Arrow retainer

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to structures that are adapted to facilitate the retention, storage, and transport of arrows. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, an arrow retainer is described that includes a resilient portion having a plurality of passageways extending therethrough for retaining a plurality of arrows therein. Each passageway is resiliently expandable upon insertion of an arrow to maintain the position of the arrow. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, an arrow storage device is disclosed that provides an efficient and secure means of storing arrows. The presently disclosed arrow retainer and arrow storage device may be used in conjunction with one another as part of an arrow storage system.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An arrow storage system configured to retain a plurality of arrows, each arrow including an arrow shaft defining a first longitudinal length extending between a tip end of the arrow shaft and a fletch end of the arrow shaft, the arrow storage system comprising:
 an arrow carrier configured to secure the plurality of arrows therein, the arrow carrier including:
 an elongated frame defining a second longitudinal length extending between a first end portion of the elongated frame and a second end portion of the elongated frame; 
 a first resilient member engaged to the frame at the first end portion thereof, the first resilient member configured to secure a portion of the arrow shaft of each of the plurality of arrows therein; and 
 a second resilient member engaged to the frame at the second end portion thereof, the second resilient member configured to secure a portion of the arrow shaft of each of the plurality of arrows therein, 
 wherein the second longitudinal length is less than the first longitudinal length such that at least one of the tip end or the fletch end of each of the plurality of arrows extends beyond the elongated frame when secured within the first and second resilient members; and 
   an arrow enclosure configured to removably receive the arrow carrier, the arrow enclosure defining a third longitudinal length extending between ends thereof, the third longitudinal length greater than the first longitudinal length to permit the arrow enclosure to fully enclose the arrow carrier and the plurality of arrows secured therein.   
     
     
         22 . The arrow storage system according to  claim 21 , wherein each of the first and second resilient members defines a plurality of slits, each slit configured to receive a portion of the arrow shaft of one of the arrows. 
     
     
         23 . The arrow storage system according to  claim 22 , wherein each of the first and second resilient members defines a plurality of apertures, each slit disposed in communication with one of the apertures to permit insertion of the portion of the arrow shaft through the slit and into the aperture to thereby secure the portion of the arrow shaft therein. 
     
     
         24 . The arrow storage system according to  claim 23 , wherein each aperture is resiliently expandable upon insertion of the portion of the arrow shaft therethrough to provide retention of the portion of the arrow shaft about 360 degrees. 
     
     
         25 . The arrow storage system according to  claim 23 , wherein each slit extends from an edge of one of the first or second resilient members to at least one of the apertures thereof to permit lateral insertion of the portion of the arrow shaft into the at least one of the apertures. 
     
     
         26 . The arrow storage system according to  claim 21 , wherein each of the first and second resilient members defines a plurality of passageways, at least two of the passageways defining different configurations. 
     
     
         27 . The arrow storage system according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first resilient member or the second resilient member is made from a foam having a density in the range of about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot to about 3.5 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         28 . The arrow storage system according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first resilient member or the second resilient member is made from polyether polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         29 . The arrow storage system according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first resilient member or the second resilient member defines a rectangular cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
         30 . The arrow storage system according to  claim 21 , wherein the arrow enclosure is an arrow case. 
     
     
         31 . The arrow storage system according to  claim 21 , wherein the arrow enclosure includes at lease first and second portions and a releasable engagement mechanism configured to engage the first and second portions with one another to fully enclosing the arrow carrier and the plurality of arrows therein. 
     
     
         32 . The arrow storage system according to  claim 21 , wherein the elongated frame of the arrow carrier is formed from a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         33 . An arrow retainer configured to retain a plurality of arrows, each arrow including an arrow shaft defining a first longitudinal length extending between a tip end of the arrow shaft and a fletch end of the arrow shaft, the arrow retainer comprising:
 a cylindrical resilient member defining a longitudinal axis extending through first and second faces of the cylindrical resilient member and an annular periphery extending about the longitudinal axis, the cylindrical resilient member defining a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally therethrough, each of the plurality of passageways defining a first open end at the first face of the cylindrical resilient member and a second open end at the second face of the cylindrical resilient member, each of the plurality of passageways accessible from the annular periphery of the cylindrical resilient member to enable insertion of the arrow shaft of one of the plurality of arrows therethrough and into the passageway, wherein each of the plurality of passageways is resiliently expandable upon insertion of the arrow shaft therein to retain the arrow shaft in position relative to the cylindrical resilient member.   
     
     
         34 . The arrow retainer according to  claim 33 , wherein at least two of the plurality passageways define different at-rest transverse dimensions. 
     
     
         35 . The arrow retainer according to  claim 33 , wherein at least one of the plurality of passageways includes an aperture extending longitudinally through the cylindrical resilient member. 
     
     
         36 . The arrow retainer according to  claim 33 , wherein at least one of the plurality of passageways includes a slit extending longitudinally through the cylindrical resilient member. 
     
     
         37 . The arrow retainer according to  claim 33 , wherein at least one of the plurality of passageways includes an aperture extending longitudinally through the cylindrical resilient member and a slit extending longitudinally through the cylindrical resilient member. 
     
     
         38 . The arrow retainer according to  claim 33 , wherein the plurality of passageways are symmetrically positioned about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         39 . The arrow retainer according to  claim 33 , wherein the cylindrical resilient member is configured for removable insertion into an arrow tube. 
     
     
         40 . The arrow retainer according to  claim 33 , wherein the cylindrical resilient member is a foam having a density in the range of about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot to about 3.5 pounds per cubic foot.