Abstract:
An arrow quiver for carrying arrows is provided. The arrow quiver comprises a cross member having a first end and a second end. A gripping mechanism is secured to the first end of the cross member. A blade hood is secured to the second end of the cross member for forming a blade receiving pocket with the blade hood having a base and a cover with the cover movable from the base.

Description:
The present application is a continuation of now abandoned provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/552,605, filed on Mar. 12, 2004, entitled “Hinged Arrow Quiver”. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to an arrow quiver for carrying arrows and, more particularly, the invention relates to an arrow quiver with a component for holding broadhead arrows which can be opened or removed for the insertion of broadhead arrows thereby allowing the broadhead arrows to be easily withdrawn for use. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   An archery quiver is used by an archer to safely transport arrows. Conventional archery quivers include a quiver hood or shell which covers the broadheads and protects both the archer from the broadheads and the broadheads from hunting or other environments. The arrows attached to the broadheads are typically secured for transport with an arrow spreader mounted to a bow with a quiver mounting bracket. Typically, there is no structure of the hood that holds the broadheads within a void formed by the hood and the broadheads may undesirably contact an inner wall of the hood and/or adjacent broadheads resulting in damage to the broadhead blades. In some conventional archery quivers, to better secure the arrows and prevent damage to the broadheads, a second arrow spreader is mounted near the broadhead. However, the second arrow spreader interferes with the broadhead during insertion and withdrawal of the broadhead. 
   Other conventional archery quivers may have a hood which is lined or filled with a foam material into which broadheads are inserted to prevent contact between the broadhead and the inner wall of the hood and/or adjacent broadheads. However, the foam material can dull the blades as the broadhead is inserted and withdrawn from the hood and is easily damaged, for example, torn and/or cut, as a result of the broadhead insertion and withdrawal. Also, the mechanical broadheads can open as they are inserted into the foam material. 
   Therefore, when a mechanical broadhead is inserted in the traditional quiver, one of several problems occurs. For instance, since the broadheads are designed to open when they come into contact with solid matter, pushing them into the foam of a standard quiver causes the blades to open. Also, quivers without the foam material and containing another gripper mechanism near the hood to hold the broadheads, usually leaves the broad heads exposed creating a safety issue since the blades are typically surgically sharp. Furthermore, leaving the blades of the broadhead exposed causes vibration of the blades upon the release of the arrow resulting in noise. 
   Accordingly, there exists a need for an arrow quiver for carrying arrows which can be opened or removed for the insertion of broadhead arrows thereby allowing the broadhead arrows to be easily withdrawn for use. Additionally, a need exists for an arrow quiver for carrying arrows which protects the blades of the broadhead arrows from damage and which protects the archer from injury. Furthermore, there exists a need for an arrow quiver for carrying arrows which maintains the broadhead arrows from inadvertently opening prior to contact with an intended target. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is an arrow quiver for carrying arrows. The arrow quiver comprises a cross member having a first end and a second end. A gripping mechanism is secured to the first end of the cross member. A blade hood is secured to the second end of the cross member for forming a blade receiving pocket with the blade hood having a base and a cover with the cover movable from the base. 
   In addition, the present invention includes a device for covering the blades of an arrow. The device comprises a base portion and a cover portion over the base portion and movable away from the base portion. Latching means releasably secure the base portion and the cover portion together. 
   The present invention further includes a method for carrying and storing arrows. The method comprises providing an arrow have at least one blade, providing a base and a cover, forming a blade receiving pocket between the base and the cover, moving the cover away from the base to expose the blade receiving pocket, positioning the blade of the arrow within the blade receiving pocket, moving the cover over the base, and enclosing the blade receiving pocket. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an arrow quiver for carrying arrows, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the arrow quiver for carrying arrows, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an elevational side view of the arrow quiver for carrying arrows, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the arrow quiver for carrying arrows, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the arrow quiver for carrying arrows, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a cover hingedly connected to the base; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the arrow quiver for carrying arrows, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a cover slidable from the base for accessing the arrows; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the arrow quiver for carrying arrows, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a cover slidable from the base for accessing the arrows; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the arrow quiver for carrying arrows, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a two-part cover hingedly connected to the base; and 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the arrow quiver for carrying arrows, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a cover pivotable away from the base for accessing the arrows. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , the present invention is an arrow quiver, indicated generally at  10 , for holding and transporting broadhead arrows  12 . While the arrow quiver  10  of the present invention has been and will hereafter be described as holding and transporting broadhead arrows  12 , the arrow quiver  10  can be used on any type of arrow, either hunting or recreational. 
   The arrow quiver  10  of the present invention includes a blade hood  14  for receiving the blades  16  of the broadhead arrows  12 , a gripper or arrow holder  18 , a cross member  20  connecting and holding the gripper  18  and the blade hood  14  together, and an attachment mechanism (not shown) for mounting the arrow quiver  10  to the bow (not shown). Preferably, the cross member  20  has a bend portion  21  which allows alignment of the gripper  18  with the blade hood  14 . The attachment mechanism can either be a quick detach attachment mechanism or a solid bow mounted piece, depending on the desires of the manufacturer and/or archer. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the blade hood  14  of the arrow quiver  10  of the present invention includes a base portion  22  and a cover  24  connected together with at least one hinge mechanism  25 . The hinged cover  24  opens relative to the base portion  22  in a clamshell fashion permitting loading of the blades  16  of the broadhead arrows  12  into the arrow quiver  10 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the cover  24  can be slidably connected to the base portion  22  for moving the cover  24  onto and off the base portion  22 . The base portion  22  and the cover  24  include at least one rail  23  for allowing the cover  24  to slide relative to the base portion  22 . A stop mechanism (not shown) can be provided to limit the sliding extend of the cover  24  relative to the base portion  22  such that the cover  24  never completely leaves the base portion. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the cover  24  can includes a first cover portion  27  and a second cover portion  29  which are each separately hinged to the base portion  22 . Constructing the cover  24  in this manner allows the user to open one or both cover portions  27 ,  29  depending on the desire of the user. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the cover  24  can be pivotally connected to the base portion  22  through a pivot point  31 . The cover  24  pivots relative to the base portion  24  about the pivot point  31  allowing the user to access the arrows  12 . 
   In each of the embodiments described above, the arrow quiver  10  can include a wall  33  formed on the base portion  24 . The wall  33  provides a stop point for the blades  16  of the arrows  12  to limit the extent of the arrows within the blade hood  14 . 
   Resilient foam material  26  can be placed in both the base portion  22  and the hinged cover  24  of the blade hood  14  and grooved on at least one side to accommodate a variety of blades  16  of broadhead arrows  12  including mechanical broadhead arrows. In another embodiment, fur or the like can be secured within the blade hood  14  for protecting the blades  16 . Also, the resilient foam material  26  can be secured to the wall  33  to protect the tips of the blades  16 . Through these components, mechanical broadhead arrows  12  can be placed in the quiver  10 , carried, and withdrawn for use without damaging the broadhead arrows  12  or causing the blades  16  of the broadhead arrows  12  to open prematurely. 
   While the arrow quiver  10  of the present invention has been described as being hinged, it is within the scope of the present invention to have the cover  24  of the blade hood  14  be completely removable from the base portion  22  of the blade hood  14  without the use of hinges, slides, or pivot points. In any of the embodiments of the arrow quiver  10 , fastening mechanisms (not shown) can be attached to the blade hood  14 , either the base portion  22  or the hinged cover  24  or both, to maintain the blade hood  14  in a closed condition. 
   The blade hood  14  of the arrow quiver  10  can be constructed from any durable material. In a preferred embodiment, the blade hood  14  is constructed from a plastic material, although other materials including, but not limited to, metal, wood, ceramics, etc., are within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the blade hood  14 , including both the base portion  22  and the cover  24 , can be molded to substantially form around the blades  16  of the arrows  12 . 
   In sum, the arrow quiver  10  of the present invention which can be opened or removed for the insertion or removal of broadhead arrows  12  thereby allowing the broadhead arrows  12  to be easily inserted or withdrawn for use. Additionally, the arrow quiver  10  protects the blades  16  of the broadhead arrows  12  from damage and protects the archer from injury. Furthermore, the arrow quiver  10  maintains the broadhead arrows  12  from inadvertently opening prior to contact with an intended target. 
   The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.