Patents by Inventor Michael J. Shaffer

Michael J. Shaffer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9528790
    Abstract: A crossbow may be a horizontal crossbow having a main beam and a bow assembly mounted to the main beam. The bow assembly may include: a bowstring; a riser attached to the main beam; a first bow limb; a second bow limb; a first wheel that is supported to the first bow limb; and a second wheel that is supported to the second bow limb. In some embodiments, the bow limbs may be separated at least as wide as a user's foot. In other embodiments, the bow assembly may include a trigger oriented parallel to pivot axes about which the wheels rotate. In yet other embodiments, a ratio of the distance between the wheels and the power stroke is less than 1.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 9506716
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a crossbow may include a main beam; a compound bow assembly mounted to the main beam; and, a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam for use in holding a bowstring in a cocked position. The crossbow may include wheels at opposite ends of the bow that operatively receive the bowstring. The wheels may be separated by a wheel distance (WD) when the crossbow is in an un-cocked position. The crossbow may also have a power stroke distance (PD) and the ratio WD/PD may be less than 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 9470486
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a nock device that may be used on an arrow. A top portion a nock device can comprise one or more pairs of string guide impression on its top surface, where the respective one or more pairs of string guide impressions may be symmetrically arranged on the top surface, with respect to each other. A first pair of string guide impression can be disposed along a first bisecting line on the top surface, and, if present, a second pair of string guide impressions can be disposed along a second bisecting line on the top surface. The respective one or more pairs of string guide impression can be configured to receive a bowstring, where the first pair may receive the bowstring in a first orientation, and the second pair, if present, may receive the bowstring in a second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Patent number: 9453700
    Abstract: An alignment tool may be used to align a nock with respect to an arrow having vanes. The alignment tool may include a body, a connection member extending from the body, and indicating surfaces that are spaced around the outer surface of the alignment tool body at a relative angular orientation that matches the angular orientation of the arrow vanes. The connection member may be attached to the nock and then both the tool and the nock may be rotated with respect to the arrow to align the nock with respect to the arrow by aligning the indicating surfaces with respect to the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout, Dean Mook
  • Patent number: 9410765
    Abstract: A grip guard may be used with a crossbow that has a main beam including a stock and a barrel. The grip guard may have a first wall that is positioned between the stock and the barrel and a second wall that extends outwardly from the main beam. The first wall may have dampening properties to attenuate sounds and vibrations caused by firing the crossbow and the second wall may prevent a user's fingers from inadvertently extending from the handle toward the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout, William J. Bednar
  • Publication number: 20160153739
    Abstract: A crossbow may be a horizontal crossbow having a main beam and a bow assembly mounted to the main beam. The bow assembly may include: a bowstring; a riser attached to the main beam; a first bow limb; a second bow limb; a first wheel that is supported to the first bow limb; and a second wheel that is supported to the second bow limb. In some embodiments, the bow limbs may be separated at least as wide as a user's foot. In other embodiments, the bow assembly may include a trigger oriented parallel to pivot axes about which the wheels rotate. In yet other embodiments, a ratio of the distance between the wheels and the power stroke is less than 1.8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc. d/b/a TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 9335115
    Abstract: A cocking device for drawing the bowstring of a crossbow that can be selectively installed on an existing crossbow. The cocking device comprises a shape designed to prevent the cocking device from being improperly installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Publication number: 20160123694
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a nock device that may be used on an arrow. A top portion a nock device can comprise one or more pairs of string guide impression on its top surface, where the respective one or more pairs of string guide impressions may be symmetrically arranged on the top surface, with respect to each other. A first pair of string guide impression can be disposed along a first bisecting line on the top surface, and, if present, a second pair of string guide impressions can be disposed along a second bisecting line on the top surface. The respective one or more pairs of string guide impression can be configured to receive a bowstring, where the first pair may receive the bowstring in a first orientation, and the second pair, if present, may receive the bowstring in a second orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc. d/b/a TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Patent number: 9328987
    Abstract: A crossbow may include a crossbow barrel having reduced weight and increased strength and shock resistance to the crossbow. This invention may also aid in improving torsional resistance, improving specific stiffness, and increasing compresses strength. The invention may also reduce friction between a barrel and a bow string to increase bow string life. The invention may also reduce the friction between a barrel and a bow to allow added arrow distance. Additionally, the crossbow may decrease both vibration and sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Derrick J. Miller, Jacob A. Hout, Dennis A. Schramm
  • Patent number: 9285182
    Abstract: A manually assisted bowstring drawing mechanism may be used with a crossbow. The drawing mechanism may include a pair of handles attached to opposite ends of a rope and an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism may have two pieces that may receive the rope and may be selectively separated and connected together. When separated, the pieces may be extended up opposite sides of the crossbow from a trigger mechanism to a bowstring. The pieces may then be connected together and engaged to the bowstring. Next, the handles may be pulled by a user to move the bowstring from an uncocked position to a cocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Publication number: 20160061554
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a crossbow may include a main beam; a compound bow assembly mounted to the main beam; and, a trigger mechanism mounted to the beam for use in holding a bowstring in a cocked position. The crossbow may include wheels at opposite ends of the bow that operatively receive the bowstring. The wheels may be separated by a wheel distance (WD) when the crossbow is in an un-cocked position. The crossbow may also have a power stroke distance (PD) and the ratio WD/PD may be less than 2.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc. d/b/a TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 9255758
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a crossbow may include a main beam; a compound bow assembly mounted to the main beam; and, a trigger mechanism mounted to the beam for use in holding a bowstring in a cocked position. The crossbow may include wheels at opposite ends of the bow that operatively receive the bowstring. The wheels may be separated by a wheel distance (WD) when the crossbow is in an un-cocked position. The crossbow may also have a power stroke distance (PD) and the ratio WD/PD may be less than 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: HUNTER'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20150260476
    Abstract: An alignment tool may be used to align a nock with respect to an arrow having vanes. The alignment tool may include a body, a connection member extending from the body, and indicating surfaces that are spaced around the outer surface of the alignment tool body at a relative angular orientation that matches the angular orientation of the arrow vanes. The connection member may be attached to the nock and then both the tool and the nock may be rotated with respect to the arrow to align the nock with respect to the arrow by aligning the indicating surfaces with respect to the vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc. d/b/a TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout, Dean Mook
  • Patent number: 9126311
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for an arrow extractor. The arrow extractor can comprise a first and a second elongated lever that are in rotatable engagement with each other. The respective elongated levers comprise a first end configured to be manipulated by a user, and a second end that comprises a tool configured to engage a first and second part of a gripper. The gripper comprises an elongated cavity that can be configured to grip the shaft of an arrow. The first tool and the second tool are engaged with the gripper, and when the user applies a grasping force to the first end of the respective levers, the grasping force may also applied to the gripper, thereby gripping the shaft of the arrow, which may then be extracted from an object using the levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Publication number: 20150219420
    Abstract: A grip guard may be used with a crossbow that has a main beam including a stock and a barrel. The grip guard may have a first wall that is positioned between the stock and the barrel and a second wall that extends outwardly from the main beam. The first wall may have dampening properties to attenuate sounds and vibrations caused by firing the crossbow and the second wall may prevent a user's fingers from inadvertently extending from the handle toward the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc. d/b/a TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout, William J. Bednar
  • Patent number: 9074837
    Abstract: An alignment tool may be used to align a nock with respect to an arrow having vanes. The alignment tool may include a body, a connection member extending from the body, and indicating surfaces that are spaced around the outer surface of the alignment tool body at a relative angular orientation that matches the angular orientation of the arrow vanes. The connection member may be attached to the nock and then both the tool and the nock may be rotated with respect to the arrow to align the nock with respect to the arrow by aligning the indicating surfaces with respect to the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout, Dean Mook
  • Patent number: 8944038
    Abstract: Provided is a crossbow riser that may comprise a plurality of cells defined by walls. The walls may consist essentially of a material wherein the yield tensile strength at 0.2% strain is greater than 780 MPa, and either the specific strength is greater than 200 kN·m/kg, or the density is less than 6.0 g/cc. The cells may collectively define a first volume. The walls may collectively define a second volume. The ratio of the first volume to the second volume may be greater than 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Richard W. Gardner, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20150013654
    Abstract: A manually assisted bowstring drawing mechanism may be used with a crossbow. The drawing mechanism may include a pair of handles attached to opposite ends of a rope and an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism may have two pieces that may receive the rope and may be selectively separated and connected together. When separated, the pieces may be extended up opposite sides of the crossbow from a trigger mechanism to a bowstring. The pieces may then be connected together and engaged to the bowstring. Next, the handles may be pulled by a user to move the bowstring from an uncocked position to a cocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc. d/b/a TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Publication number: 20150018140
    Abstract: An alignment tool may be used to align a nock with respect to an arrow having vanes. The alignment tool may include a body, a connection member extending from the body, and indicating surfaces that are spaced around the outer surface of the alignment tool body at a relative angular orientation that matches the angular orientation of the arrow vanes. The connection member may be attached to the nock and then both the tool and the nock may be rotated with respect to the arrow to align the nock with respect to the arrow by aligning the indicating surfaces with respect to the vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc., d/b/a TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout, Dean Mook
  • Publication number: 20140318519
    Abstract: A crossbow may include a crossbow barrel having reduced weight and increased strength and shock resistance to the crossbow. This invention may also aid in improving torsional resistance, improving specific stiffness, and increasing compresses strength. The invention may also reduce friction between a barrel and a bow string to increase bow string life. The invention may also reduce the friction between a barrel and a bow to allow added arrow distance. Additionally, the crossbow may decrease both vibration and sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Derrick J. Miller, Jacob A. Hout, Dennis A. Schramm