ARROW HOLDER

Abstract

A system and method are presented for using an arrow holder to properly position an arrow relative to a bow such that the arrow does not dislodge prematurely. An arrow holder may include a body comprising a lower and upper surface. An arrow holder may include a first portion and a second portion coupled to the upper surface of the body such that the first and second portions and the upper surface of the body form a channel. The channel may be sized such that at least a majority of a shaft of an arrow is positionable in the channel during use. An arrow holder may include at least one flexible restraining member. At least one of the restraining members may inhibit the shaft of the arrow positioned in the channel from being removed. An arrow holder may include a coupling system which couples the arrow holder to a bow.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/330,373 entitled “ARROW HOLDER” filed on May 2, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure generally relates to a device for holding an arrow with respect to an archery bow. More particularly, the disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for a device for holding an arrow when the arrow is loaded on a bow string of an archery bow in an undrawn state.

2. Description of the Relevant Art

The use of a bow and arrow for hunting has become increasingly popular. Most hunters would agree that bow hunting is a much greater challenge than hunting with a modern rifle or pistol. Typically operation of a bow and arrow requires drawing an arrow back by using a finger to hold the arrow against the bow. The user then removes their finger prior to releasing the arrow.

This now outdated method has several inherent problems associated with it. Modern (e.g., shorter and lighter) arrows may increase the chances of accidents during release which may result in injury of the user or at least a wayward shot. In addition, a hunter using a bow must keep an arrow ready to launch at all times. To hold an arrow against a bow for an extended period can lead to obvious discomfort and fatigue for the user, potentially reducing enjoyment and/or the chances of a successful hunt, as well as, increasing the chances of an accident.

In modern bow hunting, a variety of arrow rests are available to hunters to assist in overcoming at least some of the mentioned problems. An arrow rest may function to hold the arrow in position and support the arrow until the user fires the arrow from the bow at an intended target. There are many different arrow rests available to modern bow hunters. Arrow rests available include shoot-thru arrow rests, containment arrow rests, pressure arrow rests, and drop away arrow rests. Some of the arrow rests do not engage an arrow when the arrow is loaded on the bow string of an archery bow in an undrawn state, resulting in the same problems associated with using a finger to hold the arrow against the bow.

To address these problems different arrow holders have been designed for use by hunters which hold the arrow in position when the arrow is loaded on the bow string of an archery bow in an undrawn state. Problems exist with the currently used arrow holders. Many arrow holders have a cavity which fits around at least part of a shaft of the arrow holding it in position using a friction fit. This friction fit is typically tight not allowing any movement of the arrow itself. Inhibiting all movement of the arrow can lead to problems while a hunter moves around during use, especially in heavy brush. If the arrow hits something while positioned in the arrow holder, the arrow may easily dislodge and pop out of the arrow holder at inopportune moments. If the arrow holder holds the arrow tight enough to stop accidental dislodgement, then it may be to difficult for, for example, an arrow rest to easily disengage the arrow from the arrow rest when it comes time to shoot the arrow. New arrow holders are needed to properly position an arrow relative to a bow such that the arrow does not dislodge prematurely due to unexpected jarring.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, an arrow rest system may include an arrow holder. The arrow holder may include a body. The body may include a lower surface and an upper surface. The body of the arrow holder may be formed from a polymer. The body, the first portion, and the second portion may be formed as a single unit.

In some embodiments, the arrow holder may include a first part of a first portion and a first part of a second portion coupled to the upper surface of the body such that the first and second portions and the upper surface of the body form a channel. In some embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are substantially parallel. In some embodiments, the channel may be sized such that at least a majority of a shaft of an arrow is positionable in the channel during use. A cross-section of the channel may include a shape which is substantially equivalent to at least a portion of a cross-section of a shaft of an arrow. The channel may allow at least some translational movement along the channel, during use, of a shaft of an arrow positioned in the channel.

In some embodiments, the arrow holder may include at least one flexible restraining member. At least one of the restraining members may be coupled to a second part of the first portion or a second part of the second portion such that when the shaft of the arrow is positioned in the channel the arrow is inhibited, by the flexible restraining member, from being removed. At least one of the flexible restraining members may include a plurality of flexible elongated members. At least one of the flexible restraining members may include a plurality of flexible bristles.

In some embodiments, the arrow holder may include at least two flexible restraining members. At least one of the restraining members may be coupled to a second part of the first portion and at least one of the restraining members may be coupled to a second part of the second portion. The restraining members coupled to the second part of the first portion and the second portion may be oriented spatially toward each other such that the restraining members substantially cover the channel.

In some embodiments, the arrow holder may include a coupling system for coupling, during use, the lower surface of the body of the arrow holder to a surface of a bow. The coupling system may include a self-adhesive composition positioned on at least a portion of the lower surface. The coupling system may include a hook and loop material. The coupling system may include at least one opening in the body of the arrow holder through which an elongated member may be positioned during use. The elongated member may couple the arrow holder to the bow during use.

In some embodiments, an arrow rest system may include an arrow rest. The arrow rest, during use, may convey an arrow positioned in the channel out of the channel past the flexible restraining member to a full draw position wherein the arrow is ready to discharge.

In some embodiments, a method may include positioning a shaft of an arrow in a channel of an arrow holder coupled to a bow. The channel of the arrow holder may be formed by an upper surface of a body, a first portion, and a second portion of the arrow holder. A first part of the first portion and a first part of the second portion may be coupled to the upper surface of the body.

In some embodiments, the method may include allowing at least some translational movement along the channel of the shaft of the arrow positioned in the channel.

In some embodiments, the method may include inhibiting the arrow from being removed from the channel using at least one flexible restraining member coupled to a second part of the first portion or a second part of the second portion.

In some embodiments, the method may include coupling a lower surface of the body of the arrow holder to a surface of a bow using a coupling system.

In some embodiments, the method may include conveying the arrow positioned in the channel out of the channel past the flexible restraining member to a full draw position using an arrow rest.

In some embodiments, the method may include conveying the arrow positioned in the channel out of the channel past the flexible restraining member to a full draw position using an arrow rest. The method may include discharging the arrow from the bow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art with the benefit of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a representation of an embodiment of a cross-sectional view of an arrow holder.

FIG. 2 depicts a representation of an embodiment of an end view of an arrow holder.

FIG. 3 depicts a representation of an embodiment of a top view of an arrow holder.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and may herein be described in detail. The drawings may not be to scale. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood the present invention is not limited to particular devices or biological systems, which may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include singular and plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a linker” includes one or more linkers.

DEFINITIONS

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The term “distal” as used herein generally refers to an end or region of an item situated farthest from a point of attachment or origin, wherein a point of origin refers to an end nearest to an operator or user of the item during use of the item.

The term “proximal” as used herein generally refers to an end or region of an item situated nearest to a point of attachment or origin, wherein a point of origin refers to an end nearest to an operator or user of the item during use of the item.

New arrow holders are needed to properly position an arrow relative to a bow such that the arrow does not dislodge prematurely due to unexpected jarring when the arrow is loaded on the bow string of an archery bow in an undrawn state during use. In some embodiments, arrow holders may be used in combination with an arrow rest. In some embodiments, arrow holders may be used in combination with an arrow rest which does not engage an arrow when the arrow is loaded on the bow string of an archery bow in an undrawn state. In some embodiments, arrow holders may be used in combination with a drop away arrow rest. Throughout the description when an arrow is referred to as being loaded on a bow string, the arrow may not necessarily be in contact with the bow string but the arrow is at least perpendicular to the bow string with the proximal end positioned adjacent to the bow string.

There are many different arrow rests available to modern bow hunters. Arrow rests available include shoot-thru arrow rests, containment arrow rests, pressure arrow rests, and drop away arrow rests. The shoot-thru arrow rest (prong rest) typically has two prongs creating a cradle for the arrow. The arrow sits on top between the two prongs. These prongs are typically spring-loaded. Being spring-loaded allows the prongs to flex down and forward at the moment of the shot to prevent flight disruptions, as well as, providing clearance for the arrow fletching. After the shot, the prongs return to their original position. The bottom feather of the fletching passes between the two prongs when you shoot the arrow. When the arrow-nock and rest-prong alignment is correct, the bottom feather passes cleanly thru the two prongs without making any substantial contact.

Containment style arrow rests substantially reduce the possibility of an arrow dislodging from the rest. They are typically regarded as easy to install and easy to tune. Containment style arrow rests either encircle the arrow or engage the arrow at three points, rigidly holding the arrow until it is shot. Containment arrow rests allow inexperienced shooters to focus on their technique and the shot, rather than worrying about the arrow dislodging from the arrow rest. Unfortunately, with repeated shooting, this type of rest eventually wrinkles vanes and tatters the edges of feathers.

A pressure arrow rest is a special type of rest that applies pressure from the side in order to assist in counteracting the horizontal oscillation of an arrow when released with fingers (as opposed to using a mechanical release). Pressure rests will allow finger shooters to adjust the amount of pressure the rest exerts on the arrow. Some pressure arrow rests may only work with a center-shot cutaway riser bow. Some Pressure Rests won't have enough horizontal travel to accommodate the center-shot on an older bow.

A drop away arrow rests are designed to drop out of the way upon releasing an arrow, and eliminate concerns about the fletching of the released arrow clearing the arrow rest and/or an arrow shelf of the bow. At full draw of the string of the bow, a drop away arrow rest holds the arrow firmly in position, but when the bow fires, the drop away arrow rest moves down and out of the path of the arrow. This allows even the largest helical fletchings to pass by the arrow shelf without contact. Most drop away arrow rests have large notches or prongs that cradle arrows much better than shoot-thru rests, so there's less chance the arrow will fall off a drop away arrow rest. Drop away arrow rests are very popular among bow hunters currently.

In some embodiments, an arrow rest system may include an arrow holder. FIGS. 1-3 depict a representation of an embodiment of arrow holder 100. FIG. 1 depicts a representation of an embodiment of a cross-sectional view of arrow holder 100 with a portion of arrow 102 positioned in the arrow holder. FIG. 2 depicts a representation of an embodiment of an end view of arrow holder 100 with a portion of arrow 102 positioned in the arrow holder. FIG. 3 depicts a representation of an embodiment of a top view of arrow holder 100.

In some embodiments, arrow holder 100 may include body 104, first portion 106, second portion 108, and at least one flexible restraining member 110. Body 104 of arrow holder 100 may include lower surface 112 and upper surface 114. First part 106A of first portion 106 may be coupled to upper surface 114 of body 104. First part 108A of second portion 108 may be coupled to upper surface 114 of body 104. The first portion and the second portion may be coupled to the upper surface of the body of the arrow holder such that the first portion, the second portion, and the upper surface of the body form channel 116. The first portion and the second portion may be coupled to the upper surface of the body of the arrow holder such that the first portion and the second portion are substantially parallel to one another.

The channel may be sized such that at least a majority of a shaft of an arrow is positionable in the channel during use. The channel may be sized such that a head (for example, a broadhead, where the head of the arrow is larger than the shaft of the arrow) of the arrow is inhibited from being positioned in the channel. The channel may be sized such that any fletching of the arrow is inhibited from being positioned in the channel. In some embodiments, a cross-section of at least a portion of the channel has a shape which is substantially equivalent to a cross-section of at least a portion of a shaft of an arrow. The channel may be sized relative to the shaft of the arrow to allow at least some translational movement of the shaft along the channel. In some embodiment, allowing translational movement of the shaft along the channel may be critical to the functioning of the arrow holder.

In some embodiments, the body, the first portion, and the second portion are formed as a single unit. In some embodiments, the body, the first portion, and/or the second portion may be formed from a natural material (e.g., wood, metal) and/or a synthetic material (e.g., a polymeric material).

In some embodiments, arrow holder 100 may include at least one restraining member 110. The restraining member may be flexible. A restraining member may inhibit a shaft of an arrow from being removed from the channel once the shaft is positioned in the channel. At least one restraining member 110 may be coupled to second part 106B of first portion 106. At least one restraining member 110 may be coupled to second part 108B of first portion 108.

In some embodiments, restraining members may include flexible sheet of natural and/or synthetic materials.

In some embodiments, at least one of the flexible restraining members comprises a plurality of flexible elongated members. Flexible elongated members may be formed from a polymeric material. Flexible elongated members may include bristles. Bristles may be formed from natural or synthetic materials.

The bristles may be formed by melt extruding various thermoplastic polymeric materials through shaped extrusion orifices in various dies. Thermoplastic polymeric compositions suitable for the bristles may include synthetic linear condensation polyamides. Synthetic polyamides may include those which are of sufficient molecular weight to be fiber-forming such as: polycaprolactam, polyhexamethylene adipamide, polyhexamethylene sebacamide, the polyamide formed from 1,4, (cis)cyclohexane-bis(methylarnine) and adipic acid; the polyamide from m-xylene diamine and adipic acid; the polyamide from 3,5 dimethyl hexamethylene diamine and terephthalic acid; the polyamide from 2,5 dimethyl piperazine and adipyl chloride. In some embodiments, the number average molecular weight of the polymer used for the bristles may be in excess of 10,000 and may be greater than 30,000 to provide the strength and stiffness needed in a bristle. Commercial polyamides may include nylon 6,6; nylon 6,10 and nylon 6,12. Polyesters that may be suited for the bristles include polybutylene terphthalate and polyethylene terephtalate.

Examples of other thermoplastic polymeric compositions from which the bristles of this invention may be formed include: polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyacrylics such as polyalcrylonitrite, polyacrylamide, copolymers of acrylonitrile with methyl methacrylate, etc.; polyvinyl chloride and copolymers of vinyl chloride with other vinyl monomers, polymers of fluorinated olefins such as polytetrafluoroethylene; polystyrene; and the like.

The overall diameter, or maximum cross-section for the bristles of may be between about 4 and 30 mils. The bristles may generally extend from between about 8 and 15 mm.

In some embodiments, an arrow holder may include at least two flexible restraining members or at least two pluralities of flexible restraining members. At least one of restraining members 110 may be coupled to second part 106B of first portion 106 and at least one of restraining members 110 is coupled to second part 108B of second portion 108. The restraining members coupled to the second part of the first portion and the second portion may be oriented spatially toward each other such that the restraining members substantially cover the channel (as depicted at least in FIG. 3). At least some of the restraining members coupled to the first portion and at least some of the restraining members coupled to the second portion may be oriented towards each other and may contact each other over the channel (e.g., substantially in the middle of the channel). In some embodiments, at least some of the restraining members may be oriented at an angle directed away from the upper surface of the body.

In some embodiments, arrow holder 100 may include a coupling system. The coupling system may couple the lower surface of the body of the arrow holder to a surface of a bow. In some embodiments, a coupling system may include a self-adhesive composition positioned on at least a portion of the lower surface of the body of the arrow holder. Suitable self-adhesive compositions include all basic types of pressure-sensitive adhesive, for example, acrylates (including water-soluble and water-insoluble), natural rubber compositions, synthetic rubber compositions, and dispersions thereof. In some embodiments, the coupling system may include a hook and loop material. In some embodiments, the coupling system may include at least one opening in the body of the arrow holder through which an elongated member may be positioned. The elongated member may couple the arrow holder to the bow during use.

In some embodiments, an arrow rest system may include an arrow rest. The arrow rest may convey an arrow positioned in a channel out of the channel past the flexible restraining member to a full draw position wherein the arrow is ready to discharge. Arrow rests may include commercially available shoot-thru arrow rests, containment arrow rests, pressure arrow rests, and drop away arrow rests.

In this patent, certain U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other materials (e.g., articles) have been incorporated by reference. The text of such U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other materials is, however, only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such text and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, then any such conflicting text in such incorporated by reference U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other materials is specifically not incorporated by reference in this patent.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims

1. An arrow rest system, comprising:

an arrow holder comprising: a body comprising a lower surface and an upper surface; a first part of a first portion and a first part of a second portion coupled to the upper surface of the body such that the first and second portions and the upper surface of the body form a channel, wherein the channel is sized such that at least a majority of a shaft of an arrow is positionable in the channel during use; at least one flexible restraining member, wherein at least one of the restraining members is coupled to a second part of the first portion or a second part of the second portion such that when the shaft of the arrow is positioned in the channel the arrow is inhibited, by the flexible restraining member, from being removed; and a coupling system for coupling, during use, the lower surface of the body of the arrow holder to a surface of a bow.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible restraining members comprises a plurality of flexible elongated members.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible restraining members comprises a plurality of flexible bristles.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the channel is has a shape which is substantially equivalent to at least a portion of a shaft of an arrow.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the channel allows at least some translational movement along the channel, during use, of a shaft of an arrow positioned in the channel.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least two flexible restraining members.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least two flexible restraining members, wherein at least one of the restraining members is coupled to a second part of the first portion and at least one of the restraining members is coupled to a second part of the second portion.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least two flexible restraining members, wherein at least one of the restraining members is coupled to a second part of the first portion and at least one of the restraining members is coupled to a second part of the second portion, and wherein the restraining members coupled to the second part of the first portion and the second portion are oriented spatially toward each other such that the restraining members substantially cover the channel.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are substantially parallel.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an arrow rest.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising an arrow rest which, during use, conveys an arrow positioned in the channel out of the channel past the flexible restraining member.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising an arrow rest which, during use, conveys an arrow positioned in the channel out of the channel past the flexible restraining member to a full draw position wherein the arrow is ready to discharge.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling system comprises a self-adhesive composition positioned on at least a portion of the lower surface.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling system comprises a hook and loop material.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling system comprises at least one opening in the body of the arrow holder through which an elongated member may be positioned during use, and wherein the elongated member couples the arrow holder to the bow during use.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein at least the body of the arrow holder is formed from a polymer.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the body, the first portion, and the second portion are formed as a single unit.

18. An arrow rest system, comprising:

an arrow holder comprising: a body comprising a lower surface and an upper surface; a first part of a first portion and a first part of a second portion coupled to the upper surface of the body such that the first and second portions and the upper surface of the body form a channel, wherein the channel is sized such that at least a majority of a shaft of an arrow is positionable in the channel during use; and at least two flexible restraining members, wherein at least one of the restraining members is coupled to a second part of the first portion and at least one of the restraining members is coupled to a second part of the second portion, and wherein the restraining members coupled to the second part of the first portion and the second portion are oriented spatially toward each other such that when the shaft of the arrow is positioned in the channel the arrow is inhibited, by the flexible restraining members, from being removed, wherein the channel and the at least two flexible restraining members allow at least some translational movement along the channel, during use, of a shaft of an arrow positioned in the channel, and wherein at least one of the flexible restraining members comprises a plurality of flexible elongated members.

19. A method, comprising:

positioning a shaft of an arrow in a channel of an arrow holder coupled to a bow, wherein the channel of the arrow holder is formed by an upper surface of a body, a first portion and a second portion of the arrow holder, wherein a first part of the first portion and a first part of the second portion are coupled to the upper surface of the body;

allowing at least some translational movement along the channel of the shaft of the arrow positioned in the channel; and

inhibiting the arrow from being removed from the channel using at least one flexible restraining member coupled to a second part of the first portion or a second part of the second portion.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising coupling a lower surface of the body of the arrow holder to a surface of a bow using a coupling system.