WO2018152587A1

WO2018152587A1 - Archery aid

Info

Publication number: WO2018152587A1
Application number: PCT/AU2018/050160
Authority: WO
Inventors: Darrel King
Original assignee: Bonita Group Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Bonita Group Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2017-02-27
Filing date: 2018-02-26
Publication date: 2018-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to an archery aid for use with a flexible curved archery bow, said archery aid comprising : a base portion configured to be received against the palm of a user during use; a guide member configured to receive and abut a sideward portion of the flexible curved archery bow; and at least one brace member configured to receive and abut a rearward portion of the flexible curved archery bow, the at least one brace member being substantially perpendicular to the guide member.

Description

ARCHERY AID

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosure relates, generally, to archery aids and, more particularly, to an archery stabilizing and positioning aid for use with a sporting or hunting apparatus. The disclosure has particular, but not necessarily exclusive, application to stabilizing and positioning aids for use with archery bows.

Background

[0002] As is generally known in the sport or practice of archery, an archer employs a bow to shoot an arrow. In the case of many modern archery devices, an archery bow may have a bow handle, top and bottom bow limbs and a string (commonly referred to as a bowstring) attached at the ends of each of the bow limbs. The archer typically holds the bow handle in one hand (i.e. the forward bow hand) and with their other hand places the base of an arrow on the bowstring of the bow. The base of the arrow may have a noch or slot, for example, to facilitate placement and stability of the arrow on the bowstring. Having regard to the ordinary action for firing an arrow, the archer then pulls or draws the bowstring away from the bow (and away from their forward bow hand) while holding the arrow on the bowstring. This action temporarily elastically deforms the bow, creating potential energy within the bow, which is biased toward its originally form or shape. In order to release or fire the arrow, the archer then releases the drawn bowstring and arrow. In doing so, a large proportion of the elastic potential energy stored within the bow is transferred to the arrow (via the bowstring) and the arrow is propelled away from the archer.

[0003] One of the key requirements, especially in a competitive archery context, is that every shot be exactly the same (or as close to as possible) as the last. However, an archer can experience a variety of problems with bow placement and stability in their forward bow hand that can greatly affect the accuracy of their shot.

[0004] One particular problem that archers encounter is that, in order to achieve and maintain accuracy in shooting, they must hold their bow as steady as possible (in their forward bow hand) while aiming and releasing an arrow. However, it has been well-documented that when archers grip their bows with their bow hands and pull back on the string with their other hand, to release the arrow, the tension exerted by the archer's forward bow hand on the bow can result in a deflection of the bow and inaccuracy of the shot. In order to mitigate this negative effect, many archers have trained themselves to hold the bow handle loosely with an open grip such that the bow handle is received in the space between the thumb and index finger. However, since this gripping technique is not natural it can take many years to learn and perfect, making it difficult for amateur archers to advance in skill.

[0005] Another problem that is increasingly common with modern compound bows relates to the relatively high draw weight (i.e. the rearward string force) required to flex the bow body to its fully drawn position. As the bow body deforms it undergoes various torques or moments (commonly referred to as 'bow torqueing') that are particularly present at the location of the archer's forward bow hand including, particularly, the handle or grip of the bow. Since this interface point between the archer's hand and the bow acts as a pivotal support point, during both pull back and release of the bowstring, the torque created can rotate the bow handle toward the palm side of the archer's bow hand about a vertical axis and/or tip the upper bow limb toward the archer about a horizontal axis. Either of these pivoting movements can result in reduced accuracy of the archer's shot.

[0006] Factors that can increase the instance of bow torqueing include the variability of the interface between the archer's hand and the bow (or grip). For example, the soft tissue of the archer's hand may result in misalignment of the bow in the archer's hand. This is particularly the case where muscle fatigue starts to effect the archer's ability to consistently hold the bow in a uniform manner. While it is true that if bow torque is minimal and consistent after a bow site adjustment, and each shot torqued to the same degree, a reasonable degree of accuracy can be achieved, bow torque can still result in improper or compromised arrow flight as the arrow is propelled with the string force not aligned with the arrow's length or centre. As a result, it is widely accepted that bow torqueing should be avoided at all costs if shot accuracy is the desired outcome.

[0007] There is a need for an improved design of archery aid that addresses the abovementioned deficiencies. There is also the need for an improved design of archery aid, particularly for use with archery bows, that improves a user's (i.e. the archer) accuracy when firing arrows by improving bow placement and/or stability of the archer's forward bow hand. [0008] In this specification where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of the common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

[0009] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Summary

[0010] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an archery aid for use with a flexible curved archery bow, comprising a base portion configured to be received against the palm of a user during use; a guide member configured to receive and abut a sideward portion of the flexible curved archery bow; and at least one brace member configured to receive and abut a rearward portion of the flexible curved archery bow, the at least one brace member being substantially perpendicular to the guide member.

[0011] The base portion may be made from a substantially rigid material or semi-rigid material. In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the base portion may be made from one or more of aluminium (or a similar light-weight metal), high-density plastic (such as, for example, HDPE), or rubber. Although it should be appreciated that other materials providing the requisite level of rigidity are also envisioned by the present disclosure.

[0012] The base portion may further comprise a support portion. In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the support portion may be positioned proximate, and below, the user's thumb during use, and extending onto the thenar region of the user's forward bow hand. Advantageously, this positioning provides laterally stability and supports the base portion during use. The support portion may extend outwardly from the base portion at an incline angle of between 10 and 40 degrees. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the support portion may extend outwardly from the base portion at an incline angle of between 20 and 30 degrees. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the support portion may extend outwardly from the base portion at an incline angle of approximately 25 degrees. The angled profile of the support portion, alone or in conjunction with the angled profile of the further support portion (described below), may advantageously create greater stability of the archery aid in a user's hand during use, limit the need for the user to apply finger contact to the bow while drawing the bow and releasing an arrow, and minimise rocking or torqueing of the bow.

[0013] In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the support portion may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material (as previously described), which advantageously provides a rigid contact interface with the user's hand, and which mitigates misalignment of the bow in the user's hand (commonly resulting from contact between the bow and the soft tissue of the archer's hand). As such, the support portion may be adapted to resiliently resist deformation and to resist movement of the archery aid in the user' s hand during use. Although, in an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the support portion may be configured to resiliently deform during use to substantially conform to the shape of the user's palm. In such embodiments, the support portion may be made from a flexible material such as, for example, rubber of the like.

[0014] The base portion may also comprise a further support portion that opposes the support portion, and extends toward the user's fingers during use. Advantageously, this positioning provides laterally stability and supports the base portion during use. The further support portion may extend outwardly from the base portion at an incline angle of between 10 and 40 degrees. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the further support portion may extend outwardly from the base portion at an incline angle of between 20 and 30 degrees. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the further support portion may extend outwardly from the base portion at an incline angle of approximately 25 degrees. The angled profile of the further support portion, alone or in conjunction with the angled profile of the support portion (described above), may advantageously create greater stability of the archery aid in a user' s hand during use, limit the need for the user to apply finger contact to the bow while drawing the bow and releasing an arrow, and minimise rocking or torqueing of the bow.

[0015] In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the further support portion may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material (as previously described). As with the support portion, the further support portion may also be adapted to resiliency resist deformation and to resist movement of the archery aid in the user's hand during use. Although, in an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the further support portion may be configured to resiliently deform during use to substantially conform to the shape of the user's palm. In such embodiments, the further support portion may be made from a flexible material such as, for example, rubber of the like.

[0016] The use of both the support portion and further support portion may provide a more stable positioning of the archery aid in the user's forward bow hand, particularly due to the overall shape provided by the angled profiles of the support portion and/or further support portion (that is design to match the natural contours of the user's hand (during use)).

[0017] The guide member may be made from a substantially rigid or semi-rigid material, which advantageously provides a rigid contact interface with the user's hand, and which mitigates misalignment of the bow in the user's hand (commonly resulting from contact between the bow and the soft tissue of the archer's hand). In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide member may be made from one or more of aluminium (or a similar light-weight metal), high-density plastic (such as, for example, HDPE), or rubber. Although it should be appreciated that other materials providing the requisite level of rigidity are also envisioned by the present disclosure.

[0018] The guide member preferably extends outwardly from the base portion in a substantially perpendicular direction. In other words, during use of the archery aid by a the user, the guide member extends outwardly from the user's palm in a substantially forward direction (relative to the direction of fire).

[0019] The at least one brace member may be positioned at, or near, one of the ends of the archery aid. In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one brace member may be positioned at or near the lower end of the archery aid (relative to its alignment with the bow during use). However, it should be appreciated that the at least one brace member may be positioned in an alternate position (such as, for example, the higher end of the archery aid relative to its alignment with the bow during use) so long as stability of the bow handle during use is achieved. During use of the archery aid, and in accordance with this representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one brace member is in contact with the rearward portion of the flexible curved archery bow, such that another portion of the bow handle is brought into contact with the base portion.

[0020] In a further alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the archery aid may include at least two brace members positioned at, or near, opposing ends of the archery aid. Relative to the base portion, the at least two brace members may be separated by a depression region and have different elevations. For example, the brace member positioned nearest the upper end of the bow handle (during use) may have a greater elevation than the brace member positioned nearest the lower end of the bow handle (during use). Advantageously, the use of a brace member (positioned nearest the upper end of the bow handle) having a greater elevation than the brace member positioned nearest the lower end of the bow handle, directs a greater portion of the force of the draw into the lower, and more stable, position of the user's hand (located about the brace member positioned nearest the lower end of the bow handle). In doing so, the draw force may be brought into greater alignment with the bone structure of the user's forward bow hand, and transferred more stably through to the user's arm and shoulder. Additionally, this configuration also may also limit the rocking or torqueing of the bow in the user's forward bow hand during use. In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the two brace members may have substantially the same elevations relative to the base portion.

[0021] As a result, and in accordance with this alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, during use of the archery aid, each of the at least two brace members is in contact with the rearward portion of the flexible curved archery bow.

[0022] During use of the archery aid, the at least one brace member and/or the guide member preferably supports and resists torsion of the bow relative to the user's hand. More preferably, the at least one brace member in conjunction with the adjacent guide member may (through their conjoined support) resist torsion and torque of the bow relative to the user's hand. One or more of the guide member and the at least one brace member may also be made of a material that encourages friction between the archery aid and the bow during use. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one brace member may be made from a rubberized material.

[0023] Furthermore, during use of the archery aid, the at least one brace member may be subject to compressive forces applied by the bow and/or the user's hand. Having regard again to the ordinary action for firing an arrow, when the archer pulls or draws the bowstring away from the bow (and away from their forward bow hand) while holding the arrow on the bowstring, this action temporarily elastically deforms the bow, creating potential energy within the bow, which is biased toward its originally form or shape. However, the action also applies a force directly to the user's forward bow hand as well to the archery aid (and specifically the at least one brace member and base portion), which acts substantially as an interface between the bow and the user's forward bow hand.

[0024] Two or more of the base portion, the guide member and the at least one brace member may be integrally formed.

[0025] The archery aid may further comprise attachment means to allow the archery aid to be temporarily fixed to a forward bow hand of the user. In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the attachment means may be a strap that is adapted to fit around and secure to the user's forward bow hand. In a further representative embodiment of the present, the attachment means may include a glove adapted to receive the user's forward bow hand. Furthermore, the attachment means may be fixed to or integrally formed with the base portion.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0026] An embodiment of the disclosure is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view line drawing of an archery aid for use with a flexible curved archery bow according to a representative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a top view line drawing of the archery aid for use with a flexible curved archery bow shown in Fig. 1; [0029] Fig. 3 is an illustrative example of how the archery aid of Fig. 1 is positioned against the forward bow hand of a user;

[0030] Fig.4 is an illustrative example of how the archery aid of Fig. 1, shown at 90 degrees to its correct orientation against the bow handle, is attached to the hand of a user; and

[0031] Fig.5 is an illustrative examples how the archery aid of Fig.1 is positioned against the bow handle during use.

Description of Embodiments

[0032] In the drawings, reference numeral 100 generally designates an embodiment of an archery aid for use with a flexible curved archery bow. The archery aid 100 is particularly useful in relation to stabilizing and positioning flexible curved archery bows and it will therefore be convenient to describe the archery aid 100 in that environment. However, it should be understood that the archery aid 100 is not limited to this embodiment, and may be utilised or implemented in other applications or in relation to other sporting or hunting apparatus.

[0033] As illustrated in at least Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a representative embodiment of the archery aid 100 comprises a base portion 112 configured to be received against the palm of a user (shown in further detail in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings as reference numeral 204) during use. The archery aid 100 also comprises a guide member 116 configured to receive and abut a sideward portion of the flexible curved archery bow. The archery aid 100 further comprises two brace members 120 configured to receive and abut a rearward portion of the flexible curved archery bow, each of said two brace members being substantially perpendicular to the guide member 116.

[0034] Having regard to the base portion 112 (illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings), in a representative embodiment of the present disclosure the base portion 112 is preferably made from a substantially rigid or semi-rigid material. For example, the base portion 112 may be made from one or more of aluminium (or a similar light-weight metal), high-density plastic (such as, for example, HDPE), or rubber. Although it should be appreciated that other materials providing the requisite level of rigidity are also envisioned by the present disclosure. [0035] An advantage of the base portion 112 being made of a rigid or semi rigid material is that it supports the strict placement of the bow handle or grip (shown in Figure 4 as reference numeral 304) and to maintain the relief below it. A further advantage is in allowing the archery aid 100 to resist flexion, and in limiting movement of the base portion 112 relative to (and between) the brace members 120 during use.

[0036] The base portion 112 further comprises a support portion 114 that is positioned (as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings) proximate the user's thumb during use, and extends onto the thenar region of the user's forward bow hand 202. Advantageously, this positioning provides laterally stability and supports the base portion 112 during use. In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the support portion 114 extends outwardly from the base portion 112 at an incline angle of approximately 25 degrees (as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings). The angled profile of the support portion 114, alone or in conjunction with the angled profile of the further support portion 126 (described below), creates greater stability of the archery aid 100 in a user's hand during use, limits the need for the user to apply finger contact to the bow while drawing the bow and releasing an arrow, and minimises rocking or torqueing of the bow.

[0037] In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the support portion 114 is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material (as previously described), which provides a rigid contact interface with the user's hand, and which mitigates misalignment of the bow in the user's hand (commonly resulting from contact between the bow and the soft tissue of the archer's hand). As such, the support portion 114 is adapted to resiliency resist deformation and to resist movement of the archery aid 100 in the user's hand 202 during use. In an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the support portion 114 is configured to resiliency deform during use to substantially conform to the shape of the user's palm (shown in Figure 3 as reference numeral 204). As a result, and in accordance with that alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the support portion 114 may be made from a less-rigid material such as, for example, rubber in order to allow for the resilient deformation during use.

[0038] The base portion 112 also comprises a further support portion 126 that opposes the support portion 114 (i.e. is positioned on the opposing side of the base portion), and extends toward the user's fingers during use. Advantageously, and as with the support portion 114, this positioning provides greater laterally stability and supports the base portion 112 during use. In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the further support portion 126 extends outwardly from the base portion 112 at an incline angle of approximately 25 degrees (as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings). The angled profile of the further support portion 126, alone or in conjunction with the angled profile of the support portion 114, creates greater stability of the archery aid 100 in a user's hand during use, limits the need for the user to apply finger contact to the bow while drawing the bow and releasing an arrow, and minimises rocking or torqueing of the bow.

[0039] In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the further support portion 126 is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material (as previously described), which provides a rigid contact interface with the user's hand, and which mitigates misalignment of the bow in the user's hand (commonly resulting from contact between the bow and the soft tissue of the archer's hand). As such, the further support portion 126 is adapted to resiliency resist deformation and to resist movement of the archery aid 100 in the user's hand 202 during use. In an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the further support portion 126 is configured to resiliently deform during use to substantially conform to the shape of the user's palm. As a result, and in accordance with that alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the further support portion 126 may be made from a less-rigid material such as, for example, rubber in order to allow for the resilient deformation during use.

[0040] The primary purpose of the support portion 114 and the further support portion 126 is to support the base portion 112 within the hand of the user, as well as to distribute the pressure of the bow draw over a wider area of the hand 202 (and palm 204, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, with respect to support portion 114), thus further stabilizing the archery aid 100 the bow handle 304 (shown in Figure 4, with respect to support portion 114) within its capture.

[0041] The use of both the support portion 114 and further support portion 126 may provide a more stable positioning of the archery aid 100 in the user's forward bow hand, particularly due to the overall shape provided by the angled profiles of the support portion 114 and/or further support portion 126 (that is design to match the natural contours of the user's hand (during use)).

[0042] By way of representative example only, considering the contact surface area applied to a user's hand 202 by a conventional 20mm- wide bow handle 304 on a flexible curved bow 302 (without the use of the archery aid 100), the additional contact surface area created through use of the archery aid 100 (via the base portion 112, support portion 114, and further support portion 126) represents an increase of approximately 60 to 100 percent of the contact surface area. This additional surface area applied to the user's forward bow hand 202 (and particularly the palm 204 of that bow hand 202) improves stability under the pressure of the draw action, which (depending on the bow) can exceed 60 pounds of pressure. By distributing that pressure over a wider area (which also resists turning of the archery aid 100 in the hand 202 under pressure) this increases both comfort to the archer and increased reference to the archer of the bow 302 position on their hand 202. It should be appreciated, however, that the calculated percentage increase in available contact surface area obtained through use of the archery aid 100 will vary depending on the type of bow 302 used, the width of the bow handle 304, and of course the size of the user's hand 202 (and particularly the user's palm 204).

[0043] In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the archery aid 100 further comprises one or more intermediary members 118 attached between the support portion 114 and the guide member 116. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the intermediary members 118 preferably attach to and extend upwardly and perpendicularly from the support portion 114, providing resistance to the deformation of the support portion 114 during use and/or assisting the support portion 114 to resiliency return to its original shape (or position) after use (depending on the construction material used and the desired rigidity). It should be appreciated, however, that other configurations of the intermediary members 118 providing the same mechanical effect are also envisioned by the present disclosure.

[0044] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the guide member 116 extends outwardly from the base portion 112 in a substantially perpendicular direction and extends substantially along the length of the base portion 112 on the side of the archery aid 100 nearest the user's thumb 206 (as shown in Figure 3) during use. A key advantage of the guide member 116 is that it aligns the bow handle 304 in what is considered to be the optimum placement and angle down through the user's hand 202, consistently and without the need for repeated mental acknowledgement or compensation. It also limits movement of the user' s bow handle position and significantly reduces the need for the user to apply finger contact (particularly index finger 208 contact) on the bow handle 304, thus improving bow capture. [0045] As also illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the two brace members 120 are positioned at (or near) opposing ends of the archery aid 100. In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, and relative to the base portion 112, the two brace members 120 are separated by a depression region 124, which assists with vibration dampening during use. As a result, during use of the archery aid 100, each of the two spaced-apart brace members 120 is in contact with the rearward portion 306 of the flexible curved archery bow 302. In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the two brace members 120 have different elevations relative to the base portion 112. For example, the brace member 120 positioned nearest the upper end of the bow handle 304 (during use) may have a greater elevation (e.g. 10mm above the base portion 112) than the brace member 120 positioned nearest the lower end of the bow handle 304 (e.g. 1mm above the base portion 112). However, it should be appreciated that specific elevations of the brace members 120 will vary depending on the type and design of bow used, the user's preferences and morphology of the user's forward bow hand. Advantageously, the use of a brace member 120 (positioned nearest the upper end of the bow handle 304) having a greater elevation than the brace member 120 positioned nearest the lower end of the bow handle 304, directs a greater portion of the force of the draw into the lower, and more stable, position of the user's hand (located about the brace member 120 positioned nearest the lower end of the bow handle 304). In doing so, the draw force is brought into greater alignment with the bone structure of the user's forward bow hand, and transferred more stably through to the user's arm and shoulder. Additionally, this configuration advantageously limits the rocking or torqueing of the bow in the user' s forward bow hand during use. In an alternative embodiment, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the two brace members 120 have substantially the same elevations relative to the base portion 112.

[0046] During use of the archery aid 100 by the user, the two brace members 120 are subject to compressive forces applied by the bow 302 (shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings) and/or the user's hand 202 (and specifically the user's palm 204, shown in Figure 3 of the drawings). Having regard to the ordinary action for firing an arrow, when the archer pulls or draws the bowstring away from the bow 302 (and away from their forward bow hand 202) while holding the arrow on the bowstring, this action temporarily elastically deforms the bow 302, creating potential energy within the bow 302, which is resiliency biased toward its originally form or shape. However, the action also applies a force directly to the user' s forward bow hand 202 as well as to the archery aid 100 (and specifically the two brace members 120), which acts substantially as an interface between the bow 302 and the user's forward bow hand 202.

[0047] Advantageously, during use of the archery aid 100, the two brace members 120 preferably support and resist torsion of the bow 302 relative to the user's forward bow hand 202, and resist the unwanted rocking motion of the bow 302 between the drawn and release phases of the shooting action. In a particularly preferable embodiment of the present disclosure, the two brace members 120 may also be made of a material that encourages friction between the archery aid 100 and the bow 302 (and particularly the rearward portion 306 of the bow 302) during use. By way of example, but not limiting the possible alternative embodiments, the two brace members 120 may be made from a rubberized material that has a high-degree of friction with the bow 302 (and particularly the rearward portion 306 of the bow 302) during use. A particular advantage provided as a result of the two brace members 120 includes better stability and 'stillness' during the draw and release phases of the shooting action, which invariably leads to greater shooting accuracy.

[0048] In an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the archery aid 100 may comprise only one brace member 120 that is positioned at or near the lower end of the archery aid 100 (relative to its alignment with the bow 302 during use). However, it should be appreciated that the one brace member 120 may be positioned in an alternate position (such as, for example, the higher end of the archery aid 100 relative to its alignment with the bow 302 during use) so long as stability of the bow handle during use is achieved. During use of the archery aid 100, and in accordance with this representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the one brace member 120 is in contact with the rearward portion 306 of the bow 302, such that another portion (not shown) of the bow handle 304 is brought into contact with the base portion 112. As a result of this positioning, the archery aid 100 is still able to achieve relative stability during use.

[0049] The archery aid 100 further comprises attachment means to allow the archery aid 100 to be temporarily fixed to the forward bow hand 202 of the user. In a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, and as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, the attachment means is a strap 130 that is adapted to fit around and secure to the user's forward bow hand 202. The strap 130 is either fixed to integrally formed with the base portion 112 of the archery aid 100. As illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings (as well as in Figure 3, with regard to the alignment of the archery aid 100), the strap 130 is configured to releasably attach the archery aid 100 to the user's hand 202 such that placement of the archery aid 100 runs down and across the archer's forward bow hand palm 204 from a point between the edge of the proximal phalanx and the base of the thumb, adjacent to the top edge of the proximal palmer crease at an angle down through the hand palm 204 and across the thenar crease into the hypothenar.

[0050] In an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the attachment means is a glove (not shown) adapted to receive the user's forward bow hand 202.

[0051] As shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the base portion 112, the support portion 114, the guide member 116 and the two brace members 120 may be integrally formed from the same or a similar material. However, it should be appreciated that different materials can be used for one or more of the base portion 112, the support portion 114, the guide member 116 and the two brace members 120.

[0052] In broad terms, the archery aid 100 described in the above embodiment allows for correct placement of the bow handle 304 in the user's forward bow hand 202 in an simple and repeatable manner. It also significantly reduces the negative influences of the bow 302 (and bow handle 304) on the soft tissue on the user's hand 202 (including, for example, the tendency of the bow to 'rock' in the user's hand 202), and the need for the user to apply direct contact to the bow handle 304 with their fingers (improving the user's overall technique by encouraging an Open' forward bow hand grip). In doing so, the archery aid 100 assists to minimize movement of the bow 302 in the user' s hand 202, as well as minimizing bow torque (i.e. partial turning of the bow handle 304 in the user's hand 202).

[0053] The structure and composition of the archery aid 100 also assists to reduce vibration passed onto the bow handle 304 by the user's hand 202 during the draw and release phases of the shooting action. By acting as a vibration insulator (or dampener), the archery aid 100 also assists to improve the accuracy of the user's shooting.

[0054] Figure 4 of the drawings illustrates how the archery aid 100 (attached to the user's forward bow hand 202 with the strap 130 in the correct alignment) is brought into engagement with the bow handle 304 immediately prior to commencing the shooting action. With an open grip (i.e. thumb 206 and index finger 208 separated), the user engages the archery aid 100 with the bow handle 304 by placing the bow handle 304 between the thumb 206 and index finger 208 and bringing the guide member 116 into abutment with the sideward portion (not shown) of the bow 302. The user also brings the two brace members 120 into abutment with the rearward portion 306 of the bow handle 304 and closes their grip somewhat until the thumb 206 and index finger 208 are generally parallel and forward-facing (relative to the direct of fire of the bow 302), such as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. During the engagement of the archery aid 100 with the bow 302, it may be convenient for the user to apply some pressure to the archery aid 100 with the bow 302 by applying a backward force on the draw string of the bow 302 (i.e. commencing the draw phase of the shooting action).

[0055] The positioning of the user's hand 202 as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, as well as the positioning of the archery aid 100 between the user's hand 202 and the bow handle 304, is preferable prior to and during the draw phase of the shooting action.

[0056] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An archery aid for use with a flexible curved archery bow, said archery aid comprising: a base portion configured to be received against the palm of a user during use; a guide member configured to receive and abut a sideward portion of the flexible curved archery bow; and at least one brace member configured to receive and abut a rearward portion of the flexible curved archery bow, the at least one brace member being substantially perpendicular to the guide member.

2. The archery aid according to claim 1, wherein the base portion further comprises a support portion.

3. The archery aid according to claim 2, wherein the support portion is positioned proximate the user's thumb and extending onto the thenar region of the user's forward bow hand during use.

4. The archery aid according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the base portion further comprises a further support portion that opposes the support portion, and extends toward the user's fingers during use.

5. The archery aid according to any one of claims 2 to , wherein the support portion and/or the further support portion are configured to resiliently resist deformation and to resist movement of the archery aid during use.

6. The archery aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide member and/or the base portion are made from a substantially rigid or semi-rigid material.

7. The archery aid according to claim 6, wherein the guide member extends outwardly from the base portion in a substantially perpendicular direction.

8. The archery aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one brace member is positioned at or near an end of the archery aid.

9. The archery aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein during use the at least one brace member and/or the guide member supports and resists torsion of the bow relative to the user's hand.

10. The archery aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein during use, the at least one brace member is in contact with the rearward portion of the flexible curved archery bow.

11. The archery aid according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein during use the at least one brace member is subject to compressive forces applied by the bow and/or the user's hand.

12. The archery aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two or more of the base portion, the guide member and the at least one brace member are integrally formed.

13. The archery aid according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising attachment means to allow the archery aid to be temporarily fixed to a forward bow hand of the user.

14. The archery aid according to claim 13, wherein the attachment means is a strap that is adapted to fit around and secure to the user's forward bow hand.

15. The archery aid according to claim 13, wherein the attachment means includes a glove adapted to receive the user's forward bow hand.

16. The archery aid according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the attachment means is fixed to or integrally formed with the base portion.

17. The archery aid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the guide member and the at least one brace member are made of a material that encourages friction between the archery aid and the bow during use.

18. The archery aid according to claim 17, wherein one or more of the guide member and the at least one brace member are made of a rubberized material.

19. The archery aid according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two or more brace members configured to receive and abut the rearward portion of the flexible curved archery bow.

20. The archery aid according to claim 19, wherein the two or more brace members have different elevations relative to the base portion, and are subject to compressive forces applied by the bow and/or the user's hand.