Archery Bow With Bow String Silencer

Abstract

Archery bow string silencing having a pair of bow string silencers which are mounted on the bow string at the two primary vibrational nodes on the string. Each bow string silencer is fabricated of a single piece of resilient material which has a pair of normally spaced apart end portions, each end portion having a bow string aperture therethrough, and a plurality of integrally formed arms which are connected between the end portions and flex outwardly as the end portions are moved together. The silencer is of low mass so as not to interfere with proper bow string movement.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Use

This invention relates generally to archery bows and in particular to bow string silencer means therefor which are placed on the bow string at the vibration nodes thereof to dampen vibration and thereby reduce or eliminate the sound of the bow string.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Bow string silencers of the aforesaid character are known and used in the field of archery. U. S. Pat. No. 3,059,629 and U. S. Pat. No. 3,584,615 both entitled "Bow String Silencer" disclose examples of prior art bow string silencers. Some bow string silencers of the prior art comprise a single central hub from which a disclike peripheral portion emanates. Bow string silencers of a relatively flat nature require relatively critical disposition with respect to the bow string vibration node in order to be most effective. Furthermore, because they grip the bow string at only one point they are subject to displacement from proper position on the string during use because they are located at the point of maximum vibration of the string.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An improved bow string silencer in accordance with the present invention overcomes the aforesaid problems and has other advantages as will hereinafter appear. Bow string silencer means in accordance with the present invention comprise a pair of bow string silencers which are both disposed on the string of an archery bow, each silencer being located at or near the nodes of maximum vibration of the string. A bow string silencer device in accordance with the invention comprises a pair of end portions, each end portion having an aperture therein for accommodating a bow string, and a plurality of arms connected between the end portions. The arms are flexible and the end portions are relatively movable with respect to each other. The arms flex outwardly as the end portions are moved toward each other and since the bow string silencer is preferably fabricated of a single piece of flexible material, such as plastic, flexibility of the arms is enhanced by providing each arm with a plurality of regions of reduced cross sectional area. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, each arm is provided with three regions of reduced cross sectional area. One region is located at or near the attachment point of one end of the arm to one end portion and another region of reduced cross sectional area is provided at the other end of the arm near the point of attachment thereof to the other end portion. A third region of reduced cross sectional area is located intermediate of the two aforesaid regions. A bow string silencer in accordance with the invention is movable from a position wherein its end portions are spaced a maximum distance apart to a position wherein the end portions are adjacent one another and the arms are fully flexed outwardly. In fully extended position, the bow string silencer is substantially longer than prior art devices and therefore is more likely to overlie the probable location of the vibration node of the string. Thus, this point is more readily and easily found and the bow string silencer can then be readily adjusted to a more exact location. The arms of the bow string silencer are relatively slender and spaced apart circumferentially from one another. The silencer is of low mass and does not unduly interfere with proper bow string operation. Furthermore, because each device grips the bow string in two places, the device is less likely to be displaced as a result of string vibration. A bow string silencer in accordance with the invention is fabricated as by molding from readily available during molding without the necessity of further manufacturing operations such as drilling or cutting being performed thereon.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an archery bow with bow string silencers in accordance with the present invention mounted on the bow string;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of a bow string silencer in accordance with the present invention and showing it in fully extended configuration;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the silencer partly compressed;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 but showing the bow string silencer in fully compressed configuration;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the silencer taken on line 6--6 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on line 7--7 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 the numeral 10 designates an archery bow having a conventional bow string 12 attached thereto in the usual manner. A pair of bow string silencers 14 in accordance with the invention are shown disposed or mounted on bow string 12, each in fully extended condition, and each located at a point or node of maximum string vibration, as indicated by the phantom lines 16 indicating the maximum path of bow string travel during vibration.

A bow string silencer 14 is shown in FIG. 2 in fully extended condition and is understood to be fabricated of a single piece of resilient or flexible material such as plastic, rubber or the like. Silencer 14 comprises a pair of spaced apart end portions 18 and 20 which are interconnected by a plurality of arms 22. In the embodiment shown four arms 22 are shown and each is spaced an equal distance from an adjacent arm. FIG. 3 shows silencer 14 in partially compressed condition wherein the end portions 18 and 20 are moved closer together than in FIG. 2 and wherein, as a consequence, the arms 22 are flexed or bent outwardly. FIG. 4 shows silencer 14 in a condition wherein the end portions 18 and 20 are moved as close as possible to one another and wherein the arms 22 are fully flexed outwardly. Each of the end portions 18 and 20 is preferably cylindrical in form, although some other shape could be employed, and each is provided with a hole or aperture 24 for accommodating the bow string 12. As FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 7 show, each arm 22 has a generally triangular pie-shaped cross sectional configuration and each arm is provided with three regions of reduced cross sectional area, such as the regions 26, 28 and 30 shown in FIG. 7. The region 26 is at or near the point where arm 22 joins end portion 18. The region 28 is located at or near the point where arm 22 joins end portion 20. The region 30 is located intermediately of the regions 26 and 28. Thus, each arm 22 is able to flex quite readily at each of these regions as comparison of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 makes clear.

OPERATION

Bow string silencer 14 in accordance with the invention is employed as follows. Bow 10 is unstrung and two silencers 14 are slipped onto the string and the bow is then restrung. Each silencer 14 is then slipped into the approximate location at which experience has shown maximum vibration of string 12 is likely to occur. Each silencer 14 is initially employed in the fully extended condition shown in FIG. 2. Upon testing the vibratory characteristics of the string 12, device 14 is then compressed to the approximate condition shown in FIG. 3 to more accurately locate it. Upon further testing, the point of maximum vibration of the string is located and device 14 is then disposed thereat in the condition shown in FIG. 4 wherein it is fully compressed. At this point, location for proper positioning of the silencer 14 has been more readily found than is the case in flat prior art type devices. With silencer 14 in the condition shown in FIG. 4, its length is substantially reduced and its mass is substantially compacted. In this condition, then, it tends to exert a minimum amount of interference on normal bow string operation. It is to be noted that the construction of silencer 14 is such that the regions of reduced cross sectional area 26, 28 and 30 permit repeated flexing of the arms while reducing the tendency for breaking of the arm at these hinge or flexing regions. Silencer 14 can be used fully or partially extended if so required.

RESUME

A pair of bow string silencers 14 which are mounted on the bow string 12 at the two primary vibrational nodes on the string. Each bow string silencer 14 is fabricated of a single piece of resilient material which comprises a pair of normally spaced apart end portions 18 and 20, each end portion having a bow string aperture 24 therethrough, and a plurality of integrally formed arms 22 which are connected between the end portions 18 and 20 and flex outwardly as the end portions are moved together. Each arm 22 comprises regions 26, 28 and 30 of reduced cross sectional area which serve as hinge points for flexing of the arm. The silencer 14 is of low mass so as not to interfere with proper bow string movement and, because it covers a greater length of bow string, makes it easier to find the vibration node whereupon it can be easily adjusted.

Claims

I claim:

1. In combination a bow string silencer and already bow comprising:

an already bow having a low string,

a pair of end portions,

each one of said end portions having an aperture therein for accommodating the bow string,

and means for adjustably supporting said end portions so as to permit their movements toward and away from each other, said means including

a plurality of arms connected between said end portions.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said arms are flexible and said end portions are movable axially toward each other.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein each of said arms includes a section of reduced cross section at each end and intermediate the ends thereof whereby said arms can flex outwardly as said end portions are moved toward each other on the bow string.

4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said end portions and arms are integrally formed of a single piece of flexible material.

5. A bow string silencer comprising:

a pair of spaced apart relatively movable end portions, each end portion having an aperture therein for accommodating a bow string,

and means for allowing the distance between said end portion to be varied, said means including

a plurality of flexible arms integrally formed with and connected between said end portions,

each of said arms being provided with three regions of reduced cross sectional area to enhance its flexibility,

one of said regions being near one of said end portions,

another of said regions being near the other of said end portions, and the remaining one of said regions being disposed intermediately of said one and said other regions; and

each of said arms has a generally triangular transverse cross sectional configuration.

6. A silencer according to claim 5 wherein each of said end portions is cylindrical in form and has a circular transverse cross sectional configuration.

7. A silencer according to claim 9 including four flexible arms.