Abstract:
An improved archery target sight, in which much of the unneeded weight present in support arms is removed. This sight utilizes a pair of lightweight rods, that are positioned lengthwise vertically to each other, and where the rods are gripped between a mounting block and clamp, with the rods placed in recessed grooves defined in the block and clamp. The rods extend outward from the bow to hold and position vertical adjustment sighting apparatus. A stop block may be attached along the length of the rods, where the stop block is adjacent to the mounting block and provides a means to set the placement of the rods in reference to the mounting block, by consistently placing the stop block immediately adjacent to the mounting block, so as to allow disassembly of the rods from the mounting block, and reattachment at a later time with an identical configuration achieved by repositioning the stop block against the mounting block.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention is an improved bow sight for use with archery bows, where the sight assists the archer in predetermining the expected arcing path of the arrow on a distant target, and for making adjustment allowances for targets at differing ranges. This particular improved bow sight utilizes a plurality of support rods that hold and position the vertical sighting apparatus out from the typical archery bow, where the multiple support rods have less mass than a single support arm, and with use of a stop block, clamp and mounting block, allow the entire apparatus to be detachable from the bow, and reattached when desired, and yet keeping the desired settings and position for the supporting rods.  
           [0002]    Multiple rods, as opposed to a single extension arm, allow for a minimization of weight, which greatly advances the art of target sighting, and holding the bow and targeting system in a ready position. Employment of a single rigid shaft, which is the typical method used in prior art bow sights, requires that the single shaft have suitable strength to hold and position the vertical adjustment components rigidly in relationship to the bow. This single shaft, in order to have significant strength and flexing resistance, also generally denotes additional weight being added to the lightweight archery bow and sighting assembly. Any weight created by the rigid shaft itself will cause additional stress rotationally downward around the point of attachment for the entire sighting apparatus. The entire sighting apparatus effectively acts as a lever, pushing the front part of the bow downward.  
           [0003]    The desirable archery sight, exhibiting lighter weight and less overall mass, results in a diminished amount of rotational force in supporting the targeting sight, and which allows the Archer to more easily hold the bow and maintain a motionless targeting stance prior to release.  
           [0004]    This improved embodiment removes a significant portion of the mass generally attributed to the shaft portion of the typical archery sight. In this improved archery target sight a plurality of shafts are used to replace the traditional rigid shaft member that has the undesirable increased amount of mass.  
           [0005]    Prior archery sights have relied upon a single extension arm to position the actual sighting members. Referring to U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,728 (Kowalski), an archery bow sight is shown, which utilizes an elongated rigid mounting bracket assembly, denoted as number 20, and depicted in FIG. 2 of said patent. This rigid mounting bracket assembly is a single armed apparatus, which denotes significant weight, as compared with the present assembly. It manner of detachment and reattachment also does not allow for a repetition of previously desired positioning for the rigid supporting arm.  
           [0006]    Referring also to U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,777 (Saunders), a bow sight is shown and described, in which a single extension bar is shown, designated as number 30 in that patent, and which is shown and described as a single bar that is attached to the bow along its length, and support other apparatus that is positioned away from the bow itself.  
           [0007]    In both of these patents referenced above, there is no contemplation given to reducing weight attributable to the extension members, through the use of multiple support members, nor is the manner of having the support arm assembly being detachable from the bow in a manner that allows simple reattachment with the same earlier settings available described.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    This invention uses a plurality of support rods, positioned vertically one above the other, to support targeting apparatus out away in front of the bow. Typically, the supporting members comprise a pair of rods, that have their forward ends disposed within sockets of a rod receiving block, with the rod receiving block having the adjusting sight members affixed thereto.  
           [0009]    The rearward ends of the rods are positioned in recessed grooves defined in both a clamp and a mounting block, so that when the clamp and mounting block are urged together, they will grip the rods between them, holding the rods outward perpendicular to the bow length, and properly positioning the adjusting targeting apparatus out in front of the bow.  
           [0010]    Once the rods are fixed in the desirable position within the clamp and mounting block, this position can be redetermined upon later reattachment using a stop block, that has a pair of parallel grooves, and which is positioned on the opposite side of the rods from the clamp member, but adjacent to the mounting block. The stop block is bolted to the clamp, with the rods between the stop block and clamp, so that it is adjacent to the mounting block, and is used as a reference point for removing and then replacing the rods in relation to the mounting block. In this manner, the sighting apparatus can be fixed as to position of the rod members, taken apart from the bow, and reattached when necessary, with the stop block allowing reattachment to be accomplished to the same position as previously made.  
           [0011]    It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved support member, utilizing a plurality of support rods that are used for positioning sighting apparatus out in front of a bow.  
           [0012]    It is a further object of this invention to provide a means of supporting the vertically adjustable targeting apparatus in front of the bow, using a minimum of weight, through the use of multiple support rods.  
           [0013]    It is a further object of this invention to allow the elongated support member rods to be fixed in position in relation to a clamp and mounting block, and through the utilization of a stop block, that is fixed along the length of the support member rods, to be removed and then reattached with the position of the support rods being identical to the earlier desired settings.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved archery target site and targeting adjustment apparatus, with the view being from the front of said improved archery target site.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the improved archery target site and targeting adjustment apparatus, with the view being from the upper right and rear side of the improved archery target site.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a side view of the improved archery target site as it would appear when attached to the typical archery bow.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a side view of the mounting block.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the mounting block shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a side view of the clamp for the two rods.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the clamp for the two rods.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a side view of the stop block.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the stop block shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is an end view of the rod receiving block with the view being from the rear of said rod receiving block, with the rod sockets shown.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a side view of the rod receiving block.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a side view of the rods.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is a partial exploded perspective view of the rods having the stop block fixed to the clamp, with the rods positioned between the clamp and the stop block, where the rods, clamp and stop block are depicted as being in position for placement against the mounting block using the clamp knob.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 1, the improved archery target sight  10  is shown. As is also shown in FIG. 3, the improved archery target sight  10  is comprised of an apparatus that is attached to an archery bow  90  using a mounting block  30  that is affixed securely to the bow  90 , so as to project the improved archery target sight  10  forward of the bow  90 , allowing vertically adjustable targeting apparatus to be positioned so that it is in a line of sight from the observing archer, or user of the bow  90 , to the desired target. The forward portion of the improved archery target sight  10  supports various vertical adjustment components, which allow vertical adjustment of the various targeting sight members through which the archer can then used to line up the intended arrow trajectory prior to release.  
         [0028]    There are several desirable attributes to an archery targeting system, which not only include accuracy for the settings, but also require that the archery target sight itself be able to be detachable from the bow  90 , as well as exhibit durability with regard to regaining desired settings, with a minimum of mass.  
         [0029]    The vertical adjustment components for a typical archery target sight comprise a sight adjustment guide  55 , having uniformly spaced gear teeth  56 , and a dovetail guide  57  which allows a rotating adjustment means holder  60  to slide vertically along the length of the sight adjustment guide  55 . The sight adjustment guide  55  supports a sight block  75  and sight screw holder  71 , which allows a sight screw  70  to be positioned vertically. Vertical manipulation of the sight adjustment components is accomplished through the rotation of spiraling threads  66  that contact the spaces between the teeth  56 , and when the threads  66  are so rotated, the threads  66  will cause the rest of the entire vertical adjustment components to move vertically up or down along the spaced teeth  56 , to move the targeting sight screw  70  to the appropriate position to account for anticipated arcing along the arrow trajectory path.  
         [0030]    As adjustments are made to this set of vertical adjustment components while they are in use and attached to the bow  90 , as shown in FIG. 3, the means to support the entire set of vertical adjustment components must be durable enough to prohibit any undesirable movement or slippage along the length of any supporting shaft.  
         [0031]    Referring now also to FIG. 12, two rods  13  and  14  are shown, with rod  13  having a rear end  13   a  and a forward end  13   b . Likewise, rod  14  has a rear end  14   a  and a forward end  14   b . These rods,  13  and  14 , are preferably elongated tubular members that exhibit a uniform diameter along their length from end  13   a  to  13   b , and from end  14   a  to end  14   b . Said rods  13  and  14  may be comprised of hollow tubes or solid members. Their external surface may exhibit uniform circumference, or a varied outer shape and size.  
         [0032]    Optimally, these rods are composed of the lightweight sturdy material which resists flexing or deformation through use. Such rods  13  and  14  generally comprise carbon rods which give a weight that is typically 30 to 40 percent lighter than similar metallic framework assemblies. Multiple rods are used, since the load bearing properties of each rod  13  and  14  are each able to assist each other in their resistance to flexing and/or deformation, when used in conjunction one with another. This embodiment is shown as having two rods  13  and  14 , but additional rods may be used, where the additional rods are each lighter than that required for the two rod configuration shown.  
         [0033]    As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rods  13  and  14  are positioned so that rod  13  is directly above rod  14 . This configuration supplies the maximum amount of resistance to vertical stress caused by the downward force of the adjustment components, while the improved archery target sight  10  is attached to the bow  90 .  
         [0034]    Rods  13  and  14  are held in position on their forward end areas  13   b  and  14   b  as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in which the forward end areas  13   b  and  14   b  of rods  13  and  14  are placed within sockets  15  and  16 , defined by a rod receiving block  12 . As is shown in FIGS. 2,10 and  11 , the rod receiving block  12  comprises a sleeve portion  17 , that extends perpendicular to a mounting flange  85 , with the sleeve portion  17  defining sockets  15  and  16  that have a sufficient diameter and shape so as to receive and accommodate the forward end areas  13   b  and  14   b  of rods  13  and  14 .  
         [0035]    For purposes of clarification, the front end  13   a  of rod  13  is placed into socket  15 , with a portion of the total length of said rod  13  pushed into said socket  15 , and supported by said socket  15 . The front end  14   a  of rod  14  is likewise pushed into socket  16  so that a portion of the total length of the rod  14  is contained within said socket  16 .  
         [0036]    Rods  13  and  14  are then secured within their respective sockets  15  and  16  through typical adhesive means such as epoxy type adhesives, or other materials that will bond with the surface of rods  13  and  14  and with the interior surface of sockets  15  and  16 . Once rods  13  and  14  are so secured, they will protrude out of the sockets  15  and  16 , with the remaining length of the rods  13  and  14  made parallel to each other through their positioning.  
         [0037]    As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, the rod receiving block  12  is secured to the sight adjustment guide  55 , typically through attachment bolts or screws which are placed through bolt holes  82  and  83 , with the bolts or screws then attaching to the sight adjustment guide  55 . In this manner, the position of the rods  13  and  14  becomes perpendicularly fixed with regard to the direction of movement and position of the vertical adjustment components. As is shown in FIG. 1, the linear position of the teeth  56  on the sight adjustment guide  55  are perpendicular to the length of rods  13  and  14 . Therefore, the sighting adjustments made will be in perpendicular relationship to the length of said rods  13  and  14 .  
         [0038]    Bow  90  has an attached mounting block  30 , as shown in FIG. 3. Mounting block  30  is secured to bow  90  typically through bolts or screws, but the mounting block  30  can be permanently attached if so desired. The mounting block  30  is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. FIG. 4 depicts a view of the mounting block  30  as it would appear when positioned on a vertical standing bow  90 , such as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 depicts the mounting block  30  in a cross sectional view. As is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mounting block  30  defines a parallel set of recessed grooves  33  and  34 , which have a uniform depth along the length of said grooves  33  and  34 . As it is also shown in FIG. 5, said grooves preferably comprise arcual concave walls that approximate the outer surface shape of rods  13  and  14 . As is shown in FIG. 5, where rods  13  and  14  comprise tubular members, grooves  33  and  34  comprise uniformly curved edges that follow a common radius of a circle, with 180 degrees of the circle defined by the walls of grooves  33  and  34 . It is not intended that the shape of said grooves  33  and  34  be restricted to being the shape and configuration defined above, but the grooves  33  and  34  may comprise any particular shape and configuration so as to closely match the outer surface of the supporting means, in this case rods  13  and  14 .  
         [0039]    Referring specifically to FIG. 4, grooves  33  and  34  are divided by a planar spacing surface, which extends along the length of the mounting block  30  from the front side edge  36  to the back side edge  38 . Mounting block  30  also defines mounting bolt holes  35  which allow mounting bolts to be placed through said holes  35  with the terminating ends of the bolts being screwed into the actual bow  90 , so that when the bolts are tightened, they will firmly fix the position of the mounting block  30 , in relation to the bow  90 . The mounting block  30  also has groove edges  32  that are parallel to, and uniform with the planar spacing surface  31 .  
         [0040]    The mounting block  30  also defines a centrally located clamp hole  37 , into which a bolt is positioned and able to be tightened into said hole  37 .  
         [0041]    Referring again to FIG. 2, rods  13  and  14  are positioned and aligned into said grooves  33  and  34 , with rod  13  being placed in groove  33 , and rod  14  being placed into groove  34 .  
         [0042]    Clamp  40  is depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and  13 , but with particularity and in greater detail in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. FIG. 6 depicts the surface of clamp  40  that impacts against rods  13  and  14 , along with the mounting block  30 . Clamp  40  defines recessed grooves  43  and  44 , in a similar manner as that of the mounting block  30 . Clamp  40  has a flat planar spacer surface  45 , and which defines a clamp hole  46 . The clamp hole  46  allows a tightening bolt to be placed through the clamp hole  46 , with the terminating end of said bolt screwing into the clamp hole  37  of the mounting block  30 . When this bolt is tightened, typically using a tightening means such as a clamp knob  50 , which rotates about a clamp hub  51 , being part of the tightening bolt. Rotation of the clamp knob  50  will rotate clamp hub  51 , causing the bolt to be screwed into the mounting block  30 , with the clamp knob  50  then moving toward mounting block  30 , thereby causing the clamp  40  to likewise move toward the mounting block  30 .  
         [0043]    Clamp  40 , is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Said clamp  40  is positioned over the rods  13  and  14 , so that the outer surface of rod  13  contacts the arcual concave groove  43  of clamp  40 , with outer surface of rod  14  contacting the arcual concave groove  44  of clamp  40 . When the rods  13  and  14  are thus positioned between the mounting block  30  and clamp  40 , as shown in FIG. 1, the clamp knob  50  is able to be tightened, thereby causing clamp  40  to move toward mounting block  30 , so that the rods  13  and  14  are squeezed between the clamp  40  and mounting block  30 , until sufficient squeezing force is applied against the rods  13  and  14 , so they are unable to move in relation to said block  30  and clamp  40 . This configuration is shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0044]    As one of the desirable aspects of this improved archery target sight  10  is its ability to be disassembled when desired, while yet retaining a minimum of effort to remount and reset the sight, the protruding portions of the improved archery target sight  10  are able to be removed from the grip of the mounting block  30  and clamp  40 .  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the stop block  20  is shown, in which FIG. 8 depicts a view of the stop block  20  that shows surface of the recessed grooves  23  and  24  that contact the outer surface of the rods  13  and  14 . As is shown in FIG. 8, the stop block  20  has two recessed grooves  23  and  24  that are separated by a spacing surface  22 , with the recessed groove depth and shape shown in FIG. 9. The recessed grooves,  23  and  24 , mirror the outer surface of the rods  13  and  14 , so that the recessed grooves  23  and  24  are defined as concave arcual surfaces that travel across the width of the stop block  20 .  
         [0046]    Stop block  20  is positioned along the length of the rods  13  and  14 , using an attachment means that affixes the stop block  20  to clamp  40 , using an attachment means. Typically, the attachment means will be a screw or bolt, that passes through the hole  21  of the stop block  20 , and into the stop block bolt hole  48  of the clamp  40 . Rods  13  and  14  are placed between the stop block  20  and clamp  40 , with rod  13  positioned adjacent to the recessed groove  23  of the stop block  20 , and the recessed groove  43  of clamp  40 . Rod  14  is positioned adjacent to the recessed groove  24  of the stop block  20 , and the recessed groove  44  of clamp  40 . Through the tightening of the bolt that causes the stop block  20  and clamp  40  to be urged together, stop block  20  and clamp  40  will squeeze rods  13  and  14  between them, so that the stop block  20  will be fixed in relation to the rods  13  and  14  and clamp  40 .  
         [0047]    Referring now specifically to FIG. 13, the stop block  20  is shown tightened to the clamp  40 , with rods  13  and  14  positioned and clamped between them, so that the stop block  20  and clamp  40  do not move along the length of the rods  13  and  14 . The rods  13 ,  14 , stop block  20  and clamp  40  are then able to be pressed against the mounting block  30 , with the clamp knob  50  rotating a bolt that tightens the clamp  40  against the mounting block  30 .  
         [0048]    The purpose of the stop block  20  is to allow the archery user to determine and fix the optimum position of the rods  13  and  14  in relation to the mounting block  30 . Causing the stop block  20  to be placed adjacent to the mounting block  30  along the length of rods  13  and  14 , as shown in FIG. 1, while said stop block  20  and clamp  40  are positioned along the rods  13  and  14 , gives the archery user a definite position of the rods  13  and  14 .  
         [0049]    The archery user, when setting the position of this improved archery target sight  10  will place the rods  13  and  14  in the respective grooves  23  and  24  of the stop block  20  and the grooves  43  and  44  of clamp  40 . The stop block  20  and clamp  40  will be tightened together, gripping the rods  13  and  14 , with the tightening accomplished through a tightening means, such as a threaded bolt. The rods  13  and  14  will then be placed in the grooves  33  and  34  of the mounting block  30 , with the clamp  40  then tightened against the mounting block  30 , gripping the rods  13  and  14 . The stop block  20  should be positioned immediately adjacent to the mounting block side  36 . When the archery user determines that the settings and configuration of the vertical sighting components are positioned in front of the bow  90 , so that rods  13  and  14  are properly situated, then the clamp  40  is tightened fully against the mounting block  30 , so as to rigidly hold rods  13  and  14  in place. Stop block  20  is then verified as being adjacent to and in contact with mounting block  30 , and stop block  20  and clamp  40  are tightened together, to fix the exact position of the stop block  20 . When disassembly is desired, such as shown and depicted in FIG. 13, the stop block  20  should remain in its fixed configuration with the clamp  40 , allowing removal of the rods  13  and  14  from the mounting block  30 . The rods  13  and  14  and vertical sighting apparatus can be stored or transported, and when the archery user again desires use of the improved archery target sight  10 , reassembly is accomplished by placing the rods  13  and  14  in the position again as shown in FIG. 13, and then placing the rods  13  and  14  within the grooves  33  and  34  of the mounting block  30 , with the stop block  20  placed against the side  36 , shown and described in FIGS. 4 and 5, of the mounting block  30 . The clamp  40  is then tightened to the mounting block  30 , and when so tightened, the position of the rods  13  and  14  will be identical to the earlier desired specifications, due to the duplicative placement of the stop block  20  and mounting block  30  in relation to each other.  
         [0050]    From the foregoing statements, summary and description in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same are not limited thereto, but are susceptible to various changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and modifications which would be encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.