Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 2021/126774
PCT/US2020/064876
ARROW LOADING GLAD
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No.
62/950,457 filed December 19, 2019, which is herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The instant disclosure pertains to a guide for loading and
nocking an arrow or bolt
to a drawn bowstring for a crossbow.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Loading an arrow or bolt on conventional crossbows and
correctly flocking the
arrow or bolt on the bowstring requires visual feedback. That is, an archer
must look at the
nock and the nock end of the shaft of the arrow or bolt and correctly orient
the shaft to ensure
that the nock is properly positioned for engaging the bowstring. However,
under low light
conditions, such visual feedback may be difficult or may not be possible.
[0005] Accordingly, there exists a need for an arrow loading
guide configured for enabling
an archer to load and nock the arrow or bolt using tactical feedback only,
i.e., without
"watching" the process.
SUMMARY
[0006] A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an arrow loading
guide includes a central
bore for receiving at least a portion of a shaft of an arrow or bolt, a
plurality of radial slots
extending from the central bore, and a pair of opposing slots extending from
the central bore
and through an exterior surface of the arrow loading guide. Each radial slot
is configured for
receiving at least a portion of a vane coupled to the shaft of the arrow or
bolt. The pair of
opposing slots are configured for receiving at least a portion of a bowstring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment of an arrow
loading guide of the instant disclosure;
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[0008] FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of the arrow loading
guide illustrated in FIG. IA;
[0009] FIG. 1C is a side elevation view of the arrow loading
guide illustrated in FIG. 1A;
[0010] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment of a
bowstring hook disposed within the arrow loading guide illustrated in FIG. IA;
[0011] FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the bowstring hook
illustrated in FIG. 2A;
[0012] FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of the bowstring hook
illustrated in FIG. 2A;
[0013] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the arrow loading
guide illustrated in FIG. 1C;
[0014] FIG. 3B is another cross-sectional view of the arrow
loading guide illustrated in
FIG. 1C;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment of an arrow
rest;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a front elevation view of the arrow rest
illustrated in FIG. 4A; and
100171 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment of a crossbow
equipped with the arrow loading guide illustrated in FIG. 1A and the arrow
rest illustrated in
FIG. 4A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] One or more non-limiting exemplary embodiments are
disclosed herein with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like,
but not
necessarily identical, elements. It should be clearly understood that the
embodiments described
with reference to the drawings are merely exemplary in that any one or more of
them may be
implemented in alternative manner as may become apparent to a person of
ordinary skills. The
figures are not necessarily to scale. Specific structural and/or functional
features and details
disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting but should rather be
treated as a basis for
teaching one of ordinary skills. There is no intent, implied or otherwise, to
limit the disclosure
in any way, shape or form to the embodiments illustrated and described herein.
Accordingly,
all variants for providing structures and/or fun cti on al i ti es similar to
those described herein for
the exemplary embodiments are considered as being within the metes and bounds
of the instant
disclosure.
[0019] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, respectively, illustrate a
perspective view, a front view, and
a side view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an arrow loading guide
10 of the instant
disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the arrow loading guide 10 includes
a central bore
12, a plurality of radial slots 14, and a pair of opposing slots 16.
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[0020]
In some embodiments, the central bore 12 is configured for receiving at
least a
portion of a shaft (not shown) of an arrow or bolt (not shown). In certain
embodiments, the
central bore 12 is configured for receiving at least a portion of the nock at
the end of the shaft.
In some embodiments, the central bore 12 is configured for receiving the nock
and at least a
portion of the nock end of the shaft.
[0021]
As is well known in the art, an arrow or bolt generally includes a
plurality of vanes
disposed proximate the nock end of the shaft. In some embodiments, the
plurality of radial
slots 14 extend from the central bore 12. Each radial slot 14 is configured
for receiving or
housing or retaining at least a portion of a vane coupled to the shaft of the
arrow or bolt loaded
or inserted or placed in the central bore 12. While the embodiment of the
arrow loading guide
is illustrated having three radial slots 14a, 14b and 14c (collectively
"radial slots 14"), this
should not be construed as a limitation. In some embodiments, the arrow
loading guide 10 has
two radial slots 14 for accommodating a shaft having two vanes. In certain
embodiments, the
arrow loading guide 10 has more than three radial slots 14 for accommodating a
shaft having
more than three vanes. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the plurality
of radial slots
14 are equally spaced. In some embodiments, the plurality of radial slots 14
are not equally
spaced.
[0022]
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the arrow loading guide 10 has a
plurality
of radial slots 14 configured or arranged for use with a multitude of shafts
having different
number of vanes. In other words, certain embodiments of the arrow loading
guide 10 have
several, i.e., more than two, radial slots 14 for accommodating several
different configurations
of shafts including those having two vanes and those having three vanes and
those having four
vanes and those having five vanes and so on. That is, the same arrow loading
guide 10 can be
used for shafts having different number of vanes.
[0023]
In some embodiments, the pair of opposing slots 16 extend from the central
bore 12
and through an exterior surface 18 of the arrow loading guide 10. In certain
embodiments, the
pair of opposing slots 16 are configured for receiving at least a portion of a
bowstring (not
shown) such that at least a portion of the bowstring extends through or is
exposed within the
central bore 12. Accordingly, when the nock end of the shaft is loaded or
inserted into the
central bore 12, the arrow or bolt can be nocked onto the bowstring extending
therethrough.
[0024]
Accordingly, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the arrow loading
guides of
the instant disclosure are configured to assist an archer with correctly or
properly loading and
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flocking an arrow or bolt. This action, of correctly or properly loading and
nocking the arrow
or bolt, is aided or assisted by the plurality of radial slots 14 configured
for receiving at least a
portion of each of the plurality of vanes disposed proximate the nock end of
the shaft. As will
be evident to a person skilled in the art, such configurations of the
exemplary embodiments of
the arrow loading guides are particularly useful and beneficial in low light
conditions and/or
without having to visually guide or "watch" the process. The archer places or
inserts the nock
and/or the nock end of the shaft into the central bore 12 and rotates the
shaft until each vane
aligns with a radial slot 14. Such alignment ensures that the vanes will be
received in the
corresponding radial slots when the archer further inserts the shaft into the
central bore 12.
Once the vanes and the radial slots 14 are aligned, the archer inserts the
nock and/or the nock
end further into the central bore 12 until the arrow or bolt is nocked on the
bowstring. In this
manner, the arrow or bolt is loaded and nocked using tactile feedback, i.e.,
without -watching"
the process.
[0025]
FIGs. 2A, 2B and 2C, respectively, illustrate anon-limiting exemplary
embodiment
of a bowstring hook 20 disposed within the arrow loading guide 10. In some
embodiments,
the bowstring hook 20 is defined at least in part by a front section 22 and a
rear section 24. In
certain embodiments, the bowstring hook 20 is operable between a locked
position 26 wherein
at least a portion of the front section 22 extends into the central bore 12,
and an un-locked
position 28 wherein the front section 22 is retracted from the central bore
12. FIG. 3A is a
cross-sectional view of the arrow loading guide illustrated in FIG. 1C wherein
the bowstring
hook 20 is in the un-locked position 28; and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view
of the arrow
loading guide illustrated in FIG. IC wherein the bowstring hook 20 is in the
locked position
26. In some embodiments, a biasing element 30 biases the bowstring hook 20 to
the un-locked
position 28. In certain embodiments, the arrow loading guide 10, and
particularly the bowstring
hook 20, is configured for receiving and retaining a bowstring (not shown)
inserted in the
direction 32 into the pair of opposing slots 16.
[0026]
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the bowstring hook 20 is
operatively
coupled to a firing system 34 disclosed in Applicant's co-pending and co-owned
Int'l Patent
Application No. PCT/US20/44756 (the -'756 Application") which is herein
incorporated by
reference in its entirety. Briefly, in some embodiments, the firing system 34
includes a sear 36
operable between an un-cocked position 38 (see FIG. 3A) and a cocked position
40 (see FIG.
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3B). In certain embodiments, a biasing element 42 biases the sear 36 to the un-
cocked position
38.
[0027]
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the bowstring hook 20 and the sear
36
are operatively coupled for receiving, retaining, and releasing the bowstring.
As the bowstring
is inserted in the direction 32 into the pair of opposing slots 16 and the
arrow loading guide 10
(see FIG. 3A), the bowstring abuts against and applies a force, in the
direction 32, on the rear
section 24 of the bowstring hook 20. Consequently, the bowstring hook 20
rotates in the
direction 44 about the pivot 46. The end 48 of the bowstring hook 20 is
displaced in the
direction 50 placing the front section 22 around the bowstring abutting the
rear section 24. The
end 52 of the bowstring hook 20 is displaced in the direction 54 along a
surface 56 of the sear
36. As the end 52 of the bowstring hook 20 displaces in the direction 54, the
sear 36 rotates in
the direction 58 about the pivot 60 whereby the tip 62 of the sear 36 is
displaced in the direction
opposite the direction 54. The end 52 of the bowstring hook 20 and the tip 62
of the sear 36
displace in opposite directions until the end 52 of the bowstring hook 20
reaches the peak of
the tip 62 of the sear 36. Thereafter, with continued application of the force
on the rear section
24 in the direction 32, the end 52 of the bowstring hook 20 -trips" or -falls"
over the peak of
the tip 62 of the sear 36 whereby the sear 36 rotates in the direction
opposite the direction 58
and the bowstring hook 20 rotates in the direction opposite the direction 54
until the sear 36
and the bowstring hook 20 latch as illustrated in FIG. 3B. As shown, the sear
36 is in the
cocked position 40 and the bowstring hook 20 is in the locked position 26
engaging the
bowstring between the front and rear sections 22 and 24, respectively.
[0028]
In certain embodiments, the biasing elements 30 and 42, respectively, are
configured or balanced for retaining the bowstring hook 20 in the locked
position 26 and the
sear 36 in the cocked position 40, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, until an
external force 64 applied
proximate end 66 of the sear 36 un-cocks the sear 36 and un-locks the
bowstring hook 20. In
some embodiments, the bowstring hook 20 and the sear 36 have complementary
geometries
cooperating with the biasing elements 30 and 42 for ensuring the bowstring
hook 20 and the
sear 36, respectively, remain engaged in the locked position 26 and the cocked
position 40 until
the external force 56 is applied proximate end 66 of the sear 36.
100291
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the external force 64 applied
proximate
the end 66 of the cocked sear 36 rotates the sear 36 in the direction 58 about
the pivot 60
whereby the tip 62 of the sear 36 is displaced in the direction opposite the
direction 44. The
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biasing element 42 urges the bowstring hook 20 to rotate opposite the
direction 44 about the
pivot 46. The end 52 of the bowstring hook 20 is displaced over the tip 62 of
the sear 36 un-
locking the bowstring hook 20 whereby the end 48 of the bowstring hook 20 is
displaced
opposite the direction 50 to dis-engage from and release the bowstring
retained between the
front and rear sections 22 and 24 of the bowstring hook 20. In certain
embodiments, the un-
locking of the bowstring hook 20 is aided by at least some force exerted on
the front section
22 in the direction opposite 32 by the drawn bowstring held by the locked
bowstring hook 20.
[0030]
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the firing system 34 includes a
trigger
mechanism operable for exerting or applying the force 64 for un-cocking the
sear 36, un-
locking the bowstring hook20, and releasing the drawn bowstring retained
between the front
and rear sections 22 and 24 of the bowstring hook 20. In some embodiments, the
trigger
mechanism includes a trigger operable between a cocked position and an un-
cocked position.
When the cocked trigger is pulled, the trigger mechanism operates to exert or
apply the force
64 proximate the end 66 of the sear 36.
[0031]
As is well known in the art, dry-firing a bow, i.e., releasing a drawn
bowstring
without a nocked arrow or bolt to absorb the released energy, can be dangerous
to the user
and/or damage the equipment. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the arrow
loading
guide 10 includes a bowstring arrester 68 operable as a dry-fire inhibitor
disclosed in the '756
Application. Briefly, in some embodiments, the bowstring arrester 68 is
configured for
"capturing- or "arresting- a drawn bowstring released without an arrow or bolt
inserted or
placed in the central bore 12.
[0032]
In some embodiments, the bowstring arrester 68 includes a biasing element
70
configured to bias the bowstring arrester 68 "upright" or in an activated
position 72 to capture
the drawn bowstring if released without a nocked bolt or arrow. FIG. 3B
illustrates one such
exemplary embodiment wherein the sear 36 is cocked, the bowstring hook 20 is
locked about
a drawn bowstring (not shown), and the bowstring arrester 68 is activated
since the nock end
of the shaft has not been inserted into the central bore 12, i.e., an arrow or
bolt has not been
nocked onto the drawn bowstring. Consequently, if the drawn bowstring is
intentionally or un-
intentionally released, it will be immediately -arrested" or -captured" or -
stopped" by the
activated or upright bowstring arrester 68. However, if an arrow or bolt has
been nocked on
the drawn bowstring, then the shaft will "push- the bowstring arrester 68 out
of the path of the
released bowstring. The bowstring arrester 68 will be momentarily retracted or
"pushed" out
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of the way by the bowstring when it enters the pair of opposing slots 16 and
is advanced towards
the bowstring hook 20.
[0033]
FIGs. 4A and 4B, respectively, are a perspective view and a front/rear
elevation
view of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an arrow rest 74 configured for
supporting
an arrow or bolt proximate a distal end thereof The illustrated embodiment of
the arrow rest
74 is generally Y-shaped having a pair of opposing rollers 76a and 76b
(collectively "rollers
76") disposed at ends 78a and 78b (collectively "ends 78") of sides 80a and
80b (collectively
"sides 80") of the "Y" and a channel 82 defined by the sides 80. The arrow
rest 74 is typically
disposed proximate a distal end of the crossbow, and the rollers 76 are
configured for
supporting the shaft of the arrow or bolt nocked on the drawn bowstring
retained by the
bowstring hook 20. In some embodiments, the channel 82 is configured for
passage of the
vane received or placed in the radial slot 14c after the arrow or bolt is
released or launched.
100341
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the arrow loading guide 10, the
firing
system 34 and the bowstring arrester 68 are integrated or disposed within a
common housing
84 (also referred to as a bowstring carrier). FIG. 5 is a perspective view of
a non-limiting
exemplary embodiment of a crossbow 86 equipped with an embodiment of the arrow
rest 74
and the housing 84 having an embodiment of the arrow loading guide 10, the
firing system 34
and the bowstring arrester 68 integrally disposed therewithin.
[0035]
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a winch or retractor 88 having a
strap
(not shown) coupled to the housing 84 is provided for drawing the bowstring by
retracting the
housing 84 in the proximal direction. For instance, after a projectile, e.g.,
an arrow or bolt, has
been fired, the released bowstring 90 will be positioned proximate a distal
end 92 of the
crossbow 86. The archer manually advances or moves the housing 84 towards the
distal end
92 until the bowstring hook 20 engages the released bowstring 90. The archer
then operates
the winch or retractor 88 to draw the bowstring held in the bowstring hook 20
by retracting the
housing 84. Non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the winch or retractor 88
are disclosed
in Applicant's co-pending and co-owned Intl Patent Application No.
PCT/US19/55159 (the
"159 Application") which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0036]
Briefly, the '159 Application discloses a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment of a
winch (or retractor) having a bearing housing, a one way bearing disposed
within the bearing
housing, a bearing hub, a friction disk, a crank spool, a crank housing
configured for rotatably
retaining the crank spool, a crank shaft, and a crank handle coupled to a
threaded second end
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of the crank shaft. In some embodiments, the one way bearing includes an outer
ring attached
to the bearing housing, and an inner ring. In certain embodiments, the bearing
hub includes a
cylindrical section and a disk. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the
cylindrical section
is disposed within and attached to the inner ring of the one way bearing. In
certain
embodiments, the friction disk includes opposing first and second surfaces,
wherein the first
surface is adjacent the disk of the bearing hub. In some embodiments, the
crank spool includes
opposing first and second disks, wherein the first disk is adjacent the second
surface of the
friction disk. In certain embodiments, the crank shaft extends through the
bearing hub, through
the friction disk, and into the crank spool, wherein a first end of the crank
shaft is coupled to
the crank spool.
[0037]
The '159 Application additionally discloses a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment
of a winch having a bearing housing, a one way bearing disposed within the
bearing housing,
a bearing hub, a crank spool, a crank housing configured for rotatably
retaining the crank spool,
a crank shaft, and a threaded crank handle coupled to a threaded second end of
the crank shaft.
In some embodiments, the one way bearing includes an outer ring attached to
the bearing
housing, and an inner ring. In certain embodiments, the bearing hub includes a
cylindrical
section and a disk. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cylindrical
section is
disposed within and attached to the inner ring of the one way bearing. In
certain embodiments,
the crank spool includes opposing first and second disks, wherein the first
disk is adjacent the
disk of the bearing hub. In some embodiments, the crank shaft extends through
the bearing
hub and into the crank spool, wherein a first end of the crank shaft is
coupled to the crank spool.
[0038]
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a crossbow cocking apparatus is
provided
for grasping or hooking the released bowstring 90 and retracting or pulling
the bowstring in
the proximal direction and into the arrow loading guide 10 for engagement with
the bowstring
hook 20. In such embodiments, the housing 84 containing the an-ow loading
guide 10, the
firing system 34 and the bowstring arrester 68 can be disposed proximate the
stock of the
crossbow. Non-limiting exemplary embodiments of crossbow cocking apparatuses
are
disclosed in Applicant's co-owned Patent No. IJS 10,295,299 B2 (the "299
Patent") which is
herein incorporated by reference in its entirely.
100391
Briefly, the '299 Patent discloses a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of
a
cocking mechanism having an actuator assembly, a hand crank assembly, and a
string hook
assembly (e.g., the "bow string hook assembly 20" in the '299 Patent). The
actuator assembly
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includes a clutch assembly having a bearing housing, a bearing cage, a support
axle and bearing
elements. The bearing elements operatively cooperate with the bearing housing
to prevent
rotation of the support axle in a first direction but allow for rotation of
the support axle in a
second direction when the actuator assembly is in a locked configuration. This
provides for
immediate braking action against any unforeseen forward motion of the
bowstring such as
when the hand crank assembly is inadvertently or accidently released during
the cocking
operation.
[0040]
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the arrow loading guide 10
includes a
pair of channels 94a and 94b (collectively "channels 94") disposed on the
exterior surface 18.
In some embodiments, the channels 94 are configured for sliding engagement
with a pair of
substantially parallel rails 96a and 96b (collectively "rails 96") disposed on
the crossbow 86.
[0041]
In view thereof, modified and/or alternate configurations of the non-
limiting
exemplary embodiments illustrated and described herein may become apparent or
obvious to
one of ordinary skill. All such variations are considered as being within the
metes and bounds
of the instant disclosure. For instance, while reference may have been made to
particular
feature(s) and/or function(s), this disclosure is considered to also encompass
any and all
equivalents providing functionalities similar to those described herein with
reference to the
accompanying drawings. Accordingly, the spirit, scope and intent of the
instant disclosure
embraces all variations. Consequently, the metes and bounds of the instant
disclosure are
defined by the appended claims and all equivalents thereof.
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