Abstract:
An archery bow rack includes a lower support member for supporting the bow&#39;s weight, and an upper catch with a movable surface for restraining the bowstring, such that the bow is held generally upright. The catch and lower support member are such that a number of bows can be stored in the rack with minimal side clearance between adjacent bows, as the bows can be inserted or removed in straight in or out motion. In some embodiments, the catch snaps into a string-restraining position in response to forcing the bowstring into the catch.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The subject invention generally pertains to archery bows and more particularly to a rack for efficiently storing or displaying such bows 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Current racks for holding archery bows use various hooks, clamps and other bow-holding devices, wherein the bow needs to be manipulated in various directions in order to insert or remove the bow from the rack. This can be a problem where a number of bows need to be stored or displayed within a limited area, which is common in storage cabinets and stores that sell bows. When bows are to be arranged in a side-by-side relationship, extra side clearance between adjacent bows may be needed to allow the bow to move sideways, so that the bow and/or bowstring can be hooked around a fixed hook or engage another type of holding device. 
     Some bow-holding devices grip the bow itself, which can scratch the surface of the bow. 
     Other bow-holding devices include protruding mechanical hardware that can be unsightly, difficult to dust, and not easily hidden within fine wooden cabinetry. 
     Still other methods involve simply dangling the bow from a hook, whereby the lower ends of adjacent bows can bang together, sometimes in a chain reaction. 
     Consequently, there is a need for an improved device for holding archery bows 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To overcome the problems and limitation of current bow-holding devices, it is an object of the invention to provide a rack that can hold archery bows in generally upright, side-by-side arrangement. 
     Another object is to provide a rack that can efficiently hold a number of bows with a minimum of side clearance between adjacent bows. 
     Another object is to support an archery bow in an upright position by engaging its bowstring with a device that does not require the string to be moved sideways. 
     Another object is to enable a bow to be inserted and removed from a rack with a straight in/out linear motion. 
     Another object is to engage a bowstring with a roller to minimize string wear in the area of engagement. 
     Another object is to provide a bow-holding device that lends itself well to mounting in various arrangements including within an attractive display cabinet. 
     Another object is to provide a bow-holding device that provides a snap-in action that the user can feel, so the user knows when the bow becomes fully engaged within the device. 
     Another object is to provide a bow-holding device with an adjustment that can adjust the bowstring holding force to meet requirements such as bow weight, bowstring thickness, and user preference. 
     Another object is to provide a bow-holding device that requires a greater force to remove the bow than to insert it. 
     One or more of these and/or other objects of the invention are provided by a rack for storing an archery bow, wherein the rack includes a lower support member for supporting most of the bow&#39;s weight, and a catch with a movable surface for restraining the bowstring, such that the bow is held generally upright. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view showing a bow being placed in a rack according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the bow installed in the rack. 
     FIG. 3 a  is a top view of the catch of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the bowstring about to be inserted through a string-passageway that is currently at its less open position. 
     FIG. 3 b  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 a  but showing the bowstring pinched within the string-passageway, which is currently at its more open position. 
     FIG. 3 c  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 a , but showing the bowstring constrained within the string-capturing area. 
     FIG. 4 a  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 a  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 4 b  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 b  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 4 c  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 c  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 a  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 a  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 b  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 b  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 c  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 c  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 6 a  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 a  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 6 b  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 b  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 6 c  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 c  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 7 a  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 a  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 7 b  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 b  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 7 c  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 c  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 8 a  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 a  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 8 b  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 b  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 8 c  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 c  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 9 a  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 a  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 9 b  is a top view similar to FIG. 3 c  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 10 a  is a top view similar to FIG. 9 a  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 10 b  is a top view similar to FIG. 9 c  but of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 11 a  is a front view of a catch in a less open position. 
     FIG. 11 b  is a side view of the catch in FIG. 11 a.    
     FIG. 11 c  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11   c — 11   c.    
     FIG. 11 d  is similar to FIG. 11 a but with the catch in a more open position. 
     FIG. 12 a  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12   a — 12   a  of FIG. 12 d.    
     FIG. 12 b  is similar to FIG. 12 a  but showing the bowstring pinched within the string-passageway, which is currently at its more open position. 
     FIG. 12 c  is similar to FIG. 12 a , but showing the bowstring constrained within the string-capturing area. 
     FIG. 12 d  is a side view of a bow mounted in a rack, wherein a central portion of the drawing is omitted to show certain features of the invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rack according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a rack installed in a cabinet. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of stand holding at least one rack. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c  illustrate a rack  10  for storing an archery bow  12  that includes a bow  14  and a bowstring  16 . In the case where bow  12  is a compound bow, bow  12  may further include a sheave  18 , such as a cam  20  or a roller  22 , as shown in FIG. 12 d . Rack  10  comprises a catch  24  and a lower support member  26  upon which bow  12  may rest its weight. Catch  24  and/or lower support member  26  can be attached to a mounting surface  28 , such as a wall, cabinet, stand, etc. 
     Catch  24  defines a string-passageway  30  leading to a string-capturing area  32 . A surface  34  on catch  24  is movable to vary the string-passageway from being less open (FIGS. 3 a  and  3   c ) to more open (FIG. 3 b ). The less open position helps hold bowstring  16  within string-capturing area  32 . The less open position can be tightly closed or open so slightly that surface  34  is still able to block the escape of the bowstring from within area  32 . The more open position allows bowstring  16  to be inserted into or removed from within area  32 . Bowstring  16  can move unimpeded by some embodiments of the string-passageway. In other embodiments, however, bowstring  16  may need to be forced through the string-passageway, whereby bowstring  16  deflects or otherwise moves catch  24  to open the string-passageway. The movement of surface  34  can be achieved by various structure including, but not limited to, surface  34  being made of or mounted to a resilient member or material (e.g., sheet metal, plastic, spring steel, etc.), surface  34  being part of a roller, surface  34  being part of a movable latch (e.g., movable strap, bar, hook, flap, magnet, clip, snap, etc.). For the embodiment of FIGS. 3 a - 3   b , catch  24  comprises one or more curved pieces of resilient metal that a fastener  36  attaches to mounting surface  28  or to another structural member. Catch  24  may be provide with a lead-in  38  (beveled or curved) to help bowstring  16  into the string-passageway. 
     In another embodiment, shown FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b  and  4   c , a catch  40  includes a roller assembly  42 . Roller assembly  42  includes a roller  44  that a spring  46  urges toward another member  48  of catch  40 . Member  48  is schematically illustrated to represent any structure that helps define a string-passageway  50  between itself and a movable surface  52  of roller  44 , wherein string-passageway  50  leads to a string-capturing area  54 . Examples of member  48  include, but are not limited to, a bar, block, plate, or another roller (spring loaded or fixed position). Surface  52  is movable to vary string-passageway  50  from being less open (FIGS. 4 a  and  4   c ) to being more open (FIG. 4 b ). Catches  40  and  24  are similar with FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b  and  4   c  corresponding to FIGS. 3 a ,  3   b , and  3   c  respectively. 
     To provide catch  40  with an adjustment  56  that determines the effort that may be needed to force bowstring  16  through the string-passageway, catch  40  may be provided with oblong mounting holes  58  through which fasteners  60  extend for attaching catch  40  to mounting surface  28 . In some cases, the location of fasteners  60  within holes  58  can determine how close surface  52  is to member  48  when passageway  50  is less open. In cases where roller  44  touches member  48  in the less open position, the location of fastener  60  within holes  58  can determine how much preload is applied to spring  46 . In other words, adjustment  56  can determine a force that may need to be exerted in a normal direction against surface  52  to vary the spring-passageway from being less open to more open. It should be noted that adjustment  56  is just one example of an adjustment for varying the operating force of a catch, and numerous versions of adjustment  56  can be applied to various embodiments of the invention. 
     In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5 a ,  5   b  and  5   c , a catch  62  includes two clips  64  that a spring  66  urges toward each other. Clips  64  define a string-passageway  68  that leads to a string-capturing area  70 . Clips  64  are movable within a housing  72  so that a surface  74  can move to vary string-passageway  68  from being less open (FIGS. 5 a  and  5   c ) to being more open (FIG. 5 b ). Catches  62  and  24  are similar with FIGS. 5 a ,  5   b  and  5   c  corresponding to FIGS. 3 a ,  3   b , and  3   c  respectively. 
     In another embodiment, shown FIGS. 6 a ,  6   b  and  6   c , a catch  76  includes a leaf spring  78  that urges itself toward another member  80  of catch  76 . Member  80  is schematically illustrated to represent any structure that helps define a string-passageway  84  between itself and a movable surface  82  of leaf spring  78 , wherein string-passageway  84  leads to a string-capturing area  86 . Examples of member  80  include, but are not limited to, a bar, block, plate, roller, or another leaf spring. Surface  82  is movable to vary string-passageway  84  from being less open (FIGS. 6 a  and  6   c ) to being more open (FIG. 6 b ). Catches  76  and  24  are similar with FIGS. 6 a ,  6   b  and  6   c  corresponding to FIGS. 3 a ,  3   b , and  3   c  respectively. 
     In another embodiment, shown FIGS. 7 a ,  7   b  and  7   c , a catch  88  includes a magnet  90  that urges itself toward another member  92  of catch  88 . Member  92  is schematically illustrated to represent any structure that is drawn to a magnet and helps define a string-passageway  94  between itself and a movable surface  96  of magnet  90 , wherein string-passageway  94  leads to a string-capturing area  98 . Examples of member  92  include, but are not limited to, a ferrous bar, block, plate, roller, or another magnet. Surface  96  is movable to vary string-passageway  94  from being less open (FIGS. 7 a  and  7   c ) to being more open (FIG. 7 b ). Catches  88  and  24  are similar with FIGS. 7 a ,  7   b  and  7   c  corresponding to FIGS. 3 a ,  3   b , and  3   c  respectively. 
     In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 8 a ,  8   b  and  8   c , a catch  100  includes a resilient strap  102  (e.g., a strap made of plastic, rubber, spring steel, etc) attached to a housing  104 . Housing  104  defines a string-passageway  106  that leads to a stringcapturing area  108 . Strap  102  is movable so that a surface  110  of strap  106  can move to vary string-passageway  106  from being less open (FIGS. 8 a  and  8   c ) to being more open (FIG. 8 b ). Due to the distance between a strap mounting point  112  and an edge  114  of housing  104 , bowstring  16  may be easier to insert in area  108  than to remove from area  108  (i.e., more force may be needed to pull bowstring  16  out from within area  108 ). Catches  100  and  24  are similar with FIGS. 8 a ,  8   b  and  8   c  corresponding to FIGS. 3 a ,  3   b , and  3   c  respectively. 
     In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b , a catch  116  includes a housing  118  with a keyed lock  120  that can turn a pawl  122  to selectively open and close a string-passageway  124  defined by housing  118 . String-passageway  124  leads to a string-capturing area  126 , which is also defined by housing  118 . Pawl  122  is movable within housing  118  so that a surface  128  of pawl  122  can move to vary string-passageway  124  from being less open (FIG. 9 b ) to being more open (FIG. 9 a ). Catches  116  and  24  are similar with FIGS. 9 a ,  9   b  corresponding to FIGS. 3 a  and  3   c  respectively. 
     In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b , a catch  130  includes a housing  132  with a sliding latch  134  that can move a deadbolt  136  to selectively open and close a string-passageway  138  defined by housing  132 . String-passageway  138  leads to a string-capturing area  140 , which is also defined by housing  132 . Deadbolt  136  is movable within a guide member  142  so that a surface  144  of deadbolt  136  can move to vary string-passageway  138  from being more open (FIG. 10 a ) to being less open (FIG. 10 b ). Catches  130  and  116  are similar with FIGS. 10 a ,  10   b  corresponding to FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  respectively. 
     In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 11 a ,  11   b ,  11   c  and  11   d , a catch  146  includes a housing  148  that defines a string-passageway  150  that leads to a string-capturing area  152 . String-passageway  150  and string-capturing area  152  are basically a slot  154  in housing  148 . Catch  146  also includes a latch  156  that can swing about a mounting pin  158 . Latch  156  can swing under its own weight or be spring loaded (e.g., via a torsion spring). Latch  156  is movable relative to housing  148  so that a surface  160  of latch  156  can move to vary string-passageway  150  from being less open (FIGS. 11 a ,  11   b , and  11   c ) to being more open (FIG. 11 d ). The weight of a lower arm  162  can urge latch  156  to the less open position. A cam surface  164 , such as a bevel or curve, extends from latch  156 , such that bowstring  16  exerting pressure on cam surface  64 , as shown in FIG. 11 c , urges latch  156  to swing open, as shown in FIG. 11 d . Once bowstring  16  is within string-capturing area  152 , latch  156  may swing back down to help hold bowstring  16  in place. Latch  156  can be manually swung open to release bowstring  16 . 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 12 a ,  12   b ,  12   c , and  12   d , catch  166  includes two roller assemblies  42  mounted facing each other within a crossbeam  170 . Crossbeam  170  is horizontally elongate and defines a plurality of string-receiving slots  172  that traverse the crossbeam. The string-receiving slots are part of a string-passageway  174  that leads to a string-capturing area  176 . Similar pairs of roller assemblies  42  can be installed at each string-receiving slot  172  to hold a plurality of bows in a substantially upright, side-by-side arrangement, as shown by a rack  178  of FIG.  13 . Crossbeam  170  is preferably made of wood with the catches being installed within the crossbeam for appearance and to protect the bowstring from snagging on any exposed metal hardware. Catches  166  and  40  are similar with FIGS. 12 a ,  12   b  and  12   c  corresponding to FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b , and  4   c  respectively. 
     Referring to FIG. 12 d , lower support  26 ′ preferably defines a lower sheave-receiving pocket  180  and an upper sheave-receiving slot  182  that can engage sheave  22  and/or bowstring  16  to help position bow  12 . In some cases, catch  166  and lower support  26 ′ are slightly offset to each other, as apparent by the offset appearance of bowstring  16  at break line  184  of FIG. 12 d . Although not required, the horizontally staggered arrangement does enable the weight of bow  12  to urge the bow to swing naturally away from mounting surface  28  (analogous to a door that is improperly hung at an angle, whereby the door tends to swing to lower its center of gravity). 
     FIG. 14 shows rack  178  mounted inside a cabinet  186  with an attached swinging door  188 . FIG. 15 shows two racks  198  mounted back-to-back on a self-supporting stand  190 . Upon viewing FIG. 15, it should appreciated by those skilled in the art that racks  178  can be arranged in infinite ways, including but not limited to, two racks back-to-back (FIG.  15 ), three rack arranged in a triangle where the three racks make up the three sides of the triangle, four racks arrange in a rectangle or square where the four racks make up the four sides of the square or rectangle, etc. Elongate crossbeam could also be curved to provide a circular bow rack. 
     Although the invention is described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications are well within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by reference to the claims that follow.