Crossbow with trigger assembly

Abstract

A crossbow includes a center rail defining a projectile axis, a stock coupled with the center rail, 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 stock includes a retaining mechanism that protrudes at least partially from the stock. The string carrier includes a pin and is selectively engages the draw string and moves between a forward position and a retracted position, where the draw string is in the drawn configuration when the string carrier is engaged with the draw string and in the retracted position. The retaining mechanism is configured to selectively engage the pin to retain the string carrier in the retracted position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crossbow, comprising:
 a center rail defining a projectile axis;   a stock coupled to the center rail and including a retaining mechanism;   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; and   a string carrier slidably coupled with the center rail, the string carrier including a pin, 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;   wherein, during operation of the crossbow, the pin of the string carrier is configured to engage with the retaining mechanism of the stock to retain the string carrier in the retracted position.   
     
     
         2 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising a release lever operatively engaged with the retaining mechanism, wherein actuation of the release lever causes a movement of the retaining mechanism to disengage the retaining mechanism from the pin. 
     
     
         3 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining mechanism is a hook that protrudes at least partially from the stock. 
     
     
         4 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , the string carrier further including a housing, wherein the pin is oriented about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the projectile axis and positioned at least partially within the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , the string carrier further including a housing, wherein the pin is oriented about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the projectile axis and positioned at least partially within the housing;
 wherein, during operation of the crossbow, the retaining mechanism extends at least partially into the housing to engage the pin and retain the string carrier in the retracted position.   
     
     
         6 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a trigger assembly including a trigger and a 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 the operating position and is operatively disengaged from the string carrier.   
     
     
         7 . The crossbow of  claim 6 , 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. 
     
     
         8 . The crossbow of  claim 6 , the string carrier further including a string catch and an actuation member operatively coupled with 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, 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 movement of the actuation member.   
     
     
         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 stock coupled with the center rail and including a hook, the hook protruding at least partially from the stock and configured to selectively engage the string carrier to retain the string carrier in the retracted position.   
     
     
         11 . The crossbow of  claim 10 , further comprising a release lever operatively engaged with the hook, wherein an actuation of the release lever causes a movement of the hook to disengage the hook from the string carrier. 
     
     
         12 . The crossbow of  claim 10 , the string carrier further including a pin, the hook configured to engage the pin to retain the string carrier in the retracted position. 
     
     
         13 . The crossbow of  claim 12 , the string carrier further including a housing wherein the pin is positioned at least partially within the housing and oriented about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the projectile axis. 
     
     
         14 . The crossbow of  claim 12 , the string carrier further including a housing wherein the pin is positioned at least partially within the housing and oriented about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the projectile axis;
 wherein, during operation of the crossbow the hook extends at least partially into the housing to engage the pin and retain the string carrier in the retracted position.   
     
     
         15 . The crossbow of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a trigger assembly including a trigger and a 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 the operating position and is operatively disengaged from the string carrier.   
     
     
         16 . 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.   
     
     
         17 . A crossbow, comprising:
 a center rail defining a projectile axis;   a stock coupled with the center rail and including a hook protruding at least partially from the stock;   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; and   a string carrier slidably coupled with the center rail, the string carrier including a housing and a pin, the pin positioned at least partially within the housing, 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;   wherein the hook is configured to engage the pin to retain the string carrier 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 , further comprising:
 a trigger assembly including a trigger and a 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 the operating position and is operatively disengaged from the string carrier.   
     
     
         20 . The crossbow of  claim 19 , 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.