Archery Bow Limb Cup Attachment

Abstract

In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a riser comprising a first surface and a cavity extending beneath the first surface. A limb cup is engaged with the riser. The limb cup comprises an outer surface. A fastener comprises a stem and a head. The stem is oriented in the cavity. The head contacts the first surface and the outer surface

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to archery bows, which are generally known in the art. Modern archery bows are precision devices with components manufactured to exacting tolerances. Some bows include a limb cup oriented between a limb and a riser. There remains a need for novel archery bow components that allow for greater manufacturing precision.

All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a riser comprising a first surface and a cavity extending beneath the first surface. A limb cup is engaged with the riser. The limb cup comprises an outer surface. A fastener comprises a stem and a head. The stem is oriented in the cavity. The head contacts the first surface and the outer surface.

In some embodiments, the outer surface comprising an aperture and the first surface is positioned in the aperture.

In some embodiments, the first surface and the outer surface are coplanar.

In some embodiments, the cavity comprises screw threads. In some embodiments, the screw threads formed integrally in the riser.

In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a riser comprising an extension. The extension comprises a first surface and a cavity extending beneath the first surface. A limb cup is engaged with the riser. The limb cup comprises an outer surface comprising an aperture. The extension is oriented in the aperture and the first surface is coplanar with the outer surface.

In some embodiments, the aperture comprises a first cross-sectional shape and the extension comprises a second cross-sectional shape different from the first cross-sectional shape.

In some embodiments, a fastener is engaged with the cavity and contacts the first surface.

In some embodiments, a first limb portion and a second limb portion are attached to the limb cup. The extension is positioned between the first limb portion and the second limb portion.

In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a riser comprising an extension. A limb cup is attached to the riser. The limb cup comprising a cavity. The extension is oriented in the cavity. A first limb portion and a second limb portion are attached to the limb cup. The extension is positioned between the first limb portion and the second limb portion.

In some embodiments, the extension comprises screw threads and the screw threads are positioned between the first limb portion and the second limb portion.

In some embodiments, the screw threads of the riser are oriented in the cavity of the limb cup.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference can be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of an archery bow.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of the bow of FIG. 1 in greater detail.

FIG. 3 shows the components of FIG. 2 with a fastener removed.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the components of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows the components of FIG. 4 from a different angle.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of some components from FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of an archery bow 10 in a brace or undrawn condition. In some embodiments, a bow 10 comprises a riser 12, a first limb assembly 14 and a second limb assembly 18. In some embodiments, a bow 10 comprises a first rotatable member 20 supported by the first limb assembly 14 and a second rotatable member 22 supported by the second limb assembly 18. In some embodiments, a bowstring 16 extends between the first rotatable member 20 and the second rotatable member 22. In some embodiments, the bow 10 comprises a first power cable 30. In some embodiments, the first rotatable member 20 comprises a first cam 21 arranged to take up the first power cable 30 as the bowstring 16 is drawn.

In some embodiments, an archery bow 10 comprises a single-cam compound bow (not shown), for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,006, for example wherein a first rotatable member can comprise a cam and two bowstring feed-outs, and the second rotatable member 22 can comprise a pulley.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the bow 10 comprises a second power cable 32. In some embodiments, the second rotatable member 22 comprises a second cam 23 arranged to take up the second power cable 32 as the bowstring 16 is drawn.

In some embodiments, a rotatable member 20, 22 comprises a force vectoring anchor 25, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,020,544. In some embodiments, an end of a power cable 30, 32 is engaged with the force vectoring anchor 25.

In some embodiments, the bow 10 comprises a limb cup 40. In some embodiments, a limb cup 40 is attached to the riser 12. In some embodiments, portions of a limb assembly 14 are received in the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the riser 12 supports the limb cup 40, and the limb cup 40 supports the limb assembly 14. In some embodiments, a limb cup 40 comprises features as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,453,635, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the bow 10 comprises a first limb cup 40 engaged with the first limb assembly 14 and a second limb cup 42 engaged with the second limb assembly 19. In some embodiments, a fastener 60 attaches the first limb cup 40 to the riser 12. In some embodiments, a second fastener 62 attaches the second limb cup 42 to the riser 12.

FIG. 2 shows the limb cup 40 and first limb assembly 14 of FIG. 1 in greater detail. In some embodiments, a limb cup 40 is attached to the riser 12 and supported by the riser 12. In some embodiments, a limb assembly 14 is attached to the limb cup 40 and supported by the limb cup 40.

In some embodiments, a limb assembly 14, 18 comprises a first limb portion 26 spaced apart from a second limb portion 28. In some embodiments, a rotatable member 20 is located between the first limb portion 26 and the second limb portion 28. In some embodiments, a fastener 60 extends between the first limb portion 26 and the second limb portion 28. In some embodiments, the first limb portion 26 comprises a first limb 34, a first spacer 35 and a second limb 36. In some embodiments, the second limb portion 28 comprises a third limb 44, a second spacer 45 and a fourth limb 46. In some embodiments, a bow 10 comprises features as disclosed in US 20230304768, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 3 shows the bow 10 of FIG. 2 with the fastener 60 removed. FIG. 4 shows an exploded view. In some embodiments, the riser 12 comprises an extension 50 that extends through the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the extension 50 comprises a cavity 56 arranged to receive the fastener 60. In some embodiments, the cavity 56 comprises internal threads arranged to engage threads of the fastener 60. In some embodiments, the extension 50 surrounds the cavity 56. In some embodiments, the extension 50 comprises a surface 52 and the cavity 56 extends into the surface 52. In some embodiments, the surface 52 surrounds the cavity 56. In some embodiments, the surface 52 is aligned with an outer surface 72 of the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the limb cup 40 comprises an aperture 70 and the extension 50 extends through the aperture 70.

In some embodiments, the extension 50 is positioned between the first limb portion 26 and the second limb portion 28. In some embodiments, the screw threads of the extension 50 are positioned between the first limb portion 26 and the second limb portion 28.

In some embodiments, the aperture 70 is larger than the extension 50. In some embodiments, a gap is formed between the surface 52 and the outer surface 72 of the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the aperture 70 comprises a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the extension 50 comprises a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the aperture 70 comprises a first cross-sectional shape and the extension 50 comprises a second cross-sectional shape different from the first cross-sectional shape.

In some embodiments, a surface 52 of the riser 12 is aligned with an outer surface 72 of the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the surface 52 of the riser 12 comprises a flat or planar surface. In some embodiments, the outer surface 72 of the limb cup 40 comprises a flat or planar surface. In some embodiments, the surface 52 of the riser 12 is coplanar with the outer surface 72 of the limb cup 40.

In some embodiments, a fastener 60 comprises a fastener assembly comprising a stem 64 and a head 65. In some embodiments, the stem 64 engages the cavity 56 of the extension 50 and the head 65 abuts the outer surface 72 of the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the head 65 contacts the surface 52 of the extension 50 and the outer surface 72 of the limb cup 40. Thus, in some embodiments, when the fastener 60 is fully tightened, the stem 64 engages the cavity 56 of the riser 12 and the head 65 abuts the surface 52 of the riser 12. This arrangement provides a greater degree of precision in locating the fastener 60 with respect to the riser 12 when the bow 10 is assembled. In some embodiments, the outer surface 72 of the limb cup 40 is held by the head 65 of the fastener 60 in a coplanar arrangement with the surface 52 of the riser 12.

In this arrangement, when the surface 52 of the riser 12 is coplanar with the outer surface 72 of the limb cup 40, the limb cup 40 is properly located and positioned with respect to the riser 12, and the body of the limb cup 40 is not placed into compression by the fastener 60.

In some embodiments, a fastener 60 or fastener assembly comprises a bolt 66 comprising the stem 64 and a washer 78. In some embodiments, the washer 78 contacts the limb cup 40, for example contacting the outer surface 72 of the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the washer 78 contacts the surface 52 of the extension 50 of the riser 12.

In some embodiments, the fastener 60 or fastener assembly further comprises a spherical washer 68 and a bezel 76. In some embodiments, the bezel 76 comprises a spherical portion that contacts the spherical washer 68. In some embodiments, the washer 78, the bezel 76, and/or the spherical washer 68 comprise a head 65 of the fastener assembly.

FIG. 5 shows the components of FIG. 4 from another viewing angle. In some embodiments, a limb cup 40 comprises a first limb cavity 41 arranged to receive a first limb portion 26 and a second limb cavity 43 arranged to receive a second limb portion 28. In some embodiments, the limb cup 40 comprises a cavity 48 arranged to receive a portion of the riser 12. In some embodiments, the cavity 48 is oriented between the first limb cavity 41 and the second limb cavity 43. In some embodiments, a portion of the riser 12 is oriented in the cavity 48. In some embodiments, the extension 50 of the riser 12 is oriented in the cavity 48. In some embodiments, the extension 50 extends through the cavity 48. In some embodiments, the aperture 70 is in fluid communication with the cavity 48.

In some embodiments, the riser 12 is attached to the limb cup 40 with a moment connection. In some embodiments, the moment connection comprises a tension connection and a compression connection. In some embodiments, the compression connection comprises a bearing connection where the riser 12 contacts the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the limb cup 40 is arranged to pivot with respect to the riser 12 about an axis 86. In some embodiments, the riser 12 comprises a peak 84 and the limb cup 40 is arranged to pivot on the peak 84.

In some embodiments, the limb cup 40 is not placed into compression against the riser 12 by the fastener 60. For example, in some embodiments, the limb cup 40 comprises wall portions 49 that define the cavity 48. In some embodiments, the lower surface(s) of the wall portion 49 do not contact the riser 12, for example when the fastener 60 is fully tightened and abutting the surface 52 of the extension 50.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the components of FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the limb cup 40 is arranged to pivot with respect to the riser 12 about an axis 86. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a fastener 60 assembly fully tightened, such that the washer 78 contacts the surface 52 of the extension 50 of the riser 12. In some embodiments, the limb cup 40 comprises a range of motion beyond the orientation shown in FIG. 6. For example, when not being loaded by the limb assembly 14, the limb cup 40 would be capable of rotating about the axis 86 in a counter-clockwise direction, such that the extension 50 of the riser 12 would protrude through the aperture 70 in the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, when the fastener 60 is fully tightened, a lower surface 59 of the sidewalls 49 defining the cavity 48 do not contact the riser 12. In some embodiments, a gap 58 exists between the riser 12 and the lower surface(s) 59 of the sidewalls 49 defining the cavity 48.

In some embodiments, a reference plane 74 extends through the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the reference plane 74 extends parallel to the outer surface 72 of the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the reference plane 74 intersects the extension 50 of the riser 12 and the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the reference plane 74 intersects the cavity 56 of the extension 50. In some embodiments, the reference plane 74 intersects the stem 64 of a fastener 60. In some embodiments, the reference plane 74 intersects the cavity 48 of the limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the reference plane 74 intersects screw threads in the extension 50. In some embodiments, the reference plane 74 intersects a portion of a limb 14. In some embodiments, the reference plane 74 intersects the first limb portion 26 and the second limb portion 28.

In some embodiments, the riser 12 comprises a single piece of material. In some embodiments, the single piece of material comprises the extension 50 and the cavity 56. In some embodiments, the single piece of material comprises screw threads within the cavity 56. In some embodiments, the screw threads are formed integrally in the riser 12. In some embodiments, the single piece of material comprises the peak 84 and bearing surface of the compression connection 82. In some embodiments, the single piece of material engages the first limb cup 40 and the second limb cup 42. In some embodiments, the single piece of material defines a handle or grip region of the bow 10.

In some embodiments, the archery bow 10 excludes a barrel nut, such as a fastener-engaging member having a cylindrical outer surface and inner screw threads. In some embodiments, the fastener 60 does not engage a barrel nut.

In some embodiments, attachment of the second limb cup 42 to the riser 12 comprises features as described with respect to the first limb cup 40. In some embodiments, the extension 50 as described herein with the first limb cup 40 comprises a first extension, and the riser 12 further comprises a second extension associated with the second limb cup 42.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.

Claims

1. An archery bow comprising: a riser comprising a first surface and a cavity extending beneath the first surface;a limb cup engaged with the riser, the limb cup comprising an outer surface; anda fastener comprising a stem and a head, the stem oriented in the cavity, the head contacting the first surface, the head contacting the outer surface.

2. The archery bow of claim 1, the outer surface comprising an aperture, the first surface positioned in the aperture.

3. The archery bow of claim 1, wherein the first surface and the outer surface are coplanar.

4. The archery bow of claim 1, the cavity comprising screw threads.

5. The archery bow of claim 4, the screw threads formed integrally in the riser.

6. The archery bow of claim 1, the fastener comprising a fastener assembly, the head comprising a washer.

7. The archery bow of claim 6, the fastener assembly comprising a spherical washer.

8. An archery bow comprising: a riser comprising an extension, the extension comprising a first surface and a cavity extending beneath the first surface; anda limb cup engaged with the riser, the limb cup comprising an outer surface comprising an aperture;wherein the extension is oriented in the aperture and the first surface is coplanar with the outer surface.

9. The archery bow of claim 8, the aperture comprising a first cross-sectional shape, the extension comprising a second cross-sectional shape different from the first cross-sectional shape.

10. The archery bow of claim 9, comprising a gap between the first surface and the outer surface.

11. The archery bow of claim 8, comprising a fastener engaged with the cavity, the fastener contacting the first surface.

12. The archery bow of claim 11, the cavity comprising screw threads.

13. The archery bow of claim 8, comprising a first limb portion and a second limb portion attached to the limb cup, the extension positioned between the first limb portion and the second limb portion.

14. An archery bow comprising: a riser comprising an extension;a limb cup attached to the riser, the limb cup comprising a cavity, the extension oriented in the cavity;a first limb portion and a second limb portion attached to the limb cup, the extension positioned between the first limb portion and the second limb portion.

15. The archery bow of claim 14, wherein a reference plane intersects the extension, the first limb portion and the second limb portion.

16. The archery bow of claim 14, the extension comprising screw threads, the screw threads positioned between the first limb portion and the second limb portion.

17. The archery bow of claim 16, the screw threads oriented in the cavity.

18. The archery bow of claim 15, the extension comprising a first surface, the limb cup comprising an outer surface, the first surface coplanar with the outer surface.

19. The archery bow of claim 18, comprising a fastener engaged with the screw threads, the fastener contacting the first surface.