Archery bow stabilizer and string tracker mounting means

A combination archery bow stabilizer and string tracker mounting adaptor having a telescopic capability to raise or lower the string tracker. Used in conjunction with a 360 degree rotatable arm to which the string tracker is mounted, minimization of the noise created by slack string tightening upon launching an arrow is possible. The adaptor and rotable arm are capable of adjustment for the needs of the individual archer or archery bow to which it is mounted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to archery bow stabilizers and string 
trackers. More particularly, it pertains to an adaptor which permits the 
combination of a stabilizer and other archery accessories, such as a 
string tracker, which is capable of adjustment for the needs of the 
individual archer or archery bow to which it is mounted. Archery bow 
stabilizers and string trackers in their individual capacities are 
numerous throughout the prior art. However combinations of archery bow 
stabilizers and string trackers are not as common, yet they are known as 
well. One example of such a combination is Pike et al., U.S. Pat. No. 
4,995,356. 
Additionally, the prior art discloses various forms of mounting means for 
stabilizers or string trackers. Topping, U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,522 discloses 
a unitary mounting structure for the resilient and universally adjustable 
mounting of a pair of stabilizer rods. Hoyt, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,121 
discloses a mounting means capable of permitting a pair of stabilizers to 
be angularly adjusted in both the horizontal and vertical planes and 
subsequently locked into the desired position. 
One of the concerns with prior art string trackers is that they are not 
mounted in an optimal position relative to the arrow. The resulting 
problem is that a loop of string typically hangs between the tracker spool 
and the arrow head; the two points where the string is attached. This loop 
is easily snagged on brush in the field. Saunders, U.S. Pat. No. 
4,726,348, attempts to remedy this problem by the use of a clip attached 
to the archery bow which is structured such that it holds the hitherto 
slack string. 
While the above mentioned devices are directed to mounting apparatuses and 
combination stabilizer and string trackers none eliminate an important 
problem the archer faces when using a string tracker, that is, the noise 
created by the slack string suddenly becoming taut as the arrow is 
launched through the air. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an archery bow stabilizer and string 
tracker mounting apparatus capable of mounting off the shelf stabilizer 
elements and off the shelf string tracker devices onto a single unit which 
is then attached to a stabilizer mounting hole integral to the bow itself. 
The mounting apparatus is capable of telescopic extension thus permitting 
optimal vertical positioning of the string tracker device. Once the 
optimal vertical position is set the string tracker device is further 
permitted rotational positioning to minimize the distance; and increase 
alignment; between the tracker spool and the arrow head. The result of 
this minimization in distance and increase in alignment is one of the 
primary objects of this invention, to reduce the amount of noise generated 
by the rapid tightening of the string upon launching the arrow. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a single unit capable 
of mounting both stabilizer elements and string tracker devices. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide the capability 
to remove the string tracker and substitute an additional stabilizer 
element in its place. 
Another object of the present invention is to increase the yardage of 
string which pays out of the tracker spool as a result of the drag on the 
string by positioning the string tracker device and the arrow head closer 
together. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight, 
compact, portable and easily installed mounting means for stabilizer 
elements and string tracker devices capable of individual adjustment in 
the field.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to the drawings in greater detail, specifically FIG. 1, an 
adaptor generally indicated at I; comprises a lower element 2, an 
intermediate element 3, and an upper element 4. The upper element 4 
telescopically slides within the intermediate element 3 which itself 
telescopically slides within the lower element 2. Telescopic extension and 
retraction is accomplished by manually pulling or pushing the upper and 
intermediate elements into the lower element. Once the desired position is 
set, an allen screw 5 is tightened which locks the assembly into the 
position it is set. The lower element 2 is provided with three stabilizer 
element mounting holes 6, arranged to accept two stabilizer elements on 
the bottom face and one on the lower forward face of lower element 2. The 
two stabilizer element mounting holes on the bottom face are spaced 
equidistant from the centerline of the lower element in the front to back 
direction, and along the same axis in the left to right direction. The 
stabilizer element mounting hole on the lower forward face is centered in 
the top to bottom direction of the lower element. 
Lower element 2 is also provided with a threaded connection 7 located on 
the back face of lower element 2 which is used to mount adaptor 1 to an 
archery bow at the archery bows existing stabilizer hole. Upper element 4 
is provided with a string tracker mounting hole 8 in which an offset 
mounting arm 9 is attached. The offset mounting arm 9 has two threaded 
ends, wherein first end 10 is capable of mounting into string tracker 
mounting hole 8 and second end 11 is capable of receivably mounting a 
string tracker 12 as depicted in FIG. 2 or alternatively an additional 
stabilizer element 20 as depicted in FIG. 3. The offset mounting arm 9 is 
capable of 360 degree rotation and locking into that position at first end 
10, as depicted in FIG. 3 by locking mechanism 15. A fastening device such 
as an additional allen screw would be sufficient to accomplish this 
feature. 
The invention minimizes the noise created by the slack string between the 
arrow head and the tracker spool suddenly becoming taut as the arrow is 
launched through the air. This is accomplished by adjusting both the 
telescopic placement of the adaptor and the rotational positioning of the 
offset mounting arm, so that the distance between the arrow head and the 
tracker spool of the string tracker is minimized and their alignment to 
each other is maximized. Proper positioning of the adaptor and the offset 
mounting arm minimizes the amount of slack line thereby reducing the line 
noise, increasing the distance of the arrow's flight, and increasing the 
archer's consistency.