IMPROVEMENTS IN BALL-TARGETS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BALL-TARGETS." A communication from abroad by
Claudius V. Boughton, of Titusville, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Sealed the 22nd August 1879, and dated the 25th June 1879.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th June 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BALL-TARGETS.”
A com-
munication from abroad by Claudius V. Boughton, of Titusville, Pennsylvania,
United States of America.
This Invention relates to balls which are used instead of pigeons or other live
birds as targets or marks in amateur shooting, the said balls being thrown from a
trap and shot at in the air, and the object of the said Invention is to so construct
the ball or mark that it will give a positivo unmistakeable sign when struck, and
at the same time will not be unfitted for after use.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which,-
Figure 1 represents the ball fitted with an outer shell and ready for use ; and
Figure 2 represents it with the said outer shell partially removed.
Figures 3 to 8 illustrate modifications hereinafter described.
In Figures 1 and 2 A is a ball of wood, paper, or other substance of suitablo
weight; B is a thin shell, formed in two parts, each fitted to enclose one-half of the
ball A, and made of leather, paper, tin, or other easily moulded substance; C is an
elastic band or cord, used to hold the parts of the shell B in place upon the ball.
When prepared for use a thin film of fulminating or percussion powder is placed
between the ball A and the shell B, which is then secured in place by the elastic
band or cord C, as shown in Figure 1. The ball is then placed in the trap. When
thrown from the trap into the air and shot at, if hit, the powder is exploded by the
concussion, and acts with sufficient force to throw asunder the two parts of the
shell and release the ball A, at the same time emitting a puff of smoke, which is
plainly distinguishable. If the ball is not hit it falls to the ground without exploding
or separating.
In Figures 3 to 8 of the Drawing, Figure 3 is an outside view of the ball and
shell ready for use; Figure 4 is a section on the line x, x, Figure 3; Figure 5 is a
sectional view of one part of the shell; Figures 6, 7, and 8 are sections illustrating
details of construction hereinafter described.

page_text: The two parts of the shell B may be made of paper or other suitable material,
and of two layers, with a layer of fulminating compound between them. In
Figure 5 B represents the outer layer; B³, the inner layer; and C, the
fulminate.
By this construction I obviate the necessity for applying the fulminate to the
surface of the ball or the inner surface of the shell, as the shell thus made is always
ready for use, and can be instantly applied to the ball: Moreover the surface of tho
ball is not affected by the explosion of the fulminate, as when the said fulminate is
applied to the said surface I may dispense with the aforesaid elastic band, and at
the same time ensure the proper holding of the parts. of the shell in place, by
providing the edges of the shells with joints which fit accurately when the two
halves are in place together on the ball A. These joints may be of any suitable
form.
Figures 4 and 6 show a rectangular lap-joint; Figure 7 shows an obtuse-anglod
lap-joint; Figure 8 shows a tongue and groove joint.
The joints allow the two halves to engage with each other like a box and it's
lid, so as to fit nicely on the ball; and remain in place until the fulminate is
exploded.
In some instances the ball A may be formed with an equatorial cylindrical surfaco
a (see Figure 6), and the shell may have the portions nearest tho edges thicker than
the remaining portions, so that while the exterior surface of the shell will be per-
fectly spherical, the interior surface will have a cylindrical portion corresponding
with the cylindrical portion of the ball. By this construction the shell is strength-
ened in the vicinity of the joints, and its retention in place on the ball is
facilitated.
The shell constructed as above described may be said to consist of a male and
female joint. When placed in position on the ball the male joint may have some
paste, mucilage, or other quick-drying adhesive substance placed on it, so that when
the two parts are brought together they will adhere with sufficient tenacity to hold
them in place. .
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,―
First. A ball target for trap-shooting, consisting of the ball A enclosed by the
shell B, and having between the said ball and the shell a thin film of fulminating.
or percussion powder, the whole arranged and operating, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
Second. A shell formed of two thicknesses or layers of material, with a layer of
fulminating compound between them, substantially as and for the purpose herein
set forth.
Third. In a ball target for trap-shooting, a shell made in two parts, provided
with shouldered inclined tongue and groove, lap, or other joints, adapted to engage
with each other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Fourth. A ball target for trap-shooting, having its equatorial portion provided
with a cylindrical surface, in combination with a shell having its interior surface
corresponding therewith, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of Juno, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.