US2324841A - Educational device - Google Patents

Description

July 20, 1943. J.V. HORR E DLiCATIONAL DEVICE Filed Jan. 1, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ADJUST THE ELEVATING KNOB INVENTOR John V. [Io/'1' ATTORN Y5 July 20. 1943. J. v. HORR 2,324,841

EDUCATIONAL DEV-ICE Fileddan. 1., 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR -J0/zn K11017- BY MW ATTORNEYS Patented July 20, 1943 EDUCATIONAL DEVICE John V. Horr, Hastings on Hudson, N. Y., assignor to V Einson-Freeman Co.

, Inc., Lon IslandCity,

N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 1, 1943, Serial No. 470,981

Claims.

My present invention relates generally t educational devices, and has particular reference to a relatively simple cardboard structure intended to facilitate the teaching of firearm manipulation.

As is well known, a rifie or similar firearm is provided with a rear sight and a front sight to enable the firearm to be properly aimed. These sights may assume various forms; for example, the rear sight may be a notched member while the front sight may consist of an element which assumes a vertical contour or silhouette when the firearm is aimed. Sometimes the rear sight consists of a circular opening. or window to which the eye is applied.

One of the first lessons which a novice must learn, is the correct relationship which the two sights must assume when the firearm is properly aimed. He must also learn the correct relative position of the target with respect to these sights. I

In the training of large numbers of recruits, it is not always possible to supply each recruit with a rifle or the like, nor to devote as much time as may be desirable toindividual instruction. Certain rudiments, however, may be taught by classroom procedures, prior to. the ac-. tual manipulation of the firearm itself. It is a general object of my present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive cardboard structure which may be manufactured in large quantities at low cost, for free distribution to students, by means of which certain elementary features of the art may be taught with greater facility.

In most modern firearms, a means is also provided for preliminarily adjusting the. rear sight either vertically or horizontally to compensate for varying ranges of firing and for wind velocities, The basic nature of these refinements, and the general method'of making the required adjustments, may also be taught by means of the present invention.

The present structure is of the educational type which permits certain actual manipulations to be repeatedly made and studied by the 'stu-- dent so that he ultimately achieves a thorough and almost instinctive familiarity with certain rudimentary but essential adjustments and relationships.

Even after the instruction of the recruit has advanced to the stage where he is actually handling a firearm, the present structure has continued utility in so far as it permits the instructor to teach the corrections of certain errors or faults in a simple and expeditious manner.

From one aspect, my invention comprises a flat element having a portion which'simulates the rear sight of a, firearm, in association with a second flat element arranged behind the first and having a portion which simulates the appearance of the corresponding front sight of the firearm, when viewed through the rear sight. The front-sight element is mounted for endwise movement or adjustment "so that the two sightsimulating portions maybe brought into various relationships to each other, including a correct relationship which they should assume when'the firearm is properly aimed.

From another aspect, my invention consists of aflat element having a portion simulating the rear sight of a firearm, in combination with a means for simulating the appearance of the corresponding front sight when viewed through the rear sight, anda fiat element arranged for endwise movement or adjustment behind the first element and provided with a portion which simulates the appearance of a target when viewed through the rear sight. tions thus made possible will simulating portion into various relationships to the sight-simulating means, including a correct relationship which is properly aimed. h

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, a forward element isassociated with two independent hindward elements one of the latter having a portion simulating the appearance of the front sigh t, the other'having a portion simulating the appearance ofa target, the two hindward elements being independently movable in an endwise mannersc' that it is possible to bring the parts into various relationships to one another, including a correct inter-relationship which should exist when aimedata particular target.

The structure hereinbefore referred to prefer'ably assumes the form of a flat pocket, the front wall of which constitutes the element having the simulation of the rear sight, the movable element or elements being fiat pieces accommodated within the pocket,

From another aspect, my invention consists in the rovision of a fiat element having a pair of spaced parallel slits therein, and a strip extending out of one slit and into the other and shiftable in a longitudinal direction, the visible portion of the strip between the slits bearing certain markings which simulate those of a wind or The manipula bring the targetshould exist when the'firearm the firearm is properly elevation adjuster of a firearm, a corresponding fixed mark on the slitted element being arranged adjacent to the marked strip. This association of parts enables the student to become familiar with the general nature and mode of adjustment of a wind or elevation control. Preferably, the device includes two sets of slits and two strips, one of which simulates a wind adjuster, the other an elevation adjuster.

The foregoing device also preferably assumes the form of a flat pocket within which the strip or strips are accommodated.

In a wholly practical and preferred construction which has been successfully used for the contemplated purposes, a single fiat cardboard structure is so fashioned and assembled that the two pockets are arranged back-to-back, the parts of the structure being so arranged that the various adjustments may be independently made without any mutual interference, and so that the entire device may be composed of a minimum of cardboard elements cut and folded and associated into a unitary structure in an extremely simple and inexpensive manner.

Other features of my invention, which will be described more fully hereinafter, relate to various means whereby the desired manipulations are capable of simple and easy accomplishment, and whereby the various parts are frictionally impeded to maintain the elements in any relationships in which they may be shifted.

I achieve the foregoing objects and advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front elevational view of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention indicating the manner in which the parts are intended to be manipulated;

Figure 2 is a rear view of Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 are fragmentary views similar to Figure 1 illustrating two of the. innumerable incorrect relationships into which the parts may be adjusted;

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure '7 is a perspective view of two of the movable elements shown by themselves;

Figure 8 is an inside view of the structure during an initial stage of its manufacture; and

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing an intermediate stage of manufacture.

Reference will first be had to Figure 8, in which I have shown the preferred manner of forming the body of the present device of a single blank of cardboard. The blank is divided by fold lines 2 |2| into two hingedly-connected rectangular panels 23 and 29. These panels serve ultimately as the front and rear walls, respectively, of the structure.

Hinged to the opposite end edges of the panel 28 are the flaps 39 and 3| which are ultimately to be folded inwardly as indicated in Figure 9. Similar inwardly-folding flaps 32 and 33 are hinged to the opposite end edges of the panel 29.

Hinged to the outer longitudinal edge 23 of the panel 28 is an attachment flap 34 which is ultimately to be folded down over the flaps 3|! and 3 I, as indicated in Figure 9; and similarly hinged to the outer longitudinal edge 26 of the panel 29 is an attachment flap 35 which ultimately folds down over the flaps 32 and 33 as indicated in Figure 9.

This results in the formation of two separate pockets or flat compartments, one of the pockets being defined by the space between the wall 28 and the turned-in flaps 30 and 3|, the other being defined by the space between the wall 29 and the turned-in flaps 32 and 33.

After the operative parts have been properly inserted into association with their respective pockets, the structure is folded along the medial fold line 21, thereby arranging the pockets backto-back, and the attachment panels 33 and 35 are permanently secured to each other, preferably by adhesive means.

In accordance with my invention, the front wall 28 is provided with a portion simulating the rear sight of a firearm. I have chosen to illustrate a preferred construction in which the medial portion of the wall 28 is provided with a circular opening 36, this opening being intended to simulate a rear sight of circular shape. If desired, this simulation may be enhanced by suitably embellishing the wall 28 on its outer surface adjacent to the opening 36.

Behind the wall 28, i. e., within the pocket between the wall 28 and the flaps 39 and 3|, I arrange at least one movable fiat element, and in the preferred embodiment herein illustrated, I provide two independently movable elements which are shown most clearly in Figure 7.

The element 31 is provided with a portion simulating the appearance of a target when viewed through the rear sight of a firearm. For illustrative purposes, I have shown a circular spot 38 which is distinctively colored and is intended to simulate the bulls eye of a conventional target. The area around the spot 38 may be suitably colored or otherwise embellished to furnish any desired background. Preferably this area is a flat color so that the background always remains the same regardless of the positions into which the element 31 may be shifted.

The cooperating element 39 is provided with parallel longitudinal cuts, and with a transverse cut, thereby defining a tongue 40 which may be deflected out of the plane of the element 39. This tongue together with the body of the element 39 forms a sort of notch into which the lower end portion of the element 31 may be fitted. The element 31 may be freely shifted in an endwise manner within this notch, independently of any shifting movements of the element 39, and the frictional engagement between the elements 31 and 39 is sufficient to retain them in any relative positions into which they may be adjusted. The element 39 is also preferably provided with a rearwardly folded end portion 4|. When the elements of Figure '7 are inserted into the pocket behind the wall 28, the portion 4| bears yieldably against the flap 34 (see Figures 6 and 9), and by virtue of the inherent resilience of the cardboard of which the element 39 is composed, the portion 4| is of a springy character which thus imparts a yieldable frictional resistance to shifting movements of the element 39 within the pocket.

The tongue 40 is made of such size and shape that its free end portion simulates the appearance of the front sight of the firearm when viewed through the rear sight. Preferably, the outer face of the tongue 59 is made of dark coloration so that the simulation of the front sight is in the nature of a silhouette.

When the structure is initially assembled, the elements 31 and 39 of Figure 7 are laid flat against the wall 28, as indicated in Figure 8, with the target-simulating portion 38 and the sightsimulating portion 40 arranged toward the wall 28, so that these portions will ultimately show through the opening 36. It will be observed that the. elements 31 and 39 are smaller than the wall 28. Thi allows them to be shifted in an endwise manner, as indicated in Figure 9, these shifting movements being limited by the confining edges of the pocket. The wall 28 is of such dimensions that the two pockets 3'! and 39, while freely shiftable into various positions, will nevertheless always retain their essential relationships to each other and to the pocket as a whole. Thus, it is impossible to shift either of the elements through a complete revolution, and even when they are separated to the maximum possible degree, the interengagement indicated in Figure 7 is always retained.

To permit adjustments of these elements from the exterior of the device, after the structure has been-completely manufactured, I provide a set of apertures 42 in the walls 28 and 29, and in the flaps 30 and 32, which are so arranged that they register with one another in the completed structure, as indicated most clearly in Figure 5. The rear-end of the element 31 is thus accessible for manipulation, and it is contemplated that this 5 rear end portion of the element 31 will be engaged by the fingers of the user, as indicated in Figure l. A similar set of registering apertures 43 are provided in the walls 28 and 29, and in the flaps 3i and 33, at the other end of the structure, thereby making the rear portion of the element 39 accessible for manipulation to control the movements of this element. This manipulation is to be accomplished by the fingers of the other hand of the user, as indicated in Figure 1. The present structure enablesthe user to learn correct relationships between a target and the sights of a firearm when the latter is properly aimed. A correct relationship is shown, by way of example, in Figure l, and it will be observed that the target 38 is accurately centeredwith respect to the rear sight window 36, .while the front sight 4%; is arranged beneath the target 38 in an accurately vertical direction with the upper edge of the front sight 40 just touching the lower edge of the target 38. By repeatedly manipulating the present device so as to accomplish thi result, the user rapidly acquires a thorough familiarity with these proper relationships.

In Figures 3 and 4 I have illustrated two of the innumerable incorrect relationships into which the parts may be adjusted. In Figure 3, for example, the front sight 40 is too high with respect to the rear sight 36, and is not accurately centered, while the target 38 is too high and too far to one side with respect to the rear sight 36. In Figure 4, the front sight 4!] is not accurately vertical, and it is slightly too high with respect to the target 38, while the target itself is not accurately centered with respect to the window 36. Thus, by depicting incorrect relationships as well as correct ones, the present device enables an instructor to teach certain rudiments of aiming a firearm and to correct the faults of a student, even before the student has handled the firearm itself. Even at a later date, when the recruit is learning to shoot on a practice range, it is contemplated that an instructor, witnessing the actual results of faulty aiming, may utilize the present device to demonstrate to the recruit the erof a wind adjuster of a firearm, while rors which he i probably making, and the man.- ner in which they may be corrected.

The rear pocket of the present structure lends itself readily to the arrangement of certain movable parts by means of which certain other adjustments of a firearm may be taught and demonstrated. I have illustratively shown an arrangement whereby the wall 29 is provided with a pair of spaced parallel slit 44, adapted to accommodate a movable strip 45 which extends out of one slit and into the other and i thus shiftable transversely across the wall 29. I have illustratively shown a second set of spaced par.- allel slits 46 arranged at right angles to the first set, adapted to accommodate a movable strip which extends into one slit and out of the other and is thus longitudinally shiftable with respect to the wall 29. r This arrangement of parts is indicated most clearly in Figure 8, and it will be observed that the strip 41 is ultimately positioned beneath the flap 35, while the strip 45 is at least partially protected by the fiap 33. These movable strips are thus accommodated within the pocket or space defined by the wall 29 and the flaps 32 and 33. An additional strip, similar to the strip 45, can be arranged at the opposite end of the wall 29, if desired.

In Figure 2 I have illustrated the appearance of these strips on the exterior of the structure. A fixed mark 48, such as an arrow or the like, is provided on the wall 29 adjacent to the visible portion of the strip 45. The exposed surface of this strip may be provided with suitable mark,- ings, as indicated, which simulate the markings of an elevation adjuster of the firearm. By shift,-

ing the strip 45, the markings on the strip will as sume varying relationships to the fixed mark 48 and the student may thus learn the general nature of this type of adjuster, and the significance of establishing differentrelationships between the fixed and the movable markings. p

Similarly, certain fixed markings 49 are arranged on the wall 29 adjacent to the exposed portion of the strip 41, to simulate the markings the exposed face of the strip 41 is provided with a mark, such as the arrow 50, which may be caused to assume varying positions along the set of marks 4!), depending upon the shifting movements of the strip 41.

The strips 45 and may be shifted in any desired manner, by engaging the strips at the edges, or pushing them with a finger, but I prefer to provide in each strip a small opening 5! into which the tip of a pencil or equivalent pointed element may be inserted, this engagement facilitating the desired longitudinal movements of the strips.

It will be observed that the adjustments of the movable strips 45 and 41, and such other strips of similar character as may be provided in the rear pocket of the structure, do not interfere with the manipulation and adjustments of the elements in the front pocket of the structure. Nevertheless, the slitted wall 29 constitutes, at least in part, a rear wall for the front pocket, while the wall 28 constitutes, at least in part, a front wall for the rear pocket. The structure is thus a selfcontained, compact, and unitary device, and the movable parts are all safely accommodated and retained in their respective positions on the interior of the structure.

It will be understood that the device may readily be modified to suit difiering requirements, without altering its basic nature and characteristics. For example, while I have shown the preferred way of using two separate movable elements in the front pocketfit might under certain circumstances be desirable to provide a front-sight simulation 60 as a permanent part of the wall 28, thereby leaving for adjustment only a single movable element bearing a target simulation; or the target may be depicted in a permanent relationship to the window 36, leaving for adjustment a simulation of the corresponding front sight of the firearm. Also, the simulation of the rear sight may assume forms other than the circular window which I have herein shown, depending upon the nature of the actual firearm rear sight which it is intended to simulate.

Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to employ a structure having only a single pocket, although the double-pocket construction herein illustrated and described has proven both desirable and useful.

In general, it will be understood that the details herein described and illustrated may be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scop of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an educational device of the character described, a flat element provided with a portion simulating the rear sight of a firearm, means associated with said element for simulating the appearance of the corresponding front sight when viewed through the rear sight, and a flat element provided with a portion simulating the appearance of a target when viewed through the rear sight, said last-named element being arranged behind the first-named element for relative endwise movements which bring the target into various relationships to said sights includ- 'ing incorrect relationships which should not exist as well as a correct relationship which should exist when the firearm is properly aimed.

2. In an educational device of the character described, a flat element provided with a portion simulating the rear sight of a firearm, a flat element provided with a portion simulating the appearance of the corresponding front sight when viewed through the rear sight, and another flat element provided with a portion simulating the appearance of a target when viewed through the rear sight, said last-named element being arranged behind the first-named element for independent relative endwise movements which bring the sights and target into various relationships to one another including incorrect relationships which should not exist as well as a correct relationship which should exist when the firearm is properly aimed.

3. In an educational device, the elements set forth in claim 2, each of the movable elements having a portion acoessibly arranged for manipulation thereof.

4. In an educational device, the elements set forth in claim 2, said rear sight simulation comprising a substantially circular window in said first-named element, said element having apertures therein on opposite sides of said window, said movable elements having portions accessible through said apertures respectively for manipulations thereof.

5. In an educational device, the elements set forth in claim 2, one of said movable elements having a notch therein, the other movable element being positioned within said notch, whereby said elements are retained in overlapping relationship.

6. In an educational device, the elements set forth in claim 2, one of said movable elements having a notch therein, the other movable ele ment being positioned Within said notch, whereby said elements are retained in overlapping relationship, the front side of the notch constituting the simulation of the front sight.

7. In an educational device of the character described, a fiat cardboard structure comprising superposed front and rear walls, flaps arranged on certain edges of each wall and folded inwardly into the space between said walls, the space between each wall and the flaps carried by it defining a flat pocket, and at least one flat element in each pocket mounted for endwise movement therein and provided with a portion which is exteriorly accessible for manipulation of said element, each of said elements having an exteriorly visible portion whose movements relative to the corresponding wall of the structure simulate the various relationships assumed by the aim-controlling parts of a firearm during the process of adjusting and aiming it including incorrect relationships which should not exist as well as a set of correct relationships which must exist when the firearm is properly adjusted and aimed.

8. In an educational device of the character described, a fiat cardboard structure comprising a blank folded upon itself to define superposed front and rear walls, flaps arranged on certain edges of the front wall and folded inwardly into the space between said walls so as to define a fiat pocket between said flaps and the front wall, said front wall having a window therein simulating the rear sight of a firearm, a flat element mounted in said pocket for endwise adjustment therein and having a portion movable into various visible positions with respect to said window, said portion simulating the appearance of the corresponding front sight of the firearm when viewed through the rear sight, registering openings in the front and rear walls and in the flap portions between them through which said element is accessible for manipulation thereof to control its adjustments, a second fiat element mounted in said pocket for endwise adjustment therein and having a portion movable into various visible positions with respect to said window, said portion simulating the appearance of a target when viewed through the rear sight, another set of registering openings in the front and rear walls and in the flap portions between them through which said target-simulating element is independently accessible for manipulation thereof to control its adjustments, frictional means interengaging said elements to yieldably impede the freedom of their relative movements, and frictional means interposed between at least one of said elements and a portion of the structure to yieldably impede the freedom of movement of said element.

9. In an educational device of the character described, a fiat cardboard structure comprising superposed front and rear walls having two sets of registering apertures therein, the front wall having also an opening simulating the rear sight of a firearm, a flat cardboard element mounted for endwise movement in the space between said walls and provided with a portion which is exteriorly accessible through one set of registering apertures for manipulation of said element, said element being provided with a portion visible through said front wall opening and simulating the appearance of the front sight of the firearm when viewed through the'rear sight, and a second flat cardboard element mounted for independent endwise movement in the space between said walls and provided with a portion which is exteriorly accessible through the other set of registering apertures for manipulation of said element, said last-named element being provided with a portion visible through said front wall opening and simulating the appearance of a target when viewed through the rear sight, the movements of said flat interior elements relative dated.

to each other and to the front wall opening simulating various relationships between the sights of a firearm and a targetduring the process of aiming the firearm at said target including incorrect relationships which should not exist as well as a set of correct relationships which should exist when the firearm is properly aimed;

10. In an educational device as set forth in claim 9, said front wall being provided on certain of its edges with flaps folded inwardly into the space between said walls to define a pocket between said flaps and front wall within which said movable interior elements are accommo- JOHN V. HORR.

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