US2187422A - Amusement apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jm'mm 1E mm A. M. HENRY 1W1 AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1939 '7 Sheets-Sheet l Jam m M W A. M. HENRY EMMA-EH AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1959 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. M. JI MENW AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 19359 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 AMUS EMENT APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1939 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 STWIKE Jan. 16, 1940. A. M. HENRY 2,187,422

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1939 7 Sheets-Shet 5 are 4&2

/66a [12 V6]? for:

Jan. 16, 1940. M E RY 2,187,422

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Nov; 1'7, 1939 '7' Sheets-Sheet 6 CANCEL STRIKE 358" 94 it [12 Van Z01.-

Jan. 16, 1940. A M HENRY 2,187,422

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed rm; 1"? 1939 "T Sheets-Sheet T 2- atfilm L llast-mentioned,

Patented Jan. 16, 1940 iJNlTEo .sr'rss rrics 22 Glaims.

This invention relates to games, or amusement apparatus, andhas for a main object to provide a gameor device of the kind just indicated, practicable for employment in so-called shooting galleries (especially when used as a target means,

in connection with the sending of a missile from a firearm, air rifle or the like), or in other public placeswherethosewho come and pay may operate or attempt to operate the game or device, i as well also aslby Boy Scout troops, school groups,

sporting clubs and other associations, or in taverns and the .like (especially when used as a target means in connection with the sending of 1 a game or device o'i the kind above indicated, and

5 wherein, with such device preferably embodied, the popular appeal ,of a shooting contest can be combined with the popular appeal of the game oi: baseball, and at the same time a game or device will be'provided which is quick in action 5? as well as positive in indicating the result of a shot, which can also conveniently be embodied when desired so as to incorporate automatic means for, the indication of successive base hits,

and the completion of runs, the recording of the latterand the registering of strikes accord,-

ing toany prearranged rule, and which also can be manufactured at comparatively low cost and operatedat negligible expense.

In connection with the several advantages these, particularly, were not present in the shooting gallerydisclosed and claimed in United States patent to Horton and me No. 1, 93,462, granted August 1,1916. 'When an apparatus constructed according to the drawof ,said patent was placed in a shooting gallery at Coney Island, New York, in July, 1914,

such apparatus was found, to put it'briefly, to

have as its chief disadvantage that it was ftoo good. In other words, so much happened when liame platewashit that an unmanageable assemblage of spectators and would-beparticipants gathered; in numbers so great that a squad of police had to be called to disperse the crowd.

su lvioreover, from the standpoint of :the ouncesoneoi the target sections located at the sionaire, who had only the clear days of a comparativelyshort season on which to depend for the recoupment of .his heavy rent, not to mentionihis hope for some profit from his concession, the apparatus of the patentaforesaid was 5 a distinct disappointment, as will now be explained.

In thefirst place, said prior apparatus Weighed a =ton,orrmore,was very costly, and required a tremendous wall space, indeed about 40% of the 10 wall space of the average size shooting gallery. (against lthis an advantage of the present invention is the provision of a device, not only of exceedingly low cost and light weight enough not to need special and bulky foundations, but

also ,smallenough that perhaps a dozen thereof can be placed fill theaverage size shooting ga1- lery, While leaving plenty of remaining space for a large number of clay-pipes, traveling ducks,

frangible :balls supported atop water jets, and

simultaneously shoot, with each contestant shooting at a device individually assigned to him.

In th second place, said prior apparatus had so many interest-intriguing visibleworking parts which-operated when target section was hit that after the firing of each shot, the one shoot-a ing Waited to Watch all the things happening, and even tolisten to and answer the remarks (ii-bystanders, before making another shot. Also, if the patron missed the target completely, so thathone of said working parts visibly operated, he would wait sometimes a full minute inthe hope that the machine was slow-acting, and

in, the disinclination to believe that he had endeavoring within acertain number of minutes l to shatter a line of clay pipes, the proprietor of the gallery does not make a fair profit.

An object of the present invention is to provide asimple and inexpensive game or apparatus having the popular appeal of a shooting contest As is 45 and also that of the game of baseball, wherein each base hit and/or run completion and/or each missing of a target and/or each hitting of a target, will be instantly and unmistakably recorded; so that there will be no excuse for pauses between shots.

Another object is to provide a game or device as last described, wherein simple and practical means are incorporated for timing a contestant to require him to make a certain number of shots within a given time interval, as by placing him under a certain penalty for his failure to do so.

Another object is to provide a game or device as above described, and for giving one or more of the registrations and recordations above referred to, which can be instantly reset to zero or starting condition, as to all of the recording instrumentalities employed, when one patron ceases shooting and it is desired to reset the device for the starting of a second contest.

Another object is to provide a simple and inexpensive game or apparatus having the popular appeal of a shooting contest and also that of the game of baseball, and wherein simple and practical means are provided for timing the effectiveness of a shot relative to the travel of the projectile object of play in an actual game of baseball, to wit, the baseball itself, in simu- 1 lation of that rule of an actual game of baseball according to which the ball must be struck while it is passing over the plate. Means to this end were a feature of the patented apparatus aforesaid; but in the case of the present invention 7 the complexities, and the disadvantage of having the replica of the baseball and its carrying means subjected to injury from shots striking the same, are avoided.

A very important object of the present invention is to provide a target arrangement in a game or device having the popular appeal of a shooting contest as well as that of the game of baseball, such that the target as soon as struck will become transformed so as to be more difficult to hit, as by diminishing the area thereof, and/or changing the location thereof, and so that when the thus transformed target is struck it will simi larly be made even more difficult to hit than before, and so on; to the end that a contestant who is able to hit the easiest target will be lured on to attempt to hit the next most difficult tar get. According to the present invention, as preferably embodied, each hitting of a target will advance the contestant one base; that is, the easiest target will be the one which he has to hit in order to be advanced to first base, and when he is on first base a more diflicult target will be presented, so that he will'have to show greater skill in getting from first base to second base, and still greater skill in getting from second base to third base, with the most difiicult target of all being that one which he must hit in order to go from third base back to the home plate and thereby set to his credit one run.

Various other objects and advantages will be hereinafter referred to or become apparent from the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing embodiments of the invention as now preferred.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one such embodiment,the peripheries of certain hidden scoring disks being indicated in broken lines.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, showing disks in front elevation and also showing certainother parts; this view being taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a top plan View.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing various operating parts hidden in Fig. 2 behind said disks; this view being taken on the line 44 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional View, taken on the line 5--5 of Figs. 2 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a somewhat d agrammatic View, showing electrical elements and wiring connections.

Fig. 7 is generally a vertical elevational view, illustrating another embodiment, in so far as are concerned features thereof whereby change of target size is accompanied by change of target location.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective View, showing a detail of construction.

Figs 9, 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the front of the apparatus as displayed to the person shooting, according, respectively, as such apparatus appears when said person starts shooting, when he has struck a target to advance a man to first base, when he has struck a target to advance a man to second base, and when he has struck a target to advance a man to third base.

Fig. 13 is a view illustrating still another embodiment,-the same being somewhat diagrammatic in certain particulars, being largely electrical, and arranged in such manner that mechanical elements are shown in front elevation.

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line ill-i i of Fig, 13.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary detail view.

Fig. 16 is a front elevation of an embodiment wherein the missile is a ray of light from a raygun and the target area exposed is a photo electric cell.

Fig. 17 shows said embodiment also in front elevation, but with the cover plate removed.

Fig. 18 is mainly a vertical section taken on the line l3|8 of Fig. 17.

. Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to the exemplifying form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6, at i0 is indicated a front wall behind which are located various mechanisms, and at Illa a rear wall in back of the latter.

On the obverse side of wall it is displayed a conventional representation of a baseball field, since this embodiment shows the invention employed'in such a way that a similitude of the game of baseball can be played by shots fired at a target means pursuant to the invention. In the present case, such representation as shown includes a diamond having four base line paths joining the four bases, these last being shown as squares so that they suggest the actual base positioning sacks or markers.

The home plate is designated by an opening i2, first base by an opening :3, second base by an opening M, and third base by an opening it. As is also conventional in apparatus for graphically reproducing an actual baseball game then being actually played at some remote point, such, for instance, as the apparatus disclosed in United States patent to me No. 1,043,765, of November 5, 1912, said representation is shown as also including a. path i6 joining the pitchers position I? and the home plate.

Mounted on a shaft [8 is a disk I9 hereinafter called the base-running disk.

Base-running disk I 9 has secured thereto a ratchet 20 having twelve teeth, whereby when a mechanism including a pawl2l is operated, said disk will be advanced th of a revolution in the direction indicated by the arrow Illa in Fig. 2. When a person starts shooting, as to commence.

, participation in a shooting contest, the baserunning disk is positioned as shown, that is, a man-on-base symbol, in the present case a maltose cross 22, is short of having a position corresponding to the opening it! in wall Ill at first base, by l th of a revolution. of [9. A second similar symbol 23 is short of having reached the opening i l in a wall Iii at second base by ths of a revolution of said disk, and a thirdsimilar symbol 2 is short of having reached the opening. l5 in wall H3 at third base by ths of a revolution of said disk. As will be seen, starting with the disk in the position shown in Fig. 2, the first A th revolution thereof will expose a man-on-base symbol at first base, the next th revolution of said disk will expose a man-on-base symbol on second base and remove the previously displayed symbol from first base, a third i th revolution of said disk will display a man-on-base symbol at third base and remove the previously displayed symbol from second base, and a fourth /lgth. turn of said disk will remove the symbol previously displayed at third base and will bring the three. symbols to such positions that the fifth, sixth, seventh and e'ghtl'l ensuing 16 th revolutions of said disk will display symbols, respectively, as said symbols were.

set following said first, second, third and fourth gth revolutions of said disk; and so on indefinitely.

The pawl 2| is pivoted on an arm 25 rockable on shaft l8, and from the pivotal connection between the pawl and arm a link [8a is connected to a nonunagnetic extension 2'6 of an armature 26 for a solenoid 27. Said armature has a nonmagnetic extension pin 28 guided loosely by a suitable opening in a fixed plate 29. Pin iii carries a dependent arm 28a connected to one end of a retractile coil spring 30 the other end of which is secured at 30.

Each time the solenoid 271 is energized, the arm 25. is rocked in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, thereby rotating the base-running disk i9 through i th of a revolution; said arm, the pawl 2i and the movable parts of and associated with the solenoid returning to their. normal positions, under action of spring 343, on subsequent deenergization ofthe solenoid.

In. order squarely to halt the base-running disk ill at the conclusion of each V th revolution thereof, the periphery of another disk 3! therebelow, and sprocket-and-chain driven therewith all as will be described in a moment, has four equidistant and properly placed notches 3! each of which coacts with a leaf spring 3|" to provide an impositive yet dependable detent.

The target location is, in the structure now being described; behind the home-plate opening it in front wall ill, which opening i2 is shown as circular and as large as the largest of a plurality of circular openings of difiering diameters in the disk 3|. This disk 3!, hereinafter called the target-modifier disk, is revolvable on a shaft 33. Disk 3! is so mounted as to rotate with a sprocket il l, driven by a sprocket chain passing over a sprocket es mounted to rotate with base-running disk l9; the sprockets being such that on each complete revolutionof targetrnodifier disk ti base-running i9 is rotated through rd of a revolution.

When a person first commences to shoot, that is, when as aforesaid the disk i9 is set as shown in Fig. 2, the disk 3! is set as there shown,;that

is, the largest opening did therein is matched to the home-plate opening E2 in front wall Hi.

There are three other circular openings in the disk 3|, marked respectively (lib, tie and tid. I51 The centers of these four openings in said disk lie in a circle concentric with the axis of the disk, and the centers of said openings are spaced 90 around such axis. Thus, on each quarter revolution of the target-modifier disk 3!, corresponding to each /lgth revolution of base-running disk is, there is substituted, for the opening in the disk (it previously at the target position (behind home-plate opening it), the next succeeding opening of the disk 3! clockwisely of the disk 32.

As will be noted, the opening bib is or" smaller diameter than the opening Sid, the opening Sicis of smaller diameter than the opening bib, and the opening 3ld is of smaller diameter than the opening 31 c.

Consequently, with the parts initially set as shown in Figs. 1, 2 or 4, the target opening at home plate which the one shooting will test his skill against, is the largest opening in targetmodifier disk 3i, that is, the opening 360..

Assume now that he fires a shot which through said opening, and that the solenoid ii is energized. Thereupon, the disk i9 will be rotated A th of a revolution to place a man (the symbol 22) on first base, but simultaneously therewith the target opening next to be presented to the skill of the, person shooting is re" duced in size to that of the opening Ziib in target-modifier disk 3i. Consequently, it will require more skill to advance from first base to second base, than to reach first base. Similar y, since a person shooting who placed is man on second base will next have to try his skill against a target opening corresponding to the opening illc of disk t l, it will be still harder for him to advance from second base to third base. And, since when he has progressed to third base, he must try his skill against a target opening as" small as the opening Rid of target-modifier 3!, 5;. the greatest extreme of skill will be required to bring in a run.

There will. now be described the means for operating the solenoid it each time a person shooting hits the target, that sends his 1, bullet through the opening in the target-modifier disk then at the target or horne-plate position. Fixedly suspended from a loosely mounted 31, so as normally to depend vertically by gravity, is a target proper 3&3, hereinafter called the target plate. As shown best in Fig. 6, this plate is free to swing backward, when impacted by a bullet passing through the target opening, so cause a contact 3d moving therewith to touch a fixed contact iii-lo thus closing a normally open Gm circuit including the coil of solenoid Such circuit is shown in Fig. 6 as starting from a suitable current supply source it, and thence including a wire ii, said contacts 39 an i We, a wire 42, a switch including relatively 1'. contacts 43 and M (if such switch be instance, as shown and as below de; ti wire 45, the coil of solenoid ground.

Mounted to rotate with targetunodifie disk and sprocket wheel 34, is a cam il havi 410.. On the completion of each revc disk 3!, which always follows four strings of the target plate 38 (each oi such striking accomplished through a smaller opening in the disk 31 than the immediately preceding striking) that is, following a f g-the revolution of disk I9 (during which ths revolution a man is successively advanced to first base, then to second 3 base, then to third base, and then cleared away from the third base, with each such successive advance accomplished by one of four separate strikings of the target plate 28)the cam lobe 41 moves through a field of operation such that a run-scoring disk 48 will be rotated in the direction of the arrow 48a of Fig, 2, through a proper fraction of a revolution, in order to register a run.

Said disk 48 is fixed on a shaft 49, has runscoring numerals arranged on the front face thereof as shown in Fig. 2, and is, when a person first commences shooting, held so that the zero oi said numerals is displayed through a run-registering opening 50 in front wall It; the disk being then thus held by abutment of a projection 48' thereof against a suitably fixed stop 48s, this abutment insured by gravity acting on a weight 5| guided in a tubular shaftway 52. Weight 5i is secured to the lower end of a fiexible metal band 53, the upper end of which is anchored to a drum 54 fixed on the same shaft 49 which carries the run-scoring disk 48.

Each time the target-modifier disk 3i has finished one complete revolution, marking the bringing in of a run, the run-scoring disk 49 raises by an increment of l the numerical reading previously displayed through opening 58. The required fractional rotation of disk 38 is accomplished through a lever 55 fulcrunimed at 5B and at one end presenting a follower for the cam lobe 41a and at its other end being pivoted to the bottom of a vertical link 51 the top of which is pivotally connected to a lever 58 loose on shaft 49 and carrying a pawl 59 so engaging the teeth of a ratchet 60 fixed on said shaft 19 that, each time the lever 55 is rocked by said cam lobe traversing its aforesaid field of operation, the run-total showing at the front wall opening 59 is increased by 1.

In order to overcome the constant tendency of weight 5! to rotate the ratchet in a counterclockwise direction, thereby to return the disk 49 to zero reading, a second or detent pawl fil is fixedly pivoted at 62 and held against the ratchet by a leaf spring 63.

The parts just described are most clearly shown in Fig. 4; and in this view will be noted a solenoid and certain other parts above the two pawls 59 and GI. These elements of the apparatus, which have to do with restoring the run-recordation to a zero reading, as when one person finishes shooting and another is about to begin, will be later described.

As hereinabove already indicated, a feature of the invention is the prompt recording of the result of every shot. corded as well as a hit. As will be seen from Fig. 1, front wall it is provided with an opening 54, for the display therethrough of a signal that a shot has been a miss, such signal in the present case being a strike registration. Normally, that is, when a person first commences shooting, the zero of a suitable set of numerals carried by the front of a disk 65, hereinafter called the strike-recording disk, will be displayed through the opening 64.

This disk is fixed on a shaft 66. Also fixed on this shaft is what may be termed an escapement wheel 61. Loosely pivoted on the shaft 66 is a rocker-lever 68 normally resiliently held vertical and 84 are here shown as carried by the shooting 75 Thus, a miss should be reby a retractile coil spring 69 as shown. A collar 10 (Fig. 5) is so set on shaft 66 that sufficient friction is set up between the hub portion of the rocker-lever 68 and escapement wheel 61 to restrain the latter from ever following any mere swinging movement of the rocker-lever.

Otherwise stated, the escapement wheel, and consequently the strike-recording disk 55, will not rotate fractionally in either direction, until one of the teeth of the escapement wheel is engaged and positively pushed to an extent required fractionally to rotate the escapement wheel to change a numerical reading at the window 64.

The instrumentality for giving such push is a crescential or double pawl Iii pivoted on the upper end of a rocker-lever 68 at 10 and resiliently biased to the position shown by a leaf spring TI anchored at its upper end to the hub of said double pawl and at its lower end to the rocker-lever 66.

As will be seen from Fig. 2, to give a strike indication or to increase the strike-total reading, the strike-recording disk 65 should be rotated in a clockwise direction, as per the arrow 65a in Figs. 2 and 4.

Referring now to the latter view, each time the rocker-lever 68 is swung to move the pivot '19 for a proper throw toward the right, the pawl l3 elfects the required fractional rotation of the disk 65.

Such movement of said pivot occurs on energization of a solenoid 12; as then an armature l3 on which this solenoid magnetically acts, is moved toward the right and in such manner as, through a rod l4 fixedly carried by the armature, and through a link '55 operatively connected to said rod and a finger l0" upstanding on pawl it above the upper end of rocker-lever $3, to give the element last-mentioned the prevised swing toward the right.

During this swing, leaf spring H, which is weaker than coil spring 89, is first bowed, thereby lowering the rightward horn of the pawl 79 on the rocker-lever so that such horn will surely engage the tooth of escapement wheel 6'! lying therebelow, before a swinging of the rocker-lever toward the right commences. Following engagement of said horn with said tooth, the action of the solenoid 12 on its armature i3 is effective to rotate the escapement wheel, and with it the strike-recording disk 65, through the fractional revolution required to increase the reading through the window 64 by an increment of 1.

On subsequent deenergization of the solenoid 72, the parts return automatically to the dispositions shown in Fig. 4, except that, as already explained, the escapement wheel and the disk 65 stand fast in the positions to which they were just previously advanced. Such restoration of the parts is accomplished by means of a retractile coil spring 76, one end of which is secured to a fixed bracket l1 and the other end of which is secured to an upstanding arm 18 fixed on a rod 19 carried by armature l3 and loosely passing through a guiding opening (not shown) in a leaf ll depending from bracket 'l'i.

Solenoid I2 is in a normally open circuit, and means are provided to close such circuit each time a shot is fired and a target is missed.

Such circuit is shown in Fig. 6 as starting from the current supply source 49, and thence including a wire 80, a wire 8i leading to a contact 82, a wire 83 leading from a contact 84, the coil of solenoid l2, and a wire 85 to ground. The contacts 82 veniently a small-arms rifle of about .22 calibre as commonly used in shooting galleries.

suitable mountof insulation and in such position that before the "trigger is pulled the circuit is open, but on pulling the trigger the contacts touch. As indicated, the wires ill and will be "quite light and flexible and long enough to allow the person shooting considers...

, latitude in position and posture relative to his post front of counter ill, which in a shooting gallery acts as the separating barrier betweenthe proprietor of the gallery and the patron shooting.

As the embodiment now being described has so far beendescribed, every time a shot is fired, a strike will be registered. However, it preferable to register such strike only when a base hit is not registered. In order toattain this result, another solenoid lid is provided, Thearinature acted onby the solenoid it as above de'scribedis also the armature which is acted on by the solenoid Bil. It should be noted that armature is normally held as shown by coaction of the spring it (and also the spring 6B) withanother spring to,

now favored form in the apparatus fi l l rl alsoa retractile coil springbut onearranged to pull in direction opposite to that the pull of spring it, This spring til is at one end connected to armfid and is at its other end anchored at a fixed point Bil; these springs it and being balanced inytheir pulls when the parts are disposed shown in e.

A solenoid ordinarily acts fairly rapidly, and therefore each time a shot is fired one or an additional strike will be registered by action of the solenoid '52 as above described. This action takes place immediately on pulling the trigger of the rifle If, however, a second later the bullet strikes the target plate thatthe strike just previously registered should be cancelled, the sole noidllt is energized thereby moving the armature .lll not only from its extreme rightward location to, which it was just sent by energization of the solenoid l2, to its normal position shown, in broken lines in Fig. but beyond this last-mentinned position and to al'eftward extreme position as lfl'lLlfili'lGPflOVBd from said normal position as was is saidrightward limit of travel. There-,

by, andby action first of the leaf springii and subsequent movement of the rockerdever fill as already described, the escapement wheel [il and the (illare rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, that is, in direction opposite to that of the arrow sears Figs. 2 audit, and to an extent sufd cient to cancel out the strike registration just previously made. f i

The circuit for the solenoidtil is shown. in Fig. 6 starting from the currentsource id and including the wire ii, the contacts 38 and the wire 62 between said contactZ-llla to the point be, a wire (iii, the coil of the solenoid, and a wire 9! to ground. In order to necessitate shots to be fired at cerr suggestive of the judgment required of a batter in actual game of baseball, now preferred feature of the invention is embodied in a .trated in L, to 6. According to thisarrangemeot, said tirn ng is in terms ofthe pitch. I A. representation of baseball. which can be of any, shape,- but is preferably a circular figure, wit or without indicative of the cover'stitchings of a .ceball, is caused to travel, preferably at a uniform rate of speed, up and down the path it tion is indicated by a line llli.

ball 32 reaches the pitcher, that is, arrives at the end oi its upward travel, it immediately starts its (Fig.1) between the pitchers and catchers positions.

Such representation is, shown at 92, and such stitching-s at 92', inFig. l. Said path is here constituted by a panel 93 of laminated or shatterlength with the panel 93, but obliquely inclined relative to the plane of said front wall, as illustrated; such mirror being desirably of thinsheet metal chromium plated. oscillable on a suitable pivot illiisua socket lit for an electric light bulb ill, this socket being continued as a beam-emitting tube fill equipped with a suitable condenser lens Bil and so forming an oscillable searchlight with a beam the mirror surface. Said lens can be painted with an opaque material to causethe arcuate lines shown at 92 in Fig. 1 to be always seen. as part of the representation of the baseball visible from the front of the apparatus. If thesocket 96 is oscillated to run the beam up and down the mirror lit, a person at the front of the apparatus will see the ball being first thrown from the pitcherto the catcher and then returned to the pitcher and then thrown again to the catcher and so on.

In Fig. 2 the Searchlight is shown at the upper limit of its oscillation, with its axis extended= along the line we. Such line is also shown, similarly numbered, in Fig. 6, where the position of the searchlight at the lower limit ofits oscilla- When thebeampause before the beam ball recommences an 1115- ward travel,-in fact it disappears for the space of time measured by that pause. That is, the

line M32 of s, not the line llli, indicates the axial line of the Searchlight when the beamball 23's is at the bottom of the mirror- 9d.

the ball, over the plate that a shot could be required to be fired if a hitting of the target by that shot is to be effective to actuate base-run-,

nine; disk ll Such a result could be secured by,,

employment of the hereinabove referred to switch elements and t l the element 4-3 being a spring contact suitably insulated as shown and to have an end ride over an insulation ring secured to the socket ill, and the element 44 being acontact segment setin said ring and so i {.315 It would be during this pause, that is, while elongated-peripherally of the, ring and so angularly located thereon, that only while said socket is moving downwardly. and then upwardly,

. through the angle measured by the lines llll and Hi2, the-energizing circuit for the solenoid i2 is closed through said switch.

Oscillation of the searchlightdncluding socket is here shown as eifected by the following means. A solenoid lll l has an armature Hi5 cart is urged toward a position such that its axis will coincide with the line Edit, by a retractile coil spring lil'i, then the armature M15 is drawn out of center with the winding of the solenoid When the parts are thus disposed, a suitably insulated contact I98 on arm 96' touches asuitably insulated fixed contact I09. From supply wire 40 a wire H leads to contact I08, and from contact I09 a wire III leads to the winding of solenoid M, such winding continuing as a Wire H2 to ground. I Thus, each time the socket 96 arrives at a position where its axis coincides with the line I00, the energizing circuit for solenoid I04 is closed, and thereupon the armature I05 is moved upwardly to become centralized relative to the winding of the solenoid. But by this movement, the energizing circuit for the solenoid is broken, and the spring I01 returns the armature to its full line position. Then again the energized circuit for the solenoid is closed and the armature is again centralized relative tothe solenoid winding; and so on. In order to time the rate of travel of the up and down movements of the beam-ball 92, each rising movement of the armature Hi5 is subject to the control of a dash pot IIJ adjustable by a needle valve H4 and the tension of the spring can be made adjustable in any well known way, as, for instance, as illustrated at H5.

Referring now to the exemplifying means herein illustrated for timing the firing of a series of shots, as the eight shots customarily allowed a patron of a shooting gallery for a pay-- ment of $.25, this means as shown functions first as a repetitive warning of the amount of the allotted time which before each such warning has elapsed, and then as a final notification that no more shots can be made, and, further, so operates that this final notification actually insures that a shot made too late will be fruitless for scoring; said means, moreover, being so constructed that the period allotted for the firing of such eight shots (or some other predetermined number of shots) can be varied when desired.

. As shown, electric light bulbs H6, H1 and H8 (see particularly Figs. 1 and 6) are the, instrumentalities for respectively giving the successive warnings-according to such an arrangement, for instance, that the bulb H6 warns that onequarter of said period has elapsed, the bulb Hl that one-half of said period has elapsed, and the bulb H8 warns that three-quarters of said period have elapsed. Also, as shown, eachof these bulbs is placed behind a circular window IIBa of shatter-proof glass suitably set in front wall I2; these windows being preferably spaced across thetop of the wall Ill distances representing fractions of the width of the wall corresponding to the time interval fractions of saidperiod the completions of which are flashed by the respective bulbs.

The means for giving the final notification that said period is concluded, and for positively preventing further unauthorized shots to be of any effect in scoring, here includes a pair of fixed thereon spur-pinions 7 l the other leaf is thrown to its broken line position. While the shooting time period is running, the two leaves are in this full'line positions, resting on stop pins I23. When the period ends, a solenoid I24 is energized, thereby drawing in wardly and centrally of the winding thereof an armature I25, guided rearwardly thereof'by a pin extension I25 loosely passing through a suitable aperture in a U-strap IZ'I and guided forwardly thereof by the resting of a reduced extension I28 of the armature on a roller I29. This armature extension I 28 is toothed to provide a rack meshing with one of the pinions I2I. The throw of the armature is such that when the solenoid is energized the rack is moved to the left the amount required to rock the leaves I20 to their broken line positions, thereby to cover the home-plate opening I2 and present a shield to prevent any shots subsequently fired from reaching the target 28 and to display the word Stop 1 in said opening. On deenergization of the solenoid I25, an expansile coil spring I30 sleeving the pin extension I26 within the spool of the solenoid and desirably of phosphor-bronze or some other suitable non-magnetic material restores the parts to their full line positions.

The bulbs Ht, Ill and H8 are successively lighted, and finally the leaves I2Il are thrown to their broken line positions, by automatically opcrating electric-switch means fixed contacts IIIia, II'Ia, H811 and I2Ila. The period or time interval allowed for shooting the agreed number of shots is measured by a wheel I3I rotating in the direction of the arrow shown thereon in Figs. 4 and 6. This wheel has a rim of insulation in which is set a contact segment I3I, which, during one revolution of the wheel in an anti-clockwise direction from the starting including four position thereof shown, coacts successively with the fixed contacts Hfia, HIa, H811 and IZIIa, first er for said train, is a suitable main spring I33 such that when wound as intended and then released, said train operates to rotate the wheel I3i through one revolution as above. The springwinding shaft ltd of the clockwork carries a spur gear I 35 so connected to said shaft, as by an overrunning clutch not shown but of any suitable type, that said gear as viewed in Fig. 4 can rotate in an anticlockwise direction without causing rotation of said shaft, yet when rotated in a clockwise direction it will cause the spring I33 to be wound. Meshing with the gear I35 is a vertical rack I36 which on an upstroke thereof will rotate said gear in the direction to wind said spring. This rack is carried by the armature I31 of a solenoid I38, these last two parts being so arranged that when the solenoid is energized the rack performs its said upstroke of a length to wind up the spring I33 as intended. On deenergization of the solenoid, the armature is turned by a spring I39 to the position shown, and idly, as aforesaid, relative to the train of clockwork,

In order to vary the length of said period or timing interval, the train-of clockwork as shown includes a wheel I40 carrying an adjustable airbrake I II of the well-known shiftable vane type.

When a person desires to commence shooting, the solenoid I38 is energized, and incidental to this the solenoid HM is deenergized by opening the previously closed circuit therefor. As shown,

there is a push button M2 on the counter 81. On pushing in such button, a circuit is closed for the solenoid iiluand .therack 35 on armature liii performs an upstroke, thereby winding up spring Hi3. Said circuit (Fig. 6) includes the wires and a wire Mia, the push "button Edi, a iiilla to the solenoid and thence a wire ltd to ground. On releasing the push butten, the spring lad restores said armature to the position shown; and thereupon the time-interval wheel lfii starts its appointed rotation. Immediately this occurs, the contact segmentilii l beyond the fixed contact 2%, opens a circuit starting from source it and including a wire the wheel ltil and said contactseg-- ment, W d fixed contact iillla, a .wire liliib, the of solenoid Mi l and a wire .ll i'licto-ground.

Thereby, predeterminedly relative :to the movement of wheel liil, and at the beginning of the shooting period, the target is exposed through the opening it in front wall til and the opening ru line positions.

contact buib, d a wire l to ground.

At the conclusion of one-half of said shooting period, the bulb ill flashes; ,due to a circuit beclcsed which includes said wire 443a and wheel ldl, its contact segment :ieii-l', the cd contact ll'la, a wire 1. M to the filament of said bulb, and a wire M5 to ground.

At the conclusion of three-quarters of said shooting p iod, the :bulb MB flashes; due to a circuit bei closed which includes said wire a, the wheel litl, its contact segment 13!, d contact it a wire Mb to the filament bulb, and a wire t ill to ground. A the conclusion of said period, the solenoid lid is a ain. energized; due to the aforesaid circuit being closed which includes the wire ime and the wheel its contact segment ldl, the n: ed contact and the wires J's x3 3 and i liic; thus, also aforesaid, throwing the leaves "iii! to the r broken linepositions. Thereafter, until again push button i is actuated, said leaves as last described. E) .e, whenever .a person desires to commence for a score-rnaking eiiort resulting X0111 firing shots as predetermined relative to a previscd shooting period, a previous such may have left target-modifier disk M in other than Starting position (that is, in a position such that the largest opening 31a thereof not .pposite the home-plate opening l2 in front wall iii), means are provided for allowing ant readily to restore said disk to its "1g position. This means as shown push button M2! on the counter li'll in circuit starting from current proper si nd includingthe wire 8d, a wire M9 c testing the latter to'said push button and nce a wi e 5 iii? .ining the wire 45 at the point The push button M65 is operated the number required, each time to energize and actuate the colenoi" ill once, to eiie t the destation oi the target-modifier disk rly, may be necessary at the starting of a sno vring period to restore the strike-reading shown at windowt l in front Wall iii, to zero.

Such restoration means here includes a push but ton 15.2 on the counter 81 and interposed in a circuit starting from current source and -in cluding the wire fill, a Wire i513, connecting the latter to said push button, and thence a wire the joining the wire 83 at the point its. push button, operated the number of times relquired, each time to energize the solenoid 12, on each such actuation fractionally rotates the strike-recording disk 5.5 in an anti-clockwise direction, until a zero indication is restored at,

tion of lever is always yieldingly held against.

cam 4i by a retractile coil spring .115?! connected at its upper end to a. fixed point and at its lower end :toa collar [58 on the-vertical link 15 which :operatively connects said lever and pawl 5fl,land

which pawl, as already described, rotates the z run-recording disk 433 in a clockwise direction each time the base-running disk illi completes e hsiof .a revolution. It will be recalled, also, that normally the detent pawl 2M holds the runrecording disk against retrograde rotation. In order when desired to rearrange these parts so thatthen the run-reading shown atwindow 5!] zip. ,front wall Ml can be restored to zero, as, for instance, when such restoration .is required at the start of a shooting period, means are proyided including a solenoid I58, anarniature 158a, therefor, and a rod extension i513 "from said armature and having a reduced prolongation Jbfi" loosely guided in suitable aperture in a -han:ger Rod extension 158' is provided with pair of pins loll and liil, arranged as shown -relative, respectively, to upstanding fingers Ma and 59o, carried, respectively, by pawls El and 5d. Normally, that is with the parts arranged as illustrated in Fig. 4, these pawls can operate as hereinabove described for scoring runs during a shooting period; the armature being held out or center within the winding of the solenoid by a leaf spring 162 at its upper end anchored on an upstanding pcrtion'i ilcz of bracket IGI and pressing at its lower end against a collar IE3 wfixed on armature prolongation 15.3".

A circuit, which includes the push button 556, provided for energization of the solenoid I58 when such push button is manually operated; such cilCl1it starting at the currentsource c413, and thence including wires 8A] and till, a wire 1'59, said .push button, a wire Ltd, the winding of the solenoid, and a wire N to ground.

In operating the embodiment above described, any suitable setlof rulesior a s'oloshooting period by a single person or for a contest between a plurality of perscnseacb shootingat one of the apparatus, can "be adopted. For instance, where two persons are in a contest, and first one and i to this factor the enema-king the least number of strikes. Said condition might be that when either contestant has had say nine strikes scored against him, he will be retired from the contest, as by the analogy that he is representing a baseball team of which three members thereof can go to bat, with each such member to be retired from batting after having made three strikes.

Just as the rate of throwing of the ball 92 can be varied as desired, as hereinabove described, and as the shooting period measuring means can be varied as above described, the openings carried by the target-modifier disk 3i can be varied as desired. To this last end, such disk is preferably quickly detachably secured to its carrying sprocket wheel as by screws, bolts, cotter pins, or the like. That is, one such disk may be readily substituted for another, not only to vary the nature of the contest by changing the sizes and/or the relative sizes of the openings in said disk, but also to replace an old disk by a new one when the former after long use has been damaged, as, for instance, by having one or more of the openings therein deformed by bullet impact Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs '7 to 12, wherein the location of an outline of a front wall I95 of suitable size and preferably rectangular shape is in dicated by dot-and-dash lines, and wherein merely a base-hit scoring mechanism is illustrated, said board is provided with four targetdisplay openings instead of merely one at I2 in Fig. 1. These openings are here marked I69, I91, I98 and I69; and each is located at one of the four base points-it being desirable that the obverse face of the wall I65 carry base-lines joining these bases or some other representation suggestive of the playing field of the game of baseball Each of these openings is here shown as square There are not only four such openings, but four targets each similar to the targets 38 of 2. One of these targets, H9, is behind the home-p1ate opening I65 Another of these tarets. IN, is behind the first base opening I61 Still another of these targets, I12, is behind the second base opening I68 And the fourth of these targets, I13, is behind the third base opening I69 As shown in Figs '7 and 8, each of these four targets has operatively associated therewith a contact M3911, ISIc, H3811 and I99a, as the case be, each such contact suitably insulated When any target is struck, a normally open circuit is closed which includes a source of current I'M and a wire I75, and thence, as the case may be, a wire I'm; or wires Iii, H8 and I19; or all the three wires last mentioned except the last; or the wire Ill, and thence, as the case may be, the contact Ififia, I5 Ia, IBM or 59a and its associated target, and thence, as the case may be, a wire I86}; or said wire Hi) and a wire I8I; or the two wires last mentioned and a wire I82; or the three wires last mentioned and a wire I93, and thence to the winding of a solenoid I 84 and a wire I85 to ground Revoluble on the shafts shown are four spur gears of the same diameter each carrying a target-varying disk I86, I81, I88 or I89 These gears mesh as shown in a continuous train be ginning with the gear carrying disk I86 and ending with the gear carrying disk I87 Fixed to rotate with the gear I86 is a spur pinion I99, meshing with a spur gear I9I, on a shaft I9I,

' this gear last mentioned having secured thereto a ratchet I92 Loose on the shaft I9! is an arm I93 which at its free end pivotally carries a pawl I94 and is pivotally connected to a link I95 similarly connected at I95 to a reduced extension I960, of an armature I96 for the solenoid I84; said extension I9Ga being guided loosely in a suitable aperture in a hanger I97, and the pawl I94 being resiliently urged to the normal position shown by a spring I98 On each energization of the solenoid I84, by a closing of any of the four circuits above described, this occuring on the striking by a bullet of the appropriate target I69, I61, IE8 or I69, the pawl I94 is operated to rotate the gear I9I one-eighth revolution, and the pinion I99 one-quarter rev-' olution, and, consequently, each of the four target-varying disks one-quarter revolution.

Referring now to Figs. 9, 1G, 11 and 12, in the first of these the appearance of the apparatus at the start of the shooting period so far as the eye of the person firing is concerned, is shown. In Fig. 10, is illustrated a first diminution in target size, and the shifting of the target from home plate to first base (as, also, to indicate that now a man is on second base). And in Fig. 12 is illustrated the last diminution in target size, and the shifting of the target from second base to third base (as, also, to indicate that now a man is on third base). When the last referred to target is hit, the apparatus again becomes arranged as shown in Fig. 9, and, as by the means described in connection with Figs. 1 to 6, a run is recorded.

In order that at each operation of the solenoid I34 the target-sizing opening in that one of the target-varying disks which is brought in front of and to expose any one of the targets proper I66, I61, I68 and I69, will come into place squarely precisely as intended, all the gears carrying these disks are limited to precisely one-quarter revolution on each operation of said solenoid; the means here shown for attaining this being a notched disk I99 and a suitably mounted leaf spring 290 for coacting with such notches.

It will be noted that as shown each of the target-varying disks has a single target-sizing opening therein, each such opening differently angularly placed on each disk, and each opening on a difierent disk of a dirTerent size from any other. The home-plate disk I96 has the largest opening, I86a; the first-base disk I8! has the next largest opening, I8'ia; the second-base disk I88 has the next largest opening, 38a; and the thirdbase disk has the smallest opening, that shown at As the parts are illustrated, that is, as they Would be at the start of a shooting period, or after the scoring of one run during a shooting period, each of these four openings in the four disks is at the six oclock position on the disk, so that the first-base target opening 136a is establishing that target, that is, is exposing the target proper I19; but-with all the disks rotatable by the pawl I94 in the direction indicated by the arrows on the disksthe disk carrying the first base target opening I8Ia needs 90 of angular movement to establish the target at such base, the disk carrying the second base target opening IBSa needs 180 of angular movement to establish the target at third base, the disk carrying the third base target opening I89a needs 270 of angular movement to establish a target at third base, and, to refer again to the first-mentioned target opening IIiBa, the disk carrying that opening needs 360 or a full revolution to reestablish a target at home plate.

Therefore, when, with the parts arranged as illustrated, the target lid is struck by a bullet, said target disappears, and another target Il'l, appears at first base, but smaller, the same indicating a man is on first base. When said target ill is struck, it disappears and another and still smaller target appears at second base, indicating a man is on that base. When the lastmentioned target is struck, it disappears at third base, indicating a man icon that base. When this last-mentioned smallest target is struck, it disappears andthe apparatus is restored to the condition shown, that is, the target at third base disappears, and the largest target is again displayed at first base-the scoring of one run being noted. automatically or otherwise.

Any suitable provision, such as that shown at M and ill in Fig. 2, can be provided to limit the four disks its, till, we and M3?) to a one-quarter revolution each, on each energization of the solenoid.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14, which is shown principally diagrammatically (as it happens, like the others, to be shown largely electrical in operation, as is now preferred), the feature of the present invention of having a target progress around. the bases is present, as is also the feature of having a target variable in size as a differing test for the shooting skill of the person attempting to hit that target. In addition, the present embodiment provides such a target, and one which varies in size according to the degree of skill shown by an opponent in a shooting contest so far as is concerned the last shot fired by that opponent and which struck the target appointed for him to shoot at.

By the embodiment now about to be described, two contestants fire at the same apparatus, without, preferably, one waiting for the other to conclude a shot; in order words, the embodiment now to be described is such that there is not only a contest between the two persons shooting as to relative shooting skills, but a race as to which can shoot faster, while skillfully shooting.

To attain these ends, one target is assigned to one person. who-will hereinafter be calledthe batter, this target being always at the home plate; and another target is provided, which last-mentioned targetflori a certain contingency, that is, immediately after a. hit is made by the ba ter (such hit being a striking of the batters target at home plate by a bullet from his rifle) be called, is assigned the other contestant,

hereinafter called the fielder.

[is the invention is preferably carried out, the fleeting target, at whichever of its four loc it be displayed, is varied in size accord ice with the relative de of skill eihib ted by the batter in his shot which by stril the home plate battens target established the fleet-mg target at any one of its four locations, that is, greater the degreeof skill exhibited by the batter in making said Shot, the smaller the fleeting tar-- get iswhen displayed at whatever base location it is due to take.

The batters target at home plate is located behind an opening 2M in the front wall 20! of the apparatus. This target is here inthe form of four target members, each hung to depend vertically by gravity from one of four suitable separate shafts on which they are respectively loose. The rearmost target member constituting a bulls-eye, is the most difficult to hit, since its area is that of a central circular opening, 203 in the next forward target member 2st. In the same way,due to the similar and correspondingly larger openings in the various targetmembers between the target member 203 and the front wall 2M, and due to the largest openingof all, the opening 20H, in the front wall 2M (note the opening 204' in the target plate 284 immediately forward of the target plate 203, and the opening 205' in a pair of suitably insulated fixed contacts 2%,

run, 72M or its, and 2%, 2B1, 208' or 209'.

Preferably, the front faces of the target members 2M2, 2%, 2M, 2% are painted or otherwise colored, each one differently from another, so that the front face of the target member 202 is of a color contrasting with that of the front faces of the other target members and also with that of the front wall 20! around the opening 20!.

At each of the four base points, in the front wall Elli, there is provided an opening 2H], 2,

212 or 2H3, each here shown as square and indicated in dot-and-dash lines. Behind each of these openings is hung a target member 2M, Bib, 2N5 or fill, each dependent vertically by grav ity from a suitable shaft on which it is loose. When any one of these four target members is struck, it is rocked baclrwardly, then touching a suitable insulated fixed contact M8, M9, 220 or 22!.

Between the rear of the front wall 2%, and each of said openings are, Elli, H2 and M3, are provided three slide plates; as shown in detail in connection with the first base opening 2H].

As there illustrated, a slide plate 222 is normally held inthe position shown, that is, with an opening 222a therethrough out of alignment with and beyond any overlap of said opening Elli; as the result of the pull of a spring 223 and the action of a fixed stop pin 224. The opposite end of the plate 2'22 is secured to a reduced extension 225 of an armature 225 of a solenoid 2525. When this solenoid is energized, the plate 1222 is pulled against its spring to center the opening 222a with the opening 21!].

Also, behind each of the four openings 2H0, 2H, tit and m as illustrated in the case of the openings 2! B, there are two other slide plates. At the opening 210, these slid-e plates are shown at 22'! and 228. Each of these is normally held as illustrated, that is, with both of the two openings 212i and 22 1 of the first-mentioned plate, and with both of the two openings 22B and 228*" of the second-mentioned plate, out of alignment with and out of any overlap of the opening 2H1. Each of the two slide plates 221 and 228 has also a third hole (not shown); these holes being located in the two plates 221 and 228 so that with said plates arranged normally as in Fig. 13, said holes, which are at least as large as the largest opening of the other four openings carried by these two plates, that is, here at least as large as the opening 221 of the plate 221, are in registry with each other and in registry with the position which will be assumed by the opening 222a in the plate 222 when that plate is pulled up by its solenoid 226. Each of said plates 221 and 228 is normally held in its position just described by two balancing springs at the opposite ends of each, those for the plate 221 being marked 221a and 2211) and those for the plate 228 being marked 228a and 228?). Each of these springs is connected to an armature 229, 230, 23! or 232, by way of a reduced extension from said armature as illustrated; these armatures respectively being parts of solenoids 233, 234, 235 and 236. The opposite ends of said armatures have similar reduced extensions also as illustrated, and of these lastmentioned extensions, those from the armatures 229 and 233 are secured to the opposite ends of the slide plate 221, and those from the armature 23! and 232 are secured to the opposite ends of the slide plate 223.

Thus, Whenever a solenoid 233, 234, 235 or 233 is energized,--and according to which one of said solenoids is energized, provided that at the same time (which provision is herein made) the solenoid 226 is energized,a target-modifying hole in one or the other of the slide plates 221 and 228 and of a different size-result rela tive to the target member 2I4 will be brought central with the target opening 2!!! in front wall 20! to register with the aforesaid third hole in the other of said two slide plates 22'! and 228, and simultaneously the opening 222a of the target-eife'ctuating plate 222 will be brought concentric with said hole.

Preferably, the front faces of the three slide plates 222, 221 and 228 are painted or otherwise similarly colored, but with a color contrasting to that of the coloration of the front face of the target member 2M.

A similar collection of slides, solenoids and mechanical assistants, is behind each of the three other square openings 2| I, M2 and 213 in front wall 29!. For simplifying the drawings, at these openings there are shown, in addition to the aforesaid target members M5, 2 l6 and H1, merely the solenoid windings corresponding to those of the solenoids described just above as behind the opening 2"], and their coacting electrical elements, that is, the contacts 219, 220 and 22l, corresponding to the contact M8, and the wires leading to or from these windings and contacts.

At the second base square opening 2, the windings 231, 238, 239, 24!! and 24! respectively have functions corresponding to those of the windings of the solenoids 226, 233, 234, 235 and 235; that is, the armature of the solenoid including the winding 231 is connected to a slide plate (not shown) corresponding to the plate 222, and on energization of said solenoid such plate is moved for target eifectuation, the armatures of the solenoids including windings 238 and 23!! carrying between them a slide plate (not shown) corresponding to plate 221 and control their plate as the plate 221 is controlled by the solenoids 233 and 234, and the armatures of the solenoids including windings 240 and 24! carry between them a slide plate (not shown) corresponding to the plate 228 and control their plate as the plate 228 is controlled by the solenoids 235 and 236.

7 Similarly, at the third base square opening 2I2, the windings 242, 243, 244, 245 and 246 respectively have functions corresponding to those of the windings of the solenoids 226, 233, 234, 235 and 236 associated with the first base square opening 210,

And, similarly, at the home-plate square opening 253, the windings 241, 248, 249, 250 and 25! respectively have functions corresponding to those of the windings of the said solenoids 226, 233, 236', 235 and 235 associated with the said first base square opening 2H].

Referring to the batters target, such target marked ET in Figs. 13 and 14, each of the target members 252, 253, 204 and 205 thereof is provided with an offset arm 202a, 233a, 204a or 205a for closing the circuits including the contacts 2% and 225', 231 and 251, 208 and 208', or 229 and 203, when that target member is rocked by the impact of a bullet.

From said contacts 208, 221, 208 and 2093, respectively, extend wires 252, 253, 254 and 255; these wires going, respectively, to brushes 256, 25?, 253 and 259. Said brushes ride respectively on conductor rings 2%, 26!, 262 and 263. These rings, carried by a metal distributor disk, which disk is marked FTC, since it may be aptly called the fielders target-changer, are insulated from each other and from all other parts of the disk, except that the ring 260 is electrically connected to a contact 254 and the rings 2?, 262 and 263 are, respectively, similarly connected to contacts 265, 262 and 261, all at the periphery of the disk and insulated from each other as by the ring of insulation shown. An additional or fifth contact 258 is integral with, or at any rate electrically connected with, the metal disk FTC.

Each of the peripheral contacts 254, 265, 266 and 251 on said disk is separately served by one of the four individual fixed brushes 255, 255, 251 and 258; and hence on a rocking of an appropriate target member of the batters target BT, and only on the rocking of that particular target member, some one, but only one, of said four brushes will be placed in circuit. However, the fifth of such contacts, 268, is served by a brush 269, which is arranged to be placed in a closed circuit whenever any one of the four target members of the target ET is rocked.

Consider, for example, the slide plates and the other parts associated with the first-base square opening 2M3. Assume that the disk FTC, which is rotatable about a central shaft, is disposed as in Fig. 13; as it would be disposed at the commencement of a shooting contest. Then the five fixed brushes 212, 21!, 212, 213 and 214 are respectively engaging the aforesaid five contacts at the periphery of the disk FTC-Which contacts will hereinafter be called the target-flitting contacts, and which fixed brushes will hereinafter be called the first-base monitor contacts. Assume next that any one of the four target members of the target ET is rocked by a bullet from the fielders rifle 215 striking such target member; thereby to place the current supply source 218' in current-feeding relation to the four firstbase monitor brushes 21G, 21!, 212, 213 and 214 by way of wires 218, 219 and 28! and the wire 23!. 282, 233 or 232, these last going, respectively,

through different ones of the target members of the target BT to different ones of the contacts 2%, till, 2% and 2M and thence through different ones of the wires 252, 253, 254' and 255, to different ones of the brushes 256, 251, 258 and Then, according to which of said target members is so struclnthe solenoid 233, 234, 235 or 2% will be energized, to move the proper slide 22l or 222 to center in the first-base square opening Still the appropriate target-sizing opening carried. by that plate.

The fixed brush 2'l3, when the easiest to hit of the target members of the target BT, that is the target member2ll5, is struck, receives current to complete a circuit through the solenoid this circuit including a wire 285, the winding of said solenoid and a wire 236 to ground. And, similarly, the fixed brush 212, if it is the next most dii'licult target member 204 which is struck, receives current to complete a circuit through the solenoid 234-this circuit including a wire 2%, the winding of said solenoid and a wire hill to ground; the fixed brush 21 l if it is the next most difiicult target member 203 which is struck, receives'current to complete a circuit through the solenoid MEL-this circuit including a wire 288, the winding of the solenoid, and a wire 289 to ground; and the fixed brush 21!], if it is the most diiiicult target member 202 which is struck, receives current to complete a circuit throughthe solenoid Mathis circuit including a wire 29!], the winding of the solenoid, and a wire 29l to ground.

Now, regardless of which of the target-sizing opening 22? and 222", 228 and 223",, is moved into operative position relative to the fielders target at first base as described in the last para graph, such target is eifectuated only when the opening 2220: of the slide plate 222 is moved up to uncover such targetsizil g opening. Therefore, every time the BT target is struck by a bullet from the batters rifle 215, the solenoid 22b is energized, thus to move the slide plate 222. This is accomplished through the brush 269, the and the fifth first-base monitor brush El t; current flowing from source 216, and by way of the wires 211. 216, 219 and 2130, through wires 292 and m, and thence by way of the brush 2% to the FTC, and thence from the brush illl l, through a wire 294 to the winding ofthe solenoid 225, and thence through a wire 2% to ground.

As hereinabove already explained. similar slide plates, solenoids and circuits are at the square second-base, third base and home-plate openings M l. M2 and 253 (these last constituting on the proper contingencies the fielders targets); in which connection it is now further explained that:

(a) In regard to the second-base fielders target at the opening Ell, fixed brushes 296, 291, res and no, connected respectively by wires 555W. itlllii iitl t and M5 to the second-base slide-controlling solenoids 23B, 239. 24! 2M and correspond respectively to the first-base monitor brushes 215i, 2'55, 212. 213 and 21d.

(b) In regard to the third-base fielders target at opening 2H, fixed brushes see, 391, MB, and Bit. connected respectively by wires 3! i, M2, M3, 3M, and 315 to the third- base slidecontrolling solenoids 243, 244, 265i, and 242, correspond respectively to said first-base monitor brushes ill), 21!, M2, 213 and 214.

(c) In regard to the home-plate fielders target at the opening illE-i, fixed brushes 3th, dill, 3W, 3m and 320, connected respectively by wires 32!, 322, 323, 326 and 325 to the home- plate slidecontrolling solenoids 248, 249, 256, 25! and 241, correspond respectively to said first-base monitor brushes 210, 21L 212, 213 and 214.

In order to rotate the FTC disk one-quarter revolution at each striking of any target member of the batters target BT,--thereby, according as the contacts on said disk are opposite the firstbase, the second-base, the third-base, or the home-plate monitor brushes, to transfer such contacts from said brushes to the brushes at the next base around the base lines in the direction in which a base runner customarily advances in an actual game of baseball,a solenoid 326 is provided. This solenoid is energized when any target member of the batters target ET is struck by a bullet from the rifle 215; by way of the appropriate contact 2%, 201', 208 or 209'-current flowing from source 218', through wires 211, 218, 219 and 280, a Wire EM, 282, 233 or 284,

thence to the proper one of said contacts, thence through a wire 321, 328, 329 and 339, and thence through a wire 33!, the winding of the solenoid, and a wire 332 to ground.

On. each energization of said solenoid 325 (see Fig. 15) the armature 334 thereof is moved against a retractile spring 335 connected to an armature extension 334. Said extension is pivoted to the outer end of an arm 336 loose on a shaft 331; there being also pivoted to this arm a pawl 338 coacting with a ratchet 335 to which is fixed a spur gear 34!] meshing with a pinion 3M fixed to the disk FTC for rotation therewith.

The first task of the person shooting with the batters rifle 215 is to place the smallest fielders target he can at first base. How that is done has been explained.

As soon as this fielders target is established, it be omes the task of the person shooting with the flelders rifle M2 to shoot accurately enough to hit that target, and to. shoot quickly enough to hit that target before another shot from the batters rifle 215 strikes a target member of the batters target BT and thereby causes the fielders target to flit or advance from first base to second base. On the other hand, it is the batters task now to cause such flitting of the fielders target before a bullet from the fielders rifle M2 strikes said target at its then location. and so preclude the fielder from obtaining an out. (From now on, and until hereinbelow another paragraph in parentheses reached, and for a reason which will be understood from that paragraph, the circuits of Fig. 13 will be described as though each of the contacts 2%, 201. 2% and 209, respectively. connect directly, as indicated in Fig. 14, with the wires 252, 2M and 255; that is, as though the wires A, B, C and D, the wires a, b, c and d, and the elements interposed between these wires, were not present.)

Referring to said task of the person shooting with the fielders r fle M2. the following parts are provided: At is shown, by way of example. a solenoid which will register in some suitable way such an out. each time the flittin target, whatever be its base location. is struck by a bullet. This result. in part. is attained by the engagement of any one of the base-point target members 2M, 2S5, 2m and 2!?! when rocked on its suspend ng shaft by impact of a bullet, with the adjacent fixed contact 2l8. 2|9, 220 or 22!. Current from the source 218 is fed to the target member 2M through the wires 21''! and 218 and a wire 344; to the target member 215 at second-base, through the wire 2W; to the target member 2 it at third base, through the wires 211, 213, 219, 28d and 292 and through a wire 345; and to the home-plate target member 2H, through the wires 211, 212i, 219 and 28!! and a wire 3%. From the first-base contact 25B wires 341 and 3% lead to the solenoid 3 13; from the second-base contact 2E9 a wire 349 leads to said solenoid; from the first-base contact 22! the connection to said solenoid is through a wire are, a wire till and said Wire 3438; and the homeplate contact 273i is connected to said solenoid through a wire 352 and said wires and The solenoid is grounded through a wire In this form of the invention, as in the others previously above described, each shot from either the rifle 215 or that from the rifle 342, which is abortive, can be recorded against the person firing the shot. Thus each shot from the rifle 215 which misses making a hit, could be registered as a strike. And, equally as appropriate- .ly, each shot from the rifle 352 which misses a flitting target, could be registered as an error.

As to these strike registrations, every time the rifle 215 is fired, a solenoid 35 i is shown. as being energized, through a wire 355, leading from the rifle 215, through a wire 355 grounding said so1enoid, through a wire 351 branched ofl from the sup-ply wire 21%, and through a switch in the rifle as described above in connection with the rifle 8&3 of Fig. 6. This solenoid 35% can operate any suitable strike-registering mechanism, as for instance that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 6. However, as in Figs. 1 to 6. such strike registration should be cancelled if the firing of the rifie Z15 results in hitting one of the target members of the batters target BT. In order to attain. this result, as for instance by the means described above in connection with Figs. 1 to 6, there is provided a strike-cancelling solenoid 358, which is supplied with current when any one of the contacts 2%, 231, 2% 263' is touched by the rocking of a target member of the batters target ET; in which connection it will be noted that a wire 35%] branches off from the wire 3M and leads to the solenoid 358, such solenoid being grounded through a wire 359.

As to error registration, the rifle 342 is provided with a trigger-operated switch as is the rifle 215; and there are provided a solenoid 36!! corresponding in registration efilcacy with the solenoid 35 i and a solenoid 36! correspondingasto registration-cancelling eflicacy with the solenoid To the rifle M2 extends a wire 362, branched off from the supply wire 219, and from said rifle extends a wire 33 to the solenoid 368, such solenoid being grounded through a wire 364. The solenoid is supplied with current through a wire branched off from the wire 348, and such solenoid is grounded through a wire 3%. As will be recalled, each time a bullet from. the rifle 3M. strikes any one of the base-point target members M4, 2E5, 296 or 2l1, one of the four contacts 218, 289, 221i and 225 is touched by said target member to close a circuit including said wire 348 and the source 218'.

will be understood, the mechanism corresponding or equivalent in function to that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 6 for recording runs accumulated by the person shooting with the rifle 215, can be incorporated.

(Referring further to Fig. 13, the circuits of this view have been described, as hereinabove stated, in a paragraph in parentheses, as though the wires A, B, C and D, the wires a, b, c and d, and the elements interposed between these wires,

were not present. However, if from. the embodiment of Figs. l3, l4 and 15, these last mentioned parts or some suitable substitutes were omitted, every time any one of the four target members of the batters target B'I were struck, there would, it is true, be displayed at one of the square base-target openings 2m, 2 l H2 and 2&3 a flitting fielders target of the proper size, but such target would only fieetingly appear, that is, it would appear and then immediately disappear. The energization of the proper solenoids at, for instance, the square base opening Zlll (i. e., the solenoid 226 and one of the four solenoids 233, 234, 235 and 236) would be only momentary, and until the struck target member of target BT returned by gravity to its normal position spaced away from its contact 2%, 291, 288 or 269. To avoid this difiiculty the shown arrangement is such that said contact 266 is connected to the wire A, said'wire branching off into the winding of a solenoid 316 and thence to ground, and into a lead 31! to the pivoted end of a contact arm 312; while from a fixed contact 313, to be touched by the free upper end of this arm when the latter is swung to the right, there is extended the wire a to the wire 252. In the same way, the wire B from contact 231 branches through leads 314 and 315 to another similar solenoid 316 and to another similar contact arm 311, and the wire 1) from a similar fixed contact 318 is extended to the wire 253. In the same way, the wire C from the contact 208 branches through leads 318 and 380 to another similar solenoid 38! and to another similar contact arm 382, and the wire 0 from a similar fixed contact 383 is extended to the Wire 25 1. And in the same way, the wire D from the contact Elliibranches through leads 384 and 385 to another similar solenoid 386 and to another similar contact arm 381, and the wire d from a similar fixed contact 388 is extended to the wire 255. Now each of these four solenoids has an armature which is of iron or other suitable magnetic material only at the block shown at its extreme lefthand end, but which otherwise and up to and including the reduced extension thereof to the right of the solenoid winding, is of phosphor bronze .or some other non-magnetic material, so that on energization of the solenoid said block will center itself in said winding and said reduced extension will move to the right sufficiently to swing the associated contact arm 312, 311, 382 or 38'! far enough to the right, to connect the wire A with the wire a, the wire B with the wire I), the wire C with the wire 0, or the wire D with the wire d, by way of one of the fixed contacts 313, 318, 383 and 388. The armature of each of these solenoids is normally urged to the position illustrated, by a suitable spring (now shown). Each of said contact arms 312, 311, 382 and 381, is, as indicated, provided with friction means at its pivot, so that when said arms is moved as above described or is moved in the opposite direction back to its normal position illustrated), it will stay in the position to which it has been moved. Thus, each time a flitting fielders target is made to appear at any base and of any size, by the striking by a bullet from the fielders rifle 215 of a target member of the batters target BT, that fielders target will remain on display after the target member last mentioned has returned by gravity to vertical position. In order, however, to cause said flitting target to disappear, when the same is struck by a bullet from the flelders rifle 342, a wire 389 is tapped from the meeting point of wires 350 andttl, through which two wires last-mentioned current flows as above described whenever any one of the four flitting targets is struck. This I wire 3% has four branches each leading as shown to a winding of a different one of four solenoids will, 39!, 392 and 3%. These solenoids last-mentioned, all constructed alike and all attended by springs in the same Way as the solenoids nextmentioned, are opposite to and in line with, respectively, each of the solenoids ii'lil, till, tilt. Thus, on the striking of any flitting fielders target, at any of the four base openings Fill), 2i i 2M". and 2 It, all the solenoids 3%, till, 392 and ililti are energized, and the armature of the one thereof opposite the solenoid am, 316, MB or 3% which previously moved the associated pivoted contact arm to engage its associated fixed contact 3113i, 31%], 383 or 33%, is moved to the left sufilciently to throw that pivoted contact arm back to the position illustrated; the springs associated with the solenoids 3%, EM, 392 and then immediately restoring the armatures of said solenoids to the positions illustrated.)

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figs. 16, 17 and 18, this is a type of device in which the missile is a light-beam or ray of light from a so--called ray-gun, and is shown as so arranged that when the gun is properly aimed "and the light therefrom strikes a photoelectric cell w l the target at which the next shot is to be fired has its area diminished.

Diminution of the target area is accomplished by rotating a disk 395 fixed to a shaft 3% to which a ratchet Bill is also fixed. The ratchet here has twenty teeth, so that on each fractional rotation of the ratchet to the extent of one tooth the disk will rotate through l/20th of a revolution.

The disk 3% in the present case is provided with twenty round openings, five identical groups; that is, with each group, proceeding around the disk as seen in Fig. 17 in a clockwise direction, consisting first of an opening 398 of greatest size, next an opening 399 of smaller size, next an opening MW of still smaller size, and last an opening Mil of smallest size,

With the disk 3% arranged as in Fig. 17, as it would be whenever a player begins shooting, one of the largest openings 398is opposite the cell 3%.

Whenever the gun is so well aimed that the light-ray therefrom goes through the last-mentioned opening an, a solenoid ist is energized. To the armature of this solenoid isattacheda rod 4% connected to an arm 4B4 rockable on shaft 3%, and carrying a pawl liltl for the ratchet. On energization of the solenoid thedisk 395 is rotated 1/20th of a revolution in the direction of Thuseach time the solenoid 482 is momentarily energized in the manner just above described, the parts are readjusted so that the marksmanship of the person shooting receives a harder test than the one before, until he has energized the solenoid Mir by striking the cell 394 with a light-ray so well aimed that it passes through one of the smallest openings 40!, thereby to, bring in a run., as Will be described in amoment.

The device is contained in a box-like housing M18, against the back wall of which the solenoid 402.15 mounted by a bracket 4%, which back wall also serves to support the rear end of the shaft 396, and carries a block llll on which the cell .39 3 is mounted. The free end of the shaft is supported at the upper end of a bracket ill of inverted llshape secured inside the housing to the bottom wall thereof.

A socket for an electric light bulb H2, and an electric bell M3, are carried by a slab 4H1 of insu1atlng material, this slab attached to the bracket at i.

Current is supplied from a wire M5. A wire tit from the wire ilt is connected to one terminal of the cellts l, and a wire il'i leads from the other terminal of said cell to one end of the coil of the solenoid it?! the other end of which coil is grounded as. shown.

Each time the light-ray from a ray-gun strikes the cell 3st, the solenoid M2 is energized, thereby to diminish the target area, until a runis brought cessive closings of the switch M9 causes actuation of the solenoid a corresponding number of times thereby to return the disk to normal position.

At the four corners of the front of the housing fills are blocks G20 and 412i. These form a pocket for the reception within the front end of the housing of a pane 4122 of clear glass. This pane is held in place by an open frame 123, of L- shaped cross-section as seen best in Fig. 18.

This glass pane is painted or otherwise treated so as to be opaque all over except, as shown in Fig. 16, for a circular area M l, below called the target window, and except for a circular area 525 spaced downward from the target window and below called the run window, and except for four square areas 426, Ml, Md and 29, hereinafter called first-base, second-base, third-base and home plate. The opaque portion of the glass pane can be decorated in any suitable way, and have any printed matter thereon, either in the present case, the pane carries the usual baseline markings and a line-marking extended from the home plate to about the center of the baseball diamond represented by said base-line markings and the square areas Mt through 4%; and adjacent the run window 425 is the phrase Run In.

Comparing Figs. 16 and 17, it will be noted that the electric light bulb M2 is positioned so as to. light up the run window 322i but is served by a shield d353, 18, so as not to affect the cell 3%; and thatfirst-base, second-base, thirdbase and the home plate, 1 26, 127, 1528 andJlEQ, are positioned as indicated in dot and dashlines in Fig. 1'7; and that after any fractional rotation of the disk 3% by energization of the solenoid 582, one of five Maltese-crosses on the disk will be behind one of the transparent areas 426, 421, 428 and M9. These crosses are marked 43!, 432, 433, 434 and 435.

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