Hand grip for a bow

Abstract

A finger grip is retrofittable to the riser of a compound bow to enhance gripping thereof and reduce the potential for dropping of the bow. The finger grip accommodates at least three of the archer's fingers and is equipped with an adhesive strip that permits the archer to attach the finger grip to her/his favorite bow quickly and easily by simply removing the release strip and pressing the finger grip in place on the bow riser.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to a hand grip for a bow. More particularly the present invention is directed to a finger grip that can be retrofit to a riser of a compound bow to enhance the grippability thereof.

[0002] A number of devices have been developed to enhance the gripping of a compound bow. Several slings and hand grip devices have been developed. One such device is shown in the Scrobell patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,621) that includes a pivoting handle with a sling. Foster (U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,312) teaches the use of a sling with a wristband for aiding in bow retention. Gates (U.S. Pat. No. 3,055,354) discloses a sling for use in facilitating gripping of a bow. Such devices are of some benefit in providing improved grippability; however, risk of dropping the bow remains.

[0003] Bratcher (U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,841) teaches the use of an integral bow handle that has holes provided for finger and thumb to enhance gripping. This solution provides superior grippability. However, the Bratcher solution requires a special bow construction. The device of the present invention can be used with any bow design and hence, an archer need not give up his/her favorite bow to achieve enhanced gripping.

[0004] The finger grip of the present invention, which may be retrofit on virtually any bow which is available under the tradename BOW FINGER from the inventor, comprises a finger grip accommodating at least three fingers of a user's hand; and means for securing said finger grip to a front face of the riser of the compound bow. Preferably, the means for securing the finger grip comprises an adhesive strip affixed to a trailing edge of said finger grip, the adhesive strip being protected by a release strip until the finger grip is secured to the riser of the compound bow. The finger grip preferably comprises at least two rings for encircling at least two of the user's fingers on a bow supporting hand. In addition, the finger grip further comprises an open-faced hook for accommodating at least one additional finger of the user's bow supporting hand.

[0005] Various additional features, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent after a reading of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention are set forth in the drawings, like items bearing like reference numerals and in which

[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of a compound bow with the finger grip of the present invention affixed to the front face of the riser;

[0008] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing the riser and finger grip in greater detail; and

[0009] FIG. 3 is a frontal perspective showing the finger grip in position and in a blown up breakout position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0010] The finger grip for use with a compound bow is shown in FIGS. 1-3 at 20. Finger grip 20 comprises a grip, preferably made of 6061 aluminum, that is capable of accommodating at least three fingers of the archer's hand. Finger grip 20 includes a first ring 22 and a second ring 24 for receiving at least two of the archer's fingers. An open-faced hook 26 can receive a third finger while the remaining finger, typically the pinky, will lie outside the confines of the finger grip. It will be appreciated that, at the option of the archer, the bow could be shifted upwardly in her/his hand such that the index finger lay above the finger grip 20. Finger grip 20 is equipped with an adhesive strip 28 on its rear face 30. A coated release strip 32 overlies the adhesive until such time as the archer is ready to install finger grip 20 on the forward face 13 of riser 11. As seen in FIG. 3, finger grip 20 occupies a portion of the forward face 13 of riser 11 located generally in the middle ⅓ thereof.

[0011] Finger grip 20 will reduce the tendency of the riser 11 to twist or torque within the archer's hand during drawing of the bow string. In addition, finger grip 20 will protect the archer's fingers against cutting by broad heads on the arrows. Finally, the use of finger grip 20 allows the archer to loosen her/his grip on the bow riser 11 without the risk of dropping the bow. Such periodic relaxation of the forearm muscles can significantly enhance the archer's performance with respect to striking the target.

[0012] Additional variations, alternatives, and equivalents will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art following a reading of the foregoing specification. For example, while the use of an adhesive strip has been shown it will be appreciated that threaded fasteners could be employed for attachment to the riser. It is intended that all such variations, alternatives and equivalents that fall within the scope of the appended claims be considered to be part of the present invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus retrofittable to, for enhancing gripping of, a standard compound bow having a riser, said apparatus comprising a) a finger grip accommodating at least three fingers of a user's hand; b) means for securing said finger grip to a front face of the riser of the compound bow.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for securing said finger grip comprises an adhesive strip affixed to a trailing edge of said finger grip, said adhesive strip being protected by a release strip until said finger grip is secured to the riser of the compound bow.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said finger grip comprises at least two rings for encircling at least two of the user's fingers on a bow supporting hand.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising an open-faced hook for accommodating at least one additional finger of the user's bow supporting hand.