Archery Sight with Automatic Sight Pin Adjustment

Abstract

An archery sight for use with archery bows having different draw weights is provided. The archery sight includes a plurality of sight pins for demarcating a respective plurality of different target distances, with at least some of the sight pins being gang adjustable for accommodating the different draw weights. An adjustment member is movable along a first direction between first and second positions reflective of first and second draw weights, the adjustment member has a plurality of travel pathways being operably associated with the plurality of sight pins to move the sight pins along a second direction different from the first direction so that movement between the travel and the sight pins causes the sight pins to simultaneously move in a second to thereby demarcate their respective target distances for the different draw weights.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to archery sights for archery bows, firearms, or other projectile launching devices, and more particularly to an archery sight having sight pins that can be automatically adjusted.

Archery sights typically have a plurality of sight pins associated with different distances to a target. Since bows, crossbows, or the like have different pull forces, and since arrows, bolts, and so on have different weights, it often becomes time consuming for an archer to install a new archery sight on the archery equipment and tune in each sight pin for each target distance in accordance with the particular parameters of the archery equipment. Although the prior art has offered various solutions for simultaneously adjusting several sight pins based on draw weight, arrow weight, draw length, and so on, such devices are typically cumbersome, require a large amount of separate parts, resulting in high costs passed on to the consumer. In addition, prior art archery sights with gang adjustment features can be complicated to use, often requiring a learning curve to adjust properly, thereby defeating the very purpose of such solutions, namely saving the archer time when calibrating a new archery sight or when calibrating the archery sight for a different draw weight, arrow weight, and so on.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an archery sight that overcomes one or more disadvantages of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an archery sight for use with archery bows having different draw weights is provided. The archery sight includes a plurality of sight pins for demarcating a respective plurality of different target distances, with at least some of the sight pins being gang adjustable for accommodating the different draw weights. An adjustment member is movable along a first direction between a first position reflective of a first draw weight and a second position reflective of a second draw weight, the adjustment member having a plurality of travel pathways, the plurality of travel pathways being operably associated with the at least some of the plurality of sight pins to move the sight pins along a second direction different from the first direction. In this manner, relative movement between the plurality of travel pathways of the adjustment member and the at least some of the sight pins causes the at least some of the sight pins to simultaneously move in a second direction different from the first direction to thereby demarcate their respective target distances for at least one of the first and second draw weights.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an archery sight for use with archery bows having different draw weights includes a base portion, a sight frame portion extending from the base portion and having a sight window, a plurality of sight pin assemblies connected to the base portion, each sight pin assembly having a sight pin that extends into the sight window, each sight pin having a sight point for demarcating a different target distance from the other sight points, and an adjustment mechanism operatively associate with the plurality of sight pin assemblies for simultaneously adjusting each sight pin to its associated demarcated target distance. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment body movable with respect to the base member along a first direction between a first position reflective of a first draw weight and a second position reflective of a second draw weight. A plurality of guide tracks are associated with the adjustment body for each of the plurality of sight pin assemblies. With this construction, relative movement between the adjustment body and the sight pin assemblies causes the sight pins to simultaneous move along their respective guide tracks to automatically adjust the sight pins for their associated demarcated target distances and at least the first and second draw weights to thereby simultaneously gang adjust at least some of the plurality of sight pins.

In accordance with yet a further aspect of the invention, a method of tuning an archery bow sight for a plurality of bows with different draw weights and target distances, includes providing an adjustment member with a plurality of travel pathways, each travel pathway being associated with a plurality of different draw weights for a particular target distance, slidably connecting a plurality sight pins to the plurality of travel pathways, and moving the adjustment member along a first direction so that the travel pathways cause each of the plurality of sight pins to simultaneously move in a second direction proportionate to its associated target distance and one of the plurality of different draw weights to thereby simultaneously tune each sight pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements throughout the drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a right rear isometric view of an archery sight in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof with sight pins in a retracted position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the sight pins in an extended position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the archery sight taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 and showing mounting ends of the sight pins in the retracted position of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing mounting ends of the sight pins in the extended position of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the archery sight taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2 with an adjustment member in a retracted position;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 with the adjustment member in an extended position;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the archery sight taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 2 showing a locking device for fixing the sight pins in place in the retracted position;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 with the locking device fixing the sight pins in the extended position;

FIG. 11 a front isometric view of an adjustment member in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of an adjustment member in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of an adjustment member in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of the archery sight taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 6 showing details of the sight pin adjustment mechanism;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view of the archery sight taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 6 showing further details of the sight pin adjustment mechanism;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of the archery sight taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 6 showing further details of the sight pin adjustment mechanism;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 9 showing the locking device in a locked position; and

FIG. 19 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 18 showing the locking device in an unlocked position.

It is noted that the drawings are intended to depict typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope thereof. It is further noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1-4 in particular, an archery sight 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The archery sight 10 can be mounted to an archery bow (now shown), such as a recurve bow, long bow, compound bow, crossbow, and so on, for sighting in a distant target based on the draw weight of the archery bow and the arrow/bolt weight, as well as other factors where needed. Accordingly, the sight 10 preferably includes a base portion 12 for mounting to an archery bow, a sight frame portion 14 positioned on one side of the base portion, and a sight adjustment portion 16 positioned on an opposite side of the base portion. A plurality of sight pin assemblies 18 are adjustably connected to the base portion 12. As shown in FIG. 15, each sight pin assembly 18 extends from the sight adjustment portion 16, through the base portion 12, and into the sight frame portion 14, as will be described in greater detail below. The sight frame portion 14 defines a sight window 20 for receiving sight pins 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, and 22E associated with respective sight pin assemblies 18 in a known manner for sighting in a distant target based on a particular distance between the user and the target. In accordance with the invention, the sight pins can be simultaneously adjusted for different target distances when one of the sight pins is set for a particular target distance, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, where the sight pins 22A-22E can be adjusted between a retracted position (FIG. 3) and an extended position (FIG. 4), as well as any position therebetween along predetermined adjustment pathways based on one or more characteristics of one or more archery bows, as will be described in greater detail below.

The base portion 12 can include a vertically oriented dovetail-like projection 24 that projects rearwardly for use in conjunction with a complementary-shaped clamp (not shown) of a mounting bracket (not shown) so that the archery sight 10 can be mounted to an archery bow or the like and adjusted vertically in a well-known manner. A height scale 26 can be provided on the projection 24 for displaying the relative position between the archery sight 10 and the mounting bracket. Vertical adjustment of the entire archery sight 10 may be needed when initially calibrating one of the sight pins 22 of the archery sight 10 with a particular bow or other device, when changing from one arrow type to another, when shooting from different heights, such as from the ground or a tree stand, and so on.

The sight frame portion 14 preferably has an annular wall 28 that forms the sight window 20 through which the sight pin assemblies 18 and a distal target (not shown) can be viewed. Openings 30 (FIG. 1) can be provided in the annular wall 60 to reduce the weight of the archery sight 10.

The sight pin assemblies 18 are vertically oriented to demark different target distances. For example, the top sight pin 22A can be used to demark a target at 20 yards, the next sight pin 22B can be used to demark a target at 30 yards, and so on. Although five separate sight pins 22A-22E are shown, it will be understood that more or less sight pins and their respective sight pin assemblies can be provided. The sight pin assemblies 18 are almost identical in construction, with the exception of the shape of the sight pin bodies, which are configured to align vertically at the sight points, whether the sight pins are mounted in the fore or aft positions, as further described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8 and 15, each sight pin assembly 18 is slidably connected to an adjustment member 32 and constrained to move in a vertical direction, between the retracted and extended positions, by a linear guide member 34, only when a locking mechanism 36, which is operably associated with the adjustment member 32, and thus the sight pin assemblies 18, is in an unlocked position, during sight pin adjustment. The adjustment member is in turn constrained to move in a horizontal direction between a retracted position (FIGS. 5 & 7) and an extended position (FIGS. 6 & 8), e.g., in a linear direction perpendicular to the direction of sight pin assembly movement, only when the locking mechanism 36 is unlocked during sight pin adjustment.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8, 11, and 12, the adjustment member 32 includes an adjustment body 38, shown as a generally square-shaped plate with a relatively narrow thickness, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The plate 38 has a front surface 40, a rear surface 42 and a continuous edge extending therebetween defined by a rear edge 44, a front edge 46, an upper edge 48, and a lower edge 50. Guide slots 52, 54, 56, and 58 extend through the thickness of the plate 38 for guiding vertical movement of one or more sight pin assemblies 18 (FIG. 15) during sliding movement of the adjustment member 32 between the retracted and expanded positions with respect to the base portion 12. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each guide slot 52, 54, and 58 is adapted to receive a respective guide pin 60A, 60B, and 60E (FIGS. 7-8 and 15) associated with sight pins 22A, 22B, and 22E, respectively, while the guide slot 56 is adapted to receive two guide pins 60C and 60D associated with sight pins 22C and 22D, respectively. It will be understood that a single guide slot can be provided for each of the guide pins 60C and 60D where space permits, such as shown in FIG. 14 for example. It will be further understood that a single guide slot or a guide slot that diverges and/or converges into two or more guide slots. In addition, a single guide slot can be provided with any two vertically adjacent guide pins without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be further understood that the provision of more or less sight pins, and thus guide pins and guide slots, are within the purview of the present invention.

Furthermore, the guide member 32 can be of any suitable shape so long as the guide member can be adjusted and the guide slots associated therewith are capable of meeting the particular sighting requirements of one or more archery bows, such as recurve bows, long bows, compound bows, crossbows, and so on, for a plurality of sight pins and thus sighting distances. For example, the guide member 32 can comprise one or more suitable shapes such as rectangles, triangles, parallelograms, circles, cams, and so on, without departing the spirit and scope of the invention. The guide member 32 can be arranged for sliding movement, rotational movement, and/or combinations thereof, so long as the sight pins are properly spaced for a particular range or ranges of draw weights, arrow weights, and/or other factors affecting the accuracy of a shot at a particular target distance. Thus, the particular number of sight pins, guide pins, and guide slots, as well as the particular shape, extend, and movement of the adjustment member and guide slots are shown and described as illustrative only of an exemplary preferred embodiment of the invention.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the guide pins 60A, 60C, and 60E are located along a forward edge 62 of the linear guide member 34, while the guide pins 60B and 60D are located along a rearward edge 64 thereof. In this manner, the sight pins 22A-22E can be located in close proximity to each other, as shown for example in FIG. 3, while avoiding interference between their associated guide pins and related parts, thereby attaining a compact solution for the archery sight 10. It will be understood that more or less of the guide pins can be located on one edge of the linear guide member 34 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

With particular reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the guide slot 52 of the adjustment member 32 preferably extends in a linear direction between the rear edge 44 and the front edge 46, and parallel to the upper edge 48 of the plate 38. In this manner, the sight pin 22A, which according to the present exemplary embodiment of the invention is a reference pin, remains stationary while the remaining sight pins are automatically moved to their respective precalibrated positions during sliding movement of the adjustment member 32 between the fore and aft positions. In this manner, the sight pin 22A can be sighted in for a predetermined distance to target, say 20 yards for example, by vertically adjusting the dovetail-like projection 24 (FIG. 1) with respect to a mounting bracket (not shown), in a well-known manner. Since the guide slot 52 extends in a horizontal direction, the sight pin 22A will not be affected by the fore and aft sliding movement of the adjustment member 32, i.e., it will stay in its vertical position with respect to the sight frame portion 14. However, guide slots 54, 56, and 58 extend downwardly and rearwardly from positions proximal the front edge 46 of the plate 38 toward the rear edge 44 thereof so that the sight pins 22B, 22C, 22D, and 22E simultaneously move vertically along the linear guide member 34 during adjustment.

As best shown in FIG. 12, each guide slot 54, 56, and 58 define travel pathways that can include linear segments with predetermined slopes and/or curvilinear segments with predetermined radii, as well as one or more combinations thereof to thereby accommodate: 1) a wide variety of archery bows having different draw weights; 2) a wide variety of different arrow weights, as well as other factors that may be deemed important for obtaining accurate sight placement for different distances between the archer and the target. Each of the guide slots 52, 54, and 58 have a constant width W along its length, which width is approximately equal to the width of the guide pins 60A-60E so that the guide pins slide smoothly along their respective travel pathways during calibration. The guide slot 56 comprises two separate travel pathways 65A and 65B defined by the upper and lower edges of the guide slot 56 to accommodate the guide pins 60C and 60D and thus their associated sight pins 22C and 22D, respectively. The single guide slot 56 defining two separate travel pathways permits more accurate automatic sighting in of the sight pins 22C and 22D for their respective target distances as their pathways converge when the sight pins are moved toward the retracted position. It will be understood that the particular travel pathways of the single guide slot 56 can greatly vary and, when the pathways do not converge as closely, separate guide slots, such as 56A and 66 shown in FIG. 14 for example, can be provided. Although the travel pathways are shown and described as slots and slot surfaces formed in a plate material as a unitary construction, it will be understood that the guide member 32 can comprise individual tracks connected together on a frame to form the travel pathways for the guide pins without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

With reference now to FIG. 13, an adjustment member 32A is illustrated, which is similar in construction to the adjustment member 32 previously described, with the exception of having a shortened plate member 38A and/or a shortened fore and/or aft sliding distance, as represented by dashed lines 68A and 68B, so that only a portion of the guide slots 52, 54, 56, and/or 58 are available for movement, thereby shortening the range of movement of the sight pins during gang adjustment. In this manner, the overall size of the archery sight can be shortened, especially in the fore and aft directions, as less sliding movement is available. This can be particularly important for archery bows, crossbows, or the like where the draw weight of the bows fall within a predetermined range. By way of example, a first range of pull forces can be between about 20 to 40 pounds, a second range can be between about 40 and 60 pounds, a third range can be between about 60 and 80 pounds, and so on. Dual direction arrows 70A and 70B associated with the dashed lines 68A and 68B, respectively, denote how the size of the adjustment member and/or the sliding movement of the adjustment member can be adjustably controlled for one or more particular ranges.

Thus, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the adjustment plate 32A is shortened and/or lengthened at the rear edge 44 and/or front edge 46 thereof so that only a portion of the entire travel pathways are available for a particular range of archery bow draw weights.

Likewise, in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, rather than shortening the adjustment plate 32A, sliding movement of the adjustment plate 32A can be limited and/or expanded in the fore and/or aft direction(s) so that only a portion of the entire travel pathways are available for a particular range of archery bow draw weights.

Referring now to FIG. 14, and in accordance with yet a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, an adjustment member 32B is illustrated, which is similar in construction to the adjustment member 32 previously described, but comprises separate guide slots 56A and 56B to replace the single guide slot 56 in the previous embodiment. In addition, all of the guide slots 52A, 54A, 56A, 56B, and 58A comprise linear travel pathways with differing slopes to accommodate different archery bows with different draw weights within a limited range and/or different arrow weights within a limited range. From the above-described exemplary embodiments, it will thus be understood that the particular guide pathways can comprise linear segments with similar or different slopes, curvilinear segments with similar or different radii, and/or combinations thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention to accommodate a wide variety of archery bow draw weights and/or arrow weights.

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention, the archery sight 10 can include a kit comprising a plurality of interchangeable adjustment members, such as adjustment members 32, 32A, 32B for example, having guide slots or tracks of different travel pathways to accommodate a wide variety of different draw weights and/or arrow weights to thereby minimize the overall size of the archery sight 10 by limiting sliding movement of the adjustment members to a particular range of archery bow draw weights.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10, and 15-17, each of the sight pin assemblies 18 preferably includes one of the sight pins 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, or 22E having a sight blade 72A or 72B and a sight point 74 at a distal end thereof that can be illuminated via individual optical fibers 83 of a fluorescent-doped optical fiber bundle 85 (FIG. 1) with each optical fiber 83 connected to a front edge 87 of each blade 72A, 72B (FIG. 17), as is well known, and therefore will not be further described. It will be understood that the sight points can be formed in any known manner without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The sight blades 72A and 72B are offset from each other with the sight blades 72A being associated with the rear edge 64 of the linear guide member 34 and the sight blades 72B being associated with the forward edge 62 thereof, so that the sight pin assemblies 18 can be vertically nested close together in the retracted position (FIG. 9) without mechanical interference between the associated components of adjacent sight pin assemblies. A proximal end of each sight blade 72A, 72B preferably includes a sleeve 76 with an internally threaded bore 78 for receiving an externally threaded head 80 located at a distal end of a guidepost 82 associated with each guide pin 60A-60E. The guidepost 82 in turn extends through one of the guide slots 52-58 (FIGS. 12-14) and terminates in a guide bearing assembly 84 adapted to glide along the adjustment member 32 and the linear guide member 34.

As best shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the guide bearing assembly 84 preferably includes a thrust washer 86 constructed of bearing material, such as brass, nylon, or the like, with an annular depression 88 formed therein and a biasing member 90, such as a compression spring, positioned therein. A bearing nut 92 has an internally threaded bore 94 for receiving an externally threaded rod 96 of the guidepost 82. When the bearing nut 92 is threaded onto the threaded rod 96 of the guidepost 82, the biasing member 90 is compressed between the bearing nut and the thrust washer to ensure a secure connection between each guide pin and bearing assembly. The bearing nut 92 is also preferably constructed of a bearing material, such as brass, nylon, or the like, and includes a head 97 with an annular groove 98 that receives one of the forward and rearward edges 62 and 64, respectively (FIGS. 5-6), of the linear guide member 34. In this manner, the bearing nuts follow along the edges of the linear guide member while the thrust washers glide along the adjustment member 32 during gang adjustment of the sight pin assemblies.

With particular reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 16, an adjustment control mechanism 100 preferably includes a lead screw 102 connected to a cover member 104, which is in turn connected to the base portion 12 via fasteners (not shown) or other known connection means. The lead screw 102 is rotatably connected to the cover 104 via bearings 106 positioned in a forward side wall 108 and a rearward side wall 110 of the cover member 104 so that the lead screw 102 is oriented perpendicular to the linear guide member 34 for controlling sliding movement of the adjustment member 32 and thus vertical movement of the sight pin assemblies 18. An adjustment knob 112 can be connected to the lead screw 102 to facilitate rotation during gang adjustment of the sight pin assemblies. An internally threaded adjustment sleeve 114 engages the external threads of the lead screw 102 such that rotation of the lead screw causes the sleeve 114 to move forwardly or rearwardly. A projection 116 (FIG. 16) extends from the sleeve 114 and into a bore 120 of a boss 118 extending from the adjustment member 32 so that the adjustment sleeve 114 is connected to the adjustment member 32. In this manner, movement of the sleeve 114 along the lead screw causes sliding movement of the adjustment member 32 in the forward and rearward directions between the retracted position (FIGS. 5 & 9) and the extended position (FIGS. 6 & 10) to thereby precisely adjust the position of the sight pins 22A-22E during gang adjustment. The lead screw threads are preferably arranged so that the adjustment knob 112 is required to be rotated more than one revolution to move the adjustment member between the retracted and extended positions.

As best shown in FIGS. 5-12, the adjustment member 32 is located in a generally rectangular-shaped depression 122 formed in the base member 12 for slidable movement with respect thereto. The depression 122 includes a front surface 124 for slidably supporting the rear surface 42 (FIG. 11) of the adjustment member 12, an upper edge 126 for slidably supporting the upper edge 48 of the adjustment member, a lower edge 128 for slidably supporting the lower edge 50 of the adjustment member, a rearward edge 130 that faces the rear edge 44 of the adjustment member, and a forward edge 132 that faces the front edge 46 of the adjustment member. As shown in FIGS. 5-8 the rearward edge 130 and the forward edge 132 function as rearward and forward stops, respectively, for the adjustment member 32 during respective movement between the retracted and expanded positions during gang adjustment of the sight pin assemblies 18.

In accordance with further embodiments of the invention previously described with respect to FIG. 13, dashed lines 68A and 68B can represent the rearward edge 130 and the forward edge 132, respectively, of the depression 122. Thus, by narrowing or widening the distance between the rearward edge 130 and forward edge 132, the amount of sliding movement of the adjustment member within the depression 122 can be reduced or increased, respectively, so that only a portion of the entire travel pathways are available for a particular range of archery bow draw weights.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6, and 15-19, the linear guide member 34 is generally T-shaped in cross-section with a generally rectangular-shaped bearing plate portion 136 having the guide edges 62 and 64, and a wedge-shaped locking portion 138 extending from the bearing plate 136 for engagement with a locking wedge 140. The locking portion 138 has a rear wedge surface 142 (FIGS. 18, 19) that angles upwardly away from the bearing plate portion 136. Likewise, the locking wedge 140 has a complementary front wedge surface 144 that normally engages the rear angled surface 142 of the locking portion 138 when in a locked position. The locking mechanism 36 includes a lock knob 148 and a threaded locking shaft 150 extending therefrom that engages an internally threaded opening 152. An end surface 154 of the locking shaft 150 normally engages a lower surface 156 of the locking portion 138 when the locking shaft 150 is tightened thereagainst.

In use, when the locking mechanism is rotated or otherwise moved toward the locked position (FIG. 18), the rear wedge surface 140 and the front wedge surface 144 slide against each other in a first direction that increases the overall thickness of the wedge members between the rear surface 42 of the adjustment member 32 and the front surface 158 (FIG. 17) of the bearing plate 136 to thereby create and/or increase tensile forces through the guide pins 60A-60E. This in turn forces the rear surface 42 of the adjustment member 32 against the front surface 124 of the depression 122 and the head 97 of the bearing nut 92 against the front surface 158 (FIG. 15) of the bearing plate 136. With this arrangement, normal frictional forces between 1) the rear surface 42 and front surface 124, and 2) the head 97 and front surface 158, are sufficiently large to prevent relative movement between the base member 12, adjustment plate 32, and the sight pin assemblies 18.

Likewise, as shown in FIG. 19, when the locking mechanism 36 is rotated or otherwise moved toward the unlocked position for adjusting the sight pin assemblies 18, the rear wedge surface 140 and the front wedge surface 144 slide against each other in an opposite or second direction that decreases the overall thickness of the wedge members between the rear surface 42 of the adjustment member 32 and the front surface 158 (FIG. 15) of the bearing plate 136 to thereby decrease and/or release the tensile forces through the guide pins 60A-60E. This in turn causes the rear surface 42 of the adjustment member 32 to become sufficiently loose with respect to the front surface 124 of the depression 122 and the head 97 of the bearing nut 92 to become sufficiently loose with respect to the front surface 158 (FIG. 15) of the bearing plate 136. With this arrangement, frictional forces between 1) the rear surface 42 and front surface 124, and 2) the head 97 and front surface 158, are sufficiently lowered to permit relative movement between the base member 12, adjustment plate 32, and the sight pin assemblies 18 during gang adjustment of the sight pins, as previously described.

In use, when it is desirous or necessary to adjust the sight pins 22A-22E for a particular draw weight of an archery bow, crossbow, or the like, one of the sight pins, which demarcates a first predetermined target distance (which can be defined by the user), such as sight pin 22A for example, can be calibrated or sighted in by adjusting a vertical height of the archery sight 10 with respect to a mounting bracket (not shown) in a well-known manner, with the archery sight 10 in the locked position. Once a first sight pin is properly sighted in, the user can unlock the archery sight 10, as previously described, and begin rotating the knob 112 (FIGS. 5 & 6) until a desired spacing is achieved between the calibrated sight pin and a second sight pin. The second sight pin can be any one of the remaining sight pins, which demarcates a second predetermined target distance. The archery sight 10 can be locked and unlocked as needed until the second sight pin is properly calibrated or sighted in for the second predetermined target distance (which can be predetermined by the user). Once the second sight pin is properly calibrated, the remaining sight pins will also be properly calibrated as they will have moved to their respective vertical positions between the fully retracted and fully expanded positions, as previously described. Thus, the sighting in of only two sight pins allows the automatic sighting in of at least one further sight pin and certainly the automatic sighting in of a plurality of further sight pins. This is accomplished by a less complex arrangement than prior art solutions, reducing the number of required parts and the attendant expense, while ensuring accuracy of all automatically adjusted sight pins.

It will be understood that the term “preferably” as used throughout the specification refers to one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and therefore is not to be interpreted in any limiting sense. In addition, terms of orientation and/or position as may be used throughout the specification, including horizontal, vertical, fore, aft, front, rear, upper, lower, and so on, as well as their derivatives and related terms, denote relative, rather than absolute orientations and/or positions.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. By way of example, although the guide member for guiding movement of the sight pin assemblies has been shown and described as being generally vertical or perpendicular to the direction of movement of the adjustment member, it will be understood that the guide member can be oriented at any angle with respect thereto, especially when it is desirous to place the sight pins in a non-vertical orientation with respect to each other. It will be understood, therefore, that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but also covers modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An archery sight for use with archery bows having different draw weights, the archery sight comprising:

a base portion;

a sight frame portion extending from the base portion and having a sight window;

a plurality of sight pin assemblies connected to the base portion, each sight pin assembly having a sight pin that extends into the sight window, each sight pin having a sight point for demarcating a different target distance from the other sight points; and

an adjustment mechanism operatively associated with the plurality of sight pin assemblies for simultaneously adjusting each sight pin to its associated demarcated target distance, the adjustment mechanism comprising: an adjustment body movable with respect to the base member along a first direction between a first position reflective of a first draw weight and a second position reflective of a second draw weight; a plurality of guide tracks associated with the adjustment body and operatively associated with each of the plurality of sight pin assemblies;

wherein relative movement between the adjustment body and at least some of the sight pin assemblies causes the sight pins to move along one of the guide tracks for simultaneous adjustment of the sight pins to their associated demarcated target distances based on at least one of the first and second draw weights.

2. An archery sight according to claim 1, wherein:

the adjustment body comprises a plate movable along the first direction between the first and second positions; and

the plurality of guide tracks comprise guide slots formed in the plate.

3. An archery sight according to claim 2, wherein each guide slot extends along a pathway comprising at least one of linear and curvilinear shapes.

4. An archery sight according to claim 3, wherein the pathway of one of the guide slots comprises a shape that ensures one of the sight pin assemblies remains stationary during simultaneously gang adjustment of the at least some of the plurality of sight pins.

5. An archery sight according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a lead screw operably associated with the adjustment plate for moving the plate linearly along the first direction to thereby move the plurality of sight pins between retracted and extended positions.

6. An archery sight according to claim 5, and further comprising a linear guide member connected to the base member, the linear guide member being operably associated with the plurality of sight pin assemblies to thereby guide the sight pin assemblies along a second linear direction between the retracted and extended positions when the plate is moved between the first and second positions.

7. An archery sight according to claim 6, wherein the second linear direction is perpendicular to the first linear direction.

8. An archery sight according to claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of sight pin assemblies comprises:

a guide pin having a first end extending from one of the sight pins and a second end extending through one of the guide slots;

a guide nut connected to the second end of the guide pin for retaining the guide pin in the guide slot, the guide nut being slidably connected to the linear guide member for movement therealong to thereby cause the sight pin to move in a vertical direction within the guide slot along the second linear direction between the retracted and extended positions when the plate is moved between the first and second positions.

9. An archery sight according to claim 8, and further comprising a locking mechanism operatively associated with the adjustment mechanism to thereby selectively lock and unlock the sight pin assemblies so that the sight pins can be selectively gang adjusted during calibration and locked for use during sighting in of a distant target.

10. An archery sight according to claim 9, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a first locking wedge associated with the linear guide member;

a second locking wedge associated with the adjustment member; and

a locking shaft operably associated with one of the first and second locking wedges, wherein: movement of the one wedge in a first locking direction causes an increase in a combined thickness of the wedge members between the linear guide member and the adjustment member to thereby lock the linear guide member and the adjustment member against relative movement; and movement of the one wedge member in a second unlocking direction causes a decrease in a combined thickness of the wedge members to thereby unlock the linear guide member and the adjustment member for relative movement therebetween.

11. An archery sight according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a lead screw operably associated with the adjustment plate for moving the plate linearly along the first direction to thereby move the plurality of sight pins between retracted and extended positions.

12. An archery sight according to claim 1, and further comprising a guide member connected to the base member, the guide member being operably associated with the plurality of sight pin assemblies to thereby guide the sight pin assemblies along a second direction between the retracted and extended positions when the adjustment member is moved in the first direction between the first and second positions.

13. An archery sight according to claim 12, and further comprising a locking mechanism operatively associated with the adjustment mechanism and the guide member to thereby selectively lock and unlock the sight pin assemblies so that the sight pins can be selectively gang adjusted during calibration and locked for use during sighting in of a distant target.

14. An archery sight according to claim 13, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

a first locking wedge associated with the guide member;

a second locking wedge associated with the adjustment member; and

a locking shaft operably associated with one of the first and second locking wedges, wherein: movement of the one wedge in a first locking direction causes an increase in a combined thickness of the wedge members between the guide member and the adjustment member to thereby lock the guide member and the adjustment member against relative movement; and movement of the one wedge member in a second unlocking direction causes a decrease in a combined thickness of the wedge members to thereby unlock the guide member and the adjustment member for relative movement therebetween.

15. An archery sight for use with archery bows having different draw weights, the archery sight comprising:

a plurality of sight pins for demarcating a respective plurality of different target distances, at least some of the sight pins being gang adjustable for accommodating the different draw weights;

an adjustment member movable along a first direction between a first position reflective of a first draw weight and a second position reflective of a second draw weight, the adjustment member having a plurality of travel pathways, the plurality of travel pathways being operably associated with the at least some of the plurality of sight pins to move the sight pins along a second direction different from the first direction;

wherein relative movement between the plurality of travel pathways of the adjustment member and the at least some of the sight pins causes the at least some of the sight pins to simultaneously move in the second direction to thereby demarcate their respective target distances for at least one of the first and second draw weights.

16. An archery sight according to claim 15, wherein the first and second directions are linear.

17. An archery sight according to claim 16, wherein the first and second directions are perpendicular.

18. An archery sight according to claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of travel pathways are different from the other travel pathways.

19. An archery sight according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of travel pathways comprise at least one of linear and curvilinear pathways.

20. A method of tuning an archery bow sight for a plurality of bows with different draw weights and target distances, the method comprising:

providing an adjustment member with a plurality of travel pathways, each travel pathway being associated with a particular target distance for a plurality of different draw weights;

slidably connecting a plurality sight pins to the plurality of travel pathways;

moving the adjustment member along a first direction so that the travel pathways cause each of the plurality of sight pins to simultaneously move in a second direction proportionate to its associated target distance and one of the plurality of different draw weights to thereby simultaneously tune each sight pin.