Arrow transmitter

• US 8,075,430 B1
• Filed: 03/10/2010
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David D. Hester
• Original Assignee: David D. Hester
• Inventors: Hester, David D.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICCI, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US12/721,292
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 473/570, 473/578, 473/582, 473/583
• US Class Current: 473/578
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/385 Arrow or dart carrying a radio transmitter for signalling

Abstract

An arrow transmitter comprises a head assembly having an arrow having a tip. Extending from the arrow is a shaft having a neck that terminates at a threaded portion. A tubular shaft assembly defines a first shaft cavity with a first exterior wall and first and second ends. The tubular shaft assembly also comprises fletching that is fixedly mounted onto the first exterior wall and a nock mounted onto the first end. A plugged housing assembly is housed within the tubular shaft assembly. A transmitter assembly is housed within the housing assembly. A global positioning system tracking unit determines a precise location of hunted game once struck and after the transmitter assembly is activated when a force overcomes the spring force of the spring member. Thus, causing the actuator pin to make contact with the first protrusion to activate the switch that activates the transmitter assembly.

Claims

1. An arrow transmitter, comprising:

A) a head assembly comprising an arrow having a tip, extending from said arrow is a shaft having a neck that terminates at a threaded portion;

B) a tubular shaft assembly defining a first shaft cavity with a first exterior wall and first and second ends, said tubular shaft assembly also comprises fletching that is fixedly mounted onto said first exterior wall and a nock mounted onto said first end;

C) a housing assembly housed within said tubular shaft assembly;

D) a plug;

E) a transmitter assembly housed within said housing assembly, said transmitter assembly comprises a computer chip assembly, a switch, an actuator housing, and a battery assembly, said switch comprises a base and a first protrusion, and said actuator housing comprises a sidewall, a stopper wall and a rear wall to house said first protrusion, a spring member, an actuator pin, and an actuator stopper, in a natural state, said actuator stopper is biased against said stopper wall due to a spring force of said spring member, whereby said spring member originates from said base; and

F) a global positioning system tracking unit to determine a precise location of hunted game once struck and after said transmitter assembly is activated when a force overcomes said spring force of said spring member to cause said actuator pin to make contact with said first protrusion to activate said switch that activates said transmitter assembly.

2. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said plug comprises third and fourth ends, extending from said third end is a second protrusion having antenna wire secured thereon.

3. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that said second protrusion is shaped to receive a tool for applying torque thereon.

4. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said head assembly mounts onto said housing assembly, and said plug secures said transmitter assembly onto said housing assembly.

5. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said housing assembly comprises a second exterior wall with third and fourth ends, said third end comprises a ridge that is larger in diameter than said fourth end, extending internally from third end is a second shaft cavity having a neck cavity that terminates at a threaded cavity.

6. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that said second shaft cavity has a first cooperative shape and dimension to receive said shaft, said neck cavity has a second cooperative shape and dimension to receive said neck, and said threaded cavity has a third cooperative shape and dimension to receive said threaded portion.

7. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that extending internally from said fourth end is a threaded section that terminates at a transmitter receiving cavity, said transmitter receiving cavity has a first cooperative shape and dimension to receive said transmitter assembly, and said threaded section has a second cooperative shape and dimension to receive said plug, said plug functions to keep said transmitter assembly snugly fitted within said transmitter receiving cavity.

8. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that said ridge is of a same diameter as said first exterior wall.

9. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said housing assembly further comprises peripheral channels.

10. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 9, further characterized in that an adhesive substance is applied onto said peripheral channels.

11. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said battery assembly comprises at least one battery that makes contact with a contact point.

12. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 11, further characterized in that connected to said contact point are positive and negative leads that also connect to said switch and said computer chip assembly.

13. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 1, further comprising a weight assembly having a same weight and exterior structural characteristics of a fully assembled said housing assembly comprising said transmitter assembly and said plug.

14. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that recorded location data can be stored within said global positioning system tracking unit, or transmitted to a central location data base, or internet-connected computer, using a cellular (GPRS), radio, or satellite modem embedded in said global positioning system tracking unit to allow a hunted game'"'"'s location to be displayed against a map backdrop either in real-time or when analyzing the track later, using customized software.

15. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said force is achieved when said head assembly comes to a sudden stop or loss of velocity, whereby momentum from said actuator pin overcomes said spring force of said spring member to cause said actuator pin to make contact with said first protrusion to activate said switch.

16. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 15, further characterized in that manually causing said actuator pin to again overcome said spring force of said spring member causes said actuator pin to again make contact with said first protrusion to de-activate said switch.

17. The arrow transmitter set forth in claim 1, further comprising illuminating means to indicate when said switch is activated and/or de-activated.