Quiver

Abstract

This invention relates to an archery quiver that can be conveniently attached to a bow for securely and safely carrying a plurality of arrows. The quiver includes, among other things, an improved arrangement for engaging and securing the arrows within the quiver.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/625,178 filed Nov. 3, 2004, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to archery equipment and, more particularly, a device for holding arrows commonly referred to as a quiver.

BACKGROUND

Arrow holding devices commonly referred to as quivers enable archers to store and transport arrows conveniently and safely. Many different styles of quivers are well known. Traditionally, quivers are designed to be strapped to, or otherwise attached to, the archer. More recently developed quivers attach directly to the bow. Exemplary quivers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,973,776 to Ogle; U.S. Pat. No. 4,156,496 to Stinson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,069 to Schreiber; U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,085 to Stinson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,694 to Stinson; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,162 to Mizek et al.

In the field, archers often traverse rugged, densely foliaged terrain. Under such harsh conditions arrows held in the quivers described in the above-identified patents tend to snag on brush and can fall out of the quiver unnoticed. In some cases it is only after the archers reach their remote destination when they realize that most or all of their arrows have been lost in transit. Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a lightweight, durable quiver that more securely retains arrows during field use. Other objects of the invention include, for example, providing a quiver that: enables archers to conveniently access the arrows, protects the arrows from being damaged by the rugged environment, protects the archer from being injured due to accidental contact with the arrows, and is easily attachable and detachable from a bow.

SUMMARY

This invention relates to an archery quiver that can be conveniently attached to a bow for securely and safely carrying a plurality of arrows. The quiver includes, among other things, an improved arrangement for engaging and securing the arrows within the quiver. This invention also relates to a method for retaining arrows in a quiver that includes the step of positioning a strap across the arrow shafts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a quiver according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the quiver shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a portion of the quiver shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A-4D are perspective views and front views of the quiver shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4(A-D), a quiver is shown. The quiver 10 includes an arrow shaft retainer 12, an arrowhead protector 14, and a quiver mounting assembly 16. The shaft retainer 12 is constructed to secure the arrow shafts 102 of the arrows 100 in the quiver 10. The arrowhead protector 14 protects the arrowheads (not shown) of the arrows 100 from being damaged or dulled and also protects the archer from being cut or impaled by the arrowhead. The quiver mounting assembly 16 attaches the arrow shaft retainer 12 and the arrowhead protector 14 to a bow (not shown). The above components of the quiver 10 will be discussed in further detail below.

The arrow shaft retainer 12 includes an arrow shaft engagement member 18 and a securing member 20. In the embodiment shown, the arrow shaft engagement member 18 is comprised of a resilient material having a number of spaced apart nests 22 (e.g., pockets) that are sized and configured to securely engage the arrow shafts 102. The five nests 22 shown are for holding five arrow shafts 102 and each nest 22 includes a resilient (e.g., rubber) construction. Between each nest 22 is a spacer 26 that is sized and configured so that the arrows 100 are spaced apart. The spacers 26 include fingers or arms 28 that define the nests 22. The arms 28 are resilient and flex apart to allow an arrow shaft to be inserted into a nest, and then resiliently move back together once the arrow is within the nest to hold, clamp or otherwise retain the shaft within the nest. The spacers 26 at the ends 29 and 30 include hook portions 32 and 34 that are constructed to engage a securing member 20.

The securing member 20 can be connected to the first shaft engagement member 18 once the arrows 100 are in the nests 22 to provide a more secure engagement between the arrow shafts 102 and the arrow shaft engagement member 18. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the securing member 20 is shown as a flat retaining strap 36. The flat retaining strap 36 is a loop of rubber material that includes a tab 38 for conveniently gripping during application and removal and a first substantially flat surface 40 for contacting the arrow shafts 102. When attached, the strap 36 straddles the arrow shaft engagement member 18. The first length 37 of the strap 36 and the second length 39 of the strap extend across the arrow shafts 102 on opposite sides (e.g., top and bottom sides) of the arrow shaft engagement member 18. The hooks 32 and 34 of the first retaining member 18 retain the securing member 20 to the first engagement member 18 as shown at FIG. 2. While transporting the arrows 100 the flat retaining strap 36 provides added security to the arrows thereby decreasing the chance that the arrows 100 are lost during transport. Once the archer reaches the desired location, the flat retaining strap 36 can be removed for quicker access to the arrows 100 in the quiver 10. To prevent the strap from interfering with accessing the arrows, the strap can be hooked across the back side of the member 18 when the hunter reaches the hunting location.

Many alternative embodiments of the first shaft engagement member 18 are possible. For example, though the first shaft engagement member 18 shown is constructed of rubber it can be constructed of any type of material including non-resilient materials. In addition, the nests 22 for engaging the arrow shafts 102 need not be positioned in a single plane. In alterative embodiments the nests 22 can be staggered to create a two or more tiered structure so that the quiver 10 can house a larger number of arrows 100. It should also be appreciated that the spacers 26 need not include the arms 28 or the hook portions 32 and 34 as shown.

Likewise, many alternative embodiments of the securing member 20 are also possible. For example, the securing member 20 need not be constructed of a resilient material such as rubber. For example, straps such as Velcro straps, cloth straps and straps with fasteners (e.g., buckles, clips, snaps, etc.) can also be used. Also, in some alternative embodiments the securing member 20 is hinged with the arrow shaft engagement member 18. In such an embodiment, the hinge is preferably closed during transport and open when the archer is ready to shoot. In addition, in alternative embodiments the securing member 20 is a band 42. The band 42 need not include a flat surface 40. An example of such an alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3-5. In such an embodiment, the band 42 has a circular transverse cross-section. In the embodiment shown, the band 42 does not include a tab 38. In other embodiments, a first end of the securing member 20 is fixed to a first side of an arrow shaft engagement member 18, and the second end of the securing member 20 includes a locking mechanism that is adapted to interlock with the second side of the arrow shaft engagement member 18. Also, it should be appreciated that in any embodiment, the strap or band may not be a loop shape and, therefore, may not straddle the arrow engagement member 18. In such embodiments the strap may rest over the arrow shaft engagement member 18, or the strap may sit below the arrow shaft engagement member 18 or above the arrow shaft engagement member 18. In some embodiments, the shaft engagement member does not normally contact the arrow shaft 102. In such embodiments the arrow shaft engagement member 20 only contacts the arrow shaft 102 when the arrow is about to fall out of the quiver 10.

The arrowhead protector 14 includes a housing 44 and arrowhead engagement portion 46 within the housing 44. The arrowhead engagement portion 46 can include a soft resilient material such as a foam or rubber so that either the sharp center point or the blades (not shown) of the arrow 100 can cut in the arrowhead engagement portion 46. In the embodiment shown, the arrowhead engagement portion 46 includes holes 48 for receiving the center of the arrowheads. The depicted arrangement can securely engage large arrowheads that are used in hunting having razor sharp edges commonly referred to as broadheads. The holes 48 of the engagement portion 46 are spaced apart to prevent the arrowheads from contacting one another, which can dull and damage the arrowheads. In the depicted embodiment, the housing 44 is contoured to include five partially barrel-shaped portions 52. The housing can be constructed of any material including, for example, polymeric materials as well as metal materials.

It should be understood that the housing 44 of the arrowhead engagement portion 46 in alterative embodiments might include different features than the ones described above. The housing 44 can be any structure that protects the archer from accidentally contacting the sharp portions of the arrowheads. The arrowhead engagement portion 46 can be any structure of the arrowhead protector 14 that secures the ends of the arrows 100 nearest the arrowhead from free movement. For example, in some embodiments the housing can be a cage-like structure and the arrowhead engagement portion 46 can be a similar structure to the shaft retainer 12 described above. In other words, in alternative embodiments of the quiver 10 there may be two or more shaft engagement members: one positioned closer to the arrowheads and the other positioned closer to the end opposite the arrowheads.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1, the quiver mounting assembly 16 shown includes a first frame member 60 having a first end 62, a second end 64, and a mid portion 66 disposed therebetween. The first end 62 is connected to the arrowhead protector 14 and the second end 64 is connected to the arrow shaft retainer 12. The mid portion 66 includes two quick release fasteners 86 and 88 mounted to two of the plurality of threaded holes 84 The plurality of threaded holes 84 enables the archer to adjust the vertical position of the quiver 10 relative to the bow. It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the threaded holes 84 can be replaced with slots so that the vertical position of the quiver can be adjusted.

The depicted quiver mounting assembly 16 includes a bow engagement member 68 that includes first frame member mounting ends 70 and 72 and a bow mounting end 74. The bow mounting end 74 includes holes 76 and 78 adapted to engage fasteners for mounting the bow engagement member 68 to a bow. The first frame member mounting ends 70 and 72 include slots 80 and ridges 82 that are sized and constructed to engage first and second quick release fasteners 86 and 88 at the mid portion 66 of the first frame member 60. The depicted quiver mounting assembly further includes cutouts 54 that decrease the overall weight of the quiver as well as harmonic dampeners 56 and 58 for decreasing the vibrations in the mounting assembly 16.

In should be understood that many alternative arrangements of the quiver mounting assembly 16 are possible. One alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4(A-D). In the embodiment shown, the mounting assembly does not include a mid portion 66 or a separate bow engagement member 68. Rather, the mounting assembly includes two separate pieces: an arrow shaft retainer mounting member 90 and an arrowhead protector mounting member 92. Each of these members is constructed to mount to the bow or some other member. In the depicted embodiment the arrow shaft retainer mounting member is mounted to the bow via fasteners 150, 152, and 154, and the arrowhead protector mounting member is mounted to the bow via fasteners 158, 160, and 162.

In other alternative embodiments the mounting assembly 16 is integral with or otherwise connected to the bow engagement member 68. In such embodiments the mounting assembly may include a quick release fastener at a connection between the bow and the mounting assembly.

The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

1. An arrow shaft retaining device comprising:

an arrow shaft engagement member including first and second end portions; a plurality of spaced apart nests disposed between the first and second end portions, each nest having an opening configured to receive an arrow shaft and a body portion configured to engage an arrow shaft; and

a securing member constructed to engage the first and second end portions of the arrow shaft engagement member, the securing member being constructed to secure the arrow shafts within the nests of the arrow shaft engagement member.

2. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 1, further comprising spacers between the nests that include arms that extend away from the nests.

3. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 2, wherein the securing member includes a loop shaped construction and is configured to straddle the arms of the spacers.

4. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 1, wherein nests are staggered to create a two or more tiered structure.

5. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 1, wherein the first and second end portions of the arrow shaft engagement member include hook shaped portions.

6. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 1, wherein the securing member is configured to engage a first side surface of the shaft and the shaft engagement member is configured to engage a second side surface of the shaft.

7. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 1, wherein the securing member and the shaft engagement members have a resilient construction.

8. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 7, wherein the securing member and the shaft engagement members have a rubber construction.

9. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 1, wherein the securing member includes a strap having a tab portion.

10. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 1, wherein the securing member includes a band without a tab.

11. An arrow retaining assembly comprising:

an arrow shaft retainer;

an arrowhead protector, the arrowhead protector including a housing; and an arrowhead engagement portion within the housing; and

a mounting assembly, the assembly including a frame member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the arrow shaft retainer and the second end is connected to the arrowhead protector; and a bracket member including a frame mount and a bow mount, wherein the bow mount is adapted to engage fasteners for mounting the bracket member to a bow and the frame mount is configured to connect to the frame member between the first and second ends via fasteners.

12. The arrow retaining assembly according to claim 11, wherein the portion of the frame member between the first and second ends is constructed to receive quick release fasteners at a plurality of locations along a mid portion to enable the archer to adjust the vertical position of the arrow retaining assembly relative to the bow.

13. The arrow retaining assembly according to claim 11, wherein the arrowhead engagement portion includes spaced apart holes for receiving the center of the arrowheads, the holes being spaced apart to prevent the arrowheads from contacting one another.

14. The arrow retaining assembly according to claim 11, wherein the frame mount of the bracket member includes U-shaped slots with ridges at the distal ends which are configured to engage the frame member.

15. The arrow retaining assembly according to claim 11, wherein the portion of the frame member between the first and second ends comprises cutouts that decrease the overall weight of the mounting assembly and dampeners for decreasing the vibrations in the arrow retaining mounting assembly.

16. A method for retaining arrows comprising:

first, securing an arrow retainer to a bow;

second, inserting a sharp end of an arrow into the arrow retainer;

third, press fitting an arrow shaft of the arrow into the arrow retainer; and

finally, placing a strap across the arrow shaft.

17. A method for retaining arrows according to claim 16, wherein the step of placing a strap across the arrow shaft includes drawing the strap over the arrow shaft and hooking the strap to the arrow retainer.

18. An arrow shaft retaining device comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart nests, each nest having an opening configured to receive an arrow shaft and a body portion configured to hold an arrow shaft; and

a strap constructed to be extended across the arrow shaft to provide auxiliary security to the arrow shaft that is held within the nest.

19. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 18, wherein the strap has a resilient construction.

20. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 19, wherein the strap includes a tab portion constructed to be gripped and pulled by an archer.

21. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 19, wherein the strap includes a loop shaped construction and is configured to straddle the nests.

22. The arrow shaft retaining device of claim 18, wherein at either end of the spaced apart nests are hook shaped portions constructed to mate with the strap.