IMPROVEMENTS IN SKELETON TARGETS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Clark, the younger, of Number Fourteen, Little
Tower Street, in the City of London, Accountant, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SKELETON TARGETS." A communication from abroad by
Thomas Bacon, of Montreal, in the Dominion of Canada.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Clark at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th September 1877.
GEORGE CLARK, the younger, of Number Fourteen, Little Tower Street, in the
City of London, Accountant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SKELETON TARGETS." A. com-
munication from abroad by Thomas Bacon, of Montreal, in the Dominion of
Canada.
This Invention relates to a portable target, and it consists in the arrangement,
behind a butt or bullet-proof mantlet, of a skeleton target pivoted at a point
below its centre between the uprights of any suitable frame, an iron handle,
being attached to or near the bottom bar, reaching from the target to the marker's
seat, and under his control. The pushing of this handle allows the target to revolve
on its pivot until it reaches a nearly horizontal position within easy reach of the
marker, when it can be easily patched or refaced as required, stops being placed in
the framework to prevent it from falling over or down.
This target may be made so portable as to be packed in a box four inches square
by ten feet long for a second and third class combined; and for a first class target,
convertible also to a second and third class, in a box twelve feet eight inches long by
four inches square.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th March
1878.
GEORGE CLARK, the younger, of Number Fourteen, Little Tower Street, in the
City of London, Accountant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SKELETON TARGETS." A com-
munication from abroad by Thomas Bacon, of Montreal, in the Dominion of
Canada.
The object of this Invention is to provide a target which shall combine the three
attributes of cheapness, efficiency, and portability, and it may be briefly described
as a frame consisting of a horizontal bar ending in trunnions carried in bearings
formed in the top of uprights. Through eyes in this bar pass standards, carrying
between them (above the bar) the target, and being connected together at their ends
by braces, to the lowest of which is attached the signalling apparatus.
The whole frame is so balanced as to be readily worked by one man, who by
lowering the target brings into sight the signal giving the value of the shot.
For full comprehension however of this Invention reference must be made to the
annexed Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of the target, &c., complete ;
Figure 2, a front view of the target and supports; Figure 3, a detail of the bar.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.
A is the pit; B, the butt; C, the mantlet; and D, the marker's seat; all these being
of any usual construction and arrangement, and only shown to assist in the explana-
tion of the working of the target and frame; E, E, are uprights firmly secured in
the ground in a vertical position, and of sufficient size and strength to carry the
target in loose bearings, as at e, e. These parts may, if desired, be braced together
in any suitable way. F is a bar, preferably of cast metal, and of some such con-
struction as that shown in Figure 3, terminating in trunnions f, carried on and
turning in bearings e, e. In the bar F are formed, as shown more particularly in
Figure 3, eyes G, G, H, H, and I, I, corresponding respectively to the width of a
first, second, and third class target. Through these eyes pass standards or vertical
bars K, K, between which and above the horizontal bar F is stretched the target
proper L, which is kept tightly strained by means of the braces M, M, holding
together the standards. These standards are secured in place by set screws G¹, G',
H³, H', and I', I', respectively, and the weight of the standards and target is pre-
ferably carried by pins g, g, h, h, and i, i, passing through corresponding holes formed
in the standards at the proper points in their length.
On the under side of the lower bar M' is formed a bearing m, in which is carried
loosely a pin N, connected at one end by a double eye (or any other means which
will keep them both in line) with a rod O carried to the marker's seat, and there
secured in any suitable way. The other end of this pin N is screwed into or other-
wise attached to the rod C₁ of the signal block P.
The operation of the Invention will be clearly understood from the Drawings, as it
will be seen that as soon as a shot is fired the marker by means of the rod O arranges
the signal, turning the block by a simple motion of the hand to indicate the value
of the shot, and then by pushing the same handle lowers the target to a horizontal
position, thus bringing the signal into full view, the target being at the same time
within easy reach of his hands for repairs.
By simply drawing the rod O towards himself the marker raises the target to its
proper position ready for another shot, as it must be clearly understood that the
frame is so balanced as to yield easily to force exerted in either direction, and should
the wind be blowing strongly enough to act upon the target the lower portions of
the standards K will have corresponding weights attached to them to preserve the
balance. Stops E¹ fixed in the uprights E, E, prevent the target from falling
backwards.
From the above it will be clearly seen that the whole of the working of the

page_text: target and signalling apparatus is under the control of one man, and worked by one
handle.
The several bars can, by removing the set screws, be quickly taken apart and
packed for transportation in a box of comparatively small size, thus rendering the
target easily portable.
Although the Drawing and description have reference to a frame which can be
used either for a first, second, or third class target, it must be understood that I do
not confine myself to this exact construction of bar, as it may be formed of length
sufficient and with eyes for a second and third class only, or even for a third class
alone.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of the Invention, communicated
to me as aforesaid, and in what manner the same is or may be performed, what I
claim as secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly. The combination of the horizontal bar F, having formed therein eyes at
distances corresponding to the different widths of targets, and standards inserted
through same and secured in place, as and for the purposes set forth.
Secondly. The combination with a target frame of a signalling apparatus carried
on the target frame itself, and operated by the same rod or handle which works the
target.
Thirdly. A target frame formed of bars arranged so as to be taken to pieces or
put together when required, substantially as herein-before set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Clark, the younger, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of Marcb, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
HENRY COOPER,
Pinkney's Green,
Near Maidenhead.
GEO. CLARK, Jr. (L.S.)