Abstract:
An arrow support for supporting an arrow in an archery bow. The arrow support provides a simple, compact, lightweight and non-bulky apparatus that corrects distortion induced in the arrow upon its release by the archer. Single screws provide secure, non-rotating connections where adjustments are to be made. A planar ring has locking apparatus extending through the ring to lock support members in place using a single adjustment. The planar ring has a scalloped inner surface, accommodating a range of fletches, with a minimal outside diameter of the ring. Silencers are provided on at least some of the support members to suppress sounds as an arrow is drawn into a shooting position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/461,588, filed Dec. 15, 1999. The disclosure of application Ser. No. 09/461,588 is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of archery, and more particularly to arrow stabilizers and rests for supporting an arrow in an archery bow. A simplified and improved apparatus is provided for improving the accuracy and safety of an archery bow.  
           [0003]    Arrows are typically supported within an archery bow by a generally horizontal plate located above a handgrip area of the bow. The rest plate or member is typically integrally formed as part of the bow apparatus. Although the support plate provided as part of most archery bows does support the arrow in a generally horizontal position relative to the ground, such plates do not prevent the shaft of the arrow either from sliding laterally off the plate or from shifting from the generally horizontal position to an angled position when the arrow is nocked, drawn or released. Either type of movement will compromise the safety and accuracy of the bow.  
           [0004]    Arrow rests for archery bows typically perform a number of functions. In addition to providing support for the arrow when it is nocked and drawn, the rest also guides the arrow as it is released from the bow, and may provide a degree of compensation for arrow flex or distortion, which occurs as the energy from the drawn bow is transferred to the arrow. Ideally, an arrow rest should absorb little or no energy from the arrow as it is released. Any energy absorbed by the rest is a loss of energy that could be transferred to the arrow, reducing both the range and accuracy with the arrow may be shot.  
           [0005]    Arrow distortion occurs when an arrow deflects from its rest (i.e., unloaded) shape as it absorbs energy from the bow following its release by the archer. Two types of distortion are known. Inherent distortion is a consequence of how the bow and/or the arrow are manufactured. Applied distortion, on the other hand, is created intentionally by mounting the arrow rest slightly off the optimum line of force for the bow, or by mounting the bowstring nock point above or below the optimum line of force. Applied distortion has been used to ensure that the arrow will clear the rest upon release from the bow. Distortion may occur in either the horizontal or vertical planes, or a combination of the two. Whether created inadvertently or intentionally, however, and regardless of the plane(s) in which it acts, arrow distortion in undesirable because it results in a loss of energy transferred from the bow to the arrow, with corresponding reduction in accuracy and distance for the archer.  
           [0006]    Inconsistencies inherent in aiming and releasing an arrow from an archery bow make the amount of energy lost to a typical arrow rest highly unpredictable. A number of variables affecting energy loss may differ slightly from one arrow release to another. The angle of the arrow in both the vertical and horizontal planes may be different. The archer may draw the bow a few millimeters or centimeters more or less than the prior or subsequent shot. There may be slight differences in when the archer releases the bowstring with the upper and lower fingers relative to one another. Moreover, during a single archery session, the mechanical movement of the bow itself may lead to changes in bowstring tension and other mechanical properties of the bow. The foregoing factors all influence how much energy is lost by an arrow as it contacts the rest during release.  
           [0007]    Because of the unpredictable nature of energy losses to an arrow rest, it is desirable that the arrow rest provide a minimum of contact with the arrow during shooting.  
           [0008]    The present invention provides an archery rest with a simple, non-bulky, light-weight design that reduces or eliminates distortion. Further, the design provides improved safety both in the field and on the shooting range.  
           [0009]    A number of archery rests are known in the art. A first type of archery rest includes a diaphragm member or brushes for closely supporting an arrow shaft around substantially its entire periphery. U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,153 includes a tubular member having a diaphragm at the tube end nearest the bowstring. The diaphragm closely engages the shaft of an arrow and includes three slots to enable the vanes of the arrow to pass through the diaphragm. A bracket connects the tubular member to the riser of an archery bow.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,849 includes a ring member having a plurality of radially disposed bristles, which engage the shaft of an arrow along substantially its entire periphery. The lower portion of the ring member is supported within a clamp member, and a bracket member connects the ring/clamp assembly to the riser of a bow.  
           [0011]    Rests of the foregoing type are undesirable because of the relatively high level of contact between the support diaphragm or brushes and the shaft and vanes of the arrow during its release from the bow. Such contact results in significant loss of energy transmitted to the arrow. Further, arrow distortion and release inconsistencies by the archer make the amount of energy lost to the rest as a result of the contact highly unpredictable, with a corresponding reduction in accuracy to the archer. Moreover, such rests provide essentially no correction of distortion because no biasing force is provided to the shaft of the arrow.  
           [0012]    Other rests include a tubular member for enclosing or partially enclosing the shaft of an arrow. Some tubular rests include one or more biasing members for reducing distortion. Biasing members contact the arrow and provide a biasing force acting generally normal to the shaft of the arrow to return it to its unloaded, rest state. U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,450 to Jacobson discloses a tubular arrow rest having three resilient fingers attached for contacting the arrow. The fingers are mounted on the end of the tube nearest the bowstring, and they are angled in the direction of arrow travel. Adjustable finger springs may be provided to increase or decrease the force applied to the arrow by the fingers. A bracket connects the assembly to the riser of an archery bow, and a threaded rod connects the tubular member to the bracket.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,633 to Sisko discloses a partially tubular arrow rest in which a slot is provided running the length of the bore. The slot allows an arrow to be inserted into the rest from the side rather than the ends of the tubular member. Three spring-loaded biasing members are provided for contacting the arrow and correcting distortion. The biasing members are mounted in a single plane generally normal to the bore of the tube. The springs of the biasing members may be changed to alter the biasing force applied to an arrow; however, a top biasing member extending generally downward from the top of the tube preferably has a smaller applied force than two bottom biasing members. A pair of adjustable, L-shaped brackets is provided to connect the partially tubular member to the riser of an archery bow.  
           [0014]    Tubular rests such as those disclosed in the Jacobson and Sisko patent serve to protect the hand and arm of the archer from inadvertent contact with the arrow. Tubular rests create a relatively high risk of inadvertent contact of the arrow with the tube because of the increased tube length through which the arrow must pass either before or after contacting the biasing members, depending upon their location along the length of the tube. Contact of the arrow with the tube reduces the accuracy of the arrow, and in cases of severe distortion may actually increase the risk of injury to the archer. The reduction in accuracy and increased risk of injury are greater in the case of highly distorted arrows. Moreover, the risk of contact between the arrow and the tube increases with increasing tube length. For relatively long tubular rests, even a small departure from a precisely coaxial alignment of the arrow with the bore of the tube may result in contact between the arrow and the tube, especially where distortion is present.  
           [0015]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable arrow rest that is simple in design and easy to use, yet provides improved safety and accuracy.  
           [0016]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an arrow rest that is lightweight and non-bulky, and which can effectively be used for both hunting and range archery.  
           [0017]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide an arrow rest that avoids the use of tubular members and the associated risk of contact between the tube and the arrow.  
           [0018]    Another object of the invention is to provide an arrow rest that can be easily adjusted with a minimum of parts.  
           [0019]    Another object is to provide an arrow rest with increased clearance for fletches.  
           [0020]    A further object of the invention is to provide and arrow rest with silencers that dampen sounds made as an arrow is being drawn in a bow. These and other features and objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0021]    This invention provides an archery rest for improving the safety and accuracy of an archery bow. More specifically, the present invention provides an arrow stabilizer and support apparatus coupled to the riser of an archery bow. The apparatus supports an arrow placed within it, stabilizes the flight of the arrow by correcting distortion following release of the arrow by the archer, and provides protection for the archer from potential injury from the arrow.  
           [0022]    The arrow stabilizer and support apparatus includes a planar ring member coupled to the riser of the bow and adjustably positioned such that the plane of the ring is generally perpendicular to the axis of an arrow placed within the bow. Arrows may be easily inserted into the apparatus through either side of the central opening of the planar ring member. Pluralities of spring-loaded plungers, coplanar with the ring member, are provided for contacting an arrow placed within the ring member. In addition to providing support for the arrow, the spring-loaded plungers correct distortion during the shooting process and protect the archer from possible injury from the arrow. The spring-loaded plungers extend from the interior periphery of the ring along lines passing through the center of the ring member. Accordingly, the spring-loaded plungers maintain the shaft of the arrow generally at the center of the ring member and exert a force upon the arrow generally perpendicular to its shaft.  
           [0023]    The plungers may be constructed as provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,633 to Sisko, discussed above, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. However, the actual construction of the spring-loaded plungers may differ from those disclosed by Sisko without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.  
           [0024]    A bracket member is provided to couple the ring member to the riser of an archery bow. The bracket member may be adjustably moved with respect to the riser of the bow along the direction of travel of an arrow. The ring member may be moved laterally with respect to the bracket member. The bracket member and ring member together allow the apparatus to be adjustably customized to the position desired by the archer. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the arrow rest of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the arrow rest of FIG. 1.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an arrow rest according to the present invention showing an arrow inserted through the planar ring of the rest.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is a side view of the arrow rest of FIGS.  1 - 3 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the arrow rest of FIG. 3, taken from the rear of the bow and looking toward the front of the bow, and showing an arrow inserted through the planar ring of the rest.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the arrow rest of FIG. 3, showing an arrow inserted through the planar ring of the rest.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a ring member of an arrow rest according to the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 is a front view of the ring member of FIG. 7.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the ring member of FIG. 7.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 10 is a side view of the ring member of FIG. 7.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a support bracket of an arrow rest according to the present invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 12 is a front view of the support bracket of FIG. 11.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 13 is atop plan view of the support bracket of FIG. 11.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 14 is a side view of the ring member of FIG. 7. 
     
    
       [0040]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in th e drawings a nd are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0041]    FIGS.  1 - 6  depict an archery rest apparatus according to the present invention, designated generally as rest  10 . In addition to providing support for an arrow  40  placed within an archery bow (not shown), the archery rest  10  corrects distortion following the release of the arrow  40 , and protects the archer from potential injury from the arrow  40 . Rest  10  is coupled to the riser of an archery bow.  
         [0042]    Rest  10  includes a ring member  11  coupled to a support bracket  30 . As shown more clearly in FIG. 2 and FIGS.  7 - 10 , ring member  11  provides a generally planar ring  12  having a central opening  13  through which an arrow  40  is inserted. Ring member  11  also includes a ring support arm  18  for coupling the planar ring  12  to the support bracket  30 . Rest  10  is preferably mounted to the archery bow such that the plane of ring  12  is generally perpendicular to an arrow placed through central opening  13 . A first side  14  of planar ring  12  is oriented facing the bowstring of the bow, and a second side  16  is oriented to face the riser of the bow. Ring  12  further includes an exterior periphery  15  and an interior periphery  20 .  
         [0043]    Ring  12  is preferably as thin as possible, i.e., the distance D (FIGS. 7, 9) between first side  14  and a second side  16  is preferably minimized to reduce the likelihood of contact between ring member  12  and an arrow released from the bow. Ring  12  is preferably of sufficient thickness D to support spring-loaded plungers  22 ,  24 , and  26  within holes  23 ,  25 , and  27  provided in ring  12 , although it will readily be appreciated that spring-loaded plungers  22 ,  24 , and  26  could be supported by nuts or like structures coupled to first side  14  or second side  16  of ring  12 . In a preferred embodiment, ring member  11  and ring  12  have the same thickness, which preferably ranges from 0.1 inches to 1 inch. In a particularly preferred embodiment the thickness D of the ring  12  is about 0.31 inches.  
         [0044]    Ring member  11  and ring  12  are preferably made from lightweight metal alloys or plastics, although any material may be used so long as the ring  12  has sufficient rigidity to avoid significant flexing during release of an arrow from the bow. In a preferred embodiment the ring member  11  and ring  12  are made from anodized aluminum.  
         [0045]    The ring member  11  further includes a plurality of spring-loaded plungers  22 ,  24 ,  26  (FIG. 2) coupled to ring  12 . Spring-loaded plungers  22 ,  24 ,  26  are generally cylindrical in shape, and may be constructed as provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,633, although the specific construction may vary, so long as the plungers are spring-loaded for contacting the shaft of an arrow  40 . The spring-loaded plungers  22 ,  24 ,  26  extend from inner periphery  20  of ring  12  (FIG. 5) into the central opening  13  of the ring  12 , preferably along lines passing through the center P (FIG. 8) of ring  12 . The plungers  22 ,  24 ,  26  include tip members  19  (FIG. 2) which contact an arrow  40  held in the archery bow. The tips may be constructed of materials for minimizing noise, friction, and wear contact with the arrow. In a preferred embodiment, Delrin® tips are used for aluminum arrows, and steel tips for carbon arrows.  
         [0046]    As shown more particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plungers  22 ,  24 ,  26  may be coupled to ring  12  by a threaded connection, although other connecting means may be employed, as persons of skill in the art will appreciate. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS.  1 - 6 , the exterior of spring-loaded plungers  22 ,  24 ,  26  are provided with threads that engage corresponding threads in holes  23 ,  25 ,  27  in ring  12 . Holes  23 ,  25 , and  27  extend from the exterior periphery  15  of ring  12  to the interior periphery  20 . The holes preferably orient spring-loaded plungers  22 ,  24 ,  26  on lines passing through the center of ring  12 . One hole is provided for each of the spring-loaded plungers. The plungers  22 ,  24 ,  26  may be locked in a desired location by locking screws  17 , which engage plungers  22 ,  24 ,  26  through holes in the first side  14  of ring  12  and prevent the plungers from being moved in holes  23 ,  25 ,  27 . Preferably the locking screws  17  have deformable elastomeric tips that contact the threads of the plungers  22 ,  24 ,  26  without damaging the threads of the plungers. For example, stainless steel set screws with nylon tips are available from MSC Industrial Supply Company.  
         [0047]    Although the number of spring-loaded plungers is not critical to the invention, it is preferred that the number of plungers be restricted to avoid excessive contact between the plungers and the arrow, which would adversely affect accuracy and distance. It is preferred that from two to five plungers be provided. More preferably, three such plungers are provided.  
         [0048]    As shown more particularly in FIGS. 2 and 7- 10 , ring support arm  18  of ring member  11  is preferably coplanar with ring  12 , such that ring member  11  forms a single plane. However, it will be readily appreciated that ring support arm  18  may be located out of the plane of ring  12  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, although the ring support arm  18  depicted in the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 2  and  7 - 10  is illustrated as a straight member having a generally square cross-section, the shape and cross-section of ring support arm  18  may also be altered without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0049]    As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, support arm  18  engages support bracket  30  through aperture  36 . Details of a preferred embodiment of support bracket  30  are provided in FIGS.  11 - 14 . Aperture  36 , located near a first end  31  of bracket  30 , is shaped to cooperate with the cross-sectional shape of support arm  18 . Aperture  36  can preferably act as a clamp to securely fasten support arm  18  to support bracket  30 . As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 14, a slot  35 , from the aperture  36  to the first end  31  of bracket  30 , provides a clamping action for aperture  36  to engage support arm  18 . Threaded holes  38  are provided transverse to and on either side of said slot, and a threaded screw  37  is provided for engaging said holes to tighten aperture  36  and engage support arm  18 . Although a clamping arrangement has been provided for coupling the support arm  18  to the support bracket  30 , it will be readily appreciated that other means may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0050]    Support arm  18  may be securely fastened to support bracket  30  anywhere along the length of the support arm. Accordingly, ring  12  may be adjusted laterally with respect to an arrow  40  held within the rest  10 . Ring  12  may be adjusted in the direction of arrow travel by means of an adjustment slot  32 , provided generally near a second end  33  of support bracket  30 . An attachment bolt  34  (FIG. 2) is provided to adjustably secure the support bracket  30  to the riser of the archery bow (not shown). Attachment bolt  34  fits within adjustment slot  32  and attaches to the riser of the archery bow. By sliding slot  32  relative to attachment bolt  34  before tightening the bolt, the support bracket  30  (and thus ring  12 ) may be adjusted toward or away from the riser of the archery bow. Adjacent the slot  32 , a setscrew  36  extends through the support bracket  30 . The setscrew  36  contacts the riser of the archery bow and prevents the support bracket  30  from rotating around the attachment bolt  34 .  
         [0051]    Support bracket  30  is preferably made from rigid but lightweight metal alloys, but it may also be made from rigid plastics. In a preferred embodiment, support bracket  30  is preferably made from anodized aluminum. Support bracket  30  is preferably sufficiently thick to provide rigidity to rest  10  when in use. In a preferred embodiment, support bracket  30  includes a thickness T (FIG. 13) of between about 0.1 and about 0.75 inches, more preferably about 0.25 inches. Although a slot mechanism is shown in FIGS. 2 and 14 for adjusting the ring  12  along the direction of arrow travel, other means may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0052]    Another embodiment of the ring member  11  is illustrated in plan view in FIG. 15. In this embodiment, the interior periphery  20  of the ring  12  has scallops  40  between the plungers  22 . This allows the ring  12  to have sufficient thickness near a plunger  22  to support both the plunger and its associated locking screw  17 . Because the thickness D of the ring  12  is minimized, the locking screws  17  can extend from the first side  14  of the ring  12  to the plungers  22 . A plunger can be locked in place simply by securing one locking screw  17 . At the same time, the scallops  40  provide additional area in the central opening  13  so that arrows with relatively large fletches can pass through the central opening  13 .  
         [0053]    Tubular silencers  42  on the plungers prevent a scraping sound when an arrow is drawn in the bow. When a bow with an arrow stabilizer apparatus is used in hunting it is important to avoid or minimize sounds that might alarm a deer or other animal. Drawing an arrow prior to shooting may cause an unwanted sound when the surface of the arrow is drawn along the plungers. The tubular silencers  42  prevent this unwanted noise. A tubular silencer  42  comprises an elastomeric tube  44  of silicone rubber or other suitable material. Silencer  42  has a diameter d sufficient to allow the silencer to fit snugly on a plunger  24  and a length L such that an inside end  46  can be positioned adjacent the tip member  19  of the plunger  24 . A cut away section  48  extends from about half the diameter d, that is, the cut away section bisects the tube  44  at the inside end  46 , and curves to a side  50  of the tube  44  about halfway along the length L of the tube  44 . The cut away section  48  forms and edge  52  that may be arced, for example elliptical. The edge  52  may also be straight. The inside end  46  is oriented on the plunger so that the end  46  faces the direction the arrow will travel when the arrow is shot from the bow. Thus as the arrow is drawn back, the inside end  46  may be pulled bask against the tip member  19  of the plunger, covering the tip member with a slick, elastomeric, sound-dampening material. When the arrow is released, the inside end bends forward, thereby minimizing any frictional loss of energy as the arrow is shot from the bow. Silencers  42  may be placed on one or more of the plungers. Preferably, silencers  42  are placed on each plunger against which an arrow would ordinarily rest under the force of gravity when the bow is held in a normal shooting position. In the illustrated embodiment, these plungers would be the two lower plungers  24 ,  26 . A silencer on the upper plunger  22  would be unnecessary.  
         [0054]    Although the invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that alterations, deletions and additions may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.