Crossbow with trigger assembly

Abstract

A crossbow includes a center rail defining a projectile axis, a draw string coupled with the first cam and the second cam, the draw string configured to move between a released configuration and a drawn configuration, and a string carrier slidably coupled with the center rail. The string carrier is selectively engages the draw string and moves between a forward position and a retracted position. The crossbow includes a trigger assembly having a trigger and a trigger pawl operatively coupled to the trigger. During operation of the crossbow when the string carrier is in the retracted position, the trigger pawl is in an operating position and is operatively engaged with the string carrier. During operation of the crossbow when the string carrier is not in the retracted position, the trigger pawl is in the operating position and is operatively disengaged from the string carrier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crossbow, comprising:
 a center rail defining a projectile axis;   a first flexible limb coupled with the center rail;   a second flexible limb coupled with the center rail;   a first cam rotatably coupled with the first flexible limb for rotation about a first axis, the first axis fixed relative to the first flexible limb;   a second cam rotatably coupled with the second flexible limb for rotation about a second axis, the second axis fixed relative to the second flexible limb;   a draw string coupled with the first cam and the second cam, the draw string configured to move between a released configuration and a drawn configuration;   a string carrier slidably coupled with the center rail, the string carrier configured to selectively engage the draw string and move between a forward position and a retracted position, wherein the draw string is in the drawn configuration when the string carrier is engaged with the draw string and in the retracted position; and   a trigger assembly including a trigger and a trigger pawl, the trigger pawl operatively coupled to the trigger;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow when the string carrier is in the retracted position, the trigger pawl is in an operating position and is operatively engaged with the string carrier;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow when the string carrier is not in the retracted position, the trigger pawl is in the operating position and is operatively disengaged from the string carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein during operation of the crossbow, an actuation of the trigger causes a movement of the trigger pawl, wherein the movement of the trigger pawl is configured to cause the string carrier to release the draw string. 
     
     
         3 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein, during operation of the crossbow with the string carrier in the retracted position, an actuation of the trigger causes the trigger pawl to move while the trigger pawl remains operatively engaged with the string carrier, wherein a movement of the trigger pawl causes the string carrier to release the draw string. 
     
     
         4 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the string carrier including a string catch, the string catch configured to move between a closed position and an open position, wherein the string catch selectively retains the draw string in the closed position and selectively releases the draw string in the open position;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow with the string carrier in the retracted position, an actuation of the trigger causes the trigger pawl to move while the trigger pawl remains operatively engaged with the string carrier, wherein a movement of the trigger pawl causes the string catch to move from the closed position to the open position to release the draw string.   
     
     
         5 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the string carrier including a string catch and an actuation member operatively coupled to the string catch, the string catch configured to move between a closed position and an open position in response to a movement of the actuation member, wherein the string catch selectively retains the draw string in the closed position and selectively releases the draw string in the open position;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow with the string carrier in the retracted position:
 the trigger pawl contacts the actuation member; 
 an actuation of the trigger causes the trigger pawl to move while the trigger pawl remains in contact with the actuation member; and 
 a movement of the trigger pawl causes the movement of the actuation member. 
   
     
     
         6 . The crossbow of  claim 5 , wherein the operating position of the trigger pawl is a first operating position;
 wherein, during operation of the crossbow, the trigger pawl is configured to move between the first operating position to a second operating position in response to an actuation of the trigger, wherein a movement of the trigger pawl between the first operating position and the second operating position is configured to cause the movement of the actuation member;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow, the trigger pawl is configured to move from the first operating position only in response to an actuation of the trigger.   
     
     
         7 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the trigger assembly including an elongate linkage, the elongate linkage extending at least partially within the center rail and coupling the trigger to the trigger pawl.   
     
     
         8 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger pawl protrudes at least partially from the center rail. 
     
     
         9 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cable anchor coupled to the center rail;   a power cable operatively engaged with the first cam and engaged with the cable anchor; and   a draw string stop positioned adjacent the cable anchor, wherein the draw string stop is configured to contact the draw string with the draw string in the released configuration.   
     
     
         10 . A crossbow, comprising:
 a center rail defining a projectile axis;   a first flexible limb coupled with the center rail;   a second flexible limb coupled with the center rail;   a first cam rotatably coupled with the first flexible limb for rotation about a first axis, the first axis fixed relative to the first flexible limb;   a second cam rotatably coupled with the second flexible limb for rotation about a second axis, the second axis fixed relative to the second flexible limb;   a draw string coupled with the first cam and the second cam, the draw string configured to move between a released configuration and a drawn configuration;   a string carrier slidably coupled with the center rail, the string carrier configured to selectively engage the draw string and move between a forward position and a retracted position, wherein the draw string is in the drawn configuration when the string carrier is engaged with the draw string and in the retracted position; and   a trigger assembly including a trigger, an elongate linkage, and a trigger pawl, the trigger pawl operatively coupled to the trigger via the elongate linkage, wherein an actuation of the trigger causes a movement of the trigger pawl;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow when the string carrier is in the retracted position, the trigger pawl is in an operating position and is operatively engaged with the string carrier;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow when the string carrier is not in the retracted position, the trigger pawl is in the operating position and is operatively disengaged from the string carrier.   
     
     
         11 . The crossbow of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 the string carrier including a string catch, the string catch configured to move between a closed position and an open position, wherein the string catch selectively retains the draw string in the closed position and selectively releases the draw string in the open position;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow with the string carrier in the retracted position, an actuation of the trigger causes the trigger pawl to move while the trigger pawl remains operatively engaged with the string carrier, wherein a movement of the trigger pawl causes the string catch to move from the closed position to the open position to release the draw string.   
     
     
         12 . The crossbow of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 the string carrier including a string catch and an actuation member operatively coupled to the string catch, the string catch configured to move between a closed position and an open position in response to a movement of the actuation member, wherein the string catch selectively retains the draw string in the closed position and selectively releases the draw string in the open position;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow with the string carrier in the retracted position:
 the trigger pawl contacts the actuation member; 
 an actuation of the trigger causes the trigger pawl to move while the trigger pawl remains in contact with the actuation member; and 
 a movement of the trigger pawl causes the movement of the actuation member. 
   
     
     
         13 . The crossbow of  claim 12 , wherein the operating position of the trigger pawl is a first operating position;
 wherein, during operation of the crossbow, the trigger pawl is configured to move between the first operating position to a second operating position in response to an actuation of the trigger, wherein a movement of the trigger pawl between the first operating position and the second operating position is configured to cause the movement of the actuation member;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow, the trigger pawl is configured to move from the first operating position only in response to an actuation of the trigger.   
     
     
         14 . The crossbow of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a cable anchor coupled to the center rail;   a power cable operatively engaged with the first cam and engaged with the cable anchor; and   a draw string stop positioned adjacent the cable anchor, wherein the draw string stop is configured to contact the draw string with the draw string in the released configuration.   
     
     
         15 . The crossbow of  claim 10 , wherein, during operation of the crossbow with the string carrier in the retracted position, the actuation of the trigger causes the trigger pawl to move while the trigger pawl remains operatively engaged with the string carrier, wherein a movement of the trigger pawl causes the string carrier to release the draw string. 
     
     
         16 . The crossbow of  claim 10 , wherein the trigger pawl protrudes at least partially from the center rail. 
     
     
         17 . A crossbow, comprising:
 a center rail defining a projectile axis;   a first flexible limb coupled with the center rail;   a second flexible limb coupled with the center rail;   a first cam rotatably coupled with the first flexible limb for rotation about a first axis, the first axis fixed relative to the first flexible limb;   a second cam rotatably coupled with the second flexible limb for rotation about a second axis, the second axis fixed relative to the second flexible limb;   a draw string coupled with the first cam and the second cam, the draw string configured to move between a released configuration and a drawn configuration;   a string carrier slidably coupled with the center rail, the string carrier including a string catch and an actuation member operatively coupled with the string catch, the string carrier configured to selectively engage the draw string and move between a forward position and a retracted position, wherein the draw string is in the drawn configuration when the string carrier is engaged with the draw string and in the retracted position, the string catch configured to move between a closed position and an open position in response to a movement of the actuation member, wherein the string catch selectively retains the draw string in the closed position and selectively releases the draw string in the open position; and   a trigger assembly including a trigger, an elongate linkage, and a trigger pawl, the trigger pawl operatively coupled to the trigger via the elongate linkage, wherein an actuation of the trigger causes a movement of the trigger pawl;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow, the trigger pawl is (i) engaged with the actuation member of the string carrier when the string carrier is in the retracted position and (ii) disengaged from the actuation member when the string carrier is not in the retracted position.   
     
     
         18 . The crossbow of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a cable anchor coupled to the center rail;   a power cable operatively engaged with the first cam and engaged with the cable anchor; and   a draw string stop positioned adjacent the cable anchor, wherein the draw string stop is configured to contact the draw string with the draw string in the released configuration.   
     
     
         19 . The crossbow of  claim 17 , wherein, during operation of the crossbow with the string carrier in the retracted position, the actuation of the trigger causes the trigger pawl to move while the trigger pawl remains operatively engaged with the actuation member of the string carrier, wherein a movement of the trigger pawl causes the movement of the actuation member. 
     
     
         20 . The crossbow of  claim 17 , wherein the trigger pawl protrudes at least partially from the center rail.