Narrow Crossbow With Large Power Stroke

• US 20110203561A1
• Filed: 08/25/2010
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2006
• 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 8,191,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 124/25
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/105 Cams or pulleys for compound bows
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/12 Crossbows
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/123 Compound crossbows
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/1469 Bow-string drawing or releasing devices F41B5/1473 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A crossbow may include a main beam; a compound bow assembly mounted to the main beam; and, a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam for use in holding a bowstring in a cocked position. The crossbow may include wheels at opposite ends of the bow that operatively receive the bowstring. The wheels may be separated by a wheel distance (WD) when the crossbow is in an un-cocked position. The crossbow may also have a power stroke distance (PD) and the ratio WD/PD may be less than 2.0.

Claims

1. A crossbow comprising:

a main beam;

a compound bow assembly mounted to the main beam and comprising;

(a) a bow;

(b) a bowstring for use in propelling an arrow and operatively connected to the bow;

(c) first and second wheels at opposite ends of the bow that operatively receive the bowstring, each of the first and second wheels pivoting about a pivot axis, the pivot axes being separated by a wheel distance (WD) when the crossbow is in an un-cocked position;

a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam for use in holding the bowstring in a cocked position;

wherein the crossbow has a power stroke distance (PD); and

,

wherein the ratio WD/PD is less than 2.0.

2. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the ratio WD/PD is less than 1.8.

3. The crossbow of claim 2 wherein the ratio WD/PD is less than 1.6.

4. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the PD is at least 10 inches.

5. The crossbow of claim 4 wherein the PD is a least 12 inches.

6. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the first wheel has first and second sides and an opening that receives a first shaft defining a first pivot axis about which the first wheel rotates, the first cam further comprising:

a first bushing having an opening that receives the first shaft, the first bushing having a first end that is received within the opening in the first wheel and a second end that has a flange that contacts the first side of the first wheel.

7. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the bow comprises:

a riser having first and second pockets;

a first limb having a first end received in the first pocket and a second end that is operatively connected to the first wheel;

a second limb having a first end received in the second pocket and a second end that is operatively connected to the second wheel; and

,

wherein the first limb has a length less than 13 inches.

8. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein the bow comprises:

a riser having a first pocket; and

,

a first limb having a first end received in the first pocket, a hinge point, and a second end that is operatively connected to the first cam wheel, the first limb having a length, a height and a thickness, wherein the thickness of the first limb varies continuously along its length from the first end to the hinge point.

9. A crossbow comprising:

a main beam;

a compound bow assembly mounted to the main beam and comprising;

(a) a bow having a riser that receives a pair of bow limbs;

(b) a bowstring for use in propelling an arrow and operatively connected to the bow;

(c) first and second wheels at opposite ends of the bow that operatively receive the bowstring, each of the first and second wheels pivoting about a pivot axis, the pivot axes being separated by a wheel distance (WD) when the crossbow is in an un-cocked position; and

,

a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam for use in holding the bowstring in a cocked position.

10. The crossbow of claim 9, wherein the crossbow has a power stroke distance (PD) and the ratio WD/PD is less than 2.0.

11. The crossbow of claim 9, wherein the pair of limbs substantially completely comprise a composite carbon fiber.

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

a decorative design.

13. The crossbow of claim 12 wherein the decorative design comprises an epoxy outer layer having a camouflage pattern.

14. A bow assembly comprising:

a riser having a first end with a first pocket and a second end with a second pocket;

a first limb having a first end received in the first pocket, a hinge point, and a second end;

a second limb having a first end received in the second pocket, a hinge point, and a second end;

a bowstring for use in propelling an arrow and operatively connected to the first limb and to the second limb; and

,

wherein the first limb has a length, a height and a thickness, and the thickness of the first limb varies continuously along its length from its first end to its hinge point and the riser substantially completely comprises a composite carbon fiber.

15. The bow of claim 14 wherein the second limb has a length, a height and a thickness, and the thickness of the second limb varies continuously along its length from its first end to its hinge point and the first and second limbs substantially completely comprises a composite carbon fiber.

16. The bow of claim 14 wherein the first pocket has first and second portions and the first end of the first limb is received within the first portion, the bow assembly further comprising:

a third limb that is substantially parallel to the first limb having a first end received in the second portion of the first pocket, a hinge point, and a second end;

wherein the third limb has a length, a height and a thickness, and the thickness of the third limb varies continuously along its length from its first end to its hinge point; and

,

wherein the third limb is operatively connected to the bowstring and substantially completely comprises a composite carbon fiber.

17. A crossbow comprising:

a main beam having a first end;

a bow assembly comprising;

(a) a bow comprising;

(1) a riser substantially completely comprising a composite carbon fiber and having a first end with a first pocket, a second end with a second pocket, a connection portion for use in connecting the riser to the first end of the main beam, and an opening defining a foot stirrup for use in cocking the crossbow, wherein the opening is positioned at least partially directly between the first and second pockets;

(2) a first limb having a first end received in the first pocket and a second end;

(3) a second limb having a first end received in the second pocket and a second end;

(b) a bowstring for use in propelling an arrow and operatively connected to the second ends of the first and second limbs; and

,

a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam for use in holding the bowstring in a cocked position.

18. The crossbow of claim 17 wherein the first and second pockets extend at least partially longitudinally beyond the first end of the main beam and the first and second limbs substantially completely comprise a composite carbon fiber.

19. The crossbow of claim 17 wherein the foot stirrup is made with the riser as a single piece.

20. The crossbow of claim 17 wherein the foot stirrup comprises:

a generally U-shaped member having a pair of legs and a mid-portion, wherein each of the leg portions comprises an outwardly extending offset.

21. A compound bow assembly comprising:

a bow having a riser and a pair of limbs, wherein the riser substantially completely comprises a composite carbon fiber;

a bowstring for use in propelling an arrow and operatively connected to the bow;

first and second wheels at opposite ends of the bow that operatively receive the bowstring;

wherein the first wheel has first and second sides and an opening that receives a first shaft defining a first pivot axis about which the first wheel rotates; and

,

a first bushing having an opening that receives the first shaft, the first bushing having a first end that is received within the opening in the first wheel and a second end that has a flange that contacts the first side of the first wheel.

22. The compound bow of claim 21 further comprising:

a second bushing having an opening that receives the first shaft, the second bushing having a first end that is received within the opening in the first wheel and a second end that has a flange that contacts the second side of the first wheel.

23. The compound bow of claim 22 wherein there is a space between the first end of the first bushing and the first end of the second bushing when they are properly installed onto the first wheel.

24. The compound bow of claim 22 wherein the first wheel comprises a pair of pulleys or a cam.

25. The compound bow of claim 21 wherein the pair of limbs substantially completely comprise a composite carbon fiber.