Radio transmitter assembly for tracking an arrow

• US 6,612,947 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2001
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: K-Tech, LLC
• Original Assignee: K-Tech, LLC
• Inventors: Porter, Sonny J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ricci, John A.
• Application Number:
  US10/032,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20020091023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 473/578
• US Class Current: 473/578
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/385 Arrow or dart carrying a radio transmitter for signalling

Abstract

A radio transmitter assembly for use in tracking an arrow employs an insert containing a radio transmitter that can inserted through the open end of an arrow and into the interior of the arrow shaft. After the insert has been secured within the arrow shaft, an arrow head can be secured to a connector on the insert.

Claims

1. A radio transmitter assembly for use in tracking an arrow having a head and a shaft with a hollow interior and an open end, said radio transmitter assembly comprising:

a non-conductive insert insertable through the open end of an arrow to engage the interior of the arrow shaft;

a radio transmitter housed within the insert; and

a connector for securing an arrow head to the insert and thereby securing the arrow head to the arrow.

2. The radio transmitter assembly of claim 1 further comprising an antenna extending from the radio transmitter through the insert and along the interior of the shaft of the arrow.

3. The radio transmitter assembly of claim 1 wherein the head of an arrow is threaded into the connector.

4. The radio transmitter assembly of claim 1 wherein the insert is bonded into the interior of the shaft by means of adhesive.

5. The radio transmitter assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one battery within the insert to power the radio transmitter, and wherein the radio transmitter is powered only while the arrow head is secured to the insert.

6. The radio transmitter assembly of claim 5 further comprising a spring compressed by insertion of the arrow head into the insert to establish electrical continuity between the battery and radio transmitter.

7. A radio transmitter assembly for use in tracking an arrow having a head and a shaft with a hollow interior and an open end, said radio transmitter assembly comprising:

a non-conductive insert insertable through the open end of an arrow to engage the interior of the arrow shaft;

a radio transmitter housed within the insert;

at least one battery housed within the insert to power the radio transmitter;

a connector for securing an arrow head to the insert; and

a spring within the insert that is compressed when the arrow head is secured to the insert, said spring providing electrical continuity between the battery and the radio transmitter only while the arrow head is secured to the insert.

8. The radio transmitter assembly of claim 7 further comprising an antenna extending from the radio transmitter through the insert and along the interior of the shaft of the arrow.

9. The radio transmitter assembly of claim 7 wherein the head of an arrow is threaded into the connector.

10. The radio transmitter assembly of claim 7 wherein the insert is bonded into the interior of the shaft by means of adhesive.

11. The radio transmitter assembly of claim 7 further comprising a spring compressed by insertion of the arrow head into the connector or the insert to establish electrical continuity between the battery and radio transmitter.

12. A radio transmitter assembly for use in tracking an arrow having a head and a shaft with a hollow interior and an open end, said radio transmitter assembly comprising:

a non-conductive insert insertable through the open end of an arrow to engage the interior of the arrow shaft, said insert having an axially-extending interior passageway with threads to receive and engage an arrow head;

a radio transmitter within the insert;

at least one battery in axial alignment with the radio transmitter within the passageway of the insert; and

an antenna extending from the radio transmitter along the interior of the shaft of the arrow;

whereby engaging the arrow head into the passageway of the insert establishes electrical continuity between the battery and radio transmitter.

13. The radio transmitter assembly of claim 12 wherein the insert is bonded into the interior of the shaft by means of adhesive.

14. The radio transmitter assembly of claim 12 further comprising a spring compressed by insertion of the arrow head into the passageway of the insert to establish electrical continuity between the battery and radio transmitter.