U.S. patent application number 12/128017 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-03 for aiming device and method for archery bow.
Invention is credited to Lewis A. Danielson, John Mark Elliott, Lance Giammanco, Lane Tobiassen.
Application Number | 20090293855 12/128017 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41378234 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090293855 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Danielson; Lewis A. ; et
al. |
December 3, 2009 |
Aiming Device and Method for Archery Bow
Abstract
An apparatus for improving an archer's aiming consistency by
utilizing a directed light beam device mounted to an archery bow or
integrated into the grip of an archery bow. Various embodiments
provide an apparatus comprising a directed beam light source such
as a laser, a power source for providing power to said light
source, an actuation switch for allowing power to flow from said
power source to said light source, a circuit for interconnecting
said light source, said power source, and said actuation switch,
and a jacket adapted to be attached to an archery bow within which
said light source, said power source, said actuation switch, and
said circuit are disposed, so that, when said jacket is attached to
the archery bow said light source directs light forwardly from said
bow toward a target and so that, during use, said actuation switch
can be actuated by the same hand that is holding the bow in
response to the natural motion of drawing the bow string. The
jacket may fit over and around the stock grip of a bow and be
shaped to comfortably fit the hand of an archer. Alternatively, the
jacket may replace the stock grip normally provided with the
bow.
Inventors: |
Danielson; Lewis A.;
(Portland, OR) ; Elliott; John Mark; (Beaverton,
OR) ; Tobiassen; Lane; (Portland, OR) ;
Giammanco; Lance; (West Linn, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP - Portland;William A. Birdwell
1300 S.W. Fifth Avenue, SUITE 2300
Portland
OR
97201-5630
US
|
Family ID: |
41378234 |
Appl. No.: |
12/128017 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
124/87 ;
33/265 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 1/35 20130101; F41G
1/467 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/87 ;
33/265 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/467 20060101
F41G001/467 |
Claims
1. A sighting device for an archery bow, comprising: a directed
beam light source; a power source for providing power to said
directed beam light source; an actuation switch for allowing power
to flow from said power source to said light source; a circuit for
interconnecting said light source, said power source and said
actuation switch; and a jacket adapted to be attached to an archery
bow, said light source, said power source, said actuation switch
and said circuit being disposed within said jacket so that, when
said jacket is attached to the archery bow said light source
directs light forwardly from said bow toward a target and so that
said actuation switch can be actuated by the hand of a person
holding said bow by said jacket.
2. The sighting device of claim 1, wherein said bow has a back, two
sides, an upper end and a lower end and said jacket has a back
portion and two opposing side portions for covering portions of
said back and said two sides of said bow, and an upper end
corresponding to said upper end of said bow and a lower end
corresponding to said lower end of said bow.
3. The sighting device of claim 2, wherein said actuation switch is
disposed in said back portion of said jacket.
4. The sighting device of claim 3, wherein said actuation switch is
disposed more toward said upper end of said grip than toward said
lower end of said jacket so as to actuate and thereby allow power
to flow from said power source to said light source, in response to
the pressure naturally applied by the user's hand when the bow
string is drawn.
5. The sighting device of claim 4, wherein said actuation switch is
a spring return pushbutton switch adapted to close when the hand of
a user applies pressure to said jacket as the bow is drawn and
thereby allow power to flow from said power source to said light
source, and to open when pressure on said switch is released.
6. The sighting device of claim 5, wherein said jacket has a
thinner portion disposed at the position of said actuation switch
and said actuation switch is disposed interior to said jacket
beneath said thinner portion of said jacket.
7. The sighting device of claim 6, wherein outer surfaces of said
back and two sides of said jacket are shaped so as to conform
generally to the palm, thumb and four fingers of a human hand
whereby the thumb is on one side of the jacket, the four fingers
are on the other side of the jacket, and the web of tissue between
the thumb and forefinger is disposed substantially over said
actuation switch.
8. The sighting device of claim 7, wherein said directed beam light
source comprises a laser.
9. The sighting device of claim 8, wherein said laser is disposed
on the same side of said jacket as the user's fingers lay during
use, more toward said upper end of said jacket than toward said
lower end of said grip.
10. The sighting device of claim 9, wherein said jacket comprises
first and second interlocking parts, the first of said interlocking
parts substantially comprising said first side and said back side
of said jacket and the second of said interlocking parts
substantially comprising the second side of said jacket.
11. The sighting device of claim 10, wherein said actuation switch
is a flexible membrane switch.
12. The sighting device of claim 10 wherein said circuit comprises
a flexible circuit.
13. The sighting device of claim 8, said actuation switch is a
flexible membrane switch.
14. The sighting device of claim 8 wherein said circuit comprises a
flexible circuit.
15. The sighting device of claim 2, wherein outer surfaces of said
back and two sides of said jacket are shaped so that when the thumb
of a user is on one side of the jacket and the four fingers are on
the other side of the jacket, the web of tissue between the thumb
and forefinger is disposed substantially over said actuation
switch.
16. The sighting device of claim 15, wherein said directed beam
light source comprises a laser.
17. The sighting device of claim 15, wherein said laser source is
disposed on the same side of said jacket as the user's fingers
during use, more toward said upper end of said grip than toward
said lower end of said jacket.
18. The sighting device of claim 1, wherein said directed beam
light source comprises a laser.
19. The sighting device of claim 18, wherein said laser is disposed
on one side of said jacket more toward said upper end of said
jacket than toward said lower end of said jacket.
20. The sighting device of claim 18, further comprising a laser
assembly for holding said laser, said jacket including devices
adapted to interact with said laser assembly so as to adjust said
laser for elevation and windage.
21. The sighting device of claim 1, wherein said actuation switch
is a spring return pushbutton switch adapted to close when the hand
of a user applies pressure to said jacket so as to allow power to
flow from said power source to said light source, and to open when
pressure on said switch is released.
22. The sighting device of claim 1, wherein said jacket comprises
first and second interlocking parts, the first of said interlocking
parts substantially comprising a first side and a back side of said
jacket corresponding to one side of said bow, and the second of
said interlocking parts substantially comprising a second side of
said jacket corresponding to the other side of said bow.
23. The sighting device of claim 22, wherein said directed beam
light source and said actuation switch are disposed in said first
part of said jacket, said light source being disposed more toward
the upper end of said jacket than the lower end thereof, on said
first side thereof, and said actuation switch being disposed more
toward an upper end of said grip than the lower end thereof, on
said back side thereof.
24. The sighting device of claim 1, said actuation switch comprises
a flexible membrane switch.
25. The sighting device of claim 1, wherein said circuit comprises
a flexible circuit.
26. An archery bow having a directed light beam aiming device,
comprising: a bow member; a jacket disposed on said bow member for
holding the bow with one hand; a directed beam light source
disposed within said jacket so as to direct light toward a target
when said light source is actuated; a power source disposed within
said jacket for providing power to said light source; an actuation
switch disposed within said jacket for allowing power to flow from
said power source to said light source; and a circuit disposed
within said jacket for interconnecting said light source, said
power source and said actuation switch, said actuation switch being
disposed within said jacket so that during use, said actuation
switch can be actuated by the same hand that is holding the
bow.
27. The archery bow of claim 26, wherein said jacket has an upper
end and a lower end and said actuation switch is disposed more
toward said upper end than said lower end so as to close and
thereby allow power to flow from said power source to said light
source in response to the pressure naturally applied when the bow
string is drawn.
28. The archery bow of claim 27, wherein said actuation switch is a
spring return pushbutton switch adapted to close when the hand of a
user applies pressure to said jacket as the bow is drawn, and to
close when pressure on said switch is released.
29. The archery bow of claim 28, wherein said directed light beam
source is a laser.
30. The archery bow of claim 26, wherein said directed light beam
source is a laser.
31. The archery bow of claim 26, wherein said jacket has an upper
end and a lower end, said directed light beam source is a laser,
and said laser is disposed on the same side of said jacket as the
user's fingers lay during use, more toward said upper end of said
jacket than said lower end of said jacket.
32. The archery bow of claim 26, wherein outer surfaces of said
jacket are shaped so that when the thumb of a user is on one side
of the jacket and the four fingers are on the other side of jacket,
the web of tissue between the thumb and forefinger is disposed
substantially over said actuation switch.
33. The archery bow of claim 32, wherein said directed light beam
source is a laser.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to aiming devices for weapons,
particularly directed light beam aiming devices for archery bows
that illuminate a target at the spot where an arrow is to strike
the target, and which may be used to indicate to the archer whether
the bow is being held in the proper alignment for accurate
aiming.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] All publications referred to herein are incorporated by
reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each
individual publication or patent application was specifically and
individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The
following description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that
any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to
the presently claimed invention, or that any publication
specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] In aiming an archery bow there are three adjustments of the
position of the bow that must be considered: elevation, windage and
rotation. The elevation of the arrow must be such that when it is
released the arcuate trajectory that it will follow will terminate
at the desired point on the target. As to windage, the lateral
direction that the arrow is pointed must be directed toward the
same point on the target. In addition, if the bow is not held in a
vertical orientation, or if the bow rotates even slightly in the
archer's hand, then the elevation and windage adjustments will not
be correct if they are made on the assumption that the bow is
vertically oriented. Even slight variations in elevation, windage,
and rotation can dramatically affect aiming consistency.
[0004] There are various kinds of bow sights for archery, but
perhaps the most common includes an aperture mounted to the bow
through which the archer looks at the target when the bow string is
drawn back. In modern equipment, the bow-mounted aperture often
includes several horizontal pins which are for use at different
respective ranges (range being the distance from the archer to the
target). These devices are commonly called pin sights. If the
aperture is the right distance above the arrow rest for the range
to the target, if the correct pin is used for sighting, and if the
string is consistently drawn back to the same position in relation
to the bow and the eye of the user, this type of sight works well
when the bow is vertically oriented. In bows that are not sued for
competition, this type of sight can be improved by providing a
second aperture attached to the bow string itself to aid in
positioning the user's eye.
[0005] However, it is often the case that when the bow string is
drawn back, the hand of the user gripping the bow exerts torque on
the bow, causing it to rotate. When the bow rotates so that it is
not vertically oriented and all else remains the same, the arrow
will move to the left or right of the target and up or down,
typically missing the aiming point on the target. Yet, it will seem
to the user that the bow has been properly sighted because the
point on the target is in the aperture of the pin sight, and the
second aperture attached to the string, where used. Such rotation
makes it difficult for the archer to maintain consistent shooting
accuracy.
[0006] It has been observed that the sighting problem resulting
from pre-release bow rotation can be diagnosed and alleviated by
the use of a laser aiming device that illuminates a point on the
target with a laser beam from a laser mounted on the bow. If the
user exerts torque on the bow, the bow rotates around an axis
approximately coincident with the arm holding the bow. The archer
will naturally compensate by moving to realign the aperture sight
onto the target, but because the bow has rotated, the laser dot
will have moved off the point of aim viewed through the aperture
sight. However, when using a laser device as a training aid,
consistent aim for a given range can be maintained by moving the
bow so that the aiming point viewed through the aperture sight is
coincident with the illuminated dot created by the laser.
[0007] The illuminated laser dot is only coincident with the impact
point of the arrow at the single given range, due to the offset of
the laser source and the arcuate trajectory of the arrow. For all
other ranges, the illuminated dot will be either above or below the
impact point. However, the closer the laser beam source is to the
axis of rotation, the less offset there will be between the arrow
impact point and the illuminated dot on the target at ranges other
than the calibration range. For short ranges, where the arrow
trajectory is close to flat, a laser source located near the arrow
shelf will place a dot on the target that is very close to the
actual impact point of the arrow. Additionally, a laser dot
provides a physical aiming point on the target, so the archer can
compensate for changes in range by aiming so as to hold the dot an
appropriate distance above or below the desired impact point.
[0008] Various types of laser aiming devices for archery bows are
known. For example, Huang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,675 describes
a semiconductor laser attached to a bow by a mounting base and
three x-, y- and z-axis holder frames. A separate on-off switch is
connected to the module by a wire and is provided with an adhesive
tape to mount the switch somewhere on the bow. Hodge et al.,
International Patent Publication No. WO2004/094934 describes a
laser attached to a bow by a mounting bracket, the laser having a
pull switch that activates the laser in response to drawing the
bow.
[0009] Laser aiming devices for handguns and rifles are also known.
For example, Toole U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,235; Toole et al. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,435,091; Toole et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,600; Danielson et
al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,688; and Danielson U.S. Pat. No. 7,260,910,
each disclose various embodiments of laser aiming devices adapted
for use with a handgun. However, they do not address the particular
challenges that arise in the use of a bow, which is a much
different weapon from a handgun.
[0010] Unfortunately, known laser aiming devices leave significant
problems unsolved, such as minimizing the effects of the aiming
device on bow balance, minimizing the effects that bow rotation has
on the laser point location at the target, and actuating the laser
when needed without interfering with the normal bow and string
movements of the archer. Since these prior devices place the laser
source at some distance from the arrow shelf, the
dot-to-impact-point offset due to changes in range is relatively
large, and the laser systems disclosed cannot be made coincident
with the arrow's path at short ranges. Additionally, the
previously-known laser aiming devices for bows are bulky and poorly
integrated with the structure of the bow, making the devices prone
to being knocked out of alignment or damaged during both storage
and field use. If the device must be removed for storage or
transport, then each remount creates another opportunity for the
device to become out of alignment. Also, when hunting, equipment
that tends to snag or catch on vegetation creates noise and makes
moving stealthily more difficult; and furthermore, equipment for
hunting use must be silent in operation. It is a particular
drawback of these previously known devices that they are awkward to
actuate on a shot-to-shot basis so that either they must be left on
or they tend to affect the aim of the archer.
[0011] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a compact sighting
system for archery bows in which the directed beam light source,
the power source, the driving circuit, and actuation switch are
substantially integrated into the existing dimensions of an archery
bow's grip, such that the arrangement creates a robust, stable,
unobtrusive system that is less susceptible to damage, can remain
in place during storage and transport, allows for minimal offset
between the illuminated dot and the arrow impact point, and may be
actuated with minimal effect on the aim of the archer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention includes an apparatus for improving an
archer's aiming consistency by utilizing a directed light beam
device mounted to an archery bow or integrated to the grip of an
archery bow.
[0013] Various embodiments provide for an apparatus comprising a
directed beam light source, a power source for providing power to
said directed beam light source, an actuation switch for allowing
power to flow from said power source to said light source, a
circuit for interconnecting said light source, said power source,
and said actuation switch, and a jacket adapted to be attached to
an archery bow within which said light source, said power source,
said actuation switch, and said circuit are disposed, so that, when
said jacket is attached to the archery bow said light source
directs light forwardly from said bow toward a target and so that
during use, said actuation switch can be actuated by the same hand
that is holding the bow in response to the natural motion of
drawing the bow string.
[0014] In one embodiment, the jacket fits over and around the grip
of a bow and is shaped to comfortably fit the hand of an archer.
However, the jacket may instead replace the factory grip normally
provided with the bow.
[0015] As used in the specification, claims and abstract hereof,
the term "jacket" is intended to encompass both of these
possibilities. The actuation switch is located on the back side of
the jacket and is thus naturally activated by pressure from the
archer's hand as the bow is drawn. Releasing the arrow, or
returning the bow to the ready position, deactivates the directed
beam source.
[0016] In another embodiment, the directed beam light source
comprises a laser. The laser may be disposed near the upper area of
the jacket, on the same side of the jacket as the archer's fingers,
and may further be disposed in a spring-loaded, adjustable mounting
such that the direction of the laser beam can be adjusted for both
windage and elevation. The laser is preferably located on the side
of the grip opposite the fingers, but may be located in front of
the fingers or on the arrow shelf without departing from the
principles of the invention.
[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way
of example, various features of embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of an
aiming device for an archery bow according to the present
invention, attached to an archery bow shown in phantom.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross section of the aiming device of FIG. 1,
taken along line 2-2 thereof, attached to the archery bow in
phantom.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective of the aiming device of FIG. 1,
showing the archery bow, the interior components of the aiming
device and, in phantom, the left side of the device.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic of a representative electrical circuit
for the aiming device of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross section of the aiming device of FIG. 1,
taken along line 5-5 thereof.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective of the aiming device of FIG. 1,
attached to the archery bow and gripped by the left hand of an
archer, shown in phantom.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a
person having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention
belongs.
[0025] One skilled in the art will recognize many methods and
materials similar or equivalent to those described herein, which
could be used in the practice of the present invention. The present
invention is not intended to be limited to the specific methods and
materials described herein.
[0026] An aiming device according to the present invention
comprises a grip jacket that fits on the grip of an archery bow and
that includes a directed energy source, preferably a laser, a power
source for the directed energy source, and at least one switch that
actuates the energy source in response to pressure on the back of
the jacket, which naturally occurs when the bow string is drawn.
However, one or more switches could be mounted in locations other
than the back of the grip without departing from the principles of
the invention. It is to be understood that, for the purpose of the
specification, claims, drawings and abstract hereof, the term
"light" shall broadly mean electromagnetic energy whether in the
visible spectrum or not.
[0027] More specifically, a preferred embodiment of an aiming
device 10 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
comprises jacket 12, having two parts. A first part 14 fits on and
wraps around a first side 16 and the back 18 of the grip 20 of an
archery bow 22, and a second part 24 fits on the second side 26 of
the grip 20 and attaches along a back edge 28 to the first part 14.
A laser module is disposed in the first part 14 of the jacket at
the top 32 thereof adjacent the first side 16 of the grip 20. An
actuation switch 34 is disposed in the first part 14 of the jacket
at the top thereof adjacent the back 18 of the grip.
[0028] Although the laser aiming device described and claimed
herein is called a "jacket" to emphasize that it may be placed over
the stock grip of the bow itself, the scope of the claims is not
intended to be limited thereby. It is to be recognized that others
might refer to a laser aiming device according to the present
invention itself as a "grip," and that the use of such terminology
would not take such a device outside the scope of the claims. Thus,
the terms "jacket" and "grip" may be used interchangeably with
reference to actual products, without departing from the principles
of the invention.
[0029] While it is easier to manufacture the jacket in two parts,
it is to be recognized that the jacket could be a single part
without departing from the principles of the invention. It can be
seen in FIG. 2 that when both halves of the jacket 12 are mounted
in place, jacket 12 is generally C-shaped in cross section and
wraps around the bow grip 20. The first part 14 of the jacket is
attached to the bow grip 20 by screw 15 and the second part 24 of
the jacket is attached to the bow grip by screw 25. Screw 35
attaches first part 14 to second part 24 directly without extending
through the bow grip 20. The screws are located so as to avoid the
internal components while providing a robust, tight connection
between jacket 12 and the bow grip 20.
[0030] Turning to FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of the aiming
device also includes a laser drive circuit 36 and two battery
holders 38, 39 for holding batteries 40, 41 that power the laser
drive circuit. For the purpose of the specification, drawings,
claims and abstract, the battery holders 38, 39 are each referred
to herein as a "power source," with or without the battery
installed, the term "power source" being intended to encompass any
appropriate source, or provision for, providing power to the
directed beam light source. Preferably, the battery holder is
adapted to receive a thin-profile Cr2032 cell, or equivalent, which
permits the jacket to be relatively thin. The battery holders 38,
39 comprises cavities 42, 43 formed in the first part 14 of the
jacket, and pairs of positive and negative battery contacts 44, 45
and 46, 47 respectively, connected to a circuit board 48 that also
supports the laser drive circuit 36. The laser drive circuit 36
includes one or more standard integrated circuit components used to
drive a diode laser, as will be readily understood by a person
having ordinary skill in the art.
[0031] Preferably, the device includes a power switch 50, as well
as the actuation switch 34. The power switch is for allowing power
to flow from the battery to the drive circuit, or not. This allows
the archer to disable the aiming device, for example during
transport or storage, or simply to preserve battery energy when the
bow is in use but the sighting system is not needed. Preferably,
the power switch 50 is disposed in the first part 14 of the jacket
at the bottom 51 thereof adjacent the back 18 of the bow grip 20.
However, it is to be recognized that the power switch may be placed
elsewhere, or eliminated entirely, without departing from the
principles of the invention. Preferably, the power switch is a push
button switch that closes or opens a circuit each time it is
pushed. However, it is to be recognized that other types of
switches could be used as a power switch without departing from the
principles of the invention.
[0032] The laser module 30 comprises a diode laser 56 and a lens 58
mounted in a tubular enclosure 56, as shown (cutaway) in FIG. 3. To
accommodate the laser module, the jacket 12 includes an
outwardly-directed laser housing 60, having a laser module
receiving chamber 62 formed therein. With the laser module 30
placed therein, the chamber is closed by a cover plate 64. The
front end of the tubular enclosure is rounded, preferably forming a
hemisphere, to form a convex laser module bearing 66, and a
corresponding concave bearing surface 68 is formed in the front 70
of the receiving chamber 62 to receive the bearing 66. As described
more fully below, this structure enables the laser module to be
adjusted in two dimensions for elevation and windage calibration.
The bearing 66 includes a front window 72 formed therein for laser
light to pass through the module, the lens 58 being disposed
between the window 72 and the diode laser 56 at a position to
essentially collimate the light emitted by the diode laser and
direct that light forwardly toward a target, as will be readily
understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. It is to
be understood that the window 72 may be covered by transparent
material or may simply be an opening.
[0033] A significant feature of the preferred embodiment of an
aiming device according to the present invention is that the laser
module is disposed near the top of the device adjacent the arrow
shelf 74 of the bow 22. This location results in the laser light
beam emanating from a point in close proximity to the arrow's point
of departure and to the bow's axis of rotation, thus maintaining
more accurate aim over a wider variation in target distances.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a representative electrical
circuit for the aiming device. The laser module 30 is connected by
wires 52 to the circuit board 48. The actuation switch 34 is
connected by wires 54 to the drive circuit 36. The batteries 40, 41
are also connected to the drive circuit 36. Power switch 50 is
connected to the drive circuit 36, in series with the batteries 40,
41. Finally, the actuation switch 34 is connected to the drive
circuit 36 to actuate the laser where the switch is pushed. It is
to be recognized that the actuation switch may be located or
configured differently on the jacket, and that additional actuation
switches may be added without departing from the principles of the
invention.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, an elevation adjustment screw 76
and a windage adjustment screw 78 are threaded into respective
orthogonally-aligned apertures 80 and 82 of the chamber 62. A
spring 84 exerts force on the back 86 of the laser module to press
and hold the bearing 66 against the bearing surface 68 and to hold
the tubular enclosure 59 against the adjustment screws 76, 78.
Consequently, when those screws are either advanced or withdrawn
they cause the laser module to rotate about the bearing 66, which
changes the direction that the laser light propagates.
[0036] The aiming device is adjusted initially at the time it is
mounted on the bow to account for alignment variations in the
components and to range the device. This calibration process is
completed at a known distance so as to ensure that when the light
illuminates a target at that distance, the arrow will strike the
target at the spot produced by the light if the bow string is
properly drawn and released.
[0037] It is another important aspect of this invention that,
because of the integrated chamber for the laser module, the laser
module's close proximity to the bow structure, and the laser
module's robust mounting arrangement, it is not likely to be
bumped, snagged, or jarred during use, and it does not need to be
demounted for storage or transport. Therefore, the laser device can
be relied upon to remain calibrated through multiple outings.
[0038] While it is contemplated that the preferred embodiment will
employ a diode laser as a source of visible red light, it should be
appreciated that other types of directed light beams might also be
used without departing from the principles of the invention. For
example, it is also contemplated that an infrared laser could be
used together with goggles worn by the archer that produce visible
light in response to stimulation by infrared light. Similarly, a
green or other color visible laser may be used. And, in some cases,
such as nighttime training exercises, an intense incoherent light
source might also be used. Accordingly, for the purpose of the
specification, claims, drawings and abstract, "directed beam" shall
mean a beam of energy that is substantially collimated from a
source thereof to a target that is within a useful range of an
archery bow, and includes without limitation a substantially
collimated Gaussian light beam produced by a laser.
[0039] Turning to FIG. 6, which shows an archer's hand 88 (in
phantom) gripping the aiming device 10 mounted on the bow grip 20,
the actuation switch 34 is preferably disposed approximately where
the web 90 between the user's thumb and forefinger lies.
Ordinarily, an archer is advised to maintain a relaxed grip on the
bow so that the bow rests on the hand without being squeezed.
However, when the string is drawn by the archer, the grip will push
back into the archer's hand. Because of this reaction, the
actuation switch is pushed in by the web of the user's hand,
thereby turning on the laser. Thus, an important feature of the
aiming device is that the laser ordinarily is not turned on so much
intentionally as automatically when the archer selects a target and
begins to draw the string back. Equally important, the laser will
automatically turn off when the arrow is released or the bow is
returned to the ready position and pressure on the actuation switch
is released.
[0040] The terms and expressions which have been employed in the
foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description
and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such
terms and expressions to exclude equivalents of the features shown
and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the
scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims
which follow.
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