Professional archers often use a stabilizer with their bow to improve their accuracy. Similarly, hunters may use a stabilizer as well. A stabilizer is typically screwed into an accessory hole on the bow, whether it be a compound or an Olympic bow. The stabilizer resists torque and absorbs vibrations in the bow when shot, thereby reducing the shock felt in the archer's hand on the bow grip. It also helps keep the bow balanced and settles the archer's arm during aiming.
To further dampen vibrations, a vibration dampener is often connected with the stabilizer.
Vibration dampeners for archery bows are known in the patented prior art as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,016,268 and 9,766,033. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,016,268 discloses an adjustable mechanical vibration limiting and absorbing device including spaced groups of resilient washers arranged in a cylindrical housing. An exterior weight is operable to compress the washers so that they expand against an inner surface of the housing to absorb vibrations.
While the prior vibration dampeners operate satisfactorily, they are limited to the amount of vibration that can be absorbed. This also limits the range of vibrations that can be reduced and absorbed. The present invention was developed in order to provide improved vibration dampening capabilities in three dimensions over that available with conventional dampeners.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a vibration dampener for an archery bow including a cylindrical elastomeric member having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface containing a plurality of spaced annular grooves coaxial with the longitudinal axis. At least one groove intermediate the ends of the elastomeric member has a greater depth than the grooves at the ends of the member to absorb vibrations from the bow in three dimensions.
The grooves are preferably equally spaced along the length of the elastomeric member and the depth of the grooves progressively increases from groove to groove in the direction toward the center of the elastomeric member.
The outer surface of the elastomeric member contains a plurality ribs between the grooves. The ribs contain a plurality of spaced depressions around the circumference of the member. The depressions in the ribs are aligned in the axial direction of the member.
A pair of inserts are molded within each end of the elastomeric member. Each insert contains a threaded opening which extends to an external end surface of the elastomeric member for connection with a bow stabilizer and with weights according to the preferences of the archer. Each insert further includes a flange extending radially from the threaded opening, and the flanges contain a plurality of spaced openings having axes which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elastomeric member. During molding of the member, elastomeric material fills the openings and prevents the inserts from being displaced relative to the elastomeric member when the dampener is in use.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which:
A vibration dampener 2 for an archery bow stabilizer 4 is shown in
The vibration dampener is preferably configured as a molded cylindrical member 7 having a longitudinal axis X as shown in
The outer surface of the elastomeric member 7 contains a plurality of spaced grooves 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 which extend continuously around the circumference of the member. In the embodiment shown, five grooves are provided. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any number of grooves may be provided. Each groove has a consistent depth and the grooves are coaxial with longitudinal axis X of the member. The grooves are preferably equally spaced along the length of the member.
As shown more particularly in
The elastomeric member with grooves of different depths as described above affords absorption of vibrations in three dimensions: along the axis X of the member, laterally within the member, and radially from the member axis. This superior dampening effect increases the overall vibration absorption of the elastomeric member.
The grooves in the outer surface of the member define ribs 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 at the ends of the member and between the grooves. The ribs each contain a plurality of depressions 30 as shown in
Referring now to
While the preferred forms and embodiments of the vibration dampener have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the novel concepts thereof.
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