U.S. patent number 3,874,670 [Application Number 05/420,550] was granted by the patent office on 1975-04-01 for automated firing range.
Invention is credited to Donald E. Weihl.
United States Patent |
3,874,670 |
Weihl |
April 1, 1975 |
Automated firing range
Abstract
In the operation of a firing range having targets, the
visibility of which is controlled by remotely operated means,
firing commands are recorded on one track of a tape passing through
the recording head of a dual channel tape recording and playback
machine. A synchronizer is connected with the other channel of the
tape machine and that device generates inaudible target signals
which are recorded on the other track of the tape in properly timed
relation to the firing commands. When the tape is rewound and
played back, the firing commands are reproduced through a speaker
connected with the tape machine, while the reproduced target
signals are directed to the synchronizer which closes an electrical
circuit upon receipt of them. The coil of a relay switch is in the
electrical circuit, and the remotely operated means are in circuit
with the relay switch. Hence, when a target signal is received at
the synchronizer, the remotely operated means is energized and the
visibility of the target is increased, thus enabling the user of
the range to sight upon and fire at the target upon receipt of and
in proper sequence with the audible firing commands.
Inventors: |
Weihl; Donald E. (Belleville,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
26902657 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/420,550 |
Filed: |
November 30, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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207839 |
Dec 14, 1971 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/406;
434/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41J
7/00 (20130101); F41G 3/26 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41G
3/00 (20060101); F41G 3/26 (20060101); F41J
7/00 (20060101); F41j 009/01 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/105.1,105.6,105.2
;35/8A,9A,25 ;274/11R ;353/15 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Siskind; Marvin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gravely, Lieder & Woodruff
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 207,839, filed Dec.
14, 1971 now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A firing range comprising: a tangible target of fixed size and
shape which is movable between a generally obscured position and a
highly visible firing position; target positioning means for
physically moving the target between its obscured and firing
positions; a recording and playback machine through which a single
recording medium passes, the machine being capable of
simultaneously recording two different commands on separate tracks
of the recording medium, and further being capable of reproducing
those different commands in the same sequence and time intervals as
they were recorded; a microphone connectable to the machine such
that audible firing commands directed into the microphone are
recorded on one of the tracks of the recording medium; a speaker
connected with the machine for emitting the audible commands
recorded on said one track when they are reproduced by the machine;
synchronizer means capable of generating inaudible commands, the
synchronizer means being connected to the machine such that the
inaudible commands are recorded on the other track of the recording
medium and such that the inaudible commands when reproduced by the
machine are received by the synchronizer means, the synchronizer
means further being capable of amplifying the reproduced inaudible
commands and being connected to the target positioning means for
causing the target positioning means to physically change the
position of the target when an inaudible command is received
thereby.
2. A firing range according to claim 1 and further characterized by
a relay switch interposed between and connected with the
synchronizer means and the target positioning means; and wherein
the amplified inaudible command constitutes an electrical current
capable of actuating the relay switch.
3. A firing range according to claim 2 wherein the relay switch is
contained in a package separate from the synchronizer means and is
detachable from the synchronizer means.
4. A firing range according to claim 1 wherein the recording medium
is a tape.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to firing ranges and more
particularly to a process and apparatus for operating firing
ranges.
Conventional rifle and pistol ranges are basically composed of
fixed targets and at least one firing line, and therefore only a
limited number of firing exercises may be performed on these
ranges. Greater versatility is obtained by mechanizing the targets
so that they turn on command of the range operator, or else by
organizing the range illumination such that the targets are
illuminated upon command of the range operator. In neither case is
the range operation fully automated since someone must be present
to issue the firing commands and control the target operation or
illumination. Moreover, when the same firing exercise is repeated
for different contestants, the timing between the firing commands
and the target operation may well vary, and as a result some
contestants may be placed at a disadvantage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide
a process and an apparatus for automating the operation of firing
ranges. Another object is to provide a process and an apparatus of
the type stated for synchronizing oral firing commands with the
visible exposure of targets. An additional object is to provide a
process and an apparatus of the type stated for enabling a firing
exercise to be repeated many times with precisely the same timing
between the firing commands and target operation. A further object
is to provide an apparatus of the type stated which is simple and
inexpensive to manufacture or assemble. These and other objects and
advantages will become apparent hereinafter.
The present invention is embodied in a process for operating a
firing range and that process includes simultaneously recording
firing commands and target signals on a recording medium. The
firing commands are reproduced through a speaker, whereas the
target signals are directed to a synchronizer where they close a
circuit connected with a means for remotely controlling the
visibility of the range targets. The invention also resides in the
apparatus for performing the process. The invention also consists
in the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts
hereinafter described and claimed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawing which forms part of the specification
represents a schematic view of an apparatus for automatically
controlling the operation of a firing range.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings, 2 designates an apparatus for
automatically operating a rifle or pistol range having at least one
target 4. The apparatus 2 automates the operation of the range in
the sense that it coordinates the exposure of the target 4 with
oral firing commands and enables the same firing exercise to be
repeated many times in identical form. Broadly speaking, the
apparatus 2 includes a dual channel tape recorder and playback
machine 6, a speaker 8, a synchronizer 10, and a universal circuit
12.
The tape recorder and playback machine 6 may be any of the many
varieties currently available on the market for recording signals
on a magnetic tape 16 passing through a recording head 18 on the
machine and for further reproducing the signals so recorded. It is
essential that the machine have two channels so that simultaneous
recordings may be made in two tracks on the tape 16. To accommodate
the two channels the machine 6 is provided with a pair of input
jacks 20 and 22 and a pair of output jacks 24 and 26. The input
jack 20 and the output jack 24 are connected with one channel, and
the input jack 22 and the output jack 26 are connected with the
other channel.
The speaker 8 is connected with the output channel 26 of the
machine 6, while the corresponding input channel 22 is connected to
a microphone 28. Thus, oral firing commands spoken into the
microphone 28 will be recorded on one track of the tape 16, and the
commands so recorded will be reproduced through the speaker 8 when
the tape 16 is played back.
The synchronizer 10 has a double terminal input jack 40, output
jack 42, and recording jack 44, and a signal switch or button 46.
The input jack 40 is connected with the output jack 24 of the tape
machine 6 through a double conductor wire 48 so that signals
recorded on the second channel of the tape 16 are delivered to the
synchronizer 10 by way of the wire 48. The recording jack 44, on
the other hand, is connected with the input jack 20 of the machine
6 by way of a double conductor wire 50. The synchronizer 10 is
constructed such that when the button 46 is depressed, an inaudible
signal is generated within the synchronizer 10, and this signal is
delivered to the tape machine 6 through the wire 50. Since the wire
50 is connected with the input jack 20 of the tape machine 6, the
signal is recorded on the second track of the tape 16, and when the
machine 6 is set for playback the signal is reproduced and
delivered to the synchronizer 10 through the wire 48 and the input
jack 40. The synchronizer 10 is further constructed to amplify the
reproduced signal delivered to it at the input jack 40, and this
amplified signal is used to close a switch, the terminals of which
are connected to the output jack 42. Thus, when the synchronizer 10
receives a signal from the recording machine 6, the double terminal
output jack 42 will conduct an electric current between the
terminals thereof, but when no signal is delivered to the
synchronizer 10 the output jack 42 will not conduct a current.
Devices suitable for use as the synchronizer 10 are currently
available on the market and are sold for use in coordinating a tape
lecture with the operation of a slide projector. They are often
referred to as tape-slide synchronizers. Bell and Howell markets a
suitable tape-slide synchronizer, calling it Audio Cube 766,327.
Edmund Scientific Company of Barrington, N.J., also markets a
tape-slide synchronizer and has assigned it Stock No. 41,222.
The universal circuit 12 includes a double terminal input jack 60
which is connected to the output jack 42 of the synchronizer 10 by
a double conductor wire 62. In addition, the universal circuit 12
includes a relay switch 64 and an electrical energy source 66
capable of energizing the coil of the relay switch 64. The output
jack 42 of the synchronizer 10, the coil of the relay switch 64 and
the electric current source are all connected in series so that
when the synchronizer 10 receives a signal from the tape machine 2
and thereby closes the switch to which the output jack 42 thereof
is connected, the electrical energy source 66 will be placed across
the coil of the relay switch 64 and will energize the same. The
electrical energy source 66 may be batteries or a transformer
connected to the mains to provide a reduced voltage for operating
the relay switch 64. The universal circuit 12 further includes a
double terminal output jack 68 to which the two terminals of the
relay switch 64 are connected. Thus, when the coil of the relay
switch 64 is energized, the switch 64 is closed and the output jack
68 will conduct a current. The universal circuit is encased in a
box 69 which may be detached from the synchronizer 10 by
disconnecting the wire 62 from either the input jack 60 of the
circuit 12 or the output jack 42 of the synchronizer 10.
The target 4 is mounted such that it swivels from an exposed
position wherein it faces the firing line to an unexposed position
wherein it faces away from the firing line, in which case the
actual target face is not visible from the firing line. The target
4 is rotated by an air cylinder 70, and this air cylinder contains
a four way valve 71 in which a solenoid is connected to the mains
through double conductor wire 72. One conductor of the wire 72 is
connected with the output jack 68 of the universal circuit 12 and
hence is normally interrupted by the relay switch 64. However, when
the coil of the relay switch 64 is energized, and thus closes, the
solenoid in the valve 71 of the air cylinder 70 is placed across
the mains, in which case it will turn the target 4.
OPERATION
To utilize the apparatus 2 for the automatic operation of a firing
range, firing commands as well as target signals must first be
placed on the tape 16 in proper relation to one another. This is
achieved by setting the tape machine 6 for recording and then
uttering the firing commands into the microphone 28 in the proper
sequence and with the correct time intervals between commands. In
other words, the commands should be recorded as if they were being
delivered during an actual firing exercise.
Contemporaneously with the recording of the audible firing commands
on the tape 16 through the other channel of the machine 6, target
signals are recorded on the tape 16 through the other channel of
the machine 6. In particular, the audible firing commands are
initiated with the target 4 facing away from the shooter and the
firing line at which he stands. During the course of the firing
commands, a point will occur at which the target should move to a
position facing the shooter. At this point in time the button 46 on
the synchronizer 10 is depressed and that button is held in the
depressed position for as long as the exercise requires the target
4 to face the shooter. Then it is released. When the button 46 is
depressed the synchronizer generates a signal which is delivered to
the tape machine 6 through the wire 50, and this signal is recorded
on the second track of the tape 16 for as long as the button 46
remains depressed.
When depressed, the button 46 also closes the circuit through the
output jack 42 of the synchronizer 10. This in turn places the coil
of the relay switch 64 across the electrical energy source 66 of
the universal circuit 12, thereby closing the relay switch 64. The
closure of the relay switch 64 places the solenoid in the valve 71
of the air cylinder 70 across the mains, and the target 4 moves to
its exposed or visible position and remains there as long as the
switch 64 is closed, which is, of course, as long as the button 46
remains depressed.
When the button 46 is released, the target 70 returns to its
original unexposed position and the second channel of the tape 16
receives no further signal.
The button 46 is depressed as many times as there are target
exposures during the firing exercise, and, of course, in proper
relation to the voice commands.
To conduct the actual firing exercise, the tape 16 is first rewound
on the machine 6 and then the machine 6 is set for playback. As the
tape 16 advances through the recording head 18 on the machine 6,
the firing commands recorded on the first track of the tape 16 are
reproduced through the speaker 8 and are clearly audible to the
shooter standing at the firing line. When the firing commands reach
a point at which the target is to be exposed, the target signal
recorded on the second track of the tape 16 is reproduced and sent
to the synchronizer 10 through the wire 48. The target signal
recorded on the second track of the tape 16 is reproduced and sent
to the synchronizer 10 through the wire 48. The target signals are
amplified within the synchronizer 10 and the amplified signal
closes the switch to which the output jack 42 is connected. This
establishes electrical contact between the two terminals of the
jack 42 and between the two conductors of the wire 62 leading to
the universal circuit 12 so that the coil of the relay switch 64 is
placed across the electrical energy source 66. Consequently, the
relay switch 64 closes and remains closed for the duration of the
target signal on the tape 16. The closure of the relay switch 64
places the solenoid in the four way valve 71 in the air cylinder 70
across the mains, and the air cylinder 70 moves the target 4 to is
exposed position, that is the position facing the firing line. The
air cylinder 70 holds the target 4 in the exposed position for the
duration of the signal, and once the signal passes, the relay
switch 64 opens and the target 4 moves back to its initial
unexposed position by reason of the action of the four way valve 71
which is an integral part of the air cylinder 70. When the relay
switch 64 is opened, the solenoid in the four way valve 71 is
returned by a coil spring action which causes compressed air from a
supply tank 74 to enter the opposite end of the air cylinder 70.
This in turn moves the target 4 back to its initial unexposed
position.
In lieu of the air cylinder 70 the target 4 may be operated by an
electric motor. In such a case the motor would be controlled by
limit switches, and the forward and reverse switches of the motor
in turn would be connected to and controlled by the relay switch
64.
Similarly, the apparatus 2 may be utilized to operate range lights
instead of an air cylinder 70. In that case the lights would be
connected to and controlled by the relay switch 64, and no need
would exist for the targets 4 to move for their exposure would be
dependent on the operation of the range lights.
This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications
of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the
disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *