US Patent 8091540 Crossbow

A crossbow includes a trigger mechanism having a trigger housing for receiving a bowstring of a crossbow and a bowstring catch mounted with respect to the housing and adapted to releasably engage a crossbow bowstring brought within the trigger housing. The crossbow further includes a trigger adapted to releasably engage the bowstring catch, the trigger being further adapted to be selectively actuated by a user so as to cause the trigger to release the bowstring catch, thereby causing the bowstring catch to release a crossbow bowstring. Optionally, the crossbow may include a ball disposed between the bowstring catch and the trigger, the ball being adapted to bear and react to forces arising between the bowstring catch and the trigger during at least one of the trigger so engaging the bowstring catch and the trigger so releasing the bowstring catch.