Abstract:
An arrow is provided with a head that will take game in a more humane way and without long suffering. This new arrowhead is a dual powder-charged multiple-strength powered projectile that is activated after a delayed interval. As a result of the unleashed power caused by this activation, the arrowhead&#39;s bullet housing point will just flare out and the cases will induce powerful venting to rupture the vital organs nearby, or it will flare out and separate itself from the rest of the housing, the tissue anchored arrowhead causing damage by its path forward. Because all this action occurs inside the game&#39;s body, it is silent but gravely stunning to all organs. The result is on the spot drop and expiration, with minimal suffering and positive retrieval.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/926,075 filed Sep. 2, 1997. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to an arrowhead for bow or crossbow hunting and, in particular, the invention relates to an arrowhead powered by a rim-fired cartridge like those used in powder-powered tools. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bow hunting and cross-bow hunting are rapidly growing in popularity. Many archers take to the game lands to hunt. However, even with today&#39;s advanced equipment, the maximum distance from which one can take game successfully is not over 30 yards, and then only if the arrow is well-placed into a vital area without any bone obstruction. As is apparent, a bone will interrupt the arrow&#39;s penetration. If this happens, the shot becomes just a wounding shot and the game will run off into the woods and later perish. There is a need to end this waste and suffering. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,940,759 issued Jun. 14, 1960 to L. J. West discloses a power head arrow which is powdered by a series of child&#39;s cap pistol caps to give extra force to the arrowhead and disconnect the shaft. Such caps have a minimal amount of force. In accordance with the disclosure when the arrowhead contact the animal the reduction of speed of the arrowhead will cause explosion of the caps by the shaft continuing its velocity. The caps go off when the arrowhead strikes the animal and it is not seen how this explosive force will go into the direction of the arrowhead rather than in the reverse direction towards the shaft which, according to the patentee, disconnects with the arrowhead. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,620,190 issued Dec. 2, 1952 to D. Bean relates to a dart or arrow which has a sleeve protecting the tip. When the sleeve contacts the target a spring or other movement device causes the tip to extend beyond the sleeve and penetrate the surface of the target. Bean also discloses the use of his sleeve device for causing the discharge of a bullet into the target. He suggests the addition of pointed tines which will secure the device to the target after impact. This securing does not take place until after the contact which causes the bullet to discharge. U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,995 issued Nov. 28, 1989 to Henriksen et al relates to a harpoon with two explosive devices in its head with a time delay fuse for the second charge. Various mechanical device are disclosed for preventing the second charge from going off by mistake. The first charge goes off at the first contact. U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,320 issued Mar. 8, 1988 to Robert G. Whitten III discloses the use of a blank cartridge for aiding penetration of an arrowhead. The blank cartridge is exploded by contact with the surface of the target. U.S. Pat. No. 2,708,860 issued May 24, 1955 to J. W. Arpin discloses a power spear or harpoon with a blank cartridge powder charge which goes off when the spear hits the target. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, an arrow is provided with a head that will take game in a more humane way and without long suffering. This new arrowhead contains a powder cartridge which is conventionally used in powder activated cartridge powder tools. The explosion of the charge causes the arrowhead to separate itself from the arrow shaft. It is essential to the invention that the arrowhead penetrate a substantial distance into the body of the animal before the cartridge explodes, otherwise it will be ineffective to produce the result intended. As a result of the unleashed power, the arrowhead will penetrate deep inside the body of the game. Because the venting or separation occurs inside the game&#39;s body, it is silent but gravely stunning to all organs nearby. The result is on the spot drop and expiration, with minimal suffering and positive retrieval. 
     As indicated, in order to make the cartridge charge successful in accomplishing the desired result it is necessary for the arrowhead to penetrate a substantial distance into the animal. Without such penetration the explosion of the charge will cause the arrowhead to be dislodged or do substantial damage to the surface of the animal&#39;s hide without killing the animal. A penetration of at least one inch and preferably at least two inches into the body of the animal before the explosion is necessary to effect the advantages of the invention. 
     The arrowhead is activated by the powder or carbon dioxide gas and will take any big game successfully. The performance of the projectile can be varied by alteration of the shape of the cartridge housing, or the choice of different loads of the powder cartridge—six choices, progressively higher and higher in low velocity loads, and six choices progressively higher and higher in high velocity loads—color-coded for strength. This gives the hunter a last moment choice to select the load suitable to the game size. The activation of the power is done at the a defined interval after impact with the game body and at a depth determined by the speed and the weight of the arrow shaft and the resistance of the body of the game target. Since the activation occurs inside the games body it is silent but gravely stunning to all internal organs near the contact point. 
     Applicant&#39;s invention differs from the prior art in that all of the prior art use a blank cartridge with only the primer as the main charge. None of the references mention the second charge. Also, none of the references mention 12 different choices of powder loads. Further, none of the references deal with the problem of recoil since they are mostly underwater spears with the spear handle being heavier than a shaft of an arrow. Recoil is most pronounced by light objects like darts and arrows. The recoil is very important since it not only affects the penetration but also the ability of the arrowhead to stay in the game and effect the kill. The device used to control the degree of penetration is important. In Applicant&#39;s invention the penetration is controlled by the length of the trigger sleeve  50   a . A longer sleeve gives deeper penetration. Further, Applicant&#39;s structure is readily assembled by hand. The arrowhead shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 feature means to exchange the bullet housing with the powder charge according to the game size (stronger or weaker loads) by just unscrewing the bullet housing from the main head housing, and replacing it with the charge desired. In applicant&#39;s invention the whole arrowhead with part of the shaft is inside the game body and then the charge is triggered. The use of four or more prong springs is an important recoil absorbing means. 
     The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following descriptions in connection with the accompanying drawings in which the presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examples. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation view partly in section of one arrowhead made in accordance with the invention with the projectile after firing shown in dashed lines; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view partly in section of another modification of the arrowhead made in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation view partly in section of another modification of the arrowhead made in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation view partly in section of another modification of the arrowhead made in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation view partly in section of another modification of the arrowhead made in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an end view of the modification shown in FIG. 5 taken along lines  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevation view partly in section of the modification of the arrowhead shown in FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevation view partly in section showing a second stage of the device shown in FIG.  7 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     This invention can have at least six different configurations. The modification shown In FIG. 1 of the drawings has an arrowhead which is used just once. The modification shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings has an arrowhead with a means of reloading for reuse. The modification shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings has an arrowhead with a means of reloading with a rim-fired or center-fired cartridge. The modification shown in FIG. 4 illustrates an arrowhead with a threaded cartridge housing in the main part of the housing. Located behind the plunger head is a spring washer which, when released, will exhort pressure against the rim of the powder cartridge and the chisel like extension to make the arrowhead more sensitive at lower impact resistence. FIG. 5 illustrates the arrowhead or broadhead means to trigger activation by the trigger sleeve at the predetermined depth. FIG. 6 illustrates a four-prong spring in its captive position. FIG. 7 illustrates the arrowhead shown in FIG. 5 after actuation. FIG. 8 illustrates carbon dioxide version as shown in FIG.  5 . 
     A bullet-shaped arrowhead housing  10  containing in its small cavity  11  a rim-fired cartridge  12  (not in section). This type of cartridge is conventionally used in powder-powered or charge activity tools. Referring to the drawings, the cartridge  12  has a rim  12   a  resting on the step  11   a  of the large cylinder cavity  13   b . Right behind the rim  12   a  is a stamped out washer  13  with chisel-like extension  13   a  on its edge. The washer  13  with its chisel-like extension is held in place and against the rim  12   a  with the face  14   a  of the plunger  14 . The plunger  14  is able to slide into this larger cylinder cavity  13   b . All the aforementioned components, i.e., cartridge  12 , washer  13  and plunger  14 , are closed inside the bullet-shaped housing  10 . This whole assembly is backed up by bushing  19  and held together by a crimp  20 . The end portion of the plunger  15  is screwed into the arrow shaft adaptor  16 . In order to dampen the backfire shock, a backup nut is utilized. The backup nut  18  is threaded over the smallest threaded part  15  of the plunger  14 . The projectile is shown in phantom  21  a after separation. It is more economical to stamp out the washer with the chisel-like extrusion than to machine it onto the face  14   a  of the plunger  14 . This cost saving is a valuable component of the invention. 
     In use, the weight of the arrow shaft, moving at approximately 250 feet per second, collides with the target. The plunger  14  attached to the arrow shaft  17  slams the washer  13  with the chisel-like extension against the cartridge rim  12  containing a primer. The rim is now squashed against the housing step  11   a  and the chisel-like extension of the washer  13 . This force will ignite the primer and the charge and the separation of the arrowhead starts. The housing  10  moves over the large cylinder part of the plunger  14  opening the crimp  20 . The crimp  20  will open just enough to allow the plunger  14  to pass through. This action has the same effect as when a bullet passes through a gun barrel. 
     FIG. 2 of the drawings is a sectional view of the arrowhead with a reloading means. The housing consists of two parts. The bullet  25  is pressed or fastened with adhesive into the main housing  26 . The plunger  27  has a chisel-like protrusion  28  machined into the face  27   a , or, if preferred, the washer  13 , as shown in FIG. 1, could be used. The bullet  25  has a rim-fired cartridge  29  in its cavity  25   a . As shown in FIG. 1, in order to use the arrow shaft recoil to some useful task a four prong spring  30  is held captive against the shaft  17  by the backup nut  18 . The four prongs  31  are held down by shouldered sleeve  32 . When the sleeve  32  is pushed off the prongs by the game hide, the prongs will expand and anchor itself in the surrounding tissue, providing an anti-recoil platform and also causing damage by the recoil. 
     After each use, the bullet  25  and the cartridge  29  are replaced so long as the condition of the housing  26  and the plunger will permit. The sequence of events after impact is same as described before with one exception: Only the bullet part  25  will separate from the housing  26  and the plunger  27 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, also a sectional view of the arrowhead showing the means of reloading with a bullet-yielding cartridge, a housing  40  threaded in short barrel  41 . In the barrel chamber  41   a  is a rim-fired or center-fired cartridge  42  with the bullet  42   a . The plunger  27  also has a chisel-like extension on its edge for rim-fired ammunition or a pin-like extension in the center of the plunger. The nuzzle  44  of the barrel is narrowed down and could be provided with rifling to assure powerful separation. The sequence of the operation is the same as described in the previous text, except that the bullet  42   a  leaves the barrel  41  as shown in phantom view  42   a . The outside diameter of the barrel  41  and the outside of the housing  40  is straight knurled for a good grip when reloading. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a means for more sensitive activation with a lower impact resistance is shown. The device can be assembled by the user to give the user the discretion in selection of the type of tip or strength of the charge. As an illustration, it could be used without the option of impact sensitivity and with the anti-recoil spring as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     The main housing  45  is inside threaded to receive the cartridge housing  46  containing cartridge  47 . The washer  13  with a chiseled extrusion  13   a  is held in place and against the rim  12   a  with the face  14   a  of the plunger  14 . Located behind the plunger  14  is a spring washer  48  in compressed mode by the new reversed backup nut  18 . When the whole broadhead is assembled as shown in FIG. 4, and just before the actual use, the backup nut is removed and screwed back reversed over the threaded part of the plunger  15  as far as it goes. This latter construction can be seen clearly in FIG.  4 . The pressure of the spring washer  48  is now released against the chisel exterior  13   a  and rim  12   a . This force will provide the sensitivity of activation with the lower impact resistance. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, a trigger means is illustrated which is the preferred embodiment of the invention. This version is not able to be activated at the impact with the game body but at the given depth of penetration. This depth of penetration has to be substantial, such as one inch If the explosion takes place too close to the surface all of the force will be a discharge backwards and serve no useful purpose. The depth of the penetration is indicated by the length of the trigger sleeve  50  longer-deeper. When the broadhead enters the game body the trigger sleeve  50  is stopped by the four prong flange  50   a  at the hide  80  of the game. When the trigger sleeve  50  exposes the four prongs of the spring  52  the prongs release from the holding position against the retaining nut  52   a  as illustrated in FIG.  7 . The four prongs expand and this spring  52  becomes an anti-recoil platform. Also at this instance, the main housing  53  being under the compressed tension of the spring  54  moves forcibly in the direction of the arrow shaft end  55  to which the plunger  56  is fastened. This forceful action will compress the primer in the rim  57  of the cartridge  58 . With the fire disk  59  fastened to the plunger head  60  the powder in the cartridge ignites and the force will crack the cartridge housing  62  in pre-determined areas where deep stakes  63  are provided inside the nose cone. During this action, the cracked housing  62  will flare out at its point as shown in FIG. 7, but will not separate from main housing  53 . By the flare out, a powerful venting is induced to all vital organs nearby. Venting is sufficient for smaller animals like white-tail deer. When flare out and separation of the housing  62  from the housing  53  is required, an undercut  64  provided for this purpose right at the threaded part  65 . While the cracked and separated housing contains its path forward causing damage the recoil of the arrow shaft assembly is causing damage to the tissue around the exit opening by the extended prongs of the spring  52  as illustrated in FIG.  7 . This FIG. 8 also illustrates the trigger action shown in FIG.  6 . The plunger head  60  is provided with an “O” ring groove  66  holding “O” ring  67  to assure the air tightness to the chamber  68 . The end  61  of the plunger head has a sharp conical pin  69  to provide four bleed grooves  70 . These grooves allow the carbon dioxide gas to escape into the chamber  68  when the back wall  71  of the bullet shaped container  72  containing the gas is pierced. The compressed gas  73  will force the bullet shaped container  72  out of its captive position which is fastened by a crimp or adhesive. 
     FIG. 6 in addition to showing the trigger sleeve  50  with the four flange prongs  50   a , also is illustrated the four prong spring resting on the cylindrical undercut of the retaining nut  52   a.    
     While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description rather than limitation and that changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention in its broader aspects.