Abstract:
A crossbow case with an exterior shell and an interior compartment within the exterior shell. The exterior shell is made of ethylene-vinyl acetate. The exterior shell has a thickness in the range of about 1/16 to ¼ of an inch. The exterior shell includes a top member and a bottom member in a hinged configuration.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/100,832, filed on 7 Jan. 2015, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to crossbow cases. 
         [0003]    Conventional crossbow cases are formed of hard plastics, polypropylene plastics, nylons, or soft fabrics. While the hard plastic cases provide a hard protective surface, the fabrication process for these cases requires expensive tooling. The production of the fabric cases is labor intensive due to sewing requirements. The fabric cases have a soft texture, but provide less protection of the crossbow held inside, increasing the likelihood of damage to the crossbow. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In an embodiment, a crossbow case may comprise an exterior shell and an interior compartment within the exterior shell. The exterior shell may comprise ethylene-vinyl acetate. The interior compartment may be dimensioned to house a crossbow. The interior compartment may also be dimensioned to house a crossbow and one or more crossbow accessories. The exterior shell may include a camouflage pattern. A foam insert may be disposed within the interior compartment. The exterior shell may include a top member and a bottom member. The top member and the bottom member may be connected with hinges positioned at a forward end of the crossbow case. The top member and the bottom member may also be connected with hinges positioned at a rearward end of the crossbow case. The exterior shell may include one or more apertures dimensioned to allow placement of a foot stirrup of a crossbow. The exterior shell may have a thickness of about 1/16 to about ¼ of an inch. The exterior layer may include an ethylene-vinyl acetate layer. The ethylene-vinyl acetate layer may have a thickness of about 1/16 to about ¼ of an inch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a crossbow case. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the crossbow case. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the crossbow case. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the crossbow case. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the alternate embodiment of the crossbow case. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the alternate embodiment of the crossbow case with an exterior shell of the crossbow case illustrated as transparent to show an interior compartment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of a bottom member of the alternate embodiment of the crossbow case with foam inserts disposed within an interior compartment of the crossbow case. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the alternate embodiment of the crossbow case housing a crossbow. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the crossbow case housing a crossbow. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the alternate embodiment of the crossbow case housing a crossbow. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a rear view of the alternate embodiment of the crossbow case. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate crossbow case  10 . The exterior of crossbow case  10  is formed of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). EVA allows for a hard and durable protective surface, but a soft texture. While not available with conventional hard crossbow cases, EVA also allows for printing of a pattern on the exterior surface of crossbow case  10 . For example, crossbow case  10  may include a camouflage pattern printed on its exterior surface. In one embodiment, the EVA surface may have a thickness of about 1/16 to ¼ of an inch. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, the exterior of crossbow case  10  may include EVA with an outer layer attached to the outer surface of the EVA and an inner layer attached to the inner surface of the EVA. For example, the outer and inner layers may be formed of a thin fabric, such as nylon or velvet. The outer and inner layers may include a pattern such as a camouflage pattern. 
         [0018]    Crossbow case  10  may include top member  12  and bottom member  14 , which may be connected with hinges. Crossbow case  10  is dimensioned to house a crossbow in an interior compartment. In one embodiment, crossbow case  10  may be dimensioned to house a crossbow along with arrows, quivers, scopes, rope cocking devices, and other accessories. Crossbow case  10  may include one or more foam inserts disposed within the interior compartment. The foam inserts may protect the crossbow and any accessories housed within the interior compartment during storage and transportation. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-7 , crossbow case  20  may also have an exterior formed of EVA, with or without an inner layer and an outer layer. Crossbow case  20  may include top member  22 , bottom member  24 , and interior compartment  25 . Front end  26  of crossbow case  20  may include apertures  28  and  30 . Apertures  28  and  30  may be dimensioned to receive a foot stirrup of a crossbow positioned within interior compartment  25  of crossbow case  20 . Crossbow case  20  may be shorter than conventional crossbow cases due to the allowance of foot stirrup though front end  26  of crossbow case  20 . For example, crossbow case  20  may be 4 inches shorter than conventional crossbow cases that house the foot stirrup inside an interior compartment. 
         [0020]    With reference again to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , crossbow case  20  may also include one or more foam inserts  31  disposed within interior compartment  25 . Foam inserts  31  may protect a crossbow and any accessories housed within interior compartment  25 . Foam inserts  31  may be strategically positioned within interior compartment  25  such that foam inserts  31  provide additional protection for certain portions of a crossbow. For example, foam inserts  31  may be positioned to protect a scope, a butt, or cams of a crossbow. Foam inserts  31  or similar foam inserts may be used in the interior compartment of crossbow case  10 . 
         [0021]    With reference now to  FIGS. 8-10 , a crossbow may be positioned within interior compartment  25  of crossbow case  20  and foot stirrup  32  of the crossbow may be positioned through apertures  28  and  30 . Foot stirrup  32  is external to crossbow case  20  while the remainder of the crossbow is positioned in interior compartment  25 . In this position, foot stirrup  32  may also be used as a handle for carrying crossbow case  20 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , crossbow case  20  may include hinges  34  at rearward end  36  of crossbow case  20 . In an alternative embodiment, crossbow case  20  may include hinges  34  at forward end  26  of crossbow case  20 . Conventional crossbow cases may include hinges along a side edge. 
         [0023]    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.