Patent Publication Number: US-10760870-B2

Title: Accessories, devices, systems, and methods for retaining and stabilizing firearms or archery equipment

Description:
PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application a) is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/538,266, filed Jul. 28, 2017, and b) is related to, claims the priority benefit of, and is a U.S. continuation in part patent application of, U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15/545,768, filed Jul. 24, 2017, which is related to, claims the priority benefit of, and is a U.S. § 371 National Stage Patent Application of, International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2016/014491, filed Jan. 22, 2016, which is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/106,504, filed Jan. 22, 2015. The contents of each of the aforementioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the present disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Users of archery equipment, such as hunters and target shooters, commonly place their bows on the ground, against a tree, and the like, causing unnecessary damage and general wear and tear to portions of said bows. Such wear and tear can not only generally cause portions of the bows to need to be replaced, but can also result in a safety hazard, such as if a cam/wheel or string were to break due to said wear and tear. 
     In view of the same, novel devices and systems useful to retain bows and other equipment to minimize and/or eliminate wear and tear would be commercially appreciated and desired in the marketplace. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the device comprises a first portion configured for attachment to the first portion, the second portion having a distal tip opposite the first portion and configured for insertion into the ground or a stand, wherein the device is structured to retain the bow above the ground without the bow touching the ground. The device further includes an adjustment element, the adjustment element structured to reversibly and adjustably connect the first portion to the second portion, and an attachment mechanism structured to reversibly and adjustably attach the device to the bow, wherein the adjustment mechanism is disposed in a first slot and a second slot, the first slot defined through and extending axially along the first portion, and the second slot defined through and extending axially along the second portion, and wherein the adjustment element is disposed in the first slot and the second slot. In certain embodiments, the adjustment mechanism comprises a block disposed between the first portion and the bow and a head portion configured to engage the bow, wherein the block comprises a compressible, vibration-dampening material. In certain embodiments, the head portion comprises a hook. In certain embodiments, the attachment mechanism comprises a bracket extending generally perpendicular from the first portion, the bracket comprising a bracket slot therethrough configured to accept a riser stabilizer mount. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the first portion of the device has a first axial length of about 12 inches, the second portion has a second axial length of about 15 inches, and the device has an axial device length adjustable through a range of about 15 to 25 inches. In certain embodiments, the first portion has a first width and the second portion has a second width, and wherein the second width is greater than the first width. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the device further includes a peg adjustably connected to and extending from the second portion, the peg structured to accept a generally vertical load, the load being sufficient to drive the device into the ground to a depth sufficient to support the device and bow. In certain embodiments, the peg is an extension nut. In certain embodiments, the peg is disposed in a second slot at a distance of at least 4 inches from the distal tip, the second slot defined through and extending axially along the second portion. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the first portion of the device includes a handle aperture and at least one accessory aperture. In certain embodiments, at least one accessory aperture is structured as a broadhead wrench configured to accept an arrow broadhead. In certain embodiments, the accessory aperture is configured to accept two-, three- or four-blade broadheads. In certain embodiments, two or more accessory apertures are configured to form an accessory rib configured to accept an arrow nock. In certain embodiments, at least one accessory aperture is configured with a hexagonal shape. In certain embodiments, at least one accessory aperture is configured to enable a camera to be mounted to the first portion. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the second portion of the device includes a distal end opposite the first portion and adjacent the distal tip, wherein the distal end is generally tapered from a largest width of the second portion to the distal tip. In certain embodiments, the second portion includes a hanging aperture. In certain embodiments, the hanging aperture is configured with a hexagonal shape. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the device further includes a stand including one or more legs and a riser, the stand structured to rest upon the ground and retain the bow above the ground within the stand without the bow touching the ground, where the riser is connected to the one or more legs and comprises at least one aperture configured to accept and reversibly retain the distal tip of the second portion. The device further includes one or more washers disposed between at least one of the adjustment element and the attachment mechanism, the one or more washers comprising a compressible, vibration-dampening material. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes a first portion having a first slot defined therein, a second portion having a second slot defined therein, the second portion disposed adjacent the first portion such that the first slot and the second slot at least partially align, wherein the second portion includes a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end disposed adjacent the first portion and the distal end terminating in a tapered distal tip, the distal tip configured to retain the apparatus in the ground or in a stand, an adjustment element disposed in the first slot and the second slot, the adjustment element structured to adjustably secure the first potion to the second portion, an attachment mechanism disposed in the first slot and the second slot, the attachment mechanism structured to adjustably secure the first portion and the second portion to a bow, and a peg attached to the second portion at or near the distal end, where the apparatus is configured to retain bow attached thereto in a substantially vertical position when the distal tip is inserted into the ground or the stand. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, a system includes a bow configured to shoot arrows and a device, the device including a first portion including an attachment aperture, a second portion configured for attachment to the first portion, the second portion having a distal tip at or near a distal end of the second portion opposite the first portion, the distal tip configured for insertion into the ground or a stand, an adjustment element disposed in the first slot and the second slot, the adjustment element structured to adjustably secure the first potion to the second portion, an attachment mechanism disposed in the first slot and the second slot, the attachment mechanism structured to adjustably secure the first portion and the second portion to a bow, and a peg attached to the second portion at or near the distal end, wherein the device is structured to retain the bow above the ground without the bow touching the ground. 
     In certain embodiments, the system further includes a stand, the stand including a base portion and a riser, the base portion structured to rest upon the ground and the riser connected to the base portion, wherein the riser comprises an upper portion defining an upper riser aperture therethrough and a lower portion defining a lower riser aperture therethrough, the upper portion connected to the lower portion by a back portion extending therebetween, where the upper riser aperture and lower riser aperture are configured to receive the distal tip and at least part of the distal end of the second portion, and where the stand is structured to retain the bow above the ground within the stand without the bow touching the ground, and wherein the base portion includes one or more legs connecting the riser to an outer disk. In certain embodiments, the system further includes a mounting bracket including an upper portion defining an upper aperture therethrough and a lower portion defining a lower aperture therethrough, wherein the upper aperture and lower aperture are configured to receive at least a part of the distal end of the second portion therethrough, where the mounting bracket is configured for mounting to part of an object by fasteners that secure the mounting bracket to the object. In certain embodiments, the system further includes one or more accessories. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the device comprises a first portion configured for attachment to a firearm, the first portion comprising a tapered distal end ending at a tip and configured for insertion into the ground or a stand, the first portion defining a hanging aperture and a plurality of attachment apertures, each attachment aperture of the plurality of attachment apertures configured to receive at least one adjustment element or at least one attachment mechanism therein. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the device further comprises the least one adjustment element or the at least one attachment mechanism within at least one aperture of the plurality of attachment apertures. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the hanging aperture is configured as a triangular shape. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is structured to retain the firearm above the ground without the firearm touching the ground. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one adjustment element or the at least one attachment mechanism is configured to connect the device to the firearm. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the first portion configured for attachment to a firearm comprising a rifle, a pistol, or a crossbow. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the first portion further defines at least one accessory aperture therethrough. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one accessory aperture is structured as a broadhead wrench configured to accept an arrow broadhead. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the accessory aperture is configured to accept two-, three- or four-blade broadheads. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one accessory aperture is configured to form an accessory rib configured to accept an arrow nock. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one adjustment element has a relative hook portion configured to facilitate coupling the device to the firearm. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the first portion further defines a ridged grip portion so to facilitate engagement or grip when positioning the tapered distal end into the ground or the stand. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of attachment apertures comprises two attachment apertures, and wherein each attachment aperture of the plurality of attachment apertures is configured to receive at least two adjustment elements or at least two attachment mechanisms therein. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the device further comprises the least two adjustment elements or the at least two attachment mechanisms within each aperture of the plurality of attachment apertures. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the device comprises a first portion configured for attachment to a firearm, the first portion comprising a tapered distal end ending at a tip and configured for insertion into the ground or a stand, the first portion defining a hanging aperture and a plurality of attachment apertures, each attachment aperture of the plurality of attachment apertures configured to receive at least two adjustment elements or at least two attachment mechanisms therein; wherein the device is structured to retain the firearm above the ground without the firearm touching the ground. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the device further comprising the least two adjustment elements or the at least two attachment mechanisms within each aperture of the plurality of attachment apertures. 
     In at least one exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure, the first portion further defines a ridged grip portion so to facilitate engagement or grip when positioning the tapered distal end into the ground or the stand. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed embodiments and other features, advantages, and disclosures contained herein, and the matter of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  show a device coupled to a bow, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure 
         FIG. 3  shows a close-up view of a first portion of a device coupled to a bow, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  show close-up views of a distal portion of a second portion of a device, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  shows an underside of portions of a device coupled to a bow, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  shows a close-up perspective view of portions of a device, a block, and a bow, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  shows a close-up perspective view of a wrist sling connected to a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  shows vertical counter-weight stabilization of a device and a bow coupled together, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a device coupled to a bow whereby the device is held by a stand, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a device coupled to a bow and being elevated above the ground vertically using a rope, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  show views of a universal mounting bracket, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13A  shows a device not coupled to a bow, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13B  shows a device not coupled to a bow, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14A  shows a plan view of a first portion and a second portion of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14B  shows a side view of a first portion and a second portion of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14C  shows an end view of a first portion and a second portion of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15A  shows a plan view of a first portion of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15B  shows a detailed plan view of a first portion of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  shows a plan view of a second portion of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17A  shows a plan view of a stand for a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17B  shows a perspective detailed view of a stand for a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  shows a front view of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 19  shows a front view of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     An overview of the features, functions and/or configurations of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described. Some of these non-discussed features, such as various couplers, etc., as well as discussed features, are inherent from the figures themselves. Other non-discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended. 
     The present disclosure includes disclosure of devices and systems and methods of using and making the same, configured to protect components of bows, such as those used for hunting and/or target shooting purposes. 
     An exemplary device embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , device  100  is configured for connection (permanent or reversible coupling) to a bow  50 . Considering the relatively longest dimension of bow  50  as being the length “L” of bow  50  forming a longitudinal axis, as shown in the figure, device  100  is configured to connect to bow  50  generally along the same longitudinal axis. As will become apparent in the disclosure herein, device  100  is configured so that when coupled to or part of bow  50 , device  100  allows bow  50  to be rested in a relative upright position while portions of device  100 , and not bow  50 , touch the ground. As referenced herein, the bow  50  not touching the ground generally means that traditional portions of bows  50 , such as one or more limbs or arms, cams, wheels, strings, etc. do not touch the ground when bow  50  is used with exemplary device  100  embodiments of the present disclosure and when device  100  is placed into the ground (including uneven ground), a stand  300  (as shown in  FIGS. 10, 17A and 17B ), or a mounting bracket  500  (as shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B ), as referenced herein, to support bow  50  without any additional required assistance to support the same. Exemplary devices  100 , as referenced herein, help to reduce wear and tear of a bow  50 , as the vast majority of hunters and other archers commonly rest their bows  50  on the ground, against a tree, etc., which can cause damage either immediately or over time. 
     Exemplary devices  100 , as shown in  FIG. 2  for example, comprise a first portion  130  (also referred to herein as a “dagger top”) and a second portion  110  (also referred to herein as a “dagger bottom”). Other device embodiments, such as shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B  for example, may comprise a first portion  130  integral with a second portion  110 . Second portion  110 , in several embodiments, is a unitary body formed of metal, carbon fiber, plastic, and/or other materials of sufficient strength so to allow devices  100  of the present disclosure to operate as referenced herein without breaking or becoming structurally unsound. In at least one embodiment, second portion  110  (dagger bottom) and first portion  130  (dagger top) comprise aluminum or an aluminum alloy, such as 6061 or 6067 grade pre-tempered aluminum. Aluminum or an aluminum alloy may be used in various embodiments, as they are relatively lightweight as compared to other metals, sufficiently strong so to be used as described herein, and do not corrode or are resistant to corrosion. A coating  105 , such as rubber, paint, plastic, and the like, can be used to coat one or more portions of device  100  so to provide additional protection and/or to introduce additional design elements to device  100 . 
     Second portion  110 , such as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , has a tapered distal end  112 , which can terminate at a tip  114  ranging from relatively sharp to relatively blunt (so not to easily bend and/or be dangerous to the user, for example). As shown in  FIG. 4 , for example, tip  114  is chiseled, whereby chiseled tip  114 , as well as other tip  114  embodiments, are configured to be pressed into the ground (dirt, mud, sand, rocky ground, etc.), into a stand  300  (an exemplary base), as shown in  FIG. 10 , and/or into a mounting bracket  500 , as shown in  FIG. 12B , while bow  50  remains in a completely or relatively upright position, and more generally in line with the dimension “L” of the bow  50 , without portions of bow  50  touching the ground. In various embodiments, a relatively distal portion  116  of second portion  110  (the portion of second portion  110  that includes the taper) can have a relative width “W” of 1¼ inch (1¼″) at its widest point, such as shown in  FIG. 4 . In other embodiments, distal portion  116  can have a smaller or larger relative width at its widest point. 
     In various embodiments, distal portion  116  of second portion  110  can have a hanging aperture  118  defined therethrough, such as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Hanging aperture  118  can have various diameters, such as ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, ⅝″, or other diameters, and is configured so that when device  100  is attached to or formed as part of bow  50 , bow  50  can be hung from some sort of peg, nail, screw, hook or other object, to allow bow  50  to be retained thereby without portions of bow  50  touching the ground.  FIG. 16  shows an embodiment of the second portion  110  including the hanging aperture  118  at or near the tapered distal end  112 . The hanging aperture  118  may have a generally hexagonal shape. In such an embodiment, the hanging aperture  118  may be sized to accept a 7/16″ bolt head or nut, such as those commonly used in conventional tree stands used for hunting. The hanging aperture  118  may be used to loosen, tighten and adjust parts of a tree stand using the device  100 . Distal portion  116  of second portion  110  can also have one or more accessory apertures  144  defined therein, as shown in  FIG. 4  and as otherwise described herein. 
     In several embodiments, such as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , second portion  110  is connected to first portion  130  using one or more adjustment elements  132 . Adjustment elements  132 , as referenced herein, would extend through portions of second portion  110  and first portion  130 , such as through a second slot  111  defined within second portion  110  and a first slot  131  defined within first portion  130 , so that an overall relative length of device  100  can be adjusted as desired. First slot  131  and/or second slot  111  can be elongated, such as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , or may comprise one of several general slots or apertures defined within second portion  110  and first portion  130  that can be used to adjust the overall relative length of device  100  by securing one or more adjustment elements  132  within said slots or apertures. In at least one embodiment, first slot  131  and second slot  111  are elongated, and adjustment elements  132  can be loosened so to allow second portion  110  to move relative to first portion  130 , and tightened to secure second portion  110  relative to second portion  130  at a desired length. 
     A peg  120 , such as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , can generally resemble an adjustment element  132  in various embodiments, but can also be its own separate embodiment configured so that when a user of device  100  steps on peg  120 , the tapered distal end  112  of device  100  can be driven into the ground or into a stand  300  as referenced in further detail herein, so to allow bow  50  with device  100  to rest in a vertical position, or generally in line with the dimension “L”, without portions of bow  50  touching the ground, as generally referenced herein. Peg  120 , also referred to herein as an “adjustable step peg cam protector” as it is configured to be stepped upon and it protects a cam (or wheel) of a bow  50  by preventing the cam from touching the ground, can also serve as a general stop, as in various embodiments, when the user&#39;s foot touches the ground (such as when the user is pressing device  100  into the ground using peg  120 ), peg  120  stops the device  100  from further entering the ground because it sticks out from device  100 , for example. In at least one embodiment, an exemplary distance between peg  120  and tip  114  may be about at least 4″, noting that the distance can be changed by way of moving peg  120  (e.g., loosening, moving within second slot  110 , and tightening) so to accommodate for more firm or loose soil or sand, for example. Should a user wish to ensure that portions of bow  50  do not touch the ground when peg  120  is adjusted within second slot  111 , additional adjustments, such as by moving second portion  110  relative to first portion  130  by way of adjusting one or more adjustment elements  132 , can be performed so to increase an overall length of device  100  to accommodate for a deeper insertion of tapered distal end  112  into the ground. In various embodiments peg  120  is positioned relative to other parts of device  100  so that it is ½″ below the cam (wheel) of the bow  50 , such as shown in  FIG. 6 . Other distances greater than 0″ are permitted when positioning peg  120  so that peg  120  is relatively lower than the lowest part of bow  50  when bow  50  is in an upright position. 
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of part of an exemplary second portion  110  of the present disclosure having a peg  120  secured therein. As shown in  FIG. 5 , an exemplary peg  120  of the present disclosure can have a step portion  122 , configured for a user to step on, and an adjustment portion  124 , configured for a user to loosen and tighten as desired so to adjust the position of peg  120  relative to second portion. In at least one embodiment, the step portion  122  may be an extension nut coupled to the adjustment portion  124 , which may be a carriage bolt. In such an embodiment, the step portion  122  may have a hexagonal cross-section and may be made of aluminum or steel material. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 5 , second portion  110  (as well as first portion  130 , not shown in the figure), can be relatively flat, as compared to having a relatively round outer perimeter, so to increase the overall integrity of device  100  when second portion  110  is secured to first portion  130  using adjustment elements  132 , for example, and/or to prevent/reduce pivot movement that may be caused by wind, for example. Such a flat profile provides an overall sleek design, and when used for bow  50  stabilization, as referenced herein, device  100  remains sleek and aligned with bow  50  and does not stick out or otherwise obstruct the safe use of bow  50 .  FIGS. 14A-14C  depict such an embodiment of the device  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 14B and 14C  the first portion  130  and the second portion  110  are relatively flat and are configured to be adjustably secured adjacent one another by adjustment elements  132  (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 14B , the first portion  130  may have a length “L 130 ” of about 12″, and the second portion  110  may have a length “L 110 ” of about 15″. In such an embodiment, the overall length “L 100 ” of the device  100  may be adjusted through a range of approximately 15″-25″. As shown in  FIG. 14C , a thickness “D 110 ” of the second portion  110  may be greater than a thickness “D 130 ” of the first portion  130 . In such an embodiment, the thickness D 110  may be greater than the thickness D 130  to provide increased strength and resistance to bending, particularly at the tapered distal end  112  and the tip  114  which are structured to be driven into the ground or a mounting bracket, while the first portion  130  may be configured to be lighter and thus reduce the overall mass of the device  100 . 
     Adjustment elements  132  can also be made of various materials, such as metal, plastic, carbon fiber, etc., and can either be adjustable using a traditional tool (such as a screwdriver or wrench, for example), or, in various embodiments, can be adjustable by hand, such as adjustment element  132  embodiments using a wing-nut or other object used in the art to tighten and/or loosen a threaded object, for example. Adjustment elements  132  are not limited to knobs that turn, for example, as other objects, such as various latches, levers, couplers, etc., that can be relatively loosened/opened and relatively tightened/closed can comprise adjustment elements  132  of the present disclosure. Accordingly, various device  100  embodiments can be assembled (as may be needed) and/or coupled to a bow  50  without the use of tools (no tools necessary). 
     As shown in various figures, first portion  130  is the portion of device  100  that connects to, or forms part of, bow  50 . For example, and as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , first portion  130  defines an attachment aperture  140  configured to correspond to a bow aperture  60  defined within bow  50  (as shown in  FIG. 6 , for example), such as within a riser bracket of bow  50  or another part of bow  50 . As the vast majority of bows  50  manufactured today have a bow aperture  60  defined within bow  50 , attachment aperture  140  can be aligned with bow aperture  60 , and an attachment mechanism  150 , such as a knob or other mechanism as described in connection with various adjustment element  132  embodiments referenced herein, can be tightened, closed, or otherwise secured so to attach first portion  130  with bow  50 . Attachment aperture  140  can itself be elongated (such as a slot), as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , so to allow adjustment so part of the overall weight of the bow  50  plus device  100  is relatively forward to help with overall stabilization. As different bows  50  have limbs/arms of various widths, the configuration of attachment aperture  140  allows for a single device  100  embodiment to be suitably mounted to any number of different bow  50  embodiments/configurations. In at least one embodiment, attachment aperture  140  is at or near 2″ in length. 
     Bow apertures  60  are generally used by archers to add weights and/or horizontally-extending stabilizers, which can range in length from several inches to several feet in length. In other embodiments, for example, first portion  130  (or a unitary portion, as referenced herein) can be permanently attached to, or form part of, bow  50 . In embodiments of devices  100  that are secured to bows  50 , for example, such device embodiments  100  can be sold or provided separately from bows  50  and subsequently attached to bows  50 . Attachment mechanisms  150 , such as shown in  FIG. 3 , can have an adjustment portion  152  (used to connect and disconnect device  100  from bow  50 ) and a head portion  154 , such as shown in  FIG. 6 , whereby adjustment portion  152  is on one side of device  100  and head portion  154  is on another side of device  100 . Head portion  154 , as well as portions of adjustment elements  132  and/or pegs  120 , can be decorative, such as, for example, designed as a smaller version of a device  100  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), part of a deer antler (as shown in  FIG. 11 ), or other designs (sports logos, vehicle logos, etc.) as desired. Head portion  154  can also be relatively elongated, such as shown in  FIG. 6 , so to allow use of the same with various bows  50  having various bow aperture  60  locations and configurations. In at least one embodiment, the head portion  154  may be a hook that extends through a bow aperture  60  and engages a portion of the bow  50  to facilitate securing the device  100  to the bow  50 . In such an embodiment, the head portion  154  may be covered or coated in rubber, foam, or other suitable resilient material to provide vibration dampening and reduction to the interface between the head portion  154  and the bow  50 . 
       FIG. 15B  shows an embodiment of the attachment mechanism  150  and adjustment portion  152  attached to the first portion  130  through the attachment aperture  140 . As shown in  FIG. 15B , the attachment mechanism  150  may include an L-shaped bracket having an attachment aperture  156  formed through a portion of the attachment mechanism  150  that extends generally perpendicular from the first portion  130 . The position of the attachment mechanism  150  may be adjusted within the attachment aperture  140  using the adjustment portion  152 , thus enabling the attachment mechanism  150  to be configured to couple to a wide variety of different bows  50 . In at least one embodiment, the attachment mechanism  150  may be structured to couple to a factory riser stabilizer mount. In such an embodiment, the attachment aperture  156  may be sized to accept a conventional 5/16″, 24 thread stabilizer. 
     Various embodiments of first portions  130 , as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 6 , for example, can define a handle aperture  142 , defined in part by handle rib  143  and other portions of second portion  110 , whereby handle aperture  142  is sized and shaped so that a user of device  100 , for example, can grab device  100  with his or her hand by inserting one or more fingers into handle aperture  142 . Various accessory apertures  144 , such as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , can be defined within first portion  130  and/or second portion  110 , and used to receive various accessories and/or to generally reduce the overall weight of device  100 . Various weights can be added to accessory apertures  144 , as desired. Accessories  410 , such as releases used to release a string of a bow  50  when shooting an arrow shown in  FIG. 11 , can be retained within handle aperture  142 , for example, so to minimize additional wear and tear to bow  50  when such an accessory is retained using a portion of bow  50 , such as at a string. Accessory apertures  144  can also be used to retain various accessories  410  (as shown in  FIG. 11 ), such as string releases, cameras, and the like. 
       FIG. 15A  shows an embodiment of the first portion  130 . In such an embodiment, the first portion  130  may include at least one accessory aperture  145  that is structured as a broadhead wrench capable of accepting an arrow broadhead (i.e., tip). Such an accessory aperture  145  may be configured to accept 2-, 3- or 4-blade broadheads, or any desired number of blades, and enables the user to tighten and loosen broadheads for repair or replacement using the device  100 . The first portion  130  may further include an accessory rib  146  formed between two or more accessory apertures  144 . The accessory rib  146  may be configured to accept an arrow nock (i.e., a notch in the distal end of a conventional arrow). Such an accessory rib  146  enables the user to tighten and loosen arrow nocks for repair or replacement using the device  100  without twisting a string of the bow  50 . The first portion  130  may further include an accessory aperture  147  having a generally hexagonal shape. In at least one embodiment, the accessory aperture  147  may be sized to accept the peg  120  to enable loosening, tightening and adjustment of the peg  120  using the device  100 . The first portion  130  may further include one or more accessory apertures  144  sized to enable a camera, such as a video or digital camera (e.g., a GoPro® camera), to be mounted to the first portion  130 . In at least one embodiment, the accessory apertures  144 ,  145  and  147  may be configured to enable any desired accessory to be mounted to the first portion  130  including, but not limited to, a flashlight, a sight, a compass, a global positioning transceiver, and the like.  FIG. 7  shows a close-up perspective view of portions of an exemplary device  100  of the present disclosure. As shown therein, second portion  110  is secured to first portion  130  by way of an adjustment element  132 , which may be configured as having an adjustment portion  134  (such as a portion a user would grip to turn, for example), and a threaded portion  136  (also referred to as part of a “riser bolt”) inserted into first slot  131  and second slot  111  and into part of bow  50 , as may be desired. 
       FIG. 7  also shows the use of various vibration dampeners, such as one or more blocks  138  (also referred to herein as shock and/or vibration reducing blocks) and one or more washers  133  (also referred to herein as shock and/or vibration reducing washers). Blocks  138  and/or washers  133  can comprise various compressible materials, such as foam, rubber, foam rubber, plastic, and the like, so to reduce vibration and/or shock when bow  50  is used to shoot an arrow, for example. Likewise, the various adjustable features and elements of the device  100 , such as but not limited to the peg  120  and its adjustment portion  124 , the adjustment elements  132 , the adjustment mechanism  150  and its adjustment portion  152 , and the head portion  154 , may comprise compressible materials, such as foam, rubber, foam rubber, plastic, and the like, so to reduce vibration and/or shock when bow  50  is used. Further, threads of such features and elements, for example the threaded portion  136  and the adjustment portion  124 , may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, i.e., Teflon®) coating to further reduce and attenuate vibration. 
     Various holes  139  can be present/defined within block  138  embodiments, for example, to reduce an overall weight of the same. As shown in  FIG. 7 , for example, one or more washers  133  can be used between adjustment portion  134  of adjustment element  132  and second portion  110  for example. One or more blocks  138  can be used between second portion  110  and bow  50 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Blocks  138  can have various thicknesses, such as ⅝″, ⅞″, 1″, and smaller or larger thicknesses, and multiple blocks  138  can be used as desired so to form the proper alignment of device  100  with bow  50 . In at least one embodiment, the block  138  may be cylindrically shaped. In certain embodiments, the threaded portion  136  of the adjustment element  132  may extend through the block  138  and form a retention feature, such as the head portion  154 , to couple to the bow  50 . For example, the threaded portion  136  may be attached to or integral with the head portion  154 . In such an embodiment, the threaded portion  136  may be included in the attachment mechanism  150 , the adjustment element  132  or the adjustment portion  152 .  FIG. 8  shows a close-up view of part of a device  100 , whereby a wrist sling  320  is connected to device  100 . As shown therein, an exemplary wrist sling  320  configured as a rope is tied to device  100  using one of the accessory apertures  144  defined within first portion  130 , and provides a user of bow  50  an additional element useful to retain the same in a comfortable and safe fashion. In addition, and as shown in  FIG. 8 , one or more weights  250  can be added to device  100 , such as at one or more accessory apertures  144 , so to improve the overall balance and/or stabilization of the combination of bow  50  and device  100 . 
     In various embodiments, devices  100  operate as vertically mounted stabilizers, generally being aligned with an overall length of bow  50 . As noted above, and considering the relatively longest dimension of bow  50  as being the length “L” of bow  50  forming a longitudinal axis, as shown in  FIG. 1 , device  100  is configured to connect to bow  50  generally along the same longitudinal axis. Such a device  100  then serves as a stabilizer that remains attached to bow  50  even when bow  50  is not in use, and given its overall vertical positioning relative to bow  50  (when bow  50  is held vertically, such as when hunting deer, for example), device  100  allows the user to move bow  50  from side to side without a conventional stabilizer, generally protruding in a non-vertical direction, getting in the way, such as by hitting a tree or other forest brush. 
     In general, it is desirable to have a larger portion of the overall weight on the lower half of bow  50  when bow  50  is held in a vertical/upright position, such as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     As shown in various embodiments, the vast majority of device  100  is mounted on one relative side of bow  50 , such as on the left side of bow  50  for a right-handed shooter. Such positioning helps to best balance bow  50  in the user&#39;s hands, such as shown in  FIG. 9 . Therefore, in various embodiments, device  100  counterbalances other elements of bow  50  or objects/accessories coupled thereto, such as sights, grips, etc. Accordingly, various embodiments of devices  100 , as referenced herein, act as counter-weight stabilizers of a bow  50  with a device  100  coupled thereto. In such embodiments, the device  100  may provide 100% counter-balancing with parallel stabilization with pendulum effect when the bow  50  is in use. 
     An exemplary embodiment of a device  100  positioned within a stand  300  is shown in the perspective view shown in  FIG. 10 . As shown therein, device  100 , coupled to or formed as part of bow  50 , is retained in a vertical position using a stand  300  of the present disclosure. Stands  300 , such as shown in  FIG. 10 , comprise a base portion which may include one or more legs  302  or another suitable base portion configuration, and a riser portion  304  defining a riser aperture  306  therein (whereby riser portion  304  with riser aperture  306  also being referred to herein as a “slotted dagger mount”), whereby the riser aperture  306  is sized and shaped to receive the distal portion  116  of second portion  110  of device  100 . In use, a user can position the tip  114  of second portion  110  into riser aperture  306  and press downward or otherwise allow the weight of the bow  50  plus device  100  to cause tip  114  to enter into riser aperture  306  so to be retained by stand  300 . Removal of device  100  (and therefore bow  50 ) from stand  300  can be accomplished by, for example, stepping on stand  300  and pulling bow  50  upward. 
       FIG. 17A  shows an alternative embodiment of the stand  300 , including the riser portion  304 . The stand  300  may include a base surface  310  connected to one or more of the legs  302 . As shown in  FIG. 17A , the base surface  310  may be generally circular in plan view and may circumferentially connect two or more of the legs  302  to provide strength and stability to the stand  300 . In such an embodiment, the base surface  310  may be about 12″ in diameter. Alternatively, the base surface  310  may connect two or more of the legs  302  with one or more straight members extending therebetween. The base surface  310  may be configured to facilitate removal of the bow  50  from the stand  300  by enabling the user to step on the base surface  310  while pulling the bow  50  from the stand  300 . As shown in  FIG. 17B , the riser  304  may extend from one or more legs  302  or the base surface  310 . In such an embodiment, the riser  304  may include an upper portion  308 , defining an upper riser aperture  306  therethrough, connected to a lower portion  309 , defining a lower riser aperture  307  therethrough, by a back portion  303  extending between the upper portion  308  and the lower portion  309 . Upper riser aperture  306  and lower riser aperture  307  are sized and shaped to receive at least a part of a distal portion  116  of the second portion  110  of the device  100  therethrough. The riser  304  may be disposed above the base surface  310  such that the base surface  310  nor legs  302  interfere with the tip  114  of the second portion  110  when the device  100  is placed in the stand  300 . In such an embodiment, the lower portion  309  or the back portion  303  may extend to the base surface  310  or the one or more legs  302  to offset the lower riser aperture  307  from the ground. 
       FIG. 11  shows another perspective view of a bow  50  having a device  100  coupled thereto, but as shown in the figure, bow  50  and device  100  are being suspended vertically using a rope  400  coupled to device  100 . As demonstrated therein, a rope  400  can be connected/tied to device  100 , and when the user lifts the rope, such as to climb a tree to get to a tree stand, bow  50  remains in a relatively upright (vertical) position so not to get caught in branches, etc., when the user is climbing the tree and holding the rope  400 . 
       FIG. 12A  shows an inside view, and  FIG. 12B  shows a side perspective view, of an exemplary universal mounting bracket  500  of the present disclosure. As shown therein, an exemplary mounting bracket  500  is configured for mounting to part of an object  550 , such as part of a tree stand, so to retain bow  50  using device  100 . In an exemplary embodiment of a mounting bracket  500  of the present disclosure, mounting bracket has an upper portion  502  defining an upper aperture  504  therethrough, and a lower portion  506  defining a lower aperture  508  therethrough. Upper aperture  504  and lower aperture  508  are sized and shaped to receive at least a part of the distal portion  116  of the device  100  therethrough, as shown in  FIG. 12A . Mounting bracket  500  can be retained by object  550  such as by using one or more U-bolts  510 , with the ends of U-bolts  510  extending into an inner portion of mounting bracket  500 , such as shown in  FIG. 12B , so to be retained using fasteners  512 , such as wing nuts, as shown in  FIG. 12A . A back portion  503  can extend from upper portion  502  to lower portion  506 , for example. When mounting bracket  500  is mounted/secured to object  550 , mounting bracket  500  operates similar to an exemplary stand  300  of the present disclosure, being able to retain device  100  coupled to bow  50  so to ultimately retain bow  50  without additional assistance. Multiple U-bolts  510  can be used to increase the overall stability of mounting bracket  500  relative to object  550 . Mounting brackets  500 , as referenced herein, may be “universal” in nature as they can couple to various types of objects  550 , such as those referenced herein and others. 
     In other embodiments, such as those where a general height adjustment is not present, or where a device  100  embodiment with fewer parts is employed, a unitary portion/plate (one of second portion  110  or first portion  130 ) can be coupled to or formed as part of bow  50  and configured to permit bow  50  to rest upright while not touching the ground (as the second portion  110  or first portion  130  actually touches the ground or a stand  300  that rests on the ground). In such an embodiment, such as shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the unitary portion/plate includes components and/or features of exemplary second portions  110  and first portions  130  of the present disclosure, such as a tapered distal end  112  terminating at a tip  114 , a peg  120 , and an attachment aperture  140  defined therein. 
     In at least one embodiment, bow  50  is configured so that device  100  is incorporated into bow  50  at the time of manufacture of bow  50 . Such an overall embodiment would be referred to as an exemplary system  75  as generally referenced herein. System  75  is identified in  FIG. 1 , noting that in such an embodiment, system  75  comprises device  100  and bow  50  that may or may not be incorporated into one unitary mechanism at the time of manufacture. As referenced herein, system  75  may include device  100  plus an additional element, such as a bow  50 , a stand  300 , a rope  400 , one or more accessories  410 , a wrist sling  320 , and/or a mounting bracket  500 . 
     In other embodiments, devices  100  of the present disclosure are configured for coupling to a firearm, such as a rifle or pistol, retaining the same above the ground, within a stand  300 , or within a mounting bracket, as generally referenced herein. 
       FIG. 18  shows a front view, and  FIG. 19  shows a rear view, of an exemplary device  100  of the present disclosure, configured for coupling to a firearm, such as a rifle, pistol, or crossbow, for example. As shown therein, first portion  130  comprises a tapered distal end  112  ending at a tip  114 , having a hanging aperture  118 , attachment apertures  140 , and accessory apertures  144 ,  145  defined therein. Adjustment elements  132  (which, in the embodiment shown in at least  FIGS. 18 and 19 , can also be considered as attachment mechanisms  150 ), configured as knobs as shown, are positioned at least partially within attachment apertures  140  to facilitate coupling of the device  100  to the firearm. Adjustment elements  132  (or attachment mechanisms  150 ) can have a relative hook portion  172 , such as shown in  FIG. 19 , to facilitate coupling device  100  to a firearm and to prevent attachment mechanisms  150  (or adjustment elements  132 ) from unintended removal from attachment apertures  140 . Exemplary devices  100  can also comprise a ridged grip portion  170 , so to facilitate hand, foot, shoe, etc., engagement/grip when positioning tapered distal end  112  into the ground or into an aperture  304  of a stand  300 , as referenced herein. Accessory aperture  145 , as shown therein, is configured accept 2-, 3- or 4-blade broadheads. 
     Furthermore, various devices  100  of the present disclosure can comprise various colors and/or patters, such as solid colors, camouflage patterns, and the like. 
     While various device and system embodiments and methods of using the same have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered as non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the content thereof. 
     Further, in describing representative embodiments, the present disclosure may have presented a method and/or a process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth therein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described, as other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.