GB2187270A

GB2187270A - Fall-back target

Info

Publication number: GB2187270A
Application number: GB08704024A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Mede
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-02-27
Filing date: 1987-02-20
Publication date: 1987-09-03
Also published as: GB8704024D0; GB8604915D0

Abstract

A fall-back target in which a main body part (16) is pivotable rearwardly and downwards and is normally held in an upstanding position by a release lever (26). So that the target remains reliable even after long use, with the main body part (16) in its normal upstanding position the release lever (26) is inclined forwardly in a position in which an abutment surface (30) formed on the release lever is located beneath an abutment surface (32) forming part of the main body so that the main body part (16) is unable to pivot rearwardly and downwardly until the release lever (26) has been displaced rearwardly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fall-back target The invention relates to a fall-back target for use in particular when using an air rifle.

Fall-back targets are known in which a main body of the target is arranged to pivot backwards only when hit in a particular small area, for example in a cut-out area backed by a striker plate carried by a release lever which when in an upstanding position acts with a wedging action to prevent the main body moving backwards. Such targets usually work quite well when new but it is usually found that after a period of use they become unreliable, sometimes failing to collapse when the striker plate has been hit. The object of the invention is to provide a fall-back target in which this drawback will be at least alleviated.

According to the invention, there is provided a fall-back target in which a main body is arranged to pivot backwards only when hit in a cut-out area backed by a striker plate carried by a release lever pivotally mounted at its lower end some way rearwardly of the pivotal mounting of the main body, the arrangement being such that, with the main body in its normal upstanding position, the release lever is inclined forwardly towards the main body in a position in which an abutment surface formed on the release lever is located beneath an abutment surface forming part of the main body whereby the main body is unable to pivot rearwardly and downwards until the release lever has been displaced rearwardly.The arrangement will preferably be such that the main body is caused to pivot rearwardly and downwards, by the rearward displacement of the release lever, by lost motion means connecting the main body and release lever.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a front view of a fall-back target embodying the invention, Figure 2 is a side view thereof, and Figure 3 is a perspective view.

Referring now to the drawings, the fall-back target there illustrated is mounted on a base 10 which is constituted by two lengths of square section material welded together to form a T-shape, that is to say is constituted by a cross piece 12 and a rearwardly extending piece 14. A main body part 16 is pivotally connected at its lower end to upstanding brackets 18 which are welded to the cross piece 12. In its upstanding condition, in which it is shown in full lines in the drawings, the main body part bears against an upstanding abutment plate 20 which prevents it falling forwards, the abutment plate being welded to the front face of the cross piece 12.

The main body part is arranged to pivot backwards only when hit in a cut-out area 22 backed by a striker plate 24. The striker plate is carried by a release lever 26 pivotally mounted at its lower end on a bolt 28 passing through the rearwardly extending piece 14 of the base 10. The arrangement is such that, as shown in Fig. 2, with the main body part in its normal upstanding position, the release lever is inclined forwardly towards the main body part in a position in which an abutment surface 30 formed on the release lever is located beneath an abutment surface 32 in effect forming part of the main body 16. The abutment surface 32 is in fact formed on an abutment element 34 welded to the back face of the main body part.

It will be seen that the arrangement is such that the main body is unable to pivot rearwardly and downwards until the release lever has been displaced rearwardly as shown in chain-dotted lines in Fig. 2. It will be displaced rearwardly when the striker plate is hit by a slug. In falling backwards the release lever will strike an angled end piece of a link 36 pivotally connected to a lug 38 welded to the back face of the body part. The link constitutes lost motion means connecting the body part and release lever. Consequently, the main body part is caused to pivot rearwardly and downwards by the rearward displacement of the release lever.

It will be seen that in the normal upstanding position of the body part, and the normal forwardly inclined position of the release lever, because the release lever bears against a stop 40 welded to the top surface of the rearwardly extending piece 14 of the base 10, the abutment surface 30 formed on the release lever does not contact the abutment surface 32 in effect forming part of the main body.

Consequently, there is no frictional resistance to overcome when the striker plate is hit by a slug and the release lever is therefore without fail displaced rearwardly with a very positive action.

It will be seen that a length of wire 42, secured at one end to the release lever, extends through a hole 44 in the main body part and is provided at its free end with a loop.

This can be connected to an extended length of wire or cord so that a marksman can bring the target back to its operative upstanding condition after it has fallen back.

Various modifications may be made. For example, the main body part can obviously be made of any preferred outline shape. It could for example be in the outline shape of a duck or other bird.

1. A fall-back target in which a main body is arranged to pivot backwards only when hit in a cut-out area backed by a striker plate carried by a release lever pivotally mounted at

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fall-back target The invention relates to a fall-back target for use in particular when using an air rifle. Fall-back targets are known in which a main body of the target is arranged to pivot backwards only when hit in a particular small area, for example in a cut-out area backed by a striker plate carried by a release lever which when in an upstanding position acts with a wedging action to prevent the main body moving backwards. Such targets usually work quite well when new but it is usually found that after a period of use they become unreliable, sometimes failing to collapse when the striker plate has been hit. The object of the invention is to provide a fall-back target in which this drawback will be at least alleviated. According to the invention, there is provided a fall-back target in which a main body is arranged to pivot backwards only when hit in a cut-out area backed by a striker plate carried by a release lever pivotally mounted at its lower end some way rearwardly of the pivotal mounting of the main body, the arrangement being such that, with the main body in its normal upstanding position, the release lever is inclined forwardly towards the main body in a position in which an abutment surface formed on the release lever is located beneath an abutment surface forming part of the main body whereby the main body is unable to pivot rearwardly and downwards until the release lever has been displaced rearwardly.The arrangement will preferably be such that the main body is caused to pivot rearwardly and downwards, by the rearward displacement of the release lever, by lost motion means connecting the main body and release lever. In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a front view of a fall-back target embodying the invention, Figure 2 is a side view thereof, and Figure 3 is a perspective view. Referring now to the drawings, the fall-back target there illustrated is mounted on a base 10 which is constituted by two lengths of square section material welded together to form a T-shape, that is to say is constituted by a cross piece 12 and a rearwardly extending piece 14. A main body part 16 is pivotally connected at its lower end to upstanding brackets 18 which are welded to the cross piece 12. In its upstanding condition, in which it is shown in full lines in the drawings, the main body part bears against an upstanding abutment plate 20 which prevents it falling forwards, the abutment plate being welded to the front face of the cross piece 12. The main body part is arranged to pivot backwards only when hit in a cut-out area 22 backed by a striker plate 24. The striker plate is carried by a release lever 26 pivotally mounted at its lower end on a bolt 28 passing through the rearwardly extending piece 14 of the base 10. The arrangement is such that, as shown in Fig. 2, with the main body part in its normal upstanding position, the release lever is inclined forwardly towards the main body part in a position in which an abutment surface 30 formed on the release lever is located beneath an abutment surface 32 in effect forming part of the main body 16. The abutment surface 32 is in fact formed on an abutment element 34 welded to the back face of the main body part. It will be seen that the arrangement is such that the main body is unable to pivot rearwardly and downwards until the release lever has been displaced rearwardly as shown in chain-dotted lines in Fig. 2. It will be displaced rearwardly when the striker plate is hit by a slug. In falling backwards the release lever will strike an angled end piece of a link 36 pivotally connected to a lug 38 welded to the back face of the body part. The link constitutes lost motion means connecting the body part and release lever. Consequently, the main body part is caused to pivot rearwardly and downwards by the rearward displacement of the release lever. It will be seen that in the normal upstanding position of the body part, and the normal forwardly inclined position of the release lever, because the release lever bears against a stop 40 welded to the top surface of the rearwardly extending piece 14 of the base 10, the abutment surface 30 formed on the release lever does not contact the abutment surface 32 in effect forming part of the main body. Consequently, there is no frictional resistance to overcome when the striker plate is hit by a slug and the release lever is therefore without fail displaced rearwardly with a very positive action. It will be seen that a length of wire 42, secured at one end to the release lever, extends through a hole 44 in the main body part and is provided at its free end with a loop. This can be connected to an extended length of wire or cord so that a marksman can bring the target back to its operative upstanding condition after it has fallen back. Various modifications may be made. For example, the main body part can obviously be made of any preferred outline shape. It could for example be in the outline shape of a duck or other bird. CLAIMS

1. A fall-back target in which a main body is arranged to pivot backwards only when hit in a cut-out area backed by a striker plate carried by a release lever pivotally mounted at its lower end some way rearwardly of the pivotal mounting of the main body, the arrangement being such that, with the main body in its normal upstanding position, the release lever is inclined forwardly towards the main body in a position in which an abutment surface formed on the release lever is located beneath an abutment surface forming part of the main body whereby the main body is unable to pivot rearwardly and downwards until the release lever has been displaced rearwardly.

2. A fall-back target according to claim 1, in which the arrangement is such that the main body is caused to pivot rearwardly and downwards, by the rearward displacement of the release lever, by lost motion means connecting the main body and release lever.

3. A fall-back target constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.