U.S. patent application number 10/120666 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-17 for arrow broadhead.
Invention is credited to Arasmith, Gregory B..
Application Number | 20020151394 10/120666 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27382497 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020151394 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arasmith, Gregory B. |
October 17, 2002 |
Arrow broadhead
Abstract
An improved broadhead arrowhead is disclosed including
spiral-shaped, curving or twisting, blades of increasing width
along a leading edge thereof, and an insert including a bearing
element which allows for broadhead rotation independent of the
arrow shaft about the longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft during
flight. The curved blades and bearing element of the present
invention allow the broadhead to continue rotating after contacting
the target.
Inventors: |
Arasmith, Gregory B.; (Rome,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Barry E. Kaplan, Esq.
Hughes & Kaplan
Suite B
2415 West Park Place Boulevard
Stone Mountain
GA
30087
US
|
Family ID: |
27382497 |
Appl. No.: |
10/120666 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60333902 |
Nov 28, 2001 |
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60283679 |
Apr 12, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/583 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 6/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/583 |
International
Class: |
F42B 006/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An improved broadhead arrowhead for affixation to an arrow shaft
comprising: (a.) a forward portion comprising a point; (b.) a
rearward portion for engaging said arrow shaft; (c.) a curved blade
intermediate said forward and rearward portions, said curvature
promoting a twisting aspect of said broadhead with regard to a
direction of flight; (d.) said blade increasing in width along a
leading edge thereof.
2. The broadhead of claim 1 wherein said forward portion further
comprises chisel-shaped flats.
3. The broadhead of claim 1 wherein said blade further comprises a
cut-out portion.
4. The broadhead of claim 1 wherein said rearward portion further
comprises a thread.
5. The broadhead of claim 1 wherein said rearward portion further
comprises a journal.
6. The broadhead of claim 1 further comprising means for allowing
said broadhead to rotate independently of said arrow shaft.
7. The broadhead of claim 6 wherein said means for allowing said
broadhead to rotate independently of said arrow shaft comprises a
bearing element.
8. The broadhead of claim 6 wherein said means for allowing said
broadhead to rotate independently of said arrow shaft comprises a
plurality of sleeves accommodating relative rotational motion
therebetween.
9. The broadhead of claim 1 further comprising means for
replacement of said blade independently from the remainder of said
broadhead.
10. The broadhead of claim 9 wherein said means for replacement of
said blade comprises a lug at a rearward portion of said blade and
a retainer for cooperating with said lug.
11. The broadhead of claim 9 wherein said means for replacement of
said blade comprises a groove for accommodating said blade.
12. An improved arrow comprising: (a.) a broadhead arrowhead
comprising a forward portion carrying a point, a rearward portion
for engaging a shaft of said arrow, and a blade intermediate said
forward and rearward portions; and, (b.) means for accommodating
independent rotation of said broadhead arrowhead with regard to
said arrow shaft.
13. The arrow of claim 12 wherein said blade is a curved blade,
said curvature promoting a twisting aspect of said broadhead with
regard to a direction of flight of said arrow.
14. The arrow of claim 12 wherein said means for accommodating
independent rotation of said arrowhead comprises a bearing
element.
15. The arrow of claim 12 wherein said means for accommodating
independent rotation of said arrowhead comprises a plurality of
sleeves allowing relative rotational motion therebetween.
16. The arrow of claim 12 wherein said blade may be separated
independently from the remainder of said broadhead for replacement
of either said blade or said remainder.
17. An improved arrow comprising: (a.) an arrowhead, said arrowhead
comprising a pointed tip at a forward end thereof, and a threaded
portion at a rearward end thereof; and, (b.) an insert, said insert
comprising an outer portion for engaging an inner portion of an
arrow shaft, an internally threaded inner portion for engaging said
arrowhead threaded portion, said insert outer and inner portions
accommodating relative rotation therebetween.
18. The arrow of claim wherein said arrowhead comprises a broadhead
arrowhead.
19. The arrow of claim 18 wherein said broadhead comprises a curved
blade of increasing width along a leading edge thereof.
20. The arrow of claim 17 wherein said insert comprises a bearing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The inventor hereof claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application serial No. 60/283,679 filed Apr. 12, 2001 and
U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/333,902 filed
Nov. 28, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to arrowheads for
use in bow-and-arrow target shooting and hunting; and, more
particularly, to an improved broadhead-type arrowhead having
superior flight and performance characteristics achieved through
the use of spiral blades of increasing width. In alternate
embodiments, the use of a bearing element in association with a
broadhead provides for independent broadhead rotation with respect
to the arrow shaft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of a bow and arrow in lieu of a rifle, shotgun, or
the like, in the hunting of game has become increasingly popular in
recent years. Many of the game hunters practicing bow and arrow
hunting have found the use of a broadhead-type arrow achieves more
efficient results, particularly in the hunting of relatively large
game. The usual presently available broadhead-type arrow has
certain disadvantages in that the speed, distance, and the accuracy
of flight of the arrow shaft through the air is frequently
adversely affected by the structural configuration of the
arrowhead. In addition, there are certain legal requirements
setting forth the conditions under which the use and structure of
the broadhead-type arrows must comply.
[0004] Many attempts have been made to solve the problems
encountered with the use of the broadhead-type arrow, such as shown
in the Chandler U.S. Pat. No. 2,289,284, issued Jul. 7, 1942, and
entitled "Interchangeable Arrowhead;" Recker U.S. Pat. No.
2,753,643, issued Jul. 10, 1956, and entitled "Fishing Arrow;"
Grissinger U.S. Pat. No. 2,937,873, issued May 24, 1960, and
entitled "Hunting Head for an Arrow or the Like;" Richter U.S. Pat.
No. 2,940,758, issued Jun. 14, 1960, and entitled "Arrowhead;"
Yurchich U.S. Pat. No. 3,014,305, issued Dec. 26, 1961, and
entitled "Arrowhead for Bow Fishing;" Swails U.S. Pat. No.
3,036,396, issued May 29, 1962, and entitled "Retractable Arrow;"
McKinzie U.S. Pat. No. 3,138,383, issued Jun. 23, 1964, and
entitled "Dual Purpose Arrow Head;" Lint U.S. Pat. No. 3,168,313,
issued Feb. 2, 1965, and entitled "Hunting Arrowhead with
Retractable Barb;" and Hendricks U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,835, issued
Aug. 24, 1971, and entitled "Spear Head with Swingable Barb." Other
configurations are also known.
[0005] Most prior art broadheads have straight blades, in-line with
the arrow shaft, and rotate fixedly with the arrow shaft in flight
until they come in contact with the target. When in contact with
the target, they are forced to stop spinning and cut straight
through the target with no rotation. This reduces the efficiency of
the cutting action.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a
broadhead-type arrowhead having superior flight and performance
characteristics achieved through the use of spiral-shaped, curving
or twisting, blades of increasing width along a leading edge. It
would be further advantageous to provide a broadhead-type arrowhead
for use in association with a bearing element to provide
independent broadhead rotation with respect to the arrow shaft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In summary, the present invention relates to an improved
arrowhead design which includes spiral-shaped, curving or twisting,
blades of increasing width along a leading edge thereof, and which
may include the use of an insert comprising a bearing element to
allow for the broadhead-type arrowhead to be supported at the end
of an arrow shaft; yet, to be rotatable relative to that shaft, the
rotation being substantially along the longitudinal axis of the
shaft. Such characteristics allow the broadhead to rotate at a
differing rate during flight from the arrow shaft rotation; and,
further, upon impact with the target, allow the broadhead to
continue in its rotation to penetrate a substantial distance into
the target. Such characteristics are facilitated by the
spiral-shaped, or twisting, nature of the blades. The above
characteristics are provided without the broadhead becoming
detached or partially unscrewed from the insert. An alternate
embodiment comprises spiral-shaped, curving or twisting, blades and
a rotating bearing with the added characteristic that the blades
may be replaceable.
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention overcomes deficiencies in
prior art broadhead arrowheads by providing an improved arrow
broadhead in accordance with the disclosure herein.
[0009] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide an improved arrow broadhead.
[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved arrow broadhead which includes improved cutting
characteristics.
[0011] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide an improved arrow broadhead which includes improved flight
characteristics.
[0012] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide an improved arrow broadhead which includes improved
accuracy characteristics.
[0013] These and other objects are accomplished by the improved
arrow broadhead disclosed herein and will become apparent to the
reader from a review of the following Detailed Description of
Preferred Embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawing
Figures in which like numerals designate like elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Having thus described the invention in general terms,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing Figures,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a one piece broadhead of the
present invention showing the point, blades, shaft, and
threads;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an end view of the broadhead of the present
invention taken from the tip and showing the blades, tip, chisel
flats, and aerodynamic cut-out areas;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an end view of the broadhead of the present
invention taken from the arrow shaft toward the direction of
flight;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the insert and bearing
assembly of the present invention which allows the broadhead to
rotate independently of the arrow shaft;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the insert and
bearing assembly of the present invention showing the rear portion
of the broadhead, along with an embodiment of the bearing assembly
and arrow shaft;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the
broadhead of the present invention showing the shaft of the
broadhead, tip, and groove;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a side view of the alternate embodiment of the
broadhead of FIG. 6 showing a removable blade, lug, and hook;
and,
[0022] FIG. 8 is a partial side view of the alternate embodiment of
the broadhead of FIG. 6 showing one blade and the retainer.
[0023] It is to be noted that the Figures presented are intended
solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are,
therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to
any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except
insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, in a preferred embodiment,
broadhead 10 is formed as an integral unit. Broadhead 10 comprises
tip 12 which is pointed on the end and which, optionally, may have
a plurality of chisel flats 20 or which may simply be conical in
shape. Tip 12, shaft 30, journal 40, threads 50, and blades 60 may
be formed as one integral unit. Blades 60 are also preferably
formed as one piece with shaft 30 and the other previously
mentioned elements.
[0026] Blades 60 comprise cutting edges 65. The cutting width of
blades 60 is small near tip 12 and gradually increases rearwardly
toward threads 50 along a leading edge of the blade, as taken in
view of the direction of flight. Maximum cutting width may be
achieved at the rearmost portion of blade 60, or may be achieved
intermediate the blade length.
[0027] Blades 60 have a spiral, curved, or twisted shape, curving
from front to rear, approximately the same pitch as the average
fletchings on most arrows. The curve will promote true flight by
imparting a rifling aerodynamic to the broadhead. Each of blades 60
preferably includes cut relief 70, and has an aerodynamic cut-out
area 80, both of which reduce the weight and aerodynamic drag of
broadhead 10. Broadhead 10 preferably has at least two blades 60,
with three such blades being preferred.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 6-8, in an alternate embodiment,
shaft 130 provides undercut 144 immediately adjacent the rear of
point 12. Shaft 130 also has a plurality of equally spaced grooves
140, parallel to the axis of flight and equal to the number of
blades 180 used. IQ Blades 180 provide hook 150 in their forward
end, hook 150 being of suitable configuration such that undercut
144 will retain the forward end of blades 180. Inboard edge 155 of
blades 180 fit into groove 140. The rear end of blades 180 has a
protruding lug 160, which is configured so that retainer 170 may
snap over lug 160 and, thereby, hold blades 180 to shaft 130.
[0029] Blades 180 share many features with the embodiment of FIGS.
1-3, including, but not limited to: a spiral-shaped, or twisting,
curve of increasing width from front toward rear along a leading
edge thereof, tip 12 comprising optional chisel flats 20, threads
50, journal 40, cut relief 70, and aerodynamic cut-out area 80.
With the configuration of this embodiment, blades 180 may be
quickly and easily replaced in the field.
[0030] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a feature designed to be used with
any broadhead, whether of prior art configuration or of the
configuration of the several embodiments of the present
invention.
[0031] By way of background, standard inserts are designed to be
glued into a tublular arrow shaft. Such inserts have internal
threads, so that all types of practice and hunting tips can be used
and interchanged. Once the tips have been screwed into the insert,
the tips are stationary. Once the arrow is in flight, the tips can
only rotate as the arrow rotates.
[0032] Advantageously according to one embodiment of the present
invention, insert 100 comprises sleeve element 190 which is
substantially cylindrical in shape, and which carries flanged
portion 200 at one end thereof. Flanged portion 200 has a diameter
slightly greater than the substantially smooth outer diameter of
sleeve element 190. The outer cylindrical surface of sleeve element
190 fits within the tubular end of arrow shaft A, preferably glued
therein in much the same manner as a conventional insert would be
inserted and glued. Flanged portion 200 provides a "stop" against
the front end of arrow shaft A.
[0033] Bearing element 210 is inserted within sleeve element 190.
Sleeve element 220 is inserted within bearing element 210. Sleeve
element 220 carries internal threads 225 which allow threads 50 of
broadhead 10 to threadably fasten thereto.
[0034] In order to screw broadhead 10 into sleeve element 220, it
is necessary to temporarily "fix" sleeve element 220 relative to
sleeve element 190. This can be done by providing holes 230 in
sleeve element 220 and sleeve element 190 as needed, such that pin
240 can be used to prevent relative rotation.
[0035] As an example, sleeve element 220 might carry two holes 230,
disposed for cooperating with two holes 230 carried by flanged
portion 200 of sleeve element 190. Once sleeve element 190 is glued
into arrow shaft A, the user would align holes 230, and place pin
240 into holes 230 in order to hold bearing element 210 stationary.
In this manner, the user can tighten broadhead 10 into sleeve
element 220.
[0036] Once so affixed, insert 100 allows arrow shaft A and
broadhead 10 to spin at differing relative rates of rotation during
flight and, also, allows broadhead 10 to continue spinning after
impact with a target. Such configuration, further, allows the arrow
to fly with more accuracy, and allows broadhead 10 to penetrate the
intended target more effectively.
[0037] When any type of broadhead, and especially the broadhead of
the present invention, is used with the insert 100, improved flight
characteristics will be achieved. As a further advantage, the user
will not have to adjust bow sights as often, because of truer
flight.
[0038] Bearing element 210 may comprise needle or ball-type
bearings, with internal {fraction (8/32)} TPI to fit all arrows. It
will be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art that sleeve
bearings, sintered metal bearings, simple clearance and lubrication
arrangements, or the like could also be used within the
contemplation of the present invention. Without regard to the
specific type of bearing selected, the application and advantages
thereof remain the same. It is noted as a design constraint,
however, that the bearing should not allow a large relative
longitudinal movement between the arrow shaft and the
arrowhead.
[0039] The insert assembly configuration of the present invention
preferably will fit all arrow shaft sizes and, preferably, will
glue into the arrow as do conventional inserts known in the art.
The benefit of the new insert assembly of the present invention is
that once the arrowhead has been screwed into the insert assembly,
it is able to rotate in either direction without becoming
unscrewed. The insert assembly of the present invention also
accommodates different broadhead designs and fletching pitches
during flight.
[0040] Broadhead 10, in one embodiment, preferably is made of
titanium or other suitable metallic material, and is cast or
otherwise formed as an integral unit, so as to be stronger and more
durable than other broadheads currently on the market. Preferably,
broadhead 10 will weigh approximately 100 to 125 grains, such
weight being the most popular amongst hunters.
[0041] Additional modifications and other embodiments of the
invention may become apparent to one skilled in the art to which
this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is
not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. It is
further to be understood that modifications and other embodiments
are intended to be included within the scope of the appended
claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used
in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of
limitation.
* * * * *