U.S. patent application number 14/591190 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-07 for weapon stabilizing device and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Barnett Outdoors, LLC. Invention is credited to David A. Barnett.
Application Number | 20160195361 14/591190 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56286310 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160195361 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barnett; David A. |
July 7, 2016 |
WEAPON STABILIZING DEVICE AND METHOD
Abstract
A weapon stabilizing device for stabilizing a weapon during use.
The device includes a spool member configured to release and
retract an anchor line with rotation of the spool member. A lock
member prevents rotation of the spool member in a locked position
and allows rotation of the spool member in a released position.
Actuation of an activation member switches the lock member from a
default position to an activated position. The default position may
be the locked position or the released position. When the default
position is the locked position, the activated position is the
released position. When the activated position is the released
position, the activated position is the locked position. A spool
spring may provide continuous positive rotation of the spool spring
in the released position. The weapon stabilizing device may be
connected to or within a base of a weapon.
Inventors: |
Barnett; David A.; (Tarpon
Springs, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Barnett Outdoors, LLC |
Tarpon Springs |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56286310 |
Appl. No.: |
14/591190 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41B 5/12 20130101; F41C
27/22 20130101; F41C 27/00 20130101; F41C 33/001 20130101; F41C
23/02 20130101; F41G 11/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41C 27/00 20060101
F41C027/00 |
Claims
1. A weapon stabilizing device, comprising: an anchor line
operatively connected to a spool member, wherein rotation of the
spool member releases and retracts the anchor line; a lock member
operatively associated with the spool member, wherein in a locked
position the lock member prevents rotation of the spool member,
wherein in a released position the lock member allows the spool
member to rotate, and wherein a default position of the lock member
is the locked position or the released position, wherein the lock
member is operatively associated with the spool member through a
gear, wherein the gear is operatively connected to the spool member
such that the spool member rotates with the gear, wherein the gear
includes a plurality of gear teeth, and wherein a lock protrusion
of the lock member engages one of the gear teeth to prevent the
gear and the spool member from rotating in the locked position; an
activation member operatively associated with the lock member,
wherein actuation of the activation member switches the lock member
from the default position to an activated position, wherein the
activated position is the locked position when the default position
is the released position, and wherein the activated position is the
released position when the default position is the locked position;
an attachment member operatively connected to the spool member,
wherein the attachment member is configured for attachment to a
base of a weapon for stabilizing the weapon during use; and a guide
member operatively associated with the lock member and the
activation member, wherein the guide member is configured to
maintain the lock member in the default position, and wherein
actuation of the activation member pivots the guide member relative
to the lock member for transferring the lock member into the
activated position.
2. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, further comprising a
spool housing disposed around the spool.
3. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, further comprising an
anchor attachment member operatively attached to a distal end of
the anchor line.
4. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, further comprising a
spool spring operatively associated with the spool member, wherein
the spool spring rotatively biases the spool member.
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, further comprising a
brake member configured to engage and maintain tension in the
anchor line in the locked position.
8. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, further comprising a
lock spring operatively associated with the lock member, the lock
spring biasing the lock protrusion toward the gear teeth to set the
locked position as the default position.
9. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 8, further comprising a
guide spring biasing the guide member toward the lock member to
maintain the lock member in the locked position when the activation
member is not actuated.
10. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, further comprising a
lock spring operatively associated with the lock member, the lock
spring biasing the lock protrusion away from the gear teeth to set
the released position as the default position.
11. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 10, further comprising a
guide spring biasing the guide member away from the lock member to
maintain the lock member in the released position when the
activation member is not actuated.
12. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein the spool
member and the lock member are disposed within a housing, wherein
the attachment member is operatively connected to the housing, and
wherein the attachment member is configured to engage a Picatinny
rail of the base of the weapon.
13. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein the spool
member and the lock member are disposed within a housing, wherein
the attachment member is operatively connected to the housing, and
wherein the attachment member includes one or more bolts or
screws.
14. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein the
attachment member includes a foregrip configured for attachment to
the base of the weapon.
15. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein the
activation member includes a flexible strap.
16. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein the
activation member includes a rigid member.
17. The weapon stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein the
activation member includes a button mechanism.
18. A weapon comprising: a base cavity in a base of the weapon; a
base plate configured to close the base cavity; a spool member
disposed within the base cavity; an anchor line partially disposed
within the base cavity and operatively connected to the spool
member, wherein rotation of the spool member releases and retracts
the anchor line from the base cavity; a lock member disposed within
the base cavity and operatively associated with the spool member,
wherein in a locked position the lock member prevents rotation of
the spool member, wherein in a released position the lock member
allows the spool member to rotate, wherein a default position of
the lock member is the locked position or the released position,
wherein the lock member is operatively associated with the spool
member through a gear, wherein the gear is operatively connected to
the spool member such that the spool member rotates with the gear,
wherein the gear includes a plurality of gear teeth, and wherein a
lock protrusion of the lock member engages one of the gear teeth to
prevent the gear and the spool member from rotating in the locked
position; an activation member partially disposed within the base
cavity and operatively associated with the lock member, wherein
actuation of the activation member switches the lock member from
the default position to an activated position, wherein the
activated position is the locked position when the default position
is the released position, and wherein the activated position is the
released position when the default position is the locked position;
and a guide member operatively associated with the lock member and
the activation member, wherein the guide member is configured to
maintain the lock member in the default position, and wherein
actuation of the activation member pivots the guide member relative
to the lock member for transferring the lock member into the
activated position; wherein the weapon is configured to shoot an
arrow, a bullet, or a shotgun shell.
19. The weapon of claim 18, wherein the base plate includes a
foregrip of the weapon.
20. The weapon of claim 18, wherein the weapon comprises an archery
bow, a crossbow, a rifle, a shotgun, or a pistol.
21. (canceled)
22. The weapon of claim 18, further comprising an anchor attachment
member operatively attached to a distal end of the anchor line.
23. A method of stabilizing a weapon during use, comprising the
steps of: a) providing a weapon stabilizing device comprising: an
anchor line operatively connected to a spool member, wherein
rotation of the spool member releases and retracts the anchor line;
a lock member operatively associated with the spool member, wherein
in a locked position the lock member prevents rotation of the spool
member, wherein in a released position the lock member allows the
spool member to rotate, wherein a default position of the lock
member is the locked position or the released position, wherein the
lock member is operatively associated with the spool member through
a gear, wherein the gear is operatively connected to the spool
member such that the spool member rotates with the gear, wherein
the gear includes a plurality of gear teeth, and wherein a lock
protrusion of the lock member engages one of the gear teeth to
prevent the gear and the spool member from rotating in the locked
position; an activation member operatively associated with the lock
member, wherein actuation of the activation member switches the
lock member from a default position to an activated position; a
guide member operatively associated with the lock member and the
activation member, wherein the guide member is configured to
maintain the lock member in the default position, and wherein
actuation of the activation member pivots the guide member relative
to the lock member for transferring the lock member into the
activated position; and an attachment member operatively connected
to the spool member; b) connecting the attachment member to a base
of a weapon, wherein the weapon is configured to shoot arrows,
bullets, or shotgun shells; c) pulling a distal end of the anchor
line away from the spool member; d) securing the distal end of the
anchor line to an anchor object; and e) firing the weapon.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the default position is a
locked position in which the lock member prevents rotation of the
spool member, wherein the activated position is a released position
in which the lock member allows the spool member to rotate, and
wherein step (c) further comprises: actuating the activation member
to place the lock member in the released position and pulling the
distal end of the anchor line away from the spool member.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein actuation of the activation
member in step (c) causes the lock protrusion to disengage from the
gear teeth to allow the gear and the spool member to rotate.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein the default position is a
released position in which the lock member allows the spool member
to rotate, wherein the activated position is a locked position in
which the lock member prevents rotation of the spool member, and
wherein step (e) further comprises: actuating the activation member
to place the lock member in the locked position to prevent further
release or retraction of the anchor line and firing the weapon.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein actuation of the activation
member in step (e) causes the lock protrusion to engage one of the
gear teeth to prevent the gear and the spool member from
rotating.
28. The method of claim 23, wherein the weapon stabilizing device
further includes an anchor attachment member operatively connected
to the distal end of the anchor line, and wherein step (d) further
comprises: securing the anchor attachment member to the anchor
object.
29. The method of claim 23, wherein the anchor object includes a
user's foot, a user's belt, a portion of a tree, or a tree
stand.
30. The method of claim 23, wherein the weapon includes an archery
bow, a crossbow, a rifle, a shotgun, or a pistol.
31. The method of claim 23, wherein step (b) further comprises
connecting the attachment member to a Picatinny rail on the base of
the weapon.
32. The method of claim 23, wherein step (b) further comprises
connecting the attachment member to the base of the weapon with one
or more bolts or screws.
33. The method of claim 23, wherein the attachment member includes
a foregrip, and wherein step (b) further comprises connecting the
foregrip to the base of the weapon so that the spool member and the
lock member are disposed within the base of the weapon.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0001] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stabilizing device.
[0002] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the stabilizing
device.
[0003] FIG. 3 is a side view of the stabilizing device.
[0004] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stabilizing device with
an anchor attachment member secured to a housing of the stabilizing
device.
[0005] FIG. 5 is a front view of the stabilizing device with the
anchor attachment member secured to the housing.
[0006] FIG. 6 is an internal side view of the stabilizing
device.
[0007] FIG. 7 is an internal cross-section of the stabilizing
device taken from line A-A in FIG. 6.
[0008] FIG. 8 is an internal exploded view of the stabilizing
device.
[0009] FIG. 9 is another internal exploded view of the stabilizing
device.
[0010] FIG. 10 is a side view of the stabilizing device attached to
a crossbow stock.
[0011] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the stabilizing device
attached to the crossbow stock.
[0012] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the stabilizing device in
use.
[0013] FIG. 13 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the
stabilizing device connected to a crossbow stock.
[0014] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the stabilizing device of
FIG. 13 connected to the crossbow stock.
[0015] FIG. 15 is a side view of the stabilizing device of FIG. 13
connected to a crossbow stock with an anchor attachment member
secured to the stabilizing device.
[0016] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the stabilizing device of
FIG. 13 connected to a foregrip shell of a crossbow stock.
[0017] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the stabilizing device of
FIG. 13.
[0018] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the stabilizing device of FIG.
13.
[0019] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the stabilizing device
taken along line A-A in FIG. 18.
[0020] FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the stabilizing device of
FIG. 13.
[0021] FIG. 21 is another exploded view of the stabilizing device
of FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate weapon stabilizing device 10.
Stabilizing device 10 includes housing 12, anchor line 14, and
attachment mechanism 16. Stabilizing device 10 may be configured to
allow release or retraction of anchor line 14. Housing 12 may be
formed of a metal, a plastic, or another polymer. Anchor line 14
may be formed of any linear object (e.g., a string, a cord, or a
cable) of any durable material (e.g., a nylon, a polymer, or a
metal). In one embodiment, anchor line 14 may be formed of a steel
cable covered with a polymer coating, which is commercially
available from Loos and Co. Attachment mechanism 16 may be
configured to connect housing 12 to a base of a weapon, which will
be described in more detail below. Anchor attachment member 18 may
be operatively connected to distal end 20 of anchor line 14. Anchor
attachment member 18 may be formed of any object capable of
securing distal end 20 of anchor line 14 to another object to
provide tension in anchor line 14 between housing 12 and the other
object. For example, anchor attachment member 18 may be formed of a
carabiner clip (shown in FIGS. 1-3), which may be attached to
another object or may be attached to anchor line 14 to form loop 22
of anchor line 14.
[0023] Stabilizing device 10 may include activation member 24.
Actuation of activation member 24 may switch stabilizing device 10
from a default position into an activated position. In one
embodiment, the default position of stabilizing device 10 may
prevent release or retraction of anchor line 14, but actuation of
activation member 24 may allow anchor line 14 to be released from
or retracted into housing 12 (i.e., the activated position). In
another embodiment, the default position of stabilizing device 10
may allow anchor line 14 to be released from or retracted into
housing 12, but actuation of activation member 24 may prevent
release or retraction of anchor line 14 (i.e., the activated
position). Anchor line 14 and activation member 24 may each be
partially disposed within housing 12. Activation member 24 may be
formed of a flexible strap, a rigid member, a button mechanism, or
any other item capable of switching stabilizing device 10 from the
default position into the activated position.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, housing 12 may include
recess 26 having one or more protrusions 28. Protrusions 28 may be
dimensioned and shaped to fit within openings of anchor attachment
member 18 in order to secure anchor attachment member 18 within
recess 26 of housing 12 as shown in FIG. 4. In this way anchor
attachment member 18 may be stored when stabilizing device 10 is
not in use.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 5, attachment mechanism 16 may be
formed of a Picatinny rail. Side members 30 and 32 may each include
tapered upper shoulder 34 and 36, respectively. Bolt 38 may be
disposed through an aperture in each of side members 30 and 32.
[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of stabilizing device 10
without housing 12, i.e., an internal view. Pin members 50, 52, 54,
and 56 may be used to secure housing 12 onto the internal assembly.
Gear 58 may include a plurality of gear teeth 60 around its
circumference. Lock member 62 may be disposed along the
circumference of gear 58. Lock member 62 may include lock
protrusion 64 configured to engage gear teeth 60. A proximate end
of lock member 62 may be pivotally attached to lock axis member 66.
Lock spring 68 may pivotally bias lock member 62 toward gear 58, in
turn biasing lock protrusion 64 toward the plurality of gear teeth
60.
[0027] Guide member 70 may be operatively associated with lock
member 62. Guide spring 71 disposed around guide axis member 72 may
pivotally bias guide member 70 toward lock member 62 and gear 58.
Guide member 70 may further include brake member 74. A distal end
of lock member 62 may be pivotally attached to release axis member
76. Proximal end 78 of activation member 24 may also be attached to
release axis member 76. Guide member 70 may engage release axis
member 76 and, due to the pivotal bias provided by guide spring 71,
guide member 70 may push release axis member 76 along with the
distal end of lock member 62 toward gear 58. In this way, lock
member 62 may lock gear 58 thereby preventing rotation of gear 58.
In the embodiment of stabilizing device 10 shown in FIG. 6, lock
spring 68 and guide spring 71 may set this locked position as the
default position of stabilizing device 10. In the locked position,
brake member 74 of guide member 70 may press anchor line 14 against
pin member 54, thereby maintaining tension on anchor line 14 within
housing 12.
[0028] Actuation of activation member 24 may switch stabilizing
device 10 from a default position to an activated position. Where
activation member 24 is a flexible strap, activation member 24 may
be activated by pulling activation member 24 away from gear 58.
Actuation of activation member 24 will transfer release axis member
76 along with distal end of lock member 62 away from gear 58, which
in turn may disengage lock protrusion 64 from gear teeth 60
allowing rotation of gear 58. With this movement of release axis
member 76, guide member 70 may be pivoted away from gear 58. In
this way, actuation of activation member 24 may switch stabilizing
device 10 from the default locked position to the activated
position, which is a released position. In the released position,
gear 58 may rotate allowing release or retraction of anchor line
14. In this position, brake member 74 of guide member 70 may be
rotated away from pin member 54 such that anchor line 14 may easily
move through the space between brake member 74 and pin member 54.
Upon terminating the actuation of activation member 24, the gear
spring and gear member 70 may cause the release axis member 76 to
move to its original position, thereby engaging gear teeth 60 with
lock protrusion 64 (i.e., returning stabilizing device 10 to the
default locked position). Where activation member 24 is a rigid
member or a button mechanism, activation member 24 may be actuated
by pushing, pressing, twisting, or simply touching activation
member 24.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 7-9, stabilizing device 10 may
further include spool 80 for housing anchor line 14. One or more
extensions 81 of gear 58 may engage recesses 82 in the front face
of spool 80 to rotationally lock spool 80 to gear 58. Accordingly,
in the locked position, spool 80 may be prevented from rotating
about central axis assembly 83. In the released position, spool 80
may be allowed to rotate in order to release or retract anchor line
14. Spool spring 84 may be operatively connected and rotationally
locked to spool 80. For example, pin extension 86 of spool 80 may
engage receptacle 88 of spool spring 84 such that rotation of spool
spring 84 rotates spool 80. Spool spring 84 may provide positive
rotation of spool 80 in the released position. In other words,
spool spring 84 continuously retracts anchor line 14 in the
released position, unless an opposite force is applied to distal
end 20 of anchor line 14. Spool housing 90 may be disposed around
spool 80 to maintain the position of anchor line 14 on spool 80.
Each internal component of stabilizing device 10 may be formed of a
metal, a polymer, or any other durable material.
[0030] Stabilizing device 10 may be attached to a base of a weapon
for stabilizing the weapon during use. For example, attachment
member 16 of stabilizing device 10 may be attached to the bottom of
crossbow stock 100 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this embodiment,
side members 30, 32 of attachment member 16 may slide along
Picatinny rail 102 of crossbow stock 100. The interaction of
tapered upper shoulders 34, 36 of attachment member 16 with
Picatinny rail 102 may secure stabilizing device 10 to crossbow
stock 100. Once stabilizing device 10 is positioned at the desired
location along Picatinny rail 102, bolt 38 may be inserted through
the apertures of side members 30, 32 to lock stabilizing device 10
into place. In alternate embodiments, stabilizing device 10 may be
attached to an archery bow, a rifle, a shotgun, or a pistol. In
other embodiments, attachment member 16 may be formed of one or
more bolts or screws that are secured to the base of the
weapon.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 12, with stabilizing device 10
attached to weapon 105, activation member 24 may be actuated to
place stabilizing device 10 in the released position. Anchor line
14 may be pulled from housing 12 and anchor attachment member 18
may be secured to an anchor object, such as the user's foot 106.
Other suitable anchor objects include, but are not limited to, a
user's belt, a portion of a tree, or a treestand. It should be
understood that any stable object may be used as the anchor object.
In one embodiment, anchor attachment member 18 may be secured to
another portion of anchor line 14 in order to form loop 22. Loop 22
may be placed around the user's foot 106 for stabilizing weapon 105
while firing weapon 105.
[0032] Once anchor attachment member 18 is secured to a suitable
anchor object, activation member 24 may be released to return
stabilizing device 10 to the locked position. The user may fire the
weapon with stabilizing device 10 secured thereto as described.
Stabilizing device 10 may provide additional stability to the front
end of the weapon during use to increase the user's precision.
[0033] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate stabilizing device 110 connected
to crossbow stock 112. Stabilizing device 110 may include
positioning member 114 connected to Picatinny rail 116 of crossbow
stock 112. Stabilizing device 110 may be configured to retract and
release anchor line 118 from within foregrip 120 of crossbow stock
112. Anchor attachment member 122 may be connected to a distal end
of anchor line 118. As shown in FIG. 15, anchor attachment member
122 may be secured to peg 124 on positioning member 114.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 16, positioning member 114 of
stabilizing device 110 may be formed of a Picatinny rail. Side
member 126 and 128 may each include tapered upper shoulder 130 and
132, respectively. Bolt 134 may be disposed through an aperture in
each of side members 126 and 128. In one embodiment, peg 124 is
formed of an end of bolt 134. Positioning member 114 may also an
aperture to receive anchor line 118. As anchor line 118 slides
through the aperture of positioning member 114, anchor line 118 may
slide over guide surface 136, which may have a concave surface for
accommodating the shape of anchor line 118.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, stabilizing device 110 may
include internal portion 140 connected within foregrip 120 of
crossbow stock 112. In other words, foregrip 120 may form a housing
of stabilizing device 110. Internal portion 140 may include gear
142 and spool 144. Gear 142 may include a plurality of gear teeth
146. Anchor line 118 may be wrapped around spool 144 for storage.
Activation member 148 may be configured to switch stabilizing
device 110 from a default position to an activated position. In
this embodiment, activation member 148 may be formed of a rigid
button mechanism.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 19-21, internal portion 140 of
stabilizing device 110 may also include upper plate 150, lower
plate 152, and internal housing 154. Spool 144 may be rotationally
locked to gear 142 through the interaction of extensions 156 of
gear 142 with recesses 158 in the front face of spool 144. Spool
housing 159 may be disposed around spool 144 to maintain the
position of anchor line 118 on spool 144. Lock member 160 may
engage one of gear teeth 146 in order to prevent gear 142 and spool
144 from rotating and thereby preventing anchor line 118 from being
released or retracted in the locked position. Spring 162 may be
disposed around lock member 160 and may bias lock member 160 toward
gear 142 through the interaction of spring 162 and inner surface
164 of internal housing 154. In this way, the default position of
stabilizing device 110 may be a locked position. It should be
understood that other embodiments of stabilizing device 110 may be
configured with the default position being a released position.
Upper plate 150 may be attached to an upper end of internal housing
154. Lower plate 150 may be attached to a lower end of internal
housing 154 and a lower end of spool housing 159.
[0037] Guide arm 166 may be disposed within internal housing 154.
Guide arm 166 may be pivotally disposed around arm axis member 168,
which is disposed through aperture 170 in guide arm 166. First end
172 of guide arm 166 may be connected to activation member 148 with
pin 174. Second end 176 of guide arm 166 may be connected to
coupling link 178 with pin 180. Coupling link 178 may also be
connected to lock member 160 with pin 182. Spring 186 may be
disposed below guide arm 166 around arm axis member 168. Activation
member 148 may be actuated by applying force to activation member
148. Guide arm 166 may be positioned parallel to internal housing
154 in the locked position. Actuation of activation member 148 may
cause guide arm 166 to pivot about arm axis member 168. In other
words, first end 172 of guide arm 166 is transferred in one
horizontal direction and second end 176 of guide arm 166 is
transferred in the opposite horizontal direction. This horizontal
movement of second end 176 of guide arm 166 may pull lock member
160 away from gear 142, thereby allowing gear 142 and spool 144 to
rotate and allow anchor line 118 to be released or retracted. In
this way, actuation of activation member 148 may switch stabilizing
device 110 from the default locked position into the released
position. Once the force applied to activation member 148 is
discontinued, spring 186 may cause arm axis member 168 to rotate
thereby forcing guide arm 166 back into the parallel position of
the locked position, which pushes lock member 160 into engagement
with gear teeth 146. In this way, spring 186 biases guide arm 166
toward lock member 160.
[0038] Spool spring 187 may be operatively connected and
rotationally locked to spool 144. Spool spring 187 may provide
positive rotation of spool 144 in the released position. In other
words, spool spring 187 continuously retracts anchor line 118 in
the released position, unless an opposite force is applied to the
distal end of anchor line 118.
[0039] Lower housing 188 may be attached to lower plate 152. Brake
member 190 may be pivotally connected to lower housing 188 through
pin 192. An upper end of brake member 190 may be disposed within
internal housing 154. Specifically, shoulder 194 on the upper end
of brake member 190 may engage distal end 196 of lock member 160.
Anchor line 118 may be disposed through recess 198 of brake member
190. In the locked position shown in FIG. 19, brake member 190 is
tilted relative to lower housing 188 such that recess 198 pinches
anchor line 118, which further prevents release or retraction of
anchor line 118 and also maintains tension on anchor line 118. As
lock member 160 moves away from gear 142 when activation member 148
is actuated and guide arm 166 pivots, distal end 196 of lock member
160 may push shoulder 194 of brake member 190 such that brake
member 190 is moved into a vertical position in which anchor line
118 may freely slide through recess 198 of brake member 190.
[0040] Referring again to FIG. 13, a user may actuate activation
member 148 of stabilizing device 110 to switch stabilizing device
110 into the released position in order to pull the distal end of
anchor line 118 and secure anchor attachment member to an anchor
object as described above. The user may release activation member
148 in order to lock the length of anchor line 118 that is
withdrawn from stabilizing device 110. After use, the user may
again actuate activation member 148 in order to retract anchor line
118 into spool 144 within foregrip 120 of crossbow 112. It should
be noted that stabilizing device 110 may be connected to a foregrip
or other component in a base of a weapon, such as an archery bow, a
rifle, or a shotgun.
[0041] In one embodiment, the stabilizing device is configured with
the released position as the default position such that actuation
of the activation member places the stabilizing device in the
locked position in which the gear and spool member are prevented
from rotating.
[0042] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments are
illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be
defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of
equivalents, many variations and modifications naturally occurring
to those skilled in the art from a review hereof.
* * * * *