US3841293A - Clay pigeon dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Clay pigeon dispensing apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3841293A
US3841293A US00382950A US38295073A US3841293A US 3841293 A US3841293 A US 3841293A US 00382950 A US00382950 A US 00382950A US 38295073 A US38295073 A US 38295073A US 3841293 A US3841293 A US 3841293A
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United States
Prior art keywords
stack
latch
arm
supporting
catapult
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00382950A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Laporte
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Publication of US3841293A publication Critical patent/US3841293A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41J—TARGETS; TARGET RANGES; BULLET CATCHERS
    • F41J9/00—Moving targets, i.e. moving when fired at
    • F41J9/16—Clay-pigeon targets; Clay-disc targets
    • F41J9/18—Traps or throwing-apparatus therefor
    • F41J9/30—Traps or throwing-apparatus therefor characterised by using a magazine of targets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to dispensing, serially and from the bottom of a stack, individual objects and particuarly objects of a fragile nature. More specifically, this invention is directed to apparatus for feeding plates to a throwing mechanism of the type employed in trap shooting. Accordingly, the general objects of the present invention are to provide novel and improved methods and apparatus of such character.
  • the projecting or throwing apparatus conventionally comprises an arm connected to a strong draw spring.
  • This arm known as the catapult arm, is capable of occupying a loaded or cocked position in which the draw spring is under tension or compression.
  • the target or plate is typically delivered to the catapult arm when the arm is in the cocked position and the arm is thereupon released to throw the plate.
  • Target distribution devices which are fluid operated have also been known in the prior art. These fluid operated devices are exemplified by the apparatus of French Pat. No. 69/095512 of Apr. 9, 1969. While devices such as that of the referenced French patent were reliable, the necessity of providing a source of pressurized fluid for operating the apparatus has proven to be unduly burdensome.
  • apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes vertical plate support means which is located above the catapult arm of the releasing apparatus when the arm is in the loaded position.
  • This vertical support means receives a stack of plates or targets and is provided, in its base, with an aperture through which the plates pass.
  • a first plurality of movable catches are located immediately beneath the support means, and above the catapult arm, for sup porting the stack of plates when the catapult arm is not loaded or in position to be loaded.
  • the catches are operated to release the lowermost plate in the stack in order that such lowermost plate may drop onto the catapult arm when the arm is brought into the cocked position.
  • Apparatus in accordance with the invention also includes movable retention means positioned above the base of the vertical support means and cooperating with at least the second plate from the bottom of the stack to prevent vertical movement of all but the lowermost plate when said lowermost plate is being delivered to the catapult arm.
  • the first plurality of lower catches and the retention means are operated in synchronism, for example by the catapult arm itself, whereby the catches will be retracted and the retention means moved into operative engagement with the stack when the unloaded catapult arm moves into the cocked posi tion.
  • the catches positioned below the vertical support means include tongues pivotally mounted on vertical axles. These tongues are spring loaded into the plate stack supporting position where they project into a vertical extension of the aperture in the support means through which the plates serially pass. The retraction of these tongues is achieved mechanically by means of contact between a projection on the catapult arm with control bar extensions of the catches.
  • the retention means which supports all but the lowermost plate when the lower catches are retracted will comprise a flexible member operated by one of the catches.
  • the flexible member comprises a rubber block supported on a transverse projection of one of the catches; the projection extending through the base of the support means and being movable generally radially with respect to the aperture through which the plates are fed.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a plate distribution device in accordance with the present invention, the device being shown in the environment of a target throwing mechanism;
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partly in section, depicting the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the associated throwing arm in the loaded or cocked position;
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the throwing arm in the unloaded position;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, side elevational view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3 and showing the disclosed embodiment of the invention in the-position assumed with the throwing arm in the unloaded state;
  • FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 depicting the present invention in the state assumed with the associated throwing arm in the loaded position, FIG. 5 being a view taken along line VV of FIG. 2.
  • the present invention is associated with apparatus for throwing targets or plates of the type used in trap or clay pigeon shooting.
  • the present invention is shown in the environment of a target throwing device which includes a catapult arm 1 rotatably mounted by means of an axle 2 from a support 3.
  • the catapult arm may occupy a loading position, in which it extends below the base member 4 of the disclosed embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2, or an unloaded position.
  • the catapult arm 1 is connected to a strong draw spring which tends to bring the arm into the cocked position shown in FIG. 1.
  • the spring, the means for locking the arm in the firing position and the means for controlling the retraction of the arm have not been shown in the drawing.
  • the base member 4 of the loading or plate delivery apparatus of the present invention is comprised of a flat section which is provided with a central aperture 5.
  • the central aperture 5 has the same dimensions as the plates or other objects which are to be serially and singly dispensed.
  • four parallel vertical shafts 6 are mounted on the upper side of base member 4 and are evenly positioned about the periphery of the central aperture 5 therein.
  • the base member 4 is secured to the throwing device by means of a pair of supporting columns 77.
  • a plurality of catch mechanisms are mounted on the underside of base member 4.
  • a first catch member 9 is mounted for pivoting with an axle 8.
  • the catch member 9 includes at the first end thereof an integral control bar 10 which projects outwardly from base member 4.
  • the free end of the control bar 10 extension of catch 9 extends through a slot or passage 11 (FIG. 1) defined by pins 12 and 13 and a connecting plate 14; movements of bar 10 and thus of catch 9 being guided by the walls of the passage 11 and limited by pins 12 and 13.
  • the catch 9 is also provided with an extension which defines a hook 15.
  • a draw spring 16 extends between the hook and a stud 17 on the underside of base member 4. Spring 16 tends to hold the catch 9 in the position shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.
  • a second catch member 19 is also mounted, on .an axle 18, from the underside of base member 4.
  • catch member 19 has atthe first end thereof an integral extension 20 which functions as a second control bar; control bar 20 also projecting through the passage 11.
  • the second or free end of catch member 19 supports a finger or pawl 21 which projects upwardly through a second small aperture 22 in base member 4.
  • the pawl 21 has, mounted thereon or formed integrally therewith, a resilient member 23. In a first position of the control bar 20 the member 23 will project inwardly beyond the periphery of an extension of central aperture 5 in base member 4.
  • the resilient member 23 is shown in cross-section in its two operative positions in FIGS. 4 and 5 and may be a rubber block.
  • a third catch member 25 is pivotally mounted from the underside of base member 4 on an axle 26.
  • the catch member 25 has, at a first end thereof, an extension 27 which cooperates, in the manner which may best be seen from FIG. 3, with a ramp 28 on the free end of catch 19.
  • the catch 25 is spring loaded into the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 by means of a spring 30 extending between a hook extension 29 of catch 25 and a stud 31 affixed to the underside of base member 4.
  • control bars 10 and 20 will be spring loaded against pin 13 which functions as a stop therefore.
  • portions of all three catch members 9, 1.9 and 25 will define tongues which extend inwardly beyond the perimeter of a vertical extension of aperture 5 in base member 4 and the rubber block 23 will be withdrawn from the cylindrical space defined by the four vertical shafts 6.
  • the catapult arm 1 is, adjacent to the axle 2, provided with an upwardly extending stop screw 35. As may be seen from FIG. 2, stop screw 35 cooperates with the control bars 10 and 20 during loading of a plate onto thecatapult arm 1.
  • catch 19 will also be retracted and its ramp portion 28 will cause pivoting of catch 25 in opposition to the force exerted by spring 30.
  • the plate 36 which is located at the lower end of the stack, and thus is accommodated in aperture 5 in base member 4, will drop onto arm 1 as shown in FIG. 5.
  • catch 19 With the catches retracted the plate 36 which is located at the lower end of the stack, and thus is accommodated in aperture 5 in base member 4, will drop onto arm 1 as shown in FIG. 5.'During the pivoting of catch 19 to the retracted position, its free end will move toward the perimeter of the cylinder defined by vertical shafts 6. This inward movement will bring the resilient member 23 into contact with the stack of plates 36 as is also shown in FIG. 5.
  • the resilient member 23 is staggered in height with respect to the catches 9, 19 and 25 so that, with arm 1 in the loading position, the member 23 will bear against the second and third plates at the lower end of the stack to thereby hold, by means of wedging the stack against the oppositely disposed vertical shafts 6, the entire stack of plates with the exception of the lowermost plate.
  • an apparatus for throwing frangible targets including a catapult arm having loading and unloaded positions, the improvement comprising:
  • pivotal latch means mounted for movement in a direction generally transverse to the direction of movement of the targets during delivery of the catapult arm, said latch means being disposed below said supporting means between said supporting means and the catapult arm, said latch means including at least a first latch having a first end which defines a retractable stack supporting tongue member, said tongue member normally extending into partial vertical alignment with said supporting means central aperture whereby a stack of objects will normally be supported on said latch means;
  • retention means vertically displaced from said latch means, said retention means being movable between a first position wherein said retention means engages at least the second target from the bottomof the stack to thereby support the stack and a second position wherein said retention means is withdrawn from contact with the stack of targets;
  • said latch means comprises: I
  • stop means for limiting the motion of said control arm extension.
  • each of said pivotal latches has a control arm extension, at least one of said extensions being operated by an adjacent latch and at least two other extensions being directly operated by said catapult arm projection.
  • pivotal latches comprise:
  • a tongue having two sides forming an intermediate elbow, the first side being intended for projecting into registration with said central aperture under the force of said biasing means, the other side being extended by a control arm.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • De-Stacking Of Articles (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)
US00382950A 1972-12-04 1973-07-26 Clay pigeon dispensing apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3841293A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7242995A FR2209449A5 (enExample) 1972-12-04 1972-12-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3841293A true US3841293A (en) 1974-10-15

Family

ID=9108137

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00382950A Expired - Lifetime US3841293A (en) 1972-12-04 1973-07-26 Clay pigeon dispensing apparatus

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3841293A (enExample)
JP (1) JPS49116899A (enExample)
CA (1) CA986801A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2359919A1 (enExample)
ES (1) ES420732A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2209449A5 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1418370A (enExample)
IT (1) IT991766B (enExample)

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4487093A (en) * 1980-07-15 1984-12-11 General Electric Company Dispenser for screw fastener nuts
US4706641A (en) * 1986-04-24 1987-11-17 Cote Roger J Automatic clay target feeder attachment for trap shooting machines
US4967720A (en) * 1989-11-13 1990-11-06 Yale Security Inc. Trap shooting machine
US4974990A (en) * 1989-10-24 1990-12-04 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Raised pavement marker applicator
US4991741A (en) * 1989-04-26 1991-02-12 Liberty Diversified Industries Pail separating mechanism for an automatic filling machine
US5133390A (en) * 1990-11-21 1992-07-28 Microtek Industries, Inc. Tape automated bonding feeder and lead forming apparatus
USD380236S (en) * 1996-04-18 1997-06-24 Imaginings 3, Inc. Toy launcher base
US20030235437A1 (en) * 2002-06-19 2003-12-25 Canon Kabuishiki Kaisha Developing apparatus
US20120138034A1 (en) * 2009-06-25 2012-06-07 Ferris Whidborne Launching device for clay targets
US20130125869A1 (en) * 2010-05-05 2013-05-23 Jean-Michel LaPorte Target delivery device
US20140318520A1 (en) * 2011-08-18 2014-10-30 Laporte Holding Gravity-loaded target launching machine for archery
US9389050B1 (en) * 2012-07-19 2016-07-12 Xiao Ming Chen Target throwing device
US20210038965A1 (en) * 2019-08-07 2021-02-11 Robert M. SHIRLEY Auto feed hockey puck passing mechanism
US11137233B1 (en) * 2021-03-12 2021-10-05 Cheh-Kang Liu Slide plate target-drop hole changing structure for auto target throwing trap

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2334082A1 (fr) * 1975-12-05 1977-07-01 Boy Robert Dispositif permettant d'alimenter les lanceurs de " pigeons d'argile "

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2711726A (en) * 1952-05-10 1955-06-28 George H Darrell Target throwing machine
US3304928A (en) * 1964-03-31 1967-02-21 George H Darrell Rotary trap magazine with two-stage target feed
US3677257A (en) * 1970-11-12 1972-07-18 Bror Henrik Segerkvist Spring type disc projecting device with cam operated cocking mechanism

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2711726A (en) * 1952-05-10 1955-06-28 George H Darrell Target throwing machine
US3304928A (en) * 1964-03-31 1967-02-21 George H Darrell Rotary trap magazine with two-stage target feed
US3677257A (en) * 1970-11-12 1972-07-18 Bror Henrik Segerkvist Spring type disc projecting device with cam operated cocking mechanism

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4487093A (en) * 1980-07-15 1984-12-11 General Electric Company Dispenser for screw fastener nuts
US4706641A (en) * 1986-04-24 1987-11-17 Cote Roger J Automatic clay target feeder attachment for trap shooting machines
US4991741A (en) * 1989-04-26 1991-02-12 Liberty Diversified Industries Pail separating mechanism for an automatic filling machine
US4974990A (en) * 1989-10-24 1990-12-04 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Raised pavement marker applicator
US4967720A (en) * 1989-11-13 1990-11-06 Yale Security Inc. Trap shooting machine
US5133390A (en) * 1990-11-21 1992-07-28 Microtek Industries, Inc. Tape automated bonding feeder and lead forming apparatus
USD380236S (en) * 1996-04-18 1997-06-24 Imaginings 3, Inc. Toy launcher base
US20030235437A1 (en) * 2002-06-19 2003-12-25 Canon Kabuishiki Kaisha Developing apparatus
US20120138034A1 (en) * 2009-06-25 2012-06-07 Ferris Whidborne Launching device for clay targets
US20130125869A1 (en) * 2010-05-05 2013-05-23 Jean-Michel LaPorte Target delivery device
US9004055B2 (en) * 2010-05-05 2015-04-14 Laporte Holding (Sas) Target delivery device
US20140318520A1 (en) * 2011-08-18 2014-10-30 Laporte Holding Gravity-loaded target launching machine for archery
US9163913B2 (en) * 2011-08-18 2015-10-20 Laporte Holding Gravity-loaded target launching machine for archery
US9389050B1 (en) * 2012-07-19 2016-07-12 Xiao Ming Chen Target throwing device
US20210038965A1 (en) * 2019-08-07 2021-02-11 Robert M. SHIRLEY Auto feed hockey puck passing mechanism
US11617934B2 (en) * 2019-08-07 2023-04-04 Robert M. SHIRLEY Auto feed hockey puck passing mechanism
US11137233B1 (en) * 2021-03-12 2021-10-05 Cheh-Kang Liu Slide plate target-drop hole changing structure for auto target throwing trap

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2209449A5 (enExample) 1974-06-28
GB1418370A (en) 1975-12-17
IT991766B (it) 1975-08-30
CA986801A (fr) 1976-04-06
ES420732A1 (es) 1976-04-01
JPS49116899A (enExample) 1974-11-08
DE2359919A1 (de) 1974-06-20

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