Two Stage Rope Cocker For Crossbow

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application no. 63/565,588 filed Mar. 15, 2024, which is thereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The following patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, U.S. Pat. No. 11,768,052, Repeating Break-Action Crossbow; U.S. Pat. No. 11,874,085, Trigger Traverse Crossbow; U.S. Pat. No. 12,025,402, Bowstring Carrier Traverse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to archery, and more specifically to a cocking apparatus and procedure of cocking crossbows with a built-in two stage rope cocker and moving bowstring carrier assembly.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Historically, crossbows have had a bowstring operably coupled to bow limbs, and some type of trigger and bowstring retain-release mechanism. The user would transition the bowstring from an at-rest, or un-cocked position to a cocked position. To this end, there has also been an ever-increasing desire for faster, more powerful crossbows. In order to reach these goals, the crossbow needed to be of a higher poundage draw weight, a longer power stroke, or ideally both. This has been attempted in many ways, some with great success. One of these methods to overcome the higher draw weight was the use of a rope cocker, which was a simple device consisting of a rope, two handles, and hooks or a sled to engage the bowstring. The sled or hooks were engaged with the bowstring, a mid-portion of the cord was engaged with the crossbow frame, generally behind the trigger assembly, and the handles were pulled, cocking the bowstring. The rope cocker created a pulley system, thereby reducing the overall perceived draw weight in half. A direct correlation between the power stroke of the crossbow and the distance the handles had to be pulled was 2 to 1. This 2 to 1 ratio could have a limiting effect on the user, depending on the physical stature, and overall strength.

More recently, the use of an actual bowstring carrier assembly to transition the bowstring from the at-rest position to the cocked position and retain the bowstring in the cocked position were introduced. Again, a traditional rope cocking device could be utilized to cock the crossbow, or a time- consuming crank cocking device could be utilized. The crank cocking device essentially eliminated the issue of the user not having adequate strength or height to cock the crossbow.

More recently, a device was introduced by U.S. Pat. No. 11,448,478 Weifang, whereby a bowstring carrier was coupled to a rope cocking apparatus having a 3 to 1 reduction ratio, which would effectively reduce the draw weight of the crossbow to a perceived one-third the actual draw weight. Though this allowed for higher draw weight, the 3 to 1 ratio greatly reduced the available power stroke of the crossbow, as the movement of the handles was now three times the power stroke instead of two times the power stroke. An example of the movement of the cocking handle during the cocking procedure could be as follows: the crossbow having a power stroke of 10 inches and the bowstring in the at-rest position places the at-rest position of the cocking handle, which is behind the cocked position of the bowstring, 30 inches above the ground; the cocking handle needs to be pulled 30 inches to complete the cocking procedure, placing the cocking handle 60 inches above the ground. For a user that is 6 feet tall, this may be able to be accomplished with medium effort, however for an individual less than this height, cocking the crossbow becomes increasingly more difficult as height decreases, and impossible for some. In addition to the above stated undesirable attributes of Weifang '478, there are two cocking cords, having ends secured to the crossbow frame and the cocking handle, which unless pressure is evenly applied to both sides during the cocking procedure, uneven pressure can lead to a tipping or cocking of the bowstring carrier, and uneven movement of the cords about the pulleys.

Barnett U.S. Pat. No. 11,768,052 disclosed a crossbow having a break-action, two-stage cocking device which enabled the user to have the ability to cock the crossbow with two motions, wherein the bowstring was moved from an at-rest position to be retained in a mid-position retainer with the first motion, and then moved from the mid-position retainer to the cocked position with the second motion. Though this break-action method is quite desirable and highly functional, there was still a desire for a more traditional method of cocking a long power stroke, higher poundage crossbow with a rope cocking device., and as an added feature, the ability to return the bowstring carrier assembly to the distal position of the crossbow with little to no manual intervention.

More recently, Barnett U.S. Pat. No. 11,874,085 Trigger traverse disclosed an internally powered unit that utilized a clock spring and a high pitch lead-screw to move the bowstring carrier from the cocked position to the at-rest position once the crossbow was fired, however this device was also quite elaborate, and required many additional parts to manufacture, and a complex inner structure to house the components.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a two-stage rope cocker for a crossbow, which allows for more than twice the performance of the prior art, with less perceived effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a two-stage rope cocker for a crossbow, which allows for more than twice the performance of the prior art, with less perceived effort. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a crossbow having a built-in two-stage retractable rope cocking device coupled with a bowstring carrier assembly and bowstring carrier traverse mechanism that translates the bowstring carrier assembly from a cocked position to a bowstring at-rest position on a crossbow or projectile launching device (PLD). The string carrier may be a simple or complex design, in that it may simply consist of a component that engages the bowstring and retains it while transitioning from the at-rest position to be retained in a mid-position and then from the retained mid-position to the cocked position, or of a complex design wherein the string carrier would consist of at least two of a combination of latch, sear, safety, anti-dryfire device, springs and so on. The retractable rope cocker includes a single cord and two handle assemblies. This is an important distinction from the prior art having two separate cords independently coupled to two separate handles and the bowstring carrier. Each of the handle assemblies preferably include a spring motor, a spool, a spool winding surface, a one-way bearing, and a one-way bearing release. The first end of the cord is operably coupled with the first handle assembly, and the second end of the cord is operably coupled with the second handle assembly. A first portion of the cord partially wraps a first spool in the first handle, and a second portion of the cord partially wraps a second spool in the second handle. A portion of the span of the cord is operably coupled with the bowstring carrier assembly and the crossbow frame, wherein the mechanical effect of the configuration provides at least a two to one reduction in perceived draw force, but preferably a three to one reduction or more of perceived draw force. The utilization of the retractable cord and handle assembly provides the ability for the spools to take up the rope cocker cord once the bowstring carrier assembly has reached the midway retainer.

The following dimensions are given by way of example and not by way of limitation. An example of the movement of the retractable rope cocker handles during the cocking procedure could be as follows: the crossbow having a power stroke of 20 inches and the bowstring in the at-rest position places the at-rest position of the retractable cocking handles adjacent the bowstring at-rest position fifteen inches above inches above the ground; the cocking handle needs to be pulled twenty inches to complete the movement of the bowstring carrier assembly to the mid-point retained position, placing the cocking handle 35 inches above the ground. For a user that is 6 feet tall, this may be able to be accomplished with little effort, and for an individual less than this height, cocking the crossbow is still very easy, as the height of the handles is mid-torso or below. The user would then release the one-way bearing retainers in the handles allowing the spring motors to wind the segments of cord between the handle assemblies and the bowstring carrier assembly onto the spool winding surfaces, returning the handle assemblies adjacent the bowstring carrier assembly.

In a second motion, the user again pulls the retractable rope cocker handles the example of twenty inches, moving the bowstring carrier the remaining ten inches of the power stroke to the cocked position, again placing the cocking handles 35 inches above the ground. The user again releases the one-way bearing retainers allowing the spring motors to wind the remaining segments of cord about the winding surface of the spool, and then parking the cocking handles adjacent the crossbow stock. The disclosure potentially allows for more than twice the performance of the prior art, with less perceived effort.

An alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention is a crossbow having a built-in two-stage retractable rope cocking device coupled with a bowstring carrier and bowstring carrier traverse mechanism that translates the bowstring carrier from a cocked position to a bowstring at-rest position on a crossbow or PLD. The bowstring carrier at rest is forward and adjacent the bowstring at rest. The bowstring carrier engages the bowstring and retains it while transitioning from the at-rest position to be retained in a mid-position and then from the retained mid-position to the cocked position. The retractable rope cocker includes a single cord and two handle assemblies. Each of the handle assemblies include a spring motor, a spool, a spool winding surface, a one-way bearing, and a one-way bearing release. The first end of the cord is operably coupled with the first handle assembly, and the second end of the cord is operably coupled with the second handle assembly. The span of the cord is operably coupled with the bowstring carrier and the crossbow frame, wherein the mechanical effect of the configuration provides at least a two to one reduction in perceived draw force, but preferably a three to one reduction or more of perceived draw force. The utilization of the retractable cord and handle assembly provides the ability for the spools to take up the rope cocker cord once the bowstring carrier has reached the midway retainer.

An example of the movement of the retractable rope cocker handles during the cocking procedure could be as follows: the crossbow having a power stroke of 20 inches and the bowstring in the at-rest position places the at-rest position of the retractable cocking handles adjacent the bowstring at-rest position fifteen inches above the ground; the cocking handle needs to be pulled twenty inches to complete the movement of the bowstring carrier assembly to the mid-point retained position, placing the cocking handle 35 inches above the ground. For a user that is 6 feet tall, this may be able to be accomplished with little effort, and for an individual less than this height, cocking the crossbow is still very easy, as the height of the handles is mid-torso or below. The user would then release the one-way bearing retainer allowing the spring motors to wind the segments of cord between the handle assemblies and the bowstring carrier assembly onto the spool winding surfaces, returning the handle assemblies adjacent the bowstring carrier assembly. In a second motion, the user again pulls the retractable rope cocker handles the example of twenty inches, moving the bowstring carrier the remaining ten inches of the power stroke to the cocked position, again placing the cocking handles 35 inches above the ground. The bowstring carrier engages the bowstring with the bowstring latch, and the bowstring latch retains the bowstring in the cocked position. The bowstring carrier, now released from the bowstring, is returned to the bowstring carrier at-rest position by the traverse assembly. The user again releases the one-way bearing retainer allowing the spring motors to wind the remaining segments of cord about the winding surface of the spool, and then parking the cocking handles adjacent the crossbow frame.

A second alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is a crossbow having a built-in single-stage retractable rope cocking device coupled with a bowstring carrier and bowstring carrier traverse mechanism that translates the bowstring carrier from a cocked position to a bowstring at-rest position on a crossbow or PLD. The bowstring carrier at rest is forward and adjacent the bowstring at rest. The bowstring carrier engages the bowstring and retains it while transitioning from the at-rest position to the cocked position. The retractable rope cocker includes a single cord and two handle assemblies. Each of the handle assemblies includes a spring motor, a spool, a spool winding surface, a one-way bearing, and a one-way bearing release. The first end of the cord is operably coupled with the first handle assembly, and the second end of the cord is operably coupled with the second handle assembly. The span of the cord is operably coupled with the bowstring carrier and the crossbow frame, wherein the mechanical effect of the configuration provides at least a two to one reduction in perceived draw force, but preferably a three to one reduction or more of perceived draw force.

An example of the movement of the retractable rope cocker handles during the cocking procedure could be as follows: the crossbow having a power stroke of 15 inches and the bowstring in the at-rest position places the at-rest position of the retractable cocking handles adjacent the bowstring at-rest position fifteen inches above inches above the ground; the cocking handle needs to be forty five inches to complete the movement of the bowstring carrier assembly to the cocked position, placing the cocking handle sixty inches above the ground. For a user that is 6 feet tall, this may be able to be accomplished with minimal effort. The user would then release the one-way bearing retainer allowing the spring motors to wind the segments of cord between the handle assemblies and the bowstring carrier assembly onto the spool winding surfaces, returning the handle assemblies adjacent the bowstring carrier assembly. The bowstring carrier engages the bowstring with the bowstring latch, and the bowstring latch retains the bowstring in the cocked position. The bowstring carrier, now released from the bowstring, is returned to the bowstring carrier at-rest position by the traverse assembly. The user again releases the one-way bearing retainer allowing the spring motors to wind the remaining segments of cord about the winding surface of the spool, and then parking the cocking handles adjacent the crossbow frame.

A third alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is a crossbow having a built-in single-stage or multi-stage retractable rope cocking device coupled with a bowstring carrier and bowstring carrier traverse mechanism that translates the bowstring carrier from a cocked position to a bowstring at-rest position on a crossbow or PLD. The bowstring carrier at rest is forward and adjacent the bowstring at rest. The bowstring carrier engages the bowstring and retains it while transitioning from the at-rest position to the cocked position. The retractable rope cocker would consist of a single cord and single handle assembly. The single handle assembly could consist of a spring motor, a spool, a spool winding surface, a one-way bearing, and a one-way bearing release, or could consist of two spring motors, two spools, two spool winding surfaces, two one-way bearings, and two one-way bearing releases. The first and second ends of the cord are operably coupled with the single handle assembly. The span of the cord is operably coupled with the bowstring carrier and the crossbow frame, wherein the mechanical effect of the configuration provides at least a two to one reduction in perceived draw force, but preferably a three to one reduction or more of perceived draw force.

As disclosed in Barnett U.S. Pat. No. 12,025,402 the bowstring carrier traverse may be manufactured with as few as 3 components: a connecting component such as a strap, ribbon, or cord; a winding surface such as a spool; and an energy component such as a clock spring or constant force spring (spring). The spring having a first end in a fixed position, and the second end coupled with the spool. The first end of the connecting component is fixed with the spool adjacent the winding surface, and a second end of the connecting component is operably coupled with the bowstring carrier. In the preferred embodiment, the second end of the spring is operably coupled with an interior surface of the spool, and the spool surrounds the spring axially, and the spool is in a vertical configuration. The first end of the spring is operably fixed with the PLD.

The connecting component is wound about the winding surface when the bowstring carrier is adjacent the bowstring in the at-rest position. Once the bowstring is retained by the string carrier, the user initiates the cocking procedure by any method known in the art, be it rope cocker, crank cocker or other. The bowstring carrier and the bowstring transition from the at-rest position to the cocked position. During this transition, the connecting component unwinds from the spool winding surface, rotating the spring, thus storing energy within the spring. Once cocked, the string carrier is engaged by a retainer.

Once the crossbow has been fired, the user selectively disengages the retainer, and stored energy in the spring causes the connecting component to wind about the winding surface of the spool, automatically returning the bowstring carrier to the bowstring at-rest position. The bowstring carrier traverse may be operably coupled with the bowstring carrier of the alternative embodiments as well as the preferred embodiments.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a two-stage rope cocker for a crossbow, which allows for more than twice the performance of the prior art, with less perceived effort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crossbow having a bowstring carrier engaged with a bowstring in an un-cocked position and rope cocking device handles adjacent the crossbow stock in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a crossbow having a bowstring carrier engaged with a bowstring in a mid-cocked position and rope cocking device handles in a rear-most position of a cocking sequence in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a crossbow having a bowstring carrier engaged with a bowstring in a mid-cocked position, the bowstring carrier retained by a carrier retainer, rope cocking device handles in a rope-retracted position, wherein a cocking procedure is mid-way through a sequence in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a crossbow having a bowstring carrier engaged with a bowstring in a fully cocked position and rope cocking device handles in a rear-most position of a cocking sequence in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a crossbow having a bowstring carrier engaged with a bowstring in a fully cocked position and rope cocking device handles in a rope-retracted position of a cocking sequence, the cocking device handles are retained adjacent the crossbow in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a bowstring carrier assembly, a trigger assembly traverse and a bowstring carrier traverse in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of two cocker handle assemblies of a two-stage rope cocker for a crossbow in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a single handle cocker assembly of a two-stage rope cocker for a crossbow in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1-7, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a crossbow having a built-in two-stage retractable rope cocking device coupled with a bowstring carrier assembly 10 and a bowstring carrier traverse mechanism 50 that translates the bowstring carrier assembly 10 from a cocked position to a bowstring at-rest position on a crossbow or projectile launching device (PLD) 100. The bowstring carrier assembly 10 may be a simple or complex design, in that it may simply includes a component that engages a bowstring 102 and retains it while transitioning from the at-rest position to be retained in a mid-position and then from the retained mid-position to the cocked position, or of a complex design wherein the bowstring carrier assembly would include at least two of a combination of latch, sear, safety, anti-dryfire device, springs and the like. A retractable rope cocker 1 includes a single cord 40, a first handle 20 and a second handle 30. This is an important distinction from the prior art having two separate cords independently coupled to two separate handles and the bowstring carrier. The first handle 20 includes a first spring motor 24, a first spring 25, a first spring motor drive gear 26, a first spool driven gear 27, a first spool 28, a first spool winding surface 22, a first one-way bearing 23 and a first one-way bearing release 21. The second handle 30 includes a second spring motor 34, a second spring 35, a second spring motor drive gear 36, a second spool driven gear 37, a second spool 38, a second spool winding surface 32, a first one-way bearing 33 and a second one-way bearing release 31. The first end of the cord 40 is operably coupled with the first handle 20, and the second end of the cord 40 is operably coupled with the second handle 30. A first portion of the cord 40 partially wraps around the first winding surface 22 of the first spool 28 in the first handle, and a second portion of the cord 40 partially wraps the second winding surface 32 of the second spool 38 in the second handle 30. A portion of a span of the cord 40 is operably coupled with a first carrier pulley 70 and a second carrier pulley 72 of the bowstring carrier assembly 10 and a first frame pulley 74 and a second frame pulley 76 of a crossbow frame 78. The mechanical effect of the configuration provides at least a two-to-one reduction in perceived draw force, but preferably a three-to-one reduction or more of perceived draw force. The utilization of the cord 40 and handles 20, 30 provide the ability for the spools 28, 38 to take up the cord 40 once the bowstring carrier assembly 10 has reached the midway retainer 60.

The following dimensions are given by way of example and not by way of limitation. An example of the movement of the retractable rope cocker handles during the cocking procedure could be as follows: the crossbow 100 having a power stroke of 20 inches and the bowstring in the at-rest position places the at-rest position of the retractable cocking handles 20, 30 adjacent the bowstring 102 at-rest position fifteen inches above inches above the ground; the cocking handles 20, 30 need to be pulled twenty inches to complete the movement of the bowstring carrier assembly 10 to the mid-point retained position, placing the cocking handles 20, 30, 35 inches above the ground. For a user that is 6 feet tall, this may be able to be accomplished with little effort, and for an individual less than this height, cocking the crossbow 100 is still very easy, as the height of the handles 20, 30 is mid-torso or below. The user would then release the one-way bearing retainers 21, 31 in the handles allowing the spring motors 24, 34 to wind the segments of the cord 40 between the handles 20, 30 and the bowstring carrier assembly 10 onto the spool winding surfaces 22, 32, returning the handles 20, 30 adjacent the bowstring carrier assembly 10.

In a second motion, the user again pulls the handles 20, 30, the example of twenty inches, moving the bowstring carrier 10 the remaining ten inches of the power stroke to the cocked position, again placing the cocking handles 20, 30, 35 inches above the ground. The user again releases the one-way bearing retainers 21, 31 allowing the spring motors 24, 34 to wind the remaining opposing ends of the cord 40 about the winding surfaces 22, 32 of the spools 28, 38, and then parking the handles 20, 30 adjacent the crossbow stock. The disclosure potentially allows for more than twice the performance of the prior art, with less perceived effort.

An alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention is a crossbow 100 having a built-in two-stage retractable rope cocking device 1 coupled with a bowstring carrier 10 and bowstring carrier traverse mechanism 50 that translates the bowstring carrier assembly 10 from a cocked position to a bowstring at-rest position on a crossbow or PLD. The bowstring carrier assembly 10 at rest is forward and adjacent the bowstring 102 at rest. The bowstring carrier assembly 10 engages the bowstring 102 and retains it while transitioning from the at-rest position to be retained in a mid-position and then from the retained mid-position to the cocked position. The retractable rope cocker 1 includes a single cord 40 and two handles 20, 30. Each of the handle 20, 30 includes the spring motor, the spool, the spool winding surface, the one-way bearing, and the one-way bearing release. The first end of the cord 40 is operably coupled with the first handle 20, and the second end of the cord 40 is operably coupled with the second handle 30. The span of the cord 40 is operably coupled with the bowstring carrier assembly 10 and the crossbow frame 78, wherein the mechanical effect of the configuration provides at least a two-to-one reduction in perceived draw force, but preferably a three-to-one reduction or more of perceived draw force. The utilization of the cord 40 and the handles 20, 30 provide the ability for the spools 28, 38 to take up the cord 40, once the bowstring carrier assembly 40 has reached the midway retainer 60.

An example of the movement of the handles 29, 30 during the cocking procedure could be as follows: the crossbow 100 having a power stroke of 20 inches and the bowstring 102 in the at-rest position places the at-rest position of the handles 20, 30, adjacent the bowstring at-rest position fifteen inches above the ground; the handles 20, 30 need to be pulled twenty inches to complete the movement of the bowstring carrier assembly 10 to the mid-point retained position, placing the cocking handles 20, 30, 35 inches above the ground. For a user that is 6 feet tall, this may be able to be accomplished with little effort, and for an individual less than this height, cocking the crossbow 100 is still very easy, as the height of the handles 20, 30 is mid-torso or below. The user would then release the one-way bearing retainers 21, 31 allowing the spring motors 24, 34 to wind the first and second segments of cord 40 between the handles 20, 30 and the bowstring carrier assembly 10 on to the spool winding surfaces 22, 32, returning the handles 20, 30 adjacent to the bowstring carrier assembly 10. In a second motion, the user again pulls the handles 20, 30 in the example of twenty inches, moving the bowstring carrier assembly 10. the remaining ten inches of the power stroke to the cocked position, again placing the cocking handles 20, 30, 35 inches above the ground. The bowstring carrier assembly 10 engages the bowstring 102 with a bowstring latch, and the bowstring latch retains the bowstring 102 in the cocked position. The bowstring carrier assembly 10 is now released from the bowstring 102, and is returned to the bowstring carrier assembly 10 at-rest position by the traverse assembly 50. The user again releases the one-way bearing retainers 21, 31, allowing the spring motors 24, 34 to wind the remaining segments of cord 40 about the winding surfaces 22, 32 of the spools 28, 38, and then parking the handles 20, 30, adjacent the crossbow frame 78.

A second alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is a crossbow having a built-in single-stage retractable rope cocking device coupled with the bowstring carrier assembly 10 and the bowstring carrier traverse mechanism 50 that translates the bowstring carrier assembly 10 from a cocked position to a bowstring at-rest position on a crossbow 100 or PLD. The bowstring carrier assembly 10 at rest is forward and adjacent the bowstring at rest. The bowstring carrier assembly 10 engages the bowstring 102 and retains it while transitioning from the at-rest position to the cocked position. The retractable rope cocker 1 includes the single cord 40 and the two handles 20, 30. Each of the handles 20, 30 include a spring motor, a spool, a spool winding surface, a one-way bearing, and a one-way bearing release. The first end of the cord 40 is operably coupled with the first handle 20, and the second end of the cord 40 is operably coupled with the second handle 30. The span of the cord 40 is operably coupled with the bowstring carrier assembly 10 and the crossbow frame 78, wherein the mechanical effect of the configuration provides at least a two-to-one reduction in perceived draw force, but preferably a three-to-one reduction or more of perceived draw force.

An example of the movement of the rope cocker handles 20, 30 during the cocking procedure could be as follows: the crossbow having a power stroke of 15 inches and the bowstring 102 in the at-rest position places the at-rest position of the rope cocking handles 20, 30 adjacent the bowstring at-rest position fifteen inches above inches above the ground; the handles 20, 30 need to be forty five inches to complete the movement of the bowstring carrier assembly 10 to the cocked position, placing the handles 20, 30, sixty inches above the ground. For a user that is 6 feet tall, this may be able to be accomplished with minimal effort. The user would then release the one-way bearing retainers 21, 31 allowing the spring motors to wind the segments of the cord 40 between the handles 20, 30 and the bowstring carrier assembly 10 onto the spool winding surfaces 22, 32, returning the handles 20, 30, adjacent the bowstring carrier assembly 10. The bowstring carrier assembly 10 engages the bowstring 102 with the bowstring latch, and the bowstring latch retains the bowstring 102 in the cocked position. The bowstring carrier assembly 10, now released from the bowstring 102 is returned to the bowstring carrier at-rest position by the traverse assembly 50. The user again releases the one-way bearing retainers 21, 31 allowing the spring motors 24, 34 to wind the remaining segments of cord 40 about the winding surfaces 22, 32 of the spools 28, 38, and then parking the handles 20, 30 adjacent the crossbow frame 78.

With reference to FIG. 8, a third alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is a crossbow having a built-in single-stage or multi-stage retractable rope cocking device coupled with a bowstring carrier assembly 10 and the bowstring carrier traverse mechanism 50 that translates the bowstring carrier assembly 10 from a cocked position to a bowstring at-rest position on the crossbow or PLD. The bowstring carrier assembly at rest is forward and adjacent the bowstring 102 at rest. The bowstring carrier assembly 10 engages the bowstring 102 and retains it while transitioning from the at-rest position to the cocked position. The retractable rope cocker 2 includes the cord 40 and a handle 45. The handle 45 includes the first and second spring motors 24, 34, the first and second spools 28, 38, first and second spool winding surfaces 22, 32, first and second one-way bearings 23, 33, and the first and second one-way bearing releases 21, 31. The first and second ends of the cord 40 are operably coupled with the handle 45. The span of the cord 40 is operably coupled with the bowstring carrier assembly 10 and the crossbow frame 78. The mechanical effect of the configuration provides at least a two-to-one reduction in perceived draw force, but preferably a three-to-one reduction or more of perceived draw force.

As disclosed in Barnett U.S. Pat. No. 12,025,402 the bowstring carrier traverse may be manufactured with as few as 3 components: a connecting component such as a strap, ribbon, or cord; a winding surface such as a spool; and an energy component such as a clock spring or constant force spring (spring). The spring having a first end in a fixed position, and the second end coupled with the spool. The first end of the connecting component is fixed with the spool adjacent the winding surface, and a second end of the connecting component is operably coupled with the bowstring carrier. In the preferred embodiment, the second end of the spring is operably coupled with an interior surface of the spool, and the spool surrounds the spring axially, and the spool is in a vertical configuration. The first end of the spring is operably fixed with the PLD. The connecting component is wound about the winding surface when the bowstring carrier assembly 10 is adjacent the bowstring 102 in the at-rest position. Once the bowstring 102 is retained by the bowstring carrier assembly 10, the user initiates the cocking procedure by any method known in the art, be it rope cocker, crank cocker or other. The bowstring carrier assembly 10 and the bowstring 102 transition from the at-rest position to the cocked position. During this transition, the connecting component unwinds from the spool winding surface, rotating the spring, thus storing energy within the spring. Once cocked, the string carrier is engaged by a retainer.

Once the crossbow 100 has been fired, the user selectively disengages the retainer, and stored energy in the spring causes the connecting component to wind about the winding surface of the spool, automatically returning the bowstring carrier assembly 10 to the bowstring at-rest position. The bowstring carrier traverse 50 may be operably coupled with the bowstring carrier assembly 10 of the alternative embodiments as well as the preferred embodiments.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.