Patent US3614102A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3614102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic target control system
Assignee: Detroit Bullet Trap Corp
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Filing: 1969-07-24
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1989-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A target carrier system including a target carrier which is mounted for longitudinal movement along a track and which has means for manipulating the target. The target carrier includes a target turner motor which is moved with the target along the carrier track by means of a cable drive system. The cable drive system includes a housing which supports a cable spool on a threaded shaft. The shaft is fixedly positioned within the housing, and means are provided to rotate the cable spool, thereby allowing the spool to translate along the threaded shaft. The threaded shaft is positioned generally perpendicularly of the carrier track so that the cable spool is translated in such a manner as to allow a cable to unwind from the spool at a point which is generally fixed with respect to the track. The cable which drives the target carrier is wound about the cable spool, and a loop portion of the cable extends along the length of the track and is fixed to the target carrier to move the same as the spool rotates. This cable is an electrical conductor and is coated with an electrical insulating material to allow the conductor to act both as the drive force for the target carrier and also as the power line to the target turner motor. The carrier track also has an insulation lining which acts to insulate and guide the cable in its sliding movement along the track.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Nikoden Sr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:42
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41J; F41J7/00; F41J7/02; F41J9/00; F41J9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A target carrier system comprising: a carrier track, a target carrier mounted for longitudinal movement along the carrier track, electrical control means associated with said target carrier and being movable therewith along said carrier track and being operable to turn said target carrier, cable supply means and means for coupling cable therefrom to said target carrier, means associated with said cable supply means for extending and retracting cable therefrom to transport said target carrier along said track, said cable being an electrical conductor, and means coupling power through said electrical conductor to said target carrier electrical control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A target carrier system comprising: a carrier track, a target carrier mounted for longitudinal movement along the carrier track, electrical control means associated with said target carrier and being movable therewith along said carrier track and being operable to turn said target carrier, cable supply means and means for coupling cable therefrom to said target carrier, means associated with said cable supply means for extending and retracting cable therefrom to transport said target carrier along said track, said cable being an electrical conductor, and means coupling power through said electrical conductor to said target carrier electrical control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A target carrier system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrical control means comprises a target turner motor and wherein said electrical conductor cable is electrically connected to said target turner motor for operating the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
A target carrier system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cable supply means comprises a cable spool having a cable helically wound thereon, said cable having a loop portion formed intermediate the cable ends, said loop portions extending to and from said target carrier and being secured to the target carrier to transport the same along the track, means for rotating the spool so as to extend cable along one side of the loop and absorb cable along the other side thereof, and means positioning said loop along said track thereby causing said target carrier to move along the track as the spool rotates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
A target carrier system in accordance with claim 3 wherein a frame means is provided to support said cable spool, said frame being fixedly mounted relative to said carrier track, a threaded rod supported in said frame, said cable spool being threadedly received on said rod whereby rotation of said spool causes said spool to translate along said rod and thereby maintain a fixed relationship between the takeoff position of cable from the spool and the position of said carrier track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
A target carrier system comprising: a target carrier and means for supporting the same for movement along a predetermined path, means for coupling a cable to said target carrier and for using said cable to transport the target carrier along said predetermined path, electrical control means associated with said target carrier, and said cable further supplying electrical power to said electrical control means which is then operable to actuate the target carrier into various desired movements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
A target carrier system comprising: a target carrier and means for supporting the same for movement along a predetermined path, means for coupling a cable to said target carrier and for using said cable to transport the target carrier along said predetermined path, electrical control means associated with said target carrier, and said cable further supplying electrical power to said electrical control means which is then operable to actuate the target carrier into various desired movements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A target carrier system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said electrical conductor is formed of stranded conductor wire and is coated with a flexible insulating material and wherein said carrier track has an electrical insulation lining extending along the length thereof, said electrical conductor being slidably movable on said insulation lining.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A target carrier system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said carrier track comprises an inverted T-bar, said cable being carried on upwardly facing surfaces of the T-bar and said electrical insulation linings being provided on both said upwardly facing surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
198 words
A target carrier system comprising: a carrier track, a target carrier suspended from the track and being mounted for movement along the track, said target carrier having a target turner motor mounted thereon for pivoting the target carrier as required a cable spool mounted for rotation for feeding cable to one end of the track, a length of cable wound about said cable spool, a portion of said length of cable extending along said track and being fixedly secured to said target carrier, cable take up means positioned adjacent the end of the track oppositely of said cable spool, said portion of said length of cable extending from said target carrier through said cable take up means, and returning along said track to said cable spool, means for rotating the cable spool to cause cable to unwind from one portion thereof to feed cable to said target carrier and to wind at another portion thereof to absorb slack generated by translation of said target carrier along said track, said cable being an electrical conductor and being electrically coupled to said target turner motor, and means for supplying a signal through said cable to actuate said target turner motor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
198 words
A target carrier system comprising: a carrier track, a target carrier suspended from the track and being mounted for movement along the track, said target carrier having a target turner motor mounted thereon for pivoting the target carrier as required a cable spool mounted for rotation for feeding cable to one end of the track, a length of cable wound about said cable spool, a portion of said length of cable extending along said track and being fixedly secured to said target carrier, cable take up means positioned adjacent the end of the track oppositely of said cable spool, said portion of said length of cable extending from said target carrier through said cable take up means, and returning along said track to said cable spool, means for rotating the cable spool to cause cable to unwind from one portion thereof to feed cable to said target carrier and to wind at another portion thereof to absorb slack generated by translation of said target carrier along said track, said cable being an electrical conductor and being electrically coupled to said target turner motor, and means for supplying a signal through said cable to actuate said target turner motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A target carrier system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said carrier track comprises a T-bar inverted to expose oppositely extending upwardly facing flanges, a pair of lengths of track insulators extending along the T-bar and having a longitudinal recess formed therein to slidably guide said cable along said flanges of the carrier track.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
A target carrier system in accordance with claim 8 wherein means are provided to move said spool generally perpendicularly of said carrier track at a rate which allows the take off point of cable from the spool to be substantiAlly fixed relative to the carrier track thereby reducing the flexure of said electrical conductor during movement of said target carrier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |