SELF CENTERING NOCK

• US 20130267359A1
• Filed: 03/05/2013
• Published: 10/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FeraDyne Outdoors, LLC
• Original Assignee: Out RAGE LLC
• Inventors: Pedersen, William Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,028,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/04 Archery arrows F42B6/08, F41B5/06, F42B12/362 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/06 Tail ends, e.g. nocks, fletching

Abstract

A self-centering nock is provided for use in a well-balanced nock-arrow or nock-bolt assembly. The self-centering nock includes compliant projecting protrusions or compliant arms that are substantially rotationally symmetric about a cross section normal to a main axis of the self-centering nock. The compliant projecting protrusions or compliant arms may be received in bolts that have bores of differing internal dimensions.

Claims

1. A self-centering nock for partial insertion into the bore of an arrow or a bolt, the self-centering nock comprising:

an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion includes a plurality of compliant projecting protrusions; and

a distal end contiguous with the intermediate portion, the distal end including an opening configured to receive the string of at least one of a bow and crossbow;

wherein the plurality of compliant projecting protrusions are substantially rotationally symmetric along at least one cross-sectional plane normal to a main axis of the self-centering nock.

2. The self-centering nock of claim 1, wherein the self-centering nock is configured to be received by at least a bore of a first arrow or bolt and a bore of a second arrow or bolt, wherein the bore of the first arrow or bolt and the bore of the second arrow or bolt have different diameters.

3. The self-centering nock of claim 1, wherein there are at least three compliant projecting protrusions.

4. The self-centering nock of claim 3, wherein the self-centering nock includes a proximal end contiguous with the intermediate portion.

5. The self-centering nock of claim 3, wherein the plurality of compliant projecting protrusions comprise arms.

6. The self-centering nock of claim 5, wherein the arms are in a spiral configuration.

7. The self-centering nock of claim 6, wherein the arms are made of an elastic or viscoelastic material.

8. The self-centering nock of claim 7, wherein the self-centering nock is a lighted nock.

9. A bolt-nock assembly comprising:

a bolt; and

a nock;

wherein one of the bolt and the nock includes a bore, and the other of the bolt and the nock includes an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion includes a plurality of compressible projecting protrusions, wherein the plurality of compressible projecting protrusions are substantially rotationally symmetric along at least one cross-sectional plane normal to a main axis of the bolt-nock assembly, wherein the intermediate portion and plurality of compressible projecting protrusions are configured to be received in the bore, and wherein the nock includes an opening configured to receive the string of at least one of a bow and a crossbow.

10. An arrow-nock assembly comprising:

an arrow; and

a nock;

wherein one of the arrow and the nock includes a bore, and the other of the arrow and the nock includes an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion includes a plurality of compressible projecting protrusions, wherein the plurality of compressible projecting protrusions are substantially rotationally symmetric along at least one cross-sectional plane normal to a main axis of the arrow-nock assembly, wherein the intermediate portion and plurality of compressible projecting protrusions are configured to be received in the bore, and wherein the nock includes an opening configured to receive the string of at least one of a bow and a crossbow.

11. A nock configured for attachment to a distal end of an arrow or a bolt, the nock comprising:

a grooved first end configured to receive the string of at least one of a bow and a crossbow, wherein the grooved first end is at least partially optically clear;

a power source;

a light source;

a second end configured to attach to the distal end of the arrow or the bolt; and

a structural support piece comprising a metal, graphite or a high strength structural polymeric or composite material that is coupled to the grooved first end and partially covering and supporting the grooved first end.

12. The nock of claim 11 wherein the second end comprises a cylindrical surface comprising grooves oriented circumferentially about a primary axis of the nock.

13. The nock of claim 12, wherein the second end is configured to snap-fit or attach by compression to the distal end of the arrow or the bolt.

14. The nock of claim 11 wherein the second end comprises a cylindrical surface comprising grooves oriented longitudinally and substantially parallel with respect to a primary axis of the nock.

15. The nock of claim 14, wherein the second end is configured to snap-fit or attach by compression to the distal end of the arrow or the bolt.