Universal ferrule for arrowhead configurability

Abstract

A universal ferrule element for an arrowhead having a front end and an opposed rear end. The rear end is threaded and is configured to be coupled to a shaft of the arrow, and the front end has a first fastener-receiving opening and a first slot that communicates with the first fastener-receiving opening and that is sized and configured for mounting a first fixed blade. The universal ferrule element also includes a second slot formed in and extending longitudinally along the front end that is sized and configured for seating one or more of a fixed body blade, one or more front deployable blades, and one or more rear deployable blades. The universal ferrule element can also include and second and third fastener-receiving openings formed in the front end and positioned to communicate with the longitudinally extending slot.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A universal ferrule element for an arrowhead configured to be coupled to a shaft of an arrow, comprising a main body having:
 a front end and an opposed rear end, wherein the rear end is threaded and is configured to be coupled to the shaft, and wherein the front end has a selected shape having a first fastener-receiving opening formed therein and a first slot that communicates with the first fastener-receiving opening and that is sized and configured for mounting a first fixed blade;   a second slot formed in and extending longitudinally along the front end that is sized and configured for seating one or more of a fixed body blade, one or more front deployable blades, and one or more rear deployable blades; and   second and third fastener-receiving openings formed in the front end and positioned to communicate with the longitudinally extending slot.   
     
     
         2 . The universal ferrule element of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener-receiving opening is sized and configured for seating a first fastener element for attaching a first fixed blade via the first slot to the front end of the main body. 
     
     
         3 . The universal ferrule element of  claim 1 , wherein the main body further comprises an outwardly projecting base portion that is longitudinally spaced from the rear end. 
     
     
         4 . The universal ferrule element of  claim 3 , wherein the main body further comprises an outwardly extending flared portion that is disposed between the outwardly projecting base portion and the front end for forming a seat portion. 
     
     
         5 . A universal ferrule assembly configured to be coupled to a shaft of an arrow, comprising
 a universal ferrule element having a main body having
 a front end portion and a rear end portion, wherein the rear end portion has a connection component and wherein the front end portion has a selected shape having a first fastener-receiving opening and a first slot formed therein, 
 a second slot formed in the front end portion and extending longitudinally along the front end portion, and 
 second and third fastener-receiving openings formed in the front end portion and positioned to communicate with the second slot, 
   a post element having a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end of the post element is configured to couple to the connection component of the rear end portion of the universal ferrule element, and wherein the rear end of the post element is mechanically coupled to the shaft, and   a sleeve element having a front end and a rear end and a central opening, wherein the central opening has a diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the post element such that the post element when coupled to the universal ferrule element seats within the central opening.   
     
     
         6 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first slot is sized and configured for mounting a first fixed blade via the slot. 
     
     
         7 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first fastener-receiving opening of the universal ferrule element is sized and configured for seating a first fastener element for coupling the first fixed blade to the front end portion of the universal ferrule element. 
     
     
         8 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the main body of the universal ferrule element further comprises an outwardly projecting base portion that is spaced from the rear end portion of the universal ferrule element. 
     
     
         9 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the main body of the universal ferrule element further comprises an outwardly projecting flared portion that is disposed between the outwardly projecting base portion and the front end portion for forming a seat portion, wherein the seat portion is adapted to engage with the front end of the sleeve element when assembled together. 
     
     
         10 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a second fixed blade element having a main body having first and second blade openings formed therein, wherein at least a portion of the second fixed blade is sized and configured for seating within the second slot, and wherein, when mounted within the second slot, the first and second blade openings are aligned with the second and third fastener-receiving openings. 
     
     
         11 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising second and third fastener elements that are sized and configured for seating within the second and third fastener-receiving openings and the first and second blade openings for coupling the second fixed blade to the front end portion of the universal ferrule element. 
     
     
         12 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising first and second deployable blade elements movable between a retracted position and a deployed position when mounted to the universal ferrule element. 
     
     
         13 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each of the first and second deployable blade elements are sized and configured for seating at least partially within the second slot, and wherein the first deployable blade element has a first blade opening formed therein and the second deployable blade element has a second blade opening formed therein. 
     
     
         14 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second blade openings are configured to be disposable within the second slot and to be in registration with each other and with one of the second and third fastener-receiving openings. 
     
     
         15 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second deployable blade elements are secured to the universal ferrule element and at least partially within the second slot by a second fastener element mounted within one of the second and third fastener-receiving openings. 
     
     
         16 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the second and third fastener-receiving openings are longitudinally spaced apart and aligned along the front end portion of the universal ferrule element such that the second fastener-receiving opening is disposed closer to the first slot than the third fastener-receiving opening, and wherein the first and second deployable blade elements are secured within the second slot by mounting the second fastener in the second fastener-receiving opening and within the first and second blade openings, and wherein the first and second deployable blade elements are movable between a rear deployed retracted position and a deployed position. 
     
     
         17 . The universal ferrule assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the second and third fastener-receiving openings are longitudinally spaced apart and aligned along the front end portion of the universal ferrule element such that the second fastener-receiving opening is disposed closer to the first slot than the third fastener-receiving opening, and wherein the first and second deployable blade elements are secured within the second slot by mounting the second fastener in the third fastener-receiving opening and within the first and second blade openings, and wherein the first and second deployable blade elements are movable between a front deployed retracted position and a deployed position.