Archery bow stabilizer

Abstract

A stabilizer for an archery bow including an elongated member having a first portion adapted to flex and oscillate, thereby absorbing bow shock and/or vibration, and a second portion stiffened to maintain at least part of the elongated member in a relatively stationary position, thereby minimizing its movement as the bow is shot. The elongated member can be hollow and tubular, and can be constructed from laminated carbon prepreg, or other lightweight carbon, composite and/or polymeric material. The first portion can include a fabric or other flexible material. The second portion can include a more dense, heavier or other, different material so that the second portion is more rigid, dense, heavy and/or stiff than the first portion. The stabilizer can include an optional weight module having multiple replaceable and selectively positionable weight elements.

1 . An archery stabilizer adapted to attach to an archery bow, the archery stabilizer comprising:
 an attachment element including a fastening element configured to attach to an archery bow;   an elongated member in the form of a hollow tube, the hollow tube comprising carbon material, the elongated member including a proximal end joined with the attachment element so that the proximal end is adjacent the archery bow to which the stabilizer is joined, the elongated member including a distal end located a preselected distance from the proximal end, the elongated member including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being of a first stiffness, the second portion being of a second stiffness less than the first stiffness, the first stiffness of the first portion enabling the first portion to flex and oscillate when the archery bow is shot, thereby absorbing at least one of bow shock and vibration, the second lesser stiffness enabling the second portion to maintain the distal end in a relatively stationary position, thereby minimizing movement of the distal end when the bow is shot; and   at least one of an end cap and a weight module joined with the distal end of the elongated member, away from the archery bow.   
     
     
         2 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first portion is of a first density,   wherein the second portion of a second density,   wherein the first density less than the second density so that the second portion weighs more per inch than the first portion weighs per inch and so that the second portion is heavier than the first portion.   
     
     
         3 . The stabilizer of  claim 1  wherein the attachment element includes a stud and an attachment body, the attachment body including at least one of a recess and a projection, the recess configured to receive the proximal end of the elongated member, the projection sized for insertion into a bore defined by the elongated member. 
     
     
         4 . The stabilizer of  claim 3  wherein the attachment body includes both a recess and a projection, with the projection located in the bore, and the proximal end located in the recess. 
     
     
         5 . The stabilizer of  claim 1  wherein the hollow tube is constructed from a pre-impregnated carbon composite mat. 
     
     
         6 . The stabilizer of  claim 1  comprising a stiffness layer joined with the second portion to enhance the stiffness of the hollow tube in the second portion. 
     
     
         7 . The stabilizer of  claim 1  wherein the weight module is joined with the distal end of the elongated member, the weight module including a recess that receives the distal end of the elongated member. 
     
     
         8 . An archery stabilizer adapted to attach to an archery bow, the archery stabilizer comprising:
 an attachment element configured to join with an archery bow;   a dual spine elongated member comprising carbon, the dual spine elongated member including at least two portions having different stiffness, the dual spine elongated member joined with the attachment element; and   at least one of an end cap and a weight module joined with the elongated member, away from the archery bow.   
     
     
         9 . The stabilizer of  claim 8  wherein the dual spine elongated member includes a first portion having a first stiffness enabling the first portion to flex and oscillate when the archery bow is shot, thereby absorbing at least one of bow shock and vibration, and wherein the dual spine elongated member includes a second portion having a second stiffness lesser than the first stiffness enabling the second portion to maintain an end of the dual spine elongated member in a relatively stationary position, thereby minimizing movement of the end when the bow is shot. 
     
     
         10 . The stabilizer of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the at least two portions include a first portion and a second portion,   wherein the first portion is of a first density,   wherein the second portion of a second density,   wherein the first density less than the second density so that the second portion weighs more per inch than the first portion weighs per inch and so that the second portion is generally heavier than the first portion.   
     
     
         11 . The stabilizer of  claim 10  wherein the dual spine elongated member includes a proximal end joined with the attachment element so that the proximal end is adjacent the archery bow to which the stabilizer is joined, wherein the elongated member includes a distal end located a preselected distance from the proximal end. 
     
     
         12 . The stabilizer of  claim 10  wherein the attachment element includes a threaded stud configured to join with a threaded hole defined by an archery bow, 
     
     
         13 . The stabilizer of  claim 10  wherein the dual spine elongated member is in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube constructed from a pre-impregnated carbon composite mat. 
     
     
         14 . The stabilizer of  claim 10  wherein the dual spin elongated member comprises a stiffness layer, the stiffness layer including at least one of laminated fabric, metal foil, metal screen, metal tubing, and a protective coating. 
     
     
         15 . An archery stabilizer adapted to attach to an archery bow, the archery stabilizer comprising:
 an attachment element configured to join with an archery bow;   an elongated member joined with the attachment element, the elongated member including a proximal end joined with the attachment element so that the proximal end is adjacent the archery bow to which the stabilizer is joined, the elongated member including a distal end located a preselected distance from the proximal end; and   a weight module joined with distal end of the elongated member, away from the archery bow, the weight module including a longitudinal axis aligned generally with the elongated member, the weight module defining a plurality of holes opposite the elongate member, the weight module including at least one weight element selectively secured within at least one of said plurality of holes to impart a preselected weight distribution to the stabilizer.   
     
     
         16 . The stabilizer of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of holes are located at equal distances from and are radially spaced around the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         17 . The stabilizer of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of holes are threaded, wherein the at least one weight element includes a corresponding thread so that the at least one weight element is threadably coupled to the weight module. 
     
     
         18 . The stabilizer of  claim 16  wherein the weight module includes a neck, wherein the neck defines a recess, wherein the elongated member is located in the recess. 
     
     
         19 . The stabilizer of  claim 15  wherein the elongated member is a dual spine hollow tube comprising carbon. 
     
     
         20 . The stabilizer of  claim 15  wherein the at least one weight element includes a drive feature, and wherein the weight module defines a hole coincident with the longitudinal axis.