Abstract:
A relatively simple and lightweight rotatable quiver can be mounted on a bow. The quiver includes a rotatable subassembly including slotted discs mounted on a central rod. The rotatable subassembly is mounted within a stationary subassembly including two spaced apart split rings mounted on a quiver bracket. When slots in the disc are aligned with an opening formed by the distal ends of the split ring, an arrow can be inserted or removed. An O-ring mounted on the disc intersects the slots and urges the arrows radially outward into engagement with the inside surface of the split rings so that the arrows are held tightly in the quiver regardless of the size of the arrow. A lock mechanism and device mounting components can also be mounted on the quiver bracket.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit of the filing date of US Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/315,643 filed Aug. 30, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention is related to archery quivers or arrow dispensing devices and more particularly to rotatable quivers that can be mounted on a bow or other device. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Different Prior Art quivers have been used to store arrows for use by an archer. The most common type of quiver is one in which multiple arrows are stored in a side by side configuration with the individual arrows held in slots or clips of common configuration. An example of this type of prior art quiver is shown in FIG. 18, which shows a bow  100  with a prior art quiver  110  mounted on the bow. This prior art quiver is shown in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,881. Some attempts have been made to provide a configuration in which the arrows can be rotated into a position in which the arrows can be released one at a time. Addition of a rotating capability has historically added cost, complexity and weight to the quiver, making rotatable quivers less desirable, especially when mounted directly to the bow. Insertion and removal of arrows from prior art rotatable quivers can also involve relatively complicated maneuvers accounting for the lack of acceptance of some of these prior art devices. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,116,730 discloses a rotating quiver having a pair of spider discs made of flexible rubber with evenly spaced openings for retaining the shaft of an arrow at spaced locations. The discs are mounted on a spindle, and the spindle is mounted on upper and lower brackets that can be used to mount the quiver on a bow. The brackets extend between two adjacent arrows, so the quiver cannot be freely rotated to any position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,099 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,734 disclose a quiver in which a hunter may insert the head of an arrow into one of several slotted openings in a holder so that the arrowheads are wedged therein. The shafts of the arrows can be wedged into cutouts in a shaft supporting member that is formed by sandwiching a pliable member with cutouts between two more rigid plastic members. Although the arrows can be rotated, a compound movement appears necessary in order to insert or remove the arrows from the quiver, because the hunter must thread the arrowhead into one of the slotted openings designed to receive arrowheads of different shapes. Furthermore the two arrowhead and shaft retaining units have different shapes which would appear to increase the expense of this device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,088 discloses a quiver having a cylindrical housing with a lid having a closed-cell foam filler for receiving the point of an arrowhead. The lid is attached to an arrow retaining ring and this subassembly can be rotated within an outer shell which includes a slot. A door on the arrow retaining ring can be positioned to close this slot and the arrows can be rotated into alignment with the slot. However, the intent of this device appears to be to completely close the arrows, unless the subassembly is rotated to align a single arrow for removal from the quiver. Although such a device may protect the arrows, it would appear that this device is relatively bulky and that it would be difficult to insert or remove arrows from the quiver. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention provides a simple, compact, light weight, rotatable quiver with a minimum number of parts. At the same time the arrows are held securely in the quiver and, but can be released by simply rotating the arrows. The arrows are inserted or removed by lateral motion without the need for complicated compound movement. The arrows can also be fully enclosed by a removable cover. 
     According to this invention, a quiver for holding a plurality of arrows, the quiver includes a stationary subassembly and a rotatable subassembly. The stationary subassembly includes two spaced apart split rings joined by a bracket affixed to each split ring. Each split ring includes an opening between distal ends. The openings in the split rings are aligned so that an arrow can be simultaneously laterally inserted or removed through the aligned openings. Each slit ring is affixed to the bracket at a point circumferentially spaced from the split ring opening so that the bracket does not interfere with insertion and removal of an arrow through the split ring openings. The rotatable subassembly includes first and second discs each including a plurality of radially extending slots. Each slot has a width sufficient to receive an arrow inserted laterally therein. Each disc is positioned within an associated split ring so that the disc is free to rotate relative to the associated split ring. A central rod extends between the two discs. Each disc is attached to the central rod so that the rotatable subassembly is rotatable relative to the stationary subassembly. Each arrow is held in associated slots in the two spaced apart discs by the split rings, until the rotatable subassembly is rotated to a position in which a slot holding an arrow is aligned with openings in the split rings so that an arrow can be removed. 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the quiver can store arrows within a rotating magazine located within an outer member, such as a pair of split rings. This magazine includes at least one disc having a plurality of radially oriented slots. Each slot is open to a peripheral surface on the disc and has a width sufficient for receipt of an arrow shaft. The disc includes a segmented circumferential groove extending between the slots and intersecting the slots. The groove is radially spaced from a root of at least one slot. A resilient ring is located in the circumferential groove. This resilient ring is deflectable inwardly toward the root of a slot in which an arrow is positioned. The outer member has an inwardly facing circumferential surface in which the disc is located. The resilient ring urges an arrow located in a slot outwardly into engagement with the circumferential surface to grip an arrow in a slot. The disc is rotatable relative to the outer member. The outer member includes at least one opening though which an arrow can be inserted or removed when one slot on the disc is aligned with the opening. 
     This quiver can be part of a quiver assembly kit including a quiver attachable to and detachable from other archery components, such as a bow and a hip quiver bracket. The quiver in the quiver assembly kit includes a quiver bracket in the form of a bar having a plurality of threaded and smooth holes spaced apart between opposite ends of the quiver bracket. The quiver also includes an arrow magazine means mounted on one side of the quiver bracket. A bow bracket mountable on a bow is attachable to the quiver bracket on a second side of the quiver bracket. The bow bracket includes a pair of dog-leg slots for receiving a pair of screws extending from the quiver bracket bow so that the quiver can be mounted on a bow. The kit also includes a hip bracket also attachable to the second side of the quiver bracket. A tubular cover is removably mountable on the quiver to enclose the arrow magazine means. The tubular cover includes a cover slot for receiving the quiver bracket when the tubular cover is mounted on the quiver with the second side of the bow bracket being exposed so that the bow bracket or hip bracket are exposed when the tubular cover encloses the arrow magazine means. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a three dimensional view of a quiver or arrow dispenser in accordance with this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a three dimensional view from a different orientation showing a representative arrow positioned within the quiver. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial three dimensional view of the of FIGS. 1 and 2 with an outer cover mounted on the quiver. 
     FIG. 4 is a three dimensional view of one of the arrow holding discs in which arrows can be mounted and rotated into a position in which a selected arrow can be removed from the quiver. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the disc shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the disc shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. 
     FIG. 7 is a view of one of the split rings in which the discs are mounted. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view showing the exterior or mounting surface of the split ring of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a view of the exterior face of the quiver bracket on which the split rings of FIGS. 7 and 8 are mounted. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of the quiver bracket of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is an end view of the quiver bracket of FIGS. 9 and 10. 
     FIG. 12 is a view of a spring loaded lock that can be used to prevent rotation of the arrows positioned in the arrow holding disc. 
     FIG. 13 is a view of an auxiliary quick mounting bracket for mounting the quiver on a bow. 
     FIG. 14 is a view of a thumbnut for securing the tubular quiver to the quiver bracket. 
     FIG. 15 is a side view of the thumbnut shown in FIG.  14 . 
     FIG. 16 shows a view of a resilient O-ring that is used hold an arrow within an arrow holding disc. 
     FIG. 17A is a view of a plate forming part of a hip bracket, shown in FIG. 17B, that can be attached to the rotating quiver. 
     FIG. 18 is a view of a prior art quiver mounted on a bow. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The quiver or arrow dispenser  10  according to the preferred embodiment of this invention can be used to store and dispense a plurality of arrows  2 . The quiver  10  can be mounted on a conventional bow  100 , of the type shown in FIG. 18 or on a hip bracket  120 , as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, or it can be mounted on a tree stand or on some other device or component. The quiver  10  includes a stationary subassembly  12  and a rotatable subassembly or rotating magazine  14 . Rotation of the magazine  14  presents the arrows  2  for removal by the archer and orients the magazine  14  so that the arrows can be inserted into the quiver. Arrows  2  can be inserted or removed simply by moving the arrow substantially laterally of its axis relative to the quiver. Little compound movement is required because the arrowhead hood  54  protecting arrowheads  4  is relatively open. 
     The stationary subassembly  12  includes a quiver bracket  30  to which two spaced-apart split rings  20 A and  20 B are mounted as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The rotatable subassembly  14  includes a pair of rotating discs  40 A and  40 B positioned on the interior of the two split rings  20 A and  20 B. These rotating discs  40 A and  40 B are mounted on a split rod  52  and an arrowhead hood  54  is also attached to the central rod at one end of a quiver. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, an arrow  2  is mounted in one of the radially extending or oriented slots  42  in the two spaced-apart discs  40 A and  40 B. The arrow shaft  6  extends through aligned slots  42  and the arrowhead or broadhead extends in to the interior of the hood  54 . In the representative embodiment of depicted herein, up to six arrows  2  can be positioned in the six slots  42  diverging from the center of each disc  40 A or  40 B. As seen in FIG. 2, the arrow  2  is trapped in its slot  42  by the split rings  20 A and  20 B when the arrow  2  is in the angular position shown there. The discs  20 A and  20 B, along with the central rod  52  and the hood  52 , can be rotated relative to the split rings  20 A and  20 B and to the quiver bracket  30  on which they are mounted. Since the split rings  20 A and  20 B having aligned openings  24  circumferentially spaced from the point on the opposite side where the split rings  20 A and  20 B are mounted on the quiver bracket  30 , arrows  2  can be inserted or removed from the quiver  10  when the slots  42 , in which they are held, are rotated into alignment with the two openings  24 . The rotatable subassembly  14  can be rotated relative to the stationary subassembly  12  by grasping arrows  2  between the two split rings  20 A and  20 B and turning the rotatable subassembly  14 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a tubular cover  60  mounted on the quiver  10 . This cover  60  can be fabricated from a tubular plastic extrusion, and it must be removed to allow access to arrows  2  held in the quiver  10 . The tubular cover  60  encloses all of the quiver  10  with the exception of the quiver bracket  30 , which fits within a cover slot  62  extending from the open end  66  of the cover  60 . Mounting means located on the exterior face  32  of the bracket  30  also remain exposed so the cover  60  can be placed on the quiver  10  when the quiver is mounted on a bow, on a hip bracket or on another device, such as a tree stand. The tubular cover  60  is inserted over the quiver  10  by inserting the lower end of the quiver  10  into the open cover end  66  with the cover slot  62  aligned with the quiver bracket  30 . The cover slot edges  64  fit within longitudinally extending channels  38  extending along opposite edges of the quiver bracket  30  extending between the bracket outer face  32  and the bracket inner face  34 . A thumbnut  70  mounted on the quiver bracket  30  can be rotated to secure the tubular cover  60  to the quiver bracket  30 . 
       
     The individual components that are used to fabricate the rotating quiver  10  are shown in FIGS. 4-16. FIGS. 4-5 show rotating discs or arrow holders  40 . Two identical discs are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as upper disc arrow holder  40 A and lower disc arrow holder  40 B In the preferred embodiment, these discs  40  are molded from a thermoplastic. It should be understood, however that these discs could be machined from metal stock or each disc could be fabricated as separate components. The disc is basically cylindrical with radially extending slots  42  extending inwardly from the outer periphery of the disc  40 . The preferred embodiment has six slots  42 , although different numbers of slots  42  can be included in other embodiments. Each slot  42  extends between an upper disc face or edge  44  and a lower face or edge  46 . The root of each slot is spaced from a central hole  47  that also extends between the opposite faces  44  and  46 . A radially extending segmented lip  48 , having a diameter greater than the remainder of the disc  40  extends from one face or edge  44 . This lip  40  will overlap one edge of an associated split ring  20 , to hold the disc  40  in position relative to the adjacent split ring  20 . The disc  40  also includes a segment circumferential groove  49  extending around each disc  40  and intersecting each slot  42  between the slot root and the cylindrical periphery of the disc  40 . This groove  49  provides space for a resilient O-ring  50 . The width of each slot  42  is wide enough to receive the shafts of arrows other than arrows having more than a minimum diameter. When an arrow shaft  6  is inserted into a corresponding slot  42 , the resilient O-ring  50  will be inwardly deformed. The restoring force will urge that arrow shaft  6  outward where it will be pressed against an opposed inner surface  28  on the split ring  20 . The resilient O-ring  50  thus comprises means for holding arrows  2  with different diameter shafts securely within a slot  42  even if the width of the slot  42  is larger than the outer diameter of the arrow shaft  6 . As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 two discs  40 A and  40 B can be mounted at spaced locations on a central rod  52 . FIG. 6 shows a threaded hole in which a set screw can be inserted to secure the disc  40  to the central rod  52 . 
     The discs  40  are positioned within the split rings  20  that are shown in more detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. In the preferred embodiment, the split rings  20  are machined from aluminum. The two split rings  20 A and  20 B shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are identical. Each split ring  20  has an opening  24  between two opposed distal ends  22 . The width of each opening  24  is sufficient to permit insertion and extraction of the largest diameter arrow shaft  6  with which the quiver  10  is to be used. The width of this opening  24  is greater than the width of the arrow holding slot  42  on the rotating disc  40  that is positioned within the split ring  20 . The split ring  20  also includes a mounting rib  26  located on the outwardly facing surface of the split ring  20 . This mounting rib is circumferentially spaced from the opening  24 , and in the preferred embodiment the mounting rib  28  is approximately  180  degrees from the opening  24 . A tapped hole for receiving a set screw extends through this mounting rib  28 . The mounting rib  28  orients the split ring  20  relative to the quiver bracket  30 , and the set screw anchors the two components together. 
     The quiver bracket  30  on which the split rings  20  are mounted is shown in more detail in FIGS. 9-11. In the preferred embodiment, this bracket comprises an aluminum bar have a plurality of mounting holes  35  located between opposite ends. The mounting holes extend between the outer face  32  and the inner face  34 . These mounting holes are spaced so that accessories can be mounted at suitable locations along the length of the quiver bracket. As seen in FIG. 11, a recess  37  having outwardly sloping side is located along the outer face  32 . This recess  37  provides clearance so that the split ring mounting ribs  28  can be received therein and stably mounted to the quiver bracket  30  by screws or other fasteners. The bracket  30  also includes a thumbnut recess  36  adjacent its lower end. A thumbnut  70  can be mounted on a screw in this recess  36  so that rotation of the thumbnut  70  will move the thumbnut towards and away from the bracket  30  to grip or release the tubular quiver cover  60  on opposite sides of the quiver slot  62 . The bracket  30  also has longitudinally extending mounting channels  38  in which the cover slot edges  64  are received when the tubular cover  60  is mounted on the quiver  10 . 
     In addition to providing means for mounting the split rings  20 , the quiver bracket  30  also comprises means for mounting a spring loaded locking member  80  adjacent the upper end of the bracket  30  in a lock hole  39 , which has a diameter larger than the other holes on the quiver bracket  30 . Lock member  80 , which is shown in more detail in FIG. 12, has a head portion  82  that is larger than the lock hole  39 . A lock shaft  84  extends from the lock head  82  and fits within the lock hole  39 . A circumferential recess  86  extends around the lock shaft  84  and a longitudinally extending locking recess  88  extends from the circumferential recess  86  at one location on the lock shaft  84 . A coil spring is mounted between the lock head  82  and the outer face bracket face  32  when the lock member  80  is mounted on the quiver bracket  30 . A set screw threaded through the side of the quiver bracket  30  partially into the lock hole  39 . This set screw or pin  89  fits within both the circumferential recess  86  and the longitudinal locking recess  88 . When the lock member  80  is in an angular orientation in which the pin or set screw is aligned with the longitudinal locking recess  88 , the lock member  80  can be shifted between an engaged or inner position and a disengaged or outer position. When the lock member  80  is rotated is rotated with the screw or pin aligned with the circumferential recess  86  away from the longitudinal lock recess  88 , the lock  80  is held in an inner or locking position. The lock shaft  84  extends inwardly beyond the inner face  34  of the bracket  30  when the lock  80  is in the engaged or locking position. In this position the lock shaft will extend between two adjacent arrow shafts  6  so that arrows  2  in the quiver  10  cannot be rotated into alignment with the opening  24  in the split rings  20 A and  20 B. In other words, none the arrow holding slots  42  cannot be aligned with the split ring openings  24  and the split rings  20 A and  20 B capture the arrows  2  in the quiver  10  when the lock  80  is in the engaged position. To release the lock  80 , the lock head  82  is rotated until the set screw is aligned with the longitudinal lock recess  88  and the will spring will force the lock  80  to its outer of disengaged position. 
     In addition to providing means for locking the arrows  2  located in the rotatable subassembly  14  and for mounting the cover  60 , the quiver bracket also simplifies mounting of the quiver  10  to another device, such as a bow, a hip quiver or some other piece of equipment. A quick mounting bracket or auxiliary bracket  90  can be mounted on a bow, and this auxiliary bracket  90  can be quickly and easily mounted on or quickly disengaged from the quiver bracket  30  so that the quiver  10  can be easily mounted on a bow. The quick mounting bracket  90  shown in FIG. 12 includes two L-shaped or dogleg slots  92 . Two pins or set screws mounted in appropriate holes on the bracket  30  can be received within the slots  92  making it easy to mount the quiver  10  on a bow. The quick mounting bracket  90  includes two mounting holes that are on standard centerlines that will match standard mounting means on most bows. The quick mounting bracket  90  is light and relatively unobtrusive, and at the same time provides for secure engagement with the bracket  30  and therefore with the quiver  10 . A mounting nut  74  on a screw attached to the bracket can be rotated into position to lock the quick mounting auxiliary bracket  90  to the quiver bracket  30  and therefore to lock the quiver  10  on the bow. 
     The quiver  10  can also be mounted to a hip quiver  120  that an archer can attach to his belt so that the quiver can be swiveled and the arrows can be rotated in the same manner as previously described. The hip quiver  120 , shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, comprises a flat metal plate  122  having two side by side slots  121  through which a belt may be threaded. A third slot  123  longitudinally spaced from the two side by side slots provides a means for adjusting the position of the quiver relative to the bracket. The hip quiver  120  can be mounted on the quiver bracket  30  by two screws  125  extending though two of the quiver bracket holes. These screws are treaded into a swivel disc  124  at two points near the periphery of the swivel disc. Two standoff sleeves  126  surrounding the screws  125  separate the hip quiver plate  122  from the quiver bracket  30 . The swivel disc  124  is bolted to the hip bracket by a bolt  128  that extends through the center of the swivel disc  124  and is positioned within the third slot  123  on the hip quiver plate  122 . 
     The quiver  10  can be assembled by first mounting the two arrow retention discs  40 A and  40 B at spaced locations on the central rod  52 . The segmented lips  48  are located on the outer ends with the second disc faces  46  without the lips  48  face inwardly toward each other. The hood  54  is screwed or bolted to the upper end of the central rod  52 . These components, along with the resilient ring  50  form the rotatable subassembly  14 . The two split rings  20 A and  20 B can then be slipped over the rotatable discs  40 A and  40 B, with the outer edges abutting the segmented disc lips  48  abutting and overlapping an adjacent edge of the associated split ring  20 A or  20 B. With the split rings  20 A and  20 B in this position, the split ring mounting ribs  26  are positioned with the longitudinally extending mounting channel  38  on the quiver bracket, and the split rings  20 A and  20 B are screwed to the quiver bracket  30 . The lock  80  as well as accessory mounting means can be attached to the bracket  30  either before or after the split rings  20 A and  20 B are mounted. 
     Arrows  2  are inserted through the split ring openings  24  into a arrow holding slot  42  that is aligned with the split ring opening  24 . The arrows  2  can be inserted substantially laterally of the axis of the arrow shaft  6  because the arrowhead  4  can be inserted into the hood  54  before inserting the shaft  6  through the opening  24 . When the arrow shaft  6  enters the slot  42  the resilient ring  50  is locally depressed. The resilient ring will then urge the arrow  2  outward and it will also prevent longitudinal movement of the arrow  2 . The arrow  2  can then be rotated out of alignment with the split ring opening  24  to trap the arrow shaft  6  in the corresponding slot  42  and between the deformed resilient ring  50  and the inner surfaces  28  of the split rings  20 A and  20 B. As long as the slot  42  is not aligned with the two aligned openings  24  in split rings  20 A and  20 B, the arrow will be tightly held within the quiver  10 . After an entire compliment of the arrows  2  have been inserted into the circumferentially spaced arrow holder slots  24 , the lock  80  can be pressed in and rotated so that the lock shaft  84  is located between two adjacent arrow shafts  6 . The collective orientation of the lock  80 , the slots  42  and the split ring opening  24  is such that no slot  42  can be aligned with the split ring opening  24  when the lock  80  is pushed into its locking position. None of the arrows  2  can escape so long as the lock  80  is engaged. 
     To remove the arrows  2 , one at a time, from the quiver  10 , the lock member  80  is first twisted to disengage the lock  80  from the arrow shafts  6 . Once the lock member  80  is in the appropriate position, the coil spring will hold the lock member in the disengaged position. The archer can then merely twist the hood  54  until a slot  42  is aligned with the openings  24  in the two split rings  20 A and  20 B, at which point the selected arrow  2  will not only be released, but will be urged through the openings  24  by the deformed resilient O-ring  50 . Alternatively, the archer can grasp the arrow shafts  6  to twist the rotatable subassembly. Continued rotation will allow all of the arrows  2  to be extracted from the quiver  10 . 
     The rotatable arrow dispensing and holding quiver of the preferred embodiment is representative of other configurations that may differ but would still include the basic elements of this invention. A few of these potential modifications will be listed, even though this list is not intended to be complete. For example, the resilient O-ring member could be replaced by another resilient member that would bias the arrow in substantially the same manner. Furthermore, additional arrow holding discs could be employed. Conversely, some components, such as the hood, could be eliminated while still retaining the basic elements of this invention. Alternatively, the cover could slip over the quiver bracket without the need of the side channels in the quiver bracket. The lock means could also engage the arrow holding discs to prevent rotation instead of extending between adjacent arrows as in the preferred embodiment. Other mounting means could also be employed to attach the quiver to a bow or to attach the quiver to another structure, such as a tree stand. Therefore it should be understood that modifications apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art could be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed herein.