IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAPS AND FLYING TARGETS FOR USE IN PRACTISING WITH FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1885

page_text: with Fire-arms.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAPS AND FLYING TARGETS FOR USE IN
PRACTISING WITH FIRE-ARMS" and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
.
The first part of this invention relates to an improvement in traps for throwing.
targets into the air for target practice, and has for its object the construction of a
trap which may be supplied with several discs to be successively and rapidly
thrown into the air as targets; and the second part of the invention relates to an
improvement in targets for trap shooting, such targets being specially adapted to
the trap forming the subject of the first part of this invention.
The said invention consists in the novel construction of the trap and targets as
more fully hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 represents a face view of the trap complete.
Figure 2 is a side view, a portion of the cylinder being broken away to show the
spring of the follower.
Figure 3 is a section through the pocket on the line xx
Figure 4 is an end view of the studs on which the arm or lever turns, showing
the radial grooves in the end for the adjustment of the spring.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the stud, showing the spring bolding'
device.
Figure 6 shows a modification.
Figure 7 is a view showing another modification, both modifications being drawn
to a reduced scale.
°
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a single target complete.
Figure 9 is a face view of the target showing one side.
Figure 10 is the reverse of the same target.
Figure 11 is a package of targets as prepared for introduction to the magazine of
the trap.

page_text: A represents the frame or base, to which the operative parts are attached. This
frame is adapted to be arranged in any convenient position in the plane in which
the target is to be thrown. In the base is a pocket a, formed by a plate B attached
to the outside of the base A and in a plane therewith so as to leave a space between,
and as indicated in broken lines Figure 1. On a pivot below the pocket a blade
like arm C is hung, and to the latter a spring D is applied, the said spring being
coiled about a stud of which the pivot is the centre, and having an arm extending
up and turned behind the arm C as at d so that the action of the spring is to force
the arm toward the mouth of the pocket, and so that in its normal condition it
rests against a shoulder or stop e. The arm is adapted to be drawn back against
the power of the spring toward the bottom of the pocket, as indicated in broken
lines Figure 1. In rear of the base is attached a cylinder E opening through the
said base into the pocket, as seen in Figure 3. This cylinder is adapted to receive
a series of flat discs f, each disc being thinner than the width of the pocket as seen
in Figure 3. In the cylinder a follower F is arranged movable longitudinally in
the cylinder under the power of a spring G around a spindle H, which spindle
extends from the follower out through the head I at the extreme end of the
cylinder. This head is removable, and is attached by a bayonet joint in a well
known manner, so that it may be introduced and locked by a partial rotation, or
removed by returning the head until the shoulders escape, a construction of
fastening too well known to require particular description.
The several discs are introduced into the cylinder by removing the head and
follower and then replacing the follower and head; the follower when the head is
locked, bearing against the column of discs under the power of the spring G, and as
seen in Figure 2, and tending to force the discs into the pocket, so that as one disc
is removed another will take its place, and so on until all the discs have been
removed.
As a convenient means for actuating the arm C a lever L is hung upon a pivot h
and provided with a spring N arranged to bear against the back of the lever, and
tending to force and hold the latter against a stop i on the base. The arm C is
constructed with a projection 7, which stands in the plane of and back of the
lever L when in the normal condition, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, so that, if the
lever be drawn away from its stop and backward, it will strike the projection Zon
the arm C, and carry it with it. The upper end of the arm C terminates in a
blade like shape m, see Figure 3, so that it readily passes between the plate B and
the front face of the first disc in the column.
The lever L is drawn rearward, taking with it the arm C, until the upper end of
the arm has passed below the first disc, as indicated in broken lines Figure 1.
The column of discs yields for the passage of the blade like portion of the arm C,
but so soon as the arm has passed the first disc, the column is forced forward,
bringing that disc over the arm, as indicated in Figure 1, if now the arm C-be
released it will fly forward under the action of its spring, and take with it the
first disc, throwing it with great force through the mouth of the pocket and into
the air. In such movement the disc will roll against the upper edge of the pocket,
under the action of the arm, so that in its discharge it will receive a rotary motion
in its own plane, which rotary motion greatly facilitates the movement of the disc
through the air, and serves to maintain it in substantially the same plane through-
out its movement.
One disc having been thus discharged, the arm is drawn back and a second disc
thrown out, and so on until the whole column has been discharged, and this
discharge may be as rapid as the movements of the arm can be made.
To make these movements rapid the lever L is employed and as it approaches the
extreme opening movement, the said lever strikes an inclined trip n'on the face
of the trap, so that in the continued movement it will be thrown outward, (as
indicated in broken lines Figure 2) so far that the projection may escape from
l
the lever, leaving the arm free to fly forward under the action of its spring,
independent of the power which drew the arm backward. In operation it is thus

page_text: only necessary to draw the lever backward to its extreme position, and the arm
escapes at that extreme position, hence the discharge of the target may be as rapid
as the lever L can be drawn backward and permitted to return.
For convenience of drawing the lever, and to ensure its proper relation to the
arm C, I arrange a carrying pulley P on the front of the base, around, which a
suitable cord R, or its equivalent, passes, one end of the cord being engaged with
the lever L, and the cord extending to any convenient position for the person
operating the trap.
As a convenience for introducing the targets, a longitudinal opening S is made
in the cylinder, from its rear end forward toward the base of the trap, sufficiently
wide for the introduction of the fingers, so that when the head and follower are
removed, the person tending the trap may take a number of discs, say a package
of them, between his thumb and finger, and pass them through the then open end
into the cylinder, his finger entering through the slot S so that he will be able to
hold the discs in their proper relation to each other and to the cylinder until the
follower may be introduced. Without such opening in the trap it would be
difficult to introduce the discs, and keep them in the proper plane and relation to
each other until the follower be introduced; the opening enables the operator to
hold them until they are properly arranged.
It is desirable that the springs should be adjustable, that of the arm so that it
may impart a greater or less force to the disc in its discharge as occasion may
require; and that of the lever L that the resistance to the pull may be varied
without effect upon the resistance of the spring of the arm C.
To conveniently do this, the outer end of the stud on which the spring is
arranged is constructed with radial grooves r, more or less in number. The end of
the coil of the spring is turned inward as at t so as to enter and rest in either one
of the said grooves, and upon the end of the stud a plate or cap T is arranged,
secured to the stud or pivot by a screw u, as seen in Figure 5. The plate T firmly
holds the ends t of the spring into either of the grooves r, to which it may be set.
If it is desired to increase or reduce the power of the spring, the plate T is.
removed, and the spring adjusted to bring its end t into a groove farther forward or
backward, according as the tension of the spring is required to be greater or less,
and there reset.
While the lever L, as before described is desirable for rapid firing, it may be
dispensed with, and the cord be applied directly to the arm C, the pull in cocking
or setting the trap will be directly upon the arm; and so that when the arm has
been pulled to its extreme cocked position, the pull upon the cord may be instantly
released, leaving the arm free to fly forward, and thus discharge the target,
I therefore do not wish to limit the invention to the employment of the lever L.
The trap may be employed without the cylinder, the discs being dropped in
through the mouth of the pocket singly and discharged in the same manner as
before described.
The upper end or blade portion of the arm C is curved backward and downward;
the tendency of this curve is to bear the disc against the upper side of the pocket,
so that it surely rolls thereon as before described, the curve of the arm tending to
increase the rolling capacity of the disc.
It will be observed that the spring-arm works from a centre, and while I prefer
to make this throwing device in the form of an arm, it may be disc shaped, as seen
in Figure 6, adapted to revolve through the pocket, the disc having recesses in ita
edge to successively take the target discs from the pocket. By the term spring
arm, therefore, I wish to be understood as embracing such, or other substantial
equivalents therefor.
Instead of applying the plate B as a fixed part of the base, which with the base
forms the pocket, the plate may be formed as a part of the throwing arm, so as to
move with it, as Indicated in Figure 7; I therefore do not wish to be understood.
as making the pocket necessarily an integral part of the base,
:

page_text: In the use of this class of targets it is necessary that the edge shall be firm and
bard, it is also desirable that the discs should be adapted to different lights, that is,
that they shall have a light side and a dark side, so that, according to the position,
they may be thrown with the light side or the dark side toward the person
shooting.
Again, as the targets are introduced in considerable number into the trap to be
successively thrown therefrom, it is desirable that a record should be made for each
shot, so that the marksman may know which shots take effect, and which do not.
I cut the targets preferably in circular shape, and from any suitable material.
If paste-board or similar non-metallic material is used in order to protect and
harden the edge, I coat it with a hard shellac or other varnish, permitting it to lap
slightly upon the surface of the target, as indicated in Figure 8. This hardens the
surface, protects it from the atmosphere, and prevents its indentation in use.
'
To distinguish the target in different positions, I make one side light, as seen in
Figure 9, and the other dark, as seen in Figure 10, so that the target may be used
either side toward the person shooting, according to the light or condition of the
surroundings.
'
To indicate which shots were effective and which not, I number the targets
successively, as indicated in Figures 8 and 9, so that the numbers being known,
the targets examined after firing will indicate which shots missed, and which took
effect, and the comparative effect of shots may also be determined.
For convenience of introducing the targets to the magazine and trap I arrange
them in packages, face to face, and place about them a band W, as seen in Figure 11,
so that they may be introduced in package form into the magazine; the band
being removed will thus leave the targets in the magazine in their proper order
and position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is
First. In a target-trap, the combination of the base A provided with a pocket a
adapted to receive the disc target, and the spring arm C hung below the pocket
and so as to work in the plane of the pocket, the upper end of the arm being
curved backward and downward, substantially as described.
Second. In a target trap, the combination of the base A provided with the
pocket a adapted to receive a disc target, and the spring arm Ĉ adapted. to work 3
in the plane of the pocket, substantially as described.
Third. The combination of the base A constructed with the pocket a adapted to
receive a disc target, the spring arm C adapted to work through said pocket and
in the plane of the pocket, the lever L arranged to swing in a plane parallel with
the spring arm C, the said spring arm being constructed with a projection 7 in the 4
path of movement of said arm, and a trip on the face of the trap adapted to throw
the said lever out of engagement with the said arm as the arm approaches its
extreme rear movement, substantially as described.
;
Fourth. The combination of the base A constructed with the pocket a a cylinder E
opening into said pocket at right angles to the plane of the pocket, the said
cylinder being adapted to receive a succession of flat discs, a spring follower F
arranged in said cylinder to bear against said column of discs, and a spring arm C
arranged to work in a plane through and parallel with said pocket and across the
mouth of the disc, substantially as described.
Fifth. The combination of the base A constructed with the pocket a; the 5
cylinder E opening into said pocket at right angles to its plane, the said cylinder
being adapted to receive a succession of flat discs; a spring follower F in said
cylinder adapted to bear against said discs, the said cylinder being constructed
with a removable head-I; and the longitudinal slot S, with a spring arm C arranged
to work in a plane through and parallel with said pocket across the mouth of the 5
said cylinder, substantially as described.
نا

page_text: Sixth. The combination of the base A constructed with the pocket a, the
cylinder E opening into said pocket at right angles to its plane, a spring follower
in said cylinder, the spring arm C, and the lever L, the said arm being constructed
with a projection in the path of and back of said lever, with a trip adapted to
disengage said lever from said projection, substantially as described.
Seventh. In a target trap, in which the target is thrown by an arm arranged to
work in the plane of the direction in which the target is to be thrown, a coiled
spring arranged upon a stud at right angles to the plane in which the arin moves,
one end of the spring being arranged to resist the opening movement of the arm
and thereby apply the force of the spring to throw the arm forward and the other
end of the coil of the spring turned inward, the end of the said stud being
constructed with two or more radial grooves adapted to receive the turned in end
of the spring, and a holder adapted to hold the said turned in end in either of said
radial grooves, substantially as, and for the purpose, described.
Eighth. The herein described target for trap shooting, consisting of a thin disc
of non metallic material, having its edge coated with varnish, substantially as
described.
Ninth. A target for trap shooting, consisting of a disc, one side presenting a
light surface and the other a dark surface, substantially as described.
Tenth. A series of targets for trap shooting, consisting of several discs numbered
consecutively, substantially as described.
Eleventh. A package of targets for trap shooting, consisting of a series of discs
secured together by a band, the said band being adapted to be readily broken,
substantially as described.
DL: 0-1 3
SAT 2700K
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.