Broadhead arrowhead having deployable blades

A rear deploying mechanical broadhead arrowhead is provided and includes a broadhead body having a body opening and a body length, wherein the broadhead body defines a body cavity and includes a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots traverses a portion of the body length and is disposed such that each of the plurality of slots is on an opposing side of the broadhead body. A blade system is also provided and includes minor blades and deployable blades, wherein the deployable blades are movable relative to the minor blades. The blade system is movably disposed within the body cavity such that the plurality of minor blades and plurality of deployable blades are protruding from the plurality of slots. A broadhead base having a base head securely associated with the body opening to be partially disposed within the body cavity to enclose the body cavity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to arrowheads and more particularly to broadhead type arrowheads used for hunting, where the broadhead includes blades that deploy upon contact with an object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Broadhead arrowheads are well known in the art and generally include two main types, the fixed-blade type and the mechanical type, with the latter gaining popularity within the last 20 years. As the name implies, the fixed-blade type of broadhead typically includes blades that are fixed to the broadhead and that are immovable. On the other hand, the mechanical type of broadhead arrowheads typically includes one or more blades that move or deploy into a cutting position upon contact with an object. Although fixed-blade broadheads offer higher penetrating ability, the mechanical type broadheads have several benefits over the fixed-blade type broadheads. One such benefit includes better aerodynamics that results in less wind resistance during flight. This is because when the arrow is in flight the blades are in the non-deployed configuration which results in a more streamlined arrowhead. Another such benefit includes a larger cutting diameter upon interaction with the object.

To date at least two types of mechanical broadhead designs have been developed and include front deploying broadheads and rear deploying broadheads. As the names imply, front deploying broadheads have blades that deploy in the front area of the broadhead, while rear deploying broadheads have blades that deploy in the rear area of the broadhead. Unfortunately, current broadhead designs have several disadvantages. One such disadvantage involves the deployment mechanisms for keeping the blades retracted during flight. Because the blades must deploy readily upon contact with a body or object, the deployment mechanism is typically designed to allow for quick and easy deployment. If the deployment mechanism is too easily triggered, this can result in the wind resistance during flight triggering the deployment of the blades. This changes the aerodynamics of the broadhead causing the arrow to decrease in speed and typically affecting the accuracy of the arrow. Another such problem involves the complexity of the deployable blade mechanisms and the ability to keep the broadhead clean. For example, one broadhead design includes at least six moving components, each of which are embedded in the body and each of which move independently of each other. For operational purposes it is imperative that these head components remain clean and free of corrosion and/or debris. However, the typical bow hunter will be caught in rain and snow storms as well as muddy and extremely humid weather conditions that are common during the fall season. This allows for rapid corrosion and/or freezing of the components resulting in a failure of the blades to deploy.

Thus, it is desirable to make an improved version of a broadhead arrowhead, where the blades are quickly and easily deployable while at the same time providing blades that remain retracted during flight and that are resistant to external weather and environmental conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rear deploying mechanical broadhead arrowhead, is provided and includes a broadhead body having a body opening and a body length, wherein the broadhead body defines a body cavity and includes a first, second, third and fourth slot each of which having a slot length that traverses a portion of the body length. Also included is a first minor blade having a first blade portion and a first blade base, the first blade base having interface pins protruding therefrom, a second minor blade having a second blade portion and a second blade base, the second blade base defining pin cavities, wherein the two pin cavities are sized and shaped to contain at least a portion of the two interface pins, a first deployable blade having a first interface hole and a first blade edge and a second deployable blade having a second interface hole and a second blade edge, wherein the first deployable blade and second deployable blade is associated with the first minor blade and second minor blade such that one of the interface pins is located within the first interface hole such that a portion of the first interface pin is protruding therefrom and the other of the interface pins is located within the second interface hole such that a portion of the second interface pin is protruding therefrom. The protruding portion of the first interface pin is located within one of the pin cavities and the second interface pin is located within the other of the pin cavities, the combination of the first deployable blade, second deployable blade, first minor blade and second minor blade being disposed within the body cavity such that the first deployable blade is protruding from the first slot, the second deployable blade is protruding from the second slot, the first minor blade is protruding from the third slot and the second minor blade is protruding from the fourth slot and a broadhead base having a base head, wherein the base head is configured to be securely associated with the body opening to be partially disposed within the body cavity to enclose the body cavity.

A method for assembling a mechanical broadhead arrowhead is provided, wherein the mechanical broadhead arrowhead includes a broadhead body having a plurality of slots, a first minor blade, a second minor blade, a plurality of deployable blades having an O-Ring cutout, an O-Ring and a broadhead base. The method includes associating the O-Ring with the base head such that O-Ring is located within an O-Ring channel of the base head, associating a first deployable blade with the first minor blade and a second deployable blade with the second minor blade, associating the second minor blade with the first minor blade such that the first deployable blade and second deployable blade are disposed perpendicular to the first minor blade and second minor blade, locating the combination of the first minor blade, second minor blade, first deployable blade and second deployable blade within the body cavity of the broadhead body and associating the broadhead base with the broadhead body, configuring the first deployable blade and second deployable blade into a non-deployed configuration and associating the O-Ring with the first deployable blade and second deployable blade to keep the first deployable blade and second deployable blade in the non-deployed configuration.

A rear deploying mechanical broadhead arrowhead is provided and includes a broadhead body having a body opening and a body length, wherein the broadhead body defines a body cavity and includes a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots traverses a portion of the body length and is disposed along the circumference of the broadhead body such that each of the plurality of slots is on an opposing side of the broadhead body. A blade system is also provided, wherein the blade system includes a plurality of minor blades and a plurality of deployable blades, the plurality of deployable blades being movable relative to the minor blades, and wherein the blade system is movably disposed within the body cavity such that the plurality of minor blades and plurality of deployable blades are protruding from the plurality of slots. Additionally, a broadhead base having a base head is provided, wherein the base head is configured to be securely associated with the body opening to be partially disposed within the body cavity to enclose the body cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, referring toFIG. 1a,FIG. 1bandFIG. 1cone embodiment of an improved mechanical broadhead arrowhead100having rear deploying blades is provided and includes a broadhead body102, a broadhead base104, a deployment O-Ring106, a plurality of deployable blades108, a first minor blade110and a second minor blade112. Referring toFIG. 2a,FIG. 2bandFIG. 2c, the broadhead body102includes a body structure114having a body wall116which extends between a body structure tip118and a body structure base120. The body structure114is substantially cylindrical in shape with the exception of the body structure tip118which is configured to terminate in a point122. In the embodiment shown, the body structure tip118includes four (4) beveled surfaces124each of which is substantially perpendicular (in the vertical plane) to the adjacent beveled surface124to form four (4) right angles surfaces126. These right angle surfaces126may be sharpened to assist cutting the structure of an object and facilitate entry of the broadhead into the object. The body structure114is substantially hollow such that the body wall116defines a body cavity128which is sized and shaped to movably contain a portion of the first cutting blade106, second cutting blade108, first minor blade110and second minor blade112.

The body wall116includes four (4) vertical slots130which run (at least partially) the length L of the body wall116such that at least a portion of the body wall116is divided into four (4) fin structures132. The vertical slots130are located along the body wall116such that each of the vertical slots130is located on the opposite side of the body wall116to one of the vertical slots130. It should be appreciated that the vertical slots130may have a width of 0.035 inches±0.002 inches. Additionally, the body wall116includes a plurality of body fastening holes134for securely associating the broadhead body102to the broadhead base104. Additionally, it should be appreciated that that the broadhead base104may include a threaded surface103for threadingly and securingly connecting to the shaft of an arrow. This threaded surface may be an external threaded surface103(as shown inFIG. 1aandFIG. 1b) or it may be internal to the broadhead base104. Referring toFIG. 3a,FIG. 3bandFIG. 3c, first minor blade110is shown and includes a blade portion136and a blade base138. The blade portion136includes a curved surface140that may or may not be sharpened as desired. The blade base138includes at least one base protruding member142(in this embodiment there are two base protruding members142) which extends away from the blade base138in a direction opposite the blade portion136. Referring toFIG. 3d,FIG. 3eandFIG. 3f, second minor blade112is shown and includes a blade portion144and a blade base146. The blade portion144includes a curved surface148that may or may not be sharpened as desired. The blade base146includes at least one base cavity150which is sized and shaped to contain at least a portion of base protruding members142when the first minor blade110and second minor blade112are associated with each other. In this embodiment there are two base cavities150to receive and contain at least a portion of the two base protruding members142as discussed further hereinafter.

Referring toFIG. 4, a deployable blade108is shown and includes a first end152, a second end154, a blade edge156and a rear edge158. The deployable blade108includes an interface hole (or cavity)160and an O-Ring cutout162, wherein the interface hole160is located proximate to the first end152and the O-Ring cutout162is located on the second end154and is integral to the rear edge158. The O-Ring cutout162is shown as being semi-circular in shape, but may be any shape suitable to the desired end purpose. As discussed further hereinafter, it should be appreciated that interface hole160is sized and shaped to contain one of the base protruding members142and that the first end152of the deployable blade108is rounded. It should be further appreciated that the blade edge156(all or a portion) may be sharpened or un-sharpened and/or may include serrations. The rear edge158may angled such that the width of the deployable blade108is thinner towards the ends152,154and wider towards the center of the deployable blade108. For example, as shown inFIG. 4the rear edge includes an upper edge164, a lower edge166and the O-Ring cutout162, where the upper edge164is angled at an angle θ from a line L tangent to the plane of the blade edge156and the lower edge166is angled at an angle δ from a line L tangent to the plane of the blade edge156. Additionally, the O-Ring cutout162includes a transition edge168which is angled at an angle α from a line L tangent to the plane of the blade edge156. It should be appreciated that although angle θ is shown as being approximately equal to 7°±5°, angle δ is shown as being approximately equal to 16°±5° and angle α is shown as being approximately equal to 8°±5°, angles θ, δ and α may be any angle desired suitable to the desired end purpose.

In addition, it should be appreciated that the improved mechanical broadhead arrowhead100and/or its components may be of any size suitable to the desired purpose. Referring toFIGS. 4b-4m, some sizes for a couple embodiments of the improved mechanical broadhead arrowhead in their deployed and non-deployed configurations are shown, where the dimensions are shown in inches. Additionally, referring toFIGS. 4n-4u, the sizes of the component parts of one embodiment of the improved mechanical broadhead arrowhead are shown, where the dimensions are shown in inches.

Referring toFIG. 5aandFIG. 5b, the broadhead base104is shown and includes a base head170and a base stem172, wherein the base stem172includes a threaded portion174for securingly associating with an arrow. In accordance with the present invention, the base head170is sized and shaped to at least partially fit into body cavity128of broadhead body102, where the base head170includes a plurality of mounting cavities176which have a threaded inner surface for threadingly and securingly interacting with the threads of a screw. It should be appreciated that the plurality of mounting cavities176as located along the circumference of the base head170to align up with the body fastening holes134when the broadhead body102is associated with the broadhead base104. Additionally, the base head170includes an O-Ring channel178which extends along the circumference of the base head170, where the O-Ring channel178is sized and shaped to receive and contain O-Ring106.

Referring toFIG. 6, an operational block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method200for assembling the broadhead arrowhead100is shown and includes associating the O-Ring106with the base head170such that the O-Ring106is located within O-Ring channel178, as shown in operational block202. The deployable blades108are assembled by associating the deployable blades108with first minor blade110and second minor blade112, as shown in operational block204. This may be accomplished by associating the first deployable blade108with first minor blade110by positioning the first base protruding member142within interface hole160of the first deployable blade108such that the blade edge is pointed away from the first minor blade110, as shown inFIG. 7a. Additionally, the second deployable blade108is associated with first minor blade110by positioning the second base protruding member142within interface hole160of the second deployable blade108such that the blade edge is pointed away from the first minor blade110, as shown inFIG. 7b. The second minor blade112is then associated with first minor blade110by positioning the first base protruding member142within a first base cavity150and second base protruding member142within a second base cavity150. Accordingly, the first and second deployable blades are sandwiched in between first minor blade110and second minor blade112. At this point, the first minor blade110and second minor blade112are each substantially perpendicular to the first and second deployable blades108.

This assembly of first and second minor blades110,112and first and second deployable blades108are then positioned within the body cavity128, as shown in operational block206. It should be appreciated that the blade portion136is protruding out of a first vertical slot130, blade portion144is protruding out of a second vertical slot130, first deployable blade108blade is protruding out of a third vertical slot130and second deployable blade108blade is protruding out of a fourth vertical slot130. It should be appreciated that the blade base assembly138,146is sized and shaped to freely traverse the length L of body cavity128. The broadhead body102is associated with broadhead base104, as shown in operational block208. This may be accomplished by positioning the base head170within body cavity128such that threaded mounting cavities176align with body fastening holes134. One mounting screw is then threadingly associated with each pair of threaded mounting cavities176and body fastening holes134. The deployable blades108are configured to be in an undeployed configuration, as shown in operational block210. This may be accomplished by sliding the first and second minor blades110,112along the length L of the body cavity128toward the body structure tip118until they stop. The second end154of the deployable blades108are then pushed inward toward the deployment O-Ring106until the deployment O-Ring106is at least partially positioned within O-Ring cutout162.

In accordance with the present invention, the improved mechanical broadhead arrowhead100includes a non-deployed configuration300(shown inFIG. 8a,8b,8c,8d) and a deployed configuration302(shown inFIG. 9a,9b,9c,9d) and operates as follows. Referring toFIG. 10a,FIG. 10bandFIG. 10c, once the broadhead arrowhead100contacts a target object310, the tip of the broadhead arrowhead enters the object310. The blade portions136,144contact the object which produces a pressure on blade portions136,144pushing the blade portions136,144toward the broadhead base104. As the blade portions136,144move toward the broadhead base104, this causes the deployable blades108to pivot about its respective protruding member142thereby causing the deployable blades108to separate from the deployment O-Ring106such that the deployment O-Ring106is no longer located within the O-Ring cutout162. As more pressure is applied to blade portions136,144, the blade base138,146are forced to traverse the length L of the body cavity128toward broadhead base104. Because the deployable blades108are pivotably associated with base protruding member142, the first end152of deployable blades108also traverse the length L of body cavity128along with blade base138,146. This causes second end154of the deployable blades108to pivot outwardly away from broadhead base104in a rear deploying fashion. This configuration allows the broadhead arrowhead100to be centered in the target by having the blades at the rear of the broadhead arrowhead100. The feature of this action make it less likely to deflect at severe angled shots and allows the four edged tip to penetrate deeper while loosening and separating material along the way giving the four blades less resistance and deeper penetration.

It should be appreciated that various blade configurations may be used with both the deployable blades108and the minor blades110,112. Referring toFIG. 11, an improved mechanical broadhead arrowhead400in accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention is shown and includes deployable blades408having a serrated edge. Referring toFIG. 12, an improved mechanical broadhead arrowhead500in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown and includes deployable blades508having a serrated edge and a streamlined wing configuration. Referring toFIG. 13, an improved mechanical broadhead arrowhead600in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown and includes deployable blades608having a sharpened knife edge and a ‘feathered’ wing configuration. Referring toFIG. 14, an improved mechanical broadhead arrowhead700in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown and includes minor blades710,712having a sharpened knife edge and a ‘feathered’ wing configuration. Referring toFIG. 15, an improved mechanical broadhead arrowhead800in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown and includes minor blades810,812having a serrated edge. It should be appreciated that the above (and other) configurations of blades are contemplated and may be used in any combination as desired.

In accordance with the present invention, one or more of the components of the mechanical broadhead arrowhead100,400,500,600,700,800of the present invention may be manufactured using any method or technique suitable to the desired end purpose. For example, in one embodiment one or more components of the mechanical broadhead arrowhead100,400,500,600,700,800may be constructed from metal using metal injection molding. While in another embodiment one or more components of the mechanical broadhead arrowhead100,400,500,600,700,800may be constructed using powder injection molding. Moreover, it is contemplated that the one or more of the components of the mechanical broadhead arrowhead100,400,500,600,700,800may be constructed from a plastic material, a composite material, a metal material or a combination thereof. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, deployment O-Ring106may be constructed from a plastic, rubber and/or a composite material, such as a neoprene or polychloroprene type material that may be resistant to oil, ozone, weather, detergent, temperature and/or salt water. However, it should be appreciated that deployment O-Ring106may be constructed from any material or combination of materials suitable to the desired end purpose.

In accordance with the present invention, the processing of the method200inFIG. 6may be implemented, wholly or partially, by a controller operating in response to a machine-readable computer program. In order to perform the prescribed functions and desired processing, as well as the computations therefore (e.g. execution control algorithm(s), the control processes prescribed herein, and the like), the controller may include, but not be limited to, a processor(s), computer(s), memory, storage, register(s), timing, interrupt(s), communication interface(s), and input/output signal interface(s), as well as combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

Moreover, the method of the present invention may be embodied in the form of a computer or controller implemented processes. The method of the invention may also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, and/or any other computer-readable medium, wherein when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer or controller, the computer or controller becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer or controller, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer or a controller, the computer or controller becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor the computer program code segments may configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.