Abstract:
A strap for a bow string release is provided to form a semi-closed (or open) hand receiving condition wrist strap for facilitating quick attachment and detachment of the strap to the wrist. The strap facilitates one-handed coupling about an archers wrist by selectively maintaining the semi-closed (or semi-open) hand receiving condition so that the archer does not have to manually insert a first end of the strap through a second end of the strap.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/646,358 filed 22 Aug. 2003. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is generally related to bow string releases and is specifically directed to a strap for a release. 
   Bow string releases are well known in the industry. Typically, a bow string release is designed to engage and lock a bow string in a mechanical sear for allowing the archer to pull the bow to its maximum draw. A trigger mechanism is then used to unlock the sear mechanism and release the string to fire the arrow. 
   As is typical, most bow string releases are secured to the wrist of the archer, permitting the release to be held in an at ready position while, freeing the fingers of the hand for other tasks. Also, by attaching the release to the archer at the wrist area, the amount of strain on the hand is greatly decreased when high draw weight bows are utilized, which is typical in archery hunting and archery tournaments. Many various straps and harnesses are available for bow string releases. An example of a widely accepted V-type strap is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,997 entitled: Wrist Strap, issued to Greene, on May 23, 1989. The strap has two ends that are placed around the wrist and then attached to secure the release strap and release to the wrist of the archer. 
   One mechanism to couple the strap about the archer&#39;s wrist is to provide a receiver on a first end of the strap. The archer then must manipulate the second end of the strap through the receiver, and then place a pin on the receiver through a hole provided on the second end of the strap, similar to operation of a belt worn around a waist. 
   Many currently available straps for bow string releases are difficult for the archer to couple about their wrist. This is because the strap remains proximal to the archers shooting hand, preventing the archer from using their shooting hand to assist the archer&#39;s off-hand in manipulating the strap. It has proven difficult for archers to one-handedly manipulate the second end of the strap through the receiver, and then place the pin on the receiver through the hole provided on the second end of the strap. 
   Additionally, repeated placement of the pin on the receiver through the hole provided on the second end of the strap cause the hole to stretch during repeated drawing of the bow during use. This stretch causes the hole on the second end of the strap to disadvantageously expand. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to an improved strap for a bow string release. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the strap has two ends, a first end and a second end. The first end of the strap is provided with a receiver for receiving a tab that is coupled with the second end of the strap. 
   Preferably, the tab on the second end of the strap is sized to allow the archer to place the tab of the second end through the receiver of the first end of the strap, and have the tab of the second end selectively remain through the receiver of the first end of the strap. This allows the archer to have the ability to have the second end of the strap already started through the receiver of the first end of the strap, easing the way in which archers couple the strap to their wrist. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, the strap is constructed in multi-layer fashion, a first padded layer that provides comfortable contact with the archer&#39;s skin, among other benefits, and a second non-stretchable layer that provides the strap with a robust design that prevents the strap from stretching, and prevents holes in the strap from expanding through repeated use, among other benefits. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap for a bow string release. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap for a bow string release, the strap coupled about an archers wrist, the strap in an open position. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap for a bow string release, the strap coupled about an archers wrist, the strap in a semi-closed (or open) position. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap for a bow string release, the strap coupled about an archers wrist, the strap in a closed position. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap for a bow string release, the strap coupled about an archers wrist, the strap in a closed position, and a tab of the strap in a restrained position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention that may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap  12  for a bow string release  10  is shown. The strap  12  has two ends, a first end  20  and a second end  22 . It is noted that reference to either the first end  20  or the second end  22  refers generally to the last segments of the strap  12 , not to the absolute extremities of the strap  12 . The first end of the strap  12  is provided with a receiver  42  for receiving a tab  30  that is coupled with the second end  22  of the strap  12 . 
   Preferably, the tab on the second end  22  of the strap  12  is sized to allow the archer to place the tab  30  of the second end  22  through the receiver  42  of the first end  20  of the strap  12 , and have the tab  30  of the second end  22  selectively remain through the receiver  42  of the first end  20  of the strap  12 . This allows the archer to have the ability to have the second end  22  of the strap  12  already started through the receiver  42  of the first end  20  of the strap  12 , easing the way in which archers couple the strap  12  to their wrist. It is understood that the first end may refer to either end of the strap, as long as the strap has two ends. 
   It is preferable to shape the tab  30  as a triangle, as shown, in order to ease folding of the tab  30  to fit through the receiver  42 , although other shapes may be readily used. 
   The receiver  42  is coupled with a receiver pin  46  which can be inserted into holes  40  on the strap  12 , belt fashion. The receiver  42  also preferably has a receiver roller  48  to facilitate sliding of the second end of the strap  22  through the receiver  42 . It should be understood that other means for maintaining the second end  22  in a semi-closed position relative to said first end  20  may be used, such as a hook and loop attachment. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 1 , but also shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , according to another aspect of the present invention, the strap  12  is constructed in multi-layer fashion, a first preferably padded layer  24  that provides comfortable contact with the archer&#39;s skin. A second non-stretchable layer  26  prevents the strap  12  from stretching, and also advantageously prevents holes  40  in the strap  12  from expanding through repeated use and placing of a pulling load on the holes  40  by a receiver pin  46 . Preferably, the second layer  26  is formed with a nylon ballistic material. Optionally, a third layer  28  is provided on the outermost portion of the strap  12 , the third layer  28  preferably formed from a material such as leather to give the strap  12  an appealing appearance. Common techniques for fabric coupling include sewing and adhesives, although any suitable coupling mechanism can be used. 
   The shape of the strap  12  is shown in a V-shaped pattern, although the strap  12  can take on other configurations to suit the archers wrist. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the strap  12  is shown coupled about an archers wrist, the strap  12  in an open position as shown. In this open position, the second end of the strap  22  has been withdrawn from the receiver  42  by flexing the tab  30  to decrease its effective width from its ordinary strap width  32 , which is preferably greater than the width  44  of the receiver, until the strap width  32  is decreased by folding or otherwise, as shown in  FIG. 2 . It is believed that archers will prefer to keep the strap  12  in a semi-open position when the release is not in use, as described with relation to  FIG. 1 , in order to avoid having to manipulate the second end  22  of the strap  12  through the receiver  42 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the strap  12  is shown in a semi-open position. In this position, the archer has initially placed his wrist into the strap  12 , but has not yet coupled the receiver pin  46  into any one of the holes  40  (not visible in  FIG. 3 ). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the strap  12  is shown in a closed position. In this position, the archer has initially placed his wrist into the strap  12 , and has now coupled the receiver pin  46  into any one of the holes  40  to secure the strap about the wrist. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the strap  12  is shown coupled about an archers wrist, the strap in a closed position as described in relation to  FIG. 5 , and the tab  30  of the strap  12  in a restrained position. In this restrained condition, a portion of the second end of the strap  22 , preferably the elastic member  36 , has been placed into clip  60 . The first end of the strap  20  has a clip  60  coupled to the strap  12  by a clip receiver strap  62 . The clip receiver strap  62  preferably allows the clip  60  to slide laterally to engage the tab  30  for a wide variety of wrist sizes, and to keep the second end of the strap  22  relatively secured to the strap  12  itself. The clip  60  is also shown in a second position  60 ′ although the clip  60  preferably has the capability to slide along a range of lengths along the receiver strap  62 . The elastic member  36  enables the second end of the strap  22  to be restrained, yet avoids the receiver pin  46  from being inadvertently withdrawn from a hole  40 , as could be possible with an archer having a large wrist size. 
   It is understood that alternative embodiments of the present invention could also be employed to selectively maintain the second end  22  of the strap  12  through first end  20  of the strap, said alternative embodiments not shown in the drawings. This could be accomplished by having a piece of cord fasted to the second end  22 , and then weaving the cord through the receiver. Alternatively, an elastic member could be coupled with the first end  20 , and then coupled with the second end  22 . 
   The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.