US3866592A

US3866592A - Archery release indicating assembly

Info

Publication number: US3866592A
Application number: US381737A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard F Carella
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-04-17
Filing date: 1973-07-23
Publication date: 1975-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-18

Abstract

An archery release indicating assembly including a support bracket attached to a bow with a clamp adjustably supported on the bracket and rotatably supporting indicator for providing an audio signal in response to a predetermined draw of the bow string. The indicator includes a pair of members rotatably supported by the clamp for rotation relative thereto about vertically spaced axes. The respective members include first and second arms which, upon rotation of the two members, move in crossing arcs whereby the arm of the outer member will pass over the arm of the inner member and will snap into engagement with the support bracket to make an audible sound. The inner member has a lever section extending therefrom and a flexible cord interconnects the lever section and the draw string of the bow assembly whereby the members will be rotated in response to the draw of the bow string and the inner member will snap into engagement with the bracket to provide the audio sound upon a predetermined draw of the bow string. The outer member includes a handle section extending therefrom for manually resetting the members by rotating same to allow the arms thereof to pass by one another in a reverse fashion in the crossing portion of the arcs. The indicating assembly includes a resiliently deformable member, arcuate in transverse cross section, wherein the arcuate portion is convex with respect to the direction of movement of the member in response to the draw of a bowstring whereby the movement or bending of the deformable member causes the arcuate portion to flatten out at the point of bending, which flattening out is accompanied by an audible sound such as a snap or clicking sound.

Description

United States Patent Carella 1 1 Feb. 18, 1975 1 ARCHERY RELEASE INDICATING ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: Richard F. Carella, 35572 Strathcona, Mt. Clemens, Mich. 48043 [22] Filed: July 23, 1973 [21] 'Appl. No.: 381,737

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 351,836, April 17,

1973, abandoned,

152] US Cl. 124/24 R, 33/265, 124/30 A, 116/67 [51] Int. Cl. F4lb 5/00 [58] Field of Search... 124/23 R, 23 A, 24 R, 24 A,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,097,624 7/1963 Bergquist 124/23 R 3,443,558 5/1969 Peck 124/30 R 3,450,122 6/1969 Diamond 124/24 R 3,504,659 4/1970 Bahington 124/24 R 3,665,911 5/1972 Altier 124/24 R [57] ABSTRACT An archery release indicating assembly including a support bracket attached to a bow with a clamp adjustably supported on the bracket and rotatably supporting indicator for providing an audio signal in re sponse to a predetermined draw of the bow string. The indicator includes a pair of members rotatably supported by the clamp for rotation relative thereto about vertically spaced axes. The respective members include first and second arms which, upon rotation of the two members, move in crossing arcs whereby the arm of the outer member will pass over the arm of the inner member and will snap into engagement with the support bracket to make an audible sound. The inner member has a lever section extending therefrom and a flexible cord interconnects the lever section and the draw string of the bow assembly whereby the members will be rotated in response to the draw of the bow string and the inner member will. snap into engagement with the bracket to provide the audio sound upon a predetermined draw of the bow string. The outer member includes a handle: section extending therefrom for manually resetting the members by rotating same to allow the arms thereof to pass by one another in a reverse fashion in the crossing portion of the arcs.

26 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures ARCHERY RELEASE INDICATING ASSEMBLY This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 351,836 filed Apr. 17, 1973, now abandoned.

This invention relates to an archery release indicating assembly for use with an archery bow for providing a signal upon a predetermined draw of the drawstring or bowstring.

Archers typically utilize a bow assembly which includes a sight attached to the bow and a sighting device attached to the drawstring whereby when the drawstring is drawn the proper amount, the archer looks through the sighting device in the bowstring to align the bowsight attached to the bow with the target. It has been normal practice for the archer to draw the drawstring the proper amount and then move the bow assembly to align the sight on the target as viewed through the sighting device on the bowstring. Archers very frequently experience what is known as target panic. Target panic occurs when the archer draws the drawstring the proper amount and in attempting to move the bow assembly to place the bowsight upon the target, pre-releases the drawstring before the sight is exactly on the target. This is a psychological phenomenon known among archers.

In order to overcome target panic devices have been utilized with a bow assembly to coact with the arrow to be released to provide an audio sound when the arrow is in the proper position. These prior art devices are attached to the bow so as to engage the arrow in a position such that when the arrow is drawn or moved the proper amount, an audio sound will occur indcating that the archer should release the drawstring. This overcomes target panic in that the archer merely concentrates upon maintaining the bowsight aligned with the target as he gradually draws the drawstring rearwardly. In other words, the archer need only concentrate upon maintaining the bowsight aligned with the target and when the audible sound occurs he automatically releases the drawstring.

The problem with the prior art devices is that they coact with the arrow and therefore frequently adversely affect the flight of the arrow. Additionally, the prior art devices limit the length of the arrow which may be utilized because the devices are associated with the arrow in such a manner that the front of the arrow must be drawn rearwardly of the device for the device to be actuated to produce a sound. Of course, if it is desirable to release the drawstring before the audible sound occurs, the flight of the arrow will be adversely affected by the device.

Accordingly, it is an object and feature of this invention to provide an archery release indicating assembly which does not depend or coact in any way with the arrow but provides a signal in response to a predeter mined draw of a bowstring.

In correlation with the foregoing object and feature, it is another object and feature of this invention to provide a release indicating assembly including support means adapted for attachment to an archery bow, an indicator means supported by the support means for providing a signal in response to a predetermined draw of a bowstring independently of the position of the arrow to be released.

In correlation with the foregoing objects and features, it is another object and feature of this invention to provide such an assembly wherein the indicator means includes an indicator assembly having at least one movable part and actuation means connected to the movable part for moving the movable part in response to the draw of a bowstring..

Other objects and attendant advantages of the instant invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of an archery bow assembly incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the release indicating assembly in a moved position;

FIG. 5 is a view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially broken away elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 6 show ing a moved position;

FIG. 8 is a broken away, rear elevational view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 10 is a broken away, rear elevational view similar to FIG. 8 showing a modification of the alternate embodiment.

Referring now to the drawings, an archery release indicating assembly constructed in accordance with the instant invention is generally shown at 10. The archery release indicating assembly 10 is attached to an archery bow assembly which is generally indicated at 12. The bow assembly 12 includes an archery bow l4 and a drawstring or bowstring 16. As is well known in the art, the bow 14 has upper and lower flexible limbs (not shown) and the drawstring 16 is stretched between the limbs when the assembly is being utilized. As the drawstring is drawn rearwardly the upper and lower limbs flex.

The bow assembly also includes a bowsight bracket 18 which supports a bowsight 20. The bowsight 20 includes a circular member disposed about a sighting element 22. The circular member is supported by a clamp 24 which may be adjustably moved to various positions along the bracket 18.

The bow assembly also includes a peep sight 26 supported by the drawstring 16. The peep sight includes a hole 28. An arrow 30 is shown in position for drawing the drawstring for shooting the arrow 30. When shooting the arrow 30, the archer looks through the hole 28 in the peep sight to align the sighting element 22 with the target and when the drawstring 16 is drawn the proper amount, it is released to propel the arrow 30 toward the target.

The archery release indicating assembly 10 includes a support means generally indicated at 32 which is adapted for attachment to the archery bow 14. The support means 32 includes a mounting member 34 secured to the bow 14 by the screws 36 and a bracket 38 attached to the mounting member 34 by the threaded fasteners 40. In some instances the bracket 38 may be attached directly to the how 14. The support means 32 also includes a clamp means 42 which is supported on the bracket 38 and is movable or adjustable to various positions along the bracket 38 by loosening and tightening the threaded clamping screw 44.

The release indicating assembly includes indicator means supported by the clamp means 42 of the support means 32 for providing a signal in response to a predetermined draw of the bowstring 16. More specifically, the indicator means includes an indicator assembly generally shown at 46 and having a movable first means 48 and actuation means including the flexible cord 50 connected to the first means 48 for moving the first means 48 in response to the draw of the bowstring. The first means 48 is defined by a stiff wire including a first shaft portion 52 rotatably supported by the clamp means 42 for rotation about a first axis. The first means 48 also includes an arm 54 which is disposed in spaced parallel relationship to the axis of rotation of the shaft 52. A first connector section 56 interconnects the first shaft 52 and the first arm 54. There is also included a first biasing means comprising the spring 58 for urging the first means 48 toward engagement with the bracket 38 of the support means 32. The first means further includes a manually operable handle means comprising the projection 60 extending transversely of the shaft 52 for manually rotating the first means 48 independently of the actuation means or flexible cord 50. The spring 58 is coiled about the shaft 52 and includes arms at each end thereof so as to react between the handle 60 and the clamp means 42 of the support means 32.

The indicator assembly 46 also includes a second means generally indicated at 62 and operatively connected to the flexible cord 50 for moving the first means 48 away from the bracket 38 of the support means and releasing the first means 48 upon a predetermined amount of movement in response to a predetermined draw of the drawstring 16. More specifically, the second means 62 includes a second shaft 64 rotatably supported'by the clamp means 42 for rotation about a second axis which is parallel to and spaced from the first axis of rotation of the first shaft 52. The second means 62 also includes an arm 66 which is disposed in spaced parallel relationship to the axis of rotation of the shaft 64. The second means 62 further includes a second connector section 68 interconnecting the second shaft 64 and the second arm 66. The first and

second connector sections

56 and 68 are spaced from one another in a direction parallel to the axes of rotation of the

shafts

52 and 64.

There is also included second biasing means comprising the spring 70 coiled about the shaft 64 for urging the second means 62 toward engagement with the bracket 38 of the support means 32. The second means also includes a lever section 72 extending transversely from the second shaft 64. The flexible cord 50 defining the actuation means is connected to distal end of the lever section 72. The second spring 70 is coiled about the shaft 64 and has projecting sections at each end thereof to react between the lever section 72 and the clamp means 42 for urging the second means 62 toward engagement with the bracket 38.

The first and

second shafts

52 and 64 are rotatably supported by the clamp means 42 for rotation about first and second axes which are spaced and parallel to one another. The first arm 54 is spaced from the first axis of rotation of the shaft 52 and the second arm 66 is spaced from the second axis of rotation of the shaft 64. The

arms

54 and 66 are parallel to one another and the first arm 54 is movable in a first arc about the axis of the shaft 52 whereas the second arm 66 is movable in a second are about the axis of the shaft 64. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the two arcs through which the

arms

54 and 66 respectively pass cross one another so that the

arms

54 and 56 may pass one another when passing through the crossing portion of the respective arcs.

In operation the assembly is normally in the position shown in FIG. 1 and the archer holds the bow in a position where he looks through the hole 28 in the peep sight 26 to align sighting element 22 with the target. The archer concentrates on maintaining the element 22 upon the target as he steadily draws the drawstring l6 rearwardly. As the archer draws the drawstring 16 rearwardly, the flexible cord 50 uncoils, finally becomes straight and taut and then through the lever section 72, rotates the second means 62. Since the first and second means 48 and 62 overlap, as best shown in FIG. 2, outward rotational movement of the second means 62 causes the first means 48 to also rotate. Finally, the first and second means 48 and 62 reach the position as shown in FIG. 4 where the arcs of movement of the

arms

54 and 66 cross one another to allow the arm 54 to pass over the arm 66 whereby the arm 54, because of the action of the spring 58, will snap into engagement with the racket 38 to cause an audible sound. Immediately upon hearing the audible sound, the archer releases the drawstring to shoot the arrow 30.

Once the arm 54 passes over the arm 66 and the arrow is released, the second means 62 will be disposed atop of the first means 48 and both will be urged against the bracket 38. In this condition the archer may shoot arrows without utilizing the release indicating assembly as the lever section 72 will merely rotate the second means 62 without moving the underlining first means 48. Normally, however, the archer will reactivate the release indicating assembly by manually rotating the handle section to move the components to the position shown in FIG. 4 whereby the arm 66 will pass by the arm 54 so that the second means 62 will again be beneath the first means 48.

When the arm 54 snaps against the bracket 38 a rather loud click occurs because metal is contacting metal. However, a soft sponge-like pad 76 may be secured to the bracket 38 to reduce the lever of the sound for hunting purposes. In other words, when the arm 54 strikes the pad 76 there will be a very quiet noise audible only to the archer and not to the prey he is stalking.

Referring to FIGS. 6 through 10, an alternate embodiment of the instant invention is shown. This embodiment also provides an indicating assembly, generally shown at 74, for producing a signal in response to a predetermined draw of the bowstring 76 independently of the position of the arrow to be released.

The assembly includes support means generally indicated at 78 having a first portion 80 which is adapted to be secured to the bow 82 by any suitable means, such as by gluing or by using threaded fasteners. A second portion 84 is adapted to support movable means which comprises a resiliently deformable member 86. Actuation means in the form of a flexible cord 88 connects the resilient member 86 to the bowstring 76.

The resiliently deformable member 86 includes at least a portion which is arcuate in transverse cross section, as best shown in FIG. 9. The arcuate portion has its convex side facing the direction of movement of the resiliently deformable member 86. Since the resiliently deformable member is secured to the support means 78, there is defined a first portion 90 thereof which remains fixed while a second portion 92 is free to move pivotally with respect to the support means 78. Movement of the second portion 92 in a direction away from the bow creates a bending moment on the resiliently deformable member 86. The bending moment created by the movement of the second portion causes the arcuate portion to suddenly flatten out, which flattening out is accompanied by a sharp snap or click type sound. In other words, the arcuate shape of the resiliently deformable member 86 resists motion of the second portion 92 until the force on the curved surface is great enough to overcome the resistance and push the arcuate portion inwardly. This movement is accompanied by a sharp snap when the arcuate portion flattens or straightens out along the line of bending.

Means for predetermining the point or line of bending is also provided. In one form the means comprises an annular aperture 94 disposed in the resiliently deformable member 86. The aperture 94 weakens the resistance of the deformable member 86 to bending so that bending occurs along a line running through the narrowest sections of the resiliently deformable member 86 left by the aperture 94. Additionally, the aperture 94 increases the loudness of the sound over that produced without it. Another form of the means for predetermining the line of bending is shown in FIG. and comprises a relieved area, such as a cutout 96, disposed along a lateral edge of the resiliently deformable member 86. The cutout 96 also weakens the bending resistance of the resiliently deformable member 86 so that bending occurs along a line through the narrowest section left by the cutout 96. Furthermore, however, the lateral cutout 96 reduces the spring or snap action as the arcuate portion flattens out so that the volume of the sound produced is lessened and audible only to the archer. The purpose for reducing the volume of the sound is the same as noted above, to wit, to prevent the archers prey from hearing the sound.

In operation the assembly is normally in the position shown in FIG. 6. The archer draws the drawstring 26 and arrow 30 rearwardly. As the archer does this the flexible cord 88 uncoils and finally becomes taut. Further rearward movement of the drawstring 76 moves the second portion 92 of the resiliently deformable member 86 and creates a bending moment adjacent the aperture 94 or cutout 96, as best shown in FIG. 7. Due to the force produced by the bending moment, the arcuate portion suddenly flattens out, causing an audible sound and indicating to the archer that the drawstring has been drawn back a sufficient distance. It is noted that the length of the flexible cord 88 is predetermined so that it will become taut immediately prior to that point wherein the bowstring 76 is drawn rearwardly the proper distance. When the archer hears the snapping sound created by the flattening of the arcuate portion, he is alerted that the drawstring 76 is drawn back the proper amount and can then release the drawstring 76 to propel the arrow 30 toward the target.

Alternatively, the drawstring can be drawn back beyond the predetermined distance, that is, overdrawn beyond the point at which the signal is given. The archer then locks his arm muscles and slowly relaxes the drawstring by slowly moving or releasing his fingers until he again hears the signal, indicating that the drawstring 76 is at the proper position, at which time he releases the drawstring 76. In effect, therefore, the archer has returned the drawstring to its optimum position and has been alerted that this is so by the release indicating assembly. The second sound made by the resiliently deformable member is, of course, caused by the flattened section returning to the original arcuate configuration. That is, after the deformable member has been deformed and is returned to the upright position as shown in FIG. 6, the arcuate portion which has been flattened out tends to snap back to its original configuration. This movement is also accompanied by an audible sound hereinbefore described.

It is noted that regardless of which of the described methods is employed for releasing the drawstring 76, once the arrow has been released, the deformable member 86 automatically returns to its initial, or upright position as shown in FIG. 6 due to the natural resiliency of the member. The assembly is therefore selfcocking and is immediately ready for subsequent use.

The invention has been described in an ullustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations in the instant invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and yet remain within the scope of the depending claims.

The embodiments of the instant invention in which an exclusive property or priviledge is claimed are defined as follows:

I. An archery release indicating assembly comprising: support means adapted for attachment to an archery bow, indicator means supported by said support means for providing a signal only in response to a predetermined draw of a bowstring independently of the position of an arrow to be released, said indicator means including actuation means directly connected to said indicator means, said actuation means having means for fixed connection to a bowstring whereby said actuation means will operate said indicator means upon said predetermined draw of a bowstring.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator means includes an indicator assembly having a movable first means connected. to said actuation means for movement in response to the draw of a bow string.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first means is movably supported by said support means, first biasing means for urging said first means toward engagement with said support means.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said indicator assembly includes second means operatively connected to said actuation means for moving said first means away from said support means and releasing same upon a predetermined amount of movement in response to said predetermined draw.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first means is rotatably attached to said support means for rotation about a first axis.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said second means is rotatably attached to said support means for rotation about a second axis.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first and second axes are spaced apart and parallel.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first means includes a first arm spaced from said first axis and said second means includes a second arm spaced from said second axis, said arms being parallel to one another, said first arm being movable in a first are upon rotation of said first means, said second arm being movable in a second are upon rotation of said second means, said first and second arcs being disposed so as to cross one another and said arms being disposed to pass one another when passing through the crossing portion of said arcs.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 including second biasing means for urging said second means toward engagement with said support means.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 including manually operable handle means extending from said first means for manually rotating said first means independently of said actuation means.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first means comprises a first shaft rotatably supported by said support means for rotation about said first axis and a first connector section interconnecting said first shaft and said first arm, said first arm being parallel to said first shaft.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second means comprises a second shaft rotatably supported by said support means for rotation about said second axis and a second connector section interconnecting said second shaft and said second arm, said second arm being parallel to said second shaft.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first and second connector sections are spaced from one another in a direction parallel to said axes.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said second means includes a lever section extending transversely from said second shaft, said actuation means being connected to said lever section.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said actuation means comprises a flexible cord.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said support means.

17. An assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said support means includes a bracket adapted for connection to a bow and clamp means adjustably supported on said bracket, said first and second shafts being supported by said clamp means.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator means includes resiliently deformable, movable means connected to said actuation means and deformable in response to the draw of a bowstring.

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said resiliently deformable, movable means includes a first portion secured to said support means and a bendable second portion connected to said first portion and to said actuation means.

20. An assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein at least a portion of said bendable second portion is arcuate in transverse cross section.

21. An assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said bendable second portion includes means for predetermining the location of the point of bending.

22. An assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said last mentioned means includes an aperture disposed in said bendable second portion.

23. An assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said last mentioned means includes a relieved area disposed along a lateral edge of said bendable second portion.

24. An assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said support means includes a mounted portion connected to a bow and a support portion supporting said resiliently deformable, movable means.

25. An assembly as set forth in claim 24 wherein said actuation means comprises a flexible cord.

26. An assembly as set forth in claim 24 wherein said resiliently deformable, movable means includes an arcuate strip of metal.

Claims

1. An archery release indicating assembly comprising: support means adapted for attachment to an archery bow, indicator means supported by said support means for providing a signal only in response to a predetermined draw of a bowstring independently of the position of an arrow to be released, said indicator means including actuation means directly connected to said indicator means, said actuation means having means for fixed connection to a bowstring whereby said actuation means will operate said indicator means upon said predetermined draw of a bowstring.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator means includes an indicator assembly having a movable first means connected to said actuation means for movement in response to the draw of a bowstring.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first means includes a first arm spaced from said first axis and said second means includes a second arm spaced from said second axis, said arms being parallel to one another, said first arm being movable in a first arc upon rotation of said first means, said second arm being movable in a second arc upon rotation of said second means, said first and second arcs being disposed so as to cross one another and said arms being disposed to pass one another when passing through the crossing portion of said arcs.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first biasing means comprises a first spring coiled about said first shaft and reacting between said handle means and said support means, said second biasing means comprises a second spring coiled about said second shaft and reacting between said lever section and said support means.