Patent Publication Number: US-2023139525-A1

Title: Bow Stabilizer Assembly

Description:
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates generally to archery devices, and more particularly to a bow stabilizer assembly for counteracting movement of a bow when shooting an arrow. The bow stabilizer assembly also may include a bow stick mounting assembly to further assist in stabilizing a bow. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When gripping a bow, aiming and shooting an arrow, vibration and torque applied to the hand grip can cause inaccuracy of the shot. This can be more severe, depending on whether the bow is a compound bow, the way in which the bow is gripped, the strength of the archer with respect to supporting a bow in a free bow hand and the desired shot distance. At close range or when using less than a full draw, the torqueing, vibration and resulting inaccuracy may not be very extreme. However, this is not the case when shooting a longer distance. 
     Generally, long distance bow hunting has been frowned upon and there have not been desirable solutions for achieving enhanced accuracy in shooting a substantial distance, such as over  40  yards. However, in recent years, interest has increased in shooting longer distances, such as for target practice. In such instances, the torque applied to the bow and the vibration and noise when shooting is exacerbated and can cause unsteadiness that results in an arrow straying a few feet or more from the intended target. 
     Prior art stabilizers for bows commonly are configured to extend forward from a mounting position on the face of the riser and below the hand grip. The stabilizers are intended to reduce noise and vibration, by increasing the inertia of the bow, and ultimately to resist movement. However, the common low, fixed, forward extending configuration for bow stabilizers appears to have limited potential to dampen bow movement that is due to torqueing the bow, especially when shooting greater distances or with the bow in more extreme shooting positions. In addition, use of bow sticks or a leg extending straight downward from a bow to help stabilize and support a bow have not been particularly advantageous because they tend to lack adjustability and limit the position of the bow when aiming. As such, they tend to be ineffective in resisting torqueing of the bow. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improved stabilization of a bow to improve accuracy by resistance to torqueing of the bow and enhanced support for a bow, especially if electing to shoot greater distances. 
     SUMMARY 
     The scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims, and nothing in this summary is intended to limit the claims. Moreover, there are aspects of the present subject matter that may be embodied separately or together in various bow stabilizer assemblies. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude use of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations, as set forth in the claims appended hereto. 
     The present disclosure addresses one or more disadvantages of the prior art and provides effective bow stabilizer assembly arrangements capable of providing improved bow stability and resistance to movement when shooting an arrow. Indeed, in addition to providing noise and vibration suppression, the devices provide improvements with respect to resistance to torqueing of a bow, and ability to adjust directional resistance to torqueing of a bow, as well as providing a bow stick mounting assembly that when used in combination with a bow stick assembly provides more fluid support for a bow when aiming and shooting an arrow. 
     In one aspect, this disclosure provides a bow stabilizer assembly for stabilizing an archery bow having a hand grip on a riser portion of the bow, the bow stabilizer assembly including a rod having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the rod connects to the riser portion at a location spaced above the hand grip. The bow stabilizer assembly further includes a bow stick mounting assembly comprising a bracket rotatably connected to the rod, a pivot connected to the bracket and extending below and perpendicular to the rod, and a coupling connected to the pivot and having a distal end that is movable toward and away from the bow. 
     In accordance with another aspect, a bow stick assembly may be connected to the coupling to use in combination with the bow stabilizer assembly. The bow stick assembly may be rotatable relative to the coupling. The bow stick assembly may provide further support while stabilizing the bow and permitting more fluid ability to aim and shoot the bow. 
     The novel and nonobvious structures disclosed herein allow for unique advantages in bow stabilization with respect to bow torqueing, noise and vibration, as well as enhanced support, and present various configurations to provide desired features for end users. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In describing the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawing figures wherein like parts have like reference numerals, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a side view of a bow stabilizer assembly connected to a bow, including a bow stick mounting assembly and a bow stick assembly connected thereto. 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of bow stabilizer assembly of  FIG.  1   , without the bow stick assembly. 
         FIG.  3    is a closer view of the bow stabilizer assembly of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a closer side perspective view of the bow stabilizer assembly of  FIG.  1   , with the bow stick assembly. 
         FIG.  5    is a side view of the bow stabilizer assembly, with the bow stick assembly in a folded position. 
         FIG.  6    is a closer front perspective view of the bow stabilizer assembly of  FIGS.  1 - 5   , with the bow stick assembly in a folded position. 
         FIG.  7    is a closer front perspective view of the bow stabilizer assembly of  FIGS.  1 - 6    with a damper removed. 
         FIG.  8    is a closer front perspective view of a bow riser portion having an opening above the hand grip for mounting of a bow stabilizer assembly. 
         FIG.  9    is a closer lower perspective view of a first connector that connects to a coupling of the bow stick mounting assembly. 
         FIG.  10    is closer upper perspective view of a second connector that connects a bow stick assembly to the first connector of the bow stick mounting assembly. 
         FIG.  11    is a side view of the bow stick assembly of  FIGS.  1  and  5   . 
         FIG.  12    is a side view of the bow stick assembly of  FIG.  11    in a folded position. 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the drawings are not to scale. While some details of bow stabilizing assemblies and other plan and section views of the particular components have not been included, such details are considered to be within the comprehension of those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. It also should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated. 
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although the following discloses examples of bow stabilizer assemblies, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the teachings of this disclosure are in no way limited to the specific examples shown. On the contrary, it is contemplated that the teachings of this disclosure may be implemented in alternative configurations, with alternative materials. 
     In general, the example bow stabilizer assemblies described herein facilitate convenient enhanced stabilization when aiming and shooting a bow.  FIGS.  1 - 12    show advantageous examples of such bow stabilizer assemblies. 
       FIGS.  1 - 12    illustrate an example bow stabilizer assembly  10  for stabilizing an archery bow  12  having a hand grip  14  on a riser portion  16  of the bow  12 . The bow stabilizer assembly  10  includes a rod  18  having a proximal end  20  and a distal end  22 . The proximal end  20  of the rod  18  connects to the riser portion  16  at a location spaced above the hand grip  14 . The bow stabilizer assembly  10  also includes a bow stick mounting assembly  30  including a bracket  32  rotatably connected to the rod  18 , a pivot  34  connected to the bracket  32  and extending below and perpendicular to the rod  18 , and a coupling  36  connected to the pivot  34  and having a distal end  38  that is movable toward and away from the bow  12 . 
     The connection of the proximal end  20  of the rod  18  to the riser portion  16  may, for example, include an opening  40  in the riser portion  16  that directly receives the proximal end  20  of the rod  18  opening  40 . Alternatively, the opening  40  may receive a fitting  42  that receives the proximal end  20  of the rod  18 . It will be appreciated that the opening may receive such a fitting  42 , as shown in  FIG.  8   . The fitting  42  may threadably receive a threaded proximal end of the rod or a complementary fitting that holds the proximal end  20  of the rod  18  and permits adjustment of the rotational position of the rod  18  relative to the riser portion  16  of the bow  12 . The rod  18  of the bow stabilizer assembly  10  accordingly may be removably connected to the riser portion  16 . While the rod  18  alternatively may have a single or multiple rotational (angular) positions relative to the riser portion  16 , it is advantageous to permit rotation of the rod  18  relative to the riser portion  16  with sufficient friction or detent positions to hold the rod  18  in virtually any selected rotational position. As discussed further herein, this permits unique adjustment relative to directional torqueing of the bow  12 . 
     As may be best seen in  FIGS.  3  and  6   , a backstop  46  is located on the rod  18 , and the bracket  32  is located between the backstop  46  and the distal end  22  of the rod  18 . The bow stabilizer assembly  10  may include at least one damper  48  connected to a distal portion  50  of the rod  18 . In the present example, as shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the damper  48  includes multiple components, such as a first rearward damper  48   a  and second forward damper  48   b , and is threadably connected to the distal end  22  of the rod  18 . However, it will be appreciated that the rod  18  may support multiple separate dampers connected to a rod threadably or by other suitable means. Also, the backstop  46  is located on the rod  18 , and the bracket  32  is located between the backstop  46  and the at least one damper  48 . Thus, the bracket  32  may rotate about a longitudinal axis of at least a portion of the rod  18 , here the distal portion  50 , and its relative movement along the rod  18  is blocked rearward by the backstop  46  and forward by the at least one damper  48 . However, it will be appreciated that a bracket may be rotatably (including pivotally) connect to the rod in a different manner, and that movement along the rod also may be controlled by alternative structures. 
     Another unique feature of the present example bow stabilizer assembly  10 , as may be seen in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , is that the rod  18  has a plurality of bends and the distal portion  50  extends forward from and at a height below the proximal end  20  of the rod  28  such that the distal end  22  of the rod  18  is in front of at least a portion of the hand grip  14 . This provides an advantage by which rotation of the rod  18  relative to the riser portion  16  provides selected directional resistance to torqueing of the bow  12 . It will be appreciated that this occurs upon rotating the rod  18  to displace the distal portion  50  and damper  48 , if so equipped, to the left or right of its neutral bottom dead center location. Thus, the bow stabilizer assembly  10  permits custom tuning to resist twisting or other torqueing of the bow  12  by adjusting the rotational position of the rod  18 . 
     As seen in  FIGS.  1 ,  4 - 7  and  11 - 12   , the bow stabilizer assembly  10  may be used in combination with a bow stick assembly  60  that connects to the coupling  36 . In this example, the bracket  32  is rotatable relative to the rod  18  and may rotate about an axis along a length of the distal portion  50  of the rod  18 . The pivot  34  allows pivoting of the coupling  36  toward and away from the bow  12 , such that a bow stick assembly  60  may be pivoted toward or away from a lower portion of the bow  12 . In addition, the bow stick assembly  60  is rotatable relative to the coupling  36 . This is provided by the coupling  36  having a first connector  62  and a proximal end  64  of the bow stick assembly  60  having a second connector  66  that is rotatable relative to the first connector  62  about a common axis though the first connector  62  and second connector  66 . 
     As may best be seen in  FIGS.  3 - 4 ,  6 - 7 ,  9 - 10  and  12   , in the present example, the first connector  62  is in the form of a hub and the second connector  66  is in the form of a hub receiver that receives and is rotatable relative to the hub. As may be seen in the examples of a first connector  62  in the form of a hub and the second connector  66  in the form of a hub receiver, the connectors may have a quick connect and disconnect configuration. This provides advantageous convenience in connecting and disconnecting the bow stick assembly  60  relative to the bow  12  when transporting, using and/or stowing the bow  12  and bow stick assembly  60 . However, it will be appreciated that the first and second connectors could have alternative structures by which they would be permanently rotatably or fixedly joined, or may have a quick connect and disconnect configuration but not be rotatable relative to each other. 
     As shown, the bow stick assembly  60  and first connector  62  essentially utilizes components from a rifle support known as the Stoney Point® Rapid Pivot Folding Bipod. However, the inventor is not aware of a previously known way in which one could utilize such components to be a bow stick assembly and to provide the advantages provided by the bow stabilizer assembly  10  and the bow stick mounting assembly  30 . Moreover, it will be appreciated that the example bow stick assembly  60  is an example of a bow stick assembly that may be combined for use with the bow stabilizer assembly  10 . However, one will appreciate that various different first connectors and bow stick assemblies having second connectors may be utilized, whether having one or more sticks, so as to provide a monpod, bipod, tripod or other supporting structure. Indeed, the bow stick assembly may take many different forms. 
     The bow stick assembly  60  shown in combination with the bow stabilizer assembly  10  in the present example includes a bipod having two elongated sticks  70  having proximal ends  72  that are pivotally connected. As illustrated, the elongated sticks  70  are pivotally connected to each other and to the second connector  66 , which is the hub receiver in this example. The elongated sticks  70  of the example bow stick assembly  60  also are foldable, by having slidably receivable connectors that are linked by resilient cords. It will be appreciated that the elongated sticks  70  may be of any desired length or be length adjustable, so as to provide bow support when a person is standing or kneeling, or for persons of different heights. The elongated sticks  70  may be rigid but it has been found to be more advantageous to have the elongated sticks  70  of the bow stick assembly  60  be flexible. This permits more body movement, whether forward or rearward, set high or low, and/or leaning side to side, and more variability when aiming. 
     The multiple pivot axes effectively provided by the bow stabilizer assembly  10  and the bow stick mounting assembly  30  enable multiple stabilizing adjustments including resistance to torqueing, reduced noise and vibration and support that facilitates more fluid and dynamic movement when aiming a bow. Thus, it is highly advantageous to have the ability to change the rotational position and thereby tune the damping provided by the rod  18  (with or without a damper element connected thereto), to rotate the bow  12  and rod  18  relative to the bracket  32  of the bow stick mounting assembly  30 , and to pivot the bow  12  and rod  18  about the pivot  34  so as to permit angular adjustment of the coupling  36  that is connected to the bow stick assembly  60 . The bow stick assembly  60  shown also provides for rotation of the first connector  62  relative to the second connector  66 , to turn side-to-side relative to the position of the elongated sticks  70  having distal ends in contact with the ground. 
     Although described in terms of preferred and alternative examples, the present subject matter may be employed in other configurations and with other materials without departing from the principles of the subject matter as described above and as set forth in the following claims. 
     From the description of the above examples, it will be further understood that this disclosure provides bow stabilizer assemblies that may incorporate many advantages over the prior art. Reduced torqueing provides enhanced accuracy and inclusion of the bow stick mounting assembly facilitates use of bow sticks to provide enhanced support of a bow while permitting more fluid aiming. 
     Thus, the foregoing detailed description and accompanying drawings have been provided by way of explanation and illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Many variations in the presently preferred examples illustrated herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and remain within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.