Illuminated aiming devices and related methods

摘要

An aiming device including a thermoelectric module, a light source and a sight element. The thermoelectric module generates electricity from a thermal gradient, produced from a user's body heat that is transferred to the module. The electricity powers the light source. The light source illuminates a sight element of a projectile shooting device to enhance visibility of the sight element in a variety of ambient lighting conditions, optionally in low light conditions. The aiming device can be mounted to a projectile shooting device. With the aiming device, a user can selectively illuminate a sight element of a projectile shooting device, with the user's own body heat, to assist aiming the projectile shooting device during a shooting activity. The projectile shooting device can be any type of archery bow and/or firearm. Related methods are also provided.

主权项

1. An archery bow comprising:
a support structure being at least one of a riser and a stock, at least two limbs joined with the support structure; a bowstring extending between the limbs; an aiming device joined with the support structure, the aiming device comprising:
a thermoelectric module;a light source in electrical communication with the thermoelectric module, the thermoelectric module adapted to power the light source so that the light source emits illumination;a sight element mounted within a field of view of a user and configured to assist the user in aiming the archery bow at a target, the sight element being in the form of a fiber optic element having an end, the fiber optic element illuminated by the light source to provide enhanced viewing of the end by the user, wherein the thermoelectric module is mounted to promote thermal communication between the thermoelectric module and a user's body, so that thermal energy from the user's body is transferred to the thermoelectric module, wherein a thermal gradient is created as a result of the transfer of the thermal energy, whereby the thermoelectric module generates electricity due to the thermal gradient, the electricity sufficient to power the light source, thereby illuminating the fiber optic element.