BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to archery bows and, more particularly, to an apparatus for coupling a component, such as a stabilizer or a vibration dampener, to an archery bow.
Conventional bow stabilizers and vibration dampeners have been developed to absorb, dampen and/or reduce recoil, vibration, shock and/or noise resulting from a release of an archery arrow supported on an archery bow. These conventional devices are typically fixedly coupled to the archery bow to limit or reduce such recoil, vibration, shock and/or noise to improve the stability of the archery bow during and/or after the archery arrow is released from the archery bow, thus, improving the shooting accuracy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, an apparatus configured to couple a component to an archery bow is provided. The archery bow defines a bore that extends at least partially through the archery bow and a slot in communication with the bore. The apparatus includes a collar positioned within the slot and extending into the bore. The collar defines at least one first passage configured to receive the component. A base is positioned within the bore and configured to retain the collar within the slot.
In another aspect, an apparatus configured to couple a component to an archery bow is provided. The archery bow defines a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis coplanar with and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The archery bow further defines an opening extending at least partially through the archery bow and a slot in communication with the opening. The apparatus includes a collar positioned within the slot and extending into the opening. The collar defines a first passage configured to receive the component. A first base portion is positioned within the opening. A second base portion is positioned within the opening and coupled to the first base portion to retain the collar within the slot.
In another aspect, a method for manufacturing an archery bow is provided. The archery bow defines a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis coplanar with and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a z-axis intersecting the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis and perpendicular thereto. The method includes defining a first opening extending at least partially through the archery bow. A second opening is defined in the archery bow. The second opening is in communication with the first opening. A collar is positioned within the second opening. The collar extends into the first opening and defines a first passage configured to receive a component. A base is positioned in the first opening. The base retains the collar within the second opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary bow stabilizer coupled to an archery bow and positioned at a first position coaxial with a z-axis of the archery bow;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the bow stabilizer shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the bow stabilizer shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the bow stabilizer shown in FIG. 1 positioned at a selected angular position with respect to the first position;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary bow stabilizer;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bow stabilizer shown in FIG. 5 coupled to an archery bow and positioned at a first position coaxial with a z-axis of the archery bow;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative bow stabilizer coupled to an archery bow;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative bow stabilizer coupled to an archery bow;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the bow stabilizer shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative bow stabilizer coupled to an archery bow;
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the bow stabilizer shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative bow stabilizer coupled to an archery bow;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative bow stabilizer coupled to an archery bow;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative bow stabilizer coupled to an archery bow;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative bow stabilizer coupled to an archery bow;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary apparatus for coupling a component to an archery bow; and
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary apparatus for coupling a component to an archery bow.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method and apparatus for coupling a component, such as a bow stabilizer or vibration dampener, to an archery bow. As described below, the apparatus includes a base that is removably positioned within an opening, such as a bore and/or a slot, defined within a riser section of the archery bow. The base is movable, such as pivotally, rotatably and/or translationally movable, within the opening to position a component, such as a stabilizer or a vibration dampener, at an angular position with respect to at least one of a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a z-axis of the archery bow, which is perpendicular to a plane defining the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis of the archery bow. The apparatus as described herein is configured to couple any suitable archery component or element to the archery bow. Further, the archery bow may be retrofitted to accommodate the apparatus.
Referring to FIG. 1, an archery bow 20 includes a riser section 22. Archery bow 20 defines orthogonal axial components including a longitudinal axis 24 and a lateral axis 26 coplanar with and perpendicular to longitudinal axis 24. Further, a z-axis 28 of archery bow 20 intersects and is perpendicular to a plane in which longitudinal axis 24 and lateral axis 26 are defined. Z-axis 28 is generally parallel to a draw axis of archery bow 20 that defines a direction in which an archer draws an archery arrow prior to releasing the archery arrow from archery bow 20.
Archery bow 20 defines an opening or void extending at least partially through archery bow 20. As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, archery bow 20 defines a bore 30 that extends along lateral axis 26 and at least partially through archery bow 20. In an alternative embodiment, archery bow 20 defines a plurality of bores 30, as shown in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, archery bow 20 further defines at least one slot 32 formed along a centerline 34 coplanar with longitudinal axis 24. Slot 32 interferes or intersects with bore 30 to provide communication between bore 30 and slot 32. In one embodiment, slot 32 extends along at least a portion of an outer surface of archery bow 20 and extends radially inwardly towards lateral axis 26 to intersect bore 30, as shown in FIG. 1. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that any suitable number of slots 32 may be defined within archery bow 20. Further, slot(s) 32 may have any suitable shape and/or size.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-12, in one embodiment, an apparatus 38 couples an archery component or element, such as a bow stabilizer 40 or any other suitable archery component or element, to archery bow 20. In a particular embodiment, the component is removably coupled to archery bow 20 for facilitating absorbing and/or reducing recoil, vibration, shock and/or noise resulting from a release of an archery arrow supported on archery bow 20. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that apparatus 38 may be utilized to couple any suitable bow stabilizer, as well as any other suitable archery component and/or element, to archery bow 20 at riser section 22 and/or at any suitable area or region of archery bow 20.
Apparatus 38 includes a base 42 that is removably positioned within at least one opening defined by archery bow 20, such as bore 30, as shown in FIGS. 1-12. Referring further to FIG. 10, in a particular embodiment, base 42 is removably positionable within any bore 30 of a plurality of bores 30 defined within bow riser portion 22. As described in greater detail below, in one embodiment, base 42 is movable within bore 30, such as rotationally, pivotally and/or translationally movable within bore 30. In a particular embodiment, base 42 is rotatably or pivotally movable within bore 30 with respect to or about longitudinal axis 24, lateral axis 26 and/or z-axis 28.
In one embodiment, archery bow 20 defines lateral axis 26 and an opening extending at least partially through archery bow 20. Archery bow 20 includes apparatus 38 having base 42 positioned within the opening and pivotally movable about lateral axis 26. Base 42 defines at least one passage 51, as described in greater detail below, and a component mounted within passage 51. Archery bow 20 is configured to enable a user to select an orientation of the component with respect to longitudinal axis 24, lateral axis 26 coplanar and/or z-axis 28 of archery bow 20. In one embodiment, the component includes a sight, a vibration dampener and/or a stabilizer, for example. In alternative embodiments, any suitable component may be coupled to archery bow 20. In a further embodiment, base 42 and the component are collinear.
Bow stabilizer 40 includes a shaft 44 that is removably coupled at a first end 45 to base 42. As shown in FIGS. 1-12, first end 45 extends through slot 32 and is coupled to base 42. In one embodiment, shaft 44 is threadedly coupled to base 42. In this embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, first end 45 forms a helical thread 46 that is threadedly received within a complementary passage defined within base 42. In an alternative embodiment, first end 45 is compression fitted or friction fitted within a passage defined within base 42. In a further alternative embodiment, shaft 44 is positioned within a collar and the collar is positioned within the passage defined within base 42.
Bow stabilizer 40 also includes a body 47 coupled to shaft 44, such as at a second end 48 of shaft 44 opposing first end 45. In one embodiment, apparatus 38 includes a collar 50 that is coupled to base 42. Collar 50 is positioned about at least a portion of shaft 44 and within slot 32 for facilitating moving shaft 44 with respect to z-axis 28, as described in greater detail below. In a particular embodiment, a portion of collar 50 is positionable within passage 51 defined within base 42, as shown in FIG. 9. Collar 50 defines a passage 52 within which first end 45 of shaft 44 is removably positioned. With passage 51 aligned with or in communication with slot 32, passage 51 is configured to receive collar 50, as shown in FIG. 9, or configured to receive the component. Passage 51 defines an axis that is coplanar with longitudinal axis 24. In an alternative embodiment, collar 50 is integrally formed with base 42 or shaft 44 as shown in FIGS. 11-15.
In one embodiment, base 42 is pivotally mounted or positioned within archery bow 20 to position shaft 44 at a selected angular position with respect to z-axis 28. Base 42 is pivotally movable about lateral axis 26 to position the component at a selected angular position with respect to archery bow 20. Referring further to FIG. 4, shaft 44 is movable to an angular position α Angular position α may be any suitable angular position, such as between about 0° and about +/−75° with respect to z-axis 28. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that the angular position of shaft 44 with respect to z-axis 28 can be limited to any suitable angle range. In a particular embodiment, with shaft 44 at the selected angular position, shaft 44 is rotated in a clockwise direction shown by directional arrow 54 in FIG. 1 about an axis of shaft 44 to selectively lock or retain base 42 stationary within bore 30 such that shaft 44 is retained at the selected angular position with respect to z-axis 28. Shaft 44 is rotated in an opposite counter-clockwise direction to allow the angular position of shaft 44 to be adjusted, as desired.
Referring further to FIGS. 1-6, at least a portion of a contact surface 60 of base 42 includes a knurled surface or a plurality of projections, such as threads 62, that interfere with or provide frictional contact between base 42 and an inner surface of archery bow 20 forming bore 30 for facilitating positioning shaft 44 at a desired angular position with respect to z-axis 28. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, contact surface 60 defines a plurality of threads 62 that extend along a width of base 42 in a direction generally parallel to lateral axis 26. A plurality of cooperating threads 64, as shown in FIG. 1, are formed in a cooperating inner surface 65 of archery bow 20 defining bore 30. In an alternative embodiment, threads 62 and/or cooperating threads 64 are discontinuous and extend along a portion of the base width, as shown in FIG. 5.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in an alternative embodiment, a locking mechanism 70 is operatively coupled to base 42 and configured to fixedly position base 42 within bore 30 to selectively retain shaft 44 at an angular position with respect to z-axis 28. As shown in FIG. 10, in this alternative embodiment a plurality of apertures 72 are defined within base 42. With the angular position of shaft 44 selected and one aperture 72 aligned with a cooperating aperture defined within archery bow 20 (not shown), locking mechanism 70 includes a pin 74 that is positioned within the archery bow aperture and aligned base aperture 72. In a particular embodiment, pin 74 is threadedly engaged within the archery bore aperture and/or aligned base aperture 72. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that locking mechanism 70 may include any suitable component or mechanism that is configured to secure base 42 within bore 30 and retain shaft 44 in a desired angular position with respect to z-axis 28.
As shown in FIG. 12, base 42 is selectively positioned within one bore 30 of a plurality of bores 30 defined within archery bow 20. Bores 30 may intersect with adjacent bores 30, as shown in FIG. 12, or, alternatively, bores 30 may be defined without intersecting adjacent bores 30. Such configurations allow the archer to position base 42 within a desired bore 30. Further, archery bow 20 defines a plurality of slots 32. Slots 32 may intersect with adjacent slots 32, as shown in FIG. 12, or, alternatively, slots 32 may be defined without intersecting adjacent slots 32. Slots 32 may be sized and/or shaped to allow shaft 44 to move within slot 32 parallel to longitudinal axis 24 and/or lateral axis 26 of archery bow 20. Alternatively, slots 32 may be sized and/or shaped to prevent or limit such axial movement. Base 42 is secured within bore 30 to retain shaft 44 at a selected angular position with respect to z-axis 28. In one embodiment, shaft 44 is rotated about a shaft axis to tighten shaft 44 against base 42 and retain shaft 44 at the selected angular position. Alternatively, a suitable locking mechanism 70 (not shown in FIG. 12) retains base 42 stationary within bore 30 or slot 32 such that shaft 44 is retained in the selected angular position.
Referring to FIGS. 13-15, in an alternative embodiment, an apparatus 138 couples an archery component or element, such as a bow stabilizer 140 or any other suitable archery component or element, to archery bow 120. In a particular alternative embodiment, the component is removably coupled to archery bow 120 for facilitating absorbing and/or reducing recoil, vibration, shock and/or noise resulting from a release of an archery arrow supported on archery bow 120. Archery bow 120 defines orthogonal axial components including a longitudinal axis 124 and a lateral axis 126 coplanar with and perpendicular to longitudinal axis 124. Further, a z-axis 128 of archery bow 120 intersects and is perpendicular to a plane in which longitudinal axis 124 and lateral axis 126 are defined. Z-axis 128 is generally parallel to a draw axis of archery bow 120 that defines a direction in which an archer draws an archery arrow prior to shooting the archery arrow. Archery bow 20 further defines at least one slot 132 having a centerline 134 coplanar with longitudinal axis 124. Slot 132 extends along at least a portion of an outer surface of archery bow 120. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that any suitable number of slots 132 may be defined within archery bow 120. Further, slot(s) 132 may have any suitable shape and/or size.
Apparatus 138 includes a base 142 that is at least partially positioned within slot 132, as shown in FIGS. 13-15. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that base 142 may include any suitable geometric shape including, without limitation, a disc as shown in FIG. 13 or a block as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. As described in greater detail below, in one embodiment, base 142 is movable within slot 132, such as rotationally, pivotally and/or translationally movable within slot 132. Bow stabilizer 140 is coupled to archery bow 120. More specifically, base 142 includes a bore (not shown) through a width of base 142 that extends along lateral axis 126. Further, archery bow 120 includes a corresponding bore (not shown) that extends at least partially through archery bow 120 along lateral axis 126. With base 142 positioned at least partially within slot 132 and the base bore aligned with the archery bow bore along lateral axis 126, a suitable coupling mechanism or component 143, such as a bolt, a screw or a pin, is inserted into the archery bow bore and the aligned base bore to rotatably couple base 142 to archery bore 120. In this embodiment, base 142 is rotatable within slot 132 with respect to archery bow 120.
Bow stabilizer 140 includes a shaft 144 that is removably coupled at a first end 145 to base 142. As shown in FIGS. 13-15, first end 145 extends at least partially into slot 132 and is coupled to base 142. In one embodiment, shaft 144 is threadedly coupled to base 142. In this embodiment, first end 145 forms a helical thread that is threadedly received within a complementary passage defined by base 142. In an alternative embodiment, first end 145 is compression fitted or friction fitted within a passage defined by base 142. Bow stabilizer 140 also includes a body 147 coupled to shaft 144, such as at a second end 148 of shaft 144 opposing first end 145.
In one embodiment, apparatus 138 includes a collar 150 that is coupled to base 142. Collar 150 is positioned about at least a portion of shaft 144 and/or within slot 132 for facilitating angular movement of shaft 144 with respect to z-axis 128, as described in greater detail below.
As shown in FIG. 13, in one embodiment base 142 forms a disc 160 having an outer peripheral surface 162 defining a plurality of passages 164 that extend radially inwardly towards a center axis of disc 160 coaxially positioned with lateral axis 126. Each passage 164 is configured to receive shaft 144 or, in certain embodiments, collar 150. A locking mechanism 170 fixedly secures base 142 in a selected rotational position within slot 132 to retain shaft 144 at an angular position with respect to z-axis 128. As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of positioning apertures 172 is defined within archery bow 120. Positioning apertures 172 are positioned about coupling mechanism 143 in an arcuate configuration to align with a corresponding aperture (not shown) defined within disc 160. In a particular embodiment, a plurality of corresponding apertures are defined within disc 160 with each aperture alignable with a positioning aperture 172. With the desired disc aperture aligned with the corresponding positioning aperture 172, a pin 174 is positioned within the apertures to fixedly secure disc 160 within slot 132. In one embodiment, a biasing element, such as a spring, a button and/or another suitable mechanism, retains pin 174 within the apertures, as desired. Pin 174 is released from within the apertures to rotate disc 160 within slot 132 and about the center axis of disc 160 to adjust the angular position of shaft 144 with respect to z-axis 128.
As shown in FIG. 14, in a further alternative embodiment base 142 forms a block 180 having an outer surface 182 defining a passage 184 that extends perpendicular to longitudinal axis 124 with stabilizer 140 positioned in a first position along z-axis 128. Passage 184 is configured to receive shaft 144 or, in certain embodiments, collar 150. Locking mechanism 170 fixedly secures block 180 in a selected rotational position within slot 132 to retain shaft 144 at an angular position with respect to z-axis 128. As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of positioning apertures 186 is defined within archery bow 120 in a generally linear configuration. With shaft 144 positioned at a desired angular position, a pin 188 or another suitable locking mechanism is positioned within a corresponding positioning aperture 186 to secure block 180 within slot 132. In one embodiment, a biasing element, such as a spring, a button and/or another suitable mechanism, retains pin 188 within positioning aperture 186, as desired. Pin 188 is released from within positioning aperture 186 to rotate block 180 within slot 132 to adjust the angular position of shaft 144 with respect to z-axis 128.
As shown in FIG. 15, in a further alternative embodiment base 142 forms a block 190 having an outer surface 192 defining a plurality of passages 194 that extend at least partially through block 190 and generally parallel to adjacent passages 194 and perpendicular to longitudinal axis 124 with stabilizer 140 positioned in a first position along z-axis 128. Passages 194 are configured to receive shaft 144 or, in certain embodiments, collar 150. Shaft 144 is removably positionable within a selected passage 194. In one embodiment, block 190 is pivotally or rotationally movable within slot 132 and with respect to archery bow 120 to position shaft 144 in the desired angular position with respect to a passage axis 195 initially parallel to z-axis 128. In one embodiment, a suitable locking mechanism (not shown) fixedly secures block 190 in a selected rotational position within slot 132 to retain shaft 144 at the desired angular position with respect to z-axis 128.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary apparatus for coupling a component to an archery bow. Referring to FIG. 16, an archery bow 220 includes a riser section 222. Archery bow 220 defines orthogonal axial components including a longitudinal axis 224 and a lateral axis 226 coplanar with and perpendicular to longitudinal axis 224. Further, a z-axis 228 of archery bow 220 intersects and is perpendicular to a plane in which longitudinal axis 224 and lateral axis 226 are defined. Z-axis 228 is generally parallel to a draw axis of archery bow 220 that defines a direction in which an archer draws an archery arrow prior to releasing the archery arrow from archery bow 220.
Archery bow 220 defines a first opening or void extending at least partially through archery bow 220. As shown in FIG. 16, in one embodiment, archery bow 220 defines a bore 230 that extends along lateral axis 226 and at least partially through archery bow 220. In an alternative embodiment, archery bow 220 defines a plurality of bores 230 (not shown in FIG. 16). Archery bow 220 further defines at least one second opening in communication with the first opening. In one embodiment, at least one slot 232 is formed along a centerline 234 coplanar with longitudinal axis 224, as shown in FIG. 16. Slot 232 interferes or intersects with bore 230 to provide communication between bore 230 and slot 232. In one embodiment, slot 232 extends along at least a portion of an outer surface of archery bow 220 and extends radially inwardly towards lateral axis 226 to intersect bore 230, as shown in FIG. 16. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that any suitable number of slots 232 may be defined within archery bow 220. Further, slot(s) 232 may have any suitable shape and/or size.
An apparatus 238 couples an archery component or element (not shown in FIG. 16), such as a bow stabilizer or any other suitable archery component or element, to archery bow 220. In a particular embodiment, the component is removably coupled to archery bow 220 for facilitating absorbing and/or reducing recoil, vibration, shock and/or noise resulting from a release of an archery arrow supported on archery bow 220. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that apparatus 238 may be utilized to couple any suitable bow stabilizer, as well as any other suitable archery component and/or element, to archery bow 220 at or near riser section 222 and/or at or near any suitable area or region of archery bow 220.
Apparatus 238 includes a base 242 that is removably positioned within at least one opening defined by archery bow 220. In the exemplary embodiment, base 242 is removably positioned within bore 230, as shown in FIG. 16. Referring further to FIG. 16, in one embodiment, base 242 includes a first base portion 244 and a second base portion 246 configured to facilitate retaining a collar 250, as described below, properly positioned within slot 232. In a particular embodiment, first base portion 244 and/or second base portion 246 defines a depression 247 forming at least one shoulder or edge 248. With first base portion 244 and/or second base 246 positioned within bore 230, a wall 249 formed within bore 230 is at least partially positioned within corresponding depression 247 to facilitate securing base 242 within bore 230. In a particular embodiment, edge 248 interferes with wall 249 to prevent or limit rotational movement of corresponding base portion 244 or 246 within bore 230. In an alternative embodiment, first base portion 244 and/or second base portion 246 is movable within bore 230, such as rotationally, pivotally and/or translationally movable within bore 230, such that base 242 is rotatably or pivotally movable within bore 230 with respect to or about longitudinal axis 224, lateral axis 226 and/or z-axis 228.
Apparatus 238 includes a collar 250 that is coupled to base 242. Collar 250 is positioned within slot 232 and an end portion 252 of collar 250 is positionable within a passage 254 defined within base 242. As shown in FIG. 16, collar 250 defines a second passage 256 within which an archery component, such as a bow stabilizer, is removably positioned. In the exemplary embodiment, collar 250 includes a head portion 258 that is positioned within an indentation 259 formed in archery bow 220 and surrounding slot 232 to facilitate guiding movement of collar 250 within slot 232 to facilitate preventing or limiting undesirable movement of collar 250 within slot 232 and/or undesirable movement of base 242 within bore 230. Collar 250 is positioned within slot 232 to facilitate moving a component to adjust an angular position of the component with respect to z-axis 228.
Referring further to FIG. 16, with collar 250 positioned within slot 232 such that at least a portion of end portion 252 extends into bore 230, at least a portion of first base portion 244 and at least a portion of second base portion 246 are positioned within bore 232 and coupled together and/or to archery bow 220 to secure collar 250 within slot 232. First base portion 244 may be coupled to archery bow 220 and/or second base portion 246 using any suitable fastener or coupling mechanism known to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided. In one embodiment, first base portion is coupled to archery bow 220 and/or second base portion 246 using a suitable screw or pin. A plurality of openings 260 are defined through first base portion 244 and a plurality of corresponding openings 261 are defined at least partially through second base portion such that a screw, pin or other suitable fastener (not shown) is positioned within opening 260 and corresponding opening 261 to facilitate securing first base portion 244 to second base portion 246. Additionally or alternatively, first base portion 244 is compression fitted with second base portion 246.
In a particular embodiment, end portion 252 forms at least one projection that interferes and/or cooperates with first base portion 244 and/or second base portion 246, such as a corresponding void or depression formed or defined within an inner surface of first base portion 244 and/or within an inner surface of second base portion 246 at least partially defining passage 254. Referring further to FIG. 16, collar 250 forms at least one first projection 262 and/or at least one second projection 263 that interferes with and/or cooperates with a corresponding first void 264 or a corresponding second void 266, respectively, defined at least partially within first base portion 244 and/or second base portion 246.
In one embodiment, base 242 is positioned within and pivotally movable about lateral axis 226. In this embodiment, archery bow 220 is configured to enable a user to select an orientation of the component with respect to longitudinal axis 224, lateral axis 226 and/or z-axis 228 of archery bow 220. In one embodiment, the component includes a sight, a vibration dampener and/or a stabilizer, for example. In alternative embodiments, any suitable component may be coupled to archery bow 220. In a further embodiment, base 242 and the component are collinear.
A bow stabilizer, such as bow stabilizer 40 (not shown in FIG. 16), includes a shaft that is removably coupled to base 242. In one embodiment, the shaft is threadedly coupled to base 242. In this embodiment, the shaft first end forms a helical thread that is threadedly received within complementary passage 256 defined within collar 250. In an alternative embodiment, the shaft first end is compression fitted or friction fitted within passage 256. The bow stabilizer also includes a body coupled to or integrated with the shaft, such as at a second end of the shaft opposing the first end.
In one embodiment, base 242 is pivotally mounted or positioned within archery bow 20 to position shaft 44, shown in FIG. 1, at a selected angular position with respect to z-axis 228. Base 242 is pivotally movable about lateral axis 226 to position the component at a selected angular position with respect to archery bow 20. Referring further to FIG. 4, shaft 44 is movable to an angular position α. Angular position α may be any suitable angular position, such as between about 0° and about +/−75° with respect to z-axis 228. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that the angular position of shaft 44 with respect to z-axis 228 can be limited to any suitable angle range. In a particular embodiment, with shaft 44 at the selected angular position, shaft 44 is rotated in a clockwise direction shown by directional arrow 54 in FIG. 1 about an axis of shaft 44 to selectively lock or retain base 42 stationary within bore 230 such that shaft 44 is retained at the selected angular position with respect to z-axis 228. Shaft 44 is rotated in an opposite counter-clockwise direction to allow the angular position of shaft 44 to be adjusted, as desired.
In a particular embodiment, at least a portion of a contact surface of base 242 includes a knurled surface or a plurality of projections, such as threads 62 shown in FIGS. 1-6, that interfere with or provide frictional contact between base 242 and an inner surface of archery bow 20 forming bore 230 for facilitating positioning shaft 44 at a desired angular position with respect to z-axis 28. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the contact surface defines a plurality of threads (not shown) that extend along a width of base 242 in a direction generally parallel to lateral axis 226. A plurality of cooperating threads, such as threads 64 shown in FIG. 1, are formed in a cooperating inner surface of archery bow 20 defining bore 230. In an alternative embodiment, the cooperating threads are discontinuous and extend along a portion of the base width, such as shown in FIG. 5.
In a further embodiment, a locking mechanism, such as locking mechanism 70 described above in reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, is operatively coupled to base 242 and configured to fixedly position base 242 within bore 230 to selectively retain shaft 44 at an angular position with respect to z-axis 228. In this embodiment, a plurality of apertures are defined within base 242. With the angular position of shaft 44 selected and cooperating aperture aligned, the locking mechanism includes a pin that is positioned within the archery bow aperture and the aligned base aperture. In a particular embodiment, the pin is threadedly engaged within the archery bore aperture and/or the aligned base aperture. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that the locking mechanism may include any suitable component or mechanism that is configured to secure base 242 within bore 230 and retain shaft 44 in a desired angular position with respect to z-axis 228.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary apparatus for coupling a component to an archery bow. Referring to FIG. 17, an archery bow 320 includes a riser section 322. Archery bow 320 defines orthogonal axial components including a longitudinal axis 324 and a lateral axis 326 coplanar with and perpendicular to longitudinal axis 324. Further, a z-axis 328 of archery bow 320 intersects and is perpendicular to a plane in which longitudinal axis 324 and lateral axis 326 are defined. Z-axis 328 is generally parallel to a draw axis of archery bow 320 that defines a direction in which an archer draws an archery arrow prior to releasing the archery arrow from archery bow 320.
Archery bow 320 defines a first opening or void extending at least partially through archery bow 320. As shown in FIG. 17, in one embodiment, archery bow 320 defines a bore 330 that extends along lateral axis 326 and at least partially through archery bow 320. In an alternative embodiment, archery bow 320 defines a plurality of bores 330 (not shown in FIG. 17). Archery bow 320 further defines at least one second opening in communication with the first opening. In one embodiment, at least one slot 332 is formed along a centerline 334 coplanar with longitudinal axis 324, as shown in FIG. 17. Slot 332 interferes or intersects with bore 330 to provide communication between bore 330 and slot 332. In one embodiment, slot 332 extends along at least a portion of an outer surface of archery bow 320 and extends radially inwardly towards lateral axis 326 to intersect bore 330, as shown in FIG. 17. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that any suitable number of slots 332 may be defined within archery bow 320. Further, slot(s) 332 may have any suitable shape and/or size.
An apparatus 338 couples an archery component or element (not shown in FIG. 17), such as a bow stabilizer or any other suitable archery component or element, to archery bow 320. In a particular embodiment, the component is removably coupled to archery bow 320 for facilitating absorbing and/or reducing recoil, vibration, shock and/or noise resulting from a release of an archery arrow supported on archery bow 320. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that apparatus 338 may be utilized to couple any suitable bow stabilizer, as well as any other suitable archery component and/or element, to archery bow 320 at or near riser section 322 and/or at or near any suitable area or region of archery bow 320.
Apparatus 338 includes a base 342 that is removably positioned within at least one opening defined by archery bow 320. In the exemplary embodiment, base 342 is removably positioned within bore 330, as shown in FIG. 17. Referring further to FIG. 17, in one embodiment, base 342 includes a first base portion 344 coupled to archery bow 320. In a particular embodiment, first base portion 344 is integrally formed with archery bow 320. A second base portion 346 is coupled to first base portion 344 and configured to facilitate retaining a collar 350, as described below, properly positioned within slot 332. In a particular embodiment, second base portion 346 is movable, such as rotationally, pivotally and/or translationally movable, with respect to first base portion 344 to facilitate positioning collar 350 within slot 332, as desired, such that collar 350 is movable within slot 332 with respect to or about longitudinal axis 324, lateral axis 326 and/or z-axis 328.
Collar 350 is positioned within slot 332 and an end portion of collar 350 is positionable within a passage (not shown in FIG. 17) defined within second base portion 346. As shown in FIG. 17, collar 350 defines a second passage 356 within which an archery component, such as a bow stabilizer, is removably positioned. In the exemplary embodiment, collar 350 includes a head portion 358 that is positioned within slot 332 to facilitate guiding movement of collar 350 within slot 332 to facilitate preventing or limiting undesirable movement of collar 350 within slot 332 and/or undesirable movement of base 342 within bore 330. Collar 350 is positioned within slot 332 to facilitate moving a component to adjust an angular position of the component with respect to z-axis 328.
Referring further to FIG. 17, first base portion 344 is coupled within bore 330 or integrated with archery bow 320 to at least partially define bore 330. Second base portion 346 is coupled to first base portion 344 using any suitable fastener or coupling mechanism known to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided. In one embodiment, second base portion 346 is movably coupled to first base portion 344 using a suitable screw or pin 360. Additionally or alternatively, second base portion 346 is compression fitted to first base portion 344. With second base portion 346 coupled first base portion 344, collar 350 is positioned within slot 332 such that the end portion extends into the passage to secure collar 350 within slot 332.
In one embodiment, second base portion 346 is pivotally movable about lateral axis 326. In this embodiment, archery bow 320 is configured to enable a user to select an orientation of the component with respect to longitudinal axis 324, lateral axis 326 and/or z-axis 328 of archery bow 320. In one embodiment, the component includes a sight, a vibration dampener and/or a stabilizer, for example. In alternative embodiments, any suitable component may be coupled to archery bow 320. In a further embodiment, base 342 and the component are collinear.
A bow stabilizer, such as bow stabilizer 40 (not shown in FIG. 17), includes a shaft that is removably coupled to base 342. In one embodiment, the shaft is threadedly coupled to base 342. In this embodiment, the shaft first end forms a helical thread that is threadedly received within complementary passage 356 defined within collar 350. In an alternative embodiment, the shaft first end is compression fitted or friction fitted within passage 356. The bow stabilizer also includes a body coupled to or integrated with the shaft, such as at a second end of the shaft opposing the first end.
In one embodiment, base 342 is pivotally mounted or positioned within archery bow 20 to position shaft 44, shown in FIG. 1, at a selected angular position with respect to z-axis 328. More specifically, second base portion 346 is pivotally movable with respect to first base portion 344 about lateral axis 326 to position the component at a selected angular position with respect to archery bow 320. Referring further to FIG. 4, shaft 44 is movable to an angular position α Angular position α may be any suitable angular position, such as between about 0° and about +/−75° with respect to z-axis 328. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that the angular position of shaft 44 with respect to z-axis 328 can be limited to any suitable angle range. In a particular embodiment, with shaft 44 at the selected angular position, shaft 44 is rotated in a clockwise direction shown by directional arrow 54 in FIG. 1 about an axis of shaft 44 to selectively lock or retain base 42 stationary within bore 330 such that shaft 44 is retained at the selected angular position with respect to z-axis 328. Shaft 44 is rotated in an opposite counter-clockwise direction to allow the angular position of shaft 44 to be adjusted, as desired.
In a further embodiment, a locking mechanism (not shown in FIG. 17) is operatively coupled to base 342 and configured to fixedly position second base portion 346 with respect to first base portion 344 within bore 230 to selectively retain shaft 44 at an angular position with respect to z-axis 328. In a particular embodiment, a plurality of cooperating apertures are defined within first base portion 344 and second base portion 346. With the angular position of shaft 44 selected, the locking mechanism includes a pin that is positioned within the aligned cooperating base apertures. In a particular embodiment, the pin is threadedly engaged within the archery bore aperture and/or the aligned base apertures. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that the locking mechanism may include any suitable component or mechanism that is configured to secure base 342 within bore 330 and retain shaft 44 in a desired angular position with respect to z-axis 328.
Exemplary embodiments of a method and apparatus for coupling an archery component or element, such as a bow stabilizer or vibration dampener, to an archery bow are described above in detail. The method and apparatus are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, steps of the method and/or components of the apparatus may be utilized independently and separately from other steps and/or components described herein. Further, the described method steps and/or apparatus components can also be defined in, or used in combination with, other methods and/or apparatus, and are not limited to practice with only the method and apparatus as described herein.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
