Abstract: A lobed projectile apparatus includes a body portion and a lobe extending radially away from a longitudinal axis of the body portion. The lobe substantially fills a gap width between two rails of a crossbow or is configured to contact an anti-dry-fire mechanism of a crossbow. The nock may be used to avoid dry fires of a crossbow by controlling an anti-dry fire mechanism and by securing a bowstring to the projectile.

Abstract: Arrow point cases and related methods are disclosed. One arrow point case holds arrow points such as broadheads between retaining members that contact the shaft or body portion of the arrow point without contacting the blades of the arrow point. The retaining members have a generally C-shaped cross section and are removably attached to a shell of the case. The retaining members are elastically flexible and are deformable upon insertion of the arrow point into a retention position in the case. The case stores and transports arrow points without contacting the blades so that blades may remain sharp and securely stowed until needed. Some methods allow an arrow point in the case to be attached to an arrow or bolt shaft without removing the arrow point from the case.

Abstract: Target assemblies and related methods for archery and other projectile shooting practice and training are disclosed. One target assembly has a first target body and a second target body that are respectively shaped as a lower portion and an upper portion of an animal. An elongated ridge on one of the target bodies is positioned within an elongated groove on the other target body. The first target body is positioned underneath the second target body with the front ends of the first and second target bodies being adjacent each other and with the rear ends of the first and second target bodies being adjacent each other. The target assemblies and related methods have improved stability, portability, and durability in comparison to conventional three-dimensional target assemblies.

Abstract: A lobed projectile apparatus includes a body portion and a lobe extending radially away from a longitudinal axis of the body portion. The lobe substantially fills a gap width between two rails of a crossbow or is configured to contact an anti-dry-fire mechanism of a crossbow. The nock may be used to avoid thy fires of a crossbow by controlling an anti-dry fire mechanism and by securing a bowstring to the projectile.

Abstract: A lobed projectile includes a shaft having a leading end and a trailing end, a point positioned at the leading end, a number of circumferentially spaced apart vanes positioned on the shaft between the leading end and the trailing end, and a nock positioned at the trailing end. The nock includes a body portion attached to the shaft, wherein the body portion has a central axis, and the nock includes a lobe on the outer surface of the body portion which extends radially away from the central axis. The nock may be used to avoid dry fires of a crossbow by controlling an anti-dry fire mechanism and by securing a bowstring to the nock of the projectile.

Abstract: A lobed projectile includes a shaft having a leading end and a trailing end, a point positioned at the leading end, a number of circumferentially spaced apart vanes positioned on the shaft between the leading end and the trailing end, and a nock positioned at the trailing end. The nock includes a body portion attached to the shaft, wherein the body portion has a central axis, and the nock includes a lobe on the outer surface of the body portion which extends radially away from the central axis. The nock may be used to avoid dry fires of a crossbow by controlling an anti-dry fire mechanism and by securing a bowstring to the nock of the projectile.

Abstract: A lobed projectile includes a shaft having a leading end and a trailing end, a point positioned at the leading end, a number of circumferentially spaced apart vanes positioned on the shaft between the leading end and the trailing end, and a nock positioned at the trailing end. The nock includes a body portion attached to the shaft, wherein the body portion has a central axis, and the nock includes a lobe on the outer surface of the body portion which extends radially away from the central axis. The nock may be used to avoid dry fires of a crossbow by controlling an anti-dry fire mechanism and by securing a bowstring to the nock of the projectile.

Abstract: A multi-function archery tool includes first and second handle members, and first and second sets of jaws. The first set of jaws includes first and second jaw members movable toward each other to clamp a nock point upon moving the first and second handle members toward each other. The second set of jaws includes third and fourth jaw members movable away from each other to tighten a bowstring string loop upon moving the first and second handle members toward each other.

Abstract: A projectile, either a crossbow bolt or an arrow, having a compressible nock. The projectile has a shaft having a front end portion and a rear end portion, an arrow point positioned on the front end portion of the shaft, multiple vanes extending from the shaft between the front end portion and the rear end portion, and a nock at least partially extending from the rear end portion. The nock has a compressible end portion that is compressible toward the shaft to maintain the nock on a bowstring when the bolt is launched. In an example case, the rear end portion is flat at its rear surface and, when the bolt is launched from a crossbow, the bowstring deforms the compressible end portion of the nock to form a groove or notch in which the bowstring is seated while the bolt is launched.

Abstract: A pack frame apparatus having first and second frame portions configured to be secured to a backpack, wherein the first and second frame portions provide structural rigidity to the backpack when secured to the backpack. The first frame portion is configured to be secured to shoulder straps of the backpack, and the second frame portion is configured to be secured adjacent to a waist strap of the backpack. A joint joins the first and second frame portions to allow relative pivotal movement around a first axis and to allow resilient relative pivotal movement around a second axis.

Abstract: A multi-function archery tool includes first and second handle members, and first and second sets of jaws. The first set of jaws includes first and second jaw members movable toward each other to clamp a nock point upon moving the first and second handle members toward each other. The second set of jaws includes third and fourth jaw members movable away from each other to tighten a bowstring string loop upon moving the first and second handle members toward each other.

Abstract: An arrow may comprise a shaft, an arrowhead, a nock and at least one vane. The shaft may comprise an elongated structure having the arrowhead located at a first end and the nock located at the second end. The at least one arrow vane may be located on the shaft proximate to the second end. The at least one arrow vane may comprise a base attached to the arrow shaft, and a body with convex major surfaces extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge. Methods of manufacturing such an arrow vane may comprise injecting a foamed polymer into a mold and curing the foamed polymer within the mold.

Abstract: A tent pole assembly that includes first and second pole sections, first and second inserts, and a projection member. Each of the pole sections includes an open end. The first and second inserts are positionable into the open ends of the first and second pole sections, respectively. The projection member is insertable into the first and second inserts to releasably connect the first and second pole sections together.

Abstract: An arrow may comprise a shaft, an arrowhead, a nock and at least one vane. The shaft may comprise an elongated structure having the arrowhead located at a first end and the nock located at the second end. The at least one arrow vane may be located on the shaft proximate to the second end. The at least one arrow vane may comprise a base attached to the arrow shaft, and a body with convex major surfaces extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge. Methods of manufacturing such an arrow vane may comprise injecting a foamed polymer into a mold and curing the foamed polymer within the mold.

Abstract: A snowshoe apparatus having a frame assembly, a pivot assembly pivotally attached to the frame assembly, and a binding assembly pivotally attached to the pivot assembly is disclosed. The snowshoe apparatus may also include first and second crampons pivotally attached to the frame assembly, with the first crampon configured to pivot relative to the frame assembly substantially independent of the second crampon. In addition, at least one of the first crampon and the second crampon may be laterally movable relative to the frame assembly. The snowshoe apparatus may also comprise a resilient heel support assembly coupled to the frame assembly. A corresponding method of assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A trekking pole assembly includes a trekking pole and a handle assembly mounted to the trekking pole. The handle assembly includes a handle housing with an interior cavity and a shock absorbing member secured within the interior cavity. The handle housing has a top end and a bottom end, an opening defined in the bottom end, and at least one lateral opening. The shock absorbing member is positioned in the handle housing and interposed between the handle housing and the trekking pole. A portion of the shock absorbing member is displaceable through the at least one lateral opening.

Abstract: An arrow apparatus includes a hollow arrow shaft, an arrow point alignment structure, an arrow point, and a central connection member. The hollow arrow shaft has an outer surface, an interior, and a leading end surface. The arrow point alignment structure includes a tapered portion and is positioned on the outer surface of the arrow shaft at a location proximal of the leading end surface of the arrow shaft. The arrow point is in contact with the tapered portion of the arrow point alignment structure. The central connection member extends into the interior and in contact with the leading end surface.

Abstract: An arrow shaft comprising a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion is disclosed. The second shaft portion of the arrow shaft may have a larger outer diameter than the first shaft portion. The arrow shaft may also comprise a transition portion between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion. An arrow comprising an arrow shaft, a first shaft portion, a second shaft portion, a nock, and a point is also disclosed. The first shaft portion of the arrow may comprise a lengthwise segment of the arrow shaft terminating at an end of the arrow shaft adjacent to the arrow nock. The second shaft portion of the arrow may comprise a lengthwise segment of the arrow shaft terminating at an end of the arrow shaft adjacent to the arrow point.

Abstract: An arrow apparatus is disclosed comprising an arrow point alignment structure having a tapered leading end disposed on an outer surface of an arrow shaft. The arrow point may also comprise a tapered aperture defined therein for receiving and mating with at least a portion of the tapered leading end of the arrow point alignment structure in order to bring the arrow point into axial alignment with the arrow shaft. The arrow point alignment structure may be integrally formed with, or affixed to, the outer surface of the arrow shaft or affixed to a portion of the arrow point. The arrow apparatus may also further comprise an insert at least partially disposed within the arrow shaft. The insert may comprise a first insert portion removably attached to a second insert portion that weighs less than the first insert portion. Various arrow points and corresponding methods are also disclosed.