Arrow Rests With Brushes

Abstract

A launcher for a bow, according to various embodiments, comprises (1) a base, (2) at least one brush that is disposed on the base and defines an arrow support surface, and (3) a linking mechanism between the bow and the base. The linking mechanism is adapted to move the launcher from a first position to a second, ready-to-fire position, and the launcher is adapted to lift an arrow when moving from the first position to the second, ready-to-fire position. The brush may, for example, serve as a support surface for an arrow being fired from the bow.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A launcher for a bow comprising:
 a base;   at least one brush disposed on said base, said at least one brush defining an arrow support surface; and   a linking mechanism, wherein:
 said linking mechanism is connected to move said launcher from a first position to a second, ready-to-fire position when an arrow is at least partially supported by said arrow support surface; and 
 said launcher is adapted so that, as said launcher moves from said first position to said second, ready-to-fire position, said at least one brush urges said arrow into a ready-to-fire position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The launcher of  claim 1 , wherein said linking mechanism extends between a bow string of said bow and said base portion. 
     
     
         3 . The launcher of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base comprises a substantially V-shaped portion that is mounted to pivot upwardly from said first position to said ready-to-fire position; and   said at least one brush is disposed adjacent at least one interior surface of said V-shaped portion.   
     
     
         4 . The launcher of  claim 3 , wherein said arrow support surface is substantially V-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The launcher of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base comprises a substantially U-shaped portion that is mounted to pivot upwardly from said first position to said ready-to-fire position; and   said at least one brush is disposed adjacent at least one interior surface of said U-shaped portion.   
     
     
         6 . The launcher of  claim 5 , wherein said arrow support surface is substantially U-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The launcher of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one brush comprises a plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         6 . The launcher of  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of bristles comprises a plurality of bristle clusters. 
     
     
         7 . The launcher of  claim 6 , wherein said bristle clusters are substantially circular. 
     
     
         8 . The launcher of  claim 6 , wherein said bristle clusters are substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         9 . The launcher of  claim 6 , wherein said bristle clusters are disposed in a staggered arrangement. 
     
     
         10 . The launcher of  claim 9 , wherein said bristle clusters are disposed in a honeycomb arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . The launcher of  claim 9 , wherein said bristle clusters are disposed in a zigzag arrangement. 
     
     
         12 . The launcher of  claim 9 , wherein said bristle clusters are disposed in a checkerboard arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The launcher of  claim 13 , wherein said plurality of bristles covers substantially all of said arrow support surface. 
     
     
         14 . The launcher of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one brush comprises a plurality of brushes. 
     
     
         15 . The launcher of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one brush is sufficiently stiff to support an arrow. 
     
     
         16 . The launcher of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one brush is sufficiently flexible to flex slightly in response to an arrow is placed on said at least one brush. 
     
     
         17 . The launcher of  claim 16 , wherein:
 said linking mechanism is adapted to move said launcher from said second, ready-to-fire position to said first position substantially immediately following a firing of said bow; and   when said launcher is in a substantially vertical orientation, a top of said launcher in said second, ready-to-fire position is at a higher position than said top of said launcher in said first position.   
     
     
         18 . A launcher comprising:
 a base defining a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped arrow support portion;   at least one brush disposed on said arrow support portion, said at least one brush defining an arrow support surface;   an enclosure positioned adjacent said base; and   a linking mechanism between a portion of said bow and said base, wherein:
 said linking mechanism is adapted to upwardly rotate said base from a first position to a second, ready-to-fire position when an arrow is at least partially supported by said base; 
 said launcher is adapted so that, as said base moves from said first position to said second, ready-to-fire position, said at least one brush urges said arrow into a ready-to-fire position; and 
 said arrow support portion is positioned at least substantially within said enclosure when said base is in said second, ready to fire position. 
   
     
     
         19 . The launcher of  claim 18 , wherein said enclosure is substantially C-shaped or U-shaped. 
     
     
         20 . The launcher of  claim 18 , wherein said arrow support portion is substantially V-shaped. 
     
     
         21 . The launcher of  claim 20 , wherein said enclosure is substantially C-shaped. 
     
     
         22 . The launcher of  claim 21 , wherein:
 said substantially C-shaped enclosure is adapted to cooperate with said substantially V-shaped launcher to maintain said arrow within said substantially C-shaped enclosure and said substantially V-shaped launcher when said substantially V-shaped launcher is in said second, ready to fire position.   
     
     
         23 . The launcher of  claim 18 , wherein said arrow support portion is substantially U-shaped.