advantageous, especially with regard to the preferred embodiments discussed, but not to otherwise be limiting in any regard. It will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art that other dimensions and materials can likewise or similarly be utilized to achieve and realize the advantages and objects of the invention, and it is the intention to encompass all such variations and changes, with protection for the invention being limited only by the claims which follow.