Abstract:
A compound bow includes a base member with a longitudinal extent and has first and second ends. The base member is formed from a rigid material and has a grip location between its first and second ends, which provide mounting locations for mounting limbs to the base member. An elastomeric body is applied over, for example by molding, and at least substantially encapsulates the base member over the longitudinal extent. The elastomeric body comprises an elastomeric material, and optionally forms a grip member at the grip portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/410,813, filed Apr. 25, 2006, entitled COMPOUND BOW WITH IMPROVED RISER, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,834, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a bow and, more particularly, to a compound bow that exhibits improved vibration dampening and generates less noise than conventional bows. 
         [0003]    Bows typically have four main components: a riser or handle; two arms or limbs that mount to the riser; and a bow string or cable that is tensioned between the two arms. In the past, the riser was made from wood, but more recently risers are formed from metals, such as cast aluminum or magnesium. Even more recently, the risers have been formed from extruded metals, such as extruded aluminum. While metal risers have provided increased stiffness and, in some cases, reduced the weight of the bow, they have exhibited increased vibration and, more significantly, generate louder and higher frequency noise when the riser makes contact with an object, such as an arrow, tree, or tree stand, when the riser is bumped into the object or the object bumps into the riser. These risers even tend to produce more noise during a release cycle. Noise is particularly undesirable when a hunter is approaching his or her prey. 
         [0004]    While vibration dampeners have been proposed to reduced noise when the bow string is pulled and then released, heretofore these vibration dampeners have not succeeded in reducing the other noises inherent when handling a bow. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for a bow that will exhibit increased vibration dampening and further will minimize noise that is inherent when using or handling the bow. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the present invention provides a bow that produces less noise when used and also when handled. 
         [0007]    In one form of the invention, a compound bow includes a base member, which is formed from a rigid material and has a grip location between the two ends of the base member, which provide mounting locations for mounting limbs to the base member. An elastomeric body is applied over and at least substantially encapsulates the base member over the longitudinal extent of the base member, with the elastomeric body comprising a dampening material and, further, forming a grip member at the grip portion. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, the base member is formed from an extruded material, such as extruded aluminum or magnesium. 
         [0009]    In other aspects, the elastomeric body is formed from two materials with one of the materials forming the grip member and having a different durometer value than the other material. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect, the bow includes two limbs mounted to the opposed ends of the base member with the dampening material applied over at least a portion of each of the limbs. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect, the dampening material may be applied to at least a portion of at least one of the ends of the base member. For example, at least one of the ends may include at least one recess, with the dampening material extending into the recess. 
         [0012]    In other aspects, the base member includes at least one mounting opening at the grip location for mounting a separate grip member to the base member, with the elastomeric body being applied over the opening but being removable wherein the separate grip member may be mounted to the base member at the mounting opening in place of the grip member formed by the elastomeric body. Optionally, the elastomeric body has an indication around the grip location to provide a cutting guide for a user to cut and remove the dampening material around the grip location. 
         [0013]    In yet further aspects, the elastomeric body terminates at the ends wherein the ends of the base member are free of the elastomeric body. 
         [0014]    Further, the base member may include at least one lightening opening, with the elastomeric body at least partially extended into the lightening opening. 
         [0015]    In another form of the invention, a compound bow includes a base member, which is formed from a rigid material and has a grip location between its ends, which provide mounting locations for mounting limbs to the base member. The grip location has at least one mounting opening for mounting a separate grip member to the base member. In addition, an elastomeric body is applied over and at least substantially encapsulates the base member over its longitudinal extent and covers the mounting opening but is removable at least at the mounting opening. The elastomeric body comprises a dampening material and may have a durometer in a range of 15 to 90 Shore A. 
         [0016]    In one aspect, the base member is formed from an extruded material, such as an extruded metal. 
         [0017]    In other aspects, the elastomeric body is formed from two materials, with one of the materials having a different durometer value or different color or texture than the other material. For example, one material may be applied to one portion of the base member, while the other material is applied to another portion of the base member. 
         [0018]    In accordance with another aspect, the elastomeric body is molded to the base member. 
         [0019]    According to another form of the invention, a compound bow includes a base member with a longitudinal extent and first and second ends. The base member is formed from a rigid material and has a grip location between its first and second ends. The base member further has at least one lightening opening to thereby reduce the weight of the base member. The grip location has at least one mounting opening for mounting a separate grip to the base member. The ends of the base member provide mounting locations for mounting limbs to the base member. An elastomeric body is applied over and at least substantially encapsulates the base member over the base member&#39;s longitudinal extent. The elastomeric body terminates around the grip location to thereby expose the grip location and is formed from a dampening material, which extends at least partially into the lightening opening. 
         [0020]    In one aspect, the dampening material is applied to at least a portion of at least one of the ends of the base member. In a further aspect, the dampening material is applied to both ends. 
         [0021]    According to yet another form of the invention, a compound bow riser is made by forming a base member from a rigid material, which has a longitudinal extent and first and second ends. The base member includes a grip location between the first and second ends and a mounting opening at the grip location. A dampening material is molded over the base member at least along the longitudinal extent to form an elastomeric body, which at least surrounds the grip location and provides dampening of the base member. 
         [0022]    In one aspect, the grip location is covered with the elastomeric body, which forms a grip member at the grip location. 
         [0023]    In another aspect, the elastomeric body covers the mounting opening. Optionally, an indication of the perimeter of the grip location may be provided wherein a user may cut along the indication to remove the dampening material from the grip location. 
         [0024]    Accordingly, the bow of the present invention exhibits improved vibration dampening and generates less noise when impacted by an object. 
         [0025]    These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a compound bow embodying the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged side view of the riser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a back view of the riser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section taken along line IV-IV of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a side view of another embodiment of the riser of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a back view of the riser of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a similar view to  FIG. 5  illustrating a grip molded onto the riser; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a back view of the riser of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the numeral  10  generally designates a compound bow with a riser  12  of the present invention. As will be more fully described below, riser  12  is configured to dampen and reduce the vibration of bow  10  to thereby reduce the noise generated during a release cycle and, further, to reduce the bow noise when bow  10  is contacted by an object, just as a tree or tree stand or arrow or any other object that may be encountered during hunting. 
         [0035]    As best seen in  FIG. 1 , bow  10  includes riser  12  and two limbs  14  and  16  that are mounted to the opposed ends  12   a  and  12   b  of riser  12  by fasteners. Mounted to the ends of limbs  14  and  16  are pulleys  18  and  20 , which support a bow string or cable  22 . No further details of the pulleys and cable will be provided herein as they are conventional and well known in the art. 
         [0036]    As noted above, bow  10  is adapted to dampen the vibration of the bow during a release cycle and when impacted by an object. For example, when a hunter is using a bow, he or she will sometimes contact the riser with the arrow, which generates noise. Similarly, hunters often climb in trees and, sometimes, sit in a tree stand while waiting for prey. When climbing up or down a tree or when simply moving around a tree, the bow may come in contact with a tree or tree stand. Again, this generates noise, which can scare-off prey. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , riser  12  includes a base member  24  and a vibration dampening body  26 , which is applied over base member  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, base member  24  comprises an extruded member that is formed from a metal, such as aluminum or magnesium; however, it should be understood that the base member may be formed from other materials and, further, may be machined. One suitable base member may be configured and formed using the method described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,365,650 and 5,335,644, which are incorporated in their entireties herein. 
         [0038]    As best seen in  FIG. 2 , base member  24  includes a grip area  28  with at least one optional mounting opening  30 . Described in further detail below, mounting opening  30  provides a mounting opening for mounting a separate optional grip member to riser  12 . In addition to mounting opening  30 , base member  24  may include one or more lightening openings  34 . Lightening openings  34  may be provided to reduce the weight of base member  24  and, hence, bow  10 . Base member  24  also includes a plurality of limb mounting openings  36  at its respective ends  24   a  and  24   b  and a cable guide mounting opening  37 . Additional openings that may be provided include tool holes  38  and “AMO” holes  40 , which are archery industry standard holes. As would be understood, the number of openings or holes may be varied to suit the particular manufacturer and bow application. 
         [0039]    Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , body  26  is applied over the full length of base member  24 . Body  26  is preferably formed from a dampening material such as an elastomeric material. For example, one suitable material is SANTOPRENE, and may have a durometer in a range of 15 to 90 Shore A. Further, body  26  may be applied to base member  24  using standard over molding techniques. As best seen in  FIG. 2 , body  26  is applied over grip area  28  and, further, optionally forms a grip member  42 . Further, body  26  may be formed from two or more materials, with one material forming grip member  42  and the other material for covering the balance of base member  24 . When formed from two or more materials, body  26  may be formed from two shot molding, for example. In this manner, the grip member  42  may be formed from a softer or stiffer material than the material covering the balance of member  24 . Further, the two materials forming body  26  may be formed from materials with different colors or different textures or finishes to provide an aesthetic function as well. 
         [0040]    As would be understood, therefore, when molding elastomeric body  26  onto base member  24  to form grip member  42 , body  26  covers mounting opening  30 . Alternately, when forming riser  12  the material forming body  26  may optionally be terminated around grip area  28  so that grip area  28  of base member  24  may be exposed. In this manner, a separate grip member, such as a wood grip or customized grip, may be mounted to riser  12 . 
         [0041]    Alternately, elastomeric body  26  may be molded over grip area  28  as noted above but formed with a demarcation line or recesses or some sort of indication that provides a guide to allow the elastomeric body to be cut and trimmed to remove that portion of the elastomeric body that forms grip member  42 . In this manner, a single riser may be made that can be used in both a standard configuration and a customized configuration. 
         [0042]    In addition, elastomeric body  26  may be molded over, for example, lightening openings  34  so that the material forming body  26  either completely fills the lightening openings or only partially fills the openings. Alternately, when over molding base member  24 , plugs or spacers may be inserted into the lightening openings so that the elastomeric material partially fills the openings but leaves openings of smaller dimensions than the original lightening openings when the plugs are removed. Alternately, the plugs may fill the entire opening so that the elastomeric material terminates at the edges of the openings. Similarly, cable guide opening  37  may be filled with a plug during molding or the elastomeric material may be trimmed at the opening so that the cable guide may be mounted to riser  12  in a conventional manner. 
         [0043]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , as noted above elastomeric body  26  is applied over the full length of base member  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, elastomeric body  26  terminates at the ends of base member  24  so that ends  24   a  and  24   b  are exposed. Optionally, as illustrated in reference to end  24   a , elastomeric member  26  may extend over the ends of member  24 . For example, elastomeric body  26  may entirely cover the surfaces of ends  24   a ,  24   b  or cover portions of the surfaces of ends  24   a ,  24   b . For example, ends  24   a  and  24   b  may include one or more recesses  44  into which the elastomeric material may extend and, further, project to form elastomeric ribs or regions  46  to provide dampening between limbs  14  and  16  and base member  24 . 
         [0044]    In addition to covering base member  24 , the elastomeric material may be applied to portions of or the entire lengths of limbs  14  and  16 . 
         [0045]    In addition to dampening vibration and reducing noise, body  26  also protects the base member from oxidation. Thus, body  26  eliminates the need for painting base member  24 . Further, body  26  may provide a medium for decorating base member  24 . For example, as noted, body  26  may be formed from a colored elastomeric material. In addition, decorative patterns or designs or the like may be molded into body  26 . For example, emblems can be molded into the outer surface of body  26  or may be embedded onto body  26  either during molding or inserted into recesses molded into body  26 . 
         [0046]    In addition to dampening vibration and reducing noise, body  26  also provides a barrier that makes riser  12  warmer to the touch. Further, body  26  allows for riser  12  to be formed with a unique and/or customized shape. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , the numeral  112  designates another embodiment of the riser of the present invention. Similar to riser  12 , riser  112  includes a base member  124  and an elastomeric body  126 . Body  126  preferably is applied, such as by over molding, to base member  124  to dampen the vibration of riser  112  and reduce the noise of riser  112  when impacted by an object similar to riser  12 . 
         [0048]    In the illustrated embodiment, grip member  142  is formed from a different elastomeric material than the balance of body  126 , which covers the remaining portion of base member  124 . Similarly, grip member  142  covers a grip mounting opening  130  formed in base member  124 , which allows for another grip member to be mounted to base member  124  after removal of grip member  142 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , base member  124  includes a different arrangement and number of lightening openings  132  as well as AMO holes and tool holes. As noted, the number and location of lightening openings, as well as AMO homes and tool holes, can vary. 
         [0050]    Accordingly, the present invention provides a bow that exhibits dampened vibration and, further, generates reduced noise levels when impacted by an object, such as a tree, tree stand, or an arrow. Further, the riser is assembled in a manner that permits further customization of the riser while also providing greater resistance to corrosion. 
         [0051]    While several forms of the invention have been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow as interpreted under the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.