Feb 17, 2026

US12553916 - System for measuring skew and speed of an arrow

An archery tuning apparatus includes two light detection units, each comprising a line laser source emitting a planar fan of laser light and a curved array of spaced-apart light sensors. The units are configured with parallel laser fans, creating an overlap target region when viewed along a normal axis. The curved sensor arrays, with radii of curvature approximating their irradiation distances, optimize detection accuracy. Integrated circuitry and software collect and analyze data from arrows shot through the target region during tuning sessions. The apparatus connects to a mobile device, which stores and displays tuning session information through a dedicated app. This system provides archers with precise measurements of arrow speed and skew, offering advantages over traditional paper tuning methods. The mobile interface allows for easy data management, equipment tracking, and remote technical assistance, enhancing the overall archery tuning experience.

Inventors: Daniel Loikits
Filing date: 2025-07-01

archerymeasurementtuningarrow

The patent describes an archery tuning apparatus that utilizes two light detection units with laser sources and sensor arrays to measure the speed and skew of arrows shot from a bow. This system enhances traditional tuning methods by providing precise measurements and a mobile interface for data management and technical assistance.

Claim 1

1 . An apparatus for detecting and measuring properties of an arrow shot from a bow, the apparatus comprising: a first light detection unit and a second light detection unit; wherein the first light detection unit comprises a first line laser source configured to emit a first planar fan of laser light with a first divergence angle and the second light detection unit comprises a second line laser source configured to emit a second planar fan of laser light with a second divergence angle; wherein the first planar fan of laser light is oriented parallel to the second planar fan of laser light, and wherein a normal axis passes through and is orthogonal to the first planar fan of laser light and the second planar fan of laser light; wherein the first planar fan of laser light and the second planar fan of laser light are spaced apart by a perpendicular distance; wherein the first light detection unit comprises a first array of spaced-apart light sensors configured to lie in the first planar fan of laser light along a first arc disposed entirely within the first divergence angle and wherein the first array of spaced-apart light sensors is configured to sense the first planar fan of laser light on a first concave side of the first arc; wherein the second light detection unit comprises a second array of spaced-apart light sensors configured to lie in the second planar fan of laser light along a second arc disposed entirely within the second divergence angle and wherein the second array of spaced-apart light sensors is configured to sense the second planar fan of laser light on a second concave side of the second arc; wherein the first array of spaced-apart light sensors and the second array of spaced-apart light sensors both comprise at least one light sensor; wherein the first arc has a first radius of curvature, and wherein the second arc has a second radius of curvature; wherein the first light detection unit comprises a first laser directional vector extending from the first line laser source to a first array midpoint of the first array of spaced-apart light sensors and having a first irradiation distance, and wherein the second light detection unit comprises a second laser directional vector extending from the second line laser source to a second array midpoint of the second array of spaced-apart light sensors and having a second irradiation distance; wherein the first radius of curvature is within +/−50 percent of the first irradiation distance, and wherein the second radius of curvature is within +/−50 percent of the second irradiation distance; wherein the first light detection unit further comprises a first light sensor holder defining a first array of openings configured with a first curved surface to hold the first array of spaced apart light sensors along first arc, and wherein the second light detection unit further comprises a second light sensor holder defining a second array of openings configured with a second curved surface to hold the second array of spaced apart light sensors along second arc; wherein the first planar fan of laser light comprises a first target region within an area defined by the first line laser source and the first array of spaced-apart light sensors, and wherein the second planar fan of laser light comprises a second target region within an area defined by the second line laser source and the second array of spaced-apart light sensors, and wherein the first target region and the second target region are aligned for the normal axis to pass through; a frame structure configured to support both the first light detection unit and the second light detection unit, and wherein the frame structure is further configured to permit the arrow shot from a bow to pass entirely through both the first target region and the second target region; integrated circuitry functionally attached to both the first light detection unit and the second light detection unit and operable to receive target signals from both the first array of spaced-apart light sensors and the second array of spaced-apart light sensors, and computer software operable to convert the target signals into information about properties of the arrow shot from a bow; whereby the apparatus measures speed and skew of the arrow as it passes through the first target region and the second target region based on the target signals received by the integrated circuitry and processed by the computer software. a first light detection unit and a second light detection unit; wherein the first light detection unit comprises a first line laser source configured to emit a first planar fan of laser light with a first divergence angle and the second light detection unit comprises a second line laser source configured to emit a second planar fan of laser light with a second divergence angle; wherein the first planar fan of laser light is oriented parallel to the second planar fan of laser light, and wherein a normal axis passes through and is orthogonal to the first planar fan of laser light and the second planar fan of laser light; wherein the first planar fan of laser light and the second planar fan of laser light are spaced apart by a perpendicular distance; wherein the first light detection unit comprises a first array of spaced-apart light sensors configured to lie in the first planar fan of laser light along a first arc disposed entirely within the first divergence angle and wherein the first array of spaced-apart light sensors is configured to sense the first planar fan of laser light on a first concave side of the first arc; wherein the second light detection unit comprises a second array of spaced-apart light sensors configured to lie in the second planar fan of laser light along a second arc disposed entirely within the second divergence angle and wherein the second array of spaced-apart light sensors is configured to sense the second planar fan of laser light on a second concave side of the second arc; wherein the first array of spaced-apart light sensors and the second array of spaced-apart light sensors both comprise at least one light sensor; wherein the first arc has a first radius of curvature, and wherein the second arc has a second radius of curvature; wherein the first light detection unit comprises a first laser directional vector extending from the first line laser source to a first array midpoint of the first array of spaced-apart light sensors and having a first irradiation distance, and wherein the second light detection unit comprises a second laser directional vector extending from the second line laser source to a second array midpoint of the second array of spaced-apart light sensors and having a second irradiation distance; wherein the first radius of curvature is within +/−50 percent of the first irradiation distance, and wherein the second radius of curvature is within +/−50 percent of the second irradiation distance; wherein the first light detection unit further comprises a first light sensor holder defining a first array of openings configured with a first curved surface to hold the first array of spaced apart light sensors along first arc, and wherein the second light detection unit further comprises a second light sensor holder defining a second array of openings configured with a second curved surface to hold the second array of spaced apart light sensors along second arc; wherein the first planar fan of laser light comprises a first target region within an area defined by the first line laser source and the first array of spaced-apart light sensors, and wherein the second planar fan of laser light comprises a second target region within an area defined by the second line laser source and the second array of spaced-apart light sensors, and wherein the first target region and the second target region are aligned for the normal axis to pass through; a frame structure configured to support both the first light detection unit and the second light detection unit, and wherein the frame structure is further configured to permit the arrow shot from a bow to pass entirely through both the first target region and the second target region; integrated circuitry functionally attached to both the first light detection unit and the second light detection unit and operable to receive target signals from both the first array of spaced-apart light sensors and the second array of spaced-apart light sensors, and computer software operable to convert the target signals into information about properties of the arrow shot from a bow; whereby the apparatus measures speed and skew of the arrow as it passes through the first target region and the second target region based on the target signals received by the integrated circuitry and processed by the computer software.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12553916

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12553916