Patent Abstract:
A multi-purpose crossbow cocking device having two handles attached by a draw cord or string. Slidably affixed to the cord are a pair of pulley members having hooks that engage a bow string of a crossbow. The handles may have an inner cavity. One or both of the handles may contain one or more Allen wrenches pivotally connected to the handle within the inner cavity. In its retracted position, the Allen wrench is housed within the inner cavity. In its extended position, the distal end of the Allen wrench is placed external of the handle&#39;s inner cavity and may be used to drive a bolt or screw with a hexagonal shaft head. The Allen wrenches may be different sizes.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a multi-purpose crossbow cocking device and method, and more particularly to a multi-purpose draw-string crossbow cocking device having handles that include one or more Allen wrenches and method of using the device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Cocking a crossbow involves drawing the bow string back in the direction of the stock&#39;s rearward end until the bow string is positioned within the trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism holds the bow string in its drawn position until the trigger is actuated to release the bow string. Because of the tension applied to the bow string by the bow limbs, it is often difficult, even for persons with above-average strength, to overcome the tension force applied by the bow limbs necessary to pull or draw the bow string back along the barrel of the crossbow and into cocking position within the trigger mechanism. Cocking devices have therefore been developed to make it easier for persons to cock a crossbow. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,956, incorporated by reference herein, describes one such cocking device comprising a draw string or cord with two handles and a pair of pulleys. The middle of the string is placed over the end of the crossbow&#39;s stock and the pulleys hooked to the bow string. Gripping the handles, a user pulls upward in the direction of the stock&#39;s rearward end causing the bow string to be drawn in the cocking position. The leverage provided by the draw string and its placement on the end of the stock make the process of drawing the bow string into cocking position much easier. The cocking device reduces the pulling force needed to cock the crossbow by about one-half. 
         [0004]    Crossbows have component parts that require addition, adjustment, or replacement. Many of these components are affixed to the crossbow by bolts or screws that have a hexagonal socket head (internal-wrenching hexagonal drive). A hex key, also known as an Allen key or wrench, is a tool with a hexagonal cross-section used to drive the aforesaid bolts or screws. Because the cross-section or size of the hexagonal socket for a particular bolt or screw may differ, Allen wrenches come in different sizes to accommodate the different sized socket heads of the bolts or screws. Persons desiring to add, adjust or replace crossbow components will need a set of different sized Allen wrenches. 
         [0005]    Crossbows are used for hunting and target practice. As such, the user will transport his or her crossbow to areas, often remote, where such hunting or target practice activities take place. To add, adjust or replace crossbow components at such remote locations means that the user will need to travel with a set of Allen wrenches. Packing a set of Allen wrenches is undesired because it complicates the user&#39;s packing needs and adds some additional weight, which may be a concern if the user is, for example, backpacking. It also requires the user to remember to bring the set of Allen wrenches on his or her journey to the hunting or practice location. Given the fallibility of the human condition, users often find themselves in need of their Allen wrenches at such remote locations only to discover that they have forgotten to pack them. This can result in the user being unable to participate in the desired hunting or target practice activity because the crossbow will not function properly. The present invention has been developed to alleviate these problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to combine a set of Allen wrenches and a crossbow cocking device. 
         [0007]    These and other objects and advantages are achieved by the novel multi-purpose crossbow cocking device and method of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention the multi-purpose crossbow cocking device includes a draw cord having a first end and a second end. A first handle is attached to the first end of the cord. The first handle includes a first Allen wrench. A second handle is attached to the second end of the cord. The embodiment also includes a pair of pulley members. Each pulley member has a hook, a pulley groove, and an opening for slidably retaining the cord. The hook is capable of selectively engaging a bow string of a crossbow when the device is placed in a cocking position on the crossbow. 
         [0008]    The first Allen wrench may be retractable. The second handle may also include a first Allen wrench. Each of the first Allen wrenches may be retractable. 
         [0009]    The first Allen wrenches may be sized different from each other. The size of each of the first Allen wrenches may be selected from the group consisting of 3/16 inches, 3/32 inches, 5/32 inches, and 3 millimeters. 
         [0010]    The first handle may include a second Allen wrench sized different from the first Allen wrench of the first handle. The size of the first Allen wrench of the first handle may be 3/16 inches and the size of the second Allen wrench of the first handle may be 3/32 inches. 
         [0011]    The second handle may have a first Allen wrench and a second Allen wrench sized different from each other. The size of the first Allen wrench of the second handle may be 5/32 inches and the size of the second Allen wrench of the second handle may be 3 millimeters. 
         [0012]    The first and second handles may each be formed in part of a compressible material. The first and second handles may also each include an elevated area for gripping the handle. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment of the present invention the multi-purpose crossbow cocking device has a draw cord having a first end and a second end. A first handle is attached to the first end of the cord. The first handle includes a first retractable Allen wrench and a second retractable Allen wrench. A second handle is attached to the second end of the cord. The second handle includes a first retractable Allen wrench and a second retractable Allen wrench. The device also includes a pair of pulley members. Each pulley member has a hook, a pulley groove, and an opening for slidably retaining the cord. The hook is capable of selectively engaging a bow string of a crossbow when the device is placed in a cocking position on the crossbow. 
         [0014]    The first and second handles may each have an inner cavity. The first and second retractable Allen wrenches of the first handle may be disposed within the inner cavity of the first handle when in a retracted position. The first and second retractable Allen wrenches of the second handle may be disposed within the inner cavity of the second handle when in a retracted position. 
         [0015]    The first and second retractable Allen wrenches of the first handle may each have a curved proximal end and a straight distal end. The curved proximal end may be pivotally affixed to the first handle within the inner cavity. 
         [0016]    The first and second retractable Allen wrenches of the second handle may each have a curved proximal end and a straight distal end. The curved proximal end pivotally may be affixed to the second handle within the inner cavity. 
         [0017]    The present invention is also directed to a method of using the multi-purpose crossbow cocking device of the present invention. The method includes the step of providing a multi-purpose crossbow cocking device comprising: a draw cord having a first end and a second end; a first handle attached to the first end of the cord, the first handle including an Allen wrench; a second handle attached to the second end of the cord; a pair of pulley members, each pulley member having a hook, a pulley groove, and an opening for slidably retaining the cord, the hook capable of selectively engaging a bow string of a crossbow when the device is placed in a cocking position on the crossbow. The method also includes the step of manipulating the Allen wrench to drive a bolt or screw operatively associated with the crossbow. The bolt or screw having a hexagonal shaft head. 
         [0018]    The method may also include the step of placing a middle section of the cord in a cocking groove positioned on a stock of the crossbow. The method may include the step of attaching the hooks of the pair of pulley members to the bow string. The method may include the step of pulling the first and second handles in an upward direction towards the rearward end of the stock until the bow string is retained by the trigger mechanism of the crossbow. The method may also include the step of removing the hooks of the pair of pulley means from the bow string. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the multi-purpose crossbow cocking device of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a handle of the multi-purpose crossbow cocking device of the present invention in retracted position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the handle shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the handle shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the handle shown in  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 - 5  showing different positions of the Allen wrenches. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the handle of the multi-purpose crossbow cocking device of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the multi-purpose crossbow cocking device of the present invention placed on an exemplar crossbow for cocking. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , crossbow cocking device  10  includes draw string or cord  12  having first end  14  and second end  16 . First handle  18  may be attached to first end  14  of cord  12 . First handle  18  may include first retractable wrench  20  and second retractable wrench  22 . Second handle  24  may be attached to second end  16  of cord  12 . Second handle  24  may include first retractable wrench  26  and second retractable wrench  28 . 
         [0027]    First and second handles  18 ,  24  may be designed for gripping by a user. A portion of each of handles  18 ,  24  may include a soft, compressible material for increased comfort of a user&#39;s hand. 
         [0028]    Wrenches  20 ,  22 ,  26 , and  28  may be Allen wrenches of the same or different sizes. In a preferred embodiment, wrench  20  is a 3/16 inch Allen wrench, wrench  22  is a 3/32 inch Allen wrench, wrench  26  is a 5/32 inch Allen wrench, and wrench  28  is a 3 millimeter Allen wrench. 
         [0029]    Device  10  may also include first pulley member  30  having first hook  31 , first groove  32 , and first opening  33 . Device  10  may further include second pulley member  34  having second hook  35 , second groove  36 , and second opening  37 . Cord  12  may be slidingly disposed through first opening  33  of first pulley member  30  and second opening  37  of second pulley member  34 . In one embodiment, first and second grooves  32 ,  36  may be formed of brass to assist cord  12  in traveling through first and second openings  33 ,  37 . 
         [0030]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , handle  18  (or handle  24 ) may include grip member  38 . One or more elevated sections  40  may be mounted on outer surface  42  of grip member  38  to form gripping ridges. Alternatively, outer surface  42  of grip member  38  may have integral gripping ridges formed thereon. In still another embodiment, grip member  38  may have no gripping ridges. In a retracted position, first retractable wrench  20  and second retractable wrench  22  may be folded into inner cavity  44  of grip member  38 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , grip member  38  may include recess  46 , which enables a user to grip first retractable wrench  20  or second retractable wrench  22  in order to move wrench  20  or  22  from the retracted position to an extended position (shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , first retractable wrench  20  may be disposed beside second retractable wrench  22  in the retracted position. Handle  18  may be secured to first end  14  of cord  12  by any securing means. For example, first end  14  of cord  12  may be disposed through central opening  48  of grip member  38  as shown in  FIG. 5 , and knot  50  in first end  14  may be disposed within said inner cavity  44  in order to secure handle  18  on first end  14 . Alternatively, handle  18  may be secured to first end  14  by bracket, hook, or any other securing mechanism. 
         [0032]    Referring again to  FIG. 5 , first retractable wrench  20  may have curved proximate end  52  and distal end  54 . Curved proximate end  52  may be disposed around first pivot axis  56 , and may rotate around first pivot axis  56  when wrench  20  is transferred between the retracted position and the extended position. In the retracted position, distal end  54  may be disposed within inner cavity  44 . In the extended position, distal end  54  is disposed outside of inner cavity  44 . Second retractable wrench  22  may have curved proximate end  58  and distal end  60 . Curved proximate end  58  may be disposed around second pivot axis  62 , and may rotate around second pivot axis  62  when wrench  22  is transferred between the retracted position and the extended position. In the retracted position, distal end  60  may be disposed within inner cavity  44 . In the extended position, distal end  60  is disposed outside of inner cavity  44 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view illustration of handle  18  (or handle  24 ) in one embodiment. Grip member  38  may include first forward recess  64 , first forward aperture  66 , second forward recess  68 , second forward aperture  70 , first rearward recess (not shown), first rearward aperture  72 , second rearward recess (not shown), and second rearward aperture  74 . First sleeve  76  includes threaded inner surface  78  for engaging first forward screw  80  and first rearward screw  82 . First sleeve  76  also includes forward end  84  and rearward end  86 . First sleeve  76  may be disposed through curved proximate end  52  of wrench  20  for securing wrench  20  to grip member  38 . First sleeve  76  provides first pivot axis  56  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) around which curved proximate end  52  rotates. First spacer  88  may be disposed around rearward end  86  of first sleeve  76 . First washer  90  may be disposed around forward end  84  of first sleeve  76 . First spacer  88  and first washer  90  may position first retractable wrench  20  in a forward area of said inner cavity  44 . 
         [0034]    Referring still to  FIG. 6 , second sleeve  92  includes threaded inner surface  94  for engaging second forward screw  96  and second rearward screw  98 . Second sleeve  92  also includes forward end  100  and rearward end  102 . Second sleeve  92  may be disposed through curved proximate end  58  of wrench  22  for securing wrench  22  to grip member  38 . Second sleeve  92  provides second pivot axis  62  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) around which curved proximate end  58  rotates. Second spacer  104  may be disposed around forward end  100  of second sleeve  92 . Second washer  106  may be disposed around rearward end  102  of second sleeve  92 . Second spacer  104  and second washer  106  may position second retractable wrench  22  in a rearward area of said inner cavity  44 . First forward recess  64  may prevent first forward screw  80  from protruding above the surface of grip member  38 . In the same manner, each of first rearward recess (not shown), second forward recess  68 , and second rearward recess (not shown) prevent each of first rearward screw  82 , second forward screw  96 , and second rearward screw  98 , respectively, from protruding above the surface of grip member  38 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  illustrates device  10  with an exemplar crossbow  108 , which may include stock  110 , bow  112 , bow string  114 , and scope  116 . Cord  12  may be positioned in cocking groove  118  on stock  110 . First and second pulley members  30 ,  34  may be attached to bow string  114 . 
         [0036]    A user may first place the center of cord  12  in cocking groove  118  on stock  110 . Then, the user may attach first pulley member  30  to bow string  114  on one side of stock  110  by placing bow string  114  in first hook  31 . Second pulley member  34  may be attached to bow string  114  on the other side of stock  110  by placing bow string  114  in second hook  35 . Holding handle  18  in one hand and handle  24  in the other hand, a user may then pull bow string  114  into a trigger mechanism on crossbow  108 . When shot, bow string  114  will be released from the trigger mechanism. 
         [0037]    Wrenches  20 ,  22 ,  26 , or  28  may be rotated or pivoted out of handle  18  or handle  24  when it is desirable to use the wrenches. The hexagonal drive shaft end of wrench  20 ,  22 ,  26 , or  28  may be inserted into the hexagonal shaft head of a bolt or screw and the wrench turned clockwise to drive the bolt or screw into its corresponding recess on crossbow  108  or any component thereof to affix a part or component to crossbow  108 . If it is desired to remove a part or component from crossbow  108 , wrench  20 ,  22 ,  26 , or  28  is turned in a counter-clockwise direction which will drive the bolt or screw out of the corresponding recess. Wrenches  20 ,  22 ,  26 , or  28  may be used to add, adjust, or replace crossbow components or part. For example, wrench  20 ,  22 ,  26 , or  28  may be used to adjust scope  116  or any other component of crossbow  108  that requires an Allen wrench. 
         [0038]    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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5