Arrow mounted tracking apparatus

An animal tracking device comprising a housing, a controller, a battery, an antenna, a sleeve, an elastic ring, and a prong. The housing encloses the controller and the battery and includes a flexible clip having a flexible neck, a latch on an inner side of the flexible clip, an elastic ring groove on an outer side of the flexible clip for receiving the elastic ring, and a latch release member extending from the outer side between the flexible neck and the elastic ring groove. The elastic ring retains the housing over the sleeve to retain the animal tracking device on an arrow shaft. The latch release member catches on an animal's hide and flexes the flexible clip out of engagement with the sleeve to release the animal tracking device from the arrow shaft. The prong embeds in the animal's hide and retains the animal tracking device on the animal.

BACKGROUND

Game animals often run or move for considerable distances after being shot by bow hunting arrows, which means hunters often have to track the game animals for long distances before the game animals expire or become exhausted. To that end, animal tracking devices mounted on the arrows are often used for tracking game animals after the arrows hit the game animals. However, the arrows sometimes pass through the game animals' hides entirely, fall out of the game animals, or break off, which results in the animal tracking devices being left behind as the game animals run off. In these instances, hunters must then track the game animals conventionally. Animal tracking devices are also difficult to mount onto arrows, and improperly mounted animal tracking devices may fall off the arrows in flight or may cause the arrows to become unbalanced and miss their target.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a distinct advance in the art of animal tracking devices. More particularly, the invention provides an arrow mountable animal tracking device configured to detach from an arrow and attach to a game animal's hide so that the game animal can be tracked even if the arrow does not remain embedded in the game animal. The animal tracking device may be mounted on an arrow via an assembling tool to ensure the animal tracking device is mounted properly on the arrow.

An embodiment of the animal tracking device comprises a housing, a controller, a battery, an antenna, a sleeve, an elastic ring, and a prong. The housing encloses the controller and the battery and includes a flexible clip having a flexible neck, a latch on an inner side of the flexible clip, an elastic ring groove on an outer side of the flexible clip for receiving the elastic ring, and a latch release member extending from the outer side between the flexible neck and the elastic ring groove.

The controller generates a tracking signal for allowing the hunter to track a tagged game animal. The antenna extends from the housing and transmits the tracking signal. The sleeve releasibly retains the housing on the arrow shaft and comprises a primary body, an opening extending through the primary body for positioning the sleeve on the arrow shaft, a catch extending form the primary body for releasibly engaging the latches of the flexible clip, and an elastic ring guide for retaining the elastic ring in engagement with the flexible clip. The elastic ring is configured to be positioned in the elastic ring guide and aligned with the elastic ring groove of the flexible clip for resistively retaining the latch in engagement with the catch of the sleeve. The prong extends forward from the housing for piercing the game animal's hide and may include a rear-facing barb for attaching the animal tracking device to the game animal.

The latch release member is configured to catch on the game animal's hide when the arrow hits the game animal and slightly bend the flexible clip at the flexible neck against a resistive force exerted by the elastic ring until the latch of the flexible clip clears the catch of the sleeve. This frees the housing from engagement with the sleeve and allows the housing to remain attached to the game animal's hide even if the arrow continues through and does not remain embedded in the game animal. The animal tracking device ensures that the game animal can be tracked after being shot even if the arrow does not stay with the game animal.

The animal tracking device has a balanced weight distribution and an aerodynamic profile to minimize its effect on the arrow's flight path. For example, the controller compartment and the battery compartment of the housing straddle the arrow on opposite sides of the arrow shaft to evenly distribute the weight of the electronic components. The animal tracking device may also include two identical or similar prongs and flexible clips for increasing the symmetry, and hence the balance, of the animal tracking device.

Another embodiment of the animal tracking device comprises a housing, a controller, a battery, an antenna, a sleeve, an elastic ring, and a number of prongs. The housing includes a first section having a controller compartment, a second section having a battery compartment, a connecting member extending between the first section and the second section, and at least two flexible clips spaced from each other. The flexible clips each include a flexible neck, a latch on an inner side, an elastic ring groove on an outer side for receiving the elastic ring, and a latch release member extending from the outer side between the flexible neck and the elastic ring groove.

The controller is positioned in the controller compartment and generates a tracking signal for allowing the hunter to track a tagged game animal. The antenna extends from the housing and transmits the tracking signal. The sleeve releasibly retains the housing on the arrow shaft and comprises a primary body, an opening extending through the primary body for positioning the sleeve on the arrow shaft, a number of catches extending form the primary body for releasibly engaging the latches of the flexible clips, and elastic ring guides for retaining the elastic ring in engagement with the flexible clips. The elastic ring is configured to be positioned in the elastic ring guides and aligned with the elastic ring grooves of the flexible clips for resistively retaining the latches in engagement with the catches of the sleeve. The prongs extend forward from the housing for piercing the game animal's hide and may include rear-facing barbs for attaching the animal tracking device to the game animal.

The latch release members are configured to catch on the game animal's hide when the arrow hits the game animal and slightly bend the flexible clip at the flexible neck against a resistive force exerted by the elastic ring until the latch of the flexible clears the catch of the sleeve. This frees the housing from engagement with the sleeve and allows the animal tracking device to remain attached to the game animal's hide even if the arrow does not remain embedded in the game animal.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to the drawing figures, an animal tracking device100and an assembling tool200constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention are illustrated. The animal tracking device100allows a hunter to track a game animal that he has shot with an arrow102and broadly comprises a housing10, a controller12, a battery14, an antenna16, a sleeve18, an elastic ring20, and a number of prongs22, as shown inFIGS. 1-4.

The housing10protects the controller12and battery14and comprises a first section24, a second section26spaced from the first section24, a connecting member28extending between the first section24and the second section26, a first flexible clip30extending from a first end of the housing10, and a second flexible clip32extending from the first end of the housing10and spaced from the first flexible clip30. The housing10may also include a wire cover34and/or compartment caps for enclosing the controller12, battery14, wires or circuit connecting elements, and other components in the housing10. The first section24includes a controller compartment36for housing the controller12. The second section26includes a battery compartment38for housing the battery14. The connecting member28connects the first section24and the second section26together and may include wire grooves, channels, or through-holes for battery wires extending between the controller12and the battery14or other circuit wires or electronic components. The connecting member28may be curved or semi-circular for following an outer contour of the arrow shaft104. The first section24, second section26, and connecting member28may form a C-shape such that the housing10can be positioned close to the arrow shaft104. In one embodiment, the housing10may be shaped so that the center of mass of the animal tracking device100is near or coincides with a central axis of the arrow102when the animal tracking device100is positioned on the arrow shaft104. The housing may be formed of molded plastic, lightweight metal, wood, or any other suitable material.

The flexible clips30,32engage the sleeve18and may each comprise a flexible neck40, an inner side including a latch42, an outer side having an elastic ring groove44, and a latch release member46. For simplicity, only flexible clip30will be discussed. The flexible neck40allows the flexible clip30to bend away from the arrow shaft104and may be formed of a flexible material and/or may have a sufficiently small cross section so as to be relatively compliant. The latch42engages a catch of the sleeve18(described below) and may be a small protrusion, tab, or other similar member. The latch42may have a height such that outward bending of the flexible clip30is sufficient to disengage the latch42from the clip, as described in more detail below.

The elastic ring groove44retains the elastic ring20over the flexible clip30and may be a shallow recess or channel. The elastic ring groove44should be sufficiently shallow to allow the flexible clip30to slip out of engagement with the elastic ring20when the flexible clip30disengages from the sleeve18or deep enough to retain the elastic ring20and stretch the elastic ring20out of engagement with the sleeve18. Importantly, the elastic ring groove44should be deep enough so that the elastic ring20does not slip out of engagement from the flexible clip30until the animal tracking device100attaches to the game animal.

The latch release member46catches against the game animal's hide and may be an elongated member extending outward from the flexible clip30. The latch release member46may be positioned in front of the flexible neck40so that the latch release member46will have leverage to bend the flexible neck40. The latch release member46may extend diagonally forward to optimize leverage forces acting on the latch release member46and bending the flexible neck40outward.

The controller12generates a beacon or tracking signal and may be a printed circuit board or simple circuit positioned in the controller compartment36of the housing10. The controller12may generate different signals based on criteria such as distance from the hunter or other object, position based on a GPS location, amount of time lapsed from an initial signal transmission or activation, remaining battery life, or any other suitable criteria. The controller12may be programmable and may have inputs for receiving commands or interfaces for programming the controller12via an external computer or mobile device.

The battery14powers the controller12and may be positioned in the battery compartment38. The battery14may be any compact battery such as a button cell battery or a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, two or more batteries may be used. In that case, the battery compartment38may include two or more battery chambers or recesses for positioning the batteries therein.

The antenna16transmits the beacon or tracking signal and may be an elongated wire extending from the housing10. The antenna16may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft to minimize drag when the arrow is shot. The antenna16may also be configured to receive control or command signals from the hunter or another entity or position signals from a GPS. It will be understood that a circuit-mounted transceiver and a wire extending therefrom, or any other signal-emitting electronic component or components may be used.

The sleeve18retains the housing10on the arrow100and includes a primary body48, an opening50extending through the primary body48, a number of catches52, and a number of elastic ring guides54. The sleeve18may also include a battery contact tab56. The primary body48may be a ring or clip configured to be positioned on or attached to the arrow shaft104. The opening50receives the arrow shaft104therethrough and may be sized such that the sleeve18can be resistively attached to the arrow shaft104. The catches52may be small protrusions, tabs, or other similar members for engaging the latches42of the flexible clips30,32. The elastic ring guides54retain the elastic ring20over the flexible clip30and may be shallow recesses or channels. To that end, the elastic ring guides54are configured to align with the elastic ring grooves44when the flexible clips30,32engage the sleeve18. The battery contact tab56extends from the sleeve18and may be configured to be inserted into the housing10so as to be positioned between the battery14and a battery contact or other circuit component when the housing10engages the sleeve18. This prevents the battery from powering the controller12or otherwise discharging until the housing10is released from the sleeve18.

The elastic ring20retains the housing10in engagement with the sleeve18via the latches42of the flexible clips30,32and the catches52of the sleeve18and may be a rubber band, clip, or other elastic, flexible, or stretchable component. For example, the elastic ring20may be a rubber torus configured to be stretched onto the elastic ring guides54and the elastic ring grooves44.

Each prong22extends forward from the housing10and may have a sharp, pointed end for piercing the game animal's hide and a sharp, pointed barb spaced from the end and pointed backwards for retaining the prong22in the game animal's hide. Each prong22may be formed of metal and may be removably attachable to the housing10. In some embodiments, the animal tracking device100may include two or more prongs for ensuring that the housing10attaches to the game animal's hide.

The assembling tool200assists the hunter in assembling the animal tracking device100and broadly comprises a guide shaft202and a retaining pin204, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. The guide shaft202allows the hunter to temporarily place the sleeve18thereon and includes a retaining lip206and a retaining pin opening208. The retaining lip206extends radially on the guide shaft202and ensures that the sleeve18is correctly positioned on the guide shaft202. The retaining pin opening208extends into and/or through the guide shaft202and receives a portion of the retaining pin204therein. The retaining pin204retains the sleeve18on the guide shaft202and is configured to be inserted into the retaining pin opening208.

Use of the animal tracking device100and the assembling tool200will now be described in more detail and with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6. First, the guide shaft202may be inserted through the opening50of the sleeve18until the sleeve18rests against the retaining lip206. The retaining pin204may then be positioned in the retaining pin opening208to hold the sleeve18on the guide shaft202. The retaining pin204may also be connected to the guide shaft202via a clip or latch. The housing10may then be slid over or on the guide shaft202until the latches42of the flexible clips30,32engage the catches52of the sleeve18. The elastic ring20may then be positioned on the elastic ring grooves44of the flexible clips30,32and the elastic ring guides54of the sleeve18so as to retain the housing10in engagement with sleeve18. The retaining pin204may then be removed from the retaining pin opening208. The guide shaft202may then be removed from the sleeve18. The arrow shaft104may then be inserted through the opening50of the sleeve18such that the housing10is positioned adjacent to the arrow shaft104and the prongs22extend forward and parallel to the arrow shaft104. The arrow head106of the arrow102may then be connected to the arrow shaft104so that the animal tracking device100is attached to the arrow102.

The arrow102may then be shot at a game animal such as a deer or elk. Shortly after the arrow102pierces the hide of the game animal, the prongs22of the animal tracking device100will pierce and become embedded in the hide of the game animal. However, the latch release members46will catch on the hide of the game animal and the hide will exert a reactive or bending force against the latch release members46. The force exerted on the latch release members46will bend the flexible clips30,32away from the arrow shaft104at their flexible necks40so as to overcome tension in the elastic ring20. The flexible clips30,32will continue bending away from the arrow shaft104until the latches42of the flexible clips30,32become disengaged from the catches52of the sleeve18. The battery contact tab56of the sleeve18may then slide out of the battery compartment38, thus allowing the battery14to come into contact with a battery connection, thus completing a circuit with the controller12. The controller12may then begin generating tracking signals and transmitting them via the antenna16. The arrow102and the sleeve18may then continue through the hide of the game animal and may even pass through the game animal completely. However, the housing10and tracking circuitry will remain attached to the hide of the game animal via the prongs22. The hunter may receive the tracking signals via a mobile computing device or other receiver and may follow the tracking signals until the game animal expires or becomes exhausted.

It will be understood that the animal tracking device100may be used with an arrow102or “bolt” shot from a bow, crossbow, slingshot, or other arrow launcher such as an air-powered arrow gun. The animal tracking device100may also be used with a tranquilizer dart or other projectile.

The above-describe animal tracking device100and assembling tool200provide several advantages over conventional animal tracking devices. For example, the housing10and tracking circuitry of the animal tracking device100remain attached to the hide of the game animal even if the arrow102passes through and does not remain with the game animal. The housing10and tracking circuitry of the animal tracking device100also remain outside of the hide of the game animal, which may improve signal quality and may reduce wear and tear received by the animal tracking device100. The controller compartment36and the battery compartment38are positioned on opposite sides of the housing10such that weight of the animal tracking device100is distributed more evenly around the arrow102. The assembling tool200also significantly simplifies assembling the animal tracking device100on the arrow102.