EP3430347B1 - Target launching machine - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in particular to a machine for launching at least one target making it possible to launch said target along a precise and repeated trajectory. Such a target launch device is known from the document. FR3016208 A1 .

A preferred application relates to the shooting sport industry and in particular to balltrap.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

In the field of the shooting sport industry, target launching machines are well known. Several models of target launchers exist and in many cases, precision of target ejection is not required. This is often the case with target launchers with rotating mobility. For these devices, the target launching machine only needs a launching plate, a launching arm and possibly a guide element to guide the target.

On the other hand, when the target launchers are fixed, the repeatability of the trajectories is more often required. For example, for Olympic disciplines or for "hunting courses" the repetition of a trajectory by a launcher is essential to allow fair competition. Indeed, in these disciplines one seeks to evaluate the competitors solely according to their marksmanship. Thus, there should be no discrimination between competitors through targets that are more or less difficult to reach or with a variable trajectory.

These stationary machines thus integrate, for example, a movable stop and a guide element.

The main function of the mobile stop is to keep the target applied to the launch arm by means of a return spring. Maintaining the target on the launching arm makes it possible to avoid shocks liable to break the target during the sudden acceleration of the arm for ejecting the target.

Incidentally the rolling of the target in contact with the movable stop and the launching arm makes it possible to fold the target against the guide element.

This solution is effective when the periphery of the target is perfectly smooth, and the launch pad is perfectly dry. In fact, when the launching plate and / or the periphery of the target have increased adhesion, as for example when water is present on the launching plate, the target does not position itself against the guide element. This then changes the expected trajectory of the target.

There is therefore a demand to improve the precision of the ejection of a target by a target launching machine.

The invention overcomes all or part of the drawbacks of current techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a launching machine as described in claim 1.

Advantageously, this machine is such that the launching arm comprises a finger provided with a contact part configured to be applied on a fourth portion of the periphery of the target in the armed position, the fourth portion being distinct from the first, second and third portions.

This arrangement advantageously makes it possible to apply a fourth constraint to the target. This constraint will force the target to position itself at a precise position along the launching arm. And those little important the shape of the periphery of the target, or the launching plate. The force exerted by the launching finger thus makes it possible to avoid the effects of suction cups, for example when the launching plate is wet.

The invention also relates to a machine in which the contact part is configured to exert pressure on the target having a non-zero component towards the guide element.

Advantageously and always with the aim of guaranteeing the target a starting position along the identical launching arm, the contact part will push the target against the guide element.

Thus, the target finds itself in abutment against the guide element, the launching arm and the finger. The precise position allowing this simultaneous contact is unique. Thus, the target is always positioned in the same place of the launching arm.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF FIGURES

• la figure 1 montre une réalisation préférée de l'invention et dans laquelle le doigt comprend une portion de contact rectiligne ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus d'une réalisation alternative de l'invention dans laquelle le doigt à une forme de coude.
• Les figures 3a à 3e montrent les vues d'étapes, permettant de passer d'une étape d'approvisionnement en cible à une position armée de la machine de lancement de cibles. Ces vues montrent ces étapes incluant une première réalisation de l'invention.
• Les figures 4a à 4f montrent les vues d'étapes, permettant de passer d'une étape d'approvisionnement en cible à l'éjection de la cible. Ces vues montrent ces étapes incluant une réalisation alternative de l'invention.
• Les figures 5a à 5d illustrent des étapes successives d'un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ; la figure 5e est une vue en écorché de la figure 5d ;
• La figure 6 montre une machine de l'art antérieur.

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and with reference to the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples and in which:

• the figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which the finger comprises a rectilinear contact portion;
• the figure 2 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the finger has an elbow shape.
• The figures 3a to 3e show the step views, allowing you to move from a target supply step to an armed position of the target launch machine. These views show these steps including a first embodiment of the invention.
• The figures 4a to 4f show step views, allowing you to move from a target supply step to target ejection. These views show these steps including an alternative embodiment of the invention.
• The figures 5a to 5d illustrate successive steps of another embodiment of the invention; the figure 5e is a cutaway view of the figure 5d ;
• The figure 6 shows a machine of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

• la partie de contact est configurée pour exercer un appui sur la cible ayant une composante non nulle en direction de la butée mobile ;
• la partie de contact du doigt est située plus près de l'axe de rotation du bras de lancement que la partie d'éjection dudit bras de lancement ;
• la partie de contact est rectiligne ;
• la partie d'éjection est rectiligne suivant un axe longitudinal ;
• l'axe longitudinal et la partie de contact du doigt forment un angle α non nul.
• l'angle α est compris entre 5° et 45°, de préférence entre 8° et 16° et de préférence 12° ;
• le doigt comprend un corps allongé dont une portion distale forme au moins en partie la partie de contact ;
• Le doigt est formé d'une pièce monolithique
• le coefficient de frottement de la partie d'éjection sur la cible est supérieur à celui de la partie de contact du doigt sur la cible ;
• la matière du doigt est avantageusement un alliage d'aluminium ;
• la butée mobile est configurée pour exercer une force sur la deuxième portion du pourtour de la cible en direction de la partie d'éjection du bras de lancement ;
• au moins le contact de la machine sur au moins l'une parmi les première, deuxième, troisième et quatrième portions est ponctuel dans un plan parallèle à un plan de plaque de lancement. ;
• la fin de l'étape de passage position armée du bras de lancement déclenche automatiquement la deuxième rotation ;
• la deuxième rotation est déclenchée manuellement par un utilisateur.
• la machine comprend un dispositif de libération de la cible 300 configuré pour que la butée mobile 110 ne s'applique plus sur la cible 300 dans une position angulaire prédéfinie du bras 200 située en aval de la position armée suivant le sens de rotation du bras 200 ;
• le dispositif de libération comprend une première butée 117 portée par la butée mobile 110 et une deuxième butée 213 portée par le bras 200, la deuxième butée 213 étant configurée pour exercer une poussée sur la première butée 117 à partir de la position angulaire prédéfinie ;
• la deuxième butée 213 est située sur le doigt 210 ;
• la deuxième butée 213 est configurée pour ne plus exercer la poussée sur la première butée 117 après un secteur angulaire prédéterminé suivant la position angulaire prédéfinie ;
• la position angulaire prédéfinie est configurée pour correspondre à une position de la cible 300 au contact d'une partie située au niveau ou en amont d'une extrémité distale 122 de l'élément de guidage 120.

Before entering into the detail of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference in particular to the drawings, other optional features of the invention, which can be implemented in combination in any combination or in an alternative, are indicated below:

• the contact part is configured to exert pressure on the target having a non-zero component in the direction of the movable stop;
• the contact part of the finger is located closer to the axis of rotation of the launch arm than the ejection part of said launch arm;
• the contact part is straight;
• the ejection part is rectilinear along a longitudinal axis;
• the longitudinal axis and the contact part of the finger form a non-zero angle α.
• the angle α is between 5 ° and 45 °, preferably between 8 ° and 16 ° and preferably 12 °;
• the finger comprises an elongated body, a distal portion of which at least partially forms the contact portion;
• The finger is formed of a monolithic piece
• the coefficient of friction of the ejection part on the target is higher than that of the contact part of the finger on the target;
• the material of the finger is advantageously an aluminum alloy;
• the movable stopper is configured to exert a force on the second portion of the periphery of the target in the direction of the ejection part of the launching arm;
• at least the contact of the machine on at least one of the first, second, third and fourth portions is punctual in a plane parallel to a plane of launching plate. ;
• the end of the armed position transition stage of the launching arm automatically triggers the second rotation;
• the second rotation is triggered manually by a user.
• the machine comprises a target release device 300 configured so that the movable stop 110 no longer applies to the target 300 in a predefined angular position of the arm 200 located downstream of the armed position in the direction of rotation of the arm 200 ;
• the release device comprises a first stop 117 carried by the movable stop 110 and a second stop 213 carried by the arm 200, the second stop 213 being configured to exert a thrust on the first stop 117 from the predefined angular position;
• the second stop 213 is located on the finger 210;
• the second stop 213 is configured to no longer exert the thrust on the first stop 117 after a predetermined angular sector according to the predefined angular position;
• the predefined angular position is configured to correspond to a position of the target 300 in contact with a part situated at or upstream of a distal end 122 of the guide element 120.

• Doigt : pièce de forme quelconque servant d'appui ou d'arrêt à une autre ;
• Trajectoire d'éjection : la trajectoire suivie par une cible lors de son éjection ;
• Faible coefficient de frottement : un coefficient de frottement inférieur à celui de l'aluminium sur une cible, notamment un pigeon d'argile.

For a good understanding of the invention, the following definitions are used:

• Finger: piece of any shape serving as support or stop for another;
• Ejection trajectory: the trajectory followed by a target during its ejection;
• Low coefficient of friction: a coefficient of friction lower than that of aluminum on a target, in particular a clay pigeon.

The invention relates to a machine for launching at least one target having a reproducible ejection trajectory. The object of the invention is thus to precisely control the ejection trajectory of the target.

The target launching machine thus advantageously comprises a launching plate 100 and a launching arm 200 as well as at least one target
300. Advantageously, the targets 300 are included in a store (not visible in the figures). This store can in particular be a barrel with several columns in stack of targets. Thus, the machine can carry a large number of targets 300. This is particularly useful during competitions or hunting routes. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the store supplies the launch arm 200 with a single target 300 at a time.
Examples of components of the invention are given below, without implied limitation.

Target 300

The target 300 may be of the “clay pigeon” type and is preferably capable of being broken when the shooter reaches it. The target 300 includes a periphery 301, a lower face and an upper face of the target 302. Advantageously, the target is based on resins. The periphery 301 of the target 300 corresponds to the connecting portion between the lower face and the upper face of the target 302. Thus, the periphery 301 of the target corresponds to the thickness dimension of the target 300. Advantageously and preferably, the upper 302 and lower faces are parallel. In one embodiment of the invention, the upper face 302 and the lower face of the target are of identical diameters. In this embodiment, the periphery 301 is advantageously included in a plane perpendicular to the plane comprising the upper 302 and lower faces of the target 300.

In another preferred embodiment of the target 300, the upper face 302 has a diameter less than that of the lower face. In this hypothesis, the periphery 301 may be circular and of straight section or not. When the edge portion 301 is not straight it can advantageously comprise at least one step and preferably a succession of steps, configured to reduce the diameter of the edge in the direction of the upper face.

Launch support

The launching support comprises a launching plate 100, a movable stop 110 and a guide element 120.

Advantageously, the launching plate 100 comprises a distal border 103, a proximal border 104, a first part 101, a second part 102, an internal border 105, and an external border 106

Preferably, the launching plate 100 is flat. It advantageously comprises a first part 101 and a second part 102. The second part 102 preferably comprises the distal edge 103 of the launching plate 100, said distal edge 103 corresponding to the end not connected to the machine. When ejecting a target 300, the last part of the machine in contact with the target 300 will be said second part 102. In order to guarantee the most perfect speed and trajectory possible, the second part 102 is smooth. The aim here is to avoid trajectory deviations as much as possible due to obstacles or roughness.

In a preferred embodiment, the second part 102 is made of stainless steel or steel with a zinc coating.

The first part 101 is connected to the machine. It advantageously comprises the proximal end of the launching plate 104. It is said first part 101 which will receive the target 300 when supply from the store, and it is also this first part 101 which will advantageously support the movable stop 110 and the guide element 120. In other embodiments of the invention, the movable stop 110 and the element guide 120 are carried by the chassis of the machine and not by the launching plate 100.

The launching plate 100 is preferably made of metal, or of a metal alloy. Thus, the plate can be made of steel, aluminum or composite materials.

Advantageously, the launching plate 100 has a substantially bent shape. This angled shape allows the target 300 to have a support during the entire rotation of the launch arm 200. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the launch plate 100 has a different shape. It can for example be of a diamond shape.

In the preferred embodiment, and because of its substantially bent shape, the edges extending between the distal edge 103 and the proximal edge 104 are not of identical sizes.

Advantageously, the inner border 105 will be called, the border extending between the distal border 103 and the proximal border 104, the size of which is the smallest.
Conversely, the outer border 106 is the border connecting the proximal border 104 and the distal border 103, the size of which is the largest.

Finally, in the preferred embodiment, the first part 101 and the second part 102 each represent 50% of the total surface of the launching plate 100. According to other embodiments, the distribution between first part 101 and second part 102 does not is not identical.

The mobile stop 110

Advantageously, the movable stop 110 comprises an external surface 111, an internal surface 112, a return element 113, a distal end 114, a proximal end 115 as well as an axis of rotation 116.

The movable stop 110 is advantageously positioned on the first part 101 of the launching plate 100. More specifically, the movable stop 110 is positioned near the inner edge 105 on the first part 101.

The movable stop 110 advantageously comprises an interior surface 112, an exterior surface 111, a distal end 114, a proximal end 115 as well as a return element 113 and an axis of rotation 116.

The movable stop 110 advantageously has the shape of a claw. So the end proximal 115 of the movable stop 110 is the end closest to the proximal edge 104 of the launching plate 100. Conversely, the distal end 114 of the movable stop 110 is the end furthest from the proximal end 115.

Advantageously, between the two ends, the movable stop 110 has a substantially straight portion and a curved portion. The proximal end 115 is in this configuration the end included in the substantially rectilinear part. The distal end 114 is the opposite end, that is to say the end of the curved part. The movable stop 110 preferably having a curved part, the inner and outer surfaces connecting each of the ends do not have an identical length. Therefore, the outer surface 111 is called the longest surface. Advantageously, the outer surface 111 is oriented facing the first part 101 of the launching plate 100. Conversely, the inner surface 112 comprises the smallest dimension between the two ends of the movable stop 110. The inner surface 112 is in this embodiment facing the outer edge 106 of the launching plate 100.

The distal end 114 of the movable stop 110 will be in contact with the target 300. And preferably it is the interior surface 112 of the distal end 114 which is in contact with a second portion of the periphery 301 of the target 300 .

The stop is rotatably mounted on the first part 101 of the launching plate 100. To do this, said stop comprises, on the substantially straight part near the curved part, an axis of rotation 116 visible at figures 3a and 4a especially. This axis of rotation 116 is perpendicular to the plane in which the launching plate 100 is included.

Advantageously, the proximal end 115 of the movable stop 110 is connected to a first end of the return element 113. The second end of the return element 113 is advantageously fixed to the launching plate 100.

Preferably, the return element 113 is fixed on the first part 101 of the launching plate 100. More specifically, this return element 113 is fixed around the junction between the inner edge 105 and the proximal edge 104 of the launching plate 100. The return element 113 comprises a deformable part having a high coefficient of elasticity. At rest, the return element 113 is configured to maintain the return stop in a first position. For example, the return element 113 may be a spring.

In action, when the movable stop 110 moves from a first position to a second position, the return element 113 is configured to bring back the stop mobile
110 from the second position to the first position. Advantageously and without limitation, by passing from a first position to passing from a second position of the movable stop 110, we will mean the displacement of the proximal end 115 of the movable stop 110 towards the outer edge 106 of the launching plate 100. In this configuration, when the proximal end 115 of the movable stop 110 makes a movement in the direction of the outer edge 106, the distal end 114 of the movable stop 110 makes a movement in the direction of the edge inside 105 of the launching plate 100. This movement is preferably articulated around an axis of rotation 116.

Advantageously, all of these characteristics of the movable stop 110 allow said movable stop 110 to exert a pressure point on the periphery 301 of the target 300 in the direction of the proximal edge 104 of the launching plate 100.

According to an option visible to figures 5a to 5e , the movable stop 110 carries a first stop 117 able to cooperate with a second stop 213 carried by the finger 210. This participates in forming an embodiment of a target release device 300 relative to the movable stop 110 in a angular position of the arm 200 located downstream of the armed position in the direction of rotation of the arm 200. The stop 117 can be a fixed surface relative to the rest of the movable stop 110 or, as in the figure 5a , comprise a ring rotatably mounted on an axis integral with the body of the movable stop 110.

Guide element 120

Advantageously, the launching plate 100 also includes a guide element 120. The guide element 120 is positioned on the first part 101 of the launching plate 100. In each of these embodiments, and preferably the guide element 120 is located near the outer edge 106 of the launch plate 100.

Advantageously, the guide element 120 is concave curvilinear and preferably an arc of a circle. The purpose of the guide member 120 is to guide the target
300 during its ejection by the launching arm 200. Preferably the guide element 120 is held on the launching plate 100 by at least two screws, including one screw at the end of the guide element 120 la closer to the distal edge 103 of the launch plate 100. So Preferably, the guide element 120 is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction.

In another embodiment of the invention the guide element 120 is made of any material, but comprises a coating with a low coefficient of friction.
The contact between the guide element 120 and the target 300 is advantageously made on a first portion of the periphery 301 of the target 300.

The launch arm 200

The launching arm 200 advantageously comprises an ejection part 201, a fixing part 202 and a finger 210.
Advantageously, the fixing part 202 comprises an axis of rotation of the launching arm 204. This axis of rotation of the launching arm 204 is, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, located outside the inner edge 105 of the first part 101 of the launching plate 100. The connection between the launching arm 200 and the launching machine is effected by means of this axis of rotation 204. In another embodiment of the invention, the axis of rotation of the launch arm 204 is carried by launch plate 100.

Advantageously, the axis of rotation 204 of the launching arm is perpendicular to the plane comprising the launching plate 100. Preferably, the launching arm 200 is included in a plane parallel to the plane comprising the launching plate 100 and preferably au- above the latter.

The ejection portion 201 of the launch arm 200 may include a contact portion 206 configured to be applied to the target during its push. Advantageously, the ejection portion 201 is rectilinear along a longitudinal axis 205. The longitudinal axis 205 preferably extends along the length dimension of the launching arm 200. Advantageously, the longitudinal axis 205 is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the launch arm 204.

For example, the contact portion 206 is a surface of the launch arm 200 in contact with the target 300. Preferably the contact between the target 300 and the launch arm 200 takes place on a fourth portion of the periphery 301 of the target 300.

In a preferred embodiment, the contact portion 206 comprises a strip 203. In this embodiment, the strip 203 is interposed between the target 300 and the contact portion 206. It is in particular this embodiment which is shown in the figures. Advantageously and non-exhaustively, the strip 203 is made of a material with a high coefficient of friction or comprises a coating with high coefficient of friction. The material or the coating of the strip 203 can thus for example be an elastomer (rubber, polyurethane).

According to one embodiment, the arm 200 comprises a main body, for example metallic, connected to a shaft which drives it in rotation, at the axis 204.

Finger 210

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the finger 210 is a part exerting an additional support on the target, in particular by modifying the angle between the ejection part 201 and the target 300. We have said previously that a portion of the ejection part 201 was preferably rectilinear along a longitudinal axis 205. It thus has an angle of 0 °. The finger 210 in the preferred embodiment of the invention changes this angle on another portion of the arm. The finger 210 comprises in a preferred case a straight contact portion 211. Thus the ejection part 201 is no longer along a single line, but comprises an angle called α. This angle α can be between 5 ° and 45 ° and is preferably 12 °. The angle α being advantageously turned towards the axis of rotation of the launching arm 204.

The finger 210 is advantageously made of a material with a low coefficient of friction, or has a coating with a low coefficient of friction. In this embodiment, the finger 210 can be an attached element fixed to the launching arm 200 in several ways. For example, part of the finger 210 can extend under the launch arm 200 and be fixed below. For example, if the arm 200 has a main body, the finger 210 can be attached to the underside of the body; it then forms an additional thickness of the arm 200, directed opposite the launching plate 100. The figure 5e makes this option explicit, with a finger 210 in the form of a plate attached to the body of the arm, by its underside.

In another hypothesis, the finger 210 can be fixed directly on the edge of the launching arm 200. In any event, the finger 210 is in contact with a fourth portion of the periphery 301 of the target 300. Advantageously, this modification of the 'angle of the part in contact with the target 300 allows, during the rotation of the launch arm 200, to exert a force on the target 300 moving said target 300 towards the guide element 120. And more precisely towards the end of the guide element closest to the distal edge 103 of the launching plate 100.

The advantage of this embodiment is that the finger 210 is suitable for all target diameters.

Finally, in another embodiment, the finger 210 and the launching arm 200 are formed of a monolithic part.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the finger 210 is produced by an elongated element, for example in the form of an elbow. In this embodiment, the finger 210 includes an end of contact with the target. Advantageously, this contact end is made of a material or comprises a coating with a low coefficient of friction. In addition, a roller may be present at the contact end in order to make said contact. In this embodiment, the end of the finger 210 opposite the contact end is mounted on the launching arm 200. In addition, this other end is preferably articulated around an axis of rotation of the finger. The axis of rotation of the finger being parallel to the axis of rotation of the arm 204. In this embodiment the elbow is oriented towards the inner edge 105 of the launching plate 100. The main advantage of this angled shape is that it accentuates the thrust of the finger 210 against the target 300 in the direction of the guide element 120.

The purpose of the finger 210 is still to force the target 300 to be positioned against the guide element 120. In this embodiment, the finger 210 is advantageously articulated in rotation in order to adapt to all the target diameters. The adaptation to said diameter can be done manually. In this case, a user adjusts the finger 210 so that its contact end bears on the target 300 and tightens the other end of the finger by means, for example, of a screw and a nut.

In the following description, other variants of the finger 210 are given, in particular with reference to figures 5a to 5e .

The positioning of the contact points with the target 300

According to the preferred embodiment, the lower surface of the target 300 is included in a plane parallel to the plane comprising the launching plate 100. Nevertheless, the target 300, resting on the launching plate 100, is located above said launching plate. launch.

Advantageously but not limited to, the movable stop 110 and more particularly the distal end 114 and the guide element 120 and more particularly the inner surface of the guide element 121 are in a similar plane, and parallel to the plane of the plate 100. This plane is positioned relative to the target 300 above the lower surface, but on a lower part of the periphery 301 of the target 300. Thus, the contacts of the first and the second portions of the periphery 301 of the target 300 with the inner surface of the guide element 121 and the distal end 114 are made on the lower part of the periphery 301 of the target 300.

In the hypothesis where the periphery 301 of the target 300 comprises at least one step, then the contact between the first and the second portion of the periphery of the target with respectively the internal surface of the guide element 121 and the distal end 114 is done on one of the first steps starting from the bottom surface of the target. Preferably the contacts are made on the first step starting from the lower surface of the target.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the ejection part 201 and the finger 210 are provided for support in the same plane and parallel to the plane of the launching plate 100. In this embodiment, the ejection part 201 and the finger 210 make contact respectively on the third and the fourth portion of the periphery 301 of the target 300. The third and the fourth portions are advantageously located on an upper part of the periphery 301 and therefore above the first and second portions of the periphery 301 of the target 300. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the launching arm 200 and the finger 210 are included in parallel planes situated one above the other. In this embodiment, the finger 210 is advantageously on the launching arm 200.

Other embodiments are of course possible for the operation of the invention, for example by assigning independent and parallel planes to the ejection part, to finger 210, the internal surface of the guide element 121 and to the distal end 114. Nevertheless, in all these embodiments, the launching arm 200 and the finger 210 is in one or more planes situated above the plane or planes of the distal end 114 and of the internal surface of the element of guide 121. The purpose of this offset is that during the rotation of the launch arm 200, the latter can pass over the guide element 120 and the movable stop 110.

In general, the four support portions of the target should be located on angularly distinct areas of the target. That is to say at different locations from this advantageously circular periphery 301. The use of the target launching machine advantageously comprises a supplying step, a step of passing the launching arm 200 into the armed position and a position for ejecting the target 300.

The supply stage

At the start of the procurement stage ( figures 3a and 4a ) the target is supplied by a magazine (not visible in the figure) and comes to rest on the first part 101 of the launching plate 100. Advantageously, the target 300 rests on its underside. Preferably, during this step, the target is not in contact with the launching arm 200, the finger 210, the movable stop 110 or the guide element 120. Still in this embodiment, it is however surrounded by the launching arm 200, the finger 210, the movable stop 110 and the guide element 120.

In another embodiment of the invention, the periphery 301 of the target is in contact with the proximal edge 104 of the launching plate 100 and the proximal end 115 of the movable stop 110.

The launching arm 200 will then perform a first rotation. The direction of this rotation having the aim of bringing the ejection part 201 of the launching arm 200 closer to the distal edge 103 of the launching plate 100 by passing over the guide element 120.

During this first rotation, the finger 210 will come into contact with the fourth portion of the periphery of the target 300 ( figures 3b and 4b ). This contact will allow the finger 210 to exert a push on the target 300. This push is advantageously carried out by means of the contact part 211. The push exerted advantageously allows the target 300 to move towards the distal end 114 movable stop 110 ( figures 3c ), in particular so that said distal end 114 comes into contact with a first portion of the periphery 301 of the target 300. Then, during the continued rotation of the launch arm 200, the force exerted jointly by the finger 210 and the stop mobile 110 will force the target 300 to move towards the guide element 120 ( 3d figures and 4c ). The movable stop 110 is able to exert a force thanks to its return element 113. It is also important to note that the fourth and second portions of the periphery 301 of the target 300 are not diametrically opposed. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to exert a pinch on the target. The finger 210 and the end of the movable stop 110 having a low coefficient of friction, this pinching allows the target to slide towards the guide element 120 and more precisely towards the interior surface of the guide element 121.

The passage into armed position of the launch arm 200.

The guide element 120 and more precisely towards the inner surface of the guide element 121 then comes into contact with the second portion of the periphery 301 of the target 300 ( figures 1 , 2 , 3rd and 4d ). At that time, the arm of launch 200 and more precisely the ejection part 201, and preferably the strip 203 also comes into contact with the third portion of the periphery 301 of the target 300. This last step corresponds to the passage of the launch arm 200 in the armed position. Advantageously , in the armed position, the target 300 is in simultaneous contact with the ejection part 201, the distal end 114 of the movable stop 110, the guide element 120 and the finger 200. In an alternative embodiment, the finger 200 is no longer in contact with target 300.

Ejecting the target 300

The target ejection step 300 can be automatically performed following the arming step of the launch arm. It can also, in another embodiment of the invention, be triggered manually by a user. During the ejection step, the launch arm 200 will perform a second rotation in a direction similar to the first. During this second rotation, the target 300 will roll along the guide element and lose its contact with the finger 210 and the movable stop 110. Thus, the target will advantageously pass over the second part 102 of the launching plate 100 in the direction of the distal edge 103, and therefore on the side of the external surface 111 of the movable stop ( figures 3e , 4th and 4th ).

The figures 5a to 5e present an additional embodiment based on a variant of the embodiment of the figures 3a to 3f . According to this other example, the finger 210 comprises, in addition to the part of contact 211 with the target 300, a second stop 213. Preferably, the second stop 213 is formed by a portion of the edge of the finger 210 in particular situated more towards the axis of rotation of 104 as the contact part 211. Referring to the figure 5a , the second stop 213 comprises a rectilinear part between a first end 214 and a second end 215. Preferably, a rounding is formed at at least one of the ends 214, 215. In the case of the above-mentioned figure, the finger 210 is such that the portion of 111 and the second stop 213 are concurrent.

The movable stop 110 has a first stop 117 configured to cooperate by contact with the second stop 213. In the illustrated case, the first stop 117 is a finger projecting from the body of the movable stop 110 towards the arm 200. Preferably , the first stop 117 is positioned on the movable stop 110 between the axis of rotation 116 and the distal end 114.

In the case shown in Figures 5a and 5b , the first stop 117 and the second stop 213 are not in contact with each other. The operation of the movable stop and the finger 210 is then in accordance with the descriptions given. previously, in particular with reference to the embodiment illustrated in figures 3a to 3f . To the figure 5c , the first stop 117 and the second stop 213 apply to each other, due to the rotation of the arm 200 tending to bring these 2 parts closer during the pushing phase of the target 300. Preferably, this initiation of contact between the 2 stops occurs when the target 300 reaches the distal end 122 of the guide element 120, or before or after, in particular in an angular sector of rotation of the arm 200 between -10 ° and 10 ° around the position of the arm in which the target 300 is in contact with the distal end 122 of the guide element 120. Such a situation is visible on figure 5c .

The figure 5d reveals that the continued rotation of the arm 200 generates a thrust of the second stop 213 on the first stop 117 so that the contact previously established between the target 300 and the distal end 114 of the movable stop 110 is released. Indeed, it is advantageous that the support exerted by the movable stop 110 on the target 300 is inactivated as soon as a contact is no longer made on the target 300 by the guide element 120. In this way, we guarantees that no parasitic thrust from the movable stop 110 on the target 300, which could tend to move the latter towards the free end of the arm 200, cannot occur. The accuracy of the throw can thus be improved.

Subsequently, with the continued rotation of the arm 200, with the relative displacement of the first stop 117 along the second stop 213, the first stop 117 progressively reaches the second end 215 of the second stop 213. By going beyond the end 215, the stop 117 is more constrained by the movement of the arm 200 and can return to its initial position by the application of the return effect of the spring 113. It will be noted that the first stop 117 is advantageously configured so as not to interfere with other parts of the arm 200 during the rest of the rotation. For this purpose, for example, the stop 117 may protrude beyond the body of the movable stop 110 only over a thickness such that the stop 117 does not cross the thickness of the edge of the finger 210. The figure 5e shows an arrangement of the arm which allows this aspect, with a finger 210 attached under the body of the arm 200 and forming, by its edge, the stop 213.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described but extends to all embodiments according to the appended claims.

REFERENCE

100.

Launch plate

101.

First part

102.

Second part

103.

distal border

104.

Proximal border

105.

Inner border

106.

Outer border

110.

Movable stop

111.

External surface

112.

Interior surface

113.

Callback element

114.

Distal end

115.

Proximal end

116.

Rotation axis

117.

First stop

120.

Guide element

121.

Inner surface of the guide element

122.

Distal end

200.

Launch arm

201.

Ejection section

202.

Fixing part

203.

Strip

204.

Throwing arm rotation axis

205.

Longitudinal axis

206.

Contact Portion

210.

Finger

211.

Contact part

213.

Second stop

214.

First end

215.

Second end

300.

Target

301.

Perimeter of the target

302.

Top face of the target

Claims (15)

1. Machine for launching at least one target (300) comprising:

   * a launching plate (100) configured to support a lower face of the target (300);

   * a launching arm (200) mobile in rotation about an axis of rotation (204) at least between a supply position, a reinforced position and an ejection position;

   * a guiding element (120) configured to be applied on a first portion of a perimeter (301) of the target (300) in the reinforced position;

   * a mobile abutment (110) configured to exert a force on a second portion of the perimeter (301) of the target (300) in the reinforced position;

   machine wherein the launching arm (200) comprises an ejection portion (201) configured to apply an ejection force on a third portion of the target (300) in the reinforced position, the first, second and third portions being separate,
   characterised in that the launching arm (200) comprises a finger (210) equipped with a contact portion (211) being rectilinear and configured to be applied on a fourth portion of the perimeter (301) of the target (300) in the reinforced position, the fourth portion being separate from the first, second and third portions, the ejection portion (201) being rectilinear along a longitudinal axis (205), the longitudinal axis (205) and the contact portion (211) of the finger (210) forming a non-zero angle α.
2. Machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the contact portion (211) is configured to exert a bearing on the target (300) having a non-zero component in the direction of the guiding element (120).
3. Machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the contact portion (211) is configured to exert a bearing on the target (300) having a non-zero component in the direction of the mobile abutment (110).
4. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact portion (211) of the finger (210) is situated closer to the axis of rotation of the launching arm (204) than the ejection portion (201) of said launching arm (200).
5. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle α is between 5° and 45°, preferably between 8° and 16°, and preferably 12°.
6. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the finger (210) comprises an extended body of which a distal portion forms at least partially the contact portion (211).
7. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the friction coefficient of the ejection portion (201) on the target (300) is greater than that of the contact portion (211) of the finger (210) on the target (300).
8. Machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the material of the finger (210) is an aluminium alloy.
9. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile abutment (110) is configured to exert a force on the second portion of the perimeter (301) of the target (300) in the direction of the ejection portion (201) of the launching arm (200).
10. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the contact of the machine on at least one from among the first, second, third and fourth portions is specific in a plane parallel to a launching plate (100) plane.
11. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a device for releasing the target (300) configured such that the mobile abutment (110) is no longer applied on the target (300) in a predefined angular position of the arm (200) situated downstream from the reinforced position along the direction of rotation of the arm (200).
12. Machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the release device comprises a first abutment (117) carried by the mobile abutment (110) and a second abutment (213) carried by the arm (200), the second abutment (213) being configured to exert a thrust on the first abutment (117) from the predefined angular position.
13. Machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the second abutment (213) is situated on the finger (210).
14. Machine according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the second abutment (213) is configured to no longer exert the thrust on the first abutment (117) after a predetermined angular sector according to the predefined angular position.
15. Machine according to one of the four preceding claims, wherein the predefined angular position is configured to correspond to a position of the target (300) in contact with a portion situated at the level of or upstream from a distal end (122) of the guiding element (120).

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