Broadhead Blade Gravity Lock and Inertia Release Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A broadhead blade gravity lock and inertia release apparatus and method consists of a. support structure with a locking pin channel. A blade is attached with the support structure such that the blade is movable from a first position to a second position. A pressure device is connected with the blade where the pressure device is configured to apply pressure to the blade. A locking pin is located in the locking pin channel where the locking pin is free to move toward and away from the blade within the locking pin channel and where the locking pin is configured to releasably connect with the blade such that when the blade is connected with the locking pin the blade is held in the first position by the pressure on the blade and where compressive force on the blade releases the blade from the locking pin such that the pressure device then pressures the blade to the second position and where, when connection with the blade is removed, the locking pin is free to move away from the blade within the locking pin channel.

Claims

1. A broadhead blade gravity lock and inertia release apparatus comprising: a. a support structure with a locking pin channel; b. a blade attached with the support structure such that the blade is movable from a first position to a second position; c. a pressure device connected with said blade wherein said pressure device is configured to apply pressure to said blade; and d. a locking pin in said locking pin channel wherein the locking pin is free to move toward and away from said blade within said locking pin channel and wherein said locking pin is configured to releasably connect with said blade such that when the blade is connected with the locking pin said blade is held in the first position by the pressure on the blade and wherein compressive force on the blade releases the blade from the locking pin such that the pressure device then pressures the blade to the second position and wherein when connection with the blade is removed said. locking pin is free to move away from said blade within the locking pin channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking pin channel is configured to enable movement of the locking pin such that gravity causes said locking pin to move toward said blade when said support structure is held in one position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said locking pin is located in front of said blade within said support structure such that gravity causes said locking pin to move toward said blade when said support structure is held vertically.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking pin channel is configured to enable movement of the locking pin such that inertia causes said locking pin to move within said locking pin channel away from said blade when said blade is released from connection with the locking pin upon compression of said blade upon impact of the support structure with an object

5. The apparatus of claim I wherein said locking pin includes a locking lip and wherein said blade includes a locking lip connector configured to releasably connect. said blade with said locking pin.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the blade includes a length with a first end and a second end and a locking pin connector wherein the locking pin connector is configured to connect the blade in the first position with the locking pin in the locking position.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the locking pin connector is a receiver slot in the blade and the locking pin lip is configured to fit within the receiver slot such that the blade is retained in the first position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the receiver slot includes a first edge and a second edge wherein the second edge extends past the first edge such that the second edge pushes away the locking pin in the locking pin channel as the blade moves toward the support structure.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further including more than one blade.

10. A broadhead blade gravity lock and inertia release apparatus comprising: a. a support structure with a locking pin channel; b. two blades attached one opposite from the other with the support structure such that each blade is movable from a first position to a second position; c. a pressure device connected with said two blades wherein said pressure device is configured to apply pressure to said two blades; and d. a locking pin in said locking pin channel wherein the locking pin is free to move toward and away from said two blades within said locking pin channel and wherein said locking pin is configured to releasably connect with said two blades such that when the two blades are connected with the locking pin said two blades arc held in the first position by the pressure on the two blades and wherein compressive force on the two blades releases the two blades from the locking pin such that the pressure device then pressures the two blades to the second position and wherein, when connection with the two blades is removed, said locking pin is free to move away from said two blades within the locking pin channel.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said locking pin channel is configured to enable movement of the locking pin such that gravity causes said locking pin to move toward said two blades when said support structure is held in one position,

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said locking pin is located in front of said two blades within said support structure such that gravity causes said locking pin to move toward said two blades when said support structure is held vertically.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said locking pin channel is configured to enable movement of the locking pin such that inertia causes said locking pin to move within said locking pin channel away from said two blades when, upon compression of said two blades upon impact with an object, said two blades are released from connection with said locking pin.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said locking pin includes a locking lip and wherein said two blades include a locking lip connector configured to releasably connect said two blades with said locking pin.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the two blades include a length with a first end and a second end and a locking pin connector wherein the locking pin connector is configured to connect the two blades in the first position with the locking pin in the locking position.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the locking pin connector is a receiver slot in the two blades and the locking pin lip is configured to fit within the receiver slot such that the two blades are retained in the first position,

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the receiver slot includes a first edge and a second edge wherein the second edge extends past the first edge such that the second edge pushes away the locking pin in the locking pin channel as the two blades move toward the support structure.

18. A broadhead blade gravity lock and inertia release method consisting of: a. providing a support structure with a locking pin channel; a blade attached with the support structure such that the blade is movable from a first position to a second position; a pressure device connected with said blade wherein said pressure device is configured to apply pressure to said blade; and a locking pin in said locking pin channel wherein the locking pin is free to move toward and away from said blade within said locking pin channel and wherein said locking pin is configured to releasably connect with said blade such that when the blade is connected with the locking pin said blade is held in the first position by the pressure on the blade and wherein compressive force on the blade releases the blade from the locking pin such that the pressure device then pressures the blade to the second position and wherein when connection with the blade is removed said locking pin is free to move away from said blade within the locking pin channel; and b. connecting said blade with said locking pin.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said locking pin channel is configured to enable movement of the locking pin such that gravity causes said locking pin to move toward said blade when said support structure is held in one position and wherein said locking pin is located in front of said blade within said support structure such that gravity causes said locking pin to move toward said blade when said support structure is held vertically.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said locking pin channel is configured to enable movement of the locking pin such that inertia causes said locking pin to move within said locking pin channel away from said blade when, upon compression of said blade with an object, said blade is released from connection with said locking pin.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0042] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0043] FIG. 1 is a top cut away view of the Broadhead blade gravity lock and inertia release apparatus of the present invention with the blades in the locked position;

[0044] FIG. 2 is a top cut away view of the invention of FIG. 1 with the blades compressing to the unlocked position; and

[0045] FIG. 3 is a top cut away view of the invention of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating the movement of the blades to the unlocked position and the locking pin moved away within the locking pin channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0047] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily he utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the invention be regarded as including equivalent constructions to those described herein insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0048] In addition, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on other embodiments to yield a still further embodiment. Additionally, certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not mentioned yet which perform the same or similar functions. It is therefore intended that such modifications and variations are included within the totality of the present invention.

[0049] It should also be noted that a plurality of hardware devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components, may be utilized to implement the invention. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention and that other alternative configurations are possible.

[0050] One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-3. Referring to FIG. 1, a broadhead blade gravity lock and inertia release apparatus 10 includes a support structure 12 with a locking pin channel 14. Locking pin channel 14 is understood to describe a chamber within the structure as shown. A blade 16, or as shown in the figures, blades 16, is attached with the support structure 12 such that the blade 16 is movable from a first position as shown in FIG. 1 to a second position as shown in FIG. 3, described more fully hereafter.

[0051] A pressure device 18 is connected with the blade 16 where the pressure device 18 is configured to apply pressure to the blade 16. As shown, the blade 16 is formed such that contact with the blade 16 by the pressure device 18, when the blade 16 is in the locked position, holds the blade in the locked position. Preferably, the pressure device 18 includes a spring 19 with a hardened ball bearing 21 for a wear surface, as shown for example only and not by limitation in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

[0052] A locking pin 20 is located in the locking pin channel 14 where the locking pin 20 is free to move toward and away from the blade 16 within the locking pin channel 14. FIG. 1 shows the locking pin 20 moved within the locking pin channel 14 to blade 16 and connected with blade 16 such that blade 16 is locked in the first position as shown.

[0053] Locking pin 20 is configured to releasable connect with the blade 16 such that when the blade 16 is connected with the locking pin 20 the blade 16, again, is held in the first position by the pressure on the blade 16 from pressure device 18.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, compressive force “F1” on the blade 16, force applied when, for example the blade 16 enters an object, releases the blade 16 from the locking pin 20 such that the pressure device 18 then pressures the blade 16 to the second position shown in FIG. 3 once the blade 16 is released from connection with the locking pin 20. Further, when connection with the blade 16 is removed, the locking pin 20 is free to move away from the blade 16 within the locking pin channel 14, again as shown in FIG. 3.

[0055] Importantly, again, the locking pin channel 14 is configured to enable movement of the locking pin 20 such that gravity causes the locking pin to move toward the blade 16 when the support structure 20 is held in one position. For example only and not by limitation, when the locking pin 20 is located in front of the blade 16, as shown in the figures, within the support structure 12, gravity causes the locking pin 20 to slide within the locking pin channel 14 and move toward the blade 16 when the support structure 12 is held vertically.

[0056] In another aspect, the locking pin channel 14 is configured to enable movement of the locking pin 20 such that inertia causes the locking pin 20 to move within the locking pin channel 14 away from the blade 16, for example, when the blade 16 is released from connection with the locking pin 20 upon compressive force on the blade 16 upon impact of the support structure 12 with an object. That is, compressive force on the blade(s) 16 releases the blade(s) 16 from connection with locking pin 20. Also, support structure 12 slows upon impact and inertia causes the free moving locking pin 20, now released from connection with the blade 16, to continue forward within locking pin channel 14. This unique structure simply and easily moves locking pin 20 away from blades 16 enabling the blades 16 to expand to the full extended second position shown in FIG. 3 as a result of pressure from pressure device 18.

[0057] By way of further description, the locking pin 20 preferably includes a locking lip 22 and blade 16 includes a locking lip connector 24 configured to releasably connect the blade 16 with the locking pin 20 as illustrated. As shown, the blade 16 includes a length “L” with a first end 15 and a second end 17 and a locking pin connector 24 where the locking pin connector 24 is configured to connect the blade 16 in the first position with the locking pin 20 in the locking position shown in FIG. 1.

[0058] Preferably, the locking pin connector 24 is a receiver slot 26 in the blade 16 and the locking pin lip 22 is configured to fit within the receiver slot 26 such that the blade 16 is retained in the first position, again as shown in FIG. 1. Also, preferably, the receiver slot 26 includes a first edge 28 and a second edge 30 where the second edge 30 extends past the first edge 28 such that the second edge 30 pushes away the locking pin 20 in the locking pin channel 14 as the blade 16 is compressed and moves toward the support structure 12 as shown in FIG. 2 most clearly.

[0059] An important unique feature of the present invention is the ease with which the broadhead blade can be placed in the locked and ready to shoot position shown in FIG. 1. According to the present invention, to reset blades 16 and allow the broadhead to be shot again, a user simply compresses blades 16, points broadhead support structure 12 to the sky and allows gravity to move locking pin 20 downward within locking pin channel 14 to make contact with blades 16. Upon release of blades 16, the locking pin 20, locking lip 24, for example only, fits with the blade geometry, such as locking connector 24 receiver slot 26 for example only, within each 110 blade 16 and thus locks blades 16 into a “ready to shoot” first position”.

[0060] Applicant has determined that this design requires the least amount of pieces/parts and is very easy and cost effective to manufacture. Due to so few movable parts, the present invention enhances tremendously the reliability of performance of a broadhead blade apparatus. The “Gravity Lock/Inertia Release” mechanism as described herein, in testing has not failed once to 115 operate properly. A critical need of bow hunters is to have their equipment perform flawlessly every shot and the present invention achieves that goal of reliable total performance that no other mechanical broadhead has ever achieved. This is a very critical and major positive step forward in the evolution of perfecting the complete performance capabilities of all big game animal broadheads by comparison.

[0061] By way of continued description, the novel broadhead blade gravity lock and inertia release apparatus 10 of the present invention utilizes the stored energy of an internal spring “pressure device” 18 to provide locking force. The internal spring causes a blade 16 or blades or plurality of blades to attempt to rotate away from a position that is specifically designed to connect at a locking location on a locking pin 20 and continuously prevent the expansion of primary blade 16 or blades when in the locked position. The mechanics of the interaction with an object, however, deliver a near zero use of forward momentum, inertia, to unlock the blade 16 or blades. It accomplishes this at impact of the blade 16 with an object by using the building compressive pressure upon the blade 16 edges toward the support structure 12. This minimum amount of energy is transferred to compress the blade 16 slightly. This slight movement of compressing a blade 16 or plurality of blades frees the mechanical connection of the blade 16 with the locking pin 20. The locking pin 20, with or without secondary blades, once disconnected from the blade 16 is free to move linearly or move in a combination of ways, out of the way within locking pin channel 14. Once the blade locking pin 20 and/or secondary blade has rotated/moved free and into its final position, the main blade 16 or plurality of main blades 16 are pressured by pressure device 18 to open to full cutting width to deliver maximum lethal damage, see FIG. 3. The present invention thereby delivering the most efficient and effective use of all available forward momentum energy to achieve the maximum desirable pass thru potential.

[0062] Continuing the description, support structure 12 typically includes an unmovable nose tip 32 or arrow point. Again, blade 16 is attached with the support structure 12 such that the blade 16 is movable from a first position (“locked” as in FIG. 1) to a second position (“unlocked” as in FIG. 3). Pressure device 18 is connected with the blade 16 where the pressure device 18 is configured to pressure the blade 16 to the second position when in contact with a free floating locking pin 20. Locking pin 20 is NOT connected to the nose tip 32 such that when the blade 16 is connected with the locking pin 20 the locking pin 20 is in locking position and the blade 16 or plurality of blades is held in the “locked” first position by the pressure on the blade 16 to the second position. Pressure on the blade 16 toward the support structure 12 releases the blade 16 from the free floating locking pin 20. Thereafter, deceleration of the broadhead tipped projectile, support structure 12, at impact reduces its velocity at a rate slower than the free floating locking pin 20. With the free floating locking pin 20 not captured by blades 26, it then easily moves forward within locking pin channel 14 due to inertia and physically removes itself from the critical interaction area between locking pin 20 and blades 16. Thus, with the mechanical interaction area between moveable locking pin 20 and blade 16 no longer capable of interaction or physical contact with each other, the pressure device 18 then pressures the blade 16 to rotate to the fully deployed “unlocked” position (see FIG. 3).

[0063] With regard to the two blade positions discussed herein, locked and unlocked, a major benefit of the locking pin 20 is that it enables the “locked” position which provides a narrow cutting width or blade stowed position ready to shoot. Once the blade or blades 16 is/are compressed, it can be said that the blade 16 is in the “unlocked” position intermediate between locked and fully open and provides an even narrower cutting width during compression. The filly open position is achieved once the lock pin 20 has moved by inertia to clear blade movement path. The blades 16 now are pushed via spring/ball bearing, pressure device 18, to the fully Open position. Typically, in this design, but not limited to these dimensions, the locked position provides approximately a 1.25″ diameter of cut for blades; the compressed position a 1″ diameter of cut for blades and the fully open position a 2.2″ diameter of cut for blades to deliver full lethal enhancing cut capability.

[0064] The description of the present embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, As such, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with an embodiment thereof, it should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.