Abstract: A crossbow including at least one trigger assembly that may have a string catch, a sear, a trigger actuator, and an anti-dry-fire mechanism. The anti-dry-fire mechanism can include (i) a bolt sensor movable between a bolt-absent position and a bolt-present position, and (ii) a linearly reciprocating sear latch movable between a latched position and an unlatched position and biased toward the latched position. The bolt sensor may be pivotably coupled to the sear latch so that (i) with the bolt sensor in the bolt-absent position, the sear latch is held in the latched position by bias force thereon, and (ii) with the bolt sensor held in the bolt-present position, the sear latch is held in the unlatched position against the bias force thereon. When in the latched position, the sear latch can prevent movement of the sear.

Abstract: A multiple-shot crossbow includes a mainframe, a riser, upper and lower bow limbs and bowstrings, and a trigger mechanism. The mainframe includes upper and lower rails, each for supporting and guiding a corresponding bolt. The riser includes a passage for accommodating loading and launching a bolt. The bow limbs are attached to the riser and the bowstrings are attached to the bow limbs. Each bowstring is arranged independently to be drawn from a brace position to a drawn position and then return to the brace position while launching a bolt positioned on the corresponding rail. The lower bowstring is movable within a longitudinal slot between the upper and lower rails. The trigger mechanism is attached to a rear end of the mainframe and includes upper and lower trigger portions, each retaining a corresponding drawn bowstring and then releasing it upon actuation by a user.

Abstract: A nock for an archery arrow or bolt. The nock includes a radial indention configured to be engaged by a biased retainer of a trigger mechanism of a crossbow to retain the arrow or bolt in a desired position relative to the trigger mechanism and/or a bowstring. The radial indention may optionally comprise a groove defined generally continuously around a circumference of the nock. The radial indention is exposed when the nock is coupled with an arrow or bolt such that the radial indention may be engaged by a biased retainer within the trigger mechanism. The nock may further include a generally planar rearward bearing surface configured for being engaged by a bowstring. The nock of the present invention may be suitable for use with a multiple-shot crossbow or a single-shot crossbow. Other aspects of the present invention are directed to a projectile, a projectile retention system, and a crossbow.