Abstract: A nock for an archery arrow or bolt. The nock includes a radial indention configured to be engaged by a biased retainer of a trigger mechanism of a crossbow to retain the arrow or bolt in a desired position relative to the trigger mechanism and/or a bowstring. The radial indention may optionally comprise a groove defined generally continuously around a circumference of the nock. The radial indention is exposed when the nock is coupled with an arrow or bolt such that the radial indention may be engaged by a biased retainer within the trigger mechanism. The nock may further include a generally planar rearward bearing surface configured for being engaged by a bowstring. The nock of the present invention may be suitable for use with a multiple-shot crossbow or a single-shot crossbow. Other aspects of the present invention are directed to a projectile, a projectile retention system, and a crossbow.

Abstract: A multiple-shot crossbow includes a mainframe, a riser, upper and lower bow limbs and bowstrings, and a trigger mechanism. The mainframe includes upper and lower rails, each for supporting and guiding a corresponding bolt. The riser includes a passage for accommodating loading and launching a bolt. The bow limbs are attached to the riser and the bowstrings are attached to the bow limbs. Each bowstring is arranged independently to be drawn from a brace position to a drawn position and then return to the brace position while launching a bolt positioned on the corresponding rail. The lower bowstring is movable within a longitudinal slot between the upper and lower rails. The trigger mechanism is attached to a rear end of the mainframe and includes upper and lower trigger portions, each retaining a corresponding drawn bowstring and then releasing it upon actuation by a user.

Abstract: An anti-dry-fire mechanism for a crossbow includes a slotted mainframe and a movable trigger subassembly engaged with the slot for bidirectional movement between brace and drawn positions. The movable subassembly includes a bowstring latch forward of a bowstring catch and biased toward a bolt-absent position in which the bowstring latch obstructs forward movement of the bowstring past the bowstring latch; in its bolt-present position the bowstring latch permits such movement. With the movable subassembly in the drawn position, a bolt loaded onto the mainframe holds the bowstring latch in its bolt-present position against its bias; with the movable subassembly in the drawn position and no bolt loaded, the bowstring latch is held in its bolt-absent position by its bias. With the movable subassembly in the brace position, engagement of the mainframe and bowstring latch holds the bowstring latch in its bolt-present position against its bias.

Abstract: A crossbow includes a rail assembly and a limb assembly that can be assembled together and disassembled from one another. A release member is rigidly attached to one assembly and a retention member is attached to the other assembly. When the crossbow is assembled the release member is in a retained position; when the crossbow is disassembled the release member is removed from its retained position. In a release position the retention member permits movement of the release member into or out of the retained position; in a retention position the retention member prevents movement of the release member out of the retained position. The release and/or retention members can be adjusted to alter the force urging together the rail and limb assemblies. The retention member can be moved between the release and retention positions without using any tool.

Abstract: A safety device for a crossbow includes a wrist strap with a crank aperture in a palm portion thereof, and is secured around a user's wrist with the crank aperture over the palm of the user's hand. The crank aperture allows passage therethrough of a shaft of a crossbow crank, but prevents passage of a handle; wearing the wrist strap, the user can grasp the handle with the shaft extending through the crank aperture away from the palm of the user's hand. The wrist strap can be divided at its dorsal-wrist portion and include a closure to allow the wrist strap to be secured around or removed from the user's wrist as desired. Restraint of the crank handle by the crank aperture prevents uncontrolled spinning of the crossbow crank.

Abstract: An inventive mechanism includes stationary, reciprocating, winch, and stock subassemblies. The winch subassembly is mounted on the stock subassembly; the stationary subassembly is mounted at the rear of a slotted mainframe of the stock subassembly; the reciprocating subassembly moves along the mainframe between forward brace and rearward drawn positions. The winch subassembly takes up a rope to cause rearward movement of the reciprocating subassembly and lets out the rope to permit forward movement. The reciprocating subassembly includes a body engaged with the slot, a catch, and a sear. The stationary subassembly includes a trigger and an actuator. In the drawn position and retaining a bowstring, trigger movement causes actuator movement, which causes sear movement, which permits catch movement, which releases the bowstring. In its latched position, a trigger latch obstructs forward movement of the reciprocating subassembly from the drawn position; in its unlatched position, it permits that forward movement.

Abstract: A mechanical broadhead has an elongated body and a plurality of cutting blades pivotably mounted to the elongated body. The cutting blades, when in a folded position, nest in longitudinally extending slots in the elongated body, but assume an extended position when the broadhead enters a target.

Abstract: A meat thermometer for barbecue grills, broilers, or ovens having a stem containing a bimetallic element in one end thereof, a cylindrical housing secured to the other end of the stem, an indicator within the housing and rotatable in the housing in response to changes of temperature as detected by the bimetallic element, said housing including a cap secured thereto by means passing through the housing and located out of the path of said indicator. The cylindrical housing has a semi-circular slot through which said indicator is visible, said semi-circular slot having temperature calibrations on its surface.

Abstract: A meat thermometer for barbecue grills, broilers, or ovens having a stem containing a bimetallic element in one end thereof, a cylindrical housing secured to the other end of the stem, an indicator within the housing and rotatable in the housing in response to changes of temperature as detected by the bimetallic element, said housing including a cap secured thereto by means passing through the housing and located out of the path of said indicator. The cylindrical housing has a semi-circular slot through which said indicator is visible, said semi-circular slot having temperature calibrations on its surface. The housing is sandwiched between a disk on the stem and a cap, the housing having a recess which eliminates the tendency of the cap to cock with respect to the disk upon assembly.