# US 9,518,806 B2 · Self centering nock > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,806 B2 - Document ID: US9518806B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/067,998 - Filed: 2016-03-11 - Published: 2016-07-07 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-06 - Applicants: Out RAGE, LLC - Inventors: William E. Pedersen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518806B2 ## CPC - F42B 6/06: Tail ends, e.g. nocks, fletching - F21V 33/008: {Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes} - F42B 6/04: Archery arrows (F42B6/08, F41B5/06, {F42B12/362} take precedence) - F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D) - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A self-centering nock is provided for use in a well-balanced nock-arrow or nock-bolt assembly. The self-centering nock includes compliant projecting protrusions or compliant arms that are substantially rotationally symmetric about a cross section normal to a main axis of the self-centering nock. The compliant projecting protrusions or compliant arms may be received in bolts that have bores of differing internal dimensions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A nock, comprising: a light source; a first end comprising an opening configured to receive a string of at least one of a bow and a crossbow, wherein the first end allows the light source to transmit light through and beyond an external surface of the first end; a structural support piece, that does not obstruct the opening, having a distal portion contacting the first end, and a substantially cylindrical shaped portion, extending from the structural support piece, comprising a grooved external surface, wherein at least a portion of an external diameter of the cylindrical shaped portion is configured to be disposed in and contact an internal surface of a bore of an arrow or a crossbow bolt. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nock of claim 1, wherein the first end comprises a polymeric material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nock of claim 1, wherein the first end comprises a polycarbonate material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The nock of claim 1, wherein the nock further comprises a power source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The nock of claim 4, wherein the power source comprises a battery. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The nock of claim 5, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The nock of claim 1, wherein the structural support piece comprises aluminum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The nock of claim 1, wherein the structural support piece comprises a polymeric material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The nock of claim 8, wherein the polymer material comprises a carbon reinforced polymer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The nock of claim 1, wherein the structural support piece is coupled to the first end by a snap fit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The nock of claim 1, wherein the structural support piece contacts the first end at a parabolic interface. ### Claim 12 A nock, comprising: a light source; a first end comprising a substantially U-shaped opening configured to receive a string of at least one of a bow and a crossbow, wherein the first end allows the light source to transmit light beyond an external surface of the first end; a structural support piece, that does not obstruct the U-shaped opening, having a distal portion contacting the first end, and a substantially cylindrical shaped portion, extending from the structural support piece, comprising a grooved external surface, wherein at least a portion of an external diameter of the cylindrical shaped portion is configured to be disposed in and contact an internal surface of a bore of an arrow or a crossbow bolt. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The nock of claim 12, wherein the nock further comprises a power source. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The nock of claim 13, wherein the first end comprises an aperture and a button extending through the aperture that contacts the string, wherein the button is configured to turn on the light source by a tension of the string. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The nock of claim 14, wherein the button is transparent to allow a light from the light source to be transmitted beyond an external surface of the button. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The nock of claim 14, wherein the first end comprises a polymeric material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The nock of claim 14, wherein the first end comprises a polycarbonate material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The nock of claim 14, wherein the structural support piece comprises aluminum. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The nock of claim 18, wherein the structural support piece comprises a polymer material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The nock of claim 19, wherein the polymer material comprises a carbon reinforced polymer. ### Claim 21 A system, comprising: a crossbow bolt having a bore; and a nock that includes i) a light source; ii) a first end comprising a substantially U-shaped opening configured to receive a string of a crossbow, wherein the first end allows the light source to transmit light through and beyond an external surface of the first end; iii) a structural support piece, that does not obstruct the U-shaped opening, having a distal portion contacting the first end, and iv) a substantially cylindrical shaped portion, extending from the structural support piece, comprising a grooved external surface, wherein at least a portion of an external diameter of the cylindrical shaped portion is configured to be disposed in and contact an internal surface of the bore.