Patent Publication Number: US-11639835-B2

Title: Arrow rest adjustment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/044,918, filed Jun. 26, 2020, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to archery and more specifically to arrow rests. 
     Archery bows are generally known in the art and are used to launch arrows. While the bow is drawn and aimed, an arrow is often supported at two locations—the nocking point and the arrow rest. An arrow rest desirably supports the arrow during the aiming process but does not impact or interfere with the arrow during the launch event. 
     There remains a need for novel arrow rest designs that provide benefits beyond the capabilities of known arrow rest designs. 
     All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below. 
     A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In some embodiments, an arrow rest comprises a first body portion arranged for attachment to an archery bow and a second body portion attached to the first body portion. The second body portion comprises an arrow support member. The second body portion is moveable with respect to the first body portion along an arcuate path. 
     In some embodiments, the first body portion comprises a track and the track comprises an arcuate shape. 
     In some embodiments, the arrow support member comprises a contact point arranged to contact an arrow. In some embodiments, moving the second body portion with respect to the first body portion rotates the arrow support member about the contact point. In some embodiments, the contact point comprises a center of the arcuate path. 
     In some embodiments, the arrow rest comprises an adjustment mechanism arranged to move the second body portion with respect to the first body portion. 
     In some embodiments, an arrow rest comprises a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion is arranged for attachment to an archery bow and comprises a track comprising an arcuate shape. The second body portion is attached to the first body portion and moveable with respect to the first body portion along the track. The second body portion comprises an arrow support member. 
     In some embodiments, the arcuate shape comprises a rotation axis and the arrow support member extends in a radial direction from the rotation axis. 
     In some embodiments, the arcuate shape comprises a rotation axis and the arrow support member intersects the rotation axis. 
     These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference can be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described various embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings. 
         FIG.  1    shows an embodiment of an archery bow. 
         FIG.  2    shows an embodiment of an arrow rest. 
         FIG.  3    shows another view of an embodiment of the arrow rest. 
         FIG.  4    shows another view of an embodiment of the arrow rest. 
         FIG.  5    shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the arrow rest. 
         FIG.  6    shows an embodiment of an arrow rest on a bow at multiple orientations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated. 
       FIG.  1    shows an embodiment of an archery bow  10 . In some embodiments, a bow  10  comprises a riser  12 , a first limb  14 , a second limb  16  and a bowstring  18 . In some embodiments, a bow  10  further comprises a first rotatable member  20 , a second rotatable member  22 , a first power cable  24  and a second power cable  26 . In some embodiments, the bow  10  comprises a cable guard  28  arranged to displace the cables  24 ,  26  away from the shooting axis. 
     In some embodiments, the bow  10  comprises an arrow rest  30 . Desirably, the arrow rest  10  is arranged to support an arrow  11 . In some embodiments, a bow  10  supports an arrow  11  at a first location  31  and a second location  33 . In some embodiments, the first location  31  comprises a contact location between the arrow  11  and the arrow rest  30 . In some embodiments, the second location  33  comprises a contact location between the arrow  11  and the bowstring  18 . In some embodiments, the second location  33  comprises a nocking point  19 . 
       FIG.  2 - 4    show different views of an embodiment of an arrow rest  30 .  FIG.  5    shows an exploded view. 
     Desirably, an arrow rest  30  comprises a body  40  arranged for attachment to an archery bow. Desirably, the arrow rest  30  comprises a support member  32  arranged to contact and support an arrow. In some embodiments, the support member  32  comprises a notch  34  arranged to receive an arrow. In some embodiments, the support member  32  is supported by the body  40 . 
     In some embodiments, the body  40  comprises a first body portion  41  and a second body portion  42 . In some embodiments, the second body portion  42  is moveable with respect to the first body portion  41 . In some embodiments, the first body portion  41  is arranged for attachment to an archery bow and the second body portion  42  comprises the support member  32 . Thus, in some embodiments, movement of the second body portion  42  with respect to the first body portion  41  can move the support member  32  with respect to the archery bow. 
     In some embodiments, the second body portion  42  is arranged to move along an arcuate path with respect to the first body portion  41 . In some embodiments, the first body portion  41  comprises a track  50  and the track  50  comprises an arcuate shape. In some embodiments, the second body portion  42  is arranged to move along a length of the track  50 . 
     In some embodiments, a track  50  comprises a raised portion  52 . In some embodiments, the second body portion  42  comprises a cavity  60  and the raised portion  52  is oriented in the cavity  60 . In some embodiments, the raised portion  52  comprises a contoured shape and the cavity  60  comprises a complimentary shape. In some embodiments, the raised portion  52  comprises a dovetail shape. 
     In some embodiments, a track  50  comprises a recess  54 . In some embodiments, a recess  54  comprises an arcuate shape. In some embodiments, the second body portion  42  comprises a protrusion  62  oriented in the recess  54 . In some embodiments, a track  50  comprises a second recess  56 . In some embodiments, the second body portion  42  comprises a second protrusion  64  oriented in the second recess  56 . 
     In some embodiments, the arrow rest  30  defines a rotation axis  70 . In some embodiments, the second body portion  42  rotates about the rotation axis  70  as the second body portion  42  moves with respect to the first body portion  41 . In some embodiments, the rotation axis  70  comprises the center of an arcuate path traveled by the second body portion  42 . In some embodiments, the rotation axis  70  comprises the center of an arcuate shape defined by the track  50 . In some embodiments, the rotation axis  70  comprises the center of an arcuate shape defined by a recess  54 ,  56 . 
     In some embodiments, a portion of the support member  32  is oriented on the rotation axis  70 . In some embodiments, a tip  35  of the support member  32  is oriented on the rotation axis  70 . In some embodiments, a contact point  37  comprises a location of contact between the support member  32  and an arrow being supported by the support member  32 . In some embodiments, one or more contact point(s)  37  are located on the rotation axis  70 . In some embodiments, a contact point  37  is offset from a tip  35  of the support member  32 . In some embodiments, contact point(s)  37  are located along surface(s) of the notch  34 . 
     In some embodiments, a length of the support member  32  is oriented in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis  70 . In some embodiments, at least a portion of the support member  42  is oriented parallel to a reference line oriented in a radial direction extending from the rotation axis  70 . 
     In some embodiments, the support member  32  comprises a fixed-blade style arrow rest, wherein the arrow rest  30  remains relatively static as an arrow is launched. 
     In some embodiments, the support member  32  is arranged to move as the bow is drawn and/or an arrow is launched. For example, in some embodiments, the support member  32  is arranged to drop away as an arrow is launched. In some embodiments, the second body portion  42  comprises a support arm  36  arranged to support the support member  32 . In some embodiments, the support arm  36  and support member  32  are arranged to move as an arrow is launched. In some embodiments, the support arm  36  and support member  32  are arranged to rotate with respect to the second body portion  42  as an arrow is launched. In some embodiments, the support arm  36  and support member  32  are arranged to rotate about a central axis of the support arm  36 . The movement of the support member  32  can be achieve using any suitable structure. In some embodiments, the arrow rest  30  comprises features as described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,634,349, 6,789,536, 7,963,279 and/or US 2017/0074614, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     In some embodiments, the second body portion  42  comprises a key  44 . In some embodiments, movement or detachment of the key  44  allows the second body portion  42  to disengage the first body portion  41 . In some embodiments, the key  44  at least partially defines the cavity  60 . In some embodiments, the key  44  comprises a protrusion  64 . 
     In some embodiments, the body  40  further comprises a third body portion  43 . In some embodiments, the third body portion  43  is attached to the first body portion  41 . In some embodiments, the third body portion  43  is arranged for attachment to an archery bow  10  and allows for adjustment of the first body portion  41  with respect to the archery bow  10 . In some embodiments, the third body portion  43  comprises a first slot  46  arranged for adjustment of the first body portion  41  with respect to the archery bow  10  in a first direction, such as a vertical adjustment. In some embodiments, the third body portion  43  comprises a second slot  46  arranged for adjustment of the first body portion  41  with respect to the archery bow  10  in a second direction, such as a horizontal direction. 
     In some embodiments, the first body portion  41  is configured to engage an archery bow  10 , for example comprising a mounting arrangement as disclosed in US 2020/0132410, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     In some embodiments, the first body portion  41  comprises a clamp structure arranged to engage a riser  12 . In some embodiments, the arrow rest  30  is arranged to engage a dovetail  17 , for example integrated into a riser  12  (see  FIG.  1   ). 
     In some embodiments, the arrow rest  30  comprises an adjustment mechanism  48  arranged to control movement of the second body portion  42  with respect to the first body portion  41 . In some embodiments, an adjustment mechanism  48  comprises an actuation mechanism arranged to move the second body portion  42  with respect to the first body portion  41 . In some embodiments, an adjustment mechanism  48  comprises a first portion engaged with the second body portion  42  and a second portion engaged with the first body portion  41 . In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism  48  is rotatable. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism  48  comprises a dial  66 . 
     In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism  48  is rotatably engaged with a portion of the body  40 . In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism  48  is rotatably engaged with the second body portion  42 . In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism  48  comprises a shaft  68 , and the adjustment mechanism  48  rotates about an axis of the shaft  68 . In some embodiments, a portion of the shaft  68  is received in a cavity  45 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism  48  is engaged with the first body portion  41 . In some embodiments, movement of the actuation mechanism  48  moves the second body portion  42  along an arcuate path with respect to the first body potion  41 . In some embodiments, a surface  49  of the adjustment mechanism  48  contacts a surface  51  of the first body portion  41 . In some embodiments, a surface  49  of the adjustment mechanism  48  contacts a complimentary surface  51  of the track  50 . In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism  48  comprises a roller  53  and an outer surface of the roller  53  comprises the surface  49  in contact with the complimentary surface  51  of the first body portion  41 . In some embodiments, the surfaces  49 ,  51  are shaped to engage one another. In some embodiments, the surface  49  comprises gearing, teeth or the like, and the complimentary surface  51  comprises complimentary gearing, teeth or the like. 
       FIG.  6    shows an embodiment of an arrow rest  30  attached to the riser  12  of an archery bow  10 . The arrow rest  30  is shown at a first orientation  72  with respect to the riser  12 . The arrow rest  30  is also shown at a second orientation  74  with respect to the riser  12 . The position of the second body portion  42  with respect to the riser  12  has changed, as well as the orientation and angle of the support member  32 . In moving from the first orientation  72  to the second orientation  74 , the second body portion  42  has moved along an arcuate path with respect to the first body portion  41 . The support member  32  and second body portion  42  have moved in a rotation about the rotation axis  70 . The support member  32  contacts the arrow  11  at contact points  37  positioned on the rotation axis  70 . Thus, the orientation of the support member  32  can be adjusted with respect to the riser  12  without any need to reposition the body  40 / 41  of the arrow rest  30  upon the riser  12 . 
     The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims. 
     Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim  1  should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below. 
     This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.