Bow suspension system
A suspension system is provided for dampening vibrational energy and noise in an archery bow. The suspension system includes an axle shaft. A rotating member is rotatably coupled to the axle shaft and defines a string groove. A string partially extends along the string groove. The string has an over molded portion contacting the string groove for decoupling the string from the string groove to dampen vibrational energy and noise generated during each shot of the archery bow.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/361,333, filed on Feb. 10, 2003 and entitled “Bow Suspension System”, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/355,574, filed Feb. 8, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/355,582, filed Feb. 8, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/355,583, filed Feb. 8, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/418,092, filed Oct. 11, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/418,098, filed Oct. 11, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/425,899, filed Nov. 13, 2002; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/425,960, filed Nov. 13, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an archery bow. More particularly, the invention relates to a suspension system for dampening vibrational energy and noise in an archery bow.
2. Description of the Related Art
Archery bows are typically utilized by individuals participating in hunting or recreational archery. In each of these activities, the ability to control the exact location to which the arrow is shot is essential. At the same time, the drawing back of the string and subsequent release creates vibrational energy throughout the bow, especially in the strings and the limbs. This vibrational energy substantially interferes with one's ability to control the bow. Thus, a system that reduces vibrational energy is a highly desirable feature for a bow.
Various systems have been developed in an attempt to reduce or eliminate vibrations throughout a compound bow. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,780 to Proctor is directed to a bearing system for a compound bow. The bearing system includes a sealed ball bearing assembly and a bearing support element. A cam is mounted along an axle. The axle is supported on opposite sides of the cam by the ball bearing assembly. The ball bearing assemblies are received in bores formed in limb tip overlays. The limb tip overlays are secured to limb tips by an adhesive. Alternatively, a hole in the limb blank may be created to support the ball bearing assemblies. The ball bearing assemblies reduce rotational friction and enhance lateral stability of the cam.
In addition, Untied States Patent Application Publication Number 2002/0166550 discloses an archery bow cam including a dead blow assembly fitted within a coil spring. The dead blow assembly, which includes a dead blow element and two damping elements, dampens cam vibrations at the end of a bow shot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one aspect of the invention, a suspension system is provided for dampening vibrational energy and noise in an archery bow. The suspension system includes an axle shaft. A rotating member is rotatably coupled to the axle shaft and defines a string groove. A string partially extends along the string groove. The string has an over molded portion contacting the string groove for decoupling the string from the string groove to dampen vibrational energy and noise generated during each shot of the archery bow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSAdvantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
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A string 36 extends from a distal end 38 of the upper limbs 20, 22 to a distal end 40 of the lower limbs 26, 28. More specifically, one end of the string 36 extends around the wheel 24 and the other end of the string 36 extends around the cam 30. A drawstring portion 35 of the string 36 is drawn away from the riser 10, which causes the distal ends 36, 40 of the limbs 20, 22, 26, 28 to flex inwardly. As a result, energy is stored within the limbs 20, 22, 26, 28. This stored energy is released when the drawstring portion 35 of the string 36 is released to shoot an arrow 33. A regular harness 42 and a split harness 44 also extend between the wheel 24 and the cam 30. A cable guard rod 46 extends between the riser 12 and the string 36.
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The dampening member 50 is an elastomeric material including thermoplastic elastomers. In a preferred embodiment, the dampening member 50 is formed from urethane. The dampening member 50 may also be a spring, a spring washer, or an incompressible fluid. The dampening member 50 decouples the axle shaft 32 from the upper limb 22 so that the axle shaft 32 floats freely relative thereto. In addition, the dampening member 50 absorbs vibrational energy exerted through the axle shaft 32.
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The placement of the dampening member 50 and the ball bearing 48 within the recessed portion 54 can be accomplished in different ways. Referring to
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The outer ring 88 is secured to the wheel 24 by various methods including molding, bonding, stretching, and snapping into place. The assembly method chosen depends in large part upon the shape of the rotating member 24, 30. For example, when the rotating member is the cam 30, as shown in
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A string hookup connector 114 is mounted within the string shock absorber 108 at each of its ends 110, 112. The string hookup connector 114 includes an internal channel 116 for receiving the one of the first 104 and second 106 strings. Each internal channel 116 has a tapered end 115 for retaining one of the first 104 and second 106 strings therein. Each string hookup connector 114 is formed from metal, preferably aluminum.
The string shock absorber assembly 102 is assembled by first inserting the first string 104 one of the string hookup connectors 114 and the second string 106 into another of the string hookup connectors 114. The string hookup connectors 114, with the first 104 and second 106 strings secured therewithin, are then placed in a mold, where the string shock absorber 108 is formed so as to encapsulate the string hookup connectors 114. During the molding process, string ends 118, 120, which extend out of the string hookup connectors 114, are molded to the string shock absorber 108.
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It is intended that all of the elements described above and shown in the
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The method of over molding the string 36 begins with the step of placing the string 36 inside the mold 202 within the mold cavity 208. A string loop 214 is located at each end of the string 36. Each string loop 214 is secured to one of the tensioners 212, which holds the string 36 in tension during the over molding process. It is, however, appreciated that the tension in the string 36 may be achieved by any of various methods known to those skilled in the art. Once the string 36 is in tension, the mold 202 is closed and a molding material enters the mold cavity 208 via the plurality of injection ports 212. In a preferred embodiment, the molding material is an elastomeric material, such as polyurethane. It is, however, appreciated that the molding material may be any of various materials including, but not limited to, a foam or a gel.
Once the elastomeric material is cured, the spaced apart over molded portions 200 are formed along the string 36. The string 36 is then removed from the mold 202 and installed on the archery bow 10, as shown in
It is contemplated that the exact configuration of the string 36 having the over molded portions 200 may vary. It is also contemplated that in the method for over molding the string 36, as set forth above, the particular shape of the over molded portions 200 can be controlled. As a result, the string 36 (or other archery bow component) may have different shapes in order to optimize dampening performance.
It is further contemplated that the above-mentioned method for over molding may be utilized to over mold other archery bow components including, but not limited to, the wheel 24, shown in
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The elastomeric material flows through the access hole 248 and the spaced apart trusses 250 to fill the interior 244 of each housing 238 and the channel 254 of the interlocking hub 252 for interlocking engagement therewith when cured. The suspension device 258 also covers the inboard 240 and outboard 242 surfaces of each housing 238, leaving only the axle hole 256 accessible. Once the interlocking hub 252 is in such interlocking engagement with the suspension device 258, the interlocking hub 252 is not able to move sideways, which in turn prevents any wheel and/or cam lean.
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One of the interlocking hubs 252 is then inserted through the access hole 248 into the interior 244 of each housing 238. The limb 230 is placed in a mold, in which the interlocking hubs 252 are centered relative to the respective housings 238. An elastomeric material, preferably polyurethane, is then over molded onto each housing 238 to form the suspension device 258 creating a mechanical interlocking system and a chemical bond for retaining the interlocking hubs 252 in place within the interior 244 of the respective housings 238. The suspension device 258 both within the interior 244 of the housing 238 and along the inboard 240 and outboard 242 surfaces thereof maintain the interlocking hub 252 in place. Once the interlocking hub 252 is retained as such, the interlocking hub 252 cannot move sideways. As a result, no wheel or cam lean occurs. In addition, the interlocking hub 252 can translate in one direction and the direction of movement is always in the direction of the string, harness, and/or control cable loading.
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The cavity 274 of each limb tip housing 270 is counter-bored and receives an interlocking hub retainer 278. The interlocking hub retainer 278 retains the interlocking hub 252 within the cavity 274 and prevents any sideways movement of the interlocking hub 252. A suspension device 280 is disposed within the cavity 272 for decoupling the string and cable harness load from the riser 12. The suspension device 280 is formed from an elastomeric material, preferably polyurethane.
In a method for manufacturing the limb 230 according to the present embodiment, the interlocking hub retainer 278 and the interlocking hub 252 are placed inside the cavity 274 of one of the limb tip housings 270. The limb tip housing 270 is then placed inside a mold. The suspension device 280 is over molded onto the cavity 274 of the limb tip housing 270, where upon curing it interlockingly engages the interlocking hub 252. Finally, the limb tip housing 270 is fixedly secured to one of the limb tips 234, 236 via the bolts 276.
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It is hereby contemplated that multiple embodiments, set forth above, may be incorporated into a single archery bow in order to provide optimal dampening of vibrational energy throughout the archery bow 10.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.
Claims
1. A suspension system for dampening vibrational energy and noise in an archery bow, said suspension system comprising:
- an axle shaft;
- a rotating member rotatably coupled to said axle shaft and defining a string groove; and
- a string partially extending along said string groove, said string having an over molded portion contacting said string groove for decoupling said string from said string groove to dampen vibrational energy and noise generated during each shot of the archery bow.
2. A suspension system for dampening vibrational energy and noise in an archery bow having a string, said suspension system comprising:
- an axle shaft;
- a rotating member rotatably coupled to said axle shaft and having a string groove; and
- an over molding coupled to said rotating member along said string groove for decoupling said rotating member from the string to dampen vibrational energy generated by the string.
3. A method for over molding a string of an archery bow with a molding material via a mold, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing the string inside the mold;
- applying tension to the string; and
- introducing the molding material into the mold to form at least one over molded portion along the string.
4. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the step of applying tension to the string occurs prior to the step of introducing the molding material into the mold to form at least one over molded portion along the string.
5. A method for over molding a wheel, having a body including a plurality of interlocking flow ports and a string groove, with a molding material via a mold, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing the body inside the mold;
- introducing the molding material into the mold for entry inside the interlocking flow ports; and
- curing the molding material to form an over molding interlocked in place over the body and along the string groove.
6. A method of over molding a cam, having a body including a plurality of interlocking ports and a string groove, with a molding material via a mold, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing the body inside the mold;
- introducing the molding material into the mold for passage within the interlocking ports; and
- curing the molding material to form an over molding interlocked with the string groove.
7. An archery bow for decoupling a string and harness load from a riser, said archery bow comprising:
- a limb adapted to be coupled to the riser and having a fork opposite the riser, said fork defining a pair of spaced apart housings each having an interior;
- an interlocking hub disposed within said interior of each of said spaced apart housings; and
- a suspension device over molded onto said housing and interlockingly engaging said interlocking hub for decoupling at least a portion of the string and harness load from the riser.
8. An archery bow as set forth in claim 7 wherein said suspension device is formed from an elastomeric material.
9. An archery bow for decoupling a string and harness load from a riser, said archery bow comprising:
- a limb adapted to be coupled to the riser, said limb having a fork including a pair of spaced apart limb tips;
- a limb tip housing fixedly secured to each of said spaced apart limb tips, said limb tip housing defining a cavity; and
- a suspension device over molded onto each of said limb tip housings and disposed within said cavity for decoupling at least a portion of the string and harness load from the riser.
10. An archery bow as set forth in claim 9 wherein said suspension device is formed from an elastomeric material.
11. An archery bow as set forth in claim 10 wherein each of said limb tip housings includes an interlocking hub within said cavity in interlocking engagement with said suspension device.
12. An archery bow as set forth in claim 11 including an interlocking hub retainer disposed within said cavity for retaining said interlocking hub in place as said suspension device is molded thereto.
13. A method of manufacturing an archery bow suspension system, including a limb, a fork defining a pair of spaced apart housings, and a suspension device, from a billet and at least one billet portion, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming the limb including the fork defining the pair of spaced apart housings from the billet and the at least one billet portion;
- placing one of the interlocking hubs inside each of the housings; and
- over molding the suspension device onto each of the housings in interlocking engagement with the interlocking hub.
14. A method as set forth in claim 13 including the step of securing the at least one billet portions to one end of the billet prior to the step of forming the limb including the fork defining the pair of spaced apart housings from the billet and at least one billet portion.
15. A suspension system for dampening vibrational energy in an archery bow having a riser and an axle shaft, said suspension system including:
- a main limb body having one end operably coupled to the riser and an opposing end having at least one limb tip;
- at least one limb tip housing disposed along the axle shaft and coupled to said limb tip; and
- a suspension device disposed between said limb tip housing and said limb tip for decoupling said main limb body from said limb tip housing to dampen vibrational energy generated at the axle shaft.
16. A suspension system for decoupling the load generated from either of a string and a cable and harness system of an archery bow, said suspension system comprising:
- a riser defining a suspension housing;
- a cable guard rod extending between said riser and the cable and harness system; and
- a suspension device disposed within said suspension housing for decoupling said cable guard rod from said riser for dampening vibration generated by at least one of the string and cable and harness system during each shot of the archery bow.
17. A suspension system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said suspension housing includes a plurality of interlocking openings for interlocking engagement with said suspension device.
18. A suspension system for decoupling the load generated from a cable and harness system of an archery bow, said suspension system comprising:
- a riser;
- a cable guard arm extending out from said riser;
- a cable guard slide disposed along said cable guard arm; and
- a suspension device disposed between said cable guard slide and said cable guard arm for decoupling said cable guard slide from said cable guard arm to dampen vibration generated at the cable and harness system.
19. A suspension system for an archery bow having a riser and a cable and harness system, said suspension system comprising:
- a cable guard arm extending out from the riser and operably connected to the cable and harness system, said cable guard arm having an elongated outer core and an elongated inner core received within an elongated outer core; and
- a suspension device disposed between said elongated outer and inner cores for decoupling the riser from the cable and harness system to dampen vibrations generated during each shot of the archery bow.
20. A suspension system as set forth in claim 19 wherein said suspension device is formed from an elastomeric material.
21. A suspension system as set forth in claim 20 wherein each of said elongated outer and inner cores is formed from a solid, non-elastomeric material.
22. A suspension system for an archery bow comprising:
- a riser;
- a roller arm extending out from said riser;
- a cable and harness system operably connected to said roller arm; and
- a suspension device secured to said roller arm and receiving said cable and harness system therealong for decoupling said cable and harness system from said riser to dampen vibration during each shot of the archery bow.
23. A suspension system for an archery bow comprising:
- a riser;
- an axle shaft;
- a limb having one end operably coupled to said riser and an opposing end adjacent said axle shaft; and
- a suspension device disposed about said axle shaft for decoupling said limb from said axle shaft to dampen vibrations generated by said axle shaft during each shot of the archery bow.
24. A suspension system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said suspension device includes a suspension housing disposed along said axle shaft.
25. A suspension system as set forth in claim 24 wherein said suspension device includes a ball bearing encased within said suspension housing and disposed along said axle shaft.
26. A suspension system for an archery bow comprising:
- a riser:
- an axle shaft;
- a limb having one end operably coupled to said riser and an opposite end receiving said axle shaft therethrough, said limb having a clearance hole for allowing said axle shaft to float relative to said limb; and
- a suspension device disposed about said axle shaft for decoupling said limb from said axle shaft to dampen vibrations generated by said axle shaft during each shot of the archery bow.
27. A suspension system for an archery bow having a riser and a rotating member, said suspension system comprising:
- a lower limb portion operably coupled to the riser;
- an upper limb portion operably coupled to the rotating member; and
- a suspension device disposed between said upper and lower limb portions for decoupling the rotating member from the riser for dampening vibrational energy during each shot of the archery bow.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 19, 2005
Publication Date: Jan 19, 2006
Inventor: Albert Andrews (Cleveland, TN)
Application Number: 11/184,572
International Classification: F41B 5/00 (20060101);