Weighted Archery Assessory

This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/663,522, filed on Jun. 24, 2024. The entire contents of such application are hereby incorporated by reference.

Archery bows include a bowstring that extends between the limbs of the archery bow and is structured to engage and propel a projectile, such as an arrow, along a shooting axis towards a target as the bowstring moves from the shooting or fully drawn position into the undrawn position. In some bows, such as long bows or recurve bows, when an archer pulls the bowstring from an undrawn position to the shooting position, the force exerted by the archer generally increases such that the greatest amount of force occurs when holding the bowstring in the shooting position. In compound bows, the maximum force occurs at a point somewhere between the undrawn position and the shooting position.

Regardless of the type of bow, many archers have difficulty overcoming the forces required to pull the bow string from the undrawn position to the shooting position. Moreover, the degree of force required to hold the bowstring in the shooting position for a prolonged period of time is great enough to cause muscle fatigue. For example, while hunting or target shooting, the archer typically must hold the bowstring in the shooting position for an extended period of time while aiming at the target and shooting. This period of time may be even longer in a hunting situation as the hunter must wait for the game to present in an optimum position to provide the best chance for the hunter to take down the game. Maintaining the bowstring in the shooting position for this prolonged period of time results in muscle fatigue, which can cause movement of the archery bow due to undesirable muscle twitching or shaking. The muscle twitching or muscle shaking can lead to a difficulty in aiming the archery bow and delivering an accurate shot. Moreover, muscle fatigue can also lead to poor shooting form by the archer, especially with subsequent shots. Not only can poor form further decrease the archer's accuracy, but it can also cause aches, pains, and injury to the archer.

The foregoing background describes some, but not necessarily all, of the problems, disadvantages and shortcomings related to the use of known archery bows.

Aspects of the following disclosure are directed to embodiments of a weighted archery accessory that includes a body extending along a body axis from a first end to a second end. In some embodiments, the body includes a holding portion, an adjustment portion located between the holding portion and the second end of the body, and a securing portion located between the holding portion and the first end of the body. In some embodiments, a base weight is fixedly secured to the holding portion of the body and includes at least one weight unit holder. In some embodiments, one or more weight units are structured to be removably couple to the base weight by the at least one weight unit holder. In some embodiments, the body is configured to be secured to an arm of an archer by engaging a portion of the adjustment portion with a portion of the securing portion. In some embodiments, the body is configured to position the base weight at a location between a finger tip of the arm and an elbow of the arm.

In some embodiments of the weighted archery accessory, the adjustment portion includes a plurality of adjuster engagers positioned along the adjustment portion. In some embodiments of the weighted archery accessory, the securing portion includes a securing member that is structured to engage one or more of the adjuster engagers. In some embodiments of the weighted archery accessory, the body includes an intermediate portion configured to be positioned to engage part of a circumferential skin surface of an arm. In some embodiments, the circumferential skin surface includes a dorsal region bound by a dorsal boundary and a ventral region bound by a ventral boundary. In some embodiments, the intermediate portion is sized to fit entirely within one of the dorsal region or the ventral region. In some embodiments of the weighted archery accessory, the base weight define a first diameter, and the one or more weight units define a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. In some embodiments of the weighted archery accessory, the at least one weight unit holder includes a seat positioned on the base weight and a weight securing member structured to engage the seat. In some embodiments, the weight securing member is structured to traverse the at least one weight unit holder and couple the at least one weight unit to the base weight through the engagement of the weight securing member with the seat.

Aspects of the following disclosure are directed to embodiments of an archery accessory. In some embodiments, the archery accessory includes a body extending along a body axis from a first end to a second end. In some embodiments, the body includes a holding portion, an adjustment portion located between the holding portion and the second end of the body, and a securing portion located between the holding portion and the first end of the body. In some embodiments, a base weight is fixedly secured to the holding portion of the body and includes at least one weight unit holder that is structured to secure one or more additional weight units to the base weight. In some embodiments, the body is configured to be secured to an arm of an archer by engaging a portion of the adjustment portion with a portion of the securing portion. In some embodiments, the body is configured to position the base weight at a location between a finger tip of the arm and an elbow of the arm.

In some embodiments of the archery accessory, the adjustment portion includes a plurality of adjuster engagers positioned along the adjustment portion. In some embodiments, the securing portion includes a securing member that is structured to engage one or more of the adjuster engagers. In some embodiments of the archery accessory, the body includes an intermediate portion configured to be positioned to engage part of a circumferential skin surface of an arm. In some embodiments, the circumferential skin surface includes a dorsal region bound by a dorsal boundary and a ventral region bound by a ventral boundary. In some embodiments, the intermediate portion is sized to fit entirely within one of the dorsal region or the ventral region. In some embodiments of the archery accessory, the base weight defines a first diameter, and the one or more weight units define a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. In some embodiments of the archery accessory, the at least one weight unit holder includes a seat that is positioned on the base weight and a weight securing member that is structured to engage the seat. In some embodiments, the weight securing member is structured to traverse the at least one weight unit holder and couple the at least one weight unit to the base weight through the engagement of the weight securing member with the seat.

Aspects of the following disclosure are directed to embodiments of a method of manufacturing a weighted archery accessory. In some embodiments, the method includes structuring a body to extend along a body axis from a first end to a second end. In some embodiments, the method includes structuring the body to include a holding portion, an adjustment portion located between the holding portion and the second end of the body, and a securing portion located between the holding portion and the first end of the body. In some embodiments, the method includes structuring a base weight to be fixedly secured to the holding portion of the body and structuring the base weight to comprise at least one weight unit holder. In some embodiments, the method further includes structuring the at least one weight holder unit to secure one or more additional weight units to the base weight. In some embodiments, the method further includes structuring the body to be secured to an arm of an archer by engaging a portion of the adjustment portion with a portion of the securing portion. In some embodiments, the method further includes structuring the body to position the base weight at a location between a finger tip of the arm and an elbow of the arm.

In some embodiments, the method further includes structuring the adjustment portion to comprise a plurality of adjuster engagers positioned along the adjustment portion. In some embodiments, the method further includes structuring the securing portion to comprise a securing member that is structured to engage one or more of the adjuster engagers. In some embodiments, the method further includes structuring the base weight to comprise a first diameter and structuring the one or more weight units to comprise a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. In some embodiments, the method further includes structuring the at least one weight unit holder to comprise a seat positioned on the base weight and a weight securing member structured to engage the seat. In some embodiments, the method further includes structuring the weight securing member to traverse the at least one weight unit and couple the at least one weight unit to the base weight through the engagement of the weight securing member with the seat.

Throughout this disclosure set forth herein, the word “including” indicates or means “including, without limitation,” the word “includes” indicates or means “includes, without limitation,” the phrases “such as” and “e.g.” indicate or mean “including, without limitation,” and the phrase “for example” refers to a non-limiting example.

As illustrated in, in an embodiment, a weighted archery accessoryfor use with archery devices, such as archery bows, is shown as generally comprising a bodyand one or more weight unitssecured to the body. In the embodiments shown, the bodyextends along a body axis B from a first endto a second end. Referring specifically to the embodiment of, the bodyincludes an adjustment portion, a securing portionand a holding portion. As shown, the adjustment portionis located between the holding portionand the second endof the body and the securing portionis located between the holding portionand the first endof the body. Referring to the embodiment of, the bodyfurther includes an intermediate portionthat is structured to be positioned to engage part of circumferential skin surfaceof an armof an archer. In some embodiments, the armis the forearm defined between a wrist of an archer and an elbow of an archer. The circumferential skin surfaceincludes a dorsal regionbound by a dorsal boundaryand a ventral regionbound by a ventral boundary. In some embodiments, the intermediate portionis sized to fit entirely within one of the dorsal boundaryor the ventral boundary. In some embodiments, the intermediate portionis positioned entirely within the dorsal regionor the ventral region. In some embodiments, the intermediate portionis partially positioned in the dorsal regionand the ventral region. The ability of the archer to adjust the position of the weight enables the archer to apply the weight force to a desired part of the arm for providing customized assistance and stability during a shooting process.

In some embodiments, the adjustment portiondefines a plurality of adjuster engagersand the securing portionincludes at least one securing memberstructured to cooperate with the plurality of adjuster engages. In operation, the adjustment portionand the securing portionare brought into contact with each other such that the securing memberengages at least one of the adjuster engager. Engagement of the securing portionwith at least one of the adjuster engagersacts to secure the first endof the body to the second endof the body forming a loop as shown, for example in, that is sized to at least partially accept a portion of the archer's arm(see).

In some embodiments, the securing membercomprises a buckle and the position engagers comprise openings defined in the adjustment portionof the body. In some embodiments, the bodyis comprised of a flexible and durable material. In some embodiments the bodyis comprised of a natural material, such as leather or cotton. In some embodiments, the bodyis comprised of a synthetic material, such as nylon or spandex. In some embodiments, the bodyis comprised of an elastic material such that the bodymay be stretched in order to fit onto and be secured to a portion an archer's arm between the archer's hand(see) and elbow. In some embodiments, the bodyincludes the structure of a belt with a buckle or an adjustable wrist band. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the first and second ends,of the bodyare permanently joined together and may form a continuous loop that does not include a securing memberor at least one adjuster engager.

Still referring to, the holding portionof the bodyincludes a weight unit holder or holders. In some embodiments, the one or more weight unit holdersare components that are formed separately from the bodyand subsequently coupled to the body. In some embodiments, the one or more weight unit holdersare comprised of a fastener structured to removably couple to the body. Referring to, in some embodiments, a base weight unitis coupled to the bodyand one or more weight unitsare removably coupled to the base weightvia a weight unit holder. In some embodiments, the one or more weight unitsdefine a borestructured to traverse the weight unit. In some embodiments, the base weight unitis fixedly coupled to the body. In some embodiments, the base weightincludes one or more weight unit holders. In some embodiments, each of the one or more the weight unit holdersis comprised of multiple components. Referring to, in some embodiments, each weight unit holdercomprises a seatand a weight unit securing memberstructured to cooperate with the seat. In some embodiments, the one or more weight unit holdersare at least partially formed as a single unit with the base weight. For example, in some embodiments, the base weightand the seatare formed as a single component. In some embodiments, the one or more weight unitsare removably coupled to the base weightvia one or more weight unit holders. In some embodiments, the one or more weight unit holdersare structured to exert a compressive force against the weight unitwhen secured to the bodyor base weight. In some embodiments, the weight unit securing memberincludes one or more surface featuresstructured to engage with one or more complementary surface featuresof the seat. In some embodiments, the weight unit securing membercomprises a fastener and the seatcomprises a bore or cavity structured to at least partially accept the fastener and cooperate or otherwise engage the fastener. In some embodiments, the seatand the weight unit securing memberare comprised of a metal or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the engagement between the weight unit securing memberand the seatcomprises a threaded engagement.

The weight unitsand the base weightmay be comprised of a high mass density, or in other words, a material with a high mass to volume ratio. The high mass to volume ratio concentrates as much mass at the smallest point. In some embodiments, having a high mass density at the smallest pointpossible results in more effective stabilization as compared to distributing the same weight over a larger area. In some embodiments, the weight unitsmay be comprised of tungsten or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the metal alloy may comprise lead. Each weight unitcomprises a weight such that the total weight of the weighted archery accessorydepends on the weight of the body, the weight of the base weight, and the weight of each weighted unitsecured to the bodyor base weight. In some embodiments, the weighted archery accessorycomprises a weight of at least 4 ounces. In some embodiments, the weighted archery accessorycomprises a weight of between about 8 ounces and about 30 ounces. Accordingly, each of the weight unitsmay comprise any suitable amount of weight. In some embodiments, the archer may add additional weight to the bodyby securing one or more weight unitsto the holding portionof the body using one or more weight unit holders. In some embodiments, the one or more weight unitsare secured to the base weight() positioned at the holding portionof the bodyusing one or more weight unit holders. Addition of additional weight unitsenables the archer to customize the weighted archery accessoryto meet their preferences.

In some embodiments, the base weightand the weight unitsmay comprise a variety of shapes and dimensions. For example, as shown in the embodiments of, the base weightand the weight unitsmay comprise a generally planar shape. In some embodiments, the base weightand the weight unitsmay comprise a disk shape. In some embodiments, one or more of the weight unitsmay generally comprise a non-planar shape, such as a cylindrical, conical, or spherical shape. In some embodiments, the base weightmay define a base weight diameter Dand the one or more weights units define a unit diameter D. As shown in. In some embodiments, the base weight diameter Dis smaller than the unit diameter D. In some embodiments, each weight unitcomprises a different diameter from each other.

Operation of the weighted archery accessorywill now be discussed with reference to. As previously discussed, the weighted archery accessoryincludes a base weightthat is fixedly coupled to the bodyof the weighted archery accessory. Some archers may find that the base weightis heavy enough to provide a sufficient stabilizing effect. In order to wear the weighted archery accessory, the bodyis secured around the armof the archer by engagement of the securing memberwith at least one of the adjuster engagers. The archer may adjust the fit around their armdepending on which of the plurality of adjuster engagersis engaged by the securing member. In some embodiments, the weighted archery accessoryis structured to be worn around the archer's armso that the base weight(and any additional weight units) are positioned between the archer's handand elbow. In some embodiments, the archery accessoryis structured to be worn around the armor an archer so that the base weight(and any additional weight units) are positioned at a location between a finger tipof the armand an elbow of the arm. In some embodiments, the base weight(and any additional weight units) are structured to be positioned in a single area or pointbetween the fingertipof the arm and the elbow of the arm instead of surrounding the arm.

Alternatively, the base weightmay not be heavy enough to be effective for some archers. In these instances, the archer may secure the bodyto their armas previously described and then add one or more additional weight units. As shown in, additional weight unitsmay be secured to the base weightusing one or more weight unit holders. In some embodiments, the weight unit holderexerts a compressive force to secure the weight unitto the base weight. In some embodiments, the weight unit securing memberis structured to traverse the weight unitand secure the weight unitto the base weightvia engagement with the seat. In some embodiments, the weight unit securing memberthreadably engages the seat.

In some embodiments, the weight unit holder threadably engages the base weightand the weight unit. In some embodiments, the weight unit holderdefines a tool interfacestructured to cooperate with an endof a toolin order to secure and unsecure the weight unit holderto the base weight. In some embodiments, the weight unit holderis a fastener.

In some embodiments, the archer may require more than one additional weight unitto achieve the desires stability. In these instances, more than one weight unitmay be secured to the base weightin a similar manner as previously described. In some embodiments, the weighted archery accessoryis structured to position at least some the plurality of weight unitsbetween a finger tipof the arm and an elbow of the arm. In some embodiments, the weighted archery accessoryfurther includes a glove. In such embodiments, the base weight may be secured to a portion of the glove body and additional weight unitsmay be added in a similar manner as previously described. In some embodiments, the bodyof the weighted archery accessoryincludes a band or sleeve that is configured to be worn on the archer's armand extend from the archer's handto the archer's elbow. In these embodiments, the base weightis fixedly secured the sleeve and additional weight unitsmay be secured to the base weight in a similar manner as previously described.

In some embodiments, the weighted archery accessoryproduces a stabilizing force. The stabilizing force acts to inhibit movement of the archer's armwhen the archer is holding a bow in the fully drawn or shooting position. The weight units exert a downward force that counters and/or diminishes the shaking forces generated by the archer's muscles, which may occur in many different directions. Inhibiting armmovement (i.e., shaking due to muscle fatigue) improves the archer's ability to accurately aim as well as overall shooting accuracy. The stabilizing function of the weighted archery accessoryalso improve and maintain the archer's form, which further improves shooting accuracy and reduces injury. Moreover, the weighted archery accessorygenerates momentum during use that is generally directed along the armof the archer in a direction away from the target. The momentum generated by the weighted archery accessoryimproves the ease at which the archer is able to draw the bowstring or draw cord of the archery bow from a resting or undrawn position to the fully drawn position. Accordingly, it is easier for the archer to overcome the maximum force required to fully draw the archery bow.

In some embodiments, the weighted archery accessorymay be suitable to non-archery uses, such as to treat individuals with hand tremors resulting from a medical condition. The weight units of the weighted archery accessoryexert a downward force that counters and/or diminishes the shaking forces generated by the individual's muscles, which may occur in many different directions. In some embodiments, the base weightand/or the additional weight unitsof the archery accessorymay be differently dimensioned for non-archery uses than the base weightand/or additional weight unitsused for archery. In some embodiments where the weighted archery accessoryis used for non-archery purposes, the bodymay be at least partially made of a high-density metal.

The parts, components, and structural elements of the weighted archery accessory can be combined into an integral or unitary, one-piece object through welding, soldering, plastic molding other methods, or such parts, components, and structural elements can be distinct, removable items that are attachable to each other through screws, bolts, pins and other suitable fasteners.

In the foregoing description, certain components or elements may have been described as being configured to mate with each other. For example, an embodiment may be described as a first element (functioning as a male) configured to be inserted into a second element (functioning as a female). It should be appreciated that an alternate embodiment includes the first element (functioning as a female) configured to receive the second element (functioning as a male). In either such embodiment, the first and second elements are configured to mate with, fit with or otherwise interlock with each other.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the disclosure.

Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure.