Amusement devices: games – Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor... – Target
Patent
1984-02-07
1985-02-26
Shapiro, Paul E.
Amusement devices: games
Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor...
Target
F41J 700, F41J 102
Patent
active
045014272
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in or relating to target apparatus for use on a firing range.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
International standards for pistol target shooting require five (5) targets to be mounted on a frame and all are operated together to face the shooter for a predetermined period and then rotate through 90.degree. to be side-on to the shooter. The standards require that the targets be rotated within 0.3 seconds and that no vibration be discernible at 25 meters. Various targets have been proposed to comply with these standards and an example is disclosed in Australian Pat. No. 441,741 (Australasian Training Aids Pty. Ltd.). This patent discloses a target apparatus where each target is provided with a pair of cranks, above and below the targets, the cranks being connected to operating rods driven by double-acting hydraulic or pneumatic rams, the vibration being controlled by pairs of buffers or dampers at the top and bottom of each target, the targets being held against the buffers in the face-on and side-on positions.
This apparatus has a number of disadvantages. As the targets rotate, the operating rods are moved laterally, as well as longitudinally, so that the force applied by the rams is no longer directly along the axis of the operating rods. Secondly, the targets do vibrate when they strike the buffers and the shock loads generate vibration in the frame, requiring a heavy frame to withstand the load.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a target apparatus where the operating mechanism is enclosed and protected from the elements.
It is a preferred object to provide an apparatus which fully complies with the International Standards hereinbefore discussed.
It is a further preferred object to provide an apparatus which requires only one hydraulic or pneumatic ram which operates an operating bar or rod, all operating loads being along the axis of the bar or rod.
It is a still further preferred object to provide a highly efficient damping mechanism which uses the oil which lubricates the operating mechanism as its dampening medium.
Other preferred objects will become apparent from the following description.
In one embodiment, the present invention resides in a target apparatus including:
a framework having upright side members and substantially horizontal upper and lower frame members between the side members, the lower frame member being hollow;
means rotatably mounted on the upper and lower frame members for supporting at least one target therebetween;
a pinion or gear wheel in the lower frame member connected to the target support means;
a rack or operating rod slidably mounted in the lower frame member in operating engagement with the pinion or gear wheel;
means to reciprocate the rack or operating rod to rotate the target support means; and
damping means connected to the rack or operating rod to damp the movement of the rack or operating rod.
Preferably the lower frame member is filled with oil which acts to lubricate and protect the operating mechanism of the apparatus.
Preferably a respective rack is provided on the operating rod for each target support means and the racks are preferably adjustable to enable the racks and pinions to be correctly meshed.
Preferably the target support means are provided with sockets to releasably receive a target board, so that the target may be removed for repair or replacement.
Preferably the side members and upper frame members may be disassembled for storage.
Preferably the damping means incorporates a cylinder in communication with the interior of the lower frame member so that the oil also acts as a damping medium. Preferably a piston is slidably mounted in the cylinder and each end of the cylinder has one or more bleed holes to enable the controlled escape of oil from the end of the cylinder as the piston approaches it. Preferably a valve is provided in each end of the cylinder, the valve in the end spaced from the pisto
REFERENCES:
patent: 160288 (1875-03-01), Simmons
patent: 353191 (1886-11-01), White
patent: 894078 (1908-07-01), Stuart
patent: 1738874 (1929-12-01), Domingo
patent: 1951906 (1934-03-01), Hansen
patent: 2284510 (1942-05-01), Cates
patent: 2632196 (1953-03-01), Rappl
patent: 2912870 (1959-11-01), Green
patent: 3243894 (1966-04-01), Ricklick
patent: 3348843 (1967-10-01), Stanley
patent: 3914879 (1975-10-01), Taylor
patent: 4189147 (1980-02-01), Schmid
patent: 4330129 (1982-05-01), Meredith
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