Abstract: A system for illuminating an arrow or bolt includes a nock assembly configured for coupling with the arrow or bolt at a proximal end thereof, a light emitting assembly disposed within the nock assembly, and a light transmitter coupled with the light emitting assembly and configured for transmitting at least a portion of the light from a light source.

Abstract: A multi-segmented shaft or dart configured for launching as a projectile using an atlatl or spear-thrower. In contrast to conventional darts, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of multi-segmented shafts or darts are disclosed. Such multi-segmented shafts can be de-coupled into a plurality of segments for ease of transport and storage. The plurality of segments can be detachably coupled into a dart that can be launched as a projectile using an atlatl or thrown as a spear.

Abstract: A cocking mechanism is disclosed. The cocking mechanism comprises an actuator assembly, a hand crank assembly, and a bow string hook assembly. The actuator assembly further comprises clutch assembly having a bearing housing, a bearing cage, a support axle and bearing elements. The bearing housing is defined by an inner peripheral surface having a plurality of inwardly extending annular ramps, wherein the bearing elements contact a portion of the ramps to prevent rotation of the support axle in a first direction, but allows for rotation of the support axle in a second direction when the actuator assembly is in a locked configuration. This provides for immediate braking action against any unforeseen forward motion of the bow string of a crossbow such as when inadvertently or accidently releasing the removable hand crank assembly during the cocking operation.

Abstract: A fall arrest system having elastic properties includes a torso harness system, a tether, and a securement system wherein, during use, the tether detachably couples the torso harness system to the securement system. As such, the fall arrest system is configured to arrest the fall of the user.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has a frame, a firing assembly, and a sighting device. The frame has a forward end and a rear end. The firing assembly is operatively associated with the frame. The firing assembly has a string latch which is positioned between the forward and rear ends of the frame. The sighting device has an eyepiece and is connected to the crossbow in a manner which provides that the eyepiece is positioned in alignment with, or forward of, the string latch.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has an elongated frame and a foot stirrup. The elongated frame has a forward end portion. The foot stirrup is secured to the forward end portion of the elongated frame. The foot stirrup has first and second portions. The first portion of the foot stirrup is configured to extend forward of the elongated frame to the second portion. The second portion of the foot stirrup is configured to extend downwardly from the first portion. The downwardly extending second portion of the foot stirrup provides increased surface area to stabilize the crossbow during a cocking operation. The downwardly extending second portion of the foot stirrup is further configured to act as a bipod when the crossbow is aimed and fired.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has a frame, first and second limbs, a bowstring, and a bolt retainer. The first and second limbs are secured to the frame. The bowstring extends between the first and second limbs and is configured to move between a forward rest position and a rearward cocked position. The bolt retainer downwardly biases a bolt forward of the forward rest position of the bowstring.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has a frame and a firing assembly. The frame has a forward end and a rearward end. The firing assembly has a finger-pull mechanism. The finger-pull mechanism is positioned at, or forward of, a midway point of the frame between the forward end and the rearward end.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has forward and rearward ends, a firing assembly having a finger-pull mechanism, and a butt member having a rear end. The crossbow has a length of pull that is positioned forward of the rearward end of the crossbow, where the length of pull is defined as a distance between the finger-pull mechanism and the rear end of the butt member.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has forward and rearward ends, a firing assembly having a finger-pull mechanism, and a butt member having a rear end. The crossbow has a length of pull that is positioned forward of the rearward end of the crossbow, where the length of pull is defined as a distance between the finger-pull mechanism and the rear end of the butt member.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has a frame, a firing assembly, and a mounting rail. The frame has a lower surface. The firing assembly is associated with the frame and has a finger-pull mechanism. The mounting rail is associated with the lower surface of the frame rearward of the finger-pull mechanism, and the mounting rail is configured to allow one or more accessories to be mounted thereto. One accessory which can be mounted to the mounting rail is a butt member which has a rear end which is configured to abut a front of a user. The butt member can be adjustably mounted to the mounting rail to provide that the butt member is movable along the mounting rail between a forward position and a rearward position.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has one or more of the following improvements: a bolt retainer which downwardly biases a bolt in position forward of a forward rest position of a bowstring; a mounting rail associated with a lower surface of a frame rearward of a finger-pull mechanism, where the mounting rail is configured to allow one or more accessories to be mounted thereto; a finger-pull mechanism positioned at, or forward of, a midway point of the frame; a string latch positioned more than six inches rearward of the finger-pull mechanism; a sighting device having an eyepiece, where the eyepiece is positioned in alignment with, or forward of, the string latch; a ratio of length of pull distance of the crossbow to bull-pup distance of the crossbow being two-to-one or less; and a foot stirrup configured to stabilize the crossbow during cocking, and to provide a bipod during aiming/shooting.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has a frame, first and second limbs, a bowstring, and a bolt retainer. The first and second limbs are secured to the frame. The bowstring extends between the first and second limbs and is configured to move between a forward rest position and a rearward cocked position. The bolt retainer downwardly biases a bolt forward of the forward rest position of the bowstring.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has a frame, a firing assembly, and a sighting device. The frame has a forward end and a rear end. The firing assembly is operatively associated with the frame. The firing assembly has a string latch which is positioned between the forward and rear ends of the frame. The sighting device has an eyepiece and is connected to the crossbow in a manner which provides that the eyepiece is positioned in alignment with, or forward of, the string latch.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has a frame and a firing assembly. The frame has a forward end and a rearward end. The firing assembly has a finger-pull mechanism. The finger-pull mechanism is positioned at, or forward of, a midway point of the frame between the forward end and the rearward end.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has an elongated frame and a foot stirrup. The elongated frame has a forward end portion. The foot stirrup is secured to the forward end portion of the elongated frame. The foot stirrup has first and second portions. The first portion of the foot stirrup is configured to extend forward of the elongated frame to the second portion. The second portion of the foot stirrup is configured to extend downwardly from the first portion. The downwardly extending second portion of the foot stirrup provides increased surface area to stabilize the crossbow during a cocking operation. The downwardly extending second portion of the foot stirrup is further configured to act as a bipod when the crossbow is aimed and fired.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has forward and rearward ends, a firing assembly having a finger-pull mechanism, and a butt member having a rear end. The crossbow has a length of pull that is positioned forward of the rearward end of the crossbow, where the length of pull is defined as a distance between the finger-pull mechanism and the rear end of the butt member.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has a frame, a firing assembly, and a mounting rail. The frame has a lower surface. The firing assembly is associated with the frame and has a finger-pull mechanism. The mounting rail is associated with the lower surface of the frame rearward of the finger-pull mechanism, and the mounting rail is configured to allow one or more accessories to be mounted thereto. One accessory which can be mounted to the mounting rail is a butt member which has a rear end which is configured to abut a front of a user. The butt member can be adjustably mounted to the mounting rail to provide that the butt member is movable along the mounting rail between a forward position and a rearward position.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has forward and rearward ends, a firing assembly having a finger-pull mechanism, and a butt member having a rear end. The crossbow has a length of pull that is positioned forward of the rearward end of the crossbow, where the length of pull is defined as a distance between the finger-pull mechanism and the rear end of the butt member.

Abstract: A crossbow is provided which has a frame and first and second limbs secured to the frame. A bowstring extends between the first and second limbs and is configured to move between a forward rest position and a rearward cocked position. A beam is secured to the frame forward of the forward rest position of the bowstring and is configured to extend over the forward rest position of the bowstring. The beam is configured to allow one or more accessories to be mounted thereon.