Triggerless archery release comprising rotating bearing ring

• US 9,250,032 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2014
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tog-IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Perfect Form Manufacturing LLC (The Outdoor Group, LLC)
• Inventors: Kelly, Daniel N., Griggs, Eric J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NICONOVICH, ALEXANDER R
• Application Number:
  US14/500,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20150090240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 124/35.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/1469 Bow-string drawing or releasing devices F41B5/1473 takes precedence

Abstract

A triggerless back tension archery release is provided. Disclosed archery releases include a bearing ring that rotates relative to a release body. During use, the bearing ring rotates to the same position when force is applied during a draw cycle. This reduces inconsistent placement of the finger and provides consistent release alignment. Disclosed archery releases also include a variety of removable finger extension that provide high mass triggers. An archer can feel subtle movement of the high mass triggers with increased accuracy which provides better control over the archery release.

Claims

1. A triggerless archery release comprising:

a release body comprising;

a hole defining a first finger position for receiving an index finger;

a bearing member disposed in the hole comprising a finger contact surface, the finger contact surface configured to rotate relative to the release body as a bowstring is drawn back;

a bearing encasement member for housing the bearing member comprising;

a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring, each having a collar and a lip;

the lips engaging the release body to secure the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring within the hole;

the collars passing through the hole and engaging one another to removably secure the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring to one another while permitting free rotation relative to the release body;

a finger extension connected to the release body; and

a triggerless hook assembly connected to the release body, the triggerless hook assembly configured to release the bowstring upon application of a force to the finger extension, wherein the release of the bowstring occurs without relying upon a triggering mechanism coupled to the bearing member.

2. The release as recited in claim 1, wherein the finger extension is connected to the release body with at least one fastener.

3. The release as recited in claim 1, wherein the collars are threaded collars.

4. The release as recited in claim 1, wherein the hole has a perimeter comprising a gap in the release body, the release body having a first opening on a first side of the gap and a second opening on a second side of the gap, the first opening and second opening being aligned to receive a screw, wherein actuation of the screw adjusts a size of the gap.

5. The release as recited in claim 1, wherein the release further comprises a thumb barrel.

6. The release as recited in claim 1, which comprises a bearing housing supported by the release body, wherein the bearing housing houses the bearing member, the bearing housing having an inner housing portion and an outer housing portion, the inner and outer housing portions configured to be removably attached to each other.

7. The release as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the application of force to the finger extension causes the release body to rotate, as the bowstring is drawn back, about the finger contact surface which is configured to be held stationary by the index finger of an archer.

8. The release as recited in claim 1, wherein the first bearing ring, the second bearing ring, and the release body fully encase the bearing member.

9. A triggerless archery release comprising:

a release body comprising;

a hole defining a first finger position for receiving an index finger;

a bearing member disposed in the hole;

a bearing encasement member configured to house the bearing member, the bearing encasement member comprising;

a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring, each having a collar and a lip;

the lips engaging the release body to secure the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring within the hole;

the collars passing through the hole and engaging one another to removably secure the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring to one another while permitting free rotation relative to the release body;

a finger extension connected to the release body; and

a triggerless hook assembly connected to the release body, the triggerless hook assembly configured to release a bowstring upon movement of the finger extension relative to the bowstring.

10. The release as recited in claim 9, wherein the finger extension is removably connected to the release body with at least one fastener.

11. The release as recited in claim 9, wherein the collars are threaded collars.

12. The release as recited in claim 9, wherein the hole has a perimeter comprising a gap in the release body, the release body having a first opening on a first side of the gap and a second opening on a second side of the gap, the first opening and second opening being aligned to receive a screw, wherein actuation of the screw adjusts a size of the gap.

13. The release as recited in claim 9, wherein the release further comprises a thumb barrel.

14. The release as recited in claim 9, wherein the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring have an axis of rotation, the release further comprising a thumb barrel that extends parallel to the axis of rotation.

15. The release as recited in claim 9, wherein the movement of the finger extension causes the release body to rotate about the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring which are held stationary by the index finger of an archer.

16. A triggerless archery release comprising:

a release body comprising;

a body portion defining a hole configured to receive a finger; and

a bearing housing configured to house a bearing member, the bearing housing comprising a finger contact surface, the finger contact surface configured to rotate relative to the release body as a bowstring is drawn back;

the bearing housing further comprising;

a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring, each having a collar and a lip;

the lips engaging the release body to secure the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring within the hole;

the collars passing through the hole and engaging one another to removably secure the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring to one another while permitting free rotation relative to the release body;

a finger extension connected to the release body; and

a triggerless hook assembly comprising a hook, the hook configured to be moved from a first position in which the hook holds the bowstring to a second position in which the hook releases the bowstring, the hook configured to be moved from the first to the second position without depending upon any triggering linkage coupled to the bearing member.

17. The release as recited in claim 16, wherein:

the bearing housing has an inner housing portion and an outer housing portion, the inner and outer housing portions configured to be removably attached to each other.