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Patent 2609034 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2609034
(54) English Title: ANTI DRY-FIRE DEVICE FOR CROSSBOWS
(54) French Title: DISPOSITIF ANTI-TIR FICTIF POUR ARBALETES
Status: Granted
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • F41B 5/12 (2006.01)
  • F41B 5/18 (2006.01)
  • F41A 17/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • GIROUX, GAETAN (Canada)
(73) Owners :
  • GIROUX, GAETAN (Canada)
(71) Applicants :
  • GIROUX, GAETAN (Canada)
(74) Agent:
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2010-05-11
(22) Filed Date: 2007-11-02
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2009-05-02
Examination requested: 2007-11-02
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract

An anti dry-fire device for crossbows mounted on a viewfinder mount has a catch rotationally attached to a catch holder by way of an attachment pin. A catch biasing means to bias the catch. A lock-unlock means slidingly engaged on the top of the viewfinder mount. The lock-unlock means moving the catch from an operative mode into an inoperative mode.


French Abstract

Dispositif empêchant les coups à sec des arbalètes monté sur une monture de viseur et comprenant les éléments suivants : un dispositif de blocage fixé de manière rotative à un support de dispositif de blocage par une cheville de fixation; un dispositif de sollicitation pour solliciter le dispositif de blocage; un verrou en prise de façon coulissante avec le dessus de la monture du viseur, le verrou déplaçant le dispositif de blocage d'une position de fonctionnement à une position de non-fonctionnement.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.




CLAIMS

1. An anti dry-fire device for crossbows mounted on a viewfinder mount and
comprising:

a catch rotationally attached to a catch holder by way of an attachment pin;
a catch biasing means to bias the catch;

a lock-unlock means slidingly engaged on the top of the viewfinder mount;

the lock-unlock means moving the catch from an operative mode into an
inoperative
mode.

2. An anti dry-fire device as in claim 1 wherein:

a biased ball bearing is selectively biased from a first cavity to a second
cavity when
the lock-unlock means is moved from unlock mode to lock mode.

3. An anti dry-fire device as in claim 1 wherein:

a stop and block restrain the range of motion of the lock-unlock means.
4. An anti dry-fire device as in claim 1 wherein:

an existing crossbow's viewfinder mount is retrofitted with the catch
rotationally
attached to the catch holder by way of the attachment pin;

the catch biasing means to bias the catch;

the lock-unlock means slidingly engaged on the top of the viewfinder mount;

the lock-unlock means moving the catch from an operative mode into an
inoperative
mode.



5. An anti dry-fire device having a mode of operation consisting in the steps
of:

a user pulling a lock-unlock means in a direction opposite the way an arrow is
to be
released so as to allow a catch to pivot in an orientation that causes the
catch to
block the release of a string after the user has pulled the string so that the
string
passes the catch which allows passage of the string in one direction but not
in the
opposite direction;

the user loads an arrow;

the user, when ready to fire, pushes the lock-unlock means in the way the
arrow is to
be released so as to pivot the catch out of the way of the string;

the user pulls the trigger to release the string and throw the arrow.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



CA 02609034 2009-11-20

1
Anti dry-fire device for crossbows

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates generally to crossbows but more
particularly to a device to stop dry-fire.

5BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Crossbows are used for hunting nowadays. With the new fiberglass
bows which are harder to bend, more pressure is exerted on the arrow
by way of the string which translates into an arrow going over a much
longer distance.

10[003] The problem with that is if an arrow is not present and that for some
reason the string is triggered, that is called a dry-fire, and the bow,
without the benefit of being slowed down by the departing arrow,
unbends too rapidly, which can, more often than not, result in one or
both sides of the bow to crack or even break.

15[0041 In order to solve this problem, there are some crossbows that have an
anti dry-fire system as part of their construction.

[005] For example, one patent has the crossbow include a trigger mechanism
comprised of a pivotal string catch member positioned relative to the


CA 02609034 2009-11-20

2
trigger mechanism to selectively extend into a string catching position
which will catch and retain the bowstring should it be released from the
trigger mechanism without an arrow in a firing position in the crossbow.
The string catch member includes an arrow contacting surface to

engage an arrow positioned to be fired from the crossbow, wherein,
movement of the arrow to the firing position causes the string catch
member to be moved out of the string catching position. This allows
selective release of the bowstring from the guide slot and prevents
inadvertent release when no arrow is present in the firing position. The

string catch member may be manually removed from the guide slot so
as not to interfere with the bowstring, allowing a convenient mechanism
to uncock the crossbow without firing.

[006] But there does not appear to be any kits that allows for the
retrofitting of
an anti dry-fire device on existing crossbows.

15SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[007] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices
now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and
advantages which are:



CA 02609034 2009-11-20

3
[008] To provide for an anti dry-fire device that is retrofittable to existing
crossbows.

[009] To provie for a simple yet efficient system of anti dry-fire for
crossbows.
[0010] To attain these ends, the present invention has the anti dry-fire
device
5 mounted on a viewfinder mount and having a catch rotationally attached

to a catch holder by way of an attachment pin. A catch biasing means to
bias the catch. A lock-unlock means slidingly engaged on the top of the
viewfinder mount. The lock-unlock means moving the catch from an
operative mode into an inoperative mode.


[0011] The anti dry-fire device is also comprised of a biased ball bearing is
selectively biased from a first cavity to a second cavity when the lock-
unlock means is moved from unlock mode to lock mode.

15[0012] The anti dry-fire device preferably has a stop and block restrain the
range of motion of the lock-unlock means.

[0013] The anti dry-fire is ideally suited for retrofitting on an existing
crossbow"s
viewfinder mount.



CA 02609034 2009-11-20

4
[0014] The anti dry-fire device has a mode of operation consisting in the
steps
of a user pulling a lock-unlock means in a direction opposite the way an
arrow is to be released so as to allow a catch to pivot in an orientation
that causes the catch to block the release of a string after the user has

pulled the string so that the string passes the catch which allows
passage of the string in one direction but not in the opposite direction;
the user loads an arrow;

the user, when ready to fire, pushes the lock-unlock means in the way
the arrow is to be released so as to pivot the catch out of the way of the
string;

[0015] the user pulls the trigger to release the string and throw the arrow.
[0016] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof

that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

20[0017] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in


CA 02609034 2007-11-02

the dravWngs. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology arrd terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description anq should not be regarded as limiting.

5

(0018] As such, those skilled in the art wift appreaiate thet the concep5on,
upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utiliaed as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carTying out the
several purposes of the present Invention, It is iniaortant, therefore, that

the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit anq scope of the present
invention.

[0019] These togetherwith other otsjects of the invention, along wikh the
various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forrnirtg a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the spedfc objects attained by Its uses, reference
should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferted embodiments of the invention.


CA 02609034 2007-11-02

6
BRIEF D~SC~IP f I~U y_Q~LIRAWINGS

[:0201 Figs. 1ab Cmss-sectiorral side views of the device with the catch
disengaged and engaged respectively.

[0021.1 Figs. 2a-c Perspective views of the invention_
ETAIL U , ESCRPIION

[0022] An anti dry-fire device for crvssbows (10) is mounted on a viewfinder
mount (12). Uewfinder mounts of this type are weii known in the art but
this particular one has been modified to receive the exclusive
components of this irnrention_

t0100231 A catch (14) Is rotational;y attached to a catch holder (44) by way
of an
attachment pin (16). A catch biasing means (18) to bias the catch (14)
as shown in fig 1 b,

[00241 A lock-unlock means (20) is slidingly engaged on the top of the
viewfinder mount (12). In fig. 1a, the lock-unlock means (20) has lifted
the caieh (14) into its non operative mode. The string (19) will not be
blocked when it is reteased. The iock-unlodc means (20) accomplishes
that by pushing forward on the catch (14) so as to pivot it out of the way
of the string (19).


CA 02609034 2007-11-02

7
10025] A biased ball bearing (22) is selectively iaiased fram a first cavity
(24) to
a second cavity (24') when the lock-unlock means (20) is moved, as can
be seen by comparing fig. ia with fig. 1b. A stop (26) and block (28)
restrain the range of motion of the lock-unlock means (20).


[DO26] In operation, a user pulls on the crossbow string (19) so as to engage
it
under tension, as is knowrt in the art. This can be done even If the catch
Is down since it operates like the pawl of a ratchet for one way passage
of the string (119) but with a blockage the other way ilround. 1Mhen ready

to fire, the user simpiy pushes on the lock-unlock means (20) to lift the
catch (14) and allow the string (19) to shoot the arrow (not shown).
(0027) eesides preventing dry fire, ft device can also aot as a safety device
to

prevent accidental triggering when the arrow (not shown) is loaded.

[0028] As to a further discussian of the manner of usage and operation of the
present inven#ion, the same should be apparent fmm the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion rel2tting to the manner of
usage ertid operation vuiU be provided.


[W29) With respect to the above description then, it Is to be realized that
the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include vMations in size, meiteriats, shape, form, function and manner of


CA 02609034 2007-11-02

15 8
operation, assembly and use, are deamed madily apparent and obvious
to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings ind described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
s

[QU30] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled In the art, it is not desired to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and

clescribed, and accordingly, all suitable rnod'rfic2itions and equivalents
may be resorted to, falting within the scope of the invention.

ZU

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2010-05-11
(22) Filed 2007-11-02
Examination Requested 2007-11-02
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2009-05-02
(45) Issued 2010-05-11

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

Last Payment of $236.83 was received on 2023-10-16


 Upcoming maintenance fee amounts

Description Date Amount
Next Payment if small entity fee 2024-11-04 $253.00
Next Payment if standard fee 2024-11-04 $624.00

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Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Request for Examination $400.00 2007-11-02
Application Fee $200.00 2007-11-02
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2009-11-02 $50.00 2009-08-31
Final Fee $150.00 2010-02-04
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 3 2010-11-02 $50.00 2010-09-14
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 4 2011-11-02 $50.00 2011-09-28
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 5 2012-11-02 $100.00 2012-09-24
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 6 2013-11-04 $100.00 2013-09-27
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2014-08-18
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 7 2014-11-03 $100.00 2014-09-30
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 8 2015-11-02 $100.00 2015-10-01
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2015-12-04
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2016-11-02 $100.00 2016-09-29
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 10 2017-11-02 $125.00 2017-09-28
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 11 2018-11-02 $125.00 2018-09-28
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 12 2019-11-04 $125.00 2019-10-16
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 13 2020-11-02 $125.00 2020-09-29
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 14 2021-11-02 $125.00 2021-07-02
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 15 2022-11-02 $229.04 2022-10-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 16 2023-11-02 $236.83 2023-10-16
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
GIROUX, GAETAN
Past Owners on Record
GE CAPITAL CANADA FINANCE INC.
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
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Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Maintenance Fee Payment 2020-09-29 2 52
Maintenance Fee Payment 2021-07-02 2 54
Description 2007-11-02 8 175
Abstract 2007-11-02 1 8
Drawings 2007-11-02 2 37
Claims 2007-11-02 2 34
Maintenance Fee Payment 2022-10-13 2 47
Representative Drawing 2008-11-14 1 9
Cover Page 2009-04-30 1 32
Claims 2009-08-03 2 43
Description 2009-11-20 8 187
Representative Drawing 2010-04-30 1 11
Cover Page 2010-04-30 1 34
Assignment 2007-11-02 3 89
Correspondence 2007-12-06 1 13
Maintenance Fee Payment 2017-09-28 1 27
Prosecution-Amendment 2009-08-03 4 91
Fees 2009-08-31 1 25
Prosecution-Amendment 2009-10-30 1 20
Correspondence 2009-11-20 6 149
Correspondence 2010-02-24 1 16
Correspondence 2010-02-04 1 20
Correspondence 2010-03-04 1 16
Correspondence 2010-03-16 1 21
Prosecution-Amendment 2009-06-29 1 22
Maintenance Fee Payment 2018-09-28 1 26
Fees 2010-02-04 1 23
Fees 2010-09-14 1 27
Fees 2011-09-28 1 22
Fees 2012-09-24 1 23
Maintenance Fee Payment 2019-10-16 1 28
Fees 2013-09-27 1 24
Assignment 2014-08-18 7 313
Fees 2014-09-30 1 27
Correspondence 2014-09-30 1 27
Maintenance Fee Payment 2015-10-01 1 25
Maintenance Fee Payment 2016-09-29 1 23
Maintenance Fee Payment 2023-10-16 3 67