Mechanical guns and projectors – Element – Projectile holder or carrier
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-17
2001-03-20
Ricci, John A. (Department: 3712)
Mechanical guns and projectors
Element
Projectile holder or carrier
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202635
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
A limited number of launcher-type arrow rests are known and used by archery enthusiasts. While in theory such arrow rests have many advantages, there is still considerable unmet demand for an arrow rest that is more easily and accurately adjusted, both vertically and horizontally.
A primary cause of the difficulty in adjusting such arrow rests is that the structure of known arrow rests tends to rely on adjustable movement against the bow itself by the bracket or fastener which is used to directly attach the apparatus to the bow. That is, the entire apparatus is incrementally moved with respect to the bow to make an adjustment. However, such a bracket is under considerable stress, in that it receives a shock each time an arrow is released. The shock is typically greater to this portion of the apparatus than to other portions of the apparatus, since the weight of the entire remainder of the apparatus is supported by this bracket. Such repeated shocks will eventually incrementally change the position of the bracket, thereby resulting in degradation of accuracy.
A further cause of the difficulty in adjusting such arrow rests is that the means for adjustment is frequently based on the degree to which a bolt or screw extends or protrudes from a surface. In an apparatus based on such a structure, to change the adjustment an additional quarter-turn of a bolt may be indicated, thereby causing a different length of the bolt to extend past a surface. However, no locking structure prevents rotation of the bolt, and impact and vibration may cause the bolt to move on its own.
Similarly, where an adjustment is made by turning a structure in a rotary manner about a bolt, it is typically the case that the bolt will either be over-tightened or will slip. Neither circumstance is desirable.
Therefore, what is needed is an improved arrow launcher apparatus having an improved adjustment structure. The adjustment structure must not depend on moving that portion of the apparatus directly attached to the bow, with respect to the bow. Similarly, the adjustment structure must not depend on the degree to which a bolt or screw extends from a surface. And further, the adjustment structure must not employ a component that is incrementally revolved about a bolt, and must result in unimpeded clearance for the fletching of the arrow as it goes by.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the above needs. A novel arrow launcher is disclosed that provides some or all of the following structures.
(A) A bow attachment assembly adjustably attaches to a bow at a point opposite the arrow. A pair of elongated bow attachment slots defined in the body of the assembly allow for some adjustment of the precise location of attachment to the bow about a direction generally parallel to the arrow prior to flight, allowing adjustment for arrow length. A vertically oriented protrusion defines upper and lower threaded holes for adjustable attachment to an elevation adjustment assembly.
(B) An elevation adjustment assembly adjustably attaches to the vertically oriented protrusion of the bow attachment assembly, thereby allowing vertical adjustment. A bow attachment block defines a vertically oriented recess which mates with the vertically oriented protrusion. An elongated vertical slot, defined through the bow attachment block, receives an elevation attachment bolt which is threaded into one of the upper and lower threaded holes. A windage attachment block carries a horizontally oriented protrusion which typically defines middle, left and right threaded holes.
(C) A windage adjustment assembly adjustably attaches to the horizontally oriented protrusion of the windage attachment block, thereby allowing left to right adjustment. A horizontal adjustment block defines a horizontally oriented recess sized to mate with the horizontally oriented protrusion. An elongated horizontally oriented slot, defined through the horizontal adjustment block, receives a windage adjustment bolt which is threaded into one of the middle, left or right threaded holes. A launcher attachment block defines a launcher sleeve recess and an inner spring attachment hole.
(D) A launcher sleeve assembly is pivotally carried by the launcher sleeve recess about an axis that is generally perpendicular to both the arrow and relaxed bow string. An insert tube portion of the launcher sleeve inserts into the launcher sleeve recess of the launcher attachment block. An insert stop prevents over insertion. A spring biases the launcher sleeve to rotate until a tab, carried by the launcher sleeve, contacts a forward surface defined on the launcher attachment block. A first end of a pull string is attached to a hole defined in the tab, while a second end of the pull string is attached to the buss cable that moves down as the bowstring is drawn. Pulling back on the bowstring causes the pull string to pull on the tab, rotating the launcher sleeve against the spring bias.
(E) A launcher arm is carried by the launcher sleeve, and therefore pivots with the launcher sleeve from a lowered position, when the bowstring is relaxed, to a raised position, when the bowstring is retracted. A preferred launcher arm provides left and right forks which cradle the arrow prior to release of the bowstring. Upon release of the bowstring, the spring rotates the launcher sleeve assembly, causing the launcher arm to move into the lowered position, allowing the arrow and its fletching to pass by unobstructed.
It is therefore a primary advantage of the present invention to provide a novel arrow launcher apparatus that elevates an arrow prior to release of the bowstring, and which biases the launcher arm to a lowered position immediately after release of the bowstring, allowing the arrow and its fletching to pass unobstructed.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel arrow launcher apparatus that allows for vertical adjustment for range; horizontal adjustment for windage; forward to back adjustment to more correctly attach to the bow upon which it is attached; and provides compensation for different arrow lengths.
A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel arrow launcher apparatus that provides mated pairs of vertically and horizontally oriented protrusions and recesses which tend to allow movement between adjacent parts only in the direction in which an adjustment is being made, and which prevents movement in the perpendicular direction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4453528 (1984-06-01), Eckert
patent: 5095884 (1992-03-01), Mertens
patent: 5117803 (1992-06-01), Johnson
patent: 5285764 (1994-02-01), Mertens
patent: 5365912 (1994-11-01), Pittman
patent: 5421314 (1995-06-01), Kidney
patent: 5632263 (1997-05-01), Sartain
patent: 5960779 (1999-10-01), Jessee et al.
Ricci John A.
Thompson David S.
LandOfFree
Arrow launcher apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Arrow launcher apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Arrow launcher apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2451891