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US 7,263,986 B2Granted
Automatic single stack trap machine
AssigneeLeader 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.
Claims30
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, wherein the linkage includes a drive shaft that is coupled to the housing, with the drive shafts of the second motor and the linkage being axially offset from one another.
4 more elements
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;
- 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;
- and
- a frame supporting each of the magazine, the first motor assembly, the throwing arm, the housing, and the automatic trajectory changer assembly, wherein the base of the housing is mounted to the frame with a predetermined degree of list being incorporated therein by positioning a list block between a portion of the base and the frame.
4 more elements
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;
- 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 and the second motor has a first drive shaft associated therewith and the linkage has a second drive shaft associated therewith that is coupled to the housing, with the first and second drive shafts being axially offset from one another, the second motor altering a lateral component and an elevation component of the clay target through at least a portion of the trajectory path that has a conical shape;
- and
- a stabilizing member resting on top of an uppermost clay target of the plurality of clay targets as they are advanced in the magazine, the stabilizing member having a base and a counterweight that is associated with one section of the base, the stabilizing member serving as a follower to ensure uniform feed of the clay targets and to stabilize the clay targets in the magazine.
4 more elements
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, wherein the trajectory gear motor is operable to alter a lateral component and an elevation component of the clay target through at least a portion of a conical pattern and a speed of each of the main motor and the trajectory gear motor is variable.
10 more elements
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,
- wherein a RPM speed of the trajectory gear motor is different than the RPM speed of the main motor and the RPM speed of at least one of the trajectory gear motor and main motor is programmable.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.