Compound Bow Limb Pockets with Leverage Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compound bows suffer from bow jump, vibration, and limited adjustability, requiring mechanical attachments that weaken the limbs and restrict design flexibility, leading to inefficiencies in energy storage and arrow accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The use of leverage-locked limb pockets with interlocking anchoring systems and pivoting fulcrums allows the entire limb length to be active, eliminating the need for limb bolts, reducing vibration, and enabling adjustable poundage and brace height without changing the riser, along with dual belly cuts for stress distribution and increased energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical attachments (limb bolts) are used to secure the limb to the riser, then the limb is firmly fixed, but the limb is weakened and vibration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the limb bolt (mechanical attachment) from the system entirely. Instead of using a bolt to secure the limb, the design uses the limb pocket structure with fulcrums and belly cuts to achieve limb retention through geometric constraints and stress distribution, thereby eliminating the weakening effect of the bolt on the limb
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary limb pocket structure that mediates between the limb and riser. This pocket system with its fulcrums and belly cuts provides the necessary fixation and stress distribution without requiring direct mechanical attachment through bolts, thus preserving limb strength while achieving stable fixation
2Stability of the object's composition
If the limb is fixed rigidly to the riser, then structural stability is improved, but bow jump increases and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the rigid fixed connection into a dynamic system where the limb can pivot and flex within the limb pocket structure. The fulcrums and belly cuts allow controlled movement and energy transfer, reducing bow jump while maintaining structural stability through the geometric constraints of the pocket system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the limb-riser connection by replacing rigid fixation with a system based on fulcrum pivots and belly cut flex points. This parameter change allows the limb to move dynamically during the draw cycle, reducing harmful bow jump effects while maintaining necessary structural stability
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the riser is made reflexed to reduce bow jump, then bow jump is reduced, but the bow becomes heavier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bow jump reduction function from the riser structure itself and relocates it to the limb pocket system. Instead of reflexing the riser to control bow jump, the invention uses the limb pocket with fulcrums and belly cuts to achieve the same effect, thereby avoiding the added complexity and weight of a reflexed riser
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the limb pocket system as an intermediary mechanism between the limb and riser that handles bow jump control. This intermediary system with its fulcrums and geometric constraints provides bow jump reduction without requiring the riser to be reflexed, thus avoiding the complexity and weight increase associated with reflexed riser designs
4Ease of manufacture
If limb pockets are positioned close to the riser, then manufacturing is easier, but the limb cannot be active over its entire length and energy storage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the limb into functional zones with belly cuts at specific locations. This segmentation allows the limb to be active over its entire length by creating multiple flex points and stress distribution zones, thereby increasing energy storage capacity while maintaining manufacturability through standardized belly cut patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality changes by introducing belly cuts at specific locations along the limb. These localized thinned segments provide stress distribution and flex points that enable the entire limb to participate in energy storage, while the rest of the limb maintains its structural integrity for manufacturability
5Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable poundage mechanisms are added to the bow, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the limb pocket system multi-functional by using the same fulcrum and belly cut structure to achieve both limb retention and poundage adjustment. The geometric constraints of the pocket system provide adjustable poundage characteristics without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability
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
This design results in a quieter, lighter, more accurate, and forgiving bow with reduced manufacturing costs, as it allows for a nearly straight riser, increased arrow speed, and improved stability, eliminating the need for bow presses and accessory stabilizers.
Implementation Method 1
leverage-locked limb pockets with interlocking anchoring systems and pivoting fulcrums
Implementation Method 2
interlocking component limb butt anchoring systems uniquely located at the butts of the limbs and by forces which are imposed on the limbs by tensioning the buss/control cables of the bow and/or the bow string to lock the components of the butt anchoring systems together
Implementation Method 3
dual belly cuts for stress distribution and increased energy storage
Implementation Method 4
the bow limbs are bent or flexed, storing potential energy which is converted to kinetic energy and used to accelerate the arrow when the bow string is released
Data Source
AI summary
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.