Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/661,918 filed Sep. 12, 2003, which application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/410,877 filed Sep. 13, 2002, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to archery equipment and more particularly to a sighting apparatus for use with an archery bow, generally referred to as a bow sight. In particular, the bow sight of this invention provides vertical sighting compensation.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Many bow sight designs and configurations are known. Bow sights generally have multiple sight points for shooting arrows at targets positioned at different distances from the archer. Many bow sights include multiple sight points attached to horizontal pins; examples of such bow sights are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,103,568; 5,676,122; and 5,685,081. A more recent development has been a bow sight with vertical pins. An example of a bow sight having vertical pins and a fiber optic sight point at the end of the pins is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,633. A number of U.S. patents disclose bow sights having various other arrangements of sight points. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,234,651; 4,120,096; 5,086,567; and 5,131,153.  
         [0004]     Bow sights have typically been designed to provide accurate sighting over changing distances where the elevation difference between the target and the shooter remains relatively constant. In other words, the position of each sight point is adjusted to effectively target an object at a set distance measured from the shooter while the vertical displacement, or elevation, between the shooter and the target is assumed to be constant. As such, if a bow having sight points adjusted to be accurate over level ground is used to shoot at a target located either above or below the shooter, the resulting shot will be off target. For example, if the target is below the shooter, the sight will overcompensate for the arrow drop due to gravity and the shot will be too high.  
         [0005]     To ensure accuracy, traditional sight points require recalibration and manual readjustment whenever the relative elevation difference between the shooter and the target is varied. Pendulum style bow sites have been developed that automatically adjust to maintain accuracy when the bow is used to shoot targets located at different elevations relative to the shooter. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,145,208; 5,253,423; and 5,121,547; see also U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/661,918 filed Sep. 12, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. Nonetheless, the current sights in this field can be improved with respect to their accuracy, ease of use, reliability, and simplicity.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of targeting. The method includes positioning a sight point so that the sight point can be used to shoot targets located at different positions relative to the shooter. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a sighting arrangement for facilitating the practice of the above-identified method. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a is a perspective view of a bow incorporating a bow sight;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bow sight according to the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of the bow sight of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of sight pins for illustrating the position of the sight pins when the bow is aimed downwards;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a bow sight according to the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is a back view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5  in an unpivoted position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5  in a pivoted position; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5  along line A-A. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]     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.  
         [0017]     Referring now to the figures, wherein like features are referenced with like numerals, a bow  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . Bow  10  has a frame  20  and a grip  30 . Frame  20  includes a lower portion or arm  22 , an upper portion or arm  24 , and a handle portion  25  with a grip  30  connected to and supporting lower arm  22  and upper arm  24 . Handle  25  has a front surface  32  and an opposite back surface  34 . During shooting with the bow, front surface  32  is positioned facing the target and back surface  34  is facing the archer.  
         [0018]     Bow  10  is illustrated as a compound bow, with pulley or cam  42  at the end of lower arm  22  and pulley or cam  44  at the end of upper arm  24 . A bowstring  40  extends along the length L of the bow  10  between cam  42  and cam  44 . Cams  42 ,  44  provide a mechanical advantage to the archer when drawing bowstring  40 . As shown, a peep sight  46  may be positioned on bowstring  40  to facilitate targeting and aiming.  
         [0019]     Mounted on handle  25  of bow  10  is a bow sight  100 , which facilitates targeting; that is, bow sight  100  includes a device that can be calibrated to be used to situate the bow so that it accurately shoots arrows at targets position at particular distances and/or directions from the shooter.  
         [0020]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  an embodiment of a bow sight is illustrated as bow sight  100 . For purposes of this application, the view of the bow sight as seen from the archer in the shooting position, which is the view illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is referred to as the “front view” of the bow sight. When the bow sight is mounted on a bow and held in a shooting position, the direction perpendicular to the ground is the upward or downward direction. When the bow sight is mounted on a bow and held in a shooting position, the direction perpendicular to an imaginary line that runs from the shooter&#39;s eye through the sight point  122  to the target that is in a direction that extends generally along the length L of the bow  10  is referred to herein as the transverse height direction. Accordingly, the upward and downward directions are relative to the ground whereas the transverse height direction is relative to the shooters line of sight.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , it should be understood that when the bow sight  100  is mounted to a bow  10  and the bow  10  is position for shooting at a target located at the same elevation as the bow  10 , the sight line that extends between the peep sight  46  and the sight point  122  is orientated in a neutral angle relative to a horizontal plane E (i.e., the sight line is horizontal). On the other hand, if the bow  10  is positioned for shooting at a target located at a lower elevation with respect to the bow  10  (i.e., aimed downward), the sight line D that extends between the shooter&#39;s eye and the target through the peep sight  46  and the sight point  122  is orientated at a negative angle (i.e., downward angle) with respect to a horizontal plane. With respect to the sight line D, the transverse height direction is marked with the letter F, the direction towards and away from the target is marked with the letter G, and the direction generally upward and downward is marked with the letter H. With respect to the sight line E, the transverse height direction is marked with the letter J, the direction towards and away from the target is marked with the letter I, and the direction generally upward and downward is also marked with the letter J.  
         [0022]     To shoot the bow, the archer draws the string  40  and then peers through the peep sight  46  to locate the target. The archer precisely aims the bow  10  by establishing a sight line that extends from the peep sight  46  through the sight point  122  to the target. Once the peep sight  46 , the sight point  122 , and the target are all aligned, the string  40  is released to shoot the arrow at the target. When shooting from elevations higher than the target (e.g., a tree stand), the pendulum effect of the bow sight  100  moves the sight point  122  upwardly in the transverse height direction F as compared to a pin that does not pivot so that the arrow shoots lower to compensate for the downward angle of the sight line. As shown in  FIG. 4 , position A is the position in which the sight point  122  would be located if the sight point  122  did not pivot. Position B is the position in which the sight point  122  would be located if the sight point  122  pivots. As illustrated, position A is relatively lower in the vertical direction F than position B with respect to the peep sight  46 .  
         [0023]     According to the present disclosure, the sight point  122  can set at a particular location toward or away from the target shooter. When the sight point is adjusted away from the shooter and towards the target, the sight point  122  is moved further upward in the transverse height direction when the bow  10  is aimed downward. As illustrated, the sight point  122  in position C, which is adjusted away from the shooter and towards the target, is relatively higher than the sight point in position B. It should be understood that the method could also be practiced without using a peep sight  46 . In some embodiments, the shooter is trained to shoot accurately without relying on any type of rear sight. In other embodiments a rear sight is attached to the frame of the bow  10  rather than the bowstring  40 .  
         [0024]     Referring back to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , bow sight  100  generally includes a stationary portion adapted to be fixedly mounted to bow handle  25  and a second portion (i.e., a pendulum member) pivotally mounted to the stationary portion. Bow sight  100  is shown to include a housing or support structure  110  for mounting bow sight  100  to bow handle  25 . Extending from structure  110  are brackets  115  having apertures  118  therein, for mounting bow sight  100  to bow handle  25  with screws or other attachment means. In a preferred embodiment, support structure  110  is a generally circular shaped piece of material, such as acrylic, polycarbonate, or other plastic, aluminum, or the like. Other examples of suitable support structure shapes include, for example, square, elliptical, and oblong. Housing support structure  110  may be composed of multiple sections or pieces that together form the support structure. Housing support  110  may be solid, or may include various perforations or apertures, to lighten bow sight  100 , to facilitate movement of various parts of bow sight  100 , or to allow more light to enter bow sight  100 .  
         [0025]     Pivotally attached to housing support structure  110  is a plurality of sight pins  120 , each pin  120  defining a sight point  122 . In the embodiment illustrated, sight pins  120  are movably attached to a sight window  130 , which is pivotally attached to support structure  110  at pivot axis  140 . Pivot axis  140  extends generally horizontal to the ground and perpendicular to bow handle  25 , so that pivoting of sight window  130  around pivot axis  140  produces swinging movement of sight window  130  away from support structure  110  and the archer in a pendulum-like manner. It is preferred that sight window  130  encompasses and encircles pins  120  at least partially, so that pins  120  are positioned within sight window  130 . Similarly, it is preferred that support structure  110  encompasses and encircles sight window  130  at least partially. Housing support  110  and sight window  130  are shaped and sized so that sight window  130  can pivot within support structure  110  around pivot axis  140 . A stop may be positioned on housing  110 , on window  130 , or both, to inhibit the movement of window  130  in relation to support  110 . In the embodiment illustrated, a bumper stop  133  extends from housing support structure  110  to limit window  130  from swinging forward of support structure  110 . Window  130  includes a notch to accept stop  133 .  
         [0026]     It should be understood that the sight window  130  can be constructed such that it tends to pivot away from the support structure  110  whenever the bow  10  is orientated such that the sight line that extends between the peep sight  46  and the sight point  122  is orientated at a negative angle (i.e., downward angle) with respect to a horizontal plane. One way to accomplish the above object is to construct the sight window  130  such that it is substantially balanced about the pivot axis  140 . Such a construction can, for example, include incorporating a counter weight  180  on the sight window  130 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the counter weight  180  is shown to included a threaded end  181  to enable adjusting the distance that it projects from the sight window  130 . Other construction methods for balancing the sight window are also possible, for example, using lightweight materials to construct the portion of the sight window  130  that projects away from the pivot axis  140  (e.g., the slider  125  and slider casting  135 ), and/or offsetting the pivot axis  140  towards the back side of the bow sight  100 .  
         [0027]     Sight pins  120  support or otherwise define sight points  122 , which the archer uses for targeting an object. Sight point  122  may be integral with pins  120  or be a separate piece from pins  120 . A sight or 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  122  can be circular shapes, other geometrical shapes, colored dots, painted dots, the end of a light gathering cable, or simply the end of sight pins  120 , for example. Although five pins  120  and their respective sight points  122  are illustrated in the figures, it is understood that any number of pins  120  and sight points  122  can be utilized; in most embodiments, however, at least one pins  120  will be present. Pins may be straight as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  or may be bent as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
         [0028]     In a preferred embodiment, sight pin  120  is a pin constructed to support a sight point  122 . An end of a fiber optic cable may be positioned at the end of sight pin  120  to act as sight point  122 . The fiber optic cable collects light along its length, and the light exits the end of the cable forming sight point  122 . The fiber optic cable may be held in place by a slit or other aperture located near the end of pin  120 . Since the fiber optic cable collects light along its length, sight points  122  that are associated with long fiber optic cables that are exposed to light are brighter than sight points  122  that are associated with short fiber optic cables that are not exposed to light. As such, in some embodiments the sight points  122  are associated fiber optic cables that are coiled around the structure of the bow sight  100  that is exposed to light, for example, the fiber optic cable  166  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) can be coiled around the hub  168 .  
         [0029]     The preferred pins  120  for use with bow sight  100  are vertical pins, or, pins that have a vertical component so that at least a portion of the pin extends in a vertical direction. As used herein, a pin is considered a vertical pin if the pin has a vertical portion (i.e., a portion aligned in a vertical plane). Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, multiple pins are positioned so that they are aligned when viewed by the archer in the shooting position. The benefit of vertical aligned pins is discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,633, which is incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, when multiple vertical pins are aligned, the archer is able to view the sight point of each pin, but only views the widest pin. Though only vertical pins are shown in the figures, non-vertical pin arrangements in accordance with the present disclosure are also possible. For example, the pins can be horizontal meaning, when viewed by the archer in the shooting position, pins  120  extend from the left or right side of support housing  110  into the field of view. In such an embodiment, the horizontal pins can be housed in vertical slots to allow for vertical adjustment and the vertical slots can be slidably engaged with horizontal slots to allow for front to back adjustment of the pins without effecting the vertical position of the pins.  
         [0030]     As stated above, pins  120  are preferably movably attached to sight window  130 , although in some embodiments, the entire pin  120  is not moveable and only the sight points  122  are moveable in relation to sight window  130 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , pins  120  are held by structure  150 . Structure  150  includes various features that provide for vertical and front to back (horizontal) adjustment of sight points  122  of pins  120 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the vertical adjustment determines the distance Vs shown as the distance between the sight point  122  and the bottom or lower portion of the sight window  130 .  
         [0031]     Still referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , front to back, adjustment is accomplished via a configuration that moves sight points  122  towards or away from the target. One embodiment for a front to back adjustment configuration includes sliders  125  housed within a slider casing  135 . Sliders  125  and casing  135  allow front to back adjustment of pins  120  in relation to sight window  130 ; that is, sliders  125  and casing  135  allow pins  120  to be moved farther from and closer to the archer. Each pin  120  is attached to a slider  125 , which is movable within slider casing  135 . A set screw, locking cam, or other such mechanism can be used to move and lock slider  125  and pin  120  in relation to casing  135 . Access to the locking mechanism can be gained through a slot or other structure in casing  135 . That is, the front to back position of sight point  122  is adjusted so that the sight point  122  corresponds to a set target distance (for example, 20 yards) whether shooting flat or angled.  
         [0032]     To use bow sight  100 , an archer would first mount bow sight  100  onto bow handle  25  via mounting brackets  115 . The shortest yardage pin (typically a 20 yard pin) is moved up or down in the transverse height direction to provide accurate targeting when the sight point  122  is aligned with a target at roughly the same elevation as the shooter. Sight window  130  can be locked in relation to housing support structure  110  for convenience while making this adjustment. After positioning sight point  122  while on flat ground, the transverse height position of pin  120  need not be loosened or adjusted again. Once positioned, any locking mechanism is unlocked so that sight window  130  is free to pivot around axis  140  in relation to support structure  110  and bow handle  25 .  
         [0033]     The bow sight is then targeted on an object positioned on a slope, typically a downward slope. A downward slope of 30 to 45 degrees is typical for shooting from a tree stand. Angling the bow  10  down will cause sight window  130  to swing down and away from the archer. To target the bow on a slope, the sight point  122  is adjusted by moving the sight pin  120  towards or away from a target using slider  125  in casing  135 , while maintaining the verse height position of the sight point  122 . In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the verse height position of sight point  122  relative to the sight window  130  does not changed when the sight point is moved towards or away from the target. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire pin  120  moves forward or backwards relative to the sight window  130 .  
         [0034]     It should be appreciated that numerous other front to back adjustment configurations are possible according to the disclosure. For example, in some embodiments slider  125  includes a discrete number of front to back locations that are constructed to receive or interlock with the pin  120  once it is adjusted in the transverse height direction. In other embodiments the slider includes a high friction material such as rubber that interfaces with the pins so that the pins can be adjusted by simply pushing them back and forth, yet they stay in place during ordinary use once initially set. In other embodiments the pins can include a spring loaded securing arrangement that holds the pins in place unless the shooter depresses the spring for adjustment. In should also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the sight point  122  need not be sighted in for one horizontal shot and one sloped or angled shot. For example, the sight point  122  can be sighted in for two different sloped or angled shots.  
         [0035]     Transverse height adjustment of sight points  122  is accomplished via transverse height adjustment mechanism  160 ; in a preferred embodiment, transverse height adjustment of sight point  122  is accomplished by transverse height adjustment of pins  120 . Transverse height adjustment mechanism  160  can be any structure that allows movement of and then locks sight point  122  in relation to structure  150 . Examples of suitable mechanism  160  include setscrews, geared cams, worm gears, locking cams, and threads on the pins. Example gear and cam arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,633, which was previously incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, the transverse height position of the sight points  122  can be achieved by moving the entire sight up or down relative to the bow handle. In embodiments where the vertical adjustment mechanism includes cams or gears, the cams or gears can be arranged such that they can be moved towards and away from the shooter to allow for front to back adjustment of the sight pins. One such arrangement would include mounting the cams or gears on a slide or track.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIGS. 5-9 , an alternative embodiment of the sight according to the invention is shown. The bow sight  100 ′ includes a frame  110 ′ that defines a target viewing opening  116  through which a target can be viewed to visually frame the target for sighting. The frame  110 ′ includes a first frame member  114  including a front portion defining a full ring  120 , and a rear portion defining an upper partial ring  121 . The frame  110 ′ also includes a second frame member  134  in the form of a lower partial ring  132  pivotally connected to the upper partial ring  121  of the first frame member  114 . The upper partial ring  121  cooperates with the lower partial ring  132  to form a substantially full ring that substantially circles the target viewing opening  116 . The bow sight  100 ′ also includes a sight pin  112  carried by the lower partial ring  132 . The lower partial ring  132  is adapted to swing or pivot relative to the first frame member  114  in a pendulum-like manner when the bow sight  100 ′ is moved from a horizontal sight line to a downwardly angled sight line. As discussed above, this pivoting action functions to raise a sight point  126  of the sight pin  112  as the bow  10  is aimed downwardly to compensate for the downward angle of the bow  10  which otherwise can cause archers to shoot above their intended target location.  
         [0037]     The target viewing window opening  116  is relatively open so as to provide a relatively large and clear field of vision to facilitate aligning the target relative to the sight point  126 . The target viewing opening  116  in some embodiments is unobstructed such that it includes no structures therein that are not constructed to be visually helpful in properly aligning the sight point  126  with the target. Unobstructed sight windows may, nonetheless, include the shaft  128  of a sight pin  112  and other structures for facilitating aiming a bow  10  such as a level  133 .  
         [0038]     In the embodiment shown, the frame  110 ′ defines a generally circular and visually continuous target viewing opening  116 . In addition, the frame  110 ′ and the target viewing opening  116  include a ratio of the maximum width of the frame  110 ′ (Fmax) to the maximum width of the target viewing opening  116  (Smax) that is no more than 1.5. With such a ratio the frame  110 ′ and the target viewing opening  116  are relatively close in size. In the embodiment shown, the frame surrounds the sight point  126  to protect it from external impact.  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the first frame member  114  defines a notched out back portion  136  that is shaped to nest the lower partial ring  132 . The lower partial ring  132  is pivotally attached below the partial ring  121  of the first frame member  114  and behind a front lower portion  135  of the first frame member  114 . The lower partial ring  132  is oriented behind the first frame member  114  such that at least a portion of the lower partial ring  132  is hidden from a front view when an archer peers through the target viewing opening  116  from the front side of the bow sight  100 ′. In other words, the arrangement of the frame member  114  and the lower partial ring  132  can be coaxial, which provides a visually clean low profile appearance. In certain embodiments a majority or substantially all of the ring  132  is hidden behind the first frame member  114  at least when the bow sight  100 ′ is sighted along a horizontal sight line. Such an arrangement avoids obstructing the target viewing opening  116 . Also, in the embodiment shown, the notched out back portion  136  is sized such that the back surface  117  of the bow sight  100 ′ is in a single vertical plane when the sight  100 ′ is sighted along a horizontal sight line.  
         [0040]     The second frame member  134  can be U-shaped in that it includes two opposed connected arms  142 . In the embodiments shown, the arms  142  define a generally semi-circular shape. The arms  142  are positioned to straddle the exterior of the upper partial ring  121 . The two arms  142  can include pivot pins  146 , such as screw, for attachment of the second frame member  134  to the upper partial ring  121 . The pivot pins  146  define a pivot axis PA of the second frame member  134 . The pivot axis PA preferably is oriented to intersect the target viewing opening  116 . However, as discussed above, it is preferred for the target viewing opening  116  to be substantially free of obstructions. Therefore, while the pivot axis PA intersects the target viewing opening  116 , it is preferred that no portion of the pivot pins  146  substantially projects into or across the target viewing opening  116 .  
         [0041]     The support frame  110 ′ can also include one or more stops  154 , which limit the range of motion of the second frame member  134  relative to the first frame member  114 . In the embodiment shown, the stops are shown as bosses. In addition to the stops  154 , the bow sight  100 ′ includes a locking mechanism for limiting the range of pivotal movement of the second frame member  134  relative to the first frame member  114 , and for selectively locking the second frame member  134  in the position of  FIG. 5 . Though possible, the locking mechanism  160  need not totally prevent the sight pin  112  from moving relative to the support frame  110 ′. The locking mechanism can include a fastener such as a set screw that threads downwardly through a vertical tapped hole defined by the upper partial ring  121 . The tapped hole passes through a downwardly facing surface  138  of the upper partial ring  121 . The downwardly facing surface  138  opposes an upwardly facing surface  152  defined by a shoulder of the lower partial ring  132 . The downwardly facing lower surface  138  is radiused to prevent interference with the pivoting motion of the lower partial ring  132 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 5-9 , the sight pin  112  and sight point  126 , which the archer uses for targeting an object, are shown. Sight point  126  may be integral with sight pin  112  or be a separate piece from the sight pins  112 . Sight points  126  can be circular shapes, other geometrical shapes, colored dots, reflective structures, the end of an optical fiber  166  or other light emitting structures, or simply the end of sight pin  112 .  
         [0043]     The sight point  126  is preferably an optical sight point defined by the end of a light collecting member such as an optical fiber  166 . In such embodiments, the end of the fiber optic cable  166  is secured to the free end of a relatively rigid supporting pin  112  to act as a sight point  126 . Since the optical fiber  166  collects light along its length, to maximize the brightness of the sight point, it is desired to provide an increased length of optical fiber  166 . To increase the length of optical fiber  166 , the optical fiber  166  extends downwardly from the sight point  126  along the back side of the pin  112  and is wrapped multiple times about the exterior of the hub  168 .  FIG. 5  schematically shows the optical fiber  166  wrapped about the hub  168 . A transparent protective sleeve (not shown) can be mounted over the hub  168  to hold the wraps of optical fiber in place. A weight  190  can also be attached to the hub to enhance pivoting of the second frame member  134 .  
         [0044]     The sight can also include a slide arrangement  170  supported on the second frame member  134 . The slide arrangement  170  includes a block  174  slidably mounted within a track  171  that extends in a front-to-back direction. The pin  112  is mounted to the block  174  such that the front-to-back position of the pin  112  can be adjusted by sliding the block  174  forwardly or rearwardly within the track  171 . A first set screw  172  (see  FIG. 9 ) is used to clamp the block  174  at a desired front-to-back position along the track  171 . The set screw  172  extends through a front-to-back extending slot  173  in a first side wall of the track  171  and is threaded in a tapped hole within the block  174 . By tightening the set screw  172 , the block  174  is clamped against the first side wall of the track to secure the block at the desired position along the length of the track  171 . In the event the hub  168  is used as a wrap to increase sight point brightness, slack fiber can be provided between the hub  168  and the pin to accommodate movement of the block  174 . Alternatively, the hub  168  can be configured to move with the block.  
         [0045]     The block  174  can be also constructed to receive a second set screw  175  (see  FIG. 9 ) for engaging the base of the pin  112  for setting the transverse height position of the pin  112 . The set screw  175  is threaded within a tapped hole defined by the block  174 . The head of the screw  174  is positioned within a front-to-back slot defined by a second side wall of the track  171 . By tightening the screw  175 , the pin  112  is clamped in place relative to the block  174  with the sight point at a desired height. By loosening the screw  175 , the pin  112  can be raised or lowered relative to the block to adjust the height of the sight point.  
         [0046]     The slider arrangement  170  could include many alternative features for enabling the sight pin  112  to be conveniently adjusted along the track  171 . For example, the slider arrangement  170  could include a spring loaded mechanism instead of a first set screw  172  so that the sight pin  112  can be adjusted with one&#39;s fingers without the need to use any tools.  
         [0047]     Alternative mechanisms for setting the transverse height of the pin  112  are also available. For example, the pins  112  can be constructed of multiple parts that telescope to allow for adjustment in the transverse height direction. Also, the pins  112  can be simply bent forward or backwards for the transverse height adjustment. In other embodiments, the pins  112  can be threaded into the block  174  and can be moved upward or downward by twisting the pins  112 . Yet in other embodiments the transverse height of the pin  112  can be adjusted by moving the entire sight using a gear mechanisms such as the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/661,918 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  
         [0048]     The disclosure is also directed to a method of assembling the bow sight  100 ′ that includes at least the steps of providing a lower partial ring  132  and a frame member  114  and coupling the lower partial ring  132  to the frame member  114  such that the lower partial ring  132  and the frame member  114  define an unobstructed sight window and the ring is pivotally movable with respect to the frame.  
         [0049]     Support structure  110  may include a dampening system to reduce vibration caused when bowstring  40  is released. An example of a suitable dampening system includes a material that is softer than the material that makes up the part of the bow handle  25  to which the device is directly attached, such that the dampening system at least partially absorbs the vibrations caused by the release of bowstring  40  when shooting an arrow. Dampening systems are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,633, which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0050]     The materials for bow sight  100  can include metals (e.g., aluminum, steel, brass), plastics (e.g., polycarbonate, acrylics), and ceramics and composite materials. Such materials can be used for any of support structure  110 , mounting bracket  115 , sight window  130 , and any other portion of bow sight  100 . Pins  120  are preferably a rigid material, such as metal. Any or all of these pieces may include a coating thereon.  
         [0051]     In the depicted embodiment, the rings have generally circular shapes. However, as defined herein, the term “ring” is not limited to circular shapes. To the contrary, square rings, oval rings, and other shapes suitable for framing a target viewing opening are included within the definition of ring. The term “viewing opening” includes fully enclosed openings as well as partially enclosed openings such as U-shaped openings (e.g., openings with closed bottoms and sides and opened tops) as well as other partially enclosed openings. As used herein, a full ring means a ring that forms an endless boundary about the target viewing opening  116 . A substantially full ring means a ring that forms a boundary that surrounds at least 75% of the target viewing opening  116 . A partial ring means a member that forms a boundary that surrounds less than 75% of the target viewing opening  116 . A “half ring” means a member that forms a boundary that surrounds approximately 50% of the target viewing opening  116 .  
         [0052]     Structures through which a target can be viewed can be referred to as target viewing channels, sighting openings, sight windows, or like terms. Structures for supporting a sight pin, such as the lower partial ring  132 , can be referred to as pin supports, pin support members, sight point supports or sight pin support members. Structures capable of swinging about a pivot can be referred to as pivot members, pendulum members, pendulums, or like terms. Structures capable of protecting pins can be referred to as cages, protective members, shielding members or like terms.  
         [0053]     The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the present invention. Although a bow sight has been described, the details of this invention can be incorporated into other projecting shooting applications and systems, such as sights for rifles and shotguns. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Technology Category: f