Abstract:
An enhanced slide and a circumferential stop assembly for use with a bowfishing arrow may include matching shapes for engaging one another in use. The engagement of such matching shapes offers many improvements over conventional slide and stop assemblies, including an even circumferential distribution of impact between the slide and the stop as well as inhibiting relative longitudinal or rotational movement between the slide and stop assemblies. The stop assembly may further include a nock adapter for engaging a nock, thereby serving as a dual purpose adapter. For ease of use and installation, the stop assembly may be an outsert, meaning that it is adapted to fit snugly over an arrow shaft.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. PROVISIONAL Application Ser. No. 62/320,904, filed Apr. 11, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to a projectile weapon, and more particularly to an adapter for use with a bowfishing arrow. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Bowfishing involves the use of a bow and arrow to catch fish. Reference is made to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which illustrate prior art bowfishing equipment. A bow  10  may be equipped with a cable  12 , which may be used to fire an arrow including an arrow shaft  14 . Many types of bows may be used in the sport of bowfishing, including recurve bows, hybrid cam bows, or crossbows. The arrow shaft may be solid and may be made of fiberglass-reinforced polymer, a fiberglass and carbon mix, or a carbon shaft. A typical diameter of a bowfishing arrow shaft is 5/16″. These shafts may include an arrowhead end, which may be round, where the arrowhead may be attached, and may have a nock end, which may be tapered, conical, or flat, where a nock  18  may be attached. 
         [0004]    The arrow may be connected to a line  22 , which in turn may be connected to a reel. In order to attach the line  22  to the arrow shaft  14 , a slide  20  may be provided on the shaft  14 . The slide  20  may be adapted to move longitudinally along the shaft  14 , which allows relative motion of the line  22  with respect to the arrow shaft, which may be useful in loading and firing the arrow. In order to prevent the slide  20 , and therefore the line  22 , from passing beyond the nock end of the arrow shaft, thereby detaching the line  22  from the arrow shaft  14 , a stop  24  is provided. This stop  24  prevents further longitudinal movement of the slide  20  in a rearward direction. 
         [0005]    With further reference to  FIG. 2 , a conventional slide  20  and stop  24  are illustrated. The slide  20  may include a tubular or annular body, and the stop  24  may include a simple projection extending radially from one portion of the shaft  14  and fixed thereto. In practice, the slide  20  may impact the stop  24  upon firing the arrow, but may bounce off said stop once the arrow has made contact with a target, such as a fish. In the event that a fish has been speared, the free longitudinal movement of the slide  20  with respect to the shaft  14  results in the line  22  also freely moving relative to the shaft, and hence the fish. This can lead to an uneven “pull” created between the fish and the fisherman as the line  22  may slide longitudinally on the arrow shaft  14  as the fish moves. 
         [0006]    In addition, a stop  24  in the form of a single fixed radial projection, as is shown in  FIG. 2 , results a single area of the stop absorbing all contact from the slide  20 , namely the upstanding wall on the arrowhead side of the stop  24 . The shaft may include a threaded aperture to receive a stop, such as a shock pad, and an attachment screw. The stop may be approximately 1¼″ from the nock end of the shaft. The stop may be in the form of a resilient pad that has a plate or cover that is secured to the arrow shaft with the attachment screw. 
         [0007]    Repeated contact between the slide  20  and this relatively small surface area of the stop  24  may cause the stop to wear relatively quickly or unevenly. Moreover, the asymmetric force (with respect to the shaft) caused by the slide  20  repeatedly contacting the stop  24 , often with high levels of force, may cause the stop  24  to begin to deform itself and/or the shaft, as the stop is urged to bend backward with each impact from the slide  20 . Furthermore, this asymmetric extension of the stop in a single radial direction creates a less aerodynamic arrow as compared to an arrow without a stop. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, a need has been identified for a bowfishing arrow with an improved slide and stop system which addresses these and other shortcomings of traditional bowfishing arrows. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In one embodiment, the invention generally relates to a bowfishing apparatus for use with an arrow shaft with an arrowhead portion and a nock end portion. The apparatus includes a slide assembly including an interior bore and a circumferential receiver tapering radially outward toward the nock end portion of the arrow shaft, said slide assembly adapted to slide longitudinally along and rotate about the arrow shaft. In addition, the assembly includes a stop assembly adapted to be fixedly attached to the arrow shaft, said stop assembly including a circumferential dampener tapering radially outward toward the nock end portion of the arrow shaft, said dampener adapted for at least partial insertion into the receiver of the slide assembly. 
         [0010]    In one aspect, the stop assembly may further include a nock receiver for receiving at least a portion of a nock. 
         [0011]    The stop assembly may be adapted for fixed attachment around a circumference of an outer surface of the shaft. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, the circumferential receiver of the slide assembly may include a cavity with a first shape and the dampener of the stop assembly may include a dampener body with a second shape, wherein the first shape matches the second shape. The dampener may further include a projection, and the receiver may further include a recess for receiving the projection. The projection may be in the form of an O-ring adapted for insertion into the recess, thereby inhibiting longitudinal movement of the slide assembly. In a further aspect, the recess may comprise a wall defining a non-circular perimeter, and the projection may comprise an extension member adapted to engage at least a portion of the wall, wherein engagement of the extension member and the wall prevents relative rotation of the slide assembly and the stop assembly. 
         [0013]    The circumferential receiver may include a first non-circular cross-section and the dampener may include a second non-circular cross-section matching the first non-circular cross-section. The first non-circular cross-section may be adapted for engaging the second non-circular cross-section, wherein engagement of the first non-circular cross-section with the second non-circular cross-section prevents relative rotation of the slide assembly and the stop assembly. 
         [0014]    In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus may include a fastener for attaching the stop assembly to the shaft, wherein the stop assembly further includes an aperture on a radially outer surface of the stop assembly for receiving the fastener. 
         [0015]    A further embodiment of the present invention relates to a bowfishing apparatus for use with a reel and bowfishing line. The apparatus includes an arrow shaft including an arrowhead end and a nock end and defining an outer surface, a slide assembly adapted for attachment to the bowfishing line and for longitudinal and rotational movement about the arrow shaft, and a stop assembly covering the nock end and a nock end portion of the outer surface of the arrow shaft. The stop assembly includes a dampener for engaging the slide assembly and preventing longitudinal movement of the slide assembly beyond the nock end and a nock receiver for receiving a nock. 
         [0016]    In one aspect, the stop assembly may include a first section with a first inner diameter matching an outer diameter of the shaft, the first section for covering and contacting the nock end portion of the outer surface of the arrow shaft. The stop assembly may further include a second section, the second section extending beyond the nock end and including the nock receiver, said nock receiver defining a second inner diameter matching an outer diameter of at least a portion of the nock. The first inner diameter may be larger than the second inner diameter. 
         [0017]    The slide assembly may include a line receiver for engaging the bowfishing line. 
         [0018]    In another aspect, the slide assembly may include a circumferential receiver tapering outward toward the nock end, said circumferential receiver adapted for receiving the dampener. The dampener may comprise a circumferential dampener tapering radially outward toward the nock end of the arrow shaft, said circumferential dampener adapted for at least partial insertion into the circumferential receiver of the slide assembly. The circumferential receiver and the circumferential dampener may comprise matching frustoconical shapes. The circumferential receiver may comprise a concave shape and the circumferential dampener may comprise a matching convex shape. 
         [0019]    The slide assembly may further include a recess and the dampener includes a projection adapted to engage the recess. In one aspect, the recess may comprise a circular recess within the circumferential receiver and the projection comprises an O-ring. In another aspect, the recess may comprise a wall defining a non-circular perimeter, and the projection may comprise an extension member adapted to engage at least a portion of the wall, wherein engagement of the extension member and the wall prevents relative rotation of the slide assembly and the stop assembly. 
         [0020]    The nock receiver may be threadless and may be adapted to engage a threadless nock. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a bowfishing bow and arrow of the prior art; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 2  is a detailed perspective view of the slide and stop assembly of the bowfishing arrow of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates a slide assembly and stop assembly according to one aspect of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4 a    is a side view of a further embodiment of a stop assembly; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4 b    is a perspective view of a slide assembly for use with the stop assembly of  FIG. 4   a;    
           [0026]      FIG. 5 a    is an end view of a further embodiment of a slide assembly; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5 b    is a cross-section of the slide assembly of  FIG. 5 a    along line B-B; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5 c    is an end view of a stop assembly for use with the slide assembly of  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0029]      FIG. 5 d    is a side view of the stop assembly of  FIG. 5   c;    
           [0030]      FIG. 6 a    is an end view of a further embodiment of a slide assembly; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6 b    is an end view of a stop assembly for use with the slide assembly of  FIG. 6   a;    
           [0032]      FIG. 6 c    is a side view of the stop assembly of  FIG. 6   b;    
           [0033]      FIG. 7 a    is an end view of a further embodiment of a slide assembly; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7 b    is an end view of a stop assembly for use with the slide assembly of  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a stop assembly and nock; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a further stop assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    The description provided below and in regard to the figures applies to all embodiments unless noted otherwise, and features common to each embodiment are similarly shown and numbered. 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a bowfishing arrow shaft  114  is illustrated with a slide assembly  120 . The slide assembly  120  may include an interior bore  121  adapted to slide over the shaft  114 , thereby allowing relative longitudinal movement of the slide assembly  120  along the shaft. One or more line attachment points  122  may be provided, such as may be associated with one or more slide extensions  123  for attachment to the line. The extension  123  may encircle at least one third of the circumference of the slide assembly, which may spread the line outward away from the flared head of the stop assembly. 
         [0039]    In addition, a stop assembly  124  is shown, which is adapted to stop the slide assembly  120  from moving longitudinally beyond the stop assembly  124 . The stop assembly may be an outsert stop assembly which is adapted to fit over a top of the outer surface of the shaft  114  and be affixed thereto. This stop assembly  124  may contact an entirety of an outer circumference of the shaft, at least along a nock-end portion of the shaft. In one aspect, the stop assembly  124  may define a first stop assembly inner diameter which essentially matches the outer diameter of the shaft  114 . In this respect, the stop assembly  124  is adapted to be fixedly attached to the shaft  114  preventing relative movement between the stop assembly  124  and the shaft  114 . 
         [0040]    The stop assembly  124  may be affixed to the shaft via an adhesive, a fastener (see, e.g.  FIG. 9 ), a spring pin, a detent, a friction fitting, or other method of attachment. Attachment of the stop assembly  124  to the shaft without the use of a fastener (e.g. by use of adhesive or friction fit without a fastener) may reduce manufacturing costs because an arrow shaft may be used without the need for further processing in the form of creation of an aperture (such as a threaded aperture) for engaging the fastener. Attachment of the stop assembly  124  to the shaft via the use of a fastener may allow for use of a conventional arrow shaft which already includes an aperture for receiving a fastener, such as a threaded screw. In one aspect, the stop assembly may be adapted to fit arrows with different cross-sections. This may include being adapted to fit a circular arrow shaft or a non-circular arrow shaft, such as a shaft with a cross-section in the shape of a polygon, a rounded polygon, or a reuleaux triangle. 
         [0041]    As is illustrated, the stop assembly  124  may include a first mating portion, such as dampener  126 , which may be adapted to engage the slide assembly  120 . The dampener  126  may include a dampener body  127  that may be circumferential in nature and may flare outward from the shaft  114  toward a nock end of the shaft in use. For example, the dampener  126  may be a frustoconical shape and flaring outward toward the nock end of the shaft  114  with the first stop assembly inner diameter therethrough. As the dampener  126  flares outward, the diameter of the dampener increases in size such that the slide assembly  120  may not pass beyond the dampener. The dampener may include a generally conical, ring, hump, or taper, which may include rounded or smoothed edges, and which may protrude radially outward so as to force the slide assembly to stop longitudinal movement. The stop assembly may be made of stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, brass, carbon, thermoplastic polymers, nylon, or the like. 
         [0042]    The slide assembly  120  may include a second mating portion, such as slide receiver  128  for engaging or receiving the first mating portion of the stop assembly  124  (e.g. dampener  126 ). The slide receiver  128  may form a cavity  130  for receiving the dampener body  127 . In one aspect, the slide cavity  130  may be a matching shape as the dampener body  127 . For example, the slide cavity  130  of the slide assembly  120  may be frustoconical in shape, extending from a narrower circumference to a wider circumference as the cavity  130  extends toward the nock end of the shaft in order to receive a frustoconical dampener  126  as the slide assembly  120  contacts the stop assembly  124 . In another aspect, the dampener body  127  may form a convex surface, and the cavity  130  may form concave surface matching convex surface of the dampener body. 
         [0043]    The matching shapes of the dampener  126  and the receiver  128  assure a greater degree of engagement therebetween as compared to a conventional slide/stop engagement of the prior art in which the stop comprises a radially extending projection or post. The nature of the circumferential stop assembly engaging the circumferential slide assembly, thereby establishing 360 degrees of contact between stop assembly and slide assembly, distributes the impact of the slide engaging the stop around a circumference of both the slide and the stop, thereby distributing pressure and wear on the stop assembly and improving longevity thereof. The flared nature of the receiver  128  and the dampener  126 , flaring radially outwardly from an arrowhead direction toward a nock direction, forms a wedge between the slide assembly and the stop assembly. This ensures a snugger fit as the slide impacts the stop, which inhibits relative movement therebetween. This thereby inhibits movement of the attachment point for the line with respect to a fish in use, and provides for a smoother “pull” for the fisherman upon spearing a fish. In addition, a tapered dampener may allow for a thinner profile than a “post-type” stop of the prior art, thereby creating a more aerodynamic and hydrodynamic arrow. 
         [0044]    With further reference to  FIG. 3 , the stop assembly  124  may further include a nock adapter  132  for engaging a nock  118 . The nock adapter  132  may be threadless, and may be adapted to engage a threadless nock. As illustrated, the nock adapter  132  may define a second stop assembly inner diameter of the stop assembly  124 . This second stop assembly inner diameter may be smaller than the first stop assembly inner diameter. The stop assembly may include a tapered section  134  which connects the first stop assembly inner diameter to the second stop assembly inner diameter. This tapered section  134  may be adapted for placement beyond the nock end of the arrow shaft  114  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , or may overlap a portion of a nock end of an arrow shaft  114  with a tapered nock end. 
         [0045]    The second stop assembly inner diameter of the nock adapter  132  may be adapted for snug engagement with an outer diameter of a projection of the nock  118 . For example, the nock  118  may include an extension for inserting into the nock adapter  132  to create a threadless friction fit. This may allow for ease of removal and replacement of a nock in use. 
         [0046]    The stop assembly  124  may further include a first engagement means for engaging a second engagement means of the slide assembly  120  for preventing or inhibiting relative longitudinal movement or rotation between the stop assembly and the slide assembly. The first engagement means and the second engagement means may include any of a projection, notch, lip, rib, flat, groove, recess, or channel, such that upon engagement of the first and second engagement means, the slide and the stop are hindered from moving with respect to one another. 
         [0047]    The slide assembly and the stop assembly may comprise a rigid material. In one aspect, one or both of the slide assembly and the stop assembly may comprise a resilient material that may provide further dampening effect upon impact of the slide assembly with the stop assembly. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    illustrate a first and second engagement means adapted to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the slide and the stop.  FIG. 4 a    shows that the first engagement means may be in the form of a projection  140 . As illustrated, the projection  140  may be an O-ring  140   a . With reference to  FIG. 4 b   , the second engagement means may form a recess  142 , such as the circumferential channel  142   a . As the slide assembly  120  slides rearward on the arrow shaft  114 , the dampener  126  is received in the receiver  128 . Upon doing so, the first engagement means, namely the projection  140  (or O-ring  140   a ) engages the second engagement means, namely the recess  142  (or circumferential channel  142   a ), such as by slipping the O-ring  140   a  into the circumferential channel  142   a . The projection  140  may mate with the recess  142 , with the projection being fixedly received therein. This engagement of projection  140  and recess  142  may prevent the slide assembly  120  from longitudinally disengaging from the stop assembly  126 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 5 a -7 b    illustrate examples of first and second engagement means that may prevent relative rotational movement between the slide and the stop. As can be seen in  FIGS. 5 a -5 b   , the slide assembly  120  may include a second engagement means, such as a recess in the form of opening  142   b . The opening  142   b  may be positioned on a nock-end of the cavity  130  of the receiver  128 . The opening  142   b  may be formed by wall  150 , which may form a non-circular cross-section or perimeter about the receiver  128  when viewed from the nock-end of the slide assembly. For example, the wall  150  forming opening  142   b  may be in the form of a polygon, such as a pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, or octagon. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 b   , the slide assembly  120  may be formed such that opening  142   b  opens to cavity  130 , which tapers down to the interior bore  121  of the slide assembly  120 , through which the arrow shaft  114  is adapted to run. 
         [0050]    As is illustrated in  FIG. 5 a   , the interior bore  121  may be non-circular in shape. For example, the interior bore  121  may be polygonal or floriform in shape, or may include any number of grooves or recessed and raised cross-sectional elements. This may allow for the slide to easily slide along the arrow shaft  114 , while the grooves, recesses, or raised cross-sectional elements may allow mud, sand, and other particles to escape and not hinder longitudinal movement of the slide. 
         [0051]    Turning to  FIGS. 5 c -5 d   , a stop assembly  124  for use with the slide assembly of  FIGS. 5 a -5 b    is illustrated. The dampener  126  of the stop assembly  124  may include the first engagement means, such as a projection  140  in the form of extension member  140   b . Extension member  140   b  may extend radially from a perimeter of the dampener  126 , such as at a nock-end of the dampener. The extension member  140   b  may extend from only a portion of the perimeter of the dampener, less than the entirety of the perimeter of the dampener. In use, extension member  140   b  may be adapted to mate with the opening  142   b  such that engagement between the extension member  140   b  and the opening  142   b  prevents relative rotation therebetween. 
         [0052]    With reference to  FIG. 5 c   , extension member  140   b  includes a first flat element that is adapted to engage at least a portion of the wall  150  of opening  142   b , whereby insertion of the extension member  140   b  into opening  142   b  locks the rotational position of the slide assembly  120  with respect to the stop assembly  124 . In one aspect, the extension member  140   b  matches at least a portion of the cross-section of opening  142   b . In another aspect, the extension member  140   b  may match an entirety of the cross-section of opening  142   b . As illustrated, opening  142   b  of  FIG. 5 a    includes an octagonal outer perimeter including eight flat sides. As the slide assembly  120  engages stop assembly  124 , the dampener body  127  enters the cavity  130 , and the extension member  140   b  enters the opening  142   b . Due to the non-circular nature of the cross-section of the opening  142   b  and the flat element of the extension member  140   b , the slide assembly  120  is prevented from rotating about the arrow shaft  114 . Although not shown, the extension member  140   b  may take the same shape as the opening  142   b , such as a matching non-circular cross-section (e.g. a polygon or a rounded polygon), such that the extension member  140   b  fills the opening  142   b.    
         [0053]    As can be seen in  FIG. 6 a   , the slide assembly  120  may include the second engaging means, such as a recess in the form of opening  142   c , in which the wall  150  may include one or more notches or niches. As illustrated, the opening  142   c  is in the form of a floriform shape.  FIG. 6 b    illustrates that the first engaging means, such as a projection or an extension member of dampener  126 , may be in the form of a rib  140   c . This rib  140   c  may be adapted to be received within one of the notches or niches of opening  142   c , thereby preventing relative rotation of the slide assembly  120  with respect to the stop assembly  124 . 
         [0054]    In another aspect, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 a -7 b   , the first and second engaging means may be integral with the receiver  128  and the dampener  126 .  FIG. 7 a    illustrates a slide assembly  120 ′ which may include a receiver  128 ′ with a cavity  130 ′ that is non-circular in cross-section, said non-circular cross-section of the cavity  130 ′ being the second engaging means. As illustrated, the cavity  130 ′ includes a perimeter  160  which takes the form of a rounded polygonal cross-section, namely a rounded square. This cavity  130 ′ tapers radially inwardly from a larger non-circular perimeter  160  at a nock-end of the receiver  128 ′ to the interior bore  121 . In one aspect, the cavity  130 ′ may taper inwardly from the non-circular perimeter  160  to a circular inner diameter. The perimeter  160  may have any non-circular shape, such as a polygon (e.g. a pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, or octagon), a rounded polygon, or a floriform shape. 
         [0055]      FIG. 7 b    shows that a stop assembly  124 ′ may include a dampener  126 ′ with a dampener body  127 ′ that is of a matching shape to the cavity  130 ′ of the slide assembly  120 ′. In this respect, the matching (non-circular) shape of the dampener body  127 ′ is the first engaging means. As shown the dampener body  127 ′ includes a dampener outer perimeter  162  which is non-circular in cross-section. The dampener outer perimeter  162  may be formed at a nock-end of the dampener body  127 ′, and the dampener body  127 ′ may taper radially inwardly toward the arrowhead end of the dampener  126 ′. In one aspect, the dampener body  127 ′ may taper inwardly from the non-circular dampener outer perimeter  162  at the nock-end of the dampener body  127 ′ to the inner bore of the dampener, such as at an arrowhead end of the dampener  126 ′. 
         [0056]    In practice, as the slide assembly  120 ′ engages the stop assembly  124 ′, the dampener body  127 ′ enters the cavity  130 ′. Due to the matching non-circular nature of the perimeter  160  of the cavity  130 ′ and the dampener outer perimeter  162  of the dampener body  127 ′, relative rotation between the slide assembly  120 ′ and the stop assembly  124 ′ is prevented. 
         [0057]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , an exploded view of the stop assembly  124  and the nock  118  is shown. As shown, the stop assembly  124  may include a first portion  170  including a first inner diameter D 1  and a second portion  172  including second inner diameter D 2 . The first inner diameter D 1  may be larger than the second inner diameter D 2 . In one aspect, the first inner diameter D 1  may be of a matching diameter as the arrow shaft  114  and may be adapted to contact an entire circumference of the arrow shaft, such as at a nock-end of the arrow shaft, and fit tightly thereover. The tapered portion  134  of the stop assembly  124  may connect the first portion  170  with the second portion  172 . 
         [0058]    The second portion  172  of the stop assembly  124  may include the nock adapter  132  for engaging the nock  118 . The nock adapter may be in the form of an aperture for receiving the nock. As illustrated, the nock  118  may include a nock extension  176  for insertion into the nock adapter. The nock extension  176  and the nock adapter  132  may be adapted for a threadless engagement therebetween, such as a friction fit. The nock adapter may be circular or non-circular in cross-section, and may be adapted to engage a nock with a circular or non-circular cross-section. For example, the nock adapter  132  may include a polygonal, rounded polygonal, or reuleaux triangular cross section, and may prevent relative rotation between the nock  118  and the nock adapter  132 , such as is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/993,599 and 15/283,825, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0059]    The cross-section of the first portion  170  and the second portion  172  of the stop assembly may be the same or different shapes. For example, they both may be circular in cross-section, they both may be non-circular in cross-section, or one may be circular and the other may be non-circular. For example, the cross-section of the first portion  170  may be circular and may be adapted to engage a circular arrow shaft  114 , while the second portion  172  of the stop assembly  124  may be non-circular in cross-section and may be adapted to engage a non-circular nock, thereby preventing relative rotation between the stop assembly  124  and the nock  118 . 
         [0060]    In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a stop assembly  124 ″ may be provided on an arrow shaft  114 . The stop assembly  124 ″ extends circumferentially around the arrow shaft  114 , but does not cover a nock end of the arrow shaft. The stop assembly  124 ″ may include a tapered dampener  126 ″ that may take the form of any dampener disclosed herein, and may be adapted to engage any corresponding slide assembly disclosed herein. The stop assembly  124 ″ may be adapted to engage a conventional arrow shaft which includes an opening for receiving a fastener  180  for attaching the stop assembly  124 ″ to the shaft. For example, the stop assembly  124 ″ may include an aperture  182  for receiving the fastener  180  and fixing the stop assembly  124 ″ to the shaft  114 . In one aspect, the aperture  182  of the stop assembly  124 ″ is adapted to align with an opening of the shaft, and the fastener  180  is adapted to pass through both the aperture  182  of the stop assembly and the opening on the shaft  114 . In another aspect, the fastener  180  and one or more of the aperture  182  and the opening on the shaft  114  may be threaded and adapted for threaded engagement. The fastener  180  may be used to attach any stop assembly described herein to shaft  114 , including a stop assembly  124  which is adapted to cover the nock end of the shaft, such as those of  FIGS. 3-8 . 
         [0061]    While the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be understood that numerous variations, modifications and additional embodiments are possible, and all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the first mating portion of the stop assembly may be in the form of a receiver, and the second mating portion of the slide assembly may be in the form of a tapered body similar to the above-described dampener. Also, the drawings, while illustrating the inventive concepts, are not to scale, and should not be limited to any particular sizes or dimensions. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.