US 12,460,894 B2
Crossbow with cocking mechanism
Craig Yehle, Winona, MN (US)
Assigned to Ravin Crossbows, LLC, Superior, WI (US)
Filed by Ravin Crossbows, LLC, Superior, WI (US)
Filed on Dec. 5, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/970,557.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/607,027, filed on Dec. 6, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0189260 A1, Jun. 12, 2025
Int. Cl. F41B 5/12 (2006.01); F41B 5/10 (2006.01); F41B 5/14 (2006.01)
CPC F41B 5/123 (2013.01) [F41B 5/10 (2013.01); F41B 5/12 (2013.01); F41B 5/143 (2013.01); F41B 5/1469 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A crossbow, comprising:
a frame;
a first flexible limb coupled to the frame;
a second flexible limb coupled to the frame;
a draw string coupled to the first flexible limb and the second flexible limb and configured to move between a released position and a drawn position;
a trigger box configured to selectively retain the draw string as the draw string moves between the released position and the drawn position; and
a cocking mechanism configured to move the trigger box, the cocking mechanism including:
a tether;
a cord coupled with a front end of the trigger box; and
a spool including a first recess configured to receive the tether and a second recess configured to receive the cord, the spool configured to rotate in (i) a first direction to unwind the tether therefrom and wind the cord thereon and (ii) a second direction to wind the tether thereon and unwind the cord therefrom;
wherein, during operation of the crossbow, as the spool rotates in the first direction, the cord pulls the trigger box toward a front end of the crossbow.
 
14. A crossbow, comprising:
a frame;
a first flexible limb coupled to the frame;
a second flexible limb coupled to the frame;
a draw string coupled to the first flexible limb and the second flexible limb and configured to move between a released position and a drawn position;
a trigger box configured to selectively retain the draw string and move between a forward position and a rearward position; and
a cocking mechanism configured to move the trigger box from (i) the forward position to the rearward position to cock the crossbow and (ii) from the rearward position to the forward position to de-cock the crossbow, the cocking mechanism including:
a spool configured to rotate in (i) a first direction to de-cock the crossbow and (ii) a second direction to cock the crossbow;
a one-way bearing coupled with the spool and configured to selectively inhibit rotation of the spool in the first direction and permit rotation of the spool in the second direction; and
a brake configured to selectively engage with the one-way bearing;
wherein, when the brake is engaged with the one-way bearing, the brake inhibits rotation of the one-way bearing with the spool such that rotation of the spool in the first direction is inhibited; and
wherein, when the brake is disengaged from the one-way bearing, the brake permits rotation of the one-way bearing with the spool such that rotation of the spool in the first direction is permitted.