# US 8,136,514 B2 · Device for propelling a projectile > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,136,514 B2 - Document ID: US8136514B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/183,018 - Filed: 2008-07-30 - Published: 2009-02-05 - Granted: 2012-03-20 - Earliest claimed: 2007-07-31 - Assignees: JRH Industries, LLC - Inventors: Jack Ryan Howard; Patrick L. Muscarella - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8136514B2 ## CPC - F41B 5/10: Compound bows {(compound crossbows F41B5/123)} - F41B 5/0094: {Non-traditional bows, e.g. having hinged limbs or non-stave geometry} - F41B: WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (projectiles for fishing, e.g. fish-spears, A01K81/00; sports implements for throwing A63B65/00, e.g. boomerangs A63B65/08; stationary apparatus for projecting sports balls, e.g. tennis balls, A63B69/40; throwing or slinging toys A63H33/18; knives, axes B26B; projectiles or missiles other than those incorporating springs as projecting means F42B6/00) ## Abstract An archery or similar projectile launching device having a spring assembly to energize the device and a release mechanism to transmit energy stored within a torsion or alternative spring to the bowstring, so as to accelerate an arrow nocked to the bowstring once the trigger is released. In one embodiment, conjoined cranks wind a torsion spring within a spring motor affixed along the riser of the bow while the bowstring and arrow are concurrently brought into the discharge position. A mechanical advantage may be achieved with the cranking mechanism to reduce the effort exerted by the archer and thereby increase accuracy, velocity and ease of use. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A projectile launching device, comprising: a rigid riser; a hand grip operatively associated with said riser; at least one spring assembly operatively connected to said rigid riser, said spring assembly including a rotating member operatively associated therewith; a bowstring operatively associated with said spring assembly such that each end of the bowstring is attached to the rotating member; a projectile releasably attached to said bowstring; and means, in addition to said bowstring, to energize said spring assembly, whereby upon release of energy stored in said spring assembly said rotating member rotates and said bowstring launches the projectile using only the energy stored in said spring assembly; and wherein said means to energize said spring assembly comprises at least one crank arm with a first end thereof releasably connected to the spring assembly and a second end pivotally attached to a drawbar, whereby movement of said drawbar energizes the spring assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The launching device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring assembly is centrally located along the rigid riser. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The launching device according to claim 1, including at least two spring assemblies, each located at opposite ends of the rigid riser and each spring assembly having a respective means, in addition to said bowstring, to energize the spring assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The launching device according to claim 1 wherein a position of said hand grip is adjustable relative to said riser. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The launching device according to claim 1 further including a release trigger to decouple said energizing means from said spring assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The launching device according to claim 5, wherein said release trigger becomes operational only when the spring assembly has reached a fully drawn position. ### Claim 7 An archery bow, comprising: a riser; a hand grip adjustably affixed to said riser; at least one spring assembly operatively connected to said riser, said spring assembly including a spring and a rotating member operatively associated therewith; a bowstring operatively associated with said spring assembly such that each end of the bowstring is attached to the rotating member; an arrow releasably attached to said bowstring; and a pair of engaged spring cranks releasably connected to said spring assembly to energize said assembly and rotate said rotating member in a first direction, where upon release of energy stored in said spring said rotating member rotates in a second direction, opposite the first direction and independent of said spring cranks, applying increased tension to the bowstring and launching the arrow. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The bow according to claim 7, wherein the at least one spring assembly is centrally located on the rigid riser. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The bow according to claim 7 wherein each of said engaged spring cranks is attached to a draw link, and where movement of said draw link acts upon the spring cranks and energizes the spring assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The bow according to claim 7 further including a trigger assembly to decouple said spring cranks from said spring assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The bow according to claim 10, wherein said trigger is only operational when the spring assembly has reached a fully drawn position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The bow according to claim 10, wherein said trigger assembly includes: a trigger; and a release mechanism, responsive to the trigger. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The bow according to claim 12, wherein said release mechanism includes a pin suitable for movement between a coupled position in contact with the rotating member of said spring assembly, and a decoupled position not in contact with, and allowing the free movement of, the rotating member of said spring assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The bow according to claim 7, wherein the riser is T-shaped and further comprising a protective arm shield associated with a forward-extending portion of the T-shaped riser. ### Claim 15 A method for drawing and releasing a bow to propel an arrow, comprising: applying a linear drawing force to move a pair of engaged spring cranks, at least one of the cranks being releasably connected to a spring assembly, to energize said spring assembly by rotating a member attached to said spring assembly in a first radial direction; concurrently drawing a bowstring, with an arrow nocked thereto, said bowstring having each end thereof attached to the member; decoupling the spring assembly from the spring crank; and releasing energy stored in said spring wherein said member rotates in a second direction, opposite the first direction, and said bowstring propels the arrow. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein applying a linear drawing force comprises: applying a force between a forward handle attached to a riser of said bow and a rearward connection between the spring cranks. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein said rearward connection includes a draw link connected to respective spring cranks, and where applying the force includes applying a pulling force to the draw link. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein decoupling the spring assembly only occurs after the spring assembly has been energized to a drawn position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, wherein said decoupling occurs in response to movement of a trigger mechanism operatively associated with the spring assembly.