Hit scoring apparatus for shooting practice

The invention provides a hit-scoring apparatus for shooting practice, comprising a target holder consisting of a body constituting the first and second jaws of a clamping device, the first jaw and the second jaw being electrically insulated from one another, means adapted to produce a relative movement between the first jaw and the second jaw, and a target panel clampable between the first and second jaws, the target panel consisting of a plurality of layers including an electrically conductive front layer and an electrically conductive second layer separated and spaced apart from the front layer by at least one electrically non-conductive layer. When the target panel is clamped between the first and second jaws of the target holder, separate electrical contacts are established between the front layer and the first jaw on the one hand, and between the second layer and the second jaw on the other hand, the first and second jaws being further connectable to a hit-scoring unit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hit-scoring apparatus for shooting practice. It also relates to a hit-scoring target panel for shooting practice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While hit-scoring targets per se are known which operate on the principle of producing a short circuit between two conductive layers whenever a projectile traverses the target (U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,576,960; 2,749,125; 3,004,735; 3,004,763 and 3,580,579), none of these prior art disclosures teaches an apparatus including not only the target panel, but also a solid, ground-anchorable holder for the panel that also provides the terminals for the electrical connections to a remote counter unit.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is thus one of the objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the rapid and secure mounting and dismounting of a target panel, as well as to provide a target panel easily and reliably positioned for use.

It is a further object of the invention to ensure that, once mounted, the two conductive surfaces of the panel are in intimate electrical contact with the holder terminals.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an apparatus that permits differentiation between hits on at least two different, predetermined regions of a target panel.

According to the invention, the above objects are achieved by providing a hit-scoring apparatus for shooting practice, comprising a target holder consisting of a body constituting the first and second jaws of a clamping device, said first jaw and said second jaw being electrically insulated from one another; means adapted to produce a relative movement between said first jaw and said second jaw; a target panel clampable between said first and second jaws, said target panel consisting of a plurality of layers, including an electrically conductive front layer and an electrically conductive second layer separated and spaced apart from said front layer by at least one electrically non-conductive layer; wherein, when said target panel is clamped between said first and second jaws of said target holder, separate electrical contacts are established between said front layer and said first jaw on the one hand, and between said second layer and said second jaw on the other hand, said first and second jaws being further connectable to a hit-scoring unit, whereby, when a projectile penetrates said target panel, a transient electrical short is produced between said front and second layers of the panel, thereby actuating said hit-scoring unit and scoring a hit.

The above objects are further achieved by providing a hit-scoring target panel for shooting practice, comprising a plurality of layers including an electrically conductive front layer separated and spaced apart from said front layer by at least one electrically non-conductive layer, and at least one location aperture passing through said plurality of layers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, there is seen inFIG. 1a metal body constituting the stationary jaw2of a clamping device, the profile of which is shown in FIG.2. As seen, stationary jaw2consists of three sections: a central section and two lateral sections inclined with respect to the central section at an obtuse angle of about 160°. Jaw2is covered by a lid4, part of which is seen on the right lateral section of jaw2.

Attached to each of the lateral sections of jaw2are an electrically insulating plate6made, e.g., of an epoxy resin, as well as a pair of contact strips8, seen to better effect in FIG.2and advantageously made of stainless steel. Between these strips8, the purpose of which will be explained further below, there are disposed locator lugs10, one each per lateral section, which fit windows provided in the target panels described further below and which serve to position these panels in the clamping device and maintain them in position. While plates6and lugs10are affixed to the vertical walls of jaw2with the aid of simple screws, contact strips8, which must be electrically insulated from the mass of jaw2, are attached by terminal posts12passing through the wall of jaw2via plastic bushings14. Terminal posts12also serve as terminal posts for the wires leading to the remote counter unit.

The central section of jaw2is provided with an insulating plate16, of a thickness approximately equaling the combined thicknesses of plate6and strips8, but has no contact strips.

The two holes18in each of the lateral sections of jaw2serve for the connection of the clamping jaw to a base member such as that shown in FIG.9. The jaw profile is closed at both ends by end plates19.

Further seen inFIG. 1is a bracket20(also see FIG.3), to which jaw2is fixedly attached by means of screws22. Bracket20also carries an upright24, to which is fixedly attached toggle clamp body26of a per se known toggle clamp mechanism28, shown in the position of maximum opening. When handle29of mechanism28is fully swiveled to the right, movable jaw32is pushed toward stationary jaw2until the target panel, described further below, is firmly clamped between jaws2and32.

The movable jaw32of the clamping device is connected to plunger30(FIG. 3) of toggle clamp mechanism28. Jaw32, similar to jaw2, consists of three sections: a central section and two lateral sections, the two lateral sections being inclined with respect to the central section at an angle identical with the analogue angle of the lateral stationary jaw sections.

Making electrical contact with the second (rear) conductive surface of the target panel, movable jaw32must be electrically insulated from stationary jaw2, which is in contact with the conductive front surface of the target panel. Insulation is ensured in two ways. As seen inFIG. 3, movable jaw32slides on and along a plastic plate34attached to bracket20, and toggle clamp body26is mounted on upright24via two plastic washers36,36′.

FIG. 4is a rear view of the movable jaw32. Jaw32is advantageously made of stainless steel sheet and has a shallow, U-shaped profile. Shown are two elongated, window-like openings which accommodate locator lugs10(FIG. 1) when movable jaw32closes in on stationary jaw2. Also shown is a nut40welded to jaw32, into which a threaded bolt44(FIG. 3) is lockable. Bolt44also fits plunger30of toggle clamp mechanism28, and is used to set the final gap between stationary jaw2and movable jaw32. A stud42welded to movable jaw32serves as a terminal post42for the rear face of the target panel when it is mounted in the clamping device.

The apparatus according to the invention permits distinguishing between hits at two different, pre-determined regions of the target panel.

Target panel46, of a per se known cross-section, is shown in FIG.5and comprises a front layer48consisting of a thin aluminum film, advantageously provided with an anodized or otherwise colored front surface of a dark hue which does not impair conductivity but rather reduces reflectivity and glare. Below layer48there is seen a standard, double-layer, corrugated cardboard layer50,51, to which is glued another aluminum film52, this time without an anodized or colored surface. The outer rear surface of the panel is constituted by a layer of resin-impregnated paper54for reinforcement and waterproofing. A strip of a width of about 8 cm at the lower end is left unimpregnated, for a purpose which will become apparent further below.

FIG. 6illustrates a first step in the preparation of target panel46, starting with the blank shown in FIG.5. Shown is the front face of the target panel in which, after cutting the outer shape and recess56to accommodate bracket20and punching out locator windows58to accommodate lugs10, two distinct hit regions have been defined and delineated: a central region CR and a marginal region MR. Separation of these regions is advantageously effected by using a double-bladed knife to cut through front layer48, delineating the desired border between them. After that, the narrow strip of aluminum film remaining between the parallel cuts is peeled off, thereby electrically separating the two regions CR and MR. As can be seen in conjunction withFIG. 1, when target panel46is clamped into the clamping device, marginal region MR is in electrical contact with the pair of contact strips8on the right lateral section of stationary jaw2, while central region CR is in electrical contact with the contact strips8on the left lateral section thereof.

The rear face of target panel46is represented in FIG.7. Here, there is no need for a separation of regions CR and MR, as aluminum film52(FIG. 5) is the common connector that closes the hit-scoring circuit whenever a projectile penetrates target panel46, as shown in FIG.5.

The rear face of panel46requires a different treatment: a strip of aluminum foil60is applied to the surface of paper layer54, the left end of which strip is tucked in between cardboard layer50and aluminum film52and is brought into permanent, positive contact with film52. The manner in which this is effected is illustrated inFIG. 8. Ashort, narrow section of corrugated cardboard layer51, e.g., about 25 mm wide and 60 mm long, is removed, exposing aluminum film52. The end of strip of foil60is then folded over and glued to film52, using an electrically conductive adhesive. Then a short piece of copper foil62is glued to both the folded-over strip of foil60and aluminum film52, ensuring good electrical contact. The gap in the corner of target panel46is then closed with the aid of a length of adhesive tape. Target panel46is then creased along crease lines64, using a creasing die on a press, to impart to the panel a shape conforming to the shape of the gap between jaws2and32, thus giving panel46great mechanical strength.

FIG. 9illustrates one of the possible ways to mount the apparatus according to the invention on the ground. Applying screws and nuts, holes18in the stationary jaw2(FIG. 1) are used to mount the apparatus on platform66attached to arms68, the lower ends of which are mounted on a shaft70that can be swiveled by means of an electric motor or an electric power solenoid (not shown), thereby turning target panel46into a pop-up or swing-up target. Base72, which contains the swiveling mechanism, is heavy enough to ensure stability of the swing-up target panel46.

FIG. 10is a wiring diagram of the apparatus according to the invention. Schematically illustrated are stationary jaw2with its terminal posts12,12′ and contact strips8. Above stationary jaw2there is seen movable jaw32with its terminal post42. Cable I is connected via terminal post42to the common aluminum film52, while terminal post12connects cable II to marginal region MR and terminal post12′ connects cable III to central region CR. To ensure more positive contact, jumpers74,74′ also connect the lower contact strips8to cables II, III. If, for some reason, the two-region feature is not desired, it can be eliminated by connecting contact strips8on both sides, as shown by the dashed-dotted lines indicating a wire connection. Obviously, provision may be made in a similar manner for more than two different hit-scoring regions.

If it is desired to provide two or more distinct hit-scoring regions on both sides of the target panel, or on several layers thereof, the wiring of the clamping device shown inFIG. 10will have to be modified as shown in FIG.11. In such a case, the movable jaws32are divided into two or more contacting regions76,76′, separated by electrically insulating strips78. Each of the jaws is provided with its own terminal posts42,42′, leading via cables I and IV to the different layers of the target panel.