Archery riser for archery bows

Abstract

An archery riser for archery bows is described herein. The archery riser, in an embodiment, has a handle, a plurality of sections extending from the handle, and a coupling structure for bow accessories. The sections are configured to support limbs. The coupling structure has a rearward-most surface, rear edges that at least partially bound the rearward-most surface, as well as intermediate edges. The coupling structure of the bow riser is associated with a vertical adjustment zone.

Claims

1. An archery riser comprising: a handle; a first section extending from the handle in a first direction, wherein the first section comprises a first limb support configured to support a first limb; a second section extending from the handle in a second direction, wherein the second section comprises a second limb support configured to support a second limb; wherein at least one of the first and second sections comprises: at least one front riser surface configured to face in a forward direction; at least one rear riser surface configured to face in a rearward direction that is opposite of the forward direction, wherein a riser section plane extends through the at least one rear riser surface; and right and left sides separated by a side-to-side dimension, wherein a right side plane extends through the right side, a left side plane extends through the left side, and the right and left side planes are directed in the forward direction; wherein the at least one of the first and second sections defines a coupling structure, wherein the coupling structure comprises: a rear coupling structure comprising a rearward-most surface, wherein: (a) a rear section plane extends through the rearward-most surface; (b) the rearward-most surface is configured to face in the rearward direction; and (c) the rearward-most surface is integral with the at least one rear riser surface; right and left rear edges that at least partially bound the rearward-most surface, wherein the right and left rear edges extend in a vertical direction when the archery riser is vertically oriented; and right and left intermediate edges separated by the side-to-side dimension, wherein the right and left intermediate edges are positioned forward of the right and left rear edges; wherein the coupling structure defines right and left inner grooves positioned forward of the right and left rear edges, wherein the right and left inner grooves extend in the vertical direction when the archery riser is vertically oriented; wherein the coupling structure comprises right and left angled portions, wherein: (a) the right angled portion extends from the right rear edge to the right inner groove; (b) the right angled portion extends at a first angle relative to right side plane when the archery riser is vertically oriented; (c) the left angled portion extends from the left rear edge to the left inner groove; and (d) the left angled portion extends at a second angle relative to left side plane when the archery riser is vertically oriented; wherein the coupling structure is integral with the at least one of the first and second sections; wherein the rear coupling structure is integral with the coupling structure; wherein the rearward-most surface is integral with the rear coupling structure; wherein the right and left inner grooves are associated with a vertical adjustment zone when the archery riser is vertically oriented; and wherein the coupling structure is configured to mate with right and left engagers of an archery bow accessory so that, when the archery bow accessory is fully secured to the coupling structure, the right engager is at least partially positioned within the right inner groove to avoid intersecting with the right side plane, and the left engager is at least partially positioned within the left inner groove so as to avoid intersecting with the left side plane.

2. The archery bow of claim 1, wherein the rearward-most surface is positioned adjacent to the at least one rear riser surface, wherein the at least one rear riser surface comprises a first rear riser surface, wherein the at least one of first and second sections comprises a second rear riser surface, wherein the first rear riser surface is positioned between the second rear riser surface and the rearward-most surface.

3. The archery riser of claim 1, wherein the coupling structure is configured to mate with right and left engagers of an archery bow accessory so that, when the archery bow accessory is fully secured to the coupling structure: (a) the right engager is fully positioned within the right inner groove without protruding beyond the right side plane; and (b) the left engager is fully positioned within the left inner groove without protruding beyond the left side plane.

4. The archery riser of claim 1, wherein the coupling structure comprises a dovetail shape.

5. The archery riser of claim 1, wherein the archery bow accessory comprises right and left accessory sides, wherein, when the archery bow accessory is fully secured to the coupling structure: (a) the right side plane extends through the right accessory side; and (b) the left side plane extends through the left accessory side.

6. The archery riser of claim 1, wherein the archery bow accessory comprises right and left accessory sides, wherein, when the archery bow accessory is fully secured to the coupling structure: (a) the right accessory side is coplanar with the right side plane; and (b) the left accessory side is coplanar with left side plane.

7. An archery bow comprising the archery riser of claim 1.

8. The archery bow of claim 7, wherein the archery bow comprises: the first and second limbs; a first rotor rotatably coupled to the first limb; a second rotor rotatably coupled to the second limb; and a bowstring coupled to the first and second rotors.

9. An archery riser comprising: a handle; a first section extending from the handle in a first direction, wherein the first section comprises a first limb support configured to support a first limb; and a second section extending from the handle in a second direction, wherein the second section comprises a second limb support configured to support a second limb, wherein at least one of the first and second sections comprises: at least one front riser surface configured to face in a forward direction; at least one rear riser surface configured to face in a rearward direction that is opposite of the forward direction, wherein a rear section plane extends through the at least one rear riser surface; and right and left sides separated by a side-to-side dimension, wherein a right side plane extends through the right side, and a left side plane extends through the left side, wherein the right and left planes are directed in the forward direction; wherein the at least one of the first and second sections defines a coupling structure, wherein the coupling structure comprises: a rearward-most surface extending from the at least one rear riser surface, wherein: (a) the rear section plane extends through the rearward-most surface; (b) the rearward-most surface is configured to face in the rearward direction; and (c) the rearward-most surface is integral with the at least one rear riser surface; right and left rear edges that at least partially bound the rearward-most surface, wherein the right and left rear edges extend in a vertical direction when the archery riser is vertically oriented, wherein a right rear edge plane extends through the right rear edge, and a left rear edge plane extends through the left rear edge, wherein the right and left rear edge planes are directed in the forward direction; and right and left intermediate edges separated by the side-to-side dimension, wherein: (a) the right and left intermediate edges are positioned forward of the right and left rear edges, (b) the right side plane extends through the right intermediate edge, and (c) the left side plane extends through the left intermediate edge; wherein the right rear edge plane is offset from the right side plane; and wherein the left rear edge plane is offset from the left side plane.

10. The archery riser of claim 9, wherein the rearward-most surface is positioned adjacent to the at least one rear riser surface, wherein the at least one rear riser surface comprises a first rear riser surface, wherein the at least one of first and second sections comprises a second rear riser surface, wherein the first rear riser surface is positioned between the second rear riser surface and the rearward-most surface.

11. The archery riser of claim 9, wherein the coupling structure defines right and left inner grooves positioned forward of the right and left rear edges, wherein the right and left inner grooves extend in the vertical direction when the archery riser is vertically oriented.

12. The archery riser of claim 11, wherein the coupling structure comprises right and left angled portions, wherein: (a) the right angled portion extends from the right rear edge to the right inner groove; (b) the right angled portion extends at a first angle relative to the right side plane when the archery riser is vertically oriented; (c) the left angled portion extends from the left rear edge to the left inner groove; and (d) the left angled portion extends at a second angle relative to the left side plane when the archery riser is vertically oriented.

13. The archery riser of claim 12, wherein: the coupling structure is integral with the at least one of the first and second sections; the rearward-most surface is integral with the coupling structure; the right and left inner grooves are associated with a vertical adjustment zone when the archery riser is vertically oriented; and the coupling structure is configured to mate with right and left engagers of an archery bow accessory so that, when the archery bow accessory is fully secured to the coupling structure, the right engager is at least partially positioned within the right inner groove to avoid intersecting with the right side plane, and the left engager is at least partially positioned within the left inner groove so as to avoid intersecting with the left side plane.

14. The archery riser of claim 11, wherein the coupling structure is configured to mate with right and left engagers of an archery bow accessory so that, when the archery bow accessory is fully secured to the coupling structure: (a) the right engager is fully positioned within the right inner groove without protruding beyond the right side plane; and (b) the left engager is fully positioned within the left inner groove without protruding beyond the left side plane.

15. The archery riser of claim 9, wherein the coupling structure comprises a dovetail shape.

16. An archery bow comprising the archery riser of claim 15, wherein the archery bow comprises: the first and second limbs; a first rotor rotatably coupled to the first limb; a second rotor rotatably coupled to the second limb; and a bowstring coupled to the first and second rotors.

17. A method for manufacturing an archery riser, the method comprising: structuring a handle; structuring a first section so as to extend from the handle in a first direction, wherein the first section comprises a first limb support configured to support a first limb; and structuring a second section so as to extend from the handle in a second direction, wherein the second section comprises a second limb support configured to support a second limb, wherein the structuring of the at least one of first and second sections comprises: structuring at least one front riser surface so as to face in a forward direction; structuring at least one rear riser surface so as to face in a rearward direction that is opposite of the forward direction, wherein a rear section plane extends through the at least one rear riser surface; and structuring right and left sides separated by a side-to-side dimension, wherein a right side plane extends through the right side, and a left side plane extends through the left side, wherein the right and left side planes are directed in the forward direction; wherein the structuring of the at least one of the first and second sections comprising structuring a coupling structure so that the coupling structure: comprises a rearward-most surface extending from the at least one rear riser surface, wherein: (a) a rear section plane extends through the rearward-most surface; (b) the rearward-most surface is configured to face in the rearward direction; and (c) the rearward-most surface is integral with the at least one rear riser surface; comprises right and left rear edges that at least partially bound the rearward-most surface, wherein the right and left rear edges extend in a vertical direction when the archery riser is vertically oriented, wherein a right rear edge plane extends through the right rear edge, a left rear edge plane extends through the left rear edge, and the right and left rear edge planes are directed in the forward direction; and comprises right and left intermediate edges separated by the side-to-side dimension, wherein: (a) the right and left intermediate edges are positioned forward of the right and left rear edges, (b) the right side plane extends through the right intermediate edge, and (c) the left side plane extends through the left intermediate edge; wherein the structuring of the coupling structure comprises structuring the right rear edge so that the right rear edge plane is offset from the right side plane; and wherein the structuring of the coupling structure comprises structuring the left rear edge so that the left rear edge plane is offset from the left side plane.

18. The method claim 17, comprising structuring the coupling structure so that the rearward-most surface is positioned adjacent to the at least one rear riser surface, wherein the at least one rear riser surface comprises a first rear riser surface, wherein the structuring of the at least one of first and second sections comprises structuring a second rear riser surface so that the first rear riser surface is positioned between the second rear riser surface and the rearward-most surface.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising: structuring the coupling structure so as to define right and left inner grooves positioned forward of the right and left rear edges, wherein the right and left inner grooves extend in the vertical direction when the archery riser is vertically oriented; structuring the coupling structure so as to comprise right and left angled portions, wherein: (a) the right angled portion extends from the right rear edge to the right inner groove; (b) the right angled portion extends at a first angle relative to the right side plane when the archery riser is vertically oriented; (c) the left angled portion extends from the left rear edge to the left inner groove; and (d) the left angled portion extends at a second angle relative to the left side plane when the archery riser is vertically oriented; structuring the coupling structure so as to be integral with the at least one of the first and second sections; structuring the rearward-most surface so as to be integral with the coupling structure; structuring the right and left inner grooves so as to be associated with a vertical adjustment zone when the archery riser is vertically oriented; and structuring the coupling structure so as to mate with right and left engagers of an archery bow accessory so that, when the archery bow accessory is fully secured to the coupling structure, the right engager is at least partially positioned within the right inner groove to avoid intersecting with the right side plane, and the left engager is at least partially positioned within the left inner groove so as to avoid intersecting with the left side plane.

20. The method of claim 17, comprising structuring the coupling structure so as to define a dovetail shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side view of an archery bow having an embodiment of an accessory mount coupled to the bow riser.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view of the archery bow of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a rear isometric view of the archery bow of FIG. 1, showing another embodiment of an accessory mount coupled to the riser of the archery bow.

(4) FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the archery bow of FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 5a is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of an accessory mount for an archery bow.

(6) FIG. 5b is an illustration of the accessory mount of FIG. 5a in the adjustment condition.

(7) FIG. 5c is an illustration of the accessory mount of FIG. 5a in the securing condition.

(8) FIG. 5d is an isometric view of another embodiment of an accessory mount for an archery bow.

(9) FIG. 5e is an isometric view of the accessory mount of FIG. 5b coupled to a portion of an archery bow riser.

(10) FIG. 5f is an illustration of the accessory mount of FIGS. 5d-5e in the adjustment condition.

(11) FIG. 5g is an illustration of the accessory mount of FIGS. 5d-5e in the securing condition.

(12) FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of a portion of an archery bow riser having an accessory mount surface.

(13) FIG. 7 is a front view of the archery bow riser of FIG. 6.

(14) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the archery bow riser of FIG. 7, taken substantially along line 8-8.

(15) FIG. 9 is a side view of the archery bow riser of FIG. 6 having an embodiment of an accessory mount coupled thereto.

(16) FIG. 10 is a front view of the archery bow riser of FIG. 9 having an embodiment of an accessory mount coupled thereto.

(17) FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the archery bow riser of FIG. 9 having an embodiment of an accessory mount coupled thereto.

(18) FIG. 12 is another isometric view of the archery bow riser of FIG. 11 having the embodiment of an accessory mount coupled thereto.

(19) FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an embodiment of an accessory mount coupled to an arrow rest.

(20) FIG. 14 is an isometric view of an archery bow riser having an embodiment of an arrow rest coupled thereto by an embodiment of an accessory mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(21) As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, in one embodiment, an archery bow 102 includes rotors 200 and a bowstring 103 coupled to limbs 105. The limbs 105 (including a first limb 202 and a second limb 204) are coupled to a bow riser or riser 104, which includes: a handle 206; a first section 208 (having a first limb support 210) extending in a first direction 211; a second section 212 (having a second limb support 214) extending in a second direction 216; a front riser surface 218; a rear riser surface 220 through which a riser section plane 222 (FIG. 12) extends; a right side 224 through which a right side plane 226 (FIG. 4) extends; a left side 228 through which a left side plane 230 (FIG. 7) extends, wherein the right and left sides 224, 228 are spaced apart by a side-to-side dimension 232 (FIG. 7). A bow accessory or accessory 106 can be attached or coupled to the bow 102 via an attachment or bow accessory coupler 108. For example, the accessory 106 can be coupled to the riser 104 via the bow accessory coupler 108. The accessory 106 can be any suitable type of accessory, including, but not limited to, an arrow rest or arrow holder configured to support an arrow, a sight device configured to aid in aiming, a light holder configured to support a light source, a flashlight, a power cable guide, a vibration dampener or other shooting aids or bow attachments.

(22) As illustrated by FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5a, 7, 8 and 12, the bow 102 has one or more accessory mating or accessory coupling structures or surfaces, such as: (a) rear face coupling structure 104a and/or rear edge coupling structure 110 (located on or near the rear side 107 of the bow 102) that: (i) includes a rearward-most surface 234 through which a rear section plane 236 (FIG. 12) extends; right edge 237; left edge 240; right intermediate edge 242; left intermediate edge 244; (ii) defines right inner groove 246 and left inner groove 248; and (iii) includes, as shown in FIG. 5a, a right angled portion 250 extending at a first angle 252 relative to the right side plane 226; a left angled portion 254 extending at a second angle 256 relative to the left side plane 230; and (iv) includes, as shown in FIG. 12, a first rear riser surface 260 and a second rear riser surface 262; (b) front face coupling structure 112 and/or front edge coupling structure 104b located on or near the front side 114 of the bow 102; and (c) side coupling structures 116 located on either of the right or left sides 118 of the bow 102. In one embodiment, each of the coupling structures 19, 111, and 116 has, defines or incorporates a slot, groove, track, slide surface, slide director, notch, rail, or protrusion, such as protrusion 120 (FIG. 4), defining a vertical adjustment zone as described below. The bow accessory coupler 108 can be coupled to any of the coupling structures 104a, 104b, 19, 111, and 116.

(23) Referring to FIG. 1, when the bow 102 is positioned upright for operation, the front face 114 of the bow 102 faces in a forward or shooting direction 150 toward a target (not shown). The rear face 107 of the bow 102 is positioned facing the user, in a rearward direction 151 opposite the shooting direction 150. Also, the riser 104 of the bow 102 generally extends vertically and substantially parallel to a vertical axis 153. As illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 5a, the bow accessory coupler 108 (having a left accessory side 257 and a right accessory side 258 that is coplanar with the right side plane 226) can support or be coupled to an accessory such as arrow rest accessory 106a (FIG. 4) or accessory 106 (FIG. 5a). In an embodiment, the accessory 106 and the bow accessory coupler 108 can be a single, integral, monolithic object. In another example, the bow accessory coupler 108 can be removable from the accessory 106.

(24) In an example, the accessory 106 is coupled to the bow accessory coupler 108 such that at least a portion of the accessory 106 extends in a plane that faces the target. In this embodiment, when the bow accessory coupler 108 is coupled to the riser 104 and the bow 102 is in the operational position, the accessory 106 is offset to the right or left of the bow accessory coupler 108. This offset position locates the accessory 106 into the user's field of vision, line of shooting action or aiming zone to facilitate shooting.

(25) With particular reference to FIG. 5a, in an embodiment, the bow accessory coupler 108 includes a main body or mount 502 and an accessory support 513 coupled to the mount 502 and to which the accessory 106 is coupled. The mount 502 includes a plurality of flexible clamp arms or flexible clamp sections 511, 514 separated by a flex space 516. A first lateral member, rail engager, or riser engager 504 and a second lateral member, rail engager, or riser engager 506, directly opposite and parallel to the first rail engager 504, extend from the mount 502. The first riser engager 504 and the second rail engager 506 form a riser-receiving opening 508 for receiving the peak, notch, rail, or protrusion 120 (FIG. 4) of the coupling structures 104a, 110 of the bow 102. As illustrated by FIGS. 5a and 13, the first riser engager 504 and the second riser engager 506 can each include an inwardly angled lip 119 for securely engaging the dovetail-shaped rail 120 of the coupling structure 110. The riser engagers 504 and 506 are configured to be flexed, repositioned or otherwise moved relative to each other. For example, each of the riser engagers 504 and 506 is flexible so as to flex between a predisposed or adjustment position or condition and a locked or securing position or condition. In an embodiment, the flex space 516 has a first dimension D1 and a second dimension D2. In the adjustment condition illustrated in FIG. 5b, the engagers 504 and 506 are positioned apart by a first separation distance D3, and the flex space 516 has the first dimension D1. In the securing condition illustrated in FIG. 5c, the engagers 504 and 506 are inwardly flexed until they clamp upon and compress the dovetail-shaped rail 120. In this securing condition, the engagers 504 and 506 are positioned apart by a second separation distance D4, which is less than the first separation distance D3, and the flex space 516 has the second dimension D2, which is less than the first dimension D1. During the inward flexing process, the flex space 508 changes from the first dimension D1 to the second dimension D2, which is smaller than the first dimension D1. In this way, the riser engagers 504 and 506 form a clamp that clamps onto the rail or protrusion 120.

(26) In an embodiment, when the mount 502 is secured to the riser 104, the flat surface of the mount face 503 of the mount 502 is flush against, and in contact with, the face coupling structure 104a. This face-to-face engagement enhances the stability of the mount 502 on the riser 104.

(27) In an embodiment, the bow accessory coupler 108 further includes or defines an opening or a bore 510 that penetrates through the mount 502 perpendicular to the first and second riser engagers 504 and 506. The bore 510 can receive a fastener (not shown) for moving the first riser engager 504 closer to the second riser engager 506 to secure the bow accessory coupler 108 to the riser 104. The fastener can be any suitable type of fastener, including, but not limited to, a screw, bolt, spring or pin. In one embodiment, the fastener is a threaded bolt, and the bore wall 511 of one, but not both, of the clamp sections 511, 514 is threaded. In operation, referring to FIG. 5a, the user slides the body or mount 502 onto the dovetail-shaped rail 120. Then, the user inserts the bolt into the bore 510 until the head of the bolt abuts the face 509 of the clamp section 514. Then, the user screws the bolt which engages the threads of the bore wall 511. This brings the clamp sections 511, 514 together which squeeze the dovetail-shaped rail 120 to establish a fixed or locked position on the bow 102. Due to the vertical adjustment zone of the dovetail-shaped rail 120, the user can adjust the vertical position of the bow accessory coupler 108 on the bow 102 by slightly unscrewing the bolt, repositioning the coupler 108 upward or downward, such as by sliding, and then screwing the bolt. Furthermore, in this embodiment, neither such fastener nor any other fastener makes direct physical contact with the riser 104. Instead, such fastener physically contacts the mount 502 to control the movement of the riser engagers 504 and 506.

(28) In another embodiment, illustrated by FIGS. 5d-5e, the bow accessory coupler 108a includes a mount 502a and an accessory support 513a to which an accessory (not shown) is coupled. The mount 502a includes a dovetail-shaped protrusion, split peak, split notch, split insert or split rail 520. The split rail 520 has a rail section or riser engager 529 and a rail section or riser engager 533. The riser engager 529 has a first outwardly-angled lip 521, and riser engager 533 has a second outwardly-angled lip 523. The split rail 520 is configured to be inserted into the slot 528 of a bow riser 104a for securely engaging the coupling structure 110a of the bow riser 104a. The mount 502a defines a longitudinal flex space 535 between the rail sections 529 and 533. In this example, the mount 502a is configured to flex between a predisposed or adjustment position or condition and a locked or securing position or condition. In the adjustment condition illustrated in FIGS. 5d and 5f, the flex space 535 has a relatively small dimension D4, and the engagers 528, 530 are separated by a relatively small separation distance D6. In the securing condition, illustrated by FIGS. 5e and 5g, the rail lips 521, 523 of the bow accessory coupler 108 are outwardly flexed until they apply a force to the mount engagers or lips 524, 526 of the riser coupling structure 110. During the outward flexing, the flex space 535 increases to dimension D6, and the engagers 528, 530 are separated by separation distance D7, which is larger than separation distance D6. In this way, the split rail 520 is clamped or pressed onto the riser coupling structure 110a.

(29) Referring to FIG. 5e, in an embodiment, the riser 104a has a first lateral member or mount engager 524 and a second lateral member or mount engager 526, directly opposite and parallel to the first mount engager 524. The mount engagers 524, 526 extend from the coupling structure 110a of the riser 104a. The first mount engager 524 and the second mount engager 526 form an opening 528 for receiving the split rail 520 of the bow accessory coupler 108a. As illustrated by FIG. 5e, the first mount engager 524 and the second mount engager 526 can each include an inwardly angled lip 524, 527 for securely engaging the outwardly angled lips 521, 523 of the rail 520 of the bow accessory coupler 108a.

(30) In an embodiment, the bow accessory coupler 108a further includes or defines a fully or partially threaded opening or a bore 530 that penetrates through the mount 502 extending perpendicular to the split rail 520. The bore 530 can receive a fastener (not shown) for moving the first lip 521 of the split rail 520 outwardly and away from the second lip 523 of the split rail 520. In an example operation, the user inserts a threaded bolt or screw into the bore 530. The screw threadably engages the rail section 529 until making contact with an internal interference portion (not shown) of the rail section 531. As the user continues to rotate the screw, the screw drives the rail section 531, pushing it apart from the rail section 529. This exerts an outward clamping force on the riser engagers 524, 526 and secures the bow accessory coupler 108 to the coupling structure 110. This establishes a fixed, locked or securing condition on the bow 102. The fastener can be any suitable type of fastener, including, but not limited to, a screw, bolt, spring or pin. In one embodiment, the fastener is a set screw, and the bore wall 531 of the bore 530 is partially threaded. Furthermore, in this embodiment, neither such fastener nor any other fastener makes direct physical contact with the riser 104a. Instead, such fastener physically contacts the mount 502a to control the movement of the riser engagers 529 and 533.

(31) To adjust the vertical position of the accessory coupler 108a, the user can partially unscrew the fastener from opening 530 to relieve the outward clamping or pressing force. Then, the user can adjust the vertical position of the bow accessory coupler 108a on the bow 102 by sliding the coupler 108a upward or downward relative to the riser 104a. After that, the user can retighten the fastener to increase the outward clamping or pressing force to re-establish the fixed or locked position.

(32) In an embodiment not shown, the riser portions 524 and 526 of bow riser 104a are configured to be moved relative to each other in order to clamp the rail 520 of the bow accessory coupler 108a. For example, the riser portions 524, 526 can be configured to receive a fastener (not shown) for moving the first riser portion 524 closer to the second riser portion 526 to secure the rail 520 of the bow accessory coupler 108a.

(33) In an embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the coupling structure 110 can be a point or elongated section or zone on the riser 104 for receiving the bow accessory coupler 108 (FIG. 5a). As illustrated in FIG. 6, the riser 104 can have a shape configured to mate with and receive the bow accessory coupler 108. For example, the track or dovetail-shaped rail 120 can be included as an element of the coupling structure 110. In another embodiment, the bow accessory coupler 108 is configured to mate with and attach to a conventional riser 104 that does not necessarily have a special shape for receiving the bow accessory coupler 108. In an embodiment, illustrated by FIG. 8, the coupling structure 110 has a dovetail shape including a notched or recessed portion for receiving the lips 119 of the first and second riser engagers 504 and 506 (FIG. 5a). For example, the coupling structure 110 can have a horizontal and/or vertical dovetail track or rail cut on the front or rear edge of the riser 104 for receiving the bow accessory coupler 108.

(34) In the example illustrated by FIGS. 9-11, the bow accessory coupler 108 is configured to attach to the rear edge or rear side 107 of the riser 104 to couple the accessory 106 to the riser 104. The bow accessory coupler 108 secures the accessory 106 to the riser 104, for example, using a slip fit, press fit, snap fit, clamp fit or friction fit, to the riser 104. For example, the first and second riser engagers 504 and 506 can be placed on either side 1002, 1004 or either front or rear edge of the riser 104 and engage the riser 104, such as by tightening a fastener to clamp the first riser engager 504 and the second riser engager 506 together on the riser 104. In an example, the bow accessory coupler 108 is secured to a rear face or rear edge 902 of the riser 104. The slide-based cooperation between the coupler 108 and the dovetail-shaped rail 120 enables the user to slideably set the desired vertical position and then slideably adjust the vertical position for a new, desired setting, such as by slidably adjusting the vertical position. This configuration, in an embodiment, limits the movement to a vertical travel path relative to vertical axis 153 (FIG. 1), thereby eliminating undesirable degrees of freedom. The receipt of the elongated dovetail-shaped rail 120 by the coupler 108 stabilizes and secures the fixed position of the coupler 108 on the bow along the longitudinal and lateral axis of the riser 104. This can prevent the bow accessory coupler 108 from rotating, twisting or becoming misaligned along any axis of the riser 104 when subject to vibration, use, external forces, transportation or wear of the bow 102.

(35) Depending upon the embodiment, any of the rails described herein can extend along the longitudinal axis of the bow 102, or such rail can extend along a lateral axis perpendicular to the bow's longitudinal axis. The rail extending along the longitudinal axis enables the user to adjust the vertical position of the accessory 106 relative to vertical axis 153. The rail extending along the lateral axis enables the user to adjust the lateral or left-to-right position of the accessory 106.

(36) In an embodiment, illustrated by FIGS. 13-14, the accessory 106 is an arrow rest 1302. The arrow rest 1302 is coupled, removably or permanently, to an bow accessory coupler 108. For example, the arrow rest 1302 is coupled to a rear edge 902 of a riser 104 via the bow accessory coupler 108, such as via a clamping force. The arrow holder 1304 is positioned at, or in line with, the center 1306 of the rear edge 902. When the archer places the arrow (not shown) in the arrow holder 1304, the arrow weight acts downward. Accordingly, the archer's upward grasp or grasp force is substantially in line with, or in line with, the downward arrow force or weight acting on the arrow holder 1304. By centering the arrow rest 1302, or any other type of accessory, at the rear edge 902 of the riser, the weight of the accessory 1302 does not urge the bow 102 to lean or tip to the right or to the left. In addition, with the arrow rest 1302 positioned on the rear edge 902 of the riser 104, the accessory is better placed for user access.

(37) The bow accessory coupler 108 is configured to attach bow-related accessories directly to a bow riser or other portion of a bow, eliminating the need for a separate mounting bracket or arm. Because less pieces are utilized to attach accessories, the overall weight and complexity of the accessorized bow assembly is reduced. The bow accessory coupler 108 attaches accessories to the bow riser via a secure method as described above. In addition, accessories that require a specific orientation, e.g. horizontal, vertical, etc., can be fixed at that orientation with little or no risk of the angular orientation changing while slide adjustments to the accessory position are made. Thus, the bow accessory coupler 108 allows a degree of slide adjustment along an axis while the accessory's orientation in other directions remains unchanged.

(38) The bow 102 can have different configurations of its accessory coupling structure. For example, the accessory coupling structure 100 extends along a longitudinal axis of the bow 102, enabling a vertical repositioning when the bow 102 is held upright. In another embodiment not shown, the bow's accessory coupling structure extends along a horizontal axis of the bow 102, enabling a horizontal repositioning when the bow 102 is held upright. Accordingly, depending upon the embodiment, the bow 102 and coupler 108 can cooperate to enable reliable repositioning of bow accessories vertically or horizontally, such as by slide-based repositioning.

(39) Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities or structures of a different embodiment described above.

(40) It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

(41) Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.