IMPROVEMENTS IN MOVABLE TARGETS FOR DRILL HALLS, SHOOTING GALLERIES AND RIFLE RANGES
Year: 1885

page_text: Galleries, and Rifle Ranges.
I FRANCIS CLARKE of Dane John Works, Canterbury, in the County of Kent,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
MOVABLE TARGETS FOR DRILL HALLS, SHOOTING GALLERIES AND RIFLE RANGES,
to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to certain improvements which I have effected in
movable targets whereby they are rendered portable and suitable for rifle practice
in drill halls and shooting galleries; without however detracting from their utility
in the open.
The invention may be considered as an improvement upon the system of movable
targets for which I obtained Letters Patent dated 6th March 1883, No 1211, which
system has been adopted at the more important Government ranges.
According to one arrangement therein shown and described the targets were
caused to move along railway tracks in a horizontal plane across the line of fire,
and separate screens were fixed at the desired points in passing behind which the
moving targets temporarily disappeared from view.
In another arrangement the targets were caused to move in a horizontal plane
along tracks arranged more or less obliquely to the line of fire; and in another
arrangement the targets were clamped upon a shaft capable of rotation in fixed
bearings, holes being dug in the ground beneath each target, or set of targets, to
permit of the shaft with its targets being freely rotated.
In each case motion was imparted to the travelling or rotating targets by means
of chains passing over pullies, and all these arrangements were of a more or less
permanent character, necessitating considerable labour in preparing the ground and
in laying and fixing the several sections of which the apparatus was constructed;
and as a consequence the invention was not suited for indoor use in galleries or
rooms.
་
Now the object of my present improvements is to provide a self contained port-
able apparatus requiring no excavation in the field or previous preparation of the
ground, and in which traversing targets are combined with rotating targets in such
a manner that either set may be set in motion at pleasure, and which, while
especially adapted for rifle practice with Morris's Tubes in drill halls, shooting
galleries and rooms of suitable length, may nevertheless be used in the open for
outdoor practice when required.
My improved target apparatus consists of a strong but light open iron framework
adapted to rest on the ground, the two sets of targets being mounted upon the
framework and supported by it at a suitable height above the ground. The
traversing targets each consist of a figure made of steel of sufficient strength
to withstand the strongest cartridges from Morris's Tubes, and are each mounted
on a carriage preferably running on four wheels. These wheels run in grooved

page_text: channels formed in the opposite faces of a pair of flat iron cheeks or rails connected
by suitable stays, and motion is imparted to the carriage and figure or figures by
an endless chain and chain wheels mounted on axles between the said cheeks or
rails, the axle of one of the chain wheels being fitted with a pinion and driven by
means of a shaft and spur wheel. In this arrangement the traversing targets move
in a vertical plane each target appearing in turn at one end of the pair of cheeks
or rails (the grooves or guide channels in which are rounded at their ends to allow
of the carriage turning) and passing across the line of fire above the rails to the
other end, where it disappears and continues its course in an inverted position
below the rails and behind a detachable sheet iron screen plate, by which arrange-
ment space is greatly economized.
Preferably I use two figures for the moving target at equal distances apart, so
that when one is disappearing the other will be on the point of reappearing. The
wheels running in the grooved cheeks or rails are preferably slightly coned.
To allow motion to be imparted to the driving shaft from a point in front of and
rather to one side of the target, I connect the said shaft by a universal joint
with a system of rods or tubes suitably supported and leading to the marker's
mantlet.
The quick vanishing targets represent the head shoulders of a man appearing
and disappearing above a breastwork, and consist of similar steel figures fixed on a
shaft mounted to rotate in suitable bearings carried by horizontal arms extending
rearwards from the rearmost cheek plate or rail on which the carriages of the
moving or traversing targets run; and motion is imparted to this shaft from the
main driving shaft by bevel wheels which can be thrown in or out of gear as
required. I prefer to arrange the main driving shaft and its gear in such a manner.
that when the traversing targets are in motion the quick vanishing targets will be
inactive, but both might be worked together.
I may also provide means for shifting the shaft of the quick vanishing targets,
endwise, so that their position with respect to the front of the target apparatus
may be shifted, and they may thus be caused to appear and disappear rapidly at
constantly varying points, at the discretion of the marker.
Each of the targets may be provided with an indicating bull's eye, but I prefer-
ably fit only the traversing targets with my indicating bullseye which consists of a
disc supported by a spring actuated plunger mounted behind the figure, the said
plunger being held locked by a spring catch until the bull's eye is struck, when its
stem is thrust in displacing the catch and releasing the plunger which immediately
raises its disc above the head of the figure.
From the fore going it will be seen that the whole apparatus is portable and self-
contained, that it comprises two sets of targets combined, arranged and operated
in a peculiar manner, so that either, or both, of them can be set. in motion,
that it includes improved means for imparting motion to, and for shifting the said
targets from the marker's mantlet; and relates also to an improved construction
of indicating figure or bulls eye.
The targets when intended for indoor practice are proportioned to represent to
the eye of the marksman when standing at a distance of 20 to 30 yards from the
target the figure of a man of the size he would appear to the marksman when
firing at a range of 200 or 300 yards, and thus the invention offers means for good
practice and accurate training for the eye, in an ordinary shooting gallery or room
of sufficient length.
"

page_text: Galleries, and Rifle Ranges.
I FRANCIS CLARKE of Dane John Works, Canterbury in the County of Kent,
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:-
.
The present invention relates to certain improvements which I have effected in
moving targets, whereby they are rendered portable and suitable for rifle practice
in drill halls and shooting galleries, without detracting from their utility in
the open.
The invention may be considered as an improvement upon the system of moving
targets for which I obtained Letters Patent dated 6th March 1883, Nº 1211,
which system has been adopted at the more important Government ranges.
According to one arrangement therein shown and described, the targets were
caused to move along railway tracks in a horizontal plane across the line of fire,
and separate screens were fixed at the desired points, in passing behind which, the
moving targets temporarily disappeared from view.
In another arrangement the targets were caused to move in a horizontal plane
along tracks arranged more or less obliquely to the line of fire, and in another
arrangement, the targets were clamped upon a shaft capable of rotation in fixed
bearings, holes being dug in the ground beneath each target, or set of targets, to
permit of the shaft, with its targets, being freely rotated.
In each case, motion was imparted to the travelling or rotating targets by means
of chains passing over pulleys, and all these arrangements were of a more or less
permanent character, necessitating considerable labour in preparing the ground,
and in laying and fixing the several sections of which the apparatus was con-
structed, and, as a consequence, the invention was not suited for indoor use in
galleries or rooms.
Now the object of my present improvements is to provide a self-contained
portable apparatus requiring no excavation in the field, or previous preparation of
the ground, and in which traversing targets are combined with rotating targets in
such a manner that either set may be set in motion at pleasure, and which, while
especially adapted for rifle practice with Morris's Tubes in drill halls, shooting
galleries, and rooms of suitable length, may nevertheless be used in the open for
outdoor practice, when required.
My improved target apparatus consists of a strong, but light open iron frame-
work adapted to rest. on the ground, the vanishing and the traversing targets
being mounted upon the framework, and supported by it at a suitable height
above the ground.
In the accompanying drawing, my invention is shewn as adapted for indoor use,
the framework being of such height as to raise the targets on a level with the eye
of the marksman; the size of the targets being diminished proportionately to the

page_text: diminished length of the range of fire necessitated by the adaptation of the
invention to indoor use.
The targets, when intended for outdoor practice, I also so proportion as to
represent to the eye of the marksman, when standing, say, at a distance of 20 to
30 yards from the target, the figure of a man the size he would appear at the firing
point of a range of say 200 or 300 yards.
Fig. 1 is a front view of the apparatus complete, shewing the traversing targets
in use, and the vanishing targets out of use.
Fig. 2 is a plan view, and
Fig. 3 is an end view of the same.
Fig. 4 is a front view of the apparatus, shewing the vanishing target in use, and
the traversing targets out of use.
AA is the framework of the apparatus, consisting mainly of two flat parallel
castings supported on wrought iron legs, and braced together by transverse tie rods,
leaving room between them for the traverse of a pair of carriages on which the
targets are mounted.
In the inner face of the castings A, are endless longitudinal grooves a, forming
guides in which run the wheels b of a pair of carriages B.-To each of these
carriages is bolted a hinged target B¹, representing in contour a soldier.
:...
By means of an endless travelling chain C, with which these carriages are
connected, a traverse motion is imparted to the targets, their range of motion
corresponding with the length of the endless grooves. The chain C runs over
guide pulleys D mounted on cross shafts & d', having their bearings in the
framing A.
'
The cross shaft d has keyed to it a spur pinion d³, which gears into a spur wheel é
on the main driving shaft E.
This driving shaft has its bearings in the framing A, and is connected by a
universal joint a¹ with a hollow rod e², leading to the mantlet where the marker is
Beated.
This rod carries a handle e³ for actuating it, and transmitting rotary motion to
the main driving shaft, and it is so fitted to its end bearing or support, that it is
free to be shifted end wise, and held in one or other of two positions, for the purpose
(when thrust forward or drawn back) of imparting an endway motion to the
driving shaft E, and thereby shifting the spur wheel e into or out of gear with
the pinion d³.
Fitted to the back of the framing A are bracket arms A', which carry bearings
for a longitudinal shaft F, on which are mounted two pairs or more of vanishing
targets G, fixed on opposite sides of the shaft, the targets being all in different
transverse vertical planes.
Keyed to one end of the shaft F is a mitre pinion f, and on the rear end of the
driving shaft E is a mitre pinion e, for gearing into the pinion f, and imparting an
axial motion to the shaft F, when it is desired to bring the vanishing targets into
use. The geared position of the mitre pinion e' is shewn in dots in the plan view
Fig. 2, and it is for the purpose of throwing this mitre pinion in and out of gear,
as desired, that the driving shaft E is made capable of receiving an endway motion
in its bearings. The targets fitted to the shaft F (see Fig. 4) are bull's eyes, but
they may be replaced by targets such as those shown at B¹, Fig. 1, and the bull's
eyes may be adapted, if thought desirable, to the traversing carriages.
To provide for the marksınan seeing with accuracy the result of his firing, I so
mount the targets B' on their carriages, that when struck by a bullet from a
Morris's tube, or other small fire arm, they will fall to the position shown by dots
in Fig. 3.
I also provide for the bulls' eye target an indicator which will come into view
when the shot has struck the bull's eye, as shewn at Fig. 4.
Referring now to the target B¹, it consists mainly of a steel plate b cut out to
the figure of a man's head, and shoulders, and binged to lugs on a bracket piece b²,
which connects it to the carriage¨B.-
i

page_text: ! Bolted to this bracket piece is
spring 63, carrying a notched piece which
underlies the hinged plate 61, and connects therewith by its notch, so as to hold
the target or plate b¹ firmly in a vertical position.
When, however, the target is struck by the marksman, the snap spring b³ will
yield to the blow received by the hinged plate, and the plate will drop to the
dotted position of Fig. 3.,"
The firing at these targets B', it will be understood, occurs while the attendant
is giving them a traverse motion across the line of fire, and as the depressed target
passes out of range, it will come in contact with a cam shaped piece H fixed on
the framing A, which cam piece will raise the depressed figure or hinged plate b¹,
and cause it to snap again into the notched spring b³.
The continued traverse motion of the chain C will at the same time bring up
the second target into range, to be depressed in its turn by the marksman, and the
other target being now restored to the vertical position on its carriage, will be
once more brought across the line of fire. It will be obvious that at the option of
the attendant, seated behind the mantlet, the traversing targets may have their
motion reversed, and suddenly shifted from right to left, or stopped, to test the
expertness of the marksman under varying circumstances.
I will now describe the construction of the bull's eye target which visibly
indicates to the marksman when he has scored. g, Fig. 4, is the bull's eye forming
the head of a sliding pin, which fits a sleeve socket g (see Fig. 3) projecting from
the back of a steel plate G, which plate is bolted to the shaft F, and stands out.
tangentially therefrom.
:
:
This sleeve socket is slotted vertically, and so also is the pin of the bull's eye gr
to allow a vertical sliding rod g² to pass through it.
The rod g² passes through a pair of guides rivetted to the back of the plate G,
and it is squared to prevent its turning in its guides.
At its upper end, this rod carries a disc indicator g³, which, on the bull's eye
being struck, will start up into sight above the plate G of the target.
The squared rod g2 is notched at its back, to lock with the bull's eye pin
through which it slides.
Surrounding the pin which carries the bull's eye, is a coiled spring g', which lies
between the head of the pin and the plate G; and serves to sustain the bull's eye
in a forward position.
Connected to the lower end of the rod g³, is a spring go, which is attached at its
opposite end to the pin of the bull's eye or to any fixed point.
A tendency is thus given to the rod, to fly upwards, and present its disc g³
to view.
This it cannot, however, do so long as it is, by reason of its notched back,
locked to the pin of the bull's eye. When, however, the bull's eye is struck by a
bullet from the marksman, it will recoil from the blow, compressing the spring g
which retained it in position, and, by its back movement, will release the sliding
rod g².
The spring of this rod now coming into instant action, will cause the rod to
start upwards, and present the disc which it carries to the eye of the marksman,
before the target has had time to vanish from view.
In order to restore the moving parts of the several targets to the locked position,
I provide for each target a cam shaped bracket arm I, which stands out from the
main framing A, its cam shaped portion projecting into the path of the revolving
target which it is intended to act upon.-As rotary motion is imparted to the
shaft F, the protruded discs g³ of the several targets will strike upon their
respective cam pieces, and be forced back into their locked position.
The apparatus above described is portable and self contained; it comprises two
sets of targets combined, arranged, and operated in a peculiar manner, so that
either of them can be set in motion as desired; it includes improved means for
imparting motion to, and for shifting the said targets from the marker's mantlet,
and also means for indicating the success or failure of every shot of the marksman.

page_text: Thus, the invention offers means for good practice and accurate training for the
eye in an ordinary shooting gallery, or room of sufficient length to allow of the use
of the Morris tubes or miniature fire arms.
Supposing the plate G of the vanishing target to take the form of the head and
shoulders of a man, when the shaft F is rotated, the figure will present the
appearance of a man rising above, and dropping behind a breastwork. As the
shaft rotates, two of the figures appear together above the top of the breast work,
and disappear below it at intervals, the duration of the interval being deter-
mined by the rate at which the working handle is turned, leaving the target
exposed to view for a number of seconds, determined from the attendant's mantlet.
When the moving target is in use, the figures of the vanishing target are left in
a horizontal plane, and are therefore then hidden from view.
.
It should also be remarked, that before the vanishing target is brought into use,
the figures of the traversing target should be first moved to the dotted position of
Fig. 4, when, being below the line of sight, they will offer no obstruction to the
aim of the marksman.
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 :-
3
1st The improved construction of self contained target apparatus above described,
which provides for the use of traversing targets or vanishing targets at the option
of the marker.
21.
2nd The application to targets of the means above described for automatically
indicating the hits of marksmen.