|
The Crossbow
When the small lock is cocked (as shown in fig. 150), by pulling back
its curved trigger (R, fig. 149), the crossbow is ready for use.
By now pulling the front trigger (T, fig. 150), the hammer of the small
lock is liberated, and at once knocks upwards the long end of the lever
C C, see fig. 149.
Fig. 151. - The Catch Separate from the Lock and the
Projection B, that Forms Part of It.
This causes the short end of the lever C, C, to drop clear of the end
of B, at the notch near D, fig. 149.
As B is then free, the result is that the fingers of the catch instantly
tilt up into the position seen in fig. 149, and allow the bow-string to
escape from their grip.
Fig. 152. - Surface View of the Small Lock and
Its Springs.
The spring above H (fig. 149), presses down the longer half of the lever
C C, and thus causes its short end to retain the lower end of B safely
in the notch D, when the bow-string is hitched beneath the fingers of the
catch, as it is in fig. 150.
The spring above K, by pressing underneath B, keeps the fingers of the
catch always tilted up, ready for the bow-string to be pushed beneath them
by the stringing lever, fig. 149.
This spring K, is of service in another way. When the end of B is interlocked
with the lever C C, at the notch D, as in fig. 150, the spring K is then
bent hard against the end of B. When B, through the action of the front
trigger of the lock, is clear of the notch at D in the lever C C, then
K, as it recoils from its bent position, instantly throws up the fingers
of the catch and in this way gives a smooth and instantaneous loose to
the bow-string. |
