Archery Bow Floatation Device with Limb-Mounted Buoyancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aquatic archery bows are prone to being lost in water due to their non-buoyant materials, leading to financial and operational setbacks for enthusiasts, as existing solutions do not effectively address the need for a secure, performance-neutral floatation device.

Innovation Solution

A floatation device with a buoyant member secured to the bow limb, featuring a flexible design that matches the bow's curve and includes an arrow retention mechanism, enhancing visibility through color, reflectors, or lights, ensuring the bow remains afloat and easy to retrieve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a floatation device is added to the bow, then the bow's buoyancy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebuoyancyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floatation device combines multiple functions into a single integrated unit: the buoyant member provides flotation, the securing mechanism attaches it to the bow limb, and the arrow retention mechanism holds the arrow. This merging of functions improves buoyancy while minimizing the increase in device complexity by consolidating components rather than adding separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The floatation device is designed as a multi-functional accessory that serves multiple purposes: it provides buoyancy to keep the bow afloat, secures the arrow through the retention mechanism, and can be attached to or removed from the bow limb. This universal design addresses multiple needs simultaneously, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a securing mechanism is added to attach the floatation device, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidease of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The securing mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing for quick attachment and detachment of the floatation device to the bow limb. The mechanism can be rapidly engaged and disengaged without requiring complex tools or procedures, thereby maintaining high attachment reliability while preserving ease of operation through its adaptable, user-friendly design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the floatation device is made flexible to match the bow curve, then the adaptability is improved, but the structural strength may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to bow curveVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The buoyant member is constructed using flexible materials such as flexible foam or thin-walled plastic that can conform to the curved shape of the bow limb. These flexible shells provide sufficient structural strength to maintain buoyancy while adapting to the bow's geometry, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and strength through material selection and structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If visibility features are added to the floatation device, then the ease of retrieval is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of retrievalVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floatation device incorporates visibility-enhancing features such as bright colors, reflective surfaces, or lights on the buoyant member. These features are integrated into the existing structure of the floatation device rather than added as separate complex systems, thereby improving ease of retrieval in various lighting conditions while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The floatation device effectively prevents bow loss by keeping it afloat and visible, allowing easy retrieval while maintaining the bow's usability and performance without impairing its motion or aiming accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

The floatation device has a buoyant member defined by a top, a bottom, and one or more sides... The floatation device is buoyant enough to maintain at least a portion of the bow above water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS9903682B1Archery bow floatation device

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 FYKSEN JR DENNIS R

AI summary

A floatation device for an archery bow is disclosed. The floatation device has a buoyant member defined by a top, a bottom, and one or more sides wherein the bottom is arranged to meet an arch of an archery bow limb. A securing mechanism arranged to secure the buoyant member on the bow limb is provided in such a way that the buoyant member is in contact with the bow limb. An aquatic archery bow having a floatation device thereon is also disclosed.