Spiral-grooved arrow shaft

Abstract

The present invention is a spirally grooved arrow shaft that imparts axial rotation to an arrow assembly. The shaft has a plurality of substantially identical, helical, longitudinal channels along its outer surface extending down a substantial portion of the arrow shaft along its primary axis. The channels may consist of a plurality of grooves cut into the outer surface of the arrow shaft. Alternatively, the channels may be formed from a plurality of raised-fins or raised members that extend radially outward from the surface of the shaft. The invention is compatible with all contemporary arrowheads and vanes provided that all aerodynamic surfaces present on these devices urge rotation of the arrow assembly in the same direction as the spiral channels.

1 . An arrow shaft including:
 a first end;   a second end; and   at least one helical channel disposed on the outer surface of said arrow shaft; and   wherein said at least one helical channel begins at said first end of said arrow shaft and spirals down the longitudinal axis of said arrow shaft toward said second end; and   wherein all said channels spiral in the same rotational direction giving the appearance of a turbine.   
   
   
       2 . An arrow shaft according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said helical channels consist of grooves in the smooth outer surface of said arrow shaft.   
   
   
       3 . An arrow shaft according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said helical channels are formed between raised helical ridges in the smooth outer surface of said arrow shaft;   wherein said helical ridges are integral with the outer surface of said arrow shaft; and   wherein said helical ridges extend radially outward from the outer wall of said arrow shaft.   
   
   
       4 . An arrow shaft according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said channels are close together around said body so that they contact each other down their entire helical length said helical channels are disposed close together around said arrow shaft so that said helical channels are adjacent to each other down their entire helical length.   
   
   
       3 . An arrow shaft according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein there are between about three and about ten said channels located symmetrically about the circumference of said arrow shaft.   
   
   
       4 . An arrow shaft according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein there are eight said channels.   
   
   
       5 . An arrow shaft according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said channels terminate partially down a portion of the axial length of said arrow shaft.