Abstract:
An archery bow riser that generally aligns a moveable arrow rest with a longitudinal axis in order to minimize a rotational effect of an archer&#39;s forehand when drawing a bow string.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to an archery bow riser having a moveable arrow rest that can be generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the archery bow riser, to reduce or minimize a rotational effect of an archer&#39;s forehand when drawing a bow string. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Many conventional arrow rests are connected to a bow riser with a bracket. The bracket can adjoin the arrow rest to one of many different types of bow risers, using a mounting hole, such as sized and positioned according to an Archery Manufacturers and Merchant&#39;s Organization (“AMO”) specification. The bracket includes a length or a moment arm that offsets the arrow rest from and thus not aligned with a longitudinal axis of the bow riser. This offset makes aiming at a target more difficult for an archer. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic representation of archer&#39;s forehand  10  holding archery bow riser  12 , including grip  14 , from an above perspective.  FIG. 1  also shows longitudinal axis  24  passing through grip  14 . Longitudinal axis  24  is an imaginary line or a reference line that identifies an axis of rotation of archery bow riser  12 , such as when grip  14  is held by an archer. When the archer draws a bowstring and aims at a target forehand  10  experiences significant stress that can cause small rotational movements, angular deviations and/or twists  16  at grip  14 , particularly about longitudinal axis  24 .  FIG. 1  schematically illustrates the effect of small movements, angular deviations and/or twists  16  at grip  14  which cause or result in movement at arrow support area  18  that can be offset from grip  14  by distance  20 . Small movements, angular deviations and/or twists  16  at grip  12  can produce angle of rotation  22 . Angle of rotation  22  is multiplied by at least a factor of distance  20  between longitudinal axis  24  and arrow support area  18 , resulting in relatively large movement  26  at arrow support area  18 . Movement  26  can be calculated with the following equation: TAN(angle of rotation  24 )*distance  20 =movement  26 . This relatively large movement  26  of arrow support area  18  makes it more difficult for an archer to aim and thus successfully hit a target. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This invention provides an improved archery bow riser that aligns a moveable arrow rest with a longitudinal axis in order to reduce or minimize a rotational effect of an archer&#39;s forehand, such as caused by drawing a bow string. 
         [0007]    An archery bow riser according to this invention has a grip, an arrow shelf and a cavity. The archery bow riser can have a longitudinal axis passing through the grip. The longitudinal axis is an imaginary line or a reference line that identifies an axis of rotation of the archery bow riser when the grip is held by an archer. An arrow rest can be mounted directly or indirectly to the riser. The arrow rest can be a moveable arrow rest having a start position and a launch position. A support area of the arrow rest can be positioned above the arrow shelf and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis in the start position. The arrow rest can be moveably mounted within the cavity, to move into and away from launch position. 
         [0008]    Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The above and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in view of the drawings wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a section of a prior art archery bow riser; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of an archery bow riser in a start position, according to one embodiment of this invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of the archery bow riser of  FIG. 2 , in a launch position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of an archery bow riser in a start position, according to another embodiment of this invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of the archery bow riser of  FIG. 4 , in a launch position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of an archery bow riser in a start position, according to another embodiment of this invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the archery bow riser of  FIG. 6 , in a launch position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a portion of an archery bow riser that houses a vertical drop arrow rest, in a start position, according to another embodiment of this invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the portion of the archery bow riser shown in  FIG. 8 , in a launch position; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a vertical travel type arrow rest, according to the prior art. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    As used throughout this specification and in the claims, the term arrow rest is intended to relate to and to be interchangeable with the terms drop-away arrow rest, move-away arrow rest, fall-away arrow rest and/or any other arrow rest or other similar device for resting or supporting a shaft of a projectile, including an arrow and/or crossbow bolt. Mizek et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,782,881 and Mizek, U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,338, the entire teachings of both of which are incorporated into this specification by reference, teach different technical features and functions of arrow rests that move away from an arrow shaft when the arrow shaft is discharged from an archery bow. 
         [0021]    The scope of this invention is intended to include archery bows, crossbows, or any other device that launches or propels a projectile. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a portion of archery bow riser  30 , according to one embodiment of this invention. Archery bow riser  30  comprises grip  32  and arrow shelf  34 . In certain embodiments of this invention, grip  32  and arrow shelf  34  are integrally formed into or by archery bow riser  30 . 
         [0023]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of walls in grip  32  partially form or define cavity  36 . According to this invention, cavity  36  may or may not be a mounting hole corresponding to AMO standards. In some embodiments of this invention, cavity  36  is bordered by a plurality of walls  38 , such as three vertical walls and a bottom wall as shown in  FIG. 2 , forming a generally cube-like void. Alternatively, cavity  36  can be bordered by any number of walls  38 . 
         [0024]    According to certain embodiments of this invention, arrow rest  40  can be mounted to archery bow riser  30 . Arrow rest  40  can be mounted to archery bow riser  30  with a mechanical mounting, including but not limited to a mechanical connection, such as a threaded connection and/or an adhesive connection. Alternatively, arrow rest  40  can be integrally formed with archery bow riser  30 . In certain embodiments, arrow rest  40  is a moveable arrow rest that includes a start position, such as shown in  FIG. 2 , and a launch position, such as shown in  FIG. 3 . In other embodiments according to this invention, such as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , arrow rest  40  can move between the start position and the launch position in a generally vertical direction.  FIG. 10  shows an example of a prior art arrow rest wherein support  42  moves along vertical travel  49 , which is a linear or generally linear direction. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , arrow rest  40  comprises lower portion  44 , hinge  46  and upper portion  48 . Lower portion  44  can be mounted or otherwise secured directly or indirectly to one or more of walls  38 . Lower portion  44  connects to hinge  46  and/or hinge  46  connects to upper portion  48 . Hinge  46  allows upper portion  48  to pivot and/or otherwise move between the start position and the launch position. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the start position, upper portion  48  rises above grip  32  and arrow shelf  34  and includes support  42 . In this position, support  42  contacts and supports a portion of an arrow shaft, shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 2 . In the launch position, upper portion  48  pivots at hinge  46  and moves, at least partially, within cavity  36 . 
         [0026]    According to some embodiments of this invention, support  42  generally aligns with longitudinal axis  50  when arrow rest  40  is in the start position. Longitudinal axis  50  is an imaginary line or reference line that runs vertically within or through grip  32 . Longitudinal axis  50  can be an axis of rotation about which archery bow riser  30  rotates while in an archer&#39;s forehand grip. When the archer draws a bow string, a significant force is exerted and thus the archer&#39;s forehand is under significant tension which can cause movements and/or rotations about longitudinal axis  50 . The movements and/or rotations are multiplied as a mathematical function of a distance between longitudinal axis  50  and support  42 . This invention reduces or minimizes the multiplication factor by shortening or eliminating the distance between longitudinal axis  50  and support  42 , in some embodiments of this invention by positioning support  42  to be substantially and/or generally aligned with longitudinal axis  50 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show perspective views of archery bow riser  60  according to another embodiment of this invention. Archery bow riser  60  comprises grip  62  and arrow shelf  64 . In this embodiment, cavity  66  is formed as an aperture, an open bore and/or another suitable similar void with a slot shape and/or another suitable shape that passes through arrow shelf  64  and archery bow riser  60 . Alternatively, cavity  66  can be formed of any shape and can pass through at least one of archery bow riser  60 , grip  62  and/or arrow shelf  64 . 
         [0028]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , arrow rest  68  is mounted directly or indirectly to archery bow riser  60 . Arrow rest  68  can be a moveably mounted arrow rest that is moveable between a start position, such as shown in  FIG. 4 , and a launch position, such as shown in  FIG. 5 . Arrow rest  68  comprises support portion  70  and mounting portion  72 . Mounting portion  72  can be mounted to or with respect to archery bow riser  60 , for example using a threaded connection. In this embodiment, support portion  70  comprises a first arm and a second arm extending from mounting portion  72  and through cavity  66 . Each of the first arm and the second arm include a curved portion for supporting arrow shaft  74 . The curved portion can define support  76 . In the start position shown in  FIG. 4 , the first arm and the second arm extend generally parallel to one another from mounting portion  72  with support  76  over grip  62  and aligned with longitudinal axis  78 . In the launch position shown in  FIG. 5 , the first arm and the second arm spread or move away from each other, for example in a scissor-like manner within cavity  66  and can quickly or immediately move out of a path of a launched arrow. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show perspective views of archery bow riser  80  according to another embodiment of this invention. Archery bow riser  80  comprises grip  82  and arrow shelf  84 . In this embodiment, cavity  86  is formed as a recess or a closed bore within or formed by both arrow shelf  84  and archery bow riser  80 . Alternatively, cavity  86  can be a closed bore within or formed by at least one of archery bow riser  80 , grip  82  and/or arrow shelf  84 . 
         [0030]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , arrow rest  88  can be mounted to archery bow riser  80 . Arrow rest  88  can be a moveable arrow rest that includes a start position, such as shown in  FIG. 6 , and a launch position, such as shown in  FIG. 7 . Arrow rest  88  comprises support portion  90  and mounting portion  92 . Mounting portion  92  can be mounted to or with respect to archery bow riser  80 , for example using a threaded connection. Alternatively, mounting portion  82  can be mounted or secured to archery bow riser  80  in any other suitable mechanical or other manner. In this embodiment, support portion  80  comprises two arms, a bracket and a shaft. The shaft extends from mounting portion  92 , though a hole or bore in archery bow riser  80  and into cavity  86 . The shaft connects to the bracket and the bracket connects with each of the two arms. The two arms each can include a curved portion for supporting arrow shaft  94 . The curved portion defines support  96 . In the start position shown in  FIG. 6 , the two arms extend from each end of the bracket and are generally parallel to one another. Support  96  is generally positioned over grip  82  and a midpoint between the two arms generally aligns with longitudinal axis  98 . In the launch position shown in  FIG. 7 , the shaft is rotated about 90 degrees which causes the bracket and the two arms to rotate about 90 degrees within cavity  86  and out of a path of a launched arrow shaft  94 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show perspective views of archery bow riser  30  according to another embodiment of this invention. Archery bow riser  30  comprises grip  32  and arrow shelf  34 . In this embodiment, cavity  36  is formed as a recess or a closed bore within or is formed by both arrow shelf  34  and archery bow riser  30 . Alternatively, cavity  36  can be a closed bore within or formed by at least one of archery bow riser  30 , grip  32  and/or arrow shelf  34 . 
         [0032]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , arrow rest  40  is shown as a vertical drop arrow rest, which can be a known linear or vertical drop arrow rest, such as shown in  FIG. 10 , that has support arm  42  traveling in the general direction of vertical travel  49 . In other embodiments of this invention, arrow rest  40  can be another suitable vertical drop arrow rest or linearly movable arrow rest that travels in a linear direction and/or a generally linear direction and that can be mounted directly or indirectly to archery bow riser  30 . Arrow rest  40  can be a moveable arrow rest that moves or travels between a start position, such as shown in  FIG. 8 , and a launch position, such as shown in  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , arrow rest  40  comprises support  42 . Arrow rest  40  can be mounted directly to or with respect to archery bow riser  30 , for example using a threaded connection, an interference fit connection and/or any other suitable connection. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , support portion  42  comprises one arm that moves along or follows a generally linear path, such as vertical travel  49  shown in  FIG. 10 . In the start position shown in  FIG. 8 , support  42  holds arrow shaft  47  in the position shown in  FIG. 8 , generally above or at a distance from arrow shelf  34 , to provide adequate clearance as arrow shaft  47  is discharged. Support  42  is generally positioned over grip  32 , about or generally at a midpoint along support  42  that generally aligns with longitudinal axis  50 . In the launch position shown in  FIG. 9 , support  42  drops away vertically from a start position, such as a position substantially outside of cavity  36 , to a launch position, such as a position substantially within or inside cavity  36  which in some embodiments is out of or away from a flight path of a launched arrow shaft  47 . 
         [0033]    This invention illustratively as disclosed suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element, part, step, component, or ingredient which is not specifically disclosed herein. 
         [0034]    While in the foregoing detailed description this invention is described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of this invention.