Archery Bow with Limb Spacing Adjustment

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/736,388, filed Jun. 6, 2024, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/573,289, filed Apr. 2, 2024, the entire content of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates generally to archery bows and more specifically to adjustable systems for limb positioning and alignment in archery bows.

The limbs of an archery bow generally flex to store energy, then release the energy to propel an arrow. The positioning and alignment of the limbs can impact multiple aspects of the bow, such as accuracy and efficiency. There remains a need for novel archery bow limb systems that allow for precise and adjustable limb positioning and alignment.

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. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a limb assembly comprising a first limb and a second limb, the second limb comprising limb threads. An axle assembly is supported by the first limb and the second limb. The axle assembly comprises an axle comprising axle threads. A first connection between the axle assembly and the first limb comprises a fixed connection. A second connection between the axle assembly and the second limb comprises the limb threads engaged with the axle threads. Rotation of the axle with respect to the limb assembly adjusts a distance between the first limb and the second limb.

In some embodiments, the first connection excludes helical threads oriented between the first limb and the axle.

In some embodiments, rotation of the axle with respect to the limb assembly moves the second limb along a length of the axle but does not move the first limb along the length of the axle.

In some embodiments, the axle assembly comprises a fastener assembly attached to the axle and the fastener assembly abuts the first limb. In some embodiments, fastener assembly comprises a fastener and a washer, the fastener engages the axle and the washer abuts the first limb.

In some embodiments, the second connection comprises a locking mechanism arranged to prevent the axle from rotating with respect to the second limb. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a fastener arranged to apply a force between the axle and the second limb.

In some embodiments, the axle comprises a flange arranged to locate a rotatable member. In some embodiments, a roller bearing contacts the flange. In some embodiments, a spacer surrounds the axle and contacts roller bearing.

In some embodiments, the first limb comprises a first bracket and the axle assembly abuts the first bracket. In some embodiments, the second limb comprises a second bracket and the second bracket comprises the limb threads.

In some embodiments, the axle comprising a marking that is visible through a window in the second bracket.

In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a first limb comprising a first bracket and a second limb comprising a second bracket. In some embodiments, the second bracket comprises bracket threads. In some embodiments, an axle comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion attached to the first bracket and the second portion comprising axle threads engaged with the bracket threads. In some embodiments, rotation of the axle with respect to the second bracket adjusts a distance between the first bracket and the second bracket.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference can be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described various embodiments of the invention.

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

shows an embodiment of an archery bow. In some embodiments, an archery bowcomprises a riser, which serves as the central structure. In some embodiments, a first limb assemblyis attached to the riserby a first limb cupand a second limb assemblyis attached to the riserby a second limb cup.

In some embodiments, an archery bowcomprises a compound bow. In some embodiments, the first limb assemblysupports a first rotatable memberand the second limb assemblysupports a second rotatable member. In some embodiments, a bowstringis attached to the first rotatable memberand to the second rotatable member, and arranged to unspool from the rotatable members,as the bowstringis drawn. In some embodiments, an archery bowcomprises a first power cablearranged to be taken up by the first rotatable memberas the bowstringis drawn. In some embodiments, the bowcomprises a second power cablearranged to be taken up by the second rotatable memberas the bowstringis drawn. In some embodiments, a cable guardis attached to the riserand arranged to position the power cables,laterally, for example to allow clearance for an arrow.

shows a more detailed view of the first rotatable memberand first limb assemblyof the archery bowof. The bowstringand power cables,(see) have been omitted fromfor clarity. In some embodiments, the first limb assemblycomprises a first limb memberpositioned to a first side of the rotatable memberand a second limb memberpositioned to a second side of the rotatable member. In some embodiments, a limb member,can each comprise multiple limbs separated by a spacer, for example as described in US Patent Publication No. 2023/0304768, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the first limb assemblysupports an axle, and the axle supports the first rotatable member. In some embodiments, the axle is engaged with the first limb memberand with the second limb member. In some embodiments, the archery bowcomprises a limb adjustment mechanismarranged to adjust a distance between the first limb memberand with the second limb member.

In some embodiments, the limb adjustment mechanismis engaged with the first limb memberand with the second limb member. In some embodiments, the first limb membercomprises a first bracket. In some embodiments, the second limb membercomprises a second bracket. In some embodiments, the limb adjustment mechanismcomprises and/or engages the first bracketand the second bracket. In some embodiments, the first bracketis attached to the first limb memberand the second bracketis attached to the second limb member. In some embodiments, the axle is engaged with the first bracketand the second bracket, and arranged to adjust a distance between the first bracketand the second bracket. In some embodiments, the bracket(s),comprise limb caps as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63/543,014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

shows a partially exploded view of an embodiment of a limb adjustment mechanism. The bowstringand power cables,(see) have been omitted fromfor clarity. In some embodiments, an axleis fixedly attached to the first limb memberand adjustably attached to the second limb member, such that a location of the second limb membercan be adjusted with respect to the first limb memberand/or with respect to the axle. In some embodiments, the axleis fixedly attached to the first bracketand adjustably attached to the second bracket, such that a location of the second bracketcan be adjusted with respect to the first bracketand/or with respect to the axle. In some embodiments, the axleis threadably engaged with the second limb member. In some embodiments, the axleis threadably engaged with the second bracket. In some embodiments, rotation of the axlewith respect to the second limb member(and/or with respect to the second bracket) will move the second limb member(and/or the second bracket) with respect to the axle, for example moving the second limb member(and/or the second bracket) along a length of the axle. In some embodiments, the second limb membercomprises limb threads that are arranged to engage complimentary threads on the axle. In some embodiments, the second bracketcomprises bracket threadsthat are arranged to engage complimentary threads (not visible in) on the axle. In some embodiments, rotation of the axlewith respect to the second limb member(and/or with respect to the second bracket) adjusts a distance between the first limb memberand the second limb member.

In some embodiments, the axlecomprises a key, arranged to engage a tool to rotate the axle. A keycan have any suitable shape, such as a slot, Phillips, square, hex, torx, etc. In some embodiments, the limb adjustment mechanismcomprises a locking mechanismarranged to lock the axleto the second bracketand prevent adjustment of the axlewith respect to the second bracket. In some embodiments, the locking mechanismcomprises a locking fastener. In some embodiments, the locking fasteneris threadably engaged with the axleand abuts the second limb member(and/or the second bracket). In some embodiments, a washeris positioned between the locking fastenerand the second limb member(and/or the second bracket). In some embodiments, a stem of the locking fastenerextends through the keyand engages a threaded cavity in the axlelocated below key.

shows an embodiment of a limb adjustment mechanism.shows an exploded view of the components of.shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a limb adjustment mechanismin an archery bow.

In some embodiments, a limb adjustment mechanismcomprises an axle assembly engaged with the first bracketand the second bracket. In some embodiments, the axle assembly comprises an axleand at least one engagement mechanism arranged to engage a bracket,, such as a fastener. In some embodiments, the axleis fixedly attached to the first bracket. In some embodiments, a fasteneris attached to the axleand abuts the first bracket. In some embodiments, the fasteneris attached to the axleand abuts a washerthat contacts the first bracket. In some embodiments, a washercomprises a flangethat extends into the first bracket, for example extending into a cavitydefined by the first bracket. In some embodiments, a bearingis positioned between the axleand the first bracket. In some embodiments, the bearingcomprises a flange. In some embodiments, a rotatable membersupported by the axleabuts the flange. In some embodiments, different embodiments of bearingscomprising flangesof different size can be substituted and used to adjust a specific distance between the first bearingand the rotatable member. This can be used to fix the rotatable membera specific distance from the first bracket, thereby setting the specific distance between the rotatable memberand the first limb member. In some embodiments, an archery bowcomprises features as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,528,788, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, an axlecomprises a flange. In some embodiments, a flangecomprises an increase in size of the axle, such as an increase in diameter. In some embodiments, the flangecomprises a shoulder arranged to abut and locate a rotatable member. In some embodiments, a roller bearingthat supports the rotatable membercontacts the flange(see). In some embodiments, a rotatable memberis supported by multiple roller bearings. In various embodiments, the roller bearing(s)can be considered part of the rotatable member, or alternatively, can be considered part of the limb adjustment mechanism.

In some embodiments, the first bracketcomprises a cavityand a portion of the axleis oriented in the cavity. In some embodiments, the second bracketcomprises a cavityand a portion of the axleis oriented in the cavity.

In some embodiments, the second bracketcomprises bracket threads. In some embodiments, the bracket threadsare located on an inner wall of the cavity. In some embodiments, the axlecomprises axle threads. In some embodiments, the axle threadsare located on an outer surface of the axle. Desirably, the bracket threadsand axle threadsare arranged to engage one another and allow for threaded engagement of the axleto the second bracket. In some embodiments, rotation of the axlewith respect to the second bracketwill move the second bracketalong a length of the axle.

In some embodiments, a limb adjustment mechanismcomprises a markingarranged to indicate a specific position of the axlewith respect to the second bracket. In some embodiments, the axlecomprises the marking. In some embodiments, the second bracketcomprises a scalearranged to indicate a position of the marking. In some embodiments, the second bracketcomprises a windowand the markingis visible through the window. In some embodiments, the markingis arranged at a predetermined distance from a flangeon the axle, and the markingcan be used as an indicator of the position of the rotatable memberwith respect to the second bracket. In some embodiments, the windowis offset from any bracket threadsalong a length of the cavity.

In some embodiments, an axle assembly is supported by the first limb memberand the second limb member. In some embodiments, a limb adjustment mechanismcomprises a first connectionbetween the axle assembly and the first limb member. In some embodiments, the first connection comprises a fixed connection arranged to prevent movement of the axle assembly with respect to the first limb member. In some embodiments, the limb adjustment mechanismcomprises a second connectionbetween the axle assembly and the second limb member. In some embodiments, the second connection comprises an adjustable connection arranged to adjust a position of the second limb memberwith respect to the axle assembly. In some embodiments, rotation of the axlewith respect to the limb assembly adjusts a distance between the first limb and the second limb. In some embodiments, rotation of the axlewith respect to the limb assembly moves the second limb memberlaterally with respect to both the first limb memberand the rotatable member. In some embodiments, the second connection comprises helical screw threads engaged between the axleand the second limb memberand/or the second bracket. In some embodiments, rotation of the axlewith respect to the limb assembly moves the second limb memberalong a length of the axlebut does not move the first limb memberalong the length of the axle. In some embodiments, the first connection excludes any helical threads engaged between the axleand the first limb memberand/or the first bracket.

In some embodiments, a location of the first limb memberand a location of the rotatable memberalong the length of the axleare fixed. In some embodiments, the axle assembly is arranged to apply a compressive force to the first limb member(and/or the first bracket) and to component(s) supporting the rotatable member, such as the roller bearing(s). In some embodiments, a spaceris provided between two roller bearingsarranged to support the rotatable member. In some embodiments, the axle assembly comprises the axleand a fastenerengaged with the axle. In some embodiments, the fastenercreates the compressive force and the axleexperiences tension between the fastenerand the flange. In some embodiments, components between the flangeand the fastenerexperience the compressive force. For example, as shown in, in some embodiments, the flangeof the axleabuts the inner race of a first roller bearing; the spacerabuts the inner race of the first roller bearingand the inner race of a second roller bearing; the inner race of the second roller bearingcontacts the flangeof the bearing(e.g. sleeve bearing), the flangecontacts the first bracket; and the first bracketcontacts the axle assembly (e.g. the fastenerand washer). The components arranged between the fastenerand the flange(e.g. the washer, first limb memberand/or first bracket, the bearing flange, the second roller bearing, the spacerand the first roller bearing) experience the compressive force. In some embodiments, these components comprise the first connection. In some embodiments, these components are fixedly engaged with one another, and adjustment of the limb adjustment mechanismmoves the second limb member(and/or the second bracket) laterally with respect to these components.

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 field of 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.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claimshould be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent- possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.