Patent Publication Number: US-6904900-B2

Title: Archery bow with swing arm cable guard and fall-away arrow rest

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/205,388 filed on Jul. 25, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,371, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/768,704 filed on Jan. 24, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,385. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is directed to an archery bow having a swing arm cable guard which is mounted to the archery bow riser. A cable saver located on the cable guard retains the cables and separates the cables and the bow string. The cable saver is adjustably mounted on the cable guard so that the distance between the cables and bow string may be varied without disassembling of the bow, to permit arrow fletchings of different sizes to pass therebetween. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Cable guards are utilized in compound archery bows when the cable and bow string are too closely spaced laterally to permit the free passage of the fletching of an arrow therebetween. The cable guard typically includes a cable saver which separates the cables and bow string so that the arrow may pass therebetween. One such cable guard, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,213 for a “Swing Arm Cable Guard”. This patent discloses a cable guard including a support member and a swing arm pivotally connected thereto. The cable saver, which is referred to in the patent as a cable retaining means, has two bores for retaining the cables and is pivotally mounted on the swing arm. The angle between the support member and the swing arm is such that when the bow is drawn, the distance between the cables, which are retained in the cable saver retaining means, and the plane of the bow string travel, is less than the distance between the cables and the plane of bow string travel when the bow is at rest. Since the cables are closer to the plane of bow string travel when the bow is drawn, the cables and bow limbs are less stressed when the bow is drawn. The cable guard retaining means is not adjustable to change the distance between the cable saver and bow string, so as to allow fletchings of different sizes to pass therebetween. 
   Another cable guard is disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 09/368,823 for an “Archery Bow Having an incrementally Adjustable Cable Guard”. This application is directed to an incrementally adjustable cable guard whereby the distance between the cable saver and the bow string may be varied to accommodate arrow fletchings of different sizes while still permitting the free passage of the arrow being shot. However, in order to vary the distance between the cable saver and the bow string, the string and cables are removed from the cable saver; then serrated teeth on a handle portion must be properly positioned with serrated teeth on an elbow portion of a support arm to vary the distance between the cable saver and the bow string the desired amount; and thereafter the bow must be assembled to reestablish the proper tension. 
   The cable guard disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 09/368,830 for an “Archery Bow Having a Side Mounted Swing Arm Cable Guard” is directed to a swing arm cable guard which is rigidly mounted on the side of the archery bow riser. The cable guard extends outwardly and upwardly from the side of the handle to the horizontal centerline of the bow. By moving the cable displacement away from the limb tips, there is less limb torque and the limbs travel straighter during the draw cycle of the bow. Shims may be provided between the riser and the cable guard to vary the distance between the riser and the cable guard to accommodate arrow fletchings of different sizes. To vary the distance between the cable saver and the bow string, the string and cables are removed from the cable saver, the proper number of shims must be installed, and the bow must be reassembled to provide the proper tension. 
   The patent and applications discussed above are owned by the assignee of the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to an archery bow having a swing arm cable guard which is mounted on or mounted to the archery bow riser. The cable guard comprises a cable saver which controls the path of the cables to separate the cables and the bow string so that the arrow fletching may pass between the cables and the bow string when the arrow is shot. The cable saver is adjustably mounted on the cable guard so that the distance between the cables and bow string may be varied, without disassembling of the bow, to allow arrow fletchings of different sizes to pass therebetween. 
   An alternative preferred embodiment is directed to a bow with a cable guard and a fall-away arrow rest assembly. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cable saver on a cable guard, and wherein the cable saver may be adjusted to vary the distance between the cables and the bow string. 
   It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a cable saver on a cable guard and wherein the cable saver may be conveniently adjusted to vary the distance between the cables and the bow string. 
   It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cable saver on a cable guard, wherein the cable saver may be conveniently adjusted to vary the distance between the cables and the bow string without having to relax the tension in the cables. 
   Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same become better understood by references to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of an archery bow having a swing arm cable guard which includes the adjustably mounted cable saver of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the swing arm cable guard having a first embodiment of the adjustably mounted cable saver of the present invention and wherein the archery bow is in the brace position. 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the swing arm cable guard of  FIG. 2  when the archery bow is in the drawn position. 
       FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of the swing arm cable guard having a second embodiment of the adjustably mounted cable saver of the present invention and wherein the archery bow is in the drawn position. 
       FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of the e-clip used with the second embodiment of the adjustably mounted cable saver of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the adjustably mounted cable saver of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the adjustably mounted cable saver of the present invention in the position closest to the bow string to accommodate an arrow having a smaller fletching. 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the adjustably mounted cable server of the present invention in a position furthest from the bow string to accommodate an arrow having a larger fletching. 
       FIG. 7  is a rear elevational view, as viewed by the archer, of the archery bow riser having the swing arm cable guard mounted thereon. 
       FIG. 8  is a left side elevational view of the riser and swing arm cable guard shown in  FIG. 7  when the archery bow is in the brace position 
       FIG. 9  is a left side elevational view of the riser and swing arm cable guard shown in  FIG. 7  when the archery bow is in the drawn position. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a riser section in an alternate preferred embodiment with a cable guard and fall-away arrow rest when the archery bow is in the brace position. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10  when the archery bow is in the drawn position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   There is shown in  FIG. 1  a compound archery bow  2 , which includes a riser  4  having a handle portion  6 . Riser  4  has flat sides and is connected at one end to an upper limb  8  and at the other end to a lower limb  10 . A dual-feed cam  12  is mounted on an axial pin which extends through the bottom of lower limb  10 . A concentric pulley wheel  14  is mounted on an axial pin which extends through the top of upper limb  8 . While the illustrated bow is a dual-feed single-cam compound bow of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,006, it will be apparent that the cable guard of the present invention may be used with other types of compound bows. 
   A string has a medial portion trained around concentric pulley wheel  14  to form bow string  18  and a secondary return string  20 . The ends of bow string  18  and secondary return string  20  pass around eccentric peripheral groove portions of the cam  12  and are connected to it, so that when the bow is shot, bowstring  18  and return string  20  will be fed out from cam  12 . An anchor cable  22  is anchored at one end to the axle which extends through the top of upper limb  8 . The other end of anchor cable  22  passes around an eccentric peripheral groove portion of cam  12  and is connected to it. In this manner, anchor cable  22  forms a direct connection between the limbs  8  and  10 . 
   A cable guard  24 , as seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , includes an attachment portion  26 , which is connected to the side of riser  4  below the handle portion  6  and an integral support arm  28 . Attachment portion  26  is rigidly connected to riser  4  beneath handle  6  by conventional socket head cap screws  27 . Attachment portion  26  also includes openings  34  and  36  for the purpose of reducing the weight of the cable guard. One end of a swing arm  38  is pivotally connected in an upward direction to support arm  28  at pivot end  40  and the other end of swing arm  38  has a cable retaining means, or cable saver  42  pivotally connected thereto. Cable saver  42  includes cable retaining openings  44  and  46  which retain return string  20  and anchor cable  22 . As best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , cable retaining opening  44 , which is deeper than cable retaining opening  46 , retains the secondary return string  20 . Cable retaining opening  46  retains the anchor cable  22 . 
   The manner in which a preferred embodiment of cable server  42  is adjustably mounted on swing arm  38  of cable guard  24  is shown in  FIGS. 4 through 6 . Cable saver  42  is pivotally secured on a socket head cap screw  50 , having a head  58  thereon, which includes a threaded portion  54  slidable through a threaded opening in swing arm  38  and threaded in knurled knob  56 . Threaded portion  54  of cable saver  42  is slidable within swing arm  38  of cable guard  24  to achieve the desired distance between the cable guard  24  and the arrow on bow string  18 . The desired distance between the cable guard  24  and the arrow is dependent upon the width of the fletching of the arrow being shot. It is desired that the distance between the fletching and the secondary return string  20  and anchor cable  22  carried by cable saver  42  be as small as possible to reduce torque while permitting the fletching to pass therethrough. 
   In  FIG. 5 , the arrow  19 , only the rear portion of which is shown, carried on the bow string includes a fletching  21  of relatively small width compared to the fletching  25  on arrow  23  shown in FIG.  6 . Therefore, the desired distance between the cable saver  42  and the arrow  19  shown in  FIG. 5  is relatively small, as compared to the distance between the cable saver  42  and the arrow  23  shown in FIG.  6 . Depending on the size of the fletching of the arrow being shot, the distance between the cable saver  42  and the arrow may vary between the distances shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The threaded portion  54  of cable saver  42  is moved within swing arm  38  of cable guard  24  until the desired distance between cable saver  42  and the arrow is achieved and the knurled knob  56  is rotated clockwise until the bottom of cable saver  42  is in contact with the top of knurled knob  56 . In this manner, knurled knob  56  maintains cable saver  42  at the desired distance from the arrow on bow string  18 . 
   In addition to the cable saver described above, there is shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  another means for adjustably mounting the cable saver  42  on the swing arm  38 . In this embodiment, cable saver  43  includes a shank  45  having three spaced annular grooves therein. Two of the groves,  47  and  49 , are shown in FIG.  3 A and the third groove, located above grooves  47  and  49 , is not visible because an e-clip  51  is mounted thereon. The shank  45  of cable saver  43  is slidable within the swing arm  38  of cable guard  24  to achieve the desired distance between the cable saver  43  and the arrow. 
   An e-clip  51  includes spring fingers  53  having an opening  54  therebetween which is slightly smaller than the thickness of the annular grooves. To mount the e-clip  51  on an annular groove, the spring fingers  53  are spread apart and placed around the annular groove and then released. When released the spring fingers  53  are in biased engagement with the annular grooves, and lug  55  of e-clip  51  is in frictional contact with the opposite side of the annular groove. Thus, e-clip  51  is maintained in an annular groove by contact of the spring fingers  53  and lug  55  against the annular groove. 
   It will be appreciated that, after the shank  45  of cable saver  43  is moved within the swing arm  38  of cable guard  24  to the desired distance, e-clip  51  is selectively mounted in the corresponding annular groove (i.e. the groove closest to the position of the bottom of cable saver  43 ). The bottom of cable saver  43  is in contact with the top of e-clip  51  to maintain the cable saver  43  at a fixed distance from the arrow on the bow string  18 . The distance between the cable saver  43  and the bow string  18  will depend on which annular groove is selected to mount the e-clip  51 . Thus, if the annular groove selected is that indicated in  FIG. 3A , (i.e., the uppermost groove) the fixed distance between the cable saver  43  and the on arrow bow string  18  will be the greatest. This is the distance desired when the arrow fletching is of large width. On the other hand, if the annular groove  49  is selected for mounting e-clip  51 , the fixed distance between the cable saver  43  and the bow string  18  will be the least. If annular groove  47  is selected for mounting e-clip  51 , then the distance between the cable server  43  and the arrow on bow string  18  will be intermediate these two previously discussed distances. 
   As seen in  FIG. 7  attachment portion  26  of cable guard  24  extends outwardly and upwardly from riser  4  to the centerline of the bow. As a result of the upward position of attachment portion  26 , and the upward direction of swing arm  38 , cable retaining means  42  is also closer to the horizontal centerline of the bow or, stated otherwise, cable retaining means  42  is further from the tips of upper limb  8  and lower limb  10 . Therefore, the position at which the return string  20  and anchor cable  22  are displaced by the cable retaining means will be further from the tips of upper limb  8  and lower limb  10  and there will be less torque on the limbs when the arrow is shot. As a result, the limbs will travel straighter during the draw cycle of the bow and the shot will be more accurate. 
   The operation of cable guard  24  can be seen in  FIG. 8  wherein the bow is in the brace position and  FIG. 9  wherein the bow is in the drawn position. When bow string  18  is drawn, string  20  and cable  22  move in the direction of bow string  18  as swing arm  38 , having cable retaining means  42  thereon, is caused to be pivoted counter-clockwise to the positions shown in FIG.  9 . After the shot, swing arm  38  pivots clockwise to return to the brace position shown in FIG.  8 . 
   A further preferred embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , shows in combination a bow with a swing arm cable guard and a fall-away arrow rest. The basic bow is one as described herein having a riser portion  4  with handle  6 . Bow string  18  has a return cable  20  and an anchoring cable  22  retained by a cable guard  42  with a threaded fastener  50  on swing arm  38 . The pivot end  40  of the swing arm  38  is pivotally connected to an attachment member  28  mounted to and extending from riser  4 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cable guard optionally includes string vibration dampener  100 . 
   In the illustrated preferred embodiment, a fall-away arrow rest assembly  70  is mounted to riser  4  using bracket arm  72 . Arrow support arms  76  are coupled to pivot member  74  which is pivotally mounted to bracket arm  72 . Preferably support arms  76  are biased to a down position, for example with a spring. Pivot member  74  includes a cable connection point such as bell crank bracket  78 . Cable  80  extends from a mounting point on the arrow rest assembly, such as bracket  78 , to an opposing mounting point on swing arm  40 . The word cable is used broadly to include a wire, metal, cable, string, strand braid or similar material which transmits a pulling force when the bow is extended and is releasable to provide slack when the bow is released. In one preferred embodiment, the arrow rest end  86  of cable  80  is connected to the bell crank bracket  78  of the arrow rest, and the opposing end portion  84  of cable  80  is connected to the mounting point on swing arm  40 . Although reference is made to the ends of cable  80  herein, it is understood to include cable segments either adjacent the end or functioning as an end portion along the cable&#39;s length for purposes of the invention, even though additional cable length may extend past the mounting position. 
   In one preferred embodiment, opposing end  84  of cable  80  is mounted to swing arm  40  using a cam screw  90 . Cam screw  90  is received within a pretapped bore  92  in swing arm  40 . Appropriate threading is well known in the industry, and in a preferred embodiment a 6-32 tapped hole is used. Cam screw  90  preferably includes a sufficiently wide cap head to clamp the end or a portion of cable  80  securely between the cam screw head and swing arm  40 . In one embodiment, the preferred length between the swing arm and the arrow rest assembly may be adjusted by loosening cam screw  90 , adjusting the cable to the desired length between the arrow rest assembly and the swing arm, and re-tightening the cam screw. 
   In operation, at a rest or braced position (FIG.  10 ), bow string  18  is in its rest configuration along with swing arm  40 , and arrow support arms  76  are in the lowered position to which they are biased. As bow string  18  and the bow are drawn to a full position (FIG.  11 ), the last few inches of draw preferably cause swing arm  40  to rotate away from the riser, concurrently pulling cable  80 . The pull on cable  80  causes the support arms  76  to pivot to a vertical position, raising an arrow (not shown) to a position above handle  6  and aligning the arrow with the desired flight path F. When string  18  is released, it retracts forward to propel the arrow, as is well known, wherein swing arm  40  pivots toward riser  4  and the slack in cable  80  allows the arrow support arm  76  to fall or return to a horizontal or rest position. 
   Having thus described the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention. It is therefore understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.