Patent GB-1367752-A (GB)
Title: Trollies for target ranges and target ranges provided with such trollies
IPC: F41J9/02
Filed: 1973-01-24
Abstract: 1367752 A self propelling trolley AUSTRALASIAN TRAINING AIDS PTY Ltd 24 Jan 1973 [25 Jan 1972 22 March 1972] 3641/73 Heading F3X [Also in Division F2] A self propelling trolley 1, Figs. 1 and 2, for use in shooting ranges is movable in two directions along a track 5 and carries target moving mechanisms 17, 17 which support targets 19, 19 and move them from an operative shooting position to an inoperative shooting position, the width of the trolley and targets across the direction of intended movement of the trolley being substantially the same irrespective of the position of the targets, and the overall height of the trolley and targets being substantially the same as the height of the trolley when the targets are in the inoperative shooting position. The trolley 1 having wheels 25, 27, Figs. 1 and 4, driven by an electric motor 29 and two pairs of jockey wheels 33, is mounted on a mono-rail 3 which is supported in the track 5 by a member 13, Fig. 2, and is provided with a disc brake mechanism 35, Figs. 3 and 4, having a disc 37 integral with a drive shaft of the motor 29. The disc 37 is positioned between plates 39, 41 each of which is slidably supported on a member 45 carried by a part 43 of the trolley and has a brake pad 47 fitted thereon. Clamping is effected by a pair of springs 49 and release is by operation of a solenoid 51. Manual release is by operating a lever 55, Fig. 3, which causes a shaft 57 to rotate, the latter moving a lever 61 pivotably connected to a member 63. A slot 65, Fig. 5, in the member 63 receives a pin 69 fixed to the plate 41 and a cam surface 67 of the member 63 engages a projection 71 of the plate 39. Pressure applied by the lever 55 moves the plates 39, 41- apart and a spring 73 returns the member 63 to the position shown in Fig. 5 when the lever 55 is released. A manual control panel (not shown) for the operation functions of the trolley and target mechanism, a battery 75, a switch 77 which is operable by magnetic material 79 positioned at places along the track to reverse the direction of the motor 29, and proximity sensing means to reverse the direction of drive are provided. The latter has an infra-red transmitter 81 and receiver 83, Fig. 2, which can receive an infra-red signal from another transmitter 81 for example. The transmitter 81 has a light emitting diode triggered by an output from a pulse generator and the receiver 83 has a photo transistor, sensitive to emissions in the infra-red wave band which is coupled to a differential amplifier. The level of the amplifier is adjustable to vary the sensitivity of the receiver 83 and controls the sensing distance between trolleys. The receiver 83 is coupled to a switching stage which is controlled by feed back from the programmed directions of the motors. The trolley has electrical contacts which are engageable with an electrical supply to charge its batteries and has position sensing means 110, Fig. 2, which comprises a switch which is operable to provide an electrical signal when the trolley passes a spacing member 11. Alternatively photo-electric position sensing may be used, the wheels 25 or 27 being provided with spokes. In use several trolleys 1 are moved along a track 121, Fig. 13, of a range having lanes 124, firing positions 125, 127 and a mound 129 which receives the bullets therein. When the targets appear in the lane of the shooter the latter should commence shooting. A controller has a transceiver to control the movement of the trolleys and targets and to record hits. A shelter shed 128 is provided. Other ranges have parallel tracks as shown in Fig. 14 or have rails 123, Fig. 15, carrying trolleys towards and away from shooting position 125. Receivers and transmitters are mounted on each trolley and, when signals are received from the transceiver, the brake solenoid releases the trolley brake and the motor is started this being reversed by the switch 77 at the end of the track. Hit signals are sent via the transmitter to the transceiver and the position sensor connects with the transmitter to provide signals to the transceiver to indicate the position of the trolley on the track.