Trackable arrow
First Claim
1. A trackable arrow, comprising:
- a shaft having side walls defining a hollow chamber;
an electrically conductive member coextensive with the shaft and adapted to function as a radiating element of an antenna;
radio signalling means including variable rate carrier interrupt means disposed within the chamber, the interrupt means being rate responsive to a source of operating voltage; and
coupling means positioned between an output of the signalling means and the conductive member to effect a transfer of radio signal energy therebetween, whereby interrupted carrier signals radiated from the conductive member are detectable by a directional radio receiver to effect a test of the energy source prior to releasing the arrow from a bow and subsequently tracking and locating the released arrow.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An arrow that accepts standard target or hunting tips includes a radio signalling transmitter which emits a carrier signal that is receivable by a directional receiver for tracking and locating the arrow when released from a bow. The transmitter includes a carrier interrupting circuit operating at a rate that is inversely proportional to battery voltage which permits dynamically testing the battery prior to releasing the arrow. This provides reliable operation of the transmitter by insuring an adequate minimum charge in the battery. An electrical switch embodying the arrow tip as an actuator permits selectively connecting or disconnecting the battery from the transmitter to conserve the battery charge.
79 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A trackable arrow, comprising:
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a shaft having side walls defining a hollow chamber; an electrically conductive member coextensive with the shaft and adapted to function as a radiating element of an antenna; radio signalling means including variable rate carrier interrupt means disposed within the chamber, the interrupt means being rate responsive to a source of operating voltage; and coupling means positioned between an output of the signalling means and the conductive member to effect a transfer of radio signal energy therebetween, whereby interrupted carrier signals radiated from the conductive member are detectable by a directional radio receiver to effect a test of the energy source prior to releasing the arrow from a bow and subsequently tracking and locating the released arrow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for testing a source of operating voltage used to power a radio signalling transmitter, comprising the steps of:
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emitting a continuous carrier signal from the transmitter; interrupting the signal at a rate inversely proportional to the operating voltage; receiving and detecting the interrupted carrier signal; and relating the carrier signal interruption rate to a predetermined voltage value.
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Specification