Most popular sports, especially those enjoyed by a more avid or puritanical group of enthusiasts, offer a variety of accessories which make participation in the activity more enjoyable and/or more proficient. Bow hunting may be viewed as one such activity which requires a much higher/greater degree of skill and proficiency, than, perhaps, a hunter who employs a common firearm or rifle. To prevent an archer employing a bow/arrow from taking an errant shot on target, it is common to employ one of a variety of targeting and/or release devices which allow the bow hunter to quietly aim and deliver an arrow with a relatively high degree of accuracy, whether aiming at a target or animal.
Archery is impacted by even the smallest of variations at the time of release. Even small motions can affect the aim and trajectory of the arrow, including inhalation/exhalation, a shaking hand, and/or unintentional twitch of a finger or jerk of an arm. That is, angular deviations exacerbate long-range shots inasmuch as the effects of lateral deviation increase dramatically as the longitudinal distance increases. It is for this reason, that a long-range shooter either stops breathing or exhales upon release.
The archery enthusiast is also given a variety of targeting release aids for improving the accuracy of an arrow's trajectory.
Other release mechanisms, such as those disclosed in Jones U.S. Patent Publication 2013/0174821 and Jones U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,223 include a dual jaw release which open along a central plane. The dual jaw of these “caliper release” mechanisms are symmetric about a central bifurcating plane or open symmetrically relative to the bifurcating plane. While these release mechanisms offer the advantage of a rapid release, they do not allow the drawstring to move freely over the jaws upon release. As such, they too can impart an undesired lateral displacement and adversely impact shooting accuracy.
The foregoing background describes some, but not necessarily all, of the problems, disadvantages and shortcomings related to archery release aids of the prior art.
An archery release device, in an embodiment, is provided including a release body, first and second jaws pivotally mounting to the release body about respective pivot axes, and a trigger pivotally mounting to the release body and having at least one actuation step configured to: (i) engage an actuation end of at least one of the first and second jaws, and (ii) facilitate independent motion of at least one of the first and second jaws in response to a lateral force applied by the archery bow upon release. The first and second jaws pivot toward each other when engaging a drawstring of an archery bow and pivot away from each other in response to activation by the actuation step to release the drawstring of the archery bow.
A method, in an embodiment, is also provided for manufacturing an archery release device. The method comprises: configuring a release body to include a trigger support and a jaw support; configuring a trigger for mounting to the trigger support and including at least one actuation step on a peripheral surface thereof; configuring a pair of opposing jaws such that each of the opposing jaws pivot about a pivot axis of the jaw support, each of the opposing jaws having a release end and an actuation end; configuring the release ends of the opposing jaws to cooperate and hold a drawstring of the archery bow in a ready position during target acquisition, and configuring at least one of the actuation ends to engage at least one actuation step to: (a) hold the opposing jaws in a closed position during target acquisition, and (b) effect independent motion of the opposing jaws upon actuation of the trigger and release the drawstring of the archery bow.
Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Brief Description of the Drawings and Detailed Description.
In
In
The clevis end 44 of the release body 40 includes first aligned apertures 54a, 54b configured to receive first and second jaw supports or pins 62a, 62b (see
The first and second jaws 60a, 60b of the jaw assembly 60 each include a jaw end portion JE opposite the respective actuation end portion AE. Each of the jaws 60a, 60b pivots independently of each other about a jaw support. In the described embodiment, the jaw support for one of the jaws 60a, 60b includes a first pin 62a and the jaw support for the other of the jaws 60a, 60b comprises a second pin 62b. Furthermore, the first and second jaws 60a, 60b are positionable/changeable from the closed position (
The jaw end portion JE of each of the first and second jaws 60a, 60b is configured to move in a lateral direction in response to forces imposed by a drawstring portion of the bow. More specifically, jaw 60a is configured to move in an inward lateral direction I-LD (see
The actuation end AE of each of the first and second jaws 60a, 60b engages one or more over-center release or actuation steps 82, 84 formed in the trigger 80. Each of the actuation ends AE includes an interface portion, roller bearing or sear 70, operative to engage a respective surface or actuation step 82, 84 of the trigger device 80, wherein the surfaces 82, 84 extend along different axes 83, 85, respectively. It will be understood that the actuation steps 82, 84 function to allow independent operation or movement of the respective first and second jaws 60a, 60b, and, consequently, independent release of the drawstring 12 from the jaws 60a, 60b. The actuation steps 82, 84 trigger the release device 10, i.e., to release the loop string 22 of the bow 10. In addition to triggering the release of the bow string 12, the actuation steps 82, 84 function in an actuation capacity wherein the apex AX of the respective actuation steps 82, 84, bias the trigger 80 in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction about a pivot axis 94A of a pin support 94. That is, once a sear 70 rolls over the apex AX of one of the actuation steps 82, 84, the trigger 80 is biased in one rotational position or in the opposite rotational position about the pivot axis 94A.
The trigger 80 rotationally mounts to the release body 40 about the pin support 94 which pivots within the second aligned aperture 56 of the release body 40. The trigger 80 defines the actuation steps 82, 84 which are disposed between the actuation ends 62a, 62b of the first and second jaws 60a, 60b. In the described embodiment, the rollers or sears 70 of each of the actuation ends 62a, 62b function to engage, roll-up and over the actuation steps 82, 84 of the trigger 80. While the illustrated embodiment shows two (2) actuation steps 82, 84, it should be appreciated that only one release step 82, 84 may be employed. It should also be appreciated that jaws 60a, 60b may be of a different size, e.g., the lengths between a pivot axis 64a, 64b and the respective sear axis 70a, 70b may differ to actuate at different rates.
The trigger 80 is biased in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot axis 94 by a first linearly-guided compression spring 88. More specifically, the first compression spring 88 engages the piston 86 which is guided within the linear bore 46 (see
While the described embodiment depicts a piston 86 configured to receive and retain a roller sear 90 at one end which is guided within linear guide slots 58a, 58b of the release body 40, it will be appreciated that other arrangements are contemplated. For example, the piston 86 may be guided within a keyway formed within linear bore 46 of the release body 40. Furthermore, while the piston 86 is shown to include a cavity for receiving one end of the first compression spring 88, it will be appreciated that the compression spring 88 may circumscribe a shaft (not shown) which functionally replaces the piston 86 within the bore 46 of the release body 40. Accordingly, the upper end of the shaft would necessarily transition to form a T-shaped cross-member for engaging the guide slots 58a, 58b. Alternatively, the shaft may comprise telescoping members which are internally biased by a compression spring. A first end of the telescoping shafts may articulately mount to the underside of the trigger 75 while the opposite end may articulately mount internally to a base portion of the release body 40.
Geometrically, the first and second jaws 60a, 60b are asymmetric about a plane P1 located between the pivot axes 64a, 64b of the jaws 60a, 60b. This may be achieved by varying the length or angle of the actuation arm 70 relative to the trigger release-step 84. For example, in the closed position, and referring to
In the open position, and referring to
Asymmetry may also be achieved by employing jaws 60a, 60b of different size and shape. For example, in
In
In operation, the trigger 80 is actuated by engaging the release arm 75, i.e., by rotating the arm 75 in a clockwise direction against the linear force of the first compression spring 88. The trigger device 80 causes the actuation ends 62a, 62b of each of the respective first and second jaws 60a, 60b to engage the corresponding one of the actuation steps 82, 84, formed on the trigger device 80. Actuation of the trigger device 80: (i) opens/releases the drawstring 12 of the archery bow 10, and (ii) releases the jaw assembly 60 such that the first and second jaws 60a, 60b may pivot independently and/or freely. That is, each of the first and second jaws 60a, 60b may be displaced independently, in a lateral direction, in response to a lateral force applied or imposed by the drawstring portion of the archery bow.
More specifically, the first and second jaws 60a, 60b are initially engaged with each other to hold a drawstring portion of the bow in the closed position. The jaws 60a, 60b are at least partially disengaged from each other to release the drawstring portion in an open position. The jaws 60a, 60b are biased closed by the linear compression spring 88 acting on the trigger 80 while the first and second jaws 60a, 60b are biased against the force of the first compression spring 88 by the second compression spring 98 acting between the first and second jaws 60a, 60b. The relative strength of the opposing forces imposed by each of the first and second compression springs 88, 98 determines the relative ease or difficulty with which the trigger 80 actuates the release or opening of the first and second jaws 60a, 60b.
In summary, the jaws 60 of the release mechanism 20 may pivot along the same or different axes, are geometrically asymmetric and are free to pivot independently immediately following release of the trigger mechanism. More specifically of the actuation steps 82, 84 determine how the first and second jaws 60a, 60b open in response to actuation of the trigger device 80. The linear force produced by the second compression spring 98 acting between the first and second jaws 60a, 60b determines the force necessary to reset the trigger device 80 and the first and second jaws 60a, 60b to a closed position. The guided piston 86 prevents moment loads from acting on the first compression spring 88 to improve the dynamic response of the trigger device 80. Finally, upon actuation of the trigger 80, the first and second jaws 60a, 60b are essentially free to move independently. As such, the drawstring 12 (see
Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above and described in any and all exhibits and other materials submitted herewith, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities or structures of a different embodiment described above.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.
This application is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit and priority of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/435,198 filed on Dec. 16, 2016. The entire contents of such application are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4407260 | Lyons | Oct 1983 | A |
5170771 | Peck | Dec 1992 | A |
5307788 | Peck | May 1994 | A |
5318004 | Peck | Jun 1994 | A |
5357939 | Tentler | Oct 1994 | A |
5370102 | Peck | Dec 1994 | A |
5448983 | Scott | Sep 1995 | A |
5546924 | Todd | Aug 1996 | A |
5558077 | Linsmeyer | Sep 1996 | A |
5595167 | Scott | Jan 1997 | A |
5765536 | Scott | Jun 1998 | A |
5850825 | Scott | Dec 1998 | A |
5941225 | Tentler | Aug 1999 | A |
6484710 | Summers | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6763819 | Eckert | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6925995 | McConnell | Aug 2005 | B1 |
7240672 | Peck | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7278415 | Jones | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7314045 | Eckert | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7946282 | Jones | May 2011 | B2 |
8146578 | Jones | Apr 2012 | B2 |
8276575 | Gillig | Oct 2012 | B1 |
D688346 | Jones | Aug 2013 | S |
8522764 | LoRocco | Sep 2013 | B1 |
8522765 | LoRocco | Sep 2013 | B1 |
D697575 | Jones | Jan 2014 | S |
D697992 | Jones | Jan 2014 | S |
8746222 | Jones | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8746223 | Jones | Jun 2014 | B2 |
8869781 | Jones | Oct 2014 | B2 |
9163897 | Estridge | Oct 2015 | B1 |
9395144 | LoRocco | Jul 2016 | B1 |
9857139 | Kelly et al. | Jan 2018 | B2 |
9863736 | Kelly et al. | Jan 2018 | B2 |
9891019 | Haas et al. | Feb 2018 | B2 |
20030230295 | Jones | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20130174821 | Jones | Jul 2013 | A1 |
20180010888 | Finley | Jan 2018 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20180172390 A1 | Jun 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62435198 | Dec 2016 | US |