# US 5,704,341 A · Tension band for trap machines

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- Number: US 5,704,341 A
- Document ID: US5704341A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/685,751
- Filed: 1996-07-24
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1996-07-24
- Assignees: Ritz/Universal Band, Inc.
- Inventors: Thomas B. Ritzenthaler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704341A

## CPC

- F41J 9/20: with spring-operated throwing arm
- F41J: TARGETS; TARGET RANGES; BULLET CATCHERS {(targets for shooting or hurling games A63F9/0204)}

## Abstract

A tension band comprising a generally rectangular mass of rubber or other suitable elastomeric material for use in lieu of a spring in conventional trap machines. Each end of the band is tapered and has a curvilinear central concave portion. A mounting hole lies adjacent to the central concave portion. The band has a centrally located longitudinal slot extending between the mounting holes. It is also provided with a pair of bushings which are seated in the mounting holes. Each bushing has a bore extending therethrough and is made of a hard plastic material. The diameter of the bushing is larger than that of the bore, such that the bore can be drilled out and enlarged if required.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tension band comprising a generally rectangular mass of rubber or an elastomer, said band having a first long edge, a second long edge, a longitudinal axis and two end segments, each said end segment being tapered toward said longitudinal axis and at least one of said end segments having a curvilinear central concave portion formed at the terminal end thereof, a mounting hole being adjacent to said central concave portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tension band according to claim 1, wherein each said end segment is tapered toward said longitudinal axis at an angle of 30 degrees.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tension band according to claim 1, wherein said mass has a centrally located longitudinal slot.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The tension band according to claim 1, further comprising a bushing seated in said mounting hole, said bushing having a bore extending therethrough.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The tension band according to claim 4 wherein said bushing is a hard plastic bushing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The tension band according to claim 4 wherein said bushing is a nylon bushing.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The tension band according to claim 4 wherein said bushing is of a diameter larger than that of said bore, such that said bore can be drilled out and enlarged in order to fit different sized mounting hardware.

### Claim 8

A launching system for providing a propelling force to a throw arm of a trap machine, said launching system comprising at least one tension band operatively connected to said throw arm such as to provide said propelling force to said throw arm, said tension band comprising a generally rectangular mass of rubber or an elastomer, said band having a first long edge, a second long edge, a longitudinal axis and two end segments, each said end segment being tapered toward said longitudinal axis and having a curvilinear central concave portion, a mounting hole being adjacent to said central concave portion.

### Claim 9

A trap machine comprising at least one throw arm for tossing a clay target and a launching system for providing a propelling force to said throw arm, said launching system comprising at least one tension band operatively connected to said throw arm such as to provide said propelling force to said throw arm, said tension band comprising a generally rectangular mass of rubber or an elastomer, said band having a first long edge, a second long edge, a longitudinal axis and two end segments, each said end segment being tapered toward said longitudinal axis and having a curvilinear central concave portion, a mounting hole being adjacent to said central concave portion.

### Claim 10

A kit for converting a spring loaded trap machine to a tension band launching technology comprising at least one tension band, said tension band comprising a generally rectangular mass of rubber or an elastomer, said band having a first long edge, a second long edge, a longitudinal axis and two end segments, each said end segment being tapered toward said longitudinal axis and at least one of said end segments having a curvilinear central concave portion formed at the terminal end thereof, a mounting hole being adjacent to said central concave portion.