Patent ID: 6325376
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: F41J

Abstract:
A device for raising and lowering a target and for selectively stopping the target at any point of extension or retraction comprising:A) a support frame secured to a base, said support frame including a pair of parallel, spaced apart guide frame bars secured to said base, each of said guide frame bars being provided with a guide frame rail;B) a target carrier assembly positioned between said guide frame bars and moveable along the length thereof, said target carrier assembly including:1) guide rail wheels which engage said guide frame rails; and2) means for receiving a target;C) target positioning apparatus for raising and lowering said carrier assembly and selectively stopping said assembly at a variety of points, said target positioning apparatus including:1) a cylinder pivotally mounted at one end to said frame, said cylinder having an internally mounted, moveable piston with the interior of said cylinder being coupled to a source of fluid under pressure;2) control means for selectively directing said fluid under pressure to at least one side of said piston, thereby causing movement of said piston within said cylinder, said control means including:a) a valve operated by a solenoid, said valve operatively disposed intermediate said source of fluid under pressure and said at least one side of said piston; andb) a programmable timer electrically coupled to said solenoid to selectively control the timing interval during which said valve directs fluid flow from said source to said at least one side of said piston; and(3) mechanical coupling means for transmitting said piston movement to said target carrier assembly, said mechanical coupling means including;a) a piston rod secured to said piston and extending from said cylinder;b) a tension bar assembly having a first end thereof pivotally mounted to said frame; andc) an idler arm, a first end of said idler arm being pivotally connected to a second end of said tension bar assembly and a second end of said idler arm being coupled to said target carrier assembly with the end of said piston rod being pivotally connected to said idler arm at a point between the ends thereof, such that movement of said piston rod is transmitted to said carrier assembly by said idler arm.