GB2214620A

GB2214620A - Electromechanically-actuated reactive targets

Info

Publication number: GB2214620A
Application number: GB8801833A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Alan Vertanness
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-01-27
Filing date: 1988-01-27
Publication date: 1989-09-06
Also published as: GB8801833D0

Abstract

A hard, e.g. steel, target plate 1 penetrated by an aperture 2 has a hard, eg steel, movable backplate 4 which, when struck by an air-or gas-powered rifle or pistol pellet which has passed through the aperture 2, will separate from an electrical contact point 6 on the plate 1 and via an electric circuit 7 cause a target mechanism 3 to actuate the target plate 1. The target plate 1 will either drop down, turn, swing or slice, thus registering a 'hit' on the target. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR ACTIVATING ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED REACTIVE TARGET MECHANISMS WITH HARD, eg STEEL, TARGET PLATES This invention relates to apparatus for activating electrically-operated reactive target mechanisms with hard, eg steel, target plates, of the type commonly used with air and gas powered rifles and pistols.

Electrically-operated reactive target mechanisms, when activated, cause target plates to either drop down from a vertical position, turn about their vertical axes, swing horizontally or slice in a vertical plane.

Electrically-operated reactive target mechanisms are normally used with full bore weapons. The target plates are of plywood or similar soft material which allows bullets to pass through them.

Sensors are fitted to the targets which trigger-off the reactive mechanisms when they are subjected to shock waves produced by the bullets passing through the target plates.

Steel target plates are not used with full bore ammunition as they would be both dangerous and destructive. There are no devices available that activate electrically-operated target mechanisms fitted with hard, eg steel, target plates.

There are millions of sportspeople worldwide who enjoy airgun shooting. There are currently two main categories of serious airgun shooting. One uses paper targets and the other uses steel field-targets.

Field-target shooting simulates hunting, with the targets being shaped like rabbits, pigeons etc and positioned among bushes and trees to create a natural scenario. These targets are triggered-off by devices which rely solely on mechanical linkages to drop the target when hit with a pellet. These devices often fail to activate the target mechanisms because of increased frictional resistance, rusted joints or worn seatings. When these targets fail to drop when hit they cause dissatisfaction and arguments among the shooters and destroy shooters' confidence in the sport.

Field target shooting uses hard target plates and there are no electrically-operated reactive target mechanisms available for airgunning.

In order to satisfy the demands of airgunners, there is a requirement for an apparatus that will activate an electrically-operated reactive target with a hard target plate.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for carrying out the following function: a) To receive the impact of an air or gas powered rifle or pistol pellet and to electro-mechanically activate a reactive target mechanism.

To this end apparatus according to the present invention comprises: - means for receiving the impact from an air or gas powered pellet and means for electro-mechanically activating an electrically-operated reactive target.

The preferred embodiment comprises apparatus for receiving the impact of an air or gas powered rifle or pistol pellet and thereby electro-mechanically activating a reactive target mechanism.

Use of the preferred embodiment of the invention gives rise to the following advantages: 1. The apparatus will permit hard, eg steel, target plates to be operated by reactive target mechanisms. Presently, only soft, eg plywood, targets can be used with reactive target mechanisms.

2. The apparatus, by using electrical make/break contacts, will provide for positive operation of the target when hit by an airgun or gasgun pellet. Presently, airgun targets rely on purely mechanical movements to trigger the mechanisms which are prone to excessive friction, sticking of the release mechanisms, etc. and often fail to trigger the target mechanisms.

Shooters are often left in doubt as to whether they have missed the target or whether they have in fact hit the target but the target has failed to operate.

3. The inherent electrical circuitry will be used to provide varied target exposure times and to register scores and times of target exposure on a display console, thereby adding interest and efficiency to shooting.

In order that the invention may be well understood, the presently preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: - Fig 1 shows the general arrangement of the target and target mechanism.

- Fig 2 is a view on line A-A showing the backplate.

A detailed description of the components of the invention followed by its operational functions are listed below with reference to the accompanying drawings: - In Fig 1, item 1 is a hard, eg steel, target plate with a hole 2 in it. The hard plate is attached to a target mechanism 3.

- In Fig 2, item 4 is a hard, eg steel, back plate positioned immediately behind the hole and attached through a hinge 5 to the target plate. Item 6 is an electrical contact point attached to the target plate and item 7 is an electrical circuit connecting the backplate with the contact point 6.

Operation of the apparatus A shooter would attempt to "kill" the target by firing at the hole 2 in the target plate 1. When a pellet passes through the hole it will strike the backplate 4. This impact will cause the backplate to separate from the contact point 6. This will break the electrical circuit 7 and this change in the circuitry will activate the target mechanism 3. This will then cause the target plate to either drop down, turn, swing or slice, thus registering a 'hit' or 1kill1.

The apparatus shown in the above example shows one target plate combined with one backplate and one target mechanism.

However, this invention would also apply to one backplate combined with one target mechanism omitting the target plate. It would also apply to a plurality of target plates, backplates and target mechanisms in any desired combination.

Although the apparatus detailed above has been described for use with air and gas powered rifles and pistols, it can be used equally well with rims ire and full bore weapons and with shotguns.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a hard, eg steel, movable plate which when struck by an air or gas powered rifle or pistol pellet, will electro-mechanically trigger an electrically-operated reactive target mechanism.