CASE FOR BROADHEAD

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001]This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/689,927, filed Sep. 3, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to hunting equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to bow hunting equipment.

SUMMARY

[0003]One embodiment relates to a case for a broadhead. The case includes multiple sides, a bottom, and a lid. The case also includes a surface and multiple receivers. The sides, the bottom, and the lid define an inner volume. The surface is disposed in the inner volume, a distance from the bottom. The receivers are positioned on the surface. The receivers include multiple fingers and an aperture. The fingers are configured to be deformed out of a rest position by a shaft of an arrow as a broadhead coupled on an end of the shaft is inserted into the aperture. The fingers are configured to engage a surface of the broadhead to retain the broadhead in the aperture in response to the shaft being de-coupled from the broadhead and allowing the fingers to return to the rest position.

[0004]This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a case for carrying broadheads in a closed position, according to some embodiments.

[0006]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1 in an open position, according to some embodiments.

[0007]FIG. 3 is a top view of the case of FIG. 1 in the open position, according to some embodiments.

[0008]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1 in the open position with an arrow being inserted into the case, according to some embodiments.

[0009]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1 in the open position with the arrow fully inserted into the case, according to some embodiments.

[0010]FIG. 6 is perspective view of the case of FIG. 1 in the open position with a shaft of the arrow being de-threaded from a broadhead, according to some embodiments.

[0011]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1 in the open position with the shaft of the arrow fully de-threaded from the broadhead and the broadhead retained in the case, according to some embodiments.

[0012]FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the case of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

[0013]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a retaining feature of the case of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

[0014]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1 in the open position with the broadhead retained in the case and the shaft of the arrow being inserted onto the broadhead, according to some embodiments.

[0015]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1 in the open position with the shaft of the arrow threaded onto the broadhead, according to some embodiments.

[0016]FIG. 12 is a side view of an arrow including a broadhead that can be stored in the case of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

[0017]FIG. 13 is a side view of the broadhead of FIG. 12, according to some embodiments.

[0018]FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the broadhead and arrow inserted into the case of FIG. 1 with the shaft of the arrow threaded onto the broadhead, according to some embodiments.

[0019]FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the broadhead inserted into the case of FIG. 1 with the shaft of the arrow de-coupled from the broadhead, according to some embodiments.

[0020]FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a kit including the case of FIG. 1 and the broadhead of FIG. 12, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021]Before turning to the FIGURES, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the FIGURES. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

Overview

[0022]Referring generally to the FIGURES, a broadhead case includes a bottom, sides, and a lid. The lid can be hingedly coupled with one of the sides and is transitionable between an open position and a closed position. The broadhead case can be provided as a hard-sided case. The broadhead case includes multiple retaining features disposed on a surface that is positioned within an inner volume of the case between the lid and the bottom. The retaining features each include an opening and multiple fingers that are disposed about the opening. The fingers can have the form of hooked members that extend partially over the opening. The opening can include a central aperture about which the fingers are disposed and a pair of slots at opposite sides of the opening (e.g., a top and bottom). The opening and the slots are shaped to receive a broadhead. The opening provides access to a storage volume beneath the surface within which the broadhead can be stored.

[0023]The fingers are configured to be deformed to allow insertion of the broadhead into the storage volume. The fingers are driven to deform (e.g., bend) by a shaft of the arrow as the arrow and broadhead are inserted into the opening. The fingers are configured to snap into engagement with a corresponding shoulder of the broadhead as the shaft is de-coupled from the broadhead. The broadhead can advantageously be inserted and retained in the broadhead case without requiring the user to touch the broadhead with their hands. Likewise, the broadhead can be removed from the broadhead case without requiring the user to touch the broadhead by threading the shaft of the arrow onto the broadhead, thereby expanding the fingers and releasing the broadhead.

Broadhead Case

[0024]Referring to FIGS. 1-11, a case 100 (e.g., a broadhead case, a container, a housing, etc.) for a broadhead 50 (e.g., an arrowhead, a bladed member, a target penetrating member, etc.) includes a first member 102 (e.g., a bottom portion, a bottom member, etc.) and a second member 104 (e.g., a lid, a cover, a top, etc.). The first member 102 can be provided as a bottom portion that defines a floor 150 (e.g., a bottom), and sides (e.g., sidewalls) shown as front 152, left side 154, right side 156, and rear 158. The second member 104 defines a top 160 of the case 100. The second member 104 can also partially define the front 152, the left side 154, and the right side 156. The first member 102 and the second member 104 cooperatively define an inner volume 106 within the case 100 within which one or more broadheads 50 can be stored.

[0025]The first member 102 and the second member 104 are coupled with each other by a hinge 108 such that the second member 104 can be rotated relative to the first member 102 to transition the case 100 between an open position (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2-8 and 10-11) and a closed position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1). The second member 104 can include a tab 162 (e.g., a protrusion, an edge, a lip, etc.) that facilitates grasping of the second member 104 by the user. The second member 104 and the first member 102 can include interlocking members that are configured to releasably couple with each other when the case 100 is in the closed position. The first member 102 and the second member 104 can be manufactured from a rigid or hard material in order to provide a hard case that protects the user from the blades of the broadheads stored within the inner volume 106.

[0026]Referring to FIG. 3, among others, the case 100 includes a broadhead receiving portion 110 having a surface 114 (e.g., a plate, a member, a flat surface, an intermediate plate, etc.) that is offset upwards from the floor 150 (e.g., a distance), and receivers 112 (e.g., openings, coupling portions, apertures, receiving portions, interlocking portions, etc.). The broadhead receiving portion 110 includes multiple receivers 112, shown as receiver 112a, receiver 112b, receiver 112c, receiver 112d, and receiver 112e. Each of the receivers 112 are configured to receive a separate broadhead 50 for storage. The receivers 112 can be configured to interlock with or otherwise couple the broadhead 50 within the case 100 without requiring the user to touch the broadheads 50 with their hands. The receivers 112 include an aperture 116 (e.g., an opening, a hole, a window, etc.) and fingers 118 (e.g., hooks, clips, retainers, retaining members, etc.) that are disposed above the aperture 116. The fingers 118 (e.g., protrusions, interlocking members, etc.) extend inwards towards each other, partially across the aperture 116. The fingers 118 can be positioned at four corners of the aperture 116 (e.g., offset by 90 degrees, and extend inwards towards a center of the apertures 116 across a portion of a corner of the aperture 116). The receivers 112 further include a pair of slots 120 (e.g., slots) disposed on opposite sides (e.g., a top and bottom) of the aperture 116. The receivers 112 can also include another pair of apertures (e.g., slots 124) disposed on opposite right and left sides of the aperture 116. The receivers 112 can have the form of a hollowed boss. The receivers 112 can be evenly spaced along an array.

[0027]Referring to FIG. 8, among others, each of the apertures 116 provide access to a corresponding inner volume 164 (e.g., a cavity, a storage space, etc.). The inner volumes 164 are defined between sidewalls 168, the fingers 118, and a resilient member 166 (e.g., a rubber slug, a rubber bumper, a rubber member, etc.) that is disposed at the floor 150. The inner volumes 164 are sized to each store a broadhead (e.g., the broadhead 50). The resilient members 166 may be rubber, foam, or any other material (e.g., a member coupled with a spring) that provides a reactionary force in response to being compressed. The resilient members 166 are configured to be engaged by the tip of the broadhead 50 (e.g., abutted by) in order to provide a pliable surface for the tip of the broadhead 50 to be pushed into. The resilient members 166 can facilitate keeping the tip of the broadhead 50 sharp (e.g., without dulling or chipping the tip of the broadhead 50) and can provide upwards pressure onto the broadheads 50 so that the broadheads 50 are retained by the fingers 118 (e.g., pushed into engagement with the fingers 118) without rattling.

[0028]Referring to FIG. 9, among others, the fingers 118 are shown in greater detail. The fingers 118 protrude vertically from the surface 114 (e.g., upwards, in a direction perpendicular to the surface 114, etc.) and include a main portion 170 (e.g., a body) and a hook 172 (e.g., a hook portion) that extends generally perpendicular from the main portion 170. The main portion 170 extends generally vertically from the surface 114 (e.g., in an upwards direction, in a direction perpendicular to the surface 114, etc.). The upwards direction is normal to (e.g., perpendicular to) the surface 114. Each of the hooks 172 extend in a direction that is generally parallel with the surface 114. The hooks 172 extend towards a center of the aperture 116 (e.g., over a portion of the aperture 116). The hooks 172 can have an exterior surface that is chamfered or angled in order to facilitate exertion of a torque on the hooks 172 to deform or bend the hooks 172 as a broadhead 50 and shaft 12 of an arrow 10 are inserted.

[0029]Referring to FIG. 12, among others, the arrow 10 includes the shaft 12 (e.g., an elongated member, a cylindrical member, etc.) that defines a longitudinal axis 14, a nock 16, first fletchings 22 (e.g., hens), and a second fletching 24 (e.g., a cock or index). The shaft 12 includes a first end 18 and a second end 20. The arrow 10 includes the broadhead 50 (e.g., a bullet point, an arrowhead, etc.) coupled with the shaft 12 at the first end 18 (e.g., threaded to the first end 18). The nock 16 is coupled with the shaft 12 at the second end 20 and is configured to define a recess to receive a bowstring. The arrow 10 may be usable on a bow, a compound bow, a cross-bow, etc. The broadhead 50 may be threaded onto the shaft 12 at the first end 18.

[0030]Referring to FIG. 13, among others, the broadhead 50 includes a body 52 (e.g., a stem, a main portion, a receiving portion, a frame, etc.) and a pair of blade members 54, shown as first blade member 54a and second blade member 54b. The body 52 defines a target penetrating end 64 (e.g., a point, a pointed end, a tapered end, etc.) sized and shaped to penetrate into a target upon impact. The target penetrating end 64 may have a point and one or more sharpened surfaces to facilitate penetration of the target. The body 52 also includes a threaded end 62 that is configured to threadingly couple with the shaft 12. The broadhead 50 includes the male threads and the shaft 12 includes female threads (e.g., internal threads). The broadhead 50 includes an edge 68 (e.g., a step, a shoulder, a rim, a surface, etc.). The edge 68 can be formed between the body 52 and a cylindrical portion 66 of the broadhead 50. In some embodiments, the edge 68 is a portion of the body 52. The body 52 can have a chamfered or sloped edge 70 that is proximate the edge 68 in order to facilitate expansion of the fingers 118 as the arrow 10 is inserted into the inner volume 164. In some embodiments, the edge 70 and sloped edge 70 are portions of a frustoconical portion of the body 52. The shaft 12 may be flush with the edge 68 when the shaft 12 is threaded onto the broadhead 50. The broadhead 50 can be provided as a fixed blade or pivotal blade configuration (e.g., the blades 54 may be fixed to the body 52 or rotatable relative to the body 52). In some embodiments, the broadhead 50 is the same as or similar to any embodiment of the broadhead as described in U.S. application No. Ser. No. 19/283,508, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0031]Referring to FIGS. 4-7, the case 100 facilitates insertion and removal of the broadhead 50 to the case 100 without requiring the user to touch the broadhead 50 with their hands. As shown in FIG. 4, the arrow 10 can be inserted in a downwards direction 202 such that the broadhead 50 is received within one of the apertures 116 and protrudes into one of the inner volumes 164 (e.g., sub-volumes). The arrow 10 may be inserted into the inner volume 164 until the target penetrating end 64 contacts the resilient member 166. The target penetrating end 64 can be pushed into the resilient member 166 such that the resilient member 166 compresses and thereby exerts a force in an upwards direction opposite the downwards direction 202. The broadhead 50 can be inserted into the inner volume 164 by aligning the blade members 54 with the slots 120 and translating the arrow 10 downwards.

[0032]As the broadhead 50 is inserted into the inner volume 164 through the aperture 116, the fingers 118 are driven to expand (e.g., deform outwards). The chamfered exterior surfaces of the fingers 118 may contact the sloped edge 70 of the broadhead 50 as the broadhead 50 is inserted in order to facilitate deformation of the fingers 118.

[0033]Once the broadhead 50 is fully inserted into the inner volume 164, the fingers 118 may engage an outer surface of the shaft 12 at the transition between the shaft 12 and the broadhead 50 (as shown in FIG. 5). In particular, the fingers 118 may snap into engagement with the broadhead 50. The fingers 118 may be maintained in an expanded position as the user rotates the shaft 12 in a counter-clockwise direction 204 relative to the broadhead 50 to remove the shaft 12 of the arrow from the broadhead 50 (as shown in FIG. 6). The blade members 54 can be engaged by surfaces on either side of the slots 120 in order to provide a reactive torque such that the shaft 12 can be de-threaded from the broadhead 50 while the broadhead 50 is received within the inner volume 164. Once the shaft 12 is fully removed (e.g., de-threaded or, more generally, de-coupled) from the broadhead 50 (as shown in FIG. 7), the fingers 118 return to their original state (e.g., a rest position) and the hooks 172 contact the edge 68 of the broadhead 50 to retain the broadhead 50. The resilient member 166 exerts a force on the broadhead 50 in order to bias the broadhead 50 in an upwards direction 206 such that the edge 68 of the broadhead 50 engages the fingers 118. In this way, the broadhead 50 can be inserted into and retained in the case 100 without requiring the user to grasp the broadhead 50. The user can insert and de-couple the broadhead 50 from the shaft 12 by grasping the shaft 12 of the arrow 10.

[0034]Referring to FIGS. 10-11, the broadhead 50 can be removed from the case 100 in a similar manner as inserting the broadhead 50, but performed in reverse. As shown in FIG. 10, the broadhead 50 is retained in the case 100. The shaft 12 can be inserted in the downwards direction 202 onto the threaded end 62 and threaded onto the broadhead 50 by rotating the shaft 12 in a clockwise direction 208. As the shaft 12 is threaded onto the broadhead 50, the shaft 12 moves in the downward direction 202 onto the broadhead 50 and expands the fingers 118. Once the shaft 12 is fully threaded onto the broadhead 50, the fingers 118 are fully expanded and biased out of engagement with the broadhead 50. The arrow 10 can then be removed from the case 100 with the broadhead 50 coupled to the shaft 12. In this way, the broadhead 50 can also be removed from the case 100 without requiring the user to grasp or touch the broadhead 50 with their hands. Advantageously, the case 100 provides a hands-free system for inserting, retaining, and removing broadheads 50 from the case 100. The case 100 is shown configured to receive up to five broadheads 50, but may be arranged to receive more or less than five broadheads (e.g., by providing more or less than five receivers 112).

[0035]As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, insertion of the arrow 10 into one of the inner volumes 164 causes the fingers 118 to bend outwards in order to receive the shaft 12 of the arrow 10.

[0036]When the arrow 10 is fully inserted into the inner volume 164, the target penetrating end 64 engages the resilient member 166, and an outer surface 26 of the shaft 12 is engaged by the hooks 172 in order to push the fingers 118 outwards. Once the arrow 10 is inserted fully into the inner volume 164, as shown in FIG. 14, and the edge 68 is inserted past the bottom of the hooks 172, the hooks 172 are positioned to engage the edge 68 to retain the broadhead 50 in the inner volume 164. As shown in FIG. 14, the fingers 118 are in an expanded position. In some embodiments, if an outer diameter of the shaft 12 is less than an outer diameter of the edge 68, then the hooks 172 may spring into engagement with the outer surface 26 of the shaft 12 and the edge 68. If the outer diameter of the shaft 12 is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the edge 68, the hooks 172 can be limited from springing into engagement with the edge 68 until the shaft 12 is removed (e.g., de-threaded) from the broadhead 50. Once the shaft 12 is removed from the broadhead 50, the fingers 118 spring into engagement with the outer surface of the broadhead 50 (e.g., the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 66), and the hooks 172 engage the edge 68 in order to retain the broadhead 50 in the inner volume 164.

[0037]Referring to FIGS. 3, 4-5, and 9, the blade members 54 can be received within the slots 120 as the broadhead 50 is inserted into the aperture 116. The blade members 54 can be configured to engage or be pushed into engagement with interior walls disposed beneath the slots 120 as the shaft 12 is removed from the broadhead 50. For example, as the shaft 12 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 5, or in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 11, the blade members 54 can be rotated into engagement with either opposing wall in order to provide a counter-torque (e.g., a reactionary force) to facilitate rotation of the shaft 12 relative to the broadhead 50 (e.g., to thread the shaft 12 onto or off of the broadhead 50).

[0038]As shown in FIG. 16, the case 100 can be provided as part of a kit 200. The kit 200 can also include one or more of the broadheads 50. In some embodiments, the kit 200 includes the arrow 10 (e.g., the shaft 12). For example, the kit 200 can be provided as a case 100 and broadhead 50 kit including one or more broadheads 50. The kit 200 can be provided as a single case and single broadhead kit including the case 100 and a single broadhead 50. The kit 200 can also be provided as a single case and multiple broadhead kit including the case 100 and multiple of the broadhead 50 (e.g., two of the broadheads 50, three of the broadheads 50, a number of the broadheads 50 corresponding to the number of receivers 112 such as five broadheads 50, etc.). In some embodiments, the kit 200 also optionally includes one or more of the arrows 10 (e.g., the shaft 12) in addition to or in place of the one or more broadheads 50.

Configuration of Exemplary Embodiments

[0039]As utilized herein, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claim. It should be noted that the terms “exemplary” and “example” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

[0040]The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent, etc.) or moveable (e.g., removable, releasable, etc.). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.

[0041]References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “between,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0042]Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, Z, X and Y, X and Z, Y and Z, or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.

[0043]It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the systems as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the components described herein may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from scope of the present disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claim.