Improvements in Moving Targets.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th May, 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897.
Improvements in Moving Targets.
I, HENRY LASCELLES CARR of Curtyvil, Penarth, Glamorgan, Newspaper
Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in connection with moving targets, and
has for its object to provide an arrangement by means of which the flight of a
bird can be imitated."
In the apparatus I propose to employ a suitable carrier is provided, which is
caused to pass up an inclined plane formed from a stretched wire. A supporting
wire is carried at one end by a post preferably about forty feet in height, and is
connected at its lower end to a fixed point in the ground, or to a fixed support, the
tension of the wire being varied as hereinafter described. Besides this fixed wire
an endless wire is employed passing over two wheels one at the top of the post,
and the other carried by a frame at the lower end of the fixed wire. The upper
side of this endless wire is parallel with the fixed one, and extends within a few
inches of it. To the top of the post a grooved wheel or pulley is secured, pre-
ferably about two feet in dameter, over which the endless wire passes this wheel
being secured to the post by spring clips or clamps attached to the bar or frame
supporting the wheel. The frame or support is provided with an extension at its
upper end projecting over the rim of the wheel and perforated, allowing the fixed
wire to be passed through, the end of the wire then being connected to any fixed
part. The fixed wire is thus held at a definite distance above the upper side of the
endless one, and the two cannot shift relatively to each other.
At the lower part of the apparatus a frame of wood or other suitable material
is fitted carried on a base spiked or otherwise secured firmly to the ground. The
upper part of this frame is provided with a bearing carrying a grooved pulley or
wheel preferably about double the diameter of the pulley at the top of the post.
This wheel is driven by gearing from a handle the motion being preferably
multiplied. The frame is also provided with a vertical arm provided with an
extension projecting over the rim of the wheel, this extension being perforated
in a similar manner to that described with reference to the post, the wire passing
through this perforation, the perforation being situated the same distance above
the rim of the wheel as in the first case. The fixed wire is thus kept parallel to
the endless one. The lower part of the frame is provided with a lug at each end
through which bolts pass, these bolts projecting through a slot or groove in the
base. This arrangement allows the frame to be adjusted with reference to the
base, so that the tension of the fixed wire can be varied to any required extent.
The carrier I propose to employ is formed from two plates having two pairs of
grooved pulleys one pair at each end, the stationary wire passing between the
pulleys so that the carrier is supported by the wire. The carrier is arranged to
hang vertically and any object such as an imitation bird can be fitted to it. To
move the carrier it is connected to the endless wire by a loop of cotton or other
suitable device, so that when the lower wheel is revolved the carrier will be

page_text: drawn rapidly up by an endless wire until it reaches the top. On reaching the top
the cotton will be broken, and the carrier will be allowed to slide down to the
end of the apparatus ready for another operation. Spring buffers are provided at
both ends of the fixed wire, these buffers consisting of a coiled spring passed over
the end of the wire, and connected to the supports at each side.
In order that the invention may be-more clearly understood, reference is had
to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig. I is a general view of the
apparatus, Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively a side elevation and a plan of the
operating mechanism and frame shown to a larger scale, Figs. and 5 show
the arrangement at the top of the post in side elevation and plan, and Figs. 6
and are detail views of the carrier.
The base A shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is spiked or otherwise fixed on the ground
and is provided with the longitudinal slot or groove a. On this base the wooden
frame B is placed, this frame being provided with the lugs bone at each end
having pins or bolts & extending into the slot or groove a allowing the frame to
be shifted along the base. The grooved wheel or pulley C is carried in the bear-
ings fitted to the top of the frame and the gearing D serves to transmit motion
from a bandle d to the shaft of the wheel, the toothed wheel on the crank or
handle shaft being preferably considerably larger than that on the wheel shaft.
The metal arm E is fixed to the top of the frame and is provided with the extension
at the top having a perforation el situated immediately above the rim of the
wheel or pulley. On the post F placed at any convenient distance from the frame
the wheel or pulley G is fitted by means of the clamp I, the clamp encircling the
post and being secured to the arm carrying the wheel. This arm extends above
the wheel and is provided with the extension having the perforation placed
exactly over the rim and in a corresponding position to the perforation e. The
fixed wire is passed through the perforations e and 2 and is secured at each end
to a fixed point. The tension of this wire is adjusted by shifting the frame B
along the base A. Over the grooved pulleys or wheels the endless wire K passes
so that on the wheel Cheing revolved in the manner above described, the wire K
will be caused to travel at a speed proportionate to the motion of the wheels.
A carrier is provided formed from two plates 1 carrying two pairs of grooved
rollers one pair at each end between which the wire J passes. The carrier is
thus supported on the wire and is attached by a loop of cotton passing over the
small hook to the wire K. The carrier is thus drawn along with the wire, atal
is caused to travel at a considerable pace on the stretched wire, the imitation bird
or other device being attached to the carrier. At each end of the fixed wire a
cushion is provided formed from a coiled spring passed over the wire and
hearing against the supports at each end. The carrier will thus he brought to a
stop without any sudden shock.
An excellent imitation of a flying bird is provided by this arrangement for
shooting purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
(1) An improved moveable target for shooting purposes, constructed from a
fixed slanting wire attached at one end to a post and at the other to the ground
or a fixed frame, an endless wire or band passing over pulleys, and a carrier
supported on the fixed wire and attached to the endless wire, substantially as
descried and for the purposes specified.
(2) In an improved moveable target for shooting purposes, the combination
with a frame, a post at some distance from the frame and a fixed wire stretching
from the frame to the post, of two wheels or pulleys one carried by the frame and
the other by the post, means for revolving one of the said pulleys, an endless wire
passing over the pulleys, and a carrier having rollers supported by the fixed wire
and attached to the endless one, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

page_text: (3.) In an improved moveable target for shooting purposes the combination with
an adjustable frame, a post at some distance from the said frame arms projecting
from the frame and post, a fixed wire connected to the said arms and stretched
between them, and spring cushions or buffers at the ends of the said wire, of a
grooved pulley carried by the post, a second pulley supported by the frame,
gearing and driving mechanism connected to the said pulley, an endless wire
passing over the pulleys and a carrier to which a bird or other object can be
attached provided with grooved rollers supported by the fixed wire, and connectel
to the endless one substantially as, and for the purposes specified.
(4.) In an improved target for shooting purposes, the combination with a frame,
a grooved or sloited base to which the frame is connected, means for adjusting the
said frame, a post at some distance from the same, a stretched wire passing from
the frame to the top of the post and spring cushion or buffer at the ends of the
said wire, of a grooved pulley or wheel carried by the frame, gearing and driving
mechanism connected to the said pulley, a second pulley at the top of the post
provided with the clamps by which it can be fitted in place, an endless wire passing
over the said pulleys and a carrier to which a bird or other object may be attached,
provided with rollers, supported by the fixed wire and connected to the endless one,
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(5.) The improved moveable target for shooting purposes, comprising a stretched
slanting wire, an endless wire passing over pulleys and a carrier, all constructed
substantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings, and for the
purposes specified.
1007
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant