LIGHTED NOCK ACTIVATION MEANS AND PROCESSES THEREFOR

• US 20140148284A1
• Filed: 11/26/2013
• Published: 05/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John F. Marshall Jr
• Original Assignee: John F. Marshall Jr
• Inventors: Marshall, John F. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,279,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/570
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/36 for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/362 Arrows or darts F42B12/38 takes precedence, having means for implantation, e.g. hypodermic projectiles F42B12/54; arrows or darts in general F42B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/382 emitting an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser beam or infrared emission
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/06 Tail ends, e.g. nocks, fletching

Abstract

A lighted nock assembly is disclosed for use with an archery projectile. A portion of an insert fits within, and is shouldered against, the tail end of the projectile shaft. The insert includes a recess terminating in a floor portion, and a face to bear against the nock shoulder. An LED/battery assembly fits within the recess of the insert abutting the floor portion. A nock fits over the LED/battery assembly and into the recess of the insert. Ready-to-fire, the LED/battery assembly comprises an activation gap between the LED lamp and the body of the battery assembly. A gap, greater than or equal to the activation gap, is left between the shoulder of the nock and the face of the insert. When fired, the bow string drives an internal surface of the nock into the front end of the LED/battery assembly and illuminates the LED lamp.

Claims

1. A lighted nock assembly for use with an arrow or bolt, the lighted nock assembly comprising:

an insert,

an LED and battery assembly, and

a nock.

2. The lighted nock assembly of claim 1 wherein said insert comprises a recess, a floor, and a shoulder.

3. The lighted nock assembly of claim 2 wherein said insert further comprises a face.

4. The lighted nock assembly of claim 3 wherein said shoulder of said insert is configured to abut a tail end of the arrow or bolt.

5. The lighted nock assembly of claim 4 wherein said nock comprises a shoulder configured to abut said face of said insert.

6. The lighted nock assembly of claim 1 wherein said nock comprises an internal recess terminating in an internal surface, said internal surface for contacting the LED portion of said LED and battery assembly.

7. The lighted nock assembly of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said nock is configured to fit in frictional engagement within a recess of said insert.

8. The lighted nock assembly of claim 1 wherein said LED and battery assembly may be configured to comprise an activation gap.

9. The lighted nock assembly of claim 8 in a ready-to-fire configuration comprising a firing gap between a shoulder of said nock and a face of said insert, the firing gap being greater than or equal to said activation gap of said LED and battery assembly.

10. A projectile for archery comprising:

a tubular shaft;

an insert partially disposed within a tail end of said tubular shaft,

an LED and battery assembly disposed within a recess in said insert, and

a nock disposed within said recess in said insert, said nock encompassing said LED and battery assembly within a recess formed within said nock.

11. The projectile of claim 10 wherein said insert further comprises a floor and a shoulder.

12. The projectile of claim 11 wherein said insert further comprises a face.

13. The projectile of claim 12 wherein said shoulder of said insert is configured to abut a tail end of said tubular shaft.

14. The projectile of claim 12 wherein said nock further comprises a shoulder configured to abut said face of said insert, and an internal surface within said recess of said nock, said internal surface for contacting the LED portion of said LED and battery assembly.

15. The projectile of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of said nock is configured to fit in frictional engagement within said recess of said insert.

16. The projectile of claim 10 wherein said LED and battery assembly may be configured to comprise an activation gap.

17. The projectile of claim 16 in a ready-to-fire configuration comprising a firing gap between a shoulder of said nock and a face of said insert, the firing gap being greater than or equal to said activation gap of said LED and battery assembly.

18. A process for using a lighted nock assembly in association with an arrow, the process comprising the steps of:

(a.) inserting a portion of a shouldered insert into the tail end of a tubular arrow shaft;

(b.) inserting a deactivated LED and battery assembly into a recess within the insert, the tail end of the LED and battery assembly abutting a floor portion of the insert;

(c.) inserting a nock over the LED and battery assembly and into the recess within the insert;

(d.) establishing a firing gap between a shoulder of the nock and a face of the insert, the firing gap being greater than or equal to an activation gap of the LED and battery assembly.

19. The process of claim 18 further comprising step (e.):

nocking the arrow onto a bowstring.

20. The process of claim 19 further comprising step (f.):

drawing and releasing the bowstring, driving the nock into the LED and battery assembly;

thereby, closing the firing gap and the activation gap, and illuminating an LED lamp associated with the LED and battery assembly.