U.S. patent number 3,759,519 [Application Number 05/236,824] was granted by the patent office on 1973-09-18 for telescoping arrow.
Invention is credited to James R. Palma.
United States Patent |
3,759,519 |
Palma |
September 18, 1973 |
TELESCOPING ARROW
Abstract
A telescoping arrow assembly comprised of a longitudinal body
portion, which is provided with an axial cavity into which extends
an arrow tip portion normally retained in a retracted position in
the cavity by a resiliently biased manually releasable detent; an
energy storing spring is provided at the bottom of the axial cavity
and is held in a compressed state when the detent engages a
shoulder on the rear end of the arrow tip portion in its retracted
position. Upon release of the detent the spring will propel the
arrow tip portion outwardly of the cavity into an extended ready
position at the front of the body portion is a second detent which
engages the shoulder on the rear end of the arrow tip portion to
limit forward movement of the tip. A pair of resilient catch
fingers are cantilevered outwardly from the front end of the body
portion. They engage rearwardly facing notches along the rear part
of the tip portion to keep the tip from retracting into the body
portion. A resilient washer is located towards the rear end of the
body portion cavity and engages a tapered groove on the tip portion
to position the tip portion within the cavity.
Inventors: |
Palma; James R. (Schenectady,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
22891119 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/236,824 |
Filed: |
March 22, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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39298 |
May 21, 1970 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/578;
30/162 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B
12/362 (20130101); F42B 6/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F42B
6/04 (20060101); F42B 6/00 (20060101); F42B
12/36 (20060101); F42B 12/02 (20060101); F41b
005/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/106.5,73,68,80
;30/162 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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340,976 |
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Sep 1920 |
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DD |
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17,425 |
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Sep 1893 |
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GB |
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710,625 |
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Jun 1954 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Shapiro; Paul E.
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 39,298 filed May
21, 1970 and now abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A telescoping arrow comprising:
a tubular body having a longitudinal cavity therein;
a shaft displaceable in said cavity lengthwise of the body between
a retracted position in which most of the length of the shaft is
contained within said cavity in the body and an extended position
in which most of the length of the shaft projects forward beyond
the body, said shaft having a forwardly-facing transverse shoulder
adjacent its rear end and having one or more rearwardly-facing
transverse shoulders located forward from said forwardly-facing
shoulder;
first manually releasable catch means on the body at its back end
engaging said forwardly-facing shoulder on the shaft to hold the
latter retracted;
energy storage propulsion means in the body for propelling the
shaft forward to its extended position when said first catch means
is released manually;
second manually releasable, spring-biased, catch means on the body
which automatically engages said forwardly-facing shoulder on the
shaft when it moves forward from said retracted position to its
extended position, so as to prevent its complete removal from said
body;
and detent means on the body which is resiliently biased to engage
at least one of said rearwardly-facing shoulders on the shaft when
the latter moves forward to its extended position so as to hold the
shaft against retraction back into the body, said detent means and
said second catch means together positioning the shaft radially
with respect to said body and holding the shaft substantially
rigidly in its extended position against either forward or rearward
movement along said body, and said detent means being manually
releasable to permit the shaft to be returned to its retracted
position.
2. An arrow according to claim 1, wherein said shaft is loosely
received in said cavity in the body and has a tapered peripheral
groove thereon located forward from said forwardly-facing shoulder,
and further comprising an annular resilient washer seated in said
cavity in said body and having a tapered annular inner edge which
is received in said groove to position the shaft radially of said
cavity when in its retracted position.
3. An arrow according to claim 1, wherein said first catch means
includes an operating button located behind the back end of said
body and depressable either manually or by a bow string to actuate
said first catch means to disengage from said forwardly-facing
shoulder on the shaft.
4. An arrow according to claim 3, wherein said first catch means is
spring-biased to a position for engagement automatically with said
forwardly-facing shoulder on the shaft when the latter is retracted
from its extended position.
5. An arrow according to claim 4, wherein said shaft is loosely
received in said cavity in the body and has a tapered peripheral
groove thereon between said forwardly-facing and rearwardly-facing
shoulders, and further comprising an annular resilient washer
seated in said cavity in said body and having a tapered annular
inner edge which is received in said groove to position the shaft
radially of said cavity when in its retracted position.
6. An arrow according to claim 1, wherein
said shaft has forwardly and inwardly inclined notches immediately
behind said rearwardly-facing shoulders;
and said detent means comprises resilient members which are
attached to said body in cantilever fashion and extend forward
therefrom and terminate at their front ends in forwardly and
inwardly inclined fingers which are received snugly in said notches
in the shaft.
7. An arrow according to claim 6, wherein said first catch means is
spring-biased to a position for engagement automatically with said
forwardly-facing shoulder on the shaft when the latter is retracted
from its extended position, and said first catch means includes an
operating button located behind the back end of said body and
depressable either manually or by a bow string to actuate said
first catch means to disengage from said forwardly-facing shoulder
on the shaft.
8. An arrow according to claim 7, wherein said shaft has a tapered
groove peripheral thereon between said forwardly-facing and
rearwardly-facing shoulders, and further comprising an annular
resilient washer seated in said cavity on the body having a tapered
annular inner edge which is received in said groove to position the
shaft radially of said cavity when in its retracted position.
9. A telescoping arrow comprising:
a tubular body having a longitudinal cavity therein which is open
at its forward end;
a shaft loosely received lengthwise in said cavity and movable
therealong between a retracted position in which most of the length
of the shaft is contained within said cavity in the body and an
extended position in which most of the length of the shaft projects
forward beyond the body, said shaft having a tapered peripheral
groove thereon near its back end;
means for propelling said shaft forward along the body from its
retracted position to its extended position;
manually releasable catch means for retaining the shaft in its
retracted position;
and a resilient member seated in said cavity in said body and
having a tapered inner edge portion received in said tapered groove
on the shaft to position the shaft radially of said cavity when in
its retracted position.
10. A telescoping arrow comprising:
a tubular body having a longitudinal cavity therein which is open
at its forward end;
a shaft loosely received lengthwise in said cavity and displaceable
therealong between a retracted position in which most of the length
of the shaft is contained within said cavity in the body and an
extended position in which most of the length of the shaft projects
forward beyond the body, said shaft having a forwardly-facing
shoulder thereon near its back end and having forwardly and
inwardly inclined notches located forward from said shoulder;
means for propelling said shaft forward along the body from its
retracted position to its extended position;
means for releasably retaining the shaft in its retracted
position;
a pair of circumferentially-spaced catch members on said body
toward its forward end which are spring-biased inward to engage
said shaft at said shoulder to limit its forward movement and to
restrain the shaft against displacement radially of said body when
in its extended position;
and a pair of circumferentially-spaced resilient detent members
which are attached to said body in cantilever fasion and extend
forward therefrom and terminate at their front ends in forwardly
and inwardly inclined fingers which are received snugly in said
notches in the shaft in the latter's extended position to hold the
shaft against retraction axially.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an arrow construction for use with
a bow provided with a string adapted to tension the bow to propel
the arrow towards its target.
Arrows used in archery are usually carried by the archer in a
quiver supported on the body of the archer. Although arrows are
constructed of various lengths, depending on the type of archery,
arrows used in professional target shooting and hunting are
sometimes of extreme length and, consequently, the quiver in which
the arrows are carried by the archer will have to be likewise of
considerable length to support the arrows. This causes a rather
bulky and akward load to be carried by the archer and the arrows,
as well as the quiver, can become caught in brushes, tree branches
or any other obstructions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a telescoping arrow in conjunction
with a bow having a string for propelling the arrow towards its
target.
The arrow of the present invention is constructed of at least two
portions which are telescopically assembled to reduce the overall
length of the arrow when the arrow is not in use. The body or main
portion of the arrow is comprised of a hollow tubular construction
which is closed at the end engagable by the bow string and open at
the opposite end to permit the insertion of the arrow tip into the
tubular body portion. The arrow tip portion comprises a shaft
section which is telescopically received within the tubular body
portion and both, the tubular body portion of the arrow and the
arrow tip portion, are substantially of equal length so that, when
the arrow tip portion is telescopically inserted within the tubular
body portion, the overall length of the arrow will be approximately
cut in half, enabling the provision of much shorter quivers for
carrying of the arrows by the archer.
Normally, the shaft section of the arrow tip portion is retained
within the tubular body portion of the arrow by means of releasable
detents or catch means and is adapted to be extended outwardly of
the tubular main portion into a shooting position either manually,
or by an energy storing means disposed at the inner end of the
tubular body portion of the arrow.
The energy storing means, which can be in the form of a spring, an
explosive or a compressible gas, is normally held inactive by
releasable means, which can be actuated from the outside of the
arrow and, preferrably, at the bottom end thereof. This can be done
either manually or by contact with the string of the bow to
automatically release the energy storing means when the bow is
tensioned by pressure of the string against the end of the
arrow.
Resilient snap-over or manually releasable detent means are
provided adjacent the open end of the tubular body portion of the
arrow to rigidly retain the arrow tip portion in the extended ready
position for shooting. If the arrow is being salvaged after
shooting the arrow tip portion can again be telescoped into the
tubular body portion of the arrow by actuating the manual catch
detents at the front end of the tubular body portion of the arrow.
If a spring is being used as the energy storing device, the spring
would be automatically compressed into storing condition by moving
the shaft of the arrow tip portion inwardly of the tubular body
portion. The spring, thereafter, will be held in the energy storing
position by releasable catch means at the inner end of the tubular
body portion. Of course, if a spent charge is being used as energy
storing means, such as an explosive or a compressed gas, these will
have to be replenished after each use of the telescoping arrow.
The advantages of the present invention will become more readily
apparent by reference to the following detailed description in
conjunction with the appended drawings illustrating several
preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is exemplarily illustrated by means of a
preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of the present novel arrow construction
illustrated partly in cross-section showing the arrow tip portion
being extended out of the arrow body portion;
FIG. 2 is a fractional cross-section through the bottom end of the
arrow body portion showing the arrow tip portion being held in
contacted position within said body portion;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse cross-section of the arrow tip
portion as seen in the direction of line 3--3 in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a likewise enlarged transverse cross-section through the
energy storing chamber at the end of the body portion as seen in
the direction of line 4--4 in FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With continuing reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the
present novel complete telescoping assembly generally indicated at
10 which comprises a tubular body portion 12 having guiding fins 14
attached to its rear end, as is common practice in arrow
constructions. The body portion 12 has a longitudinal cavity 16
open at its front end 18 and closed at the rear end as at 20. The
longitudinal bore 16 extends at the front end into an enlarged
diameter portion 22 and at the rear end in a likewise enlarged
diameter portion 24, which defines an energy storing chamber.
The longitudinal cavity 16 of the body portion 12 is adapted to
telescopically receive an arrow tip portion 13 comprised of a
cylindrical shaft section 26 and a pointed tip 28. The shaft
section 26 is provided with a plurality of spaced rearwardly
inclined notches 30 and the rear end of the shaft section 26 is
provided with a circumferential groove 32 defining a rear end
flange 34. Adjacent the groove 32, the shaft 16 is provided with an
oppositely tapered groove 36, for a purpose to appear.
When the arrow assembly 10 is not in use, the tip portion 13 is
adapted to be telescopically inserted within the body portion 12 by
extension through the longitudinal cavity 16 towards the increased
diameter end portion 24 of the longitudinal cavity 16.
In order to releasably retain the arrow tip portion 13 within the
body portion 12, the increased diameter portion 24 of the cavity 16
is adapted to receive an energy storing and release mechanism 38
comprised of a transverse backup plate 40 which is adapted to
provide a retaining surface for a compression spring 42, which is
adapted to be compressed by the end flange 34 of the arrow tip
portion 13 when the latter is completely inserted through the
cavity 16 as shown in FIG. 2. The spring 42 is retained in the
compressed position, by means of the end flange 34 of the arrow tip
portion and by means of a pivoted catch bar 44 having a finger
portion 46 adapted to engage within the groove 32 behind the end
flange 34 of the arrow tip portion. The catch bar 44 is normally
biased by means of a spring 48 into locking engagement with the
groove 32. In the telescoped position of the arrow tip portion 13,
as shown in FIG. 2, the radial tapered groove 36 is adapted to be
resiliently engaged by the conical surface 50 of the central
apperture of a resilient washer 52 positioned at the front end of
the cavity portion 24 and which is yieldable to permit extension of
the end flange 34 of the arrow tip portion therethrough.
The releasable catch bar 44 extends rearwardly through a slot 54
provided in the backup plate 40 for pivotal attachment around a
pivot pin 56. The catch bar 44 provides a bell crank type lever
which actuating end 45 is centrally positioned relative to the body
portion 12 for attachment to a plunger 58 which extends outwardly
of the rear end 20 of the body portion 12. The plunger 58 is
provided outwardly of the rear end 20 of the body portion 12 with a
button 60 for actuation of the plunger 58. Inwardly, the plunger 58
is provided with a flange 62 for abutment against the inside of the
end 20 of the body portion 12 to limit the outward movement of the
plunger 58.
In order to permit movement of the arrow tip portion 13,
longitudinally to the cavity 16 and outwardly of the body portion
12, the button 60 is depressed towards the end portion 20 to swing
the catch arm 44 around the pivot pin 56 and against the force of
the spring 48 to move the finger portion 46 out of the groove 32.
When the finger portion 46 is moved out of the groove 32, the
stored energy of the compression spring 42 will be released,
causing the spring 42 to expand in the direction of the resilient
washer 52 exerting a force on the end flange 34, to thereby propel
the arrow tip portion 13 longitudinally in the outward direction
through the cavity 16.
Referring back to FIG. 1, the arrow tip portion 13 is retained in
the extended, ready position for shooting by a pair of oppositely
disposed resilient detent means 64, which extend outwardly of the
front end 18 of the body portion 12 and which are secured by means
of fasteners 66 inwardly of the increased diameter portion 22 of
the cavity 16. Each of the resilient detent means is provided at
its end with an inclined finger portion 68 which is inclined at the
same angular degrees as the notches 30 on the shaft section 26 of
the arrow tip portion 13. Thus, when the arrow tip portion 13 is
propelled outwardly of the longitudinal cavity 16, by means of the
expanding force of the spring 42, the resilient finger portions 68
of the detent means 64, as the outward movement of the arrow tip
portion 13 slows down, will engage within a pair of oppositely
disposed notches 30 on the shaft section 26 as illustrated in FIG.
1.
As clearly shown in FIG. 1, once the resilient catch fingers 68
have engaged within the pair of opposite notches 30 of the shaft
26, further movement outwardly by the arrow tip portion 13 is
prevented. The arrow tip portion 13 is retained rigidly against
reverse movement inwardly of the cavity 16 by means of the
rearwardly inclined notches 30 and similarly inclined catch fingers
68, preventing inward movement of the arrow tip portion 13. A force
can then be applied to the arrow head 28, by shooting the arrow at
a target, without collapsing the arrow tip portion.
As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, to provide sufficient
axial rigidity to the extended arrow assembly and to prevent the
arrow tip portion 13 from being completely moved out of the
longitudinal cavity 16 of the body portion 12, a pair of releasable
catch means 70 are provided, one of which is shown in a 90 degree
offset position in dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 1. The catch means 70
comprises each a lever 72 pivoted inwardly of the cavity portion
22, each having a finger 74 at its inner end. The fingers 74 are
adapted to snap into the groove 32 at the rear end of the shaft
section 26 as the arrow tip portion 13 moves outwardly of the
cavity 16 to engage behind the rear end flange 34 to thereby
positively retain the arrow tip portion 13 against any further
outward movement. The fingers 74 of each of the releasable catch
means 70, are normally constantly urged towards each other by means
of a spring 76 retained within the cavity portion 22 and operating
against the lever portion 72, to thereby retain the fingers 74
within the groove 32 when the arrow tip portion 13 is in the
outwardly extended position as shown in FIG. 1. By this
arrangement, combined radial and axial rigidity is being provided
for the extended arrow tip portion 13 so that the arrow tip portion
13 will not be axially or in any other way displaced, but will be
retained rigidly along the axial centerline of the body portion
12.
In order to release the catch means 70, each of the levers 72
extends into a grip portion 78 adapted for extension outwardly of
the body portion 12 through an apperture 80 provided therein. Thus,
by simply depressing the grip portions 78 of the opposite catch
means 70 towards the body portion 12, the fingers 74 will be swung
out of engagement with the groove 32 to release the shaft end.
After usage and retrieving of the arrow assembly 10, the arrow
assembly 10 can be collapsed again by manipulation of the grip
portions 78 of the catch means 70 and manual movement of the
resilient catch fingers 68 out of the notches 30 to thereby release
the shaft portion 26 for extension through the cavity 16 rearwardly
thereof into the energy storing chamber 24, by manual force, for
compression of the spring 42 and reengagement of the catch 46
within the groove 32 at the rear end of the shaft portion.
The arrow tip portion 13 and the body portion 12 are substantially
of equal length so that, when the arrow tip portion 13 is
telescoped within the body portion 12, the effective shooting
length of the arrow will be approximately reduced by one-half,
permitting the usage of much shorter quivers than the conventional
quivers presently used to thereby considerably facilitate the
carrying of the arrows by the archer.
Obviously, the release button 60 due to its axially centered
position at the rear end of the body portion 12, instead of being
manually actuated, that is, pressed inwardly toward the end 20, can
be automatically actuated by simply placing the telescoped arrow
assembly on the string of the bow having the string abuting against
the button 60. When the bow is being tensioned to ready the arrow
for shooting, the string of the bow will depress the button 60 and
thereby release the catch, permitting the stored energy of the
spring 42 to propel the arrow tip portion 13 outwardly as
previously described.
As mentioned in the preamble of the specification, the energy
storing chamber 24, at the rear end of the body portion 12, instead
of being provided with a mechanical energy storing means, such as
the spring 42, can be constructed to comprise a gas pressure
chamber and the release and catch assembly 38 can be constructed to
actuate a valve upon depression of the button 60 to release fluid
pressure adapted to propel the arrow tip portion 13 outwardly.
Similarly, the energy storing chamber 24 can retain a powder charge
or other explosive means adapted to be ignited by a firing pin or
the like actuated by the release and catch means 38 when the button
60 is depressed to shoot the arrow tip portion 13 outwardly,
similar to a projectile.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated
in connection with only one preferred embodiment, it is to be
understood that various modifications and structural changes,
requiring no further inventive capacity by a person skilled in the
art to which the invention pertains, may be made herein all of
which are intended to be included within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *