Archery bowstring peep sight useful in low light conditions

Abstract

A peep sight which enables viewing above and below an intended target includes a body which develops a frame for defining a shaped aperture and a peripheral groove for receiving a bowstring, for mounting the peep sight to the bowstring. The shaped aperture forms a single, vertically elongated sight window which provides a large sight picture to facilitate viewing of the target, especially in low light situations, and which is free of internal structures. In use, the peep sight allows an archer to immediately focus on the sighting pins of the bow, and then on the target, without obstruction.

1 . A peep sight useful in low light conditions comprising a body which develops a frame for defining a shaped aperture having a height and a width, wherein the frame includes a peripheral groove for receiving a bowstring, for mounting the peep sight to the bowstring, wherein the height of the shaped aperture along a defined center line is greater than the width of the shaped aperture to develop a vertically elongated sight window, wherein the aperture includes a top sighting point and a bottom sighting point, wherein the top sighting point and the bottom sighting point intersect with the center line of the shaped aperture, and wherein the shaped aperture is free of internal structures so that the sight window is free of obstructions.  
   
   
       2 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein the aperture is substantially elliptical in shape.  
   
   
       3 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein the aperture includes a substantially circular center section, and vertically opposing, rectangular sections located above and below the center section.  
   
   
       4 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein outer edges of the frame have a substantially elliptical shape.  
   
   
       5 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein inner edges of the frame, adjacent to the aperture, are beveled.  
   
   
       6 . The peep sight of  claim 5  wherein the frame has a defined width, and wherein the beveled edges extend into the frame for a distance of from 10% to 25% of the width of the frame.  
   
   
       7 . The peep sight of  claim 1  which further includes serving knots for retaining the bowstring within the groove.  
   
   
       8 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein the frame includes opposing outer faces which are substantially identical in configuration, thereby developing a peep sight which is fully reversible.  
   
   
       9 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein the body is formed of aluminum.  
   
   
       10 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein the body is formed of a plastic.  
   
   
       11 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein the body is a unitary structure.  
   
   
       12 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein the body includes a pair of opposing faces which are separated by a reduced center portion for forming the groove.  
   
   
       13 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein the frame has a height of from 0.375 inches to 1.5 inches.  
   
   
       14 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein the frame has a width of from 0.1875 inches to 0.75 inches.  
   
   
       15 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein the frame has a thickness of from 0.125 inches to 0.5 inches.  
   
   
       16 . The peep sight of  claim 1  wherein the sight window continuously develops an elongated viewing area as the bowstring is drawn back.  
   
   
       17 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . The peep sight of  claim 1  in combination with a bow having a bowstring receiving the peep sight, and a sight mounted to a riser associated with the bow.  
   
   
       21 . The peep sight of  claim 20  wherein the bow is aligned relative to an intended target when the target, and a sight pin associated with the sight, are brought into alignment with the center line defined by the vertically elongated sight window, at a desired elevation along the center line.  
   
   
       22 . The peep sight of  claim 2  wherein the top sighting point and the bottom sighting point correspond to top and bottom vertices of the substantially elliptical aperture.  
   
   
       23 . The peep sight of  claim 3  wherein the top sighting point and the bottom sighting point correspond to top and bottom faces of the vertically opposing, rectangular sections of the aperture.