Patent GB-228933-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to target traps
IPC: F41J9/20
Filed: 1925-02-06
Abstract: 228,933. Lorimer, G. W., and McVicker, J. Feb. 9, 1924, [Convention date]. Projecting clay pigeons.-A trap for projecting clay pigeons is constructed so as to vary automatically the angle at which the pigeons are thrown, the angular movement being indeterminate. The apparatus is cocked and released by means of a bar 31, which also serves to turn the apparatus through a varying angle. A base plate 10 carries a stud 15 on which a disc 17 is slidably secured. A plate 24 carrying a pawl 32 is mounted on the disc 17 and a ratchet-wheel 25, with which the pawl 32 engages, is rotatably mounted on the stud 15. A flange 16 on the stud 15 retains the wheel 25 and disc 17 in place, and friction discs 20, 26, 27 are inserted to restrain the rotation of the stud 15 and wheel 25. The amount of friction may be adjusted by means of the spring-pressed plate 103. A second plate 36, carrying a pawl 41, is mounted on the base plate 10, and a stud 37 carries a second ratchet-wheel 38, which engages with the pawl 41. A pawl 43 is mounted on the plate 10 and prevents reverse rotation of the wheel 38, except when the pawl is raised by a cam 55 carried by the wheel 25. The plates 24, 36 are connected together by a link 40 and both are operated simultaneously to advance the ratchet-wheels 25, 38 one, two, or three teeth at a time by the link 30 which is connected with, the operating-bar 31. One ratchet wheel has more teeth than the other, and preferably the number of teeth on either wheel is not divisible by two or three. The target-throwing mechanism is adjustably mounted on a member 50 which is rigidly mounted on the head 16 of the stud 15. An extension 51 of the member 50 normally lies in the path of studs 52 which are mounted out of diametric alignment on the wheel 38. A screw 58 limits the movement of the member 50. The member 50, and with it the target throwing mechanism, is thus moved step by step owing to the frictional contact of the wheel 25 with the head 16, until one of the pins 52 moves it in the opposite direction. The action of the pins 52 is rendered irregular by the action of the cam 55 on the pawl 43, or teeth may be omitted from the wheel 38. An additional cam 55 may be provided. or the length of the cam may be varied. The target-throwing mechanism comprises an arm 80 with a rail 81 pivotally mounted on a spindle 71 in a frame 60 which is mounted on the member 50. A bar 62, connected at 67 to the operating- rod 31, slides in the frame 60 and carries a roller G9 which engages a cam 70 mounted on the spindle 71. When the rod 31 is pulled, the cam 70 is pulled back against the action of a spring 74 and the spindle 71 is turned until the carrier 80 is drawn completely back and retained in place by the engagements of latches 85, 89. The targets are placed in position, and are retained by fingers 98. A forward movement of the bar 31 causes a projection 95 to move a lever 88 against a pin 87 carried by the latch 85. The latch is thus released, causing the carrier 80 to rotate round its spindle 71 against the action of the spring 82. The rail 81 is rubber-faced to cause the targets to spin.