Target launcher

A launcher for a target pigeon having a propeller shaped wing and a detachable cap comprising:

• a base means defining a support,
• a motor mount rotatably journalled on said base means,
• a motor housing containing a reversible motor mounted on said motor mount,
• said motor having a motor shaft,
• a launch head connected to the end of said motor shaft;
• said launch head including a hub fixed to said shaft and having a face portion;
• a beak means on said head projecting forwardly from said face portion for imparting an erratic, random flight to a target having a laterally extending nose projecting forwardly of said face portion,
• holding means on the face portion of said launch head adapted for releasably holding a propeller shaped wing on said beak means,
• said holding means including a pair of oppositely disposed finger adapted to engage a propeller shaped wing therebetween,
• a releasably detent adapted for biasing a wing between said fingers as said motor is rotated in one direction,
• a control circuit for energizing said motor,
• said control circuit including means for reversing the polarity of said motor to control the direction of rotation thereof,
• an actuating means disposed in said control circuit for energizing said motor to effect the rotation thereof in one direction and a second actuating means disposed in said circuit to reverse the rotation of said motor when said second actuating means is actuated.

A launcher for launching wing shaped targets comprising:

• a reversible motor having a motor shaft,
• a hub connected to the end of said shaft,
• a beak means for imparting erratic, random flight to a target projecting forwardly of said hub adapted for receiving a target,
• means on said hub adapted for releasably retaining a target thereto when said motor is rotating in one direction and for effecting the release of a target when the motor is reversed,
• and a control circuit for controlling the rotation of said motor,
• said control circuit including a safety cut off switch to interrupt the circuit to said motor,
• an indicating light connected in circuit with said cut-off switch for indicating when said cut-off switch is closed and said motor is readied for operation,
• a first actuating means connected in said circuit to said motor for energizing the motor circuit to effect the rotation of said motor shaft in one direction,
• a second actuating means disposed in said circuit for initiating rotation of the motor shaft in the opposite direction,
• means disposed in said circuit responsive to the actuation of said second actuating means to reverse the polarity of said motor whereby the direction of rotation of said shaft is reversed to effect the release of a target.