Rotary cam release trigger device for a crossbow

• US 9,404,705 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2013
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bennie Kennedy
• Original Assignee: Bennie Kennedy
• Inventors: Kennedy, Bennie
• Primary Examiner(s): Bumgarner, Melba
• Assistant Examiner(s): Klayman, Amir
• Application Number:
  US14/052,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20140102431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,024 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 crossbow trigger and bowstring release mechanism with improved bowstring retention and release characteristics. The device enhances accurate and safe shooting with the crossbow. The trigger mechanism comprises a spring operated pivotal cam string release mechanism for releasably holding a bowstring in a drawn position. The string release latch is pivotable about a pivot point and has associated therewith a first sear surface. The trigger mechanism further includes a pivotal rocker latch member having a second sear surface which engages the cam pivot mechanism. The sear has an extended arm that engages a safety hammer release. Finally there is an improved dry-fire prevention pivot mechanism that engages an arrow when loaded to launch. When no arrow is present the dry-fire rocker engages the cam mechanism and prevents the movement of the cam to release the bowstring.

Claims

1. A rotary cam release device (30) for a crossbow (34) comprised of:

a. a spring operated safety hammer (70) with a cam ball lobe (73) for engaging a rotary cam (60), a sear stop extension leg (74) with a safety hammer to sear flat (52A) for engaging a spring operated, pivotal sear (50), and a pivot aperture (72) for a pivot pin (44);

b. the spring operated, pivotal sear (50) with a sear to safety hammer flat (52) for engaging the spring operated safety hammer (70), a sear to cam interference flat (53) for engaging the rotary cam (60), and an aperture 50A means for engaging a linkage (85);

c. a contiguous flat (53) between the safety hammer to sear flat (52A) of the sear and the sear to safety hammer flat (52);

d. the rotary cam (60) further comprised of

[1] a bowstring claw (69), for releasably holding a bowstring (90) in a drawn position,

[2] an interface flat (63) to engage the spring operated, pivotal sear (50),

[3] a pin (68) to engage a rotation means (92A, 92B);

[4] a pin (83) to engage a dry fire cam (80), and

[5] a spring detent ball (62) to engage the means of engagement with the safety hammer (70);

e. a contiguous interface flat whereby the interface flat (53) of the spring operated, rotary cam (60) engages the interface flat (63) of the rotary cam (60) whereby the each of the flats (53, 63) is further configured as a back angle approximately 7-10 degrees and counter clockwise off 12 o'"'"'clock or approximately angled 350 to 353 degrees with continuous interface;

f. a spring operated, pivotal dry fire cam (80) with a means (83) for engaging the rotary cam (60);

g. a rotation means (92A) between an encasement housing (40) and rotary cam (60);

h. the encasement housing (40) that is essentially configured to contain a set of components which includes the spring operated, pivotal sear (50), the safety hammer (70), the dry fire cam (80), the rotary cam (60), the spring (92A), and that provides an arrow notch (40C) and a structure to maintain pivotal-able and structural continuity to the release device (30);

i. a plurality of springs (91) interposed between an encasement housing (40) and the sear (50), the safety hammer (70), and the dry fire cam (80);

j. a plurality of pins (42, 43, 44, and 45) interposed between the encasement housing (40) and the spring operated, pivotal sear rocker latch member (50), the safety hammer (70), the dry fire cam (80), and the rotary cam (60);

k. the linkage (85) with a apertures (85A, 86A) for connecting to the sear (50) and to a trigger pull (86);

l. the trigger pull (86); and

m. a pair of pins (50B) for connecting the linkage (85) to the sear (50) and the linkage (85) to the trigger (86), respectively;

wherein the release device (30) is mountable to the crossbow (34) on a set of slide rails (40A) and wherein the release device (30) provides a safe and reliable trigger mechanism which enhances accurate shooting with the crossbow (34).

2. The rotary cam release device (30) as in claim 1, wherein the sear rocker latch member (50), the safety hammer (70), the dry fire cam (80), the rotary cam (60) and the encasement housing (40) are comprised of materials from a group selected from the group consisting of various machined and cast metals including steel, steel alloys, stainless steel, composite materials, virgin plastics resins, reground plastic resins and reinforced plastic resins.

3. The rotary cam release device (30) as in claim 1 wherein the device (30) is further comprised of a cam stop (93) inserted in a cam pocket in the encasement housing (40).

4. The rotary cam release device (30) as in claim 1 wherein the safety hammer (70) is further comprised of a pivot aperture (72) for the pivot pin (44) and spring pocket (70A) for a spring (91).

5. The rotary cam release device (30) as in claim 1 wherein the spring operated, pivotal sear rocker latch member (50) is further comprised of a pivot aperture (54) for the pivot pin (45) and a spring pocket (55) for a spring (91).

6. The rotary cam release device (30) as in claim 1 wherein the spring operated, rotary cam (60) is further comprised of a pivot aperture (65) for the pivot pin (42), an aperture for spring pin (68), and an aperture for dry fire pin (83).

7. The rotary cam release device (30) as in claim 6 wherein the spring operated, rotary cam (60) is further comprised of a stop flat (67) for the cushion (93).

8. The rotary cam release device (30) as in claim 1 wherein the interface flat (63) of the spring operated, rotary cam (60) is further configured as a flat angled approximately 7-10 degrees as a back angle and counter clockwise off 12 o'"'"'clock or approximately angled 350 to 353 degrees interface with the flat (53) of the spring operated, pivotal sear rocker latch member (50).

9. The rotary cam release device (30) as in claim 1 wherein the spring operated, pivotal dry fire cam (80) is further comprised of an arrow lobe means (80 A), a pivot aperture (83) to engage with pivot pin (43), and a dry fire notch (80B) to interfere with cam pin (83).

10. A rotary cam release device (30) for a crossbow (34) comprised of:

a. a spring operated safety hammer (70) with a cam ball lobe (73) for engaging a rotary cam (60), a sear stop extension leg (74) with a safety hammer to sear flat (52A) for engaging a spring operated, pivotal sear (50), a pivot aperture (72) for a pivot pin (44), a spring pocket (70A), a safety hammer pivot pin aperture (72), and a safety hammer thumb extension (71);

b. the spring operated, pivotal sear (50) with a sear to safety hammer flat (52) for engaging the spring operated safety hammer (70), a sear to cam interference flat (53) for engaging the rotary cam (60), an aperture 50A means for engaging a linkage (85);

a spring pocket (55E), and a pivotal sear pivot pin aperture (54);

c. a contiguous flat (53) between the safety hammer to sear flat (52A) of the sear and the sear to safety hammer flat (52);

d. the rotary cam (60) further comprised of

[1] a bowstring claw (69), for releasably holding a bowstring (90) in a drawn position,

[2] an interface flat (63) to engage the spring operated, pivotal sear (50),

[3] a pin (68) to engage a rotation means (92A, 92B);

[4] a pin (83) to engage a dry fire cam (80),

[5] a spring detent ball (62) to engage the means of engagement with the safety hammer (70),

[6] a pivot aperture (65) for the pivot pin (42), an aperture for spring pin (68) and an aperture for dry fire pin (83),

[7] a stop flat (67) for cushion (93), and;

[8] a bow string slot and radius (64);

e. a contiguous interface flat whereby the interface flat (53) of the spring operated, rotary cam (60) engages the interface flat (63) of the rotary cam (60);

f. a spring operated, pivotal dry fire cam (80) with a means (83) for engaging the rotary cam (60);

g. a rotation means (92A) between an encasement housing (40) and rotary cam (60);

h. the encasement housing (40) that is essentially configured to contain a set of components which includes the spring operated, pivotal sear (50), the safety hammer (70), the dry fire cam (80), the rotary cam (60), the spring (92A), and that provides an arrow notch (40C) and a structure to maintain pivotal-able and structural continuity to the release device (30);

i. a plurality of springs (91) interposed between an encasement housing (40) and the sear (50), the safety hammer (70), and the dry fire cam (80);

j. a plurality of pins (42, 43, 44, and 45) interposed between the encasement housing (40) and the spring operated, pivotal sear rocker latch member (50), the safety hammer (70), the dry fire cam (80), and the rotary cam (60);

k. the linkage (85) with a apertures (85A, 86A) for connecting to the sear (50) and to a trigger pull (86);

l. the trigger pull (86);

m. a pair of pins (50B) for connecting the linkage (85) to the sear (50) and the linkage (85) to the trigger (86), respectively; and

n. a cam stop (93) inserted in a cam pocket in the encasement housing (40)

wherein the release device (30) is mountable to the crossbow (34) on a set of slide rails (40A) and wherein the release device (30) provides a safe and reliable trigger mechanism which enhances accurate shooting with the crossbow (34).