Historical Document · 1935
Filed 1934-08-06. The coin-operated light-ray shooting gallery; four of its claims were pressed in Phoebus v. Ford Amusement Devices (1936).
July 2, 1935- c. w. GRIFHTH 2,007,083 SHOOTING GALLERY Filed Aug. 6, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l | ‘g! q/‘v‘limaoo _ I‘ 51400144301, 67' July 2, 1935. c. w. GRIFFITH 2,007,083 SHOOTING GALLERY Filed Aug. 6, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Svvuemtoz - Patented July 2, 1935 I _ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,007,083 SHOOTING GALLERY Charles ‘W. Gri?ith, Tulsa, Okla., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Rayolite Ri?e Range Company, Tulsa, Okla., a corporation of Oklahoma Application August 6, 1934, Serial No. 738,767 R l 12 Claims. (Cl. 124—15) The invention aims to provide a new and im- get, the various electrical units and the preferred proved shooting gallery in which a ?ash of light wiring. is projected from a. gun upon pulling of the trigger, to operate a signal if the aim be accurate, The gallery includes a gun 45 having an elec trio light bulb 46 and a lens 41 for projecting a 5 through the instrumentality of a photo-electric beam of light toward a target. In the present cell and ampli?er. disclosure, this target is of the traveling type and Another object is to provide novel means for driving a traveling target until the gun trigger has been pulled a predetermined number of 10 times and for then discontinuing operation of the entire gallery. _The target driving means and the bulb illuminating means are preferably initially conditioned for operation by means of a coin switch and the person shooting is permitted 5 is provided with a plurality of target portions 48 which may simulate ducks, said target portions being pivoted at 49 upon'hases 50 Which are Se cured to an endless belt 5|. Belt 5| is trained 10 around pulleys 5'2 and 53 Whose Shafts 54 and 55 are suitably mounted upon a. base 56. An elec trio motor M is mounted on the base 56 to drive One Of the belt Pulleys t0 e?'ec? travel of the tel‘ 15 to “?re” a predetermined number of shots for get pert-ions 43 and in the present Showing. DHI- 15 the coin he inserts. , leys 51 and 58, a belt 59 and a transmission 60, A still further object is the provision of unique transmit power from said motor M to the shaft means for breaking the bulb circuit a fraction of 55- E?eh target portion 43 is formed With an a second after illumination of the bulb, prevent- opening BI and mounted on the base 50 behind 20 ing the user from making attempts to focus the Said Opening, is a photo-electric cell 62. If the 20 light beam upon the photo-electric cell after a person practicing directs the light ?ash from the “shot” has been ?red. ' bulb 46 through the opening 6| against the cell A still further objectlis to make provision for moving the target portion at which the gun was 25 aimed to a “struck” position if the aim be accurate. Yet another object is to associate a plurality of electrical units in a. novel and advantageous 62, the target Dertien 48 wecieted with Said Cell, drops, and at the Same time a Signal may be Oper ated, all of which will be hereinafter fully ex- 25 plained. Each base 50 carries contacts 63 for its 0611 62 and said contacts are co-operable with ?xed ~ way to attain the desired ends, contact rails 64 and with other means herein 30 With the foregoing in view, the invention re- ‘after described to sheet dropping 0f the target, 30 sides in the novel subject matter hereinafter de- and if desired, Operatic”! 0f the Signal scribed and claimed, description being accomEach target Portion 43 is equipped With an ' plished by reference to the accompanying draw- arm 55 and during travel 9f Said target P0111011 ings. 35 Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the traveling target, its driving means and its supporting base. The motor is shown mgunted upon this base and while various other electrical units used in carrying out the invention may also. be mount_ 40 ed upon said base, they have been omitted from Fig 1 for cleamess_ I with the upper reach of belt 5|, said arm lies against or near a trip rail 66 which is carried by 3.VI an arm 61 hingedly mounted on the base 56. A spring 68 holds arm 61 in normal position and a “duck drop" ‘gleam-magnet 69 is provided to swing said arm 67, causing rail 66 to strike arm 65 and cause the target portion 46 to drop._ The 40 electro-magnet 69 becomes energined only when Fig 2 is a perspective View showing the Vari_ the ?ash of light from the bulb 46 is so accurate ous electrical elements mounted upon the target 1y aimed as to strike the photo'elecmc cell 62’ . . .. . _ . In addition to electrical contrivances so far 45 gggi’fg?g?cge?g silci’gviliggg‘a'pomt Opposite mentioned, various other electrical units and 45 . . . _ Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the upper portion of the traveling target showing one of the m’i’vably mouPted target’ For‘ wirin g therefor are em p10 yed and Will no W be descr‘bed, on thle baseand 563'id units ma well be mounted ‘Ill denotes a coin slot starting switch located 50 trons, the photo-electric cell associated therewith, at the Shooting post H, for bringing the motor 50 - and the means for e?ecting movement of said M into play to drive the target, and for DreDar target portion to a “struck” position if $11.8 aim ing the entire gallery for operation_ ‘ 0f the gun be $0 accurate as to Cause the light 12 refers to ‘a trigger switch carried by the gun flash to strike the photo-electric cell. 55 Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the gun, the tar- 45 and serving primarily to illuminate the bulb 46. _ 55 2 2,007,083 13 refers to a normally open shot limit switch summarily then, the placing of coin in slot which controls the number of shots which may be “?red” upon insertion of one coin in switch 16. This limit switch 13 includes a series of con tacts 14, a contact arm 15 co-operable with said switch 10 returned shot limit switch to “home position" closed relay A, which put recti?er 8| in service, started motor M which started target moving, and provided a 6 volt A. C. source of current from transformer T at wires 35 and 36. It might be well to point out that while the actuating coil C’ for actuating said ratchet original actuating current for relay A comes from means 16, a detent ‘H for holding said ratchet 6 volt source, as soon as recti?er 8| begins to CH contacts, ratchet means 16 for advancing said arm 15 step by step along the contacts 14, an operate and shot limit switch 13 is in,“home po 10 C2 for releasing said detent ‘l1, and a spring ‘I8 sition", relay A is held in closed position by the 10 means after each operation thereof, a reset coil current from said recti?er 8| until current is interrupted by shot limit switch 13. . ing position when detent ‘I1 is released. The gallery is now ready for the actual shoot The reference character A, denotes a two pole ing operation. When trigger switch 12 on gun 15 relay which stands normally open; B has refer 45 is pulled, current flows from recti?er- 8| along ence to a three pole relay which also stands nor mally open, and C refers to a third and normally wire l2 to '| to 4, through trigger switch 12 to 3 through actuating coil C’ in shot limit switch closed relay. 19 refers to a photo-electric relay and 89 to 13 to 26 to 28 through actuating coil of relay B for moving the contact arm 15 to a closed start 20 photo-electric amplifying means. T denotes a to 29 to 36 to l3 to source. Energizing coil C’ 20 transformer, 8| refers to a recti?er and 82 indi in shot limit switch 13, as previously explained, cates a thud sounder for imitating the report of' moves contact arm ‘I5 one position. Closing of relay B completed 3 circuits thus: a gun. 83 denotes a bell and 84 a transformer 1. From 6 volt A. C. source at transformer T therefor, both optional. The various electrical units above described current flows through 35 to 34 across contacts 25 25 are operatively connected with each other and in relay C to 33 across contacts in relay B to 5 with two current sources, 6 volt D. C. and 110 to light bulb 46 in gun to 6 to 36 to source. 2. volt A. C., by means of wiring to which the num From 30 volt source at recti?er 8| current flows bers I to 42 have been applied. All of the wiring along wire I2 to '| to 4 through gun trigger 30 will be clear from Fig. 4 and the following ex switch 12 to 3 through coil C’ in shot limit switch 30 planation of operation, without encumbering the to 26 to 21 through actuating coil of relay C to description with an individual statement con 32 across contacts in relay B to 3| to 30 to I3 to cerning each wire and such surplusage is there source. 3. From 6 volt source at transformer T fore omitted. along 35 to 39 through actuating coil of thud When the device is not in use, all parts stand sounder 82 to 38 across contacts at relay B to 31 35 as seen in Fig. 4, the contact arm 15 of limit to 36 to source. switch 13 being then beyond the series of con The ?rst of these three newly completed cir tacts 14. When a person wishes to use the device, cuits illuminates the light 46 in gun 45. The the ?rst act is the placing of coin in coin slot second causes-relay C to open, breaking circuit 40 of switch 10 which completes circuit from 6 volt to the light 46. The fact that relay C is so ad 40 source along wire 2 through coin slot switch 10, justed as to cause it to operate a fraction of a along wire I to '| to 8 through actuating coil of second slower than relay B allows light to flash relay A along wire 9 to Hi through reset coil C2 for an instant only. The third of these circuits in shot limit switch, along wire || back to 6 completed causes the thud to sound. If the aim volt source. When coil C2 is thus energized, it of the gun has not been accurate no further 45 releases detent 71 and spring 18 swings contact action takes place. If the aim is such that the arm 15 to the closed starting or “home position” ?ash of light from bulb 46 contacts photo-elec seen in dotted lines in Fig. 4. The current tric cell 61 current ?ows from amplifying unit through the actuating coil of relay A causes the 88 through cell 62 and rails 64 causing photo circuits to be completed across contacts which electric relay 19 to operate. This allows 110 volt 50 causes current from 110 volt source to ?ow from A. C. current from contacts at relay A to flow wire l6 to l8 through relay contacts to l9 to 20 along wire 40 tl'n'oug'h photo-electric relay 19 to through primary coil or recti?er to 2| to 22 to 4| through magnet 69 on “duck drop” to 42 to H 23 to |‘| to 110 volt source. Wire 24 connects to to source. If bell 83 and transformer 84 are wire |9-—20 which connects to motor M allowing connected, the flow of current in the primary of 55 current to flow through motor to wire transformer 83 is simultaneous with that in 2|-—22—23-|1 to 110 volt source. From wire 24 “duck drop”, which causes bell 83 to sound. current also flows to wire 25 which connects to When trigger of gun has been pulled ten times, transformer T allowing current to flow through the contact arm of shot limit switch 13 no longer primary winding of transformer T to 23 to H completed circuit M to l5. Breaking this cir 60 to source. ' ' cuit causes relay A to break 110 volt circuit which Current flowing through‘primary coil in rec causes recti?er 8| to cease functionally, motor M ti?er 8| by inherent construction of recti?er, to stop and transformer T to cease operation. presents a source of 30 volt D. C. current at wires The gallery then is "dead”, ready for another 12 and I3. Contact arm 15 of shot limit switch sequence of events as just described. . 65 65 13 now being in “home position”, current ?ows While excellent results are attainable from the from |3 to I4 through shot limit switch to | 5 construction shown and described and such con to 9 through actuating coil of relay A to 8 to 1 struction may be considered as preferred, varia connecting to wire |—|2, to newly established 30 tions may of course be made within the scope 70 of the invention as claimed. 70 volt source at recti?er 8|. When relay A is ?rst energized, current can It will be noted that the gun used in my com ?ow through relay contacts from l9 to 40 which bination is entirely supported by the operator. lead to photo-electric relay 19. This current He treats it, handles it and. uses it just as any does not ?ow, however, until relay 18 is closed by ordinary gun is used, the only connection be 75 photo-electric cell 62 through ampli?er 89, etc. tween the gun and any other part of the mecha 75 2,007,088 3 nism is the light ?exible electric cable which cally advancing said shot limit switch toward terminates in the gun mechanism. The gun can open position each time said trigger switch is be laid down, picked up, moved around, manipu operated. lated without any reference whatever to any of 5. A shooting gallery comprising a traveling the working mechanisms outside of the gun. target; a driving motor for said target; a~ gun The switch and trigger combination in the gun having a light source for directing a light ?ash 5 is so set up that a single pull on the ‘trigger at said target; a trigger switch on said gun; a causes a single dash of light'only to be projected. normally open shot limit switch‘ having an actu Whether the operator holds the trigger or not ating coil for advancing it toward its open posi io makes no diiierence. Nothing but a single ?ash tion, and a reset coil for returning it to a closed is projected, as distinguished from a continuous starting position; a normally open relay con 10 beam, so that if the gun is not aimed at the .nected to complete a circuit for said motor; a target at the instant the ?ash is projected, subse starting switch connected to direct current quent correction of the aim makes no difference. through said reset coil and through the actuating It is this ?ash arrangement and this entire port coil of said relay to reset said shot limit switch ability oigthe gun which makes my device di?er at starting position and to close said relay to op ent from“ other non-bullet target shooting‘ de erate the motor; means including said relay for vices because it enables the user to do exactly directing a circuit through said shot limit switch what he would do if he were ?ring a bullet. and through the actuating coil of said relay to hold ‘ I claim: 1. In a shooting gallery, a traveling target hav ing a photo-electric cell, a photo-electric ampli ?er, means operatively connecting said cell and ampli?er, said connecting means including sta tionary contact means, and traveling contact the latter closed as long as said shot limit switch 20 remains closed; a second normally open relay; a third and normally closed relay; said second relay being connected to direct current through said light source and said third relay and to direct current through the actuating coil of said 25 means engaging said stationary means and mov third relay to break the light circuit; said trig able with the target, signal means actuated by the current from said ampli?er if said cell be struck by a light ?ash, and a manually aimed gun 30 for projecting a light flash toward the target. 2; A shooting gallery comprising va traveling target, a driving motor for said target, a gun having an electric light source for projecting a hash of light at said target, a trigger switch on 35 said gun for e?ecting completion of a circuit through said light source, means for establishing a circuit for said motor including a shot limit switch having electrical actuating means which must be successively operated to ?nally open said ger switch being connected to direct current through said actuating coil of said shot limit switch to advance the latter toward open position and to direct current through the actuating coil 30 of said second relay to operate the motor and energize the actuating coil of said third relay; said third relay being adjusted to lag behind said second relay before opening to break the light circuit. -' 6. A shooting gallery comprising a traveling target; a driving motor for said target; a gun having a light source for directing a light ?ash 35 at said target; a trigger switch on said gun; a shot limit switch, and a circuit for said electrical normally open shot limit switch having an actu 40 actuating means controlled by said- trigger switch. atlng coil for advancing it toward its open posi 3. A shooting gallery comprising a traveling tion, and a reset coil for returning it to a closed target, a driving motor for said target, a gun hav starting position; a normally open relay con ing an electric light source for projecting a light nected to complete a circuit for said motor; a ?ash at said target, a trigger switch on said gun starting switch connected to direct current for effecting completion of a circuit for said light through said reset coil and through the actuating source, means for establishing a circuit for said coil of said relay to reset said shot limit switch at motor including a normally open relay, 9. starting starting position and to close said relay to oper switch for energizing said relay to operate the ate the motor; means including said relay for di motor, a shot limit switch which remains closed recting a circuit through said shot limit switch during operation of the gallery, means including and through the actuating coil of said relay to said shot limit switch for maintaining a circuit hold the latter closed as long as said shot limit‘ to hold said relay closed as long as said shot switch remains closed; a second normally open limit switch remains closed, and means for auto relay; a third and normally closed relay; said matically advancing said shot limit switch to second relay being connected to direct current ward a ?nal open posigon each time said trigger throughsaid light source and said third relay and. switch is operated. ‘ ‘ to cooperate with the aforesaid trigger switch to 4. A shooting gallery comprising a traveling direct current through the actuating coil of said target, a driving motor for said target, .a gun third relay to break the light circuit; said trigger having an electric light source for projecting a switch being connected to direct current through light ?ash at‘said target, a trigger switch on said actuating coil of said shot limit switch to 60 said gun for eifecting completion of a circuit for advance the latter toward open position and to said light source, means {or establishing a circuit direct current through the actuating coil of said for said motor including a normally open relay second relay to operate the motor and energize and a normally open shot limit switch which the actuating coil of said third relay; said third must be initially moved to a closed starting posi relay being adjusted to lag behind said second 65 tion, said shot limit switch having a reset coil for relay before opening to break the light circuit. moving it to said starting position, a starting 7. A shooting gallery comprising a traveling switch for completing a circuit through the actu target; a driving motor for said target; a gun ating coil of said relay and through said reset having a light source for directing a light ?ash 70 coil to move said shot limit switch to closed posi at said target; a trigger switch on said gun; a tion and, operate vthe motor, means including said normally open shot limit switch having an actu shot limit switch‘ for maintaining a circuit ating coil for advancing it toward its open posi through said relay as long as said shot limit' tion, and a reset coil for returning it to a vclosed 75 switch remains closed, and means for automati— starting position; a recti?er and a transformer; 75 4 2,007,088 a normally open relay for actuating said recti?er and transformer and operating said motor; a switch connected to direct current through said reset coil and through the actuating coil of said relay to reset said shot limit switch at starting ond relay before opening to break the light cir cuit. 9. In a shooting gallery, a gun having a light source for projecting a light ?ash, a trigger switch on said gun, a normally open relay and a normally position and to close said relay, causing the latter closed relay, said trigger switch being connected to actuate said recti?er, said transformer and to energize and close said normally open relay, said motor; means for directing a circuit from said normally open relay being connected to direct said recti?er through said shot limit switch and current through said light source and through said normally closed relay to illuminate said light 10 10 the actuating coil of said relay to hold thelatter source, said normally open relay being connected closed as long as said shot limit switch remains closed; a second normally open relay; a third and to energize and open said normally closed relay to normally closed relay; said second relay being break the bulb circuit, said normally closed relay connected to direct current from said transformer being adjusted to lag behind said normally open relay before opening and breaking the light cir 15 15 through ‘said light source and said third relay ' and to direct current from said recti?er through cuit. 10. A shooting gallery comprising a movable the actuating coil of said third relay;r said trigger switch being connected to direct current from target and means for moving the target, a “drop" said recti?er through said actuating coil of said operatively associated with the target, means for shot limit switch to advance the latter toward releasably holding the “drop” in raised position, 20 20 open position and to direct current from said said target being provided with an aperture, a recti?er through the actuating coil of said sec light-sensitive cell carried by the target and mov ond relay to operate the motor and energize the able therewith, said cell being aligned with said actuating coil of said third relay, said third re aperture and positioned to be struck by a ?ash of light accurately directed at the target, and means 25 25 lay being adjusted to lag behind said second re operatively connecting the "drop” holding means lay before opening-to break the light circuit. 8. A shooting gallery comprising a traveling and said light—sensitive cell whereby when a ?ash target; a driving motor for said target; a gun of light impinges on said cell the holding means having a light source for directing a light ?ash is actuated to release the “drop" to indicate a hit. 11. A shooting gallery comprising a movable 30 30 at said target; a trigger switch on said gun; a target and means for moving the target, a “drop” normally open shot limit switch having an ac tuating coil for advancing it toward its open posi operatively associated with the target, means for releasably holding the “drop" in raised position, tion, and a reset coil for- returning it to a closed said target being provided with an aperture, a starting position; a recti?er and a transformer; light-sensitive cell carried by the target and mov 35 35 a normally open relay for actuating said recti?er able therewith, said cell being aligned with said and transformer and operating said motor; a switch connected to direct current through said reset coil and through the actuating coil of said relay to reset said shot limit switch at starting position and to 'close said relay. causing the latter to actuate said recti?er, said transformer and said motor; means for directing a circuit from said rectifier through said shot limit switch and the actuating coil of said relay to hold the latter closed as long,as said shot limit switch 45 remains closed; a second normally open relay; a third and normally closed relay; said second re aperture and positioned to be struck by a ?ash of light accurately directed at the target, a gun hav ing a light source for projecting a ?ash of light, trigger mechanism for controlling the light source, shot limiting means associated with the gun, means effective to deenergize the target moving means in response to a predetermined number of operations of the trigger, and means operatively conecting the “drop” holding means and said 45 light-sensitive cell whereby when a ?ash of light from the gun impinges on said cell the holding means is actuated to release the “drop” to indicate lay being connected to direct current from said a hit. . transformer through said light source and said 12. In a shooting gallery a gun having a light third'relay and to ‘co-operate with said trigger 50 source for projecting a ?ash of light, an electrical switch to direct current from said recti?er circuit for energizing said light source, a trigger through the actuating coil of said third relay; switch on said gun, means under control of said said trigger switch being connected to direct cur trigger switch for energizing said circuit for illu rent from said recti?er through said actuating minating said light source, a second circuit in 65 65 coil of said shot limit switch to advance the cluding a relay, said second circuit being ener latter toward open position and to direct current gized in response to actuation of said trigger from said recti?er through the actuating ‘coil of switch, said relay being arranged to break said said second relay to operate the motor and ener ?rst mentioned circuit immediately after the cir giz'e the actuating coil of said third relay, said cuit is closed. 60 ~ CHARLES W.,GR.IFFITI-I. third relay being adjusted to lag behind said sec