Narrow crossbow with large power stroke

1. A crossbow comprising:

a main beam;

a riser supported to the main beam and having: a first end, a second end opposite the first end and an opening;

a first bow limb that has: a first end supported to the first end of the riser and a second end opposite the first end;

a second bow limb that has: a first end supported to the second end of the riser and a second end opposite the first end;

a bowstring that is: adapted to propel an arrow, received on the second end of the first bow limb and received on the second end of the second bow limb;

wherein:

(1) the first end of the first bow limb and the first end of the second bow limb are separated such that a minimum distance between them is not greater than about 5 inches; and

(2) at least a portion of the opening is: as wide as a user's foot and extends between the first end of the first bow limb and the first end of the second bow limb.

2. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein:

the first bow limb has a length that is less than or equal to 12 inches; and

the second bow limb has a length that is less than or equal to 12 inches.

3. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein:

the first bow limb has a hinge point and a thickness that varies continuously along its length from the first end to the hinge point; and

the second bow limb has a hinge point and a thickness that varies continuously along its length from the first end to the hinge point.

4. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein:

the opening is U-shaped.

5. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein:

a first limb pocket is attached to the first end of the riser and receives the first end of the first bow limb; and

a second limb pocket is attached to the second end of the riser and receives the first end of the second bow limb.

6. The crossbow of claim 1 wherein:

the first bow limb is a split bow limb having top and bottom portions; and

the second bow limb is a split bow limb having top and bottom portions.

7. A crossbow comprising:

a main beam having an axis of elongation;

a riser supported to the main beam and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a first bow limb that has: a first end supported to the first end of the riser and a second end opposite the first end;

a second bow limb that has: a first end supported to the second end of the riser and a second end opposite the first end;

a bowstring that is: adapted to propel an arrow, received on the second end of the first bow limb and received on the second end of the second bow limb;

wherein:

(1) the first end of the first bow limb and the first end of the second bow limb are separated such that a minimum distance between them is:

(a) at least as wide as a user's foot; but

(b) not greater than about 5 inches;

(2) a first point is located on the first end of the first bow limb;

(3) a second point is located on the first end of the second bow limb;

(4) a first plane is perpendicular to the axis of elongation and intersects the first point;

(5) a second plane is perpendicular to the axis of elongation and intersects the second point;

(6) the first end of the first bow limb is positioned at a first acute angle with respect to the first plane;

(7) the first end of the second bow limb is positioned at a second acute angle with respect to the second plane;

(8) the first acute angle is between 60 and 30 degrees; and

(9) the second acute angle is between 60 and 30 degrees.

8. The crossbow of claim 7 wherein:

the first bow limb has a length that is less than or equal to 12 inches; and

the second bow limb has a length that is less than or equal to 12 inches.

9. The crossbow of claim 7 wherein:

the first bow limb has a hinge point and a thickness that varies continuously along its length from the first end to the hinge point; and

the second bow limb has a hinge point and a thickness that varies continuously along its length from the first end to the hinge point.

10. The crossbow of claim 7 wherein:

the first acute angle is about 36 degrees; and

the second acute angle is about 36 degrees.

11. The crossbow of claim 7 wherein:

a first limb pocket is attached to the first end of the riser and receives the first end of the first bow limb; and

a second limb pocket is attached to the second end of the riser and receives the first end of the second bow limb.

12. The crossbow of claim 7 wherein:

the first bow limb has a concave surface that faces a first side of the axis of elongation; and

the second bow limb has a concave surface that faces a second side of the axis of elongation that is opposite the first side.

13. The crossbow of claim 7 wherein:

the first bow limb is a split bow limb having top and bottom portions; and

the second bow limb is a split bow limb having top and bottom portions.

14. A crossbow comprising:

a main beam having an axis of elongation;

a riser supported to the main beam and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a first bow limb that has: a first end supported to the first end of the riser and a second end opposite the first end;

a second bow limb that has: a first end supported to the second end of the riser and a second end opposite the first end;

a bowstring that is: adapted to propel an arrow as it moves on a first plane between cocked and uncocked positions, received on the second end of the first bow limb and received on the second end of the second bow limb; and

a foot stirrup supported to the riser;

wherein:

(1) the foot stirrup begins behind the first ends of the first and second bow limbs and extends beyond the first ends of the first and second bow limbs such that a user's foot is insertable into the foot stirrup;

(2) a first point is located on the first end of the first bow limb;

(3) a second point is located on the foot stirrup;

(4) a second plane is perpendicular to the axis of elongation and intersects the first point;

(5) the axis of elongation lies on a third plane that is perpendicular to the first and second planes; and

(6) a fourth plane that is parallel to the third plane simultaneously intersects the first and second points.

15. The crossbow of claim 14 wherein:

the first bow limb has a length that is less than or equal to 12 inches; and

the second bow limb has a length that is less than or equal to 12 inches.

16. The crossbow of claim 14 wherein:

the first bow limb has a hinge point and a thickness that varies continuously along its length from the first end to the hinge point; and

the second bow limb has a hinge point and a thickness that varies continuously along its length from the first end to the hinge point.

17. The crossbow of claim 14 wherein:

a third point is located on the second limb attachment surface;

a fourth point is located on the foot stirrup; and

a fifth plane that is parallel to the third plane simultaneously intersects the third and fourth points.

18. The crossbow of claim 14 wherein:

the second point is positioned beyond the first ends of the first and second bow limbs.

19. The crossbow of claim 14 wherein:

a first limb pocket is attached to the first end of the riser and receives the first end of the first bow limb; and

a second limb pocket is attached to the second end of the riser and receives the first end of the second bow limb.

20. The crossbow of claim 14 further comprising:

a first wheel that: is designed to receive the bowstring, is supported to the second end of the first bow limb and is pivotal with respect to the first bow limb about a first pivot axis;

a second wheel that: is designed to receive the bowstring, is supported to the second end of the second bow limb and is pivotal with respect to the second bow limb about a second pivot axis; and

wherein:

(1) the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are separated by a wheel distance (WD) when the crossbow is in the uncocked position; and

(2) the wheel distance WD is 24 inches or less.