Patent Publication Number: US-7712460-B2

Title: Release device with follow-through

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a release device with a follow-through or recoil motion, for use with mechanically launched projectiles. 
   2. Discussion of Related Art 
   Sear and caliper bowstring releases help a user in drawing and tensioning a bowstring. Bowstrings, especially ones used in performance archery equipment under high tension, can be difficult to draw and/or hold in a bare hand or a gloved hand. Wrist straps are attached to the bowstring release to provide a connection between the user and the bowstring release. 
   Conventional bowstring releases do not alter the form of the user and specifically do not provide a desired follow-though or recoil motion. Correct form and follow-through at the release of an arrow from a bow often includes a motion of a shooting hand that is opposite to a direction of a launched arrow. A follow-through motion can improve consistency and accuracy of the arrow or other projectile, particularly with respect to a target. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A release device according to this invention can meet a need for a bowstring release that provides a follow-through motion. The follow-through motion desirably occurs even if the user does not move a hand with the release of the arrow. This invention may include a release device with a housing and a trigger mechanism which actuates a keeper. The keeper may be located on the housing and can receive or engage a bowstring. The release device may include a recoil assembly coupled with the housing and movable in a direction opposite of a string travel or the projectile path. The recoil assembly may be adjustable and can include a spring member tensioned in a direction opposite of the string travel. The recoil assembly can move the housing, for example at least about 1 mm, opposite the direction of string travel. 
   The trigger mechanism is preferably but not necessarily adjustable. The keeper can include at least one pivotable jaw. Optionally, the release device includes a strap, such as a wrist strap, located on or connected to the recoil assembly. 
   According to another embodiment of this invention, the release device includes a housing, a trigger lever pivotably disposed on or mounted with respect to the housing and at least one pivotable jaw holding a string. The pivotable jaw is actuated by the trigger lever to provide a string release and/or travel. A recoil ferrule is slidably disposed on the housing by an anchor pin. A spring is mounted by the anchor pin within the recoil ferrule and is adjustably tensioned in a direction opposite of the string travel. 
   The release device may include a wrist strap disposed on the recoil ferrule. In some embodiments, the spring is helically coiled and/or held in position by the anchor pin with or without a cap screw. 
   This invention also relates to methods for using the release device. One method includes placing a nock of a projectile on a string, engaging a release device with the string, drawing tension on the string by pulling on the release device, and operating a trigger mechanism of the release device to disengage the string and launch the projectile while a recoil assembly substantially simultaneously moves a housing of the release device. The release device can move in a direction opposite of string travel. 
   The release device can be engaged with a holder or a loop. A shooting hand can remain stationary with respect to or along a direction of string travel. The method may also include moving a jaw or other structural element of the release device to an open position, such as when the trigger is operated or squeezed. 
   Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended claims and the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects of this invention can be better understood when the specification is read in view of the drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a release device, according to one embodiment of this invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial sectional side view of a release device, according to one embodiment of this invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a release device, according to one embodiment of this invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of a release device in a loaded position, according to one embodiment of this invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the release device shown in  FIG. 4 , but in an unloaded position; and 
       FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a wrist strap, according to one embodiment of this invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A shooting hand that moves directly opposite to the path of a launched arrow provides correct form and follow-through upon release of an arrow from a bow. 
     FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of release device  10  according to this invention. Release device  10  may comprise housing  12 , trigger mechanism  14 , keeper  18  and recoil assembly  22 . Release device  10  is generally known as a bowstring release, a string release device, a trigger release aid or any other suitable apparatus used to draw and launch arrows and other projectiles, such as by mechanical forces. Release device  10  may couple or connect a wrist, a hand, a shoulder or an arm of a user with a string or a cable to improve tensioning and/or releasing during launch of projectile  44 . According to certain embodiments of this invention, release mechanism  10  connects to a wrist by an adjustable strap  28 , such as a wrist strap. 
   Housing  12  may comprise a body, a plug, a cover, a frame and/or any other suitable structure for containing at least some components or parts of release device  10 . Materials of construction for housing  12  include but are not limited to metals, plastics and/or any other suitable material sufficient to withstand forces required to operate or use release device  10 . Manufacturing methods for housing  12  may include machining, casting, forging, boring and/or any other suitable shaping or forming processes. A weight or a mass of housing  12  may be minimized or reduced by using durable lightweight materials, such as aluminum alloys. 
   Trigger mechanism  14  may comprise an actuation switch, a launch button or an another suitable input device positioned, disposed or located on or with respect to housing  12 . Trigger mechanism  14  can include a combination or a collection of pivots, pins, linkages, levers and/or any other suitable input transmitting or delivery couplings. Trigger mechanism  14  preferably has relatively few parts for reliable operation and/or low cost. Alternately, trigger mechanism  14  may have other features or functions, such as a lock, a safety lock, an interlock, an identification mechanism, an anti-theft device, a spring, a spring tensioning device, an adjusting mechanism, a trigger positioning device, an orientation adjusting device and/or any other desirable trigger mechanism. 
   In certain embodiments of this invention and as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , trigger mechanism  14  comprises trigger lever  30  which pivots on or with respect to housing  12 . A pin, a dowel and/or a screw can move or actuate pivotable jaw  26 . Trigger lever  30  can have a generally cylindrical shape, a contoured shape and/or any other suitable ergonomic form to facilitate or improve use and/or operation of release device  10 . Trigger lever  30  can actuate in more than one direction, for example, in both a forward direction and a backward direction. 
   Keeper  18  can hold, clamp, grab, hook and/or provide any other suitable action to engage or connect with string  16 . String  16  can include any suitable tensioning members or devices, such as a cord, a cable, a band, a rubber tube and/or any other suitable relatively inelastic or elastic, generally flexible linear material used for mechanically launching projectiles  44 . According to certain embodiments of this invention and as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , string  16  may include loop  36  which may allow release device  10  to engage string  16  without interfering or disturbing a coupling or an engagement of projectile  44  with string  16 . Loop  36  may include any flexible and/or rigid substantially hoop-forming member, and can be an extension of string  16 . 
   Projectiles  44  may comprise an arrow, a bolt, a pellet, a paint ball and/or any other suitable object or body typically used for hunting, target or range shooting, and the like, such as for any professional use, competitive use, recreational use and the like. Projectile  44  may comprise nock  42  for inserting, coupling and/or engaging string  16 . An input force or a motive force can be applied to projectile  44  at nock  42 . 
   String  16  may be tensioned by drawing or pulling string  16  in a direction substantially opposite or against a flight path or direction of projectile  44 . Upon discharge, release or shooting, at least part of string  16  can travel or move in a direction of the discharged projectile  44  path which is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4  and  5 , by string travel  20  and the associated directional arrow. 
   Keeper  18  may include a catch, a sear, a caliper, a hook, a jaw or any other suitable mechanical element, device or configuration for engaging string  16 . According to certain embodiments of this invention, keeper  18  comprises at least one pivoting jaw  26  that cooperates with stationary jaw  24  on housing  12  to engage string  16 , which can provide a simple and reliable design. In other embodiments, keeper  18  may comprise more than one moving element, such as similar to a pliers having two sears pivotably or hingedly connected together. Keeper  18  may comprise combinations or configurations of springs, pivots, linkages, plungers and/or other suitable components needed to provide additional features or functions as desired. Keeper  18  may be mounted or disposed on housing  12  and actuated or released by trigger mechanism  14 . Keeper  18  can normally form an open or a released position or state, a closed or locked position or state or any other suitable intermediate position or state. 
   Recoil assembly  22  may provide a follow-through motion or recoil action which is generally in an opposite or a reverse direction of string travel  20  and projectile  44  path. In certain embodiments of this invention and as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4  and  5 , recoil direction  48  and the associated directional arrow is a vector or force approximately 180 degrees with respect to a direction of string travel  20 . 
   Recoil assembly  22  may provide a follow-through motion upon release of string  16  and/or launch of projectile  44 . Adequate follow-through motion can improve consistency and/or accuracy of projectile  44  with respect to a target. Aiming or shooting accuracy and consistency can be achieved with the apparatus and the method of this invention. 
   Recoil assembly  22  moves housing  12  in recoil direction  48 , for example, by about at least 1 mm, by about 2 mm to about 8 mm, or by about 4.7 mm. The follow-through motion is illustrated by recoil distance  46  in  FIG. 4  before a launch, and in  FIG. 5  after a launch. Recoil distance  46  may be equal to a distance between housing  12  and recoil assembly  22 , such as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
   Recoil assembly  22  may comprise a tensioning device or a spring member to impart or generate the follow-through motion. Recoil assembly  22  can be coupled with housing  12 , slidably, pivotably and/or by any other suitable arrangement or configuration that allows recoil assembly  22  to impart or generate follow-through motion to or within housing  12 . 
   In certain embodiments of this invention and as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , recoil assembly  22  comprises recoil ferrule  32 , spring  34  and anchor pin  38 . Recoil ferrule  32  may be of a substantially similar size to housing  12  and may be slidably or movably mounted on or with respect to housing  12 . Recoil ferrule  32  can have a generally hollow design for housing or containing spring  34  and/or anchor pin  38 . According to certain embodiments of this invention, recoil ferrule  32  can be constructed of the same or different materials as housing  12 . 
   Recoil assembly  22  may be adjustable for increasing and/or decreasing recoil distance  46  and thus spring  34  tension. Suitable adjustment mechanisms include threaded connections, pinned holes, and any other suitable adjustment device used to adjust the tension of spring  34  and/or any other bias element. 
   According to certain embodiments of this invention and as shown in  FIG. 3 , spring  34  may comprise a generally helical configuration and is suitably adapted to provide compressive resilience when biased, tensioned and/or loaded. Alternately, spring  34  comprises an elastomer or elastomeric plug of material, such as a polymer rubber. 
   Anchor pin  38  can be positioned by friction, interference fit, adhesive, threads and/or any other suitable joining method. According to certain embodiments of this invention, such as shown in  FIG. 3 , anchor pin  38  may comprise a cap screw. Anchor pin  38  can mount or affix spring  34  in a suitable position within housing  12  or recoil assembly  22 . 
   Recoil assembly  22  may cooperatively act or respond to and/or with trigger mechanism  14 . For example, recoil assembly  22  has a separately loadable mechanism that is tensioned prior to drawing or loading a projectile  44  and that can be released upon operating trigger lever  30 . 
   Strap  28 , such as a wrist strap, may include leather, nylon and/or any other suitable material for looping about a wrist, a forearm, a shoulder or a hand of a user. Strap  28  may include one or more sizing or cinching mechanisms, such as hook and loop fasteners, belts and/or buckles to improve a fit and/or a use by the shooter. Strap  28  may connect with or mount on recoil assembly  22 . According to certain embodiments of this invention, such as shown in  FIG. 6 , strap  28  may be adapted to a right-handed user. Alternate straps  28  may be adapted to a left-handed user. 
   This invention also relates to methods of use for release device  10 . In certain embodiments, nock  42  of projectile  44  is positioned on string  16 . Release device  10  engages string  16  and tension is applied to string  16  by pulling on release device  10 . Trigger mechanism  14  operates to disengage string  16  and launch or discharge projectile  44  while recoil assembly  22  substantially simultaneously moves housing  12  of release device  10 , such as in recoil direction  48  generally opposite of a direction of string travel  20 . 
   In other embodiments of the method for using release device  10 , release device  10  is engaged with loop  36 . In some embodiments, recoil distance  46  is at least 1 mm in recoil direction  48 , opposite of string travel  20 . An operator hand can remain stationary with respect to a direction of string travel  20  during projectile  44  launch. At least one jaw  26  of release device  10  can move to an open position when trigger lever  30  is operated. 
   In some embodiments of this invention, the user or shooter places strap  28  on a left wrist and strap  28  is tethered to release device  10 . The user picks up an arrow with the left hand while holding the bow in a right hand and then engages nock  42  with string loop  36 . The shooter engages release device  10  with string  16  by placing pivotable jaw  26  over sting  16 . The shooter tensions the bow by drawing back the left hand and aiming the arrow at a target. As the user draws string  16  taut by pulling the arm and wrist back, keeper  18  is held in a closed position by the tension and recoil assembly  22  moves to an extended position as spring  34  is tensioned by the same step. The user then pulls trigger mechanism  14  to move keeper  18  into an open position. At substantially the same time, string  16  moves in a direction of the arrow path to provide a discharge force and in the opposite direction recoil assembly  22  provides follow-through motion. The user may then repeat steps as desired. 
   While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments, and many details are set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described in this specification and in the claims can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of this invention.