Crossbow

Abstract

A crossbow is configured to shoot a projectile. The crossbow includes a frame having a stock positioned at a rear end, the frame defining a horizontal projectile plane at a top side in which a projectile axis is positioned. The projectile moves within the horizontal projectile plane and along the projectile axis during firing and arming of the crossbow, and the projectile is fired from a front end of the frame. The crossbow further includes a drawstring hub connectable to ends of a drawstring. Rotation of the drawstring hub in at least one direction is powered, such as by a force applied by flexed limbs. The crossbow further includes drawstring guides attached to the frame for guiding the drawstring across the projectile axis between the ends of the drawstring. The first and second drawstring guides each include a pulley wheel, wherein the drawstring is guided at least partially around each pulley wheel. A further aspect is a crossbow having a frame comprised of a first frame portion and a second frame portion that are detachably coupled to one another via a fastening mechanism.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A crossbow, comprising:
 a stock defining a projectile axis;   a first limb and a second limb, each having a first end coupled with the stock and a second end;   a first wheel and a second wheel rotatably coupled with the stock;   a drawstring operatively coupled with the first limb and the second limb, the drawstring configured to move between an undrawn position and a drawn position; and   the drawstring including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion engaged with the first wheel and oriented at a vertical angle relative to the projectile axis with the drawstring in the undrawn position, the second portion engaged with the second wheel and oriented at a second vertical angle relative to the projectile axis with the drawstring in the undrawn position.   
     
     
         22 . The crossbow of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a first power cable operatively coupled with the first wheel and the first limb; and   a second power cable operatively coupled with the second wheel and the second limb.   
     
     
         23 . The crossbow of  claim 22 , wherein the first power cable is coupled with the second end of the first limb and the second power cable is coupled with the second end of the second limb. 
     
     
         24 . The crossbow of  claim 23 , wherein a rotation of the first wheel causes the first power cable to wind about a first power wheel, wherein a winding of the first power cable about the first power wheel causes the second end of the first limb to move. 
     
     
         25 . The crossbow of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a first power cable operatively coupled with the first wheel and the first limb, the first power cable at least partially extending in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the projectile axis; and   a second power cable operatively coupled with the second wheel and the second limb, the second power cable at least partially extending in the vertical direction.   
     
     
         26 . The crossbow of  claim 21 , wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are operatively coupled together. 
     
     
         27 . The crossbow of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a mechanical element coupled with the first wheel and the second wheel to mechanically time the first wheel and the second wheel.   
     
     
         28 . The crossbow of  claim 27 , wherein mechanical timing of the first wheel and the second wheel causes the first portion of the drawstring to unwind from the first wheel and the second portion of the drawstring to unwind from the second wheel at substantially the same rate. 
     
     
         29 . A crossbow, comprising:
 a stock defining a projectile axis;   a first limb and a second limb, each having a first end coupled with the stock and a second end;   a first wheel and a second wheel rotatably coupled with the stock;   a first power cable operatively coupled with the first wheel and the first limb, the first power cable at least partially extending in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the projectile axis; and   a second power cable operatively coupled with the second wheel and the second limb, the second power cable at least partially extending in the vertical direction.   
     
     
         30 . The crossbow of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 a drawstring operatively coupled with the first limb and the second limb, the drawstring configured to move between an undrawn position and a drawn position; and   the drawstring including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion operatively engaged with the first wheel and oriented at a vertical angle relative to the projectile axis with the drawstring in the undrawn position, the second portion operatively engaged with the second wheel and oriented at a second vertical angle relative to the projectile axis with the drawstring in the undrawn position.   
     
     
         31 . The crossbow of  claim 29 , wherein a rotation of the first wheel causes the first power cable to wind about the first wheel, wherein a winding of the first power cable about the first wheel causes the second end of the first limb to move. 
     
     
         32 . The crossbow of  claim 29 , wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are operatively coupled together. 
     
     
         33 . The crossbow of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 a mechanical element coupled with the first wheel and the second wheel to mechanically time the first wheel and the second wheel.   
     
     
         34 . The crossbow of  claim 33 , wherein mechanical timing of the first wheel and the second wheel causes the first power cable to wind about the first wheel and the second power cable to wind about the second wheel at substantially the same rate. 
     
     
         35 . A crossbow, comprising:
 a stock defining a projectile axis;   a first limb and a second limb, each having a first end coupled with the stock and a second end;   a first wheel and a second wheel rotatably coupled with the stock; and   a drawstring operatively coupled with the first limb and the second limb, the drawstring configured to move between an undrawn position and a drawn position, the drawstring including a first portion engaged with the first wheel and a second portion engaged with the second wheel,   wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are mechanically timed.   
     
     
         36 . The crossbow of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 a first power cable operatively coupled with the first wheel and the first limb; and   a second power cable operatively coupled with the second wheel and the second limb.   
     
     
         37 . The crossbow of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 a first power cable operatively coupled with the first wheel and the first limb, the first power cable at least partially extending in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the projectile axis; and   a second power cable operatively coupled with the second wheel and the second limb, the second power cable at least partially extending in the vertical direction.   
     
     
         38 . The crossbow of  claim 35 , wherein the first portion of the drawstring is oriented at a vertical angle relative to the projectile axis with the drawstring in the undrawn position, wherein the second portion of the drawstring is oriented at a second vertical angle relative to the projectile axis with the drawstring in the undrawn position. 
     
     
         39 . The crossbow of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 a mechanical element coupled with the first wheel and the second wheel to mechanically time the first wheel and the second wheel.   
     
     
         40 . The crossbow of  claim 35 , wherein the mechanical timing of the first wheel and the second wheel causes the first portion of the drawstring to unwind from the first wheel and the second portion of the drawstring to unwind from the second wheel at substantially the same rate.