US1444491A

US1444491A - Target

Info

Publication number: US1444491A
Application number: US469724A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick W Baldwin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1921-05-14
Filing date: 1921-05-14
Publication date: 1923-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 1940-02-06

Description

P. W. BALDWN.

TARGH.

mm MAY 14,192

Feb. 6, 1923.

3 SHEETS SHEET 1.

4 7k EAIJIINVENTOH 4w 2 WM ATTORNEYS Feb. 6, 1923. 1,444,491.

F. W. BALDWIN.

TARGET.

FILED MAY 14. um. 11 SHEETS saw 2.

WITNESS INVENTOI? zaa/aimm 1, .24, 71. M

AHORNEYS Feb. 6, 1928. 1,414,491,

F. w. BALDWIN.

TARGET.

FILED MAY H. 1921. SHEETS sum a A TTORNE Y8 Patented Feb. 6, 1923.

UNITED STATES FREDERICK W. BALDWIN, 0F BADDECK, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA.

TARGET.

Application filed May 14,

To all whom it may come-m:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. Bann- WIN, a subject of the Kin of Great Britain,

and a resident of Bad eck, Nova Scotia,

Canada, have invented new and useful Imrovements in Targets which invention is ully set forth in the following specification.

The present invention is an improvement in targets particularly for use at sea- I Targets of the displacement type herete fore employed have frequently been ofsuch size and construction as to retard the-progress of the whole fleet when towed from the fleet anchorage to the firing range. This involved substantial economic losses of every description; and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a tar et which may be towed to the'range, even y the smallest destroyer, without slowing up the s eed. of the fleet or involving the expendlture by the destroyer that-is towing the target of any undue power--and this even though the target, or indeed a string of them, may be from fifty to two hundred feet in length. A further object is to provide a target so light, yet strong and rigid, that it may be towed at the normal speed of the towing vessel, thus providing gunnery practice at a moving target of a kind which has heretofore been practically impossible.

Itfrequently is desirable to have target practice while the fleet is remote from land, and when it would be practically out of the question to have a target of suitable size in tow for such a distance. With this consideration in mind, another object of the invention is to provide a construction such that targets of varying size say from fifty to two hundred feet in lengt or more, may be expeditiously amembled at sea by the crew.

With these and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, the improved invention consists of a base of a truss structure preferably constituted by aplurality of tetrahedral units, which construction affords great strength and rigidity combined with lightness. This base is supported on the surface of the water when at rest by a plurality of small boats or pontoons, and supported above the surface of the water 1921. Serial No. 469,724.

'stantially T-shape and com osed of two trusses, each built up ifrom t e tetrahedral units, and one being arranged at substantially right angles to the'other, thepoint 1 of intersection of said trussesbeing' near one end of one of them. r

My invention provides a tar et which is light, but strong and rigid; easi y assembled at sea to any desired size; and so constituted as to sustain an*enor mous amount of gun fire; that is composed of a few standard parts that canbe compactly stowed away on board ship u'ntil needed and then readily assembled by unskilled labor; and which, compared with targets of the same size heretofore used, are cheaper to buil and repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel connecting or corner device" by which as many of the tetrahedral units as desired may be built up in a simple and expeditious manner.

Preferably, for a target of say fifty feet in length I employ a truss built u of tetrahedral units one cell in height, w ereas for larger targets, say up to one hundred feet, there is preferably employed a truss two cells high, and, for a tar et say two hundred feet in length I pre trum three cells or units high.

The improved target may be assembled and in position for firing in a very short time, inasmuch as the building of the tetrahedral structures involves merely the assemblage of standard lengths of rods with the connecting pieces. After this is effected, the boats or pontoons, the hydrofoil sets, and the firing objective may be secured to the trusses in any simple and effective manner, after which the target is ready for use as a stationary objective, when it is supported by the pontoons, or as a moving ob jective, when it is supported by the hydroerably employ a a readily repaired foils, and is capable of being towed at high speed because of the minimum resistance offered by the small hydrofoil surfaces.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating severail expressions of the inventive idea, and in which- Fig. 1 is a, Si view of a target of small size of the fifty-foot type;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same, Fig. 3 is a corresponding plan view, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 33 of Figs. 4:, 5. and 6 are respectively a side view, plan .view and end view of a lar or target employing trusses. two tetrahe ral cells or units in height, and Fig. 5* is a transverse section on the line 5, 5, Fig. 5; Fig, 7 is end view of a two hundred ifioot target employing trusses three tetraliedral cells. or units in. height;

Fig. 8 elevation showing the means :ot connectingthe rods constituting the tetrahedralwunitsi;

Fig. 9- is a cross sectional view showing themes-us of connecting said rods with the connecting or corner device;

Fig. 10 an elevational view of one of said connecting oncorner devices; and

E 11 isaperspective view of one of the tetra drali cells or units showing the impcoved connectingor corner device at each point oflinteresection ofthe rods.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like referencafnumenals indicate like parts, and particularly to Figs. 1-3 and 8-11, inclusive, L2 indicates a longitudinal truss con stituted by a plurality'df'tetrahedral units such as illustrated in lg. 11, and 13 indicates a, second. truss built up. at a right angle to the first truss near'one end thereof. The tetrahedral units of which the trusses are composed are built up of rods of uniform length and size which are secured together by connecting or corner pieces 14. As illustrated. in 'Fig. 11, each tetrahedral unit'isjcQmposed of six

rods

15, 16, 17, 18, 1-9i and. 20, with corner pieces, arranged at the intersections. of the rods. Preferably, the

rods are oi steel-tubing, four feet in length by 11)" in diameter, with walls, and the connecting or cornerpieces are preferably castings made of duralium or drilled-out steel-castings.

Each corner piece is provided with a plu rfality of projections 21'so that the tetra hedr'al units'may be extended in any direction. As clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10. the rods 145-20, inclusive, are preferably connected to the corner pieces 14 by means of sleeves 22, each of which passes over :1 projection 21. One end of the rod projects into the sleeve until it abuts the end of said projection. The projections 21, like the sleeves 22 and the rods, are provided with perforations 21, and pins 23 pass through said perforations which will register when the parts are assembled as illustrated in Fig. 9. The parts are fixed in the position illustrated in said figure by any suitable means 24. This construction permits of the ready and eflicientassemblage of the parts Without the use of any screw-threaded or other complicated connecting parts which might readily get out of order or be dillicult to manipulate.

The longitudinal truss 12 illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is one tetrahedral unit in height, and the same is true of the transverse truss 13. At that end of this longitudinal truss l2 remote from the truss i3 is arranged, in the medial fore and aft line of said truss 12, a float or pontoon This pontoon is preferably of the uniform type used on seaplanes.

Similar pontoons

26, 27 are carried on the under side of the truss 13, one being mounted on each side of the medial fore and aft line of the truss 12. Adjacent the pontoon 25, and suitably secured to the truss 12 by any desired connection, is a pair of hydrofoil sets 28 and 29; and adjacent each of the pontoons 26 and 2-7 is suitably mounted a set of hydrofoils 3t) and 31. For the purpose of stability. the hydrofoil surfaces of these sets are arranged at dihedral angles.

A firing objective 32. for example the usual canvas target, is carried by the base in any desired manner. As here shown, two masts or supports 33 and 34 project upwardly from the trusses 12 and 13. and the firing objective 32 is carried between them. These masts or supports are provided with bracing

wires

35, 36 and 37.

It will be understood that, when the target is at rest, the same is supported by the pontoons, and when the target is in motion, as when it is being towed. the same will be supported on the hydrofoil sets. In this latter condition, the pontoons and the trusses are carried above the surface of the water, and accordingly the resistance to the movement of the target will be reduced to a minimum because only the hydrofoil blades will pass through the water. For this reason, a small boat can tow the lifty f0ot target, such as is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and a destroyer can tow a very large target or a string of moderate sized targets without consuming enough horsepower to materially reduce her speed.

Types of these larger sized targets are illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. wherein is shown a target of say one hundred feet in length, and Fig. 7 wherein is shown the con' struction of a target two hundred feet in length.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6. it will be observed that the longitudinal truss 12 is in this embodiment of a height of two tetra Ill! lilU

hedraliunits A and'B. The-same is true of the transverse truss l3. vAside from h ncreased size .and .strengthuof thetrusses, the construction of the hundred-foot target may be the same, so far as number and positioning of the hydrofoil sets and Pontoons and the .firingobjectiveare concerend, as in the fift -foot ty..--

iii Fig. .7 there illustrated the construction for a targetoj .say two feet in length. In this embodiment the; trusses 12 and 13 are eachthree tetrahedral units high, indicated by the .letters A, Brand E. In addition, the h drofoilsets 30.and 31 at each extremity o the truss 13, are preferably duplicated, as indicated at 30'and 311,

andthe pontoons 26and 27 near each extremity of said truss 1 3,are preferably duplicated, as indicated at 2.6 and 27'.

It will be observed that the present invention obviates the neces it the employmet 1t, of the oldfdisplacement 't pe of target which was difiiculttotow and which consumed f enormous horsepower "at present speeds which is some hing over. thirty vkn per hour; -and that, by theus'e ofthe present mventipn, targets of any desiredsize may be readily and simply assembled and towed with the minimum expenditure of horsepower. The advantage is' emphasized that. by the use of'the resent invention, a tar et is f providedf whit can be nioved rapidly through the'waterat su'bstanitally the normal speed of the towingcraft, and that these targets may'be' built up tesubstantially the length of a war vessel of the dreadnought type and towedfat substantiall the normal speed of said vessel, thus alfor ing gunnery practice ofa kind which has heretofore been ractically jimpossiblel' When, added to his, itii s some in 'mind that the target is built of standard parts that can be readily and expeditiously assembled toconstruct a target of any desired size, that its assemblage and repair may be-made at sea, that the tetrahedral trusses will stand an enormous amount of gun fire without destruction and that the target, by reason of its knockdown character, may be disassembled and compactly stowed away aboard ship until the need arises, it will be appreciated that the present invention is a most elfective, ad dition to naval training. Further, the provision of a T-shaped base constituted by two trusses built up of tetrahedral units, which trusses connect the pontoons and hydrofoil sets, alfords a construction which embodies to the maximum degree the characteristics of lightness, stren th, rigidity and stability.

If desired, the Fore and aft truss may be provided with a cloth-covering which could be laced on the sections in order to reduce the air resistance of the various members of the truss.

It will be understood that in the larger targets, as of theone hundred foot type, the firing objective may be secured directly to the base. or tetrahedral structure, thus avoidin he necessityfof vertical masts.

eral embodiments of the inventive idea have been herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limitedtothese structures but that the inventive ideav is susceptible of various mechanical exressions within the limits of the ap ended aims.

hat is claimed is 1. In a target, the combination of a. base or support constituted by a, series of connected tetrahedral units, a plurality ,of float structures. carried thereby for supOrting said base or support when at rest, ap urality of hydrofoil sets for supporting said base or support when the target is inmotion, and a firing objective carried above said base or support. v

2. In atarget, the combination of a base or support constituted by a plurality of connectedptetrahedral units, a plurality ,of hydrofoil sets secured to the under side of said base. or support and supporting. the same when the target is in motion, means secured to said base or support 'for supporting the samewhen at ,rest, and a 'fi'ring objeetive carried above said base or support.

3. In', a target, the combination 0 abase or support constituted by a plurality of connectedtetrahedral units, a plurality'of float members securedtosaid baseor support and supporting the same when'the target 'is at rest, means secured to said base or support for supporting thesame when the target is in motion, and a firing objective carried above said base or support.

4:. In a target, the combination of a base or support constituted by a plurality of connected tetrahedral units arranged in two series one at right angles and rigidly connected to the other, a hydrofoil set carried near one extremity of one series and near each extremity of the other series to support the target when in motion, and a firing objective carried by said base or so port.

5. In a target, the com blnation of a base or support constituted by a plurality of connected tetrahedral units arranged in two series one at right angles to the other, a hydrofoil set carried near one'extremity of one series and near each extremity of the other series to support the target when in motion, said hydrofoil sets being arranged at dihedral angles, means secured to said base or support for supporting the same when at rest, and a firing objective carried by said base or support.

6. In a target, the combination of a base or support constituted by a plurality of connected tetrahedral units one above the other. a firing objective arranged above said base,

t %Vhile,;for the purpose of clearness, sevmeans secured to said base or support for supporting th same 'Whenthe target is at rest, and a plurality of hydrofoil sets connected to the under side of said base and supporting the same when the target is in motion.

7. 'In a knock-down target, the combination of a truss constituted by tetrahedral units made up of 'rods of uniform length connected by corner pieces, -'hyd'rofoil* sets connected "by said truss and suppo the same when the target is in m'dt'ion, means secured to said truss for supporting *the same when at rest, and '2. "firing objective carried by said '-truss.

8. In combination, a target comprising a phirality of hydro'foilsetsm truss connecting said "hydrofoil sets, means secured to said truss for supporting the same when at rest, and a firing obj'eotive carried by said truss, said elements being adapted for ready as semblage and disassemblage. I

9. Iri'combi-nation, a knockdown target 00 isi'ng a plurality ofontoons and h d'rofdil trusses-connecting said 'pontoons and hydrofoil sets, and a firing objective carried by said trusses, saidelements being ads ted for ready assemblage and disasseni 'lage.

'10. In a'target, the combination ofa longitudinal trus's, -a hydrofoil set mounted in the m edial' fore'and'zi ft line thereof, a second truss arranged at substantially :right angles to said first truss, and rigidly connected thereto, a pair of hydrofoil sets carried by said secon trus's and arranged one on each side of the medial fore and aft line of said target, said hydrofoil sets extending downwardly and ou'twardl from the truss structure, and a firing ob ective carried by said trusses.

1'1 Tn-a'target, the combination of a longitudinal-truss,-a pontoon mounted in the medial fore and aft line thereof, a second truss arranged at substantiallyright angles to said first truss, a pair of pontoons carried by said second truss and arranged one on each side of the medial fore and aft line of said target, hydrofoil sets arranged at dihedral angles, and a firing objective carried by said trusses.

12. In a target, the combination of a longitudinal truss, a pontoon and a hydrofoil set mounted inthe medial: fore andaft'line thereof, a second truss arranged at substantially right angles to said first truss, a pair of pontoons and hydrofoil sets carried by said second truss and arranged one on each side of the medial fore and aft line of said target, said hydrofoil sets extending downwardly and outwardly from the truss struc ture, and a firing objective carried by said trusses.

13. In a target, the combination of a T- shaped truss constituted by connected tetra hedralcells or units, a set of hydrofoils carried by said truss near each extremity of the same andsupporting said target when in motion means carried by said truss to support the same when at rest, and a firing-objective carried by said trum.

-14. In a target, the combination of a T- shaped truss constituted by connected "tetrahedral-cellsor units, a pontoon carried by said truss near each, extremity of the same and' supporting-said target when at rest, and a firing objective carried by said truss.

15. In a target, the combination of a T- shaped'truss constituted by connected-tetra hedral cells or units, a set of hydrofoilscarried by'said truss near each extremity of the same and supporting said target when in motion, and a pontoon carried by said truss near each set of hydrofoils and supporting said target when at rest.

16. In atarget,'the combination of-a skeleton base or support, a plurality offioat structures carried thereby for supporting said base or support when at rest, a plurality of hydrofoil sets for supporting said base or support when the target is in motion, and a firing objective carried "by said base or support.

17. In a target, the combination of a truss constituted by units made up of rods of unitor-m length connected by corner pieces, by-

drofoil sets connectedby said truss and supporting-the same when the target is in motion, means attached'to said'truss to support the same when at rest, and a firing objective carried by said truss, said elements 'being detachably connected'to form a knock-down structure.

18. In a target adapted to be-towed at high speed through the water, the combination of a base or support constituted by a longitudinal truss, a second truss arranged at substantially right angles to said first'truss, pontoons secured to the under side of each of said trusses adjacent the opposite extremities thereofi, hydrofoil sets secured to said base adjacent said ontoons, and a firing objective mounted on said base.

19. In a target adapted to be towed at high speedrthrough the water, the combination of a base or support constituted by a longitudinal truss formed of tetrahedral cells or units, a second truss formed of tetrahedral cells or units arranged substantially at right angles to said first truss, a plurality of float members secured to said base to-support the same when at rest, a plurality of hydrofoil sets secured to said base to support the same in motion, and a firing objective mounted on said base.

20. In combination, a knock-down target adapted to be towed at high speed through the water comprising a truss Structure formed of tetrahedral units, a plurality of hydrofoil sets secured to said truss structure and supporting the same when the taris in motion, float members secured to said structure adjacent said hydrofoil sets, and a firing objective carried by said structure.

21. In a knock-down target adapted to be 7 towed at high speed through the water, the

combination of a. truss-constituted by units made up of rods of uniform length connected by corner pieces, hydrofoil sets secured 10 to said trus adjacent the extremities thereof, pontoons secured to the truss adjacent said hydrofoil sets, and a firing objective carried by said truss.

In testimony whereof I have signed this 15