U.S. patent application number 12/583174 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-17 for archery lighted release aid apparatus.
Invention is credited to Eric Braden, William C. Freitag.
Application Number | 20110036337 12/583174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43587840 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110036337 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Freitag; William C. ; et
al. |
February 17, 2011 |
Archery lighted release aid apparatus
Abstract
An archery lighted release aid apparatus for providing
sufficient illumination to assist an archer in attaching the
release aid to the bowstring or loop and/or the arrow to the
nocking position of the bowstring is provided. The archery lighted
release aid apparatus has a light source, a switch assembly
connected to said light source, a trigger housing having a trigger
housing main body and a trigger, with the trigger housing main body
having a channel extending completely therethrough where the switch
assembly passes, a main body housing having a first end and a
second end, with the main body housing first end having a cap
attached thereto, and with the main body housing having a channel
extending completely therethrough, a power source located inside
the main housing in the main body channel, with the power source
contacting the switch assembly, and a wrist strap mounting assembly
connected to the main body housing.
Inventors: |
Freitag; William C.; (Utica,
OH) ; Braden; Eric; (Orange, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patrick P. Phillips;KREMBLAS, FOSTER, PHILLIPS & POLLICK
7632 Slate Ridge Blvd
Reynoldsburg
OH
43068
US
|
Family ID: |
43587840 |
Appl. No.: |
12/583174 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
124/32 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 1/34 20130101; F41B
5/1469 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/32 |
International
Class: |
F41B 5/18 20060101
F41B005/18 |
Claims
1. An archery lighted release aid apparatus comprising a light
source, a switch assembly, said switch assembly connected to said
light source, a trigger housing, said trigger housing having a
trigger housing main body and a trigger, said trigger attached to
said trigger housing, said trigger housing main body having a first
end and a second end, said trigger housing main body having a
channel extending completely therethrough from said first end to
said second end, said switch assembly passing through said trigger
housing main body channel, said first end of said trigger housing
main body having a pair of jaws attached thereto, a main body
housing, said main body housing having a first end and a second
end, said main body housing first end having a cap attached
thereto, said main body housing having a channel extending
completely therethrough from said main body housing first end to
said main body housing second end, a power source, said power
source located inside said main body housing in said main body
housing channel, said power source contacting said switch assembly,
and a wrist strap mounting assembly having a length adjustment arm
attached to said main body housing, and a slot for passage
therethrough of a wrist strap.
2. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 1,
which includes a tension adjustment collar, said tension adjustment
collar having a first end that attaches to said second end of said
main body housing, said tension adjustment collar having a second
end having a spring that is inserted into said first end of said
trigger housing main body.
3. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said cap is secured to said main body housing by
screw-threads.
4. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein said cap is secured to said first end of said main body
housing by screw-threads, and said first end of said tension
adjustment collar is secured to said second end of said main body
housing by screw-threads.
5. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said switch assembly is a reed switch.
6. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.
7. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said power source is one or more batteries.
8. An archery lighted release aid apparatus comprising a light
source, a switch assembly, said switch assembly connected to said
light source, a trigger housing, said trigger housing having a
trigger housing main body and a trigger, said trigger attached to
said trigger housing, said trigger housing main body having a first
end and a second end, said trigger housing main body having a
channel extending completely therethrough from said first end to
said second end, said switch assembly passing through said trigger
housing main body channel, said first end of said trigger housing
main body having a pair of jaws attached thereto, a main body
housing, said main body housing having a first end and a second
end, said main body housing first end having a cap attached
thereto, said main body housing having a channel extending
completely therethrough from said main body housing first end to
said main body housing second end, a tension adjustment collar,
said tension adjustment collar having a first end that attaches to
said second end of said main body housing, said tension adjustment
collar having a second end having a spring that is inserted into
said first end of said trigger housing main body, a power source,
said power source located inside said main body housing in said
main body housing channel, said power source contacting said switch
assembly, and a wrist strap mounting assembly having a length
adjustment arm attached to said main body housing, and a slot for
passage therethrough of a wrist strap.
9. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein said cap is secured to said first end of said main body
housing by screw-threads, and said first end of said tension
adjustment collar is secured to said second end of said main body
housing by screw-threads.
10. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein said switch assembly is a reed switch.
11. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.
12. The archery lighted release aid apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein said power source is one or more batteries.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to an archery release aid,
and more particularly, to one having an integral light source.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Archers hunting in low light conditions, for example, in the
early morning, early evening, or in the deep woods, often have
difficulty attaching a release aid to the bowstring or loop and/or
setting the arrow to the nocking position of the bowstring. The
nocking position is the point along the bowstring where the nock on
the arrow contacts the string. In theory, under most circumstances
when shot, an arrow should be fairly level i.e. essentially
perpendicular to the bowstring at rest.
[0005] A release aid is a device used in hunting for the past 40-50
years which grips the bowstring and assists in making the arrow fly
in a straight path instead of at a slight angle. This is
accomplished by aiding in the release of the arrow from the string.
Without the use of a release aid, the arrow may fly in an
undesirable angled flight path caused by the unequal pressure on
the bowstring of the finger/fingers and thumb at the time of
release.
[0006] Most release aids operate using a trigger that releases the
bowstring from a clamp-like component of the release aid. The
clamp-like component is placed on the bowstring (or a loop in the
bowstring used by some hunters) before the shooting of the arrow.
Delay in attaching the release aid to the bowstring or loop due to
poor visibility can cause the archer to miss the ideal shot at the
intended target. A delayed shot at the target under non-ideal
conditions may cause a complete miss or a wounding of the target
instead of a kill.
[0007] Until now, attempts to deal with this problem have been
essentially non-existent. While one could practice to hopefully
make the attachment process faster and more reliable, trying to
attach a release aid in dark or dusky conditions is not a sure
thing even with practice. Alternatively, a light may be turned on
in the hunting blind to help see the bowstring, but it needs to be
off when the string is pulled, which in essence requires a "third
hand", since one hand is holding the bow and another is holding the
release aid. There is also an archery release aid light apparatus
disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 12/287,587, wherein a light is attached
to the side of a preexisting release aid. In any of the prior art,
leaving the light on can compromise the presence of the hunter and
therefore cause the prey to flee.
[0008] It is thus apparent that the need exists for a better
archery release aid apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed
an archery lighted release aid apparatus having a light source, a
switch assembly connected to the light source, a trigger housing, a
main body housing, a power source, and a wrist strap mounting
assembly. The trigger housing has a trigger housing main body and a
trigger attached to the trigger housing main body. The trigger
housing main body has a channel extending completely therethrough
where the switch assembly passes.
[0010] The main body housing has a first end and a second end, with
the main body housing first end having a cap attached thereto, and
with the main body housing having a channel extending completely
longitudinally therethrough. The power source is located inside the
main housing in the main body housing channel, with the power
source contacting the switch assembly. The wrist strap mounting
assembly is connected to the main body housing. The wrist strap
mounting assembly has a length adjustment arm attached to the main
body housing, and a slot for passage therethrough of a wrist
strap.
[0011] The archery lighted release aid apparatus preferably has a
tension adjustment collar having a first end that attaches to the
second end of the main body housing. The tension adjustment collar
has a second end having a spring that is inserted into the first
end of the trigger housing main body.
[0012] The cap is preferably secured to the first end of the main
body housing by screw-threads, and the first end of the tension
adjustment collar is secured to the second end of the main body
housing by screw-threads. The switch assembly is preferably a reed
switch. The light source is preferably a light emitting diode. The
power source is preferably one or more batteries.
[0013] There is also disclosed an archery lighted release aid
apparatus having a light source, a switch assembly connected to the
light source, a trigger housing, a main body housing, a tension
adjustment collar, a power source, and a wrist strap mounting
assembly. The tension adjustment collar has a first end that
attaches to the second end of the main body housing and a second
end that has a spring that is inserted into the first end of the
trigger housing main body. The trigger housing has a trigger
housing main body and a trigger attached to the trigger housing
main body. The trigger housing main body has a channel extending
completely therethrough where the switch assembly passes.
[0014] The main body housing has a first end and a second end, with
the main body housing first end having a cap attached thereto, and
with the main body housing having a channel extending completely
longitudinally therethrough. The power source is located inside the
main housing in the main body housing channel, with the power
source contacting the switch assembly. The wrist strap mounting
assembly is connected to the main body housing. The wrist strap
mounting assembly has a length adjustment arm attached to the main
body housing, and a slot for passage therethrough of a wrist
strap.
[0015] The cap is preferably secured to the first end of the main
body housing by screw-threads, and the first end of the tension
adjustment collar is preferably secured to the second end of the
main body housing by screw-threads. The switch assembly is
preferably a reed switch. The light source is preferably a light
emitting diode. The power source is preferably one or more
batteries.
[0016] The primary object of this invention is to provide a lighted
release aid apparatus that illuminates the attachment point of the
release aid to the bowstring (or loop), as well as the nocking
position of the arrow on the bowstring.
[0017] Another object of this invention is to provide such a
lighted release aid apparatus that preferably is powered by a
self-contained source, for example, one or more batteries, so that
the device is portable and not encumbered by cords associated with
a remote power source.
[0018] Still another object of the invention is to provide a
lighted release aid apparatus that preferably utilizes a light
source that permits directional illumination, as well as one which
operates with very low operating current so as to ensure long
operational life.
[0019] Yet still another object of the invention is to provide an
apparatus that is easy to activate so it does not alert the
potential target that an arrow is about to be shot.
[0020] Still another object of the invention is to provide a
lighted release aid apparatus having a light that is not affected
whether the archer is left or right-handed.
[0021] Other objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings
and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the lighted release aid apparatus of the subject invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of the lighted release aid apparatus of the subject invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment
of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 5.
[0028] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the invention.
[0029] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention
which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be
resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended
that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and
it is to be understood that each specific term includes all
technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to
accomplish a similar purpose.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Having reference to the drawings, attention is directed
first to FIG. 1, which discloses the lighted release aid apparatus
of the invention, with the release aid apparatus being designated
generally by the numeral 10. As can be appreciated by a comparison
of FIGS. 1-7, the archery lighted release aid apparatus 10 includes
a main body housing 12 having an exterior surface 13 and a main
body housing inner channel 14 which extends longitudinally through
the main body housing. The main body housing 12 has a first end 15
and a second end 16, with the main body housing channel 14 at the
second end 16 having screw-threads 17 for engagement with the
screw-threads 29 of cap 28.
[0031] Extending longitudinally along what is shown as the bottom
of the archery lighted release aid of the invention is a ridge
member 20 having a downwardly depending section 22 and an elongated
section 24 spaced a distance from the exterior surface 13 of the
main body housing and parallel thereto, with the elongated section
24 having a plurality of spaced apertures 27 therein. A bracket
attachment 30 provides a method of attaching the invention to the
user. The bracket attachment 30 has a wrist strap mounting assembly
32 having a planar member 34, a slot 36 for insertion therethrough
of a strap, and a plurality of apertures 38 in the planar member 34
to facilitate attachment of the wrist strap mounting assembly 32 to
the length adjustment arm 42 by wrist strap mounting assembly
fastening means 49.
[0032] The length adjustment arm 42 has a first section 44 and a
second section 45, with the second section having a channel 46
formed for insertion therethrough of the ridge member 20. The first
section of the length adjustment arm has a plurality of first
apertures 47 formed in its first section to enable adjustable
attachment to the wrist strap mounting assembly 32 at planar member
apertures 38 with wrist strap mounting assembly fastening means 49.
The second section 45 of the length adjustment arm has a plurality
of second apertures 48 along the bottom of the channel 46 to
facilitate the attachment of the length adjustment arm 42 to the
ridge member 20 using length adjustment arm fastening means 43.
[0033] The power source 50 for the invention is shown as several
batteries 51. The choice of battery could include coin cell, button
cell, primary battery, or rechargeable battery. The power source 50
is retained in the main body housing channel 14 in contact with the
end cap 28. A switch assembly 55 is provided that also comes into
contact with the batteries in the preferred embodiment of the
invention. The preferred embodiment utilizes a reed switch having a
first end 57 and a second end 58, with the switch also using a
magnet 59 of the type used with reed switches that is retained in
the adjacent trigger housing. While the first end of the switch
assembly 55 is in contact with the power source, the second end is
connected to the light source 60.
[0034] While the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a
reed switch, other possible switch choices could include a single
switch to control both the opening of the jaws and the activation
of the light source, two separate switches (one to control the
light source and the other to control the opening of the jaws), one
or multiple momentary switches, one or multiple mechanical single
pole single throw switches, one or multiple capacitive switches,
one or multiple optical switches, or one or multiple radio
frequency activated switches.
[0035] The light source 60 preferably is a single light emitting
diode (LED). Depending upon the specific application, the lighting
device could be constructed with one or multiple LEDs (lamp-type or
SMT, etc.), one or multiple LEDs of the same color (ultraviolet
thru infrared; 250 nm .about.1550 nm, including white), one or
multiple LEDs of different colors (ultraviolet thru infrared; 250
nm .about.1550 nm, including white), one or multiple multi-chip
LEDs with single color dice (ultraviolet thru infrared; 250 nm
.about.1550 nm, including white), one or multiple multi-chip LEDs
with different color dice (ultraviolet thru infrared; 250
nm.about.1550 nm, including white), one or multiple white LEDs
(blue die phosphor converted, UV die phosphor converted,
bi-chromatic converted, RGB converted, etc.), one or multiple
incandescent lamps (radial, axial, or SMT, etc.), one or multiple
incandescent lamps with colored boot to achieve specific colors,
one or multiple incandescent lamps with colored glass to achieve
specific colors, one or multiple electroluminescent (EL) light
sources (flat film, or wire type, etc.), or one or multiple cold
cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) light sources (axial, or radial,
etc.).
[0036] The switch assembly 55 is enclosed by tension adjustment
collar 70. The tension adjustment collar has a first end 71 that
has screw-threads 72 for attachment to the screw-threads 17 of the
main body housing 12. The tension adjustment collar has a second
end 73 that projects through tension spring 74. The tension spring
74 has a first end retained in the spring insert portion 76 of the
adjustment means 75. By turning the adjustment means 75, the amount
of tension used to provide power to the light source can be varied
depending on the strength of the user of the apparatus. The switch
assembly extends through the tension adjustment collar channel 77,
which channel 77 extends the length of the tension adjustment
collar 70, such that the second end of the switch assembly projects
beyond the second end 73 of the tension adjustment collar.
[0037] While one end of the tension spring 74 abuts the adjustment
means, the other end of the tension spring abuts the trigger
housing 80. The trigger housing 80 has a trigger housing main body
81 and a trigger 82 attached to the trigger housing main body 81 in
the manner well known in the art of devices having triggers in
their handle. The trigger housing main body 81 has a channel 86
extending completely therethrough, with the switch assembly
extending along the interior of the channel 86.
[0038] The trigger housing main body has a first end 83 where
spring retention channel 83a receives the second end of the tension
spring. The trigger housing main body second end 84 has
screw-threads where first jaw 87 and second jaw 88 are attached.
The distal end of each jaw 87, 88 respectively, has an engaging
portion 89 which is used to grip the bowstring. Each of the jaws
87, 88 has a sidewall 90 with a jaw aperture 92. A jaw fastening
means 94 passes into each of the jaw apertures 92 and screws into
the corresponding jaw attachment aperture 99 of the release aid
head assembly 95.
[0039] The release aid head assembly has a C-shaped contact member
96 having a pair of flanges 96a spaced apart from each other, a
flange connecting portion 96b located intermediate the two flanges,
and a contact aperture 96c formed in the flange connecting portion
96b. The contact flanges 96a taper elongatedly outwardly as can
best be appreciated in FIGS. 6 and 7, such that when the trigger is
pulled rearwardly, the flanges cause the jaws to open as the
flanges come into contact with the interior surface of the
jaws.
[0040] The planar surface of the flange connecting portion 96b
abuts the second end of the trigger housing 81. Light case 97 abuts
the opposite side of the planar surface of the flange connecting
portion. The light case 97 is roughly cubicle in shape with
apertures on the side of the light case directly adjacent the
flange connecting portion and the opposite side of the light case
to effectively form a channel 98 that extends through the light
case in cooperative relationship to the contact aperture 96c, so
that the light source passes through the contact aperture as well
as through the light case channel 98. A light retainer clip 100 is
slipped over the housing of the light source to secure the light
source to the release aid head assembly, thereby securing the
second end of the switch assembly to the apparatus.
[0041] When the trigger is pulled, the switch assembly activates
the light source in the manner well known in magnetically activated
reed switches. The magnet moves into close proximity to the reed
switch and activates the reed switch allowing current to flow.
Removing pull force from the trigger allows the tension spring to
push the trigger body main housing forward over the switch stopping
the current flow. The light source is positioned such that the
directional light coming out of the light source illuminates where
a bowstring is held by the jaws of a release aid at a distance of
1'' to 2'' away. The illumination level is sufficient to light the
release aid jaws. Additionally, the switching mechanism for the
light source is integrated into the trigger for the release jaws,
such that a secondary switch is not required. The switching of the
light source is preferably configured such that illumination only
occurs when the release jaws are fully opened and not when the jaws
are partially opened as when releasing the bow string. This ensures
the intended target is not frightened away by a light source aimed
in its direction during the moment of arrow release.
[0042] The apparatus of the invention could be fabricated from
metal components, plastic components, a combination of metal and
plastic components, metal components overmolded with rigid plastic
or elastomeric material, or rigid plastic components overmolded
with elastomeric material. In the assembled condition, there is
provided a small, light-weight, portable lighting device that
provides sufficient illumination to assist the archer in attaching
the release aid to the bowstring or loop and/or the arrow to the
nocking position of the bowstring. The lighting device could be
used for many other applications within the archery and hunting
industry. For example, it could be used as a bow sight light, a
small portable flashlight with extremely limited illumination
power, or a quiver light.
[0043] While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form
of apparatus and that changes may be made therein without departing
from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended
claims.
* * * * *