Cocking system for a crossbow
First Claim
1. A cocking system for a crossbow having at least first and second flexible limbs attached to a center rail and a draw string that translates along the center rail between a released configuration and a drawn configuration, the cocking system comprising:
- a string carrier comprising a catch moveable between a closed position that engages the draw string and an open position that releases the draw string, a sear moveable between a cocked position coupled with the catch to retain the catch in the closed position and a de-cocked position that releases the catch to the open position, a dry fire lockout moveable between a disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the sear from moving to the de-cocked position, and a safety moveable between a free position and a safe position that retains the catch in the closed position, wherein the string carrier is captured by and slides along the center rail during movement between engagement with the draw string in the released configuration to a retracted position that locates the draw string in the drawn configuration, wherein the string carrier engages with a trigger mounted on the center rail that is positioned to move the catch from the closed position and the open position to fire the crossbow when the string carrier is in the retracted position;
at least one cocking rope configured to engage with the string carrier to retract the string carrier and the draw string to the drawn configuration; and
a retaining mechanism that retains the string carrier in the retracted position and the draw string in the drawn configuration independent of the cocking ropes.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cocking system for a crossbow. A string carrier slides along the center rail during movement with the draw string in the released configuration to a retracted position that locates the draw string in the drawn configuration. A trigger is positioned to move the catch from the closed position and the open position to fire the crossbow when the string carrier is in the retracted position. At least one cocking rope is configured to engage with the string carrier to retract the string carrier and the draw string to the drawn configuration. A retaining mechanism retains the string carrier in the retracted position and the draw string in the drawn configuration independent of the cocking ropes.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A cocking system for a crossbow having at least first and second flexible limbs attached to a center rail and a draw string that translates along the center rail between a released configuration and a drawn configuration, the cocking system comprising:
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a string carrier comprising a catch moveable between a closed position that engages the draw string and an open position that releases the draw string, a sear moveable between a cocked position coupled with the catch to retain the catch in the closed position and a de-cocked position that releases the catch to the open position, a dry fire lockout moveable between a disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the sear from moving to the de-cocked position, and a safety moveable between a free position and a safe position that retains the catch in the closed position, wherein the string carrier is captured by and slides along the center rail during movement between engagement with the draw string in the released configuration to a retracted position that locates the draw string in the drawn configuration, wherein the string carrier engages with a trigger mounted on the center rail that is positioned to move the catch from the closed position and the open position to fire the crossbow when the string carrier is in the retracted position; at least one cocking rope configured to engage with the string carrier to retract the string carrier and the draw string to the drawn configuration; and a retaining mechanism that retains the string carrier in the retracted position and the draw string in the drawn configuration independent of the cocking ropes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A cocking system for a crossbow comprising:
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first and second flexible limbs attached to a center rail; a draw string received in string guide journals in first and second cams, wherein the draw string unwinds from the string guide journals as it translates between a released configuration and a drawn configuration; at least first and second power cable take-up journals on the first and second cams, respectively; at least first and second power cables attached to the first and second cams and received in the first and second power cable take-up journals, respectively, distal ends of the first and second power cables attached to static attachment points on the crossbow; a string carrier comprising a catch moveable between a closed position that engages the draw string and an open position that releases the draw string, a sear moveable between a cocked position coupled with the catch to retain the catch in the closed position and a de-cocked position that releases the catch to the open position, a dry fire lockout moveable between a disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the sear from moving to the de-cocked position, and a safety moveable between a free position and a safe position that retains the catch in the closed position, wherein the string carrier is captured by and slides along the center rail during movement between engagement with the draw string in the released configuration to a retracted position that locates the draw string in the drawn configuration, wherein the string carrier engages with a trigger mounted on the center rail that is positioned to move the catch from the closed position and the open position to fire the crossbow when the string carrier is in the retracted position; at least one cocking rope configured to releasably engage with the string carrier to retract the string carrier and the draw string to the drawn configuration; and a retaining mechanism that retains the string carrier in the retracted position and the draw string in the drawn configuration, such that the cocking ropes can be disengaged from the string carrier while the retaining mechanism retains the string carrier in the retracted position.
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18. A method of operating a cocking system for a crossbow having at least first and second flexible limbs attached to a center rail and a draw string that translates along the center rail between a released configuration and a drawn configuration, the method comprising the steps of:
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moving a string carrier captured to slide in the center rail along the center rail into engagement with the draw string when in the released configuration; moving a catch on the string carrier from an open position to a closed position that engages the draw string and moving a sear from a de-cocked position to a cocked position coupled with the catch to retain the catch in the closed position; moving a dry fire lockout from the disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the sear from moving to a de-cocked position; moving a safety from a free position and a safe position that retains the catch in the closed position; engaging at least one cocking rope with a cocking rope engagement mechanism on the string carrier; retracting the string carrier and the draw string to the drawn configuration using the cocking rope, into engagement with a trigger mounted on the center rail that is positioned to move the catch from the closed position and the open position to fire the crossbow when the string carrier is in the retracted position; engaging a retaining mechanism with the string carrier to retain the string carrier in the retracted position and the draw string in the drawn configuration; and disengaging the cocking rope from the string carrier while the retaining mechanism retains the string carrier in the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification