PROJECTILE TRACKING DEVICE

Abstract

A projectile tracking device is disclosed. An example projectile tracking device includes a housing for connecting to a projectile (e.g., an arrow). The example projectile tracking device also includes a chamber formed in the housing and a microchip positioned at least partly in the chamber of the housing. The microchip emits a tracking signal for locating the projectile.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/423,632 filed Nov. 17, 2016 of Braden, et al. for “Arrow Chip And Stop,” hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Arrows (e.g., used for archery or hunting) can easily be lost. For example, during target practice or hunting, a shot arrow may become lost in tall grass, over a ridge, or elsewhere. During hunting, the arrow may lodge in an animal that is able to run away, thus taking the arrow with it. Or the animal may be injured and bleeding, but still able to run away. If the hunter is unable to locate the animal, the animal may die and go to waste.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is shows an example projectile tracking device as it may be implemented with an arrow.

FIG. 2 is an end view of an example projectile tracking device in an open position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example projectile tracking device.

FIGS. 4A-E illustrate assembly of an example projectile tracking device.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate operation of an example projectile tracking device with stop mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A projectile tracking device is disclosed. The projectile tracking device may include an embedded microchip for tracking the projectile, such as an arrow, spear, or other projectile. The projectile tracking device enables the user to find the projectile after firing or shooting the projectile (e.g., into an animal such as a deer, elk or turkey; or toward a target that becomes lost in the field). The projectile tracking device may also expand so that it remains in the animal after shooting and does not fall out if the animal continues to move after being shot.

An example projectile tracking device includes a housing for connecting to a projectile. A chamber is formed in the housing. The housing may be attached to an arrow shaft, an arrow tip, or the arrow tail. Of course, the projectile tracking device is not limited to use in arrows. A microchip is positioned at least partly in the chamber of the housing. The microchip emits a tracking signal for locating the projectile after firing.

In an example, the projectile tracking device may also include at least one stop-blade. In an example, the stop-blade is biased in an outward position from the housing, and the stop-blade is folded into the housing and maintained in the housing during firing of the projectile. The stop-blade automatically releases into the outward position upon the projectile impacting an object. As such, the stop-blade expands upon impact to retain the projectile in an animal so that it does not fall out and become separated from the animal, even when the animal continues to move.

Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.”

It should also be noted that the examples shown and described herein are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein.

FIG. 1 is shows an example projectile tracking device 10 as it may be implemented with an arrow 1. An example projectile tracking device 10 includes a housing 12 for connecting to a projectile (e.g., arrow 1). A chamber 14 is formed in the housing 12. A microchip 16 is positioned at least partly in the chamber 14 of the housing 12. The microchip 16 emits a tracking signal for locating the projectile.

The tracking signal may be any suitable signal (e.g., GPS, data, a combination of signals). The tracking signal may be emitted all of the time, or only some of the time (e.g., to increase battery life). For example, the tracking signal may be activated by the user by pulling an insulating tab to contact a battery with the microchip, e.g., just before firing the projectile. Or for example, the tracking signal may be activated by impact with a target. Still other ways of activating the tracking signal are contemplated, as will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.

The housing 12 projectile tracking device 10 may be attached in any suitable manner to the projectile. For example, the projectile tracking device 10 may be attached to an arrow shaft in any suitable position, as indicated by arrow 18a. Or for example, the projectile tracking device 10 may be attached to the arrow tip, as indicated by arrow 18b. Or for example, the projectile tracking device 10 may be attached to the arrow tail, as indicated by arrow 18c. It is noted that other means for attaching the microchip 16 to the projectile are also contemplated, and is not limited to being embedded in a housing 12. For example, a chamber may be formed directly in the projectile itself for insertion of the microchip 16.

In an example, the projectile tracking device 10 also includes a stop mechanism. FIG. 2 is an end view of an example projectile tracking device 10 with the stop mechanism shown in an open position. In an example, the stop mechanism includes at least one stop-blade 20. The stop-blade 20 (four stop blades 20a-d are seen in the end view of FIG. 2) expands upon impact (e.g., with an animal or bird being hunted) to retain the projectile (e.g., arrow 1) in the animal even when the animal continues to move.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example projectile tracking device 10. FIGS. 4A-E illustrate assembly of an example projectile tracking device 10. As already described above, the example projectile tracking device 10 includes housing 12 for connecting to a projectile (e.g., arrow 1 in FIG. 1). Chamber 14 is formed in the housing 12 for microchip 16.

In an example, the projectile tracking device 10 includes a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism includes at least one stop-blade. Stop blades 20a and 20b are shown in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4A-E. The stop blades 20a and 20b are attached at a pivot 22a and 22b to a shoulder 24 of the projectile tracking device 10.

In an example, the stop-blades 20a and 20b are biased in an outward position from the housing 12 of the projectile tracking device 10. The stop-blades 20a and 20b are folded into a sleeve 26 the housing 12. The sleeve 26 maintains the stop blades 20a and 20b in a folded position in the housing 12 during firing of the projectile (e.g., the arrow 1 in FIG. 1). On impact, the stop-blades 20a and 20b automatically release into an outward position (see FIG. 4A) upon the projectile impacting an object such as becoming embedded in an animal. The stop-blades 20a and 20b are angled upon automatically releasing, such that the projectile is not readily released from the animal during movement of the animal. Thus, the stop blades 20a and 20b engage with the animal and thus the arrowhead is less likely to fall out of the animal if the animal continues to move.

In an example, the stop mechanism includes a coil spring 28 on the shaft and coil springs 29a and 29b for each stop blade 20a and 20b, respectively. Other biasing members may also be provided. The spring 28 is configured to bias against the stop-blades 20a and 20b as the stop-blades are slid into the sleeve 26 in a closed or firing position (e.g., as seen in FIG. 5A), and to release and to bias the stop-blades 20a and 20b out of the housing 12 in an open or impact position (e.g., as seen in FIG. 5B). The coil springs 29a and 29b open the stop-blades 20a and 20b upon being released from the sleeve 26.

During assembly, the microchip 16 is positioned in the cavity 14 as illustrated by arrow 30 in FIG. 4A. The end portion 32 can then be threaded onto the central member 34 in the direction of arrow 31 shown in FIG. 4B to encase the microchip 16 in the housing 12. The end portion 36 can also be threaded into the central member 34 as illustrated by arrow 35 and seen in FIG. 4D.

The stop blades 20a and 20b may then closed against the shaft of the central member 34 as illustrated by arrows 39a and 39b, and pressed into the sleeve 26 in the direction of arrow 37 in FIG. 4D against the bias of spring 28.

It is noted that the process can be reversed for disassembly if need be.

The assembled projectile tracking device 10 is shown in FIG. 4E. The projectile tracking device 10 may be attached to an arrow shaft or other projectile, e.g., by threading the ends 40a and 40b into inserts on the arrow shaft.

It is noted that the projectile tracking device 10 may be implemented with a “blank.” In an example, a “blank” or practice arrow tip may be utilized in target shooting. The blank may weigh about the same and be about the same length as a standard arrow tip.

Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate operation of an example projectile tracking device 10. In an example, the projectile tracking device 10 for tracking includes a housing 12 for connecting adjacent a blade portion of the arrow tip or other projectile. Operation of an example stop mechanism is also illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In an example, the projectile tracking device 10 includes a stopping mechanism, such as at least one stop-blade 20a and 20b. The stop-blade is attached at a pivot to a shoulder of the projectile tracking device 10 and pressed into the sleeve 26 as illustrated by arrow 51a. In an example, the projectile tracking device 10 includes at least three slop-blades, although fewer or more slop-blades may be provided (e.g., for a larger projectile).

The slop-blades 20a and 20b are released from the sleeve in the direction of arrow 51b, and expand in the directions of arrows 52a and 52b upon impact (e.g., upon entry into a hunted animal), e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5B. This retains the projectile tracking device 10 in an animal even if the animal continues to move, Retaining the arrow tip in the animal enables tracking both the projectile tracking device 10 and the animal as the animal may continue to move.

The microchip 16 or other transmitter is provided in the housing 12. The microchip 16 emits a tracking signal (illustrated by arced lines 50 in FIG. 5B) for locating the projectile tracking device 10 after it has been fired. In an example, the microchip 16 transmits a GPS signal or other locating signal. The signal may be processed, e.g., using a smart phone executing an “app” or dedicated device executing program code to locate the projectile tracking device 10 based on the tracking signal emitted by the microchip 16. The microchip 16 can be activated by its own transmitter, smart phone, etc. The microchip 16 may have any suitable range, such as about 1 mile.

The stop-blade(s) are folded against a spring or other bias so that it is substantially parallel to a shaft of the projectile tracking device 10 and can be inserted into the sleeve 26 the housing 12 against the bias. In an example, the coil spring 28 pushes a portion of the projectile tracking device 10 having the stop-blade 20a and 20b out of the housing so that the stop-blade(s) automatically deploy outward (e.g., as seen in FIG. 5B) upon exiting the sleeve 26 of the housing 12. The stop-blade may be angled upon full deployment (e.g., as seen in FIG. 5B) such that the projectile tracking device 10 can be said to “expand” once in the animal and cannot be readily pulled or fall out of the animal.

The operations shown and described herein are provided to illustrate example implementations. It is noted that the operations are not limited to the ordering shown. Still other operations may also be implemented.

It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.

Claims

1. A projectile tracking device, comprising:

a housing for connecting to a projectile;

a chamber formed in the housing; and

a microchip positioned at least partly in the chamber of the housing, the microchip emitting a tracking signal for locating the projectile.

2. The projectile tracking device of claim 1, wherein the signal is a GPS signal.

3. The projectile tracking device of claim 1, wherein the signal is a data signal.

4. The projectile tracking device of claim 1, wherein the housing is attached to an arrow shaft.

5. The projectile tracking device of claim 1, wherein the housing is attached to an arrow tip.

6. The projectile tracking device of claim 1, wherein the housing is attached to an arrow tail.

7. The projectile tracking device of claim 1, further comprising at least one stop-blade, the stop-blade expanding upon impact to retain the projectile in an animal for even when the animal continues to move.

8. The projectile tracking device of claim 7, wherein the at least one stop-blade is attached at a pivot to a shoulder of the projectile tracking device.

9. The projectile tracking device of claim 7, further comprising at least three stop-blades.

10. The arrow tracking device of claim 7, wherein the stop-blade is biased in an outward position from the housing, the stop-blade is folded into the housing and maintained in the housing during firing of the projectile, the stop-blade automatically releasing into the outward position upon the projectile impacting an object.

11. The arrow tracking device of claim 10, further comprising a coil spring to bias the stop-blade out of the housing.

12. The arrow tracking device of claim 10, wherein the stop-blade is angled upon automatically releasing such that the projectile is not readily released from the animal during movement of the animal.

13. A projectile tracking device, comprising:

a housing for connecting to a projectile;

a chamber formed in the housing;

a microchip positioned at least partly in the chamber of the housing, the microchip emitting a tracking signal for locating the projectile after firing; and

at least one stop-blade, the stop-blade expanding upon impact to retain the projectile in an animal for even when the animal continues to move.

14. The projectile tracking device of claim 13, wherein the housing is attached to an arrow shaft.

15. The projectile tracking device of claim 13, wherein the housing is attached to an arrow tip.

16. The projectile tracking device of claim 13, wherein the housing is attached to an arrow tail.

17. The arrow tracking device of claim 13, wherein the stop-blade is biased in an outward position from the housing, the stop-blade is folded into the housing and maintained in the housing during firing of the projectile, the stop-blade automatically releasing into the outward position upon the projectile impacting an object.

18. A projectile tracking system, comprising:

a housing for connecting to an arrow;

a chamber formed in the housing;

a microchip positioned at least partly in the chamber of the housing, the microchip emitting a tracking signal for locating the arrow;

at least one stop-blade, the stop-blade automatically expanding upon impact to retain the projectile in an animal even when the animal continues to move; and

executable program code to locate the arrow tip based on the tracking signal emitted by the microchip.

19. The arrow tracking device of claim 18, wherein the executable program code is an app for a smart phone.

20. The arrow tracking device of claim 18, wherein the executable program code is executed by a dedicated tracking device.