Bow sight

Abstract

An archery bow sight assembly comprising a bracket attached to a bow's riser terminating in front and rear mounting plates for multiple front sight pins and a rear sight which when aligned determine the aiming point to send the arrow to the target at various distances. The front and rear mounts provide features that allow for easy adjustment for front sight pins and rear sight that are secured in such a way as to prevent slippage and loss of adjustment due to vibrations from release of bowstring.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/366,557 filed on Mar. 25, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of archery equipment and particularly to a bow mounted front and rear sight assembly for aiming the arrow on the path to the target.

[0004] 2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0005] It is known that a bow is difficult to shoot with a reliable degree of accuracy. Historically it has been aimed by sighting along the shaft of the arrow and judging the elevation and windage by estimation. Therefore, all but the most instinctive archers will have a low degree of accuracy. An easy to use and secure device for aiming the bow is needed by the average archer.

[0006] 3. Description of Related Art

[0007] Numerous bow sights have been developed to improve accuracy. Commonly used are multiple front pins mounted in front of the bow's riser. Said sight pins extend horizontally and are spaced vertically to determine aim at various distances. This gives only one point of aim and accuracy depends on consistently drawing the string to exactly the same place (or anchor point) every time. The difficulty of this shows a need for a second reference point for aiming consistently. A commonly used secondary sight is a small circle or “peep sight” placed on the bow string. Once the bow string is drawn, the user peers through the peep sight to align the front pin with the target. Since due to whether the users head is held higher or lower, or turned slightly to the left or right on each shot, consistency can suffer for this allows slight variation in the anchor point while apparently aligning the sights. For users that are little “far sighted” or are under low light conditions this peep sight becomes an indistinct blur. A more reliable method is needed. This can be accomplished by providing two points of reference rigidly mounted to the bow's riser which provide maximum visibility of both sights and target. This method makes the user return to the same anchor point each time the sights are aligned, greatly improving accuracy.

[0008] Several front and rear sights of this general type have been offered but each seem to have certain flaws which make them difficult to use, obstruct vision of front pins or target, or are vulnerable to the abuses inherent when used in brushy or rough terrain.

[0009] Examples of vulnerable sights can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,665 which has an exposed taught wire that is liable to breakage upon contact with obstructions, or U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,608 which could be knocked out of adjustment under like situations.

[0010] A difficult to use sight can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,126 in which two boxes (front and rear mounted) each containing multiple wires are both confusing and difficult to adjust.

[0011] An example of a rear sight which obstructs the view of front pins is U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,724 which calls for a full ring for containing the crosshairs. These types of sights are best used by determining a key front sight pin which is always aligned with the rear sight. While keeping these two points aligned, the front pin for the appropriate distance is placed on the target. This will maintain the same anchor point on every shot. When used in this way, the afore mentioned sight can obstruct the view of lower (or longer range) sight pins.

[0012] All bow sights are subject to the vibration inherent in bows upon release of the string. This causes loosening of locking devices and results in loss of adjustments to positioning of the sights.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Whatever the merits, features, and advantages of these prior inventions, in view of these limitations it is the objects of the present invention to:

[0014] Provide a front and rear mounted bow sight assembly that is easy to use; has a better view of both sights and target; is easier to adjust and more securely lock down these settings; and greater resistance to rough treatment in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] To achieve these and other objects, the present invention comprises a bracket with horizontal slots for mounting the sight assembly to the bow's riser using standard bolts provided on modern bows for such purpose. Said horizontal slots provide adjustment for sight to universally fit the configuration of archery bows. Mounting bracket terminates, front and rear, in mounting plates which are provided with vertical slots, ramp gears, and locking plates that when used in conjunction with mounting and adjustment mechanism provide a means of easily adjusting sights and a more secure locking system to avoid loss of adjustments due to vibration or knocked out of adjustment due to abuses in the field. Front sight pins are standard multiple pins used in the present art. Rear sight comprises an arc instead of other shapes (such as rings, ovals, or squares) to provide full view of front sight pins and comprises removable pins or notched sight for variable configurations to allow user a variety of visual results for different shooting situations, such as target shooting or hunting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 (front page drawing) showing the assembled sight

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a bow mounted with a sight assembly incorporating the features and use of this invention

[0018] FIG. 3 view of sight from users perspective when aiming at target

[0019] FIG. 4 detail of sight mount (typical) from rear

[0020] FIG. 5 detail of sight mount (typical) from top

[0021] FIG. 6 mounting plate for front and rear sights as viewed from left when used on right handed bow

[0022] FIG. 7 mounting plate for front and rear sights as viewed from right when used on right handed bow

[0023] FIG. 8 three possible embodiments of rear sight with removable pins

[0024] FIG. 9 mounting and adjustment mechanism for both front and rear sights

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In reference to the drawings, FIG. 2 shows a compound bow 10 with front 21 and rear 23 mounted sights 20 incorporating the principles of this invention and showing the use as a means to align the path of the arrow (not shown) to the target 51.

[0026] Although this illustration shows a compound bow 10, a long bow or recurved bow could also make use of this sight. A compound bow 10 comprising a riser 11 from which extend two cantilevered limbs 12 with pulley wheels (or cams) 13 mounted on the ends. The bow string 14 loops around these wheels.

[0027] This bow sight 20 comprising a front mounting plate 21 and a rear mounting plate 23 connected by a mounting bracket 22 which is mounted on the bow's riser 11 with two mounting bolts (not shown) secured through the horizontal slots 28 in the mounting bracket 22. The front sight comprising a mounting plate 21 extending forward of the bow's riser 11. This mounting plate 21 has two or more vertical adjustment slots 26 through which the rear sight 40 is secured by use of the mount and adjustment mechanism 30. Both front 21 and rear 23 mounting plates comprise ramp gears 25 and locking plates 27 as a track for the mounting and adjustment mechanism 30.

[0028] In FIG. 9 the mounting and adjustment mechanism 30 comprising a bolt 37 with two spur gears 31 & 32 separated by a space 33 slightly greater than the width of the mounting plates 21 & 23. In this space is inserted a spring 34 for providing tension against the sides of the adjusting slots 26. The inside of the bolt 39 is drilled and tapped to receive the commonly used threads on most sight pins currently on the market. The outside of bolt 37 is threaded to receive the locking nut 36. All locking nuts have small wings to facilitate tightening or loosening by hand. This mechanism 30 is installed through the cutouts 38 in the mounting plates 21 & 23 and as spur gears 31 & 32 engage with ramp gear 25, rolling this mechanism 30 up or down provides the elevation adjustment of this particular sight. As this mechanism is rolled up or down, the teeth on each side of the spring 34 (shown in silhouette 34A) click along corresponding notches 29 in the side of the adjustment slot 26 providing gradients of adjustment and an audible or tactile reference of the adjustment being made. The locking nut 36 then maintains that position by compression against ramp gear 25 and lock plate 27. The windage (or horizontal) adjustment is achieved by screwing the sight in or out of the adjustment mechanism 30 whereby lock nut 35 secures that position.

[0029] The multiple sight pins 50 may be any standard sight pins commonly available and should preferably use fiber optics and/or glow in the dark materials.

[0030] In FIG. 8 the rear sight 40 comprises a threaded shaft extending laterally from the mounting and adjustment mechanism 30 terminating at a 275 degree arc 41 that has threaded fittings at 45 degrees 42, 135 degrees 43, 225 degrees 44, and 315 degrees 45. These fittings 42-45 hold removable sight pins 48 secured with lock nuts 46. Being removable, the user may choose various configurations to achieve variable visual results. FIG. 8 shows three possible embodiments that may be chosen by the user. These pins 48 should preferably utilize fiber optics and/or glow in the dark materials.

[0031] It is evident that this sight could be available in two parts—front sight only or rear sight only—for use with users pre-existing front or rear sights.

[0032] This sight differs from previous art in that mounting plates 21 & 23 and mounting and adjustment mechanism 30 allow for greater security from slippage due to the many points of contact and ease of fine tuning the alignment of sights because windage and elevation can be adjusted independently. The 275 degree arc 41 gives rear sight pins 48 protection and still allows full view of all front sight pins 50. The removable pins 48 allow for user to choose whichever visual effect suit's the need and situation.

[0033] The above description is the preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, this invention is susceptible to variation and change without departing from the scope and fair meaning of this description.

Claims

1. A bow sight assembly, to be mounted to the riser of a bow, for aligning the path of the arrow to the target, comprising:

A bracket with two parallel horizontal slots for adjusting and mounting to the riser of the bow, and terminating front and rear in vertical mounting plates;

Mounting plates comprising vertical slots with ramp gears and locking plates as a track for mounting and adjustment mechanism;

Mounting plates are provided with mounting and adjustment mechanism for securing multiple front sight pins and rear sight;

Multiple front sight pins, secured in mounting and adjusting mechanisms, extend horizontally to establish aiming points to target at various distances;

A rear sight, secured in mounting and adjustment mechanism, comprising a threaded rod terminating in a 275 degree arc for mounting various pins to establish a point for aligning with front sight pin.

2. A bow sight assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein front and rear mounting plates comprising one or more vertical adjustment slots and comprising ramp gears on opposite sides of plate, a lock plate on one side, and notches on inside of vertical slots; for mounting and adjustment of said sights when used in conjunction with mounting and adjustment mechanism.

3. A bow sight assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein mounting and adjustment mechanisms for front and rear sights comprise a bolt with two spur gears separated by a space (slightly greater than the width of the mounting plate) wherein a spring is mounted in said space; and wherein bolt is drilled and tapped inside to receive standard threads commonly used in sight pins; and wherein bolt is threaded on outside of distal end to accept locking nut.

4. A bow sight assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein mounting and adjustment mechanisms are inserted in cutouts in vertical slots in mounting plate and allows for vertical adjustment by rolling spur gears up or down ramp gears and secured in place with locking nut compressing against ramp gear and locking plate; and comprising a spring to provide tension against slot to prevent mechanism from sliding or rolling down slot when lock nut is loosened; and wherein said spring clicks along notches in slot for audible and tactile reference of vertical adjustment to mechanism.

5. A bow sight assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein horizontal adjustment is achieved by screwing sight in or out of mounting and adjustment mechanism and secured in position with locking nut.

6. A bow sight assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein front sight pins which extend horizontally from mounting plate may be standard sight pins commonly available (which preferably use fiber optic and/or glow in the dark materials) for use in establishing aiming points to target at various distances.

7. A bow sight assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein a rear sight comprising a threaded rod extending horizontally from mounting plate terminating in a 275 degree arc that has threaded fittings for mounting various sight pins radiating inward to establish a point of alignment with front sight pin.

8. A bow sight assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the front sight assembly alone may be provided for use with users pre-existing rear sight.

9. A bow sight assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the rear sight assembly alone may be provided for use with users pre-existing front sights.