IMPROVEMENTS IN FLYING TARGETS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, LOUIS HOYT MACOMBER, of Montevideo, in the State of Minnesota, United
States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
** IMPROVEMENTS IN FLYING TARGETS" and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention relates to flying targets made of a sheet metal target of a semi-
circular or truncated cone, or truncated pyramid shape, or shape similar thereto,
which is thrown into the air with a spinning motion and does not break, when.
struck by shot, or a ball or other missile, and which has a wing hinged to it, which
is of such shape, that its elastic edges hold it flush against the concavity or flush
against the outside of the target in such manner, that, when said target is struck
by shot, ball or other missile, the concussion will disengage said wing from close
contact with the target and by destroying its balance, bring it at once to the
ground.
In the drawings:-:
Figure 1. is a longitudinal vertical section of my improved flying target, showing
it closed.
Figure 2. is a plan view of the same showing it open.
Figure 3. shows a convexo-concave shaped target with the wing hinged to outside.
Figure 4. shows a convexo-convex shaped target the two parts kept closed by a
weak catch.
Figure 5. shows a convexo-concave target divided vertically into two parts, and
secured together by a weak catch.
Figure 6. shows a spherical shaped target divided diametrically.
Figure 7. is a modification of Figures 1. & 2. and
Figures 8. & 9. show side elevations of a target, having wing applied to the
outside, closed and open respectively.
Reference being had to the drawings, A represents the target made of sheet
metal, compressed paper, wood pulp or other non-breakable material, which is
provided with a wing B having a tongue C, which by means of a ring C¹ is. hinged
to the rim of said target.

page_text: This wing fits closely and snugly against the inner side of the target aud is held
in place by means of cement D, or a suitable catch F, as shown in Figures 4. and 5.
The target is thrown in the usual manner, and when it is struck by the shot or
other missile, the concussion releases the wing from the said target, except at its
binged end so that by falling and its weight and resistance acting on one side
of the target stop its revolutions and destroy its balance and cause it to drop
immediately.
"
Ordinarily the wing will be held against the inner side of the target by the
cement or catch until the target receives a jar or shock similar to that received by
shot or other missile.
In the construction shown in Figures 3. & 4. the target A and the wing B are
formed of parts of a hollow sphere.
In Figure 3. the smaller wing rests on the outer convex-surface of the target, and
in Figure 4. the concave sides face each other, the target, and wing being of the
same size and held together at the edges.
In Figure 5. the target and wing are of the same size and each consists of a
quarter or like part of a hollow ball, hinged together at the angles. In Figure 6.
the target and wing are of the same size, and each is formed of half a hollow
ball.
In Figure 7. the target consists of part of a hollow ball and the wing consists of
a circular plate adapted to close the opening of the target. In the construction
shown in Figures 8. and 9. an annular groove T is formed in the cup-shaped target
by pressing a part of the material inward, thus forming an annular bead or ridge
on the inner surface of said target. The wing B is provided with a notch or slit W,
which gives the edges of the wing an elasticity, so that, when crowded up against
the underside of the target, its expansion tendency causes it to catch on the bead
or ridge on the inside of the target and is thus held in place, as well as if it were
held by cement or a spring catch. The action is substantially the same in all
cases.
Glass or clay balls, when broken by shot make such a dust as to be objectionable,
and very often, when shot they as well as other forms of flying targets do not
break, and therefore giving no evidence of being shot, are counted as a miss and
against the marksman, whereas they should be counted for him. My target drops
as soon as it is struck and mistakes-such as just stated-are impossible. As my
targets do not break, they can be used a number of times.
Another advantage of my target is, that they are easily transported and occupy
less space than other targets, when packed for transportation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. The combination with a metallic target, as described, of a wing hinged
thereto, substantially as herein before shown.
Second. The combination with a metallic target, as described, of a wing binged
thereto, having its edges of such construction, that when closed and placed flush
against said target, it attaches thereto in the manner set forth.
Third. The combination of a cup-shaped or similar shaped target, having an
annular bead thereon, as described, of a wing, hinged to said target, which when
closed against said target will catch on said bead and be held in said closed position
as set forth,
'
Fourth. The combination with a cup-shaped or conical target, having an annular
bead or projection on its inner surface, of a wing hinged on the said target and
adapted to catch on the said bead or projection, substantially as herein shown, and
described. .
Fifth. The combination with a cup-shaped or conical target, having an annular
bead or projection on its inner surface, of a wing hinged on the target and provided

page_text: with a notch or recess to give the wing spring tension, substantially as herein
shown and described.
Sixth. The combination with the target A, of the wing B, and the ring D,
together with a cement for temporarily holding the wing, at one edge, to the target,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.