WO2012032001A1 - Device for storing shooting targets - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for storing shooting targets, comprising a base (1) and a plurality of rods (2) arranged parallel to one another on the base (1) so as to form at least one column (3) for storing targets, characterised in that the base (1) includes a plurality of holes (4), each of which is to receive a rod (2), each hole (4) including an area (5) for inserting a rod (2), in which the rod (2) has at least one translational degree of freedom in the longitudinal direction thereof, and an area for blocking (6) the rod (2), stopping the translation of the rod (2) in the longitudinal direction thereof, and in that the device includes means (7) for locking the rod (2) in the blocking area (6) of the hole (4). The invention can be used as a cylinder for all types of target-launching machines.

Description

 "Shooting target storage device"

The present invention relates to a target storage device for shooting as well as a target launching machine for firing which is equipped.

 The invention is particularly aimed at launching targets for archery although this application is in no way limiting of the invention. In particular, the invention is capable of being used for targets of various shapes and materials.

 Target launchers equipped with barrels with several overlay target storage columns are already known. The barrel is a piece of a size around the cubic meter. It is usually formed by two crowns joined by a set of rods. The assembly is done in several ways. The stems can be welded to the crowns. The barrel is therefore a monobloc piece inexpensive manufacturing but whose transport is difficult and expensive. The stems can also be screwed to the crowns. The manufacture is then more expensive but the transport simpler.

However whatever the existing method of assembly, the operation of the launcher generates vibrations having a tendency to crack the welds or to loosen the screws. This separation of the rods with the crowns entails risks of interference of the rods or loosened screws with the mechanism of the cylinder or the launcher causing blockages and damages.

 The objective of the invention is to improve the assembly of the target launchers barrel to limit the risk of inadvertent disassembly.

 For this purpose, the invention relates to a target storage device whose base comprises holes having two distinct zones. A first insertion zone at which the rod is inserted into the hole. The stem thus has a mobility along the longitudinal axis. A second blocking zone intended to stop the translation of the rod along a longitudinal axis.

 The device also comprises locking means blocking the rod in the hole locking zone by limiting the transverse displacements of the rod.

 Thanks to the invention, the risks that the elements of the cylinder disassociate are almost zero. In addition, assembly and transport are facilitated.

 Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows.

 It is first of all recalled that the invention relates to a firing target storage device comprising a base and a plurality of rods parallel to each other arranged on the base so as to form at least one target storage column , characterized in that the base comprises a plurality of holes each for receiving a rod, each hole comprising an insertion zone of a rod in which the rod has at least one freedom of movement in translation along its longitudinal direction and a locking zone of the rod forming a stop in translation of the rod in its longitudinal direction and that the com com device has locking means of the rod in the hole locking zone.

 According to nonlimiting variants, the device is such that:

 each rod comprises a transverse groove intended to cooperate with the locking zone of the hole so as to block the translation of the rod in its longitudinal direction.

 the blocking zone is of smaller section than the section of the rod and greater than the section of the groove of the rod.

 the hole insertion zone is of wider section than the hole blocking zone.

the hole insertion zone has a larger section than the section of the stem. - The locking means are configured to lock the rod in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rod. - The locking means comprise a plate provided with notches intended to abut against at least one rod.

 - The locking means are configured to be disposed substantially parallel to the base.

 the locking means are able to cooperate simultaneously with more than one rod.

 it comprises means for fixing the locking means on the base.

- The base comprises at least one opening disposed in line with a column for the distribution of the targets.

 - The holes for receiving the rods are arranged around the opening for the distribution of the targets.

 it comprises means for driving the base in a cylindrical trajectory.

 the trajectory is circular along an axis of rotation parallel to the stacking direction of the targets in a column.

 The invention also relates to a machine for launching targets for firing comprising the device described above.

 The attached figures are given by way of non-limiting examples and make it easy to understand the invention.

 Figure 1 is an exploded view of a device according to the invention.

 Figures 2 to 5 show the different mounting steps of the device according to the invention.

 Figure 2 is a view of the insertion of the rods into the holes at the insertion zone.

 Figure 3 is a view of the translation of the rods along a transverse axis to the hole locking zone.

 Figure 4 is a view of the establishment of the locking means of the rods.

 Figure 5 is a view of the contacting locking means with the rods.

 Figure 6 gives an overview of a device according to the invention with a complementary structure in the upper position fixed by nuts or screws.

The target storage device shown in Figs. 1 to 6, commonly referred to as a barrel, is intended to overcome a target launching machine (not shown). The machines for launching targets for firing include a rotating launch arm for projecting a target. The size, shape and material of the target are not limited.

 In the field of archery, the target is advantageously cylindrical polymer foam.

 The barrel shown in the figures is provided with five columns 3. The number of columns is not limiting. It can be provided a single-column cylinder 3. The columns 3 allow the reception of targets in superposition for their storage before delivery for the projection.

 In Figures 1 to 5, there is shown the barrel partially with a base 1 constituting a lower structure of the barrel and a partial view of a column 3. The base 1 has substantially the shape of a ring. The base 1 as shown is a one-piece flat piece.

 It has also been presented in the base of openings 11 able to constitute the distribution area of the targets stored in the plurality of columns 3.

 In a preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the barrel comprises a complementary structure 15 placed at a higher height level. The base 1 and the complementary structure 15 being connected by a plurality of rods 2 preferably metal. Stems 2 are preferably placed on the same peripheral circle at an opening January 1 so as to determine an internal storage volume of targets in superposition.

 Column 3 and correspondingly the entire barrel, is driven by drive means (not shown) in a movement along a cylindrical path. The trajectory is advantageously circular along an axis of rotation 12 oriented parallel to the superposition direction of the targets also corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the rods 2.

 The base 1 constitutes substantially the lowest part of each column 3 while the complementary structure 15 constitutes substantially the highest part of each column 3.

 On the peripheral ring openings 1 1 formed on the base 1 are arranged holes 4 for receiving the rods 2 to fix and maintain substantially perpendicular to the base 1.

 The holes 4 comprise at least two zones: an insertion zone 5 of the rod 2 and a blocking zone 6 of the rod 2.

The holes 4 have a teardrop shape, the insertion zone 5 having a greater cross section than the section of the blocking zone 6. Preferably, the holes 4 are oriented radially around the openings 11, the longitudinal axis of the holes being oriented radially. The insertion zone 5 is disposed the outermost and the locking zone 6 is more internal, relative to the center of the opening January 1.

 The insertion zone 5 makes it possible to insert a rod into a hole 4. The insertion zone 5 therefore has a section greater than the section of a rod 2 so as to allow translation of the rod 2 in its longitudinal direction to fit in the hole 4.

 The blocking zone 6 is of smaller section than the section of the rod 2. The rod 2 is moved from the insertion zone 5 to the locking zone 6 by a translation movement in a direction parallel to the plane of the base 1, substantially in the transverse direction of the rod 2. To be inserted into the locking zone 6, the rod 2 advantageously comprises a zone of smaller section than the section of the blocking zone 6. The junction between its two sections of the rod 2 forms a shoulder so as to constitute a stop in translation in the longitudinal direction of the rod 2.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the rod 2 comprises a groove 8 thus forming a shoulder. When the rod 2 is in the locking position in the locking zone, the rod 2 has substantially no mobility in its longitudinal direction, at least oriented towards the lower part of the barrel. Advantageously, the groove 8 is of substantially identical width to the thickness of the base 1. In this way, the translation stop in the longitudinal direction is made in both directions.

 So as to keep the rods 2 in the blocking position at the blocking zone 6, the device according to the invention comprises locking means 7. The locking means 7 make it possible to wedge the rods 2 in the blocking zone 6.

 Various forms of wedges can be envisaged.

 An advantageous embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. The locking means 7 comprise a substantially flat part. The locking means 7 are advantageously configured to abut simultaneously against a plurality of rods. Thus, the number of pieces is reduced.

 The locking means 7 are configured to be placed at the periphery of the circle on which the rods 2 are placed. Preferably, the locking means 7 are interposed between at least two columns 3.

The locking means 7 comprise notches 9 allowing improved contact with the rods 2. The notches 9 are of complementary shape to the section 2. The notches 9 abut against the rods 2. According to one possibility, each notch 9 is positioned at the groove 8 of the rod, especially if the width of the groove 8 is greater than the thickness of the base 1. The notches 9 are then of complementary thickness allowing insertion into the groove 8 thus limiting the movements in translation in the longitudinal direction of the rods 2.

 To keep the locking means 7 fixed to the base 1, there are provided fastening means 10 which can be indestroyable screws or nuts. For this purpose, the base 1 comprises holes 14 for receiving the fastening means 10.

 As represented by the part of the locking means 7 intended to be disposed the innermost of the barrel, ie penetrating most in the center of the base 1 between the columns 3, has a fork-shaped end 13 receiving a fastening means 10.

 At the level of the complementary structure 15, the rods 2 are fixed with indestroyable nuts 16.

 A method of mounting the firing target storage device according to the invention is described below.

 Rods 2 are introduced at one end into holes 4 formed on a base 1 more precisely at an insertion zone 5 of the hole 4. The rods 2 are inserted in a longitudinal translation.

 The rods 2 are moved in a translation transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rods 2 in a locking zone 6 of the hole 4. A groove 8 formed on the rod 2 is intended to cooperate with the periphery of the hole 4 at the zone 4. The stems are locked in longitudinal translation.

 Locking means 7 are arranged in abutment against a plurality of rods 2. The positioning of the locking means 7 is at least by a translation substantially parallel to the plane of the base 1. The locking means 7 are fixed to the base 1 by fastening means 10.

 The rods 2 are fixed at their second end to a complementary structure 15 disposed substantially parallel to the base 1. The fixing is carried out by nuts 16.

To allow insertion and positioning in abutment of the locking means 7, the base comprises a notch 17 in which levers means are introduced, such as a screwdriver. The locking means 7 are pushed against the rods 2. The fork end 13 of the locking means 7 is inserted into the fastening means 10 located in the center of the base 1. In this way, it is more simple during assembly for the operator to maintain in position the locking means 7 and then fix them by introducing the other fastening means 10 into the hole 14 through the locking means 7.

REFERENCES - Base

- Stems

- Column

- Hole

- Insertion area

- Blocking area

- Locking means

- Throat

- Notch

 - Means of fixation

 - Distribution opening

 - Rotation axis

 - Fork

 - Receiving hole of fastening means - Complementary structure

 - Nut

 - Notch

Claims

A firing target storage device comprising a base (1) and a plurality of rods (2) parallel to each other arranged on the base (1) so as to form at least one column (3) for storing targets characterized in that the base (1) comprises a plurality of holes (4) for each receiving a rod (2), each hole (4) comprising an insertion zone (5) of a rod (2) in which the rod (2) has at least one freedom of movement in translation in its longitudinal direction and a locking zone (6) of the rod (2) forming a stop in translation of the rod (2) in its longitudinal direction and the device comprises locking means (7) of the rod (2) in the locking zone (6) of the hole (4).  2. Device according to claim 1 wherein each rod (2) comprises a groove (8) transverse intended to cooperate with the locking zone (6) of the hole (4) so as to block the translation of the rod (2) according to its longitudinal direction.  3. Device according to the preceding claim wherein the locking zone (6) is of smaller section than the section of the rod (2) and greater than the section of the groove (8) of the rod (2).  4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the insertion zone (5) of the hole (4) is of wider section than the locking zone (6) of the hole (4).  5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the insertion zone (5) of the hole (4) is of larger section than the section of the rod (2).  6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking means (7) are configured to lock the rod (2) in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rod (2).  7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking means (7) comprise a plate provided with notches (9) intended to abut against at least one rod (2).  8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking means (7) are configured to be arranged substantially parallel to the base (1). 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking means (7) are adapted to cooperate simultaneously with more than one rod (2). 10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising fastening means (10) of the locking means (7) on the base (1).  1 1. Device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base (1) comprises at least one opening disposed directly above a column (3) for the distribution of targets.  12. Device according to the preceding claim wherein the holes (4) for receiving the rods (2) are arranged at the periphery of the opening for the distribution of the targets.  13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims comprising drive means of the base (1) in a cylindrical path.  14. Device according to the preceding claim wherein the path is circular along an axis of rotation parallel to the stacking direction of the targets in a column (3).  A target shooting launching machine comprising a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.