Title:
SHOOTING GALLERY WITH TARGET BALL SUPPORTED ON A COLUMN OF AIR
United States Patent 3869123
Abstract:
A shooting gallery having a bottom member with the upper surface thereof sloping toward an opening therein. A moving stream of air is directed upwardly through the opening and a light weight spherical body moves upwardly with the air and floats thereon to provide a floating target until struck by shot and moved out of the path of movement of the stream of air. A flexible sheet is supported at a side of the target and extends across the path of movement of shot after passing target so that shot are deflected onto the downwardly sloping surface. A deflector member extends upwardly and inwardly from at least one edge, of the opening to an elevation above the opening to impart upward and inward movement to the spherical body.
US Patent References:
PELLET TARGET
Wilcox - November 1969 - 3477724
TARGET ASSEMBLY
Booth - February 1970 - 3495829
PELLET TARGET
Wilcox - November 1969 - 3477724
TARGET ASSEMBLY
Booth - February 1970 - 3495829
Application Number:
05/374472
Publication Date:
03/04/1975
Filing Date:
06/28/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Carter Jr., Hugh P. (Birmingham, AL)
Jr., Thompson Woodford R. (Birmingham, AL)
Jr., Thompson Woodford R. (Birmingham, AL)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
273/410, 273/394
International Classes:
F41J1/14; F41J7/04; F41J1/00; F41J7/00; F41J1/14
Field of Search:
273/95C,12R,102.4,105.2
Primary Examiner:
Pinkham, Richard C.
Assistant Examiner:
Siskind, Marvin
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Jennings, Carter & Thompson
Claims:
What I claim is
1. A shooting gallery comprising:
1. A shooting gallery comprising:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a shooting gallery and more particularly to such a gallery for rifles and the like which shoot shot at a relatively low velocity, such as air rifles, pellet guns and the like.
Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, a considerable amount of time has been consumed in replacing the target, thus requiring the person operating the gun to travel back and forth between the target and shooting position, which preferably ranges from fifteen to twenty feet. Not only must the target be inspected and replaced periodically, but means must be provided for supporting the target.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with my invention, I provide a shooting gallery having a bottom member with an opening therein inwardly of the edges and with the upper surface of the bottom member sloping toward the opening. A moving stream of air is directed upwardly through the opening whereby the air moves to an elevation above the bottom member. The target is in the form of a light, spherical body of a weight to move upwardly with the stream of air and float thereon above the bottom member. A deflector member extends upwardly and inwardly from an edge of the opening and imparts upward and inward movement to the spherical body. Movement of the shot is stopped by a flexible sheet which is supported at the rear side of the floating target and extends across the path of movement of the shot after passing the target. An opening through the flexible sheet receives the target or the target and the shot both may travel down the sloping bottom toward the opening whereby the target is again directed upwardly by the deflector member and the moving stream of air with the shot passing into a suitable collecting member.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
A shooting gallery embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of my shooting gallery;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmental view showing the deflector member for the target and the discharge means for the shot; and,
FIG. 4 is a fragmental view taken generally along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a cabinet 10 having an opening 11 in the front thereof which may be closed by doors 12. A bottom member 13 extends across the cabinet 10 and has upper surface 14 which slopes inwardly toward an opening 16 provided in the bottom member 13. The outer edges of the bottom member 13 are secured to the inner surface of the cabinet 10 by peripheral support members 17. The lower portion of the bottom member 13 is provided with a depending annular flange 18 which surrounds the opening 16 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The bottom member 13 is preferably formed of a suitable fabric or is covered by a suitable material such as billiard cloth.
As shown in FIG. 3, the annular flange 18 is positioned between an annular member 19 and the inner surface of a passageway 21 provided in a transverse support member 22. Extending upwardly and inwardly from opposite sides of the opening 16 is a deflector member 23 having a convex upper surface in position to engage a target 24 in the form of a light weight spherical body.
Projecting upwardly beneath the bottom member 13 is a conduit 26 which terminates adjacent the opening 16 in position to supply and direct a moving stream of air upwardly through the opening 16 whereby the air moves to an elevation above the bottom member 13. The receiving end of the conduit 26 communicates with a blower unit 27 whereby air under pressure is discharged adjacent the upper end of the conduit 26. The blower unit 27 is provided with a housing having an arcuace portion 28 which extends downwardly and then laterally, as shown in FIG. 3. A passageway 29 is provided in the bottom of the housing of the blower unit 27 for receiving shot 31 which pass downwardly through opening 16. A screen 32 extends downwardly across the discharge portion of conduit 26 in position to deflect the shot 31 whereby they follow the arcuate portion 28 of the blower housing and then pass through the discharge opening 29 into a drawer 33. Accordingly, the shot do not engage the moving parts of the blower.
As shown in FIG. 2, the target is of a light weight and moves upwardly with the stream of air discharged from conduit 26 and floats on the column of air at an elevation above the bottom member 13 to provide a floating target. The ball 24 is of a size not to pass between the deflector member 23 and the annular member 19.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cabinet 10 is provided with a rear wall 34, a top wall 36 and side walls 37. A flexible sheet 38 is supported at the rear side of the floating target 24 and extends across the path of movement of the shot after the shot passes the target. The flexible sheet 38 is connected adjacent opposite edges thereof to the rear portion of the top wall 36 to provide a length of fabric which is greater than the distance between the attached ends of the sheet 38. Accordingly, as air is forced upwardly from the conduit 26 and passes out the opening 16, the sheet of material 38 is drawn toward the target 24 whereby the flexible sheet 38 is spaced from the rear wall 34. As the shot strikes the flexible sheet 38, the portion of the sheet engaged by the shot moves rearwardly to absorb the shock whereby the shot falls onto the sloping bottom member 13.
An opening 39 is provided through the sheet 38 adjacent the elevation the target 24 is supported so that the target may be forced through the opening 39 when the shot strikes the target at the proper location. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower end of the sheet 38 terminates above the bottom member 13 a distance less than the diameter of the target 24 whereby the target remains behind the sheet until the lower end thereof is elevated a distance to remove the target.
From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved shooting gallery will be readily understood. Air under pressure is forced upwardly through the conduit 26 by the blower unit 27 whereby a continuous column of air moves above the bottom member 13 and is discharged through the opening 16. The ball-like target 24 is positioned on the sloping upper surface of the bottom member 13 whereupon it rolls downwardly toward the discharge end of the conduit 26 whereupon it is deflected upwardly by the deflector 23. The moving column of air then carries the ball-like target 24 upwardly to provide a floating target at an elevation above the conduit 26 and bottom member 13. As the moving column of air moves upwardly past the flexible sheet 38, the flexible sheet is drawn inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2 whereby it moves toward the target 24 and away from the rear wall 34 to provide a space between the sheet 38 and the rear wall. As a person shoots at the target 24, the shot engage the sheet 38 after passing the target 24 whereupon the portion of the sheet 38 engaged by the shot moves rearwardly toward the rear wall to thus absorb the shock and permit the shot to fall onto the sloping bottom wall 13. The shot then move down the bottom wall to the opening 16 and are finally discharged through opening 29 to the receptacle or drawer 33.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved shooting gallery. By providing a downwardly and inwardly inclined upper surface for the bottom member 13, the target ball 24 moves downwardly toward the discharge end of the conduit 26 and the deflector 23 each time it is forced out of the stream of air which supports the target ball. That is, when the target ball is knocked out of the supporting air stream, it falls onto the bottom member 13 whereupon it is then conveyed to the discharge end of conduit 26 and is deflected back into the air stream by deflector 23 whereby it is again floated thereon to provide a target. Also, by providing a flexible sheet 38 rearwardly of the target ball 24, the shot strike the flexible sheet after passing the target whereby the portion of the flexible sheet engaged by the shot moves rearwardly to thus absorb the shock and cause the shot to fall onto the sloping bottom member. As the shot roll down the sloping bottom member 13, they pass into the opening 16 whereby the shot are then conveyed to a suitable receptacle, such as receptacle 33. Furthermore, by supporting the ball target by a continuously moving column of air, the ball automatically floats in proper position to provide a target each time the ball rolls down the inclined upper surface of the bottom member, thus eliminating the necessity of having to replace the target or check the target after each shot.
While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be 0bvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.
This invention relates to a shooting gallery and more particularly to such a gallery for rifles and the like which shoot shot at a relatively low velocity, such as air rifles, pellet guns and the like.
Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, a considerable amount of time has been consumed in replacing the target, thus requiring the person operating the gun to travel back and forth between the target and shooting position, which preferably ranges from fifteen to twenty feet. Not only must the target be inspected and replaced periodically, but means must be provided for supporting the target.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with my invention, I provide a shooting gallery having a bottom member with an opening therein inwardly of the edges and with the upper surface of the bottom member sloping toward the opening. A moving stream of air is directed upwardly through the opening whereby the air moves to an elevation above the bottom member. The target is in the form of a light, spherical body of a weight to move upwardly with the stream of air and float thereon above the bottom member. A deflector member extends upwardly and inwardly from an edge of the opening and imparts upward and inward movement to the spherical body. Movement of the shot is stopped by a flexible sheet which is supported at the rear side of the floating target and extends across the path of movement of the shot after passing the target. An opening through the flexible sheet receives the target or the target and the shot both may travel down the sloping bottom toward the opening whereby the target is again directed upwardly by the deflector member and the moving stream of air with the shot passing into a suitable collecting member.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
A shooting gallery embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of my shooting gallery;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmental view showing the deflector member for the target and the discharge means for the shot; and,
FIG. 4 is a fragmental view taken generally along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a cabinet 10 having an opening 11 in the front thereof which may be closed by doors 12. A bottom member 13 extends across the cabinet 10 and has upper surface 14 which slopes inwardly toward an opening 16 provided in the bottom member 13. The outer edges of the bottom member 13 are secured to the inner surface of the cabinet 10 by peripheral support members 17. The lower portion of the bottom member 13 is provided with a depending annular flange 18 which surrounds the opening 16 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The bottom member 13 is preferably formed of a suitable fabric or is covered by a suitable material such as billiard cloth.
As shown in FIG. 3, the annular flange 18 is positioned between an annular member 19 and the inner surface of a passageway 21 provided in a transverse support member 22. Extending upwardly and inwardly from opposite sides of the opening 16 is a deflector member 23 having a convex upper surface in position to engage a target 24 in the form of a light weight spherical body.
Projecting upwardly beneath the bottom member 13 is a conduit 26 which terminates adjacent the opening 16 in position to supply and direct a moving stream of air upwardly through the opening 16 whereby the air moves to an elevation above the bottom member 13. The receiving end of the conduit 26 communicates with a blower unit 27 whereby air under pressure is discharged adjacent the upper end of the conduit 26. The blower unit 27 is provided with a housing having an arcuace portion 28 which extends downwardly and then laterally, as shown in FIG. 3. A passageway 29 is provided in the bottom of the housing of the blower unit 27 for receiving shot 31 which pass downwardly through opening 16. A screen 32 extends downwardly across the discharge portion of conduit 26 in position to deflect the shot 31 whereby they follow the arcuate portion 28 of the blower housing and then pass through the discharge opening 29 into a drawer 33. Accordingly, the shot do not engage the moving parts of the blower.
As shown in FIG. 2, the target is of a light weight and moves upwardly with the stream of air discharged from conduit 26 and floats on the column of air at an elevation above the bottom member 13 to provide a floating target. The ball 24 is of a size not to pass between the deflector member 23 and the annular member 19.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cabinet 10 is provided with a rear wall 34, a top wall 36 and side walls 37. A flexible sheet 38 is supported at the rear side of the floating target 24 and extends across the path of movement of the shot after the shot passes the target. The flexible sheet 38 is connected adjacent opposite edges thereof to the rear portion of the top wall 36 to provide a length of fabric which is greater than the distance between the attached ends of the sheet 38. Accordingly, as air is forced upwardly from the conduit 26 and passes out the opening 16, the sheet of material 38 is drawn toward the target 24 whereby the flexible sheet 38 is spaced from the rear wall 34. As the shot strikes the flexible sheet 38, the portion of the sheet engaged by the shot moves rearwardly to absorb the shock whereby the shot falls onto the sloping bottom member 13.
An opening 39 is provided through the sheet 38 adjacent the elevation the target 24 is supported so that the target may be forced through the opening 39 when the shot strikes the target at the proper location. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower end of the sheet 38 terminates above the bottom member 13 a distance less than the diameter of the target 24 whereby the target remains behind the sheet until the lower end thereof is elevated a distance to remove the target.
From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved shooting gallery will be readily understood. Air under pressure is forced upwardly through the conduit 26 by the blower unit 27 whereby a continuous column of air moves above the bottom member 13 and is discharged through the opening 16. The ball-like target 24 is positioned on the sloping upper surface of the bottom member 13 whereupon it rolls downwardly toward the discharge end of the conduit 26 whereupon it is deflected upwardly by the deflector 23. The moving column of air then carries the ball-like target 24 upwardly to provide a floating target at an elevation above the conduit 26 and bottom member 13. As the moving column of air moves upwardly past the flexible sheet 38, the flexible sheet is drawn inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2 whereby it moves toward the target 24 and away from the rear wall 34 to provide a space between the sheet 38 and the rear wall. As a person shoots at the target 24, the shot engage the sheet 38 after passing the target 24 whereupon the portion of the sheet 38 engaged by the shot moves rearwardly toward the rear wall to thus absorb the shock and permit the shot to fall onto the sloping bottom wall 13. The shot then move down the bottom wall to the opening 16 and are finally discharged through opening 29 to the receptacle or drawer 33.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved shooting gallery. By providing a downwardly and inwardly inclined upper surface for the bottom member 13, the target ball 24 moves downwardly toward the discharge end of the conduit 26 and the deflector 23 each time it is forced out of the stream of air which supports the target ball. That is, when the target ball is knocked out of the supporting air stream, it falls onto the bottom member 13 whereupon it is then conveyed to the discharge end of conduit 26 and is deflected back into the air stream by deflector 23 whereby it is again floated thereon to provide a target. Also, by providing a flexible sheet 38 rearwardly of the target ball 24, the shot strike the flexible sheet after passing the target whereby the portion of the flexible sheet engaged by the shot moves rearwardly to thus absorb the shock and cause the shot to fall onto the sloping bottom member. As the shot roll down the sloping bottom member 13, they pass into the opening 16 whereby the shot are then conveyed to a suitable receptacle, such as receptacle 33. Furthermore, by supporting the ball target by a continuously moving column of air, the ball automatically floats in proper position to provide a target each time the ball rolls down the inclined upper surface of the bottom member, thus eliminating the necessity of having to replace the target or check the target after each shot.
While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be 0bvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.