Archery trainer and exercise device

Abstract

An archery trainer and exercise device has a gripping handle having a central grip surface, a relatively inelastic member connected to the gripping handle and a force resistance elastic member connected at one end to the inelastic member and another end connected to a string attachment. A sight extends from a top surface of the gripping handle and a weight extends from a bottom surface of the gripping handle.

Claims

1. An archery trainer and exercise device, which includes: a gripping handle having a central grip surface in between a top end and a bottom end; a relatively inelastic member connected to said gripping handle having a first end connected to said top end and a second end connected to said bottom end leaving a remaining loop portion interconnecting said first end and said second end; and a force resistance elastic member connected at one end to said loop portion and another end of said elastic member connected to a string attachment, to permit connection to an archery release attachment.

2. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 1, wherein said relatively inelastic member is a length of archery string.

3. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 1, wherein said force resistance elastic member is a length of bungee cord.

4. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 1, wherein said string attachment is a length of archery string.

5. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 2, wherein said archery string is connected to said gripping handle having ends of the archery string extending through a back side of said gripping handle to a front side of said gripping handle at points above and below said central grip surface and secured on said front side leaving said remaining loop portion on said back side.

6. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 1, wherein said central grip surface includes a pad for restraining hand grip movement.

7. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 1, wherein said gripping handle has a generally rectangular cross section.

8. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 1, which includes a sight extending from a top surface of the gripping handle, wherein said sight includes a rod having a first portion extending upward from and aligned with a central axis of said gripping handle, a second portion extending at an angle relatively normal and forward with respect to said first portion and a terminal end extending at an angle relatively normal and upward from said second portion to provide a sight.

9. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 1, wherein said bottom end is equipped with a weight connector to enable connection of a weight.

10. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 8, wherein said terminal end is painted a color.

11. An archery trainer and exercise device, which includes: a gripping handle having a central grip surface in between a top end and a bottom end; and a sight extending from a top surface of the gripping handle, wherein said sight includes a rod having a first portion extending upward from the top surface and coaxially aligned with a central axis extending through the top end and bottom end of said gripping handle, a second portion extending from an end of the first portion at an angle relatively normal and forward with respect to said first portion and a terminal end extending from an end of the second portion at an angle relatively normal and upward from said second portion to provide the sight.

12. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 11, wherein said terminal end is painted a color.

13. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 11, wherein said bottom end is equipped with a weight connector to enable connection of a weight.

14. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 13, which includes a weight attached to said weight connector.

15. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 11, which includes a relatively inelastic member connected to the gripping handle having a remaining loop portion on a back side of said handle, a force resistance elastic member connected at one end to the loop portion.

16. The archery trainer and exercise device of claim 15, which includes a string attachment connected at another end of said force resistance elastic member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a view of the archery trainer and exercise device of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a view of a gripping handle of the instant invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a sectional view through line through line B-B of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a representation of an archer utilizing the archery trainer and exercise device of the invention to practice proper hand position and sighting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(5) Referring now to the drawings, an archery trainer and exercise device of the instant invention is generally designated by the numeral 10. The archery trainer and exercise device 10 has a gripping handle 12 which is seen in the detailed FIG. 2. The gripping handle 12 can be made preferably from a rigid material such as wood, metal or plastic and is generally rectangular in cross section to simulate the shape of a conventional bow handle. The gripping handle 12 is of a length wider than a width of a hand, for example, about 5.5 inch long and has a cross-sectional dimension through line B-B of about ¾ inch by 1 and ⅜ inch. Approximately ½ inch from a top surface 14 and bottom surface 16 inward there are axially formed through holes 18 and 20, respectively, which are large enough in diameter to receive respective ends 22 and 24 of a first archery string 26 (inelastic member). The ends 22 and 24 can be formed into a knot thereby preventing the archery string from being removed from the gripping handle 12. The first archery string 26 can be of a length of about 12 inches, for example, which once connected to the gripping handle 12 as described herein after provides a remaining loop portion 34 of about 10 inches in length or about 5 inches in its radius R as seen in FIG. 1. This first archery string 26 is useful in the invention as providing space for the bow hand of the archer when using the device 10.

(6) The gripping handle 12 can have an exterior grip 28, such as a leather wrap or handle wrap tape, medially disposed on the gripping handle 12 which can lend a contour, such as a slight curve therein, for receiving one's hand to simulate the portion of the bow gripped by the archer. Additionally, there can be provided a grip pad 29 can be attached by a suitable means such as glue, for example, for restricting hand movement. The relatively inelastic member 26 can be a predetermined length archery string which is connected to the gripping handle 12 having its ends 22, 24 extending through a back side 30 of gripping handle 12 to a front side 32 of the gripping handle 12 at points above and below the grip 28 and secured on the front side 32 leaving the remaining loop portion 34 on a back side 30.

(7) A sight 40 is provided extending from the top surface 14 of the gripping handle 12. The sight 40 includes a rod 42 having a first portion 44 extending upward from and coaxially aligned with a central axis A of the gripping handle 12. A second portion 46 extends at an angle relatively normal, e.g., perpendicular, and forward with respect to the first portion 44 and can include a terminal end 48 extending at an angle relatively normal, e.g., perpendicular, and upward from the second portion 46 to provide a sight. The forward extending terminal end 48 is helpful in assuming the archer is holding the gripping handle 12 correctly when viewing the sight 40. For example, with the terminal end 48 so disposed, a slight turn in the gripping handle 12 will greatly move the sight 40 of the target. The terminal end 48 can be painted with a bright color for sighting practice, such as red or yellow. The device 10 can then be used for sighting practice and target panic avoidance.

(8) A bottom surface 16 of the gripping handle 12 is equipped with a weight connector 50, such as a hook or eyelet hook, to enable connection of a weight 52. The weight amount can be varied for strength training and operably connected to the weight attachment 50 by a string 54 for example. Increased weight amount provides for muscle development of the correct muscle groups for archery.

(9) A force resistance elastic member 60, such as a bungee cord, connects at end 62 here shown with hooks, to the loop portion 34. Another end 64 of the elastic member 60 connects to a string attachment 66, such as another archery string loop, to permit connection to an archery release attachment 68. The string attachment 66 can be varied in size to accommodate the draw length L of the archer as seen in FIG. 4. In this regard, the components including the elastic member 60, string attachment 66, inelastic member 26 can form collective resistance components thus simulating resistance the bow. By way of example, an 18″ stretch cord works well, however, a 24″ cord doubled up, or a cord with more resistive force provides increased tension. These components can be varied to achieve a desired tension.

(10) In operation, the string attachment 66 is grasped with a hook 70 of the archery release attachment 72. The archer's hand, wrist, arm shoulder and back draw the collective resistance components such that the string attachment 66 is under one's chin so that the hollow formed by the base of the index finger and the thumb fits snugly over and under the chin as a solid fixed anchor. It is thought important that this anchor be placed on the chin in the same place every time.

(11) The correct position of the bow arm is assumed with the hand gripped lightly over the grip 28 of the of the gripping handle 12. After the correct position has been set, the sighting rod is aimed at a target.

(12) The device 10 enables exercise of necessary for drawing and holding of the string of a bow. The push-pull draw movement uses appropriate common stretch cord folded to create the pull weight and/or hold weight desired for strength training. The collective components can be lengthened or shortened to achieve an archer's draw length which is a function of the physical structure. When the elastic member 60 is fully pulled a “wall” stop position is felt. This position is desirable for holding practice of a compound bow shooter.

(13) By utilizing the archery trainer and exercise device 10, one learns the proper bow hand position necessary for accurate shooting. The archer also learns how to draw a bow back properly such that the archer's back muscles can be set in a correct and most efficient manner. Furthermore, the archer is able to get the feeling of the archery position while floating the sight 40 over the target to reduce float.

(14) The archer learns the steps in shooting from the position of the hand on the bow to the draw of the archery string, the aim, and the hold. All of these steps are easily learned without shooting of an actual bow. Drawing the collective resistance components back in combination with using a desired weight on the bottom of the gripping handle strengthens the arms, back and shoulder muscles which are required for proper and accurate shooting and the device can be used as an exerciser for that purpose.

(15) There, is thus provided a combined archery trainer and exercise device 10 which has the objects of improving one's ability to properly aim at a target and strengthening the muscles required for proper and accurate archery. By use of this invention, one can duplicate and practice the processes of modern archery which requires diligence and constant practice to establish good archery form. One also performs the exercise necessary to develop and strengthen the arms, back and shoulder muscles necessary to reduce bow float on the target. The archer is thus able to shoot with less strain and is more relaxed in order to hit the target.

(16) To do the exercise, the collective components are drawn back and the shoulders are forced back so that the shoulder blades almost touch each other. This position is held for a period. By bringing the holding arm forward but still holding on to the string, one can relax and take the tension off these components. This can be repeated many times during a week to strengthen muscles. By repeating these exercises, an archer obtains the feeling for and proper position for holding and sighting and obtains training in maintaining steadier sight on target, all of which are essential when shooting a bow and arrow. Furthermore, the archery trainer and exercise device also strengthens the arms, back and shoulder muscles required for pulling the archery string back and releasing it for the proper archery technique.

(17) What has been described is a single presently preferred embodiment of the invention. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made which still remain within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.