Patent Publication Number: US-2004046079-A1

Title: Bowstring serving tool

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates generally to archery and, in particular, to a simple and effective hand tool for wrapping serving line around a bowstring.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] To reduce wear and increase longevity, it is customary to wrap a relatively thin serving line around a bowstring, particularly at the ends, where it connects to the bow, and in the middle where it engages with the end of the arrow. Currently, there are two methods to apply such serving line, namely, by hand, which is inexpensive but tedious, and through the use of sophisticated automated machines, which are expensive and relegated only to larger retail outlets as opposed to smaller stores or individuals.  
       [0003] A hand-held bowstring serving tool is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,197. While this device does permit a user to wrap serving line using a portable implement, the apparatus is needlessly complex and inferior in various ways. The mechanism includes numerous components and moving parts subject to breakdown and wear. Accordingly, there remains an outstanding need for a simple yet effective tool for serving a bowstring, preferably one which is portable and relatively inexpensive.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] This invention resides in a simple, yet effective, hand-held and portable implement for applying a serving line to a bowstring. In terms of apparatus, the implement includes a flattened disc coupled to a power source for rotation about a central axis perpendicular to the disc, and a serving-line supply assembly mounted on the disc including a reel of serving line. An unimpeded slot extends through the disc from the central axis to the outer periphery of the disk, enabling a bowstring to be inserted into the slot, wrapped with the serving line as the disc is rotated, and removed from the slot when finished.  
       [0005] In the preferred embodiment, the serving-line supply assembly further includes a plate with an open groove facing the slot and aligned with the axis of the disc to receive the bowstring being served. The plate further preferably includes an aperture in the groove through which the serving line is drawn as the bowstring is wrapped.  
       [0006] A spring-biased loop-forming element is also incorporated in the preferred embodiment to hold the serving line on one side of the disc before being passed through the slot to the opposite side to assist in forming a knot in the serving when finished. An optional indexing mechanism to keep the disc from rotating when the bowstring is inserted into and released from the disc.  
       [0007] In one preferred configuration, the assembly is provided as an add-on to a hand-operated implement such as reversible drive motor. However, according to an alternative embodiment, the serving assembly may be more integrally formed to a dedicated source of motive power and sold as a unit. In any case, the rotational power is preferably delivered to the disk through a set of bevel gears coupled to the source of rotational energy.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0008]FIG. 1 is a drawing of a bowstring serving implement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
     [0009]FIG. 2 is a drawing of the tool of FIG. 1 viewed from a different perspective;  
     [0010]FIG. 3A is an engineering drawing of the serving assembly portion of the inventive tool;  
     [0011]FIG. 3B is a side-view engineering drawing of the serving assembly;  
     [0012]FIG. 4A illustrates the way in which the serving line is preferably oriented to initiate the serving process;  
     [0013]FIG. 4B shows the situation depicted in FIG. 4A from a different perspective;  
     [0014]FIG. 4C shows how, upon serving a desired length of bowstring, the slot is oriented in the open position;  
     [0015]FIG. 4D shows the situation depicted in FIG. 4C from a different perspective, including a lever which includes a pin that engages in a recess in the rotating disc to maintain a desired orientation;  
     [0016]FIG. 4E depicts the serving line being looped around a looping assistance element;  
     [0017]FIG. 4F shows the released of the lever has been released to permit further rotation;  
     [0018]FIG. 4G illustrates the line being pulled back through the slot in the rotating disc;  
     [0019]FIG. 4H shows the device being activated to serve another portion of the string, such as ½-inch or thereabouts;  
     [0020]FIG. 4I shows how, after serving the additional length of line, a loop is formed on one side of the additional serving and a free end is available on the other end; and  
     [0021]FIG. 4J shows how the string is cut from the tool, and the end that once went to the spool on the tool is pulled back through the loop and pulled tight to create a knot. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0022] This invention resides in a simple, yet effective, hand-held and portable implement for applying a serving line to a bowstring. The implement allows a bowstring to be served without removing it from the bow and, in the preferred embodiment, includes a spring-biased looping-assistance element to secure the ends of the line in a reliable and repeatable manner.  
     [0023] Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the preferred embodiment seen from a different, oblique perspective. FIGS. 3A and 3B are engineering drawings which provide further details of the rotating head assembly. Note that like numerals are used to designate the component parts throughout the various figures.  
     [0024] Broadly, the assembly, designated generally at  100 , includes a disk  102  rotatably mounted to a bracket  120 . The mounting bracket  120  is in turn mechanically coupled to a source of mechanical power. In one preferred configuration, the assembly  100  is provided as an add-on to a hand-operated implement such as reversible drive motor  101 . However, according to an alternative embodiment, the serving assembly may be more integrally formed to a dedicated source of motive power and sold as a unit. In any case, the rotational power is preferably delivered to the disk through a set of bevel gears  130  and  131 , with gear  130  including an appropriate spindle  124  to receive rotational energy.  
     [0025] The rotatable disk  102  features a slot  104  extending radially outwardly from a central portion to the edge of the disk  102 . On either side of the slot where it emerges from the disk, are optional counterweights  106  and  108 . The line feed assembly  110  is mounted to the disk through mounting holes  110  and spins in conjunction with the disk  102  as the line is wrapped.  
     [0026] The serving line  109  is contained in a feed assembly  110  which includes a reel  112  which is removable for replacement purposes through the operation of manually operated fastener  114 . The assembly  110  preferably further includes a rod  116  over which the line is dressed prior to emerging through a hole  117  centrally located in a V-shaped slot  118 . The preferred embodiment further includes a looping assistance element  400 , perhaps best seen in FIG. 2.  
     [0027] FIGS.  4 A- 4 L illustrate a typical winding process utilizing the invention, including the way in which looping assistance element  400  is used. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate, from different perspectives, the way in which the line is preferably oriented to initiate the serving process. In particular, a length of the line is pulled through the aperture  117 , looped on itself, and pulled through the slot  104 . After serving a desired length, such as 3 to 4 inches, or thereabouts, the slot is oriented in the open position, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D. As best seen in FIG. 4D, lever  402  which includes a pin  404  engages in a recess  406  in the disc  102  to maintain this desired orientation.  
     [0028] In FIG. 4E, the line has been looped around the element  400 , and in FIG. 4F, the lever has been released. In FIG. 4G, the line has been pulled back through the slot  104 , and in FIG. 4H, the device is activated to serve another portion of the string such as ½-inch or thereabouts. Note that as this action occurs, the spring-biased member  400  is pulled in toward the implement.  
     [0029] After serving the additional length of line, a loop is formed on one side of the additional serving and a free end is available on the other end, as shown in FIG. 4I. In FIG. 4J, the string is cut from the tool, and the end that once went to the spool on the tool is pulled back through the loop and pulled tight to create a knot (not shown). Any further excess may then be trimmed, resulting in a clean and consistent winding.