This patent specification is based on Japanese patent application, No. 2022-45732 filed on Mar. 22, 2022 in the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a bow for shooting an arrow without using an elastic force of limbs.
In the conventional compound bows and recurved bows, the limbs are deformed (bent) to accumulate the elastic force in the limbs and the arrow is shot by using the elastic force of the limbs. A relatively large force is required for deforming the limbs and it is not easy to constantly accumulate the elastic force in the limbs.
For example, in order to solve the above described problem, Patent Document 1 discloses the technology of a bow where a cable fixed to both ends of a bow body is elastically deformed instead of elastically deforming the limbs. Thus, the elastic force is accumulated in the cable and the arrow is shot by the elastic force accumulated in the cable.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 6666536
In the bow disclosed in Patent Document 1, the bow body is obliquely inclined rearward from the center to the upper and lower ends and a cable in which an elastic force is accumulated and a string on which an arrow is nocked are fixed to the upper and lower ends of the bow body. Namely, the bow body is formed in an arch shape (bow shape). In the bow configured as described above, since the entire length of the bow body is approximately same as the entire length of the bow, it is difficult to downsize the bow body. Therefore, problem is the inconvenience of storing and carrying the bow when the bow is not used. In addition, the shape of the bow body should be changed for changing the entire shape of the bow. Thus, it is not easy to finely adjust the shape of the bow according to the preference of a shooter.
The present invention provides a bow for shooting an arrow using an elastic force of a cable without using an elastic force of limbs having a structure capable of being compact when not in use enabling to facilitate storage and carriage while increasing flexibility of design and adjustment of an entire shape of the bow according to the preference of the shooter.
A bow of the present invention includes: a frame having a predetermined length; a first pulley arranged on a first position of the frame; a second pulley arranged on a second position of the frame; a first small diameter cam configured to be rotatable interlocked with the first pulley; a first large diameter cam configured to be rotatable interlocked with the first pulley; a second small diameter cam configured to be rotatable interlocked with the second pulley; a second large diameter cam configured to be rotatable interlocked with the second pulley; a string fixed to the first pulley and the second pulley, the first pulley and the second pulley being configured to be rotated when the string is pulled; a first cable arranged in a linear shape between the first small diameter cam and the second large diameter cam, the first cable being configured to be elastically deformed by being wound around the second large diameter cam when the string is pulled; and a second cable arranged in a linear shape between the second small diameter cam and the first large diameter cam, the second cable being configured to be elastically deformed by being wound around the first large diameter cam when the string is pulled.
In the bow configured as described above, the pulleys are rotated when the string is pulled. The small diameter cams and the large diameter cams are rotated interlocked with the pulleys. At this time, the cables arranged between the small diameter cams and the large diameter cams are wound around the large diameter cams. Since the outer diameter is different between the small diameter cams and the large diameter cams, the cables are elastically deformed in a tensile direction when the cables are wound around the large diameter cams. Thus, an elastic force is accumulated in the cables. Since the cables are arranged in a linear shape between the small diameter cams and the large diameter cams, the elastic force can be accumulated in a smaller mechanism compared to the case of using the bow body having an arch shape. In addition, since a portion of accumulating the elastic force is formed in a linear shape, the portion can be combined with members having various shapes. Namely, flexibility for designing an entire shape of the bow can be increased.
In the above described configuration, the first pulley and the second pulley can be configured to be movable along a direction connecting the first position and the second position so that a distance between the first position and the second position is expanded and contracted. In addition, the first pulley and the second pulley can be configured to be fixable to the frame at an arbitrary position in a moving area of the first pulley and the second pulley with respect to the frame.
In the bow configured as described above, since the distance between the pulleys can be expanded and contracted, the tension of the string and the cable can be adjusted. In addition, the deterioration of the string and the cable can be prevented by loosening the tension of the string and the cable when not in use.
In the above described configuration, the bow can further include: a first arm fixed to the frame; a second arm fixed to the frame; a third pulley arranged on the first arm; and a fourth pulley arranged on the second arm, wherein the string is wound around the third pulley and the fourth pulley.
In the bow configured as described above, since the frame, the first arm and the second arm are combined, the entire shape of the bow can be easily specified. In addition, since the string is wound around the third pulley and the fourth pulley, the entire shape of the bow can be easily modified so that the shooter can easily pull the bow.
In the above described configuration, the first arm can be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the frame, and the second arm can be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the frame. In the bow configured as described above, the entire shape of the bow can be easily changed only by replacing the first arm and the second arm. In addition, the bow can be downsized by detaching the first arm and the second arm from the frame when storing and carrying the bow.
In the above described configuration, the bow can further include a grip attachable to and detachable from the frame. In the bow configured as described above, in addition to the combination of the frame, the first arm and the second arm, the entire shape of the bow can be variously modified by further combining the grip.
In the above described configuration, a first inclination angle of the first arm can be configured to be changeable with respect to a line connecting the first position and the second position of the frame, and a second inclination angle of the second arm can be configured to be s changeable with respect to the line connecting the first position and the second position of the frame.
In the bow configured as described above, the positions of the third pulley and the fourth pulley can be changed with respect to the frame in the front-rear direction by changing the inclination angles of the first arm and the second arm with respect to the frame. Consequently, the draw length (length of drawing string) can be easily adjusted only by changing the inclination angles of the first arm and the second arm.
In the above described configuration, the first arm can be configured to be foldable around a first rotation shaft of the third pulley in a state that the first arm is detached from the frame, and the second arm can be configured to be foldable around a second rotation shaft of the fourth pulley in a state that the second arm is detached from the frame.
In the bow configured as described above, the bow can be stored and carried in a state that the bow is folded small when the first arm and the second arm are detached from the frame.
The present invention enables to provide a bow for shooting an arrow using an elastic force of a cable without using an elastic force of limbs having a structure capable of being compact when not in use enabling to facilitate storage and carriage while increasing flexibility of design and adjustment of an entire shape of the bow according to the preference of the shooter. Note that the energy can be efficiently converted since the weight of the portion of storing energy is small.
Hereafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained referring to the drawings shown as an example.
The first cable 71 and the second cable 72 are arranged to cross each other at the center of the vertical direction when viewed from the left side.
When the shooter pulls the string 60 rearward, the first pulley 80 is rotated around the first rotation shaft 83 in the first direction D1 (
Since the above described configurations are adopted, the elastic force of the tensile direction is accumulated in the first cable 71 and the second cable 72 when the shooter pulls the bow. When the shooter releases the arrow, the first small diameter cam 81 and the first large diameter cam 82 located at the upper part of the frame 10 is rotated in a reverse direction of the first direction D1 and the second small diameter cam 91 and the second large diameter cam 92 located at the lower part of the frame 10 is rotated in a reverse direction of the second direction D2 by the restoring force for restoring the elastically deformed first cable 71 and second cable 72. The first pulley 80 interlockingly rotated with the first small diameter cam 81 and the first large diameter cam 82 is rotated in the direction of pulling the string 60 upward. The second pulley 90 interlockingly rotated with the second small diameter cam 91 and the second large diameter cam 92 rotated in the direction of pulling the string 60 downward. Consequently, the string 60 pulled rearward is pulled back to frontward and the arrow nocked on the string 60 is shot frontward.
The first cable 71 and the second cable 72 are made of polyarylate fiber, aramid fiber, poly para-phenylene benzobisoxazole fiber, carbon fiber or the like. Specifically, ZYLON (trademark) manufactured by TOYOBO CO., LTD., Vectran (trademark) manufactured by KURARAY Co., Ltd. and the like can be used. The first cable 71 and the second cable 72 are formed by fixing an end portion of the fiber on the bobbin 81A (82A) or the bobbin 92A (91A), winding the fiber between the bobbin 81A (82A) and the bobbin 92A (91A) a plurality of times, and fixing the other end portion of the fiber on the bobbin 81A (82A) or the bobbin 92A (91A). It is also possible to bundle the above described fiber in a band shape for obtaining necessary elastic force and strength. It is also possible to knit the fiber for increasing the strength. When necessary strength can be obtained by bundling or knitting the fiber, it is not necessary to wind the fiber between the bobbin 81A (82A) and the bobbin 92A (91A) a plurality of times. In such a case, it is enough to fix the end portions of the fiber on the bobbins. It is also possible to arrange the above described fiber on an inner side of a cylinder made of Teflon (trademark) so that the fiber is exposed outside the cylinder in a ring shape at both end portions of the cylinder. As for the method of forming a ring shape at the end portions of the fiber having a linear shape, the method of knotting an anchor rope of ship can be applied. When the end portions of the fiber are formed in a ring shape, the first cable 71 and the second cable 72 can be fixed to the bobbins (cams) only by inserting the ring shaped end portions around the outer periphery of the bobbins. Namely, the cable can be attached and detached easily.
Two projections 11B, 12B extended rearward are formed on each of the left plate 11 and the right plate 12 so that the grip 40 is fixed to the projections 11B, 12B. The grip is a portion gripped by the shooter when the arrow is shot. Connection plates 41, 42 are fixed to the upper end and the lower end of the grip 40 for connecting the grip 40 with the frame 10. A bolt hole is formed on each of two projections 11B of the left plate 11 and two projections 12B of the right plate 12 for inserting bolts into the bolt holes for fixing the connection plates 41, 42. A recessed portion for arranging a nut is formed on each of the connection plates 41, 42. The grip 40 is detachably fixed to the frame 10 by fixing the bolt inserted into the projections 11B, 12B to the nut arranged on the recessed portion of the connection plates 41, 42. The rest 50 is a portion on which the arrow is placed and supported when the arrow is shot. A connection plate 51 is fixed on the front part of the rest 50 for connecting the rest 50 with the frame 10 and a bolt hole if formed on the connection plate 51. A recessed portion is formed on each of the left plate 11 and the right plate 12 for arranging a nut in the recessed portion to fix the rest 50 in the recessed portion. The rest 50 is detachably fixed to the frame 10 by fixing the bolts inserted into the connection plate 51 to the nut arranged in the recessed portion of the left plate 11 and the right plate 12.
As described above, the distance between the first pulley 80 (first position) and the second pulley 90 (second position) is expandable and contractible by moving the first rotation shaft 83 and the second rotation shaft 93 in the vertical direction. The first pulley 80 and the second pulley 90 are fixed to the frame 10 so that the positions of the first pulley 80 and the second pulley 90 are most suitable. Namely, the first pulley 80 and the second pulley 90 are configured to be fixable to the frame 10 at an arbitrary position (predetermined position) in a moving area of the first pulley 80 and the second pulley 90 with respect to the frame 10. Thus, the tension of the string and the cable can be adjusted. In addition, the tension of the string and the cable can be loosened when not in use. Thus, the deterioration of the string and the cable can be suppressed. Furthermore, the string and the cable can be easily attached and detached when replacing the string and the cable.
As described above, the position of the third pulley 25 and the fourth pulley 35 can be changed with respect to the frame 10 in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction by changing the inclination angle of the second arm 30. When the position of the fourth rotation shaft 33 is changed with respect to the frame 10 in the front-rear direction, the draw length DL is changed. Namely, the draw length can be easily adjusted only by moving the movable shaft 14 in the vertical direction. In the second arm 30, the lower plate 31L (32L) and the upper plate 31U (32U) can be rotated with respect to each other around the fourth rotation shaft 33 as a rotation shaft. Namely, the relative angle between the lower plate 31L (32L) and the upper plate 31U (32U) can be changed. Consequently, the second arm 30 is foldable around the fourth rotation shaft 33 (rotation shaft of fourth pulley 35) in a state that the second arm 30 is detached from the frame 10. Accordingly, the second arm 30 can be carried and stored in a state that the second arm is folded small. Note that the first arm 20 can be configured to be movable in the vertical direction same as the second arm 30.
When the frame 110 is used, the structure of the frame can be simplified and the entire bow can be downsized compared to the case where the frame is divided into two in the left-right direction. In addition, since the frame is located at the center, the grip and the rest can be easily arranged. Note that the grip and the rest can be integrally formed with the frame.
As illustrated as the cross bow 200, the elastic force for shooting the arrow can be accumulated when at least the frame 10, the string 60, the cable 70, the first pulley 80 and the second pulley 90 are provided in the present invention. In the present invention, the above described structure is referred to as an energy accumulating body. The energy accumulating body of the present invention can be applied to the type of the cross bow in addition to the types of the compound bow and the recurved bow. In the present invention, large force is not required for pulling the string 60. Thus, the preparation of the shooting is easier compared to the conventional cross bow.
The base 320 is arranged between the left and right plate members of the frame 310 and fixed to the frame 310. The base 320 includes a string receiving member 321 to which the string 60 is fixed in a state of being pulled, a guide groove 322 for guiding the direction of the arrow, a slider 323 configured to be moved in the front-rear direction together with the arrow along the guide groove 322, and a stopper 324 for restricting the motion of the slider 323 in the front-rear direction at a predetermined position. Although not illustrated, the cross bow 300 also includes the configuration provided with a normal cross bow such as a trigger for releasing the string 60 from the string receiving member 321. One end of the auxiliary arms 331, 332 is fixed coaxially with the first pulley 80 and the other end of the auxiliary arms 331, 332 is extended frontward and upward from the first pulley 80. The auxiliary pulleys 341, 342 are rotatably arranged respectively on the other end of the auxiliary arms 331, 332. The auxiliary pulley 341 and the auxiliary pulley 342 are arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. The slider 323 is fixed to the string 60 wound around the first pulley 80, the second pulley 90, the auxiliary pulley 341 and the auxiliary pulley 342. When the slider 323 is pulled rearward along the guide groove 322, the string 60 is pulled rearward. In this state, the slider 323 is attached to the string receiving member 321. Furthermore, when the arrow is arranged along the guide groove 322 and the trigger is pulled, the slider 323 is released from the string receiving member 321 and the slider 323 is moved frontward by the string 60. Consequently, the arrow is shot frontward. When the slider 323 collides with the stopper 324 arranged on the end portion of the front part of the guide groove 322, the frontward motion of the slider 323 is stopped at the position of the stopper 324. Consequently, the string 60 is prevented from jumping out frontward.
As illustrated as the cross bow 300, the auxiliary pulleys 341, 342 and the like are provided and the first pulley 80 and the second pulley 90 are arranged so as to be displaced in the left-right direction in the present invention. Thus, the elastic force can be accumulated by pulling the string 60 along the longitudinal direction of the frame. Consequently, the shape of the entire bow can be downsized compared to the structure where the string 60 is pulled along the direction orthogonal to the frame.
As explained above, the present invention has the structure of shooting the arrow by accumulating the elastic force in the string 60 using the energy accumulating body including at least the frame 10, the string 60, the cable 70, the first pulley 80 and the second pulley 90. Thus, large force is not required for pulling the string 60 rearward and the elastic force can be accumulated constantly anytime. In addition, since the cable 70 is linearly arranged, the frame 10 can be downsized. In addition, the first arm 20, the second arm 30, the grip 40, the rest 50 and the like can be detachably combined with the above described energy accumulating body. Thus, the shape of the bow can be easily customized according to the preference of the shooter. Since it is not required to pull the string 60 and the cable 70 strongly, the components can be carried in a state of being detached and the components can be assembled without using special tools at a place where the bow is used. Furthermore, there are various possibilities of application. For example, the cross bow is formed by combining the bases 210, 320 and the like.
In the above described embodiments, the structure of arranging the arms at the upper and lower parts of the frame is mainly explained. However, the structure of the bow is not limited to the above described structure. The structure of adding only one arm, the structure of three or more arms, and the structure not provided with the arms shown in the embodiment of the cross bow are included in the present invention.
In the above described embodiments, the upper end portion of the string 60 is fixed to the first pulley 80 and the lower end portion of the string 60 is fixed to the second pulley 90. However, it is not necessary to fix the string 60 to each of the pulleys at the end portion of the string strictly. As long as the string 60 is tensioned between the first pulley 80 and the second pulley 90, the position of fixing the string 60 to each of the pulleys is not particularly limited. The same applies to the cable 70.
In the above described embodiments, the structure of arranging the pulleys between the small diameter cam and the large diameter cam is explained. However, the positional relation of the pulley with respect to the small diameter cam and the large diameter cam is not limited to the above described structure. As long as the small diameter cam, the large diameter cam and the pulley are interlockingly rotated, it is possible to arrange the small diameter cam, the large diameter cam and the pulley in this order, for example.
In the above described embodiments, the structure of fixing the lower plate 31L (32L) to the frame 10 and move the upper plate 31U (32U) in the vertical direction is explained. However, it is also possible to fix the upper plate 31U (32U) to the frame and move the lower plate 31L (32L) in the vertical direction.
In the above described embodiments, the explanation is made for the configurations minimally required for explaining the present invention. However, the configurations attached to the normal bow can be added to the bow of the present invention. For example, it is possible to add a stabilizer for absorbing a reaction, a sight for aligning the sight and the like.
In the above described embodiments, the energy accumulating body of the present invention is applied to the bow. However, it is also possible to accumulate the elastic force in the cable as an energy and use the energy for the operations of the machines other than the bow.
Note that, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Although it is to those skilled in the art, the following are disclosed as the one embodiment of this invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2022-045732 | Mar 2022 | JP | national |
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Number | Date | Country |
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6666536 | Mar 2020 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20230304767 A1 | Sep 2023 | US |