U.S. patent application number 13/495814 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-07 for archery bow cable guard.
This patent application is currently assigned to Park Upper, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Mitchell Thomas Badgerow. Invention is credited to Mitchell Thomas Badgerow.
Application Number | 20130055997 13/495814 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47752173 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130055997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Badgerow; Mitchell Thomas |
March 7, 2013 |
Archery Bow Cable Guard
Abstract
A guide member for use with an archery bow. The guide member
includes a pair of longitudinally extending slots each of said
slots sized to receive and contain a cable of the archery bow. The
guide member further includes a mounting structure used to secure
the guide member to the archery bow. The slots can be parallel to
the plane of the bowstring or they can be at an angle with respect
to the plane of the bowstring.
Inventors: |
Badgerow; Mitchell Thomas;
(Sandusky, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Badgerow; Mitchell Thomas |
Sandusky |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Park Upper, LLC
Sandusky
MI
|
Family ID: |
47752173 |
Appl. No.: |
13/495814 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61496396 |
Jun 13, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 5/1403
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/88 |
International
Class: |
F41B 5/14 20060101
F41B005/14 |
Claims
1. An archery bow cable guard comprising: a guide member, said
guide member having a front end, a rear end, first and second side
surfaces and upper and lower surfaces; said guide member having
first and second longitudinally extending slots, said slots
extending between said front end and said rear end; and a mounting
structure located on one of said first and second side surfaces,
said mounting structure used to secure said guide member to an
archery bow.
2. An archery bow cable guard as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
mounting structure of said guide member secures said guide member
to a positioning rod attached to the archery bow.
3. An archery bow cable guard as set forth in claim 1, including
said longitudinally extending slots arranged on an angle wherein
said first and second slots each have first and second ends, with
said first ends of said first and second slots being closest to
said front end and said second ends of said first and second slots
being closest to said rear end wherein said second ends of said
first and second slots are closer to said first side surface than
said first ends of said first and second slots such that when
secured to an archery bow the second ends of said first and second
slots are closer to a plane of the bowstring of the archery
bow.
4. An archery bow cable guard as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
guide member further comprises a plurality of longitudinally
extending cylindrical members, said longitudinally extending
cylindrical members spaced to form said longitudinally extending
slots.
5. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 4, wherein said
longitudinally extending cylindrical members are rotatably secured
to said guide member.
6. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 1, wherein said
positioning rod is formed in an offset configuration.
7. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 1, wherein said first and
second longitudinally extending slots are configured to slidably
engage a plurality of cables on an inner surface of said first and
second longitudinally extending slots.
8. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 7, wherein said first and
second longitudinally extending slots are configured to allow said
cables to move longitudinally in said first and second
longitudinally extending slots when the archery bow is drawn.
9. An archery bow cable guard comprising: a guide member having a
front end and a rear end; an upper surface of said guide member
extending in a substantially longitudinal direction between said
front end and said rear end; a lower surface of said guide member
spaced from said upper surface and extending in a substantially
parallel direction to said upper surface between said front end and
said rear end; a first slot extending in a longitudinal direction
between said front end and said rear end and through said upper
surface and said lower surface; a second slot extending in a
longitudinal direction between said front end and said rear end and
through said upper surface and said lower surface; said first slot
and said second slot extending parallel to each other; and a
mounting structure located on said guide member, said mounting
structure used to secure said guide member to an archery bow.
10. An archery bow cable guard as set forth in claim 9, including
said first and second slots arranged on an angle wherein said first
and second slots each have first and second ends, with said first
ends of said first and second slots being closest to said front end
and said second ends of said first and second slots being closest
to said rear end wherein said second ends of said first and second
slots are closer to said first side surface than said first ends of
said first and second slots such that when secured to an archery
bow the second ends of said first and second slots are closer to a
plane of the bowstring of the archery bow.
11. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 10, wherein said first
and second longitudinally extending slots are configured to
slidably engage a plurality of cables on an inner surface of said
first and second longitudinally extending slots.
12. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 11, wherein said first
and second longitudinally extending slots are configured to allow
said cables to move longitudinally in said first and second
longitudinally extending slots when the archery bow is drawn.
13. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 9, wherein said guide
member further includes a plurality of longitudinally extending
cylindrical members, said longitudinally extending cylindrical
members configured to form said longitudinally extending slots.
14. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 13, wherein said
longitudinally extending cylindrical members are rotatably secured
to said guide member.
15. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 12, wherein a plurality
of cables are located in said first and second longitudinally
extending slots.
16. An archery bow cable guard as in claim 15, wherein said
plurality of cables deflect at different rates in said first and
second longitudinally extending slots when said archery bow is
drawn back to a firing position.
17. A method for firing an arrow from an archery bow, including the
steps of: placing an arrow on the bow string; pulling back the bow
string and arrow; providing a guide member, said guide member
having a front end, a rear end, first and second side surfaces and
upper and lower surfaces, said guide member further including first
and second longitudinally extending slots, said slots extending
between said front end and said rear end; placing a first cable in
said first longitudinally extending slot and a second cable in said
second longitudinally extending slot whereby said cable guard keeps
said first and second cables in separate planes so as to not come
in to contact with each other; and said first and second cables
move independent of one another in the longitudinal direction in
the first and second longitudinally extending slots and at
different rates in said first and second longitudinally extending
slots when said archery bow is drawn to a firing position.
18. The method of claim 17 including the step of providing said
guide member with said first and second longitudinally extending
slots arranged on an angle wherein said first and second slots each
have first and second ends, with said first ends of said first and
second slots being closest to said front end and said second ends
of said first and second slots being closest to said rear end
wherein said second ends of said first and second slots are closer
to said first side surface than said first ends of said first and
second slots such when the archery bow is drawn to a firing
position the first and second cables are closer to a plane of the
bowstring of the archery bow.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/496,396, filed Jun. 13, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to archery bows and,
more particularly, to a cable guard for use with an archery
bow.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Compound archery bows include pulleys or cams at each end of
the bow limbs. Cables extending between the respective pulleys or
cams are located next to one another near the midpoint of the bow.
Such an arrangement may interfere with the passage of an arrow.
Accordingly, a cable guard is used to offset the cables from the
plane of the bowstring and bow structure such that they will not
interfere with an arrow during draw or flight. The cable guard
operates so as to push the cables sufficiently away from the
bowstring and provide the necessary clearance for arrow
passage.
[0006] One type of cable guard includes a plastic member slidably
received on a cylindrical member or rod extending rearwardly from
the bow structure and spaced laterally from the plane of the
bowstring and bow structure. The plastic member typically includes
two apertures, one for each cable. Each aperture having a diameter
slightly larger than the diameter of the cable. Wherein as the bow
is drawn the force of the cable on the cable guard causes the cable
guard to slide along the cylindrical member or rod with the cables
sliding through the respective apertures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a cable guard for a
compound archery bow. The cable guard includes a member having a
plurality of longitudinally extending slots or tracks. The member
is supported on a positioning rod connected to the body of the
archery bow. Wherein the cables move back and forth within the
slots or tracks.
[0008] The present invention further includes orienting the
longitudinally extending slots or tracks at an angle with respect
to the plane of the bowstring and bow structure.
[0009] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of an archery bow having a cable guard
according to the present invention attached thereto.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an end view of the archery bow and attached cable
guard according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the archery bow cable guard
according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the archery bow cable guard
according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of the archery bow cable guard
according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an end view of the archery bow cable guard
according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the archery bow cable
guard according to the present invention taken along lines 7-7 of
FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the archery bow cable
guard according to the present invention illustrating the cables in
both a rest/static position and a drawn position, with the drawn
position illustrated in dotted lines.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the
archery bow cable guard according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the archery bow cable guard according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0022] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cable guard, seen
generally at 10, is used in connection with an archery bow 12. The
archery bow 12 includes a pair of cables 14, 16 and a bowstring 18
connected to and extending between opposite cams or pulleys 20, 22
located at the respective free ends of bow limbs 24, 26. A
positioning rod 28 is connected to the archery bow 12 and extends
rearwardly, toward the bowstring 18. As illustrated, the cable
guard 10 is located on the positioning rod 28 and deflects or
offsets the cables 14, 16 from the plane of the bowstring 18 to
prevent contact of the arrow with the cables 14, 16 upon the
drawing and firing of the archery bow 12. Further, the cable guard
10 operates to separate the cables 14, 16 from each other to
minimize wear on the cables 14, 16.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cable guard 10 includes a
guard member 30 secured to the positioning rod 28. The guard member
30 has a rectangular block shape having a front end 32, a rear end
34, an inner or first side surface 36, an outer or second side
surface 38, a top or upper surface 40 and a bottom or lower surface
42. As set forth herein the front end 32 is the end closest to the
archery bow structure 12 and the rear end 34 is closer to the
bowstring 18. The inner side surface 36 is closer to the bowstring
18 with the outer side surface 38 having a mounting structure, seen
generally at 44, used to secure the guard member 30 to the
positioning rod 28.
[0024] As used herein with respect to the guard member 30, the term
longitudinal means extending in the general direction of the axis
of the guard member 30 extending from the front end 32 toward the
rear end 34. The guard member 30 includes two longitudinal slots or
tracks 46, 48 extending between the front end 32 and rear end 34
and between the top surface 40 and the bottom surface 42. Each of
the longitudinal slots or tracks 46, 48 include inner engagement
surfaces 50, 52. Depending upon the particular bow, the guard
member 30 is approximately 21/2 to 3 inches long with the slots or
tracks 46, 48 extending substantially the entire length of the
guard member 30. As illustrated, the guard member 30 has a reduced
thickness in the area of the longitudinal slots or tracks 46, 48.
The reduced thickness is shown as a tapered portion extending from
the mounting structure 44 and outer side surface 38 in an inward
direction toward the inner side surface 36. Reducing the thickness
correspondingly reduces the size of the inner surfaces 50, 52 of
the longitudinal slots or tracks 46, 48 contacted by the cables 14,
16 which correspondingly reduces friction and wear.
[0025] The mounting structure 44 as illustrated herein includes
various embodiments. As set forth in FIG. 3-7, the mounting
structure 44 includes a first set of upper and lower ear members
54, 56, a second set of upper and lower ear members 58, 60 and a
substantially cylindrical aperture or bore 62 extending
longitudinally between the first and second set of upper and lower
ear members 54-60. As illustrated, a gap or space 64 extends
between the respective upper and lower ear members 54, 56 and a gap
or space 66 extends between the upper and lower inner members 58,
60. In addition both the first and second sets of upper and lower
ear members 54-60 each include a transverse bore 68, 70. With the
transverse bore 68 extending from the upper or top surface 72 of
the upper ear member 54 to the lower or bottom surface 74 of the
lower ear member 56 and the transverse bore 70 extending from the
upper or top surface 76 of the upper ear member 58 to the lower or
bottom surface 78 of the lower ear member 60.
[0026] The transverse bore 68 includes a countersunk portion 80
located on the upper or top surface 72 of the upper ear member 54.
The transverse bore 70 also includes a countersunk portion 82 on
the upper or top surface 76 of the upper ear member 58. Threaded
fasteners 84, 86, see FIGS. 3 and 7, extend through the respective
transverse bores 68, 70 located in the upper ear members 54, 58 and
are threadably received in the lower ear members 56, 60. The first
and second set of upper and lower ear members 54-60 operate in a
clamshell fashion whereby as the respective threaded fasteners 84,
86 are tightened, the upper and lower ear members 54-60 are drawn
together closing the respective gaps 64, 66 thereby reducing the
diameter of the cylindrical aperture or bore 62.
[0027] Accordingly, the guard member 30 is mounted to the
positioning rod 28 by sliding the positioning rod 28 through the
cylindrical aperture or bore 62 and tightening the threaded
fasteners 84, 86 to clamp the guide member 30 in the proper
location on the positioning rod 28. The transverse bores 68, 70
located in the respective lower ear members 56, 60 need not be
threaded depending upon the material used to form the guard member
30. While disclosed as threaded fasteners 84, 86, the upper and
lower ear members 54-60 can be secured to the positioning rod 28
using other types of connectors, clamps or compressive fasteners.
Self-threading type fasteners that screw into the transverse bores
68, 70 located in the respective lower ear members 56, 60 may also
be used. In addition, other mounting structures could be used to
secure the guard member 30 to the positioning rod 28 and the
mounting structure 44 should not be limited to the ear members
54-60 disclosed herein.
[0028] As illustrated, the respective cables 14, 16 are contained
in the slots or tracks 46, 48 wherein the length of the slots or
tracks 46, 48 is such that the cables 14, 16 are unrestricted or
free to move longitudinally, toward and away from the bowstring 18
in the respective slots or tracks 46, 48, as the archery bow 12 is
drawn and released in the direction illustrated by arrow 88.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cables 14, 16 are located in
the slots or tracks 46, 48. The cables 14, 16 contact and slide
over/on the respective inner engagement surfaces 50, 52 of the
slots or tracks 46, 48. As shown, the respective slots or tracks
46, 48 also separate and space the respective cables 14, 16 from
one another. Thus, the guard member 30 keeps the cables from
contacting themselves or from contacting the arrow. Accordingly,
the movement of each cable 14, 16 is unrestricted; that is, as the
pulleys or cams 20, 22 rotate, the cables 14, 16 move independently
of one another both in a direction transverse to the slots or
tracks 46, 48, see directional lines/arrows 90, 92, and within the
slots or tracks 46, 48, see directional lines/arrows 94, 96.
Providing separate slots or tracks 46, 48 for each cable 14, 16
allows each cable 14, 16 to take a path of least resistance and act
or move independently of the other cable to equalize the system
throughout the draw/firing cycle.
[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates the cables 14, 16 and bowstring 18 at
rest, with the dotted lines showing the cables 14, 16 in the drawn
position. Typically, the cable guard 30 is mounted or secured above
or below the axis or center of the bow string 18 to provide
clearance for the arrow, arrow rest and arrow fletching.
Accordingly, depending upon the location of the cable guard 30, the
cable 14 may move a greater longitudinal distance than cable 16
during the draw/firing cycle. As shown, cable 14 moves a
longitudinal distance B and cable 16 moves a longitudinal distance
A, with distance B being greater than distance A. The movement of
the cables 14, 16 depends upon the positioning and location of the
guard member 30 and size and location of the respective cams 20,
22. As set forth above, since the cables 14, 16 are located in and
able to move independently of one another within their respective
slots or tracks 46, 48, the stress on the cables 14, 16 and torque
on the bow structure is reduced. Accordingly, in the present
embodiment, the cable guard 30 remains stationary; i.e., it does
not move with respect to the positioning rod 28. Instead, the
cables 14, 16 moved back and forth within the slots or tracks 46,
48.
[0031] As shown, the slots or tracks 46, 48 are oriented at an
angle with respect to the positioning rod 28, wherein the
positioning rod 28 is typically oriented parallel to the plane of
the bowstring 18. In the present embodiment, the angle is
approximately 5-10.degree.. As illustrated, the ends of the slots
or tracks 46, 48 closest to the rear end 34 and therefore closest
to the bowstring 18 are spaced further from the longitudinal axis
of the positioning rod 28 and closer to the plane of the bowstring
18. Angling the slot or tracks 46, 48 inward toward the plane of
the bowstring 18 helps to reduce the torque on the bow limbs 24 and
26 with respect to the bow riser and increases the repeatability
and tunability of the archery bow 12.
[0032] The guard member 30 according to the first embodiment is a
one-piece member that can be molded or machined out of a low
friction plastic, polymer, carbon fiber or other nonferrous
material. The guard member 30 is typically made of a plastic or
composite material having a low coefficient of friction in relation
to the material used to form the cables 14, 16. While the guard
member 30 is illustrated with enclosed slots or tracks 46, 48
whereby the respective cables 14, 16 are installed by threading
them through the slots or tracks 46, 48 it is contemplated that an
opening or access groove may extend from the rear end 34 allowing
the cables 14, 16 of an already assembled/strung bow be placed or
inserted in the slots or tracks 46, 48. In such an instance a gate
or other closed member can be placed on the rear end 34 to close
the slots or tracks 46, 48 and contain the cables 14, 16 within the
slots or tracks 46, 48.
[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates an additional embodiment of the present
invention. The additional embodiment shows the slots or tracks 46,
48 parallel to the plane of the bowstring 18 as opposed to angled
as set forth above. In addition, the guide member 30 includes an
alternative mounting structure 44 having transversely extending
ears members 100, 102, said ear members 100,102 being substantially
planar and parallel to the respective ends 32, 34. A mounting
aperture 104, 106 is located in each ear member 100, 102 and
receives the positioning rod 28. In one embodiment the apertures
104, 106 are sized slightly smaller, that is they have a diameter
slightly smaller than the diameter of the positioning rod 28
creating a compression fit to secure the guide member 30 to the
positioning rod 28.
[0034] In a further embodiment the apertures 104, 106 have a
diameter slightly larger than that of the positioning rod 28
whereby the guide member 30 can slide freely on the positioning rod
28. As illustrated, an end cap 108 is press fit onto the end of the
positioning rod 28 to further secure the guide member to the
positioning rod 28. The embodiment of FIG. 9 further illustrates
that the positioning rod 28 may be offset or bent to aid in
locating the cable guide 30 in a proper position relative to the
position of the cables 14, 16.
[0035] Turning to a further embodiment of the present invention, as
shown in FIG. 10, the guard member 30 includes a pair of rotating
axles or rollers 110, 112. The axles or rollers 110, 112 are
rotatably secured in outwardly extending arm portions 114, 116. The
axles or rollers 110, 112 may be mounted in bushings, bearings or
journaled in apertures 118, 120 located in the arm portions 114,
116. The axles or rollers 110, 112 cooperate with the guard member
30 to form the longitudinal slots or tracks 46, 48. As set forth in
the previous embodiment, the cables 14, 16 are contained in the
slots or tracks 46, 48. Accordingly, the cables 14, 16 move back
and forth independently and freely, in the direction illustrated by
directional arrow 122, in the slot or track dedicated to each
particular cable 14, 16. The cables 14, 16 remain in contact with
the rotating axles or rollers 110, 112. Movement of the cables 14,
16, in an up-and-down direction--towards the respective cams or
pulleys 20, 22 (see directional arrows 90, 92), causes the axles or
rollers 110, 112 to spin or rotate rather than the cables 14, 16
sliding over/on the inner engagement surfaces 50, 52 in the
up-and-down direction show by directional arrows 90, 92 as shown in
FIG. 3 of the foregoing embodiment. In the present embodiment the
frictional force between the cables 14, 16 and the axles or rollers
110, 112 is reduced as the cables 14, 16 only slide on the inner
engagement surfaces 124, 126 of the respective axles or rollers
110, 112 in a longitudinal direction, that is toward and away from
the bowstring 18, see directional arrows 94, 96 of FIG. 3, as the
archery bow 12 is drawn and fired.
[0036] Incorporating two rotating axles 110, 112 helps reduce the
frictional components. As set forth above, the guide member 30 can
be molded or machined out of a low friction plastic, polymer,
carbon fiber or nonferrous material and the rotating axles or
rollers 110, 112 can be molded or machined out of a similar
material. Constraining each cable 14, 16 in its own slot or track
46, 48 allows each cable 14, 16 to work independently with less
friction, thereby improving the tunability of the archery bow
12.
[0037] In addition, as shown, the rotating axles or rollers 110,
112 are parallel to the positioning rod 28, which as set forth
above is typically parallel to the plane of the bowstring 18. The
rotating axles or rollers 110, 112 can also be offset at an angle
with respect to the longitudinal axis of the positioning rod 28.
Again, offsetting the rotating axles or rollers 110, 112 helps
reduce the torque in the bow limbs 24, 26.
[0038] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of
the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *