Low coefficient of friction bowstring fiber coating background

Abstract

The present invention relates to abrasion resistance of bowstring fibers with a coating containing Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles to increases string life. The claimed coating lowers the coefficient of friction of the bowstring reducing internal yarn on yarn abrasion, external abrasion and increases longevity.

Claims

1. A bowstring comprising: a plurality of fiber strands; wherein each of the plurality of fiber strands are individually coated with a coating; wherein each of the plurality of coated fiber strands are twisted together thereby forming the bowstring; and wherein the coating comprises polytetrafluoroethylene such that the coefficient of friction between the plurality of fiber strands is decreased thereby reducing wear and tear, reducing string fuzziness, and increasing longevity.

2. The bowstring of claim 1, wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene has a coefficient of friction between 0.05 and 0.10.

3. The bowstring of claim 1, wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene particles makes up 0.05% to 20% of a total bowstring strand weight.

4. A method of forming a bowstring comprising: providing a plurality of fiber strands; applying a polytetrafluoroethylene coating on each of the plurality of fiber strands; and after applying the coating, twisting the plurality of strands into the bowstring.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein prior to twisting the plurality of strands, holding the bowstring under tension to allow the fibers to balance and remove constructional elongation.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene is coated on each of the plurality of strands of the bowstring by submerging in a dip tank of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

(2) FIG. 1 is a view of the strands 20 used to construct a bowstring 10.

(3) Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

(4) The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are therefore not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

(6) Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

(7) In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating possible combination in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specifications and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

(8) The method of the present invention is that it relates to bowstring fibers 20 with a coating 30 containing Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles has been designed. The result is increased string life and durability.

(9) In some embodiments, the invention relates to a bowstring 10 in which during manufacturing process the string is typically held under tension or cycled tension to allow the fibers 20 to balance and remove constructional elongation. This coating 30 reduces the amount of cycle time needed before constructional elongation is removed, providing improved manufacturability.

(10) The PTFE coating 30 is applied to the individual strands 20 shown in FIG. 1. It can be applied via different methods including dip tank, kiss roller, spray or other. The coating 30 can also be applied to a finished string 10 after it has been constructed as well.

(11) PFTE coating 30 is applied to fiber yarns 20 or strands using dip tank, spray method, kiss roller or other methods. Coating 30 may also be applied to finished fibers. Dry PTFE coating weight should be 0.05% to 20% of total yarn weight depending on manufacturing method used.

(12) Another embodiment of the current invention is PTFE which has a low coefficient of friction value (0.05-0.10), this low friction value provides external abrasion resistance, reduced yarn on yarn friction and allows the fibers to share load evenly.

(13) The bowstring 10 is formed in a number of steps. In some embodiments, the fibers 20 are first formed. In some embodiments, the fibers 20 are drawn or spun from one or more polymeric materials. The fibers are then bundled together into yarns. PFTE coating 30 can be applied to any similar method.

(14) The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.