MODULAR QUIVER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE

Abstract

Modular quiver systems and methods of use may include, first, a base portion configured to be attachable to a bow and configured to removably hold a first arrow, and second, a detachable portion configured to removably hold a plurality of second arrows and configured to be removably attachable with the base portion by hand without the use of any tools, regardless whether or not the base portion is attached to the bow, and regardless whether arrows are in the quiver. Quick-release bracket systems allow the modular quiver systems to be removed from and attached with a bow in different predetermined positions without the use of any tools.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of archery, and more particularly to bow-mountable and crossbow-mountable quivers.

BACKGROUND

The present inventor began his archery career in about 1982 shooting a recurve bow. In about 1984 he began deer hunting with modern archery equipment, which typically includes a quiver attached to the bow for holding multiple arrows so that the archer can readily shoot multiple arrows successively. His first quiver for holding arrows was a Kwikee Kwiver® brand quiver. In about 2011 the present inventor used a Soft Loc™ brand quiver. Up until inventing the present quiver he was using a Trophy Ridge® brand quiver for his hunting bow.

But the present inventor experienced problems with these conventional quivers when he began using a heavy forward-of-center (FOC) hunting system, which significantly increased the arrow weight from about 450 grains to 680 or more grains per arrow. This additional weight became burdensome with a full quiver of arrows, causing significant changes in weight distribution and leading to arm fatigue and less accurate shots. Accordingly, the present inventor, like many hunters, occasionally detached his quiver from his bow while hunting to restore balance to the bow, reduce fatigue, and improve accuracy. But with the quiver detached from the bow, an archer is unable to shoot multiple arrows successively without engaging in much more movement, removing their eyes from the target, and using one (or both) hands to search for and retrieve each additional arrow separately for each follow-up shot. That is a problem for hunters, because often hunters must quickly shoot a second “follow-up” shot without taking their eyes off the target in order to effectuate an ethical kill. Therefore, in many cases the present inventor left his bulky quiver attached to his bow with only a single arrow in the quiver to facilitate easy one-handed retrieval of a second arrow essential for the follow-up shot. But this meant that he had to find somewhere else to carry the rest of his arrows, which essentially defeated the purpose of the quiver.

The present inventor looked for a workable solution to this problem in existing products but found none. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,714,147 B2 to Walk et al., entitled Modular Quiver Apparatus and Method, issued May 6, 2014 (“Walk et al.”), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, disclosed a quiver that could be mechanically adjusted to multiple configurations to hold different numbers of arrows. But Walk et al. would not solve the problem the present inventor had identified, because Walk et al. would not be useful to selectively choose how many arrows to carry at any given time in the field, since it had to be laboriously taken apart and reassembled with fasteners and different components to change between configurations. Additionally, the disassembled portions of Walk et al. would presumably not hold arrows during or after disassembly. The present inventor decided there needed to be a better way to solve the problem he had identified.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides novel apparatus and methods of use for bow-mountable arrow quivers (referred to herein simply as “quivers”), which improve over known systems and provide numerous additional benefits as will be appreciated by persons of skill in the art upon reviewing this disclosure. For example, provided in various example embodiments is a multi-part modular detachable quiver system where a user can attach the full quiver system to a bow and load the quiver system with arrows, so that the bow with its fully-loaded quiver system attached thereto can be carried as one piece, for instance to and from a hunting location. Then once the user is located at a hunting or other arrow-shooting location, the user can detach a detachable portion of the quiver system from the bow without using any tools, for instance a detachable portion containing all but one of the arrows in the quiver system (or any other suitable number of arrows in various alternative example embodiments), thereby leaving a base portion of the quiver system still attached to the bow, the base portion of the quiver system containing a single arrow (or any other suitable number of arrows in various alternative example embodiments). The user can then hunt or otherwise shoot the bow with an arrow in-hand, as well as with a single back-up arrow in the base portion of the quiver system still attached to the bow, thereby leaving the back-up arrow available for one-handed easy retrieval for a follow-up shot without causing additional movement or causing the user to take their eyes off the target, while also alleviating strain caused by the additional weight of the full quiver system and improving shot accuracy. In the meantime, the detached detachable portion of the quiver system continues to retain the remaining arrows for access between shots. Then when the user moves to a different location or otherwise wants to gather the hardware together, the user can, again without using any tools, reattach the detachable portion of the quiver system with the base portion of the quiver system that is attached to the bow. Alternatively, the entire quiver system, including the detachable portion attached with the base portion, can be attached with and removed from the bow together as one-piece.

For example, provided in various example embodiments is a multi-part modular quiver system comprising a base portion and a detachable portion, the base portion fixedly attachable to a bow, for instance mountable with fasteners to a standard quiver mounting bracket on a bow, and configured to hold a first arrow for use in making a follow-up shot. The detachable portion may be configured to hold a plurality of second arrows and may be removably attachable with the base portion by hand without using any tools.

In various example embodiments the detachable portion may be configured to be removably attachable with the base portion by hand without using any tools regardless whether or not the first and/or second arrows are positioned in the base portion and/or the detachable portion. In various example embodiments the detachable portion may be configured to be removably attachable with the base portion by hand without using any tools by the multi-part modular quiver system comprising first engagement members on the base portion, and by comprising correspondingly positioned second engagement members on the detachable portion, such that the first and second engagement members are configured to engage with each other in a fixed manner when pushed together by the hands of a user, and the first and second engagement members are further configured to disengage from each other when pulled apart by the hands of the user. In various example embodiments the first engagement members or the second engagement members or both may comprise flexible structures. In various example embodiments the first engagement members may comprise resilient concavities and the second engagement members may comprise correspondingly positioned longitudinally extending cylindrical bars, such that the resilient concavities are configured to deflect around and removably engage with corresponding ones of the longitudinally extending cylindrical bars.

In various example embodiments the multi-part modular quiver system may be configured so that the plurality of second arrows are positioned on opposite sides of the first arrow when the detachable portion is removably attached to the base portion. In various example embodiments the base portion of the multi-part modular quiver system may comprise a first hood portion configured to receive and removably retain therein an arrowhead portion of the first arrow, and the detachable portion of the multi-part modular quiver system may comprise one or more second hood portions configured to receive and removably retain therein arrowhead portions of the second arrows. In various example embodiments the first and second hood portions may be sized, shaped, and positioned so that the first hood portion is nested within or between one or more second hood portions when the detachable portion is removably attached to the base portion and the plurality of second arrows are positioned on opposite sides of the first arrow.

In various example embodiments the base portion may comprise hangable structure configured sufficiently robustly to reliably support the freely hanging weight of the multi-part modular quiver system with the bow attached thereto. In various example embodiments the hangable structure may comprise a bracket defining a hole therethrough configured to hang on a hook, branch, or similar structure or protrusion. In various example embodiments the hangable structure may comprise a loop configured to hang on a hook, branch, or similar structure or protrusion.

Accordingly, provided in various example embodiments is a modular quiver system, comprising: a base portion configured to be attachable to a bow and configured to removably hold a first arrow; and a detachable portion configured to removably hold a plurality of second arrows and configured to be removably attachable with the base portion by hand without the use of any tools regardless whether or not the base portion is attached to the bow.

In various example embodiments the base portion further comprises first engagement members and the detachable portion further comprises second engagement members, the first and second engagement members configured and positioned to engage with each other in a fixed manner when pushed together by a user's hands, and the first and second engagement members further configured to disengage from each other when pulled apart by the user's hands. In various example embodiments the first engagement members comprise flexible and resilient structures, which may comprise concavities. In various example embodiments each first engagement member may comprise a first flexible and resilient concavity opening toward a first longitudinal direction and a second flexible and resilient concavity opening toward a second longitudinal direction, such that the first and second longitudinal directions are perpendicular to each other. In various example embodiments the second engagement members may comprise longitudinally extending cylindrical bars positioned correspondingly to the first engagement members, such that the flexible and resilient concavities are configured to deflect around and removably engage with corresponding ones of the longitudinally extending cylindrical bars. In various example embodiments the plurality of second arrows are positioned on opposite sides of the first arrow when the detachable portion is removably attached to the base portion. In various example embodiments the base portion comprises a first hood portion configured to receive and removably retain therein an arrowhead portion of the first arrow, and the detachable portion comprises one or more second hood portions configured to receive and removably retain therein arrowhead portions of the second arrows, the first and second hood portions are sized, shaped, and positioned so that the first hood portion is nested interstitially among the one or more second hood portions when the detachable portion is removably attached to the base portion and the plurality of second arrows are positioned on opposite sides of the first arrow. In various example embodiments the base portion comprises hangable structure configured sufficiently robustly to hang the bow from when the modular quiver system is attached to the bow. In various example embodiments the hangable structure comprises a hole formed in a hood portion of the base portion, the hood portion configured to receive and removably retain therein an arrowhead portion of the first arrow. In various example embodiments the detachable portion comprises hangable structure configured sufficiently robustly to hang the bow from when the modular quiver system is attached to the bow. In various example embodiments the hangable structure comprises a hole formed in a hood portion of the detachable portion, the hood portion configured to receive and removably retain therein arrowhead portions of the second arrows.

In various example embodiments the modular quiver system may further comprise a quick-release bracket configured to be attached to the bow and configured for a user to removably engage the base portion with the quick-release bracket without the use of tools, regardless whether or not the detachable portion is attached with the base portion and regardless whether or not the base portion or the detachable portion or both are removably holding arrows. In various example embodiments the base portion comprises a plurality of projections sized, shaped, and positioned to removably engage with slots in the quick-release bracket. In various example embodiments the modular quiver system may be further configured to be selectably attached to the bow in different positions depending on which of the projections are removably engaged with the slots in the quick-release bracket. In various example embodiments the modular quiver system may further comprise a first slot in the quick-release bracket extending in a first longitudinal direction and a second slot in the quick-release bracket extending in a second longitudinal direction, such that the first and second longitudinal directions are perpendicular to each other.

Also provided in various example embodiments is a bow comprising a modular quiver system as described herein attached thereto. While a bow is not shown in the present figures, examples of bows are shown in one or more of the references incorporated herein by reference.

Further provided in various example embodiments is a method comprising the following steps: providing a bow; providing a modular quiver system as described herein; and attaching the modular quiver system with the bow. In various example embodiments the method may further comprise the steps of removing the detachable portion from the base portion while the base portion is attached to the bow. In various example embodiments the method may further comprise the steps of removing the detachable portion from the base portion while the base portion is attached to the bow and is removably holding a first arrow, and while the detachable portion is removably holding a plurality of second arrows.

Additional aspects, alternatives and variations as would be apparent to persons of skill in the art are also disclosed herein and are specifically contemplated as included as part of the invention. The invention is set forth only in the claims as allowed by the patent office in this or related applications, and the following summary descriptions of certain examples shall not in any way to limit, define or otherwise establish the scope of legal protection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A through 8B illustrate certain aspects of example modular quiver systems and methods of use according to certain example embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a bottom back side perspective view of a first example base portion of a multi-part modular detachable quiver system, depicting in dashed lines for reference an arrow removably stored therein;

FIG. 1B is a top back side perspective view of the example base portion of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a bottom front side perspective view of the example base portion of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a front elevation view of an example quick-disconnect bracket configured for use with removably and selectably attaching the example base portion of FIG. 1A to a bow;

FIG. 1E is a front perspective view of the example quick-disconnect bracket of FIG. 1D;

FIG. 1F is a rear perspective view of the example quick-disconnect bracket of FIG. 1D;

FIG. 2A is top front side perspective view of a second example base portion of a multi-part modular detachable quiver system, depicting for reference an arrow removably stored therein;

FIG. 2B is a bottom back side perspective view of the example base portion of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a bottom elevation view of a first example engagement member of a multi-part modular detachable quiver system according to various example embodiments;

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the example engagement member of FIG. 3A:

FIG. 3C is a top perspective view of the example engagement member of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a bottom elevation view of a second example engagement member of a multi-part modular detachable quiver system according to various example embodiments;

FIG. 4A is a front right side perspective view of a first example detachable portion of a multi-part modular detachable quiver system according to various example embodiments;

FIG. 4B is a front left side perspective view of the example detachable portion of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a rear left side perspective view of the example detachable portion of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is a rear right side perspective view of the example detachable portion of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4E is a bottom elevation view of the example detachable portion of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4F is an enlarged view of a portion of detail F in FIG. 4E;

FIG. 5A is an exploded rear bottom perspective view of an example multi-part modular detachable quiver system according to various example embodiments;

FIG. 5B is a top elevation view of the example multi-part modular detachable quiver system of FIG. 5A, depicting steps in the assembly of a first example detachable portion with an example engagement member of a second example base portion;

FIG. 6A is a top rear perspective view of an example multi-part modular detachable quiver system, depicting steps in the assembly of a second example detachable portion with example engagement members of a first example base portion;

FIG. 6B is a bottom right rear perspective view of the partially assembled example multi-part modular detachable quiver system of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a bottom left rear perspective view of the partially assembled example multi-part modular detachable quiver system of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a bottom left rear perspective view of the example multi-part modular detachable quiver system of FIG. 6A, shown with the detachable portion fully assembled with the engagement members of the base portion;

FIG. 7B is a top left rear perspective view of the quiver system assembly of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a top right rear perspective view of the quiver system assembly of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7D is a top elevation view of the quiver system assembly of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7E is a bottom elevation view of the quiver system assembly of FIG. 7A;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top rear perspective views of an example multi-part modular detachable quiver system, depicting steps in the assembly of a first example detachable portion with example engagement members of a second example base portion, depicting for reference arrows removably stored in both portions;

FIG. 9 is front plan view of another example of a modular quiver system;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the modular quiver system shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the base portion of the modular quiver system shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the base portion shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the removable portion of the modular quiver system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the removable portion shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of an example base portion and detachable portion of a multi-part modular detachable quiver system;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the base portion and detachable portion of a multi-part modular detachable quiver system of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the multi-part modular detachable quiver system of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a side partial cut away view of a portion of the multi-part modular detachable quiver system of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a top view of a bow mounted to one example of a multi-part modular detachable quiver system.

Although the figures represent example embodiments of the present disclosure, the figures might not necessarily be to scale, and certain features may be exaggerated or omitted in order to better illustrate and explain the present concepts. In the following description, like reference numbers from the figures may be used to refer to like elements and features in connection with various different embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

Reference is made herein to some specific examples of the present invention, including any best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying figures. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it is understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described or illustrated embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by any allowed claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Particular example embodiments may be implemented without some or all of these features or specific details. In other instances, components and procedures well known to persons of skill in the art have not been described in detail in order not to obscure inventive aspects.

Various techniques and mechanisms will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be noted that some embodiments may include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple components, mechanisms, and the like, unless noted otherwise. Similarly, various steps of the methods shown and described herein are not necessarily performed in the order indicated, or performed at all in certain embodiments. Accordingly, some implementations of the methods discussed herein may include more or fewer steps than those shown or described.

Further, the example techniques and mechanisms described herein will sometimes describe a connection, relationship or communication between two or more items or entities. It should be noted that a connection or relationship between entities does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a variety of other entities or processes may reside or occur between any two entities. Consequently, an indicated connection does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection unless otherwise noted.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It may be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It may be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that may be consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and may not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it is understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these may have individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description may refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations may be entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, FIGS. 1A through 8B depict example embodiments of a modular quiver system 300, comprising: a base portion 100 configured to be attachable to a bow (examples shown in the references incorporated herein by reference) and configured to removably hold a first arrow 900; and a detachable portion 200 configured to removably hold a plurality of second arrows 1000 and configured to be removably attachable with the base portion 100 by hand without the use of any tools regardless whether or not the base portion 100 is attached to the bow.

With reference to FIGS. 1A-1C and 3A-3D, in various example embodiments the base portion 100 may comprise first engagement members 150, 151 attached with fasteners 160 to a baseplate 110 (FIG. 1A). The first engagement members 150, 151 may be provided with lips 159 extending at least partially around an edge of the baseplate 110 to assist with retaining the first engagement members 150, 151 on the baseplate 110. The baseplate 110 may be connected to a first hood portion 130 by one or more longitudinally extending members 120. The first hood portion 130 may define an exterior profile 131 and an interior surface 132 configured to receive and removably retain therein an arrowhead portion 901 of the first arrow 900. With additional reference to FIGS. 3A-3C, an engagement member, such as the first engagement member 150, may be provided with flexible and resilient structures 152 which may define a smaller concavity 157 opening into a larger concavity 156, such that the smaller concavity 157 and/or larger concavity 156 are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shaft of an arrow 900.

As shown in FIGS. 1D-1F, in various example embodiments the modular quiver system 300 may further comprise a quick-release bracket 170 configured to be attached to the bow 172 (for instance via fasteners passing through holes 176) and configured for a user to removably engage the base portion 100 with the quick-release bracket 170 without the use of tools, regardless whether or not the detachable portion 200 is attached with the base portion 100 and regardless whether or not the base portion 100 or the detachable portion 200 or both are removably holding arrows 900, 1000. In various example embodiments the base portion 100 comprises a plurality of projections 140 (FIG. 1A) that are sized, shaped, and positioned to removably engage with slots 173, 174 in the quick-release bracket 170. In various example embodiments the modular quiver system 300 may be further configured to be selectably attached to the bow in different positions, for instance different vertical positions, depending on which of the projections 140 are removably engaged with the slots 173, 174 in the quick-release bracket 170. In various example embodiments the modular quiver system 300 may further comprise a first slot 173 in the quick-release bracket 170 extending in a first longitudinal direction (downward in FIGS. 1D, 1E, and 1F) and a second slot 174 in the quick-release bracket 170 extending in a second longitudinal direction (laterally to the left or right side in FIGS. 1D, 1E, and 1F), such that the first and second longitudinal directions are perpendicular to each other. The quick-release bracket 170 can be installed with the second slot 174 extending laterally to the left or right side (as shown in FIGS. 1D, 1E, and 1F), thereby facilitating quick-release movement by both right handed and left handed users. Persons of skill in the art will upon reviewing this disclosure readily understand that a user selectably engages two of the adjacent projections 140 with the perpendicularly-oriented slots 173, 174 in the quick-release bracket 170 by sliding one of the projections 140 into slot 173, and then rotating the base portion 100 (with or without the detachable portion 200 attached thereto) so that an adjacent projection 140 slides into the other slot 174. A close or slight interference fit may be provided between projections 140 and slots 173, 174 to cause the base portion 100 to reliably snap into place on the bow using the quick-release bracket 170.

An alternative baseplate 110′ is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, which comprises holes 145 for using conventional fasteners (not shown) to attach the base portion 100 (and thus the rest of the modular quiver system 300) to the bow.

With reference to FIGS. 4A through 8B, the detachable portion 200 may comprise one or more second hood portions 230 (including for example alternative hood portion 230′ in FIGS. 6A-7E) defining one or more exterior profiles 231 and one or more interior surfaces 232 configured to receive and removably retain therein arrowhead portions (not shown, but same as 901 in FIG. 1C) of the second arrows 1000. The detachable portion 200 may further comprise a lower bracket 210 supporting an arrow connection structure 250 that comprises one or more flexible and resilient structures 252 separated by gaps 259, thereby defining a plurality of smaller concavities 257 opening into larger concavities 256, such that the smaller concavities 257 and/or larger concavities 256 are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shafts of arrows 1000. The larger concavity 256 and smaller concavity 257 may be sized and configured to allow the quivers described herein to hold arrows of different diameters. For example, a user may carry arrows of one diameter for small game and arrows of a second diameter for larger game in the same quiver simultaneously. Arrows having a smaller diameter pass through the larger concavity 256 and are held in the smaller concavity 257 while arrows of a larger diameter are held in the larger concavity 256. The larger concavity 256 and smaller concavity 257 may be sized to secure arrows of any desired diameter. Second engagement members 220 may extend longitudinally between the one or more second hood portions 230 and the lower bracket 210.

With reference to FIGS. 5A through 8B, the first and second engagement members 150 and 151, and 220, respectively, may be configured and positioned to engage with each other in a fixed manner when pushed together by a user's hands. The first and second engagement members 150 and 151, and 220, respectively, may likewise be configured to disengage from each other when pulled apart by the user's hands (that is, without the use of tools). In various example embodiments the first engagement members 150 and 151 may comprise flexible and resilient structures 153 and 154, which may comprise concavities (e.g., 153 and 155, and/or 154 and 155), for instance as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D. The first engagement members 150 and 151 may be provided with gripping areas 158 to assist the user in deflecting the flexible and resilient structures 153 and 154 by hand and without the use of any tools. The first engagement members 150 and 151 may be formed from any suitable material, such as a flexible and resilient polymer, such as rubber or plastic. In various example embodiments each first engagement member 150 and 151 may comprise a first flexible and resilient concavity 153 and 155 opening toward a first longitudinal direction (e.g., to the left in FIGS. 3A and 3D) and a second flexible and resilient concavity 154 and 155 opening toward a second longitudinal direction (e.g., upward in FIGS. 3A and 3D), such that the first and second longitudinal directions are perpendicular to each other.

As shown for instance in FIGS. 4A through 4D, in various example embodiments the second engagement members 220 may comprise longitudinally extending cylindrical bars positioned correspondingly to the first engagement members 150 and 151, such that the flexible and resilient concavities (e.g., 153 and 155, and/or 154 and 155) are configured to deflect around and removably engage with corresponding ones of the longitudinally extending cylindrical bars 220.

For instance, as shown in FIG. 8B, in various example embodiments the plurality of second arrows 1000 are positioned on opposite sides of the first arrow 900 when the detachable portion 200 is removably attached to the base portion 100. As shown in FIG. 1C, in various example embodiments the base portion 100 comprises a first hood portion 130 configured to receive and removably retain therein 132 an arrowhead portion 901 of the first arrow 900. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4F, the detachable portion 200 comprises one or more second hood portions 230 configured to receive and removably retain therein arrowhead portions (not shown, but same as 901 in FIG. 1C) of the second arrows 1000. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 7A through 7E and 8B, the first and second hood portions 130, 230, are sized, shaped, and positioned so that the first hood portion 130 is nested interstitially among the one or more second hood portions 230 when the detachable portion 200 is removably attached to the base portion 100 and the plurality of second arrows 1000 are positioned on opposite sides of the first arrow 900.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 5A, 6C, 7A, 7C, and 8B, in various example embodiments the base portion 100 comprises hangable structure 135 configured sufficiently robustly to hang the bow from when the modular quiver system 300 is attached to the bow (shown in one or more references incorporated herein by reference). In various example embodiments the hangable structure 135 comprises a hole formed in a hood portion 130 of the base portion 100, the hood portion 130 configured to receive and removably retain therein 132 an arrowhead portion 901 of the first arrow 900 (FIG. 1C). As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, or alternatively in FIGS. 6A, 7B, and 7C, in various example embodiments the detachable portion 200 comprises hangable structure 235 and/or 236 configured sufficiently robustly to hang the bow from when the modular quiver system 300 is attached to the bow. In one example the hangable structure 235 comprises an opening in hood portion 230 having a generally teardrop shape, that is, a wider, rounded lower portion which tapers to a narrower upper portion. In other example embodiments the hangable structure 235 and/or 236 comprises one or more holes formed in a hood portion 230 of the detachable portion 200, the hood portion 230 configured to receive and removably retain therein 232 arrowhead portions (not shown, but same as 901 in FIG. 1C) of the second arrows 1000. The hangable structures 135, 235, 236 may further comprise any suitable additional structure, for instance one or more hooks, ropes, loops, or other structures (not shown) engaged in or with one or more of the hangable structures 135, 235, 236.

Further provided in various example embodiments is a method comprising the following steps: providing a bow; providing a modular quiver system 300 as described herein; and attaching the modular quiver system 300 with the bow. With reference to FIGS. 5A through 8B, in various example embodiments the method may further comprise the steps of removing the detachable portion 200 from the base portion 100 while the base portion 100 is attached to the bow. In various example embodiments the method may further comprise the steps of removing the detachable portion 200 from the base portion 100 while the base portion 100 is attached to the bow and is removably holding a first arrow 900, and while the detachable portion 200 is removably holding a plurality of second arrows 1000, for instance as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Persons of skill in the art will upon reviewing this disclosure readily understand that a user may engage the detachable portion 200 with the base portion 100 by first engaging the concavities 153 and 155 with a first one of the second engagement members 220, then rotating the detachable portion 200 relative to the base portion 100 until the concavities 154 and 155 engage with a second one of the second engagement members 220, for instance as depicted in FIGS. 8A-8B. Removal of the detachable portion 200 from the base portion 100 may be accomplished by reversing these steps.

FIGS. 9-14 show another example of a modular quiver system 1010 according to the present disclosure. FIGS. 9-10 show a modular quiver system 1010 which includes a base portion 1014 removably engaged with a detachable portion 1012. FIGS. 11-12 show front and side views of the base portion 1014 alone. FIGS. 13-14 show front and side views of the detachable portion alone. The base portion 1014 configured to be attachable to a bow (examples shown in the references incorporated herein by reference) and configured to removably hold a first arrow 1032; and a detachable portion 1012 configured to removably hold a plurality of second arrows 1030 and configured to be removably attachable with the base portion 1014 by hand without the use of any tools regardless whether or not the base portion 1014 is attached to a bow. The base portion 1014 includes a first hood portion 1040 connected to at least one longitudinally extending member 1016. The first hood portion 1040 may define an exterior profile 1041 and an interior surface (not shown but similar to that shown in FIG. 1C) configured to receive and removably retain therein an arrowhead portion 1033 of the first arrow 1032. With additional reference to FIG. 4F, a flexible and resilient structure 1026 which may define a smaller concavity opening into a larger concavity, such that the smaller concavity and/or larger concavity are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shaft of an arrow 1032.

In some examples of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-14 the base portion 1014 may be attached directly to a bow, for example, using fasteners passing through holes 1024. In other examples, the base portion 1014 may be attached using a quick release bracket similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A-1E configured to be attached to the bow and configured for a user to removably engage the base portion 1014 with the quick-release bracket without the use of tools, regardless whether or not the detachable portion 1012 is attached with the base portion 1014 and regardless whether or not the base portion 1014 or the detachable portion 1012 or both are removably holding arrows 1032, 1030. In various example embodiments the modular quiver system 1010 may be further configured to be selectably attached to the bow in different positions, for instance different vertical positions, depending on which of the projections are removably engaged with the slots in the quick-release bracket.

The detachable portion 1012 is configured to be removably attachable to a base portion 1014 and configured to removably hold one or more second arrows 1030; and a detachable portion 1012 configured to removably hold a plurality of second arrows 1030 and configured to be removably attachable with the base portion 1014 by hand without the use of any tools regardless whether or not the base portion 1014 is attached to a bow. The detachable portion 1012 includes a second hood portion 1042 connected to at least one longitudinally extending member 1018, 1020. The at least one longitudinally extending member 1018, 1020 connect to at least one transverse member 1022. The second hood portion 1042 may define an exterior profile 1043 and an interior surface (not shown but similar to that shown in FIG. 4A) configured to receive and removably retain therein an arrowhead portion 1031 of the at least one second arrow 1030. With additional reference to FIG. 4F, at least one or more flexible and resilient structures 1028 which may define a smaller concavity opening into a larger concavity, such that the smaller concavity and/or larger concavity are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shaft of an arrow 1030 are connected to the at least one transverse member 1022.

The first and second engagement members 1034 and 1038, respectively, may be configured and positioned to engage with each other in a fixed manner when pushed together by a user's hands. The first and second engagement members 1034 and 1038, may likewise be configured to disengage from each other when pulled apart by the user's hands (that is, without the use of tools). Optionally, the first engagement member 1034 further includes a first locking member 1036 and the second engagement member 1038 further includes a second locking member 1046. The first locking member 1036 and the second locking member 1046 are configured to securedly lock together when the first engagement member 1034 is engaged with the second engagement member 1038 so as to prevent the engagement members 1034, 1038 from being separated. In this particular example the first locking member 1036 is a spring loaded pin biased towards the closed position and the second locking member 1046 is a notch configured to engage and hold the first locking member 1036 when engaged. In this example, a user may disengage the first locking member 1036 from the second locking member 1046 by pulling the first locking member 1036 outward and away from the first engagement member 1034 pulling the spring loaded pin from the notch and allowing the second engagement member 1038 to be withdrawn by hand from the first engagement member thereby allowing the detachable portion 1012 of the quiver to be separated from the base portion 1014. Other suitable types of first locking member and second locking member may also be used which allow a user to disengage one locking member from the other including various combinations of buttons, latches, notches, knobs, hooks, and the like. The base portion 1014 and detachable portion 1012 may further include a hanging structure such as a through hole 1049 or a loop 1048 capable of supporting the weight of the modular quiver and/or bow when hung from an object such as a branch, nail, and the like.

FIGS. 15-18 show another example of a modular quiver system 1060 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 15 shows a modular quiver system 1060 which includes a detachable portion 1062 removed from a base portion 1064. FIG. 16 shows a top plan view of the removable portion 1062 removably engaged from the base portion 1064. FIGS. 17-18 show separate views of the longitudinal members 1104, 1078 of the detachable portion 1062 and the base portion 1064 in both the detached (FIG. 17) and engaged (FIG. 18). The base portion 1064 configured to be attachable to a bow (examples shown in the references incorporated herein by reference) and configured to removably hold a first arrow 1076; and a detachable portion 1064 configured to removably hold a plurality of second arrows 1100 and configured to be removably attachable with the base portion 1064 by hand without the use of any tools regardless whether or not the base portion 1064 is attached to a bow. The base portion 1064 includes a first hood portion 1066 connected to at least one longitudinally extending member 1072. The first hood portion 1064 may define an exterior profile 1068 and an interior surface (not shown but similar to that shown in FIG. 1C) configured to receive and removably retain therein an arrowhead portion of the first arrow 1076. With additional reference to FIG. 4F, a flexible and resilient structure 1082 which may define a smaller concavity opening into a larger concavity, such that the smaller concavity and/or larger concavity are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shaft of an arrow 1076.

In some examples of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15-18 the base portion 1064 may be attached directly to a bow, for example, using fasteners passing through a mounting plate 1074. In other examples, the base portion 1064 may be attached using a quick release bracket similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A-1E configured to be attached to the bow and configured for a user to removably engage the base portion 1064 with the quick-release bracket without the use of tools, regardless whether or not the detachable portion 1062 is attached with the base portion 1064 and regardless whether or not the base portion 1064 or the detachable portion 1062 or both are removably holding arrows 1076, 1100. In various example embodiments the modular quiver system 1060 may be further configured to be selectably attached to the bow in different positions, for instance different vertical positions, depending on which of the projections are removably engaged with the slots in the quick-release bracket. The base portion 1064 further includes a first longitudinal extending member 1078 which connects the first hood portion 1064 to a first transverse member 1078. In this particular example, the first transverse member 1078 includes a flexible and resilient structure 1082, and at least one third engagement member 1080. Optionally the first transverse member 1078 includes a mounting plate or other mounting structure for mounting the base portion 1064 to a bow.

The detachable portion 1062 is configured to be removably attachable to a base portion 1064 and configured to removably hold one or more second arrows 1100; and a detachable portion 1062 configured to removably hold a plurality of second arrows 1100 and configured to be removably attachable with the base portion 1064 by hand without the use of any tools regardless of whether or not the base portion 1064 is attached to a bow. The detachable portion 1062 includes a second hood portion 1084 connected to at least one longitudinally extending member 1092, 1094. The at least one longitudinally extending member 1092, 1094 is connected to a second transverse member 1104. The second hood portion 1062 may define an exterior profile 1086 and an interior surface (not shown but similar to that shown in FIG. 4A) configured to receive and removably retain therein an arrowhead portion of the at least one second arrow 1100. The detachable portion 1062 further includes a contoured portion 1106 which is sized and configured to allow the second hood portion 1084 to fit around the first hood portion 1066 when the base portion 1064 is engaged with the detachable portion 1062. With additional reference to FIG. 4F, one or more flexible and resilient structures 1096 are connected to the second transverse member 1104 and which may define a smaller concavity opening into a larger concavity, such that the smaller concavity and/or larger concavity are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shaft of an arrow 1100. Optionally the second transverse member 1104 further includes a contoured portion 1102 sized and configured to fit around the arrow 1076 mounted to the base portion 1064 when the base portion 1064 is engaged with the detachable portion 1062.

The first hood portion 1066 further includes a first engagement member 1070 and the second hood portion further includes a complementary second engagement member 1088. In this particular example the first engagement member is a spline having a dovetail shape and the second engagement member has a complementary dovetail shaped groove. In other examples the exact shape of the first and second engagement members may vary (tongue and groove, T shaped structure and slot, and the like) and in still other examples the engagement structure may be located on the second hood portion and the complementary groove on the first hood structure. In still other examples each of the first and second hoods may have a protruding engagement structure and an engagement groove. The first and second engagement members 1070 and 1088, respectively, may be configured and positioned to engage with each other in a fixed manner when pushed together by a user's hands. The first and second engagement members 1070 and 1088, may likewise be configured to disengage from each other when pulled apart by the user's hands (that is, without the use of tools).

Optionally, the first transverse member 1078 further includes at least one third engagement member 1080 and the second transverse member 1104 includes at least one fourth engagement member 1108. In this particular example, the at least one fourth engagement member 1108 are pins (optionally an extension of the at least one longitudinally extending member 1092, 1094) and the at least one third engagement member 1080 are corresponding passages 1112 through the first transverse member 1078 sized and configured to allow the at least one fourth engagement member 1108 to fit therein. (as seen in FIGS. 17-18). Optionally passages 1112 allow a portion of the pins 1114 to pass therethrough. In other examples the passages are only open on one end. In still other examples, the at least one third engagement member are pins and the at least one fourth engagement member are corresponding openings. In further examples the at least one third and at least one fourth engagement members are other suitable configurations such as tongue and groove, dovetail and channel, and the like. The base portion 1064 and detachable portion 1062 may further include a hanging structure such as a through hole 1091 or a loop 1090 capable of supporting the weight of the modular quiver and/or bow when hung from an object such as a branch, nail, and the like.

Any of the suitable technologies, materials, and designs set forth and incorporated herein by reference may be used to implement various example aspects of the invention as could be apparent to one of skill in the art. Although exemplary embodiments and applications of the invention have been described herein including as described above and shown in the included example figures, there may be no intention that the invention be limited to these exemplary embodiments and applications or to the manner in which the exemplary embodiments and applications operate or may be described herein. Indeed, many variations and modifications to the exemplary embodiments may be possible as could be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The invention may include any device, structure, method, or functionality, as long as the resulting device, system or method falls within the scope of one of the claims that may be allowed by the patent office based on this or any related patent application.

Claims

1. A modular quiver system, comprising: a base portion configured to be attachable to a bow and having a first hood portion including a first engagement member, the first hood portion configured to removably hold a first arrow between the first engagement members with the arrowhead portion of the first arrow retained in the first hood portion; anda detachable portion having one or more second hood portions defining an exterior profile sized to receive the first hood portion and including a second engagement member, the one or more second hood portions configured to removably hold a plurality of second arrows with the arrowhead portions of the second arrows retained in the one or more second hood portions;wherein the plurality of second arrows are positioned on opposite sides of the first arrow when the detachable portion is removably attached to the base portion;wherein the first and second hood portions are sized, shaped, and positioned so that the entire first hood portion is nested interstitially within the exterior profile between the one or more second hood portions when the detachable portion is removably attached to the base portion;wherein the first and second engagement members are configured and positioned to engage with each other in a fixed manner when pushed together by a user's hands, and the first and second engagement members further configured to disengage from each other when pulled apart by the user's hands.

2. The modular quiver system of claim 1 wherein the first engagement member is a dovetail spline and the second engagement member is complementary-shaped groove.

3. The modular quiver system of claim 1, the base portion further comprising a flexible and resilient structure which defines a smaller concavity opening into a larger concavity, such that the smaller concavity and larger concavity are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shaft of an arrow.

4. The modular quiver system of claim 1, the detachable portion further comprising at least one flexible and resilient structure which defines a smaller concavity opening into a larger concavity, such that the smaller concavity and larger concavity are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shaft of an arrow.

5. The modular quiver system of claim 1, the base portion further including a third the first engagement member and the detachable portion further including a fourth engagement member, wherein the third and fourth engagement members are configured and positioned to engage with each other in a fixed manner when pushed together by a user's hands, and the third and fourth engagement members further configured to disengage from each other when pulled apart by the user's hands.

6. The modular quiver system of claim 5, wherein the third engagement member is at least one passage and the fourth engagement member is at least one rod configured to fit within said passage.

7. The modular quiver system of claim 1, the base portion comprising hangable structure configured to hang the bow from when the modular quiver system is attached to the bow.

8. The modular quiver system of claim 7, the hangable structure comprising a hole formed in a hood portion of the base portion.

9. The modular quiver system of claim 1, the detachable portion comprising hangable structure configured to hang the bow from when the modular quiver system is attached to the bow.

10. The modular quiver system of claim 9, the detachable portion comprising hangable structure configured to hang the detachable portion from when the modular quiver system is separated from the bow.

11. The modular quiver system of claim 1 further comprising a bow attached to the base portion.

12. A modular quiver system, comprising: a base portion configured to be attachable to a bow and having first engagement member and a first hood portion configured to removably hold a first arrow between the first engagement member with the arrowhead portion of the first arrow retained in the first hood portion; anda detachable portion having second engagement members and one or more second hood portions defining an exterior profile sized and configured to removably hold a plurality of second arrows with the arrowhead portions of the second arrows retained in the one or more second hood portions;wherein the first and second hood portions are sized, shaped, and positioned such that the entire first hood portion is adjacent to one end of the exterior profile of the second hood portion when the detachable portion is removably attached to the base portion such that the first arrow is linearly arranged with the second arrows;wherein the first engagement portions and the second engagement portions are configured to be removably attachable from one another by hand without the use of any tools.

13. The modular quiver system of claim 12, further comprising one or more longitudinal members connecting the base portion to the first hood portion.

14. The modular quiver system of claim 12, the base portion comprising a hangable structure configured to hang the bow from a structure when the modular quiver system is attached to the bow.

15. The modular quiver system of claim 14, the hangable structure comprising a hole formed in the hood portion of the base portion.

16. The modular quiver system of claim 12, the base portion further comprising a flexible and resilient structure which defines a smaller concavity opening into a larger concavity, such that the smaller concavity and larger concavity are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shaft of an arrow.

17. The modular quiver system of claim 12, the detachable portion further comprising at least one flexible and resilient structure which defines a smaller concavity opening into a larger concavity, such that the smaller concavity and larger concavity are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shaft of an arrow.

18. A modular quiver system, comprising: a base portion configured to be attachable to a bow and having a first hood portion and first engagement members, the first engagement members comprising flexible and resilient concavities and having an arrow engagement member disposed therebetween, the first hood portion configured to removably house a first arrow between the first engagement members with the arrowhead portion of the first arrow retained in the first hood portion and the arrow shaft retained in the arrow engagement member; anda detachable portion having at least two second hood portions defining an exterior profile therebetween sized to receive the first hood portion and second engagement members, the second hood portions configured to removably house a plurality of second arrows with the arrowhead portions of the second arrows retained in the one or more second hood portions;wherein the plurality of second arrows are positioned on opposite sides of the first arrow when the detachable portion is removably attached to the base portion;wherein the first and second hood portions are sized, shaped, and positioned so that the entire first hood portion is nested interstitially within the exterior profile between the at least two second hood portions when the detachable portion is removably attached to the base portion;wherein the arrow engagement member of the base portion is coplanar with the concavities of the first engagement members;wherein the first and second engagement members are configured and positioned to engage with each other in a fixed manner when pushed together by a user's hands, and the first and second engagement members further configured to disengage from each other when pulled apart by the user's hands.

19. The modular quiver system of claim 18 wherein the first engagement member is a dovetail spline and the second engagement member is complementary-shaped groove.

20. The modular quiver system of claim 12, the base portion further comprising a flexible and resilient structure which defines a smaller concavity opening into a larger concavity, such that the smaller concavity and larger concavity are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shaft of an arrow and the detachable portion further comprising at least one flexible and resilient structure which defines a smaller concavity opening into a larger concavity, such that the smaller concavity and larger concavity are configured to deflect around and removably engage with the shaft of an arrow.