CN118742782A - Archery bow arm structure - Google Patents

Abstract

In some embodiments, an archery bow arm assembly includes a first arm, a second arm, and a spacer. The spacer contacts the first arm and the second arm. The first arm includes an arm material. The spacer includes a spacer material that includes a higher elastic modulus than the arm material. The width of the spacer is less than the width of the first arm.

Description

Archery bow arm structure

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No. 18/114,048, filed on February 24, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No. 63/314,241, filed on February 25, 2022, and U.S. patent application No. 63/424,072, filed on November 9, 2022, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

The present invention relates generally to archery bows, and more particularly to arm technology for use in archery bows. When an arrow is fired from an archery bow, the user may feel an initial force shock and residual vibration. It is desirable to minimize shock and vibration in an archery bow.

There remains a need for new archery bow structures that provide better performance than existing archery bows.

All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Further details of the summary embodiment of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention can be found in the following detailed description.

Summary of the invention

In some embodiments, an archery bow arm assembly includes a first arm, a second arm, and a spacer. The spacer contacts the first arm and the second arm. The first arm includes an arm material. The spacer includes a spacer material that includes a higher elastic modulus than the arm material. A width of the spacer is less than a width of the first arm.

In some embodiments, the first arm comprises a first engagement region arranged to be supported by the arm cup, and the spacer contacts the first engagement region. In some embodiments, the first arm comprises a working length portion, and the spacer contacts the working length portion.

In some embodiments, the first arm includes a second engagement region arranged to support a shaft or bowstring, and the spacer contacts the second engagement region.

In some embodiments, the spacer includes a body portion and a flange, wherein the width of the flange is greater than the width of the body. In some embodiments, the flange contacts the first end surface of the first arm. In some embodiments, the flange contacts the second end surface of the first arm. In some embodiments, the flange contacts the top surface of the first arm and the second arm. In some embodiments, the flange contacts the bottom surface of the first arm and the second arm.

In some embodiments, the spacer extends the entire length of the first arm.

In some embodiments, the first arm includes a hole arranged to receive the shaft, and the spacer includes a hole arranged to receive the shaft.

In some embodiments, the sidewall of the first arm includes a lateral recess, and the spacer includes a protrusion oriented in the lateral recess. In some embodiments, the sidewall of the second arm includes a second lateral recess, and the protrusion is oriented in the second lateral recess.

In some embodiments, the arm assembly includes a bearing attachment attached to the first arm and the second arm. In some embodiments, the bearing attachment includes a groove, and a portion of the spacer is oriented in the groove.

In some embodiments, the arm cup is configured to support the first arm and the second arm. In some embodiments, the arm cup includes a groove, and a portion of the spacer is oriented in the groove.

In some embodiments, the first arm comprises a different width than the second arm.

In some embodiments, the arm material comprises a composite material including reinforcing fibers and the spacer comprises an elastomeric material.

These and other embodiments that characterize the present invention are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, which form a part of the present invention. However, for a better understanding of the present invention, its advantages and the objects achieved by using the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings and the accompanying illustrative matter that form another part of the present invention, in which various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in detail below with specific reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an arm configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a partially exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of one embodiment of an arm configuration.

4 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an arm cup and an embodiment of an arm assembly.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an arm assembly.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of an archery bow.

7 and 8 show another embodiment of the arm configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the invention may be embodied in many different forms, specific embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein. This description is intended to illustrate the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown.

For the purposes of the present invention, like reference numerals in the drawings shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of an arm configuration 20. Figure 2 shows a partially exploded view of the embodiment of Figure 1 .

In some embodiments, the arm assembly 30 includes a first arm 32 and a second arm 34. In some embodiments, the first arm 32 and the second arm 34 each include a first material, such as a composite material including reinforcing fibers and a resin, or any other suitable known archery bow arm material. In some embodiments, the arm assembly 30 includes a spacer 36. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 includes a second material different from the first material. In some embodiments, the second material is generally more flexible than the first material, for example, having a lower elastic modulus. In some embodiments, the second material is highly flexible compared to the first material, and the spacer acts as a shock absorber or vibration dampener.

In some embodiments, spacer 36 may include any suitable material. In some embodiments, spacer 36 includes a polymer. In some embodiments, spacer 36 includes a thermoplastic material. In some embodiments, spacer 36 includes a thermosetting material. In some embodiments, spacer 36 includes an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, spacer 36 includes a thermoplastic elastomer. In some embodiments, spacer 36 includes a thermoplastic vulcanizate. In some embodiments, spacer 36 includes thermoplastic polyurethane. In some embodiments, spacer 36 includes a single material having a single construction. In some embodiments, spacer 36 is formed by a molding process, such as injection molding. In some embodiments, spacer 36 includes a fabric, cloth, felt or other suitable textile formed by fibers including any suitable material.

In some embodiments, the arm assembly 30 includes a first engagement region 62, a working length portion 64, and a second engagement region 66. In some embodiments, the first engagement region 62 is arranged to engage a support, such as the arm cup 50. In some embodiments, the working length portion 64 extends between the first engagement region 62 and the second engagement region 66. In some embodiments, the second engagement region 66 is arranged to engage and support another portion of an archery bow, such as a shaft.

In some embodiments, the spacer 36 contacts the side surface 28 of the first arm 32. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 contacts the side surface 28 of the second arm 34. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 is compressed between the first arm 32 and the second arm 34. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 contacts the side surface 28 of the entire working length portion 64 of the first arm 32. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 contacts the side surface 28 of the entire working length portion 64 of the second arm 34.

In some embodiments, the first arm 32 and the second arm 34 include similar longitudinal cross-sectional shapes. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 includes a longitudinal cross-sectional shape similar to the first arm 32. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 includes a body portion 37 and a flange 38. In some embodiments, the flange 38 is wider than the body portion 37. In some embodiments, the body portion 37 contacts the side surfaces of the arms 32, 34, and the flange 38 is arranged to contact the corresponding top surface, bottom surface and/or end surface of the arms 32, 34.

In some embodiments, arms 32, 34 include recess 29. In some embodiments, recess 29 is formed in side surface 28. In some embodiments, first engagement region 62 includes recess 29. In some embodiments, spacer 36 includes protrusion 39. In some embodiments, body 37 includes protrusion 39. In some embodiments, protrusion 39 includes an increased width dimension in spacer 36. In some embodiments, protrusion 39 includes a first side oriented in recess 29 of first arm 32 and a second side oriented in a recess of second arm 34.

In some embodiments, the second engagement region 66 of the arm assembly 30 is arranged to support a shaft. In some embodiments, the arm assembly 30 includes a hole 26, for example, which is arranged to receive a shaft. In some embodiments, the first arm 32, the spacer 36, and the second arm 34 each include a hole 26 that is aligned with each other.

In some embodiments, the spacer 36 continuously contacts the entire side surface 28 of the arms 32,34, for example, from the first end 61 to the second end 67. In some embodiments, the body portion 37 continuously contacts the entire side surface 28 of the arms 32,34.

In some embodiments, the arm assembly 30 includes a bearing attachment 58. In some embodiments, the bearing attachment 58 is attached to the second engagement region 66. In some embodiments, the bearing attachment 58 includes features as disclosed in US9389040, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the bearing attachment 58 includes a cavity 59 arranged to engage the bow opener. In some embodiments, the bearing attachment 58 includes a single piece of material. In some embodiments, the bearing attachment 58 is attached to the first arm 32 and to the second arm 34. In some embodiments, the bearing attachment 58 includes a surface 72 that is arranged to contact the first arm 32 and the second arm 34. In some embodiments, the surface 72 is planar. In some embodiments, the bearing attachment 58 includes a first surface 72 and a second surface 73 separated by a groove 74. In some embodiments, the first surface 72 contacts the first arm 32 and the second surface 73 contacts the second arm 34. In some embodiments, the first surface 72 is coplanar with the second surface 73. In some embodiments, the groove 74 provides clearance for the spacer 36. In some embodiments, a fastener, such as a screw, abuts and passes through the arms 32, 34, 42, 44 and engages the bearing attachment 58. In some embodiments, the bearing attachment 58 includes a plurality of threaded holes to engage the fastener to secure to the arm assembly 30, 40.

In some embodiments, the arm assembly 30 is engaged with the arm cup 50. In some embodiments, the arm cup 50 is arranged to be supported by a component of an archery bow, such as a riser. In some embodiments, the arm cup 50 and the arm assembly 30 include engagement features as disclosed in US8453635, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the arm cup 50 includes an arm pad 51. In some embodiments, the arm pad 51 includes a first surface 52 and a second surface 53 separated by a groove 54. In some embodiments, the first surface 52 and the second surface 53 include a curvature in the longitudinal direction of the arm assembly 30. In some embodiments, the first surface 52 extends parallel to the second surface 53. In some embodiments, the first arm 32 contacts the first surface 52, and the second arm 34 contacts the second surface 53. In some embodiments, the groove 54 provides a gap for the spacer 36.

In some embodiments, the arm assembly 30 is supported at the first joint area 62 by a moment connection (e.g., provided by the riser or arm cup 50 of an archery bow). In some embodiments, the moment connection includes a first force applied to a tension surface (e.g., a top surface) of the arms 32, 34 and a second force applied to a compression surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the arms 32, 34. In some embodiments, the second force is applied to the arms 32, 34 by the arm pad 51. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 extends across the location of the second force. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 extends across the arm pad 51. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 extends continuously between the location of the second force and the location of the first force. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 extends continuously across a portion of the arms 32, 34 oriented in the arm cup 50. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 extends continuously from the location of the arm pad 51 through the working length portion 64 of the arms 32, 34. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 extends continuously from the location of the arm pad 51 through the second joint area 66 of the arms 32, 34.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an arm configuration 20 suitable for use in an archery bow, such as a compound bow. In some embodiments, the arm configuration 20 includes a first arm assembly 30 as described herein. In some embodiments, the arm configuration 50 includes a second arm assembly 40. In some embodiments, the second arm assembly 40 includes a third arm 42, a fourth arm 44, and a second spacer 46. In various embodiments, the components of the second arm assembly 40 can be similar to the components of the first arm assembly 30 as described herein.

In some embodiments, the second arm assembly 40 is similar to the first arm assembly 30. In some embodiments, the hole 26 of the second arm assembly 40 is arranged on a common axis 76 with the hole 26 of the first arm assembly 30. In some embodiments, the arm structure 20 supports a shaft that supports a cam or rotating member. In some embodiments, the first arm assembly 30 is oriented toward a first side of the rotating member and the second arm assembly 40 is oriented toward a second side of the rotating member (see also FIG. 6).

FIG3 shows a bottom view of one embodiment of the arm configuration 20. In some embodiments, the arm cup 50 includes a first cavity 56 that is arranged to receive the first arm assembly 30; and a second cavity 57 that is arranged to receive the second arm assembly 40. In some embodiments, the cavities 56, 57 include at least one protrusion 78 that is arranged to engage the sidewalls of the arm assemblies 30, 40. In some embodiments, the cavities 56, 57 include a pair of diverging surfaces 80 arranged in a V-shape. In some embodiments, each diverging surface 80 in a given pair is arranged to engage one of the arm members 32, 34, 42, 44 of the corresponding arm assembly 30, 40. In some embodiments, the cavities 56, 57 include a space 81 located between the pair of diverging surfaces 80. In some embodiments, the space 81 provides clearance for the spacers 36, 36.

4 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the arm cup 50 and embodiments of the arm assemblies 30, 40. In some embodiments, the cavities 56, 57 include a first surface 82 and a second surface 83 separated by a groove 84. In some embodiments, the first surface 82 contacts the first arm 32 of the arm assembly 30, and the second surface 83 contacts the second arm 34 of the arm assembly 30. In some embodiments, the groove 84 provides clearance for the spacer 36.

5 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of first arm assembly 30 and second arm assembly 40. In some embodiments, width _wb of body 37 of spacer 36 is less than width _w1 of arms 32, 34. In some embodiments, width _wf of flange 38 is greater than width _wb of body 37.

In some embodiments, the width of the spacer 36 is less than the width of the first arm 32 and less than the width of the second arm 34. In some embodiments, the width _wb of the body of the spacer 36 is less than the width of the first arm 32 and less than the width of the second arm 34. In some embodiments, the width _wf of the flange of the spacer 36 is less than the width of the first arm 32 and less than the width of the second arm 34.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an archery bow 10 that includes a first arm configuration 50 a arranged to support the first rotatable member 14 and a second arm configuration 50 b arranged to support the second rotatable member 16 .

In some embodiments, the first arm 32 and the second arm 34 each include a coating, such as a powder coat paint. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 contacts the coating of the first arm 32 and contacts the coating of the second arm 34.

In various embodiments, the spacer 36 can have any suitable size and shape. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 fills the gap between the arms (e.g., 32, 34). In some embodiments, the spacer 36 acts as an energy damper. In some embodiments, the arm assembly 30 includes a plurality of spacer 36 members distributed along the length of the arm assembly 30. In some embodiments, the first spacer is oriented in the first engagement region 62. In some embodiments, the second spacer is oriented in the second engagement region 66.

In some embodiments, the arms 32, 34 that comprise the arm assembly 30 are similar to each other, e.g., include similar materials and dimensions. In some embodiments, the arms 32, 34 that comprise the first arm assembly 30 are similar to the arms 42, 44 that comprise the second arm assembly 40. For example, in some embodiments, the third arm 42 is similar to the first arm 32, e.g., include similar materials and dimensions. In some embodiments, the third arm 42 is similar to the second arm 34, e.g., include similar materials and dimensions.

In some embodiments, the various arm members 32, 34, 42, 44 may be different from one another.

In some embodiments, the first arm 32 of the contact spacer 36 is different from the second arm 34 of the contact spacer 36, so that the first arm 32 provides a different amount of support force to the shaft than the second arm 34. In some embodiments, the first arm 32 and the second arm 34 can include similar materials, but have different dimensions. In some embodiments, the thickness profile of the second arm 34 is different from the thickness profile of the first arm 32.

7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of the arm configuration 20. In some embodiments, the width w ₁ of the first arm 32 (see FIG. 5 ) is different from the width w ₁ of the second arm 34. In some embodiments, the first arm 32 comprises a width w ₁ greater than the second arm 34. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 is offset from the longitudinal midplane of the arm assembly 30. In some embodiments, the spacer 36 extends parallel to the longitudinal midplane of the arm assembly 30.

In some embodiments, the second arm assembly 40 comprises a mirror image of the first arm assembly 30. In some embodiments, the first arm 32 comprises a width w ₁ greater than the second arm 34, and the third arm 42 comprises a width w ₁ greater than the fourth arm 44. In some embodiments, the first arm 32 is similar in size and shape to the fourth arm 44, and the second arm 34 is similar in size and shape to the third arm 42. In some embodiments, the second spacer 46 is offset from the longitudinal midplane of the second arm assembly 40. In some embodiments, the second spacer 46 extends parallel to the longitudinal midplane of the second arm assembly 40.

In some embodiments, the bearing attachment 58 includes a groove 74. In some embodiments, the groove 74 is offset from a longitudinal mid-plane of the bearing attachment. In some embodiments, the first bearing attachment 58 includes a mirror image of the second bearing attachment 68.

The arm assembly 30 as disclosed herein can be used on any suitable type of archery bow. In some embodiments, the archery bow comprises a non-compound bow or a recurve bow, for example, including a bowstring directly attached to the arm assembly 30. In some embodiments, the bowstring contacts the first arm 32 and the second arm 34. In some embodiments, the bowstring also contacts the spacer 36.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This specification will suggest many variations and alternatives to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims, wherein the term "including" means "including but not limited to". Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein, which are also intended to be included in the claims.

Furthermore, the specific features presented in the dependent claims may be combined with each other in other ways within the scope of the invention, such that the invention should be deemed to be also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For example, for the purpose of claim disclosure, any subsequent dependent claim should be deemed to be written alternatively in multiple dependency form of all previous claims having all antecedents cited in this dependent claim, if such multiple dependency format is an acceptable format in the jurisdiction (e.g., each claim directly dependent on claim 1 should be deemed to be dependent on all previous claims instead). In jurisdictions that limit multiple dependent claim format, the following dependent claims should also each be deemed to be written alternatively in each individual dependent claim format, which creates dependency with a claim having a previous antecedent rather than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.

The above is a description of preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein, which equivalents are intended to be included in the appended claims.

Claims (18)

1. An archery bow arm assembly, comprising:

A first arm, a second arm, and a spacer, the spacer contacting the first arm and the second arm, the first arm comprising an arm material, the spacer comprising a spacer material comprising a higher modulus of elasticity than the arm material, a width of the spacer being less than a width of the first arm.

2. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the first arm includes a first engagement region arranged to be supported by an arm cup, the spacer contacting the first engagement region.

3. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 2, the first arm comprising a working length portion, the spacer contacting the working length portion.

4. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the first arm includes a second engagement region arranged to support a shaft or a bow string, the spacer contacting the second engagement region.

5. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 1, the spacer comprising a body portion and a flange, the flange having a width greater than a width of the body.

6. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 5, the flange contacting a first end surface of the first arm.

7. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 6, the flange contacting a second end surface of the first arm.

8. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 5, the flange contacting a top surface of the first arm, the flange contacting a top surface of the second arm.

9. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 8, the flange contacting a bottom surface of the first arm, the flange contacting a bottom surface of the second arm.

10. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the spacer extends the entire length of the first arm.

11. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 1, the first arm comprising a bore arranged to receive a shaft, the spacer comprising a bore arranged to receive the shaft.

12. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 1, a side wall of the first arm comprising a lateral recess, the spacer comprising a protrusion oriented in the lateral recess.

13. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 12, a side wall of the second arm comprising a second lateral recess in which the projection is oriented.

14. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 1, comprising bearing attachments attached to the first and second arms.

15. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 14, the bearing attachment comprising a recess in which a portion of the spacer is oriented.

16. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 1, comprising an arm cup arranged to support the first arm and the second arm, the arm cup comprising a recess in which a portion of the spacer is oriented.

17. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 1, the first arm comprising a different width than the second arm.

18. The archery bow arm assembly of claim 1, the arm material comprising a composite material comprising reinforcing fibers, the spacer comprising an elastomeric material.