Patent Publication Number: US-7909714-B2

Title: Rear mounted penetration limiter for bow-fired projectiles

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/697,165, filed Apr. 5, 2007 and currently pending, entitled Game Animal Escape Impedance Device, by Cyr, Maurice, et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of bow hunting for game animals and more particularly to an improved penetration limiter device used in combination with an arrow or crossbow bolt to limit the degree of penetration of same into and through a game animal. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Within the sport of bow hunting devices known as penetration limiters are well known. Penetration limiters serve to limit the movement of an arrow shaft through a target, typically a game animal. Absent the use of a penetration limiter, an arrow often will pass completely through a game animal; while in some cases this is desirable, so as to leave a blood trail for easier tracking, in other cases, such as when bow hunting turkeys, a pass-through shot is undesired. 
     A penetration limiter typically consists of a projection or projections which depend at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft. In the most common embodiment, penetration limiters are solid disks which are placed directly behind the broadhead or field point of an arrow. The disks are oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft. The disks may either be fixedly attached to the arrow or movably attached; when fixedly attached, contact of the disk with the game animal immediately stops further penetration of the arrow through the game animal, while when movably attached the arrow will continue to pass through the game animal after contact of the disk with the game animal, but its flight will be slowed as the disk moves rearward along the arrow shaft. Neither of these configurations is ideal. While a fixedly attached disk allows the bow hunter to control the degree of penetration of the arrow, often the arrow fails to penetrate to a sufficient depth for a clean kill, or simply falls out. With a movably attached disk, the degree of penetration is less certain, and the arrow may continue to move completely through and out of the game animal. In both configurations the disk itself impedes the flight of the arrow, creating wind resistance and interfering with distance and accuracy of the shot. 
     Other embodiments of penetration limiters disclosed in the art include forward oriented hooks or prongs located behind the broadhead or field point. These may be rigid or flexible. A common design incorporates springs with the prongs, such that the prongs have a lower profile during flight and then expand outward from the shaft upon contact with the game animal. While such a configuration improves the flight characteristics of the arrow, the deficiencies resulting from the forward placement of the devices on the arrow shafts remain. 
     A penetration limiter mounted at the rear of an arrow shaft ensures that a sufficient amount of penetration of the arrow will occur. However, rear mounted penetration limiters known in the art interfere with the shooting of the arrow. They prevent the use of a standard arrow rest, because the penetration limiter will catch on the rest as the arrow is released from the bow, and instead require the use of a fall-away rest. Many bow hunters disfavor the use of fall-away rests, however, limiting the acceptability of known rear mounted penetration limiters. 
     There is therefore a need for an improved penetration limiter mountable on the rear of a bow-fired projectile for limiting the penetration of said projectile into and through a game animal, whereby the improved penetration limiter may be used with standard shafts and standard rests. 
     It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide an improved penetration limiter mountable on the rear of a bow-fired projectile for limiting the penetration of said projectile into and through a game animal. 
     It is a further objective of this invention to provide an improved penetration limiter mountable on the rear of a bow-fired projectile which allows bow hunters to use their preferred model of shaft, fletching, arrowhead, and arrow rest. 
     It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide an improved penetration limiter mountable on the rear of a bow-fired projectile having a minimum impact on the range and accuracy of the projectile in flight. 
     It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide an improved penetration limiter mountable on the rear of a bow-fired projectile which is easy to use in the field. 
     It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide an improved penetration limiter mountable on the rear of a bow-fired projectile which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide an improved penetration limiter mountable on the rear of a bow-fired projectile which deploys from the projectile shaft upon contact with a game animal to present a greater profile for increased resistance to travel. 
     It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide an improved penetration limiter mountable on the rear of a bow-fired projectile which may be used with a game animal escape impedance device. 
     Other objectives of this invention will be evident from the following disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to an improved penetration limiter mountable on the rear of a bow-fired projectile for use when bow hunting game animals. The projectile may be either an arrow that is shot with a bow, or a bolt that is shot with a crossbow. The penetration limiter comprises an attachment component for securing it to the projectile, a nock securing component for securing a standard nock to the penetration limiter, and an engagement component for securing the penetration limiter to a game animal. Upon the projectile striking the game animal and the front end of the projectile passing through and out of the game animal, the penetration limiter contacts the game animal and engages therewith, thereby limiting further penetration of the projectile through the game animal. 
     In one embodiment the penetration limiter is removably attached to the back end of the projectile, with a tether employed to retain the penetration limiter to the projectile after detachment. This allows for a relatively low profile penetration limiter to be used, thus minimizing its impact on the range and accuracy of the projectile in flight. When the penetration limiter detaches from the projectile upon contacting the game animal, this configuration allows the penetration limiter to alter its orientation relative to the projectile, thereby presenting a broader profile of the penetration limiter within the game animal to exert greater stopping forces on the projectile than could otherwise be achieved with a low profile penetration limiter. 
     In another embodiment the engagement component of the penetration limiter is removable. This allows for easy maintenance and replacement of the engagement component, or for the simple exchange of the engagement component if a different style is desired. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention are described below. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cut-away partial plan view of the present invention showing an alternative means for attaching the penetration limiter to the projectile. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the disengagement of the penetration limiter from the projectile and subsequent rotation thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the present invention in use with a game animal. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a penetration limiter  1  for use in combination with a projectile  20  and a nock  40 . The projectile  20  is either an arrow or a cross bow bolt, and has a shaft with an outside diameter, a front end  22 , a back end  24 , and an aperture  26  formed into the back end  24 . The projectile  20  may carry any type of broadhead or field point at the front end  22 , and may have standard fletching or other flight stabilization devices associated therewith, as desired. The projectile  20  may be any standard arrow or cross bow bolt having the aforementioned characteristics. The nock  40  may be any standard nock  40  used with archery projectiles  20 . The projectile  20  may be shot from any standard bow or cross bow; when shot from a bow, a standard arrow rest may be used. The penetration limiter  1  of the present invention thus may be used with standard archery equipment without need for customization by the user. 
     The penetration limiter  1  comprises an attachment component  100 , a nock securing component  200 , and an engagement component  300 . See  FIG. 2 . The attachment component  100  is suitably adapted to attach the penetration limiter  1  to the back end  24  of the projectile  20 , the nock securing component  200  is suitably adapted to attach the nock  40  to the penetration limiter  1 , and the engagement component  300  is suitably adapted to engage the penetration limiter  1  with a game animal  10 . When used as intended, the penetration limiter  1  is attached to the back end  24  of the projectile  20  and the projectile  20  is shot from a bow or cross bow at a game animal  10 . Upon the projectile  20  striking a game animal  10 , the front end  22  of the projectile  20  passes through and out of the game animal  10  and the penetration limiter  1  contacts the game animal  10 . See  FIG. 6 . The engagement component  300  of the penetration limiter  1  engages with the game animal  10 , thereby limiting further penetration of the projectile  20  through the game animal  10 . Engagement of the penetration limiter  1  may be with the outer hide of the game animal  10 , or with internal structures, such as muscle, bone, fascia, and the like. By being attached to the back end  24  of the projectile  20 , the penetration limiter  1  allows full penetration by the front end  22  of the projectile  20  through the game animal  10 . 
     The attachment component  100  of the penetration limiter  1  is aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the projectile  20 . It has an elongated prong  110  suitably adapted to be fitted into the aperture  26  formed into the back end  24  of the projectile  20  to attach the penetration limiter  1  to the projectile  20 . The attachment component  100  may be fixedly attached to the projectile  20 . This may be accomplished by use of an adhesive. If the back end  24  of the projectile  20  is threaded the elongated prong  110  may have threads so as to be screwed into the aperture  26 . See  FIG. 1 . In the preferred embodiment the attachment component  100  is removably attached to the projectile  20 . Removal is accomplished by inertial forces acting on the penetration limiter  1  as the forward motion of the penetration limiter  1  becomes slowed or stopped relative to the forward motion of the projectile  20 . This occurs once the penetration limiter  1  has engaged with the game animal  10 . This causes the projectile  20  to separate from the penetration limiter  1  and continue its forward motion. 
     In the embodiments of the present invention comprising a removable penetration limiter  1 , the attachment component  100  may be frictionally attached to the back end  24  of the projectile  20 , mechanically attached to the back end  24  of the projectile  20 , or magnetically attached to the back end  24  of the projectile  20 . In any such configuration, the attachment component  100  must be suitably secured to the back end  24  of the projectile  20  to retain the penetration limiter  1  to the projectile  20  during the flight of the projectile  20 , but the securing forces must be overcome by the inertial forces acting on the penetration limiter  1  and the projectile  20  upon the game animal  10  being struck with the projectile  20 . 
     In one embodiment the elongated prong  110  of the attachment component  100  may be frictionally attached to the back end  24  of the projectile  20  by the elongated prong  110  being snugly inserted into the aperture  26  formed in the back end  24  of the projectile  20 . The elongated prong  110  may have an outside diameter just slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the aperture  26  or the elongated prong  110  may have a tapered shape. The elongated prong  110  and/or the interior of the aperture  26  may also be coated with a material to increase the friction between the two. 
     The elongated prong  110  of the attachment component  100  alternatively may be mechanically attached to the back end  24  of the projectile  20 . This may be accomplished by any known means. In one configuration the elongated prong  110  has an annular projection adapted to fit into an annular depression formed within the aperture  26  of the projectile  20 . In another configuration an annular projection may be formed within the aperture  26  of the projectile  20  and an annular depression may be formed into the elongated prong  110 . In yet another configuration a mechanical attachment is achieved by use of a ball detent in the elongated prong  110  with a corresponding depression in the aperture  26 . Other means for frictionally or mechanically attaching the attachment component  100  to the projectile  20  as are known in the art are also contemplated by the present invention. 
     In yet another embodiment a magnet is attached to the attachment component  100  and a magnetically attractive material is attached to the back end  24  of the projectile  20 . In yet another embodiment a magnetically attractive material is attached to the attachment component  100  and a magnet is attached to the back end  24  of the projectile  20 . Other means for frictionally, mechanically, or magnetically attaching the penetration limiter  1  to the projectile  20  as are known in the art are also contemplated by the present invention. 
     In the embodiments of the present invention in which the attachment component  100  of the penetration limiter  1  is removably attached to the projectile  20 , the penetration limiter  1  further comprises a tether  400 . The tether  400  has a first end and a second end  420 , wherein the tether  400  is suitably adapted to attach the penetration limiter  1  to the projectile  20 , with the first end of the tether  400  secured to the projectile  20  and the second end  420  of the tether  400  secured to the penetration limiter  1 . Upon impact of the projectile  20  with the game animal  10 , the front end  22  of the projectile  20  passes through the game animal  10 , the engagement component  300  impacts the game animal  10  and becomes secured thereto, inertial forces cause the penetration limiter  1  to detach from the projectile  20 , thereby deploying the tether  400 , and the fully deployed tether  400  halts further forward motion of the projectile  20 . The tether  400  must be able to withstand without breaking the inertial forces detaching the penetration limiter  1  from the game animal  10 . In one embodiment the tether  400  is made of braided Dacron. In the preferred embodiment the tether  400  is shorter than the length of the shaft of the projectile  20 , preferably between six inches and eighteen inches in length. This allows the projectile  20  to penetrate the game animal  10  but not to fully emerge from the resulting exit wound, thus retaining the projectile  20  partially within the game animal. In another embodiment the tether  400  is coated with a wax. This stiffens the tether  400  and serves to waterproof it. 
     In the foregoing embodiments the projectile  20  may have a hollow shaft  28 , within which the tether  400  is stored prior to deployment. As the projectile  20  separates from the penetration limiter  1 , the tether  400  is pulled out of the hollow shaft  28  of the projectile  20 . This configuration securely retains the tether  400  prior to deployment, preventing the tether  400  from becoming entangled or otherwise interfering with the use or storage of the projectile  20 . More importantly, with the tether  400  contained within the hollow shaft  28  of the projectile  20 , the tether  400  does not interfere with the flight of the projectile  20 . 
     The use of a removably attachable attachment component  100  allows the penetration limiter  1  to alter its orientation relative to the projectile  20  upon detachment. This allows the penetration limiter  1  to have a relatively low profile during the flight of the projectile  20 , while also allowing the penetration limiter  1  to have a broader profile, and thus greater stopping capabilities, upon engagement with the game animal  10 . For example, a substantially elongate penetration limiter  1  will offer the least amount of wind resistance to the projectile  20  during flight, thereby minimizing the effects of its use on the distance and accuracy of the shot. Upon contact with the game animal  10 , the penetration limiter  1  detaches from the projectile  20  and rotates within the body of the game animal  10 , aligning itself substantially perpendicular to the projectile  20 . See  FIG. 5 . The entire length of the penetration limiter  1  then acts to halt the forward motion of the projectile  20 . 
     In one embodiment intended to achieve the foregoing effect, the attachment component  100  comprises a central aperture  126  formed into and through the elongated prong  110 . See  FIG. 3 . The central aperture  126  is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the elongated prong  110 , thereby making the elongated prong  110  hollow with an open font end. The attachment component  100  also comprises an exit slot  130 . See  FIG. 2 . The exit slot  130  is formed into a side of the elongated prong  110  and is in communication with the central aperture  126 . The exit slot  130  is also aligned along the longitudinal axis of the elongated prong  110  and is opened at the front end of the elongated prong  110 . The second end  420  of the tether  400  is passed into and through the central aperture  126  of the attachment component  100 , resulting in a portion of the tether  400  being contained within the attachment component  100 . Upon detachment of the penetration limiter  1  from the projectile  20  and deployment of the tether  400 , the penetration limiter  1  deflects from the direction of travel of the projectile  20 . The portion of the tether  400  contained within the central aperture  126  of the attachment component  100  exits the attachment component  100  through the exit slot  130 , allowing the penetration limiter  1  to continue to change its orientation relative to the projectile  20 , as described above. In other words, the penetration limiter  1  pivots on contact with the game animal  10 , with the pivot point being the point of contact between the tether  400  and the rear of the exit slot  130 . See  FIG. 5 . 
     In order to assist with the deflection of the penetration limiter  1 , as described above, the attachment component  100  may comprise one or more deflection members  140 . The deflection members  140  are suitably adapted to engage with the game animal  10  when the penetration limiter  1  is detached from the projectile  20  upon impact with the game animal  10 , thereby facilitating the deflection of the penetration limiter  1  from the direction of travel of the projectile  20 . The deflection members  140  may be fixed prongs or hooks having a forward orientation, and disposed asymmetrically about the perimeter of the attachment component  100 . In the preferred embodiment a sole deflection member  140  is used. See  FIG. 5 . In yet another embodiment the deflection members  140  are retractable grappling arms  142 , whereby each grappling arm  142  has an undeployed state and a deployed state. See  FIG. 4 . In the undeployed state the grappling arm  142  exhibits a relatively low profile to the attachment component  100 , and in the deployed state the grappling arm  142  extends laterally from the attachment component  100  relative to the undeployed state. The grappling arms  142  are suitably adapted to remain undeployed during the flight of the projectile  20  and to deploy after the penetration limiter  1  detaches from the projectile  20 . The grappling arms  142  may comprise hooks, barbs, or other projections. The grappling arms  142  may be fashioned of a deformable material having “memory”. In one such embodiment the grappling arms  142  are constructed of curved metal spring material and are attached to the elongated prong  110  of the attachment component  100 . The grappling arms  142  are suitably adapted to be inserted into the back end  24  of the projectile  20  along with the elongated prong  110  when the penetration limiter  1  is attached to the projectile  20 , where they remain relatively flat against the elongated prong  110 . Upon detachment of the penetration limiter  1 , the grappling arms  142  are withdrawn from the projectile  20  and spring back to their original shape, thus achieving the deployed state. In another embodiment the grappling arms  142  are pivotally attached to the penetration limiter  1 . Inertial forces cause the grappling arms  142  to move from the undeployed state to the deployed state. In yet another embodiment springs may be used to move the retractable grappling arms  46  from the undeployed state to the deployed state. Other configurations of the grappling arms  142  are also contemplated. 
     The tether  400  may be attached to the penetration limiter  1  in any number of ways. In one embodiment the nock securing component  200  comprises a central aperture  216 . The central aperture  216  is formed into and through the nock securing component  200  along the longitudinal axis of the nock securing component  200 , with the central aperture  216  of the nock securing component  200  being in communication with the central aperture  126  of the attachment component  100 . As a result, the central aperture  216  of the nock securing component  200  and the central aperture  126  of the attachment component  100  form a continuous passage  600  through the interior of the penetration limiter  1 , substantially along the longitudinal axis of the penetration limiter  1 . See  FIG. 3 . In one configuration the inside diameter of the central aperture  216  of the nock securing component  200  is greater than the inside diameter of the central aperture  126  of the attachment component  100 . In this configuration the second end  420  of the tether  400  is passed into and through the continuous passage  600  and then a knot  430  is formed into the second end  420  of the tether  400 . See  FIG. 2 . The knot  430  has a diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the central aperture  216  of the nock securing component  200  and larger than the inside diameter of the central aperture  126  of the attachment component  100 , such that the knot  430  fits within the central aperture  216  of the nock securing component  200  but cannot pass through the central aperture  126  of the attachment component  100 . In this configuration the tether  400  is retained to the penetration limiter  1  by the knot  430 . In another configuration a bead  800  is placed over the second end  420  of the tether  400  after the second end  420  of the tether  400  is inserted into and through the continuous passage  600 , and then the knot  430  is formed into the second end  420  of the tether  400 . See  FIG. 3 . The bead  800  has a diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the central aperture  216  of the nock securing component  200  and larger than the inside diameter of the central aperture  126  of the attachment component  100 , such that the bead  800  fits within the central aperture  216  of the nock securing component  200  but cannot pass through the central aperture  126  of the attachment component  100 . In this configuration the tether  400  is retained to the penetration limiter  1  by the bead  800 . 
     In yet another configuration the inside diameters of the central aperture  216  of the nock securing component  200  and the central aperture  126  of the attachment component  100  are substantially the same, but located within the continuous passage  600  is an annular restrictor  700 . The annular restrictor  700  has an aperture  716 . The annular restrictor  700  is suitably adapted to obstruct the continuous passage  600  except for the aperture  716 , with the aperture  716  being just slightly larger than the thickness of the tether  400 . The second end  420  of the tether  400  is passed into and through the continuous passage  600  and through the aperture  716  of the annular restrictor  700 , with a knot  430  formed into the second end  420  of the tether  400  thereafter, such that the knot  430  fits within said continuous passage  600  but cannot pass through the aperture  716  of the annular restrictor  700 . Alternatively, a bead  800  may be used to retain the second end  420  of the tether  400  to the penetration limiter  1 , as described above. Other means for retaining the tether  400  to the penetration limiter  1  as may be known in the art are also contemplated by the present invention. 
     The nock securing component  200  of the penetration limiter  1  is suitably adapted to attach a standard nock  40  to the penetration limiter  1 . The nock securing component  200  is aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the projectile  20 . In one embodiment, where the nock  40  comprises a forward aperture  46 , the nock securing component  200  comprises an elongated prong  220  suitably adapted to be fitted into the forward aperture  46  of the nock  40 . The nock  40  may be frictionally attached to the nock securing component  200  or may be fixedly attached to the nock securing component  200 , such as with an adhesive. In another embodiment, where the nock  40  comprises a forward prong  44 , the nock securing component  200  comprises a central aperture  216 . The central aperture  216  is formed into the nock securing component  200  along the longitudinal axis of the nock securing component  200 , and is suitably adapted to receive the forward prong  44  of the nock  40 . The forward prong  44  of the nock  40  may be frictionally attached to the nock securing component  200  or may be fixedly attached to the nock securing component  200 , such as with an adhesive. 
     The engagement component  300  is suitably adapted to engage with a game animal  10  and become secured thereto. The engagement component  300  comprises one or more engagement members  310 . See  FIG. 1 . The engagement members  310  may be hooks, barbs, fins, plates, disks, or any other type of projection depending from the penetration limiter  1  and which are suitably adapted to engage the game animal  10 . In one embodiment the engagement member  310  is a flexible flange  330 . See  FIG. 4 . The flange  330  is substantially planar and substantially elongate, and oriented towards the front end  22  of the projectile  20 . In one embodiment the flange  330  has a contoured perimeter  332 , with the contours suitably adapted to increase the likelihood of the flange  330  engaging with the game animal  10 . In the preferred embodiment the engagement component  300  comprises multiple flanges  330 . Each of the flanges  330  may be contoured as described above. In another embodiment the engagement component  300  comprises a forward oriented treble hook. In yet another embodiment the engagement component  300  comprises one or more grappling arms  142  configured as described above. 
     In another embodiment the engagement component  300  is removably attached to the attachment component  100 . This permits easy replacement if the engagement component  300  is damaged during use, or if a differently configured engagement component  300  is desired. In one such embodiment, to accommodate the removable engagement component  300  the penetration limiter  1  further comprises an annular ridge  500 . See  FIG. 4 . The annular ridge  500  extends circumferentially from the penetration limiter  1  between the attachment component  100  and the nock securing component  200 . The annular ridge  500  is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the projectile  20 . The outside diameter of the annular ridge  500  is not greater than the outside diameter of the projectile  20 . The engagement component  300  in turn comprises a ring  320 , wherein one or more engagement members  310  are attached to and disposed about the ring  320 . See  FIG. 4 . The ring  320  is suitably adapted to be placed over the attachment component  100  and against the annular ridge  500 . The ring  320  has an outside diameter not greater than the outside diameter of the projectile  20  and an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the annular ridge  500 . The engagement component  300  is removably attached to the penetration limiter  1  by placing the ring  320  onto the attachment component  100  and against the annular ridge  500 , and is secured between the annular ridge  500  and the back end  24  of the projectile  20  when the attachment component  100  is attached to the projectile  20 . Where the penetration limiter  1  is removably attached to the projectile  20 , the engagement component  300  may slip off the attachment component  100  when the penetration limiter  1  separates from the projectile  20 , but the engagement component  300  will remain interposed between the penetration limiter  1  and the projectile  20  by the tether  400  and thus will continue to provide engagement functionality. 
     In one embodiment the projectile  20  comprises a bushing  30 . See  FIG. 2 . The bushing  30  is suitably adapted to be inserted into the aperture  26  formed into the back end  24  of the projectile  20  and is fixedly attached thereto, typically with an adhesive. The bushing  30  has an aperture  36 . The elongated prong  110  of the attachment component  100  is suitably adapted to be fitted into the aperture  36  of the bushing  30  to attach the penetration limiter  1  to the projectile  20 . The attachment component  100  may be fixedly attached to the bushing  30  in the same manner as described above. The elongated prong  110  of the attachment component  100  may be frictionally attached to the bushing  30  in the same manner as described above. The elongated prong  110  of the attachment component  100  may be mechanically attached to the bushing  30  in the same manner as described above. The advantage of using a bushing  30  is to allow for a standard manufacturing process, whereby the attachment component  100  and the aperture  36  of the bushing  30  can be standardized, while the outer diameter of the bushing  30  may be varied to accommodate different styles of projectiles  20 . 
     The nock securing component  200  and the attachment component  100  may be integrated and formed of a single body. In the preferred embodiment the nock securing component  200  and the attachment component  100  are formed of a single tube, with the internal cavity of the tube forming the continuous passage  600 . The exit slot  130  is formed in the forward portion of the tube and the annular ridge  500  is formed substantially midway along the tube. The forward portion of the tube constitutes the elongated prong  110  of the attachment component, while the rearward portion of the tube constitutes the elongated prong  220  of the nock securing component  200 . The tube may be constructed of a rigid plastic material, or may be formed of other materials, such as metals and alloys. In the preferred embodiment the tube is formed of aluminum. In this embodiment the engagement component  300  is removably attached to the penetration limiter  1  and incorporates the ring  320  design described above. This configuration is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     As described above in its various configurations, the penetration limiter  1  of the present invention is very easy to use in the field. Attachment of the penetration limiter  1  to the projectile  20  may be as simple as inserting the elongated prong  110  of the attachment component  100  into the aperture  26  in the back end  24  of the projectile  20 . Attachment of a nock  40  to the penetration limiter  1  may be similarly straightforward. Where a removable penetration limiter  1  is used, there may entail some minimal preparation time to attach the first end of the tether  400  to the projectile  20 , but this process may also be simplified. If the projectile  20  has a hollow shaft  28 , the tether  400  may be inserted into the back end  24  of the projectile  20  and through the hollow shaft  28  of the projectile  20  so that the first end of the tether  400  extends beyond the front end  22  of the projectile  20 . Then the first end of the tether can be secured to the arrowhead, which is then attached to the front end  22  of the projectile  20 , thereby securing the first end of the tether  400  to the projectile  20 . The removable engagement component  300  can then be placed onto the penetration limiter  1  and the second end  420  of the tether  400  thereafter can be secured to the penetration limiter  1  using one of the various approaches described above. The entire process may be performed in a matter of minutes, using standard archery equipment. 
     Having fully described the present invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the same can be performed using equivalent structures and conditions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that other embodiments not specifically set forth herein are also within the scope of the following claims. It will be further understood that the present invention is capable of additional modifications. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features set forth herein as follows within the scope of the following claims.