Drop-away arrow rest

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a drop-away or a move-away arrow rest that moves between two different positions, a support position and a launch position, when a certain force is applied to move the arrow rest at a particular velocity. With the arrow rest of this invention, an archer can reposition, let down or draw down a bow without the arrow shaft falling away from its launch position in the arrow rest.

[0003] 2. Discussion of Related Art

[0004] Many conventional drop-away arrow rests hold an arrow shaft in one position and move away from the arrow shaft when the arrow is launched from a bow. Some conventional drop-away arrow rests are moved into a launch position by drawing the bow into a launch or a shooting position. With such conventional arrow rests, as the bowstring is released, the arrow rest moves away or falls away from its supporting position.

[0005] One problem occurs when an archer lets down the bow or draws down the bow. Because many conventional drop-away arrow rests are mechanically connected to the bow string, when the bow string is drawn down or released without shooting the arrow, the arrow rest moves away from the arrow shaft and causes the arrow shaft to fall from its loaded position.

[0006] With conventional drop-away arrow rests, another problem occurs when the bow is moved out of a vertical or a shooting position, the arrow shaft can fall away from the arrow rest, which requires a reloading of the arrow shaft on the arrow rest.

[0007] With a drop-away arrow rest according to this invention, a shaft of an arrow or another projectile can be positioned and held with respect to an arrow holder so that when the archery bow or other shooting device is let down or repositioned, the arrow or other similar projectile does not fall down or away from the bow or other shooting device. When the shaft of an arrow is mounted in a loaded condition, the arrow holder can move between at least two support positions without moving further into a launch position.

[0008] Different forces applied to the arrow holder can cause the arrow holder to move at a velocity which is less than forces applied by a shooting velocity of the arrow shaft. Thus, the drop-away arrow rest of this invention can be used to allow an archer to draw down the bow or let down the bow, without the arrow shaft falling away from the arrow holder. The drop-away arrow rest of this invention can be designed to move further than or beyond any one or more of the support positions, into a launch position, by overcoming a support force which normally urges the arrow holder into one of the support positions. For example, the discharge acceleration or velocity of an arrow shot from a fired compound bow can be designed to overcome the support force normally urging the arrow rest into the support position and thus allow the arrow holder to move into the launch position. In certain embodiments of this invention, when in the launch position the arrow holder is moved away from the discharging arrow shaft and the associated fletching.

[0009] Different elements of this invention can be designed to provide an arrow rest that drops away from or moves away from a discharging arrow shaft, without using a cable attached to the bow string. Even without connecting the arrow rest to movement of the bow string, the arrow holder of this invention can be designed to move between two or more support positions at a relatively lower velocity, speed or acceleration that does not trigger or cause the arrow holder to move from one of the support positions to the launch position, away from the arrow shaft. At the same time, an arrow holder according to this invention can be designed to move away from any of the support positions into the launch position, away from the discharging arrow shaft, for example, when the arrow holder moves at a relatively higher acceleration, velocity or speed as compared to the relatively lower acceleration, velocity or speed resulting from bow movement or draw down.

[0010] An arrow holder according to this invention can have one or more support arms that hold or retain the shaft of an arrow or other projectile with respect to the arrow holder. In some embodiments of this invention, one or more bands, such as elastic bands, can be used alone or in combination with the support arms to retain or hold the shaft of an arrow or other projectile with respect to the arrow holder.

[0028] As used throughout this specification and in the claims, the term arrow rest is intended to relate to and to be interchangeable with the terms drop-away arrow rest, move-away arrow rest, fall-away arrow rest and/or any other arrow rest or other similar device for resting or supporting a shaft of a projectile, such as an arrow and/or a crossbow bolt. Mizek et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,782,881 and Mizek, U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,338, the entire teachings of both of which are incorporated into this specification by reference, teach different technical features and functions of arrow rests that move away from an arrow shaft when the arrow shaft is discharged from an archery bow.

[0029] The scope of this invention is intended to include archery bows, crossbows, or any other device that launches or propels a projectile.

[0030] FIGS. 1-5 show different views of arrow rest 20, according to one embodiment of this invention. Arrow rest 20 comprises arrow holder 30 removeably connected with respect to shaft 26. FIG. 2 shows screw 27 connected to housing 50 and contacting shaft 26. Body 31 has recess 32 within which screw 27 is movably mounted. In certain embodiments of this invention, body 31 can pivot or rotate about shaft 26, by allowing screw 27 to ride within recess 32 as body 31 pivots, rotates or otherwise moves with respect to shaft 26.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows arrow rest 20 in one support position. Body 31 and thus arrow holder 30 can pivot or otherwise move about shaft 26. In certain embodiments of this invention, screw 27 and/or recess 32 can be sized, dimensioned and/or shaped to allow the pivotal or other movement of arrow holder 30 about shaft 26. The position of arrow holder 30 with respect to shaft 26 as shown in FIG. 6 can be varied by any desired angle or distance, to allow arrow holder 30 to move into any one of a plurality of support positions, such as the one shown in FIG. 6, where arrow holder 30 maintains shaft 23 in a loaded condition. FIG. 7 shows the same embodiment of arrow rest 20 as shown in FIG. 6, but with arrow holder 30 in a launch position where shaft 26 is discharged and away from arrow rest 20.

[0032] Many drop-away arrow rests are used to quickly or immediately move the arrow rest away from the arrow shaft and the corresponding fletching of the arrow. It is important for the arrow shaft and the arrow fletching to clear the arrow rest, to not interfere with the projectile path of the arrow or other projectile.

[0033] In many use situations, particularly when carrying an archery bow in the field, an arrow is loaded in the archery bow and the archer traverses through hunting terrain, searching for a target. Because the archery bow is moved into many different positions, including out of the vertical position or the shooting position, there is a tendency for the arrow shaft to fall away from its loaded condition with respect to the archery bow. By allowing arrow holder 30 of this invention to move between a plurality of support positions, one which is shown in FIG. 6, it is possible for shaft 23 to move forward and backward generally along a direction of longitudinal axis 24, without falling away from or out of arrow holder 30. Also, there are times when hunters draw an archery bow into a loaded condition and then back down or let down the bow, for example because the target moves away or the hunter decides to not shoot. Allowing arrow rest 30 to move between different support positions, one of which is shown in FIG. 6, allows shaft 23 to not fall away from or out of arrow holder 30. Thus, arrow holder 30 of this invention can be used to accommodate the different positions that an archery bow experiences during field transport as well as the let down or draw down that occurs when a hunter decides to not shoot a drawn archery bow.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, arrow holder 30 maintains shaft 23 in a loaded condition. Because arrow holder 30 can pivot, rotate or otherwise move with respect to shaft 26 and thus a connected archery bow, in each of the support positions, arrow holder 30 can maintain shaft 23 in a loaded condition, such as shown in FIG. 6. When arrow holder 30 moves from any support position to the launch position, such as shown in FIG. 7, the movement path can be sized and/or designed to provide clearance and thus eliminate interference as shaft 23 and any corresponding fletching move across or through arrow rest 20.

[0035] In certain embodiments of this invention, arrow holder 30 is operable between any one of the support positions, such as the support position represented in FIG. 6, and the launch position, such as shown in FIG. 7. In some embodiments of this invention, arrow holder 30 is maintained in at least one of the support positions until a movement force, such as a force generated by a discharging bow string, is transferred to arrow holder 30 with a magnitude and direction great enough to overcome a support force that normally urges arrow holder 30 into at least one of the support positions.

[0036] Any suitable force generating member can be used to normally urge arrow holder 30 into one of the support positions. The magnitude and direction of the force generated can be selected or designed to prevent arrow holder 30 from moving into the launch position under certain circumstances but still allow arrow holder 30 to move to the launch position under other circumstances.

[0037] In some embodiments of this invention, the support force can be greater than forces generated by letting down or drawing down the bow string, or repositioning or moving the archery bow out of the vertical or otherwise normal shooting position. The support force can be designed to be less than the magnitude and direction of a movement force which is transferred to arrow holder 30, for example when the bow string is released upon discharge. In certain embodiments of this invention, the movement force is designed to be greater than the support force so that when the movement force is transferred to arrow holder 30, arrow holder 30 moves from one of the support positions to the launch position.

[0038] In one embodiment of this invention as shown in FIGS. 1-5, a cam and follower mechanical arrangement is used to accomplish the support force necessary to maintain arrow holder 30 in one of the support positions while also allowing arrow holder 30 to move to the launch position when the movement force is greater than the support force, such as when the arrow is discharged from the archery bow.

[0039] FIGS. 8 and 9 each shows a different perspective view of cam 55 and follower 46, according to one embodiment of this invention. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, housing 50 is secured with respect to shaft 26 or another suitable structural member by using a set screw. Housing 50 can be connected or secured in any other suitable mechanical or other manner. In certain embodiment of this invention, housing 50 remains in a fixed position with respect to the archery bow.

[0040] FIGS. 1-5 show connector 25 and shaft 26 forming the mechanical connection between housing 50 and the archery bow. However, any other suitable structure or connection can be used to fix the relative position of housing 50 with respect to the archery bow.

[0041] When arrow holder 30 is mounted on shaft 26, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, arrow holder 30 can pivot, rotate or otherwise move with respect to housing 50. Any other suitable mechanical or other connection can be used to accomplish a similar relative movement.

[0042] FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 show body 31 forming casing 33 that houses follower 46. Follower 46 is moveably mounted within a void formed by casing 33. As body 31 of arrow holder 30 pivots, rotates or otherwise moves with respect to housing 50, follower 46 rides along or relative to cam 55, such as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 15.

[0043] As used throughout this specification and in the claims, the terms force, acceleration, velocity and speed are intended to be interchangeable with each other, and are intended to relate to the rate of relative movement between arrow holder 30 and housing 50, and thus between cam 55 and follower 46. When the rate of relative movement is relatively low, follower 46 reaches shoulder 56 of a ramp formed by cam 55 and then continues to move over gap 57 and makes contact with shoulder 53 which acts as stop 52. Because there is contact between follower 46 acting as lock 45 and shoulder 53 acting as stop 52, further relative movement of arrow holder 30 with respect to housing 50 is prevented, and arrow holder 30 cannot move into the launch position, such as shown in FIG. 7.

[0044] When the force, acceleration, velocity or speed transferred to arrow holder 30 is great enough to transfer a movement force that can overcome the support force that normally urges arrow holder 30 into one of the support positions, then follower 46 moves along cam 55 fast enough so that follower 46 jumps over gap 57 and clears shoulder 53 acting as stop 52 and allows arrow holder 30 to move beyond the support position and into the launch position, such as shown in FIG. 7, to provide clearance for the discharging shaft 23 and the associated fletching.

[0045] FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of a ramp surface forming cam 55. FIGS. 11 and 12 shown different perspective views of housing 50, according to one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 13 shows a rear perspective view of housing 50 where magnet 59 is mounted or positioned within a recess formed by housing 50. In certain embodiments of this invention, magnet 59 is positioned opposite but at or near gap 57, to draw by magnetic force follower 46 into gap 57 as arrow holder 30 moves with respect to housing 50. Any other suitable mechanical, electrical, electromechanical or other device or bias element can be used to apply a force to follower 46 in a manner similar to the force applied by magnet 59, such as shown in FIG. 13. The size and strength of magnet 59 and/or follower 46 can be varied to accomplish different forces and structural mounting requirements.

[0046] FIG. 15 shows a schematic representation of the operation between follower 46 and cam 55, such as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and described in the above specification. When follower 46 is in the position shown in FIG. 15, there is no or negligible pulling force acting upon follower 46 by magnet 59. As follower 46 moves along cam 55, a relatively slow acceleration or velocity will cause magnet 59 to draw follower 46 into gap 57 so that follower 46 interferes with shoulder 53 of housing 50, and thus stops arrow holder 30 from moving further and into the launch position. Referring to FIG. 15, when follower 46 moves relatively fast and has a relatively high acceleration or velocity, follower 46 jumps over, clears or prevents interference with shoulder 53 and thus follower 46 can move further into the launch position, so that arrow holder 30 moves away from a discharging shaft 23. In some embodiments of this invention, the forces acting upon discharging shaft 23 are transferred to arrow holder 30 and thus create the relatively high acceleration or velocity necessary to prevent interference between follower 46 acting as lock 45 and shoulder 53 acting as stop 52.

[0047] All of the elements shown in FIG. 15 can be sized and/or shaped differently to accomplish different movement results, depending upon the requirements for moving arrow holder 30 into the launch position.

[0048] In some embodiments of this invention, such as shown in FIG. 16, arrow rest 20 comprises a plurality of bands, such as band 35 and band 36, each fixed or mounted with respect to arrow holder 30. In some embodiments of this invention, band 35 is spaced at a distance from band 36. As shown in FIG. 16, at least a portion of each band 35 and band 36 is positioned generally parallel to a movement direction of arrow holder 30. FIG. 5 shows body 31 having grooves 34, each of which can accommodate band 35 or band 36.

[0049] In some embodiments of this invention, band 35 or band 36 extends about a continuous periphery of the arrow support portion of arrow holder 30, such as shown by the sectional lines in FIG. 16. In other embodiments of this invention, band 35 or band 36 can be a non-continuous length of band material mounted, secured or otherwise fixed with respect to body 31, in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 16.

[0050] Band 35 or band 36 can be constructed of any suitable material. In certain embodiments of this invention, the material is a relatively durable elastic material with a relatively high co-efficient of friction, so that shaft 23 discharging over or through arrow rest 20 contacts and through friction transfers forces to arrow holder 30, such as the movement force necessary to overcome the support force and move arrow rest 30 into the launch position.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, support arms 37 can be used to hold shaft 23 within arrow holder 30. Support arm 37 can be shaped and sized as shown in FIGS. 1-6, or support arm 30 can have any other suitable size and/or shape that can be used to hold or retain shaft 23 within arrow holder 30. Support arm 37 can be constructed of a resilient material or any other suitable material.

[0052] While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.