Crossbow Angled Grip

• US 20100186728A1
• Filed: 04/14/2010
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Shaffer, Michael J., Bednar, Richard L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,141,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 124/25
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/123 Compound crossbows
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 23/16 Forestocks; Handgrips; Hand guards pump-action guns F41C7/02

Abstract

An angled grip may allow a wrist, a palm, and a forearm of an associated user to be substantially aligned when aiming or discharging a weapon. The angled grip may be selectively attachable to the weapon and may comprise a ball joint mount for operatively connecting the angled grip to a weapon. The ball joint mount may comprise a shaft and a spherical portion. The shaft can be fixedly received in a stock of the weapon. The spherical portion can be rotatably received in a socket formed in an end of the angled grip.

Claims

1. A crossbow comprising:

a stock having a first stock end and a second stock end;

a crossbar fixedly connected to the first stock end, wherein the crossbar comprises a first crossbar end and a second crossbar end that define a first axis that extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stock;

a bowstring operatively connected between the first crossbar end and the second crossbar end;

a trigger mechanism that allows for the selective retention and release of the bowstring; and

,

an angled grip operatively connected to the stock, wherein the angled grip allows a wrist, a palm, and a forearm of an associated user to be substantially aligned when aiming or discharging the crossbow.

2. The crossbow of claim 1, wherein the angled grip is selectively adjustable between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position comprises an angled-grip position that allows the wrist, the palm, and the forearm of the associated user to be substantially aligned when aiming or discharging the crossbow.

3. The crossbow of claim 2, wherein the angled grip is pivotally attached to the crossbow.

4. The crossbow of claim 3, wherein the angled grip further comprises:

a ball joint mount having a first end operatively connected to the stock and a second end operatively connected to the angled grip, wherein the ball joint mount comprises a shaft fixedly received in the stock and a spherical portion rotatably received in a socket formed in an end of the angled grip.

5. The crossbow of claim 4, wherein the crossbow further comprises:

a quick attach member for selectively attaching the angled grip to the ball joint mount.

6. The crossbow of claim 4, wherein the shaft of the ball joint mount comprises a first plurality of threads that are received by a second plurality of threads formed in the stock.

7. The crossbow of claim 6, wherein the second plurality of threads are exposed by the removal of a sling swivel stud that is attached to the stock.

8. The crossbow of claim 1, wherein the crossbow further comprises:

a support member attached to an end of the angled grip and having substantially a v-shape, wherein the support member comprises;

a first arm and a second arm that define a support surface for supporting the crossbow; and

,

a cylindrical base having a first plurality of threads that are received by a second plurality of threads on the end of the angled grip.

9. The crossbow of claim 1, wherein the crossbow further comprises:

a mounting bracket attached to the stock, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a first connection location that operatively connects the angled grip to the crossbow.

10. The crossbow of claim 9, wherein the crossbow further comprises:

a ball joint mount comprising a shaft and a spherical portion; and

the first connection location comprises an opening, wherein the opening receives a first end of the shaft and the spherical portion is rotatably received in a socket formed in an end of the angled grip.

11. The crossbow of claim 9, wherein the mounting bracket further comprises:

a second connection location for use in operatively connecting the angled grip to the crossbow.

12. The crossbow of claim 11, wherein the mounting bracket further comprises:

a third connection location having an opening adapted to receive a sling swivel stud.

13. The crossbow of claim 1, wherein the angled grip further comprises:

a moldable composition, wherein the moldable composition allows the angled grip to be molded to substantially conform to a shape of a hand of the associated user when heated to a first temperature within a predetermined temperature range and the moldable composition retains the shape of the hand when cooled to a second temperature that is below the predetermined temperature range.

14. The crossbow of claim 13, wherein the angled grip further comprises:

a rigid core, wherein the moldable composition is applied substantially completely over the rigid core and the rigid core provides structural support substantially throughout the length of the angled grip during the time the moldable composition is heated to the first temperature and after the moldable composition is cooled to the second temperature.

15. An angled grip comprising:

a ball joint mount for operatively connecting the angled grip to a weapon, wherein the ball joint mount comprises;

a shaft that can be fixedly received in a stock of the weapon; and

,

a spherical portion rotatably received in a socket formed in an end of the angled grip,

wherein the angled grip allows a wrist, a palm, and a forearm of an associated user to be substantially aligned when aiming or discharging the weapon.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the angled grip further comprises:

a mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket can be attached to the stock of the weapon and comprises a first connection location having a first opening that can receive the shaft of the ball joint mount for operatively connecting the angled grip to the weapon.

17. A method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a crossbow having a stock having a first stock end and a second stock end;

a crossbar fixedly connected to the first stock end, wherein the crossbar comprises a first crossbar end and a second crossbar end that define a first axis that extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stock;

a bowstring operatively connected between the first crossbar end and the second crossbar end;

a trigger mechanism that allows for the selective retention and release of the bowstring; and

, a grip for allowing an associated user to securely grasp the crossbow during operation of the crossbow;

(b) adjusting the grip from a first position to a second position, wherein the second position allows a wrist, a palm, and a forearm of the associated user to be substantially aligned when aiming or discharging the crossbow;

(c) aiming the crossbow; and

,

(d) firing the crossbow.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein step (b) further comprises the step of:

operatively connecting the grip to the crossbow, wherein the grip comprises a ball joint mount having a shaft that can be fixedly received in the stock of the crossbow and a spherical portion rotatably received in a socket formed in an end of the grip.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein step (b) further comprises the steps of:

removing a sling swivel stud attached to the stock of the crossbow to reveal a first plurality of threads;

operatively connecting the grip to the crossbow, wherein the grip comprises a ball joint mount having a shaft comprising a second plurality of threads that can be received in the first plurality of threads and a spherical portion rotatably received in a socket formed in an end of the grip.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein step (b) further comprises the step of:

operatively connecting the grip to the crossbow, wherein the grip comprises;

a quick attach member comprising a plug and a first socket; and

,

a ball joint mount comprising a shaft and a spherical portion, wherein the shaft can be fixedly received in the stock of the crossbow and a spherical portion rotatably received in the first socket of the quick attach member and the plug is received in a socket formed in an end of the grip.