Crossbow bumpers

In some embodiments, a crossbow comprises a bow portion comprising a prod and a stock attached to the prod. A bumper comprises the forwardmost surface of the crossbow. The bumper comprises first contacting surface and a second contacting surface. The first contacting surface is oriented at a non-zero angle to the second contacting surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to crossbows and more particularly to crossbows having footers or bumpers.

During a crossbow cocking operation, a user can secure the crossbow on the ground by stepping on a stirrup. A stirrup is often the forward-most structure of a crossbow, and can be unsightly and bulky. A stirrup may have a relatively small contact patch with the ground, acting as a pivot point rather than providing a desirable level of stability.

There remains a need for novel crossbow designs that provide improvements over prior designs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, a crossbow comprises a bow portion comprising a prod and a stock attached to the prod. A bumper comprises the forwardmost surface of the crossbow. The bumper comprises first contacting surface and a second contacting surface. The first contacting surface is oriented at a non-zero angle to the second contacting surface.

In some embodiments, the non-zero angle ranges from 10 to 30 degrees.

In some embodiments, a crossbow comprises a second bumper shaped similar to the first bumper.

In some embodiments, a crossbow comprises a bow portion comprising a prod and a stock attached to the prod, the stock defining a shooting axis. A first bumper and a second bumper are located on opposite sides of the shooting axis. The first and second bumpers comprise the forwardmost surfaces of the crossbow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3show views of an embodiment of a crossbow10. In some embodiments, a crossbow10comprises a stock12, a latch14, a trigger16and a bow portion20. In some embodiments, a bow portion20comprises a prod30, at least one limb22and a bowstring28. In some embodiments, the bow portion20comprises a compound bow, for example having one or more rotatable members24and at least one power cable26.

In some embodiments, the prod30is attached to the stock12. In some embodiments, the prod30and the stock12comprise a self-aligning attachment interface, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,341,430.

In some embodiments, the prod30comprises a foot-engagement surface32suitable to engage a foot, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,618,294. In some embodiments, the foot-engagement surface32comprises a treaded surface, a plurality of protrusions and recesses, etc. In some embodiments, foot-engagement surface(s) are provided on a first side (e.g. rear side) of the prod30, and the bumper(s)40are provided on a second side (e.g. front side or opposite side) of the prod30.

In some embodiments, the crossbow10comprises a bumper40. In some embodiments, a bumper40is constructed and arranged to contact the ground or supporting surface as the crossbow10is being cocked. In some embodiments, the bumper40comprises the forwardmost structure of the crossbow10. In some embodiments, the bumper40extends forward beyond the bow portion20and beyond the stock12.

In some embodiments, the crossbow10comprises a second bumper42. In some embodiments, the first bumper40and second bumper42are located on opposite sides of the shooting axis18.

In some embodiments, a bumper40comprises an elastomeric material or other material that provides a relatively high coefficient of friction, which helps the bumper40to engage a supporting surface.

In some embodiments, a bumper40comprises a first surface portion44and a second surface portion46, wherein the second surface portion46is oriented at a non-zero angle to the first surface portion44. Desirably, each of the surface portions44,46provides a stable base for the crossbow10in a predetermined orientation.

In some embodiments, the first surface portion44is oriented orthogonal to the shooting axis18.

In some embodiments, the second surface portion46is oriented at an angle to the first surface portion44, with the angle ranging from approximately 10 degrees to approximately 45 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle ranges from 10 to 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle ranges from 15 to 25 degrees. As shown inFIG. 3, the second surface portion46is oriented at approximately 20 degrees to the first surface portion44.

In some embodiments, the first surface portions44of the first bumper40and the second bumper42are oriented on a common plane. In some embodiments, the common plane is orthogonal to the shooting axis18. In some embodiments, the second surface portions46of the first bumper40and the second bumper42are oriented on a second common plane.

In some embodiments, the bumper(s)40,42are attached to the prod30. In some embodiments, the prod30comprises a leg34arranged to receive the bumper40. In some embodiments, a leg34extends forward beyond any other portion of the prod30.

FIG. 4shows an embodiment of a prod30and an embodiment of a bumper40detached from the prod30. In some embodiments, the prod30comprises a leg36extending outward from a body of the prod30. In some embodiments, a leg36is provided for each bumper40. In some embodiments, the leg(s)36comprise the forwardmost surface(s) of the prod30. In some embodiments, the leg34comprises a cavity36arranged to receive a portion of a bumper40. In some embodiments, a bumper40comprises a stem48that is received in the cavity36. In some embodiments, a fastener50is used to attach the bumper40to the prod30, such as a set screw.

FIG. 5shows the crossbow10ofFIG. 4with both bumpers40,42disengaged from the prod30. In some embodiments, a prod30comprises a first leg34arranged to engage a first bumper40and a second leg34barranged to engage a second bumper42.

In some embodiments, the crossbow10further comprises a stirrup60that can be received by the prod30. In some embodiments, the stirrup60can be received in the cavities36that are arranged to receive a bumper40. In some embodiments, a stirrup60comprises a first stem62and a second stem62b, and a stem62of a stirrup60can be sized and shaped similarly to the stem48of a bumper40. In some embodiments, a first stirrup stem62can be received in a cavity36of a first leg34, and a second stirrup stem62bcan be received in a cavity36of a second leg34b.

FIG. 6shows another view of an embodiment of a crossbow10. In some embodiments, a leg36comprises a contacting surface56. In some embodiments, the contacting surface56comprises the forwardmost portion of the prod30.

In some embodiments, a bumper40comprises a cavity47. In some embodiments, a portion of the leg36is oriented in the cavity47. In some embodiments, the cavity47comprises a floor49, and the floor49abuts the contacting surface56of the leg36.

In some embodiments, a stem48extends from the cavity47of the bumper40. In some embodiments, a stem48extends from the floor49of the cavity47.