DEVICE FOR HOLDING A BOW UPRIGHT

Abstract

The subject matter disclosed in this specification pertains to a device for holding a bow upright. The device has two elongated with a connecting hinge. The hinge may be adjusted such that angle between the elongated posts. A hole is provided in the hinge that permits a faster to extend through the hole and into a threaded hole of a bow riser. The bow is held upright by being supported on a portion of the first elongated post, a portion of the second elongated post and a portion of the lower riser.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/635,920 (filed Apr. 20, 2012) and U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/789,713 (filed Mar. 15, 2013) the entirety of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a device for holding a bow in an upright position.

When not in use, bows are traditionally stored in a storage case, a storage rack or hung in an upright position from a mount. When hunting in the field, such cases, racks or mounts are typically not available. Hunters must place the bow on the ground or otherwise place the bow at an angle against a nearby object, such as a tree. This risks damaging the bow and exposes the string, cam and limb pockets to dirt and other debris. It also places the bow at risk of being stepped on. It would therefore be desirable to provide an alternate mechanism for holding a bow upright while the hunter is in the field.

The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One or more support structures extend from an attachment point of a compound bow to the ground allowing the bow to stand in an upright position.

The subject matter disclosed in this specification pertains to a device for holding a bow upright. The device has two elongated with a connecting hinge. The hinge may be adjusted such that angle between the elongated posts. A hole is provided in the hinge that permits a faster to extend through the hole and into a threaded hole of a bow riser. The bow is held upright by being supported on a portion of the first elongated post, a portion of the second elongated post and a portion of the lower riser.

This brief description of the invention is intended only to provide a brief overview of subject matter disclosed herein according to one or more illustrative embodiments, and does not serve as a guide to interpreting the claims or to define or limit the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the appended claims. This brief description is provided to introduce an illustrative selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This brief description is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features of the invention can be understood, a detailed description of the invention may be had by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of the invention encompasses other equally effective embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the features of certain embodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views. Thus, for further understanding of the invention, reference can be made to the following detailed description, read in connection with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a profile view of a bow with an exemplary device for holding a bow upright;

FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D depict the components of exemplary first and second posts of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C provide depictions of the other components of a hinge of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts the hinge in an assembled state;

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a ledge adjacent a flat side of one of the components of the hinge; and

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are cross-sections of an exemplary hinge while FIG. 7C provide a cross-section of an exemplary bolt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a profile view of a bow 100. Bow 100 comprises a riser 102, an upper limb 104 and a lower limb 106, each of which terminates in a respective cam 108, 110. The bow 100 comprises a grip 112 disposed below an arrow rest 114. Limb bolts connect the limbs 104, 106 to the riser 102. Disposed between the grip 112 and the lower limb 106 is a threaded hole 116 that, in a conventional bow, receives a stabilizer. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the stabilizer has been replaced with a device 200 for holding a bow upright. The device 200 comprises a first post 202 and a second post 204. The first post 202 and the second post 204 are connected to one another by a hinge 206. The length of the first post 202 and second post 204 are selected such that, with the proper adjustment of an angle provided by the hinge 206, the first post 202, second post 204 an a lower portion of the bow (e.g. cam 110 and/or lower limb 106). In one embodiment, the first post 202 and the second post 204 comprise two or more segments joined together by screw/thread fasteners. For example, a threaded screw at the end of a first segment may be attached to a threaded hole at the end of a second segment. The first segment and second segment are then attached to form, for example, the first post 202. This provides flexibility with regard to the length of the first post 202 and second post 204. By providing several segments of various lengths, many types and styles of bows may utilize the device 200.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D depict the components of the exemplary first post 202 and second post 204 in further detail. Each post 202, 204 comprises an elongated rod 206 that terminates on one end with a fastener 208 and on the other end with a foot 216. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the fastener 208 is a threaded screw. Each post 202, 204 further comprises a rounded head 210, 211, respectively, with a threaded opening 212 on a flat lateral edge 220 of the rounded head. Other suitable openings may also be provided, depending on the nature of the fastener 208. For example, a snap-fit connector may be used. A hole 214 is provided in the rounded head 210 for receiving a bolt or other similar fastener. The fastener 208 securely engages with the opening 212 to hold the rounded head 210 and the respective post 202, 204 together. In another embodiment, a threaded opening is provided in the end of the post 202, 204 and a fastener 208 is present on a lateral edge of the rounded head. Other suitable mechanisms for attaching the rounded head 210 with a respective post 202, 204 would be apparent to those skilled in the art after benefitting from reading this specification. The foot 216 may be the endpoint of the post or may be a cap placed over the end of the post to provide a blunt surface. In some embodiments, a footpad is provided to function as the foot 216.

The rounded heads 210, 211 have a curved outer surfaces. For example, rounded head 210 is depicted in FIGS. 2B to 2D. Rounded head 211 has a substantially circular circumference 218 except for the flat lateral edge 220. The flat bottom edge 222, which is perpendicular the flat lateral edge 220, is also flat. The curved top surface 224, which is opposite the bottom edge 222, is curved. The rounded heads 210, 211 have a substantially similar construction and are generally interchangeable. The curved top surface of the rounded heads 210, 211, in conjunction with other components of hinge 206, provide a hinge-like motion. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C provide depictions of the other components of hinge 206.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show alternate views of an inner adaptor 300. The inner adaptor 300 has a flat side 302 and a curved side 304, opposite the flat side 302. A hole 306 passes through both sides. In use, flat side 302 is disposed against the riser 102 proximate the threaded hole 116. Since conventional bows have flat surfaces near threaded hole 116, the flat side 302 securely mates with such conventional bows. The curved side 304 has a curvature configured to mate with the curved top surface 224 of the rounded head 210 or 211. See FIG. 3C.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show alternate views of an outer adaptor 400. The outer adaptor 400 has a flat side 402 and a curved side 404. A hole 406 passes through both sides. In use, the curved side 404 has a curvature configured to mate with the curved top surface 224 of the rounded head 210 or 211. See FIG. 4C. The flat side 402 faces the front of the bow to provide a flat surface for the attachment of a conventional stabilizer.

FIG. 5 depicts the hinge 206 in an assembled state. The flat bottom edges 222 of the rounded heads 210, 211 are placed in direct contact with one another. A bolt 502 is passed through a hole 500 that extends the length of the hinge 206 and feeds into the threaded hole 116 of bow 100 (see FIG. 1). By loosening the bolt 502 and sliding the curved top surfaces 224 over the curved sides 304, 404 of the inner or outer adaptor 300, 400 the angle of posts 202, 204 may be adjusted.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a ledge 600 adjacent the flat side 402 of outer adaptor 400. The ledge 600 catches a head of the bolt 500 while permitting a shaft of the bolt 500 to pass through the hole 406. In another embodiment, a threaded nut is used instead of the bolt 500. Such a threaded nut provides threads to receive a stabilizer. In such a configuration the device 200 may be used in conjunction with a stabilizer. Alternatively, when a bolt 500 is used, the device 200 is used instead of a stabilizer.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are cross-sections of the hinge 206. The bolt 502 (shown in phantom on FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, but also see FIG. 7C) is comprised of a first threaded portion 702, proximate the inner adapter 300. The first threaded portion 702 fits into the threaded hole 116 (see FIG. 1). The bolt 502 is further comprised of a second threaded portion 704 that may receive the threads of a stabilizer. As shown in FIG. 7C the first threaded portion 702 is on an external surface of the bolt 502 and provides a male fitting. The second threaded portion 704 is on an internal surface of the bolt 502 and provides a female fitting. The external diameter of the second threaded portion 702 is wider than the shaft of the bolt 502 to accommodate the girth of a male thread of a stabilizer. The internal diameter of the second threaded portion 702 is, in the embodiment depicted, substantially the same diameter as the first threaded portion 702. In this fashion the second threaded portion presents a fitting that is substantially identical to the threaded hole 116 (FIG. 1).

In use, the bolt 502 may be loosened to permit the user to rotate the hinge 206 in the direction of arrow 706. Although arrow 706 is shown in two-dimensions, the reader should appreciate that the hinge 206 is adjustable in three dimensions. To facilitate such adjustments, the hole 214 in the first and second headers 210, 211 is conical. The cross sections of the conical hole is shown in FIG. 7A and 7B. This conical hole is also apparent in FIGS. 2B and 2C. The conical hole 214 is shaped such that the conical hole has a narrow portion proximate the flat bottom edge (e.g. bottom edge 222) and a wide portion proximate the curved top surface (e.g. top surface 224) of each respective header. Due to the conical shape of the hole the first and second posts 202, 204 may be adjusted to bring them closer or further away from the bow. This provides a substantially more adjustable stand than prior art bow stands.

In one embodiment, the components are formed of a lightweight but durable material, such an aluminum. This permits a user to keep the device 200 attached without the bow's balance being negatively impacted. The weight of the outer adaptor 400 may be customized to maintain balance. Additionally or alternatively a conventional stabilizer may be attached to the outer adaptor 400.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. An assembly for holding a bow upright, the device comprising:

a bow comprising a threaded hole in a lower riser of the bow;

a first elongated post;

a second elongated post;

a hinge connecting the first elongated post with the second elongated post such that angle between the first elongated post and the second elongated post may be adjusted by operating the hinge, the hinge having a hole;

a fastener extending through the hole of the hinge and into the threaded hole of the riser;

the first elongated post and second elongated post having a length such that the bow may be positioned upright on a portion of the first elongated post, a portion of the second elongated post and a portion of the lower riser.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises

a first header with a first flat bottom edge, the first header connected to the first elongated post;

a second header with a second flat bottom edge, the second header connected to the second elongated post;

the first flat bottom and second flat bottom being in direct contact such that the first flat bottom and second flat bottom slide over one another when the hinge is adjusted.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the first header and second header comprise first and second curved top surfaces, respectively, each opposite the first and second flat bottom edges, respectively.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the hinge comprises an inner adaptor with a first curved side that is in direct contact with the first curved top surface of the first header.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the hinge comprises an outer adaptor with a second curved side that is in direct contact with the second curved top surface of the second header.

6. A device for holding a bow upright, the device comprising:

a first elongated post with a first header at one end;

a second elongated post with a second header at one end;

the first header and the second header each comprising first and second curved top surfaces, respectively, each opposite respective first and second flat bottom edges;

an inner adaptor with a first curved side that is in direct contact with the first curved top surface of the first header;

an outer adaptor with a second curved side that is in direct contact with the second curved top surface of the second header;

the device having a hole that passes through the first header, the second header, the inner adaptor and the outer adaptor.

7. The device as recited in claim 6, wherein the hole has a diameter that changes over its length.

8. The device as recited in claim 6, wherein the hole has a first diameter proximate the first curved surface of the first header and a second diameter proximate the first bottom edge of the first header, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter.

9. The device as recited in claim 6, wherein

the hole has a first diameter proximate the first curved surface of the first header and a second diameter proximate the first bottom edge of the first header, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter; and

the hole has a third diameter proximate the second curved surface of the second header and a fourth diameter proximate the second bottom edge of the second header, the fourth diameter being larger than the third diameter.

10. An assembly comprising:

a bow comprising a threaded hole in a lower riser of the bow;

a device for holding the bow upright, the device comprising: a first elongated post with a first header at one end; a second elongated post with a second header at one end;

the first header and the second header each comprising first and second curved top surfaces, respectively, each opposite respective first and second flat bottom edges; an inner adaptor with a first curved side that is in direct contact with the first curved top surface of the first header; an outer adaptor with a second curved side that is in direct contact with the second curved top surface of the second header; and the device having a hole that passes through the first header, the second header, the inner adaptor and the outer adaptor.