Arrow tracking device

An arrow tracking device and method of use provides archery arrows with a line tracking mechanism to aid in the location and retrieval after firing. The arrow is provided with a length of string housed inside the hollow arrow shaft. The string is attached at a first end to a nock assembly which is removably coupled to the arrow shaft behind the fletching. The string is attached at a second end to a wedge that is also housed within the arrow shaft behind the arrow head. The nock assembly includes a plurality of outwardly protruding barbs which attach to the animal at an entrance wound and does not pass through the animal with the arrow. If the animal and the arrow are separated, the length of string is deployed allowing a hunter to follow the string to the animal and locate the arrow.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to archery hunting, and in particular, to an arrow tracking device for enabling a bow hunter to track wounded game and fired arrows.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a bow hunter strikes his game, he is often faced with subsequent tracking of the animal as it can live for several hours after being hit, depending upon the accuracy of the hunter's shot. It is quite common while bow hunting for the arrow to pass completely through the game animal, whether it be deer, elk, or turkey. When this occurs, several things could happen. The game could run so far that the hunter never catches up to it or the wounded animal could be attacked by other wild animals, ruining the meat. Further problems occur where other hunters come upon the wounded game and claim it as their own. The difficulty in producing an accurate kill-shot with a bow increases the likelihood that it will not produce an instant kill, thus making tracking necessary. Furthermore, the problem of lost arrows is compounded in the situation where the hunter is hunting at dusk, dawn or in cloudy/foggy situations where visibility is limited. As arrows are becoming increasingly expensive, loss of an arrow can be very costly.

Various types of string tracking devices have attempted to address these problems. These devices typically include a string or cord attached at one (1) end to the bow and at another end to the arrow. When the arrow is fired, the string follows the flight path of the arrow and the hunter can follow it to find the arrow or the game. These devices create additional problems by slowing the speed of the arrow, thus making it less effective, and the string tending to get caught in trees or bushes making it ineffective and difficult to retrieve. Other devices include string tracking devices which are self-contained within the arrow and not attached to the bow. However, these devices are prone to failure and can directly impact the flight of the arrow. Additionally, these devices are ineffective if the arrow breaks upon impact with the animal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for an arrow tracking device that enables bow hunters to track their arrows and locate an injured or killed game animal. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need.

In accordance with features and aspects of certain embodiments, the arrow tracking device for use with an arrow includes a nock assembly configured to be removably attached to a hollow rear end of an arrow shaft, a wedge configured to be inserted within a hollow front end of the arrow shaft behind an arrow head, and a length of string configured to be inserted within a hollow interior of the arrow shaft having a first end attached to the nock assembly and a second end attached to the wedge. The nock assembly catches and attaches to an object when the arrow entirely penetrates and passes through the object. The nock assembly detaches from the arrow shaft upon attachment to the object. The string deploys from the rear end of the arrow shaft when the nock assembly separates from the arrow shaft.

In accordance with other features and aspects of other embodiments, the nock assembly includes a nock feature disposed outside of the arrow shaft having a notch configured to receive a bow string, a friction collar opposite the nock feature configured to be inserted within the hollow rear end of the arrow shaft, and a plurality of barbs protruding outwardly from the nock feature at an angle directed toward the arrow head. The wedge is a generally cylindrical body having a second aperture at an end for attachment of the string second end. The friction collar is frictionally attached within the hollow rear end of the arrow shaft and the wedge is frictionally attached within the hollow front end of the arrow shaft.

Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment.

Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted withinFIGS. 1 through 3. However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one (1) or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 through 3, depicting a tracking device for an arrow, identified generally by reference to a device10, where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the device10provides a line-style tracking mechanism which is incorporated into an archery arrow11or similar bow fired projectile and configured to assist a hunter110in locating and retrieving the arrow11and tracking the game animal100after firing. The device10generally includes approximately one-thousand feet (1000 ft.) of coiled string30insertingly stowed within an arrow shaft14of the arrow11. The string30is secured and housed within the shaft14and is outwardly deployed should the arrow break or pass through the game animal100during use.

Referring first toFIG. 1, the device10generally includes a nock assembly20, a length of string30, and a wedge40. The nock assembly20is a unitary structure, preferably fabricated from molded plastic or a light weight metal, which emulates a conventional nock of an arrow11. The nock assembly20includes a nock feature22a plurality of barb features24, and a friction collar28. When installing the device10within the arrow11, the nock assembly20replaces the original nock of the arrow11.

The nock feature22is an open notch disposed along a diameter of a rear end of the nock assembly20and is configured to receive the bowstring of the bow120having similar geometry as the conventional nock of the arrow11. The nock assembly20is secured within a rear end of the hollow arrow shaft14by the friction collar28via a friction fit. The friction collar28includes an integrally molded first aperture26disposed on a forward edge for attachment of a proximal first end of the string30. The first end of the string30is connected or otherwise attached to the first aperture26by any suitable fastening method, including tying, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, plastic welding, or the like.

The barb features24are each outwardly protruding barbs angled slightly forward from a vertical plane relative to the friction collar28, at approximately thirty degrees (30°). The barbs are straight and can have a generally circular, square, triangular, or flat cross sectional shape. Each barb feature24has an affixed end that is affixed to the nock assembly20adjacent to the nock feature22and a free end which terminates in a sharp point. The three (3) barb features24are preferably equally spaced around the circumference of the nock assembly20and are aligned with the fletching16of the arrow11during installation. The outwardly protruding barb features24have approximately the same height as the fletching16to avoid unnecessary and negative aerodynamic effects during flight and maintain the normal accuracy of the arrow11when fired.

The wedge40is a cylindrical member, preferably fabricated from molded plastic or a light weight metal, inserted and retained within the hollow front end of the arrow shaft14adjacent to the arrowhead12by a friction fit. The wedge40includes an integrally molded second aperture42disposed on a rear edge for attachment of a distal second end of the string30. The second end of the string30is connected or otherwise attached to the second aperture42by any suitable fastening method, including tying, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, plastic welding, or the like. The string30and wedge40are inserted and preloaded by the hunter110into the arrow shaft14using a push rod60(seeFIG. 3) prior to insertion and installation of the nock assembly20.

In situations where the arrow11breaks upon impact with the game animal100, the arrow head12and the front end of the arrow11typically remains embedded within the body of the animal100. The wedge40remains attached within the front end of the arrow shaft14and attached to the string30. Therefore, even if the nock assembly20does not reach and attach to the animal100, the device10operates as described herein enabling the hunter to track the animal100by following the string30from the broken portion of the arrow11.

Referring next toFIG. 2, the device10is shown in use after the arrow11has bee fired at the game animal100, such as a deer. The arrow11equipped with the device10is fired in a normal manner using the bow120. During situations where the arrow11passes completely through the game animal100, coincidental interference of the barb features24with the hide, surface, skin, or appendage of the animal100, the nock assembly20attaches to the entry side of the wound and detaches from the arrow shaft14. Subsequently the arrow11can graze of pass completely through the body of the animal100through an exit wound105and come to rest upon a ground surface130. The arrow11remains connected to the nock assembly20by the string30from the wedge40.

The string30is preferably made of a flexible, small diameter material such as, but not limited to; monofilament line, nylon line, cotton fibers, or the like. In certain embodiment, the string30can have a bright color such as red, orange, fluorescent colors, or the like to provide easy visual location by a hunter110. Use of the device10assists the hunter110in location and retrieval of the arrow11, as well as in tracking of the game animal100after shooting.

The friction collar28of the nock assembly20and the wedge40each have diameters in close tolerance with the inner bore diameter of the hollow arrow shaft14and are snugly secured by an interference fit-type attachment. In certain embodiment, the friction collar28and wedge40include molded-in features such as ribs, spherical protrusions, or the like on an exterior surface to insure a secure interference fit within the arrow shaft14. It can be appreciated that the friction collar28of the nock assembly20and wedge40can be introduced having various diameters corresponding to inner diameters and the nock feature22of the nock assembly20can be introduced having various diameters corresponding to outer diameters of different models of arrows11.

It can be appreciated that in certain embodiments, the present device10also includes the arrow11or similar fired projectile. In such embodiments, the device10includes the features as previously described, including the nock assembly20, the string30, and the wedge40housed within a hollow arrow shaft14. The arrow11includes an arrow head12affixed to a forward end and the nock assembly20removably coupled to a rear hollow nock end opposite the arrow head12behind fletching16. The fletching16is affixed to the exterior of e rear end of the arrow shaft14in a conventional manner.

Referring finally toFIG. 3, which illustrates the device10in an exploded view depicting an arrangement prior to installation within the arrow shaft14. In certain embodiments, the string30is preferably pre-packaged within a string tube50. The string tube50is a thin-walled, cylindrical structure having an outer diameter suitably sized to allow snug insertion into the arrow shaft14. Prior to loading the string30into the arrow shaft14, the distal, second end of the string30is attached to the second aperture42of the wedge40. After removing the original nock from a nock end of the shaft14, the wedge40is inserted into the arrow shaft14and driven down the length of the shaft14toward the arrow head12using the push rod60. The string tube50is inserted within the open nock end of the arrow shaft14and the push rod60is used to press the string30out from the string tube50and into the arrow shaft14. The proximal, first end of the string30is attached to the first aperture26of the nock assembly and the friction collar28is pressingly inserted into the open nock end of the arrow shaft14such that the barb features24are aligned with the fletching16.

The push rod60is a cylindrical structure, preferably made of a light weight and rigid material, such as metal or plastic. The push rod60is approximately the same length as the arrow shaft14having a diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the string tube50. In certain embodiments, the push rod60also includes a T-shaped handle62to improve gripping and grasping ergonomics for smooth and straight insertion into the string tube50during loading of the string30within the arrow shaft14by the hunter110.

It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only certain particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the device10can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training in general accordance withFIG. 1throughFIG. 3. It can be appreciated that the steps required to utilize the device10, as described, can performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor.

Prior to use, the hunter110or other user procures a model of the device10with nock assembly20and wedge40having an appropriately and suitably sized length and diameter which corresponds to a specific arrow shaft14. The original nock of the arrow11is removed from the nock end. The second end of the string30is attached to the wedge40and the wedge40is inserted into the open nock end of the shaft14. The wedge40is pressed downward with the push rod60into a forward end of the arrow shaft14. The string tube50is inserted into a nock end of the arrow shaft14and the coiled string30is pushed out from the string tube50and into the hollow arrow shaft14by inserting the push rod60into a top of the string tube50. The push rod60and string tube50are removed from the shaft14. The first end of the string30is attached to the first aperture26of the nock assembly20. The friction collar28of the nock assembly20is manually pressed into the nock end of the arrow shaft14.

During use of device10, the arrow11, equipped with the device10, is fired at the identified animal100in a normal manner. In situations where the arrow11passes through a part of the body of the animal100and comes to rest upon the ground surface130, the barb features24of the nock assembly20pierce the skin of the animal and attach to the entry wound created by the arrow11. As the arrow11continues its flight or as the animal100moves away from the arrow11, the string30is deployed between the animal100and the arrow11. The hunter110utilizes the bright color of the string30to aid in the location and retrieval of the arrow11or tracking of the wounded animal100. This process is repeated as necessary using additional arrows11equipped with the device10.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.