Automatic bow sight

Abstract

This invention relates to a bow sight and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an automatic bow sight which is releasably securable to a bow. The bow finder includes a range finder, a range finder aiming mechanism for use in assisting to aim the range finder at a target, a display arrangement including a plurality of fight sources that can be switched on independently and/or in combination, and a processor configured to receive information from the range finder, and to send an actuation signal to the display arrangement in order for at least some of the light sources to be selectively switched on.

1 . An automatic bow sight including:
 a range finder suitable for determining a range to a target;   a range finder aiming mechanism for use in assisting to aim the range finder at a target;   a display arrangement including a plurality of light sources that can be switched on independently and/or in combination; and   a processor configured to receive information from the range finder, and to send an actuation signal to the display arrangement in order for at least some of the light sources to be selectively switched on.   
     
     
         2 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 1  in which the range finder aiming mechanism is in the form of a laser guide which is aligned with the range finder in order to provide, in use, a visual indication of a focal point of the range finder. 
     
     
         3 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 1  in which the range finder aiming device is in the form of a laser beam used by the range finder to range a target. 
     
     
         4 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 1  in which the range finder, laser guide, processor and display arrangement are securable to a bow. 
     
     
         5 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 4  including a housing configured for housing the range finder, laser guide, processor and display arrangement, the housing being releasably securable to the bow. 
     
     
         6 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 5  in which the housing includes a sight window for housing the display arrangement, a range finder and laser guide enclosure located operatively above the sight window, and a processor enclosure operatively adjacent the sight window. 
     
     
         7 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 6  in which the display arrangement includes a display element from which light emanating from the light source is in use reflected towards the archer. 
     
     
         8 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 7  in which the display element is in the form of a layer of transparent material that is orientated at an angle relative to a line of sight of the archer and relative to a bow plane. 
     
     
         9 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 8  in which the display element is inclined at an angle of between 40 and 50 degrees relative to the bow plane. 
     
     
         10 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 9  in which the display element is inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the bow plane. 
     
     
         11 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 8  in which the light sources are located operatively towards the side of the display element, in order for light emitted from the light sources to be, in use, reflected in the direction of the user. 
     
     
         12 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 11  in which the light sources are located in a vertical sidewall of the sight window. 
     
     
         13 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 1  in which the light sources are in communication with the processor located in the processor housing adjacent the sight window. 
     
     
         14 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 13  in which the light sources are mounted on a PC board of the processor, and light emitted from the light sources is projected into the sight window though slots and/or apertures located in a sidewall of the sight window. 
     
     
         15 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 14  in which the light sources may include an array of vertically spaced apart LED's which can be used to project an aiming dot onto the display element. 
     
     
         16 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 15  in which the light sources also includes a combination of seven segment LED's than can be used to project numerals onto the display element. 
     
     
         17 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 1  including a magnification lens for magnifying the view through the sight window. 
     
     
         18 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 1  including a receiving formation suitable for releasably receiving a magnification lens. 
     
     
         19 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 1  in which the processor includes a memory module for storing a plurality of pre-set shooting programs to enable a user to choose one of the pre-set programs when the bow is sighted. 
     
     
         20 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 1  including an inclinometer and/or accelerometer for use in determining the inclination of the bow, which information may be fed to the processor for further processing. 
     
     
         21 . The automatic bow sight of  claim 1  including a levelling instrument for assisting in ensuring that the bow is held in a vertical orientation.