Device for decocking a crossbow

1. A decocking device for use with a crossbow of the type having a stock, a bowstring, and a bowstring catch, the decocking device, comprising:

a resistance system, including a fluid containing cylinder having a movable piston and a shaft extending from the piston, the piston being movable between a first position and a second position, and the cylinder including an orifice having a size and extending through the piston to enable fluid to travel from one side of the piston to the other and to control the movement of the piston to a desired rate;

a mounting system including a bracket securable to the stock of the crossbow for releasably securing the resistance system to the stock of the crossbow; and

a bowstring coupling system coupled to the resistance system and including a cable having a first portion releasably securable to the bowstring and a second portion of the cable interfacing with a location on the shaft of the resistance system;

wherein the device is operated to decock the crossbow when the crossbow is in a cocked state by mounting the resistance system to the stock of the crossbow using the mounting system, releasably securing the cable to the bowstring, applying pressure to the piston by pulling on the shaft to extend the shaft, then actuating the catch to release the bowstring, wherein the released bowstring applies pressure to retract the shaft, which pressure is resisted by the resistance system, with the size of the orifice controlling the retraction of the shaft and thereby controlling travel of the bowstring and decocking of the crossbow.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the bowstring coupling system comprises a pair of cables and a pair of pulleys mounted to the shaft of the resistance system for travel with the shaft, wherein each of the cables extends around one of the pulleys and one end of each of the cables is fixed in position relative to a non-moving portion of the device and the other end is releasably securable to the bowstring.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a gas.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cylinder is a double-acting cylinder.

5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a handle secured to the shaft and graspable by a user for applying manual pressure to the piston by pulling on the handle to extend the shaft.

6. A method for decocking a crossbow, comprising the steps of:

supplying a cocked crossbow having a bowstring and a catch securing the bowstring in a tensioned state;

releasably mounting a decocking device on the crossbow, the docking device comprising: a resistance system, including a fluid containing cylinder having a movable piston and a shaft extending from the piston, the piston being movable between a first position and a second position, and the cylinder including an orifice having a size and extending through the piston to enable fluid to travel from one side of the piston to the other and to control the movement of the piston to a desired rate, and a bowstring coupling system coupled to the resistance system and including a cable having a first portion releasably securable to the bowstring and a second portion of the cable passing by a fixed location on the shaft of the resistance system;

operating the decocking device to decock the crossbow, such operation comprising releasably securing the cable to the bowstring, applying manual pressure to the piston by pulling on the shaft to extend the shaft, then actuating the catch to release the bowstring, wherein the released bowstring applies pressure to retract the shaft; and

removing the decocking device from the crossbow.