GB533857A - Improvements in and relating to moving targets - Google Patents

Abstract

533,857. Targets. HOBSON, P. Nov. 10, 1939, No. 29786. [Class 20 (i)] A frangible target in the shape of an aeroplane is suspended from a carriage adapted to run on rails, the arrangement being such that the target can be given variation in elevation to simulate the diving and manoeuvering of planes under actual working conditions. The track is overhead and the rails 10 are supported by spaced horse-shoe shaped supports 20 ; the target 2 which is of frangible material such as glass is hollow and of the shape of an aeroplane, and is suspended by a rope 6 from a drum 24 on the carriage 7 which may be moved by hand or mechanically by an electric motor supplied from a feed line 28. The drum is held against rotation by a ratchet and a pivoted pawl 30 which may be released automatically to allow downward movement of the target by lower stops 26 fixed to certain rail supports, and re-engaged again by upper stops 31, the pawl being locked in both engaged and disengaged positions by a spring ball lock. The rope 6 passes through an aperture in a lever 46 on the carriage connected to a slipper 32 so that as the drum is freed from the pawl the slipper is brought against the supply rail 28 and the drum begins to wind up the 'rope and this continues until an enlargement 50 on the rope contacts with the lever and lowers the slipper from the conductor rail, and at this moment the pawl is actuated to engage the drum and prevent it unwinding. The track 17 on which the carriage run is provided with cross overs, hair pin bends and curves, so that the direction of the target during its movement changes suddenly and at the cross overs the rails are divided so as not to foul the suspension rope and guard rails 11 are fitted to guide the rope around the crossings.