Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit and priority of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/361,336 filed on Jan. 30, 2012 which, in turn, is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/437,458, filed on Jan. 28, 2011. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to archery accessories, and more particularly, to a bowstring release having a removable safety pin. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Release aids are used to hold a bowstring in the drawn position. The release attaches to the bowstring and pulls the bowstring to the drawn position. The user then activates the release, either by activating a trigger or by twisting the release, to separate the bowstring from the release thereby allowing the bowstring to fire an arrow. The release allows the user to utilize a device with an ergonomic and more secure grip. Additionally, the release provides protection to the users hands from repeated draws and release of the bowstring. 
     There are two main types of releases, trigger activated releases and back tension releases. Trigger activated release contain a trigger mechanism, which when activated, releases the hook holding the bowstring. Back tension releases do not use a trigger. Instead, when in the drawn position the user gives a slight twist of the release. This activates the release and the hook releases the bowstring. Becoming proficient with back tension releases requires practice to prevent accidental activation of the release resulting in misfired shots, or unexpected release. When applying force during the draw of a bowstring, an expected release could result in the user hitting themselves in the face with great force, potentially causing serious injuries. 
     For trigger activated releases, there exist safety mechanisms that prevent the trigger from activating the release. However, these types of safety mechanisms are ineffective for back tension releases. 
     Therefore, a release having a removable safety pin is desired. 
     Further, a release having a safety pin that allows for feedback as to the exact release point without releasing the bowstring is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a release having a body, a release mechanism attached to the body via a hinge and a safety pin. When the safety pin is engaged, the release mechanism&#39;s range of motion is restricted. Thereby, preventing the release from activating and releasing a bowstring. 
     More particularly, the invention includes a grip for holding the release. A user hooks a bowstring into the bowstring hook and pulls on the release to draw the bow. With the safety pin removed, or stored in the optional storage, the user activates the release. The release mechanism pivots along the hinge allowing the bowstring hook to release to bowstring. 
     In another form, with the safety pin affixed to the safety lock on the release mechanism, a user draws a bowstring as described above. However, upon activation of the release, the release mechanism is physically blocked by the safety pin. Thereby, preventing the bowstring hook from releasing the bowstring. 
     In yet another form, the release has a sear. The bowstring hook rests against the sear. Upon activation of the release, the bowstring hook slides off of the sear allowing for the release mechanism to pivot around the hinge pin. With the safety pin engaged, this merely provides a tactile response to the release being activated without allowing the bowstring hook to release the bowstring. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the safety pin prevents the release mechanism for releasing the bowstring. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that the safety pin allows for shooters to train with the release without fear of accidental release of the bowstring. 
     An even further advantage of the present invention is that with the safety pin engaged, the release provides a tactile response that the release has been activated. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the release contains a storage compartment for the safety pin when not in use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a release according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  depicts an isometric view of the release shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is an enlarged view of the sear adjustment shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3F  depict various options for storing and engaging the safety pin; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the release shown in  FIG. 1  in the drawn position; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the release shown in  FIG. 1  in the release position; 
         FIG. 6  depicts an enlarged view of the release mechanism with the safety pin removed; 
         FIG. 7  is a transparent enlarged view of the release mechanism with the safety pin removed as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  depicts an enlarged view of the release mechanism with the safety pin engaged; 
         FIG. 9  is a transparent enlarged view of the release mechanism with the safety pin engaged as shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIGS. 10A-10E  depict releases according to various additional embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrate several embodiments of the invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the bowstring release according to one embodiment of the present invention. The release  100  includes a body  10 , a release mechanism  20  and a safety pin  30 . Optionally, the release  100  includes a pulling post assembly  40 . In one embodiment, the body  10  further contains a safety pin storage  12 . In embodiments in which the safety pin  30  is a threaded safety pin, the safety pin storage may have a threaded portion to receive and secure the safety pin  30  in place. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2B , a release mechanism  20  is affixed to the body  10  via hinge pin  24 . The hinge pin  24  allows the hinged release  22  to pivot along the axis defined by the hinge pin  24 . A bowstring hook  21  is attached to the hinged release  22  via a bowstring hinge pin  27  allowing the bowstring hook  21  to pivot along the axis defined by the bowstring hinge pin  27 . A safety lock hole  23  allows for attachment of the safety pin  30  (shown in  FIGS. 6-9 ). In one embodiment a sear  25  is attached to the body  10 . In use, the bowstring hook  21  rests against the sear  25  as a bowstring is pulled into the drawn position. When the release  100  is activated the bowstring hook  21  slides off of the sear  25  allowing the hinged release  22  and the bowstring hook  21  to pivot and release a bowstring (not shown). It is understood that the bowstring hook may be an open hook or a closed hook depending on the particular embodiment. 
       FIG. 2B  depicts an enlarged view of the sear adjustment  26 . By adjusting the positioning of the sear  25 , the user can fine tune the release point of the bowstring hook  21 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3F , there is shown the safety pin  30  used for various purposes. In the embodiments shown the safety pin is a threaded safety pin.  FIG. 3B  is an enlarged view of the section circled in  FIG. 3A . The safety pin  30  is placed in the safety pin storage  12  on the body  10  when not in use.  FIGS. 3D and 3F  are enlarged views of the circled areas of  FIGS. 3C and 3E  respectively. The safety pin  30  may be placed into either side of the safety lock  23 . This is advantageous as the device can be used for both left-handed and right-handed shooters. While the safety pin is shown as a cylindrical pin, it is understood that the safety pin may be of any shape so long as it physically blocks the bowstring hook  21 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a schematic view of release  100  in the drawn position. In one embodiment, the release includes a pulling post assembly  40 . Optionally, the pulling post assembly  40  is an adjustable pulling post assembly having a pulling post  41  attached to a threaded post  43 . The threaded post  43  being held into position on the body  10  by a set screw  42 . This allows the pulling post  41  to be angled and moved to the users preference. In another embodiment, the pulling post assembly  40  is a trigger mechanism used to activate the release. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the release mechanism  20 . The bowstring hook  21  rests along the sear  25 . When under tension, the bowstring hook  21  remains pressed against the sear  25  until the release is activated. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the release  100  has been activated. The bowstring hook  21  has moved off of the sear  25  and the tension from the bowstring allows the bowstring hook  21  and the hinged release  22  to move into the released position, thereby releasing the bowstring. 
     With the safety pin  30  in the safety lock  23  the release mechanism  20  cannot fully activate. When the bowstring is drawn the release  100  is in the position shown in  FIG. 4  with the bowstring hook  21  resting on the sear  25 . When activated, the bowstring hook  21  slips off the sear  25  only instead of fully releasing, the bowstring hook  21  physically comes in contact with safety pin  30 . This prevents the bowstring hook  21  from fully pivoting and releasing the bowstring. However, because the bowstring hook  21  does slip off the sear  25 , the user is giving a tactile feel that the release has been activated. In one embodiment, this slipping also produces an audible sound. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7  there is shown an enlarged view of the release mechanism with the safety pin  30  removed. To engage the safety pin  30 , it is threaded into the safety lock hole  23  to lock the device as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The safety pin  30  physically prevents the bowstring hook from fully releasing a bowstring when engaged. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10A-10E , there are shown various releases. It is understood that the examples are merely demonstrative and are not intended to be limiting. For example, closed loop grips and the such may be substituted for the open design. In addition, the pulling post may be replaced with a trigger mechanism changing the release from a back tension release to a trigger type release. Also a trigger mechanism as known to those skilled in the art my be added at locations other than the pulling post. 
     In use, a shooter uses the release  100  to draw a bowstring. The bowstring hook  21  secures the bowstring and the shooter pulls back on the body  10 . The bowstring hook  21  rests against the sear  25 . When the release  100  is activated, the bowstring hook  21  slides off the sear  25  allowing the release mechanism to release the bowstring. However, if the safety pin  30  is placed in the safety lock  23 , the bowstring hook  21  physically contacts the safety pin  30 . This prevents the bowstring hook  21  from full range of motion and retains the bowstring in the bowstring hook. The slight movement of the bowstring hook  21  provides the user with a tactile signal that the release had been activated allowing for better training and fine tuning. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 
     PARTS LIST 
     
         
           10  Body 
           11  Grip 
           12  Safety pin storage 
           20  Release mechanism 
           21  Bowstring hook 
           22  Hinged release 
           23  Safety lock hole 
           24  Hinge pin 
           25  Sear 
           26  Sear adjustment 
           27  Bowstring hook hinge 
           30  Safety pin 
           40  Pulling post assembly 
           41  Pulling post 
           42  Set screw 
           43  Threaded post 
           100  Release

Technology Category: 2