SPEED NOCK

Abstract

An archery system includes a riser with a first end and a second end and configured to be gripped by a user, a first limb extending from the first end of the riser and a second limb extending from the second end of the riser, a bowstring extending between and operably coupled with a second end of the first limb and a second end of the second limb and one or more speed nocks coupled with the bowstring each including a first end, a second end, an outer wall, an inner wall opposite the outer wall, at least one relief extending into the outer wall and a longitudinally-extending gap extending between the first and second ends of the speed nock, where the speed nock is deformable between an open configuration and a closed configuration wherein the inner wall impinges on the bowstring.

Claims

1. An archery system, comprising: a riser with a first end and a second end and configured to be gripped by a user; a first limb extending from the first end of the riser; a second limb extending from the second end of the riser; a bowstring extending between and operably coupled with a second end of the first limb and a second end of the second limb; and one or more speed nocks coupled with the bowstring, each speed nock comprising: a first end; a second end; an outer wall; an inner wall opposite the outer wall; at least one relief extending into the outer wall and longitudinally along the outer wall at least a majority of a distance between the ends of the speed nock, wherein the at least one relief is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the speed nock; and a longitudinally-extending gap extending between the first and second ends of the speed nock; wherein the speed nock is deformable between an open configuration where the bowstring may be received through the gap, and a closed configuration wherein the inner wall impinges on the bowstring and prevents the speed nock from moving along a length of the bowstring; and wherein the speed nock is configured to deform from the open configuration to the closed configuration under a radially-applied force.

2. The archery system of claim 1, further comprising: a first cam coupled with a distal portion of the first limb; and a second cam coupled with a distal portion of the second limb; wherein the first and second cams operably couple the bowstring with the second end of the first limb and the second end of the second limb.

3. The archery system of claim 1, wherein the at least one relief comprises a plurality of reliefs spaced radially about the outer wall.

4. The archery system of claim 1, wherein the at least one relief defines a yielding region between a vertex of the at least one relief and the inner wall, and wherein a yield strength of the yielding region is less than a yield strength of the speed nock at a location circumferentially spaced from the at least one relief.

5. The archery system of claim 1, wherein the at least one relief extends entirely between the first and second ends of the speed nock.

6. The archery system of claim 1, wherein the speed nock comprises brass.

7. The archery system of claim 1, wherein the speed nock is configured to deform from the open configuration to the closed configuration under a radially-applied force of less than or equal to about 4 lbs/gr.

8. The archery system of claim 7, wherein a force exerted on the bowstring by the inner wall of the speed nock when the speed nock is in the closed configuration is between about 134 psi and about 403 psi.

9. The archery system of claim 7, wherein the radially-applied force is between about 2.9 lbs/gr and about 2.7 lbs/gr.

10. The archery system of claim 9, wherein the force exerted on the bowstring by the inner wall of the speed nock when the speed nock is in the closed configuration is between about 134 psi and 202 psi.

11. An archery system, comprising: a speed nock, comprising: a first end; a second end; an outer wall; an inner wall opposite the outer wall; at least one relief extending into the outer wall and longitudinally along the outer wall at least a majority of a distance between the ends of the speed nock, wherein the at least one relief is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the speed nock; and a longitudinally-extending gap extending between the first and second ends of the speed nock; wherein the speed nock is deformable between an open configuration where the bowstring may be received through the gap, and a closed configuration wherein the inner wall impinges on the bowstring and prevents the speed nock from moving along a length of the bowstring; wherein the speed nock is configured to deform from the open configuration to the closed configuration under a radially-applied force of less than or equal to about 4 lbs/gr resulting in the inner wall of the speed nock exerting a force on the bowstring of between about 403 psi and about 134 psi when the speed nock is in the closed configuration.

12. The archery system of claim 11, further comprising: a riser with a first end and a second end and configured to be gripped by a user; a first limb extending from the first end of the riser; a second limb extending from the second end of the riser; and a bowstring extending between and operably coupled with a second end of the first limb and a second end of the second limb.

13. The archery system of claim 12, further comprising: a first cam coupled with a distal portion of the first limb; and a second cam coupled with a distal portion of the second limb; wherein the first and second cams operably couple the bowstring with the second end of the first limb and the second end of the second limb.

14. The archery system of claim 11, wherein the at least one relief comprises a plurality of reliefs spaced radially about the outer wall.

15. The archery system of claim 11, wherein the at least one relief defines a yielding region between a vertex of the at least one relief and the inner wall, and wherein a yield strength of the yielding region is less than a yield strength of the speed nock at a location radially spaced from the at least one relief.

16. The archery system of claim 11, wherein the at least one relief extends entirely between the first and second ends of the speed nock.

17. The archery system of claim 11, wherein the speed nock comprises brass.

18. The archery system of claim 11, wherein the speed nock comprises aluminum.

19. The archery system of claim 11, wherein the radially-applied force is between about 2.9 lbs/gr and about 2.7 lbs/gr.

20. The archery system of claim 19, wherein the force exerted on the bowstring by the inner wall of the speed nock when the speed nock is in the closed configuration is between about 134 psi and about 202 psi.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an archery system;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a speed nock of the archery system;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, elevation view of the speed nock taken along the lines III-III, FIG. 2;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the speed nock in an open configuration;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the speed nock in a closed configuration; and

[0012] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a method for installing the speed nock to a bowstring of the archery system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not to scale and certain components are enlarged relative to the other components for purposes of emphasis and understanding.

[0014] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design; some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0015] For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, right, left, rear, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0016] The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a speed nock for an archery system. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps 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 disclosure 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. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

[0017] In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms comprises, comprising, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by comprises . . . a does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0018] As used herein, the term about means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term about is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites about, the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by about, and one not modified by about. It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point.

[0019] The terms substantial, substantially, and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a substantially planar surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, substantially is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal.

[0020] As used herein the terms the, a, or an, mean at least one, and should not be limited to only one unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to a component includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0021] The reference numeral 1 (FIG. 1) generally designates an archery system. In the illustrated example, the archery system 1 includes a riser 2 with a first end 3 and a second end 4, where the riser 2 may have a handle 5 configured to be grasped by a user. A first limb 6 extends from the first end 3 of the riser 2 and may define a longitudinal axis off-set from a longitudinal axis of the riser 2, and a second limb 7 extends from the second end 4 of the riser 2 and may also define an axis off-set from the longitudinal axis of the riser 2. Both the first limb 6 and the second limb 7 may possess substantially the same dimensions, such that the first limb 6 and the second limb 7 are substantially mirror images of the other. A first cam or cam arrangement 8 and a second cam or cam arrangement 9 may be coupled with a distal portion of both the first limb 6 and the second limb 7, respectively. A bowstring 10 extends between and is operably coupled to a distal end 11 of the first limb 6 and a distal end 15 of the second limb 7, and may be operably coupled thereto via the first cam 8 and the second cam 9. One or more speed nocks 12 are coupled with the bowstring 10, as further described below. The one or more speed nocks 12 may be coupled to a portion of the bowstring 10 that is proximal to either the first cam 8 and/or the second cam 9, or any position along a length of the bowstring 10. Additionally, the one or more speed nocks 12 may be coupled with a portion of the bowstring 10 that is covered with an outer sheath 20. While the archery system 1 as shown and described herein comprises a configuration typically referred to as a compound bow, other configurations may also be provided, including, but not limited to cross bows, long bows, recurve bows, and the like.

[0022] The speed nock 12 (FIG. 2) has a generally cylindrical configuration and includes a first end 14, a second end 16, an outer wall 17, and an inner wall 19 opposite the outer wall 17, that defines a longitudinal axis 18 that extends through a centerline of the speed nock 12. One or more reliefs 23 extending into the outer wall 17 and longitudinally along the outer wall 17, at least a majority of a distance between the ends 14, 16 of the speed nock 12, and in the illustrated example, the reliefs 23 extend entirely between the first 14 and second ends 16 of the speed nock 12. The reliefs 23 may be spaced radially about the outer wall 17 of the speed nock 12 and may be equally spaced from one another. The reliefs 23 are substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis 18 of the speed nock 12. Additionally, the speed nock 12 may comprise of one or more indicator divots 30, wherein a size of each of the one or more indicator divots 30 corresponds to a weight of the speed nock 12. The speed nock 12 may comprise substantially of brass, aluminum, lead, or any other suitable material.

[0023] Referring still to FIG. 2, the speed nock 12 includes a pair of end flanges or portions 21 and a plurality of arcuate inner flanges or portions 22. The end flanges 21 cooperate to form a longitudinally-extending gap 29 therebetween that longitudinally-extends from the first end 14 of the speed nock 12 to the second end 16 of the speed nock 12, where the gap 29 is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis 18. The gap 29 is configured to receive the bowstring 10 of the archery system 1 therethrough as described further below.

[0024] Each end flange or portion 21 includes a planar inner surface 24, an arcuate exterior surface 25, and a beveled edge 26. The planar inner surface 24 of each of the end flanges 21 faces towards the longitudinally-extending gap 29. The planar inner surfaces 24 extend substantially parallel with one another and are juxtaposed directly across the longitudinally-extending gap 29. The arcuate exterior surface 25 of each of the end flanges 21 faces away from the longitudinally-extending gap 29. The beveled edge 26 of each end flange 21 extends along the length of each of the end flanges 21 and connects the planar inner surface 24 with the arcuate exterior surface 25.

[0025] Each of the plurality of inner flanges 22 includes an arcuate inner surface 27 and an arcuate exterior surface 28. The arcuate inner surface 27 of each of the plurality of inner flanges 22 faces towards the longitudinally-extending gap 29 while the arcuate exterior surface 28 of each of the plurality of arcuate flanges 22 faces away from the longitudinally-extending gap 29.

[0026] The outer wall 17 (FIG. 2) of the speed nock 12 is, in part, defined by the arcuate exterior surface 25 of each of the plurality of end flanges 21 and the arcuate exterior surface 28 of each of the plurality of inner flanges 22, while the planar inner surface 24 and the arcuate inner surface 27 cooperate to define the inner wall 19 of the speed nock 12.

[0027] The speed nock 12 includes a plurality of yielding regions 32 (FIG. 3) located between a corresponding relief 23 and the inner wall 19. Specifically, each of the yielding regions 32 are positioned between a vertex 33 of a corresponding relief 23 and the inner wall 19. In the illustrated example, each of the yielding regions 32 extends longitudinally from the first end 14 to the second end 16 of the speed nock 12. A plurality of dimensions of each of the yielding regions 32 is a function of the dimensions of the reliefs 23, where the plurality of dimensions of each of the yielding regions 32 includes a thickness 34 and a width 35. The thickness 34 of each of the yielding regions 32 is a function of the distance between the vertex 33 of the corresponding relief 23 and the inner wall 19, while the width 35 of each of the yielding regions 32 is a function of a width of the corresponding relief 23. Each of the yielding regions 32 may have a unique plurality of dimensions, which differ between various yielding regions 32. Alternatively, each of the yielding regions 32 may have a substantially similar plurality of dimensions.

[0028] Referring still to FIG. 3, each of the one or more yielding regions 32 are configured to deform under a radially-applied force, applied about at least a majority of the outer wall 17. Specifically, each of the one or more yielding regions 32 are configured to bend such that each of the planar inner surfaces 24 and each of the arcuate inner surfaces 27 are translated towards the longitudinal axis 18 of the speed nock 12. Specifically, each of the one or more yielding regions 32 are configured to bend such that the dimensions of the longitudinally-extending gap 29 conforms to the shape, and other dimensions, of the bowstring 10. Each of the yielding regions 32 may represent the thinnest portion of the speed nock 12. As such, a radially-applied force necessary to bend each of the yielding regions 32 is less than a radially-applied force necessary to bend any other portion of the speed nock 12. Specifically, a yield strength of each of the yielding regions 32 is less than a yield strength of the speed nock 12 at a location radially spaced from the reliefs 23. The capacity of each of the yielding regions 32 to resist deformation under the radially-applied force is a function of the plurality of dimensions of each of the yielding regions 32. As such, the capacity of each of the yielding regions 32 to resist deformation under the radially-applied force may be altered by modifying the dimensions of the corresponding relief 23. Each of the one or more yielding regions 32 may have a unique capacity to resist deformation resulting in each of the one or more yielding regions 32 bending and elongating at a different time as a radially-applied force is incrementally exerted against the speed nock 12 over a period of time. Alternatively, each of the yielding regions 32 may have a substantially similar capacity to resist deformation, resulting in each of the one or more yielding regions 32 bending at the same time as a radially-applied force is incrementally exerted against the speed nock 12 over a period of time.

[0029] The speed nock 12 (FIGS. 3-5) is configured to deform from an open configuration A (FIG. 4) to a closed configuration B (FIG. 5) when the radially-applied force is exerted against the speed nock 12. In the open configuration A, the speed nock 12 is undeformed and the longitudinally-extending gap 29 is configured to receive the bowstring 10 therethrough. In the open configuration A, the dimensions of the inner-wall 19 do not substantially conform to the shape of the bowstring 10. In the closed configuration B, the speed nock 12 has been deformed and the plurality of dimensions of the inner wall 19 substantially conforms to the shape of the bowstring 10. Accordingly, the bowstring 10 is impinged by the inner wall 19 of the speed nock 12 and the bowstring 10 is gripped by and between the planar inner surfaces 24 and the arcuate inner surfaces 27.

[0030] The relief 23 has a first cross-sectional configuration when in the open configuration A and a second cross-sectional configuration when in the closed configuration B, where the second configuration is different from the first configuration, and where the relief 23 is configured to deform from the open configuration A to the closed configuration B. Each of the yielding regions 32 has a first cross-sectional configuration when in the open configuration A and a second cross-sectional configuration when in the closed configuration B, where the second configuration is different from the first configuration, and where each of the yielding regions 32 is configured to deform from the open configuration A to the closed configuration B.

[0031] To deform the speed nock 12 from the open configuration A to the closed configuration B, the speed nock 12 bends at each of the yielding regions 32 as the radially-applied force is incrementally exerted against the speed nock 12 over a period of time. As the radially-applied force is exerted to the outer wall 17 of the speed nock 12 about a periphery of the speed nock 12, each of the yielding regions 32 bends such that a plurality of dimensions of each of the reliefs 23 is altered.

[0032] The speed nock 12 is configured to be deformed from the open configuration A to the closed configuration B through the exertion of the radially-applied force against the outer wall 17 of the speed nock 12. The radially-applied force may be a crimping pressure exerted against the speed nock 12 by a user, wherein the crimping pressure applies a force across the outer wall 17 of the speed nock 12 to deform each of the one or more yielding regions 32 to pinch the speed nock 12 to the bowstring 10. The speed nock 12 may be configured to transition from the open configuration A to the closed configuration B only when the crimping pressure applied to the speed nock 12 is greater than or equal to 2 lbs/gr, wherein the weight of the speed nock 12 is measured in grains. The speed nock 12 is preferably configured to deform from the open configuration A to the closed configuration B under a radially-applied force of less than or equal to about 4 lbs/gr, more preferably of between about 3 lbs/gr and about 3.3 lbs/gr, and most preferably of between about 2.7 lbs/gr and about 2.9 lbs/gr wherein a force exerted on the bowstring 10 by the inner wall 19 of the speed nock 12 when the speed nock 12 is in the closed configuration B is preferably between about 269 psi and about 403 psi, more preferably of between about 202 psi and about 269 psi, and most preferably of between about 134 psi and about 202 psi. The speed nock 12 may be a one stack speed nock 12 with a weight of 7.5 grains, a two stack speed nock 12 with a weight of 15 grains, a three stack speed nock with a weight of 22.5 grains, a four stack speed nock 12 with a weight of 30 grains, or a five stack speed nock 12 with a weight of 37.5 grains, where the length of the speed nock 12 proportionately increases with the increase in weight.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a method of installing the speed nock 12 on the bowstring 10 of the archery system 1, the method including applying an outer sheath 20 to cover 50 the portion of the bowstring 10 that is configured to be received by the speed nock 12 and interfacing 52 the speed nock 12 with the bowstring 10 of the archery system 1. Specifically, the bowstring 10 is passed through the longitudinally-extending gap 29 of the speed nock 12. An axial force is then applied 54 against the speed nock 12. Specifically, a crimping pressure is executed, causing the speed nock 12 to bend at the yielding regions 32, expanding the reliefs 23, translating the flanges 21, 22 rotatably inwards towards the longitudinal axis 18, and conforming the shape of the inner wall 19 to the shape of the bowstring 10. It is noted that the operator/installer applies an axially directed crimping force within the ranges described above to achieve a force exerted on the bowstring 10 by the speed nock 12 as also described above. In performing step 54, the operator may utilize a handheld ratcheting crimper, pliers, or a bench-type swager tool. The strength of the connection between the speed nock 12 and the bowstring 10 may then be tested 56. Specifically, the operator exerts a force against the speed nock 12 with a magnitude directed across the longitudinal axis 18 of the bowstring 10 to determine if the strength of the gripping force exerted between the speed nock 12 and the bowstring 10 is sufficient to prevent the speed nock 12 from sliding along the length of the bowstring 10. Additionally, the operator may exert a force against the speed nock 12 with a magnitude tending to pull the speed nock 12 from the bowstring 10 to determine if the gripping force exerted by the speed nock 12 is sufficient to prevent the speed nock 12 from being removed from the bowstring 10. The operator may further apply a tubing 58 to cover the speed nock 12.

[0034] It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.