ARCHERY SIGHT AND RELATED METHOD

Abstract

One embodiment of an improved elevation adjustable sight for archery bows includes an adjustable transmission mechanism to control the movement of a target distance indication frame relative to the movement of a sight frame. This mechanism eliminates the need for interchangeable sight tapes and allows the sight to be calibrated to any arrow trajectory within a predetermined range. The calibration process involves zeroing the sight at a short distance and profiling it at a longer distance, both through simple adjustments. The invention offers several advantages over traditional sight tapes and provides a user-friendly and versatile sighting system for archers.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to archery sights, and more particularly to an elevation adjustable sight.

BACKGROUND

Archery sights are aiming devices that attach to a bow. There are two major types of sights; fixed sights and elevation adjustable sights. Fixed sights typically utilize multiple sight pins where each pin is adjusted and then locked in place to correlate to a specific predetermined distance by the archer. Elevation adjustable sights, or sometimes called slider sights or single pin sights, allow the usage of a single sight pin. With fixed sights, once the sight pins are adjusted and set by the archer, they are intended not to move in elevation relative to the bow during usage. With elevation adjustable sights, the elevation of at least one sight pin is intended to be adjusted relative to the bow each time the archer aims to use that sight pin for a different target distance, or in other words, a different yardage.

Elevation adjustable sights often make use of a rack and pinion mechanism or a screw and nut mechanism or pivoting mechanism to permit elevation adjustments. With either type of mechanism, a hand-wheel or thumb screw is commonly directly coupled to the mechanism which the archer manually turns to make elevation adjustments. Elevation adjustable sights usually require an interchangeable sight tape, which have a target distance scale, to be incorporated in their design. As the elevation adjustable sight is moved up and down during elevation adjustments, there is usually a pointer that is directly coupled with the movement of the sight pin. This means as the sight pin elevation is moved up or down a specific displacement relative to the bow, the pointer moves by the same amount of displacement. The displacements may be linear or angular or a combination of both. Sight tapes have markings that correlate to various target distances and the pointer points to the sight tape markings.

Traditional sight tapes have several conceptual deficiencies. First, there are no universal sight tapes. That is, the elevation markings on one particular sight tape are only useful for one specific arrow trajectory. A plurality of sight tapes (e.g., approximately 40 or more tapes) are usually included with elevation adjustable sights. In this case, it is the archer's task to select the sight tape which most closely matches the selected arrow's trajectory. The arrow trajectory is affected by several variables including draw weight, arrow weight, arrow geometry, as well as several other factors including environmental conditions. It is often difficult to select a sight tape which perfectly matches the selected arrow's trajectory. In this case, the archer may have to settle for a sight tape that is close, but not exactly matching what is needed to match the selected arrow's trajectory. If the archer changes draw weight, arrow weight, or any other element that affects arrow trajectory, the archer must usually start the sight tape selection process over again, which can be a very time-consuming process.

For applications such as hunting or competition shooting, changing to a new sight tape during the event is very time consuming and thereby not practical. Sight tapes are usually just stickers, not durable enough to change back and forth multiple times.

While some electronic sighting devices do address the limitations of common sight tapes, these devices are strictly prohibited in many competition formats. Moreover, several states prohibit electronic sighting devices from being used for hunting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved elevation adjustable sight that improves upon the conceptual deficiencies of sight tapes. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the elevation adjustable sight according to the present embodiment substantially departs from the conventional sight tape concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of eliminating the need for and inconveniences of interchangeable sight tapes.

The present embodiment provides an improved elevation adjustable sight, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved elevation adjustable sight that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

To attain this, an embodiment of the invention comprises a sight frame being manually movable for changing the elevation of the sight frame relative to an archery bow, a sighting element mounted to the sight frame, a target distance indication frame, a target distance indication element mounted to the target distance indication frame, the sight frame operably connected to an adjustable transmission element, the target distance indication frame operably connected to the adjustable transmission element, whereby the displacement of the target distance indication frame relative to the displacement of the sight frame is adjustably controlled by the adjustable transmission element. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top left isometric view of the front side of an embodiment of an elevation adjustable sight constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a top front isometric view of the front side of the elevation adjustable sight in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is the top view of the front side of the elevation adjustable sight of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is a top left isometric view of the front side of the adjustable transmission mechanism of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4 is a top left isometric view of the front side of the base of the adjustable transmission mechanism of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5 is a top left isometric view of the front side of the adjustable transmission mechanism of FIG. 1A with the adjustable transmission mechanism cover hidden.

FIG. 6 is a top right isometric view of the front side of the internal components of the adjustable transmission mechanism of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7 is a top right isometric view of the back side of the internal components of the adjustable transmission mechanism of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 8 is a top right exploded isometric view of the back side of the adjustable transmission mechanism of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 9 is a bottom right exploded isometric view of the front side of the adjustable transmission mechanism of FIG. 1A.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF A CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the elevation adjustable sight is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 100.

FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 2 illustrate the improved elevation adjustable sight 100. The elevation adjustable sight 100 in FIG. 1A depicts the full assembly. A conventional riser mount 1 mounts to the riser of a conventional archery bow (not shown). A conventional rack gear assembly 2 is fastened to the riser mount 1. A conventional rack gear slider assembly 3 is moveably connected to the rack gear assembly 2. A conventional scope 4 which houses a sight pin 24 is fastened to the rack gear slider assembly 3. An adjustable transmission mechanism 5 is fastened to the rack gear assembly 2 and operably connected and driven by the movements of the rack gear slider assembly 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 which has a base 6 (see also FIG. 4). The base 6 is mounted to the rack gear assembly 2 with two base mounting screws 7. A cover 8 is fastened to the base 6 with four cover screws 9. An input element 10 is fastened to a backlash adjuster 19 with an input element screw 11 (see FIG. 5). The backlash adjuster 19 is fastened to a spacer mount 20 with a backlash adjuster lock screw 21. The spacer mount 20 is fastened to the rack gear slider assembly 3 with a spacer mount screw 23.

FIG. 5 illustrates the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 with its cover 8 hidden to show the arrangement of internal components that reside in the base 6. FIGS. 6 and 7 further show the internal components that comprise the adjustable transmission mechanism 5. The internal adjustable transmission mechanism 5 components are an adjustable transmission element 16, a ratio adjuster 17, an output element 18, and an input element 10. These components control the movement of a target distance indication pointer 14 when the archer changes the elevation of the sight for different shooting distances. The target distance indication pointer is joined by a magnification lens material.

An adjustable transmission element input slot feature 29 receives an input element drive boss feature 28 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). When the archer adjusts the elevation of the elevation adjustable sight 100 by moving up or down the rack gear slider assembly 3, the input element drive boss feature 28 engages with the adjustable transmission element 16 causing it to move. The vertical movement of the adjustable transmission element 16 moves either directly with the input element 10 (i.e., 1:1 ratio) or its motion will be attenuated (i.e. less than 1:1 ratio) depending on the ratio adjuster 17 angle setting. A ratio adjuster control slot feature 30 receives and guides an adjustable transmission element cam follower boss feature 31.

An adjustable transmission element upper output slot feature 32 receives an output element boss feature 33 (see FIG. 8). A cover output slot feature 36 (see FIG. 3) receives an output element cover boss feature 37 (see FIG. 8) and provides horizontal constraint for the output element 18. These slot feature engagements provide angular orientation constraint for the adjustable transmission element 16 so that the adjustable transmission element 16 only moves in the vertical or combined vertical/horizontal directions.

When the ratio adjuster 17 is at an angle from vertical, the adjustable transmission element 16 translates (i.e. moves) in both vertical and horizontal directions when the input element 10 moves vertically. This bidirectional movement is created by the matching non-vertical angles of the adjustable transmission element input slot feature 29 and the input element drive boss feature 28, the horizontal constraints of the input element 10, the horizontal constraints of output element 18, and the non-vertical cam-following action between the ratio adjuster 17 and translation element 16. This bidirectional movement permits vertical attenuation between the movements of the input element 10 and the output element 18. More simply, the output element 18 moves vertically less than the input element 10 does in response to movements of the input element 10. The magnitude (i.e. amount) of attenuation is determined by the ratio adjuster 17 angle setting. Since the ratio adjuster control slot feature 30 is a straight slot in this embodiment, the attenuation magnitude is constant (i.e. linear) for any predetermined profile setting in the current embodiment. This constant attenuation provides the functionality to correctly calibrate the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 to any arrow trajectory within a predetermined range.

The cover 8 of this embodiment displays a non-linear target distance scale 15 (see FIG. 3) having a plurality of marks corresponding to a plurality of target distances for which the target distance indication pointer 14 can point to. While this embodiment portrays the target distance scale 15 on a flat surface, other embodiments may portray a target distance scale on a curved surface. This embodiment's scale target distance markings are similar to those found on a conventional interchangeable sight tape. As mentioned above, conventional sight tapes typically come in sets (e.g. 40 different sight tapes in a set) corresponding to a predetermined range of arrow trajectories. Each sight tape's trajectory profile markings are typically proportionally (linearly) scaled up or down compared to the other sight tapes that come in the set. The adjustable transmission mechanism 5 can be calibrated so that a single target distance scale can be used for a plurality of arrow trajectories.

The ratio adjuster 17 angle is set during the profiling process mentioned below. The target distance indication pointer 14 is fastened to the output element 18 with a target distance indication pointer screw 25 (see FIG. 9). A profile vernier scale 13 is fastened to the ratio adjuster 17 with a profile lock screw 12 (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9). A cover profile slot feature 42 (see FIG. 3) receives a profile vernier scale boss feature 41 (see FIG. 8). During the profiling process mentioned below, the elevation adjustable sight 100 elevation is positioned for the extended range target. When the archer slides the target distance indication pointer 14 up or down, the adjustable transmission element cam follower boss feature 31 engages the ratio adjuster control slot feature 30. This engagement causes the ratio adjuster 17 to move angularly about the ratio adjuster pivot boss feature 47 (see FIG. 8) which is received by the base pivot hole feature 48 (see FIG. 4).

A backlash adjuster pivot boss 34 is received by a spacer mount pivot hole 35 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) to allow compliance and backlash adjustment for the substantially close fits between the oblong boss (male) and slot (female) features of the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 components. Backlash is lagging movement resulting from excessive clearance between mating components of a mechanism when the mechanism changes direction of movement (e.g. when the archer changes direction of the sight elevation from moving the sight up to moving the sight down). A backlash adjuster lock screw 21 is first loosened to allow backlash adjustment. A backlash adjuster jack screw 22 pushes against the backlash adjuster 19 to cause the backlash adjuster 19 to rotate about a backlash adjuster pivot boss 34, which minimizes the clearance between the male and female features of the adjustable transmission mechanism, thereby minimizing backlash. Once the backlash is adjusted, the backlash adjuster lock screw 21 is then tightened to lock the backlash adjuster 19 in position.

Before the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 can be used, it must first be calibrated. Before calibration, the archer must first choose a particular draw weight and arrow to use. The calibration involves zeroing to a zero-range target and profiling to an extended-range target. To begin the zeroing process, the archer must first loosen the input element screw 11 (see FIG. 2). Then the archer adjusts the elevation adjustable sight 100 to an elevation such that the archer's arrow impacts the point of aim (e.g. the center) of a target placed at the zero-range target distance (e.g. 20 yards). Then, the archer slides the target distance indication pointer 14 (see FIG. 3) upward all the way to the highest possible position (e.g. 20 yards as indicated by the numeral 2 in FIG. 3) in which the adjustable transmission element cam follower boss feature 31 is in contact with the zero-stop surface 60 of the ratio adjuster 17. The zero-stop surface 60 is concentric with the ratio adjuster pivot boss feature 47. Next, the archer tightens the input element screw 11. This completes the zeroing process.

After the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 is zeroed, it then can be profiled by a few simple steps. First the archer will place a target at an extended-range, such as 60 yds. The archer will adjust the elevation adjustable sight 100 elevation such that the arrow impacts the point of aim of the extended range target. Next, the profile lock screw 12 is loosened by the archer. Then the archer will slide the target distance indication pointer 14 to the same distance indication on the target distance scale 15 as the extended-range target (e.g. 60 yds). Lastly, the archer will then tighten the profile lock screw 12.

If the archer makes a change to a trajectory variable (e.g., draw weight, arrow weight, arrow geometry, or if environmental conditions change) which would create a new arrow trajectory, the adjustable transmission mechanism can be easily recalibrated by following the steps above (i.e., re-zeroing to a zero-range target and re-profiling to an extended-range target). While it may be necessary to recalibrate the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 (i.e., re-zero and re-profile) when a trajectory variable changes, it is not necessary to recalibrate if the archer is changing to a previously known arrow trajectory if the corresponding zero and profile settings were recorded. For other embodiments the zero and profile settings can be recorded on a user-operable interface of the elevation adjustable sight, or an arrow, or on a separate device associated with the archer. For each known arrow trajectory, the archer can simply adjust the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 to those previously recorded settings without having to shoot arrows at a zero-range or extended-range target. The zero setting is indicated by the zero indication marks 65 (see FIG. 3) on the input element 10. The profile primary setting indication marks 66 is shown on the cover 8 in conjunction with the profile vernier scale marks 67 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, by recording the calibration settings of each known arrow trajectory, the archer can then easily and quickly recalibrate the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 to another known arrow trajectory without shooting arrows.

The adjustable transmission mechanism 5 (see FIG. 3) overcomes the conceptual deficiencies of traditional sight tapes. The adjustable transmission mechanism 5 is continuously adjustable to match the trajectory of any arrow trajectory within a predetermined range similar to the range of sight tapes that are offered with conventional elevation adjustable sights. That is, the elevation markings shown on the target distance scale 15 (see in FIG. 3 ranging from the numeral 2 to the numeral 10) of the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 can be used for any arrow trajectory within a predetermined range. This continuous adjustability within the predetermined range permits the archer to no longer be required to physically change to a different sight tape or have to settle for a sight tape that is not an exact match to the archer's particular arrow trajectory. The adjustable transmission mechanism 5 can compensate for trajectory changes that may be due to any single or combination of changes in variables such as draw weight, arrow weight, arrow geometry, as well as other factors including environmental conditions.

The embodiment described in detail includes a sight frame movable for changing the elevation of the sight frame relative to an archery bow. The sight frame comprises a sighting element, which is the sight pin 24, and includes the components that are rigidly connected to the sighting element. In this embodiment, those components include the scope 4, the rack gear slider assembly 3, the spacer mount 20, the backlash adjuster 19, the input element 10, and the associated fasteners (e.g. screws) that are used to mount these components together. This allows the input element 10 to move directly with the sight pin 24. This framework of connected components that move directly with the movements of the sight pin defines the sight frame of this embodiment. Likewise, the sight frame of other embodiments includes those components that move with the movements of their respective sighting element. Other embodiments may include a plurality of sighting elements in connection with their respective sight frame. When elevation adjustments are made which cause the sighting element to move up or down, all the other components of the sight frame move as one rigid body directly with the movements of the sighting element. In this embodiment, the elevation adjustments made by the archer directly move the entire site frame which then acts as a direct input to the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 via the sight frame's end, the input element 10.

The movement of the sight frame is driven by the archer by means of a rack and pinion mechanism in the embodiment described in detail. Other embodiments may utilize other means for adjusting sight elevation operably connected to a sight frame for manually changing the elevation of the sight frame relative to an archery bow. Other embodiments may utilize screw and nut mechanism to operably move a sight frame. Further, other embodiments may use a pivoting mechanism to move the sight frame in which the sight frame moves in an arcuate motion. With either type of sight frame moving mechanism, a hand-wheel or thumb screw may be directly coupled to the mechanism which the archer manually turns, rotates, or slides to make elevation adjustments of the sight frame.

Embodiments also include a target distance indication frame. The target distance indication frame of the current embodiment comprises a target distance indication element and includes components that are rigidly connected to the target distance indication element, which for this embodiment is the target distance indication pointer 14. The target distance indication element for other embodiments may be a target distance scale. So for this embodiment the target distance indication pointer 14 is a moving element while the target distance scale 15 is fixed, but in other embodiments a target distance indication scale may be a moving element while a target distance indication pointer is fixed. For this embodiment the target distance indication frame includes the output element 18, the target distance indication pointer 14, and the target distance indication pointer screw 25. The target distance indication frame moves as the output of the adjustable transmission mechanism 5. The displacement of the target distance indication frame relative to the displacement of the sight frame is controlled by the adjustable transmission element 16. Other embodiments may utilize other means for adjustably controlling the displacement of a target distance indication frame in response to the displacement of a sight frame.

The current embodiment of the adjustable transmission mechanism 5 has been described as an attenuation device herein, but it can also be reconfigured as an amplification device by simply reconfiguring the output element to drive the input element. Moreover, there are additional applications of the mechanism outside of the archery industry where a mechanical input movement needs to be adjustably attenuated or amplified to produce a desired mechanical output movement. Other embodiments may have a target distance scale that conforms to a non-linear profile rather than a linear profile. Likewise, the ratio adjuster control slot feature 30 guiding surface can be linear or curvilinear to produce different desired outputs.

While one embodiment of an improved elevation adjustable sight has been described in detail, and other embodiments in less detail, it should be apparent that other modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An archery sight for attachment to an archery bow, comprising: a sight frame movable for changing the elevation of said sight frame relative to said archery bow;a sighting element mounted to said sight frame;a target distance indication frame;a target distance indication element mounted to said target distance indication frame;said sight frame operably connected to an adjustable transmission element;said target distance indication frame operably connected to said adjustable transmission element;whereby the displacement of said target distance indication frame relative to the displacement of said sight frame is controlled by said adjustable transmission element.

2. The archery sight of claim 1 wherein said sighting element is a sight pin.

3. The archery sight of claim 1 wherein said target distance indication element is a target distance indication pointer.

4. The archery sight of claim 1 wherein said target distance indication element is a target distance indication scale having a plurality of marks to correspond to a plurality of target distances.

5. The archery sight of claim 1 further including a ratio adjuster operably connected to said adjustable transmission element to adjust the ratio of transmission of said adjustable transmission element.

6. The archery sight of claim 5 wherein the orientation of said ratio adjuster is operable to pivotally adjust.

7. The archery sight of claim 5 further including a vernier scale mounted to said ratio adjuster.

8. The archery sight of claim 5 wherein the guiding surface of said ratio adjuster is substantially linear.

9. The archery sight of claim 5 wherein the guiding surface of said ratio adjuster is substantially curvilinear.

10. The archery sight of claim 1 wherein the sighting element is a scope.

11. An archery sight for attachment to an archery bow, comprising: a first means for adjusting sight elevation operably connected to a sight frame for manually changing the elevation of said sight frame relative to said archery bow;a sighting element mounted to said sight frame;a target distance indication frame;said sight frame and said target distance indication frame being operably connected to a second means for adjustably controlling the displacement of said target distance indication frame in response to the displacement of said sight frame;whereby the displacement of said target distance indication frame in response to the displacement of said sight frame is adjustable.

12. The archery sight of claim 11 wherein said sighting element is a sight pin.

13. The archery sight of claim 11 wherein said target distance indication frame includes a target distance indication pointer.

14. The archery sight of claim 11 wherein said target distance indication frame includes a target distance indication scale having a plurality of marks to correspond to a plurality of target distances.

15. The archery sight of claim 13 wherein said target distance indication pointer is joined by a magnification lens.

16. The archery sight of claim 11 wherein said sighting element is a scope.

17. A method for calibrating an elevation adjustable sight on an archery bow, comprising the steps of: placing a zero-range target at a zero-range target distance;adjusting the elevation of a sight frame for said zero-range target distance;shooting an arrow at said zero-range target;adjusting a zero setting of said elevation adjustable sight;placing an extended-range target at an extended-range target distance;adjusting the elevation of said sight frame for said extended-range target distance;shooting said arrow at said extended-range target;adjusting a profile setting of said elevation adjustable sight.

18. The method of claim 17 further including recording said zero setting and said profile setting for future use with a substantially similar arrow trajectory.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said sight frame includes a scope assembly mounted to said sight frame.

20. The method of claim 17 further including moving a target distance indication frame on said elevation adjustable sight.