GB2138113A - Target apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Target apparatus for use in training military marksmen comprises a flexible sheet (12) and means (6) for generating one or more jets (16) of fluid such as air or water for example, to impinge on the sheet so as to urge it into an erect condition so as form a visible target. The apparatus may include remotely operated target control means (10) for controlling the jets so as to render the target erect and therefore visible or lowered and therefore invisible. Various hit sensing devices (14) are provided to give a positive indication when a hit is scored. The apparatus can be mounted on a self-propelled trolley (1), which can run on rails or any suitable flat surface, so that the target can be made to appear from behind banking at any of a number of possible locations. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Target apparatus This invention relates to target apparatus especially suitable for use as apparatusforthe training of troops or other military marksmen.

In order to sufficiently test the skill of the marksman itisdesirablethatthetargetshould be ableto appear and disappear, and should also be mobile. This enables thetargetto disappear from one position, move to another position whilst remaining out of sight ofthe marksman, to reappear in a different position.

Alternatively, the target can be static but easily portable, so that the target positions can easily be changed from day to day.

Known targets are made of wood, of plastics material or of lighter materials such as canvas or hessian. They may be painted or sculpted to form a realistictarget image but all suffer from the disadvantagethat after one or more direct hits on the target have been scored, they become holed orfragmented.

Such a damaged target quickly loses any realism and maypresenta reduced target area to the marksman.

Forthese reasons conventional targets have to be frequently repaired or replaced, an operation which is both time consuming and expensive. Targets must be withdrawn from service after only a few 'passes' and this disrupts the running ofthe range and is detrimental to the training ofthe marksman.

Targets are known which are made from an elastic material, inflated by a single charge of gas, normally compressed air, and then sealed to give a baloon-type inflated target, as disclosed, for example in UK Patent Specification No 20641 09A. Such targets can be very realistic and are moderately cheap to manufacture.

However as soon as the elastic material is punctured by a direct hit, the target deflates, and must be replaced. These 'one shot' targets are therefore not often used in firing ranges as continual replacement of the targets is impractical.

In United States Patent No 4184681 there is disclosed a target of a generally similar kind which is designed to be towed behind an aircraft. This target is inflated bythe pressure of ram air, of which large quantities are available because the target travels at thigh speed. The target is therefore capable of remaining inflated even after several hits. The arrangement is not easily adaptable, however, forslow moving or static targets, having multi-hit capability because it depends upon inflation of the target by internal pressure, and in the absence of motion it would be necessaryto provide other means for supplying pressurised air at rates which may be quite large and variable according to the damage inflicted on the target.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile or easily portable target which is relatively impervious to direct hits by missiles and which consequently can operate for longer periods than conventional target apparatus before requiring maintenance or repair.

Accordingly there is provided a target apparatus comprising a flexible sheet and means for generating one or more jets offluid and for directing the jets to impinge on the sheet and urge it into an erect condition so astro form a visible target.

Preferably there is provided target control means for controlling the rate offiow of fluid from the generating means such that the target may be rendered observable or unobservable. Normally there will be someform of banking or other means for councealing and protecting the generating means.

The flexible sheet musttherefore, when in an erect condition, be urged to a heightgreaterthan thatofthe banking to be rendered observable and conversely collapse to a height belowthatofthe banking to be rendered unobservable.

The target control means may conveniently be controlled by a short wave radio transmitter. The target may therefore be rendered observable or unobservable from a remote position thereby aiding the efficiency ofthe range and enhancing safety.

Additionally or alternatively, there may be provided a hit detector which actuates the target control means to lowerthetargetwheneverthetargetis hit. Thus whenever a direct hit is scored on the target,thetarget is seen to disappearfrom the view of a marksman, giving him an immediate visual indication that it has been hit Convenientlythe hit detector comprises one or more pressure sensors. The pressure sensors detect the shockwave caused by a missile passing through the target and give an electronic signal to the target control means to lowerthe target. Various pressure sensor arrangements are known in the art, many of which can define particularly accurate target boundaries within which any missile will triggerthe sensors.

As it is the shock wave of the passing missile which is detected ratherthan its impact with tit etarget, it is not necessaryfortheflexible sheetto be so rigid as to registerthe vibration of a direct hit as in some prior art systems.

The hit sensor may conveniently be adapted to actuate one or more pyrotechnic devices on sensing a hit on the target. Hence it may be arranged that when a direct hit is scored on the target there can be seen a flash and/or a puff of smoke and the target will disappear. This gives a realistic indication to the marksman that he has scored a hit. Pyrotechnic devices may also be employed in a similarwayto simulate return fire by the target hence further enhancing the image of a realistic battle situation.

Preferably there is provided means for moving the flexible sheet along a chosen pathway. The target may therefore appearfrom behind banking at any one of a number of positions, making less predictable the place at which the target is likelyto appear. By making the flexible sheet moveable along a chosen path the realism of a target range incorporating such targets is vastly increased.

Convenientlytheflexible sheet and generating means are mounted on a wheeled trolley. The trolley is preferablyselfpropelled buy a motor carried on the trolley or conceivably on an accompanying prime mover towing the trolley, This driving motor may conveniently be remotely controlled by a short wave radio transmitter in which case a suitable aerial and receiver must be carried by the trolley. The wheels of the trolley may conveniently be adapted to run on rails oralternativelyon anyflat surface. Where thetrolley runs on a flat surface there may additionally need to be provided means forsteering the trolleywhich may also be conveniently controlled byashortwaveradio transmitter.

Thefluid employed to impinge on the sheet is conveniently a gas, typically air. The generating means may therefore comprise one or more fans rotatable to provide one or more jets of air. The one or more fans may be easily switched on or offthereby raising and lowering the sheet to provide target control means to renderthetarget observable or unobservable. To assist in the lowering of the sheet the direction of rotation ofthefans may conceivably be reversed to provide suction on the flexible sheet In an alternative embodiment of generating means, there is provided a reservoirforgas ata pressure greaterthan that ofthe surrounding atmosphere, the reservoir opening to the airthrough one or more nozzles.Where there is providedtargetcontrol means, this may conveniently be in the form of a valve adapted to control the rate of flow of gas from the reservoir.

Thefluid employed to impinge on the sheet is alternatively a liquid typically water. There is conve niently provided a reservoirforthe liquid, and a pump which draws liquid from the reservior and forces it through a chamberwhich opens to the air through one or more nozzles. The flexible sheet will help constrain the liquid so that it will return to the reservoir. Hence even in windy conditions orwhen the reservoir is moving at speed, liquid projected into the airwill be contained within the sheet and hence more easily returned to the reservoir. The need fore large reservoir or additional means to recoverthe liquid may thereby be obviated.

Preferablythe pump drawing liquid from the reservoir is continuously running. Where there is provided target control means, this may conveniently be in the form of a valve which can alternatively direct liquid through eitherthe one or more nozzles or through a return pipe back into the reservoir. When the target is required to be unobservable, the pump is drawing liquid from the reservoir, and recycling it through the return pipe back into the reservoir. When the target is required to be observable, the valve is switched to pass some or all of the liquid drawn from the reservoirthrough the one or more nozzles, projecting it into the airto impinge on and liftthe flexible sheet.

The sheet will define a positive outline of the target and may conceivably be so shaped that when in its extended position it assumes the outline of a recog nized target, eg a tank or alternatively a human or animal figure. Unlike conventional inflatabletargets the sheets will continue to be supported by the fluid even when direct hits have pierced the sheet. The sheet may effectively be used until the numberof holes initfrom directhits make it unable to be effectively erected by the fluid. The fluid supported sheettherefore provides a realistictarget image, more durablethan many priorarttargetsystems.

Some embodiments ofthe invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure lisa schematic, sectional view of a target apparatus according to the present invention, when the target is in an unobservable position.

Figure 2 isa view of the target apparatusof Figure 1, when thetargetis in an observable position Figure3isa schematic, sectional view oman alternative embodiment oftarget apparatuseccording to the present invention, shown when the farget is in an unobservable position.

Figure 4 is a view of the target apparatus of Figure3, whenthetargetisin an observable position.

Figure 5 is a schematic, sectional view of yet another embodimentoftargetapparatus according to the present invention, when the target is in an unobservable position, and Figure 6 is a view of the target apparatus of Figure 5, when thetarget is in an observable position.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the target apparatus comprises a trolley 1, supported on wheels 2 adapted to run on rails (not shown) such as a narrow gauge railway track. The wheels 2 are driven by a motor 3 carried on the trolley and governed by a controller 4.

Mounted on the trolley 1 arefourfan units shown generally at 5. Each fan unit comprises a casing 6 containing a fan 7 which is drivable by a fan motor 8 to produce a jetofeir. The fan motors 8 are connected in a line 9to a fan control unit 10 which governs their operation.

At either end ofthefan units are a pairofsupport posts 11 to each of which posts is secured a corner of a flexible plastics sheet 12. The sheet is secured to-the posts 11 by means of clamps 13 and is disposed such that it covers the fan units 5. Each support post is further provided with. a pressure sensor 14 output signals of which are fedtothe fan control unit 10via lines 15.

In usethetrolley 1 isdriven by the motor 3 to run along railway tracks (Rot shown) behindEbanking so that it is out ofsightofawaiting marksman. Thefan control unit loins setsothatthefens erenot rotating and therefore theflexible sheet 12 is ina collapsed condition. Hence notarget is visible tacthe marksman.

When it is desiredto make the target.appear a-short wave radio signal is sentto the fan control unit 10 which actuatesthe fan motors 8 causing the fans 7 to rotate. The rotating fans produce upwardly directed air jets 16 shown schematically in,Figure 2. The jets 16 impinge on the flexible sheet 12 urging it into an erect condition sethat it appears abovethe banking to form a visible targetforthe marksman. Excess air can escape continuouslythrnughthe open underside of the sheet 12, eg around its edges which are not sealed tothetrolley 1.

The sheet 12 is easily penetrated by missiles fired at it. However, it may still be used until it receives so many direct hits that it becomes so damaged that it is unableto be supported bytheairjets 16. It is expected that several passes of the target in front of the marksman may be obtained from a sheet before it will require replacing, since the sheet is held erect bythe momentum of the impinging jets, ratherthan by static internal pressure which would be lost after a single hit.

Whenamissile passesthroughthetargetarea its shock wave will be detected by one or more of the pressure sensors 14and a signal sentto the fan control unit 10. This causes the unit 10 to disconnect the fan motors 8 removing the jets of air and causing the flexible sheet IZto collapse and disappearfrom view.

In this way whenever a direct hit is made on the target, the target drops from sightgiving a clearvisual indication tothemarksman that he has hit it. The pressure sensors 14 may in addition give a signal which causes a pyrotechnic device (not shown) to ignite giving a flash or a puff of smoke when a direct hit on thetargetis scored.

The fan control unit 10, in addition to acting on a signal from the pressure sensors 14, may be actuated towithdrawthetargetfrom sight by a shortwave radio signal. From the foregoing it can be seen that the target can be made visible and invisible atwill as the trolley 1 moves along the railwaytrack, and in addition may be made to disappearwhenever it receives a direct hit.

In an alternative embodiment oftarget apparatus shown in Figures 3 and 4the trolley 1 and its accompanying motor3 are as previously described.

The flexible plastics sheet 12 is secured as before but the jets of air on which it is supported are generated not by fans but from a reservoir of pressurized gas.

The reservoir is in the form of a gas bottle 20 containing compressed air, release which is regulated by a valve 21. The valve is operated by a valve control unit22connected thereto via line 23. Valve 21 governs communication between the gas bottle 20 and a chamber 24which opens to the etmospherethrough a plurality of upwardly directed nozzles as shown at 25.

In usethetrolley 1 is driven along railwaytracks as previously described. The valve control unit 22 is set so that the valve 21 is closed preventing compressed airfromflowing intothechamber24.Theflexible sheet 12 is accordingly in a collapsed condition, out of sight ofthe waiting marksman. When it is desired to makethetargetvisibleashortwave radio signal is sent to the valve control unit 22 which opens valve 21.

Airflows out ofthe gas bottle 20 into the chamber 24 and out of the nozzles 25 to form the upwardly directed airjets 16 which raise and support the plastics sheet 12.

Subsequent signals received by the valve control unit 22, either by short wave radio, orfrom pressure sensors,14, cause itto switch the valve 21 to a closed position discontinuing the air jets 16 and causing the sheetf2to collapse and disappearfrom view. The targetcan, asbefore, be made observable or unobservable atwill.

Another alternative embodiment oftarget apparatus shown in Figures 5 and 6 employs a liquid rather than a gas its supporting fluid. The trolley 1 and motor 3 are as before but mounted on the trolley is a shallow open topped container 30 partly filled with a liquid such as water as shown at 31. A pump 32 continuously draws water from the bottom of the container 30 through an outlet pipe 33 and feeds it through a pipe 34 to a valve 35 adjacent thereto. The valve 35 has two outlet pipes 36,37 and it may direct waterthrough either of these pipes depending on the signal it receives from a valve control unit 38. The pipe 36 is a return pipe which merely returns water to the container 30.Pipe 37 however passes through an aperture 38 with which it forms a fluid tight seal, into the container30 where it broadens out into a chamber 40. The chamber40 opens to the air through a pluraity of upwardly directed nozzles 41. The end of the chamber remote from the pipe 37 is closed as shown at42 so that liquid entering the chamber is forced out through the nozzles 41.

The flexible plastics sheet 12 is secured to the sides of the container 30 by means of clamps 13. Pressure sensors 14 are disposed around the edge ofthe container 30 and output signals from the sensor are fed to thevalve control unit38via lines 43.

When it is desired that the trolley 1 should run along the tracks with the target in an unobservable position the valve 35 is switched so that water drawn from the container 30 is passed through pipe 36 and returned to the container as shown in Figure 5. To make the target appear a shortwave radio signal is sentto the valve control unit 38 which switches valve 35 to pass water drawn from the containerthrough pipe 37 and into the chamber 40. The water is forced out th rough the nozzles 41 to form upwardly directed liquid jets as shown at44 in Figure 6. The jets impinge on the plastics sheet 12 to raise it into an erect and therefore visible position.The sheet shown in the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 is provided with a more rigid central portion 45 which is shaped so asto present a predetermined target outline to the marksman. After being projected into the airto supportthe sheet 12, the waterfalls back into the container 30 to be recirculated. Although it may become holed by direct hits thereon, the sheet 12 helps constrain the water and ensure its return to the container 30.

When the valve control unit 38 receives an appropriate signal, eitherfrom the pressure sensors 14 or via short wave radio, it switches valve 35 so that the water drawn from the container by the pump 32 is passed through pipe 36 and returned to the container. With the supply of water now removed from the chamber 40 the water jets 44 cease to be projected from the nozzles 41 and the sheet 12 collapses and disappears from view.

Claims (18)

1. Atarget apparatus comprising a flexible sheet, and meansforgenerating one or more jets offluid and for directing the jets to impinge on the sheet and urge it into an erect condition so asto form a visible target

2. Targetapparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is provided target control meansforcontrolling the rate offlow of fluid from the generating means such thatthetarget may be rendered observable or unobservable.

3. Target apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the target control means is controlled by a shortwave radio transmitter.

4. Target apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein there is provided a hit detector which actuates the target control means to lower the target whenever the target is hit.

5. Targetapparatusaccording to claim 4wherein the hit detector comprises one or more pressure sensors.

6. Target apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the hit detector is adapted to actuate one or more pyrotechnic devices on sensing a hit on the target.

7. Target apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7wherein there is provided means for moving the flexible sheet along a chosen pathway.

8. Target apparatus according to claim 7 wherein theflexible sheet and generating means are mounted on a wheeled trolley.

9. Target apparatus according to claim 8wherein the the trolley is self propelled.

10. Target apparatus according to claim 8 orclaim 9wherein the trolley is adapted to run on rails.

11. Target apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 10 wherein the meansfor moving theflexible sheet is controlled by a shortwave radio transmitter.

12. Target apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the fluid is a gas.

13. Targetapparatus according to claim 12wherein the generating means comprises one or more fans rotatableto provide one or more jets of air.

14. Target apparatus according to claim 12 wherein there is provided a reservoir for gas at a pressure greeterthan that of the surrounding atmosphere, the reservoir opening to the airthrough one or more nozzles, and a valve adapted to control the rate of flow of gas from the reservoir.

15. Target apparatus according to any of claims 1 toll wherein the fluid is a liquid.

16. Target apparatus according to claim 15where- in there is provided a reservoirforthe liquid, and a pump which draws liquid from the reservoir and forces itthrough a chamber which opens to the air through one or more nozzles.

17. Target apparatus according to claim 16 wherein there is provided a valve which can alternatively direct liquid through eitherthe one or more nozzles or through a return pipe back into the resevoir.

18. Target apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2,3 and 4, or 5 and 6 ofthe accompanying drawings.