US3488853A - Front and back sight for a bow - Google Patents

Description

13, 1970 A. L. ALTIER 3.488353 FRONT AND BACK SIGHT FOR A BOW 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 10, 1967 ANTHONY L. ALTIER INVENTOR.

BY xi? 3 ATTORNEY Jan. 13, 1970 A. L. ALTIER 3,488,353

FRONT AND BACK SIGHT FOR A BOW Filed March 10, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ANTHONY L LTIER IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEY Jan; 13, 1970 A. L. ALTIER 3,488,853

i RONT AND BACK SIGHT FOR A BOW Filed March 10, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ANTHONY L. ALTIER INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 13, 1970 A; ALTIER FRONT AND BACK SIGHT FOR A BOW 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 10, 1967 FIG. 6

ANTHONY L.ALTIER INVENTOR.

BY W

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,488,853 FRONT AND BACK SIGHT FOR A BOW Anthony L. Altier, 828 Maple Ave., Honesdale, Pa. 18431 Filed Mar. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 622,363 Int. Cl. Gtllc 15/12, 15/00 US. Cl. 33-46 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A front and back sight is provided for a bow, which may be mounted either at the face or at the back of the bow. The sight includes a curved slide bar fastened to the bow by a combination mounting screw at one end which also provides anchor point adjustment, and a pivot hinge at the other end. An elongated horizontal bar is disposed to move vertically up and down along the slide bar. This horizontal bar acts as a sight span and has a front sight and back peep and means for lateral and longitudinal adjustment.

The present invention relates to a front and back sight arrangement for archery and more particularly to a front and back sight arrangement which can be readily mounted on commercially sold bows. This sight arrangement can be mounted either at the face side or the back side of the bow.

By having both a front and a back sight the archer acquires a distinct sight picture when shooting. This sight picture actually makes the archer maintain constant form. By maintaining constant form, i.e., head position, anchor point, hand position, etc. the archer continually shoots accurately. A change in the sight picture can only be noticed when a front and back sight is used. This enables the archer to correct his form before release of the arrow. This will give him the accuracy which this sight is designed to provide. If the archer grips the bow too tightly, or twists the hand slightly, accidentally anchors wrong, or moves his head slightly, the sight picture will change. With a front and back sight, the archer can see his mistake and correct it before shooting.

Although it has long been recognized that a front and back sight is highly desirable such an arrangement has not been provided heretofore.

According to the present invention, a slide bar is vertically disposed just above the arrow rest. The slide bar is curved to a specific slight degree of curvature. Mounting means are provided at the ends of the slide bar to anchor the slide bar to the bow. Slidably engaging the slide bar and moving up and down along the slide bar is a sight span bracket attached to a slide boxwhich is designed to hold a sight span. The sight span is an elongated piece disposed at right angles tothe slide bar and held by the sight span bracket. At the front end of the sight span is a front sight which is merely a short vertical upstanding bar or pin and at the rear end of the sight span is the rear peep or sight which is usually a hollow cylinder or a V-shaped object if desired. The slide bar is mounted to the bow by means of a combination screw at one end and a tightenable pivoted hinge at the other end. The sight span and its sight span bracket are mounted on the slide bar by means of set screws and a spring arrangement attached to a slide box.

The invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an archer using the sight of the present invention when shooting at a target;

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FIG. 2 shows the sight contemplated herein mounted on the back of the bow;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the sight contemplated herein;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the sight mounted on the face of the bow; and,

FIG. 6 is a view of a bow with sight mounted as shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings, in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 there is shown a curved slide bar 10 mounted on the back 12 of a conventional recurve bow 14 using a combination mounting screw 16 and hinge 18. The purpose of combination mounting screw 16 will be explained at greater length herein. A mounting slide box 20 is slidably attached to slide bar 10 and disposed for up and down vertical movement along the slide bar. When the archer looks at the mounting bar from behind the bow, he sees a curved flat surface. The radius of curvature of bar 10 is approximately two to three feet, as shown in the table provided later herein. That is to say, the archers eye acts as the center of curvature of the slide bar, depending on his draw length. Horizontally disposed on the slide box 20 is a sight element span 22 having front and back sight 24, 26. Front sight 24 will appear as a dot in a bulls eye which is defined by back sight 26 consisting of a hollow cylinder or a V-shaped object if desired.

New mounting screw 16 which is used to attach the upper portion of the slide bar in this particular case to the bow has woodscrew threads on one end adapted to penetrate and engage the bow and adjustment machine threads at the rear thereof on which two adjustment nuts 28 and 30 are disposed one on each side of an aperture 32 formed in the slide bar. The importance of this arrangement will be more apparent shortly. At the other end the slide bar is twisted at right angles to form a neck 32 which is used to fasten the slide bar with a tightenable hinge 18 by means of a bolt 34 and a bolt 36 which prevents twisting of slide bar 10. Hinge 18 in turn will be fastened, in this instance, to the back of the bow by means of screws 38, 40.

New slide box 20 has a U-shaped cross-section, the arms of the U being disposed to slide along the side of slide bar 10. Across the face 42 of slide bar 10 nearest the archer a strip of paper or tape 44 for marking yardage relative to the bow used can be disposed as shown in FIG. 4. On the face of the slide box 20 is an aperture 46 and as the slide box 20 slides up and down the slide bar the tape 44 is visible through aperture 46. In this way it is possible for the archer to mark the tape with pencil, pen, or crayon and he can adjust his sight for varied distance and visibly see the adjustment when moving the slide box as the mark will appear through the aperture 46, Interposed between the slide box 20 and the slide bar 10 is a spring 48 curved so that the curve shall press against the slide bar, and in conjunction with screws 60, 62 serve to hold slide box 20 adjustably against the curved slide bar 10 so as to follow the curvature of the slide bar and make possible the alignment of the line of vision through the front and back sights using the archers eye as the pivoting point. As will be shown herein, the curvature of slide bar 10 is bent to a radius of curvature which is a function of the archers draw normal or anchor point. Disposed along the side of slide box 20 is a sight span bracket 54 consisting of a horizontal element 56 and a depending wing 58. Sight span bracket 54 and spring 48 are held in place in the slide box 20 by means of screws 60, 62 which pass through the sight span bracket wing 58 into the slide box 20 with screw 60 passing over convex center of spring 48. Screws 60, 62 are inserted through wing 58 into tapped threads of slide box 20 and are positioned to the individual archers adjustment and held secure. They are held in place by means of jam nuts 64 and 66, there being two nuts for each screw. Jam nut 64 acts as the forward nut and 66 as the rear nut. With this arrangement the slide box 20 can slide with constraight along the mounting bar. To set the slide box and prevent motion temporarily, when shooting at a fixed distance a set screw 68 is provided. The sight span 22 is mounted on its support by means of screws 70, 72 entering corresponding threaded apertures 74, 76 in the bracket 54. To retain the sight span firmly, washers 78, 80 are provided on screws 70, 72. By removing screws 70, 72 sight span 22 can be removed and different sight spans 23 substituted. These may be made available in 6, 9 and 12 inch lengths, with small medium and standard peeps, or any lengths or type V-back sights as desired.

The sight arrangement just described and mounted on the back 12 of how 14 can also be used where the mounting has to be made on the face of the bow as shown in FIG. and FIG. 6. In this arrangement, the neck 32 is placed towards the top and the combination mounting screw 16 towards the bottom. Tightenable swival action hinge 18 is pivoted 180 to the position in FIG. 5. In this arrangement the curved surface of the slide bar again faces the archer, the sight span and slide bar is nearer to the archer, and the sighting arrangement works in exactly the same way as when mounted on the back of the bow. In fact the only difference between in the area of his cheek or chin depending on choice), such positioning required for consistancy in accuracy being necessary whether using a sight or shooting instinctively. The front and back sight eliminates the guess Work of such positioning. The longer the sight span and the smaller diameter of the peep or back sight, the more precise the positioning of this anchor point will be.

The up and down adjustment of slide box 20 accomplishes range adjustment necessary for varied distance when shooting. When the slide bov 20 position is high on slide bar 10 (such height being determined by archers style of shooting and lowness of his desired anchor point), the arrow is aimed for close distance shooting. By lowering slide box 20 an amount determined by trial and error, e.g., weight of bow and arrows used by the individual; this automatically brings the bow hand up, necessary to produce the arc of the arrow flight to be able to hit a desired target further away. This too, is a trial and error adjustment commonly known to sight shooters.

Tape 44 is provided for proper marking relative to distance shooting and amount of elevation of bow, necessary for arc of arrow flight to hit a desired target.

With regard to the exact radius bars for the archers draw length when mounted on the face of the bow and when mounting on the back of bow, five different bar radiuses are required. These are shown in the following table, all dimensions being in inches.

TABLE Slide Bar Radius Archers Back Mount Draw Lengths mounting the sight arrangement on the face of the bow instead of the back of the bow is the up-side-down positioning of the slide bar, plus the necessity for a different radius bar as indicated later in the table provided herein relative to the archers draw length. Consequently the combination mounting screw 16 providing anchor point adjustment also has to be reversed as can be seen by comparing FIG. 3 and FIG. 6.

The arrangement just described can also be used for left handed archers by removing sight span bracket 54 and screws 60 and 62 and inserting these in the opposite side of slide box 20. This requires a complete removal of the sight span bracket and inserting from the opposite side, however, when ordering the sight arrangement, if the archer specifies that he is left handed the reversal of parts can best be done at the factory which can stock a certain amount of sight arrangements for left handed archers, thus saving valuable time dismantling the sight arrangement.

The details of initially setting up and adjusting the sight will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, this explanation also applies to FIGS. 5 and 6 and to left handed archers with obvious modifications. Turning screws 60 and 62 inwardly together results in arrow grouping moving to the left. Turning there screws outwards puts arrow groups to the right, until dead center accuracy is obtained by these adjustments. This is reversed for left handed persons. Turning one screw in farther than the other gives canter or in and out action to either iront sight or back peep to line up to the archers style of shooting. Jam nuts 66 and 64 are provided for permanent setting once adjusted to the individuals likes.

A key feature of the sight arrangement is combination mounting screw 16 which accomplishes not only the mounting of slide bar 10 but also provides in and out adjustment of the slide bar. Wood screw threads of bolt 16 are coarse adjustments. Machine threads are found it the back of mounting screw 16. These are fine adjustments. This adjustment makes possible constant anchor point positioning (the point where every archer draws .llS string before releasing the arrow, such positioning a g individu cho c h th r ncho ing h g or low Furthermore, the arrangement of hinge 18 prevents twisting of slide bar 10 as would not be possible with two wood-screws one at each end of slide bar 10. This is why this mount is provided. Thus, two wood screws at each end of the slide bar instead of a tightenable swivel action could be used to mount a sight, but the possibility of twisting slide bar 10 would be present, through play found in the threaded action of nuts and screws.

Also, the sight span 22 is moveable forward or backward in sight span bracket 54 but may be secured in position by adjustment of screws 70 and 72.

The following explanation is given as to how to mount the sight arrangement described herein on a bow.

Example of mounting Step 1.Attachment of swivel action bracket 18. This bracket is secured by two wood screws 32, 40. Drill two holes inch deep at bottom area of bow sight window, using a ,5 inch diameter drill drilling at the spot previously marked with a pencil through the two wood screw holes found in this bracket. Drill the same holes again, using a inch drill, making certain to go only through the fiberglass and no deeper. This is to allow room for the gripping portion of the threads in the wood screws to pass through fiberglass without cracking the glass. Make certain this is mounted in the area above the sight window or in a spot having at least inch thickness in wood and lamination, to prevent damage to working action of the bow limbs and possibly of screws protruding out the opposite side of bow.

Step 2.-With concave slide bar attached to top swival action bracket, line up the slide bar to make certain that this slide bar is running parallel with bow string. If slide bar is too long, it may be cut off with a hack saw at desired length and drilled with a inch drill. If cut off is performed, be careful to clamp only the portion discarded in vise so as not to change precision setting of the concave slide bar. Do not attempt to put a slight bend at the end of the slide bar to prevent the possibility of changing setting, but insert combination screw 16 at slight downward angle to compensate for this. Drill inch hole 1 /2 inches deep in area of bow along side sight window, drilling through hole 32 found in slide bar, but make certain the slide bar is held at one inch away from bow at time of drilling. A inch hole found in slide bar will position archer properly for this step. Now drill inch hole through fiberglass only, no deeper, to prevent cracking of glass as mentioned above.)

Step 3.-'Insert combination wood and machine screw 16 inch in bow at first. Try to shoot using your normal anchor point. If anchor point is too low, turn combination screw in farther and so on until proper position is found. (High anchor point requires far in position-low anchor point farout position.) Machine threads are fine adjustments, wood threads are coarse adjustments. 7

Step 4.-Archer is now ready to start sighting in, once proper anchor point is found. Loosen all inch nuts 64, 66 found on two screws holding sight span bracket. (Bracket holding front sight and back peep.) Screwing this bracket in brings groups of arrows to your left. Screwing out puts arrow groups to right, for a right handed person, (use reverse for left handed person). Turn each screw 60, 62 only one turn at a time, to prevent bending of bracket. Screwing one in or out farther than the other gives canter to front sight or back peep, to line up. to archers style of shooting. Once adjusted, tighten all nuts and startshooting. Properly matched arrows and a little time. Greater accuracy can be obtained with finer peeps practice will give tremendous accuracy in a very short and longer sight spans such as 23.

It is to' be observed therefore that the present invention provides for a sight arrangement which could be mounted on any style bow. The front sight and back peep, line up perfectly with the archers eye, once adjusted to his style shooting. The archer can maintain the sight picture for close shooting or lower slide box 20 and the sight span which moves therewith to obtain elevation for distant shooting. This precise alignment is made possible by the precision concave slide bar of the sight. Thus, the slide box and the sight span will follow the archers line of vision relative to the target. The archers eye acts as a pivot point for front and back sight. A set screw 68 is provided for precise desired range setting and a convenient window with centering lines is provided for extremely accurate setting and yardage markings. The arrangement described has vertical adjustment, horizontal adjustment, with interchangeable sight spans which can be anywhere from 6 to 12 inches in length from sight and back peep, or longer if so desired. It has a degree canter adjustment to either the front sight or back peep necessary for proper sighting, and a precise anchor point adjustment provides constant positioning by means of combination mounting screw 16. Anchor point positioning is determined through the use of sight picture. It is adaptable to left or right hand shooting.

I claim:

1. A sight arrangement for mounting on a bow, comprising in combination,

a curved elongated slide bar having a flat surface, the radius of curvature being of the order of two feet and having a neck at one end thereof formed at right angles to the fiat surface, said neck having a flat face portion;

a hinge bracket having a flat face mounted on said neck and in face-to-face contact with said fiat face portion of said neck, means passing through said hinge bracket flat face and the flat face portion of said neck for tightening and clamping said hinge fiat face and the fiat face portion of said neck thereby preventing relative movement therebetween,.means for rigidly fastening the hinge bracket to the bow and tightenable mounting screw means at the other end of said slide bar' and passing through the flat sur face thereof and'anchored into the bow including adjustment means for adjustably fixing the position of said other end of the slide bar relative to the bow, whereby said slide bar is rigidly mounted on said bow and is prevented from movement in any direction with respect to said bow;

a slide box for sliding engagement on said slide bar, said slide box including spring means for resiliently holding said slide box on the slide bar and a set screw for fastening said slide box at any selected position along said slide bar;

a. bracket attached to one side of said slide box and an elongated sight span having an upstanding point at one end and a framing aperture at the other end, means mounting said span on said bracket at right angles to said slide bar for forward and rearward adjustment, and lateral adjustment means on said bracket for moving said span laterally inward or outward with respect to said slide box.

2. A sight arrangement as claimed in claim 1 said mounting screw means comprising a bolt with wood screw threads at one end and machine screw threads at the other, and nut means for adjustment disposed on the machine screw threads.

3. A sight arrangement as defined in claim 1 including an indicia receiving face on the inner side of the curved slide bar for marking range distances thereon.

4. A sight arrangement as defined in claim 3, and further including a registration Window on one face of said slide box through which the indicia receiving face of said slide 'bar is visible.

5. A sight arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said lateral adjustment means comprises a pair of spaced horizontally disposed adjustment bolts fixed to said bracket and threadedly received by said slide box, each adjustment bolt being separately adjustable to selectively cant said sight span with respect to said slide box.

6. A sight arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said upstanding point is formed as an upward bend of one end of the sight span, and said aperture is a cylindrical peep sight.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,163,503 6/1939 Tate.

3,058,221 10/1962 McNeel.

3,163,697 12/ 1964 White 33-464 3,302,292 2/1967 Akin 3346.4

LEONARD FORMAN, Primary Examiner STEVEN L. STEPHAN, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 124-24

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