Devices for identification of arrow splines

Abstract

A device comprising a rail with a mounting bracket at a first end, a lower receiver at the first end for engaging one end of an arrow shaft, and a pressing assembly mounted on the rail. The pressing assembly includes a brake for positional adjustment, a carriage flexibly connected to the brake, an upper receiver mounted to the carriage for engaging the opposite end of the shaft, and a handle rotatably mounted to the brake to transfer force to the carriage. A method for testing an arrow includes securing the pressing assembly at a location corresponding to the arrow's length, actuating the handle, and inserting a quick-release pin to hold the handle in place. The arrow is inserted into the lower receiver, the upper receiver is adjusted to contact the arrow, and the pin is removed. The handle is actuated to compress the arrow, and the deflection direction is observed to identify the spline.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 a rail having a first end and a second end;   a mounting bracket located at the first end for attaching the device to a flat surface;   a lower receiver located at the first end, the lower receiver for interacting with a first end of an arrow;   an upper receiver attached to a pressing assembly, the upper receiver for interacting with a second end of the arrow;   wherein the pressing assembly is located between the first end and the second end, the pressing assembly further comprising a brake for adjustably securing the pressing assembly to the rail, a carriage flexibly attached to the brake and carrying the upper receiver, and a handle rotatably mounted to the brake for transferring force between the brake and the carriage.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper receiver includes an upper alignment plate and an upper mount for interacting with the second end of the arrow, and wherein the upper mount is removeable from the upper alignment plate. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lower receiver includes a lower alignment plate and a lower mount for interacting with the first end of the arrow, and wherein the lower mount is removeable from the lower alignment plate. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , the brake further comprising a screw clamp for mechanically interacting with the rail, wherein the screw clamp is loosened to allow the pressing assembly to move along the rail, and the screw clamp is tightened to secure the pressing assembly to the rail. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , the brake further comprising a slider shaped to fit a channel of the rail for providing rotational stability to the pressing assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , the carriage further comprising a set of bearings that seat in a bearing guide mounted to the rail, wherein the set of bearings interacts with the bearing guide to restrict movement of the carriage in directions not aligned with the rail. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , the pressing assembly further comprising two spring assemblies wherein each of the two spring assemblies includes a spring and a spring bolt, and wherein the two spring assemblies are compressed to keep the carriage in contact with the brake. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , the handle further comprising a handle pinhole for accommodating a quick release pin, wherein the handle pinhole is located to align with a brake pinhole when the handle is partially actuated. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a stop adjustably secured in the rail, the stop located to limit movement of the pressing assembly along the rail. 
     
     
         10 . A method for testing an arrow, the method comprising:
 preparing a spline tester to test the arrow, including securing a pressing assembly at a temporary location approximate to a length of the arrow; actuating a handle on the spline tester and installing a quick release pin to secure the handle in position; fitting a first end of the arrow in a lower receiver; adjusting the pressing assembly so that an upper receiver contacts a second end of the arrow; and removing the quick release pin;   testing the arrow, including actuating the handle to contact the second end with the upper receiver; fitting the second end in the upper receiver; compressing the arrow using the handle; observing a direction a shaft of the arrow deflects; and identifying a spline of the arrow.   
     
     
         11 . The method for testing an arrow of  claim 10 , the preparing step further comprising:
 installing a mount in one or more of the upper receiver and the lower receiver.   
     
     
         12 . The method for testing an arrow of  claim 11 , wherein a cup-type mount is used to accommodate the arrow fitted with one of a point, or a nock. 
     
     
         13 . The method for testing an arrow of  claim 11 , wherein a cone-type mount is used to accommodate the first end or the second end. 
     
     
         14 . The method for testing an arrow of  claim 10 , wherein the length is between 22 inches and 33 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The method for testing an arrow of  claim 10 , wherein the preparing step includes adjusting the pressing assembly using a prep arrow, wherein the prep arrow has a length and a configuration corresponding to the arrow; and removing the prep arrow from the spline tester. 
     
     
         16 . The method for testing an arrow of  claim 10 , the preparing step further comprising clamping a mounting bracket to a flat surface to stabilize the spline tester for use.