Lighted Nock

Abstract

A lighted nock may include an arrow nock, LED/battery assembly, and an end cap. The end cap may be engaged with the inner diameter of a portion of an arrow shaft, and a portion of the LED/battery assembly may be engaged with the end cap. An arrow nock may be selectively positioned over a portion of the LED/battery assembly and/or engaged with the inner diameter of a portion of the arrow shaft such that the user may determine when the LED in the lighted nock is illuminated and when the LED is not illuminated.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional patent application claims priority from provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/923,727 filed on Jan. 5, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of archery, and more specifically to arrow and/or arrow components.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No federal funds were used to create or develop the invention herein.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

N/A

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the lighted nock.

FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of the first illustrative embodiment of a lighted nock and a portion of an arrow with which the lighted nock may be used.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the first illustrative embodiment of the lighted nock engaged with an arrow.

FIG. 2B is another perspective view of the first illustrative embodiment of the lighted nock engaged with an arrow.

FIG. 3A is front perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment of an end cap that may be used with the first embodiment of a lighted nock.

FIG. 3B is rear perspective view of the embodiment of an end cap shown in FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION-ELEMENT LISTING
Description          Element No.
Lighted nock         10
Arrow shaft          12
Fletching            14
LED/battery assembly 20
LED                  22
Switch               24
Battery              26
End cap              30
First portion        32
Neck                 32a
Second portion       34
Bore                 34a
Arrow nock           40
Central bore         42
Recess               44
Wall                 46

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present lighted nock is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the lighted nock is not limited to specific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed lighted nock. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all lighted nocks. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, components of a lighted nock. Thus, if there are a variety of additional components that can be added it is understood that each of these additional components can be added with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed lighted nock 10.

The present lighted nock 10 may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previous and following description.

An exploded perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment of a lighted nock 10 and a portion of an arrow shaft 12 with which the lighted nock 10 may be engaged is shown in FIG. 1. The first illustrative embodiment the lighted nock 10 may be engaged with an arrow shaft 12, which is shown in FIG. 2. As shown, in one aspect the lighted nock 10 may include an LED/battery assembly 20, an end cap 30, and an arrow nock 40. It is contemplated that in one aspect of a lighted nock 10, the lighted nock 10 may be advantageously engaged with an arrow shaft 12, such as that shown in FIGS. 1 & 2, having fletching 14 engaged with a rearward portion of the arrow shaft 12. However, in other aspects the lighted nock 10 may be used with other projectiles without limitation, including but not limited to bolts, darts, and other arrows. Accordingly, various aspects of the lighted nock 10 may be configured for application with a projectile designed for use with, including but not limited to, an archery bow, compound bow, long bow, and/or crossbow. In another aspect of the lighted nock 10, it is contemplated that the arrow nock 40 may be constructed of a material that is transparent, or it may be constructed of a material that is translucent. This configuration of an arrow nock 40 may be especially advantageous in a configuration wherein a portion of the LED 22 is positioned within a portion of the arrow nock 40.

In one aspect a lighted nock 10 may include an end cap 30. A first illustrative embodiment of an end cap 30 that may be used with various aspects of the lighted nock 10 is shown in front perspective in FIG. 3A and rear perspective in FIG. 3B. The first illustrative embodiment of an end cap 30 may be configured such that a portion of the exterior surface thereof may engage a portion of the interior surface about the inner diameter of an arrow shaft 12. It is contemplated that the geometry and dimensions of the end cap 30 and arrow shaft 12 may be configured such that the end cap 30 may be engaged with a portion of the arrow shaft 12 via an interference fit that ensures the position of the end cap 30 with respect to the arrow shaft 12 is stationary during use. Other methods and/or structures may be used to properly engage the end cap 30 with the arrow shaft 12 without limitation, including but not limited to mechanical fasteners, chemical adhesives, and/or combinations thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the end cap 30 and/or specific configuration thereof.

In one aspect of the end cap 30, it may be advantageous to construct the end cap 30 out of an elastomeric material, including but not limited to rubber, silicone rubber, polybutadiene, butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene, and/or combinations thereof. It is contemplated that a generally flexible material of construction for the end cap 30 may result in ease and efficiency of manufacturing. Further, such a construction may allow the end cap 30 to compress by a predetermined amount once it is properly engaged with the arrow shaft 12 so that the compressibility of the end cap 30 cooperates to retain its position with respect to the arrow shaft 12. However, other materials may be used without limitation, including but not limited to polymers, natural materials, cellulosic materials, metals and their alloys, and/or combinations thereof.

Referring again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, to facilitate engagement of the end cap 30 with the arrow shaft 12, the end cap 30 may be formed with a first portion 32 and a second portion 34. The first portion 32 may include a neck 32a, which may be oriented toward the leading end of the arrow shaft 12 during use so that the first portion 32 may be relatively easily inserted into the arrow shaft 12. The second portion 34 may include a bore 34a formed along the central axis of the end cap 30, which may be parallel to the central axis of the arrow shaft 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2B, an LED/battery assembly 20 may be engaged with the end cap 30 at the end cap second portion 34. The LED/battery assembly 20 may include an LED 22 and switch 24 for the LED 22 in addition to a battery 26 for providing electrical energy to the switch 24 and/or LED 22. In certain aspects of the lighted nock 10, the battery 26 in the LED/battery assembly 20 may be configured such that it may be replaced without need to replace the entire LED/battery assembly 20. In an aspect, a portion of the LED/battery assembly 20 may be inserted into the bore 34a in the second portion 34 of the end cap 30.

It is contemplated that, without limitation, in in one aspect of the lighted nock 10 the portion of the LED/battery assembly 20 positioned in the bore 34a may be the battery 26 or a portion thereof, but the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited. The LED/battery assembly 20 may be engaged with the end cap 30 such that the position of the LED/battery assembly 20 is fixed in the radial dimension with respect to the end cap 30, and such that the position of at least the battery 26 also is fixed in the axial dimension with respect to the end cap 30. In certain aspects, the position of the LED 22 may also be fixed with respect to the end cap 30 in the axial dimension, and in other aspects both the switch 24 and LED 22 may be moveable with respect to the end cap 30 in the axial dimension between the on/off positions. The LED/battery assembly 20 may be engaged with the end cap 30 via a chemical adhesive (e.g., glue, epoxy, etc.) to ensure the position of the LED/battery assembly 20 with respect to the end cap 30 is properly maintained. Other methods and/or structures may be used to properly engage the LED/battery assembly 20 with the end cap 30 without limitation, including but not limited to an interference fit, mechanical fasteners, and/or combinations thereof.

The LED/battery assembly 20 may be configured such that the LED 22, switch 24, and/or battery 26 essentially form an integral element. The switch 24 may be designed such that in an extended axial configuration, the switch 24 does not communicate electrical energy from the battery 26 to the LED 22 so that the LED 22 is not energized and/or illuminated. The switch may also be configured such that when it is in a compressed axial configuration, the switch 24 may communicate electrical energy from the battery 26 to the LED 22 so that the LED 22 is energized and/or illuminated. It is contemplated that in an aspect of the lighted nock 10, the switch 24 may be configured such that a user receives a small tactile and/or auditory signal when user has moved the switch 24 to a position that either energizes the LED 22 or to a position that does not energize the LED 22. The LED/battery assembly 20 may be configured such that the LED 22 moves axially with the switch 24 during actuation thereof, or the LED 22 may be separately mounted such that the position of the LED 22 is fixed during actuation of the switch 24 without limitation. The LED may be configured to emit light of any color and/or intensity, or it may be configured to emit different colors and/or intensities of light under varying conditions, without limitation.

A first end of an arrow nock 40 (i.e., the trailing end of the arrow nock 40 during use) may be configured with a recess 44 to engage the string or other propulsion mechanism of a projectile launcher. A second end of the arrow nock 40 may be configured to engage a portion of the LED/battery assembly 20 that is positioned opposite the end cap 30, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B. It is contemplated that this portion of the LED/battery assembly 20 may engaged the arrow nock 40 on the inner diameter of a central bore 42 formed in the second end of the arrow nock 40. The outer diameter of the second end of the arrow nock 40 may be configured to engage a portion of the arrow shaft 12 on the inner diameter of the arrow shaft 12. As mentioned, the arrow nock 40 may include a central bore 42 adjacent the second end of the arrow nock 40, wherein the central bore 42 may be configured to fit over a portion of the LED/battery assembly 20 opposite the portion of the LED/battery assembly 20 engaged with the end cap 30. It is contemplated that in the illustrative embodiment, the central bore 42 may fit over the portion of the LED/battery assembly 20 comprising a portion of the LED 22 and/or switch 24.

A wall 46 may be positioned between the first and second ends of the arrow nock 40 on the exterior surface thereof. The wall 46 may provide a physical limit for the distance into the arrow shaft 12 that the second end of the arrow nock 40 may extend. It is contemplated that the arrow nock 40 may engage the arrow shaft 12 such that predetermined amounts of force are required to install the arrow nock 40 to a position such that the wall 46 abuts the end of the arrow shaft 12 and to remove the arrow nock 40 from the arrow shaft 12. The portion of the arrow nock 40 inserted into the arrow shaft 12 may be tapered to achieve the desired engagement between the arrow nock 40 and the arrow shaft 12. Additionally or alternatively, a chemical adhesive and/or mechanical fastener may be used to secure the position of the arrow nock 40 with respect to the arrow shaft 12. However, any method and/or structure may be used to allow the arrow nock 40 to properly engage the arrow shaft 12 and/or to adjust the amount of force required to install and/or remove the arrow nock 40 from the arrow shaft 12.

The arrow nock 40 may also be formed with a limiter (not shown) between the distal-most face of the second end and the wall 46. It is contemplated that the lighted nock 10 may be configured such that when the arrow nock 10 is engaged with the arrow shaft 12 such that the wall 46 abuts the terminal end of the arrow shaft 12, the arrow nock 40 activates the switch 24 on the LED/battery assembly 20 so as to cause the switch 24 to energize the LED 22, such that the LED illuminates the arrow nock 40. The limiter may allow a user to engage the arrow nock 40 with the arrow shaft 12 (using a predetermined amount of force, which may be applied to the arrow nock 40 generally in the axial dimension toward the arrow shaft 12) in such a way that the arrow nock 40 is generally stationary with respect to the arrow shaft 12 unless acted upon by an outside force, but such that the switch 24 remains in a position that does not cause the LED 22 to be energized, referred to herein as an “intermediate position” of the arrow nock 40. Once the user desires to fire the arrow, the user my press the arrow nock 40 fully into the arrow shaft 12 (past the limiter), thereby activating the switch 24 and energizing the LED 22. It is contemplated that for some aspects of the lighted nock 10, it may be advantageous to configure the lighted nock 10 such that the amount of force required to move the arrow nock 40 from the intermediate position to a position at which the wall 46 abuts the end of the arrow shaft 12 may be greater than the force required to engage the recess 44 with a projectile launcher (i.e., “nock the arrow” in certain aspects).

When the user desires to deactivate the LED 22, the user may simple urge the arrow nock 40 outward in a generally axial dimension away from the arrow shaft 12 and remove the arrow nock 40 from the arrow shaft 12, and then move the switch 24 to the “off” position (e.g., move the switch 24 in an axial dimension away from the end cap 30), which position does not cause the LED 22 to be energized and/or illuminated. In such an aspect, it is contemplated that the arrow nock 40 and arrow shaft 12 may be cooperatively configured such that a predetermined amount of force axial force applied to the arrow nock 40 in a direction away from said arrow shaft 12 will cause the arrow nock 40 to be disengaged with the arrow shaft 12. This configuration may be especially useful if the arrow nock 40 is configured to engage the arrow shaft 12 and be retained with respect thereto via an interference fit.

It is contemplated that in certain aspects of the lighted nock 10, the central bore 42 of the arrow nock 40 and the end of the LED/battery assembly 20 opposite the end cap 30 may be cooperatively configured such that a predetermined amount of axial force is required to dislodge the LED/battery assembly 20 from the arrow nock 40. For example, the arrow nock 40 and corresponding portion of the LED/battery assembly 20 may be cooperatively configured such that a portion of the LED/battery assembly 20 snaps into a portion of the central bore 42 of the arrow nock 40 such that a user may engage and/or disengage the LED/battery assembly 20 with the arrow nock 40 selectively. The arrow nock 40 may be manufactured of any material suitable for the specific application of the lighted nock 10, which material includes but is not limited to clear, transparent, translucent, or opaque polymers, natural materials, other materials, and/or combinations thereof.

An arrow may be outfitted with the lighted nock 10 during manufacture of the arrow, or the lighted nock 10 may be retrofit to existing arrows. The elegance of the design of the illustrative embodiment of the lighted nock 10 requires less components that designs found in the prior art (such as that found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,784, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), which leads to advantages at least in manufacturing and replacement.

In another aspects of a lighted nock 10 not pictured herein, the arrow nock 40 is configured with an indicator on the portion of the arrow nock 40 that is inserted into the arrow shaft 12. The indicator may serve to show the user when the arrow nock 40 is in the intermediate position, which intermediate positions is explained above. Such an indicator may be a strip positioned at the required position along the length of the portion of the arrow nock 40 inserted into the arrow shaft 12. In such an embodiment the portion of the arrow nock 40 inserted into the arrow shaft 12 may be tapered to require increasing force as the arrow nock 40 moves inwardly into the arrow shaft 12. However, other configurations may be used without limitation.

The materials used to construct the lighted nock 10 and various elements thereof will vary depending on the specific application of the lighted nock 10, but it is contemplated that polymers, natural materials, metals and there alloys, and/or combinations thereof may be especially useful for some applications. Accordingly, the above-referenced elements may be constructed of any material known to those skilled in the art or later developed, which material is appropriate for the specific application of the lighted nock 10, without departing from the spirit and scope of the lighted nock 10 as disclosed and claimed herein.

Having described the preferred embodiments, other features of the lighted nock 10 will undoubtedly occur to those of ordinary skill in the art, as will numerous modifications and alterations in the embodiments as illustrated herein, all of which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the lighted nock 10 disclosed herein. Accordingly, the methods and embodiments pictured and described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and are no way limiting to the scope of the lighted nock 10 unless so stated in the following claims.

It should be noted that the lighted nock 10 is limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but are intended to apply to all similar apparatuses and methods for providing a lighted nock 10. Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the lighted nock 10. It is understood that the lighted nock 10 as disclosed herein extends to all alternative combinations of one or more of the individual features mentioned, evident from the text and/or drawings, and/or inherently disclosed. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the lighted nock 10 and/or components thereof. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the lighted nock 10 and/or components thereof and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the same. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

While the lighted nock 10 has been described in connection with preferred embodiments and specific examples, it is not intended that the scope be limited to the particular embodiments set forth, as the embodiments herein are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order.

Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including but not limited to: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as illustrative only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A lighted nock comprising:

a. an LED/battery assembly having a first end and a second end, said LED/battery assembly comprising: i. a switch; ii. a battery in electrical communication with said switch; iii. an LED in electrical communication with said switch, wherein said LED is generally positioned adjacent said second end of said LED/battery assembly;

b. an end cap including a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion is generally cylindrical in shape, wherein said second portion is formed with a bore therein, and wherein said second portion is generally compressible in a radial dimension; and,

c. an arrow nock formed with a central bore therein, wherein a portion of said second end of said LED/battery assembly is positioned within said central bore, and wherein said arrow nock is formed with a recess therein opposite said central bore.

2. The lighted nock according to claim 1 wherein said first portion of said end cap further comprises a neck, wherein said neck is tapered such that the diameter thereof decreases along the longitudinal axis of said neck.

3. The lighted nock according to claim 1 wherein said arrow nock further comprises a wall formed on an exterior surface thereof, wherein said wall is positioned intermediate said recess and said central bore, and wherein said wall protrudes radially outward from an exterior surface of said arrow nock.

4. The lighted nock according to claim 2 wherein said end cap is further defined as being configured to securely engage an inner diameter of an arrow shaft.

5. The lighted nock according to claim 3 wherein said arrow nock further comprises a portion from said wall to a distal end of said arrow nock opposite said recess, wherein said portion is configured to selectively engage an inner diameter of an arrow shaft.

6. The lighted nock according to claim 1 wherein a relative axial position between said battery and said LED is variable, and wherein said relative axial position is dependent on a position of said switch.

7. The lighted nock according to claim 6 wherein said arrow nock is further defined as being configured such that the axial position thereof with respect to said arrow shaft dictates the position of said switch.

8. The lighted nock according to claim 7 wherein said arrow nock is further defined as being slideable with respect to said arrow shaft, and wherein said second end of said LED/battery assembly selectively engages said central bore of said arrow nock.

9. An arrow comprising:

a. an arrow shaft having an inner diameter and an outer diameter;

b. a lighted nock engaged with a first end of said arrow shaft, said lighted nock comprising: i. an LED/battery assembly having a first end and a second end, said LED/battery assembly comprising: 1. a switch; 2. a battery in electrical communication with said switch; 3. an LED in electrical communication with said switch, wherein said LED is generally positioned adjacent said second end of said LED/battery assembly; ii. an end cap including a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion is generally cylindrical in shape, wherein said second portion is formed with a bore therein, and wherein said second portion is generally compressible in a radial dimension; and, iii. an arrow nock formed with a central bore therein, wherein a portion of said second end of said LED/battery assembly is positioned within said central bore, and wherein said arrow nock is formed with a recess therein opposite said central bore.

10. The arrow according to claim 9 wherein said first portion of said end cap further comprises a neck, wherein said neck is tapered such that the diameter thereof decreases along the longitudinal axis of said neck.

11. The arrow according to claim 9 wherein said arrow nock further comprises a wall formed on an exterior surface thereof, wherein said wall is positioned intermediate said recess and said central bore, and wherein said wall protrudes radially outward from an exterior surface of said arrow nock.

12. The arrow according to claim 10 wherein said end cap is further defined as being configured to securely engage an inner diameter of an arrow shaft.

13. The arrow according to claim 11 wherein said arrow nock further comprises a portion from said wall to a distal end of said arrow nock opposite said recess, wherein said portion is configured to selectively engage an inner diameter of an arrow shaft.

14. The arrow according to claim 9 further comprising fletching engaged with a portion of the exterior surface of said arrow shaft.

15. The arrow according to claim 9 wherein a relative axial position between said battery and said LED is variable, and wherein said relative axial position is dependent on a position of said switch.

16. The arrow according to claim 15 wherein said arrow nock is further defined as being configured such that the axial position thereof with respect to said arrow shaft dictates the position of said switch.

17. The arrow according to claim 16 wherein said arrow nock is further defined as being slideable with respect to said arrow shaft, and wherein said second end of said LED/battery assembly selectively engages said central bore of said arrow nock.

18. A method of energizing an LED, said method comprising the steps of:

a. nocking an arrow in the string of a bow, wherein said arrow comprises: i. an arrow shaft having an inner diameter and an outer diameter; ii. a lighted nock engaged with a first end of said arrow shaft, said lighted nock comprising: 1.an LED/battery assembly having a first end and a second end, said LED/battery assembly comprising: a. a switch; b. a battery in electrical communication with said switch; c. an LED in electrical communication with said switch, wherein said LED is generally positioned adjacent said second end of said LED/battery assembly; 2. an end cap including a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion is generally cylindrical in shape, wherein said second portion is formed with a bore therein, and wherein said second portion is generally compressible in a radial dimension; and, 3. an arrow nock formed with a central bore therein, wherein a portion of said second end of said LED/battery assembly is positioned within said central bore, and wherein said arrow nock is formed with a recess therein opposite said central bore.

19. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of de-energizing said LED via removing said arrow nock and actuating said switch to an “off” position.