Barrel cable suppressor

1. A crossbow comprising:

a main beam having a stock member and a barrel member, wherein the barrel member has a cable slot;

a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam for selectively retaining and releasing an associated bowstring;

a bow assembly comprising: a first limb and a second limb, wherein the first limb and the second limb extend transversely from a distal end of the main beam and the bowstring extends between the first and second limbs;

a cable suppressor that at least partially attenuates vibrations and noise caused by the release of the bowstring; and,

wherein the cable suppressor is positioned to extend substantially through the cable slot.

2. The crossbow of claim 1 , wherein the crossbow comprises a recurve crossbow.

3. The crossbow of claim 1 , wherein the cable suppressor further comprises:

a cable dampener.

4. The crossbow of claim 1 , wherein the bow assembly further comprises:

a cam assembly comprising:

a first cam, wherein the first cam is operatively connected to the first limb to rotate about a first axle;

a second cam, wherein the second cam is operatively connected to the second limb to rotate about a second axle, wherein the bowstring is received by the first and second cams such that the drawing of the bowstring causes the first and second cams to rotate in a first direction;

a first cable, wherein the first cable is operatively connected to the first limb, extends through the cable slot, and is received by the second cam;

a second cable, wherein the second cable is operatively connected to the second limb, extends through the cable slot, and is received by the first cam; and,

wherein the rotation of the first and second cams in the first direction causes the first and second limbs to be pulled generally inward towards the main beam; and,

wherein the first and second cables contact at least a portion of the cable suppressor when the bowstring is released from the trigger mechanism.

5. The crossbow of claim 4 , wherein:

a cable slide having an aperture is positioned within the cable slot; and,

the first and second cables are received within the aperture.

6. The crossbow of claim 4 , wherein the first and second cables do not contact the cable suppressor when the bowstring is not released from the trigger mechanism.

7. The crossbow of claim 1 , wherein the cable suppressor comprises a cable dampener formed of a composition suitable for absorbing vibrational energy.

8. The crossbow of claim 7 , wherein the cable dampener composition comprises rubber.

9. The crossbow of claim 7 , wherein the cable dampener comprises a hollow construction that allows the composition to compress and deform as the material absorbs vibrational energy.

10. The crossbow of claim 1 , wherein:

the cable slot has proximal and distal ends;

the proximal end of the cable slot is closer to the trigger mechanism than the distal end;

the cable suppressor is positioned at the distal end of the cable slot.

11. The crossbow of claim 1 , wherein the cable suppressor is positioned to extend completely through the cable slot.

12. The crossbow of claim 11 , wherein:

the cable slot has first and second sides formed on first and second sides of the barrel member; and,

the cable suppressor extends outward beyond the first and second sides of the cable slot.

13. The crossbow of claim 1 , wherein:

the main beam comprises a riser attached to the distal end of the barrel;

the first and second limbs extend transversely from the barrel; and,

the cable suppressor is positioned entirely proximal of the riser.