ARCHERY SCORING RULER

Abstract

The present invention provides an archery scoring ruler for consistently and accurately scoring archery arrows shot into a target relative to the center of the target. An archery scoring ruler is providing comprising an elongated body, an alignment member, a slider, a first plurality of scoring pointers, a second plurality of scoring pointers, and an incremental marking system wherein the is configured to correspond to the score of the arrow relative to the center of the target. The alignment member aides the archer or the user in aligning the left side of the archery scoring ruler to the center of the target.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 62/803,232 filed on Feb. 8, 2019.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an archery scoring ruler for accurately scoring an arrow shot into a target.

2. Description of Related Art

[0003] The usefulness of a bow and arrow revolve around the archer's ability to use the bow and arrow accurately. This is evenly most critical in competitive archery wherein scoring rings are commonly used and have been used for centuries to judge how far an archer's arrow is to the desired center of a target. Typically scoring is conducted by a judge in competitive archery who uses their experience and discernment to attempt to accurately score an arrow in or out of a scoring ring. Problems arise anytime human judgement is involved and commonly arrows rest between scoring rings. Furthermore, arrows of different diameters commonly may create scoring discrepancies. A tool is needed for consistent and uniform use in competitive archery and training to ensure archery arrow scoring on conducted correctly. A tool to remove human judgement is needed to eliminate human judging errors or human bias.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention provides an archery scoring ruler for consistently and accurately scoring archery arrows shot into a target. The archery scoring ruler does not leave any judgement or estimation in the hands of a scoring judge, rather the archery scoring ruler provides a uniform and consistent method for scoring the location of an arrow within a target relative to the center of the target. Another object of the present invention is to provide a uniform scoring routine and system for judging competitive archery competitions, eliminating human error and bias.

[0005] In order to do so, an archery scoring ruler is providing comprising an elongated body wherein the rear side is directly adjacent to the target in which the archery scoring ruler is scoring. A first plurality of pointers are joined to the bottom side of the archery scoring ruler and a second plurality of pointers are joined to the top side of the archery scoring ruler. An alignment member joined to the left side of the elongated body aides the archer or the user in aligning the left side of the elongated body of the archery scoring to the center of the target. A pair of slots extending a through the elongated body, from the left side to the right side, wherein at least one slider, having a main panel joined to a first finger and a second finger slides left and right along the main elongated body. The first finger and the second finger in direct contact with the pair of slots. The archery, scoring ruler also comprises an incremental marking system having at least one line perpendicular to the top side, wherein the incremental marking system is on the front side of the archery scoring ruler and aides in aligning at least one slider to at least one line. At least one line is configured to correspond to the score of the arrow relative to the center of the target or relative to a target scoring ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

[0007] The novel features of the disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the disclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

[0008] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary front view of one embodiment of the archery, scoring ruler in use on an exemplary archery target.

[0009] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary perspective view of one embodiment of the archery scoring ruler.

[0010] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary perspective exploded view of one embodiment of the archery scoring ruler.

[0011] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary perspective view of one embodiment of the archery, scoring ruler.

[0012] FIG. 5A shows an exemplary right view of one embodiment of the archery, scoring ruler.

[0013] FIG. 5B shows an exemplary left view of one embodiment of the archery scoring ruler.

[0014] FIG. 6A shows an exemplary perspective view of one embodiment of the slider of the archery scoring ruler.

[0015] FIG. 6B shows an exemplary left view of one embodiment of the slider of the archery scoring ruler.

[0016] FIG. 6C shows an exemplary front view of one embodiment of the slider of the archery scoring ruler.

[0017] FIG. 7A shows an exemplary front view of one embodiment of the archery scoring ruler.

[0018] FIG. 7B shows an exemplary rear view of one embodiment of the archery, scoring ruler.

[0019] FIG. 8A shows an exemplary bottom view of one embodiment of the archery scoring ruler.

[0020] FIG. 8B shows an exemplary top view of one embodiment of the archery scoring ruler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0021] While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the disclosure.

[0022] FIGS. 1-4, 5A-5B, 6A-6C, 7A-7B and 8A-8B illustrates a archery scoring ruler 115 in various exemplary embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrate the archery scoring ruler in use scoring an exemplary archery target 105. In some embodiments, the archery scoring ruler is designed to score an archery target having a series of scoring rings 110. In some embodiments, the archery scoring ruler 115 is configured to score an arrow within a target relative to the center of the target. In some embodiments, the archery scoring ruler is configured to score arrow within relative to a second position not located at the center of the target. The archery scoring ruler 115 includes a elongated body having a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side, a bottom side and a top side. As shown in FIGS. 5A & 5B, in some embodiments, the front side of the archery scoring ruler can be rounded. In some embodiments, the rear side of the archery scoring ruler is directly adjacent to the target in which the archery scoring ruler is scoring. In some embodiments. the top side or bottom side of the archery scoring ruler is directly adjacent to the target in which the archery scoring ruler is scoring.

[0023] Next, a first plurality of pointers 135 having a plurality of first scoring tips are joined to the bottom side. The first plurality of pointe aide in determining the score of the arrow relative to the center of the target. In some embodiments, a second plurality of pointers 136 having a plurality of second first scoring tips joined to the top side. In some embodiments, the second plurality of pointers aide in determining the score of the arrow relative to the center of the target.

[0024] In some embodiments, the elongated body of the archery scoring ruler further comprises at least one member of an identification set 130 consisting of: an alphanumeric identification, a human user's name, a symbolic shape, a company brand, a numeric identification number, a QR code, a barcode, and an RFID tag.

[0025] The archery scoring ruler 115 included an alignment member 140 joined to the left side of the elongated body. The alignment member aides a user in aligning the left side of the elongated body of the archery scoring ruler to the center of the target. This alignment providing by the alignment member is critical for the proper scoring and positioning of the archery scoring ruler, the first plurality of pointers and the second plurality of pointers. In some embodiments, the alignment member is at least one member of a alignment set consisting of: a semi-circle opening, a pin, a nail, a fastener, a laser, a magnet, a bearing, a spring, a elastic member, a string, a belt, and a gear.

[0026] In some embodiments, the archery ruler includes a pair of slots along the elongated body of the archery scoring ruler the pair of slots comprising of a first slot 150 and a second slot 155 extending a distance into the elongated body from the left side to the right side. In some embodiments, the pair of slots extends entirely through the elongated body. In some embodiments, at least two slots extend a distance into the elongated body. In some embodiments, the pair of slots further comprises a "L-shaped" cross-sectional area.

[0027] In some embodiments, least one slider 120, having a main panel joined to a first finger 165 and a second finger 170 is adjoined to the elongated body of the archery scoring ruler by inserting the first finger and the second finger into the pair of slots. Each finger of the slider extending away from the main panel. The first finger and the second finger, in some embodiments, are inserted into the first slot 150 and the second slot 155, therein controlling a sliding direction and the rotation of at least one slider 120. In some embodiments, at least one slider 120 includes a slider point 160. In some embodiments, the first finger and the second finger match the "L-shaped" cross sectional area of the corresponding first slot 150 and second slot 155, therein at least one finger of the slider is configured to partially wrap around the first slot or the second slot. In some embodiments, the slider includes more than two fingers. In some embodiments, the slider 120 further comprises an external texture.

[0028] In some embodiments, the archery scoring ruler includes an incremental marking system 175 located on the front side of the archery scoring ruler and includes at least one line perpendicular to the top side of the archery scoring ruler. The incremental marking system aides in aligning at least one slider to at least one line. In some embodiments, at least one line is configured to correspond to the score of the arrow relative to the center of the target. In some embodiments, at least one line is configured to correspond to the score of the arrow relative to the scoring ring of the target.

[0029] In some embodiments, the archery scoring ruler further comprises a removable cover 125 having at least one open side. The archery scoring ruler is inserted into the removable cover through at least one open side. The removable cover aides in protecting the archery scoring ruler from damage. In some embodiments, the removable cover of the archery scoring ruler further comprises at least one member of an identification set 185 consisting of: an alphanumeric identification, a human user's name, a symbolic shape, a company brand, a numeric identification number, a QR code, a barcode, and an RE' ID tag.

[0030] As used in this application, the term "a" or "an" means "at least one" or "one or more."

[0031] As used in this application, the term "about" or "approximately" refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.

[0032] As used in this application, the term "substantially" means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

[0033] All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent application publications, and non-patent literature documents or other source material, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0035] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Any reference to "or" herein is intended to encompass "and/or" unless otherwise stated.

[0036] As used herein, the term "about" refers to an amount that is near the stated amount by about 0%, 5%, or 10%, including increments therein.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0038] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

[0039] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means for" performing a specified function, or "step for" performing a specified function, is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, 6. In particular, any use of "step of" in the claims is not intended to invoke the provision of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, 6.

[0040] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A archery scoring ruler, configured to judge a score of a arrow relative to a center of a target, the archery scoring ruler comprising: a elongated body having a front side, a rear side, a left side, a right side, a bottom side and a top side; wherein the rear side is directly adjacent to the target in which the archery scoring ruler is scoring; a first plurality of pointers having a plurality of first scoring tips joined to the bottom side; wherein the first plurality of pointers aide in determining the score of the arrow relative to the center of the target; a second plurality of pointers having a plurality of second first scoring tips joined to the top side; wherein the second plurality of pointers aide in determining the score of the arrow relative to the center of the target; an alignment member joined to the left side of the elongated body; wherein the alignment member aides a user in aligning the left side of the elongated body of the archery scoring ruler to the center of the target; a pair of slots extending a distance into the elongated body from the left side to the right side; at least one slider, having a main panel joined to a first finger and a second finger; wherein each finger extends away from the main panel; an incremental marking system located on the front side of the archery scoring ruler and having at least one line perpendicular to the top side; wherein the incremental marking system aides in aligning at least one slider to at least one line; wherein at least one line is configured to correspond to the score of the arrow relative to the center of the target.

2. The archery scoring ruler of claim 1, further comprising: a removable cover having at least one open side; wherein the archery scoring ruler is inserted into the removable cover through at least one open side; wherein the removable cover aides in protecting the archery scoring ruler from damage.

3. The archery scoring ruler of claim 1, wherein the elongated body of the archery scoring ruler further comprises at least one member of an identification set consisting of: an alphanumeric identification, a human user's name, a symbolic shape, a company brand, a numeric identification number, a QR code, a barcode, and an RFID tag.

4. The archery scoring ruler of claim 1, wherein the pair of slots further comprises a "L-shaped" cross-sectional area.

5. The archery scoring ruler of claim 4, wherein at least one finger of the slider further comprises an "L-shaped" cross-sectional area configured to partially wrap around at least one of the slots of the pair of slots.

6. The archery scoring ruler of claim 1, wherein the alignment member is at least one member of a alignment set consisting of: a semi-circle opening, a pin, a nail, a fastener, a laser, a magnet, a bearing, a spring, a elastic member, a string, a belt, and a gear.

7. The archery scoring ruler of claim 2, wherein the removable cover of the archery scoring ruler further comprises at least one member of an identification set consisting of: an alphanumeric identification, a human user's name, a symbolic shape, a company brand, a numeric identification number, a QR code, a barcode, and an RFID tag.