SUPER COMPACT ARCHERY BOW TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The crossbow includes a frame, a first limb and a second limb connected to the frame, a first cam and a second cam mounted on opposite sides of an axis of arrow travel, a string connecting the first cam and the second cam, a first cable connecting the first cam and the first limb, and a second cable connecting the second cam and the second limb. The first cam and the second cam are mounted on a holder of the first cam and a holder of the second cam. The first cam is arranged entirely between the axis of arrow travel and a loose end of the first limb. The second cam is arranged entirely between the axis of arrow travel and a loose end of the second limb. The crossbow reduces overall dimensions of an arrow throwing device while maintaining arrow speed by changing a traditional position of cams.

Claims

1. A crossbow, comprising: a frame with an axis of arrow travel extending along said frame; a first limb being connected to said frame and being comprised of at least one first loose end; a second limb being connected to said frame and being comprised of at least one first loose end; a first cam mounted on a first side of said frame; a second cam mounted on a second side of said frame, said first side being opposite said second side along said axis of arrow travel; a first holder between said first cam and said frame, said first cam being mounted on said first holder; a second holder between said second cam and said frame, said second cam being mounted on said second holder; a string connected to said first cam and said second cam, said string having a free state and a drawn state; at least one first cable extending from said first cam and through said at least one first loose end of the first limb; and at least one second cable extending from said second cam and through said at least one first loose end of the second limb; wherein the first cam is arranged entirely between the axis of arrow travel and said at least one first loose end of the first limb, when said string is in said free state; wherein the second cam is arranged entirely between the axis of arrow travel and said at least one first loose end of the second limb, when said string is in said free state; wherein said at least one first cable is arranged entirely on said first side; and wherein said at least one second cable is arranged entirely on said second side.

2. The crossbow of claim 1, wherein the at least one first cable further extends to a surface on the first side of the frame; and wherein the at least one second cable further extends to a surface on the second side of the frame.

3. The crossbow of claim 1, wherein the at least one first cable further extends to a first limb holder connecting the first limb to the frame; and wherein the at least one second cable further extends to a second limb holder connecting the second limb to the frame.

4. The crossbow of claim 1, further comprising a foot stirrup connected to the frame; wherein the at least one first cable further extends to a first side of said foot stirrup; and wherein the at least one second cable further extends to a second side of said foot stirrup.

5. The crossbow of claim 1, wherein the at least one first cable further extends to a second loose end of the first limb; and wherein the at least one second cable further extends to a second loose end of the second limb.

6. A crossbow of claim 5, wherein the at least one first cable extends through a first limb holder between the at least one first loose end and the second loose end of the first limb, wherein the first limb holder connects the first limb to the frame; and wherein the at least one second cable further extends through a second limb holder between the at least one first loose end and the second loose end of the second limb, wherein the second limb holder connects the second limb to the frame.

7. A crossbow, comprising: a frame with an axis of arrow travel extending along said frame; a first limb being connected to said frame and being comprised of at least one first loose end, wherein the first limb is comprised of two or more limb portions; a second limb being connected to said frame and being comprised of at least one first loose end, wherein the second limb is comprised of two or more limb portions; a first cam mounted on a first side of said frame; a second cam mounted on a second side of said frame, said first side being opposite said second side along said axis of arrow travel; a first holder between said first cam and said frame, said first cam being mounted on said first holder; a second holder between said second cam and said frame, said second cam being mounted on said second holder; a string connected to said first cam and said second cam, said string having a free state and a drawn state; at least one first cable connected to said first cam and said at least one first loose end of the first limb; and at least one second cable connected to said second cam and said at least one first loose end of the second limb; wherein the first cam is arranged entirely between the axis of arrow travel and said at least one first loose end of the first limb, when said string is in said free state; wherein the second cam is arranged entirely between the axis of arrow travel and said at least one first loose end of the second limb, when said string is in said free state; wherein said at least one first cable is arranged entirely on said first side; and wherein said at least one second cable is arranged entirely on said second side.

8. A bow, comprising: a handle having a midpoint and an axis of arrow travel extending through said midpoint and transverse to said handle; a first limb being connected to said handle and being comprised of at least one first loose end; a second limb being connected to said handle and being comprised of at least one first loose end; a first cam mounted on a first side of said handle; a second cam mounted on a second side of said handle, said first side being opposite said second side at said midpoint of said handle along said axis of arrow travel; a first holder with said first cam mounted on said first holder; a second holder with said second cam being mounted on said second holder; a string connected to said first cam and said second cam, said string having a free state and a drawn state; at least one first cable extending from said first cam and through said at least one first loose end of the first limb; and at least one second cable extending from said second cam and through said at least one first loose end of the second limb; wherein the first cam is arranged entirely between the axis of arrow travel and said at least one first loose end of the first limb, when said string is in said free state; wherein the second cam is arranged entirely between the axis of arrow travel and said at least one first loose end of the second limb, when said string is in said free state; wherein said at least one first cable is arranged entirely on said first side; and wherein said at least one second cable is arranged entirely on said second side.

9. The bow of claim 8, wherein said first limb is comprised of a first limb portion and a second limb portion; and wherein said second limb is comprised of a first limb portion and a second limb portion.

10. The bow of claim 9, wherein said at least one first loose end of the first limb is disposed on said first limb portion of the first limb; and wherein said at least one first loose end of the second limb is disposed on said first limb portion of the second limb.

11. The bow of claim 10, wherein the at least one first cable further extends to said second limb portion of the first limb; and wherein the at least one second cable further extends to said second limb portion of the second limb.

12. The bow of claim 10, wherein said at least one first cable further extends through said second limb portion of said first limb, and extends to said first limb portion of said first limb; wherein said at least one second cable further extends through said second limb portion of said second limb and extends to said first limb portion of said second limb.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIGS. 1-7 show top plan views of embodiments of a crossbow in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] FIGS. 8-10 show side elevation views of embodiments of a bow in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] FIGS. 1-7 show various embodiments of a crossbow in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] In general, the crossbow comprises a frame 1 with a front side 1.1 and a back side 1.2, a first limb 2 and a second limb 3, a string 4, at least one first cable 5 and at least one second cable 6, and a first cam 7 and a second cam 8.

[0020] The first limb 2 has two ends 2a, 2b. The first loose end 2a of the first limb is a loose end, and the second end 2b of the first limb can be either a secured end (FIGS. 1-6) or a loose end (FIG. 7). Similarly, the second limb 3 has two ends 3a, 3b. The first loose end 3a of the second limb is a loose end, and the second end 3b of the second limb can be either a fixed end (FIGS. 1-6) or a loose end (FIG. 7). The fixed ends 2b, 3b can be attached directly to the frame 1, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, or it can be attached to the frame 1 via corresponding holders 9, 10 (FIGS. 1, 4-6). If the ends 2b, 3b are the loose ends, the limbs 2, 3 can be attached at middle portions thereof to the frame via the limb holders 9, 10, respectively (FIG. 7).

[0021] The first limb 2 and the second limb 3 can comprise either one portion (FIGS. 1, 4-7), or more than one portion, e.g. two portions 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1, 3.2, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3.

[0022] The loose ends of the limbs 2, 3 can be oriented both in an arrow travel direction (FIGS. 1, 3-6), and in a backward direction of arrow travel (FIG. 2).

[0023] The limb holders 9, 10 can be made as separate members which are attached from both sides of the frame 1, or can be a part of the frame 1, or can be one integral member (also known as a riser) which is attached to the frame 1.

[0024] Extended substantially along the frame 1 is an axis 11 of arrow travel along which the arrow (not shown in Figures) is placed when loading into the crossbow and travels on firing.

[0025] The first cam 7 and the second cam 8 are mounted on opposite sides, a first side 7a for the first cam 7 and a second side 8a for the second cam 8, of the frame 1 and the axis 11 of arrow travel, respectively. The first cam 7 and the second cam 8 are attached to the frame 1 via a cam holder 12 of the first cam and a cam holder 13 of the second cam. The cam holders 12, 13, a first cam holder 12 and a second cam holder 13, can be both individual separate members or one integral member, and a part of the frame 1, i.e., they can be made integral to the frame 1.

[0026] If the cam holders 12, 13 are individual members, they can be made rigid (maintaining the shape and/or dimensions in normal use of the crossbow), i.e. fixed.

[0027] Alternatively, the cam holders 12, 13 can be made movable. For instance, the cam holders 12, 13 can be made of a resilient material. Another possible variant includes a movable attachment of the cam holders 12, 13 to the frame 1.

[0028] The first cam 7 is arranged so that when at least the first end 2a is at least in a free state (i.e., when the crossbow is not in a drawn state), the first cam 7 is located entirely between the axis 11 of arrow travel and the first end 2a. However, when the crossbow is in the drawn state, it may be preferable to have the cam 7 partially projected beyond the overall dimensions of the limb 2. It is further preferable, in case of the crossbow with the limb 2 having two loose ends as shown in FIG. 7, to have the cam 7 entirely between the axis 11 of arrow travel and the ends 2a, 2b, at least when the crossbow is not in the drawn state.

[0029] Similarly, the second cam 8 is arranged so that when at least the first end 3a is at least in a free state (i.e. when the crossbow is not in the drawn state), the second cam 8 is located entirely between the axis 11 of arrow travel and the first end 3a. However, when the crossbow is in the drawn state, it may be preferable to have the cam 8 partially projected beyond the overall dimensions of the limb 3. It is further preferable, in case of the crossbow with the limb 3 having two loose ends as shown in FIG. 7, to have the cam 8 entirely between the axis 11 of arrow travel and the ends 3a, 3b, at least when the crossbow is not in the drawn state.

[0030] The cams 7, 8 can be any cams well-known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0031] The string 4 connects the cams 7, 8 and supplies an initial arrow speed. The cables 5, 6 connect the cams 7, 8 to the first ends 2a, 3a, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, or to the first and second ends 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0032] The cables 5, 6 can be attached to the first ends 2a, 3a (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 1-3). The cables 5, 6 can extend through the first ends 2a, 3a and be attached to the frame 1 (FIG. 4), or to the limb holders 9, 10 (FIG. 5), or to a foot stirrup 14 (FIG. 6). The cables 5, 6 also can extend through the first ends 2a, 3a and be attached to the second ends 2b, 3b (FIG. 7).

[0033] FIGS. 1-7 do not represent all possible embodiments of the crossbow in accordance with the present invention. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate all other possible embodiments of the crossbow.

[0034] When pulling the string 4 back, the cams 7, 8 start rotating about their axes of rotation (not shown in Figures). The cables 7, 8 are wrapped around the cams 7, 8, thus making the first limb 2 and the second limb 3, respectively, bended. The more rigid the limbs 2, 3 are and the more the limbs 2, 3 bend, the higher the initial arrow speed is.

[0035] It is preferable to have the first cable 5 entirely arranged on the same side from the axis 11 of arrow travel as the corresponding first cam 7. Similarly, it is preferable to have the second cable 6 entirely arranged on the same side from the axis 11 of arrow travel as the corresponding second cam 8. In this case, the cables 5, 6 will not intersect the axis 11 of arrow travel, i.e., not interfere with the path of arrow loading and not intersect the arrow travel.

[0036] FIGS. 8-10 show embodiments of a bow in accordance with the present invention.

[0037] In general, the bow comprises a handle 15 having a midpoint 15.1 with a front side 1.1 and a back side 1.2, a first limb and second limb, a string 4, at least one first cable 5 and at least one second cable 6, and a first cam 7 and a second cam 8.

[0038] In the possible embodiments of the bow in accordance with the present invention shown in FIGS. 8-10, the first limb consists of two portions 2.1 and 2.2, and the second limb consists of two portions 3.1 and 3.2. One skilled in the art would appreciate however that the first limb and the second limb each can be a one element if the portions 2.1 and 2.2 are made as a one-piece and the portions 3.1 and 3.2 are made as a one-piece, too.

[0039] The first limb has two ends 2a, 2b. The first loose end 2a of the first limb is the loose end, and the second end 2b of the first limb is the fixed end. Similarly, the second limb has ends 3a, 3b. The first loose end 3a of the second limb is the loose end, and the second end 3b of the second limb is fixed. The fixed ends 2b, 3b can be attached directly to the handle 15 or, as shown in FIGS. 8-10, can be attached to the handle 15 via the corresponding holders 9, 10.

[0040] Extended substantially transversely to the handle 15 approximately in the middle portion thereof is an axis 11 of arrow travel along which an arrow (not shown in Figures) is arranged when loading into the bow and travels on firing.

[0041] The first cam 7 and the second cam 8 are mounted on opposite sides of the handle 15 and the axis 11 of arrow travel, respectively. The first cam 7 and the second cam 8 are attached to the handle 15 via a cam holder 12 of the first cam and a cam holder 13 of the second cam. The cam holders 12, 13 can be individual separate members or one integral member, and can be a part of the handle 15, i.e., they can be made integral to the handle 15.

[0042] If the cam holders 12, 13 are individual members, they can be made rigid (maintaining the shape and/or dimensions thereof in normal use of the bow), i.e. fixed.

[0043] Alternatively, the cam holders 12, 13 can be made movable. For instance, the cam holders 12, 13 can be made of a resilient material. Another possible variant includes a movable attachment of the cam holders 12, 13 to the handle 15.

[0044] The first cam 7 is arranged so that when at least the first end 2a is at least in a free state (i.e. when the bow is not in a drawn state), the first cam 7 is located entirely between the axis 11 of arrow travel and the first end 2a. Similarly, the second cam 8 is arranged so that when at least the first end 3a is at least in the free state (i.e. when the bow is not in the drawn state), the second cam 8 is located entirely between the axis 11 of arrow travel and the first end 3a.

[0045] The cams 7, 8 can be any cams well-known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0046] The string 4 connects the cams 7, 8 and supplies an initial arrow speed. The cables 5, 6 connect the cams 7, 8, respectively, to the first ends 2a, 3a.

[0047] The cables 5, 6 can be attached to the first ends 2a, 3a, as shown in FIG. 8. The cables 5, 6 can extend through the first ends 2a, 3a and be attached to the second portions of the limbs 2b, 3b, as shown in FIG. 9. The cables 5, 6 can extend through the first ends 2a, 3a, further through the second portions of the second portions of the limbs 2b, 3b and be attached to the first portions of the limbs 2a, 3a, as shown in FIG. 10. The one skilled in the art would appreciate other possible embodiments of the attachment of the ends of the cables 5, 6 that are not shown in Figures, such as on the limb holders 9, 10.

[0048] FIGS. 8-10 do not represent all possible embodiments of the bow in accordance with the present invention. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate all other possible embodiments of the bow.

[0049] When pulling the string 4 back, the cams 7, 8 start rotating about their axes of rotation (not shown in Figures). The cables 7, 8 are wrapped around the cams 7, 8, thus bending the first limb and the second limb, respectively. The more rigid the first limb and the second limb are and the more these limbs bend, the higher the initial arrow speed is.

[0050] It is preferable to have the first cable 5 entirely arranged on the same side from the axis 11 of arrow travel as the corresponding first cam 7. Similarly, it is preferable to have the second cable 6 entirely arranged on the same side from the axis 11 of arrow travel as the corresponding second cam 8. In this case, the cables 5, 6 will not intersect the axis 11 of arrow travel, i.e., not interfere with the path of arrow loading and not intersect the arrow travel.

[0051] In addition to the indicated above decrease of the overall dimensions while maintaining the firing speed, further advantages of the claimed arrow throwing devices over the known crossbows and bows are worth mentioning.

[0052] Firstly, placing the cams closer to the axis of arrow travel and, therefore, to the area which is hand-held by a user during the use of an arrow throwing device allows to reduce the torque developed by said device. This contributes to the more stable holding of the crossbow or bow resulting in lower arm loading, in particular, a user hand loading.

[0053] Secondly, since the cams are now displaced from the loose ends of the limbs, the load applied to these loose ends of the limbs is reduced. To attach the cam to the loose end of the limb, as used in the known devices, a tip of the loose end of the limb has to be provided with openings and/or cutouts, and therefore the loose end of the limb has to be reinforced. In addition, during the use of the known devices the cams can slightly shift with respect to attachment axes thereof, thus leading to additional rotational loads applied to the loose ends of the limb. If the cams are not located at the loose ends of the limbs like in the present invention, there is no need to reinforce the loose ends.

[0054] Thus, the present invention provides significant advantages over the known crossbows and bows and yet has no impact on one of the main characteristics, namely, the initial speed of arrow flight.