Abstract:
A bow case for transport or storage of an archery bow including a base, a lid coupled to the base, and a broadhead wrench integrally formed with either the base or lid.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to a storage case, and more particularly to a case designed to store an archery bow.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The fundamental design and function of a broadhead wrench is well known by those familiar with the sport of archery. Many variations of this design exist, but they all perform a similar function in that they facilitate tightening and loosening a broadhead with respect to an arrow shaft. Most importantly, the broadhead wrench reduces the likelihood of injury caused by handling the sharp blades of the broadhead. The typical broadhead wrench is approximately 1.5″ long, 1″ in diameter, and usually stored in a bow case with other accessories used by the archer. The broadhead wrench may be misplaced because of its small size and portability; this may eventually lead to injury if the archer forgoes the wrench and attempts to tighten or loosen the broadhead by hand.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    It is the general object of this invention to provide a broadhead wrench and a bow case that address the problems associated with the prior art. One embodiment of the invention is a bow case having an integrally-formed broadhead wrench. An integrally-formed broadhead wrench assures that it will not be misplaced or lost since it is integral to the bow case structure.  
           [0004]    Another embodiment of the invention is a bow case that includes a base coupled to a lid for movement between open and closed positions. A cavity is defined between the base and lid when the bow case is closed, whereby a bow is positioned within the cavity. At least one interior support pillar extends into the cavity from an interior wall of the base or lid. A broadhead wrench is integrally formed with the interior support pillar making the broadhead wrench integral to the bow case structure.  
           [0005]    Yet another embodiment of the invention is a bow case that includes a base coupled to a lid for movement between open and closed positions, whereby a cavity is defined between the base and lid when the bow case is closed. Two interior support pillars extend into the cavity, a first extending from an inner wall of the base, and a second extending from an inner wall of the lid. Each interior support pillar has an integrally-formed broadhead wrench. Having these integrally-formed broadhead wrenches provides a measure of convenience to the archer that has not been provided in prior art.  
           [0006]    Further objects and advantages of the present invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. The various elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bow case embodying the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a pair of near-abutting interior support pillars of the bow case shown in FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010]    With reference to FIG. 1, the bow case  10  comprises a base  12  and a lid  14 . The base  12  is connected to the lid  14  by hinges  16  that allow the lid  14  to pivot with respect to the base  12  between open and closed positions. A series of latches  18  secure the base  12  to the lid  14  when the bow case  10  is closed. The lid  14  includes an interior surface that defines a partial cavity  20  and the base  12  includes an interior surface that defines a partial cavity  21 . When the bow case  10  is closed, the interior surfaces of the lid  14  and base  12  define a cavity used to contain and protect a bow.  
         [0011]    Interior support pillars  22  are integrally formed with both the base  12  and lid  14 , and are located in the partial cavities  21 ,  20  of the base  12  and lid  14 , respectively. The bow case  10  utilizes two interior support pillars  22  in the base  12  and two in the lid  14 . The pillars  22  have free ends with flat-tipped surfaces  23 , and the two pillars  22  on the base  12  abut the two pillars  22  on the lid  14  when the bow case  10  is closed. The pillars  22  therefore provide structural stability to the cavity by resisting the base  12  and lid  14  from being pushed toward each other when the case  10  is closed.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 illustrates two near-abutting pillars  22 . The pillars  22  each have an integrally-formed broadhead wrench that comprises a bore  24  and a plurality of slots  26  extending radially from the bore  24 . The wrenches accommodate two-, three-, and four-bladed broadheads, and secure the broadhead while it is tightened or loosened with respect to an arrow shaft. The pillars  22  have longitudinal axes  28 , and the bores  24  are substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axes  28 .  
         [0013]    Although the preferred embodiment includes a broadhead wrench integrally formed with each interior support pillar  22 , a broadhead wrench may be integrally formed anywhere on the bow case  10  and remain within the scope of the present invention. A singular broadhead wrench or multiple broadhead wrenches may be integrally formed anywhere within or outside the partial cavities  21 ,  20  of the base  12  and lid  14 . In addition, the interior support pillars  22  are not required to abut each other when the base  12  and lid  14  are closed. For example, the interior support pillars  22  on the base  12  may instead abut the interior surface of the lid  14 , and the pillars  22  on the lid  14  may abut the interior surface of the base  12  when the bow case  10  is closed. Further, it is not required that every interior support pillar  22  include an integrally-formed broadhead wrench. Alternatively, only one of the pillars  22  could include an integrally-formed broadhead wrench and remain within the scope of the present invention.