Abstract:
A stabilizer assembly for an archery bow with a pair of keyed socket fittings frictionally secured within each side of a tube, and at least one pliable connector, which includes a keyed opening correspondingly shaped to the keyed socket fittings, frictionally connected to one of the keyed socket fittings. Each pliable connector includes a fastener secured within an opening formed in the connector, enabling the connector to be removably attached to a weight or to an archery bow. In a first embodiment stabilizer assembly, a pliable connector is connected to each one of the pair of keyed socket fittings and a weight is removably attached to the fastener of one of the pliable connectors. In a second embodiment stabilizer assembly, a weight with a keyed opening corresponding to one of the pair of keyed socket fittings is frictionally connected to the socket fitting.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/233,729, filed Sep. 28, 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Technical Field 
         [0003]    The invention relates generally to accessories for archery bows. More specifically, the invention is directed to a stabilizer assembly for an archery bow that includes a quick connect/disconnect at one or both ends of the stabilizer rod in order to provide easy connection and disconnection of the stabilizer assembly before and after use of the bow. Moreover, the connector for the stabilizer assembly of the present invention is formed from a material that will aid in dampening vibrations during use of the archery bow. 
         [0004]    Background Art 
         [0005]    Archery bows consist generally of a riser having a pair of ends. Each one of the ends of the riser is connected to a flexible arm. Each one of the flexible includes a generally outwardly extending split limb. A cam is rotatably mounted between the split limbs and a bowstring is strung around each one of the cams to complete the archery bow assembly. 
         [0006]    Modern archery bows, when used, create vibration from the tension in the bow, which is transferred from the bow riser to the hand of the individual operating the bow. The transfer of the vibrations from the bow to the individual&#39;s hand has a detrimental effect on the accuracy of the individual aiming the bow and may potentially result in an inaccurate shot. The amplitude of the vibration in the bow can be affected by the design of the bow itself as well as the relative expertise of the individual operating the bow. 
         [0007]    Many accessories have been designed for archery bows to aid in reducing vibration and to balance the bow in order to increase accuracy. These accessories are generally referred to as bow stabilizers. Bow stabilizers that attach directly to the bow riser are generally well known in the art. As archery bows have become more modern and sophisticated, the bow stabilizers have also become more complex. For example, bow stabilizer assemblies that include active mechanical type quick connect/disconnect devices have recently been introduced. These types of mechanisms include buttons that are depressed or mechanisms that are rotated to connect or disconnect the stabilizer from the bow riser. However, these active mechanical-type connectors are subject to wear and tear and they are susceptible to becoming jammed so that the connector fails to operate as intended. Moreover, these types of connectors, because they are complicated, are costly to manufacture. 
         [0008]    Therefore, a need exists for a bow stabilizer assembly that overcomes the problems associated with prior art bow stabilizers and that provides a bow stabilizer assembly that is easily interchangeable, easy to connect and disconnect from the bow riser and also is simple in design in order to reduce manufacturing costs. The bow stabilizer assembly of the present invention achieves these goals by providing a stabilizer assembly for an archery bow that includes a connecter that is easily connected and disconnected from the bow riser. Moreover, the bow stabilizer assembly of the present invention is simple in design so that the costs of manufacture are generally reduced. In addition, the bow stabilizer assembly of the present invention provides for easy interchangeability of the weights of the bow stabilizer so that they can be changed without having to disassemble the entire bow stabilizer assembly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    An objective of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer assembly for an archery bow that that is easily interchangeable. 
         [0010]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer assembly for an archery bow that is easy to connect and disconnect from the bow riser. 
         [0011]    Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer assembly for an archery bow that is simple in design and reduces manufacturing costs. 
         [0012]    Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer assembly which enables easy interchangeability of the weights of the bow stabilizer. 
         [0013]    These objectives and others are obtained by a stabilizer assembly for an archery bow comprising: at least one connector, each of the at least one connectors including a connector body formed of a pliable material, the connector body having a first end opening and a second end opening and a fastener disposed and secured within the second end opening, the fastener being capable of removably attaching the at least one connector to an archery bow or a weight; a pair of socket fittings, a first one of the pair of socket fittings being frictionally connected to the first end opening of the at least one connector; and a tube having a proximal and a distal end, the first one of the pair of socket fittings being partially disposed through and frictionally connected to the proximal end, and a second one of the pair of socket fittings being partially disposed through and frictionally connected to the distal end. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention, illustrative of the best mode in which Applicant has contemplated applying the principles of the invention, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings, and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the claims. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1 . is a an exploded view of a first exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assembly of components of the bow stabilizer assembly including a pair of quick connectors, a plurality of weights, a pair of socket fittings and a tube; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a greatly enlarged elevational view of one of the quick connectors shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the quick connector shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view in section of the quick connector shown in  FIG. 3 , showing the section taken along lines A-A of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the quick connector shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a fragmentary top plan view of one of the socket fittings shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assembly of the present invention, showing the components of the bow stabilizer assembly including a quick connector, a weight, a pair of socket fittings and a tube. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    A first exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assembly of the present invention is shown at reference numeral  10  in  FIG. 1 , and will be described in detail below. Bow stabilizer assembly  10  is utilized in conjunction with an archery bow (not shown). Bow stabilizer assembly  10  includes a proximal quick connector  12 , a tube  14 , a pair of socket fittings  16  a distal quick connector  18  and a plurality of weights  20 . 
         [0024]    In order to better understand the structure of bow stabilizer assembly  10 , each of the components of the bow stabilizer assembly will be described in detail below. 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2-5 , proximal quick connector  12  is shown. Because proximal quick connector  12  and distal quick connector  18  are generally identical to one another, for purposes of clarity and conciseness, only proximal quick connector  12  will be described in detail below. Proximal quick connector  12  includes a body  22 , a hex bolt  24 , and a washer  26 . Hex bolt  24  includes a hexagonal depression in one end and includes a series of threads  30  extending along the perimeter of its opposite end. The threaded end of hex bolt  24  is disposed through washer  26  and the hex bolt threadably engages an opening formed in the bow riser (not shown). Connector body  22  has a generally cylindrical shape and is formed from rubber or other pliable material. Connector body  22  is formed with a generally stepped opening  32  at a bottom end  34  of the connector body. Stepped opening  32  surrounds and is adhered or bonded to the head portion of hex bolt  24  and washer  26 . The top end of connector body  22  is formed with a generally circular keyed opening  36  that corresponds to the shape of the end of socket fitting  16 . Keyed opening  36  and stepped opening  32  are continuous with one another and allow for placement of a hexagonal wrench through the keyed opening to engage hexagonal depression  28  of hex bolt  24  and to rotate the hex bolt in order to attach it to the bow riser (not shown). Connector body  22  is formed with a series of ridges  38  spaced around its circumference to help aid in gripping quick connector  12 . 
         [0026]    Turning now to  FIG. 6 , socket fitting  16  is formed from steel, aluminum or other sufficiently ridged material and includes a keyed portion  40  that corresponds to the shape of connector body keyed opening  36 . Socket fitting  16  also includes a raised ribbed portion  42  at the end opposite from its keyed portion  40 . 
         [0027]    A tube  14  formed from carbon or other similar material includes a generally tubular shape and including a proximal end  44  and a distal end  46 . Proximal end  44  includes an opening  50  and distal end  46  includes an opening  48 . 
         [0028]    A weight  20  is formed from metal or other heavy material, is generally cylindrically shaped and is formed with a central opening  70  extending along the length of the weight. 
         [0029]    Having now described the components of first exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assembly  10  of the present invention, the assembly of the bow stabilizer will now be described in detail below. 
         [0030]    Proximal quick connector  12  is attached to the bow riser (not shown). More specifically, hex bolt  24  of quick connector  12  is threadably engaged within an opening formed in the bow riser (not shown). A hexagonal wrench is inserted through keyed opening  36  of connector body  22  in order to tighten hex bolt  24  into the opening in the bow riser (not shown). 
         [0031]    Ribbed portion  42  of a first socket fitting  16  is disposed within proximal end opening  50  of tube  14 . Because the diameter of ribbed portion  42  is only slightly smaller than the diameter of opening  50 , the disposal of the ribbed portion into the proximal end opening results in a mated connection of the first socket fitting  16  into tube  14 . 
         [0032]    Likewise, ribbed portion  42  of a second socket fitting  16  is disposed within distal end opening  48  of tube  14 . Because the diameter of ribbed portion  42  is only slightly smaller than the diameter of opening  50 , the disposal of the ribbed portion into the distal end opening results in a mated connection of the second socket fitting  16  into tube  14 . 
         [0033]    Proximal end  44  of tube  14 , which is mated with socket fitting  16 , is connected to proximal quick connector  12 . More specifically, keyed portion  40  of socket fitting  16  has a slightly larger diameter than keyed opening  36  of proximal quick connector  12 . However, because proximal quick connector body  22  is formed from rubber or other sufficiently pliable material, insertion of keyed portion  40  of socket fitting  16  into keyed opening  40  of proximal quick connector  12  results in a friction fit of the socket fitting into the keyed opening. As a result, tube  14  is easily inserted into proximal quick connector  12  and subsequently easily removed from the proximal quick connector. 
         [0034]    Distal end  46  of tube  14 , which is mated with socket fitting  16 , is connected to distal quick connector  18 . More specifically, keyed portion  40  of socket fitting  16  has a slightly larger diameter than keyed portion opening  36  of distal quick connector  18 . However, because distal quick connector body  22  is formed from rubber or other sufficiently pliable material, insertion of keyed portion  40  of socket fitting  16  into keyed opening  40  of distal quick connector  18  results in a friction fit of the socket fitting into the keyed opening. As a result, tube  14  is easily inserted into distal quick connector  18  and subsequently easily removed from the distal quick connector. 
         [0035]    Weight  20 , is and fastened onto distal end quick connector  18  to complete the assembly of bow stabilizer assembly  10  of the present invention. More specifically, the threaded end of hex bolt  24  of quick connector  18  is disposed through central opening  70  of weight  20 . 
         [0036]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , a second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assembly of the present invention is shown generally at reference numeral  110 . Because second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assembly  110  is similar in many respects to first exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assembly  10 , only the differences between the two assemblies will be described in detail below. 
         [0037]    Second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer  110  generally includes proximal quick connector  12 , tube  14 , pair of socket fittings  16  and a weight  120 . The structure and assembly of proximal quick connector  12 , tube  14  and pair of socket fittings  16  is identical to the structure and assembly of first exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assembly  10  shown and described above. Instead of having a distal quick connector  18 , second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assembly  110  includes a weight  120  that is formed at one end with keyed opening (not shown) surrounded by rubber or other sufficiently pliable material, that corresponds to keyed portion  40  of socket fitting  16 . In this manner, tube  14  is connected to weight  130  by inserting keyed portion  40  of socket fitting  16  into the keyed opening formed in weight  130 . Because keyed portion  40  of socket fitting  16  has a slightly larger diameter than the keyed opening of weight  130 , insertion of the keyed portion of the socket fitting into the keyed opening of the weight results in a friction fit of the socket fitting into the keyed opening. As a result, tube  14  is easily inserted into weight  130  and subsequently easily removed from the weight. 
         [0038]    First and second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assemblies  10 , 110  of the present invention overcome the problems associated with prior art bow stabilizers and provide a bow stabilizer assembly that is easily interchangeable, easy to connect and disconnect from the bow riser and also is simple in design in order to reduce manufacturing costs. First and second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assemblies  10 , 110  of the present invention achieve these goals by providing a stabilizer assembly for an archery bow that includes a connecter that is easily connected and disconnected from the bow riser. Moreover, first and second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assemblies  10 , 110  of the present invention are simple in design so that the costs of manufacture are generally reduced. In addition, first and second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assemblies  10 , 110  of the present invention provide for easy interchangeability of the weights of the bow stabilizer so that they can be changed without having to disassemble the entire bow stabilizer assembly. Moreover, because first and second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assemblies  10 , 110  of the present invention utilize a quick connector that is formed form rubber or other similarly pliable material, the friction fit connection of tube  14  provides additional dampening of tension forces from the bow riser during operation of the bow. 
         [0039]    It is contemplated that first and second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assemblies  10 , 110  of the present invention could be formed with keyed portions and keyed openings of almost any corresponding shape or size, without changing the overall concept or operation of the present invention. It is further contemplated that first and second exemplary embodiment quick connect  14  and socket fitting  16  of the present invention could be utilized to connect bow quivers, bow sights or other bow accessories to the bow riser without changing the overall concept or operation of the present invention. It is also contemplated that first and second exemplary embodiment quick connect  14  and socket fitting  16  of the present invention could be utilized on cameras, trail cameras and tripod mount cameras, without changing the overall concept or operation of the present invention. It is even further contemplated that first and second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assemblies  10 , 110  of the present invention could be utilized on cameras, trail cameras, and tripod mount cameras without changing the overall concept or operation of the present invention. It is also contemplated that first and second exemplary embodiment bow stabilizer assemblies  10 , 110  of the present invention could be located at any position on the bow riser, extending forwardly, rearwardly or in a sideways direction, without changing the overall concept or operation of the present invention. It is also contemplated that more than one socket fitting  16  could be utilized with a single quick connect  14  having more than one keyed opening to prevent rotation and vice versa, without changing the overall concept or operation of the present invention. 
         [0040]    Accordingly, the bow stabilizer assembly of the present invention is simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient structure which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior art bow stabilizers, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art. 
         [0041]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. It shall be understood that this illustration is by way of example and not by way of limitation, as the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. Potential modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this disclosure, and it is understood that the invention includes all such modifications and alterations and equivalents thereof. 
         [0042]    Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the bow stabilizer of the present invention is constructed, arranged and used, the characteristics of the construction and arrangement, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.