Abstract:
An archery bow (B) having at least one draw force module ( 1   a  or  1   b ). The module includes a concentric bowstring ( 3 ) pathway ( 12   a ) and at least one eccentric cable ( 6   a ) pathway ( 7   a ) with a decreasing radius proportional to the increasing spring rate of the flexing limb so the peak weight remains the same through a portion of the draw force curve and decreases at the end.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   None 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   N/A 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Compound bow design has evolved from an initial design featuring force draw processing modules in which a bowstring is wound or fed around two eccentric grooves in modules located at each tip of each limb of the bow. This construction provides significantly more energy storage than is possible with conventional longbows; while at the same time providing a tremendous advantage in low holding weight (letoff) at a full draw position of the bow. This design, which is still in use, permits both a sustained draw and controlled aiming. Since then, successful compound bow design has utilized this double eccentric module concept to produce the force draw curves now available and well-known to those skilled in the art. More recent bow design involves single cam bows in which a string feed groove is added to one double eccentric groove module, with the other module being replaced by an idler wheel. While a double eccentric groove module provides desired energy storage and letoff, the eccentric, swinging hinge action, produces a rough “jerk” to the bow during release. It is therefore desirable to provide a bow that is smoother, faster, quieter and more accurate than previous designs. 
   An optimal force draw curve rises, peaks, and falls consistently, without bumps or ripples. The result is a smoother draw with improved energy storage that produces faster speeds. A smoother release, greater accuracy, with less vibration and noise also result. Nock travel of the bow needs to be straight and level so all the energy in the limbs is transferred directly to the arrow to produce this greater speed and increased accuracy. The advantage of a compound bow over a longbow results from the use of limb tip modules and cables to regulate the energy storage developed when the limbs (which act as springs) are compressed. When a longbow is drawn, and as the limbs are increasingly compressed, the rate of resistance increases. That is, draw weight increases as draw length increases due to a progressively higher spring rate in the limbs as they are bent backward toward the archer as he draws the bow. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In the present invention, a bowstring is routed from a module using a concentric or substantially non-eccentric bowstring groove. An eccentric limb cable groove on the module is designed to provide a peak draw weight earlier in the draw cycle (compared to that of a longbow), and to hold this peak draw weight for a greater distance of pull, by wrapping progressively less cable, thereby diminishing the rate of limb compression as draw length increases. By matching the increasing spring rate with decreasing limb compression rate during the draw, the peak draw weight is sustained for a longer distance of pull, resulting in greater stored energy and faster arrow speed for a given peak draw weight. A further advantage of the present invention is providing substantial letoff of bowstring pull at the end of the draw cycle by having a limb cable attached to a limb module groove with an inferior angle of pull close to the axle, while the bowstring is attached to a module groove of superior leverage. Preferably this bowstring letoff is at least 50%, and allows a comfortable holding and aiming weight. 
   In prior constructions, the draw cycle and letoff were achieved using an eccentric bowstring module groove of increasing radius, and an eccentric limb module cable groove of decreasing radius. In the bow of this invention, the draw cycle and letoff are achieved using a substantially non-eccentric or concentric bowstring module groove with little or no variation in leverage, and using an eccentric limb cable module groove of decreasing radius to achieve the desired amount of letoff. This produces smoother module rotation and a smoother and consistent bowstring wrap and results in less noise and vibration at release. An important advantage of the invention is that use of a concentric or substantially non-eccentric bowstring groove, with complementary eccentric rigging grooves, enhances straight and level nock travel so to improve arrow speed and accuracy. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a novel compound bow of the present invention having unique force draw modules; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged schematic representation of the rigging of the bow shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an end view of a force draw module of the invention illustrating a non-eccentric bowstring groove, eccentric cable groove, and axle hole; 
       FIG. 4  is an elevation view depicting the force draw module as it appears at full draw; 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  but with the compound bow having only one force draw module to vary the force draw cycle; 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged schematic representation of the rigging on the bow shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is an end view of the force draw module of  FIG. 6  illustrating the non-eccentric bowstring groove, eccentric cable groove, second eccentric bowstring track, and axle hole; 
       FIG. 8  is an elevation view similar to  FIG. 4  depicting the force draw module at full draw; 
       FIG. 9  is an elevation view of a third embodiment of the invention illustrating an alternate eccentric cable groove configuration and bowstring attachment point; 
       FIG. 10  is an elevation view of a modification of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is an elevation view of an embodiment of the invention having a force draw module with a substantially non-eccentric bowstring groove and bowstring attachment point; and, 
       FIG. 12  is an elevation view of an embodiment of the invention with a force draw module having a substantially non-eccentric bowstring groove, eccentric cable groove, cable attachment point, and bowstring attachment point. 
   

   Corresponding reference characters illustrate corresponding points throughout the several views of the drawings 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
   The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
   Referring to the drawings, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a compound bow B has a bow handle  9  with separate limbs  10   a  and  10   b  extending from the respective lower and upper ends of the handle. A force draw module  1   a  of the present invention is mounted on lower limb  10   a  via an axle  2   a  and a second force draw module  1   b  is mounted on upper limb  10   b  via an axle  2   b . A bowstring  3  is attached to, and routed around force draw modules  1   a  and  1   b . A string or cable  6   a  is attached to force draw module  1   a  and terminates at axle  2   b  which mounts the force draw module  1   b  to upper limb  10   b . A second string or cable  6   b  is attached to force draw module  1   b  and terminates at axle  2   a  which mounts force draw module  1   a  to lower limb  10   a . The axles provide respective axes of rotation for the modules. The force draw modules comprise circular cams concentrically mounted on their respective axles. 
   In  FIG. 2 , a rigging of bow B is shown in which bowstring  3  is attached to lower module  1   a  at an attachment point  4   a . The bowstring is spooled counterclockwise in a non-eccentric bowstring track or groove  12   a  which extends about the circumference of module  1   a . That is, there is a constant radius of curvature of the force draw module about its axis of rotation. The bowstring then spans upwardly to module  1   b  where it is spooled counterclockwise in a non-eccentric bowstring track  12   b  extending circumferentially about module  1   b . The bowstring terminates at an attachment point  4   b . Cable  6   a  now attaches to force draw module  1   a  at an attachment point  8   a  of a cable track or groove  7   a  of an eccentric cam EC 1  and terminates at axle  2   b . It will be noted that the length of groove  7   a  is shorter than the length of groove  12   a . An end view of this configuration is shown in  FIG. 3 . Cable  6   b  attaches to force draw module  1   b  at an attachment point  8   b  of a cable groove  7   b  in an eccentric cam EC 2 . This cable terminates at axle  2   a . In  FIG. 3 , groove  12   a  for bowstring  3 , and groove  7   a  for cable  6   a  are shown adjacent each other. Preferably, the grooves  7   a  and  12   a  are ½ inch or less apart. In each instance, the pathway for the respective bowstring or cable extends between the force draw modules and the concentric or eccentric cam surfaces provided by the modules. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates force draw module  1   a  as it appears at full draw, it being understood that module  1   b  would similarly appear. At full draw, bowstring  3  has been pulled so it has been un-spooled from module  1   a  as the module rotates counterclockwise (as indicated by the arrow). Cable  6   a  has correspondingly been spooled by this rotation of the force draw module. In  FIG. 4 , cable  6   a  is shown to spool around cable groove  7   a  in eccentric cam EC 1 . With cable  6   a  in the position shown, it is directly above the position of axle  2   a . In this orientation, upper limb  10   b  of the bow has little leverage to spring back and un-spool cable  6   a . However, the bowstring now requires much less force to hold it in its full draw position making it easier to aim an arrow and hold the bow prior to shooting. Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that the draw module and eccentric cam configuration at the opposite end of the bow is substantially identical in mirror image. Importantly, the force draw modules increase the spring rate of the limbs while the compression rate of the limbs decreases during the drawing of an arrow. The peak draw weight is now sustained for a longer distance of pull on the bowstring. This produces greater stored energy and faster arrow speed, when the arrow is released, for a given peak draw weight. Specifically, the force draw modules effect a bowstring holding weight which, at full draw, is at least 40% less than the peak bowstring drawing weight of conventional bows. 
   In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 5–8 , only one force draw module  1   a ′ is used to vary a force draw cycle. In this embodiment, two eccentric cams EC 3  and EC 4  respectively are commonly attached to force draw module  1   a ′ so to form a cam assembly. All three components rotate in common about an axle  13 . The other draw module  1   b  now has no eccentric cams attached to it, and so functions as an idler pulley. Bowstring  3  to attaches module  1   a ′ at attachment point  14   a , extends through track  12   a  of the module, spans the length of the bow, and extends through track  12   b  of module  1   b . The bowstring then is rerouted back to module  1   a ′ where it passes through track  5   a  of eccentric cam EC 4 , and back to attachment point  4   a . Importantly, at least 50% of the length of the pathway for bowstring  3  is non-eccentric in relation to axle  13 . 
   This is as shown in  FIG. 6 . Cable  6   a  attaches to axle  2   b  of module  1   b , then extends the length of the bow, through track  7   a  of eccentric cam EC 3  on force draw module  1   a ′, and terminates at attachment point  8   a.    
   In  FIG. 6 , bowstring  3  is shown to attach to module  1   a ′ at attachment point  14   a . The bowstring spools counterclockwise in non-eccentric bowstring track  12   a  and spans upwardly to upper module  1   b , trains around force draw module  1   b  in bowstring track  12   b , and is routed back to force draw module  1   a ′. Here, the bowstring spools around a second eccentric bowstring track  5   a  and attaches to the force draw module at point  4   a . This arrangement is further shown in the end view of  FIG. 7  view with the first non-eccentric bowstring groove  12   a , eccentric cable groove  7   a , eccentric bowstring track  5 , and an axle hole  13 . 
   In  FIG. 8 , the full draw condition of bow B is shown for this novel rigging configuration. As with the configuration of  FIG. 4 , bowstring  3  has been pulled so it is unspooled from force draw module  1   a ′. Again, rotation of the module is counterclockwise. The other end of the bowstring, which is fitted into eccentric track  5   a  of module  1   a ′, is likewise un-spooled from this second eccentric bowstring track. Cable  6   a  has correspondingly been spooled by its rotation around eccentric cable groove  7   a  and is now in a position of close proximity to axle  2   a . Again, because of the relationship between cable  6   a  and axle  2   a , there is little leverage available for upper limb  10   b  of the bow to spring back and un-spool the cable. However, this still has the advantage of allowing bowstring  3  to be held with relatively little force at this full draw position, making it easier to aim an arrow and hold the bow prior to shooting. 
   Other embodiments of the invention are shown in  FIGS. 9–12 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , a force draw module  101 , which rotates about an axle  102 , has a bowstring track  12  with an attachment point  44  for the bowstring. Now, an eccentric cam EC 5  is fixedly attached to the draw module. The eccentric includes a cable track  77  with a cable attachment point  88  at one end of the track. In  FIG. 10 , a variation of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  is shown to include both eccentric cam EC 5 , and another eccentric cam EC 6 . Cam EC 6  has a cable track  55  with a cable attachment point  56  at one end of the track. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , a force draw module  201  rotates about an axis  202  and includes an eccentric cam EC 7  with cable track  207  and attachment point  208 . The force draw module now has a notch  209  curving inwardly from the outer edge of the module. The force draw module has a bowstring track  212  with an attachment point  244  for the bowstring. This attachment point is located at the inner end of the notch. 
   Finally,  FIG. 12  depicts a force draw module which has a reverse J shape as shown in the drawing. The module includes a bowstring track  312  which extends from an upper end of the module (as shown in  FIG. 12 ), down the front of the module, underneath the module and along the rear edge of the module, terminating at a bowstring attachment point  344 . The force draw module is mounted on an axle  302 . An eccentric cam EC 8  is fixedly attached to the force draw module. The eccentric includes a cable track  307  with a cable attachment point  308  at one end of the track. 
   An important feature of the present invention is the range of rotation of the bowstring modules. Eccentric bowstring modules of previous designs, store the majority of the energy, and effect letoff, while rotating approximately 180 degrees. This is due to the eccentric shape of the module. With the non-eccentric bowstring modules of the present invention, the bulk of the energy is stored when the module rotates approximately 270 degrees. This is caused by the eccentric limb cable groove rotating from its peak weight position to its full letoff position through 90 degrees of motion. 
   Consider, for example, an eccentric module which rotates through a 180 degree range to full letoff, and another, non-eccentric, module which rotates through a 270 degree range to full letoff. If both modules effect the same draw length, the 180 degree module must be of a greater diameter than the 270 degree module. Since both modules rotate through a 90 degree range while lowering the draw weight to full letoff, less draw length is used during letoff in the 270 degree module than with the 180 degree module. That is, the 270 degree module holds the peak weight for a longer draw distance before the weight lessens in the letoff phase, as compared to the 180 degree module. More energy is thus stored with the 270 degree non-eccentric, thereby the 2700 module produces greater arrow speed. 
   Numerous variations in construction of the non-eccentric module of this invention, within the scope of the appended claims, may occur to those skilled in the art based upon the foregoing disclosure. As an example, and not by way of limitation, varying bowstring and cable module pathways will alter the force draw curve. These pathways may be of a variety of forms including grooves, posts, screws, or other means serving to direct the bowstring or cable in the novel manner described herein. The lengths, as well as the shapes, of the pathways may also vary. Further, instead of having one piece draw force modules with multiple pathways, the draw force modules themselves may be modular and have separate pathways joined together by screws or other means. Any means convenient to direct a cable away from the arrow path may be used. Single groove or double groove idlers common to the art may be used. The modules may be weighted or balanced. Only one module with the disclosed advantage need be concentric or substantially non-eccentric to achieve the benefits derived from the invention. The second module may be of any shape. The other modules described herein may be mounted on other structures, for example, cross-bows, that propel arrows. As such, the above examples are merely illustrative. 
   In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the present invention have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained.