Improvements in and relating to Automatic Signalling Targets.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Mar., 1890-Accepted. 17th May. 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Automatic Signalling Targets.
I, ARTHUR THOMAS METCALF JOHNSON of No. 104 Simpson Street, East
Melbourne in the Colony of Victoria, Professor of Music, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has been designed for the purpose of providing a target, intended
more especially for rifle practice, which will automatically signal or indicate where
the bullet bas struck and which will automatically replace said signal or indicator
after a sufficient time has elapsed for such indication to have been recorded.
My invention consists in a target having a central disc with a number of concentric
rings around it, each such ring being preferably divided into a number of sections
and each section depending from or supported by, a suitably constructed bell crank
lever fulcrummed upon one or other of a pair of knife edges formed each upon a
strong bar running from side to side of the framing immediately behind the target.
The rearmost extremities of these bell crank levers are provided each with a sliding
counterbalance weight whereby the different sections may be adjusted to their proper
relative positions whilst the other ends of said bell crank levers are each connected
by a small rod with one of a series of retaining pawls which are normally in engage-
ment each with a notch cut in one of a series of vertically sliding rods each of which
is weighted sufficiently to enable it, (when released by its retaining pawl) to withdraw
a certain other retaining pawl or equivalent device out of engagement with a suitable
arrangement of clockwork adapted as hereinafter described to return the signals to
their normal positions.
The indicating discs or other signals are each secured upon the upper end of a
comparatively light vertically sliding rod connected by a cord passing over a pulley
with one of the hereinbefore mentioned weighted rods which is allowed to fall when a
corresponding section of the target is struck with sufficient force say by a bullet
from a rifle for instance. The effect of any of these bars falling is to at once release
the clock work and to raise a transverse frame which will on its ascent raise any of
the weighted rods which may have been released and have fallen and will therefore
lower any signal which may have been raised by a bullet striking the section of the
target with which it corresponds.
Each of the vertically sliding rods upon whose ends the signals are fixed may be
provided with a notch or its equivalent whereby it may be held up by a suitably
arranged retaining pawl and may have pins arranged to engage each with one of a
pair of inclined fingers or clutches suitably pivotted one on either side of the retaining
pawl just above mentioned. The rods connecting these latter with the bell crank
levers of their respective target sections are so arranged that each rod will not only
withdraw one of the retaining pawls but it will also withdraw one of the inclined
pivotied fingers or clutches above mentioned so that when one of the signal rods
drops it will be turned round sideways by one of the herein before mentioned pins
engaging with one of said inclined fingers or clutches and will thus exhibit a certain
signal. In the case of a "line" shot, that is in the event of a bullet striking the
target between two sections the two signals which correspond to said sections will
both be exhibited as will be well understood and in the event of the bullet striking
the adjacent corners of four sections then signals which correspond with such sections
will be exhibited.
If desired provision can be made for electrically indicating the particular section
struck by the bullet and an automatically registering device may be connected with
each section to record the number of times such section is struck by the bullet.
This device may consist of a length of tape wound around a horizontal bar and

page_text: adapted to be released by a detent engaging with an escapement wheel secured
upon said bar and connected with any convenient part of the section or one of the
levers or bars connected therewith. This bar may be revolved by means of a weight
or any other convenient means.
Dated this Nineteenth day of September One thousand eight hundred and 5
dise or other signal and so arranged urit upon one of the sections of the target ve
struck by a bullet, the signal indicating such section will be exhibited. My invention
moreover comprises means whereby after a prearranged interval the signals will be
automatically returned to their normal positions, as will be hereinafter described
reference being had to my drawings, wherein,―
Figure 1 is a rear elevation,
Figure 2, a side elevation, and,
Figure 3 is a plan (drawn to a somewhat larger scale than the two figures
above referred to) of an automatic signalling target constructed according to my
invention.
Figure 4 is a detached view (drawn to about the same scale as Figure 3) illustrating
a modification of my invention, and,
The remaining figures illustrate certain other modifications which will be hereinafter
described.
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, A, A1, A2 and A³ represent respectively the
"Bull's-eye,"
""Inner," "Magpie," and "Outer" rings of the target, said rings being
preferably, according to my invention, divided still further into any convenient
number of independent sections, say four, for instance. Each of these sections is
supported by one or more bell-crank levers B, B' which are supported by a pair of knife
edges or three-cornered bars b, b1, as illustrated in Figure 2. The rearmost ends of
the outside bell-crank levers B of the upper row, are provided each with a small upward
extension or lug 62 adapted to bear against the underside of one of the hook-shaped
catches or retaining bars C whenever the section to which it is attached is struck
by a bullet. These catches Care adapted to hook over the uppermost ends of the
signal bars or rods D in such a manner as to retain them in almost an upright
position within the outer casing E, as illustrated in Figure 1. The rear ends of
each of the inner or central bell-crank levers B' of the lower row, are connected each
by a rod with the rear or inner end of one of the other signal-bar retaining
catches C, so that when one of the lower sections of the target is struck by a bullet
it will release the signal corresponding to such section and will allow it to fall into
the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4.
In order to automatically return the signals to their normal positions, I provide
an extension d on the lower end of each of the signal rods D and I so arrange
said extension that upon the signal rod being released it will contact with one of a
vair of tie-rods or bars f, each extending between one of two pairs of crank arms f¹ƒ¹

page_text: secured each to a shaft or bar f', which is journalled in suitable bearings f³ secured
to any convenient part of the framework G. These shafts or bars have the one a
pawlf and the other an arm f' connected with said pawl through the medium of a
light connecting rod f and arm f* so that if any of the signal-rods D are allowed to
fall, they will withdraw the pawl f* from engagement with the notched wheel.
This latter, together with a pair of crank-arms h, h, and a pinion i, are all secured
upon a shaft which is supported in suitable bearings upon the frame G. Any
convenient train of wheels *, i*, arranged to gear with this pinion i, and upon
the spindle of one of them, a drum or winding pulley is secured, to which is
attached a length of rope or chain; which is passed over suitably arranged sheaves
or pulleys j,, and has attached to its other end a comparatively heavy weight J
whose function is to rotate the shaft i, upon a bullet having struck the target and
released one of the signal rods. The crank arms h, h, are connected each by a rod h¹
with a pair of levers h² ² which are fulcrumed in suitable bearings ³ ³ secured to
the frame G and are connected by links h h at their outer ends each with one of
a set of inwardly projecting arms ½ connected by cross-bars or tie-rods, the
whole being so arranged that upon the release of the shaft by a falling signal bar
or bars, these said bell-crank levers he will return said signal-bar to its normal position
by means of the tie-rods 16.
The modification illustrated in Figure 4 differs from the foregoing chiefly in the
arrangement of the bell-crank levers f¹f and f1f*. Instead of carrying the crank-
arm upward, it is in this figure shown as projecting downwardly, and is connected
by a short link with the crank-arm f³, which is shaped and arranged as shown to
correspond with the said crank-arm f
The complete cycle of movements in the automatic signalling target illustrated in
Figures 1, 2 and 3, is as follows:-Assume for the sake of example that one of the
upper "magpie" sections A2 is struck by a bullet, then its outer supporting bell-
crank lever B will be so moved as to cause the upwardly projecting lug b³ upon its
end to contact with the underside of the particular catch C with which it is con-
structed and arranged to correspond, and will raise its end out of engagement with
the upper end of its corresponding signal bar D, which will at once fall into the
position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4. The downwardly projecting end d of
this signal-bar will contact with the tie-rod f and will therefore rock the bell-crank
levers ff and f¹ f*, thereby withdrawing the retaining pawlf out of engagement
with the notched wheel and allowing the crank-shaft to be moved through one
revolution, by the weight J acting through the medium of the cord j, winding drum
and gearing. This revolution of the shaft i will cause the crank arms on its
ends to draw down the crank arms h³, 15, through the medium of the connecting
rods hh, rocking levers h³, h2, and connecting rods, h. The effect of this move-
ment will be that one of the tie-rods ho, ho, will contact with the signal bar D that has
been released and will return it to its normal position, where it will once more be
retained by its catch C, whilst the retaining pawlf having once more engaged with
the notched wheel f' will prevent any further movement of the signal-bar returning
devices until they are again released by a bullet striking the target. The duration of
time during which such signals will be exhibited may of course be regulated to any
desired extent, either by varying the gearing * or the weight J or by using an
escapement-wheel detent and pendulum such as are used in clocks for instance.
In order that the different signals may be more easily distinguished, I provide a
strongly constructed flap or door K (see Figure 3) upon each side of my target and
I hinge said door to any convenient part of the framing G or casing E, and so
arrange it that when it is opened it will project outwards beyond the position that
the signals will occupy when released, thus providing a suitable background upon
which said signals will show very prominently. It will of course be obvious that
these doors or flaps must be opened to such an angle as will cause a bullet to glance
off their surfaces without injuring them.
The modification of my invention which is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 has been
devised for the purpose of obviating the difficulty of want of space which would

page_text: sometimes arise in shooting galleries and short ranges for instance. Instead of
arranging the signal rods or bars D to fall outwardly at the sides of the target, I
connect them each by a flexible cord, rope or chain c (passing over a suitably
arranged pulley c¹) with a weighted vertically sliding rod c², which is normally held
in its raised position by a pivotted pawl or catch-lever C whose downwardly pro-
jecting arm or lug c* is connected by a rod 62 either with the lowermost extremity
of one of the upper row of bell-crank levers B or else with the uppermost extremity
of one of the lower row B¹, as clearly shown in Figure 6. The retaining pawlf is
in this modification rigidly connected to a number of crank arms f¹ (which can
if preferred take the form of a continuous platform or bar), through each one of
which one of the weighted rods c² passes freely. These parts are so arranged that
the gearing will be released, by one of said weighted rods e² falling upon one
of the crank arms f¹, as will be well understood.
In order to return the signals to their normal positions, I provide a vertically
sliding bar and connect it by rods * to the extremities of crank-arms / keyed
upon the shaft which is adapted to be rotated by the gearing *whenever the
retaining pawl is forced out of contact with the notched wheel f'. This signal
returning bar is arranged to engage with pins d projecting rearwardly from each
of the weighted bars in order to return the signals to their normal positions
after they have been released by a bullet striking the target.
The complete operation of the modified apparatus shewn in Figures 5 and 6, is
substantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 4-that is the rod c² will
withdraw the pawl f* by filling upon one of the crank arms when released, by
its retaining clutch C being forced back by a bullet striking one of the sections of
the target. The shaft will then be free to rotate and will return the signals to
their normal positions by raising the weight bars by means of the vertically
sliding cross-bar /³.
In the modification illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the vertically sliding rods D
(upon whose upper ends the signals are fixed) are provided each with a notch or
its equivalent whereby it may be held up by a suitably arranged retaining pawl C,
whilst pins d, d, are arranged to engage each with one of a pair of inclined
fingers or clutches C₁ suitably pivotted one on either side of each of the retaining
pawls C. The rods 62 connecting these latter with the bell-crank levers B, B,
are so arranged that each one will, not only withdraw one of the retaining
pawls C, but it will also withdraw one of the inclined pivotted fingers or clutches C
at the side thereof so that if one of the signal rods drops, it will be turned round
sideways, by one of the pins d engaging with one of said inclined fingers or
clutches C. At the same time the opposite pin d' will be placed in position to
be engaged by the ascending bar h, whereby the sigual will be carried up and
exhibited above the target.
In order that a "line" shot may be indicated, I arrange the signals as illustrated
in Figures 10 and 11, that is, I arrange the signals of the lower sections (numbered 3
and 4 in said figures) so that they will show between the upper ones (1 and 2) and
the target, thus providing for a "line" shot between one of said upper sections and
the one next below. Those signals which are furthest behind the target (say for
instance the ones corresponding with the "magpie" ring) are larger than the others
and are painted upon a suitably constructed disc, (as indicated in hatched lines in
said figures), whilst the other signals consist of somewhat smaller skeleton figures (as
indicated in solid black) so that when released they will show in front of, but will not
obscure, the hinder ones, as clearly indicated in the two figures just referred to. In
order that the particular ring struck by the bullet may be at once indicated, I paint
the signals some distinctive color, say red, black, and white respectively, for the
magpie," and "inner" rings; and in order that the particular section
struck may be indicated, I number them as shown-by this means I provide for at
once signalling any particular spot struck by the bullet. For instance, if a shot
strikes the adjacent corners of the upper and lower left-hand sections of the
"magpie" and "inner" rings, as represented in Figure 10, the signals corresponding
"
outer,
22 66

page_text: to such sections will be exhibited, as illustrated in said figuro, that is, the signals
corresponding to the two upper sections marked 1 will appear close to the target one
over the other, whilst the signals corresponding to the two lower sections marked 4
will also appear one above the other but further away from the target. The
signalling of the shot represented in Figure 11 will be understood from the above
description.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. In an automatic signalling target, the employment of a target divided into
any convenient number of independent parts or sections such as A, A1, A2, A3, each
supported upon oscillating bell-crank levers such as B, B', in combination with a
pawl or pivotted catch-lever, such as C, Figures 1 to 4, or 5 and 6. or 7 to 9, adapted
to retain a bar, such as D, carrying a disc or other signal and so arranged that, upon
one of the sections of the target being struck by a bullet, the signal corresponding
with such section will be exhibited, substantially as herein described and explained
and as illustrated in my drawings.
Second. In an automatic signalling target, the combination with a signal bar,
such as D, adapted to be released upon a bullet striking the target, of a train of
gearing, such as *, in combination with a toothed or notched wheel such as f,
together with a pawl such as f* engaging with said wheel and connected through the
medium of suitably arranged levers and connecting rods or otherwise either with a
bar, such as f, Figures 1 to 4, or else with a crank-arm or arms, such as f³, Figures 7
to 9, adapted to be operated by the falling either of a signal rod such as D or of a
weighted rod, such as c², Figures 5 and 6, connected therewith, substantially as and
for the purposes specified and as illustrated in my drawings.
Third. In an automatic signalling target, the combination with a target made in
sections (such as A, A1, A2 and A³) of a number of oscillating bell-crank levers, such
as B, B', either provided with lugs such as 6 on their rearmost extremities or else
having rods such as 62, the whole being so arranged that, upon a bullet striking one
of said target sections, a hooked retaining bar or catch such as will be operated
either through the medium of the lug or else of the connecting-rod hereinbefore
inentioned, substantially as and for the purpose specified and as illustrated in
Figures 1, 2 and 3 of my drawings.
Fourth. In an automatic signalling target, the combination with a number of
pivotted bars, such as D, Figures 1, 2 and 3, carrying suitably constructed signals, of
a number of pivotted hooked retaining bars or catches such as C), arranged to hook
over or engage with the upper end of said signal bars and so arranged as to release
said signal bars when the target is struck by a bullet, substantially as and for the
purpose specified and as illustrated Figures 1, 2 and 3 of my drawing.
Fifth. In an automatic signalling target, the combination with a series of pivotted
signal bars, such as D, Figure 1, each having a downwardly projecting arm or
extension, such as d, of a pair of bell-crank levers, such as f¹ fs and fif*, connected
together by a rod, such as f, and both connected to a retaining pawl, such as f*,
adapted to engage with a notched disc or wheel, such as f', in order to provide for
the release of the signal-returning devices, substantially as herein described and as
illustrated in my drawings.
Sixth. In an automatic signalling target, the combination with a pair of rocking
levers, such as h³, of a pair of crank arms, such as h³, connected together at their ends
by a bar, such as he, and so arranged as to return any released signal bars to their
normal positions, substantially as and for the purpose specified and as illustrated in
Figures 1 to 4 of my drawings.
Seventh. In an automatic signalling target, the combination with a weighted
vertically sliding bar, such as c², Figure 6, connected by a cord or chain passing over
a pulley, to another vertically sliding bar, such as D, having a suitably constructed
signal at its upper end; of a pivotted retaining pawl, such as C, Figures 5 and 6,

page_text: adapted to engage in a notch or tooth cut in said weighted vertically sliding bar and
adapted to be released by the action of a bullet striking the target, substantially as
and for the purpose specified and as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of my drawings.
Eighth. In an automatic signalling target, the combination with a vertically
sliding signal bar, such as D, Figures 7, 8 and 9, provided with projecting pins such
as d', as well as with a notch in which a retaining pawl, such as C, can engage, of a
pair of pivotted upwardly projecting fingers such as C, arranged one on either side
of said retaining pawl and adapted to be withdrawn one at a time therewith, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein specified and as illustrated in Figures 7, 8
and 9 of my drawings.
Ninth. In an automatic signalling target, the combination with a series of pivotted
arms, such as D, carrying signal discs with comparatively large numbers or other
devices on their surface; of a number of other pivotted arms having similar but
smaller devices cut out of a solid sheet so as to be in skeleton form and therefore
adapted to show over the devices on the signal discs just mentioned to indicate a
"line" shot; substantially as herein described and as explained in Figures 10 and 11
of my drawings.
Dated this Fifth day of February One thousand eight hundred and ninety.