Improvements in, applicable to, or connected with Targets, Mantlets and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 19th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in, applicable to, or connected with Targets, Mantlets
and the like.
I, WILLIAM DAVID TRICK, Marina, Bryn Road, Swansea, Glamorganshire,
Lieutenant-Colonel Volunteer Force, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement: -
My invention consists in "Improvements in, applicable to, or connected with,
targets, mantlets, and the like" the principle objects I have in view being to
combine with the regulation form of mantlet,
1st. A canvas target or targets at or about the ground level capable of being
swung inwardly or outwardly gate fashion by a special device or devices part or
parts of which are employed to operate the locking mechanism.
2nd. Provision for stowage of said targets when out of use.
3rd. The saving of considerable space upon any existing system.
4th. The absolute safety of the operator, or operators as well as the mechanism
they control from the effects of shot.
5th. Apparatus for signalling or indicating to the firing party the position of
shots upon the target.
The construction and operation of my improvements will be ready understood
by reference to the drawing in which:-
Fig. 1, is a general view shewing both targets, one being closed, the other in
position for being fired at.
Fig. 2, is a front elevational view looking towards the firing party.
Fig. 3, is an elevational view shewing interior of shelter, on line A. B. Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, is a perspective view of the structure when closed up.
Fig. 5, is a view to enlarged scale of swivelling pulley.
Fig. 6, is a view shewing detail of gate with fastening.
Fig. 7, is a view shewing gate and sockets.
Fig. 8, is a view shewing double fastening for gate.
In the drawing 1, is the mantlet, this, as usually constructed, consists of old
railway sleepers or other rough timber and about two feet soil, with a sheet iron
lining and is made to regulation dimensions. 2. is a sheet iron lean to roof the
sides. of which rest upon the two walls 3, which are or may be lined with iron
plate. Along the central portion of the structure I form of timber of suitable
strength an enclosure 4, this is fitted with a series of grooves 5, see Fig. 3, and
serves for the purpose of stowing the canvas targets 13, when not in use.
enclosure is fitted with a door 4.
This
On either side of the enclosure 4, and preferably secured thereto by bolts, screws,
or like means I erect four posts 6, each pair being surmounted by a cross or tie
bar 7. The lower end of the posts as well as the enclosure are supported by wood
framing 7, level with or beneath the ground line. Removeably secured preferably
by gate hooks 8, and hinges 81 to either side of the posts 6, forming the end frame
are two gates or doors 9, 9, these may be made of wood or metal and are each
fitted at the top and bottom with metallic socket pieces 10, 10%, into which the
legs 11, 11, of each frame 12, carrying the canvas target 13, are stepped. Two

page_text: guide pulleys 14, 14ª, are mounted upon the upper side of each cross tie 7, in a
suitable position and through these is threaded a rope 15, one end of which is
secured in a suitable position by stapling knotting or other like means to the outer-
most upright of each door frame, the other end being led over a guide pulley 14ª,
within the shelter, and kept taut by a weight 16. These ropes or guy lines are
employed for opening the gates and displaying the targets. To the lower part of
the outermost upright of each door frame I affix a bolt 17, the travel of which is
limited by slots 18, through which pass the bolts 19, by which they are secured
to the frame.
An eye 20, is formed at the upper extremity of each bolt and to this is secured
a rope 15 which passes over a swivelling pulley 14, secured in a convenient
position near the top of the door upright and over a similar pulley 14, in the
shelter the rope being kept taut by means of a counterbalance 16, which however
is of less weight than the bolt so that it may not be lifted out of its catch or socket 21
which forms part of the metal stop 22. A corresponding catch or socket 22, is
mounted near to or upon each post 6, and a metal or wooden stop 22ª, is driven
into the ground to steady the target frame 12, when in position for firing. To
more rigidly lock the gate I sometimes lengthen the bolt 17, the top being bent
round or otherwise shaped so as to engage with a socket 21", placed near the top
of the upright, the rope 15' is attached to the eye 20, as shewn. The operation
of this first part of my invention is as follows: When out of use the targets are
placed in the enclosure 4, the gates 9, ropes and attachments, being lifted off the
hooks and placed within the shelter which is protected overhead from the weather
by the lean to roof 2, formed of shot proof plain or corrugated iron or steel plate
or sheet, and by the two metallic shot proof wings 23, 23", removeably hinged at 24,
and secured by bolts 30, passing into sockets, these are arranged to cover or form
doors for the two front openings 25 when not employed to protect the marker or
markers from stray shot. The targets are removed from the enclosure 4, and the
legs of each frame 11, fitted into the corresponding sockets 10, 10ª, upon each
gate 9, 9. The marker now pulls gently upon the rope 15' which raises the bolt 17,
out of its socket. He then pulls the other rope 15, which causes the gate and
target to swing outwards until arrested by the stop 22, the bolt 17, dropping into
the catch 21, upon the upright and securing the target in position.
When a strong wind prevails I may employ an additional storm rope, this consists
of a rope, wire strand, or the like 15", see dotted lines Fig. 1, it is doubled round
a short post 31, driven into the ground and both ends led to the shelter. A peg 32,
is driven through the upper part of this post, which serves a double purpose: that
of keeping the rope strand or the like close to the ground line so as to be out of the
reach of accident from shot, and preventing the rope or strand from jumping off.
One end of a short rope or strand 15 is attached at a suitable point to the rope 15"
nearest the shelter, the other end being secured to the outer edge of the frame
of the target 12.
It will be understood that the marker can by hauling up the respective rop s
control the opening or closing of the targets irrespective of the force and direction
of the wind, and by making fast the outer rope the target is securely held in
position against the stop 22
Two lockers 26, 261, are provided in the shelter which may also be used as seats.
To enable the marker or markers to signal to the firing party the position of
the hits, I provide the following apparatus:-Within the shelter in a convenient
position are arranged a series of boards 27, fitted with knobs or equivalent means
of operating them 28, and sliding in grooved pieces of wood or metal 29, screwed
or otherwise secured to the wood lining of the shelter. The side of each board 27,
facing the firing party is painted with a distinctive color or colors which when
exposed laterally by sliding out one or more of the boards enable the value of any
shot striking the target to be determined.
My improvements offer considerable advantages over any existing system, as
the swinging movement admits of a great saving of lateral space. The dimensions

page_text: of the mantlet needed for two targets being about eight feet as against twenty,
and the capability of stowing securely and protecting from the weather all the
appliances necessary to the working coupled with complete security to the markers.
The construction of the frames is or may be such as to permit any regulation size
of canvas target varying from four feet to twelve feet to be exposed to the firing
party. Moreover, should one of the targets when two are employed, be torn by
shot or otherwise damaged it can be withdrawn within the protection of the mantlet
and covered side roofs 23, 23, and the repairs effected by the marker with safety,
the other target being in use so that the firing party is not interrupted. Another
important feature of my invention consists in the fact that I am able to place the
frames on which the targets are stretched close to the ground line thus avoiding
the necessity for and danger of a high trajectory and thereby enabling firing stations
to be erected upon comparatively level ground.
It will be understood that I do not confine myself to the double construction
shewn; I may in suitable cases construct my improvements with only one target.
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 combination with a mantlet or safety shelter employed for rifle or shooting
practice of a target or targets stretched on a frame or frames removeably mounted
upon a gate or gates and capable of swinging or being swung inwardly or outwardly
at or about the ground level, the unlocking, locking, and swinging action, being
effected by means of ropes, strands or the like passing over guide pulleys and
operated from within the shelter by the means and in the manner described.
2. The combination in or with a mantlet and targets constructed and operated
as described in Claim 1, of the enclosure fitted with grooves for storing the frames
and targets when out of use and the particular construction whereby the doors
when raised on their hinges to enable the targets to be operated serve as an overhead
screen or protection for the markers.
3. The combination in or with a mantlet and swinging target or targets of the
removeable gates for supporting the target frames and targets, the guide pulleys,
locking mechanism and rope or equivalent controlling devices thereon and operating
therewith, said gate or gates being so constructed as to be stored when out of use
within the shelter.
4. The combination in or with swinging targets of the use and employment of a
storm rope, connected thereto and operating in the way and manner described.
Tated thin 4th dox of Ton 1898
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent for Applicant, 21, Finsbury Pavement, London, E.C.