Ball nock arrow release system

Abstract

An arrow nock and release system for holding and then releasing an arrow from a bow wherein a ball nock is positioned on an end of an arrow shaft, the ball nock having an at least partially spherical outer surface divided with a string groove. An arrow release is engageable with the ball nock and includes a jaw with an engagement surface corresponding with the outer surface of the ball nock, the jaw releaseably engageable with the ball nock.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a ball nock and arrow release system.

2. Description of Prior Art

A variety of known arrow release systems use an arrow release in connection with a bow to grasp a bowstring and assist the archer in drawing the bowstring of the bow into a firing position. For example, Scott, U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,536 teaches a bowstring release device that engages the bowstring on either side of a nocked arrow and then releases the bowstring with a trigger mechanism.

Another variety of arrow release uses a bowstring nock mounted directly on a bowstring. The bowstring nock is engaged with an arrow release and then released with a trigger mechanism. Such systems are taught by Summers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,286 and Summers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,286.

There is a need, however, for an arrow nock and arrow release system using a mechanism that permits a freely moveable, gimbaled engagement between the arrow release and the arrow thus ensuring a straight and predictable launch of the arrow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of this invention to provide an arrow nock and release that does not affect the flight of the arrow as the arrow discharges from the bow.

It is another object of this invention to provide an arrow nock that permits a gimbal action with a corresponding arrow release.

The above and other objects are accomplished with different preferred embodiments of an arrow nock and arrow release system according to this invention.

Arrows traditionally include a nock for engaging with a bow string. Traditional arrow nocks are generally cylindrical in shape, following the general shape of the arrow shaft. Such arrow nocks include a split center portion with a gap that is engageable with a bow string.

Arrow releases may be used in connection with launching arrows. A traditional arrow release includes a gripping or engagement mechanism that holds the bowstring or a bowstring nock prior to release from the bow. A well-launched arrow results from an archer that does not impart any torque or angular momentum to the arrow prior to launch thereby insuring that a rearward portion of the arrow follows a front portion in a predominantly straight path.

An arrow nock and release system according to this invention is preferably used to maintain an alignment of an arrow shaft in a fixed position prior to and during launch of the arrow. As described, the present invention includes a ball nock positioned on one end of the arrow shaft, the ball nock having an at least partially spherical outer surface divided with a string groove. The string groove engages a bowstring which is nested within the string groove to permit engagement of an arrow release as described herein.

The arrow release is preferably engageable with the ball nock, specifically with one or more jaws having an engagement surface corresponding with the outer surface of ball nock. The jaw or jaws preferably include an at least partially hemispherical and/or semispherical inner surface corresponding to, and engageable with, the outer surface of the ball nock. As a result of this engagement between the arrow release and the ball nock, a gimbal or ball and socket arrangement is created that permits three axes of rotation of the arrow release relative to the ball nock. This permits that archer to draw the arrow while minimizing risk of misalignment of the arrow relative to a desired plane of flight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when taken in view of the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a ball nock engaging with a bowstring according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the ball nock shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a ball nock prior to engagement with a bowstring according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of an arrow release prior to engagement with the ball nock shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the ball nock shown in FIG. 3 and the arrow release shown in FIG. 4 prior to engagement between the ball nock and the arrow release;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the arrow release engaging the ball nock according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the ball nock and arrow release system shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-7 show an arrow nock and release system according to various preferred embodiments of this invention. As described, the arrow nock and release system is preferably used to maintain an alignment of arrow shaft 30 in a fixed position prior to and during launch of the arrow.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, ball nock 10 is shown in a side view and top view respectively. A traditional arrow typically includes an arrow shaft, a tip and a nock. Arrow shaft 30 includes a tip (not shown) formed on a distal end of the arrow shaft 30 and ball nock 10 formed on a proximal end of the arrow shaft 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, ball nock 10 includes an at least partially spherical outer surface divided with string groove 15. The outer surface of ball nock 10 is preferably generally spherical and is further joined with arrow shaft 30 at sleeve 35. Sleeve 35 may then be glued, press-fit, threadedly engaged or otherwise attached with respect to arrow shaft 30. As such, ball nock 10 is preferably attached with respect to arrow shaft 30 in a manner known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

Ball nock 10 is divided and preferably bisected with string groove 15. According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, string groove 15 engages bowstring 40. Bowstring 40 is preferably nested within string groove 15 and thus ball nock 10 to permit engagement of arrow release 50 as described herein.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, and as best shown in FIGS. 3-7, arrow release 50 is used in connection with ball nock 10 resulting in a desired system for holding and then releasing an arrow from a bow.

As described, arrow release 50 is preferably engageable with ball nock 10. According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, arrow release 50 includes jaw 60 with an engagement surface corresponding with the outer surface of ball nock 10. As used herein, jaw 60 may include a single jaw 60, a pair of jaws 60 or similar arrangement that permits engagement between ball nock 10 and arrow release 50. Specifically, jaw 60 may include a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw, two moveable jaws or any other arrangement that allows jaw 60 to grasp and retain ball nock 10 in a manner that permits drawing and releasing an arrow.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 4-7, arrow release 50 comprises a pair of jaws 60, each jaw 60 moveable with respect to the other. Jaws 60 are accordingly engageable with ball nock 10. Specifically, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention, each jaw 60 includes an at least partially hemispherical and/or semispherical inner surface 65 corresponding to, and engageable with, outer surface 20 of ball nock 10. As a result of this engagement between arrow release 50 and ball nock 10, a gimbal or ball and socket arrangement is created that permits three axes of rotation of arrow release 50 relative to ball nock 10. This permits that archer to draw the arrow while minimizing risk of misalignment of the arrow relative to a desired plane of flight.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, and as demonstrated schematically in FIG. 4, the pair of jaws 60 in arrow release 50 are preferably biased away from each other. In addition, when ball nock 10 is inserted into jaws 60 of arrow release 50, as shown in FIG. 5, jaws 60 reactively engage and close around ball nock 10. According to one preferred-embodiment of this invention, latch 70 secures jaws 60 relative to ball nock 10 once ball nock 10 is properly positioned within jaw 60 or jaws 60.

According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, arrow release 50 may further include grip portion 75. Grip portion 75 may include a handle, strap or similar grip known to those having ordinary skill in the art. As a result of this arrangement, grip portion 75 enables the archer to maintain a steady hold of arrow release 50 particularly when fighting against the forces created in drawing back bowstring 40.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, grip portion 75 is rotatable relative to jaw 60. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 4-7, arrow release 50 may include joint 80 that connects grip portion 75 with jaw 60 or jaws 60. Joint 80 preferably enables 360 degrees of rotation of grip portion 75 relative to jaw 60. Joint 80 further enables a free range of motion of arrow release 50 relative to ball nock 10 to permit drawing and aiming of arrow without excess misalignment of arrow caused by movement to arrow release 50.

Arrow release 50 may further include trigger 90 connected with respect to grip portion 75 and/or jaw 60 to release engagement of jaw 60 from ball nock 10. According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, trigger 90 is connected with respect to latch 70 and/or jaw 60 for releasing jaw 60 relative to ball nock 10. As described above, jaw 60 or jaws 60 may be biased away from each other so that upon release, jaws 60 separate from ball nock 10 thereby permitting release of arrow.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been-set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

Claims

1. An arrow nock and release system for holding and then releasing an arrow from a bow, the system comprising:

an arrow shaft;

a ball nock positioned on an end of the arrow shaft, the ball nock having an at least partially spherical outer surface divided with a string groove; and

an arrow release engageable with the ball nock, the arrow release having a jaw with an engagement surface corresponding with the outer surface of the ball nock.

2. The arrow nock and release system of claim 1 wherein the arrow release comprises a pair of jaws, each jaw of the pair of jaws including an at least partially hemispherical inner surface engageable with the ball nock.

3. The arrow nock and release system of claim 2 wherein the pair of jaws are biased away from each other.

4. The arrow nock and release system of claim 1 wherein the arrow release further comprises:

a grip portion; and

a joint connecting the grip portion with the jaw.

5. The arrow nock and release system of claim 4 wherein the grip portion is rotatable relative to the jaw.

6. The arrow nock and release system of claim 1 further comprising:

a trigger connected with respect to the arrow release to release engagement of the jaw from the ball nock.

7. The arrow nock and release system of claim 1 wherein the arrow release further comprises a latch for engaging the jaw around the ball nock.

8. The arrow nock and release system of claim 7 wherein the arrow release further comprises a trigger connected with respect to the jaw for releasing the latch.

9. An arrow nock and release system comprising:

a ball nock formed on an end of an arrow shaft, the ball nock having a generally spherical outer surface bisected with a string groove; and

an arrow release engageable with the ball nock.

10. The arrow nock and release system of claim 9 wherein the arrow release further comprises:

a pair of jaws engageable with the ball nock;

a grip portion;

a joint connecting the grip portion with the pair of jaws, so that the grip portion is rotatable relative to the jaw; and

a trigger connected with respect to the pair of jaws to release engagement of the jaw from the ball nock.

11. The arrow nock and release system of claim 10 wherein the arrow release further comprises a latch for engaging the jaw around the ball nock.

12. The arrow nock and release system of claim 11 wherein the trigger is connected with respect to the latch.

13. The arrow nock and release system of claim 9 wherein the arrow release includes a pair of jaws, the pair of jaws each including a generally semispherical inner portion engageable with the ball nock.

14. The arrow nock and release system of claim 13 wherein the pair of jaws are biased away from each other.

15. An arrow comprising:

an arrow shaft;

a tip formed on a distal end of the arrow shaft; and

a ball nock formed on a proximal end of the arrow shaft, the ball nock having a generally spherical outer surface bisected with a string groove.