Patent ID: 12215961

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and implementations of, methods, apparatuses, and systems for nocks. Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIGS.1through5illustrate various views of an exemplary nock21in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The nock21is molded from a reinforced polymeric material (or blend of polymeric materials). The nock21can be used with or without a light assembly, as will be discussed herein.

For lighted nock applications, the reinforced polymeric material is preferably transparent, but may also be semi-transparent or translucent. Light transmittance of the polymeric material is preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 75%, and most preferably at least 85%. Nocks for vertical bows and crossbows are often distinguished in their general shape, but both are collectively referred to herein as “nocks”. As used herein, the term “bows” refers generically to both vertical bows and crossbows.

The nock21illustrated inFIGS.1-5is a clip-on nock. The prongs23flex outward25until the bowstring is seated in semi-circular opening27. In order to withstand the forces generated in high-powered bows, the polymeric material must have a high impact strength, but also requires sufficient flexibility to permit the nock prongs23to deflect when engaging with and disengaging from the bowstring29. The polymeric material preferably has a tensile strength of greater than about 10,000 pounds per square inch (psi) as determined by ASTM D638. The polymeric material preferably has a flexural strength of greater than about 20,000 psi as determined by ASTM D790. The polymeric material preferably has a flexural modulus of greater than 0.50×106 psi. The flexural modules is the ratio, within the elastic limit, of stress corresponding to strain.

The reinforcing material can be plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, wood, and/or natural and synthetic composite material, and so forth, as well as combinations thereof. For example, reinforcing material can be glass, carbon, titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, talc, mica, quartz, Wollastonite, as well as combinations thereof. The form of the reinforcing material can be fibers (including woven, nonwoven (e.g., felt), chopped, continuous, and/or random fibers), flakes, beads, particles, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the reinforcing material has an average aspect ratio (i.e., the ratio of a structure's size in different dimensions) of at least about 5:1, and more preferably at least about 7:1, and most preferably about 10:1.

In one embodiment, the nock21is molded from a high impact, transparent polycarbonate material filled with between about 10% to about 30% by weight reinforcing material. In one embodiment, the reinforcing material is about 20% by weight glass fibers or filamentous glass. The glass fibers preferably have diameters in the range of about 5 microns to about 100 microns and a length of less than about 2 millimeters. One polymeric material suitable for the present high impact nock is available from RTP Company of Winona, Wis. under the product designation RTP303. While the material is substantially transparent, it exhibits a slight yellow tint. Polyurethane, polyetherimide, nylon, polyetheretherketone, polyetherketone, and thermoplastic polyimide may also be used. Other polymeric materials suitable for the present nock21are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,434,334 (Marur et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,767,738 (Gagger et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,119 (Hoefflin), which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Transparency is the physical property of allowing light to pass through a material without being scattered. Translucency, on the other hand, allows light to pass through, but the photons can be scattered either at interfaces where there is a change in index of refraction or internally. The nock21is preferably constructed from a polymeric material that is transparent (or transparent to certain wavelengths of light due to color tinting of the polymer), while the reinforcing material scatters some portion of the light from the light emitting device. Consequently, portions of the nock21both transparent and translucent. That is, a portion of the light emitted by the light emitting device is transmitted through the nock21and a portion of the light is scattered by the reinforcing material.

By altering the percentage of reinforcing material in the polymeric material it is possible to engineer the optimum balance of transmitted light (which creates more directional light source that is visible at a greater distance) and scattered light (which creates a hemispheric distribution of light that is visible from more angles). Applicants have identified a reinforcing material content of about 10% to about 30% by weight as providing optimal light distribution for lighted nock applications.

The nock21illustrated inFIGS.1-5may be used with the crossbows illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 9,494,379 (Yehle) entitled Crossbow, filed Apr. 14, 2016 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/433,769 entitled Crossbow, filed Feb. 15, 2017, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In particular, the anti-dry fire mechanism disclosed in the patents noted above preferably engages with the nock21in the region31behind the bowstring29. The region31is preferably at least about 0.1 inches. Flat regions33illustrated inFIG.3are preferably separate by a distance35of about 0.250 inches, which corresponds to a gap between fingers on a bowstring catch for the crossbow in the patents noted above.

FIGS.6A and6Bare cross-sectional views of the lighted nock assembly20in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the light assembly24is a “bobber-light” that includes light emitting device26, such as a filament light, an LED, or other light producing device, electrically coupled to battery28. The nock21includes recess22configured to receive the light emitting device26.

In the illustrated embodiment, elastomeric member30maintains gap32between light emitting device26and the battery28corresponding to the battery28being disconnected from the light emitting device26(seeFIG.7A). The light assembly24is biased to the deactivated configuration by the elastomeric member30.

As best illustrated inFIG.6B, on launch the bowstring (not shown) applies force34to displace the nock21into the arrow shaft36, reducing or closing the gap38. Bottom surface40of the recess22simultaneously displaces the light emitting device26toward the battery28to complete the circuit and altering the light emitting device to an activated state (see e.g.,FIG.7B). Elastomeric insert46secures the battery28to the inside surface44of the arrow shaft36so as to create force48that opposes the force34applied to the light emitting device26by displacement of the nock21. The opposing forces34and48compress the elastomeric material30and substantially closes the gap32, resulting in the battery28being electrically coupled to the light emitting device26(seeFIG.7B). The light emitting device26is now in the activated state.

The light assembly24is moved to the deactivated configuration by pulling the nock21slightly out of the arrow shaft36as illustrated inFIG.6Aand reestablishing the gap38. The elastomeric material30simultaneously displaces the light emitting device26away from the battery28and opens the circuit to deactivate the light emitting device26(see e.g.,FIG.7A). The light assembly24is normally biased to the deactivated configuration absent an external force.

FIGS.7A and7Billustrate the light assembly24in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.7Aillustrates the light assembly24in the deactivated configuration andFIG.7Billustrates the activated configuration. The light emitting device26includes a pair of electrical contacts50and52that extend rearward within housing54toward the battery28. In the illustrated embodiment the contact50is engaged with one pole of the battery28at all times. In the deactivated configuration the contact52is separated from the other pole56of the battery28. The elastomeric member30maintains that separation. In another embodiment, a metal spring may be located generally concentrically around the pole56to serve as both the contact50and to provide the biasing force of the elastomeric member30. In both embodiments the light assembly24is biased to the inactive configuration.

As illustrated inFIG.7B, when the light assembly24is subject to a longitudinal compressive force58the elastomeric member30is elastically deformed and compressed a sufficient amount so the contact52engages with the other pole56of the battery28, completing the circuit so the light emitting device26is in the activated state. When the longitudinal compressive force58is removed the elastomeric member30automatically returns to its original size and shape (seeFIG.7A), which displaces the contact52way from the pole56of the battery28to move the light emitting device26to the deactivated state.

In another embodiment, the light emitting device26is secured in the recess22in the nock21. When the nock21is pulled away from the arrow shaft36and the gap38is reset, the light emitting device26and the contact52are also displaced away from the pole56of the battery28and the light emitting device26is in the deactivated state. The elastomeric member30is not required in this embodiment.

In an alternate embodiment illustrated inFIG.7C, one or more accelerometer switches or an integrated circuit accelerometer100A,100B (“100”) control activation of the light emitting device26, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,224 (Brywig), which is hereby incorporated by reference. The switches100respond to the forces resulting from the acceleration of the arrow upon release or deceleration of the arrow upon impact with a target. In one embodiment, multiple accelerometer switches100are provided to sense acceleration and/or deceleration along multiple axes102,104. For example, axis102may be located along a longitudinal axis of the arrow and the axis104is perpendicular to the axis102. Triggering of the light emitting device26preferably requires a combination of acceleration and/or deceleration signals along the two different axes102,104.

FIGS.8A and8Billustrate an alternate lighted nock assembly20used in combination with bushing60in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The bushing60is a hollow cylinder that is interposed between the nock21and the arrow shaft36to reinforce the shaft36. The light assembly24extends through center opening62in the bushing60. The bushing60is preferably aluminum or other light-weight metal.

The present disclosure is not limited to the light assemblies24illustrated herein. The present lighted nock assembly20can be modified to operate with a variety of light assemblies, including without limitation the light assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,930 (Carissimi), U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,837 (Bennett); U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,552 (Call et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,631 (Ginder); U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,742 (Price et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,784 (DiCarlo); U.S. Pat. No. 7,211,011 (Sutherland); U.S. Pat. No. 7,837,580 (Huang); U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,550 (Lynch); U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,240 (Lynch); U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,224 (Brywig); U.S. Pat. No. 8,342,990 (Price); U.S. Pat. No. 8,540,594 (Chu); U.S. Pat. No. 8,758,177 (Minica); U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,786 (Bay); U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,944 (Pedersen et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 9,140,527 (Pedersen et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 9,151,580 (Pedersen); U.S. Pat. No. 9,243,875 (Minica); U.S. Pat. No. 9,279,647 (Marshall); U.S. Pat. No. 9,279,648 (Marshall); U.S. Pat. No. 9,279,649 (Bay); U.S. Pat. No. 9,404,720 (Pedersen); U.S. Pat. No. 9,423,219 (Pedersen et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 9,518,806 (Pedersen); U.S. Pat. No. 9,546,851 (Kim); 2015/0192395 (Beck), which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The present disclosure is applicable to any nock configuration, including without limitation, flat, half-moon, slotted, and universal nocks, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,441,925 (Palomaki et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 9,285,195 (Palomaki et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 9,212,874 (Harding); U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,855 (Bednar et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,170 (Korsa et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,843 (Anderson et al.); D717,389 (Huang); D664,625 (Minica); D641,827 (Errett); and D595,803 (Giles), which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG.9illustrates a lighted nock assembly70including a light assembly24and a half-moon nock72in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.10illustrates a lighted nock assembly80including a light assembly24and a V-nock82in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.11illustrates a lighted nock assembly90including a light assembly24and a flat nock92in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS.12A through12Cillustrate an alternate lighted nock assembly120used in combination with bushing122in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The bushing122is preferably constructed from a light weight metal and is sized to be receive within arrow shaft142. In the illustrated embodiment, the bushing122includes shoulder123that engages with rear end125of the arrow shaft142.

In the illustrated embodiment, the light assembly124is a “bobber-light” that includes light emitting device126, such as a filament light, an LED, or other light producing device, electrically coupled to battery128. See also,FIG.15. The light emitting device126is mechanically coupled to a battery128. Displacing the light emitting device126toward the battery128activates the light emitting device126and displacing the light emitting device126away from the battery128deactivates the light emitting device.FIG.12Billustrates the lighted nock assembly120in a deactivated configuration110andFIG.12Cillustrates the lighted nock assembly120in an activated configuration112, as will be discussed further herein.

As best illustrated inFIG.12B, the nock130includes recess132configured to receive the light assembly124(see alsoFIG.14A). The light emitting device126is secured in the recess132using a variety of means, such as fasteners, adhesives, inter-locking structures, and the like. Only the light emitting device126is attached to the nock130so the remainder of the light assembly124can move relative to the nock, as illustrated inFIG.12C. The nock130is preferably molded from a transparent, high impact strength polymeric material, as discussed herein.

Battery128is secured to inside surface138of the bushing122by battery stop136. The battery stop136is attached to the battery128at a location offset from the nock130, even in the activated configuration112. The battery stop136is a discrete component from the nock130and the bushing122. Consequently, the nock130is coupled to the battery stop136by the battery128, such that movement of the nock130relative to the bushing122is independent from the engagement of the battery stop136with the bushing122.

Distal end127of the bushing122preferably includes a structure129, such as a ridge or a shoulder that limits displacement of the battery stop136in direction131. The tolerances on the battery stop136are such that it can slide within the bushing122, but substantially limits radial displacement of the battery128within the arrow shaft142. This configuration also serves to reinforce the nock130from torque applied by a bowstring. These forces are substantially contained within the bushing122, rather than the arrow shaft142.

In the illustrated embodiment, the battery128is glued to center opening148that extends through the battery stop136. The center opening148permits the battery stop136to be slid along the battery128to the optimum location before being glued in place. It is also possible to use a longer battery128that extends past distal end of the battery stop136.

Friction member134, such as an elastomeric O-ring, is located in recess135in the battery stop136. See also,FIGS.16A and16B. The friction member134engages with inside surface138of the bushing122rather than inside surface140of the arrow shaft142. In the illustrated embodiment, inside surface138of the bushing122includes recess144that receives a portion of the friction member134. Locating the O-ring134in the opposing recesses135,144resists longitudinal displacement of the battery128in the bushing122a sufficient amount to permit the nock130to be pulled to reset the gap152to the deactivated configuration110, without removing the lighted nock assembly120from the bushing122(seeFIG.12C). By applying additional pulling force to the nock130, the entire lighted nock assembly120(light assembly124, battery stop136, and nock130) can be removed from the bushing122and replaced.

Because the lighted nock assembly120is contained within the bushing122, forces applied to the nock130during launch are transmitted to the shaft142through the bushing122. For example, radial outward forces146transmitted to the battery stop136and friction member134are contained by the bushing122, rather than the arrow shaft142. Many existing lighted nock systems have components that transfer forces to the inside surface of the arrow shaft, causing arrow shaft fractures. The present system isolates the forces generated by the nock130within the bushing122, so any forces experience by the nock130are transmitted to the arrow shalt142by the bushing122, greatly extending arrow life. When combined with a nock molded from a transparent, high impact strength polymeric material, the present lighted nock assembly120is suitable for use with high-powered bows and crossbows.

On launch the bowstring (not shown) applies force150that displaces the nock130into the arrow shaft142to the activated configuration112shown inFIG.12C, reducing or closing the gap152. Bottom surface154of the recess132simultaneously displaces the light emitting device126toward the battery128, completing the circuit and placing the light emitting device126to an activated state. The friction member134secures the battery128to the inside surface138of the bushing122so as to create force156that opposes the force150applied to the light emitting device126by displacement of the nock130. The opposing forces150and156displace the light emitting device126toward the battery128to substantially reduce or close the gap158and to activate the light emitting device126.

The light assembly124is moved to the deactivated configuration110by pulling the nock130slightly out of the arrow shaft142to reestablish the gap152, as illustrated inFIG.12B. The friction member134secures the battery stop136that is attached to the battery128within the bushing122in opposition to the nock130being pulled away from the bushing122. Consequently, the light emitting device126can be deactivated without removing the light assembly124from the bushing122.

FIGS.13A and13Bshow the lighted nock assembly120separated from the bushing122. Since the battery stop136is glued to the battery128and the LED126is glued to the nock130, the entire lighted nock assembly120can be removed from the bushing122. In the event the light assembly124is not working or the nock130damaged, the user can pull the entire lighted nock assembly120from the bushing122by overcoming the frictional coupling generated by the friction member134engaged with the recess144(seeFIG.12B) in the bushing122. A replacement lighted nock assembly120is then re-inserted into the bushing122. This configuration permits the bushing122to be permanently attached, such as with an adhesive, to the arrow shaft142(seeFIG.12B).

The nock130preferably includes one or more ridges160that mate with corresponding grooves162located on inside surface138in center opening164of the bushing122. The ridges160and grooves162prevent the nock130from rotating axially relative to the bushing122so the nock opening166is retained in the correct orientation relative to the arrow shaft142. See also,FIGS.14A and14B.

FIGS.17A and17Billustrate the lighted nock assembly120and the bushing122with stop tab170located in the gap152(seeFIG.12A) to prevent inadvertent activation of the light assembly124. The tab stop170is useful for shipping purposes and for carrying arrows containing the present lighted nock assembly120in the field. The stop tab170includes one or more arms172that wrap around the stem of the nock130and block the gap152from closing. The arms172are designed to flex outward during insertion into, and removal from, the gap152.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tab stop170includes a handle portion174that is large enough to prevent the nock130from being engaged with a crossbow trigger housing, forcing the user to remove the tab stop170before nocking the arrow. The handle portion174preferably has at least one major dimension176that is at least about two times an outside diameter180of the arrow shaft142(seeFIG.12B) coupled to the nock130, and more preferably at least about three times the outside diameter of the arrow shaft.

FIG.18illustrates a matched weight arrow190that can be both lighted and non-lighted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, “matched weight arrows” refers to a plurality of arrows with the same functional characteristics, such as for example, length, stiffness, weight, and diameter, that exhibit substantially similar flight characteristics when launched from the same bow. The present matched weight arrows190have a weight difference of less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 5%, and most preferably less than about 2%. In operation, matched weight arrows can be used interchangeable without adjusting the sight or scope on the bow.

The arrow190includes a threaded front insert192that receives an arrow head (not shown), a shaft194, fletching196, and a rear opening198configured to receive any of the bushings and/or nocks disclosed herein. The present matched weight arrow190is configured to have substantially the same weight, whether used with our without the present lighted nock assembly120, so their flight characteristics are the substantially the same. Consequently, a user can select either a lighted arrow or a non-lighted arrow without having to compensate for different weight arrows.

For a non-lighted arrow190, for example, the bushing60(seeFIG.8B) and the nock21(FIG.1) are inserted into the rear opening198, without the lighted nock assembly120.

For a lighted arrow190, for example, the present lighted nock assembly120and bushing122is inserted into the rear opening198. Since the lighted nock assembly120and bushing122are heavier than just the nock21and bushing60, weight is preferably removed elsewhere from the lighted arrow, such as from the shaft194, the threaded front insert192, or the fletching196, so the lighted arrow weighs substantially the same as a non-lighted arrow. In one embodiment, weight is removed from the front insert192of the lighted arrow to offset the weight added by the lighted nock assembly120. In one embodiment, the rear bushing122used with the lighted arrow assembly120is lighter than the bushing60, to offset some or all of the weight difference. In another embodiment, weight is added to the non-lighted arrows, such for example, in the threaded front insert192or the rear bushing60, equal to the amount of weight added by the lighted nock assembly120and bushing122. Consequently, the user can carry both lighted arrows and non-lighted arrows having substantially the same weight and flight characteristics. These matched weight arrows190can be used interchangeable without effecting accuracy.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within this disclosure. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges which may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the various methods and materials are now described. All patents and publications mentioned herein, including those cited in the Background of the application, are hereby incorporated by reference to disclose and described the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

Other embodiments are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes disclosed. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

Thus the scope of this disclosure should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present disclosure, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims.