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).

  • Publication number: 20140283806
    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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8794225
    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: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8794224
    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: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Derrick J. Miller, Jacob A. Hout, Dennis A. Schramm
  • Patent number: 8763595
    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: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20140083406
    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: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc. d/b/a TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Publication number: 20140034035
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc. d/b/a/TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Patent number: 8622855
    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 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Publication number: 20130298890
    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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Patent number: 8578917
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a bowstring drawing mechanism for drawing and controllably releasing a crossbow bowstring comprises a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism protects the bowstring drawing mechanism from damage caused by over-cranking and allows the user to controllably release the bowstring from the drawn position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8573192
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Publication number: 20130213374
    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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8499753
    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: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Publication number: 20130175817
    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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc., d/b/a TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Patent number: 8479719
    Abstract: 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: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8469012
    Abstract: 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: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20130125868
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a bowstring drawing mechanism for drawing and controllably releasing a crossbow bowstring comprises a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism protects the bowstring drawing mechanism from damage caused by over-cranking and allows the user to controllably release the bowstring from the drawn position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8439025
    Abstract: 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: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Shaffer, Richard L. Bednar
  • Publication number: 20130116071
    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 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc. d/b/a TenPoint Crossbow Technologies
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout
  • Patent number: 8434463
    Abstract: A crossbow may include a main beam: (a) a bow assembly including a bow and a bow string adapted to propel an arrow; (b) a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam; (c) and a bow assembly mounting apparatus for use in selectively mounting the bow assembly at a first location on the main beam to provide a first draw weight and for use in selectively mounting the bow assembly to a second location on the main beam to provide a second draw weight that is substantially different from the first draw weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Hunters Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: D679773
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer, Jacob A. Hout