Patent Publication Number: US-2009235540-A1

Title: Bow sight with fiber optics

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/639,189, filed Aug. 11, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/196,333, filed Jul. 16, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,462, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/607,243, filed Jun. 30, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,633, which applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a sight for a bow. In particular, the bow sight includes vertical sight points. The invention also relates to vertical sight points that are rotationally adjustable for the achievement of vertical alignment despite the amount of bow torque applied by the archer to the bow. The invention also relates to a bow sight including a dampener. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the filed of archery equipment and more particularly to a novel sighting apparatus for use with an archery bow. 
     Bow sights generally have multiple sight points for use in shooting arrows into targets of different distances from the archer. Many bow sights include multiple sight points attached to horizontal pins. Bow sights with horizontal pins are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,103,568; 5,676,122; and 5,685,081. 
     A number of U.S. patents disclose bow sights having various other arrangements of sighting points. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,234,651; 4,120,096; 5,086,567; and 5,131,153. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A bow sight having a support structure, and two or more vertically aligned vertical pins connected to the support structure is provided. At least two of the vertical pins include a sight point. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a bow sight having a support structure connected to two or more sight points is provided. The two or more sight points are rotationally adjustable such that they can be rotated into vertical alignment. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a bow sight having a support structure, a sight point connected to the support structure, and a dampener is provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bow sight according to the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a bow sight according to the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a bow sight according to the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a right side view of a bow sight according to the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a left side view of a bow sight according to the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a back view of a bow sight according to the principles of the present invention and including a bow torque indicator. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a bow sight according to the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a bow sight according to the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a vertical pin, an associated adjustment knob and an associated cam member according to the principles of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10   a - d  are a rear view, front view, left view and right view respectively of a vertical pin according to the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     A bow sight is a device that is attached to an archery bow and which provides one or more sight points. The archer uses the sight point(s) to aim at the target. A peep sight may be placed on the string of the bow such that the archer can sight through the peep sight and at the sight point with the target in the background.  FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of a bow sight  12 . For purposes of this application, the view of the bow sight as seen from the archer in the shooting position is referred to as the front view of the bow sight. 
     A sighting point is any shape, point or indicia of any sort that is visually placed in line with the target to be shot at for assisting in the proper aiming of the bow. Sight points can be circular shapes, other geometrical shapes, colored dots, the end of a light gathering cable, or simply the end of a sight pin, for example. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sight points  20   a - e  are formed by the ends of the fiber optic cables  26   a - e . The fiber optic cables  26   a - e  collect light along their lengths and the light exits the end of the cables  26   a - e . In this preferred embodiment, the ends of the fiber optic cables  26   a - e  are held in place by vertical pins. 
     A vertical pin is a member having a vertically elongated portion, wherein that member supports a sight point and wherein the sight point may be integral with or a separate piece from the vertical pin. A vertical pin could include features in addition to the fact that it has a length that is vertical. For example, a vertical pin could be an L-shaped pin with the horizontal portion of the L-shape extending in the direction toward the archer in the shooting position. See  FIG. 8  for an example of an L-shaped pin that falls within the definition of a vertical pin. 
     Vertical pins have a significant advantage over horizontal pins because the field of view to the right and left of the vertical pins is very open for viewing the target and the environment of the target area. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the vertical pins  30   a - e  are linear vertical pins that define a hole in the uppermost end for receiving the ends of the fiber optic cables  26   a - e.    
     In another preferred embodiment, the vertical pins are linear vertical pins that do not define a hole in the uppermost end. In this embodiment, the ends of the fiber optic cables  26   a - e  are glued or crimped to the ends of the vertical pins  30   a - e.    
     A support structure is any structural member that supports a sight point. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure  32  is a generally circular shaped piece of acrylic that supports the vertical pins  30   a - e  which support the sight points  20   a - e  respectively. The circular shape of the support structure  32  provides protection of the vertical pins  30   a - e  from being damaged or bent while also providing a good view of the ultimate target through the interior portion of the circular support structure. 
     The point at which a vertical pin is attached to a support structure is the attachment point. Vertical pins can be attached to the support structure in many different orientations. Vertical pins can be attached to the support structure with the sight point below the attachment point or with the sight point above the attachment point. It is also within the scope of the present invention to have a bow sight with one or more vertical pins attached to the support structure with the sight point below the attachment point and one or more vertical pins attached to the support structure with the sight point above the attachment point. 
     It is often desired to adjust the sight point height associated with a particular vertical pin. These adjustments are made to “sight-in” the bow so that each sight point is accurately associated with a target of a particular distance. A vertical pin is “vertically adjustable” when the associated sight point for that vertical pin can be moved vertically up or down. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each of the vertical pins  30   a - e  is vertically adjustable by movement of the entire vertical pin. Each of the vertical pins  30   a - e  include gears, such as gears  50  on a vertical pin  30   a  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Likewise, the adjustment knobs  54   a - e  each include gears, such as gears  52  on adjustment knob  54   a  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The gears on vertical pins  30   a - e  interact respectively with the gears on the adjustment knobs  54   a - e  such that rotation of an adjustment knob results in linear vertical motion of the respective vertical pin. The adjustment knobs  54   a - e  also include levers  55   a - e  respectively. The levers  55   a - e  are each integral with the corresponding adjustment knobs  54   a - e . The lever makes it easier to rotate the adjustment knob. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , axis rod  56  extends through the center axis of the adjustment knobs  54   a - e . The adjustment knobs  54   a - e  rotate around the axis rod  56 . 
     The cam members  57   a - e  allow the archer to lock the vertical position of each vertical pin  30   a - e  respectively. The cam members  57   a - e  each comprise a cam portion  61   a - e  that rotates about an axis rod  59 . Rotation of a cam member  57   a - e  results in engagement or disengagement of the respective cam portion  61   a - e  with the side of the vertical pin opposite the gears  50 . The camming action allows the archer to prevent the vertical pins from moving once their vertical height is properly set. 
     In order to adjust the vertical position of a pin, the archer rotates the corresponding cam member, makes an adjustment of the vertical height of the pin by rotating the adjustment lever, and then rotates the cam member back into engagement with the vertical pin to hold the new vertical position. Once the pins are adjusted to the proper vertical position, it is of great importance that they not be accidentally moved. The cam members  57   a - e  accomplish this purpose by preventing rotation of the adjustment knobs  54   a - e  respectively. 
     Other means for prevention rotation of the adjustment knobs are contemplated. For example, a screw could be used in place of cam members  57   a - e . Such screws (not shown) would extend perpendicular to the vertical pins and would extend through a hole in the support structure  32 . Tightening of the screw associated with the vertical pin  30   a , for example, would secure the vertical position of the sight point on vertical pin  30   a . To adjust the height of vertical bin  30   a , the associated screw is loosened and the adjustment knob  55   a  rotated. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the end of a light gathering cable is used as the sight point. A light gathering cable is any cable that collects light along the perimeter of its length and projects the light out the end of the cable. As discussed above, in a preferred embodiment, the light gathering cable is a fiber optic cable. 
     Fiber optic cables  26   a - e  are mounted around the perimeter of the support structure  32  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  5  and  7 . As the fibers  26   a - e  wrap about the perimeter of the support structure  32 , the fibers  26   a - e  extend around a viewing opening  301  defined by the sight  12  (see  FIG. 1 ). As best shown at  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the portions of the fibers  26   a - e  that extend around the viewing opening  301  are located within a recessed region  302  positioned between outer flanges  303 ,  304  provided at the exterior of the support structure  32 . As is visible at  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the flanges  303 ,  304  extend about a majority of the perimeter of the support structure  32 . Dividers  306  separate the fibers  26   a - e  from one another so as to define separate wrap locations. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the fiber optic cables  26   a - e  extend within grooves  23   a - e  in the vertical pins  30   a - e . The fiber optic cables are bent 45-90 degrees such that the end of the light gathering cables then pass through the holes  62   a - e  in the end of the vertical pins  30   a - e  respectively. The ends of the fiber optic cables  26   a - e  are the sight points in a preferred embodiment. 
     Each archer tends to hold a bow differently from the next. Some archers tend to torque the bow one way or another in the horizontal plane while shooting an arrow. Such bow torque brings the vertical pins  30   a - e  out of alignment and causes inaccurate shooting. 
     It is important that vertical alignment of the vertical pins be accomplished so that accuracy in shooting the bow with the bow sight can be achieved. Two vertical pins are “vertically aligned” when they are in a single vertical line as viewed from the position of the archer while holding the bow in the shooting position (with the string drawn). Vertical pins that do not form a single line as viewed from the archer, but that through an adjustment can be brought into a single line from the view of the archer still fall within the definition of “vertically aligned”. 
     In a preferred embodiment, all five vertical pins  26   a - e  are vertically aligned. While the vertical pins  26   a - e  may not initially form a single line as viewed from the archer in the shooting position, the bow sight can be adjusted to bring the five pins  26   a - e  into a single line as viewed from the archer in the shooting position as will be described below. 
     In a preferred embodiment shown most clearly in  FIG. 6 , the bow torque adjustment feature is embodied in the ability to rotate the support structure  32  about a vertical axis  70 . This bow torque adjustment feature allows for adjustment of bow torque to ensure vertical alignment of the vertical pins  30   a - e . By rotating the support structure  32  around the vertical axis  70 , an archer can set the bow sight  12  such that when that archer shoots the bow the vertical pins  30   a - e  all appear in a single line as viewed from the archer when shooting the bow. 
     In a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 6 , the support structure  32  includes an upper sleeved arm  74  and a lower sleeved arm  76 . Sleeve member  72  is rotationally connected to the support structure  32  along axis  70  by torque adjustment screw  71  and a torque adjustment screw  73  which both extend linearly along the vertical axis  70 . An archer can loosen both torque adjustment screws  71  and  73  with an allen wrench (or by other means depending on the type of screw used) and then make the rotational adjustment between the sleeve member  72  and the support structure  32  as is necessary to bring the vertical pins  30   a - e  into vertical alignment in the shooting position. Once the correct rotational position is achieved, the torque adjustment screws  71  and  73  are tightened to prevent the sleeve member  72  and support structure  32  from rotating relative to one another. 
       FIG. 6  is a rear view of a bow sight according to the principles of the present invention.  FIG. 6  includes a bow torque indicator  77  (not shown on the other drawings). A bow torque indicator is any vertical member that indicates to the archer whether there is bow torque. In a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 6 , the bow torque indicator is a vertical wire  79  situated behind the vertical pins  30   a - e . In a preferred embodiment, the vertical wire  79  is aircraft cable with a diameter of 0.030 inches. The vertical wire  79  is attached to the support structure by screws  81  and  83 . 
     If bow torque is being applied to the bow, the archer will see that the vertical pins  30   a - e  are not lined up in a single vertical line with the bow torque indicating wire  79 . The archer will then know that bow torque adjustment is required. 
     The attachment of the sleeve member  72  and support structure  32  to the bow is now described. The sleeve member  72  includes a double dove tail portion  80  that is received by a double dove tail recess in horizontal bar  82 . A screw  85  allows for tightening and loosening of the sliding interaction between the double dove tail  80  and the double dove tail recess in the horizontal bar  82 . The vertical position of the sleeve member  72  can therefore be adjusted relative to the horizontal bar  82 . The horizontal bar  82  is received by an extender member  84  that has one end with an adjustable jaw  86  for holding and supporting the horizontal bar  82 . The jaw  86  is adjustable via the screw  88 . Thus, the horizontal bar  82  can be positionally adjusted horizontally from left to right as viewed from the archer in the shooting position. 
     The extender member  84  is releasably and adjustably connected to base  90 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , extender  84  has a double dove tail  92  that is received by the double dove tail recess  94  of the base  90 . Therefore, extender  84  is slidably received by the base  90  such that the base  90  and the extender  84  can be horizontally moved relative to one another toward and away from the archer. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , once the desired position of the extender  84  relative to the base  90  is determined, the extender  84  is nonslidably secured to the base  90  by screw  96  having adjustment knob  98 . By tightening the adjustment knob  98 , the screw  96  extends into a small recess (not shown) in the base  90  to prevent sliding movement between the extender  84  and the base  90 . 
     The base  90  is secured to the bow with two screws that pass through holes  100  and  102  and into the bow (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     When the string on a bow is released, it creates significant vibrations. It is desired to reduce the vibrations for enhanced performance of the bow. In a preferred embodiment, dampeners are provided on the bow site. A dampener is any device which includes at least some material that is softer than the material that makes up the part of the bow sight to which the device is directly attached, such that the device at least partially absorbs the vibrations caused by the release of the bow string when shooting an arrow. Dampeners may be placed in the support structure itself or in any of the various members that connect the support structure to the bow. 
     In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a dampener  120  is secured in a recess  122  in the extender  84 . The recess  122  and the dampener  120  are oval in shape but could be any shape. The dampener  120  comprises a brass core  124  surrounded by a webbed rubber member  126  around the perimeter of the brass core  124 . Alternate materials can certainly be used for the dampener. For example, the core could be aluminum with an outer perimeter material of plastic. 
     In a preferred embodiment also shown in  FIG. 4 , dampener  130  is secured in a recess  132  in the adjustment knob  98 . The dampener  130  and recess  132  in this embodiment are circular in shape but again could be any shape. The dampener  130  includes a brass core  134  and a webbed rubber member  136  around the perimeter of the brass core  134 . 
     While particular locations of the dampeners  120  and  130  connected to the support structure  32  have been provided in the drawings, it is noted that dampeners may be connected to the support structure  32  in many different locations. For example, a dampener could be set in a recess (not shown) in the support structure  32 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The difference between  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 8  is that the vertical pins  200   a - e  in  FIG. 8  are L-shaped. That is, the vertical pins  200   a - e  have a vertical portion and also a horizontal portion. The horizontal portion extends in the direction towards the archer when the archer is standing in the shooting position. 
     In a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8 , the sight points  202   a - e  associated respectively with the vertical ins  200   a - e  are all in the same vertical plane. 
       FIGS. 10   a - d  show a preferred embodiment of a vertical pin  30   a  from the rear, front, left and right views respectively. The fiber optic cable  26   a  can also be seen in its relationship to the vertical pin  30   a.    
     It is also noted that in an alternative preferred embodiment, the vertical pins  30   a - e  are protected by a circular and planar piece of non-opaque plexiglass. The plexiglass (not shown) fits within the rim  11  of the support structure  32  (see  FIG. 1 ). A similar piece of plexiglass may be placed on the back side of the support structure  32 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the bow sight of the invention, the vertical pins, pin height adjustment levers, cam lock mechanisms and the support structure are made of acrylic plastic. It should be appreciated, however, that this invention is not limited by the type of material used for its parts. Many alternative materials can be used. For example, in an alternative embodiment these parts could be made of aluminum or any other material that can structurally perform the functions of these parts. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve member  72 , horizontal bar  82 , extender  84 , base  90 , and adjustment knob  98  are made of aluminum. 
     The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description but rather by the claims appended hereto.