Bow launcher and arrow system

• US 5,846,147 A
• Filed: 03/17/1997
• Issued: 12/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald Basik
• Original Assignee: Ronald Basik
• Inventors: Basik, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US08/818,883
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 473/578, 473/585, 473/586, 43/6, 124/445
• US Class Current: 473/586
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/143 Arrow rests or guides
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/12 using fins longitudinally-slidable with respect to the projectile or missile
• 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

In order to provide enhanced performance from fletching, an integral or slidable stabilizer is operatively associated with an arrow shaft. The stabilizer in either form includes a plurality of radial vanes each of which imparts aerodynamic force to the shaft so as to cause the arrow to roll or "spin" when the arrow is in flight. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the radial vanes of the stabilizer have a cross section in the form of an airfoil to thereby induce the roll or "spin."

Claims

1. In an arrow having a shaft with a tip at one end thereof and a nock at the other end thereof, the improvement comprising:

stabilizer means movable from a launch position near said tip to a flight position near said nock, said stabilizer means including a slide collar adapted to be disposed on said shaft for sliding movement therealong, said slide collar having a plurality of radial vanes each having a leading edge and a trailing edge;

means near said tip and said nock for engaging said slide collar to limit said stabilizer means to movement along said shaft from said launch position to said flight position, said limit means near said nock restraining said slide collar against rotational movement relative to said shaft when said stabilizer means is in said flight position;

each of said radial vanes including means for imparting aerodynamic force to said stabilizer means so as to cause said arrow to roll when said slide collar is restrained against rotational movement by said limit means near said nock;

wherein each of said airfoils has an angled cutout extending rearwardly in a direction generally away from a longitudinal axis of said arrow from said slide collar to said trailing edge.

2. In an arrow having a shaft with a tip at one end thereof and a nock at the other end thereof, the improvement comprising:

stabilizer means positioned near said nock and having a plurality of radial vanes each having a leading edge and a trailing edge; and

means associated with said stabilizer means at least during the flight of said arrow for restraining said stabilizer means against rotational movement relative to said shaft;

each of said radial vanes including means for imparting aerodynamic force through said stabilizer means to said arrow so as to cause said arrow to roll during flight;

wherein said stabilizer means is integral with said shaft of said arrow to thereby restrain said radial vanes against rotational and longitudinal movement at all times;

wherein each of said radial vanes has a cross section in the form of an airfoil to thereby define said aerodynamic force imparting means which causes said arrow to roll; and

wherein each of said airfoils has an angled cutout extending rearwardly in a direction generally away from a longitudinal axis of said arrow from said shaft to said trailing edge.

3. A kit for use with an arrow having a shaft with a tip at one end thereof and a nock at the other end thereof, comprising:

stabilizer means positionable on said shaft for movement from a launch position near said tip to a flight position near said nock, said stabilizer means including a slide collar positionable on said shaft for sliding movement therealong, said slide collar having a plurality of radial vanes each having a leading edge and a trailing edge when said stabilizer means is on said shaft;

means for positioning near said tip and near said nock for engaging said slide collar to limit said stabilizer means to movement along said shaft from said launch position to said flight position, said limit means near said nock restraining said slide collar against rotational movement relative to said shaft when said stabilizer means is in said flight position;

each of said radial vanes including means for imparting aerodynamic force to said stabilizer means so as to cause said arrow to roll when said slide collar is restrained against rotational movement by said limit means near said nock;

wherein each of said radial vanes has a cross section in the form of an airfoil to thereby define said aerodynamic force imparting means which causes said arrow to roll; and

wherein each of said airfoils has a leading edge thickness of approximately 0.005 inches, a wing span of approximately 0.650 inches, and a maximum chord length of approximately 0.650 inches.

4. A kit for use with an arrow having a shaft with a tip at one end thereof and a nock at the other end thereof, comprising:

stabilizer means positionable on said shaft for movement from a launch position near said tip to a flight position near said nock, said stabilizer means including a slide collar positionable on said shaft for sliding movement therealong, said slide collar having a plurality of radial vanes each having a leading edge and a trailing edge when said stabilizer means is on said shaft;

means for positioning near said tip and near said nock for engaging said slide collar to limit said stabilizer means to movement along said shaft from said launch position to said flight position, said limit means near said nock restraining said slide collar against rotational movement relative to said shaft when said stabilizer means is in said flight position;

each of said radial vanes including means for imparting aerodynamic force to said stabilizer means so as to cause said arrow to roll when said slide collar is restrained against rotational movement by said limit means near said nock;

wherein each of said radial vanes has a cross section in the form of an airfoil to thereby define said aerodynamic force imparting means which causes said arrow to roll; and

wherein each of said airfoils has an angled cutout extending rearwardly in a direction generally away from a longitudinal axis of said arrow from said slide collar to said trailing edge.

5. A kit for use with an arrow having a shaft with a tip at one end thereof and a nock at the other end thereof, comprising:

stabilizer means positionable on said shaft for movement from a launch position near said tip to a flight position near said nock, said stabilizer means including a slide collar positionable on said shaft for sliding movement therealong, said slide collar having a plurality of radial vanes each having a leading edge and a trailing edge when said stabilizer means is on said shaft;

means for positioning near said tip and near said nock for engaging said slide collar to limit said stabilizer means to movement along said shaft from said launch position to said flight position, said limit means near said nock restraining said slide collar against rotational movement relative to said shaft when said stabilizer means is in said flight position;

each of said radial vanes including means for imparting aerodynamic force to said stabilizer means so as to cause said arrow to roll when said slide collar is restrained against rotational movement by said limit means near said nock;

wherein each of said radial vanes has a cross section in the form of an airfoil to thereby define said aerodynamic force imparting means which causes said arrow to roll; and

wherein each of said airfoils has a tip and a chord to thickness ratio of at least approximately 13.75 adjacent said slide collar and of at least approximately 10.00 adjacent said tip of said airfoil.