Patent Publication Number: US-11385015-B2

Title: Bow stand for split limb archery bows

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/901,794 filed on Sep. 18, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of archery, and more particularly to an archery bow stand for supporting a bow on the ground or other surface. 
     Bow stands are often used to temporarily free up the archer&#39;s hands and need to be installed and removed from the bow quickly and often. When not on the bow, the need for the stand to be compact is important so it can be slipped into a pocket or backpack. Large one-piece, non-folding stands, are difficult to store when not in use. 
     Bow limbs also vary in thickness often from one end of the bow to the other and typically are not the same thickness from manufacturer to manufacturer. For a stand to reliably support a bow, the stand would need to have means for accommodating changes in limb thickness. 
     In addition, the necessity of being able to independently support an archery bow to free the archer&#39;s hands while at an archery range or during hunting has long been recognized. Accordingly, prior art archery bow stands have been proposed that vary widely in function and design, with the ultimate purpose of freeing the archer&#39;s hands while resting or when engaged in other activities where the archery bow is not needed. 
     One particular type of bow stand that has grown in popularity is a scissor-type configuration where two arms are pivotally connected together, with one end of each arm functioning as a ground support portion and the opposite end of each arm functioning a clamping portion that engages opposing outer edges of the archery bow limb. A tension spring extends between the arms and, because of its position with respect to the pivot point of the arms, positively holds the bow stand in an open position with the spring located below the pivot point so that the bow stand can be positioned on the bow limb, and positively holds the bow stand in a closed position with the spring shifted to a location above the pivot point as the arms are rotated, so that the clamping portions of each arm exerts an inward biasing force against the opposing outer edges of the archery bow limb, thereby clamping the bow limb between the arms, while the ground support portions are spread apart in a relatively wide stance to engage the ground in a tripod-like fashion with a pulley or other portion of the archery bow functioning as a third ground support portion. Although this type of bow stand is widely used, the exposed spring on these types of bow stands can be problematic, both to the user, and the user&#39;s equipment, which may be exposed to being pinched or scratched by the spring or other component of the bow stand. 
     In addition, such bow stands are relatively low in cost and therefore do not provide protection for the surfaces of the archery bow they come in contact with, such as the limb of a bow. Since bow limbs operate under very high tensile and compression stresses, damage to the limbs caused by archery equipment or accessories, such as the scissor-type bow stand, can be problematic and eventually lead to degradation in bow performance and potentially compromise the safety of the archer when repeated damage occurs over time. 
     Moreover, since such scissor-type bow stands are configured with clamping portions that face inwardly toward each other for engaging the outside edges of the archery bow limb so that the bow limb is captured between the clamping portions, they are unable to accommodate bows with wide limbs, such as split-limb bows with parallel limb segments separated by an elongate slot. These types of split-limb archery bows are typically too wide to be used with conventional scissor-type bow stands, since the clamping portions cannot practically reach around the outside edges of the spaced limb segments. Accordingly, there remains a need to provide a bow stand that is relatively simple in construction yet capable of accommodating bows with limbs that are too wide for conventional scissor-type bow stands. 
     It would therefore be desirous to provide a bow stand that overcomes one or more disadvantages of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a bow stand for supporting an archery bow having a lower split limb portion with first and second limb segments separated by an elongate slot is provided, and includes at least one leg for supporting the archery bow, at least one upper clamp portion associated with the at least one leg and including: an upright clamp section, a lower clamp section extending perpendicularly from the upright clamp section, an upper clamp section spaced from the lower clamp section and extending perpendicularly from the upright clamp section, at least one open gap formed between the upright clamp section, the upper clamp section, and the lower clamp section, the at least one gap being of sufficient height for receiving at least one of the first and second limb segments. The at least one upper clamp portion is adapted for being positioned in the elongate slot in a first orientation with the upper clamp portion extending parallel with the limb segments, and is rotatable about a vertical axis to a second orientation perpendicular to the first orientation such that the upper clamp section is oriented perpendicular to the first and second limb segments with the at least one open gap receiving at least one of the first and second limb segments to thereby retain the lower split limb portion on the bow stand. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an archery bow stand for supporting a split-limb archery bow in an upright position having first and second limb segments separated by an elongate slot. The archery bow stand includes a first leg having a first lower support portion adapted for contacting a surface and a first upper clamp portion with a first gap facing a first direction for receiving the first limb segment, and a second leg having a second lower support portion adapted for contacting the surface and a second upper clamp portion with a second gap facing a second direction opposite the first direction for receiving the second limb segment, with the first and second legs being pivotally connected together in proximity to the first and second upper clamp portions for relative pivotal movement of the first and second legs to at least a first position where the first and second gaps are aligned. In this manner, the first and second upper clamp portions are adapted to be received in the elongate slot of the lower split limb portion with the upper clamp portions extending parallel with the first and second limb segments, such that rotation of the archery bow stand about a vertical axis causes the first and second upper clamp portions to rotate in the elongate slot to a perpendicular position with respect to the first and second limb segments, such that the first gap receives one of the first and second limb segments and the second gap receives the other of the first and second limb segments to thereby retain the archery bow on the archery bow stand in the upright position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements throughout the drawings, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of an archery bow stand in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention connected to a split-limb archery bow, shown in partial view; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the archery bow stand of  FIG. 1  connected to a split-limb archery bow in an open position for supporting the bow on the ground or other surface generally oriented in a horizontal plane; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the archery bow stand connected to a split-limb archery bow shown in partial section view along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the archery bow stand of the invention connected to a split-limb archery bow as viewed along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 , showing a pulley of the archery bow positioned between the legs of the bow stand; 
         FIG. 5  is a right rear isometric view of the archery bow stand in an open position, oriented parallel with a slot between the split limb portions for connecting the archery bow stand to the split-limb archery bow; 
         FIG. 5A  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  showing the archery bow stand in the open position parallel with the slot in the split limb portions and positioned for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the archery bow stand to thereby position the clamping portions of the archery bow stand with the inner edges of the split limbs, until the bow stand of the invention is oriented at least approximately perpendicular to the bow limbs to thereby securely attach the archery bow stand to the split limb bow; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded front isometric view of the archery bow stand in accordance with the invention, showing first and second leg members and connecting components operatively associated with the legs for pivoting and locking the leg members in both open and closed positions; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded front isometric view of one of the leg members of the archery bow stand, illustrating co-molded components for engaging the bow limbs or other features associated with the bow without marring the bow yet enabling secure clamping for different limb thicknesses; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the archery bow stand of the invention in an open position, with particular components or features thereof shown in hidden line; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the archery bow stand in the open position, taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  illustrating the pivoting connection in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the archery bow stand in the open position, taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8  illustrating the detent mechanism in a first position for holding the archery bow stand in the open position; 
         FIG. 11  is a front isometric view of the archery bow stand of the invention in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11  illustrating the pivoting connection and locking mechanism in a second position for locking the archery bow stand in the closed position; 
     
    
    
     It is noted that the drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope thereof. It is further noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and therefore relative dimensions or sizes of the illustrated elements can greatly vary+. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and to  FIGS. 1-4  in particular, an archery bow stand  10  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated connected to an archery bow  14  (only partially shown in  FIG. 1 ) in a unique manner for holding the bow in an upright position when not in use. The bow stand  10  preferably includes a first leg  28  pivotally connected to a second leg  30  identical to the first leg  28 , with clamp portions  40  and  42  for attaching to the lower limb  12  of the bow  14 , such as a split-limb compound bow, as shown, so that the bow stand  10  forms a first ground support region or area  16  (shown in broken line in  FIG. 1 ) associated with a first bottom support surface  78  of the first leg  28 , and a second ground support region or area  18  (broken line  FIG. 1 ) associated with a second bottom support surface  78  of the second leg  30 , while the bow  14  forms a third ground support region or area  20  (broken line  FIG. 1 ) associated with at least one component or accessory of the bow  14 , such as the pulley and/or cam  22  mounted at an end of the lower split limb  12 , as well as a stabilizer, or other component or accessory. The three ground support regions create a stable tripod support to hold the bow  14  in an upright position on the ground or other generally horizontal surface  24  when at rest. Although the present invention is illustrated in conjunction with a compound bow  14 , it will be understood that the bow stand  10  can be used with other types of archery bows, such as longbows, recurve bows, crossbows, and so on, as well as other firearms or other devices where a bipod or tripod support may be desirable, especially where a gap extends between limb portions of the longbow, recurve bow, crossbow, and so on, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , although the archery bow stand  10  can be positioned at any convenient location along the lower limb  12  when connected thereto, the particular position along the length of the lower limb  12  is preferably selected to maximize stability of the tripod support and thus stability of the archery bow  14  in a generally upright position. As shown, the bow stand  10  is positioned near the riser  26  (partially shown in  FIG. 2 ), and extends at an obtuse angle with respect to the surface  24 . This angle is dependent at least in part on the curvature and length of the lower limb  12 , as well as the height of the cam  22  extending below the lower limb  12 . In the position as shown, the center of gravity of the archery bow  14  is preferably located vertically over the archer bow stand  10  or slightly in front of the bow stand, to ensure that the bow does not tip forward or backward while being held in the upright position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the archery bow stand  10  includes a first leg  28  pivotally connected to a second leg  30  via a pivot joint  32  for rotating the bow stand  10  between a closed position ( FIG. 11 ) for storage and transportation for example, in a convenient, compact manner, and an open position ( FIG. 2 ) for connection with the lower split limb  12  to thereby hold the archery bow  14  in an upright position when a bipod or tripod mount is desirable, as previously described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the lower limb  12  comprises a split limb having an elongate center slot  34  located between a first lower limb segment  36  and a second lower limb segment  38 . The archery bow stand  10  includes a first clamp portion  40  extends outwardly in a first direction and a second clamp portion  42  extends outwardly in a second direction opposite the first direction. The clamp portions  40  and  42  comprise cooperating features associated with the first leg  28  and the second leg  30 , as will be described in greater detail below. When the archery bow stand  10  is connected to the bow  14 , the first clamp portion  40  and second clamp portion  42  are located in the elongate center slot  34  and extend around the first lower limb segment  36  and the second lower limb segment  38 , respectively, when in the clamped position. The first and second clamp portions are preferably symmetrically arranged, so that the cam  22  is centered with respect to the outer support section  46  of the first leg  28  and the outer support section  48  of the second leg support portion  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 5A , the archery bow stand  10  is connected to the lower split limb  12  of the archery bow  14  by rotating the bow stand  10  to the fully open position until the first clamp portion  42  and second clamp portion  44  are parallel. In this position, the clamp portions extend in opposite directions. The open bow stand  10  is then oriented so that the opposing clamp portions  42 ,  44  are aligned with the elongate slot  34 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The bow stand  10  is then moved toward the slot  34 , as represented by arrow  50  in  FIG. 5 , until the first and second clamp portions  42  and  44  are located in the slot  34 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . The open bow stand is then rotated either clockwise or counter-clockwise about a center axis  52  of the bow stand  12 , as represented by double arrow  54 , until the clamp portions  42  and  44  are positioned over their respective lower limb segment  38  and  36 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 1 , to thereby support the archery bow  14  in the upright position on a surface  24 . 
     With the clamp portions located centrally in the slot  34  and extending outwardly over and under the lower limb segments  36  and  38 , the archery bow stand  10  can accommodate archery bows with split limbs of practically any width. Thus, the present invention is advantageous over prior art archery bow stands that are constructed to grasp the outer edges of the lower limb and, as a result, are only capable of being connected to archery bows with relatively narrow single-piece limbs or split limbs. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the archery bow stand  10  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes the first leg  28  pivotally connected to the second leg  30  via the pivot joint  32  for relative rotation between open and closed positions of the archery bow stand  10 , as described above. The legs  28 ,  30  are preferably identical in construction, and thus the description of one leg will apply to the other and vice-versa, with like features of each leg being represented by like numerals, except where indicated. 
     Each leg  28 ,  30  comprises an integral main body  55  that can be divided into different portions or sections for the purpose of facilitating the description of the present invention. The main body  55  thus generally includes an upper connecting portion  56  for connecting the legs  28 ,  30  together, a first upper clamp portion  40  and a second upper clamp portion  42  extending forwardly from the upper connecting portion  56  of the legs  28  and  30 , respectively, for interchangeably clamping around the first and second lower limb segments  36  and  38 , a first bow support portion  58  and a second bow support portion  60  extending rearwardly from the first clamp portion  40  and second clamp portion  42 , respectively, to assist the second clamp portion  42  and first clamp portion  40 , respectively, in supporting the bow in an upright position. The main body  55  also includes a lower support portion  62  extending downwardly and rearwardly from the upper connecting portion  56  at an obtuse angle with respect to the upper clamp portions  40 ,  42  for supporting the archery bow  14  in an upright position on the ground or other horizontal surface. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-10 , each leg  28 ,  30  can be formed as a hybrid structure with the main body  55  being integrally molded or otherwise formed of a durable plastic material with a relatively high yield strength and a suitable modulus of elasticity that allows for some elastic deformation under the weight of the archery bow and various bow accessories that may be mounted thereto, including an arrow rest, bow sight, stabilizer, dampeners, and so on, without compromising the stability of the archery bow stand  10 . Suitable materials can include, but are not limited to, plastic material such as PP, LDPE, HDPE, PVC, PET, PC, ABS, and so on, glass or carbon fiber-reinforced polymers or other composite materials, and so on. 
     In order to further strengthen the legs  28 ,  30 , and thus the structure of the archery bow stand  10 , support structure  57  ( FIG. 8 ) comprising an L-shaped body  59  is integrally molded with the main body  55  during manufacturing, such as known insert-molding techniques. As best shown in hidden line in  FIG. 8 , the L-shaped body  59  is located at critical stress areas of each leg  28 ,  30 , and preferably along the connecting portion  56  and clamp portion  40 ,  42  of each leg  28 ,  30 . The support structure  57  preferably comprises a relatively thin sheet or plate of reinforcing material, such as steel or aluminum for example, to provide added stiffness and strength at the critical stress areas of each leg  28 ,  30 . It will be understood that the main body  55  and support structure  57  are not limited to the particular shapes or materials described, but can include other shapes and/or materials, including other metals or alloys, composites, ceramics, and so on, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     The support structure  57  includes a first segment  61  extending between the pivot joint  32  and the clamp portion  40  or  42 , and a second segment  63  extending perpendicular from the first segment  61  and along the clamp portion  40  or  42 . A first reinforcement opening  65  is formed in the first segment  61  in alignment with a stepped pivot bore  67  formed in the main body  55  and extending between an inner surface  66  and an outer surface  68  thereof. A second elongate reinforcement opening or slot  69  is formed in the first segment for reducing the weight of the support structure  57  and allowing plastic material in a heated fluid state to flow through and around the support structure during the molding process of the main body  55 . A third relatively small opening  71  is formed in the support structure  71  near the intersection of the first segment  61  and second segment  63  for ensuring flow of plastic material through and around the support structure  57  during the molding process. The second segment  63 , as best shown in hidden line in  FIG. 8 , extends from the first segment  61  and along an upper section  72  of the clamp portion  40  or  42  to strengthen the clamp portions against unwanted deformation when the archery bow is supported in the upright position by the archery bow stand  10 . clouded 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 6-8 , the lower support portion  62  is elongate in shape and includes the inner surface  66  and outer surface  68  of the main body  55 , an upper side surface  74  and lower side surface  76  each extending between the inner surface  66  and outer surface  68 , and a bottom support surface  78  extending between the inner surface  66  and outer surface  68  and the upper side surface  74  and lower side surface  76 . The bottom support surface  78  is adapted to contact the ground, floor, or other horizontal surface  24  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Since the legs  28  and  30  are identical in construction, they are oriented so that the clamp portion  40  of the leg  28  and the clamp portion  42  of the leg  30  extend in opposite directions. The inner surface  66  of the first leg  28  and the inner surface  66  of the second leg  30  thus face inwardly toward each other when assembled, and slide against each other when the legs  28 ,  30  are rotated about the pivot joint  32 . Likewise, the outer surface  68  of the first leg  28  and the outer surface  68  of the second leg  30  face outwardly away from each other, as shown in  FIG. 6  for example. In addition, as shown, the outer surface  68  of the first leg  28  and the inner surface  66  of the second leg  30  face forwardly, while the inner surface  66  of the first leg  28  and outer surface  68  of the second leg  30  face rearwardly. Accordingly, it will be understood that terms of orientation and/or position as used herein refer to relative, rather than absolute, orientations and/or positions. 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a plurality of holes  80  extend through each leg  22  and  24  between the first and outer surfaces  66  and  68 , respectively, to reduce the amount of material needed with its attendant weight, without compromising the structural integrity of the legs  28 ,  30  of the archery bow stand  10 . The holes  80  are shown as generally triangular shape with the apex  81  of one triangular hole  80  pointing outwardly and the apex  81  of an adjacent triangular hole  80  pointing inwardly to form vertical cross beams or webs  82 A and horizontal cross beams or webs  82 B extending between an outer chord or strut  84  associated with the outer surface  74  and an inner chord or strut  86  associated with the inner surface  76  of each leg  28 ,  30 . The webs  82 A,  82 B, outer chord  84 , and inner chord  86  of each leg  28 ,  30  bear the load of the archery bow  14  and any accessories or components mounted on the bow, as previously described. 
     With the above-described exemplary embodiment of the invention, when the archery bow  14  is held in the upright position on a horizontal surface by the archery bow stand  10  in the open position, with the bottom support surface  78  of the leg  28  and the bottom support surface  78  of the leg  30  spaced in a relatively wide stance as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  for example, the outer chords  84  and inner chords  86  of the legs  28  and  30  are parallel and oriented diagonally, while the webs  82 A are positioned vertically and the webs  82 B are positioned horizontally. With the legs  28  and  30  connected together at the pivot joint  32  and the clamp portions  40 ,  42  extending around their associated split limb sections  36 ,  38 , the diagonally positioned parallel chords  84  and  86  together with the vertical webs  82 A and horizontal webs  82 B form a double truss configuration, such as a quadrangular truss configuration, parallel chord scissor configuration, or the like, with tensile forces generally acting on the diagonal chords  84 ,  86  and compressive forces acting on the vertical webs  82 A. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous for supporting relatively large loads while maximizing the span or width between the bottom support surfaces  78  of the legs  28  and  30  to thereby create greater stability for both the archery bow  14  and the archery bow stand  10  when holding the archery bow in the upright position, as shown in  FIG. 1  for example. 
     Thus, the particular double truss configuration of the bow stand  10  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention creates a strong load-bearing structure across a relatively wide stance between the bottom support surfaces  78  of the legs  28  and  30  in the open position, thereby minimizing deformation in the legs  28 ,  30 , and providing increased stability of the archery bow stand  10  in conjunction with the archery bow  14  when connected together as shown in  FIG. 1  for example. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6, 7, and 11 , a stepped generally cylindrical hole  88  ( FIG. 7 ) is formed in the inner chord  86  of each leg  28  and  30 , intersecting the inner surface  76  and extending between the inner surface  66  and outer surface  68 . A stepped generally cylindrical bumper  90  complementary in shape to the hole  88 , is positioned in the hole  88  of each leg  28 ,  30  so that a portion of the bumper extends from the inner surface  76  as a convex protrusion. The bumper  90  is preferably constructed of resilient elastomeric material, such as rubber, neoprene, silicone, or other suitable material and installed in the hole  88  by friction fit, adhesive bonding, or other known connecting means. 
     When the archery bow stand  10  is in the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the bumpers  90  protrude sufficiently toward each other to be in mutual contact when the bow stand  10  is in the closed position to cushion and silence the legs  28  and  30  when rotated toward the closed position. Although the bumpers  90  are shown as separate parts and installed in the holes  88  of each leg portion, it will be understood that the bumpers  90  can be formed together with the main body  55  during manufacture. In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a resilient cover (not shown) can be formed as an overmolded component on the main body  55  of each leg  28 ,  30  during manufacture. 
     Although a particular configuration of the legs  28  and  30  is shown and described, it will be understood that the leg configurations can greatly vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, including the various openings, as well as the relative leg size, shape, thickness, length, and so on. It will be further understood that each leg need not be identical, but may have various dimensional, design, and functional features unique to each leg. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-10 , the connecting portion  56  of each leg  28 ,  30  includes the pivot joint  32  and a detent assembly  95  operably associated with the pivot joint for limiting the relative pivoting or rotational motion of the legs  28 ,  30 . The pivot joint  32  enables relative rotation of the legs  28 ,  30  between the closed position ( FIG. 11 ) for storing and/or transporting the bow stand  10  and the open position ( FIG. 1 ) for supporting an archery bow  14  in an upright position. The detent assembly  95  operates in conjunction with the pivot joint  32  for ensuring that the legs  28 ,  30  are rotated to and held at a first predetermined relative angular position defining the closed position of the bow stand  10 . Likewise, the detent assembly  95  also ensures that the legs  28 ,  30  are rotated to and held at a second predetermined relative angular position defining the open position of the bow stand  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6, 7, and 9 , the pivot joint  32  includes a stepped pivot bore  67  formed in the main body  55  of each leg  28 ,  30 , as previously described. The stepped pivot bore  67  has a first bore section  92  with a first diameter extending into the main body  55  of each leg  28 ,  30  from the outer surface  68 , and a second elongate bore section  94  with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter extending from the first bore section to the inner surface  66 , so that the stepped pivot bore  67  extends completely through each leg  28 ,  30 . The first reinforcement opening  65  ( FIG. 7 ) formed in the first segment  61  of the support structure  57  is in alignment with the second bore section  94  and has a diameter approximately equal to, or slightly larger than, the second bore section  94  formed in the main body  55  to reinforce the stepped pivot bore  67 , as previously described. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a first fastener  96  is provided with a first circular fastening head section  98  and a first elongate shaft section  100  extending therefrom. The first head section  98  is positioned in the first bore section  92  of the first leg  28  with the first elongate shaft section is positioned in both the second elongate bore sections  94  of the first leg  28  and second leg  30 . An internally threaded bore  102  (best shown in  FIGS. 9 and 12 ) is formed at an opposite end of the shaft section  100  for receiving a second fastener  104  having a second circular fastening head section  106  and a second shaft section  108  with outer threads  110  formed thereon that mate with the internally threaded bore  102  to secure the fasteners  96  and  104  together with the first leg  28  and second leg  30  pivotally connected to the elongate shaft section  100  and held in place by the first and second fastening head sections. Preferably, the fastening head sections are flush with or slightly below the outer surface  68 . A hex-shaped depression  112  is formed in the fastening head section  98  and a hex-shaped depression  114  is formed in the fastening head section  106  for engagement with a hex tool or the like when assembling the legs  28 ,  30  together, as well as adjusting the resistance to relative pivotal movement of the legs between open and closed positions. 
     When the fastening head sections are rotated in a direction to further tighten the legs  28 ,  30  together, for example, the normal compressive forces applied by the fastening head sections on the legs  28 ,  30  increases, thereby increasing the frictional force between the inner surfaces  66  of the legs  28  and  30  during pivotal movement about the elongate shaft section  100 . The amount of friction can be adjusted to a desired level by loosening or tightening the first and second fasteners to thereby adjust the amount of force needed to rotate the legs  28 ,  30  between the closed and open positions. 
     It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular manner described and illustrated herein for pivotally connecting the legs  28  and  30  together. For example, the above-described method can be reversed, where the first and second fasteners are positioned in the second and first legs, respectively, since the legs  28  and  30  are identical and therefore interchangeable. 
     It will be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular fasteners shown and described for pivotally connecting the legs  28 ,  30  together, but can include various means for pivotally connecting the legs together without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 6, 10, and 12 , the detent assembly  95  preferably includes a first detent opening  116  and a second detent opening  118  of size and depth are formed in the main body  55  from the inner surface  66  of each arm  28 ,  30 . A first cylindrically shaped detent member  120  and a second similarly shaped detent member  122  are inserted into each detent opening  116  and  118  in one of the arms  28  and  30 , while a compression spring  124  and ball  126  are inserted into the detent opening  116  of the other arm  28 ,  30 . As shown in  FIG. 6  for example, the compression spring  124  and ball  126  are inserted into the detent opening  116  of the first leg  28 . A countersunk bore  130  is formed in each detent member  120 ,  122  for receiving a portion of the ball  126  when aligned therewith to thereby create a positive detent position. When the legs  28 ,  30  are in the closed position, the detent openings  116  of the legs align, as shown for example in  FIG. 12 . Likewise, when the legs  28 ,  30  are rotated to the fully open position, the detent opening  116  of one leg is aligned with the detent opening  118  of the other leg so that the ball  126  under biasing forces from the spring, positively locates in the countersunk bore  130  of the detent member  120  or  122  (depending on which detent hole it is inserted in) to thereby form a second positive detent position defining the fully open position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the pivot joint  32  works together with the detent assembly  95  for adjusting the rotational force or the force resistant to rotation between the legs  28 ,  30  during pivotal movement between the predetermined closed and open positions. In the closed position in  FIG. 12 , the ball  126  is aligned with the detent member  120  under the biasing force from the compression spring  124 . The first fastener  96  with the head section  98  and elongate shaft section  100  and the second fastener  104  with the head section  106  and outer threads  110  extend through the legs  28 ,  30  with the head sections  98  and  106  holding the legs in place while permitting relative pivotal movement. When the first and second fasteners are further tightened, the compression spring  124  and ball  126  are further compressed between the first and second legs, with the ball  126  riding on the inner surface  66  outside of the detent members  120 ,  122 , such as when the legs are rotated somewhere between the fully open and fully closed detent positions, thereby causing greater forces to pivot the first and second legs relative to each other. When the fasteners  96  and  104  are loosened, the forces of the ball  126  on the inner surface  66  will be less, thereby causing smaller forces to pivot the legs relative to each other. Accordingly, the compression spring  124  and ball  126  can be advantageously used to adjust the desired rotational forces either alone or in combination with the frictional contact between the inner surfaces  66  of the legs  28  and  30 , as previously described. 
     In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the legs  28  and  30  can be configured or otherwise connected or arranged so that the inner surfaces  66  of the legs  28  and  30  are spaced apart to eliminate frictional forces therebetween when the legs are rotated about the pivot joint  32 , so that only the ball  126  associated with one leg  28  for example, is pressed against the inner surface  66  associated with the other leg  30  for example, to thereby function as the sole means for adjusting the frictional force therebetween and thus the resistance of the leg members to rotational movement about the pivot joint  32 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a boss  125  is positioned on the inner surface  66  of the first leg  28  and/or second leg  30 . The bump  125  is located at a position to allow rotation of the legs  28  and  30  to the fully open position, but blocks further rotation toward the open position to thereby ensure that the archery bow stand  10  stays within a predetermined maximum limit of rotation where integrity of the bow stand remains uncompromised in the event that the legs  28 ,  30  pivot beyond the open detent position. The boss  125  can be integrally molded with the first and/or second leg  28 ,  30 , or formed separately and mounted in a hole (not shown) or the like. When formed separately, the boss  125  can be constructed of elastomeric material with a high coefficient of friction to function as a brake against further rotational movement beyond the predefined open position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 6, and 8 , the clamp portion  40  associated with leg  28  and the clamp portion  42  associated with leg  30  preferably include a C-shaped jaw section  132  facing outwardly from the connecting portion  56 , with a lower clamp section  134 , an upper clamp section  136  extending parallel with the lower clamp section, and an upright side wall clamp section  138  extending between the lower clamp section  134  and the upper clamp segment  136  so that the upper clamp section is cantilevered over the lower clamp section. An open gap  140  is formed between the lower clamp section  134  and the upper clamp section  136  for receiving one of the lower limb segments  36 ,  38  ( FIG. 5A ) when rotated within the slot  34  located between the limb segments  36 ,  38 . The bow stand is then rotated either clockwise or counter-clockwise about the center axis  52  of the bow stand  12 , as represented by double arrow  54 , until the C-shaped jaw section  132  of each leg  28 ,  30  is positioned over its respective lower limb segment  38  and  36 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , to thereby support the archery bow  14  in the upright position on a surface  24 . 
     When the split-limb archery bow is supported in a vertical position on the archery bow stand  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 , with the C-shaped jaw sections extending generally perpendicularly to the orientation of the limb segments  36  and  38 , each of the first bow support portion  58  and the second bow support portion  60  preferably includes a horizontal support shelf or ledge  144  that extends rearwardly from the first clamp portion  40  and the second clamp portion  42 , respectively. The support ledge  144  provides a further horizontal support for each lower limb segment  36  and  38 , to thereby further stabilize the split-limb archery bow  14  on the archery bow, while strengthening the first and second clamp portions  40  and  42 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 7 , a resilient C-shaped clamp cover  150  is provided for protecting and adjusting each clamp portion  40 ,  42 . The resilient C-shaped clamp cover  150  preferably includes a lower cover section  152  extending over the lower clamp section  134 , an upper cover section  154  extending over the upper clamp section  136 , and a side wall cover section  156  extending over the side wall segment  138  so that only the resilient material of the cover  50  contacts the split limb segments to thereby eliminate or at least minimize damage to the limb segments. Each cover section of the cover  150  is preferably formed with a plurality of resilient, deformable fingers  160  that extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the lower clamp section, the cantilevered upper clamp section of the clamp portion  40 ,  42 . One or more upper clamp sections also be provided on the side wall cover section  156 . The upper clamp sections are preferably constructed of a resilient material such as rubber or other elastomeric material, open-cell polyurethane foam, silicon, and so on, so that the clamp portions  40 ,  42  are adjustable to the particular thickness or varying height of the lower limb segments  36  and  38  associated with different split limb archery bows. 
     Likewise, a resilient cover  160  extends over the horizontal shelf  144  to protect the limb segments  36  and  38  that would otherwise occur when the bow stand  10  is connected to the split-limb bow  14 . Parallel fingers  162  formed along the resilient cover  160  help to further protect the bow limb  12  or other structure from scratches and localized contact forces when the bow stand  10  is clamped therearound and positioned for properly holding the bow in a bipod or tripod support configuration, as previously described, and as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The deformable nature of the fingers  162  ensure that the limb segments  36  and  38  are adjustable in height with the finger sections  160  additionally supported at a height substantially equal to the height resilient cover  90  can be formed as an overmolded component or can be formed separately and attached to the C-shaped jaw section through adhesive bonding or other known connecting means. 
     In accordance with an exemplary method of constructing the bow stand  10 , the legs  28  and  30  can be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, via injection molding, or metal via machining, and so on, and then placed into an injection mold, and a second material, such as an elastomeric material, can be over-molded around the legs to form the resilient or cushioned portions of the bow stand  10  that will protect the split limbs of the bow as well as other related components. In this manner, the two materials are permanently joined as an integral structure, and work together to produce a bow stand that is strong, light weight, aesthetically pleasing, and practical to the purchaser or end user. Post processing of the combined two-part assembly can then be performed. Other retaining apertures or slots, besides those previously described with respect to the reinforcing member and main body portion, can also be formed in the legs and/or resilient material, and a corresponding number of retaining bumps or projections of complementary shape and size can be formed in the resilient material and/or the legs so that the more rigid structure and more flexible, resilient material are fixed together against relative slidable movement without the need for adhesives or extra assembly steps. During over-molding, the flexible material can flow into retaining grooves and around retaining projections or bumps to thereby create an integral structure. 
     It will be understood that the term “preferably” as used throughout the specification refers to one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and therefore is not to be interpreted in any limiting sense. In addition, terms of orientation and/or position as may be used throughout the specification denote relative, rather than absolute orientations and/or positions. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. For example, although the openings are shown as extending through the thickness of the legs, it will be understood that the openings can be in the form of depressions or the like that do not extend entirely through the legs. 
     Likewise, the openings in the legs can be eliminated in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention without affecting the operation of the archery bow stand. 
     It will be further understood that, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the legs can be separable rather than permanently connected together when not in use, so that the footprint of the bow stand can be minimized during storage and transportation. 
     In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention, the legs  28 ,  30  need not be identical, but can comprise different shapes or configurations operably connected together to support a split-limb archery bow in an upright position. Thus, the leg  28  for example can include the first clamp portion  40  and the second clamp portion  42  arranged back-to-back in an H-shape double clamp configuration so that the clamp portions face opposite directions for engaging opposing inner edges of the split limb segments in the elongate slot when the H-shaped double clamp configuration of the leg  28  is positioned in the slot between the limb segments and rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise to position the clamp portions around the different limb segments. The leg  30  can then be rotated to an open position to form the tripod mounting arrangement as previously described with respect to the previously disclosed embodiment with identical legs  28  and  30 . 
     It will be understood, therefore, that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but also covers modifications, features, shapes, and configurations within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.