Automatic or Self-indicating Targets.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 9th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Automatic or Self-indicating Targets.
We JOHN MULLINEUX of 19 Ringford Road, West Hill, Wandsworth, in the
County of Surrey, Clerk, and ANDREW SELLAR JEHU of 31 Santos Road,
West Hill aforesaid, Clerk do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Our invention relates to targets which indicate automatically the values of the
shots striking them, by means of a mechanical appliance.
The face of our target is composed of a series of concentric rings, each forming a
separate value: the bull's-eye" being the centre, around that the 'inner,' and so
on to the magpie' and 'outer or other values; the perimeter of the lowest value*
being rectangular. Each of these rings or values consists of a separate piece, one
fitting inside the other, in the same plane, so as to present a compact, flat, surface to
the firing-point excepting the bull's-eye' which is kept a little in rear of the other
values in order to avoid being whitened. Instead of having each value in one
piece, we may make one value in several pieces each to work independently.
At the back of each of these target plates or sections we affix two or more rods
or pistons; these rods may be separately made and screwed into the target plates
and where they are screwed in, the metal may be, preferably, a little thicker for the
better support of the rod.
We then construct a frame of two plates firmly fixed upon a stand some three
feet or other suitable distance from the ground, oue in rear of the other and about
4 ins. or 6 ins. apart. These plates are bored through and through; the holes
corresponding to the number, size, and relative position of the rods in rear of the
target plates, and each rod placed into its respective boring. Each target plate
will then move horizontally retaining its relative position by reason of its being
upon two or more rods; excepting the bull's-eye for which other provision is made.
Upon one of the rods of each section and between the two fixed plates we fix a
stop-pin for two reasons viz. :—
1st. To limit the movement of the target plates;
In the
2nd. To suspend the discs by intercepting the catches as explained hereafter.
This stop-pin extends horizontally at right angles to the rod a sufficient distance
to cover the slot provided for the particular section as explained hereafter.
lower sections of the 'outer' value we carry the pin first perpendicularly a short
distance then horizontally as before described in order to provide a sufficient drop
for the bolt as hereafter described.
Below the foot of the target we place the signalling discs, one for each value,
made to slide perpendicularly upon rods fixed in a frame. To the top of the discs
we attach cords or small chains which are continued upwards through guiding tubes
which may be constructed of metal tubes fixed perpendicularly upon the plate, or
by cutting grooves into the same and partially covering, so as to leave a narrow
slot therein the whole length of the plate. The cords are united above the top of
the plate and continued in one line to the firing point. Where one value is divided
into two or more sections we may use one disc for each section; or we may connect
the cords running through two guiding tubes, and by placing one disc upon the
double cord so that when either end of the cord is moved, the disc will slide up and
down, we may make one disc serve.
Upon each cord we attach a bolt which moves in the guiding tube above
mentioned, having a narrow projection upon it which falls into the slot and stands
out upon the rear of the plate forming a hook-shaped catch.
In rear of the fixed plates carrying the rods I place a sliding board. This board

page_text: is drawn forwards by means of cord and pulleys pressing each and all the rods
forward as far as the stop-pins between the two fixed plates will admit, and is then
drawn back by means of springs.
Immediately below the lower edge of the target and in front, we affix a box
containing liquid whiting with a flat brush therein working perpendicularly over
the face of the target, by means of cord and pulleys, upon a rod fixed behind the
target plate for safety. This will obliterate the shot marks in much the same way
as it is done in an ordinary shooting gallery.
The cords working the whiting brush and the sliding board may be connected
with the same cord that works the discs so that the three movements will be
performed simultaneously.
We will now proceed to describe the working of our invention. Upon the cord
at the firing-point being tightened, the sliding board will move forward pressing the
rods as far as the stop-pins will admit. The target plates will then present a
compact flat surface to the firing-point, the bull's-eye as previously explained being
a little in rear. At the same time the discs will be drawn upwards and will
disappear behind a protecting plate; the whiting brush will pass over the face of
the target obliterating all previous shot marks. When the cord is released, the
catches in the slots will rest upon the stop-pins and the discs will remain suspended.
Upon a shot being fired the particular section struck will be driven backwards,
releasing the catch and allowing the disc to drop into view. The tightening of the
cord again at the firing point will replace the disc, press forward the section,
obliterate the shot mark and the target will be all clear for firing again. When
a shot strikes the line, both values will indicate but as the discs are placed one
behind the other only the higher value will be seen.
If the sections of the target should be so large and heavy that the impact of a
small shot would not have sufficient force to indicate, we place spiral springs upon
the rods so as to assist the backward movement; the strength of the spring being
regulated by the weight of the section so as to equalise the force required to
indicate.
In one form of our invention we make the face of the target convex, and around
it fix larger plates, so as to increase the area of the face, with the edges curved
inwards. The object of these catch-plates is to collect the spent bullets and to
prevent accidents from splashing or ricochets. In this manner the bullet on striking
the face of the target is deflected into the nearest catchplate, and thence into the
bottom one where the lead may be collected and used again.
Dated this 7th day of February 1891.
JOHN MULLINEUX.
ANDREW SELLAR JEHU.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Automatic or Self-indicating Targets.
We, JOHN MULLINEUX of 19 Ringford Road, West Hill, Wandsworth in the
County of Surrey, Clerk, and ANDREW SELLAR JEHU of 31 Santos Road, West
Hill aforesaid Cashier 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 relates to targets which indicate the values of the shots striking
them; and more particularly to the targets used at short ranges.
:
The face of the target is divided into different values a, a, a, a³, by concentric
rings each value may be in one or more sections according to the size and weight.
There may be any number of values, 3 or 4 being usually sufficient. Into the back
of each section (excepting the bull's-eye which has only one) two or more rods or
pistons d are fixed; the whole then fixed in a framework c, preferably of iron,
constructed with two upright guiding plates c¹, into which holes n are bored to

page_text: receive the rods d, allowing free horizontal movement to each section. If desirable
we may form a sleeve for each rod instead of mere borings.
The framework may be cast in one piece with the upright guiding plates c' solid;
or it may be a skeleton construction, and instead of holes for the pistons d to pass
through we may fix small grooved wheels as carriers for the same as at k. (Fig. 5).
At the end of one of the pistons of each section we fix a stop pin passing
through the rod at right angles and extending each side thereof so that when all
the pistons are pressed forward to the stop pin the face of the target will present
a compact flat surface to the firing point the bull's-eye value a³ being a little in rear
of the other values the vacant hole shewing a black spot to the marksman.
The horizontal movement of the sections may be assisted or retarded by means
of spiral springs J (Fig. 5) and if desirable the springs may be made strong enough
to replace the section after the backward movement without other assistance.
In rear of the stop pins d¹ we place falling levers e, one for each section, having
the fulcrum e upon a rod fixed in the vertical framework about the centre. The
levers e are weighted at the forward end and on one side of the forward end a
catch is placed projecting at right angles to the lever e.
This catch e engages
with the stop pin d¹ and rests there when the sections are in their normal position.
Instead of having a lever for each section we may combine two by fixing a
swinging bracket m to the framework c which engages on the stop pins of the
two sections so that the movement of either of the two sections will dislodge the
lever e.
C
The ends of the weighted levers e may be connected with the rods g supporting
the discs by a swivel or loose joint if desired.
In rear of the opposite extremity of the levers e we place the disc b; fixed upon
rods g, having a free vertical movement through guide plates to keep them in
position, we may use two rods to each disc supported by a cross piece at the lower
end.
The
The ends of the levers e are placed so as to engage with the cross piece on the
rods 9, the levers of the outer sections being bent inwards for this purpose.
backward movement of the section will remove the pin d' supporting the weighted
lever e, the latter falling to a stop placed to limit the movement.
The opposite
extremity of the lever e will be simultaneously raised and with it the rods g on
which the disc b is fixed bringing the latter into view.
A lever with fulcrum being in effect a skeleton framework extending
across the target below the weighted lever e, will replace the section into its normal
position when drawn up by the cord f extending to the firing point, first raising
the weighted lever e above the stop pin d¹ so that the latter will again engage with
the lever catch e¹ when released by the replacing lever f. The lower side of the
weighted lever e which comes in contact with the replacing lever f may be bevelled
so that it may be raised the required height to engage with the stop pin d'.
In the accompanying drawings like letters shew like parts throughout.
Fig. 1. is a front elevation of the target shewing the disc in view.
Fig. 2. is a side elevation the operation of the target shewn in dotted lines.
Fig. 3. is a rear elevation shewing the position of weighted levers resting on stop
pins and brackets.
Fig. 4. is a plan of target looking from the top.
Fig. 5. is a detail view shewing the position of the springs and carrying wheels
when used.
Figs. 6. 7. 8 are detail views.
The working of our invention is as follows viz. :
When a shot strikes a section a¹ (Fig. 2) it is forced backward, the stop pin
supporting the weighted levere being removed, the latter will fall to the stop
provided, raising the opposite end of the lever e and bringing the disc 6 into view
from the firing point.
The lever being raised by the cord f' which is carried to the firing point, will

page_text: its stop pin d¹, so that when released by the lever f, the catch e¹ will again engage
on the stop pin d. The disc will simultaneously fall into its normal hidden
for the next shot.
position by its own weight, the target will then be "all clear
When a shot strikes the line both values will signal, but it may be so arranged
that only the disc of the higher value will be visible.
A whitewash brush u, sliding upon vertical rods t fixed to the framework can be
worked by a cord from the firing point to obliterate the shot marks; or it may be
connected with the cord working the replacing lever f.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A target the face of which is divided into separate sections, each section
having a free horizontal movement upon guide rds or pistons working through
guiding plates or on wheels or rollers substantially as herein before described.
2. Spiral or other springs in connection therewith to assist or retard the move-
ment of the sections and to replace the same as desired.
3. An apparatus for signalling the values of the shots in connection with above
substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 7th day of November 1891
JOHN MULLINEUX.
ANDREW SELLAR JEHU.