Bow Stabilizer Assembly

Abstract

A bow stabilizer assembly for stabilizing an archery bow having a hand grip on a riser portion of the bow, the bow stabilizer assembly including a rod having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the rod connects to the riser portion at a location spaced above the hand grip. The bow stabilizer assembly further includes a bow stick mounting assembly comprising a bracket rotatably connected to the rod, a pivot connected to the bracket and extending below and perpendicular to the rod, and a coupling connected to the pivot and having a distal end that is movable toward and away from the bow. A bow stick assembly may be connected to the coupling to use in combination with the bow stabilizer assembly.

Claims

1. A bow stabilizer assembly for stabilizing an archery bow having a hand grip on a riser portion of the bow, the bow stabilizer assembly comprising: a rod having a proximal end and a distal end; the proximal end of the rod connects to the riser portion at a location spaced above the hand grip; and a bow stick mounting assembly comprising a bracket rotatably connected to the rod, a pivot connected to the bracket and extending below and perpendicular to the rod, and a coupling connected to the pivot and having a distal end that is movable toward and away from the bow.

2. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the rod connects to an opening in the riser portion.

3. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the rod is rotatably adjustable relative to the riser portion.

4. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 3, wherein resistance to torqueing of the bow is adjustable via rotational adjustment of the rod relative to the riser portion.

5. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 1, wherein a backstop is located on the rod, and the bracket is located between the backstop and the distal end of the rod.

6. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one damper connected to a distal portion of the rod.

7. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the rod has a plurality of bends and a distal portion that extends forward from and at a height below the proximal end of the rod such that the distal end of the rod is directly in front of at least a portion of the hand grip.

8. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 7, wherein rotation of the rod relative to the riser portion provides selected directional resistance to torqueing of the bow.

9. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 1 in combination with a bow stick assembly, wherein the bow stick assembly connects to the coupling.

10. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 9, wherein the bow stick assembly is rotatable relative to the coupling.

11. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 9, wherein the coupling further comprises a first connector and a proximal end of the bow stick assembly further comprises a second connector that is rotatable relative to the first connector.

12. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 11, wherein the first connector further comprises a hub and the second connector further comprises a hub receiver that receives and is rotatable relative to the hub.

13. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 11, wherein the first connector and the second connector have a quick connect and disconnect configuration.

14. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 9, wherein the bow stick assembly further comprises a bipod including two elongated sticks having proximal ends that are pivotally connected.

15. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 14, wherein the elongated sticks of the bow stick assembly are foldable.

16. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 14, wherein the elongated sticks of the bow stick assembly are flexible.

17. A bow stabilizer assembly for stabilizing an archery bow having a hand grip on a riser portion of the bow, the bow stabilizer assembly comprising: a rod having a proximal end and a distal end; the proximal end of the rod connects to the riser portion at a location spaced above the hand grip; and wherein the rod has a plurality of bends and a distal portion that extends forward from and at a height below the proximal end of the rod such that the distal end of the rod is directly in front of at least a portion of the hand grip.

18. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 17, wherein the proximal end of the rod connects to an opening in the riser portion and the rod is rotatably adjustable relative to the riser portion.

19. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 18, wherein resistance to torqueing of the bow is adjustable via rotational adjustment of the rod relative to the riser portion.

20. The bow stabilizer assembly of claim 17, further comprising a bow stick mounting assembly comprising a bracket rotatably connected to the rod, a pivot connected to the bracket and extending below and perpendicular to the rod, and a coupling connected to the pivot and having a distal end that is movable toward and away from the bow.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In describing the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawing figures wherein like parts have like reference numerals, and wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a bow stabilizer assembly connected to a bow, including a bow stick mounting assembly and a bow stick assembly connected thereto.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of bow stabilizer assembly of FIG. 1, without the bow stick assembly.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a closer view of the bow stabilizer assembly of FIG. 2.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a closer side perspective view of the bow stabilizer assembly of FIG. 1, with the bow stick assembly.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of the bow stabilizer assembly, with the bow stick assembly in a folded position.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a closer front perspective view of the bow stabilizer assembly of FIGS. 1-5, with the bow stick assembly in a folded position.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a closer front perspective view of the bow stabilizer assembly of FIGS. 1-6 with a damper removed.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a closer front perspective view of a bow riser portion having an opening above the hand grip for mounting of a bow stabilizer assembly.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a closer lower perspective view of a first connector that connects to a coupling of the bow stick mounting assembly.

[0020] FIG. 10 is closer upper perspective view of a second connector that connects a bow stick assembly to the first connector of the bow stick mounting assembly.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a side view of the bow stick assembly of FIGS. 1 and 5.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a side view of the bow stick assembly of FIG. 11 in a folded position.

[0023] It should be understood that the drawings are not to scale. While some details of bow stabilizing assemblies and other plan and section views of the particular components have not been included, such details are considered to be within the comprehension of those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. It also should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Although the following discloses examples of bow stabilizer assemblies, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the teachings of this disclosure are in no way limited to the specific examples shown. On the contrary, it is contemplated that the teachings of this disclosure may be implemented in alternative configurations, with alternative materials.

[0025] In general, the example bow stabilizer assemblies described herein facilitate convenient enhanced stabilization when aiming and shooting a bow. FIGS. 1-12 show advantageous examples of such bow stabilizer assemblies.

[0026] FIGS. 1-12 illustrate an example bow stabilizer assembly 10 for stabilizing an archery bow 12 having a hand grip 14 on a riser portion 16 of the bow 12. The bow stabilizer assembly 10 includes a rod 18 having a proximal end 20 and a distal end 22. The proximal end 20 of the rod 18 connects to the riser portion 16 at a location spaced above the hand grip 14. The bow stabilizer assembly 10 also includes a bow stick mounting assembly 30 including a bracket 32 rotatably connected to the rod 18, a pivot 34 connected to the bracket 32 and extending below and perpendicular to the rod 18, and a coupling 36 connected to the pivot 34 and having a distal end 38 that is movable toward and away from the bow 12.

[0027] The connection of the proximal end 20 of the rod 18 to the riser portion 16 may, for example, include an opening 40 in the riser portion 16 that directly receives the proximal end 20 of the rod 18 opening 40. Alternatively, the opening 40 may receive a fitting 42 that receives the proximal end 20 of the rod 18. It will be appreciated that the opening may receive such a fitting 42, as shown in FIG. 8. The fitting 42 may threadably receive a threaded proximal end of the rod or a complementary fitting that holds the proximal end 20 of the rod 18 and permits adjustment of the rotational position of the rod 18 relative to the riser portion 16 of the bow 12. The rod 18 of the bow stabilizer assembly 10 accordingly may be removably connected to the riser portion 16. While the rod 18 alternatively may have a single or multiple rotational (angular) positions relative to the riser portion 16, it is advantageous to permit rotation of the rod 18 relative to the riser portion 16 with sufficient friction or detent positions to hold the rod 18 in virtually any selected rotational position. As discussed further herein, this permits unique adjustment relative to directional torqueing of the bow 12.

[0028] As may be best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, a backstop 46 is located on the rod 18, and the bracket 32 is located between the backstop 46 and the distal end 22 of the rod 18. The bow stabilizer assembly 10 may include at least one damper 48 connected to a distal portion 50 of the rod 18. In the present example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the damper 48 includes multiple components, such as a first rearward damper 48a and second forward damper 48b, and is threadably connected to the distal end 22 of the rod 18. However, it will be appreciated that the rod 18 may support multiple separate dampers connected to a rod threadably or by other suitable means. Also, the backstop 46 is located on the rod 18, and the bracket 32 is located between the backstop 46 and the at least one damper 48. Thus, the bracket 32 may rotate about a longitudinal axis of at least a portion of the rod 18, here the distal portion 50, and its relative movement along the rod 18 is blocked rearward by the backstop 46 and forward by the at least one damper 48. However, it will be appreciated that a bracket may be rotatably (including pivotally) connect to the rod in a different manner, and that movement along the rod also may be controlled by alternative structures.

[0029] Another unique feature of the present example bow stabilizer assembly 10, as may be seen in FIGS. 1-6, is that the rod 18 has a plurality of bends and the distal portion 50 extends forward from and at a height below the proximal end 20 of the rod 28 such that the distal end 22 of the rod 18 is in front of at least a portion of the hand grip 14. This provides an advantage by which rotation of the rod 18 relative to the riser portion 16 provides selected directional resistance to torqueing of the bow 12. It will be appreciated that this occurs upon rotating the rod 18 to displace the distal portion 50 and damper 48, if so equipped, to the left or right of its neutral bottom dead center location. Thus, the bow stabilizer assembly 10 permits custom tuning to resist twisting or other torqueing of the bow 12 by adjusting the rotational position of the rod 18.

[0030] As seen in FIGS. 1, 4-7 and 11-12, the bow stabilizer assembly 10 may be used in combination with a bow stick assembly 60 that connects to the coupling 36. In this example, the bracket 32 is rotatable relative to the rod 18 and may rotate about an axis along a length of the distal portion 50 of the rod 18. The pivot 34 allows pivoting of the coupling 36 toward and away from the bow 12, such that a bow stick assembly 60 may be pivoted toward or away from a lower portion of the bow 12. In addition, the bow stick assembly 60 is rotatable relative to the coupling 36. This is provided by the coupling 36 having a first connector 62 and a proximal end 64 of the bow stick assembly 60 having a second connector 66 that is rotatable relative to the first connector 62 about a common axis though the first connector 62 and second connector 66.

[0031] As may best be seen in FIGS. 3-4, 6-7, 9-10 and 12, in the present example, the first connector 62 is in the form of a hub and the second connector 66 is in the form of a hub receiver that receives and is rotatable relative to the hub. As may be seen in the examples of a first connector 62 in the form of a hub and the second connector 66 in the form of a hub receiver, the connectors may have a quick connect and disconnect configuration. This provides advantageous convenience in connecting and disconnecting the bow stick assembly 60 relative to the bow 12 when transporting, using and/or stowing the bow 12 and bow stick assembly 60. However, it will be appreciated that the first and second connectors could have alternative structures by which they would be permanently rotatably or fixedly joined, or may have a quick connect and disconnect configuration but not be rotatable relative to each other.

[0032] As shown, the bow stick assembly 60 and first connector 62 essentially utilizes components from a rifle support known as the Stoney Point® Rapid Pivot Folding Bipod. However, the inventor is not aware of a previously known way in which one could utilize such components to be a bow stick assembly and to provide the advantages provided by the bow stabilizer assembly 10 and the bow stick mounting assembly 30. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the example bow stick assembly 60 is an example of a bow stick assembly that may be combined for use with the bow stabilizer assembly 10. However, one will appreciate that various different first connectors and bow stick assemblies having second connectors may be utilized, whether having one or more sticks, so as to provide a monpod, bipod, tripod or other supporting structure. Indeed, the bow stick assembly may take many different forms.

[0033] The bow stick assembly 60 shown in combination with the bow stabilizer assembly 10 in the present example includes a bipod having two elongated sticks 70 having proximal ends 72 that are pivotally connected. As illustrated, the elongated sticks 70 are pivotally connected to each other and to the second connector 66, which is the hub receiver in this example. The elongated sticks 70 of the example bow stick assembly 60 also are foldable, by having slidably receivable connectors that are linked by resilient cords. It will be appreciated that the elongated sticks 70 may be of any desired length or be length adjustable, so as to provide bow support when a person is standing or kneeling, or for persons of different heights. The elongated sticks 70 may be rigid but it has been found to be more advantageous to have the elongated sticks 70 of the bow stick assembly 60 be flexible. This permits more body movement, whether forward or rearward, set high or low, and/or leaning side to side, and more variability when aiming.

[0034] The multiple pivot axes effectively provided by the bow stabilizer assembly 10 and the bow stick mounting assembly 30 enable multiple stabilizing adjustments including resistance to torqueing, reduced noise and vibration and support that facilitates more fluid and dynamic movement when aiming a bow. Thus, it is highly advantageous to have the ability to change the rotational position and thereby tune the damping provided by the rod 18 (with or without a damper element connected thereto), to rotate the bow 12 and rod 18 relative to the bracket 32 of the bow stick mounting assembly 30, and to pivot the bow 12 and rod 18 about the pivot 34 so as to permit angular adjustment of the coupling 36 that is connected to the bow stick assembly 60. The bow stick assembly 60 shown also provides for rotation of the first connector 62 relative to the second connector 66, to turn side-to-side relative to the position of the elongated sticks 70 having distal ends in contact with the ground.

[0035] Although described in terms of preferred and alternative examples, the present subject matter may be employed in other configurations and with other materials without departing from the principles of the subject matter as described above and as set forth in the following claims.

[0036] From the description of the above examples, it will be further understood that this disclosure provides bow stabilizer assemblies that may incorporate many advantages over the prior art. Reduced torqueing provides enhanced accuracy and inclusion of the bow stick mounting assembly facilitates use of bow sticks to provide enhanced support of a bow while permitting more fluid aiming.

[0037] Thus, the foregoing detailed description and accompanying drawings have been provided by way of explanation and illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Many variations in the presently preferred examples illustrated herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and remain within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.