Patent Abstract:
A bow press for deflecting the limbs of an archery bow includes an adjustment apparatus allowing infinite adjustment of supports for the handle and limbs of the bow, over a range of adjustments. The adjustment apparatus also automatically maintains symmetry between components of the bow press to facilitate adjustment of the press to fit bows of differing dimensions. Inside surface supports are fixed relative to pivot points of pivot arms of the bow press, so that proper alignment of the pivot points with respect to the inside surface supports will be maintained.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to archery bows, and more particularly to apparatuses, commonly known as bow presses, that are used for installing, replacing, or adjustment of a bow string or components of archery bows. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Compound bows are widely used by archers. The popularity of the compound bow is mainly due to the advantage provided in the reduced pull force required at full draw together with the resulting increase in accuracy. The pull on the bow string is high at the beginning of the draw but the archer at this point is able to exert maximum force. As the draw progresses a little beyond mid-point, there is an over-center action on eccentrically mounted pulleys or cams of the compound bow which decreases the draw force needed to maintain the bow string in the drawn position while maximizing the energy stored in the limbs of the bow. Thus, at full draw it is relatively easy to hold the arrow and bow string and much easier to perfect aiming technique and proper release resulting in increased accuracy. 
     A typical compound bow includes one or more eccentrically mounted pulleys or cams pivotably attached relative the bow limbs and serving to support and control the movement of a bow string. The cam, in turn, is often connected to a tension cable. The stringing or tuning of a twin cam bow, with its eccentrically mounted pulleys, tension cable and bow string is very critical in order to achieve a proper balance or synchronization of the eccentrically mounted pulleys or cams. The complexity of the stringing and the sensitivity to proper tuning of the bow, makes it undesirable to unstring the bow when it is not in use. It is also a major project, and in some cases impossible, to string and tune such a bow without the aid of an apparatus commonly known as a bow press. 
     Because a compound bow cannot be conveniently unstrung and restrung, they are virtually always left in a strung condition. However periodic retuning of compound bows is often required to maintain desired performance levels, and to change, replace or repair components of the compound bow, such as the bow string, string sights, dampers, the tension cable, the cams and other components. 
     Through the years a number of bow presses have been developed for facilitating stringing, tuning, and maintenance of compound bows. In general, these presses have included a stationary base having a pair of spaced apart inside surface supports, in the form of pegs or rollers, for contacting the inside of the bow, and a pair of limb supports, in the form of pegs or rollers, attached to a movable mechanism for applying a bending force the limbs of the bow. Several problems have been noted with regard to prior bow presses, however. 
     Prior bow presses can damage the bow, particularly when operated by inexperienced personnel. It is very important that the inside surface support and the limb supports of the bow press be precisely positioned in such a manner that the bow is properly loaded into the press in such a manner that the limbs are bent in a way that will not overstress or otherwise damage the bow. Because compound bows vary dimensionally, from one model or manufacturer to another, it is necessary that the inside surface support and the limb supports on the bow press be adjustable. In the past, it has been customary to provide incremental holes in the bow press so that the position of the inside surface support and the limb supports, or other components of the bow press, could be moved to achieve a best fit with regard to a given bow. The incremental nature of this adjustment approach often results in a fit of the bow press to the bow which is not quite ideal, and can result in damage to the bow. This is especially problematic where personnel operating the bow press lack experience and knowledge. 
     It is also generally necessary that the bow press be adjusted in a manner that results in a symmetrical positioning of the inside surface supports and the limb supports with respect to the center of the bow handle. Prior bow presses do not provide a convenient means of achieving this symmetry. 
     Prior bow presses are also not easy to adjust, in that the incrementally movable components are typically bolted to the bow press, thereby requiring the use of wrenches or other tools for making the necessary adjustments. 
     The limbs of the bow can also be damaged, even when the bow press is properly adjusted, by prior bow presses which use limb supports that must slide or roll along the limb as it is bent in the bow press. Such rolling or sliding supports can cause marring and other physical damage to the limbs. 
     In some prior bow presses, it is also possible, under some conditions, for the limb supports to be moved to a position along the limbs where the bow will become locked into the bow press. This typically results in significant damage to the bow, and can create a potentially hazardous condition for personnel operating the bow press, as they attempt to remove the bow from the press. In such situations, it may even be necessary to partly disassemble the bow press to get the bow out of the press. The bow limbs will have considerable energy stored in them, which could cause them to spring outward dangerously when parts of bow press are removed to release the bow from the press. 
     It is desirable, therefore, to provide an improved bow press apparatus and method which overcomes one or more of the problems described above, or other problems and shortcomings of prior bow presses. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides an improved apparatus and method for deflecting the limbs of an archery bow to allow installation, replacement, or adjustment of a bow string or components of the bow, where the bow includes a bow handle and two limbs extending in opposite directions from the bow handle, with each limb including provisions at a distal end thereof for attaching the string. 
     In one form of the invention, a bow press includes a base, first and second pivot arms, and an adjustment apparatus operatively connecting the first and second pivot arms to the base. The base defines a longitudinal axis of the base, and is adapted for retaining the bow handle. The first pivot arm is adapted for applying a bending force against one of the limbs of the bow, and the second pivot arm is adapted for applying a bending force against the other limb of the bow. The first and second pivot arms are spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the base, with each of the first and second pivot arms having a pivoted end and a distal end thereof. The pivoted end of each pivot arm is operatively attached by the adjustment apparatus, to the base, for pivoting motion about a respective pivot axis of that pivot arm, in a manner that constrains the distal end of that pivot arm to circumscribe an arc extending generally parallel to a plane including the longitudinal axis of the base. The first and second pivot arms are also operatively and symmetrically attached to the base on opposite sides of a second axis extending orthogonally through the longitudinal axis of the base within the plane including the longitudinal axis of the base. The adjustment apparatus provides simultaneous selective movement of the first and second pivot arms along the longitudinal axis, toward or away from the second axis, while continually maintaining the symmetrical relationship of the pivoted ends of the first and second pivot arms to the second axis. 
     In another form of the invention, a bow press includes a base, first and second inside surface supports, a first and a second pivot arm, a first and a second limb support, and an adjustment apparatus. The base defines a longitudinal axis of the base. The first and second inside surface supports are adapted for retaining the bow handle during use of the bow press. The inside surface supports are operatively attached to the base in a manner providing infinitely adjustable movement relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the base over a predetermined range of inside surface support positions. The first pivot arm is adapted for applying a bending force against a first limb of the bow, and the second pivot arm is adapted for applying a bending force against the second limb of the bow. The adjustment apparatus operatively connects the first and second pivot arms to the base. 
     The first limb support may be slidingly attached to the first pivot arm and adapted for contacting an outside surface of the first limb at a point along the first limb adjacent the distal end of the first limb. The second limb support may be slidingly attached to the second pivot arm and adapted for contacting an outside surface of the second limb at a point along the second limb adjacent the distal end of the second limb. The first and second limb supports may be operatively attached to the first and second pivot arms respectively for infinitely adjustable movement along the first or second pivot arm respectively, within a range of adjustment of the first and second limb supports, to thereby allow the first and second limb supports to be positioned respectively adjacent the distal ends of the first and second limbs of the bow. 
     In another form of the invention, a bow press includes a base, a pivot arm operatively connected to the base by a pivot arm bracket, and an inside surface support. The base defines a longitudinal axis of the base, and a second axis extending through the base orthogonally through the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the base and the second axis define a plane including both the longitudinal axis of the base and the second axis. The pivot arm is adapted for applying a bending force against one of the limbs of a bow. The pivot arm bracket operatively connects the pivot arm to the base, and defines a pivot axis. The inside surface support is adapted for contacting an inside surface of the bow at a first point along the bow. The pivot arm has a pivoted end and a distal end thereof, with the pivoted end being pivotably attached to the pivot arm bracket for pivoting motion of the pivot arm about a pivot axis in a manner that constrains the distal end the pivot arm to circumscribe an arc extending generally parallel to the plane including the longitudinal axis of the base. The inside surface support is attached to the pivot arm bracket at a point inboard of the first pivot axis, with respect to the second axis, and extends generally transversely outward from the pivot arm bracket, with respect to the plane containing both the first longitudinal axis and the second axis, with the spacing between the inside surface support and the pivot axis being fixed at a predetermined distance. The inside surface support may also be disposed in close proximity to the pivot point at a location that is farther away from the longitudinal axis than the pivot point. 
     Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a bow press, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an orthographic elevation view of the bow press of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an orthographic elevation view of the bow press of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing a bow installed in the bow press, prior to applying bending force to the bow. 
         FIG. 4  is an orthographic elevation view of the bow press of  FIGS. 1–3 , showing a bow installed in the bow press and being bent by applying bending force to the bow through use of the bow press. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial bottom perspective view of the bow press of  FIGS. 1–3 , with certain elements removed for clarity of illustration, showing an adjustment apparatus according to the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial bottom perspective view of the bow press of  FIGS. 1–3 , with certain elements removed for clarity of illustration, showing an alternate embodiment of an adjustment apparatus according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1–4  show an exemplary embodiment of a bow press  10 , according to the invention, for deflecting the limbs  12 ,  14  of an archery bow  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , to allow installation, replacement, or adjustment of a bow string  18  or components of the bow  16 . The bow  16  includes a bow handle  20  and the two limbs  12 ,  14  extending in opposite directions from the bow handle  20 . The bow  16  also includes provisions, in the form of pulleys, etc., illustrated generally as reference numeral  24 , at the distal end of the limbs  12 ,  14  for attaching the bow string  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the exemplary embodiment of the bow press  16  includes a base  26 , first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30 , and an adjustment apparatus  32  (best seen in  FIG. 5 ) operatively connecting the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30  to the base  26 . The base  26  defines a longitudinal axis  34  of the base and is adapted, in the manner described in greater detail below, for retaining the bow handle  20 . The first pivot arm  28  is adapted, as described below, for applying a bending force against one of the limbs (limb  12  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of the bow  16 , and the second pivot arm  30  is adapted, as described below, for applying a bending force against the other limb (limb  14  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of the bow  16 . 
     The first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30  are spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 , with each of the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30  having a pivoted end  38  and a distal end  40  thereof, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The pivoted end  38  of each pivot arm  28 ,  30  is operatively attached by the adjustment apparatus  32 , to the base  26 , for pivoting motion about a respective pivot axis  40 ,  42  of that pivot arm  28 ,  30 , in a manner that constrains the distal end  40  of that pivot arm  28 ,  30  to circumscribe an arc  46  extending generally parallel to a plane  48  (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) including the longitudinal axis of the base  26 . 
     The first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30  are also operatively and symmetrically attached to the base  26  on opposite sides of a second axis  50  extending orthogonally through the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 , within the plane  48  including the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 . The adjustment apparatus  32  provides simultaneous selective movement, in the manner described below, of the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30  along the longitudinal axis  34 , toward or away from the second axis  50 , while continually maintaining the symmetrical relationship of the pivoted ends  38  of the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30  to the second axis  50 . 
     The bow press  10  further includes a first pivot arm bracket  56  for operatively connecting the pivoted end  38  of the first pivot arm  28  to the base  26 , and a second pivot arm bracket  58  for operatively connecting the pivoted end  38  of the second pivot arm  30  to the base  26 . As will be appreciated from the drawings, the pivot arm brackets  26 ,  58  are slidingly attached to the base  16  in such a manner that the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30  are operatively connected to the base  26  and one another for sliding movement along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  16 . 
     The adjustment apparatus  32  includes a bracket positioning apparatus, generally indicated at reference numeral  60  in  FIG. 5 , operatively connected to the first and second pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  in such a manner that when one of the first and second pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  is moved a distance along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 , the bracket positioning apparatus  60  moves the other of the first and second pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  in the opposite direction along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26  a distance equal to the distance that first pivot arm bracket ( 56  or  58 ) was moved along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the bracket positioning apparatus  60 , of the exemplary embodiment of the bow press  10 , includes an endless belt  62  operatively attached by a pair of end pulleys  64  to the base  26  and disposed to form a continuous loop having a first section  66  and a second section  68  extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 . The first section  66  of the belt  62  is fixedly attached by a clamp  70  to the first pivot arm bracket  56 , and the second section  68  of the belt  62  is fixedly attached by a clamp  72  to the second pivot arm bracket  58 . The bracket positioning apparatus  60  further includes a pair of crossover pulleys  74 , operatively attached to the base  26 , for routing the endless belt  62  in the manner shown in  FIG. 5 , so that when one of the pivot arm brackets ( 56  or  58 ) is moved a distance in a one direction along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 , the belt  62  will move the other pivot arm bracket ( 56  or  58 ) an equal distance in the opposite direction along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 . By virtue of this arrangement, the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30  are operatively connected to allow only simultaneous sliding movement of the first and second pivot arms  56 ,  58  in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 . 
     The bracket positioning apparatus  60  of the exemplary embodiment of the bow press  10  also includes a pair of locking devices, in the form of a pivot arm bracket hand screw  76  operatively attached to each of the first and second pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58 , for selectively securing the first and second pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  to the base  26 , to thereby restrain the first and second pivot brackets  56 ,  58  against movement with respect to the base  26 . 
     It will be recognized, however, that in other embodiments of the invention, different types of apparatuses may be utilized for performing the functions provided by the endless belt  62 , pulleys  64  and  74 , and the hand screws  76  of the exemplary embodiment of the bracket positioning apparatus  60  described above. For example,  FIG. 6  shows an alternate embodiment of an adjustment apparatus according to the invention, in which the cross-over pulleys  74  are eliminated, through use of a different arrangement for attaching the endless belt  62  to the first and second pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58 . 
     In the alternate embodiment of the bracket positioning apparatus  60 , shown in  FIG. 6 , the endless belt  62  is operatively attached by a pair of end pulleys  64  to the base  26  and disposed to form a continuous loop having a first section  67  and a second section  69  extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 . The first section  67  of the belt  62  is fixedly attached by a clamp  70  to the first pivot arm bracket  56 , and the second section  69  of the belt  62  is fixedly attached by a clamp  72  to the second pivot arm bracket  58 . With this arrangement, the endless belt forms an oblong loop around the end pulleys  64 , so that when one of the pivot arm brackets ( 56  or  58 ) is moved a distance in a one direction along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 , the belt  62  will move the other pivot arm bracket ( 56  or  58 ) an equal distance in the opposite direction along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 . By virtue of this arrangement, the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30  are operatively connected to allow only simultaneous sliding movement of the first and second pivot arms  56 ,  58  in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 , without resorting to the cross-over pulleys  74  of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1–5 . 
     The exemplary embodiment of the bow press  10  includes a first inside surface support  78 , adapted for contacting an inside surface  80  of the bow handle  20  and/or the first limb  12  at a first point  82  along the bow  16 , that is closely adjacent to the intersection of the bow handle  20  and the first limb  12 . Whether the first inside surface support  78  contacts the inside surfaces of both the bow handle  20  and the first limb  12 , at the first contact point  82 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , or the inside surface of only the handle  20 , or only the inside surface of first limb  12 , will depend upon the configuration of the bow  16 . In all cases, however, the invention allows the first inside surface support  78  to be placed as close as possible to the intersection of the first limb  12  and the handle  20 , so that the bow  16  can bend in the bow press  10 , about the intersection of the first limb  12  and the handle  20 , in a manner that closely approximates the manner in which it is bent during actual use. 
     The first inside surface support  78  is attached to the first pivot arm bracket  56  at a point located inboard of the first pivot axis  42 , with respect to the second axis  50 , at a fixed distance from the first pivot axis  42 , and extends generally transversely outward from the first pivot arm bracket  56  in a first direction (out of the page as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) from the plane  48  containing both the first longitudinal axis  34  and the second axis  50 . This closely adjacent but slightly inboard positioning of the first handle support  78 , with respect to the pivot axis  42  of the first pivot arm  28 , together with having both the first inside surface support  78  and first pivot axis  42  located at a fixed distance from one another on the first pivot arm support  56 , provides an advantageous arrangement for properly supporting the inside surface  80  of the bow  20  in a manner that allows the first limb  12  to flex, during use of the bow press  10 , in a manner that is very similar to the way the first limb  12  flexes when the bow  16  is in normal use. 
     In similar fashion, the exemplary embodiment of the bow press  10  includes a second inside surface support  84 , adapted for contacting the inside surface  80  of the bow handle  20  and/or the second limb  14  at a second point  86  along the bow  16 , that is closely adjacent to the intersection of the bow handle  20  and the second limb  14 . Whether the first second inside surface support  84  contacts the inside surfaces of both the bow handle  20  and the second limb  14 , at the second contact point  86 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , or the inside surface of only the handle  20 , or only the inside surface of second limb  14 , will depend upon the configuration of the bow  16 . In all cases, however, the invention allows the second inside surface support  84  to be placed as close as possible to the intersection of the second limb  14  and the handle  20 , so that the bow  16  can bend in the bow press  10 , about the intersection of the second limb  14  and the handle  20 , in a manner that closely approximates the manner in which it is bent during actual use. 
     The second inside surface support  84  is attached to the second pivot arm bracket  58  at a point located inboard of the second pivot axis  44 , with respect to the second axis  50 , at a fixed distance from the second pivot axis  44 , and extends generally transversely outward from the second pivot arm bracket  58  in a first direction (out of the page as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) from the plane  48  containing both the first longitudinal axis  34  and the second axis  50 . This closely adjacent but slightly inboard positioning of the second handle support  84 , with respect to the pivot axis  44  of the second pivot arm  30 , together with having both the second inside surface support  84  and second pivot axis  44  located at a fixed distance from one another on the second pivot arm support  58 , provides an advantageous arrangement for properly supporting the inside surface  80  of the bow  20  in a manner that allows the second limb  14  to flex, during use of the bow press  10 , in a manner that is very similar to the way the second limb  14  flexes when the bow  16  is in normal use. 
     The exemplary embodiment of the bow press  10  further includes a first limb support bracket  88  slidingly attached to the first pivot arm  28 , and having a first limb support  90  extending generally transversely outward from the first limb support bracket  88  in the first direction (out of the page as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) from the plane  48  containing both the first longitudinal axis  34  and the second axis  50 . The first inside surface support  88  is adapted for contacting an outside surface  92  of the first limb  12  at a point along the first limb adjacent the distal end  40  of the first limb  12 . The first limb support bracket  88  includes a first limb support locking device, in the form of a hand screw  94  for locking the first limb support bracket  88  against movement relative to the first pivot arm  28  at a selected location with respect to the first pivot axis  42 . 
     In similar fashion, a second limb support bracket  96  is slidingly attached to the second pivot arm  30  and includes a second limb support  98  extending generally transversely outward from the second limb support bracket  96  in the first direction (out of the page as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) from the plane  48  containing both the first longitudinal axis  34  and the second axis  50 , with the second inside surface support  96  being adapted for contacting an outside surface  100  of the second limb  14  at a point along the second limb  14  adjacent the distal end  40  of the second limb  14 . The second limb support bracket  96  includes a second limb support locking device, in the form of a hand screw  102  for locking the second limb support bracket  96  against movement relative to the second pivot arm  30 , at a selected location with respect to the second pivot axis  44 . 
     The exemplary embodiment of the bow press  10  further includes an actuation apparatus, generally indicated at  104  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , operatively connecting the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30 , for selectively pivoting the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30  about their respective first and second pivot axes  42 ,  44 , in a manner providing symmetrical movement of the distal ends  40  of the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30  with respect to the second axis  50 , in a direction away from or toward the base  26 . Specifically, the actuation apparatus  104  of the exemplary embodiment includes a screw jack  106 , a first link  108 , and a second link  110 . The screw jack  106  has a stationary base section  112 , thereof, attached to the base  26  of the bow press  10  by a pair of jack mounting brackets  114 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  5 , and an extensible section  113  telescoping into the base section  110  of the screw jack  106 . The screw jack  106  is attached to the base  26  of the bow press  10  in such a manner that as a screw crank  115  of the screw jack  106  is turned, the extensible section  113  of the screw jack  106  extends and retracts along a path that is generally parallel to the second axis  50 . 
     The first and second links  108 ,  110  each have a first end thereof pivotably attached respectively to the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30 . In the exemplary embodiment, the links  108 ,  110  are attached to the first and second limb support brackets  88 ,  96  to pivot about the centerlines of the first and second limb supports  90 ,  98 , but in other embodiments of the invention, other pivoting connection arrangements may be used between the links  108 ,  110  and the pivot arms  28 ,  30  The first and second links  108 ,  110  intersect and are pivotably joined to one another at the intersection by a common connection, in the form of a pin  116  extending outward from the extensible section  113  of the screw jack  106 . 
     By virtue of the mounting arrangement of the screw jack  106 , and other components of the exemplary embodiment of the bow press  10 , as described above, the pin  116  intersects and moves generally along the second axis  50  such that the common connection lies generally along the second axis  50 , and the first and second links  108 ,  110  have equal lengths between their respective first ends, at the first and second limb supports  90 ,  98 , and the common connection provided by the pin  116 . The screw jack  106  functions as an extensible force applying element operatively disposed between the base  26  and the common connection at the pin  116 , for applying bending force to the limbs  12 ,  14  of a bow  16  mounted in the bow press  10 . 
     Operation of the exemplary embodiment of the bow press  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The bow  16 , in either a strung or an unstrung condition, is placed into the bow press  10 , generally in the orientation shown, and the position of the inside surface supports  78 ,  84  and limb supports  90 ,  98  are adjusted to fit the bow  16 . If necessary, the crank  115  of the screw jack  106  is used to retract the extensible section  113  of the screw jack  106  to an initial position where the bow  16  can be inserted into the press  10  with the inside surface supports  78 ,  84  generally on the inside  80  of the bow  16  closely adjacent the intersections of the first and second limbs  12 ,  14  with the handle  20 , and the first and second limb supports  90 ,  98  on the outside surfaces  92 ,  100  of the first and second limbs  12 ,  14  respectively. 
     The intersection point between the first and second links  108 ,  100  may also be adjusted, if necessary, by placing a different hole in the links  108 ,  110  over the pin  116 , to allow entry of the bow  16  into the bow press  10 . Adjacent holes in the links  108 ,  110  are laterally offset from one another to aid in visually connecting the links  108 ,  110  to the pin  116  in such a manner that the links  108 ,  110  have equal lengths between their respective first ends, at the first and second limb supports  90 ,  98 , and the common connection provided by the pin  116 . 
     The hand screws  76  on the first and second pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  are loosened, if necessary, to allow the first and second pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  to be moved along the longitudinal axis  34  of the base  26 , for placing the first and second inside surface supports  78 ,  84  in a proper position along the inside  80  of the bow  16  to contact the inside surface  80  of the bow  16  at points  82 ,  86  closely adjacent to where the first and second limbs  12 ,  14 , respectively, join the handle  20 . 
     By virtue of the construction of the exemplary embodiment of the bow press  10 , as described above, the position of the first and second pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  along the longitudinal axis  34  is infinitely adjustable, and not limited to set increments defined by spaced bolt holes, as was the case in prior bow presses, to thereby allow for very precise and proper positioning of the location of the inside surface supports  78 ,  84  to match the bow  16 . Also, by virtue of the unique function of the adjustment apparatus  32  of the exemplary embodiment, as either of the first or second pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  is moved along the longitudinal axis  34 , the other pivot arm bracket ( 56  or  58 ) moves an equal distance in the opposite direction along the longitudinal axis  34 , so that the first and second handle supports  78 ,  84 , and the pivot axes  42 ,  44  are always maintained at symmetrical locations with respect to the second axis  50 , regardless of where either of the pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  is positioned along the longitudinal axis  34 . 
     Having the adjustment apparatus  32  available to facilitate movement and maintaining symmetrical location of the pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  provides a considerable advantage in that the bow  16  can be held in position by one hand of a person operating the bow press, while the other hand is being used to move one or the other of the pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  into position along the longitudinal axis  34 . 
     Once the inside surface supports  78 ,  84  are properly positioned, the hand screws  76  on the pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  are tightened to lock the pivot arm brackets  56 ,  58  in place along the longitudinal axis  34 . 
     The positions of the first and second limb supports  90 ,  98  are then adjusted, by loosening the hand screws  94 ,  102 , and sliding the limb support brackets  88 ,  96  along the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30 , to position the limb supports  90 ,  98  close to the string attachment provisions  24  at the distal ends of the limbs  12 ,  14 , and the hand screws  94 ,  102  are tightened to lock the limb support brackets  88 ,  96  in the desired locations on the first and second pivot arms  28 ,  30 . 
     If necessary, the common connection point of the links  108 ,  110  with the pin  116  can then be adjusted to provide sufficient stroke of the extensible section  113  of the screw jack  106  for bending the bow  16  sufficiently for performing whatever repair or adjustment is required. The crank  115  is then turned to extend the jack  106  for bending the bow  16 , in the manner shown in  FIG. 4 , and the required repair or adjustment is performed on the bow  16 , while the bow  16  is being held in a bent state by the bow press  10 . When the repair or adjustment is completed, the crank  115  is turned in the opposite direction to retract the jack  106  to a point that the bow  16  can be removed from the bow press  10 . 
     Those having skill in the art will recognize that a bow press, in accordance with the invention, provides significant advantages that greatly facilitate repair and adjustment of compound bows. In particular, it will be noted that the pivoting arm construction and other features of the invention provide a bow press that is easier to operate and more fool-proof than prior bow presses. A bow press, according to the invention, when properly adjusted and operated will virtually eliminate the problem experienced in some prior bow presses of having a bow be improperly bent in such a manner that the bow will lock itself into the bow press and cannot be readily removed, even if bending force is removed. In the present invention, such a locked-in condition is almost impossible to achieve, and in the event that it were to occur through improper operation of the bow press, the pivoting arms and other features of the invention will allow bending pressure to be released from the limbs, so that the bow can be safely removed from the bow press. 
     Those having skill in the art will also recognize that, although the invention has been described herein with reference to several exemplary embodiments, many other embodiments of the invention are possible. For example, the manually operable screw jack of the exemplary embodiment may be replaced by other types of extensible force generating elements. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5