Archery lighted release aid apparatus

Abstract

An archery lighted release aid apparatus for providing sufficient illumination to assist an archer in attaching the release aid to the bowstring or loop and/or the arrow to the nocking position of the bowstring is provided. The archery lighted release aid apparatus has a light source, a switch assembly connected to said light source, a trigger housing having a trigger housing main body and a trigger, with the trigger housing main body having a channel extending completely therethrough where the switch assembly passes, a main body housing having a first end and a second end, with the main body housing first end having a cap attached thereto, and with the main body housing having a channel extending completely therethrough, a power source located inside the main housing in the main body channel, with the power source contacting the switch assembly, and a wrist strap mounting assembly connected to the main body housing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to an archery release aid, and more particularly, to one having an integral light source.

2. Description of the Related Art

Archers hunting in low light conditions, for example, in the early morning, early evening, or in the deep woods, often have difficulty attaching a release aid to the bowstring or loop and/or setting the arrow to the nocking position of the bowstring. The nocking position is the point along the bowstring where the nock on the arrow contacts the string. In theory, under most circumstances when shot, an arrow should be fairly level i.e. essentially perpendicular to the bowstring at rest.

A release aid is a device used in hunting for the past 40-50 years which grips the bowstring and assists in making the arrow fly in a straight path instead of at a slight angle. This is accomplished by aiding in the release of the arrow from the string. Without the use of a release aid, the arrow may fly in an undesirable angled flight path caused by the unequal pressure on the bowstring of the finger/fingers and thumb at the time of release.

Most release aids operate using a trigger that releases the bowstring from a clamp-like component of the release aid. The clamp-like component is placed on the bowstring (or a loop in the bowstring used by some hunters) before the shooting of the arrow. Delay in attaching the release aid to the bowstring or loop due to poor visibility can cause the archer to miss the ideal shot at the intended target. A delayed shot at the target under non-ideal conditions may cause a complete miss or a wounding of the target instead of a kill.

Until now, attempts to deal with this problem have been essentially non-existent. While one could practice to hopefully make the attachment process faster and more reliable, trying to attach a release aid in dark or dusky conditions is not a sure thing even with practice. Alternatively, a light may be turned on in the hunting blind to help see the bowstring, but it needs to be off when the string is pulled, which in essence requires a “third hand”, since one hand is holding the bow and another is holding the release aid. There is also an archery release aid light apparatus disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 12/287,587, wherein a light is attached to the side of a preexisting release aid. In any of the prior art, leaving the light on can compromise the presence of the hunter and therefore cause the prey to flee.

It is thus apparent that the need exists for a better archery release aid apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed an archery lighted release aid apparatus having a light source, a switch assembly connected to the light source, a trigger housing, a main body housing, a power source, and a wrist strap mounting assembly. The trigger housing has a trigger housing main body and a trigger attached to the trigger housing main body. The trigger housing main body has a channel extending completely therethrough where the switch assembly passes.

The main body housing has a first end and a second end, with the main body housing first end having a cap attached thereto, and with the main body housing having a channel extending completely longitudinally therethrough. The power source is located inside the main housing in the main body housing channel, with the power source contacting the switch assembly. The wrist strap mounting assembly is connected to the main body housing. The wrist strap mounting assembly has a length adjustment arm attached to the main body housing, and a slot for passage therethrough of a wrist strap.

The archery lighted release aid apparatus preferably has a tension adjustment collar having a first end that attaches to the second end of the main body housing. The tension adjustment collar has a second end having a spring that is inserted into the first end of the trigger housing main body.

The cap is preferably secured to the first end of the main body housing by screw-threads, and the first end of the tension adjustment collar is secured to the second end of the main body housing by screw-threads. The switch assembly is preferably a reed switch. The light source is preferably a light emitting diode. The power source is preferably one or more batteries.

There is also disclosed an archery lighted release aid apparatus having a light source, a switch assembly connected to the light source, a trigger housing, a main body housing, a tension adjustment collar, a power source, and a wrist strap mounting assembly. The tension adjustment collar has a first end that attaches to the second end of the main body housing and a second end that has a spring that is inserted into the first end of the trigger housing main body. The trigger housing has a trigger housing main body and a trigger attached to the trigger housing main body. The trigger housing main body has a channel extending completely therethrough where the switch assembly passes.

The main body housing has a first end and a second end, with the main body housing first end having a cap attached thereto, and with the main body housing having a channel extending completely longitudinally therethrough. The power source is located inside the main housing in the main body housing channel, with the power source contacting the switch assembly. The wrist strap mounting assembly is connected to the main body housing. The wrist strap mounting assembly has a length adjustment arm attached to the main body housing, and a slot for passage therethrough of a wrist strap.

The cap is preferably secured to the first end of the main body housing by screw-threads, and the first end of the tension adjustment collar is preferably secured to the second end of the main body housing by screw-threads. The switch assembly is preferably a reed switch. The light source is preferably a light emitting diode. The power source is preferably one or more batteries.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a lighted release aid apparatus that illuminates the attachment point of the release aid to the bowstring (or loop), as well as the nocking position of the arrow on the bowstring.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a lighted release aid apparatus that preferably is powered by a self-contained source, for example, one or more batteries, so that the device is portable and not encumbered by cords associated with a remote power source.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a lighted release aid apparatus that preferably utilizes a light source that permits directional illumination, as well as one which operates with very low operating current so as to ensure long operational life.

Yet still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that is easy to activate so it does not alert the potential target that an arrow is about to be shot.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a lighted release aid apparatus having a light that is not affected whether the archer is left or right-handed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the lighted release aid apparatus of the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the lighted release aid apparatus of the subject invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the invention.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Having reference to the drawings, attention is directed first to FIG. 1, which discloses the lighted release aid apparatus of the invention, with the release aid apparatus being designated generally by the numeral 10. As can be appreciated by a comparison of FIGS. 1-7, the archery lighted release aid apparatus 10 includes a main body housing 12 having an exterior surface 13 and a main body housing inner channel 14 which extends longitudinally through the main body housing. The main body housing 12 has a first end 15 and a second end 16, with the main body housing channel 14 at the second end 16 having screw-threads 17 for engagement with the screw-threads 29 of cap 28.

Extending longitudinally along what is shown as the bottom of the archery lighted release aid of the invention is a ridge member 20 having a downwardly depending section 22 and an elongated section 24 spaced a distance from the exterior surface 13 of the main body housing and parallel thereto, with the elongated section 24 having a plurality of spaced apertures 27 therein. A bracket attachment 30 provides a method of attaching the invention to the user. The bracket attachment 30 has a wrist strap mounting assembly 32 having a planar member 34, a slot 36 for insertion therethrough of a strap, and a plurality of apertures 38 in the planar member 34 to facilitate attachment of the wrist strap mounting assembly 32 to the length adjustment arm 42 by wrist strap mounting assembly fastening means 49.

The length adjustment arm 42 has a first section 44 and a second section 45, with the second section having a channel 46 formed for insertion therethrough of the ridge member 20. The first section of the length adjustment arm has a plurality of first apertures 47 formed in its first section to enable adjustable attachment to the wrist strap mounting assembly 32 at planar member apertures 38 with wrist strap mounting assembly fastening means 49. The second section 45 of the length adjustment arm has a plurality of second apertures 48 along the bottom of the channel 46 to facilitate the attachment of the length adjustment arm 42 to the ridge member 20 using length adjustment arm fastening means 43.

The power source 50 for the invention is shown as several batteries 51. The choice of battery could include coin cell, button cell, primary battery, or rechargeable battery. The power source 50 is retained in the main body housing channel 14 in contact with the end cap 28. A switch assembly 55 is provided that also comes into contact with the batteries in the preferred embodiment of the invention. The preferred embodiment utilizes a reed switch having a first end 57 and a second end 58, with the switch also using a magnet 59 of the type used with reed switches that is retained in the adjacent trigger housing. While the first end of the switch assembly 55 is in contact with the power source, the second end is connected to the light source 60.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a reed switch, other possible switch choices could include a single switch to control both the opening of the jaws and the activation of the light source, two separate switches (one to control the light source and the other to control the opening of the jaws), one or multiple momentary switches, one or multiple mechanical single pole single throw switches, one or multiple capacitive switches, one or multiple optical switches, or one or multiple radio frequency activated switches.

The light source 60 preferably is a single light emitting diode (LED). Depending upon the specific application, the lighting device could be constructed with one or multiple LEDs (lamp-type or SMT, etc.), one or multiple LEDs of the same color (ultraviolet thru infrared; 250 nm ˜1550 nm, including white), one or multiple LEDs of different colors (ultraviolet thru infrared; 250 nm ˜1550 nm, including white), one or multiple multi-chip LEDs with single color dice (ultraviolet thru infrared; 250 nm ˜1550 nm, including white), one or multiple multi-chip LEDs with different color dice (ultraviolet thru infrared; 250 nm˜1550 nm, including white), one or multiple white LEDs (blue die phosphor converted, UV die phosphor converted, bi-chromatic converted, RGB converted, etc.), one or multiple incandescent lamps (radial, axial, or SMT, etc.), one or multiple incandescent lamps with colored boot to achieve specific colors, one or multiple incandescent lamps with colored glass to achieve specific colors, one or multiple electroluminescent (EL) light sources (flat film, or wire type, etc.), or one or multiple cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) light sources (axial, or radial, etc.).

The switch assembly 55 is enclosed by tension adjustment collar 70. The tension adjustment collar has a first end 71 that has screw-threads 72 for attachment to the screw-threads 17 of the main body housing 12. The tension adjustment collar has a second end 73 that projects through tension spring 74. The tension spring 74 has a first end retained in the spring insert portion 76 of the adjustment means 75. By turning the adjustment means 75, the amount of tension used to provide power to the light source can be varied depending on the strength of the user of the apparatus. The switch assembly extends through the tension adjustment collar channel 77, which channel 77 extends the length of the tension adjustment collar 70, such that the second end of the switch assembly projects beyond the second end 73 of the tension adjustment collar.

While one end of the tension spring 74 abuts the adjustment means, the other end of the tension spring abuts the trigger housing 80. The trigger housing 80 has a trigger housing main body 81 and a trigger 82 attached to the trigger housing main body 81 in the manner well known in the art of devices having triggers in their handle. The trigger housing main body 81 has a channel 86 extending completely therethrough, with the switch assembly extending along the interior of the channel 86.

The trigger housing main body has a first end 83 where spring retention channel 83a receives the second end of the tension spring. The trigger housing main body second end 84 has screw-threads where first jaw 87 and second jaw 88 are attached. The distal end of each jaw 87, 88 respectively, has an engaging portion 89 which is used to grip the bowstring. Each of the jaws 87, 88 has a sidewall 90 with a jaw aperture 92. A jaw fastening means 94 passes into each of the jaw apertures 92 and screws into the corresponding jaw attachment aperture 99 of the release aid head assembly 95.

The release aid head assembly has a C-shaped contact member 96 having a pair of flanges 96a spaced apart from each other, a flange connecting portion 96b located intermediate the two flanges, and a contact aperture 96c formed in the flange connecting portion 96b. The contact flanges 96a taper elongatedly outwardly as can best be appreciated in FIGS. 6 and 7, such that when the trigger is pulled rearwardly, the flanges cause the jaws to open as the flanges come into contact with the interior surface of the jaws.

The planar surface of the flange connecting portion 96b abuts the second end of the trigger housing 81. Light case 97 abuts the opposite side of the planar surface of the flange connecting portion. The light case 97 is roughly cubicle in shape with apertures on the side of the light case directly adjacent the flange connecting portion and the opposite side of the light case to effectively form a channel 98 that extends through the light case in cooperative relationship to the contact aperture 96c, so that the light source passes through the contact aperture as well as through the light case channel 98. A light retainer clip 100 is slipped over the housing of the light source to secure the light source to the release aid head assembly, thereby securing the second end of the switch assembly to the apparatus.

When the trigger is pulled, the switch assembly activates the light source in the manner well known in magnetically activated reed switches. The magnet moves into close proximity to the reed switch and activates the reed switch allowing current to flow. Removing pull force from the trigger allows the tension spring to push the trigger body main housing forward over the switch stopping the current flow. The light source is positioned such that the directional light coming out of the light source illuminates where a bowstring is held by the jaws of a release aid at a distance of 1″ to 2″ away. The illumination level is sufficient to light the release aid jaws. Additionally, the switching mechanism for the light source is integrated into the trigger for the release jaws, such that a secondary switch is not required. The switching of the light source is preferably configured such that illumination only occurs when the release jaws are fully opened and not when the jaws are partially opened as when releasing the bow string. This ensures the intended target is not frightened away by a light source aimed in its direction during the moment of arrow release.

The apparatus of the invention could be fabricated from metal components, plastic components, a combination of metal and plastic components, metal components overmolded with rigid plastic or elastomeric material, or rigid plastic components overmolded with elastomeric material. In the assembled condition, there is provided a small, light-weight, portable lighting device that provides sufficient illumination to assist the archer in attaching the release aid to the bowstring or loop and/or the arrow to the nocking position of the bowstring. The lighting device could be used for many other applications within the archery and hunting industry. For example, it could be used as a bow sight light, a small portable flashlight with extremely limited illumination power, or a quiver light.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An archery lighted release aid apparatus comprising

a light source,

a switch assembly, said switch assembly connected to said light source,

a trigger housing, said trigger housing having a trigger housing main body and a trigger, said trigger attached to said trigger housing, said trigger housing main body having a first end and a second end, said trigger housing main body having a channel extending completely therethrough from said first end to said second end, said switch assembly passing through said trigger housing main body channel, said first end of said trigger housing main body having a pair of jaws attached thereto,

a main body housing, said main body housing having a first end and a second end, said main body housing first end having a cap attached thereto, said main body housing having a channel extending completely therethrough from said main body housing first end to said main body housing second end,

a power source, said power source located inside said main body housing in said main body housing channel, said power source contacting said switch assembly, and

a wrist strap mounting assembly having a length adjustment arm attached to said main body housing, and a slot for passage therethrough of a wrist strap.

2. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 1, which includes a tension adjustment collar, said tension adjustment collar having a first end that attaches to said second end of said main body housing, said tension adjustment collar having a second end having a spring that is inserted into said first end of said trigger housing main body.

3. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cap is secured to said main body housing by screw-threads.

4. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cap is secured to said first end of said main body housing by screw-threads, and said first end of said tension adjustment collar is secured to said second end of said main body housing by screw-threads.

5. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said switch assembly is a reed switch.

6. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.

7. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power source is one or more batteries.

8. An archery lighted release aid apparatus comprising

a light source,

a switch assembly, said switch assembly connected to said light source,

a trigger housing, said trigger housing having a trigger housing main body and a trigger, said trigger attached to said trigger housing, said trigger housing main body having a first end and a second end, said trigger housing main body having a channel extending completely therethrough from said first end to said second end, said switch assembly passing through said trigger housing main body channel, said first end of said trigger housing main body having a pair of jaws attached thereto,

a main body housing, said main body housing having a first end and a second end, said main body housing first end having a cap attached thereto, said main body housing having a channel extending completely therethrough from said main body housing first end to said main body housing second end,

a tension adjustment collar, said tension adjustment collar having a first end that attaches to said second end of said main body housing, said tension adjustment collar having a second end having a spring that is inserted into said first end of said trigger housing main body,

a power source, said power source located inside said main body housing in said main body housing channel, said power source contacting said switch assembly, and

a wrist strap mounting assembly having a length adjustment arm attached to said main body housing, and a slot for passage therethrough of a wrist strap.

9. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said cap is secured to said first end of said main body housing by screw-threads, and said first end of said tension adjustment collar is secured to said second end of said main body housing by screw-threads.

10. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said switch assembly is a reed switch.

11. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.

12. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said power source is one or more batteries.