Wide-body arrow having tapered tail

• US 8,834,658 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2013
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aldila Golf Corporation (Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aldila Golf Corporation (Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Boretto, Tod, Connolly, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Goff, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gross, Carson
• Application Number:
  US13/909,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20130264738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 473/578, 156/169, 156/171, 156/172, 156/173, 156/153, 156/154, 156/168, 156/267
• US Class Current: 156/173
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/58 helically
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/585 the cross-section varying along their axis, e.g. tapered, with ribs, or threads, with socket-ends
• 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 33/001 Devices or processes for assembling ammunition, cartridges or cartridge elements from parts
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/02 Arrows; Crossbow bolts; Harpoons for hand-held spring or air guns
• 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 cylindrical carbon fiber arrow shaft formed with an increased external diameter of 0.380 inches. This arrow shaft is formed with an axial bore which has a first internal diameter throughout a substantial portion of the shaft length, and a second, smaller, internal diameter throughout the fletching end of the arrow. The second internal diameter corresponds to the internal diameter of standard arrows having external diameters of 0.295 inches. Using this standard internal diameter at the fletching-end of the arrow, standard nooks may be used without the need for any spacer or insert, thereby decreasing fletching-end weight significantly and providing for the proper and more desired location of the center of gravity forward on the arrow.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an arrow, comprising:

providing a mandrel having a first cylindrical portion having a first diameter, and second cylindrical portion having a second diameter;

wrapping a carbon fiber about said mandrel to form a uni-body arrow shaft, with a first cylindrical portion having said first diameter and second cylindrical portion having said second diameter, having a tip end and a fletching end;

impregnating said carbon fiber with an epoxy resin;

removing said shaft from said mandrel; and

forming a taper on said fletching end of said arrow by removing said carbon fiber and said epoxy resin from said fletching end through the use of grinding or cutting.

2. The method of manufacturing an arrow of claim 1, wherein said first diameter is larger than said second diameter.

3. The method of manufacturing an arrow of claim 1, wherein said uni-body arrow shaft has a uniform outer diameter.

4. The method of manufacturing an arrow of claim 1, wherein heat is applied to said carbon fiber and said epoxy resin to form said arrow.

5. The method of manufacturing an arrow of claim 1, wherein said taper is formed after heat has been applied to said carbon fiber and said epoxy resin.

6. The method of manufacturing an arrow of claim 1, wherein said taper starts at a predetermined distance ahead of said fletching end and becomes progressively smaller until reaching a diameter, approximately equal to the external diameter of a nock body, at said fletching end.

7. A method of manufacturing an arrow having a tip end and a fletching end, comprising:

providing a mandrel having a first cylindrical portion having a first diameter, and second cylindrical portion having a second diameter;

wrapping carbon fiber about said mandrel to form a uni-body arrow shaft having a first cylindrical portion having said first diameter adjacent said tip end, and a second cylindrical portion having said second diameter adjacent said fletching end;

impregnating said carbon fiber with an epoxy resin;

heating said carbon fiber, epoxy resin and mandrel;

cooling said carbon fiber, epoxy resin and mandrel;

removing said carbon fiber and epoxy resin from said mandrel to form a shaft having an axial lumen; and

forming a taper on said fletching end of said arrow by removing said carbon fiber and said epoxy resin from said fletching end through the use of grinding or cutting.

8. The method of manufacturing of claim 7, wherein said first diameter is greater than said second diameter.