US2652820A - Target throwing machine - Google Patents

Description

sept. 22, "1953 G. H. DARRELL 652,820

TARGET THROWING MACHINE sept. 22, 1953 G. H. DARRELL TARGET THRowING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 10, 1950 Sept. 22, 1953 G. H. DARRELL TARGET THRowING MACHINE- 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 10,' 1950 .l l (lili.

QN NY RY Sept. 22, 1953 G. H. DARRELL 2,652,320

TARGET THROWING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1o, 195o 7 sheets-sheet 4 Sept. 22, 1953 I G, H, DARRELL 2,652,820

V TARGET THRowING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10, 1950 i '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 T* ff? "19a i f/ 64 jj? f/ 94 a /j' L tf1 14.941 l"' Sept. 22, 1953 G. H. DARRELL 2,652,820

TARGET THROWING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1o, 195o 7 sheets-sheet e Sept. 22, 1953 G. H. DARRELL TARGET THROWING MACHINE '7 Sheets-SheetI '7 Filed Jan. 10, 1950 Jildeuk' Patented Sept. 22, 1953 TARGET THROWING MACHINE George H. Darrell, Dedham, Mass., assignor to Remington Arms Company, Inc., Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application January 10, 1950, Serial No. 137,741

Claims.

This invention relates to target throwing traps and more particularly to power operated traps of the type wherein targets are automatically fed from a magazine to a throwing arm. A trap of this kind is described in the inventors Patent No. 2,531,613, issued November 28, 1950, and the present inventions are to a considerable extent improvements on the patented trap.

Objects of this invention are to provide a target throwing trap which is automatic in operation, which operates rapidly and smoothly, which does not jam, which keeps target breakage to a minimum, which operates with a minimum of vibration and shock, which does not require a permanent base, which has provision for adjustment of the flight angle of the targets, which is simple and rugged in construction, and which advances the art of target throwing generally.

,In one aspect the invention contemplates a target trap comprising a pivotally mounted throwing arm which is moved by one or more main power springs from a set position, wherein the targets to be thrown are successively placed either directly upon the arm or upon a carrier plate associated therewith, toa target releasingposition. The throwing arm is restrained in the set position by locking means until tripped preferably by means operated by the power source which also supplies the power for the remaining elements .of the trap, .so that the main power springs rapidly rotate the throwing arm to the target releasing position. To reduce the vibration and shock to a minimum, the varm is decelerated .by a brake after it moves by the target releasing position. The power source, which is preferably an electric motor, drives timed means for timing the sequence rof operation of the various elements of the trap during the operating cycle. After the throwing arm or carrier has been stopped by the brake, the power-actuated timed means or power transmitting assembly releases the spring loading means, to enable the return of the vcarrier without stressing the power springs. Thereafter, the power transmitting assembly acts .to str-ess or cock the power .springs land to effect the delivery of a target from the magazine to the carrier.

In a further aspect the timed means comprises a plurality o'f cammed surfaces selectively coupled to the motor by means of a clutch which upon engagement vcauses the cammed surfaces to complete one operating cycle before releasing. During this operating cycle one of the lcammed surfaces releases the spring loading means after the arm has been moved `to the target releasing position so that a second cammed surface can operate a lever to return the throwing arm to the set position wherein the arm is restrained by the locking means, for example a detent, as a third cammed surface operates the gripping means of the target magazine. The first cammed surface then operates the spring loading means to exert a loading force upon the main springs. Because of the large force exerted by the main springs, the detent locking the arm in the set position is preferably tripped by power operated means for example by a nger moved by an element of the timed means.

In another aspect the lthrowing arm has a rail extending along one side thereof as a guide for the target as it is thrown. One end of the arm has a hollow sleeve which surrounds a shaft projecting from the frame of the trap in a substantially vertical vdirection so `that the `arm can pivot between the set vposition and the target releasing position. A spring biased finger is pivotally connected to the arm adjacent the sleeve so that a cammed surface moves the linger from under the bottom target in the magazine when the arm is in the set position vand the gripping means lowered to place a target upon the arm, the finger being released upon raising of the gripping means to force the target against the rail so that the target has a spinning motion imparted thereto b y the rail upon movement of the `arm to the target releasing position.

In one Specific aspect the brake comprises a brake drum secured to the sleeve of the throwing arm and having a braking surface surrounded by a brake band having one end secured to the frame. The other end of the brake band is fastened to one arm of a bell crank which is pivotally connected to the frame. A spring is provided to urge the bell crank in such a direction as to tighten the band upon the brake surface thus applying the brake. A second arm of the bell crank bears against a cammed surface carried by the brake drum. This cammed surface is arranged to maintain the bell crank against the force of the spring in such position that the brake is released as the throwing arm moves to the target releasing position whereupon the cammed surface permits the crank to move to tighten the band gradually thus decelerating the arm after it has proceeded beyond the target releasing position.

In a further specific aspect the target magazine includes gripping means having a stationary jaw and a pivotally mounted movable jaw' oppositely disposed to grip the bottom target of a stack held by the magazine. The stationary jaw is normally held by the upper end of a supporting member so that the stack is out of the path of the throwing arm. The arm of the member is also pivotally connected to the movable jaw in such a manner as to keep the jaw closed thereby to support the stack of targets. During the portion of the operating cycle in which the target is deposited upon the throwing arm (or associated carrier plate), the supporting member is moved downwardly by a linkage which is operated by the timed means thereby to lower the target stack. When the bottom target is adjacent the throwing arm, the stationary jaw contacts a stop so that further travel of the linkage moves the supporting member to open the movable jaw thus depositing the target stack upon the arm. The

return movement of the linkage closes the movable jaw upon the next to the bottom target and then raises the stack out of the path of the arm.

Further objects will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a side elevation View of the target throwing trap in the set or cocked position;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation view of the trap shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the trap shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View on line 4 4 of Fig. 1 with the gear box cover removed;

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a partial sectional View on line 1 -'I of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional View on line 8-8 of Fig. 1';

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View showing the details of the brake operating mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary View showing the details of the finger for positioning the targets upon the throwing arm;

Fig. 1l is a fragmentary View showing the target magazine lowered and the gripper jaw open to deposit the bottom target upon the throwing arm;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view showing the target magazine raised and the gripper jaw closed on the next to the bottom target of the stack;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view showing the der tails of the latch for restraining the throwing arm in the set position; and

Fig. 14 illustrates a target or bird of the type thrown by the trap.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the target trap chosen for the purpose of illustration comprises a base 23 having two upwardly projecting bosses 26 whereupon is pivotally carried a frame 22. Added rigidity for the bosses 26 is provided by a connecting web 2'! (Fig, 2). The pivotal connection between the bosses 2S and the frame 22 is made` by bolts 24 which pass through apertures near the respective ends of the correlated bosses to engage threaded holes in the bosses 28 and 30 (Fig. 3) projecting from lower portion of the frame.

As is best shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the frame 22 comprises two vertical walls 32 and 34 joined by a bottoni piece 38 and at their ends by the end pieces 38 and 48 which pieces are preferably cast integrally with the walls t0 form a gear box having a separate cover 35 (Fig. 1). As is shown in Fig. 3 the boss 38 laterally projects considerably further from the wall 34 than the opposing boss 28 projects from the opposite wall 32 so that the gear box is offset with respect to the center line of the base 20. The frame 22 is prevented from pivoting with respect to the base 20 by inea-ns of a threaded rod 42 (Figs. 1 and 2) the lower end of which engages a threaded aperture near one end of the base being locked therein by a nut 44. The rod 42 also carries two other nuts 4S which engage respectively the curvilinear top and bottom surfaces of a nger 48 which projects laterally from the wall 34 near the bottom of the gear box. As will appear later, movement of the nuts 48 along the rod 42 changes the angular relationship between the frame 22 and the base 28 and thereby the angle of elevation at which the targets are thrown by the trap.

Additional lateral stability is provided by two bosses 58 which are spaced at the same lateral distance as the bosses 28. Connection between the bosses 5G and the frame 22 is made by the bolts 52 which pass through the slotted apertures 54 in the bosses so that they do not interfere with the pivotal action of the frame. The threaded portions of the bolts 52 engage the respective ends of a shaft 58 (Figs. 3 and 6) which extends through the gear box. A hub 58 of a dual lever 88, whose function will be described hereinafter surround the portion of the shaft 56 extending beyond the gear box thereby to act as a spacer between the wall 34 and the corresponding boss 58, so that the shaft provides a fulcrum for the lever.

Power for operating the trap is supplied from a power source such as the electric motor M which is bolted to the end 40 of the gear box as is shown in Fig. 5. The output shaft `of the motor M is provided with a V-pulley 52 which is coupled to a large sheave 34 by means of a V-belt B5. The sheave 54 is carried upon the projecting end of a shaft 38 which is journaled in the ball bearings 'E8 (Fig. 4) fitted in bosses in the gear box walls 32 and 34. The shaft 88 also carries a pinion 'I2 (see also Fig. 5) engaging a gear 14 upon a shaft 15. The ends of the shaft 15 are journaled in bearings secured in the walls 32 and 34 of the gear box. A second pinion 18 (Fig. 5) is also secured to the shaft 'i6 which pinion engages a large gear 80. The gear is carried upon, but not secured to a shaft 82 one end of which is journaled in a ball bearing 84 (Fig. 6) secured in the gear box wall 32. The opposite end of the shaft 32 is journaled in a ball bearing 86 held in the end of a hollow boss 88 extending from the wall 34 so that the overhang of a cam 90, whose functions and details of construction will be described in detail hereinafter, carried upon the projecting end of the shaft is reduced to a minimum. The cam 98 is secured to the shaft 82 by means of a pin such as the bolt 9i which passes through aligned apertures in the shaft and the hub of the cam.

Also carried by the shaft 82 is a ratchet wheel 92 having a series of indentations upon its periphery. The wheel 32 and the gear 80 are tied together by a spacer 95 so that they are continuously rotated as a unit upon the shaft 82 by the motor M and the speed reducing drive described heretofore.

The ratchet wheel 32 is one element of a single revolution clutch. The remainder of the clutch comprises a curved pawl S4 (Fig. 5) pivoted at one end 98 to a restraining cover member 98 which surrounds the pawl so that its outward travel is limited. A tooth |83 for engaging the indentations of the ratchet wheel 92 projects from the inner surface of the pawl 94 substantially midway .betweenathe ends thereof. ipawlf94 is Afurgedinwardly so .that fthetooth .|500

The

rengages one fof .the indentation's of 'the Aratchet pressed fbetween ithefouter surface of .the pawl 94 and the inner :surface ofthe restraining imember 68. .The Asidewall |04 of restraining member 98 Vis Vformed :integrally with a hub |06 fastened 'to .the shaft 82 "bymeans of a bolt |08 so that `when `the tooth y| `engages `the `ratchet Wheel 92, `the shaft :.82 is rotated by the motor :M by means of the :speed reducing drive y.described heretofore.

Normally such rotation -of .the 1shaft82 'is prevented by a latch or detent .||.0 (Fig. 5) which is .pivotally carried fby va shaft |2 projecting through the wall132 of the gearbox. A spacer M4 (Fig. 4) positions -the detent ||0 rso that the `end thereof is maintained in v'contact with the `end |f6 (Fig. 5) of the pawl 94 `by a spring |48 whicheX-tends between the gear Iboxand the end `of one arm :of a bell ycrank fastened `to the @outer fendof the lever. The pawl 94 is released :by an electrical solenoid |22 whose armature `is :coupled 'to the end of the bell crank |20 `by a link .|24 so that -energization of the solenoid rotates the shaft ||2 to raise the detent |=|'0. From the .foregoing .it will :be .apparent that if vthe solenoid |22 'is momentarily energized the detent H0 is lifted permitting -the spring |02 to force the ytooth ,|00 into -one of the indentations of the ratchet After `the upon the outer surface of the pawl restraining ,member 98 until it again drops into the path of ithepawl 94 so that the shaft82 and -attachedfcam ,90 .complete .a V'single complete revolution thereby throwing one targetas will be-described in detail below. If the solenoid A.|22 is maintained enerfg-ized :the clutch remains in engagement so that the cam -90 continuously repeats the throwing cycle. vIt is also possible to re the trap manually, the bell crank |20 .having an arm |26 with van 4aperture in the end thereof for attaching a .lanya-rd (notshown) whereby the detent |0 may .be lifted.

The .cam 90 has three cammed surfaces |28, .and |32 (Fig. l) which are the -timed means by which the sequence of operation of the various elements of the trap .are controlled. The surface Y|28 ycontrols the spring loading means, the surface |30 operates Ithe target magazine, and the -surface |32 the mechanism for returning Va throwing arm |34 to a set or cocked position -as will -be .described in `detail below.

The throwing arm |34 comprises a platform |29 (Figs. l and 2) having a rail |31 raised along one side of the top thereof by spacers |39. The rail |31 is provided with a buffer strip |4| of yieldable material, such as rubber, which `bears against the target being thrown so as to impart ya spinning motion thereto as the arm |34 fis rotated, as will be described below. One end `of the arm |34 is bolted to a tongue |33 (see also Fig. 10) which is welded or otherwise attached to a hollow sleeve |36 (Fig. 1) arranged circumjacent a hollow shaft |38 so that the bottom end of the sleeve rests upon a split boss |42 which vacts both as a clamp for securing the shaft |38 and as a thrust bearing for sustaining the weight of the vcomplete arm assembly. As is best shown in Fig. 4 the boss |42 is carried at the outer end of a triangular web |43 extending laterally from the top of the frame 2.2. Upward movement Iof the sleeve |36 is prevented by a collar |35 which is secured tothe shaft 4|3'8 immediately above the `tongue |33 `for example kby a pin or setscrew.

Until ktripped'or released, as described below, the arm |34 `is restrained against the force exerted by three main power :springs by latching -means such as the detent best illustrated yin Fig. .1.3, .which Ydetent comprises .a finger |46 attached to the 'arm sleeve |36 and. 'having a notch -|48 .ifor engaging asimilar notch `|50 .in afla'tchrmember of a v'bell crank |52 which is pivotally .conn'ected toan extension |45 (Fig. 8) from the web |543 sof the frame '22 -asat |54. 'To prevent rapid vwear of the notch surfaces, hardened ipins |49 and |51 Lare incorporated .in the finger |46 .and the bell crank |52 respectively. The other Varm |556 ofthe bell crank |52 Vhas a finger |53 (Fig. 8) which is engaged by Va projection |51 extending efr-om the 4side of the -central portion of the cam 90 which :carries the cammed surface |28. This :projection |51 is so yoriented that it is adjacent the :iinger |53 at the end of the arm |56 when the lclutch pawl 94 (Fig. J5) contacts the clutch 4detent H0 -wherebyengaging of theclutch immediately `moves the bell crank |52 to unlatch the '-throwingarm detent thus permitting the arm |34 to be yrota-ted to the 'target releasing position.

.Power :for rotating `the throwing arm |34 is provided by `the .three helically wound main springs |54 and |55 as mentioned above. As is best :show-n :in Figs. 1 and '1, the springs |54 and |55 .are compressed between two spring seats |58 and |59. The spring seat |58 is connected toa cross- -head |60 by means of rods |62 which pass through the springs |55 respectively. One end of each rod |82 is .pinned to a correlated end of the cross- .head |60. The opposite end of each 'rod |62 .passes through Van aperture in the seat |58 and is threaded to 'engage the nuts |64. The midpoint of the crosshead |60 is connected to vone vend of a chain |6| `the other end of which passes around the rsleeve `|36 of the arm `|34 to connect with a vringer |63 extending radially from the sleeve. The seat |59 is coupled to Aone end of a rod |66 which passes through the central spring |54 so that its opposite -end projects through an aligned -aperture in the seat |58. The projecting end of the rod |66 also passes through an aperture in the end of the dual spring loading lever 63 (Fig. 1) which rod end is threaded -to accom- `modate an adjustable hand nut |168 against which bears the end ofthe spring loading lever 60. The nut |68 is locked in adjusted position by means of acheck Anut `A roller 10 (Fig. 1) is rotatably carried between the ldual arms of the spring loading lever 60 approximately midway between the arm yends vso that the roller bears against the cammed surface |28 of the timing -cam 90. From the fore*- `going it will be evident that with the arm |34 restrained in the set or cocked position by the nger |46, as described heretofore, the movement `of the upper end of the lever 60 to the `right (as seen in Fig. 1) by the rotation of the cammed surface |28 compresses the main power springs |54 and |55 between the seat |53 held stationary .by .the restrained `throwing arm |34 and the seat |59 moved by the arm 60. The cammed surface |23 is indented as at |12 wherein the roller |10 drops when the main springs are fully loaded at which set position is correlated with position in kwhich the clutch pawl 94 (Fig. 5) is restrained by the detent ||0. The indentation |12 positively locates the set position and prevents the large force exerted by the compressed main ksprings from rotating the timing cam in a reverse direction.

The cammed surface |32 which returns the throwing arm |34 from the target releasing position to the set position, bears against a projection upon a cam following lever arm |24 (Fig. 1) which is pivotally connected to the wall 34 of the gear box as at V56. The lever arm |'a'4 is maintained in Contact with the cammed surface |32 by a spring VES which extends between an aperture in the upper end of the arm and a pin |80 projecting outwardly from the gear box wall 34. It will be noted that the end of the pin |89 also acts as a stop for the arm |56 (Fig. 4) of the bell crank |52. The end of the lever arm |14 is provided with a laterally projecting nger |82 (Fig. 2) for engaging a circumferential groove in a block 5.24 slidingly mounted upon a rod |86. A spring |88 is also mounted circumjacently the rod |80 so that one end thereof bears against the sliding block |84 and the opposite end is restrained by a circular nut |90 which threadingly engages the extending end of the rod. The opposite end of the rod 86 is connected to one end of a chain |92 whose opposite end is connected to a finger |94 (Fig. 7) extending from the sleeve |36 of the throwing arm |34 so that movement of the lever arm |14 compresses the spring |88 thereby moving the rod |86 and chain |92 to rotate the throwing arm |34 back to the set position.

The third cammed surface |30 operates the target feeding magazine through a linkage including an offset lever |98 (Fig. 1) which is pivotally connected as at |98 to the wall 34 of the gear box. One end of the lever |96 carries a roller 200 which bears against the cammed surface |30. The other end of the lever |93 is pivotally secured to a tubular piece 202 having internal threads which engage the threaded end of a push rod 284. A check nut 20B prevents relative movement between the rod 204 and the tubular piece 202. The push rod 204 extends upwardly7 through the hollow shaft |38 (Fig. 1) which acts as a pivot for the throwing arm as described heretofore.

The bottom end of the shaft |38 is pinched in the aperture in the split boss |42 by the cap screws 201. The upper end of the shaft |38 has secured thereto a support member 208 (Figs. 1 and 3) the extending end of which is bifurcated having two laterally extending circular arms 2|0 L at the end of each of which is bolted respectively a vertical guide strip 2| A similar guide strip 2|2 is bolted to the junction of the two circular arms 2|@ which have such a radius that the strips 2|| and 2|2 provide three equally spaced guides for a stack of targets similar to the target T shown in Fig. 14. Additional support for the guides 2|| and 2|2 is provided by the similarly shaped arms 2|4 (Fig. 1) of an upper support member.

The shaft |39 also slidably supports the gripping means for the target stack which means comprises a movable jaw 2|6 and a relativley stationary jaw 2|8. The stationary jaw 2|8 includes two bosses 220 and 222 having axially aligned apertures which slidably engage the outer surface of the hollow shaft |38. The bosses 220 and 222 are connected by a U-shaped member 224 whose lower corner carries two yieldable gripper rolls 226 made for example of rubber. The movable jaw 2 I9 is also U-shaped and supports similar gripper rolls 228 upon the cross piece thereof as is best shown in Fig. 2. The ends of the legs of the movable jaw are pivotally supported from curvilinear arms 230 which extend fio from the opposite sides respectively of the U- shaped member 224 of the stationary jaw 2|8. The movable jaw 2lb` is rotated with respect to the stationary jaw 2|8 by means of an arm 232 one end of which is integrally attached to one leg of the movable jaw. The arm 232 is curvilinear and provided with an oiTset, as is shown in Figs. l and 3, so that the opposite end thereof is adjacent the portion of the shaft |38 situated between the bosses 220 and 222 of the stationary jaw 2&8. The jaws 2|6 and 2|8 are biased to open the gripper rolls 22e` and 228 by a spring 234 the ends of which are connected respectively to the arm 238 and the member 224.

A pin 236 projects laterally from the end of the arm 232 through a slotted aperture 238 in the wall of the hollow shaft |38 so that the end of the push rod 294 contacts such pin. The sta.- tionary jaw 2 i3 is biased downwardly by a spring 248 arranged about the shaft |38 between the bottom of the support member 208 and the top of the boss 229. The downward movement of the stationary jaw is limited by a threaded pin 242 engaging a threaded aperture in the boss 220 so that its lower end contacts the upper surface of the end of the arm 232.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the raised portion of the cammed surface |30 will elevate the push rod 204 to hold the gripper jaws 2|@ and 2|?. normally closed in an elevated position so that they grasp the bottom target thus holding the stack out of the path of the throwing arm |34. After the arm |34 has been returned to the set position by the cammed surface E32 as has been described in detail heretofore, the cammed surface |30 moves the lever |96 to gradually lower the push rod 204 thus lowering the entire gripping means until the bottom target Ti (Fig. 11) of the stack is adjacent the top of the throwing arm. In this position the boss 222 of the stationary jaw 2|8 rests upon the collar |35. Further downward movement of the push rod 294 permits the spring 234 to rotate the movable jaw 2|6 about the pivotal connection with the arms 230 so that the gripper rollsV 226 and 228 drop the stack upon the arm |34 as is shown in Fig. 11. The cammed surface |30 then raises the push rod 204 thereby closing the gripper rolls 225 and 228 upon the next to the bottom target T2. Further upward movement of the push rod 204 causes the arm 232 to contact the pin 242 thereby raising the gripping means and stack of targets out of the path of the arm |34 as is shown in Fig. 12.

The lower stationary jaw boss 222 is provided with a vertically arranged pin 244. As the gripping means descend to deposit a target upon the arm |34 as described above, the lower end of the pin 244 contacts a bent tab 246 (Fig. l0) carried upon a finger 249. The nger is pivotally fastened to the arm tongue |33 by means of a bolt 250 and biased inwardly by a spring 252 the ends of which are connected to a pin projecting upward from the throwing arm platform |29 and the finger 248 respectively so that contacting of the bent tab 249 by the pin 244, as the target stack descends, moves the nger out of the path thereof. The outward movement of the finger 248 is limited by a tail portion 254 which bears against the side of the collar |35. After the target T| has been deposited upon the throwing arm as described heretofore, the finger 248 is released by the pin 244 upon the elevating of the target stack whereupon the force of the spring 252 moves the finger 248 inwardly so that the hooked end 256 thereof; forces the target Tl. into engagement with theV throwing arm rail |.31-. The hooked; end 256 also restrains the target until the arm- |34 has been` accelerated sufciently so that centrifugal force holds the target against the rail |31 whereupon the nger- 248 is moved outwardly to releasethetarget. Such movement is accomplished by a rol-ler 258 attached. tov the finger |46 so asA to be adjacent a cutaway: sector 259I of the collar when thev arm4 |34 is inthe set position and which ridesv up onto the outer circumference of theA collar as the arm is. moved towards the target releasing. position.v

After the arm4 |34 has passed the target releasing position it is decelerated graduallyy to avoid shock and` vibration thus reducing the. wear and tear.' upon the trap and eliminating the. necessity of securing thev trap to a permanent base. Such deceleration is accomplished` by a brake comprising a brakev band 263.V (Fig. 1) arranged circumjacent the brake surface of a brake drum |46 which is fastened to the end of the throwing arm sleeve |38 immediately above the boss |42. As is best shown in Fig. 8, one end of the brake band 266v is riveted to a fastener 26| which. en'-i metal straps 264 having aligned aperturesv inthe extending ends` thereof through which passes a bolt 265 securing an eyebolt 266. The threaded end of the eyebolt 266 engages an aperture in a vertical nger atthe end of' one of.v the` arms 266 of a bell crank 216 being secured. therein by nuts 212. The bell crank 216 isv pivotally mounted upon4 the pin |54 which also. carries the bell crank |52 for releasing the throwing arm detent, as described in detail heretofore.

As is shown in Fig. 9, the bell crank 216. has an arm 214 which contacts a cammed surface 216 which is an integral part of the drum |46 being located immediately below the brake surface thereof. Ihe end of the arm 214 is maintained in Contact with the surface 216 by a spring 2 18 located. circumjacent a threaded pin 286 extending from the sidewall 34 of the frame 22irnmediately below the stop |86 (Fig. l). One end of the spring 218 bears against a knurled nut 262.` The other end of the spring 216 contacts the bifurcated arm 284 ofthe crank 216 so that the crank is urged in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top. The cammed surface 2161 arranged so that thel contactingarm 214 is forced outwardly against the force exerted by the spring 218 thereby releasing the brake band 266 during the travel of the throwing arm from the set position to the target releasing position. As the target releasing position is reached the end of the arm 214 is in contact with the declivous portion 286 (Fig. 9) of the cammed surface 216 so that the spring is permitted to rotate the bell crank 210 thus gradually tightening the brake band 266 to bring the throwing arm |24 to rest without shock or vibration.

The above described automatic trap is very simple in operation. 'I'he target magazine is loaded with a stack of targets with the bottom target held by the gripper rolls 226 and 228. The motor M is connected to a conventional power source (not shown) thereby continuously rotating the clutch ratchet wheel 92 (Fig. 5) by means of the speed reducing gear and belt drive described above. The trap is cocked by momentarily energizing the solenoid |22 from the power source by means ofa switch (not shown.) preferably of the conventional push buttonA type. Energization of the solenoid |22 lifts the detent I6 thuspermittingthe shaft 82 and the attached tim-ing cam 86y to make one completerevolution. During approximately the rst 166 degrees of revolution the spring loading lever 66 is moved byl the cammed surface |28 first to release. and thenA gradually to` load the main. power springs |54 and |55A so that the throwing arm |34` is cocked. As` the spring loading operation is beingcompleted the cammed surface |38 moves the push rod 264 thereby lowering the gripping means to deposit the lowermost target ofA the stack upon the throwing arm |34, the. target being restrained` by the nger 248 as described heretofore. This operation is completed and the stack raised out of thepath of the throwing arm |2341! before the rotation of the cam Qllis stopped after onecomplete revolution by the detent I 6.

Upon completion of the above operations, the trap is loaded and cocked` so that it is prepared tor throw the target upon the throwing arm. |34. The trap is fired by momentarily energizing the solenoid |22 a second time so that the timed cam 86 makes a second complete revolution. As the cam 6|)I starts to rotate, the projection |51 on the side of the cam contacts the nger |53 at the end of the arm |56 to release the detent |46 so that the throwing arm |34v is moved from the set position to the target releasing position by the main springs |54 and |55. During such movement the target is released by the nger 248, the target being subsequently held against the rail |31 by centrifugal force until it is thrown off the end of the arm withk a spinning motion which is imparted thereto by the rail so that the target flies true.

After the target is released the throwing arm |34 is gradually decelerated to a stop by the brake drum |46 whereupon the cammed surface |32 moves the reset lever |14 to return the throwing arm |34 to the set position. The cammed surl faces |28 andv |36 then load the main springs |54 and |55 and deposit another target on the throwingarm |34, as described above, so that the trap is again loaded and cocked. Succeeding targets are thrown by successively momentarily energize ing the solenoidv |22 to repeat the above operating cycle. If the solenoid |22 is continuously saggiare-f., the ,detent il is* lifieeutfif rath gf the P2M/1 9.4 sa that the Cem 90. rotates 011: tinuously therebythrowing succeeding targets as rapidly as the trap can complete its operating cycle.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A target trap comprising a main frame having a target carrier rotatably held thereon, spring means for causing said carrier to perform a target throwing movement from a cocked position to a fired position; said spring means comprising a plurality of spring guide rods, a crosshead joining end portions of said guide rods, a connection from said crosshead to said carrier, a plate forming a spring power transmitting seat and joining said guide rods adjacent the ends thereof remote from said crosshead, a spring abutment movably held on said guide rods, and a plurality of power springs held on said guide rods respectively between said abutment and said plate.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for retaining said spring abutment in nXed position during the throwing movement of said carrier.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, comprising means for restoring said carrier to cocked position and means for releasing said abutment from said retaining means as the carrier completes its target throwing movement, thus enabling displacement of said abutment by thrust transmitted thereto by said springs during the return oi said carrier to cocked position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising means for moving said abutment relative to said plate to stress said springs after said carrier has been restored to cocked position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which said abutment moving means comprises a rod joined to said abutment, said rod passing through an aperture in said plate and being provided with a head engaged by a power driven operator.

6. The combination with a target throwing trap comprising a main frame, a target carrier pivoted in said main frame, a power spring assembly for causing said carrier to move from a cocked position to a red position; of means for stopping the throwing movement of said carrier adjacent iired position without substantial resistance to the return movement of said carrier, said means comprising a brake drum and a cam mounted for rotational movement with said carrier, a brake band adapted to engage said brake drum, a pivoted member joined to said brake band and comprising a follower for said cam, and a spring acting on said pivoted member to hold said cam follower in contact with said cam and when permitted by the contour of said cam to engage said brake band with said brake drum.

7. In a target throwing trap comprising a main frame, a target carrier pivoted in said main frame, a power spring assembly comprising a movable spring abutment and a plurality of power springs engaging said abutment and causing said carrier to perform a target throwing movement from a cocked position to a fired position, a latch device for retaining said carrier in cocked position, means for actuating said latch device to free said carrier, a friction brake for stopping said carrier in red position without substantial resistance to return movement of said carrier, a target holding magazine, and means for delivering targets one at a' time from said magazine to said carrier; the combination com-V prising a source of power; a power transmitting assembly; clutch devices for coupling said power transmitting assembly to said source of power; means for actuating said latch to release said carrier for target throwing movement, means for actuating said brake to stop the throwing movement of said carrier, means for eirecting the displacement of said abutment to enable return of said carrier 'without stressing said power springs, means for returning said carrier to cocked position, means for returning said abutment to stress said power springs, and means for actuating said target delivery means to effect delivery of a target from said magazine to said carrier; said power transmitting assembly comprising elements for actuating each of said means in the recited sequence.

8. Apparatus according to claim '7, comprising a iinger adapted to complete the movement of a target into throwing position on said carrier, means urging said linger into engagement with a target as delivered from said magazine, and means associated with said magazine for restraining said nger from such movement during the delivery of a target and freeing said iinger as target delivery is completed.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which said carrier pivot comprises a hollow boss and said target delivery means comprises a thrust rod extending upwardly through said hollow boss.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which said target delivery means comprises an assembly or target stack gripping jaws adapted for vertical reciprocating movement, said jaw assembly comprising a jaw iiXed for rectilinear movement and a second jaw mounted on and for movement relative to said first jaw, and means whereby said relatively movable jaw is engaged by said thrust rod.

GEORGE H. DARRELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name f Date 1,663,780 Spangler Mar. 27, 1928 2,135,603 Roth Nov. 8, 1938 2,245,258 Darrell June 10, 1941 2,310,746 Parker Feb. 9, 1943 2,531,613 Darrell Nov. 28, 1950

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