Multi-functional broadhead fixed and mechanical

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a multifunctional broadhead and universal ferrule for an archery arrow that has both mechanical and fixed configurations. The disclosure is directed to multifunctional mechanical arrow broadheads that deploy blades upon contact with a target and the ability to transition to a broadhead configured with the blades in a deployed and fixed position prior to target contact.

Claims

1. A multifunctional broadhead comprising: a ferrule wherein the ferrule includes a single slot; a first blade configured to operate in a first mode; a second blade and a third blade configured to operate in a second mode wherein the second and third blades replace the first blade in the second mode, wherein a screw/pin secures the second and third blades to each other, wherein the second and third blades are held in a retracted position by insertion of a media into the second and third blades forming a friction fit and wherein upon the target impact the blades deploy into an extended position, and wherein the first and second modes are user selected.

2. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 1, wherein the first mode is a fixed blade configuration wherein the first blade is extended in a deployed position through the single slot.

3. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 1, wherein the second mode is a mechanical configuration wherein the second and third blades are further configured in the retracted position throughout an arrow time of flight and wherein the blades deploy to the extended position through the single slot upon a target impact.

4. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 3, wherein the first and second blades are configured to pivot from the retracted position to the extended position on an axis of the screw/pin and wherein the blades are extended through the single slot.

5. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 3, wherein the media is a nylon, a polymer blend, a metal, or combination thereof.

6. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 5, wherein the media is a spring.

7. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 3, wherein a cutting diameter of the blades is at least 2 inches when the second and third blades are in the extended position.

8. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 7, wherein the second and third blades form an angle from about 90 to 120 degrees when the second and third blades are in the extended position.

9. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 3, wherein at least two thirds of the second and third blades are contained within the ferrule when the blades are in the retracted position.

10. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 1, wherein the ferrule includes a fourth blade.

11. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 1 further comprising a base wherein the base is threaded and configured to removably engage an arrow shaft or an arrow insert.

12. A multifunctional broadhead comprising: a ferrule including a single slot; a first blade configured to operate in a first mode wherein a screw/pin secures the first blade to the ferrule, wherein the first mode is a fixed blade configuration with the first blade extended in a deployed position through the single slot; and a second blade and a third blade configured to substitute the first blade and configured to operate in a second mode wherein the screw/pin secures the second and third blades to the ferrule, and wherein the first and second modes are user selected, wherein the second mode is a mechanical configuration wherein the second and third blades are held in a retracted position by a media forming a friction fit in the second and third blades throughout an arrow time of flight, and wherein the first and second blades deploy to an extended position through the single slot upon a target impact.

13. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 12, wherein the second and third blades further include notches, wherein the media is configured to form a friction fit in the notches of the second and third blades, and wherein the media secures the second and third blades in the retracted position.

14. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 13, wherein the media is a nylon, a polymer blend, a metal, or combination thereof.

15. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 14, wherein upon impacting the target, the second and third blades extend into the deployed position by forcing the media from the blade notches and permitting the second and third blades to extend into the deployed position.

16. The multifunctional broadhead of claim 15, wherein the media is forced into the notches by a set screw.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a top front-view of a three blade broadhead in the fixed configuration as disclosed herein;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a top front-view of a three blade broadhead in the mechanical configuration as disclosed herein;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective-view of the three blade broadhead shown in FIG. 1 in the fixed configuration and as disclosed herein;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective-view of the three blade broadhead shown in FIG. 2 in the mechanical configuration and as disclosed herein;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective-view of a two blade broadhead in the mechanical configuration as disclosed herein;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a side perspective-view of a two blade broadhead in the fixed configuration as disclosed herein;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a top front-view of the two blade broadhead shown in FIG. 5 in the mechanical configuration and as disclosed herein;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a top front-view of the two blade broadhead shown in FIG. 6 in the mechanical configuration and as disclosed herein;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective-view of a four blade broadhead or multifunctional broadhead in the mechanical configuration as disclosed herein;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates a side perspective-view of a four blade broadhead or multifunctional broadhead in the fixed configuration as disclosed herein;

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a top front-view of the four blade broadhead shown in FIG. 9 in the mechanical configuration and as disclosed herein; and

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates a top front-view of the four blade broadhead shown in FIG. 10 in the mechanical configuration and as disclosed herein.

(14) Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent the scale of different components of one single embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to that particular scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) The present disclosure is directed to a multifunctional broadhead design that allows a user to convert the broadhead to a mechanical configuration or a fixed configuration broadhead by only changing the blades while using the same ferrule. Such a capability allows the user to comply with various hunting regulations and laws. The ability to swap between a mechanical and fixed configuration also allows a user to maximize the effectiveness of the broadhead based upon the particular game. As disclosed herein, the unique ferrule is designed in a way that the user can easily change from a mechanical blade to a fixed blade using simple tools. For example, by removing a single screw/pin the user may configure the broadhead in whichever configuration is required.

(16) As disclosed herein, the components of the broadhead work in unison and each component includes is interchangeable in various aspects. In the various embodiments disclosed herein, the mechanical and fixed single blade, two blades, three blades, and four blades may be designed to be replaced by a fixed blade or blades, and held securely in place. Accordingly, the unique ferrule design disclosed herein is the intricate component having the multifunctional properties to facilitate changes between fixed and mechanical configurations.

(17) As disclosed herein, the design characteristics of the ferrule allow the mechanical and fixed blades to be removed and replaced with the opposite blade configuration using all or part of the existing configuration and components originally manufactured in the ferrule. For example, the user may easily transition between fixed and mechanical configurations of the broadhead design by removing pins and/or screws to remove one set of blades and insert the other set of blades while securing them with the same pins and/or screws.

(18) The ferrule body disclosed herein may have a slot(s) or opening(s) of a specific size allowing one or multiple blades of a specific thickness to pivot from the ferrule body creating the mechanical blade movement. The mechanical blades may be held in place by various means such as a spring or other means to form a friction fit allowing the blades to deploy to an open or expanded position upon target contact. The retention system that maintains the blades in the retracted position is critical to the mechanical broadhead design. A modern example of a mechanical blade includes U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/659,139, Mechanical Blade retention System for Archery Broadhead filed on Oct. 21, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. As also disclosed herein, the ferrule is configured to engage mechanical blades that are interchangeable with fixed blades. As disclosed herein, the slot(s) or opening(s) of the ferrule are configured to house the mechanical blades and are also configured to secure fixed blades.

(19) In other examples, the blades may further include a notch in an end of the blades, in which the notches of each blade align with each other when the blades are in the retracted position. In still other examples, the blades are held in the retracted position by insertion of a media into the media hole. The media is forced into the aligned notches by the set screw, and the media forces the blades to remain in the retracted position by a friction fit from the force of the media. In yet another example, upon impacting the target, the blades extend into the deployed position by forcing the media from the blade notches and permitting the blades to extend into the deployed position. In some examples, the media may be nylon, a polymer blend, wood, clay, a gel, a paste, a soft metal, or a combination thereof.

(20) As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the multifunctional broadhead 1 may include a ferrule 13, with at least three blades 14 or 15 configured to engage three slots formed in the ferrule 13. FIG. 1 illustrates a top front-view of the three blade broadhead 1 with the fixed blades 14 in the fixed and extended configuration. FIG. 3 illustrates the side perspective-view of the three blade broadhead 1 shown in FIG. 1 with the blades 14 in the fixed configuration. The multifunctional broadhead 1 may include a screw or pin 17 at the lower portion of the ferrule. The screw or pin 17 may be configured to secure the blade or plurality of blades 14 and/or 15 to the ferrule. The screw or pin 17 may be configured to secure the mechanical and/or fixed blade system to the ferrule and may be interchangeable between blades. In certain examples, the blades 14 and/or 15 may include vents 19. In some examples, the blades 14 and/or 15 may not include vents 19. In still other examples, each blade 14 and/or 15 may include a plurality of vents 19. Vents 19 may be substantially triangular shaped. In other examples, vents 19 may be substantially shaped like a square, circle, rectangle, polygon, parallelogram, star, etc. According to certain aspects, the user removes the pin or screw 17 with a common tool and the mechanical and or fixed blades may be removed and/or secured to the ferrule 13. The aft portion of the ferrule 13 may include a lower threaded portion 18 and may be adapted to attach to an arrow shaft. In alternative embodiments, the lower portion 18 may or may not include threads and may be attached to an arrow or cross-bow bolt by other means known to one of skill in the art, such as an adhesive, friction fit, screw, or bolt and nut, etc.

(21) FIG. 2 illustrates another top front-view of a three blade broadhead 1 in the mechanical configuration with the mechanical blades 15 secured in the retracted position. FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective-view of the three blade broadhead 1 shown in FIG. 2 in the mechanical configuration. Upon target impact, the blades 15 of broadhead 1 may be configured to deploy to an extended position. In some configurations, the mechanical blades 15 may rotate about the axis of screw/pins 17 as shown in FIG. 4. In some configurations, the broadhead 1 may include at least one, two, or three screw/pins 17. The blades 15, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be oriented at a 120 degree angle between each blade. The blades 15, as shown in FIG. 4, may include blade tips 21 that bend in a 20-45 degree angle away from the tip of the ferrule 13 when the blades 15 are in the retracted position. In certain examples, the blade tips 21 may bend away from the ferrule 13 tip at an angle of at least 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees. This particular blade configuration may assist the blades in deploying to an expanded configuration upon target impact.

(22) As shown in FIG. 3, the angle of the fixed blades 14 (and/or mechanical blades 14 in the extended position) may form at least a 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degree angle as measured from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule and arrow shaft. In still another example, the blades 15 of the broadhead 1 may form an angle in the deployed or open position of about 90 to 120 degrees when the blades are extended in the deployed position as measured from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule 13 and arrow shaft to the tip of the blade 15. In some examples, the angle of the blades 15 may form a 90 degree angle as measured from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule 13 and arrow shaft to the tip of the blade 15. In other examples, the angle of the blades 15 may form a 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, or 180 degree angle as measured from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule 13 and arrow shaft.

(23) In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5-8, the multifunctional broadhead 3 may include a ferrule 13, with at least one fixed blade 14 or at least one or two mechanical blades 15 configured to engage at least two slots formed in the ferrule 13. FIG. 8 illustrates a top front-view of the two or single blade broadhead 3 with the fixed blades 14 in the fixed and extended configuration. FIG. 6 illustrates the side perspective-view of the two or single blade broadhead 3 with the blades 14 in the fixed configuration. The multifunctional broadhead 3 may also include a screw or pin 17 at the lower portion of the ferrule. The screw or pin 17 may be configured to secure the blade or plurality of blades 14 and/or 15 to the ferrule 13. As described above, the screw or pin 17 may be configured to secure the mechanical and/or fixed blade system to the ferrule and may be interchangeable between blades. In some configurations, the broadhead 3 may include at least one or two screw/pins 17. In certain examples, the blades 14 and/or 15 may include vents 19. In some examples, the blades 14 and/or 15 may not include vents 19. In still other examples, each blade 14 and/or 15 may include a plurality of vents 19. Vents 19 may be substantially triangular shaped. In other examples, vents 19 may be substantially shaped like a square, circle, rectangle, polygon, parallelogram, star, etc. Again, the user may remove the pin or screw 17 of the broadhead 3 with a common tool and the mechanical and or fixed blades may be removed and/or secured to the ferrule 13. The aft portion of the ferrule 13 may include a lower threaded portion 18 and may be adapted to attach to an arrow shaft. In alternative embodiments, the lower portion 18 may or may not include threads and may be attached to an arrow or cross-bow bolt by other means known to one of skill in the art, such as an adhesive, friction fit, screw, or bolt and nut, etc.

(24) FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective-view of the two blade broadhead 3. Upon target impact, the mechanical blade or blades 15 of broadhead 3 may be configured to deploy to an extended position. In some configurations, the mechanical blades 15 may rotate about the axis of screw/pin 17 as shown in FIG. 5. The blades 14 and 15, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, may be oriented at a 180 degree angle between each blade. The blades 14, as shown in FIG. 6, may include an angle that may form at least a 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degree angle as measured from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule and arrow shaft.

(25) In another example, the blades 15 of the broadhead 3 may form an angle in the deployed or open position of about 90 to 120 degrees when the blades are extended in the deployed position as measured from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule 13 and arrow shaft to the tip of the blade 15. In some examples, the angle of the blades 15 may form a 90 degree angle as measured from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule 13 and arrow shaft to the tip of the blade 15. In other examples, the angle of the blades 15 may form a 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, or 180 degree angle as measured from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule 13 and arrow shaft.

(26) In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9-12, the multifunctional broadhead 5 may include a ferrule 13, with at least two fixed blades 14 or at least one or two mechanical blades 15 configured to engage at least two slots formed in the ferrule 13. In other examples, the ferrule may include a slot configured to engage a fixed blade 16 secured to the ferrule 13 by screw, pin, or grommet 23. FIG. 10 illustrates the side perspective-view of the broadhead 5 with the blades 14 and 16 in the fixed configuration. FIG. 12 illustrates a top front-view of the broadhead 5 with at least two fixed blades 14 and 16 in the fixed and extended configuration. The multifunctional broadhead 5 may also include a first and second screw or pin 17 at the lower portion of the ferrule. The screw or pin 17 may be configured to secure the blade or plurality of blades 14 and/or 15 to the ferrule 13. In some configurations, the broadhead 5 may include at least one or two upper screw/pins 17. In some examples, the second or lower screw/pin may be configured as a port or hole to accept media to secure the mechanical blades 15 in a retracted position. As described above, the screw or pin 17 may be configured to secure the mechanical and/or fixed blade system to the ferrule and may be interchangeable between blades. In certain examples, the blades 14 and/or 15 and/or 16 may include vents 19. In some examples, the blades 14 and/or 15 and/or 16 may not include vents 19. In still other examples, each blade 14 and/or 15 and/or 16 may include a plurality of vents 19. Vents 19 may be substantially triangular shaped. In other examples, vents 19 may be substantially shaped like a square, circle, rectangle, polygon, parallelogram, star, etc. Again, the user may remove the first pin or screw 17 of the broadhead 3 with a common tool and the mechanical and or fixed blades 15 may be removed and/or secured to the ferrule 13. The aft portion of the ferrule 13 may include a lower threaded portion 18 and may be adapted to attach to an arrow shaft. In alternative embodiments, the lower portion 18 may or may not include threads and may be attached to an arrow or cross-bow bolt by other means known to one of skill in the art, such as an adhesive, friction fit, screw, or bolt and nut, etc.

(27) FIG. 9 also illustrates a side perspective-view of the mechanical broadhead 5. Upon target impact, the mechanical blade or blades 15 of broadhead 5 may be configured to deploy to an extended position. In some configurations, the mechanical blades 15 may rotate about the axis of the first or upper screw/pin 17 as shown in FIG. 9. The blades 15 and 16 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, and blades 14 and 16 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 may be oriented at a 90 degree angle between each blade. The blades 14 and 15 of broadhead 5, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 11, may include an angle that may form at least a 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degree angle as measured from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule and arrow shaft when in the deployed or extended positions.

(28) In another example, the blades 14 and 15 of the broadhead 5 may form an angle in the deployed or open position of about 90 to 120 degrees when the blades are extended in the deployed position as measured from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule 13 and arrow shaft to the tips of the blades 14 and 15. In some examples, the angle of the blades 14 and 15 may form a 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, or 180 degree angle as measured from the longitudinal axis of the ferrule 13 and arrow shaft when in the deployed or extended position.

(29) In some examples, the blades 15 and/or ferrules 13 may be constructed of 7075 aircraft aluminum, 416 hardened stainless steel, or titanium ceramic, steel, carbon, or combinations thereof. In other examples, ferrule 13 may be formed of any suitable material such as steel, titanium, composite, plastic, alloy, carbon fiber, etc.

(30) Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. For example, one of skill in the art will understand that multiples of the described components may be used in stores and in various configurations. The present invention is therefore not to be limited to a single system, nor the upright pusher configuration, depicted in the Figures, as the system is simply illustrative of the features, teachings and principles of the invention. It should further be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. This disclosure is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.