Patent Publication Number: US-9429384-B2

Title: Archery release aid

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/934,452, filed Jan. 31, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an archery release aid and, more particularly, to an archery release aid with a rotatable sleeve. 
     Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat, while in modern times, its main use is that of a competitive sport and recreational activity. A person who participates in archery is typically known as an “archer” or a “bowman”, and one who is fond of or an expert at archery can be referred to as a toxophilite. 
     A release aid is a mechanical device designed to give a crisp and precise loose of arrows from a compound bow. In the most commonly used, the string is released by a finger-operated trigger mechanism, held in the archer&#39;s hand or attached to their wrist. In another type, known as a back-tension release, the string is automatically released when drawn to a pre-determined tension. 
     Existing designs of release aids allow for inconsistent frictional pressure. Inconsistent frictional pressure reduces the accuracy of the arrows point on impact. Further, the existing moving parts of the current release aids wear out or break unexpectedly which results in damage to equipment or individuals 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a release aid for archery that provides consistent frictional pressure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an archery release aid comprises: a body comprising a circular inner surface forming a finger opening within; a trigger hook protruding from an outer surface of the body and configured to releasably hook onto a string of a bow; and a circular sleeve forming a finger opening within, wherein the circular sleeve is suspended within the circular inner surface of the body, and is rotatable relative to the circular inner surface. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective detail view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in use; 
         FIG. 2  is a front top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view demonstrating the rotation of the sleeve. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     The present invention includes a rotating sleeve used in conjunction with an archery release aid. The combination of design and materials that are machined to coincide with each other assist in creating a consistent smooth non frictional centering pressure pivot point. The rotating sleeve may rotate from 0 to 360 degrees. 
     The present invention includes a body of sufficient size and shape to conform to an individual&#39;s hand. An adjustable hook is used to hook onto the bow string or D-Loop material to assist in the process of drawing a bow. A thumb peg is used to hold onto with the thumb to assist in the process of drawing of a bow. The inner sleeve rotates to create a consistent smooth non frictional centering pressure pivot point. A dowel pin may insert through the main body securing the hook allowing for the adjustment of the hook. The wrist strap slot allows for the use of a wrist strap. An adjustment screw may be used for the adjustment of the hook for the individual&#39;s preferences. 
     Upon drawing a bow and arrow to full draw, the individual allows the release to create the consistent smooth non frictional centering pressure point. Once this is established the individual may continue their shot process until the arrow is fired. Using the technique described above results in a consistent accurate release of the arrow. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the present invention includes an archery release aid  10 . The archery release aid  10  includes a body  12  having a circular inner surface  34  forming an opening within. A trigger hook  38  protrudes from an outer surface of the body  12  and is configured to releasably hook onto a string of a bow. The trigger hook  38  may be secured to the body  12  by a dowel-pin  22  and may be adjustable by an adjustment screw  30 . The present invention further includes a circular sleeve  14  forming an opening sized fit a finger  18  within. The circular sleeve  14  is suspended within the circular inner surface  34  of the body  12  and is rotatable relative to the circular inner surface  34 . 
     In certain embodiments, the circular inner surface  34  and the circular sleeve  14  are continuous. In certain embodiments, the circular sleeve  14  may include a channel formed along a circumference of an outer surface  36  of the sleeve  14 . The channel slidably engages with a ridge  40  that is formed along a circumference of the circular inner surface  34 . The channel may be formed by a concave outer surface  36  formed along the entire circumference of the outer surface  36  of the sleeve  14 . 
     The archer release aid  10  may include additional components that help with the grip. For example, a finger groove arm  28  may protrude from the outer surface of the body  12 . The finger groove arm  28  may include at least one groove, such as two grooves, for receiving fingers. A thumb peg  42  may be protruding from the outer surface of the body  12  as well. The thumb peg  42  may be attached to the body  12  by a screw  24 . In certain embodiments, a slot  32  may be formed on the outer surface and sized to receive a wrist strap, securing the archer release aid  10  to the user&#39;s wrist  16 . 
     In certain embodiments, the sleeve  14  may include a hole  20  there through, aligning with a hole formed through the body. The aligning holes  20  may provide access for an adjustment tool. 
     The materials that may be used to make the present invention may include the following: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Teflon®, leather, Delran®, Brass, Copper, Carbon, Nickel, Steel, Cobalt, Titanium, Magnesium, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Platinum, Silver, Gold, Bronze, or Tungsten. These materials may be used in a singular form or a combination of one or more to form the finished product. 
     A method of using the present invention may include the following. The individual would draw a bow and arrow back to full draw and anchor point. Once this is established the individual allows the rotation to create the consistent smooth non frictional centering pressure point. When this is established the individual would continue their shot process until the arrow was fired resulting in the consistent arrows point of impact. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.