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Turbine-tip arrowheadRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Projectile, Per Se; Part Thereof Or Accessory Therefor, Arrow, Dart, Or Shuttlecock; Part Thereof, Head Structure, BroadheadTurbine-tip arrowhead description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060084535, Turbine-tip arrowhead. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to the field of archery. Specifically, the invention relates to arrowheads found on arrow devices. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Arrowheads and their associated aerodynamics are a key element for predictable flight of arrow assemblies. Prior art arrowheads can be broadly divided into two groups: those with little or no aerodynamic effect, such as the common field point, and those that do have a pronounced aerodynamic effect, whether intended or not, such as broadhead arrowheads. [0005] Field point arrowheads are very simple devices that are commonly used for target practice. Field point arrowheads taper from a maximum diameter, equal to approximately the diameter of the arrow shaft, down to a point at the forwardmost end. Some variations of the simple field point geometry include three or four scallops in the field point surface. However these scallops are meant to provide a sharper point for penetration, not influence the aerodynamics of the arrow assembly. This simple point in all its prior art embodiments disturbs the air very little as the arrow assembly flies towards its intended target. A considerable drawback of the prior art field point is that the arrow assembly flight is governed entirely by the aerodynamics of the vanes at the aft end of the arrow. The arrow is essentially pushed through the air. This pushing can cause the flight path of the arrow to wander as the arrow is affected by random influences such as crosswind, oscillating vibration of the arrow shaft, and asymmetries between the arrow vanes. What the prior art lacks is a field point that is itself capable of stabilizing the flight of the arrow assembly. [0006] Broadhead arrowheads were invented to increase effective hunting penetration and success potential. Typically two to four flat, triangular blades are arranged around the forward pointed tip. As the arrowhead enters the intended target, the blades slice a region much greater than a simple field point and increase the probability of inflicting mortal damage upon the intended target. These broad, flat blades have a pronounced aerodynamic effect that can radically affect the overall stability of the arrow in flight and significantly reduce the precision of flight. The forwardmost tip of such broadheads is typically either the flat blade itself, such as in the patents of Newnam (U.S Pat. No. 5,636,845) or Musacchia (U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,817); or the forwardmost tip is a field point-like cap that provides no aerodynamic effect, such as in the patents of Adams, jr. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,180) or Martinez, et. al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,161). One recent improvement is the broadhead of Kuhn (U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,518) which employs blades whose geometry imparts an axial rotational spin on the arrow assembly during flight. However, the forwardmost tip of this broadhead is still basically a field point. [0007] Mechanical broadhead arrowheads were developed to address problems associated with traditional bladed broadheads. Mechanical broadheads include deployable bladed or spiny bleeder appendages that remain closely attached to the main body of the arrowhead from release until impact. This reduces the overall aerodynamic effect of large, bladed structures during flight. Upon deployment, such appendages provide greater cutting surfaces and or means for lodging within the wounded target than a simple flat blade. Again, the forwardmost tip of such prior art broadheads is typically a field point-like cap, such as in the patents of Liechty, II (U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,206) and Maleski (U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,467), which provides no aerodynamic effect. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention is a turbine tip arrowhead, used either strictly as a field point or as the forwardmost tip in concert with any prior art broadhead assembly. The key feature of this turbine tip arrowhead is the geometry, which includes a tapered tip and a plurality of helical rifles, consisting of either grooves or ridges, beginning at the tip of the field point and spiraling back towards the aft end. All rifles spiral in the same rotational direction giving the appearance of a turbine. This turbine tip design provides excellent rotation of the arrow shaft during flight without producing a large amount of aerodynamic drag. The invention is compatible with all contemporary arrow shafts. [0009] When used as a replacement for the common field tip-like caps found on prior art broadhead assemblies, the turbine tip of the present invention again provides stabilizing, axial rotation of the arrow regardless of whether or not the broadhead main blades provide any axial rotation themselves. The rifling also inflicts additional damage while augering into the target upon impact. The invention is compatible with all contemporary broadhead assemblies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of the rifled turbine tip arrowhead of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the rifled turbine tip arrowhead of the present invention used in concert with a mechanical broadhead arrowhead. [0012] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the rifled turbine tip of the present invention used in concert with a mechanical broadhead arrowhead in the closed position. [0013] FIG. 4 shows a front and sectional view of the rifled turbine tip of the present invention used in concert with a mechanical broadhead arrowhead. [0014] FIG. 5A shows an oblique view of the rifled turbine tip of the present invention used in concert with a mechanical broadhead arrowhead in the closed position. [0015] FIG. 5B shows an oblique view of the rifled turbine tip of the present invention used in concert with a mechanical broadhead arrowhead in the open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0016] With reference to FIG. 1, field point 1 of this invention comprises a typically cylindrical body 2 with a maximum diameter approximately equal to the maximum diameter of an arrow shaft. Body 2 is typically symmetrical about a longitudinal axis. A portion of body 2 tapers to a point 3 at one end. A plurality of helical rifles 4, consisting of either grooves or ridges, begin at point 3 of the field point 1 and spiral down the longitudinal axis of body 2. Rifles 4 may spiral down the entire axial length of body 2 or may terminate partially down a portion of the axial length of body 2. All rifles 4 spiral in the same rotational direction giving the appearance of a turbine. In the preferred embodiment, rifles 4 are placed close together around body 2 so that they contact each other down their entire helical length. [0017] In the preferred embodiment there are between about three and about ten rifles 4 located symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of body 2. There are optimally about eight rifles 4 located symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of body 2. Too few rifles 4 will not provide enough rotational torque to produce the desired axial flow turbine aerodynamic effect. Too many rifles 4 must be so narrow or small that their aerodynamic effect becomes inconsequential as their aggregate surface approaches that of a smooth field point. [0018] Rifles 4 are defined as grooves if the maximum diameter of the rifled portion of body 2 does not exceed the nominal maximum diameter of body 2. In other words, body 2 is tapered continuously from aft to point 3 and rifles 4 are cut into this otherwise smoothly tapered point. Rifles 4 are defined as ridges if the maximum diameter of the rifled portion of body 2 exceeds the nominal maximum diameter of body 2. Typically, rifles 4 will be V-shaped in cross section although other geometries would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. [0019] Field point 1 also includes an attachment means 5 used to mount field point 1 on a contemporary arrow shaft. Typically, attachment means 5 comprises a male-threaded post that is received by a female-threaded socket in the arrow shaft. However, attachment to an arrow shaft may comprise any method common in the art such as a press-fitting or gluing. In these embodiments, attachment means 5 of field point 1 may be a smooth socket or other means for mechanical engagement of the arrow shaft. Field point 1 may be made of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, plastic, etc. [0020] One of the features of the field point arrowhead of this invention is its ability to produce stabilized arrow flight without the use of fletching or tail fins (or feathers). The rotation induced in the arrow by the aerodynamically designed turbine tip is sufficient to stabilize the arrow in flight. Eliminating or reducing the size of the fletching in fact improves flight characteristics because the rotational drag normally induced by the fletching is avoided. It should be noted, however, that all embodiments of the arrowhead of the invention can be used with fletched arrow shafts as well. Continue reading about Turbine-tip arrowhead... Full patent description for Turbine-tip arrowhead Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Turbine-tip arrowhead patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Turbine-tip arrowhead or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Filament wound multi-color arrow shaft Next Patent Application: Ball for ball game and method for manufacturing the same Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Turbine-tip arrowhead patent info. 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