GB981121A - Automatic target apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

981,121. Target apparatus. V. M. GILLAN, and L. KNIGHT. Dec. 18, 1961, No. 45299/61. Headings F3C and F3X. A target assembly comprises electricallyoperated or controlled means, e.g. a reversible electric motor M for moving a target (not shown) the means being controlled by an electric inertia switch I.S. which is actuated when the target is hit by a missile. Preferably the motor raises and lowers the target to and from a visible position and actuation of the switch causes the motor to return the target to concealed position. Alternatively the target movement may be horizontal, e.g. the target may move on a wire or chain to simulate a crawling enemy or vehicle. The apparatus also permits correct aiming of a weapon to actuate an electric switch for operating the motor without live firing. For this purpose the weapon is movably mounted upon a rest and movement of the weapon horizontally causes corresponding movement of the arm of a multi-point switch H and vertical movement of the weapon moves the arm of a switch V. The fixed contacts 14, 15 of the switches H, V represent correct aim and are connected to a power supply PS2 and relay R1. If a switch S1 is closed to raise the target and the weapon is correctly aimed, the relay R1 operates to complete a circuit for operating the motor M and the target is retracted. A switch closed by pressing the trigger may be incorporated in series with the operating circuit of relay R1 so that R1 can only be operated when the trigger is pressed. In using the apparatus for live firing, provision is made for simulating retaliatory fire from the target if it is not hit. For this purpose a circuit includes a relay R4, and a stepping selector switch S3, the fixed contacts of which are wired to electric detonators DET. This circuit is operative only when the target is raised and on closing a switch S2. Time-switches incorporated in the circuits may permit exposure of target only for limited periods and " retaliatory fire " may be made to occur if the target has not been hit within a set time after being raised. A counter C is provided for recording the number of hits. This may be replaced or supplemented by an aural indicator of hits comprising an audio oscillator and amplifier feeding a loud-speaker. Instead of the manually controlled switches S1 S2, relays may be provided which are actuated by a radio signal from a remote transmitter. The target may be provided with a resilient layer which gives " self-sealing " of bullet holes. Thus it may be made of foamed plastic material such as polystyrene or phenol-formaldehyde. Alternatively a target may have a backing of bondwood or fibreglass and a surface layer of resilient rubber or plastic. Larger targets may be curved or dished to give greater rigidity and to transmit the impulse from a hit to the switch more effectively. Fig. 3 (not shown) shows an alternative circuit arrangement for the target assembly.