US12546557 - Crossbow crank and related method of use

The patent describes a crossbow crank featuring a drive shaft with a one-way bearing that allows for controlled rotation in one direction while preventing it in the opposite direction, utilizing a brake mechanism for locking. This design enhances the operation of the crossbow by ensuring that the drive shaft and associated components rotate in unison when engaged, improving efficiency and user control.

Claim 1

1 . A crossbow crank comprising: a housing; a one-way bearing secured to the housing and defining an opening; a sleeve disposed in the opening; a drive shaft disposed in the opening with the sleeve disposed between the one-way bearing and the drive shaft; a drive gear fixedly joined with the drive shaft so the drive gear and drive shaft rotate in unison; a spool coupled to the drive gear, the spool configured to engage a cord; and a brake mounted along the drive shaft distal from the one-way bearing, the brake being axially compressible along the drive shaft to fixedly join the drive shaft with the sleeve when the drive shaft is rotated in a first direction, so that the drive shaft sleeve and drive gear rotate in unison in the first direction, wherein the one-way bearing engages the sleeve to impair the drive shaft, sleeve and drive gear from rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the sleeve is joined with a first brake collar, wherein the brake comprises the first brake collar, a second brake collar joined with the drive shaft in a nonrotatable manner, and a brake disc disposed between the first brake collar and the second brake collar, wherein the first brake collar, brake disc and second brake collar compress axially against one another and rotate in unison when the drive shaft is rotated in the first direction. a housing; a one-way bearing secured to the housing and defining an opening; a sleeve disposed in the opening; a drive shaft disposed in the opening with the sleeve disposed between the one-way bearing and the drive shaft; a drive gear fixedly joined with the drive shaft so the drive gear and drive shaft rotate in unison; a spool coupled to the drive gear, the spool configured to engage a cord; and a brake mounted along the drive shaft distal from the one-way bearing, the brake being axially compressible along the drive shaft to fixedly join the drive shaft with the sleeve when the drive shaft is rotated in a first direction, so that the drive shaft sleeve and drive gear rotate in unison in the first direction, wherein the one-way bearing engages the sleeve to impair the drive shaft, sleeve and drive gear from rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the sleeve is joined with a first brake collar, wherein the brake comprises the first brake collar, a second brake collar joined with the drive shaft in a nonrotatable manner, and a brake disc disposed between the first brake collar and the second brake collar, wherein the first brake collar, brake disc and second brake collar compress axially against one another and rotate in unison when the drive shaft is rotated in the first direction.

Google Patents

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USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12546557