Ball cable clamp

Abstract

A cable clamp for attaching the tuning cable of a compound bow to an arrow rest cable. The cable clamp has a preferably ball-shaped body with a slot for receiving the tuning cable and the arrow rest cable. A fastener such as a screw is used to clamp the tuning cable to the arrow rest cable within the receiving slot.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the sport of archery, compound bows exist which, unlike standard long bows, comprise a plurality of pulleys. The pulleys cooperate with tuning cables and the bowstring to enable an archer to hold the bowstring in a drawn position with ease.

Compound bows can be used with various types of arrows. Arrows typically have three or more feathers or vanes, which are commonly known as fletching. The fletching may extend radially outward perpendicularly from the arrow shaft. Alternatively, the fletching may extend radially outward from the shaft while being helixed slightly to induce spin on the arrow and thereby facilitate arrow flight.

Whether a compound bow is used for target shooting or hunting, it is desirable that the flight of the arrow shot from the bow be as accurate as possible. A major factor affecting the accuracy of the arrow flight is the arrow rest upon which the arrow lies when loaded into the bow. That is, the fletching of the arrow often strikes the arrow rest when the arrow is released from the bow, thus impeding the smooth flight of the arrow.

Numerous arrow rests exist, each being designed to minimize contact with the arrow fletching and/or to compensate for the deflection of the arrow as it passes over the arrow rest. Often, an archer will choose arrows having a fletching configuration best suited for use with a particular type of arrow rest or vice versa.

Compound bows normally have two or more lengths of cable trained over limb cable wheels or cams and spanning the length of the bow close to and about parallel to the bowstring. Previous arrow rest designs have cooperated with the tuning cables to raise the arrow to a shooting position when the bowstring is drawn back and to move out of the way of the arrow fletching when the bowstring is released. In many cases, the linkage between the arrow rest and the tuning cables has been a cable or string. The cable or string must be securely attached to the tuning cable.

The present invention addresses the problem of securely attaching the arrow rest cable or string to the tuning cable by means of a simple clamp.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a compound bow having a bowstring, tuning cables, and a movable arrow rest, and an arrow rest cable connecting the arrow rest to the tuning cables, a cable clamp for attaching the tuning cables to the arrow rest cable, the cable clamp comprising:

(a) a clamp body;

(b) a tuning cable and arrow rest cable receiving slot within the clamp body; and;

(c) a fastener for securely clamping the tuning cable and arrow rest cable within the receiving slot.

A principle object and advantage of the present invention is that the cable clamp can be used with any type of arrow rest cable or tuning cable.

Another principle object and advantage of the present invention is that it can be used to simply attach the arrow rest cable to the tuning cable.

Another principle object and advantage of the present invention is that no bow press is needed for assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the invention in use with an arrow rest.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the present invention with threads shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken at approximately the lines 4 of FIG. 3, showing a fastener screwed into the clamp body.

FIG. 5 is the same as FIG. 4, but also shows the fastener securely holding a tuning cable and arrow rest cable within the clamp body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the invention in the context in which it is used. A compound bow, B, has tuning cables, T, substantially as previously described. A movable arrow rest, R, is mounted to the bow B. Connecting the movable arrow rest R to the tuning cables T is an arrow rest cable C. It will be understood that the bow B, tuning cables T, movable arrow rest R, and arrow rest cable C may be any type previously or currently available and do not form part of the present invention.

The present invention is a cable clamp 10 that attaches the tuning cables T to the arrow rest cable C.

The cable clamp 10 comprises a clamp body 12, a tuning cable and arrow rest cable receiving slot 14 within the clamp body 12, and a fastener 16 for securely clamping the tuning cable T and the arrow rest cable C within the receiving slot 14.

Preferably, the clamp body 12 is substantially spherical, that is, the clamp is ball-shaped. However, any other geometry that achieves the function of the invention is also covered by the claimed invention.

Preferably, the fastener 16 is threadably engaged to the receiving slot 14. However, the fastener 16 may also engage the receiving slot 14 in other manners, such as by friction fit, pins, or other equivalent, as long as the fastener 16 holds the tuning cable T and arrow rest cable C securely within the slot 14 against the high tension resulting from drawing the bowstring.

To that end, the fastener 16 is most preferably a screw 16a that is tightened securely within the threaded slot 14, pressing the tuning cable T and arrow rest cable C tightly against the back of the slot 14. In the preferred embodiment, to provide the needed torque without the risk of stripping a screw head, the screw head 16b has a slot 16c for receiving an Allen wrench.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. In a compound bow having tuning cables, a movable arrow rest, and an arrow rest cable connecting the arrow rest to the tuning cables, a cable clamp for attaching the tuning cables to the arrow rest cable, the cable clamp comprising:

(a) a clamp body;

(b) a tuning cable and arrow rest cable receiving slot within the clamp body; and;

(c) a fastener for securely clamping the tuning cable and arrow rest cable within the receiving slot.

2. The cable clamp of claim 1, wherein the clamp body is substantially spherical.

3. The cable clamp of claim 1, wherein the fastener is threadably engaged to the receiving slot.

4. The cable clamp of claim 3, wherein the fastener is a screw.

5. The cable clamp of claim 4, wherein the screwhead has a slot for receiving an Allen wrench.

6. In a compound bow having tuning cables, a movable arrow rest, and an arrow rest cable connecting the arrow rest to the tuning cables, a cable clamp for attaching the tuning cables to the arrow rest cable, the cable clamp comprising:

(a) a substantially spherical clamp body;

(b) a tuning cable and arrow rest cable receiving slot within the clamp body; and;

(c) a fastener for securely clamping the tuning cable and arrow rest cable within the receiving slot.

7. The cable clamp of claim 6, wherein the fastener is threadably engaged to the receiving slot.

8. The cable clamp of claim 7, wherein the fastener is a screw.

9. The cable clamp of claim 8, wherein the screwhead has a slot for receiving an Allen wrench.

10. In a compound bow having tuning cables, a movable arrow rest, and an arrow rest cable connecting the arrow rest to the tuning cables, a cable clamp for attaching the tuning cables to the arrow rest cable, the cable clamp comprising:

(a) a substantially spherical clamp body;

(b) a tuning cable and arrow rest cable receiving slot within the clamp body; and;

(c) a threaded fastener for securely clamping the tuning cable and arrow rest cable within the receiving slot.

11. The cable clamp of claim 10, wherein the fastener is a screw.

12. The cable clamp of claim 11, wherein the screwhead has a slot for receiving an Allen wrench.