Abstract: A trigger assembly for a crossbow comprises a string retainer and a trigger mechanism. The trigger assembly can further comprise a piston, a safety mechanism, a secondary safety mechanism, a bolt sensor, or a pair of rotating sears. The string retainer can comprise a pair of opposed jaws.

Abstract: A projectile includes an elongated shaft having a fore-end and an aft-end. A nose portion is affixed to the fore-end of the shaft, and cutting edges are attached near the aft-end of the shaft. For the present invention, the nose portion of the projectile is preferably made of a material having a greater density than the material that is used to construct the shaft of the projectile. In any event, the structure and configuration of the projectile is such that its center of gravity is located in the forward half of the projectile. Also, the cutting edges at the aft-end of the shaft can be configured to function as stabilizing fins for the projectile in flight.

Abstract: A projectile having a proximal tube and distal tube is described. A piston that is formed with a vent covers the distal end of the proximal tube. The piston is inserted into an open proximal end of the distal tube to establish a compression chamber in the distal tube between the axially moveable piston and a closed distal tube end. A valve is positioned at the proximal end of the proximal tube to selectively pressurize a space in the proximal tube between the valve and piston. The space, in turn, is in fluid communication with the compression chamber through the vent formed in the piston. The vent is formed as a constriction allowing fluid to flow into the compression chamber during an initial pressurization, while allowing for pressure buildup in the compression chamber during the initial relative movement between the proximal and distal tubes that occurs immediately after projectile launch.

Abstract: A sectionalized arrow includes a tubular-shaped tip section and a tubular-shaped nock section. Structurally, the aft-end of the tip section is formed with a chamber, and the fore-end of the tip section is formed with an insert. Essentially, the insert of the nock section and the chamber of the tip section have the same length “L”. A shim or strip of coating is positioned on the insert of the nock section to force contact between the insert and the chamber to establish a snug fit between the tip section and the nock section.

Abstract: A man-powered system for pneumatically launching a pellet cluster includes a cartridge for holding the pellet cluster. A hollow propulsion shaft receives the cartridge for substantially free travel back and forth in the shaft to establish a variable-volume compression chamber in the shaft, between the cartridge and a closed end of the shaft. When a driving force acts to launch the combination of cartridge and shaft, the cartridge moves to compress gas in the compression chamber for a subsequent expansion that will propel the cartridge forward through the shaft. After launch, the compressed gas acts to separate the pellet cluster from the cartridge and to provide a pneumatic assist that increases the velocity of pellets after separation.

Abstract: A device for transferring energy to propel a payload with added velocity after launch includes a first component having a mass (m1), and a second component having a mass (m2). As an assembly, the first and second components are positioned to establish a compression chamber between them that is dimensionally responsive to their relative movements. And, a payload is mounted on a selected component of the assembly. In operation, a driving force is exerted against one component of the assembly to propel the entire assembly along a predetermined flight path. Contemporaneously with this acceleration, the two components are moved toward each other. In turn, this compresses gas in the gas chamber to generate potential energy that is transferred as the gas expands to separate the payload from the assembly with added velocity.

Abstract: A multi-pellet launcher includes a hollow elongated tube having a closed end and an open end. A spring and a plurality of “n” pellets are placed inside the tube, and a binary latch interacts between the pellets and the tube. Specifically, the binary latch is established to compress the spring against the closed end of the tube, and to hold the pellets in the tube in response to the static force “Fs” that is generated by the compressed spring. In various configurations, the binary latch is always configured according to the value of “n”, and is established such that, prior to launch, “Fs” is substantially constant for all configurations of the binary latch. The binary latch is acceleration-activated.

Abstract: A system and method for propelling pellets from a launch tube includes a retainer plug for holding the pellets inside the launch tube between the retainer plug and a compressed spring. A latch is established on the launch tube to restrain forward movement of the retainer ring in response to the bias force imposed by the compressed spring. In operation, the launch tube is propelled in a forward direction by a man-powered weapon to further compress the spring and release the latch from the retainer plug. After the initial acceleration has subsided, force from the compressed spring provides a forward propulsion of the retainer plug and the plurality of pellets from the launch tube for travel of the pellets toward an intended target. As an added feature, the launch tube can be extended to delay separation of the pellets from the tube for a so-called “choke” effect.

Abstract: A system and method for propelling pellets from a launch tube in flight includes a payload section and a stabilizing section. The launch tube and its pellets are essentially the payload section. The stabilizing section is essentially the equivalent of an arrow, and it includes a connector for selectively engaging the stabilizing section with the payload section. In use, the stabilizing section is reusable with a sequence of payload sections.

Abstract: A system and method for propelling pellets from a launch tube includes a retainer plug for holding the pellets inside the launch tube between the retainer plug and a compressed spring. A latch is established on the launch tube to restrain forward movement of the retainer ring in response to the bias force imposed by the compressed spring. In operation, the launch tube is propelled in a forward direction by a man-powered weapon. This creates an acceleration force on the tube that moves the retainer plug and pellets in a rearward direction relative to the launch tube to further compress the spring and release the latch from the retainer plug. After the initial acceleration has subsided, force from the compressed spring provides a forward propulsion of the retainer plug and the plurality of pellets from the launch tube for travel of the pellets toward an intended target.