US2668526A

US2668526A - Target trap with automatically varied throwing angle

Info

Publication number: US2668526A
Application number: US298547A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence L Woolsey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-07-12
Filing date: 1952-07-12
Publication date: 1954-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 1971-02-09

Description

1954 c. WOOLSEY TARGET TRAP WITH AUTOMATICALLY VARIED THRQWING ANGLE Filed July 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l IIII I IIIIII INVENTOR. CLARENCE L. WOLSEY Filed July 12, 1952 Feb. 9, 1954 WOOLSEY 2,668,526

TARGET TRAP WITH AUTOMATICALLY VARIED THROWING ANGLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 o o I Q o 174 /a4 I 0 18a 0 me 78 I86 A90 /80 4 me f /7/ INVENTOR. CLARENCE L. WOOLSEY Patented Feb. 9, 1954 ()FFI-CFE TARGET TRAIIWWITHHQAUIOMATIGALLY VARIED THROWING ANGLE Clarence B. Wool'sey, Randall, Kans. Application .Tuly 12, 1952, Serial N0. 298,547 .9 Claims. (01. "124-9) This invention'relates to throwing devices for use in target practice where clay targets, which are commonly referred to as blue rocks or clay pigeons, are discharged into the air, and in particular a clay target throwing machine in which the path of targets being discharged therefrom is continuously changing.

The purpose of this invention is to improve clay target throwing machines by changing the path of the targets so that the targets simulate birds in flight. 1

various types of machines have been provided for discharging clay targets or pigeons, however, conventional machines of this type throw the targets in a continuous path and with each target following the sa'mepath it is comparatively easy to cover an area through which a target will travel with the sights of a gun. With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a target throwing machine in which the discharging' arm swings in both vertical and horizontal planes and swings continuously in the horizontal plane as targets are discharged therefrom.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a target throwing machine in which each target thrown by the machine follows a diiferent path.

Another "object of the invention is to provide 'atarg'et discharging device in which the angle of the throwing element is readily adjustable in a vertical plane. 1 v

Another important object of the invention is 'toprovide a target throwing machine inwhich the discharging arm travels continuously in a horizontal plane and in which the releasing eleinerit is actuated by a manually operated button.

A further object of the invention is to provide a target throwing machine in "which, after the release of the discha'rgii'i'g element, the element is reset or cocked by continuous movement of the machine. I 7

ii still further object of the invention is to provid a target throwing machine in which the path of the target changes centinutusiy, in which the machine is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a target swinging arm pivotally mounted on a frame mounted for movement in a Vertical plane on a turntable that is pivotally mounted to swing 'in a horizontal pleas one base, and wherein the turntable is iet protatea in the ho'i i'z'ontal plane by a motor which aist resets or cooks the target swinging or tl' iioiving aim.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the design and arrangement of the .parts of the target throwing machine. I

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine. 7

Figure 3 is a sectional plan through the lower part of the machine, taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an elevational view with the parts shown on an enlarged scale with parts broken away and parts shown in section, and illustrating the operating spindle carried by the frame of the machine.

Figure 5 is a cross section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1 illustrating the solenoid actuated latch for releasing the target throwing arm.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the latch shown in Figure 5 with parts of the frame broken away. 7

Figure 7 is a plan view of the target throwing arm with the parts shown on an enlarged scale and with parts broken away. i

Figure 8 is a section taken on line 88 of Figure 7.

Referring now to the drawings 'whereinlike reference characters denote corresponding parts the improved target throwing machine of this invention includes a base H], a turntable I2 pivotally mounted on the base, a frame l4 pivotally mounted to swing in a vertical plane on a standard iii of the turntable, a gear housing I8 carried by the frame [4, a throwing arm 20 pivotally mounted by a shaft 22 in the frame and housing, a spindle 2 4 journaled in thelower part of the housing, a latch '26 for retaining the arm 20 in a cooked position, and a motor 28 for continuous- 1y reciprocating the turntable, frame and arm, and also for actuating theailfn to a reset or cooked position after a target is thrown by the arm.

h base lo, as illustrated in friguie z and 3, is provided with a circular pody portion and an extension 39 in which is a slot 3:! in which a pin 34 is adjustably mounted. The base is also 'p'ro vided with a stub shaft 36 which extend's into a socket 38 in the center of the turntable l2' wherfe b'y'the turntable is pivotally mounted on the base;

The standard It extnd s' upwardly above the socket 3s and the frame i4 is pivotany mounted with a pin 40 on the upper nd of the Sta arid. the pin extending through a vertically d 'ed. web 42 of the frame. The web is also. provided with an arcuate s'lot fl through 'which a clamp screw 16, which is threaded into the standard I6;

extends whereby the angle of the frame is adjustable in a vertical plane.

The throwing arm 20, which is mounted on the upper end of the shaft 22, is actuated by a spring 48, one end of which is connected to a post 50 on the frame I4, and the other end being connected to an eccentrically positioned pin 52 on the arm. The targets, as indicated by the numeral 54, are temporarily held on the arm 20 with a strip 56 of rubber or the like, which is secured between strips 58 and 60, and the strips 58 and 60 are held by screws 62 that are threaded in spacing lugs 64 on the upper surface of the arm 20, as shown in Figure 8.

A disc 66, mounted on the under surface of the arm 20 and positioned around the shaft 22 is provided with a substantially semi-circular bar 68 having arcuate ends 10, and a roller 12 on one end of a lever 14 is positioned to travel on the under surface of the bar, as shown in Figure 4. The lever 14 is pivotally mounted by a pin 16 on a hub 18 on the upper end of the housing, and a rod 60 pivotally connected to the lever extends downwardly through an opening 82 in the housing and through a yoke 84 which is pivotally mounted by a pin 86 in the housing. The lower end of the rod 80 is provided with a head 88 and a spring 90 is positioned between the head and yoke. The roller 12 is journaled by a pin 82 in a hub on the lever 14 and the arms of the yoke are provided with studs 94 that extend between flanges 96 of a clutch collar 08 that is slidably mounted on a stub shaft I which is positioned between the spindle 24 and shaft 22.

The lower end of the stub shaft I00 is journaled in a socket I02 in the spindle 24 and a pin I04 extended from a hub I06 on the upper end is journaled in a socket I08 in an enlarged section IIO on the lower end of the shaft 22. A spring I I2 positioned on the section I I0 is mounted with the lower end held on an arm II6 on the hub I06.

The clutch collar 98 is provided with a hub I I8 from the lower side of which ratchet teeth I20 extend and the teeth I20 are positioned to coact with teeth I22 on a gear I24 which is mounted on the upper end of the spindle 24. The clutch collar is urged downwardly by a spring I26 on the shaft I00 and as the roller 12 travels off of the end of the bar 68 the rod 80 drops downwardly whereby the spring I26 moves the ratchet teeth I 20 into engagement with the teeth I22 and the shaft 22 is rotated through a frictional engagement as the spring II2 tightens about the member H0.

The gear I24 meshes with a pinion I28 on a shaft I30 which is journaled in the lower section I32 of the housing I8 and the shaft I30 is rotated by a motor 28 through a belt I34 and pulleys I36 and I38. The pulley I36 is positioned on the end of the shaft I30 and the pulley I38 is on the motor shaft.

The spindle 24 is journaled in a bearing I40 in the lower end of the section I32 of the housin I8 and an arm I42, which is secured to the lower end of the spindle with a clamp I44, is connected to a rod I46 with a universal joint I48, and the opposite end of the rod is secured to an arm I50 of a bell-crank I52 with'a universal joint I54. The rod I46 is provided with a turnbuckle I56 for adjusting the stroke of the frame and the joint I54 is connected to the arm I50 with a bolt I58 that extends through a slot I60 in the arm. The bell-crank is pivotally mounted on an ear I62 on one side of the turntable with a pin I64, as

shown in Figure 3, and the other arm of the bell-crank is provided with an elongated slot I66 through which the pin 34 in the slot 32 of the extension 30 extends.

The latch 26 which holds the arm 20 in the cocked position is pivotally mounted by a pin I68 in a bearing I10 on the frame I4 and with the latch in the holding position, as shown in Figure 5, a roller I12 in arms I14 engages the under surface of a bar I16 extending from the latch. The arms I14 are pivotally mounted by a pin I18 in a bracket I on the web 42 of the frame I4, and a lever I82, which extends from the pin I 68, is connected by a chain I84 to a core I86 of a solenoid I88. The lever I82 is urged upwardly by a spring I90 on a pin I92 of a yoke I94, the upper end of the yoke being attached to the lever I82 with a pin I96.

The frame I4 is provided with a slot I98 in which the latch 26 is positioned, and with the latch as shown in Figure 5, it is engaged by a roller 200 on a support 202 extended from the under side of the throwing arm 20.

With the parts arranged in this manner an operator actuates a button to close the circuit to the solenoid I88 and the solenoid draws the lever I02 downwardly, drawing the roller I12 from the bar I16 whereby the latch 26 is released and the spring 48 actuates the throwing arm with a quick action for throwing the targets. fhe tension of the spring 48 may be adjusted by a nut 204 threaded on a stem 206 extended from one end of the spring.

The motor runs continuously while the machine is in use whereby the spindle also rotates continuously turning the arcuate arm on the lower end thereof and the arm through the rod I46 and bell-crank impart a reciprocating action to the turntable so that when the button is pressed to release the throwing arm the path of a missile or target discharged by the machine is unpredictable.

As a target is discharged by the throwing arm 20 the roller 12 rides over the arcuate surface 10 of the bar 68 and the clutch collar drops the upper ratchet teeth into the teeth on the gear I24 which, operating continuously, turns the stub shaft I00 and the hub I06 of the shaft turns the upper shaft 22 which brings the throwing arm back to the cooked position, at which time the roller 12 is moved downwardly by the bar 68 thereby drawing the clutch collar upwardly and releasing the ratchet teeth from the teeth of the gear. The machine is then reset or cooked and the button may be pressed again to discharge another target.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a blue rock trap constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also'be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carryingout my invention in practice, except as claimed.

. Whatisclaimed is:

l. A target throwing machine comprising-a turntable, a throwing arm pivotally mounted on the turntable, a base on which the turntable is mounted, power means carried by the turntable and coacting with the base for continuously reaced-sac :ciproca'ting "the turntable in "a horizontal plane and about a center, a. latch for retaining said arm a cooked position, manually actuated means for actuating the latch to release the arm, means for actuating the arm with a snap action for discharging a target, and m'eahs'for resetting the'arm.

2. A target throwing machine comprising a turntable, a throwing arm pivotally mounted on the turntable, means for adjusting said arm in a vertical plane, a base on which the turntable is mounted, power means carried by the turntable and co'actin'g with the base for continuously reciprocating the turntable in a horizontal plane and from a center, a latch for retaining said arm' in a cooked position, manually actuated means for a'ctuating the latch to release the arm, means for actuating the arm with a snap action for discharging a target, and means for reseting the arm.

3. A target throwing machine comprising a turntable, a base upon which the turntable is pivotally mounted, a throwing arm pivotally mounted on the turntable, power means carried by the turntable and coacting with the base for continuously reciprocating the turntable on the base and from the pivotal mounting thereof, a latch for retaining the arm in a cocked position, a solenoid for actuating the latch to release the arm, a spring for actuating said arm to discharge a target, and means for cooking the arm.

4. A target throwing machine comprising a base, a turntable pivotally mounted on the base, a frame carried by the turntable, a throwing arm pivotally mounted on the frame, a spindle carried by the frame, a motor on the frame, means operatively connecting the spindle to the motor, means connecting the spindle to the turntable and base whereby the turntable is reciprocated as the spindle rotates, a latch for retaining said arm in a cooked position, a solenoid, means actuating the latch by the solenoid for releasing the arm, a spring connected to the frame and arm for actuating the arm to discharge a target, and means resetting the arm by the spindle.

L 5. In a target throwing machine, the combination which comprises a base having a vertically disposed stub shaft extended upwardly therefrom, a turntable having a socket in which the stud shaft of the base is positioned whereby the turntable is pivotally mounted on the base, a standard extended upwardly from the turntable, a frame positioned above the base and pivotally mounted on said standard, a housing carried by the frame, a shaft journaled in the upper end of the housing, a throwing arm mounted on said shaft, resilient means connected to the frame and arm for actuating the arm to discharge targets from the arm, a spindle journaled in the lower part of the housing and positioned in alignment with said shaft, a motor carried by the frame and operatively connected to said spindle, adjustable means connecting the spindle to the base for reciprocating the turntable, frame and arm about the stub shaft on the base, a clutch for connecting the shaft to the spindle, means whereby the clutch is actuated by the throwing arm upon completion of a throwing action to rotate the shaft to return the throwing arm to the cooked position, a latch for retaining said arm in a cooked position, and means for releasing said latch.

6. In a target throwing machine, the combination which comprises a base, a turntable pivotally mounted on the base, said turntable having a standard extended upwardly therefrom, a

frame "pivotally "mounted, for movement in averti'cail plane, on said standard, a housing 'carried by the frame, a shaft journaled in the upper end of the housing and extended upwardly from the housing, a target throwing arm carried by said shaft and positioned above the frame, a spring connected to the arm and frame for actuating the arm to discharge a target therefrom, means on the arm for'temporarily holding a target, a spindle journaled in the lower end of the housing, a stub shaft in the housing and positioned between the spindle and shaft in the upper end of thehousing, an arcuate arm extended from the lower end of the spindle, a bell-crank pivotally mounted on the turntable, means connecting the bell-crank to the arcuate arm of the spindle and base whereby rotation of the spindle re'c'iprocates the turntable, means for rotating the spindle, a latch for retaining the target throwing arm in a cooked position, and means for releasing said latch.

7. In a target throwing machine, the combination which comprises a base, a turntable pivotally mounted on the base, said turntable having a standard extended upwardly therefrom, a frame pivotally mounted on the standard, means adjusting the postion of the frame in a vertical plane, a cylindrical housing depending from one end of the frame, a shaft journaled in the upper end of the housing, a target throwing arm carried by said shaft, a spring connected to the arm and frame for actuating the arm to discharge a target, a spindle journaled in the housing, means resiliently connecting the spindle to the shaft, a clutch in the connection between the spindle and shaft, a gear on the spindle, a motor carried by the frame, means driving the gear and spindle by the motor, an arm extended from the lower end of the spindle, a bell-crank pivotally mounted on the turntable, a rod connecting the arm of the spindle to one side of the bell-crank, a guide pin adjustably mounted on the base and extended through the side of the bell-crank opposite to the side to which said rod is connected whereby upon rotation of the spindle the bell-crank reciprocates the turntable about the pivotal mounting thereof, alatch carried by the frame and positioned to retain the target throwing arm in a cooked position, a solenoid, and means actuating the latch by said solenoid.

8. In a target throwing machine, the combination which comprises a base, a turntable pivotally mounted on the base, said turntable having a standard extended upwardly therefrom, a frame pivotally mounted on the standard, means for adjusting the position of the frame in a vertical plane, a cylindrical housing depending from one end of the frame, a shaft journaled in the upper end of the housing, a target throwing arm carried by said shaft, a spring connected to the arm and frame for actuating the arm to discharge a target, a spindle journaled in the housing, means resiliently connecting the spindle to the shaft, a clutch in the connection between the spindle and shaft, a gear on the spindle, a pinion positioned on a shaft journaled in the housing, a motor, means driving the shaft with the pinion thereon by the motor, an arm extended from the lower end of the spindle, a bell-crank pivotally mounted on the turntable and having a short arm and a long arm, a rod having a turnbuckle therein connecting the short arm of the bellcrank to the arm of the spindle, a guide pin mounted in the base and extended through the long arm of the bell-crank whereby rotation of the spindle causes the turntable to reciprocate about the pivotal mounting thereof on the base, a latch carried by the frame and positioned to retain the target throwing arm in a cooked position, a solenoid carried by said frame, means for actuating the latch to release the target throwing arm by the solenoid, and means actuated by the target discharge movement of the target discharge movement of the target throwing arm for moving the clutch whereby the target throwing arm is reset by said gear in the housing.

9. In a target throwing machine, the combination which comprises a base, a turntable mounted to rotate in a horizontal plane on said base, a frame pivotally mounted on the turntable, means for adjusting the frame in a vertical plane, a vertically disposed shaft journaled in one end of the frame, a throwing arm having means thereon for temporarily retaining targets mounted on said shaft, a motor carried by the frame,

means actuated by the motor and coacting with the base for reciprocating the turntable and frame on the base, a latch for retaining the throwing arm in a cooked position, means for actuating the latch to release the arm, and means operatively connecting the shaft on which the throwing arm is mounted to the motor actuated means whereby the throwing arm is returned to a cocked position after a throwing action of the arm.

CLARENCE L. WOOLSEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS