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Target marking arrow device

Target marking arrow device description/claims

The present invention relates generally to arrows used by archers, and more specifically, to a target marking arrow device that visually marks the point of impact on the surface of a target.

It can be difficult for an archer to accurately determine where the arrow hits the target whether it be a game animal, a three-dimensional target, or a field target. There can be many reasons for this difficulty, such as the distance and position of the target, the speed at which the arrow travels, the terrain, light conditions, and, in the case of wild game, movement of the animal after the shot has been made. The present invention overcomes these difficulties by providing a marking arrow device that shows the point of impact in a manner instantly visible to the archer.

In the case of bow hunters, instant visualization as to the point of impact of the arrow is critical information to the hunter. A shot to an animal's vitals (the lungs and/or heart) represents the desired arrow placement. If a hunter sees that the animal has been hit in the vitals, the hunter typically waits a short period of time (½-hour to 1-hour) allowing for the animal to expire before making the recovery. In the case of a marginal hit (a shot other than the vitals), the hunter will typically wait several hours or longer before attempting recovery. By doing so, the hunter greatly improves his or her chances of recovery. A complete miss can be seen by a residue the marking arrow device leaves on the ground or surrounding areas.

The invention features a capsule that mounts on the shaft of an arrow next to the arrowhead and contains a readily visible marking substance, such as a brightly colored, non-toxic food coloring, that can be dry or in liquid form. The capsule has walls, including an inner wall and an outer wall, forming a chamber for containing the target marking material. The inner wall of the capsule defines a passage for receiving an end portion of the arrowshaft, whereby the chamber surrounds the shaft. One or more of the capsule walls have fracture zones, such as breakaway grooves, that break on impact of the arrow to allow the walls to separate and release the target marking material from the capsule chamber.

In a disclosed embodiment, a circular breakaway groove is in an end of the capsule and discrete breakaway grooves are formed in the outer wall and extend endwise of the capsule, i.e. between the end of the capsule next to the arrowhead and the rear capsule wall. The rear wall of the capsule also may have a breakaway groove.

The capsule which is the feature of the invention can be used with all field-point and broadhead arrows that have a standard male/female screw attachment construction without modifying the arrows in any way. In the disclosed embodiment, the end of the arrow shaft received in the central passage of the capsule abuts the inner surface of the capsule front wall. The front of the capsule next to the arrowhead has wall portion extending radially inwardly of the inner wall. The wall portion has a central hole that accepts the male portion or neck of the arrowhead. During assembly, the capsule is slid onto the arrow shaft and is held in place by threadedly connecting the arrowhead neck to the end of the shaft. This construction and manner of connection serves to automatically align the capsule on the arrow for proper flight.

When an arrow carrying the capsule impacts the target, for example, a game animal, the capsule bursts at the fracture zones to allow the walls to separate, thereby releasing the marking material which marks the point of impact. The inner wall of the capsule may remain fixed in place on the shaft, while the outer wall separates to continue to deposit the marking material externally on the animal as the arrow penetrates the flesh after impact.

These and other features, advantages and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing the capsule of the invention mounted on a broadhead arrow;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view partially in cross-section showing details of the capsule and the connection of the broadhead to the shaft;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view showing the construction of the capsule;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the arrow as it impacts the target;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the capsule showing its rear wall; and

FIG. 6 is a assembled, elevational view of the capsule.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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