Automatic single stack trap machine
AssigneeLippert Components, Inc.
InventorTom Lovell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims31
A clay target launching machine comprising:
- 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 so as to cause a continuous change in an angle at which the throwing arm is positioned when launching clays, thereby causing a variable trajectory path for successively launched clay targets;
- wherein the first motor assembly operates at a different speed than the second motor.
A clay target launching machine comprising:
- 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 a first motor 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;
- an automatic trajectory changer assembly including a second motor that is operatively coupled to the housing through a linkage;
- and
- a control panel that permits a user to select between a first operation mode and a second operational mode, the first operational mode being one where both the first and second motors are powered causing the launcher to launch the clays along continuously changing trajectory paths, the second operational mode being one where only the first motor is operational and the launcher launches clays continuously along a substantially fixed trajectory path.
A clay target launching machine comprising:
- a magazine containing a predetermined number of clay targets;
- a launching device for launching one of the clay targets;
- a main motor assembly supporting at least a part of the magazine, the main motor assembling comprising a main motor that activates the launching device;
- and
- an automatic trajectory changer assembly comprising:
- a trajectory gear motor that automatically changes the orientation of the main motor assembly and a trajectory of the clay target;
- a pivot base disposed under a housing of the main motor assembly;
- and
- a linkage connected to the main motor assembly;
- wherein:
- the trajectory gear motor transfers rotational motion to the linkage;
- and
- the linkage transfers the rotational motion to the main motor assembly, thereby causing the main motor assembly to pivot with respect to the pivot base, thereby changing the trajectory of the launched clay target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.