Reduced length crossbow

Abstract

A crossbow including a center rail including a bottom portion, a proximal end, and a distal end positioned opposite the proximal end, the center rail at least partially defining a crossbow length and a midpoint plane intersecting a horizontal midpoint of the crossbow, a riser extending horizontally from the distal end, one or more limbs coupled to the riser, and a trigger extending from the bottom portion of the center rail and positioned within ten percent of the crossbow length from the midpoint plane.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crossbow comprising:
 a center rail including a bottom portion, a proximal end, and a distal end positioned opposite the proximal end, the center rail at least partially defining a crossbow length and a midpoint plane intersecting a horizontal midpoint of the crossbow;   a riser extending horizontally from the distal end;   one or more limbs coupled to the riser; and   a trigger extending from the bottom portion of the center rail and positioned within ten percent of the crossbow length from the midpoint plane.   
     
     
         2 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising a bowstring catch coupled to the center rail, the trigger positioned forward the bowstring catch. 
     
     
         3 . The crossbow of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of a drawstring converges with the bowstring catch when the drawstring is received within the bowstring catch. 
     
     
         4 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising a grip coupled to the center rail and positioned adjacent the trigger, and
 wherein at least a portion of the grip is aligned with the midpoint plane.   
     
     
         5 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein a center of gravity of the crossbow is located substantially on the midpoint plane. 
     
     
         6 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more limbs includes two limbs coupled to opposite sides of the riser, and
 wherein the two limbs extend toward the proximal end.   
     
     
         7 . The crossbow of  claim 6 , wherein a drawstring is received within at least a portion of each of the two limbs, and
 wherein the drawstring is arranged in a drawn configuration when the drawstring is received within a bowstring catch.   
     
     
         8 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stock coupled to the center rail and including an integral rest; and   a string carrier slidably engaged within the center rail and positioned vertically below the integral rest.   
     
     
         9 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cocking mechanism slidably coupled to the center rail;   a rotating member coupled to a flexible tension member, the flexible tension member coupled to the cocking mechanism; and   a cocking handle configured to rotate the rotating member to retract the flexible tension member,   wherein the cocking mechanism slides to a retracted positioned in response to rotation of the cocking handle.   
     
     
         10 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising a drawstring positioned at an angle less than 25 degrees when the drawstring is in a drawn configuration. 
     
     
         11 . A crossbow, comprising:
 a drawstring movable between a drawn configuration and a released configuration;   a center rail including a bottom portion, a proximal end, and a distal end positioned opposite the proximal end, the center rail at least partially defining a crossbow length and a midpoint plane intersecting a horizontal midpoint of the crossbow;   a riser extending horizontally from the distal end and including one or more limbs flexibly repositionable towards the proximal end when the drawstring is in the drawn configuration; and   a trigger extending from the bottom portion of the center rail and configured to control actuation of a bowstring catch,   wherein at least a portion of the drawstring converges with the midpoint plane when the drawstring is in the drawn configuration.   
     
     
         12 . The crossbow of  claim 11 , wherein the trigger is positioned within ten percent of the crossbow length from the midpoint plane. 
     
     
         13 . The crossbow of  claim 11 , further comprising a grip coupled to the center rail and positioned adjacent the trigger, and wherein at least a portion of the grip intersects the midpoint plane. 
     
     
         14 . The crossbow of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a cocking mechanism slidably coupled within the center rail and actuated via a release;   a rotating member coupled to a flexible tension member, the flexible tension member coupled to the cocking mechanism; and   a cocking handle configured to rotate the rotating member to retract the flexible member,   wherein the release is located within the proximal end.   
     
     
         15 . The crossbow of  claim 11 , further comprising a scope mount, and
 wherein the scope mount extends on either side of the midpoint plane along the center rail.   
     
     
         16 . The crossbow of  claim 11 , wherein a center of gravity of the crossbow is located within fifteen percent of the crossbow length from the midpoint plane. 
     
     
         17 . The crossbow of  claim 11 , wherein the bowstring catch is coupled to the center rail, and wherein the trigger is positioned forward the bowstring catch. 
     
     
         18 . A crossbow, comprising:
 a drawstring repositionable between a drawn configuration and a released configuration;   a center rail including a bottom portion, a proximal end, a distal end positioned opposite the proximal end, the center rail at least partially defining a midpoint plane intersecting a horizontal midpoint of the crossbow;   a bowstring catch coupled to the center rail between the midpoint plane and the proximal end; and   a trigger extending from the bottom portion of the center rail and configured to control actuation of the bowstring catch via an elongated member, the trigger positioned forward the bowstring catch.   
     
     
         19 . The crossbow of  claim 18 , wherein the trigger is positioned at least partially intersecting the midpoint plane. 
     
     
         20 . The crossbow of  claim 18 , wherein the drawstring is positioned at an angle less than 25 degrees when the drawstring is in the drawn configuration.