Tangentially Oriented Fletching

Abstract

An elongate projectile includes fletchings or vanes for stabilizing flight of the projectile, with the fletchings configured to conform around the shaft of the projectile in a biased state for loading into a bore of an air gun, and configured to snap back into a resting or un-biased state upon exiting the bore. The fin portion of the fletchings can be disposed tangential to the outer diameter of the shaft.

1 . A projectile, comprising:
 an elongate tubular member;   a tip disposed about a distal end of the elongate tubular member;   a butt disposed about a proximal end of the elongate tubular member;   at least one fletching disposed about the elongate tubular member, the fletching comprising a foot disposed against the elongate tubular member and a fin extending from the foot;   wherein the fin of the fletching is disposed tangential to an outer diameter of the elongate tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fletching comprises three fletchings. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the foot of the at least one fletching is bonded to the elongate tubular member. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein at least one fletching is in a biased position when installed in the barrel of a gun, and returns to a resting position upon existing the barrel of the gun. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile of  claim 1 , wherein the fin is attached to the foot by a joint. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile of  claim 5 , wherein the joint creates a spring force on the fletching when moved from its resting position. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile of  claim 1 , further comprising a projection opposite the foot. 
     
     
         8 . The projectile of  claim 7 , wherein the foot and the projection form a concave mounting surface. 
     
     
         9 . The projectile of  claim 1 , further comprising a stud disposed at the proximal end of the shaft, wherein the butt is disposed on the stud. 
     
     
         10 . The projectile of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one fletching is disposed on the stud. 
     
     
         11 . The projectile of  claim 10 , wherein the stud has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . An elongate projectile, comprising
 an elongate tubular member;   a tip disposed about a front end of the elongate tubular member;   a butt disposed at the back end of the elongate tubular member, the butt comprising:
 a cylinder disposed about the back end of the elongate tubular member, said cylinder having a front side and a back side and substantially parallel sidewalls, said cylinder further comprising an annular groove circumscribing the cylinder between the front and back sides, wherein the elongate projectile is configured to be placed back-side-first into the air gun; 
 a front tapered section disposed about a front of the annular groove, a non-tapered section disposed rearward of the front tapered section, and a tapered rearward section disposed rearward of the non-tapered section; 
 a resilient annular member disposed within the annular groove, said resilient annular member having a first position in a biased state within the annular groove, and a second position in a non-biased state rearward of the annular groove; 
 wherein when the resilient member is in the non-biased state and the elongate projectile is propelled outward through the rifled bore of the air gun, frictional engagement between the resilient member and the rifled bore causes the elongate projectile to rotate; 
 at least one fletching disposed about the elongate tubular member, the fletching comprising a foot disposed against the elongate tubular member and a fin extending from the foot; 
   wherein the fin of the fletching is disposed tangential to an outer diameter of the elongate tubular member.   
     
     
         13 . The elongate projectile of  claim 12 , wherein the tip acts a stop. 
     
     
         14 . A fletching configured to mount to the shaft of an arrow, the fletching comprising:
 a foot, the foot comprising a concave mounting surface, and   a fin connected to the foot by a joint, the fin extending away from the foot tangential to the concave mounting surface;   
     
     
         15 . The fletching of  claim 14 , further comprising a projection attached at the joint. 
     
     
         16 . The fletching of  claim 15 , wherein the projection extends in a direction opposite the foot. 
     
     
         17 . The fletching of  claim 16 , wherein the foot and the projection form the concave mounting surface. 
     
     
         18 . The fletching of  claim 14 , wherein the fin may be disposed in a first position when at rest, with the fin extending tangential to the concave mounting surface, and further may be disposed in a second position when loaded, with the fin wrapping around the foot. 
     
     
         19 . The fletching of  claim 18 , wherein a radius of the fin in the second position is substantially similar to a radius of the concave mounting surface. 
     
     
         20 . The fletching of  claim 18 , wherein the hinge biases the fin to the first position.