Method for manufacturing archery bow risers and the archery bows including the risers produced by the method

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an archery bow riser of hollow construction by the tubular hydroforming process and the risers produced by the method.

What is claimed as novel and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:  
     
         1 . An archery bow having a riser and a pair of limbs attached to said riser, characterized in that said riser is made from a tubular member which is formed into the shape of the riser by a hydroforming process.  
     
     
         2 . An archery bow as recited in  claim 1  wherein the tubular member is a tubular extrusion.  
     
     
         3 . An archery bow as recited in  claim 1  wherein the tubular member is prebent prior to being formed into the shape of the riser by the hydroforming process.  
     
     
         4 . An archery bow as recited in  claim 1  wherein the riser includes grip attachment surfaces.  
     
     
         5 . An archery bow as recited in  claim 1  wherein the riser includes a bow sight mounting surface.  
     
     
         6 . An archery bow as recited in  claim 1  wherein the riser includes limb attachment areas.  
     
     
         7 . A riser for use in an archery bow characterized in that said riser is made from a tubular member which is formed into the shape of the riser by a hydroforming process.  
     
     
         8 . A riser as recited in  claim 7  wherein the tubular member is a tubular extrusion.  
     
     
         9 . A riser as recited in  claim 7  wherein the tubular member is prebent prior to being formed into the shape of the riser by the hydroforming process.  
     
     
         10 . A riser as recited in  claim 7  wherein the riser includes grip attachment surfaces.  
     
     
         11 . A riser as recited in  claim 7  wherein the riser includes a bow sight mounting surface.  
     
     
         12 . A riser as recited in  claim 7  wherein the riser includes limb attachment areas.  
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing an archery bow riser of tubular construction by the hydroforming process, said method including the steps of: 
 a) forming a cavity in a bottom die, said cavity being in the shape of a first surface of the riser to be manufactured;    b) placing a tubular member in the cavity of the bottom die;    c) forming a cavity in an upper die, said cavity being in the shape of a second surface of the riser to be manufactured;    d) bringing said upper die and bottom die together while injecting fluid under pressure into said tubular member to form said riser; and    e) separating said upper die and bottom die and removing said riser.    
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing an archery bow riser as recited in  claim 13  and including the further step of shaping the ends of the riser after step e) to enable the ends of the riser to receive the limb attachment devices.  
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing an archery bow riser as recited in  claim 13  wherein the fluid is injected under pressure into opposite openings of said tubular member.  
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing an archery bow riser as recited in  claim 13  wherein the tubular member is prebent before it is placed in the cavity in the bottom die.  
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing an archery bow riser as recited in  claim 13  wherein said tubular member is a tubular extrusion.