Mechanical guns and projectors – Element – For archery projector
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-10
2001-04-10
Ricci, John A. (Department: 3712)
Mechanical guns and projectors
Element
For archery projector
C124S035200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213113
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an archery device and, in particular, to a mechanism for assisting an archer in drawing back a bowstring.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Archery has continued to increase in popularity, both as a sport and as recreational activity, for target shooting and hunting. One of the most popular types of bows in current use is the compound bow. Compound bows employ a relatively complex cable and pulley arrangement in which the geometry of the system is quite critical. As a result of the pulley arrangement, the maximum draw of the bowstring is exerted only during the first ½ or {fraction (2/3+L )} of its displacement. As the bowstring is drawn back towards its maximum deflection, a sudden reduction in draw pressure is experienced (as much as 80%), whereafter the archer may easily draw the bowstring back through the remaining draw distance.
However, in spite of the reduction in draw pressure, there is still a required, substantial, initial draw pressure which, even after shooting just a few times, can result in muscle fatigue and cramping of the archer's arm and shoulder, often leading to inaccuracy. Additionally, persons of lesser strength, or with chronic or debilitating shoulder injuries, may be unable to achieve even this initial draw pressure.
As a result, there are a number of devices which purport to assist the archer in drawing back the bowstring. One class of such devices is the draw and release mechanism, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,952,720; 4,308,851; 4,665,886; 4,969,448; 5,078,116; and 5,845,286, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. This class includes devices which are hand-held or strapped to the wrist and have a trigger which permits the archer to release the bowstring. While this class of devices assists the archer in securely gripping the bowstring and smoothly releasing it, the devices do not provide any assistance in drawing back the bowstring.
Another class of devices includes the pre-cocking mechanisms, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,000,154 and 5,065,730, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. This type of pre-cocking mechanism permits the bowstring to be drawn back and held in position prior to the knocking of an arrow. While these devices will hold the bowstring in a drawn position, they do not provide any assistance in the drawing back of the bowstring.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device which assists in the drawing back of the bowstring and improves an archer's accuracy by decreasing muscle fatigue resulting from drawing back the bowstring. There is also a need in the art for a device which would open the sport of archery to a greater audience by decreasing the physical demands of the sport.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention describes a mechanism for assisting an archer in drawing back a bowstring. The bowstring draw assist mechanism preferably includes two interactive components. The first component is a support frame affixed to the bow, and the second component is a gauntlet worn by the archer.
More specifically, the support frame is removably affixed to the bow, providing a stable point to which the gauntlet engages. The support frame comprises an upper and lower cable guard, where the upper and lower cable guards are affixed to the bow's upper and lower extensions forming an offset plane parallel to the bow plane, thereby positioning the cables an offset distance from the bow plane. A cross bar comprising a push-head is perpendicularly affixed to the ends of the upper and lower cable guards. The push-head is positioned substantially planar to the firing plane.
The gauntlet is worn on the forearm of the archer, comprising a forearm sleeve and a glove. The forearm sleeve is securely attached to the glove. The forearm sleeve further comprises a cylinder pocket positioned along the exterior surface and substantially traverses the longitudinal length of the forearm sleeve. The cylinder pocket is situated such that a compressed gas actuated cylinder can be secured into the cylinder pocket. The gauntlet is secured about the archer's forearm by inserting the archer's hand into the glove and securing the forearm sleeve about the archer's forearm with the straps.
The compressed gas actuated cylinder comprises a rod with a piston fixed to one end and a rod-head fixed to the opposite end. The piston and rod are slidably fitted into the cylinder. The cylinder comprises an air inlet for connection to a compressed gas delivery system.
The compressed gas delivery system comprises a compressed gas tank fitted with an adjustable regulator. The delivery system further comprises a valve and switch, whereby the switch opens the valve thereby pressurizing the cylinder. The delivery system is attached to the cylinder at the air inlet with an appropriately rated air hose and connector.
In operation, an archer grips the bow, while simultaneously nocking an arrow and positioning the rod-head into the push-head. The archer pulls back on the bowstring and depresses the switch opening the valve. The compressed gas pressurizes the cylinder, extending the rod and pushing the rod-head into the push-head. When the bowstring is in the fully extended position, the switch is released, thereby closing the valve. Upon release of the arrow, the cylinder is vented, retracting the rod.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to assist in the drawing back of the bowstring and to improve an archer's accuracy, by decreasing muscle fatigue resulting from drawing back the bowstring. Further, an objective of the present invention is to open the sport of archery to a greater audience by decreasing the physical demands of the sport.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.
All patents, patent applications and publications referred to or cited herein, or from which a claim for benefit of priority has been made, are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent they are not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.
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Groover Leona
Groover Michael
Ricci John A.
Saliwanchik Lloyd & Saliwanchik
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