US20080216807A1

US20080216807A1 - Archery arrow rest

Info

Publication number: US20080216807A1
Application number: US11/824,406
Authority: US
Inventors: Vincent Troncoso
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-06
Filing date: 2007-06-29
Publication date: 2008-09-11

Abstract

A fall-away archery arrow rest includes a pair of spaced arrow gripping launcher arms, at least portions of which may be constructed from an elastically deformable material, such as PTFE (TEFLON trademark), plastic, or spring steel such that the arms flex apart slightly upon insertion of an arrow. The launcher arms are mounted upon a rotatable launcher head biased by a spring to move the launcher arms forwardly and downwardly upon release of an arrow supported between the launcher arms. The launcher arms may include juxtaposed notch portions to engage an arrow shaft in a centered alignment between the arms. The launcher arms may include crossed portions, a V-shaped configuration, or substantially straight arms disposed in a generally parallel relation. The arrow rest includes a mounting block system which allows independent vertical and lateral adjustment of the launcher arm position within the bow window. Additional mechanisms allow independent adjustment of the rotatable launcher head spring bias tension and also angular adjustment of the launcher arm angle. In use, an archer nocks an arrow to a bow string and rotates the launcher head rearwardly, positioning the launcher arm upright in the bow window. The archer positions the arrow shaft between the launcher arms, such that the arrow will be held in position by the launcher arms. The archer then draws the bow, which causes the arrow shaft to slide rearwardly between the launcher arms. When the archer releases the arrow, the initial forward motion of the arrow causes the arrow shaft to separate from engagement with the launcher arms, thereby liberating the arrow and allowing the rotatable launcher head to rotate forwardly by virtue of the spring bias, causing the attached launcher arms to rotate forwardly and downwardly away from the arrow's flight path, thus providing completely unimpeded clearance for the arrow fletching and vanes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional utility patent application which hereby references and claims the benefit of priority of Provisional Application No. 60893358 filed Mar. 6, 2007 and entitled Archery Arrow Rest.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to adjustable arrow rests, and more particularly pertains to an improved adjustable arrow rest which allows
(2) Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.
Following the year 1969, when compound bows made their debut, the field of archery arrow rests and equipment started to improve tremendously. From shooting without an arrow shelf using the unprotected fist of the bow hand with wooden bows and arrows during the late 1800's, the laminated recurve bows of the 1950's witnessed many improvements, including the addition of a built-in arrow shelf cut and incorporated into the bow riser section. This new improvement found archers of the era adding low pile carpeting, cloth or leather to the handle section of their bows and arrow shelf to improve their comfort zones and to silence their bows during the moment of releasing the arrow. By the time the 1960's, archers began adding elevated horizontally attached arrow rests to the cutaway section of the bow window to further enhance the comfort and accuracy of their bows. Most of the improved arrow rests included feather rests, flexible plastic supports and several toothbrush type bristle arrow rests which required an auxiliary side plate and adhesive with double-sided tape to affix the arrow rest to the bow.
During the late 1960's, an inventor by the name of Norman Pint developed a cushion plunger which was a spring loaded tension adjustable side pressure plunger device designed to absorb the left to right side pressure of the arrow shaft as it bends when shot from a bow using a finger release method. Plungers were and are still used in conjunction with the sidewardly mounted spring return arrow rests designed for Olympic style recurve bow shooters. All restrictions affecting amateur rules and archery equipment are governed by the International Archery Federation, known as FITA.
The early 1970's showcased a separate inventor who developed a stick-on flipper spring loaded wire rest which featured an improved internally coiled wire spring return mechanism specifically designed for use with the cushion plunger. During the late 1960's, an arrow rest marketed under the trademark MAGA-REST appeared, which featured a sophisticated flipper style wire arrow rest with an internal magnet for the purpose of holding the arrow by utilizing a magnetically activated disappearing wire support that retracted as the arrow was released. The retracting return mechanism was held in a magnetic field by a small magnet embedded within the bow riser.
From the year 1967 to the early 1970's, increased interest and experimentation in the field of improved arrow rest designs began and gained momentum. The “lizard tongue” and prong launcher type arrow rests evolved, along with the bolt-on arrow rest mounting mechanism that remains popular to the present time. Currently, the innovative no-drill mounting system is utilized for attaching virtually all commercially available arrow rest assemblies to the bow by means of a tapped plunger hole using a threaded bolt type fastener. This type of connector mounting bracket positively secures the arrow rest assembly to the bow and is usually attached to the opposite outer side portion of the bow sight window.
During the early 1980's, an inertia activated latch trigger mechanism was developed which included a weighted section which caused the arrow supporting wire to drop at the precise moment of releasing the arrow, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,409. However, this mechanism has been found unreliable due to the instability and unpredictable variances with regards to timing and failure to drop after the bow string is released.
Further development of archery arrow rests has continued to the present time and features a recent renewed interest in so-called “fall-away” arrow rests. The purpose of the fall-away arrow rest is an attempt to totally eliminate fletching contact with the arrow rest as the arrow shaft is shot and leaves the bow. While it may be true that most present day fall-away arrow rests have been vastly improved, many archers have discovered that fall-away arrow rests are difficult to set up and adjust due the fact that virtually all fall-away rests rely on string pull cords or rubber tubing connected to one of the bow cables in order to raise and lower the arrow holding launcher assembly while shooting. One end of the cord or an elastic equivalent must be fastened to the pivoting end of a launcher transverse rod, while the opposite end requires attachment to the lower buss cable or cable guide block assembly of the compound bow in order to enable the up and down function of the arrow rest. Arrow rests of this type are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,044,832 and 5,490,492.
Frustratingly, the connecting cords and tubing of those rests must eventually be replaced and reattached to the lower inside cable of the compound bow each and every time a change is required. In several rest models, the pull cords or rubber tubing connectors are often attached to the sliding cable guide block, which also must be replaced as wear occurs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,803, issued Jun. 2, 1992 to Johnson and U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,959, issued Jan. 30, 2001 to Troncoso, Jr., et. al., each disclose an arrow rest mounted for selective adjustment in an arrow window of a bow by two orthogonally disposed cross slide members and having a launder arm head mounted for rotation by a torsional coil spring, the tension of which may be selectively adjusted by winding or unwinding the spring. However, each of these patents disclose providing a spring bias which urges the rotatably mounted launcher arm head upward and rearward, to restore the launcher arms to an operative position for mounting of an arrow thereon. Accordingly, neither of these adjustable rests discloses or suggests the provision of an adjustable rest having a rotatable launcher head biased downwardly and forwardly to drop the launcher arms down and away as an arrow is shot. The entire disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,117,803 and 6,178,959 is hereby incorporated by reference herein by this reference thereto.
Accordingly, the sport of archery awaits the introduction of a novel cordless stand up fall away arrow rest which has fewer components, is easier to set up, is more durable and requires less maintenance, and which will enhance the hunter's efficiency and enjoyment in the field.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fall-away archery arrow rest which includes a pair of spaced arrow gripping launcher arms. The launcher arms, or at least portions thereof, are constructed from an elastically deformable material, such as PTFE (TEFLON trademark), plastic, or spring steel such that the arms flex apart slightly upon insertion of an arrow. The launcher arms are mounted upon a rotatable launcher head biased by a spring to move the launcher arms forwardly and downwardly upon release of an arrow supported between the launcher arms. In one embodiment, the launcher arms include juxtaposed notch portions adapted to maintain an arrow shaft in a centered alignment between the arms. In various alternative embodiments of the invention, the launcher arms may comprise crossed portions, a V-shaped configuration, or substantially straight arms disposed in a generally parallel relation. The arrow rest includes a mounting block system which allows independent vertical and lateral adjustment of the launcher arm position within the bow window. Additional mechanisms allow independent adjustment of the rotatable launcher head spring bias tension and also angular adjustment of the launcher arm angle. In use, an archer nocks an arrow to a bow string and rotates the launcher head rearwardly, positioning the launcher arm upright in the bow window. The archer positions the arrow shaft between the launcher arm, such that the arrow will be held in position by the launcher arms. The archer then draws the bow, which causes the arrow shaft to slide rearwardly between the launcher arms. When the archer releases the arrow, the initial forward motion of the arrow causes the arrow shaft to separate from engagement with the launcher arms, thereby liberating the arrow. Simultaneously, the separation allows the rotatable launcher head to rotate forwardly by virtue of the spring bias, causing the attached launcher arms to rotate forwardly and downwardly away from the arrow's flight path, thus providing completely unimpeded clearance for the arrow fletching and vanes. By positioning the wrist of their bow hand against a loading knob to restrain forward rotation of the launcher head, an archer may safely let down a drawn arrow, without disengaging the arrow from between the launcher arms.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an archery arrow rest according to a first embodiment of the present invention mounted on a bow and supporting an arrow.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the archery arrow rest according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the archery arrow rest according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating the manner of mounting of the archery arrow rest according to the first embodiment of the present invention on a bow.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view illustrating the archery arrow rest according to the first embodiment of the present invention supporting an arrow at full draw of the bow.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view illustrating the archery arrow rest according to the first embodiment of the present invention shortly after release of an arrow.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a split notched V-shaped portion of a launcher arm of an archery arrow rest according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating notched launcher arms of an archery arrow rest according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the archery arrow rest according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view illustrating the archery arrow arrest according to the first embodiment of the present invention mounted in the sight window of a bow.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view illustrating the archery arrow according to the first embodiment of the present invention mounted on a bow and supporting an arrow.

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view illustrating the archery arrow according to the alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8 mounted on a bow and supporting an arrow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4, 10, and 11, an improved adjustable arrow rest 5 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention includes a mounting bracket 10 provided with a milled rectangular groove forming a slide way 12. A threaded aperture 14 extends through the bracket 10 transversely to the longitudinal extent of the slide way 12 and disposed in a substantially central region thereof. An elongated slot 16 extends along a central region of the bracket 10 and receives a socket head cap screw 22 adapted for engagement with a threaded aperture provided on a bow B for securing the arrow rest 5 to the bow. When tightened, the screw 22 secures clamps the bracket 10 to the bow at a selected adjusted position along the slot 16. In order to inhibit pivoting of the bracket 10 about the longitudinal axis of the screw 22, a threaded aperture 18 extends through the bracket 10 at an end opposite the sideways 12 and receives an anti-pivot brace 20 in the form of a pointed tip set screw. The tip of anti-pivot brace 20 engages the bow B when tightened.
A vertically adjustable slide 24 preferably takes a hemi-cylindrical form, with a flat face portion dimensioned for sliding engagement within the slide way 12. A socket head cap screw 32 extends through a slot 30 formed in the vertical slide 24 and engages the threaded aperture 14 for the purpose of clamping the slide 24 to the mounting bracket 10 in a selected adjusted position. Suitable indicia such as the illustrated gradation lines may be provided to facilitate adjustment, and allow repeated adjustment to the same position.
The vertical slide 24 includes a pair of grooves extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the slide 24 and forming a pair of slide ways 26A and 28B, as shown in FIG. 3. A horizontally adjustable slide 38 includes a hemi-cylindrical portion having a flat face portion dimensioned for engagement with the slide ways 26A and 28B. The slide 38 may be selectively positioned in one of the slide ways 26A and 28B to allow use of the arrow rest 5 by both left and right-handed archers. A slot 40 extends through and axially along the horizontal slide 38 and receives a socket head cap screw 41 which engages a threaded aperture 34 formed in the vertical slide 24 for the purpose of clamping the horizontal slide 38 to the vertical slide 24 in a selected adjusted position. Suitable indicia such as the illustrated gradation lines may be provided to facilitate adjustment, and allow repeated adjustment to the same position. Flat washers, lock washers, or both may be used in connection with the screws 22, 32, and 41 to enhance and maintain clamping of the parts in their respective adjusted positions.
With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 9, the horizontal slide 38 includes a cylindrical end portion 39 provided with a blind cylindrical hole 46 disposed on a central longitudinal axis of the head portion 39 and forming a shaft seat dimensioned to receive a knurled end portion 52 of a cylindrical shaft 48 therein. A pair of set screws 42 and 44 extend radially with respect to the shaft seat 46 in engagement with threaded apertures drilled in the end portion 39 and intersecting the shaft seat 46 for the purpose of clamping the knurled end portion 52 of the shaft 48 within the seat 46, clamped against relative movement relative to the horizontal slide 38. The set screws 42 and 44 allow the rotational position of the shaft 48 to be adjusted relative to the end portion 39 in order to dispose the parts in a proper operative orientation, and particular to dispose the launcher arms at a proper angular orientation within the sight window of the bow. As one important feature of the invention, the slide 38 and head 39 are preferably integrally formed, such that the hemi-cylindrical slide 38 and the cylindrical end portion 39 form a strong unitized structure resistant to deflection and vibration typically induced in conventional arrow rests upon shooting of an arrow.
A cylindrical spring clamp collar 56 includes a central cylindrical longitudinal bore 58 receiving the shaft 48 therein. A set screw 60 engaged with in a threaded hole extending radially in the collar 56 and intersecting the bore 58 functions to clamp the spring collar 56 to the shaft 48 for limited reciprocal rotation therewith. The knurled end portion 52 of the shaft 48 preferably has an outside diameter which conforms closely to the diameter of the bore 58, such that the enlarged diameter knurled end portion 52 prevents the collar 56 from being inadvertently disengaged from the shaft 48, even when the screw 60 is loosened.
The distal end of the collar 56 disposed opposite the slide 38 includes a cylindrical recess 64 formed coaxially with the bore 58 and dimensioned for the reception of a torsional coil spring 66 therein. The coiled spring terminates in oppositely directed axially extending locating pins 67 and 69. A pin hole 65 formed in an inner annular face of the recess 64 receives the locating pin 67 of the spring 66, such that relative rotation of the collar 56 relative to the spring 66 will wind or unwind the torsional coil spring 66.
A launcher head 68 includes a central longitudinal bore 72 extending there through and forming a journal bearing rotatably mounting the shaft 48 therein. An “E” clip 51 engages a circumferential groove 50 formed adjacent an outer end of the shaft 48 to retain the launcher head 68 in position on the shaft 48. The head 68 generally takes the form of a rectangular block, but provided with arcuately curved oppositely directed side faces 73 and 71. A slot 79 formed in the side face 71 communicates with the bore 72 and receives a radially extending roll pin 81 extending radially relative to the shaft 48. The radially inner end of the pin 81 engages a transverse hole in the shaft 48 and operates, in conjunction with the dimensions of the slot 79, to limit rotation of the head 68 relative to the shaft 48 to reciprocal rotation between predetermined raised and lowered positions of the head 68. Preferably, the slot 79 is dimensioned to allow reciprocal rotation of the head 68 through an arc of ninety degrees.
An axially inner end face of the head 68, facing the collar 56, is provided with a pin hole (not shown) which receives the spring pin 69 of the spring 66. Since set screws 42, 44 and 60 clamp the slide 38 and collar 56, respectively, to the shaft 48, while the head 68 is free to rotate (within the constraints determined by the slot 79) on the shaft 48, the spring 66 will wind or unwind as the head 68 is rotated back and forth within the defined limits. The initial tension on the spring 66 may be adjusted by loosening the set screw 60, slightly rotating the collar 56 relative to the shaft 48, then re-clamping in the new position with the set screw 60.
The launcher head 68 includes a pair of spaced, parallel apertures 81 and 83 extending radially into the arcuate side face 73 relative to the axial extent of the central bore 72, but not intersecting with the bore 72 or interfering with relative rotation of the head 68 and shaft 48. The apertures 81 and 83 receive inner end portions of a pair of launcher arms 74 and 76, respectively, therein. A pair of set screws 80 and 83 engage threaded apertures formed in the head 68 extending transversely relative to the apertures 81 and 83 and intersecting therewith, such that tightening of the set screws 80 and 82 fixedly clamps the launcher arms 74 and 76 to the head 68. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the launcher arms 74 and 76 may be curved such that they form an “X” shape or criss-cross configuration when mounted to the head 68. The free outer end portions of the launcher arms 74 and 76 are preferably covered by caps 75 and 77 formed from a low-friction material such as heat shrink tubing, PTFE (TEFLON), or DELRIN plastic, so as to reduce friction with the shaft of an arrow A supported within the sight window W of a bow B as shown in FIG. 1.
A screw 90 engaging a threaded aperture 91 formed in the side face 71 of the head 68 fixedly secures a knob 88 to the head 68 for the purpose of facilitating manual rotation of the head 68 between the raised and lowered positions. With reference to FIG. 1, the knob 88 extends from the arcuate side face 71 of the head 68, generally in alignment with the launcher arms 74 and 76, but oppositely directed. In use, an archer may selectively position an upper portion of the wrist WR of their bow holding hand against the knob 88, as shown in FIG. 11, while slowly letting down the bow string. This maintains the launcher arms 74 and 76 in the upright, raised position shown in FIG. 1, and allows the shaft of the arrow A to slide between the low friction caps 75 and 77 covering juxtaposed, spaced free end portions of the arms 74 and 76. When the bow string has been fully let down, the arrow A remains in shooting position, such that an archer, particularly a hunting archer, can rapidly draw the bow string and fire the arrow A as need arises.
With reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 10, and 11 the manner of operation of the arrow rest according to the present invention will now be described. An archer rotates the launcher arm head 68 to the raised position using the knob 88 and positions an arrow A in the sight window W of a bow B, between the low friction caps 75 and 77 of the launcher arms 74 and 76, and then nocks the arrow at the nock point N of the bow string S. The arrow rest 5 will now hold the arrow in position until it is shot. Insertion of the arrow between the launcher arms causes them to flex or deform elastically to adjust themselves to the diameter of the arrow, such that the arrow is gripped between the launcher arms, but allowed to slide axially between the launcher arms as the bow is drawn to the full draw position shown in FIG. 5. Engagement of the arrow A between the launcher arms 74 and 76 maintains the launcher arms in the upright, raised position shown in FIG. 5 throughout the drawing of the bow. When the archer fires the bow B by releasing the arrow A, the torsional coil spring 66 causes the launcher head 68 and attached launcher arms 74 and 76 to rotate forwardly and downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 6, away from the departing arrow A. This occurs quickly, within the first 2 to 3 inches of movement of the arrow, and thus allows the fletching F of the arrow A to pass without interference from the launcher arms 74 and 76.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate alternative launcher arm configurations within the scope of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the launcher arms 100 and 102 may take the form of flat blade members divided by a split region 104. Aligned, spaced juxtaposed notches 106 and 108 may be rectangular or semi-circular in shape, and dimensioned to receive the shaft of an arrow therein. As in the case of the previously described X or criss-cross configuration of launcher arms, the arms 100 and 102 are formed from an elastically deformable material such that they spring apart slightly to allow insertion of an arrow shaft therebetween and grippingly engage the shaft of the arrow to hold it in position between the launcher arms prior to shooting. The respective outer free end portions 110 and 112 of the launcher arms 100 and 102 incline inwardly, forming a V-shaped notch which facilitates insertion of the arrow shaft.
In the alternative construction shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the launcher arms 120 and 122 have a generally cylindrical form and include arcuate notches portions 124 and 126. Advantageously, the arms 120 and 122 may take the form of PTFE (TEFLON) or DELRIN plastic sleeves or covers which press fit in tight fitting frictional engagement over steel pins 128 and 130 clamped to the head 68 by set screws. This construction allows the sleeves or covers to flex independently of the more rigid steel pins and allows convenient replacement without tools in the event that the covers or sleeves become damaged or worn from use.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An archery arrow rest comprising:

a launcher arm head;

at least one launcher arm mounted on said launcher arm head, said launcher arm including means for engaging and supporting a shaft of an arrow;

means for mounting said launcher arm head in a sight window of a bow;

means for mounting said launcher arm head for rotation between a raised position of said launcher arm and a lowered position of said launcher arm; and

means for biasing said launcher arm head toward said lowered position of said launcher arm.

2. The archery arrow rest of claim 1, wherein said means for engaging and supporting a shaft of an arrow includes at least one notch.

3. The archery arrow rest of claim 1, wherein said launcher arm comprises a plastic material.

4. The archery arrow rest of claim 1, wherein said launcher arm comprises heat shrink tubing.

5. The archery arrow rest of claim 1, wherein said launcher arm comprises PTFE.

6. The archery arrow rest of claim 1, wherein said launcher arm comprises steel.

7. The archery arrow rest of claim 1, wherein said launcher arm comprises a pair of launcher arms.

8. The archery arrow rest of claim 1, wherein said launcher arm comprises an elongated arm split along its length to form first and second relatively moveable portions having end portions configured to form a V-shaped notch dimensioned for at least partial engagement with a shaft of an arrow.

9. The archery arrow rest of claim 7, wherein said launcher arms comprise a pair of crossed prong members having juxtaposed upper end portions forming an upwardly opening nest dimensioned to receive an arrow shaft.

10. The archery arrow rest of claim 9, wherein said crossed prong members form an X-shape.

11. The archery arrow rest of claim 9, wherein said prong member comprise an elastically deformable material allowing limited movement of said prong members together and apart for accommodating arrow shafts of different diameters within said nest.

12. An archery arrow rest comprising:

a launcher arm head;

at least one launcher arm mounted on said launcher arm head and including a pair of prong portions spaced apart and forming a nest dimensioned to receive a shaft of an arrow;

a mounting bracket connected to said launcher arm head for mounting said launcher arm head in a sight window of a bow;

a bearing mounting said launcher arm head for movement between a raised position and a lowered position of said launcher arm; and

a spring biasing said launcher arm head toward said lowered position of said launcher arm.

13. The archery arrow rest of claim 12, wherein said prong portions include aligned notch portions dimensioned for at least partial engagement with an arrow shaft.

14. The archery arrow rest of claim 12, further comprising a knob secured to said launcher arm head and disposed for engagement with a portion of an archer's hand or wrist in said raised position of said launcher arm to allow an archer to selectively maintain said launcher arm in said raised position during let down of a bow string.

15. The archery arrow rest of claim 12 wherein said mounting bracket comprises a vertical bar section and a horizontal bar section including mating slide portions selectively securable by clamping members to allow selective horizontal and vertical adjustment of the launcher arm head in a sight window of a bow.

16. The archery arrow rest of claim 12, wherein said bar sections comprise a substantially cylindrical transverse cross-sectional shape.

17. The archery arrow rest of claim 12, wherein said launcher arm comprises an elongated arm split along its length to form first and second relatively moveable portions having end portions configured to form a V-shaped notch dimensioned for at least partial engagement with a shaft of an arrow.

18. The archery arrow rest of claim 12, wherein said launcher arms comprise a pair of crossed prong members having juxtaposed upper end portions forming an upwardly opening nest dimensioned to receive an arrow shaft.

19. The archery arrow rest of claim 18, wherein said crossed prong members form an X-shape.

20. The archery arrow rest of claim 18, wherein said prong member comprise an elastically deformable material allowing limited movement of said prong members together and apart for accommodating arrow shafts of different diameters within said nest.