Abstract:
A hunting method comprising a weapon with a sight having at least one colored range designator, color-coding at least one distance marker to correspond to at least one colored range designator, placing at least one color-coded marker at a range in a hunting field, the color of each marker corresponding to a range designator, identifying a range to a target in the hunting field by visual comparison to at least one marker, aiming using at least one color-coded designator corresponding to at least one color-coded marker, whereby a hunter can quickly determine the estimated distance to a target while maintaining both hands on the weapon during the ranging and shooting.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to hunting primarily using an archery system, such as compound bows and crossbows. In particular, the invention relates to a hunting method for creating a hunting field by placing an array of markers at predetermined ranges and combining the marked field with a sight to improve the speed of sighting and accuracy of the hunter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention generally relates to hunting primarily using an archery system, such as compound bows and crossbows, though it could also be used with a rifle. In particular, the invention relates to a method for placing an array of color-coded distance markers at predetermined distances from a central point such as a hunting stand or blind and coordinating the color-coded range designators in the weapon&#39;s sight corresponding to color-coded distance markers enabling a hunter to quickly determine the estimated distance to a target based on the color-coded distance marker pairs and allowing the hunter to further refine their aim based on the proximity of the target to at least one of the distance markers while maintaining both hands on the weapon. 
         [0004]    Most bow hunting takes place with a hunter in a tree stand in the woods or the hunter in some type of blind. Range estimation by a hunter is usually accomplished through the hunters own experience and his trained eye. This method has accuracy limitations based on the hunters experience, eyesight, and ability to accurately estimate distance. The greater the inaccuracy this method of the range estimation then the greater possibility of missing the target or far worse injuring or crippling the target and it escaping. An improvement to this method was adding a bow sight with colored-coded range designators, which increases the accuracy of the archer but still has limitations with respect to range estimation. To counter this problem, many hunters do course range estimations to geographical features such as trees, rocks, or any distinguishable item in their hunting area but most bow sight range designators are set at 5 yards or 10 yards with multiples thereof. Most geographical features are not at one of these specific distances, so the archer must estimate the distance to the target based on their chosen geographical feature location and make additional estimations within the range designators when aiming to correct for the geographical feature being at a non-uniform distances. Another additional improvement to this method is to use a range finder to calculate the actual distance to the target but for this to be accomplished, an archer must remove at least one hand from the bow to operate the device, which is likely to be detected by the target causing the target to flee. Additionally, a rangefinder could be mounted on the bow adding extra weight to the already heavy bow and changing the balance of the bow, which affects accuracy. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention generally relates to hunting primarily using an archery system, such as compound bows and crossbows. In particular, the invention relates to a method for placing an array of color-coded distance markers at predetermined distances and color coordinating the range designators in the sight to the color-coded distance markers in the field enabling an archer to quickly determine the estimated distance to a target based on the color-coded distance marker pairs and allowing the archer to further refine their aim based on the proximity of the target to one of the selected distance markers while maintaining both hands on the bow. 
         [0006]    The U.S. Army Field Manual for Mortars 3-22.90 teaches methods and a system using aiming posts arrayed in a field of fire to establish a reference line. These posts are used the set mortar in position and provide a frame of reference for indirect fire. This use of aiming posts is targeted for use with indirect fire systems such as mortars and howitzers. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2012/0246992 to Peters, teaches methods and systems for range finding and aiming. Peters teaches the use of a handheld laser rangefinder that compensates for ballistic drop. Peters requires the user to have at least one hand free in order to operate the device. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2011/0296699 to Mainsonneuve, teaches an archery bow sighting device that incorporates a laser range finder, an automatically adjusting sight pin, trigger control, and distance indicator. The device incorporates imbedded electronics and a gearing mechanism to adjust a sighting pin based on distance to target and calibrated distance data. Mainsonneuve&#39;s gearing mechanism to drive the single sighting pin will have audible sounds detectable by the game and adds to the complexity of the device, thus reducing the reliability in the field. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,491,476 to Brown teaches a fire control method for indirectly aiming a cannon. Brown provides an improved method and means for setting or adjusting the azimuth of cannon in indirect firing or indirect laying. In indirect firing the target is not visible from the cannon and the adjustment of the azimuth or traverse and the elevation of the cannon is made in accordance with data or instructions received from an observer who is situated at a point or location from which the effect of the fire, the hits or misses, can be observed. U.S. Pat. No. 2,437,677 also to Brown teaches a gun aiming post with a reflecting surface. This invention eliminates errors introduced in the azimuth calculation caused by recoil of the cannon when fired. This use of aiming posts with indirect fire systems provide precise point of impact of a high explosive shells and minimizes errors when putting friendly troops in harm&#39;s way. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,371,059 to Tillinghast teaches an improved aiming post light configuration with an integral light and luminescent material. The luminescent material is periodically recharged using an LED thereby extending the life of the battery on the battlefield. This invention is targeted at extending the life of the battery and providing a light for night firing. 
         [0011]    The present invention overcomes these shortcomings in the prior art by providing a method for direct fire using aiming posts to determine and refine the estimated range to the target, using color-coded indicators at predetermined distances in a field, each indicator may have battery powered lights not integral to the aiming posts, the field indicators used in coordination with similar color-coded sighting pins avoiding adding heavy, complex, and noisy devices to the bow, or requiring the archer to remove a hand from the bow to operate such a device. 
         [0012]    The present invention fulfills the need for providing a range estimation method for quickly and more accurately determining the range to a target maximizing the lethality of the shot due increased accuracy thus preventing the maiming or injuring of a game animal. 
         [0013]    There have thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0014]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0015]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the hunting method. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the hunting field. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the system in an archery embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the left side of the fixed distance marker. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the left side of the telescoping distance marker. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic representation of range determination for the distance marker using a range finder. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the hunting method  100  including four components: color-coded range designators  106  in a sight  104 , color-coded distance markers  108 , and a target  110 . This figure illustrates how a hunter would use the hunting method  100  to make range estimations to a target  110 . The hunter grasps the bow  102 , looks through the bow sight  104  at the target  110 . As the archer looks through the bow sight  102 , the archer views the color-coded range designators  106  in the bow sight  104  that are color-coded to match the color-coded distance markers  108  placed at varying ranges in the hunting field  200  also seen through the bow sight  104 . The archer looks through the bow sight  104 , selects the desired impact point of the arrow on the target  110 , then compares the color-coded range designators  106  to the distance markers&#39;  108  color coding to choose which color-coded range designators  106  should be used to estimate the desired point of impact for the arrow. Once the archer chooses at least one color-coded range designator  106  to use, then the archer may make a second estimation as to which distance marker  108  the target  110  may be closest, allowing the archer to adjust their sight picture using the color-coded range designators  106  based on this estimation. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the hunting field  200  highlighting four features: distance markers  108 , ranges  204 , a hunting stand  202 , and a target  110 . This figure illustrates the position of the hunting stand  202  with respect to the different distance markers  104  placed at varying ranges  204  from the hunting stand  202 . It also illustrates the varying ranges  204  form concentric arcs with a target  110  contained therein.  FIG. 2  shows the illustration wherein the color-coded distance markers  108  are in a straight line extending from the focal point a hunting stand  202  and placed at various ranges were the last marker may be placed at the archery systems  300  effective range. Typically, the ranges are set at 10 yards, 20 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards, 50 yards, and 60 yards but one skilled in the art may chose different range increments based on the bow sight  104  and the number of color-coded range designators  106  contained therein, the power of the archery system  300 , hunting field  200 , hunting conditions, and the overall skill of the archer. Placing the distance markers  108  in a straight line is but one method of arranging the distance markers  108  within the hunting field  200 . Based on the conditions of the hunting field, the archer may place the distance markers  108  in a line as demonstrated above or the distance markers  108  could be placed at different positions within the hunting field  200  due to its natural geographical features. The target  110  is placed between the 20 and 30 yard distance markers  108  to illustrate that an archer could use the corresponding color-coded range designators  106  on the bow sight  104  to make a course estimation of the targets distance. Additionally, since the target  110  is placed approximately equidistant to both distance markers  108 , the archer may place the impact point half way between the selected range designators  106 . This method provides a more refined method of range estimation thus providing for a more accurate shot. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a bow  102  and bow sight  104 . The bow  102  in this preferred embodiment is a compound bow, however, other bows such as recurve or crossbows could also be used as part of an archery system  300 . The bow sight  104  typically consists of a set of color-coded range designators  106  placed at varying heights within the bow sight  104 . The color-coded range designators  106  have been set for specific distances by the archer providing the desired angle of the bow in order for an arrow to hit the desired impact point. The preferred embodiment of the range designators  106  are fiber-optic horizontal pins. However, range designators  106  in the bow sight  104  may include sights such as horizontal pins, vertical dots, reticles, horizontal lines, pendulums, and fiber optics but not limited to, other methods of sighting as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an embodiment of the distance marker  108 , which is a fixed height. The distance marker  108  may consist of a translucent marker upper portion  400 , a marker outer shaft  402 , and an anchor  404 . The marker upper portion  400  can be color coded to the range designators  106  in the bow sight  104  using methods including tape, colored reflectors, colored paint, chemiluminescence and colored lights but not limited to other methods of color coding the upper portion that will be apparent to one skilled in the art. The preferred embodiment consists of placing different colored chemiluminescence sticks inside of the translucent upper portions  400  of the distance markers  108  to provide the corresponding color-coding to the range designators  106 . The marker upper portion  400  may be constructed of materials known to one skilled in the art that provide translucence allowing for the light to be seen by the archer. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  also illustrates a fixed height distance marker  108  using a fixed marker outer shaft  402  to connect the marker upper portion  400  to the anchor  404 . The marker outer shaft  402  may be constructed of materials known to one skilled in the art that are semi-rigid to rigid and resistant to wind, other lateral forces, and environmental conditions. The anchor  404  may be selected from materials that will maintain the marker outer shaft  402  and the marker upper portion  400  in a vertical position enabling the archer to see it from the hunting stand  202 . The material used to create the anchor  404  is dependent on the area in which the archer plans to hunt. If the hunting field  200  has predominately sand-type soil, then the anchor  404  may need to have a larger surface in order to maintain the distance marker  108  upright due to propensity of the soft sand to give way allowing the marker to fall. If the hunting field  200  is rocky, then the anchor  404  may be smaller and more pointed to enable it to be more easily inserted into the ground. Finally, if the soil has high clay content then some type of anchor  404  in between the one used for the sandy soil and the one used for rocky area soil would be appropriate. Additionally other concerns such as the amount of moisture the field has had recently may also determine the type of anchor that may be needed to maintain the marker in the vertical position. One skilled in the art could determine the type of anchor  404  needed based on factors such as type of soil, weather conditions, durability, and the hunting field but is not limited to these factors. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a telescoping distance marker  108 . The distance marker  108  may allow the height to be varied based on the conditions of the hunting field. For example if the archer is hunting in a field that has grain growing, then the archer may need to vary the height of the distance marker  108  sufficiently to exceed the height of the grain that is currently growing in order to see the distance marker  108 . The height of the distance marker  108  may be changed by one skilled in the art to a desired height based on the conditions of the hunting field  200 . The telescoping height of the distance marker  108  may be accomplished by using an outer shaft  402 , a concentric inner shaft  510 , and a positioning pin  512 . The marker outer shaft  402  may slide over the inner shaft  510  in a telescoping action extending upward from the anchor  404  to the desired position in order to change the height of the distance marker  108  wherein a positioning pin  512  may be inserted into the alignment holes to maintain the height. This is the preferred embodiment of the adjustable distance marker. One skilled in the art may choose other methods to make the height adjustable including telescoping, sectional, and folding but is not limited to these methods. The telescoping action allows one skilled in the art is to create a distance marker  108  such that is more easily transportable and can accommodate a wide range of field conditions. The removable anchor  514  in this embodiment is removable from the shaft making it more easily transportable by the archer transversing the hunting field. 
         [0028]    Another possible feature of the distance marker  108  is the color-coding of the marker upper portion  400  using colored lights connected to a battery  502 . Thus providing electricity to the light, which may be needed during dawn and dusk hunting periods. The battery  502  may be replaceable or it may be rechargeable using a solar panel  500 , which may be connected to the top of the upper portion  400  and recharge the battery  502  stored within the upper portion  400 . The solar panel  500  and the rechargeable battery  502  allow the distance markers  108  to be positioned in the field without having to disturb them during the hunting season in order to change the batteries. 
         [0029]    An additional feature is an attachment point  506  to attach a scent dispenser  508  to the distance marker  108 . This scent dispenser  508  may draw the target closer to a specific distance marker  108  as desired by the archer thereby making a shot of the archer more accurate by reducing the estimation needed due to having an almost known distance, the closer the target is to a distance marker  108 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic representation of range determination  600  from the distance marker  108  using a range finder  602  to the hunting stand  202 . To determine the ranges to set the distance markers  108  by an archer in the field, he may use a range finder  602  with an associated range reflector  604  attached to a distance marker  108 . The range reflector  604  is more specifically affixed to the upper portion  400 . The archer stands at the hunting stand  202  and operates the range finder by ranging to the distance marker  108  with the reflector  604  to determine the distance. If the initial range determination is not within the desired range, the archer may move the distance marker  108  closer or farther to correspond to the actual range setting on the bow sight  104 . This task may be accomplished for each distance marker  108  that is deployed in the field. One skilled may use other methods to place the distance markers in the field including measuring to a single point from the field but not limited to this method.