US1260691A - Target apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

D. R. MCGREGGR. TARGET'APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MALHQ. l9l6.

Patnted MMR 269 E9@ D. H. MCGREGOH.

TARGET APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.29,`19|6.

@wanted Mar. 26 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

DAVID ROSS MUGREGOR, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHID.

TARGET APPARATUS.

incassi.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 256, 1%18..

Application filed March 29, 1916. Serial N o. 87,582.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Din/'1D Ross MC- GREGOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Target Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as Will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to target apparatus; and it relates more particularly to automatic self-spotting targets.

So-called self-spotting target devices are well known in the art and are in common use in indoor shooting ranges and elsewhere. In a typical form, such a target device consists of a target screen of cardboard or other material easily perforated by a riie bullet, la suitable distance to the rear of which is arranged a metal plate or backstop serving to arrest the bullet. Behind the paper target is a source of light; so

that if, after the target hasbeen shot, the

illumination of the front of the target is cut oli' entirely or is dimmed suliciently, the hole made by the bullet passing through the target appears thereon as a point of light. lVhile the-shooter is aiming and tiring. however, the front ofthe target must be brightly illuminated in order that he may aim accurately. Hence the spotting of his subsequent shot requires a suppression or reduction of the normal illumination in front of the target, and a strong lighting up of the target from the rear. The rear illumination may, however, be maintained constantly at the necessary intensity. A

It has been proposed heretofore to effect the spotting operation automatically by utilizing the impact of the bullet against the backstop to close a circuit and thereby to energize mechanism for cutting olf the illumination in front of the target, and also to turn on a light at the rear in case the latter is not kept burning continuously. In such proposed devices, however, the return to shootin phase, that isto the condition Where t e front of the-target is again fully illuminated, has always been effected manually so far as I am aware.

An object of the present invention is to provide mechanism for rendering the com- `single target device.

l each plete cycle of operations automatic; so that, in other words, the impact of the bullet against the backstop Will set in operation mechanism whereby the conditions of target illumination will change automatically from firing to spotting phase, and then, after a suitable interval of time, will return to liring phase, all Without any attention on the part of the shooter or an attendant.

he invention contemplates also the provision of mechanism for operating a plurality of self-spotting targets automatically, a matter of much greater practical importance than the automatic operation of a Ordinarily a rifle range comprises a group of targets arranged side by side in order that a number of shooters may participate at once. In shooting contests it is usual for competitive squads to tire in alternation at the targets,

man'of a squad shooting a certain number of times at his target in succession from the same distance, or from different distances, a second squad then taking the place of the first. In order to prevent the attention of the shooters from being distracted to the detriment of their aim, it is customary to darken the range while the squad is tiring, only the targets being illuminated. I have found, however, that where the several targets in question operate independently of each other on the automatic principle above described. the attention of a shooter aiming at his particular target is so distracted. by the flashing of the other targets which may have been shot ahead of him by other members of the squad, that his aim is apt to be very materially disturbed and its accuracy lessened.

very important feature of my invention is therefore the provision of means whereby a plurality of target devices may be operated automatically, trolled, however, that it cannot occur until all the targets of the group have been shot, whereupon all the targets operate automatically. in unison, passing from tiring phase to spotting phase, and back again to tiring phase.

In addition, the invention contemplates, as will hereinafter appear, the perfecting of various mechanical and electrical details especially useful in target apparatus and systems of the general character vhere 1nthe operation being so convolved, though not necessarily limited to such use. l

My invention, in so far as it relates broadly to a. self-spotting target operating auton'iatically through a complete cycle of phases as above described, comprises an organization ot' parts in which, upon impact ot the bullet with the backstop, the light or lights illuminating the front face of the target are cut out or dimmed and are maintained in this condition for a definite interval of time of regulable duration, after which the illumination is caused to assume its original and normal intensity. 1n practice the apparatus is so arranged that the backstop is slightly moved by impact of the bullet and thereby closes an electric circuit containing electrical means which is thereupon energized to break a circuit feeding a source of illumination in front of the target, or else to introduce into such lighting circuit a resistance effective to dim the source of illumination sufficiently for the purpose in view. Said electrical means includes or controls an element which may operate on the principle of a dash pot and which is arranged to return the lighting system to normal again auton'iatically after the desired period of delay.

The invention as applied to a system in cluding a plurality ot' targets comprises a set. ot relays or drops, one for each target, each relay being so connected electrically to the corresponding target. backstop that upon impact of the bullet with the backstop, the relay is operated to close one gap in a circuit which includes as many other similar gaps as there are targets; and it comprises also a group controller which is wired in series with said gaps. and which can operate only when all the gaps corresponding to the targets being operated are closed. lVhen its circuit is closed, this group controller operates to cut ott or dim the illuinination in front of the targets. It operates also as a timing device whereby the illum nation of the front of the targets is not re stored to normal unt-il after the desired period of delay.

ln order to explain clearly the principles ot' the invention without intending thereby to be limited to any. specilic construction or arrangement of parts, I have. illustratedin the accompanying drawings an en'ibodiment of the invention which has proved satisfactory in practice. 1n these, drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the electrical relations of the various parts of a complete system embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of one of the vtargets and the parts immediately associated therewith Figs. 3 and 4 are an elevation and transverse section, respectively, of one form of contact device which is especially useful;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of one of the individual drops or relays which is associated with each target device;

Fig. 6 is an elevation, partly in section, of the group controller and timing device.

The. system here illustrated by way of example comprises a group ot' six targets which "are indicated diagrammatically in liig. 1 andare numbered consecutively from 1 to 6. In Fig. 2, which shows a practical t'orm of target device in greater detail, 10 represents a standard target of cardboard or the like suitably supported in a housing 11 and illuminated in front by an incan descent lamp 12. To the rear of the target 10 is lamp 13 whose light may be reflected forwardly upon the target by means of a screen 14 of glazed white cardboard or the like. Only one front light and one rear light are shown in the drawing, but obviously more may be used where desirable. To the rear of the screen 14 is a steel backstop plate 15 which is pivoted below as at 16, and which is shown as normally inclined sligl'itly forwarl from the vertical, Stop 17 being provided to limit its forward movement. On its rear tace the backstop plate carries a projecting pin 18 which passes t'reely through an aperture 15) in the back wall of the target housing.A When the backstop is struck by a. bullet, it is moved slightly on its pivotJ toward the rear, and the pin 18 operates to close some form of contact between leads QO and Q1. As shown in Figs. '2, 3 and 4, the contact device in this instance comprises two blocks ot' insulation 22 and 23, block 22 being hollowed out to providea mercury well at 24 and block Q3 being provided with an opening 25 to receive the end of pin 18. A rubber diaphragm 26 covers the mercury well and the two blocks are held firmly together' by suitable securing means. A hollow iron stud 27, which may serve as one terminal binding post, is set into the upper edge of block 22 and communicates with reservoir 24 through a small passage Q8. Screw 29 serves as the other terminal binding post and also as a means for adjusting the level ot mercury in the passage 28. lVhen pin 18 moves rearwardly,`it presses against the rubber diaphragln 26 and forces the, column of mercury upwardly into contact with the stud 27. thus electrically connecting the. stud with thev terniinal 2S). An opening normally closed by stopper 3() is provided for supplying mercury to the reservoir, while a small air vent 31 permits free rise and fall ot the mercury column. Although a contact device of this description is particularly desirable on account of its being dirt prooi1 and moisture proof, and because it presents a fresh contact surface every time it operates any other suitable form of contact may be used such as, for example, an ordinary spring contact like device 51-55 hereinafter described in connection with Fig. 6.

Each of the target devices is electrically connected by leads 20, 21 with a relay or drop, which may be on the order of an ordinary annunciator drop and whose function is to effect. the closing and opening of one of the serially arranged gaps in the group controller circuit before mentioned'. A typical form of such drop or relay is shown in Fig. 5, where the winding 32 ot' an electromagnetic tr-ip device is arranged to be. energized upon closing of the contact 27, 29 at the target, and thereby. to attract movable, armature 33 which is carried by a spring catch 34, thusdrawing the catch away from its normal position and releasing the drop head 35. The latter falls freely until stopped by the head of an adjustable screw 36, mounted at. the lower end of the solenoid 37. The iron stem 38 of this drop constitutes the movable core of the solenoid. and from this core extends upwardly a rod 39 of hard rubber or other suitable insulating material. Normally the parts occupyv the position shown in Fig. 5, the upper end of the rod 39 lifting the fiat spring 40 to keep gap 41 open. lVhen, however, the drop l35is allowed to fall as described. the spring 40 is free to descend and close the gap-l1. The several 'normally open contacts 41 are in circuit with the group controller and timing device which is illustrated in Fig. 6; but the circuit is not closed until all of the drops have been released to close said gaps. lVhen the last of the drops has been released, the winding 42 of the group con troller is energized. a tube of brass or the like 43 which extends some distance below the lower end of the winding and is capped at the lower end as shown. The tube contains an iron core 4J: which fit-s rather closely within the tube'but is freely movable up and down therein. The core 44 is secured to a small tube 4.5 of brass or the like which extends through an opening in the upper end of the tube 43. and through an opening in conductive rocker arm 47. pivoted at 48. The tube 45 terminates in an insulating button 4G which normally rests upon said arm 47 and holds it down. The tube 43 contains a liquid such as a thin oil, and with the core plunger 4 4 it forms a dash-pot device. A lateraly aperture 49 in the small tube 45vsomewhat above core 44 permits liquid to enter into the small tube from above; while at the lower end of the small tube is provided a` ball check valve 50, which permits downward passage of liquid but prevents passage upward. Above opening 49. the tube is closed as by plug 50a.

As will be hereinafter more fully explained. the group controller device is so connected to the li,{ 1;hting g circuits of the target system that in the position shown in rIhiswinding is around The contact arms Fig. 6 with contact 51 closed, the lights 12 are on and thetargets are therefore fully illuminated. lVhen the winding 42 is energived as above explained. the core 41 is drawnsuddenly upward vinto thewinding. this moven'ient being permitted to occur rapidly on account of the fact that the oil in the dash-pot can pass freely through tubeA l5 and past check valve 5() to the under side of the piston. As button 46 no longer rests on rocker arm 47, the counterweight 52 elevates the arm, breaking contact 51 and inaking contact This cuts out or dims lights 12 of the targets, while the closing of con-V tact 53 cuts in other lights which may be located at a considerable distance in front of the targets and which are to be described later. Rod 45 continues to travel upward until it strikes adjustable spring contact arms 54,'thus closing the contact and.

'through suitable circuit connections, energizing winding 5G of each of the relays or drops shown in Fig. 5. ln each of these latter devices, therefore. the core 3S isV thus pulled upwardly and rod 39 pushes up spring contact arm 40 and breaks contact 41. thus restoring the drops to the position in which they are normally held by spring catches 34. This opens the circuit through winding 42 and permits core 44 to settle back to its normal position. In descending. it first opens the contact 55 and then. atteian interval of some seconds, the button 4H again strikes contact arm 47, carrying it. down to open contact 53 and to close contact 51. All parts of the target system are now back in normal position or shooting phase.

54 are supported at an ad- -instable height above the solenoid controller b v a rod 5411, the arms being suitablyv insulated.

The-electrical relation between the parts above described is apparent from an inspection of Fig. l. Each of the backstop contacts 27,29 is connected in circuit with a suitable source of current, such as a battery 60. and with one of the relays or drops previously described in detail. The trip windings 32 of these drops are connected in par allcl to a common 'return 61 in which there is a gap at 62, which is normally closed by a niovable bridging contact 63, carried by but insulated from the rocker arm 47. The purpose of this arrangement will appear later.

Tt will be seen that the windings 56 of the drops are connected in multiple series. two windings in cach series, across branch mains 66 and 67. which connect through switch 68 with local mains 69 and 70. The drop windings circuit is normalh7 open at however. as previously explained. The mains may conveniently be the usual lighting mains. Switch 71 controls the supply of current to the whole system. Branches 72, 73 supply the rear lights 13 which in the present example burn continuously. rlChe trout lights 12 are across branches 73, 711, branch 7-1 heilig normally connected to branch 66 through switch 75, lead 7G, closed contact 5l. rocker arm A17, and lead 77. Resistance 78 is in shunt with Contact 51 through Iswitch TS). Lights 8() -and 81 are additional lights which normally are not burning. but which are lighted when the front lights 12 are cut out by the opening ot' their feed circuit at 51. Light 8O may be a ceiling light at some distance in front ot the targets. T he employment of some such light-is essential where lights 12 are entirely cut out during the spotting phase, in order that the position of the spot on the target may be read. If lights 12 are merely dimmed, the use of a -light or lights 8O is optional. Light 81 is conveniently located over the position convenient, it is not indispensable. Both 80 and 81 are connected across branches 73 and 82, branch 82 going to the normally open contact 53 by way of switch 75 and lead 83.

1f at any time it is desired to shoot at fewer than six tar ets, as where there are less than six to a ring squad. any of the gaps 41 may be short-circuited h v closing the corresponding switches 8l. All but one of' the gaps may thus be short-circuited and the automatic operation eltected by a single participant shooting at the single remaining target.

The rela-ys, group controller, and various hand switches may be mounted on a switch hoard 85 which is conveniently located at a point easily accessible to the shooters.

The operation of the system is apparent trom the foregoing, but for clearness it will be briefly summarized. Assuming switches 71, 68, and 79 to be closed, double-throw switch 75 to be in its upper closed position, and the other parts of the system to be in the positions indicated in Fig. 1. a bullet tired through any of the targets 10 and striking backstop 15. moves the backstop lslightly toward the rear. closes Contact 27. 29. and completes the circuit through the battery. thus energizing the corresponding trip coil 32. thereby releasing drop head 85 and closing gap 41. As each target is shot, the saine operation occurs. The order in which the targets are hit is wholly immaterial, and several or all may be hit simultaneously. The lights are unaffected until the last target has been hit. and the last gap 41 closed. The closing of the last gap completes the circuit 'through winding 412 of the group controller. draws the solenoid core 14C sharply up. breaking contact 51. and making contact 53. Current for lights 12 must now pass through resistance 78, and consequently these lights are so dimmed that the bullet holes in the targets 10 show of the shooters, and Whilemodaal up as' bright points of light by reason ot the continuous illumination at the rear attorded by lights 13. Atthe same time the light from 12 is sufficient to enable the target score to be read, or if not, this necessary amount ot light may be supplied by ceiling light 8O which has been cut in by the closing of contact 53.

1n the meantime, the upward movement of core 4t has resulted in completing at 55 the circuit through the relay windings 56, whose cores are thereupon drawn up to break the controller circuit at gaps 41. 'Winding 42 being Vthus denergized, core 4.4 and rod 45 sink slowly back to their normal position, breaking contacts 55 and 53, and making contact 51. This denergizes relay coils 56, turns out lights 8O and 81, and restores lights 12 to full normal brilliancy. v

It is to be understood that if switch 79 be .left open, lights 12 are extinguished when their Jfeed circuit'is opened at 51.

instead ot energizing trip coils 32 from a battery, suitable connection to the lighting mains may he substituted. The separate battery circuit has some advantages, however, in that it obviates any possible tiickering of the vlights 12 as the relay devices are successively tripped. Although these trips take hut little energy, they may use enough to affect the line voltage perceptibly, especially inthe case of an A. C. system with small local transformer, and thus to cause annoying variation in the lights 12 which, as before noted. should be of con- 4stant intensity during the shooting phase.

It is also to be noted that the circuits through trip coils 32 are opened at 63 in the common battery return when rocker arm 47 lifts, and that they remain open throughout the spotting phase. This arrangement obviates the possibility of anyv of the relays failing to reset properly. For example, suppose that target No. 5 happens to be the last target ot the six to be shot on. When No. 5 target is shotfNo. 5 relay drops, the circuit through the solenoid group controller is instantly completed, and the solenoid core shoots up. switching ott lights 12; and upon closing contact 55, all the relays or drops are reset as already described. Suppose now that the backstop plate of target No. 5 should vibrate a little and occasion a Second closing of its pair of contacts 27, 29 after all the drops have been reset. No. 5 drop will be tripped; but as the controller circuit is open at tive other points, the resetting mechanism will not be operated again during this particular cycle, and the lights 12 come on again with No. 5 drop down. This would make no special difference if, in the next tiring round, any of the targets other than No. 5 were the last `51 and 53,

aaeoei shot on. But assume No. 5 target is again the last. inasmuch as its drop is already tripped und ilu. corresponding circuit gap 41 is closed, the lights 12 will go out or be dimmed after five men have shot instead of six. With the system of wiring here shown, however, such an occurrence 1s impossible because the common return G2 is opened the instant the solenoid core la starts to rise and before any of the drops have been reset. Coming down slowly, the core does not again close the battery circuit for a certain period of time, say ten seconds, and by that time vibration of the backstop plates has entirely ceased. I consider this arrangement an important specific feature of my invention in its preferred form.

The switch is here shown as a doublethrow change-over switch to permit the automatic operationto be temporarily dispensed with and the operation to be effected by hand, whenever such hand operation is for any reason desirable. In the lower position of the switch, the relays and the group controller are entirely disconnected from the mains. Leads 86, 87 now evidently take the place of leads 76 and 83, respectively, terminals 88 and 89 corresponding to contacts and being alternatively connectible to main 69 by hand switch 90. This arrangement for hand operation obviouslyl is not an essential part of the system and may ordinarily be omitted.

Instead of the replaceable cardboard re flector 14, Ifmay employ a reflector of tin or other suitable material hinged to the housing in much the same way as backstop l5 but arranged to be normally out of the line of bullet flight, and to be held in this position either by its own weight or by means of a counter-poise. vBy means of a solenoid connected in shunt with lights 8O and 81, each time the target passes through spotting phase lights and 81 are lighted, the hinged reflector is drawn from its normal horizontal position to the vertical position occupied by reflector 14 as illustrated. In this position the bullet hole-in target 10 is sharply spotted with the aid of the reflector and when lights 80 and 81 go out again at the end of the spotting phase, the hinged backstop swings back again out of the way. This arrangement eliminates the necessity of replacing the redector card from time to time.

While a practical embodiment of the invention involving certain specific mechanical and electrical features and arrangements has been illustrated and described for the purpose of disclosing the best form of my invention at present known to me, the invention is not limited to such details but comprises broadly al1 constructions embodyingI the novel principles herein set itorthv an comin@ properly within the scope of the appcnde( claims.

hat l claim is:

l. Target apparatus tunnprising, in combination, a. plurality of targets, means for illuminating the front of each target, means operable by bullet l'nination ot' each target, and means capable of operating' such illumination-reducing means only after all the targets have been SllOt;

2. Target apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of target devices, illuminating means for each target device, and controlling n'lechanism operable to modify the illumination afforded by said illuminating means, said controlling mechanism being arranged to be set in operation automatically by impact of bullets against said target devices, but only when al1 of said target devices have been hit.

3. Target apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of targets, electrical means for illuminating' the front of each target, electrical illuminating means behind each target, a normally closed feed circuit supplying all the front illuminating means, a' controller device operable to open said cir cuit, a circuit for said controller normally open at as many gaps as there are targets in use, an electrical device for cach target operable to close the corresponding gap in the controller circuit, a normally open operating circuit for each said device, and a backstop for each target movable by bullet impact to close the corresponding operating circuit and thereby to operate the device and close the corresponding gap, the arrangement being such that when all the gaps are closed, said controller is energized and opens said feed circuit.

4. Target apparatus comprising, in combination,a plurality of targets, an electric light in front of each target, an electric light behind each target, suitable circuits for said lights, a backstop for each target, a dash-pot circuit-controller controlling the front light circuit, a solenoid capable, when energized, of actuating said circuit-controller, a circuit closer for each target normally open but operable to close a gap in the solenoid circuit, and electrical connections between the respective circuit closers and backstops, whereby impact of a bullet with a backstop actuates the corresponding circuit closer and closes the gap controlled thereby, the organization being such that when the 'solenoid circuit is closed, the circuit-controller is actuated to reduce the illumination afforded by the front lights.

5. Target apparatus con'iprising, in combination, a plurality of targets, an electriclight'in front of each target, an electric light behind each target, suitable circuits impact to reduce the illufor said lights, a backstop for each target, a dash-pot circuit-controller controlling the front light circuit, a solenoid capable, when energized., ot actuating said circuit-controller, a circuit closer for each target normally open but operable to close a gap in the solenoid circuit, electrical connections between the respective circuit closers and backstops, whereby impact of a-bullct with a backstop actuates the corresponding circuit closer and closes the gap controlled thereby, the organization being such that when the solenoid circuit is closed, the circuit-controller. is actuated to reduce the illumination afforded by the l'ront lights, said circuit controller being arranged to return the circuit closers to open position, thereby breaking the solenoid circuit, and to restore the illumination of the front lights 'to normal.

6. Target apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of target devices, electric lights adjacent the front and rear of each target proper, a backstop to the rear of each target, a controller device operable, when actuated, to turn the Jfront lights off and then on again after a suitable interval, a normally open operating circuit for said controller device, and means Operable by bullet impact on the backstops to close said operating circuit, the arrangement being such that the operating circuit is not completed until all the targets have been shot.

7. Target apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of target devices, electric lights adjacent the front and rear of each target proper, a backstop to the rear oi' each target, a light farther in front of the targets, a controller device operable, when actuated, to turn the adjacent front lights ofi and to turn on the said light tarther in front, and then after a suitable interval to restore the lights to their original condition, a normally open operating circuit for said controller device, and means operable by bullet impact on the backstops to close said operating circuit, the arrangement being such that the operating circuit is not completed until all the targets have been shot.

8. Target apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of illuminated Selfspotting target devices, controller mechanism arranged, when actuated, to operate said target devices through a complete cycle from shooting phase to spotting phase, and back again to shooting phase, and electrical circuit connections between said target devices and said controller mechanism whereby said controller mechanism is actuated by bullets striking the target devices.

9.,Target a paratus com rising, in combination, a p urality of iluminated seltnemesi.

spotting target devices, controller mechamsm arranged, when actuated, to operate each target device through a complete cycle from shooting phase to spotting phase, and back again to shooting phase, anc electrical circuit connections between said target devices and said controller mechanism whereby said controller mechanism is actuated by impact ot' bullets on said targets, the arrangement being such that said controller mechanism is not actuated until all of said target devices have been shot.

i l0. Target apparatus comprising, in combination, av plurality of targets, electric lighting means for said targets, lcontroller mechanism operable to vary the illumination aiorded by said lighting means, a circuit i'or energizing said controller mechanism, relay devices, one for each target, which are normally on open circuit and whose movable cores normally maintain the controller circuit open at a corresponding number of points or gaps, detent means normally holding said cores in the position specified, a normally open circuit arranged to be closed by impact ot' a bullet on said target, an electromagnetic trip in the last named circuit arranged, when energized, to release the movable core of the corresponding relay by, a circuit-closer operable by said controller mechanism for momentarily energif/,ing said relay devices and resetting the relays to open the controller circuit, and means associated with said controller for maintaining the trip circuits open while said controller' mechanism is operated.

11. Target apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of targets, an electric light arranged to illuminate each target, a circuit for said lights, a controller operable to alter said circuit and thereby to modify the illumination, a normally open operating circuit for the controller, circuit-closing devices arranged when suitably actuated to close said operating circuit and thereby to set said controller in operation, circuit connections from said devices tothe targets whereby said devices are actuated by bullet impact, and electrically distinctl sources of current for the lighting circuit and the circuit-closing devices.

12. Target apparatus comprising, in cornbination, a target device, means normally illuminating the front of the target device, electrical controller means operable automatically, when suitably energized, rst to reduce the illumination of the front of the target, and then after a period of delay to restore said illumination to normal, electrical connections between said controller means and said target device, and means operable by impact of a bullet striking said target device to close a normally open gap and close the gap controlled therev bination,

energized, to move said aandeel in said electrical connections and thereby to energize said controller means.

13. 'larget apparatus comprising, in coinsupporting means for a cardboard or similar target, an incandescent lamp arranged to illuminate the front of such target, a second incandescent lamp arranged to illuminate the rear of such target, circuits for said lamps, a movable backstop behind the targetsupportin'g means, a normally open circuit arranged to be closed by' iinpact .of a bullet with said backstop, and circuit controlling means automatically operable upon closing of said circuit to reduce the illumination afforded by the first named lamp landthe'n to restore said illumination to normal after a suitable interval.

14. Target apparatus comprising a target, front and rear lights for illuminating said target, a baclrstop behind said target, circuits for said lights, a dash-pot device having a plunger movable rapidly to open the front light circuit and arranged to return slowly to its original position and to close said circuit again, a solenoid arranged, when plunger rapidly as specied, and a normally open energizing circuit for said solenoid, said energizing circuit being arranged to be closed by impact of a bullet against said backstop.

l5.A Target apparatus comprising a target, front and rear lights for illuminating said target, circuits. for said lights, means opei'-,

able by impact of a bullet striking the target first to open the front light circuit and then to close it again, and means for delaying the circuit-closing operation.

i6. A self-spotting target device comprising a perforable target illuminated at front and rear, in combination With means arranged at the rear of said target and operable by bullet impact to diminish the front illumination of the target and then to restore it to normal after a suitable period of time has elapsed. 4

17. A self-spotting target device comprising a perforable target, illuminating means arranged, upon suitable actuation, to spot shots through said target, and means operable by impact of a bullet passing through said target first to actuate said illuminating means to spot the shot for a suitable definite period of time, and then to restore said illuminating means to its normal condition.

18. A self-spotting target device comprising an illuminated target in combination with means arranged to receive the impact of a bullet which strikes the target, said means being operable by such impact to vary the target illumination iirst through a spotting phase of suitable duration, and then back to normal or shooting phase.

l5). Target apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of targets, means for illuminating the front of each target, means operable by bullet impact to reduce the illuminating of each target, and means capable of operating such illumination-reducing means only after a predetermined number of targets have been shot.

20. Target apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality of target devices, illuminating means for each target device, and controlling mechanism operable to modify the illumination afforded by said illuminating means, said controlling mechanism being arranged to be set in operation automaticallyby impact of bullets against said target devices, but only when a predetermined number of said target devices have been hit.

.In testimony whereof l hereunto aiiilr my signature.

DAVID R038

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