Automatically Varied Throwing Angle Patents (Class 124/9)
  • Patent number: 10488162
    Abstract: A machine for launching targets, comprising a base on which an assembly comprising a launch mechanism and a drum for storing targets is arranged. The assembly is configured to be mobile with respect to the base, wherein it comprises a tilting mechanism comprising a main tilting system providing a main mobility of the assembly with respect to the base consisting of a curved slide rigidly connected to one out of the base and the assembly, and an element guided by the slide in a single degree of freedom in translation along the slide and rigidly connected to the other out of the base and the assembly. The slide and the guided element are mounted movably in translation along the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: LAPORTE HOLDING (SAS)
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Laporte, Jean-Marc Fouques
  • Patent number: 10365072
    Abstract: A trap wobbler includes a base with an inclined bearing seat and a bearing supported on the inclined bearing seat, a trap frame connector pivotally coupled to the bearing of the base for enabling the trap frame connector to be biased relative to the base, and a throwing trap fastened to the trap frame connector. When the throwing arm of the throwing trap is rotated to throw a clay, the inertia force thus generated causes the throwing trap and the trap frame connector to swing left and right. As long as the throwing arm is continuously controlled to continue throwing a clay before stopping of the swinging action of the throwing trap, the left and right swinging motions and amplitudes of the throwing trap is continuously increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: Cheh-Kang Liu
  • Patent number: 9010309
    Abstract: A ball throwing machine can include a hopper for receiving one or more balls and a ball delivery device. The ball delivery device can be used to throw or pitch a ball from the hopper to a user of the machine. The ball delivery device can include wheels to impart speed to the ball and a direction system to control the projection angle of the ball. The direction system can control at least one of the up and down angle and the side to side angle of the ball as it is thrown, among possibly other throwing parameters. A controller may be provided for controlling operation of the ball throwing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Toca, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Lewis, Steven Joseph Barberi
  • Patent number: 8919331
    Abstract: A portable and adjustable clay target launching apparatus for use with a clay pigeon launcher includes a framework. A tilt adjustment assembly is coupled to the framework, and includes a shaft and a tilt assembly input member operatively coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is rotated by operation of the tilt assembly input member. A base member is configured to secure the clay pigeon launching device, the base member being operatively coupled to the shaft and configured to tilt side to side when the shaft is rotated by operation of the tilt assembly input member. A rotational adjustment assembly operatively couples the base member to the tilt adjustment assembly, the rotational adjustment assembly being movable between a released configuration at which the base member is selectively rotatable about a sprocket and a locked configuration at which the base member is not rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Casey Clarence Rennert
  • Patent number: 8677983
    Abstract: A clay target trap machine including a clay target throwing machine (1) and associated target hopper or magazine (2) mounted on a base, the base being mounted on a carriage (8) movable automatically on rails (12) and able to throw clay targets from more than one position and at a number of different firing angles and heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canterbury Trap International Limited
    Inventors: Graham Charles Callander, John Richard East, Michael Henry Owens, Bruce Gerald Rickard
  • Patent number: 8276573
    Abstract: A circuit module for preventing component failure in portable target throwing machines, the circuit module comprising a microcontroller coupled to a power source and a motor, wherein the microcontroller is configured to count a number of clay target throwing cycles and a run time of the motor. The circuit module also comprises a relay coupled to the microcontroller and the motor, wherein the relay is configured to open and interrupt power supply to the motor when at least one of the number of clay target throwing cycles and the run time of the motor exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Electro-Pro, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Skell, Frederick Kruschka, Thomas D. Tagliapietra, Brent Munsall
  • Patent number: 8151726
    Abstract: The traphouse safety flag is an electromechanical safety device mounted at the roofline of a traphouse intended to replace the traditional safety cone or cloth flag that is commonly used to indicate to the shooters that the traphouse is occupied and shooting cannot commence. A “no flag” detent position energizes the normal trap shooting control mechanism while indicating to the shooters that the traphouse and personnel are secure. The safety flag obscures the entrance to the traphouse in a shooting position and if the flag is moved out of the no flag detent position for any reason, the trap shooting control mechanism is deactivated and will not accept a launch command from the shooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Jere L. Cossaboom
  • Patent number: 7263986
    Abstract: A clay target launching machine includes a magazine containing a predetermined number of clay targets; a first motor assembly; a throwing arm operatively coupled to the first motor assembly such that actuation of the first motor assembly is translated into pivoting of the throwing arm to launch the clay target; a housing that is pivotable about a base and supports, at least in part, the magazine, the first motor assembly, and the throwing arm; and an automatic trajectory changer assembly including a second motor that is operatively coupled to the housing through a linkage such that rotation of a drive shaft of the second motor is translated into vertical and lateral movement of the housing relative to the base; wherein the first motor assembly operates at a different speed than the second motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Leader Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Lovell
  • Patent number: 5871003
    Abstract: The apparatus is comprised of two launchers (6, 7) having the same technical characteristics, arranged next to each other. One of the launchers is symmetrical to the other one with respect to a vertical symmetry plane which separates them. Both launchers (6, 7) have their own launching ramp (8 and 9) and their launching arm (4, 5), each at a different level, and are mounted integrally with an oscillating plate (10). The oscillating plate (10) is mounted on an oscillation shaft (11) of a base plate (12) which forms the fixed base of the apparatus. The apparatus is used in sport shooting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Laporte Ball Trap (S.A.R.L.)
    Inventors: Jean Michel Laporte, Paul Panara
  • Patent number: 5470078
    Abstract: A computer controlled target shooting system having a plurality of clay bird throwers which can be positioned at substantial distances and angles of throw from one another, preferably to throw clay birds in a safe direction for shooter(s) to engage. The throwers include a device for mechanical activation (electrical, air, hydraulic, etc.) and allow for varying horizontal and vertical angle of clay bird projection (flight). The plurality of clay bird throwers are interfaced to a microprocessor. The shooter can specify levels of difficulty which will set levels of time delays and difficulty of randomness between clay birds thrown. These shooter specified levels include two clay birds thrown at the same time (doubles) and extended time delay to allow for reloading of double barrel shotgun (double barrel).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventor: Tye M. Conlan
  • Patent number: 4300520
    Abstract: A target throwing device having a base and a support rotatably mounted on the basis for swinging movement about an upright axis. A throwing arm is rotatably mounted on the support for throwing targets. Structure is provided for eccentrically swinging the support back and forth while throwing targets. A mechanism is connected within a first eccentric drive connection and is operative in response to movement of the first eccentric drive for superimposing an eccentric series of short back and forth swings on the support during each long swing of the support. A second eccentric drive transmits eccentric motion to the support through a member that is movable with respect to the guide mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Inventors: Jean Michel Laporte, Jean Claude Laporte
  • Patent number: 4146007
    Abstract: A target throwing apparatus in which a revolving magazine having a number of stacks of targets is independently and fixedly supported relative to an oscillating target throwing housing. A cocking mechanism stops the throwing arm just before reaching the over-center position whereupon initiating of the next cocking cycle throws the target. A power train consists of three equal-sized gears mounted on three parallel shafts to throw the targets and to oscillate the housing. The magazine includes a ramp and cam mechanism by which the entire column of targets is lowered by gravity prior to having springbiased fingers engage the second target from the bottom and having the lower-most target fall onto a predetermined drop pad on a target launching plate, which pad location does not change regardless of the position of the oscillating housing and launching plate. A scotch yoke assembly is utilized in translating rotary shaft motion to symmetrical reciprocating motion to oscillate the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Remington Arms Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Alday, Kenneth C. Rowlands
  • Patent number: 4140097
    Abstract: A low silhouette oscillating platform upon which may be mounted a device or machine for throwing balls to a player or players for catching or batting practice. The oscillating platform allows the pitched balls to be distributed at random within any point of a specified arc. The platform may be permanently attached to the throwing device or attached by quick-disconnect latches, thereby allowing removal for storage. The platform may be left attached to the throwing device and not electrically activated for throwing or pitching to a fixed point.Two wheels are so affixed to the platform that, when required, they may be used to move or transport the entire assembly. The lower surface of the platform is smooth or padded to protect the surface upon which it is placed, which may be a smooth tennis court.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1979
    Inventor: Oliver G. Lewis
  • Patent number: 3937204
    Abstract: A target throwing apparatus in which a revolving magazine having a number of stacks of targets is independently and fixedly supported relative to an oscillating target throwing housing. A cocking mechanism stops the throwing arm just before reaching the over-center position whereupon initiating of the next cocking cycle throws the target. A power train consists of three equal-sized gears mounted on three parallel shafts to throw the targets and to oscillate the housing. The magazine includes a ramp and cam by which the entire column of targets is lowered by gravity prior to having springbiased fingers engage the second target from the bottom and having the lower-most target fall onto a predetermined drop pad on a target launching plate, which pad location does not change regardless of the position of the oscillating housing and launching plate. A scotch yoke assembly is utilized in translating rotary shaft motion to symmetrical reciprocating motion to oscillate the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1973
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Assignee: Remington Arms Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James Marion Alday, Kenneth Charles Rowlands