Sectionalized arrow

Abstract

A sectionalized arrow includes a tubular-shaped tip section and a tubular-shaped nock section. Structurally, the aft-end of the tip section is formed with a chamber, and the fore-end of the tip section is formed with an insert. Essentially, the insert of the nock section and the chamber of the tip section have the same length “L”. A shim or strip of coating is positioned on the insert of the nock section to force contact between the insert and the chamber to establish a snug fit between the tip section and the nock section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shaft for an arrow which comprises:
 an elongated, tubular tip section defining an axis and having a fore-end and an aft-end, wherein the tip section has an outer diameter “D” and is formed with a chamber at the aft-end thereof, and wherein the chamber has a diameter “d c ” measured at an inner surface of the chamber;   an elongated, tubular nock section having a fore-end and an aft-end, wherein the nock section is formed with an insert extending in an axial direction from the fore-end of the nock section through a distance “L”, wherein the insert of the nock section has an outer surface with a diameter “d i ”, wherein d i  is less than d c (d i <d c ) for insertion of the insert of the nock section into the chamber of the tip section;   a mechanical stop interacting between the tip section and the nock section for limiting an insertion of the insert into the chamber of the tip section; and   a shim affixed to the outer surface of the insert of the nock section to position the shim between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the chamber to force contact between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the chamber to establish a snug fit therebetween when the tip section and nock section are assembled to form the shaft.   
     
     
         2 . A shaft as recited in  claim 1  wherein the mechanical stop is an annulus-shaped collar affixed to the fore-end of the nock section adjacent the insert, wherein the collar has the diameter “D”. 
     
     
         3 . A shaft as recited in  claim 1  wherein the mechanical stop is an annulus-shaped interior sleeve affixed inside the chamber of the tip section at a distance “L” from the aft-end of the tip section, wherein the sleeve has an inner diameter “d s ” with “d s ” being less than “d i ” (“d s ”<“d i ”<“d c ”). 
     
     
         4 . A shaft as recited in  claim 1  wherein the shim is made of amyl acetate. 
     
     
         5 . A shaft as recited in  claim 4  wherein the shim is a first shim and the shaft further comprises:
 a second shim affixed to the outer surface of the insert of the nock section to position the second shim between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the chamber; and 
 a third shim affixed to the outer surface of the insert of the nock section to position the third shim between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the chamber, wherein the second shim and the third shim cooperate with the first shim to force contact between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the chamber to establish the snug fit therebetween. 
 
     
     
         6 . A shaft as recited in  claim 5  wherein the first shim, the second shim, and the third shim are spaced equidistantly from each other on the outer surface of the insert. 
     
     
         7 . A shaft as recited in  claim 1  wherein the snug fit is established by cooperation of the insert, the chamber, and the shim. 
     
     
         8 . A shaft as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a middle section having a fore-end and an aft-end positioned between the tip section and the nock section, wherein a second insert is formed onto the fore-end of the middle section and is received by the chamber of the tip section, and wherein the aft-end of the middle section is formed with a second hollow chamber to receive the insert of the nock section. 
     
     
         9 . A shaft as recited in  claim 1  wherein a first index mark is placed on the aft-end of the tip section for alignment with a second mark placed on the fore-end of the nock section to aerodynamically align the tip section with the nock section during an engagement of said sections. 
     
     
         10 . A shaft as recited in  claim 9  wherein the second index mark is placed onto the collar of the tip section. 
     
     
         11 . An arrow which comprises:
 an elongated, tubular shaft defining an axis, wherein the shaft includes a tip section having an aft-end and a fore-end and a nock section having an aft-end and a fore-end, wherein the aft-end of the tip section has an outer diameter “D” and is formed with a chamber having an inner diameter “d c ” measured at an inner surface;   an insert integrally formed onto the aft-end of the nock section, wherein the insert extends axially from the fore-end of the nock section and has an outer surface with a diameter “d i ”, and a length “L”, and wherein the insert is received into the chamber of the tip section; and   a shim positioned between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the chamber to force contact between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the chamber to establish a snug fit therebetween for the shaft of the arrow.   
     
     
         12 . An arrow as recited in  claim 11  wherein the shim is a first shim and the arrow further comprises:
 a second shim affixed to the outer surface of the insert of the nock section to position the second shim between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the chamber; and 
 a third shim affixed to the outer surface of the insert of the nock section to position the third shim between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the chamber, wherein the second shim and the third shim cooperate with the shim to force contact between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the chamber to establish the snug fit therebetween. 
 
     
     
         13 . An arrow as recited in  claim 11  further comprising a mechanical stop, wherein the mechanical stop establishes a limit for forward movement of the insert when the nock section is engaged with the chamber of the tip section. 
     
     
         14 . An arrow as recited in  claim 13  wherein the mechanical stop is an annulus-shaped collar affixed to the fore-end of the nock section adjacent the insert, wherein the collar has the diameter “D”. 
     
     
         15 . An arrow as recited in  claim 13  wherein the mechanical stop is an annulus-shaped interior sleeve positioned inside the chamber of the tip section at a distance “L” from the aft-end of the tip section, wherein the sleeve has an inner diameter “d s ” with “d s ” being less than “d i ” (“d s ”<“d i ”<“d c ”). 
     
     
         16 . An arrow as recited in  claim 11  further comprising a first index mark formed onto the aft-end of the tip section for alignment with a second mark formed onto the fore-end of the nock section, to optimize aerodynamic performance of the arrow. 
     
     
         17 . A method for manufacturing and assembling a shaft of an arrow which comprises the steps of:
 providing an elongated, tubular tip section defining an axis and having a fore-end and an aft-end, wherein the tip section has an outer diameter (D) and is formed with a hollow chamber at the aft-end, and wherein the chamber has a diameter “d c ” measured at an inner surface;   forming an insert on a nock section having a fore-end and an aft-end, wherein the insert extends from the fore end of the nock section in an axial direction through a distance “L”, wherein the insert of the nock section has an outer surface with a diameter of “d i ” with “d i ” being less than d c  (d i <d c ) for insertion of the insert of the nock section into the chamber of the tip section;   affixing a shim to the outer surface of the insert;   incorporating a mechanical stop to interact between the tip section and the nock section to limit insertion of the insert into the chamber; and   inserting the insert of the nock section into the chamber of the tip section to position the shim between the outer surface of the insert and the inner surface of the chamber to force contact between the outer surface of the insert against the inner surface of the chamber to establish a snug fit between the tip section and the nock section to assemble the shaft.   
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 17  wherein the mechanical stop is an annulus-shaped collar and the incorporating step further comprises the step of attaching the collar on the fore-end of the nock portion adjacent the insert, wherein the collar has the diameter “D”. 
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 17  wherein the mechanical stop is a tubular-shaped interior sleeve and the incorporating step further comprises the steps of:
 affixing the interior sleeve into the chamber at the distance “L” from the aft-end of the tip section; and 
 establishing contact between the insert and the interior sleeve to prevent further axial movement of the insert. 
 
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 17  further comprising the steps of:
 placing a first index mark onto the aft-end of the tip portion; and 
 placing a second mark onto the fore-end of the nock portion proximal the insert; and 
 aligning the first mark with the second mark after the inserting step to assemble the arrow and optimize aerodynamic performance of the arrow.