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.

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.

Abstract: A crossbow may comprise a safety device that provides the user a visual means other than the mechanical positioning of the various components of the crossbow to quickly and accurately determine the firing condition of the crossbow. The safety device may comprise an illuminated marker that emits a specific color of light to denote the firing condition of the crossbow. In another embodiment, the safety device may comprise a mechanical assembly that is raised and lowered to denote the firing condition of the crossbow. In yet another embodiment, the safety device may comprise an electric switch that causes an illuminated marker to emit a light or a mechanical assembly to raise or lower in order to denote the firing condition of the crossbow.

Abstract: Crossbow bowstring drawing mechanisms which are integrated into or secured in the crossbow handle and which provide a straight and balanced draw to the crossbow bowstring to cock the crossbow bowstring in position in the crossbow trigger mechanism ready for firing. The cocking system can be manually operated or motorized, and can be manufactured as part of a crossbow or retrofit into a crossbow. An internal or external source of rotational power, such as hand crank, power screwdriver or an electrical motor, is preferably utilized in conjunction with a claw member including a bowstring engaging portion to translate rotation of the input source to longitudinal movement of the claw member to draw or release the crossbow bowstring resulting with minimal effort being expended by the user. The claw member may include adjustable cams used to center the claw member with respect to the crossbow barrel.

Abstract: Crossbow bowstring drawing mechanisms which are integrated into or secured in the crossbow handle and which provide a straight and balanced draw to the crossbow bowstring to cock the crossbow bowstring in position in the crossbow trigger mechanism ready for firing. The cocking system can be manually operated or motorized, and can be manufactured as part of a crossbow or retrofit into a crossbow. An internal or external source of rotational power, such as hand crank, power screwdriver or an electrical motor, is preferably utilized in conjunction with a claw member including a bowstring engaging portion to translate rotation of the input source to longitudinal movement of the claw member to draw or release the crossbow bowstring resulting with minimal effort being expended by the user. The claw member may include adjustable cams used to center the claw member with respect to the crossbow barrel.

Abstract: Crossbow bowstring drawing mechanisms which are integrated into or secured in the crossbow handle and which provide a straight and balanced draw to the crossbow bowstring to cock the crossbow bowstring in position in the crossbow trigger mechanism ready for firing. The cocking system can be manually operated or motorized, and can be manufactured as part of a crossbow or retrofit into a crossbow. An internal or external source of rotational power, such as hand crank, power screwdriver or an electrical motor, is preferably utilized in conjunction with a claw member including a bowstring engaging portion to translate rotation of the input source to longitudinal movement of the claw member to draw or release the crossbow bowstring resulting with minimal effort being expended by the user. The claw member may include adjustable cams used to center the claw member with respect to the crossbow barrel.

Abstract: Crossbow bowstring drawing mechanisms which are integrated into or secured in the crossbow handle and which provide a straight and balanced draw to the crossbow bowstring to cock the crossbow bowstring in position in the crossbow trigger mechanism ready for firing. The cocking system can be manually operated or motorized, and can be manufactured as part of a crossbow or retrofit into a crossbow. An internal or external source of rotational power, such as hand crank, power screwdriver or an electrical motor, is preferably utilized in conjunction with a claw member including a bowstring engaging portion to translate rotation of the input source to longitudinal movement of the claw member to draw or release the crossbow bowstring resulting with minimal effort being expended by the user. The claw member may include adjustable cams used to center the claw member with respect to the crossbow barrel.

Abstract: Crossbow bowstring drawing mechanisms which are integrated into or secured in the crossbow handle and which provide a straight and balanced draw to the crossbow bowstring to cock the crossbow bowstring in position in the crossbow trigger mechanism ready for firing. The cocking system can be manually operated or motorized, and can be manufactured as part of a crossbow or retrofit into a crossbow. An internal or external source of rotational power, such as hand crank, power screwdriver or an electrical motor, is preferably utilized in conjunction with a claw member including a bowstring engaging portion to translate rotation of the input source to longitudinal movement of the claw member to draw or release the crossbow bowstring resulting with minimal effort being expended by the user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a crossbow trigger mechanism providing improved bowstring retention and release characteristics. The invention further provides a safe and reliable trigger mechanism which enhances accurate shooting with the crossbow. The trigger mechanism comprises a pivotal string release latch for releasably holding a bowstring in a drawn position. The string release latch is pivotable about a first pivot point and has associated therewith a first sear surface. The trigger mechanism further includes a pivotal rocker latch member having a second sear surface which engages the first sear surface on the string release latch to selectively prevent pivotal motion of the string release latch. The rocker latch member is pivotal about a second pivot point and has a portion thereof extending rearward of the second pivot point.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dry-fire prevention device for use with a crossbow. The crossbow includes a trigger mechanism which may have a guide slot into which a bowstring is drawn and retained for firing. A pivotal string catch member is positioned relative to the trigger mechanism to selectively extend into a string catching position which will catch and retain the bowstring should it be released from the trigger mechanism without an arrow in a firing position in the crossbow. The string catch member may include an arrow contacting surface to engage an arrow positioned to be fired from the crossbow, wherein, movement of the arrow to the firing position causes the string catch member to be moved out of the string catching position. This allows selective release of the bowstring from the guide slot and prevents inadvertent release when no arrow is present in the firing position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crossbow having a vibration damping mechanism which generally comprises a stock member including a barrel at a forward portion thereof, with the barrel used to support an arrow for firing of the crossbow. A riser block assembly is mounted at a forward end of the barrel, with the riser block assembly supporting first and second bow limbs which extend outward from the riser block assembly. The first and second bow limbs carry a bowstring between the outward tips thereof, and the bowstring extends transversely to the barrel. The crossbow further includes a trigger mechanism with the trigger mechanism used to selectively hold and release the bowstring from a cocked position. In the cocked position, the bowstring is drawn in a direction away from the first and second bow limbs to tension the bow limbs. The vibration damping mechanism is disposed to interface at a location between the bow limbs and the stock, such as between the riser block assembly and the barrel or bow limb supports.