Abstract:
An archery bow forearm brace and guard comprises a pair of spaced apart elongate arms which secure respectively to the conventional overdraw arrow rest and stabilizer attachment points of a conventional compound or long bow, and extend rearwardly therefrom. One or more interconnecting cross members extends between the two longitudinal arms and serve as a guard to hold the bow holding forearm of the archer clear of the bowstring path when it is released. The crossmembers may be permanently affixed, or adjustably secured to the longitudinal arms to provide adjustment for the length of the archer&#39;s forearm and other variables. The crossmembers include a forearm attachment assembly which secures about the archer&#39;s forearm, to secure the apparatus and bow to which it is attached, positively to the archer&#39;s forearm. The forearm attachment and bowstring guard are easily and quickly attachable to and detachable from the remainder of the device, by quick release attachments. The straps which secure about the archer&#39;s forearm are also preferably quickly fastenable and releasable. The present device not only serves as a forearm guard and steadying brace for the archer, but also serves the function of a stabilizer device, due to the rearwardly disposed mass of the device and the mass of the archer&#39;s forearm to which it is secured for shooting. The present invention provides increased accuracy for archery shots, due to the positive bracing and attachment of the bow to the archer&#39;s forearm and the stabilizing influence of the bow, stabilizer, and forearm interconnection.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of archery equipment, and more specifically to a device which secures both to an archery bow and to the forearm of the archer using the bow. The present invention thus serves to lock the bow and the archer&#39;s forearm immovably together to provide stability for the bow as the arrow is being released, and also maintains clearance between the archer&#39;s forearm and the bowstring as it is released. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Archery, and particularly archery hunting, has become an ever more popular sport, particularly as hunting laws have evolved to provide a longer season and/or other advantages for archery hunters as opposed to those who hunt with firearms. Accordingly, archers have developed ever more powerful bows and continue to seek ever more sophisticated equipment and accessories in order to maximize the accuracy and power of each shot. For example, it has long been known that the bow will tend to vibrate and twist upon release of the bowstring, and accordingly, various bow stabilizing devices have been developed. Another problem is the contact of the bowstring along the archer&#39;s forearm when the string is released, which has resulted in the development of various forearm guards. 
     Each of these various devices must either be attached to the bow or to the archer&#39;s arm in some way, with even more devices (bow sights, overdraw attachments for shorter arrows, etc.) having been developed for attachment to an archery bow. While each of the above noted accessories assists the archer in the accuracy and/or power of a shot, it will be noted that none provide a solid, secure attachment of the bow to the archer&#39;s arm, in order to minimize movement and play therebetween. Also, the relatively large number of various accessories available can easily outnumber the available locations on a bow for the attachment of such accessories to the bow. 
     Accordingly, a need will be seen for a rigid device which secures immovably to an archery bow, and which also attaches securely to the forearm of the archer, to provide a solid and essentially fixed link between the archer and the bow. The present invention must also provide other functions as well, serving as an arm guard to preclude contact of the bowstring against the forearm of the archer upon release of the string. The mass of the device (along with the forearm of the archer) also serves as a stabilizer for the bow assembly, with all of the above functions being accomplished by means of only two attach points to the bow. 
     A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 4,048,674 issued on Sep. 20, 1977 to John C. Chesnick, titled “Arm Guard For Archers,” describes a flexible forearm guard formed of leather or equivalent material with a layer of padding thereunder. The device straps only about the forearm of the archer, and does not connect in any way to the bow, as does the present forearm brace and guard. Moreover, the lack of attachment to the bow results in the Chesnick guard being unable to maintain clearance between the bowstring and the guard when the string is released, which clearance is provided by the present brace and guard. As the Chesnick guard does not attach to the bow in any way, it cannot act as a stabilizer for the bow, as does the present invention. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 4,836,177 issued on Jun. 6, 1989 to Bill R. Williams, titled “Archery Bow Wrist Brace Apparatus,” describes a brace which bolts to the forward stabilizer attach point of the bow. The device comprises a rearwardly extending, padded rigid loop for passing over the archer&#39;s forearm. A transverse secondary strap passes beneath the forearm, forwardly of the overlying loop portion of the brace. The archer need only pass his hand upwardly between the transverse loop and strap portions of the device, to apply the device; it does not positively strap about the forearm, as does the present brace and guard. While the Williams device may limit upward movement of the bow during a shot, it does not limit movement in other directions, as does the present invention. Moreover, the Williams device does not prevent contact of the bowstring with the device or forearm, as does the present invention. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 5,103,798 issued on Apr. 14, 1992 to Michael F. McGraw et al., titled “Archery Arm Guard,” describes a guard comprising an elongate, rigid rod which extends rearwardly from an attach point at the general center of the bow. The McGraw et al. guard extends along the forearm of the archer, between the archer&#39;s forearm and the bowstring when the bow is held for a shot. The bowstring will slide along the guard, rather than contacting the archer&#39;s forearm, if the string is aligned too closely to the forearm when released. The device does not positively attach to the archer&#39;s forearm and thus does nothing to positively brace the bow and forearm together, as does the present brace and guard. Moreover, the relatively light mass of the McGraw et al. guard does not provide significant stabilizing influence, as does the present brace and guard. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 5,137,008 issued on Aug. 11, 1992 to Anthony Taylor, titled “Arm Guard,” describes various embodiments essentially comprising an arm or plate attached to the accessory attachment area of the center of the bow, with another plate extending rearwardly from the first plate or arm. The Taylor device does not secure to the archer&#39;s arm, and thus cannot serve to stabilize the bow relative to the forearm of the archer, as does the present invention. Moreover, as the present invention comprises an attachment between the bow and the forearm of the archer, it also serves to preclude contact with any part of the guard itself. This is not accomplished with the Taylor device, which merely serves to absorb any impact of the bowstring. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 5,320,085 issued on Jun. 14, 1994 to Richard Hanneman, titled “Bow Stabilizing Arm,” describes an arcuately and telescopically adjustable arm which attaches to the conventional stabilizer attachment point of a compound or other bow. The Hanneman device includes a concave brace portion at the distal end of the arm, for bracing against a part of the archer&#39;s body or other object, depending upon adjustment. However, Hanneman does not provide any means for positively securing the stabilizer arm to any part of the archer&#39;s body, particularly the forearm, as is done with the present stabilizer and arm guard. Moreover, the Hanneman device cannot serve as an arm guard, and does nothing to prevent the bow string from contacting the archer&#39;s forearm, whereas the present invention serves as a forearm guard, brace, and stabilizer all in a single device. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 5,351,867 issued on Oct. 4, 1994 to Clyde L. Vest, titled “Arm Steady Brace,” describes a brace arm which may be placed between the waist and bow holding forearm of an archer or firearm shooter. The device attaches to the belt of the archer, but has only a concave brace at its distal end, in the manner of the Hanneman brace and stabilizer discussed above. Thus, the Vest brace cannot be positively attached to the archer&#39;s forearm, as can the present invention. Moreover, the Vest brace does not attach to the bow in any way, and thus cannot be used to stabilize the holding of the bow by the archer, as provided by the present invention. Also, the Vest device cannot act as a forearm guard, due to its lack of attachment to the bow. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 5,464,002 issued on Nov. 7, 1995 to Camilien Lavoie et al., titled “Archery Armguard Device,” describes a device which clamps to a conventional rearwardly projecting stabilizer rod. The device comprises a wire frame or solid sheet of material which is offset toward the forearm of the archer, and prevents the forearm from moving too closely to the path of the bowstring when it is released. However, the Lavoie et al. device does not attach or secure positively to the forearm of the archer, as does the present invention, and thus cannot provide the same benefits of stabilizing of the bow and forearm together, as are achieved by the present invention. Moreover, the Lavoie et al. device requires an existing stabilizer rod, whereas the present stabilizer and arm guard secures to the existing attachment points for such accessories on the bow. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 5,531,211 issued on Jul. 2, 1996 to Gary R. Wilfong, Jr., titled “Archery Arm Guard,” describes an assembly which secures to the back of a compound bow and includes a pair of adjustably spaced, rearwardly extending bars. One bar serves as a cable guard, precluding contact of the intermediate cables which run between the tips of the bow and opposite pulleys. The other bar serves as a forearm guard, and is laterally spaced from the first bar by an adjustable linkage. While the Wilfong, Jr. guard does prevent the bowstring from contacting the forearm of the archer, the assembly does not positively secure to the archer&#39;s forearm to provide a rigid brace between the archer and the bow, as provided by the present invention. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 5,535,731 issued on Jul. 16, 1996 to Mark A. Webster, titled “Archery Bow Stabilizer,” describes a device which attaches to the front side of the bow at the standard stabilizer arm attachment point thereof. The Webster device comprises a block with four arms extending therefrom, with one arm extending into each of the quadrants defined by the horizontal longitudinal and lateral axes of the bow. The arms are downwardly disposed, for clearance from the archer&#39;s arm and the bowstring and arrow. Thus, Webster teaches away from the present invention, where a stabilizer brace secures positively to the bow and also to the forearm of the archer to tie the two together for greater stability. The Webster device also does nothing to preclude contact of the bowstring with the archer&#39;s forearm, as it extends forwardly of the bow, rather than rearwardly as in the present invention. 
     U. S. Pat. No. 5,944,004 issued on Aug. 31, 1999 to Jerry A. Goff et al., titled “Archery Stabilizer And Drawlock,” describes a device which attaches to the attachment point for an overdraw arrow rest at the central area of the bow, and extends rearwardly therefrom. The Goff et al. device is adjustable in length and provides for holding the bowstring when drawn, as in a crossbow. While the rearwardly extending mass of the Goff et al. device may serve to stabilize the bow to some extent, the Goff et al. device does not contact or secure in any way to the bow holding forearm of the archer, as provided by the present stabilizer and bowstring guard. Moreover, no protection for the forearm from the bowstring is provided by the Goff et al. device. 
     Finally, French Pat. Publication No. 2,614,981 published on Nov. 10, 1988 to Societe Nouvelle Regnier describes (according to the English abstract) an elbow brace including a bowstring release extending forwardly therefrom. No means of attaching or bracing the device to the bow is apparent from the French Patent Publication, nor is any protection from the bowstring apparent, as provided by the present forearm brace and guard. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises various embodiments of an archery bow forearm brace and guard, with the device serving both of the above purposes as well as providing a stabilizing function. The present brace and guard comprises a frame having upper and lower longitudinal members which attach respectively to the conventional overdraw arrow rest and stabilizer attach points of a conventional compound bow (the device may also be used with a conventional long bow, as well). The longitudinal arms may secure to the front of the bow and extend rearwardly around the bow, or may secure to rearwardly disposed attach points, depending upon the specific configuration of the bow. A bracket is removably and adjustably secured to the two longitudinal arms, and includes a forward and a rearward strap for positively securing about the bow holding forearm of the archer, thus securing the remainder of the device (and attached bow) positively to the archer&#39;s forearm. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved archery bow forearm brace and guard, for positively securing the archer&#39;s bow holding forearm to the bow. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved bow forearm brace and guard which holds the archer&#39;s forearm clear of the path of the bowstring when it is released, thereby preventing contact of the bowstring with the archer&#39;s forearm. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved forearm brace and guard which provides a bow stabilizing function, due to its rearwardly disposed mass and the mass of the archer&#39;s forearm to which the device and its attached bow are secured. 
     An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved forearm brace and guard which attaches to two separate existing accessory attachment points of a conventional long bow or compound bow. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved forearm brace and guard which forearm attachment is quickly and easily attachable to and removable from the longitudinally disposed bow attachment arms or members. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental right side elevation view of a first embodiment of the present forearm brace and guard installed on a compound bow and secured to the bow holding forearm of an archer, showing the use of the device. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the brace and guard of FIG. 1, illustrating further details thereof. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the brace and guard of FIG. 1 installed upon a compound bow and showing various alignments and features thereof, with the top portion of the bow removed for clarity. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the present forearm brace and guard, showing various details. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded broken away elevation view of a third embodiment of the present invention, showing an alternative means of removably securing the forearm strap attachment assembly to the remainder of the device. 
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention comprises various embodiments of an archery bow forearm brace and guard which serves to secure the bow holding forearm of the archer immovably to the bow and to preclude contact of the bowstring with the archer&#39;s bow holding forearm when the string is released. The present invention provides other advantages as well, such as providing additional stabilizing mass extending from the bow. 
     FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the present forearm brace and guard, designated by the reference numeral  10  in the drawing Figures. The brace and guard  10  is secured to a compound archery bow B in FIG. 1, with an archer holding the hand grip H of the bow B with the bow holding forearm F and drawing the bowstring S and arrow A rearwardly with the opposite arm, as is conventionally done in archery. The bow B includes a conventional overdraw arrow rest attachment point P 1  formed laterally in or through the center structure C of the bow B just above the hand grip portion H, and a stabilizer attachment point P 2  formed longitudinally through the bow center structure C just below the hand grip area H. 
     The archery bow forearm brace and guard  10  secures to the bow center structure C at the two separate points P 1  and P 2 , respectively above and below the hand grip area H of the center structure C. This two point attachment at widely spaced points above and below the archer&#39;s hand, results in a relatively rigid relationship between the brace and guard  10  and the bow B. 
     The forearm brace and guard  10  essentially comprises a first or upper brace attachment arm  12  which secures removably to the overdraw attachment point P 1  of the bow center structure C and extends rearwardly therefrom, and a second or lower brace attachment arm  14  which secures removably to the stabilizer attachment point P 2  of the bow center C and extends rearwardly therefrom. The upper and lower arms  12  and  14  are bent or formed so they run somewhat closer together and parallel to one another as they extend rearwardly from the bow center structure C, and include a crossmember plate  16  secured (welded, etc.) therebetween. The crossmember plate  16  provides for the removable attachment of the forearm attachment means to the arms  12  and  14 , and thus to the bow B, as described further below and shown in more detail in FIG. 2 of the drawings. A third arm  18  extends generally rearwardly and below the second or lower brace attachment arm  14 , and serves as a guide for the conventional cable guard G which is installed along the draw cables D 1  and D 2  of a conventional compound bow B, at the crossover point of the two cables D 1  and D 2 . 
     FIG. 2 provides a more detailed view of the structure of the present archery bow forearm brace and guard  10 . The first or upper attachment arm  12  includes a plate  20  at its forward end, with the plate  20  having a hole or passage  22  therethrough. A bolt  24  or other suitable fastener passes through the hole  22  and secures in the laterally disposed overdraw attachment passage P 1  of the bow center structure C. The second or lower arm  14  includes a threaded sleeve  26  extending from the forward end thereof, which is inserted through the conventional longitudinally disposed stabilizer attachment passage P 2  of the center structure C of the bow. A stop  28  is provided at the rearward limit of the sleeve  26 , where it joins the forward end of the arm  14 , to limit the insertion depth of the sleeve  26  and define the positioning of the assembly relative to the bow center C. Another bolt  30  or other suitable fastener installs through the front side of the passage P 2  and threads into the sleeve  26  to secure the lower or second arm  14  to the bow center structure C. The lateral attachment of the first or upper arm  12  to the bow center structure C by means of the plate  20 , and the longitudinal attachment of the second or lower arm  14  by means of the forward sleeve  26  and bolt  30 , result in a very rigid attachment for the assembly. This rigid attachment, in combination with the rigidly welded or otherwise secured crossmember plate  16  extending between the two arms  12  and  14 , provides an extremely rigid bow and brace assembly. An additional reinforcement member  32  is provided between the lower arm  14  and the cable guide arm  18 , for further rigidity of that structure. 
     The crossmember plate  16  of FIG. 2 provides for the removable but rigid and positive attachment of forearm attachment means  34  thereto. The forearm attachment means  34  comprises an elongate forearm strap base plate  36  having a first side or edge  38  corresponding to the first or upper arm  12 , and an opposite second side or edge  40  corresponding to the second or lower arm  14 . First and second straps, respectively  42  and  44 , extend from the second side  40 , with corresponding anchor loops, respectively  46  and  48 , extending from the first side  38  of the plate  36 . Rigid brace straps, respectively  50  and  52 , may be rigidly and permanently affixed (welded, riveted, etc.) to extend across the plate  36  for greater structural strength and rigidity of the assembly  34 . 
     Each strap  42  and  44  is configured to provide for the quick attachment of the forearm attachment assembly  34  to the bow holding forearm of an archer, and for corresponding quick release therefrom. Each strap  42  and  44  has an outer surface including two different types of hook and loop fastening material (e. g., Velcro, tm) disposed thereon, with a first type disposed upon the distal end portions  54  of the straps and a mating second type disposed upon the inboard portions  56  of the straps. (The second type is not visible in FIG. 2 due to the orientation of the strap surfaces, but will be understood to be conventional.) Thus, when the distal end portions  54  of the straps  42  and  44  are passed through their respective buckle anchor loops  46  and  48  which extend from the opposite end of their respective rigid brace straps  50  and  52 , as shown with the second strap  44  in FIG. 2, they are doubled back upon themselves with the two corresponding strap portions  54  and  56  being pressed together to removably attach the two different mating hook and loop materials to one another, thus quickly and conveniently securely capturing the bow holding forearm of the archer therein, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. It will be seen that the assembly  34  is just as quickly and easily removed from the archer&#39;s forearm, by pulling the mating hook and loop fastener portions of the straps  42  and  44  apart from one another. 
     The present forearm brace and guard  10  with its forearm attachment assembly  34  also provide for the quickly releasable attachment of the assembly  34  to the remainder of the brace and guard  10 , as shown in FIG.  2 . The crossmember plate  16  extending between the two arms  12  and  14  includes a pair of stud passages  58  therethrough, with each passage  58  including a narrower stud capturing slot  60  extending therefrom. The forearm strap attachment base plate  36  includes a pair of studs  62  extending therefrom, opposite the straps  42  and  44  and their brace straps  50  and  52  and located so as to align with the corresponding stud passages  58  of the crossmember plate  16  when the forearm strap plate  36  is assembled therewith. Each stud  62  has a relatively wide head  64 , having a diameter just slightly smaller than the passages  58  of the crossmember plate  16  to allow the stud heads  64  to pass therethrough. However, the heads  64  are a larger diameter than the width of the stud retaining slots  60  of the plate  16 . 
     Each stud  62  has a narrower shank (not shown in the drawings, but conventional) which has a diameter slightly smaller than the width of the slots  60  of the crossmember plate, to fit therein. This arrangement provides means for the quick attachment and release of the forearm strap assembly  34  to the crossmember plate  16  of the two bow attachment arms  12  and  14 , by inserting the two stud heads  64  through the corresponding passages  58  of the crossmember plate  16 , and sliding the forearm strap plate  36  to capture the stud shanks within the slots  60  of the crossmember plate  16 , thereby capturing the stud heads  64  behind the plate  16 . 
     FIG. 5 of the drawings illustrates an alternative embodiment to provide the quick release and attachment means for the forearm strap assembly and crossmember. In FIG. 5, a crossmember  16   a  extends between the two arms  12   a  and  14   a , with a second crossmember plate  16   b  spaced apart from and parallel to the primary crossmember  16   a  and rigidly and immovably secured thereto by a central stud  66  or the like. The secondary crossmember plate  16   b  has a first edge  68 , an opposite second edge  70 , and a center defined by the stud  66 . The two edges  68  and  70  each have an arcuate slot  72  formed therein, with the two slots  72  being diagonally disposed across the center stud  66  and across the plate  16   b  from one another. 
     The forearm strap plate  36   a  includes a pair of studs  62   a , having heads  64   a  with diameters larger than the slots  72 , and shanks  63   a  extending from the attachment side or surface  65  thereof; the shanks are slightly narrower than the widths of the two slots  72 . This configuration is essentially the same as the forearm strap plate  36  with its studs  62  illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings and discussed further above. The stud shanks  63   a  are spaced apart a distance equal to the span between the two slots  72  of the secondary plate  16   b , Thus, when the forearm strap plate  36   a  is inverted (as shown in the broken line rendering of that plate  36   a  superimposed over the primary and secondary plates  16   a  and  16   b  in FIG. 5) and twisted to engage the studs  62   a  with the slots  72 , the stud shanks  63   a  engage the slots  72  with the stud heads  64   a  being captured behind the second plate  16   b  to releasably lock the forearm strap plate  36   a  to the remaining structure. 
     FIG. 3 of the drawings provides a top plan view of the present bow forearm brace and guard  10  installed upon a compound bow B, generally along section line  3 — 3  of FIG.  1 . FIG. 3 illustrates the relationship between the archer&#39;s bow holding forearm F, the bowstring path of travel T, and the present brace and guard  10  when secured to the center structure C of the bow B as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. (It will be seen that the bowstring travel T and corresponding arrow launch path do not travel through the bow center structure C; this portion of the bow is conventionally laterally offset to provide straight travel for the launch of an arrow and corresponding bowstring travel.) 
     The upper and lower arms  12  and  14  include lateral offsets to offset their rearward portions, and thus the crossmember plate extending therebetween and the forearm attachment plate  36  removably secured thereto, laterally from the longitudinal axis of the bow B as defined by the path of travel T of the arrow and bowstring. As the bow holding forearm F of the archer is secured by the two straps  42  and  44  to the side of the forearm attachment plate  36  opposite the crossmember  16  and its attached arms  12  and  14 , it will be seen that the archer&#39;s forearm F thus remains clear of the travel path T of the bowstring at all times when the present invention is assembled to the bow B and secured to the archer&#39;s forearm F as shown and described. The present invention thus does not serve merely as a protective cover for the archer&#39;s forearm to absorb the impact of the bowstring, but rather keeps the forearm and other structure clear of the bowstring to preclude contact. 
     The present invention provides an additional advantage, in that the rearwardly extending mass provides considerable stabilizing influence, greatly reducing bow vibration during the launch of an arrow. This function is achieved by various devices of the prior art, but none provide the additional advantage of precluding contact by the bowstring with the archer&#39;s forearm during release of the bowstring, as provided by the present invention. It will be seen that the positive attachment of the archer&#39;s bow holding forearm to the structure of the present invention by means of the forearm attachment straps  42  and  44 , effectively locks the mass of the archer&#39;s forearm to the present brace and guard  10 , and thus to the bow center structure C, thereby providing additional effective stabilizing mass for the bow B by means of the archer&#39;s forearm being securely and positively secured to the bow B. 
     Finally, the present bow brace and bowstring guard  10  provides yet another function, in that the cable guide arm  18  deflects the two draw cables D 1  and D 2  laterally to one side, so that they remain clear of the travel path T of the bowstring, and thus the arrow, during launch. The two draw cables are not drawn or deflected rearwardly or forwardly during the drawing and release of the bowstring, but rather draw the two limbs of the bow together as the bowstring is drawn. The cable guard G precludes chafing of these two draw cables D 1  and D 2  against one another, and against the cable guide arm  18 , during the drawing and release of the bowstring. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, in which the two attachment arms are separate from one another and the crossmember assembly is longitudinally adjustable along the two arms. In FIG. 4, a first or upper arm  74  has an attachment plate  76  at its forward end, for securing to the overdraw attachment point in the center structure of a conventional bow B, similar to the attachment means used for the first or upper arm  14  of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3. A second or lower arm  78  attaches (directly or indirectly) to the stabilizer attachment point of the bow, generally as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings and described further above. 
     However, additional mounting freedom may be provided for different bows having different widths, by first securing an offset attachment plate  80  to the front side of the bow at the stabilizer attachment point, generally as shown in FIG. 4. A bow attachment hole  82  is formed through the plate  80 , with a bolt  84  and mating nut  86  used to secure the plate  80  to the bow at the conventional stabilizer attachment point. The forward end of the second arm  78  includes an externally threaded section  88 , which is inserted through a hole  90  in the plate  80  and secured thereto by a nut  92 . Different plates  80 , and/or plates having different spacing between their bow attachment and second arm attachment holes  82  and  90 , may be provided as necessary in order to adjust for different widths or lateral thicknesses of different bow center structures. 
     It will be noted that at least the first or upper arm  74  includes a laterally offset portion  94 , which serves to offset the first arm  74  laterally from the longitudinal centerline of the bow as defined by the bowstring travel path, as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The lower or second arm  78  does not require any lateral offset in this embodiment, as the offset mounting hole  90  in the attachment plate  82  provides the required lateral offset. The lower or second arm  78  also has a draw cable guide arm  96  extending therefrom which is braced by a brace  98 , similar to the guide arm structure  18  and  32  of the first embodiment  10  illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings. 
     However, the bow forearm brace and guard of FIG. 4 differs in that the two arms  74  and  78  are not directly secured to one another, as in the first embodiment. This provides for freedom of adjustment of the two arms  74  and  78  for different bow structures, and also allows the forearm guard crossmember assembly  100  to be removably and adjustably assembled to the two arms  74  and  78 . The crossmember assembly  100  of FIG. 4 essentially comprises a first or upper tube  102  and opposite second or lower tube  104 , which tubes  102 ,  104  have inner diameters closely fitting the diameters of the two arms  74 ,  78 . The tubes  102  and  104  of the crossmember assembly  100  define a first side (the first or upper tube  102 ) and a second side (the second or lower tube  104 ) for the assembly  100 , for removably installing upon the corresponding first or upper and second or lower arms  74  and  78  of the device. Locking means (set screws, etc.) may be provided through the tubes  102  and  104 . 
     The tubes  102 ,  104  are connected by at least one (preferably a plurality of) crossmember brace(s)  106  extending therebetween, and rigidly and immovably connecting the two tubes  102  and  104  together (e. g., welded, etc.). At least one first or upper side strap attachment loop (preferably first or forward and second or rearward loops  108  and  110 ) extends from the first or upper tube  102 , with a corresponding strap (or straps  112  and  114 ) extending therefrom. At least one second or lower side strap attachment anchor loop (preferably first or forward and second or rearward anchor loops  116  and  118 ) extends from the second lower tube  104 . 
     The straps  112 ,  114  are configured similarly to the straps  42 ,  44  of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, with mating hook and loop fastener material disposed over one surface thereof for passing through the opposite lower side anchor loops  116  and  118  and securing to their corresponding mating surfaces to quickly and removably secure the crossmember assembly  100  to the forearm of the archer. It will be noted that the two straps  112  and  114  of the embodiment of FIG. 4 extend from the two upper attachment loops  108  and  110 , and removably secure to the two opposite lower anchor loops  116  and  118 , in the opposite configuration of that shown in FIG. 2 for the first embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that this reversal of attachment of the straps is not critical to the function of the present invention, and that the straps of either embodiment may be secured to either the upper or lower anchor or attachment loops of any of the crossmember embodiments, as desired. 
     In summary, the present archery bow forearm brace and guard provides a much needed consolidation of various devices of the prior art into a single easily used article. The various embodiments of the present secure rigidly yet removably to the conventional attachment points of a compound bow or long bow, to provide solid attachment to the bow holding forearm of the archer. The lateral offset of the two rearwardly extending arms, along with the positive attachment of the forearm guard crossmember assembly thereto, serve to preclude any possibility of contact of the bow string with the archer&#39;s forearm, or with the crossmember assembly. While the various embodiments illustrated in the drawing Figures show devices for use by right handed archers, it will be appreciated that the present invention may be easily constructed for left handed archers by reversing the configuration to essentially “mirror images” of those shown in the present drawings. 
     The mass of the present brace and guard, in combination with its rigid attachment to the bow and to the forearm of the archer, provide significant additional mass for additional stabilizing of the bow as an arrow is launched, greatly reducing vibration and other undesirable motion in the bow to provide a more accurate launch for the arrow. Thus, the present invention will be greatly appreciated by all archers who have had occasion to use arm guards, stabilizers, and other related devices of the prior art. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.