Patent Publication Number: US-9429383-B2

Title: Apparatus for mounting accessory to archery bow

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/922,300 filed on Dec. 31, 2013. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to archery bows and, in particular, to devices for mounting accessories, such as front stabilizers, to archery bows. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An archer&#39;s bow must be properly balanced to ensure an accurate shot. If the bow is not properly balanced, the arrow shot will not be true because various forces will cause the bow to pull to one side or another, or cause the bow to lift up or pull down. All this, can affect the accuracy of the archer&#39;s shot. 
     Typically, an archer will add or mount various items to the bow. Such items include, for example, bow sights, arrow quivers, and stabilizers. These items change the balance of the bow, and may affect the accuracy of the archer&#39;s shot. To counteract the weight of the attachments to the bow and to increase stability during shooting, one or more stabilizers with a counter-balancing weight can be attached to the bow. 
     Stabilizers generally comprise a mass that is capable of moving to reduce noise and vibration that occurs upon release of the bow string. The movement of the mass is typically opposed by a spring means and/or a viscous damping force. The stabilizer typically has a threaded end screwed to the front side of a bow riser, and extends in approximately the same direction as that in which an arrow is propelled from the bow. 
     Additional rear mounted stabilizers are sometimes attached to the bow to extend in a rearward direction to provide additional counter-balancing and stabilizing for the bow. An example of a bow equipped with both a front stabilizer and a pair of rear stabilizers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,407 (Gasser). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,123 (Wirtz), U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,977 (Thomas) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,981 (Breedlove) disclose elbow assemblies used to allow a front-mounted stabilizer to pivot away from its normal position to reduce snagging in the field and to provide a more compact arrangement when transporting the bow. These elbow assemblies also allow the stabilizer to be selectively locked into its normal forward extending position. However, conventional elbow assemblies do not allow the stabilizer to be positioned at any desired angle (up and down, and side to side) to accurately balance the bow. 
     There is a need for an improved device for mounting accessories, such as stabilizers, to archery bows to provide a better range of adjustment to more accurately balance and stabilize the bow. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for mounting accessories to an archery bow that allows the accessories to be positioned at a wide variety of orientations for balancing the bow. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can be used for mounting both front stabilizers and rear stabilizers on an archery bow. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for mounting accessories to an archery bow that provides a secure and stable adjustable mounting, that can be adjusted through a wide range of positions and orientations, that is efficient to manufacture, that is simple to use, and that is capable of a long and reliable operating life. 
     To accomplish these and other objects of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for mounting an accessory, such as a front stabilizer, to an archery bow. The apparatus includes first and second coupling members, a first threaded system for securing the first coupling member to a front side of a handle of the archery bow, and a second threaded system for securing the first and second coupling members together. The first threaded system allows the first coupling member to be adjusted about its longitudinal axis relative to the bow handle when loosened, and to be fixed relative to the bow handle when tightened. The second threaded system allows the first and second coupling members to be angularly adjusted relative to each other when loosened, and to be fixed relative to each other when tightened. A front stabilizer or other accessory is secured to the second coupling member in front of the bow handle. The apparatus allows a wide variety of adjusted positions for the mounted accessory. The apparatus can also be used to mount a rearwardly extending accessory to the bow, such a rear stabilizer. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention an apparatus for mounting an accessory to an archery bow is provided, comprising: a first coupling member having a first longitudinal axis; a first threaded system for securing the first coupling member to a handle of an archery bow, the first threaded system being arranged to allow the first coupling member to be adjusted about the first longitudinal axis when loosened, and to fix the first coupling member against rotation about the first longitudinal axis when tightened; a second coupling member having a second longitudinal axis; a second threaded system for securing the first and second coupling members together, the second threaded system being arranged to allow the first and second coupling members to be adjusted about an axis perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes when loosened, and to fix the first and second coupling members together when tightened; and a means for securing an accessory to the second coupling member. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, an adjustable stabilizer assembly for an archery bow is provided, comprising: a first coupling member having a first longitudinal axis; a first threaded system for securing the first coupling member to a handle of an archery bow, the first threaded system being arranged to allow the first coupling member to be adjusted about the first longitudinal axis when loosened, and to fix the first coupling member against rotation about the first longitudinal axis when tightened; a second coupling member having a second longitudinal axis; a second threaded system for securing the first and second coupling members together, the second threaded system being arranged to allow the first and second coupling members to be adjusted about an axis perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes when loosened, and to fix the first and second coupling members together when tightened; and an elongated stabilizer secured to the second coupling member and extending along the second longitudinal axis. 
     Numerous other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described an embodiment of the present invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious aspects without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more clearly appreciated as the disclosure of the invention is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an apparatus for mounting an accessory to an archery bow according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus in an angled position. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an archery bow having a stabilizer mounted to the bow using the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , with phantom lines indicating various positions of adjustment of the stabilizer. 
         FIG. 5  is another perspective view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus, with phantom lines indicating the various positions of adjustment of the stabilizer. 
         FIG. 6  is a right side elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted in a horizontal, straight forward position using the apparatus. 
         FIG. 7  is a right side elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus to extend downwardly and forward from the bow. 
         FIG. 8  is a right side elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus in the same position shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a right side elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus to extend horizontal and left from the bow. 
         FIG. 10  is a left side elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus to extend horizontal and right from the bow. 
         FIG. 11  is a right side elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus to extend downward and right from the bow. 
         FIG. 12  is a left side elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus to extend downward and right from the bow. 
         FIG. 13  is a front elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus, with phantom lines indicating the various positions of adjustment of the stabilizer. 
         FIG. 14  is a front elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus to extend in a horizontal, straight forward position. 
         FIG. 15  is a front elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus to extend horizontal and left from the bow. 
         FIG. 16  is a front elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus to extend downward and left from the bow. 
         FIG. 17  is a front elevation view of the archery bow with the stabilizer mounted using the apparatus to extend downward and right from the bow. 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevation view of an archery bow with a front stabilizer and a rear stabilizer both mounted to the bow using the apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a rear elevation view of the archery bow shown in  FIG. 18  with the front and rear stabilizers mounted using the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus  10  for mounting an accessory, such as a front stabilizer  11 , to an archery bow  12  will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 19  of the accompanying drawings. 
     The apparatus  10  includes a first coupling member  13 , a second coupling member  14 , a first threaded system  15 , a second threaded system  16 , and a quick-disconnect coupling  17 . The first threaded system  15  is for securing the first coupling member  13  to a handle  18  of an archery bow  12 . The second threaded system  16  is for securing the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  together. The quick-disconnect coupling  17  is for securing an accessory, such as a front stabilizer  11 , to the apparatus  10 . 
     The first coupling member  13  has a first longitudinal axis  19 . The first threaded system  15  is arranged to allow the first coupling member  13  to be rotatably adjusted about the first longitudinal axis  19  when loosened, and to fix the first coupling member  13  against rotation about the first longitudinal axis  19  when tightened. 
     The first threaded system  15  includes a threaded bolt  20  that mates with a female threaded receptacle in the front side of the bow handle  18 . The threaded bolt  20  is rotatable about the first longitudinal axis  19 . The first threaded system  15  also includes a threaded stud  21  having a longitudinal bore  22 . The threaded bolt  20  extends through the longitudinal bore  22  in the stud  21  to fix the stud  21  to the bow handle  18 . 
     The first coupling member  13  has a female threaded receptacle  23  at one end mated with the threaded stud  21 . A jam nut  24  is threaded onto the threaded stud  21 . The jam nut  24  is arranged to fix the first coupling member  13  against rotation relative to the threaded stud  21  when the jam nut  24  is tightened against the first coupling member  13 . The first coupling member  13  has a pair of diametrically opposed flat portions  25  formed on an external surface thereof for allowing a wrench to be used to hold the first coupling member  13  in a desired position while tightening the jam nut  24 . 
     The second coupling member  14  has a second longitudinal axis  26 . The second threaded system  16  is arranged to allow the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  to be rotatably adjusted about an axis perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes  19 ,  26  when loosened, and to fix the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  together when tightened. 
     The first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  are mated together by a projection  27  extending from one end of the second coupling member  14  that fits into a slot  28  formed between two side portions  29 ,  30  on the first coupling member  13 . The side portions  29 ,  30  are integral with the first coupling member  13 , and the projection  27  is integral with the second coupling member  14 . Alternatively, the projection  27  can be provided on the first coupling member and the slot provided on the second coupling member. 
     The projection  27  has flat left and right side surfaces  31  that are parallel with each other. The side portions  29 ,  30  have flat facing surfaces  32  that are parallel with each other and arranged to engage the side surfaces  31  of the projection  27  when the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  are coupled together. 
     A first lateral bore  33  extends through the side portions  29 ,  30  perpendicular to and intersecting with the first longitudinal axis  19  of the first coupling member  13 . A second lateral bore  34  extends through the projection  27  perpendicular to and intersecting with the second longitudinal axis  26  of the second coupling member  14 . The first and second lateral bores  33 ,  34  are aligned when the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  are mated together. 
     The second threaded system  16  extends through the aligned bores  33 ,  34  of the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14 . The second threaded system  16  is arranged to cause the two side portions  29 ,  30  to squeeze against the projection  27  to fix the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  against rotation relative to each other when tightened. 
     The second threaded system  16  includes a male threaded member  35  and a female threaded member  36 . The threaded members  35 ,  36  are inserted into the aligned bores  33 ,  34  from opposite sides of the first coupling member  13 . Each of the male and female threaded members  35 ,  36  has an enlarged head portion  35 H,  36 H. The outer portions  33 C of the bore  33  through the side portions  29 ,  30  of the first coupling member  13  are countersunk to allow the heads  35 H,  36 H of the threaded members  35 ,  36  to be contained within respective outer profiles of the side portions  29 ,  30 . 
     The female threaded member  36  is keyed to prevent rotation relative to the first coupling member  13 . A first key way  37  is formed in an outer surface of the female threaded member  36 , a second key way is formed in an inner surface of the bore  33  of the first coupling member  13 , and a key  38  is fit into the first and second key ways to maintain the female threaded member  36  in a fixed angular position relative to the first coupling member  13 . Alternatively, other rotation preventing structures can be used instead of the cooperating key  38  and key ways  37  shown in the drawings. For example, the female threaded member  36  can be provided with one or more flat surfaces that mate with one or more corresponding flat surfaces on the inner surface of the bore  33  to prevent rotation of the female threaded member  36  relative to the first coupling member  13 . 
     The head  36 H of the female threaded member  36  has a curved shape that matches the outer profile of the side portion  30  in which the female threaded member  36  is inserted when the female threaded member  36  is in its fixed angular position relative to the first coupling member  13 . 
     The head  35 H of the male threaded member  35  has a hex-shaped receptacle  39  for receiving an allen wrench or other suitable wrench for turning the male threaded member  35  for selectively tightening and loosening the second threaded system  16 . 
     A threaded set screw bore  40  is formed through at least one of the side portions  29  of the first coupling member  13 . A set screw  41  is threaded into the set screw bore  40  and arranged to engage against a portion of the projection  27  of the second coupling member  14  to lock the coupling members  13 ,  14  against rotation relative to each other when tightened. An arcuate groove  42  is formed in the projection  27  for receiving the engaging end of the set screw  41 . The set screw  41  provides a secondary means for locking the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  together. Although only one set screw bore  40 , set screw  41  and arcuate groove  42  are illustrated in the drawings, it should be understood that a second set screw bore and set screw can be provided through the side portion  29 , or through the other side portion  30 , to provide an additional means for locking the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  together. 
     The distal ends  43  of the side members  29 ,  30  of the first coupling member  13  are arcuate and convex. A base  44  on each side of the projection  27  on the second coupling member  14  is arcuate and concave. The convex shape of the ends  43  of the side members  29 ,  30  corresponds with the concave shape of the base  44  on each side of the projection  27 . Adjacent outer surfaces of the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  are maintained in close proximity with each other when the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  are adjusted relative to each other. 
     Indicia  45 A,  45 B are provided on the adjacent outer surfaces of the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14  for providing a visual indication of an angle of adjustment between the first and second coupling members  13 ,  14 . The indicia  45 A,  45 B are provided adjacent to the arcuate ends  43  of the side members  29 ,  30  and the arcuate base  44  on each side of the projection  27 . 
     The quick-disconnect coupling  17  comprises an inset member  46  that fits into a laterally extending bore  47  on the second coupling member  14 . A longitudinally extending bore  48  extends through a distal end  49  of the second coupling member  14  and has an open slot  50  between the longitudinal bore  48  and the lateral bore  47 . The inset member  46  has a threaded receptacle  51  that can be aligned with the longitudinal bore  48  for receiving a threaded member protruding from an accessory, such as a stabilizer  11 . 
     The accessory  11  is secured to the second coupling member  14  by first loosely threading the threaded member of the accessory  11  into the threaded receptacle  51  of the inset member  46 . The inset member  46  is then inserted into the lateral bore  47  until the threaded member of the accessory  11  is aligned with the longitudinal axis  26  of the second coupling member.  14  The accessory  11  is then tightened relative to the second coupling member  14  by rotating the accessory  11  to cause the threaded connection between the accessory  11  and the inset member  46  to become tight. The accessory  11  can be quickly disconnected by merely loosening the threaded connection between the inset member  46  and the accessory  11  and moving the accessory  11  laterally relative to the second coupling member  14 . 
       FIGS. 4 to 17  show how the mounting apparatus  10  can be used to mount a front stabilizer  11  to an archery bow  12 .  FIGS. 18 and 19  show how the mounting apparatus  10  can be used to mount both front and rear stabilizers to an archery bow  12 . The archery bow  12  includes a bow handle  18  having a threaded bore in a front side thereof. The stabilizer  11  is an elongated member for stabilizing the bow  12 . The stabilizer  11  has a threaded member protruding from one end. The threaded member of the stabilizer  11  is connected to the mounting apparatus  10  using the quick-disconnect coupling  17  described above. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 13 , the mounting apparatus  10  allows the front mounted stabilizer  11  to be infinitely adjusted to a wide variety of positions, including up and down and side to side. Thus, the forward end of the stabilizer  11  can be positioned in virtually any position desired by the user to accommodate different shooting styles as well as different bow setups. For example, the mounting apparatus  10  can be used to reposition the front stabilizer  11  between a first position desired by the archer when a quiver is mounted on the bow  12  during hunting, and a second position desired by the archer when the quiver is removed during target shooting. This allows the front stabilizer  11  to be positioned right or left and up or down to counterbalance the weight and location of the quiver or other accessories added to or removed from the bow  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the mounting apparatus  10  can also be used to allow a rear mounted stabilizer  11  to be infinitely adjusted to a wide variety of positions, including up and down and side to side. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.