Crossbow Trigger Safety Mechanism for Automatic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional crossbows lack reliable safety devices to prevent accidental arrow projection during loading, which can harm users or others, and existing safety devices are not automatically actuated or reliable.
Innovation Solution
A crossbow with a trigger and safety apparatus comprising a box, string hook, trigger unit, string safety unit, and trigger safety unit, where the string hook is biased to lock the string in place, and the trigger safety unit is automatically locked during loading and unlocked for arrow projection, ensuring safety through spring mechanisms and movable safety elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If no safety device is equipped on the crossbow, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing accidental arrow projection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The safety apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: a trigger unit with trigger and lever, a string safety unit with stopper, and a trigger safety unit with safety element. Each module independently performs specific safety functions, allowing the system to provide comprehensive safety coverage while maintaining manageable complexity through functional segmentation.
2Reliability
If a conventional safety device is equipped that can only be actuated after string loading, then the device complexity is slightly increased, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the user must remember to actuate it
Solution Approach 1:
The safety element is pre-positioned to automatically engage with the lever at specific points during the loading process. The stopper is preliminarily configured to interact with the lever's movement path, ensuring that safety engagement occurs automatically at the appropriate moment without requiring user intervention or memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety apparatus performs self-service by automatically engaging and disengaging the safety element based on the lever's position during loading and firing. The mechanism monitors its own state and adjusts the safety condition accordingly, eliminating the need for separate user action to activate or deactivate safety features.
3Device complexity
If a simple safety device is equipped that can only lock the trigger, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because it can be easily disabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two safety functions into a unified apparatus: the string safety unit prevents premature string release, while the trigger safety unit prevents unauthorized trigger actuation. Both units work together through the lever mechanism to provide layered safety protection that is more reliable than either function alone and cannot be easily disabled without affecting both safety mechanisms.
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
The solution provides a reliable and automatic safety mechanism that prevents accidental arrow projection, ensuring user and bystander safety by ensuring the trigger is locked during loading and can be safely unlocked for arrow discharge.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is used for biasing the string hook to the releasing position
Implementation Method 2
Another spring is used for biasing the lever
Implementation Method 3
Another spring is used for biasing the restraining element so that the upper end of the restraining element abuts against the rear portion of the string hook to keep the string hook in the hooking position
Implementation Method 4
Another spring is used for biasing the stopper so that the upper portion of the stopper is inserted in the passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A crossbow includes a stock, a bow connected to the stock, a string connected to the bow, a string loader for loading the string, and a trigger and safety apparatus for controlling the string. The trigger and safety apparatus includes a trigger unit, a trigger safety unit and a string safety unit. Due to the use of the string safety unit, loading and locking of the string are synchronously executed, and loading of the arrow and disabling of the string safety unit are synchronously executed. The trigger safety unit is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position. In the locking position, the trigger safety unit unlocks the trigger unit.