Patent Application
20090139508
1.Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a magnetic nock arrow release system.
2. Description of Prior Art
A variety of known arrow release systems use an arrow release in connection with a bow to grasp a bowstring and assist the archer in drawing the bowstring of the bow into a firing position. For example, Scott, U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,536 teaches a bowstring release device that engages the bowstring on either side of a nocked arrow and then releases the bowstring with a trigger mechanism.
Another variety of arrow release uses a bowstring nock mounted directly on a bowstring. The bowstring nock is engaged with an arrow release and then released with a trigger mechanism. Such systems are taught by Summers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,286 and Summers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,286. Alternatively, Cook, U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,369, teaches a ball nock integrated directly with the arrow shaft that is engageable with a trigger mechanism.
There is a need, however, for an arrow nock and arrow release system using a reliable mechanism that permits a freely moveable, gimbaled engagement between the arrow release and the arrow thus ensuring a straight and predictable launch of the arrow.
It is one object of this invention to provide a magnetic arrow nock that does not affect the flight of the arrow as the arrow discharges from the bow.
It is another object of this invention to provide an arrow nock that permits a gimbal action with or without a corresponding arrow release.
The above and other objects are accomplished with different preferred embodiments of an arrow nock and arrow release system according to this invention.
Arrows traditionally include a nock for engaging with a bow string. Traditional arrow nocks are generally cylindrical in shape, following the general shape of the arrow shaft. Such arrow nocks include a split center portion with a gap that is engageable with a bow string.
Arrow releases may be used in connection with launching arrows. A traditional arrow release includes a gripping or engagement mechanism that holds the bowstring or a bowstring nock prior to release from the bow. A well-launched arrow results from an archer that does not impart any torque or angular momentum to the arrow prior to launch thereby insuring that a rearward portion of the arrow follows a front portion in a predominantly straight path.
An arrow nock system according to this invention is preferably used to maintain an alignment of an arrow shaft in a fixed position prior to and during launch of the arrow. As described, the present invention includes a magnetic arrow nock positioned on one end of the arrow shaft and having an opening permitting engagement with an at least partially spherical ball nock. The ball nock engages a bowstring which thereby permits magnetic engagement of an arrow nock as described herein.
As a result of this engagement between the arrow nock and the ball nock, a gimbal or ball and socket arrangement is created that permits three axes of rotation of the arrow release relative to the ball nock. This permits that archer to draw the arrow while minimizing risk of misalignment of the arrow relative to a desired plane of flight.
The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when taken in view of the drawings wherein:
Referring to
As shown in
As described, arrow nock 10 is positioned on an end of arrow shaft 30 and preferably includes a central cavity 20. Cavity 20 is preferably formed within a proximal end of arrow shaft 30 following attachment of arrow nock 10 to arrow shaft 30.
According to a preferred embodiment of the arrow nock system described herein, ball nock 50 is positioned on bowstring 100 of the bow. Ball nock 50 preferably at least partially includes a metal such that ball nock 50 is magnetically engageable with arrow nock 10, as further described below.
Ball nock 50 preferably comprises hemispherical shell 60 and backing shell 70 sandwiched around bowstring, as best shown in
As best shown in
According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, and as best shown in
Magnet 40, as shown in
As a result of this preferred embodiment of the invention, pole pieces 45 preferably direct polarity of magnet 40 through ball nock 50, thereby maintaining arrow nock 10 into magnetic engagement with ball nock 50. More particularly, semispherical recesses 47 or similar contours within pole pieces 47 preferably extend beyond a perimeter of magnet 40 to permit directional magnetic flow through pole pieces 47 and ball nock 50. As shown in
According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, ball nock 50 engages bowstring 100 in a manner that permits fixed placement of ball nock 50 along bowstring 100. Bowstring 100 is preferably nested within ball nock 50 to permit engagement between ball nock 50 and arrow nock 10 as described herein.
As shown in
As a result of this engagement between arrow nock 10 and ball nock 50, a gimbal or ball and socket arrangement is created that permits three axes of rotation of arrow nock 10 relative to ball nock 50. This permits the archer to draw the arrow while minimizing risk of misalignment of the arrow relative to a desired plane of flight. According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, index mark 15 may be positioned on or in arrow nock 10 to indicate a preferred rotational alignment of arrow shaft 30 when properly nocked. As such, index mark 15, as shown in
In operation, the archer nocks an arrow into the bow such that arrow nock 10 is magnetically engaged with ball nock 50. The archer then draws back bowstring 100 which necessarily draws back ball nock 50 and, magnetically, arrow nock 10 and arrow shaft 30. Once a target is acquired, the archer simply releases bowstring 100, with or without use of a mechanical release, and arrow shaft 30 and arrow nock 10 disengage from ball nock 50 and bowstring 10 in a smooth and generally linear manner.
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
