Bow Press Ratcheting Latch Prevents Limb Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bow presses lack adequate safety features to prevent lateral shifting and ejection of compound bows during maintenance, posing risks of damage and injury due to the high forces involved and changing limb designs.
Innovation Solution
A bow press design with pivot arms, support members, and ratcheting mechanisms that securely engage the bow's riser and limbs, allowing for safe deflection of bow limbs without additional fixation structures, and rotating support members that concentrate force near the bow cam axes, providing access to the bow cams during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If outer supports are positioned near the bow limb tips to maximize deflection force, then the bow can be deflected more effectively, but the bow may be ejected from the press if the support moves past the limb tips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a latch mechanism that engages with the bow limb before deflection begins. This latch prevents the bow from being ejected if the outer support moves past the limb tip during the deflection process. The latch is positioned to engage the bow limb at a point that will remain engaged throughout the entire deflection stroke, counteracting the ejection force before it can cause damage.
2Reliability
If outer supports are positioned far from the bow limb tips to prevent ejection, then the bow is secured safely, but the bending force is concentrated between the supports and riser creating limb damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support structure into multiple components: an inner support that contacts the bow riser, an outer support that contacts the bow limb, and a latch mechanism. This segmentation allows the outer support to be positioned optimally for preventing ejection while the inner support and latch work together to distribute the bending forces along the bow limb, preventing concentration of stress at a single point that could cause limb damage.
3Device complexity
If the bow press structure is simplified without additional restraining mechanisms, then the device is easier to manufacture and operate, but the bow may shift laterally or be ejected under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated support assembly. The outer support, latch mechanism, and engagement features are combined into one component that simultaneously provides deflection force, prevents lateral shifting, and prevents ejection. This merging maintains operational simplicity while achieving comprehensive bow stabilization without requiring multiple separate restraining mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A bow press for deflecting bow limbs of a bow. Inside and outside support members are provided to engage the bow limbs and/or riser on the bow. Rotating support members roll on outside surfaces of the bow limbs to deflect the bow limbs toward the center portion in response to the actuator mechanism is extended.