ARROW BORNE SCENT DELIVERY SYSTEM

Abstract

An arrow having an arrowhead assembly is disclosed for delivering scent to a remote location. The arrowhead assembly includes a base, a releasing mechanism defining a reservoir and including a cap connected to said base, and a pad disposed within the reservoir. The releasing mechanism releases the pad from within the reservoir upon impact with a surface. The releasing mechanism defines a frangible break-line between the cap and the base to detach the cap from the base, thereby releasing the pad from the reservoir. The pad may include a spike for attaching the pad to a surface upon impact.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of prior non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/153,136 filed Jun. 15, 2005, and claims the benefits of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/708,564 filed on Aug. 16, 2005, the advantages and disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to an arrow having an arrowhead assembly for remotely delivering a scent to a location.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many millions of people around the world enjoy the sport of archery. Of these, over four (4) million hunters in the United States alone take to the field each year to hunt big game, i.e., deer, elk, etc. One of the tools of the bow hunter is the use of a marking media, such as a “scent”. The scent can be in the form of a cover scent, e.g., skunk scent, fox urine, etc., meant to mask the scent of the hunter, or alternatively, it may be in the form of an attractor scent designed to lure a buck to a certain spot in the forest where the hunter believes a doe may be ready to mate.

Currently, the preferred method of delivering attractor scents involves the hunter going to a spot in the forest and “dropping” scent at the location. The method of dropping the scent generally takes the form of applying the scent to a felt pad and leaving the pad suspended from a tree branch or by simply placing the pad on the ground. The risk associated with this method of dropping the scent is that while the hunter is placing the attractor scent, by the very nature of being at the location, the hunter is also leaving their human scent along the way. Human scent is not an attractor scent for most game species, and actually tends to repel most game species.

Alternative methods of delivering the attractor scents have been developed. One such method includes incorporating a scent with an arrow, allowing the hunter to launch the arrow into the location without actually entering the location, thereby permitting the hunter to avoid leaving their human scent at the location where the attractor scent is applied. This method of delivering the scent may be referred to as an airborne delivery method. An example of an arrow utilized in such an airborne delivery method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,743 (the '743 patent) to Fiorenzo, titled “Scent Head Arrow”.

The '743 patent discloses an arrow having an arrowhead for remotely delivering a scent to a location. The arrow comprises a shaft having a nock end and extending to a distal end along a central axis. Fletching is attached to the shaft near the nock end. The arrowhead includes a base, which is removably attached to the distal end of the shaft. The base defines a reservoir, and a plurality of slots therethrough. A pad is disposed within the reservoir. The pad includes an absorbent material for retaining a liquid scent, with the scent being dispersed through the slots of the base during flight. The arrowhead further includes a cap attached to the base to secure the pad within the reservoir. The base and the cap each define concentric circular openings for receiving the shaft of the arrow therethrough in a push fit connection, thereby securing the arrowhead to the shaft of the arrow. The distal end of the arrow extends outward beyond the circular opening of the cap. In use, the arrowhead remains attached to the shaft of the arrow, and the pad remains in the reservoir. Accordingly, the scent is only dispersed from the pad into the air and is not applied onto an object, such as a tree, fence post, etc. Additionally, when launched, the distal end of the shaft must absorb the full force produced by impact with a surface because the distal end of the shaft extends outward beyond the cap of the arrowhead. Consequently, the force of the impact may damage the shaft of the arrow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The subject invention provides an arrow for remotely delivering a scent to a location. The arrow comprises an arrowhead assembly and a shaft having a nock end and extending to an opposing distal end. The arrowhead assembly includes a base, which is removably attached to the distal end of the shaft. The base defines a reservoir, and a pad is disposed within the reservoir. A releasing mechanism is coupled to the base and is detachable from the base upon impact to release the pad from within the reservoir.

Accordingly, the subject invention provides an arrowhead assembly that releases the pad from the arrowhead assembly upon impact with a surface. In this manner, a marking media, such as a scent, is released from the pad and spread onto the surface, as well as dispersed from the pad so that the scent may emanate from the surface as well as the pad. The subject invention may therefore deliver the scent to locations, such as an elevated location in a tree, which the prior art was unable to accomplish. Additionally, the releasing mechanism is disposed at the distal end of the shaft, thereby absorbing a portion of the kinetic energy carried by the arrow at impact to protect the shaft of the arrow from damage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an archer launching an arrow;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the arrow;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an arrowhead assembly;

FIG. 4 is an exploded fragmentary view of the arrowhead assembly showing an alternative snap fit connection between a base and a cap of the arrowhead assembly;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a fan portion of a scent pad;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the arrowhead assembly;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a marking media subassembly;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the arrow at impact showing a releasing mechanism detaching the cap from the base;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the arrow after detachment of the cap from the base, showing the exposed pad; and

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the arrowhead assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, an arrow is shown generally at 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the arrow 20 remotely delivers a marking media to a location, and includes a shaft 22 and an arrowhead assembly 24 attached to the shaft 22. Referring to FIG. 2, the shaft 22 includes a nock end 26, and extends to an opposing distal end 28, with the arrowhead assembly 24 attached to the distal end 28 of the shaft 22. Fletching 30 is attached to the shaft 22 near the nock end 26.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the arrowhead assembly 24 includes a base 32, which is removably attached to the distal end 28 of the shaft 22. A releasing mechanism 34 is coupled to the base 32 and defines a media reservoir 36, with a pad 38 disposed within the media reservoir 36 and supported by the base 32, thereby enclosing the pad 38 within the reservoir 36. The releasing mechanism 34 is detachable from the base 32 upon impact with a surface. When detached from the base 32, the releasing mechanism 34 exposes the pad 38 from within the media reservoir 36, thereby releasing the pad 38 from the arrow 20 and allowing the marking media to be transferred to the surface so that the marking media may emanate from both the surface and the pad 38. Preferably, the marking media is a liquid scent, such as doe urine or some other attractant scent. However, it should be understood that the marking media may be something other than a liquid scent.

The releasing mechanism 34 includes a cap 40 abutting the base 32 and defining at least one break-line 42 frangible upon impact with the surface to detach the cap 40 from the base 32. The break-line 42 is a zone of weakness, which is easily broken upon the cap 40 impacting the surface. As a result of the frangible break-line 42 fracturing, a connection interconnecting the base 32 and the cap 40 is sufficiently loosened to separate the cap 40 from the base 32.

The cap 40 includes a cylindrical portion 44, a conical portion 46, and a blunt end 48 covering the conical portion 46. The releasing mechanism 34 further includes a front plate 50, also shown in FIG. 5, disposed within the cylindrical portion 44 of cap 40 adjacent the conical portion 46. The front plate 50 includes a diameter substantially equal to or only slightly smaller than a diameter of the cylindrical portion 44 of the cap 40. As illustrated with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the front plate 50 advances forward into the conical portion 46 upon impact with the surface, thereby expanding the conical portion 46 to fracture the cap 40. It should be understood that the conical portion 46 includes a diameter that continuously decreases with an increase in distance from the cylindrical portion 44 of the cap 40. Accordingly, the farther the front plate 50 advances into the conical portion 46, the more the front plate 50 will spread the continuously narrowing conical portion 46 outward until the frangible break-line 42 fractures, detaching the cap 40 from the base 32.

The cap 40 includes at least one port 52 for supplying a liquid to the media reservoir 36, and thereby to the pad 38. A plug 54 is disposed within the port 52 for retaining the liquid within the media reservoir 36. The liquid contains the desired marking media to be applied, such as a scent as is known in the art. Differing scents are readably available for use. The pad 38 includes an absorbent material for absorbing the liquid. The absorbent material may include a felt or cotton material, a sponge, or some other material suitable for absorbing and retaining the liquid marking media. In use, the hunter applies the liquid marking media to the pad 38 through the port 52, saturating the pad 38 with the liquid marking media. The plug 54 is then inserted into the port 52 to minimize evaporation of the liquid marking media, thereby permitting easy transportation and temporary storage of the arrow 20 prior to use.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the arrowhead assembly 24 further comprises an arrowhead connector 56 for interconnecting the base 32 and the shaft 22 of the arrow 20. The arrowhead connector 56 includes an elongate portion 58 having a threaded end 60 for threaded insertion into a receiving plug 62 (often referred to as an arrow insert) disposed within the distal end 28 of the shaft 22. A flange 64 extends radially outward from the elongate portion 58 for supporting the base 32. A post 66 is concentric with the elongate portion 58 and extends outward from the flange 64. The base 32 further includes a bore 68 for slideably engaging the post 66 in a push fit connection, thereby connecting the arrowhead connector 56 and the base 32, and allowing for easy replacement of the base 32 to permit continued reuse of the arrow 20.

The base 32 includes a cylindrical outer wall 70 disposed adjacent the cylindrical portion 44 of the cap 40. Preferably, the cap 40 is attached to the base 32 by suitable methods known in the art, such as sonic welding or chemical adhesion. It should be understood that other suitable methods may be employed that are capable of bonding the cap 40 to the base 32 in sealed engagement to prevent leakage or evaporation of the liquid scent stored therein.

Alternatively the arrowhead assembly 24 may comprise a detent device 72 interconnecting the cylindrical outer wall 70 of the base 32 and the cylindrical portion 44 of the releasing mechanism 34. As shown in FIG. 4, the detent device 72 includes a groove 74 disposed in the cylindrical outer wall 70 of the base 32 and a ridge 76 disposed in the cylindrical portion 44 of the cap 40 such that the ridge 76 is disposed within the groove 74 in a snap fit connection. It should be understood that the detent device 72 may be configured in some other configuration suitable for connecting the base 32 and the cap 40 and still fall within the scope of the claims.

Upon the arrow 20 impacting the surface, the weight of the arrow 20, and the energy stored therein, fractures the releasing mechanism 34 of the arrowhead assembly 24. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, upon impact, inertia drives the flange 64 of the arrowhead connector 56 into the base 32 of the arrowhead assembly 24. As the flange 64 initially advances forward, the base 32 fractures around the bore 68 defined by the base 32. As the arrow 20 continues to advance, the flange 64 of the arrowhead connector 56 drives the front plate 50 into the conical portion 46 of the cap 40 as described above to fracture the cap 40. Accordingly, after impact, the base 32 and the cap 40 are both fractured into several pieces and disengaged from the arrowhead connector 56. The arrow 20 may be retrieved and a new arrowhead assembly 24 placed over the post 66 of the arrowhead connector 56 via the push fit connection to permit continued reuse of the arrow 20.

In an alternative embodiment, referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, the arrowhead assembly 24 further comprises a pad subassembly including a rear plate 78 attached to the pad 38 and a spike 80 interconnecting the rear plate 78, the pad 38, and the front plate 50. The pad 38 is disposed between the rear plate 78 and the front plate 50. The spike 80 presents a point 82 extending beyond the front plate 50 for attaching the pad 38 to the surface upon impact with the surface. The port 52 is concentric with the spike 80 for receiving the point 82 of the spike 80 therethrough. The spike 80 does not extend through the opening prior to impact with the surface so as not to interfere with the detachment operation of the releasing mechanism 34 to detach the cap 40 from the base 32.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the pad 38 includes a body portion 84 and a fan portion 86. Both the body portion 84 and the fan portion 86 include the absorbent material as described above. The body portion 84 includes a cylindrical shape and defines a central opening 88 therethrough for receiving the spike 80. The fan portion 86 includes a center 90 and a plurality of tabs 92 extending outwardly from the center 90. The plurality of tabs 92 wrap around the body portion 84 when disposed within the media reservoir 36 defined by the releasing mechanism 34. Accordingly, the marking media stored in the body portion 84 will mostly be excreted from the body portion 84 upon impact with the surface, whereas the marking media stored in the tabs 92 of the fan portion 86 will remain therein.

In yet another alternative embodiment, referring to FIG. 11, the arrowhead assembly 24 further comprises a second pad 94 disposed within the media reservoir 36 between the base 32 and the rear plate 78. As shown, the first pad 38 includes the spike 80 as described above for attaching the first pad 38 to the surface. The second pad 94 does not include the spike 80, and is therefore free to fall to the ground upon detachment of the cap 40 from the base 32. Accordingly, this embodiment will attach the first pad 38 to the surface, with the second pad 94 falling to the ground so the marking media emanates from both the pad 38 attached to the surface and from the pad 38 on the ground.

The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards; thus, the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do come within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims

1. An arrow for remotely delivering a marking media to a location, said arrow comprising:

a shaft having a nock end and extending to an opposing distal end;

a base removably attached to said distal end of said shaft;

a pad supported by the base; and

a releasing mechanism coupled to said base and defining a reservoir with said pad disposed therein detachable from said base upon impact for exposing said pad within said reservoir.

2. An arrow as set forth in claim 1 wherein said releasing mechanism includes a cap abutting said base and defining at least one break-line between said cap and said base with said cap being frangible about said break-line upon impact to detach said cap from said base.

3. An arrow as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cap includes a cylindrical portion and a conical portion and wherein said releasing mechanism further includes a front plate disposed within said cylindrical portion adjacent said conical portion for expanding said conical portion as said front plate advances forward into said conical portion upon impact with the surface to fracture said releasing mechanism.

4. An arrow as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cap includes at least one port for supplying a liquid to said pad and said arrow further comprises a plug disposed in said port to retain the liquid within said reservoir.

5. An arrow as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pad includes an absorbent material for absorbing the liquid.

6. An arrow as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a rear plate attached to said pad and a spike interconnecting said rear plate, said pad, and said front plate with said pad disposed between said rear plate and said front plate and said spike presenting a point extending beyond said front plate for attaching said pad to a surface upon impact.

7. An arrow as set forth in claim 6 wherein said port is concentric with said spike for receiving said point of said spike therethrough.

8. An arrow as set forth in claim 7 wherein said cap includes a blunt end covering said conical portion.

9. An arrow as set forth in claim 6 further comprising a second pad disposed within said reservoir between said base and said rear plate.

10. An arrow as set forth in claim 3 wherein said base and said cap are connected by adhesion.

11. An arrow as set forth in claim 3 wherein said base includes a cylindrical outer wall disposed adjacent said cylindrical portion of said cap and wherein said arrow further comprises a detent device interconnecting said cylindrical outer wall of said base and said cylindrical portion of said cap.

12. An arrow as set forth in claim 11 wherein said detent device includes a groove disposed in said cylindrical outer wall of said base and a ridge disposed in said cylindrical portion of said cap such that said ridge is disposed within said groove in a snap fit connection.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an arrowhead connector for interconnecting said base and the shaft of the arrow.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said arrowhead connector includes an elongate portion having a threaded end for threaded insertion into a receiving plug disposed within the shaft.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said arrowhead connector includes a flange extending radially outward from said elongate portion for supporting said base.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said arrowhead connector includes a post concentric with said elongate portion and extending outward from said flange and wherein said base includes a bore for slideably engaging said post in a push fit connection.

17. An arrowhead assembly for remotely delivering a marking media to a location by an arrow having a shaft, said assembly comprising:

a base for attachment to the shaft of the arrow;

a pad supported by said base; and

a releasing mechanism coupled to said base and defining a reservoir with said pad disposed therein and detachable from said base upon impact for exposing said pad within said reservoir.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said releasing mechanism includes a cap abutting said base and defining at least one break-line between said cap and said base with said cap being frangible upon impact about said break-line to detach said cap from said base.

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said cap includes a cylindrical portion and a conical portion and wherein said releasing mechanism further includes a front plate disposed within said cylindrical portion adjacent said conical portion for expanding said conical portion as said front plate advances forward into said conical portion upon impact with the surface to fracture said releasing mechanism.

20. An assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said cap includes at least one port for supplying a liquid to said pad and said assembly further comprises a plug disposed in said port to retain the liquid within said reservoir.

21. An assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said pad includes an absorbent material for absorbing the liquid.

22. An assembly as set forth in claim 19 further comprising a rear plate attached to said pad and a spike interconnecting said rear plate, said pad, and said front plate with said pad disposed between said rear plate and said front plate and said spike presenting a point extending beyond said front plate for attaching said pad to a surface upon impact.

23. An assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said port is concentric with said spike for receiving said point of said spike therethrough.

24. An assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said cap includes a blunt end covering said conical portion.

25. An assembly as set forth in claim 22 further comprising a second pad disposed within said reservoir between said base and said rear plate.

26. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 further comprising an arrowhead connector for interconnecting said base and the shaft of the arrow.

27. An assembly as set forth in claim 26 wherein said arrowhead connector includes an elongate portion having a threaded end for threaded insertion into a receiving plug disposed within the shaft.

28. An assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said arrowhead connector includes a flange extending radially outward from said elongate portion for supporting said base.

29. An assembly as set forth in claim 28 wherein said arrowhead connector includes a post concentric with said elongate portion and extending outward from said flange and wherein said base includes a bore for slideably engaging said post in a push fit connection.

30. An assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said base and said cap are connected by adhesion.

31. An assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said base includes a cylindrical outer wall disposed adjacent said cylindrical portion of said cap and wherein said assembly further comprises a detent device interconnecting said cylindrical outer wall of said base and said cylindrical portion of said cap.

32. An assembly as set forth in claim 30 wherein said detent device includes a groove disposed in said cylindrical outer wall of said base and a ridge disposed in said cylindrical portion of said cap such that said ridge is disposed within said groove in a snap fit connection.