US4427199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Target scoring system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-09-13
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Granted: 1984-01-24
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Expires: 1998-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A system for scoring targets with a control module and plurality of timer modules connected thereto. The control module generates start and stop signals and the timer modules count the number of hits on one or more targets and the time required to make an adjustable number of hits. Each hit is detected by an electrooptic sensor. The start signal can be generated by a sound, by a pseudo-random generator or by manual switch operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald L. Faith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:27
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41J; F41J5/00; F41J5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for scoring hit targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile from a marksman, comprising: a control module including means for producing a start signal and, a given time thereafter, a stop signal and means for manually setting said given time; and a plurality of timer modules each connected to said control module and to at least one sensor including first counter means for counting a predetermined number of hit signals between said start and stop signals, second counter means for counting the time, between said start signal and said stop signal, required to count said predetermined number of hit signals, means for manually choosing and setting said predetermined number from a plurality of numbers, and means for displaying the counted number of hits and time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for scoring hit targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile from a marksman, comprising: a control module including means for producing a start signal and, a given time thereafter, a stop signal and means for manually setting said given time; and a plurality of timer modules each connected to said control module and to at least one sensor including first counter means for counting a predetermined number of hit signals between said start and stop signals, second counter means for counting the time, between said start signal and said stop signal, required to count said predetermined number of hit signals, means for manually choosing and setting said predetermined number from a plurality of numbers, and means for displaying the counted number of hits and time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said targets is a disqualify target having a disqualify sensor for producing a disqualify signal when said target is hit, and wherein said timer module includes means for producing a disqualify indication.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as in claim 2, wherein said control module includes means for producing a disqualify indication when any of said timer modules produces a disqualify signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as in claim 2, wherein said timer module includes a display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein said control module includes means for producing said start signal in response to a sound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein said control module includes means for producing said start signal a pseudo-random time after an event.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as in claim 6, wherein each said timer module includes logic means for producing an ALLSTOP signal comprising said event and indicating counting of said predetermined number of hit signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as in claim 7, wherein said control module includes a counter for counting clock pulses to a presettable number indicating said stop signal, said counter being enabled when at least one of said logic means produces said all stop signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as in claim 8, wherein said control module includes a manual start switch and means for producing said start signal in response to operation of said switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as in claim 9, wherein said control module includes means for producing said start signal in response to a sound and switch means having a first condition in which said start signal can be produced only by said sound and a second condition in which said start signal can be produced only a pseudo-random time after said event.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as in claim 10, wherein said control module includes a sound switch and means for enabling said sound responsive means only for a predetermined time after operation of said sound switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein each timer module includes a first counter for producing a hold signal upon a first count, a second counter for producing a second signal upon a second count, a display counter connected to a clock for accumulating a count indicating time since said start signal and the number of hit signals, a display latch in said display counter for receiving the count in said display counter when said hold signal is produced and logic means for disabling said display counter from further counting when said second signal is produced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein said targets each comprise means defining a silhouette, and means for removably mounting said silhouette, and said sensors each comprise a source of light and means for detecting light reflected from said silhouette.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as in claim 13, wherein said mounting means includes a base member having a groove for receiving said silhouette defining means and a plate for protecting said light source and detecting means from said projectiles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein said control module includes means for producing a sequential start signal for activating one of said timer modules, and wherein each of said timer modules includes means for producing a further sequential signal for activating, following completion of a cycle, another timer module.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for scoring targets hit by at least one marksman comprising: a plurality of targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile from a marksman; a control module including means for producing a start signal and, a given time thereafter, a stop signal, and means for manually choosing and setting said given time; and a plurality of timer modules each connected to said control module and to at least one sensor including first counter means for counting a predetermined number of hit signals between said start and stop signals, second counter means for counting the time, between said start and stop signal, required to count said predetermined number of hit signals, means for manually setting said predetermined number from a plurality of numbers, and means for displaying the counted number of hits and time.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for scoring targets hit by at least one marksman comprising: a plurality of targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile from a marksman; a control module including means for producing a start signal and, a given time thereafter, a stop signal, and means for manually choosing and setting said given time; and a plurality of timer modules each connected to said control module and to at least one sensor including first counter means for counting a predetermined number of hit signals between said start and stop signals, second counter means for counting the time, between said start and stop signal, required to count said predetermined number of hit signals, means for manually setting said predetermined number from a plurality of numbers, and means for displaying the counted number of hits and time.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for scoring hit targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile, at least one of said targets producing a disqualify signal when hit by a projectile, comprising: means for producing a start signal including first means responsive to a sound for producing sid start signal and second means responsive to the counting of a given number for producing said start signal and switch means for enabling said first means and disabling said second means in a first condition and disabling said first means and enabling said second means in a second condition; means connected to said start signal producing means and adapted for connection to said sensors for counting hit signals produced after said start signal; and means for disabling said counting means and producing an indication when said disqualify signal is produced.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for scoring hit targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile, at least one of said targets producing a disqualify signal when hit by a projectile, comprising: means for producing a start signal including first means responsive to a sound for producing sid start signal and second means responsive to the counting of a given number for producing said start signal and switch means for enabling said first means and disabling said second means in a first condition and disabling said first means and enabling said second means in a second condition; means connected to said start signal producing means and adapted for connection to said sensors for counting hit signals produced after said start signal; and means for disabling said counting means and producing an indication when said disqualify signal is produced.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 17, further including means for displaying the counted time and counted number of hit signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as in claim 17, including a plurality of said counting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
123 words
A target for shooting practice comprising: means defining a silhouette including a thin sheet of material penetrable by a bullet; base means for removably mounting said silhouette including a member having a groove for receiving said sheet so that said sheet stands vertically; an electro-optical sensor mounted on said base member adjacent said groove for detecting a hit on said silhouette including a light source and a detector mounted for producing a first light signal from light reflected from said silhouette when said silhouette is mounted on said base member and a second light signal when said silhouette is hit by a bullet; and a metal plate mounted on said base member and overlying said sensor for protecting said sensor against a hit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
123 words
A target for shooting practice comprising: means defining a silhouette including a thin sheet of material penetrable by a bullet; base means for removably mounting said silhouette including a member having a groove for receiving said sheet so that said sheet stands vertically; an electro-optical sensor mounted on said base member adjacent said groove for detecting a hit on said silhouette including a light source and a detector mounted for producing a first light signal from light reflected from said silhouette when said silhouette is mounted on said base member and a second light signal when said silhouette is hit by a bullet; and a metal plate mounted on said base member and overlying said sensor for protecting said sensor against a hit.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for scoring hit targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile, at least one of said targets producing a disqualify signal when hit by a projectile, comprising: means for producing a start signal; means connected to said start signal producing means and adapted for connection to said sensors for counting hit signals produced after said start signal; means for disabling said counting means and producing an indication when said disquality signal is produced; means for counting the time required to produce a given number of hit signals; and means for disabling said hit signal counting means if said given number is not counted in a predetermined time following said start signal.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for scoring hit targets, each including a sensor for producing a hit signal when said target is hit by a projectile, at least one of said targets producing a disqualify signal when hit by a projectile, comprising: means for producing a start signal; means connected to said start signal producing means and adapted for connection to said sensors for counting hit signals produced after said start signal; means for disabling said counting means and producing an indication when said disquality signal is produced; means for counting the time required to produce a given number of hit signals; and means for disabling said hit signal counting means if said given number is not counted in a predetermined time following said start signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
72 words
A system as in claim 21, wherein said start signal producing means includes first means responsive to a sound for producing said start signal and second means responsive to the counting of said given number for producing said start signal and switch means for enabling said first means and disabling said second means in a first condition and for disabling said first means and enabling said second means in a second condition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as in claim 22, wherein said second means includes means for producing said start signal after a pseudo-random time delay following counting of a given number.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-01-23 | 1987-07-25 | 1988-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-23 | 1991-07-25 | 1992-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-23 | 1995-07-25 | 1996-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |