Triggerless release aids and laser-equipped pneumatic training aid for safe drawing of the bowstring

• US 6,945,241 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2003
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tog-IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Bernard M. Pellerite
• Inventors: Pellerite, Bernard M
• Primary Examiner(s): Ricci, John A.
• Application Number:
  US10/360,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20030159682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 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
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/1476 Devices for archery training
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/35 for illuminating the target , e.g. flash lights

Abstract

A bowstring release includes a handle, a bowstring catch, and a link between the handle and catch. The catch includes a hook for retaining the bowstring, and a cam for holding and releasing the hook. The handle is initially rotatably mounted with respect to the link, so as the bowstring is drawn, the cam will retain the hook to hold the bowstring regardless of handle position. The handle has a spring-biased piston, and the link has one hole that can receive the piston. At full draw, the archer may rotate the handle so the piston will enter the hole in the link, locking the handle and link together. Further rotation of the handle will cause the link and attached cam to rotate out of engagement with the hook, to release the bowstring.

Claims

1. A safe-draw archery bowstring release, comprising:

a handle for pulling back the bowstring, the handle having a gripping portion and a post extending forward from the gripping portion;

a piston slidably disposed in the post and biased forward toward an open end of the post by means of a spring, the piston having a forward locking portion;

a link pivotally mounted to a forward end of the post by means of an axle, the link having a single hole extending thereinto, the hole being in registration with the piston in one and only one pivotal position of the link with respect to the handle, allowing the locking portion of the piston to extend into the hole and locking the link from further pivoting with respect to the handle;

the link having a half-circle shaped cam fixably mounted thereto;

a hood mounted to the link, the hood pivotally supporting a hook by means of an axle;

the hook having a curved end adapted to engage a bowstring or looped rope, and a tapered end adapted to engage a curved edge of the cam;

the parts arranged such that during draw of a bowstring, the piston is out of registration with the link hole, and the tapered end of the hook is in engagement with the curved surface of the cam, which positions the hook so that the curved end will engage the bowstring, or rope loop; and

in order to release the bowstring, an archer will rotate the handle in a first direction so that the piston will engage the link hole, and then rotate the handle in a second direction so that the cam attached to the link will rotate out of engagement with the hook, allowing the hook to pivot and release the bowstring, or rope loop.

2. The archery bowstring release of claim 1, in which the cam is pivotally mounted to the link by means of an axle, and is held stationary by means of a set screw extending through the body of the cam and engaging the axle.

3. The archery bowstring release of claim 2, in which the pivotal position of the cam is adjustable by means of a knob affixed to an end of the cam axle, thus adjusting the release position of the hook relative to the handle.

4. The archery bowstring release of claim 1, further including an elastic band extending between the hook and the link, for biasing the hook so that the tapered end will be in position to engage the curved surface of the cam again when the piston is disengaged from the link hole, and the bowstring is drawn again.

5. A safe-draw archery bowstring release, comprising:

a handle for pulling back the bowstring, the handle having a gripping portion;

a half-circle shaped cam fixably mounted to a forward portion of the handle;

a hood mounted to the forward portion of the handle, the hood pivotally supporting a hook by means of an axle;

the hook having a curved end adapted to engage a bowstring or looped rope, and a tapered end adapted to engage a curved edge of the cam;

the parts arranged such that during draw of a bowstring, rotation of the handle in a first direction will cause the hook to remain in engagement with the cam, maintaining engagement of the cam with the bowstring or rope loop, and rotation of the handle in a second direction will cause the cam to rotate out of engagement with the hook, allowing the hook to pivot and release the bowstring, or rope loop;

wherein the gripping portion of the handle includes a front surface facing toward the cam, and a rear surface;

a thumb rest configured to engage the thumb of an archer, an index finger rest configured to engage the index finger of an archer, a middle finger rest configured to engage the middle finger of an archer, a first ring finger rest on the front surface, configured to engage the rear of the ring finger of an archer, and a second ring finger rest on the rear surface, configured to engage the front or knuckle of the ring finger of an archer;

wherein placement of the front or knuckle of the archer'"'"'s ring finger on the second ring finger rest will tend to rotate the handle in the first direction, helping to maintain the bowstring or rope loop in engagement with the hook, and placement of the rear of the archer'"'"'s ring finger on the first ring finger rest will make it easier to rotate the handle in the second direction, to release the bowstring or rope loop.

6. The safe-draw archery bowstring release of claim 5, further including a first little-finger rest on the front surface, configured to engage the rear of the little-finger of an archer, and a second little-finger rest on the rear surface, configured to engage the front or knuckle of the little-finger of an archer;

wherein placement of the front or knuckle of the archer'"'"'s little-finger on the second little-finger rest will tend to rotate the handle in the first direction, helping to maintain the bowstring or rope loop in engagement with the hook, and placement of the rear of the archer'"'"'s little-finger on the first little-finger rest will make it easier to rotate the handle in the second direction, to release the bowstring or rope loop.

7. A safe-draw archery bowstring release, comprising:

a handle for pulling back the bowstring, the handle having a gripping portion;

a half-circle shaped cam fixably mounted to a forward portion of the handle;

a hood mounted to the forward portion of the handle, the hood pivotally supporting a hook by means of an axle;

the hook having a curved end adapted to engage a bowstring or looped rope, and a tapered end adapted to engage a curved edge of the cam;

the parts arranged such that during draw of a bowstring, rotation of the handle in a first direction will cause the hook to remain in engagement with the cam, maintaining engagement of the cam with the bowstring or rope loop, and rotation of the handle in a second direction will cause the cam to rotate out of engagement with the hook, allowing the hook to pivot and release the bowstring, or rope loop;

wherein the gripping portion of the handle includes a middle finger rest configured to engage a middle finger of an archer, a ring finger rest configured to engage a ring finger of an archer, a higher index finger rest configured to engage an index finger of an archer, and a lower index finger rest configured to engage an index finger of an archer;

wherein the higher index finger rest extends a substantial distance higher, toward the cam, than the lower index finger rest, and placement of the archer'"'"'s finger on this higher index finger rest will tend to rotate the handle in the first direction, helping to maintain the bowstring or rope loop in engagement with the hook, and placement of the archer'"'"'s finger on the lower index finger rest will make it easier to rotate the handle in the second direction, to release the bowstring or rope loop.

8. The safe-draw archery bowstring release of claim 7, further including a thumb rest configured to engage the thumb of an archer.

9. The safe-draw archery bowstring release of claim 7, further including a little finger rest configured to engage the little finger of an archer.