Cocking assembly for crossbow

Abstract

A cocking assembly includes a frame, a drawstring carrier, and an actuator. The drawstring carrier is configured to retain a drawstring and move in a rearward direction to draw the drawstring. The actuator is operatively coupled to the drawstring carrier and movably engaged with the frame, the actuator configured to move along the frame to move the drawstring carrier in the rearward direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crossbow, comprising:
 a frame;   a drawstring carrier configured to retain a drawstring and move in a rearward direction to draw the drawstring; and   an actuator operatively coupled to the drawstring carrier and slidably engaged with the frame, the actuator configured to move along the frame to move the drawstring carrier in the rearward direction.   
     
     
         2 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes at least one engagement feature disposed along the frame between a front end and a rear end thereof, the actuator configured to selectively engage the at least one engagement feature to arrest a movement of the actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The crossbow of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 the actuator configured to receive a user input to move the actuator along the frame, wherein the actuator is configured to disengage from the at least one engagement feature in response to the user input, wherein the actuator is configured to engage the at least one engagement feature in absence of the user input.   
     
     
         4 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein the crossbow is configured to launch a projectile along a projectile axis, wherein the actuator slides along the frame in a direction substantially parallel to the projectile axis. 
     
     
         5 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is further configured to move along the frame in a first direction, wherein a movement of the actuator in the first direction is configured to draw the drawstring carrier in the rearward direction and a movement of the actuator along the frame in a second direction is configured to draw the drawstring in the rearward direction. 
     
     
         6 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is further configured to move along the frame in a first direction and in a second direction, wherein the drawstring carrier is configured to move in the rearward direction with a movement of the actuator in the second direction and the drawstring carrier is configured to remain stationary with a movement of the actuator in the first direction. 
     
     
         7 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spool operatively coupled with the actuator; and   a tether with a first end that is connected to the drawstring carrier and a second end that is connected to the spool;   wherein a movement of the actuator along the frame is configured to rotate the spool to wind the tether about the spool to draw the drawstring carrier in the rearward direction.   
     
     
         8 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is further configured to move along the frame between a front end and a rear end thereof to move the drawstring carrier in a forward direction. 
     
     
         9 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein the drawstring carrier is configured to move the drawstring to a loaded position in response to a plurality of movements of the actuator between a front end and a rear end of the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The crossbow of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a foot stirrup configured to receive a user input to move the actuator along the frame. 
     
     
         11 . A cocking assembly for a crossbow comprising:
 a frame;   a drawstring carrier configured to retain a drawstring and move in a rearward direction to draw the drawstring; and   an actuator operatively coupled to the drawstring carrier and configured to move relative to the frame in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction,   wherein the drawstring carrier is configured to move in the rearward direction with a movement of the actuator in the first direction and the second direction.   
     
     
         12 . The cocking assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the movement of the actuator in the first direction and the second direction comprises a translation between a front end and a rear end of the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The cocking assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the movement of the actuator in the first direction and the second direction comprises a pivoting between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         14 . The cocking assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the drawstring carrier is configured to move the drawstring to a loaded position in response to a plurality of movements of the actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The cocking assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator is further configured to move relative to the frame to move the drawstring carrier in a forward direction. 
     
     
         16 . A cocking assembly for a crossbow comprising:
 a frame having a front end and a rear end;   a drawstring carrier; and   an actuator operatively coupled to the frame and, the actuator configured to move relative to the frame between the front end and the rear end to move the drawstring carrier in a rearward direction; and   a spool operatively coupled to the actuator and spaced apart from the actuator, the spool configured to rotate with a movement of the actuator relative to the frame, wherein a rotational movement of the spool is configured to move the drawstring carrier in a rearward direction.   
     
     
         17 . The cocking assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a movement of the actuator relative to the frame is a substantially linear movement. 
     
     
         18 . The cocking assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a movement of the actuator relative to the frame is a rotational movement about an actuator axis, wherein the spool is configured to rotate about a spool axis that is non-concentric with the actuator axis. 
     
     
         19 . The cocking assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator is configured to move the drawstring carrier in the rearward direction in response to a plurality of movements of the actuator. 
     
     
         20 . The cocking assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of movements of the actuator includes a first movement in a first direction and a second movement in a second direction opposite the first direction.