US2296728A - Target throwing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 22, 1942. H. F. MossBERG TARGET THROWING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mwm ' INVENTOR Haroldiflflrsskerg.

ORNEY H. F. MOSSBERG TARGET THROWING MECHANISM Sept. 22, 1942.

Filed Feb. 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Haraldli'lfissbery.

Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNETED STATES at or ies TARGET THROWING MECHANISDI Application February 20, 1940, SerialNo. 319,853

17 Claims.

This invention relates to target throwing mechanisms, and more particularly to improvements in such mechanisms which are especially adapted to project frangible disc-like targets, such as are commonly termed clay pigeons, into the air to be used for target practice by a marksman.

In an application Serial #311,531, filed December 29, 1939, for a patent on an improvement in trap guns, a target throwing mechanism, or trap portion, is shown which is adapted to be detachably and pivotally secure-d upon a firearm portion and to cooperate therewith, and this application may be considered as a continuation in part thereof, the mechanism shown herein being an improvement over the target throwing mechanism, or trap portion, disclosed therein, and which is adapted to be detachably mounted in its entirety upon a gun barrel, or other supporting member.

Most of the target throwing mechanisms now in general use are bulky, expensive to manufacture, in many instances being complicated in structure, and inconvenient to carry and use. Many of these mechanisms are of such construction that they require the services of an individual other than the marksman to actuate them, thereby preventing their use when such an individual is not available.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved target throwing mechanism whereby the marksman can conveniently actuate it to throw targets without such operation seriously interfering with his use of a firearm, thus obviating the services of a second person.

Another object of this invention is to provide a target throwing mechanism having conveniently actuated means in its structure whereby it is adapted to be readily and detachably mounted upon the barrel of the firearm, or upon a similarly shaped holder, such as a bar or rod, which are either adapted to be held in the hand of the user, mounted on a tripod, or stuck into the ground and be vertically adjusted to position it to the user.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a target throwing mechanism of the above, or analogous, nature wherein an improved form of clamping member is provided to detachably secure the mechanism to a cylindrical bar, such as a relatively thin walled shotgun barrel, and which, due to its structure, evenly distributes pressure over a relatively large area, whereby any possibility of the bar, or gun barrel, being distorted is avoided.

A further object of this invention is to provide 1 in a target throwing mechanism an improved rod clamping device of the above nature which is adapted to also form the supporting means for the operative target throwing parts of the mechanism.

A still further object is to provide an improved target throwing mechanism which will be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, simple in construction, compact, of pleasing appearance, and which is very convenient, efiicient, and durable in use.

With these and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, there has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings one form in which the invention may be conveniently and advantageously embodied in practice.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an improved target throwing mechanism mounted on a gun barrel and embodying the features and principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same, parts thereof being shown in another position by dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the same;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2 Figure '7 is a sectional View taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a general view of the mechanism mounted on various supports;

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate, by sectional views similar to Figures 4 and, 6, a somewhat different arrangement of clamp'screws; and

Figure 11 illustrates a somewhat different form of leaf spring adapted to releasably hold a target in the frame.

In accordance with the objects of this invention, the target throwing mechanism shown in the drawings is adapted to throw frangible targets iii of disc-like form, as indicated by dotted lines in Figures 1 and 7, and preferably of the form shown in a copending application Serial No. 319,857 filed February 20, 1940. Such targets are thrown out into the air to be fired at by a marksman and preferably fly through the air with their circular bases generally in a horizontal plane presenting their side wall as a target area to the marksman and, when hit, shatter into a number of pieces to visually indicate, while they are in the air, such a result. In order that the marksman may personally, and without assistance of a second person, actuate this mechanism to throw such target into the air in an efficient manner, the mechanism is adapted to be securely clamped upon either the barrel ll of the firearm being used, or a bar I2 adapted to be fastened either to a handle I3, or to one of a pair of telescoping vertical rods l4 adapted tobe stuck into the ground, or which may be suitably supported on a tripod |5, as indicated in Figures 1 and 8, to position the mechanism adjacent and convenient to the user in any desired gun firing position.

The means, whereby the mechanism may be conveniently and readily secured to a bar |2 to be firmly supported thereby, or to a shotgun barrel having the usual relatively thin walls, and in order not to possibly distort this barrel by clamping pressure, comprises an elongated clamp including an upper member l9 and a lower member IT. The members l6 and H are fastened together, when clamped about the cylindrical barrel H, or bar |2, by bolts I8 and I9, bolts 2| and 22, and screws 23 and 24, which pass through suitable laterally projecting correspond ing lugs 25, and 26 provided on the members It and H respectively. By substantially elongating the members l6 and IT, as shown, the clamping pressure is distributed over a considerable lengthwise area f the gun barrel H, or bar l2, whereby the clamp will be firmly held thereto and no distortion of the gun barrel will be experienced. By forming the elongated clamp of upper and lower members l and i1 respectively, which may be entirely separate from each other, it is possible to apply the same at any position upon a gun barrel, or the like, without removing any upstanding sights, or like parts, previously positioned thereon. By disposing the joint between the upper l6 and lower I! members of the clamp substantially on the level of the axis, or medial line, of the barrel II, the upper member I6 and the heads of the bolts l3, l9, 2|, 22 and of the screws 23, 24 will not appreciably extend above the upper surface of the barrel and interfere with the use of the usual sights or distract the user when sighting the gun.

The target throwing means of this mechanism is adapted to receive and releasably hold the disclike targets l9 thereon, slidably positioned between, and in, opposing channels 21 and 28 formed along the side edges of a sheet metal frame 29. The channels 21 and 28 may be made by bending up and over the edges of the material of which the frame 29 is made, and extend parallel to each other rearwardly from the frame front end 3| a desired amount. Rearward of the terminating ends 32 and 33, of the channels 2'! and 28 respectively, vertical flanges 34 and 35 are provided, the flange 35, with the frame 29, converges rearwardly toward the other flange 34 and to a flat extension 36 and acts as a rearward stop for the target l9. A light tensioned leaf spring 3'! is fastened at its forward end, as by spot welding, brazing, or soldering, to the forward end of the frame on the outer surface of the side wall of the channel 21, and extends rearwardly along this surface to a hole 38 formed in the wall of said channel 21. The spring 31 is bent inwardly at the hole 38, and has its end 39 extended through the hole 38 and transversely over the upper surface of the frame 29 a short amount, to lie in the path of the base rim of the target It to releasably hold the target in the frame 21 against the stop flange 35. The arrangement of the spring 31 and the cooperation of its end 39 with the rim of the target I!) is such that the end 39 will be pushed outwardly by the rim of the target In to release the same when the frame 29 is rapidly swung to throw the target forwardly therefrom.

The flat frame extension 36 is provided with a hole 4| to receive a journal boss 42 formed on a washer 43 whereby the frame 29 is pivoted about a screw 44 which secures the washer 43 to a bracket 45. The bracket 45 extends transversely across and beneath the lower clamp member H to be secured thereto by the screws 23 and 24 which extend downwardly from the memher I! through spacing collars 46 and 41 respectively, and screw thread into opposite ends of the bracket 45. When tightly screw-threaded into the ends of the bracket'45, the screws 23 and 24 act as common means to secure the bracket 45 to the lower clamp member I! and to clamp the barrel II, or bar l2, between the members l6 and IT.

A tongue 48 extends rearwardly from the flat frame extension 39 and is pivoted to the forward end of an elongated screw-threaded rod 49 by a pin 59. The screw-threaded portion of the rod 49 is screw-threaded into a thumb nut 5| which has a tapered, or like, extension 52 thereon about which the forward end of a relatively heavy tensioned coiled spring 53 is tightly wound to fasten it thereto, and to permit rotation of the nut 5| relativel thereto. The spring 53 extends rearwardly from the nut 5| and has its other end secured to the rear end of the clamp member I! by hooking the last coil 54 of the spring 53 under a lug 55 struck downwardly from the material of the member I1 at its rear end. Swingin of the frame 29 rearwardly into the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2 greatly increases the tension of the spring 53 by stretching it and, therefore, when the frame 29 is released from such position, considerable centrifugal force is exerted to throw a target I9 from the frame. It is obvious that the spring tension can be varied by manipulation of the thumb nut 5|.

Means is herein shown to releasably hold the frame 29 in its target throwing position, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2, and this means comprises a catch member 56 formed from the material of the frame 29 at the upper edge of the flange 34, or secured thereto, as by welding, brazing, soldering, or the like. The catch member 59 is disposed on the frame 29 in position to be engaged, in a notch 51 formed therein, by a sear-like dependin end 58 of an elongated trigger member 59. The trigger member 59 is secured to and slidably supported on the lower clamp member I! by the bolts 2| and 22 which pass downwardly through the corresponding lugs 25 and 29, respectively formed on the members H5 and I1, then through spacing collars 6| and 62 and screw thread into nuts 63 and 64 respectively. The collars 6| and 62 each have a cylindrical journal portion 65 (see Fig. 4) which lies in and passes through a longitudinally elongated hole 66 formed in the trigger member 59 at each bolt 2| and 22, see Figure 4. The bolts 2| and 22, therefore, act as common means to slidably secure the trigger member 59 to the lower clamp l1 and, through the collars 5| and 62, to clamp a barrel H, or bar |2, between the clamp members l6 and H. The bolts I8 pass through corresponding lugs 25 and 26 and screw thread into nuts 61 and 68 respectively, to assist the bolts 2| and 22 in clamping a barrel I I, or bar I2, between the members I6 and II. A coiled spring 69 is provided to maintain the sear-like end 58 of the trigger member 59 in position to engage the catch 56. The spring 69 is shown herein secured at one end to the bolt 22 and at its other end to the trigger member 59 through a hole II provided therein for this purpose. By pulling upon a finger piece I2, formed on the rear end of the trigger member 59, the catch 56 is released and the frame 29 will swing forwardly under the urge of the spring 53. By using the lower clamp member IT as the common support for the frame pivot 44, the spring 53, and the trigger member 59, these parts may be disposed closely to the undersurface of the barrel II to form a compact assembly, which can be conveniently inserted into a gun case. Being so disposed in underslung relation to the barrel I I, the target throwing mechanism will not interfere with the use of the gun, should it be left assembled thereto, for other than target practice.

In Figures 9 and 10, the bolts 8|, 8|, and 82, 82, and screws 63 and 84, corresponding to the bolts I8, I9 and 2|, 22 and the screws 23, 24 respectively, pass upwardly through the several parts instead of downwardly, as shown in Figures 1-6 inclusively. In this arrangement, the bolts 8| pass upwardly through the lugs 26 and 25 and have their cooperating nuts 85 on top of the lugs 25. The bolts 82 pass upwardly through the collars 6| and 62 and screw thread into the lugs 26, to secure the trigger member 59 to the clamp member I! and then pass through the lugs 25 and are secured thereto by nuts 86 to clamp the members I9 and I! onto the barrel II, or bar I2. The screws 83, 84 pass upwardly through the ends of the bracket 45 and the collars 46, 97 and screw thread into the lugs 26, and then pass through the lugs 25 and are secured thereto by nuts 81 to clamp the clamp members I6 and I1 onto the barrel II, or bar I2. In order to insure tight contact of the flat extension 36 of the frame 29 against the undersurface of the bracket 45 a spring washer 8B is provided and disposed between the extension 36 and the washer 43. The provision of the spring washer 98 insures somewhat smoother action of the device as it compensates for wear between the adjacent parts at this point.

The leaf spring 96 shown in Figure 11 is somewhat different in form than the spring 31 previously described. The leaf spring 90 has one of its ends 9| bent over the end of the flange forming a part of the channel 2? and extend along the outer surface thereof to a hole 92 where it is bent inwardly to secure the spring 99 thereto. Its other portion 93 is bowed outwardly away from the channel 21 over the frame 29 and extended along the inner surface of the channel a substantial amount to hold a target In in the frame 29. As the target I is thrown from the frame 29 it compresses the bowed out portion 93 of the spring 99 which thereby exerts a pressure against the target rim engaged thereby insuring a smooth and even discharge of the target from the frame. Due to the light pressure exerted by the spring portion 93, the target I9 has a light friction imposed thereon as it leaves the frame whereby it is given a spinning motion which greatly assists its smooth and even flight through the air.

Briefly the operation of the mechanism of this invention is as follows: The first operation is to secure the mechanism to either a gun barrel I, or bar I2 adapted to be held by the handle I3, or to be supported upon a rod I4 adjacent to the user, by means of the clamp I6, II. A target I9 is then placed upon the frame 29 and slid rearwardly to engage the flange 35 whereupon the spring end 99 will snap in the forward path thereof to releasably hold it in place. The frame 29 is then swung backwardly upon its pivot at the screw 44 into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. The catch member 56 at its notch 51 will then be engaged by the sear-like depending end 58 of the trigger member 59 thus placing the mechanism in position to throw the target I9 into the air, The catch 56, and with it the frame 29, is then released by pressure upon the finger piece I2 to free the catch 56 from the member 56, whereupon the frame 29 will be rapidly and forcefully swung forwardly by the spring 53 and the target I!) thrown therefrom by centrifugal force. As the target If! is so acted upon, it presses the spring end 39 outwardly to release itself therefrom.

Preferably the clamp I6, I! is from two to six inches long, thereby being approximately from three to eight times longer than its diameter, to

insure that it will cover sufficient area to obviate any danger of distorting a thin walled shotgun barrel I I, or of wobbling upon a bar I2 when it is actuated, its action, due to the relatively heavy spring 53, tending to loosen the mechanism from, or twist it about, its supporting member, the barrel I I, or bar I2. The provision of a target throwing mechanism which is adapted to be detachably secured either to a barrel .I I, or to a bar I2, permits its disposition in the most convenient location in respect to the user and whereby it may be actuated by him personally and without assistance from another, either when he is standing, kneeling, or lying prone, for target practice. Having all the operable parts attached to a common supporting member which forms one member, II, of the means to clamp the mechanism to a barrel I I, or bar I2, greatly increases the convenience and efficiency of a mechanism of this nature and makes it one which is relatively simple in structure and inexpensive to manufacture. If desired the bar I2, when supported upon a rod I4, may be pivoted thereto as at I3 whereby the mechanism may be tilted at any angle.

While there has been shown and described herein one form of an improved target throwing mechanism, it is to be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit and essential attributes thereof. It is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and it will be further understood that each and every novel feature and combination thereof, present in, or possessed by, the mechanism herein disclosed, forms a part of the invention included in this application.

What is claimed as new and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

1. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means to actuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, clamp means including separate upper and lower clamp members adapted when drawn together to embrace a supporting member to detachably secure the mechanism thereto, and common means to draw said clamp members together about the supporting member and to secure said frame to the lower one of said clamp members.

2. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means to actuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, clamp means including separate upper and lower clamp members adapted when drawn together to embrace a supporting member to detachably secure the mechanism thereto, common means to draw said clamp members together about the supporting member and to secure said frame to the lower one of said clamp members, and other means to draw said clamp members together and to secure the actuating means to the lower one of said clamp members.

3. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means to actuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, and clamp means including separate upper and lower clamp members adapted, when drawn together, to embrace a supporting member to detachably secure the entire mechanism thereto, said frame and its actuating means being secured to one of said clamp members,

4. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means to actuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, including means to pivotally support said frame, spring means extending rearwardly from said pivoting means to urge the frame forwardly to throw a target therefrom, a finger operated trigger member extending to the rear of said spring means, cooperating catch means between said frame and said trigger member, a releasable clamp having a lower member to which said frame pivoting means, said spring means, and said trigger member are secured, said lower clamp member being elongated from closely adjacent the rear end of said trigger member to beyond said pivoting means and adapted to partially surround and engage a supporting member over a considerable area of its peripheral surface, and means to detachably secure said lower clamp member to the supporting member.

5. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means to actuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, including means to pivotally support said frame, spring means extending rearwardly from said pivoting means to urge the frame forwardly to throw a target therefrom, a finger operated trigger member extending to the rear of said spring means, cooperating catch means between said frame and said trigger member, a releasable clamp having a lower member to which said frame pivoting means, said spring means, and said trigger member are secured, said lower clamp member being elongated from closely adjacent the rear end of said trigger member to beyond said pivoting means, said clamp also including an upper member, and means to draw said clamp members together to embrace a supporting member therebetween, whereby said lower clamp member extending lengthwise along and over a considerable area of the peripheral surface of supporting member will protect the supporting member against strain and distortion imposed by actuatending to the rear of said spring means, cooperating catch means between said frame and said trigger member, a releasable clamp elongated from closely adjacent the rear end of said trigger member to closely adjacent said pivoting means and including separate upper and lower clamp members adapted to embrace and grip a supporting member disposed therebetween over a considerable lengthwise area of its peripheral surface, and common means to draw said clamp member together to clamp the supporting member therebetween and to secure said frame pivoting means to the lower one of said clamp members.

'7. In a target throwing mechanism, a target holding frame, means to actuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, including means to pivotally support said frame, spring means extending rearwardly from said pivoting means to urge the frame forwardly to throw a target therefrom, a finger operated trigger member extending to the rear of said spring means, cooperating catch means between said frame and said trigger member, a releasable clamp, elongated from closely adjacent the rear end of said trigger member to closely adjacent said pivoting means and including separate upper and lower clamp members adapted to embrace and grip a supporting member disposed therebetween over a considerable lengthwise area of its peripheral surface, common means to draw said clamp members together to clamp the supporting member therebetween and to secure said frame pivoting means to the lower one of said clamp members, common means to draw said clamp members together to clamp the supporting member therebetween and to secure said trigger member to the lower one of said clamp members, and means to secure said spring means to the lower one of said clamp members.

8. In a target throwing mechanism, a swingable target holding frame, means to actuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, pivoting means for said frame, releasable trigger means to hold said frame in target throwing position, a clamp comprising upper and lower members adapted to receive a holding member therebetween, means to draw said upper and lower members together to clamp a holding member disposed therebetween, said frame pivoting means, said trigger means, and said frame actuating means being secured to one of said clamp members to be supported thereby closely adjacent to the holding member.

9. In a target throwing mechanism, upper and lower clamp members adapted to partially surround the upper and lower portions respectively of an elongated supporting part, said lower member being elongated lengthwise to extend along the part to engage a considerable surface area thereof, means to draw said upper and lower clamp members together to clamp the supporting part therebetween, a target receiving frame pivoted to an end of one of said members, spring means reacting between said frame and the other end of the same clamp member to bias said frame forwardl of its pivot, a catch on said frame, and a trigger member, adapted to engage said catch to hold said frame rearwardly of its pivot against the action of said spring, secured to the same clamp member for sliding movement relatively thereto to release the catch therefrom.

10. In a target throwing mechanism, upper and lower clamp members adapted to partially surround the upper and lower portions respectively of an elongated supporting part, means to draw said clamp members together to clamp the supporting part therebetween, a target receiving frame, means to pivot said frame to one end of one of the clamp members, spring means reacting between said frame adjacent its pivot and the other end of the same clamp member to bias said frame forwardly of its pivot, a catch on said frame, and a trigger member secured to the same clamp member to engage said catch to hold said frame against the action of said spring, said frame, said spring means and said trigger member being disposed closely adjacent to said supporting part when said clamp members are clamped thereabout.

11. In combination, a gun barrel, a target throwing mechanism, means comprising upper and lower clamp members each adapted to partially surround said gun barrel, means to draw said clamp members together to clamp said gun barrel therebetween, said target throwing mechanism being in its entirety secured to and supported by the lower clamp member to be disposed in an underslung position in respect to said barrel and closely adjacent to the underside thereof when the same is clamped between the said clamp members.

12. In combination, a gun barrel, a target throwing mechanism, means comprising upper and lower clamp members each adapted to partially surround said gun barrel, means to draw said clamp members together to clamp said gun barrel therebetween, said target throwing mechanism including a swingable target holding frame, a trigger, and spring means adapted toact on said frame to swing it to throw a target therefrom, means on said lower clamp member to which said frame is pivoted, means on said lower clam member to support said trigger, and means on said lower clamp member to which said spring means is secured.

13. In combination, a gun barrel, a target throwing mechanism, means comprising upper and lower clamp members each adapted to partially surround said gun barrel, means to draw said clamp members together to clamp said gun barrel therebetween, said target throwing mechanism including a swingable target holding frame, a trigger, and spring means adapted to act on said frame to swing it to throw a target therefrom, means to pivotally secure said frame to said lower clamp member, means to secure said trigger to said lower clamp member, and means to secure said spring means to said lower clamp member.

14. In combination, a gun barrel, a target throwing mechanism, means comprising upper and lower clamp members each adapted to partially surround said gun barrel, means to draw said clamp members together to clamp said gun barrel therebetween, said target throwing mechanism including a svvingable target holding frame, a trigger, and spring means adapted to act on said frame-to swing it to throw a target therefrom, means to pivotally secure said frame to said lower clamp member, and means to secure said spring means to said lower clamp member, one of the means to draw said clamp members together being arranged to secure said trigger to said lower clamp member.

15. In combination, a gun barrel, a target throwing mechanism, means comprising upper and lower clam members each adapted to partially surround said gun barrel, means to draw said clamp members together to clamp said gun barrel therebetween, said target throwing mechanism being in its entirety secured to and supported by the lower clamp member to be disposed in an underslung position in respect to said barrel and closely adjacent to the underside thereof when the same is clamped between the said clamp members, said target throwing mechanism including a pivoted frame for securing and supporting a disc-like target, spring means to rapidly swing said frame to throw a target therefrom, said frame having side flanges between which the base of said target may slide, said side flanges converging toward each other toward the pivot point of said frame, resilient means to engage a disc-like target and releasably hold it on said frame between the side flanges at the converging portions thereof, catch means on said frame, a trigger to engage said catch means to hold said frame against the action of said spring means to swing it, means to pivotally secure said frame to said lower clamp member, means to secure said trigger to said lower clamp member, and means to secure said spring means to said lower clamp member.

16. In combination, a supporting bar, a target throwing mechanism including an actuating trigger, means to secure said mechanism to said bar including upper and lower clamp members and means to draw said clamp members together to clamp the bar therebetween, said target throwing mechanism being in its entirety secured to and supported by one of said clamp members to be disposed spaced from and closely adjacent to the supporting bar when the same is clamped between the clamp members.

17. A target throwing mechanism comprising a target receiving frame, means to actuate said frame to throw a target therefrom, a trigger to release said frame actuating means, and clamp means including separate upper and lower clamp members adapted, when drawn together, to detachably secure the entire target throwing mechanism to a supporting bar clamped between said clamp members, said frame, its actuating means, and said trigger being secured to one of said clamp members.

HAROLD F. MOSSBERG.

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