Torque control system for cocking a crossbow
First Claim
1. A torque control system for cocking 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 torque control system for cocking a crossbow 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 retains the catch in the closed 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 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;
a cocking mechanism comprising a rotating member mounted to the center rail and coupled to a flexible tension member attached to the string carrier;
a cocking handle configured to engage with the rotating member to cock the crossbow; and
a torque control mechanism comprising an integral clutch that limits output torque applied to the rotating member by the cocking handle such that rotating the cocking handle after the string carrier is in the retracted position causes the cocking handle to slip to limit torque applied to the cocking mechanism and the string carrier to not move past the retracted position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A torque control system for cocking a crossbow. A cocking mechanism includes a rotating member mounted to the center rail and coupled to a flexible tension member attached to a string carrier. A cocking handle is configured to engage with the rotating member to cock the crossbow. A torque control mechanism limits output torque applied to the rotating member such that rotating the cocking handle after the string carrier is in the retracted position does not move the draw string past the drawn configuration.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A torque control system for cocking 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 torque control system for cocking a crossbow 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 retains the catch in the closed 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 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; a cocking mechanism comprising a rotating member mounted to the center rail and coupled to a flexible tension member attached to the string carrier; a cocking handle configured to engage with the rotating member to cock the crossbow; and a torque control mechanism comprising an integral clutch that limits output torque applied to the rotating member by the cocking handle such that rotating the cocking handle after the string carrier is in the retracted position causes the cocking handle to slip to limit torque applied to the cocking mechanism and the string carrier to not move past the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operating a torque control system for cocking a crossbow having at least first and second flexible limbs attached to a center rail and a draw string secured to the first and second flexible limbs, respectively, wherein the draw string translates from a released configuration to 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 on the string carrier from the disengaged position and a lockout position that retains the catch in the closed position; moving a safety on the string carrier from a free position and a safe position that retains the catch in the closed position; engaging a cocking handle with a cocking mechanism comprising a rotating member mounted to the center rail and coupled to a flexible tension member attached to the string carrier; rotating the cocking handle to wind the flexible tension member onto the rotating member to retract the string carrier to a retracted position that retains the draw string in the drawn configuration, 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; and activating a torque control mechanism with an integral clutch that limits output torque applied to the rotating member by the cocking handle such that rotating the cocking handle after the string carrier is in the retracted position causes the cocking handle to slip to limit torque applied to the cocking mechanism and the string carrier to not move past the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification