Crossbow cocking and stringing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a crossbow stringing and cocking device whereby one person may easily and safely draw back the string of a crossbow to engage the trigger mechanism for shooting of a projectile, and may also be utilized to unstring and string the bow. The invention utilizes a pulley system, mounted inside the barrel for convenience and safety.

1 . A crossbow comprising: 
 A longitudinally extending main beam having a longitudinally extending track thereon; a pair of outwardly extending arms having distal ends, said pair of outwardly extending arms extending transversely from opposite sides of said longitudinally extending main beam;    a crossbow bowstring attached to said distal ends of said pair of outwardly extending arms;    a crossbow trigger mechanism mounted on said longitudinally extending main beam; a claw member mounted to move along said longitudinally extending track of said longitudinally extending main beam, said claw member having a first attachment point on a first side of said longitudinally extending track and a second attachment point on a second side of said longitudinally track, said claw member being capable of moving said crossbow bowstring from a first uncocked position to a second cocked position in said crossbow trigger mechanism; and    a crossbow bowstring drawing mechanism including a first string member along said first side of said longitudinally extending track, said first string member having a distal end attached to said first attachment point of said claw member, and a second string member along said second side of said longitudinally extending track, said second string member having a distal end attached to said second attachment point of said claw member, said crossbow drawing mechanism being capable of retracting said first string member and said second string member along said longitudinally extending track at substantially the same rate.    
   
   
       2 . The crossbow in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said crossbow bowstring drawing mechanism includes a first hub member positioned on said first side of said longitudinally extending track to retract and store said first string member thereon and a second hub member positioned on said second side of said longitudinally extending track to retract and store said second string member thereon.  
   
   
       3 . The crossbow in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said claw member is capable of moving said crossbow bowstring from a second cocked position back to a first uncocked position.  
   
   
       4 . A crossbow bowstring cocking mechanism for a crossbow having a longitudinally extending main beam, a pair of outwardly extending arms having distal ends, the pair of outwardly extending arms extending transversely from opposite sides of the longitudinally extending main beam, a bowstring attached to the distal ends of the pair of outwardly extending arms and a trigger mechanism mounted on the longitudinally extending main beam, said cocking mechanism comprising: 
 a claw member selectively mounted to move along the longitudinally extending main beam, said claw member having a first claw side positioned on a first side of the main beam and a second claw side positioned on a second side of the main beam, said claw member being capable of moving the bowstring between a first uncocked position and a second cocked position in the crossbow trigger mechanism;    at least one string member forming a first string section along the first side of the main beam, said first string section engaging said first claw side; and    a second string section along the second side of the main beam, said second string section engaging said second claw side, and a drawing mechanism being capable of retracting said first and said second string sections along the main beam at substantially the same rate.    
   
   
       5 . A crossbow cocking device comprising a drawing mechanism for converting rotational power from an input source into longitudinal movement of at least one string member coupled to said drawing mechanism, said at least one string member also being operatively connected to a bowstring engaging member to cause corresponding longitudinal movement of said engaging member upon operation of said input source, wherein said drawing mechanism includes a retraction device to cause retraction of said at least one string member in association with said drawing mechanism when said bowstring engaging member is not engaged with a bowstring.  
   
   
       6 . The crossbow cocking device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said drawing mechanism includes a reduction gearing system to convert rotational power from said input source into said longitudinal movement of said claw member at a predetermined gear ratio.  
   
   
       7 . The crossbow cocking device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said at least one string member includes a first string portion operatively connected to a first side of said claw member, and a second string portion operatively connected to a second side of said bowstring engaging member, said drawing mechanism being capable of retracting said first string portion and said second string portion at substantially the same rate.  
   
   
       8 . The crossbow cocking device in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said drawing mechanism includes a first hub member to retract and store said first string portion thereon and a second hub member to retract and store said second string portion thereon and at least one spring member, wherein said hubs are spring loaded by said spring member allowing them to rewind said string portions automatically when said hub members are free to rotate and when said string portions are not under a restraining force.  
   
   
       9 . The crossbow cocking device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said drawing mechanism is capable of moving said bowstring engaging member and a crossbow bowstring engaged therewith from a cocked position back to a uncocked position.  
   
   
       10 . The crossbow cocking device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said drawing mechanism includes a selectively positionable locking mechanism, wherein said locking mechanism is positionable to prevent release of said at least one string member while allowing retraction of said at least one string member.  
   
   
       11 . The crossbow cocking device in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said device is contained in a housing.  
   
   
       12 . The crossbow cocking device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said housing is mounted integral to a stock of a crossbow.