Crossbow with interchangeable buttstock

Abstract

A crossbow may include a buttstock assembly including at least two buttstocks that may alternatively be attached to a main beam. In some embodiments, one or more buttstocks may be attached at more than one location on crossbow main beam. In some embodiments, one or more buttstocks may have shoulder engaging surfaces that can be adjusted to more than one location with respect to the buttstock frame.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A crossbow comprising:
 a main beam extending longitudinally and having:
 1) a proximal end; 
 2) a distal end opposite the proximal end; 
 3) a right lateral side; and 
 4) a left lateral side opposite the right lateral side; 
   a bow mechanism supported to the main beam and having:
 1) a first limb extending on the right lateral side of the main beam; 
 2) a second limb extending on the left lateral side of the main beam; and 
 3) a bowstring operatively engaged to the first and second bow limbs and selectively movable between:
 (a) an un-cocked position; and 
 (b) a cocked position; 
 
   a trigger mechanism supported to the main beam and selectively operable:
 1) to hold the bowstring in the cocked position; and 
 2) to release the bowstring to fire the crossbow; and 
   a buttstock assembly including:
 1) a buttstock engaging surface positioned on the proximal end of the main beam; 
 2) a first buttstock:
 (a) having a frame; 
 (b) having a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame that is:
 (i) adapted to be selectively engaged to the buttstock engaging surface to attach the first buttstock to the main beam; and 
 (ii) adapted to be selectively disengaged from the buttstock engaging surface to detach the first buttstock from the main beam; 
 
 (c) having a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame that is adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and 
 (d) having a drawing mechanism supported to the frame that is adapted to selectively move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; and 
 
 2. a second buttstock:
 (a) having a frame; 
 (b) having a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame that is:
 (i) adapted to be selectively engaged to the buttstock engaging surface to attach the second buttstock to the main beam; and 
 (ii) adapted to be selectively disengaged from the buttstock engaging surface to detach the second buttstock from the main beam; 
 
 (c) having a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame and adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and 
 (d) lacking any mechanism adapted to move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; 
 
   wherein the buttstock assembly is selectively adjustable between:
 1) a first condition wherein:
 (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 
 (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; 
 
 2) a second condition wherein:
 (a) the first buttstock is attached to the main beam; and 
 (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 
 
 3) a third condition wherein:
 (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 
 (b) the second buttstock is attached to the main beam. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The crossbow of  claim 1  wherein the shoulder engaging surface of the first buttstock is selectively positionable into:
 a first position where the shoulder engaging surface:
 1) extends proximally from the frame of the first buttstock a distance D 1 ; and 
 2) is adapted to contact the associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and 
 
 a second position where the shoulder engaging surface:
 1) extends proximally from the frame of the first buttstock a distance D 2  that is distinct from distance D 1 ; and 
 2) is adapted to contact the associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow. 
 
 
     
     
         3 . The crossbow of  claim 2  wherein the shoulder engaging surface of the second buttstock is selectively positionable into:
 a first position where the shoulder engaging surface:
 1) extends proximally from the frame of the second buttstock a distance E 1 ; and 
 2) is adapted to contact the associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and 
 
 a second position where the shoulder engaging surface:
 1) extends proximally from the frame of the second buttstock a distance E 2  that is distinct from distance E 1 ; and 
 2) is adapted to contact the associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow. 
 
 
     
     
         4 . The crossbow of  claim 2  wherein the shoulder engaging surface of the first buttstock is selectively positionable into:
 a third position where the shoulder engaging surface:
 1) extends proximally from the frame of the first buttstock a distance D 3  that is distinct from distances D 1  and D 2 ; and 
 2) is adapted to contact the associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow. 
 
 
     
     
         5 . The crossbow of  claim 1  wherein:
 a first latching mechanism is selectively adjustable to:
 1) attach the first buttstock to the main beam:
 (a) at a first position where the frame of the first buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance A 1 ; and 
 (b) at a second position where the frame of the first buttstock assembly extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance A 2  that is distinct from distance A 1 ; and 
 
 2) detach the first buttstock from the main beam; and 
 
 a second latching mechanism is selectively adjustable to:
 1) attach the second buttstock to the main beam:
 (a) at a first position where the frame of the second buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance B 1 ; and 
 (b) at a second position where the frame of the second buttstock assembly extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance B 2  that is distinct from distance B 1 ; and 
 
 2. detach the second buttstock from the main beam. 
 
 
     
     
         6 . The crossbow of  claim 5  wherein:
 the first latching mechanism is selectively adjustable to attach the first buttstock to the main beam at a third position where the frame of the first buttstock assembly extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance A 3  that is distinct from distances A 1  and A 2 ; and 
 the second latching mechanism is selectively adjustable to attach the second buttstock to the main beam a third position where the frame of the second buttstock assembly extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance B 3  that is distinct from distances B 1  and B 2 . 
 
     
     
         7 . The crossbow of  claim 1  wherein the drawing mechanism includes:
 a first spool positioned on the right lateral side of the main beam; 
 a second spool positioned on the left lateral side of the main beam; 
 a first cord portion:
 1) extending on the right lateral side of the main beam; 
 2) operatively engageable to the bowstring; and 
 3) selectively wrapable onto the first spool when the bowstring is moved from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; 
 
 a second cord portion:
 1) extending on the left lateral side of the main beam; 
 2) operatively engageable to the bowstring; and 
 3) selectively wrapable onto the second spool when the bowstring is moved from the un-cocked position to the cocked position. 
 
 
     
     
         8 . The crossbow of  claim 7  wherein:
 the first buttstock has a storage location; 
 the drawing mechanism is part of a cocking mechanism; 
 the cocking mechanism includes a claw:
 1) having a bowstring engagement surface; 
 2) operatively engaged to the first and second cord portions; 
 3) selectively operable to be placed in:
 (a) an un-cocked condition where the bowstring engagement surface engages the bowstring and the bowstring is in the un-cocked position; 
 (b) a cocked condition where the bowstring engagement surface engages the bowstring and the bowstring is in the cocked position; and 
 (c) a storage condition where the bowstring engagement surface does not engage the bowstring and the claw is supported to the storage location; and 
 
 
 the drawing mechanism is selectively operable to move the claw and the bowstring, respectively, from:
 1) the un-cocked condition and the un-cocked position; to 
 2) the cocked condition and the cocked position. 
 
 
     
     
         9 . A crossbow comprising:
 a main beam extending longitudinally and having:
 1) a proximal end; 
 2) a distal end opposite the proximal end; 
 3) a right lateral side; and 
 4) a left lateral side opposite the right lateral side; 
   a bow mechanism supported to the main beam and having:
 1) a first limb extending on the right lateral side of the main beam; 
 2) a second limb extending on the left lateral side of the main beam; and 
 3) a bowstring operatively engaged to the first and second bow limbs and selectively movable between:
 (a) an un-cocked position; and 
 (b) a cocked position; 
 
   a trigger mechanism supported to the main beam and selectively operable:
 1) to hold the bowstring in the cocked position; and 
 2) to release the bowstring to fire the crossbow; and 
   a buttstock assembly including:
 1) a buttstock engaging surface positioned on the proximal end of the main beam; 
 2) a first buttstock including:
 (a) a frame; 
 (b) a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame; 
 (c) a first latching mechanism supported to the frame; 
 (d) a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame that is adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and 
 (e) a drawing mechanism supported to the frame that is adapted to selectively move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; and 
 
 2) a second buttstock:
 (a) having a frame; 
 (b) having a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame that is:
 (i) adapted to be selectively engaged to the buttstock engaging surface to attach the second buttstock to the main beam; and 
 (ii) adapted to be selectively disengaged from the buttstock engaging surface to detach the second buttstock from the main beam; 
 
 (c) having a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame and adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and 
 (d) lacking any mechanism adapted to move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; 
 
   wherein the buttstock assembly is selectively adjustable between:
 1) a first condition wherein:
 (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 
 (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; 
 
 2) a second condition wherein:
 (a) the first buttstock is attached to the main beam; and 
 (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 
 
 3) a third condition wherein:
 (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 
 (b) the second buttstock is attached to the main beam; 
 
   wherein the first latching mechanism is selectively adjustable to:
 1) attach the first buttstock to the main beam:
 (a) at a first position where the frame of the first buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance A 1 ; and 
 (b) at a second position where the frame of the first buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance A 2  that is distinct from distance A 1 ; and 
 
 2) detach the first buttstock from the main beam. 
   
     
     
         10 . The crossbow of  claim 9  wherein:
 the buttstock engaging surface is a longitudinally extending surface; 
 the main beam engaging surface of the first buttstock is the internal surface of an opening in the first buttstock; and 
 the main beam engaging surface of the second buttstock is the internal surface of an opening in the second buttstock. 
 
     
     
         11 . The crossbow of  claim 9  wherein:
 a second latching mechanism supported to the frame of the second buttstock; and 
 the second latching mechanism is selectively adjustable to:
 1) attach the second buttstock to the main beam:
 (a) at a first position where the frame of the second buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance B 1 ; and 
 (b) at a second position where the frame of the second buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance B 2  that is distinct from distance B 1 ; and 
 
 2) detach the second buttstock from the main beam. 
 
 
     
     
         12 . The crossbow of  claim 9  wherein the shoulder engaging surface of the first buttstock is selectively positionable into:
 a first position where the shoulder engaging surface:
 1) extends proximally from the frame of the first buttstock a distance D 1 ; and 
 2) is adapted to contact the associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and 
 
 a second position where the shoulder engaging surface:
 1) extends proximally from the frame of the first buttstock a distance D 2  that is distinct from distance D 1 ; and 
 2) is adapted to contact the associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow. 
 
 
     
     
         13 . The crossbow of  claim 9  wherein the drawing mechanism includes:
 a first spool positioned on the right lateral side of the main beam; 
 a second spool positioned on the left lateral side of the main beam; 
 a first cord portion:
 1) extending on the right lateral side of the main beam; 
 2) operatively engageable to the bowstring; and 
 3) selectively wrapable onto the first spool when the bowstring is moved from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; and 
 
 a second cord portion:
 1) extending on the left lateral side of the main beam; 
 2) operatively engageable to the bowstring; and 
 3) selectively wrapable onto the second spool when the bowstring is moved from the un-cocked position to the cocked position. 
 
 
     
     
         14 . The crossbow of  claim 13  wherein:
 the first buttstock has a storage location; 
 the drawing mechanism is part of a cocking mechanism; 
 the cocking mechanism includes a claw:
 1) having a bowstring engagement surface; 
 2) operatively engaged to the first and second cord portions; 
 3) selectively operable to be placed in:
 (a) an un-cocked condition where the bowstring engagement surface engages the bowstring and the bowstring is in the un-cocked position; 
 (b) a cocked condition where the bowstring engagement surface engages the bowstring and the bowstring is in the cocked position; and 
 (c) a storage condition where the bowstring engagement surface does not engage the bowstring and the claw is supported to the storage location; and 
 
 
 the drawing mechanism is selectively operable to move the claw and the bowstring, respectively, from:
 1) the un-cocked condition and the un-cocked position; to 
 2) the cocked condition and the cocked position. 
 
 
     
     
         15 . A crossbow method comprising the steps of:
 A) providing a crossbow including:
 1) a main beam extending longitudinally and having:
 (a) a proximal end; 
 (b) a distal end opposite the proximal end; 
 (c) a right lateral side; and 
 
   (d) a left lateral side opposite the right lateral side;
 2) a bow mechanism supported to the main beam and having:
 (a) a first limb extending on the right lateral side of the main beam; 
 (b) a second limb extending on the left lateral side of the main beam; and 
 (c) a bowstring operatively engaged to the first and second bow limbs; and 
 
 3) a trigger mechanism supported to the main beam; 
   B) providing a buttstock assembly including:
 1) a buttstock engaging surface positioned on the proximal end of the main beam; 
 2) a first buttstock including:
 (a) a frame; 
 (b) a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame; 
 (c) a first latching mechanism supported to the frame; 
 (d) a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame that is adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and 
 (e) a drawing mechanism supported to the frame that is adapted to selectively move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; and 
 
 3) a second buttstock:
 (a) having a frame; 
 (b) having a main beam engaging surface supported to the frame that is:
 (i) adapted to be selectively engaged to the buttstock engaging surface to attach the second buttstock to the main beam; and 
 (ii) adapted to be selectively disengaged from the buttstock engaging surface to detach the second buttstock from the main beam; 
 
 (c) having a shoulder engaging surface supported to the frame and adapted to contact an associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and 
 (d) lacking any mechanism adapted to move the bowstring from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; 
 
   C) providing the bowstring to be selectively movable proximally between:
 1) an un-cocked position; and 
 2) a cocked position; 
   D) providing the trigger mechanism to be selectively operable:
 1) to hold the bowstring in the cocked position; and 
 2) to release the bowstring to fire the crossbow; 
   E) providing the buttstock assembly to be selectively adjustable between:
 1) a first condition wherein:
 (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 
 (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; 
 
 2) a second condition wherein:
 (a) the first buttstock is attached to the main beam; and 
 (b) the second buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 
 
 3) a third condition wherein:
 (a) the first buttstock is not attached to the main beam; and 
 (b) the second buttstock is attached to the main beam; and 
 
   F) providing the first latching mechanism to be selectively adjustable to:
 1) attach the first buttstock to the main beam:
 (a) at a first position where the frame of the first buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance A 1 ; and 
 (b) at a second position where the frame of the first buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance A 2  that is distinct from distance A 1 ; and 
 
 2) detach the first buttstock from the main beam. 
   
     
     
         16 . The crossbow method of  claim 15  wherein step B comprises the steps of:
 providing the buttstock engaging surface to be a longitudinally extending surface; 
 providing the main beam engaging surface of the first buttstock to be an internal surface of an opening in the first buttstock; and 
 providing the main beam engaging surface of the second buttstock to be an internal surface of an opening in the second buttstock. 
 
     
     
         17 . The crossbow method of  claim 15  further comprising the steps of:
 providing a second latching mechanism supported to the frame of the second buttstock; and 
 providing the second latching mechanism to be selectively adjustable to:
 1) attach the second buttstock to the main beam:
 (a) at a first position where the frame of the second buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance B 1 ; and 
 (b) at a second position where the frame of the second buttstock extends proximally from the trigger mechanism a distance B 2  that is distinct from distance B 1 ; and 
 
 2) detach the second buttstock from the main beam. 
 
 
     
     
         18 . The crossbow method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of providing the shoulder engaging surface of the first buttstock to be selectively positionable into:
 a first position where the shoulder engaging surface:
 1) extends proximally from the frame of the first buttstock a distance D 1 ; and 
 2) is adapted to contact the associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow; and 
 
 a second position where the shoulder engaging surface:
 1) extends proximally from the frame of the first buttstock a distance D 2  that is distinct from distance D 1 ; and 
 2) is adapted to contact the associated user's shoulder when firing the crossbow 
 
 
     
     
         19 . The crossbow method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of providing the drawing mechanism with:
 a first spool positioned on the right lateral side of the main beam; 
 a second spool positioned on the left lateral side of the main beam; 
 a first cord portion:
 1) extending on the right lateral side of the main beam; 
 2) operatively engageable to the bowstring; and 
 3) selectively wrapable onto the first spool when the bowstring is moved from the un-cocked position to the cocked position; and 
 
 a second cord portion:
 1) extending on the left lateral side of the main beam; 
 2) operatively engageable to the bowstring; and 
 3) selectively wrapable onto the second spool when the bowstring is moved from the un-cocked position to the cocked position 
 
 
     
     
         20 . The crossbow method of  claim 19  further comprising the steps of:
 providing the first buttstock with a storage location; 
 providing the drawing mechanism to be part of a cocking mechanism; 
 providing the cocking mechanism with a claw:
 1) having a bowstring engagement surface; 
 2) operatively engaged to the first and second cord portions; 
 3) selectively operable to be placed in:
 (a) an un-cocked condition where the bowstring engagement surface engages the bowstring and the bowstring is in the un-cocked position; 
 (b) a cocked condition where the bowstring engagement surface engages the bowstring and the bowstring is in the cocked position; and 
 (c) a storage condition where the bowstring engagement surface does not engage the bowstring and the claw is supported to the storage location; and 
 
 
 providing the drawing mechanism to be selectively operable to move the claw and the bowstring, respectively, from:
 1) the un-cocked condition and the un-cocked position; to 
 2) the cocked condition and the cocked position.