Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/662,989 on Sep. 15, 2003 which is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 10/646,358 filed 22 Aug. 2003, expressly abandoned. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is generally related to bow string releases and is specifically directed to a strap for a release. 
   Bow string releases are well known in the industry. Typically, a bow string release is designed to engage and lock a bow string in a mechanical sear for allowing the archer to pull the bow to its maximum draw. A trigger mechanism is then used to unlock the sear mechanism and release the string to fire the arrow. 
   As is typical, most bow string releases are secured to the wrist of the archer, permitting the release to be held in an at ready position while, freeing the fingers of the hand for other tasks. Also, by attaching the release to the archer at the wrist area, the amount of strain on the hand is greatly decreased when high draw weight bows are utilized, which is typical in archery hunting and archery tournaments. Many various straps and harnesses are available for bow string releases. An example of a widely accepted V-type strap is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,997 entitled: Wrist Strap, issued to Greene, on May 23, 1989. The strap has two ends that are placed around the wrist and then attached to each other by Velcro hook and loop material to secure the release strap and release to the wrist of the archer. The release or sear extends forwardly from the strap for gripping the bow string. 
   Another mechanism to couple the strap about the archer&#39;s wrist is to provide a receiver or belt-like buckle on a first end of the strap. The archer then must manipulate the second end of the strap through the receiver, and then place a pin on the receiver through a hole provided on the second end of the strap, similar to operation of a belt worn around a waist. This buckle style promotes exact strap location on your wrist every time. 
   Yes another mechanism includes a pistol-like grip from which the release extends forwardly. These grip style releases also include wrist straps for safety and for added pulling power. 
   Many currently available straps for bow string releases are difficult for the archer to couple about their wrist. This is because the strap remains proximal to the archers shooting hand, preventing the archer from using their shooting hand to assist the archer&#39;s off-hand in manipulating the strap. It has proven difficult for archers to one-handedly manipulate the second end of the strap through the receiver, and then place the pin on the receiver through the hole provided on the second end of the strap. 
   Additionally, repeated placement of the pin on the receiver through the hole provided on the second end of the strap cause the hole to stretch during repeated drawing of the bow during use. This stretch causes the hole on the second end of the strap to disadvantageously expand or rip. Also, with much repeated 50 to 70 pounds of pulling force exerted on the strap, it begins to stretch and separate or delaminate from its multiple layers. 
   Sizing of the straps may also be problematic for use with smaller wrists and/or when heavy clothing or gloves are not used. The overlapping strap portion may be too long and dangle causing interference with use of the bow string release. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to an improved strap for a bow string release. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the strap has two ends, a first end and a second end. The first end of the strap is provided with a receiver for receiving a tab that is coupled with the second end of the strap. 
   Preferably, the tab on the second end of the strap is sized to allow the archer to place the tab of the second end through the receiver of the first end of the strap, and have the tab of the second end selectively remain through the receiver of the first end of the strap. This allows the archer to have the ability to have the second end of the strap already started through the receiver of the first end of the strap, easing the way in which archers couple the strap to their wrist. 
   Another advantage is to have a portion of the second strap end to be stretchable. This allows the looped strap to pass over the hand or gloved and minimizes the material needed to make the strap. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, the strap is constructed in multi-layer fashion, a first padded layer that provides comfortable contact with the archer&#39;s skin and a second non-stretchable layer that provides the strap with a robust design that prevents the strap from stretching, ripping, delaminating and prevents holes in the strap from expanding through repeated use, among other benefits. 
   Another advantage is to have to have a movable clip on the first portion to secure the stretchable end of the second portion to prevent flapping, dangling, or interference by the second end portion. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap for a bow string release. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap for a bow string release, the strap to be coupled about an archers wrist, the strap in an open position. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap for a bow string release, the strap coupled about an archers wrist, the strap in a semi-closed (or open) position. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap for a bow string release, the strap coupled about an archers wrist, the strap in a closed position. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap for a bow string release, the strap coupled about an archers wrist, the strap in a closed position, and a tab of the strap in a restrained position. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a strap for a bow string release securable with hook and loop material. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another preferred bow string release with a grip style having a strap securable with hook and loop material. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another preferred looped strap embodiment for a bow string release. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of yet another preferred loop strap embodiment for a bow string release. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention that may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiments have been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a strap  12  for a bow string release  10  is shown. The strap  12  has two ends, a first end  20  and a second end  22 . It is noted that reference to either the first end  20  or the second end  22  refers generally to the last segments of the strap  12 , not to the absolute extremities of the strap  12 . The first end of the strap  12  is provided with a receiver or buckle  42  for receiving a tab  30  that is coupled with the second end  22  of the strap  12  by way of an elastic strap member  36  made of elastic synthetic textile fibers, like spandex or lycra. 
   Preferably, the tab on the second end  22  of the strap  12  is sized to allow the archer to place the tab  30  of the second end  22  through the receiver or buckle  42  of the first end  20  of the strap  12 , and have the tab  30  of the second end  22  selectively remain through the receiver  42  of the first end  20  of the strap  12 . This allows the archer to have the ability to have the second end  22  of the strap  12  already started through the receiver  42  of the first end  20  of the strap  12 , easing the way in which archers couple the strap  12  to their wrist. It is understood that the first end may refer to either end of the strap, as long as the strap has two ends. 
   It is preferable to shape the tab  30  as a triangle, as shown, in order to ease folding of the tab  30  to fit through the receiver  42 , although other shapes, such as circular or square, may be readily used. 
   The receiver  42  is coupled with a receiver pin  46  which can be inserted into holes  40  on the strap  12 , in belt fashion. The receiver  42  also preferably has a receiver roller  48  to facilitate sliding of the second end of the strap  22  through the receiver  42 . It should be understood that other means for maintaining the second end  22  in a semi-closed position relative to said first end  20  may be used, such as a hook and loop attachment. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 1 , but also shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , according to another aspect of the present invention, the strap  12  is constructed preferably in multi-layer fashion, a first preferably padded layer  24  that provides comfortable contact with the archer&#39;s skin. A second substantially non-stretchable layer  26  prevents the strap  12  from stretching, and also advantageously prevents holes  40  in the strap  12  from expanding through repeated use and the placing of a pulling load on the holes  40  by a receiver pin  46 . Preferably, the second layer  26  is formed with a nylon ballistic, minimal or no stretch, material. Polyester fabric or webbing will work well as will durable plastics like vinyl laminates which resist stretching and ripping. Optionally, a third layer  28  is provided on the outermost portion of the strap  12 , the third layer  28  preferably formed from a material such as fabric, leather or leather-like material, such as vinyl, nylon, camouflage fabric to give the strap  12  an appealing appearance. Common techniques for fabric coupling include sewing and adhesives, although any suitable coupling mechanism can be used. 
   The shape of the strap  12  is shown in a V-shaped pattern, although the strap  12  can take on other configurations to suit the archers wrist. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the strap  12  is shown to be coupled about an archer&#39;s wrist, the strap  12  in an open position as shown. In this open position, the second end of the strap  22  has been withdrawn from the receiver  42  by flexing the tab  30  to decrease its effective width from its ordinary strap width  32 , which is preferably greater than the arrow width  44  ( FIG. 1 ) of the receiver, until the tab arrow width  32  ( FIG. 1 ) is decreased by folding or otherwise, as shown in  FIG. 2 . It is believed that archers will prefer to keep the strap  12  in a semi-open position when the release is not in use, as described with relation to  FIG. 1 , in order to avoid having to manipulate the second end  22  of the strap  12  through the receiver  42 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the strap  12  is shown in a semi-open position. In this position, the archer has initially stretched elastic member  36 , placed his wrist into the strap  12 , but has not yet coupled the receiver pin  46  into any one of the holes  40  (not visible in  FIG. 3 ) 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the strap  12  is shown in a closed position. In this position, the archer has initially placed his wrist into the strap  12 , and has now coupled the receiver pin  46  into any one of the holes  40  to secure the strap about the wrist. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the strap  12  is shown coupled about an archers wrist, the strap in a closed position, and the tab  30  of the strap  12  is in a restrained position. In this restrained condition, a portion of the second end of the strap  22 , preferably the elastic member  36 , has been placed into clip  60 . The first end of the strap  20  has a clip  60  coupled to the strap  12  by a clip receiver strap  62 . The clip receiver strap  62  preferably allows the clip  60  to slide laterally to engage the tab  30  for a wide variety of wrist sizes, and to keep the second end of the strap  22  relatively secured to the strap  12  itself. The clip  60  is also shown in a second position  60 ′ although the clip  60  preferably has the capability to slide along a range of lengths along the receiver strap  62 . The elastic member  36  enables the second end of the strap  22  to be restrained, yet avoids the receiver pin  46  from being inadvertently withdrawn from a hole  40 , as could be possible with an archer having a large wrist size. 
   Another preferred embodiment of strap  72  for a bow string release  70  is shown in  FIG. 6 . Strap  72  is continuous extending from jaw or sear mount  74  to form a loop as the end  76  of strap  72  pass through buckle or rectangular eyelet  78  also on mount  74 . The outside first portion  80  of strap  72  has Velcro loops  82  while the outside second portion  84  has Velcro hooks  86 . By this arrangement, strap  72  is past through buckle  78 , pulled and laid back upon itself to lock the hook and loop materials  82  and  86  to secure the strap  72  and release  70 . Strap  72  also includes a layer of no-stretch material  26  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   Another preferred embodiment is grip-style bow string release  90 . Non-stretch strap  92  extends from grip  94  having a first portion  96  having a buckle  98  and a second portion  100  which loops through buckle  98  and may be anchored upon itself by hook and loop materials. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  show two other preferred strap embodiments  110  and  120 . Strap  110  is V-shaped, non-stretchable and has a first portion  112  with receiver  114  with a permanent of releasable strap anchor  116 . Loop strap  118  may be of a non-stretchable coated cable or stretchable or elastic material and extends from the second portion  117 , through buckle  114  to anchor  116 . By this arrangement, a loop is created for easy donning and securing the first portion  112  with buckle  114 . Strap  120  is also V-shaped, nonstretchable and has a first portion  122  with receiver  124 . Second portion  126  may be secured to first portion  122  by any buckle-like arrangement  124  previously described. Loop strap  128  permanently connects first and second portions  122  and  126  and may be stretchable for easy donning. 
   It is understood that alternative embodiments of the present invention could also be employed to selectively maintain the second end  22  of the strap  12  through first end  20  of the strap, such alternative embodiments are not shown in the drawings. This could be accomplished by having a piece of cord fastened to the second end  22 , and then weaving the cord through the receiver. Alternatively, an elastic member could be coupled with the first end  20 , and then coupled with the second end  22 . 
   The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Technology Category: 2