Abstract:
An example apparatus/design is disclosed that mounts to a manual clay target thrower (manual thrower) that allows an individual to electrically release targets. The release of targets can be instantaneous or on a variably time basis. The complete device may be mounted to a bent pipe with a platform and a square tube on the opposite end capable of being mounted in the towing hitch receiver of a vehicle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/703,027, entitled “DEVICE FOR RELEASING CLAY TARGETS FROM A CLAY TARGET THROWER,” which was filed on Jul. 27, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/748,265, entitled “DEVICE FOR RELEASING CLAY TARGETS FROM A CLAY TARGET THROWER,” which was filed on Dec. 7, 2005. U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/703,027 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/748,265 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This disclosure relates generally to clay target throwers and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for automating the operation of clay target throwers.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Clay target throwers (also known as clay pigeon throwers/launchers) launch clay targets into the air. In general, clay target throwers include a throwing mechanism and a release mechanism. The release mechanism is typically a lever, a string, and/or a lanyard that is attached to the throwing mechanism. Pulling the lever, the string, and/or the lanyard releases the throwing mechanism. The throwing mechanism operates to launch the clay target into the air.  
         [0004]     Two examples of clay target throwers are the full-cock clay target thrower and the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower. A full-cock clay target thrower is loaded by rotating a launching mechanism approximately 180 degrees towards a releasing mechanism. The releasing mechanism locks the launching mechanism in a cocked position until the releasing mechanism is manually activated. When released by the releasing mechanism, the launching mechanism rotates in the opposite direction of the loading movement. The launching mechanism stops rotating after rotating approximately 180 degrees from the cocked position. The full-cock clay target thrower is typically setup/used on the ground by pushing thrower stake legs into the ground or mounting the thrower to a spare tire and rim.  
         [0005]     A three-quarter-cock clay target thrower is loaded by rotating a launching mechanism approximately 90 degrees towards a releasing mechanism. The releasing mechanism locks the launching mechanism in a cocked position until the releasing mechanism is manually activated. When released by the releasing mechanism, the launching mechanism continues to rotate in the same direction as the loading movement. The launching mechanism rotates approximately 270 degrees from the cocked position before stopping. The three-quarter-cock style of clay target thrower may be setup/used in various configurations. For example, the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower may include a pivoting base mounted to a metal casting that slides over and is secured with bolts to a square piece of wood or metal. This assembly is typically inserted into the ground vertically. Another configuration includes a pivoting base mounted to a metal structure such as a bench/platform with four (4) legs and an operator&#39;s seat that can be set on the ground.  
         [0006]     Two people are required to safely operate a manual clay target thrower (e.g., a full-cock clay target thrower, a three-quarter-cock clay target thrower, etc.) in a target shooting scenario. The first person cocks the clay target thrower, loads the thrower, and uses the releasing mechanism to cause the clay target to be launched. The second person is the shooter. The second person loads their gun and fires at the clay targets once they are launched. A shooter cannot properly control his weapon and launch clay targets at the same time. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example implementation of an apparatus for automating the operation of a clay target.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an example implementation of the example processor of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart representative of an example process that may be performed to implement the example processor of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of an example assembly of the example apparatus/design.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example implementation of the control box of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded part isometric view of an example implementation of components that may be used to mount the control box of  FIG. 4  to a three-quarter-cock clay target thrower.  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a full-cock clay target thrower having the release lever attached.  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates an example schematic of an example implementation of the control box of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  illustrates the operation of an example three-quarter-cock clay target thrower.  
         [0016]      FIG. 10  is a bill of materials for an example implementation of the three-quarter-cock manual thrower example apparatus/design device described herein.  
         [0017]      FIG. 11  illustrates an example implementation of an apparatus to automate the operation of a full-cock clay target thrower attached to a full-cock clay target thrower.  
         [0018]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of an example implementation of the control box of  FIG. 11 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 13  is an exploded parts isometric views of the example apparatus/design indicating how the device shown in  FIG. 11  may be adapted to a full-cock manual thrower.  
         [0020]      FIG. 14  is a bill of materials for an example implementation of the full-cock manual thrower example apparatus/design device.  
         [0021]      FIG. 15  illustrates an example implementation of the control box attached to the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower and mounted to a receiver hitch mounting assembly and an example implementation of the control box attached to the full-cock clay target thrower and mounted to a receiver hitch mounting assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]     An example apparatus  300  for automating the operation of a clay target thrower is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In general, the example methods and apparatus described herein may be used to provide automated operation of a manual clay target thrower. In an example implementation, an example apparatus is attached to a manual clay target thrower. The example apparatus includes timing circuitry, an activation trigger, and a solenoid to activate the typically human-actuated or human-activated releasing mechanism of the clay target thrower. A user of the example apparatus selects a desired delay time using the timing circuitry. The clay target thrower is loaded and cocked. When the user triggers the activation trigger of the apparatus, the timing device delays for the desired time and, then, activates the solenoid. The activation of the solenoid triggers the releasing mechanism and causes the clay target thrower to launch the loaded target(s). In other words, a single person can utilize the modified clay target thrower because the timing circuitry allows the user enough time to prepare a gun for firing at clay targets before the clay targets are launched.  
         [0023]     The apparatus  300  of  FIG. 1  includes a switch  302 , a processor  304 , a solenoid energizing relay  305 , and a solenoid  306 .  
         [0024]     The switch  302  is capable of enabling or disabling the operation of the apparatus  300 . When the switch is set to the off position, the control apparatus will not function. The switch may be any type of switch such as, for example, a toggle switch, a dip switch, a pressure sensitive switch, any type of safety switch, a motion sensor, etc. For example, if the switch is a motion sensor, the apparatus  300  may not operate if motion is sensed near the apparatus  300  (e.g., if a person is standing in front of an attached clay target thrower).  
         [0025]     In the illustrated example, the processor  304  receives a trigger input and a timing input. The trigger input may be any type of input that indicates that the apparatus  300  should initiate a timing sequence. For example, the trigger input may be an input from a switch, a foot pedal, a voice activation unit, etc. The timing input may be received from any type of input device capable of supplying a time input. For example, the timing input may be from a user input dial, a digital readout, a set of dip switches, a potentiometer, a toggle switch, a voice activation unit, etc.  
         [0026]     When the trigger input is activated, the processor  304  starts a timing countdown. The duration of the timing countdown is based on the timing input setting. When the countdown goal of the timing input has been achieved, the processor activates an output signal to the solenoid energizing relay  305 . The duration of the output signal may be based on the factory settings of the processor  304  or may be a user selected value.  
         [0027]     The solenoid energizing relay  305  receives the output signal output by the processor  304 . When the processor  304  outputs the output signal, the solenoid energizing relay  305  begins storing energy. Once the solenoid energizing relay has stored a factory set or user set amount of energy, the solenoid energizing relay outputs the stored energy signal to the solenoid  306 .  
         [0028]     When activated, the solenoid  306  (i.e., a releaser) activates the releasing mechanism (e.g., a handle, a lanyard, a rope, a button, or a lever that is typically operated by a human to release clay targets) of the clay target thrower to which it is attached. For example, the solenoid  306  may pull or push a releasing mechanism. Alternatively, the solenoid  306  may be replaced or supplemented with any other type of releaser such as, for example, releasers that may slide, rotate, etc.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an example implementation of the example processor  306  of  FIG. 1 . The processor  304  includes a counter  402  and a goal  404 . The counter  402  is activated by the trigger input. The counter  402  is capable of running a timer until the goal  404  is reached. When the goal  404  is reached, the counter  402  energizes the solenoid energizing relay  305  of  FIG. 1 . The goal  404  is set by the timing input. The processor  304  may interpret the goal  404  by evaluating a resistance at the timing input, evaluating the input voltage at the timing input, evaluating the input current at the timing input, or any other method of determining a timing input.  
         [0030]     Having described the architecture of one example system that may be used to automate a clay target thrower, various processes are described in  FIG. 3 . Although the following discloses example processes, it should be noted that these processes may be implemented in any suitable manner. For example, the processes may be implemented using, among other components, software, or firmware executed on hardware. However, this is merely one example and it is contemplated that any form of logic may be used to implement the systems or subsystems disclosed herein. Logic may include, for example, implementations that are made exclusively in dedicated hardware (e.g., circuits, transistors, logic gates, hard-coded processors, programmable array logic (PAL), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.) exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software. Additionally, some portions of the process may be carried out manually. Furthermore, while each of the processes described herein is shown in a particular order, those having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that such an ordering is merely one example and numerous other orders exist. Accordingly, while the following describes example processes, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the examples are not the only way to implement such processes.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart representative of an example process that may be performed to implement the example processor  304  of  FIG. 1 . For example, the process illustrated in  FIG. 3  may be executed by the processor  304  of  FIG. 1 . First, the example processor  304  enters a loop to wait for the trigger to be activated (block  502 ). When the trigger is activated (e.g., a button is pushed, a switch is activated, etc.), the processor  304  starts an internal timing device (block  504 ). The processor  304  then enters a loop to wait for the timing goal to be reached (block  506 ). When the timing goal is reached, the processor  304  activates the solenoid energizing relay  305 , which energizes solenoid  306  to activate the releasing mechanism of a clay target thrower (block  508 ). After the throwing arm has been released by the solenoid  306 , control returns to block  502  to wait for the next activation of the trigger.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example assembly of the example apparatus/design. The specific size, style, type and grade of bolt, washer and nut for mounting components may vary. For example, the fasteners could be plated (zinc, black oxide or cadmium), stainless steel, plastic, etc. Further consideration should be given to the type of nut used. Due to the amount of vibration generated when a target is released from a manual thrower, a nylon insert, a spring, a serrated-flange, a center lock, a jam or an anti-vibration type nut, or any other type of nut may be used. Chemical thread locker and retaining compounds may be used.  
         [0033]     In the illustrated example of  FIG. 4 , an implementation of the apparatus  300  is attached to a three-quarter-cock clay target thrower  20 . The clay target thrower  20  uses stored energy from an extension spring  20   a  to rotate a throwing arm  20   e  that deploys clay target(s). The bolt end of the extension spring is inserted into a hole in the stationary mount  20   b  that is part of the thrower base  20   c  with a nut and washer. The other end of the extension spring  20   a  is inserted into a hole in the offset shaft strap  20   d . The offset shaft strap  20   d  is installed on the offset shaft  20   k  of a cam mechanism  20   f . The throwing arm  20   e  is connected to the center shaft  20   g  of the cam mechanism  20   f . The center shaft  20   g  goes through a one-way bearing/clutch type mechanism  20   h  housed in the thrower base  20   c . When the throwing arm  20   e  is at the 180 degree position (see REF  2   FIG. 9 ), the extension spring  20   a  has no tension and can be connected to the offset shaft strap  20   d  on the offset shaft  20   k  of cam mechanism  20   f  then secure the extension spring  20   a  to the stationary mount  20   b . By rotating the throwing arm  20   e  counterclockwise the extension spring  20   a  begins to extend and storing energy. From this point the throwing arm  20   e  will be held in position by the one-way bearing/clutch type mechanism  20   h  preventing the throwing arm  20   e  from returning clockwise. Loading/cocking is accomplished by rotating the throwing arm  20   e  counterclockwise from the 180 degree (fully released) position. The one-way bearing/clutch type mechanism  20   h  will prevent the throwing arm  20   e  from returning clockwise to about the 250-270 degree position. After that, the extension spring  20   a  will rotate the throwing arm  20   e  counterclockwise to the cocked position. The cocked position is when the throwing arm rest  20   j  meets the throwing release lever  20   i . By pulling back the release lever  20   i , the throwing arm  20   e  is released, deploying target(s) and will rotate approximately 270 degrees counterclockwise to the three-quarter cocked position. This three-quarter cocked position partially extends the extension spring  20   a  storing energy. The one-way bearing/clutch type mechanism  20   h  prevents the extension spring  20   a  from discharging its partially stored energy and returning the throwing arm  20   e  to the 180 degree fully released position. Hence the throwing arm  20   e  is partially cocked in the process.  
         [0034]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the control box  112  is attached to U-channel  223 . U-channel  223  is attached to the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower  20 . An electric solenoid  103  is mounted in the control box  112  and connected to the release lever  20   i  of the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower  20  using cup point set screw  228  and clamp assembly  229 . The control box  112  includes an input connection  114  to an optional remote switch (e.g., a foot switch, a remote control, etc.). The control box  112  also includes an input for electrical power  108 , which is connected to power cord  107  and power connector  109  (e.g., a cigarette lighter adapter, a power plug, etc.).  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example implementation of the control box  112  of  FIG. 4  that may be used to automatically control a three-quarter-cock manual thrower. This is an example of the types of components that may be used and how they may be assembled in a housing.  FIG. 5  illustrates several views showing the back, right side, left side, interior, and cover of the control box  112 . The electric solenoid  103  is shown offset due to the offset of the release lever  20   i  on the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower of  FIG. 4  and potential interference with the throwing arm. The offset may not be necessary if a different style of linkage is used and/or the distance is varied between the electric solenoid  103  and the release lever  20   i  of the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower  20  of  FIG. 4 . On a three-quarter-cock clay target thrower, it may be necessary to vary the component location in the control box and on the cover to adapt to various manufacturers three-quarter-cock clay target thrower designs. For example, the throwing arm may have a flat piece of plastic in the throwing arm extrusion that rests against the release lever  20   i . Offsetting the electric solenoid  103  may reduce the dimensional precision for alignment between the electric solenoid  103  and the release lever  20   i  of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0036]     The control box  112  interior houses a relay  101  that may have a timing function and a solenoid-energizing relay  104 . The timing function may be implemented by a pneumatic, solid state, microprocessor or other electric/electronic device and may possibly have a control relay integral to the device and possibly encapsulated in epoxy, thus eliminating the need for lubrication of moving parts, calibration of cams, cam switches, and the mechanical wear associated with electro-mechanical devices used for time delay. The solenoid-energizing relay  104  may or may not be required based on the requirements of the solenoid  103 . The control devices shown in control box  112  may vary in features or style and may be located and mounted in a different fashion in the housing and on the housing cover. For example, the rocker switch  110  (referred to as the control box power switch) could be illuminated when power is present to the control box  112  or when the rocker switch  110  is in the “ON” position. This indication may also serve as a safety/troubleshooting feature giving a visual indication of the status of the control box  112 . An audible device to provide, for example, alert tones is another option. The power switch may be optional. In the example apparatus, the “RELEASE” pushbutton is a momentary contact style switch. When a user is ready to release a target, they energize the relay(s)  101  and/or  104  or the time delay device by depressing the pushbutton. If a timing device is used, a target release would be delayed based on the setting of potentiometer  106  via knob  105  or another type of variable resistance device. The time delay units can be controlled in seconds, minutes, hours, etc. The timing durations could be varied pneumatically, manually or electronically depending on the device used. If a microprocessor style time delay is used, the programming of the microprocessor for different timing ranges is typically done by the device manufacture and downloaded in the microprocessor prior to shipment. Other styles of devices such as toggle switches, remote pushbuttons, or foot switches could be used to activate the releasing mechanism of a clay target thrower. If a time delay is not desired, the elimination of the timer and relay is possible.  
         [0037]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded part isometric view of an example implementation of components that may be used to mount the control box  112  to a three-quarter-cock clay target thrower. The gray cross hatched lines denote the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower  20  to which the example control box  112  is being attached. The black lines denote the example implementation of the control box  112 .  
         [0038]     An example method for mounting/attaching an example apparatus/design device to a three-quarter-cock clay target thrower such as the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower referenced above is described below. As shown in  FIG. 6 , U-channel  223  may be used to support the control box  112 . The U-channel  223  may be mounted to the thrower base with the release lever  20   i  mounting bolts. The control box  112  houses several control devices that are explained in detail and shown in  FIG. 5 . The U-channel  223  may be made from ferrous, non-ferrous, or non-metallic materials such as, for example, aluminum. The U-channel  223  may be mounted to the three-quarter-cock thrower base utilizing three (3) bolts provided by the three-quarter-cock manual thrower manufacture for securing U-channel  223  to thrower base. Any other type of fasteners may be used. The control box  112  may be mounted to thrower base and U-channel  223  with several bolts and washers. The thrower release lever  20   i  may be connected to control box  112  via aluminum clamp assembly  229  and the armature shaft portion of the electric solenoid  103 . This sub-assembly of parts could be assembled by inserting the stud eye into the electric solenoid armature shaft, then inserting the eye end of the stud eye into the clevis of the aluminum clamp assembly  229 , and completing assembly by installing washers on the head side of shoulder bolt, pushing the shoulder bolt through both slots in the aluminum clamp assembly  229  and hole in stud eye. Lastly washers and nuts are installed the threaded end of the shoulder bolt. The aluminum clamp assembly  229  can then be clamped to release lever  20   i  by tightening set screws. The armature shaft of the solenoid may be inserted into the electric solenoid prior to assembly of the sub-assembly detailed above.  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a full-cock clay target thrower having the release lever  20   i  attached. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the release lever  20   i  impedes the motion of the throwing mechanism of the full-cock clay target thrower until the release lever  20   i  is pivoted to release the throwing mechanism.  
         [0040]      FIG. 8  illustrates an example schematic of an example implementation of the control box  112 . The example control box  112  includes an accessory plug and power cord  802 , a fuse  804 , a switch  806 , a first diode  808 , a capacitor  810 , a potentiometer  812 , a timer  814 , a pushbutton  816 , an input plug  818 , a relay  820 , a second diode  822 , and a solenoid  824 .  
         [0041]     In the example implementation, the accessory plug and power cord  802  transmit electrical power to the control box  112 . The accessory plug and power cord  802  may be plugged into the accessory outlet of a vehicle such as, for example, a truck, a car, an all-terrain vehicle, a snowmobile, etc. The example accessory plug and power cord receives a 12 volt DC input. Alternatively, the accessory plug and power cord  802  may be replaced by any other source of electrical power. For example, the accessory plug and power cord  802  may be replaced by a cord connected directly to a battery, a plug and cord for a household power outlet, a direct connection to a solar power source, etc.  
         [0042]     In the illustrated example, the fuse  804  provides over-current protection to the control box  112 . If the current flowing through the accessory plug and power cord  802  exceeds the rated limit of the fuse, the fuse will sever the connection between the electrical power source and the control box  112 . While the example fuse  804  is illustrated as a discrete component any other implementation may be used. For example, the fuse  804  may be integrated in the accessory plug of the accessory plug and power cord  802 . In addition, the accessory plug and power cord  802  may include any other type of current limiting protection such as, for example, an overload breaker.  
         [0043]     In the illustrated example, the switch  806  enables a user of the control box  112  to disconnect electrical power from the control box  112 . For example, a user may disconnect power when the device is not in use or may disconnect power while loading a connected clay target thrower to ensure that the clay target thrower does not release at an inappropriate time. The switch  806  may be illuminated to clearly indicate to a user the state of the switch  806 . For example, the switch  806  may be illuminated when switched to “on” and darkened when switched to “off.” Alternatively, a non-illuminated switch may be used. If a non-illuminated switch is used, the control box  112  may include a discrete light emitting diode or other indication component to indicate the state of the switch  806 .  
         [0044]     In the illustrated example, the first diode  808  prevents current from flowing from the capacitor  810  towards the accessory plug and power cord  802  when the solenoid is discharging. The type of diode selected is dependent on the current and voltage specifications of the control box  112 .  
         [0045]     In the illustrated example, the capacitor  810  prevents fluctuations in the electrical power provided to the timer  814 . When electrical power is first applied to the control box  112 , the capacitor  810  stores energy. The solenoid  824  draws electrical power from the connected power source when activated. To prevent the timer  814  from receiving too little electrical power, the capacitor  810  discharges during activation of the solenoid  824 .  
         [0046]     In the illustrated example, the potentiometer  812  provides adjustment of the duration of time that the control box  112  delays prior to activating the releasing mechanism of an attached clay target thrower. The range of values supported by the potentiometer  812  is based on the specifications of the manufacture of the timer  814  circuit. Alternatively, a resister having a resistance matching the manufacturer specifications of the timer  814  circuit may replace the potentiometer  812  to provide a constant time delay.  
         [0047]     In the illustrated example, the timer  814  is an integrated circuit that performs a timing countdown for a duration based on the potentiometer  812  and provides an output signal after the duration. The example timer  814  beings the timing when an input signal from the pushbutton  816  is received.  
         [0048]     In the illustrated example, the pushbutton  816  triggers the timer  814  to begin a timing countdown. In addition, the input plug  818  allows a foot switch to be connected that may trigger the timer  814  to begin a timing countdown. Alternatively, any other component that may trigger a timing countdown may be used such as, for example, a voice activated system, a motion sensor, etc.  
         [0049]     In the illustrated example, the relay  820  is energized to power the solenoid  822 . The relay  820  may not be necessary if the contact rating of the timer  814  can handle the operating current of the solenoid  822 . In addition, the control box  112  may include multiple relays to power the solenoid  822 .  
         [0050]     In the illustrated example, the second diode  820  prevents the occurrence of reverse electro-magnetic force during activation of the solenoid  822 .  
         [0051]     In the illustrated example, the solenoid  822  activates the releasing mechanism of an attached clay target thrower. For example, the solenoid  822  may retract, when activated, to pull a releasing mechanism of an attached clay target thrower. As previously described, the solenoid  822  may be replaced with a component that may push, pull, or activate the releasing mechanism of an attached clay target thrower in any desired way.  
         [0052]      FIG. 9  illustrates the operation of an example three-quarter-cock clay target thrower. REF.  3  illustrates the un-cocked resting position of the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower. REF.  4  illustrates the cocked position of the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower. To cock the three-quarter-cock thrower, the throwing mechanism is moved approximately 90 degrees counter-clockwise and latched with the releasing mechanism. REF.  1  illustrates approximately one-third of the motion of the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower after the release has been activated. As illustrated, the throwing mechanism moves counter-clockwise once released. REF.  2  illustrates approximately two-thirds of the motion of the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower after the release has been activated.  
         [0053]      FIG. 10  is a bill of materials for an example implementation of the three-quarter-cock manual thrower example apparatus/design device described herein. The bill of materials is provided as an example. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many variations in the specifications and number of components may be made. In addition, it may not be necessary to include all of the components listed. For example, aluminum U-channel  223  may be replaced by a flat metal bracket, the relay  104  may be eliminated, etc.  
         [0054]      FIG. 11  illustrates an example implementation of an apparatus to automate the operation of a full-cock clay target thrower attached to a full-cock clay target thrower.  
         [0055]     In the illustrated example, the control box  112  of  FIG. 4  is adapted to control the operation of a full-cock clay target thrower  21 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , angles  201  and  202  may be used to support the control box  112 , which may be bolted or otherwise attached to the full-cock clay target thrower  21 . The control box  112  houses several control devices that are explained in detail and shown in  FIG. 12 . The angles may be made from a ferrous, non-ferrous, or non-metallic material such as, for example aluminum. The angles  201  and  202  may be mounted to the thrower base utilizing two (2) bolts provided by the manual thrower manufacturer for securing the thrower using support legs to the elevation arm. Additional fasteners may be used. After assembling the elevation arm, support legs, both angles, two (2) bolts, washers and nuts; a third hole may be drilled in the elevation arm if a third fastener is used. In the event a third fastener is to be used, the pre-drilled hole in the angle provides the location of the third hole to be drilled in the clay target thrower. After this hole has been located, the hole is drilled and the elevation arm, support leg and angles  201  and/or  202  are attached to the clay target thrower with three bolts. The control box  112  may be mounted to one or both angles  201  and  202  with several bolts, washers, and/or nuts. The thrower release may be connected to control box  112  via bent swivel  204 , tie rod  203 , roll pin  216  and the armature shaft portion of the electric solenoid  102 . This sub-assembly of parts could be assembled by partially inserting the roll pin  216  into the electric solenoid  102  armature shaft clevis, then inserting the eye end of the tie rod  203  into the clevis, and completing assembly by pushing the roll pin  216  through tie rod  203  into the other side of the clevis in the armature shaft. The tie rod  203  would then thread into the bent swivel  204 . The armature shaft of the solenoid  102  is inserted into the electric solenoid and the male threaded end of the bent swivel  204  is inserted into the hole in the thrower&#39;s release lever/trigger and secured with a nut. Alternatively, the armature shaft length may be increased and the clevis end may be replaced with a threaded male end. This alternative allows the roll pin  216  and tie rod  203  to be eliminated.  
         [0056]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of an example implementation of the control box  112  of  FIG. 11 . The example implementation illustrated in  FIG. 12  may be used to automate the control of a full-cock clay target thrower.  FIG. 12  is an illustration of one example of the types of components that may be used and how they may be assembled into a housing. Several views of the control box  112  are illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The electric solenoid  102  is shown offset due to the potential binding between the electric solenoid armature and the release lever/trigger and potential interference of the throwing arm stop that is bolted to the throwing arm. The offset may not be necessary if a different style of linkage is used and/or the distance is varied between the electric solenoid  102  and the release trigger/release. The throwing arm stop latches and holds the throwing arm in the “cocked” position as shown in  FIG. 11 . On full-cock manual clay target throwers it may be necessary to vary the component location in the control box  112  and on the cover to adapt to various manufacturers manual thrower designs. For example, the throwing arm may have the “stop” notched in the throwing arm extrusion or a separate “latch” that bolts to the throwing arm causing interference with the solenoid linkage when cocking the thrower arm. Offsetting the electric solenoid  102  may also reduce the dimensional precision for alignment between the electric solenoid  102  and the release lever/trigger. Offsetting may allow for the use of generic parts such as the bent swivel  204  referred to on  FIG. 11 .  
         [0057]     The control box  112  interior houses a relay  101  that may have a timing function and a solenoid-energizing relay  104 . The timing function may be implemented by a pneumatic, solid state, microprocessor or other electric/electronic device and may possibly have a control relay integral to the device and possibly encapsulated in epoxy, thus eliminating the need for lubrication of moving parts, calibration of cams, cam switches, and the mechanical wear associated with electro-mechanical devices used for time delay. The solenoid-energizing relay  104  may or may not be required based on the requirements of the solenoid  102 . In the event that the power rating of a single relay is sufficient, relays  101  and  104  may be combined into a single device.  
         [0058]     The control devices shown in control box  112  may vary in features or style and may be located and mounted in a different fashion in the housing and on the housing cover. For example, the rocker switch  110  (referred to as the control box power switch) could be illuminated when power is present to the control box  112  or when the rocker switch  110  is in the “ON” position. This indication may also serve as a safety/troubleshooting feature giving a visual indication of the status of the control box  112 . An audible device to provide, for example, alert tones may additionally or alternatively be provided. The power switch may be optional. In the example apparatus, the “RELEASE” pushbutton is a momentary contact style switch. When a user is ready to release a target, they energize the relay(s)  101  and/or  104  and/or the time delay device by depressing the pushbutton. If a timing device is used, a target release would be delayed based on the setting of potentiometer  106  via knob  105  or another type of variable resistance device. The time delay units can be controlled in seconds, minutes, hours, etc. Timing durations could be varied pneumatically, manually or electronically depending on the device used. If a microprocessor style time delay is used, the programming of the microprocessor for different timing ranges may be performed by the device manufacture and downloaded into the microprocessor prior to shipment.  
         [0059]     Other types of devices such as a toggle switches, remote pushbuttons, or foot switches could be used to activate the releasing mechanism of a clay target. If a time delay is not desired, the relays  101  and/or  104  may be eliminated.  
         [0060]      FIG. 13  is an exploded parts isometric views of the example apparatus/design indicating how the device shown in  FIG. 11  may be adapted to a full-cock manual thrower. The gray cross hatched lines denote the full-cock manual thrower  21  to which the example apparatus/design is being attached. The black lines denote the example apparatus/design. Examples of electrical components have been described in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0061]     An example method for mounting/attaching an example apparatus/design device to a full-cock clay target thrower is described below. As shown in  FIG. 11 , angles  201  and  202  may be used to support the control box  112  and attach the control box  112  to the full-cock clay target thrower assembly  21 . The angles  201  and  202  are attached to a spring tie bolt stationary mount  21   b  and a thrower elevation base  21   d  of the clay target thrower  20  using bolts  208 , washers  209 , and nuts  210 . Spring  21   a  is attached to the spring tie bolt stationary mount  21   b  and the throwing arm assembly  21   c . The control box  112  is attached to the angles  201  and  202  using bolts  205 , washers  206 , and nuts  207 . Timer  101  is attached to control box  112  using truss screws  212 , washers  213 , washers  217 , and nuts  214 . Relay  104  is attached to the control box  112  using truss screws  211 , washers  213 , washers  217 , and nuts  214 . Rubber grommets  116  are inserted in openings on the sides of the control box  112 .  
         [0062]     Solenoid assembly  102  is inserted through an opening in the control box  112 . Tie rod  203  is attached to the solenoid assembly  102  using roll pin  216 . Bent swivel linkage  204  is threaded onto the tie rod  203 . The bent swivel linkage  204  is attached to the release level  21   i  using nut  215 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 14  is a bill of materials for an example implementation of the full-cock manual thrower example apparatus/design device described herein. The bill of materials is provided as an example. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many variations in the specifications and number of components may be made. In addition, it may not be necessary to include all of the components listed. For example, relay  104  may be eliminated, the illuminated rocker switch  110  may be replaced by a non-illuminated switch, etc.  
         [0064]      FIG. 15  illustrates an example implementation of the control box  112  attached to the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower  20 , which is mounted on a receiver hitch mounting assembly  22 .  FIG. 15  also illustrates an example implementation of the control box  112  attached to a full-cock clay target thrower  21 , which is mounted on receiver hitch mounting assembly  22 . The three-quarter-cock clay target thrower  20  is mounted to the receiver hitch mounting assembly  22  with a bolt(s) through the elevation leg of the pivoting base. The elevation leg of the pivoting base is typically provided by the manufacturer of the three-quarter-cock clay target thrower  20 . The full-cock clay target thrower  21  is mounted to the receiver hitch mounting assembly  22  by bolting the lower half of the base of the full-cock clay target thrower  21  to a top mounting plate of the receiver hitch mounting assembly  22 . In the illustrated example, the receiver hitch mounting assembly  22  consists of a bent tube, wherein one end of the bent tube comprises a vertical or horizontal mounting plate and a second end comprises a tongue. The tongue of the receiver hitch mounting assembly  22  may be inserted into the towing receiver of a vehicle. Alternatively, any type of apparatus capable of attachment to a vehicle towing receiver to provide a support for a clay target thrower may be used. In addition, control box  112  may be attached to a clay target thrower using any type of support including a support that is not attached to a towing receiver of a vehicle. The material used for the receiver hitch mounting assembly  22  may be steel. Alternatively, other types of ferrous and non-ferrous materials could be used. Aluminum, for instance, may be used in lieu of steel provided that the wall thickness/gauge is sufficient.