Automatic line release mechanism for a bow

An automatic line release mechanism for a bow is provided that includes an actuator that moves relative to a riser of the bow when a string of the bow is drawn. When the string of the bow is drawn the actuator actuates a push button of a reel to cause line of the reel to be released.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a line release mechanism for use with a bow that has a line attached to an arrow. More particularly, the present application relates to a line release mechanism for use in bowfishing that automatically actuates a pushbutton of a closed face reel upon drawing back the string of the bow.

BACKGROUND

Bowfishing is a method of fishing that involves using a bow and arrow to strike fish and subsequently reel them back towards the archer. A bow that may be used in bowfishing typically has a reel mounted to the bow from which line is dispensed. The line is attached to the arrow, and upon firing the arrow the line from the reel is withdrawn. Once the arrow is fired, it may be subsequently retrieved by the archer through use of the reel. The archer can wind a handle on the reel to reel in the line and attached arrow. If the shot was a hit, the archer can hold onto the handle of the bow with one hand, and crank the reel with his or her other hand to fight the fish and draw the fish back to the archer.

The reel used in bowfishing in an at rest position before firing of the bow is generally locked. In this regard, the line cannot be removed from the bow. This configuration is advantageous because the archer when walking around or otherwise holding the bow without firing need not worry about having the line fall off of the reel. Once the archer desires to fire the reel, he or she will actuate a push button of the reel. This actuation unlocks the reel to allow the line to be freely dispensed from the reel. The archer will then, after pressing this button, nook and arrow and draw the string of the bow. The archer will take aim and fire the arrow. The arrow and attached string will fly through the air to either hit or miss their target as discussed. Turning of a handle on the reel will once again lock the line so that it can no longer be freely dispensed, and the line will be drawn back into the reel upon turning of the handle.

The archer may forget to actuate the push button of the reel before firing the arrow. This situation is problematic because if the archer fires the arrow without releasing the line the force of the arrow on the line may cause gears or other structure of the reel to be broken. The archer may thus damage their bow if they forget to press the push button. Further, the archer may be injured through the breaking of components or forces on the arrow if the line is not unlocked prior to shooting the bow.

Also, the act of pressing the push button and then drawing the bow is time consuming. The few seconds needed to perform this task may allow the archer's target to escape or otherwise move out of optimal range thus decreasing the archer's chance of successfully striking their target. Also, once the line is released upon pressing the push button, it may fall freely off of the reel before firing of the arrow. This could be problematic in that movement of the bow by the archer after hitting the push button, but before firing of the bow, may cause fallen line to get in the way of the shot or even wrap around something thus potentially injuring the archer upon firing the arrow that is attached to the line. As such, there remains room for variation and improvement within the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3 , and up to 4.5.

The present invention provides for an automatic line release mechanism10for a bow14that is used with a reel26for automatically releasing the line30of the reel26. The mechanism10may be used for bows14that are employed in bowfishing, but could be used in conjunction with bows14that are not used in bowfishing. The mechanism10may include an actuator12that pivots when the archer draws the bow14through engagement of the actuator12with actuator line36attached to a string22or cable24of the bow14. This pivoting causes the actuator12to come into contact with a push button28of a reel26that is mounted to the bow14. Actuation of the push button28causes the line30of the reel26to be released. The archer then releases the string22to fire the arrow58. This causes the force of the actuator line36to be released on the actuator12, and a spring38can be employed to cause the actuator12to move back into its original position. The automatic line release allows the archer to shoot the arrow58without having to worry about actuating the push button28to release the line30. The actuator12can be arranged so that it moves back into it's at rest position automatically without the user having to manually reset it in certain arrangements.

An exemplary embodiment of the automatic line release mechanism10is shown inFIG. 1attached to a bow14. The bow14that is illustrated is a compound bow that has a pair of cams rotatably mounted to an upper limb18and a lower limb20of the bow. Cable24is configured with the cams and cause a desired reduction in draw power from the archer to enhance ease of use of the bow14. The string22is grasped by the archer and drawn and released in order to fire the arrow58. The cable24moves when the string22is drawn by the archer. Although a compound bow14is shown for use with the automatic line release mechanism10, it is to be understood that other types of bows14can be used in connection with the mechanism10, and the bow14in other embodiments need not be a compound bow.

The bow14may be used for bowfishing and includes a reel26that has line30attached to the arrow58. The arrow58has a pair of stops62,64between which a sliding member60can slide. The line30is attached to the sliding member60, and when the arrow58is fired the line30is removed from the reel26. Should the arrow58impel a fish, or simply miss, the user can pull in the fish or retrieve the arrow58by turning the handle72the functions to reel in the line30. The reel26may be a closed face reel in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. However, other variations exist in which the reel26is not a closed face reel, but may instead be an open faced spinning reel or a bait casting reel.

The reel26may be mounted to a riser16of the bow14through the use of a reel seat54. The riser16of the bow14includes a handle that is grasped by the user when firing the bow14. The reel26has one or two mounting arms that are placed along the upper surface of the reel seat54such that one is forward of the other in a longitudinal direction74of the bow14. The reel seat54has one or more hoods than can be moved along the length of the reel seat54in the longitudinal direction74to cover one or both of the mounting arms to effect locking of the mounting arms, and hence reel26, to the reel seat54. A length of the reel seat54may be provided with external threading that engages complimentary threading of the hoods to allow the hoods to move in relation to the externally threaded portions of the reel seat54. However, other manners of effecting attachment of the reel26to the reel seat54may be employed in other arrangements. A mounting location56designates the location of where the reel26is mounted to the reel seat54.

The reel seat54could be mounted to the riser16through direct attachment, or through indirect attachment by being attached to a mounting arm68that in turn is directly attached to the riser16. In this regard, the mounting arm68may extend through an aperture in the riser16and a threaded connection can be made on the opposite site to cause the mounting arm68to be attached to the riser16. The reel seat54may be in turn attached to the mounting arm68through a threaded or welded connection. As stated, other arrangements are possible in which the reel seat54itself extends all the way to the riser16and directly engages the riser16to cause attachment of the reel set54.

The reel26includes a push button28that functions as a lock release with respect to the line30of the reel26. InFIG. 1, the push button28is not actuated and the line30is locked onto the reel26such that it cannot be dispensed from a barrel of the reel26. If the push button28is pushed forward in the longitudinal direction74away from the riser16, or otherwise pivoted forward in the longitudinal direction74, the locking of the reel26will be released and the line30will be freely dispensed from the barrel of the reel26. Once the user no longer wishes for the line30to be dispensed from the reel26, he or she may begin rotating the handle72. The mechanical configuration of the reel26is set up such that once rotation of the handle72begins; the line30is once again locked into the barrel and cannot be dispensed although it can be wound back into the barrel upon repeated turning of the handle72. Also, once the handle72is first turned, the push button28will normally “pop” backwards or otherwise move backwards in the longitudinal direction74to assume the position illustrated inFIG. 1.

The automatic line release mechanism10may include a base42that is rigidly attached to the mounting arm68and does not move relative to the mounting arm68. The base42may be welded onto the mounting arm68, or otherwise attached through the use of bolts, clips, adhesive, or other mechanical fasteners. Further, the base42may have an aperture into which internal threading is present for engagement with the external threading of the reel seat54. In this regard, the base42can engage the reel seat54and be attached to the reel seat54through the threaded engagement. The base42may not move with respect to the reel seat54during use of the automatic line release mechanism10.

The actuator12may include an arm32that is attached to the base42through a pivot engagement48. The pivot engagement can be a pin or any other type of connection that allows the arm32to pivot with respect to the base42. Although described as pivoting with respect to the base42, it is to be understood that since the base42does not move with respect to the reel seat54, mounting arm68, or riser16of the bow14during use of the bow14, that the arm32may also be described as pivoting with respect to the riser16, mounting arm68, or reel seat54.

The mechanism10includes an actuator line36that extends from the arm32to the cable24. The arm36may have an attachment plate52located at its lower terminal end. The attachment plate52may have an aperture through which the actuator line36extends and is tied off or otherwise secured on the opposite side. The actuator line36may be attached to the arm32at a location such that the pivot engagement48is located between the point of attachment of the actuator line36and the point of contact of the arm32with the push button28.

The actuator12may include a clamp66that engages the cable24. The clamp66engages the cable24and moves when the string22is drawn back in the longitudinal direction74. This movement may likewise be in the longitudinal direction74. The actuator line36is attached to the clamp66such that when the clamp66moves the actuator line36likewise moves up or down in the height direction76. The movement of the clamp66could be both in the height direction76and the longitudinal direction74as the cables24may move in both of these directions when the string22is drawn. The clamp66may be any type of connection that allows the actuator line36to be attached to the cable24. The attachment may be a static attachment in that the attached portion of the actuator line36does not move relative to the attached portion of the cable24at the clamp66. Further, although shown as being attached to the cable24, the clamp66and/or actuator line36may be attached to the string22in other exemplary embodiments.

The bow14may include a cable guard80that extends rearward from the riser16in the longitudinal direction74. The cable guard80functions to hold the cables24away from the arrow58in the lateral direction78so that when the arrow58is pulled back and fired it does not contact the cables24. To prevent friction and wear on the cables24, the cable guard80is provided with a cable slide82that engages the cables24. The cable slide82can move in the longitudinal direction74and thus moves along the length of the cable guard80that is fixed in position with respect to the riser16. As the cables24move upon drawing and releasing the string22, their position will change in the longitudinal direction74causing the cable slide82to likewise move in the longitudinal direction74. The end of the actuator line36could be attached to the cable slide82in certain arrangements. As the cable slide82moves in the longitudinal. direction74upon drawing back the string22, the attached actuator line36will likewise move some amount to effect pivoting of the arm32.

The arrangement of the actuator line36with the arm32causes force to be applied by the actuator line36on the arm32when the string22is drawn. This force causes the arm32to pivot about the pivot engagement48. The arm32will pivot in the clockwise direction inFIG. 1when the string22is drawn. The push button28is not actuated inFIG. 1, and the arm32is shown in an at rest position in which the string22has not been drawn.

The actuator12includes a first spring38that is attached to the arm32and the base42. The first spring38biases the arm32in a direction opposite to the pivoting forces applied by the actuator line36when the string22is drawn. The first spring38is present in order to return the arm32to the position shown inFIG. 1after it has been rotated as will be momentarily discussed. The first spring38is attached to the arm32at a position on an opposite side of the pivot engagement48from the point of contact between the arm32and the push button28.

The arm32in the exemplary embodiment inFIG. 1includes a first portion44and a second portion46. The first portion44is pivotally engaged with the base42through the pivot engagement48, and the first spring38is attached to the first portion44. The second portion46is in pivoting engagement with the first portion44through a pivot engagement50. The pivot engagement50may be a pin or other type of connection that allows the second portion46to pivot with respect to the first portion44. The actuator12may also include a second spring40that is attached to the base42and to the second portion46. The location of attachment of the second spring40to the second portion46may be on an opposite side of the pivot engagement50than the point of engagement between the second portion46and the push button28.

The second spring40functions to pull the second portion46into the position shown inFIG. 1with respect to the first portion44. The second portion46engages the first portion44and cannot be pivoted any more about the pivot engagement50in the counter clockwise direction inFIG. 1. Although the first and second springs38and40are shown as being connected to the base42, they may be connected to other portions of the bow14, such as to the reel seat54in accordance with other exemplary embodiments.

In use of the bow14, the archer will grasp the handle of the riser16with one hand and the string22with the other. The actuator12is shown inFIG. 1as it would be in an at rest position before firing of the arrow58or even drawing the string22backwards in the longitudinal direction74. The push button28inFIG. 1is in an unactuated state and the line30cannot be unwound or otherwise released from the barrel of the reel26.FIG. 2shows a portion of the bow14when the archer has drawn the string22. The string22may be drawn to the position right before firing of the arrow58. This action will cause the clamp66and attached actuation line36to move some amount in the longitudinal and/or height directions74,76. The actuation line36will apply force F to the arm32to cause the arm32to pivot about the pivot engagement48. Both the first portion44and the second portion46will pivot about the pivot engagement48as a rigid body. The spring force applied by the second spring40will cause the second portion46to maintain its same position relative to the first portion44from the actuator's12movement betweenFIG. 1andFIG. 2. The actuator12moves such that the second portion46comes into contact with the push button28. The second portion46engages the push button28, and continued pivoting of the arm32causes the second portion46to apply sufficient force to the push button28to actuate the push button28. As such, the archer in drawing the string22causes the second portion46to actuate the push button28to thus automatically release the line30in the reel26to cause the line30to be freely dispensed from the reel26.

The arm32can continue to be pivoted about the pivot engagement48such that it clears the push button28and moves out of engagement with the push button28. The push button28may be configured so that it rotates, slides, or performs some combination of linear and rotational movement when being actuated. Maximum draw of the string22may cause the arm32to achieve a maximum rotation as shown inFIG. 2from its opposite, at rest position shown inFIG. 1. Alternatively, the arm32can pivot about the pivot engagement48until some portion of the arm32engages the reel26, reel seat54or some other portion of the bow14and is forced to stop.

The first spring38functions to pivot the arm32in the opposite direction about the pivot engagement48as the force F. However, the force F is strong enough to overcome the first spring38biasing force when the string22is drawn. As stated, actuation of the push button28causes the line30to be released. The push button28may maintain its same, depressed, position upon actuation, or may move back into its normal, “at rest” position as shown inFIG. 1immediately after actuation. Once the string22is released, the force F is eliminated and the first spring38will bias the arm32to return it to the position shown inFIG. 1. As such, the first spring38will act to turn the arm32counter clockwise from the position shown inFIG. 2. It may be the case that the position of the push button28will interfere with the return of the arm32back to its at rest position ofFIG. 1. This is because the arm32after actuating the push button28is “under” the push button28in the height direction76.

With reference toFIG. 3, the arm32is provided with the second portion46in order to overcome interference with the push button28.FIG. 3shows the bow14after firing of the arrow58and during return of the arm32back towards the at rest position shown inFIG. 1. As the force F is removed due to the release of the string22, the spring force of the first spring38is not counteracted and the first spring38functions to pivot the arm32about the pivot engagement48in the counter clockwise direction. The second portion46engages the push button28as the arm32is returned back to the at rest position. The second portion46engages the push button28, and the first spring38continues to cause the first portion44to pivot. This arrangement in turn causes the second portion46to pivot about the pivot engagement50with respect to the first portion44. The spring force of the second spring40is overcome by this engagement force and the second portion46pivots the necessary amount to allow it to clear the push button28. As the second portion46moves out of engagement with the push button28, there is no longer any contact force present between the second portion46and the push button28. This removal of contact force thus causes the spring force of the second spring40to be unopposed. The second spring40will thus cause the second portion46to pivot about the pivot engagement50with respect to the first portion44so that the second portion46assumes the “at rest” position with respect to the first portion44as illustrated with reference to bothFIGS. 1 and 2. The line30is being pulled by the fired arrow58inFIG. 33and thus extends forward in the longitudinal direction74and is not located at any point rearward of the arm32in the longitudinal direction74.

Once the arrow58hits its target or misses its target and comes to rest, the user may pull in the target or otherwise retrieve the arrow58upon reeling in the line30attached to the arrow58. The actuator12will assume it's at rest position as illustrated inFIG. 1after moving past the push button28as previously described. Once the user turns the handle72to reel in the line30, the push button28will generally “pop” back to the at rest position shown inFIG. 1. This pop back, which is pivoting or movement backwards generally in the longitudinal direction74or upwards in the height direction76, will not interfere with the actuator12as the actuator12has all ready moved back to its at rest position before the handle72is turned. Continued rotation of the handle72will pull the line30into the barrel of the reel26and prevent the line30from being withdrawn from the reel26.

Although shown as being out of engagement with the push button28in the at rest position ofFIG. 1, other exemplary embodiments are possible in which the arm32engages the push button28in the at rest position. However, although the arm32may engage the push button28, it may not apply sufficient force to the push button28to actuate the push button28.

FIGS. 4 and 5show a front view and a top view of the actuator12. The actuator12is shown in its “at rest” position that is illustrated inFIG. 1. The second portion46is shown as being made up of two plates with a cavity between the two plates into which a section of the first portion44can be located during relative movement of the two portions44,46. The springs38,40may extend both in the height direction76of the bow14, and in a lateral direction78of the bow14. The first portion44is shown as being pivotally mounted to the side of the base42in the lateral direction78. However, it need not be to the side o the base42in the lateral direction78in other exemplary embodiments. The attachment plate52extends outward in the lateral direction78so as to be located outboard from the springs38and40from the base42in the lateral direction78.

An alternative exemplary embodiment of the automatic line release mechanism10is illustrated with reference toFIG. 6. The actuator12includes an arm32that does not have a second portion46that rotates relative to a first portion44. Instead, the arm32has a generally solid, rigid construction on both sides of the pivot engagement48such that no portion on one side pivots relative to a potion on the opposite side. A spring38is connected to the arm32and is located generally at the bottom of the arm32in the height direction76. The spring38is attached to the reel seat54, although it may be attached to the base42in other exemplary embodiments. The spring38performs the same function as described previously with respect to the spring38in theFIG. 1embodiment. The second spring40is not present, and the actuator12may be provided with but only a single spring38. The upper terminal end of the arm32has a striker plate34located thereon. The striker plate34may be attached to the arm32through a bolted connection, or could be integrally formed with the arm32. Pivoting of the arm32causes the striker plate34to engage the push button28. Continued force applied by the actuation line36causes the striker plate34to actuate the push button28to release the line30. The actuator12is shown in an “at rest” position inFIG. 6. The striker plate34may be arranged so as to push on the push button28to depress/pivot the push button28but not be moved under or past the push button28. Once the string22is released, the force applied by actuation line36is removed and the spring38causes the arm32to pivot back to the at rest position. Since the striker plate34never moved past or under the push button28, there is no interference with the return of the arm32and there is no need to have the second portion46to handle any interference.

Additionally or alternatively, the push button28could be of such a design that it can pivot or move upwards in the height direction76after actuation or backwards in the longitudinal direction74after actuation. Hence, even if the striker plate34moves past or under the push button28, it can likewise move against and past the push button28upon pivoting backwards because the push button28can be moved/pivoted in opposite directions.

The base42is attached to the reel seat54on one end and to the mounting arm68on an opposite end in the longitudinal direction74. This arrangement can be varied as previously discussed. Further, a base42is not needed in other exemplary embodiments of the mechanism10. In this regard, the actuator12arm32can be attached to the reel seat54through the pivot engagement48. The springs38,40may be directly attached to the reel seat54or to some other portion of the bow14such as the mounting arm68. Likewise, although shown and described as being indirectly attached to the riser16by way of the mounting arm68, the actuator12may be directly attached to the riser16in other exemplary embodiments. For example, the arm32may be directly attached to the riser16through the pivoting engagement48that directly contacts the riser16.

The mechanism10in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 6further includes a laser70. The laser70may be mounted onto the base42. In other arrangements, the laser70of the mechanism70could be mounted to other portions of the bow14such as the riser16and need not be directly attached to the base42or other portion of the actuator12. The laser70can emit a laser beam71that is directed towards the target to which the archer is aiming. The laser beam71may extend forward in the longitudinal direction74from the actuator12. The laser70may be mounted in the height direction76below the actuator12.

Although described as being used in fishing, the automatic line release mechanism10can be used with bows14that are not used to hunt fish in other exemplary embodiments. For example, the mechanism10can be used with bows40to hunt land animals or for target practice. The release mechanism10may eliminate the need for the archer to remember to press the push button28thus preventing the inadvertent destruction of components of the reel26if the push button28were by mistake not actuated. Further, as the archer need not first press the push button28and then subsequently draw the string22, time in firing the bow14may be saved thus allowing the archer to fire the bow faster to increase their chances of hitting the target, or to spend more time in aiming the bow14as the button28is automatically actuated. Further, automatic release of the line30occurs when the bow14is drawn, thus eliminating time between pressing the button28manually and then drawing the bow14. Movement of the bow14in this time period may cause the now released line30to fall off of the reel26and become entangled onto something or otherwise hinder proper firing of the arrow58. Elimination of this time period thus reduces the chances of injury of the archer and interference with the flight of the arrow.