Patent attributes
A crossbow 100 includes a rifle-style stock 22, barrel 23, bowstring 1, and a string release housing 21 with a novel string release assembly. The string release assembly in string release housing 21 includes a string latch 12 for retaining fully-drawn and cocked bowstring 1 against a string horn 19, a trigger 6 for releasing or shooting the arrow 2, a safety button 25 for the movement of the safety plate 7 from the safe position to the fire position, and a load lever 4 for loading the arrow 2. There is a safety button 25 on each side of the release housing 21 so that the safety of crossbow 100 may be operated by a right-handed or left-handed shooter. Bowstring 1 rests against the inclined surface 29 of the string horn 19 and is retained in the fully-drawn and cocked position between the string latch tangs 30 and 31 and the inclined surface 29 of the string horn 19. The load of the fully-drawn bowstring 1 is distributed between and born by the inclined the string latch tangs 30 and 31 and the inclined surface 29 of string horn 19.