ARCHERY SIGHT BOW MOUNT

Abstract

An archery sight bow mount includes a mounting bracket and wedge mechanism which is operable to secure a sight mounted on an extension bar in a selected position relative to the mounting bracket which is connected with a bow. The wedge mechanism includes a wedge connected with the mounting bracket and operable between locked and released positions where the wedge is tightly secured between the extension bar and the mounting bracket to lock the extension arm in the selected position and where the wedge is spaced from the extension bar to release the bar from the selected position, respectively. A setting mechanism is connected with the mounting bracket to assist with positioning the extension arm in one of many selected positions relative to the mounting bracket.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Archery sights are used by hunters and competition archers to increase the accuracy of a shot. The sights are typically mounted on a sight extension rail which in turn is connected with an extension bar or a sight may be attached directly to the bow. A bow mount or mounting bracket is used to connect the extension bar with a bow. The extension bar is adjustable relative to the bow mount to properly position the sight pin closer to or farther away from the archer.

Archery sights normally include one or more sight pins. Improvements in sight technology have reduced or eliminated backlash of the sight pins along horizontal and vertical axes when a shot is fired. However, vibrations between the bow mounting bracket and the extension bar during firing produce sight pin location variations which decrease accuracy. That is, the sight pin fluctuates in position due to movement of the extension bar within the bow mount.

The present disclosure relates to an improved bow mount which provides a more secure grip on the extension bar that eliminates movement of the sight pin during vibrations emitted by the bow energy forces during a shot sequence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Archery sight bow mounts for mounting a sight on an extension bar connected with a bow are well-known in the art. The prior mounts are configured to receive the sight extension bar and include a threaded opening which receives a screw having a knob. Tightening of the knob presses a free end of the screw against the extension bar to retain the mount in a selected position. However, after multiple firings of the bow, vibrations between the bow mounting bracket and the extension bar ultimately twist the screw resulting in inaccuracies due to undesirable location movement of the sight pin in relation to the bow.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the disclosure to provide an archery sight bow mount including a mounting bracket and a wedge mechanism. More particularly, the mounting bracket includes a channel configured to receive an extension bar. The extension bar has a first axis and slides within the channel relative to the mounting bracket along the first axis. The wedge mechanism is connected with a first side of the mounting bracket and is operable to lock the extension bar at a selected location within the mounting bracket.

The first side of the mounting bracket contains an opening having a second axis normal to the first axis and which receives a screw. The screw passes through an opening in a wedge of the wedge mechanism. A knob is connected with the free end of the screw. Turning the knob in a locking direction displaces the wedge against the extension bar and the mounting bracket to lock the extension bar in the selected position. Turning the knob in a release direction opposite to the locking direction releases the wedge from the extension bar to allow movement of the extension bar relative to the mounting bracket. The wedge is preferably maintained in alignment relative to the mounting racket and extension bar by a keyway which affords displacement of the wedge along the second axis.

The mounting bracket includes a second side opposite the first side on another side of the channel. The second side contains a threaded opening having a third axis which extends normal to the first and second axes. A plunger is arranged in the second side opening for engaging a selected one of a plurality of spaced recesses in the extension bar corresponding with selected positions of the bar relative to the mounting bracket. A spring is arranged in the threaded opening and abuts against a free end of the plunger. A set screw is also arranged in the threaded opening for connection with the mounting bracket second side. Tightening the set screw increases the biasing force of the spring on the plunger to assist the plunger into a selected recess on the extension bar or against the bar in regions between the recesses. A sight connected with the extension bar, or with an elevation arm connected with the extension bar, may be positioned at a selected distance relative to the eye of the archer by displacing the bar relative to the mounting bracket and then locking the bar in the selected position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other objects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of an archery sight bow mount according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the bow mount shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded top perspective view in partial cross-section of the bow mount shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded end view in partial cross section of the bow mount shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial sectional end views of the bow mount of FIG. 1 in its unlocked and locked conditions, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The archery sight bow mount according to the disclosure includes a mounting bracket 2 having a first side 4 and a second side 6 arranged on opposite sides of a channel 8 which is configured to receive an extension bar 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. In the embodiment shown, the extension bar has a dovetail configuration and extends along a first axis 12. The channel of the mounting bracket is configured to match the dovetail configuration of the extension bar so that the extension bar may be displaced relative to the mounting bracket in a first axial direction. One end of the extension bar is connected with a sight extension rail, not shown, in a conventional manner using a connection assembly 13 as shown in FIG. 2. An archery sight (not shown) is connected with the extension rail. The mounting bracket 2 includes a plurality of openings 14 which receive screws to connect the mounting bracket with a bow in a conventional manner. The mounting bracket is formed of a rigid material such as metal, synthetic plastic or a composite of such materials. Suitable metals include aluminum, carbon and carbon fiber.

A wedge mechanism is connected with the first side 4 of the mounting bracket 2 and is operable to press against the extension bar 10 to lock the mounting bracket in a selected location along the bar. More particularly, a wedge 16 is arranged in a slot 18 in the mounting bracket first side 4 for displacement relative to the first side 4 of the mounting bracket along a second axis 20 which is arranged normal to the first axis 12. Surfaces 22 at the corners of the wedge are arranged opposite flat surfaces 24 in the mounting bracket first side 4 adjacent to the slot 18 function as a keyway to maintain the wedge in alignment relative to the mounting bracket. The wedge includes a central opening 26 and the first side 4 of the mounting bracket contains a through opening 28 which is aligned with the wedge opening and coaxial with the second axis 20. A screw such as a flat head screw 30 passes through the mounting bracket first side through opening 28 and through the wedge opening 26. A knob 32 is threadably connected with the free end of the screw.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, rotation of the knob in a locking direction displaces the wedge 16 through the recess 28 in the mounting bracket first side 4 and against the extension bar 10 so that the wedge is tightly secured between the bar and the mounting bracket to lock the extension bar in a selected position relative to the mounting bracket. A surface 29 of the wedge engages a side surface of the extension bar and a surface 31 opposite the surface 29 engages a surface of the mounting bracket first side which defines the channel 18. Rotation of the knob in the opposite or unlocking direction allows the wedge to move within the mounting bracket slot 18 away from the extension bar to release the bar for sliding movement relative to the mounting bracket 2. The release position of the wedge is shown in FIG. 5 and the locking position of the wedge is shown in FIG. 6.

Other assemblies may be used to displace the wedge between its locking and released positions. For example, the knob may include a threaded stem which extends along the second axis 20 and passes through the wedge opening 26 and the mounting plate opening 28 and into a nut below the mounting bracket. Alternatively, the mounting plate opening 28 may be threaded to receive the threaded stem of the knob.

By way of example only, the extension bar has a 30° dovetail configuration which is a standard within the archery product industry. The wedge 16 also has a 30° per taper configuration which mates well with the extension bar to secure the extension bar in a selected position relative to the mounting bracket when the knob is in the locking position to establish the distance of a sight connected with the extension bar from the eye of an archer.

In order to assist with selecting the location of the extension bar relative to the mounting bracket, a setting mechanism is connected with the second side 6 of the mounting bracket. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the extension bar contains a plurality of spaced recesses 34 in one side thereof The recesses are preferably equally spaced along the length of the bar. The mounting bracket second side contains a threaded opening 36 which extends along a third axis 38 which is normal to both of the first and second axes. The setting mechanism is arranged within the threaded opening 36.

More particularly, the setting mechanism includes a plunger 40 having a forward end portion 40a with a radius of curvature which matches the radius of curvature of the recesses 34 in the extension bar. An annular seat 42 is provided on an inner surface of the mounting bracket second side within the threaded opening 36 and a radial projection 40b is provided on the plunger. The projection 40b engages the seat 42 to limit the extent that the plunger extends into the opening 36. When the plunger is fully within the opening and its projection abuts the seat, the forward portion 40a of the plunger extends beyond the second side 6 of the mounting bracket into the channel 8 of the mounting bracket and into a recess 34 of the extension bar. A coil spring 44 is arranged in the threaded opening and biases the plunger further into the opening. A set screw 46 is threadably connected with the opening 36 to provide the biasing force for the spring. Once assembled, the setting mechanism provides sufficient biasing force on the plunger to engage within an extension bar recess, but not enough force to allow the plunger to retract slightly against the biasing force of the spring so that the plunger exits a selected recess and allows the extension bar to be displaced relative to the mounting bracket when the wedge mechanism is released, to a new position where the plunger engages a different selected recess and the wedge mechanism is operated to lock the extension arm in a new selected position. Of course, the setting mechanism can be used to lock the extension bar in locations relative to mounting bracket between the recesses by positioning the bar at any location along its length and operating the wedge mechanism to lock the bar in place. In such situations, the plunger of the setting mechanism would engage the side portion of the bar, though not necessarily in recess. Thus, the archer essentially has an infinite number of locations to selectively distance the sight and sight pin relative to the archer's eye.

It will thus be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the improved bow mounting assembly affords quick and simple adjustment of the extension bar relative to the mounting bracket to allow an archer to properly position an archery sight connected with the extension bar relative to the archer's eye. The wedge mechanism increases the locking force applied between the mounting bracket and the extension bar. Thus, any vibrations emitted by the bow during firing of a shot are minimized or eliminated by the wedge mechanism. This prevents the sight and the sight pin from being displaced during firing of a shot and thus improves the accuracy of the archer.

The components of the setting mechanism are all formed of conventional materials such as metal or synthetic plastic. Similarly, the screw, wedge and knob of the wedge mechanism are formed of known materials such as metal or synthetic plastic.

While the preferred forms and embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the concepts set forth above.

Claims

1. An archery sight bow mount, comprising

(a) a mounting bracket adapted for connection with a bow and containing a channel configured to receive an extension bar having a first axis and a slot defined by an angled wall surface, said channel affording sliding movement of the extension bar along the first axis relative to said mounting bracket; and

(b) a tapered wedge having a first tapered surface which engages a first side of said mounting bracket adjacent to said channel and a second tapered surface opposite said first surface which engages said angled wall surface of said mounting bracket, said wedge being operable to lock the extension bar at a selected location relative to said mounting bracket.

2. An archery sight bow mount as defined in claim 1, wherein said wedge contains an opening, and further comprising a screw which passes through a first opening in said first side of said mounting bracket and through said wedge opening, said screw, said wedge opening and said mounting bracket first opening being coaxial along a second axis which extends normal to the first axis of the extension bar, whereby when said screw is tightened, said wedge is pressed against said extension bar and against said angled wall surface of said mounting bracket.

3. An archery sight bow mount as defined in claim 2, and further comprising a knob connected with a free end of said screw extending from said wedge opening, said knob being operable in a locking direction to displace said wedge along said second axis against the extension bar and said mounting bracket to lock the extension arm in the selected location, said knob further being operable in an unlocking direction to release said wedge for displacement along said second axis away from the extension bar and said mounting bracket to release the extension bar for sliding movement relative to said mounting bracket.

4. An archery sight bow mount as defined in claim 3, wherein said mounting bracket slot is configured to receive a portion of said wedge and to align said wedge relative to said mounting bracket.

5. An archery sight bow mount as defined in claim 1, and further comprising a setting mechanism connected with a second side of said mounting bracket opposite said first side on another side of said channel to assist in setting the extension bar in a selected location.

6. An archery sight bow mount as defined in claim 5, wherein said mounting bracket second side contains a threaded opening having a third axis normal to said first and second axes, said setting mechanism being arranged in said threaded opening.

7. An archery sight bow mount as defined in claim 6, wherein said setting mechanism includes a plunger, a spring adjacent to said plunger, and a set screw threaded into said second opening to press said spring and said plunger toward the extension bar.

8. An archery sight bow mount as defined in claim 7, wherein the extension bar contains a plurality of spaced recesses in a side portion thereof, said plunger being adapted for engagement with a selected recess which defines a selected position of the extension bar relative to said mounting bracket.