Abstract:
The invention disclosed is an apparatus and method for stabilizing an archery bow and reducing recoil during arrow draw and release. The apparatus comprises an adjustable arm clamp assembly; a rod; a support body for attaching the arm clamp assembly to the rod; and a mounting block for attaching the rod to an archery bow. The archery recoil stabilizer is lightweight, adjustable and relies on bracing the arm from the forearm position to restrict translational and rotational movement of the bow as well as minimize recoil impacts. It supports the arm by bracing the forearm relative to the bow, and reduces or eliminates bow hand torque, providing improved stabilization during both arrow draw and release. Additionally, this invention reduces the stress and recoil on the arm of the archer that can cause pain or injury, or can compromise the flight of the arrow and the accuracy of the shot.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of archery. More specifically, it relates to an apparatus and method for stabilizing a bow during arrow draw and release. 
     Bowstring draw and release during an archery shot generate torque and recoil to the bow that can impact the archer and the shot significantly. The operations of draw, then release from the drawn position transfer force from the archer to the string, then to the arrow to propel it at high velocity toward its target. The pull of the string in the archer&#39;s hand, or draw, generates pressure that can cause the bow to shift up or down as well as cant from side to side. The bow twists slightly upon release in the archer&#39;s hand, swinging the string in toward the supporting arm. Also, the bow can tilt forward or backward during draw, which can generate added percussive force. The release of force as the arrow leaves contact with the bow, as well as the vibration from the bowstring, significantly affect the archer&#39;s supporting arm, causing pain, muscle strain or other physical consequences. 
     In addition to the stress on the arm of the archer, the consequences of archery draw and release described above can be problematic in that they can disturb the intended trajectory of the arrow. The torque, recoil vibration and swing as the arrow is released can result in dip, swivel or other motion of the bow that will compromise the accuracy of the shot. 
     Archery accessories generally address either protection of the arm from the string recoil or reducing vibration of the bow itself, but not both. Commercially available stabilizing devices are generally heavy. Currently, devices for reducing the impacts of draw and recoil upon an archer include armguards, forearm protectors, handgrips, wrist braces and shock absorbers. Some devices are designed specifically to dampen vibrational energy, such as U.S. Pat. No. 8,225,778B2, US Patent 20100326415A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,712A. Other inventions involve modifying the bow itself to absorb shock and reduce vibration, including US Patent 20100108048A1. Also, stabilizers have been disclosed that address weight distribution imbalance, including U.S. Pat. No. 8,347,870B1, where the tendency of the bow to tilt or swing is restricted by bow weight distribution adjustments. 
     The invention disclosed herein overcomes limitations of commercially available products by providing a new apparatus and method for both protection of the archer from impacts to the arm and stabilization of the bow for improving accuracy of the shot. Distinct from presently available products, this invention is mounted onto the archer&#39;s own bow, is relatively light weight, and relies on bracing the arm from the forearm position to restrict translational and rotational movement of the bow and diminish recoil impacts. The adjustable attachment of the apparatus at both the archer&#39;s arm and the bow allow for use by archers of a wide size range and shooting ability. This invention eliminates the need for slings, and prevents the bow from jumping from the hand. 
     All patents, patent applications, provisional patent applications and publications referred to or cited herein, are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent they are not inconsistent with the teachings of the specification. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention described herein is an apparatus as well as a method for stabilizing an archery bow within an archer&#39;s hand and reducing archery recoil impacts. The archery recoil stabilizer provides stabilization of the bow by bracing the archer&#39;s forearm parallel to the shot and perpendicular to the bowstring. Bracing the arm restricts bow movement and allows the hand to grip the bow more effectively, which results in stability over the course of a shot, minimizes potentially painful recoil and diminishes unintended deviations from the intended arrow flight. 
     Bracing the arm within the archery recoil stabilizer improves efficacy of the archer&#39;s draw and release by stabilizing the bow in the archer&#39;s hand. It connects the arm and bow and joins them at the correct, comfortable and preset distance from each other. This results in the reduction in swing or dip in the bow upon string release, improving shot accuracy. The efficiency of the archer is further increased because anchoring the arm relative to the bow removes a portion of the string vibration generated by the force of the string upon release. 
     In addition to diminishing unwanted movement and vibration, the archery recoil stabilizer protects the archer from some of the bow recoil vibration which can cause pain or harm his or her hand, arm and shoulder. When properly adjusted, the offset rod assures that the bowstring is maintained safely and at the proper angle away from the archer&#39;s arm. 
     The archery recoil stabilizer is deliberately lightweight and adjustable to accommodate use by archers of all sizes and body types. Adjustability can be effected from either side of the apparatus at both the attachment to the bow, by movably securing the mounting block, and at the attachment to the archers arm, by moveably securing the support body and/or the arm clamp to further accommodate archers of different sizes and both left and right handed archers. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is best understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, descriptions and reference numbers. 
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of the invention from the front. 
         FIG. 1B  show a perspective view of the invention from the back. 
         FIG. 1C  is a side view of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the mounting block. 
         FIG. 2B  is a front view of the mounting block. 
         FIG. 2C  is a side view of the mounting block. 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the invention illustrating the support body from the bottom. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the knurled knob. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the knurled knob. 
         FIG. 4C  is a top view of the knurled knob. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the support body. 
         FIG. 5B  is a front detail of the rod receiving port. 
         FIG. 5C  shows one side of the support body. 
         FIG. 5D  shows a second and fourth side of the support body (this view is a mirror image of the opposite side). 
         FIG. 5E  shows a third side of the support body. 
         FIG. 5F  shows the bottom of the support body. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the rod. 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross section of the rod. 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the flexible arm band component of the arm clamp assembly and binding post. 
         FIG. 7B  is a side view of the arm band component of the arm clamp assembly and binding post. 
         FIG. 7C  shows the bottom segment of the arm band component of the arm clamp assembly  40  from below. 
         FIG. 8A  is a side view of the clamp track and barrel. 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the clamp track. 
         FIG. 8C  is a view of the clamp track from below. 
         FIG. 8D  is a perspective view of the clamp track from below showing the clamp barrel. 
         FIG. 8E  illustrates the arm clamp from below showing the point of connection for the support body. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS AND LETTERS 
     
         
           1 . Mounting block 
           2 . Bow receiving aperture 
           3 . Rod 
           4 . Rod receiving port 
           5 . Jam nut 
           6 . Rod receiving aperture 
           10 . Support body 
           15 . Knurled knob 
           18 . Knurled knob receiving port 
           20 . Set screw 
           25 . Clamp track 
           30 . Track bed 
           35 . Track lip 
           38 . Arm band 
           40 . Arm clamp assembly 
           43 . Binding post 
           44 . Binding post entry port 
           45 . Clamp barrel 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed is an apparatus for archery bow stabilization comprising an adjustable arm clamp assembly; a rod that may include an offset bend to position an archer&#39;s arm parallel to the trajectory of an arrow while removing it from a path of a vibrating string; a support body for attaching the arm clamp assembly to the rod; and a mounting block for attaching the rod to an archery bow. It provides support for, and bracing of, the archer&#39;s arm to diminish adverse impacts to the archer and improve shot accuracy. 
     The invention is explained herein with references to the attached drawings. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show two separate perspective views of the invention. At one end, the mounting block  1  is adjustably attached to the end of the rod  3 . In this embodiment, the mounting block  1  is secured to the rod  3  by a pair of opposing bolts or jam nuts  5  threaded onto the end of the rod  3 . By loosening, adjusting, then tightening the jam nuts  5 , the mounting block  1  can be adjusted and securely repositioned to accommodate the dimensions of the archer&#39;s arm. The rod  5  is further adjustably attached at the opposite end to the support body  10 . The support body  10  attaches to the rod  3  by placing the rod  3  into the rod receiving port  4 , and adjustably turning to tighten or loosen the rod relative to the knurled knob  15 . The support body  10  also attaches the arm clamp assembly  40  to the apparatus, and provides a separate adjustment for lateral movement or pivot of the arm clamp relative to the support body. 
       FIG. 1C  is a side view of the invention. It illustrates the mounting block  1  adjustably attached to one end of the rod  3  by jam nuts  5 . In this embodiment, opposable nuts are used on the threaded rod  3  as a means of freezing the position of the mounting block  1  relative to the rest of the apparatus. However, it is possible to adjustably secure the rod  3  to the mounting block  1  by other means, such as a split ring with set screws, or a locking cam. The opposite end of the rod  3  is adjustably attached to the support body  10 , which also connects the arm clamp assembly  40  to the apparatus. 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the mounting block  1 . In this embodiment, the mounting block  1  is rectangular and the edges are rounded for ease in adjusting its location; other geometric configurations can be envisioned for the mounting block  1  without compromising functionality. The pictured embodiment comprises a round rod receiving aperture and elongated or oblong bow receiving aperture for adjustable attachment to the archer&#39;s bow. 
       FIG. 2B  is a front view of the mounting block  1 . The rod  3  passes through the rod receiving aperture in the mounting block  1 , and is secured in this embodiment by manually tightening the jam nuts  5  on either side of the mounting block  1 .  FIG. 2B  shows the rod receiving aperture marked. A second aperture, which may be elongated or oblong, adjustably receives and attaches a connector or stabilizer bushing from the archer&#39;s bow, thereby mounting the invention onto the bow. By moving the connector or stabilizer bushing on the archer&#39;s bow within the elongated or oblong bow receiving aperture  2 , the apparatus&#39; position relative to the bow can be adjusted to accommodate different body shapes and sizes of the archer.  FIG. 2C  is a side view of the mounting block  1 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the invention with the arm clamp assembly  40  attached to the rod  3 , and also shows the attached support body  10  and knurled knob  15 . The knurled knob  15  is turned to open or close the arm band  38  within the arm clamp assembly  40  about the forearm of the archer. 
     In  FIGS. 4A through 4C , views of the knurled knob  15  are illustrated. The knurled knob  15  is threaded within the support body  10 . In  FIG. 4A , a perspective view of the knurled knob  15  is illustrated.  FIGS. 4B and 4C  show the knob  15  from the side and front view respectively. In one embodiment, this knob  15  may be textured around the grasping portion to provide friction between the fingers of the archer and the knob  15 , rendering it easier to turn and thereby adjust the arms of the arm clamp  40 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the support body  10  with a detail of the rod receiving port  4  illustrated in  FIG. 5B . The rod  3  enters the rod receiving port  4  and is maintained there by the sides of the rod receiving port  4 , and is fastened therein by a plurality of set screws  20 . The set screws  20  are loosened to adjust the rod  5  relative to the support body  10 , in order to lengthen or decrease the distance between the arm clamp assembly  40  and the archer&#39;s hand. This also allows lateral adjustment of the arm clamp relative to the position of the archer&#39;s hand. Once the adjustments are made, the set screws  20  are tightened to secure the rod  3 . 
     In  FIG. 5C , a side view of the support body  10  is presented. This figure shows the side that contacts the arm clamp  40 . This side is contoured to allow for pivot of the arm clamp assembly  40  relative to the apparatus. A set screw port for locking the clamp barrel  45  in place underneath the clamp track  25  is shown. 
     As shown in the illustration in  FIG. 5D , a set screw  20  is incorporated to adjustably freeze the rod  3  and arm clamp assembly  40  within the support body  10 . The opposite side is a mirror image of the view in this figure, with another set screw  20  provided for opposite-handed archers; it may be capped or empty when the opposite set screw  20  is utilized. As in  FIG. 5A , this set screw  20  locks the barrel of the clamp track  25  in place. This view also indicates where the rod  3  enters through the rod receiving port  4 . On the remaining side, shown in  FIG. 5E , a recessed counter bore for the knurled knob  15  is illustrated. This counter bore effectuates adjustably securing of the knurled knob  15  within the clamp barrel  45  of the clamp track  25 . The bottom of the support body  10 , which is shown in  FIG. 5F , is common and perpendicular to all sides. The neck of the support body  10 , or rod receiving port  4 , narrows from the body itself; this allows for adjustability and support of the rod  3 . 
       FIG. 6A  is a view of the rod  3 . The rod  3  may vary in length for use by differently sized individuals (such as women, children, etc.). The rod  3 , which may be threaded at each end, is offset by an angular displacement midway in its length so as to align the bow appropriately relative to the forearm of the archer. The offset bend positions an archer&#39;s arm parallel to the trajectory of an arrow while removing it from a path of a vibrating string, which allows for clearance of the string and a natural and comfortable angle of the archer&#39;s arm. In the presented embodiment, one end of the rod  3  threads into the rod receiving aperture  6  in the mounting block  1  and is locked into the appropriate rotational position by a set of jam nuts  5 . The opposite end enters the rod receiving port  4  on the support body  10  and is adjustably fastened thereby with a set screw  20 . A cross-section of the rod  3  is illustrated in  FIG. 6B . 
       FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the arm clamp assembly  40 . The arm band  38  is shaped in a semi-circular form so as to fit conformingly to the archer&#39;s forearm. It is comprised of a material of sufficient flexibility to allow bend, or movement of the ends of the arm clamp relative to each other, but enough rigidity to support and brace the forearm within it. In the preferred embodiment, a flexible metal of sufficient strength and rebounding properties to support the arm against torque and firmly attach to the remaining assembly is used. The arm band  38  may optionally be rubber coated for improved contact with the archer&#39;s arm and the track bed  30 , affording slip resistance and improved comfort and grip of the forearm by the arm clamp assembly. A stem, or binding post  43 , is positioned exactly halfway between the opposite ends of the arms of the arm band  38 . By engaging the binding post  43  within the clamp barrel  45  in the threaded portion of the support body  10 , it draws the opposing arms of the arm band  38  together by pulling the bottom of the arm band  38  down along the clamp track  25 , directing the opposite ends of the arm band  38  inward to enclose the archer&#39;s arm. Alternatively, to loosen the arm clamp assembly  40  on the arm of the archer, the knurled knob  15  is turned in the opposite direction, allowing the binding post  43  and therefore the base of the arm band  38  to rise in the clamp track  25 . As it rises, the opposing ends of the arm band  38  spread apart to allow the archer to position his or her arm comfortably inside the arm clamp assembly  40  and secure it. The track lip  35  maintains the arm band  38  within the clamp track  25 , but the opposing ends flex and draw together as they rise or fall within the track itself. 
     In  FIG. 7B , a view of the arm band  38  of the arm clamp assembly  40  is depicted. The binding post  43  passes through an entry port in the track bed  30 , and into the hollow clamp barrel  45 . As the binding post  43  within the barrel is drawn down by adjustment of the knurled knob  15 , the opposing ends of the arm band  38 , directed within the clamp track  25 , can be drawn together or apart, changing the radius to brace or release the archer&#39;s forearm. Engaging the archer&#39;s forearm within the arm clamp assembly  40  aligned with the apparatus appropriately positioned substantially prevents rearward tipping of the bow as well as pivoting of the bow handle about its vertical axis. In one embodiment, the clamp barrel  45  is grooved to prevent binding upon pivot.  FIG. 7C  shows the bottom segment of the arm clamp  40  from below, and illustrates the entry point of the binding post  43 . In an alternative embodiment, the binding post  43  and arms are cast together. 
       FIG. 8A  shows the side view of the clamp track  25  and clamp barrel  45 . The curved track, made of a non-flexible material, holds the more flexible arm band  38  in place but allows for movement of the arm band up and down within the clamp track  25 . The clamp barrel  45  houses the binding post  43  and provides rigid support for the arm clamp assembly  40  upon the support body  10 .  FIG. 8B  shows a perspective of the clamp track  25  from above. The raised lip on the clamp track keeps the arm band  38  secured within the clamp track and relative to the apparatus. 
       FIGS. 8C ,  8 D and  8 E show the clamp track  25  from below.  FIG. 8C  illustrates the entry point for the binding post  43 .  FIG. 8D  is a perspective view, showing the clamp barrel  45 . In  FIG. 8E , the point of connection for the support body  10  is presented. The opposing long edges of the arm band  38  are moveably retained by the track lip  35  within the clamp track  25 . 
     The method of use for this invention comprises first adjustably loosening the arm band  38  of the arm clamp assembly  40  of the apparatus by turning the knurled knob  15  counter-clockwise. The apparatus is then mounted on a bow with a connector or stabilizer bushing, generally on the bow riser. The bow, with the apparatus mounted upon it, is placed in the archer&#39;s bow hand, so the archer is positioned with the forearm within the arm band  38  of the apparatus with the archer&#39;s arm extended and the archer&#39;s hand on the grip of the bow. The mounting block and arm band are then positioned such that the support body  10  rests below the archer&#39;s forearm. The connector or stabilizer bushing of the bow is tightened, thereby securing the mounting block  1  to the bow. The rod  3  can be adjustably turned and tightened by opposably turning the jam nuts  5  and set screws  20 , which secures the rod  3  in place. The knurled knob  15  is then turned clockwise to adjustably enclose the archer&#39;s forearm within the arm clamp assembly  40 , allowing for bracing of the forearm of the archer against and within the apparatus once it has been positioned optimally relative to the hand and bow prior to the archer&#39;s shot. 
     It is understood that the foregoing examples are merely illustrative of the present invention. Certain modifications of the articles and/or methods employed may be made and still achieve the objectives of the invention. Such modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the claimed invention.