BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Arrows for target archery and hunting have been used for centuries. Arrows typically include a cylindrical shaft that has fletching. a nock formed on one end to snap onto a bow string, and an arrowhead (e.g., pointed tip) disposed opposite the nock configured to pierce a target. Arrowheads used for hunting have sharp cutting blades that are inserted or molded to a ferrule, and the ferrule is connected to the shaft of the arrow to form the tip.
A conventional arrowhead or broadhead used for hunting has one or more triangular shaped blades that are attached to the ferrule with the blades typically being wider than the shaft of the arrow. The arrowhead can include the same blade that extends outwardly of the shaft, as it comes to a point like a triangle, as seen for example in U.S. Pat. No. 2,137,014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Arrowheads of this type are commonly referred to as “fixed blades” since the blade is fixed into a single position on the arrowhead.
Another conventional arrowhead used for hunting includes an arrowhead where the blades are retracted in or disposed against the outside edge of the ferrule, in flight, and are deployed upon impact into an expanded or open position past the arrow shaft. Arrowheads of this type are referred to as mechanical arrowheads and reduce the amount of point drag in flight due to having a lower blade profile. There are two types of conventional mechanical arrowheads that employ movable blades, namely, a forward deploy arrowhead (commonly referred to as “over the top”) and a rear deploy arrowhead. An example of a conventional forward deploy arrowhead is shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,467 and an example of a conventional rear deploy arrowhead is shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,979, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
Both fixed and mechanical arrowheads can be bought in different weights based on the preferences of the archer. The weight of the arrowhead can be based on the physics of the archers particular set up or based on the game they are hunting or pursuing.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to the archery field, and specifically is directed to tips on arrows (e.g., arrowheads) used for hunting. Prior conventional issues with using conventional arrowheads or broadheads are that many archers like to swap out arrowhead designs (e.g., mechanical deploy of blades vs fixed blades) and/or broadhead weight depending on the species of the animals being hunted or the physics of the archer's setup. The need to continually swap out arrowheads can get quickly expensive since the archer needs to purchase multiple packs of different styles and weights of arrowheads.
The present invention is directed to a universal ferrule body on the arrowhead where blades can be inserted into a selected to form an arrowhead, so the archer can either just swap out blades, adjust the post that is inserted or screwed into the shaft, or adjust a post sleeve for the application desired for hunting.
The universal ferrule body is an improved arrowhead ferrule that allows the archer to change the type of arrowhead (e.g., two types of mechanical deploy blades or fixed blade) and weight of the arrowhead by swapping the blades within the universal ferrule body, or by adjusting (cutting) the post or post sleeve inserted into the shaft. This solves the issue of having to purchase multiple different packs of arrowheads for various hunting applications and or allows the archer to adjust the point or configuration of the arrowhead based on personal preferences.
The present invention is directed to a universal ferrule element for an arrowhead configured to be coupled to a shaft of an arrow. The universal ferrule element has a main body that includes a front end and an opposed rear end. The rear end is threaded and is configured to be coupled to the arrow shaft, and the front end has a selected shape having a first fastener-receiving opening formed therein and a first slot that communicates with the first fastener-receiving opening that is sized and configured for mounting a first fixed blade. The main body also includes a second slot formed in and extending longitudinally along the front end that is sized and configured for seating one or more of a fixed body blade, one or more front deployable blades, and one or more rear deployable blades, and second and third fastener-receiving openings formed in the front end and positioned to communicate with the longitudinally extending slot.
The first fastener-receiving opening is sized and configured for seating a first fastener element for attaching a first fixed blade via the first slot to the front end of the main body. The main body also includes an outwardly projecting base portion that is longitudinally spaced from the rear end, and an outwardly extending flared portion that is disposed between the outwardly projecting base portion and the front end for forming a seat portion.
The present invention is also directed to a universal ferrule assembly configured to be coupled to a shaft of an arrow. The universal ferrule assembly includes a universal ferrule element, a post element, and a sleeve element. The universal ferrule element has a main body having a front end portion and a rear end portion, where the rear end portion has a connection component and the front end portion has a selected shape having a first fastener-receiving opening and a first slot formed therein. The main body also includes a second slot formed in the front end portion and extending longitudinally along the front end portion, and second and third fastener-receiving openings formed in the front end portion and positioned to communicate with the second slot. The post element has a front end and a rear end, where the front end of the post element is configured to couple to the connection component of the rear end portion of the universal ferrule element and the rear end of the post element is mechanically coupled to the shaft. The sleeve element has a front end, a rear end, and a central opening. The central opening has a diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the post element such that the post element when coupled to the universal ferrule element seats within the central opening. The first slot is sized and configured for mounting a first fixed blade via the slot, and the first fastener-receiving opening of the universal ferrule element is sized and configured for seating a first fastener element for coupling the first fixed blade to the front end portion of the universal ferrule element. The main body of the universal ferrule element further comprises an outwardly projecting base portion that is spaced from the rear end portion of the universal ferrule element, and an outwardly projecting flared portion that is disposed between the outwardly projecting base portion and the front end portion for forming a seat portion. The seat portion is adapted to engage with the front end of the sleeve element when assembled together.
The universal ferrule assembly also includes a second fixed blade element having a main body having first and second blade openings formed therein, where at least a portion of the second fixed blade is sized and configured for seating within the second slot. Also, when the second fixed blade is mounted within the second slot, the first and second blade openings are aligned with the second and third fastener-receiving openings. The universal ferrule assembly can also include second and third fastener elements that are sized and configured for seating within the second and third fastener-receiving openings and the first and second blade openings for coupling the second fixed blade to the front end portion of the universal ferrule element.
The universal ferrule assembly can also include optional first and second deployable blade elements that are movable between a retracted position and a deployed position when mounted to the universal ferrule element. The retracted position can be a rear deployed position or a front deployed position. Each of the first and second deployable blade elements can be sized and configured for seating at least partially within the second slot, and the first deployable blade element has a first blade opening formed therein and the second deployable blade element has a second blade opening formed therein. The first and second blade openings are configured to be disposable within the second slot and to be in registration with each other and with one of the second and third fastener-receiving openings. The first and second deployable blade elements are secured to the universal ferrule element and at least partially within the second slot by a second fastener element mounted within one of the second and third fastener-receiving openings.
The second and third fastener-receiving openings are longitudinally spaced apart and aligned along the front end portion of the universal ferrule element such that the second fastener-receiving opening is disposed closer to the first slot than the third fastener-receiving opening. The first and second deployable blade elements can be secured within the second slot by mounting the second fastener in the second fastener-receiving opening and within the first and second blade openings. The first and second deployable blade elements are movable between a rear deployed retracted position and a deployed position. Alternatively, the first and second deployable blade elements are secured within the second slot by mounting the second fastener in the third fastener-receiving opening and within the first and second blade openings, and the first and second deployable blade elements are movable between a front deployed retracted position and a deployed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The present invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts, and in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded unassembled perspective view of an adjustable universal ferrule assembly or system according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded unassembled perspective view of the ferrule element, post element, and sleeve element forming part of the universal ferrule assembly according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustable post element secured to the ferrule element according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of selected components of the universal ferrule assembly showing the ferrule element secured to the post element and inserted into the sleeve element according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the universal ferrule assembly with a fixed style body blade secured to the ferrule element according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the universal ferrule assembly with a rear deploy mechanical blade style assembly disposed in a closed or retracted position according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the universal ferrule assembly with the rear deploy mechanical blade style disposed in an open or deployed position according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the universal ferrule assembly with an over-the-top deploy mechanical blade style disposed in a closed or retracted position according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the universal ferrule assembly with the over-the-top deploy mechanical blade style disposed in an open or deployed position according to the teachings of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to FIGS. 1-9, and with particular reference to FIG. 1, a universal and configurable ferrule element 10 is shown having a main body having a front end 38, a rear end 12, and a ferrule seat 39. The front end 38 can have any selected shape, such as for example a conical shape, a faceted shape, and the like, and can be configured with or without a fixed blade element. As shown in FIG. 1, the front end 38 can have a conical contour or shape and can include a fixed blade 20 which is secured thereto and to the ferrule element 10 by way of a threaded fastener element 21 that is sized and configured to mount or seat in a hole or opening 19 formed in the fixed blade 20 and in an opening 16 formed in the front end 38. The rear end 12 of the ferrule element is threaded 11 so as to be able to be attached directly to a shaft of an arrow or the shaft of an arrow via an intermediate connection assembly. The intermediate connection assembly can include an elongated post element 31 having a front end that can be threadingly coupled to the ferrule element 10 and an opposed rear end. The intermediate connection assembly can also include an optional larger adjustable sleeve element 34 having a front end that can be coupled to the rear end of the post element 31. The sleeve element 34 can be employed depending upon the diameter (e.g., inner diameter) or size of the arrow shaft. The ferrule element 10, post element 31, and sleeve element 34 can form part of a universal ferrule assembly of the present invention and can be made from any suitable material, such as aluminum, titanium, brass, composite, plastic, steel, and the like.
FIG. 1 illustrates three different types of blade elements that can be selectively coupled to the ferrule element 10 in addition to the fixed tip blade 20, namely, a fixed body blade 28, rear deploy movable mechanical blades 26, 26a, and forward deploy (e.g., over-the-top) movable mechanical blades 27, 27a, that can be inserted in a main longitudinally extending slot 18 formed in the main body of the ferrule element 10. The slot 18 can be formed completely through the main body. The three main types of blades can be secured in the ferrule element 10 by suitable fasteners, such as by screws 22, 23, that are inserted into threaded holes 14, 15. This is further illustrated in FIGS. 5-9. The deployable blades that are coupled or connected to the main body can be movable between a stowed or retracted position where the blade elements create smaller profile and extend along the ferrule element and a deployed position where the bladed extend outwardly from the ferrule element 10. As used herein, the term “forward deploy” refer to blade elements mounted in a broadhead (e.g., arrow tip) or arrowhead of an arrow that expand or “deploy” forward or backward upon impact. According to one embodiment, the blades are retracted in a forward position along the broadhead and deploy by moving backward when the arrow strikes a target. As used herein, the term “backward deploy” or “rear deploy” refer to blade elements mounted in a broadhead (e.g., arrow tip) or arrowhead of an arrow that expand or “deploy” forward or backward upon impact. According to one embodiment, the blades are retracted in a backward or rearward position along the broadhead and deploy by moving forward when the arrow strikes the target.
Wirth reference to FIGS. 1-4, the universal ferrule assembly can include the universal ferrule element 10, the adjustable post element 31, and the adjustable sleeve element 34. To connect the adjustable post element 31 to the universal ferrule element 10, the front end 42 of the adjustable post element 31 can be optionally threaded 32 to match the threads 11 formed in the rear end 12 of the ferrule element 10. When fully screwed together, the front end 42 of the adjustable post element 31 fits snug to an outwardly extending flange or base portion 43 of a shank portion 13 of the main body of the ferrule element 10 to create a cylindrical section. This is clearly shown in FIG. 3. If a larger diameter arrow shaft is used, the optional adjustable sleeve element 34 can be slid over the adjustable post element 31 by inserting the rear end 36 of the adjustable post element 31 into a central opening 35 of the adjustable sleeve element 34 and the shank portion 13 of the ferrule element 10 up to the ferrule seat 39 and can be secured by fastening mechanisms, such as for example by adhesive, within the sleeve element 34. The central opening 35 of the sleeve element 34 is thus larger than the outer diameter of the post element 31 such that the post element can be seated within the opening 35. As shown, the ferrule seat 39 corresponds to an expanded or flared region of the main body that has a diameter larger than the diameter of the front end 38 and the rear end 12. The ferrule seat 39 is configured to contact and abut against a front end 41 of the sleeve element 34. The combined assembly of the sleeve element 34, the post element 31, and the ferrule element 10 are shown in FIG. 4. Then the combination of one of the two desired diameters is coupled to the arrow shaft, as illustrated in FIG. 3 or 4, by inserting the rear end 36 of the post element 31 or the rear end 36a of the sleeve element into the shaft of the arrow. The universal ferrule element 10 with the adjustable post element 31, and if desired the adjustable sleeve element 34, provides for a fit and alignment that is more true than traditional screw-in type arrowhead systems.
FIGS. 1-4 also illustrate machine cut lines 33, 33a formed in or on the adjustable post element 31 and the adjustable sleeve element 34. When the adjustable post element 31 or adjustable sleeve element 34 are used in conjunction with the universal ferrule element 10, it provides the ability to adjust or vary a weight of the arrowhead by cutting off one or more sections of the components at one of the selected machine cut lines 33, 33a to attain the desired arrowhead size and weight.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the fixed body blade 28 can be mounted within a slot 17 in the front end 38 of the ferrule element 10 and can be secured thereto by the fastener 21. If the user or archer wishes to further affix the fixed body blade 28 to the ferrule element 10, the fixed body blade 28 is inserted into the slot 18. The front end 38 of the ferrule element 10 has a pair of fastener-receiving openings 14, 15 formed therein. The fastener-receiving openings 14, 15 communicate with the slot 18. The openings 14, 15 can be aligned or disposed in registration with corresponding openings 29, 30 formed in the fixed body blade 28. The openings 14, 15 can extend completely through the main body and are positioned to communicate with the slot 18. The fasteners 22, 23 can be used to secure the fixed body blade in the slot 18 by passing through the openings 14, 15, 29, 30. The fixed body blade 28 has a main body having a generally triangular shape having sides that terminate at a front end in essentially a pointed region. The fixed blade 28 is a blade that is fixed into position in the slot 28 during flight and through impact of target. The fixed body blade 28 can have any shape or thickness and the archer can configure the weight to their individual liking. The fixed body blade 28 can be made of a composite, ceramic, or steel material.
FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 show rear deploy style mechanical blades 26, 26a suitable for use in the universal ferrule assembly of the present invention. The rear deploy blades 26, 26a each have a main body having a peripheral outer slanted surface that is coupled to wing portions 40, 40a. The wing portions can include openings 24, 24a formed therein that are sized and configured for receiving one or more of the fasteners 22, 23. The blades 26, 26a can be mounted in the slot 18 and secured thereto by aligning the openings 24, 24a with the forward-most or distal opening 15 and then inserting the fastener 22 so as to secure the blades in the slot. The fastener 22 forms a pivot point that allows the blades to be moved between a normally rearward facing retracted position (FIG. 6) and a deployed position (FIG. 7). By employing the fastener 22 and mounting the fastener in the opening 15 allows the blades to be positioned in the rear deployed orientation. When mounted within the slot 18, the wing portions 40, 40a of the blades 26, 26a extend outwardly from the slot in a forward-facing position such that the wing portions are more distal than the remaining portions of the blade main body. More specifically, the rear deploy mechanical blades 26, 26a are disposed in a normally closed or retracted swept back position (FIG. 6) during flight and can open up or be deployed (FIG. 7) upon impact with the target. The blades 26, 26a are forced or pushed into the open position (FIG. 7) upon impact by pressure formed on the wings 40, 40a by the target causing the blades to rotate about the fastener 22 into the deployed or open position from the rear portion of the front end 38 of the ferrule element 10. The mechanical blades 26, 26a can be of any shape or thickness so as to allow the archer another source to configure the weight. The mechanical blades 26, 26a can be made of composite, ceramic, steel, or other suitable materials.
FIGS. 1, 8 and 9 show an over-the top or forward deploy style mechanical blades 27, 27a suitable for use with the universal ferrule element 10 of the present invention. The blades 27, 27a have a main body having a slanted outer surface or wings 43, 43a and an opposed connector portion that is configured for securing the blades to the ferrule element 10. The connector portions can have openings 25, 25a formed therein. The blades 27, 27a can be mounted within the slot 18 and the openings 25, 25a can be aligned with the opening 14 and secured to the ferrule element 10 by the fastener 23. The fastener functions as a pivot point for the blades 27, 27a. The pivot point formed by the fastener 23 is proximally located along the main body of the ferrule element relative to the more distally located pivot point formed by the fastener 22. By employing the fastener 23 and mounting the fastener in the opening 14 allows the blades to be positioned in the forward deployed position. The over-the-top deploy mechanical blades 27, 27a can be positioned in a normally swept forward position (FIG. 8) during flight and then opens up or deploys (FIG. 9) upon impact with the target. The blades are pushed into the open or deployed position (FIG. 9) on impact by pressure formed on the blade tips 43, 43a causing the blades to rotate into the open position from the front of the ferrule element 10 having to come over-the-top of the ferrule 10. The over-the-top deploy mechanical blades 27, 27a can have any selected shape or thickness so as to allow the archer the ability to configure the weight of the arrowhead to their liking. The over-the-top deploy mechanical blades 27, 27a can be made of composite, ceramic, steel, or any other suitable material.
Although certain illustrative embodiments and methods have been disclosed herein, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of such embodiments and methods may be made without departing from the invention. For example, although in the illustrative embodiments the blades are deployed by direct interaction with the target, spring-loaded and/or plunger-deployed blades are considered within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, although the blades in the illustrative embodiment are symmetrical, asymmetrical blades including asymmetrical blades in which the stop member is formed on only one of the blades are considered within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention should be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the rules and principles of applicable law.
Patent Application
20250216181
