Patent Application
20160136793
The present invention relates to archery products and fasteners, and more particularly to a tool for installing and tightening a broadhead relative to a projectile, such as an arrow, or for installing a fastener relative to a work piece.
There are a variety of broadheads on the market today. Some broadheads are fixed, replaceable blade broadheads having two, three, or four blades. The blades are replaceable relative to a ferrule of the broadhead. A popular fixed, replaceable three-blade construction is the Stryker™ available from G5 Outdoors LLC. Other broadheads are of a monolithic single-piece structure with a number of permanent blades. A well-established, standard monolithic broadhead in the industry is the Montec™ which is also available from G5 Outdoors LLC. Yet other broadheads are referred to as mechanical broadheads, which include blades that move and/or expand relative to a ferrule. A common mechanical broadhead is the Tekan™ or T3™, also available from G5 Outdoors LLC.
The above broadheads typically are attached to arrows to be shot from conventional archery bows, or bolts to be shot from cross bows. The broadheads include a threaded portion that is joined with a ferrule. The threaded portion mates with a like-threaded insert which is glued, fastened or otherwise secured to an interior or exterior of the arrow or bolt. The inserts typically are made from metal, such as aluminum, or a composite.
Typically, when an archer installs a broadhead on an arrow, the archer threads the threaded portion of the broadhead into corresponding threads in the insert. If the archer does not have an appropriate tool to grasp the broadhead and/or ferrule, frequently the broadhead is not sufficiently tightened to the insert. Sometimes, even with an appropriate tool, the archer does not sufficiently tighten the broadhead.
Accordingly, several issues can develop. For example, the broadhead can back out or unthread from the insert and/or arrow. This can happen when the arrow is transported in a quiver on an archery bow, or otherwise subjected to vibration which causes the broadhead to unthread. Alternatively, the broadhead can sometimes unthread if not properly tightened or torqued down relative to the insert by the arrow spinning through the air.
The untightening or unthreading of the broadhead from the arrow or bolt can cause further issues. For example, if a broadhead backs out too much, the broadhead can simply fall off the arrow and be lost. In other cases, the broadhead ferrule can back out sufficiently so that one or more of the broadhead blades becomes misaligned with the ferrule, other cutting edges on the broadhead, and/or vanes of the arrow. Alternatively, with a replaceable blade or mechanical broadhead, one or more of the blades can be lost altogether. The unthreading of the broadhead from the arrow further can cause erratic or inconsistent flight, which can affect accuracy and consistency in shooting of the arrow.
While there are some tools on the market which allow tightening of the broadheads, most are very simplistic—typically including a flat handle attached to a flat ring that defines a number of slots corresponding to the number of blades in the broadhead. An archer places the ferrule and blades within the slots of the tool, and turns the broadhead, tightening it down relative the arrow or bolt. While this tool can provide some degree of tightening, the exact torque with which the broadhead is installed relative to the arrow or bolt generally it is unknown. Accordingly, the archer frequently under torques the broadhead, so it is prone to unthreading. Other times, the archer over torques the broadhead, which can strip the insert and make it difficult to remove the broadhead for replacement or sharpening of the blades.
In the realm of fasteners, it is frequently the objective to tighten a threaded fastener relative to a threaded aperture in a work piece to a desired torque. Torque wrenches are sometimes utilized to achieve this objective. Many torque wrenches provide too much information, and can be overly complicated with digital readouts, scales and the like. These added features also make most conventional torque wrenches overly expensive.
An installation tool for archery broadheads or fasteners is provided including an engagement end having an aperture, socket or drive feature to accommodate the broadhead or engage a fastener. The tool is constructed at least partially from an elastomeric material.
In one embodiment, the engagement end of the tool includes a first portion configured to directly engage the blade and/or ferrule of the broadhead. A second portion of the tool is connected to the first portion. The first portion and second portion can be integral with one another, forming a single piece, monolithic construction. The first and second portions are constructed so that when an excessive rotational force, torque or moment is applied to one or both of the portions, they can move relative to one another.
In another embodiment, the first portion and second portion are joined with an intermediate connector. The intermediate connector can be of a smaller dimension than the first portion and/or the second portion, but still can form a part of the monolithic construction. Optionally, the first and second portions, and the intermediate connector can be independent parts, joined together with fasteners, adhesives or other structures.
In yet another embodiment, the tool is operable in first and second modes. In the first mode, the tool is initially installed on the broadhead without applying substantial torque or a rotational moment to the broadhead. In this mode, indicia elements are misaligned with one another. Optionally, the indicia elements can be fixed in relation to the first portion and the second portion respectively, but not relative to one another, that is, they are movable relative to one another. In the second mode, the archer exerts a moment on the broadhead with the tool. When a predetermined amount of torque is applied to the broadhead to appropriately tighten it relative to an insert, the indicia elements align with one another to indicate to the archer that an appropriate amount of torque has been applied to the broadhead to install it relative to the insert. Thereafter, the archer can discontinue force application and remove the tool from the broadhead.
In still another embodiment, the tool can include the first end and an opposing second end. The first end can be constructed with a socket or other structure to accommodate a broadhead having a three-blade construction, with slots defined by the end offset at approximately 120° relative to one another. The opposing second end can define a socket having two or four slots, with the slots offset from one another 90° and/or 180° from one another. The second end can also include indicia elements and/or a torque indicating mechanism like the first end. The respective ends can thus service, install and appropriately torque a three-blade broadhead, or a two- or four-blade broadhead.
In yet another embodiment, the tool can be configured to apply and/or indicate a preselected torque to a fastener, such as a bolt, nut, screw, threaded device, or other element that is installed via rotation. The tool can be outfitted with a drive feature or a socket to receive the drive feature. The drive feature can be a hex key, a hexalobular internal drive feature, a hexagonal head, a screwdriver compatible feature, or other structure adapted to engage and rotate the fastener. The tool can include one or more of the features noted in the embodiments above.
In yet another embodiment, the tool adapted for fasteners is operable in first and second modes. In the first mode, the tool is initially installed so that the drive feature engages the fastener without applying substantial torque or a rotational moment to the fastener. In this mode, indicia elements are misaligned with one another. Optionally, the indicia elements can be fixed in relation to the first portion and the second portion respectively, but not relative to one another, that is, they are movable relative to one another. In the second mode, the user exerts a moment on the fastener with the tool. When a predetermined amount of torque is applied to the fastener to appropriately tighten it relative to a work piece, the indicia elements align with one another to indicate to the user that an appropriate amount of torque has been applied to the fastener to install it relative to the work piece. Thereafter, the user can discontinue force application and remove the tool from the fastener.
With the broadhead or fastener tightening tool provided herein, an archer or user can consistently and accurately apply a desired torque to a broadhead to properly install it on an arrow, or bolt, or other projectile, or to a fastener to properly tighten it. This can translate to increased accuracy and consistent shooting, thereby providing the archer with enhanced shooting capabilities, or to properly tightened fasteners.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiments and the drawings.
Before the embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.
A current embodiment of the tool is illustrated in
Generally, as shown in
Turning now to
The second portion 30 also can include a socket 32 which can accommodate a two or four bladed broadhead. This socket likewise can include slots 34 that receive blades of the respective broadhead in a central portion that receives a ferrule of the broadhead. The slots 34 can be offset at 90° or 180° relative to one another.
Generally, the first portion and second portion are constructed of a cylindrical shape, however, any other geometric shape capable of being gripped by the user is satisfactory. For example, the shape can be a square, elliptical, trapezoidal, triangular or some other geometric shape. Further, although shown as including two substantially similar cylindrical shapes on opposing sides of the connector body one of the portions, for example the second portion 30, could be constructed to include an elongated handle, lever or other structure 136 (
The first portion 20 and the second portion 30 can be attached via a connector body 40. As illustrated in
Optionally, the precise geometric shape can assist in applying a predetermined torque. Further optionally, the connector body can be the same dimension and shape as the first and second portions. For example, the entire tool from the first end to the second end can be of a uniform cross section along the longitudinal axis LA. As a more particular example, the connector body can include an outer surface 140′ (
As shown in
In operation, the tool 10 is configurable in first and second modes. In these modes, the indicia 51 and 52 can be either misaligned or aligned. For example, as illustrated in
Optionally, the indicia elements 50 can include more than the two indicia elements 51 and 52. For example, there may be one, two, three or more additional indicia elements adjacent the second indicia element 52. These additional indicia elements can be associated with other, greater or lesser predetermined torques or moments applied to the tool. With this construction, the user can apply different torques or moments through the tool, with the indicia elements providing visual feedback of the same.
The tool provided herein can be constructed from an elastomeric material, such as urethane, silicone, deformable composites, deformable elastomers, such as rubber or other material, and combinations thereof. The material can exhibit a Shore hardness of approximately 80 A, and optionally in a range of Shore 50 A to Shore 100 A. Optionally, different parts of the tool can be constructed from different materials to provide suitable deformation thereby allowing certain indicia elements to output the amount of torque or moment applied via the tool.
A first alternative embodiment of the tool is illustrated in
The tool 110 can include a drive feature 160. The drive feature 160 can be a shaft having a tip 161. The drive feature can be installed in a socket 123 defined by the tool. Optionally, the socket can be configured to removably and replaceably receive a variety of different drive features. The drive feature tip 161 can be configured as a hex key, a hexalobular internal drive feature, a hexagonal head, a screwdriver compatible feature, a socket or other structure adapted to engage and rotate the fastener. As shown the drive feature 160 includes a tip with a hexalobular internal drive feature.
In operation, with the drive feature 160 installed relative to the tool 110, a user can engage a fastener 170. The fastener 170 optionally can include a head 175 and a shaft 171 with a corresponding drive feature so that the tip 161 can engage the head satisfactorily, generally allowing the drive feature and the fastener to become stationary relative to one another. The fastener 170 can be configured to thread into a threaded opening 173 defined by a work piece 172.
Optionally, the second portion 130 can include a handle 136 (shown in broken lines) to provide additional leverage to rotate the fastener. While shown in the form of a bar projecting away from a longitudinal axis LA of the tool, the handle can be constructed in any configuration that facilitates manual grasping by a user.
In operation, like the embodiment above, the tool 110 is configurable in first and second modes. In these modes, the indicia 151 and 152 can be either misaligned or aligned. For example, in
All patents, patent applications, and literature references cited in this specification are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present description, including definitions, will control.
The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61761508 | Feb 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14171865 | Feb 2014 | US |
| Child | 14995761 | US |
