Patent Publication Number: US-2020292285-A1

Title: Quick-detachable multi-purpose accessory mounting platform

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/995,446, filed on Jun. 1, 2018, entitled “Quick-Detachable Multi-Purpose Accessory Mounting Platform,” which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/468,101, filed on Mar. 23, 2017, entitled “Quick-Detachable Multi-Purpose Accessory Mounting Platform,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/312,275 filed on Mar. 23, 2016, entitled “Devices and Tools for Improved Hunting,” which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to hunting mechanisms, and more particularly to a quick-detachable multi-purpose accessory mounting platform. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various devices and tools are used in connection with hunting; however, as described herein, these devices and tools have various drawbacks that hinder the hunting experience and results thereof. Examples of some of the drawbacks of each device and tool are separately described. 
     Autonomous Trap Magazine 
     Shotgun shooters routinely utilize clay target throwing devices to hone skills necessary to hit moving targets while the targets are in flight. A variety of clay target throwing devices are available to the consumer ranging from hand-operated manual throwers to electrically driven autonomous traps which can launch multiple clay targets simultaneously. Lightweight, portable autonomous traps allow a single shooter the convenience of clay target shooting unaided by a helper, and this style of trap can be easily set-up quickly in the field to mimic specific shooting scenarios. Autonomy is aided by a remotely-located, push-button switch which, when pressed, cycles the trap to launch the clay target. A universal feature of autonomous traps is the hopper in which multiple clay targets are simultaneously stacked prior to the onset of the shooting session. 
     Each clay target in the stack is gravity fed into the trap separately and automatically, eliminating the need for the shooter to repeatedly reload the trap between shots and freeing the shooter from remaining near the trap during a shooting session. In the case of portable autonomous traps, the hopper is typically disassembled for transportation and storage of the trap. At the shooting site, the hopper must be assembled and mounted onto the trap using hand tools prior to the trap&#39;s use. However, clay targets cannot be loaded into the hopper until the hopper is mounted on the trap. 
     Weathercocking Arrowhead 
     Broadhead arrowheads include several sharpened blades arranged circumferentially about an arrow tip and may be utilized extensively in the dispatching of medium and large game. In general, there are two types of broadhead arrowheads. The first type is a fixed-blade broadhead arrowhead, incorporating blades that are rigidly attached to the tip of the arrow. The blades of the fixed-blade broadhead arrowhead may be permanently attached to the arrow tip, or they may take the form of replaceable blade elements which can be individually replaced when damaged or dull. The main advantages of the fixed-blade broadhead arrowhead are simplicity and reliability. The main disadvantage of the fixed-blade broadhead arrowhead is that the maximum span of the blades must be kept relatively small to mimic flight characteristics of an arrow equipped with an axisymmetric field point arrow tip that has no blades. The latter is widely used in archery practice and training exercises. The second type of broadhead arrowhead is a mechanical broadhead arrowhead, and it generally may include blades that are held in a streamlined position when the arrow is launched and while in flight. Upon impact, the blades rotate radially outward from the central axis of the arrow to increase the effective span of the arrowhead during penetration and creation of the wound channel. One advantage of a mechanical broadhead arrowhead is that the maximum span of the expanded blades can be greatly increased over that of a fixed-blade broadhead arrowhead. A second advantage is that prior to impact, the blades remain in the closed position; therefore, an arrow equipped with a mechanical broadhead arrowhead will closely mimic the flight characteristics of an arrow tipped with a field point arrowhead. However, these advantages come at the expense of mechanical complexity and system reliability. To be effective, the mechanical broadhead arrowhead must remain in the closed position during launch and flight and must also expand symmetrically and completely during the penetration event. 
     An examination of the relevant aerodynamics of an arrow in flight follows. An arrow can be described with respect to three major components: the tip, the shaft, and the fletching. During flight, an arrow is subject to disturbances (for instance, when launched from a poorly tuned bow) which may cause the arrow to oscillate about its center-of-gravity (cg) centrally located at a point on the shaft centerline between the tip and the fletching. As the arrow oscillates, a transverse force due to lift is generated at the tip that when multiplied by its distance forward of the cg produces a destabilizing overturning moment about the cg. Similarly, a transverse force generated by the fletching multiplied by its distance aft of the cg counteracts this destabilizing moment by providing a larger, corrective stabilizing moment about the cg in opposition to that generated by the tip. As long as the stabilizing moment is greater that the destabilizing moment, the arrow will tend toward self-correction, i.e., the central axis of the arrow will align with the intended flight path. Thus, it becomes clear why a conventional fixed-blade broadhead arrowhead must be limited in blade span; the larger the blade span, the greater the destabilizing overturning moment produced and the less stable the arrow becomes. If the blade span becomes so large that the destabilizing moment produced forward of the cg is greater than the stabilizing moment produced aft of the cg, as the flight progresses, the arrow will increasingly deviate from the intended flight path. 
     Smoothbore Shotgun Slug 
     Slugs designed to be fired from a smoothbore shotgun barrel are typically less accurate than slugs designed to be fired from a shotgun having a rifled bore. Several reasons exist for the inaccuracy of slugs fired from smoothbore barrels. One major reason for the inaccuracy is that the smoothbore slug typically lacks adequate static margin, which can be defined as: (Xcp−Xcg)/L*100%, where Xcg is the axial location of the center of gravity measured from the nose of the projectile, Xcp is the axial center-of-pressure also measured from the projectile&#39;s nose, and L is the axial length of the projectile. If the static margin is small or negative (for example, less than 5%), the projectile can easily be diverted from the intended shot line due to a lack of longitudinal stability. Small static margin values are inherent in slugs intended for a smoothbore shotgun barrel, as these slugs are low in aspect ratio and cylindrical in form, and this form does not accommodate means for shifting of the center of pressure rearward as required for increased stability. In addition to limited static margin, another major reason for the inherent inaccuracy of a slug fired from a smoothbore barrel is that no roll moment, or an inconsistent roll moment, is imparted to the slug. Induced rolling reduces impact dispersion by averaging out asymmetric forces imposed on slug during launch and while in flight. 
     To increase accuracy, many shotguns intended for sporting purposes originally fitted with a smoothbore barrel can be retrofitted with a rifled-bore barrel; however, the cost of the rifled-bore barrel can be of the same order as that of the original shotgun. Along with the cost, another downside to installing a rifled shotgun barrel is that the shotgun then becomes a special purpose firearm intended for use against medium to large game, thus limiting the type of game that can be pursued during an outing in the field. Even though smoothbore shotgun slugs are less accurate, they have the advantage that usually no alterations to the shotgun are necessary. This allows a shotgun having a smoothbore barrel to retain the flexibility of taking both small and large game merely by changing ammunition. 
     Quick-Detachable Multi-Purpose Accessory Mounting Platform 
     When hunting with a firearm, it is convenient to have accessories such as a flashlight, infrared spotlight, and/or a remote dog training transmitter easily at hand. This can be accomplished by mounting accessories on the firearm within easy reach of the shooter&#39;s non-trigger hand, and in an orientation that allows for immediate operation during the act of both carrying and shooting the gun. Furthermore, conditions such as weather, terrain, intended quarry, day/night or night/day transitions, etc. may change during a hunt. The ability to quickly attach or detach various accessories from the firearm, or to quickly attach or detach the entire mounting platform (with the accessories remaining attached to the platform) allows the hunter to better adapt to the changing conditions. Quick-detach firearm-mounted accessories are in common use for military-style firearms which routinely include features such as integrated Picatinny rails for that purpose. However, in contrast to military-style firearms, firearms intended for sporting use are typically not factory-equipped with mounting points for such accessories. 
     Glock Magazine Release Button Removal Tool 
     The as-issued magazine release button on a Glock pistol is often replaced, or in the case of left-handed shooters, reversed, to offer the shooter better operational characteristics when changing magazines. The button is usually operated by pressing inward with the thumb of the shooter&#39;s dominant hand, with the motion of the button being transverse to the line of fire. The standard button head on a Glock pistol is relatively small and mounted nearly flush with the frame surface such that operation of the button under stress or during extended training sessions can become difficult. Aftermarket replacement buttons typically offer increased button head surface area, and they may increase the operational travel via greater offset of the button head from the frame. 
     The release button is held in the frame by a vertically oriented, cantilevered, straight steel rod spring inset into a “V” shaped cavity located in the forward face of the pistol frame&#39;s magazine well. The fixed end of the spring is held captive by the cavity walls at the narrow end of the cavity near the bottom of the magazine well. The free end of the spring is located higher up in the magazine well where the wider end of the “V” shaped cavity allows room for the free end of the spring to travel side-to-side. The free end of the spring is contained within a slot in the magazine release button which has an opening near one end to allow the installation of the spring&#39;s free end into the slot. The free end of the spring elastically bends side-to-side to initially resist the motion of the release button when depressed, and to return the release button to its original position when released. 
     Removal of the free end of the spring from the slot in the magazine release button occurs to replace or reverse the release button. Flat-bladed screw drivers and dental picks are common impromptu tools which are used to manipulate the free end of the spring toward, and out of the open end of the slot. Access to the spring can only be had through the top or the bottom of the magazine well, which severely limits access to the spring, and causes poor purchase between the impromptu tool and the side of the spring. In many instances, damage to the polymer frame occurs when the impromptu tool slips away from the spring and strikes the edge of the molded spring cavity; the resultant burrs raised on the inside of the magazine well can adversely affect the release and retention of the magazine. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide various devices and tools that may be used in connection with hunting, and certain devices and tools may improve the hunting experience and results thereof. These devices and tools may include an autonomous trap magazine, a weathercocking arrowhead, a smoothbore shotgun slug, a quick-detachable multi-purpose accessory mounting platform, and a Glock magazine release button removal tool. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a multi-purpose accessory mounting platform comprising: a split barrel clamp positioned parallel to a split ventilated rib clamp; an integral hinge that extends between a face of the split barrel clamp and a face of the split ventilated rib clamp; and one or more thumb screws and one or more threaded inserts that mate together to secure the platform to an object via the split barrel clamp and the split ventilated rib clamp. The platform may further comprise at least one recessed circumferentially arranged mounting pad extending over but not contacting the forearm of the firearm that may provide a location for one or more accessories to be attached to the platform. The one or more accessories may be attached to the platform via hook and loop type fasteners or Picatinny rail sections. The platform may further comprise one or more surfaces along split barrel clamp and the split ventilated rib clamp to provide one or more additional accessory mounting points. The platform also may comprise a rear shelf integrally attached to a rear end of the platform. The rear shelf may further include one or more shelf flats oriented parallel to a face of the at least one recessed circumferentially arranged mounting pad. The platform may be formed from one or more materials selected from the group comprising: styrene, urethane, and polyester. The platform may be manufactured using one or more of the following techniques: plastic molding and 3D printing technology. The at least one recessed circumferentially arranged mounting pad may also include one or more central mounting slots located at a forward end of the at least one recessed circumferentially arranged mounting pad. 
     Further embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a multi-purpose accessory mounting platform comprising: at least one clamp to receive at least one object; and at least one flat mounting surface attached to the at least one clamp, wherein one or more accessories are mounted to the at least one flat mounting surface using adhesive-backed hook and loop type fasteners or Picatinny rail sections. The at least one clamp may be a friction clamp. The platform may further comprise at least one recessed mounting pad, wherein one or more accessories may be mounted to the recessed mounting pad using adhesive-backed hook and loop type fasteners. The platform also may comprise at least one upper tie down post and at least one lower tie down post to secure at least one accessory via elastic bands laced around the at least one upper tie down post and the at least one lower tie down post. 
     Additional embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a multi-purpose accessory mounting platform for attachment to a firearm, the platform comprising: at least one clamp that receives a muzzle of the firearm; one or more fasteners that mate together to secure the platform to the firearm via the at least one clamp; at least one recessed attachment pad to secure at least one accessory; and at least one mounting surface to secure at least one accessory. The platform also may include a portal that may receive a sling of the firearm. The at least one clamp may be a barrel clamp and a ventilated rib clamp. The platform may further include at least one shelf that may provide a flex point for initial alignment of the firearm when being attached to the platform. The one or more fasteners may be one or more thumb screws and one or more threaded inserts. The one or more fasteners may be a plurality of disc-shaped magnets. The at least one recessed attachment pad may further comprise one or more central mounting slots located at a forward end of the at least one recessed attachment pad. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       Autonomous Trap Magazine 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a portable autonomous clay target trap as reflected in the prior art; 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a top down perspective view of the bottom of a hopper as reflected in the prior art; 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a top down perspective view of the top of the plurality of guide tubes as reflected in the prior art; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a top down perspective view of a magazine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a top down perspective view of a bottom plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a top view of a bottom plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a bottom up perspective view of a bottom plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a top down perspective view of a temporary stop-block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 8  depicts a top view showing the orientation of a temporary stop-block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       Weathercocking Arrowhead 
         FIG. 9A  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9B  depicts an exploded perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weather cocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10A  depicts a right side view of a prior art broadhead arrowhead; 
         FIG. 10B  depicts a right side view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10C  depicts a front view of a prior art broadhead arrowhead; 
         FIG. 10D  depicts a front view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10E  depicts a left side cutaway view of a prior art broadhead arrowhead; 
         FIG. 10F  depicts a left side cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10G  depicts a left side cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10H  depicts a left side cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10I  depicts a left side view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10J  depicts a front view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10K  depicts a left side view of a broadhead arrowhead blade according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10L  depicts a front cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead blade according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10M  depicts a left side view of a broadhead arrowhead blade according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10N  depicts a bottom cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead blade according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10O  depicts a left side view of a broadhead arrowhead blade according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10P  presents a bottom cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead blade according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       Smoothbore Shotgun Slug 
         FIG. 11  depicts a front perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a slug designed to be launched from a smoothbore shotgun barrel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  depicts a side view of a slug body shown as a component in a side section view of a cylindrical shotgun shell in the assembled state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  depicts a side section view of a slug body showing one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  depicts a side section view of a slug body showing another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  depicts a side section view of a slug body showing another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  depicts a front perspective view of a slug body showing another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 17  depicts a side section view of a slug body showing the right and left halves of the fully split obturator seal with a ramped interface between the obturator seal and the slug body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       Quick-Detachable Multi-Purpose Accessory Mounting Platform 
         FIG. 18A  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a multi-purpose accessory mounting platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 18B  depicts a left perspective view of the platform, showing left-side mounting pad and left-side surface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  depicts a front view of the platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 20A  depicts a right side view of the platform, showing right side accessory mounting pad and right side mounting surface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 20B  depicts a cutaway perspective view showing the orientation of mounting slots according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 20C  depicts a cutaway perspective view showing the location and geometry of central mounting slots according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 21A  depicts a bottom view showing the orientation of a third mounting pad according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 21B  depicts a top view of the mounting platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 22  depicts a left side perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of a multi-purpose accessory mounting platform; 
         FIG. 23  depicts a left side perspective view showing another embodiment of a multi-purpose accessory mounting platform for sporting guns; 
         FIG. 24  depicts a left side perspective view showing yet another embodiment of a multi-purpose accessory mounting platform for sporting guns; 
         FIG. 30  depicts a front view of a multi-purpose accessory mounting platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 31  depicts a side view of a multi-purpose accessory mounting platform according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       Glock Magazine Release Button Removal Tool 
         FIG. 25  depicts a magazine release button disassembly tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 26  depicts a front view of a magazine release button disassembly tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 27  depicts a magazine release button disassembly tool according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 28  depicts a front view of a magazine release button disassembly tool according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 29  depicts a rear view of a magazine release button disassembly tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 32  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 33  depicts an exploded perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weather cocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 34  depicts a left side partial cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 35A  depicts a left side view of a prior art gun; 
         FIG. 35B  depicts a left side view of a broadhead arrowhead and a prior art gun according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 36  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 37  depicts an exploded perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weather cocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 38A  depicts a left side partial cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 38B  depicts a left side partial cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 39  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 40  depicts an exploded perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weather cocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 41A  depicts a left side partial cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 41B  depicts a left side partial cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 41C  depicts a left side partial cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 42  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 43  depicts an exploded perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weather cocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 44A  depicts a left side partial cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 44B  depicts a left side partial cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 44C  depicts a left side partial cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 45  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 46  depicts an exploded perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weather cocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 47  depicts a left side view of components of a weather cocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 48  depicts a left side partial cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 49A  depicts an enlarged left side partial cutaway of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 49B  depicts an enlarged left side partial cutaway of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 49C  depicts an enlarged left side partial cutaway of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 49D  depicts an enlarged left side partial cutaway of a broadhead arrowhead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 50  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 51  depicts an exploded perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weather cocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 52A  depicts a left side view of components of a weather cocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 52B  depicts a left side view of components of a weather cocking broadhead arrowhead constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 53A  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead just prior to target impact, whose construction is in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 53B  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead during target impact, whose construction is in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Weathercocking Arrowhead 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may eliminate the destabilizing moment produced by a fixed-blade broadhead arrowhead by connecting a specially designed broadhead arrowhead to the arrow shaft through a multiple degree of freedom joint (flex joint). The flex joint allows the broadhead arrowhead to undergo pitching, yawing, and rolling motion decoupled from the motion of the arrow shaft. In combination with the introduction of the flex joint, an arrowhead according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be designed such that the arrowhead itself may fly with positive stability while freely flexing about the flex joint. When designed according to these two conditions, the arrowhead may continuously align itself with the relative wind (i.e., weathercock), and therefore the arrowhead will not produce a destabilizing moment about the cg of the entire arrow. Thus, the restriction heretofore placed on the fixed-blade broadhead arrowhead can be removed; namely, the broadhead arrowhead blades according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be of relatively large span without affecting flight performance. Further, if the launcher (bow, crossbow, airbow, etc.) is tuned properly to minimize launch disturbances, conventional fletching usually required on the arrow to offset the destabilizing moment normally generated by the nose tip may be reduced significantly or eliminated entirely when a weathercocking arrowhead is employed. 
     It has been found through experimentation that a key to accurate flight of an arrow equipped with a weathercocking arrowhead is to immobilize the arrowhead body by mechanically aligning the central axis of the arrow shaft and the central axis of the arrowhead body during the initial phase of the launch process. As the launch progresses, when the relative wind produced by the forward motion of the arrow obtains sufficient speed to allow the arrowhead body to align with the relative wind vector, immobilization of the arrowhead body with respect to the arrow shaft was found to be no longer necessary. Furthermore, in some instances such as when impacting targets at high obliquity, a means for immobilizing the arrowhead body with respect to the arrow shaft during the penetration event may be advantageous. Such a need may also occur when penetrating or glancing off bone. 
       FIG. 9A  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of weathercocking broadhead arrowhead  500  constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The arrowhead is attached to a standard arrow shaft  510  which may receive a conventional nock  515  located at the distal end of the shaft. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9B  the weathercocking arrowhead&#39;s body is flexibly connected by a connector element/socket  585  to the forward end of the arrow shaft  510 . The aft end of socket  585  may be externally threaded to mate with internally threaded insert  590  that is rigidly connected to the arrow shaft. The arrowhead body and connector element are adapted to flex through a multi-degree of freedom flex joint (ball  560 , socket  585 , sleeve  570 ). The arrowhead body has a plurality of blades  540 , and each of the blades extend aft of the flex joint. The arrowhead body includes a central base/nose tip  530  connected to the connector element and one or more blades  540  connected to the nose tip. These broadhead blades can be permanently attached to the nose tip, or can be inserted into grooves in the nose tip and held in a fixed position such as through internally threaded blade-lock collar  580  which may mate with external threads (that may or may not be integral) located on the aft end of the nose tip. The arrowhead body includes ball  560 , where said ball may be internally threaded to receive the externally threaded nose tip. The ball may be held in position against socket  585  by sleeve  570  whose forward end may be tapered to loosely contact said ball, and whose aft end may be left internally smooth and adhesively attached to the socket or whose aft end may be internally threaded for mechanical engagement with the socket. The arrowhead body may contact an immobilizer (alignment tube halves  520  and  525 ) which may be in sliding contact with the arrow shaft. 
       FIGS. 10A-10F  depict a prior art broadhead arrowhead  550  ( FIGS. 10A , C &amp; E) and the weathercocking broadhead arrowhead  500  of the current invention ( FIGS. 10B , D &amp; F). The in-flight transverse aerodynamic forces acting upon an arrow equipped with a prior art broadhead arrowhead and with conventional fletching  555  are depicted in  FIG. 10A . In flight, oscillatory pitching and yawing motion occurs about the cg  552  of the arrow and here the central axis of the arrow is depicted pitched to a non-zero angle of attack α at some instant in time. The transverse aerodynamic force F 1  produced by the broadhead arrowhead  550  is multiplied by its distance x 1  forward of the cg and therefore produces a moment about the cg which is destabilizing for the arrow. To counteract the destabilizing moment produced by the broadhead arrowhead, the fletching is used to produce a stabilizing moment consisting of transverse aerodynamic force F 2  multiplied by distance x 2  aft of the cg. For stable accurate flight to occur with a prior-art broadhead arrowhead, the product F 2   x   2  must always be greater than the product F 1   x   1 . In contrast, a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead  500  as depicted in  FIG. 10B  eliminates the existence of a transverse force forward of the cg  502  caused by the arrowhead, since the arrowhead enters free-flight having a equal to zero, and a substantially remains at zero throughout the flight due to the multi-degree of freedom joint with flex joint rotational center  507 . The arrow shaft  510  is forced to flex about the multi-degree of freedom joint linking the shaft to the arrowhead, and the moment F 3   x   3  stabilizes the arrow shaft without the need for fletching. Even though not required, fletching may still be utilized in conjunction with the current invention without ill-effect. 
       FIG. 10C  depicts a front view of a prior art broadhead arrowhead and shows the relative circumferential positioning of one or more blades  551  about nose tip  1530  and the circumferential positioning of the fletching  555 . The location of the section view ( FIG. 10E ) which may pass through the center of said nose tip is also indicated.  FIG. 10D  shows the relative circumferential positioning of one or more blades  540  about nose tip  530  and the axisymmetric geometry of the alignment tube composed of symmetric halves  520  and  525 . The location of the section view ( FIG. 10F ) is also indicated which may pass through the center of said nose tip. 
     Multiple examples of prior art broadhead arrowheads can be found in open literature.  FIG. 10E  depicts a left side cutaway view of a common embodiment of a prior art broadhead arrowhead, showing an aft externally threaded end of nose tip  1530  to which internally threaded blade-lock collar  1580  may be mechanically attached. Broadhead blades  551  can be permanently attached to the nose tip or can be inserted into grooves in the nose tip and held in a fixed position via the threaded blade-lock collar. The aft end of nose tip  1530  may be externally threaded to mate with internally threaded insert  1590 , which may be rigidly attached to the arrow shaft  1510 . 
       FIG. 10F  depicts a left side cutaway view of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead in a state just prior to launch. Some prior art components shown in  FIG. 10E , such as arrow shaft  1510 , nose tip  1530 , blade-lock collar  1580 , and internally threaded insert  1590 , may be similar to or the same as arrow shaft  510 , nose tip  530 , blade-lock collar  580 , and threaded insert  590  of an embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 10F , which may allow reuse of these prior art components with the present invention. Similarly, prior art nock  1515  of  FIG. 10A  may be similar or the same as nock  515  of  FIG. 10B  of the present invention. 
     During launch, the immobilizer is initially required to align the arrowhead body with the arrow shaft. As shown in  FIG. 10G , in the preferred embodiment an alignment tube defines a first surface  532  adapted to contact the shaft and a second surface  535  contacting a portion of the arrowhead body in the pre-launch condition. The alignment tube is removably attached to the arrowhead body and defines a central tubular aperture closely receiving the shaft and the arrowhead body. The alignment tube may have a planar surface  538  oriented perpendicularly to an axis defined by the shaft prior to launch. The alignment tube is adapted to allow passage of the arrow and may fall away from the arrowhead body when an arrow including the arrowhead body is launched. The planar surface  538  may catch the relative wind and may also help move the tube rearward with respect to the broadhead arrowhead and 
     As shown in  FIG. 10H  the weathercocking arrowhead is adapted to flex through the multi-degree of freedom flex joint. Each of the blades  540  has a forward edge  565  connected to the central base and an aft edge  568  spaced apart from the aft portions of the other blades to define an aft space  548  aft of the central base. The connector element is received in the aft space. The aft portions of the blades are laterally spaced apart from the connector element. The aft space provides ample clearance for unhindered relative motion between the arrowhead and the arrow shaft to occur while in flight. 
     Again referring to  FIG. 10H , to properly weathercock, the broadhead arrowhead  500  must itself have a net-sum moment about the flex joint that is stabilizing. If the arrowhead obtains a non-zero angle of attack with the relative wind, such a stabilizing moment will quickly force the arrowhead central axis back into alignment with the relative wind and therefore ensure that the arrowhead will always weathercock. To ensure the moment about the flex joint is stabilizing, as opposed to destabilizing, the neutral point  505  of the arrowhead must be aft of the flex joint rotational center  507  which also coincides with the geometric center of ball  560 . The neutral point is classically defined (see for example: Introduction to Aeronautics: A Design Perspective, Brandt, S. et al, Ch. 6: Stability and Control p. 206) as that location on an aerodynamic body in flight where the aerodynamic body is neither stable nor unstable; if forced to flex about this location the arrowhead body would remain fixed in attitude at a prescribed angle of attack until perturbed. Conversely, if the neutral point is located in front of the flex joint rotational center the arrowhead body would immediately flex to its mechanical limit after launch and cause the arrow to sharply diverge from its intended flight path. The neutral point location is a function of the blade planform shape (see for example: Calculating the Center of Pressure for a Model Rocket, Barrowman, J., p. 18). Since the neutral point must lay aft of the flex joint rotational center for weathercocking of the arrowhead to occur, it is a design requirement for the weathercocking arrowhead that blades  540  extend aft of the flex joint. 
     Induced rolling of an arrow about its central axis is common practice in prior art arrows and is achieved by canting the fletching with respect to the relative wind. The purpose of rolling the arrow is to increase accuracy (see for example: Modern Exterior Ballistics, McCoy, R., p.237) by roll-averaging the effects of any asymmetric aerodynamic forces caused, for example, by: oscillatory flexing of the arrow shaft during launch, a geometry asymmetry such as a damaged blade, or a manufactured asymmetry such as lateral offset of the cg  552  ( FIG. 9B ). Similarly, for the reason of increased accuracy the preferred embodiment of the weather cocking arrowhead allows for rolling motion to be superimposed on the pitching and yawing motion of the arrowhead about the flex joint.  FIGS. 10I-10P  address various techniques for inducing rolling of the broadhead arrowhead about the flex joint in order to increase accuracy of the arrow. These roll-producing techniques applied to each of the blades of the arrowhead body incorporate designed asymmetry (blade  540  with cant angle δ  547 , blade  541  with leading edge bevel  544 , blade  542  with bent trailing edge  545 , blade  543  with airfoiled surface  546 ) that may be employed separately or in combination with one another to produce the desired roll rate of the arrowhead.  FIG. 10I  shows blades  540  at a cant angle δ  547  to the central axis of nose tip  531 .  FIG. 10J  shows the relative circumferential positioning of one or more canted blades  540  about nose tip  531 .  FIGS. 10K-10P  show other embodiments of the weathercocking arrowhead that may produce a rolling moment. These embodiments produce roll via geometry modification to the blades themselves.  FIG. 10K  shows blade  541 , whose leading edge  544  is beveled on one side only as shown in  FIG. 10L  to produce a rolling moment about the symmetry axis of the broadhead arrowhead.  FIG. 10M  shows blade  542 , whose trailing edge  545  is bent on one side as shown in  FIG. 10N  to produce a rolling moment about the symmetry axis of the broadhead arrowhead.  FIG. 10O  shows blade  543 , whose surface  546  is airfoiled as shown in  FIG. 10P  to produce a rolling moment about the symmetry axis of the broadhead arrowhead. 
     Weathercocking broadhead arrowhead  500  may be designed such that nose tip  530 , blades  540 , and ball  560  may form a broadhead arrowhead whose neutral point  505  lies aft of the geometric center of ball  560 . The ball may be loosely captured in position against socket  585  which may mate with the ball to form a ball-and-socket joint. This joint may allow the broadhead arrowhead to flex freely with respect to arrow shaft  510  and weathercock into the relative wind during flight. The initial position of the broadhead arrowhead relative to arrow shaft  510  may be held fixed and in axial alignment by means of alignment tube halves  520  and  525 . As the arrow is launched and begins to accelerate, the relative wind may push against the alignment tube halves, causing the broadhead blades to decouple from the tube and self-align with the oncoming air flow. Relative motion between the arrow and the alignment tube may allow the alignment tube to cleanly separate from the arrow. Once disengaged from the alignment tube, the stabilizing moment produced by the broadhead arrowhead about the flex joint may cause the broadhead arrowhead to remain aligned with the relative wind throughout the flight of the arrow, thus reducing or eliminating the need for fletching. To enhance accuracy, rolling motion superimposed on the yawing and pitching motion of the broadhead arrowhead may be induced through designed asymmetry of the blade elements. 
     ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE 
       FIG. 32  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of weathercocking broadhead arrowhead assembly  500 . Arrowhead assembly  500  is attached to a standard arrow shaft  510  without fletching  555  or nock  515 . An immobilizer/alignment tube assembly  600  defines a central tubular aperture closely receiving the shaft and the arrowhead body. The alignment tube is adapted to allow passage of the arrow.  FIG. 33  presents the essential components of the alignment tube assembly  600 , which consists of a monolithic tube  605  which is adapted internally to receive elastomeric o-rings  615  at either end. A safety rod  610  is permanently attached to the threaded end of tube  605 .  FIG. 34  presents a section view of the alignment tube  605 , indicating the relative locations of o-rings  615 , the safety rod  610 , the arrowhead assembly  500 , and the arrow shaft  510 . As shown in  FIG. 34 , external forward periphery of tube  605  may be further adapted to closely receive arrowhead body of arrowhead assembly  500  providing desired initial axial alignment of arrowhead body with arrow shaft  510 . 
     As indicated in  FIGS. 35A and 35B , immobilizer  600  is designed to threadably attach to the muzzle of a gun barrel  292  to convert the gun  290  (air gun, powder gun, etc.) into an arrow launcher. As such, immobilizer  600  remains with the launcher after passage of the arrow. The length of safety rod  610  permanently attached to the threaded end of the tube  605  ensures that only shortened blanks can be inserted into the chamber of a powder gun  290 , eliminating the possibility of chambering a non-blank round when the alignment tube assembly is attached to a powder gun. Similarly, when adapted to an air gun, the safety rod eliminates the possibility of chambering a pellet into the gun. Although tube  605  is shown with external threading to attach to the muzzle of gun  290 , it is equally viable that tube  605  could be internally threaded in order to fit externally threaded gun barrels such as those barrels threadably adapted to receive a silencer. 
       FIG. 36  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead assembly  650  threadably attached to arrow shaft  510  via insert  590 . As detailed in  FIG. 37 , central tube  675  is grooved axially to receive blades  670 , and on one end receives nose tip  655 , and is externally threaded to receive blade lock collar  680  on the opposing end. These components  655 ,  670 ,  675 , and  680  form an arrowhead body when combined, and mechanically lock blades  670  and nose tip  655  to central tube  675  upon assembly, without blades  670  intruding into the interior space of central tube  675 . Flex Post  660  inserts through central tube  675  and is captured by nose tip  655 , and is further adapted on the opposite end to threadably attach to arrow shaft  510  via internally threaded insert  590 . Axial alignment between flex post  660  and central tube  675  is accomplished via compressible o-rings  665  which mate in grooves  663  of flex post. 
       FIGS. 38A and 38B  each present a section view of central tube  675  and nose tip  655  of the arrowhead assembly  650 , indicating relative locations of the flex post  660  in relation to the central tube  675 .  FIG. 38A  details the position of flex post  660  just prior to launch, while  FIG. 38B  indicates the position of flex post  660  during flight. As shown in  FIG. 34B , o-rings  665  attached to flex post  660  are initially received by mating grooves in central tube  675 . O-rings  665  are trapped onto flex post  660  via grooves  665  ( FIG. 37 ), but are in sliding contact with central tube  675 . Prior to launch,  FIG. 38A , axial alignment between flex post  660  and central tube  675  is ensured through mutual contact with o-rings  665 . During launch, relative acceleration between flex post  660  and central tube  675  cause the arrowhead body to move rearward in relationship to flex post  660 , and allow contact between the head of flex post  660  and the interior socket of nose tip  655 . After launch, throughout flight and target impact, flex post  660  remains in flexing contact with nose tip  655  due to drag acting on the arrowhead body. 
     Flex post  660 , o-rings  665 , and o-ring grooves  685  of central tube  675  collectively form an integral internal immobilizer prior to launch, aligning the longitudinal axis of the arrowhead body with the longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft. During launch, flight, and impact, the immobilizer is deactivated. The act of pulling the arrow shaft from the target in a direction opposite of flight returns o-rings  665  into mating grooves  685 , and thus returns the arrowhead body into axial alignment with the arrow shaft and re-activates the integral internal immobilizer. 
       FIG. 39  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead assembly  700  threadably attached to arrow shaft  510  via insert  590 . As detailed in  FIG. 40 , central tube  675  is grooved axially to receive blades  670 , and on one end receives extended nose tip  705 , and is externally threaded to receive blade lock collar  680  on the opposing end. These components  705 ,  670 ,  675 , and  680  form an arrowhead body when combined, and mechanically lock blades  670  and extended nose tip  705  to central tube  675  without blades  670  intruding into the interior space of central tube  675 . Flex Post  660  inserts through central tube  675  and contacts puck socket  715  and socket spring  710 , and is captured by extended nose tip  705 . Flex post  660  is further adapted on the opposite end to threadably attach to alignment cone  720  and arrow shaft  510  via internally threaded insert  590 . Axial alignment between flex post  660  and central tube  675  is accomplished via compressible o-rings  665  which mate in grooves  663  of flex post. 
       FIGS. 41A-41D  each present a section view of central tube  675  and extended nose tip  705  of the arrowhead assembly  700 , indicating relative locations of flex post  660  in relation to central tube  675 .  FIG. 41A  details the position of flex post  660  just prior to launch, while  FIG. 41B  indicates the position of flex post  660  during launch. As shown in  FIG. 41B , o-rings  665  attached to flex post  660  are initially received by mating grooves in central tube  675 . O-rings  665  are trapped onto flex post  660  via grooves  665  ( FIG. 40 ), but are in sliding contact with central tube  675 . Prior to launch,  FIG. 41A , axial alignment between flex  660  post and central tube  675  is ensured through mutual contact with o-rings  665 . As depicted in  FIG. 41B , during launch relative acceleration between flex post  660  and central tube  675  causes the arrowhead body to move rearward relative to flex post  660  and puck socket  715 . This relative rearward motion of the arrowhead body forces socket spring  710  to compress until the end of central tube  675  contacts alignment cone  720 , which rigidly aligns the arrowhead body with the arrow shaft  510 . 
     When in flight and after launch, as depicted in  FIG. 41C , socket spring  710  extends until the sum total of the aerodynamic drag force equals the compressive force of the spring, allowing for central tube  675  to decouple from alignment cone  720  and allowing for weathercocking motion of the arrowhead body to commence. In another similar embodiment not shown, the limited travel of a shorter socket spring may replace socket spring  710  in order to tailor the decoupling behavior of central tube  675  from alignment cone  720  while ensuring weathercocking of the arrowhead body during flight. 
       FIG. 41D  depicts the relative position of central tube  675  relative to flex post  720  at impact. During impact central tube  675  is again forced rearward into contact with alignment cone  720  and the longitudinal axes of the arrowhead body and arrow shaft are again locked into alignment as they were during launch ( FIG. 41B ). 
     Flex post  660 , o-rings  665 , and o-ring grooves  685  of central tube  675  collectively form an integral internal immobilizer prior to launch, initially aligning the longitudinal axis of the arrowhead body with the longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft. The inclusion of puck socket  715 , socket spring  710 , and alignment cone  720  further provide rigid axial alignment of the arrowhead body with the arrow shaft during launch and at impact, while still allowing for weathercocking of the arrowhead body during flight. Additionally, the act of pulling the arrow shaft from the target in a direction opposite of flight returns o-rings  665  into mating grooves  685 , and thus returns the arrowhead body into axial alignment with the arrow shaft and re-activates the integral internal immobilizer. 
       FIG. 42  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead assembly  750  threadably attached to arrow shaft  510  via insert  590 . As detailed in  FIG. 43 , modified central tube  775  is grooved axially to receive blades  670 , and on one end receives nose tip  655 , and externally threaded to receive blade lock collar  680  on the opposing end. These components  655 ,  670 ,  775 , and  680  form an arrowhead body when combined and mechanically lock blades  670  and nose tip  655  to modified central tube  775  upon assembly without blades  670  intruding into the interior space of modified central tube  775 . Modified flex post  760  inserts through central tube  775  and is captured by nose tip  655 , and is further adapted on the opposite end to threadably attach to arrow shaft  510  via internally threaded insert  590 . In this embodiment, axial alignment between modified flex post  760  and central tube  775  is accomplished via a sliding block immobilizer  780 , block spring  785 , and retaining magnet  790  located on modified flex post  760  between modified central tube  775  and insert  590 . Modified flex post  760  and modified central tube  775  are designed in this embodiment such that the use of o-rings to aid in initial alignment of the arrowhead body and the arrow shaft  510  is not required, as no relative sliding motion occurs between modified flex post  760  and modified central tube  775 . Furthermore, modified flex post  760  may employ a threaded ball  560  of arrowhead assembly  500  ( FIG. 9B ) to aid in ease of manufacturing and assembly of this component without loss of fidelity. 
       FIGS. 44A-44C  each present a section view of modified central tube  775 , nose tip  655 , and sliding block immobilizer  780  of arrowhead assembly  750  ( FIG. 42 ), indicating relative locations of sliding block immobilizer  780  compared to modified central tube  775 .  FIG. 44A  indicated the pre-launch condition of arrowhead assembly  750 . In this condition, block spring  785  is extended, driving sliding block immobilizer  780  into the open end of modified central tube  775  and aligning the longitudinal axes of the arrowhead body with the arrow shaft.  FIG. 44B  indicates the position of the sliding block immobilizer both during launch and in flight. In this figure, the launch acceleration has collapsed the block spring  785 , causing the sliding block immobilizer to contact the retaining magnet  790  which itself is held in position against insert  590  by modified flex post  760 . The attraction force between the retaining magnet  790  and the sliding block immobilizer  780  has overcome the tension of the compressed block spring  785 , and the immobilizer is held fixed by the magnet, allowing the arrowhead body to weathercock in flight.  FIG. 44 c    indicates the position of the sliding block immobilizer  780  after target impact. Here the impact deceleration of the arrow forces sliding block immobilizer  780  to be released from retaining magnet  790 , allowing block spring  785  to drive the sliding block immobilizer  780  forward again into the open end of the modified central tube  775 , locking the arrowhead body into axial alignment with the arrow shaft  510  as the penetration event proceeds to completion. After the penetration event, the sliding block immobilizer  780  does not require resetting, as it has returned to the initial launch condition shown in  FIG. 44A  during target penetration. 
       FIG. 45  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a relatively large weathercocking broadhead arrowhead assembly  800 . As detailed in  FIG. 46 , tubular insert  845  threadably receives set screw  847 , and is attached to arrow shaft  510  with adhesive as is standard practice in the field of archery. The opposing end of tubular insert  845  is adapted to closely receive puck magnet  830 , insert spring  835 , a second puck magnet  830  followed by tubular insert cap  825  which is forcibly pressed into place within tubular insert  845  and held in place by friction. Insert cap  825  is adapted to closely receive flex post magnet  820 . The length of insert spring  835  can be manually adjusted via set screw  847 . Steel ball  815  is forcibly pressed into arrowhead  805  such that arrowhead  805  can be mounted to the arrow shaft through the magnetic attraction naturally occurring between flex post magnet  820  and steel ball  815 . Immobilizer/external o-ring  840  is closely received by the outer exposed diameter of tubular insert  845 , and is held in place during flight and impact by o-ring groove  842 . Blade weight  810  is attached to one blade of the cruciform four blade arrowhead  805 , forcing this blade to align vertically due to gravity before an arrow equipped with arrowhead assembly  800  ( FIG. 45 ) is launched. The action of the blade weight in aligning one blade vertically also forces two diametrically opposed blades of cruciform arrowhead  805  to align horizontally before launch. Such a configuration is useful when hunting large game bird species such as duck, geese, or turkey where the neck of the game bird is to be severed. 
       FIG. 47  details a unique aspect of the magnetic attraction between steel ball  815  and flex post magnet  820  whose poles are located at the distal ends of the magnet. Even though the end faces of flex post magnet  820  are flat, steel ball  815  remains centered on the face of the magnet, and when displaced laterally, steel ball  815  automatically returns to the center of the end face of the magnet. Thus, the magnetic attraction between flex post magnet  820  and steel ball  815  form a virtual ball and socket joint when combined as described in this embodiment. A second feature of the magnetic coupling between steel ball  815  and flex post magnet  820  is that the joint formed is relatively weak, and therefore if an arrow equipped with relatively large broadhead misses the intended target and strikes an immoveable object, arrowhead  805  will detach from arrow shaft  510 , absorbing impact energy and greatly reducing or eliminating damage occurring to these components. 
       FIG. 48  depicts a left side partial cutaway view of a broadhead arrowhead according to the embodiment of the present disclosure described in  FIG. 47 . For convenience, details of the interaction of the components during pre-launch, launch, flight, and impact phases are presented in  FIGS. 49A-49D , respectively. In the pre-launch condition detailed in  FIG. 49A , external immobilizer o-ring  840  is seated against arrowhead  805  and is positioned forward of groove  842 . As such o-ring  840  provides an interface between arrowhead  805  and tubular insert  845  which holds the arrowhead body in axial alignment with arrow shaft  510 . During launch, as detailed in  FIG. 49B , the arrowhead body including steel ball  815  sets back against flex post magnet  820 , which in turn compresses insert spring  835  and allows o-ring  840  to move rearward and seat into o-ring groove  842 . During this phase the arrowhead body remains in axial alignment with the arrow shaft. As depicted in  FIG. 49C , after launch, insert spring  835  extends flex post magnet  820  forward relative to tubular insert  845 , which in turn releases contact between o-ring  840  and arrowhead  805 , while o-ring  840  remains in o-ring groove  842 . In this condition the arrowhead is free to weathercock in flight. At impact, as shown in  FIG. 49D , insert spring  835  is again compressed, allowing arrowhead  805  to move rearward and re-engage o-ring  840 , which forcibly aligns the arrowhead with the arrow shaft and locks the components together during the impact event. After impact, immobilizer o-ring  840  must be manually repositioned ahead of o-ring groove  842  before the arrow is launched again. 
       FIG. 50  depicts a perspective view taken from the user&#39;s right side of a weathercocking broadhead arrowhead assembly  850  threadably attached to arrow shaft  510  via insert  590 . As detailed in  FIG. 51 , short central tube  865  on one end is internally threaded to receive nose  860 , and also adapted to receive blade lock ring  870  on the opposing end. Blade lock ring  870  in turn interfaces with integral hooks  858  of flat blade  855 . Dimple  862  of nose  860  likewise interfaces with integral nipple on flat blade  855 . The action of rotating short central tube  865  with respect to flat blade  855  expands nose  860  relative to lock ring  870  and results in locking components  855 ,  860 ,  865 , and  870  together to form a two blade broadhead arrowhead body with an open central aperture within short central base  865 . Extended flex post  880  inserts through short central tube  865  and is captured by nose  860 , and is further adapted on the opposite end to threadably attach to arrow shaft  510  via internally threaded insert  590 . Axial alignment between flex post  660  and short central tube  865  is accomplished via compressible o-rings  665  which mate in grooves  885  of extended flex post  880 . External immobilizer/flexible insert  875  is bonded or otherwise physically attached to flat blade  855  prior to assembly. 
       FIGS. 52A and 52B  each present a section view of short central tube  865 , lock ring  870 , and nose  860  of arrowhead assembly  850  ( FIG. 50 ), indicating relative locations of extended flex post  880  in relation to short central tube  865 . For clarity, external immobilizer/flexible insert  875  is not shown in 
       FIG. 52A  or  FIG. 52B .  FIG. 52A  details the position of extended flex post  880  just prior to launch, while  FIG. 52B  indicates the position of extended flex post  880  during flight and impact. As shown in  FIG. 52B , o-rings  665  attached to extended flex post  880  are initially received by mating grooves in short central tube  865 .  0 -rings  665  are trapped onto extended flex post  880  via grooves  885  ( FIG. 51 ), but are in sliding contact with short central tube  865 . Prior to launch,  FIG. 52A , axial alignment between extended flex post  880  and short central tube  865  is ensured through mutual contact with o-rings  665 . During launch, relative acceleration between extended flex post  880  and short central tube  865  cause the arrowhead body to move rearward in relationship to extended flex post  880 , and allow contact between the head of flex post  880  and the interior socket of nose  860 . After launch, throughout flight, and at target impact, extended flex post  880  remains in flexing contact with nose  860  due to drag acting on the arrowhead body. 
     Extended flex post  880 , o-rings  665 , and o-ring grooves  890  of short central tube  865  collectively form an integral internal immobilizer prior to launch, aligning the longitudinal axis of the arrowhead body with the longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft. During launch, flight, and impact, the integral internal immobilizer is deactivated. The act of pulling the arrow shaft from the target in a direction opposite of flight returns o-rings  665  into mating grooves  890 , and thus returns the arrowhead body into axial alignment with the arrow shaft and re-activates the integral internal immobilizer. 
     Immobilizer/flexible insert  875  shown in  FIG. 51 ,  FIG. 53A  and  FIG. 53B  serves several purposes. As shown in  FIG. 51 , flexible insert  875  serves to fill in the open area present in flat blade  855 . In some states, fixed blade broadheads with an open interior area are considered to have barbed blades, and are illegal for hunting. A second purpose of flexible insert  875  is to provide a means for inducing spin. The “S” shaped cross section of flexible insert  875  allows for a pressure differential to occur on opposite sides of the insert. Therefore, as the spin inducing mechanism is inherent in insert  875 , and not in flat blade  855 , ease of manufacturability of the broadhead is increased as the blade can be cut from sheet stock, while insert  875  can be injection molded or 3D printed with ease. A final purpose served by the immobilizer/flexible insert  875  is detailed in  FIGS. 53A and 53B .  FIG. 53A  shows weathercocking broadhead assembly  850  just prior to impact with pre-impacted target  895 . At this point in the flight, the integral internal immobilizer is deactivated as described previously. However, as  FIG. 53B  indicates, during the penetration event, immobilizer/flexible insert  875  collapses in to a double S shaped curve depicted as collapsed insert  876  due to interaction with the impacted target  896 . The collapsed insert  876  collapses onto and traps extended flex post  880 , and thus immobilizes the arrowhead body with respect to the arrow shaft  510 . A further benefit of collapsed insert  876  is that interaction of the insert and the penetration cavity is minimized when the insert is in the collapsed condition. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize commercially available arrow shafts, nocks, and shaft inserts, and nose tips. Conventional metals, urethanes, and plastics can be utilized for each component, and machining practices such as lathe work, water jet cutting, milling, injection molding and 3D printing may be incorporated in manufacturing a weathercocking arrowhead according to embodiments of the present disclosure.