Patent Application
20150144119
Archery equipment or bows, whether used for target shooting or hunting, frequently include a wrist sling or strap to prevent an archer from accidentally dropping or mishandling the bow. Existing wrist slings retain odors and are difficult to adjust.
In the example illustrated, bow 20 comprises a compound archery bow utilizing bow wrist sling 22. In addition to bow wrist sling 22, bow 20 comprises grip 26, lower limb 28, upper limb 30, arrow rest 32, cam 34, idler cam 36, bow string 38, nocking loop 40, cables 42, cable guard 44 and peep sight 124, stabilizer 44, bow mounted quiver 128 with received arrows 130 and bow sight. Although illustrated as being utilized with the example bow 20, in other implementations, in other implementations, bow wrist sling 22 may be utilized with other forms of compound bows or various other forms of bows. For example, in some implementations, bow 20 may additionally comprise a peep sight, a bow mounted quiver and/or a bow sight. In some implementations, bow 20 may comprise a long bow, a composite bow, a recurve bow, a reflex bow, a self bow or a crossbow.
Bow wrist sling 22 forms a loop 46 that receives an archer's wrist to prevent the archer from mishandling the bow or accidentally dropping the bow. In the example illustrated, loop 46 of bow wrist sling 22 is connected to a remainder of bow 20 below grip 26. In the example illustrated, bow wrist sling 22 extends from a location behind stabilizer 44 between stabilizer 44 and lower limb 28 just below grip 26. As will be described below, loop 46 of bow wrist sling 22 offers a plurality of distinct predetermined loop sizes to accommodate different archers having different ear/wrist sizes as well as gripping preferences. Loop 46 further offers a plurality of distinct predetermined loop sizes to accommodate different configurations of different bows.
In the example illustrated, head portion 50 comprises a bow stabilizer receiver 54, ears 56, 58 and strap connector 60. Receiver 54 comprises a structure which receives a projection extending from either lower limb 28 or stabilizer 44. In the example illustrated, receiver 54 comprises an opening 64 configured to receive a shaft projecting from either lower limb 28 or stabilizer 44. In the example illustrated, receiver 54 is configured to receive a threaded shaft extending from stabilizer 44, wherein the threaded shaft is threaded into a threaded bore of lower limb 28 to releasably capture head portion 50 therebetween.
Ears 56, 58 comprise tabs, projection, wings, arms or other extensions extending from receiver 54. Ears 56, 58 have a rigidity or stiffness greater than adjacent portions of strap 52 such that ears 56, 58 bend or flex, if at all, only in response to forces greater than the forces at which strap 52 bends and flexes when forming loop 46. As a result, ears 56, 58 steer and retain adjacent portions of strap 52, which are also adjacent to receiver 54, along predetermined axes in predetermined directions from receiver 54. In the example illustrated, ears 56, 58 obliquely extend from retainer 54 such that an portions of loop 46 formed by strap 52 and adjacent ears 56, 58 also at least initially extend away from ears 56, 58 along the same oblique axes. In the example illustrated, receiver 54 extends within a plane with the centerline of opening 64 extending perpendicular to that plane. Ears 56, 58 extend in the same direction from the plane of receiver 54 and in planes that are oblique to the plane of receiver 54 and that are oblique to one another. The angling of ears 56, 58 from receiver 54 assists in retaining the shape of loop 46 form by strap 52.
Strap connector 60 comprises a structure for selectable connection to one of a plurality of connection point along strap 52 to retain strap 52 in a loop 46 having a selected size. In the example illustrated in which such connection points comprise apertures, slits or other openings, strap connector 60 comprises a hook to be removably inserted into one of the connection points. In such an implementation, strap connector 60 may comprise a curved hook, a post-shaped hook or a tang-shaped hook. In the example illustrated, strap connector 60 comprises hook having neck 68 and head 70. Neck 68 extends from ear 58 and terminates at head 70. Head 70 comprise an enlarged portion above neck 68. Head 70 is configured to be passed through an opening or slit along strap 52 such that the walls of the opening or slits of strap 52 reside about or collar neck 68 between head 70 and ear 58 to retain strap 52 relative to strap connector 60. In implementations where ear 58 is omitted, hook 60 may extend directly from receiver 54.
Strap 52 comprises an elongate flexible, bendable band extending from ear 56. Strap 52 comprises connection points 72, connection point indicators 74 and pull tab 76. Connection points 72 comprise a plurality of spaced discrete connection points configured for selectable and releasable connection to strap connector 60. In the example illustrated, connection points 72 comprise a plurality of uniformly spaced oval-shaped apertures extending through strap 52. In one implementation, the apertures forming connection points 72 have a shape similar to the shape of head 70 and a size or outer profile similar to head 70, permitting head 70 to pass through such apertures without deformation. In another implementation, the apertures forming connection points 72 have a different shape as compared to head 70 and/or are sized smaller than the profile of head 70 such that strap 52 deforms and resiliently flexes as head 70 is passed through such apertures to position strap 52 about neck 68.
Although illustrated as being oval or slotted in shape, the apertures of forming connection points 72 may have other shapes or configurations. For example, in some implementations, the apertures may be round or circular in shape, square in shape or may comprise narrow slits. In one implementation, the apertures may be round while head 70 is polygonal (such as triangular), oval or elongated. In some implementations, in lieu of comprising apertures, connection points 72 may comprise projections or other structures for releasable connection to strap connector 60.
In the example illustrated, the end most connection points 72 are spaced by a distance d (measured between aperture center points) to provide a maximum size adjustment distance of at least 2 inches and nominally 4.5 inches. In the example illustrated, connection points 72 are uniformly spaced along strap 52 such that the spacing between connection points 72 is substantially the same. In one implementation, the apertures forming connection points 72 have a pitch p (measured between consecutive aperture center points) of between 0.3 inches and 1.2 inches and nominally 0.5 inches. Such a spacing provides sufficiently small adjustments through the selection of a particular connection point 72 to accommodate different intermediate size preferences for loop 46 while, at the same time, being sufficiently large such that the size of loop 46 is discernibly different with respect to each connection point 72 and such that the number of apertures forming connection points 72 does not detrimentally weaken the strength or durability of strap 52.
In yet other implementations, the apertures forming connection points 72 may have other spacings or pitches. In some implementations, the apertures forming connection points 72 may be non-uniformly spaced along strap 52. For example, in some implementations, for connection points associated with more common sizes of loop 46, incremental spacing between the apertures forming connection points 72 is smaller, allowing finer size adjustment for a larger percentage of the archer population, whereas for connection points 72 associated with less common sizes of loop 46 (wrist sizes or other ergonomic factors that are outliers on a Bell curve norm or human wrist sizes or other ergonomic measurements), the spacing or pitch for the apertures forming connection points 72 is larger.
Connection point indicators 74 comprise individual different or distinct indicia associated with connection points 72. Each indicator 74 is associated with one of the connection points 72 by being located adjacent to the associated connection point 72. Each indicator 74 visibly distinguishes each of the connection points 72, allowing a archer to quickly and easily distinguish between and identify previously used connection points 72 for reuse. For example, a first archer may prefer a loop setting or size in which strap connector 60 is connected to a first connection point 72 while a second archer may prefer a loop setting or size in which strap connector 60 is connected to a second different connection point 72. Indicator 74 allow the first archer to more readily remember his or her preferred setting and to quickly reestablish the preferred setting after the second archer has utilized the second different connection point 72.
In the example illustrated, indicators 74 comprise numbers. In other implementations, indicators 74 may comprise letters or any other visibly distinct indicia. In yet other implementations, indicators 74 may comprise distinct colors or shades of one or more colors about or otherwise adjacent to associated connection points 72. In one implementation, indicators 74 may comprise numbers indicating the actual size of loop 46 or diameter of loop 46 associated with the particular connection point 72. In one implementation, indicators 74 are molded into strap 52 as a raised portion or as a recessed portion. In yet other implementations, indicator 74 are lasered into, chemically etched into, cut into, painted upon our printed upon strap 52. In some implementations, indicator 74 may be omitted.
Pull tab 76 surprises a tab extending at an end of strap 52 opposite to receiver 50. Pull tab 76 is configured to be gripped by a person's hand to allow and a of strap 52 to be wrapped are bent to form loop 46 (shown in
In the example illustrated, head 50 and strap 52 are formed through a molding process in which rubber-like or flexible elastomeric material is molded about an insert 100 showing
In the example illustrated, insert 100 comprises receiver core 154, ear cores 156, 158 and strap connector 60 (described above). Receiver core 154 comprises an annular ring 162 defining opening 64 (described above). Annular ring 162 serves as a spine or core about which the material of strap 52 is molded. Annular ring 162 provides a stiff rigid support for securely mounting sling 22 to a remainder of both 20. The rubber-like or elastomeric material overmolded about opposite faces 166, 168 of ring 162 abut opposite portions of stabilizer 44 and lower limb 28 to achieve a dampening effect to reduce hand shock which is sometimes present with some compound archery bows and equipment. In the example illustrated, portions of core 154 adjacent to opening 64 are exposed, providing a hard, incompressible surface secure fitment with respect to the shaft that is received by opening 64. In other implementations, the rubber-like or elastomeric material may be overmolded through opening 64.
Ear cores 156, 158 integrally project from peripheral edges of annular ring 162. Ear cores 156, 158 serve as stiffening or supporting cores or spines for ears 56, 58, respectively. In the example illustrated, each of cores 156, 158 comprises at least one passage 170 therethrough which receives the overmolded rubber-like or elastomeric polymer material to more securely fix and retain the material to ear cores 156, 158.
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In the example illustrated in which strap connector 60 comprises neck 68 and head 70 and in which each of connection points 72 comprises an aperture, connection of strap connector 60 to an individual connection point 72 is achieved by the person initially aligning the elongated shape of head 70 with the elongated shape of the aperture of the connection point 72 and passing the head 70 through the aperture such that the aperture collars neck 68. In one implementation, one or both of head 70 and portions of strap 52 about the aperture may resiliently flex during such insertion. In another implementation, neither of head 70 or portions of strap 52 about the aperture change shape. Once head 70 is passed through the selected aperture of the selected connection point 72, strap 52 is rotated about the axis of neck 68 for the reception of a wrist (as shown in
In one implementation, each aperture of each connection point 72 may additionally be sized smaller than the size of head 70, wherein portions of strap 52 about each aperture resiliently flex during insertion of head 70 through such aperture. The size difference may additionally assist in retaining connection between strap connector 60 and the particular connection point 72. In other implementations, each aperture of each connection point 72 may be sized that are larger than the size of head 70 such that no flexing occurs during insertion of head 70 through the particular aperture. In other implementations, head 70 and each aperture of each connection point 72 may have rounder circular shapes, rather than non-symmetrical shapes, such that shape misalignment does not result upon rotation of head 70 and strap 52 relative to one another. In such implementations, retention of head 70 within a particular selected aperture of a selected connection point 72 is achieved by specifically dimensioning each aperture of each connection point 72 smaller than head 70, wherein portions of at least one of strap 52 and had 70 resiliently flex to allow insertion of head 70 through a selected aperture.
Although bow wrist sling 22 has been illustrated as being releasably mounted to a remainder of bow 20 without the need for additional fasteners, utilizing the connection of stabilizer 44, in other implementations, bow wrist sling 22 may be fastened or mounted to bow 22 independent of stabilizer 44. In still other implementations, bow wrist sling 22 may be permanently fixed to or integrally formed as part of the remainder of bow 20, such as lower limb 28 or stabilizer 44. For example, in other implementations, head 50 may welded or bonded to a remainder of bow 20. In some implementations, head 50 may be integrally molded as part of a single unitary body with lower limb 28 or stabilizer 44. In one implementation, insert 100 is integrally molded as part of a single unitary body with limb 28 or stabilizer 44, wherein the elastomeric polymer or other rubber-like material is overmolded about at least portions of the integral insert 100. In implementations where insert 100 does not receive a shaft projection from stabilizer 44 or projecting forwardly from lower limb 28, insert 100 may omit opening 64. For example, in one implementation, insert 100 may comprise just strap connector 60 and ear cores 156, 158 projecting from lower limb 28 or from a forward portion of grip 26, wherein the elastomeric polymer or other rubber-like material is overmolded about such ear cores 156, 158 to form strap 52 for forming loop 46 by being connected to strap connector 60 at a selected one of connection points 72.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.
