Abstract: A crossbow de-cock mechanism may include a de-cock activator that is selectively movable from a first de-cock activator position that prevents de-cocking of a crossbow into a second de-cock activator position that permits de-cocking of the crossbow.

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 crossbow may include two bowstring guides engaged on first and second sides of the crossbow barrel. The bowstring guides may push the bowstring toward opposite sides of the barrel when the bowstring is moved from the fully uncocked position to the fully cocked position and when the bowstring is moved from the fully cocked position to the fully uncocked position.

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: 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 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 mid-limb cam crossbow system may comprise an elongated beam; a bow assembly engaged with the beam and having a pair of limbs; the pair of limbs being a first limb and a second limb, wherein the first limb has a proximate end and a distal end offset from the proximate end by a length L1, and the second limb has a proximate end and a distal end offset from the proximate end by a length L2. A first cam may be engaged with the first limb at a first cam mount point offset from the proximate end of the first limb by a length between (0.15)L1 and (0.75)L1. A second cam may be engaged with the second limb at a second cam mount point offset from the proximate end of the second limb by a length between (0.15)L2 and (0.75)L2.

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: 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: 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.