Arrow for aerodynamically stabilizing a payload in flight

Abstract

A system and method for propelling pellets from a launch tube in flight includes a payload section and a stabilizing section. The launch tube and its pellets are essentially the payload section. The stabilizing section is essentially the equivalent of an arrow, and it includes a connector for selectively engaging the stabilizing section with the payload section. In use, the stabilizing section is reusable with a sequence of payload sections.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An arrow for aerodynamically stabilizing a payload during its flight along a flight path which comprises:
 a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having an aft-end and a fore-end;   a plurality of fletches attached to the aft-end of the shaft to establish an empennage for stabilizing the shaft during flight; and   a connector affixed to the fore-end of the shaft for selective engagement with a payload to hold the payload on the arrow during flight.   
     
     
         2 . An arrow as recited in  claim 1  wherein the payload is a multi-pellet launcher. 
     
     
         3 . An arrow as recited in  claim 1  wherein the payload is formed with an insert extension and the connector is formed as an insert receptacle for receiving the insert extension therein to hold the payload on the arrow. 
     
     
         4 . An arrow as recited in  claim 3  wherein the engagement of the payload with the arrow is a friction fit. 
     
     
         5 . An arrow as recited in  claim 3  wherein the engagement of the payload with the arrow is a bayonet fit. 
     
     
         6 . An arrow as recited in  claim 1  wherein the empennage is a three-fletch assembly. 
     
     
         7 . An arrow as recited in  claim 1  wherein the shaft is greater than four inches in length. 
     
     
         8 . An arrow as recited in  claim 1  wherein the shaft is less than thirty-two inches in length. 
     
     
         9 . A system for launching a pellet-cluster onto a flight path, using a man-powered weapon, the system comprising:
 a payload section to carry the pellet-cluster for an in-flight release of the pellet-cluster from the payload section; and   a stabilizer section, selectively engageable with the payload section to aerodynamically stabilize the payload section on the flight path after launch from the man-powered weapon, and to maintain stabilization of the payload section until the pellet-cluster is separated in flight from the payload section.   
     
     
         10 . A system as recited in  claim 9  wherein the payload section comprises:
 a hollow launch tube having a distal end and a proximal end with a lumen extending therebetween; 
 a retainer plug positioned in the lumen of the launch tube; 
 a plurality of pellets comprising the pellet-cluster, with the pellet-cluster positioned in the lumen of the launch tube proximal to the retainer plug; 
 a spring fixedly mounted in the lumen of the launch tube proximal the plurality of pellets; and 
 an acceleration-activated latch having a first configuration wherein the latch connects the retainer plug with the launch tube to hold the retainer plug stationary in the launch tube, and a second configuration wherein the latch releases the retainer plug from the launch tube for free travel of the retainer plug through the lumen of the launch tube, and further wherein an acceleration force generated by a rapid acceleration of the launch tube in a distal direction transitions the latch from its first configuration to its second configuration and compresses the spring to propel the retainer plug and the pellet-cluster from the launch tube in the distal direction when the acceleration force subsides. 
 
     
     
         11 . A system as recited in  claim 9  wherein the stabilizer section comprises:
 a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having an aft-end and a fore-end; 
 a plurality of fletches attached to the aft-end of the shaft to establish an empennage for stabilizing the shaft during flight; and 
 a connector affixed to the fore-end of the shaft for selective engagement with the payload section, to hold the payload section on the stabilizer section during flight. 
 
     
     
         12 . A system as recited in  claim 9  wherein the payload section is formed with an insert extension and the stabilizer section is formed as an insert receptacle for receiving the insert extension therein to hold the payload section on the stabilizer section. 
     
     
         13 . A system as recited in  claim 12  wherein the engagement of the payload section with the stabilizer section is a friction fit. 
     
     
         14 . A system as recited in  claim 11  wherein the empennage is a three-fletch assembly. 
     
     
         15 . A system as recited in  claim 11  wherein the shaft is greater than four inches in length. 
     
     
         16 . A system as recited in  claim 11  wherein the shaft is less than thirty-two inches in length. 
     
     
         17 . A method for assembling a system for launch from a man-powered weapon, to aerodynamically stabilize a payload section of the system during flight on a flight path, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an arrow having a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having an aft-end and a fore-end, with a plurality of fletches attached to the aft-end of the shaft to establish an empennage for stabilizing the shaft during flight, and with a connector affixed to the fore-end of the shaft; and   engaging a payload section with the connector of the arrow, wherein the payload section carries a pellet-cluster and is engaged with the arrow to aerodynamically stabilize the payload section on the flight path after launch from the man-powered weapon, and to maintain stabilization of the payload section until the pellet-cluster is separated in flight from the payload section.   
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 17  further comprising the step of selecting a payload section having a desired number of pellets in the pellet-cluster. 
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 17  wherein the man-powered weapon is selected from a group comprising a convention bow, a compound bow, a crossbow, and an air gun. 
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 17  wherein the payload section is formed with an insert extension and the arrow is formed as an insert receptacle for receiving the insert extension therein to hold the payload section on the arrow and wherein the engagement of the payload section with the arrow is a friction fit.