Patent Publication Number: US-2003230295-A1

Title: Archery bowstring release wrist strap assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates to archery bowstring release and wrist strap assemblies and, more specifically, to the manner in which the archery bowstring release is connected to the wrist strap to afford infinite adjustability within a defined range of positions of the archery bowstring release relative to the wrist strap, while maintaining a stable and consistent location for the bowstring release/wrist strap interconnection.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Archers use a bowstring release assembly to draw and/or release a bowstring in order to provide conditions as consistent as possible for each release of the bowstring. Use of a bowstring release eliminates some of the variability inherent in the manual release of a drawn bowstring.  
       [0003] The bowstring release assembly is attached to a wrist strap which is, in turn, worn on and wrapped around an archer&#39;s wrist. Locating the assembly in this position further eliminates at least some of the inconsistencies in the release of the bowstring with the archer&#39;s fingers by requiring less movement of the fingers to effect release of the bowstring.  
       [0004] To operate a bowstring release, a single finger engages and gently pulls the trigger of the release device thereby unlatching a restraining member which engages the bowstring, permitting the drawn bowstring to be pulled toward the bow and project the arrow toward its target.  
       [0005] All persons vary in several physical aspects that affect the reliable use of a bowstring release, such as hand size, wrist size, arm length and other physical variables. These enumerated variables are accommodated by adjustability of the archery bowstring release wrist strap.  
       [0006] Prior art releases have used various incremental adjustability schemes and, in many instances, the adjustability of the distance between the wrist strap and the bowstring release mechanism is a rigid connection. The rigid connection both inhibits the bowstring release from being positioned away from the palm of the archer&#39;s hand and prevents unencumbered use of the hand for other purposes.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved archery bowstring release assembly.  
       [0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a flexible connection between a release and a wrist strap.  
       [0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide an infinitely adjustable connection between a wrist strap and an archery bowstring release.  
       [0010] It is an additional object of the invention to improve the functionality of the archer&#39;s hand while wearing this archery bowstring release and wrist strap.  
       [0011] It is a still further object of the invention to confine the connection of the wrist strap and the archery bowstring release to a restricted location on the wrist strap while ensuring the flexibility and adjustability of the archery bowstring release relative to the wrist strap.  
       [0012] These Objects of the Invention are set forth at this point for the purpose of identifying some of the objects and characteristics of the invention; however, these objects or others that are not enumerated are not intended to be used to limit the invention in any manner.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013] A pull ring having a pair of segments of the circumscribing outer portion, against which forces are exerted by a wrist strap, is disposed substantially perpendicular and transverse to the legs of a wrist strap formed in a substantially right angular form. The pull ring is attached to the outer surface of the wrist strap. Attachment is preferably accomplished by use of a web of heavy fabric, such as a nylon web or strap or a piece of leather, folded and engaged at the fold with the transverse portions of the pull ring and the web or strap sewn or otherwise permanently attached to the outer surface of the wrist strap.  
       [0014] The pull ring preferably is formed in a generally square or pentagonal shape with a central aperture. At least a portion of the walls of the central aperture parallels the transverse portions of the ring to form the retaining and stabilizing pair of portions of the circumscribing outer portions.  
       [0015] Alternatively, the retaining and stabilizing portions of the pull ring may be made by forming a pair of slots with an elongated wall of each slot and the transverse portions of the ring cooperating to form the retaining and stabilizing pair of portions of the pull ring.  
       [0016] The pull ring is further formed to define a loop slot for acceptance of a loop of a third web. The third web is a length of flexible material such as nylon webbing formed into a loop and threaded through the slot or aperture in the bowstring release mechanism; both of the end portions of the web are threaded through the loop slot of the pull ring. The end portions of the loop of the web are clamped with a clamp which is tightened in order to hold without slipping the end portions of the web. The clamp is then pulled against but not through the pull ring.  
       [0017] The web loop permits the bowstring release to be moved out of the way so that the user may use his hand without either having to deal with a rigid structure or having to remove the wrist strap.  
       [0018] The length of the web loop formed by the clamp may be infinitely varied to adjust the distance between the bowstring release mechanism and the ends of the looping web to accommodate varying sizes of hands and wrists or lengths of arms.  
       [0019] This Summary of the Invention is very brief. Reference should be made to the Detailed Description of the Invention below for a more detailed understanding of the invention  
       [0020] The Summary of the Invention is not intended to nor should it be used for limiting the invention in any manner. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0021]FIG. 1 illustrates an archery bowstring release assembly incorporating the invention and having a buckle fastening arrangement.  
     [0022]FIG. 2 illustrates an archery bowstring release assembly incorporating the invention and having a hook and loop fastening arrangement.  
     [0023]FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the pull ring suitable for use in either of the archery bowstring release assemblies illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
     [0024]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the pull ring suitable for use in either of the archery bowstring release assemblies illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
     [0025]FIG. 5 illustrates a clamp of the type suitable for engaging and clamping the web loop of the archery bowstring release assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION AS CONTEMPLATED BY THE INVENTOR  
     [0026] Referring initially to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, an archery bowstring release system  10  is shown.  
     [0027] The bowstring release system  10  is used to draw, hold and release the bowstring of a bow for archery target shooting and hunting.  
     [0028] The release system  10  includes a wrist strap  12  which is typically arranged about the wrist of user. The apex  14  of the strap  12  is formed by a pair of legs  16  which intersect intermediate the ends of strap  12 . When worn, the apex  14  is disposed proximate the palm of the user&#39;s hand and the legs  16  of the strap  12  are wrapped around and across the the back of the user&#39;s wrist and fastened together to form a wrist-confining loop  17  as in FIG. 2.  
     [0029] The wrist strap  12  supports a pull ring  18  which is attached thereto. The pull ring  18  is illustrated in various forms in FIGS. 1, 2,  3  and  4 . The pull ring  18  is typically fashioned to provide a pair of strap-engaging surface edges  20 . The surface edges  20  are formed by either a central aperture  22  (FIG. 3) or by a pair of slots  24 , as illustrated in FIG. 4.  
     [0030] The angle between the surface edges  20  is complementary to the angle formed by the legs  16  of strap  12 . In the embodiments illustrated, the angle formed by legs  16  of strap  12  herein is approximately a right angle but may vary as desired by the fabricator of the strap  12 , resulting in the angle between the surface edges  20  being also approximately a right angle.  
     [0031] The pull ring  18  illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is attached to the strap  12  by threading a short length of a flexible web strap  26  (FIGS. 1 and 2) through slots  24  or central aperture  22  and doubling the web strap  26  and extending the web-end portions  28  (FIGS. 1 and 2) of web strap  26  away from the pull ring  18 . The end portions  28  are affixed by stitching or other fastening techniques such as riveting or bonding. The web straps  26  may be made from a sturdy and stable material such as leather or nylon webbing  
     [0032] Pull ring  18  is disposed so that the surface edges  20  (FIGS. 3 and 4) extend transverse to legs  16 , approximately perpendicular. This orientation of the pull ring  18  relative to the wrist strap  12  disposes slot  30  of ring  18  for acceptance of a strap  32  or web  32  therethrough. Thus oriented, the strap  32  approximately bisects the angles formed by the surface edges  20  and the angle of the legs  16  of strap  12 .  
     [0033] Web  32  is folded or doubled to form a loop, and one end portion  38  of the web  32  is threaded through an opening  34  in the body of the bowstring release mechanism  36 . The web  32  is then folded back on itself and the end portions  38  of the web  32  are threaded through slot  30  of pull ring  18 .  
     [0034] A clamp  40  engaging both end portions  38  of the loop  32  is used to fix the web loop  32  in slot  30 .  
     [0035] The clamp  40  must be very compact in order to not interfere with the use of the bowstring release assembly  10 . At the same time, the clamp  40  must be strong enough to hold the end portions  38  of web  32  against slippage relative to the clamp  40  and must further resist at least the forces exerted on the clamp  40  in order to draw and hold the bowstring of a bow (not shown).  
     [0036] The best embodiment of the preferred clamp  40 , illustrated in detail in FIG. 5, is comprised of a pair of bars  42 , which act as jaws. The bars  42  are drilled and/or tapped to accept cap screws  44  or other similar fasteners.  
     [0037] The web  32  is infinitely adjustable between limits defined by the length dimension of the web  32  permitting the pull point of engagement with the release  36  and the clamping point to be varied so that any wear may be overcome, even when in the field. Only a common Allen wrench to manipulate the cap screws  44  is required. By adjusting the position of the clamp  40  the index finger will occupy a position such that operation of the trigger  37  may be accomplished smoothly and with out concentration of the user.  
     [0038] The use of the pull ring  18  and the clamp  40  to retain the web  32  provides infinite or micro-adjustability of the length of the loop of web  32  while providing the flexibility necessary to fold the bowstring release  36  out of the way whenever not drawing the bowstring.  
     [0039] Further, the clamp  40  and the pull ring  18  with the web-accommodating slot  30  provide a non damaging surface against which the web  32  is positioned to reduce wear and tear to the web  32 .  
     [0040] Preventive maintenance for the archery bowstring release system  10  is made easy. The web  32  and clamp  40  may be removed, and a new web  32  inserted and reclamped using the original clamp  40 , assuring continued utility and reliability of the bowstring release assembly  10 .  
     [0041] This Detailed Description of the Invention is made with reference to drawing illustrations of and descriptions of a release mechanism manufactured by and available from Scott Archery Manufacturing, Inc. of Clay City, Ky., the Assignee of this invention. The illustration of this type release is a matter of choice inasmuch as any suitable release, i.e., jaw type, or cord type, may be attached to the web  32  or modified to provide a slot such as slot  34  for such attachment.  
     [0042] Likewise, the types of wrist straps  12  illustrated herein are made and sold by Scott Archery Manufacturing, Inc. of Clay City, Ky. The selection of these style wrist straps was a matter of choice and to illustrate the invention when used with various style wrist straps. Various other styles and makes of wrist straps are available to the public and most wrist straps available to the public may be used or modified in accord with the teachings of this disclosure to support and mount the pull ring  18 . Therefore, the terms “bowstring release,” “release” or “wrist strap” are intended to be inclusive and therefore are to be interpreted broadly and are not to be considered a basis for limiting the invention in any manner.  
     [0043] With a detailed understanding of the invention, it will be apparent to the artisan of ordinary skill in the art that minor changes and modifications may be made in the disclosed bowstring release assembly without removing the changed device from the protection afforded by the appended claims.