DROP AWAY ARROW REST

Abstract

A drop away arrow rest including an arrow support arm and a reset button operable to convert the rest from a first mode, in which a shaft is rotationally fixed relative to the support arm, to a second mode, in which the shaft is rotationally decoupled relative to the support arm. The reset button can be manually moveable to convert the rest from the first mode in which the support arm can be in a rest position, to the second mode in which the support arm can be in the support position. The rest can include a reset bias member that selectively moves the shaft, and a support arm bias member that selectively moves the support arm to the support position and/or the rest position. The rest can include containment arms to offer full, surrounding arrow containment. A readily replaceable bumper can join with the support arm and/or containment arms.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an archery drop away arrow rest and a related method of operation.

Most archery bows are equipped with an arrow rest that holds an arrow before it is shot from the bow. One common arrow rest is referred to as a “drop away” arrow rest. This rest precisely and accurately positions the arrow when the bow (and thus, the bowstring) is at full draw, but drops rapidly away from the arrow upon release of the bowstring. Accordingly, the rest does not contact the arrow for its full length or the arrow's fletching and divert the arrow from its intended trajectory as the arrow is shot from the bow.

A variety of drop away arrow rests exist. One type of rest is a forward falling rest. A forward falling rest typically includes (a) an arrow support that holds the arrow shaft in a loaded position at full draw and subsequently drops forward or falls away forward (away from the archer/bowstring) to a relaxed position upon release of the bowstring; (b) a cord that moves the arrow support to the loaded position; and (c) a spring that moves the arrow support to the relaxed position upon release of the bowstring. In moving between a loaded or cocked position and a relaxed position, this rest pivots away from the archer/bowstring and downward, rotating about a horizontal axis that is itself perpendicular to the axis of a supported arrow.

Another type of drop away rest is a C axis rest, which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,095 to Grace. This type of rest includes an arrow support that rotates in a plane that generally is orthogonal to an axis of an arrow supported by the arrow support. With its C axis movement, the arrow support rapidly and consistently drops away from the arrow ensuring consistent launch and flight.

An issue with many drop away rests is that they are configured so that the arrow support normally is positioned in a rest or down position when the bow is undrawn. The arrow support raises to engage the arrow when the bow is drawn. Accordingly, until the bow is drawn, the rest does not engage the arrow. Further, sometimes the arrow does not properly seat in the support as it engages the arrow upon drawing. Another issue with many drop away rests is that they many times do not offer full containment of the arrow. Accordingly, the arrow potentially can fall off the rest. Yet another issue, particularly with regard to forward falling rests, is that if not properly adjusted, they can bounce back, upward to a support position as the arrow is being shot. This can affect arrow flight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned problems are overcome by an archery drop away arrow rest including a manually depressible “reset” button which, when actuated, decouples components from an arrow support arm so that the support arm can move, optionally to a support position and support an arrow.

In one embodiment, the arrow rest includes an arrow support arm and a reset button operable to convert the rest from a first mode to a second mode. The rest also can include a shaft joined with the reset button. In the first mode, the shaft can be rotationally fixed relative to the support arm. In the second mode the shaft can be rotationally decoupled relative to and/or from the support arm. Thus the support arm can move or rotate independently from the shaft.

In another embodiment, the reset button can be manually moveable to convert the rest from the first mode, in which the support arm can be in a rest position, to the second mode, in which the support arm can be in the support position.

In still another embodiment, the rest can include a reset bias member that selectively moves the shaft, and a support arm bias member that selectively moves the support arm. The reset bias member optionally can selectively rotate the shaft relative to the support arm when these components are rotationally decoupled from one another. The support arm bias member optionally can selectively rotate the support arm, independent of the shaft, moving it to a support position, or alternatively to a rest position.

In yet a another embodiment, the reset button can be coupled to a cord which is further coupled to a moveable component on the bow, for example, a bow limb, up power cable and/or down power cable. The cord can selectively exert a force on the reset button so that it maintains the shaft in a desired rotational orientation. When the cord's force is reduced or removed, for example, when the moveable of component of the bow moves, the reset button can be urged to rotate or move, thereby optionally engaging or disengaging the shaft with or from the support arm so that the shaft and support arm can be rotationally fixed to, or rotationally decoupled from, one another respectively.

In even another embodiment, the rest can include a first containment arm positioned generally above the support arm when the support arm is in the support position. With the first containment arm, an arrow supported by the support arm in the support position can be substantially surrounded by at least one of the support arm and the containment arm. Thus, the arrow is at least one of impaired and prevented from falling off the support arm in the support position.

In a further embodiment, the rest can be configured so that the support arm is joined with a first engagement member and the shaft is joined with a second engagement member, or vice versa. The second engagement member can engage the first engagement member to rotationally fix the shaft relative to the support arm when the rest is in the first mode. The second engagement member can disengage the first engagement member to rotationally decouple the shaft relative to the support arm when the rest is in the second mode so that the support arm can rotate freely relative to the shaft.

In still a further embodiment, the rest can include a rest axis about which the support arm is rotatable. Optionally, the rest axis can be parallel to an axis of an arrow supported on the support arm when the support arm is in the support position. Further optionally, the rest axis can be substantially perpendicular to an axis of an arrow supported on the support arm when the support arm is in the support position. Even further optionally, the support arm can be movable in a vertical plane, without rotating about an axis, but rather moving substantially only vertically.

In yet a further embodiment, a method of operating a drop away arrow rest is provided. The method can include maintaining the support arm in a lowered, rest position by way of a cord exerting a cord force on the reset button, which is translated to the support arm. The support arm and shaft can be in the first mode described above in this step. In another step, the support arm can be raised to the support or ready to fire position by, either, manually and movably operating the reset button and/or drawing the bowstring. Operating the reset button, for example by a user manually depressing, sliding or rotating it, converts the rest to the second mode, with the shaft rotationally decoupled relative to and/or from the support arm. Thus, the support arm can move or rotate independently from the shaft. In another step, the bow can be drawn, and the cord force removed or reduced so that the shaft and support arm attain the configuration of the first mode. When the bow is fired, the arrow moves, and the cord applies the cord force again, which rotates the shaft and thus the connected support arm to the rest position, out of the way of the arrow's path. Optionally, the cord force adds tension back to the reset bias member.

The drop away arrow rest of the current embodiments provides a simple and efficient mechanism to support a ready to shoot arrow relative to a bow, and rapidly move the support arm of the rest out of the way of the arrow as it is shot. The reset button and related components can quickly and easily set the support arm in the support position so that an arrow is readied to shoot. The rest also utilizes movement of other bow components to re-engage internal rest components so that when the bow is shot, the support arm moves efficiently out of the way. Where the rest includes a support arm that moves about an axis perpendicular to the axis of an arrow, or a vertically moving support arm or bounce back of the support arm and interference with arrow flight, can be eliminated. Where the rest includes one or more containment arms, it can impair or prevent the arrow from falling off the rest.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the invention and the drawings.

Before the embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bow equipped with an arrow rest of a current embodiment, with a support arm in a support position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the arrow rest, with the support arm in a support position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the arrow rest;

FIG. 3A is a close up front view of a support arm body for the support arm of the arrow rest;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the arrow rest taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the support arm and containment arms;

FIG. 5 is a rear sectional, perspective view of the support arm in a rest position and a reset button rotationally fixed to the support arm;

FIG. 6 is a front sectional, perspective view of the support arm in a rest position and a reset button rotationally fixed to the support arm;

FIG. 6A is a close up front view of a support arm body for the support arm of the arrow rest with an engagement member engaged with the support arm body;

FIG. 6B is a close up side sectional view of the support arm body for the support arm of the arrow rest with an engagement member engaged with the support arm body;

FIG. 7 is a rear sectional, perspective view of the support arm in a support position and the reset button and an associated shaft rotationally disconnected from the support arm;

FIG. 8 is a front sectional, perspective view of the support arm in a support position and the reset button rotationally disconnected from the support arm;

FIG. 8A is a close up front view of the support arm body for the support arm of the arrow rest with the engagement member disengaged from the support arm body;

FIG. 8B is a close up side sectional view of the support arm body for the support arm of the arrow rest with the engagement member disengaged from the support arm body;

FIG. 9 is a front sectional, perspective view of the support arm in a support position with a force cord being slack as the bow is drawn so that the engagement member re-engages the support arm body of the support arm;

FIG. 9A is a close up front view of the engagement member re-engaging the support arm body of the support arm so these components are rotationally fixed relative to one another;

FIG. 10 is a front sectional, perspective view of the arrow rest in a rest position with the force cord under tension again as or after an arrow is shot from the bow, with the engagement member re-engaging the support arm body of the support arm to move the support arm to the rest position;

FIG. 10A is a close up front view of the engagement member with the engagement member re-engaging the support arm body of the support arm to move the support arm to the rest position;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the arrow rest;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the arrow rest; and

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of the arrow rest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS

I. Construction and Components

A drop away arrow rest constructed in accordance with a current embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 1-10 and generally designated 10. The drop away arrow rest 10 can be joined with a bow 90, and in particular, a bow riser 92. In general, the rest 10 is configured so that its support arm 20 engages and supports an arrow 99 that is nocked on the bowstring 94, as shown in FIG. 1. The support arm 20 is in the support position when the arrow 99 is ready to shoot. The support arm 20 drops out of the way as the arrow is shot as shown in FIG. 5. The support arm's position can be reset from at rest to support automatically upon user activation of the reset button 40. The operation of the rest will be described in further detail below.

For purposes of disclosure, the drop-away arrow rest is described in connection with an archery bow, however the rest is well suited for use with any other type of projectile shooting device. As shown in FIG. 1, the rest 10 is mounted above a handle 93 of the bow in a location corresponding to the center of the bowstring 94. The bow 90 is illustrated as including an upper limb 95, but of course it also includes a lower limb which is not shown for simplicity. The rest 10 can be attached via a cord 96 to a component of the bow, for example a limb 95 (or more particularly a limb axle 97, as shown in FIG. 1), an up cable, a down cable or any other component of the bow that moves upon shooting and/or drawing the bow. These components and their function will be described in further detail below.

The rest 10 can include a primary mounting bracket 12 which can be directly fastened to the bow riser 92 with a fastener. The primary mounting bracket 12 can define an aperture or slot 12S which the fastener can be placed and attached to the riser. The mounting bracket 12 can also include a set screw 12T that can assist in further securing the primary bracket 12 to the riser in a desired position. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rest 10 can include an intermediate bracket 13 which can provide elevation and windage adjustment mechanism, whereby the rest can be adjusted vertically and horizontally to tune the rest and ensure the flight path and the stability of the arrow during flight is maximized.

For elevation adjustment, the intermediate bracket 13 can include a generally vertical slot 13S or aperture. The slot can accommodate a fastener 13F that threads into corresponding holes in the primary mounting bracket 12. By adjusting the intermediate bracket up or down, and then tightening the fastener 13F, a user can selectively orient the slot and fastener relative to one another to provide a desired elevation setting of the rest.

The intermediate bracket 13 can include a windage adjustment mechanism for adjusting the rest horizontally. The bracket 13 can mate with a housing 30 having a horizontal slot or aperture 13H. Fastener 13S can be threaded into a corresponding threaded hole defined by the intermediate bracket 13 to tighten and fix the orientation of housing 30 relative to the bracket 13. By adjusting the housing 30 left or right, and then tightening the fastener 13F, a user can selectively orient the slot and fastener relative to one another to provide a desired windage setting of the rest.

Generally, adjustments are made for wind and/or elevation using the different fasteners and respective slots. The fasteners can be tightened or otherwise adjusted to fix the relative orientation of rest components. Of course, the windage and elevation adjustment mechanisms described above can be substituted with any other desirable windage and elevation adjustment construction to provide adjustment and modification of the arrow rest and its components.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rest 10 includes a housing 30. The housing 30 can enclose or house at least one or more of the internal components of the rest. The housing 30 can define an internal compartment 31 within which one or more of the other components of the rest are disposed. The housing 30 can define a support arm window 32 within which the arrow support arm 20 moves. The support arm window 32 can be bounded by upper and lower stops 33U and 33L which can limit the movement of the support arm 20 to the support position, as with stop 33U, or limit the movement of the support arm 20 to the lowered or rest position, as with the lower stop 33L. Limiting of the movement is achieved when the portion of the support arm that moves within the window engages or bumps the respective upper and lower stops 33U and 33L of the window 32.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 30 can be joined with a first containment arm 36. The first containment arm 36 can be structured so that it extends above the support arm 20 when the support arm 20 is in the support position, for example as shown in FIG. 2. Cooperatively, the support arm 20 and the containment arm 36 can form an envelope, which generally surrounds the arrow 99, 360° around the arrow as shown in FIG. 1. With this envelope formed by the support arm and the containment arm, the arrow is fully contained within the rest. Therefore, accidental or unintentional dislodgement of the arrow from the support arm is impaired and/or prevented.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first containment arm 36 can be attached to the housing 30 via a containment arm fastener 36S, which can be in the form of a screw that is threaded into a corresponding hole in the housing. Of course, the first containment arm 36 can be formed as an integral part of the housing 30 if desired.

The rest 10 also can include a second containment arm 37. The second containment arm can extend outwardly and generally below the support arm 20 when the support arm 20 is in the support position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The second containment arm 37 can extend downwardly under the arrow when the support arm 20 is in the support position and/or the rest position. Generally, the second containment arm 37 can offer additional containment of the arrow to keep it above the riser shelf and handle of the archery bow.

As shown in FIG. 3, one or more of the support arm 20, first containment arm 36 and second arm containment arm 37 can be outfitted with a durable elastomeric, synthetic, polymeric and/or composite material 38. This material 38, also referred to as a bumper, can reduce friction between the arrow and the respective rest components such as the arms, and/or can attenuate noise and vibration caused by the arrow engaging the respective components. Referring to FIG. 4A, the material can be connected to or otherwise installed in the arms of the rest, such as the support arm 20 and/or containment arms 35, 37. The bumper 38 can be attached to the inner surfaces of the support arm 20 and/or the containment arms 36, 37 which face toward the arrow 99. Attachment of the bumper to the arm, whether the support arm and/or containment arms, can be provided in a variety of manners. In one example, the support arm 20 and/or containment arms 36, 37 can define a female connector 20F, 36F and/or 37F, respectively. The bumper 38 can include a male connector 38M. The female connector can be in the form of a groove, slot, aperture or recess. The groove can be continuous along a longitudinal length of the respective arm, or optionally, although not shown, can be intermittently disposed along an arm. The female connector can be disposed between forward and rearward surfaces of the arm within which it is defined, for example, forward surface 20A and rearward surface 20B of the support arm 20. The female connector can be defined in upper surface of an arm, for example, upper surface 20U of the support arm 20. The same construction can be used for the female connector in the containment arms 36, 37.

The bumper 38, as mentioned above, can include a male portion 38M, which can be in the form of a projection, such as a ridge. The ridge can extend along a longitudinal length of the bumper 38, or can be intermittently disposed along the bumper. Generally, the ridge 38M is configured to physically mirror, mimic and/or interfit at least a portion of the female connector 20F, 36F, 37F. The ridge or male connector 38M can be conformed so that when it is placed within the respective female connectors 20F, 36F, 37F, it physically and structurally interlocks the bumper with the respective arm. In some cases, an adhesive may not be included between the bumper and the arms to provide adequate securement. However, optionally, in some other cases use of cement or other attachment devices can be provided.

Generally, the male member 38M snapfits or fits by a friction fit within the female connectors 20F, 36F and 37F. The bumper 38 can also include forward and rearward 38F and 38R flanges or tab portions that extend forwardly and rearwardly of the male connector 38M to cover all or parts of the upper surfaces of the respective arm. Optionally, although the bumper is described as including the male connector and the arms are described as including the female connector, these structures can be reversed yet still operate similarly.

As mentioned above, the bumper 38 can be constructed from an elastomeric or otherwise other readily manually deformable material. Generally, the bumper can be constructed to permit a user to readily remove the bumper 38 from the respective arms when that bumper becomes worn. The user can then install a new or different bumper by snapping it into place or sliding it within the respective arm, with the male connector and female connector sliding or moving relative to one another. Optionally, a user can change out the bumper or material to provide a change of color or aesthetics, or to maintain or alter the performance of the bumper.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rest 10 includes a reset button 40. The housing 30, and thus the primary mounting bracket and/or intermediate mounting bracket, is joined with a reset button 40. Although described herein as a “button” the actual structure of this component could resemble a lever, a slide, a cam, a reset button, a rotating knob, or any other feature that is manually graspable and/or able to be manipulated to translate movement from the user to components of the rest. Further, although the reset button 40 is referred to as a “reset” button, it should be noted that it does not necessary set components again. For example, it could set components for a first time. It could also decouple and/or “unset” certain components as desired.

Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the reset button 40 generally includes a groove 41. This groove is shaped and configured to accommodate a cord 96 which is attached at an opposite end to a moveable bow component, such as a bow limb 95, axle 97, an up cable, a down cable or any other component of the bow that might move as the bow is drawn and/or shot. The groove as illustrated can circumferentiate the button. The groove also can be equipped with or utilized with a capture screw 41S. The capture screw 41S can capture and secure an end of the cord 96 so that that end is attached in a fixed orientation relative to the button 40. Although referred to as an “cord,” this term is meant to encompass any type of connector, such as a string, wire, web, rubber band, hydraulic, solid or other linkage joined with a desired component of the bow, such as the limb 95, axle 97, or any up or down power cables or other moveable components of the bow. Generally, the cord is adapted to increase or decrease in tension when the moveable components of the bow move, which in turn affects movement of the reset button 40 and components of the rest 10 as described further below.

The reset button 40 is joined with the shaft 42. The shaft 42 and reset button 40 can be integrally formed. Alternatively, they can be joined with a pin 43 that projects through a hole 46 in an end of the shaft 42 adjacent the reset button 40. Generally, the shaft and reset button can be fixedly coupled so that they move in unison together, rotationally and/or linearly. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the shaft 42 and reset button 40 can rotate about and slide or move linearly along the rest axis RA. The rest axis RA as shown in the current embodiment is configured so that it is parallel to an arrow 99 when the arrow 99 is disposed on the support arm 20 in the support position. Of course, the shaft and reset button can be oriented in other configurations as explained in the alternative embodiments below.

The shaft 42 can be of a generally cylindrical shape, however, it may have other geometric cross sections, for example, it may be square, triangular or polygonal, depending on the particular application. The shaft 42 can be rigid. The shaft can be joined or be manufactured integral with a second engagement member 44. As shown, the second engagement member 44 can include one or more tabs, wings or flaps that extend outwardly away from a longitudinal axis of the shaft 42. Generally, these elements project outwardly farther than the remainder of the outer surface of the shaft 42. The first engagement member 44 can be configured to correspond in shape to the second engagement member 23 associated with the support arm body 22 and/or generally the support arm 20, as explained further below.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shaft 42 can be outfitted with an O-ring 45 or other bumper element. This O-ring can be disposed between the second engagement member 44 and the first engagement member 23. As an example, the O-ring can be disposed between flats of the second engagement member 44 and the recess of the first engagement member 23. The O-ring can prevent cracking or excessive wear of the second engagement member 44 when it engages the support arm body 22 and/or first engagement member 23. It also can dampen the vibration caused by the engagement and disengagement of the engagement members relative to one another. Optionally, the O-ring can be replaced with a rubber washer or an elastomeric inlay disposed in the first engagement member 23 or otherwise associated with the second engagement member 44.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the support arm body 22 is joined with the support arm 20 which projects laterally therefrom. The support arm body 22 defines or includes the first engagement member 23 and a hole 24. The shaft 42 projects through the hole 24. Generally, the support arm body 22 is rotatable about the shaft 42 when the respective engagement members are disengaged.

The first engagement member and second engagement member 23 and 44, respectively, can be configured so that when the second engagement member 44 is disposed within or otherwise engages the first engagement member 23. For example, when the flats or wings of member 44 are disposed in the recess of member 23, those flats or rings contact and/or engage the respective sidewalls 23S of the first engagement member 23 such that the shaft 42, support arm body 22 and support arm 20 are fixed rotationally relative to one another. As another example, these engagement members each contact one another so that the shaft 42 rotates the support arm body 22, and the support arm 20 accordingly rotates in unison with the shaft 42, generally about the rest axis RA.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the rest 10 can include a shaft mount body 50. This shaft mount body can be mounted via fasteners 50F to the housing 30. Generally, the shaft mount body 50 can be immovable and/or non-rotatable relative to the housing 30. The shaft mount body can define a shaft hole 51 through which the shaft is rotationally received. The shaft hole 51 can be lined with a bushing 52. The bushing 52 can be constructed from a low friction material, such as a metal, a composite, or a polymeric material that is durable enough to withstand multiple rotations and sliding movements of the shaft 42.

When installed in the housing 30, the shaft mount body 50 generally captures the support arm 20 and support arm body 22 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This is so that the support arm 20 can generally selectively rotate about the shaft 42 in a constrained space so that it does not wobble, and generally transitions smoothly from the support position to the rest position and vice versa. The rest 10 also includes first and second bias members, 55 and 53 respectively. Because the second bias member connects to the support arm, it will be described first.

Between the support arm body 22 and the shaft mount body 50, a second bias member 53, also referred to as a support arm spring, is disposed. This support arm spring 53 can be in the form of any conventional spring or elastomeric element that can temporarily store energy and transfer it to other components. The support arm spring 53 generally is adapted to selectively rotate the support arm under certain conditions as explained below. As illustrated, the bias member 53 is in the form of a coil spring, but of course a leaf spring or elastomeric element can be substituted for it.

Optionally, the support arm spring 53 can include end tangs 53T which project from opposite sides of the spring. These tangs 53T can fit into the respective tang holes 54 on the support body 22 and the shaft mount body 50. These tang holes 54 can be offset from one another so that when the tangs 53T are placed in the respective holes and the shaft mount body 50 is secured to the housing, the support arm spring is wound or coiled so that it urges the support arm 20 to the rest position, for example, shown in FIG. 6. Generally, the ends of the spring 53, and in particular the tangs 53T, can be mounted in fixed locations on the respective support arm body 22 and shaft mount body 50 so that the spring can attain a coiled and energy storing configuration to effect movement of the support arm.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the rest 10 also includes a first bias member 55, which also may be referred to as a reset spring. The reset spring can be identical to the support arm spring, in structure and generally in the form of a coil spring. Of course, as with the second bias member described above, this coil spring can be replaced with any other spring construction, such as a leaf spring, an elastomeric element or other like structure. The reset spring 55 and the support arm spring 53 can be separate and distal from one another. They can be constructed as separate independent springs that operate and store energy and/or exert forces separately and independent from one another.

The reset spring in general is adapted to selectively rotate the shaft 42 The reset spring also can be compressible and expandable along the rest axis RA as shown in FIG. 4. In this manner, when a user manually depresses the reset button 40 with a force F, that force F compresses the reset spring. As the spring is compressed, the shaft, which is fixedly attached to the reset button, can move along the rest axis RA. In so doing, the second engagement member 44 can disengage the first engagement member 23. As a result, the support body 22 and support arm 20 can be decoupled rotationally from the shaft 42 and can rotate. Due to the forces exerted by the support arm spring 53 they accordingly rotate to the support or up position, for example as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8.

Like the support arm spring, the reset spring can be generally fixedly mounted to the shaft mount body 50, but instead of being mounted to the support arm 20 the reset spring 55 is mounted fixedly to the reset button 40. This fixed mounting can be accomplished via the tangs 55T interfitting within tang holes 56 and/or 54 on the respective button 40 and shaft mount body 50. These holes may be offset from one another so that the reset spring is coiled or uncoiled, or otherwise placed under tension that can rotate the reset button 40 and the attached shaft 42, and corresponding second engagement member 44 as described further below.

The primary mounting bracket, intermediate mounting bracket, housing, support arm, shaft mount body, reset button, containment arms and other components of the rest 10 can be constructed from a variety of metals, plastics or other synthetic materials or other combinations of the foregoing. Optionally, the components can be constructed using casting, CNC machining and/or injection mold processes.

II. Operation

The operation of the rest 10 will now be described in connection conjunction with FIGS. 4-10. Operation of the rest can begin when the rest 10 is configured with the support arm 20 in its lowered or rest position, for example as shown at FIGS. 4-6. In this configuration, the reset button 40 and associated shaft 42, and the second engagement member 44 are configured so that the second engagement member 44 is in engagement with and/or contacts the first engagement member 23 of the support arm body 22. Accordingly, the shaft and reset button are rotationally fixed relative to the support arm body 22 and the support arm 20. Thus, any movement of the support arm would likewise translate into rotation of the shaft and/or the reset button and vice versa.

The interaction of the first and second engagement members is better illustrated with reference to FIGS. 6, 6A and 6B. As shown there, the second engagement member 44, in the form of a flat, is locked and interfits within the first engagement member 23, which is shown as a recess of a corresponding shape. When these two members interlock, the reset button, shaft and support arm body and support arm can move in unison, that is, they rotate together about the rest axis RA. In this configuration, the reset spring 55 effectively exerts a force FR shown in FIGS. 5 and 6B. This force FR translates to the shaft 42 and the second engagement member 44 to draw the second engagement member 44 into engagement with the first engagement member 23.

This configuration of the rest 10 can correspond to the status of the rest 10 immediately after an arrow is shot from the bow. When in this configuration, the support arm 20 generally is not in position to support an arrow for shooting. Accordingly, if an archer desires to shoot an arrow using the arrow rest, the support arm 20 should be raised to the support position shown for example in FIG. 7.

This can be accomplished different manners. In one, the user can exert a force F as shown in FIG. 4 on the reset button 40. This force compresses the reset spring 55. The reset button 40, the shaft 42, and corresponding second engagement member 44, correspondingly move linearly along the rest axis RA. After the second engagement member 44 is sufficiently disengaged from the first engagement member 23, the first engagement member 23, the shaft 42 and reset button 40 are effectively rotationally decoupled or disconnected from the support arm body 22 and the support arm 20. With this decoupling, the engagement members no longer restrain movement between the support arm and the reset button. Accordingly, the support arm spring 53 urges the support arm 20 to the support position as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. As this occurs, the first engagement member 23 and second engagement member 44 rotate relative to one another as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. More particularly as shown in FIG. 8A, the support arm body 22 and associated support arm 20 rotate in direction SR relative to the engagement member 44. The engagement member 44 and shaft 42 and rest button 40 can generally remain in a fixed rotational orientation, that is, these components do not rotate about the reset axis RA.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the actuation of the reset button 40 also operates to form a closed envelope 98 around the arrow 99. As an example, depressing the reset button 40 releases or disengages the support arm 20 and respective arm body 22 so that the support arm spring 53 can urge the support arm upward and achieve an arrow trapping envelope generally around the arrow 99. Generally, the reset button 40 can automatically actuate the rest so that the arrow trapping envelope 98 is formed around the arrow 99, with the arrow impaired from or prevented from falling off the support arm 20 when the support arm is in the support position shown in FIG. 7.

With the arrow in the support position as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an archer may then proceed to draw the archery bow. As this occurs, the arrow support arm 20 remains in the support position as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as the arrow 99 slides relative to the support arm 20.

As mentioned above, there is another manner in which the support arm 20 can be moved to the support position. In this manner, a user draws the bow, with the support arm 20 initially in the lowered or rest position, for example, as shown in FIG. 6. As the bow is drawn, the second engagement member 44 is engaged with and trapped within the first engagement member 23. As the bow is drawn, the cord force CF (FIG. 6) is reduced or eliminated. With the cord force CF reduced or eliminated, the support arm spring 53 effectively urges the support arm 20 to the support position. Thus, when the bow is drawn with the support arm 20 initially in the rest position, the rest will automatically lift the support arm 20 to the support position.

With the manners in which the support arm 20 can be moved to the support position described, operation of the rest 10 upon drawing and shooting the bow will now be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 9, 9A, 10 and 10A. Generally, when the bow is drawn, one of the bow's moveable components, such as the limb 95 or up and down cables, moves as well. With this movement, the component moves closer to the rest 10, and the cord force CF exerted by the cord 96 on the rest is reduced or eliminated. Upon elimination of this cord force CF, the stored rotational energy in the reset spring 55 rotates the reset button 40 and the shaft 42 along with the associated second engagement member 44 in the direction T as shown in FIG. 9A. When this occurs, and after a preselected amount of rotation, the second engagement member 44 engages or otherwise mates with or nests in the first engagement member 23.

The reset spring 55 also exerts a linear force LF (FIG. 9) on the reset button 40. In turn this pushes the reset button and the shaft and the engagement member 44 in the direction RO. This force LF also can assist in further locking or ongoing the second engagement member 44 relative to the first engagement member 23. With these two engagement members engaged with one another, the support arm body 22, shaft 42 and reset button 40 are effectively rotationally fixed again relative to one another.

As shown in FIG. 10, after the arrow is released, the moveable bow components such as the limb 95, up or down cables again exert a cord force CF+ on the reset button 40. When the cord force CF+ is exerted on the reset button, it rotates the reset button 40, the shaft 42, the engagement member 44 and thus the support arm body 22 and support arm 20 in direction R. Upon such rotation, the support arm 20 also drops in direction D away from the arrow 99 so that the arrow is no longer support by the support arm 20 as the arrow exits the bow. After the support arm 20 is returned to the rest position as shown in FIG. 10. The rest can be actuated to return the support arm 20 to the support position in the manners described above.

III. First Alternative Embodiment

A first alternative embodiment of the rest is shown in FIG. 11 and generally designated 110. This rest 110 is substantially identical in function and structure to the rest described in the current embodiment above with a few exceptions. For example, the rest 110 includes a mounting bracket 112 and a housing 130. The housing 130 houses and is joined with a reset button 140. The rest button 140 is joined with a rest spring member which is joined with a shaft mount body and a support arm spring within the housing 130. These structures can be identical to those described in connection with the current embodiment of the rest 10 above. The rest 110, however, is set up to include a support arm 120 that includes a forward extending V-portion 120A and a rearward extending V-portion 120B. These portions disengage the arrow 99 upon rotation of the shaft 133 in direction R2. This rest has a rest axis RA-1 that is generally perpendicular to an axis or length of the arrow 99. This contrasts the current embodiment above which includes a rest axis RA that is parallel to the axis or length of the arrow 99. Further, the support arm 120 and its portions 120A and 120B rotate in a plane P1 that is substantially parallel to a plane P2 in which the button 140 rotates. The operation and the resetting of this rest is similar to that of the embodiments noted above.

IV Second Alternative Embodiment

A second alternative embodiment of the arrow rest as shown in FIG. 12 and generally designated 210. This embodiment is similar to that of the current embodiment above in structure and function with a few exceptions. For example, the rest 210 includes a reset button 240, a housing 230 and a shaft 233 extending from the housing 230. The support arm 220 can include a V or U-shaped portion 220A. This embodiment differs from that of the current embodiment of the rest 10 described above in that the rest axis RA-1′ is generally perpendicular to the length or longitudinal axis of the arrow 99, similar to the first alternative embodiment described above. Unlike the first alternative embodiment above, however the support arm 220 includes a U or V-shaped launcher. The launcher moves from the support position to a down or rest position by falling forward in the direction of arrow R3. In turn, this moves the launcher out of the way, and out of contact with the arrow 99 after it is initially guided and set along a trajectory by that launcher 220A. The operation and the resetting of this rest is similar to that of the embodiments noted above.

V. Third Alternative Embodiment

A third alternative embodiment of the arrow rest is shown in FIG. 13 and generally designated 310. This arrow rest is similar in structure and function to the current embodiment described above with a few exceptions. For example, this arrow rest 310 is configured so that the support arm 220 drops generally vertically in the direction of the arrow under the arm from the support position to a rest position where the arm 220 is substantially lowered as shown in broken lines in FIG. 14. The rest 310 can include a housing 330 and a reset button 340. The reset button and internal components of the rest are arranged to rotate about and/or move relative to the rest axis RA2. The housing 330 also can include a redirector 333 so that a cord 96 extending upwardly to a movable bow component can translate movement of that component to rotation of the reset button 340. This rest also includes a support arm 220. The support arm is different from those of the embodiments above in that it moves generally linearly in a vertical plane upon actuation. For example, it moves from the support position shown in solid lines to the down position shown in broken lines. The operation and the resetting of this rest is similar to that of the embodiments noted above.

Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s).

The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.

Claims

1. A drop away arrow rest for an archery bow, the bow including a bowstring, the rest comprising:

a bracket configured to attach to the bow;

an arrow support arm joined with the bracket, the arrow support arm movable from a support position to a rest position, the arrow support arm having a rest axis, the arrow support arm rotatable about the rest axis; and

a reset button joined with a shaft that is aligned with the rest axis of the arrow support arm, the reset button operable to convert the rest from a first mode, in which the shaft is rotationally fixed relative to the support arm so that the shaft and support arm rotate in unison, to a second mode, in which the shaft is rotationally decoupled relative to the support arm so that the shaft and support arm do not rotate in unison,

wherein the reset button is manually moveable by a user without the use of tools so that the user can move the reset button thereby converting the rest from the first mode in which the support arm is in a rest position, to the second mode in which the support arm is in the support position.

2. The drop away arrow rest of claim 1 comprising a first bias member joined with the reset button and another, second bias member joined with the support arm,

wherein the second bias member exerts a force on the support arm urging the support arm to the support position.

3. The drop away arrow rest of claim 2 wherein the first bias member is adapted to compress as the rest converts from the first mode to the second mode.

4. The drop away arrow rest of claim 3 wherein manual depression of the reset button compresses the first bias member,

wherein the shaft moves longitudinally along and parallel to the rest axis as the rest converts from the first mode to the second mode.

5. The drop away arrow rest of claim 1 wherein the reset button is non-rotatable relative to the shaft in the first mode so that it rotates with the shaft, in the first mode.

6. The drop away arrow rest of claim 1 wherein the support arm is joined with a support arm body,

wherein the support arm body includes a first engagement member,

wherein the shaft includes a second engagement member,

wherein the second engagement member engages the first engagement member to rotationally fix the shaft relative to the support arm when the rest is in the first mode, wherein the second engagement member disengages the first engagement member to rotationally decouple the shaft relative to the support arm when the rest is in the second mode.

7. The drop away arrow rest of claim 6 wherein the first engagement member is a recess and the second engagement member is a corresponding tab that selectively interfits within the recess.

8. The drop away arrow rest of claim 1 comprising a reset spring and a support arm spring distal from one another, the reset spring adapted to selectively rotate the shaft, the support arm spring adapted to selectively rotate the support arm.

9. The drop away arrow rest of claim 1 comprising a reset spring adapted to selectively rotate the shaft, wherein the reset spring is compressible along a longitudinal spring axis when the reset button is manually moved by the user.

10. The drop away arrow rest of claim 1 wherein the rest axis is substantially perpendicular to an axis of an arrow supported on the support arm when the support arm is in the support position.

11. A drop away arrow rest for an archery bow, the rest comprising:

a bracket;

a housing joined with the bracket;

a shaft mount body joined with the housing, the shaft mount body defining a hole;

a shaft rotatably mounted in the hole;

a reset button rotatably fixed to the shaft so that the reset button rotates when the shaft rotates, the reset button manually operable without the use of tools;

a reset spring adapted to selectively rotate the shaft;

an arrow support arm extending away from the housing, the arrow support arm movable from a support position to a rest position; and

a support arm spring distal from the reset spring and adapted to selectively move the support arm to at least one of the support position and the rest position,

whereby manual operation of the reset button enables the support arm to move from the rest position to the support position.

12. The drop away arrow rest of claim 11 wherein the reset spring is coupled to the shaft mount body and to the reset button,

wherein the reset spring exerts a first rotational force on at least one of the shaft mount body and the reset button.

13. The drop away arrow rest of claim 12 comprising a cord adapted for attachment to a bow component, the cord adapted to selectively exert a cord force that counters the first rotational force.

14. The drop away arrow rest of claim 11 wherein the support arm is joined with a first engagement member and the shaft is joined with a second engagement member,

wherein the second engagement member engages the first engagement member to rotationally fix the shaft relative to the support arm when the rest is in a first mode, wherein the second engagement member disengages the first engagement member to rotationally decouple the shaft relative to the support arm when the rest is in a second mode so that the support arm can rotate freely relative to shaft.

15. The drop away arrow rest of claim 11 wherein the support arm is movable in a vertical plane, without rotating.

16. The drop away arrow rest of claim 11 comprising a rest axis about which the support arm is rotatable,

wherein the rest axis is substantially parallel to an axis of an arrow supported on the support arm when the support arm is in the support position.

17. The drop away arrow rest of claim 11 comprising a first containment arm joined with the housing the first containment arm extending above the support arm when the support arm is in the support position,

wherein an arrow supported by the support arm in the support position is substantially surrounded by at least one of the support arm and the containment arm, whereby the arrow is at least one of impaired and prevented from falling off the support arm in the support position.

18. A drop away arrow rest comprising:

a bracket configured to attach to a bow;

an arrow support arm joined with the bracket, the arrow support arm movable from a support position to a rest position,

a shaft adjacent the support arm;

a reset button joined with the shaft, the reset button manually operable without the use of tools to convert the rest from a first mode to a second mode;

a reset spring adapted to selectively move the shaft;

a support arm spring distal from the reset spring and adapted to selectively move the support arm to at least one of the support position and the rest position;

a first engagement member joined with the support arm; and

a second engagement member joined with the shaft,

wherein the second engagement member engages the first engagement member to rotationally fix the shaft relative to the support arm when the rest is in the first mode, wherein the second engagement member disengages the first engagement member to rotationally decouple the shaft relative to the support arm when the rest is in the second mode so that the support arm can move relative to shaft.

19. The drop away arrow rest of claim 18 wherein the first engagement member is a recess and the second engagement member is a corresponding tab that selectively interfits within the recess, thereby rotationally fixing the shaft relative to the support arm.

20. The drop away arrow rest of claim 18 comprising a first containment arm joined with the bracket, the first containment arm extending above the support arm when the support arm is in the support position,

wherein an arrow supported by the support arm in the support position is substantially surrounded by at least one of the support arm and the containment arrow, whereby the arrow is at least one of impaired and prevented from falling off the support arm in the support position.

21. A drop away arrow rest comprising:

a bracket configured to attach to a bow;

an arm joined with the bracket and located so as to at least one of support an arrow and at least partially contain an arrow; and

a bumper fixedly joined with the arm so that the bumper faces toward the arrow, the bumper adapted to at least one of reduce friction between the arm and the arrow, and to attenuate at least one of noise and vibration upon contact of the arrow with the arm, the bumper located so that it prevents the arrow from contacting the arm,

wherein at least one of the arm and the bumper includes a male connector, and the other of the at least one of the arm and the bumper includes a female connector,

wherein the male connector engages the female connector to fixedly, mechanically join the bumper with the arm, but enables the bumper to be removed from the arm manually, without the use of tools.

22. The drop away arrow rest of claim 21 wherein the arm is at least one of an arrow support arm joined with the bracket, the arrow support arm movable from a support position to a rest position, and an arrow containment arm, adapted to extend at least one of above and below the arrow.

23. The drop away arrow rest of claim 21 wherein the bumper includes the male connector in the form of a ridge extending along a length of the bumper,

wherein the arm includes a groove extending along a length of the arm,

wherein the ridge interfits in the groove.

24. The drop away arrow rest of claim 21 wherein the male connector at least one of snap fits into and slides longitudinally into the female connector to join the bumper and the arm.

25. The drop away arrow rest of claim 21 wherein the male connector is in the form of a ridge, and the female connector is in the form of a groove, wherein the ridge interfits into the groove to mechanically join the bumper and the arm without the use of an adhesive.