Abstract: An archery bow which requires less force to hold the bow at full draw than to draw the bow through intermediate positions of the draw includes an elongate riser with handle mounted thereon and crank assemblies rotatably mounted at either end thereof. Strut assemblies are pivotally mounted to the crank assemblies and extend outwardly therefrom. A bowstring extends between the outer ends of the strut assemblies. Back lines extends from the outer ends of the strut assemblies to the riser to stabilize and guide movement of the struts as the bowstring is drawn to cause rotation of the crank assemblies or the bowstring is released to allow movement of the bowstring back to its rest or brace position.

Abstract: A compound bow includes a unitary cam assembly attached to a single handle-mounted pylon. The cam assembly is provided with a plurality of cam elements respectively engaged by two string cables and each of two power cables. All such cam elements are disposed in a plane 90.degree. to the plane passing from the bowstring and through the handle of the bow. A string cable controller, also carried by the pylon, reverses the direction of one string cable so both string cables become juxtaposed and simultaneously act upon the same portion of one of the cam elements.