U.S. patent application number 14/988743 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-06 for arrow rest assembly with bidirectional bias torque.
The applicant listed for this patent is BowTech, Inc.. Invention is credited to Christopher J. Eacker.
Application Number | 20170191788 14/988743 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59235472 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170191788 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eacker; Christopher J. |
July 6, 2017 |
ARROW REST ASSEMBLY WITH BIDIRECTIONAL BIAS TORQUE
Abstract
An arrow rest assembly includes a body, shaft, bidirectional
bias mechanism, launcher, and rotation stop. The shaft rotates
about a transverse axis and the launcher and rotation stop are
secured to the shaft. The bidirectional bias mechanism provides a
bias torque that opposes rotation of the shaft in both directions
away from a single shaft reference orientation. The arrow rest
assembly can be structurally arranged to be cable-driven or
limb-driven. If the launcher can be removably secured in each of
first and second launcher orientations, then the arrow rest
assembly can be readily converted between the limb- and
cable-driven arrangements.
Inventors: |
Eacker; Christopher J.;
(Eugene, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BowTech, Inc. |
Eugene |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59235472 |
Appl. No.: |
14/988743 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 5/143 20130101;
F41B 5/1453 20130101; F41B 5/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41B 5/14 20060101
F41B005/14; F41B 5/10 20060101 F41B005/10 |
Claims
1. An arrow rest assembly for a compound archery bow, the arrow
rest assembly comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft engaged with the
body so as to rotate about an axis that, with the arrow rest
assembly secured to the riser of the archery bow, is substantially
perpendicular to a shooting plane defined by the archery bow; (c) a
bidirectional bias mechanism structurally arranged so as to provide
a bias torque that opposes rotation of the shaft in both directions
away from a single, substantially fixed shaft reference orientation
relative to the body; (d) a launcher substantially non-rotatably
secured to the shaft; and (e) a rotation stop substantially
non-rotatably secured to the shaft, wherein: (f) the arrow rest
assembly is structurally arranged so that (i) engagement of the
rotation stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in a
launcher-up position, and (ii) rotation of the shaft, away from the
reference orientation in a first direction against the bias torque,
moves the launcher from the launcher-up position to a launcher-down
position; or (g) the arrow rest assembly is structurally arranged
so that (i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the
shaft with the launcher in the launcher-down position, and (ii)
rotation of the shaft, away from the reference orientation in a
second direction opposite the first direction and against the bias
torque, moves the launcher from the launcher-down position to the
launcher-up position.
2. The arrow rest assembly of claim 1 wherein the arrow rest
assembly is further structurally arranged so that: (h) engagement
of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaft rotated, in the
first direction, away from the reference orientation against the
bias torque, with the launcher in the launcher-up position, or (i)
engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaft
rotated, in the second direction, away from the reference
orientation against the bias torque, with the launcher in the
launcher-down position.
3. The arrow rest assembly of claim 1 wherein: (d') the launcher is
structurally arranged so as to be removably, substantially
non-rotatably secured to the shaft in each one of first and second
launcher orientations relative to the shaft; (f') with the launcher
secured to the shaft in the first launcher orientation, the arrow
rest assembly is structurally arranged so that (i) engagement of
the rotation stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in
a launcher-up position, and (ii) rotation of the shaft, away from
the reference orientation in a first direction against the bias
torque, moves the launcher from the launcher-up position to a
launcher-down position; and (g') with the launcher secured to the
shaft in the second launcher orientation, the arrow rest assembly
is structurally arranged so that (i) engagement of the rotation
stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the
launcher-down position, and (ii) rotation of the shaft, away from
the reference orientation in a second direction opposite the first
direction and against the bias torque, moves the launcher from the
launcher-down position to the launcher-up position.
4. The arrow rest assembly of claim 3 wherein: (h) the launcher is
secured to the shaft in the first launcher orientation; (i) the
arrow rest assembly is secured to the riser of the archery bow; (j)
a coupling cable is (i) connected to a limb of the archery bow or
to a segment of a cable of the archery bow that moves toward the
arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn, and (ii) coupled to the
shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft to movement of the limb
or movement of the cable segment that moves toward the arrow rest
assembly when the bow is drawn; (k) the arrow rest assembly is
further structurally arranged so that, with the bow at brace,
tension on the coupling cable holds the shaft rotated in the first
direction against the bias torque with the launcher in the
launcher-down position; and (l) the arrow rest assembly is further
structurally arranged so that, with the bow drawn, the coupling
cable is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body
holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-up position.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising the coupling cable
and the archery bow.
6. A method for using the arrow rest assembly of claim 4, the
method comprising: (A) removing the launcher from the shaft and
resecuring the launcher to the shaft in the second launcher
orientation; (B) disconnecting the coupling cable from the limb or
from the cable segment that moves toward the arrow rest assembly
when the bow is drawn, and reconnecting the coupling cable to a
segment of a cable of the archery bow that moves away from the
arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn; and (C) arranging, or
verifying arrangement of, coupling of the coupling cable to the
shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft to movement of the cable
segment that moves away from the arrow rest assembly when the bow
is drawn, wherein, after performing the acts of parts (A), (B), and
(C): (D) the arrow rest assembly is further structurally arranged
so that, with the bow at brace, the coupling cable is slack, and
engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaft with
the launcher in the launcher-down position; and (E) the arrow rest
assembly is further structurally arranged so that, with the bow
drawn, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaft rotated in the
second direction against the bias torque with the launcher in the
launcher-up position.
7. The arrow rest assembly of claim 3 wherein: (h) the launcher is
secured to the shaft in the second launcher orientation; (i) the
arrow rest assembly is secured to the riser of the archery bow; (j)
a coupling cable is (i) connected to a segment of a cable of the
archery bow that moves away from the arrow rest assembly when the
bow is drawn, and (ii) coupled to the shaft so as to link rotation
of the shaft to movement of the cable segment that moves away from
the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn; (k) the arrow rest
assembly is further structurally arranged so that, with the bow at
brace, the coupling cable is slack, and engagement of the rotation
stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the
launcher-down position; and (l) the arrow rest assembly is further
structurally arranged so that, with the bow drawn, tension on the
coupling cable holds the shaft rotated in the second direction
against the bias torque with the launcher in the launcher-up
position.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising the coupling cable
and the archery bow.
9. A method for using the arrow rest assembly of claim 7, the
method comprising: (A) removing the launcher from the shaft and
resecuring the launcher to the shaft in the first launcher
orientation; (B) disconnecting the coupling cable from the cable
segment that moves away from the arrow rest assembly when the bow
is drawn, and reconnecting the coupling cable to a limb of the
archery bow or to a segment of a cable of the archery bow that
toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn; and (C)
arranging, or verifying arrangement of, coupling of the coupling
cable to the shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft to movement
of the limb or movement of the cable segment that moves toward the
arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn, wherein, after
performing the acts of parts (A), (B), and (C): (D) the arrow rest
assembly is further structurally arranged so that, with the bow at
brace, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaft rotated in the
first direction against the bias torque with the launcher in the
launcher-down position; and (E) the arrow rest assembly is further
structurally arranged so that, with the bow drawn, the coupling
cable is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body
holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-up position.
10. The arrow rest assembly of claim 3 wherein: (h) the rotation
stop is arranged so as to be removably, substantially non-rotatably
secured to the shaft in each one of first and second stop
orientations relative to the shaft; (i) with the launcher secured
to the shaft in the first launcher orientation and the rotation
stop secured to the shaft in the first stop orientation, the arrow
rest assembly is structurally arranged so that engagement of the
rotation stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the
launcher-up position; and (j) with the launcher secured to the
shaft in the second launcher orientation and the rotation stop
secured to the shaft in the second stop orientation, the arrow rest
assembly is structurally arranged so that engagement of the
rotation stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the
launcher-down position.
11. The arrow rest assembly of claim 10 wherein: (k) with the
launcher secured to the shaft in the first launcher orientation and
the rotation stop secured to the shaft in the first stop
orientation, the arrow rest assembly is structurally arranged so
that engagement of the rotation stop and the body substantially
prevents movement of the launcher beyond the launcher-down
position; and (l) with the launcher secured to the shaft in the
second launcher orientation and the rotation stop secured to the
shaft in the second stop orientation, the arrow rest assembly is
structurally arranged so that engagement of the rotation stop and
the body substantially prevents movement of the launcher beyond the
launcher-up position.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: (h) the bidirectional bias
mechanism comprises a first diametrically magnetized annular magnet
substantially non-rotatably mounted on the shaft and a second
diametrically magnetized annular magnet substantially non-rotatably
mounted on the body; (i) the shaft passes through central openings
of the first and second annular magnets so that the first and
second annular magnets are substantially coaxial; (j) with the
shaft at the shaft reference orientation, respective magnetizations
of the first and second annular magnets are substantially
antiparallel so that the first and second magnets exert negligible
torque on each other about the axis; and (k) rotation of the shaft
away from the shaft reference orientation results in the first and
second magnets exerting the bias torque that opposes the rotation
of the shaft away from the shaft reference orientation.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: (h) the bidirectional bias
mechanism comprises a first set of one or more magnets connected to
the shaft and a second set of one or more magnets mounted on the
body; (i) the magnets of the first and second sets are structurally
arranged so as to exert, with the shaft at the shaft reference
orientation, negligible torque on the shaft about the axis; and (j)
the magnets of the first and second sets are structurally arranged
so that rotation of the shaft away from the shaft reference
orientation results in the magnets of the first and second sets
exerting the bias torque that opposes the rotation of the shaft
away from the shaft reference orientation.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: (h) the bidirectional bias
mechanism comprises one or more linear or torsion springs coupling
the shaft and the body; (i) the one or more springs are
structurally arranged so as to exert, with the shaft at the shaft
reference orientation, negligible torque on the shaft about the
axis; and (j) the one or more springs are structurally arranged so
that rotation of the shaft away from the shaft reference
orientation results in the one or more springs exerting the bias
torque that opposes the rotation of the shaft away from the shaft
reference orientation.
15. The arrow rest assembly of claim 14 wherein the one or more
linear or torsion springs comprises (i) a pair of opposed linear
springs or (ii) a pair of opposed torsion springs.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mounting bracket
structurally arranged so as to secure the arrow rest assembly to a
riser of the archery bow.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the mounting bracket is
structurally arranged so as to enable adjustment of one or more of
a horizontal position or a vertical position of the arrow rest
assembly relative to the riser of the archery bow.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The field of the present invention relates to arrow rests
for archery bows. In particular, an arrow rest assembly and
associated methods are described herein that employ a bidirectional
bias torque.
BACKGROUND
[0002] An arrow rest is a structural member attached to an archery
bow, typically on the bow's riser or handle, that is arranged to
support the shaft of the arrow when the bow is drawn or shot. Such
support of the shaft can typically enable the archer to shoot more
accurately. A few previous examples of arrow rest assemblies are
disclosed in: [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,058 entitled "Arrow rest"
issued Sep. 25, 1984 to Terry; [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,189
entitled "Arrow rests used in archery" issued Oct. 22, 1985 to
Pietraszek et al; [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,220 entitled "Arrow
rest" issued Jun. 30, 1987 to Pietraszek; [0006] U.S. Pat. No.
5,503,136 entitled "Arrow rest with retracting arm" issued Apr. 2,
1996 to Tone; [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,174 entitled "Arrow rest"
issued May 13, 2003 to Afshari; [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,297
entitled "Magnetic arrow rest biasing device" issued Feb. 10, 2004
to Clague; [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 7,963,279 entitled "Drop-away arrow
rest" issued Jun. 21, 2011 to Harwath et al; and [0010] U.S. Pat.
No. 8,544,457 entitled "Archery rest system" issued Oct. 1, 2013 to
Munsell et al.
[0011] Many previous examples of arrow rest assemblies employ a
"fall-away" design wherein the arrow rest (also referred to as the
launcher) is arranged to be in a launcher-up position with the bow
drawn and then to move to a launcher-down position after the
bowstring is released and the bow returns to its brace
configuration. In the launcher-up position, the launcher supports
the front end of the nocked arrow with the bow drawn; in the
launcher-down position, the launcher can allow the arrow's
fletching to pass unimpeded (or at least less impeded) when the
bowstring of the drawn bow is released to shoot the arrow.
Fall-away arrow rest assemblies fall into "limb-driven" or
"cable-driven" categories.
[0012] In a limb-driven type of arrow rest assembly, the launcher
is biased toward the launcher-up position by a bias mechanism,
e.g., a spring or an arrangement of two or more magnets. A coupling
cable or tether is connected to one of the bow limbs and to the
arrow rest assembly and arranged, with the bow at brace, so that
the coupling cable is tensioned and holds the launcher in the
launcher-down position against the bias force. Upon drawing the
bow, the coupling cable goes slack (due to the bending of the bow
limb toward the arrow rest assembly) and the bias force moves the
launcher into the launcher-up position to support the arrow. Upon
releasing the bowstring to shoot the arrow, the bow limb returns to
its brace configuration, reapplying tension to the coupling cable
and pulling the launcher back to the launcher-down position against
the bias force. Instead of being connected to the bow limb,
alternatively the coupling cable can be connected to a segment of a
cable of the compound bow that moves toward the arrow rest assembly
as the bow is drawn (e.g., a lower segment of a let-out cable of a
single-cam compound bow). Such an arrangement behaves the same as
if the coupling cable were connected to the bow limb, and shall
also be referred to as "limb-driven."
[0013] In a cable-driven type of arrow rest assembly, the launcher
is biased toward the launcher-down position by the bias mechanism.
The coupling cable is connected to a segment of a bow cable that
moves away from the arrow rest assembly as the bow is drawn (e.g.,
a lower segment of a power cable of a single-cam bow). At brace the
coupling cable is slack and the bias force holds the launcher in
the launcher-down position. As the bow is drawn, movement of the
bow cable tensions the coupling cable and moves the launcher to the
launcher-up position against the bias force. Upon releasing the bow
string to shoot the arrow, movement of the bow cable allows the
coupling cable to go slack, which in turn allows the launcher to
return to the launcher-down position in response to the bias
force.
SUMMARY
[0014] An arrow rest assembly for a compound archery bow comprises
a body, a shaft, a bidirectional bias mechanism, a launcher, and a
rotation stop. The shaft is engaged with the body so as to rotate
about an axis that, with the arrow rest assembly secured to the
riser of the archery bow, is substantially perpendicular to a
shooting plane defined by the archery bow. The bidirectional bias
mechanism is structurally arranged so as to provide a bias torque
that opposes rotation of the shaft in both directions away from a
single, substantially fixed shaft reference orientation relative to
the body. The launcher and the rotation stop are substantially
non-rotatably secured to the shaft.
[0015] The launcher can be arranged so as to be removably,
substantially non-rotatably secured to the shaft in each one of
first and second launcher orientations relative to the shaft. With
the launcher removably secured to the shaft in the first launcher
orientation, the arrow rest assembly is structurally arranged so
that (i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the
shaft with the launcher in a launcher-up position, and (ii)
rotation of the shaft, away from the reference orientation in a
first direction against the bias torque, moves the launcher from
the launcher-up position to a launcher-down position. A coupling
cable can be connected to a limb of the archery bow or to a segment
of a cable of the archery bow that moves toward the arrow rest
assembly when the bow is drawn, and coupled to the shaft so as to
link rotation of the shaft to movement of the limb or movement of
the cable segment that moves toward the arrow rest assembly when
the bow is drawn. The arrow rest assembly can be further
structurally arranged so that: (i) with the bow at brace, tension
on the coupling cable holds the shaft rotated in the first
direction against the bias torque with the launcher in the
launcher-down position; and (ii) with the bow drawn, the coupling
cable is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body
holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-up position. The
arrow rest assembly is thus in a so-called limb-driven
arrangement.
[0016] With the launcher removably secured to the shaft in the
second launcher orientation, the arrow rest assembly is
structurally arranged so that (i) engagement of the rotation stop
and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-down
position, and (ii) rotation of the shaft, away from the reference
orientation in a second direction opposite the first direction and
against the bias torque, moves the launcher from the launcher-down
position to the launcher-up position. A coupling cable can be
connected to a segment of a cable of the archery bow that moves
away from the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn, and
coupled to the shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft to
movement of the cable segment that moves away from the arrow rest
assembly when the bow is drawn. The arrow rest assembly can be
further structurally arranged so that: (i) with the bow at brace,
the coupling cable is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop
and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-down
position; and (ii) with the bow drawn, tension on the coupling
cable holds the shaft rotated in the second direction against the
bias torque with the launcher in the launcher-up position. The
arrow rest assembly is thus in a so-called cable-driven
arrangement.
[0017] With the launcher arranged so as to be removably secured to
the shaft in each one of the first and second launcher orientations
relative to the shaft, the arrow rest assembly can be readily
converted between the limb-driven and cable-driven arrangements by:
(A) moving the launcher between the first and second launcher
orientations; (B) moving the connection of the coupling cable
between the limb or cable segment that moves toward the arrow rest
assembly when the bow is drawn and the cable segment that moves
away from the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn; and (C)
arranging, or verifying the arrangement of, coupling of the
coupling cable to the shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft to
the desired movement of the corresponding cable segment or
limb.
[0018] Objects and advantages pertaining to arrow rest assemblies
may become apparent upon referring to the example embodiments
illustrated in the drawings and disclosed in the following written
description or appended claims.
[0019] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1A is an isometric view of an arrow rest assembly with
a launcher in a launcher-down position.
[0021] FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the arrow rest assembly with
the launcher in a launcher-up position.
[0022] FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded views of the arrow rest
assembly.
[0023] FIG. 4A is a side view of an arrow rest assembly in a
limb-driven arrangement with a bow at brace and with the launcher
in the launcher-down position.
[0024] FIG. 4B is a side view of an arrow rest assembly in a
limb-driven arrangement with the bow drawn and with the launcher in
the launcher-up position.
[0025] FIG. 5A is a side view of an arrow rest assembly in a
cable-driven arrangement with a bow at brace and with the launcher
in the launcher-down position.
[0026] FIG. 5B is a side view of an arrow rest assembly in a
cable-driven arrangement with the bow drawn and with the launcher
in the launcher-up position.
[0027] The embodiments depicted are shown only schematically: all
features may not be shown in full detail or in proper proportion,
certain features or structures may be exaggerated relative to
others for clarity, and the drawings should not be regarded as
being to scale. The embodiments shown are only examples: they
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present
disclosure or appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0028] An example of an arrow rest assembly 10 for archery bow is
shown in FIGS. 1A/1B, 2, 3, 4A/4B, and 5A/5B. The arrow rest
assembly is depicted schematically in a limb-driven arrangement
with the bow at brace and drawn (FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively) and
in a cable-driven arrangement with the bow at brace and drawn
(FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively). The arrow rest assembly 10
comprises a body 102, a shaft 108, a bidirectional bias mechanism,
a launcher 106, and a rotation stop 110. The body 102 can be
secured directly to a riser of the archery bow, or a mounting
bracket 104 can be employed that is structurally arranged so as to
secure the arrow rest assembly 10 in any suitable way to the riser
of the archery bow. If needed or desired, the mounting bracket 104
can be further arranged so as to enable adjustment of a vertical
position of the arrow rest assembly relative to the riser of the
archery bow.
[0029] The shaft 108 is engaged with the body 102 so as to rotate
about an axis that, with the arrow rest assembly 10 secured to the
riser of the archery bow, is substantially perpendicular to a
shooting plane defined by the archery bow (i.e., a plane
substantially defined by the bowstring travel as the bow is drawn
and then shot). A launcher 106 of any suitable type or arrangement
(i.e., typically a two-pronged member that supports the front end
of the nocked arrow when the bow is drawn) is structurally arranged
so as to be removably, substantially non-rotatably secured to the
shaft 108 in each one of first and second launcher orientations
relative to the shaft 108. A rotation stop 110 is also
substantially non-rotatably secured to the shaft 108.
[0030] A bidirectional bias mechanism is structurally arranged so
as to provide a bias torque that opposes rotation of the shaft 108,
in either direction, away from a single, substantially fixed shaft
reference orientation relative to the body 102. Put another way,
with the shaft rotated to the reference orientation, the bias
mechanism exerts negligible torque on the shaft; rotation of the
shaft away from the reference orientation results in exertion of a
restoring bias torque that opposes that rotation. In the examples
of FIGS. 4A through 5B, the shaft reference orientation corresponds
to the "N" and "S" labels on the rotation stop 110 being aligned
substantially antiparallel to the "N" and "S" labels on the body
102, i.e., "N" on the rotation stop 110 being aligned with the "S"
on the body 102 and the "S" on the rotation stop 110 aligned with
the "N" on the body 102. Any suitable mechanism can be employed for
providing the bidirectional bias torque; several examples are
described further below.
[0031] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict the arrow rest assembly 10 in a
limb-driven arrangement. The launcher 106 substantially is
substantially non-rotatably secured to the shaft 108 in the first
launcher orientation. Engagement of the rotation stop 110 and the
body 102 (via a first end of arcuate projection 103 in this
example) holds the shaft 108 with the launcher 106 in a launcher-up
position (FIG. 4B). The rotation stop 110 holds the shaft 108 in
position against the bias torque in this example (i.e., the
launcher 106 is pre-loaded in the launcher-up position; torque
labelled "bias"), but that need not be the case; in another example
the launcher-up position can correspond, e.g., to the shaft
reference orientation where there would be negligible torque.
Rotation of the shaft 108, away from the reference orientation in a
first direction (clockwise in FIGS. 4A and 4B) against the bias
torque (labelled "BIAS"), moves the launcher 106 from the
launcher-up position (FIG. 4B) to a launcher-down position (FIG.
4A). In some examples, the rotation stop 110 can be further
arranged so that engagement of the rotation stop 110 and the body
102 (via the second end of arcuate projection 103 in this example;
FIG. 4A) substantially prevents further rotation and movement of
the launcher 106 beyond the launcher-down position.
[0032] FIGS. 5A and 5B depict the arrow rest assembly 10 in a
cable-driven arrangement. The launcher 106 is substantially
non-rotatably secured to the shaft 108 in the second launcher
orientation. Engagement of the rotation stop 110 and the body 102
(via the second end of arcuate projection 103 in this example)
holds the shaft 108 with the launcher 106 in a launcher-down
position (FIG. 5A). The rotation stop 110 holds the shaft 108 in
position against the bias torque in this example (i.e., the
launcher 106 is pre-loaded in the launcher-down position; torque
labelled "bias"), but that need not be the case; in another example
the launcher-down position can correspond, e.g. to the shaft
reference orientation where there would be negligible torque.
Rotation of the shaft 108, away from the reference orientation in a
second direction (counterclockwise in FIGS. 5A and 5B) against the
bias torque (labeled "BIAS"), moves the launcher 106 from the
launcher-down position (FIG. 5A) to a launcher-up position (FIG.
5B). In some examples, the rotation stop 110 can be further
arranged so that engagement of the rotation stop 110 and the body
102 (via the first end of arcuate projection 103 in this example)
substantially prevents further rotation and movement of the
launcher 106 beyond the launcher-up position.
[0033] The arrow rest assembly 10 can be mounted on a riser of an
archery bow in the limb-driven arrangement (as in FIGS. 4A and 4B,
with the launcher 106 secured to the shaft 108 in the first
launcher orientation). A coupling cable 20 is connected to a limb
of the archery bow and coupled to the shaft 108 (through the
rotation stop 110 in this example; any suitable coupling
arrangement can be employed) so as to link rotation of the shaft
108 to movement of the limb. Alternatively, instead of being
connected to the bow limb, the coupling cable 20 can be connected
to a segment of a bow cable that moves toward the arrow rest
assembly 10 when the bow is drawn, e.g., a lower segment of a
let-out cable of a single-cam bow; such an arrangement is still
referred to herein as limb-driven. In either case (connected to the
bow limb or bow cable), with the bow at brace, tension on the
coupling cable 20 holds the shaft 108 rotated in the first
direction against the bias torque with the launcher 106 in the
launcher-down position (as in FIG. 4A). With the bow drawn, the
coupling cable 20 is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop 110
and the body 102 holds the shaft 108 with the launcher 106 in the
launcher-up position (as in FIG. 4B).
[0034] The arrow rest assembly 10 can be mounted on a riser of an
archery bow in the cable-driven arrangement (as in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
with the launcher 106 secured to the shaft 108 in the second
launcher orientation). A coupling cable 20 is connected to a
segment of a bow cable that moves away from the arrow rest assembly
10 when the bow is drawn, e.g., a lower segment of a power cable of
a single-cam bow. The coupling cable 20 is coupled to the shaft 108
(through the rotation stop 110 in this example; any suitable
coupling arrangement can be employed) so as to link rotation of the
shaft 108 to movement of the bow cable. With the bow at brace, the
coupling cable 20 is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop 110
and the body 102 holds the shaft 108 with the launcher 106 in the
launcher-down position (as in FIG. 5A). With the bow drawn, tension
on the coupling cable 20 holds the shaft 108 rotated in the second
direction against the bias torque with the launcher 106 in the
launcher-up position (as in FIG. 5B).
[0035] The arrow rest assembly 10 can be readily converted from the
limb-driven arrangement to the cable-driven arrangement. The
launcher 106 is removed from the shaft 108 and resecured to the
shaft 108 in the second launcher orientation (rotated 180.degree.
around the shaft in one example; other suitable relative rotations
can be employed). The coupling cable 20 is disconnected from the
bow limb, or from the bow cable segment that moves toward the arrow
rest assembly during draw, and is reconnected to the bow cable
segment that moves away from the arrow rest assembly 10 during
draw. Depending on the nature of the linkage between the coupling
cable 20 and rotation of the shaft 108, it may be necessary to
rearrange that coupling. In the examples of FIGS. 4A through 5B,
the coupling cable 20 must be connected to the other side of the
rotation stop 110. In another example, if a pivoting connection
were employed, rearrangement of the connection might not be needed.
In some examples it might be necessary to remove the rotation stop
110 from the shaft 108 and then resecure it. In the example of
FIGS. 4A through 5B, the rotation stop 110 must be removed to allow
rotation of the shaft from the positions of FIGS. 4A and 4B to the
positions of FIGS. 5A and 5B. In some examples, the rotation stop
110 is resecured to the shaft 108 in the same position; in other
examples the rotation stop 110 is resecured in a different relative
orientation on the shaft 108, to provide stops at shaft
orientations different from those of the limb-driven arrangement
but suitable for the cable-driven arrangement.
[0036] Likewise, the arrow rest assembly 10 can be readily
converted from the cable-driven arrangement to the limb-driven
arrangement. The launcher 106 is removed from the shaft 108 and
resecured to the shaft 108 in the first launcher orientation
(rotated 180.degree. around the shaft in one example; other
suitable relative rotations can be employed). The coupling cable 20
is disconnected from the bow cable segment that moves away from the
arrow rest assembly during draw, and is reconnected to the bow
limb, or to the bow cable segment that toward from the arrow rest
assembly 10 during draw. Depending on the nature of the linkage
between the coupling cable 20 and rotation of the shaft 108, it may
be necessary to rearrange that coupling. In the examples of FIGS.
4A through 5B, the coupling cable 20 must be connected to the other
side of the rotation stop 110. In another example, if a pivoting
connection were employed, rearrangement of the connection might not
be needed. In some examples it might be necessary to remove the
rotation stop 110 from the shaft 108 and then resecure it. In the
example of FIGS. 4A through 5B, the rotation stop 110 must be
removed to allow rotation of the shaft from the positions of FIGS.
5A and 5B to the positions of FIGS. 4A and 4B. In some examples,
the rotation stop 110 is resecured to the shaft 108 in the same
position; in other examples the rotation stop 110 is resecured in a
different relative orientation on the shaft 108, to provide stops
at shaft orientations different from those of the cable-driven
arrangement but suitable for the limb-driven arrangement.
[0037] The conversions described above can be performed with the
arrow rest assembly 10 removed from the riser of the bow or while
still mounted on the riser of the bow.
[0038] Any suitable mechanism can be employed for providing the
bidirectional bias torque exerted on the shaft 108. The following
examples can be used alone or in any suitable combination. One
well-suited example mechanism comprises a pair of diametrically
magnetized annular magnets. The first annular magnet 118 is
substantially non-rotatably mounted on the shaft 108 (by press-fit,
adhesive, fasteners, or other suitable means) and the second
annular magnet 112 is substantially non-rotatably mounted on the
body 102 (by press-fit, adhesive, fasters, or other suitable
means). The shaft 108 passes through central openings of the first
and second annular magnets 112/118 so that they are substantially
coaxial. With the shaft 108 at the shaft reference orientation,
respective magnetizations of the first and second annular magnets
112/118 are substantially antiparallel so that they exert
negligible torque on each other about the axis. In the examples of
FIGS. 4A through 5B (magnets not visible), the first magnet 118 is
mounted on the shaft 108 with its diametrical poles substantially
aligned with the "N" and "S" labels shown on the rotation stop 110;
the second magnet 112 is mounted on the body 102 with its
diametrical poles substantially aligned with the "N" and "S" labels
shown on the body 102. Rotation of the shaft 108 away from the
shaft reference orientation results in the first and second magnets
112/118 exerting the bias torque that opposes the rotation of the
shaft 108 in both directions away from the shaft reference
orientation.
[0039] Another suitable example mechanism comprises a first set of
one or more magnets connected to the shaft 108 and a second set of
one or more magnets mounted on the body 102. The sets of magnets
are arranged to exert negligible torque with the shaft 108 at the
shaft reference orientation, and so that rotation of the shaft 108
away from the shaft reference orientation results in the sets of
magnets exerting the bias torque that opposes the rotation of the
shaft 108 away from the shaft reference orientation. In one such
example, the entire rotation stop 110 of FIGS. 4A through 5B could
be magnetized as shown, and a corresponding, antiparallel (at the
reference orientation) bar magnet could be mounted on the body
102.
[0040] Another suitable example mechanism comprises one or more
linear or torsion springs coupling the shaft 108 and the body 102.
The springs are arranged to exert negligible torque on the shaft
108 at the shaft reference orientation, and so that rotation of the
shaft 108 away from the shaft reference orientation results in the
springs exerting the bias torque that opposes the rotation of the
shaft 108 away from the shaft reference orientation. In one such
example, opposing pairs of springs can be employed.
[0041] In addition to the preceding, the following examples fall
within the scope of the present disclosure or appended claims:
Example 1
[0042] An arrow rest assembly for a compound archery bow, the arrow
rest assembly comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft engaged with the
body so as to rotate about an axis that, with the arrow rest
assembly secured to the riser of the archery bow, is substantially
perpendicular to a shooting plane defined by the archery bow; (c) a
bidirectional bias mechanism structurally arranged so as to provide
a bias torque that opposes rotation of the shaft in both directions
away from a single, substantially fixed shaft reference orientation
relative to the body; (d) a launcher substantially non-rotatably
secured to the shaft; and (e) a rotation stop substantially
non-rotatably secured to the shaft, wherein: (f) the arrow rest
assembly is structurally arranged so that (i) engagement of the
rotation stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in a
launcher-up position, and (ii) rotation of the shaft, away from the
reference orientation in a first direction against the bias torque,
moves the launcher from the launcher-up position to a launcher-down
position; or (g) the arrow rest assembly is structurally arranged
so that (i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the
shaft with the launcher in the launcher-down position, and (ii)
rotation of the shaft, away from the reference orientation in a
second direction opposite the first direction and against the bias
torque, moves the launcher from the launcher-down position to the
launcher-up position.
Example 2
[0043] The arrow rest assembly of Example 1 wherein: (h) the
bidirectional bias mechanism comprises a first diametrically
magnetized annular magnet substantially non-rotatably mounted on
the shaft and a second diametrically magnetized annular magnet
substantially non-rotatably mounted on the body; (i) the shaft
passes through central openings of the first and second annular
magnets so that the first and second annular magnets are
substantially coaxial; (j) with the shaft at the shaft reference
orientation, respective magnetizations of the first and second
annular magnets are substantially antiparallel so that the first
and second magnets exert negligible torque on each other about the
axis; and (k) rotation of the shaft away from the shaft reference
orientation results in the first and second magnets exerting the
bias torque that opposes the rotation of the shaft away from the
shaft reference orientation.
Example 3
[0044] The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 1 or 2
wherein: (h) the bidirectional bias mechanism comprises a first set
of one or more magnets connected to the shaft and a second set of
one or more magnets mounted on the body; (i) the magnets of the
first and second sets are structurally arranged so as to exert,
with the shaft at the shaft reference orientation, negligible
torque on the shaft about the axis; and (j) the magnets of the
first and second sets are structurally arranged so that rotation of
the shaft away from the shaft reference orientation results in the
magnets of the first and second sets exerting the bias torque that
opposes the rotation of the shaft away from the shaft reference
orientation.
Example 4
[0045] The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 1 through 3
wherein: (h) the bidirectional bias mechanism comprises one or more
linear or torsion springs coupling the shaft and the body; (i) the
one or more springs are structurally arranged so as to exert, with
the shaft at the shaft reference orientation, negligible torque on
the shaft about the axis; and (j) the one or more springs are
structurally arranged so that rotation of the shaft away from the
shaft reference orientation results in the one or more springs
exerting the bias torque that opposes the rotation of the shaft
away from the shaft reference orientation.
Example 5
[0046] The arrow rest assembly of Example 4 wherein the one or more
linear or torsion springs comprises (i) a pair of opposed linear
springs or (ii) a pair of opposed torsion springs.
Example 6
[0047] The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 1 through 5
further comprising a mounting bracket structurally arranged so as
to secure the arrow rest assembly to a riser of the archery
bow.
Example 7
[0048] The arrow rest assembly of Example 6 wherein the mounting
bracket is structurally arranged so as to enable adjustment of one
or more of a horizontal position or a vertical position of the
arrow rest assembly relative to the riser of the archery bow.
Example 8
[0049] The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 1 through 7
wherein the arrow rest assembly is further structurally arranged so
that: (h) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the
shaft rotated, in the first direction, away from the reference
orientation against the bias torque, with the launcher in the
launcher-up position, or (i) engagement of the rotation stop and
the body holds the shaft rotated, in the second direction, away
from the reference orientation against the bias torque, with the
launcher in the launcher-down position.
Example 9
[0050] The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 1 through 8
wherein: (d') the launcher is structurally arranged so as to be
removably, substantially non-rotatably secured to the shaft in each
one of first and second launcher orientations relative to the
shaft; (f') with the launcher secured to the shaft in the first
launcher orientation, the arrow rest assembly is structurally
arranged so that (i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body
holds the shaft with the launcher in a launcher-up position, and
(ii) rotation of the shaft, away from the reference orientation in
a first direction against the bias torque, moves the launcher from
the launcher-up position to a launcher-down position; and (g') with
the launcher secured to the shaft in the second launcher
orientation, the arrow rest assembly is structurally arranged so
that (i) engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the
shaft with the launcher in the launcher-down position, and (ii)
rotation of the shaft, away from the reference orientation in a
second direction opposite the first direction and against the bias
torque, moves the launcher from the launcher-down position to the
launcher-up position.
Example 10
[0051] The arrow rest assembly of Example 9 wherein: (h) the
rotation stop is arranged so as to be removably, substantially
non-rotatably secured to the shaft in each one of first and second
stop orientations relative to the shaft; (i) with the launcher
secured to the shaft in the first launcher orientation and the
rotation stop secured to the shaft in the first stop orientation,
the arrow rest assembly is structurally arranged so that engagement
of the rotation stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher
in the launcher-up position; and (j) with the launcher secured to
the shaft in the second launcher orientation and the rotation stop
secured to the shaft in the second stop orientation, the arrow rest
assembly is structurally arranged so that engagement of the
rotation stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the
launcher-down position.
Example 11
[0052] The arrow rest assembly of Example 10 wherein: (k) with the
launcher secured to the shaft in the first launcher orientation and
the rotation stop secured to the shaft in the first stop
orientation, the arrow rest assembly is structurally arranged so
that engagement of the rotation stop and the body substantially
prevents movement of the launcher beyond the launcher-down
position; and (l) with the launcher secured to the shaft in the
second launcher orientation and the rotation stop secured to the
shaft in the second stop orientation, the arrow rest assembly is
structurally arranged so that engagement of the rotation stop and
the body substantially prevents movement of the launcher beyond the
launcher-up position.
Example 12
[0053] The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 9 through 11
wherein: (h) the launcher is secured to the shaft in the first
launcher orientation; (i) the arrow rest assembly is secured to the
riser of the archery bow; (j) a coupling cable is (i) connected to
a limb of the archery bow or to a segment of a cable of the archery
bow that moves toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow is
drawn, and (ii) coupled to the shaft so as to link rotation of the
shaft to movement of the limb or movement of the cable segment that
moves toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn; (k) the
arrow rest assembly is further structurally arranged so that, with
the bow at brace, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaft
rotated in the first direction against the bias torque with the
launcher in the launcher-down position; and (l) the arrow rest
assembly is further structurally arranged so that, with the bow
drawn, the coupling cable is slack, and engagement of the rotation
stop and the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the
launcher-up position.
Example 13
[0054] The arrow rest assembly of Example 12 further comprising the
coupling cable and the archery bow.
Example 14
[0055] A method for using the arrow rest assembly of any one of
Examples 12 or 13, the method comprising: (A) removing the launcher
from the shaft and resecuring the launcher to the shaft in the
second launcher orientation; (B) disconnecting the coupling cable
from the limb or from the cable segment that moves toward the arrow
rest assembly when the bow is drawn, and reconnecting the coupling
cable to a segment of a cable of the archery bow that moves away
from the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn; and (C)
arranging, or verifying arrangement of, coupling of the coupling
cable to the shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft to movement
of the cable segment that moves away from the arrow rest assembly
when the bow is drawn, wherein, after performing the acts of parts
(A), (B), and (C): (D) the arrow rest assembly is further
structurally arranged so that, with the bow at brace, the coupling
cable is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body
holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-down position;
and (E) the arrow rest assembly is further structurally arranged so
that, with the bow drawn, tension on the coupling cable holds the
shaft rotated in the second direction against the bias torque with
the launcher in the launcher-up position.
Example 15
[0056] The arrow rest assembly of any one of Examples 9 through 11
wherein: (h) the launcher is secured to the shaft in the second
launcher orientation; (i) the arrow rest assembly is secured to the
riser of the archery bow; (j) a coupling cable is (i) connected to
a segment of a cable of the archery bow that moves away from the
arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn, and (ii) coupled to the
shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft to movement of the cable
segment that moves away from the arrow rest assembly when the bow
is drawn; (k) the arrow rest assembly is further structurally
arranged so that, with the bow at brace, the coupling cable is
slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and the body holds the
shaft with the launcher in the launcher-down position; and (l) the
arrow rest assembly is further structurally arranged so that, with
the bow drawn, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaft
rotated in the second direction against the bias torque with the
launcher in the launcher-up position.
Example 16
[0057] The arrow rest assembly of Example 15 further comprising the
coupling cable and the archery bow.
Example 17
[0058] A method for using the arrow rest assembly of any one of
Examples 15 or 16, the method comprising: (A) removing the launcher
from the shaft and resecuring the launcher to the shaft in the
first launcher orientation; (B) disconnecting the coupling cable
from the cable segment that moves away from the arrow rest assembly
when the bow is drawn, and reconnecting the coupling cable to a
limb of the archery bow or to a segment of a cable of the archery
bow that toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn; and
(C) arranging, or verifying arrangement of, coupling of the
coupling cable to the shaft so as to link rotation of the shaft to
movement of the limb or movement of the cable segment that moves
toward the arrow rest assembly when the bow is drawn, wherein,
after performing the acts of parts (A), (B), and (C): (D) the arrow
rest assembly is further structurally arranged so that, with the
bow at brace, tension on the coupling cable holds the shaft rotated
in the first direction against the bias torque with the launcher in
the launcher-down position; and (E) the arrow rest assembly is
further structurally arranged so that, with the bow drawn, the
coupling cable is slack, and engagement of the rotation stop and
the body holds the shaft with the launcher in the launcher-up
position.
[0059] It is intended that equivalents of the disclosed example
embodiments and methods shall fall within the scope of the present
disclosure or appended claims. It is intended that the disclosed
example embodiments and methods, and equivalents thereof, may be
modified while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure
or appended claims.
[0060] In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may
be grouped together in several example embodiments for the purpose
of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to
be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claimed
embodiment requires more features than are expressly recited in the
corresponding claim. Rather, as the appended claims reflect,
inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a
single disclosed example embodiment. Thus, the appended claims are
hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim
standing on its own as a separate disclosed embodiment. However,
the present disclosure shall also be construed as implicitly
disclosing any embodiment having any suitable set of one or more
disclosed or claimed features (i.e., a set of features that are
neither incompatible nor mutually exclusive) that appear in the
present disclosure or the appended claims, including those sets
that may not be explicitly disclosed herein. In addition, for
purposes of disclosure, each of the appended dependent claims shall
be construed as if written in multiple dependent form and dependent
upon all preceding claims with which it is not inconsistent. It
should be further noted that the scope of the appended claims does
not necessarily encompass the whole of the subject matter disclosed
herein.
[0061] For purposes of the present disclosure and appended claims,
the conjunction "or" is to be construed inclusively (e.g., "a dog
or a cat" would be interpreted as "a dog, or a cat, or both"; e.g.,
"a dog, a cat, or a mouse" would be interpreted as "a dog, or a
cat, or a mouse, or any two, or all three"), unless: (i) it is
explicitly stated otherwise, e.g., by use of "either . . . or,"
"only one of," or similar language; or (ii) two or more of the
listed alternatives are mutually exclusive within the particular
context, in which case "or" would encompass only those combinations
involving non-mutually-exclusive alternatives. For purposes of the
present disclosure and appended claims, the words "comprising,"
"including," "having," and variants thereof, wherever they appear,
shall be construed as open ended terminology, with the same meaning
as if the phrase "at least" were appended after each instance
thereof, unless explicitly stated otherwise. For purposes of the
present disclosure or appended claims, when terms are employed such
as "about equal to," "substantially equal to," "greater than
about," "less than about," and so forth, in relation to a numerical
quantity, standard conventions pertaining to measurement precision
and significant digits shall apply, unless a differing
interpretation is explicitly set forth. For null quantities
described by phrases such as "substantially prevented,"
"substantially absent," "substantially eliminated," "about equal to
zero," "negligible," and so forth, each such phrase shall denote
the case wherein the quantity in question has been reduced or
diminished to such an extent that, for practical purposes in the
context of the intended operation or use of the disclosed or
claimed apparatus or method, the overall behavior or performance of
the apparatus or method does not differ from that which would have
occurred had the null quantity in fact been completely removed,
exactly equal to zero, or otherwise exactly nulled.
[0062] In the appended claims, any labelling of elements, steps,
limitations, or other portions of a claim (e.g., (a), (b), (c),
etc., or (i), (ii), (iii), etc.) is only for purposes of clarity,
and shall not be construed as implying any sort of ordering or
precedence of the claim portions so labelled. If any such ordering
or precedence is intended, it will be explicitly recited in the
claim. In the appended claims, if the provisions of 35 USC
.sctn.112(f) are desired to be invoked in an apparatus claim, then
the word "means" will appear in that apparatus claim. If those
provisions are desired to be invoked in a method claim, the words
"a step for" will appear in that method claim. Conversely, if the
words "means" or "a step for" do not appear in a claim, then the
provisions of 35 USC .sctn.112(f) are not intended to be invoked
for that claim.
[0063] If any one or more disclosures are incorporated herein by
reference and such incorporated disclosures conflict in part or
whole with, or differ in scope from, the present disclosure, then
to the extent of conflict, broader disclosure, or broader
definition of terms, the present disclosure controls. If such
incorporated disclosures conflict in part or whole with one
another, then to the extent of conflict, the later-dated disclosure
controls.
[0064] The Abstract is provided as required as an aid to those
searching for specific subject matter within the patent literature.
However, the Abstract is not intended to imply that any elements,
features, or limitations recited therein are necessarily
encompassed by any particular claim. The scope of subject matter
encompassed by each claim shall be determined by the recitation of
only that claim.
* * * * *