Internally fluted arrows and arrow shafts and methods of manufacturing internally fluted arrows and arrow shafts

Abstract

The internally fluted arrows and arrow shafts made by the process of the present invention are designed to have decreased weight and improved stiffness. Fitted components can be used with the internally fluted arrows and arrow shafts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An arrow shaft comprising:
 a tubular core comprising:
 a longitudinal axis; 
 a fluted inside diameter spanning the longitudinal axis; and 
 a cylindrical outside diameter spanning the longitudinal axis; and 
   a wrap surrounding the outside diameter of the tubular core.   
     
     
         2 . The arrow shaft of  claim 1  wherein the tubular core is fiber reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The arrow shaft of  claim 1  wherein the tubular core is carbon fiber. 
     
     
         4 . The arrow shaft of  claim 1  wherein the tubular core is metal. 
     
     
         5 . The arrow shaft of  claim 1  wherein the wrap is fiber reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The arrow shaft of  claim 1  wherein the wrap is carbon fiber. 
     
     
         7 . The arrow shaft of  claim 1  wherein the wrap is metal. 
     
     
         8 . The arrow shaft of  claim 1  further comprising a fitted component selected from the group consisting of standard nocks, lighted nocks, screw-in inserts, broadhead adapters, target points, standard inserts, and threaded inserts. 
     
     
         9 . A method of making an arrow with a pultruded fluted core comprising:
 pultruding a fluted fiber reinforced plastic tubular core comprising:
 a longitudinal axis; 
 a fluted inside diameter spanning the longitudinal axis; and 
 a cylindrical outside diameter spanning the longitudinal axis; and 
   wrapping a material around the outside diameter of the tubular core.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the fluted fiber reinforced plastic tubular core is carbon fiber. 
     
     
         11 . A method of making a fluted arrow shaft comprising:
 rolling a first unidirectional carbon fiber around an externally fluted mandrel to form a fluted carbon fiber tubular core having a longitudinal axis, a fluted inside diameter spanning the longitudinal axis, and a cylindrical outside diameter spanning the longitudinal axis; and   wrapping a second unidirectional carbon fiber around the fluted carbon fiber tubular core to form the fluted arrow shaft.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first unidirectional carbon fiber is rolled at an essentially 0 degree angle. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the second unidirectional carbon fiber is wrapped at an essentially 90 degree angle.