Speed nock

Abstract

An archery system includes a riser with a first end and a second end and configured to be gripped by a user, a first limb extending from the first end of the riser and a second limb extending from the second end of the riser, a bowstring extending between and operably coupled with a second end of the first limb and a second end of the second limb and one or more speed nocks coupled with the bowstring each including a first end, a second end, an outer wall, an inner wall opposite the outer wall, at least one relief extending into the outer wall and a longitudinally-extending gap extending between the first and second ends of the speed nock, where the speed nock is deformable between an open configuration and a closed configuration wherein the inner wall impinges on the bowstring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An archery system, comprising:
 a riser with a first end and a second end and configured to be gripped by a user;   a first limb extending from the first end of the riser;   a second limb extending from the second end of the riser;   a bowstring extending between and operably coupled with a second end of the first limb and a second end of the second limb; and   one or more speed nocks coupled with the bowstring, each speed nock comprising:
 a first end; 
 a second end; 
 an outer wall; 
 an inner wall opposite the outer wall; 
 at least one relief extending into the outer wall and longitudinally along the outer wall at least a majority of a distance between the ends of the speed nock, wherein the at least one relief is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the speed nock; 
 and a longitudinally-extending gap extending between the first and second ends of the speed nock; 
 wherein the speed nock is deformable between an open configuration where the bowstring may be received through the gap, and a closed configuration wherein the inner wall impinges on the bowstring and prevents the speed nock from moving along a length of the bowstring; and 
 wherein the speed nock is configured to deform from the open configuration to the closed configuration under a radially-applied force. 
   
     
     
         2 . The archery system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first cam coupled with a distal portion of the first limb; and   a second cam coupled with a distal portion of the second limb;   wherein the first and second cams operably couple the bowstring with the second end of the first limb and the second end of the second limb.   
     
     
         3 . The archery system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one relief comprises a plurality of reliefs spaced radially about the outer wall. 
     
     
         4 . The archery system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one relief defines a yielding region between a vertex of the at least one relief and the inner wall, and wherein a yield strength of the yielding region is less than a yield strength of the speed nock at a location circumferentially spaced from the at least one relief. 
     
     
         5 . The archery system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one relief extends entirely between the first and second ends of the speed nock. 
     
     
         6 . The archery system of  claim 1 , wherein the speed nock comprises brass. 
     
     
         7 . The archery system of  claim 1 , wherein the speed nock is configured to deform from the open configuration to the closed configuration under a radially-applied force of less than or equal to about 4 lbs/gr. 
     
     
         8 . The archery system of  claim 7 , wherein a force exerted on the bowstring by the inner wall of the speed nock when the speed nock is in the closed configuration is between about 134 psi and about 403 psi. 
     
     
         9 . The archery system of  claim 7 , wherein the radially-applied force is between about 2.9 lbs/gr and about 2.7 lbs/gr. 
     
     
         10 . The archery system of  claim 9 , wherein the force exerted on the bowstring by the inner wall of the speed nock when the speed nock is in the closed configuration is between about 134 psi and 202 psi. 
     
     
         11 . An archery system, comprising:
 a speed nock, comprising:
 a first end; 
 a second end; 
 an outer wall; 
 an inner wall opposite the outer wall; 
 at least one relief extending into the outer wall and longitudinally along the outer wall at least a majority of a distance between the ends of the speed nock, wherein the at least one relief is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the speed nock; and 
 a longitudinally-extending gap extending between the first and second ends of the speed nock; 
 wherein the speed nock is deformable between an open configuration where the bowstring may be received through the gap, and a closed configuration wherein the inner wall impinges on the bowstring and prevents the speed nock from moving along a length of the bowstring; 
 wherein the speed nock is configured to deform from the open configuration to the closed configuration under a radially-applied force of less than or equal to about 4 lbs/gr resulting in the inner wall of the speed nock exerting a force on the bowstring of between about 403 psi and about 134 psi when the speed nock is in the closed configuration. 
   
     
     
         12 . The archery system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a riser with a first end and a second end and configured to be gripped by a user;   a first limb extending from the first end of the riser;   a second limb extending from the second end of the riser; and   a bowstring extending between and operably coupled with a second end of the first limb and a second end of the second limb.   
     
     
         13 . The archery system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a first cam coupled with a distal portion of the first limb; and   a second cam coupled with a distal portion of the second limb;   wherein the first and second cams operably couple the bowstring with the second end of the first limb and the second end of the second limb.   
     
     
         14 . The archery system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one relief comprises a plurality of reliefs spaced radially about the outer wall. 
     
     
         15 . The archery system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one relief defines a yielding region between a vertex of the at least one relief and the inner wall, and wherein a yield strength of the yielding region is less than a yield strength of the speed nock at a location radially spaced from the at least one relief. 
     
     
         16 . The archery system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one relief extends entirely between the first and second ends of the speed nock. 
     
     
         17 . The archery system of  claim 11 , wherein the speed nock comprises brass. 
     
     
         18 . The archery system of  claim 11 , wherein the speed nock comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         19 . The archery system of  claim 11 , wherein the radially-applied force is between about 2.9 lbs/gr and about 2.7 lbs/gr. 
     
     
         20 . The archery system of  claim 19 , wherein the force exerted on the bowstring by the inner wall of the speed nock when the speed nock is in the closed configuration is between about 134 psi and about 202 psi.