EP2001286A2

EP2001286A2 - Underwater hunting gun of the crossbow type with effortless string-drawing device and low recoil

Info

Publication number: EP2001286A2
Application number: EP07731855A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Claude Gillet
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-04
Filing date: 2007-04-02
Publication date: 2008-12-17
Also published as: FR2899060A1; US20100288254A1; FR2899060B1; WO2007116170A2; US8312869B2; ZA200808369B; WO2007116170A3; AU2007234648B2; AU2007234648A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an underwater hunting gun of the crossbow type with an effortless string-drawing device and low recoil. The gun uses push-rods (15) intended to tension elastic links (8). The push-rods (15) are placed laterally on a moving headpiece (11) activated by a lever-operated arming system (10). The elastic links (8) run freely around the push-rods (15) in such a way that the front ends of the elastic links are permanently and preferably fixed to the base (18) and the rear ends are fixed under no tension in a slot (17) of a bolt or arrow (3). The sliding of the moving headpiece (11) in the forward bolt-support segment (2) intensifies the drawing of the elastic links (8) from the back forwards over and under the push-rods (15) thus optimizing, at the time of firing, the range of the bolt (3) without any recoil of the crossbow through the fact that the bolt (3) is expelled in the manner of a whiplash. The crossbow incorporates a power regulator and an arrow rail offering stealthy firing suited to the range to the target.

Description

Title of the invention

Crossbow hunting rifle with effortless bandage device and low recoil

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the general field of underwater hunting rifles of crossbow type with bandage device, that is to say having elastic lateral propulsion links commonly called "bungees". The elastic links are attached to an arrow, for example in a notch located in the rear part of this arrow and bandaged by a mechanical process to propel the arrow. Advantageously, the bungees support a shell intended to be placed at the level of the notch of the arrow and whose role is to increase the inertia of the elastic links during a shot.

State of the art known

Known rifles, for example from WO02 / 052932, consist of an extended butt by a longitudinal boom support element, generally an arrow-carrying tube. The rear end of the longitudinal element arrow support can be embedded in the butt. The assembly formed by the longitudinal support element arrow and the butt may also be in one piece.

The rifle is generally provided with a mechanism for locking the rear end of the boom and an unlocking member of the boom, preferably a trigger trigger. The present invention relates more particularly to the bandage device of the elastic propulsion means consisting of at least two lateral elastic links of the bungee type.

In known rifles, the elastic links have two ends, a first adapted to be fixed on fixing elements and a second end adapted to catch in at least one notch formed on the rear part of the arrow. More particularly, in the WO document

02/052932, the boom support, for example an arrow support tube, supports a movable head piece including fixing elements on which can be fixed the first end of the elastic links, the movable head piece being slidable along the front portion of the boom support.

By positioning the moving head piece back on the front part of the boom support, easy pre-arming is allowed, that is to say without tensioning effort, by hooking the second end into the notch of the arrow.

The arming of the rifle is then effected by a lever arm which cooperates with a rod via a pushing and retaining device using the alternating buttressing of rods. The rod drives the movable head piece in translation along the arrow support. The bandage of the elastic links is then effected by a succession of pivoting of the lever arm which, thanks to the movable head piece, strips the elastic links in a single direction from the rear to the front end of the rifle. This process reduces the significant effort required to arm the rifle.

However, it is observed that many lever arm actuations are necessary to obtain the arming of the rifle and that the tension of the elastic links obtained remains insufficient.

Summary of the invention

The main purpose of the present invention is therefore to overcome such drawbacks by proposing a crossbow type underwater shotgun comprising a butt including a locking mechanism of the rear end of an arrow, an unlocking member of said boom, a longitudinal boom support element, elastic propulsion means comprising at least two lateral elastic links, one end of which is capable of being hooked into at least one notch in the rear part of the boom, characterized in that it comprises a device for bandage of the lateral elastic links comprising a cocking base fixed on the longitudinal boom support element and including fixing elements intended to receive the first ends of the lateral elastic links and a movable head piece including pushpieces arranged laterally on the piece movable head, said movable head piece being able to slide the lo ng of the boom support member under the action of a moving system of the moving head piece between a rear position allowing, after bypassing the pushers, to hang without tension in the notch of the arrow the second ends of the elastic links fixed at the base of the armament and an advanced position in which, when they are hooked in the notch of the arrow, the elastic links are stretched to the maximum by a stretch exerted, during the moving the movable head piece, at an intermediate portion of the elastic links bypassing the pushers.

This new improved bandage device of the elastic propulsion means makes it possible to increase the elongation or bandage of the elastic links during arming when the movable head piece slides along the front portion of the boom support member between a rear position. allowing tension-free attachment of the elastic links in the notch, and an advanced position in which the elastic links can be stretched more or less for a required boom propulsion power depending on the distance to which the intended target is located. The pushers pull the elastic links at an intermediate portion and thereby double the amount of stretch in distance relative to a one-way stretch. By "intermediate part" is meant any part of the elastic links located between the two ends which are, the first fixed to the base of armament and the second attached to the arrow. This increases the arming of the elastic links for the same actuation of the lever arm. This therefore results in either a higher arming power or a decrease in the number of lever operation cycles necessary to obtain a given power.

In the context of the invention, it is possible to provide a permanent attachment of the first end before the elastic links back pushers on the base. In general, the armament base is fixed on the longitudinal support element arrow in its middle part. Advantageously, it is recessed. It can also be integrated directly on the boom support. In the latter case, the first end of the elastic links is connected directly to a more or less median position of the arrow support. It is possible to provide that the displacement system is mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic.

In an advantageous embodiment, this displacement system is mechanical. The rifle is then such that the bandage device links lateral elastics comprises an arming base, fixed on the longitudinal boom support element and including the fastening elements intended to receive the first ends of the lateral elastic links, a movable head piece including pushpieces arranged laterally on the head piece mobile and intended to receive the lateral elastic links so that they freely bypass the pushers in one direction above the pushers to return in the other direction below the pushers and able to slide along the arrow support element between a rear position for hanging without tension in the notch of the arrow the second ends of the elastic links fixed at the docking base and received in the pushers and an advanced position in which the elastic links are stretched to the maximum when they are hung in the notch of the arrow and received in the pushers; the displacement system comprising a rod, the movable head piece being slidable along the boom support member by displacement of the rod in its longitudinal direction and a lever arm, the lever arm cooperating with the rod by the intermediate thrust and retainer device which allows to move the rod in the longitudinal direction under a pivoting action of the lever arm, and maintain the rod in an advanced position while the lever arm is returned to its initial position by reverse pivoting, so that one can achieve the bandage elastic links by sliding the movable head piece between the rear position and the front position by performing at least one pivoting of the lever arm.

Such a mechanical arming device is particularly adapted to the use of the rifle under water. It is particularly robust with regard to the various constraints of the aquatic environment.

In an advantageous embodiment, the elastic links freely bypass the pushers from the rear to the front above to return from the front to the back below.

The arrow being generally placed on the top of the boom support, such a configuration is particularly simple to handle. During the linear guidance of the movable head piece on the front segment of the boom support, the elastic links run on the pushers and are stretched from the rear to the front above the pushers and the front to the back below tappets. This has the effect of increasing the bandage of the elastic links for the same lever arm swing providing a decrease in the number of cycles necessary to obtain the maximum power of the elastic links.

In addition, the attachment to the docking base connects the front ends of the elastic links in return of the pushers and causes a resistive counterforce of the elastic links below the pushers in opposition to the force of expulsion of the boom by the elastic links at above the pushers. This produces a suppression of the recoil of the rifle during the shot obtained by a resistive counterforce "back-front" in opposition to the propulsion force of the arrow "front-rear". This is an important advantage provided by the invention. In addition, this gives more power and accuracy to the boom.

In addition, the invention makes it possible to lengthen the boom reach by an optimum support of the elastic links over almost the entire length of the boom support. Indeed, the fixing of the first end of the elastic links back on the armament base allows, during a firing following a complete armament, a total deployment of the elastic links over almost the entire length of the arrow support . This generates an optimum support of the boom producing more power, more reach, more precision whereas commonly, when the front part of the elastic links is fixed to the head of the boom support, the propulsion of the arrow ends at level of elastic ties before stretching that does not match the length of the arrow support.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the dimensions of the elastic links and, if appropriate, of a shell are adapted to the distance between the fixing of the first end of the elastic links and the pushers so that at the time of the expulsion of the boom, the elastic links regain their initial dimensions of rest just after the total crossing of the pushers. The dimensions of the elastic links and of a possible shell are decisive for allowing an amplification of propulsion power in the manner of a whip strap. With this feature, the unusable distance for the release of the elastic links is optimized. The objective is to allow a total deployment of the elastic links on the pushers during shooting. In addition to the optimization of the kinetic energy, this allows optimum support of the boom over the entire length of the rail located in the front part of the boom support. This provides more reach to the boom.

For example, the length of the elastic links before stretching is chosen according to the length of the arrow support and the distance between the attachment of the first end of the links and the pushers. When firing, the rear end of the elastic ties and passes the pushers as they reach their length before stretching. The elastic links instantly return to their original dimensions just after crossing the pushers at the end of the boom support rail. If their length is adapted, they reach their length before stretching when they cross the pushers. Up to this point, they accompanied the trajectory of the arrow.

A maximum speed of propulsion at the stall of the boom is then reached by instantaneous transfer of inertia after the passage of the second rear end of the elastic links and the possible shell on the pushers. Maximum kinetic energy is obtained. It can be seen that the kinetic energy is increased tenfold by a force transfer rotation of the elastic links in the manner of a whip strap producing an amplified ejection force of the arrow. Instant transfer of whipped inertia provides maximum angular velocity. This amplifies the jet power of the arrow by an explosive action in the manner of a whip strap. According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the rifle is such that the notch on the arrow is oriented towards the longitudinal support when the arrow is inserted into the rifle.

This improves the quality of propulsion by an expulsion without "buckling" or deflection of the boom during the whiplash expulsion with this new location of the notch "below" the arrow rather than commonly above. The release of the arrow is optimal: the arrow is released without restraint during the expulsion triggered by the elastic links which then relax under the arrow and do not force it at the time of its release, that is to say when the elastic links and a possible shell begin their rotation around the pushers.

Advantageously, after firing, the elastic links do not pass below the arrow support during firing. Their race is then stopped by the presence of the arrow support. Optionally, the boom support includes a specific shape for accommodating the hooking element on the boom support.

Advantageously, the notch is located near the center of gravity of the arrow. This further promotes the quality of the expulsion, including buckling and deflection of the boom.

Indeed, the invention provides a greater latitude for the disposition of the notch on the boom relative to the mechanism of known rifles. The propulsion support distance of the elastic links made superior by the ability to return the elastic links below the pushers on the base without passing below the arrow support allows to be able to substantially shift the notch arrow towards its center of gravity. There is then an improvement in the propulsion quality by an expulsion of the boom without "buckling" or arrow curvature. Such buckling is conventionally caused by an attachment of the elastic links on the rear end of the boom and the application of a direct power too large relative to the mass and the length of the boom to move.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the thrust and retaining device comprises rods for thrust and retaining the rod undergoing an alternating bracing on the rod by pivoting the lever. The push and retain links enable the rod to be moved and held in an advanced position corresponding to the movement distance of the rod resulting from the pivoting of the lever arm, while the lever arm is returned to its initial position by pivoting. reverse.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the rod is able to move in its longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal support member pushing the movable head piece. According to one embodiment, the movable head piece is slidable on a rail located in the front segment of the arrow support member between a rear position for hanging tensionless elastic links in the notch, and an advanced position. in which the elastic links are stretched to the maximum when they are hooked in the notch, so that the arming of the elastic links is carried out parallel to said boom support and the arrow.

With this characteristic, a linear guide is obtained in the longitudinal direction of the movable head piece.

The rail may consist of a single tube or multiple hollow or solid tubes in any form that can slide the movable head piece.

According to the invention, the movable head piece can take various forms adapted to the different structures of possible arrow supports. Thus, the movable head piece may take the form, for example, of a shoe provided with rollers enabling frictionless movement on the rail. It can also be constituted solely by the pushers themselves adapted to slide along the boom support.

In an advantageous embodiment, the base of the rail located in the front part of the boom support is completed by a longitudinal platform, the assembly forming an inverted T-section. The longitudinal platform then acts as a stabilizing "sandbag" to protect the elastic links against possible shocks and cuts and therefore contributes to the balance and aesthetics of the crossbow.

As for the rear part of the rail, it advantageously has an inverted U-shaped section favoring the resistance to the compressive and flexural stresses that will be exerted precisely on this segment of the rifle.

Also, the usual aesthetics of the rifle is modernized by having an inverted T section on the front part of the boom support and an inverted U section on the rear.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the pushers have a simple smooth surface in a cylindrical conformation on which one comes to place the elastic link. According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the pushers include one or more sheaves arranged in a circular or semi-circular profile or in an arc.

These sheaves can be chosen in the form of cylinders, cones or needles.

For example a set of needle sheaves of 1.5 mm in diameter arranged in a circular profile allows a free movement and almost devoid of friction elastic links tensioned on the pushers.

The objective is to reduce the friction of the elastic links during their elongation and retraction.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, a stop screw, adjustable and adjusted on the lever allows unblocking of the retaining link when the lever is maneuvered from the butt to a particular position called disarmament. Preferably, this disarming position can only be maintained by a manual and temporary action on the lever.

The position of the stop screw allows a partial or total release of the retaining link and makes it possible, in a semi-automatic manner, partial disarming to modulate the power according to the target or total disarmament at the end of fishing. In both cases, the disarmament is performed under the action of the tensile force of the stretched elastic links and braked by the regulating system.

This temporary action of the lever in a disarming position causes a return of the pushers back on the rail under the action of the elastic links returning the rod inside the damping tube in the manner of a piston in a cylinder. Profitably, the evacuation of water is performed by the rear of the damping tube and is limited by a small orifice of a determined diameter, for example of the order of a millimeter. This allows, by a brief action, a transient return of the pushers towards the rear of the rail in order to visually regulate the power of the elastic links according to the target and its distance and, by a prolonged action, a complete return of the pushers. rear of the rail to easily perform the manual removal of the preregistration for storing the crossbow, when it was not fired. In an advantageous embodiment, the rifle comprises a power regulator system actuated by the lever arm, the regulating system including a damping tube fixed on the rear part of the cocking base and receiving the rod in the manner of a piston in a cylinder, the damping tube being intended to be filled with water and having means for controlled evacuation of this water.

Such a regulating system makes it possible, during arming, a back rollback slowed by the water of the movable head piece supporting the push rods by returning the rod to the inside of the damping tube under the action of the tensile force of stretched elastic links.

Such partial disarmament is slowed by a reduced and constant evacuation of water. This evacuation can be done at the front of the tube by circulating the water around the stem, thanks to a clearance between the rod and the inside diameter of the damping tube, or at the rear of the tube, for example by a small orifice. The regulator system then allows a modulation of the visually controlled power since the pushers move.

According to a particular characteristic, the damping tube has, at its rear end, a water discharge valve intended to be open when the lever arm is in a so-called rearming position in which the retaining link is also unlocked.

With this characteristic, after firing, it is possible, in a manual manner, easy return of the pushers behind the rail to perform a new pre-arming, that is to say place the elastic links on the pushers and hang them in the notch of the arrow. Indeed, by putting the lever in the reset position, it ensures a constant release of the retaining link and the opening of the evacuation valve for suspending the braking. The rod can then flow freely in the damping tube.

The exhaust valve is preferably located at the rear end of the tube and advantageously has a dimension of the order of magnitude of the diameter of the tube. It then completely releases the flow of water present in the damping tube when the rod enters the tube. This total and unrestrained release of the water present in the damping tube when the rod penetrates it allows to stop any slowing down for a free manual return of the pushers.

Preferably, the rearming position is stable, for example, thanks to a lever locking catch that can be located on the stock. The opening of the discharge valve when the lever arm is in the reset position can be controlled by means of an element located on the lever and pressing on a trigger for opening the valve located on the tube. 'amortization.

The damping tube thus has a double effect, damping for partial or total disarmament and release of the translation of the pushers for rearming the rifle.

In an advantageous embodiment, the rifle includes an arrow launch ramp comprising at least two directional arrow rollers located on the support so that the arrow is guided during its expulsion with a minimum of friction.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the shooting which has become stealthy by means of the directional rollers which serve as launching ramp for the boom.

Advantageously, the arrow direction rollers are located on the longitudinal axis of the upper part of the boom support at distances that are adapted relative to one another as a function of the diameter of the boom.

The directional rollers then represent an improved launching ramp making it possible, during firing, to best guide the boom during its expulsion with a minimum of friction and in a furtive manner. In a practical implementation, the underwater shotgun is retractable thanks to a central hinge located at the base of armament.

It can be seen that, according to the invention, the armament base can integrate all the mechanical stresses thus becoming a real central unit of forces.

It supports indeed the resistive counter force of the elastic links when arming on the armament base by the bilateral attachment of the first end before the elastic links in return of the pushers. He may also suffer the constraints of the operation of the lever during arming and disarming and constraints of the thrust of the rod cooperating with the movable head piece translating the pushers. It can also be further stressed on a stroke limiter of the push rod in the form of a shoulder advantageously abuts against the base after a complete arming. Finally, it can also undergo, during partial or total disarmament, damping of the push rod in the double-acting damping tube when it is fixed on the armament base.

The weapon base can thus be conceived as a central unit of force. In this case, the invention makes possible the articulation of the rifle without prejudice to its operation. Indeed, the segmental force stress distance on the boom support is significantly reduced compared to conventional crossbows. The push rod in fact transfers the tensile force of the elastic links to the armament base by removing, in the armed position, the stresses on the front part of the arrow support until then observed in the known rifles. The hinge may be placed at the end of the weapon base towards the butt or, conversely, towards the front of the rifle.

In summary, the invention relates to an underwater speargun of the crossbow type with bandage device effortless and low recoil. The rifle uses pushers to tension elastic ties. The pushers are placed laterally on a moving head piece activated by a lever arming system. The elastic links freely bypass the pushers so that the first ends of the elastic links are fixed permanently and preferably on the base and the second rear ends without tension in a notch of an arrow. The sliding of the moving head piece, in the front segment of the boom support, intensifies the bandage of the elastic links from the back to the front above and below the pushers optimizing, when fired, the reach of the boom without recoil of the crossbow by an arrow expulsion in the manner of a whip strap. The crossbow incorporates a power regulator and an arrow launching pad providing stealth fire and adapted according to the distance of the target. Other features and advantages of the present invention (or the present improvements) will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a rifle according to the invention in a pre-cocked position, FIG. 2 a side view of a rifle according to the invention being cocked, FIG. 3 a side view. of a rifle according to the invention fully armed, Figure 4 shows a side view of the arming base in which abuts the shoulder of the movable rod at the end of arming and the attachment of the first end before the elastic links on the base in resistive counterforce, FIG. 5 illustrates the whiplash expulsion of the spear during a firing, FIG. 6 is a side view of the rifle according to the invention showing partial or total disarmament. Automatically with the lever in a temporary disarming position, Figure 7A is a side view of the rifle according to the invention showing the easy manual return of the movable head piece supporting the tensioning pushers after firing to access a new pre-armament by placement of the Fig. 7B is a sectional view AA of Fig. 7A showing the base of the inverted T-shaped rail 16. Fig. 7C is a view according to section BB of Fig. 7A showing the form of the rear part of the inverted U-shaped boom support, Fig. 8 shows a side view of an embodiment of the lever arm showing the possible adjustment of the stop unlocking the retaining link, Fig. 9A shows a possible configuration pushers using three sheaves in a semi-circular profile, Figure 9B is a side view of Figure 9A. The underwater rifle of the crossbow type according to the invention comprises a butt 1 incorporating a trigger 4 and a locking mechanism, not shown, integrated in the butt 1 adapted to retain the rear end of an arrow 3 when the latter is set up and engaged in the stick 1. The trigger 4 cooperates with the locking mechanism, so as to release the arrow 3 and trigger its propulsion when the trigger 4 is actuated. An arrow support 2 is for example integrated on the stick 1. On the arrow support 2, the arrow 3 is placed.

At least two elastic links 8 are arranged laterally on the boom support 2. A first of their ends is fixed, for example by screwing, on fastening elements 18-1, visible on the face of the rifle shown in FIG. and 18-2, disposed on the other face of the rifle and not visible in Figure 1.

The fixing elements consist, for example, of housings in lateral lugs of an arming base 18, surrounded in dashed lines and more precisely described in FIG. 4. Alternatively, one can provide various types of attachment of the first end of elastic links 8, for example directly on the support of arrow 2 partly more or less median.

The second ends said rear elastic links 8 are connected to each other by a fastening element 9 adapted to cooperate with one or more notches of the arrow 3. The notches are located below rather than commonly above to an expulsion of the arrow 3 without deviation and adapted to the characteristics of the rifle according to the invention.

A shell is advantageously secured to the second end of the elastic links 8 by means of conventional screw connections. It may also be strapped balls on the fastening element 9.

The rifle further comprises a movable head piece 11, laterally supporting pushers 15. As shown in FIG. 1, before any arming of the rifle, the movable head piece 11 is disposed at a rear position Al in the front part of the rail 16 of the boom support 2. The elastic links 8 are then brought so as to freely bypass these pushers 15 from the rear to the front above the pushers and from front to rear below the pushers. The first end of the links resilient 8 is then attached lateral fastenings 18-1 and 18-2 of the docking base 18 in return of the pushers 15.

A pre-arming of the attachment element 9 in a notch 17 of the arrow 3, shown in Figure 1, is then conveniently feasible. The rear part of the elastic links 8 without tension is then hooked via the fastening element 9 in a notch 17 of the arrow

3 when the moving head piece 11 is in the retracted position A1.

As shown in FIG. 2, in order to arm the shot, the movable head piece 11 is then slid forward. This has the consequence of amplifying the bandage elastic links 8, from the rear to the front above and below the pushers 15.

The pushers 15, fixed on the movable head piece 11, are immobilized in the transverse direction with a game arranged laterally on the rail 16 and can therefore only proceed forward and backward movement along the length of the rail 16 between a rear position Al and an advanced position A2.

This results in a maximum elongation or bandage of the elastic links 8, as shown in FIG. 3, using a series of means constituting, in combination with the movable head piece 11, a bandage device for the elastic links 8 The bandage device of the elastic links 8 comprises, secured to the movable head piece, a rod 12 extending parallel to the boom support 2. This movable rod 12 can be placed inside or outside the support arrow 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the bandage device of the elastic links 8 uses the alternating abutment of thrust rods 13 and retaining rods 14 on the rod 12, buttressed made using a lever arm. 10. The rod 12 is advantageously guided by guide elements 19 and 20.

The retaining link 14 cooperates advantageously with a spring 24 which ensures its correct operation. The push rod 13 cooperates with a drive element 23 fixed on an axis 26 placed on the lever arm 10. The assembly is advantageously supported by the docking base 18 fixed to the middle part of the support 2, for example by two screws or rivets 21 and 22. Located at this point, the armament base 18 is block with support 2. It is here advantageously designed so as to integrate all the mechanical stresses thus becoming a real central unit of forces.

When, as shown in FIG. 2, the lever arm 10 is pivoted between two positions B1 and B2, the moving head piece 11 carrying the pushers 15 slides in a rail 16 located on the boom support 2 to a position advanced A2.

The lever arm 10 thus translates the push rod 12 secured to the movable head piece 11 which supports the pushers 15 on which the elastic links 8 move under the effect of their elongation during the arming by displacement of the stem 12.

The lever 10 may be partially or completely embeddable in the rear segment of the boom support. As shown in FIG. 8, the lever arm 10 has, for example, a "winchester" lever shape. This shape allows it to be partially embedded in the support of arrow 2 when folded by pivoting. The lever arm 10 can extend backwards on a variable length depending on the model of the rifle. Its length is also dependent on the strength of the elastic links 8. It can indeed be realized more or less long depending on the maximum effort desired for the arming of the rifle. The partial arming of the boom 3 is made from the first maneuvers lever arm 10 shown in Figure 2.

The total arming of the jib 3 is completed after having performed additional maneuvers of the lever arm 10 without effort and with a single arm allowing the movable head piece 11 to be positioned at an advanced position A2 of the rail 16 shown on FIG. figure 3.

At the end of complete arming, a shoulder of the rod 12 advantageously abuts against the base 18 shown in FIG.

The dimensions of the elastic links 8 and the attachment element 9 possibly carrying a shell, are decisive for allowing a power amplification propulsion in the manner of a whip strap shown in Figure 5. At the time of shooting, during the unhinging of the boom, a maximum speed is reached by instantaneous transfer of whipped inertia after the integral passage of the rear end of the elastic links 8 and the shell 9 on 15. Advantageously, the elastic links 8 never pass below the arrow support 2. They are then stopped by the arrow support 2 at the moment of contact of the fastening element 9 with the arrow support 2.

As can be seen in the figures, the invention makes it possible to place the notch 17 oriented towards the arrow support 2, that is to say, downwards, when the rifle is in the position of conventional use. Thus, the shell 9, for example hooked in the notch 17, is located below rather than commonly above the arrow. This allows an expulsion of the boom 3 without deflection during the whiplash expulsion since the elastic links 8 find their initial dimensions instantly after the total crossing on the pushers 15 end of the support boom 2. This new bandage device thus allows a total deployment of the elastic links 8 over the entire length of the rail support boom 2 allowing optimum support of the boom 3 producing more power, more reach, more accuracy. Returned under the pushers 15 and not under the support of arrow 2, the first front end of the elastic links 8 attaching to the base 18 allows, during the firing, a resistive counterforce of the front to the back in opposition to the direction of the strength of the elastic links 8 from the back to the front above the pushers 15. This gives the advantage of a "recoilless" crossbow when firing. Indeed, when shooting with a conventional crossbow whatsoever, we feel an undesirable but unavoidable effect: the crossbow reacts, and moves in the opposite direction to that of the arrow. The only thing that stops him is the hunter.

Every hunter finds that the effort on the hand or on the arm depends largely on the mass of the arrow and the power of the elastic links and therefore on its speed; the fast and heavy arrows soliciting the "support" more than the light arrows.

The hunter knows the recoil depending on the support of the crossbow: hand, arm and shoulder, etc. It is necessary to distinguish the recoil force which acts on the crossbow and which is clearly identifiable from the reaction of the support, which depends essentially on the mass characteristics and rigidity of the latter. In theory, in the case of a conventional crossbow where the arrow is propelled by a one-way retraction of the elastic links that have previously stored the energy of the armament by their bandage, the longitudinal forces give rise to two forces. One is applied to the notch of the arrow and directed towards the front of the support, the other is applied to the movable head piece on which are fixed the elastic links and directed in opposite directions.

By neglecting the friction of the arrow, these two forces are equal in intensity but opposite. It is found that the force acting on the arrow is equal to the force acting on the crossbow, in other words, that action equals reaction.

The two forces being identical, one derives from the two preceding expressions a fundamental result in the study of the recoil, namely that the product of the speed of the crossbow with the mass of the crossbow is equal to the product of the speed of the arrow with the mass of the arrow. This can be written as: Q crossbow = Q arrow with Q, momentum expressed in Kg. M / s.

More than the "recoil force", it is the amount of movement of the arrow that quantifies the effects of the retreat on the hunter. Indeed, if the magnitude of the recoil force may possibly upset the hunter, it will have little effect on the movement of the crossbow at the start of the shot directly influenced by the amount of movement of the arrow.

Practically, the recoil is linked to the setting in motion of the arrow. The consequences of the recoil of conventional crossbows mean that efforts occur as soon as the arrow is set in motion since they necessarily induce movements of the crossbow and that these reverberate on the trajectory of the arrow. This disturbance is all the more important that the movement of the crossbow is important and that the travel time of the arrow on the support is large: low speed of the arrow over a long length of support.

The reduction in a point, for example the instantaneous point of support of the crossbow on the hunter, efforts of retreats lead to a moment and a force, variable in intensity and direction in the time. These efforts produce movements of the crossbow that are all the more damaging to the precision of the shot as the stabilizing moment, mainly the hand and the wrist, is weak. In addition, the hand, the arm, the shoulder are not homogeneous. When firing, the recoil movement of the crossbow constantly changes the location and characteristics of the points of support of the arbaite. It is therefore desirable that the disturbances related to the retreat can be integrated into the firing process and be compatible with the hunter's morphology.

The recoil is always embarrassing and, in some cases, it can also be dangerous for the hunter. This is particularly the case of certain crossbows of the extreme underwater hunting with elastic multi-links and for which the recoil forces are sufficiently important so that they feel hard the hunter during the shooting being able to occasion sometimes sprains or fractures of the wrist and fingers.

The attachment, according to the invention, of the first front end of the elastic links 8 on the cocking base 18 makes it possible to obtain a resistive counterforce below the push-buttons 15 without being below the arrow support 2. In particular, when firing, the pushers 15 allow, by fixing the first end of the elastic links 8 back on the lateral fastening lugs 18-1 and 18-2 of the base 18, a resistive counterforce providing a recoilless shot.

This resistive counter force is in opposition to the propulsive force of the elastic links 8 above the pushers 15 when firing is triggered. This removes the phenomena of recoil during firing. This gives more power and accuracy to the shot.

According to the invention, we have seen that the lever is a cocking lever, mechanical pre-arming but it can also be a semi automatic disarming lever, in particular to achieve an accurate modulation of the power.

In a semi-automatic manner, partial disarming according to the target or total at the end of fishing if no shot has taken place, can be achieved in a braked manner by releasing the retaining link 14 by means of a screw adjustable stop 28 shown in Figure 4. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the lever has a threaded hole receiving the adjustable stop screw 28. This adjustable stop screw 28 is adjusted on the lever 10 so as to be active when the lever is maneuvered from the stock 1 to a disarming position B3 shown on the 6. This position B3 can only be maintained by a manual and temporary action on the lever 10. The disarming position B3 is advantageously accessed by raising the lever 10 to the stock 1 from the end of the lever pivoting stroke 10 useful for arming. This position B3 is usefully marked on the base armament or on the butt by an indicator or by notches arranged on the pivoting path of the lever 10. For example, these notches can be practiced in the part of the docking station embedding the lever 10.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the adjustable stop screw 28 is adjusted to bear on the retaining link 14, for example L-shaped as shown in FIG. 4 during the operation of the lever 10 in a temporary disarmament position B3. The retaining link 14 then pivots to an unlocking position releasing the displacement of the rod in the longitudinal direction so that it is possible to modulate the arming or disarm completely the boom using the lever 10.

The temporary action of the lever 10 to the disarming position causes a return of the mobile head piece 11 back on the rail 16 pushing the rod 12.

Advantageously, the rifle is provided with a regulating system including a damping tube 25 fixed on the base 18 and in which the rod 12 is intended to slide.

During disarming, the rod 12 then slides inside the damping tube 25 fixed in the manner of a piston in a cylinder.

Profitably, the evacuation of water is performed by the rear of the tube 25 is limited by a small orifice of a determined diameter, for example of the order of 1 millimeter in diameter.

The disarming position B3 allows, by a short action, a transient return of the moving part head 11 to the position Al of the rail 16 in order to regulate the power of the elastic links 8 according to the target. It also allows, by a longer action, a complete return of the movable head piece 11 abuts the rear end of the rail 16 to the Al position to easily proceed to the manual removal of the pre-armament for the storage of the 'crossbow. The cocking rod 12 advantageously comprises a stroke limiter at its rear end giving it a stop function in the form of a shoulder coming to rest on the base 18 at the end of arming to prevent any forced thrust on the front end of the rail that could be damaged. A clearance is therefore provided between the front end of the rail and the movable head piece 11 in its most advanced position of the boom support 2 so that it is not the movable head piece 11 which abuts at the end of the rail under the effect of the total thrust.

The base of the rail 16 is completed by a longitudinal platform 32, the assembly forming an inverted T shown in Figure 7B which is a section AA of Figure 7A. This longitudinal platform 32 makes it possible to protect the elastic links 8 against possible shocks and cuts without the elastic links being able to pass below the arrow support 2. It promotes the resistance to stresses, the stability and the aesthetics of the set of crossbow. The rear part of the jib support 2, where the cocking base 18, the rod 12, the damping tube 25, and a part of the lever 10 are advantageously recessed, are advantageously in the shape of an inverted U, represented in FIG. CC section of Figure 7A. This gives great resistance to different constraints. Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 7A, after firing, the elastic links do not pass below the arrow support during firing. Their race is then stopped by the presence of the arrow support. Optionally, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the arrow support 2 comprises a specific shape intended to receive the fastening element 9 on the arrow support 2.

According to the invention, once a shot has been made, an easy manual return of the push-buttons 15 to the position A1 can be performed to carry out a new pre-setting.

It is possible, in the context of the invention, to provide an easy manual return of the moving head piece 11 supporting the pushers 15 when the lever 10 is placed in a so-called re-arming position shown in Figure 7A. The manual return of the push-buttons 15 is effected in an easy manner by means of a location of the lever 10 in a so-called reset position B4. This position B4 is advantageously stable. It ensures a constant release of the retaining link 14 and advantageously the opening of an evacuation valve for suspending the restrained water retention. This exhaust valve is for example located at the rear end of the damping tube 25 completely releasing the flow of water present in the damping tube 25 when the rod 12 enters the tube 25. It is advantageously a dimension of the order of the diameter of the damping tube.

The rearming position is advantageously provided, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, at the end of travel of the lever arm in its pivoting movement toward the butt.

It can be seen that it could also be advantageous if the positions B3 and B4 are situated on the side of the position B2 at the end of maximum pivoting stroke of the lever. Such choices and their implementation is within the reach of the skilled person.

The opening of the evacuation valve makes it possible to suspend the restrained water retention in the tube 25. The evacuation valve completely releases the flow of the water present in the damping tube 25 when the stem 12 enters the tube 25. The boom 3 is then reinstalled on the boom support 2 by engaging the rear end of the boom 3 in the stock 1, then the movable head piece 11 is manually slid towards the rear of the rail 16 to the position Al.

The elastic links 8 can then be hooked again without tension through the fastening element 9 in a said notch 17 of the boom 3.

To finish the rearming of the rifle, it is then proceeded to a series of maneuvers lever 10 to obtain a desired power.

An embodiment of the pushers 15 is shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 9A is a side view of a pusher 15 including three cylindrical sheaves 35-1, 35-2, 35-3 placed in a triangle in a semi-circular profile in order to reduce the friction of the elastic links 8 during their elongation or their withdrawal. In FIG. 9B, representing a front view, there is the symmetry of the pushers 15 on either side of the movable head piece 11.

The choice of different types of pushers depends on the length of the crossbows to equip. It is particularly interesting to provide pushers of one or more sheaves arranged on a profile P circular, semicircular or arcuate, shown in dotted lines. The diameters are advantageously chosen in the 1.5 mm diameter range, the sheaves are then commonly referred to as needles, at 16 mm, or more when only one sheave is used. The sheaves can also be selected conical or conventionally cylindrical.

Claims

A crossbow type underwater hunting rifle comprising:

a stock (1) including a mechanism for locking the rear end of an arrow (3) and a member for unlocking said boom (3),

a longitudinal element supporting an arrow (2),

- Elastic propulsion means comprising at least two lateral elastic links (8), one end of which is capable of being hooked into at least one notch (17) in the rear part of the boom (3), characterized in that it comprises a bandage device of the lateral elastic links (8) comprising:

An arming base (18) fixed on the longitudinal boom support element (2) and including fastening elements (18-1, 18-2) intended to receive the first ends of the lateral elastic links (8); A movable head piece (11) including pushers (15) arranged laterally on the movable head piece (11), said movable head piece (11) being slidable along the boom support member (2); ) under the action of a moving system of the moving head piece (11) between: a rear position (Al) allowing, after bypassing the pushers (15), to hang without tension in the notch of the arrow (3) the second ends of the elastic links (8) fixed at the level of the armament base

(18) and an advanced position (A2) in which, when they are hooked into the notch (17) of the boom (3), the elastic links (8) are stretched to the maximum by a stretching exerted when moving the movable head piece (11), at an intermediate portion of the elastic links (8) bypassing the pushers (15).

2. Underwater shotgun according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a bandage device of the lateral elastic links (8) such that the pushers (15) on the movable head piece (11) are intended for receiving the lateral elastic links (8) so that the elastic links (8) freely bypass the pushers (15) from the rear to the front above to return from the front to the rear below, said movable head piece (11) being slidable along the boom support member (2) between a rear position (A1) for hanging without tension in the notch ( 17) of the arrow (3) the second ends of the elastic links (8) fixed at the level of the cocking base (18) and received in the pushers (15) and an advanced position (A2) in which the elastic links (8) ) are stretched to the maximum when hooked into the notch (17) of the arrow (3) and received in the pushers (15); the displacement system including:

A rod (12), the movable head piece (11) being able to slide along the boom support element (2) by displacement of the rod (12) in its longitudinal direction;

A lever arm (10), the lever arm (10) cooperating with the rod (12) via a pushing and holding device which makes it possible to: move the rod (12) in the longitudinal direction under a pivoting action of the lever arm (10), and holding the rod (12) in an advanced position while the lever arm (10) is returned to its initial position by reverse pivoting, so that one can thus making the bandage of the elastic links (8) by sliding the movable head piece (11) between the rear position (A1) and the front position (A2) by performing at least one pivoting of the lever arm (10).

3. Underwater shotgun according to claim 2, characterized in that the pushing and retaining device comprises push rods (13) and retaining (14) of the rod (12) undergoing an alternating bracing on the rod (12) by pivoting the lever (10).

4. Underwater shotgun according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the rod (12) is adapted to move in its longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal support element of arrow (2) pushing the moving head piece (11).

5. Underwater shotgun according to claim 3, characterized in that a stop screw (28), adjustable and adjusted on the lever (10) allows unblocking of the retaining link (14) when the lever (10) is maneuvered from the butt (1) to a particular disarming position (B3).

6. Underwater shotgun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rifle comprises a power regulating system actuated by the lever arm (10), the regulating system including a damping tube (25) attached to the rear part of the docking station (18) and receiving the shaft (12) in the manner of a piston in a cylinder, the damping pipe (25) being intended to be filled with water and having means of controlled evacuation of this water.

7. Underwater shotgun according to claim 6, characterized in that the damping tube (25) has, at its rear end, a water discharge valve intended to be opened when the lever arm (10) is in a so-called reset position (B4) in which the retaining link (14) is also unlocked.

8. Underwater shotgun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dimensions of the elastic links (8) are adapted to the distance between the fastener (18-1, 18-2) of the first end of the elastic links (8) and the pushers (15) so that at the time of the expulsion of the boom (3), the elastic links (8) regain their initial dimensions of rest just after the total crossing of the pushers (15).

9. Underwater shotgun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rifle is such that the notch (17) on the arrow (3) is oriented towards the longitudinal support boom (2) when the arrow (3) is inserted into the rifle.

10. Underwater shotgun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable head piece (11) is slidable on a rail (16) in the front segment of the boom support member (2). ) between the rear position (Al) allowing to hang the elastic links without tension in the notch, and the advanced position (A2) in which the elastic links are stretched to the maximum when they are hooked into the notch, so that the arming of the elastic links is carried out parallel to said boom support and to the arrow.

11. Underwater shotgun according to claim 10, characterized in that the rail (16) consists of a single tube or multiple hollow or solid tubes.

12. Underwater shotgun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pushers (15) have a simple smooth surface in an at least partially cylindrical conformation on which one comes to place the elastic link.

13. Underwater shotgun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pushers (15) include one or more sheaves (35-1, 36-

1, 37-1, 35-2, 36-2, 37-2) selected from sheaves of cylindrical, conical or needle shaped arranged in a profile (P) circular or semicircular or arcuate.

14. Underwater shotgun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rifle includes an arrow launching ramp (3) comprising at least two directional arrow rollers located on the support (2) so that The arrow (3) is guided during its expulsion with a minimum of friction.

15. Underwater shotgun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the underwater shotgun is retractable through a central hinge located at the docking base (18).