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archery grips

aerogenius1aerogenius1 Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
I have been working with a friend who is an avid bow hunter. We have worked together to develop a thermal (heated) grip for his compound bow. It works on the principals that the battery operated socks work on. I have been awarded a patent on it and would like some input from other archers on weather or not they would like to see something on the market. I have also been working on a version for crossbows and firearms. If anyone could comment on this and maybe point me to other makers of similar items to investigate possible marketing of this item, please do so!

Thanks in advance.

Comments

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    shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't know any similar items.

    Does this item attach to the bow?
    How are you going to impliment the warmer so that it does not change the archer's grip? Gun? crossbow?
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    gagirlgagirl Member Posts: 5,408
    edited November -1
    You may have just found your test group....

    its all about pucks and bucks
    smilie_schuetze.gif
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    headzilla97headzilla97 Member Posts: 6,445
    edited November -1
    I dont hold my bow in my hand i leave it on a hanger untill im ready to shoot. but i like the idea

    "Were not here for a long time were here for a good time"
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    gogolengogolen Member Posts: 1,619 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:headzilla97 Posted - 05/31/2005 : 2:32:59 PM
    I dont hold my bow in my hand i leave it on a hanger untill im ready to shoot. but i like the idea

    "Were not here for a long time were here for a good time"

    Me too.
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    buckeyboybuckeyboy Member Posts: 5,833
    edited November -1
    Nice concept[;)] But when I see a Nice buck and need to hold my bow you could cut my finger off and I woulden't feel it.[:0] I usually keep my hands in my pockets, and stay standing most of the time. The bow is on hanger. For the guy who holds bow all the time you may have found a nitch in the market. Hope you got it pattented. send us all one to try and we will give them good fair reviews.[:D][:D]
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    fishermanbenfishermanben Member Posts: 15,370
    edited November -1
    I hold my bow alot, and on very cold days it would be nice as the metal on the handle really does get cold.

    Ben

    logo_chc_79x76.jpg
    Play Ball!!!
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    buckeyboybuckeyboy Member Posts: 5,833
    edited November -1
    Tell ya what iF you diddnt get a pettent on this gizmo you mide as well forget it[B)] after putting ideas out in the public. Not trying to burst your bubble but this kinda stuff has to stay secret till you have a pattent investors manufactures and marketing all set to go.wish ya well.
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    aerogenius1aerogenius1 Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I do have a pattent on it. There is just one other Item I need to iron out before marketing it. I presently have the batteries contained in a holder that rests just below the grips. I am working on a battery pack that would thread on where a stabilizer would go. Does anyone have any comments for this proposal for batterie location?
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    fishermanbenfishermanben Member Posts: 15,370
    edited November -1
    yes, in order for it to be worthwhile weight, it would have to be on/in a stabilizer that still had effective noise reducing capabilities. good luck, buddy.

    Ben

    logo_chc_79x76.jpg
    Play Ball!!!
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    aerogenius1aerogenius1 Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have taken a stabilizer I presently have by cobra and measured it on a balancing machine I have at work. This was to determine weight distribution and size of attachment. I have been able to duplicate this with the batteries and The only remaining issue I seem to have is what size of stabilizer would be acceptable to the masses. Presently i is approximately 5 inches long and about 1.4 inches diameter. This size is caused by the need for two "c" cell batteries. I am presently looking for some acceptable smaller batteries but am having a hard time locating some. If I get enough replies as to acceptable size, I may just leave it "as is".

    What are your thoughts?
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    shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would say that is an acceptable size as long as it reduces sound and vibration like the stablizer should do.
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    instrumentofwarinstrumentofwar Member Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Maybe, but if my opinion prabably not(sorry, just being honest)

    First if it's that cold the temps will drainthe batteries in less than half the time, not to mention most of the heater types you mentioned use rather heavy/bulky batteries.

    Second, most shooters I know if not using a hanger will alternate carrying positions to reduce arm fatigue (I rarely carry mine by the handle).

    Last but not least, myself and most of the guys I know, can shoot with arctic mittens. A proper shot involves no torque on the riser, so with the aid of a wrist sling, it matters not how big of a glove/mitten you wear(as long as you practice the way you hunt).

    Not to mention I just plain old love the grips on my Mathews.

    By no means am I trying to discourage you, my friend, I just wanted to give you my two cents on the topic, so that you would be able to get an honest cross section on shooters/hunters. Whichever you choose, good luck![8D]

    Picture024.jpg
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    buckeyboybuckeyboy Member Posts: 5,833
    edited November -1
    I don't like the idea of changing my Mathews grip either. but if you could hollow out a grip and install the heater strips inside this may work also. [?]"just an Idea"[?] contain the batteries in some type of limbsaver device that sticks to the bow this would distribute weight evenly protect the batteries. and dampen any noise. just some Idea's to kick around. I sincerly wish you the best of luck with this. I think if you get it where you make minimal weight difference and minimal grip changes you you will definatly sell these things. best of luck.[;)]
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    aerogenius1aerogenius1 Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks all for your input. I do hope this works out and maybe if I get it perfected I will just send some samples out for people to give me an honest opinion. Presently the design is a .030 thick stick on system (like grip tape) and a stabilizer containing batteries. I have placed the test set up in a freezer down to -55 deg F whith the unit powered. The batteries lasted 4.5 hours at full temperature of +45 deg F and gradually fell from there till dead batteries 3 hours later.
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    gagirlgagirl Member Posts: 5,408
    edited November -1
    Is there no way to power it with a smaller battery? The c cells seem awful much to be adding to a bow.

    its all about pucks and bucks
    smilie_schuetze.gif
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    aerogenius1aerogenius1 Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am looking into the possibility of a single 9v. As well as various other NiMh, NiCad, etc. I want to keep it as affordable as possible while still giving it good performance.
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    shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Is this tape going to be able to come off without a mess?
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    aerogenius1aerogenius1 Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have not had an problems with removal yet. sometimes there may be a little residue but with "go gone" it was removed with a paper towel.
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    shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    and are you able to just replace the unit right back on? or do you have to buy a whole new unit? Cause if i were to use this, it would be on and off, on and off all the time.
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    shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have you figured out a manufacturing process that will make this product cheap enough for the average joe hunter? I mean if i had to pay more then say 50 bucks for it, then I would probably not purchase it and just use the handwarmer that i already have and use, even though there is a easy of use factor with your product.

    BTW, what type of engineering work do you do?
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    shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Another idea, cause I am bored. I am not an electrical engineer, so this idea probably won't work, but maybe it will. I was thinking in order to get a higher voltage and amperage buy using smaller lighter batteries. What if you took and made a coil inside that stabilzer that would increase the voltage and aperage and decrease the wieght to that less then two C cell batteries. I can't think of what the amperage would be of two C cell batteries in a series would get off the top of my head, and don't feel like doing the math. However, I think if you were to use two AA or even AAA with a coil, you could increase the amperage to that of two C batteries. The only problem that i may see arise is the battery life would decrease some. Most hunting stablizers run in the 6-12 oz range, and I can't for see you hitting that range with two C batteries.
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    aerogenius1aerogenius1 Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks again all for the input. This thared will lock soon so I thought I would reply for a last time. If there is interest in continuing this topic I or someone else can start a new thread.

    To answer some of the questions out there. I have and Avionics design degree and am presently Working for Goodrich Aerospace as an electromechanical designer (aircraft generators and such).

    Presently the grip pad will attach permanently to the grip, however, there is a connector from it to the stabilizer that would allow for its removal. I have thought about contacting 3M to see if ther is an adhesive capable of re-use.

    All of my charts from investigation show that this product should end up in the 30-40 dollar range when finalized.

    I have also been able to locate some 22.5 v batteries that are slightly larger than a AA for around 3$ (ea available thru Radio Smack)I am going to do some trials with it to see of its viability.

    I have also been able to maintain 14.5 oz for the complete system with the 2 "C" cell batteries. Just slightly more than the average stabilizer alone. My initial goals were to keep it under 1 pound (just made it!!!).
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    gagirlgagirl Member Posts: 5,408
    edited November -1
    The only question I have is this... why is this better than the hot hands I can buy now? Figure this...say I am out hunting 30 days. I can buy an 8 pack of hot hands for 1.25 which is about .16 each or .32 for a pair. so I figure 30 days at .32 would be $9.60 for the season. I am not adding any weight to my bow or changeing my grip. If I have the hot hand on the back of my hand then it keeps it warm and does not interfere with the way I hold my bow.

    Can you tell me how you would convince me to use your product?

    its all about pucks and bucks
    smilie_schuetze.gif
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    buckeyboybuckeyboy Member Posts: 5,833
    edited November -1
    [:D]Gagirl, I don't think he really cares if people use hot hands or not. He trying to market a product, if he gets lets say 1/100 % of the hot hands market he will never have to work again. There will always be the person who wants to buy the "latest greatest gaget". personally I'm not interested, but suspect plenty of weekend worriers would buy these up. Just like battery sox, heated mittens, and so forth. Im going to invent somthing called Hot Balls so when I'm freezing my balls off I can warm them up with the flip of a switch.[:D][:D] yes you too can have warm toasty balls for Just 19.95 rush quanties limited.[8][8][:0]
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    fishermanbenfishermanben Member Posts: 15,370
    edited November -1
    I hadn't used battery socks until this year. At 20 below w/ snow on the ground they were nice. Of course, I was uh...pistol hunting.

    Ben

    logo_chc_79x76.jpg
    Play Ball!!!
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    gagirlgagirl Member Posts: 5,408
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by buckeyboy
    [:D]Gagirl, I don't think he really cares if people use hot hands or not. He trying to market a product, Im going to invent somthing called Hot Balls so when I'm freezing my balls off I can warm them up with the flip of a switch.[:D][:D] yes you too can have warm toasty balls for Just 19.95 rush quanties limited.[8][8][:0]


    Yeah thats what I was asking.... how is he going to convince people this is a good product?

    And No I can never have warm toasty balls... [;)]

    its all about pucks and bucks
    smilie_schuetze.gif
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    aerogenius1aerogenius1 Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    In all actuality I only started this thread to see if it is feasible to market this product. My initial piece is just for my friend who bow hunts and had come to me to see if it is possible. He has been the one funding its development to this point. I agree, I have never used electric socks myself and I do a lot of hunting (rifle, bow and pistol). I don't even use hot hands, however, I believe there may be a lot of $$$ in it. Just think about it, how much @#$% do you see the Brits trying to sell in infomercials. Now that stuff is worthless and they see to have excess $$$ to pay for a 1 hour commercial. I am by no means a salesmen or a financial wizard, but it might be worth a chance. In my business (engineering), I see products being sold that I had ideas about 10 years ago and didn't think about it. Whell it is my turn to become rich! LOL!
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    buckeyboybuckeyboy Member Posts: 5,833
    edited November -1
    I don't blame ya[;)] guy's buy Deer Co-Cane "deer smoken punks" all kind's of poop.[:0] why not this[?] at least it will work. No it may not be for everyone but who cares as long as a percentage will purchace it. look at whisker biscuits when they first came out I laughed my * off[:D] yea look who laughing now[:(] the guy who invented it[:0] on top of that I use one . go figure.[;)] about 5 years ago while fletching arrow I said to my friend wouldent that be cool if you have your fletching attache to heat shrink tubing , so to flech an arrow you just slide the pre-fleched tubing over your arrow stick it hot water and whal--AAAAAA a perfectly fletched arrow . I never botherd to persue it said ahhhh no-one would buy it . Guess what they are now on sale in cabellas bass pro . I shouda woulda coulda but diddent. I think this is what aero- man is saying[;)]
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    aerogenius1aerogenius1 Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Perfectly put!!!!!!!!!!

    Thanx,
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    SuspensionSuspension Member Posts: 4,783
    edited November -1
    I don't know of any items similar to what you described. Personally, I would not purchase a product like that, I to rarely ever use hand warms and don't own a pair of heated socks. I imagine it would be a marketable product though, sure some archers/hunters would purchase it.
    Good luck in your pursuit.

    buckey, you were drinking and dreamed all that up! [:D]

    NRA Life Member ---"A pocket knife, a clean hankey, and a pistol... things I can use." - Ted Nugent
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    buckeyboybuckeyboy Member Posts: 5,833
    edited November -1
    No wise guy I was not dreaming, Honest I thought of that like 5 years ago have you seen them in cabelas and Bass Pro.[?]
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    SuspensionSuspension Member Posts: 4,783
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by buckeyboy
    No wise guy I was not dreaming, Honest I thought of that like 5 years ago have you seen them in cabelas and Bass Pro.[?]


    Just pulling your chain a little buckey. [:D]
    I haven't seen those in either magazine, but they sound rather nice. Convenience is what everyone looks for anymore.

    NRA Life Member ---"A pocket knife, a clean hankey, and a pistol... things I can use." - Ted Nugent
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    buckeyboybuckeyboy Member Posts: 5,833
    edited November -1
    Susp they are in the new Red head archery specialist catalog page38 lower left corner. Rather expensive.14.99 per (6)[B)]
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