Abstract:
A compound bow stabilizer removably attached to the bow riser consisting of a base unit, a tube body and weights. The base unit has an elongated slot for a bolt or stud adapted to be connected to the riser. The tube body assembly has one end removably attached to the base unit and a second end designed to accept an additional tube or weight. Additional weights are located along and around the inside of the tube body. The base unit utilizes a bolt or stud that mates with a threaded opening in the riser of the bow and can be offset relative to the threaded opening of the bow along the vertical and horizontal axes by sliding and rotating the base unit relative to the bolt to reduce undesired movement and vibration of the compound bow when an arrow is shot from the bow.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/188,064 filed on Aug. 6, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to archery bows, and more specifically to an apparatus that is attached to a compound bow to stabilize and balance a bow during use and to reduce vibration and noise at the time an arrow is released. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    The compound bow is a popular form of bow that allows a user to achieve greater accuracy and distance relative to other types of bows. The compound bow consists of a rigid riser which is the support member for the limbs and a stabilizer. The limbs are very stiff members and a levering system, usually of cables and pulleys are used, to cause the limbs to bend to store all the energy of the bow. 
         [0006]    As a user pulls on the bow string, the pull increases to a peak and then “lets off”. This reduced force, or let off, allows a user to more easily hold the bow fully drawn while taking aim. A user will usually use a mechanical release that attaches to the bowstring near the point where the arrow attaches to provide a more consistent release. 
         [0007]    The compound bow has a relatively low weight and, therefore, is more sensitive to torque, vibration and slight movements of the users hand and/or arm as an arrow is fired. Torque can occur as the arrow leaves the bow. When torque occurs, the bow may rotate around its vertical axis which can result in left to right errors in hitting a target. In another instance, the bow may rotate vertically on its horizontal access. This can result because the dynamic center of gravity of the bow changes abruptly as the archer releases the string at the shot. This off center change in forces in the bow may cause the bow to rotate on its axes. 
         [0008]    Another problem that can occur with compound bows is the build up of a vibration as an arrow is fired. Normally between 70-85% of the stored energy in the limb members is transferred to the arrow as kinetic energy. Thus, about 15% to 30% of the stored energy is transferred to and absorbed by the limbs and the riser. It is believed that this energy that is transferred to and absorbed by the limbs and the riser is the cause of vibration that occurs in the rigid riser and the stiff limb members. 
         [0009]    What is needed is a stabilizer that can be attached to the riser of a compound bow that allows an archer to shoot more accurately by properly balancing the bow to the individual needs of the archer during the aiming process, as well as reducing both vibration and movement of the bow when the string is released and the arrow leaves the bow. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    There is disclosed an archery bow stabilizer and vibration reducer removably attachable to a stabilizer attachment fitting on the front of a compound bow, the compound bow stabilizer comprises: 
         [0011]    a base unit having an elongated slot for receiving a bolt adapted to be connected to a riser of a compound bow; 
         [0012]    a tube body having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to be coupled to the base unit and a second end adaptable with female or male thread; 
         [0013]    at least one weight is located inside the tube body; 
         [0014]    where the bolt in the base unit is adapted to be threaded into a threaded opening in a riser of the compound bow where the base unit can be offset relative to the threaded opening of the compound bow along the vertical and horizontal axis by sliding the base unit relative to the bolt and rotating the base unit relative to the bolt; offsetting the stabilizer&#39;s mass in the chosen direction aids in properly balancing the bow by offsetting the mass of things such as sights, quivers, etc. 
         [0015]    The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an exploded side perspective view of the base unit, the tube body of two separate tubes, and an end weight covered with a soft boot in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the rear of the base unit including the head of the fastening bolt for fastening the base unit to the riser of a bow and a knob for fastening a tube to the base unit which also serves as a quick detach feature; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the base unit of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of a first tube body attached to a second tube body where the first tube body is attached to a base unit and the second tube body is attached to an end weight (not shown) covered with a soft boot of rubber or plastic; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an internal side weight assembly that is located in a tube body; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the internal side weight assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a view looking into a tube body attached to a base unit and an internal view of the side weights that are attached to one side of the tube body; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of a first tube body attached to a second tube body where the first tube body is attached to a base unit with a knob and the second tube body includes internal side weights and is attached to an externally mounted BOW JAX vibration dampener at its far end and to an end weight shown prior to being inserted into the far end of the tube member; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of  FIG. 8  showing the end weight partially inserted into the end of the tube body; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a stabilizer of four tube bodies attached to a base unit and the far end tube having an end weight covered with a soft boot; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective side view of a stabilizer of two tube bodies attached to the riser of a compound bow; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a perspective side view of a stabilizer of two different length tube bodies attached to the riser of a compound bow where the far end of the two different length tube bodies is attached to a BOW JAX and to an end weight covered with a soft boot; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a perspective side view of a stabilizer having three tube bodies where the far end tube body is attached to a BOW JAX and the stabilizer is attached to the riser of a compound bow; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a stabilizer of five tube bodies attached to the riser of a compound bow where the far end tube body of the five tube body assemblage is attached to an end weight covered with a soft boot. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    The primary function of the stabilizer and vibration reducer disclosed is to reduce vibration and stabilize the balance of a compound bow. The stabilizer has three main components a base unit, a tube body and a weight assembly. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded side perspective view of a base unit, a tube body of two separate length tubes, and an end weight covered with a soft boot. The base unit  12  has a cylindrical body with a shoulder at one end. The cylindrical body has an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the tube body  14  and includes a knob  16  and a bolt  19 . Located around the lower and upper ends of the cylindrical body are two narrow groves for receiving thin O rings  20 . Located above the upper O ring  20  and below shoulder  24  is a groove for receiving an O ring  26  of normal thickness. The O rings  26  provide isolation between the base unit  12  and the tube body when the base member is inserted into the end  28  of the tube body  14 . The O rings prevent direct contact of the end of tube body with the base unit and allow for a tight fit of the tube body to the base unit and also aids in reducing vibration. 
         [0033]    The tube body  14  has an inside diameter that slidably receives the cylindrical body of the base unit or end weight and receives the screw thread body of knob  16 . Turning the screw thread body into the base unit locks the tube body to the base unit. The other end  32  of the tube body  14  supports internal threads for receiving a threaded end  34  of a second tube to provide an extended tube body. The far end  36  of tube  35  is adapted to slidably receive cylindrical body of base unit  12  or end weight  62  an end weight (not shown) covered with a soft boot of soft rubber or plastic  40 . 
         [0034]    The end weight at the distal end of the tube allows for a higher Front Of Center (FOC) balance point and produces additional Moment Of Inertia (MOI) 
         [0035]    The base unit is made of a light weight material such as aluminum, plastic, carbon, or other materials commonly found in the industry and has at least one threaded hole in its body to receive the threaded bolt of knob  16  or a threaded button head bolt to lock the tube body to the base unit. When the tube body is secured to the base unit with the small button head bolt, the stabilizer assembly must be threaded into the bow riser and must be twisted to be removed from the bow. However, if the tube body is secured to the base with the knob  16 , the stabilizer tubes can be quickly detached from the bow with a simple twist of the hand knob. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of the rear of the base unit including the head of the fastening bolt for fastening the base unit to the riser of a bow and a knob for fastening a tube to the base unit. The base unit has a machined elongated slot  42  which allows the stabilizer&#39;s mass to be offset from the bow center to provide improved balance and shock reduction. The depth of the slot allows bolt  44  that attaches the base unit to the bow to be recessed, and to add an interior nut or spacer to the shaft of the bolt. 
         [0037]    Adding a nut or spacer to the interior of the bolt  44  effectively lengthens or shortens the exterior protrusion of attachment bolt  44 . This may be necessary because all bows do not have a threaded receiver opening in their riser that is deep enough to accommodate a longer bolt. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective side view of the base unit of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a side perspective view of a first tube body attached to a second tube body where the first tube body is attached to the base unit and the second tube body is attached to an end weight (not shown) covered with a soft boot of rubber or plastic. The tube body  14  is made of a light weight material such as aluminum, The tube body consists of two separate length tubes  14 ,  35  of unequal lengths, where tube body  35  is approximately 3.5 inches in length, and tube body  14  is approximately 7.5 inches in length. The two tube bodies, when joined together and secured to base unit  12  function as a stabilizer of approximately 11.5 inches in length. In use, the two tube bodies can be separated and either tube body can be attached to the base unit. Thus, two tubes of different lengths can be used to provide a stabilizer that can have three different lengths. 
         [0040]    The tube bodies are machined to provide a snug fit over O rings on the base unit and the ends are chamfered to aid in placing a tube body over the O rings on the base unit. 
         [0041]    The tube bodies are also machined with a slot on one end (see  FIG. 1 ,  30 ) to allow for the quick release feature of the tubes from the base unit. At one end of the slot there is a round machined recess to allow the securing bolt to seat better. The small lip provided by recessing also allows the bolt to secure the tube to the base unit even if the knob or bolt becomes slightly loose or was not properly tightened. 
         [0042]    The tube bodies support machined slots  48  that extend longitudinally to allow internally located weights to be placed along the length of the tube and axially around the inside surface of the tube. 
         [0043]    The ability to place weights longitudinally and axially within the tube allows a user to obtain proper bow balance and stability. Each tube body has eight evenly spaced slots where there is a slot every 45 degrees. The slots are machined with a recess that functions as a channel for the bolt heads that secure the internal weights to the tube body. The recess allows the bolt head to be recessed below the outer surface of the tube body to provide an aesthetically pleasing stabilizer. 
         [0044]    The stabilizer has vibration reduction bands  47  around the main tube body. The bands  47 , referred to as Upper Frequency Oppression (UFO) bands are designed from an elostomer material which acts to reduce and absorb vibration resonance transferred into the stabilizer during the act of firing the bow. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown side and end views of one weight assembly that is located inside a tube body. Placing the weights inside the tube and against the inside wall of the tube helps to balance the bow and aids in reducing vibration. The internally located weights can be made of a light or heavy material depending on the user needs to reduce vibration, and to properly balance their bow. 
         [0046]    Looking at  FIG. 5 , the weight  50  is a half round cylinder  52  that has a threaded opening at the top to receive a threaded bolt  54  that passes through a yieldable washer  56 . A typical weight, while not limited to, has a diameter of 0.75 inches and a length of 0.75 inches. The diameter of the weight is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the tube body. 
         [0047]    The unique half round cylindrical shape of the weight is provided to concentrate as much weight as possible next to the circumference of the tube body. By concentrating the weight as far from the center of the tube as possible, the stabilizer is employing leverage to aid in balancing the bow on its transverse axis. 
         [0048]    The weights are machined to accept a threaded securing bolt that rides in the recessed groove of the tube body. An elastomer spacer or backing element such as rubber or nylon may be attached to the weight at the point where the weight will be secured to the inner wall of the tube body and aids in vibration dampening. 
         [0049]    The elastomer spacer or backing element allows the weight to oscillate 360 degrees to absorb vibration when an arrow is shot. The same effect may be accomplished with the use of a spring washer or locknut around the bolt. The amount of oscillations of the internal side weight can be controlled by the tightness of the securing bolt. Tightening the bolt more will result in less oscillations and loosening the bolt will result in the weight oscillating more. The ability to control oscillations allows a user to tune the stabilizer to his/her specific bow harmonics. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  is a view looking into a tube body attached to a base unit and the internal side weights  50  are attached in a row along the base of the tube body. 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of a first tube body  35  attached to a second tube body  14  where the first tube body is attached to the base unit with a knob  16  and the second tube body includes internally located side weights  50  as well as an externally mounted BOW JAX dapener  60  on its distal end, and end weight  62  which is inserted into the far end of the tube member  14 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of  FIG. 8  showing the end weight  62  partially inserted into the end of the tube body  14 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a side view of a stabilizer of four tube bodies  14 ,  64 ,  64 , and  35  attached to a base unit  12  and at the far end of the stabilizer. 
         [0054]      FIG. 11  is a perspective side view of a stabilizer of two tube bodies  14 ,  35  attached to the riser of a compound bow. 
         [0055]      FIG. 12  is a perspective side view of a stabilizer having two tube bodies  35 ,  14  attached to the riser of a compound bow where the far end of tube body  14  of the stabilizer is attached to a BOW JAX member  60  and to an end weight covered with a soft boot. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , there is shown another perspective side view of a stabilizer of three tube bodies  35 ,  64 , and  14  where the end tube body is attached to a BOW JAX member and the stabilizer is attached to the riser of a compound bow. 
         [0057]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a stabilizer of five tube bodies  35 ,  64 ,  64 ,  64 , and  14  attached to the riser of a compound bow where the far end of the five tube body stabilizer is attached to an end weight covered with a soft boot. The stabilizer is capable of accepting numerous extension tubes  64  which serve to lengthen the stabilizer allowing a shooter to chose a longer stabilizer for venues such as “FITA” or “Vegas” rounds where typically stabilizers will vary in range up to 36 inches or more in length, while also allowing a shooter to shorten his/her stabilizer while bow hunting or shooting in regulated “hunter class” shoots which typically limit stabilizer length to 12 inches or less. 
         [0058]    While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the apparatus illustrated and in the operation may be done by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.