Projectile-launching implement having multi-stage draw

Abstract

A bow includes an upper limb and a lower limb. A restraint system stores energy in the upper limb and the lower limb via drawing a tensioning cable to a charged position. A bow string releases the energy stored in the upper limb and the lower limb by the restraint system when the bow string is drawn to a ready position.

1 . A projectile-launching device positionable in a release position wherein the device is unable to launch a projectile, a ready position wherein the device is able to launch a projectile, and a hold position located between the release position and the ready position, wherein the projectile-launching device comprises:
 a restraint system for preventing the device from being moved from the hold position directly to the release position; and   a release mechanism for disengaging the restraint system so as to allow the device to be returned to the release position directly from the ready position, wherein the release mechanism disengages the restraint system when the device is moved to the ready position, and wherein the device is unable to launch the projectile from the hold position.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of deflectable arms and at least one tensioning member connecting the plurality of arms. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the plurality of deflectable arms comprise:
 a superior primary limb and an inferior primary limb; and 
 a superior secondary limb and an inferior secondary limb; and 
   wherein at least one tensioning member comprises:
 a primary cable connecting the superior primary limb and the inferior primary limb; and 
 a secondary cable connecting the superior secondary limb and the inferior secondary limb. 
   
     
     
         4 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 3 , wherein the restraint system holds the superior secondary limb and the inferior secondary limb in a deflected position, when the secondary cable is moved to a second cable drawn position. 
     
     
         5 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 4 , wherein the release system deactivates the restraint system when the superior primary limb and the inferior primary limb are moved to a deflected position. 
     
     
         6 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 4 , wherein the release system deactivates the restraint system when the primary cable is moved to a primary cable drawn position. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 3 , wherein the restraint system comprises a ratchet and pawl located on at least one of the secondary limbs. 
     
     
         8 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 7 , wherein the release mechanism comprises an engagement element located on at least one of the primary limbs. 
     
     
         9 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 3 , wherein the primary cable is configured to releasably engage a projectile. 
     
     
         10 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 2 , further comprising a gearbox and a gear system comprising a tensioning member pulley located in the gearbox, wherein the tensioning element is wrapped at least partially around the tensioning member pulley. 
     
     
         11 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 10 , wherein the gear system further comprises a ratchet and a pawl releasably engaging the ratchet. 
     
     
         12 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 11 , wherein the release mechanism disengages the ratchet from the pawl. 
     
     
         13 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 12 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a trigger. 
     
     
         14 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 12 , wherein the release mechanism disengages the ratchet from the pawl when a bow string is moved from an undrawn position to an drawn position. 
     
     
         15 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 11 , wherein the gear system further comprises an actuator pulley and an actuator cable wrapped at least partially around the actuator pulley. 
     
     
         16 . The projectile-launching device of  claim 15 , wherein a free end of the actuator cable extends from the gearbox. 
     
     
         17 . A method of launching a projectile with a projectile-launching device comprising a release position, a hold position, and a ready position, the method comprising:
 moving the device from the release position to the hold position, wherein when in the hold position, the device is prevented from returning to the release position and from launching the projectile from the hold position;   moving the device from the hold position to the ready position, wherein when in the ready position, the device is enabled to return to the release position and to launch the projectile; and   releasing the device from the ready position to the release position to launch the projectile.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising automatically engaging a restraint mechanism when the device is moved from the release position to the hold position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising automatically disengaging the restraint system when the device is moved to the ready position. 
     
     
         20 . A bow comprising:
 an upper limb and a lower limb;   a tensioning cable and restraint system whereby energy may be stored in the upper limb and the lower limb via drawing the tensioning cable to a charged position; and   a bow string that, via drawing the bow string to a ready position, releases the energy stored in the upper limb and the lower limb by the restraint system.