Compact Winding Mechanism for Crossbow

a winding mechanism and crossbow technology, applied in the field of crossbows, can solve the problems of excessive weight of crossbows, difficult to carry and operate quickly, and complex bowstring retraction systems, etc., and achieve the effect of enhancing the force/drawing characteristics of the crossbow

US20100170488A1Inactive Publication Date: 2010-07-08PRECISION SHOOTING EQUIP
27 Cites 109 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2010-07-08
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A crossbow includes an elongated frame coupled to a riser at a first end thereof and attached to an upper housing at its second end generally above the trigger region. The riser supports a pair of flexible limbs, and a bowstring extends between such limbs. A bowstring retractor is provided within the upper housing and includes a rope spool used to wind a retractor rope for retracting the bowstring. First and second spool gears surround the rope spool for rotation therewith. A spur gear mounted on a drive axle engages one of the spool gears, and a crank can be engaged with the drive axle. A pawl engages the other spool gear to prevent unintentional unwinding of the retractor rope from the rope spool. A pawl release member disengages the pawl from its associated spool gear. Drawing the bowstring beyond its full draw position also disengages the pawl.
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Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is related to a co-pending application Ser. No. ______, filed oncurrently herewith, and entitled “Crossbow Accessory for Lower Receiver of Rifle and Related Method”, assigned to the assignee of the present application.

[0002] The present application is related to a co-pending application Ser. No. ______, filed oncurrently herewith, and entitled “Release Assembly for Crossbow”, assigned to the assignee of the present application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to crossbows, and more specifically, to a mechanism for retracting the bowstring of a crossbow to fire an arrow.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Crossbows have also long been known in the archery field for use in hunting game. Crossbows have higher draw weights than conventional archery bows and fire arrows (or “bolts”) with greater speeds. As a result, crossbows usually have gre...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0046]FIG. 1 shows a crossbow, designated generally by reference numeral 20, and including the modular lower receiver 22 of an AR-15 style rifle attached to crossbow accessory 24. While the described embodiment uses an AR-15 style lower receiver 22, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can also be practiced by using lower receivers of other models of rifles. In addition, while the described embodiment of the present invention is a crossbow accessory for an existing lower receiver already owned by a user, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a manufacturer could, if desired, incorporate a trigger and hammer assembly into the described crossbow accessory 24 to provide an integral crossbow while practicing the inventive features described and claimed herein.

[0047]As is known to gun enthusiasts, lower receiver 22 includes a finger trigger 26 which extends downwardly from the housing of lower receiver 22. A trigger guard 28 may also be included. A ...