Crossbow mechanism and improved design and use of a crossbow

Abstract

A crossbow mechanism includes a dry stop for arresting dry fire incidents; a spring operatively connected to, and biasing / coordinating movement of, multiple of the mechanism components; a trigger and a latch that rotate on different axes and only intermittently rotate relative to each other during operation; a specially shaped trigger and sear; and connections and spring-biasing that result in certainty that the mechanism is either in the cocked or the un-cocked condition and not in-between, and that also hide the trigger soon after the operator initially pulls the trigger and whenever the mechanism is not cocked. These features provide smoothness and predictability of operation, with minimal additional parts, complexity, and weight. These features also provide simplicity of operation as the operator only needs to pull the string, slide the bolt / projectile into the mechanism, and then pull the trigger, and repeat these actions to fire another bolt / projectile.

Description

[0001] This application claims benefit of Provisional Application 63 / 721,375, filed Nov. 15, 2024 and entitled CROSSBOW MECHANISM AND IMPROVED DESIGN AND USE OF A CROSSBOW, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGYField of the Technology

[0002] The disclosure technology relates to an improved crossbow, and, more especially, an improved mechanism that may be incorporated into a crossbow to improve one or more of smoothness of operation, ease of operation, accuracy, safety, efficiency, and enjoyment of use. The preferred embodiments are especially effective for a hand-held crossbow such as may be used in personal or group sports, live-action role play (LARP), recreation, target shooting, and / or hunting.Related Art

[0003] The related art includes the devices shown in FIGS. 6-9, and in First Appendix FIGS. 1-9 and Second Appendix FIGS. 6 through 9 that are incorporated herein by this reference.

[0004] The Historical Chinese Crossbow mechanism, portrayed in FIGS. 6-9, First Appendix FIGS. 1-3, and Second Appendix 6-9, has existed since at least sixth century BC. The Historical Chinese Crossbow is an ancient device lacking features of the technology disclosed herein. For example, the Historical Chinese Crossbow has no dry fire safety, no spring or other biasing system for controlling or otherwise assisting in operation of the cocking and firing mechanism. Further, the Historical Chinese Crossbow trigger is exposed (visible and accessible outside of the crossbow body) whether or not the crossbow is cocked. Further, this historical approach features trigger and latch on a single axis of rotation, which historical approach lacks the benefits of the presently disclosed technology that rotates the trigger and the latch on different axes.

[0005] Several more recent crossbow mechanisms are shown in First Appendix FIGS. 4-9, with “more recent” meaning medieval times extending into the 1600s. These prior art crossbow mechanisms are deficient or lacking in one or more, and typically all, of smoothness and ease of operation, safety of operation, dry fire protection, and accuracy. The present invention represents a significant improvement over the prior art and solves one or more of these problems of the prior art. Certain embodiments of the invention improve ease, smoothness, and efficiently of operation, shooting accuracy, safety, and / or effectiveness and enjoyment of crossbow handling and shooting.SUMMARY

[0006] The crossbow mechanism of this disclosure comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a latch, a sear, a trigger, a dry stop, and a spring that together provide improved functionality and safety features over exiting crossbow mechanism designs. The crossbow mechanism may be incorporated into various crossbows as original equipment manufacture (OEM) or as a retrofit into an existing crossbow. In certain embodiments, the crossbow incorporating the mechanism is a hand-held crossbow, such as used in personal or group target shooting, fighting, hunting, or other recreation and competitions, including but not limited to Live-Action Role Play, Belegarth Medieval Combat Society, or Society for Creative Anachronism.

[0007] Certain embodiments of the crossbow mechanism and / or the crossbow into which the mechanism is incorporated (also called TYRIAN ARTIFICE™ and / or TYRIAN™ crossbow and mechanism) comprise one or more of the following features: addition of a dry stop for arresting and preventing any dry fire incidents; addition of a spring operatively connected to multiple of the mechanism components; providing a trigger and a latch as separate pieces that each rotate on different axes relative to the crossbow body; providing the axis of trigger rotation on the latch to be offset from the axis of latch rotation; providing a specially shaped trigger and a specially shaped sear for cooperation with the trigger; adapting the mechanism and the trigger operation and / or the crossbow body so that the trigger is recessed into the crossbow body, and hidden from view, soon after the operator initially pulls the trigger and whenever the mechanism is not cocked.

[0008] In certain embodiments, the trigger and latch may be described as rotatably connected together to form a trigger-latch combination that may be described as “articulating” because the trigger rotates relative to the latch in certain steps of crossbow operation, and, in preferred embodiments, “intermittently articulating” because the relative rotation of the trigger and the latch takes place in certain but not all steps of operation / use of the mechanism. In other words, intermittent articulation means that sometimes the trigger and latch rotate relative to each other, and sometimes the trigger and latch do not rotate relative to each other but rotate together as a single unit relative to the crossbow body. In certain embodiments the relative movement of the trigger and latch, or the lack of it, during cocking and firing / uncocking, is instrumental to smoothness and predictability of operation, and is controlled at least in part by a combination of: the axis of trigger rotation on the latch being offset from the axis of latch rotation, a spring that biases a top end of the trigger that is above the trigger axis, and the top end having a groove that receives and is moveable relative to the latch axle.

[0009] The addition of the dry stop, the addition of a spring, and the adaptation to recess / hide the trigger except when the mechanism is cocked, are beneficial features implemented with a minimal of additional parts or complexity and with minimal additional weight. The addition of a spring is done in a way that biases and / or coordinates movement of most or all components of the mechanism, ensures that the mechanism components will return to one of two positional configurations after any disturbance or unusual operation of the mechanism. This ensures that the operator does not have to “mess-with” / manipulate / struggle with any mechanism components during use to allow for correct mechanism operation. The combination of the spring and the recessed trigger in un-cocked condition, urge the mechanism into either a cocked condition or an un-cocked / fired condition, and by looking at the trigger position (exposed in the cocked condition or hidden in the un-cocked condition) the operator can be sure of the state of the mechanism. In preferred embodiments, the operator only needs to pull the string, slide the bolt / projectile into the mechanism, and then pull the trigger, and repeat these actions to fire another bolt / projectile. In preferred embodiments, the operator does not need to manipulate or adjust the crossbow mechanism from an “in-between cocked and un-cocked configurations”, as an operator of a Historical Chinese crossbow may need to do.

[0010] Certain embodiments include a single spring in the crossbow mechanism, which spring may be described as being attached to, and operatively connecting, at least two elements of the mechanism that move relative to each other during crossbow operation. Said operative connection results in biasing and / or coordinating movement of said at least two elements, which in the preferred embodiment are the dry stop and the trigger. In certain embodiments, said at least two elements are movably connected to other of the mechanism elements in ways that result in the single spring biasing and / or coordinating said other of the mechanism elements, and, in preferred embodiments, said other of the mechanism elements are the latch and sear. Therefore, said single spring may be described as biasing or coordinating relative movement of at least two mechanism elements, and in preferred embodiments, at least four, and more preferably all, of the crossbow mechanism elements.

[0011] More specifically, in certain embodiments of the present improved crossbow mechanism, said addition of a spring comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of providing single extension or “extension coil” spring operatively connected to multiple parts of the mechanism. In preferred embodiments, the spring is operatively connected to a rotatable dry stop member and to the trigger. By virtue of the trigger being rotatably connected to the latch, the sear being slidably / rotatably connected to the latch, and, during certain operation steps, the trigger being engaged with the sear, the single spring may be described as biasing and / or controlling all of these elements (dry stop, trigger, latch, sear) during one or more steps of the operation of the preferred crossbow. Once the trigger is pulled a small amount, the mechanism, powered mainly by the string and aided by the spring biasing components into the optimum positions, “takes over” and continues movement, without necessity of further pulling the trigger or other operator action. Thus, certain embodiments may be described as “spring-fired”, or “spring-fired after an initial small amount of trigger pull”, or “at least partially spring-fired”. This smoothly fires / shoots / propels the bolt / projectile, without jerking, halting, or wobbling motions from the mechanism that would impair crossbow accuracy, and, thereafter, for the same reasons, the mechanism is also easy to re-cock and reload.

[0012] In preferred embodiments, the specially shaped and positioned sear and trigger, combined with the intermittently articulating trigger-latch combination, result in low amounts of force being required from the operator, and result in quick and smooth interaction and movement of the components. In preferred embodiments, the sear and trigger interaction is especially low-friction, and the contacting surfaces are specially sized and oriented to reduce force / strength required from the operator compared to that required from prior art crossbow operators.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the sear may be described generally as an L-shaped lever, wherein a latch pin rotates and slides in a slot in a generally horizontal portion of the sear, and a rearward, generally vertical, downward-protruding portion of the sear comprises a bottom extremity that may be described as a bottom tip that pushes down on a hooked arm of the trigger in certain steps of the mechanism operation. The sear acts as a 2nd class lever that receives the load from the latch pin in the slot, and, by 2nd class lever action / leverage, the force required of the trigger's hooked arm to hold up the sear bottom tip is a fraction of the load from the latch. Therefore, in preferred embodiments, the action of the sear as a 2nd class lever and the specially shaped and positioned sear and trigger, combined with the intermittently articulating trigger-latch combination, result in low amounts of force being required from the operator, and result in easy firing and quick and smooth interaction and movement of the components. In preferred embodiments, the specially sized and oriented sear and trigger contacting surfaces, provide especially low-friction and low-leverage operation, and the contacting surfaces are specially sized and oriented to reduce force / strength required from the operator compared to that required from a prior art crossbow operator of the sear bottom tip on the trigger. This combined, in preferred embodiments, with the small and specially oriented region of contact between the sear bottom tip and the trigger arm during certain steps of mechanism operation, results in reduced / low friction between the trigger and the sear, thus minimizing friction that works against trigger movement away from the sear. This reduced friction results in smoother and easier trigger actuation and therefore smoother and easier firing of the crossbow compared to the prior art.

[0014] Therefore, certain embodiments of the mechanism comprise at least one, and preferably multiple or all, of the above-summarized elements and operative interactions of the elements, resulting in smoother, safer, more accurate, and / or more intuitive and easy operation. While the Historical Chinese crossbow mechanism has existed since at least the sixth century BC, and some refinements were made to hand-held crossbows in medieval times and a few hundred years ago, there is still a need to improve ease of operation, arrest and prevent dry fire incidents, smoothness of operation, shooting accuracy, and general crossbow handling and shooting enjoyment. The present technology disclosed herein solves one or more, and, in certain embodiments, all of these needs.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a close-up, left isometric view of one, but not the only, embodiment of the invented crossbow mechanism and a portion of a crossbow embodiment into which the mechanism is integrated, wherein the left half of the crossbow wood stock is hidden to better show the mechanism that is in the cocked configuration holding the string but is not loaded with any bolt / projectile.

[0017] FIG. 1A is a left side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 but with the left half of the string and the left side of the latch hidden to better show portions of the mechanism.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a left isometric view of the latch of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 2A is the latch of FIG. 2 except with the left side of the latch hidden.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a left isometric view of the sear of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a left isometric view of the trigger of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a left isometric view of the dry stop and spring of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a left isometric view of a Prior Art Historical Chinese Crossbow Mechanism in a cocked configuration but not showing a string.

[0024] FIG. 6A is a left side view of the Prior Art Mechanism of FIG. 6, with the left half of the latch hidden.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a left isometric view of the latch of FIG. 6.

[0026] FIG. 7A is a left isometric view of the latch of FIG. 6, with the left side of the latch hidden.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a left isometric view of the sear of FIG. 6.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a left isometric view of the trigger of FIG. 6.

[0029] FIGS. 10-38 are color drawings of the crossbow mechanism and crossbow embodiment of FIG. 1 during operation, wherein color is important for allowing a viewer to better see the changing positions, orientations, and relationships of the components during the various steps of operation of the mechanism, which changes may be small but important.

[0030] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the crossbow mechanism of FIG. 1, showing the entire crossbow into which the mechanism is integrated, wherein the crossbow is cocked and a bolt / projectile rests on the barrel of the crossbow but is not yet loaded in the crossbow mechanism. In the following brief description for FIGS. 11 through 38, “crossbow” and “crossbow mechanism” refer to the crossbow embodiment and mechanism (also “firing mechanism”) embodiment of FIG. 10. Note that the preferred crossbow and crossbow mechanism embodiments shown in FIGS. 10-38 are right-left symmetrical, that is, the sides on the right and left of the longitudinal axis of the crossbow and mechanism are mirror images of each other. Note that FIGS. 10-16 and 18 are static portrayals (without components moving) of the cocked but not loaded (that is, not loaded with a bolt / projectile) configuration of the crossbow mechanism.

[0031] FIG. 11 is a front view of the crossbow mechanism and crossbow of FIG. 10.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a left view of the crossbow mechanism integrated with the crossbow, wherein the right view is a mirror image of this left view in this embodiment that is designed to accommodate right and left-handed operators.

[0033] FIG. 13 is a top view of the crossbow mechanism and crossbow of FIG. 10.

[0034] FIG. 14 is a cut-away isometric view of the crossbow mechanism and crossbow of FIG. 10, wherein the left half of the wood stock and the left half of the purple string are hidden.

[0035] FIG. 15 is a close-in, cut-away isometric view of the cocked crossbow mechanism in the mechanism housing portion of the crossbow body of FIG. 10, wherein the left half of the wood stock is hidden. Note that the three grey “pegs” are the three axles that support the various mechanism components. These axles are affixed to the crossbow body, and do not move, including not rotating. The latch, sear, and dry stop each use one of these three axles as a mounting fixture that allows rotation.

[0036] FIG. 16 is a close-in, cut-away isometric view of the cocked crossbow mechanism in FIG. 15 except that this view hides the left half of the latch to show how the sear, trigger, and dry stop rest between the two interconnected halves of the latch.

[0037] FIG. 17 is a close-in, cut-away isometric view of the cocked crossbow mechanism latch mounted in the mechanism housing portion of the crossbow body as in FIG. 15, with the left half of the wood stock, and the sear, trigger, dry stop, spring, and string, are hidden.

[0038] FIG. 17A is a close-in, cut-away isometric view of the right side of the crossbow mechanism latch of FIG. 17, wherein the left side of the latch is cut away to demonstrate the two “pins” (or “latch pins”) that connect the two symmetrical sides of the latch, for example, by means of bolts, screws, or other fasteners. These pins are important features of the latch that will interact with the other mechanism components.

[0039] FIG. 18 is a close-in, cut-away isometric view of the cocked crossbow mechanism as in FIG. 16 except with the left half of the string hidden. This figure shows the right half of the latch as in FIG. 17A and how the cut-away latch connects to, and interoperates with, the other components of the mechanism. This figure shows how the “slot” in the sear envelopes the front latch pin, and how the trigger uses the rear latch pin as it's mounting point and axis of rotation. This arrangement, with part of the latch and the string hidden from view, is the depiction that the following figures use to provide improved visibility of the mechanism's internals and the crossbow and mechanism operation.

[0040] FIGS. 19 through 38 are left side views of the arrangement in FIG. 18, but with varying positions of the components during steps of using the mechanism. FIGS. 19-38 are described briefly in the following paragraphs, but the relationships, positions, and movements of the components shown in the sequence of steps represented by FIGS. 19-38 are further detailed in the Detailed Description later in this document.

[0041] FIG. 19 (cocked and loaded), FIG. 25 (un-cocked after firing), FIG. 35 (cocked again), and FIG. 38 (cocked and loaded again) are each non-transient / steady-state. Each of the following snapshots or freeze frames in FIGS. 20-24, FIGS. 26-34, FIG. 36, and FIG. 37 depict the crossbow mechanism in a transient state, wherein unbalanced forces will not allow the crossbow mechanism components to rest in the portrayed orientations. FIG. 38 is a repeat of FIG. 19, showing the result after the crossbow is fired (FIGS. 20-24), cocked again (FIGS. 26-34), and then loaded again (FIGS. 36-37).

[0042] FIG. 19 begins the sequence of side-view figures showing “snapshots” of positions and relationships of the mechanism components during crossbow operation, whereby the sequence of snapshots may be considered a sequence of selected “steps” in the operation of the mechanism 10. However, these snapshots of steps, rather than representing incremental, different steps, are “freeze-frames” of continuous or substantially continuous, transient motion / change. In other words, while the operation / movements of the crossbow mechanism are continuous when the operator pulls string rearward in the latch and then when the operator pulls the trigger, these snapshots, in effect, “freeze” the action at selected instants, so the viewer of this application can see the action “stepwise”. FIG. 19 portrays the cocked and loaded configuration of the crossbow mechanism, which configuration is static because the components are not moving and will not normally move until the operator acts by pulling the trigger.

[0043] FIG. 20 shows Transient Firing Configuration 1 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein the operator has begun pulling the trigger. This may be described as the “point of no return” where the sear is just about to be released by the trigger. If the operator lets go of the trigger right here, the operator is on the “knife-edge” of the sear being released and the mechanism shooting.

[0044] FIG. 21 shows Transient Firing Configuration 2 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein, since FIG. 20, the operator has further pulled the trigger. This may be described as being“past the point of no return”, and in fact, in most embodiments, the sear and latch have already started to move before the operator is able to pull the trigger this far back. This figure shows what happens in a scenario where the latch and sear don't move, and the trigger reaches the limit of its rotation by a surface of the top of the trigger contacting the silver peg; further pulling the trigger back will force the latch to rotate counterclockwise.

[0045] FIG. 22 shows Transient Firing Configuration 3 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein combined forces of the string and the operator's trigger-pull have begun to move the latch so that FIG. 22 shows the latch slightly rotated in the counterclockwise direction compared to FIG. 21. This image also shows the trigger in the same position as the 21, except now the latch has rotated forward. Now the “other side” of the notch on the top of the trigger has contacted the pin. Any further counterclockwise rotation of the latch will force the trigger to rotate with it.

[0046] FIG. 23 shows Transient Firing Configuration 4 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein the mechanism components have continued to move to the extent wherein the string is no longer constrained by the latch so that it can rapidly move forward (to the left in this figure) and propel the bolt along with it. The trigger, latch, and sear are now static, but the string, bolt / projectile, and dry stop will continue to move.

[0047] FIG. 24 shows Transient Firing Configuration 5 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein, since FIG. 23, the string has propelled the bolt out of view to the left. Now only the dry stop will continue to move.

[0048] FIG. 25 shows Un-Cocked Configuration of the crossbow mechanism, after firing of the bolt / projectile has been accomplished. In this Figure, the dry stop has moved, and the mechanism is at rest. This is a steady state.

[0049] FIG. 26: shows Transient Cocking Configuration 1 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein, since FIG. 25, the string has been pulled backwards (to the right in this figure) but has not yet made contact with the teal-colored dry stop.

[0050] FIG. 27 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 2 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein the string has been pulled further backwards (to the right in this figure), has made contact with the teal-colored dry stop, and is sliding along the teal-colored dry stop's curved ramp and forcing it to rotate in a clockwise direction as the purple-colored string moves further back.

[0051] FIG. 28 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 3 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein, since FIG. 27, the purple-colored string has been pulled further backwards (to the right in this figure) and has made contact with the latch, but wherein latch has not yet moved.

[0052] FIG. 29 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 4 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein, since FIG. 28, the string has been pulled further backwards (to the right in this figure) and has forced the latch to rotate in the clockwise direction, which has forced the sear to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction and allowed for the spring to pull the trigger to rotate in the clockwise direction, and wherein the string has been pulled past the hook of the dry stop to allow the dry stop to rotate to rest on top of the string, with the dry stop hook in front of the string, whereby a dry fire may be prevented.

[0053] FIG. 30 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 5 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein, since FIG. 29, the string has been pulled further backwards and has forced the latch to rotate further, which has forced the sear to rotate further and allowed the spring to pull the trigger to rotate further in the clockwise direction. At this moment of the arming process, the trigger and the sear have made their first contact with each other.

[0054] FIG. 31 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 6 of the crossbow mechanism, since FIG. 30, the latch and the sear have continued to rotate, and the sear has now slid along the trigger and is about to clear the trigger.

[0055] FIG. 32 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 7 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein, since FIG. 31, the latch and the sear have continued to rotate, the sear has contacted the trigger for the second time in the arming process.

[0056] FIG. 33 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 8 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein, since FIG. 32, the crossbow string has traveled further back (to the right in this figure), which has forced the latch and the sear to rotate further in opposite directions, and the combined motion of the sear and the spring have forced the trigger to its maximum possible clockwise rotation.

[0057] FIG. 34 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 9 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein, since FIG. 33, the crossbow string has been allowed to travel forward (to the left in this figure), which has allowed a counterclockwise rotation of the latch and a slight clockwise rotation of the sear. In this figure, the trigger has not rotated relative to the latch and is being supported in this state by the spring's tension (hence, one example of why the trigger-latch unit is not constantly articulating during operation / use, that is, intermittently articulating). This figure depicts the instant that the sear again contacts the trigger.

[0058] FIG. 35 shows Cocked Configuration of the crossbow mechanism, wherein, since FIG. 34, the string has traveled further forward (to the left in this figure), and this motion has allowed the mechanism to again return to its cocked (but not loaded) configuration, which configuration is also previously shown in FIGS. 10-16 and 18. If the trigger were pulled in this orientation, the string would be released, but the bolt is not holding the dry-stop above the path of the string, and the dry stop hook would catch the string and prevent a dry-fire.

[0059] FIG. 36 shows Transient Loading Configuration 1 of the crossbow mechanism, which, since FIG. 35, the bolt has slid rearward (to the right in this figure), to contact the teal-colored dry stop, wherein the force to slide the bolt in FIGS. 36-38 is typically manual force supplied by the operator.

[0060] FIG. 37 shows Transient Loading Configuration 2 of the crossbow mechanism, wherein, since FIG. 36, the bolt has continued to move backwards (to the right in this figure) which has forced the teal-colored dry stop to rotate clockwise. At this point, if the trigger were pulled, the dry stop would not catch the strig and the string would move forward and contact the bolt, then propel the bolt forward.

[0061] FIG. 38 shows Cocked and Loaded Configuration of the crossbow mechanism (a repeat of FIG. 19), wherein, since FIG. 37, the bolt has continued to move backwards (to the right in this figure) to come to rest against the purple-colored string.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDICES TO THE SPECIFICATION

[0062] First Appendix to the Specification includes: First Appendix FIGS. 1 through 3, depicting a Historical (also called “Ancient”) Chinese Crossbow mechanism, a mechanism that existed as early as the 7th through 5th centuries BC; First Appendix FIGS. 4 and 5 depicting the prior art rolling nut crossbow mechanism, a mechanism that was common throughout medieval Europe; First Appendix FIGS. 6 and 7 depicting the prior art push pin crossbow mechanism, a mechanism that was common throughout medieval Europe; and First Appendix FIGS. 8 and 9 depicting the prior art Schnepper Crossbow, a highly intricate crossbow mechanism that was probably used for hunting or target shooting by a noble around the 16th century.

[0063] Second Appendix to the Specification includes: Second Appendix FIGS. 1-5 that are color versions of FIGS. 1-5 described above in the Brief Description of the Drawings, and Second Appendix FIGS. 6-9 that are color versions of FIGS. 6-9 described above in the brief description of the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0064] Referring to the Figures, there is shown one, but not the only, embodiment of the invented crossbow mechanism, and one but not the only embodiment of a crossbow in which embodiments of the crossbow mechanism may be installed and used.Preferred Embodiments of Mechanism Components and their Benefits

[0065] The latch holds the crossbow string when the crossbow is in the loaded configuration and rotates “forward and down” when the crossbow fires, releasing the string and allowing the string to move forward and propel the bolt from the crossbow. The bolt may be the elongated shaft of various projectiles, for example, a conventional arrow, a modified arrow such as may be used in Belegarth competition or exhibition, or other elongated projectile that is suited for use in a crossbow as will be understood by those of skill in the art The latch also provides an axle for the trigger to attach to and rotate upon. The axis of rotation for the latch and the axis of rotation for the trigger are not the same, that is, not colinear / coaxial. This is a key feature in preferred embodiments and is a departure from the Historical Chinese Mechanism design.

[0066] The trigger is the object that the operator pulls back when firing the crossbow. The motion of the trigger releases the sear, which then releases the latch, which then releases the crossbow string, which then propels the crossbow bolt from the crossbow. The sear acts as a force multiplying lever between the latch and the trigger, reducing the force applied by the sear on the trigger when the latch is holding back the tensioned crossbow string. In a 2nd class lever scenario, the latch pushes down on the sear, via a forward latch pin in a region of the sear slot that is about halfway between the forward sear end that is rotationally supported by an axle and the rearward sear end that pushes down on the trigger arm. Thus, the sear's downward force on the trigger is reduced by about half compared to the latch load on the sear. Stated in reverse, given an amount of upward force applied by the trigger to the sear rearward end, that force is multiplied by the sear leverage so that the sear holds / supports the latch with much more force, in this example twice as much force, to keep the latch in place in spite of the string acting with great force to pull the latch forward. Further, as friction is proportional to the force with which an object pushes against the surface you're trying to slide it along, the reduced force on the trigger due to the sear being a lever results in less friction between the sear and the trigger. Thus, when pulling the trigger there is less friction between the “engaged surfaces” of the sear at and near the sear tip and at or near the hook of the trigger arm. Thus, there is less friction “fighting” the trigger pull and said trigger pull occurs easily and smoothly. Further, the shape and orientation of the sear and trigger surfaces allow ease and smoothness of the trigger pull for firing, and also of the re-cocking process. It may be noted that the preferred sear surface is a tip with slanted, substantially vertical sides. The preferred trigger arm upper surface is substantially horizontal, and the forward end of the trigger arm comprises a slanted “ramp” along which the tip slides during cocking. Between the substantially horizontal trigger arm upper surface and the ramp is a lip that upends a short distance (for example, 0.04-0.08 inches and preferably 0.05 inches) from the trigger arm upper surface of the arm. Thus, the preferred design of the trigger arm and sear engagement surfaces improve the ease and smoothness of firing the crossbow and therefore increase accuracy of shooting, compared to conventional crossbows.

[0067] The dry stop is a lever that reaches upwards and forwards of the latch to “catch” the string during a dry-fire event. If the crossbow is in the cocked but not loaded configuration, the dry stop hook remains in front of the string and will catch and arrest the string's forward motion if the crossbow is fired with no loaded crossbow bolt. This prevents what is known as a “dry fire”, which is dangerous to the operator and the crossbow. When a crossbow bolt is loaded into the mechanism, the crossbow bolt pushes the dry stop upwards and out of the path of the crossbow string. When the crossbow is fired with a crossbow bolt loaded into the mechanism, the dry stop is held out of the path of the string, and the dry stop does not catch or arrest the string's forward motion.

[0068] The spring is attached to the dry stop and the trigger and biases their position against the direction of the spring's expansion. Due to the trigger's axis of rotation being attached to the latch, the spring's pulling on the trigger also biases the position of the latch and the sear, resulting in all components of the mechanism having their position biased by this one spring. This spring ensures that the mechanism is never in an unknown state, and that the operator never needs to “mess with” the mechanism during operation. For example, said never needing to mess with the mechanism means no manual adjustment or alignment of the mechanism is required, during any portion / step of crossbow operation. The spring will automatically force the mechanism into the “unloaded” position in all states unless the crossbow is in the “cocked” position. Further, from the cocked position, when the trigger is pulled, the spring will always bias / control the mechanism elements to move / return to the “un-cocked” or “un-cocked and unloaded” position of FIG. 25 even if there is not a crossbow string pushing the latch forward. It is noted later in this document that the firing sequence / positions shown in FIGS. 19 through 25 are “powered mainly” by the string pulling to the left. But, in the absence of a string (i.e. the string is not present and / or not being used), if the operator just “cocks the mechanism” with his / her hand, then pulling the trigger still works to actuate the mechanism, with the spring “firing” the mechanism into the un-cocked position. This “spring-firing” (as opposed to mainly string-firing) of the mechanism will not be as quick or forceful and will not propel a bolt / projectile, but it will move the elements into the configuration / positions shown in FIG. 25. It should be noted that the mechanism never being in an unknown state, and the operator never needing to “mess with” the mechanism during operation, as described above, are beneficial features with important results that differentiate the present crossbow and its mechanism from the prior art. Comparisons of these beneficial features and important results to the prior art follow below.

[0069] For example, Historical Chinese Crossbows (shown in FIGS. 6-9 and in First Appendix FIGS. 1-3 and Second Appendix 6-9) lack a connection between a spring and multiple of the Chinese Crossbow mechanism elements / components, and relies entirely on the string for firing after the operator pulls the trigger. Therefore, there is no “spring-firing” in the Chinese Mechanism and if the Chinese crossbow operator cocks the mechanism with his / her hand, and no string is present or used, the operator's pulling the trigger may do nothing and the mechanism may not uncock. This is an example of uncertainty in the state of the mechanism and / or having to “mess with” the crossbow mechanism to move ahead with the operation of the crossbow, both of which take time and add difficulty to operation. Another example of said uncertainty and having to “mess with” the Chinese Mechanism occurs when the Chinese Mechanism is jolted / bounced during and after firing and / or transport, resulting in the loose and / or at least non-spring-biased mechanism elements / components moving to any of many possible configurations in-between “cocked and un-cocked”. The operator then has to manually adjust the elements / components to move the mechanism from its “in-between configuration” into either the cocked or un-cocked state. Compared to preferred embodiments of the invented crossbow disclosed herein, the Chinese Mechanism is more difficult, more uncertain, less smooth, and less accurate to operate, for example, due to one or more of: a single rotation axis being provided for the Chinese Mechanism trigger and the latch; lack of connection and coordination / biasing of multiple mechanism components by a spring; lack of intermittent articulation of the rotatably-connected trigger and latch; lack of dry fire stop / prevention; and / or lack of other design parameters such as specially-adapted shapes, relative orientations, and movable / pivotal connections of the mechanism elements. Note that the Chinese trigger and latch may not be called “intermittently” articulating, as they rotate on the same axis and are loose enough from each other that they do not rotate together as a unit.

[0070] Further regarding prior art, the rolling nut crossbow, such as shown in FIG. 4, has a rotating “nut” used as the latch, which rolls to release the string, but continues to roll thereafter and may end up in any orientation. Therefore, after firing the rolling nut crossbow, the operator must figure out what orientation the generally cylindrical nut is in and adjust / roll it to place the “claws” protruding from the nut in the correct position to again hold the string. This is an example of uncertainly in the state of the mechanism and / or having to “mess with” the crossbow mechanism to move ahead with the operation of the crossbow, both of which take time and add difficulty / uncertainly to operation. Further, compared to preferred embodiments of the invented crossbow disclosed herein, the rolling nut crossbow is more difficult, less smooth, and less accurate to operate, due to one or more of: lack of connection and coordination of multiple mechanism components by a spring, lack of intermittent articulation of a rotatably-connected trigger and latch made possible by the trigger rotation axis being different from the latch rotation axis, and / or lack of other design parameters such as specially-adapted shapes, relative orientations, and movable / pivotal connections of the mechanism elements.REFERRING SPECIFICALLY TO THE FIGURES

[0071] Reference numbers for pieces / parts of the preferred crossbow and mechanism are as follows: 1Crossbow 2Crossbow body, sometimes referred to as the “Tiller” 3Body stock 4Body fore stock 5Mechanism housing portion of the body 6Groove for the bolt to rest in, or sometimes referred to as “Barrel” 7Bolt 8String 9Limb, sometimes referred to as the “Prod” 10Crossbow mechanismA1Latch axleA2Sear axleA3Dry stop axle 20Latch 21Rear latch hooks 22Forward latch hooks 23Latch recess between forward and rearward hooksP1Rearward latch pinP2Forward latch pin 40Sear 42Sear slot 44Sear first (forward) portion 46Sear second (depending) portion 48Sear bottom tip 49Sear rear surface 60Trigger 62Trigger bottom end 64Trigger arm 65Trigger arm ramp 66Trigger arm lip 67Trigger arm upper surface 68Trigger top end 68CTrigger top end forward corner 68FTrigger top end forward surface 69Trigger top end groove 69RTrigger groove rearward surface 69FTrigger groove forward surface 70Aperture in trigger top end, for spring 74Trigger cavity 75Trigger cavity lower front tip 76Sear cavity surface 80Dry stop 82Dry stop hook 83Curved rear hook surface of dry stop hook 82 84Dry stop rear axle-arm 86Dry stop midarm protrusion100Mechanism spring

[0072] FIGS. 1 and 2 are enlarged views of the invented crossbow mechanism 10 and a portion of the invented crossbow into which the mechanism 10 is incorporated. The left side of the crossbow body is hidden to better show the mechanism, and the mechanism 10 is in the cocked configuration. In the left side view of FIG. 2, the left half of the string hidden. The crossbow body is shown as being made of wood, but may be made of other materials, such as plastic / polymer, in other embodiments. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the latch 20 holding string 8, sear 40, trigger 60, dry stop 80 with its dry stop hook 82, and the spring 100 of the crossbow mechanism 10. The latch rotates on axle A1, the sear 40 rotates on axle A2, and the dry stop 80 rotates on axle A3, all relative to the crossbow body. Trigger 60 connects to pin 1 of the latch 20, and the trigger 60 rotates on pin 1, to an extent and at times during the mechanism 10 operation allowed by the engagement of the trigger top end 68 via groove 69 with latch axle A1 (see FIG. 19). FIGS. 1 and 2 also show features of the crossbow body in the region of the mechanism 10, namely, the body front, top surface groove 6 that the bolt rests on in (also, “barrel”), the trigger cavity 74, and the sear cavity front surface 76. FIG. 2 shows the interaction of the sear and trigger in the cocked configuration, with the sear bottom tip 48 engaging trigger arm lip 66. It may be noted that the forward force exerted on the latch 20 by the string 8 and the spring 100 connected between the dry stop and the trigger top end serve to keep the mechanism 10 in the non-transient state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 2-5 show the latch 20, sear 40, trigger 60, dry stop 80, and spring 100 elements of the mechanism separately.

[0073] FIGS. 6 and 6A show the prior art Historical Chinese Mechanism CM, which is an assembly of a latch C20, sear C40, and trigger C60, and FIGS. 7-9 show these elements separately. The latch and trigger both rotate on a single axle CA1, and the sear rotates on a single axis / axle CA2. The latch and trigger are connected by a single axle rod (see rod F in First Appendix FIG. 1). The Chinese Mechanism CM latch and trigger are not adapted to rotate relative to each other in certain steps of operation and to not rotate relative to each other in certain other steps of operation, and therefore, are not “intermittently articulating”.

[0074] FIGS. 10-18 show the preferred embodiment of the invented crossbow mechanism 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the crossbow embodiment 1 into which the mechanism 10 is incorporated. Crossbow 1 comprises features that may be found in most crossbows, including a body 2 having a stock 3, foreshock or “foregrip”4, a mechanism housing portion 5 between the stock 3 and the fore stock 4, a “barrel”6 on which the bolt 7 rests, a string or “bow-string”8, and limb 9 (the arched / bowed flexible and resilient biasing member that propels the bolt forward when the string 9 is released from the crossbow mechanism.

[0075] The preferred embodiment of the crossbow mechanism 10 is partly visible in FIGS. 10-13, that is, some portions of the crossbow mechanism 10 protrude sufficiently from the body 2, and particularly from the mechanism housing portion 5, to be visible. In FIGS. 14-16 and 18 portions of the body 2 / housing portion 5 are cut away to better show the components of the mechanism 10 in a cocked configuration. FIGS. 17 and 17A show details of the latch of the mechanism.Operation of the Crossbow Mechanism and Crossbow:

[0076] FIG. 19 shows the cocked and loaded configuration and FIGS. 20-38 show movement of the mechanism components, and the string and bolt, in sequential “stop-action” (or “snapshots”). FIGS. 20-24 show snapshots of firing, FIG. 25 shows the un-cocked configuration after firing, FIGS. 26-34 show snapshots of cocking the mechanism, FIGS. 36-37 show snapshots of the bolt / projectile loading process.

[0077] It should be noted that the crossbow mechanism 10 may be built into or retrofit into other crossbows having alternative styles and appearances. For example, other stocks with alternative handle / grip shapes may be used in some embodiments. Or, the curvature of various portions of the body may be altered to suit preferences of an operator and / or for different aesthetic effects. While the preferred crossbow body is wood, alternative material(s) may be used in alternative embodiments.

[0078] The mechanism embodiment shown in the Figures comprises a latch 20, a sear 40, a trigger 60, a dry stop 80, and spring 100. The relationships and cooperation between these components, and their portions, shapes, and features will be further described below by detailing operation of the crossbow and the crossbow mechanism.

[0079] The steps shown in the Figures wherein the mechanism moves from the configuration of FIG. 19 (cocked and loaded) to firing the bolt / projectile and then resting in configuration of FIG. 25 are estimated to occur over a fraction of a second, for example, about 0.1 second. The steps of re-cocking and loading the mechanism (FIG. 26 to FIG. 38) are operator controlled, and typically done manually without any tool, and can be quick if desired, due to the smooth movement of the mechanism components relative to each other. In simple terms, the operator manually pulls the string 8 rearward and past the hook 82 of the dry stop 80 to cock the crossbow and then loads the bolt 7. The time it takes to cock and load depends on the skill of the operator, as he / she is manually handling the string and the bolt, but may be estimated to range from 5 seconds to 1 minute. The barrel 6 has a top longitudinal groove and the bolt with its arrowhead or other front end (not shown but understood by those of skill in the art) will stay in place after loading, especially in view of the spring-biased dry stop on top of the bolt, without the operator holding it. After loading the bolt 7, the operator pulls the trigger rearward, for example a short distance of 0.25-0.5 inch, and all the mechanism movements may occur without further input from the operator to fire and propel the bolt / projectile. Upon pulling the trigger, said mechanism movements occur typically in a matter of a fraction of a second, as mentioned above.

[0080] The components of the mechanism are preferably made of 304 stainless steel and / or any hard, rigid, and durable stainless steel or other metal. The body 2 shown in the Figures is made of wood but could be alternative materials if desired. String 8 and limb 9 may be made of various materials conventionally chosen in the crossbow arts.

[0081] FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a crossbow 1 comprising an embodiment of the invented crossbow mechanism 10, which the inventor calls TYRIAN™ (or TYRIAN ARTIFICE™) crossbow and mechanism. These embodiments of crossbow 1 and mechanism 10 are used in FIGS. 11-38 to show various views of the crossbow, the mechanism, and use of the crossbow and mechanism. Note that the mechanism 10 in FIGS. 10-16, and 18 is shown in the cocked configuration / position holding the string 8, with the bolt 7 resting on the barrel 6 in FIGS. 10-14 but not loaded into the mechanism 10. FIG. 11 is a front view of the crossbow with mechanism of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a right-side view of the crossbow with mechanism of FIG. 10; this side-view figure shows how, with the mechanism cocked but not yet loaded, the bottom end 62 of trigger 60 is visible protruding forward from the mechanism housing portion 5 of the body. FIG. 13 is a top view of the crossbow with mechanism of FIG. 10. FIG. 14 is a cut-away, isometric view of the crossbow with mechanism of FIG. 10, wherein the left half of the wood stock and the left half of the string are hidden.

[0082] FIG. 15 is a close-in, cut-away isometric view of the crossbow mechanism 10 of FIG. 10. String 8 has been pulled rearward into the recess 23 of the latch 20, and the mechanism 10 is in cocked but not loaded condition. Note that the three “pegs” labeled A1, A2, and A3 are the three axles that are secured to and extend from the crossbow body and that support and serve as the mounting points of the various mechanism components. These axles A1, A2, A3 are affixed to the crossbow body 2, and do not move. Latch 20, sear 40, and dry stop 80 use these axles A1, A2 and A3, respectively, as mounting fixtures that allow rotation. Latch 20 includes right and left rearward latch hooks 21, right and left forward latch hooks 22, and a recess 23 between the forward and rear hooks that receives the string 8.

[0083] FIG. 16 is a close-in, cut-away Isometric View of the crossbow mechanism 10, which is the same as FIG. 15, except hiding the left half of latch 20 to show how the sear 40, trigger 60, and dry stop 80 rest between the two interconnected halves of the latch 20.

[0084] FIG. 17 is a close-in, cut-away isometric view of the latch of the preferred crossbow mechanism 10. This figure shows to best advantage the latch's rearward latch hooks 21, forward latch hooks 22, and the string-receiving recess 23 between said forward and rearward hooks. FIG. 17A is a close-in, cut-away isometric view of the right half of the crossbow mechanism latch of FIG. 17. FIG. 17A shows the latch with part of its body cut away to demonstrate the two “pins” P1 and P2 that connect the two symmetrical sides of the latch. These pins receive screws, bolts, or other fasteners (not shown) that extend through the left side of the latch and into pins P1 and P2 to secure the right and left side of the latch together, for example, after the mechanism components are assembled between the latch halves. These pins are also important features that will interact with the other mechanism components, as shown in the following figures. Note that the left half of the wood stock, the sear, the trigger, the dry stop, the spring, and the string are hidden in FIG. 17 and these components plus the left half of the latch are hidden in FIG. 17A.

[0085] FIG. 18 is a close-in, cut-away isometric view of crossbow mechanism of FIGS. 10-16 in the cocked but not loaded configuration. This figure is the same as FIG. 16 except with half of the string cut-away, to show to best advantage how the cut away latch interoperates with the other components of the mechanism. This figure shows how the trigger uses the rear latch pin P1 as its mounting point and axis of rotation and how the slot 42 in the sear envelopes the front latch pin P2 so that the sear 40 is rotatable relative to, and slidable along the length of, the slot 42 to the extent allowed the positions of the other components of the mechanism in different steps of the crossbow operation. This arrangement, with part of the latch and string hidden from view, is the depiction that the following figures use to provide improved visibility of the mechanism's internals.

[0086] FIG. 19 is the cocked and loaded configuration of the crossbow mechanism 10. In this configuration, crossbow string 8 is tensioned / pulled forward by the crossbow limb 9 and is resting against the forward hook 22 of the red-colored latch, unable to move forward (to the left in this figure) and unable to propel the bolt forward. The bolt 7 is partially obscuring the latch 20. This figure shows that, with the mechanism cocked and loaded, the bottom end 62 of the trigger 60 is still visible (as mentioned above regarding FIG. 12) due to its extending forward and out of the trigger cavity 74. Since FIG. 18, bolt 7 has been loaded, which has changed the dry stop position and slightly expanded the spring but has not changed the position of the trigger or any of the other mechanism components relative to the configuration of FIG. 18. Thus, the left-side view in FIG. 19 shows the positions of the mechanism 10 components when crossbow 1 is ready for firing. Latch 20 is positioned with the latch hooks 21 and 22 substantially vertically upright, with the string in the recess 23 and tensioned against the rear surface of the front latch hook 22. The L-shaped sear 40 is positioned so that a first portion 44 and its slot 42 are generally horizontal, and the sear second portion 46 depends from a rearward end of portion 44 to be generally vertical and to contact / push the trigger. A bottom tip 48 of the sear second portion 46 is forced against the top side of the hook-shaped trigger arm 64 that extends forward from approximately a middle region of the trigger 60. Arm 64 may be described as a horizontal or generally horizontal arm extending forward from the vertical or substantially vertical main body of the trigger 60, having a hooked distal (forward) end with a slanted forward end surface or “ramp”65 and a lip 66. The substantially pointed bottom tip 48 is forced down against a small area of the arm 64 upper surface and also against the lip 66 that upends a short distance (for example, 0.04-0.08 inches and preferably 0.05 inches) from the upper surface of the arm 64.

[0087] The trigger 60 is rotatably / pivotally connected to the latch 20 by pin P1 and is generally vertical in FIG. 19. As noted above, the trigger bottom end 62 protrudes forward from the housing portion 5, and trigger top end 68 comprises a groove 69 that receives axle A1 and that is wider front to rear than the diameter of the axle A1, which allows the trigger 60 to rotate relative to the latch 20, on pin P1, in several steps of the mechanism operation. Note that in many of the steps of mechanism operation, the latch rotates on Axle 1, that is, a different rotation axle / axis than the trigger's 60 axle / axis of rotation P1. In FIG. 19, the trigger top end groove 69 is positioned so that forward wall 69F of groove 69 is resting against axle A1. The forward end of spring 100 engages the trigger top end, by extending through aperture 70.

[0088] Starting with FIG. 19 and continuing through the following Figures, a time-sequenced series of images is shown to depict the crossbow being fired and then re-cocked and reloaded. This figure is the starting point, where the crossbow is cocked and loaded. The cocked and loaded crossbow in FIG. 19 may be held in this configuration, typically for any amount of time, by the operator without the mechanism moving or firing the projectile. Thus, this is a non-transient state of the crossbow. Most of the following figures depict the crossbow mechanism in transient states, wherein unbalanced forces will not allow the crossbow mechanism components to rest in the portrayed states / orientations. Specifically, following FIGS. 20-24 show transient states during firing, culminating in the fired, un-cocked, non-transient state of FIG. 25. Then, FIGS. 26-34 show transient states during cocking, culminating in the cocked, non-transient state of FIG. 35. Then, FIGS. 36 and 37 shows transient states during loading culminating in the non-transient cocked and loaded state (FIG. 38) that is the same as FIG. 19.

[0089] FIG. 20 shows Transient Firing Configuration 1 of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since FIG. 19, the operator has pulled the trigger 60 to fire the crossbow. This has caused trigger 60 to rotate counterclockwise around its mounting point pin P1 that extends from the latch and connects to the trigger at a location about ⅕ of the trigger length down from the top of the trigger. This trigger 60 rotation is relative to the crossbow body, but also relative to the latch. Therefore, this is an example of the trigger-latch combination “articulating”. Since FIG. 19, the trigger bottom end 62 has moved rearward and the trigger top end 68 has moved forward, so that, in FIG. 20, the trigger arm 64 has moved clear of the sear 40, which will allow the sear 40 to rotate clockwise in the future, as will be seen to best advantage by comparing FIGS. 20 and 22. Specifically, as the trigger 60 rotates away from the second portion 46 of the sear 40, the trigger arm 64 rotates down and rearward (right) in an action that may be called “falling away” from the tip 48, thus overcoming the small amount of frictional resistance from the tip's contact / engagement with the arm 64 upper surface and one side of the lip 66. The top end 68 of latch 20 has rotated forward (left) to the extent that the rear surface 69R of the groove 69 has nearly impacted axle A1, which is the axle of rotation for the latch. This is an example of the trigger-latch combination articulating as the trigger rotates relative to the latch, which articulation / relative-rotation may be easily be seen in the Figures when the top end 68 of the trigger shifts left or right relative to the axle A1. This is because, if the top end 68 shifts (by rotating around pin P1 on the latch) relative to axle A1 (around which the latch 20 rotates), that means the trigger longitudinal axis has moved to a different angle to the longitudinal axis of the latch. Thus, the groove 69 is a good visual indicator of trigger-latch articulation, versus the latch and the trigger rotating as a single unit, as the viewer may not see a change of the trigger top end groove 69, relative to the axle A1, but the viewer will see a change of the position of the trigger-latch unit relative to the other components and the crossbow body 5. This “intermittent articulation” of the rotatably-connected trigger and latch, rather than consistent rotation / articulation of the trigger and latch, is notable and is an important differentiation from the prior art.

[0090] As the operator continues to pull on the trigger, the trigger continues to rotate relative to the latch until the rear surface 69R impacts the axle A1 and further rotation of the trigger relative to the latch will be prevented (See FIG. 21).

[0091] FIG. 21 shows Transient Firing Configuration 2 of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since FIG. 20, the operator has further pulled trigger 60, which moves the mechanism 10 into the configuration of FIG. 21. The trigger top end has further moved forward to the degree that the rear surface 69R of the groove 69 has now impacted the axle A1, preventing the trigger from rotating (on pin P1) further counterclockwise relative to the latch. At this point, the trigger and latch may be described as temporarily forming a single unit without any possible relative rotation of the trigger and latch. After the operator's trigger pull has freed the sear 20 from the trigger, as in FIG. 20, there is little or no impediment to the mechanism continuing to fire “on its own”, powered mainly by the string pulling to the left, with the spring “supplementing” the string force but mainly serving as a biasing and movement- and position-coordinating element for the mechanism. It may be noted that the crossbow components, for example the limb / prod and string, may be designed for a wide variety of force-production, for firing various bolts / projectiles for various purposes. For example, light duty components may be used for a LARP crossbow, or heavy-duty components may be used for a hunting crossbow.

[0092] Thus, immediately after FIG. 20, and typically by FIG. 21, the mechanism “takes over” and continues the firing movements, in most cases, without further operator action. See FIGS. 22-24, and the resulting “un-cocked” (also “un-cocked and unloaded” or simply “unloaded”) configuration / position of FIG. 25. It should be noted that the spring may be described as providing force that “helps” or “contributes to” the firing sequence, but its force is low and may be considered irrelevant or substantially irrelevant in providing bolt / projectile-propelling energy, compared to the string. The string may be considered mainly an element that biases and coordinates the relative movements of mechanism elements during the crossbow operation as described in this document and shown in the drawings.

[0093] Therefore, at about the time of FIG. 21, the trigger has typically left the operator's finger, and the mechanism has “taken over” due to the string pulling the latch forward. It should be noted that whether the operator is still pulling the trigger, or the string is substantially or entirely powering the continued mechanism movement, both of these forces will force said trigger-latch single unit in the same rotational direction. Such force(s) move the latch hooks 21, 22 forward and move the trigger bottom end 62 rearward into the trigger cavity, as may be seen by comparing the latch positions in FIG. 21 (Transient Firing Configuration 2) and in FIG. 22 (Transient Firing Configuration 3). See also the rearward movement of the bottom end 62 of the trigger 60 by comparing, in FIGS. 19-22, the bottom end 62 position relative to the lower front tip 75 of the trigger cavity 74 that is recessed inside the mechanism housing portion 5.

[0094] More specifically, moving from FIG. 21 to FIG. 22 comprises in most embodiments the crossbow string 8 pulling forward on the latch 20, which slightly rotates the latch 20 on axle A1 in the counterclockwise direction. Sear 40 would normally prevent this latch motion, but it does not because it is no longer engaging the trigger 60, has no way to resist this latch motion, and it is now rotating clockwise due to the pin P2 of rotating latch 20 pushing on the lower surface of the sear slot 42. Since FIG. 21, the trigger 60 has not rotated any significant amount relative to the crossbow's body. Since FIG. 21, the latch's rotation relative to the crossbow body 2 and to the trigger 60, in combination with the spring 100 pulling the trigger 60, has moved the trigger 60 a little upward and a little to the rear. The nearly instant effect of these force(s) has been to “throw” the trigger back into the trigger cavity 74 of the body. This “throwing back” has resulted in the trigger rotating slightly relative to the latch, with the trigger top end groove 69 having moved rearward so that the groove front surface 69F is again impacting the axle A1. One may also see that spring 10 in FIG. 22 has compressed / shortened relative to the spring in FIGS. 20 and 21. Thus, rotation of the latch 20 has resulted in shifting of the trigger top end 68 relative to the axle A1 in a direction opposite to that from FIGS. 19 to 21. As the mechanism movements continue, further counterclockwise rotation of the latch 20 will force further rotation of the trigger relative to the body 2 but not relative to the latch 20.

[0095] As stated above, in many embodiments, the operator has stopped pulling the trigger at some time after FIG. 20, and typically at or soon after the step shown in FIG. 21. This timing is typically due to the trigger having left the operator's finger, because the mechanism has “taken over” and continued the rotation at such a high a speed that it moves the trigger rearward faster than the operator can move his / her finger rearward. In other words, the operator typically only needs to pull the trigger to the time or soon after the sear is “free” from the trigger, as then the mechanism powered by the string force can takes over from human action, throwing the trigger back and continuing the firing action. However, in certain instances, for example if the mechanism somehow “gets stuck”, the operator may continue to pull the trigger, for example through Step 21, to Step 22, or even a little beyond, and as such continued operator trigger pulling will push the mechanism to “get unstuck” and then shoot.

[0096] FIG. 23 shows Transient Firing Configuration 4 of crossbow mechanism 10. Since FIG. 22, the latch 20 and the trigger 60 have continued and finished rotating, typically as a single unit without relative rotation of the latch and trigger. As discussed above, the continued rotation has been done by latch 20 via red pin P1 moving backwards and slightly upwards and thereby “throwing the trigger back” (or “back and slightly upward”), without axle A1 moving relative to the body 2 as described earlier in this document. This forces the green trigger to also rotate backwards and slightly upward relative to the body 2, as the latch and trigger have moved between from FIG. 22 to FIG. 23 as said single unit, with the spring 100 maintaining the groove 69 front surface 69F against axle A1.

[0097] By FIG. 23, the latch 20 is prevented by the sear from rotating further in the counterclockwise direction, because, while latch 20 rotates on axle A1, latch pin P2 has reached the end of the sear slot 42 and pin P2 cannot move further downward. In this preferred design, when the latch and the sear are fully rotated as in FIG. 23, the sear does not contact or impact the sear cavity surface 76, and there is enough of a gap there so that the sear tip 48 doesn't impact the cavity surface 76 and only ever touches the trigger arm / hook. In this preferred design, the trigger is prevented from rotating further in the counterclockwise direction by the cavity 74 surface of the body of the crossbow In this design, the cavity 74 is sized to accommodate the trigger movement but with the trigger hitting the wood surface of the cavity 74 at the end of its rotation. This will cause no damage to the body 2 of the trigger 60 bottom end 62 due to the broad and smooth surfaces of the bottom end 62 and the cavity surface 74 in the region impacted by the trigger. If the cavity 74 were made to be larger by extending further rearward, the trigger 60 could still rotate counterclockwise further around the pin P1, as the axle A1 being received in the groove against groove front surface 69F only prevents clockwise rotation. In other words, the wood of the cavity 74 stops the trigger in the position of FIG. 23, but if the wood wasn't here, the rotational inertia of the trigger would have it keep moving counterclockwise until the blue spring 100 would take over and pull the trigger into the position shown in FIG. 23. Note that throughout the steps shown in the Figures, the blue spring 100 is urging / biasing the trigger clockwise about the red pin P1, and by extension urging / biasing the pin P1 of the latch counterclockwise about the axle A1. In some steps what may be called the greater, controlling forces on the mechanism are the operator's trigger pull rearward and especially the string pull forward, but the spring 100 throughout has an effect on the top end of the trigger and hence also on the latch via the pin P1.

[0098] In FIG. 23, the string 8 is no longer constrained by the latch 20, and will soon rapidly move forward (to the left in this figure) and propel the bolt 7 along with it. When the bolt 7 has been propelled (see FIG. 24), the dry stop hook 82 will no longer be supported by the bolt 7 and will rotate in the counterclockwise direction.

[0099] FIG. 24 shows Transient Firing Configuration 5 of the crossbow mechanism 10. In this figure, the mechanism 10 components are in the same positions as in FIG. 23, but the string 8 has propelled the bolt 8 out of view. Due to the spring 100 being connected to the rear axle-arm 84 that is provided at a rear portion of the dry stop, and biasing the dry stop 80, the drop stop 80 has rotated quickly since FIG. 23 to the position shown in FIG. 24.

[0100] FIG. 25 shows Un-Cocked (“un-cocked and unloaded”) Configuration of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since FIG. 24, the dry stop 80 has had time to rotate forward (counterclockwise) and come to rest with a downwardly extending midarm protrusion 86 against the axle A1 that the latch 20 is mounted on and rotates about. Spring 100 holds the components in this state and may be noticed to be in its most compressed, shortest condition. Other than the dry stop 80, no other mechanism components have changed position, compared to FIG. 24. It may be noted in this figure, that the sear 40 has rotated about 45 degrees from its cocked position in FIG. 19. Therefore, in certain embodiments, the sear rotation during mechanism operation may be described as in the range of 40-55 degrees.

[0101] FIG. 25 is an example of a benefit of the preferred design that the operator does not have to manipulate the mechanism or “mess with” the mechanism to set its state. It is in the un-cocked state (FIG. 25), after the operator has simply pulled the trigger, wherein the operator does not see the trigger protruding from the body, because it is deep in the trigger cavity 74. Or, it is either in the cocked state (FIGS. 10-16, 18), because the operator has simply pulled the string rearward into the latch, wherein the operator can see the trigger 60 protruding from the trigger cavity 74, and wherein the next operator action is just to load the projectile to load the bolt. The mechanism is either un-cocked, or cocked, and it is clear to the operator which state the crossbow is in. None of the mechanism components, in either state, are “loose” or “floating” in the crossbow at any time, and the operator need not touch any of the latch, the sear, the dry stop, or the spring to move between the un-cocked and the cocked positions, or the reverse.

[0102] FIG. 26 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 1 of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since FIG. 25, to cock the crossbow 1, the string 8 has been pulled backwards (to the right in this figure) but has not yet made contact with the dry stop 80. The spring 100 is pulling on the trigger 60 to encourage it to rotate in the clockwise direction and to encourage it to rest with the trigger top ends front hook, specifically the front surface 69F of the groove 69 against the latch axle A1. At the same time, the spring 100 pulls on the latch 20 (via the latch's connection pin P1 to the trigger 60) to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, and stay in the position shown in FIGS. 23-26).

[0103] The geometry of the mechanism's interactions and the tension of the spring 100 result in the spring directly or in-directly biasing each component of the mechanism towards the un-cocked configuration. This ensures that the operator never has to “mess with” the mechanism to set its state. As mentioned above re FIG. 25, none of the mechanism components are “loose” or “floating” in the crossbow; the mechanism is either cocked, or un-cocked. The operator knows that, after firing, the mechanism will stay in the un-cocked condition in the event of jolting, bouncing, or transport of the crossbow, and the operator and others are reminded of that safe condition by the trigger being hidden due to not extending out from the trigger recess. FIG. 27 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 2 of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since FIG. 26, the string 8 has been pulled further backwards (to the right in this figure) and has made contact with the dry stop 80, riding the dry stop's curved ramp and forcing it to rotate in a clockwise direction as the string 8 moves further back.

[0104] FIG. 28 shows a Transient Cocking Configuration 3 of the Tyrian Artifice™ Crossbow Mechanism. Since the last figure, the string 8 has been pulled further backwards (to the right in this figure) and has made contact with the latch 20. The latch 20 has not yet moved. Note that, in FIGS. 26-28 no part of the mechanism has moved, except for the dry stop in between FIGS. 27 and 28.

[0105] FIG. 29 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 4 of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since the last figure, the string 8 has been pulled further backwards by the operator (to the right in this figure) and has forced the latch 20 to rotate in the clockwise direction. This has forced the sear 40 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, allowed by the sear 40 as the pin P2 is sliding upward and forward in the slot, and allowed the spring 100 to bias the trigger top end 68 rearward so that the trigger 60 rotates in the clockwise direction with the latch 20. The string 8 has been pulled past the hook of the dry stop 80, allowing the dry stop 80 to rotate counter-clockwise to rest on top of the purple-colored string. Since FIG. 28 and continuing through FIG. 30, the latch 20 and trigger 60 both rotate relative to the crossbow body 5, but the latch 20 and trigger 60 do not rotate relative to each other and hence are not articulating (again, an example of why the latch and trigger are intermittently but not constantly articulating); the trigger 60 remains in the same relationship to the latch 20 as evidenced by the pin P1 connecting the trigger and latch and the same portion 69F of the trigger top end groove 69 abutting against the axle A1 in all three figures. In FIG. 28 continuing through FIG. 30, the latch 20 and trigger 60 move together like one piece because, while the latch rotates and carries the trigger with it, and the spring 100 is pulling the trigger clockwise, but the trigger can't rotate any more clockwise relative to the latch because the forward groove surface 69F is hitting the axle A1. If the string 8 were to be let go of, it would rapidly move forward (to the left in this figure) for a very brief distance until it was caught by the dry stop's hook. This would arrest further motion of the string and prevent a dry fire by the dry stop rear hook surface 83 (pointed out in FIGS. 26 and 28), which curves down in front of the string, catching the string. It may be noted that, if the operator prematurely lets-go of the string at any time during the process / steps shown in FIGS. 29 through 32, the dry stop hook, via curved hook surface 83, catches the string to prevent the dry fire. However, if the operator lets-go of the string once the mechanism and process have reached the configuration / step shown in FIG. 33, the sear-trigger mechanism, not the dry stop, prevents dry firing. During FIGS. 34 and 35, discussed in more detail below regarding these figures, the operator is releasing the string and the mechanism moves into the cocked configuration that prevents dry firing as long as the trigger is not pulled. In FIG. 35, if the operator dry fires the unloaded crossbow by pulling the trigger (or letting some object or accident hit the trigger to move it rearward), the mechanism would move as if firing a bolt / projectile, but the dry stop in its lowered position over the string would catch the string.

[0106] FIG. 30 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 5 of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since FIG. 29, string 8 has been pulled further backwards (to the right in this figure) and has forced the latch 20 to rotate further in the clockwise direction. This has forced the sear 40 to rotate further in the counterclockwise direction and has still allowed for the spring 8 to pull the top end 68 of the trigger 60 to rotate with the latch 20 (as a single piece) further in the clockwise direction. The forward groove surface 69F is still against the axle A1. At this moment of the arming process, the trigger 60 and the sear 40 have made their first contact with each other. FIG. 30 is where the sear 40 first contacts the trigger 60, and any further motion from FIG. 30 starts pushing the trigger 60 relative to the latch 20, as the sear 40 bottom tip 48 moves rearward, sliding up along the slanted forward end surface, or “ramp”, of the trigger arm 64 and pushes the trigger arm 64 counterclockwise on axle A1 and shifts the position of the top end groove 69 relative to the axle A1.

[0107] FIG. 31 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 6 of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since the last figure, the latch 20 and the sear 40 have continued to rotate and the trigger has rotated relative to the latch as evidenced by the shift in groove 69 relative to axle A1 to the extent that surface 69R is nearing axle A1. The sear has now slid rearward and upward along the ramp of the trigger arm 64 and has cleared it.

[0108] FIG. 32 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 7 of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since the last figure, string 8 has continued to be pulled rearward and the latch 20 and the sear 40 have continued to rotate. The sear 40 bottom tip 48 has moved rearward and has cleared the trigger arm 64 so the tip 48 no longer forces the trigger 60 counterclockwise, but the surface 69R of the groove 69 has impacted the axle A1. In FIG. 32, the rear side sear 40 has contacted the trigger 60 for the second time in the arming process, that is, the sear rear surface 49 has contacted the forwardmost corner 68C of the trigger top end 68. Thus, said second contact with the trigger is above the rotational axis of the trigger (pin P1) rather than below it (as was the case in the sear tip 48 being forced against the trigger arm 64). Further rearward (to the right in this figure) motion of the crossbow string 8 will force further clockwise rotation of the latch 20, which will force further counterclockwise rotation of the sear 40, whereby the sear rear surface 49 continues to push on said forward most corner 68C of the trigger top end 68, which continues to force the trigger 60 to rotate in the clockwise direction with aid from the spring 100. By the time / step shown in FIG. 33, the movement and force of the sear rear surface 49 against the trigger top end 68 has shifted the top end groove 69 relative to the axle A1 to the extent that the front groove surface 69F has impacted the axle A1.

[0109] FIG. 33 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 8 of the crossbow mechanism. Since the last figure, the crossbow string 8 has traveled further back (to the right in this figure). This has forced the latch 20 to rotate further in the clockwise direction and the sear 40 in the counterclockwise direction. The sear rearmost surface 49 of the sear 40, which is preferably flat / planar, is now flat against the forward surface 68F of the top end 68 of the trigger 60, which is preferably flat / planar. Since FIG. 33, the combined motion of the sear 40 and the force provided by the spring 100 have forced the trigger 60 to its maximum possible clockwise rotation, rotating relative to the crossbow body 2 and also relative to the latch 20, evidenced by the groove 69 shifting again to place front groove surface 69F tight against the axle A1. At this instance, the crossbow string 8 cannot be drawn further back (to the right in this figure), because doing so would require further clockwise rotation of the latch 20, which would require further counterclockwise rotation of the sear 40 that is not possible because the sear 40 is resting against the trigger. This creates a “stop” for the operator cocking the mechanism, which will make clear that the cocking step has been accomplished.

[0110] FIG. 34 shows Transient Cocking Configuration 9 of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since the last figure, the crossbow string 8 has been allowed to travel forward (to the left in this figure), by the operator relaxing somewhat his / her pulling force on the string. This has allowed a slight counterclockwise rotation of the latch 20 and a slight clockwise rotation of the sear 40. Note that the sear 40 has left said second contact (with the forward surface of the top end 68 of the trigger) and the tip 48 of the sear 40 in FIG. 34 is now contacting the trigger arm 64. This contacting the trigger arm 64 is about midway between the rear end of the arm (which is located-at / connected-to the main body of the trigger) and the distal / forwardmost tip of the trigger arm. Since FIG. 33, while the trigger has rotated with the latch 20 (as a unit) slightly counterclockwise, the trigger 60 has not rotated relative to the latch 20 (groove front surface 69F still tight against axle A1 as in FIG. 33), and is being supported in this state by the spring's 100 tension (another example supporting intermittent but not continual articulation). Since FIG. 33, the sear 40 rearmost surface has moved away from the forward surface of the trigger arm top end 68, and FIG. 34 depicts the instant that the sear again contacts the trigger 60 by the sear bottom tip 48 contacting the trigger arm upper surface about midway along the length of the arm.

[0111] FIG. 35 shows the Cocked Configuration of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since the last figure, the crossbow string has traveled further forward (to the left in this figure), due to the operator releasing the string from his / her hand. The operator release of the string and its traveling further forward has allowed the mechanism to again return to and rest in its cocked configuration as previously shown in FIGS. 10-16 and 18. Note that the operator has needed to take no action to cock the crossbow mechanism except to pull the string (FIGS. 26 through 33) and then to let go of the string (FIGS. 34 and 35). From FIG. 35 and the other discussion herein, one may understand what would happen if the operator dry fires the crossbow at this point in time, by pulling the trigger (or letting some object or accident hit the trigger to move it rearward) without first loading the bolt / projectile. The mechanism would move as if firing a bolt / projectile, but the dry stop, which is lowered in this cocked but not loaded view, would catch the string. The trigger would be recessed and a sign to a viewer that that the mechanism had become un-cocked (even though projectile / nothing was fired).

[0112] FIG. 36 shows Transient Loading Configuration 1 of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since the last figure, to begin loading the crossbow, the operator has slid the bolt backward / rearward (to the right in this figure) to contact the teal-colored dry stop.

[0113] FIG. 37 shows Transient Loading Configuration 2 of the crossbow mechanism 10. Since the last figure, the operator has continued to move the bolt backwards / rearward (to the right in this figure) which has forced the dry stop to rotate clockwise against the bias of the spring 100. None of the other mechanism components have moved since the last figure, except that the spring, in view of its connection to the dry stop, has been put under more tension and can be seen to have lengthened slightly.

[0114] FIG. 38 shows the Cocked and Loaded Configuration of the crossbow mechanism 10, which is a repeat of FIG. 19. Since FIG. 37, the operator has continued to move the bolt backwards (to the right in this figure) and the bolt has come to rest against the tensioned string 8. Now the mechanism 10 is both cocked and loaded with a bolt / projectile, as also shown in FIG. 19. The crossbow 1 and its mechanism 10 are ready for the operator to shoot, as in the sequence of FIGS. 19-24 and the resulting after-shooting un-cocked configuration of FIG. 25.

[0115] Certain embodiments of the invention may comprise apparatus, as described herein and shown in the drawings. Certain embodiments may comprise methods of providing, adapting, assembling, and / or using the apparatus, as described herein and in the drawings. Although this technology has been described above with reference to particular means, materials, methods, and embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosed technology is not limited to these disclosed particulars but extends instead to all equivalents within the broad scope of this disclosure and drawings and to all equivalents within the broad scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A crossbow mechanism for firing a projectile, the crossbow mechanism having components comprising:a latch adapted to hold a crossbow string, a trigger for actuating the crossbow mechanism to fire the projectile, a sear that engages the trigger to cock the crossbow mechanism, a dry stop for preventing dry fire, and a spring connected to multiple of said components.

2. The crossbow mechanism of claim 1, wherein the spring is connected to the trigger and to a rear portion of the dry stop.

3. The crossbow mechanism of claim 1, wherein the dry stop comprises a front hook that, in a cocked and unloaded configuration of the crossbow mechanism, extends down and in front of the crossbow string to prevent a dry fire of the crossbow mechanism.

4. The crossbow mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a trigger-latch connection adapted so that the spring being connected to the trigger biases all of the trigger, the latch, and the sear, to spring-fire the crossbow mechanism after initial pulling of the trigger.

5. The crossbow mechanism of claim 1, wherein the latch rotates on a latch axis of rotation and the trigger is connected to the latch and rotates on a trigger axis of rotation, wherein the latch and the trigger axes of rotation are not coaxial.

6. The crossbow mechanism of claim 4, wherein the latch rotates on a latch axis of rotation and the trigger rotates on a trigger axis of rotation, wherein the latch and the trigger axes of rotation are not coaxial.

7. The crossbow mechanism of claim 5 further comprising axles extending from a crossbow body in which the crossbow mechanism is incorporated, the axles comprising a latch axle that extends through the latch to provide the latch axis of rotation.

8. The crossbow mechanism of claim 7, wherein the latch comprises a right and a left half connected together by a plurality of pins, the plurality of pins comprising a forward latch pin and a rearward latch pin, wherein the trigger is connected to the latch by the trigger being rotatably mounted on the rearward pin.

9. The crossbow mechanism of claim 8, wherein the axles further comprise a sear axle on which the sear is rotatably mounted, and the sear comprises an elongated slot that slidably and rotatably receives the front latch pin.

10. The crossbow mechanism of claim 9, wherein the trigger comprises a forwardly extending trigger arm and the sear comprises a downwardly depending portion having a sear bottom tip adapted to engage the trigger arm in a cocked configuration.

11. The crossbow mechanism of claim 10, wherein the trigger arm comprises an upwardly extending trigger arm lip against which the sear tip abuts when the crossbow mechanism is in the cocked configuration so that said downwardly depending portion is retained above and in contact with the trigger arm.

12. The crossbow mechanism of claim 10, wherein the downwardly depending portion of the sear has a sear rear surface and rotation of the latch during cocking pulls the forward latch pin upward to rotate the sear to place the sear rear surface to flat against a forward surface of the trigger top end.

13. The crossbow mechanism of claim 10, wherein the trigger comprises a top end having a trigger groove that receives the latch axle, wherein the spring biases the trigger to rotate on the rearward latch pin to move the trigger groove relative to the latch axle to place a forward surface of the trigger groove against the latch axle in the cocked configuration of the crossbow mechanism.

14. The crossbow mechanism of claim 13, wherein the latch and the trigger articulate by rotating relative to each other multiple times during operation of the crossbow mechanism and not rotating relative to each other at other times during operation of cocking the crossbow mechanism.

15. The crossbow mechanism of claim 14, wherein, when a bottom end of the trigger is pulled rearward in a starting portion of firing the crossbow mechanism, the trigger and latch articulate by the trigger rotating relative to the latch, the trigger arm moves away from the sear bottom tip, and the trigger top end moves forward whereby the trigger groove moves forward relative to the latch axle to place a rearward surface of the trigger groove against the latch axle.

16. The crossbow mechanism of claim 15, wherein, during a portion of cocking of the crossbow mechanism by force of the crossbow string being pulled rearward in the latch, the latch and trigger rotate as a unit and do not articulate.

17. The crossbow mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the dry stop comprises a dry stop hook at a front end of the dry stop, and the latch comprises forward latch hooks and rearward latch hooks and a latch recess between the forward latch hooks and the rearward latch hooks for receiving the string, wherein the spring biases the dry stop to rotate so that, when the string is in the latch recess and the crossbow mechanism is cocked and not loaded with a projectile, the dry stop hook is in front of the string in the latch recess to prevent dry fire.

18. The crossbow mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the dry stop comprises a dry stop hook at a front end of the dry stop, and the latch comprises forward latch hooks and rearward latch hooks and a latch recess between the forward latch hooks and the rearward latch hooks for receiving the string, wherein when the spring is in the latch recess and behind the dry stop hook and the spring is released by an operator when the crossbow mechanism is not cocked, the dry stop hook catches the string to prevent dry fire.

19. The crossbow mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the spring is a single spring connected to the dry stop and the trigger, the trigger is rotatably connected to the latch, the sear is slidably and rotatably connected to the latch, and the trigger is engageable with the sear, whereby the single spring biases all of the dry stop, trigger, latch, and sear during multiple steps of operation of the crossbow mechanism.

20. The crossbow mechanism as in claim 19, wherein the spring biasing all of the dry stop, trigger, latch and sear also biases the crossbow mechanism to move to and rest in two steady states comprising a cocked configuration and an un-cocked configuration, and not a configuration in-between the cocked and un-cocked configurations.

21. The crossbow mechanism of claim 19, wherein, when the crossbow is in the un-cocked configuration, a bottom end of the trigger is in a trigger cavity recessed into a crossbow body, in which the crossbow mechanism is incorporated, and is not visible.

22. The crossbow mechanism of claim 21, wherein, when the crossbow is in a cocked configuration, a bottom end of the trigger is outside of the trigger cavity and is visible to indicate the cocked configuration.

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