Projectile tracking device

Abstract

A projectile tracking device is disclosed. An example projectile tracking device includes a housing for connecting to a projectile (e.g., an arrow). The example projectile tracking device also includes a chamber formed in the housing and a microchip positioned at least partly in the chamber of the housing. The microchip emits a tracking signal for locating the projectile.

1 . A projectile tracking device, comprising:
 a housing for connecting to a projectile;   a chamber formed in the housing; and   a microchip positioned at least partly in the chamber of the housing, the microchip emitting a tracking signal for locating the projectile.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is a GPS signal. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is a data signal. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is attached to an arrow shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is attached to an arrow tip. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile tracking device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is attached to an arrow tail. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile tracking device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one stop-blade, the stop-blade expanding upon impact to retain the projectile in an animal for even when the animal continues to move. 
     
     
         8 . The projectile tracking device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one stop-blade is attached at a pivot to a shoulder of the projectile tracking device. 
     
     
         9 . The projectile tracking device of  claim 7 , further comprising at least three stop-blades. 
     
     
         10 . The arrow tracking device of  claim 7 , wherein the stop-blade is biased in an outward position from the housing, the stop-blade is folded into the housing and maintained in the housing during firing of the projectile, the stop-blade automatically releasing into the outward position upon the projectile impacting an object. 
     
     
         11 . The arrow tracking device of  claim 10 , further comprising a coil spring to bias the stop-blade out of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The arrow tracking device of  claim 10 , wherein the stop-blade is angled upon automatically releasing such that the projectile is not readily released from the animal during movement of the animal. 
     
     
         13 . A projectile tracking device, comprising:
 a housing for connecting to a projectile;   a chamber formed in the housing;   a microchip positioned at least partly in the chamber of the housing, the microchip emitting a tracking signal for locating the projectile after firing; and   at least one stop-blade, the stop-blade expanding upon impact to retain the projectile in an animal for even when the animal continues to move.   
     
     
         14 . The projectile tracking device of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is attached to an arrow shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The projectile tracking device of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is attached to an arrow tip. 
     
     
         16 . The projectile tracking device of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is attached to an arrow tail. 
     
     
         17 . The arrow tracking device of  claim 13 , wherein the stop-blade is biased in an outward position from the housing, the stop-blade is folded into the housing and maintained in the housing during firing of the projectile, the stop-blade automatically releasing into the outward position upon the projectile impacting an object. 
     
     
         18 . A projectile tracking system, comprising:
 a housing for connecting to an arrow;   a chamber formed in the housing;   a microchip positioned at least partly in the chamber of the housing, the microchip emitting a tracking signal for locating the arrow;   at least one stop-blade, the stop-blade automatically expanding upon impact to retain the projectile in an animal even when the animal continues to move; and   executable program code to locate the arrow tip based on the tracking signal emitted by the microchip.   
     
     
         19 . The arrow tracking device of  claim 18 , wherein the executable program code is an app for a smart phone. 
     
     
         20 . The arrow tracking device of  claim 18 , wherein the executable program code is executed by a dedicated tracking device.