Rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing

Abstract

A rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device and method for use with a variety of crossbows having a variety of bowstring drawing mechanisms having rotational input units, providing a unit case, an electric powered drive unit, a charge-storage unit battery or capacitor, a charging port, and a controller, where operation of a draw activator causes the drive unit to rotate, turning a rotational-input-unit adapter that matches the crossbow's rotational input unit, which transfers rotational force from the drive unit through the rotational-input-unit adapter to the rotational input unit of the crossbow, causing the crossbow's bowstring drawing mechanism to draw and lock the bowstring. Preferred embodiments additionally provide a grip surface on the unit case, an indicator, such as a light to indicate charging and operational status, a tether point providing for attachment of a tether, such as a strap, lanyard, or clip, and a bracing extension providing for bracing against the crossbow structure. A releasing embodiment additionally provides rotational force assistance for controlled release of tension on the bowstring, where operation of a release activator causes the drive unit, rotational-input-adapter, and the crossbow's rotational input unit to rotate in an opposite direction, thereby releasing tension on the bowstring in a controlled and safe manner.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device for use with a crossbow having a bowstring drawing mechanism having a rotational input unit, the rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device comprising:
 (i) a unit case adapted for portability and for single-hand use;   (ii) a drive unit adapted to transform supplied electric power into rotational force;   (iii) at least one rotational-input-unit adapter adapted to transfer rotational force from said drive unit to the rotational input unit of the bowstring drawing mechanism of the crossbow;   (iv) a charge-storage unit adapted to store and release electric power for operation of said drive unit;   (v) a charging port adapted to receive electric power for storage in said charge-storage unit;   (vi) a draw activator adapted to activate said drive unit to apply rotational force in a tightening direction; and   (vii) a controller adapted to control operation of said drive unit and said charge-storage unit.   
     
     
         2 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a bracing extension adapted for bracing against the crossbow structure to resist counter-rotational force. 
     
     
         3 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a retractable bracing extension adapted for bracing against the crossbow structure to resist counter-rotational force. 
     
     
         4 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a grip surface on said unit case. 
     
     
         5 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 1 , further comprising an indicator on said unit case, adapted to show status information. 
     
     
         6 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a tether point on said unit case, adapted to provide a mounting point for a tether. 
     
     
         7 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a release activator adapted to activate said drive unit to apply rotational force in a releasing direction. 
     
     
         8 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 1 , where said at least one rotational-input-unit adapters further comprise a plurality of rotational-input-unit adapters, each adapted to mount to the rotational input unit of the bowstring drawing mechanism of a specific crossbow. 
     
     
         9 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 1 , where said charging port further comprises a USB charging port. 
     
     
         10 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 1 , where said charge-storage unit further comprises a battery. 
     
     
         11 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 1 , where said charge-storage unit further comprises a capacitor. 
     
     
         12 . A rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device for use with a crossbow having a bowstring drawing mechanism having a rotational input unit, the rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device comprising:
 (i) a unit case having a grip surface, adapted for portability and for single-hand use;   (ii) a drive unit adapted to transform supplied electric power into rotational force;   (iii) a plurality of rotational-input-unit adapters, each adapted to mount to the rotational input unit of the bowstring drawing mechanism of a specific crossbow, adapted to transfer rotational force from said drive unit to the rotational input unit of the bowstring drawing mechanism of the crossbow;   (iv) a charge-storage unit adapted to store and release electric power for operation of said drive unit;   (v) a charging port adapted to receive electric power for storage in said charge-storage unit;   (vi) a draw activator adapted to activate said drive unit to apply rotational force in a tightening direction;   (vii) a release activator adapted to activate said drive unit to apply rotational force in a releasing direction;   (viii) a controller adapted to control operation of said drive unit and said charge-storage unit;   (ix) an indicator on said unit case, adapted to show status information; and   (x) a tether point on said unit case, adapted to provide a mounting point for a tether.   
     
     
         13 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 12 , where said bracing extension further comprises a retractable bracing extension. 
     
     
         14 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 12 , where said charging port further comprises a USB charging port. 
     
     
         15 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 12 , where said charge-storage unit further comprises a battery. 
     
     
         16 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device of  claim 12 , where said charge-storage unit further comprises a capacitor. 
     
     
         17 . A rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing method for use with a crossbow having a bowstring drawing mechanism having a rotational input unit, the rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing method comprising:
 (i) providing a rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device comprising:   (a) a unit case adapted for portability and for single-hand use;   (b) a drive unit adapted to transform supplied electric power into rotational force;   (c) at least one rotational-input-unit adapter adapted to transfer rotational force from said drive unit to the rotational input unit of the bowstring drawing mechanism of the crossbow;   (d) a charge-storage unit adapted to store and release electric power for operation of said drive unit;   (e) a charging port adapted to receive electric power for storage in said charge-storage unit;   (f) a draw activator adapted to activate said drive unit to apply rotational force in a tightening direction; and   (g) a controller adapted to control operation of said drive unit and said charge-storage unit;   (ii) mounting said rotational-input-unit adapter to said drive unit;   (iii) mounting said rotational-input-unit adapter mounted to said drive unit to the rotational input unit of the bowstring drawing mechanism of the crossbow;   (iv) engaging said draw activator; and   (v) causing said rotational-input-unit adapter mounted to said drive unit to apply rotational force in a tightening direction to the rotational input unit of the bowstring drawing mechanism of the crossbow.   
     
     
         18 . The rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing said rotational force assistance for crossbow drawing device further comprising a release activator adapted to activate said drive unit to apply rotational force in a releasing direction; engaging said release activator; and causing said rotational-input-unit adapter mounted to said drive unit to apply rotational force in a releasing direction to the rotational input unit of the bowstring drawing mechanism of the crossbow.