Archery Bows With Stabilizer Receivers, and Stabilizer Receivers Configured for Mounting Archery Bow Stabilizers in Variable Positions Relative to Archery Bows

This invention relates to archery bows, handles for archery bows, and stabilizer receivers for archery bows.

Archery bows are typically constructed with an insert for attaching an archery bow stabilizer to the bow. Archery bow stabilizers are utilized to absorb limb vibration, add mass weight to a bow, and allow an archer to hold steadier on target by giving a desired balance to a bow. Target bow stabilizers up to three feet long are not uncommon, but hunting bow stabilizers are usually under 12 inches. Some hunting bow stabilizers may be used for storage of small accessories or survival gear.

It would be desirable to place an archery bow stabilizer near the center of an archery bow to provide optimum balance priorities. However, such desired placement of an archery bow stabilizer would place the bow stabilizer at an archer's handgrip, and would thus interfere with the archer's ability to grip the bow. Further, the optimal location of a stabilizer relative to an archery bow will depend upon characteristics of the bow, and characteristics of the archer.

Bows are frequently used for hunting. It is frequently desirable to have hunting bows be relatively short so that the bows do not get hung-up in brush as an archer is stalking prey. Stabilizers are currently typically mounted on a riser portion of an archery bow and offset relative to a handgrip portion of an archery bow. The riser portions must therefore be extended well beyond the handgrip portion to provide room to receive a stabilizer. Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop a mechanism for mounting a stabilizer whereby the stabilizer could overlap a handgrip portion and thus enable archery bow riser portions to be shortened.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an archery bow illustrating a first embodiment stabilizer receiver of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a handle riser section of an archery bow illustrating a second embodiment of a stabilizer receiver of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional side view along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a handle riser portion of an archery bow illustrating a third embodiment of a stabilizer receiver of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional side view along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary back view of the stabilizer receiver of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a handle riser section of an archery bow illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional side view along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a handle riser section of an archery bow illustrating a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the handle riser portion of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a handle riser section of an archery bow illustrating a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws "to promote the progress of science and useful arts" (Article 1, Section 8).

In one aspect, the invention encompasses an archery bow handle defining a major longitudinal handle axis comprising:

a handle body;

a first end of the handle body;

a second end of the handle body longitudinally displaced from the first end;

a handgrip portion positioned longitudinally between the first and second ends and configured to be grasped by an archer's hand;

a stabilizer receiver displaced from the handgrip portion and configured to receive an archery bow stabilizer, the stabilizer receiver and the handgrip portion overlapping at a common longitudinal displacement from the first end, the stabilizer receiver being removably attached to the handle body; and

a cavity between the stabilizer receiver and the handgrip portion, the cavity being sized to enable one or more of the fingers of the archer's hand to slide between the handgrip portion and the stabilizer receiver.

In another aspect, the invention encompasses an archery bow handle comprising:

a handle body;

a threaded aperture extending into the handle body;

a stabilizer receiver removably attached to the handle body;

an orifice extending through the stabilizer receiver;

a threaded bolt extending through the orifice of the stabilizer receiver and threadedly engaging the threaded aperture; and

a rotation stop connected to both the stabilizer receiver and the handle body and configured to impede rotation of the stabilizer receiver relative to the handle body.

In yet another aspect, the invention encompasses a stabilizer receiver comprising:

a receiver body;

an aperture extending into the receiver body and configured for receiving an archery bow stabilizer;

a first orifice extending through the receiver body and configured for receiving a first pin; and

a second orifice extending through the receiver body and configured for receiving a second pin.

In yet another aspect, the invention encompasses a stabilizer receiver system comprising:

an archery bow riser having a riser body, the archery bow riser comprising a first orifice within the riser body;

a stabilizer receiver having a receiver body and configured for detachably attaching to the riser body, the stabilizer receiver comprising a second orifice within the stabilizer receiver body;

a first pin extending within the first and second orifices; and

a second pin extending from the stabilizer receiver to the archery bow riser.

Referring to FIG. 1 an archery bow 10 is illustrated. Archery bow 10 comprises a handle riser portion 12 and associated stabilizer receiver 14 constructed according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Bow 10 further comprises a top limb 16, a lower limb 18, a bow string 20, power cables 22, a cable guard assembly 24, and eccentric wheels 26.

Handle riser portion 12 comprises a handgrip portion 28 below a shelf 30. Handle riser portion 12 defines a major longitudinal axis "X" and a transverse axis "Y" extending perpendicularly to longitudinal axis "X". Handle riser portion 12 may alternatively be referred to as an archery bow handle 12.

Archery bow handle 12 comprises a first end 32 and a second end 34 longitudinally displaced from first end 32. Handgrip portion 28 is positioned longitudinally between first end 32 and second end 34, and is configured to be grasped by an archer's hand. Stabilizer receiver 14 is forwardly displaced from handgrip portion 28, with the direction "forwardly" being defined as a direction in which an arrow would be launched from bow 10. Stabilizer receiver 14 and handgrip portion 28 overlap at a common longitudinal displacement from first end 32. Stabilizer receiver 14 is configured to receive a stabilizer 36. Stabilizer receiver 14 preferably comprises a threaded aperture which matingly receives a threaded extension (not shown) of stabilizer 36. For example, receiver 14 may comprise a single threaded aperture similar to apertures 40 which are shown and described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 below regarding a second embodiment of the present invention.

A cavity 38 is between stabilizer receiver 14 and handgrip portion 28. Cavity 38 is ideally sized to enable one or more fingers of an archer's hand to slide between handgrip portion 28 and stabilizer receiver 14. In the shown preferred embodiment, stabilizer receiver 14 is integral with archer bow handle 12 and handgrip portion 28.

Stabilizer receiver 14 is laterally displaced forwardly of handgrip portion 28. Stabilizer receiver 14 can thereby advantageously permit placement of a stabilizer 36 in a configuration which overlaps handgrip portion 28 at a common longitudinal displacement from first end 32, and yet which does not interfere with an archer's ability to grasp or otherwise position their hand relative to handgrip portion 28. The longitudinal overlap of stabilizer 36 and handgrip portion 28 advantageously enables handle riser 12 to be shortened relative to prior art handle risers wherein a stabilizer receiver was placed above or below a handgrip portion.

FIGS. 2-11 illustrate alternate embodiments of the present invention wherein a stabilizer receiver is configured for mounting an archery bow stabilizer in variable positions relative to an archery bow. FIGS. 2-3 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 7-8 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the second embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, like numerals from the preceding discussion of the first embodiment are utilized where appropriate, with differences being indicated by the suffix "a" or with different numerals.

Archery bow 10a comprises a handle riser portion 12a. Handle riser portion 12a comprises a handgrip portion 28a and a shelf 30a above handgrip portion 28a . A stabilizer receiver 14a is forwardly displaced from handgrip portion 28a. A cavity 38a is between stabilizer receiver 14a and handgrip portion 28a. Stabilizer receiver 14a comprises a plurality of apertures 40 configured to permit variable positioning of an archery bow stabilizer received within stabilizer receiver 14a. Apertures 40 permit variable positioning of an archery bow stabilizer 36a (shown in phantom view).

Stabilizer receiver 14a comprises a body 42. Body 42 comprises a major longitudinal axis "A" which preferably substantially parallels major longitudinal axis "X" of handle riser portion 12a. Apertures 40 are displaced from one another along major longitudinal axis "A." Apertures 40 extend within body 42 and are configured to threadedly engage a threaded extension, such as the extension 64 of stabilizer 36a.

The second embodiment of the present invention permits variable positioning of a stabilizer relative to an archery bow. More specifically, the second embodiment of the present invention permits displacement of a stabilizer across a range of variable positions determined by apertures 40. However, the second embodiment of the present invention permits only discontinuous displacement across such range of variable positions. A third embodiment of the present invention, discussed below with reference to FIGS. 4-6, permits continuous displacement across a range of variable positions.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with like numerals from the preceding discussion of the first embodiment utilized where appropriate, with differences being indicated by the suffix "b" or with different numerals.

Archery bow 10b comprises a handle riser portion 12b. Handle riser portion 12b comprises a handgrip portion 28b and a shelf 30b above handgrip portion 28b. Handle riser portion 12b further comprises a stabilizer receiver 14b laterally displaced from handgrip portion 28b. A gap 38b is between handgrip portion 28b and stabilizer receiver 14b and is preferably configured to enable insertion of one or more of an archer's fingers therethrough.

Stabilizer receiver 14b comprises a body 50 having a major longitudinal axis "B." Preferably, axis "B" is substantially parallel to longitudinal axis "X" of handle riser portion 12b . Body 50 comprises a first end 52 and a second end 54 longitudinally displaced from first end 52. Body 50 further comprises a slot 56 positioned between first end 52 and second end 54. Slot 56 is configured to permit variable positioning of an archery bow stabilizer 36b (shown in phantom view) received within stabilizer receiver 14b . In the shown preferred embodiment, slot 56 extends longitudinally between first end 52 and second end 54 and thus permits variable longitudinal positioning of stabilizer 36b engaged within stabilizer receiver 14b.

Body 50 comprises an elongated shoulder 70 provided substantially coextensively within elongated slot 56. Shoulder 70 is defined by opposed inwardly facing abutments 72 separated by a space 74. Space 74 has a sufficient width to slidably receive a threaded bolt 64b of archery bow stabilizer 36b. Abutments 72 comprise exposed surfaces which define bearing surfaces against which a predetermined size threaded nut 66 received by threaded bolt 64b can tightly bear for securing stabilizer 36b to stabilizer receiver 14b. Slot 56 defines locking wrench jaws 76 adjacent abutments 72 and adapted to slidably receive threaded nut 66 therebetween but prevent nut 66 from rotating within slot 56.

Slot 56 comprises a space above abutments 72 and between locking jaws 76, and further comprises space 74 between abutments 72. Slot 56 thus extends entirely through body 14b. The depth of abutments 72 within body 14b is illustrated to be about 15 percent of a transverse thickness of body 50. However, such depth is merely an example depth. As will be recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art, the depth of abutments 72 can be varied to accommodate various thickness of nuts and various designs of archery bow stabilizers.

An alternative way of describing stabilizer receiver 14b is that receiver 14b comprises a body 50 and an archery bow stabilizer receiving system comprising slot 56 associated with body 50. The archery bow stabilizer receiving system permits displacement of an archery bow stabilizer 36b across a range of variable positions between first end 52 and second end 54. Further, the archery bow stabilizer receiving system permits continuous displacement of archery bow stabilizer 36b across the range of variable positions between first end 52 and second end 54.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with like numerals from the proceeding discussion of the preceding embodiments utilized where appropriate, with differences being indicated by the suffix "c" or with different numerals.

Archery bow 10c comprises a handle riser portion 12c. Handle riser portion 12c comprises a hand grip portion 28c and a shelf 30c above hand grip portion 28c. Handle riser portion 12c further comprises a stabilizer receiver 14c laterally displaced from handgrip portion 28c. A gap 38c is between handgrip portion 28c and stabilizer receiver 14c and is preferably configured to enable insertion of one or more of an archer's fingers therethrough.

Handle riser portion 12c defines a major longitudinal axis "X" and stabilizer receiver 14c comprises a body 100 having a major longitudinal axis "C". Axis "C" can be substantially non-parallel to longitudinal axis "X" of handle riser portion 12b, as shown.

Archery bow handle 12c comprises a body 102 having a first end 32c and a second end 34c longitudinally displaced from first end 32c. Stabilizer receiver 14c is preferably removably attached to handle body 102. In the shown preferred embodiment, stabilizer receiver 14c is removably attached to body 102 with a first support member 104. In the shown embodiment, first support member 104 is a threaded pin. Pin 104 can comprise, for example, a screw or bolt. Pin 104 extends through an orifice 106 of receiver body 100 and threadedly engages a threaded aperture 108 extending into handle body 102. Alternative constructions of for detachably connecting stabilizer receiver 14c to body 102 will be recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Such alternative constructions could comprise, for example, constructing first support member 104 in the form of a clip configured to releasably engage at least a portion of body 102.

Orifice 106 preferably comprises a first section 110 having a first cross-sectional width and a second section 112 having a second cross-sectional width. The first cross-sectional width is greater than the second cross-sectional width. Accordingly, stabilizer receiver 14c comprises a shoulder 114 where first section 110 of orifice 106 meets second section 112 of orifice 106. Threaded pin 104 comprises a head 116 having a cross-sectional width which is less than the cross-sectional width of first section 110 and greater than the cross-sectional width of second section 112. Accordingly, head 116 seats against stabilizer receiver shoulder 114 when bolt 104 is tightly engaged within threaded aperture 108.

Stabilizer receiver body 100 and handle body 102 further comprise receptacles 118 and 120, respectively. A second support member 122 extends within both of receptacles 118 and 120. In the shown embodiment, second support member 122 is a pin, and receptacles 118 and 120 are configured as pin receptacles. Preferably, one of pin receptacles 118 or 120 will be formed to very tightly grasp pin 122 and the other of the pin receptacles 118 or 120 will be formed to relatively loosely grasp pin 122. Accordingly, pin 122 may be forced into the tightly grasping pin receptacle to effectively become integral with either stabilizer receiver body 100 or handle body 102. In the shown, preferred embodiment, pin receptacle 118 is a receptacle which holds pin 122 very tightly. Accordingly, once pin 122 is wedged within receptacle 118, pin 122 effectively becomes integral with stabilizer receiver body 100. Pin 122 may be held within stabilizer receiver body 100 with adhesive, if necessary. However, if pin receptacle 118 is made sufficiently tight, pin 122 can be retained within stabilizer receiver body 100 without such adhesive.

Pin 122 can impede rotation of stabilizer receiver 14c relative to handle body 12c. Accordingly, pin 122 may be considered a rotation stop connected to both stabilizer receiver 14c and handle body 102. Alternative rotation stops will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Such alternative rotation stops could comprise, for example, a plate adhered to both stabilizer receiver 14c and handle riser 12c, or tape adhered to both stabilizer receiver 14c and handle riser 12c.

In the shown embodiment, second support member 122 is longitudinally displaced from first support member 104.

In some embodiments, pin 122 comprises longitudinally extending ridges. Such ridges aid in holding pin 122 within pin receptacles 118 and 120, particularly if complementary ridge-receiving orifices are formed within one or both of the pin receptacles 118 and 120.

Stabilizer receiver 14c further comprises an aperture 126 configured for receiving an archery bow stabilizer 36c. In the shown, preferred embodiment, aperture 126 is threaded and configured for receiving a threaded extension 64c of archery bow stabilizer 36c.

Stabilizer receiver 14c can further comprise at least one weight reducing slot 128 formed within receiver body 100. For instance, in the shown embodiment, stabilizer receiver 14c comprises two such weight reducing slots 128.

The embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 can alternatively be described as a stabilizer receiver system comprising a stabilizer receiver 14c detachably attached to a handle riser body 102. The stabilizer receiver system comprises a first pin 104 extending within a first orifice 106 in stabilizer receiver 14c and within a second orifice 108 in handle riser body 102. The stabilizer receiver system further comprises a second pin 122 extending from stabilizer receiver 14c to archery bow riser 12c. Second pin 122 extends from a third orifice 120 in riser body 102 to a fourth orifice 118 in stabilizer receiver body 100.

Referring to FIGS. 9-10, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In describing the fifth embodiment, like numerals from the proceeding discussion of the first four embodiments are utilized where appropriate, with differences being indicated by the suffix "d" or the different numerals.

Archery bow 10d comprises a construction very similar to the construction of archery bow 10c discussed above. A difference between archery bow 10d and archery bow 10c is in the construction of pin 122d and pin receptacles 118d and 120d. Pin 122d, unlike pin 122 (shown in FIG. 8) is threadedly engaged within pin receptacle 118d. Pin 122d can be, for example, a set screw.

Pin receptacle 118d preferably comprises a first section 130 having a first cross-sectional width and a second section 134 having a second cross-sectional width. The first cross-sectional width is greater than the second cross-sectional width. Accordingly, stabilize receiver body 100d comprises a shoulder 136 where first section 130 of receptacle 118d meets second section 134 of receptacle 118d. Further, second section 134 is threaded and configured for threadedly engaging threaded pin 122d. Threaded pin 122d comprises a head 138 which seats against stabilizer receiver shoulder 136 when threaded pin 122d is tightly engaged within threaded section 134.

Receptacle 120d can be threaded, but preferably is not. Rather, receptacle 120d preferably comprises a dimple in a surface of riser body 102d.

Referring to FIG. 10, stabilizer 14d and handle riser 12d preferably together comprise a stabilizer receiver system wherein stabilizer receiver 14d is detachably attached to handle riser body 102d, and rotatably adjustable relative to handle riser body 102d. As shown, handle riser 12d preferably comprises a plurality of orifices 108d, 119, 120d and 121 within body 102d. A first pin 104d extends through stabilizer receiver orifice 106d (shown in FIG. 9) and into riser body orifice 108d. First pin 104d is a connector for connecting stabilizer receiver 14d (shown in FIG. 9) to handle riser 12d. A second pin 122d extends through stabilizer receiver orifice 118d (shown in FIG. 9) and into an orifice 120d of riser body 102d. In the absence of pin 122d, stabilizer receiver 14d (shown in FIG. 9) can rotate about pin 104d. As stabilizer receiver 14d rotates about pin 104d, orifices 119, 120d and 121 are separately aligned with orifice 118d of stabilizer receiver 14d. Once an orifice 119, 120d or 121 is aligned, second pin 122d may be inserted through orifice 118d of stabilizer receiver 14d and into whichever of the orifices 119d, 120d or 121d is aligned to lock stabilizer receiver 14d into a position relative to riser body 120d. Thus, stabilizer receiver 14d is rotatably adjustable relative to riser body 120d. Such rotatable adjustment of stabilizer receiver 14d may be advantageous in adjusting the position of a stabilizer 126d received within stabilizer receiver 14d to suit an archer's preference.

Referring to FIG. 11, a sixth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In describing the sixth embodiment, like numerals from the proceeding discussion of the first five embodiments are utilized where appropriate, with differences being indicated by the suffix "e" or the different numerals.

Archery bow 10e comprises a construction very similar to the construction of archery bows 10c and 10d discussed above. A difference between archery bow 10e and the previously discussed archery bows is in the construction of second support member 122e and receptacle 120e. Support member 122e is a protuberance of stabilizer receiver body 100e and receptacle 120e is an indentation within riser body 102e configured for receiving support member 122e.

Support member 122e is illustrated as being forwardly displaced of receptacle 120e rather than within receptacle 120e. This is a view of stabilizer receiver 14e partially engaged with handle 12e. The view is utilized to clearly illustrate support member 122e and receptacle 120e. In practice, stabilizer receiver 14e would generally be fully engaged with handle 12e. In such fully engaged configuration, support member 122e would generally be tightly engaged within receptacle 120e. Such tight engagement of support member 122e within receptacle 120e can prevent stabilizer receiver 14e from undesirably rotating about first support member 104e.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.