ARROW WITH NOCK AND HEAD ALIGNMENT

• US 20170097214A1
• Filed: 01/12/2016
• Published: 04/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brown Innovations Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Brown Innovations Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Kevin E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,671,202 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/08 Arrow heads; Harpoon heads

Abstract

An arrow with self-aligning features allows a user to properly nock the arrow without resorting to manual alignment of the nock and fletchings. Engagement of a removable nock and shaft, each with a rounded polygonal cross-section, such as a reuleaux triangle, allow for a fixed relative angular position between the nock and the shaft without the use of an adhesive. This allows for proper position between the nock and index vane to ensure a more accurate path of the arrow during flight. Similarly, the reuleaux triangle cross-section of the shaft may engage an arrow head with a similar reuleaux triangle for accurate alignment between the shaft and the arrow head.

Claims

1. An arrow with self-aligning features comprising:

a shaft including a rounded polygonal cross-section; and

a removable nock including a cross-section matching the rounded polygonal cross-section of the shaft and adapted to engage the shaft along the rounded polygonal cross-section, thereby preventing relative rotation therebetween.

2. The arrow of claim 1, wherein the rounded polygonal cross-section comprises a reuleaux triangle.

3. The arrow of claim 2, wherein the shaft includes an aperture in the shape of a reuleaux triangle, and the nock includes a projection in the shape of a reuleaux triangle adapted for insertion into the aperture.

4. The arrow of claim 1, further including a plurality of fletchings attached to the shaft, each of the fletchings positioned at a midpoint between two corners of the rounded polygonal cross-section.

5. The arrow of claim 1, wherein the rounded polygonal cross-section extends along an entire length of the shaft.

6. The arrow of claim 1, wherein the rounded polygonal cross-section extends only along an end of the shaft adjacent the engagement of the nock.

7. The arrow of claim 1, wherein the rounded polygonal cross-section extends along at least a portion of the shaft opposite an end of the shaft adjacent the engagement of the nock.

8. The arrow of claim 7, further including a head including a cross-section matching the rounded polygonal cross-section of the shaft and adapted to engage the portion of the shaft opposite the end of the shaft adjacent the engagement of the nock.

9. The arrow of claim 7, further including a connector for connecting a head to the shaft, wherein the connector comprises a cross-section matching the rounded polygonal cross-section of the shaft and adapted to engage the portion of the shaft opposite the end of the shaft adjacent the engagement of the nock.

10. The arrow of claim 9, wherein the connector comprises an aperture for engaging the head.

11. The arrow of claim 9, wherein the connector comprises a projection for engaging the head.

12. The arrow of claim 9, wherein the connector comprises one or more fasteners adapted to lock the head in position relative to the shaft.

13. An arrow with self-aligning features comprising:

a shaft with a first end and a second end, said shaft including a first aperture at the first end and a second aperture at the second end, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture each comprise a reuleaux triangular shape; and

a removable nock including a first extension with a reuleaux triangular cross-sectional shape, wherein the first aperture is adapted to receive the first extension, thereby preventing relative rotational movement between the shaft and the nock.

14. The arrow of claim 13, further including a head comprising a second extension with a reuleaux triangular cross-sectional shape, wherein the second aperture is adapted to receive the second extension, thereby preventing relative rotational movement between the shaft and the head.

15. The arrow of claim 13, further including a connector with a reuleaux triangular cross-sectional shape, wherein the second aperture is adapted to receive the connector, thereby preventing relative rotational movement between the shaft and the connector.

16. The arrow of claim 15, further including a head adapted to engage the connector;

wherein the connector includes a receiver adapted to receive at least a portion of the head, and a fastener adapted to lock the head in position with respect to the connector.

17. The arrow of claim 15, further including a head adapted to engage the connector, said head including a receiver and a fastener;

wherein the connector includes a second extension, and wherein the receiver is adapted to receive the second extension; and

wherein the fastener is adapted to lock the head in position with respect to the connector.

18. An arrow with self-aligning features for use with an archery weapon including a string, said arrow comprising:

a shaft including an end with a reuleaux triangular cross-section;

a plurality of fletchings attached to the shaft, at least one of said fletchings comprising an index vane; and

a removable nock including a cross-section matching the reuleaux triangular cross-section of the shaft and adapted to engage the shaft along the reuleaux triangular cross-section of the shaft and the nock, and the nock further including a notch adapted to engage the string along a longitudinal length of the notch;

wherein engagement of the shaft and the nock establishes a fixed relative angular position between the longitudinal length of the notch and the index vane.

19. The arrow of claim 18, wherein the relative angular position is 90 degrees.

20. The arrow of claim 18, wherein the relative angular position is 0 degrees.