U.S. patent application number 17/141382 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-20 for archery projectile location facility.
This patent application is currently assigned to Archery Intelligence, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Archery Intelligence, LLC. Invention is credited to Joan de Magrina Calaf, Jordi Vaquer Tarrago, Josep Lluis Vaquer Tarrago.
Application Number | 20210148686 17/141382 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005370647 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-20 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20210148686 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vaquer Tarrago; Jordi ; et
al. |
May 20, 2021 |
ARCHERY PROJECTILE LOCATION FACILITY
Abstract
An archery projectile locating facility comprises an elongated
body. The elongated body includes a connection facility adapted to
connect to the archery projectile. The elongated body includes a
microcontroller. The elongated body includes a sensor facility in
communication with the microcontroller and operable to detect a
flight state. The elongated body includes a transmitter in
communication with the microcontroller and operable to broadcast at
least one data signal after the flight state has been detected. The
at least one data signal includes information generated by the
sensor facility.
Inventors: |
Vaquer Tarrago; Jordi;
(Tarragona, ES) ; Vaquer Tarrago; Josep Lluis;
(Valls, ES) ; de Magrina Calaf; Joan; (La Selva
del Camp, ES) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Archery Intelligence, LLC |
Stamford |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Archery Intelligence, LLC
Stamford
CT
|
Family ID: |
1000005370647 |
Appl. No.: |
17/141382 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16198508 |
Nov 21, 2018 |
10914561 |
|
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17141382 |
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62621089 |
Jan 24, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 12/385 20130101;
F42B 15/08 20130101; F41B 5/14 20130101; F42B 6/04 20130101; F42B
12/365 20130101; F42B 6/08 20130101; G01P 3/665 20130101; F42B
12/362 20130101; F42B 12/382 20130101; G01P 15/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F42B 12/38 20060101
F42B012/38; F42B 6/08 20060101 F42B006/08; F41B 5/14 20060101
F41B005/14; F42B 6/04 20060101 F42B006/04; F42B 12/36 20060101
F42B012/36; F42B 15/08 20060101 F42B015/08; G01P 3/66 20060101
G01P003/66; G01P 15/18 20060101 G01P015/18 |
Claims
1. An archery projectile locating facility comprising: an elongated
body; the elongated body including a connection facility adapted to
connect to the archery projectile; the elongated body including a
microcontroller; the elongated body including a sensor facility in
communication with the microcontroller and operable to detect a
flight state; the elongated body including a transmitter in
communication with the microcontroller and having a multiple power
digital amplifier and operable to broadcast a plurality of data
signals after the flight state has been detected, the plurality of
data signals including information generated by the sensor
facility; and wherein the transmitter is operable to transmit a
first of the plurality of data signals at a first signal
characteristic and to transmit a second of the plurality of data
signals at a second signal characteristic, the first signal
characteristic distinct from the second signal characteristic.
2. The locating facility according to claim 1, including a
directional receiver adapted to receive the at least one data
signal, such that the elongated body may be located by a user with
the directional receiver.
3. The locating facility according to claim 1, wherein the
elongated body is removably received in a rear aperture of a hollow
arrow shaft.
4. The locating facility according to claim 3, including a stop
element connected to the elongated body and having a radial
protrusion.
5. The locating facility according to claim 4, wherein the stop
element includes a cylindrical body adapted to be staked to a rear
end of a hollow arrow shaft, and defines a bore adapted to receive
a portion of a nock removably connected to the hollow arrow
shaft.
6. The locating facility according to claim 4, wherein the hollow
arrow shaft has a shaft radius and the radial protrusion extends to
a greater radius than the shaft radius, such that the radial
protrusion is adapted to contact target animal tissue to prevent
the elongated body from penetrating beyond a target animal even as
the hollow arrow shaft may penetrate beyond.
7. The locating facility according to claim 6, wherein the hollow
arrow shaft has fletching, and the stop element has a plurality of
radial protrusions adapted to substantially align with the
fletching when staked to a rear end of the hollow arrow shaft.
8. The locating facility according to claim 6, wherein the radial
protrusion is a planar fin element having a plane parallel to an
axis defined by the elongated body.
9. The locating facility according to claim 4, wherein the stop
element is connected to the elongated body by a tether.
10. The locating facility according to claim 4, including a nock
connected to the elongated body by a tether.
11. The locating facility according to claim 1, including an
antenna in electrical communication with the transmitter.
12. The locating facility according to claim 11, wherein the
antenna is an elongated wire connected at one end to the elongated
body.
13. The locating facility according to claim 12, wherein the
antenna has a free end free of the elongated body.
14. The locating facility according to claim 1, the sensor facility
including a temperature sensor adapted to generate temperature
information on the elongated body.
15. The locating facility according to claim 14, wherein the
transmitter is adapted to transmit the temperature information as
part of the at least one data signal.
16. The locating facility according to claim 1, including an energy
storage device in electrical communication with the microcontroller
and the sensor facility, and wherein the sensor facility is
operable to generate energy status information.
17. The locating facility according to claim 16, wherein the
transmitter is adapted to transmit the energy status information as
part of the at least one data signal.
18. The locating facility according to claim 1, the sensor facility
including an acceleration sensor adapted to generate movement
information.
19. The locating facility according to claim 18, wherein the
transmitter is adapted to transmit the movement information as part
of the at least one data signal.
20. The locating facility according to claim 3, wherein the
elongated body is slidably received in the hollow arrow shaft such
that the elongated body is removable from the hollow arrow shaft
with limited force.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/198,508, filed 21 Nov. 2018, entitled
"ARCHERY PROJECTILE LOCATION FACILITY," which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/621,089, filed 24 Jan. 2018,
which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to archery
projectiles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to
locating archery projectiles after a flight has been initiated.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0003] Many archery projectiles are lost after flight and are not
recovered. For example, archery projectiles that miss an intended
target may be lost in forests, shrubs, and/or grass.
[0004] Many game animals are targeted by hunters using archery
projectiles. Many of these game animals are injured after being
impacted by an archery projectile. However, some of the injured
game animals may not be recovered by the hunters. Many existing
archery projectile tracking systems may not be adaptable to assist
in the tracking of an injured animal when the projectile completely
passes through the animal or is damaged from animal movement.
[0005] Many existing disclosures on archery projectile tracking
systems are based on the intended use of the Global Positioning
System (GPS) for location. However, many GPS receivers are too
large to be inserted into a hollow arrow shaft. In addition, a
transmitter co-located with a GPS receiver may not be able to
establish a connection with a remote receiver to transfer GPS based
location information when signal transmissions are blocked by
terrain and/or dense vegetation. Many existing archery projectile
tracking systems are configured to emit radio signals. However,
radio signals emitted at a single power level may limit the
effective range of a directional receiver. For example, an emitter
transmitting a high-powered signal may overload the front end of
the directional receiver preventing the determination of a
direction of the emitter when the distance to the emitter is a
short distance. For example, an emitter transmitting a low-powered
signal may not be detected by the front end of the direction
receiver preventing the determination of a direction of the emitter
when the distance to the emitter is a long distance. Many existing
archery projectile tracking systems are configured to emit analog
signals. Transmission of multiple analog signals in a single
hunting zone may cause confusion to the users of one or more
receivers.
[0006] Many existing archery projectile tracking systems may not be
adapted easily to a plurality of third-party arrow shafts and/or a
plurality of third-party broadheads. Employment of many existing
archery projectile tracking systems may negatively impact the
trajectory and/or the kinetic energy of archery projectiles during
flight, especially over ranges required in many hunting situations.
Employment of many existing archery projectile tracking systems may
negatively impact the penetration depth into a target game
animal.
[0007] What is needed is an improved archery projectile location
facility.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0008] At least some embodiments of the present disclosure provide
an archery projectile locating facility. The archery projectile
locating facility comprises an elongated body. The elongated body
includes a connection facility adapted to connect to the archery
projectile. The elongated body includes a microcontroller. The
elongated body includes a sensor facility in communication with the
microcontroller and operable to detect a flight state. The
elongated body includes a transmitter in communication with the
microcontroller and operable to broadcast at least one data signal
after the flight state has been detected. The at least one data
signal includes information generated by the sensor facility.
[0009] The archery projectile locating facility may include a
directional receiver. The directional receiver may be adapted to
receive the at least one data signal, such that the elongated body
may be located by a user with the directional receiver.
[0010] The elongated body may be removably received in a rear
aperture of a hollow arrow shaft.
[0011] The archery projectile locating facility may include a stop
element connected to the elongated body and having a radial
protrusion.
[0012] The stop element may include a cylindrical body adapted to
be staked to a rear end of a hollow arrow shaft. The stop element
may define a bore adapted to receive a portion of a nock removably
connected to the hollow arrow shaft.
[0013] The hollow arrow shaft may have a shaft radius. The radial
protrusion may extend to a greater radius than the shaft radius,
such that the radial protrusion is adapted to contact target animal
tissue to prevent the elongated body from penetrating beyond a
target animal even as the hollow arrow shaft may penetrate
beyond.
[0014] The hollow arrow shaft may have fletching. The stop element
may have a plurality of radial protrusions adapted to substantially
align with the fletching when staked to a rear end of the hollow
arrow shaft.
[0015] The radial protrusion may be a planar fin element having a
plane parallel to an axis defined by the elongated body.
[0016] The stop element may be connected to the elongated body by a
tether.
[0017] The archery projectile locating facility may include a nock
connected to the elongated body by a tether.
[0018] The archery projectile locating facility may include an
antenna in electrical communication with the transmitter.
[0019] The antenna may be an elongated wire connected at one end to
the elongated body.
[0020] The antenna may have a free end free of the elongated
body.
[0021] The sensor facility may include a temperature sensor adapted
to generate temperature information on the elongated body.
[0022] The transmitter may be adapted to transmit the temperature
information as part of the at least one data signal.
[0023] The archery projectile locating facility may include an
energy storage device in electrical communication with the
microcontroller and the sensor facility. The sensor facility may be
operable to generate energy status information.
[0024] The transmitter may be adapted to transmit the energy status
information as part of the at least one data signal.
[0025] The sensor facility may include an acceleration sensor
adapted to generate movement information.
[0026] The transmitter may be adapted to transmit the movement
information as part of the at least one data signal.
[0027] The elongated body may be slidably received in the hollow
arrow shaft such that the elongated body is removable from the
hollow arrow shaft with limited force.
[0028] The stop element may be connected to the hollow arrow shaft
by way of a slip fit.
[0029] The elongated body may include a signal designator.
[0030] The at least one data signal may be encrypted based on the
signal designator.
[0031] The directional receiver may be further adapted to decrypt
the at least one data signal through employment of the signal
designator.
[0032] The directional receiver may be further adapted to
communicate at least one of the following to a remote computing
device: location information, direction information, temperature
information, energy status information, and movement
information.
[0033] Each of the at least one data signal may be encoded based on
a transmit power level.
[0034] The directional receiver is further adapted to decode the at
least one data signal.
[0035] A first of the at least one data signal may be transmitted
at a first power level and a second of the at least one data signal
may be transmitted at a second power level. The first power level
may be distinct from the second power level.
[0036] The first of the at least one data signal may be encoded
with a first signal code. The second of the at least one data
signal may be encoded with a second signal code. The first signal
code may be distinct from the second signal code.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility with an optional compound bow and an optional archery
projectile according to various aspects of an embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates an example archery projectile with an
example archery projectile locating facility installed according to
various aspects of an embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility with an optional example hollow arrow shaft according to
an aspect of an embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility with an optional example hollow arrow shaft according to
an aspect of an embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility installed in an optional example hollow arrow shaft
according to an aspect of an embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility with an optional example hollow arrow shaft according to
an aspect of an embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility partially assembled for insertion into an optional example
hollow arrow shaft according to an aspect of an embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 8 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility partially installed into an optional example hollow arrow
shaft according to an aspect of an embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 9 illustrates an example stop element according to an
aspect of an embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 10 illustrates an example archery projectile with an
example archery projectile locating facility travelling through a
cavity of a target animal according to an aspect of an
embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 11 illustrates an example archery projectile
penetrating beyond a cavity of a target animal, and an example
archery projectile locating facility separated from the archery
projectile according to an aspect of an embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 12 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility embedded in a cavity of a target animal according to an
aspect of an embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example archery
projectile locating facility as per an aspect of an embodiment.
[0050] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example data frame of
an archery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of an
embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 15 schematically illustrates an example elongated body
of an example archery projectile locating facility as per an aspect
of an embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 16 is a state diagram for an example elongated body of
an example archery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of
an embodiment.
[0053] FIG. 17 illustrates an example direction receiver of an
example archery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of an
embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example directional
receiver system of an archery projectile locating facility as per
various aspects of an embodiment.
[0055] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example directional
receiver system of an archery projectile locating facility as per
various aspects of an embodiment.
[0056] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example data frame of
a directional receiver as per an aspect of an embodiment.
[0057] FIG. 21 is a state diagram for an example directional
receiver of an example archery projectile locating facility as per
an aspect of an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0058] Embodiments of the present disclosure now will be described
more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. This
present disclosure 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 present disclosure.
[0059] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an
archery projectile locating facility. For the purposes of this
disclosure, archery projectiles may include but are not limited to
arrows and bolts.
[0060] At least some embodiments of the present disclosure provide
specific information related to an injured animal to increase the
efficiency of hunters tracking the injured animal. Employment of
the specific information may increase the likelihood of
successfully finding the injured animal. Examples of this specific
information include but are not limited to: location of the animal,
whether or not the animal is moving, temperature of the animal,
combinations thereof, and/or the like. Data on the location of the
animal or direction to the location of the animal may be employed
by the hunters to determine a direction to search. Accurate data on
animal movement may be employed by the hunters to determine when to
begin a search. Accurate data on animal temperature may be employed
by the hunters to determine when to begin a search and/or whether
an animal is safe to approach.
[0061] FIG. 1 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility 100 with an optional compound bow 2 and an optional
archery projectile according to various aspects of an embodiment.
The archery projectile locating facility 100 may comprise a stop
element 6 and a nock 8. The archery projectile may comprise a
hollow arrow shaft 4, and a tip or broadhead. The archery
projectile locating facility 100 may comprise a directional
receiver 30. The directional receiver 30 may be in electrical
communication with a directional antenna 32. The directional
receiver 30 may be in wireless communication with the directional
antenna 32. The compound bow 2 may be configured to shoot archery
projectiles such as the one illustrated for example purposes.
[0062] FIG. 2 illustrates an example archery projectile 200 with an
example archery projectile locating facility installed according to
various aspects of an embodiment. The archery projectile 200 may
comprise a hollow shaft 4 and a broadhead 10. The archery
projectile locating facility may comprise a stop element 6 and a
nock 8.
[0063] FIG. 3 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility 300 with an optional example hollow arrow shaft 4
according to an aspect of an embodiment. The archery projectile
locating facility 300 may comprise an elongated body 20. The
elongated body 20 may be removably received in a rear aperture of
the hollow arrow shaft 4. The archery projectile locating facility
300 may include a stop element 6. The stop element 6 may have a
radial protrusion. The stop element 6 may be connected to the
hollow arrow shaft 4 by way of a slip fit. The archery projectile
locating facility 300 may include a nock 8 connected to the
elongated body 20 by a tether 16. The archery projectile locating
facility 300 may include an energy storage device 14 connected to
the elongated body 20. The energy storage device 14 and/or the
elongated body 20 may be coated in water resistant material (e.g.
resin). The archery projectile locating facility 300 may include an
antenna 12. The antenna 12 may comprise an elongated wire connected
at one end to the elongated body 20. The elongated body 20 may
comprise an Light Emitting Diode (LED) 18. The LED may be activated
upon detection of a flight state and/or a detection of impact.
[0064] According to an embodiment, a width of an elongated body
(e.g. 20) may be less than 4.5 mm. The length of the elongated body
(e.g. 20) may be less than 120 mm. The weight of the elongated body
(e.g. 20) may be less than 40 grains.
[0065] FIG. 4 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility 400 with an optional example hollow arrow shaft 4
according to an aspect of an embodiment. The archery projectile
locating facility 400 may comprise an elongated body 20. The
elongated body 20 may be removably received in a rear aperture of
the hollow arrow shaft 4. The hollow arrow shaft 4 may comprise
fletching 24. The archery projectile locating facility 400 may
include a stop element 6. The stop element 6 may have a radial
protrusion. The archery projectile locating facility 400 may
include a nock 8 connected to the elongated body 20 by a tether 16.
The archery projectile locating facility 400 may include an antenna
12. The antenna 12 may comprise an elongated wire connected at one
end to the elongated body 20. The antenna 12 may have a free end
free of the elongated body 20. The elongated body 20 may include a
signal designator 28. The signal designator 28 may be presented or
communicated in a variety of ways. Examples include but are not
limited to: a barcode, a Quick Reference (QR) code (as shown), an
alpha-numeric code, a Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) tag, a
Near-field Communication (NFC) device, combinations thereof, and/or
the like. A distinct signal designator 28 may be included for each
of a plurality of elongated bodies (e.g. 20) so that each of the
plurality of elongated bodies (e.g. 20) may be distinguished from
each other.
[0066] FIG. 5 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility 500 installed in an optional example hollow arrow shaft 4
according to an aspect of an embodiment. The hollow arrow shaft 4
may comprise fletching 24. The archery projectile locating facility
500 may include a stop element 6. The stop element 6 may have a
radial protrusion. The stop element 6 may include a cylindrical
body. The stop element 6 may be adapted to be staked to a rear end
of the hollow arrow shaft 4. The cylindrical body may define a bore
adapted to receive a portion of a nock 8 removably connected to the
hollow arrow shaft 4. The stop element 6 may comprise a plurality
of radial protrusions. The plurality of radial protrusions may be
adapted to substantially align with the fletching 24 when staked to
a rear end of the hollow arrow shaft 4 as shown. The plurality of
radial protrusions may have a lower profile than the fletching
24.
[0067] FIG. 6 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility 600 with an optional example hollow arrow shaft 4
according to an aspect of an embodiment. The archery projectile
locating facility 600 may comprise an elongated body 20. The
elongated body 20 may be removably received in a rear aperture of
the hollow arrow shaft 4. The elongated body 20 may include a
connection facility adapted to connect to an archery projectile.
The archery projectile may include the hollow arrow shaft 4. The
connection facility may comprise at least one dimension of the
elongated body 20. The connection facility may comprise a retention
button 22. The retention button 22 may be compressible. The
retention button 22 may comprise an O-ring. The retention button 22
may comprise a rubber gasket. The connection facility may be
adapted to retain the elongated body 20 in the hollow arrow shaft
4. The connection facility may be adapted to retain the elongated
body 20 in a plurality of hollow arrow shafts with a plurality of
rear aperture interior diameters. The elongated body 20 may be
slidably received in the hollow arrow shaft 4 such that the
elongated body 20 is removable from the hollow arrow shaft 4 with
limited force. The hollow arrow shaft 4 may comprise fletching 24.
The archery projectile locating facility 600 may include a nock 8.
The nock 8 may be connected to the elongated body 20 by a tether
16. The tether 16 may be connected at or near the middle of the
elongated body 20. Connection of the tether 16 at or near the
middle of the elongated body 20 may reduce the likelihood of
premature removal of the elongated body 20 from a target game
animal. The archery projectile locating facility 600 may include an
antenna 12. The antenna 12 may comprise an elongated wire connected
at one end to the elongated body 20. The antenna 12 may have a free
end free of the elongated body 20. The archery projectile locating
facility 600 may include a stop element 6. The stop element 6 may
have a radial protrusion. The stop element 6 may be connected to
the elongated body by the tether 16. Alternatively, the stop
element 6 may comprise a bore adapted to fit over the antenna 12,
the elongated body 20, and the tether 16, as shown.
[0068] FIG. 7 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility 700 partially assembled for insertion into an optional
example hollow arrow shaft 4 according to an aspect of an
embodiment. The archery projectile locating facility 700 may
comprise an elongated body 20. The elongated body 20 may be
removably received in a rear aperture of the hollow arrow shaft 4.
The elongated body 20 may include a connection facility adapted to
connect to an archery projectile. The connection facility may
comprise a retention button 22. The archery projectile may include
the hollow arrow shaft 4. The hollow arrow shaft 4 may comprise
fletching 24. The archery projectile locating facility 700 may
include a nock 8 connected to the elongated body 20 by a tether 16.
The archery projectile locating facility 700 may include a stop
element 6. The stop element 6 may be connected to the nock 8 by way
of a slip fit. The archery projectile locating facility 700 may
include an antenna 12. The antenna 12 may comprise an elongated
wire connected at one end to the elongated body 20. The antenna 12
may have a free end free of the elongated body 20.
[0069] FIG. 8 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility 800 partially installed into an optional example hollow
arrow shaft 4 according to an aspect of an embodiment. The archery
projectile locating facility 800 may comprise an elongated body 20.
The elongated body 20 may be removably received in a rear aperture
5 of the hollow arrow shaft 4. The elongated body 20 may include a
connection facility adapted to connect to an archery projectile.
The connection facility may comprise a retention button 22. The
archery projectile may include the hollow arrow shaft 4. The
archery projectile locating facility 800 may include a nock 8
connected to the elongated body 20 by a tether 16. The nock 8 may
comprise a shaft mating surface 9. The shaft mating surface 9 may
be adapted to be removable received in the rear aperture 5 of the
hollow arrow shaft 4. The shaft mating surface 9 may be connected
to the hollow arrow shaft 4 by way of a slip fit. The archery
projectile locating facility 700 may include a stop element 6. The
stop element 6 may define a bore adapted to receive the shaft
mating surface 9. The stop element 6 may be adapted to connect to
the shaft mating surface 9 of the nock 8 by way of a slip fit. The
stop element 6 may comprise a radial protrusion 26. The radial
protrusion 26 may comprise a planar fin element having a plane
parallel to an axis defined by the elongated body 20.
[0070] FIG. 9 illustrates an example stop element 900 according to
an aspect of an embodiment. The stop element 900 may include a
cylindrical body 28. The cylindrical body 28 may define a bore 7
adapted to receive a portion of a nock. The stop element 900 may
comprise a plurality of radial protrusions 26.
[0071] FIG. 10 illustrates an example archery projectile with an
example archery projectile locating facility travelling through a
cavity 40 of a target animal according to an aspect of an
embodiment. The archery projectile may include a hollow arrow shaft
4. The hollow arrow shaft 4 may have a shaft radius. The archery
projectile locating facility may comprise an elongated body 20. The
archery projectile locating facility may include a nock 8. The nock
8 may be connected to the elongated body 20 by a tether 16. The
archery projectile locating facility may include a stop element 6.
The stop element 6 may have a radial protrusion. The radial
protrusion may extend to a greater radius than the shaft radius,
such that the radial protrusion is adapted to contact target animal
tissue (e.g. entrance side skin 41 of cavity 40) and prevent
complete penetration of the stop element 6 and the nock 8 into the
cavity 40 even if the archery projectile penetrates beyond the
target animal (e.g. exit side skin 43 of cavity 40).
[0072] FIG. 11 illustrates an example archery projectile
penetrating beyond a cavity 40 of a target animal, and an example
archery projectile locating facility separated from the archery
projectile according to an aspect of an embodiment. The archery
projectile may include a hollow arrow shaft 4. The hollow arrow
shaft 4 may have a shaft radius. The archery projectile locating
facility may comprise an elongated body 20. The archery projectile
locating facility may include an antenna 12. The antenna 12 may
comprise an elongated wire connected at one end to the elongated
body 20. The archery projectile locating facility may include a
nock 8. The nock 8 may be connected to the elongated body 20 by a
tether 16. The archery projectile locating facility may include a
stop element 6. The stop element 6 may have a radial protrusion.
The radial protrusion may extend to a greater radius than the shaft
radius, such that the radial protrusion is adapted to contact
target animal tissue (e.g. entrance side skin 41 of cavity 40) to
prevent the elongated body 20 from penetrating beyond a target
animal (e.g. exit side skin 43 of cavity 40) even as the archery
projectile may penetrate beyond the target animal (e.g. exit side
skin 43 of cavity 40).
[0073] FIG. 12 illustrates an example archery projectile locating
facility embedded in a cavity 40 of a target animal according to an
aspect of an embodiment. The archery projectile locating facility
may have been separated from an archery projectile as the archery
projectile travelled into target animal tissue (e.g. entrance side
skin 41 of cavity 40), through the cavity 40, and beyond the target
animal (e.g. exit side skin 43 of cavity 40). The archery
projectile locating facility may comprise an elongated body 20. The
archery projectile locating facility may include an antenna 12. The
antenna 12 may comprise an elongated wire connected at one end to
the elongated body 20. The archery projectile locating facility may
include a nock 8. The nock 8 may be connected to the elongated body
20 by a tether 16. The tether 16 may be connected at or near the
middle of the elongated body 20. Connection of the tether 16 at or
near the middle of the elongated body 20 may reduce the likelihood
of premature removal of the elongated body 20 from the cavity 40.
The archery projectile locating facility may include a stop element
6. The stop element 6 may have a radial protrusion.
[0074] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example archery
projectile locating facility 1300 as per an aspect of an
embodiment. The archery projectile locating facility 1300 may
comprise a transmitter 50. The transmitter 50 may comprise a
temperature sensor 52. The transmitter 50 may comprise a processing
unit 54. The transmitter 50 may comprise a multiple power digital
amplifier 56. The archery projectile locating facility 1300 may
comprise an antenna 12 in electrical communication with the
transmitter 50. The antenna 12 may be in electrical communication
with the multiple power digital amplifier 56. The archery
projectile locating facility 1300 may comprise a microcontroller
60. The transmitter 50 may be in communication with the
microcontroller 60. The archery projectile locating facility 1300
may comprise a sensor facility 600 in communication with the
microcontroller 60. The sensor facility 600 may comprise the
microcontroller 60. The sensor facility 600 may comprise an
acceleration sensor 62. The acceleration sensor 62 may be adapted
to generate acceleration information. The sensor facility 600 may
be operable to detect a flight state. The microcontroller 60 may be
operable to detect a flight state based on the acceleration
information. The microcontroller 60 may be operable to detect an
impact. The microcontroller 60 may be operable to detect an impact
based on the acceleration information. The microcontroller 60 may
be operable to generate movement information after an impact has
been detected. The movement information may comprise a binary
representation of movement based on the acceleration information.
The archery projectile locating facility 1300 may comprise an
energy storage device 14. The energy storage device 14 may be in
electrical communication with a power management facility 70. The
power management facility 70 may comprise an energy storage monitor
72. The power management facility 70 may comprise a voltage
regulator 74. The energy storage device 14 may be in electrical
communication with the microcontroller 60. The energy storage
device 14 may be in electrical communication with the
microcontroller 60 through the power management facility 70. The
sensor facility 600 may comprise the energy storage monitor 72. The
energy storage monitor 72 may be adapted to generate energy status
information. The sensor facility 600 may comprise the temperature
sensor 52. The temperature sensor 52 may be adapted to generate
temperature information. The transmitter 50 may be operable to
broadcast at least one data signal after the flight state has been
detected. The at least one data signal may include information
generated by the sensor facility 600. The transmitter 50 may be
adapted to transmit the acceleration information as part of the at
least one data signal. The acceleration information may comprise
binary data on movement information. The movement information may
be based on the acceleration information. The acceleration
information may comprise acceleration data on three axes generated
by the acceleration sensor 62. The transmitter 50 may be adapted to
transmit the energy status information as part of the at least one
data signal. The transmitter 50 may be adapted to transmit the
temperature information as part of the at least one data
signal.
[0075] According to an embodiment, an energy storage device (e.g.
14) may be adapted to power a transmitter (e.g. 50) for a range to
12 to 96 consecutive hours.
[0076] According to an embodiment, a transmitter (e.g. 50) may be
adapted to transmit at one or more of a plurality of frequencies.
The plurality of frequencies may be part of one or more frequency
bands. The plurality of frequencies and/or the one or more
frequency bands may be specific to a particular jurisdiction and/or
region of intended use. Each frequency in the plurality of
frequencies may be based on a signal identifier. For example, in an
example jurisdiction, the plurality of frequencies may comprise 434
MHz and 868 MHz. A directional receiver (e.g. 30) may be adapted to
receive data frames transmitted at one or more of the plurality of
frequencies. The one or more of the plurality of frequencies may be
based on providing a range of up to 1 to 3 miles between the
transmitter (e.g. 50) and the directional receiver (e.g. 30).
[0077] According to an embodiment, at least one data signal may be
encrypted. Encryption may be based on a signal designator (e.g.
28). A directional receiver (e.g. 30) may be adapted to decrypt the
at least one data signal through employment of the signal
designator (e.g. 28). The directional receiver (e.g. 30) may be
required to receive or capture the signal designator (e.g. 28) from
an elongated body (e.g. 20) prior to decrypting the at least one
data signal.
[0078] According to an embodiment, a first of at least one data
signal may be transmitted at a first power level. A second of the
at least one data signal may be transmitted at a second power
level. The first power level is distinct from the second power
level. The first power level and the second power level may
correspond to the transmit power of a multiple power digital
amplifier (e.g. 56).
[0079] According to an embodiment, each of a plurality of data
signals may be encoded with a signal code. The signal code may be
based on a transmit power level of a multiple power digital
amplifier (e.g. 56). A directional receiver (e.g. 30) may be
adapted to decode the plurality of data signals. The directional
receiver (e.g. 30) may be programmed with a plurality of signal
codes. The directional receiver (e.g. 30) may be adapted to select
one of the plurality of data signals to decode based on a received
power level. For example, when a high power level for a first of
the plurality of data signals is received, the directional receiver
(e.g. 30) may be adapted to select another data signal. For
example, when a low power level for a second of the plurality of
data signals is received, the directional receiver (e.g. 30) may be
adapted to select the second data signal. The directional receiver
(e.g. 30) may be adapted to select the data signal received at the
lowest power of all data signals received at a received power high
enough to maintain signal integrity (i.e. minimal or no loss of
signal and/or signal data).
[0080] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example data frame
1400 of an archery projectile locating facility as per an aspect of
an embodiment. The data frame 1400 may be transmitted by a
transmitter (e.g. 50) of an elongated body (e.g. 20). The data
frame 1400 may comprise an energy status information field 76. The
energy status information field 76 may comprise energy status
information. The data frame 1400 may comprise an acceleration
information field 64. The acceleration information field 64 may
comprise acceleration information. The acceleration information
field 64 may comprise movement information. The data frame 1400 may
comprise a temperature information field 58. The temperature
information field 58 may comprise temperature information. The data
frame 1400 may comprise a signal code field 78. The signal code
field 78 may comprise a signal code. The signal code may be based
on a power level employed by a multiple power digital amplifier
(e.g. 56) to transmit the data frame 1400. The data frame 1400 may
comprise a signal ID field 66. The signal ID 66 field may comprise
a signal designator. The signal designator may be unique to the
specific elongated body (e.g. 20) adapted to transmit data frames
comprising the signal designator.
[0081] FIG. 15 schematically illustrates an example elongated body
20 of an example archery projectile locating facility as per an
aspect of an embodiment. The elongated body 20 may comprise an LED
18. The elongated body 20 may comprise a sensor facility. The
elongated body 20 may comprise an acceleration sensor 62. The
sensor facility may comprise the acceleration sensor 62. The
acceleration sensor 62 may be adapted to generate acceleration
information on the elongated body 20. The elongated body 20 may
comprise a charge and/or debug connector 38. The elongated body 20
may comprise a microcontroller 60. The elongated body 20 may
comprise a computer readable medium 46. The computer readable
medium 46 may comprise instructions. The elongated body 20 may
comprise an oscillator 68. The elongated body 20 may comprise a
transmitter 50. The transmitter 50 may comprise a temperature
sensor (e.g. 52). The sensor facility may comprise the temperature
sensor (e.g. 52). The temperature sensor (e.g. 52) may be adapted
to generate temperature information on the elongated body 20. The
transmitter 50 may comprise a processing unit (e.g. 54). The
transmitter 50 may comprise a multiple power digital amplifier
(e.g. 56). The elongated body 20 may comprise an antenna filter 48.
The antenna filter may be in electrical communication with an
antenna 12. The elongated body 20 may comprise a power switch 42.
The elongated body 20 may comprise energy storage terminals 44. The
elongated body 20 may comprise a power management facility 70. The
power management facility 70 may comprise an energy storage monitor
(e.g. 72). The sensor facility may comprise the energy storage
monitor (e.g. 72). The energy storage monitor (e.g. 72) may be
adapted to generate energy status information. The energy status
information may comprise an indication of power remaining in an
energy storage device (e.g. 14). The power management facility 70
may comprise a voltage regulator (e.g. 74). The computer readable
medium 46 may be adapted to store information generated by the
acceleration sensor 62, the temperature sensor (e.g. 52), the
energy storage monitor (e.g. 72), the microcontroller 60,
combinations thereof, and/or the like.
[0082] FIG. 16 is a state diagram for an example elongated body
1600 of an example archery projectile locating facility as per an
aspect of an embodiment. The elongated body 1600 may be operable to
standby at 142. Upon a charger being connected at 160, the
elongated body 1600 may be operable to charge at 140. Upon a
charger being disconnected at 162, the elongated body 1600 may be
operable to standby at 142. Upon a shot being detected at 164, the
elongated body 1600 may enter into a flight state at 144. After a
flight state at 144, the elongated body 1600 may be operable to
enter into impact ready at 166. After impact ready at 166, the
elongated body 1600 may be operable to enter into a wait state at
146. Upon an impact being detected at 168, the elongated body 1600
may be operable to read data at 148. After data is read at 148, the
elongated body 1600 may be operable to enter data ready at 154.
Once data is ready at 154, the elongated body 1600 may be operable
to broadcast data at 150. Once data has been transmitted at 152,
the elongated body 1600 may be operable to return to the wait state
at 146.
[0083] FIG. 17 illustrates an example direction receiver system
1700 of an example archery projectile locating facility as per an
aspect of an embodiment. The direction receiver system 1700 may
comprise a directional receiver 30. The directional receiver 30 may
be in electrical communication with a directional antenna 32. The
directional antenna 32 may be collapsible. The directional antenna
32 may comprise an assembly of a plurality of directional antenna
sections. The directional receiver 30 may be adapted to receive at
least one data signal. The directional receiver 30 may be employed
by a user to locate an elongated body (e.g. 20). The directional
receiver 30 may be adapted to communicate with a remote computing
device 36. The directional receiver 30 and the remote computing
device 36 may be adapted to communicate via wireless network 34.
Examples of the wireless network 34 include but are not limited to:
Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, combinations thereof,
and/or the like.
[0084] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example directional
receiver system 1800 of an archery projectile locating facility as
per various aspects of an embodiment. The direction receiver system
1800 may comprise a directional receiver 30. The directional
receiver 30 may comprise a decoder 130. The decoder 130 may
comprise a processing unit 84. The decoder 130 may comprise a
signal strength meter 82. The decoder 130 may be in electrical
communication with a directional antenna 32. The directional
receiver 30 may comprise a battery 96. The directional receiver 30
may comprise a power management facility 90. The power management
facility 90 may comprise a battery monitor 92. The power management
facility 90 may comprise a voltage regulator 94. The power
management facility 90 may be in electrical communication with the
battery 96. The directional receiver 30 may comprise a
microcontroller 80. The microcontroller 80 may be in communication
with the decoder 130. The microcontroller 80 may be in electrical
communication with the battery 96. The microcontroller 80 may be in
electrical communication with the power management facility 90. The
directional receiver 30 may comprise a wireless modem 134. The
wireless modem 134 may be adapted to communicate with one or more
remote devices (e.g. 36) over wireless network 34. The wireless
modem 134 may be in communication with the microcontroller 80. The
directional receiver 30 may comprise an input/output interface 98.
The input/output interface 98 may be in electrical communication
with the microcontroller 80. The directional receiver 30 may
comprise a GPS receiver 86. The GPS receiver 86 may be in
communication with the microcontroller 80. The GPS receiver 86 may
be adapted to communicate location information of the directional
receiver 30. The directional receiver 30 may comprise a digital
compass 88. The digital compass 88 may be in communication with the
microcontroller 80. The digital compass 88 may be employed to
estimate an azimuth of the directional antenna 32. Direction
information may be communicated to the remote computing device 36.
The direction information may comprise the azimuth of the
directional antenna 32. The direction information may comprise an
estimated direction to a transmitter (e.g. 50) of at least one data
signal. The estimated direction may be based on the azimuth of the
directional antenna 32 and/or the received signal strength of the
at least one data signal. The directional receiver 30 may comprise
a trigger 180. The trigger 180 may be in communication with the
microcontroller 80. The trigger 180 may be employed to activate one
or more components of the directional receiver 30. The direction
receiver system 1800 may comprise a remote computing device 36. The
directional receiver 30 may be adapted to communicate with the
remote computing device 36. The directional receiver 30 may be
adapted to communicate the location information to the remote
computing device 36. The remote computing device 36 may comprise a
wireless modem 136. The wireless modem 136 may be adapted to
communicate with the directional receiver 30 over wireless network
34.
[0085] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example directional
receiver system 1900 of an archery projectile locating facility as
per various aspects of an embodiment. The direction receiver system
1900 may comprise a directional receiver 30. The directional
receiver 30 may comprise a decoder 130. The decoder 130 may
comprise a processing unit 84. The decoder 130 may comprise a
signal strength meter 82. The decoder 130 may be in electrical
communication with a directional antenna 32. The directional
receiver 30 may comprise a battery 96. The directional receiver 30
may comprise a power management facility 90. The power management
facility 90 may comprise a battery monitor 92. The power management
facility 90 may comprise a voltage regulator 94. The power
management facility 90 may be in electrical communication with the
battery 96. The directional receiver 30 may comprise a
microcontroller 80. The microcontroller 80 may be in communication
with the decoder 130. The microcontroller 80 may be in electrical
communication with the battery 96. The microcontroller 80 may be in
electrical communication with the power management facility 90. The
directional receiver 30 may comprise a wireless modem 134. The
wireless modem 134 may be adapted to communicate with one or more
remote devices (e.g. 36) over wireless network 34. The wireless
modem 134 may be in communication with the microcontroller 80. The
directional receiver 30 may comprise an input/output interface 98.
The input/output interface 98 may be in electrical communication
with the microcontroller 80. The directional receiver 30 may
comprise a trigger 180. The trigger 180 may be in communication
with the microcontroller 80. The trigger 180 may be employed to
activate one or more components of the directional receiver 30. The
direction receiver system 1900 may comprise a remote computing
device 36. The directional receiver 30 may be adapted to
communicate with the remote computing device 36. The remote
computing device 36 may comprise a wireless modem 136. The wireless
modem 136 may be adapted to communicate with the directional
receiver 30 over wireless network 34. The remote computing device
36 may comprise a GPS receiver 186. The GPS receiver 186 may be in
communication with the wireless modem 136. The remote computing
device 36 may comprise a digital compass 188. The digital compass
188 may be in communication with the wireless modem 136.
[0086] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example data frame
2000 of a directional receiver as per an aspect of an embodiment.
The directional receiver (e.g. 30) may be adapted to communicate
information to one or more remote computing devices (e.g. 36). The
data frame 2000 may be transmitted by a wireless modem (e.g. 134)
of a directional receiver (e.g. 30) to the one or more remote
computing devices (e.g. 36). The data frame 2000 may comprise a
frame information field 210. The frame information field 210 may
comprise frame information. The frame information may comprise an
indication of frame integrity based on a data frame (e.g. 1400)
received from an elongated body (e.g. 20). For example, the frame
information may be configured to indicate a loss of data frames
and/or part of a data frame. For example, the frame information may
be configured to indicate a corrupted data frame. The data frame
2000 may comprise an energy status information field 276. The
energy status information field 276 may comprise energy status
information. The energy status information may be received in the
data frame (e.g. 1400) transmitted from the elongated body (e.g.
20). The data frame 2000 may comprise a power information field
220. The power information field 220 may comprise power
information. The power information may comprise an indication of a
power level of the data frame (e.g. 1400) received from the
elongated body (e.g. 20). The power level may be measured by a
signal strength meter (e.g. 82) of the directional receiver (e.g.
30). The power level may be based on a distance to the elongated
body (e.g. 20). The power level may be based on an angle between
the elongated body (e.g. 20) and a directional antenna (e.g. 32).
The data frame 2000 may comprise a signal code field 278. The
signal code field 278 may comprise a signal code. The signal code
may be received in the data frame (e.g. 1400) transmitted from the
elongated body (e.g. 20). The signal code may be based on a power
level employed by a multiple power digital amplifier (e.g. 56) of
the elongated body (e.g. 20) to transmit the data frame (e.g.
1400). The data frame 2000 may comprise a movement information
field 264. The movement information field 264 may comprise movement
information. The movement information may comprise acceleration
information. The acceleration information may be received in the
data frame (e.g. 1400) transmitted from the elongated body (e.g.
20). The movement information may comprise a binary representation
of movement of the elongated body (e.g. 20) based the acceleration
information. The binary representation of movement may comprise two
states: zero movement based on zero acceleration, and some movement
based on some acceleration. The data frame 2000 may comprise a
temperature information field 258. The temperature information
field 258 may comprise temperature information. The temperature
information may be received in the data frame (e.g. 1400)
transmitted from the elongated body (e.g. 20). The data frame 2000
may comprise a signal ID field 266. The signal ID field 266 may
comprise a signal designator. The signal designator may be required
to decrypt an encrypted data frame (e.g. 1400) transmitted from the
elongated body (e.g. 20).
[0087] According to an embodiment, a directional receiver (e.g. 30)
may be adapted to communicate information to one or more remote
computing devices (e.g. 36). The information may be communicated
through employment of at least one data frame (e.g. 2000). For
example, a first data frame may comprise the following data: [0088]
001 BL063 PW045 IX1 M0 TA+28.0 ID0093006A400F44554E45 The first
field (001) may represent frame information (e.g. 210). "001" may,
for example, indicate good frame integrity. The second field
(BL063) may represent energy status information (e.g. 276). "BL063"
may, for example, indicate 63 percent remaining battery life. The
third field (PW045) may represent power information (e.g. 220).
"PW045" may, for example, indicate a power level measured by the
directional receiver (e.g. 30). The fourth field (IX1) may
represent a signal code. "IX1" may, for example, indicate a first
signal code. The fifth field (M0) may represent movement
information. "M0" may, for example, indicate zero movement at an
elongated body (e.g. 20). The sixth field (TA+28.0) may represent
temperature information. "TA+28.0" may, for example, indicate a
temperature of 28 degrees Celsius at the elongated body (e.g. 20).
The seventh field (ID0093006A400F44554E45) may represent a signal
ID. "ID0093006A400F44554E45" may, for example, indicate a signal
designator. For example, a second data frame may comprise the
following data: [0089] 001 BL063 PW026 IX2 M0 TA+28.0
ID0093006A400F44554E45 In this example, only the third field
(PW026) and the fourth field (IX2) differ from the first data
frame. In the second data frame, "PW026" may, for example, indicate
a lower power level than the "PW045" from the first data frame. In
the second data frame, "IX2" may, for example, indicate a second
signal code. Therefore, the data from the first data frame and the
data from the second data frame may indicate that the first signal
code was transmitted at a higher power level from the elongated
body (e.g. 20) than the second signal code. Although these examples
illustrate two data frames from two distinct signal codes, persons
of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional data
frames including additional distinct signal codes may be
transmitted at distinct power levels by an elongated body (e.g. 20)
and received by a directional receiver (e.g. 30). For example, four
data frames may be transmitted in succession by the elongated body
(e.g. 20), each of the four data frames including a distinct signal
code and transmitted at a distinct power level. A first data frame
may, for example, be transmitted at a maximum power. A second data
frame may, for example, be transmitted at 50 percent of the maximum
power. A third data frame may, for example, be transmitted at 25
percent of the maximum power. A forth data frame may, for example,
be transmitted at 5 percent of the maximum power.
[0090] According to an embodiment, a directional receiver (e.g. 30)
may be adapted to select data frames including one of a plurality
of signal codes. Selection may be based on power information. For
example, the directional receiver (e.g. 30) may be adapted to
select data frames corresponding to the signal code received at the
lowest power level as measured by the directional receiver (e.g.
30) as long as good frame integrity is maintained.
[0091] FIG. 21 is a state diagram for an example directional
receiver 2100 of an example archery projectile locating facility as
per an aspect of an embodiment. Upon power up or a switch on event
at 198, the directional receiver 2100 may be operable to standby at
170. Upon a trigger on event at 120, the directional receiver 2100
may be operable to send a trigger on signal at 172. Upon a trigger
on signal sent at 122, the directional receiver 2100 may be
operable to receive data at 174. Upon data received at 124, the
directional receiver 2100 may be operable to update sensor data at
176. Upon completion of sensor update at 126, the directional
receiver 2100 may be operable to format data at 178. Once the data
is ready at 128, the directional receiver 2100 may be operable to
send data at 190. After the data has been sent at 192, the
directional receiver 2100 may be operable to return to data
reception state at 174. Upon a trigger off event at 194, the
directional receiver 2100 may be operable to send a trigger off
signal at 112. Upon a trigger off signal sent at 196, the
directional receiver 2100 may be operable to standby at 170.
[0092] Various embodiments have been presented. Each of these
embodiments may of course include features from other embodiments
presented, and embodiments not specifically described may include
various features described herein.
[0093] A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
components shown in and described with respect to the figures are
provided by way of example only. Numerous other configurations are
possible. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure should
not be construed as being limited to any particular configuration.
It will be appreciated that while the disclosure may in certain
instances describe a single example embodiment, there may be other
configurations, shapes, and orientations of facilities and
components without departing from example embodiments of the
present disclosure. A person of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize the applicability of embodiments of the present
disclosure to various archery arrow shafts, bolts, broadheads,
tips, bows, crossbows, and combinations thereof known in the art. A
person of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that embodiments
of the present disclosure may comprise fabricated, milled, printed,
extruded, molded, combinations thereof, and/or the like parts
comprising one material or a plurality of materials. A person of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that components and
elements shown in and described with respect to FIGS. 1-21 are
provided by way of example only. Numerous other archery
projectiles, bows, crossbows, antennas, microchips, and various
archery and electrical component configurations are possible.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure should not be
construed as being limited to any particular archery projectile,
bow, crossbow, or archery component. Additionally, it is to be
recognized that, while the present disclosure has been described
above in terms of various embodiments, it is not limited thereto.
Various features, aspects, and/or components of the above described
present disclosure may be used individually or jointly.
Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view
of the full breadth of the embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0094] In this specification, "a" and "an" and similar phrases are
to be interpreted as "at least one" and "one or more." References
to "a", "an", and "one" are not to be interpreted as "only one".
References to "an" embodiment in this disclosure are not
necessarily to the same embodiment.
[0095] Furthermore, many features presented above are described as
being optional through the use of "may" or the use of parentheses.
For the sake of brevity and legibility, the present disclosure does
not explicitly recite each and every permutation that may be
obtained by choosing from the set of optional features. However,
the present disclosure is to be interpreted as explicitly
disclosing all such permutations. For example, a facility described
as having three optional features may be embodied in seven
different ways, namely with just one of the three possible
features, with any two of the three possible features or with all
three of the three possible features.
[0096] Further, the purpose of the Abstract of the Disclosure is to
enable the Patent Office and the public generally, and especially
the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not
familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine
quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the
technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract of the
Disclosure is not intended to be limiting as to the scope in any
way.
[0097] Finally, it is the applicant's intent that only claims that
include the express language "means for" or "step for" be
interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112. Claims that do not expressly
include the phrase "means for" or "step for" are not to be
interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112.
* * * * *