Abstract:
The illuminated nock assembly of the present invention attaches to the shaft of an arrow to assist in tracking the trajectory of the arrow in flight and in locating the arrow after flight. The illuminated nock assembly includes a housing having two separate parts, lighting components and a power source. The lighting components are illuminated when arrow shaft is placed on the housing.

Description:
Priority for this application is claimed from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/398,194 entitled “Illuminated Nock Assembly” filed on Jun. 22, 2010 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention is directed to an illuminated nock assembly for mounting on an arrow shaft. The nock assembly is illuminated when installed on the arrow shaft, allowing a user to track the arrow&#39;s flight trajectory and to locate the arrow after flight. 
     It is helpful to see the trajectory of an arrow&#39;s flight in order for an archer to correct for changing factors in the field. For example, wind can greatly affect the trajectory of an arrow in flight, making it more difficult to hit a desired target. Often an arrow in flight is difficult to see, especially in low light conditions. Consequently, this can make it difficult for an archer to correct his or her aim based on various conditions that affect the arrow&#39;s flight. In addition, it can be difficult at times, to locate his or her arrow particularly in those circumstances when the archer loses sight of the arrow in flight. 
     Nocks have been developed that include lighting devices that can illuminate the end of the arrow shaft, making the arrow more visible during flight. However, there are several drawbacks with these nocks in the prior art. Typically, the nock of an arrow is formed by a unitary housing. Such a unitary housing makes assembly of the nock much more difficult, thereby increasing assembly costs. In addition, the electrical contacts which provide connections between the battery and the light source are often damaged during assembly. With the electrical contacts damaged, the device will not work properly to illuminate the nock. In addition, the complex molds required to manufacture the unitary housings are difficult to use and can result in increased damaged castings. All of these drawbacks can significantly increase production costs. 
     Therefore there is a need for an illuminated nock assembly that reduces production costs by simplifying the assembly process and that increases product reliability by minimizing damage to the electrical contacts during assembly. 
     Additionally, the two part housing of the present invention simplifies the manufacturing process. The two portions are double molded so each of the portions comprises generally the same thickness. Being approximately the same thickness equalizes manufacturing shrinkage and bubbling so that the two portions can be consistently manufactured to fit snugly together. 
     SUMMARY 
     The illuminated nock assembly of the present invention comprises a housing, lighting components and a power source. The housing is comprised of two separate, interfitting portions which facilitate assembling the device. The lighting components include a pair of connectors which are disposed between the two portions during assembly and extend from inside the housing&#39;s first bore to the area outside of the first bore. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminated nock assembly to be mounted on an arrow shaft for use in tracking the arrow. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lighted nock that is lightweight. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an illuminated nock assembly having a two part housing that comprises separable, interfitting parts. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an illuminated nock assembly that can be readily installed on an arrow shaft and readily removed therefrom. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an illuminated nock assembly having a housing comprised of two separable parts for containing the lighting components. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an illuminated nock assembly having a housing that allows easier access to facilitate repairing and replacing parts of the assembly. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an illuminated nock assembly having a housing that can be produced by a simplified manufacturing process. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a housing for an illuminated nock assembly that can be molded to a consistent size. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which are shown illustrative embodiments of the invention and from which novel features and advantages will be apparent. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the illuminated nock assembly of the present invention fitted with an arrow. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the illuminated nock assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of the housing of the illuminated nock assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the illuminated nock assembly of  FIG. 1  with an arrow shown in dotted lines mounted on the housing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The illuminated nock assembly ( 1 ) of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  is mounted on an arrow ( 100 ) having electrical conductive properties. The nock assembly comprises a housing ( 10 ), a lighting component ( 11 ) and a power source ( 12 ) as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     The housing ( 10 ) includes two separable, interfitting parts, namely the first nock portion ( 13 ) and the second nock portion ( 14 ) as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The first nock portion ( 13 ) has distal ( 15 ) and proximal ( 16 ) ends with a first bore ( 17 ) having a bore opening ( 18 ). A groove ( 19 ) for engaging a bowstring is disposed on the distal end ( 15 ) of the first nock portion ( 13 ). 
     Within the first bore ( 17 ) is a stepped surface ( 20 ). The stepped surface ( 20 ) includes an abutment wall ( 21 ). The first nock portion ( 13 ) includes a first portion wall ( 23 ) having a first wall thickness ( 24 ) on the proximal end ( 16 ). An end wall ( 22 ) extends circumferentially around the bore opening ( 18 ). 
     The other part of the housing ( 10 ), the second nock portion ( 14 ), includes first ( 25 ) and second ( 26 ) ends with a second bore ( 27 ) extending therebetween. The second bore ( 27 ) has a first opening ( 28 ) extending through the first end ( 25 ) of the second nock portion ( 14 ). The second bore ( 27 ) has a second opening ( 29 ) extending through the second end ( 26 ) of the second nock portion ( 14 ) opposite the first opening ( 28 ). The second bore ( 27 ), the first opening ( 28 ) and the second opening ( 29 ) are coextensive. 
     The second nock portion ( 14 ) has a second portion wall ( 30 ) having a second wall thickness ( 31 ) that is approximately the same as the first wall thickness ( 24 ). Extending longitudinally from the second opening ( 29 ) and along the second portion wall ( 30 ) are first ( 32 ) and second ( 33 ) slots. 
     The lighting components ( 11 ) include a light source ( 34 ), a light base ( 35 ), and electrode contacts ( 36 ). Preferably, the light source ( 34 ) is a light-emitting diode (LED), but other types of suitable light sources could be used instead. The light source ( 34 ) includes a body ( 37 ) with first ( 38 ) and second ( 39 ) light leads extending outwardly from the light source&#39;s body ( 37 ). The light base ( 35 ) includes a base bore ( 40 ). 
     The electrode contacts ( 36 ) comprise first ( 41 ) and second ( 42 ) connectors. The first connector ( 41 ) electrically connects the power source ( 12 ) to the arrow shaft ( 101 ) and includes a first shaft contact ( 43 ) and a connecting leg ( 44 ). While the second connector ( 42 ) includes a coil ( 45 ) and a second shaft contact ( 46 ), the second connector ( 42 ) electrically connects the light source ( 34 ) to the arrow shaft ( 101 ) when the illuminated nock assembly ( 1 ) is in use. 
     The power source ( 12 ) for illuminating the light source ( 34 ) comprises a battery ( 47 ) having a body casing ( 48 ) and a terminal projection ( 49 ). The body casing ( 48 ) is further characterized by having sides ( 50 ) and a shoulder ( 51 ). 
     The housing ( 10 ) is elongated with the second bore ( 27 ) having a cross section that generally conforms to the cross sectional shape of an arrow&#39;s shaft ( 101 ). Since arrows are typically circular in cross section, the second bore ( 27 ) in the second nock portion ( 14 ) of the preferred embodiment comprises a circular cross sectional shape. However, the cross sectional shape of the second bore ( 27 ) could vary in shape to fit the particular arrow shaft shape when necessary. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the housing ( 10 ) is made of a hard, transparent or translucent plastic and the battery ( 47 ) comprises a 3-volt lithium battery. However, any type of suitable non-conductive material that is durable and allows light to pass through could be used instead of plastic. Likewise, other suitable types of batteries could be used in lieu of a 3-volt lithium battery. 
     In the lighting components ( 11 ), the electrode contacts ( 36 ) are both generally L-shaped. The first shaft contact ( 43 ) of the first connector ( 41 ) extends generally perpendicularly to the connecting leg ( 44 ) giving the first connector ( 41 ) a general L-shape. Similarly, the second connector ( 42 ) has a second shaft contact ( 46 ) that extends outwardly from the coil ( 45 ) in a generally perpendicular disposition. Both of the electrode contacts ( 36 ) are made of an electrically conductive material, preferably brass. However, other electrically conductive materials could be substituted for the brass. 
     The housing ( 10 ) supports the lighting components ( 11 ) which illuminate the nock assembly ( 1 ) and the power source ( 12 ) which fuels the light source ( 34 ) during illumination. 
     The first bore ( 17 ) in the first nock portion ( 13 ) houses the light source ( 34 ) and at least a portion of the second nock portion ( 14 ). A frictional fit between a section of the stepped surface ( 20 ) and the second nock portion ( 14 ) removably secures the first ( 13 ) and second ( 14 ) nock portions together when the illuminated nock assembly ( 1 ) is assembled. Also included on the stepped surface ( 20 ) is the abutment wall ( 21 ) which limits the distance that the second nock portion ( 14 ) can be inserted into the first bore ( 17 ) of the first nock portion ( 13 ). In addition, the groove ( 19 ) on the first nock portion ( 13 ) receives the bowstring when an illuminated nock assembly ( 1 ) and an attached arrow ( 100 ) are loaded onto the archery bow. The groove ( 19 ) also stabilizes the bowstring when the bowstring is held in the groove ( 19 ). 
     The second nock portion ( 14 ) secures the electrode contacts ( 36 ) to the housing ( 10 ). Specifically, the first slot ( 32 ) on the second nock portion ( 14 ) holds the first connector ( 41 ) in place on the housing ( 10 ) and the second slot ( 33 ) holds the second connector ( 42 ) on the housing ( 10 ). 
     The end wall ( 22 ) on the first nock portion ( 13 ) acts as a stop limit for an arrow ( 100 ) as the arrow shaft ( 101 ) is fitted onto the nock assembly ( 1 ). Furthermore, the end wall ( 22 ) comes into contact with the electrode contacts ( 36 ). When the light source ( 34 ) is illuminated during use, the arrow shaft ( 101 ) is pressed against the end wall ( 22 ) and in direct contact with the first ( 43 ) and second ( 46 ) shaft contacts. 
     When the housing ( 10 ) is assembled, the second nock portion ( 14 ) is positioned into the bore opening ( 18 ) on the proximal end ( 16 ) of the first nock portion ( 13 ), such that the stepped surface ( 20 ) frictionally fits against an outer surface of the second nock portion&#39;s first end ( 25 ). 
     The lighting components ( 11 ) are contained within the first bore ( 17 ) of the housing ( 10 ). The body ( 37 ) of the light source ( 34 ) is positioned toward the distal end ( 15 ) of the first nock portion ( 13 ) while the first ( 38 ) and second ( 39 ) light leads are positioned closer to the bore opening ( 18 ) at the proximal end ( 16 ). The light base ( 35 ) is disposed between the first ( 38 ) and second ( 39 ) light leads. 
     The first ( 17 ) and second ( 27 ) bores of the respective first ( 13 ) and second ( 14 ) nock portions are in communication with each other when the housing is assembled. Consequently, the body casing ( 48 ) of the battery ( 47 ) is positioned within the second bore ( 27 ) of the second nock portion ( 14 ), while the terminal projection ( 59 ) extends into and contacts the base bore ( 40 ) of the light base ( 35 ) disposed in the first nock portion ( 13 ). 
     With the electrode contacts ( 36 ), the first connector ( 41 ) is positioned such that the first shaft contact ( 43 ) extends through the first slot ( 32 ) and outwardly from the housing ( 10 ). Furthermore, the first shaft contact ( 43 ) lies adjacent to the end wall ( 22 ) of the first nock portion ( 13 ) as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The connecting leg ( 44 ) of the first connector ( 41 ) is disposed within the second bore ( 27 ) of the second nock portion ( 14 ). The leg ( 44 ) is adjacent to and in contact with the sides ( 50 ) of the battery&#39;s body casing ( 48 ). The connecting leg ( 44 ) is in electrical contact with the battery ( 47 ). 
     The second connector ( 42 ) is positioned such that the coil ( 45 ) encircles the second light lead ( 39 ) of the light source ( 34 ) within the first nock portion ( 13 ) and is in electrical contact with the light source ( 34 ). The second shaft contact ( 46 ) of the second connector ( 42 ) extends through the second slot ( 33 ) in the second nock portion ( 14 ) and outwardly from the housing ( 10 ). The second shaft contact ( 46 ) lies adjacent to the end wall ( 22 ) of the first nock portion ( 13 ). 
     It is desirable that the first ( 13 ) and second ( 14 ) nock portions be sized properly relative to each other in order for the portions ( 13 ,  14 ) to frictionally fit together. Such sizing can be difficult to obtain when the portions ( 13 ,  14 ) are cast separately in the manufacturing process. To achieve consistency in the sizes of the portions ( 13 ,  14 ), the first ( 24 ) and second ( 31 ) wall thicknesses of the respective first ( 13 ) and second ( 14 ) nock portions are approximately equal in magnitude. With the first ( 24 ) and second ( 31 ) wall thicknesses being approximately the same magnitude, any shrinkage and bubbling that might occur during the casting process will be about the same in both portions ( 13 ,  14 ). Consequently, the size of each of the first ( 13 ) and second ( 14 ) portions will be more consistent. This results in a more reliable fit between the first ( 13 ) and second ( 14 ) nock portions. 
     On the second nock portion ( 14 ) of the housing ( 10 ), the first ( 32 ) and second ( 33 ) slots are disposed approximately opposite to each other around the first opening ( 28 ). The first ( 43 ) and second ( 46 ) shaft contacts of the electrode contacts ( 36 ) extend radially outwardly from the second nock portion ( 14 ). Both of the first ( 43 ) and second ( 46 ) shaft contacts abut the end wall ( 22 ) of the first nock portion ( 13 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the illuminated nock assembly ( 1 ) is adapted for use with an arrow ( 100 ) having a shaft ( 101 ) that is made of an electrically conductive material. During use, the arrow shaft ( 101 ) is positioned over the second end ( 26 ) of the housing&#39;s second nock portion ( 14 ) and then moved toward the end wall ( 22 ) of the first nock portion ( 13 ), until the shaft is adjacent the end wall ( 22 ) and abuts the first ( 43 ) and second ( 46 ) shaft contacts. The arrow shaft ( 101 ) acts as an electrical connection between the first shaft contact ( 43 ) and the second shaft contact ( 46 ). Since the first shaft contact ( 43 ) is in electrical contact with the battery ( 47 ) and the second shaft contact ( 46 ) is in electrical contact with the light source ( 34 ), the arrow&#39;s shaft ( 101 ) completes the circuit between the light source ( 34 ) and the power source ( 12 ), thereby connecting the light source ( 34 ) to the battery ( 47 ). As a result of the completed circuit between the light source ( 34 ) and the power source ( 12 ), the light source ( 34 ) is illuminated. 
     When the arrow ( 100 ) is removed from the illuminated nock assembly ( 1 ), the circuit is opened or broken between the first ( 43 ) and second ( 46 ) shaft contacts so that the power is no longer flowing to the light source ( 34 ). With no power flowing to the light source ( 34 ), illumination ceases within the nock assembly ( 1 ). 
     The illuminated nock assembly of the present invention provides a two part housing which simplifies the assembly process and reduces potential damage to the electrode contacts during assembly, thereby reducing the cost of manufacture. In addition, the similar wall thicknesses of the two portions comprising the housing promote sizing consistency during the casting process, resulting in a more reliable fit between the parts. It should also be appreciated that casting the present invention&#39;s housing as two separate portions simplifies the casting mold structure. Simplifying the casting mold for the housing can reduce the occurrence of residual stress during the manufacturing process. This results in diminished cracking and fatigue of the molded portions, thereby increasing the production yield and lowering the manufacturing costs. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.