EP2745068A1

EP2745068A1 - Gravity-loaded target launching machine for archery

Info

Publication number: EP2745068A1
Application number: EP12751288.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte; Jean-Marc Fouques
Original assignee: Laporte Holding SAS
Current assignee: Laporte Holding SAS
Priority date: 2011-08-18
Filing date: 2012-08-07
Publication date: 2014-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2032-08-07
Also published as: FR2979142A1; EP2745068B1; WO2013023960A1; US20140318520A1; US9163913B2; FR2979142B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machine for launching discoid targets (2, 3) for archery, comprising a launch housing (7) capable of accommodating a first target (2), a launch device (4) able to move at least partially in the launch housing (7) and able to launch the first target (2) from the launch housing (7), and a feeder magazine (5) able to store a plurality of second and third targets (3, 14) awaiting loading into the launch housing (7), characterized in that the feeder magazine (5) opens into the launch housing (7) in the vicinity of the first target (2) able to be accommodated such that the second target (3) can be held in the feeder magazine (5) through contact with the first target (2) which at least partially opposes the effect of gravity. The invention will find an application in the automatic launch of several targets into the air in a row for archery competitions or training.

Description

Target launching machine for shooting

gravity loaded

The technical field of the invention is that of target launching machines for archery.

This discipline traditionally offers archers the opportunity to shoot at fixed targets. A target-launching machine allows the training conditions to be varied by launching the targets in order to offer a shot at moving targets.

A launching machine comprises, in general, a launching housing adapted to accommodate a discoidal target. A launch device is able to launch a target from the launch slot. During launch, the target rests, by its edge, on the launch device.

In order to automatically launch several targets in a row without intervention of an operator, such a machine advantageously comprises a feed store capable of storing multiple targets. Said supply store is typically able to deliver one target at a time. To can to be launched, a target issued by the food store must be loaded into the launch slot. The loading operation must be performed synchronously with the launch cycle, so that said target is not charged too early, with a risk of disrupting the launch of the previous target, nor too late, with a risk of reducing the launch rate.

These constraints can lead, in order to achieve means of transferring a target from a supply store to a launching slot, to mechanically / kinematically complex solutions or comprising a complex automatic control, which generates expensive and prone solutions. failing.

Target launching machines for firearms shooting are known. In this case the targets are of the "clay pigeon" type and are made from carbonates. The problem is then very different. In case of blocking a target in the launcher, it is easily broken, for example by the launcher, thus unlocking the machine. On the contrary, for archery, the targets are foam. They can more easily cause a jam or jam. It is therefore necessary to provide means for guiding and transferring targets that do not risk creating such a blockage.

The invention proposes a solution that does not have the aforementioned drawbacks. The basic idea is the use of the weight of the targets to achieve gravity loading. In addition, the target being launched in the launch slot is advantageously used to retain the next target in the feed magazine, and control at its launch, the loading of the next target. This advantageously results in a launching machine having no moving part or member, nor any control means for carrying out the loading operation.

An object of the present invention is a machine for launching iscoïdal targets for archery, comprising a launching housing, preferably extending according to a substantially vertical launching plane and, suitable for receiving a first target, preferentially in such a way that a face of the first target accommodates i coincides with said plane of launch, a mobile launch device and able to launch the first target from the launch slot, and a feed store capable of storing at least a second target waiting to load in the launch slot characterized in that the store feed opens into the launch housing at the first target capable of being received so that the second target is able to be maintained in the contact supply store of the first target that opposes the less partially to gravity.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the feed magazine is arranged at a height greater than the launching housing, so that a target delivered by the feed magazine is automatically loaded into the launching compartment by gravity. .

According to another non-limiting characteristic, the invention comprises a first target and a second target and a plurality of third target targets each comprising two parallel faces and at least one slice separating the two faces, the third targets being arranged in the store feeding one after the other and contiguous by their slice.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the launching housing extends along a substantially vertical launching plane capable of receiving a target, so that a face of the accommodated target coincides with said launching plane.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention the feed magazine is able to deliver the second target in the launching housing by sliding a face of the second target on a feed plane. According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the feed plane present with the launch plane an angle less than or equal to 45 ° and preferably cutting the launch plane along a horizontal line.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, said horizontal line of intersection is located below a high point of a first target accommodated in the launching housing, at a distance between 0 and-- of said high point. , where e is the thickness of a target and a is the angle between the sin power plan and launch plan, so that the portion of the target delivered by the power store rests on an upper edge of the target hosted in the launch slot.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the angle between the feed plane and the launch plane is greater than or equal to 5 °.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the feed magazine opens into the launching housing, preferably downstream of the launching device.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the feed magazine is configured so that the portion of the second target delivered by the feed magazine rests on an upper edge of the first target received in the launch slot.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention the launching housing comprises two parallel faces and spaced so as to receive a first target therebetween, the face is configured to form a guide stop capable of limiting and orienting the movement of the second target to ensure that the portion of the second target delivered by the feed store is based on an upper edge of the first target received in the launch slot.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the launching housing and the feed magazine are sized to accommodate targets with a thickness of at least 5 centimeters, to ensure that the second target portion delivered by the feed store rests on an upper edge of the first target accommodated in the launch slot.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the machine further comprises a feed chute, connecting the feed magazine to the launch housing, adapted to support and guide a target during its loading of the feed store in launching accommodation.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, said feed chute has, in a vertical plane perpendicular to the launch plane, a curved profile continuously connecting the feed plane at the output of the feed store and the launch plan. at the entrance to the housing of launch, to facilitate the switching of a second target from an orientation parallel to the power plane to an orientation parallel to the launch plan, when it is loaded into the launch slot.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the feed magazine comprises a cylinder, of substantially rectangular-shaped section, said rectangle corresponding to the diametrical section of a target, adapted to contain said plurality of targets, superimposed by their slice.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, said cylinder is made of tubes, arranged parallel to the movement of the second and third targets during their loading, so that the contacts between the second and third targets and the cylinder are reduced to parallel lines the movement of targets during loading.

Another object of the invention relates to a target distribution method comprising the steps of: disposing a first disc target in a launching housing storing a plurality of discoidal targets in a feed magazine adapted to receive a second target at one end lower opening near the launch housing characterized in that it comprises the steps of: maintaining the second target in the store by at least one support at its edge on the edge of the first target disposed in the housing of food ; launching the first target directly causing the removal of the maintenance of the second target in the food store; sliding and positioning of the second target in the launch slot.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description given below as an indication in relation to drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 to 4 show, in perspective view, an embodiment of a machine according to the invention in 4 successive stages during the launching of a target,

FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the profile of the interface between the launching housing and the feed store,

Figure 6 illustrates the extreme relative provisions of the feed magazine relative to the launch slot. Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the feed magazine is vertical.

According to FIGS. 1 to 4, a discoidal target launching machine 1 2, 3, 14 comprises a launching housing 7.

A target 2, 3, 14 is typically cylindrical and flattened. It has an essentially flat extension. In this plane, still called plane of the target, the target 2, 3, 14 is limited by a circular cylindrical contour or slice. In the direction perpendicular to said plane, the target 2, 3, 14 is limited by two planar faces, distant by a thickness e. The target is made of plastic foam, such as an elastomeric foam. It may comprise two circular faces arranged on either side of a central body. The two circular faces are preferably formed in a material having a lower density than the central body to receive and maintain the arrow at one of the two faces and blocking the crossing of the arrow at the central body. The indicative dimensions of a target 2, 3, 14 are a diameter of 25 cm, a thickness advantageously between 5 and 10 cm and preferably 8 cm. The indicative weight corresponding to these dimensions is 100 grams.

Launching Housing 7 hosts a first target 2 for launch. This launching housing 7 comprises two planar faces 12a, 12b, substantially parallel and spaced from the thickness e of a target 2, 3, 14 increased by a certain margin of tolerance, so that said target 2, 3, 14 can be easily placed in said launching housing 7 during loading, and then extracted at launch. These two flat faces are oriented so as to be substantially vertical when the machine is in operation. The flat face 12a disposed on the side of the launch magazine 5 is also called the launching plane 8.

The launch slot 7 also includes a bottom 13 at the bottom, which comes under the edge of the target 2, to vertically support the first target 2 against its weight. This bottom 13 may also comprise means for lateral positioning of the first target 2, such as here an upward curvature, in order to determine a substantially repeatable position of the first target 2 relative to a launching device 4. shape of the bottom 13 is also studied to control and predict the trajectory of the target once it launched. After loading, the launching housing 7 accommodates a first target 2, arranged vertically, with one of its faces substantially in coincidence with the launching plane 8.

The devel opment process 4 is already in progress. The displacement of the launch device 4 is at least partly in the launching housing 7. The launching device 4 comprises for example a rotary arm 4. The rotary arm 4 therefore moves at least on a potion of its rotation in the launching housing 7. FIG. 1 shows a machine 1, with a first target 2 loaded in place in the launching housing 7 and placed in front of the launch device 4. The launching device 4 describes a circular trajectory, comes into contact with the first target 2 present in the launch slot 7, then pushes in front of said first target 2, in the course of steps 2-3, in order to communicate a speed. At the end of the trajectory, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first target 2 continues on its inertia and is launched out of the machine 1, while the launch device 4 continues its circular trajectory, and returns to its initial position of Figure 1, ready to launch the next second target 3, which has come to replace the first target 2 in the launch slot 7, as will be described.

Once launched a first target 2, it is necessary to recharge the machine

1 by loading a second target 3 in the launch slot 7.

In order to be able to launch several targets 2, 3, 14 in a row without the intervention of an operator, the machine 1 advantageously comprises a feed magazine 5. This feed magazine 5 is able to store a plurality of targets 3, 14 while waiting to be loaded into the launch slot 7. The feed magazine 5 advantageously contains a second target 3 and a plurality of third target 14.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the feed magazine 5 is arranged at a height greater than the launching housing 7. Thus, a second target 3 delivered by the feed magazine 5, can be automatically loaded into the housing of launch 7, by gravity, simply under the effect of the weight of said target 3.

Preferably, the feed store 5 opens at its end the lower one near and preferentially directly at the launch slot 7. Advantageously, at the receiving zone of the first target 2 to launch. According to a preferred embodiment, the feed magazine 5 opens downstream of the launch device 4. Downstream refers to the direction of rotation of the launch device 4 and the area where the launch device comes into contact with the first target 2 to project. This provision limits the risks of blocking the launch device but goes against certain prejudices of the prior art that tend to think that the stacking of the first target 2 to be launched and the second target of the supply magazine 5 would come block the movement of the launch device 4.

According to another important characteristic, the feed magazine 7 is able to deliver one target at a time. This delivery is effected by sliding a second target 3, preferably mainly under the effect of its weight, on a sliding plane, also called the feed plane 9. At the interface between the feed magazine 5 and the launching housing 7, the feed magazine 5 is such that it guides and delivers a second target 3 according to said feed plane 9.

Preferably, the targets 2, 3, 14 are stored in the feed magazine 5, one after the other, superimposed by their edge.

According to the invention, the targets 2, 3, 14 are arranged in the feed magazine 5 with one of their faces resting on the launch plane 9.

In order that sliding by gravity can take place under good conditions, the supply plane 9 advantageously forms a plane descending towards the launching housing 7 and forms with the launching plane 8 an angle a less than or equal to at 45 °. Said angle α is measured around a straight line 10 of intersection between the launching plane 8 and the feed plane 9, this straight line being a horizontal line 10.

For an angle greater than 45 °, the stopping function of the next target 3 against the first target 2 in place in the launch slot 7, described below, may not be ensured.

On the other hand, the smaller the angle a, the better the descent function of the second target 3 is achieved by gravity in order to come into place. in the launching housing 7. The more the angle has reduced to zero, the more the orientation of the second target 3 according to the feed plane 9 at the outlet of the feed magazine 5, approaches its final orientation, according to the launch plan 8, in the launch housing 7, thus limiting its rocking movement and facilitating its implementation in the launch housing 7.

According to another advantageous characteristic, in that it eliminates any need for a means of sequencing the movements of the targets 2, 3, 14. A second target 3 is stopped in its descent and its introduction in the launching housing 7, by the first target 2, as long as it is present in said launch slot 7. Once the first target 2 launched, its absence allows and automatically controls the descent not gravity of the second target 3, which is loaded into the housing of launch 7, as soon as it is free. This guarantees an optimal sequencing of operations without any control device.

This is achieved, as long as a first target 2 is present in the launch slot 7, by a cooperation of the first target 2 with the second target 3. Thus the portion of the second target 3, delivered by the feed magazine 5 comes to rest and rests on an upper edge of the first target 2 still present in the launch slot 7, preventing the second target 3 from going lower, and maintaining it in the feed magazine 5.

The condition for this support to be realized is illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows the two extreme positions of the second target 3 with respect to the first target 2 between which it is guaranteed that the slice of the second target 3 rests on an upper edge of the first target 2. Each of these two extreme positions correspond to a relative height of the feed magazine 5 relative to the launching housing 7. This relative height is considered by the position of the feed plane 9 relative to 8. This amounts to considering the height position of the intersection line 10 between the feed plane 9 and the launch plane 8. This position is considered relative to a reference position, advantageously a high point. determined by a first target 2 in launch position in launch slot 7.

For Figure 6 left, the horizontal line 10 passes through the high point of the first target 2. The distance Δ considered is zero.

For the right figure 6, the horizontal line 10 passes below said high point, at a distance Δ equal to -, e being the thickness of a target 2, 3, sin

14 and a being the angle of inclination between the feed plane 9 and the launching plane 8.

This makes it possible to position the low output of the feed magazine 5 relative to the opening opening of the launching housing 7. An optimal positioning is in the middle between these two values, ie for a distance Δ equal to - -.

2. sin a

The targets to be launched are typically lightened to the maximum. They thus most often have a reduced thickness e. Unlike this trend of the prior art, the launching machine 1 according to the invention takes advantage of a use of targets 2, 3, 14 thick, in order to improve the blocking function of a second target 3 by a first target 2 in place in the launching slot 7. Also a target 2, 3, 14 advantageously has a more usable pa pa ry than past pa rle. Consequently, the launching housing 7 and the feed magazine 5 are advantageously sized to accommodate targets with a thickness of at least 5 cm. This increases the chances that the portion of the second target 3 delivered by the feed magazine 5 rests on an upper edge of the first target 2 accommodated in the launch slot 7.

The tolerance that makes it possible to guarantee said support is equal to ± - -,

2. sin a as seen previously, in the case of a centered assembly, with a distance Δ equal to - -. It therefore appears that this tolerance increases with

2. sin a

the thickness e of the targets 2, 3, and with a reduction of the angle a. This tolerance is to be compared with the positioning accuracy of a target 2, 3, 14 with the dimensional clearance between a second target 3 and the feed magazine 5 and / or between a first target 2 and the launching housing 7 . It has been previously seen that an angle has the smallest possible favors the displacement of the second target 3 and the third targets 14 in the feed magazine 5 and the loading towards the launching housing 7. However, so that a second target 3 is based on a first target 2 by an edge, and not by the edge, it is preferable that the angle a is not zero. The angle α between the feed plane and the launch plane is advantageously greater than or equal to 5 °.

Such an angle still allows a misalignment between the feed magazine 5 and the launching housing 7. Said offset releases a useful space for the displacement of the launch device 4.

According to one embodiment, the orientation of the feed plane 9 is common to the chute 6 and to the feed magazine 5 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5.

According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the orientation of the feed plane 9 is along the chute 6. The feed store 5 is advantageously oriented along a substantially vertical plane. In a general manner, the feed magazine 5 extends in this case along a plane parallel to the launch plane 8. This arrangement makes it possible to accentuate the effects of gravity while limiting the size of the machine.

An angle between 10 ° and 30 ° appears to be a good compromise between the two constraints of use of gravity and reduction of contact between first target 2 and second target 3 at a stop.

According to the invention, the face 12a of the launching housing 7 located on the side of the feed magazine 5 is configured to play a role in guiding the target 3 to be delivered. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the face 12a of the launching housing 7 prevents the second target 3 from being carried, when descending, directly into the launching housing 7 above the first target 2 to be launched. The face 12a forms a stop limiting the displacement of the second target 3 to be delivered. The second target 3 is not likely to support its slice on the edge of the first target 2. The risks of blocking the launch of the first target 2 and / or the movement of the launch device 4 are reduced.

It should be noted that the previous misalignment limits the risk of presence a second target 3 in the path swept by the launching device 4 and thus reduces the risk of jamming / stuffing of the machine 1 and facilitates the launching of a first target 2. The second target 3 is disposed relative to the first target 2, so that it does not interfere in the volume swept by the launch device 4. Thus the second target 3 does not interfere with the launch of the first target 2.

The reduction of the contact between first target 2 and second target 3 at a stop makes contact with the first target 2 substantially punctual. This reduces the risk of seeing a second target 3 hinder, by pressure or friction, the launching of the first target 2. In contrast, in the conformation of the machine 1 as described, the gravity support of the second target 3, and if necessary third targets 14, acting on the circular slice of the first target 2, produces, as soon as said first target 2 has begun its launch, a component in the direction of the launch trajectory which contributes to the said launch.

In particular, the displacement of the first target 2 causes the rotation of the second target 3 on itself. The pressure of the second target 3 on the first target 2 contributes to the displacement of the first target 2 by applying a horizontal component adding to that exerted by the launch device 4.

Advantageously, the second target 3 to be delivered is arranged in the feed magazine so as to be supported at several points of the machine to distribute the forces. The second target 3 is on the stop of the first target 2. The feed magazine 5 is configured so that the second target 3 bears on the edge of the first target 2 is in contact with the feed plane 9 on an area less than or equal to half of its surface. This arrangement helps to allow a sliding of the second target 3 into the slot 7 launch without risk of blockage even with a feed store slightly inclined relative to the horizontal.

During its loading, a second target 3 changes orientation from an orientation parallel to the feed plane 9 to a vertical orientation, parallel to the launch plane 8. In order to facilitate this change of orientation, a machine 1 according to the invention advantageously comprises, at the level of the interface between the feed magazine 5 and the launch housing 7, a feed chute 6, connecting the feed magazine 5 to the launch housing 7. Said feed chute 6 advantageously has, in a vertical plane perpendicular to the launch plane 8, a curved profile continuously connecting the feed plane 9 at the output of the feed magazine 5 and the launch plane 8 at the input of the launch housing 7. Such a shape, for example cylindrical, facilitates the tilting of a target 3 from an orientation parallel to the feed plane 9, at the outlet of the feed magazine 5, towards an orientation parallel to the launch plane 8, when it is loaded into the launching housing 7 .

Such a shape makes it possible to support said second target 3 during its loading by sliding and to guide it during its transfer from the feed magazine 5 into the launching housing 7. The support of the second target 3 on the chute 6 in the position illustrated in Figure 5 is advantageously by a linear portion of one of the faces of the second target 3. The latter is also in contact, by its edge, with an edge of the first target 2.

A cylindrical or circular section combined with a thickness e of the target facilitates the sliding and tilting of the second target 3. Indeed, the chute is configured to limit the contact of the second target 3 with the chute 6 to a line that located downstream of the center of gravity of the second target 3.

Such a shape makes a launching housing 7 of flared shape upwards at its opening. Such a funnel shape helps to load the second target 3, while forming a means of final positioning by automatic centering of the second target 3, as it descends into the launch housing 7, by gravity.

The feed magazine 5 advantageously comprises a cylinder section substantially shaped rectangle. This rectangle is adapted to the rectangular shape of the section of a target 2, 3, 14 cut along a diameter with a certain dimensional margin in order to allow translational movement of the targets 2, 3, 14 along a generator of said cylinder. Said cylinder is able to contain a plurality of targets, arranged one over the other, superimposed by their edge. The generator of such a cylinder may be of any shape. In order to ensure the successive descent of the targets 3 and 14 by gravity this form is descending towards the launching housing 7, so that each third target 14 is disposed higher than the third targets 14 which will be loaded before it. Likewise, this form advantageously does not have too great variations in orientation of the targets. Likewise, this shape does not advantageously have to meet the plan of evolution of the launch device 4. According to an embodiment illustrated in the various figures, said generator is rectilinear.

In order to simplify the implementation, to offer visibility of the second and third targets 3, 14, and to improve the gravitational sliding of the second and third targets 3, 14, said cylinder is advantageously made of tubes 11. These tubes 11 are advantageously arranged parallel to the movement of the second and third targets 3, 14 during their loading, Thus the contacts between the second and third targets 3,14 and said cylinder are reduced to lines parallel to the movement of the targets 3,14 during their descent to a opening at the bottom of the feed store 5.

Although it is described herein a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this mode, and that variations can be made within the scope of the invention. scope of the following claims.

REFERENCES

1. Machine

2. First target

3. Second target

4. Launching device

5. Food store

6. Chute

7. Launching housing

8. Launch plan

9. Power plan

10. Horizontal straight

1 1 .Tubes

12. a -12b Launch Housing Face 13. Background

14. Third Target

Claims

Machine for launching discoidal targets (2, 3) for archery, comprising a launching housing (7) adapted to receive a first target (2), a launch device (4) movable at least partly in the launching housing (7) and able to launch the first target (2) from the launching slot (7), and a feed magazine (5) able to store at least a second target (3) waiting for loading in the launching housing (7), characterized in that the feed magazine (5) opens into the launching housing (7) at the level of the first target (2) which can be accommodated so that the second target (3) is adapted to be maintained in the feed magazine (5) and rests by contact on an upper edge of the first target (2) which at least partially opposes the gravity.

Machine according to claim 1 comprising a first target (2), a second target (3) and a plurality of third targets (14), the targets (2, 3, 14) each comprising two parallel faces and at least one slice separating the two faces, the third targets (14) being arranged in the feed magazine (5) one after the other and contiguous by their edge.

Machine according to any one of the two preceding claims, in which the launching housing (7) extends along a substantially vertical launching plane (8) able to receive a target (2), so that one face of the target (2) hosted coincides with said launch plan (8).

Machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the feed magazine (5) is able to deliver in the launching housing (7) the second target (3) by sliding a face of the second target (3) on a plane of feeding (9). Machine according to the preceding claim wherein said feed plane (9) has with the launching plane (8) an angle (a) less than or equal to 45 ° and intersecting the launching plane (8) along a horizontal line (10). ).

Machine according to the preceding claim, wherein said horizontal line (10) intersection is located below a high point of the first target (2) accommodated in the launch housing (7) at a distance (Δ) between 0 and - of said high point, where e is the thickness of a

sin

target (2, 3) and a is the angle between the feed plane (9) and the launch plane (8).

Machine according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein the angle (a) between the feed plane (9) and the launch plane (8) is greater than or equal to 5 °.

Machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the launching housing (7) comprises two faces (12a, 12b) parallel and spaced so as to receive a first target (2) between them, the face (12a) is configured to forming a guide stop capable of limiting and orienting the displacement of the second target (3) to ensure that the edge of the second target (3) delivered by the feed magazine (5) rests on an upper edge of the first target (2) hosted in the launch slot (7).

Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the launching housing (7) and the feed magazine (5) are sized to accommodate targets with a thickness of at least 5 centimeters, in order to guarantee that the slice the second target (3) delivered by the feed magazine (5) rests on an upper edge of the first target (2) accommodated in the launching housing (7).

10. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a feed chute (6), connecting the feed magazine (5) to the launching housing (7), adapted to support and guide a second target (3). ) when loading the feed magazine (5) into the launch slot (7).

1 1. Machine according to the preceding claim in combination with any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein said feed chute (6) has, in a vertical plane perpendicular to the launching plane (8), a curved profile continuously connecting the plane of supply (9) at the outlet of the feed magazine (5) and the launching plane (8) at the entry of the launching housing (7), in order to facilitate the tilting of a second target (3) from a parallel orientation at the feed plane (9) towards an orientation parallel to the launch plane (8), when it is loaded into the launching compartment (7).

12. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feed magazine (5) comprises a cylinder, of substantially rectangular-shaped section, said rectangle corresponding to the diametrical section of a target (3), adapted to contain said plurality of third targets, superimposed by their edge.

13. Machine according to the preceding claim, wherein said cylinder is made of tubes, arranged parallel to the movement of the targets (3) during their loading, so that the contacts between the targets (3) and the cylinder are reduced to lines parallel to the movement. targets (3) during loading.

14. Method of distributing targets in a launcher according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the following steps: disposing a first disc target (2) in a launch slot (7)

storing a plurality of disc-shaped targets (3, 14) in a feed magazine (5) adapted to receive a second target (3) at a lower end opening near the launching housing (7)

Characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

maintaining the second target (3) in the magazine by at least one support at its edge on the edge of the first target (2) disposed in the feed housing (7)

launching the first target (2) directly causing the removal of the maintenance of the second target (3) in the feed magazine (7)

sliding and positioning of the second target (3) in the launching housing (7).