U.S. patent application number 17/156587 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-13 for limb pocket assembly for an archery bow.
The applicant listed for this patent is Martin Outdoors, LLC. Invention is credited to Scott Romero.
Application Number | 20210140736 17/156587 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005355565 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-13 |
![](/patent/app/20210140736/US20210140736A1-20210513\US20210140736A1-2021051)
United States Patent
Application |
20210140736 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Romero; Scott |
May 13, 2021 |
LIMB POCKET ASSEMBLY FOR AN ARCHERY BOW
Abstract
An improved archery bow includes an improved limb pocket
assembly. When properly assembled, the limb pocket assembly
includes a generally rectangular pocket body, at least one
elongated bow limb, and at least one cylindrical fastener for
aligning and securing the limb within the pocket body. When fully
assembled, a limb screw positions the limb pocket assembly on the
riser and secures the limb pocket to the riser of the archery bow.
The limb pocket assembly disclosed herein substantially eliminates
movement or shifting of the limbs within the pocket while shooting
the bow and between shots, thereby providing a user with increased
accuracy while shooting the bow.
Inventors: |
Romero; Scott; (Newport,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Martin Outdoors, LLC |
Walla Walla |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005355565 |
Appl. No.: |
17/156587 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16671517 |
Nov 1, 2019 |
10928156 |
|
|
17156587 |
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|
62754570 |
Nov 1, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 5/1403 20130101;
F41B 5/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41B 5/14 20060101
F41B005/14; F41B 5/10 20060101 F41B005/10 |
Claims
1. A limb pocket body for an archery bow, said limb pocket body
comprising: a channel recessed into a lower surface of the body,
said channel configured to receive a limb end of a limb such that
the limb received therein extends rearward when the limb pocket
body is in an upright position and installed on a riser of the
archery bow; a limb screw hole extending generally vertically
through the limb pocket body when the limb pocket body is in the
upright position, wherein: the limb screw hole is configured to
receive a riser screw; and the riser screw secures the limb pocket
body to a first end of the riser when the riser screw is installed
in the limb pocket body and riser; and a lateral hole extending
inwardly from the channel, said lateral hole configured to engage a
cylindrical fastener to align the limb end within the channel,
wherein the lateral hole extends generally horizontally when the
limb pocket body is in the upright position.
2. The limb pocket body of claim 1, wherein: the channel is a first
channel at a right side of the limb pocket body when the limb
pocket body is in the upright position, the limb screw hole is
centered right to left when the limb pocket body is in the upright
position, the limb end is a first limb end, the cylindrical
fastener is a first cylindrical fastener, and the lateral hole is a
first lateral hole extending right to left when the limb pocket
body is in the upright position, and wherein the limb pocket body
further comprises: a second channel at a left side of the limb
pocket body, said second channel configured to receive a second
limb end; and a second lateral hole extending inwardly from the
second channel, said second lateral hole configured to engage a
second cylindrical fastener to align the second limb end within the
channel, wherein the lateral hole extends generally horizontally
left to right into the limb pocket body when the limb pocket body
is in the upright position.
3. The limb pocket body of claim 1, wherein: the limb pocket body
further comprises a slot through a side of the limb pocket body,
said side defining an outside wall of the channel, wherein the slot
is configured to receive the cylindrical fastener therethrough.
4. The limb pocket body of claim 1, wherein: the limb pocket body
further comprises a slot through a side of the limb pocket body,
said side defining an outer wall of the channel, wherein: the slot
is configured to receive the cylindrical fastener therethrough; the
slot is sized to match a barrel of the cylindrical fastener such
that the cylindrical fastener is held in a double sheer arrangement
via the slot in the outer wall of the channel and the lateral hole
when the cylindrical fastener is properly assembled in the limb
pocket body; and the slot and lateral hole are forward of a central
axis of the limb screw hole.
5. The limb pocket body of claim 1, wherein: the channel is
narrower near an upper surface of the limb pocket body than at a
lower surface of the limb pocket body.
6. The limb pocket body of claim 1, wherein: the channel is
narrower near an upper surface of the limb pocket body than at a
lower surface of the limb pocket body; an inner wall of the channel
is generally vertical when the limb pocket body is in the upright
position; and an outer wall of the channel opposite the inner wall
of the channel is closer to the inner wall near the upper surface
of the limb pocket body than at the lower surface of the limb
pocket body.
7. The limb pocket body of claim 2, wherein: an upper surface of
the limb pocket body extends further rearward between the first and
second channels than at the right side and the left side of the
limb pocket body.
8. A limb pocket assembly comprising: a limb pocket body for an
archery bow, said limb pocket body comprising: a channel recessed
into a lower surface of the body, said channel configured to
receive a limb end of a limb such that the limb received therein
extends rearward when the limb pocket body is in an upright
position and installed on a riser of the archery bow; a limb screw
hole extending generally vertically through the limb pocket body
when the limb pocket body is in the upright position, wherein: the
limb screw hole is configured to receive a riser screw; and the
riser screw secures the limb pocket body to a first end of the
riser when the riser screw is installed in the limb pocket body and
riser; and a lateral hole extending inwardly from the channel, said
lateral hole configured to engage a cylindrical fastener to align
the limb end within the channel, wherein the lateral hole extends
generally horizontally when the limb pocket body is in the upright
position; and the cylindrical fastener.
9. The limb pocket assembly of claim 8, wherein: the channel is a
first channel at a right side of the limb pocket body when the limb
pocket body is in the upright position, the limb screw hole is
centered right to left when the limb pocket body is in the upright
position, the limb end is a first limb end, the cylindrical
fastener is a first cylindrical fastener, and the lateral hole is a
first lateral hole extending right to left when the limb pocket
body is in the upright position, and wherein the limb pocket body
further comprises: a second channel at a left side of the limb
pocket body, said second channel configured to receive a second
limb end; a second lateral hole extending inwardly from the second
channel, said second lateral hole configured to engage a second
cylindrical fastener to align the second limb end within the
channel, wherein the lateral hole extends generally horizontally
left to right into the limb pocket body when the limb pocket body
is in the upright position
10. The limb pocket assembly of claim 8, wherein: the limb pocket
body further comprises a slot through a side of the limb pocket
body, said side defining an outside wall of the channel, wherein
the slot is configured to receive the cylindrical fastener
therethrough; and the limb pocket assembly further comprises the
riser screw.
11. The limb pocket assembly of claim 8, wherein: the limb pocket
body further comprises a slot through a side of the limb pocket
body, said side defining an outer wall of the channel, wherein: the
slot is configured to receive the cylindrical fastener
therethrough; the slot is sized to match a barrel of the
cylindrical fastener such that the cylindrical fastener is held in
a double sheer arrangement via the slot in the outer wall of the
channel and the lateral hole when the cylindrical fastener is
properly assembled in the limb pocket body; and the slot and
lateral hole are forward of a central axis of the limb screw
hole.
12. The limb pocket assembly of claim 8, wherein: the channel is
narrower near an upper surface of the limb pocket body than at a
lower surface of the limb pocket body.
13. The limb pocket assembly of claim 8, wherein: the channel is
narrower near an upper surface of the limb pocket body than at a
lower surface of the limb pocket body; an inner wall of the channel
is generally vertical when the limb pocket body is in the upright
position; and
14. The limb pocket assembly of claim 9, wherein: an upper surface
of the limb pocket body extends further rearward between the first
and second channels than at the right side and the left side of the
limb pocket body.
15. The limb pocket assembly of claim 9 further comprising the
limb.
16. An archery bow comprising: a limb pocket assembly comprising: a
limb pocket body for an archery bow, said limb pocket body
comprising: a channel recessed into a lower surface of the body,
said channel configured to receive a limb end of a limb such that
the limb received therein extends rearward when the limb pocket
body is in an upright position and installed on a riser of the
archery bow; a limb screw hole extending generally vertically
through the limb pocket body when the limb pocket body is in the
upright position, wherein: the limb screw hole is configured to
receive a riser screw; and the riser screw secures the limb pocket
body to a first end of the riser when the riser screw is installed
in the limb pocket body and riser; and a lateral hole extending
inwardly from the channel, said lateral hole configured to engage a
cylindrical fastener to align the limb end within the channel,
wherein the lateral hole extends generally horizontally when the
limb pocket body is in the upright position; and the cylindrical
fastener; the riser configured to receive the riser screw to secure
the limb pocket assembly thereto; a bow string; a cam system
configured to receive the bow string, said cam system configured to
secure to the limb opposite the limb pocket body; and the limb
configured to connect between the limb pocket body and the cam
system.
17. The archery bow of claim 16, wherein: the channel is a first
channel at a right side of the limb pocket body when the limb
pocket body is in the upright position, the limb screw hole is
centered right to left when the limb pocket body is in the upright
position, the limb end is a first limb end, the cylindrical
fastener is a first cylindrical fastener, and the lateral hole is a
first lateral hole extending right to left when the limb pocket
body is in the upright position, and wherein the limb pocket body
further comprises: a second channel at a left side of the limb
pocket body, said second channel configured to receive a second
limb end of a second limb; a second lateral hole extending inwardly
from the second channel, said second lateral hole configured to
engage a second cylindrical fastener to align the second limb end
within the channel, wherein the lateral hole extends generally
horizontally left to right into the limb pocket body when the limb
pocket body is in the upright position; and the archery bow further
comprises the second limb and the second cylindrical faster.
18. The archery bow of claim 16, wherein: the limb pocket body
further comprises a slot through a side of the limb pocket body,
said side defining an outside wall of the channel, wherein the slot
is configured to receive the cylindrical fastener therethrough; and
the limb pocket assembly further comprises the riser screw.
19. The archery bow of claim 16, wherein: the limb pocket body
further comprises a slot through a side of the limb pocket body,
said side defining an outer wall of the channel, wherein: the slot
is configured to receive the cylindrical fastener therethrough; the
slot is sized to match a barrel of the cylindrical fastener such
that the cylindrical fastener is held in a double sheer arrangement
via the slot in the outer wall of the channel and the lateral hole
when the cylindrical fastener is properly assembled in the limb
pocket body; and the slot and lateral hole are forward of a central
axis of the limb screw hole.
20. The archery bow of claim 16 wherein: the limb pocket assembly
is a first limb pocket assembly; the bow further comprises a second
limb pocket assembly configured to secure to the riser at a second
of the riser opposite the first end of the riser, said second limb
pocket assembly being inverted with respect to the first limb
pocket assembly when the bow is in the upright position; the bow
further comprises another limb configured to connect between the
second limb pocket assembly and the cam system; and a bow sight
configured to attach to the riser.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and hereby incorporates
in its entirety U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/754,570
entitled "LIMB POCKET ASSEMBLY FOR AN ARCHERY BOW" filed on Nov. 1,
2018.
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document
or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyright rights whatsoever.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING
APPENDIX
[0004] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of
archery. More specifically, the present invention relates to an
improved limb pocket assembly for an archery bow.
[0006] In most modern compound bows, an assembly known as a "limb
pocket" is used to secure each limb of the bow to a riser of the
bow at opposing ends of the riser. A major drawback of currently
available limb pockets is that they permit the limbs to move and
shift within the pocket during operation of the bow, which
negatively effects accuracy while shooting the bow. This is
particularly true for split limb bow designs. Accordingly, what is
needed are improvements in archery bows.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Aspects of the present invention provide an improved archery
bow includes an improved limb pocket assembly. When properly
assembled, the limb pocket assembly includes a generally
rectangular pocket body, at least one elongated bow limb, and at
least one cylindrical fastener for aligning and securing the limb
within the pocket body. When fully assembled, a limb screw
positions the limb pocket assembly on the riser and secures the
limb pocket to the riser of the archery bow. The limb pocket
assembly disclosed herein substantially eliminates movement or
shifting of the limbs within the pocket while shooting the bow and
between shots, thereby providing a user with increased accuracy
while shooting the bow.
[0008] In one aspect, a limb pocket body for an archery bow
includes a channel, a limb screw, and a lateral hole. The channel
is recessed into a lower surface of the body. The channel is
configured to receive a limb and of a limb such that the limb
received therein extends rearward when the limb pocket body is in
the upright position and installed on a riser of the archery bow.
The limb screw hole extends generally vertically through the limb
pocket body when the limb pocket body is in an upright position.
The limb screw hole is configured to receive a riser screw. The
riser screw secures the limb pocket body to a first end of the
riser when the riser screw is installed in the limb pocket body and
riser. The lateral hole extends inwardly from the channel. The
lateral hole is configured to threadingly engage a cylindrical
fastener to align the limb in within the channel. The lateral hole
extends generally horizontally when the limb pocket body is in the
upright position.
[0009] In another embodiment, a limb pocket assembly includes a
limb pocket body for an archery bow and a cylindrical fastener. The
limb pocket body for an archery bow includes a channel, a limb
screw, and a lateral hole. The channel is recessed into a lower
surface of the body. The channel is configured to receive a limb
and of a limb such that the limb received therein extends rearward
when the limb pocket body is in the upright position and installed
on a riser of the archery bow. The limb screw hole extends
generally vertically through the limb pocket body when the limb
pocket body is in an upright position. The limb screw hole is
configured to receive a riser screw. The riser screw secures the
limb pocket body to a first end of the riser when the riser screw
is installed in the limb pocket body and riser. The lateral hole
extends inwardly from the channel. The lateral hole is configured
to threadingly engage the cylindrical fastener to align the limb in
within the channel. The lateral hole extends generally horizontally
when the limb pocket body is in the upright position.
[0010] In another aspect, and archery bow includes a limb pocket
assembly, a riser, a bowstring, a cam system, and a limb. The limb
pocket assembly includes a limb pocket body for an archery bow and
a cylindrical fastener. The limb pocket body for an archery bow
includes a channel, a limb screw, and a lateral hole. The channel
is recessed into a lower surface of the body. The channel is
configured to receive a limb and of a limb such that the limb
received therein extends rearward when the limb pocket body is in
the upright position and installed on a riser of the archery bow.
The limb screw hole extends generally vertically through the limb
pocket body when the limb pocket body is in an upright position.
The limb screw hole is configured to receive a riser screw. The
riser screw secures the limb pocket body to a first end of the
riser when the riser screw is installed in the limb pocket body and
riser. The lateral hole extends inwardly from the channel. The
lateral hole is configured to threadingly engage the cylindrical
fastener to align the limb in within the channel. The lateral hole
extends generally horizontally when the limb pocket body is in the
upright position. The riser is configured to receive the riser
screw to secure the limb pocket assembly thereto. The cam system is
configured to receive the bowstring and to secure to the limb
opposite the limb pocket body. The limb is configured to connect
between the limb pocket body and the cam system to support the cam
system.
[0011] Numerous other objects, advantages and features of the
present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in
the art upon a review of the following drawings and description of
a preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a limb pocket
assembly for an archery bow showing a bow limb positioned for
insertion into a channel defined in the body of the limb pocket,
and a cylindrical fastener positioned for insertion through the
limb into the limb pocket body to align and retain the limb in the
channel according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an assembled isometric view of the limb pocket
assembly of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a left side perspective view of the limb pocket
body shown in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the limb pocket body of FIG.
3.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an archery bow
including a pair of opposing limb pocket assemblies (as shown in
FIG. 1) according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top isometric view of an archer bow including
the limb pocket assembly of FIG. 1.
[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to optional embodiments
of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in accompanying
drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in
the drawing and in the description referring to the same or like
parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] While the making and using of various embodiments of the
present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be
appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable
inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of
specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are
merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention
and do not delimit the scope of the invention.
[0020] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described
herein, a number of terms are defined below. The terms defined
herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary
skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as
"a," "an," and "the" are not intended to refer to only a singular
entity, but rather include the general class of which a specific
example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is
used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their
usage does not delimit the invention, except as set forth in the
claims.
[0021] As described herein, an upright position is considered to be
the position of apparatus components while in proper operation or
in a natural resting position as described herein. As used herein,
the upright position of a modern compound archery bow is when held
by a user in a vertical orientation ready to draw and/or release.
The upright position of the limb pocket assembly is when installed
at a top end of a riser of a compound bow. It is contemplated
within the scope of the claims that top and bottom and left and
right would be reversed for the limb pocket assembly at the lower
end of the riser. As used herein, archery bow refers to modern
compound single limb or split limb bows or a compound crossbow. The
upright position of a crossbow as described herein is when held by
a user generally vertically (i.e., sideways) such that one limb
pocket assembly is the upper limb pocket assembly and a limb pocket
assembly attached to the opposing end of a riser of the crossbow is
the lower limb pocket assembly. It is contemplated within the scope
of the claims that top and bottom and left and right would be
reversed for the limb pocket assembly at the lower end of the
riser. The upper and lower limb pocket assemblies can be
interchanged on archery bows (i.e., bows and crossbows) such that
orientations are simply reversed (except front to back) for upper
and lower limb pocket assemblies. Forward is generally the
direction in which a projectile is propelled from the archery bow
when shot, and rearward is generally toward a user shooting the
archery bow. Vertical, horizontal, above, below, side, top, bottom
and other orientation terms are described with respect to this
upright position and with respect to the upper limb pocket assembly
during operation unless otherwise specified. The term "when" is
used to specify orientation for relative positions of components,
not as a temporal limitation of the claims or apparatus described
and claimed herein unless otherwise specified. The terms "above",
"below", "over", and "under" mean "having an elevation or vertical
height greater or lesser than" and are not intended to imply that
one object or component is directly over or under another object or
component.
[0022] The phrase "in one embodiment," as used herein does not
necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.
Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can,"
"might," "may," "e.g.," and the like, unless specifically stated
otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is
generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include,
while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements
and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally
intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any
way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more
embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without
operator input or prompting, whether these features, elements
and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular
embodiment.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of a limb pocket
assembly 10 for an archery bow 100 is shown. The limb pocket
assembly 10 includes a generally rectangular limb pocket body 12
and at least one cylindrical fastener 16 for aligning and securing
a limb 14 within the pocket body 12. In some embodiments, the limb
pocket assembly 10 also includes a limb screw or riser screw 103
for securing the limb pocket assembly 10 to a riser 105 of an
archery bow 100.
[0024] The limb pocket body 12 for the archery bow 100 includes a
channel 30, a limb screw hole 32, and a lateral hole 34. The
channel 30 is recessed into a lower surface 20 of the body 12. The
channel 30 is configured to receive a limb and of a limb 14 such
that the limb 14 received there and extends rearward when the limb
pocket body 12 is in the upright position and installed on the
riser 105 of the archery bow 100. The limb screw hole 32 extends
generally vertically through the limb pocket body 12 when the limb
pocket body 12 is in the upright position. The limb screw hole 32
is configured to receive the limb screw or riser screw 103. The
riser screw 103 secures the limb pocket body 12 to a first end of
the riser 105 when the riser screw 103 is installed in the limb
pocket body 12 and riser 105. The lateral hole 34 extends inwardly
from the channel 30 into a central portion 36 of the limb pocket
body 12. The lateral hole 34 is configured to threateningly engage
the cylindrical fastener 16 to align the limb and of the limb 14
within the channel 30. The lateral hole 34 extends generally
horizontally when the limb pocket body 12 is in the upright
position.
[0025] In one embodiment, the limb pocket body 12 further includes
a slot 38 through a side of the limb pocket body 12, the side
defining an outer wall 115 of the channel 30. The slot 38 is
configured to receive the cylindrical fastener 16 therethrough. In
one embodiment, the slot 38 is sized to match a barrel 16 of the
cylindrical fastener 16 such that the cylindrical fastener 16 is
held in a double shear arrangement via the slot 38 in the outer
wall 115 of the channel 30 and the lateral hole 34 when the
cylindrical fastener 16 is properly assembled in the limb pocket
body 12. In one embodiment, the slot 38 and lateral hole 34 are
forward of the limb screw hole 32.
[0026] In one embodiment, the channel 30 is narrower near an upper
surface 18 of the limb pocket body 12 and at a lower surface 20 of
the limb pocket body 12. In one embodiment, an inner wall 113 of
the channel 30 extends generally vertically when the limb pocket
body 12 is in the upright position. In this embodiment, the outer
wall 115 of the channel 30 opposite the inner wall 113 of the
channel 30 is closer to the inner wall 113 near the upper surface
18 than at the lower surface 20 of the limb pocket body 12. This
narrowing channel serves to keep the limbs 14 aligned along the
inner wall 113 of the pocket body 12 to increase accuracy of the
archery bow 100.
[0027] In one embodiment, the channel 30 is a first channel at a
right side 28 of the limb pocket body 12 when the limb pocket body
12 is in the upright position (and installed on an upper end of the
riser 105). The limb screw hole 32 centered right to left within a
central portion 36 of the limb pocket body 12 when the limb pocket
body 12 is in the upright position. The limb end is a first limb
end, the cylindrical fastener 16 is a first cylindrical fastener,
and the lateral hole 34 is a first lateral hole extending right to
left when limb pocket body 12 is in the upright position. In one
embodiment, the limb pocket body 12 further includes a second
channel 30 at a left side 26 of the limb pocket body 12. The second
channel 30 is configured to receive a second limb end. The second
limb end may be a second limb end of the first limb 14 or a limb
end of a second limb. That is, the archery bow 100 may be set up
for a single limb at each end of the riser 105, or the archery bow
100 may be set up for dual limbs at either end of the riser 105
(i.e. four limbs total). A second lateral hole 34 extends inwardly
from the second channel 30. The second lateral hole 34 is
configured to threateningly engage a second cylindrical fastener 16
to align the second limb and within the second channel 30. The
lateral hole 34 extends generally horizontally left to right into
the central portion 36 of the limb pocket body 12 when the limb
pocket body 12 is in the upright position. In one embodiment, the
upper surface 18 of the limb pocket body 12 extends further
rearward between the first and second channels 30 than at the right
side 28 and the left side 26 of the limb pocket body 12. That is,
the central portion 36 of the limb pocket body 12 extends further
rearward than the left side 26 and right side 28 of the limb pocket
body 12.
[0028] In one embodiment, an archery bow 100 includes the limb
pocket assembly (i.e., limb pocket body 12 and cylindrical retainer
16), the riser 105, the bowstring 130, a cam system 133, and a
plurality of limbs 14. The riser 105 is configured to receive the
riser screw 103 to secure the limb pocket assembly 10 thereto. The
cam system 133 is configured to receive the bowstring 130 and
secure to the limb 14 opposite the limb pocket body 12. The limb 14
is configured to connect between the limb pocket body 12 and the
cam system 133. In one embodiment, the archery bow 100 further
includes a bow sight 150 configured to attach to the riser 105.
[0029] In one embodiment, the pocket body 12 includes an upper
surface 18, a lower surface 20 opposite the upper surface, a front
side 22, a back side 24 opposite the front side, a left side 26,
and a right side 28 opposite the left side. Defined in the lower
surface 20 is a pair of channels 30 in which a portion (i.e., an
end) of a bow limb 14 is receivable. It should be understood that
the portion of the bow limb 14 that is receivable in the channels
30 is the end of the bow limb 14 that is opposite the end to which
the cam system 133 is attachable. It should also be understood that
while the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 is depicted as having a
pair of channels 30, in other embodiments, the lower surface 20 may
have only a single channel 30. In each embodiment, the channel or
channels 30 extend through the back side 24 of the pocket body 12.
Additionally, while the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 depicts the
front side 22 of the pocket body 12 as being solid, in other
embodiments, the channel or channels 30 may extend through the
front side 22 of the pocket body 12 in the same way shown for the
back side 24 in FIGS. 1-6.
[0030] The pocket body 12 also includes a limb screw hole 32 in
which the limb screw or riser screw 103 is receivable. The limb
screw hole 32 extends through the body 12 from the upper surface 18
to the lower surface 20 at an angle substantially perpendicular to
the working surface of the limb 14 when the limb is received in
channel 30. The portion of the limb screw hole 32 near the upper
surface 18 of the pocket body 12 can also include a countersink or
chamfer 34. When the bow limbs 14 are received in the channels 30
as exemplified in FIG. 2, the limb screw 103 can be inserted
through the limb screw hole 32 and threaded into a coaxial hole in
an underlying riser 105 to secure the pocket body 12 and bow limbs
14 to the riser 105.
[0031] The pocket body 12 also includes at least one lateral hole
34 in which the cylindrical fastener 16 is receivable. The at least
one lateral hole 34 extends into at least a portion of the central
portion 36 of the body 12 defined by the pair of channels 30, as
best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. In some embodiments, the at least one
lateral hole 34 is one lateral hole that extends completely through
the central portion 36. In other embodiments, the at least one
lateral hole 34 is two opposing lateral holes defined in opposite
sides of central portion 36, as shown in FIG. 4. In some
embodiments, the lateral hole(s) 34 can be threaded, while in other
embodiments, the lateral hole(s) can have a smooth bore. In a
smooth bore embodiment, the cylindrical fastener 16 would extend
through the pair of limbs 14, and through the central portion 36 of
the pocket body 12 and be secured by a fastener at one or both ends
of the cylindrical fastener 16.
[0032] The left and right sides 26, 28 of the pocket body 12
include one or more slots 38 defined therein. The slots 38 are
concentrically aligned with lateral hole 34 in central portion 36
of the pocket body 12.
[0033] Additionally, the proximal end of the bow limb 14 that is
receivable in the channel 30 is provided with a lateral alignment
hole 40 extending through the limb from side to side, as best shown
in FIG. 1.
[0034] To assemble the limb pocket assembly 10, the limb 14 is
placed in the channel 30 of the pocket body 12 as shown in FIG. 2
and the cylindrical fastener 16 is inserted through the slot 38 in
left side 26 of the body, then through the lateral alignment hole
40 in limb 14, and finally into the lateral hole 34 in central
portion 36 of pocket body 12 to align and retain the limb 14 within
the channel 30. This arrangement closely aligns the limb 14 against
the machined surfaces of the channel 30, and thereby simultaneously
eliminates limb movement and secures the limb 14 to the pocket body
12.
[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, the cylindrical
fastener 16 is a threaded bolt with a hex socket head. However, in
other embodiments, the cylindrical fastener 16 can be a bolt,
screw, pin, dowel, or other similar device that can be used to
align and retain the limb 14 in the channel 30 of the pocket body
12. It should be noted that slots 38 can be sized to receive the
head of the cylindrical fastener 16 so that the head does not
protrude beyond the exterior surface of either side 26, 28 of the
pocket body 12 when the fastener 16 is received in lateral holes 34
and 40.
[0036] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to
practice the invention, including making and using any devices or
systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable
scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include
other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other
examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they
have structural elements that do not differ from the literal
language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural
elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages
of the claims
[0037] It will be understood that the particular embodiments
described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as
limitations of the invention. The principal features of this
invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing
from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures
described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the
scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.
[0038] All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed
herein may be made and/or executed without undue experimentation in
light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods
of this invention have been described in terms of the embodiments
included herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or
methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method
described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and
scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and
modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be
within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined
by the appended claims.
[0039] Thus, although there have been described particular
embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful LIMB
POCKET ASSEMBLY FOR AN ARCHERY BOW it is not intended that such
references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this
invention except as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *