Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BOW LIMB FIXATION MEMBER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to archery bows and components thereof. In
particular, the present invention relates to archery bows wherein the limbs
can be
separated from the handle. The present invention relates to an improved method
of
connecting a limb or limbs to a handle of an archery bow, and to the bow made
by the
same.
Archery bows are available in a variety of forms and may comprise a vast
range of designs and functions. Examples of bow designs include, but are not
limited to,
long bows, recurve bows, compound bows, and so forth. Bows have in common the
fact
that they are all basically intended to propel an arrow through the flexure of
limbs that
.
transfer stored energy through such flexure to the arrow through the bow
string.
Many of the bow types including a recurve bow, compound bow,
crossbow, and so forth are manufactured in three primary pieces including a
pair of limbs
attached to a handle portion. The handle portion may further include risers.
Each limb
may be attached to a handle portion or riser and secured using a limb pocket
or box.
Each limb pocket may receive an end of each limb for engagement to the riser
surface.
Each lixnb is held in place within the limb pocket by a limb bolt which passes
through a
hole or slot in the end of the limb to engage a threaded bore in the
engagement surface of
the handle portion. Limb pockets may be integral to the limb portion or may be
separate
members that mutually engage the handle portion and a limb end. Through the
use of a
limb pocket, a limb may be connected to the riser at various pivot angles. By
adjusting
the pivot angle a shooter has the ability to vary the relative bowstring
tension and draw
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force required to pull the bow string. As a result, the force imparted to the
arrow for a
given pull distance on the bow string may be varied.
Perhaps the greatest problem with adjusting the attachment angle,
however, is the tendency of the bow limb to twist sideways or niisalign
relative to the bow
riser when the bowstring is pulled and/or released. This tendency can
profoundly disrupt a
shooters aim and accuracy.
The problem may be particularly acute in the case of a compound bow.
Compound bows differ in that a block and tackle mechanism is used to bend the
bow
which includes a pulley and wheel system attached at the free ends of the
limbs to obtain a
mechanical advantage in bending the bow. The limbs can be made stiffer than,
for
example a longbow of the same draw weight. Eccentrically mounted wheels enable
one
to use a much higher maximum draw weight because they provide a substantial
reduction
in the holding force of a drawn bow.
Thus, the combination of stiffer limbs and greater draw weight results in
the application of large forces to the components of the compound bow. These
forces
can have a moment from the centerline of the bow and/or from the plane of a
drawn
bowstring. The forces from the bowstring and cables wound on the wheels may
not align
with the mounting of the limb to the handle because of the way the bowstring
and cables
are wound, or because of a sidewards force caused by a finger release or a
sidewards
force due to a cable guard. The result is a force tending to move the free
ends of the
limbs from side to side, i.e. laterally, when the bow is drawn and/or fired.
Thus, the structure for attaching the limbs to the handle must be
substantial enough to resist these forces in order for the bow to perform
consistently.
Various devices and methods have been developed to address the aforementioned
problems, and further which enable adjustment of the attachment angles between
the bow
limbs and the handle portion or riser while restraining the bow limbs from
experiencing
side to side or lateral motion relative to the riser.
Various devices have been developed to overcome the above
aforementioned problems including the tendency of the bow limb to twist
laterally relative
to the riser. These devices include both those that are integral with the
handle portion, as
well as those which are separable from it. US 4261320 ('320) describes a
compound bow
having its bow limbs seated in a pocket formed in the riser itself.
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US 5231970 ('970) describes and claims an archery bow limb construction
which includes an archery bow limb adapted to be adjustably mounted to a
planar
mounting surface of an archery bow riser. The bow limb includes a top surface,
a bottom
surface, a proximate end and a distal end. A slot and an aperture extend from
the top
surface of the bow Iimb to the bottom surface. The slot extends laterally from
the
proximate end of the bow limb toward the distal end and terminates at the
aperture. A
fastener can extend through the aperture and the planar mounting surface and
be
threadably received in the bow riser to adjustably secure the bow limb to the
bow riser.
The improvement relates to a bushing which is received in the aperture of
the bow limb. The bushing includes a first hole and a key which is snugly
received in the
slot of the bow limb. The first hole extends vertically through the bushing
and is adapted
to receive the fastener. The bushing can comprise a body portion and a head
portion, and
the body portion can comprise the key. The body portion can comprise a
cylinder which
is received in the aperture of the bow limb. The bow limb construction can
include a
washer which has a bore extending through it, wherein the bore communicates
with the
first hole of the bushing and is adapted to receive the fastener.
US 5280779 ('779) describes an archery bow provided with pivoting
pocket members for attaching each limb to the bow handle. Each pocket has an
upper
recess for receiving and laterally supporting a limb, and pocket walls which
extend away
from the recess to straddle the sides of the handle.
US 5433792 ('792) describes a compound archery bow having a handle
which includes a laterally opening pocket, a nut received in the pocket and a
screw
extending through the limb into the pocket and received in the nut. In another
embodiment, a first opening with a threaded insert is provided in the handle.
A second
threaded opening intersects the first opening. A screw extends through the
limb into the
first opening. A set screw is provided in the second opening to lock the limb
screw. In
another embodiment, the handle is provided with an opening that tapers toward
the rear.
A tapered bushing is received in the opening. A screw extends through a cable
guide into
the bushing to mount same. In another embodiment, a limb pivot arrangement is
provided
which includes a pair of concave channels on the handle, and complementary
part-
spherical bosses on the limb.
US 5507270 describes a limb pocket with a plurality of plastic inserts
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located about the interior of the pocket for receiving the butt of a limb. The
interior
width of the pocket is greater than the width of the butt of the limb and the
inserts reduce
the interior width of the pocket to less than the width of the limb butt. The
inserts are
slightly tapered and slightly resilient to assure a close fit between the
pocket and the limb.
The end wall of the pocket optionally includes inserts for separating the end
of the limb
from the end wall of the pocket. The walls and floor of the pocket include
shallow
recesses for locating the inserts.
US 6024076 describes an archery bow including pivoting limb pockets for
attaching two split limbs or a single limb to the bow handle. The limb pockets
are secured
to the handle by an adjustment bolt. Circular mating portions on the pocket
and handle
permit rotation of the pocket about the handle. A slug which is press-fitted
in the handle
provides lateral stability between the pocket and the handle. The front wall
of the pocket
prevents limb movement in the axial direction and the top surface of the
pocket limits
upward movement.
US 6244259 describes a bow limb mounting system for adjustably
mounting a limb inner end of a bow limb to a riser mounting surface of a bow
riser of an
archery bow. The limb inner end pivots relative to the bow riser about a limb
pivot axis.
The pivot movement is produced by an adjustable strut assembly which varies an
attachment angle between the limb inner end and the riser mounting surface,
while
restraining lateral movement between the two. The adjustable strut assembly
has upper
head and neck portions which connect to the limb inner end in a close
tolerance manner,
and an alignment block portion below the neck portion which is slidably and
matingly
seated in a cavity located below the mounting surface also in a close
tolerance manner. A
bolt extends through a central hole formed by the head, neck and alignment
block
portions and connects to a pivot pin, such that adjusting the bolt changes the
distance
between the limb inner end and the pivot pin to thereby change the attachment
angle.
It would be advantageous to provide a mounting system for adjustably
mounting a bow limb to a bow riser, wherein the bow limb is laterally
restrained relative
to the bow riser in an efficient yet solid manner. Furthermore, an adjustable
bow
mounting system which pivotally compensates the strut assembly at various
attachment
angles would provide greater structural stability under the typically high
bowstring
tensions. It is also notable that due to the variations in bowstring tension
which result
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from adjustment of the attachment angle, it would be further advantageous to
provide a
mounting system which measures and indicates relative bowstring tension at the
various
attachment angles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved archery bow which has an
innovative bow limb securement member hereinafter referred to as a limb
pocket. The
limb pocket is designed to engage the bow limb in such a way that lateral
movement is
prevented.
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an archery bow
including a handle, at least one limb and at least one limb pocket having a
bottom, two
side walls and an end wall portion. The limb pocket is engaged to an end of
the handle
and fully engages the limb on at least said two sides. The limb pocket may
also engage the
limb on the bottom and/or the end portion of the limb as well.
In one embodiment, the limb pocket tapers or converges and the limb
tapers or converges accordingly. The side walls and end wall portion of the
limb pocket
substantially define the limb shape itself. The side walls may taper to the
end wall portion
and/or the side walls may taper to the bottom of the limb pocket. The limb may
optionally
have a fork at the end where it is engaged to the limb pocket for receiving a
limb bolt.
Further, the limb pocket may have a threaded hole for receiving a limb bolt as
well.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
A detailed description of the invention is hereinafter described with specific
reference being made to the drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the limb pocket of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is perspective view of an embodiment of the limb pocket of the
present invention in which a partially forked limb is employed.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the limb pocket of the present invention in
which a bolt or screw is shown for securing the limb, riser and limb pocket
together.
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Fig. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the limb pocket shown in figure 2.
Fig. 5 is a frontal view of a riser of a compound bow showing the limb
pocket of the present invention attached thereto.
Fig. 6 is a side view of a compound bow having the limb pocket of the
present invention.
Fig. 7 is a close up view of the limb pocket as shown in fig. 5.
Fig. 8 is a side view of an alternative configuration of a compound bow
according to the present invention.
Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the embodiment of the limb pocket shown in
fig. 8.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a limb pocket according to the present
invention.
Fig. 11 is a perspective exploded view of the same limb pocket shown in
Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is an exploded view of a limb pocket as shown in Fig. 10 and 11
further in combination with a bow handle.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a crossbow having the limb pockets of the
present invention.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a recurve bow having the limb pockets of
the present invention.
Figs. 15a-15c illustrate alternative embodiments in which a limb pocket of
the present invention is employed with various configurations of a split-limb.
Fig. 16 is a top view of an embodiment of a bow limb and limb pocket
combination in which the sides of the limb and limb pocket are straight.
Fig. 17 is an end view of the bow limb engaged by the limb pocket taken at
section A-A in Fig. 16.
Fig. 18 is an exploded view of the bow limb and limb pocket shown in Fig.
17.
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a bow limb and limb pocket of Fig. 16.
Fig. 20 is a top view of a straight split limb in combination with a limb
pocket.
Fig. 21 is an end view of the bow limb engaged by the limb pocket taken at
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section A-A in Fig. 20.
Fig. 22 is an exploded view of the bow limb and limb pocket shown in Fig.
21.
Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the bow limb and limb pocket shown in
Figs. 20-22.
Fig. 24 is a partial top view of another embodiment of a split limb and limb
pocket combination according to the invention.
Fig. 25 is an end view of the bow limb engaged in the limb pocket taken at
A-A in Fig. 24.
Fig. 26 is an exploded view of the bow limb and limb pocket combination
shown Fig. 25.
Fig. 27 is a partial perspective view of the bow limb and limb pocket of
Fig. 24.
Fig. 28 is a top view of another embodiment of a bow limb and limb
pocket according to the invention.
Fig. 29 is an end view of the bow limb engaged in the limb pocket taken at
A-A in Fig. 28.
Fig. 30 is an exploded view of the bow limb and limb pocket combination
shown Fig. 29.
Fig. 31 is a partial perspective view of the bow limb and limb pocket of
Fig. 28.
Fig. 32 is a partial top view of a bow limb engaged by a limb pocket
similar to that shown in Fig. 28 further in combination with a limb pocket
liner.
Fig. 33 is an end view of the bow limb engaged by the limb pocket liner
which is further engaged by the limb pocket taken at A-A in Fig. 32.
Fig. 34 is a partial exploded view of the bow limb, limb pocket and limb
pocket liner combination shown Fig. 33.
Fig. 35 is a partial perspective view of the bow limb, limb pocket and limb
pocket liner of Fig. 32.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are
shown in the drawings and described in detail herein, specific embodiments of
the
invention. The present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of
the invention
and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments
illustrated.
Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an
embodiment of the limb pocket or limb pocket 16 of the present invention shown
engaged
with a riser or handle portion 12 of an archery bow (not shown). Limb pocket
16 has two
side walls 26, 28 for slidably engaging a bow limb (not shown) and a bottom 24
and end
portion 30. Side walls 26, 28 are separated by a distance which is
substantially equal to
the width and shape of the limb portion 21 (Fig. 2) which is slidably engaged
with limb
pocket 16. Limb pocket 16 may further include a vibration damping device 32
(not
shown) to prevent a bow limb from vibrating against limb pocket 16.
Fig. 2 is an alternative and partial view of an embodiment showing the
innovative limb pocket 16 of the invention shown engaging a bow limb 14 and
further
engaged to riser 12. The innovative limb pocket 16 of the present invention
prevents
lateral or side to side movement of the limb.
Fig. 3 illustrates a similar embodiment to that shown in Fig. 2 but with limb
14 having a fork 13 at the end 15 of bow limb 14 which is in contact with limb
pocket 16.
Fig. 4 illustrates a similar embodiment to that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 but
with the forked end 15 of limb pocket 16 secured with a limb bolt or screw 18
which in
turn secures both the limb pocket 16 and the limb 14 to the riser 12. Limb
pocket 16
substantially fully slidably engages the bow limb 14 at least at the side
walls of the limb
pocket 16, but at least partially engages limb 14 at the bottom 24 (Fig. 1) of
the limb
pocket 16 as and/or at least partially at the end wall portion 30 (Fig. 1) of
limb pocket 16
as well. The amount that the limb is engaged by the bottom 24 of the limb
pocket 16 may
be limited by the presence of a vibration dampening device 32 (Fig. 1) for
preventing the
bow limb 14 and the bottom 24 of limb pocket 16 from vibrating against one
another.
The amount of engagement of the bow limb 14 by the end wall portion 30 of limb
pocket
16 may be limited by the presence of a forked end 13 of bow limb 14 for
receiving a limb
bolt ( not shown).
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Fig. 5 is a frontal view of a riser 12 of a compound bow shown engaged by
a limb pocket 16 of the present invention with a bolt or screw 18. As can be
seen from the
figure, there is a space 17 between the bottom surface 23 of the limb pocket
16 and the top
surface 25 of the riser or handle portion 12 which allows for rotational
movement of the
limb 14 and limb pocket 16 about their pivotal connection to the riser 12.
This particular
feature shall hereinafter be referred to as pivotal engagement between said
limb pocket
and said riser or handle portion.
Fig. 6 is a side view of a compound bow 10 having a bow handle 2 to
which are attached an upper limb 14a and a lower limb 14b. The upper and lower
limbs
14a, 14b are attached to the bow handle 2 at the risers 12a, 12b by the
innovative limb
pockets or cups 16a, 16b according to the present invention. Limb pocket 16a
is attached
to upper limb 14a and limb pocket 16b is attached to lower limb 14b. Limb
pockets 16a,
16b and upper limb 14a and lower limb 14b are secured to riser 12 using bolts
or screws
18a, 18b. Fig. 7 is an expanded view of the innovative limb pocket 16a as
depicted in fig.
6.
The bow 10 depicted in fig. 6 is referred to as a compound bow because
located at the extremities of each bow limb are the components comprising a
variable
leverage system which allows the user to hold the bow at full draw while
expending less
effort than required with a traditional bow as shown in fig. 9 below and the
recurve bow
shown in fig. 10, below. The compound bow of the type shown in fig. 6 is found
in
commonly assigned US 6257220 while the traditional and recurve bows are found
in US
5592929 and US 5408982.
In a compound bow such as is shown in Fig. 6, a variable leverage device
or cam 8 is pivotally mounted on axle 7 at the free end of the lower limb 14b.
This
particular arrangement has become well known as, the dual feed-out single take-
up, single
cam system and was first disclosed in US 5368006. While fig. 6 depicts a
compound bow
having a single cam design, the innovative limb pockets 16a, 16b which are the
subject of
this patent, can be applied to compound bows of other designs as well as bows
of
traditional design.
Fig. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a compound bow 10 having
a bow handle 2 to which are attached an upper limb 14a and a lower limb 14b.
The upper
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and lower limbs 14a, 14b are attached to the bow handle 2 at the risers 12a,
12b and are
slidably and frictionally fully engaged to the innovative limb pockets 16a,
16b according
to the present invention. Limbs 14a, 14b are slidably and fully engaged at
side walls 26
and 28 of limb pocket 16a, 16b as shown in fig. 9 wherein the limb pocket 16
is enlarged
to illustrate certain features of the device. Limb pocket 16a is fully,
slidably engaged to
upper limb 14a at side walls 26 and 28 of the limb pocket 16, and also
substantially at
bottom 24 of limb pocket 16a as shown in fig. 9 and at the end wall portion 30
as well.
As can be seen from Fig. 8, the limb shape and the shape defined by the side
walls 26a,
28a, bottom 24a (not shown; see Fig. 9) and end wall portion 30a of the limb
pocket 16a
are substantially the same. Likewise, limb pocket 16b is fully and slidably
engaged to
lower limb 14b at sides 26b, 28b of limb pocket 16b. Limb pockets 16a, 16b and
upper
limb 14a and lower limb 14b are further engaged to risers 12a, 12b using limb
bolts 18a,
18b.
Fig. 9 is an expanded view of the innovative limb pocket 16 representative
of both limb pockets 16a, 16b as shown in fig. 8. Limb pocket 16 has two side
walls 26
and 28 for slidably engaging bow limb 14 and further has a bottom 24 which
substantially
engages bow limb 14. Limb pocket 16 further has an end wall portion 30 and a
threaded
hole 20 for receiving limb bolt 18.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a bow limb 14 in combination with one
embodiment of a limb pocket 16 according to the invention. The limb 14 is
secured to
limb pocket 16 with a bolt 18 and compression washer 20.
Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the bow limb 14 and limb
pocket 16 combination according to the invention. Bow limb 14 is secured to
limb pocket
16 with a bolt 18 and compression washer 20. Between compression washer 20 and
bow
limb 14 is a limb cap 27 to prevent direct contact between compression washer
20 and
blow limb 14 and also to minimize vibration and noise. Also between bow limb
14 and
lirnb pocket 16 is an insert or limb liner 29 also to prevent direct contact
between bow
limb 14 and limb pocket 16 and also to minimize vibration and noise.
Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the same bow limb 14 and limb
pocket 16 combination as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 and shown farther in
combination
with a bow handle 2 which is secured to limb pocket 16 with a button head
screw 31 and
washer 33 in this embodiment.
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Other methods of securement known to those of skill in the art could also
be employed in the above figures.
Fig. 13 illustrates generally at 100, a crossbow according to the present
invention in its undrawn state. Crossbow 100 includes a handle 2, a first limb
pocket 16a
securing a first limb 14a and a second limb pocket 16b securing a second limb
14b.
Crossbows of this type are described in commonly assigned US 6267108.
Fig. 14 illustrates generally at 50, a recurve bow according to the present
invention in its undrawn state. Recurve bow 50 has a handle area 2, an upper
limb 14a
secured with a limb pocket 16a, both of which are secured to riser 12a with
bolt or screw
18a and an lower limb 14b secured with a limb pocket 16a further secured to
riser 12b
with bolt or screw member 18b. The securement members 16a, 16b for preventing
lateral
movement or vibration when the arrow is released.
Figs. 15a-15c illustrate the innovative limb pocket of the present invention
employed in combination with alternative embodiments of a split limb having
limb
members 19a, 19b secured with limb pocket 16 which may further be attached to
a riser
(not shown) of a bow handle (not shown) by limb bolt or screw. Split limb
compound
bows are described, for example, in US 5722380.
Fig. 16 is a top view of another embodiment of a bow limb 14 and limb
pocket 16. In this embodiment, limb pocket 16 has straight sides 26 and 28
which are
parallel to one another and which engage straight sides 36, 38 respectively,
of bow limb
14.
Fig. 17 is cross-sectional view of the bow limb 14 and limb pocket 16
combination taken at lines 17-17 in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is an exploded view of
the bow limb
14 and limb pocket 16 shown in Fig. 17. Sides 26, 28 of limb cup 16 taper down
toward
the bottom 24 of the limb pocket 16 seen clearly in Fig. 18. Sides 36, 38 of
bow limb
taper accordingly such that the sides 26, 28 of limb cup 16 engage sides 36,
38 of bow
limb.
Fig. 19 is perspective view of the same bow limb 14 and limb pocket 16
shown in Fig. 17.
Fig. 20 is a top view of a quad limb embodiment wherein limbs 19a, 19b
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each have sides 36a, 38a and 36b, 38b respectively. Limb pocket 16 is designed
having
two pockets 16a, 16b, shown clearly in an exploded view in Fig. 22 for
engaging limbs
19a, 19b respectively. As shown in cross-section in Fig. 21 taken at lines 21-
21 in Fig.
20, limbs 19a, 19b each have sides 36a, 38a and 36b, 38b respectively, which
taper to the
bottom 24a, 24b of their respective pockets 16a, 16b. Sides 26a, 28a and 26b,
28b of
each limb pocket 16a, 16b taper accordingly, engaging limbs 19a, 19b at the
sides and
bottom respectively.
Fig. 24 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a quad limb embodiment
according to the invention. In Fig. 24, only a single limb 19a is shown thus
allowing lirnb
pocket 16b, to be more clearly seen without limb 19b (not shown) engaged
therein. In
this embodiment, side 36a of limb 19a tapers to the end wall 30a of pocket 19a
while side
38a remains substantially straight to the end wa1130a. Thus, sides 36a, 38a
are non-
parallel to one another. As can be seen from limb pocket 16b, side 26b is
substantially
straight while side 28b tapers to the end wall portion 30b of limb pocket 16.
Fig. 25 is an end view of the limb pocket 16 showing limb pocket 16b with
sides 26b, 28b which taper toward the bottom 24b of limb pocket 16b. Fig. 25
is taken at
section 25-25 in Fig. 24. Bow limb 19a is shown engaged by limb pocket 16a
which can
be clearly seen in the exploded view in Fig. 26. Limb pockets 16a, 16b have
sides 26a,
28a and 26b, 28b respectively, which taper from the top of the limb pocket
sides 26a, 28a,
26b, 28b to the bottom 24a, 24b of limb pockets 16a, 16b seen in both Figs. 25
and 26.
Fig. 27 is a perspective view of a similar bow limb and limb pocket
combination to that shown in FIG. 24.
Fig. 28 is a top view of another embodiment of a limb pocket 16 and bow
limb 14 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the sides 36, 38 of
bow limb 14
are shown tapering toward the end 31 of the bow limb. The sides 36, 38 of the
bow limb
also taper from the top 40 to the bottom 42 of the bow limb 14 which can be
seen in
cross-section in Fig. 29 which is taken at section 29-29 in Fig. 28. The sides
26, 28 of
limb pocket 16 which can be seen in Figs. 29 and 30 engage the sides 36, 38 of
the bow
limb. Sides 26, 28 taper toward the bottom 24 of the limb pocket 30 as shown
in Figs. 29
and 30 (exploded view) as well as toward the end portion 30 of the limb pocket
16 as
shown in Fig. 28.
Fig. 31 is a perspective view of a bow limb 14 and limb pocket 16
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combination shown in Fig. 28.
Fig. 32 is an embodiment of a bow limb 14 and limb pocket 16
combination similar to that shown in Figs. 28-31. In this embodiment, however,
a limb
pocket liner 29 which fits securely into limb pocket 16 is also employed. Fig.
33 is a
cross-sectional view of the bow limb 14, limb pocket 16 and limb pocket liner
29 taken at
section 33-33 in Fig. 32. An exploded view of the same is shown in Fig. 34.
The bow
limb, limb pocket and limb pocket liner are shown in Fig. 34 without any
fastening pieces.
The construction of the bow limb 14 and limb pocket 16 shown in Figs.
32-35 is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 28-31 with the sides
26, 28 of the
limb pocket tapering toward the end wall 30 of the limb pocket and the sides
36, 38 of the
bow limb 14 tapering accordingly.
Also, in this embodiment, the sides 26, 28 of the limb pocket 16 are
perpendicular to the bottom of the limb pocket 24 and provide a tight fit to
the mating
surfaces of pocket liner 34.while the inner surfaces 46,48 of the pocket liner
34 taper
from the top to the bottom 24 of the limb pocket liner and the sides of the
bow limb 36,
38 taper from the top 40 to the bottom 42 of the bow limb 14 as shown in Fig.
33 and in
the exploded view in Fig. 34. In this embodiment, the limb pocket liner 29,
also has sides
46, 48 which taper toward the end portion 35 of the limb pocket liner, as well
as tapering
from the top to the bottom 24 of the limb pocket liner shown in Fig. 35. Thus,
limb
pocket liner 29 substantially fully engages the limb pocket 16 which in turn
substantially
fully engages the bow limb 14 as can be seen in Fig. 33. A limb pocket liner
is
advantageous because it can be molded to result in a zero tolerance fit with
the bow limb
pocket 16.
The present invention allows for many variations and combinations of bow
limb, limb pocket, and optionally a limb pocket liner. As can be seen in the
above
embodiments, surfaces of the limb pocket substantially match with surfaces of
the bow
limb to provide a secure fit in the limb pocket. If a limb pocket liner is
employed, surfaces
of the limb pocket liner substantially match surfaces of the lirnb pocket and
surfaces of the
bow limb to provide a secure fit in the limb pocket.
The sides of the bow limb, limb pocket and optionally a limb pocket liner,
may taper in a first direction toward the end portion of the limb pocket and
optionally
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limb pocket liner, a second direction toward the bottom of the limb pocket and
optionally
the limb pocket liner, or both. Any combination thereof, results in a secure
fit of the bow
limb pocket because of the wedging action provided by having at least one
tapered surface.
As can be seen from the drawings, the combination can be designed such
that one side of a bow limb/limb pocket and optionally a limb pocket liner,
tapers, while
the other side remains straight, as well.
The present invention may also be employed with extended fork compound
archery bows such as, for example, those described in US 5947099.
The present invention exhibits an improvement in the accuracy, precision
and consistency which an archer obtains with the performance of an archery
bow. The
innovative limb pocket of the present invention inhibits the lateral movement
of the limb
as the arrow is launched yet allows for rotational or pivotal movement of the
limb and
limb pocket as desired.
In addition to being directed to the specific combinations of features
claimed below, the invention is also directed to embodiments having other
combinations
of the dependent features claimed below and other combinations of the features
described
above.
The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This
description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary
skill in this art.
All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the
scope of the
claims where the term "comprising" means "including, but not limited to".
Those familiar
with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments
described herein
which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.
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