Device for fletching arrows for archery

Abstract

Device (1) for fletching arrows for archery, comprising: a support frame (2), wherein the support frame (2) is designed such that an arrow shaft (3) can be inserted therein, a gluing station (7) comprising a second counter contour (8), and a positioning aid (9) into which a fletching element (10) can be inserted such that an adhesive surface (11) is exposed, wherein the positioning aid (9) has a shape contour (12) corresponding to the second counter contour (8), wherein in the gluing station (7) the fletching element (10) can be glued onto an arrow shaft (3) inserted in the support frame (2) when the shaped contour (12) of the positioning aid (9) is arranged in the second counter contour (8) of the gluing station (7).

Description

[0001] Manual fletching of arrows is a demanding, skilled process in archery, in which aerodynamic stabilizers or fletching elements, called feathers, spin wings, or vanes, are attached to an arrow shaft to improve its flight stability, rotation, and accuracy during a shot. Especially with traditionally manufactured or custom-made arrows, this process is performed without mechanical assistance or devices, making the process extremely time-consuming and the quality of the fletching highly dependent on the skilled craftsmanship of the person performing the fletching.

[0002] The process primarily involves positioning the fletching elements on the shaft. Typically, three fletching elements are evenly spaced 120 degrees apart around the circumference of the shaft. For certain arrow types or special requirements, double or quadruple fletching can also be chosen. One challenge with the manual method is precisely aligning each fletching element at the correct angle and spacing along the shaft's longitudinal axis.

[0003] Either special arrow adhesives or double-sided adhesive tapes are used to attach the fletching elements to the shaft. While adhesives require a longer curing time, pre-applied, double-sided adhesive strips are often used in manual applications to speed up the process. However, these adhesive tapes are extremely demanding to handle: They must be applied precisely along the narrow underside of the fletching element without protruding or warping. Inaccurate placement often leads to wrinkling, poor contact with the shaft, or displacement of the fletching element after it has been pressed on. Removing the protective film from the adhesive strip also requires a steady hand, as the adhesive surface can easily become contaminated or damaged.

[0004] The manual placement of the fletching elements on the shaft also requires the utmost precision. The attachment of the fletching element must generally run parallel to the shaft's longitudinal axis. Deviations in alignment can lead to flight instability, unwanted rotation, or even unusable arrows. The gluing process itself is also critical, as even slight pressure leads to permanent adhesion, making corrections almost impossible after application. A slanted attachment can therefore render the entire arrow unusable.

[0005] Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure the adhesion of the fletching elements after application by pressing evenly along the entire base of a fletching element without damaging the delicate structure of the fletching element itself or shifting its position. Depending on the material (natural feather or plastic vane), both the adhesion behavior and the flexibility of the components vary, which further complicates manual fletching.

[0006] Overall, manual fletching requires a high degree of precision, time, and experience. The process is prone to errors, and the demands on fine motor skills and repeatability are high. The use of adhesive tape, despite its supposed simplicity, presents a significant challenge that is difficult to master reliably without the appropriate experience and dexterity.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a device for fletching arrows for archery, which facilitates the precise positioning of fletching elements (so-called spin wings) on an arrow shaft.

[0008] The object is achieved by a device according to independent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the device are dealt with in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to the invention, a device for fletching arrows for archery is presented, comprising a support frame, wherein the support frame is designed such that an arrow shaft can be inserted therein. Furthermore, the device has a gluing station. The gluing station comprises a second counter-contour. A positioning aid is provided into which a fletching element can be inserted. When inserted, an adhesive surface of the fletching element is exposed so that it can later be applied to an arrow shaft.

[0010] A fletching element provided with adhesive tape can be glued in the gluing station onto an arrow shaft arranged in the support frame if the shape contour of the positioning aid is arranged in the second counter contour.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the device further comprises an application station. The application station comprises a tape guide and a first counter contour. The shaped contour of the positioning aid corresponds to the first counter contour of the application station. In the application station, an adhesive tape, preferably a double-sided adhesive tape, can be positioned on the tape guide such that the adhesive tape is applied to the adhesive surface of the fletching element when the shaped contour of the positioning aid is arranged in the first counter contour. The adhesive tape can, for example, be a prepared strip of adhesive tape or an unwound portion of an adhesive tape roll.

[0012] A fletching element provided with adhesive tape in the application station can be glued to an arrow shaft arranged in the support frame in the gluing station if the contour of the positioning aid is aligned with the second counter contour. To do this, the positioning aid, including the fletching element, can be removed from the first counter contour and inserted into the second counter contour.

[0013] This design of the device for fletching arrows for archery offers a number of advantages. The use of a positioning aid, which can be inserted into a counter contour in both the application station and the gluing station, offers several benefits.

[0014] One advantage is that the adhesive tape is applied precisely to the exposed adhesive surface of the fletching element in the application station. This allows for clean and precise application of the adhesive, which reduces adhesive contamination and improves the adhesion of the fletching to the arrow shaft. It enables precise and repeatable positioning of the fletching element on the arrow shaft. This leads to consistently high fletching quality. The positioning aid, including the fletching element, can be easily transferred from the first counter contour to the second counter contour, ensuring a fast and efficient workflow without the need for time-consuming reclamping or repositioning.

[0015] The device is primarily suitable for modern plastic vanes of different lengths or curves (so-called spin wings). However, it is also conceivable to use the invention with classic natural feathers. This makes the device according to the invention versatile. Furthermore, the device is designed to be user-friendly, so that even inexperienced users can work with it without any problems. Overall, the fixed contours and guided positioning minimize sources of error and ensure a high level of repeatability when fletching multiple arrows. These advantages make the device particularly suitable for use in both hobby and professional archery. The device is also suitable for use in retail, such as archery shops that fletch and sell many arrows with spin wings every day.In particular, it offers enormous time savings, as an arrow with, for example, three feathers or spin wings can be precisely glued within less than a minute with skilled use.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the support frame has a rotation device, wherein the rotation device comprises a hub and a bushing. The hub is rotatable relative to the bushing and lockable in a plurality of discrete positions. The hub is preferably arranged within the bushing. The hub has a driver, wherein the driver can be releasably connected to a nock of an arrow in a form-fitting manner. A nock is a component at the rear end of an arrow in archery. It serves to securely fix the arrow on the bowstring and thus ensures a defined, repeatable fit during drawing and firing. The nock is usually made of sturdy plastic, less frequently of natural materials such as horn, and has a narrow notch that is precisely matched to the thickness of the string.This notch encloses the string with light pressure, so that on the one hand the arrow sits firmly enough not to fall off when drawn, but on the other hand separates from the string without resistance when released.

[0017] The driver on the hub, which can be positively and detachably connected to the arrow's nock, ensures secure fixation of the arrow throughout the entire fletching process. This prevents the arrow from accidentally twisting or shifting, further increasing precision. Although the nock was originally intended for the arrow during the shooting process, the device according to the invention specifically uses it to fix the arrow to the hub in a rotationally fixed manner during the gluing process. This ensures that the arrow shaft remains exactly in the desired position throughout the entire fletching process and does not accidentally twist. This enables a particularly precise and uniform arrangement of the fletching elements, which in turn significantly improves the quality and repeatability of the fletching.

[0018] Because the hub is rotatable relative to the bushing and can be locked in several discrete positions, the arrow shaft can be precisely and reproducibly aligned at the desired angles. This enables a precise and even arrangement of the fletching elements around the circumference of the arrow, which is particularly important for flight characteristics and repeatability when shooting. Depending on the number of fletching elements desired on the shaft, the distances between the discrete positions can be individually selected, for example, 180° for two fletching elements, 120° for three fletching elements, or 90° for four fletching elements. This allows the device to be flexibly adapted to different fletching types and personal preferences, ensuring optimal alignment and even distribution of the fletching elements.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the hub is axially displaceable relative to the bushing. The hub preferably has at least one tongue or groove, and the bushing has at least one groove or tongue corresponding to the at least one tongue or groove.

[0020] The tongue and groove engage in each discrete position, reliably locking the hub in the respective position and preventing accidental rotation of the arrow shaft. Multiple tongues and corresponding grooves can also be formed along the circumference to enable various discrete rotational positions.

[0021] The device can be flexibly adapted to different fletching patterns, for example for two, three or four fletching elements, and always ensures precise and repeatable alignment of the arrow shaft during the gluing process by allowing a corresponding number of discrete positions to be set.

[0022] The hub can be moved axially for adjustment so that the tongue and groove are disengaged. In this position, the hub can be rotated freely, for example by 90°, 120°, or 180°, depending on the desired spacing for the fletching elements. Once the desired rotational position is reached, the hub is pushed back axially so that the tongue and groove engage again and the hub is securely locked in the selected position. When locked, the tongue and groove are engaged, reliably preventing unintentional twisting of the arrow. This principle enables simple and precise further rotation as well as secure locking of the arrow at the desired angular increments. This ensures flexible yet stable handling during fletching, which further improves the repeatability and quality of the fletching.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the application station comprises a supply reel, a take-up reel, and a cutting device. The additional configuration of the application station comprising a supply reel, a take-up reel, and a cutting device further optimizes the fletching process. The supply reel enables orderly and controlled delivery of the adhesive tape, while the take-up reel reliably absorbs excess carrier tape. This ensures a clean and efficient material flow, which significantly simplifies handling of the adhesive tape and reduces material waste.

[0024] The integrated cutting device allows for precise and quick removal of the adhesive tape after it has been applied to the adhesive surface of the fletching element. This ensures a clean cut and prevents messy or protruding tape ends, which in turn improves the quality of the fletching.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a roll of adhesive tape can be connected to the supply spool in a rotationally fixed manner, with adhesive tape unwound from the roll of adhesive tape being guided via the tape guide. The rotationally fixed connection ensures that the roll of adhesive tape sits securely and stably on the supply spool and does not rotate or slip uncontrollably when the tape is pulled off. This ensures even and controlled unwinding of the adhesive tape, which significantly increases the precision when applying the tape to the fletching element. The adhesive tape guided via the tape guide always remains in the desired position and can be applied to the adhesive surface without tilting or twisting. This contributes to a clean, efficient, and trouble-free workflow and minimizes material loss due to misuse.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the adhesive tape roll comprises a carrier tape and adhesive tape. The carrier tape can be wound onto the take-up reel. The carrier tape serves as the carrier material for the actual adhesive tape and enables easy and precise removal of the adhesive tape at the desired location. After applying the adhesive tape to the adhesive surface of the fletching element, the carrier tape can be removed immediately and without residue and wound onto the take-up reel.

[0027] This prevents the backing tape from interfering with the work process or contaminating the work area. At the same time, a continuous and uninterrupted workflow is enabled, as the backing tape is always picked up and disposed of cleanly. Overall, this design contributes to particularly clean, comfortable, and efficient handling and ensures high quality and precision when fletching arrows.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the first counter-contour has a length that is at least twice the length of a fletching element. This enables the positioning aid to be moved within the first counter-contour. This allows the positioning aid, including the fletching element, to be moved along the counter-contour after the adhesive tape has been applied to the adhesive surface of the fletching element, so that the adhesive tape can then be severed at a suitable point without having to change the position of the fletching element or the adhesive tape. This achieves a precise and efficient workflow when fletching the arrow, since both the application and the cutting of the adhesive tape can take place within a single operation in the application station.

[0029] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the cutting device comprises a pivoting blade that can be pivoted in the direction of the tape guide so that an adhesive tape can be severed. The pivoting bearing of the blade enables simple and precise cutting of the adhesive tape immediately after it has been applied to the adhesive surface of the fletching element. This allows the user to cut the tape cleanly and precisely with a single, controlled movement, without having to laboriously move the workpiece or the device. This not only increases work safety and operating comfort, but also ensures a particularly clean cut, thus avoiding messy or frayed tape ends. Overall, this design contributes to a fast, efficient, and professional workflow and guarantees consistently high fletching quality.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the supply reel and / or the take-up reel have an adjusting wheel. The adjusting wheel allows the user to rotate the respective reel in a targeted and controlled manner, so that the adhesive tape or carrier tape can be provided or taken up at the exact desired length and position. This allows the material flow to be precisely controlled and adapted to the respective work progress, contributing to a clean and efficient workflow.

[0031] In addition, the adjustment wheel makes it easier to re-tension or rewind the tape, should this be necessary during the fletching process. Overall, this design increases the user-friendliness and precision of the device and contributes to further improving the quality and repeatability of arrow fletching.

[0032] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the application station and the bonding station are detachably or permanently connected to the support frame. With a permanent connection, the individual stations are permanently and securely mounted on the support frame, which enables particularly robust and reliable handling and makes the device ideal for stationary use.

[0033] Alternatively, the application station and the gluing station can also be detachably connected to the support frame. This offers the advantage that the stations can be easily replaced, cleaned, or maintained as needed. Furthermore, the device can be individually adapted to different workflows or special requirements, for example, by using different application or gluing stations for different arrow types or fletching methods. Overall, this design contributes to the device's high flexibility, easy maintenance, and versatile application possibilities, without compromising the stability and precision of fletching arrows.

[0034] The design according to which the application station and the bonding station are connected or connectable to the support frame is particularly advantageous with regard to a compact design and transportability of the device.

[0035] According to a further idea, a method for fletching an arrow for archery is presented. The method can be carried out in particular with the device according to the invention and comprises the following steps: a) Inserting an arrow shaft into the support frame; b) Inserting a fletching element into the positioning aid; c) Placing the positioning aid on the application station, whereby the contour of the positioning aid engages with the first counter contour and the adhesive surface of the fletching element is pressed onto an adhesive tape lying on the tape guide; d) Move the positioning aid so that the adhesive tape and the carrier tape separate from each other; e) cutting the adhesive tape using the cutting device; f) Placing the positioning aid in the gluing station, whereby the contour of the positioning aid engages with the second counter contour and the adhesive surface of the fletching element provided with adhesive tape is pressed onto the arrow shaft; g) Rotating the arrow shaft using the rotating device; h) Repeat steps b to f and, if necessary, g, until the desired number of fletching elements are glued to the arrow shaft.

[0036] The invention relates to a device for fletching arrows for archery, comprising a support frame designed to accommodate an arrow shaft. The device has an application station comprising a tape guide and a first counter-contour, a cutting device for quickly and precisely separating the applied adhesive strip, and an adhesive station with a second counter-contour. Furthermore, a positioning aid is provided, into which a fletching element can be inserted such that an adhesive surface is exposed. The positioning aid has a shaped contour corresponding to the first and second counter-contours. In the application station, an adhesive tape can be positioned on the tape guide such that the adhesive tape is applied to the adhesive surface of the fletching element when the shaped contour of the positioning aid is arranged in the first counter-contour.In the gluing station, the fletching element can be glued onto an arrow shaft inserted in the support frame if the shape contour of the positioning aid is arranged in the second counter contour.

[0037] The device is explained in more detail below using the following figures: Fig. 1: a perspective view of the device according to the invention; Fig. 2a: a positioning aid; Fig. 2b: a commercially available fletching element for fletching arrows for archery; Fig. 2c: a positioning aid with inserted fletching element; Fig. 3a - 3d: Detailed views of an application station; Fig. 4: a detailed view of a gluing station; Fig. 5a - 5b: Detailed views of a rotation device.

[0038] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device 1 according to the invention for fletching arrows for archery. The device comprises a support frame 2 into which an arrow shaft 3 is inserted. Furthermore, the device 1 comprises an application station 4 with a tape guide 5 and a first counter contour 6. The counter contour 6 is designed as a depression.

[0039] Furthermore, a gluing station 7 is provided, which has a second counter-contour 8, which is also designed as a trough. The first 6 and second 7 counter-contours correspond to a shaped contour 12 formed on a positioning aid 9. In the illustration shown, the positioning aid 9 is inserted into the first counter-contour 6. The first counter-contour 6 is significantly longer than the second counter-contour 8. This is due to the fact that the positioning aid 9 is displaced within the first counter-contour 6 for a fletching process.

[0040] The device 1 has a rotating device 13 comprising a bushing 14 and a hub 15. The exact functions of the individual components are explained in connection with the following figures.

[0041] Fig. Figure 2a shows a detailed view of a positioning aid 9. The positioning aid 9 has the shaped contour 12, which is designed to be inserted into one of the mating contours 6, 8 and, if necessary, to be moved therein. In the present example, the shaped contour 12 is formed with a semicircular cross-section, the diameter of which corresponds to the trough-like contour in the mating contours 6, 8. The positioning aid 9 has a slot into which a fletching element 10 can be inserted. For this purpose, the positioning aid 9 can be formed in two parts. Depending on the thickness of a fletching element 10 to be accommodated, the slot can be designed with different widths. The insert having the slot can be replaceable. It is also possible for the positioning aid 9 to be formed in one piece with the insert having the slot. The positioning aid 9 has a pressure surface 25, which serves to press the fletching element 10 onto an arrow shaft 3.

[0042] Fig. Figure 2b shows a commercially available fletching element 10 for fletching arrows for archery. The fletching element 10 has an adhesive surface 11. The adhesive surface 11 is the area that rests against the arrow shaft 3 when attached to the arrow shaft 3. The opposite area can be designed differently depending on the desired aerodynamic properties. The fletching element 10 shown as an example shows a commercially available "spin wing."

[0043] Fig. 2c shows a positioning aid 9 with an inserted fletching element 10. The area opposite the adhesive surface 11 is inserted into the slot, whereby the adhesive surface 11 itself is exposed and rests on the pressure surface 25.

[0044] Fig. 3a - 3d show the application station 4 in detail. The application station 4 has a tape guide 5 and an adhesive tape 23 resting thereon. The first counter contour 6 can also be seen. A supply reel and a take-up reel are covered in the illustration shown. An adjusting wheel 24 protrudes in each case, one of which is assigned to the supply reel and one to the take-up reel. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the adhesive tape 23 is provided from the supply reel, which contains the adhesive tape 23 itself on a carrier tape. The carrier tape and adhesive tape 23 are guided together over the tape guide 5. There, the adhesive tape 23 is removed, with the remaining carrier tape then being wound onto the take-up reel. The wound carrier tape can then be disposed of or recycled.

[0045] Fig. Figure 3b shows the application station 4, with the positioning aid 9 with the fletching element 10 inserted resting on the tape guide 5. The shaped contour 12 of the positioning aid 9 engages with the first counter-contour 6 of the application station. The exposed adhesive surface 11 of the fletching element 10 can be pressed onto the adhesive tape 23 by applying pressure to the positioning aid 9.

[0046] Fig. 3c shows the application station 4, in particular a cutting device 21 of the application station 4. The cutting device 21 has a blade 22 which is designed to be pivotable or swivelable in the direction of the tape guide 5. In the view shown, the positioning aid 9 is positioned within the first counter contour 6 relative to the Fig. 3b. The adhesive tape 23 adheres to the adhesive surface of the fletching element 10, while the carrier tape is fed to the take-up reel. The tape guide 5 is designed such that the adhesive tape 23 adhering to the fletching element 10 is exposed.

[0047] Fig. 3d shows the cutting device 21 with a blade 22 which is pivoted in the direction of the tape guide 5 in order to cut the adhesive tape 23.

[0048] Fig. Figure 4 shows the gluing station 7. The shaped contour 12 of the positioning aid 9 is inserted into the second counter-contour 8 of the gluing station 7. An arrow shaft 3 is inserted into the support frame 2. The adhesive surface 11 of the fletching element 10 is oriented toward the arrow shaft 3 and can be glued to the arrow shaft 3 by pressing it onto the positioning aid 9. The pressure surface 25 of the positioning aid 9 presses the fletching element 10 onto the arrow shaft 3.

[0049] Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b show the rotation device 13 of the device 1 according to the invention. The rotation device 13 comprises a bushing 14 and a hub 15. The hub 15 is arranged axially displaceably within the bushing 14. For this purpose, it has a rotationally symmetrical section. If the hub 15 is axially displaced as in Fig. 5b, the hub 15 can be rotated within the bushing 14. If the hub 15 is positioned within the bushing as shown in Fig. 5a, it is locked. The locking is achieved by the engagement of the three springs 17, which are arranged along the outer circumference of the hub 15, in three corresponding grooves 18 arranged along the inner circumference of the bushing 14.

[0050] The hub 15 has a positioning wheel 26 which serves as a handle for axially displacing and rotating the hub 15 within the bushing 14.

[0051] The hub 15 also has a driver 16. The driver 16 has a geometry that corresponds to the nock of an arrow. The nock can be inserted into the driver 16 such that a rotation of the hub 15 causes a corresponding rotation of the arrow or arrow shaft on the support frame 2.

[0052] With this device, an arrow shaft 3 can be fletched comfortably and evenly along its circumference by preparing one fletching element 10 at a time in the application station 4. The area of ​​the arrow shaft 3 to be glued is aligned upwards using the rotation device 13. The fletching element 10 is then guided to the gluing station 7 using the positioning aid 9 and precisely glued onto the upwardly oriented area of ​​the arrow shaft 3. This process is repeated until the arrow shaft 3 is fletched as desired. List of reference symbols 1 device for fletching arrows 2 support frame 3 arrow shafts 4 application stations 5 Belt guide 6 First counter contour 7 Gluing station 8 Second counter contour 9 Positioning aid 10 fletching element 11 Adhesive surface 12 Shape contour 13 Rotation device 14 socket 15 Hub 16 drivers 17 spring 18 grooves 21 Cutting device 22 blade 23 Adhesive tape 24 Adjustment wheel 25 printing area 26 Positioning wheel

Claims

[1] Device (1) for fletching arrows for archery, comprising: a support frame (2), wherein the support frame (2) is designed such that an arrow shaft (3) can be inserted therein, a gluing station (7) comprising a second counter contour (8), and a positioning aid (9) into which a fletching element (10) can be inserted such that an adhesive surface (11) is exposed, wherein the positioning aid (9) has a shape contour (12) corresponding to the second counter contour (8), wherein in the gluing station (7) the fletching element (10) can be glued onto an arrow shaft (3) inserted in the support frame (2) when the shaped contour (12) of the positioning aid (9) is arranged in the second counter contour (8) of the gluing station (7). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: an application station (4) comprising a tape guide (5) and a first counter contour (6), wherein the positioning aid (9) has a shape contour (12) corresponding to the first counter contour (6), wherein an adhesive tape (23) can be positioned on the tape guide (5) in the application station (4), so that the adhesive tape (23) is applied to the adhesive surface (11) of the fletching element (10) when the shaped contour (12) of the positioning aid (9) is arranged in the first counter contour (6) of the application station (4). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support frame (2) has a rotation device (13), wherein the rotation device (13) comprises a hub (15) and a bushing (14), wherein the hub (15) is rotatable relative to the bushing (14) and lockable in a plurality of discrete positions, wherein the hub (15) has a driver (16), wherein the driver (16) can be releasably connected to a nock of an arrow in a form-fitting manner. [4] Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the hub (15) is axially displaceable relative to the bushing (14), wherein the hub (15) has at least one tongue (17) or groove (18), and wherein the bushing (14) has at least one groove (18) or tongue (17) corresponding to the at least one tongue (17) or groove (18). [5] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the application station (4) comprises a supply reel, a take-up reel and a cutting device (21). [6] Device (1) according to claim 5, wherein an adhesive tape roll is rotatably connectable to the unwinding reel, wherein adhesive tape (23) unwound from the adhesive tape roll is guided over the tape guide (5). [7] Device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the adhesive tape roll comprises a carrier tape and adhesive tape (23), and the carrier tape can be wound onto the take-up reel. [8] Device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first counter-contour (6) has a length which is at least twice as long as the length of a fletching element (10). [9] Device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the cutting device (21) comprises a pivotally mounted blade (22) which can be pivoted in the direction of the tape guide (5) in such a way that an adhesive tape (23) can be severed. [10] Device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the supply reel and / or the take-up reel have an adjusting wheel (24). [11] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the application station (4) and / or the adhesive station (7) are detachably or firmly connected to the support frame (2).

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