U.S. patent application number 11/340395 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for performance arrow vane.
Invention is credited to Michael Barnes, Richard Mowery, Dale Voice.
Application Number | 20070173359 11/340395 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38286257 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070173359 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mowery; Richard ; et
al. |
July 26, 2007 |
Performance arrow vane
Abstract
A vane for an archery arrow consisting of durable, stiff
material, utilizing an overall vane length of approximately two
inches or less, a maximum vane height of approximately 0.6 inches
or less, a straight upper and rearward extending edge from the
forward point of the vane to its maximum height, and a radial rear
edge from the vane's maximum height to its rearward point. The
invention provides arrow steering capabilities for which longer
vanes or feathers were previously required, and further promotes
accuracy by reducing weight at the nock end of the arrow.
Inventors: |
Mowery; Richard; (Atlanta,
MI) ; Barnes; Michael; (Cadillac, MI) ; Voice;
Dale; (Cadillac, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Douglas S. Bishop;Bishop & Heintz, P.C.
P.O. Box 707
Traverse City
MI
49685-0707
US
|
Family ID: |
38286257 |
Appl. No.: |
11/340395 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/578 ;
473/585; 473/586 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 6/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/578 ;
473/585; 473/586 |
International
Class: |
A63B 65/02 20060101
A63B065/02 |
Claims
1. An arrow vane comprising: a sheet member having a front planar
surface and a back planar surface, a lower straight edge conformed
for affixation to an arrow shaft, and an upper edge extending
between forward end and rearward end locations of said lower edge;
said sheet member having a point of maximum height defined by a
perpendicular distance between the shaft at said lower edge and
said upper edge and a width dimension defined by the distance
between the front and back planar surfaces; said upper edge
extending rearwardly and upwardly from said forward end at a
defined, substantially constant angle in a range of between
20.degree. to 30.degree., to the point of maximum height; said
upper edge further extending radially rearwardly and downwardly
from said point of maximum height to the rearward end; and a ratio
of distance between said forward end and rearward end, relative to
the maximum height of said vane being 2 to 0.6 and corresponding to
a distance of between 1.5-2.5 inches and a height of 0.45-0.75
inches; at least one vane being arranged in spaced apart fashion
about a circumference of the arrow shaft and in order to promote
flight stability, particularly in response to differing arrowhead
configurations employed at a forward end of the shaft.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said angle is 24.degree..
5. (canceled)
6. The invention of claim 1, wherein the distance between the
forward end and rearward end is substantially 2 inches and the
maximum height of the vane member is substantially 0.6 inches.
7. The invention of claim 1, wherein said sheet member is comprised
of resiliently bendable, synthetic material.
8. The invention of claim 1, wherein said sheet member is comprised
of substantially rigid material.
9. The invention of claim 1, wherein the width dimension of the
sheet member is progressively larger from the upper edge to the
lower edge.
10. An arrow vane comprising: a substantially rigid sheet member
having a front planar surface and back planar surface defining a
depth dimension between them; said planar surfaces both defined by
a shared upper edge and lower edge; said upper and lower edges
meeting at a forward end and a rearward end, and further defining
by a maximum distance between them, a point of maximum height of
said sheet member; said lower edge being conformed for affixation
to an arrow shaft and extending in a substantially straight line
between said forward end and rearward end, the length of said sheet
member being defined by the distance between said forward and
rearward ends; said upper edge extending rearwardly and upwardly in
a substantially straight line at an angle in a range of between
20.degree. to 30.degree. from the forward end to the point of
maximum height, the ratio of the length of the sheet member and the
maximum height of the sheet member being 2 to 0.6; and said upper
edge further extending radially rearwardly and downwardly from said
point of maximum height to said rearward end; at least one vane
being arranged in spaced apart fashion about a circumference of the
arrow shaft and in order to promote flight stability, particularly
in response to differing arrowhead configurations employed at a
forward end of the shaft.
11. The invention of claim 10, wherein the length of the sheet
member is substantially 2 inches and the maximum height of the
sheet member is substantially 0.6 inches.
12. The invention of claim 10, wherein the width dimension of the
sheet member is progressively wider from the upper edge to the
lower edge.
13. The invention of claim 10, wherein said sheet member is
comprised of resiliently bendable material.
14. An arrow vane comprising: a substantially rigid sheet member
having a front planar surface and rear planar surface defining a
depth dimension between them, said planar surfaces both defined by
a shared upper edge and lower edge; said upper and lower edges
meeting at a forward end and a rearward end defining a length in a
range of 1.5-2.5 inches between them; said lower edge being
conformed, in a substantially straight line between said forward
and rearward edges for affixation to an arrow shaft; said upper
edge extending generally upwardly and rearwardly to a point defined
by intersection of a straight line running at a specified angle
from the horizontal rearwardly from said forward end and a line
parallel and according to a length of between 0.45-0.75 inches
above said lower edge; and said upper edge then continuing radially
downwardly and rearwardly from said point of intersection to said
rearward end; at least one vane being arranged in spaced apart
fashion about a circumference of the arrow shaft and in order to
promote flight stability, particularly in response to differing
arrowhead configurations employed at a forward end of the
shaft.
15. The invention of claim 14, wherein the width dimension of the
sheet member is progressively wider from the upper edge of the
lower edge.
16. The invention of claim 14, wherein the sheet member is
comprised of resiliently bendable material.
17. The invention of claim 14, wherein a plurality of said vanes is
affixed about an arrow shaft in parallel with said shaft.
18. The invention of claim 10, wherein a plurality of said vanes
are affixed about the circumference of the arrow shaft.
19. The invention of claim 10, wherein a plurality of said vanes is
affixed about an arrow shaft in parallel with said shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The instant invention is directed to the field of archery,
and archery arrows, generally, and vanes for archery arrows,
specifically.
[0002] Vanes, or guiding fin projections, for arrows, are widely
known and have been used since the inception of archery. Vanes are
typically configured generally parallel to the shaft of an arrow,
in a plurality arrangement. Vanes provide in-flight arrow
stabilization particularly in the hunting archery field, for
hunting points or "broadheads." Hunting points, with more weight,
have long provided stabilization challenges. The usual solution for
increasing stabilization for broadheads, or to stabilize arrow
flight, generally, has traditionally been to increase vane or
feather size. Although larger vanes and/or feathers, natural or
synthetic, for arrow guidance purposes, have been successfully used
to solve erratic flight/stabilization problems, their use has
created additional limitations. Increased vane size tends to
increase weight, which reduces arrow speed and, thus, its
effectiveness. Increased vane size may also create "clearance"
problems with the arrow, and other parts of the bow or projectile
device. In general, past experiments with less vane surface (i.e.,
smaller vanes) without the features of the current invention, have
tended to generally produced more, and not less, erratic flight in
the arrow.
[0003] Examples of the prior art in this field of archery vanes
include the disclosure of United States Patent Application
Publication No. US 2002-0028718 A1, of Coe, which discloses a vane
assembly in conjunction with an arrow and arrow wrap of an elongate
section of plastic film; U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,231, to Roberts et al,
for an archery arrow vane and nock assembly which discloses a
plurality of archery vanes; U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,896, to Simo et al,
discloses an archery vane with a surface roughness differentiation
between opposing sides of the vane to promote stability through
increased spin; U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,323, to Munger, discloses an
elastomeric polyurethane polymer arrow vane (it is noted that the
base length of the vane is approximately 4'', which has been a
representative approximate minimum standard of the industry); U.S.
Pat. No. 4,392,654, to Carella, discloses curved vanes inclined
inwardly in a rearward direction to provide air-restricting
pockets; U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,273, to Lovorn, discloses a method for
attaching fletch or vane on an arrow and a device for doing the
same (the disclosure demonstrates a known vane shape); U.S. Pat.
No. 5,427,385, to Conrad et al, discloses a fletch or vane
replacement device; U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,448, to Barrie, discloses a
flexible arrow vane assembly; U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,084, to Austin,
discloses a vane structure for arrows with corrugations in the vane
stem; U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,758, to Bengtsson, discloses plastic as a
material for arrow fins or vanes; U.S. Pat. No. 2,830,818, to Otto,
discloses a "plastic feather" and method; U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,978
B1, to Schroeder, discloses an arrow fletching constructed from
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate.
[0004] While it has long been a goal, in the archery field, as
stated, to provide improved in-flight arrow stabilization,
particularly when using arrow points with added weight, the prior
art does not disclose any solutions to this problem utilizing
vanes, or feathers, which are normally not of at least a four inch
length or greater. The prior art clearly demonstrates a
long-standing need for a durable, smaller arrow vane solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention has been designed to overcome the
short comings in the prior art noted above. The present invention
addresses a long-felt need, as further hereinafter described. As
noted, existing vanes have failed to satisfy these
requirements.
[0006] The invention is directed to the provision of a performance
arrow vane, generally, for all archery conditions, and, in
particular, circumstances where greater stability is needed,
because of greater arrowhead weight, and where alternatives have
been to increase the size of the vane.
[0007] Additional problems, which are addressed by the instant
invention, include that increased vane size also corresponds to
increased weight, which, in turn, limits arrow speed, and reduces
effectiveness. Increased vane size also results in clearance
problems with parts of the archery bow assembly, or other arrow
projectile device, when the arrow is released.
[0008] Clearly, the prior art in this field indicates that a need
exists for an arrow vane which can provide increased stability,
with different sizes and weights of arrow tips, and, optimally,
reduce size as opposed to increase size, of the vane itself.
[0009] The instant invention provides consistent in-flight steerage
and stabilization with broadhead arrows, and others, using the
shortest and smallest vane available. The shorter vane provides
less chance of interference with the arrow rest or bow cradle and
weighs less than a normal vane. Less vane weight results in
increased arrow speed and improved arrow trajectory.
[0010] In a primary embodiment of the invention, the leading angle
edge on the vane, also described as an upper edge, leads, at an
approximately 24.degree. angle, from the horizontal, rearwardly,
and upwardly, from the forward point of the vane. Experience and
testing by the inventor has demonstrated that an optimum
combination is a vane length of 2 inches and a maximum vane height
of 0.6 inches. Obviously, this results in a vane length to maximum
vane height ratio of 2:.6. The point of maximum height on the arrow
is defined by the intersection of a straight line extending at the
stated 24.degree. angle, through its intersection with a line
parallel to the lower edge of the vane located at the stated ratio
distance above the lower edge. The leading edge of the vane extends
generally upwardly and rearwardly from the forward point to the
maximum height point, and from the maximum height point generally
continuing rearwardly and downwardly, in a radial line, until it
reaches the bottom or bottom edge of the vane, forming the rearward
end or point.
[0011] The vane of the present invention is generally constructed
of rigid, or semi-rigid material, which would include materials
which are resiliently bendable. That is, materials which would
provide substantially rigid in-flight characteristics, but which,
if bent by external force, would return to their prior position.
Vanes can be made out of any material which has these
characteristics, including, but not limited to, plastics, or other
synthetic materials.
[0012] As has been stated, optimum results with the performance
arrow vane have been obtained by providing a vane or fin, with
generally smooth corresponding outward surfaces, of an overall
length of substantially 2 inches, and a maximum height of
substantially 0.6 inches. In this embodiment, the upper edge of the
vane leads in a substantially straight line at the necessary angle,
from the forward edge of the vane to the maximum height and,
thereafter, radially back to the lower edge.
[0013] As with many arrow vanes, in the embodiment hereinafter more
distinctly described, the width of the vane is tapered somewhat, so
that the width at its maximum height is less than that at the lower
edge, and that width increases from the lower edge, to the maximum
height, progressively.
[0014] The invention, as described, allows hunters to sight in with
field tips and then switch to broadhead without changing the arrow
impact point. Further, testing by the inventors has shown that,
while some spin is necessary for accurate flight, a longer vane is
not the optimum answer. What is required is a guidance system, such
as that provided, which provides stable guidance to the arrow,
irrespective of what the arrow tip is doing. The instant invention,
with its unique design, creates turbulence behind the arrow, and
not around the longer vanes and feathers, as may occur when those
are used as fletchings. The instant invention begins steering and
correcting, immediately, using the stated combination of a steep
leading edge and the height and length ratio, and material
stiffness. These features prevent larger broadheads from planing or
steering the arrow shaft. The air flows over the vane in a manner
which can actually create lift, and is particularly noticeable in
longer distances at flat trajectory. The instant invention provides
substantial benefit in trajectory, precision and velocity at
target.
[0015] The above and additional features of the invention may be
considered, and will become apparent in conjunction with the
drawings, in particular, and the detailed description which
follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The following detailed description is understood by
reference to the following drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rear portion of an arrow
shaft, including a nock, with a plurality of the vane of the
instant invention affixed thereto.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view of an arrow vane demonstrating the
novel features of the invention, including the length to height
ratio of the vane.
[0019] FIG. 3 is an end view of an arrow vane showing the width
dimension.
[0020] FIG. 4 is cross sectional view of an arrow vane arrangement,
showing a typical plurality vane configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Throughout the following detailed description, like numerals
are used to describe the same element of the present invention
shown in multiple figures thereof.
[0022] The invention, Performance Arrow Vane, is a novel arrow vane
which, through its design characteristics, generally promotes arrow
flight stability and consistent flight with differing arrowhead
weights, without requiring additional vane side or surface
area.
[0023] Broadly considered, the device Performance Arrow Vane is
comprised of a primary vane member 10. Vane member 10 is
substantially rigid to maintain its shape and position during arrow
flight, but may be constructed of resiliently bendable material,
synthetic or otherwise, which allow bending when contacted by
force, but which will return to its original shape.
[0024] Vane member 10 has a front planar surface 11 and a rear
planar surface 12, an upper edge 13 and a lower edge 14. As shown
in FIG. 3, the planar surfaces 11 and 12 are spaced apart by width
D which grows progressively wider from D-1 at upper edge 13 to D-2
at lower edge 14.
[0025] Vane member 10 additionally has a forward end 16 and a
rearward end 17. Upper edge 13 and lower edge 14 meet each other at
both forward end 16 and rearward end 17. Lower edge 14 is a
substantially straight line between end 16 and end 17. Lower edge
14 may be conformed for affixation to an arrow shaft 30 as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0026] Upper edge 13 extends rearwardly and upwardly from forward
end 16 to the point of maximum height 18 of the vane 10. The
maximum height of vane 10 is the perpendicular distance A between
lower edge 13 and the point of maximum height 18 on upper edge 13.
The point of maximum height 18 is the point of intersection of a
line 19, parallel to lower edge 14 at maximum distance A above
lower edge 14, and a straight line extending rearwardly from
forward point 15 at angle B.
[0027] Upper edge 13 extends generally rearwardly and upwardly from
forward end 16 to point of maximum height 18, then further
downwardly and rearwardly radially until it again intersects with
lower edge 14 at rearward end 17.
[0028] As stated, upper edge 13 and lower edge 14 define the
surface areas of planar surfaces 11 and 12. The overall length C of
vane 10 is the lineal distance between forward end 16 and rearward
end 17.
[0029] The optimum derivation of the invention is found in an
embodiment where angle B is within a range of 20.degree. to
30.degree., length C is within a range of 2.5 inches to 1.5 inches
and maximum height A is within a range of 0.75 to 0.45 inches. The
preferred ratio of length C to height A is 2.0 to 0.6.
[0030] Within the above parameters, an optimum embodiment is a vane
10 constructed utilizing an angle C of 24.degree., an overall
length of 2.0 inches and a maximum height A of 0.6 inches, or
parameters substantially in conformance with those stated.
[0031] Upper edge 13 extends progressively rearwardly and upwardly
between forward point 16 and point of maximum height 18, with the
optimum manner of progression 20 being in a substantially straight
line. From point of maximum height 18 to rearward end 17, forward
edge 13 extends further rearwardly and downwardly, with the optimum
manner of progression 21 being a radial curve.
[0032] Vane member 10 is normally attached in numerical
combinations of three, as shown in FIG. 4, although a greater
number of vanes may be used.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the depth or width D of vane member 10
generally increases progressively from its width D-1 at upper edge
13 to wider width D-2 at lower edge 14.
[0034] A wider base E may be provided to conform vane 10 to be
affixed to a standard arrow shaft 30, although any means utilized
for standard size vanes may be utilized for affixation purposes,
and vane member 10 need only be susceptible of affixation to meet
the requirements of the invention.
[0035] Vane member 10 may be constructed of any material which
provides a substantially rigid contour during arrow flight.
Plastics or other synthetic materials are among included possible
materials. The material may be resiliently bendable, such that, if
outside force causes it to alter shape, it will return to its
original contour.
[0036] It is the claims appended hereto, and all reasonable
equivalents thereof, which define the true scope of the invention,
and the invention is not limited to the depicted embodiments and
exemplifications.
* * * * *