US2267525A

US2267525A - Target loading device for throwing machines

Info

Publication number: US2267525A
Application number: US362171A
Authority: US
Inventors: William R Kemp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-10-21
Filing date: 1940-10-21
Publication date: 1941-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1958-12-23

Description

W. R. KEM P Dec 23, 1941.

TARGET LOADING DEVICE FOR THROWIN G MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 21, 1940 FIG.I4.

INV EN TOR.

flaw 0 P H /u M A L. L m

Dec. 23, 1941. w. R. KEMP TARGET LOADING DEVICE FOR THROWING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 r W 3 G M .fi l H 2 F I M a E G K I R F M "a m L 3 1 2 m L W 3 O a 5 m 4. 9 1 4 A 2 m 8 B 2 e b 5 t n c 2 O w a U. fl 9 F 5 5 3 m 2 w m l n ,i I II f 7 m. a m w ATTORNEYS a; I I I In: 5

FIG.4.

Dec. 23, 1941. w. R KEMP 2,267,525

- TARGET LOADiNG DEVICE FOR THROWING MACHINES Filegi Oct. 21, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.I2.

INVENTOR. WILLIAM R. KEMP ham M4 6 ATTORNEYS Dec. 23,1941.

TARGETLOADING DEVICE FOR THROWING MACHINES Filed Oct. 21, 1940 .4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. WILLIAM R.KEMP

A TTORNE Y S w. R. KEMP 2,267,525

Patented Dee. 23, 1941 TARGET LOADING DEVICE FOR. THROWING MACHINES William R. Kemp, Pontiac, Mich.

Application October 21, 1940, Serial No. 362,171

. 1 Claims.

This invention relates generally to target loading apparatus and refers more particularly to a device for supplying targets to a throwing machine of the type employed in trap or skeet shooting.

It is one of the principal objects of this invention to provide a relatively simple inexpensive loading device which will operate automatically to deposit a target in its proper position on the swinging arm of a throwing machine prior to movement of the arm to throw the target.

Another feature of this invention consists in the provision of a loading device capable of being operated in conjunction with a throwing machine and having means for depositing a target on the throwing arm of'the machine each time the arm is returned to its retracted or cooked position.

A further object of this inventionresides in the provision of a loading device wherein the target is supported throughout its movement toward the throwing arm and is not released until it assumes aposition in close proximity to the arm. As a result, the target is placed gently on the throwing arm by the loading device, and this is important in cases where the targets are formed of a fragile material since it reduces breakage to a minimum.

A still further feature of this invention consists in providing a loading device capable of be- 1 ing used with throwing machines of the type wherein the throwing arm is returned to its retracted or cooked position by power means and, to this end, the invention contemplates means operated in timed relation to movement of the throwing arm to initiate operation of the loading device. t

The foregoing as well as other objects willbe made more apparent as this description proceeds,

especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 isa perspective viewshowing a loading device constructed in accordance with this invention as applied to a throwing machine;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plane view of the apparatus shown in Figure ,1;

Figure 4 is a sectionalview taken substantial- 1y on the plane indicated by the line G -t or Fig ure 3;

Figure 7 is a sectional viewtaken substantial- 1 ly on the plane indicated by Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantial ly on the plane indicated by the line 8-8 of Figure 2; g r i Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 9-9 of Figure 4; j i t Figure 10 is a rear elevational View illustrating the latching means provided on the throwing machine for holding the throwing arm in its retracted position; i

Figure 11 is a fragmentary elevational View partly in section of the power means for operating the throwing arm;

Figure 12 is abottom elevational view of a part of the target loading apparatus shown in the line 'l--'| of Figure 1; r A

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevational View of the driving mechanism for the loading device;

Figure 14 is a plane view of the throwing'machine. V r

As shown in the several figures of the drawings,

my improved target loading device comprises a base l5 and a magazine I6 supported in spaced relation to the base by means of a bracket ll. It will be noted from Figure 1 that the bracket is shaped to provide clearance for the swinging end of a target throwing arm l3, and the free end of the bracket supports the magazine with its delivery end spaced a substantial distance above the pivoted end of the arm [8. more fully hereinafter set forth, the arm l8 forms a part of a target throwing machine and the pivot or axis of swinging movement of the arm I8 is inclined with respe'ctto the vertical in a rearward direction at an anglepredetermined in dependence upon the elevation at which it is desired to throw the targets. w

The magazine It is in the form of a semi-circular elongated member inclined with respect to the vertical in the direction of the axis of the throwing arm so as to permit the targets stacked in the magazine to be placed substantially flat on the throwing arm Hi. In the present instance, the targets are in the'form of discs which are commonly referred to as fbirds and are fragile so as to powder when-hit' squarely. In fact, the targets are so fragile that they are often broken or cracked when placed on the throwing arm, and it is one of the important fea- As will be tures of this invention to reduce the breakage occasioned by loading to a minimum.

Briefly, the above results are obtained by placing the targets substantially flat on the throwing arm and by supporting the targets throughout movement thereof from the discharge end of the magazine to a position in such close proximity to the throwing arm (8 that the distance the targets fall by gravity, when released from the supporting means, is-so slight that the resulting impact willnot crack or break the targets.

With the above in mind, reference will now be made to Figure 3 of the drawings wherein, it will be noted that the stack oftargets are held in the magazine by a pair of shoes I9 respectively" pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the magazine at the lower end of the latter'for swinging movement transversely of the magazine'toward and away from each other. The shoes are normally'urged in directions toward each other into gripping relation with opposite sides of the .two.

23-having the. ends respectively secured to the opposite edges of the semi-circular magazine l3 above the rock shaft 2 l The-Width of the shoes issufiicientto grip the two bottom targets in the. magazine l6," and the shoes are yieldably urged into grippingrelationshipj-with the, targets by means of a pair" of springs .24 surrounding .the rock shaft 2| at opposite sides of the lugs 23: on the. shoes; As shown inFigure 5, theinner? ends of the springs 24 abut the lugs and the outer "ends of the springs are engageable with suitable stops 25 in the form of nuts threaded on the rOckshaft 2|. Secured: tothe-rock shaft Zl at oppositesides of the bearing 22is a pair of cam members 26 having cam portions 21 on the outer surfaces thereof respectively engageable with cam portions 28 formedon the lugs 20 of the shoes to spread the shoes apart upon rotation of the rock shaft 2| in one direction.

The rock shaft'is operated by means of a. cam 29 secured to a cam shaft 30 extending transversely; of the magazine It in rear of the latter and journaled in'bearings carried by the bracket l1. Upon reference to Figure 7, it will be noted that'the cam 29'is provided with a cam groove 3| on the rear surface thereof of sufiicient width to receive a roller 32 carried by the free end of an arm 33 having the opposite end'secured to the rockshaft 2 l. The contour of the cam groove 3! is such that'rotation of the cam: 29 in the direction of :the arrow A rocks the shaft 2| in the direction of the arrow B a suflicient distance toengage the .cam portions 21 on the cams 26 with the cooperating stationary cam portions 28 on the: shoes-and spread-the latter against the action of the springs-to release the targets. Continued rotation-of the. cam 29in thedirection of the arrow A rocks the shaft 2l in a reverse direction-to disengage the cam portions 2'! from the cam portions 28 and permit the springs 24 to return the shoes into gripping relation with the targets.

When theshoes are released from-the targets, the latter are advanced bygravity and theloW- ermost target is deposited upon the free end of a swinging arm 34. The opposite end of the arm is hingedly connected to a pivot pin 35 supported in bearings 36 carried by the rear end of a plate 31 having the forward end welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the rear side of the magazine IS. The forward or swinging end of the arm 34 is provided with an annular portion having an internal diameter sufiiciently greater than the exterior diameter of the targets to permit the same to pass therethrough. However, as shown in Figure 12, the lowermost target is normally prevented from falling through the annular portionof the arm 34' by means of a pair of supporting members 38 respectively positioned in slots 39' formed through opposite sides of the annular portion on the arm 34 and adapted to project into the annular portion a sufiicient distance to intercept the bottom target. Referring again to Figure 12, it will be noted that the supporting. members are respectively pivotedto the forward ends of suitable links 39 having the rear endspivoted to the arm 34 by.means .of pivot pins '40- in the form of bolts. The supporting members 38 are normally held in their innermost or target supportingpositions by means of a-coil spring 4| having the opposite ends secured to the links 39:50 as to urge the latter toward each other.

It should be understood at this time that the construction is such that when the lowermost target is supported on the members 38 in the annular outer end portion of the arm 34, the

next succeeding target remains in the confines o of the-shoes l9 so 'asto be gripped by the latter and; held in position in the magazine l3, As

stated above, the arm 34 is pivotedat its rear end to provide for swinging movement of the:

annular outer end portion relative to the lower end-of the magazine 16. After the lowermost target in themagazine is deposited on the supporting members 38' in the annular portion at the. swinging end of the arm 34, the latter is swung downwardly to a position in close proximity to the adjacent end of the throwing arm [8.

Uponreference to Figure 6, it will be noted that the arm 34 is swung by a cam 42' secured to the cam shaft 30 in opposed relationship to the cam 29. In detail it will be noted that the cam 42 is-providedv with an annular groove 43 in the inner face thereof of sufficient width to receive a roller 44 carried by an arm 45 pivoted at its rear end on the pin 35 and having the forward end connected to the corresponding end of the arm 34-by means of a link 43. The cam groove 43 is predeterminedly contoured with respect to the cam groove 3| in the cam 2350 as to delay movement of the arm '34 downwardly until the cam 29 has operated to release the shoes and permit the lowermost target to assume a position onthe supporting members 38.

Whenthe swinging end of the arm 34 appreaches a position directly above the pivoted endof the throwing arm H3 in close proximity to the latter end,,the supporting members 38 are moved in directions away from each other against the action of the spring 4| to permit the target to drop onto the throwing arm. Upon reference to Figure 8, it will be noted that the above is accomplished by means of a cam 41 having a wedge-shaped contour and extending between the links 39 forwardly of the pivots 40.

The cam n is secured to the lower end of a.

threaded stud 4-3 which extends freely through the plate 31 and is provided at the upper end The arrangementwith an adjustable stop 50. is such that the cam 4'l.moves downwardly with the arm 34 until the stop 50 abuts the top of the plate 31 whereupon, continued downward movement of the arm is effected relative to the cam members is released and is dropped onto the throwing arm. It will be noted that the distance that the target drops onto the supporting arm is so small that the resulting impact is not sumcient to crack or break the target.

"The cam shaft 30 is driven by a suitable prime mover 5| in the form of an electric motor having a drive shaft operatively connected to a powertake-off shaft 52 through the medium of suitable gear reduction mechanism 53. As shown in Figure 4, the shaft 52 is operatively connected to a driven shaft 54 through the medium of a clutch 55 normally urged into engagement by means of a spring 56. It will, also, be noted that the driven shaft is provided with a sprocket wheel 51 adapted to be connected to acorresponding sprocket wheel 58 onthe cam shaft by means of a'chain 59.

Referring again to Figure 4, it will be noted that the action of the spring 56 to engage the clutch is counteracted by means of a cam 68 driven by the driven shaft 54 and having a cam ment toward and away from the cam 60 andis normally urged toward the cam by means of a relatively weak spring 63. The spring 56 is of considerably greater strength than the spring63 and, as a result, the cam 60 together with the driven shaft 54 and the plunger 62 is urged in a direction to engage the clutch. However, the action of the spring 56 to accomplish the above result is prevented by means of a dog mounted on a rock shaft 66 in a position to abut the inner end of the plunger 62. i

The above arrangement is such that when the dog 65 is rocked out of engagement with the inner end of the plunger, the spring 56 engages the clutch, and the driven shaft is rotated. Initial rotation of the driven shaft moves the cam surface 6| on the cam beyond the outer end of the plunger 62 and permits the spring 63 to move the plunger outwardly a sufiicient distance to allow the dog 65 to return to its operative position in abutting engagement with the inner end of the plunger. In this connection, it will be noted that the dog is returned to its operative position by the weight of the trip lever 61 secured to the rock shaft 66. As the cam 66 continues its rotation, the cam face 6! again comes in contact with the outer end of the plunger and, since the latter is prevented from moving inwardly by thedog 65, it follows that the driven shaft is moved against the action of the spring 56 to disengage the clutch 55. From the foregoing, it will be observed that operation of the loading device is initiated by moving the trip 61 in an upward direction to swing the dog 65 outof abutting enfor illustratinglthe invention is practically identical in construction to themachine illustrated in the Schweriri Patent 2,078,166 dated April 20, 1937, and accordingly, need not be described in detail. herein. However, it is to be understood that the loading device previously described is by no means limited to the particular type of throwing machine shown, and may be advantageously employ'edin connection with practically anytype of throwing machine having a throwing arm, regardless of whether the latter is manually or power driven.

In general, the machine ll] includes the target throwingarm l8. As shown in Figure 2, the end of the arm [8, directly beneath the magazine I6, is secured to the upper end of a substantially verticalshaft H. The shaft H is journaled in bearings 12 carried by a housing 13 which, in turn, is mounted upon the base portion 14 of the bracket H. In this connection, it will be noted that the bracket I1 is pivotally connected to the base 15 by means of a horizontal pin 15 and is normally held from swinging movement about the axis of. the pinby means of a locking knob 16. As a result'of this construction, the angular inclination of the shaft II with respect to the vertical may be varied to change the elevation armlis connected to one end of a strong spring 86 having the opposite end suitably anchored on the bracket IT. AS shown in Figure 14, the crank 19 is secured to the lower end of the shaft II in such relation that when the throwing arm is in its retracted position, the crank is slightly beyond dead center and holds the throwing arm against the trip latch 8|. Upon reference to Figure 10, it will be noted that thelatch BI is supported for swinging movement in a downward direction relative to the throwing arm out of the path of travel of the latter and is normally held against downwardswinging movementby a rock arm 82 secured to a rock shaft83. The upper end of the rock arm 82 is held in engagement with the latch 8! by means of a spring 84 normally urging the lower end of the rock arm against a fixed stop 85. Referring now to Figure 11 of the drawings, it will be noted that an arm 86 is secured to the rock shaft 82 intermediate the ends thereof and is connected by means of a link 81 to a solenoid 88 connected in an electric circuit with a suitable pushbutton control (not shown).

The above arrangement is such that when the solenoid 88 is energized, the rock shaft 83 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to move the upper end of the arm 82 out of the path of travel of the latch 8|. As a result, the latch 8| drops by gravity out of the path of travel of the throwing arm l8 and the latter isswung through its throwing angle to hurl the targets into the air with a high rate of speed. In this connection, it will be noted thatthe throwing armis provided with a rail 89 which engages the peripheral edges of the targets and imparts a high speed of rotation thereto as they are thrown by the arm into the air;

The set screws 18 comprise manually op-' The throwing :arnr 1 I 8 L is returned ro: its tcocked: position-by mGaHSTOfI an electric :motor '90 suit ably supported upon the base14I -of the bracket I1 andlhaving a drive shaft 9I operatively connected to the shaft "'II through them'ediumrof reduction gearing 92. As shown inFigures 2 and 11, the reduction gearing includes a gear93 secured to the hub of a suitable ratchetwheel 94 which; in turn, is freely. rotatably mounted on the: shaft- II; As a result, the reductiongear 93 and ratchet 94 are rotated by'themotor 90 relative to the shaft II;

The shaft 'II is operatively,connectedrto the motor 90 by means of a cage 95 keyed to the shaft II and having a pawl 96- pivotally connected thereto. A spring 91 compressed between the pawl 96 and the end of the cage 95: urges the pawl into engagement. with. the teeth of the ratchet wheel. Acam surface 98 on the tail of the .pawl' contacts with a roller 99Jlocated. in a. recessiin the housing 113 and-serves toi cam the themotor 90 when the crank I9 assumes itsop-- erative position. The arm I8 moves. at a much faster speed than the rotativespeed of the ratchet wheel 90 during the throwing movement of the arm and, asa result, thepawl ratchets over' the teeth of the ratchet wheel. However, when the rotative speed of the throwing arm I8 and the shaft II slows down to the speed of the ratchet wheel, the pawl engages the ratchet teeth, and the shaft II is rotated with the ratchet wheel to again tension the spring 80 and move the throwing arm I8 back to itscocked position.

In order that my improved target loading device will operate in timed relation to return movement of the arm to its cocked position to deposit a target on the arm, I provide means for actuating the trip 61 to initiate the operation of the throwing device as the arm is returned to its cocked position. The above may be accomplished in' a relatively simple manner by providing a bracket I90 on the swinging end of the arm having" an abutment IIlI located to engage the free end of the trip 67 when the arm approaches its retracted position. In Figure 13, the arm I8 is shown-in a position wherein the abutment I 0| engages the free end of the trip 61, and itwill be noted-from this figure that continued movementof the arm to its cocked position causes the abutment IGI to-swing the trip 61 against the action of the spring I02 to the dotted line position shown. As a result, the dog 65 releases the plunger 62'and permits the spring 56 to engage the clutch 55 and start the loading mechanism. As soon as the arm I8 reaches its cocked position, the spring I02 returns the tripto its full line position. shown in Figure 13and the dog, again assumes its position in engagement with the free end of the plunger. 62.

Operation With. the above construction, it will be noted that as the throwing arm approaches its cocked position, the abutment IBI engages the free end of the trip 61 and rocks the shaft 66 to swing the/lug 65 out of engagement with the inner end of the plunger 62. As a result, the plunger is freeto move inwardly under the action of .the spring 56 and the latter engages theclutch55 to connect the driven shaft with the electric motor. 5 I It will be apparent 1 from the a above description that rotation of the driven.: shaft placement of the plunger 62 axially outwardly permits the spring I02 to rock the shaft=66 in.

a direction toreturn the lug ,65 in engagement with the inner end of the plunger 62. Thus, when the cam surface 6| on the cam again ;en-. gages the outer end of the plunger 62, the latter is prevented from inward movement, and the driven shaft 54 is'displaced axially against the action of the spring56 to release the clutchs55. Rotation of the cam shaft 30 by the driven shaft 54 effects a corresponding rotation of the- As the cam 29 is'rotated, the

cams

29 and 42. cam groove 3I cooperates with the link 33 to release the shoes I9 from the two bottom targets in the magazine I6. the magazine are dropped by'gravity and' the lowermost target is intercepted by the supporting members 38 carried by the swinging end ofthe arm .34. As soon as the lowermost target in the magazine is dropped into engagementwith the supporting members 38, the shoes are returned bythe springs 24 into gripping-relationship with the-next succeedingtarget so as to again support the stack of targets in the magazine I6.

After the shoes are returned into clamping engagement with the targets directly above the. target previously released, the cam 42 lowers the swinging end of the arm 34 to aposition wherein the target carried thereby is in close proximity to the throwing arm I8. As the swinging end of the arm 34' approaches the throwing arm, the cam 4'! operates to release the supporting members 38 from the target and thereby permits the latter to drop onto the supporting arm. It should be understood that the cam 41 does not release the supporting members from the target until the target assumes a position in close proximity to the throwing arm so that there'will be no danger of cracking or breaking the target when the latter is deposited on the throwing arm;

Continued rotation of the cam 42 returns the swinging end of the arm 34 to its initial starting position adjacent the discharge end of the magazine I6. As the arm 34 is swung upwardly, the

cam 41 releases the supporting members 38 and the spring 4| returns the supporting members to positions wherein they will again intercept a target released by the shoes.

When the swinging end of the arm is returned to its position adjacent the discharge end of the magazine I6, the cam surface 6| on the cam 60 engages the outer end of the plunger 62 and moves the driven shaft 54 axially against the spring 56 a sufiicient distance .to disengage the clutch 55. It will be understood that as soon as the target is. deposited upon the throwing arm,

the. throwing machinemay be operated to swing- In- As a result, the-targets in plicable to practically any type of target throwing machine regardless of whether the later is manually operated or power driven. It may, also, be pointed out at this time that while I have shown two motors for respectively operating the throwing machine and loading device, nevertheless, it will be apparent that both machines may be operated from a single source of power if desired.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing lement, means for supporting a stack of targets above the throwing element in spaced relation thereto, means for peri odically releasing the target from the supporting means, means positioned in close proximity to the lowermost target on the supporting means for intercepting the target released from the supporting means and for supporting the target above the throwing element and means for moving the target intercepting means from a position adjacent the target supporting means to a position in close proximity to the throwing element.

2. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means for periodically releasing a target from the delivery end of the magazine, a member positioned in close proximity to the delivery end of the magazine for intercepting the target released from the latter, means for moving said member with the target thereon from a position adjacent the delivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to the throwing element, and means operable upon movement of said member to a position in close proximity to the throwingelement to release the target from said member.

3. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element,a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means for periodically releasing the lowermost target in said stack to permit the same to drop by gravity from the delivery end of the magazine, an arm mounted for swinging movement from a position adjacent the delivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to the throwing element, means carried by the arm for intercepting the target released from the delivery end of the magazine and for supporting said target during the movement of the arm toward the throwing element, andmeans responsive to swingingmovement of the arm to a position in close proximity to the throwing element to release said supporting means and deposit the target on said throwing element.

4. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means for releasing the lowermost target in the stack to permit the same to drop by gravity from the delivery end of the magazine, a pair of members positioned at opposite sides of the delivery end of the magazine to intercept the target released from the delivery end of the magazine and adapted to support said target, said members being movable from a position adjacent the delivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to the throwing element and also being movable away from each other to release the target, means operating in timed relation to releasing the lowermost target in the magazine to move said members to a position in close proximity to the throwing element, and means responsive to movement of the members to a position in close proximity to the throwing element to move the members away from each other and release the target.

5. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means for periodically releasing the lowermost target in said stack to permit the same to drop by gravity from the delivery end of the magazine, a pair of members positioned at opposite sides of. the delivery end of the magazine for intercepting a target released from the delivery end of the magazine and for supporting said target, said members being movable from a position adjacent the delivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to the throwing element and also being movable in directions away from one another to release the target, yieldable means resisting movement of the members away from each other, and a cam responsive to movement of the members to a position in close proximity to the throwing element to engage the members and move the latter away from each other sufiiciently to release the target therefrom.

6. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means for periodically releasing the lowermost target in the stack to permit the same to drop by gravity from the delivery end of the magazine, an arm pivotally supported for swinging movement from a position adjacent the delivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to the throwing element, a pair of links pivoted to the arm for swinging movement transversely of the arm toward and away from each other and having members at the free ends thereof positioned adjacent opposite sides of the delivery end of the magazine to intercept a target released from the magazine and to support said target, yieldable means normally urging the links in directions toward each other to hold said members in target supporting position; means operating in timed relation to the target releasing means to swing the arm to a position in close proximity to the throwing element, a cam located between the links and responsive to movement of the arm to a position in close proximity to the throwing element to move the links in directions away from each other a sufiicient distance to release the target from the supporting members, and means for adjusting the cam means to vary the interval at which the latter operatesto release said target from the supporting members.

'7. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the target throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means at the lower end of the magazine engageable with the lowermost targets to support said targets in the magazine and releasable to permit the targets to drop by gravity, cam controlled means for periodically releasing the target holding means to permit a target to be dropped from the delivery end of the magazine, a pair of members positioned at opposite sides of the delivery end of the magazine for intercepting and supporting a target dropped from the delivery end of the magazine, said members being movable fromca position adjacent thedelivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to the throwing element and also being movable in directions away from each other to release the target supported thereby, cam controlled means for moving the members from the delivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to the throwing element in timed relation to the operation of the first named cam controlled means to release a target from the magazine, and additional cam controlled means operating in timed relation to movement of the members to apposition in closeproximity to the throwing element to move said members away from each other and release the target therefrom.

8. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, a pair of shoe members pivotally supported at opposite sides of the magazine adjacent the delivery end thereof and normally urged into engagement with the lowermost target in the staclrfor supporting the latter, means for periodically moving the shoe members away from each other to successively release the targets in said stack, means movable from a position immediately adjacent the delivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to the throwing arm and operable in the first named position to intercept the targets released by the shoe members, and means for releasing the targets from the last named means when the latter assumes a position in close proximity to the throwing element.

'9. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack' of targets, a pair of shoe members pivotally supported at opposite sides of the magazine adjacent the delivery end of said magazine and normally urged into engagement with the lowermost targets in the stack to support the latter, means for periodically moving the shoe members away from each other to release the targets, a member positioned adjacent the delivery end of the magazine to intercept the lowermost target and support the latter during return movement of the shoes toward each other into clamping engagement with the next adjacent target, said member being movable from a position adjacent the delivery and of the magazine to a position in close proximity to the throwing element, and cam means for operating the shoes and said member in timed relation to each other.

10. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, a pair of shoes pivotallysupported at opposite sides of the magazine adjacent the delivery end of the latter and yieldably urged into clamping engagement with the lowermost target in the stack to support the latter, means for periodically moving the shoes in directions away from each other to release the lowermost target in the stack, an arm supported forswinging movement from a position adjacent thedelivery end of the stack to a position in close proximity to'the throwing element, a pair of members carried by the arm at opposite sides of the latter in positions to'intercept' the target released by .the

shoes and movablerelative' to the. arm away from eachother, yieldable means normally resisting movement of the members away fromeach other, means operating in timed relation to the shoe releasing means to swing the arm to a position in close proximity to the throwing element,-and means responsive to movement of the arm tov a position in close proximity to the throwing element to move said members away from each other and release the target therefrom.

11. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element movable between retracted and extended positions, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means for periodically releasing the targets to permit the lowermost target in the stack to drop from the delivery end of the magazine, means for intercepting the target released from the stack and for supporting said target in a position spaced above the throwing element, means for moving the target supporting means to a position in close proximity to the throwing element in the retracted position of the latter and for depositing the target on the throwing element, and means controlled by the throwing element as the latter is moved to its retracted position to operate the target releasing and supporting means in timed relationship.

12. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element movable between retracted and extended positions, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means for periodically releasing the targets to permit the lowermost target to drop from the delivery end of the magazine, a member positioned .to intercept the target released from the magazine and supported for swingingvmovement from a position adjacent the delivery end of the magazine to a position in close proximity to the throwing element, means operating in timed relation to movement of the member to a position in close proximity .to the throwing element to release the target supported hereby, and means operated by the target throwing element as the latter is moved vto its retracted position to operate said member and the first named target releasing means in timed relationship.

13. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element movable between retracted and extended positions, a magazine having the delivery end spacedwabove the throwing element and adapted to contain astack of targets, means-for periodically releasing the targets to permitthe lowermost target todrop from the delivery end of themagazine, means for intercepting the target dropped from the .delivery-end of the-magazine and for conveying said'target toa position'in ,close proximity to the throwing element, airevoluble .cam shaft having a pair of 1 cams-respectively:operatively connected to the target releasing means and the conveying means for operating the latter means in timed relationship, and means controlled by movement of the throwing element to its retracted position for effecting rotation of the cam shaft.

14. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element movable between retracted and extended positions, a magazine having the delivery end spacedabove the throwing element andadapted to'contain a stack of targets, means for periodically releasing the targets to permit the lowermost target to'drop from the deliveryend of the magazine, means for intercepting the target dropped from the delivery end of the magazine and movable between the delivery end of the magazine and throwing element for conveying said target to a position in a drive shaft operatively connected to the cam shaft through, the medium of a, clutch, means operated by the throwing element as the latter approache its retracted position to engage the clutch and drive the cam shaft, and means operating in timed relation to return movement of the conveying means to a position adjacent the delivery end of the magazine for disengaging said clutch.

15. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element movable between retracted-and extended positions, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means at the delivery end of the magazine for releasing the targets to permit the lowermost target to drop from the delivery end of the magazine, means for intercepting the target dropped from the delivery end of the magazine and movable between the delivery end of the magazine and throwing element for conveying the target to a position in close proximity to the throwing element, means operated by the throwing element as the latter approaches its retracted position to operate the target releasing means and the target conveying means in timed relationship, and means responsive to return movement of the conveying means to a positionadjacent the delivery end of the magazine to discontinue the operation of said last named means. I

16. In a loading device for throwing machines having a target throwing element movable betwen retracted and extended positions, a magazine having the delivery end spaced above the throwing element and adapted to contain a stack of targets, means for periodicallyreleasing the targets to permit the lowermost target to drop from the delivery end of the magazine, means for intercepting the target dropped from the delivery end of the magazine and movable between the delivery end'of the magazine and throwing element for conveying said target to a position in close proximity to the throwing element, a revoluble cam shaft having a pair of cams respectively operatively connected to the target releasing means and the conveying means for operating the latter means in timed relationship, a continuously rotating drive shaft, a driven shaft operatively connected to the cam shaft, a clutch between the driven shaft and drive shaft, yieldable means normally urging the clutch into engagement, trip mechanism normally preventing the operation of the yielding means to effect engagement of the clutch and operated by the throwing element as the latter approaches its retracted position to permit engagement of the clutch by the yieldable means, and means responsive to return movement of the conveying means to a position adjacent the delivery end of the magazine for releasing said clutch.

WILLIAM R. KEMP.