Abstract:
A universal wrist strap, for connection to a plurality of different bowstring release mechanisms via a plurality of different connecting members, includes a flexible base member adapted to fit around the wrist of a user and a mounting assembly connected to the wrist strap. The flexible base member has first and second arms that converge towards an apex area. The mounting assembly is connected to the apex area and is adapted to receive and retain the plurality of different connecting members.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to archery equipment, and more particularly to a wrist strap adaptable to a variety of different connectors associated with different bowstring release mechanisms. 
     Many accessories for archery bows are available for facilitating bow handling, stabilizing the bow during use, improving aiming accuracy, and so on. Once such accessory is in the form of a wrist strap with an attached bowstring release. Archery bowstrings of compound bows typically have pull forces on the order of about 40 to 90 pounds. The use of wrist straps has become common to accommodate these large forces which have the potential to cause possible injury to the archer&#39;s fingers. A wrist strap removes the force of the bowstring that would otherwise be present on the fingers and spreads the force over a relatively large surface area of the wrist and the back of the archer&#39;s hand while leaving at least the thumb or index finger of the hand free to activate the trigger mechanism of the bowstring release. 
     Since the hands and wrists of archers come in many different shapes and sizes, wrist straps and their accompanying string release mechanisms are typically adjustable to accommodate as many archers as possible. Various prior art solutions for connecting the bowstring release mechanism to the wrist strap can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,753,043, 7,278,415, 5,596,977, 5,595,167, and 5,448,983 the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Such solutions have different connecting arrangements between a particular bowstring release mechanism and a particular wrist strap, and therefore are not interchangeable. When a wrist strap and/or bowstring release mechanism of the prior art breaks or becomes worn or otherwise unsuitable for use, and due to the different connecting arrangements of each solution, the user was required to purchase a new replacement part from the original manufacturer or purchase a new wrist strap with attached bowstring release from another manufacturer. For example, if the wrist strap became worn or broken, the user would be required to purchase a new wrist strap to go with the remaining useful parts, such as the bowstring release mechanism, due to the unique connection arrangement between the wrist strap and release mechanism. If it was desirous to change out the old worn or broken wrist strap for another wrist strap that was more suitable to the user&#39;s preference, the user would have to purchase the desired wrist strap with a new release mechanism. In this instance, the release mechanism may not be preferred by the user. Until the present invention, there has been no provision in the prior art to replace a worn or broken wrist strap with a more suitable wrist strap for the user independent of the type of release mechanism being used. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirous to provide a universal wrist strap that is adaptable to various different connecting arrangements between the bowstring release mechanism and wrist strap. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a universal wrist strap, for connection to a plurality of different bowstring release mechanisms via a plurality of different connecting members, includes a flexible base member adapted to fit around the wrist of a user and a mounting assembly connected to the wrist strap. The flexible base member has first and second arms that converge towards an apex area. The mounting assembly is connected to the apex area and is adapted to receive and retain the plurality of different connecting members. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a method of replacing a worn or broken wrist strap of a bowstring release assembly includes providing a universal wrist strap with a mounting assembly having an upper mounting portion connectable to a lower mounting portion; removing the connecting member and bowstring release mechanism from the worn or broken wrist strap; installing the connecting member on the lower mounting portion; and connecting the upper mounting portion to the lower mounting portion such that the connecting member is captured and retained in the mounting assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a bowstring release assembly with a bowstring release mechanism connected to a universal wrist strap in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric exploded view of a mounting assembly of the universal wrist for connecting the universal wrist strap to a variety of different bowstring release mechanisms; 
         FIG. 3  is a lower isometric view of an upper clamping portion associated with the mounting assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially exploded isometric view of the a portion of a first bowstring release mechanism connectable to the universal wrist strap via the mounting assembly in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially exploded isometric view of the a portion of a second bowstring release mechanism connectable to the universal wrist strap via the mounting assembly in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view thereof taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  with the upper clamping portion installed on the lower clamping portion; 
         FIG. 7  is a partially exploded isometric view of the a portion of a third bowstring release mechanism connectable to the universal wrist strap via the mounting assembly in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a partially exploded isometric view of the a portion of a fourth bowstring release mechanism connectable to the universal wrist strap via the mounting assembly in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a partially exploded isometric view of the a portion of a fifth bowstring release mechanism connectable to the universal wrist strap via the mounting assembly in accordance with the invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a partially exploded isometric view of the a portion of a sixth bowstring release mechanism connectable to the universal wrist strap via the mounting assembly in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     It is noted that the drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope thereof. It is further noted that the drawings may not be necessarily to scale. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and to  FIG. 1  in particular, a bowstring release assembly  10  in accordance with the invention is illustrated. The assembly  10  includes a bowstring release mechanism  14  removably connected to a universal wrist strap  12  via a mounting assembly  16  in accordance with the present invention. The bowstring release mechanism  14  extends from the wrist strap  12  via an extension member  26  for engaging a bowstring and/or a string loop or “D” loop  19  associated with the bowstring. The present invention is primarily adapted for use with compound bows due to the high pull forces that otherwise may injure the fingers of an archer, but may also be used with recurve bows, reflex bows, longbows, and so on. 
     The jaw mechanism  14  as shown is of conventional construction and includes a pair of jaws  18 ,  20  that extend outwardly from a body portion  22 . A trigger  24  also extends from the body portion  22  and is operatively associated with one or both jaws such that, when the trigger  24  is pulled, movement of one or both jaws toward an open position occurs, to either release the bowstring or string loop when shooting, or allow entry of the bowstring or string loop into the center of the jaws when getting ready to assume a shooting stance. Likewise, pushing the trigger  24  in the opposite direction causes movement of one or both jaws from the open position toward the closed position to encircle or capture the bowstring or string loop  20 . The internal components that permit operation of the jaw mechanism  14  in the above-described manner are well known and therefore will not be further described. 
     An extension member  26  is connected to the jaw mechanism  14  and the wrist strap  12  via the mounting assembly  16 . The extension member  26  can be adjustable in any well known-manner for accommodating the different hand sizes and preferences of archers so that a proper shooting position can be achieved. It will be understood that other jaw mechanisms and/or trigger devices can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     A preferred wrist strap  12  for use with the mounting assembly  16  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6 . The wrist strap  12  preferably includes a flexible base member  28  that is adapted to at least partially surround the wrist of an archer. The base member  28  is preferably generally V-shaped in construction with a first arm  31  and a second arm  33  converging at an apex portion  36 . The base member  28  has a top surface  30  and bottom surface  32  ( FIG. 6 ), an apex portion  36 , and a first end portion  38  associated with the first arm  31 , and a second end portion  40  associated with the second arm  33 , that diverge from the apex portion  36 . It will be understood that the term “end portion” as used herein can include any portion of the flexible base member up to the apex portion. Preferably, the flexible base member  28  is constructed of a center padding layer  42  ( FIG. 6 ), an upper lining layer  44 , and a lower lining layer  46  that have the same shape as the center layer  42 . The center layer, upper layer and lower layer are preferably connected together via a continuous edging  48  that extends around the periphery of the base member and wraps around the edge thereof so that a portion of the edging is positioned on the top surface  30  and bottom surface  32 . The edging  48  is preferably connected to the layers by stitching. However, it will be understood that other means for connecting the layers together can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The upper and lower layers can be used to add strength to the center layer and can be of any color or pattern, such as various camouflage patterns, to thereby provide both functional and aesthetically pleasing effects. However, it will be understood that the base member  26  can be constructed of a single layer of material or, alternatively, more than three layers of material, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     An adjustment mechanism is connected to the flexible base member  26  for cinching the wrist strap  12  around the wrist of a user with virtually infinite adjustment. The adjustment mechanism preferably includes a first anchor member  50  connected to the top surface  30  of the flexible base member  26  at or near the first end portion  38  of the base member, and a second anchor member  52  connected to the top surface  30  at or near the opposite second end portion  40  of the base member  26 , and a cable (not shown) that extends between the first and second anchor members. The first anchor member is preferably in the form of a reel assembly for winding and unwinding the cable while the second anchor member  52  serves to hold a loop of the cable during winding and unwinding. 
     Further details of the wrist strap  12  are described in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/314,330 to Anthony T. LoRocco and assigned to TruGlo Inc., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular wrist strap shown and described, as the mounting assembly of the present invention is adaptable to a wide variety of wrist strap types, styles, and sizes. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting assembly  16  preferably includes a first lower mounting portion  54  connected to the wrist strap  12  and a second upper mounting portion  56  for connection to the lower mounting portion  54 . As shown, a fastener  58 , preferably in the form of a threaded screw, extends through an opening  60  formed in the upper mounting portion  56  and threads into an opening  62  formed in a lower mounting block  64  of the lower mounting portion  54 . 
     The lower mounting portion  54  is preferably in the form of a generally triangular-shaped lower plate  55  and is attached to the top surface  30  of the base member  26  at the apex portion  36  thereof via a pair of bands or straps  61  and  63  that extend through strap mounting slots  66  and  68 , respectively, formed in the plate  55 . The slots  66  and  68  are preferably oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the first and second arms  31  and  33 , respectively. The bands  61  and  63  are preferably looped or folded over and the superimposed ends of each band are secured to the base member  26  of the wrist strap  12 , preferably through stitching, to thereby create loop portions that extend through the slots  66 ,  68 . However, it will be understood that other means for attaching the lower mounting portion  54  to the base member  26  can be used, including but not limited to, adhesive bonding, clamping, mechanical fastening, and so on. 
     The lower mounting portion  54  further includes a front wall  70  spaced from a front surface  72  of the lower mounting block  64  to form a locating groove  74  for receiving various connecting members for the string release mechanism, as will be described in greater detail below. Locating grooves  76  are formed in the front surface  72  of the mounting block  64  for receiving spaced locating pins  78  that extend from the base member  26  so that the lower mounting portion  54  can be properly placed with respect to the base member. The locating pins  78  are preferably in the form of cylindrically-shaped resilient inserts for reducing vibration and/or rattling of various connecting members when installed in the locating groove  74 , as will be described in greater detail below. A series of transverse slots  80 ,  82 , and  84  are formed in the lower mounting portion  54  for receiving a leash  86  ( FIG. 4 ) associated with a string release mechanism, such as mechanism  14  in  FIG. 1 . The slots  80 ,  82  and  84  are preferably parallel with the front wall  70  so that the leash  86  extends in the proper orientation with respect to the wrist strap  12 . Locating apertures  88  preferably extend through the plate  55  for receiving locating pins  90  ( FIG. 3 ) formed on the upper mounting portion  56  so that the upper mounting portion is properly oriented with respect to the lower mounting portion. The lower mounting block  64  preferably includes rear-facing angled surfaces  89  and  93  that extend at an acute angle with respect to a centerline  95  bisecting the apex portion  36 . Although the lower mounting block  64  is generally triangular in shape, it can be semi-circular, circular, or of some other shape for accommodating various connecting members, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper mounting portion  56  preferably includes an upper plate  92  with a first upper mounting block  94  and second upper mounting block  96  extending downwardly therefrom. The locating pins  90  in turn extend downwardly from each mounting block. Preferably, the first and second upper mounting blocks  94  and  96  are oriented parallel with the mounting slots  66  and  68  ( FIG. 2 ), respectively, of the lower mounting portion  56 . The mounting blocks  94  and  96  have inner surfaces  98  and  100 , respectively, that generally face forward that, together with the mounting block  64  ( FIG. 2 ) of the lower mounting portion  54 , capture various connecting members associated with the string release mechanism to thereby positively connect the string release mechanism to the wrist strap  12 . The upper mounting blocks preferably include angled surfaces  98  and  100  that extend at an acute angle with respect to the centerline  95  ( FIG. 2 ) bisecting the apex portion  36 . Although the upper mounting blocks form a generally triangular-shaped opening for accommodating the lower mounting block  64 , they can be semi-circular, circular, or of some other shape for accommodating various connecting members, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. A circular depression  102  is formed in the top plate  92  of the upper mounting portion  56  and is in alignment with an opening  104  formed in the bottom plate  55  for receiving a connection member, such as a fastener assembly, associated with the release mechanism. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a portion of a prior art connecting member  86  associated with a bowstring release mechanism, such as mechanism  14  in  FIG. 1 , is connected to the wrist strap  12  in accordance with the invention. As shown and as previously described, the connecting member  86  is in the form of a connecting strap that extends through the strap connecting slots  80 ,  82 , and  84  formed in the lower mounting portion  54 . The provision of three such slots ensures that the strap is securely held in place under high tensile forces that are generated while the bowstring of an archery bow is being pulled back to the drawn position. However, it will be understood that more or less slots or other strap securing arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. When the connecting member  86  is installed on the lower mounting portion  54  as shown, neither the block  64  nor the groove  74  are used for retaining the strap, nor is the upper mounting portion used for capturing a portion of the strap for the purpose of connecting the strap  86  to the wrist strap  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , another prior art connecting member  106  associated with a bowstring release mechanism, such as mechanism  14  in  FIG. 1 , is connected to the wrist strap  12  in accordance with the invention. As shown, the connecting member  106  is formed as a flat plate with a forward aperture  108  extending therethrough for connection to an extension member (not shown) associated with the release mechanism, and a rearward triangular-shaped opening  110  that form support legs  112  and  114 . When the connecting member  106  is installed on the wrist strap  12 , the rear opening  112  captures the lower mounting block  64  and front wall  70  of the lower mounting portion  54  such that the support legs  112  and  114  are in contact with the rear-facing angled surfaces  89  and  93  of the lower mounting block  64 . The upper mounting portion  56  is then secured to the lower mounting portion  54 , as previously described, so that the support legs  112  and  114  are captured between the first and second upper mounting blocks  94  and  96  and the lower mounting block  64 , as well as the lower plate  55  and upper plate  92 . Preferably, the upper mounting blocks include resilient inserts  115  ( FIG. 2 ) that are compressed against the support legs  112  and  114  when installed to reduce or eliminate vibration or rattling that may otherwise occur. In this manner, the prior art connecting member  106  and its associated extension member and/or string release mechanism can be re-used when the user&#39;s worn or broken wrist strap is replaced with the wrist strap  12  or the like having the mounting assembly  16 . When the connecting member  106  is installed on the lower mounting portion  54  as shown, neither the locating groove  74 , nor the strap connecting slots  80 ,  82 , and  84 , are used for retaining the connecting member  106  for the purpose of connecting the connecting member  106  to the wrist strap  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a prior art connecting member  116  associated with a bowstring release mechanism, such as mechanism  14  in  FIG. 1 , is connected to the wrist strap  12  in accordance with the invention. As shown, the connecting member  116  is generally triangular in shape and formed as a flat plate with a forward transverse arm  118  and two rearwardly converging support legs  120 ,  122  extending from the forward arm to form a triangular-shaped opening  124 . Fasteners  126  are located in the forward arm  118  and thread into a clamping plate (not shown) or the like for holding a band, strap or the like associated with the trigger release mechanism in a well-known manner. When the connecting member  116  is installed on the wrist strap  12 , the triangular-shaped opening  124  captures the lower mounting block  64  and front wall  70  of the lower mounting portion  54  such that the support legs  120  and  124  are in contact with the rear-facing angled surfaces  89  and  93  of the lower mounting block  64 . The upper mounting portion  56  is then secured to the lower mounting portion  54 , as previously described, so that the support legs  120  and  122  are captured between the first and second upper mounting blocks  94  and  96  and the lower mounting block  64 , as well as the lower plate  55  and upper plate  92 . In this manner, the prior art connecting member  116  and its associated extension member and/or string release mechanism can be re-used when the user&#39;s worn or broken wrist strap is replaced with the wrist strap  12  or the like having the mounting assembly  16 . When the connecting member  116  is installed on the lower mounting portion  54  as shown, neither the locating groove  74 , nor the strap connecting slots  80 ,  82 , and  84 , are used for retaining the connecting member  106  for the purpose of connecting the connecting member  106  to the wrist strap  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a prior art connecting member  126  associated with a bowstring release mechanism, such as mechanism  14  in  FIG. 1 , is connected to the wrist strap  12  in accordance with the invention. As shown, the connecting member  126  is in the form of a split ring that receives a band, strap or the like associated with the trigger release mechanism in a well-known manner. When the connecting member  126  is installed on the wrist strap  12 , the ring captures the lower mounting block  64  and front wall  70  of the lower mounting portion  54  such that the inner surface of the ring are in contact with the mounting block  64 . The upper mounting portion  56  is then secured to the lower mounting portion  54 , as previously described, so that the connecting member  126  is captured between the first and second upper mounting blocks  94  and  96  and the lower mounting block  64 , as well as the lower plate  55  and upper plate  92 . In this manner, the prior art connecting member  126  and its associated extension member and/or string release mechanism can be re-used when the user&#39;s worn or broken wrist strap is replaced with the wrist strap  12  or the like having the mounting assembly  16 . When the connecting member  126  is installed on the lower mounting portion  54  as shown, neither the locating groove  74 , nor the strap connecting slots  80 ,  82 , and  84 , are used for retaining the connecting member  116  for the purpose of connecting the connecting member  116  to the wrist strap  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a prior art connecting member  130  associated with a bowstring release mechanism, such as mechanism  14  in  FIG. 1 , is connected to the wrist strap  12  in accordance with the invention. As shown, the connecting member  130  is generally triangular in shape and formed as a flat plate with a transverse slot  132  that forms a rearward transverse arm  134 . A forward aperture  136  extends through the connecting member  130  for connection to an extension member (not shown) associated with the release mechanism in a well-known manner. When the connecting member  116  is installed on the wrist strap  12 , the rearward transverse arm  134  is received in the locating groove  74  of the lower mounting member  54  while the transverse slot  132  captures the front wall  70  thereof. In this position, the resilient locating pins  78  press against the rearward transverse arm  134 , forcing it against the front wall  70  to thereby reduce or prevent vibration and/or rattling of the connecting member  130  during use. The upper mounting portion  56  is then secured to the lower mounting portion  54 , as previously described, so that the rearward transverse arm  134  is captured between the forward ends of the first and second upper mounting blocks  94  and  96  and the front wall  70 , as well as the lower plate  55  and upper plate  92 . In this manner, the prior art connecting member  130  and its associated extension member and/or string release mechanism can be re-used when the user&#39;s worn or broken wrist strap is replaced with the wrist strap  12  or the like having the mounting assembly  16 . When the connecting member  130  is installed on the lower mounting portion  54  as shown, neither the lower mounting block  64  nor the strap connecting slots  80 ,  82 , and  84 , are used for retaining the connecting member  130  for the purpose of connecting the connecting member  130  to the wrist strap  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a prior art connecting member  140  associated with a bowstring release mechanism, such as mechanism  14  in  FIG. 1 , is connected to the wrist strap  12  in accordance with the invention. As shown, the connecting member  140  includes a yoke  142  with a center mount  144  for connection to an extension member (not shown) associated with the release mechanism in a well-known manner. Legs  146  and  148  extend rearwardly and outwardly from either side of the center mount  144 . A rearward transverse rod or arm  150  extends between the outer free ends of the legs. When the connecting member  140  is installed on the wrist strap  12 , the rearward transverse arm  150  is received in the locating groove  74  of the lower mounting member  54  while an opening  152  formed between the legs  146 ,  148  and the arm  150  captures the front wall  70  thereof. In this position, the resilient locating pins  78  press against the rearward transverse arm  150 , forcing it against the front wall  70  to thereby reduce or prevent vibration and/or rattling of the connecting member  140  during use. The upper mounting portion  56  is then secured to the lower mounting portion  54 , as previously described, so that the rearward transverse arm  150  is captured between the forward ends of the first and second upper mounting blocks  94  and  96  and the front wall  70 , as well as the lower plate  55  and upper plate  92 . In this manner, the prior art connecting member  140  and its associated extension member and/or string release mechanism can be re-used when the user&#39;s worn or broken wrist strap is replaced with the wrist strap  12  or the like having the mounting assembly  16 . When the connecting member  140  is installed on the lower mounting portion  54  as shown, the strap connecting slots  80 ,  82 , and  84 , will not be used for retaining the connecting member  140  for the purpose of connecting the connecting member  140  to the wrist strap  12 . 
     It will be understood that the term “preferably” as used throughout the specification refers to one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and therefore is not to be interpreted in any limiting sense. In addition, terms of orientation and/or position as may be used throughout the specification denote relative, rather than absolute orientations and/or positions. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. By way of example, the wrist strap  12  can be of any style or type with a variety of different securing means, as long as the mounting assembly  16  is connected thereto. Moreover, it will be understood that the particular shape and features of the mounting assembly can vary depending on the types of connecting members to be connected thereto. It will be understood, therefore, that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but also covers modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.