U.S. patent application number 11/258111 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-27 for crossbow cocking and stringing device.
Invention is credited to Derrick John Middleton.
Application Number | 20060086346 11/258111 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36226929 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060086346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Middleton; Derrick John |
April 27, 2006 |
Crossbow cocking and stringing device
Abstract
The present invention provides a crossbow stringing and cocking
device whereby one person may easily and safely draw back the
string of a crossbow to engage the trigger mechanism for shooting
of a projectile, and may also be utilized to unstring and string
the bow. The invention utilizes a pulley system, mounted inside the
barrel for convenience and safety.
Inventors: |
Middleton; Derrick John;
(Burlington, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ralph A. Dowell of DOWELL & DOWELL P.C.
2111 Eisenhower Ave
Suite 406
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
36226929 |
Appl. No.: |
11/258111 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60621941 |
Oct 26, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 5/12 20130101; F41B
5/1469 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/025 |
International
Class: |
F41B 5/12 20060101
F41B005/12 |
Claims
1. A crossbow comprising: A longitudinally extending main beam
having a longitudinally extending track thereon; a pair of
outwardly extending arms having distal ends, said pair of outwardly
extending arms extending transversely from opposite sides of said
longitudinally extending main beam; a crossbow bowstring attached
to said distal ends of said pair of outwardly extending arms; a
crossbow trigger mechanism mounted on said longitudinally extending
main beam; a claw member mounted to move along said longitudinally
extending track of said longitudinally extending main beam, said
claw member having a first attachment point on a first side of said
longitudinally extending track and a second attachment point on a
second side of said longitudinally track, said claw member being
capable of moving said crossbow bowstring from a first uncocked
position to a second cocked position in said crossbow trigger
mechanism; and a crossbow bowstring drawing mechanism including a
first string member along said first side of said longitudinally
extending track, said first string member having a distal end
attached to said first attachment point of said claw member, and a
second string member along said second side of said longitudinally
extending track, said second string member having a distal end
attached to said second attachment point of said claw member, said
crossbow drawing mechanism being capable of retracting said first
string member and said second string member along said
longitudinally extending track at substantially the same rate.
2. The crossbow in accordance with claim 1, wherein said crossbow
bowstring drawing mechanism includes a first hub member positioned
on said first side of said longitudinally extending track to
retract and store said first string member thereon and a second hub
member positioned on said second side of said longitudinally
extending track to retract and store said second string member
thereon.
3. The crossbow in accordance with claim 1, wherein said claw
member is capable of moving said crossbow bowstring from a second
cocked position back to a first uncocked position.
4. A crossbow bowstring cocking mechanism for a crossbow having a
longitudinally extending main beam, a pair of outwardly extending
arms having distal ends, the pair of outwardly extending arms
extending transversely from opposite sides of the longitudinally
extending main beam, a bowstring attached to the distal ends of the
pair of outwardly extending arms and a trigger mechanism mounted on
the longitudinally extending main beam, said cocking mechanism
comprising: a claw member selectively mounted to move along the
longitudinally extending main beam, said claw member having a first
claw side positioned on a first side of the main beam and a second
claw side positioned on a second side of the main beam, said claw
member being capable of moving the bowstring between a first
uncocked position and a second cocked position in the crossbow
trigger mechanism; at least one string member forming a first
string section along the first side of the main beam, said first
string section engaging said first claw side; and a second string
section along the second side of the main beam, said second string
section engaging said second claw side, and a drawing mechanism
being capable of retracting said first and said second string
sections along the main beam at substantially the same rate.
5. A crossbow cocking device comprising a drawing mechanism for
converting rotational power from an input source into longitudinal
movement of at least one string member coupled to said drawing
mechanism, said at least one string member also being operatively
connected to a bowstring engaging member to cause corresponding
longitudinal movement of said engaging member upon operation of
said input source, wherein said drawing mechanism includes a
retraction device to cause retraction of said at least one string
member in association with said drawing mechanism when said
bowstring engaging member is not engaged with a bowstring.
6. The crossbow cocking device in accordance with claim 5, wherein
said drawing mechanism includes a reduction gearing system to
convert rotational power from said input source into said
longitudinal movement of said claw member at a predetermined gear
ratio.
7. The crossbow cocking device in accordance with claim 5, wherein
said at least one string member includes a first string portion
operatively connected to a first side of said claw member, and a
second string portion operatively connected to a second side of
said bowstring engaging member, said drawing mechanism being
capable of retracting said first string portion and said second
string portion at substantially the same rate.
8. The crossbow cocking device in accordance with claim 7, wherein
said drawing mechanism includes a first hub member to retract and
store said first string portion thereon and a second hub member to
retract and store said second string portion thereon and at least
one spring member, wherein said hubs are spring loaded by said
spring member allowing them to rewind said string portions
automatically when said hub members are free to rotate and when
said string portions are not under a restraining force.
9. The crossbow cocking device in accordance with claim 5, wherein
said drawing mechanism is capable of moving said bowstring engaging
member and a crossbow bowstring engaged therewith from a cocked
position back to a uncocked position.
10. The crossbow cocking device in accordance with claim 5, wherein
said drawing mechanism includes a selectively positionable locking
mechanism, wherein said locking mechanism is positionable to
prevent release of said at least one string member while allowing
retraction of said at least one string member.
11. The crossbow cocking device in accordance with claim 5, wherein
said device is contained in a housing.
12. The crossbow cocking device in accordance with claim 11,
wherein said housing is mounted integral to a stock of a crossbow.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 60/621,941 filed Oct. 26, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to crossbows.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is well known that crossbows are difficult to cock due to
the powerful limbs that are used by this equipment. Over the
centuries various apparatus has been developed to provide an easier
method for drawing a bow string for engagement with a trigger
mechanism. Such devices have included levers, windlasses, built-in
pulley systems that are attached to the stock of the bow as well
portable rope and pulley means. All of these devices provided some
degree of mechanical advantage.
[0004] Earlier attempts to assist with cocking have been overly
complex such as those described in related United States patents
all by Bednar, being, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,286,496, 6,095,128 and
6,874,491. These devices preferably are utilized in connection with
additional power sources such as hand cranks, powered motors, or
powered screwdrivers to assist the user in cocking the crossbow.
Redundancy for safety purposes is also not incorporated into these
devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
cocking device that is less expensive to produce than existing
systems.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
cocking device that provides easier storage of the cocking
device.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
cocking device that provides redundancy for safety in the event of
breakage of a cable or handle during cocking.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
cocking device that is easier to operate than existing devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood,
the preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by
way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a bottom view, partly in section, showing a
crossbow with the cocking device;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a close up side view of the string, handle and
pulley;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a bottom view, partly in section, showing both
tackles engaged with the string;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a user cocking a crossbow using the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] In order to more clearly understand the present invention
part numbers as assigned in the following parts list will be used:
TABLE-US-00001 Part Number Description 2 Barrel 3 Prod 4 String 5
Stock 6 Forestock 7 Tackle 8 Handles 9 Opening in Barrel 10 Trigger
Latch 11 Cable 12 Spring 13 Trigger Mechanism 14 Stirrup 15
Pulley
[0015] A preferred embodiment of the crossbow-cocking device is
illustrated in the drawing figures. The conventional crossbow is
shown from different angles, as shown in FIGS. 1. & 3. A user
is seen utilizing the cocking mechanism of the present invention is
FIG. 4. In FIG. 2 a close up is shown of the handles 8 and tackles
7, as stored.
[0016] Such a conventional crossbow has a stock with a first end
and a second end, a first side and a second side, and prods or
limbs 3 attached proximal to the first end of the main beam or
barrel that is mounted within the stock 5. A string 4 is attached
to the prod or limbs and a trigger mechanism 13 located
intermediate the first end and the second end of the stock and beam
combined length.
[0017] The cocking device is comprised of a pair of guide means
each of which have an attaching means, also called tackles 7,
attached to the barrel 2, as in FIG. 1. for removable attachment to
the bowstring. Both guide means engage a cord or the like, that has
a first and a second end. Each guide means is retractably connected
to a cable 11 uncoiled and straight as possible or rope that has
been attached to a compact constant force spring 12 for retraction
when not in use. Within the barrel 2 of the cross bow the cable 11
or rope has been attached to one of the ends of a constant force
spring 12 or other means for retracting.
[0018] By generally simultaneously pulling handles 8 on the first
and second ropes or cables the cocking means is extracted at point
9 from the barrel 2 and stretched toward the string 4 of the
crossbow. Once the block and tackle are attached to both sides of
the crossbow string (FIG. 4) the operator bends down toward the
handles 8, grabs them, and pulls them toward himself while bending
upward making sure his foot is in the stirrup 14. This procedure
stretches the string to a point that it is able to engage the
trigger latch 10 within the barrel that is located between the
first and the second end of the said crossbow leaving it in a state
ready to be fired or discharged.
[0019] The typical crossbow generally consists of longitudinally
extending main beam, or barrel member 2 and two outwardly extending
limb members or member 3, which extend transversely on opposite
sides from main beam or barrel member. The crossbow bowstring 4 is
strung between the distal ends of outwardly extending limbs 3.
Stock generally includes a rear portion or tailstock 5 having an
integrally formed butt portion that is normally positioned against
the user's shoulder when crossbow is being aimed and/or fired. The
stock further includes a forestock 6 for holding the main beam or
barrel 2, which may be integral to the tailstock 5, or may be
provided as a separate member secured therewith.
[0020] In the preferred embodiment shown, the barrel 2 is a
separate member which may be formed of a strong but lightweight
material such as aluminum. Extruded aluminum allows for the
mounting of the cocking system that resides in the hollow chamber
or chambers of the extrusion.
[0021] In one example of this invention the cocking device is
comprised of a pair of guide means shown generally as handles (left
and right) and removable hooks 7 and pulley 15, also referred to as
block and tackle 7. As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 1. the
pulley is comprised of a block and a sheave 7. In the preferred
embodiment the main beam or barrel 2 is formed from aluminum but
may be made from any suitable material. A cord or cable 11 is
provided having a first end and a second end, as illustrated in
FIG. 1 & FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the first end of the cable 11
passing through the pulley 15 of the guide means or block and
tackle 7 and attached thereafter to a handle 8 to aid in the
cocking process. The other end of cable 11 enters the barrel 2 on
opposing sides of the same at 9 somewhat rear of the string
latching means 10, from the out side of the barrel 2 continuing to
the inside of the extrusion or other and attached thereto 12.
[0022] In the preferred embodiment a constant force spring 12 is
used due to its compact size and its excellent characteristics of
equal not increasing force throughout its extension, as would be
found in extension of coil springs, elastic or surgical tubing as
well, gas or air filled shocks and lastly a spring loaded hub that
usually includes a clock type spring that has an increase force as
it is wound and needs ample space for mounting or installation of
such a hub system.
[0023] Handle 8 is attached for removable attachment to 16 the two
are of equal shape in tapered dimensions like male and female, the
handle 8 is larger dimensionally than 16. Both have a complimenting
taper with the greater of the tapers facing the butt end, thus the
handles are secure due to the fit and secondly by the constant
force spring that has a constant force on them in the direction of
the larger tapers.
[0024] In the operating position as seen in FIG. 2. each guide
means 7 is removed from holder 16 that is attached to 2 and pull
extracted from hole 9. Once the length of cable is extracted from
the barrel or main beam 2 where it resides when not in use, the
hooks or block and tackle 7 are extended toward the prod 3 and
attached to the bow string 4. Each hook is attached at a point
adjacent to opposing sides of the barrel. The handles 8 one per
side as illustrated are pulled in both hands on separate sides of
this barrel with your foot in 14, the mechanical advantage of the
pullies which in this case is 50% between the pair of guide
means.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment the cord is made from woven
nylon fibers; however, the cord may be constructed of any suitable
material, as well using the one pulley per side we have a
mechanical advantage of 50%. Anyone skilled in this art would be
able to accommodate a multiple pulley system with increased
mechanical advantage that could also be used in the extruded
chambers; one could also reverse the whole assembly to operate from
the opposite end.
[0026] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among
those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently
attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above
article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is
intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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