US2777695A - Target game - Google Patents

Description

United rates TARGET GAR [E David Colm, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to T. Cohn Incorporated, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 4, 1955, Serial No. 538,306

8 Claims. (Cl. 273102) This invention relates generally to toys, and is particularly directed to a novel target construction for use with a skill toy such as a rifle or other missile projecting device.

The particular embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in the drawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detail, comprises generally a base adapted to rest upon a supporting surface, an upstanding plate or board mounted on the base, and one or more mark pieces arranged in the board and movable when hit by a projectile from an exposed or set position to a down position behind the board.

As is well known to those versed in the art, in prior target constructions of the type described, the mark pieces, conventionally in the form of 'bulls-eyes, animal figures, etc., were necessarily individually hinged to the board so as to fall independently when hit by a missile. Each of the marks thus moved to its down position required individual repositioning to its set or exposed position for continued play. This, of course, consumed considerable time and often required greater skill than normally possessed by young children. Another common defect in previous target constructions was the instability of the target base and frequent toppling of the target board.

This instability usually resulted from the requirement that the base be collapsible into substantially coplanar relation wtih respect to the board or plate so as to occupy minimum of space in storage and transit.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide a target construction of the type described which overcomes the above mentioned difiiculties, does not require individual resetting of the downed marks or mark pieces, and which is firm, staunch and stable in its operative, erected condition to readily resist the impact of projectiles and inadvertent jarring without turning over or other dislocation.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a target construction having the advantageous characteristi s mentioned in the foregoing paragraph, wherein all of the downed mark pieces, regardless of number, may be simultaneously replaced in their set or exposed positions by a single, simple manual operation requiring only a fraction of a second and easily performed by small children without assistance.

It is another object of the presentinvention to provide a target construction of the type described which includes a base capable of being quickly and easily collapsed into substantially coplanar relation with respect to the target board, for minimum space requirements, and set up .or erected in a relatively rigid and firm expandedjcondition for entirely adequate stability when the device is in use. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a target device of the type described which is extremely simple and durable in construction and use, and which can bemanufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction 1 hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view showing the target device of the present invention in its set up or erected condition of use, one mark piece of the target device being illustrated in a down position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view showing a target device and illustrating the target base construction of the present invention in its erected condition;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view similar to 'Fig. 2, showing the base construction in an intermediate position of a being collapsed or erected;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view, somewhat enlarged, taken substantially along the line 44 of Fig. 1;

'Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view, somewhat enlarged and taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 6 is a partial, rear elevational view showing the board and mark piece construction in greater detail.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Figs. 1-3 thereof, the embodiment of the invention illustrated therein comprises a base, generally designated 10, adapted to rest on an appropriate supporting surface (not shown), and an upstanding plate or board 11 which is supported by the base 10 and may be of rectangular configuration, as illustrated.

The base 10 includes a pair of generally U-shaped frame members 12 and 13, the latter being slightly larger than the former. More specifically, the frame member 12 includes a generally straight, horizontally disposed bight portion 14 and a pair of spaced upstanding legs 15, 15 on opposite ends of the bight portion and arranged, respectively, adjacent to opposite side edges '17, 17 of the board 11. The free endportions of the frame memher legs 15, 15 are pivoted to the adjacent side edge portions of the board 11 by a pair of aligned, generally horizontally disposed fasteners or pins 16, 16. The frame member legs 15, 15 are preferably of sufficient length. and the pins 16, 16 so located, that the bight portion 14 of the frame member 12 is swingable about the axis of the pins below the lower edge 25- of the board.

The frame member 13 includes a generally straight, horizontally disposed bight portion 18 slightly longer than the frame member bight p ortion 14, and a pair of spaced, upstanding legs 19, 19 on opposite ends of the bight portion and disposed, respectively, adjacent to opposite side edges 17, 17 of the board 11. The frame member bight portion 18 is preferably longer than the frame member bight portion 14 by at least the combined widths of the frame member legs 15 and 15, and the frame member legs 19, 19 are each preferably longer than the frame member legs 15 by the width of the bight portion 14. Hence, the frame member 12 may be entirely received within the frame member 13 with the ends of the legs 15 which are remote from member 14 respectively adjacent to the ends of the legs 19 which are remote from member 18. Further, said ends of the legs 19, 19 may be pivotally connected by the pins 16. 16 to the corresponding ends of the legs 15, 15, and to the board 11. As the frame member 13 is of sufficient size to receive the frame member 12, the bight portion 18 will be swingable below the lower edge of the board 11, so that the frame members and board are collapsible intoa substantially coplanar relation, to occupy a of space.

In erected condition, the frame members 12 and 13 are in their spaced apart relation, and prevent relative rota- 7 tion of the frame members, a brace member 25) is extendable between and adapted to be connected to the frame member bight portions 14 and 18. The brace member 21} is preferably fabricated of stiff, but resiliently deflectable strip material; and, as best seen in Eig. 4, has one end portion looped, as at 21, through the frame member bight portion 14 for hinged connection to the latter. That is, the brace'member is connected at one end to the big'nt portion 14 for swinging movement relative to the latter. The other end portion 22 of the brace member, remote from the lop 21, is flanged or bent downwards for engagement through an opening 23 in the frame member bight portion 18. Thus, the brace member 20 rests on the upper surface of the bight portion 18 when the downwardly bent end portion 22 engages through the opening '23.

The proportions of the various parts are preferably selected so that the lower edge 25 of the board 11 will engage with and resiliently deflect the brace member 20 when the board is in a forwardly facing, upstanding position. The brace member 21) will thereby frictionally engage with the lower board edge 25 to resist movement of the latter out of its upstanding position, while the lower edge of the board bears downwards on the brace member to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the brace end portion 22 from the frame member opening 23. By this construction, the base 10 and board 11 are firm, staunch and stable in their erected condition, suflicient to withstand the impact of projectiles and other forces imparted to the target device.

The board or plate 11 has an upper edge 28 spaced from the generally horizontal axis of the pivot pins 16, 16 a distance less than that between the pivot pin axis and lower plate edge 25. As seen in Fig. 5, the plate 11 includes a facing sheet 29 peripherally flanged to define the side edges 17, 17 of the plate, and the lower and upper plate edges 25 and 28. The forward surface of the facing sheet 29 may be decorated in any desired manner, such as by bulls-eyes, and backing material 36, such as cardboard or the like, may be secured, where desired, in facing engagement with the rear surface of the sheet 29 to reinforce the latter.

Formed in the sheet 29 of the plate 11 are a plurality of through openings 32, 33 and 34 for receiving respective marks or mark pieces 36, 37 and 38. The openings 32, 33 and 34 are all of similar construction, as are the marks 36, 37 and 38, so that a detailed description of all is unnecessary. An additional opening 40 is formed in the plate 11, and provided with an additional mark or mark piece 41.

Extending generally horizontally rearwards from the lower edge or bounding portion of the plate opening 33 is a relatively wide flange 43. One or more apertures or slots .44 areformed in the lower edge flange 43. Provided on the remaining edge portions of the plate open- I ing 33 is a flange 45 which extends rearwards a distance less than the lower edge flange 43. A through aperture 46 is formed inthe sheet 29 of the plate 11 just above the plate opening 33 and flange 45.

The plate opening 32 is similarly provided along its lower edge with relatively wide, rearwardly extending flange 48, and along its remaining edges with a relatively narrow, rearwardly extending flange 49. The lower edge flange 48 is apertured at 50, and the plate 11 is apertured at 51 just above the opening 32 and flange 49.

Thus, the plate openings 32 and 33 and their surrounding structure are substantially identical.

The plate opening 40 is provided about its periphery with a rearwardly extending flange 53; and, the mark tion as shown in the drawings, is arranged in the plate.

opening 33, and includesrone or more securing feet 57 depending from the mark piece loosely through the flange aperture 44, and provided on its lower end, spaced below the flange 43, with an enlargement or head 58, best seen in Fig. 6.

A holding tab 6*!) extends from an upper portion of the mark piece 37, and includes a forwardly and slightly downwardly projecting free end portion 61 which engages loosely through the plate aperture 46 when the mark piece 37 is in its set position in the plate opening 33. As the enlarged end portion 58 of the foot 57 is spaced below the flange 43, and the projecting end tab portion 61 is loose in the aperture 46, the mark piece 37 is suspended in its set position by the holding tab 60 and afforded limited freedom of movement in the vertical direction. Further, as the foot 57 is loosely received in the flange aperture 44, the mark piece is aflForded limited swinging movement relative to the flange 43 from its set position to a down position rearwards of the plate 11. The down position is illustrated by mark piece 36 which has a depending foot 62 loosely received in the flange aperture Sit, and a forwardly projecting upper tab 63 withdrawn from the plate aperture 51.

it will now be apparent that the depending foot 57 of the mark piece 37 secures the latter to the flange 43, and that the tab 60 releasably retains the mark piece in its set position within the plate opening 33. Further, when the plate 11 is disposed in its normal, upstanding position of Fig. 5, the forwardly declining shape of the tab end portion 61 engaged through the plate aperture 46 coacts with the gravitational force on the mark piece 37 to resist withdrawal of the tab from the plate aperture and thus tends to retain the mark piece in its set position. However, the force of a projectile impinging on the forward face of the mark piece 37, as from the right in Fig. 5, will be sutficient to withdraw the tab 60 from the plate aperture 46, raising the mark piece slightly and to swing the mark piece to its down position. a

When it is desired to return the downed mark pieces to their set position, it is only necessary to revolve the board or plate 11 360", counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 5. At the position of counterclockwise plate rotation, the previously downed mark pieces will hang by their securing feet in their respective plate openings with their holding tabs adjacent to the respective plate apertures. Upon continued counterclockwise rotation of the board 11, the projecting tab end portions of the mark pieces will all engage in their respective plate'apertures and remain there engaged until the board is returned to its normal, forwardly facing upstanding. positionJ. Of course, replacement of the mark piecesmay also be accomplished by rotating the board 11 180 clockwise, and returning the board to its operative position by 180 counterclockwise rotation. As the upper board edge 28 is closer to the axis of rotation of the board, as defined by the aligned pivots 16, 16, then the lowerboard edge 25, the board will rotate freely without engaging the brace member 20. When the board is returned to its forwardly facing upstanding position, after either 360 of counterclockwise rotation, or 180 counterclockwise rotation, all of the mark pieces will be returned to their set positions and exposed to the'users view. Play may therefore be continued with a minimum interruption perresetting the downed mark pieces.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a target device which fully accomplishes its intended obects, and well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A target for use with a toy gun, said target comprising a base, a normally forwardly facing upstanding plate mounted on said base for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, said plate being provided with a through opening, a flange extending rearwards from the lower bounding portion of said plate opening, said flange being formed with a through aperture, there being a through aperture formed in said plate in the region above said plate opening, a mark piece arranged in said plate opening, a securing foot depending from said mark piece loosely through said flange aperture to mount said mark piece for limited swinging movement between a set position in said plate opening and a down position rearwards of said plate, and a forwardly projecting tab on an upper portion of said mark piece engaging through said plate aperture to retain said mark piece in its set position and withdrawable from said plate aperture to release said mark piece for movement to its down position when said mark piece is impinged on its front side by a missile, rotation of said plate serving to re-engage said tab in said plate aperture so that said mark piece is replaced in its set position upon return of said plate to its forward facing upstanding position.

2. A target according to claim 1, said base comprising a pair of generally U-shaped frame members each arranged with its legs adjacent to opposite side edges of said plate and its bright portion below the lower plate edge, means pivotally connecting the free ends of each adjacent pair of frame member legs to the adjacent portion of said plate, and a brace member extending between and releasably connecting the bight portion of said pair of frame members when the latter are swung away from each other to prevent relative rotation of said frame members, whereby said frame members and brace member define a stable and firm base for supporting said plate.

3. A target according to claim 2, said brace member being resiliently defiectable and frictionally engageable with the lower edge of said plate to releasably maintain the latter in upstanding position.

4. A target according to claim 1, said foot comprising an extension depending from said mark piece downwards through said flange aperture, and an enlarged head on the free end of said extension below said flange to prevent detachment of said mark piece from said flange while permitting limited vertical shifting and swinging movements of said mark piece relative to said flange.

5. A target according to claim 1, said tab being shaped to decline forwards through said plate aperture when said mark piece is in the set position to resist inadvertent movement of said mark piece from its set position.

6. A target for use with a toy gun, said target comprising a base, a plate mounted on said base so as to be normally generally upstanding but slightly inclined forwardly and so as to be rotatable about a generally horizontal axis, said plate being formed with a through opening, a mark piece arranged in said plate opening, means loosely mounting said mark piece on the lower bounding portion of said plate opening for limited vertical shifting and limited swinging movement between a set position in said plate opening and a down position rearwards of said plate, and a forwardly projecting tab on an upper portion of said mark piece and engageable loosely through said plate above said plate opening to normally suspend said mark piece in its set position, said tab being withdrawable from said plate to release said mark piece for movement to its down position when said mark piece is impinged on its front side by a missile, rotation of said plate serving to re-engage said tab in said plate so that said mark piece is replaced in its set position upon return of said plate to its normal position.

7. A target according to claim 6, said tab being shaped to decline forwards through said plate when said mark piece is in its set position to frictionally resist inadvertent movement of said mark piece from its set position.

8. A target according to claim 6, said base comprising a pair of generally U-shaped frame members, each said frame member having a cross-arm adapted to rest upon a support, and legs extending generally upwardly from the respective ends of said cross-arm, means pivotally connecting the upper ends of the respective frame member legs to the respective side edges of said plate intermediate the ends of said side edges, whereby said cross-arms may be moved toward and away from each other, and a stiff, but resiliently deflectable brace member extending between and releasably connecting said cross-arms in their position of movement away from each other, to provide a firm and stable base supporting said plate, said brace member being frictionally engageable with the lower edge of said plate to releasably maintain said plate in its normal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,103,579 Hall July 14, 1914 1,125,306 Graybill Jan. 19, 1915 1,568,013 Warfield Dec. 29, 1925 1,652,688 Steinberg Dec. 13, 1927 1,749,689 Baum Mar. 4, 1930 2,085,933 Vaughan July 6, 1937 2,170,850 Bonnett Aug. 29, 1939 2,340,649 Dawson Feb. 1, 1944

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