Crosswind resistant fletching construction

#This invention relates to archery and more particularly to a molded aerodynamically crosswind resistant fletching construction to counter the effects of crosswind on arrows and bolts.

#Molded fletchings are common in the archery industry and have been applied to both arrows and bolts for bow hunting. One such molded configuration is available from Outer Limit which provides pre-molded fletchings around a cylindrical carrier which is slipped over the arrow shaft. It is noted that the goal of the fletching is to produce sufficient drag to be able to stabilize the arrow in flight and to be able to control the proper amount of spin of the arrow. Note that the fletchings must be of a sufficient size to produce sufficient drag. The fletchings can also be angled with respect to the center line of the arrow shaft to be able to produce the desired amount of spin. Normally three straight pieces of plastic are used as fletchings mounted on a cylindrical carrier.

#Whether the fletchings are mounted aligned with the center line of the arrow shaft or are canted to provide a rotation of the arrow in flight, when there is a crosswind, the trajectory of the arrow is such that the arrow does not go in the direction that it is originally aimed. When the wind catches these fletchings from the side the arrow is deflected off course. Most importantly, what can happen is that the arrow spin can stall. Thus the crosswind can actually stop the arrow from spinning. Moreover the force of the crosswind pushing on the arrow sideways causes the arrow to fly off course and miss the target. Thus the aerodynamic properties of straight molded fletchings are such as to be particularly sensitive to crosswinds.

#These and other features of the subject invention will be better understood in connection with the Detailed Description, in conjunction with the Drawings, of which:

#FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the flight of an arrow with conventional fletchings which is deflected off course by crosswinds;

#FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of an arrow manufactured in accordance of the subject invention in which a crosswind does not affect arrow flight, with the fletchings configured to provide rotation of the arrow, and direct side wind over their profile rather than catching the side wind;

#Referring now to FIG. 1, a typical arrow or bolt 10 is provided with flat fletchings 12 located about the arrow shaft. With a crosswind as illustrated at 16 the crosswind impacts and catches the fletchings so as to decrease rotational velocity as well as causing the arrow to go off course as illustrated by arrow 18, whereupon the crosswind causes the arrow to miss its target. Here it can be seen that crosswind 15 gets into the valley 17 between the fletchings which can reduce rotational velocity.

#Referring to FIG. 2, if arrow 10 is provided with pairs of fletchings 16 and 18 then it will be shown that crosswind 15 does not divert the arrow from its original intended track as illustrated by dotted arrow 19. Rather as shown at 15′ the crosswind goes over the tips of the fletchings and does not pass into valley 17. Moreover, the aerodynamic shape of the fletchings as will be described causes the arrow to rotate as illustrated by arrow 22 so as to provide the arrow with a spin which improves projectile tracking. The side wind does not cause a significant reduction in rotational velocity with this improved fletching profile.

#Referring now to FIG. 3, pairs of fletchings 16 and 18 are mounted on a cylindrical carrier 20, with the tips 22 and 24 of the fletchings bowed inwardly as illustrated. This inward configuration provides that crosswinds do not affect arrow trajectory as in the case of normal molded fletchings. This is because the crosswinds do not get into the channel or valley between the fletching pairs, and is directed around the periphery of the fletchings rather than catching it on the traditional flat side profile of traditional fletchings.