US1195185A - Amusement device - Google Patents

Description

B. C. CORBETT.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION r1150 APR. 12. 1913. RENEWED JAN. 11, 1915.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

BNNIE C. 605 557"? HIE Nomm Farm: 1:11.. rNnm-Lnna Jasmlumn, n cy ENT QFIGEQ IBENN IE C. CORBETT, OF CANON GI'IY, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO ELI BRIDGE COMPANY, OF ROODHOUSE, ILLINOIS.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Application filed April 12, 1913, Serial No. 760,818. Renewed January 17, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I BENNIE C. CORBETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Canon City, in the county of Fremont and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Amusement Devices, of which the following is a specification. 7

This invention relates to amusement devices and has to do more particularly with the improvements in amusement target apparatus in which projectiles are thrown toward a target or object by the player.

More particularly, the invention contemplates a series of moving targets or objects adapted to be disposed behind a shelter or shield wall which is provided with openings relative to which the targets are moved into and out of exposed positions.

When the apparatus is employed in the form of an amusement device, I provide targets or objects in the form of comic automatons which are moved into and out of exposed positions and are hinged or pivotally mounted so as to swing from a normal position or plane when struck by a thrown projectile, it being one of the features of my invention to restore such automaton to a normal position, preferably, upon movement thereof to a concealed position.

The device of my invention will be more fully described in connection with the ac companying drawing and will be more particularly pointed out in and by the appended claims.

In the drawing :Figure 1, is a front elevation of the device of my invention with the structure shown to simulate the front of a house. Fig. 2, is a rear view thereof. Fig. 3, is a detail edge view, partly in section, illustrating a constructional feature of my invention.

Like characters of reference designate similar parts throughout the different figures of the drawing.

As illustrated, -1 designates a wall shield or shelter for the targets which may be constructed and decorated to simulate the appearance of a simple form of dwelling, openings in the form of windows being indicated at 2, 3, 4L and 5. When the device of my invention is used for amusement purposes, in parks or the like, the wall shield l is set back at a suitable distance from the front of the usual fenced or roped inclos- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

Serial No. 72,647.

ure, from which point the player stands when throwing balls or other projectiles toward the shield.

Behind the shield 1, I dispose a plurality of automatons designated as G, 7 8, and 5 which are adapted to be moved into and out of exposed positions with respect to the window openings 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The automatons may be decorated and and shaped or proportioned in any comic or grotesque manner desired in accordance with the conditions under which the device of the invention is used.

Each automaton may be mounted upon a stem or bar 10, as indicated in Fig. 3, and I preferably movably or hingedly mount the automaton on such bar, as indicated at 11 so that when the player strikes one of the objects or automatons with a ball or projectile it will be deflected or swung on its hinge from a normal position, as indicated in full lines at 12, to the dotted line position as indicated at 13, so as to clearly indicate to the proprietor and to the player, that a ball or projectile has struck the figure, the arrangement being such that the successful throw is indicated while the automaton is abreast of its particular opening. On movement of the figures or automatons from exposed to concealed positions, with respect to said openings, I provide means, preferably acting automatically, to restore the automatons to their normal positions. As illustrated, said means may consist, for each automaton, of a stop in the form of a bar or arm 14 having a roller 15 at its upper end. On movement of the automaton toward said stop the deflected or backwardly disposed figure will strike the roller 15, as indicated in Fig. 3, and upon completion of movement of said figure the roller 15 will cause the same'to assume an upright position coincident with the plane of the bar or stem 10 so that upon subsequent movement of the automaton, into an exposed position, it will stand abreast of its opening.

Guiding means are provided to guide the automatons in their movement toward and from exposed positions, and as shown, such means may comprise a base 16, which may be secured to the shield wall 1, and in which may be swiveled a strap-guide 17 the guide 17 having a shank 18 rotatively mounted in the base 16, a nut 19, with washer 20, serving to hold the guide 17 in place. The bar 10 slides in the guide 17 and the stop 14: may conveniently be mounted upon the guide 17 so as always to move with and lie parallel with the bar 10. Mechanism is provided for oscillating and reciprocating said automatons into and out of exposed po sitions, and as shown, the end of each bar 10 is pivotally connected at 21, with a rotatable member which may be in the form of a belt or chain wheel 22, 23, 24 and 25, one being provided for each figure or automaton. A. belt or chain 26 is trained about said wheels and is guided by idlers 27. Movement is imparted to said belt 26 by a wheel 28, mounted on shaft 29, on which latter a larger wheel 80 is also mounted and is beltd to a wheel 31, of a motor or like prime mover 32.

The automatons may be connected with the wheels 22 to 24, so as to be projected or moved into exposed positions in any desired order, the arrangement shown being such that the figures'are exposed consecutively, as regards extreme positions, one being partially exposed in its approach to an exposing position before the preceding figure is entirely removed from an exposed position. By connecting the bars 10 at different radial points on the wheels, a period of exposure may be obtained and a different timing of exposure may be effected both as regards the period of exposure of each automaton, and alsothe relative exposure of one with respect to the other. As shown in Fig. 2, additional holes 22, 23 and 25 are provided so that any desired adjustment can be made.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing and by reference to Fig. 2, that while the path of travel of the automatons throughout their exposed positions, is a fixed path of travel, still, they do not move in straight lines but rather in constantly chan ing directions due to the fact that the wheels not only reciprocate but also oscillate the bars 10 in the guide 17. Thus it will be seen that the player will not only have to throw quickly but he will also have to throw to a target object having a constantly changing course or path of movement, it being understood that the rate of speed may be readily increased in case the players become too successful in hitting the figures. It will also be understood that the belt 26 maybe shifted with respect to the wheels 22 to 25, or vice versa, so as to change the timing of exposure of one automaton figure with respect to the other, the radial holes in the wheels providing means for increasing or decreasing the perlods of exposure, thereby providing in a single unitary structure an almost infinite adjustment and thereby affording a variety of action'sufficient to meet any reasonable demand. 7

While I have herein shown and described one specific embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited thereto except for such limitations as the claims may import.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A moving target apparatus comprising in combination, a target shield wall provided with openings therein, hinged targets on one side. of said wall adapted to be moved or deflected on their hinges when struck by a projectile passing through one of said openings, mechanism for moving said targets from exposed to concealed positions relative to said openings, and devices movable with said targets for restoring deflected or struck targets into their normal positions upon movement of said targets into concealed positions, substantially as described.

2. A moving target apparatus comprising in combination, a target shield provided with openings therein, targets on one side of said shield, oscillatable guides for said targets, and mechanism for oscillating and reciprocating said targets in said guides to effect movement of said targets into and out of exposed positions with respect to said openings, substantially as described.

3. In a target structure, a shield provided with an opening, a guide, a fixed pivot movably supporting said guide, a target movably supported. in said movable guide and means for actuating said target to shift the same into exposed and concealed positions with respect to said opening, substantially as described.

4:. In a moving target, a fixed shieldprovided with an opening, a target, a movable guide for said target, and rotary means connected with said target for shifting the same in its guide into exposed and concealed po sitions with respect to said opening, sub stantially as described.

5. In a target structure, a shield provided with an opening, a target, a movably supported guide for supporting said target during movement thereof, and means for actuating said target to shift the same into concealed and exposed positions with respect to said opening, substantially as described.

BENNIE C, CORBETT.

Witnesses:

eosnrrr L. CHENAULT, 7 P. O. WI-IELAN,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

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