String control system for a crossbow
First Claim
1. A string control system for a crossbow having a draw string for launching arrows, the string control system comprising:
- a catch moveable between a closed position that retains the draw string in a drawn configuration and an open position that releases the draw string to a released configuration such that after firing the crossbow the catch is biased to the open position;
a sear moveable between a de-cocked position and a cocked position coupled with the catch at an interface to retain the catch in the closed position such that after firing the crossbow the sear is retained in the de-cocked position by the catch, the sear being biased to the cocked position;
a dry fire lockout moveable between a disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the sear from moving to the de-cocked position, such that after firing the crossbow the dry fire lockout is retained in the disengaged position by the sear while being biased to the lockout position; and
a trigger assembly located at a proximal end of the crossbow having a trigger positioned to move the sear from the cocked position to the de-cocked position to fire the crossbow;
wherein engaging the draw string with the catch when in the open position after firing the crossbow generates a force that pushes the catch from the open position to the closed position and automatically (i) couples the sear with the catch at the interface to retain the catch in the closed position, and (ii) moves the dry fire lockout to the lockout position to block the sear from moving to the de-cocked position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A string control assembly for a crossbow having a catch, a sear, a dry fire lockout and a trigger assembly. Engaging the draw string with the catch when in the open position after firing the crossbow generates a force that pushes the catch from the open position to the closed position and automatically (i) couples the sear with the catch at the interface to retain the catch in the closed position, and (ii) moves the dry fire lockout to the lockout position to block the sear from moving to the de-cocked position. In one embodiment, engaging the draw string with the catch automatically moves the safety to the safe position coupled with the sear to retain the sear in the cocked position.
58 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A string control system for a crossbow having a draw string for launching arrows, the string control system comprising:
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a catch moveable between a closed position that retains the draw string in a drawn configuration and an open position that releases the draw string to a released configuration such that after firing the crossbow the catch is biased to the open position; a sear moveable between a de-cocked position and a cocked position coupled with the catch at an interface to retain the catch in the closed position such that after firing the crossbow the sear is retained in the de-cocked position by the catch, the sear being biased to the cocked position; a dry fire lockout moveable between a disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the sear from moving to the de-cocked position, such that after firing the crossbow the dry fire lockout is retained in the disengaged position by the sear while being biased to the lockout position; and a trigger assembly located at a proximal end of the crossbow having a trigger positioned to move the sear from the cocked position to the de-cocked position to fire the crossbow; wherein engaging the draw string with the catch when in the open position after firing the crossbow generates a force that pushes the catch from the open position to the closed position and automatically (i) couples the sear with the catch at the interface to retain the catch in the closed position, and (ii) moves the dry fire lockout to the lockout position to block the sear from moving to the de-cocked position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A string control system for a crossbow having a draw string for launching arrows, the string control system comprising:
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a catch moveable between a closed position that retains the draw string in a drawn configuration and an open position that releases the draw string to a released configuration such that after firing the crossbow the catch is biased to the open position; a sear moveable between a de-cocked position and a cocked position coupled with the catch at an interface to retain the catch in the closed position such that after firing the crossbow the sear is retained in the de-cocked position by the catch, the sear being biased to the cocked position; a safety moveable between a free position and a safe position coupled with the sear to retain the sear in the cocked position such that after firing the crossbow the safety is retained in the free position by the sear while being biased to the safe position; a dry fire lockout moveable between a disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the sear from moving to the de-cocked position, such that after firing the crossbow the dry fire lockout is retained in the disengaged position by the sear while being biased to the lockout position; and a trigger assembly located at a proximal end of the crossbow having a trigger with a trigger linkage coupled to a trigger pawl positioned to move the sear from the cocked position to the de-cocked position to fire the crossbow, wherein engaging the draw string with the catch after firing the crossbow generates a force that pushes the catch from the open position to the closed position to automatically (i) couple the sear with the catch at the interface to retain the catch in the closed position, (ii) move the safety to the safe position coupled with the sear to retain the sear in the cocked position, and (iii) move the dry fire lockout to the lockout position to block the sear from moving to the de-cocked position.
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Specification