Patent Application
20190249968
This device is directed to the storage and protection of arrows, and more particularly to a device that protects the vanes of an arrow.
Arrows are well known in the art and generally have a tip at one end of a shaft, a nock at the opposite end of the shaft, and a plurality of vanes attached to the shaft adjacent the nock. Today vanes, also referred to as fletchings, are typically made out of plastic.
An issue that has arisen is that when storing arrows the vanes can be damaged or bent. The plastic used to make vanes does not have much “memory” and do not return to their original position. Bent vanes cause a change in the accuracy of an arrow.
Attempts have been made to address this problem. For example, one device comprises a plastic clam shell case that snaps around the arrow and the vanes. While useful, the case is cumbersome and does not provide a tight fit around the vanes. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a device that addresses these and other deficiencies.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a vane protector that fits tightly around the vanes.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a vane protector that is made of one piece and is easy to use.
These and other objectives will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art based upon the following written description, drawings and claims.
An arrow vane protector has an elongated body having a centrally located bore. The bore is adapted to receive a shaft and nock of an arrow. Extending radially outwardly from the bore are a plurality of slits. The slits are positioned to align with and adapted to receive the vanes of the arrow.
The protector slidably receives the nock, shaft and vanes of the arrow under manual force and provide a frictional fit to the arrow in the absence of manual force.
Referring to the Figures, an arrow vane protector 10 has a body 12 made of a firm and resilient material such as foam, rubber or the like. The body is of any size, shape and structure such as cylindrical, triangular, star shaped, or the like.
Extending through a portion or all the way through the length of the body is a centrally located bore 14. The bore 14 is adapted to receive a shaft 16 and nock 18 of an arrow 20. Extending radially outwardly from the bore 14 and extending through a portion of the length of the body 12, are a plurality of slits 22. The slits 22 are positioned and adapted to receive vanes 24 attached to the shaft 16 of the arrow 20. The slits 22 have a width that permits the vanes 24 to slide back and forth under manual pressure, while also providing a frictional fit to hold the protector 10 on the arrow 20 under the absence of force.
In operation, the protector 10 is positioned so that the bore 14 aligns with the nock 18 and shaft of the arrow 20 and the slits 22 are aligned with the vanes 24. Once aligned, the arrow 20 is manually slid into the protector 10 such that the shaft 16 and the nock 18 are received in the bore 14 and the vanes 24 are received within the slits. In this position, the vanes 24 are protected from damage due to external forces. To use the arrow 20, the protector 10 is manually slid off the arrow.
Accordingly, an arrow vane protector has been disclosed that at the very least meets all the stated objectives.
