System for illuminating an arrow or bolt

Abstract

A system for illuminating an arrow or bolt includes a nock assembly configured for coupling with the arrow or bolt at a proximal end thereof, a light emitting assembly disposed within the nock assembly, and a light transmitter coupled with the light emitting assembly and configured for transmitting at least a portion of the light from a light source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for illuminating an arrow or bolt, comprising:
 a nock assembly configured for coupling with the arrow or bolt at a proximal end thereof;   a light emitting assembly disposed within the nock assembly, the light emitting assembly comprising:
 a light source; 
 a power source; and 
 a switch; and 
   a light transmitter coupled with the light emitting assembly and configured for transmitting at least a portion of the light from the light source.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the light transmitter is disposed within the arrow or bolt. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the arrow or bolt is illuminated by the transmitted light. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein
 at least a portion of the arrow or bolt is at least partially transparent; and   at least a portion of the transmitted light is emitted through the at least partially transparent portion of the arrow or bolt.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is activated when the arrow or bolt is nocked. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is activated when the bowstring is released. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the light transmitter is configured for either concentrating or diffusing the transmitted light. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the entire light transmitter is disposed within the arrow or bolt. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the light emitting assembly extends into the arrow or bolt 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the light transmitter extends distally from a distal end of the nock assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is accessible for resetting the light emitting assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a controller configurable for changing the operation of the light source. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the nock assembly is coupled with the light emitting assembly; and   at least a portion of the light from the light source illuminates at least a portion of the nock assembly.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical latch, an electrical latch, and a piezoelectric element. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the light transmitter is selected from the group consisting of a light pipe and a light tube. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the light transmitter is integral with the arrow or bolt.