CROSSBOW SIGHT MOUNT

Abstract

A crossbow is provided including a barrel, a bowstring and a sight mount that surrounds the barrel. The sight mount can include a mounting rail and can be configured so that the bowstring is drawn through the sight mount during a draw cycle of the bowstring. The sight mount can form a tube with mount walls that partially and/or completely surround the barrel. The tube can include a lower mount wall and the barrel can include a lower barrel surface. The tube can be joined with the barrel via a connection between only the lower mount wall and the lower barrel surface. The barrel can be separated along its lateral surfaces from lateral mount walls of the sight mount via gaps between those elements.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to archery, and more particularly to crossbow sight mounting systems.

Crossbows have been used throughout the centuries for hunting, fishing, and target shooting. Crossbows typically include a stock joined with a rail, upon which a bolt or an arrow is placed. A pair of bow limbs are mounted at an end of the rail and a bowstring is strung between the limbs over the rail for engagement with the bolt or arrow. Sometimes, the crossbow includes cams on the bow limbs that receive the bowstring and one or more power cables to increase stored energy. The crossbow also can include a trigger mechanism adjacent the rail operable to hold the bowstring and to release the bowstring to fire the crossbow, thereby shooting an arrow or bolt from the crossbow.

Crossbows usually are manufactured to include a sight so that a user can align components of the sight to accurately and consistently shoot at targets. Many crossbow sights are in the form of a scope having a crossbow reticle. The scope is mounted with mounting rings to a mounting rail. The mounting rail of many crossbows however is of a cantilevered configuration, extending forwardly from a trigger box, generally over a notch that receives the bowstring which interfaces with a bowstring catch in the notch. The mounting rail is cantilevered so that it provides adequate clearance for the sections of the bowstring that extend at an angle from the cams and into the notch when the bow is drawn. If the mounting rail was not cantilevered, the bowstring sections would contact and abrade against the mounting rail when the crossbow is drawn.

Several issues can arise as a result of the scope or sight mount of many crossbows being cantilevered. For example, if the scope is dropped and the scope impacted, it can transfer forces to the cantilevered mounting rail and bend the rail. In turn, the scope may be compromised and not be properly zeroed as intended, so this can cause future shots from the crossbow to be off target. Further, the cantilevered configuration can increase vibration transferred from the crossbow to the scope, which can cause internal components of the scope to unintentionally move, wear out or fail.

Some manufacturers have tried to screw the ends of legs, extending from the sides of the mounting rail to the arrow rail on the crossbow, to provide additional holding points, however, this is problematic as well for several reasons. For example, the mounting rail and legs form an upside down U shape that can act as a tuning fork when the crossbow is shot and vibrations imparted to these components. In some cases, this can increase vibration frequency and vibration transmission to the scope and its delicate internal components. Further, the legs can bend if the scope is impacted, which can thus require recalibration or another sight-in of the scope. In addition, the legs can be mounted to the arrow rail in such a way that they are vertically misaligned on opposite sides of the arrow rail, in which case the top of the mounting rail can be angled or nonparallel relative to the top of the arrow rail. In this case, the scope rings can be angled, which can make zeroing of the scope challenging.

Accordingly, there remains room for improvement in the field of crossbows, and in particular sight mounts for mounting sights and scopes consistently and sturdily to crossbows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A crossbow is provided including a barrel, a bowstring and a sight mount that surrounds the barrel and is configured to mount a sight, for example a scope, on the sight mount and thus the crossbow.

In one embodiment, the sight mount can form a tube with mount walls that partially and/or completely surround the barrel. The mount walls can extend above the barrel, along the sides of the barrel, and below the barrel. In some cases, the walls can circumferentiate the barrel, that is extend completely around all surfaces and sides of the barrel when taken in cross section, but not necessarily form a circle around the barrel.

In another embodiment, the sight mount can include a mounting rail and can be configured so that the bowstring is drawn through the sight mount during a draw cycle of the bowstring. Where the sight mount is in the form of a tube, the bowstring can be drawn at least partially through the tube during the draw cycle. In some cases, first and second sections of the bowstring, along with a nocking portion of the bowstring therebetween, can be drawn into and/or through the tube.

In still another embodiment, where with sight mount forms a tube, the tube can include a lower mount wall and the barrel can include a lower barrel surface. The tube can be joined with the barrel via a connection between only the lower mount wall and the lower barrel surface.

In yet another embodiment, the barrel can be separated along its lateral surfaces from lateral mount walls of the sight mount via gaps between those elements. When the crossbow is shot, vibration can propagate through the lateral surfaces of the barrel. Where the gaps are present, vibration can be impaired from transmission directly from the lateral barrel surfaces to the lateral mount walls.

In even another embodiment, the barrel can include an upper barrel surface adjacent which a bolt can be movably disposed, a lower barrel surface opposite the upper surface and facing a ground surface when the crossbow is readied for firing, a first lateral barrel surface and an opposing second lateral barrel surface extending between the upper barrel surface and the lower barrel surface.

In a further embodiment, the sight mount can include a mounting rail joined with an upper mount wall, a lower mount wall opposite the upper surface and facing a ground surface when the crossbow is readied for firing, a first lateral mount wall and an opposing second lateral mount wall extending between the upper mount wall and the lower mount wall.

In still a further embodiment, the first lateral mount wall can be separated laterally and outwardly from the first lateral barrel surface by a first distance corresponding to a first lateral gap. The second lateral mount wall can be separated laterally and outwardly from the second lateral barrel surface by a second distance corresponding to a second lateral gap. The upper mount wall and mounting rail can be disposed above the upper barrel surface adjacent which the bolt can be movably positioned.

In yet a further embodiment, the upper mount wall can be disposed a first height above the upper barrel surface. The first height can be greater than the sum of the first distance and the second distance.

In even a further embodiment, the first lateral mount wall and the second lateral mount wall can be spaced a lateral width from one another so that the bowstring can be drawn between the first lateral mount wall and the second lateral mount wall during a draw cycle of the bowstring.

In even a further embodiment, the lower mount wall can form a connection between the sight mount and the barrel or other component of the crossbow. The lower mount wall can define plurality of apertures. A plurality of fasteners can be disposed through respective ones of the plurality of apertures and join with the barrel, thereby joining the sight mount to the barrel or other component of the crossbow, such as a riser or other frame member, which can form or be considered part of the barrel.

In another embodiment, one or more fasteners can extends vertically through the lower mount wall upward to a corresponding hole associated with the barrel. The fastener can be threaded in the hole and can include a head that interfaces with the lower mount wall.

In still another embodiment, the lower mount wall can include a plate, boss or other element that extends upward from the plate from the remainder of the wall. The plate can contact or engage the lower barrel surface to vertically or otherwise offset the remainder of the wall from the lower barrel surface. The first and second mount sidewalls can be distal from and disengaged or completely decoupled from the sides or lateral surfaces of the barrel to isolate those lateral mount sidewalls from the lateral surfaces of the barrels. In some cases, this can again reduce transmission of vibration from the barrel to a sight such as a scope supported by the sight mount.

The current embodiments provide a sight mount that sturdily and consistently mounts to a crossbow barrel or other component or the crossbow. The sight mount can isolate any sights on the mount from transmission of excessive vibration. The sight mount can provide more lateral clearance for a bowstring drawn through the sight mount when in the form of a tube.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crossbow including a sight mount of a current embodiment with a sight in the form of a scope mounted to the sight mount.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a crossbow including a sight mount of a current embodiment with the scope and an upper mounting rail exploded from the sight mount.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sight mount removed from a crossbow.

FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of the sight mount and a lower mounting rail on the sight mount.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the sight mount illustrating respective lateral gaps between the lateral mount walls and the barrel.

FIG. 6 is a front partial perspective view of the sight mount around a barrel of the crossbow with the upper mounting rail and the lower mounting rail exploded from the sight mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS

A current embodiment of the crossbow with a sight mount is shown in FIGS. 1-6 and generally designated 10. The crossbow of FIG. 1 is shown as an archery crossbow. It will be appreciated that the sight mount as described herein can be used with any type of projectile shooting device that uses or shoots an arrow, bolt, or other projectile. As used herein, an arrow can refer to an arrow, a bolt, or some other elongated projectile. As generally shown in FIG. 1, the crossbow 10 is shown with its bowstring 11 in a drawn mode, held in place by a trigger assembly 20 that is mounted within a barrel 30 of the crossbow. The bowstring 11 can be selectively released via the trigger assembly 20 to shoot the arrow A from the crossbow. As the crossbow transitions and the bowstring moves from the drawn mode shown in FIG. 1, to an undrawn mode or released mode, which are used interchangeably herein, the bowstring 11 moves forward until it extends generally perpendicular to the barrel 30 and the optional rail 39 of the barrel upon which the arrow A rests or moves as it is propelled by the bowstring.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the crossbow 10 can include a first limb 14A and a second opposing limb 14B disposed that opposite sides of the barrel 30. To each of these respective limbs 14A and 14B, respective cams 15A and 15B can be joined. These cams 15A and 15B can be any type of cam, pulley, disc and/or round or oval member capable of rotating about the respective axes 15AX and 15BX. To these respective cams, the bowstring 11 can be joined and journaled in respective tracks of the cams. The bowstring generally can unwind or unfurl from the respective cams on opposing sides of the frame when moving from an undrawn mode, also referred to as a released mode herein, to a drawn mode or cocked mode as shown in FIG. 1. Generally, the bowstring can extend transverse to the frame and rail, between the respective cams in most if not all these modes. Further, although not shown, power cables can be joined with and extend from one cam 15A to the other cam 15B to transfer energy stored in the limbs 14A and 14B in a conventional manner to the bowstring 11 to shoot the arrow A from the crossbow 10.

The crossbow 10, as mentioned above, can include the barrel 30 which can extend rearwardly from a riser 16 of the crossbow. An optional stirrup 16S can be joined with the riser 16 and/or the barrel 30 to allow a user to stabilize the crossbow 10 as it is drawn as described below, or in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/960,228 to Pestrue filed Nov. 26, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Limbs 14A and 14B can be fastened or secured to the riser 16 and/or the barrel 30. The barrel 30 can extend rearward from the riser and/or can be integral with the riser and/or the limbs depending on the configuration of the same. As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the barrel 30 can include an internal compartment 30C. This internal compartment can house the trigger assembly 20 which can be a static or moving trigger assembly. The barrel 30 can include and/or can be joined with a grip 17, which as shown can extend downward from the barrel between the riser 16 and a buttstock 18 that is secured to the rearward portion of the barrel 30, and extends rearwardly therefrom. The grip 17 can be in the form of a pistol grip and ergonomically configured to receive a user's hand allowing the user to grip, manipulate, hold and/or steady the crossbow 10 in a variety of configurations.

The buttstock 18 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can extend rearwardly from the barrel 30. A portion of the trigger assembly or trigger box 20 can be integrated into the barrel and/or the buttstock. An optional cheek rest 18C can extend upwardly from the buttstock 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the cheek rest 18C can be disposed above the buttstock 18. Optionally the cheek rest 18C can be variable in height to align with the sight 25 as described below. The cheek rest 18C can be distal and separate from the sight mount 40. As shown, a gap GC can be formed between the sight mount 40 and the cheek rest 18C, so that these elements are distal from and separated from one another. Optionally, the cheek rest 18C is distally mounted away from the butt stock 18, while the sight mount 40 is mounted to the barrel 30, with no member or element coupling or commonly joining the sight mount and the cheek rest. Further optionally, the sight mount and the cheek rest can be unjoined, decoupled, separate and/or independent from one another as shown. The trigger assembly 20 can be disposed under and optionally disconnected from both the sight mount 40 and the cheek rest 18C.

FIG. 1 shows a scope 25 mounted to the sight mount 40 camera optionally via the first mounting ring 25A and a second mounting ring 25B. These ring mounts can be directly mounted to an upper mounting rail 40R1 that is mounted to and or included with the sight mount 40. As used herein, a sight can refer to any type of device used in connection with sighting or shooting the crossbow or any other type of projectile shooting device, for example, an iron sight, an open sight, an adjustable sight, a laser sight, a holographic sight, a reflex sight, a red dot sight, a scope, a system of lenses, combinations of the foregoing. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sight 25 can be in the form of a scope with some level of magnification.

As mentioned above, the sight mount 40 can include an upper mounting rail 40R1. The upper mounting rail 40R1 can be in the form of a picatinny rail, a dove tail, or other type of mounting rail. The mounting rail can include an upper portion 40R1U that can include multiple ridges separated from one another by corresponding notches. Certain elements of the mounting rings 25A and 25B, such as pins or fasteners, can extend through the notches and secure the scope and then fixed position longitudinally along the mounting rail. Again other types of mounts can be included. The upper mounting rail also optionally can include a base 40B which can extend downwardly from outwardly protruding portions of the ridges above the base. The base 40B can decrease in height as it extends farther away from the buttstock 18, generally above the barrel 30. For example, the height H1 can be greater than height H2 as shown in FIG. 6, as the base 40B extends farther and farther away from the buttstock 18M from the rearward portion of the barrel 30. With this change in height, the base can provide a greater minute of angle (MOA) for the scope 25 to assist in longer range shooting. Of course, the base 40B can be a consistent, same height from its rearward end to its forward end, gradually become taller as it extends from the rearward end to the forward end depending on the application. The mounting rail 40R1 can be secured to an upper wall 43 of the sight mount 40. The upper wall 43 and/or the upper rail 40R1 can be disposed a height above the cheek rest 18C, but again decoupled and disconnected from that cheek rest 18C by any other intermediate components if so desired.

As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the upper mounting rail 40R1 can be secured with fasteners 40F1 and 40F2 that extend through respective holes defined by the mounting rail and project into corresponding poles 40H1 and 48H2 defined by the upper mount wall 43 of the sight mount 40. Of course, fewer or more holes and fasteners can be used. In yet other applications, the mount rail 40R1 can be integrally formed with the sight mount 40 such that the two components are a single piece unit, rather than separate and independently formed units as shown. The sight mount 40, however, is shown separated from the crossbow 10 and in particular the barrel 30 in FIG. 3. There, the various components of the sight mount can be better understood. The upper mounting rail 40R1 can be atop the upper mount wall 43. The sight mount 40 can include that upper mount wall 43, a lower mount wall 44 as well as a first lateral wall 41 and an opposing second lateral mount wall 42. The first lateral mount wall optionally can be the right mount wall of the sight mount 40 and the second lateral wall can be the left mount wall of the sight mount when the sight mount is mounted to the barrel 30 of the crossbow 10.

Optionally, the lower mount wall 44 can include or have mounted to it a lower mounting rail 47R1. This lower mounting rail 47R1 can be similar or identical to the upper mounting rail and can include ridges and notches to allow accessories and other components to be mounted to the lower mounting rail 47R1. The lower mounting rail 47R1 can be mounted with fasteners 47F that extend through respective holes in the lower mount rail 47R1 and into threaded holes or nuts adjacent the lower mounting wall 44. This is shown with further reference to FIG. 6, where the fasteners 47S extends through respective holes in the lower mounting rail 47R1 and into corresponding holes 44H which may or may not be threaded to receive the fasteners 47F which also can be threaded to secure the mounting rail 47R1 to the lower mount wall 44.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the lower mounting wall 44 can include an elevated projection or plate 44P that extends upwardly from the remaining portion or wings 44R of the lower mount wall 44. This elevated plate or projections can extend a distance D3 above the remaining portion 44R of the lower mount wall 44. Where it extends upward from the remaining portion 44R, the projection or elevated plate can include corresponding steps or shoulders 44S. Although shown as a plate 44P that extends upward from the lower mount wall 44, that element can be in the form of one or more projections that project the distance D3 upward from the remaining portion or wings 44R of the plate. There can be slots, recesses or other components that are at the same level as the remaining portion 44R, while the plate or projection 44P extends upwardly the distance D3.

As shown in FIG. 5, the plate or projections 44P extending from the lower mount wall 44 can be of a predetermined width W5. This width W5 be less than a width W2 of the barrel 30 of the crossbow. For example, the crossbow barrel 30 can include a first lateral barrel surface 31 and a second lateral barrel surface 32 that opposes the first lateral barrel surface 31 across the longitudinal axis LA of the barrel 30 and/or the crossbow 10 in general. The first lateral barrel surface 31 can be a right side of the barrel and the second lateral barrel surface 32 can be a left side of the barrel when viewed from a position of a shooter holding the crossbow in a ready to shoot position. The first lateral barrel surface 31 and the second lateral barrel surface 32 can be sized and spaced a second lateral width W2 from one another. This width W2 can be the same width as the upper barrel surface 33 of the barrel 30. This width W2 can be uniform from the upper barrel surface 33 to the lower barrel surface 34, but optionally in other applications, the width W2 can vary depending on the barrel, rigidity and structural integrity of the same. Further, although the barrel 30 is shown as including the plurality of barrel lateral apertures 31A and 31B along the first barrel lateral surface 31 also referred to as the first barrel side and the second barrel lateral surface 32 also referred to as the second barrel side, this generally does not affect the overall width W2.

Returning to FIG. 5, the width W5 of the optional plate or projection 44P can be less than the second lateral width W2 of the barrel. Thus, the plate or projection 44P does not extend laterally past or beyond the first lateral barrel surface 31 or the second lateral barrel surface 32. The lower mount wall 44 can be connected exclusively and solely to the lower surface or lower barrel wall of the barrel 34, without contacting or engaging the first lateral barrel surface 31 or the second lateral barrel surface 32 of the barrel 30. In turn, the connection of the sight mount 40 can be isolated to the lower barrel surface or sidewall 34, without being connected to the lateral surfaces or side walls 31, 32 and/or the upper surface or wall 33 of the barrel 30. Optionally, the barrel lower surface 34 can remain separated from the remaining portions 44R of the lower mount wall 44 by the distance D3. This can provide further vibrational decoupling and disconnection of the barrel to the remainder of the sight mount 40. Of course, the plate or projection 44P can be deleted and the lower mount wall 44 can be fastened, welded or otherwise secured to the barrel lower surface 34. In this configuration, that lower mount wall 44 also remains disconnected and decoupled from the respective first lateral sidewall 31 and the second lateral sidewall 32 of the barrel and can impair, reduce and/or prevent vibration transmitted directly from the barrel lateral surfaces to the lateral mount walls.

The plate or projections 44P can extend the length LL of the lower mount wall 44. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower wall 44 can extend the distance D5 beyond the ends or edges of the first and second lateral mount walls 41 and 42. The projection or plate 44P also can extend along this portion. The lower mount rail 47R1 can be connected to this lower mount wall 44 in this distance D5 and can extend beyond the lateral mount walls 41 and 42 this distance D5 as well. Of course, in other applications, the lower mounting rail 47R1 can be deleted from the construction and the lower mount wall 44 can be contiguous with and only extend between the lower portions of the first and second lateral sidewalls, without extending a distance beyond the same. In yet other applications, the lower mount wall 44 and plate or projection 44P can extend forwardly of the lateral mount side walls.

As mentioned above, the lower mount wall 44 and particularly the plate or projection 44P can be secured to the lower barrel surface 34. This can be accomplished via fasteners 44F as shown in FIG. 6, that extends through holes 44H defined by the lower mount wall 44 and/or the plate 44P. The fasteners 44F can extended into corresponding threaded holes in the lower barrel surface or wall 34. The fasteners 44F can include tapered heads that interface with the lower mount wall 44 to secure the lower mount wall to the barrel 30. Of course, other types of fasteners and hole configurations, or other elements entirely, can be used to secure the lower mount wall 44 to the barrel 30 and/or the lower barrel surface 34.

With further reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the first lateral mount wall 41 and second lateral mount wall 42 can extend laterally and outwardly from the lower mount wall 44. As shown, the first mount wall 31 and second mount wall 32 can be generally mirrored images of one another across the longitudinal axis LA of the crossbow or the mount longitudinal axis MLA of the sight mount 40. Accordingly, only the first lateral mount wall will be described in substantial detail here, with the understanding that the second lateral mount wall can be identical in structure, function and operation. The first lateral mount side wall 41 can include a lower portion 41L, a middle portion 41M and an upper portion 41U. The lower portion 41L can extend upwardly and away from the lower mount wall 44 at an angle A1 from vertical. From a vertical plane, this angle A1 can be optionally 0° to 45°, inclusive, 0° to 30°, inclusive, 0° to 25°, inclusive, 1° to 45°, inclusive, 1° to 30°, inclusive, 1° to 25°, inclusive, 1° to 15°, inclusive, or other angles, depending on the application. The lower portion 41L can transition upward and can extend farther and farther away from the first lateral barrel surface or sidewall 31.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lower portion 41L of the lateral sidewall 41 can extend to and transition to the middle portion 41M of the first lateral mount wall 41. The middle portion 41M can optionally extend vertically upward to or beyond the barrel upper surface 33. The first lateral mount wall 41M, for example, in the middle portion 41M can be disposed or spaced a first distance D1 from the first lateral barrel surface 31 so as to form a first gap G1 between the first lateral mount wall 41 and the first lateral barrel surface 31. On the opposite side of the longitudinal axis LA, the second mount wall 42 can be disposed or spaced a second distance D2 away from the second lateral barrel surface or wall 32. In turn, another gap G2 can be formed between the second lateral mount wall 42 and the second lateral barrel surface or side wall 32. Optionally, these distances D1 and D2 can be equal, and each optionally greater than 1 mm, greater than 2 mm, greater than 3 mm, greater than 4 mm, greater than 5 mm, greater than 10 mm, greater than 15 mm, greater than 20 mm, between 5 mm and 20 mm, inclusive, between 5 mm and 15 millimeters, inclusive or between 5 mm and 10 mm, inclusive, or other distances, depending on the clearance and desired gaps. With the gaps G1 and G2 form between the respective mount walls and the barrel surfaces, any vibrations in the lateral side walls 31 and 32 of the barrel upon shooting the crossbow can be impaired or even not transmitted directly from those surfaces to the lateral mount walls 41 and 42. This in turn can reduce or impair transmission of vibration to any sight mounted to the sight mount. This can increase the longevity of the sight in some cases. Any vibrations can be transmitted to the sight mount substantially only through the lower mount wall 44 via contact and engagement with the lower barrel surface or wall 34.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first lateral mount wall 41 can transition from the middle portion 41M to the upper portion 41U. That upper portion 41U can be angled relative to the middle portion 41M at an angle A2 from a vertical plane. This angle A2 can be optionally greater than the angle A1, for example, 2° to 45°, inclusive, 2° to 30°, inclusive, 2° to 25°, inclusive, 2° to 15°, inclusive, or other angles, depending on the application. The upper portion 41U can extend upward to the upper mount wall 43. This upper mount wall 43 can be disposed above the barrel upper surface 33 along which the arrow A can be disposed and/or can move adjacent or relative thereto. The upper mount wall 43 can be disposed a first height H3 above the barrel upper surface 33. This first height H3 can be sufficient to accommodate the arrow A and any vanes extending therefrom.

With reference to FIG. 5, the barrel upper surface 33 can define a slot 33S that is bounded by rails 33R on opposing sides of longitudinal axis LA. The arrow A can rest on the rails 33R, at least partially in the slot 33S defined by the upper barrel surface 33 when the bowstring is drawn after a draw cycle and the arrow is readied for shooting from the crossbow.

The height H3 of the upper mount wall 43 from the barrel upper surface 33 also can have a particular relationship relative to the gaps G1 and G2. Optionally, the height H3 can be greater than the distance D1 plus the distance D2 of the lateral side walls from the barrel on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. The height H3 can be greater than the sum of the distance D1 and the distance D2. Further, the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 each can be less than the first height H3. The relationship between H3 and D1 and/or D2 can be further optionally expressed as a ratio of D1:H3 or D2:H3, where D1:H3 equals D2:H3, and D1:H3 or D2:H3 can be optionally 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 5:1, 1:10, 1:15 or other ratios.

With further reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper mount wall 43 can comprise a mounting wall cavity 43C that extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis LA. This mounting wall cavity can be disposed under the mounting rail 40R1. The mounting cavity can be bounded by cavity side walls 43C1 and the uppermost portion 43U of the upper mount wall 43. That uppermost portion 43U can define one or more holes 40H1 and 40H2 into which the fasteners 40F1 and 40F2 thread to secure the rail 40R1 to the upper mount wall 43. Of course, the mounting cavity 43C can be deleted in certain applications but sometimes can add extra structural rigidity and height to the sight mount and the upper mount wall 43.

Optionally, as further shown in the side perspective view of FIG. 3, the first lateral side wall 41 and second lateral side wall 42 can include apertures to reduce weight. The side walls also can include legs or elongated vertically slanted sections. These legs or sections attached directly to the upper mount wall 43 and/or the lower mount wall 44 to promote rigidity. These legs or sections can form a single unitary support via their incorporation into the respective first and second lateral sidewalls.

As mentioned above, the sight mount 40 can be in the form of a tube. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first lateral side wall 41 and second lateral side wall 42, upper mount wall 43 and lower mount wall 44, generally form a closed structure that at least partially and/or fully surrounds the barrel 30 of the crossbow 10. The resulting structure forms a tube around that barrel 30, optionally circumferentiating the entire barrel 30 and its respective upper barrel surface, 33, lower barrel surface 34, first lateral barrel surface 31 and second lateral barrel surface 32. The tube however can be substantially only connected to the lower barrel surface 34 via a direct connection with the lower mount wall 44 as described above. The other barrel surfaces 31, 32 and 33 are decoupled or not connected to or with the tube and/or other portions of the sight mount 40. The tube can include its lateral side walls 41 and 42 which effectively form gaps G1 and G2 between those side walls and the lateral barrel surfaces 31 and 32 as described above. There also can be a separation of the first height H3 of the upper mount wall 43 from the upper barrel surface 33 to accommodate the arrow A when it is placed and/or drawn in the slot 33S and the bowstring 11 is drawn in a drawn draw cycle.

Optionally, although shown as a generally hexagonal tube in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tube can have any number of walls or elements that surround the barrel or other component of the crossbow. In some cases, the tube can be a hexagonal shape, a square or rectangular shape, some other polygonal shape, or elliptical, circular or some other round shape depending on the application.

Further optionally, with the oversized tube structure of the sight mount 40 extending around the barrel 30 and beyond its respective first and second lateral surfaces 31 and 32, the sight mount 40 can provide more clearance for a bowstring 11 during a draw cycle. For example, when the bowstring 11 is drawn to a drawing position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, that bowstring is drawn at least partially or fully through the sight mount 40 in particular, it is drawn at least partially or fully through the tube that is formed by the upper and lower and lateral side walls of the sight mount. The bowstring can be drawn through the tube, above the barrel 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the bowstring 11 can include sections 11A and 11B that project rearward to a nocking section 11N that is caught by a catch 29 of the trigger assembly 20. The sections 11A and 11B can extend forwardly and include a width W6 from one section to the other across the longitudinal axis LA. This width W6 of the bow string sections is defined within the confines or between the lateral walls 41 and 42 of the sight mount 40 or generally within the tube.

The width W6 is greater than the width W2 of the barrel 30. The width W6 also can be greater than the width W2 of the upper surface 33 of the barrel. The width W6 however can be less than the first lateral width W1 that extends between the first lateral mount wall 41 and the second lateral mount wall 42. The bowstring sections 11A and 11B can extend laterally outwardly beyond the width W2. The first sections 11A can extend into the first gap G1. The second section 11B can extend into the second gap G2, with both sections 11A and 11B extending forwardly toward the respective cams 15A and 15B of the crossbow 10. As another example, the bowstring sections 11A and 11B can extend outwardly beyond the first lateral barrel surface 31 and second lateral barrel surface 32 respectively, but can still be disposed in the gap G1 between the first lateral mount wall 41 and the barrel surface 31, as well as in the second gap G2 between the second mount wall 42 and the second barrel surface 32. Generally, the bowstring sections 11A and 11B in the drawn position can extend forwardly of the nocking section 11N of the bowstring 11, extending within the tubular structure of the sight mount 40 and yet laterally and outwardly beyond the width W2 of the barrel 30 and the upper barrel surface 33. The width W6 of the bowstring extending within the confines of the sight mount 40, and located between the lateral mount walls 41 and 42 is not constrained by the width W2 of the barrel or any of the components of the barrel. Those sections 11A and 11B can extend outward beyond the lateral barrel surfaces 31 and 32, and within and under the components of the side walls such as the upper mount wall 43 or between the lateral mount walls 41 and 42. When the bowstring is released, these sections and the bowstring can exit these positions and areas forwardly.

Although the different elements and assemblies of the embodiments are described herein as having certain functional characteristics, each element and/or its relation to other elements can be depicted or oriented in a variety of different aesthetic configurations, which support the ornamental and aesthetic aspects of the same. Simply because an apparatus, element or assembly of one or more of elements is described herein as having a function does not mean its orientation, layout or configuration is not purely aesthetic and ornamental in nature.

Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s).

In addition, when a component, part or layer is referred to as being “joined with,” “on,” “engaged with,” “adhered to,” “secured to,” or “coupled to” another component, part or layer, it may be directly joined with, on, engaged with, adhered to, secured to, or coupled to the other component, part or layer, or any number of intervening components, parts or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly joined with,” “directly on,” “directly engaged with,” “directly adhered to,” “directly secured to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between components, layers and parts should be interpreted in a like manner, such as “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent” and similar words. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; Y, Z, and/or any other possible combination together or alone of those elements, noting that the same is open ended and can include other elements.

Reference throughout this specification to “a current embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “alternative embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment herein. Accordingly, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or “in an alternative embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Additionally, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of one embodiment are contemplated for proper and full combination in any suitable manner in one or more other embodiments, which is fully contemplated herein. Further, features, structures, or characteristics of one embodiment or multiple embodiments are readily and completely mixed and matched with any features, structures, or characteristics of any other embodiment or multiple embodiments in varying combinations and permutations.

Claims

1. A crossbow comprising:

a barrel having an upper barrel surface adjacent which a bolt can be movably disposed, a lower barrel surface opposite the upper surface and facing a ground surface when the crossbow is readied for firing, a first lateral barrel surface and an opposing second lateral barrel surface extending between the upper barrel surface and the lower barrel surface;

a bowstring configured to move the bolt adjacent the upper barrel surface when the crossbow is shot; and

a sight mount comprising a mounting rail joined with an upper mount wall, a lower mount wall opposite the upper surface and facing a ground surface when the crossbow is readied for firing, a first lateral mount wall and an opposing second lateral mount wall extending between the upper mount wall and the lower mount wall,

wherein the first lateral mount wall is separated from the first lateral barrel surface by a first lateral gap, whereby vibration is impaired from transmission directly from the first lateral barrel surface to the first lateral mount wall,

wherein the second lateral mount wall is separated from the second lateral barrel surface by a second lateral gap, whereby vibration is impaired from transmission directly from the second lateral barrel surface to the second lateral mount wall, wherein the upper mount wall and mounting rail are disposed above the upper barrel surface adjacent which the bolt can be movably positioned,

wherein the first lateral mount wall and the second lateral mount wall are spaced a lateral width from one another so that the bowstring is drawn between the first lateral mount wall and the second lateral mount wall during a draw cycle of the bowstring.

2. The crossbow of claim 1,

wherein the upper mount wall, the lower mount wall, the first lateral mount wall and the second lateral mount wall cooperatively form a tube that surrounds the barrel.

3. The crossbow of claim 2,

wherein the tube extends completely around the barrel,

wherein the sight mount is secured to the barrel only via the lower mount wall being joined with the lower barrel surface,

wherein the bowstring is drawn though the tube during the draw cycle of the bowstring.

4. The crossbow of claim 3,

wherein the lower mount wall comprises an elevated plate,

wherein the elevated plate defines a plurality of apertures,

wherein a plurality of fasteners are disposed through respective ones of the plurality of apertures and join with the barrel.

5. The crossbow of claim 2,

wherein a fastener extends vertically through the lower mount wall upward to a corresponding hole associated with the barrel,

wherein the fastener is threaded in the hole and includes a head that interfaces with the lower mount wall.

6. The crossbow of claim 1,

wherein the mounting rail is disposed atop the upper mount wall,

wherein another mounting rail is joined with the lower mount wall and faces downward away from the mounting rail disposed atop the upper mount wall.

7. The crossbow of claim 1,

wherein the upper mount wall is disposed a first height above the upper barrel surface,

wherein the first lateral gap spans a first distance,

wherein the second lateral gap spans a second distance,

wherein the first height is greater than the sum of the first distance and the second distance.

8. A crossbow comprising:

a barrel having an upper barrel surface adjacent which a bolt can be movably disposed, a lower barrel surface opposite the upper surface and facing a ground surface when the crossbow is drawn during a draw cycle of the bowstring, a first lateral barrel surface and an opposing second lateral barrel surface extending between the upper barrel surface and the lower barrel surface;

a bowstring configured to move the bolt adjacent the upper barrel surface; and

a sight mount comprising a mounting rail and a tube, the tube secured to the barrel and surrounding the barrel such that an upper mount wall extends above the upper barrel surface and a lower mount wall extends below the lower barrel surface, the sight mount includes a first lateral mount wall and an opposing second lateral mount wall,

wherein the first lateral mount wall and the second lateral mount wall are spaced a first lateral width from one another so that the bowstring is drawn between the first lateral mount wall and the second lateral mount wall within the first lateral width during the draw cycle of the bowstring.

9. The crossbow of claim 8,

wherein the first lateral mount wall is separated laterally and outwardly from the first lateral barrel surface by a first distance,

wherein the second lateral mount wall is separated laterally and outwardly from the second lateral barrel surface by a second distance,

wherein the upper mount wall and mounting rail are disposed above the upper barrel surface adjacent which the bolt can be movably positioned.

10. The crossbow of claim 9,

wherein the upper mount wall is disposed a first height above the upper barrel surface,

wherein the first height is greater than the sum of the first distance and the second distance.

11. The crossbow of claim 10,

wherein the upper mount wall comprises a mounting wall cavity extending longitudinally along and under the mounting rail,

wherein the mounting rail includes a base that extends above an upper surface of the upper mount wall.

12. The crossbow of claim 8,

wherein the tube extends completely around the barrel,

wherein the bowstring is drawn though the tube during the draw cycle of the bowstring.

13. The crossbow of claim 8 comprising:

a buttstock extending rearward away from the barrel,

wherein the mounting rail includes a base that extends above an upper surface of the upper mount wall,

wherein the base includes a height that increases as the base extends farther away from the buttstock.

14. The crossbow of claim 8,

wherein the upper mount wall is disposed a first height above the upper barrel surface,

wherein the first distance is less than the first height.

15. The crossbow of claim 8,

wherein the lower mount wall defines a hole,

wherein a fastener is disposed through the hole and into the barrel to secure the tube to the barrel.

16. The crossbow of claim 8,

wherein the first lateral barrel surface and the second lateral barrel surface are spaced a second lateral width from one another,

wherein the first lateral width is greater than the second lateral width such that a section of the bowstring extends beyond the second lateral width but within the first lateral width when the bowstring is drawn during a draw cycle.

17. A crossbow comprising:

a barrel adjacent which a bolt can be movably disposed;

a bowstring configured to move the bolt adjacent the barrel; and

a sight mount comprising a mounting rail secured to the barrel, the sight mount surrounding the barrel,

wherein the bowstring is drawn through the sight mount during a draw cycle of the bowstring.

18. The crossbow of claim 17,

wherein the sight mount includes a first lateral mount wall and a second lateral mount wall spaced a first lateral width from one another so that the bowstring is drawn between the first lateral mount wall and the second lateral mount wall within the first lateral width during the draw cycle of the bowstring,

wherein the barrel includes a first lateral barrel surface and a second lateral barrel surface spaced a second lateral width from one another,

wherein the first lateral width is greater than the second lateral width such that a section of the bowstring extends beyond the second lateral width but within the first lateral width when the bowstring is drawn during the draw cycle.

19. The crossbow of claim 17, wherein the sight mount forms a tube that completely surrounds the barrel.

20. The crossbow of claim 19,

wherein the tube includes a lower mount wall,

wherein the barrel includes a lower barrel surface,

wherein the tube is joined with the barrel via a connection between only the lower mount wall and the lower barrel surface.