Crossbow and combination of a crossbow and a magazine

Abstract

The invention relates to a crossbow (1) having a main body (2) and a magazine receptacle (3), said main body (2) having limbs (4), a bowstring (5) connected thereto, a guide channel (6) for receiving a projectile (7) and a trigger device (8), said magazine receptacle (3) being placed on an upper side (9) of the main body (2) and having side walls (10) which delimit a receiving space (11) for a magazine (12), the magazine receptacle (3) having a locking lever (14) which is supported on a pivot axis (13) and has a first lever arm (15) on one side of the pivot axis (13) and a second lever arm (16), connected thereto, on the other side of the pivot axis (13), wherein the locking lever (14) can be pivoted between a locking position (PI), in which the first lever arm (15) is effectively connected to the receiving space (11), and a release position (P2), in which the first lever arm (15) is without effect in relation to the receiving space (11), and the second lever arm (16) has an actuation plate (17).

Description

[0001] Crossbow and combination of a crossbow with a magazine

[0002] The invention relates to a crossbow with a base body and a magazine holder, which base body has limbs, a string connected thereto, which can be transferred on an upper side of the base body between a first position in which the limbs and the string are tensioned and a second position in which the limbs and the string are relaxed, a guide groove for receiving a projectile and a trigger device, and which magazine holder is placed on the upper side of the base body and has side walls which delimit a receiving space for a magazine.

[0003] The invention also relates to a combination of such a crossbow with a magazine for at least two projectiles.

[0004] Crossbows are known to have opposing limbs that are connected to each other at their opposite ends by a string. In order to fire projectiles at high speed, the crossbow's string is first drawn, whereby the limbs are generally bent, the string is fixed in this drawn state, and the crossbow is loaded with a projectile. To fire the projectile, the string is released from its fixed state by pulling a trigger, whereby the string accelerates the projectile using the energy stored in the curved limbs.

[0005] The projectiles, usually darts, bolts or balls, can be inserted individually into the crossbow or can be stored in a magazine for several projectiles that can be detachably connected to the crossbow.

[0006] US 5,544,641 A discloses a crossbow with a magazine for arrows. The magazine can be inserted into a receiving chamber on the underside of the crossbow, the receiving chamber being connected to a slot through which the crossbow string runs. To transport the arrows from the magazine into the slot, the magazine has a plate which is pre-tensioned in the direction of the slot by a spring and on which the arrows rest. The magazine is held in the receiving chamber by a locking connection and is released from the locking connection by pulling a lever on the underside of the crossbow, near a trigger device. A disadvantage is that the magazine can fall down out of the crossbow if the lever is accidentally operated.In addition, in a stressful situation, a shooter may miss the lever or mistakenly confuse the lever with the trigger mechanism located nearby, so that instead of firing an arrow, the magazine is inadvertently ejected or vice versa.

[0007] The CN 209945131 U concerns a crossbow which has a removable cylindrical drum magazine on its top side. The drum magazine contains projectiles consisting of cartridges and cartridge cases. The drum magazine is hooked at its front into receptacles protruding from the crossbow and has a retaining bracket at its rear which can be released or secured to the crossbow using a rotating lever. Attaching and removing the drum magazine to / from the crossbow therefore requires several manual movements by the shooter, since in addition to manually grasping the magazine, the rotating lever must be turned and the magazine must be hooked into or pulled out of the receptacles.

[0008] US 4,565,182 A discloses a crossbow which has a rotating magazine for up to three bolts on its top side. The magazine is held in place by pins between a front housing part and a rear housing part. The pins can be spring-loaded and retractable into the magazine in order to insert or remove the magazine. Alternatively, the rear housing part can be displaceable relative to the front housing part in order to insert or remove the magazine when the housing is away from the front housing part. This design also requires the shooter to perform several manual operations to attach and remove the magazine, since in addition to manually grasping the magazine, either the pins have to be actuated or the rear housing part has to be grasped and moved.

[0009] The object of the invention is to create a crossbow and a combination of a crossbow with a magazine of the type mentioned at the beginning, which avoid or at least reduce the disadvantages known from the prior art. The crossbow should be able to be connected to and removed from the magazine in the simplest, quickest and most reliable way possible, even in stressful situations. In particular, inserting and removing the magazine should require as few individual movements as possible. Furthermore, the crossbow should be able to be connected to and removed from the magazine simply, quickly and reliably, even by people with limited fine motor skills in their hands, for example in cold ambient conditions when a shooter operating the crossbow has cold hands or is wearing gloves.

[0010] For this purpose, the invention provides a crossbow as defined in claim 1 and a combination of a crossbow with a magazine as defined in claim 11. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] With regard to the crossbow, the invention provides that the magazine holder has a locking lever mounted on a pivot axis with a first lever arm on one side of the pivot axis and a second lever arm connected thereto on the other side of the pivot axis, wherein the locking lever can be pivoted between a locking position in which the first lever arm is operatively connected to the receiving space and a release position in which the first lever arm is free of action in relation to the receiving space, and the second lever arm has an actuating plate. The crossbow therefore has a base body and a magazine holder. The base body has two throwing arms, a string connected to the latter which is provided for engaging a projectile, a guide groove on an upper side of the base body for receiving and guiding the projectile and a trigger device for releasing the string when the crossbow is cocked.The string can be moved on the upper side of the base body between a first position in which the limbs and string are tensioned and a second position in which the limbs and string are relaxed. The function and the fundamentally required components of a crossbow are known to those skilled in the art, which is why a detailed description of all the functions and components of the crossbow is omitted from this description.

[0012] The magazine holder is placed on top of the base body and has side walls which define a storage space for a magazine. This means that a magazine can be reliably held on the top of the base body between the side walls of the magazine holder. In order to be able to insert or remove a magazine from the crossbow with as few manual operations as possible, the magazine holder has a locking lever mounted on a pivot axis with a first lever arm on one side of the pivot axis and a second lever arm connected to it on the other side of the pivot axis. The locking lever can be pivoted between a locking position in which the first lever arm is operatively connected to the storage space and a release position in which the first lever arm is inoperative with respect to the storage space.Thus, in the locked position, the first lever arm can act on the receiving space by exerting a holding force and, in particular, can act on a magazine inserted in the receiving space by exerting a holding force, thereby holding it in place. In the release position, the first lever arm has no effect, or only a slight effect, on the receiving space or on a magazine inserted therein, so that the magazine can be removed from the receiving space without having to overcome any significant holding force of the locking lever. In order to ensure that a magazine can be removed from the crossbow as quickly and reliably as possible, without failed attempts and without the shooter requiring any particular fine motor skills, it is essential that the second lever arm has an actuating plate.The actuating plate provides a sufficiently large contact surface for the hand, particularly the fingers or the ball of the hand of a shooter, so that inadvertently missing the second lever arm when removing the magazine is avoided as reliably as possible. The actuating plate can be touched and actuated at the same time as the shooter grasps the magazine, thus pivoting the locking lever from the locked position to the release position. The shooter can therefore insert or remove the magazine with a single hand and does not have to break contact between their hand and the crossbow or the magazine between grasping and removing the magazine.

[0013] When reference is made in this description to location and direction specifications such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back" or "side", these specifications are to be understood in a position of use in which the crossbow is held by an archer in a substantially horizontal position. The term "vertical" means in the direction of gravity, from "top" to "bottom", or vice versa. Of course, the crossbow can also be used in other positions, in which case the location and direction specifications must be translated accordingly.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the actuating plate has a greater extent, in particular at least twice the extent, in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove than in the direction from the first lever arm to the second lever arm. Thus, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove, the actuating plate can be gripped in a larger contact area compared to the height of the actuating plate. The actuating plate can, for example, be rectangular, preferably with rounded corners. The actuating plate preferably extends in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove along at least one sixth, preferably at least one quarter, in particular at least one third of the longitudinal extent of the receiving space.The longitudinal direction or longitudinal extension runs from a rear end of the crossbow to a front end of the crossbow, wherein in a use position of the crossbow the rear end faces the shooter and the front end faces away from the shooter.

[0015] To ensure the actuator plate can be reliably grasped and operated with one hand, it is advantageous if the actuator plate has a textured surface, at least on the outside. The textured surface can, in particular, have raised and recessed areas and can prevent the hand from accidentally slipping off the actuator plate.

[0016] Reliable gripping of the actuating plate with one hand of a shooter can be further assisted by arranging the locking lever, in particular the pivot axis, on one of the side walls of the magazine holder. The locking lever or the pivot axis can be arranged on the right-hand side wall of the magazine holder, viewed in the direction of fire, if the shooter is right-handed and is to grip the actuating plate with the fingers of his left hand. For left-handed shooters, the locking lever or the pivot axis can be arranged on the left-hand side wall of the magazine holder, viewed in the direction of fire. It is also advantageous if the actuating plate is provided in the middle of the receiving space, viewed in the direction of fire or lengthwise.

[0017] To further facilitate gripping the operating plate with one hand, the upper edge of the operating plate can extend beyond the upper edge of the side panel on which the locking lever is mounted. This allows the operating plate to be easily operated simultaneously with the fingers or the palm of a hand resting on the magazine when removing the magazine from the crossbow.

[0018] To bring the first lever arm into operative connection with the receiving space in the locking position and to make it operatively independent of the receiving space in the release position, the first lever arm can, for example, have magnets. In the locking position, the magnetic force of the magnets can act on the receiving space and on a magazine inserted therein, holding it securely in place. In the release position, the magnetic force of the pivoted magnets would not be sufficient to hold the magazine securely in place.

[0019] However, it is particularly preferably provided that the first lever arm projects at least partially into the receiving space in the locking position and is arranged outside the receiving space in the release position. Thus, when the first lever arm projects into the receiving space, it can be operatively connected to the receiving space and act on a magazine inserted in the receiving space, and when it is arranged outside the receiving space, it can be inactive with regard to the receiving space and the magazine. It is particularly advantageous if the first lever arm has a projection which projects into the receiving space in the locking position. In this way, a magazine inserted in the receiving space can be fixed by the projection of the first lever arm. In this case, it is expedient if a side wall of the magazine holder has a recess or a through opening through which the projection of the first lever arm can project into the receiving space in the locking position.

[0020] If the locking lever is pre-tensioned into the locking position, particularly by a spring element, a magazine loaded into the crossbow can be particularly reliably protected against accidental release. By actuating the actuating plate against the pre-tension, particularly against the force of the spring element, the locking lever can be pivoted from the locking position to the release position.

[0021] Furthermore, it can be provided that the magazine holder is connected to the base body so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis, and preferably the rotation axis is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the guide groove. Thus, access to the guide groove can be obtained by pivoting the magazine holder about the rotation axis relative to the base body. Furthermore, when inserted into the crossbow, the magazine can be loaded with projectiles from the space between the pivoted magazine holder and the base body without having to be removed from the crossbow for this purpose. Alternatively, the crossbow can be operated without a magazine or with an empty magazine by pivoting the magazine holder relative to the base body and inserting a single projectile into the guide groove thus exposed.Particularly preferably, the axis of rotation extends between a right and left side of the crossbow as seen in the direction of fire, so that the magazine holder can be opened vertically when the main plane of the crossbow is aligned horizontally.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, a safety device can be provided which can be transferred between a safety position and a release position and which covers a receiving notch for the tensioned string provided at an end of the guide groove facing away from the limbs in the safety position and releases it in the release position. The safety device can therefore prevent premature firing of a projectile in the safety position, with a cocked crossbow, because it covers the receiving notch in which the tensioned string is received and therefore prevents the string from escaping from the receiving notch. For transferring from the safety position to the release position, the safety device can have a manually operable, in particular displaceable, adjusting element, for example a handle which can be grasped with one hand of the shooter.In the release position, the receiving notch is no longer covered by the safety device and the string can exit the receiving notch by actuating the trigger and accelerate the projectile received in the guide groove.

[0023] If the safety device is pre-tensioned into the safety position, in particular by an elastic element, the unintentional firing of a projectile can be particularly effectively prevented. In this case, the safety device can only be moved from the safety position to the release position by overcoming the pre-tension, in particular by overcoming the pre-tensioning force applied by the elastic element. Preferably, the safety device can be releasably fixed in the release position.

[0024] If the safety device is positioned in a path of movement of the string during the transition from the relaxed state of the string to the tensioned state, the safety device can be moved from the safety position to the release position by the string as the string is retracted to the receiving notch and thus as the crossbow is cocked. Thus, the tensioned string can be inserted into the receiving notch without further actuation of the safety device, which has been moved to the release position.

[0025] The invention also relates to a combination of the crossbow according to the preceding description with a magazine for at least two projectiles, which magazine has a connecting device which is operatively connected to the first lever arm when the magazine is inserted in the receiving space. Due to the operative connection between the connecting device and the first lever arm, in the locking position, the magazine can be reliably held in the receiving space. By releasing the operative connection, i.e. by pivoting the locking lever into the release position, the magazine can be easily removed from the receiving space.

[0026] A particularly simple design can provide for the connecting device to be a recess in the magazine, into which the projection of the first lever arm engages. In this case, the operative connection is a snap-in connection.

[0027] According to a further preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the magazine has an adjustable holding device for the projectiles, which holding device faces the guide groove when the magazine is inserted in the receiving space, can be transferred between a closed position holding the projectiles and an open position releasing at least one projectile, and in the open position engages with a release element of the magazine holder. The holding device can therefore hold the projectiles in the magazine in the closed position, i.e. when the magazine is removed from the crossbow, and release at least one projectile for transport into the guide groove of the crossbow in the open position, i.e. when the magazine is inserted in the crossbow. Transport is preferably carried out by gravity, i.e.The projectile, which is generally the lowest point, falls out of the magazine and into the guide groove. This transport is made possible by the holding device facing the guide groove when the magazine is inserted in the receiving space. In order to be able to move the holding device from the closed position to the open position without additional manual action when inserting the magazine into the crossbow, the magazine holder has a release element which engages with the holding device when the magazine is inserted into the crossbow and moves it from the closed position to the open position.

[0028] Preferably, the release element is a receiving projection and the holding device is a tiltably mounted hook, wherein one leg of the hook is designed to hold at least one projectile and the other leg of the hook is designed to tilt about a tilt axis. The receiving projection projects into the receiving space for the magazine. When the magazine is removed, one leg of the hook preferably projects beyond a magazine opening which is provided for removing the projectiles. The other leg of the hook is mounted on a tilt axis on the magazine. Thus, when the magazine is inserted into the crossbow, the receiving projection can come into contact with the other leg of the hook and in doing so tilt the hook into the opening position, in which one leg of the hook no longer projects beyond the magazine opening.

[0029] If the magazine has an interior space for projectiles arranged one above the other and side by side, the magazine can have a lower overall height than a design with only projectiles arranged one above the other. On the other hand, a comparatively greater height of the magazine extending from the crossbow could hinder the shooter when handling the crossbow. Projectiles that are offset both vertically and laterally within the interior space, i.e., arranged in a zigzag pattern, are also considered to be arranged one above the other and side by side.

[0030] To accommodate the projectiles in the magazine, it is particularly advantageous if the interior contains at least two projectiles arranged one above the other and next to each other, touching each other in a contact area, with a diameter defined orthogonally to the intended firing direction in the contact area and a width corresponding to 1.1 to 1.8 times the diameter. In this way, the projectiles can be arranged in a space-saving zigzag pattern within the interior of the magazine.

[0031] Preferably, the magazine contains at least one projectile, which is a dart, preferably with feathers at an end facing away from the arrowhead, or a bullet. Both the dart and the bullet can be easily accommodated in the magazine, guided in the guide groove, and accelerated by the limbs and the string. The bullet can, for example, be made of plastic and filled with a colored liquid.

[0032] The invention will be further explained below using preferred, non-limiting embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a crossbow according to the invention with a magazine inserted therein, in a perspective view;

[0034] Fig. 2 shows the crossbow with the magazine from Fig. 1 inserted therein, in a side view;

[0035] Fig. 3 shows the crossbow from Fig. 2 with the magazine removed from it, in the same side view;

[0036] Fig. 4 shows the crossbow and the magazine inserted therein from Fig. 2 in a view from an opposite side to Fig. 2;

[0037] Fig. 5 shows the crossbow with the magazine from Fig. 4 inserted therein with a locking lever in a locking position, in a sectional view along the line AA in Fig. 4, with individual components of the crossbow being omitted for the sake of clarity;

[0038] Fig. 6 shows the crossbow with the magazine from Fig. 4 inserted therein with the locking lever in a release position, in a sectional view along the line AA in Fig. 4, with individual components of the crossbow being omitted for the sake of clarity;

[0039] Fig. 7 shows the crossbow with the magazine from Fig. 1 inserted therein, with a magazine holder pivoted about an axis of rotation relative to a base body, in a perspective view;

[0040] Fig. 8 shows the crossbow from Fig. 1 without a magazine, with a safety device in a safety position, in a perspective view, with individual components of the crossbow, in particular side walls of the magazine holder and limbs, being omitted for the sake of clarity;

[0041] Fig. 9 the crossbow from Fig. 1 without magazine, with a safety device in a release position, in a perspective view, whereby individual components of the crossbow, in particular side walls of the magazine holder and limbs, have been omitted for the sake of clarity;

[0042] Fig. 10 the crossbow according to Fig. 8 in a side view;

[0043] Fig. 11 the crossbow according to Fig. 9 in a side view;

[0044] Fig. 12 a magazine for the crossbow in a perspective view from below;

[0045] Fig. 13 the magazine from Fig. 12 in a sectional view; and

[0046] Fig. 14 a dart for insertion into the magazine.

[0047] Please note that the individual figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, parts of the crossbow that are visible in other figures may be omitted in some figures, provided the omitted parts are not essential to the description of the individual figures.

[0048] Fig. 1 shows a crossbow 1 with a base body 2 and a magazine holder 3. The base body 2 has limbs 4, in particular two opposing limbs 4, a string 5 connected to the limb, a guide groove 6 (cf. Figs. 7 to 9) for receiving a projectile 7 (cf. e.g. Figs. 5 and 14) and a trigger device 8. The string 5 can be transferred on an upper side 9 of the base body 2 between a first position, not shown in Fig. 1, in which the limbs 4 and the string 5 are tensioned, and a second position, shown in Fig. 1, in which the limbs 4 and the string 5 are relaxed. The magazine holder 3 is placed on the upper side 9 of the base body 2 and has side walls 10 which delimit a receiving space 11 (cf. e.g. Figs. 3 and 8 to 10) for a magazine 12. In Fig. 1 the crossbow 1 is shown with the magazine 12 accommodated in the receiving space 11.

[0049] Fig. 2 also shows the crossbow 1 with the magazine 12 inserted therein, while in Fig. 3 the magazine 12 is not connected to the crossbow 1 or is removed from the receiving space 11. As Figures 2 and 3 clearly show, the magazine holder 3 has a locking lever mounted on a pivot axis 13

[0050] 14 with a first lever arm 15 on one side of the pivot axis 13 and a second lever arm 16 connected thereto on the other side of the pivot axis 13. By actuating the locking lever 14, the magazine 12 can be removed from the crossbow 1, in the examples shown, upwardly, with as few manual movements as possible, in particular by grasping the magazine 12 with a single hand. In a construction of the locking lever 14 not shown, inserting the magazine 12 into the crossbow 1, in particular into the receiving space 11, can also require actuation of the locking lever 14. For locking and / or unlocking the magazine 12 in the receiving space 11, the locking lever 14 is movable between a locking position PI (cf. Fig. 5) in which the first lever arm

[0051] 15 is operatively connected to the receiving space 11 and a release position P2 (cf. Fig. 6) in which the first lever arm 15 is free of action with respect to the receiving space 11. In order to be able to actuate the locking lever 14 reliably and accurately, i.e. to pivot it, the second lever arm 16 has an actuating plate 17. The actuating plate 17 is preferably formed integrally with the first lever arm 15. The actuating plate 17 can have a greater extension E in the longitudinal direction L of the guide groove 6, in particular at least twice the extension, than in the direction from the first lever arm 15 to the second lever arm 16, i.e. in the height direction H of the crossbow 1. The actuating plate 17 can thus be gripped particularly reliably.To prevent a shooter's hand (not shown) from accidentally slipping off the actuating plate 17, the actuating plate 17 can have a textured surface 18 at least on the outer side A. In the illustrated examples, the locking lever 14 is mounted on a side wall 10 of the magazine holder 3.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows the crossbow 1 viewed from the opposite side to Fig. 2. In this view, the locking lever 14 is not visible. As in Figs. 2 and 3, the throwing arm 4 is only indicated.

[0053] Figures 5 and 6 each show a section through the crossbow 1 with the magazine 12 inserted therein according to Fig. 4 along the section line AA.

[0054] 6, the locking lever 14 is shown in a locking position P1, in which the first lever arm 15 is in operative connection with the receiving space 11. In the release position P2, the magazine 12 can be easily removed from the crossbow 1. The locking lever 14 can be pivoted from the locking position P1 into the release position P2 by a shooter's hand, which exerts pressure on the actuating plate 17 in the direction of the magazine 12. To ensure a reliable operative connection between the magazine 12 and the crossbow 1, in the examples shown the first lever arm 15 projects at least partially into the receiving space 11 in the locking position P1. In the release position P2, the first lever arm 15 is arranged outside the receiving space 11.In particular, in the examples shown, the first lever arm 15 has a projection 19 which projects into the receiving space 11 in the locking position PI.

[0055] In the exemplary Figures 5 and 6 it is also clearly visible that the magazine 12 has a connecting device 20 which is operatively connected to the first lever arm 15 when the magazine 12 is inserted in the receiving space 11 and when the locking lever 14 is in the locking position PI. In the examples shown, the connecting device 20 is a recess 20a in the magazine 12, in particular in a side wall of the magazine 12, into which recess 20a the projection 19 of the first lever arm 15 can engage. In the release position P2 shown in Figure 6 the projection 19 of the first lever arm 15 does not engage in the connecting device 20. The locking lever 14 can be pretensioned in the locking position PI in particular by a spring element 21 which is only indicated in Figures 5 and 6. In the example according to Fig .6 also shows that the projection 19 of the first lever arm 15 has an inclined sliding surface 22 on which a lower edge of the magazine 12 can slide when inserted into the receiving space 11, so that the locking lever 14 is pivoted from the locking position PI towards the release position P2 by inserting the magazine 12 into the receiving space 11. As soon as the projection 19 of the first lever arm 15 is aligned with the connecting device 20 of the magazine 12, the first lever arm 15, driven by the force of the spring element 21, engages in the magazine 12 and the locking lever 14 is again in the locking position PI.

[0056] Fig. 7 shows an exemplary representation in which the magazine holder 3 is connected to the base body 2 so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis 23. The magazine holder 3 can thus be pivoted relative to the base body 2, for example as shown in Fig. 7, and folded open in order to obtain easy access to the guide groove 6 or to be able to load the magazine 12 inserted in the receiving space 11 with projectiles 7 from below. The rotation axis 23 is preferably arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal extent L of the guide groove 6, in particular parallel to a width direction B of the crossbow 1, in particular arranged perpendicular to the side walls 10.

[0057] In Figures 8 to 11, the limbs 4 of the crossbow 1 and the side walls 10 are not shown for the sake of clarity. In the examples shown, however, it can be seen that a safety device 24 is provided which can be transferred between a safety position P3 and a release position P4 and which covers a receiving notch 26 for the tensioned string 5 provided on an end 25 of the guide groove 6 facing away from the limbs 4 in the safety position P3 and releases it in the release position P4. In Figures 8 and 10, the safety device 24 is shown in the safety position P3 and in Figures 9 and 11 the safety device 24 is shown in the release position P4. In Figure 11, however, the safety device 24 is retracted so far that it cannot be seen.In the safety position P3, the taut string 5 (not shown) received in the receiving notch 26 cannot leave the receiving notch 26, thereby preventing a projectile 7 present in the guide groove 6 from being fired, whereas in the release position P4, in particular by actuating the trigger device 8, the string 5 can emerge from the receiving notch 26 and accelerate a projectile 7 in the guide groove 6. The safety device 24 can, for example, be a bolt 24a which can be moved in the longitudinal direction L of the guide groove 6. For manual actuation of the safety device 24, i.e. At least for transferring from the safety position P3 to the release position P4, the safety device 24 can have or be connected to a displaceable adjusting element 27, for example a handle 27a which can be grasped by one hand of the shooter.In addition, the safety device 24 can be pre-tensioned into the safety position P3, in particular by an elastic element 28, which is only indicated in Figures 10 and 11. In the examples according to Figures 8 to 11, the safety device 24 is arranged in a movement path F of the tendon 5 during the transition from the relaxed state of the tendon 5 to the tensioned state of the tendon 5. Thus, when the tendon 5 is retracted up to the receiving notch 26, the safety device 24 can be transferred by the tendon 5 itself from the safety position P3 in the direction of the release position P4 and the tendon 5 can be inserted into the receiving notch 26. The safety device 24 can then return to the safety position P3.

[0058] Fig. 12 shows a magazine 12 for the crossbow 1, which is designed to accommodate at least two projectiles 7, with a connecting device 20 and an adjustable holding device 29 for the projectiles 7. The connecting device 20 is designed in the example according to Fig. 12 as a recess 20a in the magazine 12 and is designed to be operatively connected to the first lever arm 15 when the magazine 12 is inserted in the receiving space 11. The adjustable holding device 29 for the projectiles 7 is, when the magazine 12 is inserted in the receiving space 11 and faces the guide groove 6, can be transferred between a closed position P5 (cf. Fig. 13) holding the projectiles 7 and an opening position P6 (cf. Figs. 5 and 6) releasing at least one projectile 7 and is in engagement with a release element 30 (cf. Figs. 5 and 6) of the magazine holder 3 in the opening position P6.In the example shown, the release element 30 of the magazine holder 3 engages the holding device 29 when the magazine 12 is inserted into the receiving space 11 and moves it from the closed position P5 to the open position P6. For the release of a projectile 7 from the magazine 12 into the guide groove 6, the magazine 12 has a magazine opening 31 on its underside. The magazine 12 can also be loaded with projectiles 7 via the magazine opening 31, for which purpose the holding device 29 can be manually moved from the closed position P5, for example, to the open position P6.

[0059] According to the example shown in Figures 5 and 6, the release element 30 is a receiving projection 30a projecting into the interior of the receiving space 11. The holding device 29 in the examples shown is a tiltably mounted hook 29a, see in particular Figure 13, wherein one leg 32 of the hook 29a is designed to hold at least one projectile 7 and the other leg 33 of the hook 29a is designed to engage with the receiving projection 30a and to tilt about a tilt axis 34.

[0060] The magazine 12 shown as an example in Fig. 13 is a two-row magazine 12 which has an interior space 35 for receiving projectiles 7 arranged one above the other and next to one another. The projectiles 7 are arranged in the interior space 35, in particular in a zigzag shape, to save space. The interior space 35 has at least two, in the example according to Fig. 13 ten projectiles 7, which touch one another in a contact area R. The projectiles 7 have a defined diameter D in the contact area R, orthogonal to an intended firing direction S. The interior space 35 preferably has a width W which corresponds to 1.1 times to 1.8 times the diameter D. The projectiles 7 received in the magazine 12 can be, for example, darts 36 or balls 37.

[0061] Fig. 14 shows a throwing dart 36, preferably with (usually two opposing) feathers 38 at an end 40 facing away from an arrowhead 39, as a projectile 7. The throwing darts 36 have a diameter D in the contact area R orthogonal to the intended firing direction S.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Crossbow (1) with a base body (2) and a magazine holder (3), which base body (2) has limbs (4), a string (5) connected thereto, which can be transferred on an upper side (9) of the base body (2) between a first position in which the limbs (4) and the string (5) are tensioned and a second position in which the limbs (4) and the string (5) are relaxed, a guide groove (6) for receiving a projectile (7) and a trigger device (8), and which magazine holder (3) is placed on the upper side (9) of the base body (2) and has side walls (10) which delimit a receiving space (11) for a magazine (12), characterized in that the magazine holder (3) has a locking lever (14) mounted on a pivot axis (13) with a first lever arm (15) on one side of the pivot axis (13) and a second lever arm connected thereto (16) on the other side of the pivot axis (13),wherein the locking lever (14) is pivotable between a locking position (PI) in which the first lever arm (15) is operatively connected to the receiving space (11) and a release position (P2) in which the first lever arm (15) is inoperative with respect to the receiving space (11), and the second lever arm (16) has an actuating plate (17).

2. Crossbow (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating plate (17) has a greater extension (E) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the guide groove (6), in particular at least twice the extension, than in the direction from the first lever arm (15) to the second lever arm (16).

3. Crossbow (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating plate (17) has a structured surface (18) at least on the outer side (A).

4. Crossbow (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first lever arm (15) in the locking position (PI) projects at least partially into the receiving space (11) and in the release position (P2) is arranged outside the receiving space (11).

5. Crossbow (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first lever arm (15) has a projection (19) which projects into the receiving space (11) in the locking position (PI).

6. Crossbow (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking lever (14) is pre-tensioned into the locking position (PI), in particular by a spring element (21).

7. Crossbow (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the magazine holder (3) is pivotally connected to the base body (2) about a rotation axis (23) and preferably the rotation axis (23) is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal extent (L) of the guide groove (6).

8. Crossbow (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a safety device (24) is provided which can be transferred between a safety position (P3) and a release position (P4), which safety device covers a receiving notch (26) for the tensioned string (5) provided on an end (25) of the guide groove (6) facing away from the limbs (4) in the safety position (P3) and releases it in the release position (P4).

9. Crossbow (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the safety device (24) is pretensioned into the safety position (P3), in particular by an elastic element (28).

10. Crossbow (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the safety device (24) is arranged in a movement path (F) of the string (5) during the transition from the relaxed state of the string (5) to the tensioned state of the string (5).

11. Combination of a crossbow (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 with a magazine (12) for at least two projectiles (7) , which magazine (12) has a connecting device (20) which, when the magazine (12) is inserted in the receiving space (11), is in operative connection with the first lever arm (15) stands .

12. Combination according to claim 11, characterized in that the connecting device (20) is a recess (20a) in the magazine (12), in which recess (20a) the projection (19) of the first lever arm (15) engages.

13. Combination according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the magazine (12) has an adjustable holding device (29) for the projectiles (7), which holding device (29) faces the guide groove (6) when the magazine (12) is inserted in the receiving space (11), can be transferred between a closed position (P5) holding the projectiles (7) and an open position (P6) releasing at least one projectile (7), and in the open position (P6) is in engagement with a release element (30) of the magazine holder (3).

14. Combination according to claim 13, characterized in that the release element (30) is a receiving projection (30a) and the holding device (29) is a tiltably mounted hook (29a), wherein one leg (32) of the hook (29a) is designed to hold at least one projectile (7) and the other leg (33) of the hook (29a) is designed to tilt about a tilt axis (34).

15. Combination according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the magazine (12) has an interior space (35) for receiving projectiles (7) arranged one above the other and next to one another.

16. Combination according to claim 15, characterized in that the interior (35) has at least two projectiles (7) arranged one above the other and next to one another, touching one another in a contact area (R), with a diameter (D) in the contact area (R) defined orthogonally to an intended firing direction (S) and a width (W) which corresponds to 1.1 times to 1.8 times the diameter (D).

17. Combination according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the magazine (12) contains at least one projectile (7), which is a throwing arrow (36), preferably with feathers (38) at an end (40) facing away from an arrowhead (39), or a ball (37).

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