Compound projectile launcher

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11709031-B2
Application number	US-202217883362-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 8, 2022
Priority date	Jul 10, 2019
Publication date	Jul 25, 2023
Grant date	Jul 25, 2023

Abstract

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A projectile launcher, comprising;
a frame having a pistol 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 rotation of the drawstring hub about the central axis;
a limb support coupled to the frame;
a limb secured by the limb support 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,
wherein the pistol grip is positioned between the central axis and the limb support along the projectile axis.

2. The projectile launcher of claim 1 , further comprising a drawstring guide coupled to the frame and configured to guide the drawstring across the projectile axis.

3. The projectile launcher of claim 2 , wherein the drawstring guide is coupled to a drawstring guide frame, the drawstring guide frame coupled to a rear end of the frame.

4. The projectile launcher of claim 1 , wherein the drawstring hub comprises a let-off portion, the let-off portion having a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter, the first diameter greater than the second diameter.

5. The projectile launcher of claim 1 , wherein the grip of the frame extends between an upper member and a lower member of the frame.

6. The projectile launcher of claim 1 , wherein the drawstring is a first drawstring,
the projectile launcher further comprising:
a second drawstring routed immediately adjacent the first drawstring; and
a shot assembly coupled to the drawstring and the second drawstring, the shot assembly configured to receive and retain a projectile.

7. The projectile launcher of claim 1 , wherein the limb is a first limb,
the projectile launcher further comprising:
a second limb coupled the frame and positioned on an opposite side of the frame from the first limb so that rotation of the drawstring hub is powered by the first limb and the second limb.

8. The projectile launcher of claim 7 , wherein the projectile axis is positioned horizontally between the first limb and the second limb, and
wherein the projectile axis is substantially perpendicular to the power cable.

9. The projectile launcher of claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a curved forearm brace extending from a side of the frame, the forearm brace being configured to stabilize the projectile launcher using a user's arm.

10. The projectile launcher of claim 1 , wherein the limb includes a vertically repositionable limb end moveable relative to the central axis when the drawstring is moved between a drawn position and an undrawn position, and
wherein the limb end is closer to the central axis when the drawstring is in the drawn position than when the drawstring is in the undrawn position.

11. A projectile launcher, comprising:
a drawstring repositionable between a drawn position and an undrawn position;
a frame including a first frame member and a second frame member, the frame defining a projectile axis;
a power wheel coupled to the frame and rotatable in a first direction and a second direction about a central axis, the central axis spaced apart from the projectile axis;
a limb coupled to the frame by a limb support, the limb extending in a vertical limb plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis and defining a limb end, the limb vertically repositionable when the drawstring is moved between the drawn position and the undrawn position so that the limb end is closer to the power wheel when the drawstring is in the drawn position than when the drawstring is in the undrawn position; and
a grip coupled to the frame between the central axis and the limb support.

12. The projectile launcher of claim 11 , further comprising a drawstring guide coupled to the frame and configured to guide the drawstring across the projectile axis between a first end and a second end of the drawstring.

13. The projectile launcher of claim 11 , wherein the power wheel comprises a let-off portion, the let-off portion having a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter, the first diameter greater than the second diameter.

14. The projectile launcher of claim 11 , wherein the frame further comprises a curved forearm brace extending from a side of the frame, the forearm brace being configured to stabilize the projectile launcher using a user's arm.

15. The projectile launcher of claim 11 , further comprising a second limb coupled the frame and positioned on an opposite side of the frame from the limb, and wherein rotation of the power wheel in the second direction is powered by the limb and the second limb.

16. The projectile launcher of claim 11 , further comprising a drawstring guide coupled to the frame and configured to guide the drawstring across the projectile axis.

17. The projectile launcher of claim 16 , wherein the drawstring guide is coupled to a drawstring guide frame, the drawstring guide frame coupled to a rear end of the frame.

18. A projectile launcher, comprising:
a drawstring movable between a drawn position and an undrawn position, the drawstring having a first end and a second end;
a frame including a grip, a first frame member, and a second frame member, the frame defining a projectile axis;
a power wheel coupled to the frame and rotatable in a first direction and a second direction about a central axis offset from and perpendicular to the projectile axis;
a drawstring guide frame coupled to the frame rearward of the grip along the projectile axis; and
a drawstring guide coupled to the drawstring guide frame and configured to guide the drawstring across the projectile axis between the first end and the second end of the drawstring.

19. The projectile launcher of claim 18 , wherein the power wheel comprises a let-off portion, the let-off portion having a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter, the first diameter greater than the second diameter.

20. The projectile launcher of claim 18 , wherein the frame further comprises a curved forearm brace extending from a side of the frame, the forearm brace being configured to stabilize the projectile launcher using a user's arm.

Assignees

• Ravin Crossbows Llc

Inventors

• Trpkovski Paul

Classifications

• F41B3/02 Primary

  Catapults, e.g. slingshots · CPC title

• F41B3/005

  Catapults in pistol or rifle form having a cocking device, i.e. a mechanical device for holding the elastic band · CPC title

• F41B5/10

  Compound bows {(compound crossbows F41B5/123)} · CPC title

• F41B5/123 Primary

  Compound crossbows · CPC title

• F41B5/0094

  Non-traditional bows, e.g. having hinged limbs or non-stave geometry · CPC title