Bow sight apparatus having multiple lasers

Abstract

A multiple laser sight system for an archery bow or the like configured so that the multiple laser systems can be calibrated together and having features such that the user can use one laser system during the day and one laser system during the light. The laser sight is further configured to not interfere with the optional use of conventional sighting pins and the use of evening infrared systems, like the prior art use of night vision goggles.

Claims

1. An archery bow sight assembly mountable to an archery bow, comprising: an adjustable mount capable of attaching to an archery bow; a housing containing; a first laser adjustable by a sighting system for setting a spot onto a target at a user-set range, a second laser that is used for setting a spot onto a target in a different environmental condition than that existing with the use of the first laser, and a display with infrared capability for viewing the spot created by either the first or second laser; wherein the calibration of the first laser to specific distances using the sighting system calibrates the second laser with the first laser.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the calibration is for distances to specific targets.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the calibration also includes adjustments made for elevation to various distances.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the calibration includes multiple preset ranges for various distances to the target.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first laser is a visible diode laser.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the second laser includes an infrared laser.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the display includes an LCD display that allows the user to see the laser spot created from the first laser.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the display includes an LCD display that allows the user to see the laser spot created from the second laser.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said LCD includes a feature to control the brightness, zoom, and contrast of the LCD screen.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the calibration of the first and second lasers is done manually wherein different settings associated with different distances can be adjusted via the sighting system so that both the first and second lasers can calibrate to the same preset settings at user-specified distances.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the calibration of the first and second lasers is done automatically using a controller that can coordinate the distances and the settings.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second lasers are physically coupled so that calibration of the second laser can also calibrate the first laser.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing is detachable.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the display includes a mobile device or smart device that can act as the LCD screen and also provide controller functions to coordinate the calibration.

15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the display has settings, such as zoom preferences and preferred distances, that use the calibration of the first laser so that when the first laser is calibrated, the display is adjusted using the preferred range settings.

16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the display has recording capabilities.

17. The assembly of claim 16 including a camera to capture an image of a shot of the target, the camera being connected with the LCD such that the user can view instantly the images captured by the camera.

18. The assembly of claim 1, further including an infrared light source.

19. A method of using an archery bow including: first calibrating a first laser to various distances during the day time so that the user can match various locations with various settings on the archery bow that instantly show the user where to aim; and using a second laser at different environment conditions than that existing with use of the first laser so that the second laser has the same calibrated settings as the first laser.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first laser is a visible diode laser and the second laser is an infrared laser wherein the different environment conditions includes using the first laser during the day and using the infrared laser during the night.

21. The method of claim 19 including using a camera and LCD screen wherein the camera and LCD screen coordinates with the first and second lasers.

22. The method of claim 19, further including an infrared light source.

23. A sight assembly for a hunting device, comprising: a sight for aiming the hunting device, a calibration mechanism, a visible laser for illuminating a first spot on a first target at a specific distance from the hunting device, the visible laser associated with the calibration mechanism to calibrate the visible laser so that the first spot indicates where a projectile fired from the hunting device will impact the first target when the hunting device is aimed using the sight; an infrared laser for illuminating a second spot on a second target at the specific distance from the hunting device, the visible laser and the infrared laser being operatively connected such that when the visible laser is calibrated, the infrared laser is also calibrated so that the second spot indicates where a projectile will impact the target; and a display for displaying the second spot and the infrared image of the target to allow a user to calibrate the visible laser during the day and then use the display to aim the hunting device at night.

24. The sight assembly of claim 23 in which the hunting device is a bow.

25. The sight assembly of claim 23 in which the hunting device is a cross-bow.

26. The sight assembly of claim 23 in which the hunting device is a pistol.

27. The sight assembly of claim 23 in which the hunting device is a shotgun.

28. The sight assembly of claim 23 in which the hunting device is a rifle.

29. The sight assembly of claim 23 in which the hunting device is an airbow.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traditional archer and an archery set in accordance with a prior art system;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hunter trying to use night vision goggles in accordance with a prior art system;

(3) FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the front view of the current invention;

(4) FIG. 4 shows schematically a hunter using the current invention sight device during the day and at night;

(5) FIG. 5 is a pictorial front view of the bow sight of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 6 is a pictorial top view of the bow sight system of FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 7 shows the LCD screen that is employed with the current invention; and

(8) FIG. 8 shows a pin setting interior of the current invention in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) The components of an embodiment of the system of the present invention are shown attached to a variety of projectile firing weapons, namely a bow, a rifle, and a pistol. The preferred bow sight system has selectively infrared illuminating capabilities with displayable laser marks on a LCD screen with a corresponding visible laser spot.

(10) As shown in FIG. 3, a bow system 300 is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. The bow system 300 has a mounting system 310 is adaptable for various crossbow, bow, archery, rifle, or firing arm system. The mounting system can be a conventional mounting system 310, well known in the industry. The mounting system 310 is used to connect the main body 311 of the sight system 320. The sight system 320 is composed of a first visible light laser sight, a second infrared laser sight, and a third video sight that are calibrated with each as discussed below. The main body 311 may be mounted to a weapon using a variety of mounting mechanisms, including those disclosed in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,967, titled, Aiming Assistance Device for a Weapon, issued on Jul. 11, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,901, titled, Auxiliary Device for a Weapon and Attachment Thereof, issued Jun. 10, 2003; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,038, titled, Mounting Assembly for a Weapon, issued on Mar. 16, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Additionally, the sight system may utilize a mounting mechanism compatible with a mounting rail disclosed in military specifications (e.g., MIL-STD-1913), a rail grabber mounting mechanism, levers, screws, bolts, and/or the like.

(11) The main body 311 of the sight system 320 contains an LCD display 321 that provides the digital image created by the third video sight, such as a camera, and aligns properly with calibrated target settings that is established by the archer. Embodiments of the present invention involve the use of the first visible light sight and its automatic calibration with the second infrared laser sight. Embodiments of the present invention also use a third video sight that can be calibrated with the first and second sights. For example, a user can calibrate the first visible light sight, which will calibrate the second infrared sight, which can both be calibrated with the video sight so that the video can precisely shoot at an angle, zoom, and shutter speed, and all other settings that would allow the calibration of the first sight to save or calibrate the video settings.

(12) The preferred embodiment employs a conventional diode laser as a source of visible laser pointer as a first sight. The system includes zoom in and zoom out buttons 325, on/off switches for both the daylight laser and infrared laser 326, laser adjustment buttons 327, and brightness settings 328. The infrared laser pointer assembly and infrared illuminator assembly are used in conjunction.

(13) The visible laser has different settings for different ranges (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,050 A). An adjustable laser beam sight system comprises a supporting plate and first, second and third serially arranged and rotationally coupled levers mounted on the supporting plate by two pivots. The first pivot rotationally couples the first lever to the supporting plate and the second pivot rotationally couples the third lever to the supporting plate. A first laser sight comprising a laser beam emitting device is attached to the first lever. Rotation of the third lever, acting through the second lever, imparts a change in direction of the first lever and the laser beam. A range scale with its reference center substantially at the second pivot is provided on the supporting plate. An indicator on the third lever moves across the range scale as the third lever is moved to adjust the aim of the laser beam, thereby indicating a range setting. Laser archery bow sight (e,g, U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,813 B1) is another example of such a laser setup. In accordance with embodiments of the current invention, a second sight is designed so that when the first laser sight is calibrated, the second sight is automatically calibrated. The second sight can comprise a second infrared laser beam system wherein when a user calibrates his hunting settings during the day using the first laser sight, the second sight is automatically calibrated for night-time use.

(14) The use of an LCD screen and a camera can be pivotal with hunting equipment. As shown in FIG. 4, the archer uses a bow 400 with a bow sight 410 in accordance with one embodiment of the current invention. The sight system is used to direct a laser beam path 420 to the target 440 using target sight 450. The archer is able to calibrate his first laser sight system with conventional known distances prior to the engagement with the animal target 440. For example, the archer is capable of using conventional pin setting system that will mark off certain distances. In accordance with embodiments of the current invention, the pin setting system will coordinate with the first or second sights so that both can be calibrated to the marked off distances. It should be further noted that in accordance with embodiments of the current invention, a third camera sight system 430 and the LCD screen 431 is used so that the target can be additionally viewed on the LCD screen 431. The third sight system can also be set and calibrate with the first and second sights. A mark 460 marks the corresponding spot of target spot 450 that is shown on LCD screen 432.

(15) During the employment of the system at night, there is an optional sensor that detects the settings for evening settings. Conventional light sensors can be used to set the system such that the LCD screen coordinates with the camera during the day and switches to the infrared setting at night. The conventional first visible laser sight is always calibrated so that any adjustments made to the first visible laser sight is coordinated with the second night, or infrared, laser sight. The night laser sight works with internal infrared illuminator to illuminate the target with infrared light. The camera system can also switch the LCD screen from day time to night time infrared screen and allows for the target marking to be on the exact target spot 460 as with the conventional laser. Although the target is not visible in the night, the target 460 on the LCD screen is clearly visible with the use of the infrared light.

(16) Both the daylight laser sight and evening laser sight are coordinated and connected so that they move together. In a preferred form of the invention, the laser is adapted for use with an archery bow. In a preferred form of the invention, the camera and video are also coordinated so that when the user calibrates the first or second sights, the camera can also make pre-set adjustments to follow or view the target better. There are many ways in which a laser can be adjusted to its target. If the second sight is directly attached, it must be attached in a manner that adjustments made on the first sight is also made on the second sight. In an automated system, the calibrations required by the user are stored and extrapolated into the second sight system. In other words, a laser may point at a target and a processor may store information regarding its distance and location such that the night time infrared sight can use it to pinpoint the exact same target.

(17) The laser set may be adjusted using up-down adjuster 610 and 620 in accordance with another embodiment 600 of the current invention as shown in FIG. 6. The left-right adjuster and a top-bottom adjuster coordinate with the infrared illuminator assembly so that it functions to capture the target at night. The divergence of the resulting infrared illuminator beam may be adjusted from a narrow beam to a wide beam by rotation of a beam adjuster. The beam adjustor may have an outside dimension sized to allow an operator to adjust the beam size. Locating the two laser sight assemblies within one beam adjustor can save space. Embodiment 600 includes a power switch 630 for the laser and a power switch 640 for the infrared illuminator. A removable cover camp 551 is used for eyepiece 550.

(18) Conventional day laser 530, the first sight, and night laser 540, the second sight, are coupled together as shown in FIG. 5. Because the conventional laser has the ability to adjust vertically and laterally in accordance with the user's use of dials and pin settings, the coupled night vision laser must match exactly with the settings so that when a user calibrates his first sight during the day, the second sight is automatically set to the same settings, such as distances, at night. This is done in one embodiment of the invention by physically coupling the conventional day laser to the infrared night laser and calibrating them so that each movement with one system is aligned perfectly with the other. In one preferred embodiment, a rotator dial is used that has notched pin settings that match the user's use of convention distance systems, like the pin settings, with precise measurements of the laser. The rotator dial can be set to physically alter the first sight and the second sight at the same time so that changing one laser setting changes the other. And unlike the conventional use of night vision goggles that would normally interfere with the shooter, the system in accordance with FIG. 3 stays to the side of the system and does not interfere with the archer or his resting face on or near the bow of the system 300. To save money, the coordination of the first and second sights can be done in a variety of physical ways. They can physically be attached to a different dial setting as described. They can also be attached in a manner that they point precisely only a few inches away from each other so that both sights follow a parallel pathway to its target.

(19) Many settings can be calibrated and transferred to the second sight. Multiple distances and multiple locations can be spotted and used interchangeably between the daytime and nighttime lasers. If a user stores or tracks information regarding the distances of the laser at many points during the day, the user will be able to access those same distances with his LCD screen at night. Such a sight system may have a preferred zoom or brightness for the user. Such information may also be stored so that when a user points his second sight at a target, the camera and LCD screens will immediately allow the user to see the target and its preferred settings. The use of an LCD has advantages to a night time user for bow archers. Because the flew of the string back towards the user, the head of an archer is removed from the actual target sight system. In a rifle, the scope would be right next to the user's eye, but that is not the case with an archer. Thus, and LCD that is capable of zooming in has special advantages for a user that may view the screen from a foot to two feet away.

(20) With modern equipment, the multiple sights with the capabilities to illuminate the target at night and the LCD can all be added to a bow with relative ease. More importantly, the equipment these days are light and require only minimal adjustments by the user. With time, the equipment will advance to produce faster and lighter materials, but the current invention ties together the ability for a user to use his sight system in multiple settings by allowing the user to calibrate one setting for one sight and transfer those settings and its usage to another environment.

(21) In another embodiment of the preferred invention, the calibration of the first and second sights to the same target can be done using some form of programmable instructions. This can be done by having the settings of the first sight and the second sight be coordinated with a controller. The controller can account for different distance settings and can account for the calibration needed so that when a user makes changes to the first sight, the second sight will calibrate on the same target.

(22) 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.

(23) FIG. 5 is an exploded assembly view of the double-laser assembly consistent with one embodiment of the invention. The system 500 may be incorporated in a weapon mountable sight wherein the conventional red laser 530 is coupled to infrared laser system 540. An illuminator infrared drive ring 520 and a camera lens 510 also make up the front view. The location of visible laser pointer assembly and the infrared laser pointer assembly may be swapped without departing from the invention.

(24) The visible laser pointer assembly may be a type having a conventional diode and spaced a fixed distance from a lens and the infrared laser pointer assembly. The visible laser pointer assembly and the infrared laser pointer assembly may be coupled together in conventional methods including fusing. The conventional lasers must be calibrated precisely so that they can coordinate on different targets when the user changes the setting. In other words, when the user calibrates one laser, the other laser is calibrated exactly the same so that the two lasers can be used together and in conjunction, as well as, one at a time during the different parts of the day.

(25) The night sight system includes the ability to see the target in the evening, and it works such that the dot of laser light that is projected on a distant targeted object can be viewed through the LCD screen wherein the aim indicators that are illuminated or otherwise visually or audibly displayed at positions which compensate for such situation-specific shooting and environmental factors in a manner that allows an archer to take dead aim with, or aim directly at, an intended target at all times. FIG. 7 shows an LCD screen in accordance with another embodiment of the current invention including a sighting mechanism 710. LCD system 700 can be used with the evening laser system or can be used with the daytime camera, used in a conventional camera LCD screen methods well known in the industry. Spot 740 is calibrated accordingly by both the daylight and evening laser systems. Zoom features 730 and 731 and brightness setting 720 and on/off button 721 are conventional buttons on LCD camera screen systems.

(26) FIG. 8 shows a system having a sighting mechanism 830 where the first sight and the second sight are attached to each other and coordinated so that the calibrations made by the first sight transfer to the calibrations of the second sight. The customer using the dial in 840 can move the laser vertically either up or down to move lasers 820 and 810 to each of the distance settings in pins 841, 842, 843, 844 and 845. Each pin 841-845 can be adjusted vertically either up or down to set the distance for the lasers 820 and 810. The daytime laser 820 is connected with the evening laser system 810 with a connector 821 such that any coordinated movement to adjust the calibration on the target is done together and coordinated so that any setting set by the daytime laser system can be used by the evening laser system. Optionally, a third sight, that includes a camera and LCD screen, can be coordinated with the first daytime laser sight and the second evening laser sight.

(27) The following is a possible manner to use the current invention. An archer uses the current bow sight by mounting it on his/her bow. During the day, the archer finds a location to hunt and calibrates his conventional pin settings (240) so that the archer knows which pin setting to use for various distances. The archer calibrates his first sight (841), which includes a conventional red laser, so that the different distances match with the settings. The archer can optionally have a rangefinder in the system that can measure exact distances. The archer is now prepared to point, direct the laser, and have an immediate assessment of how to fire depending on the pin setting of the bow. The calibration of the first sight automatically calibrates the second sight system. The automatic calibration is done using a manual connection between the first and the second sight, however, the calibration of the second can be done using a program if both sights are in sync with a processor, or controller, than can account for the different settings and the different distances. This can be done using conventional processors or controller, and optionally, it can be done using a mobile smart device, such as a mobile phone that can attach to the system. In this embodiment, the mobile smart device can also act as the LCD screen and camera that is part of the third sight system. The archer will then perform the same distance setting process with pins 842-845 to set the other distances for the pins with the traditional sighting system (240).

(28) In another embodiment, the multiple sights can only be manually adjusted and individually adjusted when there is switch that goes from calibration to non-calibration. Only in the non-calibration mode can each of the sights be calibrated to different targets or to different distances. In this embodiment, each of the sights will require its own adjustment capabilities. But in this embodiment, there must be a calibration mode where a user can either switch a button or turn on the feature of a program that makes the first sight and second sights calibrate together. For purposes of this invention, the discussion focusses on only when the first and second sights are linked so that the calibration of the first sight calibrates the second sight.

(29) Once the archer coordinates and calibrates the distances of the first sight, the second sight should also be calibrated. The archer can wait for quite some time before any game shows up. The switch from day to night can bring out different hunt, and in the current system, the second sight system can be used in the different environmental conditions. The different environmental conditions may be a change in weather, temperature, but mostly, it is contemplated that the different change in environmental conditions is a change in time, from day to night. The second sight uses a different laser, an infrared laser, and with its use of an infrared showing LCD screen. The LCD can act as a third sight that stores information and is calibrated so that settings, such as particular zooms, are memorized and calibrated when the user decides to target.

(30) There are pin settings, and the calibration of the pin settings can include at least five preset ranges for various distances to the target using an eye piece that matches five pin settings to various distances. Other settings that may include for the third sight, brightness, zoom, shutter speed, zoom of the LCD screen. It may include all the conventional settings of a normal camera, which can be coordinated with the calibrations of the first or second sight.

(31) Various embodiments of a bow sight will now be described that achieve these and many other goals, it being understood that other configurations may be provided that fall within the scope of the present invention. Such exemplary embodiments of the bow hunting accessory device of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout.