An archer release aid includes an engagement mechanism that is operated by a thumb or finger of an archer to engage and retain a bow string or attachment thereto such as a D-loop. The engagement mechanism may be biased so that when the archer releases pressure on the actuator, the engagement mechanism disengages the bow string. A locking mechanism may be operated by another finger of the archer, such as the little finger, to lock the engagement mechanism in the engaged position. The release aid allows muscle relaxation, rather than muscle tension, to be the final triggering mechanism.

A trigger device for activating a firing mechanism, the trigger device comprising a housing, a trigger pivotally mounted on the housing via a trigger pivot pin, a sear arm comprising a first sear surface, a ticker extending generally from the trigger to the sear arm, the ticker pivotable about a ticker pivot pin, the ticker comprising spaced apart flanges, each of which comprises an aperture defining at least a first contact surface, and a captured roller positioned at least partially within the apertures, wherein in a captured position the first sear surface and the first contact surfaces engage the captured roller and in a released position the first contact surfaces disengage from the captured roller to allow the captured roller to move within the aperture.

A crossbow string cocking device preferably includes a housing, a first reel, a second reel, a ratchet device, a rotary spring, a driven shaft, a drive shaft and a string pull device. The housing preferably includes a main body housing, a first end cover and a second end cover. The ratchet device is retained in a first end of the main body housing. A drive gear is rotatably retained on the drive shaft. The first reel and a ratchet gear of the ratchet device are retained on a first end of the driven shaft. A driven gear, the rotary spring and the second reel are retained on a second end of the driven shaft. The string pull device includes a ribbon and at least one string hook. A first end of the ribbon is retained on the first reel. A second end of the ribbon is retained the second reel.

A crossbow includes a barrel, a wing supported on a front portion of the barrel, a string connected to the wing at two ends, a rear sight supported on a rear portion of the barrel, and a string-pulling unit movably supported on the barrel and adapted for pulling the string backward on the barrel. The string-pulling unit includes two parallel shanks, a handle and a crossbar. The shanks are movable along two parallel lateral faces of the barrel. The handle is connected to the shanks near a rear end of each of the shanks. The crossbar is connected to the shanks near a front end of each of the shanks and adapted for keeping the shanks in position relative to each other. Moreover, the crossbar extends over the barrel. A front sight is formed on the crossbar and adapted for cooperation with the rear sight during aiming.

A pull tension archery release includes a housing having a longitudinal axis and a sear assembly configured by engaging a bow string. A sear is arranged within the housing for reciprocal movement along the longitudinal axis between hold and fire positions to engage and release a rotary bail which grips the bow string. When pull tension is applied to the sear, the sear is displaced to release the bail and fire an arrow. The sear assembly is adjustable to enable the release to operate in both pull tension and relax trigger modes.

In some embodiments, a crossbow crank comprises a housing and a shaft rotatable with respect to the housing. A one-way mechanism is arranged to prevent rotation of the shaft in a first rotational direction, but allow rotation in a second direction. A release mechanism is arranged to disengage the one-way mechanism from the shaft. The release mechanism has a first position and a second position, wherein the release mechanism moves along a length of the shaft between the first position and the second position.

A crossbow may include a bowstring and a string latch that can be moved into a first string latch position that holds the bowstring in a cocked position, a second string latch position that does not hold the bowstring in the cocked position and a third string latch position. To de-cock the crossbow, a de-cock activator may be selectively movable from a first de-cock activator position that prevents the string latch from being moved into the third string latch position into a second de-cock activator position that permits the string latch to be moved into the third string latch position. When the string latch is in the first string latch position and the de-cock activator is in the second de-cock activator position: the string latch may be selectively movable into the third string latch position and then the second string latch position permitting de-cocking of the crossbow.

A back tension archery release aid including a rotatable safety release lever. The safety release lever is engaged and operated by the outer fingers of an archer. Once an archer achieves full draw, the release lever is operated by the archer's outer fingers to lock a portion of a release head assembly in place. Further rotation of the release releases the bowstring and fires an arrow. Certain back tension release aid embodiments include magnets which assist in holding a sear and bridge together within the release head assembly prior to releasing an arrow and assist in resetting the release after an arrow is released.

The disclosed technology includes a semi-automatic crossbow having a stock, a plurality of limbs, a drawstring, a bolt feeder, a barrel, a draw assembly, and a release. The draw assembly can be configured to automatically move the drawstring to a cocked position and the release can include a trigger and be configured to release the drawstring when the trigger is actuated. The disclosed technology can further include a truck configured to engage the drawstring and a bolt such that the bolt can be propelled forward by the truck when the drawstring is released by the release.