Patent Publication Number: US-7708004-B2

Title: Bow with rotatable grip assembly

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/776,606 filed on Feb. 23, 2006. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to archery bows and, more particularly, to an improved archery bow comprised of a riser which includes an integral, rotatable grip assembly with locking mechanism adapted to eliminate heeling, toeing, and torquing of the bow when aiming and shooting an arrow. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In the sport of archery, when employing conventional bows and arrows, several structural components and characteristics of the bows materially influence the accuracy of the archer as well as arrow speed. In order for an archer to aim and shoot accurately at a desired target, it is essential to avoid heeling, toeing, and torquing of the bow. 
   “Heeling” is defined as when an archer holds the bow below the midpoint, or when he exerts more pressure on the lower portion of his hand against the bow, the lower end of the bow bends more than the upper end, thereby causing the arrow to riser higher than desired. “Toeing” is the reverse, or when the archer holds the bow above the midpoint, or when he exerts more pressure on the upper portion of his hand against the bow, the upper end of the bow bends more than the lower end, thereby causing the arrow to travel lower than desired. 
   Attempts have been made to not only modify these components to improve arrow speed without sacrificing accuracy, but to also increase arrow speed while simultaneously improving accuracy. The following are examples of such attempts: hand grip fixedly mounted to limbs via a connector assembly to facilitate center flight of an arrow upon release from bow; decrease in the arm brace height, hand grip portions formed integral with risers so as to reduce torque from being applied to the bow through the riser; universally connected handles fixedly mounted in a forward relationship to handle riser via a frame assembly; complex cable and pulley arrangements; offset handle grip assemblies, and longitudinally-adjustable pistol grips. 
   Another structural characteristic which materially affects bow accuracy is the inherent torque which is generated during a shot. A first torque results from offset relation or misalignment of the arrow axis to the handle grip as the bowstring is drawn back toward its maximum deflection, thus resulting in a bow design having forces inherently imbalanced. This imbalance of force puts a torque on the archer&#39;s holding hand and creates a misaligned thrust on the arrow. A second torque results when an archer slightly twists the handle grip, while having the bowstring in a fully drawn position at the time of release of the arrow. This creates a misalignment which angles the bowstring away from its normal plane of travel. Thus, upon release of the arrow, the misaligned bowstring realigns during the string&#39;s forward thrust resulting in an unintended deviation in arrow&#39;s flight. 
   Early attempts at correcting the inherent torque problem have led to archery bows with pivotally-connected grip assembly installations. While these devices have helped to reduce torque generation during a bow shot, they have failed to eliminate or reduce torquing omnidirectionally to an optimum degree which would prevent an archer&#39;s accuracy to be impacted negatively. Further, these devices have neglected to design an archery bow incorporating an improved riser comprised of an integral grip assembly adapted to rotate relative to the riser&#39;s longitudinal axis in a friction-free manner. This improved riser is further adapted for quick, easy, and efficient mounting to conventional hunting bow limbs as an aftermarket accessory. The aftermarket accessory is mounted in a manner such that the hand grip component thereof resides posterior to the handle grip section of a conventional bow, thereby providing user with a greater draw length, and hence translating into an increase in arrow speed by approximately 35-45 feet per second. Moreover, these devices have failed to address the need for a quick-lock-and-release mechanism adapted to lock the rotatable handle grip in a fixed position once archer has the bowstring in a fully drawn position and taken aim. 
   Hence, there is a long felt need for both an archery bow comprised of an improved riser which includes an integral, rotatable grip assembly with locking mechanism adapted to eliminate heeling, toeing, and torquing of the bow when aiming and shooting an arrow, and for an improved riser of a substantially similar design adapted for quick, easy, and efficient mounting to conventional hunting bow limbs as an aftermarket accessory. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,121, issued in the name of Hoyt, Jr.; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,287, issued in the name of Babington; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,124, issued in the name of Burling; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,937, issued in the name of Burling; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,413, issued in the name of Walk; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,093, issued in the name of Hamlett; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,005, issued in the name of Hill; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,790, issued in the name of Hoyt, Jr.; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,685, issued in the name of Walker; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,854,965, issued in the name of Eberbach; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,286, issued in the name of Thacker; and 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,361, issued in the name of Vyprachticky. 
   Website www.mathewsinc.com, published 2005, advertises hunting bows, particularly the Switchback XT and Switchback LD. 
   Website www.bowmanbows.com, published 2003, advertises the sale of archery equipment, particularly the Accu-Riser 2. 
   Website www.bowsports.com, published 2005, provides a comprehensive online archery equipment web shop. 
   Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved archery bow which allows an archer to virtually eliminate heeling, toeing, and torquing of the bow when aiming and shooting an arrow at a desired target, thereby materially enhancing the archer&#39;s accuracy. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved archery bow adapted to eliminate heeling, toeing, and torquing of the bow when aiming and shooting an arrow. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an aftermarket accessory adapted for removable attachment to a conventional hunting bow which is configured to increase arrow speed. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved archery bow which allows the user thereof to enjoy a substantially high degree of bow shooting accuracy. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved archery bow constructed of a lightweight, rigid material. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved archery bow having a rotatable hand grip adapted to rotate in a friction-free manner. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved archery bow having a rotatable hand grip which incorporates a proximal locking mechanism adapted to both quickly lock the rotatable handle grip to a locked position at full bowstring draw, and release the handle grip to an unlocked, free-spinning position. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a rotatable grip assembly adapted for removable attachment to an archery bow as an aftermarket accessory. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an archery bow with rotatable hand grip, hereinafter improved archery bow, is provided. The improved archery bow is adapted to prevent the heeling, toeing, and torquing effects of a conventional archery bow or hunting bow when archer aims and shoots an arrow at a desired target, thereby resulting in archer having a substantially high degree of bow shooting accuracy. 
   The improved archery bow comprises a riser, an upper limb and a lower limb, compound cams or pulleys rotatably mounted to free ends of limbs, and a bowstring supported on the cams or pulleys. The upper and lower limbs are secured to opposing ends of riser. A clearance bar is provided which is secured to the riser in any suitable fashion. The riser includes a hand grip section manufactured integrally therewith. Hand grip section defines an elongated, rigid shaft. 
   A rotatable hand grip is provided and is rotatably mounted to rigid shaft. The rotatable hand grip is adapted to rotate in a friction-free manner about a longitudinal axis of rigid shaft. In order to facilitate friction-free rotation by rotatable hand grip about a longitudinal axis of rigid shaft, an antifriction rotation assembly is disclosed. 
   The antifriction rotation assembly comprises components, elements, and hardware adapted to facilitate mechanized, frictionless rotation by hand grip about a longitudinal axis of rigid shaft. 
   A locking mechanism is provided which is adapted to quickly lock the rotatable handle grip in a fixed position once archer has the bowstring in a fully drawn position and taken aim, and is further adapted to allow hand grip to be quickly released from a locked position, thereby returning handle grip to a free-spinning mode after shooting arrow. Rotatable hand grip is enveloped with a sufficiently flexible, shape-memory material adapted to resume its original shape if compressed. The shape-memory material enveloping rotatable hand grip is adapted to prevent heeling and toeing of the bow when archer aims and shoots an arrow at a desired target. More specifically, the counterproductive pressure exertions applied by an archer resulting in the earlier described “heeling” or “toeing” effect are absorbed or consumed by the shape-memory material which is afforded by its pliable composition in a manner so as to maintain bow&#39;s proper vertical alignment about the bow midpoint when aiming and shooting an arrow. 
   The improved archery bow further comprises an arrow rest component mounted to riser via an arrow rest bracket. The arrow rest bracket is secured to riser by fasteners. It is envisioned that improved archery bow may include a sight element mounted to riser via a sight element bracket. The sight element bracket is secured to riser by fasteners. 
   The improved archery bow is constructed of a lightweight, rigid material, wherein fabrication material is selected from the group which includes metal, plastic, wood, or composites thereof. 
   An alternate embodiment of the present invention is provided which comprises a rotatable grip assembly adapted for removable attachment to an archery bow or “hunting bow” as an aftermarket accessory. The rotatable grip assembly comprises a rigid shaft defining an upper end opposing a lower end. A pair of mounting brackets is provided for securely affixing shaft to riser. A first mounting bracket is molded integral to the upper end of shaft, and a second mounting bracket is molded integral to the lower end of shaft. Each mounting bracket is secured to riser by fasteners. The shaft is adapted to be mounted directly rearward to handle grip section so as to reside in parallel alignment and in a same geometric longitudinal plane therewith. Once properly mounted to riser, the antifriction rotation assembly is configured to prevent torquing. 
   The alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises a hand grip which is rotatably mounted to shaft. The hand grip is adapted to rotate in a friction-free manner about a longitudinal axis of shaft via an antifriction rotation assembly. The hand grip includes a contoured rear portion defined as a palm recess to facilitate grip. The hand grip is enveloped around the antifriction rotation assembly. 
   The antifriction rotation assembly defined by the alternate embodiment is provided with a locking mechanism adapted to quickly lock the rotatable handle grip in a fixed position once archer has the bowstring in a fully drawn position and taken aim, and is further adapted to be quickly released from a locked position, thereby returning handle grip to a free-spinning mode. 
   The rotatable grip assembly, as defined by the alternate embodiment, is envisioned to be commercially available and sold as an aftermarket accessory for commercially-available archery bows. The rotatable grip assembly  200 , as an aftermarket accessory, is intended to be sold as a kit. 
   In accordance with another embodiment, a rotatable grip assembly comprises a rigid shaft having a hand grip rotatably mounted thereto. Auxiliary brackets are provided to securely mount shaft to a primary mounting bracket. The primary mounting bracket is provided for securely affixing shaft to the riser. A C-shaped mounting bracket is adapted to secure the primary mounting bracket to the riser via frictional interference. 
   The use of the present invention allows a bow shooter to eliminate heeling, toeing, and torquing of an archery bow when aiming and shooting an arrow in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bow with rotatable grip assembly, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a standard archery or hunting bow; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating particularly the hand grip section, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the angular orientation of rigid shaft with respect to riser, shown without riser brace, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the rotatable hand grip, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the two halves forming rotatable hand grip, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7   a  is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable hand grip showing the O-ring, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a female half portion forming rotatable hand grip, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a frontal side elevational view of the rotatable hand grip female half portion showing the antifriction rotation assembly, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a male half portion forming rotatable hand grip, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a frontal side elevational view of the rotatable hand grip male half portion showing the antifriction rotation assembly; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the plunger, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein rotatable hand grip is shown enveloped with a shape-memory material; 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  are perspective views of a first alternate embodiment each illustrating a hunting bow shown with a rotatable grip assembly removably attached thereto as an aftermarket accessory; 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of the rotatable grip assembly according to the alternate embodiment illustrating the pair of mounting brackets, the hand grip, and the antifriction rotation assembly; 
       FIG. 17  is a bottom end view of the antifriction rotation assembly showing the bearings of each annular member bearing against the outer circumferential surface of each respective retaining ring; 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an alternate hand grip formed of two halves; 
       FIG. 19  is a side elevational view of the rotatable grip assembly, according to the alternate embodiment, illustrating the locking mechanism thereof; 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a kit, according to the first alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 21  is a partial, right side elevational view of a second alternate embodiment illustrating a hunting bow shown with a rotatable grip assembly removably attached thereto as an aftermarket accessory; 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the C-shaped mounting bracket, according to the second alternate embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 23  a perspective view of a kit, according to the second alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-11 , an archery bow with rotatable hand grip  10  is shown, hereinafter referred to as improved archery bow  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The improved archery bow  10  is adapted to prevent the heeling, toeing, and torquing effects of a conventional archery bow  15  or hunting bow when archer aims and shoots an arrow (not shown) at a desired target, thereby resulting in archer having a substantially high degree of bow shooting accuracy. For purposes of this description, the term archery bow  15  or hunting bow is intended to include, but not to be limited to longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, compound longbows, and recurve longbows. 
   The improved archery bow  10  comprises a riser  20 , an upper limb  22  and a lower limb  24 , compound cams  26  or pulleys rotatably mounted to free ends of limbs  22 ,  24 , and a bowstring  28  supported on the cams  26  or pulleys. The upper and lower limbs  22 ,  24  are secured to opposing ends of riser  20  by fasteners  27 . A clearance bar  30  is provided which is secured to the riser  20  in any suitable fashion. The riser  20  includes a hand grip section  21  manufactured integrally therewith. Hand grip section  21  defines an elongated, rigid shaft  21   a  molded so as to form an acute angle, indicated as “A”, with respect to X-axis and Y-axis extending through riser  20  in  FIG. 3 . Hand grip section  21  has an angular measure of approximately 60°. 
   A riser brace  29  is mounted to a frontal sidewall of riser  20  via fasteners  27 , wherein riser brace  29  is apposition to hand grip section  21 . The riser brace  29  imparts added structural support to riser  20 . Alternatively, it is envisioned that riser brace  29  is integrally molded to riser  20  during the riser molding process. 
   A rotatable hand grip  40  is provided and is rotatably mounted to rigid shaft  21   a . The rotatable hand grip  40  is adapted to rotate in a friction-free manner about a longitudinal axis of rigid shaft  21   a . The rotatable hand grip  40  is formed of two halves  42 ,  43  which are fastened together by fasteners  266  or any other suitable coupling means in a manner so as to effectively encase longitudinally the rigid shaft  21   a . The two halves  42 ,  43  are constructed of a lightweight, rigid material including metal, metallic-plastic composite, plastic, or wood. 
   In order to prevent vertical reciprocation or up-and-down movement by rotatable hand grip  40  about longitudinal axis of rigid shaft  21   a , at least one O-ring  47  is suitably disposed within interior sidewall of hand grip half  42  or  43  so as to be housed inside rotatable hand grip  40  upon the two halves  42 ,  43  being fastened together. O-ring  47  is shown in  FIG. 7   a.    
   In order to facilitate friction-free rotation by rotatable hand grip  40  about a longitudinal axis of rigid shaft  21   a , an antifriction rotation assembly  50  is disclosed. The antifriction rotation assembly  50  affords important utility to the present invention as will be described in greater detail below. 
   The antifriction rotation assembly  50  comprises components, elements, and hardware adapted to facilitate mechanized, frictionless rotation by hand grip  40  about a longitudinal axis of rigid shaft  21   a . It is envisioned that antifriction rotation assembly  50  comprises a plurality of bearings  52  rotatably disposed within dimpled seats spatially formed about an inner surface of hand grip halves  42 ,  43 . Bearings  52  of hand grip halves  42 ,  43  bear against an outer circumferential surface  21   b  of rigid shaft  21   a , thereby facilitating frictionless rotation between rotatable hand grip  40  and rigid shaft  21   a.    
   Once rotatable hand grip  40  is properly mounted to rigid shaft  21   a  of riser  20 , the antifriction rotation assembly  50  is adapted to prevent torquing. Torque generation materially affects bow accuracy. Torquing stems from and creates the following undesired effects: 1) offset relation or misalignment of the arrow axis to the handle grip as the bowstring is drawn back toward its maximum deflection, thus resulting in inherently imbalanced forces, wherein such imbalance of force puts a torque on the archer&#39;s holding hand and creates a misaligned thrust on the arrow; and 2) bowstring misalignment which is produced when an archer slightly twists the handle grip, while having the bowstring in a fully drawn position at the time of release of the arrow. This creates a misalignment which angles the bowstring away from its normal plane of travel. Thus, upon release of the arrow, the misaligned bowstring realigns during the string&#39;s forward thrust resulting in an unintended deviation in arrow&#39;s flight. The antifriction rotation assembly  50  is adapted to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in a friction-free manner about the longitudinal axis of rigid shaft  21   a , thereby preventing torque from being applied to the bow  10  and resulting in a substantially high degree of bow shooting accuracy. 
   Referring now more specifically to  FIGS. 5 and 12 , a locking mechanism  60  is disclosed which is adapted to quickly lock the rotatable handle grip  40  in a fixed position once archer has the bowstring in a fully drawn position and taken aim. The locking mechanism  60  is further adapted to allow hand grip  40  to be quickly released from a locked position. 
   The locking mechanism  60  is comprised of a plunger  62  or spring-biased depressible button positioned proximally to an upper end of rotatable hand grip half  42  and extends through an aperture formed therein. The plunger  62  defines an upper end  64  opposing a lower end  65 , wherein lower end  65  includes a centrally-disposed bulbous boss  66 . Upon depression of plunger  62 , the boss  66  frictionally engages an outer circumferential surface of rigid shaft  21   a , thereby locking hand grip  40  in position via mechanical interference. Release of plunger  62  causes boss  66  to disengage contact with rigid shaft  21   a , thereby allowing rotatable hand grip  40  to resume friction-free rotation about rigid shaft  21   a.    
   Referring now to  FIG. 13 , rotatable hand grip  40  is enveloped with a sufficiently flexible, shape-memory material  45  adapted to resume its original shape if compressed. The shape-memory material  45  is enveloped around hand grip  40  via a molding process so as to completely encapsulate or enclose hand grip  40 . Common molding processes for enveloping hand grip  40  include casting, injection or transfer molding, extrusion, thermoforming, blow molding, and rotational molding. It is envisioned that shape-memory material  45  is formed of a flexible, pliable plastic, rubber or elastomer, silicon, silicon rubber or siliconised polymer, or plastic polymer. Examples of acceptable materials utilized for constructing shape-memory material  45  include neoprene, polyvinyl chloride, thermosensitive siliconised polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The flexible, shape-memory material  45  utilized for enveloping hand grip  40  imparts additional important utility to the present invention. Rotatable hand grip  40  as described by the present invention prevents heeling and toeing of the bow  10  when archer aims and shoots an arrow at a desired target. More specifically, the counterproductive pressure exertions applied by an archer resulting in the earlier described “heeling” or “toeing” effect are absorbed or consumed by the shape-memory material  45  which is afforded by its pliable composition in a manner so as to maintain bow&#39;s  10  proper vertical alignment about the bow midpoint when aiming and shooting an arrow. 
   It is envisioned that rotatable hand grip  40  is molded to include a contoured rear portion defined as a palm recess to facilitate grip. 
   The improved archery bow  10  further comprises an arrow rest component mounted to riser  20  via an arrow rest bracket. The arrow rest bracket is secured to riser  20  by fasteners. It is envisioned that improved archery bow  10  may include a sight element mounted to riser  20  via a sight element bracket. The sight element bracket is secured to riser  20  by fasteners. It is further envisioned that improved archery bow  10  may include a string stop. 
   The improved archery bow  10  is constructed of a lightweight, rigid material, wherein fabrication material is selected from the group which includes metal, plastic, wood, or composites thereof. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 14-19 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is provided which comprises a rotatable grip assembly  200  adapted for removable attachment to an archery bow  205  or “hunting bow” as an aftermarket accessory. For purposes of this description, the term archery bow  205  or hunting bow is intended to include, but not to be limited to longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, compound longbows, and recurve longbows. The following archery and bowhunting companies manufacture and sell representative models or types of bows adapted to functionally accommodate the aftermarket accessory assembly disclosed herein as the alternate embodiment: Alpine Archery, Browning® Archery, Darton Bows, Oneida Eagle Bows, PSE Archery, Reflex Bows, Genesis Archery, HOYT®, CSS Bows, and Martin Archery. The archery companies provided hereinabove are merely illustrative examples, and as such are not intended to be limiting. Thus, it is envisioned that other companies who manufacture, distribute, and sell comparable archery bows not listed above are within the scope of this disclosure and consequently, such companies are anticipated to commercially trade bows also adapted to accommodate the aftermarket accessory assembly  200  defined by the alternate embodiment. 
   According to the alternate embodiment, an archery bow  205  comprises a riser  210 , upper limb  212  and lower limb  214 , compound cams  216  or pulleys rotatably mounted to free ends of limbs  212 ,  214 , and a bowstring  218  supported on the cams  216  or pulleys. The upper and lower limbs  212 ,  214  are secured to opposing ends of riser  210  by fasteners  220 . The riser  210  includes a handle grip section  211  molded integral or suitably mounted thereto. It is recognized that various bow models provide cams  216  which are eccentrically and rotatably mounted about the free ends of limbs  212 ,  214  via supports. It is further recognized that various bow models provide bifurcated upper and lower limbs between which cams or pulleys are rotatably mounted about the free ends thereof. A clearance bar  222  is provided which is secured to the riser  210  in any suitable fashion. 
   The archery bow  205  further comprises an arrow rest component mounted to riser  210  via an arrow rest bracket. The arrow rest bracket is secured to riser  210  by fasteners. It is envisioned that archery bow  205  may include a sight element mounted to riser  210  via a sight element bracket. The sight element bracket is secured to riser  210  by fasteners. It is further envisioned that archery bow  205  may include a string stop. 
   The rotatable grip assembly  200  comprises a rigid shaft  240  defining an upper end opposing a lower end. A pair of mounting brackets  250  is provided for securely affixing shaft to riser. A first mounting bracket  251 , having a generally L-shaped configuration and an integral riser abutment shoulder  255 , is mounted or molded integral to the upper end of shaft  240 , and a second mounting bracket  254  having a generally L-shaped configuration is mounted or molded integral to the lower end of shaft  240 . Each mounting bracket  251 ,  254  is secured to riser  210  by fasteners  256 . More specifically, the first mounting bracket  251  includes an upper aperture  257  and a lower aperture  258  defined through a vertical arm  252  thereof. The first mounting bracket  251  is mounted to a front sidewall  210   a  of riser  210 , along an upper end and a lower end of the handle grip section  211  thereof by fastener  256  being advanced through upper aperture  257  and lower aperture  258  of vertical arm  252 , and wherein fastener  256  is further advanced through upper threaded aperture  210   d  defined through the front sidewall  210   a  of riser  210 , and fastener  256  is advanced through lower threaded aperture  210   e  defined through the front sidewall  210   a  of riser  210  until tight. The second mounting bracket  254  includes an aperture  259   a  defined through a vertical arm  259  thereof. The second mounting bracket  254  is mounted to a rear sidewall  210   b  of riser  210 , below handle grip section  211  by fastener  256  being advanced through aperture  259   a  of vertical arm  259  and through a threaded aperture  210   f  defined through the rear sidewall  210   b  of riser  210  until tight. The shaft  240  is adapted to be mounted directly rearward to handle grip section  211  so as to reside in parallel alignment and in a same geometric longitudinal plane therewith as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 &amp; 15 . 
   An alignment means  700  is provided in order to allow for selective lateral adjustment of rotatable grip assembly  200 , thereby facilitating optimum center alignment thereof. The alignment means  700  is defined as a male threaded bolt  702  or screw advanced through a female threaded hole  704  defined through first mounting bracket  251  along an upper portion thereof, and mechanically engaged against a lateral sidewall of riser  210 . Clockwise rotation of male threaded bolt  702  facilitates rearward lateral movement of rotatable grip assembly  200  and counterclockwise rotation of male threaded bolt  702  facilitates forward lateral movement of rotatable grip assembly  200 . The alignment means  700  is adjustable according to user desire or preference in order to obtain optimum center alignment of rotatable grip assembly  200 . 
   The rotatable grip assembly further includes a hand grip  260  being rotatably mounted to shaft  240 . The hand grip  260  is adapted to rotate in a friction-free manner about a longitudinal axis of shaft  240 . The rotatable grip assembly  200  is mounted in a manner such that the hand grip  260  component thereof resides posterior to the handle grip section  211  of an archery bow  205 , thereby providing user with a greater draw length (approximately 3 inches) from which a greater arrow-propulsion force is produced, and hence translating into an increase in arrow speed by approximately 35-45 feet per second. Consequently, greater arrow speed also generates greater arrow flight distance. The hand grip  260  will be further described later in greater detail. 
   In order to facilitate friction-free rotation by hand grip  260  about a longitudinal axis of shaft  240 , an antifriction rotation assembly  270  is provided, as shown in  FIGS. 16 ,  17 , and  19 . The antifriction rotation assembly  270  affords important utility to the present invention as will be described in greater detail below. The antifriction rotation assembly  270  comprises a series of retaining rings  272  mounted in spaced, linear relation about an external circumferential surface of shaft  240 . An equal number of annular members  276 , each having an annular groove  278  housing a plurality of bearings  279 , is rotatably disposed about an outer circumferential surface  273  of retaining rings  272  in a manner whereby bearings  279  of each annular member  276  bear against the outer circumferential surface  273  of each respective retaining ring  272 , thereby facilitating frictionless rotation between annular members  276  and retaining rings  272 . Once properly mounted to riser  210 , the antifriction rotation assembly  270  is configured to prevent torquing. Torque generation materially affects bow accuracy. As stated earlier, torquing stems from and creates the following undesired effects: 1) offset relation or misalignment of the arrow axis to the handle grip as the bowstring is drawn back toward its maximum deflection, thus resulting in inherently imbalanced forces, wherein such imbalance of force puts a torque on the archer&#39;s holding hand and creates a misaligned thrust on the arrow; and 2) bowstring misalignment which is produced when an archer slightly twists the handle grip, while having the bowstring in a fully drawn position at the time of release of the arrow. This creates a misalignment which angles the bowstring away from its normal plane of travel. Thus, upon release of the arrow, the misaligned bowstring realigns during the string&#39;s forward thrust resulting in an unintended deviation in arrow&#39;s flight. The antifriction rotation assembly  270  is adapted to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in a friction-free manner about the longitudinal axis of shaft  240 , thereby preventing torque from being applied to the bow  205  and resulting in a substantially high degree of bow shooting accuracy. 
   The hand grip  260  includes a contoured rear portion  262  defined as a palm recess  263  to facilitate grip. The hand grip  260  is enveloped around the annular members  276  via a molding process so as to completely encapsulate or enclose the annular members  276  as well as the retaining rings  272  and shaft  240 . Common molding processes for constructing hand grip  260  include casting, injection or transfer molding, extrusion, thermoforming, blow molding, and rotational molding. The hand grip  260  is preferably constructed of a sufficiently flexible, shape-memory material  265  adapted to resume its original shape if compressed, but other fabrication materials such as metallic or metallic-plastic composite or wood may be utilized. It is envisioned that hand grip  260  is formed of a flexible, pliable plastic, rubber or elastomer, silicon, silicon rubber or siliconised polymer, or plastic polymer. Examples of acceptable materials for constructing hand grip  260  include neoprene, polyvinyl chloride, thermosensitive siliconised polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The flexible, shape-memory material  265  utilized for constructing hand grip  260  imparts additional important utility to the present invention. The hand grip  260  as described by the present invention prevents heeling and toeing of the bow when archer aims and shoots an arrow at a desired target. More specifically, the counterproductive pressure exertions applied by an archer resulting in the earlier described “heeling” or “toeing” effect are absorbed or consumed by hand grip&#39;s  260  pliable composition in a manner so as to maintain bow&#39;s proper vertical alignment about the bow midpoint when aiming and shooting an arrow. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 18 , alternatively, hand grip  260  may be formed of two halves  260   a ,  260   b  which are fastened together by fasteners  266  or any other suitable coupling means in a manner so as to effectively encase annular members  276 , retaining rings  272  and shaft  240 . In this embodiment, the two halves  260   a ,  260   b  are constructed of a rigid material  268  including metallic or metallic-plastic composite or wood. Hand grip half  260   a  is adapted with a contoured rear portion  269  defining a palm recess  269   a.    
   Referring now to  FIGS. 14-17 , and  19 , similar to the preferred embodiment, the antifriction rotation assembly  270  of the alternate embodiment is provided with a locking mechanism  280  adapted to quickly lock the rotatable handle grip  260  in a fixed position once archer has the bowstring in a fully drawn position and taken aim. The locking mechanism  280  is further adapted to be quickly released from a locked position. A depressible, spring-biased button  282 , extending outwardly from bracket  251  and located proximal to hand grip  260 , controls actuation of locking and release functions of locking mechanism  280 . A pin and retainer assembly  284  mechanically connects button  282  to antifriction rotation assembly  270  in a manner so as to instantly lock antifriction rotation assembly  270  in a selectively-desired, rotary position upon depression of button  282 . Button  282  is further adapted to instantly release annular members  276  from a locked position upon a subsequent depression of button  282 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 21-22 , in accordance with another embodiment, a rotatable grip assembly  300  comprises a rigid shaft  340  defining an upper end having a head  341  opposing a threaded lower end  343 . A primary mounting bracket  350  is provided for securely affixing shaft  340  to riser  210 . In this particular embodiment, the handle grip section  211  of a selected archery bow  205  is removed and is replaced by primary mounting bracket  350 . 
   The shaft  340  is adapted to be mounted directly rearward to the primary mounting bracket  350  so as to reside at an angular orientation with respect thereto as illustrated in  FIG. 21 . 
   Rotatable grip assembly  300  includes a hand grip  360  which is rotatably mounted to shaft  340 . The hand grip  360  is adapted to rotate in a friction-free manner about a longitudinal axis of shaft  340 . The rotatable grip assembly  300  is mounted in such a manner that the hand grip  360  component thereof resides rearward to and at an angular orientation with respect to the primary mounting bracket  350 . The primary mounting bracket  350  is mounted to the handle mount area  219  of riser  210 . The handle mount area  219  is defined as that area of riser  210  to which handle grip section  211  is typically molded integral or mounted. Rotatable grip assembly  300  is adapted to provide user with a greater draw length (approximately 3 inches) from which a greater arrow-propulsion force is produced, and hence translating into an increase in arrow speed by approximately 35-45 feet per second. Consequently, greater arrow speed also generates greater arrow flight distance. The hand grip  360  will be further described later in greater detail. 
   In order to facilitate friction-free rotation by hand grip  360  about a longitudinal axis of shaft  340 , bearings  342  are disposed along an upper end  362  and a lower end  363  of hand grip  360 . The bearings  342  disposed along the upper end  362  of hand grip  360  are housed within a groove  378  formed in a first annular member  376 . The bearings  342  disposed along the lower end  363  of hand grip  360  are housed within a groove  382  formed in a second annular member  380 . An upper flange  384  sits atop first annular member  376  and a lower flange  386  sits below second annular member  380 . The bearings  342  of first annular member  376  bear simultaneously against an upper end  362  or surface of hand grip  360  and upper flange  384 . The bearings  342  of second annular member  376  bear simultaneously against a lower end  363  or surface of hand grip  360  and lower flange  386 , thereby facilitating frictionless rotation by hand grip  360  between upper flange  384  and lower flange  386 . 
   A first auxiliary bracket  390  is mounted between the head  341  of rigid shaft  340  and the upper flange  384 . A second auxiliary bracket  396  is mounted between the lower flange  386  and a base flange  388  which rests atop coupling elements  398  or bolts which are tightened around threaded lower end  343  of shaft  340 . First and second auxiliary brackets  390 ,  396  are adapted to securably mount shaft  340  to the primary mounting bracket  350 . The first auxiliary bracket  390  includes a threaded stem  392  projecting therefrom which is threadedly received within a threaded aperture  352  defined through an inner, rear sidewall  355  of primary mounting bracket  350  along an upper portion thereof. The first auxiliary bracket  390  is securably mounted to primary mounting bracket  350  via coupling elements  393  or bolts tightened around threaded stem  392 . The second auxiliary bracket  396  includes a threaded stem  397  projecting therefrom which is threadedly received within a threaded aperture  354  defined through the inner, rear sidewall  355  of primary mounting bracket  350  along a lower portion thereof. The second auxiliary bracket  396  is securably mounted to primary mounting bracket  350  via coupling elements  393  or bolts tightened around threaded stem  397 . 
   The primary mounting bracket  350  defines an elongated configuration constructed of a rigid material such as metal. The primary mounting bracket  350  defines a front sidewall  356  opposing a rear sidewall  355  and opposing lateral walls  357 . The front sidewall  356  defines an outer contour designed and configured to mate with a contour  219   a  defining the handle mount area  219  of riser  210 . Thus, primary mounting bracket  350  is sizably adapted, shaped and configured to conform to and fit snugly against the contour  219   a  of handle mount area  219 . 
   In order to securely mount primary mounting bracket  350  to riser  210 , a threaded fastener  400  is advanced through a mesial threaded aperture  358  defined through the inner, rear sidewall  355  of primary mounting bracket  350  along a lower portion thereof, above threaded aperture  354 , and advanced further through a threaded aperture  210   c  defined in riser  210 . An enlarged circular recess  359  is provided at entrance of mesial threaded aperture  358  in order to accommodate the head  401  of threaded fastener  400 . In addition, a generally C-shaped mounting bracket  500  is provided which includes a plurality of spatially-aligned threaded apertures  502 . The threaded apertures  502  are defined through an upper sidewall  510 , a lower sidewall  512 , and a rear sidewall  514  of C-shaped mounting bracket  500 . The C-shaped mounting bracket  500  includes a primary bracket receiving recess  520  within which the front sidewall  210   a  of riser  210  and the opposing lateral walls  357  of primary mounting bracket  350  engage. Threaded fasteners  520  are advanced through threaded apertures  502  of C-shaped mounting bracket  500 , thereby securing primary mounting bracket  350  to riser  210  via mechanical interference. 
   The hand grip  360  includes a plurality of integrally-molded finger gripping channels  366  to facilitate grip. The hand grip  360  may be enveloped about the external circumferential surface thereof with a sufficiently flexible, shape-memory material  365  adapted to resume its original shape if compressed. Suitable fabrication materials  365  include a flexible, pliable plastic, rubber or elastomer, silicon, silicon rubber or siliconised polymer, or plastic polymer. More specifically, fabrication materials include neoprene, polyvinyl chloride, thermosensitive siliconised polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The enveloped hand grip  360  is adapted to prevent heeling and toeing of the bow when archer aims and shoots an arrow at a desired target. More specifically, the counterproductive pressure exertions applied by an archer resulting in the “heeling” or “toeing” effect are absorbed or consumed by hand grip&#39;s  360  pliable composition in a manner so as to maintain bow&#39;s proper vertical alignment about the bow midpoint when aiming and shooting an arrow. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 14-20 , the rotatable grip assembly  200 , as defined by the first alternate embodiment, is envisioned to be commercially available and sold as an aftermarket accessory for commercially-available archery bows  205 . The rotatable grip assembly  200 , as an aftermarket accessory, is intended to be sold as a kit  288 , wherein kit  288  comprises a package  290  for housing at least one pair of mounting brackets  250 , an antifriction rotation assembly  270 , a hand grip  260 , an instruction leaflet  292 , a plurality of fasteners  256 , and other components as may be required including but not limited to clips, washers, bolts, anchors, and adhesive. The kit  288  provides consumers with an aftermarket, add-on accessory for archery bows  205 , wherein aftermarket accessory is more specifically defined as a rotatable grip assembly  200  adapted for removable attachment to an archery bow  205  or hunting bow. 
   Further in accordance with the first alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for mounting the rotatable grip assembly  200  to an archery bow  205  or hunting bow, wherein the method comprises the steps of drilling apertures through a front side wall and rear side wall of riser  210 , removing the pair of mounting brackets  250  with attached hand grip  260  from the package  290 , and securing first and second mounting bracket  251 ,  254  to riser  210  by fasteners  256 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 21-23 , the rotatable grip assembly  300 , as defined by the second alternate embodiment, is envisioned to be commercially available and sold as an aftermarket accessory for commercially-available archery bows  205 . The rotatable grip assembly  300 , as an aftermarket accessory, is intended to be sold as a kit  600 , wherein kit  600  comprises a package  610  for housing a first auxiliary bracket  390 , a second auxiliary bracket  396 , a primary mounting bracket  350 , at least one threaded fastener  520 , a plurality of threaded fasteners  400 , a first annular member  376  with bearings  342  housed therein, a second annular member  380  with bearings  342  housed therein, an upper flange  384 , a lower flange  386 , a base flange  388 , a plurality of coupling elements  393 , a rigid shaft  340 , a hand grip  360 , an instruction leaflet  292 , a plurality of coupling elements  398 , and other components as may be required including but not limited to clips, washers, bolts, anchors, and adhesive. The kit  600  provides consumers with an aftermarket, add-on accessory for archery bows  205 , wherein aftermarket accessory is more specifically defined as a rotatable grip assembly  300  adapted for removable attachment to an archery bow  205  or hunting bow. 
   Further in accordance with the second alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for mounting the rotatable grip assembly  300  to an archery bow  205  or hunting bow, wherein the method comprises the steps of placing the primary mounting bracket  350  with attached hand grip  360  snugly against the contour  219   a  of the handle mount area  219  of riser  210 , advancing threaded fastener  400  through the mesial threaded aperture  358  defined through the inner, rear sidewall  355  of primary mounting bracket  350  along a lower portion thereof and further advancing threaded fastener  400  through threaded aperture  210   c  defined in riser  210  until tight, placing the C-shaped mounting bracket  500  over both the front sidewall  210   a  of riser  210  and the opposing lateral walls  357  of primary mounting bracket  350 , and advancing threaded fasteners  520  through threaded apertures  502  of C-shaped mounting bracket  500  in a manner such that primary mounting bracket  350  is fixedly secured to riser  210  via mechanical interference. 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   To use the present invention, user grasps rotatable hand grip  40  inside the palm of user&#39;s chosen hand for bracing purposes, and inserts bowstring  28  within the slit of the nock of an arrow. User next draws back arrow by pulling nock rearward while simultaneously resting arrow shaft on the arrow rest component. After taking careful aim at a desired target, user releases arrow. 
   The use of the present invention allows an archer to eliminate heeling, toeing, and torquing of an archery bow when aiming and shooting an arrow in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. 
   Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following Claims.