Patent Publication Number: US-2022228844-A1

Title: Connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/852,146 filed May 23, 2019, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The instant disclosure relates to a connector. In particular, this disclosure pertains to a connector for coupling an arrow shaft and a point or arrowhead to each other. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Inserts enable an archer to affix different types of points and arrowheads to an arrow shaft. A typical insert is configured to fit inside the shaft and includes threads for attaching a point or arrowhead to the shaft. The Archery Trade Association (ATA; formerly Archery Manufacturers and Merchants Organization (AMO)) standards dictate that inserts must have a 8-32 female thread for attaching a point or arrowhead to the shaft. Shafts for arrows and crossbow bolts having an inside diameter of 0.166″ have become increasingly popular. However, this diameter is too small for a 8-32 thread insert, and manufacturers have had to develop other means of attaching points and arrowheads to shafts. One alternative means for attaching points and arrowheads to shafts is an “outsert” which slides over the outside surface of the shaft, and includes threads for attaching points and arrowheads. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,638,499 to Perry teaches an insert/outsert assembly for an arrow. The insert includes a cylindrical body having first and second ends. The second end of the insert is dimensioned to fit within the bore of an arrow shaft. The first end includes a prong containing male threads. The outsert includes a cylindrical wall with an arrowshaft end and an arrowhead end. A center bore extends between the arrowshaft and arrowhead ends. The center bore contains a threaded region with female threads located intermediate of the arrowhead end and arrowshaft end. The insert is threadedly connected to the outsert. An arrowhead is threadedly connected to the outsert. 
     SUMMARY 
     A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a connector for coupling an arrow shaft and an arrowhead to each other includes an insert and an outsert. The insert includes a first section, a second section, and a collar between the first and second sections. The first section of the insert includes an outer surface configured for coupling with an inner surface of a bore of an arrow shaft, and the second section is configured for coupling the insert to the outsert. The outsert includes an arrow shaft section and an arrowhead section as discrete sections in the outsert. The arrowhead section is configured for coupling with an arrowhead. The arrow shaft section includes an arrow shaft compartment and an insert compartment. The arrow shaft compartment includes an inner surface configured for coupling with an outer surface of the arrow shaft. The insert compartment is configured for coupling with the second section of the insert. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a connector of the instant disclosure installed on a shaft of an arrow; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 1  in a disassembled state; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an insert for the connector of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an outsert for the connector of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the connector of  FIG. 3  without the shaft of the arrow; and 
         FIG. 7  is an elevational view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an arrowhead. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more non-limiting exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like, but not necessarily identical, elements. It should be clearly understood that the embodiments described with reference to the drawings are merely exemplary in that any one or more of them may be implemented in alternative manner as may become apparent to a person of ordinary skills. The figures, wherein some features may have been exaggerated or minimized to illustrate details of particular components, are not necessarily to scale. Specific structural and/or functional features and details disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting but should rather be considered as a basis for teaching one of ordinary skills. There is no intent, implied or otherwise, to limit the disclosure in any way, shape or form to the embodiments illustrated and described herein. Accordingly, any and all variants for providing structures and/or functionalities similar to those described herein are considered as being within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a connector  10 . In  FIG. 1 , the connector  10  is illustrated installed at an end of an arrow shaft  12 , and in  FIG. 2 , the connector  10  is illustrated in a disassembled and uninstalled state.  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the connector  10  and the shaft  12  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the connector  10  includes an insert  14  and an outsert  16 . In some embodiments, the insert  14  is configured for coupling with or attachment to the shaft  12 , and the outsert  16  is configured for attaching or coupling the shaft  12 , having the insert  14 , to an arrowhead. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the insert  14 . In some embodiments, the insert  14  is defined at least in part by a first section  18 , a second section  20 , and a collar (or washer or stop)  22  between the first and second sections  18  and  20 . In certain embodiments, the first section  18  is configured for being installed in (or coupled to or attached to) a bore  24  of the shaft  12 . In some embodiments, the first section  18  is defined at least in part by an outer surface  26  which couples to or abuts an inner surface  28  of the shaft  12  when first section  18  of the insert  14  is installed in, i.e., inserted into, the bore  24  of the shaft  12 . (see  FIG. 3  for example) In certain embodiments, the insert  14 , more specifically the first section  18 , and the shaft  12  are fixedly coupled (or attached) to each other using techniques and material well known in the art, such as for example adhesive or glue. In some embodiments, the insert  14  and the shaft  12  are removably coupled (or attached) to each other, such as for example via a friction fit or threads. In certain embodiments, the entirety of the first section  18  is positioned within the bore  24  such that an end  30  of the arrow shaft  12  abuts the collar  22 . In some embodiments, the outer surface  26  of the insert  14  is not smooth, i.e., it includes dents or channels or pockmarks and the like, for enhancing the coupling or attaching the arrow shaft  12  and the insert  16  to each other, for example increasing the surface area for an adhesive used for the coupling. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the outsert  16 . In some embodiments, the outsert  16  is defined at least in part by an arrow shaft section  32  and an arrowhead section  34 . In certain embodiments, the arrow shaft section  32  includes an arrow shaft compartment  36  and an insert compartment  38 , and the arrowhead section  34  includes an attachment compartment  40  and a support compartment  42 . 
     In some embodiments the insert compartment  38  and the second section  20  of the insert  14  are configured for being coupled with or attached to each other. In certain embodiments, at least portions of the insert compartment  38  and the second section  20  have complimentary threads on their respective inner and outer surfaces  44  and  46  for coupling or attaching the insert  14  and the outsert  16  to each other. In some embodiments, threads  48  are disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface  46  of the second section  20  of the insert  14 . In certain embodiments, the threads  48  are self-tapping threads that thread into an unthreaded portion of the inner surface  44  of the insert compartment  38 . In some embodiments, though not shown, self-tapping threads are disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface  44  of the insert compartment  38  that thread into an unthreaded portion of the outer surface  46  of the second section  20 . Accordingly, the insert  14  and the outsert  16  are threadedly coupled or attached to each other. In certain embodiments, the insert compartment  38  of the outsert  16  and the second section  20  of the insert  14  are fixedly coupled or attached to each other. 
     In some embodiments, the arrow shaft section  32  of the outsert  16  includes a ledge  50  extending between the arrow shaft compartment  36  and the insert compartment  38 . In certain embodiments, the ledge  50  and the collar  22  abut when the insert  14  and the outsert  16  are coupled or attached to each other. In some embodiments, the ledge  50  functions as a “stop” for inhibiting the second section  20  of the insert  14  from further penetration into the insert compartment  38  of the outsert  16 . In certain embodiments, the ledge  50  operates to eliminates or minimizes stripping the threads. 
     In certain embodiments, the arrow shaft  12  and the connector  10  are configured for coupling with each other. In some embodiments, an end section of the arrow shaft  12  and the arrow shaft compartment  36  are configured for providing a snug fit between the arrow shaft  12  and the connector  10 . In certain embodiments, the arrow shaft compartment  36  of the outsert  16  includes an inner surface  52  which abuts or couples with at least a portion of an outer surface  54  of the shaft  12  when the insert  14  is attached or coupled to the outsert  16 . (see  FIG. 3  for example) In some embodiments, the arrow shaft compartment  36  and the shaft  12  are removably coupled to each other. In other embodiments, a friction fit couples or attaches the arrow shaft compartment  36  and the shaft  12  to each other. In certain embodiments, the coupling is threaded. In certain embodiments, the arrow shaft compartment  36  and the shaft  12  are fixedly coupled or attached to each other. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an arrowhead  56 . In some embodiments, the arrowhead  56  includes a target penetrating section  58  and a shank  60  extending away from the target penetrating section  58 . In certain embodiments, the target penetrating section  58  is any one of the numerous projectile points as are well known in the art, such as for example but not limited to a broadhead, a practice point, a target point, a field point, a blunt, among others. As is well known in the art, the shank  60  is used for attaching the arrowhead  56  to a shaft of an arrow. In some embodiments, the shank  60  is used for attaching the arrowhead  56  and the connector  10  to each other. More specifically, the shank  60  is used for attaching the arrowhead  56  and the arrowhead section  34  of the outsert  16 . In some embodiments, the entirety of the shank  60  is unthreaded. In certain embodiments, the entirety of the shank  60  is threaded. In other embodiments, such as illustrated in  FIG. 7  for example, the shank  60  has a first section  62  and a second section  64 . 
     In some embodiments, the attachment compartment  40  in the arrowhead section  34  of the outsert  16  and the first section  62  of the shank  60  of the arrowhead  56  are configured for being coupled or attached to each other. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the attachment compartment  40  and the first section  62  have complementary threads. In some embodiments, the threads on the first section  62  are self-tapping threads that thread into an unthreaded portion of an inner surface  66  of the attachment compartment  40 . In certain embodiments, though not shown, self-tapping threads are disposed on the inner surface  66  of the attachment compartment  40  that thread into the outer surface of the unthreaded first section  62 . 
     In some embodiments, the support compartment  42  in the arrowhead section  34  of the outsert  16  is configured for receiving or housing the second section  64  of the shank  60 . In certain embodiments, the support compartment  42  and the second section  64  are removably coupled or attached to each other. In some embodiments, a snug fit couples or attaches the support compartment  42  and the second section  64  to each other. In certain embodiments, a friction fit holds the support compartment  42  and the second section  64  together. In other embodiments, the support compartment  42  and the second section  64  include complementary threads for coupling or attachment. In some embodiments, either the support compartment  42  or the second section  64  include self-tapping threads that thread into the unthreaded surface of the other. In other embodiments, the support compartment  42  and the second section  64  are fixedly coupled or attached to each other. 
     In some embodiments, the arrowhead section  34  of the outsert  16  includes a ledge  68  extending between the attachment compartment  40  and the support compartment  42 , and the second section  64  of the shank  60  has a “shoulder” or “ledge”  70 . In certain embodiments, the ledge  68  and the shoulder  70  abut when the arrowhead  56  and the outsert  16  are coupled or attached to each other. In some embodiments, the ledge  68  functions as a “stop” for inhibiting the first section  62  of the arrowhead  56  from further penetration into the attachment compartment  40  of the outsert  16 . In certain embodiments, the ledge  68  operates to eliminates or minimizes stripping the threads. 
     In some embodiments, the arrowhead  56  includes a shoulder  72  at the base of the target penetrating section  58  from which the shank  60  extends. In certain embodiments, the shoulder  72  and an end  74  of the arrowhead section  34  abut when the outsert  16  and the arrowhead  56  are coupled or attached to each other. In certain embodiments, the shoulder  72  functions as a “stop” for inhibiting the first section  62  of the arrowhead  56  from further penetration into the attachment compartment  40  of the outsert  16 . 
     In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 5 and 6  for example, the arrow shaft section  32  and the arrowhead section  34  of the outsert  16  are discrete sections. In some embodiments, the arrow shaft section  32  and the arrowhead section  34  may be physically or structurally connected or attached at their respective internal ends within the outsert  16 , there is no opening therebetween. In certain embodiments, a bar or a rod or a pillar or a similar reinforcement structure extends between the respective internal ends of the arrow shaft section  32  and the arrowhead section  34  within the outsert  16 . In some embodiments, an opening or a channel or a conduit or a similar structure extends between the respective internal ends of the arrow shaft section  32  and the arrowhead section  34  within the outsert  16 . However, it should be clearly understood that any such opening or channel or conduit or similar structure is configured to inhibit the second section  20  of the insert  14  from entering the attachment compartment  40  of the outsert  16  and to inhibit the first or second sections  62  and  64  of the arrowhead  56  from entering the insert compartment  38  of the outsert  16 . 
     In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the outsert  16  has an inwardly tapering profile as it extends towards the arrow shaft  12 , i.e., in the direction indicated by the reference arrow  76 . In some embodiments, an end  78  of the outsert  16  is substantially flush with the outer surface  54  of the arrow shaft  12 . 
     In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of an outer surface  80  of the outsert  16 , i.e., connector  10 , includes a plurality of non-linear furrows or grooves or channels  82 . In some embodiments, the furrows  82  have aerodynamic characteristics. In certain embodiments, the furrow  82  are configured for eliminating or minimizing drag on the arrow during flight. In some embodiments, the curvature of the furrows  82  is substantially similar to the direction in which the arrow rotates upon release. In certain embodiments, the rate of curvature of the furrows  82  is substantially similar to the rate at which the arrow rotates upon release. In other embodiments, the furrows are linear. 
     In view thereof, modified and/or alternate configurations of the non-limiting exemplary embodiments illustrated and described herein may become apparent or obvious to one of ordinary skill. All such variations are considered as being within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure. For instance, while reference may have been made to particular feature(s) and/or function(s), this disclosure is considered to also encompass any and all equivalents providing functionalities similar to those described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, the spirit, scope and intent of the instant disclosure embraces all variations. Consequently, the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure are defined by the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.