Electronic archery sights

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure deal with archery sights mounted or mountable on an archery bow. The sight incorporates a sight pin and an adjustment assembly in combination with an electronic module to indicate or control the desired position of the sight pin. The electronic module calculates and displays correlated target distances based on the position of the sight pin.

Claims

1. A sight for an archery bow, comprising: a. a base configured to be mounted to an archery bow; b. a housing connected to the base; c. a sight cover defining a sight window mounted to the housing with a bracket arrangement, wherein the sight cover is vertically adjustable relative to the housing; d. a sight point mounted within the sight window; e. wherein a first known height of the sight point relative to the housing is calibrated to a first known target distance; f. wherein a second known height of the sight point relative to the housing is calibrated to a second known target distance; g. a control knob with a control shaft extending horizontally through and rotatably coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the bracket arrangement, wherein rotation of the control knob and control shaft vertically adjusts a height of the sight cover and the sight point relative to the housing; and h. an electronic module mounted to the housing, the electronic module having a display and at least one sensor to measure angular rotation of the control shaft; i. the electronic module including a processor and a memory with programming, wherein the processor and programming use the measured angular rotation of the control shaft to calculate a height of the adjusted sight point relative to the first known height and the second known height, and wherein the electronic module then displays a calculated target distance corresponding to the adjusted sight point height; j. wherein the electronic module includes a front casing and a rear casing, wherein the display, the processor, the memory, circuitry and a power supply are enclosed by the front casing and the rear casing, and wherein the rear casing defines a shaft cavity into which an end of the control shaft extends.

2. The sight for an archery bow of claim 1, wherein the electronic module is magnetically coupled with an end of the control shaft.

3. The sight for an archery bow of claim 1, comprising a magnet mounted to an end of the control shaft, and wherein the electronic module includes at least one magnetic sensor to measure angular rotation of the magnet.

4. The sight for an archery bow of claim 1, wherein the control knob is arranged on the control shaft on a lateral opposite side of the housing from the sight cover.

5. A sight for an archery bow, comprising: a. a base mounted to an archery bow; b. a housing connected to the base; c. a sight cover defining a sight window mounted the housing with a bracket arrangement, wherein the sight cover is vertically adjustable relative to the housing; d. a sight point mounted within the sight window; e. wherein a known height of the sight point relative to the housing is calibrated to a known target distance; f. a control knob with a control shaft extending horizontally through and rotatably coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the sight cover, wherein rotation of the control knob and control shaft vertically adjusts a height of the sight cover and the sight point relative to the housing; and g. an electronic module mounted to the housing, the electronic module having a display and at least one sensor to measure angular rotation of the control shaft; h. the electronic module including a processor and a memory with programming, wherein a bow speed is saved in the memory, wherein the processor and programming use the measured angular rotation of the control shaft to calculate an adjusted sight point height relative to the known height and the saved bow speed to calculate and display a target distance corresponding to the adjusted height of the sight point; i. wherein the electronic module includes a front casing and a rear casing, wherein the display, the processor, the memory, circuitry and a power supply are enclosed by the front casing and the rear casing, and wherein the rear casing defines a shaft cavity into which an end of the control shaft extends.

6. The sight for an archery bow of claim 5, wherein the electronic module is magnetically coupled with an end of the control shaft.

7. The sight for an archery bow of claim 6, comprising a magnet mounted to the end of the control shaft, and wherein the electronic module includes at least one sensor to measure angular rotation of the magnet.

8. The sight for an archery bow of claim 7, wherein the rear casing defines a shaft cavity wherein the magnet extends into the shaft cavity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a representative embodiment of an archery bow with an archery sight according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an archery sight according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(3) FIG. 3 is rear view of the archery sight of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is top view of the archery sight of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 5 is perspective view of the archery sight of FIG. 2 with the electronic module removed.

(6) FIG. 6A is a partially exploded view of the electronic module and the sight housing of FIG. 2.

(7) FIG. 6B is an alternate perspective partially exploded view of the electronic module and the sight housing of FIG. 6A.

(8) FIG. 6C is a perspective rear view of an electronic module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(9) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an archery sight according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(10) FIG. 8 is a side view of the archery sight shown in FIG. 7.

(11) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the archery sight of FIG. 7 with the housing removed to illustrate an internal view.

(12) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an archery sight according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

(13) For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications, and further applications of the principles being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

(14) Embodiments of the present disclosure include sights for archery bows. The sight has at least one sight pin defining a sight point. Once properly calibrated, a knob or dial can be turned to adjust the sight pin to different heights. The sight electronically measures the amount of adjustment and then calculates and displays a target distance correlated to the adjusted sight pin height.

(15) FIG. 1 illustrates a representative example of an archery bow 10 incorporating an archery sight 110 according to the present disclosure. Bow 10 includes a riser 11 with a handle, an upper limb or pair of limbs 12 and a lower limb or pair of limbs 14. In the embodiment shown, upper and lower limbs are formed of parallel and symmetric limbs sometimes called a quad limb arrangement. Alternately, a single piece limb can have a notch or slot area removed to allow a rotational element to be mounted to the limb tips. In the single cam example illustrated, rotational members such as idler wheel 16 and eccentric cam 18 are supported at the limb tip sections for rotary movement about axles 20 and 22. An upper pulley axle 20 is carried between the outer limb tip portions of upper limb 12. A lower pulley axle 22 is carried between the outer limb tip portions of lower limb 14.

(16) The portion of the cable which defines the bowstring 50 includes an upper portion 52 and a lower portion 62 which are fed-out from idler wheel 16 and cam 18 when the bow is drawn. The upper portion 52 may be part of a longer cable which has a medial portion mounted around idler wheel 16 with the ends mounted to cam 18. The non-bowstring portion of the cable extending from wheel 16 to cam 18 can be referred to as the return cable portion. Additionally, a y-yoke anchor cable has a lower end mounted to cam 18 which extends to two upper ends mounted adjacent opposing ends of axle 20. Each cable has a thickness and a round cross-section defining a circumference. From the perspective of the archer, the bowstring is considered rearward relative to the riser which defines forward.

(17) When the bowstring 50 is drawn, it causes idler wheel 16 and cam 18 at each end of the bow to rotate, feeding out cable and bending limbs 12 and 14 inward, causing energy to be stored therein. When the bowstring 50 is released with an arrow engaged to the bowstring, the limbs 12 and 14 return to their rest position, causing idler wheel 16 and cam 18 to rotate in the opposite direction, to take up the bowstring 50 and launch the arrow with an amount of energy proportional to the energy initially stored in the bow limbs. Bow 10 is described for illustration and context and is not intended to be limiting.

(18) While not illustrated, embodiments of the present disclosure can also be used in other types of bows, for example dual cam or two cam bows, hybrid cam bows or recurve bows which are considered conventional for purposes of the present disclosure. For convenience, the combination of riser 11 and either single or quad limbs forming upper limb 12 and lower limb 14 may generally be referred to as archery bow body 15. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the archery bow body can take on various designs in accordance with the many different types of bows with which the present disclosure can be used.

(19) Various accessories, such as arrow rests, stabilizers and quivers can be mounted to bow body 15. Commonly, sight 110 is used in combination with a peep sight. Sight 110 is typically mounted to or formed as part of riser 11 above the arrow rest position. The sight 110 defines at least one aiming point.

(20) Sight pin adjustment mechanisms according to preferred embodiments herein assist an archer to calibrate a single adjustable aiming point such as a sight pin to different reference or target distances. The spacing of the respective pin positions for different yardages follows a proportional spacing pattern governed by the range formula. Using laws of physics and geometry, the range formula can be applied to calculate the travel of an arrow from an archery bow where the horizontal distance travelled is proportional to the bow speed and angle of launch. More specifically, a formula of:
x=(v.sup.2 sin 2θ)/g.sup.2
applies where “x” is the horizontal distance of travel, “v” is the launch velocity of the arrow from the bow or bow speed, “θ” is the angle of launch and “g” is the acceleration due to gravity. Assuming a bow with a consistent launch velocity, the respective launch angle θ for a specified distance can be calculated using the bow speed. For instance:
10 yds=(v.sup.2 sin 2θ.sub.1)/g.sup.2
20 yds=(v.sup.2 sin 2θ.sub.2)/g.sup.2
30 yds=(v.sup.2 sin 2θ.sub.3)/g.sup.2

(21) For purposes of the present mechanism, a reference or zero degree line for calculating the angle of arrow launch can be defined as a horizontal line extending from a point closely adjacent to the archer's eye, through the sight, intersecting the sight pin and then to a target point at a first defined distance. The distance from the archer's eye to the sight pin is proportional to the draw length of the bow and is assumed to be constant for a specific archer and bow. For example, when a first sight pin on a 27″ draw length bow is calibrated at 10 yards, the zero degree line θ.sub.1 can be defined as a line including approximately 27″ from the archer's eye to the first sight pin position plus 10 yards to a target. Using the above formula and knowing the velocity of the bow, the angles θ.sub.2, θ.sub.3, θ.sub.4, . . . for additional target distances such as 20, 30, 40 yards, etc. relative to the reference line and the archer's eye can also be calculated. Angles θ.sub.2, θ.sub.3, θ.sub.4, . . . can then be applied using the distance from the archer's eye to the sight to define the offset height of the sight pin relative to the first sight pin position corresponding to respective target distance. Offset heights for longer distances are typically measured downward relative to a pin position calibrated for a shorter distance.

(22) For example, in a “two distance” calibration method, the sight is first calibrated using test shots so that the pin is aligned for a first fixed distance. The pin is then adjusted and test shots are used to calibrate it for a second fixed distance. Both distances are known. Once the proportional pin height spacing for two known distances is known, the electronic module can calculate and indicate other target distances based on the sight pin's position relative to the proportional spacing determined during the calibration process.

(23) In a second “bow speed” method, the sight is first calibrated so the pin is aligned for a first fixed distance. Then, if the bow speed (i.e. arrow launch speed) is known, the archer enters the bow speed into the memory of the electronic module. The electronic module can then calculate the corresponding target distances based on the proportional spacing of the sight pin between the first fixed distance and the then-current position. If the bow speed is only approximately known, the archer can iteratively enter different bow speeds and test the results until the electronic module displays accurate target indications.

(24) Once the sight is calibrated, when the sight pin height is adjusted the electronic module senses and measures the amount of height adjustment. The electronic module then calculates and then precisely displays the target distance proportionally corresponding to the then-current sight pin height (e.g. 21 yards, 22 yards, . . . 25 yards, . . . 30 yards, etc.). In certain embodiments, the electronic module is able to precisely indicate target distances in a continuous range based on substantially the entire height range within which the sight pin can be adjusted.

(25) FIGS. 2-5 illustrate views of a representative embodiment of an electronic archery sight 110. Archery sight 110 includes a base 112 configured to be mounted to an archery bow riser 11, for example with fasteners such as screws or bolts. Alternately, base 112 could be an integrated portion of an archery bow riser. A forward end of base 112 is mounted to or integrally connected to sight housing 114. Bracket arrangement 116 is adjustably coupled to a forward end of housing 114. Bracket arrangement 116 includes a windage arm 118 extending laterally. A sight cover 120 is mounted to a lateral end of windage arm 118. Sight cover 120 defines a viewing window or sight window. At least one sight pin 122 is mounted within sight cover 120. Sight pin 122 extends from a base to a sight point 124 in a central area of sight cover 120. As examples, sight point 124 can be a terminal point, the end of a fiber optic filament or an aperture.

(26) In the illustrated embodiment, bracket arrangement 116 includes a vertical slider 130 mounted within a vertical track in the forward end of sight housing 114. Vertical slider 130 can be adjusted along a vertical axis relative to sight housing 114 to correspondingly adjust the height bracket arrangement 116. Control knob 160 can be rotated to controllable adjust the height of slider 130. In certain embodiment, a knurled knob is located in the interior of sight housing 114 and mounted to a horizontal shaft 162 controlled by knob 160. The circumference of the knurled knob engages a surface of slider 130 in a tangential manner such that rotation of the knurled knob causes a corresponding vertical height change in slider 130. Changing the height of slider 130 correspondingly changes the height of bracket arrangement 116 and by extension the height of sight pin 122. In an alternate embodiment, slider 130 incorporates a rack gear which engages a pinion gear on shaft 162 inside sight housing 114 and.

(27) Bracket arrangement 116 incorporates a micro-height adjustment mechanism controlled by knob 134 for use in initially calibrating the height of sight point 124. Bracket arrangement 116 further includes a windage adjustment mechanism controlled by knob 136 and lock 138. Knob 136 can be used to adjust the lateral extension distance of windage arm 118 and correspondingly sight point 124 relative to sight housing 114. Lock 138 secures the windage arm 118 in place once adjusted.

(28) FIGS. 7-9 illustrate views of an alternate embodiment of an electronic archery sight 210. Archery sight 210 in constructed in the same manner as archery sight 110 except for the vertical slider and control knob arrangement. Archery sight 210 includes a base 112 configured to be mounted to an archery bow riser 11. A forward end of base 112 is mounted to or integrally connected to sight housing 214. Bracket arrangement 216 is adjustably coupled to a forward end of housing 214. Bracket arrangement 2015 includes a windage arm which extends laterally from the bracket arrangement to a sight cover 120. Sight cover 120 defines a viewing window or sight window. At least one sight pin 122 is mounted within sight cover 120.

(29) In the illustrated embodiment, bracket arrangement 216 includes a vertical slider 230 mounted within a vertical track in the forward end of sight housing 214. Vertical slider 230 can be adjusted along a vertical axis relative to sight housing 214 to correspondingly adjust the height of the sight cover, sight pin and sight point. Control knob 260 can be rotated to controllable adjust slider 230. Control knob 260 has a larger diameter than control knob 160, allowing more precise control.

(30) FIG. 9 is illustrated with housing 214 omitted to illustrate an internal view. As visible in FIG. 9, pinion gear 232 is located in the interior of sight housing 114 and mounted to a horizontal shaft 262 controlled by control knob 260. The pinion gear 232 engages a vertical rack gear 234 on slider 230 in a tangential manner such that rotation of the pinion gear causes a corresponding vertical height change in rack gear 234 and slider 230. In the illustrated embodiment, pinion gear 232 is helical and rack gear 234 has angled slots in which the pinion and rack gears engage and intermesh.

(31) Optionally, yet preferably, a pair of set screws 236 are mounted in sight housing 214. Set screws 236 are positioned so that their inner ends abut or are closely adjacent to shaft 262. Set screws 236 brace shaft 262 against a rearward rebound or bending movement and assist in holding the rack and pinion gears in engagement, for instance when an arrow is released.

(32) FIG. 10 illustrates a further alternate embodiment of an electronic archery sight 310. Archery sight 310 in constructed in the same manner as archery sight 110, except archery sight 310 includes multiple sight pins and sight points in sight cover 320. Sight 310 is illustrated with first sight pin 322 with first sight point 324, second sight pin 332 with second sight point 334, and third sight pin 342 with third sight point 344.

(33) In archery sight 310, the first sight pin 322 is used in conjunction with electronic module 140. The second and third sight pins 332, 342, are manually calibrated for fixed distances, such as 10 and 20 yards or 20 and 30 yards, when sight cover 320 is at a specific height, typically the top-most height.

(34) On the three pin sight 310, the first or bottom pin 322 is used in conjunction with the electronic module. With the sight cover in a specified position, the top two pins, second pin 332 and third pin 342, are sighted in at two fixed distances, such as 20 and 30 yards or 10 and 20 yards, separately from the first or bottom pin 322. The bottom pin 322 is sighted in at a third distance such as 40 yards. After that, as the height of sight cover 320 is adjusted, the electronic module displays the target distance correlated to the adjusted height of the bottom sight pin 322. When the sight cover is moved from the specified position, second pin 322 and third pin 342 are not sighted in for specific distances.

(35) Sights 110, 210 and 310 includes electronic module 140 mounted to the sight housing. FIGS. 6A-C illustrate detailed views of electronic module 140. Electronic module 140 includes front casing 142 and rear casing 150. Display 144 is located in front casing 142 and oriented so that the displayed information is visible to an archer. Display 144 may be an LED or LCD screen, which shows text or icons to the archer, for example displaying a target distance in yards or meters, displaying a bow speed, displaying the battery life remaining, etc.

(36) Electronic module 140 includes one or more control buttons 146 to control the electronic module with functions such as for on/off power, for selecting between modes, to adjust and set values and otherwise for programming the module. Optionally, electronic module 140 includes a control port 148, for instance a USB or micro-USB port, to which a charger and/or a programming cable can be connected. Further optionally, sight 110 may include a removable cover to protect control port 148 from debris, moisture and/or impacts when not in use. Rear housing 150 defines a shaft cavity 154.

(37) Electronic module 140 is mounted to sight housing 114 by emplacing the electronic module and then securing it in place. As shown in FIGS. 6A & 6B, in the illustrated embodiment, the exterior profile of rear casing 150 is received in a mounting cavity 156 defined in the lateral face of sight housing 114.

(38) Electronic module 140 is designed to sense the rotation and measure the angular rotation of control shaft 162 as it is selectively rotated using control knob 160. As illustrated for example in FIGS. 5 & 6A, control shaft 162 extends horizontally through sight housing 114, with a suitable bore and/or bushings, and protrudes into mounting cavity 156. When assembled, an end of control shaft 162 extends into shaft cavity 154 of the electronic module.

(39) Shaft cavity 154 is arranged to couple with the end of control shaft 162. The coupling may be a mechanical coupling, an electronic coupling or a magnetic coupling. In the illustrated embodiment, a magnetic coupling is used. Magnet 168 is fixedly mounted to a cup on the end of control shaft 162 so that magnet 168 is received in shaft cavity 154. In this embodiment, electronic module 140 incorporates at least one magnetic sensor adjacent to shaft cavity 154 to measure the angular rotation of magnet 168 and control shaft 162. In alternate embodiments, a rotary encoder or a rack and pinion gear may be used as mechanical couplings. In further alternate embodiments, an electronic coupling, for instance a potentiometer based on a variable resistor, may be used.

(40) Electronic module 140 internally includes a processor, a memory with programming, a power supply, buttons, circuitry and related components. Once the angular rotation of control shaft 162 is measured, the processor and programming use the measured rotation to calculate the then-current height of sight point 124. The calculations may be based on the range formula, a programmed algorithm or empirical data. Electronic module 140 then uses the proportional distance of sight point 124 from a calibrated position to calculate and show on display 144 the target distance of sight 110 corresponding to adjusted height of sight point 124.

(41) In certain embodiments, the electronic module is able to accurately calculate and display different target distances scaled in increments of one unit at a time in yards or meters, e.g. 20 yards, 21 yards, 22 yards . . . . In certain preferred embodiments, the electronic module is able to accurately calculate and display different target distances scaled in increments of less than one unit at a time in yards or meters, e.g. 20.1 yards, 20.2 yards, 20.3 yards, . . . . In alternate embodiments, the electronic module may be less precise, for instance displaying target distances scaled in increments of 2, 5 or 10 yards.

(42) While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.