Bow riser

Abstract

The present invention is a bow riser adapted for use in forming an archery bow that is formed with a body having a number of apertures therein, each including an irregular periphery. The bow riser and periphery of each aperture are coated with a material that provides a sound dampening property to the bow riser and to reduce the sound generated when the bow riser is struck with or strikes another object. The coating also provides an uneven or irregular outer surface that provides additional three-dimensional camouflage properties to the bow riser, as well as enhancing the ability of an individual to grip the bow rest.

1 . A support member for a bow comprising:
 a) a body adapted to be secured between a pair of curved bow arms and grasped by an individual; and   b) a coating formed of a resilient material applied to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the body.   
   
   
       2 . The support member of  claim 1  wherein the coating includes an irregular outer surface opposite the body. 
   
   
       3 . The support member of  claim 2  wherein the body includes a central portion, an upper portion, and a lower portion and wherein the coating is applied over at least one of the central portion, the upper portion, and the lower portion. 
   
   
       4 . The support member of  claim 3  wherein the coating is applied over each of the central portion, the upper portion, and the lower portion. 
   
   
       5 . The support member of  claim 1  wherein the body includes a number of apertures and wherein the coating is applied to at least a portion of an interior surface of each aperture. 
   
   
       6 . The support member of  claim 5  wherein each of the number of apertures is irregularly shaped. 
   
   
       7 . The support member of  claim 5  wherein each of the number of apertures includes corners having a radius of curvature no less than ¼ inch. 
   
   
       8 . The support member of  claim 1  wherein the coating is applied to at least 60% of the exterior surface of the body. 
   
   
       9 . The support member of  claim 1  further comprising a direction indicating device disposed in the body. 
   
   
       10 . The support member of  claim 1  further comprising a time indicating device disposed in the body. 
   
   
       11 . The support member of  claim 1  wherein the coating is formed from a resilient material selected from the group consisting of a silicone material, a rubber material and a polyurethane material. 
   
   
       12 . A bow riser formed by a process comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a bow riser frame including a central portion, an upper portion and a lower portion, and defining an exterior surface thereon; and   b) applying a coating formed of a resilient material over at least a portion of the exterior surface of the bow riser frame.   
   
   
       13 . The bow riser of  claim 12  wherein the step of applying the coating comprises:
 a) placing the bow riser frame within a mold; and   b) injecting the coating into the mold around at least a portion of the frame.   
   
   
       14 . The bow riser of  claim 12  wherein the step of providing the bow riser comprises:
 a) providing a bow riser frame blank; and   b) forming a number of apertures in the bow riser frame blank.   
   
   
       15 . The bow riser of  claim 14  wherein the step of forming the apertures comprises forming a number of irregularly shaped apertures in a bow riser frame blank having corners with a radius of curvature no less than ¼ inch. 
   
   
       16 . The bow riser of  claim 14  wherein the step of applying the coating comprises applying the coating at least partially within each of the number of apertures. 
   
   
       17 . The bow riser of  claim 12  wherein the step of applying the coating comprises:
 a) providing a mold with an uneven molding surface;   b) placing the bow riser frame within the mold; and   c) injecting the resilient coating material into the mold to form an uneven exterior coating surface around the bow riser frame.   
   
   
       18 . The bow riser of  claim 12  wherein the step of providing the bow riser frame comprises placing a direction indicating device within the bow riser frame. 
   
   
       19 . The bow riser of  claim 12  wherein the step of providing the bow riser frame comprises placing a time-indicating device within the bow riser frame. 
   
   
       20 . A bow riser comprisng:
 a) a frame having an exterior surface with a central portion, an upper portion extending from an upper end of the central portion, and a lower portion extending from a lower end of the central portion; and   b) a sound dampening coating material applied to the exterior surface of the frame.