Crossbow Cocking Winch with Asymmetric Alignment Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crossbow cocking devices face difficulties in being easily and securely attached to crossbows for quick removal during repair, replacement, transportation, or storage, and lack improved structures for aligning the main winch body with the crossbow.

Innovation Solution

A cocking winch apparatus with a winch body featuring a ratcheting mechanism, alignment member, cylindrical support shaft, take-up spools, and a bowstring hook, allowing for remounting and de-mounting to align with the crossbow stock, facilitating easy attachment and detachment while maintaining alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cocking device is made securely attached to the crossbow, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the ease of removal for repair, replacement, transportation or storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cocking device is divided into separable components: a winch body that attaches to the crossbow stock, and a separate handle assembly that attaches to the winch body. This segmentation allows the winch body to remain securely attached to the crossbow while the handle can be easily removed for storage or transportation, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism incorporates dynamic characteristics through a threaded connection system that allows the handle to be easily screwed onto and off the winch body. The threaded interface provides secure attachment during use while enabling quick detachment when needed, balancing reliability with ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the winch body structure is complex to ensure secure attachment, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the alignment precision with the crossbow deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment member features an asymmetric tapered geometry that complements a corresponding asymmetric recess in the crossbow stock. This asymmetric design ensures precise alignment during attachment while the tapered shape facilitates easy insertion and secure engagement, resolving the contradiction between complex structure and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment member is designed to perform preliminary alignment of the winch body with the crossbow stock before final attachment is made. The tapered alignment member guides the winch body into the correct position and orientation, ensuring precise alignment is achieved automatically during the attachment process without requiring complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient cocking of the crossbow by allowing easy alignment and secure attachment, reducing clutter, and improving aiming and firing by allowing the winch to be removed after locking the bowstring, thus enhancing usability and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a winch body having an upper portion with a ratcheting mechanism therein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRatcheting mechanism: Ratchet

Implementation Method 2

a spring for biasing the pawl towards the ratchet wheel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 3

a tensioning cable having a first end attached to the first take-up spool, a second end attached to the second take-up spool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS8443790B2Cocking winch apparatus for a crossbow, crossbow system including the cocking winch apparatus, and method of using same
Publication Date: 2013.05.21 FERADYNE OUTDOORS LLC
  • US8443790B2 patent drawing
  • US8443790B2 patent drawing
  • US8443790B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A crossbow having a bowstring cocking winch apparatus, a cocking winch apparatus usable with a crossbow, and a method of operating the apparatus are described. The cocking winch apparatus includes a projecting alignment member having a non-round cross-sectional shape, where the alignment member is removably securable to a butt portion of a crossbow stock by inserting the alignment member into a correspondingly-shaped hole formed in the stock. The cocking winch apparatus provides a straight and balanced draw to the crossbow bowstring, enabling a user to easily cock the bowstring by rotating a handle to draw the bowstring back, and to place it in cocked position in the crossbow trigger mechanism.