WO2013004599A1

WO2013004599A1 - Target launching machine for archery, including a loading chute

Info

Publication number: WO2013004599A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/062632
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte; Jean-Marc Fouques
Original assignee: Laporte Holding
Priority date: 2011-07-01
Filing date: 2012-06-28
Publication date: 2013-01-10
Also published as: FR2977310B1; FR2977310A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine for launching discoid targets (2, 3) for archery, comprising a launch housing (7) that can receive a target (2) in a substantially vertical launch plane (8) and a supply hopper (5) that can store a plurality of targets (3) and deliver a target (3) in a horizontal supply plane (9) in order to load the target (3) in the launch housing (7). The launching machine (1) also comprises a chute (6) connecting the supply hopper (5) to the launch housing (7) and said chute (6) can pivot a target (3) between a horizontal orientation in the supply plane (9) and a vertical orientation in the launch plane (8) and can guide the target (3) to the launch housing (7) automatically under the force of gravity.

Description

Target launching machine for archery loading chute

The technical field of the invention is that of target launching machines for archery.

This discipline traditionally offers archers the opportunity to shoot at fixed targets. A target-launching machine allows the training conditions to be varied by launching the targets in order to offer a shot at moving targets.

A launching machine comprises, in general, a vertical launching housing adapted to accommodate a discoidal target. A launch device is able to launch a target from the launch slot according to a vertical launch plan.

In order to be able to automatically launch several targets in a row without the intervention of an operator, such a machine advantageously comprises an energy store capable of storing a plurality of targets. Led it's feed store is typically able to deliver one target at a time. To can to be launched, a target issued by the food store must be loaded into the launch slot.

In order to store a larger number of targets in the same volume, the targets are advantageously stored horizontally in the feed magazine. It is then appropriate during the loading, to realize a rocker of the target from a horizontal orientation in the magazine of supply towards a vertical orientation in the slot of launching.

These constraints can lead, in order to achieve means of transferring a target from a supply store to a launching slot, to mechanically / kinematically complex solutions or comprising a complex automatic control, which generates expensive and prone solutions. failing.

The invention proposes a solution that does not have the aforementioned drawbacks. The basic idea is the use of gravity in order to realize the loading of the target under the effect of its weight, in cooperation with a chute particularly adapted to achieve a rocking of the target from a horizontal orientation in the supply store to a vertical orientation in the launch housing, by gravity.

An object of the present invention is a discoidal target launching machine for archery, comprising a launching housing adapted to receive a target according to a substantially vertical launching plane and a feed magazine capable of storing a plurality. of targets and to deliver at least one target, preferably one at a time, according to a substantially horizontal power plan, for charging the target in the launching housing. The launching machine comprises a chute connecting the feed magazine to the launching housing, said chute being able to tilt a target between a horizontal orientation according to the feed plane and a vertical orientation according to the launch plan and to guide the target to the launch slot, automatically by gravity.

According to the invention, the chute comprises a rocker means comprising at least a plurality of edges extending respectively in spaced and parallel vertical planes.

Advantageously, the contact between the target and the chute is operated at this point. level only by the edges.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the launching housing comprises a bottom surface preferably substantially horizontal, preferably substantially rectangular, preferably of width at least equal to the thickness of a target, adapted to support a target placed on its slice, and a flat lateral surface, extending substantially vertically, from the bottom surface and where a side of said opening is disposed above the bottom surface of the launch housing.

Preferably, the background surface is of substantially rectangular section height greater than the diameter of a target, preferably the lower side of the lateral surface coinciding with a first large side of the bottom surface.

According to another nonlimiting characteristic, the ridges extend substantially horizontally at different heights of decreasing heights between the feed magazine and the launching housing.

According to another non-limiting feature, the vertical planes containing the edges are successively arranged with each other parallel to the launch plane.

According to another non-limiting feature, the chute comprises a substantially horizontal opening, capable of allowing the passage of a target delivered horizontally by the feed magazine, preferably one side of said opening located above the bottom surface of the housing. launch

According to another non-limiting characteristic, the flip-flop means comprises a first edge that is preferably substantially rectilinear, preferentially substantially horizontal, preferably substantially parallel to the launching plane, positioned below the opening, preferably at a distance, measured horizontally, from the first side of the opening greater than the half diameter of a target.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the flip-flop means further comprises at least one second edge, substantially parallel to the first edge, disposed below the first edge, and closer to the launch plane more precisely of the surface. lateral that the first edge.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the flip-flop means further comprises at least a third edge, substantially parallel to the second edge, disposed below the second edge, and closer to the launch plane more precisely of the surface lateral than the second edge.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the points of intersection of said ridges with a vertical plane perpendicular to the launch plane are arranged on a convex curve oriented towards the face of the target intended to be in contact with the chute.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, an i ^th distance, measured between an i ^th edge and a i + i ^th edge, is less than a i + 1 ^th distance, measured between a i + i ^th edge and a i + 2 ^rd edge.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the rocker means further comprises a curved surface which has in a vertical plane a convex curvilinear section oriented towards the launching housing, preferably adjacent to the second large side of the bottom surface.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, said ridges are formed by a rocker surface which has protrusions upwards at the edges and dug down between two successive edges.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, said ridges have a cylindrical shape.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the feed magazine is arranged to deliver a target in a direction perpendicular to the launch plane, to the launching housing.

According to another non-limiting feature of the invention, the feed magazine is arranged to deliver a target by translation in a direction parallel to the launch plane, and where the chute further comprises an elastic means, capable of diverting 90 The target delivered by the feed magazine, in order to repel it in a direction perpendicular to the launch plane, towards the launching housing.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description given below as an indication in connection with drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 -6 show an embodiment of a launching machine according to the invention in perspective view, according to 6 successive steps during the loading of a target, from the feed magazine to the launching housing,

FIGS. 7 to 13 show, in cut-away view, an embodiment of a chute according to the invention, according to 7 successive steps during the loading of a target, from the feed magazine to the launching housing.

The top and bottom of the machine are set when the machine is ready for use. The top corresponds to the top of the feed magazine and the bottom corresponds to the point closest to the ground, in the figures the bottom surface 11 at the level of the fall of the target from the chute 6.

According to any one of FIGS. 1-6, a machine 1 for launching discoidal targets 2, 3 for archery, comprises a launching housing 7. This housing is able to receive a target 2, 3 according to a launch plan 8 substantially vertical. Preferably, the launching plane 8 extends to the end of the chute 6 opening into the launching housing 7.

The launching machine 1 advantageously still comprises a launch device 4. Such a launching device 4 may for example be a rotary launching arm 4 in the launching housing 7, its axis of rotation preferably being normal to the vertical launching plane 8. . During its rotation, the launch arm 4 pushes the target 2, 3 by its slice in order to launch it into a launching plane 8, the target 2, 3 being disposed in the launching housing 7 such that its plane is parallel to the launch plan 8.

A target 2, 3 is typically cylindrical and flattened. It has an essentially flat extension. In this plane, still referred to as the target plane, the target 2, 3 is bounded by a circular cylindrical contour or slice. In the direction perpendicular to said plane, the target 2, 3 is limited by two planar faces, distant by a thickness e. The target is made of plastic foam, such as an elastomeric foam. It can include two circular faces arranged on either side of a central body. The two circular faces are preferably formed in a material having a lower density than the central body to receive and maintain the arrow at one of the two faces and blocking the crossing of the arrow at the central body. The indicative dimensions of a target 2, 3 are a diameter of 25 cm, a thickness of 3 to 15 cm. The indicative weight corresponding to these dimensions is 100 grams.

The launching machine 1 also comprises a feed magazine 5 capable of storing a plurality of targets 3 awaiting launch. The feed magazine 5 is able to deliver a target 3 at a time. We are particularly interested in a food store where a target 3 is delivered according to a horizontal feed plane 9. Such an orientation is advantageous for a feed magazine 5 where the targets 3 are stored horizontally, stacked parallel by their flat faces.

So that the target 3, delivered by the feed magazine 5 can be loaded into the launching housing 7 in order to be then launched, the launching machine 1 comprises a chute 6. This chute 6 connects the outlet of the magazine of supply 5 to an entry of the launch housing 7. Said chute 6 is disposed below an outlet of the feed magazine 5, and above an entry of the launch slot 7. Thus the transfer of the target from the feed store 5 to the launch slot 7 can be performed automatically by gravity, under the sole effect of the weight of the target 3.

Advantageously, the chute 6 opens into the launching housing 7 downstream of the launching arm. That is, the tilting target of the chute 6 in the launch slot 7 arrives in front of the launch arm, ready to be projected. The downstream and the front of the arm are determined relative to the direction of movement of the arm and the direction of projection of the target.

The chute 6 is moreover ingeniously shaped so as to tilt a target 3, in the course of its transfer from a horizontal orientation according to the feed plane 9 that has the target 3 at the outlet of the feed magazine 5 towards a vertical orientation according to the launching plan 8 that the target 3 has at the end of the transfer, when the target 3 is in position in the launch slot 7, ready to be launched by the launch device 4. The chute 6 and performs a rocking and guiding the target 3 to the launch slot 7, automatically by gravity.

This advantageously results in a launching machine 1 having no moving part or member, n i no control means for performing the operation of rocking and loading.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-6, the launching housing 7 comprises a bottom surface 11 extending longitudinally in a vertical plane. The bottom surface 11 is of preferentially substantially rectangular section. This bottom surface 11 has a width at least equal to the thickness e of a target 3. The effective width of the bottom surface 11 corresponds substantially to the thickness e of a target 2, 3 increased by a tolerance, large enough to allow easy implementation of a target 2, 3 when loading, and tight enough to provide guidance when launching the target 2, 3. For example, the tolerance is to the order of 5 to 10 mm, preferably of the order of 7 mm. Said base surface 1 1 is able to support a target 2 placed on the edge and edges the descent of said target 2, 3 during its loading. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the charged target 2 rests on the bottom surface 11 by the wafer, and is in place, vertically, in front of the launch device 4, ready to be launched. The length of the bottom surface 11 is at least equal to the diameter D of a target 3 and can greatly exceed this dimension, as illustrated by the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6. The bottom surface 1 1 can receive and guide the target 2 during its projection by the throwing arm.

The launching housing 7 is further limited by a planar lateral surface 10, substantially vertical. This surface is substantially parallel to the launch plane 8. This side surface 10 has been removed from the representations of Fig ures 1 -6 to allow to see the interior of the machine 1 and particularly the launch housing 7. This side surface 10 is shown by its profile 10 to the right of Figures 7-13. This lateral surface 10 has a height greater than the diameter D of a target 3. It advantageously has a width at least equal to the diameter D of a target 3 and preferably it extends over the entire length of the bottom surface 1 1 . This side surface 10 abuts on the bottom surface January 1, and the lower side 12 of the side surface 10 merges with a first long side 13 of the bottom surface January 1.

The chute 6 comprises, in the upper part, a substantially horizontal opening 18. This opening 18 is disposed under the outlet of the feed magazine 5 so as to receive a target 3 delivered by the supply store 5, by gravity. The size and shape of the opening 18 are sufficient to allow the passage of a target 3. The target 3 being delivered horizontally by the feed magazine 5, the opening 18 is at least as large as the flat surface 3. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 -6, said opening is rectangular and disengages the upper horizontal surface of the chute 6 in its entirety.

The chute 6 is arranged, relative to the launching housing 7, so that a side 15 of the opening 18 is above the launch housing 7 preferably above the bottom surface January 1. The side 15 of the opening 18 can thus be superimposed with the first large side 13 and then merge with the upper side 19 of the lateral surface 10 or with the second large side 14 of the bottom surface 11, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 7-13.

Figures 7-13 illustrate in profile view a chute 6 and in sequence the different steps of the transfer of a target 3 during its loading.

According to an important characteristic of the invention, the chute 6 comprises a rocker means 20 adapted to tilt a target 3 from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation. This latching means 20 mainly comprises a first edge 22. This first edge 22 is substantially straight. It is disposed substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to the launch plane 8. It is arranged below the opening 18, so that a target 3, falling under the effect of its weight in the gou burbot 6, through the opening 18, from the feed magazine 5, come meet said first edge 22 by one of its planar circular faces. Said first edge 22 is disposed laterally so that the center of gravity 28 of the target 3 is laterally positioned between the first edge 22 and the launch plane 8. The target is then automatically driven towards the launch slot 7 by its weight alone. The target being symmetrical, its center of gravity 28 is placed in the middle. This can also be expressed by a distance Δ, measured horizontally, between the first edge 22 and the side 15 of the opening 18, greater than the half-diameter D / 2 of a target 3.

Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 7, when the lower flat surface of the target 3 meets the first edge 22, the contact causes, under the action of the weight of the target 3, a flip-flop of the target 3 which thus begins at 'orient according to the launching plan 8, as shown in Figure 8.

According to one embodiment, the rocker means 20 further comprises at least one second edge 23. The second edge 23 is substantially parallel to the first edge 22. It is arranged below the first edge 22. Advantageously it is arranged closer of the lateral surface 10 and / or of the launching plane 8, that the first edge 22. However, the distance, measured horizontally, between the second edge 23 and the side 15 of the opening 18 is always greater than half the diameter D / 2 of a target 3.

Thus, continuing its tilting and descent movement, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the lower circular planar face of the target 3 comes into contact with the second edge 23. The center of gravity 28 of the target 3 is laterally positioned between the second edge 23 and the launching plane 8. Also the contact between the target 3 and the second edge 23 contributes to tilting the target 3 in the same direction of rotation already impulsed by the contact with the first edge 22. The target 3 continues to move towards the launching plane 8, as shown in Figure 10.

This rocking effect can be further maintained, reinforced by a third edge 24, substantially parallel to the second edge 23, disposed below the second edge 23, preferably closer to the lateral surface 10 and / or the launching plane 8que the second edge 22. FIG. 10 illustrates the contact between the target 3 and the third edge 24.

It is still possible to add other additional edges according to the principle described above.

Advantageously, the contact surface between the target 3 and the flip-flop means 20 is reduced to the lines formed by the edges 22 to 24. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the target 3 is at most in contact with two edge lines 22-24. Also, even if the material of the target 3 is a foam, potentially adherent, the reduced contact surface minimizes the friction of the target 3 with the chute 6, which promotes the descent of the target 3 to the housing of launch 7.

According to a particularly advantageous arrangement, the edge or edges 22-24 are such that their points of intersection with a vertical plane 27 perpendicular to the launch plane 8 are arranged on a curve 29 advantageously having a curvature oriented downwards. Thus the successive edges 22-24 achieve a cumulative rocking effect, each edge 22-24 helping to tilt a target 3, always in the same direction of rotation. In addition, such an arrangement produces a chute 6 of flared shape, narrowing downwards, until positioning the target 3 in the launching housing 7.

The rocking rotational speed of the target 3 is progressively increased as the target 3 descends into the chute 6. This effect is all the better realized as the spacing between the successive edges 22-24 increases at the same time. as the descent of the target in the chute 6. This is further expressed by the following property, illustrated in Figure 13. The edges being numbered i of 1 ..n from the highest to the lowest in the chute 6, if d is the distance between an i ^th edge 22-24 and an i + 1 ^th edge, and d, ₊ i is the distance between a i + i ^th edge and an i + 2 ^th edge , d, is less than d, + i. This is verified in the embodiment of Figures 7-13.

In order to ensure precise guidance, at the end of the transfer from the target 3 to the launching housing 7, the tilting means still advantageously comprises a curved surface 25 in its lower part. Said curved surface is curved and has a curvature oriented towards the bottom and towards the outside of the launching housing 7. The curved surface 25 is convex. Said curved surface 25 is for example a horizontal axis cylinder parallel to the edges 22-24 or the launch plane 8. The curved surface 25 is adjacent to the bottom surface 1 1 by its second long side 14. It can be curved from the bottom surface 1 1 or again, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 -13 include in the lower part, a vertical flat surface 26 parallel to the vertical side surface. This constitutes an upwardly flared funnel in which a target 3 finishes positioning and remains held vertically awaiting launch.

The edge or edges 22-24 can be made by stretched son, rods or bars arranged across the chute 6.

The edge (s) 22-24 can still be advantageously produced by a continuous rocking surface. Said rocker surface then has upward protrusions, relative to said rocker surface, forming the ridges 22-24 and is dug down between two successive edges 22-24. Such a continuous rocking surface is advantageous relative to discontinuous rods or rods in that in no case a target 3 is likely to pass or get caught between two rods.

In addition, such a continuous rocking surface may comprise the curved surface 25, in one piece, as shown in FIGS. 1 -13.

Whether it is a discontinuous embodiment by rods or bars, or a continuous embodiment by a rocker surface, the edges 22-24 may advantageously have a cylindrical shape. In this case, the profile of the edges advantageously has a radius of curvature. This cylindrical shape facilitates the transfer of a target 3, which is wound around the cylinder.

It should be noted that the rocker means 20 together with the side surface 10 form a funnel flared upwardly. Thus the target 3 in its descent is guided progressively towards the bottom of the launching housing, gradually tilting towards a final vertical orientation. It may happen that the target 3, relatively light, if any, bounces against the flip-flop means 20 or against the side surface 10 of the launching housing 7, which faces it. However, despite possible rebounds, the complementary shapes of the rocker means 20 and the launching housing 7 contribute efficiently and quickly to guide the target 3 to its final position in the launch slot 7. It is not possible to block a target 3 in any intermediate position.

According to a first embodiment, the feed magazine 5 is disposed to deliver a target 3, when ejected from the feed magazine 5, in a direction perpendicular to the launch plane 8, to the launching housing 7. In this case, the ejection prepares and initiates the movement of transfer from target to launch slot 7.

According to another embodiment, corresponding to the illustrations of FIGS. 1 -6, the feed magazine 5 is arranged to deliver a target 3 in a direction parallel to the launching plane 8. In this case, the direction of ejection makes a 90 ° angle with the direction then followed by the target 3 during its transfer via the chute 6. Also, the chute 6 advantageously comprises an elastic means 30, disposed at the opening 18 in such a way as to divert from 90 ° the target 3 del enfred by the supply magazine 7. As illustrated in Figures 2-3, the target 3 in its ejection movement compresses a resilient means, here a leaf spring 30. As shown in Figure 4, when the target 3 passes the opening 18 and begins its descent in the chute 6, the elastic means 30 relaxes and pushes the target 3, in a direction perpendicular to the launch plane 8, to the launching housing 7 and thus contributes to the movement of transfer of the target 3 via the chute 6, to the launching housing 7.

Although it is described herein a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this mode, and that variations can be made within the scope of the invention. scope of the following claims.

REFERENCES

1. Machine

2. Target

3. Target

4. Launching device

5. Food store

6. Chute

7. Launching housing

8. Launch plan

9. Power plan

10. Side surface

1 1. Bottom area

12. Bottom side

13. First big side

14. Second largest side

15. Opening side

16. Opening side

18. Opening

19. Upper end of the lateral surface 20. Tilting means

22. First edge

23. Second edge

24. Third edge

25. Curved surface

26. Vertical flat surface

27. Vertical plane

28. Center of gravity

29. Curve

30. Elastic means

Claims

1. Discoidal target launching machine (2, 3) for archery, comprising a launching chamber (7) adapted to receive a target (2) according to a substantially vertical launch plan (8) and a magazine power supply (5) capable of storing a plurality of targets (3) and delivering at least one target (3) in a substantially horizontal power plane (9) for charging the target (3) into the housing of launch (7), characterized in that the launching machine (1) comprises a chute (6) connecting the feed magazine (5) to the launching housing (7), said chute (6) comprises a rocking means (20) comprising at least a plurality of ridges (22-24) extending respectively in spaced and parallel vertical planes so as to be able to tilt a target (3) between a horizontal orientation according to the feeding plane (9) and a vertical orientation according to the launching plane (8) and to guide the target (3) to the logem launching point (7), automatically by gravity.

2. Machine according to claim 1 wherein the ridges (22-24) extend substantially horizontally at different heights of decreasing heights between the feed magazine (5) and the launching housing (7).

3. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the vertical planes containing the edges are arranged successively to each other parallel to the launching plane (8).

4. Machine according to any preceding claim wherein the chute (6) comprises a substantially horizontal opening (18), adapted to allow the passage of a target (3) issued horizontally by the feed magazine (5).

5. Machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the launching housing (7) comprises a bottom surface (1 1) adapted to support a target (2) placed on its edge, and a flat surface (10) extending substantially vertical, from the bottom surface (1 1) and wherein one side (15) of said opening (18) is disposed above the bottom surface (1 1) of the launch housing (7).

6. Machine according to any one of the two preceding claims wherein the rocker means (20) comprises a first edge (22) extending substantially parallel to the launch plane (8), arranged below the opening (18). ).

7. Machine according to any one of the two preceding claims wherein the first edge (22) is disposed at a distance (Δ), measured horizontally, a first side (15) of the opening (18) greater than half diameter (D / 2) of a target (3).

8. Machine according to the two preceding claims, wherein the rocker means (20) comprises at least one second edge (23), substantially parallel to the first edge (22), arranged below the first edge (22), and more close to the launching plane (8) than the first edge (22).

9. Machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the rocker means (20) comprises at least a third edge (24), substantially parallel to the second edge (23), arranged below the second edge (23), and closer from the launch plane (8) than the second edge (23).

Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the points of intersection of said edges (22-24) with a vertical plane (27) perpendicular to the launching plane (8) are arranged on a convex curve (29). oriented towards the face of the target intended to be in contact with the chute (6).

1 1. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an ^i-th distance (d) measured between an ^i-th edge (22-24) and a i + i ^th edge is less than a i + i ^th distance (d, ₊ i), measured between a i + i ^th edge (22-24) and a i + 2 ^nd edge.

12. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rocker means (20) comprises a curved surface (25) which has in a vertical plane (27) a convex curvilinear section oriented towards the launching housing (7). .

A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said ridges (22-24) are formed by a rocker surface which has upward protrusions at the ridges (22-24) and which is recessed downwardly. between two successive edges (22-24).

14. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said ridges (22-24) have a cylindrical shape.

15. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feed magazine (5) is arranged to deliver a target (3) in a direction perpendicular to the launching plane (8) towards the launching housing (5). 7).

16. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feed magazine (5) is arranged to deliver a target (3) by translation in a direction parallel to the launch plane (8), and where the chute (6) further comprises an elastic means (30) capable of diverting the target (3) delivered by the feed magazine (7) by 90 °, in order to push it back in a direction perpendicular to the launch plane (8), to the launching house (7).