Target game

Claim 2

A target game, comprising: means defining a housing having a sighting area and a target area spaced therefrom; a sighting and firing assembly including an aiming portion located at said sighting area; a target field located at said target area; at least one target located adjacent to the target field and mounted for movement through a path of travel across the target field, said target being mounted on a movable target support including a movable retaining member, being movable between a support position, wherein said target support is held in a first position, to movement away from said support position, wherein said target support is free to move away from said first position through a path of travel simulating target intercept; a missile firing mechanism associated with said sighting and firing assembly and including a missile assembly having a target engaging portion, said missile assembly being mounted for movement from a retracted position to movement to a target intercept position wherein said target engaging portion generally intercepts the path of travel of the target in the area of the target field, engagement of said missile engaging portion by said target engaging portion causing movement of said retaining member, thereby permitting movement of said yieldable support through a target intercept path of travel; and target reorientating meaNs in the target path of travel for returning said target support to said first position and returning said retaining member to said support position, said target reorienting means including an upwardly inclined track having a lower and an upper end, and wherein said target support is mounted for generally vertical to and fro movement with the target being mounted for movement across said track from the lower and toward the upper end during which said support is moved upwardly to the first position.

Claim 3

The target game of claim 1 wherein said inclined track includes a retaining member reorienting portion near the upper end thereof which permits movement of the retaining member subjacent to the support to hold the support in the first position.

Claim 4

The target game of claim 1 wherein said target field has a front and rear area and wherein the targets are connected to an endless belt for continuous movement across the front and rear of the target field, with the inclined track being located at the rear of the target field.

Claim 5

A target game, comprising: means defining a housing having a sighting area and a target area spaced therefrom; a sighting and firing assembly including an aiming portion located at said sighting area; a target field located at said target area; a plurality of targets each having a depending post located adjacent to the target field and mounted for movement through a path of travel across the target field, each target being mounted on a movable target support including a target support bracket, said bracket having a portion normally underlying said target post for supporting and holding said target in a raised support position, said bracket being movable between a support position, wherein each target support is held in a first position, to movement away from said post to permit said post to vertically descend, wherein each target support is free to move away from said first position through a path of travel simulating target intercept, said target support bracket including an outwardly extending arm defining a missile engagement portion for causing movement of the target support bracket away from said supporting position to permit descent of a target; target drive means movably supporting each target mount; a missile firing mechanism associated with said sighting and firing assembly and including a missile assembly having a target engaging portion, said missile assembly being mounted for movement from a retracted position to a target intercept position wherein said target engaging portion generally intersects the path of travel of the target in the area of the target field, engagement of said missile engaging portion of said target engaging portion causing movement of said retaining member, thereby permitting movement of said yieldable support through a target intercept path of travel; and an inclined track having a lower end and an upper end positioned in the target path of travel to receive the target support post and move the post upwardly as the target moves along the inclined track from the lower end toward the upper end, said track including a horizontal portion at the upper end thereof to permit movement of the target support bracket below the elevated post to hold the post, and therefore the target, in the first position for subsequent presentation to the target field.

Claim 6

A target game, comprising: means defining a housing having a sighting area and a target area spaced therefrom; a sighting and firing assembly including an aiming portion located at said sighting area; a target field located at said target area; a plurality of targets each having a depending post located adjacent to the target field and mounted for movement through a path of travel across the target field, each target being mounted on a movable target support including a target support bracket, said bracket having a portion normally underlying said target post for supporting and holding said target in a raised support position, said bracket being movable between a support position, wherein each target support is held in a first position, to movement away from said post to permit said post to vertically descend, wherein each target support is free to move away from said first position through a path of travel simulating target intercept, said target support bracket including an outwardly extending arm defining a missile engagement portion for causing movement of the target support bracket away from said supporting position to permit descent of a target; target drive means movably supporting each target mount; a missile firing mechanism associated with said sighting and firing assembly and including a missile assembly having a target engaging portion, said missile assembly being mounted for movement from a retracted position to a target intercept position wherein said target engaging portion generally intersects the path of travel of the target in the area of the target field, engagement of said missile engaging portion of said target engaging portion causing movement of said retaining member, thereby permitting movement of said yieldable support through a target intercept path of travel; and an inclined track having a lower end and an upper end positioned in the target path of travel to receive the target support post and move the post upwardly as the target moves along the inclined track from the lower end toward the upper end, said track including a horizontal portion at the upper end thereof to permit movement of the target support bracket below the elevated post to hold the post, and therefore the target, in the first position for subsequent presentation to the target field.

Claim 7

The target game of claim 4 wherein a hit light is provided with said hit light being part of a circuit which includes normally open contact members and wherein a contact closing arm is movably mounted adjacent to the movable retaining member and includes a portion mounted adjacent to said hit light contact members and movable toward and away from said contact members to close and open said circuit respectively, whereby, when said target has been successfully intercepted said retaining member will move said arm to close the hit light contact members, and therefore, activate the hit light circuit.

Claim 8

The target game of claim 5 wherein said sighting And firing assembly includes a laterally traversable arm connected to said aiming portion and extending to said target field and wherein said hit light is associated with said arm for movement therewith.

Claim 9

The target game of claim 6 wherein retarding means are provided for retarding movement of the target away from the support position, said retarding means including an arm pivoted to the target support bracket and terminating in a pointed end, and further including a serrated surface on the housing below the target path of travel in the area of the target field.

Claim 10

The target game of claim 7 further including an audible signal producing circuit associated with said missile assembly and said target assembly and including means for connection with a source of power to activate the circuit for producing a first audible signal when said circuit is activated, a second audible signal when said missile assembly moves from said retracted position to said target intercept position and for producing a third audible signal when said target moves away from said support position.

Claim 11

The target game of claim 6 wherein said target field includes a background area behind said target path of travel and wherein said hit light is located behind said background area.

Claim 12

A target game, comprising: means defining a housing having a sighting area and a target area spaced therefrom; a sighting and firing assembly including an aiming portion located at said sighting area; a target field located at said target area; at least one target having a depending post located adjacent to the target field and mounted for movement through a path of travel across the target field, said target being mounted on a movable target support including an upright sleeve for slidably mounting said post and a retaining member movably mounted relative to said sleeve having a missile engaging portion, said retaining member including a retaining portion engageable with the bottom of the post to normally support the post and being movable between a normal support position, wherein said target is held in an elevated first position, to movement away from said support position, wherein said target support is free to move away from said first position through a path of travel simulating target intercept; a missile firing mechanism associated with said sighting and firing assembly and including a missile assembly having a target engaging portion, said missile assembly being mounted for movement from a retracted position to a target intercept position wherein said target engaging portion generally intersects the path of travel of the target in the area of the target field, engagement of said missile engaging portion by said target engaging portion causing movement of said retaining member, thereby permitting movement of said yieldable support through a target intercept path of travel.

Claim 13

A target game, comprising: means defining a housing having a sighting area and a target area spaced therefrom; a sighting and firing assembly including an aiming portion located at said sighting area; a target field located at said target area; at least one target having a depending post located adjacent to the target field and mounted for movement through a path of travel across the target field, said target being mounted on a movable target support including an upright sleeve for slidably mounting said post and a retaining member movably mounted relative to said sleeve having a missile engaging portion, said retaining member including a retaining portion engageable with the bottom of the post to normally support the post and being movable between a normal support position, wherein said target is held in an elevated first position, to movement away from said support position, wherein said target support is free to move away from said first position through a path of travel simulating target intercept; a missile firing mechanism associated with said sighting and firing assembly and including a missile assembly having a target engaging portion, said missile assembly being mounted for movement from a retracted position to a target intercept position wherein said target engaging portion generally intersects the path of travel of the target in the area of the target field, engagement of said missile engaging portion by said target engaging portion causing movement of said retaining member, thereby permitting movement of said yieldable support through a target intercept path of travel.

Claim 14

The target game of claim 10 wherein said retaining member is pivoted to said sleeve and said retaining portion comprises a web which normally underlies said post in the first position.

Claim 15

The target game of claim 11 wherein said retaining member comprises a generally U-shaped bracket, and wherein said post terminates in a tapered bottom.

Claim 16

The target game of claim 12 wherein target reorienting means are provided for returning said target support to said first position, said target reorienting means included an inclined track having a lower end and an upper end, said track being generally below the target path of travel and intersecting the path of travel of a target support which has moved away from said first position.

Claim 17

The target game of claim 13 wherein the upper end of the inclined track includes a horizontal portion which permits return of the bracket web below the bottom of the post.

Claim 18

The target game of claim 12 wherein the missile engaging portion of the retaining member comprises an upwardly and outwardly extending arm.

Claim 19

The target game of claim 12 wherein target fieLd has a front and rear area and wherein the targets are connected to an endless belt for continuous movement across the front and rear of the target field, with the inclined track being located at the rear of the target field.

Claim 20

A target game, comprising: means defining a housing having a sighting area and a target area spaced therefrom; a sighting and firing assembly including an aiming portion located at said sighting area; a target field located at said target area; at least one target located adjacent to the target field and mounted for movement through a path of travel across the target field, said target being mounted on a movable target support including a movable retaining member having a missile engaging portion, said retaining member being movable between a support position, wherein said target support is held in a first position, to a position away from said support position, wherein said target support is free to move away from said first position through a path of travel simulating target intercept; a missile firing mechanism associated with said sighting and firing assembly and including a missile assembly having a target engaging portion, said missile assembly being mounted for movement from a retracted position to a target intercept position wherein said target engaging portion generally intersects the path of travel of the target in the area of the target field, engagement of said missile engaging portion by said target engaging portion causing movement of said retaining member, thereby permitting movement of said yieldable support through a target intercept path of travel, and retarding means associated with the target for retarding movement thereof away from the support position including a link having a first portion connected to the target support and a second portion engageable with a portion of the housing.

Claim 21

A target game, comprising: means defining a housing having a sighting area and a target area spaced therefrom; a sighting and firing assembly including an aiming portion located at said sighting area; a target field located at said target area; at least one target located adjacent to the target field and mounted for movement through a path of travel across the target field, said target being mounted on a movable target support including a movable retaining member having a missile engaging portion, said retaining member being movable between a support position, wherein said target support is held in a first position, to a position away from said support position, wherein said target support is free to move away from said first position through a path of travel simulating target intercept; a missile firing mechanism associated with said sighting and firing assembly and including a missile assembly having a target engaging portion, said missile assembly being mounted for movement from a retracted position to a target intercept position wherein said target engaging portion generally intersects the path of travel of the target in the area of the target field, engagement of said missile engaging portion by said target engaging portion causing movement of said retaining member, thereby permitting movement of said yieldable support through a target intercept path of travel, and retarding means associated with the target for retarding movement thereof away from the support position including a link having a first portion connected to the target support and a second portion engageable with a portion of the housing.

Claim 22

The target game of claim 17 wherein the housing has a serrated surface which underlies the target path of travel adjacent to the target field and wherein the second portion of said link comprises a pointed end on said link engageable with said serrated surface.

Claim 23

The target game of claim 18 wherein a plurality of targets are provided and each target is connected to a target drive means by a target post which is mounted to the target drive means for vertical to and fro movement, and wherein the movable retaining member comprises a target support bracket which is also movably connected to the target drive means and has a portion which normally underlies and holds said target post in the first position and which is movable away from said post to permit said post to descend, with said target support bracket including an outwardly extending arm which comprises said missile engagement portion for engagement with said missile assembly target engaging portion for causing movement of the target support bracket away from said supporting position to permit descent of a target; and wherein an inclined track having a lower end and an upper end is positioned in the target path of travel to receive the target support post and move the post upwardly as the target moves along the inclined track from the lower end toward the upper end, with the track including a horizontal portion at the upper end thereof to permit movement of the target support bracket below the elevated post to hold the post, and therefore the target, in the first position for subsequent presentation to the target field.

Claim 24

A target game, comprising: means defining a housing having a sighting area and a target area spaced therefrom; a sighting and firing assembly including an aiming portion located at said sighting area; a target field located at said target area; at least one target located adjacent to the target field and mounted for movement through a path of travel across the target field, said target being mounted on a movable target support including a movable retaining member having a missile engaging portion, said retaining member being movable between a Support position, wherein said target support is held in a first position, to a position away from said support position, wherein said target support is free to move away from said first position through a path of travel simulating target intercept; a missile firing mechanism associated with said sighting and firing assembly and including a missile assembly having a target engaging portion, said missile assembly being mounted for movement from a retracted position to a target intercept position wherein said target engaging portion generally intersects the path of travel of the target in the area of the target field, engagement of said missile engaging portion by said target engaging portion causing movement of said retaining member, thereby permitting movement of said yieldable support through a target intercept path of travel; means for counting the number of targets which have moved across the target field including a projecting striker mounted on each target for movement therewith, said striker assuming an elevated or lowered position depending upon whether said target is in its support position, a displaceable target counter member movably mounted in said housing having a projecting counter tab adjacent the target path of travel and positioned for engagement by a striker in an elevated position as a target moves across the target field, and a target indicator associated with said target counter member having indicia thereon representative of the number of targets which have moved across the target field; and means for counting the number of targets which have moved across the target field and have been successfully hit including a displaceable hit ounter member movably mounted in said housing having a projecting hit tab adjacent the target path of travel and positioned for engagement by said striker when in its lowered position as a target moves across the target field and a hit indicator associated with said hit counter member having indicia thereon representative of the number of targets which have been successfully intercepted.

Claim 25

A target game, comprising: means defining a housing having a sighting area and a target area spaced therefrom; a sighting and firing assembly including an aiming portion located at said sighting area; a target field located at said target area; at least one target located adjacent to the target field and mounted for movement through a path of travel across the target field, said target being mounted on a movable target support including a movable retaining member having a missile engaging portion, said retaining member being movable between a Support position, wherein said target support is held in a first position, to a position away from said support position, wherein said target support is free to move away from said first position through a path of travel simulating target intercept; a missile firing mechanism associated with said sighting and firing assembly and including a missile assembly having a target engaging portion, said missile assembly being mounted for movement from a retracted position to a target intercept position wherein said target engaging portion generally intersects the path of travel of the target in the area of the target field, engagement of said missile engaging portion by said target engaging portion causing movement of said retaining member, thereby permitting movement of said yieldable support through a target intercept path of travel; means for counting the number of targets which have moved across the target field including a projecting striker mounted on each target for movement therewith, said striker assuming an elevated or lowered position depending upon whether said target is in its support position, a displaceable target counter member movably mounted in said housing having a projecting counter tab adjacent the target path of travel and positioned for engagement by a striker in an elevated position as a target moves across the target field, and a target indicator associated with said target counter member having indicia thereon representative of the number of targets which have moved across the target field; and means for counting the number of targets which have moved across the target field and have been successfully hit including a displaceable hit ounter member movably mounted in said housing having a projecting hit tab adjacent the target path of travel and positioned for engagement by said striker when in its lowered position as a target moves across the target field and a hit indicator associated with said hit counter member having indicia thereon representative of the number of targets which have been successfully intercepted.

Claim 26

The target game of claim 20 wherein the game is provided with motor means for driving the targets through the target path of travel, with the motor means being associated with the target counting means for inactivating the motor means following the presentation of a finite number of targets to the target field.

Claim 27

The target game of claim 21 wherein the motor is part of an electrical circuit which includes a pair of normally closed contacts and wherein the target counter indicator portion is displaceable and has a contact engaging web mounted for movement toward said contacts following displacement of said target counter, engagement of said web with said contacts causing separation thereof and causing said circuit to open and inactivate said motor.

Claim 28

The target game of claim 22 wherein the target counter indicator is movable from an initial position to a cycle terminating position, wherein the indicator web engages a contact to open the circuit, and wherein reset means are provided, including a manually operable portion, for returning the target counter indicator to said initial position and permitting said contacts to return to a closed condition.

Claim 29

The target game of claim 23 wherein the counter indicator is normally biased for movement to the initial position and wherein the target counter is associated with the indicator by means for incrementally advancing the indicator responsive to displacement of the counter, and wherein the reset means includes a holding member for holding the indicator in each incrementally advanced position, said holding member being movable away from its holding position responsive to movement of the reset means to permit movement of the indicator to the initial position.

Claim 30

The target game of claim 24 wherein the target striker is associated with the target for movement therewith when the target moves away from the support position, and wherein the housing includes a displaceable intercepteD counter including a projecting tab adjacent to the target path of travel and spaced away from the target counter in the direction of target travel with the intercepted counter tab being offset relative to the target counter tab and positioned for engagement by the striker of a target which has moved away from the support position, with the intercepted counter member including an indicator portion having indicia thereon for indicating the number of targets which have been intercepted.

Claim 31

The target game of claim 25 wherein a plurality of targets are provided and each target is connected to the target drive means by a target post which is mounted to the target drive means by a target post which is mounted to the target drive means for vertical to and fro movement, and wherein the movable retaining member comprises a target support bracket which is also moveably connected to the target drive means and has a portion which normally underlies and holds said target post in the first position and which is movable away from said post to permit said post to descend, with said target support bracket including an outwardly extending arm which comprises said missile engagement portion for engagement with said missile assembly target engaging portion for causing movement of the target support bracket away from said supporting position to permit descent of a target; and wherein an inclined track having a lower end and an upper end is positioned in the target path of travel to receive the target support post and move the post upwardly as the target moves along the inclined track from the lower end toward the upper end, with the track including a horizontal portion at the upper end thereof to permit movement of the target support bracket below the elevated post to hold the post, and therefore the target, in the first position for subsequent presentation to the target field.

Claim 32

The target game of claim 26 wherein retarding means are provided for retarding movement of the target away from the support position, said retarding means including an arm pivoted to the target support bracket and terminating in a pointed end, and further including a serrated surface on the housing below the target path of travel in the area of the target field.

Claim 33

A target game, comprising: means defining a housing having a sighting area and a target area spaced therefrom; a sighting and firing assembly including an aiming portion located at said sighting area and an arm mounted at said sighting area for pivotal movement relative to the housing, said arm having a top with a series of intermittent openings therein, a vertically orientated missile tracking channel adjacent said target area and a plurality of light transmitting conduit means extending from said missile tracking channel to each of said openings in the top of said arm; a target field located at said target area; at least one target located adjacent to the target field and mounted for movement through a path of travel across the target field, said target being mounted on a movable target support including a movable retaining member having a missile engaging portion, said retaining member being movable between a support position, wherein said target support is held in a first position, to a position away from said support position, wherein said target support is free to move away from said first position through a path of travel simulating target intercept; a missile firing mechanism associated with said sighting and firing assembly and including a missile assembly having a target engaging portion and light means for generating and directing light through said conduit means to said intermittent openings in the top of the arm, said missile assembly being mounted for generally vertical to and fro movement within said tracking channel from a retracted position to a target intercept position wherein said light is transmitted through said conduit means to said openings for lighting said openings in series, said target engaging portion generalLy intersecting the path of travel of the target in the area of the target field so that the engagement of said missile engaging portion by said target engaging portion causes movement of said retaining member, thereby permitting movement of said yieldable support through a target intercept path of travel.

Claim 34

A target game, comprising: means defining a housing having a sighting area and a target area spaced therefrom; a sighting and firing assembly including an aiming portion located at said sighting area and an arm mounted at said sighting area for pivotal movement relative to the housing, said arm having a top with a series of intermittent openings therein, a vertically orientated missile tracking channel adjacent said target area and a plurality of light transmitting conduit means extending from said missile tracking channel to each of said openings in the top of said arm; a target field located at said target area; at least one target located adjacent to the target field and mounted for movement through a path of travel across the target field, said target being mounted on a movable target support including a movable retaining member having a missile engaging portion, said retaining member being movable between a support position, wherein said target support is held in a first position, to a position away from said support position, wherein said target support is free to move away from said first position through a path of travel simulating target intercept; a missile firing mechanism associated with said sighting and firing assembly and including a missile assembly having a target engaging portion and light means for generating and directing light through said conduit means to said intermittent openings in the top of the arm, said missile assembly being mounted for generally vertical to and fro movement within said tracking channel from a retracted position to a target intercept position wherein said light is transmitted through said conduit means to said openings for lighting said openings in series, said target engaging portion generalLy intersecting the path of travel of the target in the area of the target field so that the engagement of said missile engaging portion by said target engaging portion causes movement of said retaining member, thereby permitting movement of said yieldable support through a target intercept path of travel.

Claim 35

The target game of claim 28 further including an audible signal producing circuit associated with said missile assembly and said target assembly and including means for connection with a source of power to activate the circuit for producing a first audible signal when said circuit is activated, a second audible signal when said missile assembly moves from said retracted position to said target intercept position and for producing a third audible signal when said target moves away from said support position.

Claim 36

The target game of claim 29 wherein a hit light is provided with said hit light being part of a circuit which includes normally open contact members and wherein a contact closing arm is movable mounted adjacent to the movable retaining member and includes a portion mounted adjacent to said hit light contact members and movable toward and away from said contact members to close and open said circuit respectively, whereby, when said target has been intercepted, said retaining member will move said arm to close the hit light contact members, and therefore, activate the hit light circuit.

Claim 37

The target game of claim 30 wherein said sighting and firing arm includes an extension behind said missile tracking channel and said hit light is mounted on said extension for movement with said sighting and firing arm.

Claim 38

The target game of claim 31 wherein a plurality of targets are provided and each target is connected to a target drive means for vertical to and fro movement, and wherein the movable retaining member comprises a target support bracket which is also movably connected to the target drive means and has a portion which normally underlies and holds said target post in the first position and which is movable away from said post to permit said post to descend, with said target support bracket including an outwardly extending arm which comprises said missile engagement portion for engagement with said missile assembly target engaging portion for causing movement of the target support bracket away from said supporting position to permit descent of a target; and wherein an inclined track having a lower end and an upper end is positioned in the target path of travel to receive the target support post and move the post upwardly as the target moves along the inclined track including a horizontal portion at the upper end thereof to permit movement of the target support bracket below the elevated post to hold the post, and therefore the target, in the first position for subsequent presentation to the target field.

Claim 39

The target game of claim 32 wherein retarding means are provided for retarding movement of the target away from the support position, said retarding means including an arm pivoted to the target support bracket and terminating in a pointed end, and further including a serrated surface on the housing below the target path of travel in the area of the target field.

Claim 40

The target game of claim 28 wherein said missile assembly is mounted on the end of an arm which is normally biased for movement in one direction to an extended position, said movement of said arm to said extended position causing movement of said missile assembly from said retracted position to said intercept position.

Claim 41

The target assembly of claim 34 wherein said missile assembly arm is connected with a cocking arm having a portion extending outwardly of said sighting and firing area and a releasable locking member is provided at said sighting and firing area, said locking member being engageable with said portion of said cocking arm so that said cocking arm may be moved to a cocked position, thereby moving said missile arm to the retracted position and stressing the normaL biasing means therefor whereby said cocking and missile arm may be held in said cocked position under the restraint of said releasable locking means.

Claim 42

The target game of claim 35 wherein said sighting and firing arm has a top with a series of missile light transmitting openings therein and wherein a source of missile light is associated with said missile assembly for movement relative to said arm as said missile assembly moves from said retracted position to said intercept position with said source of light being in communication with said light transmitting opening for lighting said openings in series as said missile assembly moves from said retracted position to said intercept position.

Claim 43

The target game of claim 36 wherein said missile light source is part of said missile assembly and moves to and fro in said missile tracking channel and wherein the arm includes a plurality of light transmitting conduit means extending from said missile tracking channel to each of said light transmitting openings in the top of said arm.

Claim 44

The target game of claim 37 wherein said missile light source is part of a circuit which includes normally open contact means adjacent to the path of travel of said missile arm and wherein said missile arm includes a wiper portion which is positioned for engagement with at least one of the contacts during movement of said arm from the retracted to the extended position to close the circuit across said contacts and activate said missile light source.

Claim 45

A target comprising: means defining a housing having a target field area; at least one target mounted at the target field area and being mounted for vertical movement between a normally raised position and a lowered position; a target drive system associated with said target for moving said target laterally across the target field area in a given path of travel; a sighting and firing assembly associated with said target path of travel and mounted in said housing including sighting means spaced from said target field area for aiming said assembly at said moving target, a missile assembly movable between a cocked position and a hit position and associated with said sighting means for movement therewith, said missile assembly having a target engaging portion which generally intersects the target path of travel when said missile ssembly is in its hit position whereby engagement of said target engaging portion by said target causes said target to move from its raised position to its lowered position, a missile drive system to move said missile assembly from its cocked position to its hit position, and a trigger system for holding said missile assembly in a cocked position and selectively actuating said missile drive system; and means for simulating an explosion representing the successful interception of said target by said target engaging portion, said explosion means including noise means for producing a sound simulating an explosion, light means for producing a flash of light, and actuating means operably associated with said target and said noise means and light means for sensing when a target has been successfully intercepted and for actuating said noise means and light means in response thereto, said explosion means comprising an electrical circuit including an electrical power source, an oscillator connected to said power source for producing a plurality of sound signals, a lightbulb connected to said power source for producing light, and a hit switch comprising said actuating means for permitting electricity to flow through said circuit whereby said electric circuit changes from one sound signal to another sound signal when the target has been successfully intercepted.

Claim 46

A target comprising: means defining a housing having a target field area; at least one target mounted at the target field area and being mounted for vertical movement between a normally raised position and a lowered position; a target drive system associated with said target for moving said target laterally across the target field area in a given path of travel; a sighting and firing assembly associated with said target path of travel and mounted in said housing including sighting means spaced from said target field area for aiming said assembly at said moving target, a missile assembly movable between a cocked position and a hit position and associated with said sighting means for movement therewith, said missile assembly having a target engaging portion which generally intersects the target path of travel when said missile ssembly is in its hit position whereby engagement of said target engaging portion by said target causes said target to move from its raised position to its lowered position, a missile drive system to move said missile assembly from its cocked position to its hit position, and a trigger system for holding said missile assembly in a cocked position and selectively actuating said missile drive system; and means for simulating an explosion representing the successful interception of said target by said target engaging portion, said explosion means including noise means for producing a sound simulating an explosion, light means for producing a flash of light, and actuating means operably associated with said target and said noise means and light means for sensing when a target has been successfully intercepted and for actuating said noise means and light means in response thereto, said explosion means comprising an electrical circuit including an electrical power source, an oscillator connected to said power source for producing a plurality of sound signals, a lightbulb connected to said power source for producing light, and a hit switch comprising said actuating means for permitting electricity to flow through said circuit whereby said electric circuit changes from one sound signal to another sound signal when the target has been successfully intercepted.

Claim 47

The target game of claim 39 wherein said hit switch includes two contact members mounted on the housing adjacent the target path of travel at a height intersecting said target path of travel when a target is in a lowered position, a target in a lowered position causing said contAct members to touch one another thereby closing the circuit.

Claim 48

A target game comprising: means defining a housing having a target field area; at least one target mounting at the target field area and being mounted for vertical movement between a normally raised position and a lowered position; a target dirve system associated with said target for moving said target laterally across the target field area in a given path of travel; a sighting and firing assembly associated with said target path of travel and mounted in said housing including sighting means spaced from said target field area for aiming said assembly at said moving target, a missile assembly movable between a cocked position and a hit position and associated with said sighting means for movement therewith, said missile assembly having a target engaging portion which generally intersects the target path of travel when said missile assembly is in its hit position, whereby engagement of said target engaging portion by said target causes said target to move from its raised position to its lowered position, a missile drive system to move said missile assembly from its cocked position to its hit position, and a trigger system for holding said missile assembly in a cocked position and selectively actuating said missile drive system; and a target support associated with said target and target drive system including a depending vertical post secured to the bottom of the target, an upright sleeve for receiving said post for up and down movement therein, a post support bracket pivotally mounted to said sleeve having a web portion normally underlying said post to support said target in a raised position and a missile engaging portion adapted to engage the target engaging portion of the missile assembly, said bracket being movable between a support position wherein said post is supported and an unsupported position wherein said web portion is swung away from said post allowing said post and target to vertically descend in response to the engagement of said missile engaging portion by said target engaging portion.

Claim 49

A target game comprising: means defining a housing having a target field area; at least one target mounting at the target field area and being mounted for vertical movement between a normally raised position and a lowered position; a target dirve system associated with said target for moving said target laterally across the target field area in a given path of travel; a sighting and firing assembly associated with said target path of travel and mounted in said housing including sighting means spaced from said target field area for aiming said assembly at said moving target, a missile assembly movable between a cocked position and a hit position and associated with said sighting means for movement therewith, said missile assembly having a target engaging portion which generally intersects the target path of travel when said missile assembly is in its hit position, whereby engagement of said target engaging portion by said target causes said target to move from its raised position to its lowered position, a missile drive system to move said missile assembly from its cocked position to its hit position, and a trigger system for holding said missile assembly in a cocked position and selectively actuating said missile drive system; and a target support associated with said target and target drive system including a depending vertical post secured to the bottom of the target, an upright sleeve for receiving said post for up and down movement therein, a post support bracket pivotally mounted to said sleeve having a web portion normally underlying said post to support said target in a raised position and a missile engaging portion adapted to engage the target engaging portion of the missile assembly, said bracket being movable between a support position wherein said post is supported and an unsupported position wherein said web portion is swung away from said post allowing said post and target to vertically descend in response to the engagement of said missile engaging portion by said target engaging portion.

Claim 50

The target game of claim 41 including target reorientating means having an inclined track with a lower end and an upper end positioned in the target path of travel, said track receiving the bottom of said target post when the target is in its lowered position and cause the post to move upwardly as the target moves along the inclined track from the lower end toward the upper end, said track including a horizontal portion at the upper end thereof to permit movement of a post support bracket into its support position below the post.

Claim 51

The target game of claim 42 including retarding means associated with the target for retarding movement thereof from the raised position to the lowered position, said retarding means including a depending movable link connected to the target support having a bottom portion engageable with a portion of the housing.

Claim 52

The target game of claim 43 wherein the housing has a serrated surface which underlines the target path of travel adjacent to the target field and wherein the bottom portion of said link comprises an end engageable with said serrated surface.

Claim 53

A target game comprising: means defining a housing having a target field area; at least one target mounted at the target field area and being mounted for vertical movement between a normally raised position and a lowered position; a target drive system associated with said target for moving said target laterally across the target field area in a given path of travel; and a sighting and firing assembly associated with said target path of travel and mounted in said housing including sighting means spaced from said target field area for aiming said assembly at said moving target, a missile assembly movable between a cocked position and a hit position and associated with said sighting means for movement therewith, said missile assembly having target engaging portion which generally intersects the target path of travel when said missile assembly is in its hit position, whereby engagement of said target engaging portion by said target causes said target to move from its raised position to its lowered position, a missile drive system to move said missile assembly from its cocked position to its hit position, and a trigger system for holding said missile assembly in a cocked position and selectively actuating said missile drive system, said sighting and firing assembly further including a firing arm mounted at said sighting means for pivotal movement relative to the housing, said arm having a generally vertical end opposite that of the sighting means forming a generally vertical tracking channel adjacent said target field area for mounting said missile assembly for up and down movement and a generally horizontal top with a series of intermittent openings therein, said arm having a plurality of light transmitting conduit means each extending from said channel to each of the top openings, said missile assembly including means for generating and directing light from said channel through said conduit means to said top openings when said missile assembly is moving upwardly, whereby the top openings are successively illuminated simulating a moving projectile.

Claim 54

A target game comprising: means defining a housing having a target field area; at least one target mounted at the target field area and being mounted for vertical movement between a normally raised position and a lowered position; a target drive system associated with said target for moving said target laterally across the target field area in a given path of travel; and a sighting and firing assembly associated with said target path of travel and mounted in said housing including sighting means spaced from said target field area for aiming said assembly at said moving target, a missile assembly movable between a cocked position and a hit position and associated with said sighting means for movement therewith, said missile assembly having target engaging portion which generally intersects the target path of travel when said missile assembly is in its hit position, whereby engagement of said target engaging portion by said target causes said target to move from its raised position to its lowered position, a missile drive system to move said missile assembly from its cocked position to its hit position, and a trigger system for holding said missile assembly in a cocked position and selectively actuating said missile drive system, said sighting and firing assembly further including a firing arm mounted at said sighting means for pivotal movement relative to the housing, said arm having a generally vertical end opposite that of the sighting means forming a generally vertical tracking channel adjacent said target field area for mounting said missile assembly for up and down movement and a generally horizontal top with a series of intermittent openings therein, said arm having a plurality of light transmitting conduit means each extending from said channel to each of the top openings, said missile assembly including means for generating and directing light from said channel through said conduit means to said top openings when said missile assembly is moving upwardly, whereby the top openings are successively illuminated simulating a moving projectile.

Claim 55

The target game of claim 45 including an audible signal producing circuit associated with said missile assembly including an electrical power source, means for producing a first audible signal when said circuit is activated, means for producing a second audible signal when said missile assembly moves upwardly in the channel, and means for producing a third audible signal when said target moves from its raised position to its lowered position.

Claim 56

The target game of claim 46 wherein said circuit includes a hit light which flashes whenever a target is successfully intercepted.

Claim 57

The target game of claim 47 wherein said firing arm includes an extension behind said missile tracking channel having an upright portion behind said target field area for mounting said hit light.

Claim 58

A target game comprising: means defining a housing having a target field area; at least one target mounted at the target field area and being mounted for vertical movement between a normally raised position and a lowered position; a target drive system associated with said target for moving said target laterally across the target field area in a given path of travel; a sighting and firing assembly associated with said target path of travel and mounted in said housing including sighting means spaced from said target field area for aiming said assembly at said moving target, a missile assembly movable between a cocked position and a hit position and associated with said sighting means for movement therewith, said missile assembly having a target engaging portion which generally intersects the target path of travel when said missile assembly is in its hit position whereby engagement of said target engaging portion by said target causes said target to move from its raised position to its lowered position, a missile drive system to move said missile assembly from its cocked position to its hit position, and a trigger system for holding said missile assembly in a cocked position and selectively actuating said missile drive system; means for counting the number of targets which have moved across the target field including a projecting striker mounted on the target for movement therewith, a displaceable target counter member movably mounted in said housing where the target enters the target field area, said member having a projecting counter tab adjacent the target path of travel and positioned for engagement by the striker when a target is in its raised position as the target enters and moves across the target field, a target indicator associated with said target counter member having indicia thereon representative of the number of targets which have moved across the target field, and deactivatinG means for rendering the target game inoperable after a given number of passing targets have been sensed and registered, and means for counting the number of targets which have moved across the target field and have been successfully hit including a projecting striker mounted on the target for movement therewith, a displaceable hit counter member movably mounted in said housing where the target leaves the target field area, said member having a projecting hit tab adjacent the target path of travel and positioned for engagement by said striker when the target is in its lowered position as the target leaves the target field, and a hit indicator associated with said hit counter member having indicia thereon representative of the number of targets which have been successfully intercepted.

Claim 59

A target game comprising: means defining a housing having a target field area; at least one target mounted at the target field area and being mounted for vertical movement between a normally raised position and a lowered position; a target drive system associated with said target for moving said target laterally across the target field area in a given path of travel; a sighting and firing assembly associated with said target path of travel and mounted in said housing including sighting means spaced from said target field area for aiming said assembly at said moving target, a missile assembly movable between a cocked position and a hit position and associated with said sighting means for movement therewith, said missile assembly having a target engaging portion which generally intersects the target path of travel when said missile assembly is in its hit position whereby engagement of said target engaging portion by said target causes said target to move from its raised position to its lowered position, a missile drive system to move said missile assembly from its cocked position to its hit position, and a trigger system for holding said missile assembly in a cocked position and selectively actuating said missile drive system; means for counting the number of targets which have moved across the target field including a projecting striker mounted on the target for movement therewith, a displaceable target counter member movably mounted in said housing where the target enters the target field area, said member having a projecting counter tab adjacent the target path of travel and positioned for engagement by the striker when a target is in its raised position as the target enters and moves across the target field, a target indicator associated with said target counter member having indicia thereon representative of the number of targets which have moved across the target field, and deactivatinG means for rendering the target game inoperable after a given number of passing targets have been sensed and registered, and means for counting the number of targets which have moved across the target field and have been successfully hit including a projecting striker mounted on the target for movement therewith, a displaceable hit counter member movably mounted in said housing where the target leaves the target field area, said member having a projecting hit tab adjacent the target path of travel and positioned for engagement by said striker when the target is in its lowered position as the target leaves the target field, and a hit indicator associated with said hit counter member having indicia thereon representative of the number of targets which have been successfully intercepted.