BROADHEAD STORAGE UNIT WITH SHARPENING GUIDE AND METHOD

Abstract

The present specification relates generally to hunting tools and more specifically to a broadhead storage unit with a sharpening guide and method. The broadhead storage unit includes housing for a broadhead and a reversible lid including a sharpening guide. The sharpening method including grasping the protrusions on the reversible lid, lifting the reversible lid out of the housing, flipping the reversible lid, replacing the reversible lid back in the housing such that the broadhead extends from the broadhead storage unit, and running a sharpening device against the broadhead.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present specification relates generally to hunting tools and more specifically to a broadhead storage unit with a sharpening guide and a sharpening method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Broadheads are arrow points used for bow-and-arrow hunting, also called bowhunting. Hunters who bowhunt often go on multi-day expeditions. Hunters may require multiple arrow shafts and broadheads on these expeditions, as they may require multiple attempts to hit their target, and their shafts and broadheads may be damaged or worn down over the course of these expeditions.

Currently, broadheads are stored in multi-unit storage bags or cases, either loosely, or held in place with magnets or friction. Some storage units provide the ability to store broadheads such that the sharp edge of the broadhead remains separated from the storage unit, and therefore remains sharp. However, these storage units are typically quite large, and are only usable for a single purpose, namely storage. Currently, broadhead sharpening devices are sold separately and are often bulky and heavy. This is especially problematic for bowhunters, who need to remain nimble and quiet as they travel long distances by foot, tracking prey.

Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a broadhead storage unit, comprising: housing for a broadhead; and a reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for using the broadhead storage unit as a broadhead sharpening tool, comprising: grasping the protrusions on the reversible lid; lifting the reversible lid out of the housing; flipping the reversible lid; replacing the reversible lid back in the housing such that the broadhead extends from the broadhead storage unit; and running a sharpening device against the broadhead.

Other aspects and features according to the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles of the invention may better be understood with reference to the accompanying figures provided by way of illustration of an exemplary embodiment, or embodiments, incorporating principles and aspects of the present invention, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a broadhead storage unit in a blade storage position, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the broadhead storage unit of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a left plan view of the broadhead storage unit of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a front plan view of the broadhead storage unit of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1E is a right plan view of the broadhead storage unit of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1F is a top plan view of the broadhead storage unit of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1G is a bottom plan view of the broadhead storage unit of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a broadhead storage unit in a blade sharpening position, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the broadhead storage unit of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a front plan view of the broadhead storage unit of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D is a bottom plan view of the broadhead storage unit of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E is a top plan view of the broadhead storage unit of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective left view of housing for a broadhead, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a perspective right view of the housing for a broadhead of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a side plan view of the housing for a broadhead of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a front plan view of the housing for a broadhead of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3E is a top plan view of the housing for a broadhead of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3F is a bottom plan view of the housing for a broadhead of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is a front plan view of the reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a perspective right view of a reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide in a right-handed position, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide in the right-handed position of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a perspective left view of the reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide in the right-handed position of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a perspective right view of a reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide in a left-handed position, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a top plan view of the reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide in the left-handed position of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a perspective left view of the reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide in the left-handed position of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a front plan view of a sharpening device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a side plan view of the sharpening device of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a bottom plan view of the sharpening device of FIG. 7A; and

FIG. 7D is a top plan view of the sharpening device of FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and, in some instances, proportions may have been exaggerated in order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 2E, a broadhead storage unit with a sharpening guide 100 is provided for storing and sharpening a broadhead in the field. Accordingly, broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100 may alleviate the inconvenience and impracticality associated with carrying a broadhead storage unit and a separate sharpening tool. Further, pairs of tabs 160 on a reversible lid 110 may create a sharpening guide, which may allow for precision sharpening of a broadhead at a desired angle. Due to its compact nature, broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100 may offer an easily portable broadhead storage and sharpening solution. Further, broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100 may keep broadhead blade sharp, as construction of reversible lid 110 and housing 120 keeps broadhead blade from contacting housing 120.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 2E, broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100 comprises housing for a broadhead 120 and a reversible lid 110 comprising a sharpening guide. Broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide may be 10 g to 200 g.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2B, reversible lid 110 may fit within housing 120. Relative sizing of lid and housing may keep broadhead sharp, despite jostling movements or impact.

According to an embodiment, broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100 comprises injected molded plastic. Broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100 may comprise polyoxymethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, composite materials, or a combination of suitable materials. Broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100 may comprise aluminum, nickel, titanium, tin, or steel. Broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100 may be manufactured using 3D printing. Manufacturing costs, weight, lifespan and mechanical strength may be considerations informing the choice of materials, construction technique and design choices of broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide. Injected molded plastic may provide the ability to manufacture broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide quickly. Injected molded plastic may further allow for flexibility in color choice and may allow for broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide to resist deformation and damage in harsh conditions.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3D, housing 120 comprises an open edge 140 comprising one or more grooves 150. Grooves 150 may be positioned opposite one another on housing 120, as seen in FIGS. 3A to 3F. Reversible lid 110 may comprise protrusions 130 on at least two side faces, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D. Protrusions 130 on reversible lid 110 may be narrower than grooves 150 on open edge 140 of housing 120, as shown in FIGS. 1B, 1D and 1F. According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1G and 2A to 2E, protrusions 130 on reversible lid 110 reach a full depth of grooves 150 at a point when a face of reversible lid 110 lies flush with open edge 140. According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, reversible lid fits within housing. Reversible lid 110 may alleviate concerns with size of storage and sharpening devices 170 in the field. Reversible lid 110 may allow for compact storage of broadhead within broadhead's own housing 120.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C and 4D, reversible lid comprises a pair of tabs 160 in linear alignment on at least one face of reversible lid 110. As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C and 4D, reversible lid 110 comprises at least two pairs of tabs 160 in linear alignment, according to an embodiment. Reversible lid 110 may comprise any number of pairs of tabs 110 in linear alignment. According to an embodiment, pairs of tabs 160 secure a broadhead such that the broadhead is held away from inner walls of housing 120. According to an embodiment, reversible lid 110 has pair of tabs 160 aligned in a right-handed position, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C. According to an embedment, reversible lid 110 has pair of tabs 160 aligned in a left-handed position, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C. Additional pairs of tabs 160 may allow for more options in positioning broadhead for sharpening. Pair of tabs 160 may be separated by 0.10 inches to 0.25 inches which may allow for use of broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide for broadheads of different sizes.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method for using broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100 as a broadhead sharpening tool, comprising grasping protrusions on reversible lid 110, lifting reversible lid 110 out of housing 120, flipping reversible lid 110, replacing reversible lid 110 back in housing 120 such that a broadhead extends from broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100, and running a sharpening device 170 against the broadhead.

Placing reversible lid 110 back in housing 120 may comprise a snap function. Reversible lid 110 may be held in place by different securing measures, including but not limited to push button, ratchet, friction, or latch measures. Securing measures may differ based on material, weight, shape, and size of broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide.

According to an embodiment, method for using broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100 as a broadhead sharpening tool further comprises placing broadhead storage unit with sharpening guide 100 on a flat surface before running sharpening device 170 against broadhead. Running sharpening device 170 against broadhead may be done vertically or horizontally. Running sharpening device 170 against broadhead in different directions may allow for flexibility in the location in which a user may sharpen broadhead, especially when open space and the availability of flat surfaces are limited.

Sharpening device 170 may be constructed from materials which provide sufficient mechanical strength and durability to perform reliably over time. According to an embodiment, sharpening device 170 is constructed of stone. According to an embodiment, sharpening device 170 is constructed of diamond. According to a further embodiment, sharpening device 170 comprises a belt-sander.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail. Since changes in and/or additions to the above-described best mode may be made without departing from the nature, spirit, or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to those details but only by the appended claims. Section headings herein are provided as organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A broadhead storage unit, comprising: housing for a broadhead; anda reversible lid comprising a sharpening guide.

2. The broadhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein the broadhead storage unit weighs between 10 grams to 200 grams.

3. The broadhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein the broadhead storage unit comprises injected molded plastic.

4. The broadhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an open edge comprising grooves.

5. The broadhead storage unit of claim 4, wherein the grooves are positioned opposite one another on the housing.

6. The broadhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein the reversible lid fits within the housing.

7. The broadhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein the reversible lid comprises protrusions on at least two side faces.

8. The broadhead storage unit of claim 7, wherein the protrusions on the reversible lid are narrower than the grooves on the open edge of the housing.

9. The broadhead storage unit of claim 7, wherein the protrusions on the reversible lid reach the full depth of the housing grooves at the point when a face of the reversible lid lies flush with the open edge of the housing.

10. The broadhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein the reversible lid comprises a pair of tabs in linear alignment on at least one face of the reversible lid.

11. The broadhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein the reversible lid comprises at least two pairs of tabs in linear alignment.

12. The broadhead storage unit of claim 11, wherein the pairs of tabs hold a broadhead such that the broadhead is held away from inner walls of the housing.

13. The broadhead storage unit of claim 11, wherein the pairs of tabs are aligned in a left handed and/or right handed position.

14. The broadhead storage unit of claim 10, wherein the pair of tabs is separated by 0.10 inches to 0.25 inches.

15. A method for using the broadhead storage unit as a broadhead sharpening tool, comprising: grasping the protrusions on the reversible lid;lifting the reversible lid out of the housing;flipping the reversible lid;replacing the reversible lid back in the housing such that the broadhead extends from the broadhead storage unit; andrunning a sharpening device against the broadhead.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising placing the broadhead storage unit on a flat surface before running the sharpening device against the broadhead.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein running the sharpening device against the broadhead is done vertically.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein running a sharpening device against the broadhead is done horizontally.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the sharpening device comprises one of: stone, diamond, and a belt-sander.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein placing the reversible lid back in the housing comprises a snap function.