U.S. patent application number 11/256678 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-01 for archery bow sight with power saving laser sighting mechanism.
Invention is credited to Glen S. Axelrod, Kevin Hodge.
Application Number | 20060112574 11/256678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33310950 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060112574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hodge; Kevin ; et
al. |
June 1, 2006 |
Archery bow sight with power saving laser sighting mechanism
Abstract
A laser sight for an archery bow is dimensioned and configured
to be mounted on a mounting bracket for a conventional sighting
pin. The laser sight is further configured to not interfere with
the optional use of conventional sighting pins. The laser sight may
include a pull switch that activates the laser sight in response to
drawing the bow to provide hands free activation of the laser
sight.
Inventors: |
Hodge; Kevin; (Bardstown,
KY) ; Axelrod; Glen S.; (Colts Neck, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GROSSMAN, TUCKER, PERREAULT & PFLEGER, PLLC
55 SOUTH COMMERICAL STREET
MANCHESTER
NH
03101
US
|
Family ID: |
33310950 |
Appl. No.: |
11/256678 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US04/12687 |
Apr 23, 2004 |
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11256678 |
Oct 21, 2005 |
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60464768 |
Apr 23, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
33/265 ;
124/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 1/467 20130101;
F41G 1/35 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
033/265 ;
124/087 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/467 20060101
F41G001/467 |
Claims
1. A laser sight for an archery bow comprising: a laser element
comprising a laser diode and an activation switch; and a mounting
pin extending from said laser element, said mounting pin adapted to
be received in a sight pin bracket disposed on a bow.
2. A laser sight according to claim 1 wherein said activation
switch comprises a hands free switch activating said laser sight in
response to drawing a bow string.
3. A laser sight according to claim 2 wherein said activation
switch comprises a pull switch.
4. A laser sight according to claim 3 wherein said pull switch
comprises a flexible member extending from said laser element to a
moving component of said bow.
5. A laser sight according to claim 2 wherein said activation
switch comprises a proximity switch.
6. A laser sight according to claim 6 wherein said activation
switch comprises a magnetic activation switch.
7. A laser sight according to claim 6 wherein said magnetic
activation switch comprises a magnetic element and a metal plate,
said magnetic activation switch being in a first activation state
when said metal plate is in a first position relative to said
magnetic element and said magnetic activation switch being in a
second activation state when said metal plate is in a second
position relative to said magnetic element.
8. A laser sight according to claim 7 wherein said metal plate is
positioned on a moving component of said bow, said metal plate
being in a first position relative to said magnetic element when a
bow string is in an un-drawn condition and said metal plate being
in a second position relative to said magnetic element when said
bow string is in a drawn condition.
9. An archery system comprising: a bow comprising a first and
second limb coupled to a handle at a first end of each limb, and a
string extending between a second end of each limb; and a sight
bracket disposed on said handle, said sight bracket comprising at
least one sight pin and a laser sight; said laser sight comprising
a laser element comprising a laser diode and an activation switch,
and a mounting pin extending from said laser element, said mounting
pin adapted to be received in said sight pin bracket.
10. An archery system according to claim 9 wherein said laser sight
comprises an activation switch responsive to a drawn condition of
said string.
11. An archery system according to claim 10 wherein said activation
switch comprises a pull switch.
12. An archery system according to claim 10 wherein said activation
switch comprises a proximity switch.
13. An archery system according to claim 12 wherein said activation
switch comprise a magnetic switch.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of International
Application No. PCT/US2004/012687 filed Apr. 23, 2004 and published
Nov. 4, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/094934,
designating the United States, and which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/464,768 filed Apr. 23, 2003,
the teachings of which are incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a sighting system
for an archery bow. More particularly, the present invention
relates to an illumination sighting system for an archery bow that
illuminates the target with a light and which provides power saving
and convenient on/off switching performance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional archery laser sights are typically mounted on a
specially provided bracket, such as shown in FIG. 5. Unfortunately,
the mounting bracket usually spaces the laser sight from the path
of the arrow, which can introduce angular error along much of the
arrows path. Therefore the field of accuracy is limited to only
those narrow regions around the intersection of the laser's path
and the arrows path.
[0004] Additionally, the mounting brackets required for most laser
sights often replace the fixtures needed for conventional sighting
pins or otherwise interfere with the use of conventional sighting
pins. While it may often be desirable to use a laser sight over a
conventional sighting pin, in very bright lighting conditions the
visibility of the projected laser dot may be greatly reduced,
making it difficult for an archer to determined the point of aim.
In such circumstances the lack of conventional sighting pins may
leave the archer without any capability to accurately aim the
arrow.
[0005] Conventional laser sights are generally activated by a
switch that must be manually engaged. However this may increase the
time needed to properly acquire a target once spotted. In addition
the necessary act of turning the laser sight on or maintaining
pressure on a switch may require awkward and uncomfortable
positions that may compromise accuracy.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention provides a laser sight for use with an
archery bow. The laser sight may be dimensioned and configured to
be mounted on a mounting bracket for conventional sighting pins,
and may be configured not to interfere with the optional use of the
conventional sighting pins. Additionally, the laser sight may be
activated by a switch in response to drawing the bow. According to
one embodiment, the switch may, for example, have a flexible member
attached to a portion of the bow that moves when the bow string is
drawn. This aspect may provide hands free activation of the laser
sight when the bow is drawn and corresponding deactivation when the
draw is released.
[0007] According to one aspect, there is provided a laser sight for
an archery bow including a laser element having a laser diode, and
an activation switch, and a mounting pin extending from the laser
element. The mounting pin may be adapted to be received in a sight
pin bracket disposed on a bow.
[0008] According to another aspect, an archery system is provided
including a bow having a first and second limb coupled to a handle
at a first end of each limb, and a string extending between a
second end of each limb. The archery system may further include a
sight bracket disposed on the handle, in which the sight bracket
includes at least one sight pin and a laser sight. The laser sight
of the archery system may include a laser element having a laser
diode, and an activation switch, and a mounting pin extending from
the laser element. The mounting pin may be adapted to be received
in the sight pin bracket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Features and advantages of the present invention are set
forth by the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention,
which description should be understood in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an exemplary laser sight
consistent with the present invention, including an enlarged
schematic view showing one exemplary pull switch;
[0011] FIG. 1a illustrates an enlarged view of an exemplary
pull-switch that may suitably be used with the laser system of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary proximity
switch that may be used with a laser sight consistent with the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary archery bow set up including
a laser sight consistent with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the sight mounting
feature of FIG. 3, including a laser sight consistent with the
present invention and a conventional sighting pin; and
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a conventional archery bow set up
including a conventional laser sight provided on a separate
mounting bracket and showing the effect of angular error with the
sight.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0016] An archery sighting device consistent with the present
invention directs an illuminating image onto a target for aiming an
arrow fired from an archery bow. While the term "laser sight" is
used herein to describe the sighting device, a laser illuminating
element is only one exemplary illuminating element. Alternative
illuminating elements will be apparent to those having skill in the
art.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a general set up of an exemplary
laser sight 10 consistent with the invention is shown. The laser
sight 10 may be provided having a compact size and shape, which may
allow the laser sight 10 to be mounted in a sight pin guard bracket
12, which may be provided on an archery bow, along with any
conventional sight pins 14. In one embodiment, the laser sight 10
may be sized such that it does not interfere with the use of the
conventional sight pins 14, thereby providing the archer with the
opportunity to alternatively aim with either the laser sight 10 or
the conventional sighting pins 14. The alternative use of the
conventional sighting pins 14 may be especially advantageous in
very brightly lit environments that may make a laser dot generated
by the laser sight 10 difficult to see.
[0018] In addition to not obscuring or replacing the conventional
sighting pins 14, the ability to position the laser sight 10 inside
the pin guard bracket 12 may place the laser sight 10, and the beam
16 projected by the laser sight 10, generally inline with both the
sight pins 14 and the arrow 18 and the arrow path 20. By
positioning the laser sight 10 generally along the arrow path 20
the accuracy of the laser sight 10 may be increased over a broader
window of yardages. This increased window of accuracy may be
provided by reducing the angular error of the system. That is, the
farther the laser sight 10 is from the path of the arrow 20, the
greater the angle formed between the laser path 16 and the arrow
path 20, and therein the narrower the field of accuracy.
Conversely, the closer the laser sight 10 is to the path of the
arrow 20, the smaller the angle formed between the laser path 16
and the arrow path 20, and therein the broader the field of
accuracy.
[0019] According to one embodiment, positioning the laser sight 10
in close alignment with the conventional sighting pins 14 may
advantageously be achieved by actually mounting the laser sight 10
to the pin bracket 22 that carries the conventional sighting pins
14. In addition to placing the laser sight 10 generally inline with
the conventional sighting pins 14 this mounting configuration may
eliminate the need for a separate mounting bracket that may have a
negative impact on the balance or feel of the bow.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a mounting
configuration of the laser sight 10 is shown. As in the illustrated
embodiment, the laser element 40 may be disposed on the end of a
standard type bolt 42, such as would be used for mounting a
conventional sighting pin 14. Accordingly, the laser sight 10 may
be received in a standard sight pin track (not shown).
Advantageously, the laser sight 10 may be retained using two thumb
screws 44, 46 one of which may be disposed on either side of the
mounting bracket 22. The thumb screws 44, 46 may be employed to
clamp the laser sight 10 in a desired position on the mounting
bracket 22. As mentioned above, this mounting arrangement may not
only eliminate the need for additional mounting hardware, but may
also place the laser sight 10 generally inline with the
conventional sighting pins 14.
[0021] Adjustment of the windage and/or elevation of the laser
sight 10 may be carried out in a similar manner as with a
conventional sighting pin 14. For example, adjustment of the laser
sight 10 may be carried out using any global windage and/or
elevation adjustment of the sight bracket 22 for producing
left/right or up/down translation of the entire mounting bracket
22. Additionally, the laser sight may be adjusted independently of
the sight bracket 22 and other pins, e.g. 14, by loosening at least
one of the thumb screws 44, 46 and moving the complete laser sight
unit 10. For example, elevation may be adjusted by loosening one of
the thumb screws 44, 46 and moving the laser sight 10 in the pin
track, which typically runs vertically or diagonally.
Alternatively, at least one of the thumb screws 44, 46 may be
loosened and the laser sight 10 rotated about the axis of the bolt
42 to angle the projected beam up or down. In a corresponding
manner, the windage may be adjusted by loosening one of the thumb
screws, e.g. 44, and tightening the other thumb screw 46, thereby
advancing or retracting the laser sight 10 relative to the mounting
bracket 22.
[0022] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, another unique
aspect of the laser sight 10 is the method of activation. Desirably
the laser sight 10 may be activated, i.e., turned on, in response
to a pull switch 50. Desirably a flexible member 54, such as a
flexible tube, a string, wire, etc. may be coupled to the pull
switch 50 and to a moving part of the bow such that drawing back
the bow string 52 activates the laser sight 10. Accordingly, it is
not necessary to engage a button or slide switch to activate the
laser sight 10, thereby allowing hands-free activation. Referring
to FIG. 3, some exemplary attachment points of the flexible member
54 are shown including the bow string 52, the string separator 55,
cables 57, limbs, e.g. 59, cams 61, 63, etc. Release of the bow
string, either by firing an arrow or not, may deactivate the laser
sight 10.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1a a first exemplary pull switch 50 is
shown including a connecting pole 60 connected to the flexible
member 54. The exemplary pull switch 50 may include an inner cap 62
that keeps a spring ground wire 64 from completing the circuit with
the batteries 66, 66' until the flexible member 54 is pulled. When
the flexible member 54 is pulled, the spring 68 urges the batteries
66, 66' to shift and allow the spring ground wire 64 to complete
the circuit activating the laser diode 70. Releasing the tension on
the flexible member 54 may cause the circuit to open, thereby
deactivating the laser diode 70.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2 an exemplary proximity switch 50a is
illustrated including a magnetic activating element 80. Consistent
with this embodiment a small metal plate 82 may be attached to the
bow. The metal plate 82 is disposed adjacent the magnetic element
80 such that when the bow is drawn the metal plate 82 moves the two
magnetic element 80 may allow current to flow though the wires 84
associated with the flexible member 54. When current is allowed to
pass through the magnetic element 80 the laser sight 10 is
activated.
[0025] Numerous other switch configurations for activating the
sight will be understood by those having skill in the art. Such
alternative switches may include pull switches; proximity switches;
strain switches, which may be activated by flexing of the bow; etc.
Such alternative switches will preferably be responsive to drawing
the bow. Similarly, alternative mounting configurations within the
spirit of the invention herein will also be appreciated by those
having skill in the art.
* * * * *