US2309614A - Electric target device - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 26, 1943. H. G.-.JENSEN ELECTRIC TARGET DEVICE l 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 22, 1941 .1.111 .l .rr

Jan. 26, 1943. H. G. JENSEN 309514 ELECTRIC TARGET DEVICE Filed Jan. .22, 1941 6 Sheets-Shee 2 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 H. G. JENSEN ELECTRIC TARGET DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1941 Il m. lOwf Jan. 26, 1943.

@www Q H. G. JENSEN ELECTRIC Jan. 26, 1943.

TARGET DEVICE 6- Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan.

ji? We??? Zar ww ww R. .R a LM. www@ su Yer/fedi? r. fePZJe/e Jan. 26, 1943. H. G. JENSEN ELECTRIC TARGET DEVICE Filed Jan'. 22, 1941 e sheets-sheet 5 forrzeyd Jan. 26, 1943. H. G. JENSEN I ELECTRIC TARGET DEVICE Filed Jan. 22 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6l www Patented Jan. 26, 1943 lUNITED STATES @PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC TARGET DEVICE Herman G. Jensen, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 22, 1941, Serial No. 375,479

9 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements` in electric target devices and has'fo-r one object to provide a new and improved apparatus whereby the skill of a marksman with an electric light gun may be recorded and indicated. Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved control mechanism for electric light gun and target combinations. Another object of the invention is to provide suitable operating and control mechanisms whereby a plurality of shooters may compete and whereby'the vnumber of yhits and the frequency of hits made by each of the shooters may be easily determined and disclosed. Another object of the invention is to rovde a mechanism whereby, if 'any one of the players makes a perfect score, operation ceases so far as all the players are concerned but as a result all the players have the opportunity to re another string.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the specification.

My invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device.

Figure 2 is a front elevation, on a largerscale,

-cf the target and indicating device.

Figure 3 is a section along the line `3 3 of Figure 2. v

Figure 4 is a section along the line V4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a section along the line '5-5 of Figure 2.

'Figure 6 is a section along the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 isa detail of the horse supporting mechanism. l

Figure 8 is a section along the line V8---8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a section along the line 9-'9 of Figure 8.

Figures 10 and l1 together form a wiring diagram, the twovfgures being complementary in order that the scalemay be large enough for easy reading. Y

Like parts are indicated by like characters in the various figures.

I is a gun stand containing an electric amplifier 2 and pockets 3 and 4, for guns 5 and 6, the guns being joined to the gun stand respectively 'by electric cables 'l and 8. 9 is a coin control in the gun stand, 362A is apush button switch, I6 is a cable joining the target housing 'II with a suitable outlet I3, which may be connected to any suitable source of electric power,

lsimilar in vshape as the Vrace track which is'di vided into compartments, eachof which houses a score indicating light later to be described.

Back of the aperture bounded by the race track I9 is an inclined floor 2), back of which again appearsa-picture of a race track grand stand 2l, slots '22 and V23 are disposed in the inclined oor `20, through which the supports 24, 25 may project to support the horses II and i8, as will hereinafter appear.

-Mounted adjacentjthe glass panel in the door fI ia below "the floor `29-is a partition 20a vwhich conceals mechanism inthe cabinet II. 'It is provided with a-pair of arcuate apertures 26, '21, through which extend oiset portions'oi housings 23 and I29, upon which the ftargets I4 and lI5 are mounted. fEa'ch Vhousing Z'Iiand -29 contains a photoelectric lcell 31a and -3Ib respectively, which forms ya bulls-eye yfor the targets `lli and I5. The offset portion lof each housing has a lens 30 and through which the Vphotocells 'are visible. The housings Z8-29 are pivoted on pins 34 in brackets 35. A link 36 is attached'to housing '29 above the pivot, and to housing 28 below the pivot and link -31 extends from housing 28 to a crank disc 38 so that when the crank disc r38 is rotatedthe two photoelectric cells 'will swing back-and forth in opposite phases. l

The crank disc -38 is driven lby the motor `39 by means ofanysuitable drive mechanism, the motor beingsuspendedon va bracket NV4) downwardly depending from the frame 4I.

The frame 4I is vsupported on a bracket 42 in the housing. Oppositejto 'bracket 42 is a some'- what similar bracket '4Z-'a von the other 'side'of the housing, which supports a frame 43.

Supported by the frames/4I and 43 are rails 5I, 52. Carriages 53 and 54 vtravel along these rails, being provided with grooved members 55. engaging the top and Ibottom edges of thextwo rails. Disposedbetween Vthe rails adjacent their upper edges is an insulating plate 56 having spaced therealong a plurality of contact pins V5l.

Mounted for rotation in the frame 4I in bearings 58'and 59is a shaft 60, carrying a sprocket 6I drivenby a chain 62 from the'sprocket teeth s3 on 'the crank disc 3s so qthat the i'motor l39 2 drives both thelink 31 to repirocate the targets and the shaft 60 to operate the remainder of the mechanism, as will hereinafter appear.

1| and 12 are sprockets mounted for free rotation on the shaft 60, they carry chains 13, 14 connected respectively to the carriages 53 and 54 by extending fingers 15, 16. The frame 43 supports two similar sprockets 1 0 and 120 which are mounted for free rotation on a shaft 130 so that the sprockets 1 I 0 and 120 are idle sprockets, about which the chains travel.

Sprockets 1| and 12 are driven by friction clutches including collars 11, 18 keyed or pinned to the shaft 60, having friction discs 19 engaging the outer sides of the sprockets 1|, 12, and similar friction discs 80 which are pressed against the inner sides of the sprockets 1|, 12 by spring cups 8| which enclose the outer ends of springs 82, the inner ends of which are engaged by collars t3 threaded on the shaft 60, locked in place by set screw 34. By adjusting the tension on the springs 82, the power of the clutches may be varied.

Riveted to each of the sprockets 1|, 12 on the outer face thereof and so forming in effect a part of the sprocket isla toothed ratchet member 05. Associated with each member 85 is a pivoted Y shaped latch member 85 having an abutment arm S1 adapted to engage one of the ratchet teeth and so hold the tooth and the sprocket associated therewith against rotation. Since the pressures and velocities are low, no bad effect results from slipping the clutch and holding the sprockets against rotation while the shaft 60 continues to rotate. 88a and 88h are electromagnets in opposition to an armature 89 on the members 86. Each member 86 also has an arm 90. When either one f the magnets is energized the armature 89 is moved to the left in a clockwise direction, about its pivot, as shown in Figure 9, this disengages abutment 01 from the ratchet member B5 and allows the friction clutch to drive the sprocket. The angular displacement of latch member 85 disengaging abutment 81 from ratchet brings member 90 into thepath of one of the teeth and so, as the sprocket rotates in a clockwise rotation, referring to Figure 9, the tooth which engages arm 963 will rotate it in a counterclockwise direction to force abutment 81 into engagement with the next ratchet tooth so that for each energization of rthe 'magnet 88a or sab the chain sprocket is a1- lowed to travel forwardly from one tooth to the next.

The horse supports 24, 25 are mounted on the carriages 53, 54 so that as the carriage travels the horse travels with it. Each carriage has an abutment |90 adapted when the carriage is at the rear end of its excursion to engage the limit switch arm 9| and break a circuit at the limit switch 92. Each carriage also has an abutment 93 adapted to engage the switch contact 94 to operate the multiple control switch 95, as will hereinafter appear. Each carriage also has a brush 9S adapted to engage successively each of the contact points 51 associated with that par ticular carriage and each carriage has a brush 98 and 98| respectively adapted to engage the rheostat coil 99 and 99| supported on the frame |00 in the cabinet the purpose of this rheostat is to provide a variable resistance in the circuit, as will hereinafter appear, to change the rate at which the motors operate and the targets are reoiproacted as the game progresses.

10| is a terminal block on the back wall of the housing conductors |02, as indicated, lead from it to the various contact buttons 51, there being one series for each carriage.

The horses I6 and |1 are pivoted at |02 in the upper end of the supports 24 and 25 respectively, between stop members |03, |04, and are unbalanced so that as the carriage moves forward by a series of jerks or steps each horse will rock to simulate a gallop.

The following discussions of the wiring diagram shown in Figures 10 and 11 will disclose the method of operation of my device:

Current is supplied from any suitable source of power through the conductors 20|, 202, there being a fuse 203 and a master switch 204 in the circuit. A primary coil 205 of transformer A is connected to conductors 20| and 202 by the conductors 206, 201. Primary coil 208 of the transformer B is directly connected to the conductors 20|, 202. The primary coil 209 of transformer C is connected to the conductors 20|, 202 by the conductors 2|0, 2

In general the transformer A furnishes current to operate the switches, relays and associated portions of the apparatus, the transformer B furnishes current to operate'the .amplifying portion of the apparatus and some of the relays andV switches, and the transformer C furnishes the current to operate certain of the indicating lightsand reverisng relay for the motor 39.

VWhen the device which forms the subject matter of my invention is to be operated the switch 204 will first be closed and this will energize the three transformers A, B, and C. Transformer B will provide power to heat or energize the various tubes in the amplifying system and the ap paratus will then be in such condition that when the coin controlled switch is operated by manipulation of the coin slide the device will be conditioned for operation. For convenience I have shown in two places in Figure 10 the coin control slide 0 merely in order to show the fact that the coin control slide 9 simultaneously operates two switch mechanisms.

To condition the device for use, the operator drops a coin in the slot and pushes in the coin control slide. This closes the switch 2|5 and the switch 2|6 which is automatically held closed by the cam lever 2|1, which is locked then, as illustrated in full lines in Figure 10, against the tension of an associated spring by a latch 2 |8 forming an armature for the magnet 2 9.

When the switch 2 5 is closed a circuit is closed from the ground through switch 2|5, conductor 220, reset magnet coil 22|, conductor 222, secondary coil 223 of transformer A back to ground, this by means of reset mechanism 224, indicated diagrammatically by dotted lines, returns wipers 225, 226, 221, 228 from the position in which they were left upon previous operation of the machine to the starting position. Wipers 225, 226 being on one shaft and so operating in unison and the same being true of wipers 221, 228.

The starting position is the position shown in full lines in Figure 10 with the wipers 226, 228 engaging the segments 229, 230 and the wipers 225,221 out of contact with the segments 23|, 232.

When the reset magnet coil 22| is energized it also closes the switch 233, At that time the wipers 225 and 221 are respectively held in engagement with the segments 23|, 232 and so a. circuit is closed ,in parallel from the ground through 225, 23|, conductors 234, and from ground through 221, 232 to conductor 234, thence through switch 233 to conductor 235, conductor 22|),coll 22|, conductor v222, secondary coil 223 of transformer A to ground.v This insures that the magnet coil 22| will remain energized until the reset mechanism has fully completed its operation, and until the wipers 225 and 221 have passed beyond their associated segments 23|, 232 even though the circuit may have been broken at switch 2i5 before the reset operation was completed.

The gun flash is timed by the discharge from a condenser so as to control the time of the flash. This condenser must be charged after every shot. This is accomplished by the following circuits:

From ground through condenser 23S, conductor 231, switch 238, conductor 239, in each of guns 5 and 6, thence through conductor 268, resistance 22| resistance 242, conductor 2158, to the source of direct current diagrammatically illustrated as including rectifying tube 226, choke coil 2M, conductors 229, 258 and coil 25| of transformer B. This source of direct current furnishes the necessary current to charge each of the condensers 23.6 whenever the switch 284, is closed and the gun trigger switches are in the full line positions as shown in Figure 11.

When the reset mechanism moves wipers 228 and 228 into engagement with the segments 228 and identical circuits are closed through the tivo play control relays E and F. Since these circuits are identical a description of one will suiice for both. From ground `conductor 25|, switch of one of the multiple switches 95, conductor 233, switch 282 of the other multiple switch 82, conductor 225, conductor 282, wiper 222, segment 288 or wiper 225, segment 229, conductor 261, play control relay coil 288 of play control relays E and F, as the case may be, conductor 268, coil 212 of transformer B to ground. This energizcs both of the play control relays E and F and the circuit to do this will be closed unless one or the other of the carriages 53, 54 has been moved to the right hand end of its excursion, as shown in Figure 11, to break the circuits at switches 222 or 264, or bot As will hereinafter appear, whenever all the competitors have fired their maximum number of shots or whenever any one of the competitors has had so many hits that the carriage associate-d with his gun has reached the end of its excursion the motor will stop and the apparatus will be left in that position until again reconditioned for operation. The reconditioning act responsive to the coin slide will, as above pointed out, hook up relays E and F and this by the circuit, about to be described, will start the motor, but it will always start the motor in the reverse direction because, since the device must be re'- conditioned, the motor must always first return the carriages to the'starting position.

The circuits which do this are as` follows:

The motor reversing circuit extends from ground through switch 21|, actuated by the coin slide 9, conductor 212, coil 213 of reversing relay G, conductor 214, secondary coil 215, of trans'. :36.5

former C to ground, This moves switch control arms 215, 251, 219 into dotted line positions closing circuits at E18, 288 and 28|, when the following circuits will be completed.

First, the lock-up circuit to hold the relay G in the closed position, this extends from the ground through either one of the switches 92, conducto-r 282, to conductor 283, switch 28|, conductor 282, conductor 212, relay coil 213, conductor 214, Coil 215 to ground, thus, as soon as the magnet coil 213 has been energized by closing the circuit at vswitch 21|, this second lock-upI circuit is closed and remains closed independent of opening and closing the circuit at 21|. The lock-up circuit is broken only when each of the carriages has moved back to the starting position to engage the switch arms 9| and break the circuit at switch points 82. If either one of the carriages should be at the starting position, that would not interfere with the closure of the circuit through the other switch; only when both carriages are at the starting position is the lock-up circuit broken.

With these circuits closed, the motor is-started by the following circuit:

From ground through either track 5| or, 52, or both, carriages 5 3, or 54, wipersV 98 or 98|, resistance coil 99 or 98|, conductor 285, conductor 285, switch point 288, switch arm 211, conductor 281, motor 39, conductor 288, switch arm 216, switch point 219, conductor 288, eld coil 298 of the motor 39, conductor 28|, conductors 282, switches 283, associated with either or both of lthe relays E or F, conductor 294, conductor 285, conductor 222, coil 223 of transformer A to ground. This starts the motor and because of the position of the switches 218, 211 causes it to return the carriages 53, 52 back to the starting position.

As -soon as all of the carriages have reached the starting position the circuits are broken at 82, the magnet 213 is dce-energized, .the switch arms 213, 211, 218 return to the full line position and this causes the motor to rotate ina direction such as to drive the carriages forward. The circuit which accomplishes this is from ground through tracks 5|, 52, wipers 98, 88|, resistance coils 9S, 98|, conductor 285, conductor 286, conductor 38|, switch point 322, switch arm 216, conductor 288, motor 38, conductor 281, switch arm 211, switch point 383, conductor 385,

conductor 288, el-d coil 288, Conductor 29|, con-- ductor 292, switch points 293 of relays Eand F, conductor 294, conductor 295, conductor 222, coil 223 of transformer A to ground. The motor is now rotating in the forward direction, the carriages are held against movement, the friction clutches slipping, by means of the Y latches disclosed in Figures 8 and 9.

During this time the gun light is supplied with a current sufficient to heat it but not sufficient to generate light enough to cause actuation of the photoelectric cell. There is a separate gun for each target and the circuits for each gun are independent and must be separately traced, both for heating the gun light and for lgun operation.

In order to protect the gun light against too rapid deterioration, to speed up the flash of light and to avoid the danger of current surges in the system which might cause improper operation of the amplifying device, it is desirable to keep-the filament hot during operation of theA devices so that when a. flash of light is to be projected on the target the gun light does not have to be vheated from dead cold.

The heating circuit for gun 5 is from ground through gun lamp 385, conductor 30E, resistance 381, conductor 398, switch point 389, switch arm 3|8, conductor 3| l, coil SI2 cf transformer A to ground. The circuit for gun 6 is from ground through gun lamp 485, conductor 1291i, resistance 481, conductor 488, switch point 489, switch arm M8, conductor 4| l, coil M2, of transformer A to ground.- These two circuits remain closed and the guns are'h'eat'e'd as long as play control relays E and Fare kept in the closed position, by the shot counting mechanism previously disclosed.

TheY two gun light circuits being independent, each operator, when he pulls the trigger, produces an eiect altogether independent of what happens with respect to the other gun. When he pulls the trigger 3I3 on gun 5 or 4|3 on gun 6, by a mechanism not here shown because it forms no part of the present invention, the swi-tch arm 233 in each case is moved to the down position, shown in dotted line in Figure 11, and the appropriate condenser 236 is allowed to discharge.

Taking rst -gun 5, the condenser discharge circuit is from ground through condenser 238, conductor 231, switch point 3|4, `conductor 3|5, coil 3 I6 of shot timer relay H to ground. The charge in the condenser takes a measurable time to discharge and as it discharges through the coil 3I6, the time it takes controls the length of time during which the shot time relay remains energized. The energization of relay H closes switches 3|1 and 3I8, shunts out the resistance 301 and actuates the shot counting relay I.

The circuit for shunting out the resistance 331 is from ground through light 365, conductor 366, conductor 3|9, switch 3I1, conductor 326, conductor 3| I, coil 3 I 2 to ground. v

The closing of switch 3|8 closes a circuit from the main power line through conductor 32|, switch 3|8, conductor 322, coil 323 of hit counting relay I, conductor 324, to source of power at conductor 232, thus every time the trigger 3 I3 is pulled and the coil 3I6 is energized, coil 323 is energized to move the wiper 226 one step along the shot counting segment 229, and to move wiper 225 upon and along the segment 23 I.

The energization of the shot counting coil 322 also closes up the three switches associated with the shot counting relay I. One of these switches closes the thud sounding circuit to simulate the sound of a shot, another closes the safety circuit which makes it impossible for the photoelectric cell to be energized by anything except a flash of light from its own gun, and the third is a delay action circuit which keeps the circuit hooked up after the last shot to make sure that all elements of the system will have time to assume their proper final position.

The thud sounding circuit is from the power line 25|, conductor 32|, conductor 325, switch 326, conductor 321, thud sounding coil 328, conductor 329, conductor 324, back to line 232.

The safety circuit is from ground through coil 33|) of transformer B, conductor 33|, coil 332, of relay K, conductor 333, switch 334, conductor 335, to plate 336 of tube L. This puts voltage on the plate but current of course will not iiow until the photo cell has energized the grid 331, thus voltage is put on the plate when the trigger is pulled so that only a ash of light projected by the gun, and properly aimed to energize one of the photoelectric cells can be eective.

The circuit is from ground through the photoelectric cell 3|a, conductor 338, tube M and thence through the amplifying system, energizing grid 331 so tube L may function so that current flows through the coil 332, to close the relay K.

When the relay K is energized a circuit is closed from ground through magnet coil 88a,

Lconductor 339, switch 340, conductor 34|, conductor 222, coil 223 of transformer A to ground.

This attracts the armature 89 and results in one actuation of the Y shaped latch member 86 a1- "lowingthe friction clutch to drive the chain one step forward to move the carriage 53 one step forward, thus indicating by the position of the carriage that a hit has been made.

At the same time the energization of coil 332 and so the hooking up of relay K closes a circuit from ground through resistance 342, conductor 343, switch 344, conductor 345, conductor SI5, switch 3I4 closed by the pull on the trigger, conductor 231, condenser 236 to ground. The resistance 342 associated with relay K is of less value than the resistance of coil 3|6 in relay H so that as soon as a hit is scored relay H is deenergized, thus making it impossible, even during the short time that discharge from the condenser continues, for another hit impulse to be received.

The purpose of this is to protect the apparatus against the danger of anyone again pulling the trigger so rapidly that two impulses may be recorded and to protect it against the danger of simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, with the pull of the trigger, energizing the photoelectric cell with light from some other source, thus makes it impossible for two hits to be recorded when only one shot is counted on the shot counter.

The condenser discharge circuit for gun 6 is from ground through condenser 233, conductor 231, switch point 4|4, conductor 4|5, coil 4I6, of shot timer relay N to ground, the energization of relay N closes switches 4|1 and 4|8 to shunt out the resistance 401 and actuate the shot counting relay-P.

The circlnt for shunting out the resistance 401 is from ground through light 405, of gun 6, conductor 436, conductor 4|9, switch 4I1, conductor 42D, conductor 4i coil 4|2 to ground.

The closing or" switch 4|8 closes the circuit from the main power line 23| through conductor 32|, conductor 325, conductor 42|, switch 4|8, conductor 422, coil 423 of hit counting relay P, conductor 424, conductor 329, conductor 324 to source of power at conductor 232, thus every time the trigger 4|3 is pulled and the coil 4|6 is energized coil 423 is energized to move the wiper 228 one step along the shot counting segment 233 and to move wiper 221 upon and along the segment 232.

Coil 423 also closes up the three switches associated with the shot counting relay P, the effect of which is substantially the same as the closing up of the switches associated with the shot counting relay I. Either gun will operate the thud sounder. Each gun has its own safety circuni;i and each gun has its own delay action circul The thud sounding circuit for gun 6 is from power line 20|, conductor 32|, conductor 325, conductor 42|, conductor 425, switch 426, conductor 421, conductor 321, thud sounding coil conductor 329, conductor 324, to power line The safety circuit is from ground through coil 330 of transformer B, conductor 33|, coil 432 of relay R, conductor 433, switch 434, conductor 435 to plate 436 of tube S. This circuit has the same eifect on tube S that the circuit previously described with respect to gun 5 has on tube L and makes it possible for energization of photoelectric cell 3io to cause operation of the device, under which circumstances current would flow from the plate 436 of tube S or 336 of tube L to the cathode and thence to ground.

This circuit is from ground through cell 3Ib conductor 438, tube T, thence through the amphi fying system energizing grid 431, permitting tube S to function so that current ows through the coil 432 to energize the relay R.

When the relay R is energized, a circuit is closed from ground through magnet coil 83h, conductor |439, switch 440, con-ductor 44|, conductor 34|, conductor 222, coil 223 of transformer A to ground.

This energizes the coil 66h to actuate the Y shaped latch member 66 which controls the carriage 54 associated with the gun 6 which is being fired. Each gun separately controls one of the latch members- At the same time the energization of coil 432 and the hooking up relay R, closes a circuit from ground through resistance 442, conductor 443, switch 444, conductor 445, conductor 4|5, switch 4|4, closed by the pull on the trigger 4|3, of gun 6, conductor 231, condenser 236 to ground. The resistance 442 associated with the relay R is of less value than the resistance oi coil 4 I6 in relay N so that as soon as a hit is scored relay N is deenergized, thus making it impossible even during theshort time that discharge from the condenser continues for another hit impulse to be received.

This protects the system just as does the safety circuit associated with lgun 5.l

When the carriage 53 is in the initial position wiper 96 engages the first light button 51 and this illuminates Vthe light 346 associated therewith, the circuit being from ground through track 5|, carriage 53, wiper 96, button 51, light 346, conductor 341, conductor 343 to coil 215 of transformer C, thence to ground. This lights up light 346 in the start-iinish panel. As soo-n as the carriage 53 has been moved forward one step as a result of a hit, wiper 96 engages the second button 51a and lights 356, the circuit in this case being from ground through track 5|, carriage 53, Wiper 96,' button 51-a, light 356, conductor 341, conductor 348, coil 215 of transformer C to ground, thus lighting up the rst light in the course around the track.

Each successive hit moves the carriage one step forward and lights up the Anext light in the sequence up to twenty, at which time the carriage 53 will reach the end of its course and will engage byl means of the switch lug 93 member 34 of the switch assembly 65, thus opening one ofv the switches and closing two others. The opening of switch 262 or 264 resulting from either one of the carriages reaching the end of its excursion breaks the circuit which hooks up the play control relays E and F and the shot counter wipers 226, 228 so as to permit conditioning of the apparatus for a second game independent of manipulation of the coin control; The apparatus is so conditioned in connection with closing of the other two switches associated with the switchv element95.

The two switchesl 355 and 455 are in parallel. When theyy are closed a circuit is closed from ground through conductor 356, of the switch 355 or 455, conductor 351, conductor 35S, coil 213, of relay G, conductor214, coil 215 of transformer C to ground. This results independently of the coin control switch, in reversi-ng the power circuit forthe motor 39'.

The closing ofthe two switches 359, 459 closes a circuit from ground through 3,59 or 459, conductor 360, conductor 36|,` coill 2| 3, switch 2|6 already closed and held closed by cam lever 2|1. pushing button control switch 362, conductorl 363, conductor 220,`reset coil 22|, line 222 to the coil 223 of transformer A back to ground. This circuit is only partially closed and the apparatus does not become reconditioned for re-operationuntil push button switch 362 has been manipulated by the player, but when Athe circuit above described is hooked up and ready, all the player needs to do is push the button 362 to automatically re-condition the whole apparatus for a second run, because the closing of the circuit by button 362 energizes coil 22| just as it would have been energized by manipulation of the coin slide to return the shot counter wipers to the starting position, to start the motor in the reverse direction, to energize the play control relays and return the carriage to the starting position, after which of course the motor automatically reverses, as previously disclosed.

When either one of the players makes a perfect score and his carriage opera-tes its associated switch assembly 35 this makes it impossible for the other player to fire any more shots because the opening of switches 262 or 264 and vthe closing of switches 355, 359 or 455, 459 opens the circuit which hooks up the play controlrelays E and F so that no further play is possible; but even though the second player cannot nish his string as a result of the success of the rst player he has an opportunity to play the entire game over again.

The purpose of the resistance coils 39 and93l is to vary the speed of the motor and therefore the rate of oscillation of the targets. The resistance is high at the beginning of the travel of the carriage and the motor speed is low. The resistance decreases as the wiper 98 or 98| moves to the right in Figure 1l and as the resistance decreases the motor speed increases and the targets oscillate more rapidly to make it harder and harder to make a hit. Thel speed is controlled by the competitor who makes the most hits since the resistances 99 and 99| are in parallel, whichever carriage gets ahead will reduce the resistance so that the more nearly either competitor comesito the end of the game the more rapidly will theV targets move.

On the last shot the wiper 226 or 228 leaves the segment 229, or 236 and it is necessary to insure that this leaving of the segment will not break the necessarycontrol circuits soon enoughv to prevent the various moving elements of .fthe system completing their excursion.

. When the coil 323 of relay I is energized, it also results in closing switch 315 which closes a circuit from ground through switch 315, conductor 316, conductor 261, magnet coil 68 inV play control relay E, conductor 269, :coil .2m-of transformer B.

to ground. This keepsfplay control relay E hookedi up until coil 323 has become cle-energized, af-ter` which time it is safe for play control relayE-to let go because all of the parts will then have assumed their terminal position.

When the coil 423 of relay P is energized it Ialso results in closing switch 415 which' closes a circuit from ground through switch 415, conductor 416, conductor 261, magnet coil 268, in

play control relay F, conductor 263, coil' 216 of transformer B to ground. This keeps the play contro-l relay F hooked up until coil 423 has become cle-energized, after which time it is safe for play control relay F to let go because all of the parts will then have assumed their terminal position.

During the time that the apparatus is not functioning but during the time that the master switch is closed the4 shot timing condenser is always charged and means are therefore provided to insure that a pull on the trigger, when the coin control switch has not been manipulated, will not resultin operation of the shot timer relay; The circuit thatn protects the apparatus against improper operation of the' shot timer relay includes means for shunting in a lesser resistance than the shot timing relay so that, whenever the condenser is discharged, when the apparatus is notconditioned for operation, the discharge will be through that Vresistance but not through the shot timer relay. The resistance is provided to prevent the condenser discharging against a dead short.

The circuit that accomplishes this is from ground through condenser 23S, conductor 231, switch 3| 4, of gun 5, conductor 3|5, conductor 38|, resistance 382, conductor 383, switch 384, switch arm 3|0, conductor 3| I, coil 3|2 to ground, thus when the trigger 3|3 is pulled the condenser discharge is through the coil 382 rather than through coil 3|6 'and the' intensity will not be great enoughto actuate the shot timer'relay.

i A similar circuit for the gun 6 to prevent actuationof its shot timer relay N is from ground through condenser 236, conductor 231, switch 4|4 of gun B, conductor4l5, conductor 48|, resistance 482, conductor 484, switch 484, switch arm 4||l, conductor 4| coil 4|2 to ground.

In a number of places on the wiring diagram I have shown condensers and resistors. They have not been specifically described because their function is the usual one in electronics, namely to prevent surging, act as lters' and to'prevent sparking and they illustrate diagrammatically the fact that the'circuits and mechanisms above outlined mustV be and will be protected by the use of such filters, resistors and condensers in accordance with usual electronic practice.

In Figures 10 and 11 the dotted lines and grounds associated with the conductors 338 and 438 indicate shielding for the photoelectric cell cables to protect tl'iem and the system against impulses from outside sources which might otherwise interfere with the operation of the apparatus and which might even go so far as to cause hits or shots to be registered when not red.

In order to insure against mechanical failure which might result in the carriage not stopping at the end of its excursion and so causing damage to the switches and Vother parts of the mechanism. Stops 500 are placed at the end of the tracks so as to positively arrest the carriages in their forward excursion.

'Similar-'stops SDI are provided at the opposite end of the tracks to positively arrest the carriages inl their rearward excursion during resetting operation.

The electrical circuits for the heating'elements for tubes L, M, S, Tof theamplier havebeen omitted since they are well understood in the art. f

` I claim: 1. In an electric target device, a plurality of light guns, a plurality of targets and a plurality of visible, movable racing devices, electric connections'between a gun, a target and a racing device, a motor adapted to impart movement to the targets and means controlled by each racing device for increasing the speed of the motor as the racing device advances.

2. In an electric target device, a plurality of light guns, a plurality of targets and a plurality of visible, movable racing devices, electric connections between a gun, a target and a racing device, a motor adapted to impart movement to the targets and automatic means for increasing the speed of the motor as the racing device advances.

3. In an electric target device a plurality of light guns, a plurality of targets and a plurality of visible, movable racing devices, electric connections between a gun, a target and a racing device, a motor adapted to impart movement to the targets, means responsive to a hit on the target for causing the motor to impart movement to the racing device corresponding to the target which is hit and means controlled by each racing device for increasing the speed of the motor as the racing device advances;

4. In an electric target device, a plurality of light guns, a plurality of targets and a plurality of visible, movable racing devices, electric connections between a gun, a target and a racing device, a motor adapted to impart movement to the targets, means responsive to a hit on the target for causing the motor to impart movement to the racing device corresponding to the target which is hit, and means for increasing the speed of the motor as the racing device advances.

5. In a target device, a light gun, a movable target, a movable racing object, electric connections between the three of them adapted to cause the racing device to take one step forward inresponse to each hit on the target and means controlled by the racing device for increasing the rapidity of movement of the target as the racing device advances. Y

6. In a target device, al light gun, a movable target, a movable racing object, electric connections between the three of them adapted to cause the racing device to take one step forward in response to each hit on the target and automatic means for increasing the rapidity of movement of the target as the racing device advances.

7. A target device including a plurality of parallel tracks, a plurality of carriages mounted for movement, one along each track, a motor, a friction drive connection `between the motor and each carriage, releasable means for holding each carriage against movement, a target associated with each carriage and means responsive to a hit onV a target for releasing the associated carriage, holding means to permit forward movement of the carriage and automatic means for causing reengagement of the carriage holding means after the carriage has moved forward a predetermined excursion, a series of contact' members spaced along each track, a contact nger on the carriage adapted to engage one of the contact members after each forwardstep of the carriage has been made, a plurality of electric lights, one associated with each contact member and circuits including said lights, said contact members, and the iinger on the carriage, adapted to be successively closed as the contact finger moves from onecontact member to the next. f v 8. A target device including a plurality of parallel tracks, a plurality of carriages mounted for movement one along each track, a motor, a friction drive connection between the motor and each carriage, releasable means for holding each carriage against movement, a target associated with each carriage and means responsive to a hit on a target for releasing the associated carriage holding means to permit forward movement of the carriage and automatic means for causing reengagement of the carriage holding means after the carriage has moved forward a predetermined excursion, a rheostat coil parallel with each track and a contact finger on the carriage adapted to travel along the rheostat coil as the carriage moves forwardly, a power circuit for the motor including the rheostat coil whereby the resistance in the circuit decreases as the carriage moves forwardly.

9. A target device including a plurality of parallel tracks, a plurality of carriages mounted for movement one along each track, a motor, a friction drive connection between the motor and each carriage, releasable means for holding each carriage against movement, a target associated with each carriage and means responsive to a hit on a target for releasing the associated carriage holdwardly, there being a similar nger associated with each carriage whereby the resistance in the circuit is decreased lby forward movement of each and everyone of the carriages.

HERMAN G. JENSEN.

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