ARCHERY BOW ACCESSORY DEVICE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A mounting assembly for pivotably mounting an accessory device to the riser of an archery bow is provided. The mounting assembly includes a main body portion with first and second ends. The first end is rotatably mounted to the riser at a mounting portion and rotatable about a pivot axis. The second end includes a connecting portion for removably connecting an accessory device. The first end includes spaced first and second apertures for receiving first and second fasteners that mount the mounting assembly to the riser of the archery bow. The mounting assembly is rotatable about a pivot axis defined through the first aperture and adjustable by moving the position of the second aperture relative to the second fastener. The mounting assembly can be rotated into a desired orientation angle and then secured in a fixed position relative to the riser.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention relates generally to archery bows and particularly to attachment and mounting assemblies for connecting stabilizers and other accessory devices to an archery bow.

Archery accessories, such as stabilizers, quivers, string stops, sights, cable guards/cable guides, and arrow rests are often attached to the riser of archery bows. There are a variety of known methods for connecting such accessory devices; however, these methods commonly involve a dedicated attachment means specific to a particular accessory device, provide insufficient structural support and integrity for the accessory device and archery bow, and do not allow for the desired adjustment of the accessory device once attached to the archery bow. Such known attachment methods also typically configured as part of the accessory device, are configured to connect to the exterior of the riser, and require a significant number of parts and complexity to achieve attachment, reducing the ease of use and efficiency of the accessory device.

Accordingly, a need exists for an accessory device mounting assembly for an archery bow that can allow for structurally stable mounting of an accessory device to the riser of the archery bow while also allowing for efficient adjustment and interchangeability of the accessory device. A need also exists for a mounting assembly that can remain rigidly attached to the riser of an archery bow and used with multiple different accessory devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to an accessory device mounting assembly for an archery bow and to an archery bow having an integral mounting assembly on the riser of the archery bow for selectively attaching an accessory device thereto. The archery bow of the present invention can be configured as any standard archery bow and can include a riser having a mounting portion formed in the riser for mounting the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly can be connected and mounted to the riser of an archery bow. According to one embodiment, the mounting assembly can be integrally formed into the riser. In certain embodiments, the mounting assembly can be connected and mounted to the riser and selectively removable therefrom.

According to a first embodiment, the mounting assembly can include a main body portion having a first end and a second end. The first end of the main body portion can include first and second mounting apertures extending through the main body portion that correspond to respective first and second receiving apertures defined into a mounting portion of the riser. The first mounting aperture can be positioned toward the interior of main body portion and the second mounting aperture can be spaced from the first mounting aperture and positioned toward the edge of the first end. The second mounting aperture can also be configured as a slotted, arcuate aperture.

The main body portion can be pivotally mounted to the riser by a first fastener extending through the first mounting aperture on the main body portion and the first receiving aperture on the riser. The main body portion can be configured to rotate about an axis defined by the first fastener extending through the first mounting aperture. The main body portion can also be connected to the riser by a second fastener extending through the second mounting aperture on the main body portion and the second receiving fastener on the riser. A slotted, arcuate and elongated shape of the second mounting aperture can allow the main body portion to rotate about the pivot axis of the first mounting aperture while the second fastener extends through both the second mounting aperture and the second receiving aperture on the riser.

The second end of the main body portion can include a connecting portion configured for selectively attaching an accessory device to the mounting assembly. According to one embodiment, the connecting portion can be configured as a standard quick detach feature. The connecting portion can be configured to receive the standard threaded fastener provided on many archery bow accessory devices in order to attach the accessory device to the mounting assembly.

The mounting assembly can be rigidly mounted to the riser of the archery bow and also configured for allowing the adjustment of the accessory device attached to the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly is configured to rotate in the vertical direction about the pivot axis extending through the first mounting aperture. Once the mounting assembly is positioned in the desired orientation angle, the second fastener can be tightened and fully inserted through the second mounting aperture on the mounting assembly and the second receiving fastener on the riser of the archery bow. The orientation angle of the mounting assembly can subsequently be adjusted by partially untightening the second fastener and rotating the mounting assembly about the pivot axis until the desired orientation angle is achieved. According to certain embodiments, the mounting assembly can be configurable at any angle between an upward-most orientation angle to a downward-most orientation angle.

According to a second embodiment, the mounting assembly can include a main body portion having a first end and a second end. The first end of the main body portion can be configured for rotatably connecting to the mounting portion of the archery bow riser by a ball-and-socket connection arrangement. The first end of the main body portion can include a spherical ball stud formed into and extending from the end thereof. The mounting portion of the riser can include a corresponding socket cavity configured for receiving the ball stud of the main body portion. The mounting portion on the riser can include a housing bracket with first and second plate portions. The first plate portion can be integrally formed in the riser and the second plate portion can be removably connected to the first plate portion by at least one fastener. The first and second plate portions provide the enclosed socket cavity within the interior of the housing bracket. The second end of the main body portion can be configured in a similar manner to the first embodiment and can include a connecting portion for selectively attaching an archery bow accessory device to the mounting assembly.

The mounting assembly of the second embodiment can be rotatably mounted to the riser of the archery bow by the spherical ball stud of the main body portion and the housing and socket cavity of the riser mounting portion. The ball stud can be free to rotate and move in both the vertical and horizontal directions within the socket cavity. By rotating or moving the ball stud within the socket cavity, the mounting assembly can be positioned at any desired vertical and/or horizontal orientation angle. Once an accessory device is connected to the mounting assembly, the vertical and/or horizontal orientation angle of the accessory device can be adjusted by rotating the mounting assembly ball stud end within the socket cavity. Once the accessory device and mounting assembly is placed in the desired orientation angle, the second plate portion of the housing bracket can be fully secured to the first plate portion by fully tightening the fastener inserted though the housing bracket in order to secure the ball stud of the mounting assembly in a fixed position within the socket cavity.

Objects and advantages pertaining to the mounting assembly for archery bows may become apparent upon referring to the example embodiments illustrated in the drawings and disclosed in the following written description or appended claims.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary 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.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of an archery bow with an accessory device mounting assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the mounting assembly in an upward angled position;

FIG. 1B is a side elevation view of an archery bow of FIG. 1A, illustrating the mounting assembly in an intermediate position;

FIG. 1C is a side elevation view of an archery bow of FIG. 1A, illustrating the mounting assembly in a downward angled position;

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevation view of the archery bow of FIG. 1A illustrating the mounting assembly with an accessory device attached thereto;

FIG. 3 is an exploded partial side perspective view of the archery bow of FIG. 1A, illustrating the mounting assembly and an accessory device;

FIG. 4 is an exploded partial side perspective view of the archery bow of FIG. 1A, illustrating the mounting assembly;

FIG. 5 is a partial side perspective view of the archery bow of FIG. 1A illustrating the mounting assembly mounted onto a riser of the archery bow;

FIG. 6 is a partial side elevation view of an archery bow with an accessory device mounting assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded partial side perspective view of the archery bow of FIG. 6, illustrating the mounting assembly and riser of the archery bow;

FIG. 8 is a partial side sectional view of the archery bow of FIG. 6, illustrating the mounting assembly and riser of the archery bow;

FIG. 9A is a partial side perspective view of the archery bow of FIG. 6, illustrating the mounting assembly in an upward angled position;

FIG. 9B is a partial side perspective view of the archery bow of FIG. 6, illustrating the mounting assembly in an intermediate position;

FIG. 9C is a partial side perspective view of the archery bow of FIG. 6, illustrating the mounting assembly in a downward angled position;

FIG. 10A is a top elevation view of the archery bow of FIG. 6, illustrating the mounting assembly at a lefthand angled position;

FIG. 10B is a top elevation view of the archery bow of FIG. 6, illustrating the mounting assembly at an intermediate angled position; and

FIG. 10C is a top elevation view of the archery bow of FIG. 6, illustrating the mounting assembly at a righthand angled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention are described and shown in the accompanying materials, descriptions, instructions, and drawings. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawings. It will be understood that any dimensions included in the drawings are simply provided as examples and dimensions other than those provided therein are also within the scope of the invention.

The description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The present invention is directed generally to an archery bow, and specifically, to an integral mount assembly for an archery bow for selectively attaching, connecting, and adjusting an archery bow accessory device, such as a stabilizer, that requires mounting and/or attachment to the riser of an archery bow. As shown and described herein, the integral mounting assembly can be configured as a pivoting or rotating attachment assembly on a bow riser for removably attaching an accessory device such as a stabilizer to an archery bow. The mounting assembly is also configured to allow for vertical and/or horizontal rotational adjustment that can alter the orientation and position of an attached accessory device, which in turn can change the collective center of mass of the archery bow. The mounting assembly can also be adaptable and used with any number of different accessory devices through the use of a standardized attachment end.

While the following description and referenced figures herein describe and illustrate the integral mounting assembly of the present invention in use with a stabilizer device, it is also recognized that the integral mounting assembly may also be suitably configured and used for any number of other accessories and devices mounted onto the riser of a compound archer bow, including without limitation, a quiver, string stop, sight, cable guard/cable guide, or arrow rest.

Turning to FIGS. 1A-1C, an integral accessory mounting assembly 10 is shown with an archery bow 12 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated through FIGS. 1A-1C, mounting assembly 10 can be configured to selectively move, rotate, and/or pivot relative to the rest of archery bow 12, and in turn enable the adjustment of an archery accessory (such as a stabilizer or other device) attached to archery bow 12 via mounting assembly 10. Mounting assembly 10 can be connected to, integrated into, and/or configured for use with any type of archery bow, including without limitation, dual cam, binary cam, solo cam, and hybrid cam compound bows, longbows, recurve bows, crossbows, and the like. FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate one exemplary type of compound archery bow 12 configured with mounting assembly 10; however, it is recognized that mounting assembly 10 can suitably be connected and/or incorporated into any type of archery bow 12 not specifically shown or described herein.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, an exemplary archery bow 12 can include a riser 14 with a handle or grip portion 16 and upper and lower portions 18 and 20 extending therefrom. First and second bow limbs 22 and 24 can be secured to the opposing ends of upper and lower portions 18 and 20, respectively. First and second pulley assemblies 26 and 28 can be mounted on to the first and second bow limbs 20 and 22 for receiving one or more power cables and a draw cable or drawstring (not shown) for use in the operation of archery bow 12. As further shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, riser 14 can be configured with an outer frame portion 30a and a plurality of spaced inner brace portions 30b positioned within outer frame portion 30a. Riser 14 can further include a mounting portion 32 formed into riser 14 at outer frame portion 30a and/or one or more inner brace portions 30b for connecting mounting assembly 10 of the present invention as described in greater detail below. The configuration of riser 14 shown in FIGS. 1A-1C represents just one particular construction for a riser and alternative configurations and designs for riser 14 are considered within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, and in greater detail in FIGS. 2-4, archery bow 12 can include mounting assembly 10, in accordance with one embodiment, that is integrated into riser 14 of the archery bow 12. Mounting assembly 10 can be secured to or otherwise incorporated into riser 14 at mounting portion 32, which may be located at any position along the height of riser 14 depending on the desired arrangement, type of accessory attachment, user preference, and/or intended use of mounting assembly 10. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, according to one particular configuration, mounting portion 32 of riser 14 and mounting assembly 10 secured thereto can be positioned on the lower portion 20 of riser 14; however, mounting portion 32 and mounting assembly 10 may also be positioned on the upper portion 18 or any other location on riser 14. Additionally, in certain embodiments, two or more mounting assemblies 10 may be incorporated into archery bow 12 and located at different heights along riser 14, which can enable the attachment of an accessory device at different locations and/or the attachment of multiple accessory devices for archery bow 12. In such embodiments, riser 14 can include multiple mounting portions 32 corresponding to each mounting assembly 10.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-4, mounting assembly 10 can include a main body portion 34 that is configured to be attached to mounting portion 32 of riser 14. Main body portion 34 can be configured as a block, shaft, bar, arm, housing, or similar structure. Main body portion 34 can have an elongated shape with a first end 36 and a second end 38; however, main body portion 34 can be configured with any alternative shape suitable for attachment to riser 14 in alternative embodiments. Main body portion 34 can include a mounting aperture 40 for receiving a fastener 42 to connect main body portion 34 to riser 14 of archery bow 12. Mounting aperture 40 can positioned adjacent to but inward and offset from first end 36 of main body portion 34. Mounting aperture 40 can be configured as a hole or opening defined into the interior of main body portion 34 and can extend entirely through main body portion 34.

As further shown in FIGS. 2-4, main body portion 34 can also include a slotted aperture 44 provided at first end 36 for receiving a second fastener 46. Slotted aperture 44 can have an elongated curved or arcuate shape that generally corresponds to the rotational movement of first end 36 when main body portion 34 is rotated about an axis extending through mounting aperture 40 as described in greater detail below. The shape or profile of slotted aperture 44 can define at least a portion of the angular path traveled by first end 36 of main body portion 34 when main body portion 34 is rotated about the pivot axis defined through mounting aperture 40. Put differently, the center of the slotted aperture 44 can define a radius that is equal to the distance between the centers of first and second receiving apertures 48 and 50. This arrangement can allow slotted aperture 44 to remain aligned with a receiving aperture 50 (on riser 14) as main body portion 34 is rotated so that second fastener 46 can remain at least partially inserted through both slotted aperture 44 and second receiving aperture 50 during adjustment and operation as described in greater detail below. As best shown in FIG. 3, first end 36 can be configured as an extension portion with a reduced thickness relative to the remainder of main body portion 34 and configured to receive second fastener 46 within slotted aperture 44. As further shown in FIG. 3, slotted aperture 44 can include a recessed portion configured for at least partially receiving the head of second fastener 46 when inserted into and through slotted aperture 44. It will be appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment, a slotted aperture may be defined in the riser 14 and the second receiving aperture may be defined in the main body portion 34. In other words, aperture 50 may be a slotted aperture and aperture 44 may be a regular cylindrical aperture.

As shown in FIGS. 2-5, mounting portion 32 of riser 14 can include a first receiving aperture 48 configured to receive first fastener 42 and a second receiving aperture 50 configured to receive second fastener 46. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, both first and second receiving apertures 48 and 50 can be configured as openings or slots defined through mounting portion 32 of riser 14 and can be sized to correspond to fasteners 42 and 46, respectively. Each receiving aperture 48 and 50 can be located at and extend through either riser frame portion 30 or riser brace portions 32 depending on the desired arrangement. First and second receiving fasteners 48 and 50 can be spaced apart from one another a distance the corresponds to the distance between first and second mounting apertures 40 and 44 provided on mounting assembly 10.

According to one particular embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, first receiving aperture 48 provided in riser 14 can include a primary first receiving aperture 48a and a secondary first receiving aperture 48b, each of which are aligned along a common axis and configured to receive fastener 42. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, primary aperture 48a can be located on the front side of riser 14 and secondary aperture 48b can be located on the rearward side of riser 14 so that a gap or space formed between the two apertures 48a and 48b. The distance between the two apertures 48a and 48b (and the gap formed therebetween) can be approximately equal to the thickness, width or depth of main body portion 34 to allow first end 36 of main body portion 34 to be received within riser 14 between both first receiving apertures 48a and 48b. In alternative embodiments (not shown), first receiving aperture 48 can be configured as a single opening defined through a portion of mounting portion 32, or any part of riser frame 30 or riser brace portion 32.

Mounting assembly 10 may be secured and mounted to riser 14 by positioning main body portion 34 into mounting portion 32 of riser 14 so that first mounting aperture 40 is aligned with first receiving aperture 48 and second slotted aperture 44 is aligned with second receiving aperture 50. According to one embodiment as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, mounting portion 32 can include an opening defined through frame portion 30 of riser 14 that first end 36 of main body portion 34 is inserted through and between primary and secondary apertures 48a and 48b. Once main body portion 34 is positioned within riser 14 so that apertures 40 and 48 and apertures 44 and 50 are aligned, fasteners 42 and 46 may be inserted through each collective set of apertures to mount mounting assembly 10 to riser 14.

Each of fasteners 42 and 46 can be configured as a pin, bolt, screw, or other type of fastener and can be threaded or non-threaded. Similarly, apertures 42 and 48 and 44 and 50 can be sized and configured to receive fasteners 42 and 46, respectively, and may be threaded or non-threaded. According to one embodiment, first receiving aperture 48 (including one or both of primary and secondary apertures 48a and 48b) and second receiving aperture 50 can include receiving threads in order to engage threaded fasteners 42 and 46, while apertures 40 and 44 can be non-threaded to allow for a pivotal mounting of mounting assembly 10. In such an embodiment, further tightening of fasteners 42 and 46 once inserted through apertures 40, 44, 48 and 50, respectively, can operate to tighten and lock main body portion 34 of mounting assembly 10 in a fixed position relative to riser 14. The tightening and locking of main body portion 34 to riser 14 can be accomplished via frictional engagement and/or contact force applied by the pressure of the fully tightened fasteners 42 and 46 pressing main body portion 34 against mounting portion 32 of riser 14.

As further shown in FIGS. 2-5, mounting assembly 10 can include a connecting portion 52 provided at second end 38 of main body portion 34. Connecting portion 52 can be configured to selectively connect and attach an accessory device 54 to mounting assembly 10 for use on archery bow 12. According to one embodiment, as best illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, connecting portion 52 can be configured as a quick detach feature. Connecting portion 52 can include a vertical slot 56 defined into second end 38 and a cylindrical nut 58 with an opening for receiving a connecting end of the accessory device 54 configured as a threaded fastener. In general, the threaded fastener end of common accessory devices 54 have a standard size, diameter and thread type so the opening of cylindrical nut 58 can be configured to accommodate and receive many different types of accessory devices 54, such as a stabilizer, quiver, string stop, sight, cable guard/cable guide, or arrow rest, that utilized a standard threaded fastener size.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, vertical slot 56 can include a grooved portion generally conforming to cylindrical nut 58 so that nut 58 can be inserted into and received within vertical slot 56. The threaded fastener end of accessory device 54 can be inserted into the opening of nut 58 and turned to tighten in order to secure accessory device 54 to connecting portion 52 and attach accessory device 54 to mounting assembly 10 (and archery bow 12). Accessory device 54 can also be detached or removed from mounting assembly 10 by turning the threaded fastener end of accessory device 54 in the opposite direction to loosen and allow cylindrical nut 58 to be removed from vertical slot 56. Connecting portion 52 can also be designed and configured as any other type of standard quick detach feature now known or hereinafter developed.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, mounting assembly 10 can be rigidly mounted to riser 14 of archery bow 12 by positioning main body portion 34 on riser 14 and securing main body portion 34 to mounting portion 32 of riser 14 via fasteners 42 and 46 as described above. The mounted arrangement of mounting assembly 10 to riser 14 via fastener 42 provides a pivot-type connection that enables mounting assembly 10 to pivot or rotate vertically about an axis perpendicular to the height of riser 14. Slotted aperture 44 of main body portion 14 provides the range of rotation of mounting assembly 10 relative to riser 14 and allows mounting assembly 10 to be selectively fixed at a desired orientation angle relative to riser 14. As described previously, slotted aperture 44 can have an elongated curved or arcuate shape that corresponds to the angular or rotational path followed by first end 36 of main body portion 34 when it pivots or rotates about mounting aperture 40 and fastener 42 inserted therein.

Second fastener 46 can be loosened from second receiving aperture 50 on riser 14, which then allows main body portion 34 to be rotated about fastener 42 to a desired orientation angle. Once main body portion 34 (and mounting assembly 10) is positioned at the desired orientation angle, second fastener 46 can be tightened with respect to second receiving aperture 50 in order to fix or secure main body portion 34 at the current orientation angle. Because slotted aperture 46 on main body portion 34 has a curved/arcuate profile that generally corresponds to the rotational movement of first end 36 (of main body portion 34) when rotated about the axis defined through mounting aperture 40, slotted aperture 44 remains aligned with second receiving aperture 50 on riser 14 as main body portion 34 is rotated to achieve the desired orientation angle.

Slotted aperture 44 can be configured to provide any desired total range of rotational orientation angles. According to one embodiment, slotted aperture 44 is configured to allow for a rotational range between −60 degrees to 60 degrees relative to horizontal (where 0 degrees is defined as the horizontal plane extending perpendicular to the direction of riser 14). According to another embodiment, slotted aperture is configured to allow for a rotational range between −30 degrees to 30 degrees. It will be appreciated that other rotational ranges may be possible. FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate mounting assembly 10 configured at three possible orientation angles; however, any desired orientation angle can be achieved depending on the desired application. By allowing for the orientation angle of mounting assembly 10 to be selectively adjusted, the overall center of mass CM of archery bow 12 can be adjusted to a user's preference when an accessory device 54 is connected to archery bow 12. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, a stabilizer device 54 can be mounted on to archery bow 12 by mounting assembly 10 and then the orientation angle of mounting assembly 10 (and stabilizer 54 connected thereto) can be adjusted in order to achieve the desired center of mass CM for archery bow 12 based on a user's preference. FIG. 1A illustrates mounting assembly 10 in an upward orientation corresponding to a first center of mass CM1, FIG. 1B illustrates mounting assembly 10 in an intermediate or centered orientation corresponding to a second center of mass CM2, and FIG. 1C illustrates mounting assembly 10 in a downward orientation corresponding to a third center of mass CM3. As further illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, adjusting mounting assembly 10 to achieve a greater downward orientation angle lowers the effective center of mass CM of archery bow 12. It will be appreciated that adjustment of the mounting assembly 10 can move the overall center of mass CM of archery bow 12 vertically and even slightly fore and aft. Mounting assembly 10 can additionally be positioned in any orientation or angle between the upward and downward orientations illustrated through FIGS. 1A-1C. It is also recognized that mounting assembly 10 can be configured with allowable orientation angles different from those described above.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, any desired accessory device 54 (such as a stabilizer) can be mounted onto archery bow 12 by securing the accessory device 54 to mounting assembly 10. As described above, the threaded fastener end of the accessory device 54 is inserted and secured to connecting portion 52 of mounting assembly 10 by securing the threaded fastener end to the cylindrical attachment nut 58 positioned within main body portion 34 of mounting assembly 10. Once attached to mounting assembly 10, the orientation angle of accessory device 54 relative to riser 14 can be adjusted to a desired position as described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C.

As also shown throughout FIGS. 1-5, mounting assembly 10 is configured to be attached and/or mounted on to riser 14 of archery bow 12 and is configured to be selectively rotated vertically between a range of different orientation angles. As a result, when an accessory device 54 is secured on to mounting assembly 10, the accessory device 54 rotates in conjunction with mounting assembly 10. Notably, the accessory device 54 can remain rigidly and fixedly attached to mounting assembly 10 and does not need to be configured to rotate, pivot, or move relative to mounting assembly 10. Instead, mounting assembly 10 is configured to pivot or rotate relative to riser 14 and archery bow 12 directly. This can allow mounting assembly 10 to be more securely attached to riser 14 and provide a more stable and secure connection of the accessory device 54 to archery bow 12.

FIGS. 6-10 show a mounting assembly 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Similar to mounting assembly 10, mounting assembly 100 can be configured for rigid attachment to riser 14 of an archery bow 12 and enable an accessory device 54 to be selectively and removably attached to the mounting assembly and pivoted or rotated relative to the riser 14 of the archery bow 12. As best shown in FIGS. 6-8, mounting assembly 100 can include a main body portion 102 with a first end 104 and a second end 106. First end 104 can be configured for mounting main body portion 102 to riser 14 and second end 106 can be configured for selectively attaching an accessory device 54 to mounting assembly 100. Second end 106 can be configured in a substantially similar manner to second end 38 of mounting assembly 10 described above, while first end 104 can be configured with an alternative mounting arrangement for attaching mounting assembly 100 and main body portion 102 to riser 14 of archery bow 12.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, first end 104 of main body portion 102 can be configured for a ball and socket mounting arrangement to riser 14 of archery bow 12. As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, first end 104 of main body portion 102 can include a ball stud or ball detent 108 configured with a spherical shape. Ball stud end 108 can be integrally formed into first end 104 of main body portion 102 and extend outward therefrom, or ball stud end 108 can be attached to first end 104 via a threaded fastener or other suitable means. As shown in FIGS. 6-8, riser 14 can include a corresponding socket cavity or recess 110 formed into riser 14 at either outer frame portion 30a or an inner brace portion 30b. According to one embodiment as best shown in FIG. 6, riser 14 can include a housing bracket 112 extending from outer frame portion 30a and adjacent an inner brace portion 30b that includes socket cavity 110 defined therein. Housing bracket 112 can form the mounting portion 32 of mounting assembly within riser 14. Mounting portion 32 can also include an opening defined through outer frame portion 30a of riser 14 for receiving first end 104 of main body portion 102 when ball stud end 108 is secured to socket cavity 110 of mounting portion 32 and housing bracket 112.

Socket cavity 110 can be configured with a recess or groove that generally corresponds to and conforms to the ball stud 108 on first end 104 of main body portion 102. As also shown in FIGS. 6-8, housing bracket 112 can include a first portion 114 integrally formed onto or fixedly secured to riser 14 and a second portion 116 that can be selectively removed from riser 14. Each of first portion 114 and second portion 116 can include a recess or groove that collectively forms socket cavity 110 within housing bracket 112.

As further shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, second portion 116 of housing bracket 112 can be positioned onto first portion 114 and secured thereto by means of one or more fasteners 118 that are inserted through corresponding apertures 120 defined through both first portion 114 and second portion 116. Once ball stud 108 of main body portion 102 is positioned within socket cavity 110, second portion 116 can be secured to first portion 114 via fasteners 118 in order to secure main body portion 102 to riser 14.

As further shown in FIGS. 6-8, second end 104 can include connecting portion 122 configured to selectively connect and attach an accessory device 54 to mounting assembly 100 for use on archery bow 12. Connecting portion 122 can be configured in a similar manner as connecting portion 52 of mounting assembly 10 described previously, and according to one embodiment, connecting portion 122 can be configured as a quick detach feature as shown in FIGS. 6-10. As best shown in FIGS. 9A-C and 10A-C, connecting portion 122 can include a vertical slot 124 defined into second end 106 of main body portion 102 and a cylindrical nut 126 with an opening for receiving a connecting end of the accessory device 54 configured as a threaded fastener. As described previously, the threaded fastener end of common accessory devices 54 have a standard size, diameter and thread type so the opening of cylindrical nut 126 can be configured to accommodate and receive most standard different types of accessory devices 54, such as a stabilizer, quiver, string stop, sight, cable guard/cable guide, or arrow rest.

Cylindrical nut 126 can be inserted into and received within a grooved portion of vertical slot 124 and the threaded fastener end of accessory device 54 can be inserted into the opening of nut 126 and turned to tighten in order to secure accessory device 54 to connecting portion 122 and attach accessory device 54 to mounting assembly 100 (and archery bow 12). As described previously, accessory device 54 can also be detached or removed from mounting assembly 100 by turning the threaded fastener end of accessory device 54 in the opposite direction to loosen and allow cylindrical nut 126 to be removed from vertical slot 124. Connecting portion 122 can also be designed and configured as any other type of standard quick detach feature now known or hereinafter developed.

As shown in FIGS. 6-8, mounting assembly 100 can be attached and mounted to archery bow 12 by placing ball stud 108 on main body portion 12 into the socket cavity 110 defined in housing bracket 112 on riser 14. Once inserted into socket cavity 110, second portion 116 of housing bracket 112 can be secured onto first portion 114 by inserting fasteners 118 through apertures 120 and securing thereto.

Once mounting assembly 100 is attached to riser 14, mounting assembly 100 can be selectively adjusted to change its position and orientation angle relative to riser 14 and archery bow 12. According to one embodiment, mounting assembly 100 can be configured only for vertical orientation angle adjustment by rotating and/or pivoting ball stud 108 vertically upward or downward within socket cavity 110. However, due to the ball and socket connection arrangement, mounting assembly 100 can alternatively be configured for enabling both vertical and horizontal adjustment. In such an embodiment, mounting assembly 100 can be rotated and/or pivoted along any plane. Accordingly, mounting assembly 100 can be configured and adjusted to any vertical orientation angle between 90 and −90 degrees and any horizontal orientation angle between 90 and −90 degrees in any desired combination.

Mounting assembly 100 can be adjusted by slightly untightening fasteners 118 from apertures 120 in housing bracket 112 so that ball stud 108 is free to rotate and pivot within socket cavity 110. Once the desired position of mounting assembly 100 is achieved (including the desired vertical and horizontal orientation angle), fasteners 118 can be re-tightened within apertures 120 and secure ball stud 108 in a fixed position within socket cavity 110. Additionally, similar to the first embodiment of mounting assembly 10 described previously, when an accessory device 54 is attached to mounting assembly 100, accessory device 54 can be selectively adjusted with any desired vertical and/or horizontal orientation angle by moving and/or pivoting mounting assembly 100 relative to riser 14 and archery bow 12. FIGS. 9A-C and 10A-C illustrate mounting assembly 100 in several different exemplary positions with corresponding vertical and horizontal orientation angles relative to riser 14. An accessory device 54 (not shown) attached to mounting assembly 100 will be positioned within an identical orientation angle as mounting assembly 100 relative to riser 14. FIGS. 9A-C illustrate mounting assembly 100 in upward, intermediate and downward vertical orientation angles, while FIGS. 10A-C illustrate mounting assembly 100 in lefthand, intermediate and righthand horizontal orientation angles. The connection arrangement of mounting assembly 100 to riser 14 also can allow for any combination of vertical and horizontal orientation angles depending on the desired positioning of the accessory device 54. It will be appreciated that adjustment of the mounting assembly 100 can move the overall center of mass CM of archery bow 12 vertically, horizontally, and even slightly fore and aft.

From the accompanying materials, it will be seen that the invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth herein with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

The constructions described in the accompanying materials and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required.” Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for attaching an archery accessory device to an archery bow, the mounting assembly comprising:

a main body portion having a first end and a second end;

a first mounting aperture defined through the main body portion proximate the first end, the first mounting aperture adapted for receiving a first fastener therethrough;

a second adjustment aperture defined through the main body portion proximate the first end and offset from the first mounting aperture, the second adjustment aperture adapted for receiving a second fastener therethrough; and

an accessory device attachment component proximate the second end of the main body portion, the attachment component configured for removably securing an archery accessory device to the mounting assembly;

wherein the mounting assembly is configured to be pivotably connected to a riser of an archery bow and the main body portion is configured for rotation about a pivot axis defined through the first mounting aperture.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the second adjustment aperture is a slotted aperture.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 2, wherein the second adjustment aperture has an elongated curved shape.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first mounting fastener insertable through the first mounting aperture and configured to pivotally mount the main body portion to an archery bow riser.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 4, further comprising a second adjustment fastener insertable through the second adjustment aperture and configured to selectively secure the main body portion in a fixed position relative to the archery bow riser.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly is configured to rotate the archery accessory device so as to selectively adjust the location of an overall center of mass of the archery bow.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the accessory device attachment component is configured as a quick detach feature for securing an accessory device to the mounting assembly.

8. An archery bow comprising:

a riser having a mounting portion comprising a first riser aperture and a second riser aperture defined therethrough;

a mounting assembly pivotally coupled to the mounting portion of the riser, the mounting assembly comprising: a main body portion having a first end and a second end; a first mounting aperture defined through the main body portion; a second adjustment aperture defined through the main body portion proximate the first end and offset from the first mounting aperture; a first fastener extending through the first mounting aperture and the first riser aperture, wherein the main body portion is configured to rotate about a pivot axis defined through the first fastener; a second fastener extending through the second adjustment aperture and the second riser aperture; and an accessory device attachment component provided proximate the second end of the main body portion, the attachment component configured for removably securing an archery accessory device to the mounting assembly.

9. The archery bow of claim 8, wherein the second adjustment aperture is a slotted aperture.

10. The archery bow of claim 9, wherein the second adjustment aperture has an elongated curved shape.

11. The archery bow of claim 9, wherein the main body portion is rotatable about the pivot axis between a first position and a second position, wherein the second fastener is positioned at an upper end of the second adjustment aperture when the main body portion is in the first position, and wherein the second fastener is positioned at a lower end of the second adjustment aperture when the main body portion is in the second position.

12. The archery bow of claim 8, wherein the main body portion is rotatably fixed at a selected orientation angle when the second fastener is fully tightened relative to the second adjustment aperture and the second riser aperture.

13. The archery bow of claim 8, wherein the main body portion is selectively rotatable relative to the riser between at least a first orientation angle and a second orientation angle.

14. The archery bow of claim 13, wherein the mounting assembly has an upward extending orientation when at the first orientation angle and a downward extending orientation when at the second orientation angle.

15. The archery bow of claim 8, wherein the riser further comprises a handle portion, and wherein the mounting portion is located below the handle portion along a height of the riser.

16. The archery bow of claim 8, wherein the mounting assembly is configured to rotate the archery accessory device so as to selectively adjust the location of an overall center of mass of the archery bow.

17. The archery bow of claim 8, wherein the accessory device attachment component is configured as a quick detach feature.

18. An archery bow comprising:

a riser having a mounting portion comprising a housing and a socket cavity defined at least partially within the housing;

a mounting assembly pivotally coupled to the mounting portion of the riser and configured to connect an archery accessory device to the riser, the mounting assembly comprising: a main body portion having a first end and a second end; and a ball stud extending from the first end and received within the socket cavity of the riser and rotatable therein;

an accessory device attachment component provided proximate the second end of the main body portion, the attachment component configured for removably securing an archery accessory device to the mounting assembly.

19. The archery bow of claim 18, wherein the mounting assembly is rotatable relative to the riser in a vertical direction.

20. The archery bow of claim 18, wherein the mounting assembly is rotatable relative to the riser in a horizontal direction.