Arrow rests are used in combination with a bow to support an arrow during draw of the bow's bowstring. Because of an arrow's fletching, arrow rests can interfere with the flight of an arrow as the arrow passes the arrow rest by coming into contact with the fletching of the arrow. Accordingly, there is a need for improved arrow rests that address this issue.
An arrow rest for supporting an arrow that is in a launching position on a bow, according to particular embodiments, comprises an arrow launcher and an arrow launcher movement mechanism. In various embodiments, the arrow launcher is adapted to be moved between: (1) a first position in which the arrow launcher is in a loading position; and (2) a second position in which the arrow launcher is in a launching position. In particular embodiments, the arrow launcher movement mechanism is configured to: (1) move from a first position where the arrow launcher is in the second launching position to a second position where the arrow launcher is in the first loading position in response to a user firing the bow, and (2) not move between the first position to the second position in response to a user letting down the bow without firing the arrow.
An arrow rest for supporting an arrow that is in a launching position on a bow, according to various embodiments comprises a body, a generally cylindrical cam that is configured to rotate with respect to the body, a launcher rotatably mounted adjacent the cam so that rotation of the cam causes the launcher to rotate, a locking mechanism operatively coupled to the cam; and a release mechanism operatively coupled to the cam, the release mechanism configured to release the locking mechanism. In particular embodiments, the locking mechanism is configured to move between: (a) a first position that maintains the launcher in a first, loading position prior to the arrow being loaded in the arrow rest, and (b) a second position that maintains the launcher in a second, launching position so that the launcher supports a shaft of the arrow when the arrow is in the launching position. In particular embodiments, the locking mechanism maintains the launcher in the second position if the arrow is released from the launching position without firing the arrow from the bow. In various embodiments, the release mechanism is configured to move the locking mechanism from the second position to the first position in response to the arrow being fired.
An arrow rest for supporting an arrow that is in a launching position on a bow, according to various embodiments, comprises a cam that is configured to rotate about a central axis; a launcher rotatably mounted adjacent the cam so that rotation of the cam causes the launcher to rotate; a first spring having a first end and a second end, wherein the spring second end is operatively coupled to the cam; and a second spring having a first end operatively coupled to the cam and a second end configured to be coupled to the bow. In particular embodiments, the first spring biases the cam into: (1) a first position where the launcher is in a first, loading position; and (2) a second position where the launcher supports the arrow when the arrow is in the launching position. In various embodiments, the second spring is configured to move the cam from the second position to the first position when the arrow is fired from the bow.
Having described various embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
Various embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various relevant embodiments are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
An arrow rest 10 according to a particular embodiment is shown in
Referring to
Arrow Rest Structure
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The adjustment assembly 40 is also operatively coupled to the mounting bracket 38 by a key 56 formed on the adjustment assembly and a corresponding keyway 58 formed in the mounting bracket 38. In this way, the key 56 is slidably received in the keyway 58. Similar to the connection between the body 36 and the coupling assembly 40, a slot 60 is formed through the keyway 58 so that the width of the keyway can be adjusted by loosening and tightening a screw 62, which causes the slot to open and close. Said another way, by loosening screw 62, the width of keyway 58 widens thereby allowing the key 56 to slide through the keyway 58. As a result, the elevation of the arrow rest with respect to the bow 12 can be adjusted by the user. Once an elevation is selected, the screw 62 is tightened thereby creating a press-fit between the keyway walls and the key.
The arrow rest body 36 defines a cavity, generally denoted at 64, that is configured to receive a generally cylindrical (e.g., cylindrical) cam 66. It should be understood that the cam 66 may be formed in any suitable shape based on the dimensions and operation of the arrow rest. The cam 66 is coupled to a support member 68 so that the support member rotates with the cam 66. In various embodiments, the cam 66 and support member 68 may be integrally formed. In other embodiments, the cam 66 may be coupled to the support member 68 by a fastener. In other embodiments, the cam 66 may be operatively coupled to the support member 68 by another suitable structure (e.g. gears) so that when the cam rotates the support member rotates.
The cam 66 is positioned in the body second portion 44 so that the support member 68 passes through a through-hole 70 formed in a wall 72 of the body 36. The cam 66 is rotatably retained in the body second portion 44 by a nut 74 that is threadably received on a threaded portion 76 of the support member. In this way, the cam 66 is axially fixed in the body 36, but can rotate with respect to the body 36 about a central axis 67.
A distal end 78 of the support member 68 is coupled to an arrow launcher 80 that has a first end 81 and a second V-shaped end 83. The arrow launcher's first end 81 is coupled to the support member 68 by suitable fasteners 82 (e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, weldments, etc.). The arrow launcher 80 has a first end 81. In this configuration, the arrow launcher is rotationally fixed to the cam 66 through the support member 68. As a result, when the cam 66 rotates about its central axis 67, the launcher will rotate as well. In some embodiments, the support member 68 rotates about the cam's central axis 67. Thus, in these embodiments, the arrow launcher 80 also rotates about the cam's central axis 67. A cover 84 attaches to a wall 86 of the body 36 to close off the body cavity 50. Cover 84 can be secured to wall 86 by fasteners 88 (e.g., screws, rivets or any other suitable fastener).
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The arrow rest 10 may be attached to the bow 12 (
Exemplary Use
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From the above disclosure, one of skill in the art should understand that the spring 114 and the cam 66 function as an over-center locking mechanism that, when in a first position, biases the arrow launcher 80 into a first loading position, and when in a second position, biases the arrow launcher 80 into a second, launching position. Moreover, it should be clear that, in various embodiments, if the user lets down the bow (i.e., releases the potential energy on the bow string 126 without firing the arrow), the locking mechanism will maintain the arrow launcher 80 in the second, launching position since the release mechanism (leaf spring 96) does not snap back causing the over-center spring to move over-center to bias the cam in the clockwise direction. As such, various embodiments of the present structure result in an arrow rest having an arrow launcher that moves from a first loading position into a second launching position as the bow is drawn. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the present structure's locking mechanism retains the arrow launcher in the second launching position until the arrow is fired from the bow.
Referring to
A cam 66 having a support member 68 that is rotationally fixed thereto is rotatably received in the body's cavity 64. The cam 66 has a recess formed therein, where the recess has a first wall 106 and a second wall 108. When the cam 66 is inserted into the body's cavity 64 so that the support member 68 passes through a hole 218 in the bearing sleeve. A projection 220 that extends radially inward from the body's sidewall 204 is received intermediate the recess' first and second walls 106 and 108.
An arm 222 has a first end 224 and a second end 226. A first through-hole 228 is formed in the arm's first end 224, and a second through-hole 230 is formed in the arm's second end 226. During assembly of the arrow rest, the arm's first end 224 is placed through the body's slot 206 so that the arm's first hole 228 receives the bearing sleeve 208. In this position, the coil spring 210 is positioned intermediate the body's back wall 200 and the arm's first end 224. Additionally, when the arm's first end is properly positioned, the coil spring's second end 214 is received in a blind bore (not shown) formed proximate the arm's first end. A pin 230 is received in a blind bore 232 formed in the arm 222. The pin 230 is operatively received in a second recess 234 formed in the cam 66. Because the recess 234 is wider than the diameter of the pin 230, the arm can rotate over a limited distance without engaging the cam.
A first end 232 of the string 30 is coupled to the arm's second end 226 by a fastener 234 that is received in the second bore 230 formed in the arm's second end 226. In this way, when the string 30 is pulled downward by the bow string 126, the arm 222 rotates about the bearing sleeve 208 causing the pin 230 to engage the cam 66. As the arm is further rotated counterclockwise, the cam 66 is also rotated counterclockwise causing the arrow launcher to move from the first loading position into the second launching position. At the same time, the spring 114 moves from above the cam center to below the cam center. As a result, the spring 114 biases the cam in the counterclockwise direction to maintain the arrow launcher in the launching position. Furthermore, coil spring 210 winds tighter thereby storing potential energy in the spring.
The operation of the first alternative embodiment is essentially the same as that of the embodiment illustrated in
In a second alternative embodiment, other types of locking mechanisms may be used in place of the over-center spring 114. For example, the cam 66 may having a spring winding that biases the cam in the clockwise direction. When the user draws the bow string 126, the cam may turn counterclockwise against the bias of the spring winding until a spring loaded ball in the cam 66 engages with a detent formed in the body. In this way, the spring loaded ball and detent will maintain the cam and arrow launcher in the second launching position until the leaf spring 96 snaps upward to overcome the force exerted by the spring loaded ball in the detent. As soon as the upward force exerted by the leaf spring overcomes the frictional force between the spring loaded ball and detent, the spring winding would cause the cam to rotate in the clockwise direction thereby moving the launcher back into the first loading position.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, as will be understood by one skilled in the relevant field in light of this disclosure, the invention may take form in a variety of different mechanical and operational configurations. For example, in the embodiments described herein, the body is closed by a cover. In various other embodiments, the body may be open. Additionally, in other embodiments, the arrow launcher may move to the loading position when the bow is drawn down (i.e., the bow is released, but the arrow is not fired). Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that the modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended exemplary concepts. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limitation. The description of the above alternative should teach one of skill in the art that many more alternatives exist that can maintain the arrow launcher in the second launching position even if the bow is undrawn.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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4287868 | Schiff | Sep 1981 | A |
4907566 | Klein | Mar 1990 | A |
5150700 | Troncoso | Sep 1992 | A |
6595195 | Barner et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
7963279 | Harwath et al. | Jun 2011 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20140174420 A1 | Jun 2014 | US |