CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/464,587 filed February 28, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The instant disclosure relates to an archery bow sight. More specifically, the disclosure pertains to an adjustable archery bow sight.

BACKGROUND

[0004] Aiming sights of various designs are commonly used in hunting and target archery. Such sights typically include an assembly, which includes a bracket supported by structure fixed to the handle riser of the bow. With the bow held in its normal position of use, its limbs are considered to be oriented approximately vertically. References to "vertical" or "horizontal" orientations are with reference to such vertically aligned bow limbs. The sight bracket generally supports a plurality of vertically spaced sighting elements called "sight pins", each of which extends approximately horizontally to terminate in an end called a "sight point" which is coincident with or proximate a vertical sight plane. Each sight point corresponds to a distinct target distance, depending upon its precise vertical position along the vertical sight plane.

[0005] Various mechanisms, commonly referred to as "elevation block" or "elevation assembly", are utilized for adjusting the vertical positions of the respective sight points. Such vertical adjustments are commonly referred to as "elevation adjustments" or "distance adjustments." Mechanisms, commonly referred to as "windage block" or "windage assembly", are used for adjusting the horizontal position of the vertical sight plane or sight points. Such horizontal adjustments are used to compensate for the influence of wind and/or the shooting idiosyncrasies of individuals, and are commonly referred to as "windage adjustments."

[0006] FIG. 1 shows an archer 10 using a conventional bow sight 12 having a sighting device 14 to sight a target 16. As illustrated, the archer's line-of-sight 18 through the sighting device 14 may not be normal to the sighting device 14. In other words, the archer's line-of-sight 18 through the sighting device 14 does not coincide with sighting axis 20 through the sighting device 14 between the archer 10 and the target 16. Consequently, angular deviation 22 between the archer's line-of-sight 18 and the sighting axis 20 causes an error in sighting an arrow (not shown) on the target 16. While the archer's line-of-sight 18 may indicate to the archer 10 that the arrow will impact a point 24 on the target 16, the point of impact 24, in actuality, is below the correct or true point of impact 26 defined by the sighting axis 20. This offset is a result of the archer's line-of- sight 18 not being coincident with the sighting axis 20 indicating that the archer's line-of-sight 18 is not normal to the sighting device 14.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 6,446,347 to Springer discloses a bow sight having a frame and an elevation block that cooperate to maintain an approximate coincidence of a sighting axis of a sighting device with an archer's line-of-sight. This coincidence is maintained even when the bow sight is adjusted for elevation. The frame includes a radiused guide ways through which the elevation block of the sighting device travels when being adjusted for elevation. In other words, even though the elevation and windage of the sighting device may be adjusted, the sighting device will always be normal to the line of sight of the archer. The radius of the radiused guide ways approximately corresponds to the distance from the archer's eye to the sighting device on the bow sight.

[0008] U.S. Patent No. 6,823,597 to Larson discloses a sight for an archery bow providing a mechanism operable to convert rotation of an adjustment knob into linear travel of a sighting pin. The mechanism may be adapted simultaneously and uniformly to adjust the windage of a plurality of sight pins. In another embodiment, the mechanism may be operable to adjust a vertical position of an individual sight pin carrying a fiber optic pickup.

[0009] Nonetheless, there exists a need for a bow sight wherein a selected one of one or more sight points can be adjusted independent of or separate from an elevation adjustment and/or a windage adjustment.

SUMMARY

[0010] A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a bow sight includes a mounting arm configured for attachment to at least a portion of a bow, a sight adjustment system coupled to at least a portion of the mounting arm, and a sighting device coupled to at least a portion of the sight alignment system. In an exemplary embodiment, the sight adjustment system is configured for radially displacing the sighting device.

[0011] Another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a bow sight includes a mounting arm configured for attachment to at least a portion of a bow, a sight adjustment system coupled to at least a portion of the mounting arm, an adjustable windage assembly coupled to at least a portion of the sight adjustment system, and a sighting device coupled to at least a portion of the windage assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the sight adjustment system is configured for radially displacing the windage assembly.

[0012] Yet another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a bow sight includes a mounting arm configured for attachment to at least a portion of a bow, a sight adjustment system coupled to at least a portion of the mounting arm, and one or more sight points coupled to at least a portion of the sight adjustment system. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more sight points are configured for aligning the bow with a target, and the sight adjustment system is configured for radially displacing the one or more sight points.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an archer aiming a bow with a bow sight at a target where the bow sight has an axis that does not coincide with the archer's line of sight;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a bow sight of the instant disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the bow sight of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a sight adjustment system of the instant disclosure; and

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the bow sight of FIG. 1 illustrating the range over which an archer's line-of-sight can be adjusted with the sight adjustment system of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] One or more non-limiting embodiments are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate like elements. It should be clearly understood that there is no intent, implied or otherwise, to limit the disclosure in any way, shape or form to the embodiments illustrated and described herein. While multiple exemplary embodiments are provided, variations thereof will become apparent or obvious to a person of ordinary skills. Accordingly, any and all variants for providing functionalities similar to those described herein are considered as being within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure.

[0019] FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, show a perspective view and a side elevation view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a bow sight 30 of the instant disclosure. In some embodiments, the bow sight 30 includes a mounting arm 32 configured for attachment to at least a portion of a bow (not shown), a sight adjustment system 34 coupled to at least a portion of the mounting arm 32, and a sighting device 36 coupled to at least a portion of the sight alignment system 34.

[0020] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, such as that illustrated in FIG. 4, the sight adjustment system 34 of the instant disclosure includes an interlocking circular gear 38 and curved gear bar 40. As such, the sight adjustment system 34 is configured as a rack-and-pinion system, having a curved gear bar 40, wherein a rotational movement of the circular gear 38 results in a radial displacement of the curved gear bar 40. In some non-limiting exemplary embodiments, the sight adjustment system 34 includes a knob 42 coupled to the circular gear 38. Rotating the knob 42 and the coupled circular gear 38 will radially displace the curved gear bar 40. Consequently, radial displacement of the curved gear bar 40 will translate into simultaneous vertical and horizontal displacement of the curved gear bar 40. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the extent of the vertical and/or horizontal displacements will be defined by the curvature and the arc length of a surface 44 on which gears 46 of the curved gear bar 40 are disposed.

[0021] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the sighting device 36 is coupled to at least a portion of the curved gear bar 40. Consequently, radial displacement of the curved gear bar 40, which results in simultaneous vertical and horizontal displacement of the curved gear bar 40, will also cause simultaneous vertical and horizontal displacement of the sighting device 36. In some non- limiting embodiments, clockwise rotation of the knob 42 and the coupled circular gear 38, in the direction indicated by the arrow 48, will displace the curved gear bar 40 and the coupled sighting device 36 vertically in the direction indicated by the arrow 50. And, counter-clockwise rotation of the knob 42 and the coupled circular gear 38, in the direction opposite that indicated by the arrow 48, will displace the curved gear bar 40 and the coupled sighting device 36 vertically in the direction opposite that indicated by the arrow 50. Simultaneous with their vertical displacements, the curved gear bar 40 and the coupled sighting device 36 will also be displaced horizontally. [0022] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the sighting device 36 includes a frame or bezel 52 defining a target viewing opening 54 and one or more sight points 56 disposed within the target viewing opening 54. While FIG. 2 illustrates one sight point 56, this configuration should not be construed as limiting. Several alternative embodiments of the sighting device 36 having one or more sight points 56 are disclosed in one or more of Applicant's following co-owned US Patents which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety: US Patent Nos. 7,832,109, 7,921,570, 7,814,668, 8,186,068, 8,079,153, 8,661,696, 9,587,912, 8,739,419, 8,689,454, 8,973,277, 8,839,525, and 9,869,528. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the displacement of the sighting device 36 will similarly displace the one or more sight points 56.

[0023] In view thereof, it will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, that the sight adjustment system 34 is operable to displace or adjust the location of the one or more sight points 56. As is well known in the art, each of the one or more sight points 56 corresponds to a distinct target distance. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the bow sight 30 and the sight adjustment system 34 are configured such that the top of the one or more sight points 56 is not visible to or viewable by the archer 10 when the sighting device 36 is substantially lower than the archer's line-of-sight 18; and the bottom of the one or more sight points 56 is not visible to or viewable by the archer 10 when the sighting device 36 is substantially higher than the archer's line-of-sight 18. In use, the sight adjustment system 34 is operated, i.e., the knob 42 is rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise to radially displace the one or more sight points 56 until a distance- specific sight point desired or selected by the archer 10 appears in the archer's line-of-sight 18, i.e., until the selected distance-specific sight point substantially coincides or aligns with the sighting axis 20. In other words, the distance-specific sight point selected by the archer 10 will appear in the archer's line-of-sight 18 only when the sighting axis 20 and the archer's line-of-sight 18 are substantially coincident.

[0024] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the bow sight 10 includes at least one of an adjustable elevation assembly or block 58 coupled to the sighting device 36, and an adjustable windage assembly or block 60 coupled to the sighting device 36. Various embodiments of adjustable elevation assemblies or blocks 58 and adjustable windage assemblies or blocks 60, and their respective coupling with the sighting device 36 are well known in the art. Therefore, repetition of their detailed descriptions herein is not considered necessary. Several structural and functional embodiments of adjustable elevation assemblies or blocks 58 and adjustable windage assemblies or blocks 60, and their respective coupling with the sighting device 36 are disclosed in one or more of Applicant's following co-owned US Patents which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety: US Patent Nos. 7,832,109, 7,921,570, 7,814,668, 8,186,068, 8,079,153, 8,661,696, 9,587,912, 8,739,419, 8,689,454, 8,973,277, 8,839,525, and 9,869,528.

[0025] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the bow sight 30 includes a mounting arm 32 configured for attachment to at least a portion of a bow (not shown), a sight adjustment system 34 coupled to at least a portion of the mounting arm 32, an adjustable windage assembly or block 60 coupled to at least a portion of the mounting arm 32, and a sighting device 36 coupled to at least a portion of the adjustable windage assembly 60. In some non-limiting embodiments, the sight adjustment system 34 is configured for radially displacing the adjustable windage assembly 60 and, by extension, radially displacing the sighting device 36 coupled to the adjustable windage assembly 60.

[0026] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the sight adjustment system 34 includes an interlocking circular gear 38 and curved gear bar 40. As such, the sight adjustment system 34 is configured as a rack-and-pinion system, having a curved gear bar 40, wherein a rotational movement of the circular gear 38 results in a radial displacement of the curved gear bar 40. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the adjustable windage assembly 60 is coupled to at least a portion of the curved gear bar 40. Consequently, radial displacement of the curved gear bar 40, which results in simultaneous vertical and horizontal displacement of the curved gear bar 40, will also cause simultaneous vertical and horizontal displacement of the adjustable windage assembly 60 and the sighting device 36 coupled thereto.

[0027] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the sighting device 36 includes a frame or bezel 52 defining a target viewing opening 54 and one or more sight points 56 disposed within the target viewing opening 54 as is well known in the art. Accordingly, the one or more sight points 56 are displaced radially simultaneously with radial displacement of the sighting device 36, and the sight adjustment system 34 is operable for positioning a selected one of the one or more sight points 56 normal to an archer's eye. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the bow sight 10 includes an adjustable windage assembly 60 coupled to the sighting device 36.

[0028] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the bow sight 30 includes a mounting arm 32 configured for attachment to at least a portion of a bow (not shown), a sight adjustment system 34 coupled to at least a portion of the mounting arm 32, and one or more sight points 56 coupled to at least a portion of the sight adjustment system 34. In some non-limiting embodiments, the one or more sight points 56 are configured for aligning a bow with a target. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the sight adjustment system 34 is configured for radially displacing the one or more sight points 56. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the sight adjustment system 34 includes an interlocking circular gear 38 and curved gear bar 40. As such, the sight adjustment system 34 is configured as a rack-and-pinion system, having a curved gear bar 40, wherein a rotational movement of the circular gear 38 results in a radial displacement of the curved gear bar 40.

[0029] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the one or more sight points 56 are coupled to at least a portion of the curved gear bar 40. Consequently, radial displacement of the curved gear bar 40, which results in simultaneous vertical and horizontal displacement of the curved gear bar 40, will also cause simultaneous vertical and horizontal displacement of the one or more sight points 56 coupled thereto. Accordingly, the sight adjustment system 34 is operable for positioning a selected one of the one or more sight points 56 normal to the archer's eye.

[0030] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the bow sight 10 includes at least one of an adjustable elevation assembly 58 coupled to the one or more sight points 56, and an adjustable windage assembly 60 coupled to the one or more sight points 56.

[0031] In view thereof, modified and/or alternate configurations of the embodiments described herein may become apparent or obvious to one of ordinary skill. All such variations are considered as being within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure. For instance, while reference may have been made to particular feature(s) and/or function(s), the disclosure is considered to also include embodiments configured for functioning and/or providing functionalities similar to those disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, the spirit, scope and intent of the instant disclosure is to embrace all such variations. Consequently, the metes and bounds of the disclosure is solely defined by the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.