ARROW LOADING GUIDE

Abstract

An arrow loading guide configured for enabling an archer to correctly load and nock an arrow or bolt using tactical feedback only, i.e., without “watching” the process. The arrow loading guide includes a central bore for receiving at least a portion of a shaft of an arrow or bolt, a plurality of radial slots extending from the central bore, and a pair of opposing slots extending from the central bore and through an exterior surface of the arrow loading guide. Each radial slot is configured for receiving at least a portion of a vane coupled to the shaft of the arrow or bolt. The pair of opposing slots are configured for receiving at least a portion of a bowstring.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The instant disclosure pertains to a guide for loading and nocking an arrow or bolt to a drawn bowstring for a crossbow.

BACKGROUND

Loading an arrow or bolt on conventional crossbows and correctly nocking the arrow or bolt on the bowstring requires visual feedback. That is, an archer must look at the nock and the nock end of the shaft of the arrow or bolt and correctly orient the shaft to ensure that the nock is properly positioned for engaging the bowstring. However, under low light conditions, such visual feedback may be difficult or may not be possible.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an arrow loading guide configured for enabling an archer to load and nock the arrow or bolt using tactical feedback only, i.e., without “watching” the process.

SUMMARY

A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an arrow loading guide includes a central bore for receiving at least a portion of a shaft of an arrow or bolt, a plurality of radial slots extending from the central bore, and a pair of opposing slots extending from the central bore and through an exterior surface of the arrow loading guide. Each radial slot is configured for receiving at least a portion of a vane coupled to the shaft of the arrow or bolt. The pair of opposing slots are configured for receiving at least a portion of a bowstring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an arrow loading guide of the instant disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of the arrow loading guide illustrated in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a side elevation view of the arrow loading guide illustrated in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a bowstring hook disposed within the arrow loading guide illustrated in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the bowstring hook illustrated in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of the bowstring hook illustrated in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the arrow loading guide illustrated in FIG. 1C;

FIG. 3B is another cross-sectional view of the arrow loading guide illustrated in FIG. 1C;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an arrow rest;

FIG. 4B is a front elevation view of the arrow rest illustrated in FIG. 4A; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a crossbow equipped with the arrow loading guide illustrated in FIG. 1A and the arrow rest illustrated in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more non-limiting exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like, but not necessarily identical, elements. It should be clearly understood that the embodiments described with reference to the drawings are merely exemplary in that any one or more of them may be implemented in alternative manner as may become apparent to a person of ordinary skills. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Specific structural and/or functional features and details disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting but should rather be treated as a basis for teaching one of ordinary skills. There is no intent, implied or otherwise, to limit the disclosure in any way, shape or form to the embodiments illustrated and described herein. Accordingly, all variants for providing structures and/or functionalities similar to those described herein for the exemplary embodiments are considered as being within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure.

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, respectively, illustrate a perspective view, a front view, and a side view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an arrow loading guide 10 of the instant disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the arrow loading guide 10 includes a central bore 12, a plurality of radial slots 14, and a pair of opposing slots 16.

In some embodiments, the central bore 12 is configured for receiving at least a portion of a shaft (not shown) of an arrow or bolt (not shown). In certain embodiments, the central bore 12 is configured for receiving at least a portion of the nock at the end of the shaft. In some embodiments, the central bore 12 is configured for receiving the nock and at least a portion of the nock end of the shaft.

As is well known in the art, an arrow or bolt generally includes a plurality of vanes disposed proximate the nock end of the shaft. In some embodiments, the plurality of radial slots 14 extend from the central bore 12. Each radial slot 14 is configured for receiving or housing or retaining at least a portion of a vane coupled to the shaft of the arrow or bolt loaded or inserted or placed in the central bore 12. While the embodiment of the arrow loading guide 10 is illustrated having three radial slots 14a, 14b and 14c (collectively “radial slots 14”), this should not be construed as a limitation. In some embodiments, the arrow loading guide 10 has two radial slots 14 for accommodating a shaft having two vanes. In certain embodiments, the arrow loading guide 10 has more than three radial slots 14 for accommodating a shaft having more than three vanes. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the plurality of radial slots 14 are equally spaced. In some embodiments, the plurality of radial slots 14 are not equally spaced.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the arrow loading guide 10 has a plurality of radial slots 14 configured or arranged for use with a multitude of shafts having different number of vanes. In other words, certain embodiments of the arrow loading guide 10 have several, i.e., more than two, radial slots 14 for accommodating several different configurations of shafts including those having two vanes and those having three vanes and those having four vanes and those having five vanes and so on. That is, the same arrow loading guide 10 can be used for shafts having different number of vanes.

In some embodiments, the pair of opposing slots 16 extend from the central bore 12 and through an exterior surface 18 of the arrow loading guide 10. In certain embodiments, the pair of opposing slots 16 are configured for receiving at least a portion of a bowstring (not shown) such that at least a portion of the bowstring extends through or is exposed within the central bore 12. Accordingly, when the nock end of the shaft is loaded or inserted into the central bore 12, the arrow or bolt can be nocked onto the bowstring extending therethrough.

Accordingly, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the arrow loading guides of the instant disclosure are configured to assist an archer with correctly or properly loading and nocking an arrow or bolt. This action, of correctly or properly loading and nocking the arrow or bolt, is aided or assisted by the plurality of radial slots 14 configured for receiving at least a portion of each of the plurality of vanes disposed proximate the nock end of the shaft. As will be evident to a person skilled in the art, such configurations of the exemplary embodiments of the arrow loading guides are particularly useful and beneficial in low light conditions and/or without having to visually guide or “watch” the process. The archer places or inserts the nock and/or the nock end of the shaft into the central bore 12 and rotates the shaft until each vane aligns with a radial slot 14. Such alignment ensures that the vanes will be received in the corresponding radial slots when the archer further inserts the shaft into the central bore 12. Once the vanes and the radial slots 14 are aligned, the archer inserts the nock and/or the nock end further into the central bore 12 until the arrow or bolt is nocked on the bowstring. In this manner, the arrow or bolt is loaded and nocked using tactile feedback, i.e., without “watching” the process.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, respectively, illustrate a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a bowstring hook 20 disposed within the arrow loading guide 10. In some embodiments, the bowstring hook 20 is defined at least in part by a front section 22 and a rear section 24. In certain embodiments, the bowstring hook 20 is operable between a locked position 26 wherein at least a portion of the front section 22 extends into the central bore 12, and an un-locked position 28 wherein the front section 22 is retracted from the central bore 12. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the arrow loading guide illustrated in FIG. 1C wherein the bowstring hook 20 is in the un-locked position 28; and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the arrow loading guide illustrated in FIG. 1C wherein the bowstring hook 20 is in the locked position 26. In some embodiments, a biasing element 30 biases the bowstring hook 20 to the un-locked position 28. In certain embodiments, the arrow loading guide 10, and particularly the bowstring hook 20, is configured for receiving and retaining a bowstring (not shown) inserted in the direction 32 into the pair of opposing slots 16.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the bowstring hook 20 is operatively coupled to a firing system 34 disclosed in Applicant's co-pending and co-owned Int'l Patent Application No. PCT/US20/44756 (the “'756 Application”) which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Briefly, in some embodiments, the firing system 34 includes a sear 36 operable between an un-cocked position 38 (see FIG. 3A) and a cocked position 40 (see FIG. 3B). In certain embodiments, a biasing element 42 biases the sear 36 to the un-cocked position 38.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the bowstring hook 20 and the sear 36 are operatively coupled for receiving, retaining, and releasing the bowstring. As the bowstring is inserted in the direction 32 into the pair of opposing slots 16 and the arrow loading guide 10 (see FIG. 3A), the bowstring abuts against and applies a force, in the direction 32, on the rear section 24 of the bowstring hook 20. Consequently, the bowstring hook 20 rotates in the direction 44 about the pivot 46. The end 48 of the bowstring hook 20 is displaced in the direction 50 placing the front section 22 around the bowstring abutting the rear section 24. The end 52 of the bowstring hook 20 is displaced in the direction 54 along a surface 56 of the sear 36. As the end 52 of the bowstring hook 20 displaces in the direction 54, the sear 36 rotates in the direction 58 about the pivot 60 whereby the tip 62 of the sear 36 is displaced in the direction opposite the direction 54. The end 52 of the bowstring hook 20 and the tip 62 of the sear 36 displace in opposite directions until the end 52 of the bowstring hook 20 reaches the peak of the tip 62 of the sear 36. Thereafter, with continued application of the force on the rear section 24 in the direction 32, the end 52 of the bowstring hook 20 “trips” or “falls” over the peak of the tip 62 of the sear 36 whereby the sear 36 rotates in the direction opposite the direction 58 and the bowstring hook 20 rotates in the direction opposite the direction 54 until the sear 36 and the bowstring hook 20 latch as illustrated in FIG. 3B. As shown, the sear 36 is in the cocked position 40 and the bowstring hook 20 is in the locked position 26 engaging the bowstring between the front and rear sections 22 and 24, respectively.

In certain embodiments, the biasing elements 30 and 42, respectively, are configured or balanced for retaining the bowstring hook 20 in the locked position 26 and the sear 36 in the cocked position 40, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, until an external force 64 applied proximate end 66 of the sear 36 un-cocks the sear 36 and un-locks the bowstring hook 20. In some embodiments, the bowstring hook 20 and the sear 36 have complementary geometries cooperating with the biasing elements 30 and 42 for ensuring the bowstring hook 20 and the sear 36, respectively, remain engaged in the locked position 26 and the cocked position 40 until the external force 56 is applied proximate end 66 of the sear 36.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the external force 64 applied proximate the end 66 of the cocked sear 36 rotates the sear 36 in the direction 58 about the pivot 60 whereby the tip 62 of the sear 36 is displaced in the direction opposite the direction 44. The biasing element 42 urges the bowstring hook 20 to rotate opposite the direction 44 about the pivot 46. The end 52 of the bowstring hook 20 is displaced over the tip 62 of the sear 36 un-locking the bowstring hook 20 whereby the end 48 of the bowstring hook 20 is displaced opposite the direction 50 to dis-engage from and release the bowstring retained between the front and rear sections 22 and 24 of the bowstring hook 20. In certain embodiments, the un-locking of the bowstring hook 20 is aided by at least some force exerted on the front section 22 in the direction opposite 32 by the drawn bowstring held by the locked bowstring hook 20.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the firing system 34 includes a trigger mechanism operable for exerting or applying the force 64 for un-cocking the sear 36, un-locking the bowstring hook 20, and releasing the drawn bowstring retained between the front and rear sections 22 and 24 of the bowstring hook 20. In some embodiments, the trigger mechanism includes a trigger operable between a cocked position and an un-cocked position. When the cocked trigger is pulled, the trigger mechanism operates to exert or apply the force 64 proximate the end 66 of the sear 36.

As is well known in the art, dry-firing a bow, i.e., releasing a drawn bowstring without a nocked arrow or bolt to absorb the released energy, can be dangerous to the user and/or damage the equipment. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the arrow loading guide 10 includes a bowstring arrester 68 operable as a dry-fire inhibitor disclosed in the '756 Application. Briefly, in some embodiments, the bowstring arrester 68 is configured for “capturing” or “arresting” a drawn bowstring released without an arrow or bolt inserted or placed in the central bore 12.

In some embodiments, the bowstring arrester 68 includes a biasing element 70 configured to bias the bowstring arrester 68 “upright” or in an activated position 72 to capture the drawn bowstring if released without a nocked bolt or arrow. FIG. 3B illustrates one such exemplary embodiment wherein the sear 36 is cocked, the bowstring hook 20 is locked about a drawn bowstring (not shown), and the bowstring arrester 68 is activated since the nock end of the shaft has not been inserted into the central bore 12, i.e., an arrow or bolt has not been nocked onto the drawn bowstring. Consequently, if the drawn bowstring is intentionally or un-intentionally released, it will be immediately “arrested” or “captured” or “stopped” by the activated or upright bowstring arrester 68. However, if an arrow or bolt has been nocked on the drawn bowstring, then the shaft will “push” the bowstring arrester 68 out of the path of the released bowstring. The bowstring arrester 68 will be momentarily retracted or “pushed” out of the way by the bowstring when it enters the pair of opposing slots 16 and is advanced towards the bowstring hook 20.

FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively, are a perspective view and a front/rear elevation view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an arrow rest 74 configured for supporting an arrow or bolt proximate a distal end thereof. The illustrated embodiment of the arrow rest 74 is generally Y-shaped having a pair of opposing rollers 76a and 76b (collectively “rollers 76”) disposed at ends 78a and 78b (collectively “ends 78”) of sides 80a and 80b (collectively “sides 80”) of the “Y” and a channel 82 defined by the sides 80. The arrow rest 74 is typically disposed proximate a distal end of the crossbow, and the rollers 76 are configured for supporting the shaft of the arrow or bolt nocked on the drawn bowstring retained by the bowstring hook 20. In some embodiments, the channel 82 is configured for passage of the vane received or placed in the radial slot 14c after the arrow or bolt is released or launched.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the arrow loading guide 10, the firing system 34 and the bowstring arrester 68 are integrated or disposed within a common housing 84 (also referred to as a bowstring carrier). FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a crossbow 86 equipped with an embodiment of the arrow rest 74 and the housing 84 having an embodiment of the arrow loading guide 10, the firing system 34 and the bowstring arrester 68 integrally disposed therewithin.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a winch or retractor 88 having a strap (not shown) coupled to the housing 84 is provided for drawing the bowstring by retracting the housing 84 in the proximal direction. For instance, after a projectile, e.g., an arrow or bolt, has been fired, the released bowstring 90 will be positioned proximate a distal end 92 of the crossbow 86. The archer manually advances or moves the housing 84 towards the distal end 92 until the bowstring hook 20 engages the released bowstring 90. The archer then operates the winch or retractor 88 to draw the bowstring held in the bowstring hook 20 by retracting the housing 84. Non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the winch or retractor 88 are disclosed in Applicant's co-pending and co-owned Int'l Patent Application No. PCT/US19/55159 (the “'159 Application”) which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Briefly, the '159 Application discloses a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a winch (or retractor) having a bearing housing, a one way bearing disposed within the bearing housing, a bearing hub, a friction disk, a crank spool, a crank housing configured for rotatably retaining the crank spool, a crank shaft, and a crank handle coupled to a threaded second end of the crank shaft. In some embodiments, the one way bearing includes an outer ring attached to the bearing housing, and an inner ring. In certain embodiments, the bearing hub includes a cylindrical section and a disk. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cylindrical section is disposed within and attached to the inner ring of the one way bearing. In certain embodiments, the friction disk includes opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface is adjacent the disk of the bearing hub. In some embodiments, the crank spool includes opposing first and second disks, wherein the first disk is adjacent the second surface of the friction disk. In certain embodiments, the crank shaft extends through the bearing hub, through the friction disk, and into the crank spool, wherein a first end of the crank shaft is coupled to the crank spool.

The '159 Application additionally discloses a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a winch having a bearing housing, a one way bearing disposed within the bearing housing, a bearing hub, a crank spool, a crank housing configured for rotatably retaining the crank spool, a crank shaft, and a threaded crank handle coupled to a threaded second end of the crank shaft. In some embodiments, the one way bearing includes an outer ring attached to the bearing housing, and an inner ring. In certain embodiments, the bearing hub includes a cylindrical section and a disk. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cylindrical section is disposed within and attached to the inner ring of the one way bearing. In certain embodiments, the crank spool includes opposing first and second disks, wherein the first disk is adjacent the disk of the bearing hub. In some embodiments, the crank shaft extends through the bearing hub and into the crank spool, wherein a first end of the crank shaft is coupled to the crank spool.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a crossbow cocking apparatus is provided for grasping or hooking the released bowstring 90 and retracting or pulling the bowstring in the proximal direction and into the arrow loading guide 10 for engagement with the bowstring hook 20. In such embodiments, the housing 84 containing the arrow loading guide 10, the firing system 34 and the bowstring arrester 68 can be disposed proximate the stock of the crossbow. Non-limiting exemplary embodiments of crossbow cocking apparatuses are disclosed in Applicant's co-owned Patent No. U.S. Pat. No. 10,295,299 B2 (the '“299 Patent”) which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Briefly, the '299 Patent discloses a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a cocking mechanism having an actuator assembly, a hand crank assembly, and a string hook assembly (e.g., the “bow string hook assembly 20” in the '299 Patent). The actuator assembly includes a clutch assembly having a bearing housing, a bearing cage, a support axle and bearing elements. The bearing elements operatively cooperate with the bearing housing to prevent rotation of the support axle in a first direction but allow for rotation of the support axle in a second direction when the actuator assembly is in a locked configuration. This provides for immediate braking action against any unforeseen forward motion of the bowstring such as when the hand crank assembly is inadvertently or accidently released during the cocking operation.

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the arrow loading guide 10 includes a pair of channels 94a and 94b (collectively “channels 94”) disposed on the exterior surface 18. In some embodiments, the channels 94 are configured for sliding engagement with a pair of substantially parallel rails 96a and 96b (collectively “rails 96”) disposed on the crossbow 86.

In view thereof, modified and/or alternate configurations of the non-limiting exemplary embodiments illustrated and described herein may become apparent or obvious to one of ordinary skill. All such variations are considered as being within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure. For instance, while reference may have been made to particular feature(s) and/or function(s), this disclosure is considered to also encompass any and all equivalents providing functionalities similar to those described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, the spirit, scope and intent of the instant disclosure embraces all variations. Consequently, the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure are defined by the appended claims and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An arrow loading guide for a crossbow, the arrow loading guide comprising: a central bore for receiving at least a portion of a shaft of an arrow;a plurality of radial slots extending from the central bore, each radial slot configured for receiving at least a portion of a vane coupled to the shaft of the arrow; anda pair of opposing slots extending from the central bore and through an exterior surface of the arrow loading guide, the opposing slots configured for receiving at least a portion of a bowstring.

2. The arrow loading guide of claim 1, comprising a bowstring hook defined at least in part by a front section and a rear section, wherein the front section extends into the central bore and engages the bowstring when a force is applied on the rear section.

3. The arrow loading guide of claim 2, wherein the force is applied by the bowstring extending through the opposing slots.

4. The arrow loading guide of claim 2, comprising a bowstring arrester biased to extend into the central bore.

5. The arrow loading guide of claim 4, wherein the bowstring entering the opposing channels momentarily retracts the bowstring arrester from the central bore.

6. The arrow loading guide of claim 4, wherein the bowstring arrester retracts from the central bore when the shaft of the arrow is inserted in the central bore.

7. The arrow loading guide of claim 4, wherein the bowstring arrester arrests the bowstring while the bowstring arrester extends into the central bore.

8. The arrow loading guide of claim 4, comprising a firing system operatively coupled to the bowstring hook, wherein the front section and the bowstring dis-engage when a trigger is pulled.

9. The arrow loading guide of claim 8, comprising a retractor operable to retract the bowstring.

10. The arrow loading guide of claim 8, comprising a retractor operable to retract the arrow loading guide.

11. The arrow loading guide of claim 10, comprising a pair of channels on opposite sides of the arrow loading guide, the channels configured for slidable engagement with a pair of substantially parallel rails disposed on the crossbow.

12. The arrow loading guide of claim 10, comprising an arrow rest disposed distal of the arrow loading guide, the arrow rest configured for supporting at least a portion of the shaft of the arrow.

13. The arrow loading guide of claim 8, comprising an arrow rest disposed distal of the arrow loading guide, the arrow rest configured for supporting at least a portion of the shaft of the arrow.

14. The arrow loading guide of claim 4, comprising a retractor operable to retract the arrow loading guide.

15. The arrow loading guide of claim 14, comprising a pair of channels on opposite sides of the arrow loading guide, the channels configured for slidable engagement with a pair of substantially parallel rails disposed on the crossbow.

16. The arrow loading guide of claim 14, comprising an arrow rest disposed distal of the arrow loading guide, the arrow rest configured for supporting at least a portion of the shaft of the arrow.

17. The arrow loading guide of claim 4, comprising a retractor operable to retract the bowstring.

18. The arrow loading guide of claim 4, comprising an arrow rest disposed distal of the arrow loading guide, the arrow rest configured for supporting at least a portion of the shaft of the arrow.

19. The arrow loading guide of claim 2, comprising an arrow rest disposed distal of the arrow loading guide, the arrow rest configured for supporting at least a portion of the shaft of the arrow.

20. The arrow loading guide of claim 2, comprising a firing system operatively coupled to the bowstring hook, wherein the front section and the bowstring dis-engage when a trigger is pulled.

21. The arrow loading guide of claim 20, comprising an arrow rest disposed distal of the arrow loading guide, the arrow rest configured for supporting at least a portion of the shaft of the arrow.

22. The arrow loading guide of claim 20, comprising a retractor operable to retract the arrow loading guide.

23. The arrow loading guide of claim 22, comprising a pair of channels on opposite sides of the arrow loading guide, the channels configured for slidable engagement with a pair of substantially parallel rails disposed on the crossbow.

24. The arrow loading guide of claim 20, comprising a retractor operable to retract the bowstring.

25. The arrow loading guide of claim 1, comprising a bowstring arrester biased to extend into the central bore.

26. The arrow loading guide of claim 25, wherein the bowstring entering the opposing channels momentarily retracts the bowstring arrester from the central bore.

27. The arrow loading guide of claim 25, wherein the bowstring arrester retracts from the central bore when the shaft of the arrow is inserted in the central bore.

28. The arrow loading guide of claim 25, wherein the bowstring arrester arrests the bowstring while the bowstring arrester extends into the central bore.

29. The arrow loading guide of claim 25, comprising an arrow rest disposed distal of the arrow loading guide, the arrow rest configured for supporting at least a portion of the shaft of the arrow.

30. The arrow loading guide of claim 1, comprising a retractor operable to retract the arrow loading guide.

31. The arrow loading guide of claim 30, comprising a pair of channels on opposite sides of the arrow loading guide, the channels configured for slidable engagement with a pair of substantially parallel rails disposed on the crossbow.

32. The arrow loading guide of claim 1, comprising a pair of channels on opposite sides of the arrow loading guide, the channels configured for slidable engagement with a pair of substantially parallel rails disposed on the crossbow.

33. The arrow loading guide of claim 1, comprising a retractor operable to retract the bowstring.

34. The arrow loading guide of claim 1, comprising an arrow rest disposed distal of the arrow loading guide, the arrow rest configured for supporting at least a portion of the shaft of the arrow.

35. The arrow loading guide of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radial slots are equally spaced.