Patent Publication Number: US-2011056474-A1

Title: Archery bow stabilizer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/201,432 filed on Dec. 10, 2008 by the present inventors, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to an arm stabilizer or in particular, an arm stabilizer for bows. The bow and arrow as a means for launching a projectile at a distant target is ancient. The bow and arrow suffers from inherent accuracy deficiencies due to the mechanics of drawing the bow and launching the arrow. If the bow is not drawn to the same position each time the bow is drawn, the flight path of the arrow launched from the bow will be changed each time the arrow is released. The mechanics of drawing and aiming a bow and arrow are such that it is difficult to hold the bow steady when the bow is fully drawn. 
     Numerous, inefficient attempts have been made to aid the bowman in developing a consistent draw and/or to provide a steady-rest for a bowman while holding a bow in the drawn position. The present invention relates to a bow stabilizer and more particularly to a portable lightweight bow stabilizer that corrects the natural offset due to the bowman pulling and holding the draw. 
     Relevant prior art includes: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,414 
                 July 2003 
                 McMillan, III 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,707 
                 January 2001 
                 Howell, et. al. 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,867 
                 October, 1994 
                 Vest 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,301 
                 May 1985 
                 A&#39;Costa 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The known bow stabilizers of the prior art have certain disadvantages and limitations. Although the devices of the prior art may be used to support the weight of the bow during extended periods of time, the bow cannot be easily engaged without pulling away from the intended target. This undesirable movement results from the force of the draw hand pulling the bow to the side. 
     Another disadvantage of the prior art devices is that such devices are physically attached to the bow and do not allow easy removal. These devices remain in place and potentially interfere with the bowman&#39;s line of vision or freedom of movement in aiming at the intended target. Other disadvantages of the devices of the prior art is that they are in general bulky and add additional weight to the bow. Other disadvantages of the devices of the prior art is that they are composed of rigid elements and do not allow for adjustment in device arm length to suit the individual needs of a particular bowman. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for a bow stabilizer that does not possess the limitations stated above. In particular, a need exists for a bow stabilizer that compensates for sideward pull and allows for adjustment in length. Additionally, this bow stabilizer should be portable and lightweight. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a bow stabilizer which satisfies all the foregoing needs. The bow stabilizer does not interfere with the bowman&#39;s line of sight. The force of the draw hand pulling the draw is offset, since the bow stabilizer provides a means of tensioning in order to counteract draw pull. The stabilizer is portable and lightweight; and allows adjustment for the individual bowman. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the bow stabilizer. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the bow stabilizer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description includes the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. Reference is made to  FIGS. 1-2 , which shows the arm or bow stabilizer  10  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The invention may be referred to as an arm stabilizer since it stabilizes the arm for steadying an archery bow, pistol, video camera, and the like. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates bow stabilizer  10  of this invention in one of its simplest forms is shown as an elongated strap-like device. A flexible 18 inch loop or strap  11  is attached to a rectangular eye bolt  12 . The rectangular eye bolt  12  is attached or coupled to a length of flexible tubing  13  and padding assembly  14 . The opposite end of flexible tubing  13  and padding assembly  14  is attached or coupled to a second rectangular eye bolt  12 . The length of flexible tubing  13  is in the middle section between the flexible 18 inch loop or strap  11  and the flexible 36 inch loop or strap  16 . The length of flexible tubing  13  serves to linearly connect the loops and to provide a tensioning means or force in the bow stabilizer  10 . As shown on  FIG. 2 , wire ties  15  secure the rectangular eye bolts  12  to the flexible tubing  13  at both ends. The second rectangular eye bolt  12  is attached to a flexible 36 inch loop or strap  16 . The flexible 36 inch loop or strap  16  is attached to a slider buckle  17  which slides the length of flexible 36 inch loop or strap  16 . The flexible 36 inch loop or strap  16  attaches on the shoulder of the bowman. The bowman adjusts the flexible 36 inch loop or strap  16  to the appropriate length to fit his shoulder. The bowman inserts the flexible 18 inch loop or strap  11  which serves as a stirrup, inside his hand. 
     Operation of the invention involves the bowman raising the bow until it creates a tension in flexible tubing  13  and thereby creating a tension in the bow stabilizer  10 . This causes the plane of the bow to come into a vertical attitude. An upward tension is maintained in flexible tubing  13  thereby stabilizing and fixing the bowman&#39;s hold of the draw. The padding assembly  14  prevents the bowman&#39;s arm from rubbing against the flexible tubing  13 . In normal shooting, holding the draw pulls the plane of the bow in the direction of the draw hand. However, the tension in flexible tubing  13  counteracts the draw pull and maintains the plane of the bow in the vertical position. The resulting consistently reproducible positioning and stable holding of the draw results in markedly superior shooting accuracy and consistency over that which would be achieved by the same bowman without the bow stabilizer  10  of this invention. 
     The bow stabilizer  10  may be constructed from traditional materials used to fabricate slings and the like. These materials include leather, plastic, rubber, cordura, and the like. The flexible tubing  13  and padding assembly  14  run parallel to one another, so that the padding assembly  14  protects the bowman&#39;s arm from contact with the flexible tubing  13 . The bow stabilizer  10  can be designed in larger and smaller sizes. The flexible tubing  13  serves as a means of tensioning the bow stabilizer  10 . A means of tensioning may be achieved by other elastic elements including a spring, rubber cord, or the like. 
     Many variations of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Some variations include the bow stabilizer  10  dimensions; and the number and size of the flexible tubing  13 , flexible 18 inch loop or strap  11 , and flexible 36 inch loop or strap  16 . Other variations include the mechanism by which the tension is created; for example, a spring creating the tension as opposed to flexible tubing  13 . The bow stabilizer  10  in this invention can also be used to hold and stabilize a pistol or other firearm. All such variations are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. Although some embodiments are shown to include certain features, the applicant specifically contemplates that any feature disclosed herein may be used together or in combination with any other feature on any embodiment of the invention. It is also contemplated that any feature may be specifically excluded from any embodiment of an invention.