Fishing arrow and passthrough prevention devices

• US 5,553,413 A
• Filed: 02/04/1993
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregory T. Gannon
• Original Assignee: Gregory T. Gannon
• Inventors: Gannon, Gregory T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miner, James
• Application Number:
  US08/013,424
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 273/416, 273/419, 273/420, 273/421, 273/422, 273/423, 43/6
• US Class Current: 43/6
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 81/00 Fishing with projectiles weapons, projectiles other than fish-spears F41, F42
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 81/04 Fish-spears

Abstract

A device for bow fishing which renders less likely an arrow will pass completely through an impaled fish. A sliding-stop is oriented on an arrow shaft forward of a drawn, cocked bow. Upon contact with the fish, a pointed head of the arrow passes into the fish, pushing the sliding-stop rearward on the shaft of the arrow, ultimately contacting a fixed stop disposed at a trailing portion of the shaft. Fishing line connects the arrow to the bow to retrieve the fish impaled on the arrow.

Claims

1. An arrow comprising:

an arrow shaft having a leading end and a trailing end;

a sliding-stop having a neutral hydrodynamic and aerodynamic profile slidably disposed on said shaft, said sliding-stop having a plurality of radially extending vanes oriented parallel to a long axis of a base, said base provided with a central opening parallel to its said long axis loosely overlying said shaft, said base including a leading portion facing towards a point of said arrow, which said leading portion includes a forward edge of minimal cross-sectional surface area and a trailing, fixed-stop impacting area of substantially larger surface area than that of said forward edge; and

a fixed-stop secured on said arrow shaft to retard sliding-stop translation on said shaft.

2. The arrow of claim 1 wherein said base has a body portion interposed between said forward edge and said trailing, fixed-stop impacting area of substantially diverging and then converging conical configuration.

3. The arrow of claim 2 wherein said vanes are equi-spaced around an outer periphery of said base and have a cross-sectional profile of substantially airfoil/hydrofoil cross-section.

4. The arrow of claim 3 wherein said airfoil/hydrofoil cross-section includes a slightly bulbous rounded leading edge which transitions to a thickened medial body portion and finally terminates in a sharp trailing edge.

5. The arrow of claim 4 wherein said fixed stop includes a sleeve provided with securing means to secure said sleeve on the arrow, said sleeve having a relatively thin profile along a lower portion thereof and a thickened upper portion along a leading edge thereof adapted to contact said trailing, fixed-stop impacting area of said sliding-stop.

6. The arrow of claim 5 wherein a nock is integrally formed with said fixed stop.

7. The arrow of claim 5 wherein said fixed stop is integrally formed with said arrow.

8. The arrow of claim 5 wherein said securing means includes a pin passing through said fixed stop of said arrow.

9. The arrow of claim 5 wherein said securing means includes a threaded shaft extending between a terminal portion of said arrow and said fixed stop.

10. A kit for archery, particularly used when bowfishing, said kit comprising:

a sliding-stop having an aerodynamically and hydrodynamically neutral profile provided with means to accommodate a shaft of an arrow, said sliding-stop including having a plurality of radially extending vanes oriented parallel to a long axis of a base, said base provided with a central opening parallel to said long axis loosely overlying said shaft, said base including a leading portion facing towards a point of said arrow which said leading portion includes a forward edge of minimal cross-sectional surface area and a trailing fixed-stop impacting area of substantially larger surface area than that of said forward penetrating edge, said base having a body portion interposed between said forward edge and said trailing fixed-stop impacting area of substantially diverging and then converging conical configuration said vanes being equi-spaced around an outer periphery of said base and have a cross-sectional profile of substantially airfoil/hydrofoil cross-section, and

a fixed stop to be attached to the arrow shaft to brake said sliding-stop.

11. The kit of claim 10 wherein said airfoil/hydrofoil cross-section includes a slightly bulbous rounded leading edge which transitions to a thickened medial body portion and finally terminates in a sharp trailing edge.

12. The kit of claim 11 wherein said fixed stop includes a sleeve provided with securing means to secure said sleeve on the arrow, said sleeve having a relatively thin profile along a lower portion thereof and a thickened upper portion along a leading edge thereof adapted to contact said trailing fixed-stop impacting area of said sliding-stop.

13. The kit of claim 12 wherein said securing means includes a pin passing through said fixed stop of said arrow.

14. The kit of claim 12 wherein said securing means includes a threaded shaft extending between a terminal portion of said arrow and said fixed stop.

15. A method for bowfishing, comprising the steps of:

placing a sliding-stop on an arrow, adjacent a leading portion of the arrow,

loading an arrow on a bow such that the sliding-stop is forward the bow,

tethering the arrow to the bow, and

stopping the sliding-stop upon release of the arrow from the bow from removal off the arrow.

16. The method of claim 15 including the step of stopping the sliding-stop from removal off the arrow by providing a fixed stop on the arrow and orienting the fixed stop adjacent a trailing portion of the arrow.

17. The method of claim 16 including tethering the arrow to the bow adjacent the fixed stop.

18. The method of claim 17 including the step of forming the sliding-stop aerodynamically and hydrodynamically to have a substantially narrow leading edge, a trailing edge adapted to contact the fixed stop with sufficient surface therefore and a transition therebetween including a somewhat diverging and then converging body portion and forming a plurality of radially extending vanes which are oriented parallel to a long axis of the leading stop, forming the vanes with a substantially tear drop shape having a bulbous forward portion and a feathered trailing portion.