Arrow-retaining device of a crossbow

Abstract

A crossbow includes a rail and an arrow retention device including a bridge, a supporting element, a rolling unit, and two springs. The bridge includes a first section connected to the rail and a second section extending over the rail. The supporting element is connected to the second section of the bridge. The supporting element includes a pocket intersecting a bore. The rolling unit includes a roller and an axle. The axle includes a middle section for supporting the roller and two lateral sections extending from the roller. The lateral sections of the axle are located in two portions of the bore divided by the pocket. The roller includes a portion located in the pocket and another portion extending from the pocket to contact an arrow. The roller includes a smooth periphery. Each of the springs is compressed between the bridge and one of the lateral sections of the axle.

Claims

1. A crossbow comprising a rail and an arrow retention device comprising: a bridge comprising a first section connected to the rail and a second section extending over the rail; a supporting element connected to a lower face of the second section of the bridge, wherein the supporting element comprises a pocket and a bore intersecting the pocket; a rolling unit comprising a roller and an axle comprising a middle section for supporting the roller and two lateral sections extending from the roller, wherein the lateral sections of the axle are respectively located in two portions of the bore divided by the pocket, wherein the roller comprises a first portion located in the pocket and a second portion extending from the pocket to contact with an arrow, wherein the roller is formed with a smooth periphery; and two springs each of which is respectively compressed between one of the lateral sections of the axle and the bridge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crossbow according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a partial view of the crossbow shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is another partial view of the crossbow shown in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the crossbow shown in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of the crossbow shown in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the crossbow shown in FIG. 4; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the crossbow shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a crossbow 10 includes a rail 14 and an arrow retention device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The arrow retention device includes a bridge 20, a supporting element 30, a rolling unit 40 and multiple springs 50

(10) A rear section of the bridge 20 is connected to a trigger 12 that is connected to the rail 14. A front section of the bridge 20 extends over the rail 14.

(11) The supporting element 30 is connected to a lower face of the bridge 20 that is directed to an upper face of the rail 14. The supporting element 30 includes a shell 32, a pocket 34 and a bore 36. The pocket 34 and the bore 36 are made in the shell 32. The pocket 34 extends for a proper distance in a longitudinal direction of the shell 32. The bore 36 extends for another proper distance in a transverse direction of the shell 32. The pocket 34 and the bore 36 intersect each other.

(12) The rolling unit 40 includes a roller 42 and an axle 44. The roller 42 includes a smooth periphery 422. The roller 42 is supported on the axle 44, i.e., the roller 42 receives a middle section of the axle 44.

(13) The roller 42 is substantially located in the pocket 34, with a portion of the roller 42 extending from the pocket 34. The axle 44 is located in the bore 36.

(14) The springs 50 are located m two portions of the bore 36 divided by the pocket 34. The springs 50 are respectively abutted against two lateral sections of the axle 44 on two opposite sides of the roller 42.

(15) Referring to FIG. 1 to 7, an arrow A is loaded on the rail 14 of the crossbow 10. The arrow A pushes the roller 42 of the rolling unit 40 upwards. As the rolling unit 40 is lifted, the lateral sections of the axle 44 compress the springs 50. That is, the springs 50 exert constant forces on the roller 42 so that the roller 42 exerts a constant force on the arrow A. The force exerted and related friction against the arrow A by the roller 42 retain the arrow A in position unless the trigger 12 is operated to shoot the arrow A from the rail 14.

(16) When the arrow A moves on and along the rail 14, the rolling unit 40 rolls on the arrow A. Therefore, the friction between the rolling unit 40 and the arrow A is minimized. The periphery 422 of the roller 42 of the rolling unit 40 is smooth. Hence, the roller 42 does not exert any undesirable lateral faces on arrow A. Hence, the roller 42 does not jeopardize precision of the shooting of the arrow A.

(17) The present invention has been described via the illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.