Archery Arm Guard

Abstract

The present invention provides for an attachment to an archery bow to prevent contact of the bowstring with the archer's bow-supporting arm. The attachment comprises an engagement portion that is attached to the bow and is adjustable to an individual archer's preferred position on the bow. The engagement portion includes a forearm engagement portion that is configured to create a single point of contact with the archer's forearm to enhance shooting performance and to prevent contact of the bowstring with the archer's bow-supporting aim.

Description

REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/213,784 filed on Aug. 19, 2011 and entitled Archery Arm Guard.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

The present invention is generally directed toward an archery arm guard, and more specifically, toward an arm guard for attachment to compound bows of various types to protect the archer's forearm from contact with the bowstring that follows its release.

2. Background:

In archery, it is common to have the bowstring, upon its release to drive the arrow towards the intended target, come into contact with the archer's forearm. This contact can cause injury to the arm. Moreover, this contact can cause the archer to move his arm resulting in the arrow to miss its target.

In order to prevent injury to the forearm, the prior art discloses a number of forearm protection sleeves and coverings. While these devices protect against injury they do not stop the bowstring from making contact with the forearm and thus, do not avoid the additional complications caused by the striking of the forearm by the bowstring, namely the interference with the arrow.

Additionally, in the prior art, devices have been disclosed that attempt to position the user's forearm out of the path of the bowstring and thus, attempting to eliminate any contact of the bowstring with the user's forearm. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,022 issued Nov. 7, 1995 to Lavoie. The Lavoie patent is an improvement over the prior art in that it includes a shield rod that is forms a frame that is designed to fit around the interior half section of an archer's forearm. The frame is made from a single rod that is bent in various angles. Lavoie indicates that various segments of the rod are to be in contact with the archer's forearm. However, due to the various sizes of archer's forearms, the bent rod shape of the Lavoie frame makes it possible for there to be an improper fit with the archer's forearm which would cause contact with the bowstring.

The prior art devices, however, have a disadvantage in that they are mechanically complicated, increasing the likelihood of an inability to perform. What is needed is a device that is simply constructed and efficient to operate in order to prevent contact by the bowstring with the user's forearm.

Thus, there is a need for an efficient and effective device to prevent contact between the user's forearm and the bowstring.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the needs discussed above. The present invention is generally directed toward generally directed toward an archery arm guard, and more specifically, toward an arm guard for attachment to compound bows of various types to protect the archer's forearm from contact with the bowstring that follows its release.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

The one aspect of the present invention includes an attachment to an archery bow to prevent contact of the bowstring with the archer's bow-supporting arm. The attachment includes an adjustment piece for attachment to the bow and being adjustable to an individual archer's preferred position on the bow. The adjustment piece includes a quasi-circular portion and securing shaft portion extending substantially perpendicular away from the quasi-circular portion. The securing shaft portion connects to the bow in such a manner that the archer can optimally position the archer's bow-supporting arm relative to the quasi-circular portion to create a single point of contact between the bow-supporting arm and the quasi-circular portion which will enhance shooting performance and to prevent contact of the bowstring with the archer's bow-supporting arm.

In another aspect of the present invention includes, an improvement to an archer's compound is disclosed. This bow including a riser and two limbs defining a bowed frame, a cable guard rod extending away from and substantially perpendicular to the riser and an armguard device. The armguard device includes an adjustment piece for attachment to the bow and being adjustable to an individual archer's preferred position on the bow. The adjustment piece includes a quasi-circular portion and securing shaft portion extending substantially perpendicular away from the quasi-circular portion. The securing shaft portion is rotatably connected to the cable guard rod. By being rotatably connected, the archer can rotate the adjustment piece about the cable guard rod in order to optimally position the adjustment piece to prevent contact of the bowstring with the archer's bow-supporting arm.

In another aspect of the present invention, the adjustment piece further includes a locking mechanism located along the securing shaft portion. The locking mechanism securely engages the cable guard rod to the securing shaft. This mechanism can include one or more set screws to engage the cable guard rod.

Upon reading the above description, various alternative embodiments will become obvious to those skilled in the art. These embodiments are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the subject invention, which is only to be limited by the claims which follow and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a back view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the needs discussed above. The present invention is generally directed generally directed toward an archery arm guard, and more specifically, toward an arm guard for attachment to compound bows of various types to protect the archer's forearm from contact with the bowstring that follows its release.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrated an embodiment of the present invention wherein a typical compound bow 10 is shown. Compound bow 10 comprises a riser 12 and two limbs 16, 22 each having a proximal end 18, 24 connected to riser 12 and having a free distal end 20, 26. Cams 28, 30 are supported at the distal ends 20, 26. A bowstring is entrained around the perimeter of cams 28, 30. A cable guard 34 extends substantially perpendicular to riser 12 in the direction of bowstring 32. Cable slide 48 is secured to cable guard 34 and in secures bowstring 32 in such a manner so that bowstring 34 does not move into the path of arrow 58.

Upon drawing the bowstring 32, the opposing limb distal ends 20, 26 are drawn closer together. The deflection caused in the limbs represents stored potential energy which propels an arrow upon release of bowstring 32.

Attached to cable guard 34 is an adjustment piece 40 attachable to bow 10 and being adjustable to an individual archer's preferred position on the bow. Adjustment piece 40 includes a quasi-circular portion 42 and securing shaft portion 44 extending substantially perpendicular away from quasi-circular portion 42. Securing shaft portion 44 is rotatably connected to cable guard rod 34. By being rotatable, the archer can optimally position the archer's bow-supporting arm 46 relative to quasi-circular portion 42 to enhance shooting performance and to prevent contact of bowstring 32 with the archer's bow-supporting arm 46.

This embodiment of adjustment piece 40 includes a locking mechanism 50 located along securing shaft portion 44 such that locking mechanism 50 securely engages cable guard rod 34 securing adjustment piece 40 thereto. Locking mechanism 50 includes two set screws 52 to engage cable guard rod 34. As can be seen, adjustment piece 40 is positioned along cable guard rod 34 such that it creates a single point of contact with the archer's forearm.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, an additional embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment an adjustment piece 140 is rotably connected to cable guard rod 34. Adjustment piece 140 includes a doubled-post portion 142 and a securing shaft portion 156 extending substantially perpendicular away from doubled-post portion 142. A lock-nut apparatus 144 secures shaft portion 44 is rotably secured to cable guard 34. Lock-nut apparatus 144 includes cable guard securing ring 152 connected to a shaft securing portion 150, which is locked into place by nut 154.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, an additional embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment an adjustment apparatus 240 is adjustably connected to cable guard rod 234. Adjustment apparatus 240 includes a cable guard securing assembly 252 for attachment to the cable guard 234 and being adjustable to the archer's preferred position, and includes a forearm extension apparatus 242 and also being adjustable to the archer's preferred position. This adjustability allows for the archer to position the adjustment apparatus 240 so that a single point of contact is created with the archer's forearm. This allows for the archer's forearm, regardless of the individual size or shape of the forearm, be to positioned sufficiently away from the bowstring so as to minimize the contact of the bowstring with the archer's forearm.

The forearm extension apparatus 242 includes a forearm engagement portion 246 and extension arm portion 248 extending away from the forearm engagement portion 246. The forearm engagement portion 246 is quasi-circular and has a single point of contact with the archer's bow-supporting forearm. The extension arm portion 248 extends radially inward from forearm engagement portion 246 and is adjustably secured to the cable guard securing assembly 244 so that it can be adjusted to the archer's preferred position. By being quasi-circular, extension arm portion 248 is capable of engaging the forearm of any archer regardless of the shape and size of their forearm.

Cable guard securing assembly 244 includes an extension arm connector 250 which is adjustably secured to the extension arm portion 248 and further includes a cable guard clamp assembly 260 secured to the cable guard 234. Cable guard assembly 260 an upper cable guard clamp section 254 coupled to a lower cable guard clamp section 256 and defining a bore sized to engage the cable guard 234. Upper cable guard clamp section 254 can be secured to lower cable guard clamp section 256 by a set screw 258, or other similar type securing device.

The use of a compound bow is illustrative and not meant to be limiting. The present invention can be utilized with any type of archer's bow that includes a stabilizer bar extending away from its riser and toward its bowstring. Further, the number of set screws is illustrative and not meant to be limiting.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification.

Claims

1. A device for attachment to an archery bow having a cable guard rod to prevent contact of the bowstring with the archer's bow-supporting arm, the device comprising:

a cable guard securing assembly adjustably connected to said cable guard rod; and

an adjustment piece connected to said cable guard securing assembly, said adjustment piece having a forearm engagement portion and securing shaft portion, said extension arm portion adjustably connected to said cable guard securing assembly, said forearm engagement portion connected to said extension arm portion, said forearm engagement portion extending substantially perpendicularly away from said cable guard rod,

whereby the forearm engagement portion is configured to create a single point of contact with the archer's forearm to enhance shooting performance and to prevent contact of the bowstring with the archer's bow-supporting arm.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the forearm engagement portion is quasi-circular.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the extension arm portion extends away from the forearm engagement portion in a radially inward direction.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the cable guard securing assembly further comprises:

an extension arm clamp assembly secured to the extension arm portion; and

a cable guard clamp assembly secured to the extension arm clamp assembly and the cable guard.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the extension arm clamp assembly further comprises:

an upper extension arm clamp section coupled to a lower extension arm clamp section and defining a first bore sized to engage the extension arm portion.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the upper extension arm clamp section is secured to the lower extension arm clamp section by at least one set screw.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein the cable guard clamp assembly further comprises:

an upper cable guard clamp section coupled to a lower cable guard clamp section and defining a second bore sized to engage the cable guard.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the upper cable guard clamp section secured to the lower cable guard clamp section by at least one set screw.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the extension arm clamp assembly further comprises:

an upper extension arm clamp section coupled to a lower extension arm clamp section and defining a first bore sized to engage the extension arm portion.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the upper extension arm clamp section is secured to the lower extension arm clamp section by at least one set screw.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the lower extension arm clamp section is secured to the upper cable guard clamp section such that the first bore and second bore are perpendicularly aligned.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the forearm engagement portion is quasi-circular.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein Extension arm portion extends away from the forearm engagement portion in a radially inward direction.