WO2010146540A1

WO2010146540A1 - Device for launching an arrow or a launch object in general

Info

Publication number: WO2010146540A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/052683
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pasquale Stanziale
Original assignee: NEC Plus Ultra SRL
Current assignee: NEC Plus Ultra SRL
Priority date: 2009-06-15
Filing date: 2010-06-15
Publication date: 2010-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-15
Also published as: ITVR20090086A1

Abstract

A device (1, 10, 100) for launching an arrow (9) or a launch object in general. A support frame (2) includes a central portion (20) and two arms (21, 22) which extend from opposite parts of the central portion (20). An elastically deformable elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) is connected to one of the two arms (21, 22); deforming means (42, 43, 51, 51 a, 51 b, 53) able to deform the elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) so as to accumulate elastic energy are provided. The deforming means (42, 43, 51, 51 a, 51 b, 53) are operatively connected to a first flexible element (41 ) which is connected to the two arms. The device (1, 10, 100) is able to assume a rest position and a loaded position, wherein, in the loaded position, the elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) has a greater elastic energy than an elastic energy in the rest position and wherein, in the loaded position, a portion (32) of the elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) is at a distance (D11) from the other one of said two arms (21, 22) which is greater than a distance (D1 ) in the rest position.

Description

DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING AN ARROW OR A LAUNCH OBJECT IN GENERAL

DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a device for launching an arrow, a bolt, a projectile or a launch object in general. In particular, it relates to an archery bow of an improved type.

Different types of devices for launching an arrow, both for sporting and leisure-time use and for professional use, are known. These include in particular bows. According to a known type, a bow consists of a flexible and elastic body of elongated shape, which is for example made of wood and which has, fixed at its end portions, the opposite ends of a cable which acts as a launching cable for an arrow. During use, an arrow is arranged between the flexible body and the launching cable so that a tail end of the arrow is in contact with the cable itself and a point end is directed in the launching direction. The tail end of the arrow, together with the cable portion, is pulled away from the flexible body in order to cause bending of the flexible body and accumulate elastic energy inside it. During the loading stroke (also known as "draw length") and bending of the flexible body, the end portions of the flexible body move towards each other, i.e. they bend towards a middle region of the bow where the arrow is arranged. When the arrow is released, the flexible body returns into the undeformed condition and the elastic energy accumulated is returned, by the cable, to the arrow which is accelerated and propelled by the cable in the launching direction. In other words, the flexible body is an elastic member which, following elastic deformation, acquires elastic potential energy useful for launching an arrow: during launching, the potential energy of the elastic member is converted into kinetic energy of the arrow. In ricurve bows, the end portions of the flexible body are curved in the direction opposite to that in which the body is bent during use, i.e. these portions have a concavity directed on the opposite side to the launching cable. This allows the stored energy and the stroke of the arrow during launching to be increased, for the same overall bending extent of the flexible body.

A problem associated with these types of bow consists in the force required for loading. In fact, as the arrow is gradually pulled towards the loading position ready for launching, the force required of the user increases proportionately in relation to deformation of the flexible body and, in particular during the last part of the loading stroke, a great deal of effort may be required on the part of the user; namely, these bows have a force/draw-stroke curve which may be inadequate or inconvenient for use and, moreover, this curve cannot be modified and/or adapted efficiently to the user's requirements.

In so-called compound bows, two pulleys are pivoted on each end portion of the flexible body; of these pulleys a first pulley retains one end of the arrow-launching cable and a second pulley retains one end of a respective second connecting cable, the other end of which is fixed to the opposite end portion of the flexible body.

The first pulley is connected to the second pulley so that, when the launching cable is pulled during loading, the launching cable is unwound from the first pulleys and the second connecting cables are wound onto the second pulleys. In other words, during loading, winding up of the connecting cables on the second pulleys moves the end portions of flexible body towards each other, thereby tensioning the flexible body.

In this known type of bow, by suitably choosing the pulleys a certain modification of the force/stroke curve may be obtained so as to reduce the maximum force required in order to accumulate a certain amount of energy during loading. This results in easier loading of the bow and an increase in the ratio between the arrow stroke and the displacement/bending of the flexible body, so as to increase the efficiency of conversion between stored elastic potential energy and kinetic energy of the arrow. In more recent known types of bows, the single flexible body is replaced by a rigid body comprising a handgrip and two or four bending bodies symmetrically arranged at the opposite ends of the rigid body. Usually, in these types, one end of each bending body is fixed to the rigid body; in other types each bending body is fixed to the rigid body at one end and in a middle point. The devices according to the prior art have a number of drawbacks. One of the main drawbacks of the launching devices according to the prior art, in particular bows of the prior art, is that, during launching of the arrow, the flexible body returns rapidly into the unloaded position where it has minimum potential energy and the moving parts of the bow, when they reach this position, are at the end of the stroke and still have residual kinetic energy, which is proportional to the moving masses. The structure of the bow is such that this residual kinetic energy must be dissipated almost instantaneously, within a very short or even zero space interval, since the moving parts have already reached the end of their possible stroke.

Stoppage of the moving parts at the end of launching is therefore very sudden and subjects the entire bow to an end-of-stroke shock involving very high stresses, the residual energy being discharged onto the cables and onto the pivot pins of any pulleys. This means that the flexible body, the launching cable, the connecting cables and the pulleys (in the case of compound bows) are subject to a very high degree of stress, which may damage them.

For example, during launching under zero load, i.e. if no arrow is launched, the residual kinetic energy is at its greatest since there is not even partly any transfer of energy to an arrow during launching, and the entire structure of the device is subject, during sudden stoppage at the end of the stroke, to very high stresses which may result in breakage of the device and injury to the user. This drawback is particularly evident in the case of crossbows, owing to their relative inefficiency due to the lower ratio, compared to other devices, between the arrow stroke during launching and the bending displacement of the flexible body; in fact, usually in crossbows the launching stroke is shorter than the launching stroke in other devices.

This results in structural constraints with regard to the dimensional design of the bow (or launching device in general), imposes practical limitations on the mass of the arrow which may be launched safely and requires a great deal of concentration and high degree of expertise on the part of the user who, in the case of launching without load or use of an arrow which is too light, could damage the bow and even suffer injury.

In the case of bows of the compound type, the problem is even accentuated by the presence of the pulleys on the end portions of the flexible body since this increases considerably the masses, the kinetic energy and the moments of inertia involved. Moreover, sudden stoppage at the end of the stroke and the almost instantaneous dissipation of the residual kinetic energy are responsible for the loud noise produced by a device for launching an arrow during the launching operation. Another disadvantage of the devices according to the prior art consists in the fact that, even when the device is in the unloaded condition, the flexible body is in a pre- tensioned state; among other things this results in the need to use specific instruments, for example a press, in order to carry out maintenance operations such as replacement of the launching cable. The present disclosure therefore has as its starting point the technical problem of providing a device for launching an arrow or a launch object in general which is able to overcome at least one of the drawbacks mentioned above with respect to the prior art and/or which is able to achieve further advantages.

This is obtained by providing a device for launching an arrow or a launch object in general according to the independent claim 1. Secondary characteristic features of the present invention are defined in the corresponding dependent claims. The present invention provides a number of significant advantages. During loading operation, the elastic member is deformed away from the opposite arm with respect to which it is connected, i.e., in other words, the elastic member is deformed at least partly outwards, in the opposite direction compared to the flexible bodies of the prior art devices; during launching operation, the elastic member returns towards the opposite arm. A similar movement is performed by a portion of the first flexible element, which is associated with the elastic member. For example, during loading, the opposite ends of the first flexible element move away from each other, while during launching they move towards each other. One advantage therefore consists in the fact that since, during launching, the ends of the first flexible element move towards each other, the first flexible element is prevented from suddenly being tensioned during stoppage at the end of the stroke, thereby avoiding the end-of-stroke shock which occurs in the devices of the prior art. Moreover, the fact that the elastic member connected to one arm is deformed so that a portion thereof moves away from the opposite arm during a loading operation means that it possible to provide an embodiment in which there are no components of the deforming means (for example, flexible elements or cables) which extend between one arm and the other, in particular in the stroke region of the arrow. As a result, the stroke region remains without obstacles and the arrow, during launching, is not disturbed by the interference with these components of the deforming means. Moreover, the elastic member may be arranged with respect to the support frame so as to minimize the overall lateral dimensions of the device, for example the elastic member may be arranged inclined with respect to the arm, for example perpendicular thereto, reducing greatly, for the same length of the elastic member, the dimension of the device measured in a direction perpendicular to the direction of launching of the arrow.

In one embodiment the elastic member in the rest position does not have accumulated elastic energy, i.e. is in an untensioned state, and may therefore be easily replaced by a user without using special instruments. Moreover, being normally in an undeformed condition, there is no risk of the elastic member deteriorating in the event of being left for a long period of time in a moist and hot environment.

Another advantage consists in the fact that the device allows simpler maintenance because it may be easily disassembled. In one embodiment, a first portion of the elastic member is associated with a first section of the respective arm, while deforming means operatively connect a second portion of the elastic member to a second section of the arm. The deforming means are able to deform or displace the second portion of the elastic member. For example, said deformation of the elastic member outwards can be obtained by designing the arm so that it extends outwards beyond the elastic member so that the second portion of the elastic member is arranged between said second section of the arm and the other arm.

A further advantage consists in the fact that, in one embodiment, the support frame delimits perimetrally the region within which the moving parts of the device move. In other words, the elastic members, the pulleys and the flexible elements are arranged between the two opposite arms and are substantially enclosed between them; in particular, the first flexible element extends between the two opposite arms over a length smaller than the distance between the said arms. Therefore, the region affected by the movement of the elastic members, the pulleys and the flexible elements is confined by the support frame, thereby preventing a user from being able to interfere inadvertently with these moving parts and be struck by them or preventing these moving parts from coming into contact with surrounding bodies. In one embodiment, the device is able to assume a fully unloaded position, where the elastic member has a greater accumulated elastic energy, in particular the elastic member is deformed in the opposite direction to the loading direction. The rest position is situated between the loaded position and the fully unloaded position. As a result, stoppage at the end of the stroke occurs gradually between the rest position and the fully unloaded position, resulting in absorption of the residual kinetic energy and the inertia of the moving parts and a reduction in the stresses acting on the structure of the device during end-of-stroke stoppage, with a consequent improved performance and greater safety for the user. In other words, the device allows a braking stroke after the launching stroke, with absorption of the residual kinetic energy by the elastic member itself during a deformation or bending movement in a direction opposite to the loading direction.

This also results in less risk of damage to the device, fewer vibrations and lower noise levels. In one embodiment, opposing means which operate when the device is between the rest position and the fully unloaded position are provided. The opposing means, which for example comprise a spring, exert an opposing force on the elastic member between the rest position and the fully unloaded position so as to cooperate with the elastic member for absorbing the residual kinetic energy and if necessary limiting the counter-bending stroke of the elastic member. One advantage of this is that the risk of damage and excessive stresses acting on the device, in particular in the case where a very light arrow or no arrow at all is fired, is further reduced.

In one embodiment, at least one first rotatable pulley which is able to wind up an end portion of the first flexible element is provided. An angular displacement of the first pulley about the respective axis of rotation is operatively linked to a deformation of the elastic member, and vice versa; i.e., the angular displacement and the deformation are correlated with each other. Moreover, in the loaded position, the end portion of the first flexible element is unwound to a greater extent from the first pulley than in the rest position. The fact that the first flexible element is unwound from / wound onto the first pulley during loading/launching means that there is a large degree of freedom, during the design stage, as regards the choice of both the ratio between loading stroke and deformation of the elastic member and the force/draw-stroke curve. In fact, the desired characteristics may be achieved by means of a suitable choice of the diameter and eccentricity of the first pulley. In one embodiment, the first pulley is associated with said second portion of the elastic member which is operatively connected to said second section of the arm by the deforming means.

In one particular embodiment, the first pulley is pivoted on said second portion; in another particular embodiment, the first pulley is pivoted on a lever or connecting rod which is in turn pivoted on said second portion. In one embodiment, the deforming means comprise a second rotatable pulley and at least one second flexible element which is arranged (and in particular extends) between the second portion of the elastic member and the respective arm. The second pulley is able to wind up an end portion of the second flexible element during an angular displacement about a respective axis of rotation. Moreover, the second pulley is rotationally connected to the first pulley so that an angular displacement of the second pulley is linked to an angular displacement of the first pulley, and vice versa. The angular displacements of the pulleys are therefore correlated with each other. In other words, the rotation of the first pulley, caused by pulling of the first flexible element, causes rotation of the second pulley and winding of the second flexible element onto the second pulley, thus deforming and loading the elastic member during the loading operation; during launching operation, the opposite movement causes winding of the first flexible element onto the first pulley and thus recalls the first flexible element itself, which pushes the arrow. In this way a simple operative correlation between the rotation of the first pulley and the variation in deformation of the elastic member is obtained both during loading operation and during launching operation. In one embodiment, the first pulley and/or the second pulley have a profile which is eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation, so as to obtain a specific force/stroke curve during loading and to assist a counter-deformation or counter-bending movement between the rest position and the fully unloaded position. In one embodiment, at least one elastic member for each arm and a first pulley for each end of the first flexible element are provided.

This ensures a more balanced and regular stroke of the first flexible element during launching and therefore greater precision of firing of the arrow. In one embodiment, two elastic members are provided for each arm so as to achieve greater power and greater symmetry and balancing of the forces.

The mutual arrangement and the connection between the first pulley and the respective second pulley may be achieved in different ways (for example, both pulleys pivoted along a same axis on a portion of the elastic member or keyed onto the same shaft, one pulley pivoted on the elastic member and the other pulley pivoted on the support frame, both pulleys pivoted on the elastic member along different axes, connected together by a belt, or other ways).

In one embodiment, the first pulley and the second pulley are able to rotate jointly about one same axis and are pivoted on the second portion of the elastic member. This solution is preferred in particular because of its constructional simplicity. In one embodiment, the second flexible element has a first end fixed to the respective second pulley pivoted on the elastic member and a second end fixed to the respective arm. This solution is particularly simple and requires a minimum number of components. In one embodiment, the second flexible element is arranged in a U-like shape and has a first end portion associated with the respected second pulley pivoted on the elastic member, an intermediate portion slidably associated with the respective arm (for example arranged so as to pass over a pulley pivoted on an arm region), and a second end portion fixed to the said elastic member. This solution, compared to the previous solution, allows halving of the maximum strain which is generated in the second flexible element, since the strain is divided into the two portions of the second flexible element which extend between the elastic member and the arm. The second flexible element may therefore have a smaller diameter. In one embodiment, two second pulleys which are rotationally connected together and a second flexible element arranged in a U-like shape and having a first end portion associated with a second pulley, a second end portion associated with the other second pulley, and an intermediate portion associated with the arm, for example arranged so as to pass over an arm region or a pulley fixed to the arm, are provided. This solution allows better balancing of the forces because the second flexible element is wound/unwound simultaneously onto/from both ends and therefore the twisting moment on the pivot pin of the two second pulleys is eliminated. In one embodiment, the second flexible element has a first end portion associated with a second pulley pivoted on the elastic member of an arm, a second end portion fixed to the elastic member of the other arm, and two intermediate portions which are slidably associated with one arm and the other arm, respectively, for example are arranged so as to pass over a region of the respective arm or a pulley pivoted thereon. Basically, the second flexible element is arranged in a C-like shape between the two arms and has its ends connected to the elastic member and to the second pulley of both the arms, respectively. Owing to the fact that the elastic members of either arm splay respectively during loading and therefore the portion on which the second pulley of one arm is pivoted moves away from the elastic member of the other arm, in this embodiment the second pulley has a greater length of the second flexible element to be wound during launching and therefore it is possible to provide a second pulley with a larger diameter. This is advantageous both because the increase in the dimensions results in a greater constructional simplicity and because, since greater diameters are available, there is a greater range from which the eccentricity of the second pulley can be chosen in order to obtain the desired force/stroke curve.

In one particular embodiment, the second end of the second flexible element is fixed to a second pulley pivoted on the elastic member of the other arm, instead of to the elastic member of the other arm, as in the previous embodiment. In one embodiment, the first pulleys, the second pulleys and the second flexible elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central portion of the support frame, in particular with respect to a transverse axis coinciding with a direction for launching the arrow; in other words, the first arm and second arm are identical to each other and are associated with the same parts. This symmetrical embodiment results in a symmetrical behaviour of the device, advantageously increasing the launching precision; moreover, it allows symmetrical and balanced distribution of the forces acting on the support frame which is thus subject to fewer stresses which could damage it. In one embodiment, the elastic member comprises a bending elastic member of elongated shape and elastically deformable so as to bend. It is thus possible to have an elastic member, the elastic characteristics of which may be chosen within a wide range, modifying for example its length, thickness and the material of the bending member itself. In particular, this bending member has a substantially rectangular cross-section and is optimized to accumulate elastic energy by bending in a single plane.

In one embodiment, a pair of bending members are connected to the same arm, being arranged in a spaced relationship with respect to each other so as to form a cavity. The second branch of the arm is inserted so as to pass through said cavity and projects from the bending members on the opposite side to the other arm. In this embodiment there is improved balancing of the forces during deformation of the bending members; moreover, the bending members themselves are enclosed by the second branches of the arms which, as already mentioned, in this way perimetrally delimit the region within which the moving parts of the device move. In other embodiments, the second branch passes alongside the bending members, i.e. bypasses them without being inserted through the cavity, and projects on a side opposite to the other arm. In one embodiment, the bending members associated with the first arm are parallel to the bending members associated with the second arm. In other embodiments, the bending members associated with the first arm are inclined with respect to the bending members associated with the second arm, for example so as to obtain a device with a smaller volume for the same length of the bending members, or so as to have a greater degree of freedom during the design stage in order to achieve the desired performance characteristics, or so as to facilitate the braking stroke. As mentioned, in one embodiment the first pulley is pivoted on a lever which in turn is pivoted on the second portion of the elastic member. Basically, this lever is arranged between the elastic member and the first pulley (as well as the second pulley, if present). This allows the first pulley to be displaced with respect to the elastic member during braking operation and in particular allows a first pulley to move towards the other first pulley. Consequently, the braking stroke of the pulleys is increased and is rendered partially independent of the movement of the elastic members. During braking a greater length of first flexible element is thus available for winding onto the first pulleys, which may thus have a greater radius and/or a smaller eccentricity.

This is advantageous also for reducing the maximum lateral volume of the device and, since a greater radius is available for the pulleys, for designing a force/stroke curve which is more suitable (for example, a curve which rises rapidly at high force levels). Owing to lengthening of the pulley braking stroke, it is possible to shorten the stroke of the elastic elements and for example to provide that the latter are pre-stressed and tensioned also when the device is in the rest position.

Advantageously, the lever is movable between a first position where the first pulley is situated closer to the respective elastic member and a second position where the first pulley is displaced towards the other arm and therefore closer to the other pulley. By providing elastic recall means, such as a spring, in order to recall the lever towards the first position, the recall means are able to assist the braking action and the return movement of the lever into the rest condition at the end of launching. Further advantages, characteristic features and the modes of use of the subject of the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments thereof, provided solely by way of a non-limiting example. It is clear, however, that each embodiment described in the present disclosure may have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case it is not required that each embodiment should have simultaneously all the advantages listed. It is also to be understood that the scope of the present disclosure includes all the possible combinations of the embodiments mentioned above and those described with reference to the following detailed description. Reference shall be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device for launching an arrow according to the present disclosure, in an unloaded or rest position;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device according to Figure 1 , in a loaded position;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device according to Figure 1 , in a fully unloaded position;

Figure 4 shows an enlarged detail of the device according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows an enlarged detail of the device according to Figure 2;

Figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of the device according to Figure 3;

Figure 7 shows an exploded perspective view, with parts separated, of an enlarged detail of the device according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 8A shows an enlarged detail of a variation of embodiment of the device according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 8B shows an enlarged detail of another variation of embodiment of the device according to Figure 1 ; - Figure 8C shows an enlarged detail of yet another variation of embodiment of the device according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 8D shows an enlarged detail of a further variation of embodiment of the device according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a device for launching an arrow according to the present disclosure, in an unloaded or rest position; - Figure 10 shows an enlarged detail of the device according to Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows an exploded perspective view, with parts separated, of an enlarged detail of the device according to Figure 9;

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a device for launching an arrow according to the present disclosure, in an unloaded or rest position;

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the device according to Figure 12, in a loaded position;

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the device according to Figure 12, in a fully unloaded position; - Figures 15A to 15C show side views of the device according to Figure 12, in the three positions according to Figures 12, 13 and 14, respectively;

Figure 16 shows a perspective view of an enlarged detail of the device according to Figure 12, in the rest position;

Figure 17 shows the detail according to Figure 16, in the loaded position; - Figure 18 shows the detail according to Figure 16, in the fully unloaded position;

Figure 19 shows a front perspective view of an enlarged detail of the device according to Figure 12, from which some parts have been removed;

Figure 20 shows an enlarged perspective view of a part of the device according to Figure 12;

Figure 21 shows an exploded perspective view, with parts separated, of an enlarged detail of the device according to Figure 12, from which some parts have been removed.

A first embodiment of a device for launching an arrow or a launch object in general, provided according to the present disclosure, is shown in Figures 1 to 7, where it is indicated by the reference number 1. In the description below particular reference will be made to a bow for archery, although the same principles of the subject of the present disclosure could be likewise applied also to other launching devices, such as a crossbow, a catapult or a device for launching aircraft models, pilotless aircraft or apparatus for experimental purposes.

In the description below reference will also be made to an arrow, although this may be replaced by a bolt or an object to be launched in general. The bow 1 comprises a support frame 2, which in the example is a body of elongated shape, comprising a central portion 20 and two arms 21 , 22 which extend or branch out from opposite ends of the central portion 20.

The central portion 20 acts both as a gripping handle of the bow 1 for a user and as a guiding support for an arrow 9 during launching operation of the arrow 9 itself. In the example, the central portion 20 has an offset shaped portion 20a which defines a support surface 20b for supporting and guiding the shank 9a of the arrow 9. The central portion 20 has an elongated shape and defines a longitudinal axis 201 and a transverse axis 202. The arms 21 , 22 are substantially aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis 201 , except for a certain misalignment due to the offset shaped portion 20a, and extend from opposite sides of the transverse axis 202, with respect to which they are arranged in a substantially symmetrical manner. For the sake of clarity of the present description, a proximal region 101 , which is directed towards the user using the bow 1 , and a distal region 102, which is situated opposite the proximal region 101 and directed towards the space into which the arrow 9 will be launched, is identified with respect to the central portion 20. Each arm 21, 22 has a fork-like shape, comprising a branched arrangement forming a respective first branch 25, 26 and a respective second branch 23, 24. The second branch 23, 24 extends over a greater length than the length of the respective first branch 25, 26; furthermore they form an angle with each other and are joined by a reinforcing cross-piece 27, 28. Basically, the second arms 23, 24 are main extensions of the central portion 20, while the first branches 25, 26 are secondary extensions. The second branches 23, 24 are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis 201 such that respective end portions 23a, 24a of the second branches 23, 24 are spaced from the longitudinal axis 201 and extend into the proximal region 101, being arranged on the same side with respect to the longitudinal axis 201. In particular, the end portions 23a, 24a are aligned with each other along a straight line 205 parallel to the longitudinal axis 201.

The support frame 2 is formed so that the arms 21 , 22, and in particular the first branches 25, 26 and the second branches 23, 24, are substantially coplanar with each other. The support frame 2 has preferably a rigid undeformable structure; for example, it is made of aluminium, metal, carbon or composite plastic.

The bow 1 comprises at least one elastically deformable elastic member 3 which is able to undergo deformation so as to accumulate elastic energy to be used during launching of the arrow 9. The elastic member 3 is therefore the "motor" for the arrow 9 to which it transmits a force via a transmission system described below. In other words, the elastic members 3 are "power" elements on which the acting force and the kinetic energy acquired by the arrow 9 during launching mainly depends. The elastic member 3 is connected to an arm 21 , 22. Preferably, at least one elastic member 3 is associated with each arm 21 , 22.

The elastic member 3 has a degree of deformability much greater than that of the arms 21 , 22 which, in comparison, may be regarded as being substantially rigid. A first portion 31 of the elastic member 3 is associated with a respective arm 21, 22, in particular with the respective first branch 25, 26. A second portion 32 of the elastic member 3 is operatively connected, via deforming means, to the same arm 21 , 22, in particular to the end of 23a, 24a of the second branch 23, 24; the second portion 32 is movable with respect to the arm 21 , 22, being able to vary its distance D from the end of 23a, 24a, and the deforming means are able to deform the elastic member 3 varying this distance D.

In particular, the deformation of the elastic member 3 is performed at least partially outwards, i.e. when deformation occurs during loading operation the second portion 32 of the elastic member 3 connected to one of the arms 21 , 22 is displaced away from said transverse axis 202 and from the other arm 22, 21 , being displaced in the example towards the respective end 23a, 24a.

In other words, the first portion 31 of the elastic member 3 is associated with a first section of the respective arm 21 , 22, while the second portion 32 is connected, via the deforming means, to a second section of the arm 21 , 22 itself. The arm 21 , 22 extends beyond the elastic member 3, i.e. projects outwards away from the transverse axis 202, so that the second portion 32 of the elastic member 3 is arranged between said second section and the transverse axis 202. The deforming means pull the second portion 32 towards the second section of the respective arm 21 , 22 and therefore the elastic member 3 is deformed outwards. In particular, said first section is a part of, or corresponds to, the first branch 25, 26 of the arm 21 , 22, while said second section is a part of, or corresponds to, the second branch 23, 24. It is in any case clear that the arm 21 , 22 must not necessarily have a fork-like shape, since said first section and second section could alternatively be parts of an arm which is not branched, as illustrated in a subsequent embodiment. In the embodiment shown, the elastic member is a bending elastic member 3 of elongated shape in a preferential direction of extension 301 , for example with a parallelepiped shape. The bending member 3 is made of wood, metal, glass-fibre reinforced plastic, plastic or composite material, for example comprising fibreglass or carbon fibres, or other suitable material.

The bending member 3 is elastically deformable so as to bend and is able to undergo bending so as to accumulate elastic energy useful for launching the arrow 9 and then supply it subsequently during actual launching. In the example, the bending member 3 has a substantially rectangular cross-section so as to be optimized to accumulate elastic energy by bending in a single plane. In the example shown, the bow 1 comprises overall four bending members 3 which are connected in pairs to one arm 21 and to the other arm 22, respectively. Each first arm 25, 26 comprises, at one end, a bracket-like support 29 which extends at right angles to the first branch 25, 26 and from opposite sides thereof. First ends 31 of the bending members 3 are fixed to the bracket-like support 29. In particular, the bending members 3a, 3b of each pair are fixed on opposite sides of the same first branch 25, 26 and are arranged in a spaced relationship, so as to define a gap 33, or cavity, between them.

The bending members 3a, 3b are arranged projecting from the arm 21 , 22 and extend towards said straight line 205 joining together the ends 23a, 24a of the second branches 23, 24. The bending members 3a, 3b are arranged transversely with respect to the respective arm 21 , 22 and the respective second branch 23, 24 so that the respective second branch 23, 24 is inserted passing through said cavity 33 and projects from the bending members 3a, 3b on a side opposite to that of the other arm 22, 21 ; in the example, a portion of the second branch 23, 24 received inside the cavity 33 corresponds to a middle region of the second branch 23, 24 itself. Basically, the second branch 23, 24 is partially arranged between the respective bending members 3a, 3b and is inclined relative thereto. The second branch 23, 24 extends beyond the respective bending members 3a, 3b, i.e. extends outwards away from the transverse axis 202 and from the other second branch 24, 23. In this way, the second portions 32 of the bending members 3a, 3b are arranged between one end 23a, 24a of the respective second branch 23, 24 and the transverse axis 202; in other words the second portions 32 are arranged and enclosed between the arms 21 , 22.

In the example, the bending members 3a, 3b of the same pair are parallel to each other; moreover, they are parallel to the transverse axis 202 of the central portion 20. Different angular arrangements are, however, possible in other embodiments. The first end 31 of the bending member 3a, 3b is rigidly fixed to the respective first branch 25, 26, so that the first end 31 is unable either to rotate or be displaced with respect to the bracket-like support 29 and the first branch 25, 26. The second end 32 of each bending member 3a, 3b is associated with a C-shaped support 35 which receives said second end 32. For example, the support 35 is rigidly fixed, by means of gluing or another system, to the respective bending member 3a, 3b.

The support 35 has a seat 36 for receiving a pin 45, which seat 36 is in the form of a cylindrical hole with its longitudinal axis 303 directed perpendicularly with respect to the direction of extension 301 of the respective bending member 3a, 3b. Moreover, in each pair of bending members 3a, 3b, the seats 36 of the respective supports 35 face the cavity 33 and are aligned with each other along a same longitudinal axis 303.

The bow 1 comprises a first flexible element 41, or flexible launching element, connected to the two arms 21 , 22. In particular, the first flexible element 41 extends between the two opposite arms 21 , 22 along a length which is less than the distance between the arms 21 , 22, i.e. it is enclosed between the arms 21 , 22.

A bending member 3 and said deforming means, which are operatively connected to the first flexible element 41 , are arranged between the first flexible element 41 and at least one of the arms 21 , 22; the first flexible element 41 may, for example, be fixed directly to the other one of the arms 21 , 22. In the embodiment shown, for each arm 21, 22 there is a pair of bending members 3a, 3b and deforming means arranged between the first flexible element 41 and the bending members 3a, 3b of the said arm 21 , 22.

The deforming means comprise at least one first pulley 42, 43, or launching pulley, rotatable about a respective axis of rotation. The pulley 42, 43 is operatively connected to a respective bending member 3; this means that an angular displacement of the first pulley 42, 43 about the respective axis of rotation is operatively linked to a deformation of the elastic member 3, and vice versa. As shown in the figures, the first pulley 42, 43, and in particular a perimetral groove 44 thereof, has a profile which is eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation. In the example, two first pulleys 42, 43, one for each arm 21 , 22, are provided; each pulley 42, 43 is operatively connected to respective bending members 3a, 3b. In particular, each first pulley 42, 43 is pivoted on the second ends 32 of the respective bending members 3a, 3b, being able to rotate jointly with a pin 45 received in the seats 36 of the supports 35. Each first pulley 42, 43 is therefore pivoted on the respective supports 35, and therefore on the pair of bending members 3a, 3b, and rotates about the longitudinal axis 303. Moreover, each first pulley 42, 43 is arranged between the respective bending members 3a, 3b and, during its rotational movement, passes through the cavity 33. The first pulley 42, 43 and at least part of the respective second branch 23, 24 are situated in planes which are staggered relative to each other so that, during rotation, the first pulley 42, 43 does not come into contact with the second branch 23, 24. The two first pulleys 42, 43 are substantially identical to each other and are also preferably coplanar, for example with respect to a plane which contains the longitudinal axis 201 and the transverse axis 202 of the central portion 20. It should be noted that, within the context of the present disclosure, it is not necessarily required that a pulley should have a lateral edge which defines a closed line: in fact, the figures show first pulleys 42, 43 which have a discontinuous lateral edge.

The first flexible element 41 is preferably inextensible; in the example it consists of a cable made of plastic or interwoven synthetic fibres or interwoven metal filaments, similar to the cables used in the bows of the prior art. The first flexible element 41 acts as a propulsive cable for propelling or launching the arrow 9. The first flexible element 41 is connected to the arms 21 , 22 and extends between the second branches 23, 24, without however extending as far as their end portions 23a, 24a. The ends 41a, 41 b of the first flexible element 41 are associated with and fixed to the perimetral groove 44 of respective first pulleys 42, 43. Each first pulley 42, 43 is able to wind the respective end portion 41a, 41b of the first flexible element 41 during an angular displacement, or rotation, about the axis of rotation 303; in particular, the end portion 41a, 41b is unwound from the respective first pulley 42, 43 during an angular displacement in a first direction of rotation and is wound onto the respective first pulley 42, 43, more specifically, inside the perimetral groove 44, during an angular displacement in the opposite direction.

The deforming means also comprise at least one second pulley 51a, 51b, or force pulley, which is also rotatable about a respective axis of rotation; preferably, the second pulley 51a, 51b has a profile which is eccentric with respect to its axis of rotation.

In addition, the deforming means comprise at least one second flexible element 53, or flexible force element, which extends between the second end 32 of the bending member 3 and the second branch 23, 24 of the respective arm 21 , 22. In particular, a second flexible element 53 is envisaged for each arm 21 , 22. The second flexible element 53 is preferably inextensible; in the example it consists of a cable made of plastic or interwoven synthetic fibres or interwoven metal fibres. A respective end portion 53a, 53b of the second flexible element 53 is associated with and fixed to a perimetral groove 56 of the second pulley 51a, 51 b. Therefore, the second pulley 51a, 51 b is able to wind the respective end portion 53a, 53b during an angular displacement, or rotation, about the axis of rotation 303; in particular, the end portion 53a, 53b of the second flexible element 53 is wound onto the second pulley 51a, 51 b, and in particular, inside the perimetral groove 56, during an angular displacement in a first direction of rotation, and is unwound from the second pulley 51a, 51b during an angular displacement in the opposite direction. Each first pulley 42, 43 is rotationally connected to at least one second pulley 51a, 51b. In other words, an angular displacement of the first pulley 42, 43 is correlated with an angular displacement of the second pulley 51a, 51 b. In particular, the first pulley 42, 43 and the second pulley 51a, 51 b are able to rotate jointly about one same axis of rotation 303. In the example, the first pulley 42, 43 is able to rotate jointly, about the same axis of rotation 303, with two respective second pulleys 51a, 51b which are arranged on opposite sides of the first pulley 42, 43 and are therefore in turn rotationally connected together.

In fact, each first pulley 42, 43 and the respective two second pulleys 51a, 51b are fixed to the same pin 45 and are therefore all pivoted on the second ends 32 of the respective bending members 3a, 3b.

For each arm 21 , 22, the second flexible element 53 is arranged in a U-like shape and comprises a first end portion 53a associated with one of said second pulleys 51a, 51b, a second end portion 53b associated with the other one of said second pulleys 51a, 51 b, and an intermediate portion 53c associated with the second branch 23, 24 of the arm 21 , 22. In particular, a return pulley 55 is associated with the second branch 23, 24 and has, arranged passing over it, the intermediate portion 53c of the second flexible element 53. In the example, the return pulley 55 is pivoted on the respective end 23a, 24a of the second branch 23, 24. Therefore, the second flexible element 53 operatively connects the second ends 32 of the bending members 3a, 3b and the second branch 23, 24 of the respective arm 21 , 22.

In the example, the bow 1 is substantially symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis 202. Basically, the bending members 3a, 3b have a first portion, i.e. the first end 31 , which is fixed to the first branch 25, 26 of the respective arm 21 , 22, and a second portion, i.e. the second end 32, which is connected via the deforming means to the second branch 23, 24 of the same arm 21 , 22, in particular to an end region 23a, 24a thereof.

Each bending member 3a, 3b is able to bend in the region between the first end 31 and the second end 32. Moreover, in the embodiment shown, the second ends 32 of the bending members 3a, 3b of the same pair are operatively connected to the same deforming means.

The arrangement of the components is such that, during an angular displacement of the first pulley 42, 43 and the respective second pulleys 51a, 51b in a first direction of rotation, the first flexible element 41 is unwound from the first pulley 42, 43 and the second flexible element 53 is wound onto the second pulleys 51a, 51b; during an angular displacement in the opposite direction, the first flexible element 41 is wound onto the first pulley 42, 43 and the second flexible element 53 is unwound from the second pulleys 51a, 51 b.

Moreover, owing to the deforming means arranged between the first flexible element 41 and the bending members 3a, 3b, an angular displacement of a first pulley 42, 43 about its axis of rotation 303 is operatively linked to a variation in deformation of the respective bending members 3a, 3b; vice versa, a variation in deformation of the bending members 3a, 3b is operatively linked to an angular displacement of a respective first pulley 42, 43. Basically, the second flexible elements 53 act in the manner of tie members. The bow 1 is shown in Figure 1 in an unloaded or rest position. In this position, in the embodiment shown, the bending members 3 have no accumulated elastic energy and are therefore in a state of minimum elastic potential energy. Moreover, the end portions 41a, 41b of the first flexible element 41 are partially wound onto the respective first pulleys 42, 43, and the end portions 53a, 53b of the second flexible elements 53 are partially wound onto the respective second pulleys 51a, 51 b.

In the rest position, the second end 32 of the bending member 3 is at a distance D from the respective end 23a, 24a of the arm 21 , 22 to which it is connected and is at a distance D1 from the other arm 22, 21. During loading operation of the bow 1 , a middle portion 41c of the first flexible element 41 is pulled by a user away from the central portion 20 of the support frame 2, i.e. it is basically pulled along the transverse axis 202 towards the proximal region 101.

During this operation, pulling of the first flexible element 41 causes rotation of the first pulleys 42, 43 in a first direction of rotation towards the proximal region 101 (i.e., in Figure 1 , in a clockwise direction for the upper first pulley 42 and in an anticlockwise direction for the lower first pulley 43) and simultaneously the first flexible element 41 is unwound gradually from the first pulleys 42, 43, providing the greater free length of first flexible element 41 required by the drawing-away movement of the middle portion 41c.

Since the first pulleys 42, 43 are able to rotate jointly with the respective second pulleys 51a, 51 b, the latter also rotate in the same direction of rotation and gradually wind up the respective second flexible element 53 around them.

For each arm 21 , 22, winding of the second flexible element 53, which is substantially inextensible, onto the second pulleys 51a, 51 b results in shortening of the free length of the second flexible element 53 and therefore displacement of the second pulleys 51a, 51b, the axis 303, the first pulleys 42, 43, the supports 35 and therefore also the second ends 32 of the bending members 3a, 3b, moving closer towards the respective end portions 23a, 24a of the second branches 23, 24 with which the respective return pulleys 55 are associated. In other words, the bending members 3a, 3b connected to an arm 21 , 22 bend elastically towards the end 23a, 24a of said arm 21 , 22, therefore moving away from the other arm 22, 22, and accumulate elastic energy.

During loading operation, therefore, an angular displacement of the first pulley 42, 43 about the respective axis of rotation 303 in said first direction of rotation is operatively correlated, owing to the set of deforming means, with a deformation (in particular, with increased bending) of the respective bending members 3a, 3b, which are therefore placed in a state where they are tensioned and have accumulated elastic energy, i.e. possess potential elastic energy useful for launching the arrow 9.

Moreover, during deformation of the bending members 3a, 3b, the axes of rotation 303 of the first pulleys 42, 43 and of the second pulleys 51a, 51b perform a translational movement closer towards the respective end portions 23a, 24b of the second branches 23, 24, together with the second ends 32 of the bending members 3a, 3b with which they are associated; therefore, the axes of rotation 303 of the first pulleys 42, 43 move away from each other. The pulling force exerted by the user on the first flexible element 41 causes the bow 1 to move into a loaded position, shown by way of example in Figure 2. In the loaded position, compared to the rest position:

- the bending members 3a, 3b have accumulated a greater amount of elastic energy, being bent to a greater extent towards the end 23a, 24a of the respective arm 21 , 22, i.e. their second ends 32 are at a distance D1¹ from the other arm 22, 21 which is greater than the distance D1 in the rest position;

- the axes of rotation 303 of the first pulleys 42, 43 and of the second pulleys 51a, 51 b are further away from the transverse axis 202; - the end portions 53a, 53b of the second flexible elements 53 are wound to a greater extent onto the respective second pulleys 51a, 51b;

- the end portions 41a, 41b of the first flexible element 41 are unwound to a greater extent from the respective first pulleys 42, 43; - a middle portion 41c of the first flexible element 41 is further away from the central portion 20 of the support frame 2.

In the loaded position, an arrow 9 is arranged between the central portion 20 of the support frame 2 (for example on the support surface 20b) and the middle portion 41c of the first flexible element 41 , so that this middle portion 41c pushes against the tail end 9b of the arrow 9. The arrow 9 is held in position by a user's hand. When the arrow 9 is released by the user, launching operation commences. During launching operation, the bending members 3a, 3b tend to return towards the rest position, i.e. towards the condition where they are undeformed or have minimum potential energy, and therefore the second ends 32 of the bending members 3a, 3b tend to move away from the respective ends 23a, 24a of the arms 21 , 22, moving towards the opposite arm 22, 21. Therefore, the second flexible elements 53 are unwound from the respective second pulleys 51a, 51b, causing rotation of the latter in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction during loading. The first pulleys 42, 43 rotate jointly in the same direction as the respective second pulleys 51a, 51 b, i.e. towards the distal region 102 (in other words, in Figure 2, in an anti-clockwise direction in the case of the upper first pulley 42 and in a clockwise direction in the case of the lower first pulley 43) and thus wind up and recall the first flexible element 41. The middle portion 41c of the latter is drawn substantially along the transverse axis 202 towards the central position 20 of the support frame 2, i.e. towards the distal region 102 and pushes against the tail end 9b of the arrow 9, causing it to accelerate towards the distal region 102. Energy is thus transferred from the bending members 3 to the arrow 9, which is launched. During loading, therefore, a variation in deformation (in particular a reduction in the degree of bending) of the bending members 3a, 3b is operatively correlated, again via the deforming means, with an angular displacement of the first pulleys 42, 43 about the respective axis of rotation 303 in said second direction of rotation and with a conversion of potential elastic energy of the bending members 3a, 3b into kinetic energy of the arrow 9. At the same time, the axis of rotation 303 of the first pulleys 42, 43 and of the second pulleys 51a, 51b are displaced together with the second ends 32 of the bending members 3 so as to move closer towards the transverse axis 202. The first pulleys 42, 43, to which the ends 41a, 41 b of the first flexible element 41 are fixed, therefore move towards each other, freeing a greater length of first flexible element 41 which is wound onto the said first pulleys 42, 43. When the bending members 3a, 3b, the pulleys 42, 43, 51a, 51b and the first flexible element 41 reach the rest position during launching operation, they still possess a certain amount of residual kinetic energy. Therefore, they continue their movement also beyond the rest position, owing to their inertia, tending towards a fully unloaded position, until their residual kinetic energy has all been converted into potential energy of the bending members 3a, 3b. In other words, compared to the rest position, the bending members 3a, 3b perform a partial counter-bending movement, i.e. they bend towards the opposite arm 21 , 22, the second pulleys 51a, 51 b unwind further portions of second flexible element 53, and the first pulleys 42, 43 wind up further portions of first flexible element 41. If the residual kinetic energy is particularly high, for example in a case of use of a very light arrow 9 or a load-free stroke performed without launching an arrow, the bow 1 reaches a fully unloaded position, shown for example in Figure 3. In said fully unloaded position, the bending members 3a, 3b are deformed and have accumulated elastic energy; therefore they have a potential energy higher than the potential energy in the rest position; in fact, the second ends 32 of the bending members 3a, 3b connected to an arm 21 , 22 are situated at a distance D1" from the other arm 22, 21 which is smaller than the distance D1 in the rest position. With respect to the rest position, moreover, the end portions 41a, 41 b of the first flexible element 41 are wound to a greater extent onto the respective first pulleys 42, 43 and the end portions 53a, 53b of the second flexible elements 53 are unwound to a greater extent from the respective second pulleys 51a, 51 b; moreover, the axes of rotation 303 of the first pulleys 42, 43 and of the second pulleys 51a, 51b are closer towards the transverse axis 202. Basically, in addition to the rest position and the loaded position, the bow 1 may assume also a fully unloaded position; the rest position is situated between the loaded position and the fully unloaded position.

Owing to the possibility of movement between the rest position and the fully unloaded position, stoppage of the device 1 at the end of the stroke is gradual and not sudden, since the residual kinetic energy of the moving parts is gradually absorbed and dissipated during the stroke between the rest position and the fully unloaded position. The stresses acting on the frame of the bow 1 are therefore reduced. Moreover, between the rest position and the fully unloaded position, the bending members 3 are in a deformed condition (i.e. they have accumulated potential energy) and therefore, at the end of the braking stroke, they tend spontaneously to return into the undeformed condition, causing a portion of first flexible element 41 to be unwound from the first pulleys 42, 43, causing the pulleys 42, 43, 51a, 51b to rotate and causing portions of second flexible element 53 to be wound onto the second pulleys 51a, 51 b. The entire bow 1 , at the end of launching, therefore returns spontaneously into the rest position where there is no accumulated elastic energy (or in any case the potential energy is minimum) and is therefore ready for a new loading operation. At the most, complete stoppage in the rest position may occur after a few oscillations, gradually dampened by the friction between the components, around the rest position.

As mentioned, the first pulleys 42, 43 have an eccentric shape. By means of suitable profiling of the first pulleys 42, 43 it is possible to obtain a desired force/stroke curve, which in particular may be imagined as coinciding with a near- constant progression. In particular, it is important that the progression should be such as to limit the value of the maximum force which must be exerted by the user during loading operation, i.e. the force which must be exerted during the last section of the loading stroke. In fact, the physical laws of elasticity are such that the deformation force to be exerted on the bending members 3a, 3b increases in proportion with the deformation itself. This means that, during loading, an increasing force must be exerted on the bending members 3a, 3b, this force being exerted by the second flexible elements 53 via the second pulleys 51a, 51b. Basically, an increasing moment of force (dependent also on the eccentricity of the profile of the second pulleys 51a, 51b) must be exerted on the second pulleys 51a, 51 b.

This is obtained by providing an eccentric profile for the first pulleys 42, 43 in such a way that the arm of the force exerted by the first flexible element 41 increases during loading. With suitable profiling of the first pulleys 42, 43, therefore, the force which must be exerted by the user on the first flexible element 41 is more or less constant during loading, since the increasing moment of force is obtained by providing an increasing arm of force. This allows the maximum force which must be exerted by the user to be reduced, for example by providing the first pulleys 42, 43 with a large radius in the profile portion affected by the last section of the loading stroke, advantageously facilitating the use of the device 1. The second pulleys 51a, 51b are also eccentric: a suitable choice of their eccentricity provides a further possibility (or degree of freedom during design of the device 1) for obtaining a desired force/stroke curve. Moreover, also the force exerted on the arrow 9 during launching, i.e. with movement of the parts in the opposite direction to that which occurs during loading, is more uniform during the launching stroke.

Preferably, in the embodiments shown in figures, the first pulleys 42, 43 and the second pulleys 51a, 51 b have approximately the same radius in the perimetral groove portion 44, 56, respectively, where the respective flexible element 41 , 53 is wound up/unwound along the stroke section between the rest position and the fully unloaded position. In fact, since the first pulley 42, 43 and the second pulley 51a, 51 b have the same radius in the corresponding pulley angular sector which is concerned (indicated respectively by α' and α" in Figure 7), the length of the portion of the second flexible element 53 which is unwound from the second pulleys 51a, 51 b along this stroke section (i.e. the increase in the distance D between the second ends 32 of the bending members 3a, 3b and the respective end portion 23a, 24a of the arms 21 , 22) is equal to the length of the portion of first flexible element 41 which is wound up on the corresponding first pulley 42, 43 (i.e., half the reduction in free length of the first flexible element 41): this prevents the first flexible element 41 from becoming slack along this stroke section (as would occur if its wound portion had a length smaller than the length of the unwound portion of second flexible element) or from becoming tensioned and preventing execution of the stroke towards the fully unloaded position (as would happen if its wound portion had a length greater than the length of the unwound portion of second flexible element).

In other possible embodiments, in order to achieve the technical result described above, i.e. preventing the first flexible element 41 from becoming slack or tensioned during the stroke from the rest position towards the fully unloaded position, it may be necessary for the first pulleys 42, 43 and the second pulleys 51a, 51 b to have different radii in the perimetral groove portion 44, 56, respectively, where the respective flexible element 41 , 53 is wound/unwound. This is, for example, the case where the bending member 3 is not parallel to the transverse axis 202 or where the second flexible element 53 is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 201 , or where the second flexible element 53 is arranged in a U-like shape having a first end 53a fixed to a second pulley 51 and a second end 53b fixed to a respective bending member 3 (and therefore not to another second pulley 51), with an intermediate portion 53c arranged slidably so as to pass over a return element 55 on the end portion 23a, 24a of the arm 21 , 22.

In these cases also, the radius and the eccentricity of the first pulleys 42, 43 may in any case be designed so that the length of the end portion 41a, 41b of the first flexible element 41 which is wound onto the respective first pulley 42, 43 during said stroke is substantially equal to the corresponding approach movement of the axis of rotation 303 of the respective first pulley 42, 43 towards the transverse axis 202. Basically, the radius and the eccentricity of the first pulleys 42, 43 are such as to assist the counter-bending movement of the bending members 3a, 3b between the rest position and the fully unloaded position.

In an alternative embodiment, the bending members 3a, 3b connected to the first arm 21 are not parallel to the bending members 3a, 3b connected to the second arm 22: for example they converge towards each other in the proximal region 101. In other words, the distance between the first ends 31 of the bending members 3a, 3b associated with the first arm 21 and the first ends 31 of the bending members 3a, 3b associated with the second arm 22 is greater than the distance between the corresponding second ends 32. In an alternative embodiment, the return pulley 55 is firmly fixed to the respective end 23a, 24a, so that it cannot rotate.

In an alternative embodiment, a detail of which is shown in Figure 8A, for each arm 21 , 22 two second flexible elements 53 are provided, each of these having a first end portion 53a associated with a respective second pulley 51a, 51b and a second end portion 53b associated with the respective second branch 23, 24. Basically, the return pulley 55 is eliminated and the second flexible element 53 is divided into two parts, each having an end 53b fixed directly to the arm 21 , 22. In a further variant, each arm 21 , 22 is provided with a single second pulley 51 and a single second flexible element 53 having a first end portion 53a associated with the second pulley 51 and a second end portion 53b associated with the respective second branch 23, 24.

In an alternative embodiment, a detail of which is shown in Figure 8B, each arm 21 , 22 is provided with at least one second pulley 51 and at least one respective second flexible element 53 which is arranged in a U-like shape and comprises a first end portion 53a associated with this second pulley 51 , a second end portion 53b associated with a bending member 3b connected to the same arm 21 , 22, and an intermediate portion 53c slidably associated with the respective second arm 23, 24, for example arranged passing over a return pulley 55 pivoted on the second branch 23, 24. In an alternative embodiment, the deforming means associated with an arm 21 also form part of deforming means associated with the other arm. For example, in one embodiment, a detail of which is shown in Figure 8C, each arm 21 , 22 is provided with at least one second pulley 51a and two second flexible elements 53. Each of the second flexible elements 53 has a first end portion 53a associated with the second pulley 51 of one of said arms 21 , 22 and a second end portion 53b associated with a bending member 3 connected to the other one of said arms 21 , 22. Moreover, each second flexible element 53 is arranged in a U-like shape around both the second branches 23, 24, for example is arranged slidably passing over a first return pulley 55a pivoted on one of said arms 21 , 22 and a second return pulley 55b pivoted on the other one of said arms 21 , 22.

In other words, the following are arranged, in order, between said ends 53a, 53b: a first interposed portion 53c associated with said first return pulley 55a of one of said arms 21 , 22, a second interposed portion 53d which extends between the two arms 21 , 22, and a third interposed portion 53e associated with said second return pulley 55b of the other one of said arms 21 , 22.

Figure 8C shows the two second flexible elements 53 associated with an arm 21 ; they are associated with the other arm 22 in a mirror arrangement. In the example, the second interposed portions 53d are inserted so as to pass through the cavities 33 between the bending members 3a, 3b, on opposite sides of the respective first pulleys 42, 43.

Therefore, in this embodiment, each second flexible element 53 is operatively connected both to the bending members 3a, 3b associated with the first arm 21 and to the bending members 3a, 3b associated with the second arm 22. Therefore, for each second flexible element 53, the first end portion 53a associated with a second pulley 51a, 51 b forms part of the deforming means associated with one of said two arms 21 , 22, while the second end portion 53b associated with the bending member 3 forms part of the deforming means associated with the other one of said two arms 21 , 22.

Figure 8D shows a detail of a variant of this embodiment in which each arm 21 , 22 is provided with two second pulleys 51a, 51b, a second pulley 51a of which is associated with the first end portion 53a of a second flexible element 53 (as in the previous embodiment) and the other second pulley 51b of which is associated with the second end portion 53b of the other second flexible element 53 (which instead in the previous embodiment was associated with a bending member 3). Figure 8D shows the two second flexible elements 53 associated with an arm 21 ; they are associated with the other arm 22 in a mirror arrangement. Therefore, for a second flexible element 53, the first end portion 53a associated with one of said second pulleys 51a, 51b forms part of the deforming means associated with one of said two arms 21 , 22, while the second end portion 53b associated with the other one of said second pulleys 51a, 51 b forms part of the deforming means associated with the other one of said two arms 21 , 22.. Summarising the above, the bending members 3a, 3b have a first portion or end 31 which is fixed to the respective arm 21 , 22 and a second portion or end 32 which may move with respect to the said arm. Deforming means which connect the second portion 32 to the same arm 21 , 22 are provided, these means allowing variation of the distance D between the second portion 32 and the arm 21 , 22 so as to elastically deform the bending member 3a, 3b. This may be achieved in different ways, some of which have been described above. In the example, the bending members 3a, 3b are structurally independent of the arms 21 , 22 and may be replaced so as to vary the characteristics of the device 1 or for maintenance purposes. In other words, the bending members 3a, 3b may be removable, i.e. the bracket-like support 29 and the C-shaped supports 35 may be designed so as to allow extraction of the bending members 3a, 3b when it is required to replace them. This is facilitated by the fact that, in the rest position, the bending members 3a, 3b do not possess stored elastic potential energy, differently from the devices according to the prior art.

A second embodiment of a device for launching an arrow according to the present disclosure is denoted by the reference number 10 and is illustrated in Figures 9 to 11. Parts which have the same function and structure retain the same reference number as in the embodiment previously described and therefore are not described again in detail.

In this embodiment 10 opposing means 6 are provided, being associated with the respective arm 21 , 22 and operatively connected to the bending members 3a, 3b, in order to oppose and dampen the movement of the bending members 3a, 3b and the pulleys 42, 43, 51a, 51 b during the stroke between the rest position and the fully unloaded position.

These opposing means 6 comprise in particular an elastic element, for example a spring 61 which is compressed during said stroke. In the embodiment shown, two appendages 62a, 62b or arm-pieces, which each extends into the vicinity of a respective bending member 3a, 3b, are laterally fixed to each second branch 23, 24, along a portion situated between the central portion 20 and the respective bending members 3a, 3b. Each appendage 62a, 62b comprises and/or terminates in a portion 63 which has a seat 64 with a hole, the axis 601 of which substantially corresponds to the direction of movement of the second end 32 of the respective bending member 3a, 3b.

A shaft 65 extends from the respective support 35, in particular from the side facing said seat 64 with the hole, and has a diameter such that it may be slidably inserted inside said seat 64 with hole. A helical spring 61 , which has a diameter greater than that of the seat 64 with hole, is mounted on the shaft 65, between the support 35 and the seat 64 with hole, so as to bear against the portion 63 with hole of the appendage 62a, 62b. Basically, the spring 61 is arranged between the bending member 3a, 3b and the respective arm 21 , 22, in particular the respective appendage 62a, 62b. During said stroke between the rest position and the fully unloaded position, the end 32 of the bending member 3a, 3b moves towards the portion 63 with hole, the shaft 65 slides guided inside the seat 64 with hole, and the spring 61 bears against the support 35 and the portion 63 with hole, thus being compressed between them. Therefore, the spring 61 is elastically deformed, acquiring a certain amount of residual elastic energy from the moving parts (i.e. the bending members 3a, 3b, the pulleys 42, 43, 51a, 51b and the first flexible element 41) and exerting an opposing force on the respective bending member 3a, 3b. In this way, end-of-stroke slowing down and damping of the movement of the moving parts is increased. The spring 61 , which then tends towards its undeformed condition, pushes the respective bending member 3a, 3b towards the rest position.

The opposing means 6, in particular the spring 61 , are tensioned so as to exert a force on the respective bending members 3a, 3b when the latter are located beyond the rest position, towards the fully unloaded position.

In fact, the springs 61 make contact both with the supports 35 and with the appendages 62a, 62b, simultaneously, only when the bending members 3a, 3b, during launching, have reached and/or passed beyond the rest position. When the bending members 3a, 3b are situated between the rest position and the loaded position, the springs 61 are not simultaneously in contact with the supports 35 and with the appendages 62a, 62b and therefore the opposing means 6 do not exert any influence on the movement of the bending members 3a, 3b. In a variation of embodiment, the opposing means 6 are tensioned so that in the rest position the bending members 3a, 3b are kept initially in the bent condition by the pre-com pressed springs 61 which press against them. In other words, in the rest position also, i.e. in the final position assumed by the device 10 at the end of launching, the springs 61 are in contact both with the supports 35 and with the appendages 62a, 62b, and moreover the springs 61 are elastically deformed. In this position there is an equilibrium between the elastic force exerted on each bending member 3 by the respective spring 61 as a result of its compression, and the elastic force exerted on the spring 61 by the bending member 3a, 3b owing to bending thereof. During loading operation, in the same way as already described above, bending of the bending members 3a, 3b increases until the loaded position is reached. During launching operation, bending of the bending members 3a, 3b is reduced until the rest position is reached and is reduced further during the stroke between the rest position and the fully unloaded position, further compressing the spring. During this stroke, depending on the residual kinetic energy and how the opposing means 6 and the springs 61 have been tensioned, the bending members 3a, 3b may continue to remain in the bent condition (albeit with a smaller degree of bending than in the rest position), assume an undeformed condition or even undergo counter-bending.

In this case also, once launching has terminated, the bending members 3a, 3b return spontaneously into the rest - in this case bent - condition, owing to their same elasticity and the action of the springs 61. In particular, in the rest position, the bending members 3a, 3b may have a residual potential energy other than zero and in any case less than the potential energy accumulated in the loaded position and the potential energy accumulated overall in the fully unloaded condition by the bending members 3a, 3b and the springs 61.

One advantage of this embodiment is that, compared to the embodiments previously described, during loading operation the bending members 3a, 3b accumulate a greater amount of elastic energy for the same stroke of the first flexible element 41 , since they start from a state which is already deformed, and therefore allow a bow 10 to be obtained with greater launching power for the same loading stroke and displacement of the second ends 32 during deformation of the bending members 3a, 3b. A third embodiment of a device for launching an arrow according to the present disclosure is denoted by the reference number 100 and is illustrated in Figures 12 to 21. Parts which have the same function and structure retain the same reference number as in the embodiments previously described and therefore are not described again in detail. The bow 100 includes a support frame 2 comprising a central portion 20 and two arms 21 , 22 which extend from opposite ends of the central portion 20. The support frame 2 has preferably a rigid undeformable structure.

The central portion 20 has an elongated shape and defines a longitudinal axis 201 and a transverse axis 202. The arms 21 , 22 are substantially aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis 201 , except for a certain misalignment due to the offset shaped portion 20a, and extend from opposite sides and in a substantially symmetrical manner with respect to the transverse axis 202.

A proximal region 101 , which is directed towards the user using the bow 100, and a distal region 102, which is situated opposite the proximal region 101 and directed towards the space into which the arrow 9 will be launched, is identified relative to the central portion 20.

Each arm 21 , 22 comprises a first elongated portion 233, 244 which extends by way of an extension of the central portion 20 towards the proximal region 101 , and a second elongated portion 255, 266 which extends from the first elongated portion 233, 244 towards the distal region 102. The first elongated portion 233, 244 and the second elongated portion 255, 266 form an acute angle with each other; in particular, in the example the second elongated portions 255, 266 are parallel and coplanar with each other and parallel to the transverse axis 202. An elastic member 3, or bending member, is associated with each arm 21 , 22. A first end 31 of the bending member 3 is associated with the second elongated portion 255, 266 of a respective arm 21 , 22, in particular with its distal end 255a, 266a.

The first end 31 of the bending member 3 is fixed to a projecting support 290 which extends laterally from the second elongated portion 255, 266 of the respective arm 21 , 22. Fixing is performed rigidly so that the first end 31 is unable either to rotate or be displaced with respect to the projecting support 29 and the second elongated portion 255, 266. The bending member 3 is inclined proximally towards the transverse axis 202, i.e. the second ends 32 of the bending members 3 on opposite sides are closer to each other than the first ends 31 are, and are also arranged towards the proximal region 101.

A lever or connecting rod 70, on which a first pulley 42, 43 and a second pulley 51 are pivoted, is pivoted on the second end 32 of each bending member 3. Basically, whereas in the previous embodiments the pulleys 42, 43, 51 were pivoted directly on the bending members 3, in the present embodiment a rotating lever 70 is arranged between pulleys and bending members.

Pivoting of the lever 70 on the bending member 3, in the example, is performed by means of a supporting connection-piece 75 having a first plate 751 and a second plate 752 perpendicular to the first plate 751. The first plate 751 has a flat face 751a which is fixed to a corresponding proximal face 32a of the bending member 3, while the second plate 752 is an extension which extends away from the transverse axis 202 (i.e. towards the second elongated portion 255, 266 of the respective arm 21 , 22) and is provided with a seat or through-hole 753. The lever 70 is shaped substantially in the form of an L and comprises a first wing 71 which is pivoted on the second plate 752 of the supporting connection-piece 75 by means of a pin 711 which is inserted inside the hole 753; the second wing 72 of the lever 70 is provided with a seat or through-hole 721 for receiving a pin 45 of the pulleys 42, 43, 51.

The first wing 71 and the second wing 72 are inclined with respect to each other; in particular they are perpendicular to one another.

When the bow 100 is in the rest position (Figures 12, 15A, 16) the second wing 72 extends towards the first end 31 of the bending member 3 (in particular, is parallel to the preferred direction of extension 301 of the bending member 3) and bears against the bending member 3 on an inner face 32b which is directed towards the transverse axis 202 and the bending member 3 of the opposite arm 22, 21. A torsion spring 77, which is mounted on the pin 711 , is arranged between the second plate 752 and the first wing 71 so as to force the lever towards this position with the second wing 72 bearing against the inner face 32b of the bending member 3.

Basically, as in the previous embodiments, the first pulley 42, 43 and the respective second pulley 51 are fixed to the same pin 45 which, being rotatably housed inside a seat 721 , defines an axis of rotation 303 of the pulleys with respect to the bending member 3.

Moreover, since said seat 721 is formed in a lever 70 pivoted in turn on the bending member 3 on an axis of rotation 700 (which is the axis of its pin 711), the axis of rotation 303 of the pulleys and their pin 45 are movable with respect to the bending member 3 with a rotational movement about the pivoting axis 700 of the lever 70. Preferably, the axis of rotation 303 of the pulleys and the pivoting axis 700 of the corresponding lever 70 are parallel to each other; moreover they are perpendicular to a plane which contains the longitudinal axis 201 and the transverse axis 202 of the central portion 20. Basically, the lever 70 is movable between a first position (shown in Figure 16) where the first pulley 42, 43 is closer to the bending member 3, the second wing 72 bearing against the inner face 32b, and a second position (shown in Figure 17), where the first pulley 42, 43 is away from the bending member 3; in the second position, owing to inclination of the bending member 3 and/or the L-shaped form of the lever 70, the pulley 42, 43 and its axis of rotation 303 are displaced towards the transverse axis 202 i.e. towards the other arm 21 , 22. The spring 77 recalls the lever 70 towards the first position. The first flexible element 41 extends between the two first pulleys 42, 43. Similarly to that already described above, its ends 41a, 41 b are associated with and fixed to the perimetral groove 42 of the respective first pulleys 42, 43. The second pulleys 51 form part of the deforming means of the bending members 3. For each arm 21 , 22, the deforming means comprise a second flexible element 53, or flexible force element, which, via the second pulley 51 , connects the bending member 3 to a respective section of the arm 21 , 22.

A first end portion 53a of the second flexible element 53 is associated with and fixed to the perimetral groove 56 of the respective second pulley 51 ; a second end portion 53b of the second flexible element 53 is fixed to the respective arm 21 , 22, in particular to a clamp 550 (or other fixing means) in the vicinity of the joint 255b, 266b between the first elongated portion 233, 244 and the second elongated portion 255, 266 of the arm 21 , 22. The second flexible element 53 is therefore arranged between the second end 32 of the bending member 3 and the respective section of the arm 21 , 22. It should be noted that the second end 32 of the bending member 3 is in a position situated between the central portion 20 (i.e. the transverse axis 202) and the section 255b, 266b of the arm 21 , 22 to which it is connected by the second flexible element 53. As can be seen in detail in Figure 20, the second pulley 51 has a profile with a marked eccentricity.

Summarising the above, a first portion 31 of the elastic member 3 is associated with a first section 255a, 266a of the respective arm 21 , 22, while the deforming means operatively connect a second portion 32 of the elastic member 3 to a second section 255b, 266b of the arm 21 , 22. Preferably, opposing means 6 arranged between the bending member 3 and the central portion 20 are provided. In the example, the opposing means comprise a cylinder 630 which is fixed to one side of the first elongated portion 233, 244 of the arm 21 , 22; a piston or shaft 650 which has an end 650a directed towards the inner face 32b of the bending member 3 is slidably mounted inside the cylinder 630. A spring 610 which acts on the piston 650, pushing it in the extraction direction, i.e. towards the bending member 3, is arranged inside the cylinder 630. In the rest position the end 650a of the piston 650 is in contact with the inner face 32b of the bending member. As can be seen in Figure 19, for example this end 650a is in a position situated between the first arm portion 233, 244 and the second wing 72 of the lever 70.

Preferably, the opposing means 6 are tensioned so that in the rest position the bending members 3 are kept initially in the bent condition by the pistons 650 which, acted on by the pre-compressed springs 610, press against them. Therefore, in the rest position also, i.e. in the final position assumed by the device 100 when it stops after launching of an arrow, the piston 650 is in contact with the inner face 32b of the respective bending member 3: an equilibrium is established between the elastic force exerted on the bending member 3 by the respective spring 610 as a result of its compression, and the elastic force exerted on the spring 610 by the bending member 3, owing to bending thereof.

Use of the bow 100 is entirely similar to the embodiments described above and is therefore described briefly below, with the main differences being highlighted. During loading of the bow 100, the first flexible element 41 is pulled by a user away from the central portion 20 of the support frame 2. This results in rotation of the first pulleys 42, 43 in a first direction of rotation and the gradual unwinding of the first flexible element 41 from the first pulleys 42, 43; at the same time, being jointly rotatable, the second pulleys 51 also rotate in the same direction of rotation and wind onto them gradually the respective second flexible element 53.

The second flexible element 53 shortens its free length: for each arm 21 , 22 the second pulley 51 , the axis 303, the first pulley 42, 43, and the second end 32 of the bending member 3 are displaced closer towards the joint 255, 266b, i.e. outwards and away from the opposite bending member 3 (besides from the transverse axis 202). The bending members 3 accumulate elastic energy.

During this movement, owing to the action of the spring 77 and the combination of the moments of force exerted by the first flexible element 41 and by the second flexible element 53, the lever 70 does not move with respect to the bending member 3, i.e. remains in contact with the inner face 32b. Once the loaded position has been reached (Figures, 13, 15B, 17), the arrow 9 is arranged in position and launching operation begins.

During launching, the bending members 3 tend to return towards the rest position, i.e. towards a condition where they have less potential energy, and therefore the second ends 32 of the bending members 3 tend to move away from the respective joint 255b, 266b, moving towards the opposite arm 22, 21. Therefore, the second flexible elements 53 are unwound from the respective second pulleys 51 , causing rotation of the latter in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction during loading. The first pulleys 42, 43 rotate jointly in the same direction as the respective second pulleys 51 and thus wind up and recall the first flexible element 41 , which propels the arrow 9, causing it to accelerate towards the distal region 102. During this stage also, the levers 70 remain in contact with the inner face 32b of the respective elastic member 3. When the bending members 3, the pulleys 42, 43, 51 , and the first flexible element 41 reach and pass through the rest position during launching, they still possess a certain amount of residual kinetic energy. Therefore, they continue their movement also beyond the rest position, owing to their inertia, tending towards a fully unloaded position.

There is therefore a braking operation, during which the first pulleys 42, 43 recall further portions of first flexible element 41. In order to allow the first pulleys 42, 43 to move towards each other (i.e. decrease their distance D4), the levers 70 rotate about the pivoting axis 700, towards the proximal region 101. Owing to the L- shaped form of the levers 70 and/or the inclination of the bending members 3, this rotation occurs in such a way that the pins 45 of the first pulleys 42, 43 are displaced towards the transverse axis 202, i.e. towards each other, thus further moving closer to each other the ends 41a, 41b of the first flexible member 41. Basically, the arrangement of the lever 70 between the end 32 of the bending member 3 and the first pulley 42, 43 allow the latter a further degree of freedom of movement during braking: the movement towards each other of the second ends 32 of the bending members 3 is in fact accompanied by a further movement towards each other, owing to rotation of the levers 70 about the axes 700. This results in a gentler braking which generates fewer stresses for the device 100. In fact the overall stroke available for the pulleys in order to dissipate the residual kinetic energy is increased. Moreover, the spring 77 also helps absorb the kinetic energy since it is tensioned while opposing the rotation of the lever 70. At the end of braking, once the fully unloaded position has been reached (Figures 14, 15C, 18), the spring 77 brings the lever 70 back into the rest position, i.e. into the first position in bearing contact with the inner face 32b.

The subject of the present disclosure has been described hitherto with reference to preferred embodiments thereof.

It is understood that the characteristic features of the embodiments described may be combined with each other. For example, a lever pivoted and arranged between the bending elements and the pulleys (as in the third embodiment) may also be used in a device with two bending elements for each arm (as in the first two embodiments); two second pulleys per arm and the various arrangements of the second flexible elements (described with reference to the first two embodiments) may be applied also to a device similar to that described as third embodiment. It also is understood that other embodiments relating to the same inventive idea may exist, all of these falling within the scope of protection of the claims which are provided hereinbelow.

Claims

1. A device (1 , 10, 100) for launching an arrow (9) or a launch object in general, comprising a support frame (2) including a central portion (20) and two arms (21 , 22) which extend from opposite parts of said central portion (20), and comprising a first flexible element (41) connected to said two arms (21 , 22), wherein said device (1 , 10, 100) comprises, arranged between the first flexible element (41) and at least one of the two arms (21 , 22), an elastically deformable elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) connected to said one of the two arms (21 , 22) and deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51a, 51 b, 53) able to deform said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) so as to accumulate elastic energy, said deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51a, 51b, 53) being operatively connected to said first flexible element (41), and wherein the device (1 , 10, 100) is able to assume a rest position and a loaded position, wherein in said loaded position said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) has a greater elastic energy than an elastic energy in said rest position, and wherein, in said loaded position, a portion (32) of said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) is at a distance (D1¹) from the other one of said two arms (21 , 22) which is greater than a distance (D1) in said rest position.

2. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to claim 1 , wherein a first portion (31) of said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) is associated with a first section (25; 26; 255a, 266a) of said one of the two arms (21 , 22) and wherein said deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51a, 51 b, 53) connect operatively a second portion (32) of said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) to a second section (23, 24, 23a, 24a; 255b, 266b) of said one of the two arms (21 , 22), said deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51a, 51b, 53) being able to displace said second portion (32) of elastic member (3, 3a, 3b).

3. The device (1 , 10) according to claim 2, wherein said one of the two arms (21 , 22) includes a fork-like branched arrangement forming a first branch (25, 26) and a second branch (23, 24, 23a, 24a), and wherein said first section belongs to said first branch (25, 26) and said second section belongs to said second branch (23, 24, 23a, 24a).

4. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein said deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51a, 51 b, 53) include at least one first pulley (42, 43) rotatable about a respective axis of rotation (303), said at least one first pulley (42, 43) being able to wind an end portion (41a, 41 b) of said first flexible element (41), wherein an angular displacement of said at least one first pulley (42, 43) about the respective axis of rotation (303) is operatively linked to a deformation of said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b), and vice versa, and wherein, in said loaded position, said end portion (41a, 41 b) of the first flexible element (41) is unwound to a greater extent from said at least one first pulley (42, 43) compared to unwinding in said rest position.

5. The device (1 , 10) according to claim 2 or 3 and according to claim 4, wherein said at least one first pulley (42, 43) is pivoted on said second portion (32) of said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b).

6. The device (100) according to claim 2 or 3 and according to claim 4, wherein said at least one first pulley (42, 43) is pivoted on a lever (70), said lever (70) being pivoted on said second portion (32) of said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b).

7. The device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the lever (70) is movable between a first position where the first pulley (42, 43) is situated closer to said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) and a second position where the first pulley (42, 43) is displaced towards the other one of said two arms (21 , 22).

8. The device (100) according to claim 7, comprising elastic recall means (77) able to recall the lever (70) towards the first position.

9. The device (100) according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the lever (70) has an L- like shape, comprising a first wing (71) pivoted on said second portion (32) of elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) and a second wing (72) provided with a seat (721) for pivoting said at least one first pulley (42, 43).

10. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the device (1 , 10, 100) is able to assume a fully unloaded position, said rest position being situated between said loaded position and said fully unloaded position, wherein, in said fully unloaded position, said second portion (32) of said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b), connected to one of said two arms (21 , 22), is at a distance (D1") from the other one of said two arms (21 , 22) which is shorter than a distance (D1) in said rest position.

11. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to claim 10 and any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein, in said fully unloaded position, said end portion (41a, 41b) of the first flexible element (41) is wound to a greater extent on said at least one first pulley (42, 43) compared to winding in said rest position.

12. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to claim 4 or according to claim 4 and any one of claims 5 to 11 , wherein said deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51a, 51b, 53) comprise at least one second pulley (51 , 51a, 51b) rotatable about a respective axis of rotation (303) and at least one second flexible element (53) arranged between said second portion (32) of elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) and said second section (23, 24, 23a, 24a; 255b, 266b) of said one of the two arms (21 , 22), wherein said at least one second pulley (51 , 51a, 51b) is rotationally connected to said at least one first pulley (42, 43), and wherein said at least one second pulley (51 , 51a, 51 b) is able to wind an end portion (53a, 53b) of said at least one second flexible element (53) such that, in said loaded position, said end portion (53a, 53b) of said at least one second flexible element (53) is wound to a greater extent on said at least one second pulley (51 , 51a, 51b) compared to winding in said rest position.

13. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 10 or on claim 11 , wherein, in said fully unloaded position, said end portion (53a, 53b) of said at least one second flexible element (53) is unwound to a greater extent from said at least one second pulley (51 , 51a, 51 b) compared to unwinding in said rest position.

14. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said at least one first pulley (42, 43) and said at least one second pulley (51 , 51a, 51 b) are able to rotate jointly about a same axis of rotation (303).

15. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein said at least one first pulley (42, 43) and said at least one second pulley (51 , 51a, 51 b) are pivoted on said second portion (32) of said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) or on said lever (70).

16. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein said at least one second flexible element (53) comprises a first end portion (53a) associated with said at least one second pulley (51 , 51a, 51 b) and a second end portion (53b) associated with said second section (23, 24, 23a, 24a; 255b, 266b) of said one of the two arms (21 , 22).

17. The device (1 , 10) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein said at least one second flexible element (53) is arranged in a U-like shape and comprises a first end portion (53a) associated with said at least one second pulley (51 , 51a, 51b), a second end portion (53b) associated with said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b), and an intermediate portion (53c) slidably associated with said second section (23, 24, 23a, 24a) of said one of the two arms (21 , 22).

18. The device (1 , 10) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, comprising two of said second pulleys (51 , 51a, 51b) rotationally connected to each other, wherein said at least one second flexible element (53) is arranged in a U-like shape and comprises a first end portion (53a) associated with one of said two second pulleys (51 , 51a, 51 b), a second end portion (53b) associated with the other one of said two second pulleys (51 , 51a, 51b), and an intermediate portion (53c) associated with said second section (23, 24, 23a, 24a) of said one of the two arms (21 , 22).

19. The device (1 , 10) according to claim 18, wherein said two second pulleys (51 , 51a, 51 b) are arranged on opposite sides of said at least one first pulley (42, 43).

20. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein at least one elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) and respective deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51a, 51 b, 53, 42, 43) are associated with each of said two arms (21 , 22)

21. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to claim 20 when dependent at least on claim 4, wherein the device (1 , 10, 100) comprises two of said first pulleys (42, 43), wherein each first pulley (42, 43) is able to wind a respective end portion (41 a,

41 b) of said first flexible element (41 ) and is operatively connected to a respective elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) connected to a respective arm (21 , 22).

22. The device (1 , 10) according to claim 20 or 21 , when dependent on claim 17, wherein said first end portion (53a) associated with said at least one second pulley (51 , 51 a, 51 b) forms part of the deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51 a, 51 b,

53) associated with one of said two arms (21 , 22), and said second end portion (53b) associated with said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) forms part of the deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51 a, 51 b, 53) associated with the other one of said two arms (21 , 22).

23. The device (1 , 10) according to claim 20 or 21 , when dependent on claim 18, wherein said first end portion (53a) associated with one of said second pulleys (51 , 51 a, 51 b) forms part of the deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51a, 51 b, 53) associated with one of said two arms (21 , 22), and said second end portion (53b) associated with the other one of said second pulleys (51 , 51 a, 51 b) forms part of the deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51 a, 51 b, 53) associated with the other one of said two arms (21 , 22).

24. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein said elastic member comprises a bending elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) of elongated shape and elastically deformable so as to bend. 25. The device (1 , 10) according to claim 24, comprising a pair of bending elastic members (3a, 3b) having a respective first portion (31 ) associated with the same arm (21 , 22,

25, 26) and a respective second portion (32) operatively connected to the same deforming means (42, 43, 51 , 51a, 51 b, 53).

26. The device (1 , 10) according to claim 25, wherein the bending elastic members (3a, 3b) of said pair are in a spaced relationship so as to form a cavity (33).

27. The device (1 , 10) according to claim 25 or 26, when dependent at least on claim 4, wherein said at least one first pulley (42, 43) is arranged between the bending elastic members (3a, 3b) of the pair and is pivoted thereon.

28. The device (1 , 10) according to claim 2 or according to any one of claims 3 to 27 when dependent at least on claim 2, wherein said one of the two arms (21 , 22) projects from said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) on an opposite side to the other one of said two arms (21 , 22), said second portion (32) of elastic member

(3, 3a, 3b) being arranged between said second section (23, 24, 23a, 24a) of said one of the two arms (21 , 22) and the other one of said two arms (21 , 22).

29. The device (10, 100) according to claim 10 or according to any one of claims 11 to 28 when dependent at least on claim 10, further comprising opposing means (6, 61 , 610) for opposing the movement, said opposing means (6, 61 , 610) being able to exert an opposing force on said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) between said rest position and said fully unloaded position.

30. The device (10, 100) according to claim 29, wherein said opposing means (6, 61 , 610) comprise a spring (61 , 610) arranged between said elastic member (3, 3a, 3b) and said one of the two arms (21 , 22).

31 The device (1 , 10, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the support frame (2) has a substantially rigid and undeformable structure. 32. The device (1 , 10, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 31 , wherein said device is a bow (1 , 10, 100).