Abstract:
A system for selecting an arrow shaft by determining an optimum spine based on a type of bow, a point weight, a peak bow weight, and an arrow shaft length; and a graph for providing a pictorial representation of a relationship between static spine, dynamic spine, and weight per inch of the arrow shaft. In a preferred embodiment, a table which provides an optimum spine for combinations of different bow types, point weights, peak bow weights, and arrow shaft lengths is provided. A preferred method for selecting an arrow shaft comprises the steps of (a) selecting a bow type, (b) selecting a point weight in grains, (c) selecting a peak bow weight, (d) selecting an arrow length, (e) using an optimum spine selection table to determine an optimum spine which corresponds to the selected type of bow, point weight, peak bow weight, and arrow length, (f) selecting a spine versus shaft weight selection chart that corresponds to the optimum spine range, and (g) selecting the arrow shaft from one of a group of arrow shafts within a dynamic spine window on the spine versus shaft weight selection chart.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an arrow shaft selection system and method. More particularly, the present invention relates to an arrow shaft selection system method which is personalized to an archer&#39;s bow, peak bow weight, release aid, point weight, and arrow length to select the optimal arrow shaft. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the most significant developments affecting modern archery was the advent of the precision arrow shaft. Beginning with aluminum tubing through today&#39;s aluminum/carbon and pure carbon shafts, the twentieth century arrow has provided archers with a degree of consistency never before possible. Another significant development was the compound bow. The increased speed and lighter holding weight made shooting a bow much easier and more pleasurable. A third significant development was the release aid. The degree of accuracy afforded archers because of the release aid has been incredible. 
     In order to obtain the greatest accuracy, an arrow shaft is selected according to the bow type and setup. Arrow shaft selection utilizing concise charts and/or computer programs has only recently emerged in the art. One such product is an EASTON™ shaft selection chart which is published in various forms. This product represents what is currently being utilized by most people within the archery industry for a shaft selection tool. The EASTON™ shaft selection chart has a hunting shaft chart on one side and a target shaft chart on the other side. The chart provides a list of several arrow shafts for each combination of bow type, point weight, peak bow weight, and arrow length. This chart does not indicate the differences between the listed arrow shafts relative to their static and dynamic spines. Spine is defined as a measure of an arrow shaft stiffness. Specifically, it is a measure of a deflection in inches of a 29&#34; shaft supported at each end by supports 28&#34; apart with a 1.94 pound weight suspended from the middle of the shaft. Dynamic spine is a phenomenon that occurs during actual shooting conditions where it has been determined that lighter shafts react more stiffly than heavier shafts having similar static spine ratings. As such, the EASTON™ shaft selection chart does not provide enough information to allow the user to make an educated choice between the listed arrows. 
     Another shaft selection product is the EASTON™ &#34;Flight Simulator&#34; Shaft Selection System computer software package. This program has four modules, only one of which is a shaft selection system. The EASTON™ &#34;Flight Simulator&#34; Shaft Selection System incorporates both hunting and target shaft selections in one software package. However, this software is very cumbersome and time consuming to use. Additionally, since it is computer software, a computer is obviously required in order to select the proper shaft. Although computers are becoming more widespread, a computer may not always be available when a person would like to select an arrow shaft. An even more serious deficiency with this software is that a user is not provided with all shaft options. Rather, only a few shaft options are indicated by the software. 
     Several innovations for arrow shaft selection systems have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     Accordingly, objects of the present invention are to provide an arrow shaft selection system and method which is easy to use, comprehensive, and provides the degree of detail necessary for an archer to make an informed selection of an arrow shaft most suited to his preferences. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to principals of the present invention in a preferred embodiment, an arrow shaft is selected by first determining an optimum spine of the arrow shaft then selecting the arrow shaft from among those graphically indicated in a spine versus weight per inch chart. According to further principals of the present invention, the optimum spine is determined using an optimum spine selection table. The optimum spine selection table indicates the optimum spine for different bow types, point weights, bow peak weights, and arrow shaft lengths. 
     One feature of the present invention is that a user focuses on his or her personal shaft selection criteria. This enables a user to graphically compare both the spine and weight of all the shaft types falling within a personal spine range. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a user with numerous tear-off total arrow weight calculators for creating personal (removable) total arrow weight calculations and comparisons. 
     Other objects, advantages, and capabilities of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a method of utilizing an arrow shaft selection system. 
     FIG. 2 is a static and dynamic spine versus weight shaft selection chart. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Table 1 is a preferred optimum spine selection table. Four types of bows are indicated along the top of the table. These are round wheel compound, soft cam compound, hard cam compound, or recurve bows. For each bow type, several point weights are indicated. Several peak bow weights are provided for each point weight for each bow type. Bow weight is the &#34;pull&#34; in pounds required to draw the bowstring. Additionally, several arrow lengths are available for the user to choose from. An optimum spine is provided for each combination of bow type, point weight, peak bow weight and arrow length. However, where a combination results in an optimum spine for which no shafts are currently available, no optimum spine is indicated. An example of this is shown in the lower right comer of Table 1. No optimum spine is indicated for a round wheel bow, a point weight of 75 grains, a peak bow weight of 109 pounds, and an arrow length of 34 inches. 
     
                                           TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________Round Wheel              Soft Cam            Hard CamPoint Weight             Point Weight        Point Weightin Grains                in Grains           in Grains75  100 125 150 175 75  100 125 150 175 75  100                                               125                                                  150 175__________________________________________________________________________PEAK 52  49  46  43  40  47  44  41  38  35  42  39 36 33  30BOW  54  51  48  45  42  49  46  43  40  37  44  41 38 35  32WEIGHT57  54  51  48  45  52  49  46  43  40  47  44 41 38  3559  56  53  50  47  54  51  46  45  42  49  46 43 40  3762  59  56  53  50  57  54  51  48  45  52  49 46 43  4064  61  58  55  52  58  56  53  50  47  54  51 48 45  4267  64  61  58  55  62  59  56  53  50  57  54 51 48  4570  67  64  61  58  64  61  58  55  52  59  56 53 50  4773  70  67  64  61  67  64  61  58  55  62  59 56 53  5076  73  70  87  64  70  67  64  61  69  64  61 58 55  5279  76  73  70  67  73  70  67  64  61  67  64 61 58  5582  79  76  73  70  76  73  70  87  64  70  67 64 61  5985  82  79  76  73  79  76  73  70  67  73  70 67 64  6188  85  82  79  76  62  79  76  73  70  76  73 70 67  6491  88  85  82  79  85  82  79  76  73  79  76 73 70  6794  91  88  85  82  88  85  82  79  76  82  79 76 73  7097  94  91  88  85  91  88  85  82  79  85  82 79 76  73100 97  94  91  88  94  91  88  85  82  88  85 82 79  76103 100 97  94  91  97  94  91  88  85  91  88 85 82  79100 103 100 97  94  100 97  94  91  88  94  91 88 85  82109 106 103 100 97  103 100 97  64  91  97  94 91 88  85__________________________________________________________________________Optimum Spine                                Recurve BowCORRECT ARROW LENGTH                         Point Weightin Inches                                    in Grains23 24 25  26 27  28 29  30 31 32  33 34 75  100                                               125                                                  150 175__________________________________________________________________________PEAK    .852      .777          .713             .658                 .613                    .563                        .518                           .490                              .458                                  .423                                     .398                                        37  34 31 28  25BOW     .814      747 .688             .635                 .588                    .540                        .504                           474                              .440                                  .410                                     .365                                        39  36 33 30  27WEIGHT.852   .777      .713          .656             .613                 .563                    .518                        490                           .458                              .423                                  .398                                     .373                                        42  39 36 33  30.814   .747      .688          .635             .588                 .540                    .504                        .474                           .440                              .410                                  .385                                     .366                                        44  42 38 35  32.777   .713      .656          .613             .563                 .518                    .490                        .458                           .423                              .398                                  .373                                     .360                                        47  44 41 38  35.747   .688      .635          .588             .540                 .504                    .474                        .440                           .410                              .385                                  .366                                     .350                                        49  46 43 40  37.713   .658      .613          .563             .518                 .490                    ;458                        .423                           .398                              .373                                  .360                                     .340                                        52  49 46 43  40.688   .635      .585          .549             .504                 .474                    .440                        .410                           .385                              .366                                  .350                                     .330                                        54  51 48 45  42.658   .613      .563          .516             .480                 .458                    .423                        .398                           .373                              .360                                  .340                                     .322                                        57  54 51 48  45.635   .588      .540          .504             .474                 .440                    .410                        .385                           .366                              .350                                  .330                                     .317                                        59  56 53 50  47.613   .563      .516          .490             .458                 .423                    .398                        .373                           .360                              .340                                  .322                                     .312                                        62  59 56 53  50.588   .540      .504          474             .440                 .410                    .385                        .366                           .350                              .330                                  .317                                     .309                                        64  61 58 55  52.563   .518      .490          .458             .423                 .398                    .373                        .360                           .340                              .322                                  .312                                     .305                                        67  64 61 58  55.540   .504      .474          .440             .410                 .385                    .366                        .350                           .330                              .317                                  .309                                     .300                                        70  67 64 61  58.518   .480      .458          .423             .398                 .373                    .360                        .340                           .322                              .312                                  .305                                     .295                                        73  70 67 64  61.504   .474      .440          .410             .385                 .366                    .35a                        .330                           .317                              .309                                  .300  76  73 70 67  64.490   .458      .423          .398             .373                 .380                    .340                        .322                           .312                              .305                                  .295  79  76 73 70  67.474   .440      .410          .385             .366                 .350                    .330                        .317                           .309                              .300      82  79 76 73  70.458   .423      .398          .373             .360                 .340                    .322                        .312                           .305                              .295      85  82 79 76  73.440   .410      .385          .366             .350                 .330                    .317                        .308                           .300         88  86 82 79  76.423   .398      .373          .360             .340                 .322                    .312                        .305                           .265         91  88 85 82  79__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     Although Table 1 is a preferred means for determining the optimum spine, other tables and alternative means may be employed for determining the optimum spine, such as a computer program. Alternative embodiments of Table 1 further include a column for a radical cam bow. It is known in the art that a soft cam is alternatively called an energy cam and a hard cam is alternatively called a speed cam. An alternative embodiment of Table 1 uses these alternative terminologies. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred method of determining an optimum spine. First the bow type is selected 10 in Table 1. A point weight is then selected 15 from the list of point weights below the selected bow type. Next, an adjusted point weight is determined 20 by adjusting the actual point weight for heavier tapered aluminum inserts of the following RPS model numbers: (a) #2314 add 10 grains, (b) #2312-2315-2317-2413-2419 add 15 grains, (c) #2514 add 25 grains, (d) #2512 add 30 grains, and (e) #2613 add 35 grains. The user then chooses 25 the point weight from Table 1 which is the closest to the adjusted point weight. 
     Next, an adjusted peak bow weight is determined 30 by adjusting the actual peak bow weight for the following factors: (a) compound bow lengths less than 43&#34; that are drawn over 28&#34; add 5-7 pounds; (b) finger release for a compound bow add 5-7 pounds; (c) DACRON™ string subtract 3-5 pounds; and (d) overdraw bows multiply adjusted peak bow weight by 1.02 for 1&#34; overdraw, 1.05 for 2&#34; overdraw, 1.09 for 3&#34; overdraw, 1.13 for 4&#34; overdraw; and 1.17 for 5&#34; overdraw. The user then chooses 35 the peak bow weight from Table 1 which is the closest to the adjusted peak bow weight. 
     An arrow length is then selected 40 from those listed in Table 1 which is closest to the actual arrow length of the user. The actual arrow length is measured from the bottom of the nock groove to the end of the shaft. One inch broadhead clearance past the arrow rest is allowed for bows with cutout sight windows and overdraw bows. One inch broadhead clearance past the far side of the sight window is allowed for bows without cutout sight windows. The optimum spine is then indicated 45 at the intersection of the arrow length column and the peak bow weight row. As an example, the spine 0.852 could have been selected based on a soft cam bow, a point weight of 125 grains, a peak bow weight of 41 pounds and an arrow length of 24 inches. 
     FIG. 2 is a preferred embodiment of a chart 50 indicating the static and dynamic spine versus the weight per inch of selected arrow shafts. FIG. 2 is a chart for an optimum spine of 0.852 and covers a spine range from about 0.730 to 0.950 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes multiple charts to cover the whole range of spine deflections indicated in the spine selection Table 1. Chart 50 includes a dynamic spine window bounded by lines 55 and arrow shaft points 60 and model numbers. Points 60 represent arrow shafts having a static spine falling within the range indicated by the y-axis 65 of the Chart 50. The weights per inch of each of the arrow shafts represented by points 60 are determined by referencing X-axis 70. 
     All points 60 falling within the dynamic spine window, represented by lines 55, indicate recommended shafts. It is noted that there is a downward slope to dynamic spine window lines 55 from lighter to heavier shaft weights. This slope accounts for the dynamic spine phenomenon, i.e., lighter shafts react more stiffly during shooting conditions. All points 60 falling outside the window, represented by lines 55, indicate shafts which are near the recommended range and may optionally be used by the archer. In order for the archer to use a shaft represented by a point 60 above the window, the archer must either increase the point weight or decrease the peak bow weight. In order for the archer to use a shaft represented by a point 60 below the window, the archer must either decrease the point weight or increase the peak bow weight. Providing the archer with a graphic representation of the available shafts allows the archer to select an arrow shaft based on the archer&#39;s personal criteria. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, a chart 50 is selected 75 which coincides with the optimum spine indicated by spine selection Table 1. The user then selects 80 one of the arrow shafts which fall within or near window 55. The user makes the selection based on the user&#39;s personal preferences with respect to the feature of each of the indicated shafts. 
     In a preferred embodiment, technical data concerning each of the indicated shafts within the dynamic spine window is available to the user adjacent to chart 50. Table 2 is an example of such a table. Table 2 includes information concerning static spine, weight in grains per inch, shaft model, shaft type, maximum length, RPS insert weight, nock system, tensile strength, weight tolerance, and straightness for each arrow shaft. Information such as that indicated on Table 2 is then easily accessible to the user. The user is then able to use the provided information to assist in the selection of an arrow shaft. Providing the information depicted in Table 2 in close proximity to the information depicted in chart 50 provides the archer with readily accessible information with which to make a shaft selection. 
     Providing information concerning shaft accessory weights and shaft specifications is preferably provided in close proximity to the shaft spine information as in Table 2. Alternatively, shaft accessory weights and shaft specifications are alternatively provided separately from the shaft spine information. 
     A paper or booklet format is the preferred embodiment of the present invention and is currently the most practicable format in which to introduce it to the archery industry. However, the present invention is alternatively a computerized shaft selection system. 
     
                                           TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________Static    GRAINS    SHAFT OPTIONS  Bare Hunting Shaft - WEIGHT in GRAINS (Compare at                   Your Length)SPINE    Per Inch    MODEL   TYPE                SIZE                   23 .5 24 .5 25 .5 26 .5 27 .5 28 .5 29__________________________________________________________________________.874    7.86 Autumn Orange            XX75                1813                   181                      195                         189                            193                               197                                  200                                     204                                        206                                           212                                              218                                                 220                                                    224                                                       228.799    8.57 Black Eclipse            X7  1814                   197                      201                         206                            210                               204                                  219                                     222                                        727                                           230                                              226                                                 240                                                    244                                                       249.880    9.03 Game Getter II            XX75                1716                   208                      212                         217                            221                               225                                  220                                     235                                        230                                           244                                              240                                                 253                                                    257                                                       262.880    9.03 Gold E75            XX76                1716                   208                      212                         217                            220                               226                                  220                                     235                                        239                                           244                                              245                                                 253                                                    257                                                       262.806    9.24 Red     Eagle                1710                   213                      217                         222                            226                               231                                  236                                     240                                        245                                           249                                              254                                                 250                                                    283__________________________________________________________________________Bare Hunting Shaft - WEIGHT                 RS insert WL          TENSILE    STRAIGHTNESSin GRAINS (Compare at Your Length)            Maximum  Car-  NOCK     Bush                                       STRENGTH                                             WEIGHT                                                  Tolerance.5 30 .5 31 .5 32 .5 33 .5 34 .5            LENGTH                 Alum                     bon                        Size                           SYSTEM                                 Wt.                                    Wt.                                       (PSI) Tolerance                                                  (T.l.H.)__________________________________________________________________________232   236           30   16  *7 1/4                           Conventional                                 7     96,000                                             +/- 7.00%                                                  +/- .002&#34;263   257           30   16 nm                     *7 G  Uni-block                                 7  7  105,000                                             +/- 0.75%                                                  +/- .001&#34;            29   9      1/4                           Conventional                                 7     96,000                                             +/- 1.25%                                                  +/- .003&#34;            29   0      1/4                           Conventional                                 7     96,000                                             +/- 1.00%                                                  +/- .003&#34;            28.5 0      1/4                           Conventional                                 7     56,000                                             +/- 4.00%                                                  +/- .006&#34;__________________________________________________________________________ Italics are theoretically possible but extend beyond the bounds of the Selection Guide. Calculating Total Arrow Weight (Example bottom left): Add the weight of all applicable shaft accessories  See back panel Minimum Total Arrow Weight restrictions may apply Check your State Bow hunting Regulations. Minimum Total Arrow Weight for Pope &amp; Young is 400 grains *See Gel Guide Adj. Pt. Weight 
    
     The present invention preferably includes a hunting shaft selection system and a separate target shaft selection system. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is universal in nature incorporating both the hunting shaft selection system and the target shaft selection system into one. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an arrow shaft selection system, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 
     While the present invention has been described by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent that other alternative embodiments and methods of implementation or modification may be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.