Mechanical guns and projectors – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2001-01-16
Ricci, John A. (Department: 3712)
Mechanical guns and projectors
Miscellaneous
C124S080000, C224S503000, C224S528000, C280S769000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173705
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The following invention relates generally to an instrumentality which allows a clay target throwing device to be supported adjacent a tailgate of a pick-up truck. More particularly, the instant invention is directed to a support which allows a clay target launcher to be securely mounted adjacent a payload area of a pick-up truck to facilitate reloading the launcher and to provide a secure, stable platform during target practice.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most clay target launchers (also known as clay pigeon launchers) are ground mounted. Stakes are imbedded in the ground and provide an upstanding projection upon which the launcher is deployed. Some launchers attach to spare tires mounted on the ground. Most of these type of devices react upon release of the clay target. Launchers rely on spring pressure to hurl the target which results in a reaction force that loosens the support or alters the trajectory of the launcher as a function of repeated use.
Moreover, such devices are typically deployed remote from a pick-up truck which is used to carry the clay targets. This makes set up some what more difficult and reloading time consuming since a person using the launcher is not comfortably reposed adjacent the launching device itself and the movement of clay pigeons is a laborious process because of the weight and the fragility of the clay pigeons themselves.
The following prior art reflects the state of the art of which applicant is aware and is included herewith to discharge applicant's acknowledged duty to disclose relevant prior art. It is stipulated, however, that none of these references teach singly nor render obvious when considered in any permissible combination the nexus of the instant invention as disclosed in greater detail hereinafter and as particularly claimed.
PATENT NO.
ISSUE DATE
INVENTOR
2,711,163
Jun. 21, 1955
Richardson
2,925,077
Feb. 16, 1960
Luebkeman
2,980,095
Apr. 18, 1961
Hoag
3,677,257
Jul. 18, 1972
Segerkvist
3,949,728
Apr. 13, 1976
Gustafsson
4,381,069
Apr. 26, 1983
Kreck
4,576,395
Mar. 18, 1986
Longoria
4,770,155
Sep. 13, 1988
Chamberlain, et al.
4,867,356
Sep. 19, 1989
Melby
5,226,622
Jul. 13, 1993
LeAnna
5,330,084
Jul. 19, 1994
Peters
5,397,147
Mar. 14, 1995
Ducharme, et al.
5,433,356
Jul. 18, 1995
Russell
5,451,088
Sep. 19, 1995
Broad
5,458,389
Oct. 17, 1995
Young
5,469,998
Nov. 28, 1995
Van Dusen, et al.
5,489,110
Feb. 6, 1996
Van Dusen
5,509,592
Apr. 23, 1996
Lipka
5,540,537
Jul. 30, 1996
Welch
5,547,116
Aug. 20, 1996
Eckhart
5,593,139
Jan. 14, 1997
Julian
5,649,656
Jul. 22, 1997
Davy
5,658,033
Aug. 19, 1997
Delaune
5,678,743
Oct. 21, 1997
Johnson, et al.
The patent to Chamberlain, et al., teaches the use of a clay target throwing machine apparatus which is mounted on a towing ball hitch coupled with a vehicle or attached to the ground. The framework is coupled with an upright cylinder which engages the hitch ball allowing movement of the apparatus about the vertical axis of the hitch ball. Although this device allows articulated movement about the long axis of the cylinder which overlies the towing hitch ball, it can not alter the trajectory that the thrower can assume because it is fixed at a horizontal plane. Moreover, this device tends to react to the release of the spring allowing movement about the vertical axis of the cylinder and, for safety it should be constrained to offset the effect of the reaction of the spring on the launcher.
The patent to Melby teaches a use of a hitch mount for a clay pigeon shooter in which a hitch ball receives a sleeve which fits over and surrounds it. A pair of side members disposed in parallel spaced relation define a channel therebetween which receives a hitch tongue whereby the first and second side members overlie the tongue sides.
The other prior art listed above but not specifically described further catalog the prior art of which the applicant is aware. These references diverge even more starkly from the references specifically distinguished above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention is distinguished over the known prior art in a multiplicity of ways. For one thing, the instant invention readily docks with a hollow receiver found on most pick-up trucks. This affords ease of installation and removal once the target shooting has ended.
In addition, the elevation and span from a trailing edge of a tailgate of the pick-up truck can be controlled and adjusted as suits the consumer so that it can be strategically deployed at a trailing edge of the tailgate allowing ready access to clay disks which are carried on the pick-up truck body and also to allow support for the operator of the launcher who can sit on the tailgate with a greater degree of comfort.
In addition, the instant invention can assume one of two modes: in the first mode, the launcher can be orientated by means of a handle which extends to a platform which supports the launcher and allows motion of the launcher not only side to side, but also up and down. In a second mode, the launcher is fixed in one position so that the person operating the launcher can also shoot the target with a weapon single handed.
A frame having a receiver end slidably telescopes within the receiver on the pick-up truck hitch. It is fixed by means of a locking pin and clip. The frame includes an upwardly projecting sleeve whose spatial relationship to the receiver can be adjusted. A platform is mounted on the sleeve of the frame and is so mounted that adjustment is provided to allow rotation of the platform about a vertical plane and also about a horizontal plane so that the launcher can be controlled as to the trajectory of the targets that are propelled therefrom.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, there is a primary object of the present is to provide a new and novel vehicle support for a trap shooting launcher.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device as characterized above which is capable of adjustment so that it can be strategically located adjacent a tailgate of the pick-up truck to which it is mounted allowing convenient deployment of subsequent targets and afford the operator a convenient vantage point from which to launch the clay targets.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device as characterized above which is durable in construction, stable when deployed and safe to use.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device as characterized above which lends itself to mass production techniques.
Viewed from a first vantage point it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for integrating a skeet launcher to a vehicle comprising, in combination: a frame projecting from the vehicle terminating in a platform, means to attach the launcher to the platform, and means to reorient the platform to alter skeet trajectories.
Viewed from a second vantage point it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for shooting, the steps including, attaching a support frame to a vehicle, attaching a launcher to a platform on the support frame, and orienting the platform to alter the launcher trajectory.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2711163 (1955-06-01), Richardson
patent: 2925077 (1960-02-01), Luebkeman
patent: 2980095 (1961-04-01), Hoag
patent: 3677257 (1972-07-01), Segerkvist
patent: 3949728 (1976-04-01), Gustafsson
patent: 4381069 (1983-04-01), Kreck
patent: 4576395 (1986-03-01), Longoria
patent: 4770155 (1988-09-01), Chamberlain et al.
patent: 4867356 (1989-09-01), Melby
patent: 4934894 (1990-06-01), White
patent: 5226622 (1993-07-01), LeAnna
patent: 5330084 (1994-07-01), Peters
patent: 5397147 (1995-03-01), Ducharme et al.
patent: 5433356 (1995-07-01), Russell
patent: 5451088 (1995-09-01), Broad
patent: 5458389 (1995-10-01), Young
patent: 5469998 (1995-11-01), Van Dusen et al.
patent: 5489110 (1996-02-01), Van Dusen
patent: 5509592 (1996-04-01), Lipka
patent: 5540537 (1996-07-01), Welch
patent: 5547116 (1996-08-01), Eckhart
patent: 5593139 (1997-01-01), Julian
patent: 5649656 (1997-07-01), Davy
patent: 5658033 (1997-08-01), Delaune
patent: 5678743
Kreten Bernhard
Ricci John A.
LandOfFree
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