Abstract: Provided is a mid-limb cam crossbow system comprising a beam; a bow assembly having a first bow limb of length L1 and second bow limb of length L2; a first cam engaged with the first bow limb at a point between (0.15)L1 and (0.75)L1 from the limb end; a second cam engaged with the second bow limb at a point between (0.15)L2 and (0.75)L2 from the limb end; a first power string engaged with the first cam and a region on the second bow limb greater than (0.75)L2 from the limb end; a second power string engaged with the second cam and a region on the first bow limb greater than (0.75)L1 from the limb end; and a bowstring engaged between the first cam and the second cam. The bow assembly may be configured in an uncocked configuration or a cocked configuration. L1 and L2 are between 15 centimeters and 65 centimeters.

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, 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: 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: Provided is a crossbow cocking device comprising a speed-sensitive clutch having a housing; an input shaft in operational engagement with an associated crossbow cocking cable, and in selectable rotational engagement with said housing; and wherein, below a critical rotational speed of the input shaft with respect to the housing, the speed-sensitive clutch will maintain a disengaged state, and at or above the critical speed of the input shaft with respect to the housing, said speed sensitive clutch will automatically switch to an engaged state.

Abstract: Provided is a crossbow barrel comprising a first elongated shaft having a proximal end of the first elongated shaft and a distal end of the first elongated shaft opposite the proximal end of the first elongated shaft; and a second elongated shaft having a proximal end of the second elongated shaft, a distal end of the second elongated shaft opposite the proximal end of the second elongated shaft.

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: Provided is a universal nock system comprising a first axis defining an axial direction and radial directions perpendicular to the axial direction; a nock having, a first side having a bowstring reception surface having concave channels, a second side opposite the first side, an axial contact surface, and an exterior surface; an insert portion extending from the second side of the nock, elongated along the first axis, and adapted for insertion into an associated arrow body, the insert portion having, a first end, a second end opposite the first end having a centering feature of the second end, the centering feature of the second end having contact surfaces, and a middle portion located along the first axis of elongation between the first end and the second end, the middle portion having a centering feature of the middle portion, the centering feature of the middle portion having contact surfaces.

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 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: 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: Provided is a crossbow cocking system comprising a crossbow stock having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a first receptacle extending through the stock from the first side of the stock to the second side of the stock; a first adapter plate adapted for selectable and operational engagement with the first receptacle; and a cocking device engaged with the first adapter plate, and extending through the first adapter plate.

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: An arrow nock and nock receiver assembly may include a nock and a nock receiver. The nock and nock receiver may attain relative longitudinal alignment by the engagement of a lip to a groove portion. The nock and nock receiver may attain relative longitudinal alignment by the engagement of a nock contact surface with a nock receiver contact surface.

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: A portable device for drawing the bowstring of a crossbow. The cocking device may be designed to prevent the uneven drawing of the crossbow and may eliminate the complex installation process typically required to retro-fit an existing crossbow with known cocking devices.

Abstract: An arrow nock may have three or more string guide impressions that are designed to receive a portion of a bowstring to fire an arrow. Each string guide impression may be defined by two circumferentially spaced walls separated by a floor. The walls and floors may be curvilinear in shape. The walls may have sides and a peak that are curvilinear. The walls may have widths that narrow toward the peak. The walls may have a radial length that is at least one fourth of the nock outside diameter.