Abstract: A crossbow router system may include a frame that may be positioned within a hole in a crossbow main beam and not fixed to the main beam. Two or more cylindrical surfaces may be rotatable with respect to the frame and may engage a power chord to guide the power chord through the hole in the main beam.

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 router system comprising a first elongated frame defining a plurality of parallel rotational axes of the first frame; a second elongated frame defining a plurality of parallel rotational axes of the second frame; wherein multiple rotational axes of the first frame are coincident with one multiple rotational axes of the second frame; multiple elongated shafts with each shaft defining a shaft axis, each shaft being coincident with a rotational axis of the first elongated frame, and a rotational axis of the second elongated frame; and each shaft having a bushing thereon.

Abstract: A bow assembly may include bow limbs on opposite sides and a cam rotatably supported to each bow limb. In some embodiments, the cams on each limb may be identical. In other embodiments, each cam may have a stud on each side of the cam that may engage with the bowstring. In yet other embodiments, each cam may have a channel on each side of the cam that may engage with the bowstring.

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 cam comprising: a first cam axis; a second cam axis parallel to and offset from the first cam axis; a first power cord channel extending from the first surface along a first helical path having a first helix axis coincident with the first cam axis; and a second power cord channel extending from the second surface along a second helical path having a second helix axis coincident with first cam axis. The crossbow cam may further comprise a plate normal to the first cam axis, and defining a first plane therethrough, the plate having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a perimeter surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, the perimeter surface defined by a bowstring channel extending around the first cam axis to define a path of varying radius about the first cam axis.

Abstract: A crossbow in some embodiments may include two power cables and two power cable wheels. Each power cable may extend from a bowstring wheel, to a power cable wheel and then back to the bowstring wheel. A crossbow in some other embodiments may include four power cables and two power cable wheels. Each power cable may extend from a bowstring wheel, to a power cable wheel and then to a portion of the crossbow that does not move relative to the main beam.

Abstract: Provided is a crossbow comprising an elongated barrel having a front barrel end and a rear barrel end opposite the front barrel end, and a first barrel side and a second barrel side opposite the first barrel side; a bow engaged with the elongated barrel; an elongated bowstring having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first bowstring guide engaged with the first barrel side, the first bowstring guide being adapted to push the bowstring toward the second barrel side while the bowstring is moved between a cocked position and an uncocked position; and a second bowstring guide engaged with the second barrel side, the second bowstring guide being adapted to push the bowstring toward the first barrel side while the bowstring is moved between a cocked position and an uncocked position.

Abstract: Provided is a crossbow trigger apparatus comprising a housing, a first lever operationally engaged with the housing to pivot about a first pivot axis; a second lever operationally engaged with the housing to pivot about a second pivot axis between an actuated orientation and an unactuated orientation; a third lever operationally engaged with the housing to pivot about a third pivot axis between an actuated orientation and an unactuated orientation; a fourth lever operationally engaged with the housing to pivot about a fourth pivot axis between an actuated orientation and an unactuated orientation wherein the fourth lever comprises a fourth lever catch adapted to selectably engage the second lever to prevent the second lever from operating to move from the unactuated orientation of the second lever to the actuated orientation of the second lever when the fourth lever is in the unactuated orientation of the fourth lever.

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: A crossbow cocking system may include a sled having first and second arms, an elongated cocking cable, a first handle, a second handle, a first engagement feature and a second engagement feature. The first and second engagement features may be used to engage the first handle to the first arm and the second handle to the second arm, respectively. Each engagement feature may include at least one cavity and at least one protrusion that is received in the cavity for engagement. The handles may be disengaged to permit a user to cock the crossbow.

Abstract: A nock insert may have an axis of elongation defining an axial direction and radial directions, a bowstring reception surface adapted to receive a bowstring, and an insert portion adapted for insertion into an arrow body. The nock insert may have one or more centering features having one or more spring tabs. Each spring tab may have a first end attached to the insert portion and a second free end extending axially from the first end and having a contact surface. The contact surfaces of each spring tab may be inherently biased outwardly in a radial direction and adapted to be radially deflected upon insertion of the insert portion into the arrow body.

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 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 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: A crossbow in some embodiments may include two power cables and two power cable wheels. Each power cable may extend from a bowstring wheel, to a power cable wheel and then back to the bowstring wheel. A crossbow in some other embodiments may include four power cables and two power cable wheels. Each power cable may extend from a bowstring wheel, to a power cable wheel and then to a portion of the crossbow that does not move relative to the main beam.

Abstract: A crossbow cable saver may have a cable engagement portion designed to engage at least one crossbow cable and a main beam engagement portion designed to engage the crossbow main beam. The cable saver may be operable to pivot with respect to the main beam between a first position where a first surface of the main beam engagement portion contacts the main beam and the second surface does not; and a second position where the second surface contacts the main beam and the first surface does not.

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: An arrow nock and nock receiver assembly may include a nock and a nock receiver. The nock receiver may have at least two circumferentially spaced fingers. Engagement of a nock contact surface with a nock receiver contact surface may provide relative rotational alignment.