US715179A - Magazine repeating-target trap. - Google Patents

Description

Patented im. 2, i902.-

w. n. TBouTNE. MAGAZINE BEPEATING TARGET TRAP.

(Application led Nov. 29. 1897.)

4 sheets-sheet l.--

A(nh Medel.)

@vittima/.sa

No. 7|5,|79. Patented nec. 2'; mm2.

Y w. n. Tuuuen. MAGAZINE REPEATING TARGET TRAP'.

(Application Bled Nov. 29, 1897.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patentd Dec. 2, i902.

No. mima.l

w. n.-TnuTNEIL MAGAZINE REPEATING TARGET TRAP.

' (Application filed Nov. 29, 1897.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

E @Le 46 fll ai I lli No. 7I5,l79. Ptented Dec. 2,1962.

w.; n. mournex. MAGAZINE REPETNG TARGET TRAP.

Applicationfiled' Nov. 29; 1897.)

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UNITED STATES ATENT einen.

IVILLIAM D. TROUTNER, OF PITTSFIELD, ILLINOIS, SSIGNOR TO THE OLEV'ELANDTARGE'I COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPO- RATION OF- OHIO.

M AGAZINE REPEATlNc-TARGET TRAP;

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 715,179, dated December 2, 1902'.

` Application niet November 29, 1897. serial No. 660,164 un man.;

To c/ZZ whom, t may concern/.-

Beit known that L'WILLIAM D. TROUTNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pittsfield, in the county of Pike and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Magazine Repeating-Target Trap, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to traps for discharging or ejecting artificial birds, disks, or other targets into the air to be shot at.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this class With a magazine for storing a number of such targets, preferably tar get-disks, whereby the trap after each discharge is automatically reloaded.

It is also my object to provide means Whereby the direction of flight of the targetmay be In order to enable others skilled in the to which my invention most nearly appertains to make and use the same, I will new proceed to describe its construction and operation,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specilication, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective vienT of a trap made in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevationof the same Witlione of the forked legs'o'f the main frame broken away the better to show the mechanism behind it. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the broken line 3 3 of Fig. 2 looking. upward. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectionai View on the broken line 4 4 of Fig. 2 looking downward. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of theitrap complete looking at the opposite side from Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5 looking toward the front of the trap. Fig. Z is a detail perspective view of the rocking cam. Fig. S is a detail sectional View through the ojecting-arm on f Fig. 12. ejector and governor mechanism.

the line 8 8 of Fig. 15. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the detaining portion of the magazine feed mechanism. Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view on the line 10 10 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view on a plane at a right angle to that of Fig. 10 looking to the rear. Fig. 12 is a detail view, being a top i plan view of the magazine and its feed mechanism. Fig.V 13 is va detail sectional view of the magazine and feed mechanism on the line 13.13 of Fig. 11 looking downward. Fig. let is a detail sectional view on the line-14c 14E of Fig. 15 isa top plan view of the Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view on the line 16 16 of Fig. 2, being also on the line 16 16 of Fig.

- 1O,With the mechanism for operating the rocking cam added. Fig. 17 is a similar view on the lines 17 17 of Figs. 2 andlO. Fig. 18 is 'a detail perspective view of one of the supl the head of the bar for operating the supporting-blades of the magazine-feed mechanism.

Like numerals of reference mark the same parts wherever they occur in the'various iigures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 21 is a table mounted upon legs 22, 23, and 24, the table being substantially triangular in outline, the legs 22and 23 supporting the front corners, and the leg 24 the rear end.

jThe legs are secured to the table by nuts 25 'or by any other suitable means and may be secured to a platform by screws or nails to be passed through openings in toes or feet at their lower ends.

Suitable bracing- rounds 26, 27, and 28 are provided, the round 26 connecting'thefront 'legs together and the rounds 27 and 2S being secured at the front legs on the outerendsof ,round 26 by nuts 29 and to a bracket 30, se-

cured to or formed upon the rear leg.

A sleeve 3l is adjustably secured upon the rear leg 24U by a set-screw 32 and carries in the rear of the leg a socket 33, in which a seat-post 34 is mounted, the post being supported by means of a pin 35, passing through the post and resting on the top of the socket. A plurality of holes may be provided in the post to vreceive the pin in order to adjust the height of the saddle 36, adjustably mounted on the horizontal upper end of the post and secured by a set-screw 37.

On the front of the sleeve 3l is formed a crank hanger or bearing which carries a shaft 38, upon which is rigidly secured a sprocketwheel 39 and crank or pedal arms 40 and 4l, carrying pedals 42 and 43. A drive-chain 44 connects the sprocket wheel 39 with a sprocket-wheel 45, rigidly secured on a shaft 46, journaled in bearings 47 upon the top of the table 2l. By lneans of the mechanisms described, the various parts of which may be of any well-known or approved construction, the saddle may be vertically and horizontally adjusted, and a person seated thereon with his feet upon the pedals may drive the shaft 46 at any desired speed, it being understood that the size of the sprocket-wheels, and consequently the speed of the shaft, may be varied at the will of the manufacturer or operator.

The shaft 46, mounted in the bearings 47, as aforesaid, serves as the support for the bifurcated or forked legs 48 and 49 of the main frame, which carries all the operative parts of the trap, to be hereinafter described, and, besides these legs, comprises au upright plate 50 and lower and upper arms 5l and 52.

At the junction of the arms 5l and, 52 a depending bar 53 is 'pivotally attached by a pin 54 and leads downward into a slot 55 in the table 21, being adjustably secured by means of a screw 56, passing through the table and into any one of a series of holes 57 in the bar, whereby the angle of the framework may be adjusted.

Upon the shaft 46 is loosely mounted a sleeve 58, secured against longitudinal movement on the shaft by a screw 59, passing into an annular groove inthe shaft. (Not shown.)

A socket 60, projecting from the sleeve 58, forms a stopbearing for the lower end of a shaft 6l, upon the upper end of which is secured the ejector or discharger 62 by means of screws 63, passing through the annular fiange 64 of a sleeve 65, secured on the shaft by means of a screw 66. (See Fig. l0.) The shaft 6l is provided with a bevel-pinion 67, secured by a screw 68 and engaging with a bevel gear-Wheel 69 on the shaftv46, so that the rotation of the shaft is communicated to the shaft 6l, which carries with it the ejector 62, whereby the ejector is rotated at any desired speed.

On the outer end of the upper arm 52 of the main frame is rigidly secured a tubular magazine 69, vertically slotted in its rear side at 7l and having its front cut away for about one-third of its circumference and three-fourths of its height, as at 72. This magazine is open at top and bottom and isV Yadapted to hold a column of target-disks 73,

the column being supported by two blades 74 and 75, which normally project a short distance into the magazine through slots in its sides. These blades 74 and 75 are pivotally mounted on pins 76 and 77 and guided and steadied by ybolts or pins 78 and 79, which pass throughv slots 8O in the blades. The rear ends of the blades are provided with right-angular arms 8l and 82, which are bifurcated, as at 83, and embrace and are pivotally connected with a rod 84 by means of bolts 85 and 86, passing through the forked endsand through slots 87 and 88 in the head 89 of the rod 8 The rod 84 lies above and substantially parallel with the upper arm 52 of the main frame, is slidably mounted in a bearing-lug 90 on said arm, andhas its rear end pivotally attached to a lever 91, pivoted on the pin 54 at the junction of the arms 5l and 52 and eX- tending downward through a slot 92 in the table 21, below which it extends, and is provided with a rope or cord 93, extending to the gunners stand or score-board. A spring 94 normally presses the rod 84 backward, and thus holds the blades 74 and 75 pressed into the magazine in position to support the column of target-disks.

When it is desired to drop the lower targetdisk upon the ejector 62, the gunner or scoremarker pulls the cord 93, which throws the rod 84 forward and by means of its connections, as before described, causes the blades 74 and 75 to spread apart and be withdrawn from the magazine 69 through the side slots. This action alone would permit the whole column to drop; but in order to prevent more than one dropping I have provided the following mechanism: Upon the pin 79 is pivoted an arm 95, which at its front end is bifurcated, forming lingers 96 and 97, which are normally pressed through the open front 72 of the magazine into contact with the second and third target-disks from the bottom by means of a spring 98, coiled upon `a bolt 99, pivotally connected to the rear projecting end of the arm 95, which bolt passes through an opening in an upright Iiange 100, erected upon the blade 75. When the blade 75 is in its inner position, it bears upon `the outside of the rear projecting portion of the arm and presses the lingers 96 and97 outward and away from the edge of the targetdisk; but when the blade 75 is moved outward by a thrust from the rod 84, as before described, the ange 100 will press outward against the spring 98, which, having a bearf ing at its outer end against the nut lOl, will draw outward on the rear projection of the arm 95 with a spring-pressure regulated by the adjustment of said nut 101, and consequently will cause the lingers 96 and 97 to bear with the same spring-pressure upon the edges of the second and third disks from the bottom of the column, as before stated. By this means the blades 74 and 75 alternate in IOO IIO

action with the lingers 96 and 97, so that while the blades are in position to support the whole column'of target-disks the fingers 96 and 97 are out of engagement with the disks; but as soon as the support of the column begins to be withdrawn by the withdrawal of the blades 74 and 75 the lingers 96 and 97 will press against the second and third disks and support all of the column of disks above them, while the withdrawal of the blades 74 and 75 will permit the lower disk of the column to drop down upon the ejector.

inasmuch as the magazine is centered over the shaft 61, which supports and carries the ejector around, if the target or disk were permitted to drop directly from the magazine to the bottom of the ejector the disk would be centered over the shaft and simply rotate with it, the centrifugall force generated by such rotation having no effect upon it. 1t therefore becomes necessary to provide means which will cause the disk to be deposited upon the ejector eccentric with its center of motion. For this purposel have provided inclined lugs 102, against which the disk strikes in falling and which causes the disk to slide slightly toward the outer end of the ejector, so that the centrifugal force will be exerted upon it to throw it from the ejector.

It not being desirable to permit the disk to fly off the ejector as soon as dropped thereon, a retaining-finger 103 is provided, against which the disk stops until permitted to be discharged by the removal of said linger from its path by the proper mechanism. The iinger 103 is pivoted at 104 on one side of the ejector and is provided with a rear projecting end or dog `10, which is held normally7 in a position to throw the linger 103 into the path of the target-disk by a trigger 107, pivcted below the ejector and held in its normal position by means of a spring 10S, whose outer end is attached to the bott-om of the ejector, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 15. In order to discharge the target-disk from the ejector, this trigger must be removed from contact with the dog 106 of the linger 103, which is accomplished by means of a projection 109 Qn what l have termed the rocking cam 110. This cam is loosely mounted upon the shaft 6l and provided with an annular groove 111,

into which projects a pin 112, extending laterall y from the forward end of the horizontal arm 113 of a bell-crank lever 114, pivot-ed on a screw 115, which enters the upright plate 50 of the main frame. y

4An upright arm 116 of the bell-crank lever 114: is pivotally connected by a rod 117 with the lever 91, before referred to, so that when the rod 91 is pulled-backward by the gunner or score-marker, as before described, it will draw the upright arm 116 of theV bell-crank lever 114 backward and cause its horizontal arm 113 to rise, which through the medium of the -pin 112 in the annular groove 111 raises the rocking cam on the shaft 61, bringing the vtoe orprojection 109 into the path of the trigger 107, which is being rotated with the ejector. This brings the triggerk out of contact with the dog 106 of the linger 103, leaving the linger 103 loose, so lthat the disk in the ejector, propelled by the centrifugal force, will press the finger aside and pass out of the ejector.

The particular time in the rotation of the ejector at which the trigger 107 will be tripped may be predetermined or unknown, as desired by the operator. To locate the position so that the disk will be discharged straight ahead or at an angle of fortytive degrees on either side1 provide the head 118 of the arm 51 of the main frame, which forms the upper bearing of the shaft 61, with a vertical groove 119 in its front face, a groove 120 in its lefthand side, and a similar groove 121 in its right-hand side, the distance between these grooves being equal to forty-live degrees on a circle with the axis of the shaft as a center. There may, however, he as many of these grooves as can be conveniently made in the head 118; but three will be sufficient to illustrate the practical operation of the device.

A hub 122 projects laterally from about the center of the rocking cam 110, which is hollowedout to permit a pin 123 to be inserted therein with a spring 124 coiled around it, having a tendency to hold the pin normally in its inner position. When in such inner position, the inner end of the pin may be projected into either of the grooves before mentioned and will hold the rocking cam against any rocking movement or rigid to the head 11S.

Vhile in this position. and locked againstA rocking it may be moved upward by means of the bell-crank lever 114 into the pathvof the trigger 107, and by reason of its immovable position with relation to the rotation of the shaft the ltrigger will always be tripped at a point corresponding with the adjustment of the cam.

` To render uncertain or unknown the angle at which the disk will be discharged from the ICO IIO

ejector, the pin 123 is thrown outward and locked by av pin 125 in-a position far enough removed from the shaft 6l and the headA 118 to prevent the inner end of the pin 123 from entering any of the grooves in the head, and thus being locked. The rocking cam will therefore be loose upon the shaft, and it will be impossible for the operator to know at what point in the rotation of the ejector the toe 109 will trip the trigger 107. Y The rocking cam would belia-ble, however, to be moved around with the ejector untilstopped by the frame of the machine, and after that all the disks would be discharged at that particular angle. ln order to prevent this, l have provided the following mechanism: 126 is a pinion rigidly secured ,to theshaft 6l, in this instance formed as part of the bevelpinion 67. The teethof this pinion meshwith those of the gearwheel-l27,mounted on a sup.- plementary stub-shaf t 128, journaled in a horif zontal ilange 129 of theupright plate 50 in the IZO - tion of the ejector.

main frame alongside of and parallel with the shaft 61. A crank-pin 130 on the gear-wheel 127 forms the point of connection for one end of a pitman 131, which at its opposite end is pivotally connected at 132 to a rocking lever 133. The outer end of the rocking lever 133 is bifurcated, the outer end of the pitman 131 being connected to one of its forks by the pivot 132, while a connecting rod 134 has downwardly-bentends132,which aredropped into openings in' the other fork of the rocking lever 133 (see Fig. 1) and of the arm 135, projecting radially from the rocking cam, the connecting-rod being thereby rendered easily removable. B v means of this mechanism the rotation of the shaft 6l is communicated by the pinion 126 to the gear-wheel 127 and then converted into a reciprocatory oscillation of the rocking cam by means of pitman 131, rocking lever 133, and connecting-rod 134, whereby during the continuation of the rotation of the shaft 61 the rocking cam will be continually oscillated from one side to the other around said shaft, so that the operator will be absolutely ignorant of the position of the rocking cam and its toe 109 when he throws the toe into the path of the trigger 107 to trip it and permit of the discharge of the targetdisk.

It may appear that in the vertical movement of the rocking cam 110 the connecting-rod 134 could bind it against such movement; but this tendency is obviated by making the holes in the rocking lever 133 and the arm 135 large enough to allow some play for the turned-down ends of the connecting-rod 134.

It will of course be understood that when the rocking cam is fixed to cause the discharge of the target at a predetermined angle by means of the pin 125, adjusted in one of the grooves 119, 120, or 121, the connecting-rod 134 will be removed from the machine and the mechanism described for continually cperating the rocking cam will be out of action.

It being desirable that the ejector shall discharge all the disks with substantially the same force,I have provided mechanism whereby the speeding of the rotation of the shaft above a predetermined speed will be prevented, which mechanism consists of a brake-shoe 136, which is secured upon the upper end of a lever 137, Which is pivoted in a slot 138 in an arm 139 on a pin 140 and projecting below its pivot is provided with a weight 141, the pivot of this arm being at right angles to a radial line drawn from the center of rota- The arm 139 is formed substantially a portion of the ejector and carries a weight 142, which may be secured by means of a bolt 143 Vto counterbalance the ejector. The lever 137 below its pivot and above its weight 141 is recessed to permit of the passage of a pin 144, projecting forward from a screw-threaded head 145, threaded through a lug 146, depending from the under side of the arm 139. A spring 147, coiled around the pin 144, has a bearing at one end against this head and at the other end against the lever 137, with a tendency to press the lever toward the shaft 61, which tendency is regulated by adjusting the position of the head 145 by screwing it inward or outward in the lug 146. When the shaft 61 and the ejector are rotated, the centrifugal force will tend to throw the Weight 141 outward, which as a consequence will throw the brake-shoe 136 inward and against the surface of the magazine, which is always stationary, thus retarding the rotation of the ejector, such outward throw of the weight 141 being regulated by the spring and screw-head, so that when the screw-head is adjusted inward the spring will press with greater force against the lever 137 and will require a greater speed of rotation ofthe ejector to generate sufficient centrifugal force to throw the Weight 141 out far enough to bring the brake-shoe 136 into contact with the surface of the magazine. Thus after once setting the regulating screw-head 145 the speed above which the ejector cannot be rotated will be accurately determined.

The ejector 62 is provided with overhanging side flanges 148 to prevent the target from rising while being discharged. Its bottom is cut away, as at 149, to lighten the structure and at the same time to lessen 4the friction between it and the target as it passes out. A lip 150 is provided above the retaining-finger 103, so that there will be no danger of the target rising when pushing back the finger at the beginning of its outward movement or when it is interrupted by some projection, roughness, or irregularity in the target itself. the bottom is depressed, forming substantially a continuation of the cut-away portion 149, but at the same time preserving the strength and rigidity of the arm itself.

If desired, electric means for pulling the arm 53 may be provided embodying an electromagnet and armature or a coil and core, with a suitable battery and connecting-wires and a push-button or other contact device at the shooters stand or score-board.

From the foregoing description of the construction and operation of my improved target-trap it will be seen that I have provided a complete machine for carrying out the objects of my invention.

With my improved target-trap marksmen will be enabled to project a series of targets without having to reload the trap at any angle to either a horizontal or vertical line or at a predetermined angle from the horizon but unknown angle to the line of shooting. The discharge can be made when desired by a simple pull on the rope or by means of electric devices, and the shooter may be assured of a regularity of flight of the target no matter at what angle, it being impossible to throwitany fartherorswifterthan desired and as regulated by the governor mechanism.

The driver or operator of the trap is entirely out of sight of the shooters, generally At the outer end of the ejector IIO behind a blind or guard, nor can he himself see who is about to shoot, so that in a match there can be no collusion or favorltism.

With my improvements the only chance, however, for favoritism would be for the operaf-or to run the trap too slow'for some shooters in order to embarass them in their shooting while running at aproperspeed for others.

In my target-trap all the contingencies liable to arise in trap-shooting have been provided for, and while I have illustrated and described the best means now known to me for carrying out my invention I do not Wish vto be understood as limiting myself to the eX- act construction and arrangement shown and described, but hold that such slight changes and variations as might suggest themselves to the ordinary mechanic would properly fall within the limit and scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. A target-trap provided with an openended, vertical magazine for holding a column of target-disks, and an ejector located below the magazine to receive the disks therefrom one by one, and means for delivering the disks one by one to a position on the ejector eccentric with its aXis of motion, substantially as described. 4

2. In a target-trap, the combination of a vertical shaft, a framework provided with a head forming one bearing for said shaft, a plurality of vertical grooves being formed in said head, a rocking cam, a spring-pin mounted in said cam for engaging in one of said grooves, and means for holding it out of engagement with the grooves when desired, substantially as described.

3. In a target-trap, a magazine adapted to guide targets in its interior and having on its exterior a rubbing-surface, combined with a centrifugal ejector into which said magazine may discharge, and a brake-shoe carried by the ejector and adapted to engage the rubbing-surface of the magazine being forced thereagainst by centrifugal force as the arm rotates, substantially as described.

4. In a target-trap, the combination of a magazine which is completely circular at its lower end, a centrifu gal ejector located below the magazine and adapted to receive a target dropped therefrom, a rear counterbalance on said arm, a movable brake-'shoe carried by said arm, and a weight adapted when moved outward xby centrifugal force to move the brakeshoe into engagement with the brakingsurface on the magazine, substantially as described.

5. In a target-trap, in combination, a centrifu gal ejector-arm, a receiver above the axis of rotation thereof, and a beveled lug carried in the upper side of said ejector-arm wherevertical. shaft carrying a centrifugal ejector, of the rocking cam, loose on the shaft, means for raising the cam into operative tripping position, a pinion on the shaft, a stub-shaft parallel with the vertical shaft, a gear-wheel thereon engaging the pinion and carrying a crank-pin, a rocking lever, a pitrnan connecting the lever with the crank-pin, and a rod connecting the lever with the rocking cam, substantially as described.

'7. In a target-trap, in combination, a centrifugal ejector-arm, a target-magazine carried thereabove, means for dropping single targets upon said' ejector-arm, there being a beveled surface carried by said ejector-arm whereby a target dropped thereon is deflected from the axis of rotation of said ejector-arm, substantially as described.

8. In a target-trap, in combination, a centrifugal ejecting-arm, a tubular magazine thereabove concentric with the axis of rotation thereof, means for dropping targets from `said magazine upon said ejector-arm, there being a beveled surface carried by said ejector-arm adapted to deliect the targets as they fall thereon, and a speed-governing brake carried by said ejector-arm, the shoe whereof is adapted to contact said tubular magazine, substantially as described.

9. In a targettrap, the combination of a tubular magazine adapted to carrya column of target-disks, a vertical shaft in alinement with the longitudinal center of the magazine, a centrifugal ejector mounted upon the top of said shaft, below and concentric with the magazine, and inclined lugs on one side of the ejector, whereby disks dropped thereon from the magazine are thrown into the iield of the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the ejector, substantially as described.

l0. In a feeding mechanism for magazine targettraps, supporting-blades projecting within the magazine-wall, combined with a push-rod and pins connecting each of said blades with said push-rod, substantially as described.

I1. In a feeding mechanism for a magazine target-trap, the combination of pivoted blades projecting within the magazine-wall to support the columns of targets, said blades having slots, pins taking therethrough, a longitudinally movable rod, a spring normally holding said rod in its extreme position, a head secured to said rod, there being coperatin g pins and slots carried .by said blades and head, substantially as described.

12. The combination of a magazine adapted to hold targets, an arm forv supporting the same, a pair of blades lying on the under side of said arm and adapted to extend beneath the targets in the magazine, said blades having bell-crank extensions which lie above said arm, said blades being pivoted to said arm, and an operating-rod carrying a suitable head, said head being connected with said bell-crank extensions by pins and slots, substantially as described. y

IIO

13. In a feeding mechanism for a magazine target-trap, the combination of pivoted blades for supporting a column of targets, a movable head having transverse slots, pins carried by said blades lyingin said slots, a push-rod rigidly connected to said head, a spring normally restraining said push-rod, and means for limiting the movement of said push-rod, substantially as described.

14. In a target-trap, a feed mechanism consisting of a pair of supporting-blades, an operating-rod therefor, a spring normally restraining said rod, a pivoted arm one end of which may support frictionally the column of targets, a pin carried by the other end of said arm, a nut on the outer end of said pin, a

scribed.

WILLIAM D. TROUTNER. Witnesses: JOHN R. PARKE, FRED TROUTNER.

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