Improvements in Indoor Shooting Stands.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1898-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Indoor Shooting Stands.
We, CARL BERNHARD KIRMSE and CARL OTTO KIRMSE of the Firm of Gebrüder
Kirmse, of Adorf, Vogtlande, Saxony, Manufacturers of Technical Novelties, 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:
an
This invention relates to an indoor or miniature shooting stand comprising
an enclosure or guard which prevents the projectiles or balls that rebound from
the targets or other parts of the device from injuring bystanders or surrounding
furniture and also secures the projectiles against surreptitious removal;
arrangement for collecting the discharged projectiles in a receptacle provided
for the purpose and from which they may be withdrawn for further use; a construc-
tion by which the gun or cannon used for shooting is rendered breech loading
and self loading and means in connection with said gun or cannon for protecting
the person who shoots, from injury by projectiles rebounding through the aperture
left in the enclosure or guard; mechanism for reinstating the devices when a
target has been struck and indicating this by visible or audible signals; means
of adjustment by which the operation of said signals may be facilitated and a
collector receptacle which also serves for the automatic delivery or sale of the
projectiles or balls, delivering one or a number of projectiles at a time in an
unpacked state upon the insertion of one or more coins into a slot.
in the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the shooting stand
of this invention. Fig. 2 a side elevation thereof with the enclosure or bali guard
in section, and Fig. 3a plan view with the guard partly in section.
Fig. 4 is a tranverse sectional view with a front view of the targets. Fig. 5 a
cross section of the guard and ball collector taken through the aperture by which
the balls enter the same. Figs. 6, 7, 8, shew the ball collector and automatic
vendor in longitudinal section. Figs. 10, 11, 12, parts of the same in plan view.
Figs. 13 to 21 modifications in the construction of the same in longitudinal section,
sectional plan, and cross section, together with views of details.
Figs. 22, 23, are respectively a front and a side view of a device for holding
the targets and for their introduction into the enclosure or guard, Figs. 24, 25
shewing a target in front and rear views.
Figs. 26 to 30 represent the breech loading and self loading air gun or cannon
with its protector plate, said gun being shewn in part sectional side elevation, side
elevation, and plan, with parts in different positions for loading.
Fig. 31 is a front view of the target box. Figs. 32 to 36, back views and
internal parts of the same, certain parts being omitted in Figs. 34 to 36 in order
to expose other parts to view.
Figs. 37 to 50 refer to details of the shooting stand.
Fig. 51 is a bottom view of the device for reinstating the various parts in their
original positions, Fig. 52 a side view of the same, and Figs. 53 to 55 modifica-
tions of the same.
As target centres seven target buttons a
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page_text: which the two buttons a, when hit release plates f carrying exchangeable figures
or pictures, and the two buttons 6 and the button c instruments producing animal
like sounds or human expressions such as 'papa,' 'mama, etc.
The button d acts to release the driving mechanism of a figure disc, and a wind-
mill thereby setting both in motion and button e a musical instrument which 5
thereupon begins to play.
The buttons a are held by plate springs g with which they are fastened to
the figure or picture plates f (Figs. 34 to 36) and project through apertures h in
the latter and apertures in the front wall of the target box (Figs. 31, 43)
thereby holding the figure plates in their normal positions (Figs. 31, 32, 34). 1
The plates are guided in side guides ¹, in slots of the top m of the target
box, and by extensions n in slots o of the bottom of the box.
When the buttons are struck by a projectile or ball and thereby forced out of
the front walk the figure or picture plates f are projected, by spring action
upwards through the slot 1, appearing to view with the pictures on them, which
may be removed as prizes for the successful shots.
The upward movement of the plates f may be effected by levers r projecting
"with studs through slots of the extensions and actuated by coil springs s
fastened to the top m (Fig. 32) and the return movement by the same levers when
operated by studs w of a slide plate guided by a slott on the fulcrum pin q of:
the levers and in slots of two other fixed pins u (Figs. 32, 36).
When the plates f are returned to their normal positions, the buttons a by
the action of the springs y again spring into the aperture of the front wall
of the box (Figs. 31, 34, 43) and are in position to be aimed at.
The buttons are supported by the plate springs fastened to the front
wall and by means of pins z release the bellows or sound producers y which are
.held in the distended position by catches or hooks 3 engaging by their hook
openings 6 studs 5 of the movable bellows plates 4 (Figs. 37, 38). The catches 3
are pivotally connected with curved arms 2 extending from the fixed bellows
plates 1. The pins z operate on concave buttons 10 fastened to arms 7 (Fig. 39)
of the catches 3 by means of screw shanks 8 and nuts 9. When balls strike
the buttons b, they release the pins 5 from the catches 3 whereupon springs 11
connected with one arm to a fixed bellows plate 1 and with the other to a movable
bellows plate 4, operate the bellows.
By adjusting the concave buttons 10 so as to project more or less from the
armis 7, the bellows can be made to operate either when the buttons bare
merely scraped by a shot or only when said buttons are hit fairly in the centre.
The bellows are brought back to their distended position (Fig. 32) by sliding
the plate downward which then acts with its stud 15 in a slot 14 of a crank
plate 12, rotating the latter and effecting through the connecting rods 13, connect-
ing with the movable bellows plate 4, the return movement of the latter, when
the catches, by the action of their springs, are caused to engage the studs 5
(Fig. 37) and hold the bellows distended.
By the crank pins 16 of the crank plate 12 engaging in slots of the connecting
rods, the crank plate is free to turn back conformably to the upward movement
of the plate v, without acting upon the bellows (Fig. 33). In order that the
plate 12 may at all times be made to distend the bellows sufficiently for the self
engagement of the catches with the studs 5, the crank pins 16 are adjustable
in slots 17 of the crank plate, and further, the slots of the connecting rods re-
ceiving the crank pins may be lengthened or shortened by turning the screws 18
passing through the ends of the connecting rods and limiting the free space
of the slots. To secure the screws in a desired position set nuts 19 are provided.
The target button c is carried by a pin 20 guided in a bracket 21 and is pressed
outwardly and through or into an aperture of the animal figure 23 by a coil
spring on the pin under the bracket (Figs. 34, 35) thereby holding the figure 23,
which can turn about a pirot 22, in an upright position as shewn in Fig. 31 in
full lines.
In this latter position of the figure a bellows 24, capable of producing

page_text: a sound similar to the cry of the animal represented, is held distended by means
of a rod engaging by its lower rectangular arm 26, which first passes through a
segmental slot 26 (Fig. 34) in the front wall k, with a corresponding hole in the
figure 23 and holding down with its upper hooked end 27 the movable plate 28
(Fig. 31) of the bellows 24.
When the button c is pushed back sufficiently by a ball striking it, a spring 29
acting upon the upper end 27 of the rod guided in an aperture of the top m and
a bracket 25 fastened to the front wall k, causes the animal figure to turn over
(Fig. 31 dotted lines) and at the same time permits a spring 30 (Fig. 31), by
moving the movable plate 28 upwards, to operate the bellows 24 which then
produces its sound.
The bellows and figure are reinstated in their former positions by an arm or
stud 31 of the plate v acting downwardly on an arm 32 of the rod 33, thereby,
distending the bellows and allowing the button c to spring into the aperture
of the figure to secure the mechanism.
The target button d is fastened to a catch 34 (Fig. 46) pivotted to a bracket 35
on the inside of the front wall and is held to project through an aperture in the
same by a spring 35* (Fig. 44). This button serves to rotate a disc 36 on which
numbers or figures of any kind may be represented that will become visible
through an opening 37 of the top board 38, and also to rotate the fans or wings 39
of a windmill, the body of which may be painted on said board 38 (Fig. 1).
For these purposes a sleeve 41 (Fig. 41) carrying the disc 36 is mounted to
rotate on a standard 40 fastened to the top m and in this sleeve is again rotatably
mounted a shaft 42 carrying the wings or fans 39. On the disc 36 and sleeve 41
in front of the standard 40, two toothed wheels 43, 44, and on the shaft 42 behind
the sleeve a single action toothed wheel 45, are mounted.
A tooth 46 of a pawl 48 pivotted at 47 to the standard 40 is arranged to engage
wheel 43 (Figs. 32 to 36), whereas for wheel 44 a pawl 49 is provided connected
with the pawl 48 by a spring 50 and pivotted to a sliding rod 51, to which is also
pivotted a hook 52 for operating wheel 45. The hollow rod 51 slides on a rod 53
supported by the bottom of the target box and is surrounded by a coil spring 58
which, interposed between the top m and a collar 54 of the rod 51 tends to press
the latter downwards (Figs. 34 to 36). Against the lower side of the collar bears
an end of a lever 55 fulcrummed at 56 and resting with a lug 59 (Fig. 45) of its
other end under the tooth of the abovementioned catch 34 (Figs. 34, 44).
Upon now pressing the button d backwards by the force of a projectile or ball
the end 57 of the lever 55 is free to move upwards, the sliding rod 51 following
the downward pressure of the spring 58, consequently the hook 52, on which a
spring 62 exerts a downward pull, will give the wheel 45 a quick start or impetus
At the
causing it and the fans 39 to continue to revolve for a few moments.
same time the pawl 49 will turn the wheel 44 and the disc 36, causing the next
following figure to the former to appear at the opening 37 (Fig. 1), but the pawl 48
which follows the retreating end of pawl 49 will then engage by its tooth 46
the wheel 43 and prevent the disc from turning any further.
To prepare button d for the next shot, the plate is moved downwards, on
which a pin 59 (Fig. 42) presses the end 57 of lever 55 under the tooth (bevelled
on its upper side) of catch 34 which retains the lever, the latter simultaneously
raising the slide 51 which returns hook 52 to its former position on wheel 45 and
first lifting the pawl 49 out of engagement with wheel 44 then forces it into
engagement with the next tooth of the same, and then also by means of the end of
pawl 49 lifts the pawl 48 out of engagement with wheel 43 leaving the disc free
to turn the next time button d is hit by a ball.
To prevent the disc 36 from making any free and undesired movement during
the release of the pawls 48, 49, a spiral spring 61 (Fig. 41) on the sleeve 41
acting oppositely on the collar 60 of the sleeve and the wall, is provided as a
brake to prevent free movement of the disc.
The target button e is fastened to an arm 63 of a vertical oscillating shaft 65

page_text: (Figs. 34, 35) journalled in a bracket 64 on the wall & and in the top m of the
target box and engaging the slot 68 of a lever 69, 70, with the vertical pivot
pin 67 of its arm 66 (Figs. 34, 35, 48, 49).
On the arm 70 of said lever is a pin 71 through which passes a rod 72 connect-
ing with a pawl 73 that normally enters a hole in a wheel 74 (Fig. 48) and
thereby arrests the mechanism of a musical box or musical instrument 75
(Fig. 34).
When a ball strikes the button d, by means of the interposed parts the paw: 73
is forced to release the wheel 74 whereupon the musical instrument will
commence playing and continue until the wheel 74 has made a complete revolu-
tion when it is again arrested by the pawl and another blow at the button is
required to release it.
The rod connection between the pawl 73 and pin 71 can be lengthened or
shortened by means of a screw nut 76 on the threaded end of the rod 72 passing
through the pin, to adapt the musical instrument to be set in motion by a
stronger or weaker blow on the button e. A spring 77 is fastened in the pin 71
and by engagement with one of the notches 78 of the nut 76 prevents the un-
desired loosening of the latter (Figs. 34, 48, 49, 50).
The winding up of the spring that drives the musical instrument is effected
by means of the plate which in descending, acts with a pin 80 (Fig. 36) on a
lever 81 fulcrummed on one of the pins u, said lever rotating a wheel 82 which
by a pin 83 (Fig. 47) winds the spring shewn enclosed in a casing 79 (Fig. 34).
On the wheel 82 may either be wound a catgut band which after passing over
a guide wheel 84 is fastened to the lever S1 and unwound by the latter to wind
up the spring, or the wheel 82 may be cogged and in engagement with a larger
cog wheel 87 (Fig. 47) from which a rod or wire SG connects with the lever 81,
the latter when operated by the plate turning the wheel 87 not quite half a
revolution.
The bellows y (Figs. 37, 38) slide with projections on their plates 1 between
guide strips 88 (Figs. 34, 35, 36) and can be easily removed and replaced by
others. As will be seen from Figs. 37, 38, there is plenty of space behind any
of the bellows for arranging the cog wheel 87, which may also partly extend
into a cavity of the plate 1. Instead of the side of the target box supporting
the cog wheel, a plate hanging from the foot board 89 of the musical instrument
may be provided for the purpose.
To produce the downward movement of the plate v by which the mechanisms
in connection with all the target buttons are simultaneously reinstated and
the spring of the musical instrument rewound, various arrangements may be
employed, for instance, a vertical plate 90 guided in a bracket 91 and a channel
shaped rail 92 and with its top edge against rollers 94, 95, in the rail and bracket,
might be provided having an inclined slot 96 (Fig. 52) through which passes
a pin 97 fastened to plate v; said pin may be covered with a loose sleeve or
roller to reduce friction. In pulling plate 90 forward, the pin following the
slope of the slot in plate 90, is lowered together with plate (Figs. 32, 33, 34).
For shifting the plate 90 a hand lever 100 (Figs. 51, 52) fulcrummed at 99 on
the under side of the table or board 98 and connected with plate 90 by a rod 102
may be arranged, its movement being limited by a guide bracket 101. The
rod 102 extends through a staple 103 on the under side of the board 98 and
a coil spring 105 surrounding said rod and acting oppositely on a collar 104 of
the same and on the staple, returns plate 90 to its normal position after the
release of lever 100.
Instead of the arrangement just specified for moving plate v that shewn in
Fig. 53 may be used. Here a lever 107, 108, is fulcrummed on a bracket 106
on the under side of board 98 and extends with its rear end through a slot in
plate and over a cross pin 97. To lower the plate, the forward end of the
lever is raised, a spring or springs 114 bringing it back automatically to its
original position.

page_text: Instead of the lever engaging the plate it might also have a slot for re-
ceiving the pin of a bell crank lever 110, 111, (Fig. 54) disposed behind said plate
and acting on the pin 97 of the latter with its arm 110.
Another arrangement is shewn in Fig. 55 where the lever 107, 108, acts on
one arm of a lever 112, 113, disposed in front of plate the other arm of said
lever acting on the pin 97.
The
To adapt the shooting stand for regular target shooting the top of the ball
guard or enclosure 115, 116 is provided with a tranverse slot 117 (Figs. 2, 3)
through which a target holder 118 (Figs. 22, 23, Sheet 1) can be inserted.
latter is made of a piece of sheet metal doubled upon itself, the two blades thereof
tending normally to spring apart and between these, the target 122 (Figs. 24, 25)
is placed, a hole 120 in the front blade exposing to view the face of the target.
An offset 123 at the top of the blade prevents the holder from falling through
the slot 117 and its spring action secures it more firmly in its position.
blade 121 is somewhat longer than the other and thus can be taken hold of in
removing the holder from the slot. The cards used for targets may bear, besides
the target figure, an inscription of any kind for instance an advertisement in
the interest of the owner of the stand or of others. These target cards are
preferably arranged in numbers together to form pads and each card adapted
to be torn off along a perforated line after it has been used for a target.
The
The enclosure or ball guard is preferably made of wire netting except at the
front part 115 which is of glass and is provided with an opening 124 large enough
to allow a free passage to the projectile in any position of aim of the gun 125.
Glass is used with a view to shew the targets plainly to the shooter, but other
material such as celluloid or mica might also be employed instead of the glass
and also instead of the wire.
Besides preventing the projectiles or balls from doing injury in rebounding the
guard serves to direct them on to the board 98 and prevent their surreptitious
removal by the hand, the aperture 124 being also kept sufficiently small for this
purpose.
The board 98 slopes on the top from all sides down to a cavity 129 into which
all balls after being fired will roll and then pass through a hole 126 to either
drop directly into the collector receptacle 127, if the latter is placed just below
said hole, or to roll down a passage 128 into the receptacle if for instance, as in
Fig. 2, the latter is placed at the front of the shooting stand for the sake of
convenience.
The collector 127 may simply be a box locked by a key, the possessor of which
could at any time open it to remove the balls, but it is preferably constructed to
automatically deliver one or more balls on inserting one or more coins into a slot.
Two constructions of such an automatic ball or projectile vendor are shewn
in the drawings, the one in Figs. 6 to 12, the other in Figs. 13 to 17, Figs. 18
to 21 relating to details.
Referring to Figs. 6 to 12, the balls 149 are guided by the passage 128 into
a hopper 130 the bottom of which is formed by a slide 131 having a series of five
holes 132 (Figs. 9, 10). This slide rests on a second slide 133 also having five
holes 134 normally coinciding with those in slide 131 as seen in Fig. 8. In
this position the balls that have entered the holes are however prevented from
dropping through them by a fixed plate 135. Slide 133 is moved forward by a
handle 136. A lug or offset 138 of the latter carries the upper slide 131 with
it on the latter part of its way, a lug 140 returning it when the lower slide 183 is
carried back by a spring 139 acting on the connected plate 137. To further
insure the return movement of the upper slide, a spring 141 is provided.
Ordinarily the slide 133 cannot be pulled sufficiently far forward to bring its
holes beyond the front edge of plate 135 and allow the ball to drop, a fixed
ug 142 (Fig. 11) meeting the front edge of a lever 143 fulcrummed on plate 137
to limit its movement. When however a coin is placed in the slot 144, the
curved or bent arm of the lever, by working together with the coin, is pushed

page_text: to one side when the handle 136 is pulled forward and thus the other end of
the lever to the other side, so that it will then clear the lug 142 and allow the
five balls in the holes of the lower slide to drop on to the inclined plane 145 by
which they are directed through an opening 146 into a basin 148 on the outside
of the collector receptacle and vendor and from which they may be taken for use.
To ensure fresh balls filling the holes of the slides when these are returned
by the springs to their normal positions, a loose inclined plane 150 is arranged
in the hopper. This plane, when the slides are drawn forward, will tend to
increase the height of the pile of balls in the hopper, as will be understood by
comparing Figs. 7 and 8, and thus the filling of the holes is made more certain.
To prevent two or more balls from bridging a hole without one of them falling
into it, pins 151 (Figs. 9, 10) are disposed on the upper slide between the holes.
In the construction shewn in Figs. 13 to 17 one slide only is employed, the
lower slide 133 of the preceding example being omitted and the handle 136
directly connected to the single one 131. The inclined plane 150 instead of
being loose, is rigidly attached to this slide so as on the forward stroke to pile
the balls still higher than before, further, instead of the separating pins 151,
separating ledges 152 fastened to the front wall of the hopper 130 are provided,
and the surface of the slide has descending grooves 153 (Fig. 16) to direct the
balls into the holes.
The device for ordinarily limiting the stroke of the slide is located behind
the hopper and comprises a lug 155 attached to the fixed plate 135, and a hook 156
connected with the slide 131. The end of the hook is held by a spring 159 in
the way of the lug 155 and by striking against the latter, stops the slide before
its holes have passed the edge of the plate 135. When however a coin 158 is
placed in the slot 144, a cam 157 of the hook engages with it, and when the
slide is pulled forward, pushes the hook aside (Fig. 17) so as to let it pass the
lug 155 and allow the slide to be pulled forward far enough for the balls to
fall into the basin 148. The slide is returned by a spring 141 as before.
In both constructions the hopper 130 is easily removable. It is slid with
tongues or offsets 161 (Fig. 11) between guides fastened to the covering plate 160
nose 162,
and is retained in place by a plate spring 163 projecting a
(Figs. 13, 15) in front of its side. To remove the hopper, it is simply necessary,
after pulling the slide a little forward in order to bring the cam 157 out of the
way of the lug 155, to first raise the spring 163 and nose 162.
When desired any of the holes 132 can be closed or plugged to vary the number
of balls to be obtained by one coin.
Whereas in the construction of Figs. 6 to 12 the slot is a continuous one, in
the construction of Figs. 13 to 17 it is interrupted or broken, being partially
formed by a movable plate 164. This plate is either mounted to swing on a
bracket 165 attached to the cover plate 154, when the upper portion of the slot
is inclined or it may, when the whole slot 144 is arranged vertically as in
Figs. 6 to 12 form a portion of one side of the slot swinging on a pivot 166 as
seen in Figs. 18 to 21. Said plate is so balanced and so directed by the weight
of an arm 167 that its lower part ordinarily closes the passage of the slot and
only a certain kind of coin can open it by its weight and then operate on the
lug 155 (Fig. 14). While the coin remains in the lower part of the tube or
slot, its top edge holds the plate 164 in the position of Fig. 14 or 20, this plate
thus directing any following coins inserted in the top of the slot during such
time, out to one side, where they either remain on plate 154 or are conducted
out of the apparatus by a special guide way. The length of the lower part
of the slot or tube may be such that only one coin remaining in it suffices to
disconnect it from its upper part by the plate 164, or that several above one
another are required to do so, as may also plate 164 be so balanced that only
a plurality of coins are able to tilt it."
As regards the gun or cannon used to shoot the balls, the front part of its
barrel has a folding connection with the remaining portion, to render it becch

page_text: loading, as, if it were not so the guard or enclosure; 115, 116, would be in the
way when inserting a ball at the forward end.
17
The front part 170 of the barrel is swivelled between two arms 168 attached
to the sides of the back part. On the top of the barrel where its two parts meet,
is a recess or depression 171, the edge of which may be formed by a circular
ridge on the barrel to increase its depth and into which the ball 149 is placed
for loading as shewn in Fig. 26. By simply turning the front part 170 of the
barrel partially downward and pressing it up again, the gun is loaded automatic-
ally, as the ball, first sinking into the space dividing both parts of the barrel,
is upon the upward movement of part 170 forced into the chamber 172 and
partly pressed forward in the same. The downward movement of the part 170
may be limited to its necessary extent by a tongue 173 attached thereto. Any
suitable means may be employed to normally keep the barrel fully extended as
required for shooting, as for instance, a spring 174 (Fig. 29) acting on the
tongue 173. The forward end of the gun is shouldered to receive a disc or
plate 175 of glass or other transparent material and threaded to receive a nut 177
for securing the disc. The purpose of the latter is to prevent injury to the
person taking aim by balls rebounding back through the opening 124 of the
ball guard.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is: -
1. Indoor or minature shooting stand with a guard (115, 116) enclosing the
range of the balls or projectiles for retaining the latter and preventing injury
by their rebounding, substantially as described and shewn.
2. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with a ball guard and retainer (115, 116),
and a ball collecting receptacle (127) into which the balls may roll from a sloping
table or board (98), substantially as described and shewn.
3. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with a ball guard and retainer (115, 116)
and a ball collecting receptacle (127) automatically delivering the balls collected,
a certain number at a time, on insertion of one or more coins, substantially as
described and shewn.
4. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with an automatic ball vendor, in which
the balls are portioned off for delivery in certain numbers by two slides (131, 133)
one above the other, with a series of holes (132, 134) in each, into which balls
from a pile fall, of which slides the upper one is provided with pins (151) between
its holes (132) for stirring and separating the balls, and supports a loose inclined
plane (150) which cooperatively with the pins insures the filling of the holes
in the slide (153) with balls when the latter is shifted, and of which slides
(131, 133) on pulling a handle (136) the lower at first moves alone, until its holes
are out of communication with those of the upper, so that on further shifting the
lower, and thereby the upper slide, which becomes possible after inserting a coin,
only the balls contained in the holes of the lower slide will drop out and be
delivered by the vendor, substantially as described and shewn.
5. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with an automatic ball vendor, in which
the balls are portioned off by only one slide (131) with holes, in cooperation with
an inclined plane (150) rigidly secured on the slide, and a series of distributing
ledges (152) secure to the front wall of the ball hopper (130) the filling of the
holes being facilitated by grooves in the surface of the slide, sloping towards and
leading into the holes substantially as described and shewn.
6. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with an automatic ball vendor, in which
the ball hopper (130) is easily removable, so that at any time one or more of
the holes (132) in the slide (131) may be closed up or opened again to alter the
number of ball's delivered at a time for one or more coins, substantially as
.described and shewn.
7. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with an automatic ball vendor, in which

page_text: the easily removable hopper (130) resting with flanges (160) between tongues o
guides (161) is secured in position by a lug or nose (162) of a spring (163) normally
placing itself before the hopper, but which can be taken out of the way of the
latter when it is desired to remove the same, by bending the spring, substantially
as described and shewn.
8. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with an automatic ball vendor in which
the slot or tube (144) for inserting coins to release the slide is interrupted and
partly composed of a swinging plate (164) so arranged and so balanced, that it
normally closes the lower part of the tube but, having received one or more coins
from the upper part and conducted them into the lower, is held by these coins,
as long as they remain in the latter as a means of release, to close the upper part
and direct further coins inserted, aside on to the cover plate (154) of the ball
hopper (130) or into a guide way leading them out of the apparatus, substantially
as described and shewn.
9. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with an air gun having a swivelled or
hinged barrel (170) to render it breech loading substantially as described and
shewn.
10. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with an air gun having a swivelled
or hinged barrel (170) to render it breech loading, and a recess or depression (171)
from which a ball placed in the same automatically passes before the bore of the
barrel, on turning the latter downward, and is pressed into the bore, on turning
it back to its normal position, substantially as described and shewn.
11. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with a gun (125) to whose barrel is
fixed a transparent guard plate (175) with a purpose of preventing balls that
might bound back through the opening (124) in the ball guard (115, 116) from
injuring persons taking aim or standing near, substantially as described and
shewn.
12. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with buttons (a) fastened to springs (g)
connected to plates (f) guided in the target box and arranged to receive or hold
pictures, figures, etc., which buttons (a) are pressed out by their springs through
holes in the front wall (k), of the target box, to serve as target centres and to be
pressed inward by shots striking them, then releasing the plates (f) and per-
mitting them to come to view, substantially as described and shewn.
13. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with target buttons (b) releasing, when
struck by a shot, bellows or sound producers (y) each of which is held in a dis-
tended position by a spring actuated catch (3, 6) pivotally connected with a fixed
arm (2) and engaging with a stud or other suitable attachment of the movable
bellows plate (4), substantially as described and shewn.
14. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with target buttons (b) releasing bellows
or sound producers, the points (10) against which the pins (2) of said target
buttons act in releasing, being adjustable, to enable a weak or a strong blow on
the target buttons to effect the release, substantially as described and shewn.
15. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with target buttons (6) releasing bellows
or sound producers (y) which, to render them easily removable and interchange-
able with other sound producers, are slid with lugs or offsets between guides (88)
on the sides of the target box, substantially as described and shewn.
16. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with a spring actuated target button (c)
normally holding an animal figure (23) in upright position, and a bellows or
sound producer released and operating when the animal figure is released and
overturns in consequence of a shot striking the target button, the sound producer
having before been held inoperative by a rod (33) connecting with the animal
figure, substantially as described and shewn.
17. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with a target button (d) a rotary
dise (36) bearing numbers or figures and disposed above the target box, and
rotary fans or wings (39) before the disc, the latter as well as the fans or wings
being released for action by the target button (d) on being struck by a shot,
substantially as described and shewn.

page_text: 18. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with a target button (d) rotary fans or
wings (39) above the target box, a rotary disc (36) behind these, bearing numbers
or figures, the rotation of the disc and wings being effected by the target button,
on being struck by a shot, by a catch (34) connected with the target button re-
leasing a spring actuated lever (55, 57) and thereby a spring actuated slide (51)
so that the latter with a pawl (49) pivotted to the slide, gives a toothed wheel (44)
and the disc (36) connected with it by a sleeve, a turn corresponding to the
distance apart of two successive numbers or figures on the disc, and with a
hook (52) also pivotted to the slide, gives a second toothed wheel an impetus,
setting it and wings (39) connected with it by a shaft extending through the sleeve
named, in rotation, substantially as described and shewn.
19. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with a disc (36) bearing numbers or
figures, caused to turn from a target button (d) and retained in a position given
it by a pawl (49), by an arresting pawl (46, 46) which is free to act after the first
pawl, formerly holding it, has turned the disc, and then arrests a toothed wheel
igidly connected with the disc, a voluntary movement of the disc during the
return of the first pawl to its normal position being prevented by a spiral spring
(61) acting on a collar (60) of the sleeve on which the disc is mounted, as a brake
to such movement, substantially as described and shewn.
20. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with a target button (e) and a musical
instrument (75) the playing of which is effected by the target button when struck
by a shot, substantially as described and shewn.
21. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with a target button (e) and a musica!
instrument which the target button, when struck by a shot, sets playing by means
of a bell crank (68, 65, 66) to which it is attached and which by means of inter-
mediate mechanism, consisting of a double lever (69, 70) with a pin and a rod (71)
connected by a screw nut (76) with with the pin, acts upon a pawl (73) and releases a
wheel (74) normally arrested by the pawl, thus allowing the musical instrument
to operate under the influence of its spring, substantially as described and shewn.
22. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with a target button (e) and a musical
instrument released, to operate, by the target button when struck by a shot, the
point where the pin (71) begins to act upon the rod (72) being adjustable, so
that the release of the wheel (74) and the musical instrument may be effected,
as desired, either by a soft or a stronger blow on the target button, substantially
as described and shewn.
23. Indoor or miniature shooting stand in which the winding up the spring of
the musical instrument may be effected from a sliding plate (e) by means of a
pin (80) on the same, a lever (81) actuated by the same, and a wheel (82) which,
in rotating, winds the spring and is rotated, either by the lever (81) unwinding a
string or cord suitably guided over pulleys (84) from the wheel (82) or, this latter
being a cog wheel, by the lever (81) turning an intermeshing cog wheel (87) by
means of a connecting link (86), substantially as described and shewn.
24. Indoor or miniature shooting stand in which the raising or return move-
ment of the pawl (49) and the hook (52) is effected from a plate (c) by shifting
the latter, a pin (59) of the same pressing down one arm (57) of a double
lever (55, 57), the other arm of which then rising, raises the slide (51) with the
attached pawl (49) and hook (52), the lever being retained in such position by
the catch (34) connected with the target button (d), substantially as described
and shewn.
25. Indoor or miniature shooting stand, in which the bellows or sound pro-
ducer (24) operating on the release of the animal figure, is again distended by
shifting a plate (r), a pin of the latter taking with it an arm (32) of a hooked
rod (33), the rod (33) distending the sound producer (24) with its hooked end and
holding it distended, on the target button (c) springing into its aperture in the
animal figure, substantially as described and shewn.
26. Indoor or miniature shooting stand in which the reinstatement of the
bellows or sound producers (y) released for operation from the target buttons (b)

page_text: takes place from a sliding plate (v), a pin (15) on the latter by engaging a slot of a
crank plate (12) turning the same, and two crank pins (16) being adjustable on
the crank plate (12) and the points of engagement of the crank pins with the
connecting rods (13) also being adjustable for the purpose of regulating the dis-
tension of the sound producers by the crank plate (12), substantially as described
and shewn.
27. Indoor or miniature shooting stand in which the operating plate (v) is
shifted downward by means of a vertical plate (90) with an inclined slot through
which a pin of the operating plate (e) bearing an antifriction roller, passes; of a
hand lever (100) turning in a horizontal plane and fulcrummed to the base
board (98) and of a link or rod (102) connecting the lever and vertical plate;
the pin (97) of the operating plate, when the hand lever is turned and thereby
the vertical plate drawn forward, being forced downward in the inclined slot, and
the return movement of the vertical plate and lever being effected by a
spring (105), substantially as described and shewn.
28. Indoor or miniature shooting stand in which the plate (v) is moved down-
ward by a double lever fulcrummed on the base board (98) and turning in a
vertical plane, one arm of the lever entering a slot of the plate () and passing
over a pin of the same, so that by turning up the other arm of the lever, the
plate () is lowered, substantially as described and shewn.
29. Indoor or miniature shooting stand in which the lowering of the plate (v)
is effected by a double lever (107, 108) fulcrummed to the base board (98) and
turning in a vertical plane, and by a bell crank lever (110, 111 or 112, 113), one
arm of which is acted upon by cne arm of the double lever (107, 108) and the
other arm of which acts upon the sliding plate (v), so that in pressing up the free
arm of the double lever, the sliding plate is pressed down, substantially as
described and shewn.
30. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with an arrangement for introducing
targets into the ball guard (115, 116), to allow of regular target shooting, sub-
stantially as described and shewn.
31. Indoor or miniature shooting stand with ball guard (115, 116) and an
arrangement for introducing and holding targets, consisting of a slot (117) and
a target holder (118) formed of two connected sheets or blades springing apart,
one of them having an aperture (120) to shew the target, substantially as
described and shewn.
32. The target cards for use in the indoor or miniature shooting stand referred
to, bearing advertisements, business notices, or the like, substantially as described
and shewn.
33. In an indoor or miniature shooting stand the combination of all or any
number of the parts, arrangements, and devices described, substantially as
described and shewn.
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