Cable Adjustment Assembly for Compound Bow

The subject patent application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/656,674 filed on Jun. 6, 2024, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

A compound bow includes a riser and a first limb and a second limb each supported by the riser. The compound bow includes cams that are rotatably connected to the limbs. A bow string and at least one cable extend between the cams, and typically has two cables extending between the cams. Specifically, the cam has at least one track engaged with the cable and/or a bow string and at least one of the tracks is eccentric relative to the rotational axis of the cam. By drawing the bow string from a brace position to the drawn position, the bow string rotates the cams to draw in the cables and resiliently flex the limbs toward each other.

Performance of the cams of the compound bow is dependent on the relative timing of the two cams when the bow string is drawn to the drawn position. When the timing of the two cams is synchronized, the cable is taken up on the cams, e.g., the cammed tracks of the cams, according to manufacturer design. Optimal performance of the compound bow results when timing of the rotation of the two cams is synchronized when the bow string is drawn, and performance of the compound bow is degraded when the timing of the two cams is not synchronized.

With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a compound bowincludes a riser. A first limband a second limbare each supported by the riser. A cable assembly,connects the first limband the second limbalong a longitudinal axis L of the cable assembly,. The cable assembly,includes an adjustment assembly,having a first unit,and a second unit,on a rotational axis R of the cable assembly,. The cable assembly,includes a first cable segment,having a terminal endrotationally fixed to the first unit,. The first cable segment,extends from the first unit,toward the first limb. The cable assembly,includes a second cable segment,having a terminal endrotationally fixed to the second unit,. The second cable segment,extends from the second unit,toward the second limb. The adjustment assembly,includes a lockbetween the first unit,and the second unit,. The lockis movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The first unit,and the second unit,are rotatable relative to each other about the rotational axis R of the adjustment assembly,when the lockis in the unlocked position. The first unit,and the second unit,are fixed relative to each other about the rotational axis R of the adjustment assembly,when the lockis in the locked position.

In the example shown in the Figures, the compound bowincludes two cable assemblies,, as described further below. The adjustment assembly,is adjusted to adjust the length of the cable assembly,, which adjusts the timing of cams,of the compound bow, as described further below. Specifically, twisting the second unit,and the second cable segment,relative to the first unit,adjusts the length of the second cable segment,. With the lockin the unlocked position, the second unit,can be rotated relative to the first unit,to twist the second cable segment,(and in the example shown in, the first unitcan be rotated relative to the second unitto twist the first cable segment). The first unit,and the second unit,may be rotated relative to each other to the desired position for desired length of the second cable segment,(and the first cable segment) to set the designed length of the cable assembly,. The lockis then moved to the locked position to lockthe position of the first unit,to the second unit,.

A first example of the cable assemblyis shown inand a second example of the cable assemblyis shown in. Similar elements in the two examples in the Figures are identified with reference numerals preceded by a 1 inand preceded by a 2 in. Elements ofcan be interchangeable with elements of. The cable assembly is not limited to the two examples shown in the Figures. Numerical adjectives such as “first” and “second,” including with reference to the limbs, the cams, the cable segments, and the units of the adjustment assembly are used herein as identifiers to distinguish components in the Figures, and the numerical adjectives do not indicate order, location, or importance.

The example, shown inincludes two cable assembliesthat include the same components as each other, and the common components are identified with common reference numerals. The example, shown inincludes two cable assembliesthat include the same components as each other, and the common components are identified with common reference numerals. In the example in, one cable assemblyextends from the first limbto the second camand the other cable assemblyextends from the second limbto the first cam. With the lockin the unlocked position, the second cable segmentof the cable assemblyextending from the first limbto the second camis twisted to adjust the timing of the second cam. With the lockin the unlocked position, the second cable segmentof the cable assemblyextending from the second limbto the first camis twisted to adjust the timing of the second cam. In the example shown in, one cable assemblyextends from a cammed trackof the first camto a circular trackof the second camand the other cable assemblyextends from a cammed trackof the second camto a circular trackof the first cam. With the lockin the unlocked position, the first cable segmentand/or the second cable segmentof the cable assemblyextending from the cammed trackof the first camto the circular trackof the second camis twisted to adjust the timing of the first cam. With the lockin the unlocked position, the first cable segmentand/or the second cable segmentof the cable assemblyextending from the cammed trackof the second camto the circular trackof the first camis twisted to adjust the timing of the second cam.

As set forth above, the compound bowincludes a pair of limbs, namely a first limband a second limb. The limbs,flex to store energy when a bow stringis pulled to a drawn position, and the limbs,deliver the energy to an arrow nocked on the bow stringwhen the bow stringis released. In the example shown in the Figures, merely as an example, the compound bowis a vertical bowand with the first limband a first camon the top of the compound bowand with the second limband a second camon the bottom of the compound bow. The limbs,may be split limbs,, as shown in the example in the Figures, and in other examples may be solid limbs,or any other suitable limb design. In the examples shown in the Figures, the limbs,include axlesthat rotatably support the respective cam,.

The limbs,extend from opposing ends of the riser. The limbs,are supported by the riser, i.e., the weight of the limb is borne by the riserwhen a user holds the riser. At least one cable assembly,extends between the limbs,and the bow stringextends between the limbs,. For example, two cable assemblies,extend between the limbs,in the example shown in the Figures. In other examples, the bowmay include additional cables and/or cable assemblies.

The compound bowincludes cams,that are rotatably connected to the limbs,, namely the first camis rotatably connected to the first limband a second camis rotatably connected to the second limb. The cable assemblies,are connected to both limbs,, either directly, e.g., to the axle, or indirectly, e.g., to the cam,on the limb,. As one example, each cable assemblymay be directly connected to one cam and one limb, as shown in the example of, and, as another example, the cable assemblymay be directly connected to both cams,, as shown in the example of. In the example shown in, both second cable segmentsare directly connected to a respective one of the limbs,, for example, by attachment to the axlethat connects the cam,to the limb,.

The cam,has at least one track engaged with the cable assembly,and/or a bow stringand at least one of the tracks is eccentric relative to the rotational axis of the cam,on the axle. The cam in some examples may include the types that are currently known. The cams,and can be of any suitable type. For example, the cams,can be a single cam, hybrid cam, dual cam, binary cam, cam and a half, etc.

The bow stringextends between the limbs,. Specifically, the bow stringis directly connected to and extends between the cams,. By drawing the bow stringfrom a brace position to the drawn position, the bow stringrotates the cams,to draw in the cable assembly,and resiliently flex the limbs,toward each other. The bow stringmay be of any suitable type and material including, in some examples, types and materials that are currently known.

With reference to, the riseris elongated along a riser axis A. In operation, the riser axis A is generally vertical. “Bow-rearward” is a direction from the risertoward the torso and headof the operator of the compound bow. “Bow-forward” is a direction from the riseraway from the torso and headof the operator, i.e., the direction opposite the bow-rearward direction. The compound bowhas a fore-and-aft axis B that extends bow-rearward and bow-forward through a front face and a rear face of the riser. The fore-and-aft axis B is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. “Lateral” is a direction perpendicular to the bow-rearward and bow-forward direction along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The compound bowhas a lateral axis C that extends laterally through a left face and a right face. The lateral axis C is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A and the fore-and-aft axis B.

The riserincludes a handle. The handleis gripped by the operator of the compound bowto carry the compound bowand to draw the compound bowfrom the brace position to the drawn position. The handlemay be unitary with the rest of the riser. The handleis elongated generally along the longitudinal axis A of the riser.

The risermay include an arrow shelf, as shown in the example in the figures. The arrow shelf supports an arrow when an arrow is initially nocked to the bow string, i.e., the weight of the arrow is at least partly borne by the arrow shelf. The arrow may abut the arrow shelf when initially nocked to the bow string. The arrow shelf may support the arrow when the compound bowis in the drawn position. The arrow shelf is above the handle.

With reference to, the risermay support components of the compound bow. For example, the risermay support a quiver, a cable guide, a string suppressor, a sight, a drop-away arrow rest, etc.

The cable assembly,is between the first limband the second limb. When the bow stringis drawn to the drawn position, the bow stringrotates the cams,, which takes up the cable assembly,. When the bow stringis released, the cams,rotate to let out the cable assembly,and return to the brace position. As set forth above, the cable assembly,includes the adjustment assembly,, the first cable segment,, and the second cable segment. In the example in, the first cable segmentextends from the adjustment assemblyto the limb,, e.g., an axle that supports the respective cam,on the respective limb,. The second cable segmentextends from the adjustment assemblyto a respective one of the cams,, e.g., to a cammed track of the cam,. In the example shown in, the first cable segmentextends from the adjustment assemblyto one of the cams,, e.g., a cammed track of the cam,, and the second cableextends from the adjustment assemblyto the other of the cams,, e.g., a circular track of the cam,.

The cable assembly,has a longitudinal axis L. The cable assembly,is elongated along the longitudinal axis L, i.e., the longest dimension of the cable assembly,is along the longitudinal axis L. The cable assembly,connects the first limband the second limbalong the longitudinal axis L of the cable assembly,. In the examples shown in the Figures, the cable assembly,extends from one limb to one cam or from one cam to the other cam, and the longitudinal axis L of the cable assembly,extends along the path of the cable assembly,. The cable assembly,may engage a cable guide. In such an example, cable assembly,may curve at the cable guide, and in such examples, the axis L of the cable assembly,curves at the cable guide.

In some examples, including the examples shown in the Figures, the first cable segment,and the second cable segment,are discrete cables, i.e., are not separate areas of a unitary cable. In other words, in such examples, the cable segments each terminate at a terminal end at the first unit,or the second unit,of one of the adjustment assemblies,, as described further below. Specifically, the first cable segment,has a terminal endat the first unit,of the adjustment assembly. The second cable segment,has a terminal endat the second unit,of the adjustment assembly,.

The cable segments,,,may each include strands that are twisted or braided together axially along the cable segment, as is known. As described below, twisting the respective cable segment shortens or lengthens the respective cable. In other words, tightening the twist of the cable segment shortens the respective cable, and loosening the twist of the cable segment lengthens the respective cable. The cable segments,,,may be of any suitable material for compound bow cables, including synthetic polymers such as polyethylene (e.g., commercially available under the name Dyneema).

In some examples, the cable segments, i.e., the first cable segmentin the example shown in, that extend from first unitof the adjustment assemblyto the respective limb may have two tails extending from the adjustment assemblyto the limb. The first cable segmentin such an example may be referred to as a split cable design. In such an example, the ends of the first cable segmentmay extend to opposite sides of the cam, i.e., a left side and a right side, and may engage the split limbs, e.g., at axle. In such an example, the first cable segmentextends around the first unitand engages the first unit, e.g., in grooves. Strands of the first cable segmentmay split around the first unit, as shown in. In such examples, the section of the first cable segmentthat engages the groovesis the terminal endand two tails of the first cable segmentextend from the terminal endon opposite sides of the respective cam,to the respective limb,. In other examples, the first cable segmentmay have one end extending from the adjustment assemblyto the respective cam,, as shown in the example in. In such an example, the first cable segmentmay engage a track, e.g., a circular track, on the respective cam,such that the cable segmentis taken up or let out as the cam,rotates.

As set forth above, in the examples shown in the Figures, the cable segments each terminate at a terminal end at the first unit,or the second unit,. As one example, as shown in the example in, the first cable segmentmay be split around the adjustment assemblyat the terminal end. In such an example, the adjustment assembly, specifically the first unitof the adjustment assembly, is embedded between strands of the first cable segment. In the example shown in, the terminal endof the second cable segmentat the second unitof the adjustment assemblyis a knot, e.g., a Girth Hitch knot. As another example, as shown in the example in, the terminal endof the first cable segmentat the first unitof the adjustment assemblyis a knot, e.g., a Girth Hitch knot. In the example in, the terminal endof the second cable segmentat the second unitof the adjustment assemblyis a knot, e.g., a Girth Hitch knot.

The adjustment assembly,has a rotational axis R that extends through the first unit,and the second unit,. The first unit,and the second unit,are rotatable relative to each other about the rotational axis R. The first unit,and the second unit,are rotatably engaged with each other when the lockis in the unlocked position. In other words, when the lockis in the unlocked position, the first unit,and the second unit,are retained together axially along the rotational axis R and are rotatable relative to each other about the rotational axis R. In some examples, including the examples shown in the Figures, the rotational axis R of the adjustment assembly,and the longitudinal axis of the cable assembly,are colinear.

In the example shown inand the example shown in, the first unit,defines a first boreand a second borethat are coaxial with each other. The first borehas a larger diameter than the second bore. The first unit,has a ledgebetween the first boreand the second bore. The first unit,includes a shaftthat extends through the second boreto the first bore. The second unit,includes a headfixed to the shaftin the first bore. In the example shown in the Figures, the second unit,includes a threaded fastener including the shaft, which is threaded, and the head, and the second unit,includes a threaded holethat threadedly receives the shaftof the threaded fastener. In such an example, the threaded fastener may be locked in the threaded hole, e.g., with a polymeric thread locking material, to retain the threaded fastener in position in the threaded hole. The outer diameter of the headis smaller than the diameter of the first boreso that the headis rotatable relative to the second unit,about the rotational axis R when the lockis unlocked. The headmay have a splined or knurled surface for engaging the lock, as described further below.

With continued reference to the example inand the example in, the second unit,defines an eyeletto which the terminal endof the second cable segment,is fixed. In the example in, the first unitdefines groovesto which the terminal endof the first cable segmentis fixed at a split in the first cable segment. In the example shown in, the first unitdefines coaxial holesspaced at the first bore. The terminal endof the first cable segmentis fixed to a dowel pinfixed in the coaxial holes. As an example, the first cable segmentmay have a knot tied to the dowel pinat the terminal endof the first cable segment.

In the examples shown in the Figures, the terminal ends,of the cable segments are fixed to the respective adjustment assemblies,. In other words, the terminal endmoves as a unit with the first unit,and the terminal endmove as a unit with the second unit,. Specifically, the terminal endis rotationally fixed to the first unit,, i.e., rotates with the first unit,as a unit with the first unit,, and the terminal endis axially fixed to the first unit,, i.e., the terminal endmoves axially with the first unit,as a unit when the cable assembly,is in tension between the limbs,. The terminal endis rotationally fixed to the second unit,, i.e., rotates with the second unit,as a unit with the second unit,, and the terminal endis axially fixed to the second unit,, i.e., the terminal endmoves axially with the second unit,as a unit when the cable assembly,is in tension between the limbs,. In the examples shown in the Figures, the terminal endof the first cable segment,is fixed to the first unit,of the adjustment assembly,, i.e., the terminal endmoves as a unit with the first unit,of the adjustment assembly,when the first unit,is rotated about the rotational axis R relative to the second unit,. The terminal endof the second cable segment,is fixed to the second unit,of the adjustment assembly,, i.e., the terminal endmoves as a unit with the second unit,of the adjustment assembly,when the second unit,is rotated about the rotational axis R relative to the first unit,. In the example shown in, the second cable segmentmay be shortened or lengthened by twisting.

The lockis between the first unit,and the second unit,. The lockis movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The first unit,and the second unit,are rotatable relative to each other about the rotational axis R of the adjustment assembly,when the lockis in the unlocked position. The first unit,and the second unit,are fixed relative to each other about the rotational axis R of the adjustment assembly,when the lockis in the locked position.

The adjustment assembly,is adjusted to adjust the length of the cable segments,,along the longitudinal axis L, which adjusts the timing of the cams,. In other words, the length of the second cable segmentincan be lengthened or shortened to adjust the timing of the cam,to which the second cable segmentis connected. The length of the first cable segmentand/or the length of the second cable segmentin the example inmay be adjusted to adjust the timing of the cam,to which the second segmentis connected.

The lockis moved to the unlocked position, which allows for the first unit,to be rotated relative to the second unit,to twist at least one of the cable segments. In the examples shown in the Figures, the lockof the adjustment assembly,is unlocked to allow for rotation of the second unit,relative to the first unit,to adjust the length of the second cable segmentalong the longitudinal axis L and, in the example shown in, to also allow for rotation of the first unitrelative to the second unitto adjust the length of the first cable segmentand/or the second cable segmentalong the longitudinal axis L. When one of the cable segments,,is twisted, depending on the direction of rotation, the strands of that cable segment are tightened to shorten the length of the cable segment or loosened to lengthen the length of the cable segment. After relative rotation of the first unit,and the second unit,to the desired position for desired length of the cable assembly,, the lockis then moved to the locked position to lockthe position of the first unit,to the second unit,.

In some examples, the lockincludes a fastenercarried by the one of the first unit,or the second unit,and engageable with the other of the first unit,or the second unit,in the locked position. Again, as set forth above, the adjectives “first” and “second” are used herein, including in the claims, merely as identifiers to distinguish between two components of the adjustment assembly,. In the example shown in the Figures, the fasteneris carried by the first unit,and is selectively engageable with the second unit,. In other examples, the second unit,, may carry the fastenerand the fastenermay be selectively engageable with the first unit,.

In examples including the fastener, the fasteneris advanced to the locked position (shown in solid lines in) and retreated to the unlocked position (as shown in broken lines in). For example, in the example shown in the Figures, the fasteneris carried by the first unit,and is moveable relative to the second unit,between the locked position and the unlocked position. In the locked position, the fasteneris engaged with the second unit,to prevent relative rotation between the first unit,and the second unit,, and in the unlocked position, the fasteneris disengaged with the second unit,to allow relative rotation between the first unit,and the second unit,about the rotational axis R. In the examples shown in the Figures, the fastenerengages the second unit,by abutting the first unit,.

In the examples shown in the Figures, the lockincludes a holein the first unit,and the fasteneris advanced in the holeto the locked position and retreated from the holeto the unlocked position. In the examples shown in the Figures, the holeand the fastenermay be threaded such that the fasteneris advanced and retreated by rotation. In such examples, the fastenermay be a set screw.

The holehas a hole axis H transverse to the second unit,. The lockis moveable along the hole axis H between the locked position and the unlocked position. For example, the fastenerhas a fastener axis F colinear with the hole axis H, and the fastenermay be threadedly advanced and retracted along the hole axis H and fastener axis F between the locked and unlocked positions. In some examples, as shown in the examples in the Figures, the hole axis H and the fastener axis F may be transverse to the rotational axis R of the adjustment assembly,, i.e., intersects the rotational axis R, so that the fastenercan be advanced toward the rotational axis R to the locked position and retreated away from the rotational axis R to the unlocked position. In the example shown in the Figures, the hole axis H and the fastener axis F are transverse to the headso that the fastenercan be advanced into contact with the headin the locked position and retracted to be spaced from the headin the unlocked position. As set forth above, the headmay be knurled or splined to engage the fastener. The fastenermay have a point facing the headto engage the head.

The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.