An archery vane having a first side with a first surface and an opposing second side with a second surface, the second surface having a roughness greater than the roughness of the first surface. A projection is attached to the first surface. The archery vanes generate rotation of the arrow shaft about its spin axis to provide increased stability of the arrow shaft and improved flight accuracy of the arrow. Arrows having such archery vanes are easily and efficiently manufactured due to the position of the archery vanes on the arrow shaft generally parallel to the spin axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to an archery vane having a first side and an 
opposing second side, the second side having a roughness greater than the 
roughness of the first side, to generate rotation of an arrow shaft about 
its longitudinal axis, to increase rotation and stability of the arrow 
shaft, and to improve flight accuracy. 
2. Description of Related Art 
Conventional archery vanes have two similar opposing surfaces. Such archery 
vanes do not affect rotation during arrow flight resulting in poor arrow 
shaft stability and poor arrow flight accuracy. 
In an effort to increase rotation of the arrow, conventional vanes are 
attached to the arrow shaft in a helical orientation with respect to the 
longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft. The helical orientation of the 
archery vanes generates more rotation during flight than other 
conventional archery vanes. However, due to the decreased clearance 
between archery vanes, the archery vanes interfere with an arrow rest of a 
bow, for example as the arrow is shot. This interference causes the arrow 
to change direction as it is shot from the bow or wobble during flight, 
resulting in decreased accuracy and flight distance. Further, because of a 
required offset position arrows having helically oriented archery vanes 
are difficult to manufacture. 
Other conventional archery vanes have a surface with a convex shape 
producing an airfoil-type archery vane to generate rotation. However, the 
convex surface produces only a small amount of fluid displacement and 
relatively little rotation of the arrow during flight. Thus, these 
conventional archery vanes do not provide the desired rotation and 
stability to the arrow. 
There is an apparent need for an archery vane which generates enough 
rotation of the arrow shaft about a longitudinal axis to provide increased 
rotation and increased stability to the arrow shaft and improve flight 
accuracy of the arrow. 
It is also apparent that there is a need for an archery vane that can be 
positioned along the arrow shaft parallel with respect to the longitudinal 
axis of the arrow shaft, to simplify manufacturing of arrows while 
providing enhanced aerodynamic flight. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of this invention to provide an archery vane having a first 
surface with a projection and a second surface, which opposes the first 
surface, having a greater roughness than the first surface to rotate the 
arrow shaft about a longitudinal axis or its spin axis, to increase 
rotation and stability of the arrow shaft, and to improve arrow flight 
accuracy. 
It is another object of this invention to provide an archery vane that is 
attachable to an arrow shaft in a position which is parallel to the spin 
axis of the arrow shaft, to significantly simplify the manufacturing 
process. 
The above and other objects of this invention are accomplished with an 
archery vane attached to an arrow shaft in a position which is generally 
parallel to a longitudinal axis or spin axis of the arrow shaft. The 
generally parallel position of the archery vanes provides maximum 
clearance between the archery vanes and the arrow rest, for example when 
the arrow is mounted within a bow. 
The archery vane has a first side with a first surface and an opposing 
second side with a second surface. The first side and the second side are 
preferably but not necessarily mirror image sides having a first surface 
area and a second surface area, respectively, within a defined boundary. 
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the first surface area and 
the second surface area are equal. The first surface can have a first 
surface roughness which is generally planar and smooth. The second surface 
can be generally planar and have a second surface roughness, preferably 
greater than the first surface roughness. 
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the second surface has a 
plurality of surface irregularities that form the second surface 
roughness. Only a portion of the second surface or substantially all of 
the second surface may comprise surface irregularities. The degree to 
which the second surface is covered with irregularities may be a function 
of various design factors, such as the type or shape of irregularities, 
the material used to produce the archery vanes, the desired roughness of 
the surfaces and/or the desired aerodynamic effect upon the flight 
characteristics of the arrow. 
The irregularities forming the surface roughness may comprise a plurality 
of microgrooves, a multiplicity of dimples forming depressions or 
microdepressions, protuberances, pores, stippling, knurling and/or 
particulates that form a non-directional pattern. 
The irregularities forming the surface roughness may be formed by a 
process, such as but not limited to extrusion, injection molding, machine 
cutting and/or chemical etching. The irregularities may vary in size and 
shape so long as a second totally exposed surface area of the second 
surface is greater than a first totally exposed surface area of the first 
surface. 
Regardless of the manner in which the irregularities are produced or 
otherwise achieved, one intended result of this invention is for the 
irregularities to form a surface roughness to break-up, interrupt or cause 
turbulence within or near a boundary layer of fluid flow passing the 
archery vanes while the arrow is in flight. 
During arrow flight, the roughened second surface of each archery vane 
disturbs or interferes with the fluid flow of air past the archery vanes. 
The boundary layer of fluid is disturbed as it passes over the second 
surface, creating a turbulent flow and a lift force that acts on the 
second surface of each archery vane. The lift force exerted on the second 
surface of each archery vane generates rotation of the arrow shaft about 
its spin axis. Generated angular momentum increases rotation and stability 
of the arrow shaft about the spin axis and improves arrow flight accuracy. 
A projection, for example a kicker element, is attached to at least a 
portion of the first side of the archery vane or arranged along at least a 
portion of a periphery of the archery vane to increase rotation and 
further stabilize the arrow shaft about the spin axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to FIG. 1, an arrow 5 comprises an arrow shaft 7 and a plurality 
of archery vanes 10. Preferably but not necessarily, three archery vanes 
10 are positioned on or attached to arrow shaft 7 in a circumferential 
relation on an outer surface of arrow shaft 7. In one preferred embodiment 
of this invention, three archery vanes 10 are positioned equally about the 
circumference of arrow shaft 7, i.e. each archery vane 10 is positioned 
120.degree. from each of the two other archery vanes 10. It is apparent to 
one skilled in the art that more or less than three archery vanes 10 can 
be positioned about or on arrow shaft 7. 
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, archery vanes 10 are 
positioned about or on arrow shaft 7 generally parallel to a longitudinal 
axis or spin axis 24 of arrow shaft 7. Archery vanes 10 can be positioned 
along arrow shaft 7 in a left or right helical orientation. In such an 
orientation, archery vanes 10 are offset with respect to spin axis 24. 
However, in order to provide maximum clearance between archery vanes 10 
and the arrow rest when arrow 5 is mounted within a bow, in the preferred 
embodiments of this invention, archery vanes 10 are positioned generally 
parallel to spin axis 24 as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, there is no adverse 
interference with respect to any other archery component, including the 
arrow rest, when mounting arrow 5 of this invention within the bow. 
Further, arrow 5 having a plurality of archery vanes 10 mounted on arrow 
shaft 7 and generally parallel to spin axis 24 is much easier to 
manufacture than conventional arrows having a plurality of archery vanes 
positioned in a helical configuration about an arrow shaft. 
As shown in FIG. 2, archery vane 10 has a leading portion 28 and a trailing 
portion 29. Archery vane 10 generally has a defined boundary 11 as shown 
in FIG. 2 or can have any other suitable defined boundary 11 similar to a 
shape of any conventional vane that provides acceptable aerodynamic flight 
characteristics. 
Archery vane 10 further comprises a first side 12 having a first surface 14 
and an opposing second side 13 having a second surface 15. As shown in 
FIG. 2, first side 12 and second side 13 are mirror image sides having a 
first surface area and a second surface area, respectively, within defined 
boundary 11, i.e. the first surface area is equal to the second surface 
area. First surface 14 has a first surface roughness. Preferably but not 
necessarily, first surface 14 is generally planar and smooth. Second 
surface 15 is generally planer and has a second surface roughness. 
Preferably, the second surface roughness is greater than the first surface 
roughness. 
As shown in FIGS. 3a-3d, at least a portion of second surface 15 has a 
plurality of surface irregularities that form the second surface 
roughness. In certain preferred embodiments of this invention, the overall 
pattern of the irregularities repeats in a generally consistent fashion 
and can be a function of desired dimensions and shapes. 
The irregularities are intended to form a particular overall or average 
surface roughness, preferably a particular second surface roughness of 
second surface 15. The term roughness refers to a relatively finely spaced 
surface texture, for example which can be a product of a particular 
manufacturing process or which can result from a cutting action of tools 
or abrasive grains. The term flaws refers to surface imperfections that 
occur at relatively infrequent intervals. Flaws are normally caused by 
nonuniformity of the material or are the result of damage to the surface 
subsequent to processing. Flaws typically include scratches, dents, pits 
and/or cracks and should not be considered irregularities that form the 
surface roughness contemplated by certain preferred embodiments of this 
invention. Roughness formed by irregularities as used in this 
specification and in the claims is intended to relate to a surface quality 
which is a product of a process and should not be confused or 
interchangeable with surface flaws. 
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, only a portion of second 
surface 15 comprises irregularities. In another preferred embodiment 
according to this invention, such as shown in FIGS. 3a-3d, second surface 
15 is substantially covered with irregularities. The degree to which 
second surface 15 is covered with irregularities may be a function of 
various design factors, such as the type or shape of irregularities, the 
material used to produce archery vanes 10, the desired roughness of 
surfaces 14 and 15 and/or the desired rotational effect or aerodynamic 
effect upon the flight characteristics of arrow 5. 
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the irregularities forming 
the second surface roughness of second surface 15 comprise a plurality of 
adjacent lands 25 and grooves 26 which form microgrooves covering at least 
a portion of second surface 15, as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. Preferably, 
lands 25 and grooves 26 extend in a longitudinal direction from leading 
portion 28 to trailing portion 29 on second surface 15, such as generally 
parallel to each other and to longitudinal axis or spin axis 24 of arrow 
shaft 7. Microgrooves range in depth from about 0.005 inch to about 0.015 
inch. In another preferred embodiment of this invention, lands 25 and 
grooves 26 are positioned at an angle with respect to each other to 
produce a plurality knurls. For example, lands 25 and grooves 26 can 
crisscross each other to form any suitably shaped apex. 
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, a projection 22, for example 
kicker 22, is attached to at least a portion of first side 12 of archery 
vane 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Projection 22 is attached to first 
side 12 during or after manufacture of archery vane 10. In another 
preferred embodiment of this invention, projection 22 is arranged along at 
least a portion of a periphery 23 of archery vane 10, as shown in FIG. 3b. 
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the irregularities forming 
the second surface roughness of second surface 15 comprise a multiplicity 
of dimples 30 covering at least a portion of second surface 15, as shown 
in FIGS. 3c and 3d. Dimples 30 can be formed by raised surfaces and/or 
indented surfaces. Dimples 30 may have a generally circular cross-section 
forming circular microdepressions, as shown in FIG. 3c, or dimples 30 may 
have a generally polygonal cross-section, for example a hexagonal 
cross-section forming hexagonal microdepressions, as shown in FIG. 3d. 
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, first surface 14 and/or 
second surface 15 are convex, forming an airfoil-type archery vane 10. In 
such an embodiment, second surface 15 may be rougher than first surface 
14. In another preferred embodiment of this invention, first side 12 with 
first surface 14 and/or second side 13 with second surface 15 may comprise 
a bottom portion having a greater thickness than a top portion, forming an 
airfoil-type archery vane 10 with a profile. Preferably, a second totally 
exposed surface area of second surface 15 is greater than a first totally 
exposed surface area of first surface 14. 
In certain preferred embodiments of this invention, archery vanes 10 are 
produced from an extrusion process wherein the extrusion process forms an 
I-beam structure or ribbon 40, for example about 100 feet to about 200 
feet in length, having a generally planar first side 42 having a smooth 
first surface 44 and a generally planar second side 43 having a roughened 
second surface 45. For example, roughened second surface 45 may comprise a 
plurality of parallel lands 25 and grooves 26 forming microgrooves, as 
shown in FIG. 4a and 4b. Ribbon 40 preferably comprises two opposing bases 
46. Each opposing base 46 eventually will form a base 46 of an individual 
archery vane 10. Ribbon 40 is then placed in a press and heated to a 
molten temperature and at least one kicker 22, preferably two or more 
kickers 22, such as shown in FIG. 5, are formed on first surface 44 in a 
runner area 47 of ribbon 40. Ribbon 40 is heated by an apparatus or 
process known to those skilled in the art, for example by a heating 
element or by ultrasonic techniques. Once one or more kickers 22 are 
formed, ribbon 40 is cut into two laterally opposing archery vanes 10 
having smooth first surface 14 with kicker 22 and second surface 15 with 
the second surface roughness. Ribbon 40 is cut into archery vanes 10 using 
means known to those skilled in the art, for example a die. Such extrusion 
process allows any variety of archery vanes 10 to be produced having 
varying size, length and/or profile. 
In preferred embodiments of this invention, the irregularities forming the 
first surface roughness and the second surface roughness may vary in size 
and shape so long as the second totally exposed surface area of second 
surface 15 is greater than the first totally exposed surface area of first 
surface 14. Totally exposed surface area as used throughout this 
specification and in the claims is defined as the total surface area, 
uniform or variable, of a surface within the defined boundary including 
the surface area of surface irregularities that form a surface roughness. 
In certain preferred embodiments of this invention, the irregularities 
forming the second surface roughness are formed by a process, such as but 
not limited to machine cutting, injection molding, and/or chemical 
etching, that produces pits, protuberances, pores, stippling, knurling 
and/or particulates that form a non-directional pattern. In still another 
preferred embodiment of this invention, the irregularities are formed by a 
process that produces a surface roughness with a multi-directional 
pattern. It is also possible to form irregularities with epoxy, paint or 
any other suitable material or process which can be used to produce the 
irregularities. 
Regardless of the manner in which the irregularities are produced or 
otherwise achieved, one intended result is for the irregularities to form 
a surface roughness to break-up, interrupt or cause turbulence within or 
near a boundary layer of fluid flow passing archery vanes 10, such as when 
arrow 5 is in flight. 
As shown in FIG. 5, arrow 5 comprises a plurality of archery vanes 10 
having first side 12 with first surface 14 having the first surface 
roughness and second side 13 with second surface 15 having the second 
surface roughness, each mounted on arrow shaft 7 of arrow 5. Second 
surface 15 is roughened with respect to first surface 14. As arrow 5 is in 
flight, roughened second surface 15 of each archery vane 10 disturbs or 
interferes with the fluid flow of air. The boundary layer of fluid is 
disturbed as it passes over second surface 15, creating a turbulent flow 
that causes a lift force to act on second surface 15 of each archery vane 
10. The term lift force as used throughout this specification and in the 
claims refers to a force acting at a right angle to the direction of 
motion of arrow 5 to deflect an object in a direction perpendicular to the 
velocity of the fluid. Preferably, arrow 5 comprises three archery vanes 
10 equally spaced around the circumference of arrow shaft 7. Therefore, 
the lift force exerted on second surface 15 of each archery vane 10 by the 
fluid flow rotates arrow shaft 7 about spin axis 24. Arrow 5 rotates in a 
direction as shown by the arcuate arrow in FIG. 5. The angular momentum 
produced by the rotation provides increased rotation and increased 
stability of the arrow shaft and improves flight accuracy of arrow 5. 
Result observed during evidence testing with archery vanes 10 according to 
preferred embodiments of this invention are shown in the graph of FIG. 6. 
The difference in roughness of second surface 15 with respect to first 
surface 14 must by optimized to produce a sufficient rotation and 
stability of arrow shaft 7 about spin axis 24 during arrow flight. At a 
rotational speed greater than optimal, the velocity of arrow 5 is 
negatively affected and the frictional drag experienced by arrow 5 is 
increased. 
When projection 22 extends outwardly from first surface 14 of at least one 
archery vane 10 of arrow 5, as shown in FIG. 5, the combination of 
projection 22 and the second surface roughness greatly increases the 
rotation of arrow shaft 7 about spin axis 24 and thus increases the 
stability of arrow shaft 7. The result is improved flight accuracy and 
superior aerodynamic characteristics of arrow 5. As shown in FIG. 6, arrow 
5 having a plurality of archery vanes 10 with a second surface 15 with a 
plurality of grooves 26 and a first surface 14 with kicker 22 rotates at a 
greater speed than an arrow 5 having a second surface 15 with a plurality 
of grooves 26 and a first surface without kicker 22. 
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in 
relation to certain preferred embodiments, and many details are set forth 
for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the 
art that this invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that 
certain of the details described in this specification and in the claims 
can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of 
this invention.