Patent Publication Number: US-5421314-A

Title: Quick set rest

Description:
This is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 08/013,928, filed Feb. 5, 1993. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an arrow support of an arrow rest adapted for use with an archer&#39;s bow, preferably an archer&#39;s compound bow. The arrow support is designed for easy, quick and yet extremely accurate adjustment of the arrow support pods with individual arrows. 
     The prior art consist of numerous designs for arrow rests such as those shown on pages 24 and 25 of Bowhunters&#39; Discount Warehouse, Inc. catalog, Summer edition, 1992. Each of these arrow rests is designed to be mounted with a bow. Each includes an arrow launcher. Each possesses adjustment arrangements where the arrow launcher may be adjusted for its vertical position and its horizontal position relative to the bow. Many include arrow support fingers in which the gap separating the support pods is adjustable. Each contains the singular drawback which the arrow rest of the present invention is designed to eliminate, i.e. the adjustment of the gap separating the pods can not be made instantaneously without loosening and tightening adjustment screws. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an arrow support which is easily and accurately adjusted for use with different arrows. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an arrow support in which the gap adjustment may be made with the support in position on the arrow rest. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a method of adjustment for an arrow support of an arrow rest. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an arrow support constructed to allow an arrow to launch in silence. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a kit containing apparatus which enables the arrow support to launch an arrow in silence and also provides for re-conditioning of this apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to an adjustable arrow support for use with an arrow rest of an archery bow. The arrow support is formed to have a pair of fingers or prongs arranged along substantially a single plane, first ends of the prongs are in spaced manner to support an arrow. The opposite ends of the prongs are secured to a support rod. The prongs are formed of spring steel and are constructed to have a malleable portion which allows the first ends to be precisely adjusted at a desired spacing. The second ends of the prongs are secured to the rod by means of a weld. The malleable portion is formed adjacent to the weld. 
     The second ends of the prongs are secured with the support rod in spaced manner with the prongs arranged substantially transverse of the rod inclined inwardly toward their first ends. 
     The prongs of the arrow rest are coated with titanium nitrite or chromium nitrite for increased wearability. Alternately, the prongs are coated with an epoxy or an urethane resin to provide silence during launching. 
     Arrow support pods are formed at the first ends of the prongs by shaping these ends so that the terminating portions thereof extend substantially perpendicularly thereof. Because the pods are formed by cold working the end portions, the spring steel forming them is of a greater hardness than the steel forming the remainder of the support. 
     Another arrangement for the first ends of the prongs is to encase them with latex tubing and to then coat the tubing with an epoxy lacquer. This structure provides for a silent launch. 
     A kit is provided for use with the arrow support. The contents of the kit are adapted to provide for a silent arrow launch. The kit includes a plurality of latex tubes adapted to fit over at least the first ends of the prongs of the arrow support. Also, included are a plurality of vials of lacquer which are used to coat the exterior surface of the latex tubes and a brush for each of the vials to apply the latex onto the tubes. The kit allows the archer to re-coat the tubes during a hunt should the lacquer become chipped or worn. 
     A method for quickly and accurately adjusting the gap separating the arrow support pods of an arrow support. The method includes urging the pods together so that a gap which is too small is created. The arrow is inserted into the space below the gap and is then drawn upwardly through the gap. Movement of the arrow through the gap separates the pods to an exact adjustment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. 
     The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional perspective view, from the left side of the arrow support of the invention connected with an arrow rest; 
     FIG. 2 is an perspective view of the arrow support of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the arrow support showing an arrow in position to adjust the gap of the arrow support pods; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of an arrow support showing the arrow in position after having adjusted the gap; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative arrow support structure; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the arrow support of the invention in which tubes have been arranged over the ends of the prongs; and 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a kit adapted for use with the arrow support of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The instant invention which is shown in the accompanying drawings, is directed to an arrow rest A which includes arrow support C for use with an archer&#39;s bow B. Bow B may be any type, however, arrow rest A is most preferably used with a compound bow. 
     Turning now to FIG. 1, arrow rest A can be seen as mountable with bow B by securing bolt 10 which passes through a selected of the pair of apertures in mounting block 12 and is threadably engaged with the opening shown in the riser of the bow to secure the block therewith. Mounting block 12 mounts slide block 16 at one end thereof. Slide block 16 is arranged for transverse adjustment of block 14. An arrow support C is pivotally carried by slide block 16 and is resiliently held in position to support arrow D for launching in the direction indicated by arrow E. This entire arrangement is described in complete detail in the earlier referred to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/013,928. 
     Viewing now FIGS. 1 and 2, arrow support C consists of a support shaft 18 which passes through a bore in block 16 and is held in position by clamps 20. A pair of prongs or fingers 22, which have been shaped at one end to form arrow support pods 26, are secured at their opposite ends to shaft 18. These secured end portions of prongs 22 are arranged in spaced relationship and are secured to shaft 18 by welds 24. The longitudinal axes of prongs 22 and shaft 18 are arrange to extend along substantially a single plane. Prongs 22 project angularly outwardly from the longitudinal axis of shaft 18 so that adjacent ends which form arrow support pods 26 are more closely spaced from each other than the opposite ends at welds 24. The gap formed between adjacent pods 26 is of controlled size. Normally arrow support pods 26 are arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly of prongs 22 and in position to support with their upper surfaces the shaft of arrow D. 
     Prongs 22 are formed of cold drawn spring tempered stainless steel. Preferably shaft 18 is also formed of spring tempered stainless steel although this is not necessary to the invention and the shaft could be formed of any stainless steel. The preferred spring tempered stainless steel is the AISI or ASTM stainless 300 series with the AISI 302 being the preferred metal. The following chart sets forth a variety of metals which may be utilized to form the arrow support of the invention. In order to improve the appearance of the arrow rest and improve wearability it may be desirable to apply a coating of titanium nitrite or other similar materials. The coating may completely cover the prongs or be restricted to the ends. 
     
         __________________________________________________________________________
                  Tensile Properties                                      
                              Torsional Properties                        
                                          Maximum     Method of           
                  Modulus of  Modulus in  Operating   Manufacture         
                  Elasticity E                                            
                              Torsion G   Temperature                     
                                                 Rockwell                 
                                                      Chief Uses          
       Material   psi × 10.sup.4 {MPa × 10.sup.3 }            
                              psi × 10.sup.4 {MPa × 10.sup.3  
                              }           °F.                      
                                             °C.                   
                                                 Hardness                 
                                                      Special             
__________________________________________________________________________
                                                      Properties          
High   Music Wire 30 (207)    11.5 (79.3) 250                             
                                             121 C41-60                   
                                                      Cold Drawn          
Carbon ASTM A 228                                                         
Spring Hard Drawn 30 (207)    11.5 (79.3) 250                             
                                             121 C31-52                   
                                                      Cold Drawn          
Wire   ASTM A 227                                                         
       High Tensile                                                       
                  30 (207)    11.5 (79.3) 250                             
                                             121 C41-60                   
                                                      Cold Drawn          
       Hard Drawn                                                         
       ASTM A 679                                                         
       Oil Tempered                                                       
                  30 (207)    11.5 (79.3) 250                             
                                             121 C42-55                   
                                                      Cold Drawn          
       ASTM A 229                                                         
       Carbon Valve                                                       
                  30 (207)    11.5 (79.3) 250                             
                                             121 C45-49                   
                                                      Cold Drawn          
       ASTM A 230                                                         
Alloy  Chrome     30 (207)    11.5 (79.3) 425                             
                                             218.5                        
                                                 C41-55                   
                                                      Cold Drawn          
Steel  ASTM A 231                                                         
Wire   Chrome Silicon                                                     
                  30 (207)    11.5 (79.3) 475                             
                                             246 C48-55                   
                                                      Cold Drawn          
       ASTM A 401                                                         
Stainless                                                                 
       AISI 302/304                                                       
                  28 (193)      10 (69.0) 550                             
                                             228 C35-45                   
                                                      Cold Drawn          
steel  ASTM A 313                                                         
Wire   AISI 316   28 (193)      10 (69.0) 550                             
                                             288 C35-45                   
                                                      Cold Drawn          
       ASTM A 313                                                         
       17-7 PH    29.5 (203)    11 (75.8) 650                             
                                             343 C38-57                   
                                                      Cold Drawn          
       ASTM A 313                                                         
       (631)                                                              
Non-Ferrous                                                               
       Phosphor Bronze                                                    
                  15 (303)    6.25 (43.1) 200                             
                                             93.3                         
                                                 B9B-104                  
                                                      Cold Drawn          
Alloy Wire                                                                
       Grade A                                                            
       ASTM B 159                                                         
       Beryllium Copper                                                   
                  18.5 (128)   7.0 (48.3) 400                             
                                             204 C35-42                   
                                                      Cold Drawn          
       ASTM B 197                                                         
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     When forming arrow rest C, the pods 26 are formed by bending the upper ends of prongs 22. This procedure is referred to as cold working the metal and results in the pods becoming harder and more resistant to bending and wear. The opposite ends of prongs 22 are secured to shaft 18 by welding which heats this portion of the prongs. This heating during welding causes some of the resilience or elasticity in the end portions of the spring tempered stainless steel prongs to be lost. The heated end portions are actually affected to a degree that they become slightly malleable or a malleable area is formed at that end of prongs 22. 
     The method of adjusting the gap between pods 26 is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Inward pressure is applied to pods 26 to urge then toward each other in the direction of arrows 39 so that gap 28 is made smaller than the diameter of arrow D. With gap 28 so diminished, arrow D is placed in the opening below the upper surface of pods 28. Arrow D is then moved upwardly or in the direction of arrow 32 to engage the upper ends of prongs 22 as it is forced between gap 28. As arrow D passes between pods 26, prongs 22 are urged slightly outwardly. The resilience of the stainless steel causes prongs 22 to slightly spring back to their original position thus forming gap 28 to be slightly less than the diameter of arrow D. This position places pods 26 within one and three thousands of an inch of the perfect spacing for the proper launching of an arrow. 
     While the method of adjusting gap 28 is both efficient and accurate, it is also quick and is done without tools. 
     It is noted that all arrows of a particular model and make are usually all of the same diameter. It is when there is a change between makes and or models of arrows that adjustment is necessary. Also, wear of the arrow shaft and to a lesser degree the pods can necessitate an adjustment of the pod setting. 
     An alternative of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. In this arrangement arrow rest C&#39; consist of shaft 18 having one end 36 formed with a bore 38 interrupted with a lock screw 40 arranged in the end of shaft 18. Prongs 22&#39; are arranged continuous in the form of a U with pods 26&#39; formed at their respective ends. The intermediate portion of prongs 22&#39; is secured with rod 34 by means of weld 24&#39;. Rod 30 is received in bore 38 and screwed in position by lock screw 40. Weld 24&#39; causes that portion of prongs 22&#39; adjacent to rod 30 to become annealed and slightly malleable. Arrow support C&#39; functions with arrow rest A in the same manner as already described for support C. The gap 28&#39; is adjusted in the manner already described for the adjustment of gap 28. 
     An additional embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. Arrow rest C is constructed as in FIGS. 1 and 2 to include shaft 18 to which prongs 22 are secured by welds 24. Pods 26, shown in broken lines, are covered latex tubes 42 which fit snugly thereon. Tubes 42 may be painted with a silicone or urethane lacquer to produce a hard and substantially frictionless outer surface over which arrows slide during launch. Coated tubes 42 are primarily provided for use by hunters as they allow arrows D to be launched in substantially complete silence. 
     An adapter kit which includes clear plastic bag 50, a pair of latex tubes 42, a container of silicone lacquer 44, a container of urethane lacquer 46 and a pair of applicator brushes 48 may be provided for use with arrow support C. The kit is intended for use while hunting and is adapted to make the arrow rest operative to provide a silent arrow launch. If the lacquer becomes worn or chipped the kit provides a means to repair the arrow support in the field. 
     Another method of providing silent arrow launch is to coat the upper ends of prongs 22 to include pods 26 with an epoxy or urethane resin. 
     To increase the wearability of the arrow support, the upper ends of prongs 22 to include pods 26 may be coated with titanium nitrite or chromium nitrite. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.