Abstract:
A bow stabilizer that reduces bow shock transmitted to archer&#39;s hand includes a plurality of weights disposed about a central shaft. An elastomeric material supports the weights and couples the weights to the central shaft. The central shaft is connected to the frame of the bow. Bow vibration is damped as the central shaft vibrates out of phase with the suspended weights.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/986,801, filed Apr. 30, 2014, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to archery bows, and more particularly to archery bow stabilizers and bows comprising a stabilizer. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Archery bows and bow stabilizers are known in the art. Stabilizers perform multiple functions including balancing the weight of the bow, stabilizing the bow during aiming and reducing shock and vibration after an arrow is fired. 
         [0004]    With respect to stabilization, a stabilizer adds mass. There is a general desire for a bow to be as light as possible. A greater amount of mass generally provides for better stabilization, so there is a compromise between weight and stabilization performance. 
         [0005]    With respect to vibration damping, a stabilizer can include an elastomeric portion that allows the stabilizer to damp vibrations, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,307. Stabilizers that provide vibration damping typically provide effective damping across a limited frequency range, which is less than the entire range of vibrations present in an archery bow. 
         [0006]    There remains a need for stabilizers having novel designs, which provide better combinations of stabilization, relatively low weight and vibration damping. 
         [0007]    Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention are set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below. 
         [0008]    All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
         [0009]    A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is directed in one or more embodiments to archery bow stabilizers that utilize a suspended mass damper to reduce bow vibrations. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, an archery bow stabilizer comprises a body member configured for attachment to an archery bow and a suspended mass that surrounds the body member. A resilient member is supported by the body member and the suspended mass is supported by the resilient member. Deformation of the resilient member allows the suspended mass to move with respect to the body member. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, an archery bow stabilizer comprises one or more weights arranged to surround a central shaft. The weights are suspended by an elastomeric coupling, which comprises one or more elastomeric members. In some embodiments, the suspended mass comprises a plurality of weights that are interconnected with one another. In some embodiments, multiple bow stabilizers are configured to be attached to one another. In at least one embodiment, the suspended-mass assembly can be variably positioned along the central shaft and reversibly held in place by means of a set screw. In at least one embodiment of the invention the central shaft is fitted with detents that engage and retain an elastomeric or resilient member. 
         [0013]    These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference can be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described various embodiments of the invention. Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of an embodiment of a bow stabilizer attached to an archery bow. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a bow stabilizer. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a stabilizer. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a stabilizer. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a stabilizer. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of a bow stabilizer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. 
         [0022]    For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated. As used in this specification describing a bow stabilizer, the terms distal and proximal should be understood as being used with respect to a support location for the stabilizer—for example, a portion of the stabilizer configured for attachment to an archery bow. The term “proximal” means closer to the support location, whereas the term “distal” means farther from the support location. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of an archery bow  1  and an embodiment of an archery bow stabilizer  10 . In some embodiments, an archery bow  1  comprises a riser  3 , opposed limbs  2  and a bowstring  4 . Desirably, the riser  3  comprises a grip  6 . In some embodiments, the riser  3  is provided with a stabilizer mounting location  8  arranged to support a stabilizer  10  using any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, the stabilizer mounting location  8  comprises a threaded receptacle  5 . In some embodiments, the stabilizer  10  comprises a threaded protrusion  16 , such as a shaft, that attaches to the threaded receptacle  5 . In some embodiments, a threaded protrusion  16  is located at a proximal end  13  of the stabilizer  10 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of an archery bow stabilizer  10 .  FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of an archery bow stabilizer  10 . Desirably, the stabilizer  10  comprises a body member  12  configured for attachment to an archery bow. In some embodiments, the body member  12  comprises a threaded shaft  16 . Desirably, the stabilizer  10  comprises at least one resilient member  30  that is supported by the body member  12 . Desirably, the stabilizer  10  comprises a suspended mass  20  that is supported by the at least one resilient member  30 . Desirably, the at least one resilient member  30  comprises a material having greater amount of elastic deformability than either the body member  12  or the suspended mass  20 . In some embodiments, the at least one resilient member  30  comprises a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, butyl rubber, an elastomer, a silicone, neoprene, a viscoelastic urethane polymer, various recognized damping materials such as suitable thermoplastics and vinyls, etc. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, a stabilizer  10  comprises a plurality of resilient members  30 , wherein the plurality of resilient members  30  collectively support the suspended mass  20 . 
         [0026]    The resiliently suspended mass  20  functions as a vibration damper that will damp vibrations in the bow  1 . Various embodiments of a suspended mass  20  can have any suitable size, shape and mass, and various embodiments of the at least one resilient member  30  can have any suitable amount of deformability. The specifics of the suspended mass  20  and the at least one resilient member  30  can be adjusted to provide a stabilizer  10  having a desired frequency damping and a desired overall weight. 
         [0027]    Desirably, at least a portion of the suspended mass  20  surrounds the body member  12 . This configuration allows the suspended mass  20  to be greater in weight than prior stabilizers have provided. In some embodiments, the suspended mass  20  comprises a plurality of weight members  22  that are spaced from one another and attached by at least one connector  28 . In some embodiments, a weight member  22  surrounds the body portion  12 , forming a closed loop. In some embodiments, a central axis of a weight member  22  is coaxial with a central axis  46  of the body member  12 . In some embodiments, adjacent weight members  22  are connected by a plurality of connectors  28 . In some embodiments, the connectors  28  are evenly spaced around the body member  12 . In some embodiments, a weight member  22  comprises one or more apertures  23 . In some embodiments, a connector  28  is received in an aperture  23 . In some embodiments, a connector  28  extends through an aperture  23  and extends on first and second sides of a weight member  22 . 
         [0028]    A weight member  22  is attached to a connector  28  using any suitable method. In some embodiments, a weight member  22  is welded to a connector  28 . In some embodiments, a connector  28  is press fit/interference fit into a weight member  22 . In some embodiments, an adhesive is used. In some embodiments, a weight member  22  is attached to a connector  28  using a fastener. In some embodiments, a connector  28  is threaded into a weight member  22 . 
         [0029]    Various portions of the suspended mass  20  can be formed from any suitable material and desirably comprise a relatively heavy or dense material. In some embodiments, a suspended mass  20  comprises one or more metals such as steel, aluminum, lead, tungsten, brass, zinc, suitable alloys and combinations thereof, etc. 
         [0030]    A weight member  22  can have any suitable size, shape and mass, and can be similar to one another or different from one another. In some embodiments, multiple weight members  22  each have a similar size, shape and mass. In some embodiments, a first weight member  22  comprises a size, shape and/or mass that is different from a second weight member  22 . 
         [0031]    A connector  28  can have any suitable size, shape and mass. In some embodiments, a connector  28  comprises a rod, such as a solid rod or a tubular member. In some embodiments, a connector  28  comprises a tube having uniform wall thickness. In some embodiments, a connector  28  comprises a circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, a connector  28  comprises a material similar to that of a weight member  22 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, a weight of the suspended mass  20  is greater than a weight of the body member  12 . 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, a weight member  22  comprises an aperture  24  configured to receive a resilient member  30 . In some embodiments, the aperture  24  is centered in the weight member  22 . In some embodiments, a weight member  22  is mounted upon a resilient member  30 . In some embodiments, a resilient member  30  is provided for each weight member  22 , and each weight member  22  is mounted upon a resilient member  30 . 
         [0034]    A resilient member  30  can have any suitable size, shape and mass, and desirably resiliently suspends the mass member  20  with respect to the body member  12 . 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, a stabilizer  10  comprises a plurality of resilient members  30 . Multiple resilient members  30  can have a similar size, shape and mass, or can be different from one another. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a stabilizer  10 . With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in some embodiments, a resilient member  30  comprises an annular shape defining an aperture  32  and a central axis  39 . In some embodiments, the aperture  32  is centered in the resilient member  30 . In some embodiments, a resilient member  30  comprises an annular channel  34  that extends about (e.g. surrounds) the central axis  39 . In some embodiments, the annular channel  34  comprises a U-shaped cross-section. The vertical axis of the U-shape may be oriented in a direction parallel to the central axis  39  of the resilient member  30 . The shape of a resilient member  30 , for example an annular channel  34 , may provide compliance in directions parallel to the central axis  34 , as well as compliance in directions perpendicular to the central axis  34 . Thus, a mass  20  that is engaged with the resilient member  30  may move in three orthogonal directions with respect to the body member  12 , including moving along an axial direction of the central axis  39 . 
         [0037]    Resilient members  30  can face any suitable direction.  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a stabilizer  10  where the outermost resilient members  30  face opposite directions. 
         [0038]    A resilient member  30  can be attached to the mass member  20  using any suitable method, such as fasteners, adhesives, friction/interference fit, etc. Similarly, a resilient member  30  can be attached to the body member  12  using any suitable method. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, a resilient member  30  and the mass member  20  comprise complimentary interlocking shapes. In some embodiments, a resilient member  30  and a weight member  20  comprise complimentary interlocking shapes. For example, in some embodiments, a weight member  22  comprises a recess, such as an annular groove  25 , and a resilient member  30  comprises an annular protrusion  31 . The protrusion  31  of the resilient member  30  is configured to engage the annular groove  25 . In some embodiments, a weight member  22  comprises an annular protrusion and a resilient member  30  comprises an annular recess (not illustrated). 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, a resilient member  30  and the body member  12  comprise complimentary interlocking shapes. For example, in some embodiments, body member  12  comprises a recess  18 , such as an annular groove, and a resilient member  30  comprises an annular protrusion  33 . The protrusion  33  of the resilient member  30  is configured to engage the recess  18 . In some embodiments, a body member  12  comprises an annular protrusion and a resilient member  30  comprises an annular recess (not illustrated). 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the body member  12  is provided with a plurality of recesses  18 , each arranged to secure a resilient member  30 . In some embodiments, a resilient member  30  is secured to each recess  18 , and a weight member  22  is provided for each resilient member  30 . 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, multiple recesses  18  are provided at fixed intervals (e.g. equal spacing) along a length of the body portion  12 . 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the body member  12  comprises multiple pieces attached to one another.  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a body member  12  that includes a threaded receptacle  17  at each end. The body member  12  can be attached to an archery bow using a threaded stud inserted into a threaded receptacle  17 . In some embodiments, a body member  12  comprises a shaft  48  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , which may comprise threaded receptacles  17 . In some embodiments, a body member  12  comprises multiple shafts  48  attached to one another. The number of shafts  48 , and thus the length of the body member  12 , a mass of the body member  12  and the number of recesses  18  can be adjusted as desired. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, a body member  12  comprises a mass attachment  49  attachable to a shaft  48 . In some embodiments, a mass attachment  49  comprises a threaded stud arranged to be received in a threaded receptacle  17  of the shaft  48 . A mass attachment  49  can be used to adjust the weight and shape of the body member  12 , and/or the weight and shape of the stabilizer  10 . 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, a mass member  20  is attachable to the body member  12  in multiple configurations that will provide for different performance specifics. In some embodiments, a body member  12  comprises a plurality of detents, and the mass member  20  is moveable between detents. In some embodiments, detents comprise annular grooves  18 . 
         [0046]    In various embodiments, a mass member  20  can comprise any suitable configuration of weights  22  and/or connectors  28 . A stabilizer  10  can further comprise multiple mass members  20 , for example wherein a first mass member is not directly attached to a second mass member. 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of a stabilizer  10 . In some embodiments, a body portion  12  comprises a first portion  50  and a second portion  52 . The first portion  50  is attachable to the second portion  52  in one of a plurality of orientations. In some embodiments, the first portion  50  is configured for attachment to a bow, for example comprising a threaded stud  54 , and the second portion  52  is attachable to the first portion  50 . In some embodiments, a fastener  56  is used to secure the second portion  52  to the first portion  50 . In some embodiments, the first portion  50  comprises a plurality of detents or preset positions for the second portion  52 . 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the first portion  50  of the body portion  12  comprises a shaft  51 . In some embodiments, the second portion  52  is mountable upon the shaft  51 . In some embodiments, the second portion  52  comprises a tube that surrounds the first portion  50 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second portion  52  can be attached anywhere upon the shaft  51 . Adjusting a position of the second portion  52  will change the specific shape of the stabilizer  10 , thus changing its mass distribution. Adjusting a position of the second portion  52  will also move the location of the suspended mass  20  with respect to the bow, allowing for fine tuning adjustments. 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of a stabilizer  10 . In some embodiments, the mass  20  comprises one or more auxiliary weights  40 . Desirably, an auxiliary weight  40  is attachable to the mass  20 , for example being attached to a weight  22  or a connector  28 . Auxiliary weights  40  can be attached to any suitable portion of the mass  20 . Any suitable number of auxiliary weights  40  can be added at any suitable location. The number and placement of auxiliary weights  40  can be used to fine tune the damping characteristics of the stabilizer  10 . 
         [0050]    In various embodiments, the density of an auxiliary weight  40  can be equal to, less than or more than the density of another portion of the mass  20 , such as a weight  22  or a connector  28 . 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, an auxiliary weight  40  is removably attached to a connector  28 . In some embodiments, a connector  28  can comprise an integral auxiliary weight portion  40 . 
         [0052]    An auxiliary weight can have any suitable size and shape, and can be attached to the mass  20  using any suitable method. 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  also shows an embodiment of a stabilizer  10  comprising a first suspended mass  20  and a second suspended mass  21 . Desirably, the components that comprise the first suspended mass  20  are rigidly attached to one another, the components that comprise the second suspended mass  21  are rigidly attached to one another, but the first suspended mass  20  is not rigidly attached to the second suspended mass  21 . 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, the first suspended mass  20  is not directly connected to the second suspended mass  21 . 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, a connecting member  60  is arranged to connect the first suspended mass  20  to the second suspended mass  21 . Desirably, the connecting member  60  comprises a resilient portion  61 . The resilient portion  61  desirably comprises a highly elastically deformable material such as rubber, an elastomer or any other suitable material, for example a material disclosed herein as suitable for a resilient member  30 . In some embodiments, a connecting member  60  comprises one or more rigid portions  62 . 
         [0056]    The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims. 
         [0057]    Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim  1  should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below. 
         [0058]    This completes the description of the preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.