US3262442A - Take-apart bow - Google Patents

Description

July 26, 1966 P. B. GRABLE 3,

TAKE-APART BOW Filed Sept, 20, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR P/l/LL/P B. 63/45 Fi .l. 57 5-3.-

BY m wfa ATTORNEYS July 26, 1966 P B. GRABLE 3,262,442

TAKE-APART BOW Filed Sept, 20, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,262,442 TAKE-APART BOW Phillip B. Grabie, Dimondale, Mich. (3632 Cooley Drive, Lansing, Mich. 48910) Filed Sept. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 48%,365 6 Claims. (Cl. 124--24) This invention relates to a take-apart archery bow and more particularly to a take-apart bow having limb portions which can be selectively adjusted so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial Number 244,474 for an Archcry Bow, filed December 13, 1962 now Patent No. 3,207,146. As pointed out in my co-pending application, an archer has heretofore had to use a different bow for each particular type of shooting that he has planned to do. The need for a different bow has been due to the fact that a specific draw weight is needed for each type of shooting, such as target shooting, hunting, long or short distance shooting and the like.

Inasmuch as the draw weight of a bow is a function of its configuration, the only way to vary selectively the draw weight of a single bow is to have a bow which can, in eiiect, be adjusted so that its overall configuration is changed. In the bow disclosed and claimed in my copending application, this is accomplished by providing a take-apart bow having pivotally connected limbs which can be selectively locked into desired pivotal positions within the draw plane of the bow so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow as desired. Take-apart bows of the prior art had to use a plurality of limb sets of varying configurations which could be interchanged on the central handle member so as to achieve the variable draw weight goal. I

It is an object of this invention to provide a take-apart bow whereby the draw weight thereof can be selectively varied without the use of complicated pivotal connections and lock means intermediate the central handle portion and the limbs thereof. The concept involved in accomplishing this was broadly disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial Number 244,474. It was stated therein that the angular adjustment of the bow limbs in relation to the central handle member so as to vary the draw weight of the bow can be achieved by other means than by use of pivotal connectors. It was further stated that to accomplish this, the butt end of the limb can be adapted for simple attachment to the tapered end of a standard central handle member. The longitudinal axis of each limb in relation to the longitudinal axis of the handle can then 'be varied as desired by selectively inserting wedge blocks of various angular sizes between the side of the butt end of the limb and the side of the end of the handle member.

It is therefore another object of this invention to provide a take-apart archery bow whereby wedge block means can be selectively used in conjunction with one or both of the limb members so as toselectively vary the overall configuration of the 'bow and thus selectively vary the draw weight of the bow as desired.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a take-apart archery bow whereby wedge block means can be selectively used to selectively vary the longitudinal axis of one or both of the limbs in their operational use position in relation to the central handle portion so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow.

Other objects and advantages found in the construction of my invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification in connection with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

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FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the take-apart bow illustrating the central handle portion having tapered end portions which are adapted to receive the limb members thereagainst.

FIGURE 2 is a partial front elevational view of the take-apart bow illustrating this central handle portion and portions of the limb attached thereto.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation schematic view of the take-apart bow illustrating the use of wedge blocks to selectively vary the angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of the limbs in relation to the central handle, thus selectively varying the draw weight of the bow. The phantom lines adjacent the limbs illustrate representative positions to which the limbs can be adjusted.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a representative wedge block.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view of various sizes of representative wedge blocks that can be used to make corresponding adjustments in the longitudinal axis of the limbs by use of such blocks intermediate the limb and the handle member.

FIGURE 6 is a partial schematic side elevation View of another embodiment of the take-apart bow illustrating a central handle portion having a pivotally connected limb member and showing a representative wedge member in broken lines which can be inserted between the limb member and the central handle member so as to achieve selective angular adjustment of the limb member in relation to the central handle member.

FIGURE 7 is a partial schematic side elevation view of another embodiment of the take-apart bow illustrating a central handle portion having a transversely slotted end portion which is configured to receive the end of a limb member and one or more wedge members so as to achieve selective angular adjustment of the limb mounted therein.

FIGURE 8 is a partial schematic end view of the limb member which is utilized in the take-apart bow of FIG- URE 6.

General description In general a take-apart archery bow is provided having two limb members which are mounted at each end of a central handle member. The ends of the central handle portion are configured to receive the substantially fiat end portions of the limbs thereagainst in their operative use position. central handle portion are adapted to selectively receive wedge members therebetween so as to selectively vary the angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of the limbs in relation to the central handle portion, thus varying the draw weight of the bow.

Further, such changes can also be aifected by integrally forming the wedge elements on the limbs or on the end portions of the central handle member as desired. Further, it is readily apparent that a wedge element can be used in connection with only one limb but still have the same overall effect of selectively varying the draw weight of the bow.

It is thus seen that a take-apart bow is provided which is simple and economical to fabricate and which has great versatility in use.

The preferred embodiment of the take-apart bow illustrates limb members that do not fit into any type of socket or holding element but merely lie against the flat surface of the end portion of the central handle member and is secured thereto by appropriate bolts. It is thus seen that a take-apart bow is provided which does not have socket members therein which complicate the fabrication of the bow and which generally result in misalignment due to frequent assembly and disassembly of the pivotal components of such a take-apart bow.

As will be described hereinafter, the limbs and 3 Specific description As shown in the side elevation view of FIGURE 1, the take-apart bow 11 consists of a central handle member 12, and limb members 13 and 14 selectively attached to the ends of the central handle member 12. The central handle member 12 is preferably fabricated from aluminum metal and is configured to provide an integrally formed grip portion 15 and a sight window 16.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 and throughout the drawings generally, the central handle member 12 has an elongate configuration and is provided with end portions which are notched and tapered and which are adapted to receive the ends of the limbs 13 and 14 thereagainst. Limb retaining pin holes 17, suitably threaded, are provided through the tapered end portions of the central handle member 12 so that threaded limb retaining pins 18 can be utilized to lockably retain a limb thereagainst. Suitable limb retaining pin holes 19 are provided through the end portion of the limbs in coaxial register with the limb retaining pin holes 17 provided in the central handle member when the limbs are in their operative use position against the central handle member. The limb retaining pin holes 17 permit the limb retaining pins 18 to pass freely therethrough.

As shown in FIGURE 3, wedge elements can be inserted between the end of one or both of the limbs and the ends of the central handle portion so as to selectively vary the longitudinal axis of the limbs in relation to the central handle member.

The wedge element, as shown in FIGURE 4, consists of a tape-red substantially flat element 20 which is provided with wedge block limb retaining pin holes 21 which are positioned so as to be in register with the limb retaining pin holes 19 provided in the limbs and holes 17 provided in the central handle member when the wedge 20 is in position intermediate the limb and handle member. The wedge block holes 21 permit the stern of the pin 18 to pass freely therethrough.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the wedge element can be of any desired thickness and configuration so long as it can be introduced intermediate the limb and handle portion so as to selective-1y vary the longitudinal axis of the limb in relation to the handle portion. As stated previously it is within the scope of the invention to use the wedge inserts in association with only one of the limbs instead of with both of the limbs as shown.

Other embodiments of this invention are shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. While the take-apart bows shown in these figures are of different structural configurations, the broad overall concept of utilizing wedge elements to achieve selective adjustment of the longitudinal axis of the limb members in relation to the handle member remains the same.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the limb 22 is pivotally connected to the central handle member so that a wedge block insert (shown in phantom line) can be inserted between the limbs and the handle member so as to selectively vary the longitudinal axis of the limb in relation to the central handle member, thus varying the draw weight of the bow as desired. The other end of the central handle member (not shown) can be provided with another pivotally connected limb or with a limb which is attachable to the central handle member in the manner shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. The end view of FIGURE 8 illustrates the limb 22 as used in embodiment shown in FIGURE 6 and shows the arms 23 and 24 which are pivotally connected to the end of the handle member inserted therebetween.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURE 7 illustrates a portion of the central handle member showing a transverse slot 25 provided in the end of the central handle member. This transverse slot is substantially wider than the thickness of the limb element which fits thereinto. By use of wedge elements which are placed into the transverse slot with the end of the limb 4 intermediate thereof, the longitudinal axis of the limb can be varied by varying the size and taper of the Wedge elements. The arms 26 and 27 are provided with limb retaining pin holes 28, as shown.

The limbs 13 and 14 are of the same type that are shown and described in my co-pending application Serial Number 244,474. They are fabricated from wood, plastic and fiberglass laminated strips in a manner which is well known in the art.' It is also understood that the wedge inserts or blocks 29 shown in FIGURES 5 and 7 are provided with retaining pin holes which are large enough to permit the retaining pins 18 to pass freely therethrough.

Operation In use, the take-apart bow 11 is assembled as shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3 and in the manner described heretofore. By selectively varying the taper A (see FIGURE 4), the adjusting capability of the wedge inserts or blocks 20 can be selectively varied as desired. By use of different sizes of inserts, the longitudinal axis of one or both of the limbs can be selectively varied as desired in relation to the central handle member. It is self-evident that the longitudinal axis of a limb can be varied as desired, either forward or rearward within the draw plane of the bow, by changing the size and angle of taper of wedge block or insert which is inserted intermediate the limb and end portion of the central handle member. As shown in the schematic view of FIG- URE 3, the take-apart bow can be disassembled by removing the retaining pins 18, thus freeing the limbs and wedge elements from the ends of the central handle member. This same procedure can be followed when it is desired to place a different wedge element between the limb and central handle member so as to vary the longitudinal axis of the limb or limbs, thus varying the draw weight of the bow. Thereafter, the retaining pins are inserted through the retaining pin holes in the limbs and through the retaining pin holes in the wedge block into threaded hold down engagement in the retaining pin holes provided in the central handle member. In this hold down position, the heads of the retaining pins bear against the outer surface of the limbs thereby holding the limbs tightly against the wedge element and the end portion of the central handle member.

It is apparent, from the drawings of the other embodiments of the invention shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, that the method of operation is essentially the same in that the longitudinal axis of the limb is selectively varied in relation to the central handle member by use of various sizes and combinations of wedge inserts or blocks, as shown.

It is thus seen that a highly versatile take-apart bow is provided which can be adapted for use in any type of archery activity by merely selectively adjusting the limbs thereof by use of wedge inserts or blocks so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow.

It is further seen that a take-apart archery bow is provided which is simple, fast and economical to fabricate and yet achieves a variable draw weight capability heretofore found only in complicated and expensive bow structures.

Various other modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the principle thereof. Each of the modifications is to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their language expressly provide otherwise.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention I claim the following:

1. In an archery bow, the combination comprising:

(a) a central handle member having limb members selectively attached to the ends thereof; and

(b) means for selective insertion intermediate said handle member and said limb members for selective angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of said limbs in their operative use position within the draw plane of the bow so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow. 2. In a take-apart archery bow, the combination including:

(a) a central handle member having limb members selectively attached to the ends thereof; and (b) wedge means for selective insertion intermediate said limb members and said central handle member for selective angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of said'limbs in their operative use position within the draw plane of the bow so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow. 3. In a take-apart archery bow, the combination including:

(a) a central handle member having limb members selectively attached to the ends thereof; and (b) selectively tapered wedge means insertable intermediate said limb members and said central handle member for selective angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of said limbs in their operative use position within the draw plane of the bow so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow. 4. In a take-apart archery bow, the combination including:

(a) a central handle member having limb members selectively attached to the ends thereof; and (b) wedge means selectively insertable intermediate one of said limb members and said central handle member for selective angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of said limb in its operative use position 10 angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of said limb in its operative use position within the draw plane of the bow so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the bow. 6. In a take-apart archery bow, the combination including:

(a) a central [handle member having at least one limb member which is pivotally connected to one end thereof; and

(b) wedge means selectively insertable intermediate said pivotally connected limb member and the end of said handle member for selective angular adjustment of the longitudinal axis of said limb in its operative use position within the draw plane of the how so as to selectively vary the draw weight of the how.

No references cited.

RICHARD C. PIINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN AN ARCHERY BOW, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: (A) A CENTRAL HANDLE MEMBER HAVING LIMB MEMBERS SELECTIVELY ATTACHED TO THE ENDS THEREOF; AND (B) MEAN FOR SELECTIVE INSERTION INTERMEDIATE SAID HANDLE MEMBER AND SAID LIMB MEMBERS FOR SELECTIVE ANGULAR ADJUSTMENT OF THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID LIMBS IN THEIR OPERATIVE USE POSITION WITHIN THE DRAW PLANE OF THE BOW SO AS TO SELECTIVELY VARY THE DRAW WEIGHT OF THE BOW.

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