Compact Winding Mechanism for Crossbow

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.

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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]Briefly described, and in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, the present invention relates to a crossbow which includes certain components that are conventionally included in a crossbow, including a rigid riser (or “prod”), and first and second flexible limbs coupled to opposing end portions of the riser. A bowstring extends between the limb tips of the first and second limbs for propelling an arrow, or “bolt”. Preferably, first and second pulleys / cams are rotatably supported at the limb tips of the first and second limbs, respectively, and the bowstring extends between such first and second pulleys. Preferably, the crossbow further includes power cables engaged with the first and second pulleys / cams to enhance the force / draw characteristics of the crossbow.

[0023]In the preferred embodiment, the string retractor device includes a second spool gear mounted for rotation with the rope spool within the housing. Ideally, the first and second spool gears are on opposite sides of, and surround the rope spool. A pawl is pivotally mounted in the housing and engages the second spool gear for permitting rotation of the rope spool in a first (winding) direction, and for selectively preventing rotation of the rope spool in a second (unwinding) direction. A biasing spring biases the pawl into engagement with the second spool gear. Preferably, a pawl release member extends into the housing for allowing a user to selectively disengage the pawl from the second spool gear, as when the user desires to quickly unwind the retractor rope from the rope spool after firing an arrow in preparation for retracting the bowstring again. In the alternate embodiment, wherein the rope spool is directly driven by the crank, then only one spool gear is required, and the pawl engages the single spool gear.

Problems solved by technology

Crossbows can be relatively heavy, making them more difficult to carry and operate quickly.

Complex bowstring retraction systems often contribute to such excessive weight.

The described drawing device is rather bulky, and is significantly wider than the butt of the crossbow, and wider than the barrel of the crossbow.

Were such winding device left on the crossbow during firing, then the firing of the crossbow would be cumbersome, particularly since the butt of the crossbow is often supported against the user's shoulder.

On the other hand, were the winding device removed from its mounting base each time an arrow is fired, and replaced each time the bowstring is to be retracted, then a user would spend excessive time removing and replacing the winding device.

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