Patent GB-189826685-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Traps for Throwing Frangible Targets or "Artificial Birds."
Inventor: BOULT ALFRED JULIUS
Filed: 1898-12-17
Granted: 1899-10-28
Abstract: 26,685. Boult, A. J., [Cleveland Target Co.]. Dec. 17. Trap-shooting.-Relates to mechanism for throwing targets or 'clay pigeons,' and includes a throwing-arm adapted to be continuously rotated, and means for delivering targets one by one, and for releasing the targets at indeterminate points. Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of a target trap, the lower portion of the mechanism being omitted, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the base and the driving- mechanism, Fig. 5 a top plan of the target magazine, Fig. 8 a plan of a portion of the releasing- mechanism, being substantially a horizontal section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 10 an under plan of the target arm, showing the target-releasing dog and the speed signal. The frame B for supporting the throwing-arm D with its attendant releasing-mechanism is carried at its lower end upon the pin b<1> and by the adjustably-bolted bar b<2>. The throwing-arm, arranged about the approximatelyvertical shaft C, consists of parallel bars d<1>, d' and receives the targets as they come from the magazine E The targets slide along this arm, their flanges being enclosed by strips, one of which is spring-pressed, on the arm. The targets are held in the magazine above the throwing-arm by latching- mechanism consisting of levers e', e<2> connected at their rear by a link and having at their forward end blades upon which the targets rests. By the reciprocation of the link u the blades are withdrawn, and all the targets but the bottom one seized by a clamping-lever. When the link returns, the clamping-lever is withdrawn to allow the targets tu descend upon the blades. The target arm is rotated through the bevel gearing c, C, sprocket-wheel G, and the chain and pedal gearing I. By carrying the pedal shaft i in a bracket capable of sliding in the slot a<3>, adjustment relatively to the operator's seat a<6> may be obtained without altering the tension on the chain. The speed signal apparatus, shown in Fig. 10, consists of the plate M attached to the throwing-arm, the plate carrying an arm N and a gong n. The arm, which is capable of oscillations between stops, bears against the spring n<3> and is such that, when the target arm rotates, the gong n when swung out into an extreme position strikes the fixed lug b<3>, Fig. 1, and indicates to the operator an excess of speed. The mechanism for releasing the target is set in operation electrically from any desired point, and causes a release from an intermediate position of the arm. The target is held in place against rubber posts d<9> by the shoe P, which is attached to the rock-shaft p, on the lower end of which is the arm p<1>, Fig. 10. This arm terminates in the barrel p<2>, which encloses a spring and has projecting from one end the buffer-head p' pressed outward by the spring. Pivoted at q is the trigger Q with its lug q<1>, balance weight q<2>, and shoulder which engages the buffer-head. A spring tends to draw the trigger into the position indicated, and holds the shoe P against the target on the arm. In the operation of the trap, the trigger is forced away from the shaft C, leaving the shoe free to be swung aside by centrifugal force. Secured to the shaft C is the gear pinion c<1>, which engages the gear-wheel R and continuously revolves it. Against the gearwheel is the eccentric S, Fig. 8, which normally is stationary, but which may be caused to revolve with the wheel by thrusting the nose s<4> of a pawl into one of the spaces r. This is normally prevented by the nose of the armature lever t engaging with a lip on the end of the pawl, but, when the electromagnet T is energized, the armature withdraws the lip and, the pawl acting, the eccentric and gear-wheel rotate together. When the eccentric has made a revolution, the current ceases and the eccentric is released. The eccentric-rod S<7> is connected with the T-lever U, Fig. 1, the upper end of which is joined to the latch-lever e<2> of the magazine mechanism, so that a target descends as the eccentric revolves. To another portion of the lever the vertically-sliding sleeve V is attached, which with its accessories constitutes the tripping-mechanism for operating the releasing- trigger. The sleeve V carries a boss v<1> which, when raised, carries into the path of the end q<5> of the trigger Q, and in the rotation of the arm D forces the end away from the shaft C and releases the shoe P. Means are provided for preventing damage in case the boss strikes the bottom face of the trigger. Oscillations are imparted to the sleeve V so as to make it impossible to calculate the position of the arm on the release of a target.