A New or Improved Toy Shooting Gallery.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 10th July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Toy Shooting Gallery.
I, GEORGE ASHTON BROOKES, of West View, near Poynton, Cheshire, Inventor, 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 an improved toy or game, and has for its object a simple
and inexpensive arrangement which will provide considerable amusement and
interest.
The game is in the form of a toy shooting gallery, in which a number of marbles
or other projectiles is employed which are shot from one part of the gallery to the
other. At the further end two rings are placed one behind the other both being
preferably of conical form, and the object of the game is to send the balls through
one or both of these rings. Behind each ring a compartment is placed in which
the balls drop after passing through. In the rear compartment a bell may be
placed on which the balls strike when a shot is successful. To throw the balls a
spring gun is placed at the front end of the gallery, consisting of a tube having a
spindle and spring within it, the spindle being provided with a handle by which
it can be withdrawn, so that on being pulled out and released a ball placed in the
tube will be projected with considerable force. This tube is provided with a funnel
at the side through which the balls can be supplied and the gun is carried in rings
fitted to the gallery, a ring at the top serving to support the funnel which passes
through it. A second ring at right angles to this projects within the gallery, the
end of the gun passing through this, the second ring thus preventing the gun
dropping too far. To direct the gun it can be moved in any direction in the upper
ring, this ring supporting it and at the same time allowing of free motion.
The complete gallery is constructed from wire according to the arrangement I
prefer, the wire construction being fitted to a wooden base.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood deference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Fig 1 is a side elevation of the
shooting gallery, Fig. 2 is a plan, Fig. 3 is a cross section, and Fig. 4 is a section
of the gun employed.
The base A is of wood and as shown clearly in Fig. 1 slopes from the back of the
gallery to the front, the base being thinner at the front than at the back causing
the balls to roll if free to the front end. At this end a recess a is made to receive
them so that balls which are not successful will be returned to the person aiming.
The wire ledge a¹ prevents any danger of the balls rolling away from the apparatus.
On this wooden base the wire gallery B is fitted extending almost from end to end
of the base, the front being open. At this end a gallery is provided with a ring b
which serves to receive the funnel c carried by the gun C. The ring being smaller
than the back of the funnel supports it, at the same time allowing the gun to be
C

page_text: turned in any direction. The end of the gun passes through the ring b¹ projecting
vertically within the gallery, this ring assisting to support the gun. Within the
tube of the gun the plunger c' is placed having a handle at this end by which it
can be operated. Round this plunger a spring 2 is placed and a ball D can be
placed in the funnel so that when the plunger is withdrawn it will roll into the
tube of the gun being shot out with considerable force when the plunger is suddenly
released.
The gallery is provided with the partition E forming a compartment at the end,
the gallery being closed at this end by a sliding door E. This door can be raised
to allow any balls which have reached the compartment to be removed. In front
of the partition E at a short distance from it the sliding door E2 is fitted forming
another compartment. This compartment in the arrangement shown is further
divided by the inner partitions e forming a central chamber and two side ones. The
floor F of the central chamber slopes towards the front so that any ball which may
pass into this chamber will roll to the front end from which it can be released by
raising the door E2. To release the balls from the side chambers small hinged
doors el are provided and the base is cut at this point so as to slant towards the sides,
causing the balls to roll out when the door is opened.
The front door or partition E2 is provided with the central ring G preferably of
conical form allowing the ball which has been directed straight to pass through into
the middle chamber, a certain number of points being counted when this is done.
To allow the balls to penetrate to the side chambers the rings or openings are
provided at the side, four of these being shown, a smaller number of points being
counted when the ball passes through the side openings. The partition E is
provided with the conical ring G₁ at the centre allowing a ball that has been very
accurately directed to pass into the rear chamber after passing through the ring G.
In the rear chamber the bell H may be placed which is struck by the hall indicating
when a successful shot has been made. A larger number of points is counted for
this chamber. For instance, 100 points may be counted for it, 50 for the middle
chamber and 20 for each of the side ones. The unsuccessful ball which does not pass
through the first partition E2 counts no points, but at once returns to the recess or
cavity a at the front end. A simpler gallery may be provided according to my
invention by dispensing with the inner partitions and reducing the number of
chambers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
(1.) An improved toy shooting gallery formed from wire and a wooden base
having a spring gun at one end fed through, a funnel and supported by the gallery,
partitions at the other end forming compartments, rings or apertures in the parti-
tions allowing the ball to pass through and doors permitting the balls to be removed
substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(2.) In an improved toy shooting gallery formed from wire and a wooden base.
the combination with a spring gun at one end having a funnel, and a ring supporting
the said gun, of partitions or doors at the other end of the gallery forming com-
partments, rings or apertures in the said partitions and sloping surfaces allowing
the balls to roll out, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(3). In an improved toy shooting gallery the combination with a wooden base
sloping towards the front end, a wire gallery fitted to this base a spring gun provided
with a funnel at the front end of the gallery and rings supporting the said gun, of
a partition close to the other end a sliding door at the extremity, a sliding door or
partition in front of the fixed partition and rings or apertures in the said partitions
allowing the balls to pass through into the compartments substantially as and for
the purposes specified.
(4). An improved toy, shooting gallery having a spring gun at one end and

page_text: compartments at the other end with sliding doors to remove the balls, and apertures
allowing them to pass through substantially as described and shown in the accom-
panying drawings and for the purposes specified.
1 1
141
L
1007
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.