Improvements in Targets.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 31st Jan., 1891-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Targets.
WILLIAM PALMER JONES, 75, Bath Street, Birmingham, Gun Maker, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide a target that will show the position
where the shots strike, when firing at imitation birds (or other objects) on the
wing, and to effect this, I provide a target of metal or other suitable material, upon
which the form of a flying bird or other object is painted or fixed. The target and
bird or other objects are painted in different colours, so as to form a ready mark to
the firer. The said target is made to slide upon a streched wire or its equivalent
in any direction that may be desired; by means of a cord or other suitable
material attached to the target or framework of target, and working over & under
suitable pulleys, or rollers and is accutated by a windless wheel, elastic rubber,
spiral springs, or by pulling the cord attached to the target. Buffers are provided.
Flat and other springs may be used to propel the target.
Dated this 25th day of April 1890.
WILLIAM PALMER JONES.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Targets.
WILLIAM PALMER JONES, 75, Bath Street, Birmingham, Gun Maker, 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 —
The object of my invention is to provide a target that will show the position
where the shots strike, when firing at imitation birds (or other objects) on the
wing, and to effect this, I provide a target of metal or other suitable material, upon
which the form of a flying bird or other objects are painted or fixed. The target
and bird or other objects are painted in different colours, so as to form a ready
mark to the firer. The said target made to slide upon a stretched wire or its
equivalent in any direction that may be desired, by means of a cord or other
suitable material attached to the target or framework of targets and working over
and under suitable pulleys or rollers.
In order that my said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings more fully
to describe the same.
. DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation representing my invention in moveable targets (A)
made of metal or any suitable material upon which the figure of a bird (A. 1) or
other object is fixed or painted thereon.
The said target (A) is made to hang and slide upon the wire or wires (B) by
means of grooved pulley wheels, (B1) eyes, or hooks, the wire or wires (B) may
be stretched at any angle between posts (C) and (C1), poles, or from any structure.
A cord (D) is attached to the target (A) and carried through or over a pulley (E)
a roller, or ring, which may be fixed on one of the posts (C) or its equivalent.
The cord (D) is then connected to a drum or grooved wheel (F) to which is
attached a handle, upon turning the wheel or drum (F) the cord is wound round
it and the target (A) is drawn along the stretched wire or wires (B) at any speed
to represent the flight of a bird or any moving object.
[Price 6d.

page_text: 1
In order to ensure the target travelling along the wire or wires (B) at a more
rapid rate, I employ an elastic cord or cords (G) one end of which I fasten to a
post (L) or other suitable contrivance, whilst the other end is attached to a cord (i)
working over wheels or through eyes which are fixed on posts. (C) and other
suitable supports. The said cord is then attached to the target (A) when the
elastic cord or cords (G) åré stretched, the target (A) is held back in a state of
tension by a hook shaped catch (H) or by a peg, either of which may be released
by pulling a cord attached to the catch (H)
or peg..
!!
The target (A) may (if preferred) be made to travel along the stretched wire or
wires (B) by means of one or more of the elastic cords (G) fixed as above but
without the aid of the wheel or drum (F).
..
Spiral springs or cords with a weight (1) as illustrated in (Fig. 2) may be used in
place of the elastic cord (G) in order to give motion to the target (A) but pré-
ference is given to the elastic cord or cords (G).
The target (A) and figure of a bird or other objects are washed over in two
distinct colours and when the object is fired at, the target shows exactly where the
shots strike and enables the gun maker or fitter to detect any errors in shooting
and thereby assists him in making a true fitting gun for the person using the same.
It also affords excellent practice for shooting at moving objects.
Although mention is made of a target it will be understood, that one or more
targets may be used, moving in various directions, all being worked by the same
means as described above.
(Fig. 3) illustrates more clearly that part of my invention where the form of a
bird or target is made to move by means of the elastic cord or cords (G). When
the form of a bird (A. 2) is used, guides are provided, through which the wires (B)
pass.
In order to clearly show at a distance when the bird is struck by the shot I
attach to the bird or other objects by means of cements, clips, or other suitable
fastenings, an explosive covering or fulminate which when struck will explode and
show a puff of smoke or fine powder or dust made into suitable bags may be
attached to the bird or other objects which when struck would show a cloud
of dust.
Buffers for breaking the force of the target or bird when arriving at its
destination, are fixed on the wire or wires (B). The said buffers may be made of
spiral springs, india rubber, or other suitable material, I prefer a spiral spring (M)
as shown in (Fig. 2).
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:-
The improved moveable target and apparatus in connection therewith as' herein
described and shown in Sheets 1 and 2 of the drawings."
Dated this 26th day of January 1891.
WILLIAM PALMER JONES.