Bow Handle and Limb Attachment Mechanism

Abstract

A bow assembly including a non-metal handle, at least one limb, and a wedge slidably disposable between the non-metal handle and the limb to couple the non-metal handle and the limb, wherein the wedge is a mass concentrator at the coupling between the non-metal handle and the limb.

1 . A bow assembly comprising:
 a non-metal handle;   a slot at a connection end of the non-metal handle; and   a wedge coupled at a connection end of a limb, wherein the wedge is slidable into the slot to couple the limb to the non-metal handle;   wherein the wedge is a mass concentrator at the connection end of the non-metal handle.   
     
     
         2 . The bow assembly of  claim 1  wherein the wedge comprises a metal. 
     
     
         3 . A bow assembly comprising:
 a first wedge assembly coupled to a connection end of a first limb, the first wedge assembly comprising a dovetail shape and at least one detent ball assembly;   a second wedge assembly coupled to a connection end of a second limb, the second wedge assembly comprising a dovetail shape and at least one detent ball assembly;   a flexible non-metal handle including first and second slots in first and second connection ends of the non-metal handle, the slots comprising mating dovetail shapes;   wherein the first wedge assembly is slidable into the first slot such that the first mating dovetail shapes interlock and the first detent ball assembly engages a surface of the first slot to connect the first limb and the flexible non-metal handle;   wherein the second wedge assembly is slidable into the second slot such that the second mating dovetail shapes interlock and the second detent ball assembly engages a surface of the second slot to connect the second limb and the flexible non-metal handle; and   wherein the flexible non-metal handle is configured for motion of the wedge assemblies about a central portion of the flexible non-metal handle.   
     
     
         4 . The bow assembly of  claim 3  wherein the wedge assemblies are slidable into and removable from the slots in a tool-free manner. 
     
     
         5 . The bow assembly of  claim 3  wherein the wedge assemblies are mass concentrators at the connection ends and about the central portion of the flexible non-metal handle when engaged with the slots. 
     
     
         6 . The bow assembly of  claim 3  wherein a wedge of the wedge assemblies is metal. 
     
     
         7 . A bow assembly comprising:
 a non-metal handle;   at least one limb; and   a wedge slidably disposable between the non-metal handle and the limb to couple the non-metal handle and the limb, wherein the wedge is a mass concentrator at the coupling between the non-metal handle and the limb.   
     
     
         8 . The bow assembly of  claim 1  wherein the non-metal handle comprises a composite material. 
     
     
         9 . The bow assembly of  claim 1  wherein the non-metal handle comprises a phenolic resin. 
     
     
         10 . The bow assembly of  claim 1  wherein the wedge and the slot comprise mating dovetail shapes. 
     
     
         11 . The bow assembly of  claim 7  further comprising another wedge configured to slidably couple another limb to the non-metal handle. 
     
     
         12 . The bow assembly of  claim 11  wherein the wedges are mass concentrators at opposing ends of and about a central portion of the non-metal handle. 
     
     
         13 . The bow assembly of  claim 12  wherein the non-metal handle is flexible and configured for motion of the mass concentrators about the central portion. 
     
     
         14 . The bow assembly of  claim 13  wherein the motion of the mass concentrators is transferred to a string via the limbs. 
     
     
         15 . The bow assembly of  claim 14  wherein the string is configured to receive an arrow.