US3186119A - Device for projecting an aerial target - Google Patents

Description

June 1955 T. MARAS ETAL DEVICE FOR PROJECTING AN AERIAL TARGET Filed May 22, 1963 INVENTORJ 7170mm: MARAS BY RALPH W P/TCHEP Armmyey ,7

Patented June I, 1965 3,186,119 DEVICE FOR PRQJETENG AN AEREAL TARGET Thomas Maras, 315 E. Liberty St, Ashland, (Halo, and Ralph W. Pitcher, RFD. 8, Lexington, Ohio Filed May 22, 1963, Ser. No. 282,399 3 Claims. (Cl. 421) Our invention relates generally to devices for projec ing an object such as a metallic can as a target for flight into and through the air and more particularly relates to such a device including a magnetic target launching support associated directly with .a firearm for producing and directing a charge of gas against the surface of the target on the support to propel it from the device and into the air.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of this character which is simple of construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and in which the target launching support is devoid of moving parts, thus eliminating maintenance problems.

Another object is to provide a target launching support of relatively light weight material having a flat target supporting surface extending from its central portion to the outer end thereof, thus eliminating the necessity of annular target retaining or centering means.

A further object is to insure ease and handling of the device by enabling the device to be held, aimed and fired by the use of but one hand of the operator.

Another object is to provide a target launching base or support which may readily be removably coupled to the free end of the barrel of a firearm such as a pistol, revolver, rifle or the like, whereby to convey the gas charge from a blank cartridge fired by the firearm directly to a wall of the target supported on the launching base.

A further object is to eliminate the use of positioning grooves, pressure seals or other mechanical expedients encompassing the contour of that portion of the target object such as the base portion of a tin can which is in contact with the target base on which it is supported for launching.

Still another object of this invention is to magnetically position and hold a metallic target, such as an empty can, in selected position on a target launching base prior to firing the blank cartridge in the firearm carrying the target support.

Another object is to obtain greater range for the target and to selectively diversify the projectory of flight of the same by providing a flat launching surface on the support enabling the target to be supported thereon in a plurality of positions with respect to the axis of the support and to the axis of the movement of the gas charge delivered to the support in firing the firearm carrying the said support.

Still another object is to provide a target launching device of the character disclosed which is capable of magnetically supporting and launching targets of varying sizes and shapes.

Another object is to provide for quick and easy target reloading after launching a target.

Another object of this invention is to more elfectively and efficiently launch an aerial target such as a can from a device of the character disclosed by substantially eliminting aerodynamic drag on the target as it is launched or projected from the target support.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which like parts are designated by like reference characters throughout.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front end view of the target launching support, the broken lines illustrating off-center positions of the target can; and

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation partly in section as viewed in the direction of line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, and showing the launching support attached to the end of a revolver barrel with a target such as a can in place for launching.

- In carrying out our invention, an embodiment of which is herein described and illustrated, we provide a support or head for mounting a target such as an empty beverage or food can for subsequent projection into the air from the support by directing a charge of gas under pressure directly against the imperforate bottom wall of the can on the support.

Also according to our invention, the head is detachably and directly mounted on the forward end of the barrel of a firearm or other source of gas under pressure and is provided with an opening therethrough and in alignment with the axis of the barrel to cause a gas charge generated by firing a blank cartridge in the firearm, or directed from another source through a suitable barrel or the like, to impinge upon the imperforate surface of the can supported on the head. Since our invention further contemplates means by which the target can be quickly mounted on the support without the necessity of centering the same or peripherally sealing the can on the launching support, and further without regard to the specific dimension of the cans face, the operator of the device can quickly reload targets on the head with one hand and aim and project them in quick succession with the other hand.

Referring now more particularly to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, a firearm such as revolver for firing blank cartridges, or other means of discharging a charge of gas under pressure, is indicated generally at 1 and includes a barrel portion 2 through which the gas charge travels and which is externally threaded, as at 3, on its outer end. A target support or launching base 4 having a center opening therethrough, as at 5, the rear portion of which is internally threaded, as at 6, to receive the threads 3 of the barrel, is, by such means, removably carried by the barrel. The fore portion of the opening 5 may be of slightly larger diameter than the bore of the barrel, if desired, and constitutes a gas expansion chamber '7 through which the gas charge is directed from the barrel to impinge against the imperforate bottom wall of a can 8 mounted on the base. It will readily be seen that by mounting the target support or launching base 4 directly on the forward end of the barrel, the user can comfortably hold, aim, re and launch the can with one hand, and after launching the can may quickly mount another target or can on the base with the other hand. If the firearm is a revolver having its cylinder loaded with a plurality of blank cartridges, successive cans may alternately be mounted on the launching head and launched in rapid succession without the necessity of accurately centering the can on the head.

The launching head or support, according to this invention, consists of a base member 4 formed of relatively light, strong, high impact resilient material which is preferably non-magnetic, such as aluminum or plastic,

cast or machined to shape and desired dimensions. A

forwardly projecting boss 9 is preferably formed integral with the head on its forward face and surrounds the discharge opening of the expansion chamber 7. This boss extends outwardly of the fiat target supporting surface 16 defining the forward face of the head 4 a suflicient distance so that its forward extremity will engage or lie substantial-ly flush with the imperforate bottom wall 11 of the can 8.

In order to releasably hold a target can on the launch ing head, we have employed a plurality of permanent magnet units 12 secured in the head and so positioned therein that portions of the annular crimped bead 13 on the can bottom will overlie portions of these magnets at all times and consequently will be in and under the influence of the magnetic fields set up by these magnets to securely, but releasably, maintain the target can in its selected position on the launching head prior to launching.

The magnet units 12 may consist of pairs of bar type permanent magnets 14 arranged in spaced apart, substantially parallel relationship, as seen more clearly in FIGURE 1, these units being mounted in the head radially of the head axis or they may consist of single permanent magnets. More than two units which are diametrically opposed, as shown in FIGURE 1, may be employed and, in such event, of course, may be located on the selected radii ofthe head. The spaced apart bar magnets of each unit are positioned with their North and South Poles respectively adjacent each other at the ends of the magnets and to lie with their longest dimensions chordally or substantially radially disposed with respect to the circumference of the head or the boss 9.

It will be seen that by this construction the base of the target can need not be of any particular diameter or shape within the launching area of the base to bring its bottom rim or bead 13 within the effective magneto fields of the magnets 14. It also follows that the target can need not be centered with respect to the axis of the base. In fact, the can can be deliberately positioned so that its longitudinal axis is eccentric to the axis of the head, as illustrated by the broken ilnes 8 and 8" in FIGURE 1. In this manner, the can can be given a substantially normal forward trajectory in flight when its axis is positioned substantially in alignment with the axis of the launching head or it may be launched in drivers directions depending upon the extent and direction of its selected off-center positioning on the head. In this latter manner of launching, accelerate tumbling of the can in flight will result, and since the trajectory cannot be ascertained accordingly in advance, the choice of flight conditions with which the marksman is confronted in trying to hit the target in flight is greatly increased, thus providing a materially greater interest in the use of the device.

In the structure illustrated, the magnet units 12 each includes a pair of spaced apart bar magnets 14- embedded within a hardened cementitous material 15 enclosed periphera lly in a band 16, the entire unit in each instance being wedged, press-fitted or otherwise firmly fixed within a seat 17 formed in the fiat face of the launching head 4.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is of extremely simple construction and that by virtue of such construction, it is light and comfortable to handle, permits the user to load the target cans with one hand and to launch them with the other hand, and where the launching head is carried by the barrel of a revolver, rapid alternate reloading and firing can be easily accomplished.

Furthermore, the invention provides a launching surface which is flat throughout its major area and is provided with means by which an effective magnetic field or fields are effectively located in the flat launching surface of the head whereby when an empty beverage or food can is brought within the magnetic fields, the can will be releasably but securely held in place on the launching head until it is launched by a charge of gas under pressure impinged upon the bottom wall 11 of the can with sufficient force to overcome the magnetic pull of the magnets and to launch the can into the air. This invention also provides means whereby the target can need not be of any specific diameter or shape to be magnetically held on the support prior to launching, and because the can need not be accurately centered on the launching head and maintained in such position prior to launching, the can may be positioned with its axis eccentric to the axis of the launching head and therby launched in a direction and trajectory other than would be the case if the can were concentrically mounted on the head.

It will be recognized that due to the simplicity of construction, in addition to the above advantages, the full force and effect of the charge of gas under pressure passing out of the expansion chamber 7 and impinging against the bottom imperforate wall 11 of the can is efficiently utilized to impart maximum thrust to the can when it launched. In this respect, it will be noted that the imperforate bottom wall 11 of the can lies substantially flush against the forward face of the inner wall defining the boss 9. This insures a maximum trajectory when the axis of the can is concentric with that of the bore of the barrel or a surprise or uncontrolled trajectory when the axis of the can is eccentric to the axis of the bore of the barrel.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A target launching device for projecting a can into the air, said can having a peripheral bead at least on one end and responsive to a magnetic field, said device including a support having a generally flat can supporting surface, said support having a gas conducting opening therethrough in direct communication with a source of gas under pressure and with a wall of said can supported on said surface, means for coupling the support to a source of gas pressure, said supporting surface having a plurality of magnetic areas disposed radially about the can supporting surface to underlie the wall and bead of the can and to magnetically support the can on the said surface in a plurality of selected locations thereon for launching in a selected direction when a blast of gas pressure is directed through the opening and against the said wall of the can.

2. A target launching device for projecting a can into the air, said can having a peripheral bead on at least one end and responsive to a magnetic field, said device including, in combination, a head having a substantially fiat can supporting surface extending from adjacent its central portion outwardly to its periphery in a single plane, said surface having a plurality of radially arranged magnetic field areas for contact with the beaded end of the can, said head having an opening therethrough, a source of gas pressure for generating a blast of gas and directing it through the opening and against the said can end wall to launch the can from the head when a gas blast is released at the source.

3. A target launching device for projecting a can into the air, said can having a peripheral bead on at least one end and responsive to a magnetic field, said device including, in combination, a head having a substantially flat can supporting surface extending from adjacent its central portion outwardly to its periphery in a single plane, said surface having a plurality of radially arranged magnetic field areas for contact with the beaded end of the can, said head having an opening therethrough, a boss formed on the target supporting surface of the head adjacent one end of said opening and disposed outwardly of the said surface for substantially flush engagement with the beaded end wall of the can to close the adjacent end of the opening, a source of gas pressure for generating a blast of gas and directing it through the opening and against the said can end wall to launch the can from the head when a gas blast is released at the source.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,003,290 6/35 Gurney et al 42-1 2,293,957 8/42 Wells. 2,7 86,461 3/57 Pelsue 124-41 2,957,175 10/60 Henning et a1 42-1 3,004,360 10/61 Johnson 42-1 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A TARGET LAUNCHING DEVICE FOR PROJECTING A CAN INTO THE AIR, SAID CAN HAVING A PERIPHERAL BEAD AT LEAST ON ONE END AND RESPONSIVE TO A MAGNETIC FIELD, SAID DEVICE INCLUDING A SUPPORT HAVING A GENERALLY FLAT CAN SUPPORTING SURFACE, SAID SUPPORT HAVING A GAS CONDUCTING OPENING THERETHROUGH IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH A SOURCE OF GAS UNDER PRESSURE AND WITH A WALL OF SAID CAN SUPPORTED ON SAID SURFACE, MEANS FOR COUPLING THE SUPPORT TO A SOURCE OF GAS PRESSURE, SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE HAVING A PLURALITY OF MAGNETIC AREAS DISPOSED RADIALLY ABOUT THE CAN SUPPORTING SURFACE TO UNDERLIE THE WALL AND BEAD OF THE CAN AND TO MAGNETICALLY SUPPORT THE CAN ON THE SAID SURFACE IN A PLURALITY OF SELECTED LOCATIONS THEREON FOR LAUNCHING IN A SELECTED DIRECTION WHEN A BLAST OF GAS PRESSURE IS DIRECTED THROUGH THE OPENING AND AGAINST THE SAID WALL OF THE CAN.

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