Bolt loader pliers and method of use thereof

A method comprising:

• possessing a crossbow having a bowstring, a bowstring locking mechanism, and a rail defining a groove;
• possessing a crossbow bolt having a shaft and a plurality of vanes mounted to the shaft;
• possessing an apparatus having a first member having a first portion defining a first handle and a second portion having a first surface defining a first cavity,
• a second member having a third portion defining a second handle and a fourth portion having a second surface defining a second cavity,
• said first and second cavities each having the shape of a cylinder segment,
• said first member being rotatable with respect to the second member between a first position and a second position;
• said first surface being closer to the second surface when the first member is in the first position than when the first member is in the second position;
• positioning the shaft with respect to the apparatus such that, when the first member moves to its first position, the first surface and the second surface cooperate with each other to retain the shaft of the crossbow bolt therebetween;
• moving the first member to its first position thereby causing the apparatus to retain the shaft of the crossbow bolt between the first and second surfaces;
• holding said first and second handles and moving the apparatus with the shaft of the crossbow bolt retained between the first and second surfaces such that at least a portion of the bolt is disposed within the groove.

An apparatus for use with a crossbow bolt having a shaft and a nock with a groove, the apparatus comprising:

• a first member having a first portion defining a first handle and a second portion having a first surface defining a first cavity;
• a second member having a third portion defining a second handle and a fourth portion having a second surface defining a second cavity;
• said first and second cavities each having the shape of a cylinder segment;
• said first and second members being operatively connected to each other such that the first and second members are rotatable with respect to each other about an axis;
• wherein the first member is selectively rotatable with respect to the second member about the axis between a first position and a second position;
• wherein the first surface and the second surface are sized and positioned such that the first and second surfaces cooperate to retain the shaft of the crossbow bolt when the shaft is between the first and second surfaces and the first member is in the first position with respect to the second member;
• wherein the first surface and the second surface move away from each other when the first member is moved from the first position to the second position;
• wherein one of said first and second handles defines a protuberance that is fittable within the groove of the nock and two concavities on opposite sides of the protuberance.