The present invention relates generally to archery. The present invention is more particularly, though not exclusively, useful as an improved archery arrow having improved weight distribution and aerodynamics.
Archery arrows have been in use for centuries. Over this timer period, significant improvements have been made in the design of the arrows. For instance, the materials used for arrows have evolved from ancient arrows made of wood to modern arrows fabricated using lightweight high strength carbon fiber composites. Also, the Fletching, or Finning, has evolved from a standard X-shape feather to an aerodynamic three-tab design which minimizes contact with the bow and improves accuracy. Improvements have also been made to the arrow head to improve aerodynamics and to the nock to decrease weight, for instance.
A recent trend in the arrow industry is to provide an arrow having a wider diameter shaft. Typical arrows have had a standard external shaft diameter of 0.295 inches which has provided for a reasonably rigid arrow made from today's materials. However, a thicker arrow having an external shaft diameter of 0.380 has been developed for certain archery applications.
However, with the wider diameter of these thicker arrows comes an increase in weight and aerodynamic drag caused by the larger cross-section. In order to minimize the effects of the larger diameter on the arrow performance, the industry has taken steps to minimize weight of the arrow. For instance, some manufacturers have provided adaptors which can allow the archer to use standard diameter nooks. However, in order to use the smaller diameter flocks, a transitional sleeve, or taper, must be inserted between the shaft and the nook. Unfortunately, this added insert provides excess weight at the fletching end of the arrow. This is particularly so when using carbon-fiber arrows where the weight of the arrow is small compared to the weight of the tip and nook.
In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide an arrow having increased strength and decreased drag which is also lightweight. It would also be advantageous to provide an arrow capable of using standard nooks without having to add weight-increasing adapters and inserts.
The present invention includes a cylindrical carbon fiber arrow shaft formed with an increased external diameter of 0.380 inches. This arrow shaft is formed with an axial bore which has a first internal diameter throughout a substantial portion of the shaft length, and a second, smaller, internal diameter throughout the fletching end of the arrow. The second internal diameter corresponds to the internal diameter of standard arrows having external diameters of 0.295 inches. Using this standard internal diameter at the fletching-end of the arrow, standard nooks may be used without the need for any spacer or insert, thereby decreasing fletching-end weight significantly and providing for the proper and more desired location of the center of gravity forward on the arrow.
The dual interior-diameter design of the arrow of the present invention is accomplished using a cylindrical mandrel having two external diameters. The first mandrel diameter corresponds to the portion of the arrow shaft having the external diameter of 0.380 inches, and the second mandrel diameter corresponds to the standard nook dimensions.
The carbon fiber shaft is formed on the mandrel. With the aid of releasing agents, the mandrel is removed leaving a tubular shaft having a decreased internal diameter at the fletching end of the arrow. A taper is formed at the end of the arrow to provide for a smooth transition between the arrow shaft and the smaller-diameter nook. A nook is then inserted, the fletching is applied, and a tip is installed to provide a high strength, low weight archery arrow having less mass than comparable arrows.
The objects, features, and advantages of the method according to the invention will be more clearly perceived from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
Referring now to
The nock can also affect the position of the center of gravity. For instance, in arrows having very low weights, the addition of the nock at the end of the arrow can bring the center of gravity away from the tip, sometimes resulting in a less-than-optimum placement.
Referring now to
Arrow 100 includes a tip 106 which is typically a weighty metallic material, such as steel, and can be formed with different shapes for specific uses, such as target shooting, hunting, etc. Retching 108 is attached to the exterior of body 102 as is known in the art, and nook 20 is inserted into the fletching end of the shaft body 102.
Arrow shaft 102 is formed with an axial bore (shown in
Arrow 100 is shown having an exemplary center-of-gravity 114 which as is known in the art, may be adjusted along the length of the shaft 102 by adjusting the weights of the tip 106, fletching 108 and nock 20. Also, the position of the center of gravity may be affected by the shortening, or cutting, of the length of the arrow.
A tapered section 110 of body 102 transitions the arrow from the larger diameter of 0.380 inches, to a smaller diameter, such as 0.295 inches to correspond to the diameter of the nook 20. The length of the taper and the angle of the taper can vary depending on the manufacturing of the arrow 100 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
An example of a typical manufacturing method is depicted in
Tapered section 110 is formed on the fletching end of body 102 by removing a portion 120 of the carbon fiber materials as shown by dashed lines. The removal of the material of body 102 may be accomplished using a variety of techniques, such as by grinding as is known in the art.
The arrow of the present invention exhibits improved aerodynamics, lower mass, and has a better weight distribution than other large diameter arrows which require the use of heavy transition pieces, or super-sized nocks. The use of the standard nook without any additional hardware provides the arrow of the present invention with a significant advantage over other arrows.
The present application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/486,961 filed Sep. 15, 2014, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/909,888 filed Jun. 4, 2013, and which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,834,658, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/943,870 filed Nov. 10, 2010, and which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,496,548.
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Entry |
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Tim Dehn, “Gold Tip Arrow Production Bounces Back from Involuntary Plant Closure”, Arrow Trade Magazine, United States. |
Patrick Meitin, “Fat or Thin, Arrow Suppliers Have 3D Shooters Covered”, Arrow Trade Magazine, Jan. 2007, United States. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20170023339 A1 | Jan 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14486961 | Sep 2014 | US |
Child | 15082904 | US | |
Parent | 13909888 | Jun 2013 | US |
Child | 14486961 | US | |
Parent | 12943870 | Nov 2010 | US |
Child | 13909888 | US |