DEVICES FOR IDENTIFICATION OF ARROW SPLINES

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/682,903, filed Aug. 14, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The disclosed invention relates in general to the sport of archery, and in particular to devices, systems, and methods for determining the strong side, or spline, of a shaft of an arrow.

Relevant Background

Archery is an ancient skill and sport involving the launching of an arrow from a bow with the goal of striking a target. Archery equipment has evolved so that bows and arrows are now highly sophisticated and capable of pinpoint accuracy at long ranges in the hands of a skilled archer. However, the sophistication of archery equipment also demands increasingly sophisticated testing equipment to ensure bows and arrows are properly configured and are in optimal condition for use. One factor in the accuracy of a bow and arrow system is the integrity of the arrow shaft as indicated by the shaft's spine and spline.

The spine of an arrow shaft is the shaft's strength as measured by the deflection of the shaft when a certain weight is hung from the center of an arrow shaft oriented horizontally to the ground. The spline of a shaft is the strongest side of the shaft as measured by the direction the shaft deflects when subjected to pressure applied to the ends of the shaft. Devices exist for testing an arrow's spine, such as the spine testers offered by Coop's Bowsmith and Ram Arrow. However, no device exists for identifying an arrow's spline.

Traditionally, archers located the spline of their arrows by shooting the arrows repeatedly while rotating the arrow small amounts each time. Eventually, the archer could identify which orientation provided the most consistent results, and thus identify the arrow's spline. Such efforts are time-consuming, prone to human error, and likely to damage the arrow, thus introducing other sources of inaccuracy.

Alternatively, archers use a spine tester to identify the spline. After placing the arrow in the spine tester and hanging the weight in the center of the shaft, the archer would use the instrument to measure the shaft deflection. Then, the archer would roll the arrow to locate the side of the arrow that deflected more or less under the same weight. In this way, the spline could be located. However, using a spine tester in this way to identify the spline is also susceptible to human error. The horizontal orientation of the arrow also makes the spline identification subject to error introduced by gravity. Further, since weight is being applied to the center of the shaft, the spine tester does not actually account for forces imposed on the ends of the shaft when it is shot from a bow. Accordingly, a spine tester cannot accurately identify the spline of an arrow.

Therefore, a clear need exists for a device capable of accurately identifying the spline of an arrow that minimizes human error and eliminates errors caused by the use of a spine tester. Modern arrows require a device specifically designed for spline identification, and further it would be beneficial to have a spline tester that is robust, accurate, and easy to use.

These and other deficiencies of the prior art are addressed by one or more embodiments of the disclosed invention. Additional advantages and novel features of this invention shall be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following specification or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, combinations, compositions, and methods particularly pointed out hereafter.

The features and advantages described in this disclosure and in the following detailed description are not all-inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter; reference to the claims is necessary to determine such inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood, by reference to the following description of one or more embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and figures imbedded in the text below and attached following this description.

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosed invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of at least a portion of an embodiment of the disclosed invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a close-up front perspective view of at least a portion of an embodiment of the disclosed invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a close-up side view of at least a portion of an embodiment of the disclosed invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a close-up side view of at least a portion of an embodiment of the disclosed invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a close-up top perspective view of at least a portion of an embodiment of the disclosed invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a close-up bottom perspective view of at least a portion of an embodiment of the disclosed invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a close-up top perspective view of at least a portion of an embodiment of the disclosed invention;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D depict close-up top perspective views of at least a portion of an embodiment of the disclosed invention; and

FIG. 10 depicts a flow chart showing an exemplary method as used in embodiments of the disclosed invention.

The Figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

Definitions

Spine means the strength of an arrow as measured by the deflection of the shaft when a given weight is hung from the center of the shaft while the arrow is oriented horizontally.

Spline means the side of an arrow shaft that is strongest as measured by the direction the shaft deflects when pressure is applied to both ends of the arrow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed invention includes devices, systems, and methods for identifying the spline of an arrow.

The disclosed invention may be used by arrow builders or manufacturers to identify the spline during arrow construction so that fletching may be installed consistently in relation to the spline, i.e., the fletching orients the spline in the same direction for each arrow produced. Further, archery shop owners, archery clubs, national teams, and individuals may use the disclosed device to improve their shooting consistency.

The disclosed invention will now be described in detail with reference to several embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying Figures. In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosed invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the invention. The features and advantages of embodiments may be better understood with reference to the drawings and discussions that follow.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments of the disclosed invention provided herein are illustrative only and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. All features disclosed in this description may be replaced by alternative features serving the same or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, numerous other embodiments of the modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the disclosed invention as defined herein and equivalents thereto. Hence, use of absolute and/or sequential terms, such as, for example, “always,” “will,” “will not,” “shall,” “shall not,” “must,” “must not,” “first,” “initially,” “next,” “subsequently,” “before,” “after,” “lastly,” and “finally,” are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosed invention as the embodiments disclosed herein are merely exemplary.

It will be also understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, “mounted” etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on,” “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under,” “below,” “lower,” “over,” “upper” and the like, may be used to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Such spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of a device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under,” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of “over” and “under”. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “vertical,” “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Spline Identification Device

Overview

With reference to FIG. 1, a device 100 for identification of the spline of an arrow (spline tester) includes a rail 110 with a first end 111 and a second end 112. The rail has a rectangular prism shape with four faces, wherein the center of each face includes a channel that extends from the first end to the second end of the rail. Mounted on a front face 113 of the rail is a bearing guide 120. The bearing guide may include markings (not shown) that indicate a position on the rail suitable for testing arrows of a certain length. In some embodiments, the markings may include a measurement scale with graduated markings indicating the length of arrow to be accommodated.

Near the second end or top 112 of the rail is located a pressing assembly 130. The pressing assembly includes an upper receiver configured to accommodate one end of an arrow to be tested, wherein the pressing assembly is moveable along the rail to accept arrows of various lengths. The pressing assembly 130 includes a brake 131, and a carriage 132. At the first end 111 of the rail is located a mounting bracket 140 and a lower receiver configured to accommodate the other end of the arrow to be tested. The mounting bracket is fixed in position to provide a stable platform for arrow testing. The mounting bracket further includes a support section 141 that encloses the lower third of the rail on three sides, and a mounting plate 142 that provides a horizontal surface for mounting the device 100 to a flat surface 12 such as a table or bench top. When mounted, the bracket holds the rail at a vertical or nearly vertical orientation relative to the ground, providing a vertical or nearly vertical testing orientation for arrows. Such orientation reduces gravitational error in the spline identification process. In some embodiments, the mounting plate may be removably attached to the flat surface by use of one or more clamps.

The brake includes a box bracket 133 that is removably or adjustably secured to the rail by means of a screw clamp (not shown) that mechanically interacts with the back side of the rail. The carriage 132 is flexibly mounted to the brake to allow the carriage to articulate relative to the brake. The carriage includes a faceplate 135, and two or more spring bolts 136 mounted to the top side of the faceplate. The spring bolts pass through holes located in the front of the box bracket. The spring bolts each include a spring assembly wherein the springs are compressed to hold the carriage in contact with the brake.

A handle 137 is rotatably mounted on the faceplate of the brake, and is cambered to exert mechanical force on a plain bearing 138 mounted on the faceplate of the carriage. The handle further includes a quick release pin 139 that may be removably inserted in a pin hole located in the handle and extending into the faceplate of the brake. When inserted, the quick release pin holds the handle in a partially actuated position to assist in adjusting the pressing assembly to the length of the arrow.

The carriage further includes an upper receiver 150 that is mounted on the faceplate 135 of the carriage, and is configured to hold one end of the arrow. The upper receiver includes a backing plate 151 and an upper alignment plate 152. The upper plate includes an upper mount 153, e.g., a pin, or cone for accommodating a hollow shaft end, or may include other means for holding the arrow in place, such as a socket for accommodating an arrow with an installed tip or a nock. In some embodiments, the upper alignment plate is removeable and the upper mount is fixed in the alignment plate. In such embodiments, an alignment plate carrying one type of mount may be removed and replaced by an alignment plate with another type of mount, as required to accommodate the arrow configuration. In other embodiments, the upper alignment plate is fixed to the backing plate and the upper mount is removeable from the alignment plate. In such embodiments, the upper mount may be removed and replaced with another type of mount.

At the first end 111 of the rail is located a lower receiver 160 attached to the mounting bracket 140. The lower receiver also includes a lower backing plate 161, and a lower arrow alignment plate 162. The lower plate includes a lower mount 163, for example a socket-type or cup-type mount is depicted, for accommodating an arrow fitted with a tip, a nock, or having a solid shaft end. A cone-type mount may also be used in the lower receiver. Different combinations of arrow mounts are possible depending on the preferences of a user, including use of a mounting socket on both receivers for accommodating an arrow shaft without an installed tip or nock. As with the upper mount, some embodiments may use a removeable lower alignment plate with a fixed lower mount, and other embodiments may use a fixed lower alignment plate with a removeable lower mount.

The upper and lower arrow mounts are oriented orthogonally to the direction of compression applied to the arrow, and are aligned so that force is applied precisely along the centerline of the arrow shaft. The centerline of the arrow shaft is also spaced away from the rail 110 and bearing guide 120, by a suitable distance, e.g., 0.5 in., 1.0 in., 1.5 in., etc., so that the arrow can flex any direction, including toward the rail, when pressure is applied. Due to this precise orientation and alignment, when the handle 137 is actuated, the arrow is compressed evenly from both ends along the centerline axis of the arrow shaft. In this way, the arrow spline is identified in a single test, regardless of the spline's orientation relative to the device.

With reference to FIG. 2 is a front view of the lower portion of the disclosed spline tester 200 shown with an arrow 20 installed for testing. The arrow is seated in the upper receiver 250 through mechanical interaction with an upper mount 253, and is seated in the lower receiver 260 through mechanical interaction with a lower mount 263. When installed in the testing device, the arrow is oriented vertically, or substantially vertically, for testing.

Pressing Assembly

With reference to FIG. 3 is depicted a close-up front perspective view of the pressing assembly 330 as mounted on the rail 310. In this view, the pressing assembly is shown with the handle 340 partially actuated and the carriage 350 extended away from the brake 360. The quick release pin 341 is shown in the uninstalled position. The pin hole 342 located in the handle is visible with the pin removed.

The carriage is flexibly mounted to the brake to allow the carriage to move relative to the brake in the direction of the arrows 13, 14. The carriage faceplate 351 includes spring bolts 352 mounted to the top side of the faceplate. The spring bolts pass through holes located in the front 361 of the box bracket 362. The spring bolts each include a spring assembly 353 wherein the springs are tensioned to hold the carriage in contact with the brake.

The handle 340 is rotatably mounted on the front of the brake, and is cambered to exert mechanical force on the plain bearing 354 mounted on the faceplate of the carriage. A bearing housing 355 turns around a bearing shaft 356 to facilitate the smooth and consistent application of pressure from the handle to the carriage. The cambered section of the handle is shaped to apply this smooth and consistent pressure on the bearing when the handle is actuated. When the carriage is flush with the brake, the handle, via the cambered section's interaction with the bearing, is positioned upward, which position represents the zero or minimum actuation position of the handle. When the handle is rotated downward in the direction of the arrow 15, the cambered shape reaches a maximum amount of movement that it can translate to the bearing, which represents the full compression stroke or full actuation position of the handle.

When actuated, e.g., rotated downward or clockwise in the direction of the arrow 15, the handle applies pressure on the bearing and thereby transfers force from the brake to the carriage. The spring bolts compress the spring assemblies, and the carriage is moved downward away from the brake in the direction of the arrow 13. When the handle is released, the spring assemblies return the carriage toward the brake in the direction of the arrow 14, and the handle will rotate up or counterclockwise in the direction of the arrow 16. When the quick release pin 341 is not installed, the carriage will tend to return to its position flush with the brake if the handle is released. The combination of the spring bolts and linear bearings ensure that the carriage moves smoothly and only in the direction of the arrows 13, 14, without movement in any other axis direction.

The upper receiver 370 is mounted on the faceplate 351, and is configured to hold one end of the arrow. The upper receiver includes a backing plate 371 and an upper arrow alignment plate 372, which further secures a mount 373 for accommodating one end of an arrow. In some embodiments, the upper arrow alignment plate may be removed to facilitate changing the mount to accommodate different arrow configurations, e.g., the hollow end of a shaft from which the tip or nock has been removed, or a tip or nock. In other embodiments, the mount may be removed from the alignment plate while the alignment plate is still installed on the backing plate.

With reference to FIG. 4 is depicted a close-up right-side view of the pressing assembly 430 as mounted on the rail 410. The brake 460 is used to adjustably secure the pressing assembly to the rail. The brake includes a box bracket 461 that includes a frontplate 462, a backplate 463, and two sides that connect the frontplate to the backplate so that the bracket surrounds the rail. The box bracket may be comprised of a single piece or assembled from two or more pieces. The brake is removably secured to the rail by means of a screw clamp 464 located on the backplate. The screw clamp mechanically interacts with the rear channel of the rail to secure the brake in place at a selected position along the rail. The screw clamp may include a handle 465 to assist tightening or loosening the clamp. Other means to secure the brake may be used, e.g., a clamp, a collar, a snap ring, or other precise, strong, and easily adjustable means of securing the brake to the rail.

In addition to the screw clamp 464, the brake mechanically interacts with the rail through a slider 466 mounted to a side (the right side is depicted) of the box bracket. The slider fits into a side, here the right side, rail channel 411. The slider is made from, e.g., nylon, polyester, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, acetal, or other suitable materials that provide low friction, high wear resistance, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability. The slider is shaped to fit precisely into a side channel, and extends beyond the top and bottom edge of the box bracket. The slider provides rotational stability to the brake when the screw clamp is tightened to secure the brake in a specified position.

In this view, the carriage 450 is positioned away from the brake 460 due to partial actuation of the handle 440 and installation of the quick release pin 441. The spring bolts 452 are visible between the carriage and brake, and the spring assemblies 453 are partially compressed. The spring bolts and springs are tensioned so that the carriage tends to move into contact with the brake.

The pressing assembly also interacts with the rail through a bearing assembly 470 mounted to the rear of the carriage faceplate 451. The bearing assembly includes a pair of bearings 471 (one linear bearing is shown) that seat in a pair of raceways 421 (the right ride raceway is shown) located on either side of the bearing guide 420. While linear bearings are preferred, other bearing assemblies that provide smooth movement along a single axis may be used, e.g., sleeve bearings, guide rails with blocks, cam followers on tracks, dovetail slides, etc.

Each bearing is shaped to mechanically interact with a raceway so that off-axis movement is minimized. The bearing guide is made of, e.g., hardened steel, stainless steel, a ceramic, anodized aluminum, or other suitable materials that provide high hardness, wear resistance, dimensional stability, and low friction. Together, the bearing and guide combination and the slider and channel combination ensure that the pressing assembly 430 remains in precise linear alignment with the rail when the handle is actuated so that pressure can be applied uniformly and precisely to the centerline of an arrow to be tested.

With reference to FIG. 5 is depicted a close-up left side view of the pressing assembly 530 as mounted on the rail 510. In this view, the pressing assembly is shown with the handle released and the carriage 550 contacting the brake 560. The quick release pin 541 is shown in the uninstalled position. The spring bolts 552 are fully extended through the brake, and the spring assemblies 553 remain partially compressed to hold the carriage in contact with the brake. Also visible is the bearing assembly 570 mounted to the rear of the carriage faceplate 551. The second linear bearing 572 is seated in the left raceway 522 located on left side of the bearing guide 520.

In some embodiments, there is no slider located on the left side, although such configurations are possible and contemplated. Instead, there is an adjustable stop screw 512 that may be adjustably secured in the left channel 513 of the rail to limit the travel of the pressing assembly. The stop may be positioned, for example, to limit the travel of the assembly to accommodate standard length arrows (around 30 inches), or to prevent the pressing assembly from sliding to the bottom of the rail. Another adjustable stop or hard stop (not shown) may be located near the top of the rail to prevent the pressing assembly from sliding past the top of the rail.

With reference to FIG. 6 is depicted a close-up top perspective view of the pressing assembly 630 as mounted on the rail 610. In this view the bearing guide 620 is shown mounted in the front channel 614 of the rail. On either side of the bearing guide, the profiles of the raceways 621, 622 are visible. The top of the brake 660 is shown, wherein the bracket 661 sides and frontplate 662 are visible. The two spring bolts 652 and corresponding spring assemblies 653 are shown at the top of the bracket, wherein the spring bolts extend through the frontplate, and the springs exert an expansive force between the bracket and the spring bolts. When actuated down, the handle 640 exerts pressure on the carriage (not shown) to move away from the brake, further compressing the springs.

Upper and Lower Receivers

With reference to FIG. 7 is depicted a close-up bottom perspective view an upper receiver 770 as used in embodiments of the disclosed invention. As shown, the upper receiver is installed on or attached to the carriage faceplate 751. The receiver includes a backing plate 771 that is secured to the carriage to provide a secure platform for the arrow alignment plate 772. In some embodiments, the arrow alignment plate is removeable. The alignment plate is secured to the backing plate by means of a plurality of connectors, e.g., screws, and includes a dock (not shown) for accommodating an upper mount 773. In some embodiments, the mount is removeable and may be replaced by other mount configurations. The mount may be fitted into the dock in the alignment plate and secured by means of a set screw 774 located in the side of the alignment plate, and adjustable to hold the mount in place when tightened, and to release the mount when loosened. Alternatively, the dock may be threaded to mechanically interact with corresponding threads on the sides of the mount. The mount would then be turned clockwise to seat and be secured in the dock, and turned counterclockwise to be removed.

The depicted mount is suitable for accommodating the hollow end of the shaft of an arrow. A cone 775 is configured to fit in the end of the shaft, and has a base diameter greater than the inner shaft diameter so that the arrow does not contact the shoulder 776 of the mount. The cone facilitates correct alignment of the arrow. When an arrow is installed on the mount, the mount tends to hold the arrow in place, and facilitates the even application of pressure to the end of the arrow. In other words, the cone applies substantially equal pressure at all points around the circular area where the cone meets the end of the arrow. Such even contact allows the shaft to flex freely to reveal the location of the spline.

With reference to FIG. 8 is depicted a close-up top perspective view of a lower receiver 880 as used in embodiments of the disclosed invention. The lower receiver is installed on the first end of the rail (not shown) and is partially enclosed by the support section 841 of the mounting bracket. The lower receiver includes a lower backing plate 881 that is secured to the rail and mounting bracket. A lower alignment plate 882 is secured to the lower backing plate by means of a plurality of connectors, e.g., screws. In some embodiments, the lower alignment plate is removeable. The alignment plate includes a dock (not shown) for accommodating a lower mount 883. In some embodiments, the lower mount is removeable and may be replaced by other mount configurations. The mount may be fitted in the dock and secured by means of a set screw 884 located in the side of the alignment plate. Alternatively, the dock may be threaded to mechanically interact with corresponding threads on the sides of the mount.

The depicted mount includes a cup or socket 885 suitable for accommodating the nocked end of an arrow, an arrow point, or the end of an arrow with a solid shaft. The mount tends to hold the arrow in place, and facilitates the even application of pressure to the end of the arrow. The mount applies substantially equal pressure to the arrow shaft or attachment at all points where the mount and arrow are in contact. Such an arrangement allows the shaft to flex freely to reveal the location of the spline.

With reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are depicted close up views of embodiments of mounts used with the disclosed invention. Mounts may be made from, for example, hardened steel, titanium, ceramics, tungsten carbide, or other suitable material with high strength and wear resistance. Other suitable mount designs than the ones depicted are possible and contemplated. FIG. 9A depicts a mount 972A having a cone 975A for mechanically interacting with the open end of a hollow arrow shaft. Cone-type mounts allow a user to test an arrow shaft without assembling the arrow, i.e., prior to adding the nock or point to the ends of an arrow. The conical point has a slope of approximately 45 Degrees (°), which is capable of holding an arrow in place while exerting relatively less outward force on the walls of the arrow shaft during arrow compression. The cylindrical side 977A of the mount is smooth, which is suitable for mechanical interaction with an alignment plate dock having a smooth wall, and wherein the mount is secured in the dock with a set screw.

FIG. 9B depicts a mount 972B similar to that depicted in FIG. 7, item 772, having a central cone 975B surrounded by a shoulder 976B. In this embodiment, the cone has a slope of approximately 30°. The cone facilitates proper alignment of the arrow, which will typically fit on the cone without reaching the shoulder. The cylindrical side 977B of the mount is smooth, for use with a set screw. When installed, the underside of the shoulder rests on the surface of the alignment plate, improving alignment and providing added stability for the mount.

FIG. 9C depicts a mount 972C having a socket or cup 978C similar to that depicted in FIG. 7, item 782. Socket-type or cup-type mounts may accommodate an arrow fitted with a point or a nock pin, or an arrow having a solid shaft. The depicted cup has sides with a 30° taper inward. This mount is a female version of the mount described above (FIG. 9B, item 972B). The tapering diameter of the cup is configured to allow the arrow accessory to fit snugly inside the cup. Different depths and diameter ranges of socket are possible depending on the size and type of the arrow being tested. When installed, the underside of a shoulder 976C rests on the surface of the alignment plate, improving alignment and providing added stability for the mount. The cylindrical side 977C of the mount is smooth for use with a set screw.

FIG. 9D depicts a mount 972D having a socket or cup center 978D with sloped sides for accommodating the end of an arrow shaft when fitted with a point or a nock pin. As shown, the sides of the cup have a downward slope toward the center, which tends to cause the arrow to center in the cup. The maximum diameter of the cup is configured to allow a point or nock pin to fit inside the socket. Different depths, slopes, and diameters of socket are possible depending on the type of arrow accessory being tested. The cylindrical side 977D of the mount includes threads for mechanically interacting with complementary threads in the wall of an alignment plate dock configured to work with threaded mounts. For such embodiments, the mount threads may be turned clockwise to seat into place and tighten, or turned counterclockwise to loosen and remove.

Removeable mounts may be used in the upper and/or lower receiver, depending on the needs of the spline test or the preferences of the user. A device user may select the most appropriate mount(s) for use in testing a particular arrow. In some embodiments, only one of the receivers includes a removeable mount, and in some embodiments both receivers include a removeable mount. Various combinations of mounts may be used, for example, a cone may be installed in one receiver for use with an open end of an arrow, and a cup installed in the other receiver for a configured end of the arrow. Alternately, both receivers may have cup mounts, or both may have cone mounts, etc. To change the mount, any arrow in the spline tester is removed from the testing device. The installed mount is removed by loosening the set screw or turning the mount counterclockwise, and extracting the mount from the dock. Once removed, a new mount with the performance characteristics required is installed in the dock, and secured, e.g., by re-tightening the set screw, or turning the mount clockwise into the dock.

The disclosed device is made of heavy-duty precision components to ensure that only the arrow shaft deflects during application of pressure, and to ensure that pressure is properly applied through the shaft centerline evenly from both ends of the arrow. The backbone or rail may be constructed of extruded aluminum with machined rail grooves. The bracket, carriage, and handle may be constructed of machined aluminum. Other construction materials may be used, e.g., carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, brass, carbon fiber composites, fiberglass reinforced plastic, magnesium alloys, rigid polymers, or other suitable materials that provide the required combination of strength, weight, corrosion resistance, machinability, and cost. As disclosed, the device can accommodate arrows with shaft lengths from 22 inches to 33 inches, and can be used on arrow shafts with diameters up to 27/64 inches.

Methods of Use

With further reference to FIG. 1, when a disclosed device is used for spline identification, the device is first prepared to fit an arrow of a given length. The pressing assembly 130 is held in an intermediate position along the rail 110 by securing the brake 131 to the rail by tightening the screw clamp (not shown). Next, the handle 137 is rotated clockwise or down to move the carriage 132 away from the brake 131. Once the handle is partially actuated, e.g., approximately one half of its compression stroke, between one third and two thirds of its compression stroke, etc., a pin hole in the handle lines up with a pin hole in the frontplate of the brake. With the pin holes aligned, the quick release pin 139 is installed to hold the handle and carriage in this intermediate position.

Next, an arrow to be tested, or a prep arrow having a similar configuration to the arrow to be tested, has one end placed in the lower receiver 160 by fitting the end of the arrow into or onto a lower mount 163, as appropriate for the type of mount. The screw clamp is loosened to release the brake, and the pressing assembly is moved along the rail to accommodate the arrow's length, so that the second end of the arrow may be fitted in the upper receiver 150 by fitting the end of the arrow into or onto an upper mount 153. The pressing assembly is positioned so that the mount just contacts the arrow, i.e., without applying vertical pressure on the arrow shaft. Once the pressing assembly is adjusted, the brake is once again secured in place on the rail by tightening the screw clamp. Such adjustment of the pressing assembly provides enough compression stroke by the handle to adequately bend and test the arrow, but not enough compression to damage the arrow.

At this stage, the quick release pin may be removed to allow the handle to return to its resting position, causing the upper receiver to disengage from the arrow. If used, the prep arrow is removed, and the device is now prepared to test arrows of the same length and configuration.

To test an arrow on a prepared device, one end of the arrow is placed in the lower receiver mount, and the second end is placed in the upper receiver mount. With the ends of the arrow properly seated in their respective mounts, the arrow is centered in the device. Once the arrow is in place, the handle is rotated clockwise to move the carriage down the linear guide 120 toward the lower receiver, thereby applying pressure on the arrow along its centerline axis simultaneously from the upper mount and lower mount. In response, the arrow flexes toward its weaker side, identifying the other side of the shaft as the stronger side, or the spline.

With reference to FIG. 10, a flow chart 1000 depicting an exemplary arrow testing process of the disclosed invention is depicted. The arrow testing device is prepared 1010 for testing arrows of a given length and configuration. For embodiments of the spline tester with removeable mounts, the upper and lower receiver are fitted with suitable mounts 1011 to accommodate the arrow configuration to be tested, e.g., the arrows may have no attachments, or may be fitted with points or nocks. Next, the pressing assembly is secured 1012 in an intermediate position roughly corresponding to the length of the arrows to be tested by turning the screw clamp handle to tighten the screw clamp into the back channel of the rail. Then the handle is partially actuated so that the quick release pin may be installed 1013. Next, the arrow to be tested, or if using, a prep arrow of the proper length and configuration, is placed in the device 1014 by seating one end of the arrow in the lower receiver mount, and aligning the second end of the arrow with the upper receiver mount. Then the screw clamp is released to allow the pressing assembly to slide along the rail, and the pressing assembly is adjusted 1015 so that the upper receiver mount just contacts the second end of the arrow. The screw clamp is re-tightened to secure the pressing assembly in place. The device is now prepared to test arrows of a given length and configuration. Preparing the spline tester ensures 1) that when the handle is actuated, the arrow is flexed sufficiently to identify the spline; 2) that when the handle is fully actuated, the device will not damage the arrow; and 3) that when the handle is fully released, the test arrow may be removed from the device. Then the quick release pin is removed to allow the handle to return to its unactuated position. At this point the arrow may be tested, or if a prep arrow was used for set-up, it is removed from the device.

Once the device is prepared, an arrow to be tested, having the length and configuration corresponding to the spline tester's prepared setting may be fitted in the device for testing. To fit the arrow in the device, one end of the arrow is properly seated in the lower mount 1020, and the second end of the arrow is aligned with the upper mount. Next, the handle is actuated 1030 to bring the upper receiver into contact with the other end of the arrow, which is inserted in the upper mount 1040. By actuating the handle further, pressure is evenly applied to each end of the arrow through the upper and lower mounts to compress the arrow 1050. With adequate pressure applied to the handle, the arrow will flex in the direction of the weaker side of the shaft, which direction may be observed and noted 1060. The side of the arrow shaft opposite the flex direction is identified 1070 as the stronger side, or spline, of the arrow.

In an alternative embodiment, rather than using the pressing assembly with handle as described, the upper receiver may be attached to a screw mechanism configured to move the upper receiver orthogonally with respect to a lower receiver. Turning the screw mechanism clockwise would tend to compress the arrow, while turning the screw mechanism counterclockwise would tend to release the arrow. Such an embodiment would be a simpler, less expensive version of the device, but would take longer to adjust for arrows of different lengths.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs for a device, a system, and a process for arrow spline identification through the disclosed principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It will also be understood by those familiar with the art, that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Likewise, the particular naming and division of the modules, managers, functions, systems, engines, layers, features, attributes, methodologies, and other aspects are not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the invention or its features may have different names, divisions, and/or formats.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, modifications, permutations, and substitute equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. Although subsection titles have been provided to aid in the description of the invention, these titles are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, where claim limitations have been identified, for example, by a numeral or letter, they are not intended to imply any specific sequence.

This has been a description of the disclosed invention along with a preferred method of practicing the invention.