20090050727 | POSITIONING ROD STRUCTURE FOR A REEL | February, 2009 | Chang |
20050247817 | Paper towel dispenser with fixed frictional gripping bar | November, 2005 | Holden |
20100025521 | REUSABLE TAKE-APART SPOOL AND METHODS | February, 2010 | Snitselaar |
20070000122 | Rectangular wire coil head shaping machine and method therefore | January, 2007 | Caya et al. |
20090236466 | RESTORED WINDING CORES AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME | September, 2009 | D'anglade |
20080156916 | WIRE DISPENSING DEVICE | July, 2008 | Deluca et al. |
20070023557 | Retractor having rotary damper and product display utilizing same | February, 2007 | Rankin VI |
20080093496 | GEAR UNIT FOR MANUAL OR MOTOR-DRIVEN CABLE WINDOW LIFT SYSTEMS | April, 2008 | Klippert |
20090250542 | Pre-wound Open Face Spinning Reel Spool Replacement Apparatus | October, 2009 | Kirkpatrick |
20090108116 | Winding Wheel Set for a Curtain | April, 2009 | Chang |
20080283654 | INERTIA COMPENSATED TENSION ROLL IN CLOSED LOOP BELT SYSTEMS | November, 2008 | Yang |
[0001] This invention relates generally to archery and, in particular, to a simple and effective hand tool for wrapping serving line around a bowstring.
[0002] To reduce wear and increase longevity, it is customary to wrap a relatively thin serving line around a bowstring, particularly at the ends, where it connects to the bow, and in the middle where it engages with the end of the arrow. Currently, there are two methods to apply such serving line, namely, by hand, which is inexpensive but tedious, and through the use of sophisticated automated machines, which are expensive and relegated only to larger retail outlets as opposed to smaller stores or individuals.
[0003] A hand-held bowstring serving tool is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,197. While this device does permit a user to wrap serving line using a portable implement, the apparatus is needlessly complex and inferior in various ways. The mechanism includes numerous components and moving parts subject to breakdown and wear. Accordingly, there remains an outstanding need for a simple yet effective tool for serving a bowstring, preferably one which is portable and relatively inexpensive.
[0004] This invention resides in a simple, yet effective, hand-held and portable implement for applying a serving line to a bowstring. In terms of apparatus, the implement includes a flattened disc coupled to a power source for rotation about a central axis perpendicular to the disc, and a serving-line supply assembly mounted on the disc including a reel of serving line. An unimpeded slot extends through the disc from the central axis to the outer periphery of the disk, enabling a bowstring to be inserted into the slot, wrapped with the serving line as the disc is rotated, and removed from the slot when finished.
[0005] In the preferred embodiment, the serving-line supply assembly further includes a plate with an open groove facing the slot and aligned with the axis of the disc to receive the bowstring being served. The plate further preferably includes an aperture in the groove through which the serving line is drawn as the bowstring is wrapped.
[0006] A spring-biased loop-forming element is also incorporated in the preferred embodiment to hold the serving line on one side of the disc before being passed through the slot to the opposite side to assist in forming a knot in the serving when finished. An optional indexing mechanism to keep the disc from rotating when the bowstring is inserted into and released from the disc.
[0007] In one preferred configuration, the assembly is provided as an add-on to a hand-operated implement such as reversible drive motor. However, according to an alternative embodiment, the serving assembly may be more integrally formed to a dedicated source of motive power and sold as a unit. In any case, the rotational power is preferably delivered to the disk through a set of bevel gears coupled to the source of rotational energy.
[0008]
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022] This invention resides in a simple, yet effective, hand-held and portable implement for applying a serving line to a bowstring. The implement allows a bowstring to be served without removing it from the bow and, in the preferred embodiment, includes a spring-biased looping-assistance element to secure the ends of the line in a reliable and repeatable manner.
[0023] Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein
[0024] Broadly, the assembly, designated generally at
[0025] The rotatable disk
[0026] The serving line
[0027] FIGS.
[0028] In
[0029] After serving the additional length of line, a loop is formed on one side of the additional serving and a free end is available on the other end, as shown in