Target launcher

A target launcher for launching a target in the form of a propeller-shaped, air foil or wing having a reversible motor with a launching head connected to the end of the motor shaft and which head includes a holder for releasably supporting thereon the propeller-shaped target. The motor is energized by a control circuit, which when activated, will effect rotation of the motor in one direction to retain the target in place on the launching head and to effect the release of the target when circuit is activated to reverse the direction of the motor. To vary the point of release of the target, the reversible motor is mounted to oscillate or rotate in as much as the motor is activated.

RELATED PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS 
This application relates to an improvement to target launchers for 
launching a propeller-shaped, air-foil target of the type described in my 
co-pending patent application, Ser. No. 239,972, filed Mar. 3, 1981, for 
Improved Target Pigeon Launcher; and to the patents and patent 
applications therein referred to. 
PRIOR ART 
There are known various launcher constructions for launching a propeller 
shaped, air foil or wing type targets such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
4,077,384; 4,133,532; 4,205,651 and 4,206,914 and as disclosed and 
described in my co-pending patent application Ser. No. 239,972, filed Mar. 
3, 1981 for Improved Target Pigeon Launcher. While the launchers of the 
type to which this invention relates, as noted in the foregoing patents 
and patent applications, performed satisfactorily, their respective 
constructions required considerable manufacturing operations and assembly 
which resulted in a relatively high manufacturing cost and consequently a 
relatively high selling cost. Also, the inherent construction of the prior 
known launchers required many mechanical moving parts and operating 
components, all of which involved numerous manufacturing and assembly 
operations. 
OBJECTS 
An object of this invention is to provide an improved launcher for 
launching propeller-shaped targets having a construction which is greatly 
simplified over the existing known target launchers and which is more 
easily manufactured and therefore more economical to construct. 
Another object is to provide an improved target launcher wherein the target 
is released from the launcher simply by reversing the polarity of the 
launcher motor to reverse the direction of motor rotation. 
Another object is to provide a target launcher which can be remotely 
actuated in a simple and expedient manner. 
Another object is to provide a target launcher which can be safely loaded 
and actuated. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained by a 
launcher which includes a support base having rotatably journal thereon a 
motor mount for supporting thereon a reversible motor. Disposed in the 
base of the launcher is a motor driven eccentric and a connecting rod or 
link assembly for effecting oscillation of the reversible motor through a 
predetermined angular sector in asmuth. 
Mounted on the end of the shaft of the reversible motor is a launching head 
which includes a hub which it is fixed to the shaft. The front or face of 
the hub has connected thereto a projecting beak having an angular or 
offset nose portion. Disposed to opposite sides of the beak and projecting 
forwardly of the face of the hub are a pair of fingers which are laterally 
disposed and directed toward one another for retaining therebetween the 
propeller-shaped air foil. A normally spring-biased detent is disposed to 
one side of the target to retain the target in position between the 
opposed fingers as long as the motor is rotating in one direction. The 
arrangement is such that as long as the motor is rotating in one direction 
to impart rotation to the target, the target it retained to the launching 
hub. To effect the release of the target, the direction of rotation of the 
motor is reversed. The rapid reversal of the motor causes the fingers to 
be rotated or displaced relative to the target an amount sufficient to 
effect release of the target free of the fingers. 
The operation of the launcher is remotely controlled by an electric circuit 
which includes the reversible motor of the launcher, the drive motor for 
oscillating the reversible motor in a predetermined sector in asmuth, and 
an indicating light for indicating the ready or loaded position of the 
launcher. A main power switch is physically located at the loading station 
so that the loader can safely cut the power to the launcher during a 
loading operation. Upon completion of the loading operation, the loader 
closes the main power switch which energizes an indicating light and 
readies the launcher for launching a target. At a firing station an 
operator closes a first switch or actuator which will energize the 
reversible motor and the drive motor causing the target to rotate and to 
oscillate in asmuth. To release the target, a second switch or actuator is 
closed which will effect the reversal of the reversible motor causing the 
target to override the detent and to be released from its retaining 
fingers. A relay or other electrical device is included in the circuit 
with the motor and actuator to reverse the polarity of the main motor so 
as to effect the controlled release of the target. 
FEATURES 
A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a target launcher 
which includes a reversible motor in which the release of the target is 
effected by reversing the rotation of the motor. 
Another feature resides in a control circuit for a launcher having a main 
cut-off switch diposed in circuit with an indicating light for indicating 
when the launcher is readied for firing and a pair of actuating switches 
for sequentially imparting rotational energy to the target followed by a 
release thereof. 
Another feature resides in the provision of a simplified launcher having a 
launching head constructed so as to effect the release of the target 
therefrom by solely controlling the direction of rotation thereof. 
Another feature resides in a remotely controlled launcher which can be 
safely loaded by an operator at one station and which can be fired by 
another operator, when desired, located at a station remotely disposed 
from the loader. 
Another features resides in the provision of a launcher having a medium of 
movable mechanical components.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION 
Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 a launcher 10 
embodying the present invention. The launcher is particularly suited for 
launching propeller-shaped, air-foil wing type targets, preferrably of the 
type disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 228,088, filed Jan. 
26, 1981. Such target comprises of a propeller shaped, air foil 11 having 
a readily detachable witness cap or cup 12 which is constructed to 
separate from the air foil wing 11 when hit. 
The instant launcher comprises a support base 13 in which the means for 
oscillating the launcher are housed as will be hereinafter described. 
Rotatably journalled on the base 13 is a motor mount 14 which is in the 
form of a vertical shaft which is provided with a forked or bifurcated 
upper end portion 14A. Pivotably connected to the upper end portion 14A of 
the motor mount 14 is a reversible, electric motor 15. The electric motor 
15 is provided with a motor shaft 16 and a suitably wound armature which 
will effect the drive of the motor shaft 16 in either a clockwise or 
counterclockwise rotation, when actuated as will be hereinafter described. 
Connected to the end of the motor shaft 16 is a launching head 17. The 
launching head 17 includes a hub portion 18A which has an axial bore 18 
arranged to receive the end of the motor shaft 16. A set screw or other 
suitable fastener 19 secures the launching head 17 to the shaft 16. 
Projecting outwardly from the front face 17B of the launching head 17 is a 
beak 20 having a laterally extending nose 20A. The purpose of the beak 20 
and nose 20A is to impart to the target wing 12 an unpredicable, irratic 
flight path as the target is released from the launching head to simulate 
a flight of a game bird. 
Disposed to opposite sides of the beak and projecting outwardly from the 
front face 17B of the launching head are a pair of finger means 21--21. As 
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each finger means 21 includes a mounting shank 
portion 21A which is adapted to be snugly received in a bore 22 formed in 
the face of the head 17. A set pin 23 secures the finger means 21 in the 
set position. 
Connected to the shank portion 21A and laterally disposed is a finger 
portion 21B, and which finger portion 21B is spaced from the front face 
17B. 
As best seen in FIG. 3 the respective finger portions 21B--21B of the 
finger means are oppositely disposed and turned slightly inwardly toward 
one another so as to slightly overlap the marginal edge portions of the 
propeller wing shaped target 11. 
To retain the wing shaped, air-foil 11 between the finger means 21--21 when 
such target is loaded onto the beak 20 and to provide for automatic 
release of the target, there is provided a resilient detent means 24. The 
detent means 24 comprises a ball detent 24A which is normally biased 
outwardly of the front face 17B by a spring 24B. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 
and 3, the front face is formed with a bore 24C in which the ball detent 
24A and its spring 24B is retained. The arrangement is such that the 
curvature of the ball dentent 24A extends sufficiently beyond the face 17B 
of the head 17 so as to normally retain the marginal edges of the wing 
target 11 between finger portions 21B--21B. Thus, as seen in FIG. 3, when 
a target wing 11 is positioned on the beak 20 and placed between the 
opposed finger means 21--21 with the ball detent disposed adjacent a 
marginal edge of the air foil wing 11, and the wing is flush against the 
face portion 17A; the wing 11 will rotate in unison with the hub 17 when 
the motor 15 is energized, e.g. rotating in one direction such as 
counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 3. The ball detent 24A functions to 
retain the target wing 11 in holding position between finger portions 
21B--21B as the motor is rotating to impart a rotational momentum to the 
target prior to release. The ball detent 24A also functions to retain the 
target wing 11 in place should an operator desire for some reason to stop 
the rotation of the motor shaft 16 with the target 11 still in place of 
the hub 18A or launch head 17. 
To effect release of the air foil target 11 and its cap 12 from the launch 
head, the motor 15 is reversed. In reversing the motor 15, the rapid 
change of direction, i.e. from counterclockwise to clockwise, as viewed in 
FIG. 3, causes the head or hub 17 to be rotated opposite to the rotation 
of the target 11, thereby causing the target 11 to override the ball 
detent 24A to become free of the holding finger portions 21B--21B. The 
rotation imparted to the target 11 and becoming free of the fingers 21--21 
upon reversal of the motor 15 as described causes the target to fly off 
the beak 20. In departing from the beak, the nose portion 20A being 
laterally disposed will cause the target 11 to be laterally deflected. 
Thus the shape of the propeller shaped air foil 11 and the manner in which 
the target is launched imparts thereto an unpredictable and irratic flight 
which simulates the flight of a game bird. 
To further vary the point of release of the target, means are provided for 
oscillating the motor mount through a predetermined arcuate segment in as 
muth. This is provided by incorporating an oscillating drive motor 30 in 
the support base 13 and connecting the drive motor 30 through an eccentric 
connecting link to the rotatable motor mount 14. The oscillating means as 
disclosed herein is similar to that described in my copending application 
Ser. No. 239,972, filed Mar. 3, 1981, entitled Improved Target Pigeon 
Launcher. Essentially it includes the drive motor 30 having an output 
shaft 31 connected to the input 32 of a gear reducing unit 33. The output 
34 of the gear reducing unit 33 is connected to a disk 35. A connecting 
link 36 is eccentrically connected to the disk 35. The other end of the 
link 36 is pivotally connected to a drive disk 37 which is journalled or 
fixed to the motor mount 14. Thus, it will be apparent that when the drive 
motor 30 is actuated it will effect the drive of the motor mount 14 in an 
oscillating manner. 
Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a schematic wiring diagram 39 to 
illustrate the manner in which the launcher 10, herein described, can be 
cntrolled. As shown, leads 40 and 41 are connected to a suitable source of 
electrical energy e.g. a 110 v. source of alternating current. Disposed in 
the leads or lines 40, 41 is a main cut-off or safety switch 42. The main 
cut-off switch 42 is physically located adjacent to the launcher 10 so 
that the person loading the target 11 onto the launcher 10 can physically 
cut the power to the launcher to provide for absolute safety in loading 
the launcher 10. When the target 11 is properly placed on the launch head 
17 of the launcher 10, the safety switch 42 is closed. Connected in 
circuit with the safety switch 42 is an indicating lamp 50. As shown, the 
indicating lamp 50 is energized whenever the safety swtich 42 is closed. 
It will be understood that the indicating lamp 50 is disposed so as to be 
visible to the person controlling the actuation of the launcher 10. A 
first actuating means or start button, or switch 44 is provided. Switch 44 
is a normally open switch having one contact 44A connected to lead 40 and 
having its other contact 44B connected by lead 40A which bi-passes the 
lamp 50 to send energizing current to the main motor 15 and the 
oscillating motor 30 through leads 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D and back to ground 
eg lead 41 when the start switch 44 is closed. 
In accordance with this invention, the circuit to the main motor 15 
includes a means for reversing the polarity of the motor 15 to control the 
direction of rotation of its motor shaft 16. In the illustrated embodiment 
the means includes a relay 46 having two pairs of fixed contacts, eg 46a, 
46b and 46A, 46B and a pair of movable contacts 46C and 46D; arranged to 
engage with contacts 46a, 46b or 46A, 46B, sequentially. The movable 
contacts 46C, 46D are shifted in response to the actuation of the relay 
coil 46E. In the illustrated embodiment the relay coil 46E is connected by 
lead 47 to one contact 48A of a firing switch 48 and the other contact 48B 
being connected to lead 40. Normally, contacts 46a, 46b are closed with 
contacts 46C and 46D respectively, and contacts 46A, 46B are normally open 
relative to the movable contacts 46C, 46D. While a relay 46 is illustrated 
as the means by which the motor 15 is actuated to effect the reversal 
thereof, it will be understood that electrical solid state type devices 
may be used to the same end. 
In operation, with the main cut off switch 42 open, current to the motors 
15 and 30 of the launcher is cut off thus rendering it safe for the loader 
to load the launcher 10 with a target 11. With the target 11 positioned on 
the launcher head, the loader closes the safety or main switch 42. Upon 
closing off the main switch 42, the indicating lamp 50 is energized 
indicating that the launcher has been loaded. 
To impart rotation to the target, the start button or switch 44 is closed. 
The start button is preferably of a spring loaded type that must be 
manually depressed and held in the close circuit position. In closing the 
start switch 44, energizing current is directed to the reversible motor 
through contacts 46a, 46b closed with contacts 46C and 46D whereby the 
motor shaft is rotated to impart rotation to the target 11 secured to the 
launch head 17. Also current is directed to the drive motor 30 which will 
oscillate the motor mount 14 and connected motor 15 through a 
predetermined angular distance. When the revolution of the motor 15 
reaches a desired speed, the firing button or switch 48 is closed while 
maintaining the start switch 44 closed. Closing of the firing switch 48 
will close the circuit to the relay coil 46E, which comprises an 
electromagnet coil 46E, causing the contacts 46C and 46D to disenergize 
contacts 46a and 46b and to energize or close with contacts 46A and 46B. 
When contacts 46A and 46B are thus energized, the current flow through the 
motor 15 is reversed causing the motor shaft to reverse its direction of 
rotation. In doing so, the inertia resulting from the changing of 
direction of the motor 15 causes the launch head to be moved relative to 
the wing shaped target 11 an amount sufficient for the target wing 11 to 
override the ball detent 24A and thus become free of the holding fingers 
21B--21B. Being thus free of the fingers 21B--21B, the propeller shaped 
wing target 11, due to the rotational energy imparted thereto, will cause 
the target to fly off the end of the beak 20. The nose portion 20A being 
laterally disposed will also impart a lateral momentum to the target as it 
leaves or separates from the beak 20. 
Upon the target 11 being fired, the start switch 44 and firing switch 48 
are released or opened to thereby ready the launcher for reloading. To 
reload, the loader opens the safety switch 42 and another target 11 is 
loaded onto the launcher. With the new target loaded on the launch head 
17, the safety switch 42 is closed and the cycle is repeated. 
In the event the motor 15 is required to be shut down or stopped before the 
target 11 is released, the start button or switch 44 is released or opened 
thereby opening the energizing circuit to the motor 15. 
The ball detent 24A, as the motor is winding down to stop, causes the 
target 11 to maintain its relative position to the hub 18A, and thus 
prevents the target from becoming free or loose from the hub on shut down. 
From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the release of the 
target is simply effective by a reversal of the launching motor 15. Also 
the construction is such that the propeller or target 11 is retained to 
the launch head if for any reason the launcher is required to be 
de-energized before the firing switch 48 is closed. 
While the invention has been described with respect to a particular 
embodiment, it will be understood that variations and modifications may be 
made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.