Abstract:
An LED of a lighted nock sequentially advances through multiple different emitted colors by exposing the nock to a magnetic field. The nock is placed in the activated or lit state. Then a magnet is brought within range of a magnetic sensor included in the electronic circuit of the nock assembly. The change in the magnetic field causes the electronic circuit to advance the emitted LED light to the next color in a sequence of multiple colors. Repeated removal and re-application of the magnetic field while the LED remains lit advances the LED color repeatedly through the available colors until the user reaches their desired color. Then the LED is deactivated or turned off. Then when the LED is re-lit, it will still be in the last color chosen, and will remain there until the color is advanced again.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/204,372, filed on Aug. 12, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to arrow systems, and more particularly, to a lighted nock that can be caused to change colors in response to an applied magnetic field. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The use of lighted nocks for archery is known. Lighted nocks are beneficial because they allow the archer to track the flight of the arrow to their intended target, particularly in low-light conditions. Lighted nocks are typically lighted with a light emitting diode (LED) powered by a small battery, typically lithium-type, disposed within the nock assembly. The nock is either clear or translucent so that the LED light source can light up the nock when the battery power is applied. 
         [0004]    However conventional lighted nocks are only one single color, which must be chosen by the user at the time of purchase. The color of the lighted nock either cannot be changed, or the battery/LED component must be removed from the assembly and replaced with a different battery/LED assembly having a different color. Either way, the user desiring to change their LED color must swap out one or more components to make the color change, thus making color changes inconvenient and expensive. Some LED colors are more visible than others based on various levels and types of color blindness or based upon the personal preference of the archer. Moreover, the available array of colors to a given purchaser is limited because each separate color of nock assembly of subcomponent must be merchandised, which takes up limited display space in a store. Packaging multiple separately colored lighted nocks in one single package would be cost prohibitive and undesirable as archers like to shoot a consistent color of lighted nock to tell their arrow apart from others. Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved lighted nock system that permits the user to change the color of the LED without needing to alter or replace their nock components. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The disclosure includes a nock assembly configured to allow for the sequential switching between multiple different emitted colors of the light by exposing the nock to a magnetic field. The nock is placed in the on or lit state. Then a magnet is brought within range of a magnetic sensor that is in the electronic circuit of the nock assembly. The change in the magnetic field causes the circuit to advance the emitted LED light to the next color in a sequence of multiple colors. Repeated removal and re-application of the magnetic field while the LED remains lit advances or steps the LED color repeatedly through the available colors until the user reaches their desired color. Then the LED is deactivated or turned off. Now when the LED is re-lit, it will still be in the last color chosen, and will remain there until the color is advanced again by exposure to the magnetic field when in the lit state. 
         [0006]    The disclosure also includes a color changing lighted nock for arrow shafts. The nock comprises a nock assembly and an electronic circuit disposed within the nock assembly. The electronic circuit comprises a red/green/blue (RGB) light emitting diode (LED), a first flip-flop coupled to the RGB LED, and a magnetic sensor coupled to the first flip-flop. A second flip-flop can be coupled to the RGB LED and to the first flip-flop. 
         [0007]    A plurality of transistors can be electrically disposed between the first flip-flop and the RGB LED. In one example, a first transistor electrically is disposed between the first flip-flop and the RGB LED, a second transistor is electrically disposed between the first flip-flop and the RGB LED, and a third transistor is electrically disposed between the second flip-flop and the RGB LED. 
         [0008]    The electronic circuit can be configured to sequentially advance to a next one of a plurality of different colors upon the application of a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor. 
         [0009]    The disclosure further includes a color changing lighted nock kit for arrow shafts. The kit comprises a plastic shell and a color changing lighted nock according to claim  1  disposed within the plastic shell. The color changing lighted nock includes a shaft insertion portion having a first diameter dimension. A first adaptor is also disposed in the plastic shell. The first adaptor includes an internal opening having an internal diameter conforming to the first diameter dimension of the shaft insertion portion of the color changing lighted nock, and the first adaptor having a first adaptor outside diameter larger than the first end outside diameter dimension of the shaft insertion portion of the color changing lighted nock. A second adaptor is further disposed in the plastic shell. The second adaptor includes an internal opening having an internal diameter conforming to the first diameter dimension of the shaft insertion portion of the color changing lighted nock, and the second adaptor having a second adaptor outside diameter larger than the first adaptor outside diameter. 
         [0010]    The color changing lighted nock of the kit can include a nock body comprising an index structure that prevents relative rotation of the nock body with respect to the arrow shaft while allowing the nock body to move towards the arrow shaft along a longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft to illuminate the RGB LED. 
         [0011]    The disclosure additionally includes a method of changing color of a sporting equipment. The method includes activating an LED assembly disposed within the sporting equipment, applying a magnetic field to a magnetic sensor coupled to the LED assembly, and sequentially advancing to a next one of a plurality of different colors upon the application of a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor. 
         [0012]    The disclosure also includes an electronic circuit for changing color of an LED assembly. The electronic circuit includes an LED, a first flip-flop coupled to the LED, a magnetic sensor coupled to the first flip-flop, and a second flip-flop coupled to the first flip-flop and to the LED. 
         [0013]    The present color changing features can be provided to a wide variety of sporting equipment where lighting is desirable, including fishing equipment such as bobbers and lures, golf balls, Frisbees, archery equipment such as nocks, among others. 
         [0014]    The above summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, or describe each embodiment, aspect, implementation, feature or advantage of the invention. The detailed technology and preferred embodiments for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. It is understood that the features mentioned hereinbefore and those to be commented on hereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a color changing lighted nock system for an arrow shaft according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an assembly perspective view of a color changing lighted nock system for arrow shafts according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a packaged color changing lighted nock system kit for arrow shafts according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an electrical circuit schematic according to certain example embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a discreet circuit diagram showing a layout of the circuit components of  FIG. 1  on a board according to certain example embodiments. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular example embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to various exemplary embodiments. Nevertheless, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, environment, application, or particular implementation described herein. Therefore, descriptions of these example embodiments are only provided for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention. It is understood that the various features and aspects discussed herein may be used in any combination, or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0022]    The present invention can be configured as a lighted nock such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,786, entitled “LIGHTED NOCK” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a color changing lighted nock assembly  100  is shown in axial alignment with three different size nock sleeves or nock adaptors  102   a ,  102   b  and  102   c . Each adaptor has a different outside diameter (OD) corresponding to certain common inside diameters (ID) of arrow shafts  104 . For example, adaptor  102   a  for 0.204 inch shaft ID, adaptor  102   b  for 0.233 inch shaft ID and adaptor  102   c  for 0.244 inch shaft ID are all shown. Other adaptor sizes can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0024]    The inside diameter of each of the nock adaptors  102   a ,  102   b  and  102   c  is the same so that a single lighted nock assembly  100  can be used universally with all of the different OD size adapters. In one example, the inside diameter of the adaptors is 0.165 inches. In this example, the outside diameter of the portion of the nock assembly  100  that is inserted into the adaptor is sized to fit 0.165 inch ID arrow shafts. Thus, the nock assembly  100  would be used without an adapter for 0.165 inch ID arrow shafts, and with a respective adaptor  102   a ,  102   b  and  102   c  for 0.204, 0.233 and 0.244 inch shaft IDs. Currently 0.165 inch shaft IDs are the smallest widely used by hunters, but the present invention can be adapted to smaller shafts and used with a wider variety of adaptors without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0025]    The feature of using one standard nock size with a variety of adaptors to fit with a variety of different arrow ID shafts reduces the need for manufacturing more than one size lighted nock. The feature of the ability to change the color of the lighted nock reduces the need to manufacture nocks (or nock components) in multiple different colors. Each of the foregoing fitment and color changing features alone eliminates the need for the store to maintain inventory and merchandise more than one lighted nock size and color. Combining both color and fitment features provides for the greatest reduction in merchandising and inventory needs. 
         [0026]    The color changing feature allows the user to choose the color of lighted nock that they prefer from the available color palate. Thus, the user can differentiate their nock color from other archers in their group, or choose a color that provides the best visibility in the current conditions, or just to pick a favorite color. 
         [0027]    The fitment feature provides the additional benefit that a user cannot accidentally purchase the wrong size of lighted nock for their particular shaft ID. Furthermore, the user now has the ability to use the same lighted nock for multiple arrow shaft ID sizes that they may use for targets or hunting by simply moving the lighted nock from one shaft to another with the use of the adaptors that are all provided in the original package (kit). 
         [0028]    A single “universal fit” and/or “universal color” package or kit  106  can be provided, as shown in  FIG. 2 , that contains one or more color changing lighted nock assemblies  100  and a variety of nock adaptors  102   a ,  102   b  and  102   c , each in a plurality of sizes. In a preferred embodiment, there is the same number of nock adaptors as the number of color changing lighted nock assemblies  100 . More or fewer numbers of color changing lighted nock assemblies and nock adaptors can be provided in a single package without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, an instruction sheet can be disposed in the package or the instructions can be incorporated into the packaging itself. 
         [0029]    The packaging comprises a full or partial plastic shell  108  including joined front and back panels in a preferred embodiment. An aperture  109  can be defined adjacent the top edge to allow for hanging by a post in the store display. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the color changing lighted nock system or device  100  components are shown. The nock assembly comprises a nock body  110 , an LED assembly  112 , a nock activation collar  114  disposed around the outside diameter of the first end of the nock body  110 , and a nock housing portion  116 . The LED end of the LED assembly  112  is secured to the nock body  110 . The second end of the nock body  110  defines a channel portion configured to receive the string of the bow. The housing portion  116  includes a first end configured for insertion into the inside diameter of the arrow shaft and a second end that defines an aperture for receiving the first end of the nock body  110 . Raised male index tabs  118  adjacent the first end of the nock body are configured to engage respective recessed female index slots  119  defined in the second end of the housing  116 . 
         [0031]    The color changing lighted nock system is assembled by securing the LED end of the LED assembly  112  to the nock body  110  via the first end of the nock body. In one embodiment, ultraviolet curable glue is used to accomplish the securing. Other securing methods and means can also be employed. For example, heat staking or ultrasonically welding the nock body to the LED end of the LED assembly can be used. A mechanical pin or “C” clip can also be driven through the nock body and the LED end of the LED assembly to join the two components in other alternatives. 
         [0032]    In certain embodiments, the activation collar  114  is slid over the first end of the nock body  110  with the teeth facing away from the first end. The activation collar is installed with the LED in the “Off” or deactivated position to set an activation gap for the lighted nock  100 . Then the nock body assembly is mated with the nock housing  116  by inserting the first end of the nock body into the receiving end (second end) of the housing  116  until the components are fit together. 
         [0033]    The housing portion of the LED assembly  112  is then secured to the nock housing  116 . In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end of the battery housing portion is secured via a battery retention screw  124  that tightens the two halves  122  of the first end together to close the gap  120 , which grips the LED housing portion of the LED assembly  112  securely. Alternatively, the housing portion can be glued in place or attached in a similar manner to the LED end as discussed previously. In the glued embodiment, the first end of the housing  116  need not be configured to form the gap  120 . A simple bore can be provided with the necessary clearance for the housing portion distal end. 
         [0034]    The color changing lighted nock assembly  100  is rotationally indexable with respect to the arrow shaft in which it is inserted. The index position will not be lost by operation of the lighted nock assembly (e.g. opening and closing of the activation gap). Index structures such as raised male index tabs  118  of the nock body  110  engage corresponding recessed female index slots  119  defined in the housing  116  when the two components are secured together. This configuration prevents rotation of the nock body  110  with respect to the nock housing  116 , while permitting these respective components to still move longitudinally with respect to one another. 
         [0035]    The LED assembly  112  comprises an elongated body with an LED disposed on one end and a housing extending opposite of the LED to define the other end. An activation gap is defined at the juncture of the LED and housing so that the LED can be activated by closing the gap (i.e. moving the LED towards the housing) and deactivated by opening the gap (i.e. moving the LED away from the housing). 
         [0036]    The housing portion of the LED assembly includes the power source for the LED as well as the electronics for controlling the color of the LED. The color changing electronics can be either integrated as a single circuit component, or the electronics can be separately disposed on a substrate and electronically coupled to one another to provide the specified functionality. 
         [0037]    The battery is preferably a lithium type battery due to the size/capacity advantages of such type. However, other battery types can be used (including multiple batteries in series or parallel) without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0038]    The LED assembly can alternatively be disposed inside of the arrow shaft, but be external to the nock components. In such embodiment, the LED assembly is arranged so that the light from the LED is transferred through the nock body so that the nock is illuminated. The LED assembly can be located adjacent the nock or anywhere along the length of the arrow shaft, including at the opposing front end of the arrow shaft where the arrow head is located. The LED assembly can even be located within the arrow head with the light projected rearward through the arrow shaft to illuminate the nock end. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an electrical circuit schematic for enabling the color changing feature is shown. The LED  200  is a common cathode red/green/blue (RGB) surface mount (SMT) LED. The RGB LED  200  is able to produce virtually any color or hue of light by selectively powering the inputs to the component. It should be noted that the circuit can also be re-configured to utilize a common anode RGB LED or other types of variable color LED components without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0040]    In the indicated embodiment, the capacitors C 1 , C 3  and C 4  each are 0.1 uF 16V capacitors. Capacitor C 2  is a 1.0 uF by capacitor. Control transistors Q 1 , Q 2  and Q 3  are −20V, 200 mA, P-channel Mosfets. Resistors R 1  and R 3  are each 10 Ohm resistors. Resistor R 2  is a 56 Ohm resistor. 
         [0041]    The magnetic sensor (Hall sensor U 3 )  202  is a hall sensor. For example, the hall sensor used in the embodiment shown in the  FIG. 4  is a dual polarity, 1.6 to 3.5V, CMOS out, SOT23 hall sensor. The magnetic sensor  202  senses application of a magnetic field that is greater than a pre-set threshold. 
         [0042]    Components U 1  and U 2  are each dual positive-edge-triggered D-Type flip-flops. The flip-flops (U 1  and U 2 ),  204  and  206  respectively, function as memory cells that allow the circuit to “count” through the sequence of colors of the LED by advancing the clock setting in each flip-flop with each occurrence of triggering the hall sensor  202  by a magnetic field. The outputs of the flip-flops  204 ,  206  (U 1  and U 2 ) are coupled to the transistors Q 1 , Q 2  and Q 3  as indicated in  FIG. 4 , which allows for the LED colors to be changed in a pre-ordered sequence of colors. In one embodiment there are seven colors in the order of: green, red, yellow, blue, teal, pink, and white. Of course, more or fewer numbers of colors can be provided, as well as the colors themselves and their order can be varied, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0043]    In another example embodiment, one of the color positions, such as white, can be swapped for an LED “off” setting. Thus, the LED will be set to be non-illuminated regardless of whether the activation gap is closed. This embodiment provides the user the ability to shoot their arrow without the LED becoming illuminated while avoiding the need to provide a mechanical means (e.g. a lockout collar) for preventing the LED from illuminating. 
         [0044]    In a further example embodiment, the color changing circuit can be configured to put the LED into a flashing mode as one of the sequence of LED output modes. 
         [0045]    The electronic circuit disclosed herein for changing the LED colors advantageously does not require a microprocessor to control the color sequencing of the LED. This allows the circuit to be made smaller and less costly as compared to a circuit that includes a microprocessor. However, in certain embodiments, a control circuit that includes a microprocessor programmed to sequence the colors of the LED can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  shows the circuit components of  FIG. 4  disposed on a circuit board  208  in one embodiment of a board layout. However, other layouts and configurations can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0047]    Some or all of the various color changing circuit components described herein can also be configured as a custom integrated circuit component. This would allow the electronics to be physically much smaller than the discrete circuit of  FIG. 4 , which is made from independent electronic components. 
         [0048]    The magnet used to generate the magnetic field to advance the color can be any ordinary magnet with a magnetic field sufficient to trigger the hall sensor. 
         [0049]    The hall sensor  202  can be replaced with a different type of sensor in alternative embodiments. For example, an accelerometer or impact sensor component can be provided, which will react to a force applied to the arrow nock. In such example, the colors can be advanced by tapping the nock body with the user&#39;s hand or by contacting the nock body against a surface. However, the force is preferably selected such that the color is not advanced when the arrow is shot from a bow or when contacting a target. 
         [0050]    The present invention can be combined into a kit (assembled or unassembled) including one or more arrow shafts or arrow heads. The present invention can also be configured as a retrofit LED assembly that will fit in the same space as a single-color LED assembly in conventional equipment. 
         [0051]    Two or more colors can be provided, but preferably more than two different colors are selectable, and significantly more than three colors can be provided (e.g. six or twelve or more) according to certain embodiments. 
         [0052]    In use, according to one example embodiment, the nock assembly  100  is placed in the activated, LED “on” or lit state by moving the nock body  110  towards the housing  116  (preferably in a linear longitudinal manner). Then the user brings a magnet within range of the magnetic sensor  202  (U 3 ). The sensor  202  causes the electronic components in the circuit to advance, clock, step or toggle to the next LED color in the possible sequence of colors enabled by the circuit. The magnet is then removed from the proximity of the magnetic sensor  202 . 
         [0053]    The next available color can be selected by again bringing the magnet within close enough proximity to the magnetic sensor  202  to trigger the sensor, thereby causing the circuit to advance to the next color. 
         [0054]    Repeated application and withdrawal of the magnet as described above will cause the circuit to eventually advance through all of the available colors. At that point, the next advancing action will be back to the first color in the available sequence of colors. 
         [0055]    Once the LED is emitting the color or hue from the available colors that the user chooses, the LED is turned off by pulling or moving the nock body  110  away from the housing  116  (again preferably in a linearly longitudinal manner). In the “off” or deactivated (unlit) state, the hall sensor is not triggered by the presence of a magnetic field, so the color will not accidentally advance to another setting. 
         [0056]    When the LED is activated or turned on again, it will be the same color it was when it was turned off. Thus, the color setting is maintained until the user changes it in the manner described herein. 
         [0057]    It is a feature and advantage of certain embodiments to provide an on/off mechanism separate from the color advancing mechanism. Doing this permits the same color to be maintained regardless of the number of on/off cycles of the LED. 
         [0058]    The color changing features need not be limited to arrow nocks. The invention can be applied to other sporting equipment where internal lighting is desirable. For example, the LED, battery and associated circuitry can be disposed within fishing equipment such as bobbers and lures, inside of golf balls, secured to Frisbees, among others. 
         [0059]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, such scope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover, features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed and matched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein) without departing from the scope of the invention.