Experimental APD (Anti-Penetration Device)

The Outlands Tube APD (modified by Robert the Bald)

Legal for use in Trimaris temporarily (until 8/1 or approval, whichever comes first)

NOTE: The design will only work with, and is only experimental for fiberglass shafted arrows. The weight distribution causes wood shafted arrows to break.

This design has been tested by shooting nock end first into a bar grille from a 30# bow at 15 feet. It has been tested under simulated combat conditions (heated to 125 degrees, chilled to 30 degrees, soaked in water, stepped on, etc.). There have been no failures yet.

Equipment:

Fiberglass rod (bicycle poles or reflector poles from hardware stores)
Nocks
1" ID, 160psi Sil-O-Flex© (sprinkler system tubing) available at Lowe's
Strapping Tape, Duct Tape, Strong adhesive

This fletching is to reduce the risk of injury due to bounce back. Cut the tube so that one end is flat and the other at a 45° angle. The shortest side should be no less than 5/8". This can be done using and inexpensive miter box. Sand both ends round to remove sharp edges.

The fletching will be placed in the upper left corner of the shaft (45 degrees to the nock) at the end of the arrow, leaving no more than 1/2" of the nock protruding. For left hand shooters place in upper right hand corner.

                                                                                                         

To attach to shaft, run a bead of strong adhesive on the shaft where the tube will go, and clamp, if you wish. (If you have the equipment, you can rout a 1/4" channel 1/16" deep down the center bottom of the tube, for added stability. Actually, any straight, shallow channel will do.) After it has set up, take a thin piece of strapping tape and insert it on the inside of the fletching so it protrudes from the both ends of the fletching about 3". Split the tape and wrap it down and around both sides of the shaft and fletching. Secure tape with duct tape. Then wrap wide strapping tape tightly around the fletching and the shaft. Then wrap duct tape over the strapping tape. Actual pictures of the operation will be posted soon.

This design MUST be shot off the arrow shelf of your bow. DO NOT shoot it using a plastic or rubber arrow rest, the tube and/or tape catches. You can create additional clearance of the shelf by building up the inside corner of the shelf as shown in the diagram.

If you construct this APD, please send your comments/suggestions to Don Robert the Bald.

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