Portable remotely controlled pop-up target apparatus

• US 5,603,505 A
• Filed: 11/18/1994
• Issued: 02/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Metalmasters Automated Target Systems
• Original Assignee: Joseph B. Acock
• Inventors: Acock, Joseph B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US08/342,383
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 273/348, 273/406, 273/391, 273/407, 273/410, 273/390, 273/392, 273/403, 273/404
• US Class Current: 273/391
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 7/06 Bobbing targets, i.e. targets intermittently or unexpectedly appearing

Abstract

A self-contained, power operated, portable target apparatus utilizing a base supported, linearally reciprocal carriage actuator driven by a reversible AC electric motor to actuate a crank along a vertical arc; the crank having pivotable connection with the carriage actuator at one end and positive fixed connection at its other end with a horizontal rotatably supported drive shaft for partially rotating the shaft in response to limited linear movements of the carriage actuator. Two, laterally spaced co-planar lift arms are secured to the shaft for movement between vertical and horizontal positions. Elongated target supporting pins project from near the outer free ends of the lift arms for inserted reception in connector sockets extending into the body of a three dimensional target. Heavy springs are coupled to the carriage actuator for assisting the motor in overcoming the inertia of the target load as it is raised from a horizontal or prone hidden position to an upright display position. Remote motor controls serve to actuate the motor which is powered from a portable battery/AC convertor power source. Modified telescopic shafts, shaft supports and adjustable target supports adapt the target apparatus to targets of various sizes and dimensions.

Claims

1. A self-contained, power operated, portable, mechanized, pop-up target apparatus, comprising:

a ground engaging base,

power actuated drive means mounted on said base for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis;

said drive means rotatably driving elongated means selectively coupled to a carriage actuator for linearly reciprocating the latter along said elongated means;

said drive means comprising a reversible electric motor, limit switch means engageable with said actuator for deenergizing said motor, and control means for selectively energizing said motor and determining the direction of rotation thereof;

elongated shaft means rotatably supported in elevated position over said base at right angles to said elongated mean;

said shaft means composed of plural, telescopingly interfitted, coaxial, tubular members, including a linear tubular mid section, having mating polygonal cross sections;

means for interlocking said tubular members in selected axial positions;

means for rotatably supporting said shaft means comprising a pair of laterally spaced, coaxially aligned, plastic bearing bushings supporting said mid section, and means for axially interlocking said bushings and mid section with stationary support posts;

vertically oriented crank means pivotally coupled to said actuator and affixed to said shaft means for partially rotating said shaft means in reaction to limited reciprocating movements of said actuator; and

target means comprising at least one three-dimensional, replica of a live target mounted for arcuate movements between substantially horizontal hidden and vertical display positions in response to rotational movement of said shaft means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bushings have cylindrical interiors engageable with polygonal extremities of said mid section.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 and a tubular inner shaft section telescopically mounted matingly within said mid section;

said inner shaft section being longer than said mid section; and

means for axially interlocking said mid section and inner shaft section.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, and target supports comprising members coaxially moveable over the exterior of said inner shaft section, means for securing said members to said inner shaft section at selected locations axially outwardly of said mid section, and an elongated target engaging pin extending from each of said target supports for insertion into a mating socket connector in said target means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, and plural target supports comprising tubular members of mating polygonal cross section telescopically joined with opposite ends of said mid section, means for securing said target supports at selected positions along the axis of said mid section, elongated pins extending transversely from said each of said target supports, and means presented by said said target means connectively receptive of said pins.