Improvements in or connected with Disappearing Targets.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Nov.,
1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Disappearing Targets.
I, ROBERT STAVELEY SHINKWIN, of Altcar Range, Hightown, in the County of
Lancaster, Colonel in Her Majesty's Forces, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows: -
This invention has for its object a disappearing target which can be used on
the level of the ground so as to be adaptable especially for those places like the
Altcar range where the water is within two or three feet of the surface. These
disappearing targets have been largely made on the wind-mill plan.
By this
arrangement two targets are attached to a beam working on a pivot, the one target
is exposed while the other is under cover at the mantlet, and at the disposition of
the marker. With this arrangement a considerable height is required as the
centre has to be made at such height that one entire target can be behind the
mantlet.
Now I prefer in making the new targets to arrange them not on the wind-mill
principle at all, but sideways. Where however the old wind-mill device has to
be adapted for my invention, instead of having the target sliding out as hereafter
described I place the two targets at right angles with each other the apex of the
right angle being preferably at the axis. By this means the axis can be nearly
on the level of the ground and one target project horizontally from the axis while
the other is vertically above it, the two targets being firmly fixed to a triangular
frame the apex of which is the axis. I prefer to have two supports one at each side
of the axis instead of one as heretofore. In making however new targets instead
of having the target projecting horizontally, I cause both! targets to move hori-
zontally on slides and on the top slide or other convenient position I fix the signals
so arranged by means of an endless line and pulleys or by a couple of racks and
rack wheel that as the target moves in under cover of the mantlet a signal shall
move out of cover. By having two targets running on slides one is pushed out
to one side as the other is withdrawn and the other pushed out to the other side
when the first is withdrawn. In a similar way by having two racks for the
signals a signal flies out automatically on the opposite side to and coincident with
a target flying out in the other direction. In place of having four signals I
have two signals the two sides being painted differently so that one signal can
show bulls-eye, and by reversing it, centre, while the other shows magpie, by
reversing it, outer, the signals being simply hung or suspended on the racks or
their equivalent. By either of these arrangements it will be seen that one target
will of necessity be in the shelter of the mantlet and available for being operated
upon by the marker while the other is exposed to view either above or preferably
on either side. There is a great advantage in having it on one or either side
instead of above as the whole arrangement can be made lower and consequently
not so much protection is required.

page_text: I, ROBERT STAVELEY SHINKWIN, of Altcar Range, Hightown, in the County of
Lancaster, Colonel in Her Majesty's Forces, 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:-
This invention has for its object a disappearing target which can be used on
the ground level
It can be used in two ways, first so as to be adaptable to the old pattern mantlet
with little expense at places where it is undesirable to adopt the gallery system.
The targets in such case are fixed on a frame which travels on a rail on the
mantlet floor level 16 inches or so below the ground level. The frame is held
in its upright position by an inverted grooved scantling fixed along the roof of the
mantlet, as in the case of a sliding door. Two targets are used. As the target on
the right is withdrawn for repair that on the left moves out ready for use and
vice versa.
The signalling is by means of an endless line and pulleys, so arranged
that as the target is withdrawn to repair the hit, the signal denoting the value
of the hit moves out in its place, and remains until the repaired target is sent
out again ready for use. The same movements take place alternately at opposite
sides of the mantlet.
Second way. Where however it is desirable to adopt the gallery system, instead
of having the target sliding out as above described, I place the two targets at
right angles with each other, the apex of the right angle being at the axis. By
this means the axis will be but little above the level of the ground, and one target
project horizontally from the axis while the other is vertically above it, the two
targets being firmly fixed to a triangular frame, the apex of which is the axis.
This latter arrangement which is the one I now prefer will be understood from
the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in
which,
Figure 1 is a vertical cross section through the safety butt and gallery;
Figure 2, a front elevation of the target apparatus; and
Figure 3, a variation in which two targets are employed instead of a target and
dummy as in Figure 2.
Referring to the Figures 1 and 2, A is the safety butt or mantlet of earth, B the
target, and C dummy rotatable a quarter circle with their supports on fixed axes I),
both target and dummy being firmly fixed to the triangular frame E, the apex of
which is the axis D and balancing each other. By this means the axis is only a
little above the level of the ground F, and the dummy C projects horizontally
from the axis while the target B is vertically above it or vice versa. I prefer to
have two supports G and H, one at each side of the target and dummy instead of
one as heretofore. I is a catch which locks the target and dummy either in the
position shown in full lines, or in the position shown in dotted lines. By either
of these arrangements it will be seen that the target will of necessity be in the
shelter of the mantlet or safety butt and available for being operated upon by the
marker, while the dummy is exposed to view, or conversely the dummy will be in
the shelter of the safety butt, and the target exposed to view. J is the gallery
behind the safety butt, K a seat for the marker, L a roof for this seat.
The apparatus possesses great advantages over the windmill targets hitherto in
use, as it is both lighter and stronger, has only to revolve a quarter circle instead
of a half circle and consequently requires a much shallower gallery than other
systems.

page_text: In Figure 3 the arrangement is similar except that two targets are employed
instead of a target and a dummy. In this arrangement, therefore, the marker
denotes the value of the hit, by pointing with the implement M, and then with-
draws the target for repair into the shelter of the safety butt, while the other
target comes into the view, and thus firing can go on without intermission, as one
or other of the targets is always exposed above the embankment A.
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:-
1. The arrangement of target apparatus on the windmill type, but the targets
or the target and dummy placed at right angles with each other relatively to
the rotative centre, whereby when one is exposed above the embankment or
mantlet, the other is covered thereby, without anything like the usual amount of
excavation or height of embankment.
2. In target apparatus, the arrangement of targets or target and dummy fixed
firmly to a triangular rotatable frame, at right angles, and balancing each other,
the axis of said frame being at the apex thereof, whereby the frame has only to
revolve a quarter circle to change the positions of the targets from shelter or
exposure instead of a half circle, and consequently requires a much shallower
gallery, substantially as described.
3. The general arrangement and construction of parts forming my improved dis-
appearing target apparatus, substantially as described and shown in the accom-
panying drawings.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Patent Agents, of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London.