Target scoring system

• US 4,427,199 A
• Filed: 09/13/1978
• Issued: 01/24/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald L. Faith
• Original Assignee: Donald L. Faith
• Inventors: Faith, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hum, Vance Y.
• Application Number:
  US05/941,948
• Time in Patent Office: 1,959 Days
• Field of Search: 35/22 R, 35/25, 273/1 E, 273/101.1, 273/101.2, 273/102.1 R, 273/102.1 B, 273/102.1 C, 273/102.1 F, 273/102.2 R, 273/102.2 A, 273/102.2 B , 273/102.2 S, 273/DIG. 28, 273/102.1 E, 273/371, 273/372, 124/32, 124/33, 124/34, 340/323 R, 434/11, 434/19-22
• US Class Current: 273/371
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/00 Target indicating systems; Target-hit or score detecting systems for shooting or hurling games A63F9/0204; devices for measuring projectile velocity using optical means G01P3/685
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/02 Photo-electric hit-detector systems comprising a light-emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun F41G3/2622; detecting by optical means G01V8/10

Abstract

A system for scoring targets with a control module and plurality of timer modules connected thereto. The control module generates start and stop signals and the timer modules count the number of hits on one or more targets and the time required to make an adjustable number of hits. Each hit is detected by an electrooptic sensor. The start signal can be generated by a sound, by a pseudo-random generator or by manual switch operation.

Claims

1. A system for scoring hit targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile from a marksman, comprising:

a control module including means for producing a start signal and, a given time thereafter, a stop signal and means for manually setting said given time; and

a plurality of timer modules each connected to said control module and to at least one sensor including first counter means for counting a predetermined number of hit signals between said start and stop signals, second counter means for counting the time, between said start signal and said stop signal, required to count said predetermined number of hit signals, means for manually choosing and setting said predetermined number from a plurality of numbers, and means for displaying the counted number of hits and time.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said targets is a disqualify target having a disqualify sensor for producing a disqualify signal when said target is hit, and wherein said timer module includes means for producing a disqualify indication.

3. A system as in claim 2, wherein said control module includes means for producing a disqualify indication when any of said timer modules produces a disqualify signal.

4. A system as in claim 2, wherein said timer module includes a display.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said control module includes means for producing said start signal in response to a sound.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein said control module includes means for producing said start signal a pseudo-random time after an event.

7. A system as in claim 6, wherein each said timer module includes logic means for producing an ALLSTOP signal comprising said event and indicating counting of said predetermined number of hit signals.

8. A system as in claim 7, wherein said control module includes a counter for counting clock pulses to a presettable number indicating said stop signal, said counter being enabled when at least one of said logic means produces said all stop signal.

9. A system as in claim 8, wherein said control module includes a manual start switch and means for producing said start signal in response to operation of said switch.

10. A system as in claim 9, wherein said control module includes means for producing said start signal in response to a sound and switch means having a first condition in which said start signal can be produced only by said sound and a second condition in which said start signal can be produced only a pseudo-random time after said event.

11. A system as in claim 10, wherein said control module includes a sound switch and means for enabling said sound responsive means only for a predetermined time after operation of said sound switch.

12. A system as in claim 1, wherein each timer module includes a first counter for producing a hold signal upon a first count, a second counter for producing a second signal upon a second count, a display counter connected to a clock for accumulating a count indicating time since said start signal and the number of hit signals, a display latch in said display counter for receiving the count in said display counter when said hold signal is produced and logic means for disabling said display counter from further counting when said second signal is produced.

13. A system as in claim 1, wherein said targets each comprise means defining a silhouette, and means for removably mounting said silhouette, and said sensors each comprise a source of light and means for detecting light reflected from said silhouette.

14. A system as in claim 13, wherein said mounting means includes a base member having a groove for receiving said silhouette defining means and a plate for protecting said light source and detecting means from said projectiles.

15. A system as in claim 1, wherein said control module includes means for producing a sequential start signal for activating one of said timer modules, and wherein each of said timer modules includes means for producing a further sequential signal for activating, following completion of a cycle, another timer module.

16. A system for scoring targets hit by at least one marksman comprising:

a plurality of targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile from a marksman;

a control module including means for producing a start signal and, a given time thereafter, a stop signal, and means for manually choosing and setting said given time; and

a plurality of timer modules each connected to said control module and to at least one sensor including first counter means for counting a predetermined number of hit signals between said start and stop signals, second counter means for counting the time, between said start and stop signal, required to count said predetermined number of hit signals, means for manually setting said predetermined number from a plurality of numbers, and means for displaying the counted number of hits and time.

17. A system for scoring hit targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile, at least one of said targets producing a disqualify signal when hit by a projectile, comprising:

means for producing a start signal including first means responsive to a sound for producing sid start signal and second means responsive to the counting of a given number for producing said start signal and switch means for enabling said first means and disabling said second means in a first condition and disabling said first means and enabling said second means in a second condition;

means connected to said start signal producing means and adapted for connection to said sensors for counting hit signals produced after said start signal; and

means for disabling said counting means and producing an indication when said disqualify signal is produced.

18. A system as in claim 17, further including means for displaying the counted time and counted number of hit signals.

19. A system as in claim 17, including a plurality of said counting means.

20. A target for shooting practice comprising:

means defining a silhouette including a thin sheet of material penetrable by a bullet;

base means for removably mounting said silhouette including a member having a groove for receiving said sheet so that said sheet stands vertically;

an electro-optical sensor mounted on said base member adjacent said groove for detecting a hit on said silhouette including a light source and a detector mounted for producing a first light signal from light reflected from said silhouette when said silhouette is mounted on said base member and a second light signal when said silhouette is hit by a bullet; and

a metal plate mounted on said base member and overlying said sensor for protecting said sensor against a hit.

21. A system for scoring hit targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile, at least one of said targets producing a disqualify signal when hit by a projectile, comprising:

means for producing a start signal;

means connected to said start signal producing means and adapted for connection to said sensors for counting hit signals produced after said start signal;

means for disabling said counting means and producing an indication when said disquality signal is produced;

means for counting the time required to produce a given number of hit signals; and

means for disabling said hit signal counting means if said given number is not counted in a predetermined time following said start signal.

22. A system as in claim 21, wherein said start signal producing means includes first means responsive to a sound for producing said start signal and second means responsive to the counting of said given number for producing said start signal and switch means for enabling said first means and disabling said second means in a first condition and for disabling said first means and enabling said second means in a second condition.

23. A system as in claim 22, wherein said second means includes means for producing said start signal after a pseudo-random time delay following counting of a given number.