US994986A - Target for rifle-firing practice. - Google Patents

Description

G. W. DIMIOK. TARGET FOR RIFLE FIRING PRACTICE. APPLICATION FILED MAE.14, 1910.

Patented June 13,-1911'.

I: ceases.

CHARLES W. DIMICK, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

TARGET FOB RIFLE-FIRING PRACTICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 1111( 13, 1911.

Application filed March 14, 1910.- Serial No. 549,378.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, CHARLEs V. DIMICK,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Targets for Rifle-Fir1ng Practice, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in targets for use in rifle practice, and it more particularly applies to indoor target competition.

The objects of my improvement are, first,

i to provide a target combination automatihuman or animal anatomy; fourth, to insure part the efliciency of the individual practice and in other essentials hereinafter disclosed. I attain these objects by the apparatus illustrated in the annexed drawing forming a of this specification, wherein:

Figure 1, is a front elevation of a twoteam system of targets in an upright position organized to receive the rifle fire of a squad composed of six competing members. Fig. 2, denotes a rear View in perspective of one combination target to exhibit its construction, and releasing mechanism.

Corresponding letters of reference inclicate similar features throughout the drawing, referring to which A, designates the targets composed of any suitable material, preferably of metal, and each of which represents the silhouette of a soldier in a prone position and facing the marks-man, the bulls eyes covering the vulnerable parts of their anatomy, and through which the target releasing mechanism is actuated by the impinging of the bullet against either one of the bullet-stops C, D, and E (Fig. 52) forming a component part of said mechanism and which exceed somewhat the circumference of the perforate bulls-eyes B behind which they are severally alined. F denotes the pivotal attached metal rock frame sustaining said bulletstops C, D, and E, which may be of greater thickness to withstand the impact of the missile. Said frames F have integral extensions G, and are reflexed .to form pivotal connections H, upheld by the brackets I at tached to the'rear side of the targets A, virtually forming rock-levers, the terminals of said connections pivotally suspend the stems or latches J vertically sliding in the brackets I, when the frames F are thrust apart from the target members A by the impinging force scribed. Said latches sustain the assembled targets when set in an upright, or slightly inclined position as may be desired for rifle practice, by means of the restraining collars K provided with one or more ratchet teeth L which co-act with the latches or stems J for this purpose, said collars being keyed to the structure supporting said targets by the bolts M. These targets are swingingly and individually sustained by the ring bolts N N attaching them to the rod 0, or other stable means of suspension and proper sight eleof the bullet as previously de-' vation of said targets above the ground,

while the fixed collars P P separate and confine the aggrouped targets from any horizontal displacement on their support.

The release and drop of a target from an upright position is eflected by the passage of the missile through one of the bulls-eyes B when positioned as in Fig. 1, the momentum of the ball against either of the stops C, D, or E rocking the frame member F away from its associate target in a manner to withdraw the stem J from its seat L, thus permitting said target to fall by gravity to the reverse position shown in dotted lines.

I'will now refer to the utilization of my improved invention in competitive marks; manship, assuming two opposing teams Q, and R, each team composed of three members, sach target A, in team Q, representing a prone member of the competing team R, and each member of team R personating a target in the team Q. The ultimate endeavor therefore of one team, is to decimate the ranks of the other, and to this end, a member, for example, of team R, at first practice selectin an upper bulls-eye, will drop his target z man), the opposing competitor personating said target will then cease firing, while the successful marksman may continue shooting at any upright target fronting his own team R, with the proviso, that his aim be directed to his lowest and nearest bulls-eye counting from the right. Thus, the accuracy of individual scoring may be computed. In like manner the practice cona provide the sustaining rods tinues so long as any target remains in upright position. To facilitate the scoring, the targets of one team may be rearwardly numbered consecutively, and these numbers duplicated on the individuals of the opposing team, thus, if target No. 3, of team R be dropped, exposing its number, then the opponent bearing the corresponding numeral in team Q is counted out, and competition continued to the finish.

I will observe, that in the organization of my improved apparatus, the target supporting medium may be of telescoping construc tion to the purpose that any elevation or depression of the targets for different range distances may be effected, and to this end I S S which penetrate the ground sufficiently to insure stability of the equipment against wind pressure, and over which the terminals 0 O of the supporting rod are telescoped, the sight elevation being determined, the position is then secured by the fastening screw bolts T T. The illumination of the apparatus for night practice, is exemplified in Fig. 2, and while there may be other methods of accomplishing the results herein denoted, as for in stance actuating the releasing mechanism by the severance of electrical connections or through pneiunatic appliances, I prefer substantially the method herein illustrated, and while I do not limit myself to the precise details of construction specified, I may variously modify the same while adhering to the spirit of my invention, which, having thus ascertained, I claim:

1. A target for rifle firing practice comprising a plurality of targets having perforate bulls-eyes, a series of rock frames provided with bullet stops alined with and exceeding the circumference of said bullseyes a target support having telescopic terminals adapted to erect the aggrouped targets at desired altitudes, restraining collars fixed on said supports and stems pivotally attached to said rock frames and a series of ratchet teeth co-acting with said stems when engaged to sustain. the targets in the line of rifie firing. V

2. A target for competition in rifle range practice composed of a rock frame having integral triplejbullet stops, a target provided with a like number of perforate bull eyes of lesser diameter than said bullet stops,

a vertically adjustable support and means for the semi-rotative attachment of said target thereto, a right angle extension integral with said rock frame, a sliding stem thereto pivotally connected and means co-acting with said stem and adjustably secured to said support to permit when disengaged the fall of the target below the line of rifle firing.

3. A target for rifle range practice provided with a series of perforate bulls eyes, the combination therewith of a frame having a series of bullet stops horizontally alined with said bullseyes and provided with an extension, a sliding stem pivotally terminating said extension, a restraining collar coacting with the stem and means to support the assembled devices in the line of rifle fire 4. A target for competitive marksmanship embodying a rock frame having integral bulletstops and an extension, a sliding'member sustained by said extension, a toothed collar co-acting with s' member, 'a target aid provided with perforate bulls-eyes and h i a forked attachment pivotally sus-' pending said rock lever frame, an adjustable support for said assembled devices and means on said support to prevent horizontal displacement of said targets.

In testimony signature, in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES W. DIMICK. Witnesses LILLA J. CHILDs, JOHN J. DOOLEY.

Copies of this patent ma; be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

whereof I have aflixed my

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