Archery Bow Cable Guard

Abstract

A guide member for use with an archery bow. The guide member includes a pair of longitudinally extending slots each of said slots sized to receive and contain a cable of the archery bow. The guide member further includes a mounting structure used to secure the guide member to the archery bow. The slots can be parallel to the plane of the bowstring or they can be at an angle with respect to the plane of the bowstring.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/496,396, filed Jun. 13, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to archery bows and, more particularly, to a cable guard for use with an archery bow.

2. Description of Related Art

Compound archery bows include pulleys or cams at each end of the bow limbs. Cables extending between the respective pulleys or cams are located next to one another near the midpoint of the bow. Such an arrangement may interfere with the passage of an arrow. Accordingly, a cable guard is used to offset the cables from the plane of the bowstring and bow structure such that they will not interfere with an arrow during draw or flight. The cable guard operates so as to push the cables sufficiently away from the bowstring and provide the necessary clearance for arrow passage.

One type of cable guard includes a plastic member slidably received on a cylindrical member or rod extending rearwardly from the bow structure and spaced laterally from the plane of the bowstring and bow structure. The plastic member typically includes two apertures, one for each cable. Each aperture having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the cable. Wherein as the bow is drawn the force of the cable on the cable guard causes the cable guard to slide along the cylindrical member or rod with the cables sliding through the respective apertures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cable guard for a compound archery bow. The cable guard includes a member having a plurality of longitudinally extending slots or tracks. The member is supported on a positioning rod connected to the body of the archery bow. Wherein the cables move back and forth within the slots or tracks.

The present invention further includes orienting the longitudinally extending slots or tracks at an angle with respect to the plane of the bowstring and bow structure.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an archery bow having a cable guard according to the present invention attached thereto.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the archery bow and attached cable guard according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the archery bow cable guard according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the archery bow cable guard according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the archery bow cable guard according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the archery bow cable guard according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the archery bow cable guard according to the present invention taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the archery bow cable guard according to the present invention illustrating the cables in both a rest/static position and a drawn position, with the drawn position illustrated in dotted lines.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the archery bow cable guard according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the archery bow cable guard according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cable guard, seen generally at 10, is used in connection with an archery bow 12. The archery bow 12 includes a pair of cables 14, 16 and a bowstring 18 connected to and extending between opposite cams or pulleys 20, 22 located at the respective free ends of bow limbs 24, 26. A positioning rod 28 is connected to the archery bow 12 and extends rearwardly, toward the bowstring 18. As illustrated, the cable guard 10 is located on the positioning rod 28 and deflects or offsets the cables 14, 16 from the plane of the bowstring 18 to prevent contact of the arrow with the cables 14, 16 upon the drawing and firing of the archery bow 12. Further, the cable guard 10 operates to separate the cables 14, 16 from each other to minimize wear on the cables 14, 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cable guard 10 includes a guard member 30 secured to the positioning rod 28. The guard member 30 has a rectangular block shape having a front end 32, a rear end 34, an inner or first side surface 36, an outer or second side surface 38, a top or upper surface 40 and a bottom or lower surface 42. As set forth herein the front end 32 is the end closest to the archery bow structure 12 and the rear end 34 is closer to the bowstring 18. The inner side surface 36 is closer to the bowstring 18 with the outer side surface 38 having a mounting structure, seen generally at 44, used to secure the guard member 30 to the positioning rod 28.

As used herein with respect to the guard member 30, the term longitudinal means extending in the general direction of the axis of the guard member 30 extending from the front end 32 toward the rear end 34. The guard member 30 includes two longitudinal slots or tracks 46, 48 extending between the front end 32 and rear end 34 and between the top surface 40 and the bottom surface 42. Each of the longitudinal slots or tracks 46, 48 include inner engagement surfaces 50, 52. Depending upon the particular bow, the guard member 30 is approximately 2½ to 3 inches long with the slots or tracks 46, 48 extending substantially the entire length of the guard member 30. As illustrated, the guard member 30 has a reduced thickness in the area of the longitudinal slots or tracks 46, 48. The reduced thickness is shown as a tapered portion extending from the mounting structure 44 and outer side surface 38 in an inward direction toward the inner side surface 36. Reducing the thickness correspondingly reduces the size of the inner surfaces 50, 52 of the longitudinal slots or tracks 46, 48 contacted by the cables 14, 16 which correspondingly reduces friction and wear.

The mounting structure 44 as illustrated herein includes various embodiments. As set forth in FIG. 3-7, the mounting structure 44 includes a first set of upper and lower ear members 54, 56, a second set of upper and lower ear members 58, 60 and a substantially cylindrical aperture or bore 62 extending longitudinally between the first and second set of upper and lower ear members 54-60. As illustrated, a gap or space 64 extends between the respective upper and lower ear members 54, 56 and a gap or space 66 extends between the upper and lower inner members 58, 60. In addition both the first and second sets of upper and lower ear members 54-60 each include a transverse bore 68, 70. With the transverse bore 68 extending from the upper or top surface 72 of the upper ear member 54 to the lower or bottom surface 74 of the lower ear member 56 and the transverse bore 70 extending from the upper or top surface 76 of the upper ear member 58 to the lower or bottom surface 78 of the lower ear member 60.

The transverse bore 68 includes a countersunk portion 80 located on the upper or top surface 72 of the upper ear member 54. The transverse bore 70 also includes a countersunk portion 82 on the upper or top surface 76 of the upper ear member 58. Threaded fasteners 84, 86, see FIGS. 3 and 7, extend through the respective transverse bores 68, 70 located in the upper ear members 54, 58 and are threadably received in the lower ear members 56, 60. The first and second set of upper and lower ear members 54-60 operate in a clamshell fashion whereby as the respective threaded fasteners 84, 86 are tightened, the upper and lower ear members 54-60 are drawn together closing the respective gaps 64, 66 thereby reducing the diameter of the cylindrical aperture or bore 62.

Accordingly, the guard member 30 is mounted to the positioning rod 28 by sliding the positioning rod 28 through the cylindrical aperture or bore 62 and tightening the threaded fasteners 84, 86 to clamp the guide member 30 in the proper location on the positioning rod 28. The transverse bores 68, 70 located in the respective lower ear members 56, 60 need not be threaded depending upon the material used to form the guard member 30. While disclosed as threaded fasteners 84, 86, the upper and lower ear members 54-60 can be secured to the positioning rod 28 using other types of connectors, clamps or compressive fasteners. Self-threading type fasteners that screw into the transverse bores 68, 70 located in the respective lower ear members 56, 60 may also be used. In addition, other mounting structures could be used to secure the guard member 30 to the positioning rod 28 and the mounting structure 44 should not be limited to the ear members 54-60 disclosed herein.

As illustrated, the respective cables 14, 16 are contained in the slots or tracks 46, 48 wherein the length of the slots or tracks 46, 48 is such that the cables 14, 16 are unrestricted or free to move longitudinally, toward and away from the bowstring 18 in the respective slots or tracks 46, 48, as the archery bow 12 is drawn and released in the direction illustrated by arrow 88.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cables 14, 16 are located in the slots or tracks 46, 48. The cables 14, 16 contact and slide over/on the respective inner engagement surfaces 50, 52 of the slots or tracks 46, 48. As shown, the respective slots or tracks 46, 48 also separate and space the respective cables 14, 16 from one another. Thus, the guard member 30 keeps the cables from contacting themselves or from contacting the arrow. Accordingly, the movement of each cable 14, 16 is unrestricted; that is, as the pulleys or cams 20, 22 rotate, the cables 14, 16 move independently of one another both in a direction transverse to the slots or tracks 46, 48, see directional lines/arrows 90, 92, and within the slots or tracks 46, 48, see directional lines/arrows 94, 96. Providing separate slots or tracks 46, 48 for each cable 14, 16 allows each cable 14, 16 to take a path of least resistance and act or move independently of the other cable to equalize the system throughout the draw/firing cycle.

FIG. 8 illustrates the cables 14, 16 and bowstring 18 at rest, with the dotted lines showing the cables 14, 16 in the drawn position. Typically, the cable guard 30 is mounted or secured above or below the axis or center of the bow string 18 to provide clearance for the arrow, arrow rest and arrow fletching. Accordingly, depending upon the location of the cable guard 30, the cable 14 may move a greater longitudinal distance than cable 16 during the draw/firing cycle. As shown, cable 14 moves a longitudinal distance B and cable 16 moves a longitudinal distance A, with distance B being greater than distance A. The movement of the cables 14, 16 depends upon the positioning and location of the guard member 30 and size and location of the respective cams 20, 22. As set forth above, since the cables 14, 16 are located in and able to move independently of one another within their respective slots or tracks 46, 48, the stress on the cables 14, 16 and torque on the bow structure is reduced. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the cable guard 30 remains stationary; i.e., it does not move with respect to the positioning rod 28. Instead, the cables 14, 16 moved back and forth within the slots or tracks 46, 48.

As shown, the slots or tracks 46, 48 are oriented at an angle with respect to the positioning rod 28, wherein the positioning rod 28 is typically oriented parallel to the plane of the bowstring 18. In the present embodiment, the angle is approximately 5-10°. As illustrated, the ends of the slots or tracks 46, 48 closest to the rear end 34 and therefore closest to the bowstring 18 are spaced further from the longitudinal axis of the positioning rod 28 and closer to the plane of the bowstring 18. Angling the slot or tracks 46, 48 inward toward the plane of the bowstring 18 helps to reduce the torque on the bow limbs 24 and 26 with respect to the bow riser and increases the repeatability and tunability of the archery bow 12.

The guard member 30 according to the first embodiment is a one-piece member that can be molded or machined out of a low friction plastic, polymer, carbon fiber or other nonferrous material. The guard member 30 is typically made of a plastic or composite material having a low coefficient of friction in relation to the material used to form the cables 14, 16. While the guard member 30 is illustrated with enclosed slots or tracks 46, 48 whereby the respective cables 14, 16 are installed by threading them through the slots or tracks 46, 48 it is contemplated that an opening or access groove may extend from the rear end 34 allowing the cables 14, 16 of an already assembled/strung bow be placed or inserted in the slots or tracks 46, 48. In such an instance a gate or other closed member can be placed on the rear end 34 to close the slots or tracks 46, 48 and contain the cables 14, 16 within the slots or tracks 46, 48.

FIG. 9 illustrates an additional embodiment of the present invention. The additional embodiment shows the slots or tracks 46, 48 parallel to the plane of the bowstring 18 as opposed to angled as set forth above. In addition, the guide member 30 includes an alternative mounting structure 44 having transversely extending ears members 100, 102, said ear members 100,102 being substantially planar and parallel to the respective ends 32, 34. A mounting aperture 104, 106 is located in each ear member 100, 102 and receives the positioning rod 28. In one embodiment the apertures 104, 106 are sized slightly smaller, that is they have a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the positioning rod 28 creating a compression fit to secure the guide member 30 to the positioning rod 28.

In a further embodiment the apertures 104, 106 have a diameter slightly larger than that of the positioning rod 28 whereby the guide member 30 can slide freely on the positioning rod 28. As illustrated, an end cap 108 is press fit onto the end of the positioning rod 28 to further secure the guide member to the positioning rod 28. The embodiment of FIG. 9 further illustrates that the positioning rod 28 may be offset or bent to aid in locating the cable guide 30 in a proper position relative to the position of the cables 14, 16.

Turning to a further embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10, the guard member 30 includes a pair of rotating axles or rollers 110, 112. The axles or rollers 110, 112 are rotatably secured in outwardly extending arm portions 114, 116. The axles or rollers 110, 112 may be mounted in bushings, bearings or journaled in apertures 118, 120 located in the arm portions 114, 116. The axles or rollers 110, 112 cooperate with the guard member 30 to form the longitudinal slots or tracks 46, 48. As set forth in the previous embodiment, the cables 14, 16 are contained in the slots or tracks 46, 48. Accordingly, the cables 14, 16 move back and forth independently and freely, in the direction illustrated by directional arrow 122, in the slot or track dedicated to each particular cable 14, 16. The cables 14, 16 remain in contact with the rotating axles or rollers 110, 112. Movement of the cables 14, 16, in an up-and-down direction—towards the respective cams or pulleys 20, 22 (see directional arrows 90, 92), causes the axles or rollers 110, 112 to spin or rotate rather than the cables 14, 16 sliding over/on the inner engagement surfaces 50, 52 in the up-and-down direction show by directional arrows 90, 92 as shown in FIG. 3 of the foregoing embodiment. In the present embodiment the frictional force between the cables 14, 16 and the axles or rollers 110, 112 is reduced as the cables 14, 16 only slide on the inner engagement surfaces 124, 126 of the respective axles or rollers 110, 112 in a longitudinal direction, that is toward and away from the bowstring 18, see directional arrows 94, 96 of FIG. 3, as the archery bow 12 is drawn and fired.

Incorporating two rotating axles 110, 112 helps reduce the frictional components. As set forth above, the guide member 30 can be molded or machined out of a low friction plastic, polymer, carbon fiber or nonferrous material and the rotating axles or rollers 110, 112 can be molded or machined out of a similar material. Constraining each cable 14, 16 in its own slot or track 46, 48 allows each cable 14, 16 to work independently with less friction, thereby improving the tunability of the archery bow 12.

In addition, as shown, the rotating axles or rollers 110, 112 are parallel to the positioning rod 28, which as set forth above is typically parallel to the plane of the bowstring 18. The rotating axles or rollers 110, 112 can also be offset at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the positioning rod 28. Again, offsetting the rotating axles or rollers 110, 112 helps reduce the torque in the bow limbs 24, 26.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An archery bow cable guard comprising:

a guide member, said guide member having a front end, a rear end, first and second side surfaces and upper and lower surfaces;

said guide member having first and second longitudinally extending slots, said slots extending between said front end and said rear end; and

a mounting structure located on one of said first and second side surfaces, said mounting structure used to secure said guide member to an archery bow.

2. An archery bow cable guard as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting structure of said guide member secures said guide member to a positioning rod attached to the archery bow.

3. An archery bow cable guard as set forth in claim 1, including said longitudinally extending slots arranged on an angle wherein said first and second slots each have first and second ends, with said first ends of said first and second slots being closest to said front end and said second ends of said first and second slots being closest to said rear end wherein said second ends of said first and second slots are closer to said first side surface than said first ends of said first and second slots such that when secured to an archery bow the second ends of said first and second slots are closer to a plane of the bowstring of the archery bow.

4. An archery bow cable guard as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide member further comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending cylindrical members, said longitudinally extending cylindrical members spaced to form said longitudinally extending slots.

5. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 4, wherein said longitudinally extending cylindrical members are rotatably secured to said guide member.

6. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 1, wherein said positioning rod is formed in an offset configuration.

7. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 1, wherein said first and second longitudinally extending slots are configured to slidably engage a plurality of cables on an inner surface of said first and second longitudinally extending slots.

8. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 7, wherein said first and second longitudinally extending slots are configured to allow said cables to move longitudinally in said first and second longitudinally extending slots when the archery bow is drawn.

9. An archery bow cable guard comprising:

a guide member having a front end and a rear end;

an upper surface of said guide member extending in a substantially longitudinal direction between said front end and said rear end;

a lower surface of said guide member spaced from said upper surface and extending in a substantially parallel direction to said upper surface between said front end and said rear end;

a first slot extending in a longitudinal direction between said front end and said rear end and through said upper surface and said lower surface;

a second slot extending in a longitudinal direction between said front end and said rear end and through said upper surface and said lower surface;

said first slot and said second slot extending parallel to each other; and

a mounting structure located on said guide member, said mounting structure used to secure said guide member to an archery bow.

10. An archery bow cable guard as set forth in claim 9, including said first and second slots arranged on an angle wherein said first and second slots each have first and second ends, with said first ends of said first and second slots being closest to said front end and said second ends of said first and second slots being closest to said rear end wherein said second ends of said first and second slots are closer to said first side surface than said first ends of said first and second slots such that when secured to an archery bow the second ends of said first and second slots are closer to a plane of the bowstring of the archery bow.

11. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 10, wherein said first and second longitudinally extending slots are configured to slidably engage a plurality of cables on an inner surface of said first and second longitudinally extending slots.

12. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 11, wherein said first and second longitudinally extending slots are configured to allow said cables to move longitudinally in said first and second longitudinally extending slots when the archery bow is drawn.

13. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 9, wherein said guide member further includes a plurality of longitudinally extending cylindrical members, said longitudinally extending cylindrical members configured to form said longitudinally extending slots.

14. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 13, wherein said longitudinally extending cylindrical members are rotatably secured to said guide member.

15. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 12, wherein a plurality of cables are located in said first and second longitudinally extending slots.

16. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 15, wherein said plurality of cables deflect at different rates in said first and second longitudinally extending slots when said archery bow is drawn back to a firing position.

17. A method for firing an arrow from an archery bow, including the steps of:

placing an arrow on the bow string;

pulling back the bow string and arrow;

providing a guide member, said guide member having a front end, a rear end, first and second side surfaces and upper and lower surfaces, said guide member further including first and second longitudinally extending slots, said slots extending between said front end and said rear end;

placing a first cable in said first longitudinally extending slot and a second cable in said second longitudinally extending slot whereby said cable guard keeps said first and second cables in separate planes so as to not come in to contact with each other; and

said first and second cables move independent of one another in the longitudinal direction in the first and second longitudinally extending slots and at different rates in said first and second longitudinally extending slots when said archery bow is drawn to a firing position.

18. The method of claim 17 including the step of providing said guide member with said first and second longitudinally extending slots arranged on an angle wherein said first and second slots each have first and second ends, with said first ends of said first and second slots being closest to said front end and said second ends of said first and second slots being closest to said rear end wherein said second ends of said first and second slots are closer to said first side surface than said first ends of said first and second slots such when the archery bow is drawn to a firing position the first and second cables are closer to a plane of the bowstring of the archery bow.