A projectile launcher including a frame having a grip and defining a projectile axis, a drawstring hub rotatable mounted to the frame and defining a central axis perpendicular to the projectile axis and positioned a fixed distance from the projectile axis, a drawstring being attached to the drawstring hub so that movement of the drawstring results in the rotation of the drawstring hub about the central axis, a limb coupled to the frame and extending along a vertical limb plane, and a power cable coupled to the limb and the drawstring hub so that rotation of the drawstring hub about the central axis draws the limb closer to the central axis.

Systems and apparatuses include a crossbow including a stock defining a projectile axis, a limb coupled to the stock and arranged in a vertical limb plane parallel to the projectile axis, the limb including a power cable engagement end positioned vertically above the projectile axis, and a drawstring hub rotatably mounted to the stock about a central hub axis arranged perpendicular to the vertical limb plane, the drawstring hub including: a first wheel defining a first diameter and configured to engage a power cable, and a second wheel defining a second diameter and configured to engage a drawstring, wherein the first diameter is less than the second diameter.

A firing system for a crossbow having an arrow rest extending along an arrow rest axis, the firing system having a right limb and a left limb, the right limb being pivotable about a right limb axis and the left limb being pivotable about a left limb axis, the firing system further including a right cam and a left cam, the right cam having a right bow string groove and being rotatable about a right cam axis, the left cam having a left bow string groove and being rotatable about a left cam axis, the firing system having a bow string extending between the right and left cams and extending within the right and left bow string grooves, the bow string positionable between an un-cocked condition and a cocked or full draw condition wherein movement of the bow string from the un-cocked condition toward the cocked condition moves the right and left cams toward each other and pivots the right and left limbs about the right and left limbs axes respectively, the firing system further including a power assembly having a power cable and a spring assembly, the power cable having a forward end operably joined to the right and left limbs and a rear end operably joined to the spring assembly, the spring assembly having a power spring extending along a power spring axis between a first spring end and a second spring end and having a central spring opening, the power spring being below the arrow rest, the power cable extending through the central spring opening from the first spring end toward the second spring end, the rear end of the power cable being operably joined relative to the second spring end of the power spring, moving the bow string from the un-cocked condition to the cocked condition causing the right and left limbs to the pull forward end of the power cable forwardly wherein the operable engagement with the second spring end compressing the power spring by pulling the second spring end toward the first spring end to produce the shooting force to propel the archery arrow.

A crossbow includes a frame, where the frame is provided with an arrow track for placing an arrow; the crossbow includes at least one limb; the limb includes a fixed end and a movable end; the movable end is moved toward the fixed end under pressure, such that two sections bent in opposite directions are formed on the limb to make the limb wave-shaped; the movable end is moved in a reverse direction to make the limb restored; and a primary string of the crossbow is directly or indirectly connected to the movable end of the limb. The limb of the crossbow can generate large elastic potential energy and can reduce the kinetic energy consumed by translation, and avoids the problem of different strokes between multiple limbs. The crossbow prevents the winding wheels from translating to consume the kinetic energy, such that the arrow can gain sufficient kinetic energy.

A device for launching a projectile along an intended flight trajectory includes a launching mechanism. The launching mechanism includes supports supporting a launching cord. A projectile having a longitudinal axis is disposed in the launching cord in a launch position prior to launch such that the projectile's longitudinal axis is perpendicular to a plane in which the launching cord is disposed. As the projectile is launched by the launching mechanism, the projectile rotates such that the projectile's longitudinal axis is parallel to the plane in which the launching cord was disposed.

The invention relates to an archery system that launches an arrow from a position that is perpendicular to a direction of flight for the arrow. After release, the arrow rotates to a position that is parallel to the direction of flight to the target.

A firing system for a crossbow having an arrow rest extending along an arrow rest axis, the firing system having a right limb and a left limb, the right limb being pivotable about a right limb axis and the left limb being pivotable about a left limb axis, the firing system further including a right cam and a left cam, the right cam having a right bow string groove and being rotatable about a right cam axis, the left cam having a left bow string groove and being rotatable about a left cam axis, the firing system having a bow string extending between the right and left cams and extending within the right and left bow string grooves, the bow string positionable between an un-cocked condition and a cocked or full draw condition wherein movement of the bow string from the un-cocked condition toward the cocked condition moves the right and left cams toward each other and pivots the right and left limbs about the right and left limbs axes respectively, the firing system further including a power assembly having a power cable and a spring assembly, the power cable having a forward end operably joined to the right and left limbs and a rear end operably joined to the spring assembly, the spring assembly having a power spring extending along a power spring axis between a first spring end and a second spring end and having a central spring opening, the power spring being below the arrow rest, the power cable extending through the central spring opening from the first spring end toward the second spring end, the rear end of the power cable being operably joined relative to the second spring end of the power spring, moving the bow string from the un-cocked condition to the cocked condition causing the right and left limbs to the pull forward end of the power cable forwardly wherein the operable engagement with the second spring end compressing the power spring by pulling the second spring end toward the first spring end to produce the shooting force to propel the archery arrow.

A bow includes a handle and upper and lower limbs. The upper and lower limbs are formed of a laminated fiber-reinforced plastic material. The upper limb has first and second sets of fiber sheets stacked in a direction along a lateral axis. The first set of fiber sheets have fibers aligned at a first angle from a longitudinal axis, and the second set of fiber sheets having fibers aligned at a second angle from the longitudinal axis in an opposite direction. The lower limb has third and fourth sets of fiber sheets stacked in a direction along the lateral axis. The third set of fiber sheets have parallel fibers aligned at a third angle from the longitudinal axis, and the fourth set of fiber sheets having fibers aligned at a fourth angle from the longitudinal axis in an opposite direction. The angles are between 16 and 44 degrees.

A projectile launcher including a frame having a grip and defining a projectile axis, a drawstring hub rotatable mounted to the frame and defining a central axis perpendicular to the projectile axis and positioned a fixed distance from the projectile axis, a drawstring being attached to the drawstring hub so that movement of the drawstring results in the rotation of the drawstring hub about the central axis, a limb coupled to the frame and extending along a vertical limb plane, and a power cable coupled to the limb and the drawstring hub so that rotation of the drawstring hub about the central axis draws the limb closer to the central axis.

A crossbow is configured to shoot a projectile. The crossbow includes a frame having a stock positioned at a rear end, the frame defining a horizontal projectile plane at a top side in which a projectile axis is positioned. The projectile moves within the horizontal projectile plane and along the projectile axis during firing and arming of the crossbow, and the projectile is fired from a front end of the frame. The crossbow further includes a drawstring hub connectable to ends of a drawstring. Rotation of the drawstring hub in at least one direction is powered, such as by a force applied by flexed limbs. The crossbow further includes drawstring guides attached to the frame for guiding the drawstring across the projectile axis between the ends of the drawstring. The first and second drawstring guides each include a pulley wheel, wherein the drawstring is guided at least partially around each pulley wheel. A further aspect is a crossbow having a frame comprised of a first frame portion and a second frame portion that are detachably coupled to one another via a fastening mechanism.