Arrow vane and arrow with vane

Abstract

A vane that can be mounted to a projectile to provide stability of flight, without substantially degrading speed due to added weight and / or causing clearance concerns. The vane is approximately 1.85 inches long and 0.465 inches high with a front-edge and a back-edge that meet at a point. The back-edge arcs down towards the base of the vane while the front edge degrades in a substantially linear fashion to the base of the vane.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of and claims the priority to the United States patent application that was filed on Jan. 22, 2008 and assigned Ser. No. 12 / 017,805.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The instant invention is generally directed to the field of archery, and archery arrows, and, more specifically to the field of vane structures for archery arrows to affect flight characteristics.[0003]The laws uncovered through the study of aerodynamics have been applied in numerous fields to gain performance improvements. Such application have included the designs of airplanes, jets, missiles, rockets, automobiles, bicycles, boats, submarines, bullets, speed ice skaters, horse racing, as well as many more. One particular area of interest has been in the development and improvement of arrow designs.[0004]There are hunters of all varieties, but there is a special sect of hunters that is quite unique. These are the bow and arrow hunters. They ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The various embodiments, features and aspects of the present invention overcome and / or alleviate some of the short comings in the above-noted prior art. In general, embodiments of the invention are directed towards the provision of an arrow vane that can be used under a large array of archery conditions. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention can advantageously provide greater stability in arrow flight when needed, because of greater arrowhead weight, and where alternatives have been to increase the size of the vane.

[0011]Additional short-comings, which are addressed by various embodiments of the present invention, include (a) providing a vane structure that does not unnecessarily increase the weight of the arrow, which in turn would, limit arrow speed and reduce effectiveness and (b) providing a vane structure that does not create clearance issues with parts of the archery bow assembly or other arrow projective device upon release of the arrow.

[0012]The various embodiments of the present invention provide consistent in-flight steerage and stabilization with broadhead arrows, and others, using the shortest and smallest vane available. The shorter vane provides less chance of interference with the arrow rest or bow cradle and weighs less than a normal vane. Less vane weight results in increased arrow speed and improved arrow trajectory.

[0013]Advantageously, the various embodiments of the present invention, as described, allows hunters to sight in with field tips and then switch to broadhead without changing the arrow impact point. Further, testing by the inventors has shown that, while some spin is necessary for accurate flight, a longer vane is not the optimum answer. What is required is a guidance system, such as that provided, which provides stable guidance to the arrow, irrespective of what the arrow tip is doing. The various embodiments of the present invention, with its unique design, creates turbulence behind the arrow, and not around the longer vanes and feathers, as may occur when those are used as fletchings. The various embodiments of the present invention operate to begin steering and correcting, almost immediately upon release, using the stated combination of a steep leading edge and the height and length ratio, and material stiffness. These features prevent larger broadheads from planing or steering the arrow shaft. The air flows over the vane in a manner which can actually create lift, and is particularly noticeable in longer distances at flat trajectory. Advantageously, the various embodiments of the present invention provide substantial benefit in trajectory, precision and velocity at target.

Problems solved by technology

Further, testing by the inventors has shown that, while some spin is necessary for accurate flight, a longer vane is not the optimum answer.

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