Crossbow and combination of a crossbow and a magazine

Abstract

A crossbow includes a base body and a magazine reception, which base body comprises limbs, a string connected thereto, a guide groove for receiving a projectile and a trigger device. The magazine reception is mounted on a topside of the base body and includes side walls which delimit a reception area for a magazine. The magazine reception includes 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. The locking lever is pivotable between a locking position in which the first lever arm is in operative connection with the reception area and a release position in which the first lever arm is inoperative with respect to the reception area. The second lever arm includes an actuating plate.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a crossbow with a base body and a magazine reception, which base body comprises limbs, a string connected thereto, which are transferable on a topside 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 reception is put on the topside of the base body and comprises side walls which delimit a reception area for a magazine.

[0002] The invention also relates to a combination of such a crossbow with a magazine for at least two projectiles.

[0003] Crossbows are known to have opposing limbs, which are connected to one another via a string at their ends facing away from one another. In order to be able to shoot projectiles at high speed with a crossbow, the string of the crossbow is first tensioned, whereby the limbs are generally curved, the string is fixed in this tensioned state and the crossbow is loaded with a projectile. In order to fire the projectile, the string is released from the fixed state by actuating a trigger device, whereby the string accelerates the projectile by means of the energy stored in the curved limbs.

[0004] The projectiles, usually darts, bolts, or bullets, can be inserted individually into the crossbow or can be accommodated in a magazine for several projectiles that can be detachably connected to the crossbow.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,641 A discloses a crossbow with a magazine for arrows. The magazine may be inserted into a receiving chamber on a bottom of the crossbow, the receiving chamber communicating with a slot through which the string of the crossbow passes. For transporting the arrows from the magazine into the slot, the magazine comprises a plate which is pretensioned by a spring in the direction of the slot and on which the arrows rest. The magazine is held in the receiving chamber by a latching connection and is released from the latching connection by pulling on a lever on the underside of the crossbow, near a trigger device. A disadvantage is that the magazine can fall out of the crossbow when the lever is inadvertently actuated. In addition, in a stressful situation, a shooter can miss the lever or mistakenly confuse the lever with the trigger device arranged close to it, so that instead of shooting an arrow, the magazine is unintentionally ejected, or vice versa.

[0006] CN 209945131 U relates to a crossbow comprising a removable cylindrical drum magazine on top. The drum magazine contains shells consisting of bullets and bullet cases. The drum magazine is hooked on its front side into receptacles protruding from the crossbow and comprises a retaining bracket on its rear side, which can be released or fixed to the crossbow via a rotary lever. The attachment and removal of the drum magazine to / from the crossbow therefore requires several manipulations by the shooter, since, in addition to manually gripping the magazine, the rotary lever must be rotated and the magazine must be hooked into or pulled out of the receptacles.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,182 A discloses a crossbow which comprises a rotatable magazine for up to three bolts on its topside. The magazine is held with pins at a position between a front housing part and a rear housing part. The pins can be spring-loaded and retractable into the magazine in order to be able to insert or remove the magazine. Alternatively, the rear housing part can be movable relative to the front housing part in order to be able to insert or remove the magazine in a state removed from the front housing part. This design also requires several manipulations by the shooter to attach and remove the magazine, since in addition to manually gripping the magazine, either the pins must be actuated or the rear housing part must be gripped and moved.

[0008] The object of the invention is to create a crossbow and a combination of a crossbow with a magazine of the type mentioned above, which avoid or at least reduce the disadvantages known from the prior art. The crossbow should comprise a connection to the magazine and a removal of the magazine in the simplest, quickest, and most reliable way possible, even in stressful situations. In particular, the insertion and removal of the magazine should require as few individual manipulations as possible. In addition, the crossbow should also be easily, quickly, and reliably connectable to and detachable from the magazine, even for people with impaired fine motor skills in their hands, for example, under cold ambient conditions when a shooter operating the crossbow has cold hands or has put on gloves.

[0009] For this purpose, the invention provides a crossbow as in claim 1 and a combination of a crossbow with a magazine as defined in claim 11. Advantageous embodiments and developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] With respect to the crossbow, the invention intends that the magazine reception comprises 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, wherein the locking lever can be pivoted between a locking position in which the first lever arm is operatively connected to the reception area and a release position in which the first lever arm is inoperative with respect to the reception area, and the second lever arm comprises an actuating plate. The crossbow thus comprises a base body and a magazine reception. The base body comprises two limbs, a string connected thereto, which is intended for engaging in a projectile, a guide groove on a top-side of the base body for receiving and guiding the projectile, and a trigger device for releasing the string in the tensioned state of the crossbow. The string is transferable at the topside 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. The function and the basically required components of a crossbow are known to the person skilled in the art, which is why a detailed description of all functions and components of the crossbow is dispensed within the present description.

[0011] The magazine reception is put on the topside of the base body and comprises side walls that delimit a reception area for a magazine. Thus, a magazine can be reliably accommodated on the topside of the base body between the side walls of the magazine reception. In order to be able to insert a magazine into or remove it from the crossbow with as few manipulations as possible, the magazine reception comprises 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. The locking lever can be pivoted between a locking position in which the first lever arm is operatively connected to the reception area and a release position in which the first lever arm is inoperative with respect to the reception area. Thus, in the locking position, the first lever arm can act on the reception area by exerting a holding force and, in particular, can act on a magazine inserted in the reception area by exerting a holding force and thereby hold it in place. In the release position, the first lever arm does not act, or acts only to a small extent, on the reception area or on a magazine inserted therein, so that the magazine can be removed from the reception area without having to overcome a significant holding force of the locking lever. In order for a magazine to be removed from the crossbow as quickly and reliably as possible, without unsuccessful attempts and without special fine motor skills of the shooter, it is essential that the second lever arm comprises an actuating plate. The actuating plate offers a sufficiently large contact area for the hand, in particular the fingers or the wrist of a shooter, so that unintentional missing of the second lever arm when the magazine is to be removed is avoided as reliably as possible. In this case, the actuating plate can be touched and actuated by the shooter at the same time as the magazine is gripped, and the locking lever can thus be pivoted from the locking position into the release position. The shooter can therefore insert or remove the magazine with a single hand and does not have to release the contact between his hand and the crossbow or the magazine between grasping and removing the magazine.

[0012] If this description refers to location and directional indications such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear” or “side”, these indications are to be understood in a position of use in which the crossbow is held by a shooter 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 information must then be transmitted accordingly.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the actuating plate comprises a greater extension, in particular at least twice the extension, lengthwise of the guide groove than in the direction from the first lever arm to the second lever arm. Thus, when viewed lengthways of the guide groove, the actuating plate can be detected in a larger contact area compared to the height of the actuating plate. The actuating plate may, for example, be rectangular, preferably with rounded corners. The actuating plate preferably extends lengthways of the guide groove along at least one sixth, preferably at least one quarter, in particular at least one third, of the longitudinal extension of the reception area. The longitudinal direction or extension extends from a rear end of the crossbow to a front end of the crossbow, wherein in a position of use of the crossbow, the rear end faces the shooter and the front end faces away from the shooter.

[0014] In order to be able to grasp and actuate the actuating plate reliably with one hand, it is advantageous if the actuating plate comprises a structured surface at least on the outside. In particular, the structured surface may have raised and recessed areas and may prevent the hand from unwanted sliding off the actuating plate.

[0015] Reliable grasping of the actuating plate with one hand of a shooter can also be promoted by arranging the locking lever, in particular the pivot axis, on one of the side walls of the magazine reception. The locking lever or pivot axis may be disposed on the right side wall of the magazine reception, as viewed in the direction of fire, when the shooter is right-handed and is to grip the actuating plate with the fingers of the left hand. For left-handers, the locking lever or the pivot axis can be arranged on the left side wall of the magazine reception, as seen in the direction of fire. In addition, it is advantageous if the actuating plate is intended in the center of the reception area, viewed in the direction of fire or the longitudinal direction.

[0016] In order to make it even easier to grip the actuating plate with one hand of the shooter, a top edge of the actuating plate can project beyond a top edge of the side wall on which the locking lever is mounted. Thus, if the magazine is to be removed from the crossbow, the actuating plate can be actuated particularly easily at the same time with the fingers or the palm of a hand resting on the magazine.

[0017] In order to bring the first lever arm into interacting connection with the reception area in the locking position and to render it inoperative with respect to the reception area in the release position, the first lever arm may have magnets, for example. The magnetic force of the magnets can act in the locking position in the reception area and on a magazine inserted therein in order to hold it in the inserted state. In the release position, the magnetic force of the pivoted magnets would not be sufficient to hold the magazine.

[0018] However, it is particularly preferably intended that the first lever arm protrudes at least partially into the reception area in the locking position and is arranged outside the reception area in the release position. Thus, when the first lever arm projects into the reception area, it can be in interacting connection to the reception area, thereby acting on a magazine inserted in the reception area, and when it is arranged outside the reception area, it can be inoperative with respect to the reception area and the magazine.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if the first lever arm comprises a protrusion that protrudes into the reception area in the locking position. In this way, a magazine inserted in the reception area can be fixed by the protrusion of the first lever arm. In this case, it is useful if a side wall of the magazine reception comprises a recess or a through-opening through which the protrusion of the first lever arm can protrude into the reception area in the locking position.

[0020] When the locking lever is pretensioned into the locking position, in particular by a spring element, a magazine received in the crossbow can be secured particularly reliably against unintentional release. By actuating the actuating plate against the pretension, in particular against the force of the spring element, the locking lever can be pivoted from the locking position into the release position.

[0021] Furthermore, the magazine reception may be intended to be pivotably connected to the base body about a rotation axis, and preferably the rotation axis is arranged vertically to a longitudinal extension of the guide groove. Thus, access to the guide groove can be obtained by pivoting the magazine reception about the rotation axis relative to the base body. In addition, the magazine, in a state inserted into the crossbow, can be loaded with projectiles from the space between the pivoted magazine reception and the base body without being 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 reception relative to the base body and inserting a single projectile into the guide groove exposed thereby. Particularly preferably, the rotation axis extends between a right and left side of the crossbow, as seen in the direction of fire, so that the magazine reception can be folded open vertically when the main plane of the crossbow is aligned horizontally.

[0022] According to an additional preferred embodiment, a safety device can be provided, transferable between a safety position and a trigger position, and which covers a reception notch intended at an opposite end of the guide groove facing away from the limbs for the tensioned string in the safety position and releases it in the trigger position. The safety device can therefore prevent an early firing of a projectile in the safety position, when the crossbow is tensioned, since it covers the reception notch in which the tensioned string is received and therefore prevents the string from emerging from the reception notch. For transferring from the safety position into the trigger position, the safety device can have a manually actuatable, in particular moveable, adjustment element, for example a handle that can be gripped with one hand of the shooter. In the trigger position, the reception notch is no longer covered by the safety device, and the string can emerge from the reception notch by actuating the trigger device and accelerate the projectile received in the guide groove.

[0023] If the safety device is pretensioned into the safety position, in particular by an elastic element, unintentional firing of a projectile can be avoided particularly effectively. In this case, the safety device is only transferable from the safety position to the trigger position by overcoming the preload, in particular by overcoming the preload force applied by the elastic element. Preferably, the safety device can be releasably fixed in the trigger position.

[0024] If the safety device is arranged in a motion path of the string during the transition from the relaxed state of the string to the tensioned state of the string, the safety device is transferable by the string from the safety position to the trigger position by retracting the string up to the reception notch, and therefore by tensioning the crossbow. The tensioned string can thus be inserted into the reception notch without further actuation of the safety device, which has been transferred into the trigger 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 comprises a connecting device that is operatively connected to the first lever arm when the magazine is inserted into the reception area. Due to the interacting connection between the connecting device and the first lever arm, in the locking position, the magazine can be reliably held in the reception area. By releasing the interacting connection, i.e. by pivoting the locking lever into the release position, the magazine can easily be removed from the reception area.

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

[0027] According to an additional preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the magazine comprises an adjustable holding device for the projectiles, which holding device faces the guide groove with the magazine inserted in the reception area, transferable between a closing position holding the projectiles and an opening position releasing at least one projectile, and is to be engaged with a release element of the magazine reception in the opening position. The holding device can thus hold the projectiles in the magazine in the closing position, i.e. when the magazine is removed from the crossbow, and in the opening position, i.e. when the magazine is inserted in the crossbow, release at least one projectile for transport into the guide groove of the crossbow. The transport is preferably carried out by gravity, i.e. the generally lowermost projectile falls out of the magazine and into the guide groove. This transport is made possible by the fact that the holding device faces the guide groove in a state of the magazine inserted in the reception area. In order to be able to transfer the holding device from the closing position into the opening position when inserting the magazine into the crossbow without additional manual measures, the magazine reception comprises a release element, that engages with the holding device when inserting the magazine into the crossbow and moves it from the closing position into the opening position.

[0028] Preferably, the release element is a receptive protrusion and the holding device is a tiltably mounted hook, one arm of the hook being designed to hold at least one projectile and the other arm of the hook being designed to tilt about a tilting axis. The receptive protrusion protrudes into the reception area for the magazine. In the removed state of the magazine, one arm of the hook preferably protrudes beyond a magazine opening, which is intended for the removal of the projectiles. The other arm of the hook is mounted on a tilting axis on the magazine. Thus, when the magazine is inserted into the crossbow, the receptive protrusion can come into contact with the other arm of the hook and tilt the hook into the opening position in which the one arm of the hook no longer protrudes beyond the magazine opening.

[0029] If the magazine has an interior for receiving projectiles arranged one above the other and next to one another, the magazine can comprise a lower overall height compared to a construction with projectiles arranged exclusively one above the other. In contrast, a comparatively larger overall height of the magazine protruding from the crossbow could hinder the shooter in handling the crossbow. Projectiles that are offset in the interior both in height and laterally with respect to one another, i.e. are arranged in a zigzag shape, are also understood as being arranged one above the other and next to each another.

[0030] For receiving the projectiles in the magazine, it is particularly advantageous if the interior comprises at least two projectiles arranged one above the other and next to one another and touching one another in a contact area, with a diameter defined orthogonally to an intended firing direction in the contact area, and comprises a width that corresponds to 1.1 to 1.8 times the diameter. In this way, the projectiles can be arranged in a zigzag shape in the interior of the magazine in a space-saving manner.

[0031] The magazine preferably has at least one projectile, which is a dart, preferably with springs at the opposite end of an arrow-head, or a bullet. Both the dart and the bullet can be easily picked up in the magazine, guided in the guide groove and accelerated by the limbs and the string. The bullet can be made of plastic, for example, and filled with a colored liquid.

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

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

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

[0035] FIG. 3 the crossbow from FIG. 2 with the magazine removed there-from, in the same side view;

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

[0037] FIG. 5 the crossbow with the magazine from FIG. 4 inserted therein with a locking lever in a locking position, in a sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 4, wherein individual components of the crossbow have been omitted for the sake of clarity;

[0038] FIG. 6 the crossbow with the magazine from FIG. 4 inserted therein with the locking lever in a release position, in a sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 4, wherein individual components of the crossbow have been omitted for the sake of clarity;

[0039] FIG. 7 the crossbow with the magazine from FIG. 1 inserted therein with a magazine reception pivoted about a rotation axis with respect to a base body, in a perspective view;

[0040] FIG. 8 the crossbow of FIG. 1 without a magazine, with a safety device in a safety position, in a perspective view, wherein individual components of the crossbow, in particular side walls of the magazine reception and limbs, have been omitted for the sake of clarity;

[0041] FIG. 9 the crossbow of FIG. 1 without magazine, with a safety device in a trigger position, in a perspective view, wherein individual components of the crossbow, in particular side walls of the magazine reception 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 obliquely from below;

[0045] FIG. 13 the magazine of FIG. 12 in a sectional view; and

[0046] FIG. 14 a dart for reception in the magazine.

[0047] It should be noted that the individual figures are not necessarily shown to scale. In addition, parts of the crossbow that can be seen in other figures in individual figures may be omitted, provided that the omitted parts are not essential for the description of the individual figures.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a crossbow 1 with a base body 2 and a magazine reception 3. The base body 2 comprises limbs 4, in particular two mutually opposite limbs 4, a string 5 connected thereto, a guide groove 6 (cf. FIGS. 7 to 9) for receiving a projectile 7 (cf. FIGS. 5 and 14, for example), and a trigger device8. The string 5 is transferable on a topside 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 reception 3 is put on the topside 9 of the base body 2 and comprises side walls 10, which delimit a reception area 11 (cf. e.g. FIGS. 3 and 8 to 10) for a magazine 12. FIG. 1 shows the crossbow 1 with the magazine 12 received in the reception area 11.

[0049] Also FIG. 2 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 removed from the reception area 11. As FIGS. 2 and 3 clearly show, the magazine reception 3 comprises 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 16 connected thereto on the other side of the pivot axis 13. By actuating the locking lever 14, the magazine 12 can be pulled up-wards in the illustrated examples with as few hand movements as possible, in particular by gripping the magazine 12 with a single hand from which the crossbow 1 can be removed. In a construction of the locking lever 14 that is not shown, an insertion of the magazine 12 into the crossbow 1, in particular into the reception area 11, may also require an actuation of the locking lever 14. In order to lock and / or unlock the magazine 12 in the reception area 11, the locking lever 14 can be pivoted between a locking position P1 (cf. FIG. 5), in which the first lever arm 15 is operatively connected to the reception area 11, and a release position P2 (cf. FIG. 6), in which the first lever arm 15 is inoperative with the reception area 11. In order to be able to actuate, i.e. pivot, the locking lever 14 reliably and unerringly, the second lever arm 16 comprises 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 particular at least twice the extension, lengthways L of the guide groove 6 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. Thus, the actuating plate 17 can be grasped particularly reliably. In order to prevent an unintentional sliding of a hand (not shown) of a shooter from the actuating plate 17, the actuating plate 17 may have a structured surface 18 at least on the outside A. In the illustrated examples, the locking lever 14 is mounted on a side wall 10 of the magazine reception 3.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows the crossbow 1 viewed from the opposite side compared to FIG. 2. In this view, the locking lever 14 is not visible. As in FIGS. 2 and 3, the limb 4 is shown only schematically.

[0051] FIGS. 5 and 6 each show a section through the crossbow 1 with the magazine 12 according to FIG. 4 inserted therein along the section line A-A.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows the locking lever 14 in a locking position P1, in which the first lever arm 15 is operatively connected to the reception area 11. In contrast, FIG. 6 shows the locking lever 14 in a release position P2, in which the first lever arm 15 is inoperative with respect to the reception area 11. In the release position P2, the magazine 12 can easily be removed from the crossbow 1. The locking lever 14 can be pivoted from the locking position P1 into the release position P2 by a hand of a shooter, which exerts pressure on the actuating plate 17 in the direction of the magazine 12. For a reliable interacting connection between the magazine 12 and the crossbow 1, the first lever arm 15 protrudes at least partially into the reception area 11 in the locking position P1 in the illustrated examples. In the release position P2, the first lever arm 15 is arranged outside the reception area 11. In particular, in the illustrated examples, the first lever arm 15 comprises a protrusion 19, which protrudes into the reception area 11 in the locking position P1.

[0053] In the exemplary FIGS. 5 and 6, it can also be clearly seen that the magazine 12 comprises a connecting device 20, which is operatively connected to the first lever arm 15 when the magazine 12 is inserted in the reception area 11 and when the locking lever 14 is in the locking position P1. 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, in which recess 20a the protrusion 19 of the first lever arm 15 can engage. In the release position P2 shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 19 of the first lever arm 15 does not engage the connecting device 20.

[0054] The locking lever 14 can in particular be pretensioned into the locking position P1 by a spring element 21, which is only indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the example according to FIG. 6, it can also be seen that the protrusion 19 of the first lever arm 15 comprises an obliquely running sliding surface 22, on which a bottom edge of the magazine 12 can slide when inserted into the reception area 11, so that the locking lever 14 is pivoted from the locking position P1 in the direction of the release position P2 by the insertion of the magazine 12 into the reception area 11. As soon as the protrusion 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, latches into the magazine 12 and the locking lever 14 is again in the locking position P1.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary illustration in which the magazine reception 3 is connected to the base body 2 so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis 23. The magazine reception 3 can thus be swivelled relative to the base body 2, for example as shown in FIG. 7, in order to obtain easy access to the guide groove 6 or to be able to load the magazine 12 inserted in the reception area 11 from below with projectiles 7. The rotation axis 23 is preferably arranged vertically to a longitudinal extension L of the guide groove 6, in particular parallel to a width direction B of the crossbow 1, in particular vertically to the side walls 10.

[0056] For the sake of clarity, the limbs 4 of the crossbow 1 and the side walls 10 are not shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. In contrast, it can be seen in the examples shown that a safety device 24 is intended which is transferable between a safety position P3 and a trigger position P4 and which covers a reception notch 26, intended at an opposite end 25 of the guide groove 6 facing away from the limbs 4, for the tensioned string 5 in the safety position P3 and releases it in the trigger position P4. FIGS. 8 and 10 show the safety device 24 in the safety position P3, and FIGS. 9 and 11 show the safety device 24 in the trigger position P4. In FIG. 11, however, the safety device 24 is retracted to such an extent that it is not visible. In the safety position P3, the tensioned string 5 (not shown) received in the reception notch 26 cannot leave the reception notch 26, thereby preventing a projectile 7 present in the guide groove 6 from being fired, while in the trigger position P4, the string 5 can emerge from the reception notch 26, in particular by actuating the trigger device 8, and can accelerate a projectile 7 in the guide groove 6. The safety device 24 can be, for example, a bolt 24a displaceable in lengthways L of the guide groove 6. For the manual actuation of the safety device 24, i.e. at least for transferring from the safety position P3 into the trigger position P4, the safety device 24 can comprise or be connected to a moveable adjustment element 27, for example a handle 27a that can be gripped by a hand of the shooter. In addition, the safety device 24 can be pretensioned into the safety position P3, in particular by an elastic element 28, which is only indicated in FIGS. 10 and 11. In the examples according to FIGS. 8 to 11, the safety device 24 is arranged in a motion 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. Thus, with the retraction of the string 5 as far as the reception notch 26, the safety device 24 is transferable by the string 5 itself from the safety position P3 in the direction of the trigger position P4, and the string 5 can be inserted into the reception notch 26. The safety device 24 can then return to the safety position P3.

[0057] FIG. 12 shows a magazine 12 for the crossbow 1, which is designed to receive at least two projectiles 7, with a connecting device 20 and an adjustable holding device 29 for the projectiles 7. In the example according to FIG. 12, the connecting device 20 is designed as a recess 20a in the magazine 12 and is designed to be in interacting connection to the first lever arm 15 when the magazine 12 is inserted into the reception area 11. In a state in which the magazine 12 is inserted in the reception area 11, the adjustable holding device 29 for the projectiles 7 faces the guide groove 6, transferable between a closing 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.

[0058] FIGS. 5 and 6) of the magazine reception 3 in the opening position P6. In the example shown, the release element 30 of the magazine reception 3 engages with the holding device 29 when the magazine 12 is inserted into the reception area 11 and adjusts it from the closing position P5 into the opening position P6. To deliver one projectile 7 each from the magazine 12 into the guide groove 6, the magazine 12 comprises 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 adjusted from the closing position P5, for example manually, into the opening position P6.

[0059] According to the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the release element 30 is a receptive protrusion 30a protruding into the interior of the reception area 11. In the examples shown, the holding device 29 is a tiltably mounted hook 29a, cf. in particular FIG. 13, wherein one arm 32 of the hook 29a is designed to hold at least one projectile 7 and the other arm 33 of the hook 29a is designed to engage with the receptive protrusion 30a and to tilt about a tilting axis 34.

[0060] The magazine 12 shown by way of example in FIG. 13 is a two-row magazine 12, which comprises an interior 35 for receiving projectiles 7 arranged one above the other and next to one another. The projectiles 7 are arranged in the interior 35 in a zigzag shape, in particular in a space-saving manner. The interior 35 comprises at least two projectiles 7, ten in the example according to FIG. 13, which contact one another in a contact area R. The projectiles 7 have a defined diameter D in the contact area R orthogonally to an intended firing direction S. The interior 35 preferably comprises a width W that corresponds to 1.1 to 1.8 times the diameter D. The projectiles 7 received in the magazine 12 may be, for example, darts 36 or bullets 37.

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

Claims

1. A crossbow comprising:a base body and a magazine reception, which base body comprises limbs, a string connected thereto, which are transferable on a topside 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 configured for receiving a projectile;a trigger device,wherein the magazine reception is put on the topside of the base body and comprises side walls which delimit a reception area for a magazine,wherein the magazine reception comprises a locking lever which is mounted on a pivot axis and comprises 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, the locking lever being operatively connected to the reception area between a locking position (P1) in which the first lever arm is in operatively connected with the reception area and a release position (P2) in which the first lever arm is inoperative with respect to the reception area, is pivotable, and the second lever arm comprises an actuating plate.

2. The crossbow according to claim 1, wherein the actuating plate comprises a greater extension (E), in particular at least twice the extension, lengthways (L) of the guide groove than in the direction from the first lever arm to the second lever arm.

3. The crossbow according to claim 1, wherein the actuating plate comprises a structured surface at least on the outside (A).

4. The crossbow according to claim 1, wherein the first lever arm protrudes at least partially into the reception area in the locking position (P1) and is arranged outside the reception area in the release position (P2).

5. The crossbow according to claim 1, wherein the first lever arm comprises a protrusion which protrudes into the reception area in the locking position (P1).

6. The crossbow according to claim 1, wherein the locking lever is pretensioned into the locking position (P1), in particular by a spring element.

7. The crossbow according to claim 1, wherein the magazine reception is pivotably connected to the base body about a rotation axis, and the rotation axis is arranged vertically to a longitudinal extension (L) of the guide groove.

8. The crossbow according to claim 1, wherein a safety device is provided, transferable between a safety position (P3) and a trigger position (P4), which covers an intended reception notch for the tensioned string in the safety position (P3) at an opposite end of the guide groove facing away from the limbs, and releases the intended reception notch in the trigger position (P4).

9. The crossbow according to claim 8, wherein the safety device is pretensioned into the safety position (P3), in particular by an elastic element.

10. The crossbow according to claim 8, wherein the safety device is arranged in a motion path (F) of the string during the transition from the relaxed state of the string to the tensioned state of the string.

11. Combination of a crossbow according to claim 1 with a magazine for at least two projectiles, which magazine comprises a connecting device which, when the magazine is inserted in the reception area, is operatively connected to the first lever arm.

12. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the connecting device is a recess in the magazine, in which recess the protrusion of the first lever arm engages.

13. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the magazine comprises an adjustable holding device for the projectiles, which holding device faces the guide groove in a state of the magazine inserted in the reception area, transferable between a closing position (P5) holding the projectiles and an opening position (P6) releasing at least one projectile, and is in engagement with a release element of the magazine reception in the opening position (P6).

14. The combination according to claim 13, wherein the release element is a receptive protrusion and the holding device is a tiltably mounted hook, wherein one arm of the hook is configured for holding at least one projectile and the other arm of the hook is configured for tilting about a tilting axis.

15. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the magazine comprises an interior for receiving projectiles arranged one above the other and next to one another.

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

17. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the magazine comprises at least one projectile, which is a dart, preferably with springs at an opposite end facing away from an arrowhead, or a bullet.

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