A crossbow including a frame having a projectile axis; a first flexible limb and a second flexible limb attached to the frame; a first cam attached having a larger diameter portion, a smaller diameter portion, and a rotational axis substantially parallel to the projectile axis; a second cam having a larger diameter portion, a smaller diameter portion, and a rotational axis substantially parallel to the projectile axis; a first pulley attached to the first flexible limb; a second pulley attached to the second flexible limb; a first power cable attached to the smaller diameter portion of the first cam and the first flexible limb; a second power cable attached to the smaller diameter portion of the second cam and the second flexible limb; and a drawstring attached to the larger diameter portion of the first cam and the larger diameter portion of the second cam.

A projectile launcher includes a frame and a projectile moves within a horizontal projectile plane and along the projectile axis. The projectile is fired from a front end of the frame. The projectile launcher includes a first power group at a first frame side. The first power group includes a plurality of first power group drawstring pulleys. At least one of the plurality of first power group drawstring pulleys is attached to the frame. The projectile launcher further includes a second power group at a second frame side. The second power group includes a plurality of second power group drawstring pulleys. At least one of the plurality of second power group drawstring pulleys is attached to the frame. The drawstring is configured to be routed at least partially around the first and second power group drawstring pulleys.

A nock for an archery arrow or bolt. The nock includes a radial indention configured to be engaged by a biased retainer of a trigger mechanism of a crossbow to retain the arrow or bolt in a desired position relative to the trigger mechanism and/or a bowstring. The radial indention may optionally comprise a groove defined generally continuously around a circumference of the nock. The radial indention is exposed when the nock is coupled with an arrow or bolt such that the radial indention may be engaged by a biased retainer within the trigger mechanism. The nock may further include a generally planar rearward bearing surface configured for being engaged by a bowstring. The nock of the present invention may be suitable for use with a multiple-shot crossbow or a single-shot crossbow. Other aspects of the present invention are directed to a projectile, a projectile retention system, and a crossbow.

A nock for an archery arrow or bolt. The nock includes a radial indention configured to be engaged by a biased retainer of a trigger mechanism of a crossbow to retain the arrow or bolt in a desired position relative to the trigger mechanism and/or a bowstring. The radial indention may optionally comprise a groove defined generally continuously around a circumference of the nock. The radial indention is exposed when the nock is coupled with an arrow or bolt such that the radial indention may be engaged by a biased retainer within the trigger mechanism. The nock may further include a generally planar rearward bearing surface configured for being engaged by a bowstring. The nock of the present invention may be suitable for use with a multiple-shot crossbow or a single-shot crossbow. Other aspects of the present invention are directed to a projectile, a projectile retention system, and a crossbow.

A cranking mechanism preferably includes a planetary gear, a drive shaft, a one way bearing, a clutch assembly, and at least one drive unit. The clutch preferably includes a clutch pressure plate, a flywheel, friction surfaces and at least one friction plate. Each drive unit includes a carrier, a spool and a flywheel. The one way bearing and the clutch assembly are axial on the drive shaft. A pressure locking nut is threaded on to a threaded end of the crank shaft to exert pressure on the clutch assembly. The sun gear is fixed on the drive shaft. The at least one drive unit is axial with the drive shaft, and fixed with the carrier of the planetary gear set. The pressure locking nut is tightened against the clutch assembly to frictionally engage the drive shaft with the at least one drive unit.

A cranking mechanism preferably includes a planetary gear, a drive shaft, a one way bearing, a clutch assembly, and at least one drive unit. The clutch preferably includes a clutch pressure plate, a flywheel, friction surfaces and at least one friction plate. Each drive unit includes a carrier, a spool and a flywheel. The one way bearing and the clutch assembly are axial on the drive shaft. A pressure locking nut is threaded on to a threaded end of the crank shaft to exert pressure on the clutch assembly. The sun gear is fixed on the drive shaft. The at least one drive unit is axial with the drive shaft, and fixed with the carrier of the planetary gear set. The pressure locking nut is tightened against the clutch assembly to frictionally engage the drive shaft with the at least one drive unit.

Systems and apparatuses of a crossbow including a stock defining a front end and a rear end, and a limb including: a fixed end affixed to the stock between the front end and the rear end, and a free end positioned between the front end and the rear end. The limb is configured to flex in a substantially vertical plane.

A crossbow string drawing assistance system includes a crossbow, a bowstring drawing assistance device and a wire separator assembly, the bowstring drawing assistance device and the wire separator assembly are mounted on different positions of the crossbow, a pull hook of the bowstring drawing assistance device can hook a bowstring of the crossbow, a pull wire is inserted through the two hooks to engage with the wire separator assembly; when the bowstring drawing assistance device continuously packs the pull wire, the pull wire on the wire separator assembly is engaged to force the bowstring to move toward the wire separator assembly until the bowstring is engaged with the engaging member, so as to complete a drawing operation. Therefore, a user can mount and dismount the bowstring drawing assistance device easily according to habit, so as to mount the bowstring drawing assistance device in a comfortable position.

A crossbow string drawing assistance system includes a crossbow, a bowstring drawing assistance device and a wire separator assembly, the bowstring drawing assistance device and the wire separator assembly are mounted on different positions of the crossbow, a pull hook of the bowstring drawing assistance device can hook a bowstring of the crossbow, a pull wire is inserted through the two hooks to engage with the wire separator assembly; when the bowstring drawing assistance device continuously packs the pull wire, the pull wire on the wire separator assembly is engaged to force the bowstring to move toward the wire separator assembly until the bowstring is engaged with the engaging member, so as to complete a drawing operation. Therefore, a user can mount and dismount the bowstring drawing assistance device easily according to habit, so as to mount the bowstring drawing assistance device in a comfortable position.

In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a frame, a first limb assembly supporting a first rotatable member and a second limb assembly supporting a second rotatable member. The first rotatable member comprises a cam. A bowstring extends between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member. A power cable is in communication with the cam. The first limb assembly has a width and a length, wherein the width is at least 26% of the length. In some embodiments, the width is at least 28% of the length.