Patent ID: 8857420

Claim:
An archery crossbow for shooting an arrow having a length axis having fins, the crossbow comprising: a bowstring, limbs, a trigger assembly including a trigger, and a trigger housing having a bore in which is located an arrow retainer positioned within the bore and moveable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length axis, the bore further comprising a first bore portion and a second bore portion adjacent to and different in diameter than the first bore portion, the arrow retainer comprising a yieldable member being substantially located within the bore having a first member portion positioned in and retained by the first bore portion and an arrow contact portion positioned in the second bore portion and extends outwardly of the bore to contact the arrow, an urging member connected to the trigger; a first jaw connected to the urging member and releasably engaged with the bowstring; a second jaw connected to the urging member opposite the urging member and releasably engaged with the bowstring; wherein the crossbow is operated by drawing the bowstring to be tensioned by the limbs, the tensioned bowstring being retained by the trigger assembly and the arrow being positioned with a nock thereof against the bowstring, wherein the trigger is operated to release the bowstring and shoot the arrow and the arrow retainer functions to provide pressure against the arrow.