Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of manufacturing an arcuate blade for a broadhead including: stamping a shape of a blade from a material, the blade having an inner and outer edge; grinding the inner edge of the blade to form a cutting edge; forming the blade into an arcuate shape; tempering the blade to harden the material; and electrolyzing the blade into a finished product.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/584,074 filed Dec. 29, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/797,290, filed Mar. 12, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,269) which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/609,849 entitled Broadhead for Attachment to an Arrow, filed on Mar. 12, 2012. The aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Arrows are typically comprised of an arrow shaft and an arrowhead, commonly referred to as a broadhead, that is mounted at a tip end of the arrow shaft opposite an engaging nock. Conventional broadheads are designed with straight blades that are mounted on a center ferrule. Broadheads are designed for the purpose of striking and piercing a target, such as a game animal. However, the effective cutting surface of a broadhead is limited by the length of the blades. If the blades on current broadheads are lengthened to increase their cutting surface, the broadheads become less desirable as the increased length of the blades increases the broadheads effective diameter. Additionally, a larger surface area of a broadhead may cause the flight of an arrow to be influenced by wind or other factors which may cause deviation from a linear flight path. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description section. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0004]    Embodiments of the present disclosure provide broadhead having a body portion that includes a number of slots that extend substantially along a length of the body portion. Extending from the body portion is one or more removable blades. In embodiments, each of the removable blades has an arcuate shape that causes each blade to have an inner side and an outer side with each inner side having a beveled edge extending substantially along a front side thereof. Additionally, a base portion of each of the plurality of removable blades is configured to be received in respective slots of the plurality of slots. 
         [0005]    Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a broadhead comprising a body portion having a plurality of arcuate shaped blades. According to embodiments, an inner side of each of the plurality of blades has a beveled edge extending substantially along a front side of the inner edge of each of the plurality of blades. 
         [0006]    In still yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a broadhead having a body portion is provided. A plurality of blades extend from the body portion. According to embodiments, each blade includes two opposing blade portions extending in opposite directions from a middle portion of each blade. The two opposing blade portions arcuately extend toward the other blade portion and each blade portion has an inner beveled edge. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Further features, aspects, and advantages will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of a broadhead according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is an exploded isometric view of the broadhead according to the first embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1C  is a top view of the broadhead according to the first embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1D  is a bottom view of the broadhead according to the first embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1E  is a right side view of the broadhead according to the first embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1F  is a left side view of the broadhead according to the first embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1G  is a front view of the broadhead according to the first embodiment; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 1H  is a back view of the broadhead according to the first embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of a broadhead according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  is an exploded isometric view of the broadhead according to the second embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2C  is a top view of the broadhead according to the second embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2D  is a bottom view of the broadhead according to the second embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2E  is a right side view of the broadhead according to the second embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2F  is a left side view of the broadhead according to the second embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2G  is a front view of the broadhead according to the second embodiment; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 2H  is a back view of the broadhead according to the second embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of a broadhead according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded isometric view of the broadhead according to the third embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of the broadhead according to the third embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3D  is a bottom view of the broadhead according to the third embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3E  is a right side view of the broadhead according to the third embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3F  is a left side view of the broadhead according to the third embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3G  is a front view of the broadhead according to the third embodiment; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 3H  is a back view of the broadhead according to the third embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4A  is an isometric view of a broadhead according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4B  is an exploded isometric view of the broadhead according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4C  is a top view of the broadhead according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4D  is a bottom view of the broadhead according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4E  is a right side view of the broadhead according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4F  is a left side view of the broadhead according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4G  is a front view of the broadhead according to the fourth embodiment; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 4H  is a back view of the broadhead according to the fourth embodiment. 
           [0040]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of a broadhead according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0041]      FIG. 6  illustrates a process for forming the arcuate blades of various embodiments described herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    Various embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show specific exemplary embodiments. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
         [0043]    Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a broadhead arrowhead having a body portion for attaching a plurality of arcuately shaped blades. As the blades have an arcuate shape, the overall length of the blades increases which increases the cutting surface of the blade. However, contrary to typical large diameter broadheads, the broadhead disclosed herein increases the cutting surface of the blade without increasing a side profile of the broadhead. With the increased cutting surface, the wound area on a target also increases which results in a more effective broadhead. 
         [0044]    As will be described in more detail herein, one or more embodiments provide that the arcuate blades form complete circular shapes when viewed along the axis of an arrow shaft. In another embodiment, the arcuate blades do not form a complete circular shape when viewed along the axis of an arrow shaft. The arcuate blades of the latter embodiment may form half circular shapes or three-quarter circular shapes etc. Although specific circular shapes have been mentioned, it is contemplated that the circular shape may be any partial circular shape so as the circular shape is not completed. 
         [0045]    In various embodiments disclosed herein, the broadhead may have two blades. In another embodiment, the broadhead may have three blades. However, although a specific number of blades is specifically mentioned and shown in the figures, it is contemplated that the broadhead of the present disclosure may have fewer or more blades than specifically mentioned. Additionally, blade types and sizes might be interchanged. For example, one embodiment may provide that two opposing blades form complete circles while a third blade forms a partial circle. In yet another embodiment, one or more linear blades could be interposed with one or more arcuate blades disclosed herein. 
         [0046]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, one or more blades of the broadhead may have a first straight portion and a second straight portion positioned at an angle relative to the first straight portion. The angle between the first straight portion and second straight portion could be a right angle, an obtuse angle or an acute angle. The transition between the first and second portion could be gradual, resulting in an arcuate connection between the two blades. In another embodiment, the transition between the two blades could be abrupt resulting in a sharp corner having no appearance of curvature. 
         [0047]    Although circular shape is specifically mentioned, it is contemplated that the blades may form other shapes including ellipsis or parabolas. Additionally, it is contemplated that other known shapes may be used lower a side profile of the broadhead while increasing the length of the cutting surface. For example, linear blades could be connected to a single circular blade (arranged, for example, like the spokes of a wheel) or one or more arcuate blades could end with linear portions. 
         [0048]    As will be discussed in more detail below, embodiments provide that the blades of and a tip of the broadhead are removable. Accordingly, the blades of the broadhead may be removed and/or replaced by removing the tip and removing/inserting replaceable blades into slots on the ferrule of the broadhead. Although slots are specifically mentioned in embodiments described herein, it is also contemplated that the blades may be secured to a ferrule using other attachment mechanisms such as bolts, glue screws and the like. In embodiments, the blades have a notch or a boss on a proximal portion that locks in under the tip when the tip is placed on the proximal end of the ferrule. Additionally, the notch of the blade may be crimped at a specific angle which may cause the blades to sit in a fixed position (i.e., not allowing the blades to rotate or misalign out of sync with one another). 
         [0049]    Turning to the figures,  FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of a broadhead  100  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The broadhead  100  may be comprised of a ferrule  110  with one or more blades  120  extending therefrom. Each of the blades  120  may be configured in a continuous arcuate shape such as, for example a circular shape although other shapes are contemplated. The arcuate shape of the blade  120  causes the blade  120  to have an outer side  121  and an inner side  122 . In certain embodiments, the inner side  122  has a beveled/sharpened edge  125  (that forms the cutting edge of the blade) that extends substantially along a front portion of the blade  120 . In another embodiment, the beveled edge  125  may be on the outer side  121 . In yet another embodiment, the beveled edge  125  may be on both the inner side  121  of the blade  120  and the outer side  122  of the blade  120 . 
         [0050]    The broadhead  100  also includes a ferrule  110  from which the blades  120  extend, an end portion  140  for securing the broadhead  100  to an arrow shaft and a tip  130 . With respect to the end portion  140 , in certain embodiments, the end portion  140  may be threaded so as to enable the broadhead  100  to be secured to the arrow shaft. Although a threaded end portion  140  is specifically mentioned, it is contemplated that other means may be used to secure the broadhead  100  to an arrow shaft including, but not limited to glue, a snap fitting, sliding mechanism (i.e., press fitting) etc. 
         [0051]    In certain embodiments, the blades  120  are integrally formed (i.e., not removable) with the ferrule  110 . In another embodiment, the blades  120  are removable. In such embodiments, the tip  130  may be removed from the ferrule  110  and the blades  120  may be inserted and removed from one or more grooves or slots  115  ( FIG. 1B ) present on the ferrule  110 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the slots  115  may begin at a proximate end of the ferrule  110  and extend substantially along a length of ferrule  110  toward a distal end of the ferrule  110 . In embodiments, the length of the slots  115  may be equivalent, or substantially equivalent to the length of the blade  120 . To secure the blade  120  to the ferrule  110 , a securement portion  129  of the blade is inserted into the slots  115 . Once the blades  120  have been inserted into the slots  115 , the tip  130  may then be secured to the ferrule  115 . 
         [0052]    In certain embodiments, the proximate end of the ferrule  110  is threaded and the tip  130  may be secured to the ferrule  110  via corresponding threads on an inner portion of the tip  130 . In another embodiment, the slots  115  may extend substantially along a length of the ferrule  110  from a distal end  140  toward the proximate end of the ferrule  110 . In such embodiments, the blades  120  may be secured in the slots  115  when the distal end  140  of the broadhead  120  is secured into an arrow shaft. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , the blade  120  may include a notch  127  on a proximate end (and/or a distal end) of the blade  120 . This notch  127  may be used to further secure the blade  120  to ferrule  110 . In certain embodiments, the notch  127  is configured to be inserted into the tip  130  when the tip  130  is secured to the proximate end of the ferrule  110 . As also shown, the blade  120  is formed in a complete arcuate shape (shown further in  FIGS. 1G and 1H ) with the cutting edge of the blade positioned on the inner side  122  of the blade  120 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 1C-1H  illustrate various additional views of the broadhead  100 . Specifically,  FIG. 1C  illustrates a top view of the broadhead  100 ,  FIG. 1D  illustrates a bottom view of the broadhead  100 ,  FIG. 1E  illustrates a right side view of the broadhead  100 ,  FIG. 1F  illustrates a left side view of the broadhead  100 ,  FIG. 1G  illustrates a front view of the broadhead  100  and  FIG. 1H  illustrates a back view of the broadhead  100 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of a broadhead  200  according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Like broadhead  100  ( FIG. 1A ), broadhead  200  includes a plurality of blades  220  that extend from a ferrule  210 . The blades  220  have an arcuate shape that forms a complete circular shape which causes the blades  220  to have an inner side  222  and an outer side  221 . According to embodiments, the inner side  222  has a beveled edge  225  that forms the cutting surface of the blades  220 . The broadhead  220  includes a tip  230  at a proximate end and threads or other securement means at a distal end  240 . 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , the broadhead  200  may include three blades  220  with each blade being configured to be inserted and removed from the ferrule  210  by sliding a connecting portion  229  of the blade into one or more slots  215  on the ferrule  210 . Once the blades  220  have been inserted into the slots  215 , a notch  227  on the blade  220  may be configured to fit within a portion of the tip  230  when the tip  230  has been secured to a proximate end of the ferrule  210  to further secure the blades  220  to the ferrule  210 . When the blades  220  are secured, the blades will not move, slide or rotate within the ferrule  210 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 2C-2H  illustrate various additional views of the broadhead  200 . Specifically,  FIG. 2C  illustrates a top view of the broadhead  200 ,  FIG. 2D  illustrates a bottom view of the broadhead  200 ,  FIG. 2E  illustrates a right side view of the broadhead  200 ,  FIG. 2F  illustrates a left side view of the broadhead  200 ,  FIG. 2G  illustrates a front view of the broadhead  200  and  FIG. 2H  illustrates a back view of the broadhead  200 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of a broadhead  300  according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The broadhead  300  may be comprised of a ferrule  310  with one or more blades  320  extending therefrom. In certain embodiments the blades  320  may be integrally formed with the ferrule  310  such that the blades  320  cannot be removed. In another embodiment, the blades  320  may be removable from the ferrule  310 . 
         [0059]    Each of the blades  320  may be configured in an arcuate shape such as, for example a circular shape although other shapes are contemplated. However, unlike the broadhead  100  and  200  of  FIGS. 1A and 2A , broadhead  300  includes an opening  350  along an arc of the blade  320 . In certain embodiments, as air passes through the opening  350 , the air causes the blades to outwardly extend. As a result of the blades  320  extending outward, the overall diameter of the impact wound is increased. In certain embodiments, the airflow through the opening  350  is increased due to the beveled edge  325  (which forms the cutting edge of the blades  320 ) on the inner portion  322  of the blade  320 . In another embodiment, the beveled edge  325  may be on the outer side  321 . In yet another embodiment, the beveled edge  325  may be on both the inner side  321  of the blade  320  and the outer side  322  of the blade  320 . 
         [0060]    As with the broadheads described above, the broadhead  300  also includes an end portion  340  for securing the broadhead  300  to an arrow shaft and a tip  330 . With respect to the end portion  340 , the end portion  340  may be threaded so as to enable the broadhead  300  to be secured to an arrow shaft. Although a threaded end portion  340  is specifically mentioned, it is contemplated that other means may be used to secure the broadhead  300  to an arrow shaft including such as described above with respect to  FIG. 1A . 
         [0061]    As described above, certain embodiments provide that the blades  320  may be removable. In such embodiments, the tip  330  may be removed from the ferrule  310  and one or more blades may be removed and/or inserted the slots  315  ( FIG. 3B ). As shown in  FIG. 3B , the slots  315  may begin at a proximate end of the ferrule  310  and extend substantially along a length of ferrule  310  toward a distal end  340  of the ferrule  310 . 
         [0062]    To secure the blades  320  to the ferrule  310 , a securement portion  329  of the blade  320  is inserted into the slots  315 . Once the blades have been inserted into the slots  315 , the tip  330  may be secured to the ferrule  315 . In certain embodiments, the proximate end of the ferrule  310  is threaded and the tip  330  may be secured to the ferrule  310  via corresponding threads on an inner portion of the tip  330 . In another embodiment, the slots  315  may extend substantially along a length of the ferrule  310  from a distal end  340  toward the proximate end of the ferrule  310 . In such embodiments, the blades  320  may be secured in the slots  315  when the distal end  340  of the broadhead  300  is secured to an arrow shaft. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 3B , each blade  320  may include a notch  327  on a proximate end of the blade  320 . This notch  327  may be used to further secure the blade  320  to the ferrule  310 . In certain embodiments, the notch  327  is configured to be inserted into the tip  330  when the tip  330  is secured to the proximate end of the ferrule  310 . Although a single notch is shown, it is contemplated that the notch may be placed on any portion of the blade so as to assist in keeping the blade in place. It is also contemplated that multiple notches may be used on various places of the blade  320 . As also shown, the blade  320  is formed into a partial circular shape (e.g., half circle, three-quarter circle, and the like shown further in  FIGS. 3G and 3H ) with the cutting edge of the blade positioned on the inner side  322  of the blade  320 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 3C-3H  illustrate various additional views of the broadhead  300 . Specifically,  FIG. 3C  illustrates a top view of the broadhead  300 ,  FIG. 3D  illustrates a bottom view of the broadhead  300 ,  FIG. 3E  illustrates a right side view of the broadhead  300 ,  FIG. 3F  illustrates a left side view of the broadhead  300 ,  FIG. 3G  illustrates a front view of the broadhead  300  and  FIG. 3H  illustrates a back view of the broadhead  300 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 4A  is an isometric view of a broadhead  400  according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Like broadhead  300  ( FIG. 3A ), broadhead  400  includes a plurality of blades  420  that extend from a ferrule  410 . The blades  420  have an arcuate shape that form a partial circular shape which causes the blades  420  to have an inner side  422  and an outer side  421 . The partial circular shape is achieved by including an opening  450  at an arc of each blade  420 . According to embodiments, the inner side  422  has a beveled edge  425  that forms the cutting surface of the blades  420 . The broadhead  420  includes a tip  430  at a proximate end and threads or other securement means at a distal end  440 . 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIG. 4B , the broadhead  400  may include three blades  420  with each blade being configured to be inserted and removed from the ferrule  410  by sliding a connecting portion  429  of the blade into one or more slots  415  on the ferrule  410 . Once the blades  420  have been inserted into the slots  415 , a notch  427  on the blade may be configured to fit within a portion of the tip  430  when the tip has been secured to a proximate end of the ferrule  410  to further secure the blades  420  so as to prevent the blades from moving. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 4C-4H  illustrate various additional views of the broadhead  400 . Specifically,  FIG. 4C  illustrates a top view of the broadhead  400 ,  FIG. 4D  illustrates a bottom view of the broadhead  400 ,  FIG. 4E  illustrates a right side view of the broadhead  400 ,  FIG. 4F  illustrates a left side view of the broadhead  400 ,  FIG. 4G  illustrates a front view of the broadhead  400  and  FIG. 4H  illustrates a back view of the broadhead  400 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of a broadhead  500  according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the broadhead  500  includes a plurality of blades  520  configured in an arcuate shape. However, in contrast to the other embodiments described, the blades of the broadhead  500  are configured in a half circular shape. Although a half circular shape is shown, it is contemplated that the circular shape may be greater than a half circular shape (without completing a full circular shape) or less than a half circular shape. As with the other embodiments described herein, each of the blades  520  include a cutting portion  525  on inner side of the blade  520 . In other embodiments, the cutting portion may be on the outer side of the blade  520  as well as both sides (i.e., inner side and outer side) of the blade  520 . 
         [0069]    As with the other embodiments described herein, the broadhead  500  includes a tip  530  that may be used to secure the blades  520  in their respective positions in embodiments where the blades  520  are removable. In certain embodiments, broadhead  500  includes similar features to those described above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-4H . 
         [0070]      FIG. 6  illustrates a process  600  for forming the arcuate blades of the embodiments of the broadheads described herein. Process  600  begins at step  610  in which the material is stamped with the shape of the blade. Flow then proceeds to step  620  in which the inner edge (i.e., the edge of the blade that will be the inner edge of the blade when the blade is formed into the arcuate shape) of the blade is grinded to form the cutting edge of the blade. The blade is then formed  630  into the arcuate shape. Flow then proceeds to step  640  in which the bladed is tempered and both sides of the blade are grinded. Flow then proceeds to operation  650  in which the blade, particularly, the grinded cutting portion of the blade, is polished by electrolyzing. 
         [0071]    The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this application are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the claims in any way. However, one skilled in the relevant art may recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other resources, materials, etc. The embodiments, examples, and details provided in this application are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable others to make and use the best mode of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, example, or detail provided in this application. Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately, the various features are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the general inventive concept embodied in this application that do not depart from the broader scope of the claims.