Cocking system for a crossbow
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cocking system for a crossbow that has at least first and second flexible limbs attached to a riser, and a draw string that translates along a center rail between a released configuration and a drawn configuration, the cocking system comprising:
- a string carrier captured by the center rail that slides freely back and forth to engage with the draw string in the released configuration and slides to a retracted position that locates the draw string in the drawn configuration, the string carrier comprising a catch movable 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 release the catch to the open position, a dry fire lockout moveable between a disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the draw string from moving to the released configuration, and a safety moveable between a free position and a safe position that prevents the catch from moving to the open position;
a rotating member coupled to a flexible tension member attached to the string carrier;
a cocking handle configured to rotate the rotating member to move the string carrier to the retracted position;
a retaining mechanism that releasably retains the string carrier in the retracted position and the draw string in the drawn configuration independent of the flexible tension member; and
a trigger mounted on the center rail that selectively moves the catch from the closed position to the open position when the string carrier is in the retracted position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cocking system for retracting a string carrier on a crossbow that is substantially silent during operation.
308 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A cocking system for a crossbow that has at least first and second flexible limbs attached to a riser, and a draw string that translates along a center rail between a released configuration and a drawn configuration, the cocking system comprising:
-
a string carrier captured by the center rail that slides freely back and forth to engage with the draw string in the released configuration and slides to a retracted position that locates the draw string in the drawn configuration, the string carrier comprising a catch movable 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 release the catch to the open position, a dry fire lockout moveable between a disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the draw string from moving to the released configuration, and a safety moveable between a free position and a safe position that prevents the catch from moving to the open position; a rotating member coupled to a flexible tension member attached to the string carrier; a cocking handle configured to rotate the rotating member to move the string carrier to the retracted position; a retaining mechanism that releasably retains the string carrier in the retracted position and the draw string in the drawn configuration independent of the flexible tension member; and a trigger mounted on the center rail that selectively moves the catch from the closed position to the open position when the string carrier is in the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A crossbow with a cocking system comprising:
-
first and second flexible limbs attached to a riser; a draw string that translates along a center rail between a released configuration and a drawn configuration; a string carrier captured by the center rail that slides freely back and forth to engage with the draw string in the released configuration and slides to a retracted position that locates the draw string in the drawn configuration, the string carrier comprising a catch movable 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 release the catch to the open position, a dry fire lockout moveable between a disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the draw string from moving to the released configuration, and a safety moveable between a free position and a safe position that prevents the catch from moving to the open position; a rotating member coupled to a flexible tension member attached to the string carrier; a cocking handle configured to rotate the rotating member to move the string carrier to the retracted position; a retaining mechanism that releasable retains the string carrier in the retracted position and the draw string in the drawn configuration independent of the flexible tension member; and a trigger mounted on the center rail that selectively moves the catch from the closed position to the open position when the string carrier is in the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of cocking system for a crossbow that has at least first and second flexible limbs attached to a riser and a draw string that translates along a center rail between a released configuration and a drawn configuration, the method comprising the steps of:
-
sliding a string carrier captured by the center rail forward into engagement with the draw string in the released configuration; closing a catch on the string carrier from an open position to a closed position that engages the draw string; moving a sear from a de-cocked position to a cocked position to retain the catch in the closed position; moving a dry fire lockout from a disengaged position to a lockout position to block the draw string from moving to the released configuration; moving a safety from a free position and a safe position to prevent the catch from moving to the open position; rotating a rotating member coupled to a flexible tension member attached to the string carrier to move the string carrier to a retracted position; engaging a retaining mechanism with the stringer carrier in the retracted position to retain the draw string in the drawn configuration independent of the flexible tension member; and engaging a trigger mounted on the center rail to selectively move the catch from the closed position to the open position to release the draw string to fire the crossbow while the string carrier is in the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of operating a crossbow with a cocking system comprising the steps of:
-
providing at least first and second flexible limbs attached to a riser and a draw string that translates along a center rail between a released configuration and a drawn configuration; sliding a string carrier captured by the center rail forward into engagement with the draw string in the released configuration; closing a catch on the string carrier from an open position to a closed position that engages the draw string; moving a sear from a de-cocked position to a cocked position to retain the catch in the closed position; moving a dry fire lockout from a disengaged position to a lockout position to block the draw string from moving to the released configuration; a safety moveable from a free position and a safe position to prevent the catch from moving to the open position; rotating a rotating member coupled to a flexible tension member attached to the string carrier to move the string carrier to a retracted position; engaging a retaining mechanism with the stringer carrier in the retracted position to retain the draw string in the drawn configuration independent of the flexible tension member; and engaging a trigger mounted on the center rail to selectively move the catch from the closed position to the open position to release the draw string to fire the crossbow while the string carrier is in the retracted position.
-
Specification