BOW SIGHT LEVELING DEVICE

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to bow sight leveling devices.

BACKGROUND

Archery is the sport, practice, or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows. Archery may be engaged in for competition, sport, and/or recreation. Modern archery often involves the use of a compound bow. A compound bow uses a levering system, usually of cables and pulleys (referred to as cams), to aid with drawing the bowstring.

Compound bows, as well as some other bows, have one or more portions configured to receive other (e.g., accessory) devices. For example, a device called a sight may be affixed to a bow for aid in aiming. Sights vary in design and can include one or more fiber optic filaments, lenses, light emitting diodes (LEDs), electronic displays, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description references the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure and are not to be used in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example improved bow sight leveling device in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an example improved bow sight leveling device in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example improved bow sight leveling device in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an example improved bow sight leveling device in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example improved bow sight leveling device in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an example improved bow sight leveling device in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example improved bow sight leveling device in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an example improved bow sight leveling device in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example improved bow sight leveling device fastened to a bow in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a detailed perspective view of an example improved bow sight leveling device fastened to a bow in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is another detailed perspective view of an example improved bow sight leveling device fastened to a bow in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure includes devices operable to be used with a bow to assist an operator with leveling the sight on a bow. Sights can include, but are not limited to, one or more fiber optic indicators or filaments (e.g., “pins”), lenses, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and/or electronic displays.

Technology associated with archery continues to advance. This technology includes, for instance, advancements in cams, strings, risers, limbs, rests, strings, releases, and arrows, among other components. With the advancement of technology, the effective range of modern bows has continued to extend. Shots exceeding 80 yards are no longer uncommon, be they in a range setting or in the field. Shots of substantially longer distance are well within the capabilities of modern bows. Whether in competition or in the taking of game, the accuracy of a shot remains a chief concern.

One important component in modern archery is the sight. An archer desires that an arrow will hit a target where his sight indicates it will hit the target. Archers rely on the precision of their sight, especially as shot distances increase. As those of ordinary skill in the art understand, users perform an act referred to as “sighting in” a bow in order to calibrate the sight(s) such that the arrow impacts a target in a predictable position in relation to the sight picture. In an example, a bow sight may include 4 vertically stacked fiber optic indicators (commonly referred to as “pins”). The process of sighting in such a bow can include arranging each pin at a different vertical position to strike an intended target at different ranges (e.g., distances). These ranges may be user-selected and configurable. For example, a first (e.g., top) pin can be set such that the target is struck when it is covered by the first pin at a range of 20 yards from the shooter, a second pin can be set such that the target is struck when it is covered by the second pin at a range of 40 yards from the shooter, a third pin can be set such that the target is struck when it is covered by the third pin at a range of 60 yards from the shooter, and a fourth (e.g., bottom) pin can be set such that the target is struck when it is covered by the fourth pin at a range of 80 yards from the shooter. These different vertical positions account for the gravitationally caused vertical drop of an arrow as it moves horizontally towards the target.

One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any sideways canting or tilting of a bow when an arrow is released will cause the pins in the above example not to be vertically arranged. A sight that is tilted (i.e., not plumb) will cause inaccuracy, especially at longer distances. Many sights include a level or some other indicator that allows the user to ensure that the sight is not tilted to the left or right when an arrow is released.

However, because the sight is affixed to the bow, accuracy depends on the plumbness of the sight (indicated by the sight level) matching the plumbness of the bow itself. Stated differently, a sight that is being held plumb is of little use if it is affixed to a bow that is out of plumb. Users will be frustrated by inaccuracy if the plumbness of the bow and the plumbness of the sight are not calibrated (e.g., as close to identical as possible).

The process of calibrating a sight level to a bow is commonly referred to as sight leveling or leveling a sight. Sight leveling may include calibration on three separate fronts, which may be referred to as axes. A first axis concerns where the sight's housing attaches to the bow (e.g., the extension bar of the bow) and maintains left/right consistency as the sight is adjusted up or down. A second axis concerns the sight's level. A third axis concerns the levelness of the sight when shooting upward (e.g., uphill) or downward (e.g., downhill or from an elevated stand).

Because the bow is the reference point for the sight, the effectiveness of a sight leveling process depends, among other things, on the plumbness of the bow itself. However, the function and ergonomics of bows often mean they exhibit very few straight, parallel, and/or reliable surfaces to reference against. As a result, ensuring that a bow is plumb is a difficult task, and previous approaches to sight leveling have been ineffective for their purpose.

Some previous approaches, for instance, involve clamping a level to some portion (e.g., a riser) of a bow. These approaches may be ineffective because, as previously discussed, bows often do not exhibit uniform thicknesses. Stated differently, bows often do not have two parallel opposing surfaces. A bow that appears to have a section of uniform thickness may entice a user to rely on it for leveling when it is in fact not uniformly thick. Users will be frustrated by inaccuracy if the plumbness of the bow is incorrectly measured using a level that is clamped onto a tapering surface and thus tilted.

Because of the unreliability and variation of bow riser shapes across manufacturers, some previous approaches avoid the fixed components of a bow altogether and instead focus on the bowstring. These approaches involve attaching a level to the bowstring (e.g., using a clip, clamp, magnet, etc.). Some of these approaches are comparable to the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,975,391 (Hamskea Archery Solutions), referred to herein as “the Hamskea level.” These approaches may be ineffective due to a number of factors. First, the stresses a tightened bowstring puts on cams can cause torquing, leaning, and/or tilting, which can cause a theoretically plumb bowstring to be out of plumb. Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art understand that bowstrings vary, both from specimen to specimen, and also along the length of a single specimen. Even small variations in string thickness can cause an attached level to be off. In many cases, a user will attach a Hamskea level at a location on the bowstring where the arrow is to be nocked. This location is commonly wrapped by a serving. A Hamskea level attached on the serving relies on the precision and uniformity of the wrapping of the serving, which may be wanting. Further, as these devices are designed to be widely applicable and used with a variety of string diameters, their precision and/or tolerances are less refined than would be desired. Any movement or “play” between a Hamskea level and a bowstring may cause it to sag and render its readings inaccurate.

In contrast, embodiments of the present disclosure can repeatably attach to various makes and models of bows at a fixed and reliable location whether they are equipped with a string or not. This location is a standardized threaded opening made by virtually all modern bow manufacturers on the lateral surface of the riser. As known to those of ordinary skill in the art, this opening is commonly referred to as a “Berger hole” and may also be referred to as a cushion plunger hole or a Berger button hole. As machined by manufacturers to precise tolerances, the Berger hole is perpendicular to the long axis of a bow. Stated differently, when a bow is held plumb the axis of the Berger hole is horizontally level. Embodiments of the present disclosure can take advantage of the reverse proposition; that is, if the axis of the Berger hole is level, then the bow can be said to be plumb.

Some embodiments, for instance, include a device having a level vial and a threaded member that are coaxial. The threads and length of the threaded member are adapted to mate with the threads and depth of a standard Berger hole such that the device can be rotatably fed into the Berger hole until secured. Once secured, the user can adjust the tilt of the bow until the level vial indicates level. Because of the standardization, wide acceptance, and reliability of Berger hole machining, users can be confident that their bow is plumb if a device in accordance with the present disclosure shows level.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example improved bow sight leveling device 100 in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated in the example shown in FIG. 1, the device 100 includes a first portion 102, which includes a level vial 104, and a second portion 106, which includes a threaded member 108. The first portion 102 and the second portion 106 can be located on a common (e.g., same) axis 110. Stated differently, the first portion 102 and the second portion 106 can be coaxial. In some embodiments, the first portion 102 and the second portion may not be located on the same axis 110 but may be located on parallel axes.

The level vial 104 may be commonly known as a spirit level, bubble level, or simply a level. The level vial 104 can be substantially tubular and may be filled incompletely with an alcohol or other liquid such that a bubble (e.g., an air bubble) remains. The level vial 104 can be configured such that when the axis 110 is held horizontal, the bubble is centered within the level vial 104 is centered. As known to those of skill in the art, one or more indicators (e.g., lines) may be located on the level vial aid a user in centering the bubble.

The level vial 104 may be partially surrounded by a housing 118. As shown in the example illustrated in FIG. 1, for instance, the level vial 104 may be inserted into the housing 118 via an opening on an end of the housing 118. In some embodiments, the level vial 104 is removable from the housing 118. In some embodiments, the level vial 104 is retained in the housing 118 via frictional engagement with one or more interior surfaces of the housing 118. In some embodiments, the level vial 104 is secured in the housing 118 using an adhesive. In some embodiments, the level vial 104 is mechanically retained within the housing 118. For example, a cap may be screwed on to the housing 118 to retain the level vial 104 and screwed off of the housing 118 for removing the level vial 104 from the housing 118. In accordance with some embodiments, such as in the example illustrated in FIG. 8, a medial portion of the level vial 104 can be secured into an opening of a component of larger diameter, leaving a majority of the level vial 104 completely exposed (e.g., not surrounded by a housing).

In some embodiments, the device 100 includes one or more features that assist a user in rotating the device 100 about the axis 110. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, for instance, the device (e.g., the housing 118) may include one or more radial projections 120. As illustrated in FIG. 8, for instance, the device may include a textured surface 122. The texture can include a plurality of substantially parallel grooves (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 8), knurling, and/or other textures.

The device includes a threaded member 108. In some embodiments, the threaded member 108 and the housing 110 are formed from a single component. In one example, the housing 110 and the threaded member 108 are machined from a single piece of metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.). In some embodiments, the housing 110 and the threaded member 108 are machined from a single polymer (e.g., polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD), etc.). It is to be understood that the housing 110 and the threaded member 108 can be formed using a molding process, or another suitable process.

As described herein, the threaded member 108 is configured to be received by a threaded opening 126 of a bow 124 (e.g., a Berger hole). Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand the specifications of such an opening to be standardized across many manufacturers and models. These specifications are detailed in the Technical Guidelines of the Archery Trade Association. The threaded member 108 has a plurality of threads 112. The threaded member 108 has a pitch of 24 threads per inch. The threads 112 are of a unified fine pitch. The threaded member 108 has a major diameter 114 that is between 0.3037 inches and 0.3109 inches. The threaded member has a length that is between 0.749 inches and 0.751 inches.

While the present disclosure makes reference to a particular opening 126 above a bow riser (i.e., the Berger hole), embodiments herein are not so limited. Other openings on bows may be similarly sized to a similar (or same standard). Accordingly, devices in accordance with the present disclosure may be received by these openings and used to determine levelness or plumbness across other axes.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, when using a sight, accuracy depends in part on the plumbness of the sight 128 (indicated by the sight level) matching the plumbness of the bow 124 itself. Stated differently, a sight 128 that is being held plumb is of little use if it is affixed to a bow 124 that is out of plumb.

Because the bow 124 is the reference point for the sight 128, the effectiveness of a sight leveling process depends, among other things, on the plumbness of the bow 124. Some embodiments include fastening, to the bow 124, the device 100 by rotationally inserting the threaded member 108 into a Berger hole 126 of the bow 124. The device 100 can be hand tightened until it is fully seated in the opening and ceases to rotate. The bow 124 can be clamped in a bow vise or other device such that the bow is held steady. The orientation of the bow 124 can be adjusted such that the level vial 104 indicates level at a particular orientation. Once level, the particular orientation of the bow 124 can be fixed while a sight leveling procedure is performed on the sight 128. As previously discussed, a sight leveling procedure may include calibration on three separate axes. A first axis concerns where the sight's housing attaches to the bow 124 and maintains left/right consistency as the sight 128 is adjusted up or down. A second axis concerns the sight's level. A third axis concerns the levelness of the sight 128 when shooting upward (e.g., uphill) or downward (e.g., downhill or from an elevated stand).

As shown in FIG. 10, the bow 124 is at a first orientation and the bubble is not centered in the level vial. That is, the bow 124 illustrated in FIG. 10 is not plumb. When the bow 124 is reoriented, as shown in FIG. 11, the bubble now is centered in the level vial. Accordingly, the bow 124 illustrated in FIG. 11 is plumb. A user can be confident that a sight leveling procedure will result in a properly calibrated and level sight 128 because the plumbness of the bow 124 has been reliably determined by the device 100.

It is noted that embodiments of the present disclosure can be used in other openings in addition to, or in place of, a Berger hole. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that bows commonly have similarly sized openings at different locations. In some embodiments, for instance, the device 100 can be fastened to the bow 124 by rotationally inserting the threaded member 108 into one or more openings configured to receive a sight (commonly referred to as a “sight hole”). Such an opening may be located on a surface of the riser opposing the Berger hole, for instance. In some embodiments, the device 100 can be fastened to the bow 124 by rotationally inserting the threaded member 108 into an opening configured to receive a stabilizer (commonly referred to as a “stabilizer hole”). Such an opening may be located on a front portion of the bow, below the grip, for instance.

As sight holes and stabilizer holes exhibit precise tolerances in a manner analogous to the Berger hole, they can be utilized in a sight leveling procedure in one or more axes. As previously described, sight leveling may include calibration on three separate axes. A first axis concerns where the sight's housing attaches to the bow (e.g., the extension bar of the bow) and maintains left/right consistency as the sight is adjusted up or down. A second axis concerns the sight's level. A third axis concerns the levelness of the sight when shooting upward (e.g., uphill) or downward (e.g., downhill or from an elevated stand). Multiple devices 100 can be utilized in different openings to allow the determination of bow plumbness in multiple axes. Sight holes may offer an addition or alternative to a Berger hole for determining plumbness with respect to left and right tilt while stabilizer holes may offer the determination of plumbness with respect to forward and backward tilt.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that an arrangement calculated to achieve the same results can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover adaptations or variations of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combination of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

As used herein, “a number of” something can refer to one or more of such things. As will be appreciated, elements shown in the various embodiments herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, some features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure have to use more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.