Patent Publication Number: US-5890478-A

Title: Bow support device for archers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to archery, and more particularly to a support device which clips to the nock of a loaded arrow, allowing a hunter to release his grip on the bow while awaiting the approach of game. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The archery art includes several devices which provide an archer some relief from the fatigue of continually gripping his bow while hunting or awaiting the approach of wild game. Such devices include: (1) holsters which hang from the archer&#39;s belt and which receive the lower tip of the bow, thus supporting the weight of the bow and arrow; (2) racks which attach to the archer&#39;s tree stand or the like and hold a loaded bow; and (3) slings which attach to the bow and pass over the archer&#39;s shoulder, thus supporting the weight of the bow. While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, none allow the archer to completely release his grasp of the bow and yet maintain the bow at a ready position requiring minimal movement to regrasp it when wild game should appear. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, the bow support device that forms the basis of the present invention comprises a spring-loaded alligator type clip for attachment to the nock of a loaded arrow which is suspended from an archer&#39;s person, allowing the archer to release his grasp on the bow for extended periods of time while stalking or awaiting the approach of wild game. A first embodiment utilizes an alligator type clip for securement of the device to the archer&#39;s clothing, as for instance to the flap of a jacket pocket, while a second embodiment suspends the nock attaching clip from around the archer&#39;s neck. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention in use; 
     FIG. 2 is a close-up perspective view of the first embodiment; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention and the nock of an arrow to be secured within the alligator type clip; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention in use. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 depicts an archer utilizing the present invention, depicted generally at 10. As clearly seen, the invention 10 allows the archer to release his grip on the loaded bow 20 while it hangs from his jacket pocket flap 12. 
     Referring also to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the invention 10 is seen to comprise a first spring-loaded alligator type clip 30, a second spring-loaded alligator type nock clip 32, and a strap 34, fabricated from leather or other similar durable, flexible material, which connects the two clips 30, 32 together. In a preferred embodiment, the two clips 30, 32 are substantially enclosed within a covering 36, also preferably fabricated from leather. The first clip 30 attaches to the archer&#39;s person, as for instance to a jacket pocket flap 12 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The second clip 32 is secured upon the nock 26 of an arrow 24 after the nock 26 has been affixed upon the bow string 22. The arrow 24 may be further releasably attached to the bow by an arrow holder 28 (FIG. 1). 
     A second embodiment of the invention 10&#39; is depicted in FIG. 4, wherein the first clip 30 has been replaced with a flexible loop 40, preferably fabricated from the same material as the strap 34, which passes around the archer&#39;s neck. The loop 40 may be attached directly to the nock clip 32, or may attach to an intervening strap 34 as depicted. 
     Although only an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. 
     In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.