US1645881A

US1645881A - Electric target-practice apparatus for firearms

Info

Publication number: US1645881A
Application number: US121431A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eugene H Strong
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1926-07-09
Filing date: 1926-07-09
Publication date: 1927-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 1944-10-18

Description

OGL 18 1927' E. H. STRONG ELECTRIC TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS FOR FIREARMS Filed Ju1y 9. 1926 2 Sheets-sheer. 1

En Ene H; i TTDLEQ 1,645,881 Oct- 18 1927' E. H. STRONG ELECTRIC TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS FOR FIREARMS W ULATIONl gwuentoz ELL Ene H. Strung Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES EUGENE H. STRONG,

F PEARSALL, TEXAS.

ELECTRIC TARGET-PRACTICE APPARATUS FOR FIREARMS.

Application led July 9,

The present invention relates to electric target practice apparatus for use upon firearms.

Since'speed and accurac in the use of firearms can only be developed by target practice, the average citizen is handicapped in becoming so eflicient in t-he use of firearms owing to the high cost of ammunition, and the inability to find a suitable place 1u whereby speed and accuracy may be obtained through the medium of target practice. Owing to the expense and inconvenience of familiarizing himself with the fire arm and its use, through the medium of target practice, the average citizen does not become proficient in the use of firearms.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an electric target practice apparatus for firearms for facilitating 2o target practice without the necessity of buying ammunition and the locating of a suitable placeat which target practice may be safely carried on.

A further object of the invention is to 23 provide a light projecting means which may be readily associated with existing types of fire arms in a manner whereby upon operation of the trigger of the fire arm, a concentrated beam of light will be projected ."0 through the barrel of the' gun and strike at the exact spot on the target at which a bullet would have hit if the gun were actually fired.

A further object of the invention resides 3:, in the provision of a novel light projecting attachment for firearms embodying features whereby an electric light having a circuit completed therethrough through actuation of the firing mechanism, will remain lit so 4o long as the pressure is maintained on the trigger of the un.

`A still furt er object of the invention resides in the provision of a light projecting cartridge of novel construction. adapted to.

be positioned in one of the chambers of a rotating cylinder of a firearm and have the lamp thereof illuminated upon actuation of the firing mechanism for projecting a concentrated light beam through the barrel of '.o the gun.

A still further object of the invention resides in the lnovel arrangement whereby the light projecting cartridge is maintained in alignment with the bore 1n the gun barrel during opera-tion of the firing mechanism.

1926. Serial No. 121,431.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novelly constructed light projecting cartridge having cushioning means so associated therewith as to eliminate possibility of the lamp filament being broken upon the impact of the firing pin which serves for completion of the circuit through the lamp.

Briefly, the invention. resides in the provision of an electric target practice apparatus for firearms, embodying a light pro- 'ecting cartridge for insertion in one chamer of the gun cylinder in axial alignment with the gun barrel, and which light projecting cartridge forms one terminal of a suitable conductor leading to an electric battery, and a retainer cartridge inserted in a second chamber of the gun cylinder, serving as a terminal for the opposite side of tlie battery and so cooperating with the firing meehanism of the cylinder of the gun as to retai-n the chamber carrying the light projecting cartridge in alignment with the bore of the gun barrel during succemive operation of the firing mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention than those aforementioned, will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which drawings.

Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and part in longitudinal section through a conventional type of revolver and showing the apparatus as applied thereto.

igure 2 is an enlarged transverse section on line 2 2 of Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line'3--3 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction'of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale through one form of light projecting cartridge as employed for the projecting of a concentrated light beam through the barrel of the gun.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the cartridge taken on line 5 5 of Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the manner in which an electrical source of energy may be connected with the light project-ing cartrid e.

Figure 7 is a central ongitudinal section through a modified form of light projecting cartridge and showing the various parts in position for the completion of a circuit through the lamp of the cartridge.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 7 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a central longitudinal sectional view through a still further form of light projecting cartridge and showing the movable element in circuit completing relation.

Figure 10 is a transverse section on line ]0-10 of Figure 9 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a view part in elevation and )art in longitudinal section of the form of light projecting cartridge as illustrated in Figure 9 and illustrating details of .construction for assembling of the cartridge, and showing the circuit completing portions in an open circuit position.

Figure 12 is a perspective! View of one of the movable circuit completing` elements of the cartridge as illustrated in igurehll.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and wherein similar reference character designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A designates a conventional type of lire arm in the form of arevolver, By a light projecting cartridge for association with the revolver A for the projecting of a light beam through the barrel of the revolver upon actuation of the firing mechanism of the latter, and C a retainer cartridge associated with the revolver A for retaining the light projecting cartridge B in alignment with the gun barrel during successive actuation of the firing mechanism of the revolver. The letter D may designate a further form of light projecting cartridge, and the letter E a still further or third form of light projecting cartridge for association with the revolver A in a manner like thatof the cartridge B.

Referring to the revolver A, and which is of conventional construction, the same is ot' that type embodying a single barrel 20 having a cylinder 21 revolubly mounted at the base of the barrel and which cylinder is provided with a number of chambers 22 which are successively brought into axial alignment with the bore 23 of the barrel 20 for forming a continuation of the bore in the barrel upon each complete operation of the firing mechanism M. The cylinder 21 is revolubly mounted in the gun frame 24 as by the usual center pin 25. The firing mechanism M and which is mounted in the frame 24 forwardly of the handle or stock 26, embodies the trigger 27, hammer 28, lifter 29, and the hand 30 which normally engages in tlie recesses 3l provided in the rear face of the cylinder 21 for rotatin of the cylinder u n rearward pulling o the trigger 27.

lie usual tiring pin 32 is mounted in the upper portion of the frame 24 rearwardly of the cylinder 2l and normally held out of tiring position as bya coil spring 33. In operation of the firing mechanism M, and upon rearward pulling of the trigger 27, the lifter 29 moves upwardly at the rear ot' the firing pin 32 into a position whereby upon automatic releasing of the hammer 28, the hammer will drive the firing pin foi'- wardly for tiring of a cartridge contained in the cylinder chamber which is in alignment with the barrel bore 23. So long as the pull is maintained upon the trigger 27, the hammer 28 will hold the firing pin 32 in engagement with tlie firing cap of the cartridge and upon releasing of the trigger, the lifter 29 will drop to a posit-ion as Shown in Figure 1 and allowing the firing pin 32 to move rearwardly out of contacting engagement with the cartridge. The aforementioned operation defines the manner iii which the firing mechanism operates for the tiring of the regular loaded cartridges.

Referring now to the light projecting cai'- tridge B, and more specifically to that form as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the same is of a shape and size resembling the usual loaded cartridge for use in the type of firearm as illustrated in Figure 1, and embodies a metal tubular casing or shell 35 of a size to snugly fit within either of the chambers 22 of the cylinder 21, and provided at the rear end of the casing is an external rim 36 which engages the rear face of the cylinder 21 for preventing the cartridge from moving forwardly in its chamber 22. It may here be well to state, that the particular form B of the light projecting cartridge, is primarily intended for use in guns of small caliber, since the same may be more compactly constructed than either of the types D and E. Snugly fitting within the tubular casing 35, is a cylindrical ldngitudi-v nally halved core 37 formed of a suitable insulating material such as fiber or bakelite. The sections of the insulating core 37 may be secured together by suitable cap screws 38 as illustrated in Figure 5. Provided axially of the insulating core 37, and preferably adjacent the rear end thereof, is a pocket 39 rearwardly from which extends an axially disposed guideway 40 which opens at the rear end of the cartridge as clearly illustrated in Figure 4.

Rigidly mounted as by cementing or the like to the forward end of casing 35, is an evacuated light bulb 41 provided with a post 42 for the supporting of a ilament 43, having lead wires 44 and 45 which may extend exteriorly of the light bulb. A reflector 46 is also carried by the forward end of the post 42 inwardly of the light bulb, and which reflector is intended for projecting an intense and concentrated beam of light upon illuminating of the filament 43. As will be lill) observed in Figure 4, the light bulb is of hemispherical formation at its forward end and has its rear portion tapering in conical formation into the forward end of the insulating bore 37.

Mounted axially of the insulating core 37 and at the rear of the light bulb 41, is a metal terminal block 47 and to which one terminal of the filament lead 44 may be attached in any suitable manner. Electrically connected with the terminal block 47 and extending axially through the core 37, is a conductor rod 48 the rear terminal of which projects into the pocket 39.

A cushioning means K mounted in the pocket 39, embodies in part, a rear metal terminal block 49 of cup shape in formation and through which the rearwardly projecting end of the conductor rod 48 extends. Bolts 50 may be threaded upon each end of the conductor rod 48 and engage the respective metal terminal blocks 47 and 49 for securing of the blocks in position within the core 37. Slidably mounted in the guideway is a metal Contact cap 51 forming a part of the cushioning means K, and which is also of cup shaped formation, and which is preferably formed of steel or other suitably hard material such that the same will not be battered by impact of the firing pin 32 when the firing pin contacts with the cap. An annularly projecting rim 52 is preferably provided at the forward open end of the cup shaped contact cap 51 for engaging with the rear end of the pocket 39 and acting as a stop for limiting rearward movement of the contact cap. An expansion coil spring 53 positioned between the oppositely arranged cup shaped members 49 and 51, and which spring also forms a part of the cushioning means K, serves for normally urging the contact cap 5 1 rearwardly, and also serves as an electrical connection between the metallic members 49 and 51. As will readily be apparent, this coil spring 53r serves to cushion the impact of the firing pin of the fire arm in a manner whereby neither the firing pin or the contact cap will be battered by the impact, owing to the fact that when the pin strikes the contact cap the sprmg 53 will yield and allow the cap to be moved inwardly by the pin. This cushioning means K also serves for preventing possible injury or breaking of the filament 43 by the impact caused by the firing pin 32 striking the contact cap 51. By observing Figure 4, it w11] be seen that the lead 44 of the filament is electrically connected through to the contact cap 51, and is insulated from the tubular casing or shell 35. The lead of the lamp filament may extend rearwardly through the insulating core 37 and be lead in insulated relation through the rim 36 provided at the rear end of the casing 35, and be suitably connected to a. wire 45 leading to one terminal of an electrical energy device such as a battery H as shown in the diagrammatic view illustrated in Figure 6.

By observing Figure 1, and when the firing mechanism M is in its normal position, the firing pin 32 is held in a retracted condition by means of the spring 33 out of contacting engagement with the contact cap 51 and thus breaking the circuits leading through the cushioning means K.

Referring now to the retainer cartridge C, the same may be formed of any suitable metal and be of cylindrical formation for snug fitting engagement in one of the chambers 22 of the cylinder 21. This retainer cartridge C is intended for co-acting with the firing mechanism of the gun in a manner whereby the chamber containing the light projecting cartridge B will be maintained in axial alignment with the bore of the gun barrel during successive actuation of the firing mechanism. This cartridge C is provided at its rear end with a laterally projecting lug which when the cartridge is disposed in the proper chamber 22 will act for retaining the hand 30 out of engagement with the recesses 31 provided in the rear face of the cylinder 21, and thus prevent the hand from functioning as a rotating means for the cylinder upon each operation of the firing mechanism. Thus it will be seen that by so retaining the hand 30 out of operating engagement with the recesses 31, the cylinder chamber in which the light projecting cartridge is disposed, will be held in alignment with the gun barrel. A conductor wire 61 is suitably connected with the rear portion of the cartridge C, and leads to the opposite terminal of the battery H. With this construction, it will be observed that the retainer cartridge C serves as a means for grounding one terminal of the battery H with the gun A and where upon the one terminal of the battery is connected with the firing pin 32.

In operation, it will be observed lthat when the firing pin 32 is mov-ed into contacting engagement with the Contact cap 51 by means of the hammer 28 and lifter 29, that an electrical circuit will be completed through the filament 43.

The battery H may be in the form of a small iash light battery disposed in a suitable case and hung to the belt or any other convenient place which will not interfere with proper manipulation of the gun when being usedfor target practice.

Since the bore in the barrel of firearms is usually bright, and sometimes rifled, such would tend to diffuse the light rays passing through the barrel, and for this reason it is desirable that a tubular sheet of black paper 63 be inserted in the barrel for preventmg diffusion of the light rays passing therethrough.

llO

If it is desirable to still further concentrate the light rays passing through the barrel, the same may be accomplished by the placing of a cap 64 over the end of the barrel, said cap being provided with a suitable constricted aperture through which the light rays may be projected in a concentrated beam.

Referring to the form D of the light projecting cartridge as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the same embodies a tubular casing oi` shell 65 being threaded at its forward end and closed at its rear end by a suitable cap 66 provided with an axially disposed guideway 67. A longitudinally halved insulating core 68 fitting within the casing 65, is provided with axially aligned communicating forward, intermediate, and

rear pockets

68', 69 and 70 respectively. These pockets provide means for the mounting of a cushioning means K axially of the core 68.

Mounted in the forward pocket 68', is a two part terminal block 71 the sections of which are normally urged in opposed relation as by an expansion coil spring 72. Mounted in the intermediate pocket 69, is a second or rear two part terminal block 73, the sections of which are normally urged i n opposed relation as by an expansion coil spring 74. The rear section of the terminal block 73, is provided with a forwardly extending contact rod 75 which is adapted to contact with the rear section of the two part terminal block 71. Reciprocally mounted in the guideway 67 and extending into the rear pocket 70, is a contact block 76 formed of insulat-ing material, and arranged over the 'rear end of the block, is an impact cap 78 for engagement by the firing pin 32.

A single contact light bulb 80carries a metal sleeve 81 which may be threaded into the forward threaded end of the casing 65 with the center contact 82 engaging the forward section of the two part terminal block 71, and which bulb has its metal base 83 v grounded upon the casing 65 through the connection 84. A lead wire 85 insulatively` lead through the casing 65, is connected with the rear two part terminal block 73, and may be connected at its opgosite end .to one terminal of the battery H. he opposite terminal of the battery may be connected through the usual retainer cartridge C, and which through the metal frame of the gun connects with the metal casing 65. In this form D, the contact is broken between the terminal blocks 71 and 73 by movement of the contact rod 75 out of contacting relation with the rear section of the forward terminal block or blocks 71. In this form, the firing pin 32 is not relied upon as a sole means for the completion of a circuit to the bulb 80.

Referring to the form E of light pro jecting cartridge as illustrated in Figures 9 to 12 inclusive, the same embodies a metal tubular casing or shell having a reduced threaded forward end portion 91, and provided at its rear end with an external rim 92. The casing encloses a longitudinally halved insulating core 93 provided with axially disposed communicating front and

rear pockets

94 and 95 respectively. Mounted in the front pocket 94 is a two part terminal block 96 having its sections normally urged in opposed relation as by an expansion coil spring 97. Mounted in the rear pocket is a two part terminal block 98 having its sections normally urged in opposed relation as by an expansion coil spring 99. The rear section of the terminal block 99 has a forwardly extending contact rod 100 which is adapted for contacting with a rearwardly projecting contact rod 101 carried by the rear section of the front terminal block 96. Mounted in the rear pocket 95, and insulated from the rear terminal block 98, is a metal impact cap 102 which when engaged by the liring pin 32 moves the

rod sections

100 and 101 into contacting engagement for the completion of a circuit through the light bulb 103. The light bulb 103 is of the single contact t-ype, provided with a threaded base 104 for threaded engagement with the threaded end portion 101 of the casing 90 with the center contact 105 engaging the forward terminal block 96. A reflector 46 may be mounted about the filament of the lamp for concentrating of the light rays as in a manner like that of the reflector shown in Figure 4. The lead Wire 85 is connected with the rear terminal block 98 and may extend to one terminal of the battery H, while the opposite lead from the battery may be connected to the frame 24 through the retainer cartridge C and lead to the lamp 103 through the metal casing 90. t

In both of the forms D and E, provision has been made whereby the light bulbs may be replaced whenever such becomes desirable and necessary.

Figure 12 of the drawings is a perspective view of the rear section of the two part terminal block 96 as employed in the form of light projecting cartridge as illustrated in Figures 9 and 11.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent the manner in which the firing pin 32 acts for completing of a circuit through the light bulb u on actuation of the firing mechanism M o the revolver.

The light beam projected by the light projecting cartridge will remain as long as pressure is maintained on the trigger 27, since so long, as this pressure is maintained, the lifter 29 remains in a raised position between the hammer and tiring pin thus holding the irin in in contact with the light projecting cartri ge.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a novel electric target practice apparatus for firearms has been provided whereby target practice may be carried on with the actual firearm intended for the firing of loaded cartridges, and embodying elements which may be readily associated with the firearm upon removal of the usual cartridges., and the firearm operated in a manner as would be pursued in the actual firing of loaded cartridges.

Changes in detail may be made to the specific forms of the invention herein shown and described, Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a target practice apparatus, the combination with a firearm embodying a chainbered cylinder, and a firing mechanism embodying a firing pin, of a light projecting cartridge embodying a light bulb, removably fitting in the chamber of said cylinder and adapted to have an electrical circuit completed through the light bulb thereof by contact of the firin pin of the firing mechanism with the cartri ge.

2. In a target practice apparatus, the coinbination with a firearm embodying a chambered cylinder, and a firing mechanism embodying a firing pin, of a light projecting cartridge embo ying a light bulb, removably fitting in the chamber of said cylinder, said light bulb to have a circuit completed therethrough by the firing pin of the firing mechanism, and cushioning means associated vWith the cartridge for cushioning of the impact of the firing pin.

3. The combination with a firearm embodying a revoluble cylinder having chambers for aligning with the barrel of the firearm, and firing mechanism for rotation of the cylinder, of an electric target practice apparatus comprising a light projecting cartridge provided with a light bulb' removably fitting in one of the chambers of said cylinder in alignment with the barrel of the firearm, means for completing a circuit through the light bulb, and a retainer cartridge removably fitting in another chamber of said cylinder and coacting with the firing mechanism of the 'firearm for retaining o the cylinder against rotation upon actuation of the firing mechanism.

4, The combination with a. firearm embodying a revoluble cylinder having chambers for aligning with the barrel of the firearm, and a firing mechanism embodying a firing pin and a hand for rotating of the cylinder upon actuation of the firing mechanism, of an electric target practice ap aratus comprising alight projecting cartri ge provided with a light bulb removably fitting in one of the chambers of said cyhiider in alignment with the barrel of the firearm,

means to complete a circuit through the light bulb including said firing pin, and a retainer cartridge removably fitting in a second chamber of the cylinder for preventing normal operation of said hand during actuation of the firing mechanism.

5. The combination with a firearm einbodying a revoluble cylinder having chambers for aligning with the barrel of the firearm, and a firing mechanism embodying a firing pin and a hand for normally rotating said cylinder upon actuation of the firing mechanism, of an electric target practice anparatus comprising a light projecting cartridge provided with a light bulb removably fitting in one of the chambers of said cylinder in alignment with the barrel of the firearm and engageable by said firing pin, means for energizing said light bulb upon actuation of the firing mechanism, and a retainer cartridge removably fitting in a second chamber of the cylinder and provided with a laterally projecting lug engageable by said hand. for retaining the hand out of operative engagement with said cylinder upon actuation of the firing mechanism.

6. In a target practice apparatus, the comb-ination with a firearm embodying a chambered cylinder and a firing mechanism embodying a firing pin aligning at the rear of the chamber of said cylinder, of a light projecting cartridge embodying a light bulb` removably fitting in the chamber of said cylinder, means for energizing said light bulb upon actuation of the firing mechanism, and a cushioning means arranged axially within the cartridge embodying a cap yieldably mounted at the rear of the cartridge and engageable by the firing pin for cushioning of the impact of the firing pin when engaging the cartridge.

7. A light projecting cartridge for target practice with firearms, comprising a tubular casing, a light bulb carried by the forward end of the casing, a core of insulating material arranged Within the casing, a terminal block carried by the forward portion of the core for connection with one terminal of the light bulb, a cap slidably carried by the rear portion of the core and opening at the rear of the core, and a cushioning spring arranged between the terminal blocks and said cap and serving for normally maintaining a closed circuit between the cap and one terminal of the light bulb.

8. A light projecting cartridge for target practice with firearms, comprising a tubular metal casing, a light bulb mounted at the forward end of the casing, a longitudinally halved insulating core arranged in the casing and provided with a guideway opening at the rear of the core, a cap slidably mounted in the guideway, a terminal block at the forward portion of the core for connecting vwith one terminal of the light bulb,

and means electrically connecting the terminal block and cap, embodying an expansion spring normallv urging the cap rearwardly within the core.

9. A light projecting cartridge for target practice with firearms, comprising a tubular casing, a light bulb carried by the forward end of the casing and embodying a post, a reflector mounted upon the post within the bulb for projecting the light rays forwardly of the cartridge, a core mounted in the casing, and cushioning means carried by the core and embodying an impact cap opening to the rear of the casing.

10. In a target practice apparatus, the combination with a firearm embodying a cylinder having chambers for aligning with the barrel of the firearm, of an electric target practice apparatus comprising a light projecting cartridge provided with a light bulb removably fitting in one of the chambers of said cylinder and having a lead wire for connection with one terminal of a battery, and a retainer cartridge removably fitting in another chamber of said cylinder and having f light bulb.

EUGENE H. STRONG.