Patent Abstract:
A bow sight that decouples the shooter&#39;s bow cant from elevation adjustments. A segmented support assembly includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion is adapted to attach to the bow. The distal portion is rotatably attached to the proximal portion and adapted to rotate around a Y-axis relative to the proximal portion. A micro-adjust controls the rotational position around the Y-axis of the distal portion relative to the proximal portion. An elevation assembly is attached to the distal portion. A bezel assembly is attached to the elevation assembly. The elevation adjustment moves the bezel assembly along a substantially vertical axis while the bow is held at a bow cant greater than zero. The micro-adjust decouples the shooter&#39;s bow cant from operation of the elevation assembly. A windage assembly is optionally located between the elevation assembly and the distal portion.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is directed to a multi-axis bow sight that decouples bow cant from operation of the elevation and windage adjustments. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]      FIG. 1  illustrates a bow sight  20  with elevation assembly  22  that permits rapid movement along a fine adjustment screw, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. RE 36,266 (Gibbs) and 7,331,112 (Gibbs). The Gibbs patents disclose a slidable three-point stabilizing mounting for the elevation assembly that can be adjusted without need of manually holding a coupling/uncoupling device in an uncoupled position during the adjustment. 
         [0003]    The elevation assembly  22  permits the shooter to raise and lower the bezel  24  relative to the bow sight  20  along vertical axis  26  to compensate for distance. Windage assembly  32  permits the shooter to move the bezel  24  along horizontal axis  34  to compensate for wind conditions. The operation of the elevation and windage assemblies  22   32 , however, is dependent on the bow  28  being held vertical, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0004]    Human physiology is such that when the arm muscles are in a relaxed state the shooters has a natural tendency to hold a bow at an angled or canted position. Alternatively, the shooter may have a preferred angle or cant for holding the bow. As used herein, “bow cant” refers to a shooter&#39;s natural and/or preferred angle for holding a bow relative to vertical. Right-handed shooters cant or angle the bow  28  to the left and left-handed shooters cant the bow  28  to the right. The degree of cant varies between shooters, but is generally in the range of about 20 degrees. 
         [0005]      FIG. 3  illustrates the bow  28  held at a bow cant  30  relative to vertical  26  by a right-handed shooter. As a result of the bow cant  30 , the elevation assembly moves the bezel  24  to one side or the other as it moves along non-vertical axis  36 , reducing shooting accuracy. Similarly, the windage assembly moves the bezel  24  up or down as it moves along non-horizontal axis  38 . 
         [0006]    The Gibbs &#39;112 patent discloses a bow cant adjustment that permits the bezel  24  to be rotated level relative to the shooter as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The cant adjustment, however, is located adjacent the bezel  24  so the elevation assembly  22  and the windage assembly  32  are still canted at bow cant angle  30  relative to vertical  26 . Consequently, adjustment of the elevation assembly  22  or windage assembly  32  causes the bezel  24  to travel along the axes  36 ,  38 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present disclosure is directed to a bow sight that permits the bow to be held at to the shooter&#39;s natural or preferred bow cant, while maintaining a micro-adjustable elevation assembly in a vertical configuration and the windage assembly in a horizontal configuration. Compensation for the shooter&#39;s bow cant is performed with a micro-adjust mechanism that smoothly and precisely rotates the bezel, elevation assembly, and windage assembly relative to the bow. 
         [0008]    One embodiment is directed to a bow sight that decouples the shooter&#39;s bow cant from elevation and windage adjustments. The bow sight includes a segmented support assembly with a proximal portion, and intermediate portion, and a distal portion. The proximal portion is adapted to attach to the bow. The intermediate portion is rotatably attached to the proximal portion and rotates around a Y-axis relative to the proximal portion. The distal portion is pivotally attached to the intermediate portion and pivots around a Z-axis relative to the intermediate portion. A first micro-adjust controls the rotational position around the Y-axis of the intermediate portion relative to the proximal portion. A second micro-adjust controls the pivotal position around the Z-axis of the distal portion around the intermediate portion. An adjustable elevation assembly and an adjustable windage assembly are attached to the distal portion. A bezel assembly is attached to the elevation assembly and the windage assembly. The elevation adjustment is adapted to move the bezel assembly along a substantially vertical axis and the windage adjustment is adapted to move the bezel assembly along a substantially horizontal axis while the bow is held at a bow cant greater than zero. The elevation and windage assembly optionally including a windage micro-adjust and an elevation micro-adjust. 
         [0009]    The first micro-adjust preferably provides an adjustment of +/−15 degrees relative to horizontal. The first micro-adjusts preferably include a threaded traveler engaged with the lead screw where the lead screw is parallel to the X-axis. The lead screw is located offset from an axis of a pivot pin attaching the intermediate portion to the proximal portion. The second micro-adjust includes a lead screw located offset from an axis of a pivot pin attaching the distal portion to the intermediate portion. A adjustment knob is preferably provided for each of the lead screws. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, a plurality of detents are located on the lead screw. A member is biases into engagement with the detents to provide feedback to the shooter during adjustment. Set screws are preferably provided to secure the first and second micro-adjusts after the adjustments have been made. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the elevation and windage assembly includes an adjustable windage assembly attached to the distal portion and an adjustable elevation attached to the windage assembly. The bezel assembly is attached to the elevation assembly. Indicia are preferably provided as an indication of a degree of rotation of the intermediate portion relative to the proximal portion. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the bezel includes an opening that extends toward a sight point located in the bezel opening. A light assembly is provided that engages with the opening and transmits light onto the sight pin or aiming indicia located in the bezel opening. 
         [0013]    A level assembly is optionally engaged with a curved surface on the bezel. Set screws on the bezel are provided to calibrate the level assembly along the curved surface. 
         [0014]    The present disclosure is also directed to a bow sight that decouples the shooter&#39;s bow cant from windage adjustments. The segmented support assembly includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion is adapted to attach to the bow. The distal portion is rotatably attached to the proximal portion and rotates around the Y-axis relative to the proximal portion. A micro-adjust controls the rotational position around the Y-axis of the distal portion relative to the proximal portion. A windage assembly is attached to the distal portion. A bezel assembly is attached to the windage assembly. The windage adjustment moves the bezel assembly along a substantially horizontal axis while the bow is held at a bow cant greater than zero. In one embodiment, the windage assembly includes a windage micro-adjust. An adjustable elevation assembly is optionally interposed between the distal portion and the windage assembly. 
         [0015]    The present disclosure is also directed to a bow sight that decouples the shooter&#39;s bow cant from elevation adjustments. The segmented support assembly includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion is adapted to attach to the bow. The distal portion is rotatably attached to the proximal portion and rotates around the Y-axis relative to the proximal portion. A micro-adjust controls the rotational position around the Y-axis of the distal portion relative to the proximal portion. An elevation assembly is attached to the distal portion. A bezel assembly is attached to the elevation assembly. The elevation assembly moves the bezel assembly along a substantially vertical axis while the bow is held at a bow cant greater than zero. In one embodiment, an adjustable windage assembly interposed between the distal portion and the elevation assembly. 
         [0016]    The present disclosure is also directed to a method of adjusting a bow sight for a shooter&#39;s bow cant. The method includes attaching a proximal portion of a segmented support assembly to the bow. The shooter holds the bow at the shooter&#39;s bow cant. A micro-adjust is operated to rotate a distal portion of the segmented support assembly around a Y-axis on the proximal portion until a bezel is substantially horizontal. An elevation assembly attached to the distal portion is operated to move the bezel assembly along a substantially vertical axis while the bow is held at the shooter&#39;s bow cant. The micro-adjust decouples the shooter&#39;s bow cant from operation of the elevation assembly. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the present method includes operating a windage micro-adjust on a windage assembly interposed between the distal portion and the elevation assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a compound bow with a prior art elevation assembly and windage assembly. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the bow of  FIG. 1  held in a vertical configuration. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the bow of  FIG. 1  held at a shooter&#39;s bow cant by a right-handed shooter. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the bow of  FIG. 3  with the bezel rotated to compensate for the bow cant. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a multi-axis bow sight in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a mounting structure of the bow sight of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a micro-adjust for a bow sight in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the bow sight of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is an alternate perspective view of the bow sight of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the bow sight of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 11A  is rear views of the bow sight of  FIG. 5  held at a shooter&#39;s bow cant by a right-handed shooter. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11B  is a rear view of the bow sight of  FIG. 5  with the support assembly rotated to compensate for the bow cant of  FIG. 11A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 12A  is top views of the bow sight of  FIG. 5  with the bezel in a neutral position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12B  is top views of the bow sight of  FIG. 5  with the support assembly rotated so the bezel is rotated counterclockwise in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12C  is top views of the bow sight of  FIG. 5  with the support assembly rotated so the bezel is rotated clockwise in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  illustrates an alternate bow sight in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a multi-axis bow sight  50  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The bow sight  50  includes multi-segmented support assembly  52  that attaches to a bow in front of the riser, generally as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Proximal portion  56  of the support assembly  52  is attached to a bow using a variety of sliding mounting structures that permit adjustment along the Y-axis  54 , such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,109 (Gibbs), which is hereby incorporated by reference. As used herein, references to “X-axis,” “Y-axis,” or “Z-axis” relate to an orthogonal coordinate system that is used to describe the relative position of features on the bow sight  50 , and not necessarily related to absolute vertical or horizontal unless otherwise stated. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the support assembly  52  of  FIG. 5 . Proximal portion  56  attaches to the bow as noted above. Intermediate portion  58  is rotatably attached to the proximal portion  56  by pivot pin  60 . Pivot pin  60  permits the intermediate portion  58  to rotate in direction  62  around the longitudinal or Y-axis  54  of the proximal portion  56 . 
         [0036]    Rotational position of the intermediate portion  58  relative to the proximal portion  56  is controlled by micro-adjust assembly  64  illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Threaded traveler  66  is rotatably attached to intermediate portion  58  in cavity  68  by polymeric washers  70 . In the illustrated embodiment the washers  70  are made from Delrin®. Lead screw  72  extends through holes  74  in the proximal portion  56  and engages with the threads in the traveler  66 . Since the cavity  68  is located offset from the axis of the pivot pin  60 , rotation of knob  76  displaces the traveler  66  left or right, resulting in rotational movement  62  of the intermediate portion  58  relative to the proximal portion  56  (see e.g.,  FIG. 11B ). Ball bearing  78  is preferably biased by spring  80  to engage teeth  82  on the lead screw  72  to provide feedback during rotation of the knob  76 . The teeth  82  act also as detents to reduce the risk of inadvertent rotation of the lead screw  72 . 
         [0037]    As used herein, “micro-adjust” refers to an assembly including a threaded traveler engaged with threads of a precision lead screw to precisely control the relative position of two components. For example, the threads can have a pitch of about 0.5 millimeters (50.8 threads per inch), with a sensitivity of less than about 2 micrometers. A setscrew preferably locks the micro-adjust in the desired position. 
         [0038]    Turning back to  FIG. 6 , distal portion  90  is optionally pivotally attached to the intermediate portion  58  by pivot pin  92  extending through holes  98 A,  98 B. Pivot pin  92  permits the distal portion  90  to rotate in direction  94  around Z-axis  96  in a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis  96 . Complementary curved surfaces  58 A,  90 A at the interface of the intermediate portion  58  to the distal portion  90  facilitate rotation  94 . Rotational position of the distal portion  58  is controlled by micro-adjust assembly  100 . 
         [0039]    Threaded traveler  102  is rotatably attached to distal portion  90  in cavity  104  by polymeric washers  70 . Lead screw  106  extends through holes  108  in the intermediate portion  58  and engages with the threads in the traveler  102 . Since the cavity  104  is located offset from the Z-axis  96 , rotation of knob  110  displaces the traveler  102  left or right, resulting in rotational movement  94  of the distal portion  90  relative to the intermediate portion  58  (see e.g.,  FIGS. 12B and 12C ). Ball bearing  78  is biased toward teeth  82  on the lead screw  106  to provide feedback during rotation of the knob  110  and to reduce the risk of inadvertent rotation of the lead screw  106 . 
         [0040]    Windage assembly  118  illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 8  compensates for wind conditions. Windage block  120  is attached to distal portion  90  by lead screw  122 . The lead screw  122  passes through opening  124 A in the windage block  120 , engages with threaded hole  126  in the distal portion  90 , and passed through opposite opening  124 B to engaged with knob  128 . Rotation of the knob  128  causes the windage block  120  to be displaced left and right relative to the distal portion  90  along X-axis  130 . Windage block  120  includes indicia  140  to provide an indication of position relative to the intermediate portion  90 . 
         [0041]    Ball bearing  132  located in recess  133  in windage block  120  is preferably biased by spring  134  against detents on knob  128 . Pins  136  extend through holes  138  in the distal portion  90  to stabilize movement of the windage block  120  along the X-axis  130 . 
         [0042]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , elevation assembly  150  is attached to windage block  120 . Elevation block  152  includes a finely threaded lead screw  154  adapted to move bezel traveler  156  along Z-axis  158 . Knobs  160  are located at the top and bottom of the elevation block  152  to facilitate rotation of the lead screw  154 . Pin  162  stabilizes the bezel traveler  156  during movement along the Z-axis  158 . 
         [0043]    Bezel assembly  164  is attached to the bezel traveler  156  by fastener  166 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bezel assembly  164  includes bezel bracket  165  attached to bezel  172  by fastener  167 . By loosening the fastener  167 , the bezel  172  can be rotated in directions  169  around axis  171  that is parallel to Y-axis  130  (see also,  FIG. 10 ). The bezel bracket  165  includes opening  168  that extends to bezel opening  170  of bezel  172 . In embodiments using sight pin  174  with illuminated optical fibers, plug  173  is located in opening  168  (see  FIG. 5 ). In an alternate embodiment where a targeting reticle is located in the bezel opening  170 , a battery powered light assembly  176  is optionally attached to the opening  168  (see e.g.,  FIG. 12A ). The light is transmitted through the opening  168  into the bezel opening  170  to illuminate the targeting reticle. A reticle refers to a net of fine lines or fibers in the eyepiece of a sighting device. A variety of different bezel assemblies can be attached to the bezel traveler  156  in accordance to embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0044]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , level  180  is located at bottom edge of the bezel  172 . Set screws  182  at the base of the bezel  172  engage with recesses at opposite ends of the level  180  to shift the level  180  along the curved surface of the bezel  172 . The set screws  182  serve as micro-adjusts that permit fine adjustment/calibration of the level  180 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 11A  illustrates operation of the bow sight  50  with the bow removed for clarity. The shooter holds the bow in a natural or preferred bow canted, as discussed above in connection with  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 11A  illustrates the bow sight  50  canted to the left for a right-handed shooter by an amount corresponding to the shooter bow cant  178 . The typical bow cant  178  is on the order of about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees. 
         [0046]    Set screw  200  (see  FIG. 9 ) on the proximal portion  56  is loosened to permit the knob  76  to be turned. As the shooter rotates the knob  76 , the micro-adjust  64  precisely rotates the intermediate portion  58  relative to the proximal portion  56  until the bezel  172  is level, as illustrated in  FIG. 11B . The level  180  aids in the adjustment. 
         [0047]    Since this adjustment is specific to the particular shooter, once the adjustment is completed the set screw  200  is tightened to secure the micro-adjust  64 . Because the interface between the proximal portion  56  and intermediate portion  58  is located closest to the bow, the windage assembly  118  and elevation assembly  150  both rotate around the Y-axis  54  in direction  190  with the bezel  172 . As a result, subsequent adjustment of the elevation assembly  150  causes the bezel  172  and sight pin  174  to travel along a vertical axis  196 . Similarly, adjustments of the windage assembly  118  causes the bezel  172  to travel along a horizontal axis  198 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 12A-12C  illustrate front and back adjustment of the bezel  172  around the Z-axis  96 . Set screw  202  (see  FIG. 9 ) is loosened and the knob  110  is turned to activate micro-adjust  100 . The distal portion  90  rotates around pivot pin  92  relative to the intermediate portion  58 . Depending on the direction of rotation of the knob  110 , the bezel  172  may rotate counterclockwise (toward the shooter) as illustrated in  FIG. 12B  or clockwise  192  (away from the shooter) as illustrated in  FIG. 12C . Once the adjustment is completed the set screw  202  is tightened. 
         [0049]      FIG. 13  illustrates an alternate multi-axis bow sight  250  with a two-piece segmented support assembly  252  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The segmented support assembly  252  includes a proximal portion  254  that attaches to a bow and a distal portion  256 . The distal portion  256  is pivotally attached to the proximal portion  254  using pivot pin  62  (see  FIG. 6 ). The rotational position of the distal portion  256  relative to the proximal portion  254  is controlled using micro-adjust  64  (see  FIG. 7 ). The embodiment of  FIG. 13  combines the intermediate portion  58  with the distal portion  90  as a single component  256 , eliminating the need for the micro-adjust  100 . The bow sight  250  is otherwise substantially the same as the bow sight  50  discussed above. 
         [0050]    Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the disclosure. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges which may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure. 
         [0051]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All patents and publications mentioned herein, including those cited in the Background of the application, are hereby incorporated by reference to disclose and described the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. 
         [0052]    The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present inventions are not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed. 
         [0053]    Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. 
         [0054]    Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5