Patent Publication Number: US-8978636-B2

Title: Bow dampener

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/584,513, filed Jan. 9, 2012. All of the subject matter disclosed by U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/584,513 is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Bows and crossbows are used to shoot arrows by movement of a bow string releasing energy stored in the bow&#39;s limbs. The bow string may still comprise substantial kinetic energy after an arrow has been shot or near the end of an arrow shooting operation. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Accordingly, among other things, one or more techniques and systems are disclosed for a bow dampener, which may be devised to mitigate kinetic energy from a bow string, for example, at or near the end of an arrow shooting operation. 
     In one implementation, the bow dampener can comprise a frame element, which can be configured to support a string dampening element. Further, the frame element can comprise a barrel mount, which may be configured to selectively engage a side of a crossbow barrel. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the following description and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a component diagram illustrating a top view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 1B  is a component diagram illustrating a top view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 2  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 3  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 4  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 5  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 6  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 7  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 8  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 9  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 10  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 11  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 12  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
         FIG. 13  is a component diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example implementation of a bow dampener on a crossbow. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-13 , wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the claimed subject matter. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are component diagrams illustrating a top view of an example implementation of a bow dampener, system and/or apparatus, for a crossbow, with further reference to  FIGS. 2-13 . In one implementation, a bow dampener  100  comprises a frame element  102  that is configured to support a string dampening element  130 . Further, the frame element  102  comprises a barrel mount  108  that is configured to selectively engage a first side of a crossbow barrel  12 . As one example, the bow dampener  100  can be mounted on the side of the crossbow barrel  12  using the barrel mount  108 , and when the bowstring  18  of the crossbow  10  is released, the bowstring may make contact with the string dampening element  130  supported by the frame element  102 , thereby dampening (e.g., mitigating and/or dispersing) energy from the bowstring  18  (e.g., kinetic energy resulting in vibration and/or sound). 
     In one implementation, the bow dampener  100  can further comprise an elongated support cavity  120  defining an axis of cavity elongation  160 . The elongated support cavity  120  can be engaged with a second frame end  106  of the frame element  102 , where the frame element also comprises a first frame end  104 , which can be engaged with the barrel mount  108 . The elongated support cavity  120  can be engaged with a second frame end  106 , and/or the barrel mount  108  may be engaged with the first frame end  104  by any suitable means deemed appropriate by good engineering judgment. In one implementation, the elongated support cavity  120  can be engaged to the second frame end  106  by being integrally formed therewith. Further, in one implementation, the barrel mount  108  may be engaged to the first frame end  104  by being integrally formed therewith. 
     In one implementation, the elongated support cavity  120  can comprise female threads that are configured to engage at least a portion of the string dampening element  130 . The string dampening element  130  can comprise an elongated support shaft  132  that defines an axis of shaft elongation  170 . The elongated support shaft  132  can comprise a first shaft end  134  and a second shaft end  136 . In one implementation, the first shaft end  134  may be configured to engage the elongated support cavity  120 . 
     In one implementation, the elongated support shaft  132  can comprise male threads  138  that are disposed at least at the first shaft end  134 . The elongated support shaft  132  can be configured to be adjustably engaged with the elongated support cavity  120  by threaded engagement of the male threads  138  with female threads  126  disposed in the elongated support cavity  120 . The elongated support shaft  132  can define an axis of shaft elongation  170  therealong. As one example, the first shaft end  134 , comprising male threads  138  thereon, may be adjustably engaged with elongated support cavity  120  by threaded engagement of the male threads  138  with said female threads  126 . In this example, when the elongated support shaft  132  is threadedly engaged with elongated support cavity  120 , the axis of shaft elongation  170  may coincide with the axis of cavity elongation  160 . The elongated support shaft  132  may be adjustably engaged with elongated support cavity  120 , for example, in the sense that the threaded engagement permits an associated user to adjust the position of the elongated support shaft  132  with respect to the elongated support cavity  120  along the axis of cavity elongation  160  by screwing the elongated support shaft  132  further into or further out of the elongated support cavity  120 . 
     Further, in one implementation, the elongated support shaft  132  can comprise a shock tip  140  that may be engaged with the second shaft end  136 . The shock tip  140  can comprise any suitable elastomeric material (e.g., configured to dampen string vibration, sound, energy, etc.). As one example, the shock tip  140  comprises an elastomeric material that is configured to absorb and dissipate kinetic energy. For example, the elastomeric material may comprise any material deemed appropriate by good engineering judgment, which, in certain implementations, may comprise a soft and pliable rubber and/or synthetic rubber. 
     In one implementation, the shock tip  140  may be disposed at or proximate to a position that an associated bow string  18  occupies at an end of an arrow release stroke of the bow string  18 , for example, such that the bow string  18  can come in contact with the shock tip  140 , thereby transferring some or all of the kinetic energy from the bowstring  18  to the shock tip  140 , to be absorbed and dissipated thereby. As one example, a precise positioning of the shock tip  140  may be achieved by careful adjustment of the adjustable components (e.g., elongated support shaft  132  barrel mount  108 ) of the bow dampener  100  by a user. In some implementations the bow dampener  100  may be useful in mitigating potential damage to the crossbow  10 , for example, when a the crossbow is “dry fired,” referring to a discharging of the cocked bow string  18  without having an arrow loaded on/in the barrel  12 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1B-6 , in one implementation, the bow dampener  100  may be configured to be selectively engaged with a second side of the crossbow barrel  12  using the barrel mount  108 ′. That is, for example, the frame element  102  may be achiral or chiral. As used herein “chiral” can refer to an object or system that is not identical to its mirror image. A chiral object cannot be positioned, turned, or rotated to be identical to its mirror image. Chiral is sometimes referred to as “handed-ness,” in that the right hand is chiral, and the left hand is chiral. As used herein “achiral” can refer to an object or system that has similar shape and appearance as its mirror image. An achiral object may be able to be positioned, turned or rotated to be similar to its mirror image. 
     In one implementation, the frame element  102  may be engaged with either side of the crossbow barrel  12  of the crossbow  10 , for example, by engaging the barrel mount  108  with the barrel slot  14  accessible from either side of the barrel  12 . As one example, as illustrated in the implementations  FIGS. 1B-6 , a second bow dampener  100 ′ can be engaged with the other side of the crossbow barrel  12 , opposite bow dampener  100 . In these example implementations, the frame element  102  may be is achiral and frame element  102 ′ may also be achiral. That is, for example, frame element  102  may be rotated to be similar to, and serve a similar function as, frame element  102 ′. Further, in this example, frame element  102 ′ may be rotated to be similar to, and serve a similar function as, frame element  102 . 
     In these implementations, the frame elements  102 ,  102 ′ may be selectively engaged with their respective sides of the crossbow barrel  12 , using their respective barrel mounts  108 ,  108 ′, which can be configured to selectively engage with the barrel slot  14  of the crossbow barrel  12 . However, the barrel mount  108  may be engaged with the associated crossbow barrel  12  (e.g., any typical crossbow) by any suitable means deemed appropriate by good engineering judgment. 
     In one implementation, as illustrated in the example implementations of  FIGS. 7-9  and  13 , the barrel mount  108  can comprise a mount fastening component  110  configured to mitigate movement of said barrel mount  108  with respect to said crossbow barrel. That is, for example, the mount fastening component  110  can facilitate the selective mounting of the frame element  102  to that crossbow barrel  12 , such that the frame element  102  can hold the string dampening element  130  in an appropriate position for use in dampening the bowstring  18  vibrations, without moving. 
     In one implementation, the mount fastening component  110  can comprise a fastening means, such as a clamping fastener  112  as illustrated in  FIG. 13 ; a set screw  114  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; and/or a slide stop  116  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . As an example, a clamping fastener  112  may comprise an opening engaged with at least a portion of the side of the crossbow barrel  12 , where a size of the opening is controlled by a clamping screw  154  that can be adjusted to close the opening (e.g., clamp onto) the side of the barrel  12 . As another example, a set screw  114  may be inserted into an opening in the mount fastening component  110 , where the set screw  114  can be adjusted to engage with (e.g., be forced against) a portion of the side of the barrel  12 , such that the barrel mount  108  is thereby held in place on the barrel  12 . As another example, one or more slide stops may be positioned adjacent to the barrel mount  108  and secured against the side of the barrel  12  (e.g., by another fastening means), such that the slide stop(s)  116  mitigates movement of the barrel mount  108  laterally along the side of the barrel  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4  and  8 - 13 , the elongated support cavity  120  of the bow dampener  100  may optionally comprise a shaft fastening component  150 , which can be configured to mitigate movement of the string dampening element  130  with respect to the elongated support cavity  120 . In one implementation, the shaft fastening component  150  may comprise a shaft fastening means, such as a clamping screw  154 , a set screw  152 , and/or a set nut  156 . 
     In some implementations, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 ,  6 - 8 , and  10 , the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′ may comprise an open seam  124 ,  124 ′ that may be configured to permit the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′ to vary (slightly) in size, thereby allowing a tightness of fit, with respect to the engagement of the elongated support shaft  132 ,  132 ′ therewith, to vary. In one implementation, a variation in the size of the open seam  124 ,  124 ′ may be adjusted by a clamping screw  154 ,  154 ′ that can be configured to span the open seam  124 ,  124 ′. In implementations comprising an open seam  124 ,  124 ′ spanned by a clamping screw  154 ,  154 ′, for example, a user may adjust the clamping screw  154 ,  154 ′ to widen the open seam  124 ,  124 ′, thereby loosening the fit of the elongated support shaft  132 ,  132 ′ with respect to the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′ and thereby making adjustment of the elongated support shaft  132 ,  132 ′ with respect to the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′ easier. In implementations comprising an open seam  124 ,  124 ′ spanned by a clamping screw  154 ,  154 ′, for example, the user may adjust the clamping screw  154 ,  154 ′ to restrict the open seam  124 ,  124 ′, thereby tightening the fit of the elongated support shaft  132 ,  132 ′ with respect to the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′ and thereby make adjustment of the elongated support shaft  132 ,  132 ′ with respect to the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′ difficult or clamped into place. 
     In some implementations, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 ,  10 , and  11 , the elongated support cavity  120  may comprise an aperture  122 ,  122 ′ that can be configured to accept a set screw  152 ,  152 ′. In some implementations, the aperture  122 ,  122 ′ can comprise female threads that are configured to engage male threads of an adjustable set screw  152 ,  152 ′, such that an associated user may adjust the degree to which the set screw  152 ,  152 ′ protrudes into elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′. For example, the adjustment may be made by threading the set screw  152 ,  152 ′ into or out of the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′ (e.g., using an appropriate tool, such as a screwdriver, hex-wrench, etc.). 
     As one example, a degree to which the set screw  152 ,  152 ′ may protrude into the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′ can affect an adjustability of a position of the elongated support shaft  132 ,  132 ′ with respect to the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′. In implementations comprising a set screw  152 ,  152 ′, a user may adjust the set screw  152 ,  152 ′, causing it to protrude into the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′, thereby contacting or engaging the elongated support shaft  132 ,  132 ′, and thereby making adjustment of the elongated support shaft  132 ,  132 ′ with respect to the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′ difficult or even effectively set in place. Further, the user may adjust set screw  152 ,  152 ′ to cause it to retreat from the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′, thereby disengaging the elongated support shaft  132 ,  132 ′, and thereby allowing an adjustment of the elongated support shaft  132 ,  132 ′ with respect to the elongated support cavity  120 ,  120 ′ to be made. 
     In one implementation, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , one or more set nuts  156  may be threadedly engaged with the male threads  138  of the elongated support shaft  132 . In one implementation, a first set nut  156  may be disposed on the elongated support shaft  132  at a first side of the elongated support cavity  120  (e.g., toward the second shaft end  136  the elongated support shaft  132 ), and a second set nut  156 ′ may be disposed on the elongated support shaft  132  at a second side of the elongated support cavity  120  (e.g., toward the first shaft end  134  of the elongated support shaft  132 ). As one example, one or more set nuts  156  can be tightened (e.g., using the male threads  138 ) against the side(s) of the elongated support cavity  120 , effectively setting the elongated support shaft  132  in place with respect to the elongated support cavity  120 . As another example, the one or more set nuts  156  can be loosened from the side(s) of the elongated support cavity  120 , effectively loosening the elongated support shaft  132  with respect to the elongated support cavity  120 , thereby allowing adjustment of the elongated support shaft  132  with respect to the elongated support cavity  120 . 
     In some implementations, as illustrated in the example implementations of  FIGS. 5-13  the bow dampener  100 ,  100 ′ may be installed in a position on the barrel  12  of the crossbow  10 , such that the axis of shaft elongation  170  intersects a riser  16  of the crossbow  10 . In such implementations, the elongated support shaft  132 ,  132 ′ may be positioned to directly or indirectly contact the riser  16 . That is, for example, the elongated support shaft  132  may be adjusted with respect to the elongated support cavity  120  (e.g., by threading the shaft  132  into the cavity  120 ), such that the first end of the elongated support shaft  132  comes in contact with the riser  16 . As another example, the barrel mount  108  may be engaged with the side of the crossbow barrel  12  in such a location as to allow the first end of the elongated support shaft  132  to come in contact with (e.g., or not) the riser  16 . 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Further, at least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B or both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims may generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications may be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter. 
     Also, although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited merely by the scope of the following claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure. 
     In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to merely one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” 
     The implementations have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.