Patent ID: 8540594
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: F42B

Abstract:
1. An illuminated nock assembly for engaging the shaft of an arrow that is adapted for use with an archery bow having a bowstring, the illuminated nock assembly comprises: a housing; lighting components for illuminating the nock assembly; and a power source; said housing includes first and second nock portions; said first nock portion has proximal and distal ends; said first nock portion further comprises a groove for receiving the bowstring and a first bore; wherein said first bore is disposed on said proximal end and said groove is disposed on said distal end of said first nock portion; said first bore comprises a bore opening having a stepped surface which includes an abutment wall; wherein said first bore receives said second nock portion therein, at least a portion of said stepped surface frictionally secures said second nock portion, and said abutment wall limits insertion of the second nock portion into said first bore of the first nock portion; said first nock portion further comprises a first portion wall having a first wall thickness on said proximal end and an end wall extending around the bore opening; said second nock portion has first and second ends and further comprises a second bore and a second portion wall; said second bore having first and second openings, wherein said first opening is disposed at said first end of said second nock portion, and said second opening is disposed at said second end of said second nock portion; said second portion wall having first and second slots and a second wall thickness; wherein said first and second wall thicknesses are approximately equal in magnitude and said first and second slots are disposed on said first end of said second wall portion; said lighting components include a light source, a light base and a plurality of electrode contacts; said light source comprises a body and first and second light leads; said light base includes a base bore; said plurality of electrode contacts are comprised of electrically conductive material and further comprise first and second L-shaped connectors; said first connector comprises a first shaft contact and a connecting leg; said second connector comprises a coil and a second shaft contact; said power source includes a body casing having sides and a terminal projection; wherein said terminal projection extends into said base bore and contacts said light base; wherein said first connector electrically connects the power source to the arrow shaft and said second connector electrically connects the light source to the arrow shaft; wherein said first shaft contact of said first connector is disposed in the first slot on said second nock portion and lies adjacent to the end wall of the first nock portion; and wherein said second shaft contact of the second connector is disposed in the second slot on said second nock portion and lies adjacent to the end wall of the first nock portion; said connecting leg of the first connector is adjacent to and in electrical contact with the body casing and said coil of said second connector at least partially surrounds the second light lead of the light source; wherein when said light source is in electrical contact with said power source, the arrow shaft is disposed on said second nock portion and is in contact with said first and second shaft contacts to complete an electrical circuit between said light source and said power source, and said light source is illuminated; and wherein when said light source is out of electrical contact with said power source, the arrow shaft is out of contact with said first and second shaft, and said light source is not illuminated.