Automatic cocking device in a crossbow for hunting and archery

• US 6,799,566 B1
• Filed: 10/22/2002
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ermanno Malucelli
• Original Assignee: Ermanno Malucelli
• Inventors: Malucelli, Ermanno
• Primary Examiner(s): Ricci, John A.
• Application Number:
  US10/258,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20040194771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 124/25, 124/86
• US Class Current: 124/25
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/12 Crossbows

Abstract

A crossbow (1) includes a frame (2) having at least a flexing element (3) and a bowstring (4) strung between opposite ends of the flexing element (3) positioned substantially perpendicular, under rest conditions, to the shooting axis of the crossbow. On the frame (2) is mounted a trigger block (8) provided with means for catching and releasing the bowstring. The trigger block (8) can be translated on a rectilinear path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crosssbow, in which in a first phase the trigger block advances towards the flexing element (3) until it automatically catches the bowstring (4), and in a second phase the trigger block (8) moves back until reaching a positioning of correct tensioning of the bowstring. The trigger block is actuated by electromechanical means shaped in such a way as to produce on the trigger block (8) a force that is substantially parallel to the shooting axis of the crossbow to carry out said first and second phase.

Claims

1. An automatic cocking device in a crossbow (1) for hunting and/or archery, of the type comprising:

a frame (2) having at least a flexing element (3) and a bowstring (4) strung between opposite ends of the flexing element (3) and positioned substantially perpendicular, under rest conditions, to a shooting axis of the crossbow;

electromechanical means for the automatic cocking of the bowstring (4), said electromechanical means comprising at least a feeding device and actuator means;

a trigger block (8) provided with means for catching and releasing the bowstring;

wherein said trigger block (8) translates on a rectilinear path with a draw line coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the crossbow, in which in a first phase the trigger block advances towards the flexing element (3) until means for catching and releasing the bowstring automatically catch the bowstring (4), and in a second phase the trigger block (8) moves back until reaching a position of correct tensioning of the bowstring in which operation of the trigger causes instantaneous release of the bowstring, and wherein said electromechanical means are so shaped as to produce on the trigger block (8) a force that is substantially coaxial to the shooting axis of the crossbow to carry out said first and second phase.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electromechanical means comprise at least a drawing element integral with the trigger block (8) and actuated by the electromechanical means, the actuator means being integral with the crossbow and positioned in a manner that does not necessitate removal thereof before shooting.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drawing element includes at least a draw wire (21) actuated by the electromechanical means and having at least an end integral with the trigger block (8).

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the draw wire (21) has both its ends integral with the trigger block (8) and slides on rotating pulleys (22) mounted on the frame (2) at opposite sides along the run of the trigger block.

5. A device as claimed in any of the claims from 2 to 4, wherein said electromechanical means comprise:

a ball screw (17) positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crossbow and cinematically connected to an electric motor (11) which causes its actuation;

a sleeve (18), sliding on the ball screw towards the front part of the crossbow or towards its rear part depending on the direction of rotation of the ball screws, and operatively associated to the drawing element of the trigger block.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ball screw (17) comprises at each end a shock absorbing element (20) to brake the run of the sleeve (18) and operate a clutch assembly (26).

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electromechanical means further comprise at least a guide (7) integral with the frame (2) of the crossbow parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, whereon the trigger block (8) slides.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electromechanical means comprise:

an electric motor (11) anchored in the area between the trigger block (8) and a butt (5) or the rear part of the crossbow, and

a battery (12) connected to the electric motor to power the same.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the battery (12) is anchored, in a removable manner by a pushbutton (39), to a grip (6) integral with the frame (2) of the crossbow.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the battery (12) is anchored, in a removable manner, to the rear part of the frame (2) of the crossbow between the trigger block (8) and the butt (5) or terminal part of the crossbow.

11. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the electromechanical means further comprise an epicyclical reduction gear (25) associated with the electric motor (11).

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the electromechanical means further comprise a clutch assembly (26) associated with the electric motor.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexing element (3) is divided in two halves (3a), each of which is pivotally engaged to the frame (2) of the crossbow and so shaped as to be able to rotate relative thereto in order to shift from a resting position, in which the two halves are substantially parallel to the frame, to a working position, in which the two halves extend transversely relative to the frame to tension the bowstring, and vice versa.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the halves (3a) comprises means for locking and tensioning (33) the bowstring, which operate to shift from the resting position to the working position.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the locking and tensioning means (33) comprise:

two pivot pins (34) having a first end integral with the frame (2) of the crossbow;

a slot (35) in each of the two halves in proximity to the first end pivotally engaged to the frame to receive said pivot pin (34);

threaded elements (36) able to be operatively associated to said pivot pin (34) to lock the two halves (3a) in the working position.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the locking and tensioning means (33) further comprise:

an element (37) that is at least partially cylindrical and inserted between one half (3a) and the respective threaded element to facilitate positioning of the halves in the working position.

17. A crossbow comprising a device according to claim 1.

18. A crossbow as claimed in claim 17, wherein the distance between a grip (6) and a butt (5) is lesser than the distance between the grip (6) and the front end of the crossbow.

19. A crossbow as claimed in claim 18, wherein the distance between a grip (6) and a butt (5) is lesser by a factor of 0.5-0.8 than the distance between the grip (6) and the front end of the crossbow.

20. A crossbow as claimed in claim 17, wherein no element is applied to the front end of the crossbow.

21. A crossbow as claimed in claim 17, wherein the device further comprises an electric motor (11), an epicyclical reduction gear (25), and a clutch assembly (26), all of which are positioned in the rear part of the crossbow.

22. A crossbow as claimed in claim 17, wherein the device further comprises a ball screw (17) positioned centrally parallel and superiorly relative to the shooting axis or longitudinal axis of the crossbow.

23. A crossbow as claimed in claim 17, wherein the electromechanical means allow uncocking of the crossbow without necessarily shooting an arrow.