Crossbow with scope mount

Abstract

A crossbow includes a center rail, a first flexible limb, a second flexible limb, a first cam, a second cam, a draw string, a string carrier, and a scope mount. The draw string is coupled with the first cam and the second cam and is configured to move between a released configuration and a drawn configuration. The string carrier is slidably engaged with the center rail and configured to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the string carrier is positioned at least partially between the scope mount and the center rail and is configured to engage the draw string, with the draw string in the released configuration. In the second position, the string carrier is configured to retain the draw string in the drawn configuration and the string carrier is positioned at least partially between the scope mount and the center rail.

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 engaged with the center rail and configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the string carrier is configured to engage the draw string with the draw string in the released configuration, wherein, in the second position, the string carrier is configured to retain the draw string in the drawn configuration; and   a scope mount positioned vertically above the center rail and the projectile axis;   wherein the string carrier is positioned at least partially between the scope mount and the center rail with the string carrier in the first position, wherein the string carrier is positioned at least partially between the scope mount and the center rail with the string carrier in the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stock coupled to the center rail and including a check rest;   wherein the scope mount extends from the check rest in a down-range direction.   
     
     
         3 . The crossbow of  claim 2 , wherein, in the second position, the string carrier is positioned at least partially between the check rest and the center rail. 
     
     
         4 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a riser coupled to the center rail, the first flexible limb and the second flexible limb coupled to the riser; and   the scope mount including a down-range end coupled with the riser.   
     
     
         5 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stock coupled to the center rail; and   the scope mount including an up-range end coupled with the stock;   wherein the stock defines the second position of the string carrier.   
     
     
         6 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a riser coupled to the center rail, the first flexible limb and the second flexible limb coupled to the riser;   a stock coupled to the center rail; and   the scope mount including a down-range end and an up-range end, the down-range end coupled with the riser, the up-range end coupled with the stock.   
     
     
         7 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power cable bracket coupled with the center rail;   a first power cable engaged with the first cam and the power cable bracket;   a second power cable engaged with the second cam and the power cable bracket; and   the scope mount defining a down-range end, the down-range end coupled with the power cable bracket.   
     
     
         8 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power cable bracket coupled with the center rail;   a first power cable engaged with the first cam and the power cable bracket;   a second power cable engaged with the second cam and the power cable bracket;   a stock coupled to the center rail; and   the scope mount defining a down-range end and an up-range end, the down-range end coupled with the power cable bracket, the up-range end coupled with the stock.   
     
     
         9 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a riser coupled to the center rail, the riser including a first stop and a second stop;   a first power cable engaged with the first cam and the riser, wherein the first power cable is engaged with the riser proximate the first stop;   a second power cable engaged with the second cam and the riser, wherein the second power cable is engaged with the riser proximate the second stop; and   the scope mount including a down-range end coupled with the riser;   wherein, in the released configuration, at least a portion of the draw string is positioned against the first stop and the second stop.   
     
     
         10 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rotating member operatively coupled to the string carrier via a flexible tension member; and   a cocking handle configured to rotate the rotating member, wherein rotation of the rotating member causes the flexible tension member to wind about the rotating member;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow, a winding of the flexible tension member about the rotating member causes the string carrier to move from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         11 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stock coupled to the center rail; and   a rotating member operatively coupled to the string carrier via a flexible tension member, the rotating member configured to rotate relative to the stock;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow, a winding of the flexible tension member about the rotating member causes the string carrier to move from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         12 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stock coupled to the center rail;   a rotating member operatively coupled to the string carrier via a flexible tension member, the rotating member configured to rotate relative to the stock;   a riser coupled to the center rail, the riser including a first stop and a second stop;   a first power cable engaged with the first cam and the riser, wherein the first power cable is engaged with the riser proximate the first stop;   a second power cable engaged with the second cam and the riser, wherein the second power cable is engaged with the riser proximate the second stop; and   the scope mount including a down-range end and an up-range end, the down-range end coupled with the riser, the up-range end coupled with the stock;   wherein, in the released configuration, at least a portion of the draw string is positioned against the first stop and the second stop;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow, a winding of the flexible tension member about the rotating member causes the string carrier to move from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         13 . A crossbow comprising:
 a center rail defining a projectile axis;   a stock coupled to the center rail;   a riser coupled to the center rail;   a first flexible limb coupled to the riser;   a second flexible limb coupled to the riser;   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 engaged with the center rail and configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the string carrier is configured to engage the draw string with the draw string in the released configuration, wherein, in the second position, the string carrier is configured to retain the draw string in the drawn configuration; and   a scope mount coupled to the stock and the riser, the scope mount positioned vertically above the center rail and the projectile axis;   wherein the string carrier is positioned at least partially between the scope mount and the center rail with the string carrier in the first position, wherein the string carrier is positioned at least partially between the scope mount and the center rail with the string carrier in the second position.   
     
     
         14 . The crossbow of  claim 13 , wherein:
 a rotating member operatively coupled to the string carrier via a flexible tension member, the rotating member configured to rotate relative to the stock;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow, a winding of the flexible tension member about the rotating member causes the string carrier to move from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         15 . The crossbow of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 the riser including a first stop and a second stop;   a first power cable engaged with the first cam and the riser, wherein the first power cable is engaged with the riser proximate the first stop; and   a second power cable engaged with the second cam and the riser, wherein the second power cable is engaged with the riser proximate the second stop;   wherein, in the released configuration, at least a portion of the draw string is positioned against the first stop and the second stop.   
     
     
         16 . The crossbow of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a rotating member operatively coupled to the string carrier via a flexible tension member, the rotating member configured to rotate relative to the stock;   the riser including a first stop and a second stop;   a first power cable engaged with the first cam and the riser, wherein the first power cable is engaged with the riser proximate the first stop; and   a second power cable engaged with the second cam and the riser, wherein the second power cable is engaged with the riser proximate the second stop;   wherein, in the released configuration, at least a portion of the draw string is positioned against the first stop and the second stop;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow, a winding of the flexible tension member about the rotating member causes the string carrier to move from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         17 . A crossbow comprising:
 a center rail defining a projectile axis;   a riser coupled to the center rail and defining a stop;   a first flexible limb coupled to the riser;   a second flexible limb coupled to the riser;   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 first power cable engaged with the first cam and the riser, wherein the first power cable is engaged with the riser in a down-range direction of the stop;   a second power cable engaged with the second cam and the riser, wherein the second power cable is engaged with the riser in a down-range direction of the stop;   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 engaged with the center rail and configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the string carrier is configured to engage the draw string with the draw string in the released configuration, wherein, in the second position, the string carrier is configured to retain the draw string in the drawn configuration; and   a scope mount coupled to the riser, the scope mount positioned vertically above the center rail and the projectile axis;   wherein the string carrier is positioned at least partially between the scope mount and the center rail with the string carrier in the first position, wherein the string carrier is positioned at least partially between the scope mount and the center rail with the string carrier in the second position;   wherein, in the released configuration, at least a portion of the draw string is positioned against the stop.   
     
     
         18 . The crossbow of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a stock coupled to the center rail; and   a rotating member operatively coupled to the string carrier via a flexible tension member, the rotating member configured to rotate relative to the stock;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow, a winding of the flexible tension member about the rotating member causes the string carrier to move from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         19 . The crossbow of  claim 17 , wherein the first power cable is a first upper power cable and the second power cable is a second upper power cable, the crossbow further comprising:
 a first lower power cable engaged with the first cam and the riser, wherein the first lower power cable is engaged with the riser in a down-range direction of the stop; and   a second lower power cable engaged with the second cam and the riser, wherein the second lower power cable is engaged with the riser in a down-range direction of the stop.   
     
     
         20 . The crossbow of  claim 17 , wherein the first power cable is a first upper power cable and the second power cable is a second upper power cable, the crossbow further comprising:
 a first lower power cable engaged with the first cam and the riser, wherein the first lower power cable is engaged with the riser in a down-range direction of the stop;   a second lower power cable engaged with the second cam and the riser, wherein the second lower power cable is engaged with the riser in a down-range direction of the stop;   a stock coupled to the center rail; and   a rotating member operatively coupled to the string carrier via a flexible tension member, the rotating member configured to rotate relative to the stock;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow, a winding of the flexible tension member about the rotating member causes the string carrier to move from the first position to the second position.