An Improved Arrangement of Targets.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 21st July, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 11th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 2nd June, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Arrangement of Targets.
I JOHN SQUIRE BOREHAM of 150 High Street Colchester Essex Gun Maker
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object improvements in game targets, to test the
accuracy of a sportsman when firing at flying and running game, the models
being cut out of iron and wood to represent the living size and shape of running &
flying game. By means of my invention I can give the shooter either a bird flying
from right to left (or vice versa) or a bird rising from the ground, rabbits running
cither way, on shooting at these, I am able to register the particular shooting,
of each individual and give lessons in the art of shooting, also the targets give
excellent sport in a limited space.
My invention consists of several targets set up in two rows, the front being odd
numbers, the rear row even. The first target (odd) or screen target, so called as
they hide objects ready to be brought to view. The second target is set up a small
space from the first or front row. The third (odd) in a line with number one.
The fourth target (even) in a line with number two-and so on to any number of
targets may be set up in two lines.
The objects to be fired at appears on the surface of the even number targets,
and disappear behind the odd number targets no targets touch. Sufficient space
is left between the front and rear rows, to allow the objects to be aimed at to pass
with ease.
The front row (odd) or screen targets are cut in half or in part-one
part is fixed in front, a small space from where it was cut off-so that it has the
appearance of a whole target at firing point, (or I may leave the targets whole and
fix a piece of metal or wood to screen the object to be propelled in any desired
direction) by this I screen my front row or screen target.
I stretch one or more wires horizontally at the top, and between the front and
rear rows of targets which is hidden by a spline, on the wire are threaded pieces of
wood or rings to slide easily, to the ring is attached a piece of elastic or spiral
spring, and from this a fine wire which suspends my flying model behind the screen-
or the wire suspending the object may be hooked direct on the horizontal wire
above. Fastened to the tail of bird is a fine wire (or its substitute) this is fastened
at the other end to a rubber clastic cord, or stout catapult elastic. The other end
of elastic is secured at a tension. The rubber cord may work on a roller or pulley
at the back of the screen targets-this acts as a resisting spring. I do not confine
myself to elastic as a spring I may use spiral, or roller weight and pulley. To the
head of the object is fastened a fine wire, which passes over the face of rear target,
the other end of wire tied to a cord, chain, or other similar material, going through
a pulley or eyelet fastened on the far edge. At the back of another screen target
in a line the bird is intended to fly. Another pulley or eyelet is fastened as near
the ground as possible through which the said cord passes is carried under the
target to the operator at firing point.
The action is this-When the person firing is ready the operator pulls one of the
cords. The model to be shot at which has been hidden behind screen target
appears on the face of rear target-stops or passes at any speed at the will of the
operator, and may disappear behind the next screen target. Upon the said cord
being released the model is instantly thrown back to its home position by the
resisting elastic spring.
I do not confine myself to use the elastic cord before described as a resisting
force. I make it also a propelling force by fastening the rubber cord attached to
the wire or its substitute to the head or obiect to be propelled the other end of

page_text: .
elastic is made fast in the direction desired. The wire, cord, or similar material
is fastened to the tail and passes through pulleys or eyelets to the operator,
upon releasing the cord the model or object is pulled forward with great velocity
to any distance according to the length of material used at the will of the operator.
The width of targets being about the same as a run in cover, rabbits can by
knowledge of the operator be made to imitate live ones as they run across a path in
a wood.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more easily carried
into practice I have illustrated a few of the various ways of carrying my
improvement into effect.
Figure 1 is a ground plan showing the way targets are set and illustrating path-
way. Front and rear rows.
Figure 2 a front elevation having a game object upon it. Each target is separate
of no specified size any number may be used.
Figure 3 is a back elevation of the same shewing birds and rabbits ready to be
propelled in position behind the screen or front row targets.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of a front row (odd) target which has been
screened.
Figure 5 shows a bird or object suspended from horizontal wire A a wire is
fastened to the tail the other end is hooked to the spring (elastic.cord) B. to the
head is a fine wire which passes over target 2. Upon pulling cord C the object to
be aimed at is brought to view, at any speed desired, and upon releasing the cord C
goes back from sight from where it originally started.
Figure 6 is another representation in a different line of flight, this is more used
on front row target the corner being screened. The bird flies to the top opposite
corner.
Figure 7. The bird is hung by means of a flat rod on a bolt or pin E. at back of
front row (odd) target. The rod resting on pin K to keep the rod from swinging
perpendicularly, another pin L is fixed to the height the rod is allowed to fly up;
pins K and L are covered with rubber to stop noise B spring and cord C is used.
Figure 8. A bird riveted on a rod; end of rod is resisting B spring, by fixing
pulley or eyelet for cord C to propel object at any angle.
Figure 9. Another representation of same.
Figure 10. Model of rabbit fixed on a board which runs on rollers, the board runs
freely between front and rear rows of targets (the path) Fig. 1 or for long distances
a separate path may be built or laid, spring B is fastened in front, the object is
pulled forward with great speed to any distance restrained by cord C.
Figure 11. A piece of board, width of path which has a groove down it. A rabbit
is fixed on a block which works very smoothly in groove the resisting B spring as
shown, holds it back cord C pulls forward, the rabbit being set behind front row
(odd) target and appears on rear target. The spring B elastic makes it act like
lightning in disappearing. B spring is also used in front and cord C behind.
Dated this 20th day of July 1892.
JOHN SQUIRE BOREHAM,
150, High Street, Colchester.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Arrangement of Targets.
1 JOHN SQUIRE BOREHAM of 150 High Street Colchester, Essex, Gun
Maker 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 :-
My invention has for its object improvements in that class of targets known as
game targets which are employed for testing the accuracy of a sportsman in.

page_text: shooting at models of flying and running game, the said models being cut out of
iron, wood or other suitable material, and being of the same size and shape as the
animate object they represent.
By means of my invention I can give the shooter either a bird flying from right
to left, or vice versa, or rising from the ground, or rabbits or other game running
either way, in a more lifelike manner than heretofore, and am also able to indicate
the direction of each shot, thus permitting each shooter to correct his aim, and
rendering lessons in the art of shooting at moving objects easy.
66
"
According to my invention I employ a number of targets (preferably white-
washed) set up in two rows one behind the other. The targets in the front row or
nearest to the shooter I call "screen targets and those in the back row
displaying targets." The screen targets are not set up close together but spaces
are left between them through which the displaying targets (which are placed
behind such spaces) are visible. The models to be fired at are situated and move
between the two rows of targets, sufficient space being left between the rows for
this purpose, and the said models when in motion will be caused to appear in front
of the displaying targets and to disappear behind the screen targets at any desired
speed.
If desired I may cut off portions of the screen targets and place these cut off
portions in front of the targets from which they have been removed in such a
position as to cause the cut target to preserve its whole or original appearance to
the shooter, thus forming in front of the screen targets additional or supplementary
screen targets of smaller size for hiding objects to be shot at, or, I may, in lieu of
forming these last mentioned targets of portions cut off from the screen targets,
form them separately.
Between the rows of targets I stretch a guiding wire or wires horizontally, or in
any direction in which I desire the models to be propelled, and upon this wire or
wires I thread, so as to slide easily, carriers of wood or other suitable material;
from which the models are suspended by fine wire, or the carriers may be dispensed
with and the models arranged to slide upon the guiding wire or wires direct.
Secured to any convenient part of the model, say for example to the tail of a bird,
is a fine wire the free end of which is attached to a spring of rubber cord which
acts as a resisting spring. The forward movement of the model in the direction of
its guiding wire is effected by means of a second fine wire or cord secured thereto
which passes over suitably arranged pulleys or through suitable eyelets or guides
to the operator.
When the shooter is ready the operator pulls the tractive or propelling wire or
cord connected with the model to be shot at which will then immediately appear in
front of a displaying target from behind some unexpected screen target, and is
caused at the will of the operator to stop in front of, or to pass at any speed across,
the face of the displaying targets, or to alternately appear before a displaying
target and to disappear behind a screen target when moved along the row of
targets, as desired. Upon the operator releasing the said wire cord the resisting
spring will cause the model to fly back or run back to its original hidden position
behind the screen target. The direction of each shot will be indicated by the
mark it leaves upon the whitewashed targets.
If desired in lieu of employing rubber cord springs as resistants to the propelling
or tractive power, I may make use of these springs as the tractive or propelling
power, the said springs being then so connected with the models or carriers as to
exert their force in the direction in which the model is intended to proceed. Upon
the operator releasing the model by means of a wire or cord which retains it
concealed behind a screen target, the model will then be drawn forward with great
velocity by the action of the spring to any desired distance (according to the
length of the rubber cord employed) at a speed equal to that of the bird or
animal it represents, a lifelike imitation of the flight of a covey of partridges couli
thus be produced, or small screen targets might be placed near the ground to,
represent traps which conceal model pigeons ready to be drawn forward by the

page_text: springs when their retaining wires are released by the operator. The speed of
flight may be regulated by winding the retaining wire or cord upou a reel, which
might if found necessary be provided with a convenient brake. Where a spring is
employed as the tractive or propelling power the guiding wires may be dispensed
.with in the case of light models.
If desired in lieu of rubber cord, other suitable springs such as helical or blade
springs, or suitably arranged descending weights might be employed, but I prefor
to employ lengths of rubber cord as being more handy and economical.
The models may be made of any suitable material such as wood, metal, paper,
paper and feathers, or of material which breaks when hit by the shot such as clay
(suitable for model pigeons known as "clay pigeons") or inflated models which
collapse upon being struck may be employed.
Model animals such as hares or rabbits may be mounted upon wheels or rollers,
or upon blocks which run freely in grooves along a track or board laid down in the
space between the rows of targets.
In order that my invention may be more clearly understood and performed I
will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawings left with
my Provisional Specification which illustrate some of the various ways of carrying
out my invention.
Fig. 1 is a ground plan shewing the arrangement of the rows of screening and
displaying targets having a pathway or space between them for the passage of the
models.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of Fig. 1, models of game being also represented.
The targets may be of any convenient size and number and although in the
drawings I have represented an odd number of screen targets and an even number
of displaying targets this arrangement may obviously be reversed.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of Fig. 1 looking from the rear shewing models of birds
and rabbits concealed behind screen targets and ready to be propelled or drawn
forward across the displaying targets.
Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section of a front row or screen target having an
additional or supplementary screen of smaller size placed in front said sup-
plementary screen being formed of a portion cut off from the screen target.
Fig. 5 shews a model bird suspended from a carrier on the guiding wire A. Bis
a resisting spring of rubber cord secured at one end and attached at the other
extremity to a wire fixed to the bird's tail. The tractive or propelling wire or
cord C is shewn as secured to the head of the bird and is suitably guided through
eyelets or otherwise to the operator. Upon pulling the wire C the model is
brought into view from behind the screen target at any desired speed, and upon
the release of wire C is restored to its original position by the action of resisting
spring B.
Fig. 6 shews the model arranged to take a different line of flight, viz., diagonally
across the target, this arrangement is more used on front row targets having
supplementary screens (indicated by dotted lines) placed in front of their corners.
As shewn in this fig. the pulling of the wire C causes the bird to fly behind the
supplementary screen at the top corner of the target.
In Fig. 7 the bird is shewn as mounted upon the end of a swinging arm pivotted
to back of a screen target at E. K is a stop for preventing the arm from
descending too far and another stop L limits the upward movement of said arm.
These stops should be covered with rubber or other suitable material to prevent
noise and jar. The resisting spring B and propelling wire C are shewn as attached
to the shorter end of the swinging arm.
Fig. 8 shews a model bird secured to the end of a perpendicular rod free to move
longitudinally in guides which may be set so as to hold the rod at any desired angle.
The spring B and wire C are secured to the lower end of the rod. In Figures 7
and 8 the spring B may be dispensed with if desired.
Fig. 9 represents a similar arrangement to Fig. 8 the rod being here shown as
horizontal in lieu of vertical.

page_text: Fig. 10 shews a model rabbit mounted on a board which runs on wheels or
rollers along the path (seen in Fig. 1) between the rows of screening and displaying
targets. For long distances a separate path may be laid. In this fig. the spring B
is shewn arranged to serve as the tractive or propelling power, it being connected
with the front of the model, whilst the wire C is attached to the rear thereof and
holds the same concealed until released by the operator.
Fig. 11 shows the model rabbit mounted upon a block which slides freely in a
grooved track or board between the rows of targets. In this fig. the rabbit is
shown as arranged to be drawn forward by wire C and withdrawn when same is
released by resisting spring B.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what
I claim is
as
1. A system of targets so arranged as that certain of the targets serve
screens which hide the models to be shot at whilst other of the targets serve as a
back ground for displaying the said models and indicating the direction of the
shot, combined with suitable means for moving the models in any direction across
the face of the displaying targets, substantially as described.
2. The combination of the herein before described system of screening and
displaying targets, and means consisting of springs of rubber cord or other suitable
material, or of weights for moving the models in any desired direction, substantially
as described.
3. The herein before described arrangement of targets set up in two rows one
row behind the other, the targets in the back row being visible through spaces
left between those in the front row, combined with moving models which appear
and disappear when moved along the space between the rows of targets, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described..
4. The application and use of springs of rubber cord or other suitable material,
or of weights (whether employed in combination with stationary targets or not)
for imparting rapid motion to moving targets, substantially as described.
5. The general construction and arrangement of targets, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in the drawings.
Dated this 11th day of April 1893.
E. P. ALEXANDER & SON, Fels. Chartd. Inst. P.A.,
19, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.