Self-propelled arrow

• US 6,241,634 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2000
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David L. Armer Jr
• Original Assignee: David L. Armer Jr
• Inventors: Armer, David L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ricci, John A.
• Application Number:
  US09/628,748
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 124/57, 473/578, 473/581, 473/FOR.216, 473/FOR.218
• US Class Current: 473/581
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/04 Archery arrows F42B6/08, F41B5/06, F42B12/362 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention is a self-propelled arrow, consisting of an otherwise conventional hunting or target practice arrow that is propelled by CO₂ and water, thus providing additional thrust to the arrow when shot from a bow. String inertia causes a CO₂ filled cartridge to strike the point of a puncture means which punctures the cartridge and releases charged CO₂ into a water storage chamber which charges the water inside. The charged water becomes pressurized and actuates a pliable closure membrane to an open position in check valve fashion, thus releasing the pressurized water from the water storage chamber through the propellant jets in the rear of the arrow. This system accelerates the arrow and decreases the arrow drop, thereby increasing the range and speed of the arrow immensely. The CO₂ cartridges may be replaceable.

Claims

1. A self-propelled arrow comprising:

an otherwise conventional, linearly elongated, cylindrical arrow shaft with an interior volume having a forward end opposite a rear end;

an arrow tip terminating said forward end of said arrow shaft;

propellant discharge orifice formed at said rear end of said arrow shaft;

a water storage chamber for holding water and located inside said interior volume at said forward end;

a replaceable cartridge containing a pressurized gas, said replaceable cartridge slidably inserted and positioned inside said interior volume forward said water storage chamber immediately adjacent to said arrow tip;

a first spherical, pliable closure membrane located on an upper end of said water storage chamber;

a second spherical, pliable closure membrane located on a lower end of said water storage chamber, and

a spring safety means affixed along a perimeter of an upper end of the first pliable closure member for preventing said cartridge from striking said water storage chamber except during firing of said arrow, wherein said spring safety means has a pointed, puncture means resting inside said spring safety means directed at said first pliable closure membrane.

2. The self-propelled arrow of claim 1, wherein when said cartridge is thrusted rearward and strikes a point of said puncture means by inertial force upon firing said arrow with a bow, said cartridge is punctured and releases charged CO₂ into said water storage chamber, wherein said water becomes pressurized water.

3. The self-propelled arrow of claim 2, wherein said pressurized water actuates said second spherical, pliable closure membrane to said open position in check valve fashion, and releases said pressurized water from said second spherical, pliable closure membrane through said propellant jets.

4. The self-propelled arrow of claim 3, wherein said first spherical, pliable closure membrane is actuated to a closed position in check valve fashion after charged CO₂ has entered said water storage chamber, said second spherical, pliable closure membrane is actuated to a closed position in check valve fashion after all pressurized water 60 has been released through the propellant jets.

5. The self-propelled arrow of claim 1, wherein said arrow has an arrow tip receiving neck located at said forward end of said arrow, said arrow tip receiving neck having a threaded, circular opening designed to have said arrow tip removably coupled thereto.

6. The self-propelled arrow of claim 1, wherein said water storage chamber is slidably received inside of said arrow along a radial centerline of said arrow, said water storage chamber has a small aperture formed along an external circumferential surface near said upper end of said water chamber, below said first pliable closure membrane for delivering water through said aperture.

7. The self-propelled arrow of claim 1, wherein said propellant jets have external circumferential sidewalls converging inwardly with increased distance from said second spherical, pliable closure membrane, and said propellant jets have a hollow, circular, threaded cap mounted to an upper end of said propellant jets, so as to be held by a threaded connection to a tip of any arrow.