Abstract:
A detachable nock for use with a bow hunting arrow, said arrow having a locating device associated with and transported by it. The detachable nock engages with the target animal and separates the locating device from the arrow 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:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/094,907, filed Mar. 12, 2002 and currently pending, entitled Device For Detaching Locator From Arrow For Tracking Game, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Technical Field  
           [0003]    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.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0005]    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.  
           [0006]    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.  
           [0007]    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  
         [0008]    In one aspect, the invention is directed to a detachable nock capable of carrying a locating device and suitably adapted for use with an arrow, and having the ability to separate the locating device from the arrow and securing the locating device to a game animal, said detachable nock comprising a nock body, a means incorporated into the nock body suitably adapted for carrying the locating device, a bowstring receiving means situated at the rear of the nock body, an attachment component for removably attaching the detachable nock to the arrow, and a retention component for securing the detachable nock to the game animal, whereby upon the arrow striking the game animal the retention component engages and lodges into the game animal with sufficient energy to detach the nock from the arrow and thus separate the locating device from the arrow and secure the locating device to the game animal.  
           [0009]    This aspect may include one or more of the following features: the means for carrying the locating device being a hollow chamber integrated into the nock body; the bowstring receiving means being a flanged end cap having flanges forming a vertical notch; the flanged end cap being removable and being suitably adapted to provide access to the hollow chamber; 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 attachment component comprised of multiple flexible flanges; the retention component being either fixed or engageable for engaging and lodging into the target; the fixed retention component having one or more fixed hooks; the fixed retention component having one or more grab members; the engageable retention component having one or more hinged hooks; the engageable retention component having one or more barb guards; and the engageable retention component having one or more pivoting grabbers.  
           [0010]    Other features and advantages of the invention are described below.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a side view of an arrow with the detachable nock inserted into the end of the arrow shaft.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a side view of a detachable nock containing a locating device and having a retention component comprised of fixed hooks, ready for insertion into an arrow.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective, cut-away view of a locating device partially inserted into the nock body of the detachable nock, having an external antenna extending from the nock body.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a side view of the attachment component comprising attachment flanges and used with an adapter.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a side, cut-away view of the attachment component using annular protrusions and the adapter using annular channels.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a side view of the detachable nock employing hinged hooks and barb guards.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the arrow shaft and barb guards shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is an exploded side view of the retention component using grab members attached to a grab ring.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a side view of the detachable nock, having a retention component using grab members attached to a grab ring, fully inserted into an adapter.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10A is a side view of the grabber slot integrated into the nock body of the detachable nock.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10B is a side view of the pivoting grabber embodiment of the retention component of the detachable nock, with the pivoting grabber having two grab members and being rotated to the undeployed position.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10C is a side view of the pivoting grabber embodiment of the retention component of the detachable nock, with the pivoting grabber having two grab members and being rotated to the deployed position.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view 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 of the arrow shaft  2 . The locating device  7 , which is not claimed, may be any type of locating device known in the art, but is preferably an electrically powered radio transmitting device capable of sending a signal to a handheld receiver.  
         [0024]    The detachable nock  9 , shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 9, includes a nock body  10  having a front  12  and a rear  14 , a means for carrying the locating device  7 , a bowstring receiving means to receive a bow string situated at the rear  14  of the nock body  10 , an attachment component  20  situated at the front  12  of the nock body  10  suitably adapted for removably attaching the detachable nock  9  to the arrow shaft  2 , and a retention component  40  for securing the detachable nock  9  to the target  8 .  
         [0025]    When the arrow  1  strikes a target  8  and continues on its flight path through the target  8 , the detachable nock  9  engages the target  8  by the retention component  40  and detaches from the arrow  1 , causing the locating device  7  to be separated 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 .  
         [0026]    In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the means for carrying the locating device  7  is a hollow chamber  72  situated within the interior of the nock body  10 . The hollow chamber  72  is dimensioned to snugly accommodate the locating device  7  so as to prevent movement of the locating device  7  within the nock body  10  after the locating device  7  is inserted within the hollow chamber  72 . The hollow chamber  72  may be of any suitable shape to accommodate the locating device  7 , but the preferred embodiment uses a cylindrically shaped chamber and locating device.  
         [0027]    The bowstring receiving means may be comprised of a flanged end cap  82  having a first flange  84  and a second flange  86 , with the first and second flanges  84 , 86  depending generally rearward from the nock body  10  and being substantially parallel to each other. The flanges  84 , 86  are oriented to form a vertical notch  88  between the flanges  84 , 86  suitably adapted to receive a bow string. In one embodiment, the flanged end cap  82  is integrated into the rear  14  of the nock body  10 .  
         [0028]    In embodiments using a hollow chamber  72  to contain the locating device  7 , the locating device  7  may be permanently located therein or may be removably located therein. A removable locating device  7  has the advantage of being replaced, repaired, or reused, or having its power supply replenished. In order to insert and remove the locating device  7  from the hollow chamber  72 , the nock body  10  may incorporate an aperture  16  situated in the rear  14  of the nock body  10  which communicates with the hollow chamber  72 . In this embodiment, the flanged end cap  82  of the bowstring receiving means is not integrated into the nock body  10 , but rather is a separate component. It further contains a protrusion  90  situated opposite the flanges  84 , 86 , with the protrusion  90  being suitably adapted to fit into the aperture  16  at the rear  14  of the nock body  10 . The flanged end cap  82  is inserted into the aperture  16  at the rear  14  of the nock body  10  to securely attach the flanged end cap  82  to the nock body  10  and to seal off the hollow chamber  72 , securing the locating device  7  therein. Removal of the flanged end cap  82  allows access to the hollow chamber  72  and to the locating device  7  contained therein. In an alternative embodiment, the rear aperture  16  of the nock body  10  is threaded, as is the protrusion  90  of the flanged end cap  82 , such that the threads of the rear aperture  16  accommodate the threads of the protrusion  90 , thereby allowing the flanged end cap  82  to be screwed into the nock body  10 . The hollow chamber  72  is accessed by unscrewing the flanged end cap  82  from the nock body  10 .  
         [0029]    In yet another embodiment, where the locating device  7  uses an external antenna  76 , the nock body  10  comprises a forward aperture  74  extending from the hollow chamber  72  through the front  12  of the nock body  10  such that an antenna  76  attached to the locating device  7  may pass out of the hollow chamber  72  through the forward aperture  74  and into the hollow arrow shaft  2  when the detachable nock  9  is attached to the arrow  1 .  
         [0030]    The detachable nock  9  is removably attached to the arrow shaft  2  by the attachment component  20 , either directly or indirectly in conjunction with an adapter  30 . One embodiment of the attachment component  20  of the detachable nock  9  is shown in FIG. 2. It is an extension of the nock body  10  projecting from the front  12  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  20  nearest the nock body  10  is designated the base end  24  and is integrated into the nock body  10 . The end of the attachment component  20  furthest from the nock body  10  is designated the insertion end  22 .  
         [0031]    The attachment component  20  may be inserted, insertion end  22  first, directly into the arrow aperture  5 , or into an adapter  30  which is fitted into the arrow aperture  5 . In an embodiment where the attachment component  20  is inserted directly into the arrow shaft  2 , the diameter of the attachment component  20  is just slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the arrow shaft  2 , such that the detachable nock  9  is secured to the arrow  1  by friction. An alternative embodiment uses an attachment component  20  which is tapered. In such an embodiment, the insertion end  22  of the attachment component  20  has a diameter just slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the arrow aperture  5  and the base end  24  of the attachment component  20  has a diameter just slightly greater than the inside diameter of the arrow aperture  5 . As such, insertion of the tapered attachment component  20  into the arrow shaft  2  causes the detachable nock  9  to become jammed into the arrow shaft  2 , thereby securely attaching the detachable nock  9  to the arrow  1 . The degree of force necessary to remove the detachable nock  9  from the arrow  1  can be more readily controlled by adjusting the amount of force applied to the detachable nock  9  when inserting a tapered attachment component  20  into the arrow shaft  2 . This is a common method for attaching a nock to an arrow shaft. An appropriate force to apply when inserting the attachment component  20  into the arrow shaft  2  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  20  within the arrow aperture  5 , thereby causing the detachable nock  9  to detach from the arrow  1 .  
         [0032]    In another embodiment, the attachment component  20  may be comprised of two or more independent flexible attachment flanges  26 , as shown in FIG. 4, each flange disposed forward from the nock body  10  and oriented substantially parallel to the other. There is a slight separation between the attachment flanges  26 , thereby allowing the attachment flanges  26  to flex toward each other. In this embodiment, the diameter of the attachment component  20  is slightly greater than the diameter of the arrow aperture  5  when the attachment flanges  26  are in their original, unflexed orientation, and the diameter of the attachment component  20  is slightly smaller than the diameter of the arrow aperture  5  when the attachment flanges  26  are flexed together. The attachment component  20  is inserted into the arrow shaft  2  by flexing the attachment flanges  26  together; once inside the arrow shaft  2 , the attachment flanges  26  move towards their original orientation, thereby exerting a force against the inner surface of the arrow shaft  2  and securely attaching the detachable nock  9  to the arrow  1  by a combination of frictional and lateral forces. This embodiment has the advantage of maintaining appropriate holding forces between the detachable nock  9  and the arrow  1  even after repeated uses and repeated attachments and detachments.  
         [0033]    In yet another embodiment, an adapter  30  is used with the attachment component  20 . The adaptor  17  has a substantially cylindrical shape and has an outside diameter just slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the arrow aperture  5 , such that the adapter  30  is suitably adapted to fit into the arrow aperture  5  and remain secured to the arrow  1  by frictional forces. Alternatively, an adhesive may be employed to secure the adapter  30  to the arrow  1 . The adapter  30  has a central aperture  32  passing through its length and aligned substantially along its longitudinal axis. The central aperture  32  is defined by the inner surface of the adapter  30 , with the diameter of the central aperture  32  being just slightly larger than the diameter of the insertion end  22  of the attachment component  20 . The adapter  30  is suitably adapted to receive the attachment component  20  into the central aperture  32  of the adapter  30  such that upon the attachment component  20  being fully inserted into the central aperture  32  the detachable nock  9  is removably attached to the adapter  30 . The attachment component  20  may be tapered as described above, to permit greater control over the force needed to detach the detachable nock  9  from the arrow  1 . The attachment component  20  may alternatively be configured with attachment flanges  26 , also as described above.  
         [0034]    In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the attachment component  20  further comprises one or more annular protrusions  34  formed onto its surface and circumscribing the outside of the attachment component  20 , with each annular protrusion  34  being slightly deformable. The adaptor  30  likewise has a like number of annular channels  36  formed into the inner surface and circumscribing the central aperture  32 , where each annular channel  36  is suitably adapted to accommodate a corresponding annular protrusion  34 . When the attachment component  20  is fully inserted into the central aperture  32  each annular protrusion  34  is aligned with and fits into a corresponding annular channel  36 . Each annular protrusion  34  deforms slightly as the attachment component  20  is inserted into the central aperture  32  and thereafter returns to its original shape when aligned with a corresponding annular channel  36 . This mechanism causes the attachment component  20  to snap into place and results in the attachment component  20  being more securely attached within the adapter  30  with a minimum of wiggle in the detachable nock  9  during flight, thereby improving the performance of the arrow  1 . Alternatively, the arrangement of annular protrusions  34  and annular channels  36  may be reversed, with the annular protrusions  34  formed onto the inner surface and circumscribing the central aperture  32 , and the annular channels  36  formed into and circumscribing the outside of the attachment component  20 , with all else remaining the same.  
         [0035]    The use of the adapter  30  permits a standard sized attachment component  20  to be used, with different sized adapters  30  to accommodate different styles of arrows  1 . Alternatively, the adapter itself may be made in a standard size to fit within an existing arrow shaft adapter, such as the UNI BUSHING (TM) series. Thus, the manufacture of the detachable nock  9  is simplified and its use is made universal. The use of an adapter  30  also extends the length of the region of contact between the detachable nock  9  and the arrow  1  as compared, for example, to the use of a UNI BUSHING (TM). A longer region of contact imparts greater stability to the detachable nock  9  and reduces wiggle during flight.  
         [0036]    The retention component  40  of the detachable nock  9  comprises a means for creating an impediment to the forward flight of the arrow  1  when the means comes in contact with the target  8 . This impediment creates a force in opposition to the forward flight of the arrow  1  sufficient to detach the detachable nock  9  from the arrow  1 , thereby effecting the purpose of the invention.  
         [0037]    In one embodiment the means for creating an impediment is fixed in position relative to the nock body  10 , such that the retention component  40  is always deployed and available for engagement upon contact with the target  8 . This embodiment is the simplest and ensures that the detachable nock  9  is always ready to detach from the arrow  1 .  
         [0038]    One embodiment of the retention component  40  of the detachable nock  9  having a fixed means for creating an impediment is shown in FIG. 2. The retention component  40  is comprised of a fixed hook  41  fixedly attached to the detachable nock  9  in such a manner as the fixed hook  41  can engage and lodge into the target  8  upon contact. The fixed hook  41  includes a shaft, an attachment end  42 , and a barbed end  43 . The fixed hook  41  is fixedly attached to the nock body  10  at its attachment end  42 . The shaft of the fixed hook  41  is curved towards the front of the detachable nock  9 , forming a bend, so that the barbed end  43  of the fixed hook  41  is forwardly directed towards the arrowhead  3 . The fixed hook  41  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  41  arrayed about the detachable nock  9 . This embodiment is the simplest and has the highest level of effectiveness, as the retention component  40  is always in a position to engage a target  8 .  
         [0039]    The preferred embodiment of the retention component  40  of the detachable nock  9  is shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the retention component  40  comprises a grab member  60  fixedly or removably attached to the detachable nock  9 . The grab member  60  may be of any suitable shape or configuration, as long as it has an attachment point  62  and a contact element  64 , with the attachment point  62  serving to attach the grab member  60  to the detachable nock  9  and the contact element  64  being oriented so that it presents an impediment to forward motion when it comes in contact with the target  8 . One configuration of a grab member  60  is a substantially planar member situated substantially within a plane aligned with the anticipated direction of flight of the arrow  1 , with the attachment point  62  of the grab member  60  being at the rear and the contact element  64  of the grab member  60  being the leading edge of the planar member and having a forward orientation. Other configurations are also effective.  
         [0040]    In the preferred embodiment the grab member  60  is constructed of a material having the property of being deformable yet rugged, such that the grab member  60  may flex when subjected to a force while being resistant to breaking. In this embodiment the grab member  60  may be oriented at a slight angle away from the anticipated direction of flight, so that upon contact with and penetration into a target  8  the grab member  60  more easily flexes, exposing a greater surface area of the grab member  60  to the target  8  and creating a greater drag force sufficient to cause the detachable nock  9  to detach from the arrow  1 . In the preferred embodiment, the contact element  64  may be tapered forward so that penetration of the target  8  by the grab member  60  is enhanced prior to flexing.  
         [0041]    Rigid, non-flexing grab members  60  also have been demonstrated to be effective.  
         [0042]    In one embodiment the grab member  60  may be fixedly attached to the nock body  10 . In yet another embodiment there may be a plurality of grab members  60  fixedly attached to the nock body  10 , disposed substantially uniformly about the circumference of the nock body  10 .  
         [0043]    In the preferred embodiment the base end  24  of the attachment component  20  has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the nock body  10 , thereby forming a lip  66  at the junction of the base end  24  of the attachment component  20  and the nock body  10 . The retention component  40  uses a grab ring  68  to which a grab member  60  is fixedly attached. The grab ring  68  has an inside diameter just slightly greater than the diameter of the base end  24  of the attachment component  20  and smaller than the outside diameter of the rear end of the arrow shaft  2 , such that the grab ring  68  may be fitted over the base end  24  of the attachment component  20  and against the lip  66 . In the preferred embodiment a plurality of grab members  60  are attached to the grab ring  68 , disposed substantially uniformly about the circumference of the grab ring  68 . When the detachable nock  9  is attached to the arrow  1  the rear end of the arrow shaft  2  prevents the grab ring  68  from sliding forward and the lip  66  prevents the grab ring  68  from sliding rearward, thereby holding the grab ring  68  securely onto the detachable nock  9 . When an adapter  30  is used, the adapter  30  performs the same function as the arrow shaft  2 . Upon contact with a target  8 , the forces on the grab members  60  drive the grab ring  68  into the lip  66  of the nock body  10  with sufficient force to cause the detachable nock  9  to detach from the arrow  1 . The grab ring  68  may be removed from the detachable nock  9  by sliding it forward off the attachment component  20  when the detachable nock  9  is detached from the arrow  1 . This allows the retention component  40  to be replaced if one of the grab members  60  becomes damaged or breaks off, or to change the configuration of the retention component  40 .  
         [0044]    In another embodiment of the retention component  40 , the means for creating an impediment to the forward flight of the arrow  1  has both an undeployed state and a deployed state. When in the undeployed state, the means is positioned close to or substantially within the nock body  10 . When in the deployed state, the means is appropriately positioned relative to the nock body  10  to provide increased impediment to the forward flight of the arrow  1 , relative to the impediment provided when in the undeployed state. In this embodiment, the retention component  40  is not always deployed and available for engagement, but rather requires a triggering event to alter the state of the means for creating an impediment from its undeployed state to its deployed state. Typically, the triggering event will be contact with the target  8 .  
         [0045]    This embodiment has the advantage of reducing the profile of the retention component  40  during aiming and shooting of the arrow  1 , making the invention usable with a wider range of bows and arrow rest configurations. It also improves the safety to the shooter, since the undeployed state of the means for creating an impediment to the forward flight of the arrow presents a lessened likelihood that the retention component  40  will engage the shooter or the bow during aiming and shooting of the arrow  1 .  
         [0046]    An embodiment of the retention component  40  of the detachable nock  9  having both an undeployed and a deployed state is shown in FIG. 6. This embodiment comprises a hinged hook  44 . The hinged hook  44  includes a grabbing prong  45  and a hinge. The grabbing prong  45  is a curved hook having a barbed end  46 , a shaft  47 , and a hinged end. The hinge is fixedly attached to the nock body  10  and accommodates the hinged end of the grabbing prong  45 . The grabbing prong  45  is movably attached to the hinge 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 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 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  of the grabbing prong  45  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 may be integrated into the hinge so that the grabbing prong  45  is held in a forward position until it contacts the target  8 . Alternatively, the hinge may comprise a folded plastic member constructed of materials having reflexive properties, such as polycarbonate, polyethelene, or polypropylene. In these embodiments, there may be several hinged hooks  44  arrayed about the detachable nock  9 . 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.  
         [0047]    The embodiments of the retention component  40  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. 7. 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.  
         [0048]    Another embodiment of the retention component  40  of the detachable nock  9  having both an undeployed and a deployed state is comprised of a pivoting grabber  100 . In this embodiment, shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and  10 C, the retention component  40  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  in its undeployed state the retention component  40  presents a more aerodynamic profile than while in the deployed state, improving the ability to shoot the arrow  1  from a variety of bows and arrow rests as well as protecting the user from barbs or other devices for engaging the target  8 . When in the deployed state, the retention component  40  provides a greater ability to engage and lodge into the target  8 .  
         [0049]    In this embodiment the engaging component of the retention component  40  is situated within a grabber slot  102  formed into the nock body  10 , as shown in FIG. 10A. The grabber slot  102  is defined by substantially parallel sides forming a rectangular space, with at least one side being substantially open such that the grabber slot  102  is accessible from the exterior of the nock body  10 . The engaging component comprises a pivoting grabber arm  104  which is disposed about and rotationally attached to a fulcrum  106  situated within the grabber slot  102  and fixedly attached to the nock body  10 . The undeployed state of the retention component  40  is achieved when the pivoting grabber arm  104  is substantially contained within the grabber slot  102 , with a small portion of the pivoting grabber arm  104  extending exterior to the grabber slot  102 , as shown in FIG. 10B. Upon contact of the extended portion of the pivoting grabber arm  104  with the target  8 , the pivoting grabber arm  104  rotates to a position where the pivoting grabber arm  104  is substantially exterior to the grabber slot  102 , thereby achieving the deployed state of the retention device  40 , as shown in FIG. 10C.  
         [0050]    The total rotation of the pivoting grabber arm  104  is approximately ninety degrees, from a substantially horizontal position contained substantially within the grabber slot  102  to a substantially vertical position extended substantially external to the grabber slot  102 . When fully rotated to the substantially vertical position, the pivoting grabber arm  104  most effectively engages and lodges into the target  8 .  
         [0051]    In one embodiment the pivoting grabber arm  104  may have two grab members  108  situated substantially opposite each other about the fulcrum  106 . In this embodiment the grabber slot  102  has a second side substantially opened, opposite the first opened side. Upon contact with the target  8 , the pivoting grabber arm  104  rotates to a position where both grab members  108  are substantially exterior to the grabber slot  102  on opposite sides of the nock body  10 , thereby providing symmetrical points of contact and minimizing deflection of the arrow  1  from its flight path.  
         [0052]    In yet another embodiment of the retention component  40  of the detachable nock  9  having both an undeployed and a deployed state, the retention component  40  is comprised of a mechanical engagement device having a springing action and a trigger mechanism (not shown). In the undeployed state the retention component  40  is situated close to or substantially within the nock body  10 , under tension. When the trigger mechanism is engaged, the retention component  40  is moved to its deployed state by the springing action, such that the retention component  40  is situated substantially exterior to the nock body  10  to engage the target  8 .  
         [0053]    Other embodiments of the retention component  40  may be contemplated and are within the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0054]    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  or contained within the nock  9  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 I from its flight path during its transit through the target  8 , 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 the possibility of a slower death for the animal. Another advantage of the detachable nock  9  is its close conformity in size, shape, and length 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 design of the detachable nock  9  is compatible with most pass-through arrow rests currently in use, allowing bow hunters to combine a wide variety of arrow shafts  2  with broadheads and fletching. The simplicity of the design also allows for a cost-effective manufacture of the detachable nock  9 .  
         [0055]    Other embodiments not specifically set forth herein are also within the scope of the following claims.