Crossbow with a release mechanism

A trigger mechanism for use in a crossbow comprises a housing having a first slot formed in a first side and a second slot formed in a second side opposite the first side. A trigger lever, a bowstring catch and a disarm mechanism are all moveably mounted in the housing. The catch has a first end configured to engage the trigger lever and a second end configured to retain the bowstring in a cocked position. The disarm mechanism is partially positioned in the second slot and is moveable between a fixed first position proximate the housing second slot toward a second disarm position toward the housing first slot. As the disarm mechanism moves from the first position into the second position, it engages the trigger lever causing it to move out of engagement with the catch first end allowing the user to release the bowstring using the bowstring cocking device from the trigger mechanism without having to engage the trigger.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to crossbows and in particular to a release mechanism for un-cocking a crossbow.

Crossbows have been used since the middle ages. Crossbows have evolved to include cams and synthetic split limbs that greatly increase firing velocity. However, increased firing velocity creates a problem when a crossbow is dry-fired in order to release the bowstring from a cocked position into an un-cocked position without firing a bolt or arrow. Unloaded or dry firing impacts can damage the bowstring, limbs, cams and other components. Dry firing also creates a safety concern. The invention addresses the problems at hand by allowing the crossbow users to uncock the bowstring without dry firing or engaging the trigger with user's hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a trigger mechanism for use in a crossbow having a bowstring. The trigger mechanism comprises a housing that encloses the various parts of the trigger mechanism. In various embodiments, the housing may encompass a first slot formed thorough a first side of the housing and a second slot formed through a second side of the housing opposite the first side. The first slot may be configured to receive the bowstring of the cross bow when the crossbow is cocked, and the second slot may be configured to receive a portion of a bowstring cocking device when a user is cocking or releasing the bowstring. In various embodiments, the housing may encompass (1) a trigger lever, (2) a catch and (3) a disarm mechanism. In various embodiments, the housing may further comprise a trigger lever rotatably mounted in the housing. In some embodiments, the trigger lever may comprise a trigger that extends (partially or completely) outside the housing. In some embodiments, the trigger mechanism may comprise a catch rotatably mounted in the housing. The catch may have a first end configured to engage with the trigger lever and a second end configured to retain a bowstring in a cocked position. In various embodiments, the catch is moveable between a first cocked positions and a second release position.

In various embodiments, a disarm mechanism may have a first portion in operative engagement with the trigger lever, a second portion in operative engagement with a release switch and a third portion that may be at least partially positioned in the second slot. In some embodiments, the third portion of the disarm mechanism is configured to be engaged by a bowstring cocking device. In some embodiments, when the release switch is in a first position the disarm mechanism is retained in a first fixed position. In these and other embodiments, when the release switch is in a second position the user may use the bowstring cocking device to release the bowstring from the cocked position into an un-cocked resting position. The disarm mechanism is configured to move from a first position into a second position in which the disarm mechanism causes the trigger lever to move out of engagement with the catch first end, which allows the catch to move from the catch first position into the catch second position.

In various embodiments, the disarm mechanism is slidably mounted in the housing and has a first portion that is configured to operatively engage the trigger lever. In some of these embodiments, the trigger lever has a trigger first portion configured to operatively engage the catch first end and a trigger lever second portion configured to operatively engage the disarm mechanism first portion. In various embodiments, the trigger mechanism further comprises a safety mechanism that is moveable between (1) a safety on first position in which the safety mechanism impedes movement (e.g., rotation) of the trigger lever; and (2) a firing second position in which the safety mechanism allows the trigger lever to move out of engagement with the catch first end when the trigger is engaged by the user.

In various embodiments, when the release switch is in the second position, the disarm mechanism can move (e.g., slide, rotate, etc.) toward the housing first slot out of the fixed first position and into the second position thereby biasing the trigger lever out of engagement with the catch first end, which allows the catch to move from the catch first position into the catch second position. In various embodiments, a bowstring cocking device can be used to move the disarm mechanism from the first position into the second position. In some of these embodiments, the trigger lever comprises a trigger lever first portion that is pivotally coupled to the trigger lever and that is biased into a first portion first position by a spring.

In various embodiments, the trigger mechanism further comprises a crossbow having: (1) an elongated body; (2) a first limb coupled to a first end of the elongated body; (3) a second limb coupled to the elongated body first end; and (4) a bowstring having a bowstring first end operatively coupled to the first limb and a bowstring second end operatively coupled to the second limb, and the trigger mechanism is coupled to the elongated body so that the housing first slot aligns with a path on which the bowstring travels when moved into the cocked position. In some embodiments, the bowstring cocking device comprises: (1) an elongated rope having a first end and a second end; (2) a first handle coupled to the rope first end and a second handle coupled to the rope second end; (3) a first hook and a second hook, wherein the first and second hooks are positioned on the rope intermediate the first and second handles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments will now be described more fully herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various relevant embodiments are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Overview

A crossbow contains a trigger mechanism having a two-piece housing, a trigger lever, a bowstring catch, a safety switch and a disarm mechanism. The housing has a first slot formed in a first side of the housing and a second slot formed in a second side of the housing opposite the first side. The first slot is configured to receive a bowstring of a crossbow when the bow string is pulled into the cocked position and the second slot is configured to receive a portion of a bowstring cocking device when the bowstring cocking device is used to either cock the crossbow or release the bowstring from a cocked position without firing or dry firing the crossbow.

The trigger lever is moveably (e.g., slidable, rotatable, etc.) mounted in the housing and has a trigger coupled to the trigger lever that extends at least partially from the bottom of the housing. In various embodiments, the trigger may be integrally formed with the trigger lever, or in other embodiments, the trigger may be connected to the trigger lever using any suitable fastener (e.g., a bolt, a pin, a rivet, weldments, etc.).

The disarm mechanism is moveably (e.g., slidable, rotatable, etc.) mounted in the housing and is moveable between a fixed first position and a disarm second position. In various embodiments, when the disarm mechanism moves from the first position into the second position, the disarm mechanism moves toward the housing first slot. A disarm switch is moveably (e.g., slidable, rotatable, etc.) mounted in the housing and is moveable between a first position in which the disarm mechanism is maintained in the fixed first position and a disarm second position. Thus, when the disarm switch is in the first position, the disarm mechanism is maintained in the fixed first position, and when the disarm switch is in the second position, the disarm mechanism is moveable from the first position into a second position in which the disarm mechanism causes the trigger lever to move out of engagement with the bowstring catch. As a result, the bowstring catch may rotate from a cocked first position into a firing section position. In various embodiments, the disarm mechanism may be moved from the first position into the second position when a user uses the bowstring cocking device to release the bowstring from the cocked position. That is, when the user pulls on the bowstring cocking device handles (which puts tension on the bowstring), the bowstring cocking device causes the disarm mechanism to slide forward toward the housing first slot. As the disarm mechanism slides, it engages the trigger lever causing the trigger lever to move out of engagement with the catch. As a result, the bowstring catch may rotate from a cocked position into a release position where the user can slowly release the bowstring using the bowstring cocking device.

Cross Bow Structure

Referring toFIG. 1, a crossbow10is shown having a barrel12, which has a first end14coupled to a riser16and a second end18coupled to a pistol grip20, and a stock22. The stock22has a comb24and a butt26. In the embodiment shown, the stock length is adjustable, but in other embodiments the stock may have a fixed length. A grip28is coupled to the barrel12intermediate the first and second ends14and18. A retention spring30is operatively coupled to a top surface32of the barrel12. A first limb36has a first side36aoperatively coupled to a left side38of the riser16and a second side36boperatively coupled to a bowstring44. A second limb40has a first end40athat is operatively coupled to a right side42of the riser16and a second end40bthat is operatively coupled to the bowstring44. A trigger mechanism46having a housing48is partially received in the barrel12adjacent the pistol grip20.

A bowstring cocking device76is releasably coupled to the bowstring44and contains an elongated cocking rope76ahaving a first handle76bat a first rope end and a second rope handle76cat a second rope end. The cocking rope has a center portion76fthat loops behind the trigger mechanism46. Additionally, the bowstring cocking device has a first hook76dand a second hook76eintermediate the rope handles76band76cand the center portion76fof the cocking rope76. The first and second hooks76dand76eare configured to attach to the bow string so that when a user pulls on the handles76band76c, the cocking rope pulls the bowstring44back toward the trigger mechanism46.

Trigger Mechanism

Referring toFIG. 2, the trigger mechanism46contains a two piece housing48(FIG. 1) having a first housing portion48a(FIG. 1) and a second housing portion48b(FIGS. 1 and 2) that together enclose the various parts of the trigger mechanism. Additionally, the housing48has a first slot48dconfigured to receive the bowstring44of the crossbow10(FIG. 1) and a second slot48econfigured to receive the center portion76fof the bowstring cocking device76. In various embodiments, an opening may be used in place of the slot depending on the design of the disarm mechanism.

In general, the trigger mechanism46comprises a trigger lever50having a trigger50athat extends (completely, partially or not at all) from the bottom of the housing48c, a bowstring catch58, a safety switch62that is slidable between a safety on first position (FIG. 5) and a firing second position (FIGS. 2-4), a disarm mechanism64, and a release switch66that is slidable between a first position (FIGS. 3-5) and a disarm second position (FIG. 2).

Still referring toFIG. 2, the trigger lever50is pivotally mounted in the housing48by a pin56. The trigger lever50has the trigger50athat extends (completely or partially) out from the housing48. The trigger lever50also has a trigger lever first portion52and a trigger lever second portion54. The trigger lever first portion52is pivotally mounted to the trigger lever50and is biased into a first portion first position by a spring (not shown). In various embodiments, the trigger50amay be integrally formed with the trigger lever50, or in other embodiments, the trigger may be connected to the trigger lever using any suitable fastener (e.g., a bolt, a pin, a rivet, weldments, etc.

The catch58is pivotally mounted in the housing48by a pin58cand is biased by a flat spring68. The catch58is configured to rotate from a cocked first position (FIG. 5) to a firing second position (FIG. 12) or vice versa. The catch58has a catch first end58athat is configured to operatively engage with the trigger lever first portion52. The catch58also has a catch second end58bthat is configured to retain the bowstring44in a cocked position when the catch58is in the catch first position (FIGS. 7-10). The flat spring68has a first end68a, a second end68band a body68cpositioned between the first end68aand the second end68b. The flat spring first end68ais configured to engage and bias the catch second end58bwhen the catch58rotates counterclockwise from the catch first position to the catch second position (FIG. 12). The flat spring second end68bis configured to engage and bias the catch first end58awhen the catch58rotates clockwise from the catch second position into the catch first position.

The safety switch62is slidably received in the housing48and is moveable between a safety on first position (FIG. 5) and a firing second position (FIG. 10). The safety switch62contains a spring loaded ball62cthat is moveable into and out of a first recess62aand a second recess62b. In particular, when the safety switch62is (1) in the safety on first position (FIG. 5), the spring loaded ball62cis positioned in the first recess62a, and (2) in the firing second position (FIG. 10), the spring loaded ball62cis positioned in the second recess62b. The safety switch62also contains a knob62dthat can be engaged by the user to move the safety switch62between the first and second positions. When the safety switch62is in the first position (FIG. 5), the safety switch impedes counterclockwise rotation of the trigger lever50by engaging the trigger lever second portion54.

A safety lever60, pivotally mounted in the housing48by a pin60a, operates to prevent the safety switch62from moving into the second position until the safety lever60is moved counterclockwise out of engagement with the safety switch62. Thus, the safety lever60is moveable between a first locked position (FIG. 5) in which the safety lever prevents the safety switch62from sliding into the firing second position, and a second position (FIG. 2) in which the safety lever60allows the safety switch62to slide into the firing second position. The safety lever60is biased into the first locked position (FIG. 5) by a spring74. The safety lever60may also be moved counterclockwise from the first locked position into the second position when the disarm mechanism64is moved toward the housing first slot (FIGS. 8 through 11).

The disarm mechanism64has a disarm mechanism first portion64a, a disarm mechanism second portion64b, and a disarm mechanism third portion64c. The disarm mechanism64is slidably mounted in the housing48and moves between a first position (FIG. 5) and a second position (FIG. 11). The disarm mechanism64is biased into the first position by a spring72. The disarm mechanism first portion64ais configured to operatively engage with the trigger lever second portion54and to cause the trigger lever50to move counterclockwise around the pin56when the disarm mechanism64slides from the first position (FIG. 2) into the second position (FIG. 11). The disarm mechanism second portion64bis configured to operatively engage with the release switch66when the release switch is in the neutral first position (FIG. 3) thereby preventing the disarm mechanism from moving out of the first position. Finally, the disarm mechanism third portion64cis configured to engage the bowstring cocking rope76awhen the center76fof the bowstring cocking rope76ais positioned in the housing second slot48e. In various embodiments, the disarm mechanism third portion64cmay be configured to extend out of an opening in the housing (e.g., the second slot48eis replaced with an opening) such that the bowstring cocking rope76aengages the disarm mechanism third portion outside of the housing.

The release switch66contains a spring loaded ball66cthat moves into and out of a first recess66a(which corresponds to the release switch being in the first position) and a second recess66b(which corresponds to the release switch being in the second position). The release switch66also has a release knob66dthat extends through the housing48(FIG. 1) to allow the user to move the release switch between the first and second positions. When the release switch66in the first position (i.e., when spring loaded ball66cis in recess66a(FIG. 3)) the release switch abuts the disarm mechanism second portion64band prevents the disarm mechanism from moving out of the first position. Moreover, when the release switch66is in the second position (i.e., when the spring loaded ball66cis in recess66b(FIG. 2) the release switch allows the disarm mechanism64to slide from the first position into the second position.

In alternate embodiments, the, the disarm mechanism64may be eliminated and the trigger lever second portion54may be configured to be engaged directly by the cocking device rope. In these embodiments, the release switch66is configured to block the bowstring cocking device rope76ffrom engaging the trigger lever second portion54when in the first position and to allow the bowstring cocking device rope76fto engage the trigger lever second portion54when the release switch is in the second position.

Exemplary Trigger Mechanism Operation

FIGS. 2-12show an exemplary trigger mechanism for use in a crossbow. While trigger mechanisms exist in many guns and weapons, in this exemplary embodiment, the trigger mechanism46provides a release mechanism that allows a user to release a cocked crossbow without having to dry fire the weapon or engage the trigger with the user's hand.

Cocking the Crossbow

FIGS. 2-5illustrate a user cocking the crossbow10(FIG. 1) using the bowstring cocking device76. Referring particularly toFIG. 2, the release switch66is shown in the second position66b, the safety switch62is in the firing second position, and the bowstring catch58is in the release second position. Thus, prior to cocking the crossbow, the user must slide the release switch66from the disarm second position into the first position so that the disarm mechanism64is retained in the first position. The user may then attach the bowstring cocking device76to the bowstring44using hooks76dand76eand wrap the bowstring cocking rope76aaround the housing48so that the center76fis positioned in or adjacent the housing second slot48e. As the user begins to pull the bowstring cocking device handles76band76crearward (e.g. toward the housing second slot48e), the bowstring44is drawn into the housing first slot48d, as shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 3is a partial sectional view of the trigger mechanism ofFIG. 2, with the release switch moved from the second position (FIG. 2) into the first position so that spring loaded ball66cis positioned in recess66a. In this position, the release switch66prevents the disarm mechanism64from sliding out of the first position as the user pulls on the bowstring cocking device handles76dand76e. Thus, as the user begins to pull back on the bowstring cocking device handles76band76c, the hooks76dand76e(FIG. 1) begin to pull the bowstring44into the housing first slot48dso that the bowstring44engages the catch second end58bcausing the catch to rotate clockwise. As the catch rotates clockwise, the catch first end58aengages the trigger lever first portion52causing the trigger lever50to begin to rotate counterclockwise about pin56against the bias of the flat spring second end68b.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, as the user continues to pull the bowstring deeper into the housing first slot48d, the catch58continues to rotate clockwise until the catch first end58amoves past the trigger lever first portion52thereby allowing the trigger lever to rotate clockwise due to the bias of the spring70against the trigger lever50. That is, once the bowstring catch first end58aclears the trigger lever first portion52, the trigger lever rotates into the position shown inFIG. 5. Moreover, the bowstring catch58will continue to rotate clockwise until the bowstring44slips past the bowstring catch second end58bat which time the flat spring second end68bwill cause the bowstring catch58to rotate counterclockwise until the bowstring catch first end58abuts the trigger lever first portion52, as seen inFIG. 5.

Referring toFIG. 5, as the bowstring44moves further into the first housing slot48d, it begins to push against the safety switch62thereby moving the safety from the second firing position into the safety on first position where the spring loaded ball62cis received in the recess62a. In various embodiments, the safety switch62may also be manually moved into the safety on first position using the safety knob62d. When the safety switch is in the safety on first position, the safety switch operatively engages the trigger lever second portion54thereby preventing the trigger lever from rotating in the counterclockwise direction. Furthermore, as the safety switch62moves from the position shown inFIG. 4into the position shown inFIG. 5, the safety lever60rotates clockwise under the bias of the spring74until it abuts the disarm mechanism64(FIG. 5). When the safety lever60moves into this position, a recess60bformed in the safety lever60abuts an upper corner of the safety switch62thereby preventing the safety switch from moving from the safety on first position into the firing position.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, once the safety switch is moved into the safety on first position (FIG. 5) the user can then release tension on the bowstring cocking device76so that the bowstring is retained in the cocked position by the bowstring catch58. At this point, the user can disconnect the bowstring cocking mechanism thereby removing the center76fof the bow string cocking rope76afrom the housing second slot48e. Referring particularly toFIG. 7, the bowstring44is in the cocked position and the bowstring coking device76(FIG. 6) is being removed from the crossbow.

In particular, the bowstring catch second end58bretains the bowstring44in the cocked position since the trigger lever first portion52prevents the bowstring catch from rotating counterclockwise. The safety switch62is in the safety on first position62athereby preventing the trigger lever from rotating counterclockwise around pin56. As a result, the crossbow10with the bowstring44in the cocked position (FIG. 6) is now ready to either be fired or uncocked without dry firing or without the user having to manually engage the trigger50arelease the bowstring44. If the user wishes to fire the crossbow10, the user would rotate the trigger lever50counterclockwise around pin60aa sufficient distance to allow the safety switch to be moved from the safety on first position into the firing position. Otherwise, the crossbow string44may be released as described below.

Releasing the Crossbow

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, if the user wishes to release the bowstring44without firing or dry firing the crossbow10, the user may do so using the release mechanism of the trigger mechanism46. In particular, the user would first reattach the bowstring cocking device76by placing the center76fof the bowstring cocking device rope76ainto the housing second slot48eand then attach each hook76dand76eto the bowstring44. Once the bowstring cocking device is properly attached, and referring toFIG. 9, the user then moves the release switch66from the first position into the second position so that the spring loaded ball66cmoves from the first recess66ainto the second recess66b. The safety switch62is in the safety on first position, which prevents counterclockwise rotation of the trigger lever50. As a result, the user may begin to exert rearward force on the bowstring cocking device handles76dand76eso as to pull the bowstring44deeper in the housing first slot48d.

Referring toFIG. 10, as the user begins to exert rearward force on the bowstring cocking device handles76dand76e, the center portion76fbegins to exert forward force on the disarm mechanism64since at least a portion of the disarm mechanism third portion64cis within the housing second slot48e. As a result, the disarm mechanism64begins to slide forward from its first position toward its second position. Moreover, as the release mechanism moves toward its second position, it begins to move the safety switch from its safety on first position toward the firing second position, as shown inFIG. 10.

Referring toFIG. 11, as the bowstring44is pulled further rearward into the housing second slot48e, the bowstring cocking device rope76amoves the disarm mechanism64further forward thereby pushing the safety switch into the firing position so that the spring loaded ball62cis positioned in the second recess62b. Additionally, as the disarm mechanism moves forward, the disarm mechanism first portion64aengages the trigger lever second portion54causing the trigger lever50to rotate counterclockwise. Said another way, as the trigger lever50rotates counterclockwise against the bias of spring70, flat spring second end68bbiases the bowstring catch first end58athereby causing the bowstring catch58to rotate counterclockwise until the bowstring catch first end58aclears the trigger lever first portion52.

Referring toFIG. 12, the bowstring catch58continues to rotate counterclockwise until the flat spring first end68aengages the bowstring catch second end58b. Once the bowstring44is allowed to move further out of the housing first slot48d, the bowstring44engages with the bowstring catch second end58bthereby causing the bowstring catch58to rotate counterclockwise against the bias of the flat spring first end68a. Once the bowstring44passes the bowstring catch second end58b, the bowstring catch rotates counterclockwise until the bowstring catch first end58aabuts the top of the trigger first portion52, as shown inFIG. 2. The user may then continue to slowly release the bowstring44until it reaches the un-cocked position as shown inFIG. 1. At this point, the user may remove the bowstring cocking device76from the crossbow.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, as will be understood by one skilled in the relevant field in light of this disclosure, the invention may take form in a variety of different mechanical and operational configurations as confirmed by the various embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that the modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended exemplary concepts. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limitation. The description of the above exemplary embodiments should teach one of skill in the art that many more alternatives exist for releasing a crossbow string without dry firing or requiring the user to engage the trigger.