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: 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 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 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: 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 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.

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: 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: 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.

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.

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: The present invention is directed to a shaft and arrow system. The shaft and arrow system includes a hybrid structure that may include two concentric tubes. A first of the two concentric tubes may comprise an outer shell or jacket of thin-walled metal alloy. A second of the two concentric tubes may include an inner core of thin-walled fiber reinforced polymer. The two concentric tubes may be bonded together by a suitable adhesive such as epoxy or urethane. The shaft may have a reduced diameter as compared to conventional arrow shafts, and the shaft may be receptive of a variety of inserts, points, nocks, and other components. Some inserts may be completely recessed within a first end of the shaft.

Abstract: The present specification describes novel arrow inserts and arrow systems that may be used for archery. One aspect of the novel arrow inserts relates to two or more separated contact portions or fit rings. The use of at least two fit rings contacting an inside diameter of an arrow shaft at a spaced interval provides better alignment of the arrow insert, and thus an arrow point, with the arrow shaft. The novel arrow inserts may be formed with a lip to limit insertion into the arrow shaft, or without a lip. Inserts without a lip may allow the insert to be fully inserted into the arrow shaft. The inserts may be sized to fit snugly into any arrow shaft, including reduced diameter hunter arrows described herein. The inserts may also be sized to accommodate standard arrow point assemblies, half-out arrow point assemblies, or smaller diameter arrow point assemblies.

Abstract: The invention involves an arrow system having a shaft having a first end and an insert receptive of a standard point, the insert being disposed completely within the first end of the shaft. An insert installation tool may be used as part of the invention to facilitate insertion of the insert into the first end of the shaft. The invention further includes a reduced diameter hunting arrow shaft that maintains sufficient spine and weight characteristics. The reduced diameter hunting arrow shaft is receptive of standard or non-standard internal components for increasing arrow penetration and shot accuracy. Still further, the invention includes an arrow tip assembly including a male insert and a female point to assist in aligning points with arrow shafts.