Crossbow vibration damping device

Abstract

The invention relates to a crossbow having a vibration damping mechanism which generally comprises a stock member including a barrel at a forward portion thereof, with the barrel used to support an arrow for firing of the crossbow. A riser block assembly is mounted at a forward end of the barrel, with the riser block assembly supporting first and second bow limbs which extend outward from the riser block assembly. The first and second bow limbs carry a bowstring between the outward tips thereof, and the bowstring extends transversely to the barrel. The crossbow further includes a trigger mechanism with the trigger mechanism used to selectively hold and release the bowstring from a cocked position. In the cocked position, the bowstring is drawn in a direction away from the first and second bow limbs to tension the bow limbs. The vibration damping mechanism is disposed to interface at a location between the bow limbs and the stock, such as between the riser block assembly and the barrel or bow limb supports. In this way, vibrations transmitted from the bow limbs upon activation of the trigger mechanism to release the bowstring are damped to minimize vibrations transmitted through the barrel or stock. The vibration damping mechanism of the invention also results in significant noise reduction upon firing of the crossbow.