Methods for hydrophobizing bowstrings

Methods for hydrophobizing bowstrings are described herein. In one aspect, the method can include applying a silicone-based hydrophobic coating to the bowstring; and curing the bowstring for a predefined period of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bowstrings for bows are typically composed of water-absorbing materials. For example, conventional bowstrings are typically made of Dacron fibers, Kevlar fibers, Vectran fibers, Spectra fibers, Dyneema fibers, or a combination thereof. However, these fibers are naturally water-absorbent. When waterlogged, the characteristics of the bowstrings can be altered. For example, the weight of the bowstring increases with water absorption, the elasticity of the bowstring can decrease with water absorption, and the like.

The conventional technique for mitigating water absorption of a bowstring is to place a volume of wax onto the bowstring. However, the wax creates a semi-permanent coating, which can wipe off of the string over time. Likewise, the wax can be messy not only to place on the string itself, but also in using the bowstring when the wax is on the surface.

Extensive experimentation has been performed to identify hydrophobic coatings. For example, various oils, beeswax, various other waxes, baby powder, argon oil, to name a few, have been tested for hydrophobizing bowstrings. However, none of the above-mentioned compositions have successfully hydrophobized a bowstring.

SUMMARY

Methods for hydrophobizing bowstrings are described herein. In one aspect, the method can include applying a silicone-based hydrophobic coating to the bowstring; and curing the bowstring for a predefined period of time.

This aspect can include a variety of embodiments. In one embodiment, applying the silicone-based hydrophobic coating further includes spraying the silicone-based hydrophobic coating onto the bowstring.

In another embodiment, the silicone-based hydrophobic coating includes silicone dioxide nanoparticles. In some cases, the silicone-based hydrophobic coating further includes an alcohol solution.

In another embodiment, the predefined period of time can be 10 seconds.

In another embodiment, the bowstring is composed of poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide (Kevlar), Polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron), or a combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the silicone-based hydrophobic coating can be a car coating spray.

DEFINITIONS

As used in the specification and claims, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing,” “having,” and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. patent law and can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, the term “or,” as used herein, is understood to be inclusive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Methods for hydrophobizing bowstrings are described herein. The method can include applying a hydrophobizing coating to the bowstring. The hydrophobizing coating can be a car coating spray that includes a silicon nanoparticles. The spray can bond with the composition of the bowstring after a curing period, which can hydrophobize the bowstring. Thus, the spray can last significantly longer than conventional waxes, and does not significantly affect the weight of the bowstring.

The hydrophobic coating can be composed of silicone nanoparticles. In some cases, the coating can also be composed of an alcoholic solution. In particular, an embodiment of the hydrophobic coating can be the ZXL-Rain spray. However, other hydrophobic, silicone-based coatings for automobiles can be used as well, such as Chemical Guys HydroSlick SiO2 Ceramic Coating Hyperwax, Nasiol ZR53, The Last Coat Black Ice Ceramic Coating, CarPro CQuartz UK 3.0, and the like.

FIG.1depicts an image of applying a hydrophobizing coating according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The coating can be in liquid form, and can be sprayed onto the bowstring. The image ofFIG.1depicts a user spraying the coating onto the surface of the bowstring. The bowstring can be stretched for ease of the coating application (e.g., the bowstring is coupled to a bow prior to application). In some cases, the bowstring can be stretched in a horizontal fashion, or in a vertical fashion, for applying the coating. In some cases, the coating can be sprayed a sufficient number of times to cover the surface of the bowstring, for example, 10 pumps of the spray. In some cases, the coating can be wiped along the length of the bowstring (e.g., with a towel or a user's finger). In some cases, the spray can be a distance away from the bowstring for sufficient coverage of the bowstring when sprayed (e.g., 6 inches away, 12 inches away, and the like). Further, the coating can be applied across the entire surface of the bowstring for sufficient coverage.

FIG.2depicts an image of liquid being placed onto the bowstring after hydrophobizing the bowstring. After a curing period subsequent to the application of the coating, the coating can form a semi-permanent bond with the bowstring surface. In some cases, the curing period can be a sufficient amount of time for the coating to cover the surface of the bowstring (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, and the like). In other cases, the curing time can be a sufficient amount of time for the coating to dry on the surface of the bowstring (e.g., 1 minute, 2 minutes, and the like). In some cases, the bowstring can be isolated from contacting surfaces during the curing time, so as to not smear or remove the coating from the surface of the bowstring.FIG.2depicts an image of liquid being placed on a hydrophobized bowstring according the methods described herein. As can be seen, the liquid does not absorb into the bowstring, and instead wicks off the bowstring surface.FIG.3depicts an image of liquid being placed on an un-hydrophobized portion of a bowstring. As shown inFIG.3, the liquid becomes partially absorbed into the bowstring.

FIG.4depicts a process flow for hydrophobizing a bowstring, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

At Step405, a silicone-based hydrophobic coating can be applied to the bowstring. In some cases, the bowstring can be composed of Dacron fibers, Kevlar fibers, Vectran fibers, Spectra fibers, Dyneema fibers, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the silicone-based hydrophobic coating can be composed of silicone nanoparticles, silicone dioxide nanoparticles, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the silicone-based hydrophobic coating can also include a volume of alcohol. In some cases, silicone-based hydrophobic coating can be in spray form. In some cases, the silicone-based hydrophobic coating can be a car coating spray. For example, the silicone-based hydrophobic coating can be ZXL-Rain spray.

At Step410, the bowstring can be cured for a predefined period of time. In some cases, the predefined period of time can be 10 seconds. In some cases, the predefined period of time can be 1 minute. In some cases, the predefined period of time can be 5 minutes.

EQUIVALENTS

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE