Bowstring release system for crossbows

• US 6,425,386 B1
• Filed: 07/24/2000
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel K. Adkins
• Original Assignee: Daniel K. Adkins
• Inventors: Adkins, Daniel K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zerr, John W.
• Application Number:
  US09/625,221
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 124/31, 124/35.1, 124/25
• US Class Current: 124/31
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/12 Crossbows
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/1469 Bow-string drawing or releasing devices F41B5/1473 takes precedence

Abstract

A bowstring release system for crossbows having a preferably ball-shaped nocking member mounted on a bowstring for engaging a nock portion of an arrow. Upper and lower surfaces of the bowstring release system are positioned near the rear of the crossbow, and move between open and closed positions relative to each other to vary the size of a release passage defined therebetween. In the closed position, the upper and lower catch surfaces are positioned sufficiently near each other to block the nocking member from passing through the release passage. And in the open position, the upper and lower catch surfaces are sufficiently separated to allow passage of the nocking member for propelling the arrow. When the bowstring is cocked, a locking mechanism actuates one or both of the upper and lower catch surfaces to the closed position, and a trigger mechanism releases the locking mechanism and actuates either one or both of the upper and lower catch surfaces to the open position.

Claims

1. A bowstring release mechanism for crossbows having a bow horizontally mounted at a forward portion of a crossbow stock, said bow having a bowstring with a nocking member mounted thereon for releasably engaging a nock portion of an arrow, said bowstring release mechanism comprising:

upper and lower catch surfaces positioned at a rearward portion of said crossbow stock in vertical relation to each other and having a release passage defined therebetween; and

actuating means for vertically moving said upper and lower catch surfaces relative to each other between a closed position wherein said upper and lower catch surfaces block passage of a cocked nocking member through said release passage without seizing said cocked nocking member, and an open position wherein said cocked nocking member passes through said release passage to propel said arrow via said nock portion.

2. The mechanism as in claim 1,

wherein said upper and lower catch surfaces are adapted to contouredly contact a substantially ball-shaped nocking member.

3. The mechanism as in claim 2,

wherein said upper and lower catch surfaces are rotatably connected to said rearward portion of said crossbow stock.

4. The mechanism as in claim 1,

wherein said upper catch surface is located on a front limb of a sear pivotally connected to said crossbow stock, said sear including a rear limb opposite said front limb.

5. The mechanism as in claim 4,

wherein said actuating means includes releasably locking means for providing an upward locking force against the rear limb of said sear whereby said front limb is forced downward to said closed position, and trigger means for replacing the upward locking force against the rear limb of said sear with a downward pulling force whereby said front limb is forced upward to said open position.

6. The mechanism as in claim 5,

wherein said front limb of said sear has an abutment surface which abuts a tail end of said arrow against a brace surface connected to said crossbow stock when in said closed position, whereby said arrow is captively held prior to discharge.

7. A bowstring release system for crossbows having a bow horizontally mounted at a forward portion of a crossbow stock, said bow having a bowstring for discharging an arrow, said bowstring release system comprising:

a nocking member mounted on said bowstring for releasably engaging a nock portion of said arrow;

upper and lower catch surfaces positioned at a rearward portion of said crossbow stock in vertical relation to each other and having a release passage defined therebetween; and

actuating means for vertically moving said upper and lower catch surfaces relative to each other between a closed position wherein said upper and lower catch surfaces block passage of a cocked nocking member through said release passage without seizing said cocked nocking member, and an open position wherein said cocked nocking member passes through said release passage to propel said arrow via said nock portion.

8. The system as in claim 7,

wherein said nocking member has a substantially ball-shaped configuration, and

wherein said upper and lower catch surfaces are adapted to contouredly contact said substantially ball-shaped nocking member.

9. The system as in claim 8,

wherein said upper and lower catch surfaces are rotatably connected to said rearward portion of said crossbow stock.

10. The system as in claim 7,

wherein said upper catch surface is located on a front limb of a sear pivotally connected to said crossbow stock, said sear including a rear limb opposite said front limb.

11. The system as in claim 10,

wherein said actuating means includes releasably locking means for providing an upward locking force against the rear limb of said sear whereby said front limb is forced downward to said closed position, and trigger means for replacing the upward locking force against the rear limb of said sear with a downward pulling force whereby said front limb is forced upward to said open position.

12. The system as in claim 11,

wherein said front limb of said sear has an abutment surface which abuts a tail end of said arrow against a brace surface connected to said crossbow stock when in said closed position, whereby said arrow is captively held prior to discharge.