Patent ID: 8276573

Claim:
A circuit module for preventing component failure in a portable target throwing machine, the circuit module comprising: a microcontroller coupled to a power source and a motor; and a relay coupled to the microcontroller and the motor, wherein the relay is configured to selectively open and interrupt power supply to the motor; wherein the microcontroller is configured to: detect activation of a trigger switch by a user that causes at least one clay target to be propelled; count at least one of a number of clay target throwing cycles and a run time of the motor after the trigger switch is activated by the user; compare at least one of the number of clay target throwing cycles and the run time of the motor to a corresponding predetermined threshold; determine that a failure in the trigger switch has occurred if the at least one of the number of clay target throwing cycles and the run time of the motor exceeds its corresponding predetermined threshold; and cause the relay to open and interrupt power supply to the motor responsive to determination of a trigger switch failure.