Patent ID: 7784453
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: F41B

Abstract:
1. A draw mechanism for a crossbow, the draw mechanism comprising: a drive gear arranged to be rotated by a user of the crossbow; a coupling gear coupled to the drive gear; a retaining member mounted coaxially with the coupling gear; a one-way rotary clutch arranged to couple the retaining member and the coupling gear to allow their relative rotation in a first rotation direction and to substantially prevent their relative rotation in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction; a retainer arranged to releasably engage the retaining member to retard or prevent rotation of the retaining member when engaged and to permit substantially unrestricted rotation of the retaining member when released; a rotary drive member coupled to the coupling gear; a tension member engaged with the rotary drive member; and a releasable catch connected to the tension member and arranged to retain a bowstring of the crossbow as it is drawn, wherein the draw mechanism is further arranged so that: rotation of the coupling gear in the first rotation direction causes the rotary drive member to tension the tension member to move the catch in a first direction to draw the crossbow; engagement of the retainer with the retaining member substantially retards or prevents rotation of the coupling gear in the second rotation direction thereby retarding or preventing movement of the catch in a second direction opposite the first direction; and release of the retaining member by the retainer allows rotation of the retaining member and the coupling gear in the second rotation direction thereby allowing movement of the catch in the second direction.