Patent Application
20250027740
The present disclosure deals with crossbows.
Crossbows have been used for centuries for both hunting and recreation. They are traditionally characterized by horizontal limbs mounted on a stock with a bowstring that is drawn to store energy that is transferred to an arrow upon firing. In some instances, the crossbow may be a compound crossbow, which uses a system of cables and pulleys to bend the limbs of the crossbow. The pulley and cam system may create a mechanical advantage for the user of the crossbow that allows the limbs of the crossbow to be stiffer and more energy efficient than in a standard crossbow. In some designs, the cams of a compound crossbow may be attached directly to the limbs of the crossbow. However, aspects of the present disclosure address a different type of crossbow arrangement.
Certain embodiments include an archery bow in the form of a crossbow. The crossbow may include a stock assembly including a rail with a rail groove, a nock point and a trigger mechanism. A first bracket assembly may be pivotally attached to the stock assembly, wherein the first bracket assembly includes a first roller and a first primary cam. A first limb has a rearward end attached to the stock assembly. A first roller engages a forward end of the first limb. A second bracket assembly is pivotally attached to the stock assembly. The second bracket assembly includes a second roller and a second primary cam. The second limb has a rearward end attached to the stock assembly. A second roller engages a forward end of the second limb. The first limb and the second limb extend on opposite lateral sides of the stock assembly. A bowstring extends between the first primary cam and the second primary cam. When the bowstring is pulled along the rail toward the nock point, the bowstring and control cables pull the first primary cam and the second primary cam toward the stock assembly thereby causing the first bracket assembly and the second bracket assembly to pivot toward the stock assembly, wherein during the pivoting the first roller bends the first limb toward the stock assembly to flex and store energy and the second roller bends the second limb toward the stock assembly to flex and store energy.
In certain embodiments, a rearward end of the first bracket assembly is pivotally attached to a first riser and a rearward end of the second bracket assembly is pivotally attached to a second riser. In alternate embodiments, the first bracket assembly is pivotally attached to the stock assembly adjacent a forward end of the rail and the second bracket assembly is pivotally attached to the stock assembly adjacent a forward end of the rail.
The first bracket assembly may include a first top pivot bracket and a first bottom pivot bracket. A first gap may be defined between the first top pivot bracket and the first bottom pivot bracket. The first roller may be positioned within the first gap between the first top pivot bracket and the first bottom pivot bracket. The second bracket assembly may include a second top pivot bracket and a second bottom pivot bracket. A second gap may be defined between the second top pivot bracket and the second bottom pivot bracket. The second roller may be positioned within the second gap between the second top pivot bracket and the second bottom pivot bracket. In some examples, the forward end of the first limb extends into the first gap to engage the first roller, and the forward end of the second limb extends into the second gap to engage the second roller.
In some aspects, the first roller may roll along a surface of the forward end of the first limb as the first roller bends the first limb toward the stock assembly. Similarly, the second roller may roll along a surface of the forward end of the second limb as the second roller bends the first limb toward the stock assembly.
A method may comprise pulling a bowstring rearwardly along a rail of a crossbow stock assembly toward a nock point. Thereby pivoting a first bracket assembly mounted to the stock assembly toward the stock assembly and pivoting a second bracket assembly mounted to the stock assembly toward the stock assembly. Pivoting the first bracket assembly rolls a first roller along a surface of a first limb thereby bending the first limb toward the stock assembly and pivoting the second bracket assembly rolls a second roller along a surface of a second limb thereby bending the second limb toward the stock assembly. The bowstring may be held at a nock point and then a trigger mechanism of the crossbow may be pulled, releasing the bowstring from the nock point of the crossbow. Energy stored in the first limb and the second limb is released and the first limb and the second limb flex outward when the bowstring is released from the nock point, causing the bowstring to move forward along the rail.
Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Certain embodiments of the disclosure are shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present disclosure may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
Directional terms, such as forward, rearward, top, bottom, etc., are used in this description with reference to the specific embodiment shown and used for purposes of clarity. It should be recognized that these terms are not meant to be limiting. For the purposes of this description, the term “forward” refers to the direction moving toward the front end of the barrel, where a bullet exits upon being fired. The term “rearward” refers to a direction moving toward the grip end of the firearm.
A perspective view of a crossbow 100 is illustrated in
As shown in more detail in
Optionally, the stock assembly 110 may also include a stock cap 122 that is positioned above and connected to the rear stock 112. An accessory rail 124 may be attached to the stock cap 122. In some embodiments, the accessory rail 124 may be a Picatinny rail; however, in other embodiments, the accessory rail 124 may be any other suitable variety of accessory rail. In some instances, the accessory rail 124 may serve as a mount for a scope or other desired form of optic sight for the crossbow 100.
As shown in the top view of crossbow 100 illustrated in
Each riser 132, 134 is connected to the stock assembly 110 with first riser 132 on a first side of rail 125 and second riser 134 on a second side of rail 125. In the embodiment shown, the first riser 132 and second riser 134 are integrally attached to each other. However, in other embodiments, the risers 132, 134 may be separate pieces that are connected together or separately connected to the stock assembly 110 and/or rail 125.
First riser 132 may include an optional first limb pocket 133, and second riser 134 may include an optional second limb pocket 135. In the embodiments shown, the limb pockets 133, 135 are each attached at an outer edge of the respective riser 132, 134. A rearward end of the first limb 142 connects to the first riser 132 at first limb pocket 133 and the first limb extends in the forward direction with respect to the first riser 132. Likewise, a rearward end of the second limb 144 connects to the second riser 134 at second limb pocket 135 and the second limb extends in the forward direction with respect to the second riser 134. In other embodiments, the first limb 142 may be directly attached to the first riser 132 and the second limb 144 may be directly attached to the second riser 134 instead of using the limb pockets 133, 135. In still other embodiments, other suitable structures for attaching the limbs 142, 144 to the risers 132, 134 may be used.
Each of the limbs 142, 144 is formed from a material that allows the limbs 142, 144 to flex and store energy as the bolt is drawn to the nock point 196 of the crossbow 100. Although in the embodiment shown, the limbs 142, 144 are coupled to the risers at the limb pockets 133, 135, it should be recognized that in other embodiments, other suitable methods or suitable structures for coupling the limbs 142, 144 to the risers 132, 134 may be used.
In the embodiment illustrated in
The first bracket assembly 150 is pivotally connected to the first riser 132 at a first bracket connection 158 that allows the first bracket assembly 150 to pivot with respect to the first riser 132. The first bracket connection 158 is positioned between the first limb pocket 133 and the rail 125. In the embodiment shown, the first bracket connection 158 is positioned rearward of the trigger mechanism 118 of the crossbow 100. In some examples, the first bracket connection 158 is formed by a shoulder screw that is inserted through an opening in the first top pivot bracket 153 and inserted at least partially into the first riser 132. Likewise, the first bracket connection 158 may also include a second shoulder screw that is inserted through an opening in the first bottom pivot bracket 154 and inserted at least partially into the first riser 132. In other embodiments, the first bracket connection 158 may be any suitable connector for pivotally attaching the first bracket assembly 150 to the first riser 132. In some embodiments, the first bracket connection 158 may extend completely through the first riser 132 and through the openings in the first top pivot bracket 153 and the first bottom pivot bracket 154.
The second bracket assembly 160 includes a second top pivot bracket 163 that is connected to a top side of the second riser 134 and includes a second bottom pivot bracket 164 that is connected to a bottom side of the second riser 134. A second gap 165 is formed between the second top pivot bracket 163 and the second bottom pivot bracket 164, and second limb 144 may extend at least partially within the second gap 165. A second roller 166 may be rotatably mounted on an axle and may be positioned within the second gap 165, between the second top pivot bracket 163 and the second bottom pivot bracket 164. Additionally, a second bracket support 167 may be positioned between the second top pivot bracket 163 and the second bottom pivot bracket 164 to provide additional support to the second bracket assembly 160. In the embodiment shown, the second bracket support 167 is located rearward of the second roller 166.
The second bracket assembly 160 is connected to the second riser 134 at a second bracket connection 168 that allows the second bracket assembly 160 to pivot with respect to the second riser 134. The second bracket connection 168 is positioned between the second limb pocket 135 and the rail 125. In the embodiment shown, the second bracket connection 168 is positioned rearward of the trigger mechanism 118 of the crossbow 100. In some examples, the second bracket connection 168 is formed by a shoulder screw that is inserted through an opening in the second top pivot bracket 163 and inserted at least partially into the second riser 134. Likewise, the second bracket connection 168 may also include a second shoulder screw that is inserted through an opening in the second bottom pivot bracket 164 and inserted at least partially into the second riser 134. In other embodiments, the second bracket connection 168 may be any suitable connector for pivotally attaching the second bracket assembly 160 to the second riser 134. In some embodiments, the second bracket connection 168 may extend completely through the second riser 134 and through the openings in the second top pivot bracket 163 and the second bottom pivot bracket 164.
When the limbs 142, 144 are connected to the respective risers 132, 134, one end of each limb 142, 144 is positioned within a respective limb pocket 133, 135. For example, a rearward end of first limb 142 is attached to first riser 132 at first limb pocket 133 and a rearward end of second limb 144 is attached to second riser 134 at second limb pocket 135. First limb 142 extends forward from first limb pocket 133 and at least a portion of first limb 142 is positioned within the first gap 155 formed between the first top pivot bracket 153 and the first bottom pivot bracket 154 of first bracket assembly 150. A forward end of first limb 142 is in rolling contact with first roller 156. In the embodiment shown, an outer surface of the forward end of first limb 142 is in contact with an inner surface of the roller first 156, so that the first roller 156 is positioned outside of the forward end of first limb 142. In this arrangement, the forward end of first limb 142 is positioned between the first roller 156 and the rail 125.
Similarly, second limb 144 extends forward from second limb pocket 135 and at least a portion of second limb 144 is positioned within the second gap 165 formed between the second top pivot bracket 163 and the second bottom pivot bracket 164 of second bracket assembly 160. A forward end of second limb 144 is in rolling contact with second roller 166. In the embodiment shown, an outer surface of the forward end of second limb 144 is in contact with an inner surface of the second roller 166, so that the second roller 166 is positioned outside of the forward end of second limb 144. In this arrangement, the forward end of second limb 144 is positioned between the second roller 166 and the rail 125.
As shown in
A first axle 176 extends through the first primary cam 172, the first top pivot bracket 153, the first secondary cam 174, and the first bottom pivot bracket 154. The first axle 176 allows the first primary cam 172 and the first secondary cam 174 to rotate about the same axis. In some embodiments, the first axle 176 may be integral to the first secondary cam 174. In other embodiments, the first axle 176 may be a separate piece from the first secondary cam 174 and/or may be a component made from several segments. Similarly, a second axle 186 extends through the second primary cam 182, the second top pivot bracket 163, the second secondary cam 184, and the second bottom pivot bracket 164. The axle allows the second primary cam 182 and the second secondary cam 184 to rotate about the same axis. In some embodiments, the second axle 186 may be integral to the second secondary cam 184. In other embodiments, the second axle 186 may be a separate piece from the second secondary cam 184 and/or may be a component made from several segments.
As shown in
In operation, an arrow is placed on the rail 125 and engages the bowstring 190. The bowstring 190 and the arrow are pulled rearwardly along the rail 125 toward the nock point 196 of the crossbow where the bowstring 190 is held until released upon operation of the trigger mechanism 118.
As shown in
When the trigger mechanism 118 is pulled, the bowstring 190 is released from the nock point 196. The energy stored in the limbs 142, 144 is released and the first limb 142 and the second limb 144 flex outwardly away from the rail 125. The energy from the limbs 142, 144 is transferred to the bowstring 190, causing the bowstring 190 and the arrow to move forward along the rail 125. In more detail, as the limbs 142, 144 flex outwardly, each limb 142, 144 applies force on the respective roller 156, 166, causing the first bracket assembly 150 and the second bracket assembly 160 to pivot outwardly with respect to the rail 125. As the first bracket assembly 150 and the second bracket assembly 160 pivot outwardly, the first primary cam 172 and the second primary cam 182 are pulled away from each other and rotate, thereby propelling the bowstring and arrow forward.
An alternate embodiment of a crossbow 200 is illustrated in
A first rail mount bracket 292 and a second rail mount bracket 294 are attached on opposite sides of the rail 225. The rail mount brackets 292, 294 are positioned forward of the risers 232, 234. In the embodiment shown, the rail mount brackets 292, 294 are located near a forward end of the rail 225.
A triangular first pivoting bracket 252 is pivotally attached to the first rail mount bracket 292 at a first bracket connection 258. The first bracket connection 258 allows the first pivoting bracket 252 to hinge or pivot with respect to the first rail mount bracket 292 about the first bracket connection 258. In the embodiment shown, the first pivoting bracket 252 includes a forked end 253 and a first roller 256 that is positioned within the forked end 253. In some instances, the forked end 253 of the first pivoting bracket 252 may be positioned reward of the first bracket connection 258.
A second pivoting bracket 262 is pivotally attached to the second rail mount bracket 294 at a second bracket connection 268. The second bracket connection 268 allows the second pivoting bracket 262 to hinge or pivot with respect to the second rail mount bracket 294 about the second bracket connection 268. In the embodiment shown, the second pivoting bracket 262 includes a forked end 263, as shown in
A first primary cam 272 and a first secondary cam 274 are attached to the first pivoting bracket 252 so that the first primary cam 272 and the first secondary cam 274 may rotate with respect to the first pivoting bracket 252. Similarly, a second primary cam 282 and a second secondary cam 284 are attached to the second pivoting bracket 262 so that the second primary cam 282 and the second secondary cam 284 may rotate with respect to the second pivoting bracket 262. In the embodiments shown, the first primary cam 272 and the first secondary cam 274 are positioned forward of the first roller 256 and the second primary cam 282 and the second secondary cam 284 are positioned forward of the second roller 266.
The first limb 242 extends forward from the first limb pocket 233 so that a forward end of the first limb 242 is in rolling contact with the first roller 256 positioned in the forked end 253 of the first pivoting bracket 252. The second limb 244 extends forward from the second limb pocket 235 so that a forward end of the second limb 244 is in rolling contact with the second roller 266 positioned in the forked end 263 of the second pivoting bracket 262.
In operation, the crossbow 200 works similarly to crossbow 100. An arrow is placed on the rail 225 and engages a bowstring 290 to pull the bowstring 290 rearwardly along the rail 225 as the arrow is moved toward a nock point 296 of the crossbow where the bowstring 290 is held until released upon operation of the trigger mechanism 218. As the bowstring 290 is pulled rearwardly, the primary cams 272, 282 are pulled toward each other, inwardly in the direction of the rail 225. As the primary cams 272, 282 are pulled toward each other, the first pivoting bracket 252 rotates about the first bracket connection 258 in an inward direction, toward rail 225, and the second pivoting bracket 262 rotates about the second bracket connection 268, in an inward direction, toward rail 225. As first pivoting bracket 252 rotates about first bracket connection 258, first roller 256 applies force on first limb 242, causing first limb 242 to flex inwardly toward rail 225 and store energy. Likewise, as second pivoting bracket 262 rotates about second bracket connection 268, second roller 266 applies force on second limb 244 causing the second limb 244 to flex inwardly toward rail 225 store energy.
When the trigger mechanism 218 is pulled, the bowstring 290 is released from the nock point 296. The energy stored in the limbs 242, 244 is released and the first limb 242 and the second limb 244 flex outwardly away from the rail 225. The energy from the limbs 242, 244 is transferred to the bowstring 290, causing the bowstring 290 and the arrow to move forward along the rail 225. As the limbs 242, 244 flex outwardly, each limb 242, 244 applies force on the respective roller 256, 266, causing the first pivoting bracket 252 and the second pivoting bracket 262 to pivot outwardly with respect to the rail 225. As the first pivoting bracket 252 and the second pivoting bracket 262 pivot outwardly, the first primary cam 272 and the second primary cam 282 are pulled away from each other.
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure defined by following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.
