U.S. patent application number 14/494794 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-24 for mechanical broadhead.
The applicant listed for this patent is 2327086 Ontario Ltd.. Invention is credited to Randolph K. Ford.
Application Number | 20160084622 14/494794 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55525473 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160084622 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ford; Randolph K. |
March 24, 2016 |
MECHANICAL BROADHEAD
Abstract
A mechanical broadhead has an elongated body and a plurality of
cutting blades pivotably mounted to the elongated body. The cutting
blades, when in a folded position, nest in longitudinally extending
slots in the elongated body, but assume an extended position when
the broadhead enters a target.
Inventors: |
Ford; Randolph K.; (Nottawa,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
2327086 Ontario Ltd. |
Nottawa |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
55525473 |
Appl. No.: |
14/494794 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/583 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 12/34 20130101;
F42B 6/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F42B 12/34 20060101
F42B012/34; F42B 6/08 20060101 F42B006/08 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2: A mechanical broadhead for an arrow shaft comprising an
elongated body having a leading end and a trailing end, terminating
in a threaded rod at the trailing end and defining a plurality of
longitudinally extending slots substantially parallel to
longitudinal axis of the elongated body but offset therefrom; a
faceted penetrating tip mounted to the elongated body at the
leading end; a cutting blade pivotably mounted to the elongated
body in each said longitudinally extending slot and pivotable from
a folded position to an extended position; an elastomeric retainer
engaging each cutting blade and urging the cutting blade into the
longitudinally extending slot and having a ferrule threadedly
received on the threaded rod and defining a pivot arc limit for the
cutting blade; each cutting blade having a minor cutting edge, a
major cutting edge, and a grab hook at the distal end of the minor
cutting edge; the major cutting edge being received within the
longitudinally extending slot when the cutting blade is in the
folded position and the minor cutting edge together with the major
cutting edge defining an acute angle therebetween.
3: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 2 wherein the
acute angle is about 45 degrees.
4: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 2 wherein each
cutting blade is provided with at least one notch adapted to
receive the elastomeric retainer.
5: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 4 wherein each
cutting blade is provided with a plurality of spaced notches
adapted to receive the elastomeric retainer.
6: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 2 wherein the
elastomeric retainer is an o-ring.
7: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 2 wherein
three cutting blades uniformly spaced from one another are
pivotably mounted to the elongated body.
8: A mechanical broadhead for an arrow shaft comprising an
elongated body having a leading end and a trailing end, terminating
in a threaded rod at the trailing end and defining a plurality of
longitudinally extending slots substantially parallel to
longitudinal axis of the elongated body but offset therefrom; a
faceted penetrating tip mounted to the elongated body at the
leading end; a cutting blade pivotably mounted to the elongated
body in each said longitudinally extending slot and pivotable from
a folded position to an extended position; and an elastomeric
retainer engaging each cutting blade and urging the cutting blade
into the longitudinally extending slot; each cutting blade having a
minor cutting edge, a major cutting edge, and a grab hook at the
distal end of the minor cutting edge; the major cutting edge being
received within the longitudinally extending slot when the cutting
blade is in the folded position and the minor cutting edge together
with the major cutting edge defining an acute angle therebetween
and wherein each said cutting blade has a pointed, sharp-edged
configuration and comprises a deltoid head portion and a stem
portion unitary with the head portion.
9: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 8 wherein
cutting blade length ratio of major cutting edge-to-minor cutting
edge is in the range of about 2 to about 4.
10: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 8 wherein the
grab hook projects beyond the minor cutting edge.
11: A mechanical broadhead for an arrow shaft comprising an
elongated body having a leading end and a trailing end, terminating
in a threaded rod at the trailing end and defining a plurality of
longitudinally extending slots substantially parallel to
longitudinal axis of the elongated body but offset therefrom; a
faceted penetrating tip mounted to the elongated body at the
leading end; a cutting blade pivotably mounted to the elongated
body in each said longitudinally extending slot and pivotable from
a folded position to an extended position; and an elastomeric
retainer engaging each cutting blade and urging the cutting blade
into the longitudinally extending slot; each cutting blade having a
minor cutting edge, a major cutting edge, and a grab hook at the
distal end of the minor cutting edge; the major cutting edge being
received within the longitudinally extending slot when the cutting
blade is in the folded position and the minor cutting edge together
with the major cutting edge defining an acute angle therebetween
and wherein each said cutting blade defines a recess between the
grab hook and the minor cutting edge.
12. (canceled)
13: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 11 wherein
the cutting blade is pivotable in an arc of about 110 degrees to
about 160 degrees.
14: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 11 wherein
the cutting blade is pivotable in an arc of about 135 degrees.
15: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 11 wherein
cutting blade length ratio of major cutting edge-to-minor cutting
edge is in the range of about 2 to about 4.
16: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 11 wherein
each said cutting blade has a pointed, sharp edged configuration
and comprises a deltoid head portion and a stem portion unitary
with the head portion.
17: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 11 wherein
three cutting blades uniformly spaced from one another are
pivotably mounted to the elongated body.
18: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 11 wherein
the acute angle is about 45 degrees.
19: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 11 wherein
the cutting blade is provided with at least one notch adapted to
receive the elastomeric retainer.
20: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 19 wherein
the cutting blade is provided with a plurality of spaced notches
adapted to receive the elastomeric retainer.
21: The mechanical broadhead in accordance with claim 11 wherein
the elastomeric retainer is an o-ring.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an arrowhead, and more
particularly to a mechanical broadhead suitable for hunting
game.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] One type of arrowhead used for hunting is a broadhead. This
type of arrowhead has good penetrating power and creates a
relatively large entry wound. To that end, a mechanical broadhead
utilizes pivotable blades that extend laterally as the broadhead
penetrates the intended target. For the hunter's arrow to be
effective, however, the arrow in flight must travel a substantially
straight path to the target.
[0003] Bows and crossbows that are commercially available impart
different speeds to arrows. The inertia of the arrow leaving a very
fast bow can cause mechanical broadheads to deploy cutting blades
prematurely, thereby undesirably increasing blade profile and
causing the arrow to veer off the intended flight path, or creating
sufficient drag so as to reduce efficacy at impact. Also, at times
the cutting blades on a mechanical broadhead may not deploy fully
at impact, thereby decreasing the kill efficacy of the arrow.
[0004] The present invention obviates, or at least minimizes the
aforementioned drawbacks by enhancing the broadhead's flight
characteristics as well as kill efficacy.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] A mechanical broadhead for use with an arrow, and providing
a positive, controlled deployment of cutting blades, includes an
elongated body having a leading end and a trailing end, provided
with a faceted pointed tip, and defining a plurality of
longitudinally extending slots substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the elongated body but offset from the
longitudinal axis. The elongated body at its trailing or proximal
end terminates in a threaded rod for connection to the shaft of an
arrow. An internally threaded ferrule can be provided on the
threaded rod for selecting a desired cutting profile by adjusting
the pivot arc of the cutting blades upon deployment.
[0006] A plurality of independently deployable cutting blades is
pivotably mounted to the elongated body portion. Preferably, three
independently deployable cutting blades are provided. Each blade
has a minor cutting edge, a major cutting edge, and a grab hook
spaced from the distal end of the minor cutting edge. The major
cutting edge is received within the longitudinally extending slot
in the body portion when the blade is in a folded position while
the minor cutting edge remains exposed. In this manner the blade
profile is minimized during flight.
[0007] The major cutting edge-to-minor cutting length ratio is in
the range of about 2 to about 4. Each cutting blade is configured
so that each major cutting edge and its associated minor cutting
edge define therebetween an acute angle. Preferably the acute angle
is in the range of about 30 degrees to 60 degrees, more preferably
about 45 degrees.
[0008] An elastomeric retainer holds the cutting blades in a
retracted or folded position while the arrow is in flight but
releases the cutting blades to an extended position as the arrow
hits the target and penetrates. The elastomeric retainer allows
adjustment of preload deployment tension to match the speed of the
arrow.
[0009] The individual blades have a pointed, sharp-edged
configuration comprising a deltoid head portion and a unitary stem
portion extending therefrom. The stem portion defines a pivot pin
aperture at its extremity. The cutting blades are individually
mounted and independently deployable, thereby facilitating
replacement when damaged.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] In the drawings,
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a mechanical broadhead embodying
the present invention and showing cutting blades in a folded
position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the mechanical broadhead of FIG. 1
but showing cutting blades in an extended position;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an end view of the mechanical broadhead of FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of a removable, faceted tip of a
mechanical broadhead embodying the present invention and provided
with a plurality of cutting edges;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of a cutting blade in the mechanical
broadhead shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of another mechanical broadhead
embodying the present invention and showing cutting blades in a
folded position;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a front view of the mechanical broadhead of FIG.
6;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side view of the mechanical broadhead shown in
FIG. 6 but showing cutting blades in an extended position;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side view of a cutting blade in the mechanical
broadhead shown in FIG. 6; and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side view of an alternate cutting blade
suitable for the mechanical broadhead of FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, mechanical broadhead 10
comprises elongated body 12 provided with removable, faceted
penetrating tip 14 with tip cutting edges such as edge 15.
Penetrating tip 14 is threadedly mounted to elongated body 12 at
the leading end thereof. Cutting blades 16, 18 and 20 are pivotably
mounted to elongated body 12 by respective pivot pins 30, 32 and
34. In FIG. 1 cutting blades 16, 18 and 20 are shown in a folded
position, received in longitudinally extending slots in elongated
body 12 such as slot 29 for cutting blade 20 and held in place by
an elastomeric retainer such as o-ring 22.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows cutting blades 16, 18 and 20 in an extended
position. As a broadhead-carrying arrow is released from a bow or
crossbow, and during the flight of the arrow, cutting blades 16, 18
and 20 remain in the folded position until broadhead 10 strikes a
target. As penetrating tip 14 enters the target, cutting blades 16,
18 and 20 are pivoted from the folded position of FIG. 1 to an
extended position shown in FIG. 2 as will be described in greater
detail below. The cutting profile of the broadhead can be adjusted
by adjusting blade pivot arc. The range of pivot arc traveled by
the cutting blades is adjustable, and is determined by the position
of ferrule 26 on threaded rod 24 that extends rearwardly from
elongated body 12. The particular pivot arc utilized is dependent
on the desired cutting diameter. Preferably the pivot arc is in the
range of about 110 degrees to about 160 degrees, preferably about
135 degrees.
[0023] Deployment of cutting blades 16, 18 and 20 is further
illustrated in FIG. 3. The cutting blades 16, 18 and 20 are
deployed outwardly from respective longitudinally extending slots
27, 28 and 29 which are substantially parallel to the longitudinal
axis of elongated body 12 but are offset from that axis. An
enlarged perspective view of faceted tip 14 having tip cutting
edges 15 is shown in FIG. 4.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a typical cutting blade 16 for mechanical
broadhead 10. A plurality of cutting blades, such as that shown in
FIG. 5, carried by broadhead 10 are situated symmetrically relative
to and about the longitudinal axis of elongated body 12. At least
two, and preferably three, independently deployable cutting blades
are pivotably mounted to elongated body 12.
[0025] Cutting blade 16 has a pointed, sharp-edged configuration, a
leading, deltoid head portion 36 and a unitary stem portion 38 that
extends rearwardly from the head portion. Stem portion 38 defines
pivot pin aperture 40 at its extremity, i.e., at the distal end
portion of stem portion 38. Major cutting edge 44 extends
substantially along the entire length of cutting blade 16. An
additional, minor cutting edge 46 is provided in head portion 36.
Major cutting edge 44 and minor cutting edge 46 intersect and
together define an included acute angle alpha (.alpha.), preferably
in the range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, more
preferably about 45 degrees.
[0026] Grab hook 42 unitary with head portion 36 is provided
outboard of and spaced from minor cutting edge 46 by recess or
cut-out 43 in head portion 36 of cutting blade 16. Preferably, grab
hook 42 projects or extends forwardly from minor cutting edge 46.
Grab hook 42 enhances positive deployment of cutting blade 16 from
the folded position to the extended position by grabbing the skin
or hide of the target animal upon entry of the cutting blade.
[0027] Stem portion 38 also defines a series of notches such a
notch 48 on the side of stem portion 38 opposite major cutting edge
44. An elastomeric retainer such as o-ring 22 (FIG. 1) selectively
engages such notches to provide a desired consistent retaining
force or tension on the cutting blades while the broadhead-carrying
arrow is in flight toward a target and also precludes premature
deployment of the cutting blades.
[0028] Another broadhead embodying the present invention is shown
in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. In this particular embodiment the overall
arrangement of parts is the same as that for mechanical broadhead
10, but the body portion as well as the pivotable cutting blades
mounted thereto are relatively shorter than the corresponding parts
for broadhead 10. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7,
cutting blades 56, 58 and 60 of broadhead 50 are pivotably mounted
to elongated body 52 by pins such as pivot pins 70 and 74 and are
held in a folded position by o-ring 62 or the like. Longitudinally
extending slots, such as slot 69 for cutting blade 60, are provided
for each of the cutting blades and are offset from the longitudinal
axis of body 52 in same manner as slots 27, 28 and 29 discussed
hereinabove. Threaded rod 64 extends from body portion 52 from the
end thereof opposite to penetrating tip 54 and is adapted to be
threadedly received into the shaft of an arrow. Threaded rod 64
also carries an internally threaded ferrule 66 that is positioned
along rod 64 and serves to limit the pivot arc for the pivotably
mounted cutting blades. Ferrule 66 can engage a notch on the back
side of the cutting blades as can be seen in FIG. 8 when cutting
blades 56 and 58 are in the extended position.
[0029] Features of the cutting blades for the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are illustrated in FIG. 9 which shows cutting
blade 56 having a deltoid head portion 76 unitary with stem 78.
[0030] Minor cutting edge 86 and major cutting edge 84 on cutting
blade 56 intersect and together define an acute angle beta (.beta.)
which can be the same as, or different from the acute angle .alpha.
for cutting blade 16 discussed hereinabove. Major cutting edge 84
extends along substantially the entire longitudinal dimension of
cutting blade 56. Grab hook 82 is situated at the distal end of
minor cutting edge 86 and is spaced therefrom by about two
thickness dimensions of the cutting blade by recess 83 in cutting
blade 56. The margin of cutting blade 56 opposite to major cutting
edge 84 is provided with three notches such as notch sized to
receive o-ring 62 (FIGS. 6 and 7) or the like elastomeric retainer.
Pivot pin aperture 80 is provided at the distal end portion of stem
portion 78.
[0031] An alternate cutting blade for broadhead 50 is depicted in
FIG. 10. Cutting blade 96 has a pointed, sharp-edged configuration
similar to that of cutting blade 56 (FIG. 9), has a head portion
106 and a unitary stem portion 108, but in addition is provided
with cut-out 91 in head portion 106 and with cut-outs 93 and 95 in
stem portion 108 to minimize the weight of cutting blade 96. Pivot
pin aperture 110 is sized to receive a pivot pin for pivotable
mounting to the body of a mechanical broadhead. Major cutting edge
114 along one side of the cutting blade 96 intersects with minor
cutting edge 116 in head portion 106 and together with minor
cutting edge 116 forms an acute angle. Grab hook 112 is provided at
the distal end of minor cutting edge 116 adjacent thereto and
performs the same function as grab hooks 42 and 82 on cutting
blades 16 and 56, respectively.
[0032] The foregoing description and the drawings are illustrative
of the present invention. Still other variants and rearrangements
of parts are possible and will readily present themselves to those
skilled in the art.
* * * * *