Abstract:
Quiet, lightweight, well-balanced, forgiving, and accurate compound archery bows which have significantly reduced vibration and bow jump. The limbs and cams of these bows can be removed and replaced without a bow press, and the limbs of the bows are functional (active) over essentially their entire length and allow one to obtain equivalent performance from a more compact and lighter bow. The bow limbs may be leverage locked in articulated limb pockets. The limb butts extend forward well beyond the front of the riser. This eliminates limb length and limb angle as major factors in determining brace height, allowing one to choose a riser style and limb length which optimize arrow speed and bow stabilization. Novel adjustment mechanisms allow one to easily adjust the poundage or poundage and brace height of the bow. Vibration isolation systems may be employed to isolate the bow riser from the limb pockets. Bows with translating pockets, bows with stationery pockets and articulated risers, asymmetric bow limbs, and solid bow limbs with double belly cuts are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is copending with provisional application No. 60/998,679. The priority of the provisional application is claimed. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to novel, improved, compound archery bows. DEFINITIONS 
         [0000]    Belly Cut: A thinned segment of a bow limb which determines a location where a limb will flex and controls the degree of flex. The thinned segment provides a stress-distributing working area for stresses imposed on the limb as the bow is drawn. The belly cut can be made by cutting the limb material or by molding or any other appropriate manufacturing process.
 
Bow Jump: The tendency of a bow to escape the shooter&#39;s hand when an arrow is released, the limbs of the bow accelerating forward, then coming to an abrupt stop and exerting a forward-acting force on the bow.
 
Brace Height: The longest distance between the back of the bow grip and the bow string when the bow is at rest.
 
Draw Cycle: Begins with the drawing of a bow and continues through the launching of an arrow and the subsequent return of bow components to their “at rest” positions and configurations.
 
Front and Back: Respectively, the side of the bow facing the target and the side facing the shooter when the bow is in the shooting position.
 
       Multi-Point Limb 
       [0003]    Pocket System: One as disclosed herein which uniquely affords a wide range of poundage adjustment and, in some instances, quick and easy adjustment of brace height; the representative and unique multi-point limb pocket systems disclosed herein have four possible points. As viewed from the side of the limb, these are: (1) a limb butt; (2) a central fulcrum axis; (3) a limb pocket pivot axis; and (4) a limb pocket drive point which is the axis of symmetry of a limb-pocket mounted component of a system employed to adjust the poundage (or poundage and brace height) of a bow by changing the angle of the limb pocket relative to a bow riser.
 
Poundage: The maximum force required to draw a bow.
 
Deflex Riser: One in which the grip is in front of a straight line drawn through the fulcrums of the upper and lower bow limbs.
 
Reflex Riser: One in which the grip is behind a straight line drawn through the fulcrums of the upper and lower bow limbs.
 
Split Limb Bow: A term used herein to identify a bow with paired upper limb components and paired lower limb components. The paired limb components are referred to in this document as limb branches. A bow with paired upper and paired lower limbs can be described as a four-limb bow.
 
Straight Riser: One in which the grip lies along a straight line drawn through the fulcrums of the upper and lower bow limbs.
 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Compound bows are a relatively recent development. It has been reported that the first patent on a compound bow is U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,495 issued 30 Dec. 1969 to H. W. Allen. 
         [0005]    Modem compound bows are instruments of considerable sophistication and not insignificant complexity. 
         [0006]    A conventional bow of this type has a rigid riser with a grip for the archer and flexible limbs extending in opposite directions from the ends of the riser. A rotatable cam and a wheel (single cam bow) or two rotatable cams (double cam and hybrid cam bows) are mounted to and move with the tips of the flexible bow limbs as the bow is drawn and as the bow string subsequently released. 
         [0007]    A bow string is connected between the cams, which rotate in opposite directions when the bow is drawn. As the bow is drawn, the bow string moves away from the riser of the bow; and the bow limbs are bent or flexed, storing potential energy which is converted to kinetic energy and used to accelerate the arrow when the bow string is released. 
         [0008]    In the almost 40 years since the Allen patent was issued, many compound bow improvements have been made. Nevertheless, the search for a better compound bow continues. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Such bows are disclosed herein. 
         [0010]    The bows of the present invention are quieter, lighter, better balanced, more forgiving, more accurate (especially at longer ranges), and vibrate less than typical, commercially available compound bows. Bow jump is dramatically reduced, and the need for a bow press is eliminated. 
         [0011]    The foregoing and other significant advantages of the bows disclosed herein are attributable to a number of physical characteristics. Among these are limbs having butts which extend beyond the front of the bow and a system for attaching the limb to the bow riser which results in the limb being active over its entire length. 
         [0012]    The limbs may be leverage locked to the bow riser in limb pockets which likewise extend well beyond the front side of the riser. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the limb pockets are supported on transversely extending pivot members, and the butts of the limbs are leverage locked in the pockets by interlocking component limb butt anchoring systems uniquely located at the butts of the limbs and by forces which are imposed on the limbs by tensioning the buss/control cables of the bow and/or the bow string to lock the components of the butt anchoring systems together. 
         [0013]    Eliminating the need to substantially reflex the riser and permitting a nearly straight riser to instead be employed is significant from the viewpoints of weight, balance, structural integrity and aesthetics. Furthermore, bows with nearly straight risers tend to be easier to shoot and more forgiving than those with significantly reflexed risers; and, unlike a reflexed riser, a nearly straight riser does not exaggerate torque attributable to the way the archer grips the bow. Furthermore, the brace height, the axle-to-axle distance between the upper and lower cams of the bow, the length of the bow limbs, and other parameters can be changed without changing the riser of the bow; i.e., numerous configurational changes including but not limited to those enumerated above can be made, using the exact same riser. Using a limb which extends beyond the front of the bow riser allows one to change the brace height of the bow without replacing any of a bow&#39;s components. This, among other things, offers a very significant reduction in manufacturing costs. 
         [0014]    The leverage locking systems which secure the limb butts in the limb pockets eliminate the need for limb bolts or other mechanical attachments, which makes that segment of the limb extending beyond butt anchoring system and the front of the riser to the limb butt a functional, active, working part of the limb; i.e., a limb segment that can be bent (or flexed) and thereby stressed to store potential energy when the bow is drawn, this energy being converted to valuable kinetic energy when the bow string is released. This contrasts markedly with bow limb retaining systems which employ fasteners. In such bows, the butt end segment of a limb lying forward of the fastener is non-functional as far as the storing of potential energy is concerned. 
         [0015]    Elimination of limb bolts or other limb-penetrating fasteners has the further advantage of eliminating vibration transferred from the limb to the riser by the fastener when an arrow is launched. The weakening of the limb by a fastener-receiving hole is avoided. 
         [0016]    The limb butt anchoring system is preferably located at the very front or forward end of the limb. This allows the limb butt to pivot throughout the draw cycle of the bow, advantageously making the limb active over its entire length as discussed above. That and limb-engaged fulcrums in the limb pockets about which the limbs are flexed when the bow is drawn make essentially the entire length of each limb active in contrast to the conventional arrangement in which the butt segment of the limb has no useful function except as it is used in securing the limb in place in the pocket. 
         [0017]    Making the butt of the limb live allows one to obtain equivalent performance from a shorter limb, resulting in a more compact and lighter bow. The limb butt anchoring system also keeps the butt of the limb from moving in a longitudinal direction and from side to side in the limb pocket. Also, the novel, just described arrangement eliminates the need to significantly reflex the riser, permitting a nearly straight riser to instead be employed, which is advantageous for the reasons discussed above. 
         [0018]    Other compound bows with pivoting pockets have a two-point pocket system in which the limb pocket is pivoted on the riser near the limb butt or near a fulcrum at the rear of the pocket and in which the limb pocket drive point is similarly located near the limb butt or the fulcrum. Bows with pivoting pockets as disclosed herein have a unique limb pocket system with at least three points in which the limb pocket pivot point or the limb pocket drive point about which the pocket is driven to load the bow is at a third location which is distant from both the butt of the limb and the fulcrum 
         [0019]    An important advantage of this arrangement is that the limb pocket may be pushed or pulled from the back or the front of the bow to pivot the limb pocket about the limb pocket axis relative to the riser and thereby load the bow. Which approach is used depends on whether the limb pocket drive point is above or below the limb pocket pivot point. 
         [0020]    The use of pivoting limb pockets as disclosed in this document to load the limb instead of loading the limb directly as is conventionally done gives one more flexibility in designing the geometry of the limbs; allows the angle of the limbs relative to the riser to be more effectively adjusted; and allows limbs of quite different geometries, materials, etc. to be used without altering the riser or the limb pockets. 
         [0021]    The advantages of the above-discussed method of pivoting limb pockets can also be obtained in bows which do not have pivotable limb pockets. Limbs with translating pockets and bows which have fixed limb pockets and articulated risers are examples of such alternate configurations. 
         [0022]    Both a half-round or other male component of the limb butt anchoring system and the roller, sliding, or equivalent fulcrum can be fabricated from a material capable of reducing the vibrations set up when an arrow is launched. This reduces wear and also makes for a much quieter, more accurate, and easier to shoot bow. The use of a roller fulcrum or one on which the limb can slide is also important because that part of the limb in the pocket moves many thousandths of an inch (typically 50-150) when the bow is drawn and as the limb returns to its original position and configuration concomitant with arrow release. The fulcrum provides for free movement of the limb, avoiding the imposition of unwanted, deleterious stresses on the limb. 
         [0023]    The limb butt anchoring system and the roller or slide (or other fulcrum) allow the load imposed on the limb as the bow is drawn to be distributed over the entire length of the limb, instead of only along that part of the limb protruding beyond the pocket as is the case with a conventional compound bow. This significantly reduces the chances that the limb might break when the bow is drawn and significantly lengthens the useful service life of the limb. 
         [0024]    Many other important advantages flow from this novel limb pocket or equivalent mounting arrangement. One is a wide range over which the poundage of the limb can be adjusted. Importantly, the poundage can be decreased all the way to zero, allowing one to remove a limb or cam or replace a bow string without a bow press, a particular advantage to one in the field. A related advantage is that no limb bolts or other fasteners have to be removed to free the limbs. 
         [0025]    Another important advantage of the subject limb pocket mounting arrangement is that the brace height of the bow can be adjusted simply and easily from either the front or back of the bow by turning a single, pocket-mounted bolt or the like to rotate the pocket about its pivot axis. 
         [0026]    The distance between butt of the limb and the roller or slide fulcrum is deliberately made long enough to provide a stable platform for the bow limb. This significantly contributes to accuracy by reducing side-to-side movement of the limb and the limb twist which occurs as an arrow is launched due to the sideways pull which is imposed on the buss/control cables at arrow launch so that the arrow can move past those cables without interference. 
         [0027]    The novel overhanging limb configuration is furthermore advantageous in that overall limb length and limb angle are no longer major determining factors in a compound bow&#39;s brace height. Thus, this system dramatically changes bow design criteria by allowing more choice in riser style (deflexed, straight, or reflexed) and limb length. 
         [0028]    The increased limb length and optimum brace height provided by the present invention are important from the viewpoints of arrow speed (which is increased by a shorter brace height) and the ease with which the bow can be shot. In addition, the weight added in front of the riser by the overhanging segments of the limbs stabilizes the bow, typically making it unnecessary to employ accessory stabilizers for bow stabilization. 
         [0029]    Limbs with dual belly cuts are preferably employed in the solid limb compound bows disclosed in this document. The two belly cuts are so spaced along the limb that, when the limb is installed in its limb pocket, the front belly cut is ahead of the fulcrum in the pocket and can extend to the butt of the limb and the rear belly cut is behind the fulcrum. In the two working areas provided by the belly cuts the limb is thinner and can readily bend about the fulcrum during the draw cycle. The front and back working areas provided by the belly cuts as a consequence spread the stresses imposed on the bow when an arrow is fired. 
         [0030]    Particularly by extending the front working area all the way from near the fulcrum to the butt of the limb, one can, without overstressing the limb and sacrificing structural integrity, store significantly more arrow-propelling energy in the limb as the bow in which it is incorporated is drawn than might be the case if typically available limbs with a shorter front belly cut or a single belly cut or no belly cut at all were employed. 
         [0031]    Limbs with double belly cuts can of course also be employed in those bows embodying the principles of the present invention which have split limbs and in other solid and split limb bows as well. For applications which employ fasteners to anchor the limb butts, the butts may be thickened to accommodate a fastener-receiving hole without losing structural integrity. 
         [0032]    Limbs which have an asymmetric transverse cross-section or are otherwise stiffer or heavier on one side than on the other side can advantageously be employed in the bows disclosed in this document and also in generally any other bow including compound bows with solid limbs and split limbs and cross bows. The asymmetry minimizes, if it does not entirely eliminate, cam lean. This improves accuracy by keeping the bow string straight during the draw and keeps the string from rolling over and walking back and thereby causing the arrow from being thrown to the side as it is shot from the bow. As discussed briefly above, the poundage of pocket-employing bows disclosed herein is adjusted in a completely novel manner; viz., by pivoting the pockets in which the bow limbs are seated rather than the limbs themselves as is done in a conventional bow in which poundage is adjusted by downwardly displacing a limb-retaining fastener. The poundage adjusting components are accessible from the rear (or optionally front) side of the bow rather than from the bottom and top of the bow as is the case in the usual compound bow. Adjustment from the front or rear of the bow is more convenient and results in a more aesthetically pleasing bow. 
         [0033]    Vibration and stress can be significantly reduced by isolating the limbs from their pockets. A further contribution to the reduction of sound and other vibrations can be made by isolating the limb pockets from the riser of the bow. For example, elastomeric O-rings and elastomeric washers can be located between the riser and the side walls of the limb pockets and between the limb pockets and the limb pocket pivot component(s) to isolate the pockets. 
         [0034]    Other important features and additional advantages and objectives of the invention will become apparent to the reader from the foregoing and the appended claims and as the ensuing detailed description and discussion proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a solid limb, hybrid cam, nearly straight riser, compound bow which is constructed in accord with and embodies the principles of the present invention; this bow has limbs leverage locked without fasteners in pivoting limb pockets which extend well forward beyond the front of the riser and cams rotatably mounted on the tips of the limbs; it also has a three-point pocket system; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the  FIG. 1  bow; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the bow shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4A  is a fragmentary, enlarged scale side view of the bow; this view (and also  FIG. 1 ) show, among other components, the riser of the  FIG. 1  bow, the upper bow limb and cam, a pivotable limb pocket, components mounting the limb pocket to the riser, and a pocket washer and an elastomeric O-ring which isolate the limb pocket to a significant extent from vibrations set up in the riser when an arrow is launched from the bow; the upper limb pocket is represented by a phantom line in this figure; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the limb pocket; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4C  is an exploded view of the limb pocket; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of a solid limb with double belly cuts; this limb can be used to advantage in the  FIG. 1  bow and in other solid limb bows including those disclosed elsewhere in this document; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5B  is a fragmentary side view of a solid limb bow as shown in  FIG. 5  but with a thickened butt which allows one to use a fastener to anchor the limb butt; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the limb pocket; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a section through the limb pocket; 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary section through the upper part of the  FIG. 1  bow; this figure is included to show a half-round bow limb anchor mounted on the butt of the upper bow limb and locked in the pivotable upper limb pocket to fixedly position the butt of the limb longitudinally in the in the pocket; a fulcrum about which the limb can flex installed in the limb pocket, the fulcrum also accommodating longitudinal movement of the limb relative to its anchored butt as the bow is drawn and when the arrow is launched and the limb returns to its “rest” configuration; components on which the limb pocket pivots; and a nut-and-bolt system for adjusting the poundage (or poundage and brace height) of the bow which includes a pocket-mounted barrel nut and a rotatable adjustment bolt held against longitudinal movement in the riser and threaded through the adjustment nut and the member on which the limb pocket pivots; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8 ; it shows a second embodiment of the invention with a three-point pocket system in which the limb pocket pivot axis is located above the limb pocket drive point and between the limb pocket drive point and the fulcrum; 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 8 ; it shows a third embodiment of the invention with a three-point pocket system in which the limb pocket pivot point is near the limb butt and the limb pocket drive point is at a significant distance from both the limb butt and the fulcrum; 
           [0048]      FIG. 11  is a transverse section through the upper end of the  FIG. 1  bow; shown among other components, are: the upper bow limb and upper limb pocket, the fulcrum, the poundage adjustment bolt for the upper limb, shims located on both sides of the limb, and plugs (or caps) which are integrated with the shims and are located in holes in the opposite sides of the riser in line with the fulcrum; 
           [0049]      FIG. 12  is a detail of  FIG. 11  identified as R in the latter figure;  FIG. 12  is drawn to an enlarged scale to more clearly show one of two identical plug/shim units and the relationship of that unit to the upper limb, limb pocket, and fulcrum of the  FIG. 1  bow; 
           [0050]      FIG. 13  is a fragmentary, idealized, generally pictorial section through the  FIG. 1  bow; it is included to show the relationship of the upper limb pocket and  FIGS. 4A ,  11 , and  12  components housed in that pocket; 
           [0051]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a fourth bow embodying the principles of the present invention; this bow has non-pivotable (stationary) limb pockets and a folding (or articulated) riser; i.e., a riser with end segments which can pivot relative to the central segment of the riser; 
           [0052]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the invention in which the limb pockets translate in fore-and-aft directions along curved paths relative to the riser on which they are mounted during bow draw and upon an arrow being shot rather than being pivotably mounted to the riser; 
           [0053]      FIGS. 16 and 17  are, respectively, a front view and a side view of a sixth embodiment of the invention, in this case a split limb bow embodying and constructed in accord with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 18  is detail H of  FIG. 16  drawn to an enlarged scale to better show the two branches of the upper bow limb, a cam mounted by a transversely extending axle between the two branches of the limb at the tip of the limb, the pivoting limb pocket in which the butts of the branches are installed, the riser-supported component on which the pocket pivots, and the socketed head of a component for adjusting the poundage of the bow; the bow differs from the  FIG. 1  solid limb bow in that each limb is composed of two separate branches and in that a spacer is installed between the butt ends of each limb&#39;s branches to space the limb branches apart and fixedly position those ends against the sides of the pocket in which they are socketed; 
           [0055]      FIG. 19  is a fragmentary perspective view of a seventh bow embodying the principles of the present invention; this bow has split limbs and inside-out limb pockets having stems which are located between the branches of a split limb and limb-branch-positioning cross-pieces; 
           [0056]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the inside-out limb pocket employed in the  FIG. 19  bow; and 
           [0057]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of bolt and bobbin components of the  FIG. 20  limb pocket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0058]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-3  depict a solid limb, compound archery bow  40  constructed in accord with the principles of the present invention. Bow  40  has a riser  42  and upper and lower limbs  44  and  46  mounted to riser  42  in articulated limb pockets  48  and  50 . Rotatable, axle-mounted cams  51  and  52  are mounted to the tips  53  and  54  of limbs  44  and  46 . Buss/control cables collectively identified by reference character  56  and a bow string  58  are strung between upper and lower cams  51  and  52 , the buss/control cables  56  being trained through a riser-mounted cable guide  60 . 
         [0059]    Turning next to  FIGS. 4A and 8 , limb pockets  48  and  50  are essentially duplicates, and the limb pockets are pivotably mounted to riser  42  in the same manner. Accordingly, only the upper limb pocket  48  and upper bow limb  44  will be described herein, it being understood that this description applies equally well to lower limb pocket  50  and lower limb  46 . 
         [0060]    Upper limb pocket  48 , shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 4A , is mounted to the upper end  62  of riser  42  for pivotable movement about axis  64  by a transversely oriented collection of components  65 , These components, best shown in  FIG. 4B , are collectively referred to as a limb pocket pivot assembly. 
         [0061]    As is best shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  7  and  8 , limb pocket  48  has a pair of transversely spaced flanges  66  and  68 . These flanges lie on opposite sides of riser  42 . 
         [0062]    Integrated with flanges  66  and  68  is a limb butt-receiving pocket component  70  which has a front wall  72  and side walls  74  and  76 . Limb pocket component  70  also has a bottom wall  78  and an integral flange  80  located at the upper end of front wall  72  and extending from that wall toward the back of bow  40 . 
         [0063]    As is best shown in  FIGS. 8 and 13  and discussed above, limb pocket  48  is pivotably mounted to riser  42  by limb pocket pivot assembly  65 . The components of limb pocket pivot assembly  65  include mushroom-shaped elements  65   a  and  65   b  which are mounted to and extend through limb pocket flanges  66  and  68  with heads  65   c  and  65   d  of the elements against the exterior sides of the flanges. Stems  65   e  and  65   f  of elements  65   a  and  65   b  are axially aligned along limb pocket pivot axis  64  between the depending pocket flanges  66  and  68  and support limb pocket  48  for pivotable movement relative to riser  42 . A bolt  65   g  extends through elements  65   a  and  65   b,  and is threaded into the stem  65   e  of element  65   a.  Bolt  65   g  can be tightened to clamp flanges  66  and  68  and assembly elements  65   a  and  65   b  together and thereby lock limb pocket  48  at the angle to which it adjusted. 
         [0064]    Elastomeric washers isolate the riser of bow  40  from limb pocket  48 . One of these washers is illustrated in  FIG. 4  and identified by reference character  84 . This washer is interposed between riser  42  and the depending, pocket flange  66 . The second washer (not shown in the drawings) is similarly interposed between the riser and pocket flange  68 . Third and fourth elastomeric washers (likewise not shown) may, for further isolation, be installed between limb pocket flanges  66  and  68  and the heads  65   c  and  65   d  of associated mushroom elements  65   a  and  65   b  Riser  42  is further isolated from limb pocket  48  by O-rings on opposite sides of the riser. One of these O-rings is shown in  FIG. 4A  and identified by reference character  88 . 
         [0065]    The above-described riser-pocket vibration isolation components  84  and  86  and their counterparts on the other side of riser  42  enhance accuracy, reduce the sound made when bow  40  is shot and reduce the transmission of vibrations from the limb pockets to the riser and from the riser to the shooter&#39;s hand. 
         [0066]    Shim/end cap units  90  and  92  (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) center limbs  44  and  46  in limb pockets  48  and  50  and facilitate the manufacture of bow  40 . 
         [0067]    Referring now most specifically to  FIGS. 4A ,  8 , and  13  and with particular reference also to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , limb  44  is leverage locked in pocket  48 . More specifically, limb  44  is fixed longitudinally; i.e., in the directions indicated by arrow  104  in  FIG. 4A , by a limb butt anchoring system which includes a (typically) half-round anchor  106  fixed to the butt  108  of limb  44 . Anchor  106  is locked in a complementary, recessed seat  110  which is formed in transversely extending flange  80  of pocket  48  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0068]    Once limbs  44  and  46  have been installed in limb pockets  48  and  50 , the bow limbs are placed under tension. This in turn tensions buss/control cables  56  and bow string  58  are tensioned, and limb  44  is bent or flexed downwardly; i.e., in the direction indicated by arrow  112  in  FIG. 1 . This biases the butt  108  of the limb in the upward, arrow  114  direction about a transversely extending fulcrum  116  installed in pocket  48  immediately below and in contact with limb  44 . This locks anchor  106  in seat  110 . 
         [0069]    Also, as bow  40  is drawn, limb  44  moves in limb pocket  48  toward the butt  108  of the limb. To avoid unwanted performance affecting binding or other restraint on limb  44  as it so moves in limb pocket  48 , fulcrum  116  is supported in a seat  118  formed in limb pocket bottom wall  78  for rotary or rolling movement about a central axis  120 . This, together with the elimination of the limb-securing fastener arrangement commonly employed and its replacement with anchor system  106 / 110 , makes limb  44  active (or live) over substantially its entire length whereas, in a conventional bow, that part of the limb between the fastener and the limb butt is dead. As discussed above, this significantly increases the amount of potential energy which can be stored in a limb of given length when a bow is drawn, leading to lighter and more compact bows. 
         [0070]    Anchor  106  and/or fulcrum  116  may advantageously be fabricated from materials with vibration dampening properties. Doing so reduces the shock and vibration felt by the shooter when an arrow is shot and makes the bow quieter. 
         [0071]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  8 , and  13 , the front end  72  of limb pocket  48  is deliberately extended forwardly in the arrow  123  direction well beyond the forwardmost point  124  of riser  42  such that the the overhang distance “L” between the forwardmost riser point and the limb butt  108  is at least one inch. As discussed above, this significantly reduces overall limb length and limb angle as the major determining factors in a bow&#39;s brace height, allowing much more more choice in riser style and limb design. 
         [0072]    Bow  40  is assembled by installing limb  44  in limb pocket  48  in the relationship shown in  FIG. 4A , for example, and by then similarly installing lower limb  46  in pocket  50 . Next, buss/control cables  56  and/or bow string  58  are placed under tension to flex bow limbs  44  and  46  and generate forces which lock anchors mounted to the butts of the limbs in their complementary seats in limb pockets  48  and  50   
         [0073]    The installation of representative bow limb  44  is accomplished with the poundage of bow  40  set to zero, advantageously eliminating the need for a bow press to install the limb and its associated cam  51 . Buss/control cables  56  and bow string  58  are then placed under tension to load limb  44  and thereby retain it in place with anchor  106  locked against its seat  110  by rotating an externally threaded drive bolt  127  best shown in FIGS.  4 ,  8 , and  13 . Adjustment bolt  127  extends through a half-round or equivalent, rotatably displaceable component  127   a  in riser cutout  127   b,  then through a pocket-mounted barrel nut  128  which has complementary internal threads and is positioned between the depending flanges  66  and  68  of limb pocket  48 . Consequently, as adjustment bolt  127  is turned, limb pocket  48  and limb  44  are rotated about limb pocket pivot axis  64 . As adjustment bolt  127  is rotated, the angle of the bolt changes. Half-round  127   a  accommodates the changes in bolt angle by rotating in riser cutout  127   b.    
         [0074]    In assembling bow  40 , adjustment bolt  127  is rotated in the direction which loads limb  44 , placing buss/control cables  56  and bow string  58  under tension to leverage lock the limb in place in the manner discussed above. This rotation is continued until bow  40  reaches selected poundage. 
         [0075]    Rotation of adjustment bolt  127  in the opposite direction reduces the tension on buss/control cables  56  and bow string  58  allowing limb  44  to relax until, when zero poundage is reached, anchor  106  can be unseated by lifting the limb away from fulcrum  116  or by pushing the butt  108  of limb in a downward direction. Once the anchor  106  is unseated, limb  44  can be removed from limb pocket  48 . 
         [0076]    The threaded member of the adjustment mechanisms employed in the bows described above may be located for access from either the front of the bow ( FIGS. 4A and 8 ) or the back of the bow ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). In both cases, adjustment is more convenient and the bow is more aesthetically pleasing than a conventional bow with its top or bottom accessed adjustment features. 
         [0077]    An often preferred, solid limb for bow  40  (and other bows including those embodying the principles of the present invention) is shown in  FIG. 5A . This limb has double belly cuts and is identified by reference character  134 . Its front and back (or fore-and-aft) belly cuts, identified by reference characters  136  and  138 , have scooped out configurations. The belly cuts are spaced longitudinally along the limb, creating two working areas where the limb can readily flex. Stresses imposed on the limb as the bow is drawn are spread out in the working areas as determined by parameters including principally the configurations and dimensions of the belly cuts. Spreading out stresses on its limbs as a bow is drawn insures that the stress limits of the limbs are not exceeded. Fore-and-aft belly cuts such as  136  and  138  are much more effective in reaching this goal than the solid limbs with a single belly cut heretofore proposed. 
         [0078]    Limb  134  is installed in a limb pocket of a bow such as  40  with belly cuts  136  and  138  on opposite, front and back sides of fulcrum  116  and is employed in other bows in a similar manner; i.e, with the belly cuts on opposite sides of a fulcrum. 
         [0079]    Front belly cut  136  extends to and terminates at limb butt  108 . This extends the front working area essentially all the way from fulcrum  116  to limb butt  108 , enhancing the performance advantages obtained by using the front belly cut. Also, in the case of the widely used, fiber-reinforced limb construction, the absence of a transition zone between the belly cut and the limb butt means that significantly fewer of the reinforcing fibers are cut in the limb manufacturing process; and limb failures that are common and attributable to cut fibers are less likely. Cut fiber ends peel away from the limb; and this materially weakens the limb in the region where the peeling occurs. 
         [0080]      FIG. 5B  depicts, in fragmentary form, a limb  142  which is similar to limb  134  but differs by virtue of its having a thickened limb butt  143  providing structural integrity and stability for fasteners and a transition zone  144  between forward belly cut  146  and limb butt  143 . This limb has the same advantages as limb  134 , albeit with some sacrifice in performance because the front part of limb  142  in the transition zone  144  between the forward belly cut  146  and limb butt  143  is non-working. Also, because of transition zone  144 , limb  142  is at least in principle more susceptible to failure than limb  134 . 
         [0081]    In a bow having a fulcrum such as bow  40 , the distance between the limb butt  108  and fulcrum is increased relative to the comparable distance of a conventional limb so that the limb  134  can be installed with belly cut  136  in front of the fulcrum (component  116  of bow  40 ) and belly cut  138  in back of or behind the fulcrum. This maximizes the benefits that can be obtained by employing two belly cuts. 
         [0082]    Solid limbs with double belly cuts can be used to advantage in virtually any type of bow, not just bows as disclosed in this document. 
         [0083]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8-10 , compound bows embodying the principles of the present invention are characterized by unique, multi-point performance-enhancing, limb pocket systems which have three (or four) points. The four possible points are: (1) the butt of the limb, (2) the central fulcrum axis, (3) the axis about which the limb pocket pivots on the riser, and (4) the limb pocket drive point. 
         [0084]    To reiterate, in the novel limb pocket systems disclosed herein, the limb pocket pivot axis and/or the limb pocket drive point are located at substantial distances from the limb butt and the fulcrum of the system. This affords a wide range of poundage adjustment including the reduction of the poundage to zero so the bow can be taken apart without a bow press. Also, the limb pocket systems of the present invention allow one to adjust the brace height of the bow primarily by rotating the pocket adjustment member. 
         [0085]    Bow  40  employs a three-point pocket system  148 . This system is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The three points of the system are labeled with reference characters  108 ,  120 ,  64 , and  156  (see  FIG. 9). 108  is the butt of limb  44 ,  120  is the central axis of fulcrum  116 , and  64  is the limb pocket pivot axis. The distance between points  108  and  120  is labeled A, the distance between points  120  and  64  is designated as B, and the distance between points  64  and  108  is designated as C. To obtain the above-discussed advantages of a three- or a four-point system, both C and B must be greater than one inch in terms of absolute value. In relative terms, both C and B must be greater than A/3. C and B can be greater than one inch and also greater than A/3. 
         [0086]    The unique brace height and poundage adjustment capabilities of bow  40  are in part also attributable to the location of limb pocket pivot point  64  beneath drive point  156 . As a consequence, the assemblage of limb pocket  42 , limb  44 , cam  51 , buss/control cables  56 , and bow string  58  moves toward and away from riser  42  as adjustment component  127  is rotated in one or the other direction (see the double-headed arrow  158  in  FIG. 8 ). The brace height of bow  40 , identified by reference character  160  in  FIG. 1 , is the longest distance between riser  42  and bow string  58 . The brace height  160  is therefore increased or decreased by rotation of threaded component  127 , depending upon whether the adjustment component is rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. 
         [0087]    A second, also unique, performance-enhancing, three-point pocket system  164  embodying the principles of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . In this system, the limb pocket drive point is identified by reference character  156 . Drive point  156  is located at a considerable distance from limb butt  108  and fulcrum axis  120  and on the opposite side of limb pocket pivot point  64  from the fulcrum axis. This arrangement has most of the advantages of the  FIG. 8  three-point pocket system  148 . 
         [0088]    Dimensions A, B, and C are selected to meet the same criteria as the  FIG. 8  system  148 ; i.e., both dimension B and dimension C must be greater than one inch in absolute terms and/or greater than A/3 in relative terms. 
         [0089]      FIG. 10  depicts a third, three-point, performance-enhancing, pocket system  166  in accord with the principles of the present invention. The three points of this system are fulcrum axis  120 , limb pocket pivot axis  64 , and drive point  156 . As in the  FIG. 9  system  164 , the limb pocket drive point  156  is located below the limb pocket pivot point  64 . Dimensions A, B, and C of the  FIG. 10  system are selected using the same criteria as the dimensions with the same letters in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ; i.e.., B and C both greater than one inch and/or greater than A/3 
         [0090]    The  FIGS. 9 and 10  systems can be employed to change the poundage of the bow with not more than a slight change in brace height. Rotation of adjustment bolt in the  FIG. 8  system significantly alters the brace height as the poundage is changed. However, the brace height can be kept the same by swapping out the bow limbs. The riser (and other bow components) do not have to be changed, a decided advantage from the viewpoints of manufacturing costs, inventory, and the like. 
         [0091]    The geometry of the pocket systems  148 ,  164  and  166  illustrated in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  is not restricted to bows with pivoting limb pockets. These principles of these three and equivalent systems can be employed in the design of any bow with a limb-retention arrangement which allows the butt end of the limb to be displaced relative to the riser in a manner effecting a change in the poundage or the poundage and the brace height of the bow. Also, pocket systems with more than four points can be employed in the bows disclosed herein and in other bows. 
         [0092]    One application of the invention with the advantages of the bows discussed above but employing fixed, as opposed to pivotable, limb pockets is the articulated riser bow  180  illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Components of this bow which are akin to those of the  FIGS. 1-13  bow  40  may be identified by the same reference characters. 
         [0093]    The upper and lower limb pockets  182  and  184  of bow  180  are immovably mounted to articulated end segments (or components)  186  and  188  of bow riser  190 , and the end members  186  and  188  are pivotably connected to a central section  192  of riser  190  by transversely extending pivot members  194  and  196 . 
         [0094]    Other than being non-pivotable, limb pockets  182  and  184  may be of the construction illustrated in previously discussed embodiments of the invention, for example, those embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-13 . The upper and lower limbs  198  and  199  of bow  180  may be retained in the limb pockets  182  and  184  by interlocking component anchor systems as described above (not shown in  FIG. 14 ) and by the forces imposed on the bow by tensioning buss/control cables  200  and/or bow string  201  to flex or bend limbs  198  and  199  about fulcrums (likewise not shown) located in limb pockets  182  and  184  in the manner shown in  FIG. 13  and other figures and described above. 
         [0095]    An adjustment mechanism such as the one discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 4A , but not shown in  FIG. 14 , can be employed to pivot upper and lower limb pockets  182  and  184  about their pivot members  194  and  196  to change the brace height and/or the poundage of bow  180 , making the primary adjustment of brace height and poundage available by manipulating a single component; for example, a threaded drive member as discussed above and identified in  FIG. 4A  by reference character  127 . Three-point pocket systems as described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10  can be employed as can pocket systems with four points. 
         [0096]      FIG. 15  depicts a compound bow  202  embodying the principles of the present invention with limb pockets  204  and  206  mounted to the riser  208  of the bow. Riser  208  has upper and lower surfaces  209  and  210  which are arcs of circles with virtual centers  211  and  212 . Components of this bow which are akin to those of the  FIGS. 1-13  bow  40  may be identified by the same reference characters. 
         [0097]    The brace height and/or poundage of bow  202  can be changed by translating pockets  204  and  206  along curved top and bottom riser surfaces  209  and  210  toward the front  213  or back  214  of riser  208  between the limits shown in full and phantom lines at the bottom of  FIG. 15 , A threaded drive member as discussed above or an equivalent arrangement is used for this purpose. 
         [0098]    As in the other bows discussed above, interlocking limb butt anchor systems as described previously and fulcrums about which the limbs can flex may be housed in limb pockets  204  and  206 . The butts of upper and lower limbs  216  and  217  may be held in place by: interlocking component limb butt anchor systems and the forces exerted on the butts of limbs  216  and  217  as buss/control cables  218  and/or bow string  220  are tensioned. 
         [0099]      FIGS. 16-18  depict a compound bow  230  which has upper and lower split limbs  232  and  234  rather than solid limbs as are employed in the previously described embodiments of the invention. Components of this bow which are akin to those of the  FIGS. 1-13  bow  40  may be identified by the same reference characters. 
         [0100]    The upper and lower limbs  232  and  234  are alike; and, accordingly, only the upper limb  232  is shown in detail (see  FIG. 18 ). Limb  232  has paired branches  236  and  238 . At the butt  240  of the limb, branches  236  and  238  may be separated by a spacer  242 , preferably fabricated from a vibration dampening material. The limb branches  236  and  238  are clamped against spacer  242  by the side walls  244  and  246  of limb pocket  248 . 
         [0101]    At the limb tip  290 , the paired branches  236  and  238  of limb  232  are transversely spaced along upper cam axle  260 . Axle  260  extends through the upper ends of limb branches  236  and  238  ( FIG. 18 ) and into axle retainer units  261   a  and  261   b  located on the outer sides of and butted against limb branches  236  and  238 , respectively. Washers  262   a  and  262   b  installed on axle  260  center upper cam  51  between limb branches  236  and  238 . 
         [0102]    As in the other embodiments of the present invention discussed above, upper and lower limb pockets  248  and  250  of bow  230  may house a limb anchor and a fulcrum (neither shown) about which limbs  232  and  234  of the bow can be bent or flexed to lock the limbs in their respective pockets by tensioning buss/control cables  264  and/or bow string  266 . This unique limb-retention system again allows the brace height and/or poundage to be adjusted by manipulating a single adjustment feature as described above and shown in  FIG. 4A  and also allows the bow poundage to be reduced to zero to relax limbs  232  and  234 . Again, this is highly advantageous in that it allows one to remove the limbs and cams without using a bow press. 
         [0103]    One branch of each pair can be made heavier and/or stiffer than the other branch of the pair. This minimizes (or even eliminates) the cam lean caused by a bow&#39;s buss/control cable(s) being displaced sideways out of the arrow path when the bow is drawn. 
         [0104]      FIG. 19  depicts the upper part of yet another compound bow  280  which employs the principles of the present invention. Like the bow  230  just described, bow  280  has split limbs, the upper limb being identified by reference character  282  and the two branches of the limb by reference characters  284  and  286 . Also shown is upper cam  288 , rotatably mounted at the tip  290  of the limb between limb branches  284  and  286 . The butt  294  of the limb is installed in a limb pocket  295  pivotably connected to the riser  296  of bow  280  by such as the one described above and identified by reference character  65 . Bobbins  295   a  and  295   b  are located on opposite sides of the limb pocket against depending limb pocket flanges  295   d  and  295   e,  which embrace the riser  296  of bow  280 . Pin  295   c  extends from limb pocket flange  295   d  through riser  296  to limb pocket flange  295   e.  The ends of the pin (not shown) are secured to bobbins  295   a  and  295   b;  for example, with e-clips (not shown). 
         [0105]    Bobbin hubs  295   f  and  295   g  are fulcrums about which the branches  284  and  286  of limb  282  bend (or flex) when bow  280  is drawn. 
         [0106]    The flanges  295   h  and  295   i  at the opposite ends of bobbin hubs  295   f  and the flanges  295   j  and  295   k  at the opposite ends of hub  295   g  space limb branches  284  and  286  apart in the lateral or transverse directions shown by arrow  298  in  FIG. 19 . 
         [0107]    An inside-out limb pocket component  300  separates and transversely spaces the two limb branches  284  and  286  apart at the butt  294  of limb  282 . Inside-out limb pocket component  300  has a longitudinally extending stem  304  and an integral or integrated crosspiece  306 . Stem  306  is installed between the branches  284  and  286  of limb  282 . Bobbin flanges  295   i  . . .  295   k  hold the branches in place. The butt  294  of limb  282  is mounted to the crosspiece  306  of inside-out pocket component  300 . 
         [0108]    Inside-out limb pockets have the advantage of being light, simple, and easy to manufacture. An inside-out arrangement of pocket components can be used in two-point, three-point, and four-point pocket systems and in pocket systems with more than four points. 
         [0109]    Also, the inside-out arrangement can be incorporated in bows with translating, stationary, and other pockets as well as those bows with pivoting pockets. 
         [0110]    The butts of the bows shown in  FIGS. 8-10  and  15 - 19  are positioned at least one inch beyond the front of the riser to which they are mounted to obtain the advantages discussed above in the SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION and DETAILED DESCRIPTION sections of this document. 
         [0111]    The advantages of the present invention may of course be realized in many manifestations in addition to those disclosed in the illustrated and above-discussed embodiments of the invention. For example, at some perhaps acceptable sacrifice in the efficiency of the overhanging limb, the limb can be bolted in place. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered exemplary and illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined only by the appended claims.