Patent Publication Number: US-6988495-B1

Title: Bow grip assembly

Description:
This invention relates to a handgrip for the bow of an archer, and more particularly, to a handgrip for the bow of an archer or a bow grip assembly being supported by bearings in relation to the bow. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Whether an archer shoots at least one arrow for pleasure, as in a tournament; or for necessity, as in obtaining food; it is critical that the arrow flies in a true path toward the desired target. For such accuracy to be achieved, the archer must hold the bow in substantially the same manner every time. 
   In archery, the forehand is the hand which holds the riser or the mainframe of the bow. If the archer does not use the forehand to hold the bow in the same manner every time, the distance between the actual striking point of the arrow and the striking point indicated by the sighting system of the bow will be unacceptable. The reason for this problem is that the forehand does not make contact with the grip of the bow at exactly the angle and manner every time the archer prepares to shoot an arrow. 
   One method of gripping the bow in substantially the same manner every time is to make the gripping surface of the bow as thin as possible. Some archers even remove the gripping surface of the bow completely and replace it with a small piece of tape. While this reduces the chance of varying the grip, it does not eliminate such an action and greatly reduces the comfort of handling the bow. 
   Any slight twist in the wrist or different grip on the bow is compounded both by the distance to the archer&#39;s target and by all sighting systems and mechanisms. Shooting a bow that is twisted will cause an erratic arrow flight. An arrow that flies erratically will not hit the target at the same point as a true flying arrow. 
   This problem is highly compounded by any awkward stance or body position that the archer must assume in while hunting, or in tournament situations. Wearing gloves while shooting a bow changes the archer&#39;s grip. It is at least substantially impossible to hold the bow in the same manner as with gloves on and as with gloves off. Wearing gloves in a hunting situation is very common. Wearing gloves or mittens is a necessity while hunting in cold weather. 
   The main reason, that the distance between where an arrow will hit a target and where the archer&#39;s sighting system indicates the arrow will hit the target is in jeopardy, is that the archer will never be able to hold the bow in his forehand in exactly the same manner every time he or she picks up a bow and shoots an arrow. 
   When the bow grip is twisted on a vertical plane, the sight impact point will twist in the direction the bow grip is twisted. The reason for this is the sight is always mounted to the riser of the bow. 
   The front of the arrow sits on the arrow rest. When the bow is twisted, the rest will only move slightly because it is virtually on a common axis with the twisting bow. Therefore the arrow&#39;s path has not changed, but the sight line will move with the twisted riser. The arrow will fly the same path as before the riser was twisted. The sight will give the archer a false reading. As a result, when the archer feels that the sight is aimed at target, the archer is actually moving the arrow off target. 
   In order to hit the target consistently with a bow of the prior art, the archer must have his forehand grip on the bow exactly the same every time. The archer also will have to judge the distance to the target correctly, as well as have to hold his sighting system on the target as the bow is released. 
   It is very important for an archer to be able to hit the target with the first arrow shot out of a bow every day, in all conditions, wearing gloves, or not. It is also very uncommon to have two different archers shoot the same bow and hit the target in the same place. This is primarily due to the fact that two individuals cannot grip the bow the same way. 
   Many archers shoot their bows with a device called a release aid. This device holds the bow string back and releases the string by pulling a lever or pushing a button. This is much like the trigger of a gun. A common mistake made by archers, who shoot with a release aid, is that they do not make the release of the arrow a surprise. 
   Most, if not all professional archers or shooters use a back tension release style, in order to surprise even a professional shooter. This is to eliminate a condition called target panic. This term is used to describe the flinching an archer may do at the time of, or just before the release of the arrow. The flinching will also cause the wrist angle on the grip to change to a degree. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of a bow grip assembly, which substantially eliminates or minimizes the distance; between where an arrow will hit a target, and where the archer&#39;s sighting system tells the archer the arrow will hit the target. 
   A further objective of this invention is the provision of a bow grip assembly, which substantially prevents twisting of the bow as a result of the archer&#39;s grip or shooting position. 
   Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a bow grip assembly, which minimizes or avoids flinching. 
   A still further objective of this invention is the provision of a bow grip assembly, which allows for wearing of gloves, while using a bow without a substantial effect on a desired position of the bow caused by twisting or torquing of the bow. 
   Another objective of this invention is the provision of a bow grip assembly, which minimizes the effect on a bow from a change in the wrist position. 
   Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a bow grip assembly, which minimizes the effect of flinching. 
   These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a bow grip assembly having a bearing assembly mounted between the grip assembly and the bow; thereby allowing an archer to grip the bow somewhat differently each time the archer shoots and arrow and still have the arrow fly true to its target, while at least minimizing the effect on torque on the bow and on a sighting system for the bow each time the bow is gripped, and substantially reducing or eliminating a twisting of the bow. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a first bow grip assembly  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an exploded perspective view of a first bow grip assembly  100  of this invention mounted on a bow  110 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a top plan view of bearing support assembly  120  for first bow grip assembly  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side view of bearing support assembly  120  for first bow grip assembly  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 5  depicts an exploded perspective view of bearing assembly  130  for first bow grip assembly  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of first hand grip  140  for first bow grip assembly  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a bottom plan view of first hand grip  140  for first bow grip assembly  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 8  depicts an exploded perspective view of a second bow grip assembly  200  of this invention mounted on a bow  110 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts a top plan view of bearing support assembly  220  for second bow grip assembly  200  of this invention. 
       FIG. 10  depicts a side view of bearing support assembly  220  for second bow grip assembly  200  of this invention. 
       FIG. 11  depicts an exploded perspective view of bearing assembly  230  for second bow grip assembly  200  of this invention. 
       FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of second hand grip  240  for second bow grip assembly  200  of this invention. 
       FIG. 13  depicts a bottom plan view of second hand grip  240  for second bow grip assembly  200  of this invention. 
       FIG. 14  depicts an exploded perspective view of a triple bow grip assembly  300  of this invention mounted on a bow  110 . 
       FIG. 15  depicts a top plan view of triple bearing support assembly  320  for triple bow grip assembly  300  of this invention. 
       FIG. 16  depicts a side view of triple bearing support assembly  320  for triple bow grip assembly  300  of this invention. 
       FIG. 17  depicts an exploded perspective view of triple bearing support assembly  320  for triple bow grip assembly  300  of this invention. 
       FIG. 18  depicts a side view of triple bearing support assembly  320  for triple bow grip assembly  300  of this invention. 
       FIG. 19  depicts a top plan view of triple bearing support assembly  320  for triple bow grip assembly  300  of this invention. 
       FIG. 20  depicts a perspective view of triple plastic grip  340  for triple bow grip assembly  300  of this invention. 
       FIG. 21  depicts an exploded view of rubber sleeves  400  for plastic second hand grip  240 . 
   

   Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The bow grip assembly of this invention substantially eliminates or minimizes the distance; between where an arrow will hit a target, and where the archer&#39;s sighting system tells the archer the arrow will hit the target. This bow grip assembly will eliminate all the above problems as related to gripping and holding the bow. This device will also virtually eliminate the vertical deviance between where the sight says the arrow will hit and the actual path or impact point of the arrow. It will at least minimize erratic arrow flight caused by bad shooting form. 
   This bow grip assembly includes a bearing assembly and a handgrip. The handgrip is mounted to the bow by a unique plastic device designed to be snap fitted onto the bow over the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly supports a series of ball bearings, needle bearings and combinations thereof. Ball and needle bearings, or ball bearings alone are preferably used to eliminate any drag or torque generated from the archer&#39;s wrist to the bow. 
   For attachment to the bow, the bearing assembly uses screws, nuts and bolts, or glue. Modification of the bow to have screw apertures provides the most preferred attachment. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a first bow grip assembly  100  attaches to a bearing assembly  130  which attaches to a bow  100 . The bearing assembly includes of a bearing support assembly  120  and a screw assembly  150 . The bearing support assembly  120  further includes a bearing support shaft  126  with bearing assembly  130  thereon and cooperating therewith. The screw assembly  150  allows the bearing assembly  130  to be securely attached to the bow riser  112  of bow  110 . 
   The first hand grip  140  includes bearing seat  142 , which create a fitting site  144  for snap fit member  146  and allow the first hand grip  140  to be securely attached onto bearing assembly  130 . With first hand grip  140  securely attaching to bearing assembly  130 , which are attached to bearing support shaft  126 , which is securely attached to bow riser  112  using screw assembly  150 , first hand grip  140  is securely attached to bow  110  and yet can move about an axis parallel to bow riser  112 . 
   Adding  FIG. 2 , a first embodiment of this invention is depicted with a first bow grip assembly  100  mounted on a bow  110 . The piece of the first hand grip  140  that is in contact with the archer&#39;s forehand is plastic. This allows the handle or first hand grip  140  to be secured to the bearing assembly  130  by a snap fit member  146  around the ball bearings  132 . The plastic first hand grip  140  will also insulate the archer&#39;s hand from temperature variances in the riser  112  for the bow  110  in cold conditions. 
   Preferably, the piece of the first hand grip  140  that is in contact with the archer&#39;s forehand is fabricated out of DELRIN or a comparable piece of plastic. DELRIN is a registered trademark of E. I. duPont de Nemours Corporation of Delaware. 
   Adding  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the ball bearings  132  are located at a first end  122  and a second end  124  of bearing support shaft  126 . Although the use of ball bearings  132  is preferred, the use of needle bearings, sleeve bearing, journal bearings or other types of bearings may be used. Roller bearing support shaft  126  also contains a transverse bearing support bracket  128  located at the second end  124 . 
   Transverse bearing support bracket  128  receives second end  124  of bearing support shaft  126  and allows transverse ball bearing  134  to be mounted onto bearing support assembly  120 . First end screw  152  and second end screw  154  allows bearing assembly  130  to be securely mounted onto bow riser  112  of bow  110 . Other adhesives or fasteners may also be used to attach bearing assembly  130  onto bow riser  112 . 
   The bearing support assembly  120  is mounted to the riser  112  of the bow  110  by screw assembly  150  in place of a conventional bow grip using bow riser apertures  116  to receive first end screw  152  and second end screw  154 . First end screw  152  passes through first end aperture  156  and second end screw  154  passes through transverse bearing support bracket aperture  158 . It is also possible for the bearing support assembly  120  to be machined into the riser  112 , by a manufacturer with very little addition to the cost of the machining of the riser  112 . 
   The method of snapping the handle or first hand grip  140  on the ball bearings  132  is clear from the drawings of the first hand grip  140 . First hand grip  140  includes bearing seats  142 . With a fitting site  144  portion of the bearing seats  142  cut out, the plastic first hand grip  140  has snap fit member  146 , which will snap over the ball bearings  132 . Further, transverse bearing slot  148  receives transverse bearing  134  and prevents first hand grip  140  of bow  110  from moving up or down in a direction parallel to the bow riser  112 . The combination of snap fit member  146  and transverse bearing slot  148  results in the first hand grip  140  remaining very secure on the bearing support assembly  120 . This also makes the first hand grip  140  easy to remove if necessary. 
   The ball bearings  132  mounted in or attached to the bearing support assembly  120 , with that bearing support assembly attached to the bow riser  112 , allow the hand grip  140  to move freely about a vertical axis, assuming the bow  110  is held in a vertical position. The grip moves about a vertical axis when bow string  114  is being pulled and bow  110  experiences torque forces. Location of the end transverse ball bearing  134  inside transverse ball bearing slot  148  also prevents any up or down motion to the plastic grip. 
   The ball bearings  132  located at the first end  122  of bearing support shaft  126  can be held in place by snap rings  136 , c-clips, or some other suitable manner. Although a washer  138  is preferably placed between ball bearings  132  and snap ring  136 , it is not required. The ball bearings  132  located at the second end  124  of bearing support shaft  126  can be held in place by transverse bearing support bracket  128  and transverse bearing end can be held in place with second end screw  154 . 
   The pressure when pulling a bow  110  back is always focused up and forward on first hand grip  140  of bow  110 . The bearing support assembly  120  bears the forward pressure generated by pulling the string  114  on the bow  110 . With this pressure assistance, torque or twisting on the bow  110  is greatly reduced, if not eliminated. 
   By allowing the first hand grip  140  to move on ball bearings  132  while bow string  114  of bow  110  is drawn, the first bow grip assembly  100  in this invention is free to move without friction and minimizes or practically eliminates the effect of an archer not placing his or her hand in the exact place on first hand grip  140  every time he or she shoots an arrow. This invention even minimizes the effect of an archer wearing gloves. This invention provided by the first bow grip assembly  100  also minimizes or practically eliminates any effect due to a change in the wrist position and any effect of flinching by the archer. 
   Movement of first hand grip  140  around a vertical axis also minimizes the twisting of bow  110  caused by torque forces, when bow string  114  is pulled. Minimization of the effect of those torque forces thereby minimizes the difference between the location of where an arrow is actually aimed and where the archer&#39;s sighting mechanism(s) show the archer where the arrow is aimed. 
   A second embodiment of this invention is depicted in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 . Second bow grip assembly  200  allows for the elimination of end transverse bearing  134  as depicted in  FIG. 8  when compared to  FIG. 2 . Ball bearings  232  are located on the first ball end  222  and the second ball end  224  of ball bearing support shaft  226  as depicted in  FIG. 11 . Although the use of ball bearings  232  is preferred, needle bearings, sleeve bearings, journal bearings or other types of bearings may be used. Bearings  232  are held in place on bearing support shaft  226  using snap rings  236 , c-clips or some other suitable means. 
   While it is not desired to be limited by a specified use because other uses may be possible, it is felt that bow  110  is most usually a bow with a slight horizontal grip seat, when first bow grip assembly  100  or triple bow grip assembly  300  is used. Likewise, it is felt that bow  110  is most usually a bow with a vertical grip seat, when second bow grip assembly  200  is used. 
   Although the use of a washer  238  between bearings  232  and snap ring  236  is preferred, it is not required. Also, the use of two ball bearings  232  on the first end  222  and the second end  224  of bearing support shaft  226  is preferred, however, one ball bearing  232  or more than two ball bearings  232  can be used at each end of the bearing support shaft  226 . 
   Bearing assembly  230  is attached to bow riser  112  of bow  110  using screw assembly  250 . Screws  252  pass through bearing support shaft apertures  256  and received by bow riser apertures  114 . The use of screw assembly  250  allows for a secure attachment of bearing assembly  230  to the bow riser  112 . 
   The method of snapping the handle or second hand grip  240  on the ball bearings  232  is clear from the drawings of the plastic grip  240 . Plastic grip  240  includes bearing seats  242 . With a fitting site  244  portion of the bearing seats  242  cut out, the plastic second hand grip  240  has snap fit member  246 , which will snap over the ball bearings  232 . 
   Any upward thrust that occurs while the bow string  114  is being pulled will be supported by the normal side thrust tolerances of ball bearings  232 . Also, the distance between snap fit members  246  as depicted in  FIG. 11  is such that snapping of bow grip handle  240  onto bearings  232  does not allow grip  240  to move in a direction parallel to bow riser  112 , and yet allows grip  240  to move freely about a vertical axis. The combination of snap fit member  246  snapped onto ball bearings  232  allows for second hand grip  240  to remain very secure on the bearing assembly  230 . This also makes the second hand grip  240  easy to remove if necessary. 
   Similar to the first embodiment of this invention, by allowing the second hand grip  240  to move on ball bearings  232  while bow string  114  of bow  110  is drawn, the second bow grip assembly  200  in this invention is free to move without friction and minimizes or practically eliminates the effect of an archer not placing his or her hand in the exact place on second hand grip  240  every time he or she shoots an arrow. This invention even minimizes the effect of an archer wearing gloves. This invention provided by the second bow grip assembly  200  also minimizes or practically eliminates the effect of any change in the wrist position and the effect of flinching by the archer. 
   Movement of second hand grip  240  around a vertical axis also minimizes the effect of twisting of bow  110  caused by torque forces when bow string  114  is pulled. Minimization of the effect of those torque forces thereby minimizes the difference between the location of where an arrow is actually aimed and where the archer&#39;s sighting mechanism(s) show the archer where the arrow is aimed. 
   In  FIG. 11 , ball bearings  232  are mounted at a first end  222  and a second end  224  of bearing support shaft  226 . The bottom of bearing support shaft  226  and prevents upward and downward movement of plastic second hand grip  240  when bearing  232  fits within slot  246  inside the plastic second hand grip  240 . 
   Slot  246  within plastic second hand grip  240  is machined so that the ball bearing  132  will not move up or down inside the plastic grip  230 . This plastic second hand grip  240  is also machined to snap onto the needle bearing support assembly  220 . 
   A third embodiment of this invention is depicted in  FIG. 14 ,  FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20 . Triple bow grip assembly  300  allows for the repositioning of end transverse bearing  134  to middle transverse bearing  334  as depicted in  FIG. 8  when compared to  FIG. 17 . End bearings  332  are located on the first triple end  322  and the second triple end  324  of ball bearing triple shaft  326  as depicted in  FIG. 17 . Although the use of ball bearings  232  is preferred, needle bearings, sleeve bearings, journal bearings or other types of bearings may be used. End bearings  332  are held in place on bearing triple shaft  326  using slip rings  336 , c-clips or some other suitable means. 
   Although the use of a washer  238  between bearings  332  and slip ring  336  is preferred, it is not required. Also, the use of two ball bearings  232  on the first triple end  322  and the second triple end  324  of triple bearing support shaft  326  is preferred, however, one ball bearing  232  or more than two ball bearings  232  can be used at each end of triple bearing support shaft  326 . 
   Triple bearing assembly  330  is attached to bow riser  112  of bow  110  using screw assembly  250 . Screws  252  pass through bearing support shaft apertures  256  and received by bow riser apertures  114 . The use of screw assembly  250  allows for a secure attachment of bearing assembly  230  to the bow riser  112 . 
   The method of snapping the handle or triple hand grip  340  on the ball bearings  232  is clear from the drawings of the triple hand grip  340 . Triple hand grip  340  includes triple bearing seats  342 . With a triple fitting site  344  portion of the each triple bearing seats  342  cut out, the plastic triple hand grip  340  has triple snap fit member  348 , which will snap over the ball bearings  232 . 
   Any upward thrust that occurs while the bow string  114  is being pulled will be supported by the middle transverse bearing  334 . Triple bearing assembly  340  thus offers advantages of the other assemblies disclosed herein. 
   With  FIG. 21  depicting rubber sleeves  400  slipped into each end of any hand grip herein, noise is reduced and shock absorption is accomplished. Each of triple hand grip  340 , first hand grip  140  and second hand grip  240  can receive rubber sleeves  400  therein because the structure is similar at that point. Rubber sleeves  400  provide shock absorption and noise reduction. 
   This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
   Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.