CROSSBOW WITH INTERCHANGEABLE BUTTSTOCK

A crossbow may include a buttstock assembly including at least two buttstocks that may alternatively be attached to a main beam. In some embodiments, one or more buttstocks may be attached at more than one location on crossbow main beam. In some embodiments, one or more buttstocks may have shoulder engaging surfaces that can be adjusted to more than one location with respect to the buttstock frame.

BACKGROUND

A. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses related to crossbows and more specifically to methods and apparatuses related to crossbow buttstocks.

B. Description of Related Art

Crossbows have been used for many years as a weapon for hunting and fishing, and for target shooting. In general, a crossbow includes a main beam and a bow mechanism supported to the main beam. The bow mechanism may have a pair of bow limbs and a bowstring engaged to the bow limbs. Often the bow mechanism has wheels on the bow limbs that receive the bowstring but this is not always the case. A trigger mechanism may be supported to the main beam and operable to hold the bowstring and to release the bowstring to fire the crossbow to shoot an arrow or bolt. The bowstring may be movable from an un-cocked position (sometimes referred to as an undrawn position) to a cocked position where the trigger mechanism holds the bowstring (sometimes referred to as a drawn position). This movement of the bowstring is typically referred to as cocking the crossbow, cocking the bow mechanism, and/or cocking the bowstring.

Sometimes crossbow main beams have two sections or segments, a barrel (sometimes simply referred to as the main beam) and a buttstock. Typically, the barrel/main beam is at the distal end and the bow mechanism is attached to it. The buttstock is usually at the proximal end and is positioned against the user's shoulder when the crossbow is being aimed and/or fired.

While many known crossbow main beams having buttstocks work well for their intended purposes, it may be desirable to improve the options for a user to combine different buttstocks with a given main beam. It may also be desirable to improve the options for a user to change the length of the main beam by adjusting the buttstock.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments of this invention, a crossbow may include: a main beam extending longitudinally and having: 1) a proximal end; 2) a distal end opposite the proximal end; 3) a right lateral side; and 4) a left lateral side opposite the right lateral side; a bow mechanism supported to the main beam and having: 1) a first limb extending on the right lateral side of the main beam; 2) a second limb extending on the left lateral side of the main beam; and 3) a bowstring operatively engaged to the first and second bow limbs and selectively movable between: (a) an un-cocked position; and (b) a cocked position; a trigger mechanism supported to the main beam and selectively operable: 1) to hold the bowstring in the cocked position; and 2) to release the bowstring to fire the crossbow; and a buttstock assembly including: 1) a buttstock engaging surface positioned on the proximal end of the main beam; 2) a first buttstock: (a) having a frame; (b) having a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame that is: (i) adapted to be selectively engaged to the buttstock engaging surface to attach the first buttstock to the main beam; and (ii) adapted to be selectively disengaged from the buttstock engaging surface to detach the first buttstock from the main beam; (c) having a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame that is adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and (d) having a drawing mechanism supported to the frame that is adapted to selectively move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; and 2) a second buttstock: (a) having a frame; (b) having a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame that is: (i) adapted to be selectively engaged to the buttstock engaging surface to attach the second buttstock to the main beam; and (ii) adapted to be selectively disengaged from the buttstock engaging surface to detach the second buttstock from the main beam; (c) having a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame and adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and (d) lacking any mechanism adapted to move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; wherein the buttstock assembly is selectively adjustable between: 1) a first condition wherein: (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; 2) a second condition wherein: (a) the first buttstock is attached to the main beam; and (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 3) a third condition wherein: (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and (b) the second buttstock is attached to the main beam.

According to some embodiments of this invention, a crossbow may include: a main beam extending longitudinally and having: 1) a proximal end; 2) a distal end opposite the proximal end; 3) a right lateral side; and 4) a left lateral side opposite the right lateral side; a bow mechanism supported to the main beam and having: 1) a first limb extending on the right lateral side of the main beam; 2) a second limb extending on the left lateral side of the main beam; and 3) a bowstring operatively engaged to the first and second bow limbs and selectively movable between: (a) an un-cocked position; and (b) a cocked position; a trigger mechanism supported to the main beam and selectively operable: 1) to hold the bowstring in the cocked position; and 2) to release the bowstring to fire the crossbow; and a buttstock assembly including: 1) a buttstock engaging surface positioned on the proximal end of the main beam; 2) a first buttstock including: (a) a frame; (b) a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame; (c) a first latching mechanism supported to the frame; (d) a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame that is adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and (e) a drawing mechanism supported to the frame that is adapted to selectively move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; and 2) a second buttstock: (a) having a frame; (b) having a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame that is: (i) adapted to be selectively engaged to the buttstock engaging surface to attach the second buttstock to the main beam; and (ii) adapted to be selectively disengaged from the buttstock engaging surface to detach the second buttstock from the main beam; (c) having a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame and adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and (d) lacking any mechanism adapted to move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; wherein the buttstock assembly is selectively adjustable between: 1) a first condition wherein: (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; 2) a second condition wherein: (a) the first buttstock is attached to the main beam; and (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 3) a third condition wherein: (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and (b) the second buttstock is attached to the main beam; wherein the first latching mechanism is selectively adjustable to: 1) attach the first buttstock to the main beam: (a) at a first position where the frame of the first buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance A1; and (b) at a second position where the frame of the first buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance A2that is distinct from distance A1; and 2) detach the first buttstock from the main beam.

According to some embodiments of this invention, a crossbow method may include the steps of: A) providing a crossbow including: 1) a main beam extending longitudinally and having: (a) a proximal end; (b) a distal end opposite the proximal end; (c) a right lateral side; and (d) a left lateral side opposite the right lateral side; 2) a bow mechanism supported to the main beam and having: (a) a first limb extending on the right lateral side of the main beam; (b) a second limb extending on the left lateral side of the main beam; and (c) a bowstring operatively engaged to the first and second bow limbs; and 3) a trigger mechanism supported to the main beam; B) providing a buttstock assembly including: 1) a buttstock engaging surface positioned on the proximal end of the main beam; 2) a first buttstock including: (a) a frame; (b) a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame; (c) a first latching mechanism supported to the frame; (d) a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame that is adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and (e) a drawing mechanism supported to the frame that is adapted to selectively move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; and 3) a second buttstock: (a) having a frame; (b) having a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame that is: (i) adapted to be selectively engaged to the buttstock engaging surface to attach the second buttstock to the main beam; and (ii) adapted to be selectively disengaged from the buttstock engaging surface to detach the second buttstock from the main beam; (c) having a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame and adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and (d) lacking any mechanism adapted to move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; C) providing the bowstring to be selectively movable proximally between: 1) an un-cocked position; and 2) a cocked position; D) providing the trigger mechanism to be selectively operable: 1) to hold the bowstring in the cocked position; and 2) to release the bowstring to fire the crossbow; E) providing the buttstock assembly to be selectively adjustable between: 1) a first condition wherein: (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; 2) a second condition wherein: (a) the first buttstock is attached to the main beam; and (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 3) a third condition wherein: (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and (b) the second buttstock is attached to the main beam; and F) providing the first latching mechanism to be selectively adjustable to: 1) attach the first buttstock to the main beam: (a) at a first position where the frame of the first buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance A1; and (b) at a second position where the frame of the first buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance A2that is distinct from distance A1; and 2) detach the first buttstock from the main beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present subject matter only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components,FIGS.1-2show a crossbow10that may have a buttstock assembly according to some embodiments of this invention. It should be understood that any crossbow having a main beam that can receive a buttstock chosen with the sound judgement of a person of skill in the art will work with embodiments of this invention. Non-limiting examples of crossbow types that work with this invention include Recurve Crossbows, Compound Crossbows, Rifle Crossbows, and Reverse Draw Crossbows.

With reference now toFIGS.1-3, the crossbow10may have a main beam12extending longitudinally from a proximal end26to a distal end28. The main beam12may define a right lateral side23, a left lateral side25, a top side27and a bottom side29. An arrow receiving surface24may be adapted to receive an arrow/bolt (not shown). In some embodiments, the arrow receiving surface24maybe a groove. The arrow receiving surface24may be formed on the top side27of the main beam12. A buttstock36may be engaged to the proximal end26of the main beam12as will be discussed further below. A railing40may be supported directly or indirectly (such as via a later described trigger mechanism) to the main beam12. Optional components, such as a scope42, may be supported to the railing40. The crossbow10may include a bow mechanism14supported to the main beam12. The bow mechanism14may include a pair of outwardly extending bow limbs16,16extending transversely from opposite lateral sides23,25of the main beam12and a bowstring18operatively engaged to the bow limbs16. The bowstring18may be movable from an un-cocked position (shown inFIGS.1-2) to a cocked position (shown inFIG.3). The bow mechanism14may be supported directly to the main beam12or may be, in the embodiments shown, supported to the main beam12via a riser20(seen best inFIG.2). In some embodiments, wheels22,22(which may be pulleys, cams, or the like) may be pivotally supported to the bow limbs16,16, respectively, as shown. The bowstring18may be operatively engaged to the wheels22,22.

With reference now toFIGS.1-5, the crossbow10may have a trigger mechanism60supported to the main beam12and selectively operable to hold the bowstring18in the cocked position and to release the bowstring18to fire the crossbow10/bowstring18. Any trigger mechanism60chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art, may be used with this invention. For the embodiments shown, the trigger mechanism60is similar to the trigger mechanism shown in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 11,002,505, titled DE-COCK MECHANISM FOR A CROSSBOW (“the '505 Patent”), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Because a full description of the operation of the trigger mechanism is disclosed in the '505 Patent, details will not be provided here. Instead, some of the primary components will be listed and only a brief description of operation will be provided.

With reference now toFIGS.3-5, the trigger mechanism60may include a housing400, a string latch402, a trigger link404, a trigger408and one or more trigger interconnecting members406that operatively interconnect the trigger66with the trigger link64. The trigger66may be operated in a known manner to fire the crossbow10/bowstring18. A dry-fire inhibitor mechanism may include a dry-fire link410. A de-cock mechanism may include a de-cock link412, a de-cock activator414and a de-cock lock416. A safety mechanism may include a safety activator418and a safety lock420. A reset activator422may be selectively operated to adjust the position of the de-cock activator414and the safety activator418. The trigger mechanism60may include an arrow retention brush500seen best inFIG.5and used as well known to those of skill in the art.

With reference now toFIGS.1-3,5-6and9, the crossbow10may include a cocking mechanism adapted to be used by an associated user to move the bowstring18from the un-cocked position to the cocked position. In some embodiments, the cocking mechanism uses a stirrup50mounted to the distal end28of the main beam12directly or via riser20. In this case, the user places the stirrup50onto the ground and places a foot in the stirrup50. By applying the user's body weight to the grounded stirrup50, the user can manually draw the bowstring18into the cocked position. In other embodiments, the cocking mechanism30may include a claw32adapted to engage the bowstring18and a drawing mechanism34adapted to move the claw32along the main beam12and thereby move the bowstring18from the un-cocked position to the cocked position. The drawing mechanism34may include a winch600chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. For the embodiment shown, the winch600is similar to the winch shown in co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/314,780, titled CROSSBOW WITH WINCH (“the '780 Application”), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Because a full description of the operation of the winch is disclosed in the '780 Application, details will not be provided here. Instead, some of the primary components will be listed and only a brief description of operation will be provided.

With reference now toFIGS.2,6-9and13, the winch600may include a winch housing602supported to the main beam12. The winch600may include a pair of spools604,604engaged to a spool shaft700. Later to be described cord portions may be selectively wrappable onto and off of the spools604,604. As used herein, and unless otherwise noted, to “spool in” is to wrap the cord portions onto/around the spools604,604and to “spool out” is to unwrap the cord portions off of the spools604,604. One spool604may be positioned on the right lateral side23of the main beam12and the other spool604may be positioned on the left lateral side25, as seen inFIG.13. A spool gear702may also be engaged on the spool shaft700. Rotation of the spoil gear702may cause rotation of the spool shaft700which may cause the spools604,604to rotate. Spool shaft700may rotate about spool shaft axis804. A drive gear704may engage a drive shaft800and may have gear teeth that engage gear teeth on the spool gear702. The drive shaft800may include threads that engage threads on a receiver708.

With reference now toFIGS.6-10, the winch600may include a clutch gear assembly710that may be operatively engaged with the drive gear704to permit free rotation of the drive gear704in a first direction of rotation but to permit only damped rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite that of the first direction of rotation. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the clutch gear assembly710may be operatively engaged with the drive gear704to permit free rotation of the drive gear704in the spool in direction, but to permit only damped rotation in the spool out direction opposite that of the spool in direction. The clutch gear assembly710may include a plate gear712, which may be a pressure plate gear. The plate gear712may be selectively rotatable with respect to the winch housing602. Because the receiver708is threadedly engaged with threads on the drive shaft800, the components between the receiver708and the drive shaft800may be compressed together with a compressive load adjustable by changing the amount of threaded engagement between the receiver708and the drive shaft800. A manually rotatable crank handle, chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art, may be used to rotate the receiver708. Crank handle1000shown inFIG.10, is one non-limiting example. Crank handle1000has a grip1002and a drive connection1004interconnected by an elongated lever1006. The drive connection1004may be a square drive or other drive connection chosen with sound engineering judgment. The drive connection1004may include a ball adapted to engage a detent in a part adapted to mate therewith such as, without limitation, the receiver708.

With reference now toFIGS.6-9, the clutch gear assembly710may include a brake gear714selectively rotatable about a brake shaft716and a one way bearing718received on the brake shaft716. Flats on the brake shaft716may engage with corresponding flats in the winch housing602to prevent or impede rotation of the brake shaft716with respect to the winch housing602. The brake gear714may be operatively engaged with the one way bearing718so that both the one way bearing718and the brake gear714are free to rotate in a first direction, the spool in direction, but do not rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction, the spool out direction. Brake gear teeth may engage plate gear teeth with the result being that the plate gear712is free to rotate in the spool in direction but is locked by the engaged brake gear714from rotating in the spool out direction.

With continuing reference toFIGS.6-9, the winch600may include a spiral spring802having a radially inward end engaged to the spool shaft700and a radially outward end that operatively engages a surface within the spool housing602. As a result, the spiral spring802may bias the spool shaft700to rotate in the spool out direction. In some embodiments, the winch600is pawl-less. This means that it does not include a pawl. Pawls, as is well known to those of skill in the art, create an undesirable sound when they are operated. The winch600in some embodiments of this invention, does not create the undesirable pawl sound as no pawl is used.

With reference now toFIGS.2-3,5-6and11-18, the claw32may have a proximal end1100, a distal end1102, a first lateral side1200, a second lateral side1202, a top side1600and a bottom side1602. For the embodiments shown, the first lateral side1200is a right lateral side and the second lateral side1106is a left lateral side. The claw32may have any shape and size chosen with the sound judgement of a person of skill in the art. For the embodiments shown, the claw32is generally U-shaped having a first leg1104, a second leg1106and a mid-portion1108that interconnects the first and second legs1104,1106. The claw32may also have a bowstring engagement surface1400adapted to engage the bowstring18. The bowstring engagement surface1400may be positioned on the first and second legs1104,1106as shown inFIG.14.FIG.2shows the claw32engaging the bowstring18in the un-cocked condition andFIG.3shows the claw32engaging the bowstring18in the cocked condition.

With continuing reference toFIGS.2-3,5-6and11-18, the claw32may have one or more main beam engagement surfaces adapted to engage the main beam12when the crossbow is cocked and de-cocked.FIG.17shows some embodiments of how the claw32may engage the main beam12. The main beam engagement surfaces may be positioned on the bottom side1602and may include an extension1700adapted to be received within the arrow receiving surface24. The claw32may also have a claw storage surface1402. The claw storage surface1402may be of any type or shape chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. In some embodiments, the claw storage surface1402is concave shaped. In other embodiments, shown, the claw storage surface1402is convex shaped. The claw storage surface1402may be positioned on the claw32at any location chosen with the sound judgment or person of skilled the art. For the embodiments shown, the claw storage surface1402is positioned on the mid-portion1108of the claw32.

With reference now toFIGS.1-3,5,9,11-17and19, the drawing mechanism34may include a first cord portion200extending on the right lateral side23of the main beam18and operatively engaged to the first lateral side1200of the claw32and a second cord portion202extending on the left lateral side25of the main beam and operatively engaged to the second lateral side1202of the claw32. In some embodiments, the first cord portion200is a first end of a single continuous cord and the second cord portion202is a second end of the single continuous cord. For this embodiment, the single continuous cord may be given reference number206. The first and second cord portions200,202whether separate or as a single continuous cord, may have a rectangular cross section with a width W and a thickness T. In some embodiments the width W and thickness T are the same for both core portions200,202. In alternate embodiments, they are not the same. The ratio W/T, in some embodiments, is at least 3.0.

With continuing reference toFIGS.1-3,5,9,11-17and19, proximal ends of the first and second cord portions200,202may be operatively engaged with the spools604,604such that rotation of the spools604,604causes the first and second cord portions200,202to selectively wrap onto and off of the spools604,604. Thus, the surfaces of the spools604,604that receive the cord portions can be thought of as wrap surfaces. As shown and as is typical with spools, the spool wrap surfaces are cylindrical and thus are arc shaped. Winch housing602may have openings to receive the cord portions.FIG.9shows such an opening904. A similar opening may be provided on the other lateral side of the crossbow. One or more guides606(two shown) may be provided near the opening904to physically contact and guide the cord portions as they enter and exit the winch housing602. As described below, when the claw32is moved into the storage condition, the cord portions may be wrapped around the winch housing602. Thus, the surfaces910of the housing602that are contacted by the cord portions can also be thought of as wrap surfaces. Note that the housing/wrap surfaces910are at least partially arc shaped.

With reference now toFIGS.6,28and36, a buttstock assembly is here defined as the combination of a buttstock engaging surface and two distinct buttstocks that can selectively alternatively be engaged to the buttstock engaging surface.FIG.6, for example, shows a portion of buttstock assembly610which may include buttstock engaging surface612and buttstock36which can be attached to the main beam12via buttstock engaging surface612, as shown. The buttstock assembly610, in some embodiments, may include buttstock3600, shown inFIG.36, which alternatively may be attached to the main beam12via buttstock engaging surface612. As seen best inFIG.28, the buttstock engaging surface612may be positioned on the proximal end26of the main beam12. In some embodiments, the buttstock engaging surface612may include a longitudinally extending surface2800that may have one or more openings2802.

With reference now toFIGS.1,6, and28-29, buttstock36may have a frame2900and a main beam engaging surface2902supported to the frame2900that is adapted to be selectively engaged to the buttstock engaging surface612to attach the buttstock36to the main beam12and adapted to be selectively disengaged from the buttstock engaging surface612to detach the buttstock36from the main beam12. For the embodiments shown, the main beam engaging surface2902may be the internal surface of an opening, thus a concave surface, that receives the longitudinally extending surface2800, thus a convex surface, of the main beam12. In other embodiments, the main beam engaging surface2902may be a convex surface and the buttstock engaging surface612may be a concave surface. The buttstock36may have a shoulder engaging surface2904supported to the frame2900that is adapted to contact a user's shoulder when firing the crossbow10. The buttstock36may have drawing mechanism34supported to the frame2900that is adapted to selectively move the bowstring18from the un-cocked position to the cocked position, as explained above. It should be understood, however, that any drawing mechanism adapted to selectively move the bowstring18from the un-cocked position to the cocked position, chosen with the sound judgement of a person of skill in the art, may be used.

With reference now toFIGS.1,6,28-29and36, buttstock3600may have a frame3602and a main beam engaging surface3604supported to the frame3602that is adapted to be selectively engaged to the buttstock engaging surface612to attach the buttstock3600to the main beam12and adapted to be selectively disengaged from the buttstock engaging surface612to detach the buttstock3600from the main beam12. The buttstock3600may have a shoulder engaging surface3606supported to the frame3602that is adapted to contact a user's shoulder when firing the crossbow10. Note that buttstock3600does not have a drawing mechanism or anything like it. In fact, buttstock3600lacks any mechanism that can even contact the bowstring18. So, it cannot move the bowstring18from the un-cocked position to the cocked position. Instead, to cock the crossbow10the user may use the stirrup50as explained above.

With reference now toFIGS.1,6,28-32and36, in some embodiments buttstock36may include a latching mechanism that can be used to attach buttstock36to the main beam12and to detach the buttstock36from the main beam12. While any latching mechanism chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art may be used with this invention, the latching mechanism3000shown includes a latch3002engaged to a pin3004. The latch3002may be pivotal about pivot pin3006which may be engaged to the frame2900. The user may press on surface area3008of the latch3002to cause the latch3002to pivot in one direction (clockwise, though also into the page, as shown inFIG.30) about pivot pin3006. A void area3010may be provided in the frame2900to enable the latch3002to move in this way. Once the latch3002has been pivoted a sufficient amount, the pin3004will come out of the opening2802in the buttstock engaging surface612of the main beam12. The user can then freely move the buttstock36proximally or distally with respect to the main beam12. If it is desired to remove the buttstock36from the main beam12, it can easily be removed. Otherwise, when the buttstock36is positioned as desired with the pin3004aligned with the corresponding desired opening2802, the user may pivot the latch3002in the opposite direction (counterclockwise, though also out of the page, as shown inFIG.30) about pivot pin3006and insert the pin3004into that particular opening2802. In some embodiments, the latch3002may be biased into the pin insertion direction. In this case, after the user presses the latch3002to release the pin3004, the user only has to release the latch3002when the new buttstock36position is achieved and the pin3004will automatically enter the desired opening2802. In any case, the buttstock36can be placed at multiple positions with respect to the main beam12as desired by the user, effectively changing the overall length of the crossbow. Thus, for example, the latching mechanism3000may be used to attach the buttstock36to the main beam12at first position where the frame2900of the buttstock36extends proximally from the trigger mechanism60a distance A1, as shown inFIG.31. The latching mechanism3000may also be used to attach the buttstock36to the main beam12at second position where the frame2900of the buttstock36extends proximally from the trigger mechanism60a distance A2, as shown inFIG.32. Additional relative positions may also be possible in some embodiments—as long as there are sufficient openings2802for the latching mechanism3000to engage. In some embodiments, shown, the buttstock3600may be equipped with a similar latching mechanism. In this way, buttstocks36and3600can easily be interchanged and positioned relative to the main beam.

With reference now toFIGS.1and33-36, in some embodiments the shoulder engaging surface of the buttstock36may be selectively positionable into multiple positions with respect to frame2900of the buttstock36. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished using a latching mechanism chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art. The shoulder engaging surface of the buttstock36may be positioned on a shoulder3300that may have at least one buttstock frame engaging surface3302(two shown) that enables the shoulder3300to be attached to and moved relative to the buttstock frame2900. The frame2900may include a matching shoulder engaging surface(s)3308that engages the buttstock frame engaging surface3302. In some embodiments, the buttstock frame engaging surface3302may include a longitudinally extending surface3304that may have one or more openings3306and the shoulder engaging surface3308of the frame2900is the inner surface defining an opening. The latching mechanism3310shown may be similar to latching mechanism3000and include a latch3312engaged to a pin3314. The latch3312may be pivotal about pivot pin3316which may be engaged to the frame2900. The user may press on surface area3318of the latch3312to cause the latch3312to pivot in one direction (counterclockwise, though also into the page, as shown inFIG.33) about pivot pin3316. A void area3010may be provided in the frame2900to enable the latch3312to move in this way. Once the latch3312has been pivoted a sufficient amount, the pin3314will come out of the opening3306in the shoulder3300. The user can then freely move the shoulder3300proximally or distally with respect to the frame2900. If it is desired to remove the shoulder3300from the frame2900, it can easily be removed. Otherwise, when the shoulder3300is positioned as desired with the pin3314aligned with the corresponding other opening3306, the user may pivot the latch3312in the opposite direction (clockwise, though also into the page, as shown inFIG.33) about pivot pin3316and insert the pin3314into that particular new opening3306. In some embodiments, the latch3312may be biased into the pin insertion direction. In any case, the shoulder3300can be placed at multiple positions with respect to the frame2900as desired by the user, effectively changing the overall length of the crossbow. Thus, for example, the latching mechanism3310may be used to position the shoulder3300into a first position where the shoulder engaging surface2904extends proximally from the frame2900of the buttstock36a distance D1(as shown inFIG.34) and into a second position where the shoulder engaging surface2904extends proximally from the frame2900of the buttstock36a distance D2that is distinct from distance D1(as shown inFIG.35). Additional relative positions may also be possible in some embodiments — as long as there are sufficient openings3306for the latching mechanism3310to engage. In some embodiments, not shown, the buttstock3600may be equipped with a similar latching mechanism. In yet other embodiments, not shown, buttstock36and/or buttstock3600may have both a latching mechanism between the buttstock and the main beam and another latching mechanism between the shoulder and the buttstock.

With reference now toFIGS.1,6,9,14,18and20-21, the buttstock36may include one or more storage locations positioned on the bottom of the frame2900, and thus to the bottom of the main beam12in any manner chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art.FIG.9, for example, shows two storage locations900and902positioned on the buttstock36. In some embodiments only one storage location is provided.FIG.18, for example, includes only storage location900.FIG.20, alternatively, includes only storage location902. For the embodiments shown, the storage locations are positioned below the spool shaft axis804. Storage location900is positioned proximal to the spool shaft axis804whereas storage location902is positioned distal to the spool shaft axis804. Each storage locations900,902may include a main beam storage surface906,908respectively, to engage the claw storage surface1402of the claw32. Thus, if the claw storage surface1402is concave shaped, then the main beam storage surface(s) may be convex shaped and designed to receive the claw32for stable storage. If, as with the embodiments shown, the claw storage surface1402is convex shaped, then the main beam storage surface(s) may be concave shaped.

With reference now toFIGS.6,9,13-14and21-27, operation of the crossbow10, especially considering buttstock adjustment, will now be described. Prior to using the crossbow, the desired buttstock should be selected and positioned relative to the main beam and attached to the main beam. The buttstock assembly610may be selectively adjustable between: 1) a first condition wherein: a first buttstock, say buttstock36, is not attached to the main beam12; and a second buttstock, say buttstock3600, is not attached to the main beam12; 2) a second condition wherein: the first buttstock36is attached to the main beam12and the second buttstock3600is not attached to the main beam12; and 3) a third condition wherein: the first buttstock36is not attached to the main beam12and the second buttstock3600is attached to the main beam12. Also, the shoulder may be positioned relative to the buttstock prior to using the crossbow as discussed above.

With reference now toFIGS.1-3,5-6,9,13-14and21-27, operation of the crossbow10, especially considering claw storage, will now be described Assuming buttstock36has been attached to the main beam12, immediately after the crossbow10is fired, the claw32may be positioned as shown inFIGS.3and5. If desired, the user may then place the claw32into a storage condition where the bowstring engagement surface1400does not engage the bowstring18and the claw32is supported to the bottom side of the buttstock36, as shown for example inFIGS.6and21. This movement begins by moving the claw32distally from the position shown inFIGS.3and5beyond the trigger mechanism60, railing40and any other objects that might be supported to the railing such as, for a non-limiting example, a scope42. The claw32may then be lifted upward above the railing40and then moved proximally to the position shown inFIG.22. The remaining claw motion is depicted sequentially inFIGS.22-27. During this movement of the claw32, the cord portions200,202may wrap off of the spools604(that is, unwrap from the spools) and wrap onto the housing/wrap surfaces910. To secure the claw32to the main beam12in the storage condition, the claw storage surface1402of the claw32, may be engaged to the main beam storage surface. If the crossbow12includes two or more storage locations, such as locations900and902shown inFIG.9, then the user may choose the storage location to be used and thus the main beam storage surface to be used. Note that if storage location902is used, the cord portions200,202may wrap about360degrees around the housing rap surface910. If storage location900is used, the cord portions200,202may wrap about180degrees around the housing rap surface910.

With reference now toFIGS.1-4,5-6,9,14and21-27, if the claw32is in the storage condition (such as shown inFIGS.6and21) and the user wants to move the bowstring18from the un-cocked position to the cocked position, the user may move the claw32from the storage condition to the position, such as shown inFIGS.6,21and27, to the position shown inFIG.22. During this movement of the claw32, the cord portions200,202may wrap off of the housing/wrap surfaces910(that is, unwrap from the housing/wrap surfaces910) and onto the spools604,604. This may occur by viewing sequentiallyFIGS.27,26,25,24,23and22. Next, the user may place the claw32into the un-cocked condition where the bowstring engagement surface1400engages the bowstring18and the bowstring18is in the un-cocked position, as shown inFIGS.1and2. During this movement of the claw32, the cord portions200,202may unwrap off of the spools604,604. The drawing mechanism34can then be operated, such as by rotating receiver708, to move the claw32into the cocked condition where the bowstring engagement surface1400engages the bowstring18and the bowstring18is in the cocked position, as shown inFIGS.3and5. During this movement of the claw32, the cord portions200,202may wrap onto the spools604,604.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed: