Improvements in Self-indicating Targets.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 25th May, 1894
PROVISIONAI. SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Self-indicating Targets.
I, JOHN PATERSON, of 136 Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This my invention relates to Improvements in Self-indicating Targets, and has
for object to provide in such targets simple and efficient meaus for actuating the
indicating mechanism, whether electric or mechanical. And in order that the
invention may be fully understood I will describe same with reference to the accom-
panying drawings and to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon, that
is to say:
Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a self indicating competition target, having
four face values marked thereon, riz.: "outer," "magpie," "inner," and "bull."
Fig. 2 is a plan, and Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively side and rear elevational
views of the same. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, are detail views.
In the target illustrated in these figures the value of the shot is indicated by
means of electricity, though, as will hereinafter appear, the invention is equally
applicable for use in mechanical, or other, self-indicating targets.
a a¹ a³ are
"
As aforesaid, the target face, in this instance, is divided into four values, each
of which consists of a separate metal plate or ring, supported and held in position
by suitable legs or plates bolted at their lower ends to the target frame.
respectively the "outer," "magpie," and "inner," sections or divisions of the
target face, and b, b', 6, represent their supporting pieces bolted as at c to the
lower part of the target frame. An aperture d is made in the centre of the "inner"
plate of the required size of the "bull's eye,” and a plate marked (see particularly
Figs. 2 and 3) is placed in the rear of same for the bullet to strike when a "bull
is obtained. This is also bolted at its lower end to the target frame ff',f³, f',
are loose pins arranged behind the target face. These pins are in number
according to the number of values into which the target is divided, there being one
pin for each segment of the face. g is a guide plate carried in any suitable
manner say (as shewn) by the top and bottom straps or plates g¹ g³ affixed to the
framing of the target. These pins f, shewn separately in side elevation and in
plan respectively in Figs. 5 and 6, are so arranged as to, when in their normal
position, just touch the back of the target face so that when the latter is struck by
a bullet the vibration of the segment or portion so struck will be sufficient to
displace its corresponding pin and cause same to actuate the indicating mechanism.
In these figures the invention is shewn as adapted for use with an electrical
indicator, and when the pin is displaced by the force of the shot it is caused to
make contact and complete the electrical circuit, all as hereinafter more particularly
described. To enable contact to be made by the displacement of the pins of as
aforesaid arrange their ends within suitable apertures h formed in the rear
supporting plate i which latter is bolted or screwed to the angle iron supports k of
the target framing, and carries the insulating pieces of vulcanite to which are
screwed the brass or other conducting plates or strips m and n. o, o', o³, o³, are
the four wires corresponding with the sections a, a', a², a³, of the target face,
·P.
is the return wire. As will be seen on reference particularly to Fig. 7
(which is a vertical section through the rear plate :) I form the bottom parts of
the aperture upon an incline. This will tend to keep the pins (when in their
normal position) close against the target face. The rear ends of the pins f I form
correspondingly sloped, and with a recess therein to allow of same dropping over
and

page_text: .
the edge of the plate when passed through the aperture. In position for action
the pins are all as shewn in dotted lines 1, Fig. 7, having their rear ends resting
within the apertures h of the plate i and their forward ends just touching the back
of the target face. When the target is struck the pin is displaced and takes the
position shewn in dotted lines f Fig. 7 resting then upon the conducting strips mn
(see also rear elevation Fig. 8) making contact therewith, completing the electric
circuit, and signalling the score obtained upon the indicator. To break contact and
return the pins to their original positions against the back of the target face I
have between blocks q sliding upon the angle irons a suitable carriage or
framing formed with, or carrying, an extending arm or piece r¹ which when said
carriage or framing is raised engages with the rear end of the pin and lifts same
and returns it into position. A convenient manner of raising the contact breaker is
by means of a cord or chains passing over pulleys s' and leading to the firing
point where it may be manipulated by the attendants or others as required. In
connection with the contact breaking mechanism just referred to, and rising and
falling with same I may conveniently have the white wash brush t for the purpose
of whiting the face of the target after each shot; u being the box for containing
the whitewash formed in one with the target framing.
Though as above described the device for actuating the indicating mechanisin
.consisting essentially of the loose pins passing through apertures h in the rear
plate is shewn as applied to a competition target working with an electrical
indicator it will be readily understood that the same is equally applicable to
targets of other types working with either mechanical or electrical indicators. As
illustrations in Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12, I have shewo its application to a subdivided
class firing target, and to what is known as the "Morris" trajectory target.
'Fig. 9, is a front elevation of a subdivided class firing target, such as used by
recruits and beginners, the face being divided into 13 sections. Fig. 10 is a
rear elevation of the same, shewing the plate i formed with as many apertures h
as there are divisions on the target face, and having a corresponding number of
the loose pins f working therein. In this illustration the score is indicated by
means of the discs A carried upon levers B fulcrummed at C. Each disc is
numbered to correspond with a section of the target, and there are the same
number of discs-as segments of the target face. Each of the loose pins fis con-
nected by a cord or wire to one of the levers B in such manner that when the
target is struck and the pin corresponding with the portion so struck is displaced it
brings the disc into the exposed position shewn in dotted lines, and indicates the
part of the target struck. Fig. 11 is a face view of a trajectory target, and
Fig. 12 is a rear elevation of so much of the target as will illustrate the applica-
tion of this invention thereto. To adapt one indicator to the three (as shown) or
more targets I connect the return wires p of the whole series upon one side, and
upon the other I connect the several corresponding values of the targets, by the
wires o, o', and o³.
It will be readily understood that without describing same in greater detail
various other mechanical contrivances for indicating the value of the shot may be
employed, such as for instance a revolving colored disc or discs carried upon a rod
or rods, and to which the actuating device herein before described may with equal
advantage be applied.
Dated the 30th day of November 1803

page_text: Improvements in
I, JOHN PATERSON, of 136 Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer,
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 Self-indicating Targets, and has for
object to provide in such targets simple and efficient means for actuating the
indicating mechanism.
And in order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect I will describe same with reference to the two sheets of drawings
accompanying the Provisional Specification lodged with my application for Patent
herein, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, that is to
say:
Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a self indicating competition target,
having four face values marked thereon, viz.: "outer,"
" "inner," and
magpie,'
"bull."
Fig. 2 is a plan, and Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively side and rear elevations of
the same. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, are detail views.
In the target illustrated in these figures the value of the shot is indicated by
means of electricity, though, as will hereinafter appear, the invention is equally
applicable for use in mechanical, or other, self-indicating targets.
"
As aforesaid, the target face, in this instance, is divided into four values, each of
which consists of a separate metal plate or ring supported and held in position by
a a a² are
suitable legs or plates bolted at their lower ends to the target frame.
respectively the "outer," "magpie," and "inner," sections or divisions of the
target face, and b, b', b, represent their supporting pieces bolted as at c to the
lower part of the target frame. An aperture d is made in the centre of the "inner"
plate of the required size of the "bull's eye," and a plate marked e (see particularly
" bull
Figs. 2 and 3) is placed in the rear of same for the bullet to strike when a
is obtained. This is also bolted at its lower end to the target frame.
ffff are loose pins arranged behind the target face. These pins are in
number according to the number of values into which the target is divided, there
being one pin for each segment of the face. g is a guide plate carried in any
suitable manner say (as shewn) by the top and bottom straps or plates g¹ g³ affixed
to the framing of the target. These pins f, shewn separately in side elevation and
in plan respectively in Figs. 5 and 6, are so arranged as to, when in their normal
position, just touch the back of the target face so that when the latter is struck by
a bullet the vibration of the segment or portion so struck will be sufficient to
displace its corresponding pin and cause same to actuate the indicating mechanism.
In these figures the invention is shewn as adapted for use with an electrical
indicator, and when the pin is displaced by the force of the shot it is caused
hereinafter more
to make contact and complete the electrical circuit all as
particularly described.
To enable contact to be made by the displacement of the pins fas aforesaid I
arrange their ends within suitable apertures formed in the rear supporting plate i
which latter is bolted or screwed to the angle iron supports k of the target framing,
and carries the insulating pieces of vulcanite to which are screwed the brass or
o o¹ o² o are the four wires corre-
other conducting plates or strips m and n.
sponding with the four sections of the target face, and p is the return wire.
As will be seen on reference particularly to Fig. 7 (which is a vertical section
through the rear plate :) I form the bottom parts of the apertures h upon an

page_text: '
incline. This will tend to keep the pins (when in their normal position) close
against the target face. The rear ends of the pins f I form correspondingly
sloped, and with a recess therein to allow of same dropping over the edge of the
plate when passed through the aperture. In position for action the pins are all as
shewn in dotted lines fFig. 7 having their rear ends resting within the apertures h
of the plate i and their forward ends just touching the back of the target face.
When the target is struck the pin is displaced and takes the position shewn in
dotted lines Fig. 7 resting then upon the conducting strips mn (see also rear
elevation Fig. 8) making contact therewith, completing the electric circuit, and
signalling the score obtained upon the indicator. To break contact and return the
pins to their original positions against the back of the target face I have, between
blocks & sliding upon the angle irons k, a suitable carriage or framing formed
with, or carrying, an extending arm or piece which when said carriage or framing
is raised engages with the rear end of the pin and lifts same and returns it into
position. A convenient manner of raising the contact breaker is by means of a
cord or chains passing over pulleys s¹ and leading to the firing point where it may
be manipulated by the attendants or others as required. In connection with the
contact breaking mechanism just referred to, and rising and falling with same I
may conveniently have the whitewash brush t for the purpose of whiting the face
of the target after each shot; u being the box for containing the whitewash, and
formed in one with the target framing. Though, as above described, the device
for actuating the indicating mechanism, consisting essentially of the loose pins f
passing through apertures in the rear plate i, is shewn as applied to a com-
petition target working with an electrical indicator it will be readily understood
that the same is equally applicable to targets of other types working with either
mechanical or electrical indicators.
As illustrations, in Figs. 9. 10. 11. and 12. I have shewn its application to a sub-
divided class firing target, and to what is known as the "Morris " trajectory
target. Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a subdivided target such as used by
recruits and beginners, the face being divided into 13 sections. Fig. 10 is a
rear elevation of the same, shewing the plate i formed with as many apertures h
as there are divisions on the target face, and having a corresponding number
of the loose pins f working therein. In this illustration the score is shewn as
indicated by means of the discs A carried upon levers B fulcrummed at C. Each
disc is numbered to correspond with a section of the target, and there are the same
number of dises as segments of the target face. Each of the loose pins f is con-
nected by a cord or wire to one of the levers B in such manner that when the
target is struck and the pin corresponding with the portion so struck is displaced
it brings the disc into the exposed position shewn in dotted lines and indicates the
part of the target struck.
Fig. 11 is a face view of a trajectory target, and Fig. 12 is a rear elevation of so
much of the target as will illustrate the application of this invention thereto. To
adapt one indicator to the three (as shewn), or more, targets I connect the return
wires of the whole series upon one side, and upon the other I connect the several
corresponding values of the targets, by the wires o o' and o*.
It will be readily understood that without describing same in detail various other
mechanical contrivances for indicating the value of the shot may be employed,
such as for instance a revolving colored disc or discs carried upon a rod or rods
and to which the actuating device herein before described may with equal advantage
be applied.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The Improvements in Self-indicating Targets substantially as and for the
purposes bereinbefore described and shewn.
2. In self indicating targets the device consisting essentially of the loose nins f

page_text: placed behind the target face and passing through apertures in the rear plate i,
each acted upon by the segment of the target struck, and when in consequence
displaced, as described, actuating the indicating mechanism (whether electrical or
mechanical); substantially as hereinbefore set forth and shewn in the drawings.
3. In self indicating targets, in combination with the pins f and rear plate i
herein before described the mechanism for returning the pins to their normal
position after action consisting essentially of the sliding carriage r
Lifter or arm and actuated from the firing point, all substantially as herein
described and shewn.
provided with
JOHN PATERSON.