Method of making arrow shaft including integral sleeve, and arrow shaft which is produced thereby

• US 20040089404A1
• Filed: 11/05/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FeraDyne Outdoors, LLC
• Original Assignee: Eastman Holding Company (Eastman Chemical Company)
• Inventors: Eastman, Robert II
• Granted Patent: US 7,201,818 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/184
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/04 Archery arrows F42B6/08, F41B5/06, F42B12/362 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1393 Multilayer [continuous layer]

Abstract

In a method of making an arrow shaft, a fabric section is placed around a hollow tubular core, and is affixed thereto. The core may include carbon therein. A adhesive or protective composition, associated with the fabric, is cured to adhere the fabric to the core. The adhesive may be impregnated into the fabric prior to its placement on the core, or may be applied to the fabric by methods such as spraying, dipping, brushing, or powder coating. The shaft may be treated to make the exterior surface smooth after curing. A reinforced archery arrow shaft made by the method includes a tubular core and an attached fabric sleeve covering the core. The fabric is wrapped around and affixed to the core. The sleeve fabric may have a decorative design or pattern on the exterior surface thereof. Optionally, accessories may be attached to the arrow shaft to form an arrow.

Claims

1. A method of making a fabric-reinforced arrow shaft, comprising the steps of:

a) surrounding a hollow tubular core with a fabric material to form a sleeve thereon, said sleeve closely conforming to an exterior surface of the core;

b) applying a curable adhesive to the fabric material;

c) curing the adhesive to affix the sleeve to the core, whereby the coated core forms an arrow shaft.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of

d) attaching at least one auxiliary component selected from the group consisting of arrow heads, fletching and nocks to the shaft.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of machining an exterior surface of the coated shaft, after the adhesive curing step, to create a smooth surface thereon.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fabric is a woven material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the fabric is a non-woven material.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the fabric sleeve has a decoration or pattern on an exterior surface thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the curable adhesive material is selected from the group consisting of urethanes, varnishes, lacquers, epoxies, paints, and powder coatings.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said core comprises carbon.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein steps a) and b) may be performed in any order.

10. An arrow shaft which is a product of the method of claim 1.

11. An arrow shaft which is a product of the method of claim 3.

12. A method of making a fabric-reinforced arrow shaft, comprising the steps of:

a) surrounding a hollow tubular core with a fabric material to form a sleeve thereon, said sleeve closely conforming to an exterior surface of the core;

b) applying a curable adhesive material to the fabric material;

c) curing the adhesive material on the sleeve to affix the sleeve to the core, whereby the coated core forms an arrow shaft; and

d) attaching at least one auxiliary component selected from the group consisting of arrow heads, fletching and nocks to the shaft.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of machining an exterior surface of the coated shaft, after the adhesive curing step, to create a smooth surface thereon.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the fabric is a woven material.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the fabric is a non-woven material.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the fabric sleeve has a decoration or pattern on an exterior surface thereof.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the curable adhesive material is selected from the group consisting of urethanes, varnishes, lacquers, epoxies, paints, and powder coatings.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said core comprises carbon.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein steps a) and b) may be performed in any order.

20. An arrow shaft which is a product of the method of claim 12.

21. An arrow shaft which is a product of the method of claim 13.

22. The method of claim 12, further comprising a step of machining the shaft in a centerless grinder to perform a smoothing operation on the external surface thereof.

23. A method of making a fabric-reinforced arrow shaft, comprising the steps of:

a) surrounding a hollow tubular core with a fabric material to form a sleeve thereon, said sleeve closely conforming to an exterior surface of the core;

b) applying a curable adhesive material to the fabric material;

c) curing the adhesive material on the sleeve to affix the sleeve to the core, whereby the coated core forms an arrow shaft; and

d) machining an exterior surface of the coated shaft, after the adhesive curing step, to create a smooth surface thereon.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the fabric is a woven material.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the fabric is a non-woven material.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the fabric sleeve has a decoration or pattern on an exterior surface thereof.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the curable adhesive material is selected from the group consisting of urethanes, varnishes, lacquers, epoxies, paints, and powder coatings.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein said core comprises carbon.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein steps a) and b) may be performed in any order.

30. An arrow shaft which is a product of the method of claim 23.

31. The method of claim 23, further comprising a step of e) attaching at least one auxiliary component selected from the group consisting of arrow heads, fletching and nocks to the shaft.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the machining step is performed in a centerless grinder.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein the fabric is substantially rectangular in shape.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the fabric is placed on the core with opposed side edges thereof in abutting relation.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the fabric is placed on the core with opposed side edges thereof overlapping one another.