Archery release having force diversion

• US 9,625,230 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2016
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tog-IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Scott Archery LLC
• Inventors: Kelly, Daniel N., Griggs, Eric J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NICONOVICH, ALEXANDER R
• Application Number:
  US15/008,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20160146566A1
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 124 352
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/1469 Bow-string drawing or releasing devices F41B5/1473 takes precedence

Abstract

An archery release includes, in an embodiment, a body, a finger extension configured to be connected to the body and a hook pivotally coupled to the body. Part of the body has an arc shape centered about a point. The point is located in a horizontal plane or horizontal axis when the archery release is oriented in a vertical position. The hook has a bowstring contact surface which is positioned below the horizontal plane or horizontal axis when the archery release is in the vertical position.

Claims

1. An archery release comprising:

a release body comprising an index finger engagement surface configured to be pulled in a horizontal direction by an index finger, part of the index finger engagement surface comprising an arc shape centered about a point, wherein a horizontal axis extends through the point, wherein the release body comprises;

(a) a first volume; and

(b) a first weight portion of a total weight of the archery release;

a finger extension configured to be connected to the release body, the finger extension extending in a vertical direction when the archery release is oriented in a vertical position, the finger extension comprising at least a middle finger engagement surface configured to be pulled in the horizontal direction by a middle finger, wherein the finger extension comprises a segment, wherein the segment comprises a second volume that is equal to or less than the first volume, wherein the segment comprises a second weight portion of the total weight, wherein the second weight portion is at least fifty percent of the total weight;

a hook carriage pivotally coupled to the release body; and

a hook coupled to the hook carriage, the hook being pivotal between a plurality of hook positions relative to the hook carriage, the hook positions comprising;

a hold position in which the hook holds a bowstring; and

a release position in which the hook releases the bowstring,

wherein the hook comprises a bowstring engagement portion configured to engage the bowstring, the bowstring engagement portion being located below the horizontal axis in the hook positions, the hook configured to pivot relative to the release body in response to pulling forces of the index and middle fingers, the pivoting of the hook to the release position causing the bowstring to slide off of the hook,

wherein the hook is configured to remain coupled to the hook carriage in the hold position and the release position,

wherein, when the archery release is in the vertical position and used to retract the bowstring;

a bowstring force urges the bowstring engagement portion forward,

the index finger engagement surface is configured to be pulled backward by the index finger,

the middle finger engagement surface is configured to be pulled backward by the middle finger, and

because the bowstring engagement portion is located below the horizontal axis, the archery release is configured to divert at least part of the bowstring force from the index finger to the middle finger,

wherein the archery release is configured to generate a tactile feedback as a result of the pivoting of the hook,

wherein the tactile feedback is enhanced due, at least in part, to the second weight portion being at least fifty percent of the total weight.

2. The archery release of claim 1, wherein the archery release is triggerless, and the hook is configured to release the bowstring without being activated by a trigger mechanism.

3. The archery release of claim 1, wherein the finger extension is removably connected to the release body with at least one fastener.

4. The archery release of claim 1, wherein the finger extension is integral with the release body.

5. The archery release of claim 1, wherein the finger extension comprises a ring finger engagement surface configured to be pulled backward by a ring finger.

6. The archery release of claim 5, wherein the middle finger engagement surface defines a first valley, the ring finger engagement surface defines a second valley, and the finger extension comprises a peak located between the first and second valleys.

7. The archery release of claim 1, wherein the segment comprises a density of at least 7,000 kg/m³.

8. The archery release of claim 1, wherein:

the release body comprises a ring structure defining a circular opening configured to receive the index finger, the index finger engagement surface being a portion of the ring structure;

the release body comprises a first mass; and

the segment of the finger extension comprises a second mass that is greater than the first mass.

9. The archery release of claim 1, comprising a thumb support coupled to the release body, wherein the thumb support is located above the horizontal axis when then archery release is oriented in the vertical position.

10. The archery release of claim 1, wherein:

the hook is configured to pivot about an axis, the axis extending through the hook carriage; and

the hook is configured so that;

(a) in each of the hold and release positions, the hook remains pivotally coupled to the hook carriage; and

(b) in each of the hold and release positions, the bowstring engagement portion is located below the horizontal axis.

11. An archery release comprising:

a body comprising a top portion and an index finger engagement surface, part of the index finger engagement surface comprising an arc shape centered about a point, wherein the body comprises;

(a) a body volume; and

(b) a body weight portion of a total weight of the archery release;

a finger extension configured to be connected to the body, the finger extension comprising a bottom portion and a finger engagement surface extending at least partially to the bottom portion, wherein the point is located in a horizontal plane when the archery release is oriented in a vertical position, wherein, in the vertical position, the top portion is oriented above the bottom portion, wherein the finger extension comprises a segment, wherein the segment comprises a segment volume no greater than the body volume, wherein the segment comprises a segment weight portion of the total weight, wherein the segment weight portion is at least fifty percent of the total weight;

a hook carriage pivotally coupled to the body; and

a hook pivotally coupled to the hook carriage, the hook comprising a bowstring contact surface, the hook configured to pivot about an axis between a plurality of hook positions relative to the body,

wherein the axis extends through the hook carriage,

wherein, in each of the hook positions, the bowstring contact surface is located below the horizontal plane when the archery release is in the vertical position,

wherein, when the archery release is in the vertical position and used to pull the bowstring backward;

a bowstring force urges the bowstring contact surface forward,

the index finger engagement surface is configured to be pulled backward by an index finger,

the finger engagement surface is configured to be pulled backward by at least a middle finger, and

the archery release is configured to divert at least part of the bowstring force from the index finger to the middle finger, wherein the diversion is caused, at least partially, by the bowstring contact surface being located below the horizontal plane,

wherein the archery release is configured so that the pivoting of the hook generates an output,

wherein the segment weight portion facilitates control of the archery release based on the output.

12. The archery release of claim 11, wherein the archery release is triggerless, and the hook is configured to release the bowstring without being activated by a trigger device.

13. The archery release as recited in claim 11, wherein the finger extension is removably connected to the body with at least one fastener.

14. The archery release of claim 11, wherein:

the finger engagement surface defines;

(a) a first valley associated with the middle finger;

(b) a second valley associated with a ring finger; and

(c) a peak located between the first and second valleys; and

the segment volume is less than the body volume.

15. The archery release of claim 11, wherein the segment comprises a density of at least 7,000 kg/m³.

16. The archery release of claim 11, wherein the body comprises a ring structure defining a circular opening configured to receive the index finger, the index finger engagement surface being a portion of the ring structure.

17. The archery release of claim 11, comprising a thumb support coupled to the body, wherein the thumb support is located above the horizontal plane when then archery release is in the vertical position.

18. The archery release of claim 11, wherein:

the hook positions comprise;

(a) a hold position in which the hook retains the bowstring; and

(b) a release position in which the hook frees the bowstring;

the hook is configured to pivot between the hold position and the release position; and

the hook is configured so that, in each of the hold and release positions;

the hook remains pivotally coupled to the hook carriage; and

the bowstring contact surface is located below the horizontal plane when the archery release is in the vertical position.

19. An archery release comprising:

a body comprising a top portion and an arc-shaped structure extending downward from the top portion, the arc-shaped structure comprising an index finger engagement surface centered about a point, the body defining a slot, wherein the body comprises;

(a) a body volume; and

(b) a body weight portion of a total weight of the archery release;

a finger extension configured to be connected to the body, wherein the finger extension comprises a segment, wherein the segment comprises a segment volume equal to or less than the body volume, wherein the segment comprises a segment weight portion of the total weight, wherein the segment weight portion is at least fifty percent of the total weight, the finger extension comprising;

an insertion portion configured to be inserted into the slot;

a bottom portion; and

a finger engagement surface extending downward at least partially to the bottom portion, the finger engagement surface defining first and second valleys and a peak between the first and second valleys, wherein;

(a) the first valley is associated with a middle finger, and the second valley is associated with a ring finger,

(b) the point is located in a horizontal plane when the archery release is oriented in a vertical position, and

(c) in the vertical position, the top portion is oriented above the bottom portion;

a removable fastener configured to secure the finger extension to the body when the insertion portion is inserted into the slot;

a hook carriage pivotally coupled to the body;

a hook carried by the hook carriage, the hook comprising a bowstring contact surface, the hook configured to pivot between a plurality of hook positions relative to the body, wherein, in each of the hook positions, the bowstring contact surface is located below the horizontal plane when the archery release is in the vertical position; and

a pivot member which pivotally couples the hook to the hook carriage, the pivot member extending along an axis, the axis extending through the hook carriage and the hook,

wherein, when the archery release is in the vertical position and used to pull the bowstring backward;

(a) the bowstring applies a bowstring force urging the bowstring contact surface forward,

(b) the first valley is configured to be pulled backward by an index finger,

(c) the second valley is configured to be pulled backward by at least a middle finger,

(d) because the bowstring contact surface is located below the horizontal plane, the archery release is configured to divert at least part of the bowstring force from the index finger to the middle finger, and

(e) the archery release is operable so that the bowstring is configured to slide off of the hook due to a pivot movement of the hook not caused by a trigger device,

wherein the archery release is configured so that, during operation of the archery release, a tactile feedback is enhanced due, at least in part, to;

(a) the segment weight portion being at least fifty percent of the total weight; and

(b) the diversion of the at least part of the bowstring force to the middle finger.

20. The archery release of claim 19, wherein the segment comprises a density of at least 7,000 kg/m³, and the segment volume is less than the body volume.

21. The archery release of claim 20, wherein the body comprises a ring structure defining a circular opening configured to receive the index finger, the index finger engagement surface being a portion of the ring structure.

22. The archery release of claim 21, comprising a thumb support coupled to the body, wherein the thumb support is located above the horizontal plane when then archery release is in the vertical position.

23. The archery release of claim 19, wherein:

the hook is configured to pivot relative to the hook carriage;

the hook positions comprise;

(a) a hold position in which the hook retains the bowstring; and

(b) a release position in which the hook frees the bowstring;

the hook is configured to pivot between the hold position and the release position; and

the hook is configured so that;

(a) in each of the hold and release positions, the hook remains pivotally coupled to the hook carriage; and

(b) in each of the hold and release positions, the bowstring contact surface is located below the horizontal plane when the archery release is in the vertical position.