Abstract:
A bow string loop release including a flexible strand having two opposing and spaced-apart loop ends connected by a durable center release engagement portion. The preferred bow string loop release includes a center release engagement portion formed of a resilient, tough yet pliable strand or construction. The opposing first and second loop ends are formed of a material or by a method that results in a loop end sufficiently pliable to permit configuration of the first and the second loop ends as first and second slip hitches for securing the bow string loop release to a bow string.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to archery and bow-hunting equipment, and, more especially, to devices for aiding the release of a bow string. The present invention relates to a device for connecting a trigger-style release aide to a bow string. 
     2. Related Art 
     Many devices have been developed for facilitating the smoothness and evenness of a drawn bow string in archery and bow-hunting. One category of such devices has a rigid hook or other rigid retaining member that the user places partially around the bow string in a position that will allow the archer to pull the bow string back by pulling on the hook/retaining member. After the archer draws the bow string by pulling on the rigid hook/retaining member and aims, he turns or otherwise moves the hook/retaining member to allow the bow string to slide out of the hook/member, thus releasing the bow string. Such rigid hook devices tend to have the negative characteristics of producing unpredictable and irreproducible results, and an increased change of hook slippage and the consequent premature firing of the arrow. Further, the direct contact and relative movement between the rigid hook and the bow string, tend to increase wear and damage of the bow string. Examples of such rigid hook/retainer devices are Baker, U.S. Pat. No. 2,133,650, issued June 1937; Halter, U.S. Pat. No. 3,656,467, issued April 1972; Hansen, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,456, issued Oct. 30, 1973; and Holland, U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,093, issued Oct. 16, 2001. 
     Another category of string release device is the rope-style device. Such devices include a string or rope member that is placed around the bow string such as is shown in Besaw (U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,821, see FIG. 3 for loop not wrapped around the bow string). The loop is anchored at its proximal end on a handle, and wrapped around the bow string so that the loop extends from the handle, around the bow string, and back to the handle, resulting in two portions of rope extending around the bow string, as shown in Besaw, FIGS. 1 and 2. To fire the arrow, the user lets go, or operates the handle to let go, of the distal end of the loop, thereby releasing the bow string. 
     A third category of release device is the trigger-style release aide. A particularly popular version of the trigger-style release aide includes a handle and trigger portion from which extend two jaws adapted to clamp around the bow string. After the user pulls back on the release aide with the captured bow string in its jaws, he/she simply pulls the “trigger,” which snaps open the jaws and releases the bow string. 
     The trigger-style aide is popular because of the jaws grasp securely around the bow string and because of the ease and predictability of the trigger release. Still, archers have developed accessories that improve the convenience of operation of the trigger-style release aide, and that attempt to alleviate wear and tear on the bow string caused by the jaws. One such accessory is a rigid metal U-shaped device that is bolted onto the bow string, as in FIG.  1 A. Such an accessory provides an alternative member around which the jaws may clamp, preventing wear directly on the bow string due to movement of the bow string relative to the jaws. This U-shaped accessory, however, is made of metal and significantly “weighs down” the bow string, reducing its velocity and, therefore, reducing the velocity of the arrow. The effect of this U-shaped accessory on the bow string has been measured at about 11 feet/seconds velocity reduction. 
     Archers themselves have constructed another accessory for trigger-style release aides, by tying a length of bow string material onto their bow string in a loop. Such an accessory is shown in FIG.  1 B. The archer knots each of the two ends of the string onto the bow string about two inches apart, so that a small loop extends from the bow string for clamping by the jaws. This “home-made” accessory may work for some time, but it offers the real danger of one or both knots letting go during drawing or aiming. If this happens, the get forces involved tend to throw the user&#39;s fist and the release aide backwards at the user, most likely at his/her face, resulting in significant injury. 
     Therefore, there is still a need for a bow string release system that is convenient, lightweight, and safe. There is a need for such a system that may operatively attach to the bow string for repeated use with little or no wear and tear of the bowstring. The present invention meets these and other needs. 
     SUMMARY 
     A bow string loop release including a flexible strand including two opposing and spaced-apart loop ends connected by a durable center release engagement portion. The preferred bow string loop release, includes a center release engagement portion formed of a resilient, tough yet pliable element or construction. The opposing first and second loop ends are formed of a material or by a method that results in a loop end sufficiently pliable to permit configuration of the first and the second loop ends as first and second slip hitches for securing the bow string loop release to a bow string. 
     In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the bow string loop release includes a loop, which is preferably formed of a continuous length of string coiled several times into a circular or oval form. Preferably, the continuous length of string is configured as a multiple filament string. In one preferred embodiment, the string is coiled in a figure “8” pattern rather than a circular or oval pattern before a binding string is wound around the coil. It has been observed that this method may provide a main loop that is particularly durable and exhibits consistent performance. 
     The coil is pinched together in the center forming opposing loop ends and a binding string is wound around the center release engagement portion forming windings to reinforce the center release engagement portion of the coil and form an elongated, firm center release engagement portion. Thus, the bow string loop release takes the form of an elongated bound center release engagement portion with a loop end extending at either end of the elongated bound center release engagement portion. This structure results in a long-lasting bow string loop release, wherein the ends tend to cling in place on the bow string, rather than slide down the bow string. The center release engagement portion is firm, although somewhat bendable, and is easily clamped by the release aide jaws. 
     In order to place the bow string loop release on the bow string, the two loop ends are reversed back upon the elongated bound center release engagement portion to form first and second slip hitches. An end of the bow string is threaded through the first and second slip hitches and tightened into a selected position by pulling on the elongated bound center release engagement portion, thereby tightening the first and second slip hitches. 
     The preferred construction of the bow string loop release provides a firm but still slightly flexible bow string loop release. After being bent into an approximate half circle, it tends to stay in that shape, but is non-brittle and durable. The center release engagement portion is received between the release aide jaws securely enough for the release aide to pull the bow string loop release, and, hence, the bow string, back during drawing of the bow. The bow string loop release is intended primarily for use with a trigger-style release device, although there may be advantage in using the bow string loop release to provide a gripping point for an archer&#39;s fingers or other pulling means. When using a trigger-style release device, the release jaws clamp around the bow string loop release, rather than around the bow string. A desired pulling force is applied the bow string via the bow string loop release. After aiming, the archer operates the trigger to open the jaws, releasing the bow string loop release, and hence the bow string, to fire the arrow. The bow string loop release may provide a smoother, more predictable, and more accurately angled, and non-damaging release of the bow string after drawing and aiming. 
     A method for making a bow string loop release includes forming a relatively flexible strand including a center release engagement portion, the flexible strand also including a first loop end extending from a first end of the center release engagement portion and a second loop end attached to and extending from a second end the center release engagement portion. The first and second loop ends may be configured as first and second slip hitches. 
     In one embodiment the method for making a bow string loop release includes the steps of: 
     forming a loop of a relatively pliable material; 
     applying a compressive force at opposing loop points forming a pinched center loop portion resulting in the formation of a first loop end attached to and extending from a first end of the pinched center loop portion and a second loop end attached to and extending from a second end the pinched center loop portion; and 
     forming a center release engagement portion a resilient pliable covering is applied to the pinched center loop portion forming a center release engagement portion. 
     The method for making a bow string loop release may also include the additional steps of: 
     forming the loop by wrapping 5 to 8 wraps of string having a diameter in the range of 0.010 to 0.050 inches to form a coil defining the loop; and 
     wrapping a binding string having a diameter in the range of 0.010 to 0.050 inches to form the binding wrap around the pinched center loop portion forming the center release engagement portion. 
     The method for making a bow string loop release may also include the additional steps of: 
     wrapping a first end of the binding string under successive binding wraps; 
     capturing a second end of the binding string employing a capture device; 
     pulling the second end of the binding string back under the last few successive binding wraps; and 
     attaching the second end of the binding string to one or more binding wraps. 
     The present invention consists of the devices and methods hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a prior art accessory for a trigger release aide, which is a metal U-shaped member bolted onto a bow string; 
     FIG. 1B is a prior art accessory for a trigger release aide, which is a single string tied at both ends to a bow string; 
     FIGS. 2 through 5 are representative side views of one embodiment of a string release accessory; 
     FIG. 6 is a representative side view of a string release accessory shown attached to a bow string; 
     FIGS. 7 through 9 depict one preferred method for manufacturing a string release accessory; 
     FIGS. 10 through 12 depict one preferred method for manufacturing a string release accessory; 
     FIGS. 13 and 14 are details showing one preferred method for using a temporary loop to capture a second end of the binding string under the last few wraps in one preferred method for manufacturing a string release accessory; and 
     FIG. 15 is a representative side view of a string release accessory installed on a bow string, clamped by a string release aide, and supporting an arrow nock; and 
     FIG. 16 is a representative schematic diagram depicting the steps of a method for making a bow string loop release. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 2-6 and  15 , bow string loop release  10  formed as a resilient strand  14  including center release engagement portion  12  having first end  17  and a second end  17 ′. Bow string loop release  10  also includes first and second loop ends  15  and  15 ′ respectively. Loop ends  15  and  15 ′ extend from first end  17  and a second end  17 ′ of center release engagement portion  12 . First and second slip hitches  16  and  16 ′ are formed in first and second loop ends  15  and  15 ′ respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, first loop end  15  is reversed back along center release engagement portion  12  to form first slip hitch  16  as shown in FIG.  4 . Second loop end  15 ′ is reversed back along center release engagement portion  12  forming second slip hitch  16 ′ as shown in FIG.  5 . Bow string  45  is passed through first and second slip hitches  16  and  16 ′ formed in loop ends  15  and  15 ′ respectively as seen in FIG.  5 . As shown in FIG. 6, first and second slip hitches  16  and  16 ′ are tightened securing bow string loop release  10  at a selected position along the length of bow string  45 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 7-9 a first method for making bow string loop release  10  is shown. A plurality of circular or oval wraps  22  are formed of string  11  which is wrapped continuously to form coil  21 . 
     In one preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, continuous coil  21  of string  11  is wound continuously to form plurality of wraps  22  which are formed as a circular or oval configuration. In an alternate preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, a continuous coil  23  of string  11  is wound continuously to form plurality of wraps  24  which are formed as a plurality of figure 8&#39;s. In either of the methods shown in FIGS. 7-9 or FIGS. 10-12, a string  11  is wrapped continuously to form at least one and one half wraps, although as many wraps  22  or  24  are formed as required to present the desired finished diameter D, as shown in FIG. 2, for center release engagement portion  12 . Referring to FIGS. 7-9, coil  21  includes preferably, 3-8 circular or oval wraps  22 , and more preferably 5 circular or oval wraps  22 , when using the preferred string  11 , such as BCY 450, by BCY Incorporated, of North Haven, Conn., which is a waxed string that is {fraction (21/1000)} inch thick. Similarly, referring to FIGS. 10-12, coil  23  includes preferably, 3-8 FIG. 8 wraps  24 , and more preferably 5 FIG. 8 wraps  24 , when using the preferred string material, such as BCY 450. Alternatively, other strings or continuous filaments maybe used, such as BCY 452, BCY 451, BCY 8125, or other preferably, multi-filament materials. Alternately other strings having other diameters may be used simply adding or subtracting wraps  22  or  24  to arrive at a desired diameter. For instance, string  11  may have a diameter in the range of 0.010 to 0.050 inches. 
     In FIGS. 7 and 10, pressure is applied as shown by arrows P forming pinched center portion  25 , as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. The result, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, is a configuration including opposing loop ends  15  and  15 ′ respectively joined by pinched center portion  25 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 9 and 12, pinched center portion  25  is covered tightly with binding string  20  for retaining coil  21  and  23  respectively. Binding string  20  reinforces string  11 , which forms coil  21  or  23 , at center release engagement portion  12 , and provides a tough and durable center release engagement portion  12  that may be repeatedly clamped by jaws  41  of the release aide  40 , as seen in FIG.  15 . Binding string  20  provides a reinforced, tough and durable center release engagement portion  12  that may be repeatedly clamped by jaws  41  of the release aide  40 , as seen in FIG.  15 . 
     Binding string  20  may be wrapped as shown in FIG. 9, in loosely separated binding wraps  28 , but the preferred method, as seen in FIG. 12, includes wrapping each binding wrap  28  very tightly around pinched center portion  25 . First end  27  of binding string  20  is laid against pinched center portion  25  and binding string  20  is wrapped around pinched center portion  25  so as to secure first end  27  underneath the plurality of binding wraps  28 . Once the plurality of binding wraps  28  form a reinforced center release engagement portion  12  of the desired length L 2 , as shown in FIG. 2, second end  29  is secured by being threaded back toward first end  27  of binding string  20 , underneath several binding wraps  28 . This may be done by placing thread  30  including temporary loop  31 , as seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, under the last few binding wraps  28 , and using temporary loop  31  to capture second end  29  of binding string  20  and pull it back under the last few wraps  28  by applying pulling force F to thread  30  pulling second end  29  out from between adjacent wraps  28  as seen in FIG.  14 . The exposed second end  29  is flame sealed or fused to binding string  20  using heat source  55 , such as a match or other heat source, to melt second end  29  which is then flattened and stuck to wraps  28 . 
     As seen in FIGS. 8,  9 ,  11  and  12 , string ends  13  and  13 ′ are preferably terminated along pinched center portion  25  to assure that string ends  13  and  13 ′ are well anchored beneath binding string  20  as it is applied. The preferred material for binding string  20  is a material identified as, 62 Braided Serving, manufactured by BCY Incorporated. As seen in FIGS. 9 and 11 approximately 30-50 binding wraps  28  are made with binding string  20  about pinched center portion  25  forming center release engagement portion  12 . Binding string  20  may have a diameter in the range of 0.010 to 0.050 inches and more preferably binding string  20  may have a diameter substantially equal to 0.021 inches. 
     For conventional bows and bow strings, the preferred string release accessory  10  includes an overall length L 1 , as shown in FIG. 2, in the range of 2 to 3 inches and more preferably equal to 2½ inches plus or minus ¼ of an inch, and more preferably an overall length L 1  substantially equal to 2½ inches. Similarly, the preferred string release accessory  10  includes a center release engagement portion  12  including a length L 2 , as shown in FIG. 2, in the range of ½ to 1½ inches more preferably equal to ⅓ to ½ of length L 1  of string release accessory  10 , and more preferably substantially equal to 1 inch. Additionally, a preferred string release accessory  10  includes a diameter D along center release engagement portion  12 , as shown in FIG. 2, in the range {fraction (1/16)} to {fraction (3/16)} of an inch and more preferably equal to ⅛ of an inch plus or minus {fraction (1/16)} of an inch, and more preferably a diameter D substantially equal to ⅛ inch. This results in a string release accessory  10  that fits a conventional arrow nock curving out away from bow string  45  as seen in FIG. 15 for engagement by jaws  41  of release aide  40 . 
     To attach bow string loop release  10  to bow string  45  as seen in FIGS. 6 and 15, bow string  45  is detached or left unattached from the bow and a first end  46  of bow string  45 , shown in FIG.  5 . First end  46  of bow string  45  is passed through or threaded through first and second slip hitches  16  and  16 ′, as shown in FIG.  5 . String release accessory  10  is slid up to the region of bow string  45  that marks the location of the top of the arrow nock  34 , which is often represented on the bow string by a “top tie,” and bow string loop release  10  is pulled to tighten second slip hitch  16 ′ on bow string  45 . First slip hitch  16  is then positioned about ½ inch from second slip hitch  16 ′, and then tightened on bow string  45 . 
     Jaws  41  of release aide  40  are closed around center release engagement portion  12  of string release accessory  10  and pull may be applied to bow string  45  via string release accessory  10 . In the alternative, pull may be manually applied to bow string  45  via string release accessory  10  by simply grasping center release engagement portion  12  between two fingers. In either case, application of a pulling force to string release accessory  10  further serves to tighten first and second slip hitches  16  and  16 ′. 
     During aiming, nock  34  of the arrow  50  is placed between first and second slip hitches  16  and  16 ′. Trigger  42  is actuated to open jaws  41 , thereby releasing string release accessory  10  and bow string  45  to fire arrow  50 . 
     Referring to FIG. 16, a “Method for Making a Bow String Loop Release”  60  includes the steps of Form Loop  61  wherein a loop is formed of a relatively pliable material. At “Apply Compressive Force to Opposing Loop Points”  62 , a pinched center loop portion is formed by applying a compressive force to opposing points located along a periphery of the loop. This results in the formation of a first loop end attached to and extending from a first end of the pinched center loop portion and a second loop end attached to and extending from a second end the pinched center loop portion. At “Form Center Release Engagement Portion”  63 , a resilient pliable covering is applied to the pinched center loop portion forming a center release engagement portion. 
     Various modifications to the described embodiments as well as the inclusion or exclusion of additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.