Single-cam compound archery bow

• US 5,934,265 A
• Filed: 05/09/1997
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rex Darlington
• Original Assignee: Rex Darlington
• Inventors: Darlington, Rex F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ricci, John A.
• Application Number:
  US08/853,260
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 124/25.6, 124/900
• US Class Current: 124/25.6
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/10 Compound bows compound crossbows F41B5/123
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/105 Cams or pulleys for compound bows
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 124/90 Limb tip rotatable element structure

Abstract

A single-cam compound archery bow that includes a bow handle from which bow limbs project, a control wheel rotatably mounted on one end of one limb and a power can rotatably mounted at an opposing end of the other limb. A power cable segment is anchored at one end to the one limb and at a second end to the power can at a position to wrap into and unwrap from a power cable groove on the power cam. A bow string cable segment is anchored to the control wheel and to the power cam at positions to wrap into and unwrap from first and second bow string take-up grooves on the control wheel and power cam respectively. The bow string cable segment has a nock point disposed between the spaced limb ends. A control cable segment is anchored at one end to the control wheel at a position to wrap into and unwrap from a control groove on the control wheel, and is anchored at an opposing end to the power cam. As the bow string cable segment is drawn away from the handle, the bow string cable segment unwraps equally from the control wheel and power cam, wraps the power cable segment into the power cable groove on the power cam so as to draw the bow limb ends together up to a power let-off point at the power cable groove, and wraps the control cable segment into the control groove on the control wheel. Length of the power cable groove on the power cam, and position of the power let-off point on the power cam, are adjustable while maintaining a fixed separation between the power let-off point and the control cable anchor on the power cam, so that the nock point travels in a straight line as the bow string cable section is drawn and released independent of adjusted length of the power cable groove and position of the power let-off point.

Claims

1. A compound archery bow that comprises:

a bow handle having projecting limbs,

first pulley means including means mounting said first pulley means for rotation about a first axis at an end of one of said limbs,

second pulley means including means mounting said second pulley means for rotation about a second axis at an end of the other of said limbs, and

bow cable means trained around and extending between said first and second pulley means and anchored to at least one of said limbs for drawing said bow,

at least one of said pulley means including a draw length module mounted and adjustably positionable thereon for varying drawlength of said bow,

said module having a groove into which said bow cable means wraps as said bow is drawn and draw stop means on said module aligned with said groove to prevent wrap of said bow cable means into said groove and thereby form a draw stop on said at least one pulley means, position of said draw stop on said at least one pulley means being adjusted conjointly with said module.

2. The bow set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one pulley means comprises a base and a module assembled to said base including said groove and said draw stop means.

3. The bow set forth in claim 2 further comprising an axle bushing on said base for mounting said one pulley means to a bow limb, said groove terminating adjacent to said axle bushing, and said draw stop means comprising a planar wall on said module aligned with said groove across said axle bushing.

4. The bow set forth in claim 2 wherein said draw stop means is disposed tangent to said groove at minimum radius of said groove.

5. The bow set forth in claim 4 wherein said draw stop means comprises a flat planar surface on said module.

6. The bow set forth in claim 2 wherein said bow comprises a single-cam bow in which said first pulley means comprises a control wheel of fixed geometry and said second pulley means comprises a power cam having said module mounted thereon.

25. The bow set forth in claims 1 or 9 wherein said second pulley means further comprises a cable guide fixedly disposed on said base defining a portion of said pulley groove in cooperation with said module.

26. The bow set forth in claim 25 wherein said second pulley means further comprises an anchor for said first cable segment on said base adjacent to said cable guide.

7. A single cam compound archery bow that comprises:

a bow handle having projecting limbs,

first pulley means including means mounting said first pulley means for rotation about a first axis at an end of one of said limbs,

second pulley means including means mounting said second pulley means for rotation about a second axis at an end of the other of said limbs,

bow cable means including a first cable segment anchored at one end to said one limb at said first axis and at a second end to said second pulley means, a second cable segment anchored at one end to said second pulley means and extending to said first pulley means, and a third cable segment anchored at one end to said second pulley means and extending to said first pulley means,

said third cable segment having a nock point that, when drawn away from said handle, unwraps said third cable segment equally from said first and second pulley means, wraps said second cable segment onto said first pulley means as said third cable segment is unwrapped therefrom, and wraps said first cable segment into a pulley groove on said second pulley means so as to drawn said limbs ends together up to a power let-off point at said pulley groove, and

means for adjusting length of said pulley groove on said second pulley means, and thereby adjusting position of said power let-off point on said second pulley means, while maintaining a fixed spacing between said power let-off point and the anchor of said second cable segment to said second pulley means, such that said nock point travels in a straight line as said third cable segment is drawn away from said handle independent of length of said pulley groove between said power let-off point and the anchor of said first cable segment to said second pulley means,

said second pulley means including said pulley groove in which said first cable segment wraps and unwraps on said second pulley means, and a bow string take-up groove in which said third cable segment wraps and unwraps on said second pulley means,

said second pulley means comprising a base including said mounting means and said take-up groove, a module mounted on said base and including said pulley groove, an anchor for said second cable segment on said module, and means training said second cable segment from said anchor on said module around said axis of said second pulley means and thence toward said first pulley means, said training means comprising a control arm affixed to said module having one end forming said anchor and a second end at said second axis, said control arm having a groove in which said second cable segment wraps and unwraps as said second pulley means rotates.

8. The bow set forth in claim 7 wherein said second pulley means includes stop means aligned with said pulley groove to limit wrap of said first cable segment into said pulley groove, and thereby to limit draw of said bow.

10. The bow set forth in claims 7 or 9 wherein said adjusting means comprises means for selectively mounting different modules, having different pulley groove lengths, on said second pulley means.

11. The bow set forth in claim 10 wherein each of said modules includes means for adjustably positioning the module on said second pulley means so as to vary length of said pulley groove on said second pulley means.

12. The bow set forth in claim 10 wherein each said module includes means for anchoring said second cable segment to said second pulley means.

13. The bow set forth in claim 12 wherein said adjusting means comprises a plurality of said modules having different pulley groove lengths and different let-off points, said anchor means being disposed on each said module at identical spacing from the associated let-off point on the module.

14. The bow set forth in claims 7 or 9 wherein said adjusting means comprises a module and means for adjustably positioning said module on said second pulley means so as to vary length of said pulley groove on said second pulley means.

15. The bow set forth in claim 14 wherein said module includes means for anchoring said second cable segment to said second pulley means.

16. The bow set forth in claim 15 wherein said adjusting means comprises a plurality of said modules having different pulley groove lengths and different let-off points, said anchor means being disposed on each said module at identical spacing from the associated let-off point on the module.

17. The bow set forth in claims 7 or 9 wherein said module is removably mounted to said base.

18. The bow set forth in claims 7 or 9 wherein said module is adjustably positionable on said base.

21. The bow set forth in claim 14 or 7 wherein said groove on said control arm, into which said second cable segment wraps and unwraps, is spaced from said pulley groove, into which said first cable segment wraps and unwraps, by a greater distance at said first end of said control arm than at said second end of said control arm.

22. The bow set forth in claim 21 wherein said groove on said control arm has a first portion at said first end at constant spacing from said pulley groove, a second portion at said second end at constant spacing from said pulley groove, and a third portion extending between said first and second portions at a angle to said pulley groove.

23. The bow set forth in claims 14 or 7 in which said second and third cable segments are integrally joined to each other as a continuous length of cable at said first pulley means, and in which said groove on said control arm comprises a second bowstring take-up groove in which said second cable segments wraps and unwraps on said second pulley means.

24. The bow set forth in claims 13 or 7 wherein said training means comprises a pulley surrounding said axis and spaced from said anchor on said second pulley means, said second cable segment being trained from said anchor around said pulley toward said first pulley means.

27. The bow set forth in claims 21 or 9 wherein said stop means is disposed on said module in fixed position relative to said let-off point.

28. The bow set forth in claim 27 wherein said stop means is disposed tangent to said pulley groove at minimum radius of said pulley groove with respect to said second axis.

29. The bow set forth in claim 28 wherein said stop means is disposed on said module.

30. The bow set forth in claim 29 wherein said stop means comprises a flat planar surface on said module.

31. The bow set forth in claims 7 or 9 wherein said first pulley means includes a first groove in which said second cable segment wraps and unwraps, and a second groove in which said third cable segment wraps and unwraps.

32. The bow set forth in claim 31 wherein said first pulley means comprises a one-piece integral construction in which both said first groove and said second groove are disposed.

33. The bow set forth in claim 32 wherein both said first groove and said second groove extend at least part-way around said first axis.

34. The bow set forth in claim 33 further comprising anchors on said first pulley means for said second and third cable segments.

35. The bow set forth in claim 34 wherein said one-piece integral construction includes a generally Y-shaped frame that carries said first and second grooves, said Y-shaped frame carrying said mounting means off-center from said grooves.

36. The bow set forth in claim 35 wherein said anchors for said second and third cable segment are mounted on said frame.

37. The bow set forth in claim 36 wherein said anchors are mounted on the same leg of said frame.

38. The bow set forth in claims 7 or 9 wherein said second and third cable segments are integrally joined to each other as a continuous length of cable at said first pulley means.

39. The bow set forth in claim 38 wherein said first pulley means has a peripheral groove extending entirely around said first pulley means around which said continuous cable is trained.

40. The bow set forth in claim 39 wherein said peripheral groove in said first pulley means is concentric with said first axis.

41. The bow set forth in claims 7 or 9 wherein said first cable segment comprises a cable segment, separate from said second and third cable segments, anchored at one end to said one limb and at another end of said second pulley means.

42. The bow set forth in claim 41 wherein said second and third cable segments are separate from each other, each anchored at one end to said first pulley means and at a second end to said second pulley means.

9. A single cam compound archery bow that comprises:

a bow handle having projecting limbs,

first pulley means including means mounting said first pulley means for rotation about a first axis at an end of one of said limbs,

second pulley means including means mounting said second pulley means for rotation about a second axis at an end of the other of said limbs,

bow cable means including a first cable segment anchored at one end to said one limb at said first axis and at a second end to said second pulley means, a second cable segment anchored at one end to said second pulley means and extending to said first pulley means, and a third cable segment anchored at one end to said second pulley means and extending to said first pulley means,

said third cable segment having a nock point that, when drawn away from said handle, unwraps said third cable segment equally from said first and second pulley means, wraps said second cable segment onto said first pulley means as said third cable segment is unwrapped therefrom, and wraps said first cable segment into a pulley groove on said second pulley means so as to drawn said limbs ends together up to a power let-off point at said pulley groove, and

means for adjusting length of said pulley groove on said second pulley means, and thereby adjusting position of said power let-off point on said second pulley means, while maintaining a fixed spacing between said power let-off point and the anchor of said second cable segment to said second pulley means, such that said nock point travels in a straight line as said third cable segment is drawn away from said handle independent of length of said pulley groove between said power let-off point and the anchor of said first cable segment to said second pulley means,

said second pulley means including said pulley groove in which said first cable segment wraps and unwraps on said second pulley means, and a bow string take-up groove in which said third cable segment wraps and unwraps on said second pulley means,

said second pulley means comprising a base including said mounting means and said take-up groove, a module mounted on said base and including said pulley groove, an anchor for said second cable segment on said module, and stop means aligned with said pulley groove to limit wrap of said first cable segment into said pulley groove and thereby limit draw of said bow.

19. The bow set forth in claim 9 wherein said second pulley means further comprises means training said second cable segment from said anchor on said module around said axis of said second pulley means and thence toward said first pulley means.

20. The bow set forth in claim 19 wherein said training means comprises a control arm affixed to said module having one end forming said anchor and a second end at said second axis, said control arm having a groove in which said second cable segment wraps and unwraps as said second pulley means rotates.

43. A single-cam compound bow that comprises:

a bow handle having projecting limbs,

a control wheel rotatably mounted on an end of one of said limbs remote from said handle, said control wheel having a control groove and a first bow string take-up groove,

a power cam rotatably mounted on an end of the other of said limbs remote from said handle, said power cam including a second bow string take-up groove and a power cable groove,

bow cable means including a power cable segment anchored at one end to said one limb and at a second end to said power cam at a position to wrap into and unwrap from said power cable groove, a bow string cable segment anchored at said control wheel and said power cam at positions to wrap into and unwrap from said first and second bow string take-up grooves respectively, said bow string cable segment having a nock point disposed between said limb ends, and a control cable segment anchored at said control wheel at a position to wrap into and unwrap from said control groove and anchored at said power cam,

such that draw of said bow string cable segment away from said handle unwraps said bow string cable segment form said control wheel and said power cam, wraps said power cable segment into said power cable groove so as to draw said limb ends together up to a power let-off point at said pulley groove, and wraps said control cable segment into said control groove on said control wheel, and

means for adjusting length of said power cable groove on said power cam, and thereby adjusting position of said power let-off point on said power cam, while maintaining a fixed separation between said power let-off point and said control cable anchor on said power cam, such that said nock point travels in a straight line as said bow string cable segment is drawn independent of length of said power cable groove,

said power cam further comprising means training said control cable segment from said anchor on said power cam around the axis of rotation of said power cam on said other limb and thence toward said control wheel, said training means comprising a control arm affixed to said power cam having one end forming said anchor of said control cable segment and a second end at said axis, said control arm having a groove in which said control cable segment wraps and unwraps as said power cam rotates.

45. The bow set forth in claims 43 or 44 wherein said power cam comprises a cam base including said second bow string take-up groove, and a module mounted on said base and including said power cable groove.

46. The bow set forth in claim 45 wherein said adjusting means comprises means for adjustably positioning said module on said base for varying length of said power cable groove and position of said power let-off point.

50. The bow set forth in claims 45 or 49 wherein said adjusting means comprises a plurality of said modules having different power groove lengths and different let-off points, and wherein each of said modules includes means for anchoring said control cable segment to said power cam at identical spacing from the associated let-off point of the module.

57. The bow set forth in claims 43 or 49 wherein said power cam includes stop means aligned with said power cable groove to limit wrap of said power cable segment into said power cable groove and thereby limit draw of said bow.

58. The bow set forth in claims 43, 44 or 49 wherein said power cable segment comprises a cable segment, separate from said control and bow string cable segments, anchored at one end to said one limb and at another end of said power cam.

59. The bow set forth in claim 58 wherein said control and bow string cable segments are separate from each other, each anchored;

at one end to said control wheel and at a second end to said power cam.

44. A single-cam compound bow that comprises:

a bow handle having projecting limbs,

a control wheel rotatably mounted on an end of one of said limbs remote from said handle, said control wheel having a control groove and a first bow string take-up groove,

a power cam rotatably mounted on an end of the other of said limbs remote from said handle, said power cam including a second bow string take-up groove and a power cable groove,

bow cable means including a power cable segment anchored at one end to said one limb and at a second end to said power cam at a position to wrap into and unwrap from said power cable groove, a bow string cable segment anchored at said control wheel and said power cam at positions to wrap into and unwrap from said first and second bow string take-up grooves respectively, said bow string cable segment having a nock point disposed between said limb ends, and a control cable segment anchored at said control wheel at a position to wrap into and unwrap from said control groove and anchored at said power cam,

such that draw of said bow string cable segment away from said handle unwraps said bow string cable segment form said control wheel and said power cam, wraps said power cable segment into said power cable groove so as to draw said limb ends together up to a power let-off point at said pulley groove, and wraps said control cable segment into said control groove on said control wheel, and

means for adjusting length of said power cable groove on said power cam, and thereby adjusting position of said power let-off point on said power cam, while maintaining a fixed separation between said power let-off point and said control cable anchor on said power cam, such that- said nock point travels in a straight line as said bow string cable segment is drawn independent of length of said power cable groove,

said power cam including stop means aligned with said power cable groove to limit wrap of said power cable segment into said power cable groove and thereby limit draw of said bow.

47. The bow set forth in claim 44 wherein said stop means is disposed tangent to said power cable groove at minimum radius of said power cable groove with respect to said axis.

48. The bow set forth in claim 47 wherein said stop means comprises a flat planar surface on said power cam.

51. The bow set forth in claims 44 or 49 wherein said power cam further comprises means training said control cable segment from said control cable anchor on said power cam around the axis of rotation of said power cam on said other limb and thence toward said control wheel.

52. The bow set forth in claim 51 wherein said training means comprises a control arm having a first end affixed to said power cam at said anchor of said control cable segment and a second end at said axis, said control arm having a groove in which said control cable segment wraps and unwraps as said power cam rotates.

53. The bow set forth in claim 52 wherein said groove on said control arm is spaced from said power cable groove by a greater distance at-said first end than at said second end of said control arm.

54. The bow set forth in claim 53 wherein said groove on said control arm has a first portion at said first end at constant spacing from said power cable groove, a second portion at said second end at constant spacing from said power cable groove, and a third portion extending between said first and second portions at a angle to said power cable groove.

55. The bow set forth in claim 54 wherein said groove on said control arm is arcuate.

56. The bow set forth in claim 51 wherein said training means comprises a pulley surrounding said axis and spaced from said anchor of said control cable segment on said power cam, said control cable segment being trained from said anchor around said pulley toward said control wheel.

49. A single-cam compound bow that comprises:

a bow handle having projecting limbs,

a control wheel rotatably mounted on an end of one of said limbs remote from said handle, said control wheel having a control groove and a first bow string take-up groove,

a power cam rotatably mounted on an end of the other of said limbs remote from said handle, said power cam including a second bow string take-up groove and a power cable groove,

bow cable means including a power cable segment anchored at one end to said one limb and at a second end to said power cam at a position to wrap into and unwrap from said power cable groove, a bow string cable segment anchored at said control wheel and said power cam at positions to wrap into and unwrap from said first and second bow string take-up grooves respectively, said bow string cable segment having a nock point disposed between said limb ends, and a control cable segment anchored at said control wheel at a position to wrap into and unwrap from said control groove and anchored at said power cam,

such that draw of said bow string cable segment away from said handle unwraps said bow string cable segment form said control wheel and said power cam, wraps said power cable segment into said power cable groove so as to drawing said limb ends together up to a power let-off point at said pulley groove, and wraps said control cable segment into said control groove on said control wheel, and

means for adjusting length of said power cable groove on said power cam, and thereby adjusting position of said power let-off point on said power cam, while maintaining a fixed separation between said power let-off point and said control cable anchor on said power cam, such that said nock point travels in a straight line as said bow string cable segment is drawn independent of length of said power cable groove,

said power cam comprising a cam base including said second bow string take-up groove, means for anchoring said second end of said power cable, and first means forming a first portion of said power cable groove adjacent to said anchor,

said length adjusting means comprising a module having a second portion of said power cable groove, said module being adjustably positionable on said base such that a gap between said first and second portions of said power cable groove formed by adjusting position of said module on said base is disposed between said anchor and said let-off point.