Automatically Recording the Value of Shots upon Targets by Electric Apparatus.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 26th Sept., 1891-Accepted, 7th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Automatically Recording the Value of Shots upon Targets by
Electric Apparatus.
WILLIAM HALLAM ELTON, Commander of the Royal Navy, 19 Belgrave
Terrace Exmouth, Devon, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:―
An automatic face to targets so adjusted by certain springs and electric
appliances, that the impact or force of the bullet upon the target records the
value of bullets from fire arms by means of a disc or semaphore.
There are certain springs fitted with regulating steel washers to regulate the
force of impact upon the electric connection.
In further explanation of Provisional Specification of Patent 2834 Feby. 17th
1891. The outer face of the target will be of iron cut into circles, of the same size
and width as those now in general use (as "bulls eye,"
," "magpie," &
"outer"), each circle having a space of from to between the next, so as to
allow a free backward movement.
centre,'
These divisions are suspended by iron rods from an arm projecting from a solid
backing, the hangers so far separate as to work clear of each other (the hangers
will be protected by a mantlet or shield).
At the back of each of these circles will be steel, or iron springs, of from.
1 to 2 inches depth, and nearly as wide as the target section, inside these springs
will be solid bolts with a solid shoulder, double the size of the bolt proper, reaching
of the way down the spring. This shoulder will prevent the crushing of the spring
by the impact of the bullet, the shoulder taking the blow on the solid backing
at of spring tension. These springs and bolts will be arranged at four (or more)
equal distances from each other, as upper," low," right" or "left."
<
"66
77 66
The backing of this face is of iron, of sufficient strength, and is either of the
shape of the face, or a cruciform frame arranged to cover the springs. In this
backing are circular holes to meet the above spring bolts, which project through them
about 1 inch, the part of the bolt projecting through the backing is a screw, on
this screw works a solid washer, its use is to keep the face of the target on a uniform
level.
This backing is upheld by a leg, or such support, as to bear the whole weight of
the structure behind, and exactly opposite these spring bolts, will be a range of
electric connections, at such a distance from the head of the bolt, as to insure full
contact, without undue pressure, this will probably be effected, either by a sliding
contact, or a knife spring keeping the pin at pressure. The semaphore or disc will
be raised in the usual manner by the electric current & drop to rest on the contact
being broken, either by a wire to base, or mechanical leverage. The battery would
be either under the target (protected), or in a markers hut, or at an adjacent place
as convenient.
The semaphores would show the position of the hit, by that particular wire under
the spring being effected, in the same manner as a numbered disc is shown in an
hotel to indicate a room.
This mode of showing the value of a shot can also be used mechanically, the
surface and backing arrangements being. absolutely identical (but without any
electricity).
The mode of working is thus; instead of a range of electric connection, will be
circular holes, into which the pin (or bolt) passes, this will necessitate the bolt
being longer, and fitted at the end with a knife spring, and locking nut (or bolt).
The impact will push in the pin, and lock it, at the portion of target struck.

page_text: A revolving semaphore (hinged), with spring to elevate, will be moved by a wire
switch. In revolving, it will latch on the one pushed in bolt, thus extend the arm
of indication, the pressure on the knife spring will release the bolt, which will, by
the spring pressure, resume its normal position. Loosing the switch lever, will cause
the semaphore to fall to rest.
The switch lever, will be for long distances, in the marking hut, for short
distances, at the firing base.
Dated the 7th day of March 1901
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Automatically Recording the Value of Shots upon Targets by
Electric Apparatus.
1, WILLIAM HALLAM ELTON, Commander of the Royal Navy, 19 Belgrave
Terrace, Exmouth, Devon, 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 automatic face to targets so adjusted by certain springs and electric
appliances, that the impact or force of the bullet upon the target records the value
of bullets from fire arms. There are certain springs fitted with regulating steel
washers to regulate the force of impact upon the electric connection.
" 66
The outer face of the target is of iron cut into circles, of the same size and width
as those now in general use (as "bulls eye,'
1966
centre,' magpie," and "outer"),
each circle having a space of from to inch between the next, so as to allow a
free backward movement. These divisions are suspended by iron rods or chains
from an arm projecting from a solid backing. The hangers work clear of each
other and are protected by a mantlet or shield. At the back of each of these
circles are steel or iron springs, of from 1 to 2 inches depth, and nearly as wide as
the target section. Inside these springs are solid bolts with a solid shoulder, double
the size of the bolt proper, reaching of the way down the spring, this shoulder
prevents the crushing of the spring by the impact of the bullet, the shoulder
taking the blow on the solid backing at of spring tension. These springs and
bolts are arranged at four (or more) equal distances from each other as "
"low,"
3966 right" or "left."
upper,"
The backing of this face is of iron of sufficient strength and is either of the shape
of the face, or a cruciform frame arranged to cover the springs. In this backing
are circular holes to meet the above spring bolts which project through them
about 1 inch the part of the bolt projecting through the backing is a screw.
this screw works a solid washer, its use is to keep the face of the target on a
uniform level.
On
This backing is upheld by a leg or such support, as to bear the whole weight of
the structure. Behind and exactly opposite these spring bolts are a range of
electric connections, at such a distance from the head of the bolt, as to insure full
contact, without undue pressure, this is effected by a sliding contact. The disc is
raised in the usual manner and dropped by the electric current. The battery may
be either under the target (protected), or in a markers hut, or at an adjacent place
as convenient. The discs show the position of the hit, by that particular wire under
the spring being affected, in the same manner as a numbered disc is shown in an
hotel to indicate a room.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a target constructed according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a full sized section of one of the contacts and parts connected
with it.
Figures 3 and 4 are views showing the indicator and rear of the target
respectively.

page_text: The face of the target is made up of a number of concentric rings A' A'A',
three are shown in the drawings but it will be understood that there may be more
or less. These sections of the target are supported by rods or chains B B.
CC are plates not forming part of the target but serving as a mantlet to protect
the framework and mechanism. D is the backing which carries the whole
apparatus, it is supported on legs from the base D' and is steadied by a box D'
containing stones or other weights. E is a support preferably of wood carrying the
contact makers and electrical connections. It is supported by bolts E¹ from the
backing D. Each of the rings A' A' A³ has fixed to it preferably four bolts F¹
to F1s which project rearwards through the backing D. These bolts carry blocks or
shoulders which when a section of the target is struck come against the backing D
and prevent the section of the target from swinging back too far to the injury of
the apparatus. G are helical springs encircling the blocks f and pressing the
sections of the target outwards. The rear ends of the bolts F1 to F are screw
threaded and each carry two lock nuts H H by which the resistance of the
springs G can be regulated and the faces of all the sections of the target brought
into the same plane. J is an insulator of wood or vulcanite to prevent the bolts F
to F from coming into contact with the contact makers K' to K". These contact
makers each consist of a conducting pin forced outwards by a spring k. L'and l¹
to L¹ and are twelve pairs of spring contacts the contacts of each pair being
connected to the ends of two wires in the circuit containing the battery and the
corresponding indicator. When any section of the target is struck by a bullet the
point struck is forced back causing the bolt nearest to it to move rearwards so
forcing the contact maker into contact with its two springs thus closing the circuit
through them and actuating the corresponding indicator. If the section of the
target is struck between two of the bolts then they are both forced rearwards and
their two circuits are closed and the two corresponding indicators are operated. In
this way the position of the point at which the bullet struck the target is shown by
the indicator or indicators.
Figures 3 and 4 show the electrical connections. In Figure 4 the twelve pairs
of contact springs L' and to L and are seen there being four pairs to each
section of the target, these are arranged to show high, low, right or left respectively.
One spring of each pair namely L' to L is connected by the wires M to one pole
of the battery. The other spring of each pair namely 1 to 11 is connected by one
of the wires N' to N° to the electro-magnet of the corresponding indicator Figure 3.
If the bullseye be small as shown in the drawing only one indicator need be
provided for it and all of its four springs to 1 may be connected to the wire N
as shown. The wires N' to N° are led to the indicating apparatus and after passing
round their electro-magnets are attached to the wire leading to the plate Oi
which is connected by the wire P to the other pole of the battery. Thus for
example if a shot strikes the target near the bolt F a circuit is closed from the
battery through the wire M contact spring L contact maker K* spriug wire N
round the electro-magnet of the indicator No. 5 and so by the wire O plate O¹ and
wire P back to the battery.
The indicators are preferably exactly similar to those employed for electric bells
consisting of figures or colored spots behind apertures in the indicator case which
are normally hidden by discs Q' to Q retained by catches but when any circuit is
closed and one of the electro magnets is so caused to attract its armature the catch
is released so allowing the disc to drop and uncover the figure or spot of colour
which is then seen through the aperture in the indicator case. A handle R common
to all of them is provided to set the discs back again.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination of the sections A' A² A³ &c., supports B, backing D.

page_text: bolts FFF &c., blocks f', springs G and contact makers K' K' K' &c. sub-
stantially as described.
2. Apparatus for automatically recording the value of shots upon targets
substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
Dated this 24th day of September 1891.