Abstract:
A detachable nock for use with a bow hunting arrow carrying a locating device within its hollow shaft. The detachable nock engages with the target animal and removes the locating device from the arrow shaft as the arrow passes through the target animal, thereby retaining the locating device with the animal to permit tracking. The detachable nock may be constructed with various fixed or movable retention components to accommodate the needs of a wide range of hunters. The design of the detachable nock minimizes its impact on the flight of the arrow and allows the bow hunter to use any style of hollow-shaft arrow, broadhead, and fletching.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field  
           [0002]    The invention relates generally to bow hunting for game animals and more particularly to the use of a detachable device used in combination with an arrow-mounted locating device to track and locate a wounded animal.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0004]    Arrow-mounted tracking devices, and in particular arrow-mounted transmitting devices, are well known in the industry. Several devices have been developed for tracking and locating game animals that have been wounded by bow hunters. These devices range from trailing a string or thread from an arrow, releasing paint or smoke from an arrow, and equipping an arrow with an electronic transmitting device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,612, dated Nov. 3, 1987, to Dan D. Boy, and reissued as U.S. Pat. No. Re.33,470, dated Dec. 4, 1990, discloses a method and apparatus for tracking an animal using an electronic transmitting device contained within an arrow shaft. While the Boy invention is an improvement over mechanical devices, such as arrows trailing string or thread which can become tangled or broken and which have limited range, and over chemical devices, such as paint or smoke emitting arrows which can be difficult to follow through thick underbrush or may be dispersed by wind, it nevertheless has a significant drawback. Modern compound and recurve bows used to hunt deer, bear, turkey, and other game animals typically shoot an arrow completely through the game animal at ranges of up to 45 yards. If the arrow passes completely through the game animal, which is the preferred method for killing a game animal with an arrow, the transmitting device will not work to track the wounded animal, but will merely provide the location of the spent arrow. U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,467, dated Aug. 29, 1995, to Eugene M. Willett, which discloses a detachable dart affixed to the exterior of an arrow and containing a transmitting device, which dart detaches from the arrow and remains attached to the wounded animal upon impact, theoretically avoids the disadvantage of the Boy invention but introduces another deficiency in that the size, weight, and position of the externally attached dart (along with its required counterweight) negatively impacts the flight of the arrow and reduces the accuracy of the arrow&#39;s flight, making it an unattractive alternative to a bow hunter. U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,442, dated Dec. 11, 1990, to Woodrow L. Treadway, discloses an apparatus in which a transmitting device is located within the hollow shaft of an arrow and is removable therefrom through a notch cut into the arrow shaft, such that upon impact with an animal the transmitting device remains attached to the wounded animal irrespective of the ultimate location of the spent arrow. The Treadway apparatus, by enclosing the bulk of the removable transmitting device within the arrow shaft, does not, in theory, cause the severe degree of negative impact to the flight of the arrow and the corresponding reduction in the accuracy of the arrow&#39;s flight seen in the Willett invention; however, the notch cut into the arrow shaft requires archery hunters to use specially designed arrow shafts, at increased cost, rather than their preferred model, and the loss of a spent arrow which has passed through an animal entails the loss of the expensive custom designed shaft. The device claimed herein seeks to reduce these deficiencies.  
           [0005]    It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved detachable device for use with an arrow-mounted locating device which is designed to attach the locating device to a game animal upon impact when the arrow passes through the animal, while minimizing the impact of the detachable device and locating device on the flight of the arrow, and allowing bow hunters to use their preferred model of arrow shaft rather than an expensive custom designed arrow shaft.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    In one aspect, the invention is directed to a device for removing a locating device contained within the hollow shaft of an arrow from the arrow and securing the locating device to a game animal, comprising a detachable nock having a nock body, a vertical notch to receive a bow string, an attachment component for removably attaching the detachable nock to the arrow shaft, an anchor component for fixedly attaching the locating device to the detachable nock, and a retention component for securing the detachable nock to the game animal, whereby the retention component engages and lodges into the game animal and in combination with the anchor component removes the locating device from the arrow and secures the locating device to the game animal.  
           [0007]    This aspect may include one or more of the following features: the attachment component having a substantially cylindrical or tapered shape to be removably attached to the arrow shaft directly or into an adapter fitted into the arrow shaft; the anchor component having a loop attached to the attachment component to which is attached an anchor wire which in turn is attached to the locating device; the anchor component having an aperture through the attachment component, with or without side channels, through which the anchor wire is passed and which in turn is attached to the locating device; the anchor component having an aperture passing through the front and out the top of the attachment component and an anchor bead situated within the aperture and in connection with the anchor wire which in turn is attached to the locating device; the anchor component having interlocking parts allowing for quick and simple attachment and detachment of the detachable nock to the locating device; the anchor wire serving as an antenna for the locating device; the retention component having one or more fixed hooks for engaging and lodging into the target; the retention component having one or more hinged hooks for engaging and lodging into the target; the retention component having one or more barb guards; the retention component having one or two flexing hooks situated within a hook slot formed within the nock body with the hook barbs pointed forward and concealed within the slot until force of contact pushes the barbs out of the slot to engage the target; the retention component having a pivoting grabber employing one or more grabbing arms which are concealed within a slot until engaged upon impact with the target, whereupon the grabbing arms pivot to extend beyond the slot to engage and lodge into the target; the retention component having a grabbing arm consisting of a barbed hook; the retention component having a pivoting grabber employing grabbing arms which are twisted along their longitudinal axes such that the twisted shape of the grabbing arms cause the entire detachable nock to spin when the grabbing arms are extended to the open position; the retention component being integrated into the nock body; and the retention component being integrated into an extension inserted between the nock body and the attachment component.  
           [0008]    In another aspect, the invention is directed to a device for removing a locating device contained within the hollow shaft of an arrow from the arrow and securing the locating device to a game animal, comprising a detachable nock having a nock body, a vertical notch to receive a bow string, and an attachment component for removably attaching the detachable nock to the arrow shaft, a retention device for securing the locating device to the game animal, and an anchor component for attaching the locating device to the retention device, whereby the retention device engages and lodges into the game animal and in combination with the anchor component removes the locating device from the arrow and secures the locating device to the game animal.  
           [0009]    This aspect may include one or more of the following features: the retention device having one or more removable hooks situated alongside the attachment component of the detachable nock and held in position between the attachment component and the interior of the arrow shaft; the removable hooks having barbed ends directed forward toward the arrow head; and the detachable nook having one or more channels or slots to accommodate the shafts of the removable hooks.  
           [0010]    In another aspect, the invention uses a guidance component to guide the locating device cleanly out of the arrow shaft.  
           [0011]    Other features and advantages of the invention are described below.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of an arrow, showing the interior of the arrow shaft containing a locating device and a detachable nock inserted into the end of the arrow shaft.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a detailed cut-away view of the arrow shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the detachable nock shown in FIG. 2 along with the arrow shaft and a nock adapter.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the detachable nock employing hinged hooks and barb guards.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the arrow shaft and barb guards shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a top view of the detachable nock using flexing hooks within a slot.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a side cut-away view of the detachable nock shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a side cut-away view of the grabber slot within the detachable nock.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a side cut-away view of the pivoting grabber in the closed position situated within the grabber slot shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a side cut-away view of the pivoting grabber shown in FIG. 9 in the engaged position.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a cut-away view of the removable retention device and the detachable nock.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 is a top view of the carrying component of the detachable nock.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 1 through 3 show perspective views of one embodiment of a detachable nock  9  as it is intended to be used with an arrow  1  and a locating device  7 . The arrow  1 , which is not claimed, has a hollow shaft  2  and an arrowhead  3  situated at the front end  4  of the arrow shaft  2  and an aperture  5  situated at the rear end  6  of the arrow shaft  2 . The locating device  7 , which is not claimed, is designed to fit into the hollow shaft  2  of the arrow  1  and to be removed from the arrow  1  through the arrow aperture  5 . The detachable nock  9  is used to remove the locating device  7  from the arrow  1  and to secure the locating device  7  to a target  8 . When the arrow  1  strikes the target  8  and continues on its flight path through the target  8 , the detachable nock  9  engages the target  8  and detaches from the arrow  1 , causing the locating device  7  to also be removed from the arrow  1 , resulting in the locating device  7  remaining attached to the target  8  to effect the goal of assisting in locating the target  8 . This enhances the possibility that the locating device  7  will remain with the target  8  even though the arrow  1  has passed through the target  8 , thereby allowing the locating device  7  to be used to track the target  8  and not the spent arrow  1 . The detachable nock  9  includes a nock body  10 , a vertical notch  11  to receive a bow string situated at the rear of the detachable nock  9 , an attachment component  12  for removably attaching the detachable nock  9  to the arrow shaft  2 , an anchor component  13  for attaching the locating device  7  to the detachable nock  9 , and a retention component  14  for securing the detachable nock  9  to the target  8 . The retention component  14  engages and lodges into the target  8  as the arrow  1  passes through the target  8  and continues on its flight path, and in combination with the anchor component  13  removes the locating device  7  from the arrow  1  and secures the locating device  7  to the target  8 . In all embodiments the nock body  10 , attachment component  12 , and vertical notch  11  form an integrated unit, with no clear delineation between the components. These three components taken together resemble nocks that are readily available in the industry.  
         [0025]    One embodiment of the attachment component  12  of the detachable nock  9  is shown in FIG. 3. It is an extension of the nock body  10  projecting from the front of the nock body  10  and aligned longitudinally with the intended direction of the flight of the arrow  1 . It may have a substantially cylindrical shape or a tapered shape, to facilitate insertion into the arrow  1 . The end of the attachment component  12  nearest the nock body  10  is designated the base end  16  and is integrated into the nock body  10 . The end of the attachment component  12  furthest from the nock body  10  is designated the insertion end  15 . If the attachment component  12  is tapered, the base end  16  is wider than the insertion end  15 . The attachment component  12  may be inserted, insertion end  15  first, directly into the arrow aperture  5 , or into a nock adapter  17 , not claimed, which is fitted into the arrow aperture  5  in order to accommodate arrow shafts  2  with different inside diameters. The diameter of the attachment component  12  must be just slightly less than the inside diameter of the arrow aperture  5  or the nock adapter  17  aperture, so that the attachment component  12  is secured by friction to the arrow aperture  5  or nock adapter  17  by an application of an appropriate force directing the detachable nock  9  into the arrow shaft  2 . This is a common method for attaching a nock to an arrow shaft. In this case, an appropriate force is such force that secures the detachable nock  9  firmly to the arrow  1 , so that the detachable nock  9  does not move with respect to the arrow shaft  2  while the arrow  1  is at rest or in flight, yet permits an opposing force generated by the impact of the detachable nock  9  with the target  8  to overcome the friction of the attachment component  12  within the arrow aperture  5  or nock adapter  17 , thereby causing the detachable nock  9  to detach from the arrow  1 .  
         [0026]    One embodiment of the anchor component  13  of the detachable nock  9  is shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the anchor component  13  includes a central aperture  33  through the insertion end  15  of the attachment component  12  and terminating within the detachable nock  9 , a retaining pin  36  securely situated within the central aperture  33 , and an anchor device  19 . The central aperture  33  is situated substantially coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the attachment component  12 . It has a substantially cylindrical shape, with a uniform inside diameter. The open end  34  of the central aperture  33  is situated at the front of the attachment component  12  allowing for communication through the central aperture  33  to the exterior of the attachment component  12 . The terminal end  35  of the central aperture  33  is situated within the interior of the detachable nock  9  and at the opposite end of the central aperture  33  as the open end  34 . The retaining pin  36  is situated substantially perpendicular to the central aperture  33 . It may be fixedly embedded within the detachable nock  9  or removably secured. The end of the retaining pin  36  situated within the central aperture  33  is designated the retaining end  38 , and should be positioned within the terminal end  35  of the central aperture  33 . If the retaining pin  36  is movably secured to the detachable nock  9 , the end opposite the retaining end  38 , designated the placement end  37 , is adapted to accommodate a screwdriver or other like device, and the retaining pin  36  is threaded, as is an aperture  29  within the detachable nock  9  into which the retaining pin  36  is inserted. In this embodiment, one end of the anchor device  19 , which may be a wire, is inserted into the open end  34  of the central aperture  33  and attached directly to the retaining pin  36 , and the other end is attached to the locating device  7 , thereby securing the locating device  7  to the detachable nock  9 .  
         [0027]    In another embodiment of the anchor component  13 , not shown, one end of the anchor device  19  is attached to an anchor bead  39  having a spherical shape and a diameter just slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the central aperture  33 , and the other end of the anchor device  19  is attached to the locating device  7 . The anchor bead  39  is positioned within the terminal end  35  of the central aperture  33  behind the retaining pin  36  such that the retaining end  38  of the retaining pin  36  is situated between the anchor bead  39  and the open end  34  of the central aperture  33 , preventing the anchor bead  39 , which is larger than the spaces on either side of the retaining pin  36 , from exiting the central aperture  33 . In this embodiment the retaining pin  36  should be threaded to allow it to be inserted into and removed from the central aperture  33  for ease of positioning the anchor bead  39 . This embodiment has the advantage of allowing different locating devices  7  to be attached to the detachable nock  9  quickly and securely.  
         [0028]    In yet another embodiment of the anchor component  13 , not shown, the anchor component includes both the central aperture  33  as described above and an entry aperture  111  through the insertion end  15  of the attachment component  12 . The entry aperture  111  is situated substantially perpendicular to the central aperture  33  and has a substantially cylindrical shape, an open end  112  situated at the surface of the attachment component  12  allowing for communication through the entry aperture  111  to the exterior of the attachment component  12 , a terminal end  113  situated within the interior of the attachment component  12  and at the opposite end of the entry aperture  111  as the open end  112 , being coextensive with the terminal end  35  of the central aperture  33 . The entry aperture  111  should have a uniform inside diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the central aperture  33 . This embodiment also includes an anchor bead  39  which has a spherical shape and a diameter just slightly greater than the inside diameter of the central aperture  33  and just slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the entry aperture  111 , such that the anchor bead  39  may be placed into the terminal end  113  of the entry aperture  111 , but the anchor bead  39  cannot pass through the central aperture  33 . The anchor device  19  is placed into the central aperture  33  through its open end  34  and attached to the anchor bead  39  situated within the terminal end  113  of the entry aperture  111 , such that the anchor bead  39  secures the anchor device  19  to the detachable nock.  
         [0029]    In yet another embodiment of the anchor component  13 , not shown, the anchor component  13  includes a loop  18  attached to the insertion end  15  of the attachment component  12 , and an anchor device  19 . The loop  18  may be made of wire or may be made of a rigid material, and may have a substantially circular shape, with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the insertion end  15  of the attachment component  12 , so that it does not interfere with the insertion of the attachment component  12  into the arrow  1 . It may also be integrated into the insertion end  15  of the attachment component  12 . One end of the anchor device  19 , which may be a wire, is attached to the loop  18 , and the other end is attached to the locating device  7 .  
         [0030]    In yet another embodiment of the anchor component  13 , not shown, the anchor component  13  includes an anchor aperture  24  passing through the insertion end  15  of the attachment component  12 , and an anchor wire  28 . The anchor aperture  24  is situated substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the attachment component  12  and has openings  26 ,  27  situated on the surface of the insertion end  15  of the attachment component  12 . One end of the anchor wire  28  is placed through the anchor aperture  24  and secured to itself, and the other end of the anchor wire  28  is attached to the locating device  7 . In this embodiment, the attachment component  12  may include two parallel channels  31 ,  32 , situated parallel to the longitudinal axis of the attachment component  12  and running from the openings  26 ,  27  of the anchor aperture  24  to the insertion end  15  of the attachment component  12 , in order to accommodate the anchor wire  28  such that the thickness of the anchor wire  28  is completely contained within the parallel channels  31 ,  32  and the anchor aperture  24  and the anchor wire  28  does not extend beyond the surface of the attachment component  12 .  
         [0031]    In yet another embodiment of the anchor component  13 , not shown, the anchor component  13  includes two interlocking parts  108 ,  109 , the first part  108  which is attached to the attachment component  12  and the second part  109  which is attached to the locating device  7 . The first interlocking part  108  attaches removably to the second interlocking part  109 , allowing the detachable nock  9  to be easily and quickly attached or detached from the locating device  7 . The two interlocking parts  108 ,  109  may be removably attached to each other by means of a threaded projection and a threaded aperture designed to receive the threaded projection, or a tab in a slot, or a hook and eye, or by magnets, or by any other suitable means.  
         [0032]    In any of the foregoing embodiments of the anchor component  13 , the anchor device  19  may serve as an antenna  23  for the locating device  7  if the locating device  7  is a type of electronic transmitter.  
         [0033]    One embodiment of the retention component  14  of the detachable nock  9  is shown in FIG. 2. The retention component  14  is comprised of a fixed hook  40  fixedly attached to the detachable nock  9  in such a manner as the fixed hook  40  can engage and lodge into the target  8  upon contact. The fixed hook  40  includes a shaft  41 , an attachment end  42 , and a barbed end  43 . The fixed hook  40  is fixedly attached to the nock body  10  at its attachment end  42 . The shaft  41  of the fixed hook  40  is curved towards the front of the detachable nock  9 , forming a bend  30 , so that the barbed end  43  of the fixed hook  40  is forwardly directed towards the arrowhead  3 . The fixed hook  40  lies substantially in a plane aligned with the intended direction of the flight of the arrow  1 . In this embodiment, there may be several fixed hooks  40  arrayed about the detachable nock  9 . This embodiment is the simplest and has the highest level of effectiveness, as the retention component  14  is always in a position to engage a target  8 .  
         [0034]    Another embodiment of the retention component  14  of the detachable nock  9  is shown in FIG. 4. The retention component  14  is comprised of a hinged hook  44 . The hinged hook  44  includes a grabbing prong  45  and an anchor pin  49 . The grabbing prong  45  is a curved hook having a barbed end  46 , a shaft  47 , and a hinged end  48 . The anchor pin  49  has two ends  50 ,  51 , with one end  50  fixedly attached to the nock body  10  and the other end  51  serving as a hinge point  52 . The grabbing prong  45  is movably attached to the hinge point  52  of the anchor pin  49  at its hinged end  48  in such a manner as permits the grabbing prong  45  to pivot forward and backward in a plane aligned with the intended direction of the flight of the arrow  1 . The grabbing prong  45  may be attached to the anchor pin  49  by a small circular ring  58  passing through apertures  59  situated in the hinged end  48  of the grabbing prong  45  and in the hinge point  52  of the anchor pin  49 . The shaft  47  of the grabbing prong  45  is curved forming a bend  53 , so that the barbed end  46  of the grabbing prong  45  is directed substantially towards the hinged end  48  of the grabbing prong  45 . When positioned for shooting the arrow  1 , the grabbing prong  45  is positioned with its barbed end  46  directed towards the detachable nock  9  or, if the shaft  47  is sufficiently long, towards the arrow shaft  2 . The bend  53  of the shaft  47  then serves as a contact point with the target  8 . When the bend  53  of the shaft  47  contacts the target  8 , the grabbing prong  45  is pivoted rearward, opposite the direction of the flight of the arrow  1 , causing the barbed end  46  of the grabbing prong  45  to pivot away from the detachable nock  9  (or the arrow shaft  2 ), exposing the barb  46  to the target  8  and engaging and lodging into the target  8 . In this embodiment, a torsion spring  54  may be integrated into the hinged end  48  of the grabbing prong  45  and the hinge point  52  of the anchor pin  49  so that the grabbing prong  45  is held in a forward position until it contacts the target  8 . In this embodiment, there may be several hinged hooks  44  arrayed about the detachable nock  9 . When only two hinged hooks  44  are used, the anchor pin  49  may extend completely through the nock body  10  and have hinge points  52  at both ends  50 ,  51 . In this embodiment, there is a perpendicular aperture  61  through the nock body  10  situated substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nock body  10 , and the anchor pin  49  is inserted into the perpendicular aperture  61  such that its two hinge point  52  extend from the nock body  10 . The two hinged hooks  44  are then attached to either end of the anchor pin  49 . The anchor pin  49  may be made of either a rigid or a flexible material. The use of hinged hooks  44  permits the barbed ends  46  of the hooks  44  to be positioned out of the way, improving safety for the user.  
         [0035]    The embodiments of the retention component  14  of the detachable nock  9  which use hinged hooks  44  may also use barb guards  55  to further protect the user of the device from the barbed ends of the hinged hooks  44 . One embodiment of barb guards  55  is shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the barb guard  55  is comprised of two guard walls  56 ,  57  situated adjacent and parallel to each other, with a small separation between them to accommodate the barbed end  46  of a hinged hook  44 . Each guard wall  56 ,  57  is composed of a semi-rigid material and can be of any appropriate shape, provided it has at least one straight edge. The two guard walls  56 ,  57  are attached along their straight edges perpendicularly to the detachable nock  9  in front of the hinged hook  44 , and are situated substantially parallel to a plane aligned with the intended direction of the flight of the arrow  1 . If the hinged hook  44  has a longer shaft  47 , the guard walls  56 ,  57  may be attached perpendicularly to the arrow shaft  2  instead. When preparing the device for use, the user positions the barbed end  46  of the hinged hook  44  between the two guard walls  56 ,  57 , thereby preventing the barbed end  46  to engage until it contacts the target  8 . The barb guard  55  may also use a device for maintaining the barbed end  46  of the hinged hook  44  between the guard walls  56 ,  57  until the target  8  is engaged. Such a device may be a removable clip  71  situated over and compressing together the two guard walls  56 ,  57 . When contact is made with the target  8  the removable clip  71  disengages from the guard walls  56 ,  57  and permits the hinged hook  44  to pivot out from between the guard walls  56 ,  57  and engage the target  8 . There should be as many barb guards  55  as necessary to accommodate the number of hinged hooks  44  employed.  
         [0036]    Yet another embodiment of the retention component  14  of the detachable nock  9  is shown in FIGS.  6 - 7 . In this embodiment, the retention component  14  is situated substantially within the interior of the detachable nock  9  and includes a flexing hook  90  and a hook slot  91 . Because the retention component  14  is situated substantially within the interior of the detachable nock  9 , the user is protected when handling the detachable nock  9  or shooting the arrow  1 . The hook slot  91  is formed into the interior of the detachable nock  9 , and has a left side  92 , a right side  93 , a front side  94 , a back side  95 , a top side  96 , and a bottom side  97 , with the left side  92 , right side  93 , front side  94 , and back side  95  being solid surfaces and the top side  96  and bottom side  97  being open. The six sides  92 ,  93 ,  94 ,  95 ,  96 ,  97  define an open space aligned longitudinally with the intended direction of the flight of the arrow  1 . The hook slot  91  should have a uniform width between the left side  92  and the right side  93  and a uniform length between the front side  94  and the back side  95 . The flexing hook  90  includes a shaft  98 , an attachment end  99 , and a barbed end  100 . The shaft  98  of the flexing hook  90  is curved back toward itself forming a bend  101 , such that the barbed end  100  of the flexing hook  90  is directed generally towards the attachment end  99  of the flexing hook  90 . The flexing hook  90  is attached to the front side  94  of the hook slot  91  at its attachment end  99 . Most of the flexing hook  90  is contained within the hook slot  91 , including its barbed end  100 , which is directed towards the front end  4  of the arrow  1 , but a portion of the shaft  98  of the flexing hook  90  containing the bend  101  is exposed externally from the hook slot  91 . The flexing hook  90  is fashioned of a flexible material allowing it to flex about its attachment end  99  when a force is applied to the bend  101  in its shaft  98 . As a force is applied to the bend  101  of the shaft  98 , that portion of the flexing hook  90  is forced into the hook slot  91  and the barbed end  100  of the flexing hook  90  emerges from the opposite side of the hook slot  91 , where it engages and lodges into the target  8 . When the force is removed from the bend  101  of the shaft  98  the flexing hook  90  returns to its original shape, withdrawing the barbed end  100  into the hook slot  91  and exposing the bend  101  in the shaft  98  through the opposite side of the hook slot  91 . In one embodiment of the retention component  14  using a flexing hook  90 , the flexing hook  90  includes a spring  102  at its attachment end  99  and a catch  103  along the bend  101  in its shaft  98 . The spring  102  provides a force pulling the barbed end  100  of the flexing hook  90  into the hook slot  91  and exposing the bend  101  in the shaft  98 . The catch  103  engages a lip  104  in the back side  95  of the hook slot  91  such that it stops the movement of the flexing hook  90  once the bend  101  in the shaft  98  is suitably exposed and the barbed end  100  is fully contained within the hook slot  91 . A force applied to the bend  101  of the shaft  98  sufficient to counteract the force of the spring  102  causes the flexing hook  90  to be forced into the hook slot  91  as described above, exposing the barbed end  100 . When the force is removed from the bend  101  of the shaft  98  the spring  102  causes the flexing hook  90  to withdraw into the hook slot  91  as described above. Another embodiment uses two flexing hooks  90 , situated side by side within the hook slot  91 , with both attached to the front side  94  of the hook slot  91  at their attachment ends  99 . One of the flexing hooks  90  has its bend  101  exposed through the top side  96  of the hook slot  91 , and the other flexing hook  90  has its bend  101  exposed through the bottom side  97  of the hook slot  91 . This twin-hook embodiment permits symmetrical engagement of the retention component  14  with the target  8  with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arrow  1 , thereby minimizing deflection of the flight of the arrow  1  as the detachable nock  9  engages and lodges into the target  8 .  
         [0037]    Yet another embodiment of the retention component  14  of the detachable nock  9  is shown in FIGS.  8 - 10 . In this embodiment, the retention component  14  is situated substantially within the interior of the detachable nock  9  and upon contact with the target  8  is rotated out of the detachable nock  9  to engage and lodge into the target  8 . While situated within the detachable nock  9  the retention component  14  presents a more aerodynamic profile than while in the engaged position, as well as protecting the user from barbs or other devices for engaging the target  8 , and while in the engaged position the retention component  14  provides a greater ability to engage and lodge into the target  8 .  
         [0038]    In this embodiment the engaging component of the retention component  14  is situated within a grabber slot  63 . The grabber slot  63  may be formed into the nock body  10 , or into an extension  84  which is situated between the attachment component  12  and the nock body  10 , and where the extension  84  is integrated with the attachment component  12  and is fixedly attached to the nock body  10 . The grabber slot  63  has a left side  75 , a right side  76 , a front side  77 , a back side  78 , a top side  79 , and a bottom side  80 , with a uniform width between the left side  75  and the right side  76  and a uniform length between the front side  77  and the back side  78  such that the six sides  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80  define an open space aligned longitudinally with the intended direction of the flight of the arrow  1 . A midpoint  81  located midway between the front side  77  and back side  78  and midway between the top side  79  and bottom side  80  defines a front section  82  of the grabber slot  63 , situated between the midpoint  81  and the front side  77 , and a rear section  83  of the grabber slot  63 , situated between the midpoint  81  and the back side  80 . The front section  82  is open along the top side  79  and partially closed along the bottom side  80 . The rear section  83  is open along the bottom side  80  and may be partially closed along the top  79 .  
         [0039]    The engaging component of the retention component  14  is a pivoting grabber  62  which includes a pivot wheel  64 , a catch arm  65 , a grabbing arm  66 , and a fulcrum  67 . The pivot wheel  64  is composed of a rigid material, is substantially flat and substantially circular, and has a pivot aperture  68  in its center through which the fulcrum  67  passes. The catch arm  65  is composed of a rigid material and is fixedly attached to the pivot wheel  64 . The grabbing arm  66  is composed of a rigid material and is fixedly attached to the pivot wheel  64  opposite the catch arm  65 . The catch arm  65  and the grabbing arm  66  should form an oblique angle. Either or both the grabbing arm  66  or the catch arm  65  may be integrated into the pivot wheel  64 . The fulcrum  67  is fixedly attached to the left side  75  and the right side  76  of the grabber slot  63  at the midpoint  81 , rotationally attaching the pivot wheel  64  to the detachable nock  9  and allowing the pivot wheel  64  to rotate about the fulcrum  67 . The catch arm  65  extends into the front section  82  of the grabber slot  63  and the grabbing arm  66  extends into the rear section  83  of the grabber slot  63 . The pivoting grabber  62  may rotate forward and downward into the grabber slot  63  until it is stopped by the partial closure of the bottom side  80  of the front section  82 . Likewise, the pivoting grabber  62  may rotate rearward and upward through the grabber slot  63  until it is stopped by the partial closure of the top side  79  of the rear section  83 . Thus, the total rotation of the pivoting grabber  62  is approximately ninety degrees, from a substantially horizontal position contained substantially within the grabber slot  63 , as shown in FIG. 9, to a substantially vertical position extended substantially external to the grabber slot  63 , as shown in FIG. 10. When the pivoting grabber  62  is rotated forward and downward into the grabber slot  63 , the catch arm  65  remains partially exposed external to the grabber slot  63 . This exposed portion of the catch arm  65  engages the target  8  upon contact. As the arrow  1  continues through the target  8 , the force of the target  8  against the catch arm  65  causes the pivoting grabber  62  to rotate and the catch arm  65  to rotate rearward and upward out of the grabber slot  63 , thereby causing the grabber arm to simultaneously rotate forward and downward out of the grabber slot  63  to further engage the target  8 . When fully rotated to the substantially vertical position, the catch arm  65  and the grabber arm most effectively engage and lodge into the target  8 .  
         [0040]    In one embodiment of the pivoting retention component  14 , the catch arm  65  has a grabbing surface  69  and a non-grabbing surface  70 , with each such surface situated opposite the other surface and running along the catch arm  65  from the pivot wheel  64  along the entire length of the catch arm  65 . On the grabbing surface  69  of the catch arm  65  there may be situated one or more grabbing teeth  72 . Similarly, the grabbing arm  66  has a grabbing surface  69  and a non-grabbing surface  70 , with each such surface situated opposite the other surface and running along the catch arm  65  from the pivot wheel  64  along the entire length of the catch arm  65 . On the grabbing surface  69  of the grabbing arm  66  there may be situated one or more grabbing teeth  72 . In another embodiment, the catch arm  65  has a helical shape rotated along its longitudinal axis and the grabbing arm  66  has a helical shape rotated along its longitudinal axis in the opposite direction, thereby creating a propeller effect when the two arms are filly extended, causing the entire detachable nock  9  to rotate about its longitudinal axis resulting in greater engagement and lodging into the target  8 . In yet another embodiment, the grabbing arm  66  is a barbed hook  73 , with the shaft  105  of the hook  73  curved downward and forward so that the barbed end  106  of the hook  73  is directed forward. When the pivoting grabber  62  is rotated to a substantially horizontal position the barbed end  106  of the grabbing arm  66  is fully contained within the grabber slot  63 . When the catch arm  65  engages the target  8  and rotates the pivoting grabber  62 , the barbed end  106  of the grabbing arm  66  rotates downward and forward to engage and lodge in the target  8 .  
         [0041]    Another embodiment of the detachable nock  9  is shown in FIG. 11. In this embodiment, retention of the detachable nock  9  to the target  8  is accomplished by a retention device  14  separate from the detachable nock  9 . The retention device  14  comprises a removable hook  85  having a shaft  87 , an attachment end  88 , and a barbed end  86 . The shaft  87  of the removable hook  85  is curved forming a bend  75 , so that the barbed end  86  of the removable hook  85  is directed towards the attachment end  88 . The attachment end  88  of the removable hook  85  is attached to the locating device  7  and inserted into the arrow shaft  2 . The barbed end  86  of the removable hook  85  remains external to the arrow shaft  2  and is forwardly directed towards the arrowhead  3 . The attachment component  12  of the detachable nock  9  is then inserted into the arrow shaft  2 , causing the removable hook  85  to be held in position between the attachment component  12  of the detachable nock  9  and the interior wall of the arrow shaft  2 . When the retention device  14  engages and lodges into the target  8 , the arrow  1  continues on its flight and the retention device  14  and the detachable nock  9  are detached from the arrow  1 . In one embodiment the attachment component  12  of the detachable nock  9  includes a channel  89  situated substantially parallel to the intended direction of the flight of the arrow  1 . This channel  89  accommodates the shaft  87  of the removable hook  85 , permitting a snug fit of the detachable nock  9  into the arrow shaft  2 . In another embodiment there may be multiple removable hooks  85 , joined together at their attachment ends  88 , with a corresponding number of channels  89  situated in the attachment component  12  of the detachable nock  9 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 3 shows a guidance component  20  which may be included with the detachable nock  9  for the purpose of permitting the locating device  7  to be cleanly removed from the arrow shaft  2 . A guidance component  20  may be useful when a nock adapter  17  is used, since the inside edge of the nock adapter  17  may present a lip  21  or partial obstruction blocking the path of the locating device  7  as it is pulled from the arrow shaft  2 . The guidance component  20  guides the locating device  7  past such lip  21  or obstruction. In one embodiment, the guidance component  20  is comprised of a flexible filament  22  with a plurality of flexible fibrous bristles  25 . Each bristle  25  is slightly longer than one half the inside diameter of the arrow shaft  2 , and the bristles  25  are situated substantially perpendicular to the filament  22  and arrayed around the filament  22  in a circular, radiating pattern, and along the length of the filament  22 . The resulting effect resembles a bottle brush, or a pipe cleaner. When the guidance component  20  is inserted into the arrow shaft  2 , the bristles  25  distort slightly, causing the filament  22  to be substantially centered within the hollow shaft  2  of the arrow  1 . One end  107  of the filament  22  is attached to the anchor component  13  of the detachable nock  9  and the other end  108  of the filament  22  is attached to the locating device  7 . As the detachable nock  9  detaches from the arrow  1  and the anchor component  13  draws the locating device  7  out of the arrow shaft  2 , the guidance component  20  centers the locating device  7  within the arrow shaft  2  and allows it to pass cleanly through the nock adapter  17 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 12 shows a carrying component  110  which may be included with the detachable nock  9 . The carrying component  110  is integrated into the attachment component  12  of the detachable nock  9  and is designed to accommodate the locating device  7  within its interior. The carrying component  110  is hollow, has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a means for inserting the locating device  7  into its interior. When used the carrying component  110  eliminates the need to separate the locating device  7  from the detachable nock  9  and instead allows the hunter to use a single device with his or her arrow  1 .  
         [0044]    Among the advantages of the detachable nock  9  are the following. The ability to use a locating device  7  when bow hunting improves the chances of recovering the target animal  8  and reduces the chances of a wounded animal being left to die a lingering death. The detachable nock  9  improves the chances that a locating device  7  delivered by an arrow  1  will remain with the animal, thereby allowing the locating device  7  to work as intended. The embodiments of the detachable nock  9  which permit multiple points of engagement with the target  8  permit the detachable nock  9  to be detached from the arrow  1  with a reduced risk of deflecting the arrow  1  from its flight, which a single point of engagement may cause. A deflected arrow  1  may not cleanly pass through the target animal  8 , thereby resulting in less blood loss and a slower death for the animal. Another advantage of the detachable nock  9  is its close conformity in size, shape, and weight to existing nocks, thereby minimizing its impact on the flight of the arrow  1 . Bow hunters can also use their preferred model of arrow shaft  2  rather than an expensive custom designed arrow shaft  2 . The simplicity of the design also allows for a cost-effective manufacture of the detachable nock  9 .  
         [0045]    Other embodiments not specifically set forth herein are also within the scope of the following claims.