Arrow Rest with Decoupled Launch Assembly

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/204,935 filed Jun. 1, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/351,809, filed Jun. 13, 2022, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entities.

The invention relates to archery and in particular to an arrow rest with a decoupled launch assembly.

Arrow rests help with accuracy and consistency when firing arrows. Certain types of arrow rests contact an arrow, such as its fletching, as the arrow is fired, which can cause the arrow's flight to become unpredictable. A drop away arrow rest falls away from the arrow when fired and thus typically does not touch the arrow as it is fired.

From the discussion that follows, it will become apparent that the present invention addresses the deficiencies associated with the prior art while providing numerous additional advantages and benefits not contemplated or possible with prior art constructions.

An arrow rest with a decoupled launch assembly is disclosed herein. As will be described further below, the decoupled launch assembly, provides a flexible or decoupled connection between a bow and a rest. As such, the arrow rest is more readily installed and tuned in that the precision required in installation and tuning of traditional arrow rests is not required. In addition, the arrow rest can operate properly without tuning even as bow components stretch, move, or otherwise change over time.

Various arrow rests and methods therefor are disclosed herein. For instance, in one exemplary embodiment, an arrow rest for a bow is provided, with such arrow rest comprising a housing and a shaft mounted to the housing. The shaft is rotatable between first position and a second position with an intermediary position therebetween.

An actuator is attached to the shaft for connecting to a portion of the bow. A rest, rotatable relative to the shaft, is mounted to the shaft. A biasing device is attached to the shaft and flexibly coupling the rest to the shaft.

When the shaft is rotated to the first position the rest is rotated to a raised state, and when the shaft is rotated to the intermediary position the rest is rotated to a dropped state, and when the shaft is rotated from the intermediary position to the second position the rest is maintained in the dropped state. The biasing device is distorted by torsional forces when the shaft is rotated from the intermediary position to the second position.

In one or more embodiments, a rigid actuation member may be attached to the actuator for connecting the actuator to the portion of the bow is included. In addition, a rotation limiter may be affixed to the shaft and a stop attached to the housing. The rotation limiter engages the stop when the shaft is rotated to the first position. The rotation limiter may also engage the stop when the shaft is rotated to the second position. In addition, the rotation limiter may be disengaged from the stop when the shaft is in the intermediary position.

A targeting adjustment assembly comprising one or more clamping assemblies engaged to one or more tracks may also be provided. The clamping assemblies are preloaded to engage the tracks with one or more springs. The tracks may be oriented to provide elevation or windage adjustment, or both. The actuator and rest may generally be at opposing ends of the shaft.

In another exemplary embodiment, the arrow rest comprises a housing having a stop and a shaft rotatably mounted to the housing. The shaft is rotatable between first position and a second position with an intermediary position therebetween. A rotation limiter is mounted to the shaft and limits the rotation of the shaft by engaging the stop when the shaft is rotated to the first position and the second position.

A rest is rotatably mounted to the shaft, and a biasing device attached to the shaft. The biasing device flexibly couples the shaft to the rest such that when the shaft is rotated to the first position the rest is rotated to a raised state, when the shaft is rotated to the intermediary position the rest is rotated to a dropped state, and when the shaft is rotated from the intermediary position to the second position the biasing device is distorted by the rotation while the rest is maintained in the dropped state.

In one or more embodiments, the biasing device may be a torsion spring, and the shaft extends through the biasing device. In addition, an actuator may be attached to the shaft for connecting to a portion of a bow. A rigid actuation member may be attached to the shaft for connecting to a portion of a bow as well. A shaft biasing device may be included to flexibly couple the shaft to the housing. The shaft biasing device biases the shaft to a particular position.

A targeting adjustment assembly comprising one or more clamping assemblies engaged to one or more tracks may be provided as well. The clamping assemblies are preloaded to engage the tracks with one or more springs. The tracks may be oriented to provide elevation or windage adjustment.

In another exemplary embodiment, an arrow rest comprises a shaft mounted to the housing and having a first end and a second end. The shaft is rotatable between first position and a second position with an intermediary position therebetween.

A rest is mounted to the shaft and is rotatable relative to the shaft. A biasing device is attached to the shaft and flexibly couples the rest to the shaft. The rest is rotated to a raised state via the biasing device when the shaft is rotated to the first position, the rest is rotated to a dropped state via the biasing device when the shaft is rotated to the intermediary position, and the rest is maintained in the dropped state when the shaft is rotated to the second position. A load distorts the biasing device only when the shaft is rotated from the intermediary position to the second position.

The first position and second position may be defined by a rotation limiter affixed to the shaft. In addition, an actuator may be coupled to the shaft for connecting to a portion of a bow. A rigid actuation member coupled to the shaft for connecting to a portion of a bow as well. A shaft biasing device may be attached to the shaft and bias the shaft and the rest to a particular position.

A targeting adjustment assembly comprising one or more clamping assemblies engaged to one or more tracks may be included. The clamping assemblies are preloaded to engage the tracks with one or more springs.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

The arrow rest disclosed herein includes a decoupled launch assembly that simplifies proper installation and tuning of the arrow rest, while providing the benefit of improved consistency by dropping away to avoid contact with a fired arrow. This is unlike traditional drop away arrow rests which are difficult to install and require regular tuning to maintain consistent operation.

In addition, as a bow's components stretch, move, or otherwise change over time, a traditional drop away rest may not continue to drop away as desired, causing unwanted contact between the drop away rest and a fired arrow. The decoupled launch assembly included in the arrow rest herein, among other things, addresses this issue.

illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary arrow rest. As can be seen, the arrow restmay comprise a cagedefining an open areawith a restfor holding an arrow, an adjustment assemblyfor windage, elevation, or other targeting adjustments, and an actuatorthat actuates the rest when rotated, moved, or otherwise actuated. A body or housingwill typically be provided to house and support one or more components of a decoupled launch assemblyas well as other components of the arrow rest, as can be seen from.

The actuatormay be connected to a bow limb or other portion of a bow by an actuation member. The actuation memberwill typically be a rigid member such that the actuatoris rigidly connected to the bow, such as via a clamp or other connector. As shown infor example, the actuation memberis a rod.

respectively illustrate a front and rear view of the exemplary decoupled launch assembly. As can be seen from, various components of the decoupled launch assemblymay be housed within or otherwise supported by the housing.

The decoupled launch assemblymay comprise one or more shafts, bushings, biasing devices, bearings, washers, mounts, disks, or various subsets thereof. For instance, as can be seen in the exemplary embodiment of, the decoupled launch assemblymay comprise a shaftrotatably mounted to the housingvia one or more bearings,, and end bushings, or both. One or more mounting platesmay be used to secure the bearing,to the housing. One or more washers, may be provided as well and may comprise friction reducing material, such as TEFLON to facilitate rotation and movement.

In one or more embodiments, the shaft, such as illustrated in, generally extends along a dimension of the arrow rest. The shaftmay comprise a first endand a second end. The first endmay rotatably engage the end bushing, which allows the shaftto rotate freely therein. It is noted that though the end bushingis shown with a threaded exterior for mounting to a threaded portion of the housing, a bushing may be secured to a housing in various ways. In one or more embodiments, the shaftmay be formed as a single unitary structure.

The second endof the shaftmay be attached to the actuatorthat rotates the shaft. For example, the actuatormay be an arm, lever, or the like that rotates its shaft. It is contemplated that the second endof the shaftmay be faceted or otherwise shaped so as to engage a corresponding socketed portion of the actuator, allowing rotation of the actuatorto efficiently transfer movement to the shaft.

The shaftmay, in some embodiments, have varying diameters or otherwise be contoured along its length. As shown infor example, the shafthas a reduced diameter proximate its first enddemarcated by the flange or one or more stepsthereof. The one or more stepsmay be provided to position and secure various components along the shaft. For example, a rest bushingmay engage the stepwhen installed thereby positioning the rest bushing along the shaft.

The shaftmay also comprise one or more features for mounting components of the decoupled launch assembly. As also shown in, one or more slots, holes, or other openings may be part of the shaft. These features may be used to receive or otherwise engage various components of the decoupled launch assembly, such as for mounting purposes. For instance, with reference to, a pinis received at the holein the shaftto secure the bearing.

illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary rest assembly, which may comprise the rest bushingwith the restfixed thereto. As can be seen, the rest bushingmay comprise one or more open portionsfor receiving the shaft.

The rest assemblymay comprise a limiter to control or limit its rotation. For example, the open portionmay have a compartment to receive a pinin one or more embodiments. When assembled to the shaft, such pinmay also be received in a slot, as shown in, of the shaftto control or limit rotation of the rest bushing.

In the embodiment of, the open portionhas an arcuate compartmentdefining a path along which the pincan roll or otherwise move when the rest bushingis rotated, with the extents of the compartment defining the limits of rotation for the rest bushing.

Referring back to, the rest bushingwill typically be rotatably mounted to the shaftsuch as via the open portionthereof. In this manner, the rest assemblycan freely rotate in a decoupled manner relative to the shaft, as may be limited by the limiter such as described above.

A rest biasing device, which may be a torsion or other spring, will typically be provided to bias the rest bushingand its attached restto a particular position. Typically, the rest biasing devicewill bias the resttoward a downward or dropped position to avoid contact between the restand a fired arrow. As will be described further below, the rest biasing devicewill typically also function as a flexible or decoupled connection that allows the restto rotate in keeping with and separate from other components of the decoupled launch assembly, such as the shaftthereof.

As can be seen in the rear view of, the rest biasing devicemay connect at a first endto the shaftand at a second endto the rest bushingthereby allowing the rest bushing and restto be connected to and biased relative to the shaft. It is noted that the rest biasing devicemay be connected at first and second portions rather than at its first and second ends in one or more embodiments.

A shaft biasing device, which may be a torsion or other spring, may be provided as well to bias the shaftto a particular position. In one or more embodiments, the shaft biasing devicemay bias the shaftin an opposite direction as compared to the rest biasing device. For instance, the shaft biasing devicewill typically bias the shaftsuch that its restis in a raised position.

The shaft biasing devicemay be secured to one or more mountsand one or more rotation limiters. As can be seen in the rear view offor instance, a first portion of the shaft biasing deviceis connected to the mount, while a second portion of the shaft biasing deviceis connected to the rotation limiter. The rotation limitermay be fixed to the shaft, while the mountis rotatable or decoupled relative to the shaft.

In the exemplary embodiment of, the rotation limiteris fixed to the shaftvia a set screw, while the mountis rotatable relative to the shaftand fixed to the housing, such as with a fastener. The set screwmay be received in one of the holesof the shaftto help ensure that the rotation limiteris fixed to the shaft.

It is noted that one or more portions of the decoupled launch assemblymay be integrally formed with the shaftin some embodiments. For example, the rotation limiteror the mount, if intended to be fixed relative to the shaft, may be formed as part of the shaft.

illustrates a front perspective view of the exemplary arrow restand the decoupled launch assembly. As can be seen, a stopmay be provided to limit rotation of the shaftwhen the rotation limiterengages the stop. In one or more embodiments, the stopmay be fixed to the housingor other structure. The rotation limitermay comprise one or more structural features, such as one or more flanges,, for engaging the stopto limit rotation to a particular range.

Operation of the exemplary decoupled launch assemblywill now be described with respect to. As will now be described, the rest assemblyof the decoupled launch assemblymay rotate generally synchronous with the shaftfrom a raised state to a dropped state. When the dropped state is achieved, the shaftmay continue to rotate while the rest assemblydoes not rotate due to the decoupled nature of the decoupled launch assembly.

illustrates the exemplary decoupled launch assemblyin a raised state where the restis at a raised position to hold an arrowfor firing. The raised state may be achieved by the shaft biasing devicerotating the shaft, in the direction indicated by arrow A, such that the rotation limiterengages the stop. For instance, such rotation may occur when a bow limb is flexed introducing slack at the actuation memberand the actuator.

The rest biasing devicemay rotate with the shaftthereby raising the rest bushingand the restto a raised state as well, as can be seen from. In one or more embodiments, the stopmay be engaged by a first flangeof the rotation limiterwhen the raised state is achieved. The first flangeand the stopmay then prevent the restfrom rotating further.

illustrates the decoupled launch assemblyin a dropped state where the decoupled launch assemblyis rotated downward such that the restis at a dropped position downward and away from the arrow. In the dropped state, the restmay be at its lowest position as may be defined by engagement between the rest bushing, the rest, or both and a portion of the housing, such as a stop or the like of the housing.

The dropped state may be achieved by rotating the shaftin the direction indicated by arrow B. For example, such rotation may occur when the actuation memberis pulled as a bow limb relaxes as the arrowis fired, which in turn rotates the actuatorthat rotates the shaft.

As can be seen in, although the decoupled launch assemblyis in a dropped state with the restin a dropped position, the second flangehas not engaged the stop. In other words, the shaftand the rotation limiterare at an intermediary position inwhere no engagement is being made with the stop, yet the restis at a dropped position.

As such, as shown in, the shaftmay be further rotated in the direction indicated by arrow B, while the restremains in the dropped position. In this manner, the rotation of the shaftis decoupled from the rest bushingand the rest. The rest biasing deviceabsorbs this additional rotation by twisting or otherwise distorting because of this load as shown by the movement of the first endof the rest biasing devicerelative to its position in. Rotation may continue until the shaftrotates such that a second flangeof the rotation limiterengages the stopas shown in.

This ability to absorb or otherwise accept additional rotation is advantageous in that it increases the range of motion for the actuatorand the actuation memberthereby also allowing the decoupled launch assemblyto compensate for a larger range of motion of a bow's components. As such, installation and tuning of the arrow restis simplified more readily achievable, at least for the reason that the arrow restneed not be tuned precisely for the particular movements of a bow. In addition, proper operation of the arrow restis maintained even as components of a bow move, stretch, or otherwise change, providing increased firing consistency over time without the need for additional tuning.

illustrates a side view of the exemplary arrow restin an exemplary environment of use. Namely, the arrow restis installed on a bow. As can be seen, the actuation membermay be connected to the bowat a bow limb, such as via the connector. The connectormay be directly connect to the bowor may be connected to the bowvia one or more linkages. The linkagewill typically be a rigid structure. Although illustrated as connected to a particular bow limb, it will be understood that the arrow restmay be connected to various portions of a variety of bows.