Bowstring drawing and release assist apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for one-handed operation of archery equipment may facilitate drawing and firing of an arrow from a bow. The apparatus may comprise a release aid having jaws for selective engagement and disengagement of a bowstring and a trigger mechanism operable to open and close the jaws. Head gear may be configured for attachment to the head of an archer and may be coupled to the release aid with a connection mechanism such that the archer may resist a tension in the bowstring with the headgear. An alternative apparatus comprises an automatic drawbar and engagement head such that an archer may manipulate drawbar controls to draw and release an arrow from a bow.

1 . An apparatus for drawing and firing an arrow from a bow, the apparatus comprising:
 a release aid having jaws adapted for selective engagement and disengagement of a bowstring or string loop attached to the bowstring, the release aid comprising a trigger mechanism operable to open and close the jaws;   a head gear configured for attachment to the head of an archer; and   a connection mechanism coupling the release aid to the head gear such that the archer may resist a tension in the bowstring with the headgear.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the head gear comprises a stabilizing member configured to hold the release aid steady adjacent a mouth of the archer. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a trigger lever extending from the release aid, the trigger lever operable by the mouth of the archer. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the stabilizing member comprises a shoulder mount configured to maintain a position of the release aid as the tension is applied to the bowstring. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a lever release switch. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the lever release switch is configured for activation by a mouth of the archer. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to claim I, further comprising a leg brace secured to a leg of the archer, the leg brace providing a surface on which the archer may rest the bow in a position suitable for nocking an arrow. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the leg brace comprises an adjustment feature to permit adjustment of an overall length of the leg brace. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for drawing and firing an arrow from a bow, the apparatus comprising:
 a drawbar coupled to the bow, the drawbar selectively moveable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration;   an engagement head supported by the drawbar, the engagement head selectively moveable between an engaged configuration and a release configuration, wherein the engagement head engages the bowstring when in the engaged configuration and is withdrawn from the bowstring when in the release configuration;   a power unit operatively connected to the drawbar, the power unit configured for providing power to the drawbar to move the drawbar between the retracted and extended configurations, and to move the engagement head between the engaged and release configurations; and   a first drawbar control and a second drawbar control, the first drawbar control configured to move the drawbar from the retracted to extended configuration when the engagement head is in the engaged configuration such that the bow may be drawn, the second drawbar control configured to move the engagement head from the engaged to release configuration when the drawbar is in the extended configuration such that an arrow may be fired from the bow.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second drawbar controls are accessible by a hand on an extended forward arm of an archer. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein one of the first and second drawbar controls is accessible by a hand on an extended forward arm of an archer, and the other of the drawbar controls is configured for activation by the mouth of the archer. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising a sensor electrically coupled to a control circuit, the senor configured to detect the presence or absence of an arrow from the bow, the control circuit electrically coupled to the power unit and configured to prevent accidental movement of the drawbar from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration in the absence of an arrow from the bow. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a maintenance override implement to permit the drawbar to move from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration in the absence of an arrow, and to prevent accidental movement of the engagement head from the engagement to release configuration. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the drawbar is coupled to a riser of the bow. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the drawbar is coupled to a cable guard of a compound bow. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the drawbar, power unit and drawbar controls is selectively removable from the bow.