Sighting Device with Trajectory Compensation

Abstract

An illuminated sighting device includes a reflective sight component with a reflective surface for facing a user and an adjustable imaging component with a plurality of reticles. Each reticle has a unique trajectory compensation pattern including a plurality of reticle marks that denote a plurality of distances for a particular projectile launching device and/or projectile. A light source is arranged for projecting light through a selected one of the reticles and onto the reflective sight component so that reflective sight marks are incident on the reflective sight component in proportion to the reticle marks of the selected reticle for view by a user during aiming

1 . An illuminated sighting device comprising:
 a reflective sight component having a reflective surface for facing a user;   an adjustable imaging component having a plurality of reticles, each reticle having a plurality of reticle marks denoting trajectory compensation for a plurality of distances; and   a light source arranged for projecting light through one of the reticles and onto the reflective sight component;   wherein the adjustable imaging component is movable to position one of the plurality of reticles in alignment with the light source so that reflective sight marks are incident on the reflective sight component in proportion to the reticle marks of the one reticle for view by a user during aiming.   
   
   
       2 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the reticle marks of one reticle are spaced closer than at least two of the reticle marks of another reticle. 
   
   
       3 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 2 , wherein each reticle represents a different crossbow having a particular draw weight. 
   
   
       4 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 2 , wherein each reticle represents a different projectile launching device. 
   
   
       5 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 2 , wherein each reticle represents a different projectile having at least one predetermined property. 
   
   
       6 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one predetermined property comprises weight. 
   
   
       7 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one predetermined property comprises velocity. 
   
   
       8 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable imaging component comprises a disk with openings into which the reticles are installed, the disk being rotatable about a pivot axis to position one of the reticles into alignment with the light source. 
   
   
       9 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 8 , wherein the disk is oriented generally horizontally. 
   
   
       10 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 8 , wherein the disk is oriented generally vertically. 
   
   
       11 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable imaging component comprises a bar with openings into which the reticles are installed, the bar being linearly movable to position one of the reticles into alignment with the light source. 
   
   
       12 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 11 , wherein the bar is oriented generally horizontally. 
   
   
       13 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 11 , wherein the bar is oriented generally vertically. 
   
   
       14 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reflective sight component comprises a transparent lens with a reflective coating. 
   
   
       15 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reflective sight component comprises an elongate blade with a reflective surface formed on the blade. 
   
   
       16 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 1 , and further comprising an open sight frame, the reflective sight component being mounted in the frame. 
   
   
       17 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 1 , and further comprising a tubular housing, the reflective sight component being installed in the housing. 
   
   
       18 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reticle marks are arranged to form reflective sight dots on the reflective sight component when exposed to the light source. 
   
   
       19 . A method of aiming a projectile launching device toward a distant target, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of reticles, each reticle having a unique trajectory pattern for a particular projectile launching device and/or projectile;   selecting a particular reticle based on the particular projectile launching device and/or projectile; and   superimposing at least a portion of the unique trajectory pattern over the target in accordance with a distance from the projectile launching device and the target.   
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein each unique pattern comprises a plurality of reticle marks denoting trajectory compensation for a plurality of distances. 
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 19 , and further comprising:
 providing a reflective sight component having a reflective surface for facing a user; and   projecting light through the selected reticle and toward the reflective sight component to create the unique trajectory pattern on the reflective sight component.   
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 19 , and further comprising providing a tubular housing operably associated with at least one of the plurality of reticles; wherein the step of superimposing at least a portion of the unique trajectory pattern comprises looking through the tubular housing. 
   
   
       23 . A sighting device comprising:
 an adjustable imaging component having a plurality of reticles, each reticle having a plurality of reticle marks denoting trajectory compensation for a plurality of distances, the adjustable imaging component being movable to select one of the plurality of reticles to thereby compensate for a particular projectile launching device and/or projectile.   
   
   
       24 . A sighting device according to  claim 23 , wherein at least two of the reticle marks of one reticle are spaced closer than at least two of the reticle marks of another reticle. 
   
   
       25 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 23 , wherein each reticle represents a different projectile launching device. 
   
   
       26 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 23 , wherein each reticle represents a different projectile having at least one predetermined property. 
   
   
       27 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one predetermined property comprises weight. 
   
   
       28 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one predetermined property comprises velocity. 
   
   
       29 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 23 , wherein the adjustable imaging component comprises a disk with openings into which the reticles are installed, the disk being rotatable about a pivot axis to adjust the positions of the reticles. 
   
   
       30 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 23 , wherein the adjustable imaging component comprises a bar with openings into which the reticles are installed, the bar being linearly movable to adjust the positions of the reticles. 
   
   
       31 . An illuminated sighting device according to  claim 23 , wherein the adjustable imaging component comprises at least three reticles.