Abstract: A crossbow including a frame with a riser and a center rail. First and second flexible limbs are attached to the riser. A draw string is received in string guide journals in first and second cams rotatably attached to the frame. The draw string unwinds from the string guide journals as it translates between a released configuration and a drawn configuration. The first and second cams include at least first and second power cable take-up journals, respectively. At least first and second power cables are attached to the first and second limbs and received in the first and second power cable take-up journals, respectively. As the crossbow is drawn from the released configuration to the drawn configuration the first and second power cables wrap onto the respective first and second power cable take-up journals.

Abstract: A cocking system for retracting a string carrier on a crossbow that is substantially silent during operation.

Abstract: A crossbow including first and second flexible limbs are attached to a center rail. A draw string extends across the center rail that translates between a released configuration and a drawn configuration. A string carrier including a catch is movable between a closed position that engages the draw string and an open position that releases the draw string. The string carrier slides along the center rail to engage with the draw string in the released configuration and slides to a retracted position that locates the draw string in the drawn configuration. A retaining mechanism retains the string carrier in the retracted position and the draw string in the drawn configuration. A trigger moves the catch from the closed position to the open position to fire the crossbow when the string carrier is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A cocking system for retracting a string carrier on a crossbow that is substantially silent during operation.

Abstract: A crossbow with string guides that include upper and lower helical power cable journals on opposite sides of a draw string journal. A separation between first and second axis of the string guides in a drawn configuration is about 5 inches to about 10 inches and the draw string in the drawn configuration comprises an included angle of less than about 25 degrees. First and second pairs of power cables wrap and unwrap at least 300 degrees around the respective first and second upper and lower helical power cable journals as the draw string moves between a released configuration to a drawn configuration.

Abstract: A torque control system for cocking a crossbow. A cocking mechanism includes a rotating member mounted to the center rail and coupled to a flexible tension member attached to a string carrier. A cocking handle is configured to engage with the rotating member to cock the crossbow. A torque control mechanism limits output torque applied to the rotating member such that rotating the cocking handle after the string carrier is in the retracted position does not move the draw string past the drawn configuration.

Abstract: A cocking system for a crossbow. A string carrier slides along the center rail during movement with the draw string in the released configuration to a retracted position that locates the draw string in the drawn configuration. A trigger is positioned to move the catch from the closed position and the open position to fire the crossbow when the string carrier is in the retracted position. At least one cocking rope is configured to engage with the string carrier to retract the string carrier and the draw string to the drawn configuration. A retaining mechanism retains the string carrier in the retracted position and the draw string in the drawn configuration independent of the cocking ropes.

Abstract: A reduced length crossbow with a trigger located near a midpoint of the crossbow and a small included angle of the draw string when in the drawing configuration that creates a space between the draw string and the user's face. The included angle of the draw string when in the drawing configuration may be less than about 25 degrees. The trigger is typically located proximate the midpoint within about 10% of the overall length of the crossbow.

Abstract: A dual-cam archery bow with simultaneous power cable take-up and let-out journals. Each cam has power cable journals located on opposite sides of the draw string journal, where at least one of power cable journals is a helical journal.

Abstract: A bipod with a quick connect feature that engages with a standard rail. The bipod includes a pair legs pivotally attached at a pivot axis. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the legs that has a dead center position when the legs are in an intermediate configuration between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. By shifting the biasing mechanism to one side or the other, the legs are automatically deployed to either the deployed configuration or the collapsed configuration. The biasing mechanism maintains the interface with the rail when in the deployed configuration and retains the lower portions of the legs adjacent each other in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A cocking system for retracting a string carrier on a crossbow that is substantially silent during operation.

Abstract: A crossbow including a frame with a riser and a center rail. First and second flexible limbs are attached to the riser. A draw string is received in string guide journals in first and second cams rotatably attached to the frame. The draw string unwinds from the string guide journals as it translates between a released configuration and a drawn configuration. The first and second cams include at least first and second power cable take-up journals, respectively. At least first and second power cables are attached to the first and second limbs and received in the first and second power cable take-up journals, respectively. As the crossbow is drawn from the released configuration to the drawn configuration the first and second power cables wrap onto the respective first and second power cable take-up journals.

Abstract: A method of engaging an arrow with an anti-dry fire system on a crossbow and an arrow assembly for crossbow that engages the anti-dry fire system behind the draw string. Matched weight arrows having lighted and non-lighted nocks are also disclosed.

Abstract: A string guide for a bow including first and second cams are mounted to first and second bow limbs, respectively. Each of the cams includes a string guide journal, an upper power cable take-up journal, and a lower power cable take-up journal. The draw string is arranged in a reverse draw configuration. The upper and lower power cables are received in each of the respective upper and lower power cable take-up journals and are displaced away from the respective draw string journals as the bow is drawn from the released configuration to the drawn configuration. In one embodiment, the upper and lower power cable take-up journals are helical in configuration. As a result of this configuration the cams can rotate more than 270 degrees, and preferably more than 300 degrees, as the bow is drawn from the released configuration to the drawn configuration.

Abstract: A bipod with a quick connect feature that engages with a standard rail. The bipod includes a pair legs pivotally attached at a pivot axis. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the legs that has a dead center position when the legs are in an intermediate configuration between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. By shifting the biasing mechanism to one side or the other, the legs are automatically deployed to either the deployed configuration or the collapsed configuration. The biasing mechanism maintains the interface with the rail when in the deployed configuration and retains the lower portions of the legs adjacent each other in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: An anti-dry fire system for a crossbow including a catch moveable between a closed position that retains the draw string in a drawn configuration and an open position that releases the draw string to a released configuration position. A sear is moveable between a de-cocked position and a cocked position coupled with the catch at an interface to retain the catch in the closed position such that after firing the crossbow the sear is retained in the de-cocked position by the catch. A dry fire lockout is moveable between a disengaged position and a lockout position that blocks the sear from moving to the de-cocked position. The dry fire lockout includes a portion located behind the draw string that engages with the arrow to move the dry fire lockout to the disengaged position. This configuration precludes the use of the most common arrow nocks (flat, half-moon, etc.), reducing the risk that a non-approved arrow will be used in the crossbow.

Abstract: A crossbow including first and second flexible limbs are attached to a center rail. A draw string extends across the center rail that translates between a released configuration and a drawn configuration. A string carrier including a catch is movable between a closed position that engages the draw string and an open position that releases the draw string. The string carrier slides along the center rail to engage with the draw string in the released configuration and slides to a retracted position that locates the draw string in the drawn configuration. A retaining mechanism retains the string carrier in the retracted position and the draw string in the drawn configuration. A trigger moves the catch from the closed position to the open position to fire the crossbow when the string carrier is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A crossbow including first and second flexible limbs attached to a center rail. A first cam is mounted to the first bow limb and rotatable around a first axis. A draw string is received in string guide journals and is secured to first and second cams. The draw string unwinds from the string guide journals as it translates from a released configuration to a drawn configuration. Power cables are received in first and second power cable take-up journals on each of the first and second cams. As the crossbow is drawn from the released configuration to the drawn configuration the first and second power cables wrap onto the respective first and second power cable take-up journals and are displaced along the first and second axes away from the first and second planes of rotation of the first and second draw string journals.