Bowstring release device

• US 5,765,536 A
• Filed: 06/03/1996
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scott Archery LLC
• Original Assignee: John William Scott
• Inventors: Scott, John William
• Primary Examiner(s): Ricci, John A.
• Application Number:
  US08/657,334
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 124/35.2
• US Class Current: 124/35.2
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/1469 Bow-string drawing or releasing devices F41B5/1473 takes precedence

Abstract

A bowstring release with a fixed jaw and a single movable jaw is controlled by a trigger mechanism to provide enhanced accuracy. The bowstring release mechanism is adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis to readily align the jaws with a bowstring, and the bowstring release is further attached to a wrist strap by means of a ring or attachment plate having two relatively straight sides engaged by leather tabs on the wrist strap. The straight sides and the leather tabs control and define the location of the ring thereby removing positional variances of the point of force transmission between the wrist strap and the bowstring release device and eliminate at least some variations which will affect consistent bowstring draw and release. The use of both a single fixed jaw and a movable jaw improves the accuracy and the smoothness with which the bowstring is released by stabilizing the bowstring during the initial portions of its flight after release.

Claims

1. A bowstring release for engaging, drawing and releasing an archery bowstring, comprising:

a wrist strap;

a body attached to said wrist strap;

a pair of jaws, one of said jaws fixed with respect to said body, said fixed jaw having a face thereof in the form of a plane, said plane disposable against a bowstring;

a second one of said pair of jaws pivoted with respect to said fixed jaw and said body, said pivoted jaw pivoted about a pivot axis disposed between a jaw releasing end and a bowstring engaging end, said pivoted jaw having a face proximate said bowstring engaging end disposed in juxtaposition with said face of said fixed jaw and said face interrupted by a bowstring notch, said bowstring notch having a surface closest to said bowstring engaging end, said bowstring notch surface being curved to smoothly engage said bowstring;

said bowstring notch surface inclined to form an acute angle with said fixed jaw face;

a trigger pivotally disposed within and extending from said body, said trigger cooperatively associated with said jaw releasing end of said pivotable jaw in a holding position blocking said jaw from moving to a bowstring release position,

whereby said bowstring is retained in said release by said bowstring notch and is urged against said fixed jaw face by said bowstring notch surface forming said acute angle and said fixed jaw face engages said bowstring during the initial phase of flight of said bowstring upon release, thereby stabilizing said bowstring against undesirable lateral movement immediately following release.

2. The bowstring release of claim 1 further comprising a spring biasing said pivoted jaw to an open position.

3. A bowstring release for engaging, drawing and releasing an archery bowstring, comprising:

a body;

a pair of jaws, one of said jaws fixed with respect to said body, said fixed jaw having a face thereof in the form of a plane, said plane disposable against a bowstring;

a second one of said pair of jaws pivoted with respect to said fixed jaw and said body, said pivoted jaw pivoted about a pivot axis disposed between a jaw release end and a bowstring engaging end of said pivoted jaw, said pivoted jaw having a face proximate said bowstring engaging end disposable in juxtaposition with said face of said fixed jaw, said pivoted jaw face interrupted by a bowstring notch, said bowstring notch opening toward said fixed jaw and having a surface closest to said bowstring engaging end curved to smoothly engage said bowstring when said bowstring is drawn;

said bowstring notch surface inclined, forming an acute angle with said fixed jaw face;

a jaw release disposed within, pivoted on and extending from said body, said jaw release cooperably associated with said jaw release end of said pivoted jaw in a holding position blocking said pivoted jaw from moving to a bowstring release position,

whereby said bowstring is retained by said pair of jaws, when in closed relation, in said bowstring notch and is urged against said fixed jaw face by said bowstring notch surface and bowstring tension when said bowstring is drawn and said fixed jaw face engages and guides said bowstring upon release, thereby stabilizing said bowstring against undesirable lateral movement immediately following release.

4. The bowstring release of claim 3 further comprising a spring biasing said pivoted jaw to an open position.

5. The bowstring release of claim 3 wherein said fixed jaw is formed integrally with said body.

6. The bowstring release of claim 3 further comprising a wrist strap and said body rotatably connected to said wrist strap.