Abstract:
Vibration dampeners (DTM's) designed to surround a device in which unwanted vibrations (including shocks) are set up during use or a component of the device. The DTM significantly shortens the duration of those vibrations, reducing sound levels, making the device more comfortable to use in wielded instrument applications of the invention, and/or significantly reducing the possibility that the vibrations might damage the device. A representative, but significant, use of the subject DTM's is to dampen the vibrations generated when an arrow (or bolt) is shot from a crossbow.
Abstract:
Compound bows and cross bows with flexible bow limbs and novel, limb-associated mechanisms for adjusting the poundage of the bow. Each flexible bow limb (or element of a split limb bow) is bent against a fulcrum located between the leading and trailing ends of the bow limb or limb element. A poundage adjuster at the same location as the fulcrum or at the leading edge of the limb or limb element is used to set the curvature in the limb (The poundage of the bow is directly related to the curvature of the limb or limb element). An independently acting poundage mechanism as just described is preferably provided for both limbs of a solid limb bow and for all four limbs of a split limb bow. Also disclosed are novel bottom (or power) cams which have reduced lean and wobble during the end part of bow draw, thereby reducing noise and vibration as an arrow is shot from the bow and contributing to the accuracy of the bows in which they are installed.
Abstract:
Quiet, lightweight, well-balanced, forgiving, and accurate compound archery bows which have significantly reduced vibration and bow jump. The limbs and cams of these bows can be removed and replaced without a bow press, and the limbs of the bows are functional (active) over essentially their entire length and allow one to obtain equivalent performance from a more compact and lighter bow. The bow limbs may be leverage locked in articulated limb pockets. The limb butts extend forward well beyond the front of the riser. This eliminates limb length and limb angle as major factors in determining brace height, allowing one to choose a riser style and limb length which optimize arrow speed and bow stabilization. Novel adjustment mechanisms allow one to easily adjust the poundage or poundage and brace height of the bow. Vibration isolation systems may be employed to isolate the bow riser from the limb pockets. Bows with translating pockets, bows with stationery pockets and articulated risers, asymmetric bow limbs, and solid bow limbs with double belly cuts are also disclosed.
Abstract:
An optical bow sight which can be accessorized with an adjustable range sighting pin or torque and cant compensation or both of these features, but is fully functional without either accessory. The optical sight has a shrouded array of fiber optics sight pins which are removable from the sight housing with their support as a single unit. The sight pins are clad in a metallic glass because of the corrosion resistance of such materials. Light collected over a wide field falls on segments of the sight pin fibers coiled in the housing of the optical unit or falls on a trap which redirects the light onto the fiber segments. A lens may optionally be employed to promote the collection of ambient light, and a shutter or variable size aperture may be provided to control the light reaching the sight pin fibers. An elastomeric damper can be advantageously mounted on the sight to minimize accuracy effecting shock and/or vibration, and a level bubble may be provided to aid in avoiding cant of the bow to which the sight is mounted.
Abstract:
The combination of an optical sight and an attachable/detachable adjustable range sighting device accessory, in which the optical sight comprises a support and an array of fixedly positioned fiber optics sighting devices carried by the support; and the accessory comprising a displaceable fiber optics sighting device and a mechanism for shifting the position of the displaceable fiber optics device relative to the array of fixedly positioned sighting devices.
Abstract:
Slip-on handgun grips which contribute to accuracy and speed of target acquisition and make shooting a handgun a more pleasant experience by providing a comfortable, secure grip; and by isolating a shooter's thumb from impact and reducing shock, muzzle jump, twist, and recoil when the handgun is fired. The grip is fabricated from a stretchable elastomeric material. This material plus breakaway technology, external grooving, and a thumb-isolating tab maximize the enumerated benefits.