Abstract: A crossbow may have a main beam, two bow limbs, a bow string and a trigger mechanism. First ends of the bow limbs may extend distally beyond the distal end of the main beam on respective sides of the main beam. The bow limb first ends may be separated from each other such that a minimum distance between them is at least as wide as a user's foot but not greater than about 5 inches.

Abstract: A crossbow may include a main beam, a riser with a U-shaped opening, a pair of bow limbs and a bowstring. The riser may have limb attachment surfaces that are separated such that a minimum distance between them is at least as wide as a user's foot but not greater than about 5 inches. The riser may have a U-shaped opening that is designed to receive a user's foot.

Abstract: A crossbow may include a main beam, a riser with a U-shaped opening, a pair of bow limbs and a bowstring. The riser may have limb attachment surfaces that are separated such that a minimum distance between them is at least as wide as a user's foot but not greater than about 5 inches. The riser may have a U-shaped opening that is designed to receive a user's foot.

Abstract: A method of constructing a crossbow may include the steps of: supporting the riser to the main beam; supporting a pair of bow limbs to the ends of the riser; separating the bow limbs such that a minimum distance between them is not greater than about 5 inches; supporting the bowstring to the bow limbs; and providing at least a portion of the opening in the riser to be as wide as a user's foot and to extend between the bow limb.

Abstract: A nock may be used with an associated arrow and an associated crossbow. The nock may include a connection surface designed to connect the nock to the associated arrow and string guide impressions that may be designed to receive a bowstring to fire the associated arrow from the associated bow.

Abstract: A method of constructing a crossbow may include the steps of: supporting the riser to the main beam; supporting a pair of bow limbs to the ends of the riser; separating the bow limbs such that a minimum distance between them is not greater than about 5 inches; supporting the bowstring to the bow limbs; and providing at least a portion of the opening in the riser to be as wide as a user's foot and to extend between the bow limb.

Abstract: A crossbow assembly may include a riser and a pair of bow limbs that attach to the riser. The limb attachment surfaces on the riser may be separated such that a minimum distance between them is not greater than 5 inches. The minimum distance may be at least as wide as a user's foot. The riser may have an opening that extends between the limb attachment surfaces. The limb attachment surfaces may be angled between 60 and 30 degrees. The riser may have a foot stirrup that begins behind the limb attachment surfaces and extends beyond them.

Abstract: A nock may be used with an associated arrow and an associated crossbow. The nock may include a connection surface designed to connect the nock to the associated arrow and string guide impressions that may be designed to receive a bowstring to fire the associated arrow from the associated bow.

Abstract: Provided is a crossbow safety system comprising a crossbow, a pressure sensor, and an interlock. The crossbow has a bowstring operable between a cocked and an uncocked position, a foregrip adapted for being grasped by an associated hand of an associated user, and a trigger assembly adapted to selectably retain the bowstring in the cocked position. The pressure sensor is on or in the foregrip, and is adapted to detect a pressure signature from the foregrip being grasped by an associated hand of an associated user, the associated hand having fingers. The interlock is operationally engaged with the pressure sensor and the trigger assembly, and is adapted to lock the trigger assembly from releasing the bowstring if the pressure sensor does not detect a first pressure signature sufficiently similar to a predetermined pressure signature.

Abstract: An arrow nock may have at least two distinct string guide impressions each designed to receive a bowstring to fire an arrow from a bow. The nock may be operable when connected and aligned with the arrow to cause the bowstring to be received within at least one of the string guide impressions to fire the arrow. As it is received within the string guide impression, the bowstring may cause the arrow to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Provided is a crossbow safety system comprising a crossbow, optic fence, and interlock. The crossbow may have a bowstring operable between a cocked and an uncocked position, the cocked position and the uncocked position defining between them a bowstring plane, and a trigger assembly adapted to selectably retain the bowstring in the cocked position. The optic fence may be adapted to detect an obstruction in a safety plane coincident with the bowstring plane or offset below the bowstring plane by some offset distance. The optic fence may have an infrared emitter adapted to output IR radiation, and a photodiode adapted to sense the output IR radiation from the infrared emitter. The interlock may be operationally engaged with the optic fence and the trigger assembly. The interlock may be adapted to lock the trigger assembly from releasing the bowstring if the optic fence detects an obstruction in the safety plane.

Abstract: A crossbow assembly may include a riser and a pair of bow limbs that attach to the riser. The limb attachment surfaces on the riser may be separated such that a minimum distance between them is not greater than 5 inches. The minimum distance may be at least as wide as a user's foot. The riser may have an opening that extends between the limb attachment surfaces. The limb attachment surfaces may be angled between 60 and 30 degrees. The riser may have a foot stirrup that begins behind the limb attachment surfaces and extends beyond them.

Abstract: Provided is a crossbow safety system comprising a crossbow, a pressure sensor, and an interlock. The crossbow has a bowstring operable between a cocked and an uncocked position, a foregrip adapted for being grasped by an associated hand of an associated user, and a trigger assembly adapted to selectably retain the bowstring in the cocked position. The pressure sensor is on or in the foregrip, and is adapted to detect a pressure signature from the foregrip being grasped by an associated hand of an associated user, the associated hand having fingers. The interlock is operationally engaged with the pressure sensor and the trigger assembly, and is adapted to lock the trigger assembly from releasing the bowstring if the pressure sensor does not detect a first pressure signature sufficiently similar to a predetermined pressure signature.

Abstract: A crossbow assembly may include a riser and a pair of bow limbs that attach to the riser. The limb attachment surfaces on the riser may be separated such that a minimum distance between them is not greater than 5 inches. The minimum distance may be at least as wide as a user's foot. The riser may have a U-shaped opening that extends between the limb attachment surfaces. The limb attachment surfaces may be angled between 60 and 30 degrees. The riser may have a foot stirrup that begins behind the limb attachment surfaces and extends beyond them.

Abstract: An arrow nock may have at least two distinct string guide impressions each designed to receive a bowstring to fire an arrow from a bow. The nock may be operable when connected and aligned with the arrow to cause the bowstring to be received within at least one of the string guide impressions to fire the arrow. As it is received within the string guide impression, the bowstring may cause the arrow to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Provided is a crossbow safety system comprising a crossbow, optic fence, and interlock. The crossbow may have a bowstring operable between a cocked and an uncocked position, the cocked position and the uncocked position defining between them a bowstring plane, and a trigger assembly adapted to selectably retain the bowstring in the cocked position. The optic fence may be adapted to detect an obstruction in a safety plane coincident with the bowstring plane or offset below the bowstring plane by some offset distance. The optic fence may have an infrared emitter adapted to output IR radiation, and a photodiode adapted to sense the output IR radiation from the infrared emitter. The interlock may be operationally engaged with the optic fence and the trigger assembly. The interlock may be adapted to lock the trigger assembly from releasing the bowstring if the optic fence detects an obstruction in the safety plane.

Abstract: An arrow nock may have at least two distinct string guides each designed to receive a bowstring to fire an arrow from a bow. When the nock is connected to and aligned with the arrow, each distinct string guide may be designed, when receiving the bowstring, to rotate the arrow about its longitudinal axis with respect to the bow into one of a limited number of alignment orientations.

Abstract: Provided is a crossbow safety system comprising a crossbow, optic fence, and interlock. The crossbow may have a bowstring operable between a cocked and an uncocked position, the cocked position and the uncocked position defining between them a bowstring plane, and a trigger assembly adapted to selectably retain the bowstring in the cocked position. The optic fence may be adapted to detect an obstruction in a safety plane coincident with the bowstring plane or offset below the bowstring plane by some offset distance. The optic fence may have an infrared emitter adapted to output IR radiation, and a photodiode adapted to sense the output IR radiation from the infrared emitter. The interlock may be operationally engaged with the optic fence and the trigger assembly. The interlock may be adapted to lock the trigger assembly from releasing the bowstring if the optic fence detects an obstruction in the safety plane.

Abstract: A bracket may be adjustable with respect to a bracket engagement device and serve as both a stirrup and a shooting rest for a crossbow. One or more biasing force generators may be used to bias the bracket into one of at least two relative positions with respect to the bracket engagement device.

Abstract: Provided is a crossbow safety system comprising a crossbow, a pressure sensor, and an interlock. The crossbow has a bowstring operable between a cocked and an uncocked position, a foregrip adapted for being grasped by an associated hand of an associated user, and a trigger assembly adapted to selectably retain the bowstring in the cocked position. The pressure sensor is on or in the foregrip, and is adapted to detect a pressure signature from the foregrip being grasped by an associated hand of an associated user, the associated hand having fingers. The interlock is operationally engaged with the pressure sensor and the trigger assembly, and is adapted to lock the trigger assembly from releasing the bowstring if the pressure sensor does not detect a first pressure signature sufficiently similar to a predetermined pressure signature.