IMPROVEMENTS IN TARGETS
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Lang and Charles Chevalier, of the Submarine
Telegraph Works, Birkenhead, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TARGETS."
Sealed the 24th August 1860, and dated the 25th February 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Lang and Charles
Chevalier at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 25th February 1860.
We, JOHN LANG and CHARLES CHEVALIER, of the Submarine Telegraph
Works, Birkenhead, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TARGETS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in constructing fixed or moveable targets, so that
they may be automatic and self-registering, so as to avoid the necessity for a
marker or signalman being stationed at or near to the target or butt, for the
purpose of signaling by flags the portion of disc struck by the projectile.
We construct targets of steel or iron, and divide the disc into a central
"bull's-eye," and four or any greater number of surrounding portions, which
may be divided into two or more series of rings.
To the central "bull's-eye," and each of the parts or pieces composing the
target, is connected a galvanic, electric, or electro-magnetic apparatus for
making and breaking contact, so that upon any part or portion of the target

page_text: being struck, it is brought into contact or into electric circuit from a condition
of insulation in which it was when at rest.
.A duplicate target or signal board is placed near to the "rest," or place
from whence the shot or projectile is fired, and upon the face of such duplicate
target or signal board a number of needles or pointers corresponding with the
number of parts composing the target are mounted, for the purpose of indicating
which portion of the target has been struck. Each part or piece of the target
is connected with the corresponding needle or pointer, by means of a properly
insulated conducting wire, and a contact maker and breaker in connection
with a suitable battery arrangement.
Upon the projectile striking the target, the portion so struck is, through the
galvanometer or its equivalent, indicated upon the duplicate target or indicator
board. The target at which the projectile is fired may be fixed, as is ordinarily
the case, or it may be mounted upon a carriage, and caused to travel trans-
versely or across the line of flight, for enabling that description of practice to
be performed. For this purpose the several conducting wires have coiled wire
or other elongatable connections introduced between them and the back of
the target.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Lang and Charles Chevalier in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 25th August 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, Jonn
LANG and CHARLES CHEVALIER, of the Submarine Telegraph Works, Birken-
head, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters.
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto us, the said John Lang and Charles Chevalier, Her special licence
that we, the said John Lang and Charles Chevalier, our executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said John Lang and Charles
Chevalier, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TARGETS," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said John Lang

page_text: and Charles Chevalier, our executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under our, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said John Lang and Charles Chevalier,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement and accompanying Sheet of Drawings:-
This Invention consists in constructing fixed or moveable targets, that
they may be automatic and self-registering, so as to avoid the necessity for
a marker or signalman being stationed at or near to the target or butt, for the
purpose of signalling by flags the portion of disc or target struck by the
projectile.
We construct targets of steel or iron, and divide the disc or face of the
target into a central bull's-eye, and if circular, into four or any greater number
of surrounding portions, which may be divided into two or more series of rings.
To the central "bull's-eye," and each of the parts or pieces composing the
target, is connected a galvanic, electric, or electro-magnetic apparatus for
making and breaking contact, so that upon any part or portion of the target
being struck, it is brought into contact or into electric circuit from a condition
of insulation in which it was when at rest.
A duplicate target or signal board is placed near to the "rest," or place
from whence the shot or projectile is fired, and upon the face of such duplicate
target or signal board a number of needles or pointers corresponding with the
number of parts composing the target are mounted for the purpose of indicating
which portion of the target has been struck.
For military ball practice, the form of the target is varied, and instead of
being circular or square on the face, they are usually of about six feet high by
two feet wide, and formed of one sheet or piece of iron, the bull's-eye being
painted on or otherwise defined.
For long range practice two or more such plates are placed side by side,
close together, and when two are used, half the "bull's-eye" is marked on one,
and half on the other plate, and when three such plates are employed, the
central target or piece has the bull's-eye upon it.
Now in targets constructed according to our Invention we either adopt the
same dimensions as those in ordinary use, or any others which may be more
convenient, but instead of forming each target of one plate only, we combine

page_text: several plates forming portions of each target, as, say, three pieces each, two
feet square, one above the other, the central piece having a bull's-eye let
into or fitted upon its face, and each piece is brought into separate communi-
cation, either through one or more insulated metallic wires, which, in turn, are
connected at their opposite ends with one or several needles or indicators, by
the simple or compound deflections, of which needles the proper indication is
given, and may be recorded, by means of the needle being held in the position
in which it has been thrown or deflected until the next shot is made; or
instead of being held by any mechanical or magnetic contrivance superadded
for that purpose, such deflections may be simply noted, and the needle imme-
diately thereafter will resume its normal position or position of rest.
Each part or piece of the target is connected with the corresponding needle
or pointer by means of a properly insulated conducting wire, and a contact
maker or breaker in connection with a suitable battery arrangement, or one
or more needles or pointers may be made to record two or more parts of the
target in electric communication therewith, and either through one or more
conducting wires. Upon the projectile striking the target the portion so struck
is, through the galvanometer or its equivalent, indicated upon the duplicate
target or indicator board.
Any convenient form may be given to this part of the apparatus, as, instead
of a miniature duplicate of the target, cach part or piece thereof having a
separate needle or pointer, for the purpose of indicating the effect of a blow
on a corresponding piece or part of the target, one, two, or more dials, of
circular or other convenient form, may be mounted on an instrument case
containing the coil apparatus, or any other shape may be given to the dial or
dials, or the duplicate target or indicator board or apparatus upon which the
position of the blow on the face of the main target is recorded, either by one
pulsation or wave upon the making or breaking of contact produced by the
blow, causing the needle to move from its normal position either to the right
or to the left, and thus requiring only two needles or pointers to indicate four
positions; or, with double needles or pointers upon the same dial, one dial may
be made to record more than two positions; or where more than one pulsation
or wave is, by any mechanical means, transmitted to the needle or pointer by
any single blow upon the target, then a single needle and dial may be employed
to record more than two positions upon the target.
The target (according to this Invention) at which the projectile is fired may
be fixed, as is ordinarily the case, in a suitably strong framing, or it may, be
mounted upon a carriage, and caused to travel transversely or across the line of
flight for enabling that description of practice to be performed. For this

page_text: purpose the several conducting wires have coiled wire or other elongatable
connections introduced between them and the back of the target.
Now, the object of our Invention being to enable a marksman to ascertain
instantaneously, by means of self-acting electrical apparatus, the effect of his
shot upon a target, that is to say, to indicate upon the spot from whence a
bullet is fired, or at any other convenient place, what part of the target has
been struck by the bullet without the necessity for a marker near the target,
and in order to effect this, we, as herein-before described, make the target of
several strong plates suspended from a suitably strong framing, and behind
each plate we fix insulated metallic points. Each plate or segment of which
the target is composed is connected with one pole of a galvanic battery, and
the points behind such plates or segments with the other pole, and at any con-
venient point of the circuit we place a needle surrounded with a coil in such a
manner that when any of the plates or segments of which the target is composed
is struck by a bullet, it is caused to move backwards till it comes in contact
with the points behind it, and thus forms electrical connection, which, com-
pleting the circuit, causes the needle to be deflected. Each of the plates or
segments being furnished with its special circuit and indicating needle, we are
enabled to demonstrate by inspecting these indicators, which plate has been
struck by the bullet, as only the needle belonging to that particular plate is
deflected. But, instead of connecting each piece or portion of the target
tlirough a separate conducting wire with a separate needle or indicator, we
prefer for most purposes to reduce the number of conducting wires, and dials,
and needles, and rely upon the changes and permutations which can be made
or effected upon one dial with one needle, consistent with fewness of parts,
simplicity of action, and the proper recording of the vibrations of the needle.
or pointer.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrative of our Invention,
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are views of a target suited for rifle practice and of the
usual (regulation) proportions, it being shewn as constructed according to one
method which we adopt in connection with the galvanic battery and indicator,.
as previously herein described, in order to operate a self-acting, indicating, or
registering apparatus, whereby the effect of each shot is accurately recorded
without the necessity for a marker stationed near the target.
Figure 1 is a back elevational view of the target, the supporting frame, &c.,
being withdrawn to allow of the working part, as we have constructed them,
being seen; Figure 2 is a vertical section, taken through the centre of the
target, the supporting frame being shewn in position; Figure 3 is a front
elevation of the target, showing the pieces or parts of which it is composed.

page_text: In these several views the same letters of reference are employed to denote
like or corresponding parts.
The targets, according to this method, we prefer to form of three separate
plates A, B, C, exclusive of the "bull's-eye" plate D, which latter we also
render separately self-registering; and these several plates forming the target
we suspend from a suitably strong supporting frame F, G, in the following
manner-Each segment or plate, independent of the "bulls-eye" plate, is
carried by four arms H, H, I, I; two of the arms H, H, of each plate or
segment are suspended from wrought-iron eyes K, K, bolted to the frame
opposite the upper portion of each segment; these arms H, H, being hinged
to the lower portion of each segment. The two other arms I, I, of each plate
or segment are suspended from wrought-iron eyes L, L, bolted to the frame
opposite the lower portion of each segment; these arms I, I, being hinged to
the upper portion of each segment. The arms H, H, and the arms I, I, are
of equal length, and are connected at the centre by a pin M, which is firmly
fixed in each of the arms H, H, and moves in a slot in the arms I, I. This
mode of suspension forms a convenient parallel motion, leaving each of the
segments free to move only in a direction parallel to itself. The holes of the
upper or lower hinges require to be slightly oval, so as to allow of the neces-
sary amount of parallel motion. The arrangements of the levers and their
connections, top and bottom, may, however, be reversed. The segments are
pressed outward from the frame by springs N, N, &c., the outward motion
whereof is limited by a bar O bolted or rivetted to the outer arms H, H. A
corresponding bar O' fixed to the arms I, I, helps to strengthen the construc-
tion. The separate suspension and support of the "bulls-eye" plato D is
provided for independently of that of the "centre" rectangular plate or
segment, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2, where one method is shewn,
two studs or projecting bolts being secured to the back of the "bulls-eye"
plate may work in a tube or socket secured to the supporting frame F, G. At
the base of this tube or socket a suitable spring or a cushion of india-rubber
or other elastic material placed there would allow of the necessary amount of
resilience, and by inserting a pin in each of the studs or bolts, which pin should
work in slots formed in each of the sockets or tubes, the outward action of
the spring could always be so limited as to keep the outside face of the "bulls-
eye" plate D flush with the face of the centre plate or segment C, or only so
much in advance of it as may be desired. Small metallic springs E, E, (by
preference brass) are placed behind each of the pieces; these springs are insu-
lated from the frame and iron pieces or parts of the target when the latter are
pressed out by the springs N. To the springs E are connected the conducting

page_text: wires leading to the galvanic battery and indicating instrument, so that, each
of the plates being furnished with its own special circuit and indicating needle,
when a bullet strikes any segment it yields to the blow, and comes in contact
with the spring E at its back, thus forming electrical connection, and which
completing the circuit we are thus enabled (as before mentioned), by merely
looking at the indicating instrument, to ascertain which particular plate or
piece of the target has been struck by the bullet.
Figure 5 is an elevational view of a double dial and needle-indicating instru-
ment as is herein-before referred to; both needles, however, are shown as
deflected from their normal position, which need not be at one and the
same time.
Figure 6 is a transverse section of Figure 5, taken through the centre of the
instrument case. It exhibits one of the forms in which such instruments are
constructed by us for the purpose of recording two positions on each dial. It
consists of a box or case containing two armatures, each surrounded with a
coil in the usual manner, and supported as shewn. Upon the end of each
spindle which carries the armature is supported the indicating needle b. The
face of the containing box is dialled so as to enable four values of shots being
instantaneously recorded, videlicet, "centre," "outer bottom," outer top,"
and "bulls-eye." c, c, are small catches at the ends of each of the rods d,
connected with a small spring attached to the supporting frame c, so that by
merely pulling the ring attached to the end of the spindle d, the needle b may
be released after each indication; f is the outer glazed case or cover of the
instrument; 9 is a small sliding door at the back of the instrument, to allow
of the adjustment of the interior apparatus.
Figure 7 is a diagram exhibiting one mode of arranging the electric wires
at the back of the target; S¹ being the earth wire, which is connected at
t, t, ts, and t, with the "bulls-eye," and each of the main pieces of the
target respectively; and u, u', u³, and u³ are four separate and distinct
metallic wires, properly insulated and connected at one end to each piece or
part of the target, and at their opposite end to a battery pole; and there may
be two or more batteries placed closo to the frame of the target. For the
arrangement last described, the contact making is effected behind each piece
of the target whenever it is struck, and although four battery wires are shewn,
two lengths of wire only are needed between the battery power near the target
and the indicating apparatus at or near the rest or point from which the pro-
jectile is fired; a positive or a negative current (as the case may be) causing
either of the needles to be deflected to the right or to the left by a singlo
pulsation.

page_text: Figure 8 illustrates a form of target, which is in this case circular (instead
of the shape and proportions of the Government regulation targets just
referred to), having a "bulls-eye" plate and four surrounding separate
segments..
Figure 9 is the indicating target, being divided out so as to form a fac-
simile of that which is being fired at, each of the divisions being provided with
an index, and connected with the real target by wires and galvanic batteries,
as previously herein.described.
Figure 10 is a circular target divided out, so as to have a "bulls-eye" plate
and twelve surrounding divisions, Figure 11 being the corresponding index
board or miniature target, each division having a needle or pointer.
In the following illustration (Figure 12), a detail, on an enlarged scale, is
shewn of another mode or method of making contact between the metallic
plate or piece of the target and the battery, each piece being suitably mounted
independent of the others, and upon a blow being struck it is communicated
to the spring hammer, which in turn makes contact, and so causes the current
to flow along the conducting wire, and act upon the needle or pointer pro-
ducing a deflection... For effecting the indications by this method, instead of
making the plates themselves moveable and avoiding the necessity for their
delicate suspension, we sometimes fix the target plates a (Figure 12) to the
framing with pieces of caoutchouc or other elastic packing between them and
their seating, and behind each plate a we suspend a hammer piece b, which is
pressed by the spring c against the back of the plate. At a little distance
behind these hammers we fix insulated metallic points, and we connect the
hammers to one pole and the insulated points to the other pole with an indi-
cator in the circuit, as above described. The stroke of a bullet on the face of
the plate causes one or more of the hammers in contact with that plate to fly
backwards and strike the metallic surface or spring piece e behind them, thus
In order to make
completing the circuit and deflecting the indicating needle.
the contact of the hammers with the points more certain, and to maintain that
contact for a somewhat longer period, we prefer to mount the metallic points
on the ends of fine springs e, which yield to the hammers, and remain in
contact with them during their deflection and recoil. For the purpose of mea-
suring the time of the flight of the projectile, a stop watch may be used to
note the difference between the time of firing and the vibration of the needle
or pointer indicating the part or portion hit; and for the purpose of more
accurately determining the fractional parts of seconds of time occupied in the
flight of the projectile, a double seconds' timekeeper, capable of being stopped
and started by the respective acts of discharging the projectile and of vibrating

page_text: the needle, by which the time can be read off, or by means of the traversing
of a pencil over ruled paper moved by clockwork, or the traversing of geome-
trically divided paper in combination with a fixed pencil, producing a straight
line, or a moveable pencil traversing in a direction at right angles to the
motion of the paper and producing a curve, the minutest divisions of time may
be accurately recorded. For the purpose of rendering the apparatus, accord-
ing to our present Invention, and as herein-before described, capable of
registering the force as well as the position of the blow upon the target, such
indications being more or less approximate, whilst being uniformly correct
within certain limits, the following method may be resorted to:-From the
back of each piece of a target a metallic projection is attached of a curved or
step-by-step form, the curved surface not being uniform, or the steps or
notches should be made of different lengths, so that with a blow of small force
one step or notch only or a small portion of the curve is brought in contact
with a corresponding number or surface of terminal connected with the battery
power; each separate terminal when brought into contact by the increased
force of the blow brings into circuit an increased battery action, which is
measured upon a galvanonieter at or near the rest or point from which the
projectile is fired. Thus for the compound purpose of indicating the part of
the target hit, the time occupied by the flight of the projectile, and the force
of the blow struck, or either the first and second, or the first and third, the
needles or pointers will require to be suitably connected to produce synchronic
action.
Having now described our Invention of "Improvements in Targets," and
also set forth some of the modes or methods in which we prefer to carry the
same into effect, and which we have illustrated in the Drawing hereunto
annexed, and having also described some of the means by which targets, con-
structed according to our present Invention, may bo made available for indi-
cating other points than the position of a blow upon the face of a target, we
wish it to be understood that what we claim is,-
First, the construction of targets composed of several pieces (irrespective of
their shape and configuration), and connecting each part or piece by means of
electric, electro-magnetic, or galvanic apparatus by means of two or more
wires, with one or more needles or pointers, and by which the part of the
target hit can be indicated or recorded at or near to the point from which the
projectile is discharged, or wherever else it may be desired to convey such
Indication.
Second, the construction of targets, as herein-beforo described, and con-
necting one or more pieces of such target by means of electric conducting

page_text: wires with electric, electro-magnetic, or galvanic apparatus, or with a galvano-
meter of any suitable construction, either alone or in combination with a stop-
watch or apparatus, as herein described, for measuring and recording time, and
for the purposes of measuring the force of the blow and the time of the flight
of the projectile, or for either purpose separately.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Chevalier, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of August, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty.
CHARLES CHEVALIER.
L.S.)