Fletching Sleeve System and Method of Application and Manufacture

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vanes can become easily damaged in the field due to collisions with other arrows, target pass through, target misses, etc. Any of these situations may lead to the vane needing replacement. Replacement usually requires a specialized jig, knowledge and skill to replace damaged vanes properly. Therefore, many archers opt to take a damaged arrow to an archery pro shop to have the vanes replaced.

The one piece vane has been around for many years, it has been used on mainly youth style arrows as it is a lower cost method of producing a vane, usually it is a press or friction type fit onto youth arrows. It is easy to use the press or friction type fit for this application due to the consistency in diameter of a certain manufacture's youth arrow. Nobody has successfully marketed a one piece vane to the adult market as there are more variations in diameter of arrows and not a good way to attach the one piece vane to the varying diameters.

Some manufacturers market a piece of shrink tubing that has three conventional vanes glued to it. It is slid onto the arrow and dipped into boiling water where it shrinks and conforms around the arrow. Tests and field use of shrink tubing has indicated there is much room for improving the durability of the heat shrink vane. Also, there is a long felt need for an inherently less expensive alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed archery fletching system includes a fletching sleeve configured to fit around an arrow shaft. The sleeve includes a plurality of raised portions and contact portions on an inner surface of the sleeve, the raised portions configured to form cavities together with the arrow shaft for an application of an adhesive there between and the contact portions configured to directly contact the arrow shaft. An archery fletching sleeve is also configured to fit around a commercially available arrow shaft, the sleeve defining at least one adhesive application portal formed together with the arrow shaft to receive an adhesive during an application thereof onto the arrow shaft. An archery fletching sleeve is yet configured to fit around a commercially available arrow shaft, the sleeve comprising at least one adhesive application portal therein, wherein a ratio of portal area to sleeve surface area is at least one part portal area in 18.4 parts sleeve surface area, the portal(s) configured to receive an adhesive applied to the arrow shaft at the portal(s).

The fletching system and method of application may include a low durometer fletching sleeve configured to frictionally fit onto an arrow shaft. The sleeve defines a plurality of glue application holes and a plurality of channels or cavities on an inner surface of the sleeve adjacent the glue holes. Glue disposed on the sleeve at the holes is drawn into conduits formed between the channels and/or cavities with the arrow shaft and distributed across the inner surface of the sleeve onto the arrow shaft. Capillary action caused by surface tension and intermolecular forces of adhesion between the glue and the sleeve and the arrow shaft, draws the glue from the holes into the resulting conduits. The fletching sleeve also comprises three vanes formed integrally with the sleeve as one piece. One of the vanes may comprise a recessed surface to receive a sticker flush with the vane and thereby avoid aerodynamic interference. The sticker may be used to decorate the vane or to display identifying and advertising indicia.

The disclosed archery fletching sleeve with integral vanes is configured to fit around an arrow shaft in a fixed position with respect to an end of the shaft with a nock. The sleeve comprises a ratio of an area of an adhesive applied to the sleeve adjacent the arrow shaft to be one part in at least 18.4 parts sleeve surface area. Furthermore, a ratio of portal area to sleeve surface area is one part in at least 110 parts sleeve surface area, the portal(s) configured to receive an adhesive applied to the arrow shaft at the portal(s).

The disclosed archery fletching sleeve also comprises a stretchable corrugated sleeve body having an outer diameter tangential to an outer surface of a plurality of alternating longitudinal ridges thereon and an inner diameter tangential to an inner surface of a plurality of alternating longitudinal grooves thereon, the inner diameter configured to be variable to stretchably fit the arrow shaft having a diameter greater than and/or equal to the sleeve inner diameter.

The disclosed fletching system also includes a collet application tool configured to hold and expand the fletching sleeve as it and the collet are slid over the arrow nock and shaft. The application tool, comprising two or more fingernail-like members as disclosed. Each fingernail-like member is configured to have a first end and a second end, the first end is configured to have an inside arc and an outside arc orthogonal to a longitudinal dimension thereof, the outside arc is configured to slide into a fletching sleeve applied to an arrow shaft slid into the inside arc of the fingernail-like members. Embodiments of the collet application tool also include a substantially rigid body configured orthogonally to the two semi-cylindrical fingers and designed to fit into the palm of a user's hand.

Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a straight channel fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an end elevational view of a straight channel fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts the cross sectional view 3-3 taken lengthwise through the fletching sleeve of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a cross section taken lengthwise through a fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a geometric cavity fletching sleeve including a recessed vane in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a collet sleeve applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a fletching system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts a flow chart of a method of application of the fletching sleeve using the fletching system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 depicts an end elevational view of an archery fletching sleeve including 6 slots in addition to 3 glue channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 depicts an end perspective view of an archery fletching sleeve including 6 slots in addition to 3 glue channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 depicts an end elevational view of an archery fletching sleeve including 6 slits in addition to 3 glue channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 depicts an end perspective view of an archery fletching sleeve including 6 slits in addition to 3 glue channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13
a depicts a perspective view of an archery fletching sleeve with a front end and a back end in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13
b depicts a perspective view of an archery fletching sleeve with a front glue bead and a back glue bead in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of an accordion corrugated archery fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 depicts an end elevational view of an accordion corrugated archery fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 depicts a flow chart of a method of manufacture of a one piece archery fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 depicts a front view of a collet application tool in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 depicts a top elevational view of the collet application tool in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 depicts a bottom elevational view of the collet applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 depicts an elevational view of a fletching sleeve application system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 depicts the cross section 22-22 taken widthwise through the hollow cone of FIG. 21 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 depicts a flow chart of a method of applying a fletching sleeve to an arrow shaft in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the description, similar or same reference numbers may be used to identify similar or same elements in the several embodiments and drawings. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

The disclosed fletching system and method of application make replacement or original installation of arrow vanes much easier, faster and economical. The present disclosure enables the serious archer to quickly and inexpensively repair damaged vanes in the field without boiling water to shrink wrap a replacement sleeve or otherwise performing laborious and time consuming procedures.

Throughout the present disclosure and continuances and/or divisional disclosures thereof, the terms ‘slot,’ ‘channel’ and ‘conduit’ may be used interchangeably to define a passageway for a glue from a source to a destination in the passageway formed with an arrow shaft. However, the term ‘channel’ generally refers to a 360 degree enclosed passage way resulting from an open slot disposed adjacent an arrow shaft. The term ‘cavity’ used throughout may define an empty space of various sizes and shapes that comprise open and/or closed hole square, rectangular, circular and elliptical cross-sectional geometries and also slots, channels and conduits. Also, the term ‘vane’ or ‘fletching’ used throughout may define a structure which directs or channels airflow over an arrow shaft or between vanes and may not resist or impede an airflow over the arrow nor affect its flight there through unless arranged specifically to do so. The term ‘hole’ refers to an opening or orifice defined by a 360 degree structure of the fletching sleeve. The term ‘portal’ is defined by two or more structures together which form an opening or orifice for a passageway in the fletching sleeve such as a portal formed at the end of a channel formed by a slot and the arrow shaft. The term slot and slit may be used interchangeably depending on the context of an embodiment where a very narrow slot may also be referred to as a slit and a less narrow slit may be referred to as a slot.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a straight channel fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The depiction includes a fletching sleeve 10, glue portals 34 formed at the end of a fletching sleeve by a slot or channel therein, glue holes 20, raised sleeve portions 25 also known as raised rib portions or protrusions, raised portion slots 30 on an underside of the sleeve 10, a first vane 40, a second vane 50 and a third vane 60. The fletching sleeve 10 may define at least two or three glue application holes 20 disposed between any two vanes and therefore a total of 9 or more glue holes. The fletching sleeve 10 may include three vanes formed integrally with the sleeve as one piece extruded or injection molded. Though the three vanes 40, 50 and 60 are depicted as in-line with a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, alternate embodiments may include vanes formed offset with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve as depicted below in FIG. 2.

The low durometer fletching sleeve 10 is configured to frictionally fit on an arrow shaft (not depicted). The sleeve comprises a low durometer material having some memory of shape and form and some elastic restoring force to its original cross section to accommodate varying arrow shaft diameters. Embodiments of the fletching sleeve may also be made to varying lengths to allow vanes of varying lengths to be formed thereon. The sleeve defines a plurality of glue application holes and a plurality of channels or cavities on an inner surface of the sleeve 10 adjacent the glue holes 20 and concentric with the glue holes in an embodiment of the disclosure. The channels 30 form conduits with the arrow shaft for glue applied at the holes 20 when the fletching sleeve is disposed on the arrow shaft. Glue disposed on the sleeve 10 at the holes 20 is drawn into the resulting conduits and distributed between the holes and across the inner surface of the sleeve and the arrow shaft. Capillary action caused by surface tension and intermolecular forces of adhesion between the glue and the sleeve 10 and the arrow shaft, draws the glue from the holes 20 into the resulting conduits.

The height h or the length of a glue column in a fletching sleeve conduit may be given by:

$h = \frac{2 γcosθ}{pgr},$

where γ the liquid-air surface tension (force/unit length), θ is the contact angle, ρ is the density of liquid (mass/volume), g is local gravitational field strength (force/unit mass), and r is the radius of the conduit (length). For water-based glues applied to the fletching sleeve under standard conditions, γ=0.0728 N/m at 20° C., θ=20° (0.35 rad), ρ is 1000 kg/m³, and g=9.8 m/s². Cyanoacrylate glues may have a slightly higher density factor of approximately 1.1 times the density of water. Accordingly, the height or length of the glue column between the fletching sleeve and the arrow shaft may be approximated as:

$h \approx \frac{1.4 \times 10^{- 5}}{r} m .$

In a10 one-thousandths of an inch diameter tube (radius 0.0049 in), the glue may travel 1.75 inches through a sleeve-shaft conduit or nearly nine-tenths of an inch through a 5 one-thousandths of an inch sleeve-shaft conduit. The channels 30 are therefore formed approximately 5 to 10 thousandths of an inch in depth and width in the inner surface of the fletching sleeve 10 and extend from a first end of the sleeve to a second end of the sleeve and have a length nominally (1.75 inches) 44.5 mm including one of a ten percent plus and a ten percent minus manufacturing tolerance.

An embodiment of the disclosure may include a constant outside diameter of the sleeve 10 and a portion of the sleeve thinner over the cavities in relation to the rest of the sleeve 10. A portion of the sleeve over the cavities, slots or slits may also form a raised rib portion 25 also known as a protrusion or even a wrinkle on an outside surface of the sleeve 10 in order to maintain a constant thickness of the sleeve 10 over the cavities. The raised rib portion 25 may extend to a glue hole 20 and form a raised annular or donut circumference around the glue hole 20. Therefore, a raised portion 25 on an outside diameter of the fletching sleeve 10 may include a raised rib portion 25 and an annular portion 25 around each glue hole 20 to which the rib 25 extends. Cavities may form a plurality of slots 30 on an inner surface of the sleeve, the slots configured to interconnect a plurality of glue holes 20 defined in the sleeve, the slots 30 configured to form channels with the arrow shaft and draw a glue applied to the holes 20 through the slots via a capillary action in the channels formed with the arrow shaft. A further embodiment may include the slots 30 configured to be parallel with an elongate axis of the sleeve, the slots 30 configured to form a plurality of stretch sutures between a sleeve portion above each slot and another portion of the sleeve, the stretch sutures configured to lower an overall stretch resistance of the sleeve 10 to facilitate an application of the sleeve onto the arrow shaft. Cavities may also form a plurality of circumferential slots (not depicted) on the inner surface of the sleeve 10, the circumferential slots concentric with a center defined in the sleeve. The cavities may form a plurality of slots on an inner surface of the sleeve wherein the slots comprise a depth of (5 thousandths of an inch) 0.13 mm to (10 thousandths of an inch) 0.25 mm and a width of (one thousandths of an inch) 0.03 mm. In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, cavities may form a plurality of slots on an inner surface of the sleeve wherein the slots comprise one configuration of substantially orthogonal internal vertices and another semi-circular configuration with no vertices and any other slot-like configuration.

FIG. 2 depicts an end elevational view of a straight conduit fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The depiction shows the fletching sleeve 10, the glue holes 20, raised portions 25 and the straight channels 30 and glue portals 34 formed at the end of a fletching sleeve by a slot or channel therein. The cross section 3-3 taken lengthwise through the fletching sleeve is depicted in FIG. 3 as described below. The fletching sleeve 10 also comprises three vanes formed integrally with the sleeve as one piece. It may be noticed that the three vanes 45, 55 and 65 are offset from an elongate axis on the sleeve and therefore may impart a slight aerodynamic spin to the arrow when in flight. Embodiments of the present disclosure also include vanes formed in-line with an elongate axis on the sleeve imparting no aerodynamic drag or airflow resistance or spin to the arrow in flight. Dimensions 31, 32 and 33 indicate relative heights of the slot or channel 30 to a respective height of a vane and a respective height or thickness of the fletching sleeve as depicted. Therefore, using the slot or channel height 31 as a relative unit of measure, the vane height is 60 units tall and the sleeve height or sleeve thickness is 3 units tall or thick. Therefore, ratios of the height of the slot or height of the channel from the arrow shaft are respectively determined to be 1 part slot or channel height to 60 parts vane height (taken from the outer circumference of the sleeve to the tallest portion of a vane) and 1 part slot/channel height to 3 parts sleeve height/thickness as depicted.

An embodiment of the disclosure includes at least one adhesive application portal(s) including raised portions 25 configured to protrude above an outside diameter of the sleeve 10 and receive and contain the adhesive for application onto the arrow shaft. An adhesive application portal also known as a glue hole 20 may extend any length, radius and shape in the sleeve and be joined by a plurality of glue slots of any length formed on an inside of the fletching sleeve running longitudinally, radially and any direction from one of a portal to another portal and to a slot dead-end.

FIG. 3 depicts the cross sectional view 3-3 taken lengthwise through the fletching sleeve of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The depiction shows the fletching sleeve 10, the core pin abutment line 15, the glue holes 20, raised portions 25 and the straight channels 30 formed on the inside of the fletching sleeve and adjoining three glue holes each and glue portals 34 formed at the end of a fletching sleeve by a slot or channel therein. The channels 30 as depicted are each formed in a straight line parallel with an elongate axis of the sleeve. The channels may be configured to form a stretch suture between the resulting thinner sleeve above each channel and the thicker portions of the sleeve. The stretch sutures therefore may lower the overall stretch resistance of the sleeve to facilitate application of the sleeve onto the arrow shaft.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a cross section taken lengthwise through a fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The depiction shows the fletching sleeve 10, the core pin abutment line 15, the glue holes 20, raised portions 25 and raised portion cavities 70 adjacent the glue holes 20 formed on the inside of the fletching sleeve. The cavities draw glue from the holes much the same way that the channels draw glue from the holes. The cavities are therefore also formed at a depth and width of 5 to 10 one thousandths of an inch. The cavities may be formed in embodiments of the disclosure in place of or in addition to the channels in order to increase the bonding surface area between the fletching sleeve 10 and the arrow shaft. The cavities shown are depicted as square or rectangular but embodiments of the disclosure include circular, oblong and any other geometrical or random shape.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, cavities 70 may be configured to form a stretch area between a sleeve area above each cavity and another area of the sleeve, the stretch areas configured to lower an overall stretch resistance of the sleeve 10 to facilitate an application of the sleeve 10 onto the arrow shaft. A plurality of glue holes 20 may be defined in the sleeve wherein a cavity 70 is formed one of adjacent a glue hole and formed concentric with a glue hole an outside surface of the fletching sleeve 10 adjacent the holes 20 may be slightly raised as depicted by 25. A thickness of the sleeve may also be constant and a portion of the sleeve may be thinner over the cavities in relation to the rest of the sleeve. Therefore the cavities may form a stretch area between the resulting thinner sleeve adjacent a glue hole and the thicker portions of the sleeve.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a geometric cavity fletching sleeve including a recessed vane in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The depiction includes the fletching sleeve 10, the core pin abutment line 15, glue holes 20, raised portions 25, a recessed vane 65, geometric cavities 70 and a sticker 80. The sticker 80 fits into the recess in the vane 65 to be flush with the non-recessed surface and avoid aerodynamic interference with the sticker 80. The sticker may be used to decorate the vane and display identifying or advertising indicia. Though only one vane is depicted with a recess, embodiments include recesses for all three or more vanes.

An archery fletching sleeve 10 as disclosed may comprise at least one adhesive application portal or glue hole 20 therein, wherein a ratio of portal area to sleeve outside surface area is at least one part portal area in 18.4 parts sleeve surface area, the portal(s) configured to receive an adhesive applied to the arrow shaft at the portal(s). Embodiments of the disclosure may include a ratio of an area of the adhesive applied to the arrow shaft at the portal(s) 20 to be at least one part in 18.4 parts sleeve surface area.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a collet sleeve applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The collet sleeve applicator includes a handle 110, a hole 120 formed in the handle and the two semi-cylindrical finger-like extensions 130 disposed axially to the hole 120. Tips of the finger extensions may be chamfered and otherwise configured to be easily received into an inside diameter of a fletching sleeve. The body of the collet-like applicator may be formed into a handle configured orthogonally to the two semi-cylindrical fingers designed to fit into the palm of a user's hand. The collet applicator may be formed from at least one of a polycarbonate material, a metallic material and any other substantially rigid material.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a fletching system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system includes the fletching sleeve 10 and the collet applicator 100. The arrow nock 140 and the arrow shaft 150 are typical of commercially available arrows. The finger extensions 130 of the collet applicator 100 are configured to deflect inwardly as indicated by the two opposing arrows to fit an inside diameter of a fletching sleeve 10. A length of the two finger extensions 130 may approximate the length of a fletching sleeve. A diameter of the collet applicator hole 120 may approximate most commercially available arrow nocks and shafts.

FIG. 8 depicts a flow chart of a method of application of the fletching sleeve using the fletching system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method includes 210 deflecting the collet applicator fingers 130 into a fletching sleeve and sliding the collet applicator over the arrow nock and onto the arrow shaft. The method also includes 220 holding the fletching sleeve on the arrow shaft and removing the collet applicator from the sleeve and the arrow shaft. The method additionally includes 230 dabbing glue on the glue holes as needed to fill the channels and cavities and bond the fletching sleeve onto the arrow shaft.

FIG. 9 depicts an end elevational view of an archery fletching sleeve including 6 slots in addition to 3 glue channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. With the exception of the slots 85, reference numbers similar or same to reference numbers in other drawings are used to identify similar or same elements as also described in supporting descriptions. An archery fletching sleeve with integral vanes configured to fit around an arrow shaft in a fixed position with respect to an end of the shaft with a nock is disclosed. The sleeve comprises a plurality of stretchable slots 85 and/or slits 90 (depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12) on an inner surface of the sleeve having a diameter less than or equal to an outer diameter of the shaft. The slots 85 and/or slits 90 are configured to allow the sleeve to elastically stretch like an accordion to fit a wide range of arrow shaft diameters. Six slots are depicted in addition to the slots or channels which intersect glue holes or portals but any number of slots may be formed in the fletching sleeve to give it more stretchability. A portion of the sleeve over the slot/slits 25 may form a raised rib protrusion on an outside surface of the sleeve 10 in order to maintain a constant thickness of the sleeve 10 over the slots/slits. The slots/slits are configured to form a plurality of stretch areas between a sleeve area above each slot/slit and another area of the sleeve, the stretch areas configured to lower an overall stretch resistance of the sleeve to facilitate an application of the sleeve onto the arrow shaft (not depicted).

An embodiment of the archery fletching sleeve may further comprise a plurality of circumferential slots/slits on the inner surface of the sleeve, the circumferential slots/slits configured to be concentric with a center defined in an interior of the sleeve.

The slots/slits may comprise a depth of (5 thousandths of an inch) 0.13 mm to (10 thousandths of an inch) 0.25 mm and a width of (one thousandths of an inch) 0.03 mm thus configured to form an accordion billows able to draw a cyanoacrylate glue across a length of (1.75 inches) 44.5 mm against the force of gravity. A length of a slot/slit may extend from a first end of the sleeve to a second end of the sleeve and the length is nominally (1.75 inches) 44.5 mm including one of a ten percent plus and a ten percent minus manufacturing tolerance.

Another embodiment of the archery fletching sleeve with integral vanes configured to fit around an arrow shaft in a fixed position with respect to an end of the shaft with a nock, further comprises at least one adhesive application portal therein, wherein a ratio of portal area to sleeve surface area is one part in at least 110 parts sleeve surface area, the portal(s) configured to receive an adhesive applied to the arrow shaft at the portal(s).

FIG. 10 depicts an end perspective view of an archery fletching sleeve including 6 slots in addition to 3 glue channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numbers similar or same to reference numbers in other drawings are used to identify similar or same elements as also described in supporting descriptions. Here it is clearly shown that the slots 85 may extend the entire length of the archery fletching sleeve 10. Glue may be applied to either end of the slot 85 at the sleeve ends in order to be drawn into a channel formed with the arrow shaft (not depicted). A capillary effect or an accordion pumping action, gravity, etc. may be used to draw the glue into the channel as claimed and explained further below. The slots and/or slits may also be configured to interconnect a plurality of glue holes defined in the sleeve, the slots/slits configured to form channels with the arrow shaft and draw a glue applied to the holes through the slots via an accordion pumping action in the formed channels.

FIG. 11 depicts an end elevational view of an archery fletching sleeve including 6 slits in addition to 3 glue channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. With the exception of the slits 90, reference numbers similar or same to reference numbers in other drawings are used to identify similar or same elements as also described in supporting descriptions. The dimensions of the stretch slots 85 and the glue channels 30 may be similar or the same and therefore any distinction between the two as referenced herein may depend on the respective embodiment and/or use thereof. In fact, a very narrow slot 85 may be referred to as a slit 90 and therefore the terms may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 12 depicts an end perspective view of an archery fletching sleeve including 6 slits in addition to 3 glue channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numbers similar or same to reference numbers in other drawings are used to identify similar or same elements as also described in supporting descriptions. Here it is clearly shown that the slits 90 may extend the entire length of the archery fletching sleeve 10. The slits 90 may not draw a glue applied thereto as well as a larger slot 90 and therefore may be primarily for stretchability of the sleeve. However, many more slits 90 than shown may therefore be formed in the underside of the fletching sleeve to increase its stretchability.

FIG. 13
a depicts a perspective view of an archery fletching sleeve with a front end and a back end in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numbers similar or same to reference numbers in other drawings are used to identify similar or same elements as also described in supporting descriptions. The front end 11 of the archery fletching sleeve is depicted in relation to the back end 12 of the archery fletching sleeve. The front end 11 may be closer to the arrow tip and the back end 12 closer to the arrow nock in relation to each other.

FIG. 13
b depicts a perspective view of an archery fletching sleeve with a front glue bead and a back glue bead in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numbers similar or same to reference numbers in other drawings are used to identify similar or same elements as also described in supporting descriptions. The depicted archery fletching sleeve 10 with integral vanes is configured to fit around an arrow shaft in a fixed position with respect to an end of the shaft with a nock. The sleeve comprises a ratio of an area of an adhesive applied to the sleeve adjacent the arrow shaft to be one part in at least 18.4 parts sleeve surface area. The adhesive may be applied to a back end 12 to create a back end bead 13 and applied to a front end 11 to create a front bead 14. A front end bead 14 applied to only the front end 11 may be sufficient to secure the fletching sleeve onto the arrow shaft. However, Adhesive applied to both the front end 11 and the backend 12 to create beads 14 and 13 respectively may enhance durability.

FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of an accordion corrugated archery fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numbers similar or same to reference numbers in other drawings are used to identify similar or same elements as also described in supporting descriptions. The accordion-like corrugated archery fletching sleeve 95 may also include integral vanes and be configured to fit around an arrow shaft in a fixed position with respect to an end of the shaft with a nock. The fletching sleeve 95 may comprise a stretchable corrugated sleeve body having an outer diameter tangential to an outer surface of a plurality of alternating longitudinal ridges 98 thereon and an inner diameter tangential to an inner surface of a plurality of alternating longitudinal ridges 96 thereon, the inner diameter configured to be variable to stretchably fit the arrow shaft having a diameter greater than and/or equal to the sleeve inner diameter. An outer surface ridge 98 may form a corresponding wall to an inner surface groove 97. Alternatively, an inner surface ridge 96 may form a corresponding wall to an outer surface groove 99.

FIG. 15 depicts an end elevational view of an accordion corrugated archery fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numbers similar or same to reference numbers in other drawings are used to identify similar or same elements as also described in supporting descriptions. Here the outer diameter tangential to an outer surface of a plurality of alternating longitudinal ridges 98 is drawn in broken lines. Also, the inner diameter tangential to an inner surface of a plurality of alternating longitudinal ridges 96 is depicted in broken lines. The inner diameter is configured to be variable to stretchably fit an arrow shaft having a diameter greater than and/or equal to the fletching sleeve inner diameter.

An embodiment of the disclosure may further comprise at least one non-vane protrusion extending from the fletching sleeve, a protrusion height thereof being greater than one fourth a thickness of the fletching sleeve thickness.

FIG. 16 depicts a flow chart of a method of application of the fletching sleeve via a pumping motion to draw glue into the slots of the fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method comprises 310 providing an archery fletching sleeve including a plurality of stretchable slots and/or a plurality of stretchable slits on an inner surface of the sleeve, the slots/slits configured to allow the sleeve to elastically stretch like an accordion to draw a glue therein and fit a wide range of arrow shaft diameters. The method also includes 320 applying the fletching sleeve onto the shaft and applying a glue directly to the fletching sleeve and/or the shaft adjacent the slots/slits and pumping the fletching sleeve in a depressive and relaxive accordion motion to draw the glue into the stretchable slots/slits and adhere the sleeve to the shaft.

FIG. 17 depicts a flow chart of a method of manufacture of a one piece archery fletching sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method includes 410 setting two core pins separately from either end of an injection mold, the core pins meeting approximately in the middle inside of the sleeve at a core pin abutment line prior to and during injection. The method also includes 420 molding a plurality of stretchable slots and/or a plurality of stretchable slits on an inner surface of the sleeve, the slots/slits configured to allow the sleeve to elastically stretch like an accordion and draw a glue therein. The method further includes 430 drafting the core pins separately from either end of the injection molding with zero stabilizing support pin draft in the sleeve in order to form a straight, concentric and predetermined inside diameter throughout the sleeve.

FIG. 18 depicts a front view of a collet application tool 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The application tool includes two or more fingernail-like members 506, each member being configured to have a first end 508 and a second end 514. The first end 508 is configured to have an inside arc and an outside arc, which are orthogonal to a longitudinal dimension thereof. The outside arc is configured to slide into a fletching sleeve applied to an arrow shaft, which is slid into the inside arc of the fingernail-like members. The application tool further includes a demarcator 510, a connector 512, and a set of two or more ribbon handles 515. The set of first ends 508 may be chamfered and other wise configured to be easily received into an inside diameter of a fletching sleeve as explained in detail below in regards to FIG. 19. The demarcator 510 is a demarcation to indicate the desired position of a fletching sleeve. The demarcator 510 may be applied to, painted on, or etched in one or more fingernail-like members. The desired position of the fletching sleeve may be determined by a ratio of the fingernail-like member thickness to the length of the fingernail-like member inserted into the fletching sleeve. The ratio may range from 1:50 to 1:95. In other words, the demarcator ratio can be one part fingernail-like member thickness to 50 parts, 74 parts, 95 parts, or any value in the range of 50-95 parts length inserted into the fletching sleeve. In another embodiment the fingernail-like members includes a demarcator that indicates the length to a mid-point of a fletching sleeve on the outside arc of the fingernail-like members.

The region 516 illustrates a transition length or a taper from a curved fingernail-like member portion to a flat ribbon-like member portion. The transition may occur anywhere between the demarcator 510 and the second ends 514 of the application tool 500. In fact, it is not necessary that there be a transition and the complete length of the application tool from the first ends 508 to the second ends 514 may be curved. The transition enables a more ergonomic flat ribbon loop 515 for a user's fingers.

The connector 512 connects a fingernail-like member to another fingernail-like member. The connector 512 may be positioned at an approximate midpoint, near the termination of the outer radius of the first end 508, at the connection point of a second end 514, or below (in reference to the orientation of FIG. 18) the connection point of the second end 514. In one embodiment, the collet application tool does not include the connector 512. The second end 514 is the end of the fingernail-like member associated with a handle. The second end 514 may wrap around a handle 110 (see FIG. 6), or attach to a portion of a fingernail-like member to form a ribbon handle 515. The ribbon handle 515 is a handle formed by attaching the second end 514 of a fingernail-like member to another portion of the fingernail-like member. The loops of the ribbon handle 515 accommodate one or more user's fingers to enable pulling the application tool onto an arrow shaft inserted longitudinally between the fingernail-like members 506 (see FIG. 7).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fingernail-like members of the fletching sleeve application tool are adjoined at an approximate midpoint and connect in an ‘H’ like configuration. In another embodiment, the fingernail-like members of the application tool are discrete and the second ends thereof may be grasped for pulling the fletching sleeve and the first ends onto the arrow shaft. In yet another embodiment, a knob like piece or portion is laterally attached to the second end of each fingernail-like member to enable a user to pull the application tool bearing a fletching sleeve onto an arrow shaft extending there through.

FIG. 19 depicts a top elevational view of the collet application tool 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The application tool includes the connector 512, the second ends 514, the ribbon handles 515, the inner radius 520, and the outer radius 525. The inner radius 520 is disposed adjacent an arrow shaft and is the measure of the inner curvature orthogonal to a longitudinal dimension of a fingernail-like member. The outer radius 525 is disposed adjacent a fletching sleeve and is the measure of the outer curvature orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the fingernail-like member. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer radius 525 and the inner radius 520 are separated by a thickness of the fingernail-like members. A space 528 between the two or more fingernail-like members allows larger diameter arrow shafts to be inserted between the fingernail-like members. In other words, larger diameter arrow shafts may require a larger space 528. Likewise, the connector 512 is arched to allow it to also accommodate larger diameter arrow shafts between the fingernail-like members. Therefore the fingernail-like members may conform to only a portion of the circumference of the arrow shaft inserted there between and still facilitate applying the fletching sleeve onto the arrow shaft as further explained below. In one embodiment, the two or more fingernail-like members of the fletching sleeve application tool are made of a low durometer material, which allows the fingernail-like members to flex around a plurality of arrow shaft sizes.

FIG. 20 depicts a bottom elevational view of the collet applicator 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. This view of the applicator includes the handle 110, a band 115, the hole 120, and a set of slits 125. The handle 110 is rigid and does not deform when force is applied to its exosurfaces. The band 115 serves to secure the second ends of the applicator tool to the handle 110. The band 115 therefore may be a band with adhesive in order to secure the applicator tool ends to the handle 110 and to secure a lose end of the band to itself. In one embodiment, the adhesive band 115 wraps around the handle 110 in a direction orthogonal to the direction he second ends 514 of the fingernail-like members wrap around the handle 110, holding the second ends 514 in place. The band 115 may have adhesive on one side, both sides, or an adhesive of one type on one side and an adhesive of a second type on a second side. Another embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a hook and loop material wrap or band 115 configured to secure the application tool 100 to the handle 110.

The hole 120 is parallel to the fingernail-like members and extends the thickness of the handle 110. In another embodiment, the hole 120 is orthogonal to the handle 110. The set of slits 125 is a set of slots in the handle 110. The set of slits 125 includes two or more slots that extend the thickness of the handle. In one embodiment, the set of slits 125 is parallel to the hole 120. In another embodiment, a portion of each slit 125 is parallel to the hole 120. In one embodiment, the second end 514 of a fingernail-like member attaches to the handle 110 in one of the slits 125. In another embodiment, the middle portion of a fingernail-like member is in one of the slits 125 and the second end 514 of the fingernail-like member wraps around the handle 110. A diameter of the hole is substantially the size of a commercially available arrow shaft and a length of the hole extending a thickness of the handle. The number of slits surrounding the hole in the handle dependents on the number of low-profile members.

In one embodiment, each of the fingernail-like members is positioned in a slit and the second end is secured to the handle. In another embodiment, each of the fingernail-like members is positioned in a slit and the second end is wrapped around the handle one or more times and/or secured.

FIG. 21 depicts a perspective view of a fletching sleeve application system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system includes a semi-hollow or hollow cone 530, an arrow nock 140, and an arrow shaft 150. The hollow cone 530 includes a stem 540, an extended skirt 545, and a stem tip 550. The cross section 22-22 taken widthwise to the hollow cone is depicted in FIG. 22 as described below. In one embodiment, the hollow cone 530, the stem 540, the extended skirt 545, and/or the stem tip 550, may be comprised of the same material. In another embodiment, the hollow cone 530, the stem 540, the extended skirt 545, and/or the stem tip 550 may be comprised of different materials. For example, the hollow cone 530 and the extended skirt 545 may be of one type of material, known for having a smooth surface and low friction, while the stem 540 and the stem tip 550 are made of a second type of material, known for being rigid.

The stem 540 is a structure comprised within the hollow cone 530. In one embodiment, the length of the stem 540 is longer than the typical distance from the trough of the nock to the tip of the nock prongs. The stem 540 may be made of rigid and/or low durometer material. In one embodiment, the stem 540 has two ends, a first end and a second end (not depicted). The first end is connected to the stem tip 550. The second end of the stem 540 will be described in more detail in connection to FIG. 22.

The extended skirt 545 is an extension of the hollow cone 530. In one embodiment, the extended skirt 545 is a continuation of the hollow cone 530. For example, the extended skirt 545 begins at a seamless change from the form of a cone to the form of a cylinder. In another example, the extended skirt 545 continues a parabolic shape or cone shape.

The stem tip 550 is filling for the tip of the hollow cone 530. In one embodiment, the stem tip 550 is cone shaped with a radius substantially the same as the inner radius of the hollow cone 530. In one embodiment, the stem 540 and the stem tip 550 are fixed together. For example, the stem 540 attaches to the base of the stem tip 550. In another example, the stem 540 and the stem tip 550 may be inseparably joined together, made of one piece of material, or made of two parts that may be temporarily joined together. The stem tip 550 may be made of rigid and/or low durometer material.

FIG. 22 depicts the cross section 22-22 taken widthwise through the hollow cone of FIG. 21 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The second end of the stem 540 has a cuboid-like end, the thickness of the stem 540 being substantially the same as the thickness of a commercially available bowstring in order to be received into the arrow nock 140. The width of the stem 540 may remain constant from the first end of the stem 540 to the second end. The width of the stem 540 may also vary with the inner diameter of the hollow cone. In the illustrated embodiment, the stem width is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the hollow cone.

FIG. 23 depicts a flow chart of a method of applying a fletching sleeve to an arrow shaft in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method includes 610 providing two or more fingernail-like members having an inside arc and an outside arc orthogonal to a longitudinal dimension thereof, the outside arc configured to slide into a fletching sleeve applied to an arrow shaft slid into the inside arc of the fingernail-like members. The method also includes 620 sliding the fingernail-like members and fletching sleeve onto the arrow shaft. The method further includes 630 removing the fingernail-like members from the fletching sleeve and the arrow shaft.

Embodiments of the fletching sleeve 10 may be manufactured using a co-extrusion process with two materials, or through a two shot injection mold process, or even an over mold injection mold process. Two core pins may be used to form the disclosed fletching sleeve in order to form an optimal inside sleeve diameter. Manufacturing via a single core pin may cause concentric issues with the sleeve diameter and may require support pins through the sleeve 10 to help stabilize the core pin. Therefore, a dual pin method of manufacturing enables forming a straighter sleeve 10 because the two core pins may meet approximately in the middle inside of the sleeve at the core pin abutment line 15 and may be separately set prior to and during injection. A two pin method of manufacturing as disclosed also facilitates draft, or the removing of the fletching sleeve 10 from the injection mold. This element of the disclosure is particularly helpful in rapid injection molding manufacturing.

An inside diameter of the fletching sleeve may be greater than an outside diameter of the arrow shaft to which it is affixed and therefore facilitate sliding the sleeve onto the shaft. Embodiments having an inside diameter of the arrow sleeve smaller than an outside diameter of the arrow shaft may also be included in embodiments of the disclosure allowing for frictional fit of the sleeve via stretch sutures onto the arrow shaft as disclosed herein. The actual difference in diameters may be very small in order to allow for manufacturing tolerances approximating an equivalence thereof.

A method of producing or manufacturing an archery vane is also embodied herein using a two shot, over mold, or co-extrusion to produce a different color cock vane. Where there are three vanes on an arrow, two of them may be one color and the third (cock vane) a different color to aid in clocking the arrow properly on the bowstring. Also, an embodied process may injection mold a number of colors at one time causing a mixing camouflage type pattern. A hydrographic process also allows dipping different patterns onto thermo plastic elastomers and thermo plastic urethanes.

An embodiment of the disclosure may include a center sleeve with features that make it more flexible to allow expansion over a wide range of shaft diameters and allow harder and tougher vane material for durability. An embodiment also may include a small diameter carbon shaft that is glued into the back of an arrow so that a one piece vane can be installed with a flush fit with the main diameter of the arrow shaft. Also, a cone style installation tool may be included in an embodiment that may replace the nock in the end of an arrow temporally while the vane is installed.

Embodied methods of application may also include an air hose adaptor for installing fletching onto shaft. A custom air hose adaptor may allow easy installation of a smaller diameter one piece fletching over a larger arrow shaft. Another embodied method may include attaching a one piece fletching to arrow shafts comprising double sided tape, and solvent. Other embodiments may comprise spraying an arrow shaft with aerosol hairspray which acts as a lubricant for a short period of time, while the fletching is installed over the shaft. Thereafter the hairspray dries and bonds the fletching to the arrow. Talcum powder may also be applied to the arrow and the vane to aid in application or installation. Yet another method of application may include inserting a needle glue applicator under the sleeve while the sleeve is on the arrow shaft.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may include laying down a spherical or cylindrical bead of glue around the shaft and sliding the fletching sleeve onto or adjacent the bead of glue. A first bead of glue may also be applied adjacent a first end of the sleeve and a second bead of glue may also be applied adjacent a second end of the sleeve on the arrow shaft. The glue portals 34 formed at the end of a fletching sleeve by a slot or channel therein are configured to draw glue from the bead of glue at either end of the fletching sleeve into and through the slots and channels formed with the arrow shaft. The embodiment thusly described may not therefore require additional glue holes between ends of the fletching sleeve in order to secure the fletching sleeve to the arrow shaft. The glue or adhesive may also be applied responsive to the sleeve being positioned in a predetermined location on the arrow shaft and secure the fletching sleeve onto the arrow shaft for certain applications in spite of glue in the channels thereof.

Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner.

Notwithstanding specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims and their equivalents to be included by reference in a non-provisional utility application.

Fletching Sleeve System and Method of Application and Manufacture

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION