The present invention is directed to an eye alignment assembly for targeting systems, such as a bow sight. A sight point of an optical fiber is positioned within a housing behind an alignment indicia on a lens. An adjustment system permits the sight point of the optical fiber to be repositioned relative to the alignment indicia on the lens. The eye alignment assembly provides an indication of orientation of a user's eye in the pitch and yaw directions relative to the housing. The eye alignment assembly can be a discrete component or integrated into a targeting system.
Bow sights range from simple pin markers to a vertically aligned series of pins mounted in a generally annular frame. Each pin corresponds to a particular distance to the target. The archer visually estimates the appropriate range and then sights to the target using the aiming pin corresponding to the estimated range.
Modern bow sights commonly use the illuminated end of an optical fiber as the sight point. The optical fiber absorbs ambient light through the side surfaces and projects the light out the end. The diameter of the optical fiber tended to be large in order for there to be enough surface area to gather sufficient light. The corresponding large size of the sighting end sometimes interferes with viewing of the target. Alternatively, a smaller diameter optical fiber can be used, but the length must be increased to add surface area to absorb light. It is preferred to wrap the excess optical fibers around a light transmitting structure to provide compactness.
The light conditions faced by hunters are highly variable in both intensity and color. If the sight is tuned for low light conditions, the amount of light projected by the optical fibers is too intense during high light conditions. Conversely, if the sight is tuned for high light conditions, not enough light will be absorbed and projected for low light conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,345 discloses a pin sight that includes a light sensitive material, such as a photo chromic material, that regulates the amount of light absorbed by the optical fibers in proportion to the ambient light intensity in order to provide a more constant light intensity output.
Battery-powered lights used to selectively illuminate the pins solved the ambient light problem, but introduced the disadvantage of battery and light bulb failures. Battery-powered lights may also emit excessive light that may be seen by the quarry.
Even if these problems are overcome, the alignment of the shot can vary dramatically depending on where the archer positions his or her head, or more particularly, his or her shooting eye relative to the sight. If the archer's eye position varies from shot to shot, so will the accuracy and direction of each respective shot, leading to inconsistent or unpredictable shooting.
Peep sights are small devices which attach to the draw string on the bow and attempt to give the archer a consistent reference from which to position his or her eye. As noted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,700, there are numerous accuracy problems associated with mounting peep sights to a draw string, including, the draw string not being drawn the same exact distance each time and rotation of the draw string (and the peep sight) as it is drawn. The '700 patent proposes an eye alignment apparatus that assures that the archer's shooting eye is consistently positioned relative to the bow and the sight pins.
The present invention is directed to an eye alignment assembly that provides an indication of orientation of a user's eye relative to a targeting system, such as for example a bow sight. The present eye alignment system can be a discrete component or can be integrated with the targeting system. In one embodiment, the eye alignment assembly is a component of a pin sight.
The eye alignment assembly includes a sight point of the optical fiber positioned behind an alignment indicia on a lens. An adjustment system permits the sight point of the optical fiber to be repositioned relative to the alignment indicia on the lens, without moving the whole assembly. The adjustment system permits the eye alignment assembly to be fixedly mounted to a target system or other structure, significantly simplifying the adjustment process for a particular user's shooting style.
In operation, the alignment indicia on the lens is aligned with the sight point on the optical fiber only when a user's eye is in a predetermined relationship with respect to the illuminated sight. The adjustment system permits adjustment of the position of the sight point of the optical fiber relative to the alignment indicia on the lens according to a particular user's shooting style. The eye alignment assembly provides an indication of orientation of the illuminated sight relative to a user's eye in both the pitch and yaw directions.
In one embodiment, the lens has a focal length and a magnification optimized for the distance between the user's shooting eye and the eye alignment assembly. The focal length and magnification of the lens permits the eye alignment assembly to be compact.
In the illuminated pin sight embodiment, the ends of optical fibers are used as sight points for both the pin sight and the eye alignment assembly. The optical fibers can be illuminated by ambient light and/or an on-board luminescent material that automatically supplements the ambient light in low light conditions.
The luminescent material is preferably located substantially within the frame. The filter blocks transmission of light having a wavelength of about 500 nanometers to about 565 nanometers. In one embodiment, the filter permits ultraviolet light to reach the luminescent material.
In one embodiment, a filter permits certain wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum to charge the luminescent material, but blocks the emission of at least a portion of the visible spectrum so the present bow sight is less visible downrange. The filter preferably blocks most or all of the visible spectrum. The present illumination system can be used with a single pin or a multi-pin sight.
The eye alignment assembly is preferably mounted to the frame of an illuminated sight. In one embodiment, the eye alignment assembly is aligned with a plurality of vertically aligned sight points. The eye alignment assembly is preferably located so a user can check alignment while viewing a target through the frame of the pin sight.
The present invention is also directed to an illuminated sight including a frame and at least one sight pin mounted to the frame. At least one optical fiber is attached to the sight pin. The sight pin includes at least one opening through which ambient light is gathered by the optical fiber and is transmitted to a sight point. A luminescent material is optically coupled to the at least one optical fiber. A filter covers at least a portion of the luminescent material so visible light emitted by the luminescent material is transmitted primarily along the optical fibers to the sight points, but permits at least a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to penetrate the filter to charge the luminescent material. In one embodiment, at least two adjacent sight pins optionally have sight points with substantially zero separation.
The eye alignment assembly 122 contemplated by this invention is not used as sighting or aiming device. Rather, the eye alignment assembly 122 is only used in combination with a sight, such as the illuminated sight 20. In fact, as best illustrated in
The frame 22 is attached to the device to be aimed, such as for example a bow, by mounting assembly 32. First slide 34 permits adjustment of the frame 22 relative to the mounting assembly 32 along axis 36. Set screw 38 secures the frame 22 in the desired location. Second slide 40 permits adjustment of the frame 22 relative to the mounting assembly 32 along axis 42. Set screw 44 secures the frame 22 in the desired position.
As best illustrated in
Filter 76 extends across primary opening 72. Screws 78 secure the individual sighting pins 80 in the sight pin array 30 to the pin slot 74. Luminescent material 82 is located behind or within the filter 76 and optically coupled to optical fibers 84 at proximal ends of the sighting pins 80. The filter 76 performs several functions. First, it permits passage of selected wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation to reach and charge the luminescent material 82. In order to prevent the charged luminescent material 82 from being visible down range, the filter 76 also blocks transmission of a portion of the visible spectrum. In the preferred embodiment, the filter 76 blocks transmission of most or all of the visible spectrum.
For example, the filter 76 may be made from polycarbonate with an additive that blocks light in the range of about 500 nanometers to about 565 nanometers, but permits passage of the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum. A typical human eye will respond to wavelengths from about 380 to about 750 nanometers, so some of the light that escapes through the filter will be visible downrange.
A variety of luminescent materials 82 are suitable for the present application, such as for example, a clear polycarbonate impregnated with 30% by volume of Ultra V10 Glow Powder available from Glow Inc. located in Severn, Md. The Ultra V10 Glow Powder is a strontium aluminate phosphorescent material with a particle size of about 55 micrometers to about 85 micrometers. The luminescent material is visible by the human eye more than 24 hours after the initial charge.
Distal end 101 of the optical fiber 84 acts as the sight point 100. Proximal end 102 optically couples with the luminescent material 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the optical fiber is about five inches long with a diameter of about 0.0019 inches. Suitable optical fibers are available from NanOptics, Inc. located in Gainsville, Fla. The optical fibers 84 are preferably different colors to assist the user in distinguishing the different sighting pins 80 in the sight pin array 30.
The optical fibers 84 are illuminated in a variety of ways. First, the openings 94 permit that optical fiber 84 to gather ambient light. Second, the luminescent material 82 is optically coupled to proximal ends 102 of the optical fibers 84. Once the luminescent material 82 is charged, it will illuminate the sight point 100 for hours.
The present illuminated sight 20 automatically adapts to the lighting conditions. The brightness of the luminescent material 82 relative to daylight conditions is very low. Consequently, when ambient light is high the luminescent material contributes a relatively small percentage of the light delivered to the sight point 100. In low light conditions, however, the brightness of the luminescent material 82 is significant compared to the ambient light and the luminescent material contributes a relatively large percentage of the light delivered to the sight pin 100.
In one embodiment, two different styles of pin housing 90 are provided. As illustrated in
Eye alignment assembly 122 is mounted in the frame 22 to provide an indication of orientation of the sight 20 in the pitch and yaw directions relative to the user's eye. Locating the eye alignment assembly 122 on the frame 22 permits the user to check alignment while viewing a target through opening 21 in the frame 22 that surrounds the sighting pins 80. The eye alignment assembly 122 is preferably located along axis 124 formed by the sight points 100.
In the illustrated embodiment, the eye alignment assembly 122 includes a lens 136 fixedly mounted to the frame 22. Consequently, alignment indicia 138 on the lens 136 is fixed relative to the sight 20. The initial alignment of the eye alignment assembly 122 relative to the sight 20 is preferably performed at the factory.
When alignment indicia 138 on lens 136 is aligned with sight point 134 on optical fiber 132, the user's eye is in a predetermined relationship with respect to the sight 20. That is, alignment indicia 138 and sight point 134 can only be viewed in a predetermined way from a predetermined approximate angle, assuring that the archer's shooting eye is consistently positioned relative to the illuminated sight 20.
The eye alignment assembly 122 permits adjustment of the position of the sight point 134 relative to indicia 138 on the lens 136 along axes 140, 142.
As illustrated in
The lens 136 can have a convex or a concave curvature on both of its sides, with the specific configuration of the lens variables, such as for example, the radii of curvature of the respective surfaces, the index of refraction, and the thickness of the lens, determining its characteristics, such as its focal length and magnification. By manipulating these variables, it is possible to create a lens 136 in which the alignment indicia 138 is not visible or not in focus when viewed by a human eye that is not in the proper or desired location relative to the sight 20. Therefore, it is possible to make an eye alignment assembly 122 with a single alignment indicia.
In another embodiment, the lens 136 is coated with an opaque material that block light from the sight point 134, except in the center of the alignment indicia 138. Consequently, the user cannot see the sight point 134 unless he or her eye is in a predetermined relationship with respect to the sight 20.
Luminescent material 180 is optically coupled to proximal end 182 of the optical fiber 132. The luminescent material 180 is preferably the same as the material 82. As discussed above, filter 76 permits electromagnetic energy to enter the recess 172 to charge the material 180, but only permits a portion of the visible spectrum to escape. Alternatively, the proximal end 182 of the optical fiber 132 can be optically coupled to the luminescent material 82. Alternatively, the eye alignment assembly 122 can be the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,700, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The present eye alignment assembly 122 can optionally be mounted to the frame of any pin sight.
Adjustment screws 206, 208 on the housing 204 permit adjustment of the position of the sight point 134 relative to indicia 138 on the lens 136 along the axes 140, 142 (see
The axes 140, 142 are preferably generally perpendicular and permit the position of the sight point 134 to be adjusted in 2-degrees of freedom. The down-range end 210 of the housing 204 is preferably sealed to prevent light from entering. In an alternate embodiment, the down-range end 210 may include a filter to permit a limited amount of light, or light of a particular wavelength or color, to enter the housing 204. For example, the sight point 134 can be a first color and the down-range end 210 permits only a second color of light to penetrate into the housing 204, thereby increasing the contrast.
Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the inventions. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges which may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the inventions, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either both of those included limits are also included in the inventions.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All patents and publications mentioned herein, including those cited in the Background of the application, are hereby incorporated by reference to disclose and described the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.
The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present inventions are not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.
Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.
Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4400887 | Mason | Aug 1983 | A |
4764011 | Goldstein | Aug 1988 | A |
4928394 | Sherman | May 1990 | A |
5080084 | Kendall et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5157839 | Beutler | Oct 1992 | A |
5168631 | Sherman | Dec 1992 | A |
5201124 | Sherman | Apr 1993 | A |
5231765 | Sherman | Aug 1993 | A |
5303479 | Rudovsky | Apr 1994 | A |
5308986 | Walker | May 1994 | A |
5338037 | Toyohara | Aug 1994 | A |
5384966 | Gibbs | Jan 1995 | A |
5420959 | Walker et al. | May 1995 | A |
5442861 | Lorocco | Aug 1995 | A |
5606638 | Tymianski et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5638604 | Lorocco | Jun 1997 | A |
5649526 | Ellig | Jul 1997 | A |
5685081 | Winegar | Nov 1997 | A |
5850700 | Capson et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5862603 | Ellig | Jan 1999 | A |
RE36266 | Gibbs | Aug 1999 | E |
5956854 | Lorocco | Sep 1999 | A |
6000141 | Afshari | Dec 1999 | A |
6016608 | Lorocco | Jan 2000 | A |
6122833 | Lorocco | Sep 2000 | A |
6216352 | Lorocco | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6311405 | Slates | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6360472 | Lorocco | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6385855 | Tymianski | May 2002 | B1 |
6421946 | Lorocco | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6477778 | Lorocco | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6477780 | Aldred | Nov 2002 | B2 |
6557291 | Hoadley | May 2003 | B2 |
6560884 | Afshari | May 2003 | B1 |
6564462 | Henry | May 2003 | B1 |
6571482 | Tymianski | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6581317 | Slates | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6634110 | Johnson | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6634111 | Lorocco | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6725854 | Afshari | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6796037 | Geffers et al. | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6802129 | Wirth | Oct 2004 | B1 |
6817105 | Lorocco | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6938349 | Afshari | Sep 2005 | B2 |
6981329 | Strathman | Jan 2006 | B1 |
7036234 | Rager | May 2006 | B2 |
7200943 | Afshari | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7290345 | Ellig | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7331112 | Gibbs | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7461460 | Priebe | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7464477 | Afshari | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7503321 | Afshari | Mar 2009 | B2 |
7562486 | Lorocco | Jul 2009 | B2 |
7574810 | Lorocco | Aug 2009 | B1 |
7574811 | Kurtzhals et al. | Aug 2009 | B2 |
7739825 | LoRocco | Jun 2010 | B2 |
20020073560 | LoRocco | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20050193575 | Springer et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20090199418 | Lorocco | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20090293855 | Danielson et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20100258628 | Bay | Oct 2010 | A1 |