Arrow fletching

• US 6,958,023 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2004
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Good Sportsman Marketing LLC
• Original Assignee: New Archery Products Corporation (BRS Outdoor Sports Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Mizek, Robert S., Simo, Miroslav A., Harwath, Frank A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ricci, John A.
• Application Number:
  US10/762,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20050159256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 473/586, 473/578
• US Class Current: 473/586
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/06 Tail ends, e.g. nocks, fletching

Abstract

An arrow fletching having a plurality of flexible vanes each having a generally tapered profile extending from a narrow end to a wide end. A kicker is integrated with a perimeter of the wide end of the flexible vane wherein the kicker includes a concave portion extending tangentially from the flexible vane. Additionally, each vane may have a concave side and/or increased surface roughness to create an arrow that travels faster, straighter and/or more accurately.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a fletching for an archery arrow shaft comprising:

molding a flexible vane;

co-molding a kicker into a perimeter of the flexible vane; and

creating tension in the flexible vane.

2. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

creating tension in the flexible vane following integration of the kicker.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

co-molding the kicker from a stiffer material than the flexible vane.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

attaching the flexible vane to the arrow shaft parallel to a longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft.

5. A fletching for an archery arrow shaft comprising:

a flexible vane having a generally tapered profile extending from a narrow end to a wide end; and

a kicker integrated with a perimeter of the wide end of the flexible vane, the kicker having a concave portion extending tangentially from the flexible vane, wherein the kicker is integrated to place the flexible vane under tension.

6. The fletching of claim 5 wherein the kicker is molded to the flexible vane.

7. The fletching of claim 5 wherein the kicker comprises the same material as the flexible vane.

8. The fletching of claim 5 wherein the kicker comprises a different material from the flexible vane.

9. The fletching of claim 5 wherein the kicker is stiffer than the flexible vane.

10. The fletching of claim 5 wherein the flexible vane is concave.

11. The fletching of claim 5 wherein the kicker is positioned flush with the perimeter of the flexible vane.

12. The fletching of claim 5 further comprising:

a plurality of microgrooves extending longitudinally across at least one side of the flexible vane.

13. The fetching of claim 5 wherein the flexible vane extends parallel with a longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft.

14. A fletching for an archery arrow shaft comprising:

a flexible vane extending longitudinally along the arrow shaft; and

a kicker molded into a perimeter of the flexible vane, the kicker formed along an arcuate path and including a concave portion extending away from the flexible vane, wherein the kicker is integrated to place the flexible vane under tension.

15. The fletching of claim 14 further comprising:

a plurality of microgrooves extending longitudinally across at least one side of the flexible vane.

16. The fletching of claim 14 wherein the flexible vane is concave.

17. The fletching of claim 14 wherein the kicker is stiffer than the flexible vane.

18. The fletching of claim 14 wherein the flexible vane extends parallel with a longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft.

19. A method of manufacturing a fletching for an archery arrow shaft comprising:

molding a flexible vane; and

co-molding a kicker into a perimeter of the flexible vane, the kicker comprising a stiffer material than the flexible vane.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

creating tension in the flexible vane following integration of the kicker.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

positioning the kicker flush with the perimeter of the flexible vane.